Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

No. The phrasing and grammar of this email message was more like what I'd expect from a non-native speaker of Queschuan. I need you to come and stop avoid a great scandal at once? It was verified as being from Calia's email account, but it was impossible that she authored the message.

Intrigued, I opened the file header. Expanding the routing information, I noted the various ISP connections it has passed through on its way to me. I recognized the origin point of the URL number. My parents home. Sent an hour ago. Even more impossible.

Obviously, whoever sent it didn't know that Calia was here at High Guard War base with me. And now I knew her account was compromised.

More to the point, it mentioned Persavati, my mother's hand-maiden. This was the expected signal that Melannee had warned me about. This message was intended to draw me home, so that my father and myself could be killed by Aesir-Vedan agents.

The email prepared for me by Melannee was sent to Tikún Travel. It simply said, Plans canceled. Returning home ASAP - R

Once we dealt with the assassins – assuming I survived – my orders were then to continue on to Sparanztlo, the ultra-secret training base for Imperial Security, high in the mountains east of the Nazca Proving Grounds. What I would be trained for, I had no idea. But Itznacoco thought my becoming part of Imperial Security would help my survivability.

I couldn't help feeling, though, like I'd been given my death sentence. Itznacoco worked for Imperial Security. But the Ministry was run by Supay, whom I knew to be an amoral, sociopathic killer.

I closed down my laptop and stood up. More out of nervousness, I pulled my pistol, removed the clip, checked it, slid it home, before securing the pistol back into my holster. The false email purporting to be from Calia meant the assassins planning to kill my father were in place. I had to stop them without letting them know we were on to their plan.

Doyya had seen me check my pistol. I had her full attention.

"Lieutenant Lovyanchiti? My travel orders just came through. I hereby place you in command of the 945th Auditing and Security Oversight unit. Until I return, you are now in command."

"What? Right now? Sir, I–" Doyya stood up, alarmed.

"With the able assistance of Sergeants Chita and Yalcamara, I have every confidence you will prove an able and capable commanding officer. You may be new to being an officer, but you have eight years of military experience under your belt. You'll do fine. Chita? I need to know the next transport heading to Sentry War base in Tohingo."

Doyya looked at me. "Sir, I thought we'd have more time before you left!"

"Lieutenant Lovyanchiti," I paused. "It's traditional to say, 'Safe flight and safe return' to departing Imperial Air Service personnel."

Snapping to attention, she saluted. "Safe flight and safe return, Senior Lieutenant!"

"Relax," I grinned at her.

She blinked, then nodded nervously.

Sitting back in my chair, I tried to be reassuring. "I believe we have a real solid team here. Since you picked most of them, Doyya, that says a lot of good things about you. Picking good people to work for you is a serious talent. You've got good instincts. Use them. Trust them. Sergeant Chita? While I have every intention of returning, please pass along my best wishes to everyone."

She looked up from her computer monitor. "I will, sir. The very next transport should actually be getting airborne right about now. There are four Condors scheduled to leave tonight at Midnight. You want Flight 337 by Terminal 2, with three hours of air time to Tohingo, ETA is oh-four-hundred hours, local time."

"Very good. That's it then. I'm going to go see Captain Xotochan and give him the news. Hmm. Chita, let Sergeant Barris at Ground Service know I'm leaving, and ask her to pass it on to Commander Barankoshto."

Chita stood up, saluting. "Stay safe and come back to us, Lieutenant. We need you here."

Returning the salute, I smiled. "Thank you, Sergeant. Oh, and Corporal Rilli should be getting out of the Naval hospital in about four or five days. Please have someone pick her up when she's discharged and gets signed onto using the bus."

Perplexed, Chita said, "But her injuries were – You paid for her to get nano-treatment!"

"Everyone in the 917th is also part of our team, Sergeant."

"Of course, sir."

"Since you have gone to the trouble of making sure she isn't mustered out," Doyya said archly, "I will make sure Rilli gets a tutor and learns to read well enough to do her job. Maybe restrict her to school books until she can do her job more effectively."

"You do that. You are in charge, Doyya. Enforce the Protections Order and do your tasks. Try not to get entangled in anything. Watch your backs. Keep an eye out for each other. And I mean that. If things get too hot, pass along your concerned to Barris. I'll be right back."

"Yes, sir," they replied soberly.

