Starlight Gleaming Ch. 12

"Likewise, Commander," Orchid replied. "Your presence here is an unexpected delight, and I must ask you for further assistance. These civilians need safe escort away from the beach, and they need food, fresh water, and dry clothes. If you have the time and resources, they might want to gather some possessions from their homes. If you can do so, allow them one bag each. Some will need medical attention. Then they will need to be escorted to the airfield. I'm hoping they will be airborne sometime later today, and seriously hoping it's before sunset."

"I will see to it, Commander Orchid," she replied. "I got back from visiting Capisco this morning. The other Commander--I take it, she has left?"

"In a manner of speaking," Orchid answered. "She's on the beach, slain by a draconian weapon."

"Indeed?" The Ground Service officer looked unexpectedly delighted. "Would you object if I took a trophy from her? She shot my Aide while I was away, and then blackened her record. She was my friend and a damned fine officer. She deserved better."

"Be careful about the trophy. She was Minister Supay's fuck toy. However, give me your Aide's name and I'll fix her record. Oh, and there's a dead draconian amongst the casualties. Please see that the body is secured until the Science Division people arrive."

The Field Commander looked unhappy about the revelation about Maretta, but she gave the name of her Aide, and started to provide her own phone number as well. To the Commander's surprise, and mine as well, Orchid finished reciting it.

"I remember it from when we talked the other night. Take care of the civilians. I leave them in your able care, Commander."

"I'll see to it myself, sir." Snapping to attention, Commander Barankoshto gave a perfect salute and held it for several seconds. Then she whirled and began barking orders. The tanks, support vehicles, and the Imperial Guards began moving.

The sun continued its rise. Wind gusted and carried light rain everywhere.

For the next hour, Orchid made use of my phone and my laptop, and often both at the same time. Some of the civilians were still by the shore, attended to by Ground Service soldiers and Medicos. Ambulances came for those in critical condition, as well as for the wounded troops. Vehicles came and went with regularity. The Science unit picked up the draconian, and the dead were seen to. A dozen Imperial Guards kept a watch on Commander Orchid, but the rest of them left, moving on to other duties.

I was surprised to see a HueCac approaching us. When I saw the driver, I was both pleased and perplexed.

Doyya.

The Guards challenged her, but I quickly interceded, assuring them that she was with me.

Retrieving a small cardboard carrying tray from the passenger seat, Doyya handed me a cup of hot cahault. She offered one to Orchid. Orchid refused it. "Too damn bitter," she said, before returning to her phone call. Orchid held up her index finger, so Doyya waited with me.

I took a drink, grateful for the hot, sweet liquid warming my gut, then looked at my watch. Almost time for her to be on duty. "Aren't you supposed to be elsewhere, Lieutenant?"

"I was there, sir, as ordered. Arrived half an hour after you called. Captain Xotochan arrived at the same time. He said you were attending to things at the beach, and that I should come see if I could be of any use."

I raised my eyebrows. "Indeed?"

Doyya looked around, speaking more quietly. "The Captain was upset, and retired to his office, closing the door. His Aide, Second Sergeant Mit'an, mentioned the Captain's quarters are near here." She scanned the nearby cottages, then pointed to one on the other side of the shore road. "I think that one is his."

That explained his response to me earlier. "All right, Doyya. Stick around, then. I'll tell you what I can when I can, but nothing right now."

"Yes, sir."

Orchid dismissed most of the Imperial Guards acting as her protectors, keeping only three. "Lieutenant Lovyanchiti, you will provide transport for one of these Imperial Guards, and you will follow us. You other two, you'll ride in the passenger seats with us. Lieutenant Kandikan? You're driving. Let's go."

Doyya hopped into the driver's seat of her HueCac, and after the Guard was seated, backed up and turned around, waiting on the road for us to lead the way.

Flipping the power button, the ChoCac hummed to life. "Where to, Commander?"

"The Commissary parking lot."

I glanced at her, but she just stared ahead. She looked on the verge of exhaustion. Once the Guards were settled into the back seats, I drove, just over the speed limit.

"I was impressed you remembered Commander Barankoshto's phone number."

"I have an eidetic memory, Lieutenant. I never forget anything."

Some people think an eidetic memory is a useful tool, a helpful aid to learning. I had once thought so myself, but my father reminded me of the down side. Any injury, any emotional hurt, any act you regret, with a single thought it all comes back with crystal clarity, as fresh as the moment it happened, never to dull or soften with the passage of time. Our presence on the beach wasn't just the right thing to do. For her, it would have been an unbearable memory, forever chasing after her.

