Starlight Gleaming Ch. 08

"I'll tell you later. Not out here. In fact, everyone, get inside the ChoCac." They got inside, Janetta moving to the front passenger seat while the other three squeezed into the back. I flipped the power switch back on. "Security AI, engage detection counter measures. " The doors locked and the windows darkened. "Map light," I said, and a small dome light came on.

"Okay, Ranji," Janetta said. "What's so hush-hush?"

"The sound proofing in our house is for shit. The neighbors can hear us when we have sex and we can hear them. And fights, loud music, whatever. Hand me that yellow package, Cholan." I opened it and dug to the bottom. I handed three prescription bottles to Cholan, then dug out the rest and gave them to Ixma.

Cholan looked at the bottles and opened one up. "It's red, with a skull on one side."

"The pills they got were bogus, weren't they!" Janetta demanded.

"Worse. The blue ones are fertility pills."

The women expressed their anger and confusion until Janetta barked at them. Her black eyes glittered. "I am going to cut out the heart of who ever did this and eat it in front of their fucking face!" She tried to open the door but it was locked. She banged on it. "Let me out, Ranji! I'm going to get my gun and we are going to the Dispensary, right now!"

"Wait! There may be more to this."

"Go on," she growled.

"Melannee pointed out that it may not just be you. This could be base-wide. Who ever did this may be trying to get to all the women on the base."

"Sweet Jade Goddess," Cholan whispered.

"Did this Melannee give you orders?" Janetta asked. She was calmer, but her voice was cold and hard.

"Yes. Keep quiet about it for tonight and tomorrow. I sent a message to my contact at Tikun War base, and she confirmed it. Imperial Security agents and Imperial Guard will be arriving tonight and tomorrow, to see if Air, Ground, and Naval Service Dispensaries are all affected, and they are bringing extra supplies of birth control pills. If you want in, Melannee said to be by the Commissary tomorrow night after dark."

Janetta turned to her crew. "Cholan? Ixma? They tried to burn you. You want to be there?"

"Yes, sir!" Cholan replied.

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Me, too, Lieutenant," Zinja growled.

Janetta had a feral smile. "You, I was already counting on, Second Sergeant. It may be a couple and it may be dozens who are going to die, but there will be blood for this. There will be blood."

Cholan cleared her throat. "So, uh, what's in these other packages? Sir? This one seems to have my name on it."

"There's something for each of you. Open them."

Packages were shuffled. Cholan opened hers first. "Is this a dress? It feels like satin! And there's more down here, something glittering and there's feathers ... Sir, the light in here's crap. Can we go inside and have a better look see?"

"Ranji?" Janetta inquired.

"AI, disengage security defenses. Release the doors." The four women let themselves be distracted, peering into their packages while they walked into the house. I carried the last one with the toys.

Inside, the women had separated, their gifts spread out around them. Cholan was entranced by the beret style hat, covered in red and blue hummingbird feathers and trimmed in silver and fluorite. The others had their hats out, too, and the evening dresses. The dresses were mostly black, but the lower half had a seashore design in dark grey while the top sported a large gray, full moon surrounded by sequins. Each of them also received a sun dress and a set of non-regulation bra and panties.

Beaming, Ixma gathered up her stuff and got up.

"Where you going, girl?" her mother asked.

"To try them on."

Zinja scooped up her things. "I'll join you."

Cholan quietly followed them.

Janetta looked at me. "I was getting worried, Ranji. Scared even. Hours and hours and no word. How long did it take you to do this shopping?"

"I tried to call, but there's no phone service onto the base from Seven Nations. The shopping took about four hours, give or take. The rest of the time was spent on taking care of other things." I set the package and the briefcase down. "The shopping could have waited, but since it was close by, I let the time get away from me. I'm sorry I worried you."

She nodded at the package and briefcase. "Some things for yourself?"

"The package has some novelty items. One for each of you. The briefcase has my new computer and weapons. Tomorrow night, I will transfer my data off the old one, and give the computer to Cholan. It's not new but still a pretty good model. I think she could make good use of her own portable comp."

"And you know sizes for all of us? Because these look like they'll fit me and I have to tell you, I'm impressed if you do."

"I had help," I confessed. "But now I do have all that data on my phone."

"Let me guess. This Melannee person?"

I nodded. "She was a big help today."

"I bet," she said quietly, reaching down to the pile of clothing. "This one, however, appears defective." She picked up the white lace panties. She poked her fingers through the hole in the middle. "I don't have anything in my plumbing that needs to be let out."