Across the building I moved, until I was outside the captain's office. I greeted his aide, Second Sergeant Mit'an. He looked up. "Lieutenant Kandikan. What can I do for you?"

"I need to briefly speak with the Captain. Is he in?"

He nodded, getting up. Going to the closed office, he rapped twice. "Enter!" came the reply.

"Go right in, Lieutenant." He moved aside, returning to his seat.

Once inside, I waited for him to acknowledge me. That took about two seconds. Seeing me, he rolled his eyes and frowned.

"What is it now, Kandikan?"

"My orders are here. I'm informing you as of right now that Lieutenant Lovyanchiti is formally in command of the 945 until my return."

"She's a brevet officer and green. You're sure she can handle it?"

"Lovyanchiti has four years experience as a sergeant. She can handle authority, delegate, and she can think on her feet. And, she has my full support and confidence."

He scowled, then pulled up his keyboard, typed a few things, scrolled down, then his eyebrows rose. "And there it is. Travel orders, for ten weeks of training, plus a week of travel time, with a discretionary return date. As needed, it says. All official, signed off by the Air Ministry."

A week of travel time? Possibly more? Oh, that was a wrinkle I hadn't counted on! That's going to go over real well with Janetta and the others.

"So," he said, leaning back in his chair, tapping his pen on desk. "When you come back, you will be some sort of security guru or something?"

I shrugged. "I've been no information on the nature of the training. Only that I am required to attend."

"All right, Kandikan. You've done your duty. Maybe while you are gone, things will settle down around here and the rest of us can get some work done."

"I assure you, Captain, I would be absolutely delighted if everything does run smoothly and quietly while I am away. Safe and prepared, would be even better." I saluted him.

Giving a look of exasperation, he half-heartedly returned it. "Dismissed."

With that done, I returned to my unit's area.

When I returned to my desk, some of the staff were gathered around Chita's desk.

Chita herself was on the radio. "He's leaving tonight, Zero hundred hours, by Terminal 2, on Flight 337."

"Departure zero hundred, Terminal 2, Flight 337, confirmed," Yalcamara's voice on the radio replied.

The staff wished me well, and I thanked them. They started to leave, but Chita rose up. "Llam nuqan, Lieutenant!"

The other enlisted echoed her. "Air Service!" I answered.

Some had worried looks. I assured them I had every intention of returning as soon as I was able to do so. And that while I was away, the buses and Unit Protection Orders were there to stay.

After they left, I lowered my voice to Chita and Doyya. "I meant what I said earlier. Watch yourselves. Keep track of each other. Know where the others are supposed to be, and check on them if they don't show. The 602 might try to hurt you or even kill you. Commander Barankoshto is aware of the growing issue and was ticked about one of her officers getting shot. She's not happy about it, but if you are in trouble, I believe she will help you out."

"You really think they will try to kill us, Lieutenant?" Chita asked.

I shrugged. "I sincerely hope not, but they took three shots at me, and didn't care that I was in the middle of a group of Ground Service officers when they took two more shots. So, yeah, I am worried about all of you."

They both looked at me.

"From now on, everyone in the field wears bodyweave armor. It's not perfect, but it is some protection. So far, I think we are the only unit to be using the Talons extensively. Make sure the cruisers have supplies up to specs, such as assault rifles, first aid kits, and the like. Security, though, wears full armor, with combat helmets when on duty, and they keep their gear close.

"Doyya, make use of Corporal Sowitwee, and see he does the training that he's scheduled to take. When I come back, I want to see everyone of my warriors standing. You sure you don't want to ride back with me Doyya? You look beat."

"I have some reports to finish. I'll be all right, sir. I'll catch dinner with Yalcamara and Stimmi, and afterward, we'll come by to get my things."

"Don't overdo it. Pace yourself. I am depending on Yalcamara and you two to keep my command in good order. And I have every confidence that you will make me proud. Goodbye to you both, then."

"Yes, sir," they replied.

* * * * *

I stopped at the Commissary on the way home, letting them know that Janetta, Ixma, and the girls were now at 1210 Cirrus Drive, so they could deliver the flowers there in the evenings. I added a daily single flower for Calia for the remaining time, added a month to everyone, and paid the extra charge. Then, as a welcome home gift for Janetta, I bought a case of Blue Label metl juice. It wouldn't compensate for the date I'd be breaking, but there was nothing I could do about that.

As I drove, I began to think.