It also added yet another layer to this woman that I now called my friend.

When we arrived, there were only a dozen or so vehicles in the parking lot. Commander Orchid gave us a license number to search for.

We quickly found the sedan-style ChoCac.

Moving toward the rear of the sedan, she looked at me. "Lieutenant Kandikan, please access the AI override. Use the phrase, 'Systems Clear, code twelve-forty-four' afterward. That will prevent it from broadcasting an emergency beacon. Once you have access, instruct the vehicle to open the trunk."

I did as she instructed. Once the trunk popped open, I rejoined them.

Group Captain Datoranka Hanastoctli lay on his side, his skin pale with death. Dark, clotted blood pooled around him in the trunk.

Ordering two of the Guards to remove his body and lay him out on the ground, Orchid took a deep breath and looked away briefly. Because of rigor, it took a lot of shuffling to get him out. Doyya and I tried to help where we could. Once he was clear, the Imperial Guards laid him gently onto the pavement.

"Lieutenant Kandikan, please call Air Security and the Morgue. I want the Captain's death properly recorded."

Taking out my phone, I made the call.

"What happened to his chest?" Doyya asked.

As the Guards laid him down, the huge wound to his chest was readily apparent. Considering its location, I looked at the Commander. "His heart?"

She nodded. "The draconians consider it a delicacy." Commander Orchid looked at me. "I knew it wasn't Dato on the beach. We had a code phrase worked out."

"These are very stormy seas," I quoted. "That was your test, wasn't it?"

The Commander looked pleased. "Just so," she replied. "There are a lot of such tests we put in place. And we change them often. We've known about the draconians and their ability to camouflage for years. It didn't take long for us to latch on to the fact that it meant they could also impersonate others with that tech."

On the street nearby, a HueCac zipped by. I wouldn't normally notice such, but it suddenly screeched to a halt in the middle of the street, backed up and turned into the parking lot.

Zinja and Ixma. I didn't see Sisi, but I didn't wait for that. The little girl didn't need to see the dead security officer.

I moved to the approaching vehicle, waving my arms. It came to a halt and Zinja half fell out of the driver's side, her eyes red and puffy from crying. As soon as she saw me, tears fell anew, her arms gesturing wildly. "Lieutenant! We were at the house getting things for her, and-- and they took her from me! Took her! They told me there is a buyer for Sisi. A buyer!"

"What? Who took her?" I demanded. "Tell me what happened, Zinja!"

Commander Orchid watched us a moment, then motioned for two of the Guards to follow her as she approached.

Taking a deep breath, Zinja wiped her face. "We were .. collecting stuff for Sisi. Doing like you asked. Two Air Security were there. We were only there half an hour when another group arrived. They said they had orders to collect Sisi and take her to the Dependent's Office for processing. I told them no, we had custody, and that I was heading there right afterward to file a claim for her. I gave them your name, too. They said it was too late, that the buyer was here to collect her." She looked at me, incredulous. "Her parents aren't dead even twelve hours, and she's been sold to slavers? There's supposed to be a thirty day wait before anything happens. You told me that yourself. They said she was sold, Lieutenant! Sold! How is that possible?"

Ixma glanced at her distraught mother, then she looked at me hopefully. "Sisi didn't want to go with them, sir. Cried and struggled until they shot her with a stunner. Shot her! You'll help us get her back, won't you, Lieutenant?"

"Was there a civilian with them?" Commander Orchid asked brusquely.

"Yes," Zinja replied, noticing her for the first time. Even wearing the cyan summer dress, there was no mistaking who stood there. "A white man with pale blond hair, and pale blue eyes. Cold as ice."

The Commander tapped out numbers on the phone, half turning away. "Commander, I need another favor. There may be a vehicle trying to exit the base with several children in it. Secure any vehicles and detain any adults, and they are to use metal cuffs, not plastic restraints. Send all ID tags to this phone until you get a clear from me. A small girl by the name of Sisi is of particular interest. Yes, this is related to what happened on the beach. Thank you, Commander Barankoshto."

Turning to the Guard sergeant, Orchid told him, "Call for support. I want at least two squads to meet us at the Dependent's Office. No lights, no sirens. Sharpshooters to cover escape routes. Now this is critical. I do not want any one of them getting away."

