Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

I didn't say anything. I just looked at her sadly.

Realization dawned. "Son of a bitch!" Janetta yelled, staring at me. "Not even one night in bed together! Gods of North and South humping East and West!" Then she switched to Nahuatl, swearing a solid blue streak as she turned and stormed back up the stairs. At the top of the landing, she stopped and said loudly, "I am Eagle and I am Jaguar and .. and ..."

Her face shattered, she turned left and stumbled down the hall out of sight.

Ixma looked stricken. "Oh, gods, Ranji. You're leaving now?"

"Midnight. I have to get packed."

Slowly shaking her head, she began weeping, clutching Mina close, burying her face in our daughter's hair. Already agitated by the tension, yelling, and gunfire, Mina began crying again.

Even Calia began to tear up.

"I would prefer to stay," I said to no one and to all of them. "Besides being with all of you, I have a fight here that needs winning, and I feel like I'm walking out and leaving it to others. But I have to go save my father! And I have to do this training. I don't have a choice. I really don't."

"Your father?" Calia asked, alarmed. "What – what do you mean?"

I hadn't told her and apparently Ixma hadn't either. "My orders are first to go home, and help stop assassins from killing Father, hidden agents that have slipped by Imperial Security. After that, I have ten weeks of training. After all that, I can come back home, here, to my family."

Her alarm grew. "Wait, Ranji! I mean – I'm sorry, my lord! Please! How do you know they are planning to kill your father?"

Even Anton momentarily forget his gunshot wound, concerned for the family he was sworn to protect.

"I wish I could tell you just how I know," I said. "But the message from the foreign agents came this afternoon. They hacked your account, Calia, trying to make it seem like the message came from you. It was an obvious fake. That's all I can tell you, Calia. At least, for right now. Oh, and the techs will be by in about two weeks to set up secure communications, so you will have secured intranet access from home." I took a deep breath. "Look, we have a few hours yet. My flight doesn't leave until midnight."

I started walking to the stairs.

"I love you, Ranji!" Ixma cried.

Pausing, I looked at her. "I love you, too. Seeing you cry breaks my heart, Little Mama. I'm going upstairs to check on Janetta and Sisi."

"Okay," she said, wiping her eyes. Then she nuzzled and whispered to Mina, trying to calm her down again.

"That gives us some time yet," Calia admitted, then checked Anton's wound.

Nariya quietly asked if she could help. Calia asked her to get some towels from the kitchen, she did so.

Up the stairs and down the hall. Sisi was still laying on her bed, engrossed with her tablet, lost in her own world. At least she was safe and unharmed.

She must have seen me, though, as she pulled off her headphones. Dropping off her bed, she trotted up to me.

"Hi, 'Tenant! I'm still hungry from dinner. Can I have more to eat?"

Crouching down, I drew her into my arms. "I think that can be arranged."

Smiling, she readily embraced me. "You give good hugs, 'Tenant."

"I love your magic hugs, Sisi. Did you notice how much they helped Doyya feel better?"

Grinning, she nodded. "Mina helped, too, 'Tenant."

"Yes, she did. So you had dinner? I'm glad to hear that."

"Mina and I ate some, but I'm still hungry. Everyone else was waiting for you to come back before eating. Can I have a snack? 'Cause I'm totally starving."

I laughed. "Totally starving? Who taught you to say that?"

"Calia says totally means a hundred piss-ants."

"Ah. I think you mean a hundred percent. Percent means a part of the whole. And totally does mean all of it. Totally starving, though, is an odd turn of phrase."

"Ixma says Calia is smart, and Calia said it."

Enlightened, I grinned at her. "You are absolutely right. Calia is smart. But you know what? Ixma is smart, too. Listen to them both."

Sisi growled at me, her eyebrows furrowing. "Did you hear that? My tummy is starving to death, 'Tenant!"

It was hard to keep a straight face. What a delightful imagination! "You stay right here and I'll get you a snack."

"Not allowed, 'Tenant. Ixma says can't have no food inna room. Only 'posed to eat at the table downstairs."

"Well, If that's what Ixma says, then I guess we'd better follow the rules."

"Because she's a lady?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Sisi laughed, bouncing on her toes. "I'm a lady, too!"

"Yes, you most certainly are. And you are my girl, Sisi." I took her hand. "Now when we go downstairs, it may be confusing, but everything is going to be all right. Bad men tried to hurt Ixma and the others, but Uncle Anton protected them. He got hurt, but he is going to see some doctors and he will be all right."

