"Sounds like there is no need for the Riss to be creating new technology," Gebauer said, watching me closely.
"Weapons of war, no, but new technology, yes. Like humans or any intelligent race, the Riss are inquisitive. They would someday like to explore the galaxies. I doubt we are capable of doing that today. It will require more knowledge and new technologies."
* * *
"That was quite a revelation, exploring the galaxies." Zhang's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yes, while we struggle with today, our dybbuk is looking at tomorrow." Damaass raised his ubiquitous wine glass to me. I had to admit, although he was always with a glass of wine, he didn't drink a quarter of what he had prior to becoming a Riss-human.
"I'd like time to catch up with today's list of things-to-do, before starting on tomorrow's." Pavao smiled. "Never a boring moment around you, Nadya. Alright, what's on your...our to-do-tomorrow list? Of course, you know you are never going to lose the Leader position like that."
<I don't have one,> I protested to Thalia.
<Yes you do. Fun things.>
<What?>
<You'll think of something. That why Leader.> Amusement tingled through me, and I relaxed. I didn't like the responsibility of being Leader, but I did want the Riss to become the people they were capable of being. In a sense, they had been locked in a room for thousands of years. This was their opportunity to get out.
"The Riss need to start a Riss University and a Riss Research Committee for advanced research and studies. One hundred percent Riss run and managed. The Riss need to be encouraged to reproduce, along with the Riss-humans—"
"What?" several people exclaimed at once.
"Thinking about Bradshaw?" Pavao snorted.
"No, thinking about the next generation of Riss-humans. Freeland is surrounded by three empires of humans, and it's obvious from the Aliens we encountered that there are other human-like creatures out there in the galaxies. The Riss will need humans when they encounter them, Riss-humans who understand both the Riss and human natures."
"By the space gods, Nadya, you already have us dead and gone and our children wandering the galaxies. And I don't even have a boyfriend," Elissa said, laughing.
"Any other revelations? I'm taking notes for my children," Sheva asked, hand poised over her SID.
"We, today's Riss-humans, might have the most challenges. The SAS and the UFN may be friends with us and each other, today. Over time, when their need for us fades, so will the strong bond that friendship requires. And we, as a neutral nation, will be viewed as suspicious. We can try, and should, but in the end that cannot be avoided. So we must remain strong and watchful until that day when we leave.
The End.
Thank you
I hope that you enjoyed reading The Riss Challenge. This ebook is lending-enabled, so feel free to share with a friend. And if you have time, help other readers find The Riss Challenge by telling them why you liked this book by writing a review on Amazon.com. And I’m always interested in hearing your comments and answering any questions you may have at crdaems.com.
Novels by C.R. Daems & J.R. Tomlin
Talonnovels.com
Science Fiction
Riss Series:
The Riss Gamble
The Riss Proposal
The Riss Survival
The Riss Accession
The Riss Challenge
Fantasy: Epic
The Shadow Sisters Series:
The Shadow Ryana
The Shadow Gypsy
The Seer Renee
Talon of the Unnamed Goddess
Women of Power
Scales of Justice
Blood Duty
Urban Fantasy:
Kazak Guardians Series:
Lynn's Rules
The Unthinkable
Supernatural/Horror:
Historical Fiction:
Freedom's Sword
Black Douglas Trilogy
A Kingdom's Cost
Countenance of War
Not for Glory
The Stewart Chronicles
A King Ensnared
A King Uncaged