"Uh, actually, it's so you don't have to take it off while I slide in, Janetta."

She looked amused. "So this is actually for you, then."

"No, no. You get to wear it."

"Ranji, I sleep naked. I have done so ever since I could walk."

I moved in front of her. "You don't have to actually sleep in them. You could wear them for special occasions. I would love to see you in them."

A smile teased at her lips. Next, she held up the sheer nightgown. "This, too? I mean, it's completely see-through! What's the point? Might as well be naked."

"Gods above, Janetta, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. I'm told by a knowledgeable sales clerk that this is to emphasize your charms, to be sort-of dressed without actually being dressed and ... and I am not remembering his slick speech very well at all. We could try it out and see if you like it. If you don't, you don't have to wear it ever again." I leaned in and kissed her gently.

Janetta rested her head against mine. "Let me understand this. You bought these things for me, but they are really for you?"

"It is supposed to help you overwhelm me with your female charms."

"Female charms? I have those?"

"Oh, in abundance, Janetta." Kissed her forehead. "I get hard for you all the time." Kissed her cheeks. "I kept thinking all the way home what you told me this morning, that you wanted me inside you, pounding into your pussy and filling you with hot come." Kissed her mouth.

She opened her mouth to me and our tongues touched and probed back and forth. When we broke for air, she looked pleased. "I do like it when you give me your hot come. Unfortunately, it'll have to wait. You've done Zinja and Cholan already. Way things are moving, I want you to do Ixma tonight. She and Cholan split the last two birth control pills this morning after you left. Thanks to you, they now have a good supply on hand."

I cupped her face.

"I kept thinking about you today, too," she added. "How you came twice last night, and then how you worked Zinja over real good this morning and then did me hard and rough right after. I came so good." She half-laughed. "Zinja positively bounced all morning. Only three other times have I seen her that happy. When she got assigned to my crew, when Ixma got transferred in, and when I got promoted to full Lieutenant. You were right. I can see it now. Once is not going to be enough. You knew it would be that way, too, didn't you? Tried to warn me. Too late now, though, because it's done. Tactical error to me. I told you I didn't know anything about being in love. Command training frowns on fraternizing with the enlisted, and I'm going to be sleeping with them. With my small team, though, I think keeping a barrier between me and them wouldn't work. Anyway, second rule of command, learn from your mistakes and move on. At least I'm still Queen Bitch."

"Queen Bitch is the first one, isn't it? Never let them know you're scared?"

She grinned. "Damn straight."

I pulled her in and she kissed me hard and fierce, and I gave right it back to her. She hadn't been to the hangar in a while, so I didn't smell jet fuel, but I did smell oranges.

Just then, the bedroom door opened and all three of them came out wearing their sun dresses. Zinja's dress was sky blue with white fluffy clouds and fanciful propeller aircraft - monoplanes, bi-planes and tri-planes from two centuries ago. Cholan's dress had various pastel-colored computer peripherals and robots on a sienna background. Ixma's was pale green with large tropical flowers and huge, dark green leaves.

Ixma spun around, grinning. "What do you think?"

"Very nice!" I grinned. "Very nice, indeed, every one of you!"

"Thank you," Ixma beamed. "For everything!" Cholan and Zinja echoed their thanks as well. Janetta nodded thoughtfully.

Excited, Cholan looked at Janetta. "What does yours look like, Lieutenant?"

Using her index finger and her thumb, she slowly pulled it from the pile of clothing. Cholan looked away. Zinja closed her eyes, scrunching up her face. Ixma covered her mouth with both hands.

"What?" I asked them. To Janetta, I said, "I tried to find a duplicate of that dress you wore to Chingli Point --"

"And what," Janetta interrupted sharply, "do you remember I did with that dress?"

She'd torn it in half and used it to wash the sweat and dirt and come off her body. I had used the other half, and it had ended in the trash.

Janetta dropped the dress. "Captain Mils Tapanek got it for me. Insisted I wear it twice a week when I had to go fuck him in the armory at Tikun so I didn't fail my handgun test. I was more than happy to see it 'accidently' destroyed beyond all salvage. This looks like the same print. I appreciate the thought, Kandikan, but you don't mind if I have a bonfire tomorrow out back, do you?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. I didn't know the history. I didn't know. I saw it and it reminded me of an incredible night with the woman I love."

"You are being gracious. Back then I was a prickly pear, rude and difficult, and tonight I just threw this gift back in your face."

