Starlight Gleaming Ch. 17

Reaching into her breast pocket, Doyya pulled out grade pins for a field commander. "From your contact at Tikún," she explained. At her look, I nodded, and she removed the triple pips and replaced it with the double diamonds and single vertical bar.

Captain Tsocotchi approached us.

"Doyya? Do you have your stunner? Good. I want you and I to get close to the Air Security team that will be outside when we open the rear door. We'll stun them and take them prisoners. If there are two or more vehicles, I'll take one and you'll drive the second. Sowitwee, you stay with the Lieutenant. Captain, if you can have a squad with stunners backing us up, that would be grand. Any prisoners, secure and toss into the Armadillo."

"No promises, Commander," the guard captain replied, handing me back my orders. "While we are aboard, my troops are vulnerable. If they hit the Condor, we could all go up. I'll do my best, but the safety of my troops come first. We are nearly ready to deplane."

"Very well, Captain." I put the orders back into my breast pocket. "Doyya, tell Captain Tlacotli that when she's done moving the Condor that she is to join us by the rear exit."

"Yes, sir!"

One by one, squad leaders called out and women answered. With each answer, vehicle lights came on. As I stood at the rear of the Condor watching, I couldn't help but be impressed. But I also had a healthy respect for armored vehicles with large weapons pointed in my general direction.

Finally, the Condor's engines powered down. Janetta and Doyya quickly joined us at the rear exit. "Wait until we're close, then hit them with the stunners."

I hit the door release. Slowly the hydraulics lifted up the rear door while simultaneously lowering the ramp. As it reached the half-way mark, I walked out, followed by Janetta, Doyya, and Sowitwee.

Three Air Security cruisers, lights flashing, awaited us. Doors open as cover, weapons drawn and pointed at us. "Raise your hands and surrender!"

Seven hells! I thought.

Down the runway, vehicles were busy hosing down the fuel with flame retardant. Nearby, however, more fire crews waited and watched us while fuel dumped onto the tarmac. They weren't going to deal with the spilling fuel until it was safe to do so.

Behind us, an Ocelot ominously rolled forward, and the turret turned to the nearest Air Security cruiser. Followed by the obvious charging bolt of the fifty caliber machine gun, aimed at another cruiser.

The tank's loudspeaker blared out, "In the name of the Empress, throw down your weapons, or you will be fired upon! You have five seconds to comply!"

Surprised, the six Air Security looked at each other as I continued approaching them. I hoped to get close enough to use the stunners.

"I think we outgun you," I said, giving them a smile.

Doyya and I fired the stunners and four men went down. The furthest crew opened fire, and I was grabbed from behind and knocked down.

The fifty caliber opened up. Bullets bounced away from the armored security cruisers. Then the 76mm main gun rotated and fired. Instantly, the cruiser exploded into a massive fireball. The blast knocked both men off their feet, where they lay unmoving on the concrete.

The fire crews immediately scrambled onto their vehicles, alarmed at the escalation.

The Ocelot advanced down the ramp, scanning about for hostile forces. The second Ocelot advanced behind the first, its gun swiveling in another direction.

Doyya and Sowitwee got into the nearest cruiser and backed it out of the way.

Getting off of me, Janetta slapped my butt, then slid into the driver's seat of the second vehicle. Powering it up, she backed up next to Doyya.

Two fire teams clattered down the ramp, rifles ready, scanning for any resistance. Seeing none, one team disarmed the stunned men and took them prisoner. The two unconscious men were also disarmed, using the men's own handcuffs to restrain them.

Brushing off my uniform, I moved to the vehicle with Janetta while the Ocelots continued unloading and fanning about in a defensive circle. The other vehicles quickly unloaded, and took up sentry positions nearby.

Once I slid into the passenger seat, I buckled in and gave Janetta a look. Her black eyes glittered with excitement. "You're enjoying this, aren't you."

"Gods of North and South, Ranji! Don't tell me you didn't feel like the king of the mountain with a damned tank behind you!"

I had, indeed. "Point taken."

"Where to? Ground Security HQ?"

"What's today?" I asked, checking my watch. After seventeen hundred hours.

