Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

Seven hells, that hurts! Glancing down, blood oozed from entry and exit holes in my calf.

I'd been shot!

A bullet slammed into the building where my head had been. I scrambled around the corner as more wood splintered from another shot. I took a deep breath. I didn't hear a report, so the rifle must be silenced.

Seven hells, all three hot, all three cold, and the one in between! I thought. I'm unarmed and my ass is going to be dead if I'm not careful!

My right calf burned.

I made a quick glance around the corner and spied the shooter. Plain clothes, near a cyan-colored ChoCac. I ducked back just as part of the corner molding burst off, the bullet narrowly missing me. All he had to do was get a clear shot and I was done for.

I scanned about, turned and ran with a limp to the northwest, away from the shooter. It was early yet and many buildings weren't open for day shift. Focusing, I did my best to ignore the pain, and my pace increased. I passed one building and turned sharply around a second one.

Suddenly I found a cluster of Ground Service people standing on the sidewalk and talking. Three ChoCacs and their crews idled on the street nearby.

I was moving too fast and there were too many to dodge. All of us went down. Amidst the curses, I saw a lot of brass. Two captains, a lieutenant, a sergeant, and – oh, holy gods, Commander Barankoshto!

She glared and looked down to my hand. I hurriedly moved it off her breast.

Just as I lifted up and the others started to extricate themselves, one shot ricocheted off the sidewalk. Suddenly, one of the rising officers suddenly fell back to the ground, red blossoming from his chest.

Instantly, the idling crews secured themselves, the gunners taking in the direction of fire. "The shooter's at four bells," one of the gunners yelled out. "Over by the north end of the Rec Hall!"

"I see him!" replied the other gunner. Both loaders slammed shells home. "No clear shot! No clear shot!"

Barankoshto heaved me off, bellowing, "Secure that fucker, now!"

The two half-track anti-vehicle ChoCacs instantly shot forward, the bubble turrets pointed at their target. The third ChoCac, a four-wheeled heavy machine gun model, immediately U-turned, zipped up the street, then hard-wheeled left, disappearing south.

As I scrambled to my feet, the sergeant, a medico by his green sleeves, and one of the captains began first aid on the second captain. I recognized the sergeant. I'd seen him outside the Dependent's Office, supervising the treatment of the rescued children.

The commander moved over to the two working first aid. "How's he doing?"

"He needs immediate medical care, Commander," the medico sergeant answered. "His breathing is labored and I hear a rattling. Pretty sure the bullet punctured his lung. Help me tilt him a bit onto his side, wound side down, Captain. Let's see if we can keep his lung from collapsing. I'll hold pressure on it, and stay with him, Commander. Easy there, Captain. Stay still and let us work."

Brushing herself off, Commander Barankoshto paused at the blood on the legs of her uniform, then gave me a penetrating look. "Lieutenant Kandikan, I see you've been shot, too. I had hoped we'd get a chance to meet again, but this is most certainly not what I had in mind. Care to explain?"

I noticed her cheek was a bit swollen from where my head had clipped her during my fall. I really hoped it didn't turn into a black eye. Then she absently rubbed the breast I'd hit.

My calf throbbed angrily, but I briefly closed my eyes. It had been a complete accident, but I'd struck three officers senior to me. If she wanted, she could make my life extremely unpleasant. I didn't think she'd go for it, but assault charges or a duel to the death were options open to her and the other officers.

"I'm sorry, Commander. I didn't mean to hit you like I did. I was out taking a run for exercise. Two buildings over, someone opened fire and clipped my leg. The next three shots missed me. I'm unarmed, so I ran, hoping to lose him. I honestly had no idea you were here."

Taking off my tee-shirt, I kneeled, using it as a bandage, pressing both hands against the wound. Blood oozed from both holes, running down my leg.

"Relax, Kandikan. I can be a right bitch but I'm not a stupid one. I know it wasn't your fault. You're lucky it missed your artery." She took a slow breath and then nodded. "We both seem to have ruffled some feathers. Doing what's right always seems to get someone pissed off."

I saw the identification on the building. 1st Brigade HQ, 67th Armored Division, Commander Barakoshto, CO, Division 2/C. I'd inadvertently found her new office.

The hand-held radio hooked on her belt started carrying conversation.

"Squad 127, we have the vehicle in sight. Heading down Pillory Road at high speed.126, switch to Tac Two and contact Ground Security for additional support." The vehicle's horn honking could be heard in the background, no doubt warning off pedestrians.