"Bad men?" Startled, Sisi gave me a worried look.

"Uncle Anton, the Captain, and I took care of them. The police are coming to take them away. You are safe, Sisi. Some are still upset, but trust me, everyone is safe now. Uncle Anton got hurt, but he's going to visit the doctors where Mama Zinja and Aunt Cholan are. Uncle Anton will be back before you know it. All right, Sisi?"

She reached up and clutched my hand, her face serious. "Okay, 'Tenant."

When we came to the top of the stairs, we could see the main door was open. Anton was being wheeled out on a gurney. The prisoner by the front door was already gone. Several Ground Security were downstairs; one each spoke to Nariya and to Ixma separately, and two more talked to Calia. Two Security were by the front door, one taking notes and one examining the front door. A blanket covered the dead leader.

A tall man, lean and narrow, with a youthful face looked up from talking to Calia, then moved toward us, approaching the stairs.

We met him part way. "Lieutenant Killayana, I presume?"

He held out his hand in a friendly gesture. "Yes, Bennet Killayana, Criminal Investigation Division."

I shook it.

"I've already heard so much about you, Lieutenant Kandikan. From what I've seen, you have a good people in your unit. They helped us a great deal at the warehouse. And who is this young lady?"

"Call me Ranji."

He shook his head. "It's better to keep things more formal during an investigation. I don't anticipate there being any issues. Initial statements are all in accord. But I like to keep things above board until the investigation is concluded. Nothing personal, I assure you."

"I understand. This is my oldest daughter, Sisi Kandikan. Say hello, Sisi."

"Hello," she said shyly, stepping down a step, moving to stand behind my legs.

Killayana put one knee down so that he was eye level with her. It was an effort that he didn't need to do, but I suddenly liked him a lot for it. It showed respect for the child's feelings, and that child was my daughter.

"Hi, Sisi. I'm here to find out why these men broke into your home and tried to hurt your family. No one here will talk to you without one of your parents with you. All right?"

Sisi looked up at me. I nodded to her.

"Okay," she agreed.

"Actually, she actually didn't see anything. Sisi was upstairs in her bedroom, playing with her tablet. She had her headphones on the whole time."

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh? And how do you know that?"

"When I arrived, I saw the strange vehicle. Suspicious, I accessed the house AI computer. The house is quite modern, with camera feeds throughout the house. There are even some decent security features."

"Indeed? I'd like to hear more about this."

"I will access the house AI, and copy the log for the past half hour or so, when the intruders arrived until your arrival."

"Are there any external cameras?" Killayana asked.

"I have no idea. We just moved in yesterday evening, so I haven't had a chance to fully examine the features of the House AI and its security setup."

Pulling out his tablet, Killayana made some notations. "A video record of the events would be very helpful. We'll still want statements to complete the investigation, but the video would speed things up a lot."

"If you need anything from me, you need to get it now. I'm on a flight out a zero hundred this evening, and I will be gone for close to three months."

He frowned. "I don't usually like people leaving at the start of an investigation. Will you be available for questions remotely?"

"You can confirm my travel orders with Captain Xotochan at the 917th Logistics and Supply. I will be stopping by my parents in Tohingo for a brief visit, and can receive communications until that point. After that, however, I head to my training assignment and I fully expect to be incommunicado for the duration. I don't like it and my family doesn't like it, but that's the way it is."

"Are you able to tell me where you'll be stationed?"

"Yes, but first you have to stop recording this conversation with your tablet. And I must insist that you not record the information in writing elsewhere."

He raised his eyebrows at me. I nodded to his tablet, and he tapped some keys.

"All right. I've stopped recording," he said.

"Group Captain Uturuncu seems to trust you, and I have no doubt Commander Barankoshto has given you the once-over, so that means you are honest and must be good at your job. As a fellow Security officer, I will trust you with privileged information." He blinked at that. I continued. "I'm going to Sparanztlo."

Killayana said nothing for several seconds as he stared at me. "Does this incident have anything to do with Imperial Security?"

I shook my head. "I don't believe so. Rather, I think it is from the 602nd Air Security Regiment, and possibly others. Their commander is opposed to the Unit Protection Orders, and they have been escalating in their resistance."

"You are aware that Commander Voyacherno, the Air Security commanding officer is third cousin to Minister Supay?"

Seven hells! All three hot, and three cold and the one in between!

