well."
“Did it bring back to life those the humans killed?”
I sighed. “No, but it allowed the rest of the Riss a chance to survive. Surely, that was more important. Just as you must want your people to survive.”
Ni’Shay’s mouth twitched into a small smile. "I assure you the survival of our people is what we are working toward and grateful for your help. The Riss are very wise and provide a good lesson for us. We must concentrate on keeping our skins today so we will have them for the future our dybbuk sees," Ni'Shay said, nodding. "What favor can we do for you."
Her laughter actually felt relaxing. I too could learn from the Riss—patience—one day at a time.
"I want you to build the Riss a Light cruiser—" I stopped as whispered conversations erupted around the table. Ni'Shay sat quietly, smiling in my direction.
"For free?" Ka'Baako glared at me.
"No, you will be paid for labor and materials," I said, provoking more huddled conversations.
"You trust us to do that?" Ni'Shay asked.
"I believe it's in the best interest of your future and the Riss."
"What do you want … need from us?"
"A manufacturing plant, skilled workers, a project manager, a designer, and anything else you can think of. I've never built a cruiser before." Clearly, I had no idea what it would take and would have to leave that to others. I knew the Riss needed their own cruiser, and it had to be designed to meet their needs—not humans. Several hours later, the elders agreed to put together a plan for me to review and to appoint a project manager, subject to my approval. I left feeling I had made progress.
The next day I set up a meeting with Commander Byer and Colonel Seng. Terril attended as one of my security detail. I asked to meet in the Scorpions area. I told myself it was because I needed a change of scenery, but unconsciously I wanted Byer and Seng to feel more comfortable than they would in my conference room. When I arrived, Seng had snacks and drinks on the sideboard. I smiled. It was the informal setting I wanted, where I was the guest.
"Good afternoon, Captain. There's food and drinks if you'd like," Seng said, waving at the sideboard.
"Thank you, Colonel." I proceeded to collect two small finger-sandwiches and kaffa before sitting. I chose the middle of the oblong table rather than the front and waited until they were seated.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure by now everyone has heard one version or another about my plans to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser. Probably each version has some truth, and none all the facts."
"Yes, I've heard at least three," Byer said.
Seng shook his head. "I've heard two.”
"Here's the real version. After the Inquiry I talked with… " I went on to explain what led up to my request and what I was attempting to do." I want a ship designed specifically for the Riss; however, I doubt they could ever be combat troops or pilots. Or maybe, I don't want them to be. We can build a Riss cruiser that would be functional without pilots and commandos but it would not be fully effective in battle."
Both had stopped eating and looked to be bursting with questions. "I was wondering whether you think it possible a contingent of your people could be assigned to an allied nation's ship. And what would that look like." I got a screaming headache when I tried to consider the ramifications of such an arrangement. Silence followed. Both men's eyes turned downward in thinking mode. Seng responded first.
"Thanks to you, the Scorpions love the Riss, and they've seen or heard what a Riss can do given a reason, like threatening your life. As you know, we are attached to each cruiser as an independent unit. We're there to support the navy but are not under their direct command. I would think the army might consider deploying combat troops on an allied ship given it supported the SAS goals."
"Our situation is slightly different. The
“Did it bring back to life those the humans killed?”
I sighed. “No, but it allowed the rest of the Riss a chance to survive. Surely, that was more important. Just as you must want your people to survive.”
Ni’Shay’s mouth twitched into a small smile. "I assure you the survival of our people is what we are working toward and grateful for your help. The Riss are very wise and provide a good lesson for us. We must concentrate on keeping our skins today so we will have them for the future our dybbuk sees," Ni'Shay said, nodding. "What favor can we do for you."
"I want you to build the Riss a Light cruiser—" I stopped as whispered conversations erupted around the table. Ni'Shay sat quietly, smiling in my direction.
"For free?" Ka'Baako glared at me.
"No, you will be paid for labor and materials," I said, provoking more huddled conversations.
"You trust us to do that?" Ni'Shay asked.
"I believe it's in the best interest of your future and the Riss."
"What do you want … need from us?"
"A manufacturing plant, skilled workers, a project manager, a designer, and anything else you can think of. I've never built a cruiser before." Clearly, I had no idea what it would take and would have to leave that to others. I knew the Riss needed their own cruiser, and it had to be designed to meet their needs—not humans. Several hours later, the elders agreed to put together a plan for me to review and to appoint a project manager, subject to my approval. I left feeling I had made progress.
The next day I set up a meeting with Commander Byer and Colonel Seng. Terril attended as one of my security detail. I asked to meet in the Scorpions area. I told myself it was because I needed a change of scenery, but unconsciously I wanted Byer and Seng to feel more comfortable than they would in my conference room. When I arrived, Seng had snacks and drinks on the sideboard. I smiled. It was the informal setting I wanted, where I was the guest.
"Good afternoon, Captain. There's food and drinks if you'd like," Seng said, waving at the sideboard.
"Thank you, Colonel." I proceeded to collect two small finger-sandwiches and kaffa before sitting. I chose the middle of the oblong table rather than the front and waited until they were seated.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure by now everyone has heard one version or another about my plans to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser. Probably each version has some truth, and none all the facts."
"Yes, I've heard at least three," Byer said.
Seng shook his head. "I've heard two.”
"Here's the real version. After the Inquiry I talked with… " I went on to explain what led up to my request and what I was attempting to do." I want a ship designed specifically for the Riss; however, I doubt they could ever be combat troops or pilots. Or maybe, I don't want them to be. We can build a Riss cruiser that would be functional without pilots and commandos but it would not be fully effective in battle."
Both had stopped eating and looked to be bursting with questions. "I was wondering whether you think it possible a contingent of your people could be assigned to an allied nation's ship. And what would that look like." I got a screaming headache when I tried to consider the ramifications of such an arrangement. Silence followed. Both men's eyes turned downward in thinking mode. Seng responded first.
"Thanks to you, the Scorpions love the Riss, and they've seen or heard what a Riss can do given a reason, like threatening your life. As you know, we are attached to each cruiser as an independent unit. We're there to support the navy but are not under their direct command. I would think the army might consider deploying combat troops on an allied ship given it supported the SAS goals."
"Our situation is slightly different. The
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