"126, Tac Two, wilco. Switching now."

"Squad 127, this is Squad 128. We are paralleling you along Lancer Street. Accelerating. Cleared to engage?" We could hear the gunner above yelling at people to get out of the way.

"Negative, 128. Too many pedestrians about. Run your warning lights and use your horn. Maintain visual contact."

"Weapons are locked. Repeat, weapons are locked. Warning lights engaged. Still in pursuit."

"This is Ground Security cruiser 18, coming in on Tac-Six. Cruiser 22 is right behind us. Control, request update, our HUD, for Squads 126, 127, and 128."

In the background we could hear the sirens. Like an echo, in the far distance, we could hear them blaring, moving further away, to the south.

"This is Division C&C. Confirming request, Ground Security. Updating HUDs for all pursuit vehicles now."

"He's moving toward the Air Service hangars. Contact Air Security and have them – wait! Belay that. Vehicle AI contact established. Vehicle is Air Security cruiser 602-89. License plate has been removed. Attempting to override vehicle's computer. Security 18 and 22, can you cut him off?"

"This is 126, switching back to Tac-Six."

"This is 128. Approaching Bar Harbor Road. 127, do you have him in sight still?"

"Negative. He clipped one of those damned wooden carts and it blocked us for a few seconds. There are injured, so send an ambulance. Near 2700 block. He's turned into the Air Service warehouses. He might try going to ground inside one of the buildings."

In the distance, I heard several heavy attack helicopters coming from the west. There were sounds of more helos lifting off from the Ground Service Air Field to the northeast of us, probably Kite 17s, designed for Recon.

"Pursuit team, this is Raptor Nine, Fifth Brigade, on patrol. We are airborne and ready to assist. Raptors Seven and Four are flanking. Is the Iron Lady all right?"

She picked up her radio mic and depressed the transmit button. "First Brigade Commander is fine. C&C, what is the ETA on the ambulance, our location? Captain Ketankl is critical and in need of immediate medevac."

"This is Division C&C. Ambulance is inbound and ETA is three minutes, Commander. Second ambulance, being dispatched, Squad 127. Security cruisers 24 and 7, check the route for other injured and relay back on Tac Four. All Raptors, ascend to fifteen hundred feet. Keep scanning for Air Security cruiser 602-89, a sedan-style ChoCac, currently in Air Service blue. This vehicle has nano-tech. It can change color in two hours. Captain Mankalantl, take command of the Raptor flight. Recon Flight 12 will be airborne in six minutes and will take your direction. Transmitting coordinates now, Captain. Move to designated positions and hold, and switch to Tac Five."

"Raptor Flight, fifteen hundred feet and hold, switch to Tac Five, wilco."

"Cruiser 18, head south to Agate Shore Road and patrol in a four block radius as far as Bar Harbor Road. Cruiser 22, head to Battery Row and patrol from Air Service Airfield to Commissary. Switch to Tac Four."

"This is 18, orders confirmed, Control. Patrol Agate Shore Road to Bar Harbor Road. Switching to Tac Four."

"Cruiser 22, heading to Battery Row. Active patrol from Airfield to Commissary. Let's box this bastard in!"

"This is Division C&C. Keep chatter to a minimum. Cruiser 22, confirm switch to Tac Four. After confirmation, Squads 126, 127, and 128, proceed with updates, in that order."

A medico corporal hustled out of the command building carrying a large first aid kit. Digging out handfuls of gauze, he padded the captain's wound and the medico sergeant put pressure on. The captain dug into the kit, popped the cap on a pain pen and plunged it into the wounded man's good shoulder.

When the ambulance pulled up, the corporal came over to me, removing my bloody shirt from my leg. After scanning my bleeding calf, he pulled out an aerosol astringent, and sprayed it liberally, wiped it down and slapped a Nu-Skin patch on one side. I hissed when he took a tube nozzle, inserted it into the open wound and squirted the contents inside. I believed it was to help the wound clot. Then he slapped a patch on that side. Initially it burned, then the pain began to fade. The pain reliever in the patches also helped. Next, he sprayed my scraped arms and knees. I gritted my teeth while he worked.

"Get your leg looked at, Lieutenant. This is short term. It will need draining and stitches. And get those scrapes washed out soon so they don't get infected," the corporal advised, adding my bloody shirt to the trash he collected.