To the Imperial Guard by the dead captain, she loudly instructed, "You are to stay here and escort him to the morgue. Once there, give the Captain your respects, and then you are to return to your unit."

The Guard snapped a salute. "Sir!"

It appeared she debated a half moment. Then she walked to the back of the sedan and knelt briefly by her dead friend. "Goodbye, Dato. It was an honor and a privilege to serve with you, my friend. Even in death, you help me catch more enemies of the Empire." Standing, she gave him a salute, then spun back toward us, barking out orders. "Mount up, people! To the Dependent's Office. Now!"

"Ixma!" I pulled the Talon from my belt, confirmed the safety was on, and quickly replaced the nearly empty clip with a fresh one. "Take this!"

She ran up and took it, then hurried back to the HueCac. Zinja barely let her get in before she was moving. Once she got turned around, she burned rubber. Doyya was right behind her.

I hopped into my vehicle. The other guards were already inside. Orchid was on the phone once again. Flipped the power switch. Once clear of the parking lot, I floored it.

As we sped down the street, an Air Security cruiser, lights flashing, passed us going the other way, no doubt headed for the Commissary.

Using the horn, I narrowly avoided pedestrians and caught up behind Doyya.

"They aren't slavers," Orchid informed me coldly, staring ahead. "To them, they are just buying food."

"What?"

"Oh, yeah. Some draconians call us monkeys. And, they have a taste for what they call baby monkey meat."

I glanced at her. She just nodded.

There were no words sufficient. But my shock quickly coalesced into fury. I already had a serious dislike for the Greys and their casual killing of our planes and crews with their EMP weapon. But this was so much worse.

Orchid suddenly pointed. "There! That large van. Block it in. Guardsmen, secure the vehicle and anyone there. If they resist, shoot to kill."

"Confirmed, Commander. Shoot to kill." I heard safeties of both rifles come off behind me.

In the skies above, the chock-chock-chock of rotary blades cutting through the air grew louder. Overhead, the two helicopters split off from each other, one heading to the Housing Office directly across from the Dependent's Office, while the second banked left and flew over to the next building behind it and hovered. Ropes dropped down, and soldiers rappelled to the rooftop and took up station. Rifle barrels scanned the area.

I angled the ChoCac where she directed me. Both men behind me bailed out before the vehicle was fully stopped. Quickly separating to cover their targets, their automatic rifles were brought to bear. Doyya ran up, pistol drawn, offering her support to the one focused on the driver.

Surprised, the two men sitting in the front of the van raised their arms.

The Guard sergeant barked out, "In the Emperor's name, you will not resist. Passenger! Stay where you are! Driver, hands where I can see them! Exit the vehicle slowly. Slowly!"

Drawing my pistol, I covered the passenger side. The second Guard covered the back doors on the van.

Two Air Security cruisers pulled up, windows rolled down.

Commander Orchid instructed them. "You, drive around back. Secure the back entrance to the Dependent's Office. No one in or out. If any one tries to run, shoot to kill. Two men per prisoner. Metal cuffs, not plastic. Go!" And like that, the second vehicle zipped off and disappeared around the corner. "You in the squad, take these people into custody. I repeat, two men per prisoner. Metal cuffs."

Orchid strode around to the back doors of the vehicle, pistol drawn. As two Air Security men covered the door, I followed her, then moved to cover the doors from the other side.

"You want me to open it?"

She shook her head. "You have cuffs on you? Good. Secure the handles. I want to get inside the Dependent's Office before they know we're here. If they decide to fight, I want us inside before they can become entrenched. Fewer casualties that way."

Just as I finished locking the doors, the handle turned and tried to open. It rattled, then stopped. There was a loud bang as something heavy hit both doors.

Doyya came around behind me. "Got something inside there, sir?"

"Apparently so. You have your Talon handy?"

"It's in my HueCac, under my seat."

"Swap your weapon out, Doyya," I ordered. "Hustle!"

And she was gone.

Something pressed on the doors, trying to force them open. We could hear a grunting growl as the doors started to give.

One of the Air Security stood there, watching. "Holy gods. What's inside?"

As if to answer, a scaly, clawed hand snaked out, grabbing a handle.