"Prickly pears are good eating. Like my date that night. I just had to get to the inside."

Janetta threw her arms around me and hugged me tight. "Gods, I love you so much, Ranji. I am so glad you didn't give up on me!"

Ixma gasped. "Lieutenant! What's that?" She pointed to the nightie. "Can I look at it?"

Janetta cocked her head then snuggled into my chest. "Go for it."

Ixma held it up, gasping. "Oh, my! It's gorgeous!"

Zinja whistled. "That's a man-buster all right."

"I'll say," Cholan echoed.

"Man-buster?" Janetta turned to look at them. "What's that?"

"Sort of like extra ammunition, sir," Zinja replied. "When you get the enemy lined up and fire a missile, then fire a second one for insurance, in case he drops some chaff to avoid your first shot."

"I see," she replied. Though I could tell she didn't. I'd ask her about it later. "You really think it's pretty?"

"It's soft and it shimmers in the light!" Then Ixma examined the white panties. "And these are beautiful, too! The lace is so intricate and delicate looking, and ... and why is there a hole in the middle?" She looked at Zinja, puzzled.

"That, my girl, is so they can connect without her having to take them off."

Ixma darkened from cheeks to her collarbone.

"Like keeping the bow on while you unwrapped the present. Or--"

"I got it, Mama." She carefully replaced the underwear onto Janetta's pile.

Amused, Janetta brushed her hand through my hair. "Did you eat today?"

"Late in the afternoon, I had a mammoth sandwich and something called chips. Fried potato slices. Not sure about the meat, but the chips were good. And later, we had some kabobs. But I could go for something."

"I've had chips," Ixma piped in. "They have them at the Cafeteria on Midweekday. They're good with salsa."

Zinja went to the kitchen and retrieved some food from the mini-fridge.

"Take your things to your room for you, Lieutenant?" Ixma asked. Janetta nodded and they were scooped up and carried away. The sun dress though, landed in a heap by the back door.

I sat down on the small couch and Janetta parked on my lap.

"Want your case and the other package in your room, sir?"

"Briefcase, yes. There are four boxes in the package. One for each of you. Different colors."

Cholan set them out. Red, green, blue, and purple. "Lieutenant, you get first pick."

Janetta twisted around. "I'll take red. What is it?" Cholan handed her the box. Janetta opened it. Took out the ovoid with the handle-grip top, and the four balls extending out the bottom.

"There's supposed to be a switch at the top. Off, low, and high."

Janetta clicked the switch then nearly dropped it. "It vibrates!" She set it down on the makeshift coffee table. It skittered slowly across the surface. She laughed in delight. "What an odd toy!"

"Hand it to me," I told her. She did. I moved it around her back and placed it against her shoulder. Pressing it into her muscle, I moved it slowly around.

"Hohh-kay. I can see where that .. Mmm ... can be useful."

"I'm told these are really popular with women. Regular sales."

"For that?" Janetta scoffed. "Maybe if you got someone to do it for you, but regular massage is just as good." I shifted the toy to my left hand, and pressing one of the legs down into her crotch and flipped the switch. Janetta jumped, bouncing off my lap and onto the cushion. Eyes wide, she looked from me to the little vibrating toy in my hand. "Fucking shit," she said quietly.

"Imagine that against bare skin," I told her, handing it to her.

Janetta stared at it, feeling it vibrate, and licked her lips.

Cholan stood up, announced, "I pick green!" and strode for the bedroom.

Zinja brought over a half sandwich on a small plate and a beer for me. I shut off the toy and took the sandwich from Zinja, nodding my thanks. Zinja came around and picked up the purple one. "Seems I recall seeing something about this." She looked at me. "What was it? Oh, yes. Isn't this on the contraband list?"

My mouth full, I nodded. I took a drink of beer. "They just confiscate it, though. Optionally, a fifty credit fine."

"Contraband, Ranji?" Janetta looked at me archly.

"You mean forbidden? Like licking pussy? I think this toy is harmless. I also know what you told Zinja last night. You lied to her. You do know what your own pussy tastes like and you have for months now. I lick your pussy all the time and then I kiss you. So you--"

"Easy, Lieutenant! Easy," Zinja warned. Janetta actually looked stricken. "She'll come around. Don't force it, and some day we'll get her to lick pussy and suck cock because she wants to."

Janetta asked us both, "I'm really going to want to do that?"