We had a new home. Going there raised a lot of emotions. It made me feel good that my family would be more comfortable now. Yet I dreaded the counting down of hours and minutes until I had to leave. I didn't want to leave them, yet I also knew I had to. Not just for the commitment I made to Itznacoco, but also to save my father's life. He was the head of House Kandikan, and I never wanted that to change. I shuddered to think what it would do to Mother if anything happened to him. Both of them had given up their families to be together. I knew I, too, would be devastated if anything happened to either one of them. Having my own family, I began to understand just how much worse it would be for my mother to ever lose my father. From our scientific exchanges, I knew my father was on the track of solving some important and needed technological advances. With the Greys helping Atlantis and the draconians helping Aesir-Veda, the Empire needed my father more than ever.

Pulling up in front of our home, I saw a strange, unmarked ChoCac sedan beside Janetta's HueCac. Civilian. Capisco plates.

I parked my vehicle. "AI, can you open a link to the House AI?"

"Attempting to establish communication," the vehicle computer replied.

"Voice authorization required," spoke another, slightly higher masculine voice, which I recognized as being the House AI.

"Senior Lieutenant Ranji Kandikan, I give authorization to initiate this link."

"Voice authorization ... accepted. What service do you require?"

"Where is everyone?"

"Do you wish a description, a map layout, or camera feed?"

"Camera feed."

The HUD display came on, and an image formed.

Sisi upstairs in her room, headphones on, playing with her tablet. That was normal. And made me smile. The next image was of Janetta in the upstairs bath, soaking in the tub with several lit candles and the lights off. A look of bliss on her face. My smile got bigger.

The next one made me go cold. In the central foyer, between the kitchen, dining room, drawing room, and living room stood a strange, light-haired, light-skinned man holding a pistol. Before him were Anton and Calia, defiant. Behind them Nariya huddled next to Ixma – who protectively held Mina turned away from him.

A second intruder stood guard by the kitchen door leading to the garage. He carried an automatic, a PUG 32. They were dressed as civilians, but both also sported large, military combat knives on their belts. And from the odd way the clothing fitted, I surmised they wore body-weave armor as well.

"House AI! Freeze on that location! Scan for others in the house. And do you have sound?"

"Adjusting. Calibrating sound levels.

The internal cameras next revealed a third intruder waiting in the nook by the front door, partly hidden and protected by the wall. Front door covered. And the one between the kitchen and dining room covered both the garage door immediately next to him as well as the door to the gym at the rear of the kitchen.

Seven hells!

"Can you open communication with Janetta upstairs? And keep watching downstairs!"

The screen split, one a scene of urgent desperation, the second of a woman relaxing in hot, sudsy water, enjoying herself.

"Incoming transmission from Senior Lieutenant Ranji Kandikan."

Janetta bolted upright, accidently swallowed some water, coughing while she tried to talk. "Ra–" she coughed, trying to clear her throat. "Ranji? Is that you?" She scanned the ceiling, looking for a source for the voice.

"Janetta, Sisi is upstairs in her bedroom and doesn't know anything is wrong. There are three armed intruders downstairs. One by the front door with a PUG 32 and what looks like a Caiman 35 on his hip. Second one is by the garage door, also with a PUG 32. The third man has everyone else under gunpoint, gathered in the dining room. He's armed with a Chon 44. All of them also have combat knives and body-weave armor."

The leader spoke to the man by the garage. "Check the rest of the house. Make sure we have everyone." The language was Atlantean!

"Janetta! Quick, one's headed upstairs, coming your way!"

She leaped out of the tub, trailing water from the bathroom to her dresser. The camera followed her, switching the view to the master bedroom. Janetta picked up the Talon from her dresser, flipped the safety, and as the door opened, spun, crouched, and fired. Two, three, four shots in rapid succession. Fleshettes ripped right through the body-weave armor. The intruder fired in response. Bullets sprayed from the PUG, bursting a line of destruction from hip-height and arcing to the ceiling.

Seeing the leader momentarily distracted by the shots upstairs, Anton leaped.

Suddenly, on all screens, the lights dimmed, taking on a red sheen. "Weapons fire detected! Intruder alert!" the House AI announced. "Intruder alert. Initiating Defense Protocols!"