I saw the prisoners tossed into the back of the Tortoise armored transport. The fire teams jumped inside after them, and the hatch closed. The last of the vehicles spread out, waiting for us. One of the Ocelots and Sabre-Tooths moved into rear guard position, to protect the Tortoise and juice wagons. They were flanked by two machine-gun ChoCacs.

A slow smile filled her face. "Temple Day. And Voyacherno will be there."

"Take us to the Eagle Temple, Captain."

Janetta hit the accelerator, and we zipped away, Doyya and Sowitwee were hot on our heels, lights flashing. Behind us, the armored column filed out, the Ocelots easily keeping pace. As we raced across the airfield, two machine-gun ChoCacs advanced and took point on our flanks.

Getting on the radio, I called on Doyya on the cruiser. "Lieutenant Lovyanchiti, if you're reading me, switch to Tac 5."

A pause, then, "Tac 5, wilco."

After switching my own frequency, I depressed the microphone again. "This is Kandikan. Switch to Ground Security, Tac 12. Repeat, go to Ground Security, Tac 12."

"Wilco."

I switched the frequency to Ground Security, Tactical Frequency 12. "Ground Security, Command and Control, this is Commander Kandikan. I need to speak to the officer in charge. Over."

"Please identify."

"Field Commander Kandikan, Ranji, serial one-two-four-chan-kay-seven-seven-qwa-mun. Please expedite. We are on a tight schedule here. Over."

"Command and Control, this is Unit 20, Sergeant Yalcamara in the field. Answer this. What did Captain Tlacotli make Lieutenant Lovyanchiti show us? Over."

"Her bullet wound. Nice to hear your voice, Sergeant. Over."

"Sergeant, this is C&C. That fact is common knowledge now. What is it you wish, Senior Lieutenant?"

"This is Ranji Kandikan, Field Commander, Imperial Air Service, serial one-two-four-chan-kay-seven-seven-qwa-mun. Captain Tsocotchi, are you monitoring?"

"This is Tsocotchi. Monitoring confirmed."

"Who is this?

"This is Captain Abeeya Tsocotchi, Commander, Third Company, Empress Chaya's Personal Household Guard. Prepare to receive encrypted transmission. Sending now."

A pause, then, "We are informing Command. Please standby."

"Be advised, we are headed toward the Eagle Temple. We could use an assist from Ground Service. ETA five..." Janetta held up three fingers. I amended, "Correction, ETA three minutes."

"Unit 20 responding. ETA to Eagle Temple, three minutes."

"This is C&C. Unit 20 you are not authorized for any action at this time."

"Unit 20, performing safety check at Eagle Temple. Yalcamara out."

Janetta laughed. "I like her!"

"So do I." I had to smile, too.

The ChoCac's AI suddenly spoke. "Computer override being attempted."

"Computer, this is Field Commander Ranji Kandikan. Systems Clear, code twelve-forty-four. Deny override attempts."

"Processing. Locked out of database. Unable to verify name and grade. Systems clear command accepted. Resisting override now."

Beside us, Doyya's vehicle suddenly began a rapid deceleration. Janetta slowed down, and I half-stepped out. "Leave it, Doyya. Both of you, get in the back!"

Abandoning the second cruiser, they ran over and climbed in while the column proceeded ahead. Once the doors were closed, Janetta hit the accelerator again, and we were soon back at the front.

We left the airfield and raced along streets. Here and there, people dashed out of the way as we zoomed toward the temple.

I turned back to the Air Security main frequency, and found they were still using their usual channels. Based on their chatter, they were mobilizing the heavy weapons units.

That could be bad for the Household Guard. Seven hells, it could be bad for a lot of us.

Suddenly we were there. Janetta zipped up the street and turned into the parking lot with a hard break. Tires squealed in protest. Two sedan ChoCacs trying to find parking blew their horns in anger, before they were swarmed by the Household Guards.

The Eagle Temple was a two story building with a false pyramid above it. Various images of Huitzilopochtli in bright colors and base relief images adorned the panels of the building's second floor. The Jaguar Temple was similar in design, but further north, where the Ground Services were headquartered.

The Mobile Command vehicle pulled up beside us. Tsocotchi half-stepped out, and looked at me over the roof of her vehicle. "Why here?"

"It's Temple Day," I explained as I shut the cruiser door. "Voyacherno and Tonca will likely be here, as will a good portion of the Air Security officers."