"Sure, Lieutenant. That nice cock your man has fills your pussy so nice and so good, doesn't he? And you love him, don't you? Miss him when he's gone? That cock is part of him. You know what it feels like when he gets down between your legs and puts his mouth on your pussy. It's like that for him when you suck his cock. You can make him go all crazy with pleasure using your mouth on him like that. There's fun and control in making him so helpless because of what you do to him. When he did that for me this morning I thought I was in heaven! I know I want to give back to him what he did for me." She looked me in the eyes. "I'd do my best to suck you like a vacuum cleaner, sir. Down to the last drop." Then she grinned, tossing up the box and catching it. "Thanks for the toy! I'll try to put it to good use."

Janetta took my beer and drained it. Then she scowled, staring at the empty bottle she held. "I do like it when you lick me down there, Ranji. What she says makes sense, but I'm still having trouble with it."

I patted her leg. "Hey, I'm happy playing with your tits and coming inside your pussy, Janetta. Anything else you want to do, we do at your own pace. No rush. Okay?"

She nodded, standing up. "You are so patient with me. Thank you for that. Come on, Ranji. Time we took the littlest lamb to bed."

A low wail rose up, loud, from the bedroom. As it rose in pitch, it suddenly broke off into maniacal laughter. We glanced at one another in alarm. Then the wail resumed, and Cholan shouted, "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckity-fuck! Sweet Jade Goddess and the rowboat She floated in on!"

Janetta snickered, then laughed, slapping her legs. "Guess she likes the toy! Ranji! Up! Let's go to bed. We got our own screaming to do."

I got up and suddenly remembered the cards in my pocket. "Hey, Zinja, this is yours. I guess you can give Cholan hers tomorrow." I passed the two charge cards to her.

"You're a good man, sir. Trusting us like this."

"We're a team, Sergeant. We've been tested and our enemies are dead. Our new enemies should fear us. Like your unit motto says, 'Dangerous When Provoked.' Fits us, too. Janetta? Here's yours."

She stopped, staring at it. Then her face darkened. "I don't need this, Kandikan! I told you to get cards for them. I don't need it!"

"Don't challenge me on this, Janetta. I mean it. I told you I will take care of you and your team. Only four credits to your name? How do you think I felt knowing you couldn't even buy lunch today if you were hungry? If you were my wife, you'd expect me to provide money for us to live on, wouldn't you? I am your man and you are my woman. Two are better than one. That means we share. Everything. Good. Bad. Everything. Now take the damn card, Janetta, say thank you, and shut up about it. And I better see you using it, too, or we will have words. Are we clear?"

Very quietly, she murmured, "If you were my husband." She looked at the card, rubbing her thumb over the ridged names. Then she straightened. "Yes, sir, Lieutenant! Loud and clear. Thank you." She put it into her wallet and led the way to the bedroom. At the doorway, she paused. "Ixma? Time for you to come with us."

Ixma glanced to her mother. "Can the Second Sergeant be there with us?"

"That's up to you, Ixma," Janetta told her. "It's your time to be with Ranji. You can have any of us on the crew you want to be there for you. Even all of us. But I might kick some bodies out so there's room for sleeping afterwards."

Zinja raised her eyebrows. "Second Sergeant? Does this dress look like a uniform, Girl? Don't you Second Sergeant me! I'm your Mama and don't you forget it."

Ixma smiled as she headed to the bedroom. "I know, Mama."

Zinja blinked. She looked at Janetta grinning at the doorway. "She just razzed me and I fell for it."

"She did." In the bedroom, Janetta went over to the laundry hamper by the closet and began undressing. She removed her pips from her shoulder boards, setting them on her dresser. Then she spied Ixma carrying Janetta's new dress to the closet. She took it, and pointed at me. "Don't fuss with clean up. You are here to be with him. Now go."

Zinja went over by Janetta and slipped out of the sun dress. Underneath she wore the new dark blue lace bra and panties I'd bought her.

Topless, Janetta put her boot knives onto the dresser, then stepped out of her boots and pulled off the socks. Glancing at Zinja, she gave her a long look. "You look really different. How do you feel?"

"I'm a warrior, but I feel ... special. I've never worn anything so fancy before. Kind of rich and decadent. Or like a kid at Winter Solstice Gifting." She ran her hands over the fabric, reveling in the texture. "I'll probably take the bra off, but I think I will try the panties for sleeping in. See how they feel."

I looked at Ixma who stood away from me, wringing her hands together. I could see she was getting nervous, second-guessing herself. I held out my arms. "Come here, Ixma."