Read Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival for Free Online

and tell Corbitt to release his as soon as he is in position. Contact the Striker Commander on the Saker and order him to launch his Strikers. They are to leave the Saker with their weapons disabled." Waldel's face twisted in rage.
    "I'll kill every one of your monsters if you don't produce Captain Lavett."
    "You can kill the Riss, and you can attack the Lynx, killing hundreds of innocent people. And the Lynx and the Merlin will destroy the Saker killing hundreds more. Are you really that kind of a man? Is that how you want people to remember you?"
    "You're a traitor! Consorting with the Raiders."
    "You will have your chance to present your evidence at your hearing. If you're right, I will be relieved of command and no one will have to die. I'm sending Scorpions to the Saker to secure the ship. If you fire on them, the Saker will be destroyed. Captain Reese, out."
    "Colonel Seng, send two shuttles of Scorpions to secure the Saker. Commander Byer you will support the crossing with force if necessary. Gelman, send to Corbitt, 'prepare to support Scorpion detail being sent to secure the Saker.'" I sat back and hoped Walden's twenty years of military service wouldn't permit him to waste the lives of comrades in arms. The tension on the Bridge felt like the discord of an orchestra tuning their instruments.
    
    
     I wasn’t responsible for the future of the human race or SAS, but I was responsible for the future of the Riss.
     A warm, safe feeling flowed through me. I wished I understood. Minutes later, reports began coming. At my nod, Gelman left the Bridge speakers on for everyone to hear.
    "Captain Corbitt reports he's in position and has dispatched his Strikers.
    "Colonel Seng reports two Scorpion combat shuttles launched.
    "Commander Byer reports Strikers leaving Saker with weapons disabled."
    The Bridge held its collective breath. The unthinkable could happen and SAS ships fire on each other—comrades killing comrades over a few madmen's hate. It was possible. It had happened to me. Each passing minute felt like a lifetime.
    "Colonel Seng reports the Scorpions are on board and encountering no resistance."
    * * *
    The Saker's Bridge crew and the Wasp Commander were confined to quarters under guard while every individual on the Saker was interviewed. Commander Iglis conducted the investigation and concluded some fifty people had been actively involved in the mutiny, although many claimed to be just following orders. Iglis found that Lavett and Waldel had been planting seeds of distrust and spreading rumors for months. I didn't envy the SAS Inquiry having to sort out who was following orders and who was part of the mutiny.
    The Saker's Wasp Commander and gunny were good examples. They had been told Captain Corbitt agreed I should be relieved of my command and that the Scorpion Commander on the Lynx would stand down during the takeover. The gunny leading the takeover did order his men to cease fighting when he saw the Scorpions. But by then, six Wasps had been wounded, three seriously. It would have been worse if small details hadn't elected to surrender when they encountered Scorpions while trying to secure their assigned area.
    I had the fifty individuals restricted to one area of the Saker and under guard, awaiting the replacement ship.
    * * *
    I was surprised a month later when the Heavy cruiser, the Bateleur, a Hunter, the Bobcat, and a Light, the Osprey arrived. I was relieved to find Admiral Plimson aboard the Bateleur but couldn't help wondering if I were in trouble.
    
    
    
     Thalia had a point. Plimson had always gone out of his way to be fair with me. But he may not have a choice if he got pressure from