Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

"Sweet goddess!"

"We had a break in at home. Fortunately, no one else was hurt. Anton will moved in here later tonight or tomorrow morning. Calia and Sowitwee are downstairs, but they will be here soon. They can fill you in on the details. What's going on with Zinja?"

"She's under heavy sedation, Lieutenant. They took out the pins and part of her hip this afternoon. And removed her jaw insert. She can't move and can barely talk. She's in a lot of pain. I mean, Zinja cried, Lieutenant! I've seen her cry when others were hurt, but not for herself before. Never for herself."

I went back to Zinja, and leaning over, kissed her gently on the lips, then whispered into her ear. "I have to go away right now, Zinja, but you remember that I love you. Ixma and Sisi love you. Your Captain and Cholan are your family, too. We all need you. Remember, we all need you."

Then I moved back to Cholan. She got out of bed, her hospital gown hanging loose. I hunkered down and hugged her tight.

"You're really leaving right now?" She sniffed, clutching me tightly.

"Afraid so. I will miss you, too, Cholan Yacalme."

"And when you come back, are you really going to have me test all those couches?"

I laughed, then kissed her. "You bet I will! Both arms on every single one! It will take a while because all the other women want me to do them, too. They said we have to test the kitchen table, too!"

"The kitchen table, too? Oh, Lieutenant, you say the nicest things. You'll pin me down and slap my butt?"

"And pull your hair when I take you."

She groaned. "I can't wait. All of us will miss you. Especially my Captain, but we'll help take care of her. Kiss me, please?"

"Take care of her and each other. Calia will help, if you let her." Then I kissed her long and gentle, and she sighed, happily responding.

When we broke for air, she leaned her forehead against my cheek."You're the only man who's ever treated me like I matter. You don't know how much that means to me. And ... I love you."

I laughed. "I love you, too, Cholan. I will do everything I can to come back home to all of you and my little girls. Please tell Zinja know that I kissed her goodbye?"

"Yes, sir, I will."

Another kiss, then I left.

At the elevator lift, the door opened to Janetta, Corporal Starret, and Starret's partner, Private Moreena. I stepped in with them, and Starret hit the button for the first floor.

Janetta looked at her watch and frowned. "We have ten minutes to get you to the airfield – that's almost eight rads away -- and only twenty minutes before your bird is supposed to be in the air." As we descended, she asked, "Did you say goodbye?"

I told her what Cholan said they'd done to Zinja.

She shook her head. "It hurt when they worked on my ribs and my foot. I hope they keep her under until most of the pain is gone. But I'm glad you said goodbye to Cholan. She was the first one of us to fall in love with you."

"You weren't the first?" I asked her. "I find that hard to believe."

"Probably. Okay, yes, I probably was. I just didn't know it. But Cholan, if not in love, was totally blown away by how you treated her that day in Tikún. I still remember her hysterical laugh of joy when you gave her that green toy from Capisco. And her crazy dreams! You rocked her world, Ranji, and I wonder now if she's ever going to recover from it. I'm beginning to realize I have yet to recover either. By the gods, it hasn't been a year yet, but it feels like it was another lifetime!"

The doors opened and we ran out through the intake area, outside the doors, then to the parking lot. Even in the dark, it was easy to locate the vehicles. Both had their emergency lights flashing. Starret and Moreena dashed for the cruiser.

"I'll drive!" Janetta yelled.

"Okay!" I shifted directions. Janetta was a superb pilot with amazing reflexes. I suspected she was a better driver than me. As I buckled in, I saw Chita, Trank, and Hodan in the back seat of the other vehicle.

Janetta spun tires, and we were off, lights still flashing. The other cruiser fell in right behind us. As we approached the gate, I heard Starrett talking to the marines at the gate over the radio.

Still, I expected Janetta to slow down.

Nope.

The marines waved us around, the gate opened wide, and we flew on through.

"Any news on the girl?" I asked.

"Not a word," Janetta answered. She was doing nearly three times the posted speed limit. Side streets blurred past.

Then we shot through some side buildings and were suddenly on the tarmac, heading for the transport hangars. Out in front of one huge hangar was a Condor, its big engines idling. Down the tarmac, three others also sat idling. Janetta headed to the one by Terminal 2. Seeing the ramp was still down, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Janetta stopped within feet of the ramp, and the Security cruiser pulled up right behind us. Lights still flashing as people piled out. I grabbed my duffle and satchel. Ixma and Janetta got out, too.

"The girls! Say goodbye to your girls!" Ixma exclaimed.

Opening the door, I leaned in and gave the sleeping Mina a kiss and then one to the bright-eyed Sisi, telling them both I loved them and would be home soon.

Sisi gave me another magic hug to keep me safe. "Are you coming back, 'Tenant?"

"I will, Sisi. You and Mina are part of my family now. I love you both. Besides, you gave me a magic hug. That means I have to come back."

She grinned happily at me and I thought she looked adorable.

As I turned, Ixma was there. I drew her in. "Take care, Little Mama."

We kissed, then she pushed me away, lips trembling. "You'd better go."

Starret was there with her report. "Lieutenant Lovyanchiti is working with Ground Security at the crime scene, sir. They did find traces of fresh blood near the scene. CID is running it through records now."

"Very good. Thank you, Corporal." Then I scooped Janetta into my arms for a last kiss, momentarily lifting her off her feet. She kissed me fiercely, then pushed me away.

"Safe flight and safe return, Senior Lieutenant," Janetta said, emotions running riot across her face.

"Good hunting, Captain. And safe flight and safe return to you, too." I saluted her and held it. Suddenly serious, she returned it, and I released mine.

Ixma handed me my duffle. Chita, Trank, Hodan, Starrett, and Moreena saluted, then shook hands with me, wishing me safe flight and safe return.

Stepping onto the ramp, the radio-cargo officer approached me from inside. "You are?"

"Kandikan, Senior Lieutenant. Flight to Sentry War base."

He glanced at my travel orders, checked my name off on his tablet. "Find a seat and buckle in. The rest of you, clear off the field!"

I waved at the people I loved and who were a part of my life. Janetta and Ixma. Nariya. Sergeant Chita, Corporals Trank and Starret. Hodan and Moreena. Sisi waving from her seat. And little Mina, if she was even awake, no doubt wondering what all the noise and fuss was about.

As Janetta and the others got into their vehicles, I entered the dark maw of the huge transport.

After the rows of supplies and empty pallets, I found the rows of seated passengers. Almost a full company's worth from all four service branches at High Guard, either going away for leave or being rotated out.

Despite the supposed midnight departure time, it was another half hour before it actually began taxiing down the runway, leaving my family and people behind. Looking out the window, I saw a half moon in the black sky, its light glittering off the rippling blacker ocean. As we climbed into the air, I saw the bright stars in the sky, their starlight gleaming down as we flew through the night.

As the temperature dropped, I zipped up my jacket and put on the ear protectors to help keep my ears warm. I was going to miss my family. But I was also going home to save my father, and hopefully avoid getting killed while I was at it. Once that was done, there was Sparanztlo to deal with.

With three hours to kill, I closed my eyes, thinking of my family, of all the women in my life. I was blessed and I knew it. Stretching out, I letting the roar and rumble of the engines carry into the darkness.

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