"No," I replied, "I was not aware of that relationship. But it certainly explains a great deal. You've met Lieutenant Lovyanchiti, my Second?"

He slipped his tablet into his vest pocket while keeping his eyes on me. "I have."

"It would mean a lot to me if you kept an eye on her and her team while I'm gone. I know I'm presuming, but my people are trying their best to serve the Empire. As you pointed out, they are good people, and will be more vulnerable with me gone."

Killayana shrugged. "I can't make any promises, Lieutenant Kandikan. But I will take your request under advisement. I'm supposed to ask this next one. Do you have any knowledge about or know the whereabouts for Sergeant Innati of the Air Service? She is supposed to have been assigned to Motor Pool, but no one I've spoken to within the unit can recall ever seeing her."

I nodded. "Sergeant Innati disappeared on the beach, along with dozens of women and children, and two companies of Imperial Security. She was the one who discovered that Commander Orchid's aide, Group Captain Datoranka Hanastoctli had been murdered and replaced by a draconian agent. One moment she was beside me, and the next moment she was gone. There was a bit of gunfire, you understand. Dozens died that morning."

Melannee had simply discarded one persona for that of Orchid, but with that action, Innati had effectively disappeared. However, Killayana didn't need to know any of that.

"You were there, Lieutenant? I have no record of you being present."

"And I'd prefer it stay that way. It will keep my family alive."

"Understood. All right, Lieutenant. I've heard enough. If you would be good enough to send the files to me?" He handed me his card, then peered down the hall. "We'll be up and take care that one in a bit."

"I'll get the files for you right now. Come on, Sisi. Your snack will have to wait a few minutes."

Killayana went back downstairs, chatting with some of his operatives.

Sisi and went down the hall. At the doorway, where the dead man lay face down, I picked up Sisi and carried her into the room.

"Is that a bad man?" she whispered.

"Yes, Sisi. He was a very bad man. But he won't hurt anyone ever again."

In the bedroom, Janetta laid quietly on the bed, curled on her side and still undressed. The air was still heavy with the scent of gunpowder, overwhelming everything else.

Setting Sisi down, I went to the wall and accessed the AI. I quickly reviewed the video record, and learned that yes, there were outside cameras, so I started the digital file from five minutes before the intruder's vehicle came into view, all the way until the CID team entered through the front door. They'd been inside the house less than five minutes when I'd arrived.

"Are you sad, Cap'n?" I heard Sisi ask. I didn't hear Janetta's reply.

"Can I give you a hug? 'Tenant says I 'posed to ask, but I got magic hugs. They make you feel better. 'Tenant says so."

After I instructed the AI to forward the files to Killayana, I closed up the panel and turned around. "Is she bothering you, Janetta?"

Janetta held her close, stroking Sisi's back. "She's fine," she whispered.

"Feel better?" Sisi asked. "'Cause I dunno how much magic I 'posed to give. Can someone get too much magic, 'Tenant?"

"Magic hugs? No, you can give as many as you want, for as long as you want, Sisi. That's part of what makes them magic." Seeing them together like that made my heart glow.

"Okay. But don't forget I'm totally starving, 'Tenant. You promised I could have a snack."

Janetta suddenly burst out laughing, then let Sisi go. They both got off the bed. Sisi waited patiently. Janetta slipped on socks, stepped into her flight suit, and put on her boots, chuckling the whole time. She stood up as Killayana and two others stopped at the door by the dead body.

Photos were taken before Killayana rolled him over.

Killayana glanced around, took in the bullet holes along the blanket and up the wall. His aide took images of the damage to the bed, wall, and ceiling.

"Where's his weapon?"

"On my dresser, next to my pistol," Janetta replied.

He opened the vest of the dead man, then at Janetta. "Nice grouping, Captain. And they went right through his armor. You're using a Wampag Talon?"

"I am," Janetta replied. "I fired four shots." Picking up the pistol from her dresser, she walked up to him, released the clip, and ejected the shell in the chamber. "I had a full clip this morning. Twenty-five rounds. There's one on the floor from the chamber, and as you can see, the clip has twenty remaining. All accounted for."

Reaching down, he picked up the fleshette round and handed it to her. She added it to the clip, then reloaded the pistol. Flipped on the safety, and slipped it into her flight suit pocket.

Killayana didn't bat an eye. "Want to tell me what happened, Captain?"

