Read Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival for Free Online Page B

paused to take a sip of water. "The official inquiry will start tomorrow at nine hundred hours."
    * * *
    The inquiry took three weeks. Everyone who was directly or indirectly involved along with anyone who wanted to speak was interviewed. Lavett and Walden were sentenced to the Cerberus penal colony for life. In addition, twenty-one navy personnel were found guilty to some degree or another: four were given a year's confinement and dishonorable discharge, five were reduced in rank, including the Wasp Commander on the Saker, and the remaining twelve received letters of reprimand.
    After the inquiry ended, Plimson asked to meet with me. When I entered his meeting room, Wattson and Stenberg were there along with the Admiral.
    "Help yourself to kaffa or water and have a seat," Plimson said and waited as I poured a cup of kaffa and sat.
    
     A ripple of laughter. I couldn't see what was so funny.
    "Reese, we agree you did nothing to justify Lavett or Walden to mutiny. However, given their attitude towards the Treaty, some of your actions could have been interpreted as plotting with the clans." He held up his hand before I could respond. "In that case, he should have requested an inquiry into your actions, not taken it on himself to remove you. We believe part of the problem is that Lavett like almost all the SAS captains have more time-in-grade than you, yet you're the station commander. That will continue to be a problem."
    Plimson looked down at his SID. "One of Lavett's charges was letting the clans merchants continue to operate in the UFN and the JPU. The intent of the Treaty was to confine their operations to the SAS."
    "Sir, that maybe everyone's understanding, but the Treaty doesn't state that as a condition. Allowing them to continue to operate in the UFN and JPU benefits the SAS. The clans have an extensive spy network in both empires. Therefore, what the clans learn, I know and thus the SAS. We now have reliable information about each empire and advance notice of anything that may affect the SAS."
    "Military Intelligence will be very pleased, Captain," Stenberg said, then nodded to Plimson.
    "Another of his charges was allowing the Riss shore-duty but no one else." Plimson paused, waiting for me to respond.
    "Sir, the Riss have lived their whole lives outdoors. They have no houses or buildings. Unlike the other military personnel, they will not be rotating home in a year and will likely spend many years here. Therefore, they need time on planet. The clans accept the Riss as neutral and have been willing to let them roam a wilderness territory where there are no settlements or towns. Humans would want to visit the towns, and it would only take one or two incidents to spark a chain reaction all the way to Eden. Lavett is an example of someone who would have intentionally caused trouble."
    "Makes sense," Wattson said, "when you hear your reasoning."
    "Yes, the problem will be trying to send replacements that aren't prejudiced and willing to listen to reason. I think the best we can do is to ensure the Captains understand the conditions in Freeland, why you are station commander, and what you are trying to accomplish." Plimson looked towards Wattson and Stenberg. Then he turned back to me. "It sounds like Captain Corbitt acted property during the mutiny and hasn't given you any problems."
    "None. Captain Corbitt's performance has been excellent," I said, realizing the kind of problem I would have had if he had sided with Lavett.
    "Good, we plan to leave him here to finish his tour. I'm assigning Captain Pavao as Lavett's replacement. I've explained the situation here and the fact that you are station commander. Although, she is a senior Captain with substantial experience, she asked for this assignment." Plimson paused and took a sip of his kaffa. "I trust her, Reese. Oh, speaking of Corbitt, I expect you to provide me with an evaluation of each Captain assigned to