Orchid stuffed the gun into her belt and grabbed the short sword from the Air Security soldier standing near her. Using both hands, she laid to. With a raging scream, the hand disappeared inside. Or, at least part of it. Four digits and the lower half of the bloody claw lay on the asphalt. She handed the blade back to the stunned soldier, his gaze going back and forth between his sword and the bloody mess on the ground.

Doyya returned then, with Zinja and Ixma in tow.

"Good!" Orchid exclaimed, seeing the Talon in her hands. "Lovyanchiti, if he tries to break out, shoot him until he quits moving. After he quits moving, give him another four rounds. If the bullets sparkle when they hit, he's still alive. Do not let anyone try to open the doors until we return."

She nodded at Orchid. "Yes, sir!"

"Come on, Kandikan. Sergeant. Corporal. Stay behind us! Understood?" Without waiting for an answer, Commander Orchid strode toward the double doors of the Dependent's Office. I jogged to catch up. Zinja and Ixma kept close behind me. Two Air Security and the Imperial Guard sergeant brought up the rear.

Bursting through the doors, the receptionist first stared at her computer screen. "What the hey? My computer just died --" She saw us and stood up. "You can't come in here--" Then she saw the drawn weapons, and the uniforms.

Orchid spared her a brief moment. "Get under your desk and live," she growled.

The woman scrambled to do as she was told.

As Orchid walked in to the main lobby, there were dozens of desks with workers scattered around an open center, civilian women with children in various cubicles. Two men in civilian dress, each carrying a limp child, were heading toward the entrance but froze when they saw us.

Before they could react, Commander Orchid shot twice. Perfect head shots. Both men collapsed with their burdens.

She didn't even pause as she hurried forward. Across from us was a large conference nook. Three women in Air Service uniforms, and an officer, holding clipboards and papers. And four more civilians, one with a child in his arms. All turning to us, alarmed at the gunfire, the sounds loud inside the large open room.

I recognized one of the men. Dopachek, the Huginn operative from Capisco! The white man with the pale blond hair and cold blue eyes, just as Zinja had so aptly described him.

Dopachek and one of the men drew pistols. A third pulled from beneath his jacket an Atlantean PUG 32, a short-stocked automatic rifle.

Orchid opened fire again, and I added my own fusillade to the fray. Pistols and the automatic rifle barked at us.

The Guard sergeant was quick. I heard his heavier automatic coughing behind me, along with pistols from the Air Security. Bullets gouged holes into the walls behind our targets. Two of the hostile civilians and two of the Air Service workers fell back, bloody geysers erupting forth.

Pandemonium. People yelling, diving behind or under desks or just standing there, frozen. Some just covering their faces and screaming. Papers flying as bullets crisscrossed the room.

I heard cries and bodies falling behind me, too.

Before I could turn, though, I saw Orchid shooting Dopachek. Saw the little gold sparkles on his body where the flechettes passed through his shield and tore into his body. Once the other shooters were down, I added my fire at him as well. My Chon couldn't penetrate the shield, but it might keep him off balance.

Dopachek dropped.

Less than sixty seconds, and it was over. An overhead light fixture crashed to the floor, adding more glass shards to the chaos of the room.

The windows of all three conference rooms in front of us were shattered. Several people sobbed, hidden by desks. A baby wailed and a mother tried to shush it. Orchid removed the clip from the Talon and loaded a fresh one.

I stood up, having dropped to the floor for some non-existent cover. Then I heard a ghastly shriek behind me. Turning, I spied Ixma leaning over Zinja, who lay sprawled on the floor. My heart went cold.

Tears streaming and eyes wide with rage, Ixma pulled out her pistol and strode over to the fallen civilians.

Commander Orchid stood over Dopachek, who was bleeding out from a score of wounds. She glanced at Ixma in surprise.

Ixma aimed at the one who'd fired the automatic, his arms raising into the air. He was alive!

"You shot my Mama!" And without hesitation, she fired four times. Then she stifled a sob, rubbed her eyes, and then fired four more times.

The Guard sergeant had been hit three times, but his body weave took the shots. Keeping alert, he scanned the area for residual hostile movement. Both of the Air Security had fared much worse. One was clearly dead, and the second had two bullet wounds; one to his leg and the other to his guts.

Zinja was family. I moved to her, fearing the worst. A large red wound soaked her upper left chest. As I knelt and touched her throat to check her pulse, her eyes opened. As they focused on me, she said hoarsely, "Damn, Lieutenant. Hurts worse than a dry fuck. I think I've been shot."