Hopping out, I yanked my pistol free, flipping off the safety as I ran. Bursting through the side door of the garage, I ran full tilt to the kitchen door. I heard a shot as I flung it open dashing through, scanning for the guy by the front door, in case he came into sight. Then a second report echoed. Charging into the foyer, I looked for the two intruders.

Nariya lay in a heap on the floor, sobbing. Mina also cried, clutching Ixma, while she and Calia hovered over Anton laying on the ground. Anton was alive, but bleeding from his leg. Calia pulled off her shawl and pressed it into his wound.

Next to him was the leader, sprawled on the floor, his neck at an odd angle. I saw the third man by the front room, crumpled on the floor, his weapon nearby. An acrid smell filled the air from the gunshots.

Moving to the front door, I checked him over. Stunned. After securing my own pistol, I rolled him over and cuffed him, then put a zip-tie around his feet for good measure. Collecting his automatic rifle and his pistol, I flipped on the safeties. Spare pistol into my belt. Then I walked to Anton and the women, collecting the pistol on the ground.

Janetta, naked and dripping, came partway down the stairs, Talon in her hand and all business, alert for more trouble.

The House AI announced, "Intruders neutralized. Two deceased. Lord Kandikan, shall I notify Ground Security?"

Looking at the ceiling, I answered, "Call Lieutenant Killayana, at Ground Security CID. Inform him of the break in. The situation is in hand, but we need an ambulance, one gunshot wound. Two deceased, and one prisoner. At this time believed to be Atlantean."

"Confirmed, Lord Kandikan," the House AI replied. "Beginning transmission."

Janetta stalked into the room, took in Calia rendering first aid, then looked at me. "How did you take out the guy by the front door, Ranji? From that position, he had both the front door and this central area covered."

I shook my head. "He was out when I came in."

"It came from the ceiling," Calia explained, keeping both hands pressed to Anton's thigh.

I raised my eyebrows.

"It's true," Ixma confirmed. "I saw it, too."

"When we heard the shots upstairs, Anton jumped him. His arm got free and he shot Anton in the leg. Anton grabbed his arm, and the second shot went into the floor. Stun beams hit both of the intruders. Anton broke his neck a half-second later."

Ixma nodded. With Ixma's soothing back rub, Nariya calmed down.

Calia smiled at Anton. "You were very brave, Anton. I shall write glowingly to your wife Sheeta of how you fought an armed man in defense of myself, of two other women, and a small child, protecting us all." She winked at him. "I think if you play it just right, she will give her brave warrior several blow jobs."

Anton gritted his teeth. "Getting shot really hurts." Then he looked at Calia, his face hopeful. "She only does that for my birthday. Do you really think so?"

Janetta rolled her eyes at the exchange, then flipped the safety on her Talon. "Since we are going to have guests, I suppose I should get dressed."

I checked Janetta over, and seeing no wounds, gave her a sound kiss, my hands cupping her bare cheeks as I briefly held her close. "My brave Warrior," I grinned.

She rolled her eyes at me, too. "It's all there, Kandikan, I assure you. Sisi is still oblivious to it all."

Kneeling down beside Calia, I asked, "How's he doing?"

"He's going to be fine," she answered, looking directly at Anton.

When I started to lift at the shawl she was using, she said, "I already checked. It missed both his femoral artery and thigh bone, and is lodged within the muscle. They'll have to dig it out and stitch him. A Nu-Skin patch, some fluids to re-hydrate, a prescription for a short-term blood thinner, and he'll be home tomorrow to recover."

"I beg to differ, Calia," Anton shook his head in disagreement. "It hurts like a son of a bitch."

"You've been hurt worse in the ring, Anton," she replied. "Or so you've said."

I sat back on my haunches, raising my eyebrows at Calia. Impressed. She sure sounded like she knew what she spoke about.

"What!" she exclaimed. "I can't take the guild exams because I'm a Personal Servant. But I've completed training programs in therapeutic massage, basic physical therapy, medico triage, and midwifery. And I started the early elementary education program this past winter. Don't look at me like that! Except for a few rare visits, you were gone almost two years. I had to do something with my time while you were off doing Warrior stuff. Besides, I like taking care of people."

Wiping her eyes, Nariya suddenly brightened. "You're a midwife?"

Janetta tapped me on the shoulder. I stood up."You know, hearing your voice come from the ceiling – it almost scared the piss out of me, Ranji. This house does a lot of things I'm not ... why are you looking at me like that?"