"Thanks," I nodded. I felt a little wobbly, so I focused on slowing down my breathing.

"Your Captain Tikleet is an asshole," the Commander began. "But, he did stop an attempt on my life yesterday, so I'll cut him some slack. However, after this incident, I will have to reassess his effectiveness or his lack thereof, the latter which increases his ass-holiness. Thank you, Corporal. You can return to your duties."

The corporal saluted, secured the first aid kit and trash bag, and returned inside the building.

"I think we are in agreement on his personality, Commander." I liked her turn of phrase. Ass-holiness. It fit Tikleet, too. I stood back up.

She watched as the medicos scooped up Captain Ketankl, loaded him onto the gurney, and settled him into the back of the ambulance. The sergeant stayed alongside, keeping pressure on the injury. One of the officers hopped into the front passenger seat. Doors slammed and lights flashing, the electric vehicle zipped down the road. As it turned the corner, the siren began wailing.

She examined the ripped breast pocket on her uniform and frowned. "At the moment, I think you were the target, and either he wanted you bad enough to risk the escalation, or he was going for a two-fer, and trying to get us both. Unfortunately, my captain got in the line of fire. Captain Ketankl was improving the quality of the cafeteria mess. A lot of Ground Service troopers will be anxious to get a piece of this shooter. Three things a ground pounder values most are good sleep, good chow, and an officer who's not out to get them killed. Get seen by a doctor, Lieutenant. You've lost a bit of blood. You need help getting to your place?"

"No home to go to, Commander. It was destroyed a few nights ago. I'm in very temporary quarters at the moment at the airfield."

"Destroyed?"

"As in they broke in, shredded every bit of clothing, smashed every bit of furniture, leaving nothing of value."

"So you're being targeted." She shook her head. "Any idea whom? I see. Get out of here, Kandikan. Whoever the target or targets were, my people are on his trail now. His vehicle has been identified. Interesting that it's an Air Security vehicle."

"If you like, I can call up my own squad to lend a hand with your search. I will vouch they are reliable and honest. And, I'd like a hand in bringing this tapir's prick to ground."

"Thank you. I will consider it. I have your Sergeant Chita's contact number. I'm going to C&C and help direct things. It might throw his master a loop if we keep your name out of it. Makes it look like a bigger fuck-up. And we do know one thing."

"What's that, sir?"

"He's a damned lousy shot. If he's Air Security, gods help your Service, Kandikan, though it's a lucky thing for you. At least you're still standing."

I snapped her a salute. "Yes, sir! Good hunting, Commander!"

She casually returned it. "I always get what I hunt for. Dismissed."

A four-wheeled machine-gun ChoCac pulled up. I recognized Third Sergeant Barris as the driver. The commander got in, it did a quick one-eighty and drove off at high speed, warning lights flashing.

Taking a breath, I turned south, heading back toward the hangar. I should have been back by now. Hopefully the women wouldn't be worried.

Steeling myself to the aching throb in my leg, I began to trot, then moved faster, until I was running. I focused on pushing past the hurt, on getting back to the hangar. Most of the search activities were to the west of my position, but to give it some credence, I moved east toward the shoreline before turning south to the gate for the Air Field. Even with the analgesic, my leg throbbed painfully.

On the way, I resolved that next time I'd wear a shoulder holster. And bring my phone. I had been stupid and the Commander was right, I had been incredibly lucky. I did not intend to repeat that mistake. I hated to think I needed to wear body armor on my morning runs – though it probably would increase my stamina.

I was also surprised at the aggressive nature of the attack. This was a military base, and being so blatant, the attack had caught me by surprise. Such activities were rare, but they did happen. Usually they were between rival families, but some people took their status of nobility to mean they were allowed to spread mayhem on their enemies, no matter who got in the way. That was often the problem, too, those who got in the way.

The surprise attack on me might easily have worked. I hadn't expected such a follow up to the destruction of the house or in response to the Naval hospital incident. Still, they had taken the scant possessions of my aide and his wife, but there was no doubt it stung Sowitwee's pride, and indirectly mine.

The cruiser identification helped a lot. 602-89. It was a potential lead to the shooter. With air support in play, he would have to hide and fast. A building-by-building search only delayed things. The vehicle had nano-tech, which meant it also had an advanced AI. If the vehicle was intact, it would have recorded the identification of the driver and possibly even the shooting event. Air Security can broadcast out an encrypted frequency, and the vehicles in range will respond with their location and identification. I had every reason to believe that Ground Security had similar access and ability.