Janetta shrugged. "I was in the bath when Ranji let me know we had armed intruders inside the house. I hopped out and reached my pistol just as that scumbag opened the door. I shot first. Squeezed the trigger as he died. I never talked to him, and he didn't say anything before he died."

"You be around, if I have more questions?" he asked.

Janetta pulled out her lanyard with her ID tag, handing it to him. "I'm on desk duty until my mechanic and E-man recover. They're both at the Naval hospital."

"Sisi's mother, Zinja Ba'lanchicotl, is the Captain's mechanic," I told him. "She took a bullet during the altercation at the Dependent's Office several days back."

I could see he was curious to hear more details, but he kept his focus on the current situation.

After scanning it, he handed back Janetta's ID. "Thank you, Captain. We'll be out of here as soon as we can. Half hour, an hour tops."

"Take your time and do what you need to do," Janetta replied. "My night is already fucked beyond repair. My first night home in our brand new home, my first hot bath in ages, interrupted. My other home was destroyed by cowards while was in the hospital. And now my new home is broken into. And this tapir's prick shot the fuck out of my brand new bedroom and destroyed my new bed! When I find out who's responsible, they will learn the measure of my displeasure. Come on, Sisi. I'm hungry, too. Let's go get a snack!" She picked up Sisi and set her on her hip.

"Can I have a chocolate cookie?"

Janetta gave her a serious look. "For another one of those magical hugs, you can have two."

Sisi put her arms around Janetta – or tried to reach around as far she could and gave it her best effort. "Extra magic, Cap'n! Was it enough for three?"

I struggled to keep a straight face. And saw that Killayana noted their interplay as well.

"Pretty sure I felt only enough magic for two. And I'm all full up now."

Sisi blinked as she absorbed that bit, then shrugged. Two cookies were two cookies.

Following them out the door and downstairs, I openly grinned. Despite all of Janetta's griping and worry, I felt a lot better about how they would fare during my absence.

Janetta sat Sisi at the table, then began rummaging through cupboards. Ixma was already seated, holding Mina. Nariya was at the stove, pouring three cups of tea.

There was no sign of Calia, but before I had a chance to ask, Doyya entered the front door, followed by Yalcamara, Stimmi, and Sowitwee. Seeing me, all four made a bee-line to the kitchen table, their faces full of curiosity. The body covered by the blanket was still in the foyer.

Sowitwee gave his wife an embrace, and after she poured him a cup, they sat together at the table. The other cup went to Ixma and the empty seat beside her. Stimmi, Yalcamara, and Doyya sat down on the other side of Sowitwee.

Still rummaging, Janetta asked, "Ixma! Where are you hiding the cookies?"

"Next cabinet over, above the counter, Captain," Ixma told her. "They're in a covered bin with a red lid to keep them fresh."

Sitting down with a worried look, Doyya asked, "What's happened here, sir?"

"Three armed intruders broke in. Captain Tlacotli shot the one that tried to get her, and Anton protected them from the leader. Anton took a round and is on his way to the hospital. The house security systems took out the third one. Ground Security has him."

"Oh, by the Gods of North and South," Janetta exclaimed, "Somebody loves me!" Opening up the case on the counter, she held up a bottle of Blue Label metl juice, then busily counted its companions.

I smiled.

"Twelve!" She beamed at me. "Ranji, did you get these for me?"

"I did. But try not to kill them all in one night. When I come home, I want you in one piece."

Setting out a cup of hyacinth tea for Sisi, she put two cookies in front of her and two before the chair next to her. Janetta uncorked the metl juice and poured herself four fingers worth into a clear glass tumbler. While Sisi munched, she watched Janetta take a long, slow drink, followed by a deep sigh.

"That hits the spot perfectly." Then added another two fingers worth to her cup.

Just then, Killayana entered the room, nodding to the three newcomers. "Lieutenant Lovyanchiti. Checking up on your commanding officer?"

"No, I came to get my gear. I was planning on moving back to the Women Officer's Compound tonight. Now I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"Don't second guess yourself," I told her. "Change your mind when the situation warrants it. You weren't here and only the bad guys are dead."

"Anton still got shot," Doyya replied, shaking her head.

"What would you have done? When I arrived, their leader had Calia, Ixma, Nariya, Mina, and Anton at gunpoint. I managed to get a warning to Captain Tlacotli and she shot the one sent to get her. Anton may have been shot, but he also killed the leader. Once the weapons went off, the House AI stunned the third one."