Slowing down, I finally reached the open bays of Hangar Thirty-Six. I couldn't help limping into the open bay.

Doyya, Sowitwee, Anton, and the girls were seated at the table, eating their breakfast. Ixma and Calia were in the back, near Zinja's tool bay. They were listening intently to the radio chatter.

Doyya was first to spot me. She jumped up. "Lieutenant! You're hurt!"

Ixma and Calia, realizing I was back, ran up. When they saw me, they nearly knocked Doyya over trying to fuss over me.

"Ranji! What happened to your leg?" Ixma exclaimed.

Calming them down, I quickly told them what had happened.

Ixma and Calia blanched.

"Commander Barankoshto is a stand up officer," Doyya said, looking straight at me. "After her people helped carry my charge into my HueCac, the Commander and her team saluted her. She was asleep, I reminded them. The Commander answered that loyalty, respect, and honor never slept, and for all the people she'd saved, she was owed all three."

Corporal Sowitwee nodded grimly.

"Good words to live by," I replied. "I also like Commander Barankoshto. She's done her part in helping save a lot of people when she didn't have to do so. That being said, I need a shower and I need to get ready for work. I don't want to be late again." I gave Calia and Ixma a quick kiss, and moved past them.

Anton, who'd been quiet for days – at least around me – got up and blocked my path. "Master Kandikan. Is this sort of thing a normal occurrence in the military?"

"No, Anton," I replied quietly. "But the military is a profession trained for war. Duels and executions for severe breaches of conduct can and do happen. Assassinations are rare but are not unheard of. I'm trying to improve the status of women in the military and some people are taking exception to that."

"I do not think your mother would approve of you being in danger. And assassination is a cowardly act."

Anton was a big man, almost six inches taller and about a hundred pounds heavier. He had been regional heavy weight wrestling champion seven times, off and on during his career, and had once even held the title Heavy Weight Master Wrestler of Chimorro. At nearly fifty, he was still incredibly strong and fit. His left knee, though, troubled him. I'd never contemplated having to take on Anton before. I was pretty sure I could take him if I had to. Still, he was a skilled wrestler, and letting him get his hands on me would be a serious mistake. Anton could look intimidating when he wanted. Like the others here, he wanted me to know that all of them had been scared by my news.

I nodded as I looked up at him. "I appreciate your concern, Anton. Still, as much as mother might disapprove, I am in the Imperial Air Service. I do what and go where the Emperor commands."

"I understand, Master Kandikan. I have come to see that the women of your new family care a great deal what happens to you. All of us from your home also care for you. Please try not to bring them sorrow by being careless."

I couldn't help but smile. "Good advice that I will take to heart. Thank you, Anton."

He moved aside. I saw my daughters watching me. I went over to them. Bending over, I kissed each one on the cheek. "Good morning, Sisi and Mina. How are you this morning?"

"Okay, 'Tenant," Sisi looked down at my leg. When I looked at Mina, clutching her stuffed rabbit, she nodded in agreement.

"Getting enough to eat?"

They both nodded.

"Getting enough hugs?"

Both looked surprised. Then Sisi smiled and shook her head. Mina just looked at Sisi.

"If you aren't getting enough hugs, then I need to help take care of that." Wrapping my arms around my four-year-old daughter, I hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "You are mine, now, Sisi Kandikan. Mama Zinja, your sister Ixma, and I all love you and we will take care of you." I kissed the top of her head again before letting her go. "Did that hug help you feel better?"

Grinning happily, Sisi nodded.

"I never get enough hugs either. So whenever you want one, just–" I was startled when Mina reached out her arms and leaned against me. Drawing her into my arms, I kissed her, too. "I love you, too, Mina-beana. I need all the Sisi and Mina hugs and love that I can get."

"Because they're magic?" Sisi asked.

"The best magic," I assured her.

At that, both girls hugged me again. I melted inside.

"Will you girls be waiting for me when I get home?" I asked.

They nodded.

"Then I guess I'd better come home on time. And I'd better get cleaned up so I won't be late. Thank you, girls. I needed that very much."

Calia sat next to the girls, giving me a meaningful glance. Doyya returned to her seat to finish her meal.

Ixma was by the lockers, getting undressed. Stepping by the upright wardrobe containing my clothes, I shed my shorts, socks, and shoes.