Over the radio I heard, "Commander Kandikan, this is Ground Service C&C. Your orders confirmed. What may we do to assist?"

Looking at the guard captain, I said, "Tell them to secure the Air Security headquarters, and broadcast an order for all units to stand down. A team also needs to secure the Air Service Command and Control. And ask CID to go to the residences of Commander Voyacherno and Captain Tonca. Have them seize and secure any and all documents, electronic devices, as well as detain any persons on site or render medical aid, as appropriate."

Nodding, she relayed the orders into the radio.

Around us, other eagle warriors were trying to enter the parking lot, some trying to find space between the line of vehicles and some gawking as they realized who the troops belonged to.

Janetta hopped out, and I did the same. As she started her purposeful stride to the entrance, I called out, "Janetta! Wait a minute!"

Leaning back into the cruiser, I spoke, "AI, open the trunk."

Opening the lid, I went to look at the contents. Doyya and Sowitwee hovered nearby. There were two riot vests, a pair of Starkline-9 clear shields, batons, and helmets. One shotgun with a drum of shells, a light assault rifle, a box of road flares, and, oh, joy! A box of eight grenades. Four flash-bangs and four tear gas.

"Gear up, you two," I ordered, taking two flash-bangs and the shotgun. I checked it over. Safety on. Drum was full, and no rounds were loaded. "Sowitwee, did you take any gun classes?"

He zipped up the vest, stuck a baton into his belt, and grabbed a shield. "Yes, sir. Sergeant Yalcamara and Corporal Trank both trained me in basic firearm safety."

Doyya outfitted herself the same as Sowitwee. Checking the rifle and magazine, she slung it over her shoulder. Both helmets were too big for either of them.

I set down the shotgun, then gave him my shoulder holster. He buckled it on, and adjusted the fit. "Safeties off," I told him. "You will need to charge the weapon before firing." He nodded. We pulled back the charging bolts. Both of our weapons were now hot.

Doyya took the stunner from him. It had two charges left on it.

We moved to the impatiently waiting Janetta Tlacotli.

"Take my Talon, Captain. Safety is off and it's charged."

With a grim nod, she unbuckled my side arm and put it on.

Three Ocelot tanks, flanked by a Sabre-Tooth, took up positions around the temple. The crew with the mobile gun unhooked it and worked on setting it up. Two women carried the ammo box, and they loaded a shell into the gun. Further west, directly ahead on the street was the Air Security main headquarters.

"Keep your eyes peeled for hostile forces!" a sergeant barked.

The Tortoise parked next to us and began to unload. A platoon of armored women in full battle gear quickly formed up.

A guard sergeant ran up to us. "Commander, what are your orders?"

"Follow us in. If they try to surround us, stun them. If they still advance, switch to deadly force."

"Yes, sir!"

As the four of us strode to the covered front entrance, two guards in ceremonial garb and white eagle-feather headdresses and wielding spears moved to block us.

"Stop!" one proclaimed. "Eagle Warriors only beyond this point! Enlisted men are not allowed!"

"You must show us your tattoo to pass," the second said, looking at me. Turning to Janetta, "You, however, cannot enter."

Ripping open her shirt and her bra, Janetta bared her breasts. "Fourth-degree eagle warrior," she snarled.

"Still cannot pass," the guard said.

"Why not?" bellowed Janetta.

"By order of the Aerie Captain, no women are allowed within the temple grounds!" the eagle guard declared.

Doyya shot them both with the stunner, and they collapsed. Surprised, we looked at her.

"I thought you wanted inside," she said matter-of-factly. She put the now empty stunner into her belt and unslung the rifle.

Janetta and I laughed.

"Sowitwee, cuff and disarm them, then follow us inside."

"Sir!"

The Eagle Temple tied the worship of Huitzilopochtli to the Imperial Air Service. It was one thing to harass her or even belittle her within the temple itself. I wasn't a member of the temple, but even I knew that as an Eagle Warrior, once inducted into their ranks, they could not forbid her entrance without the act being sanctioned by the Priest Caste, and such actions were big affairs that usually meant that someone was going to die.

Janetta burst through the swinging foyer doors, her black hair and black eyes mirroring the storm in her face.

The three of us hurried after Janetta.

We passed through a dark hallway. A single door on each side; one on the right marked as offices, and the one on the left indicating showers and lockers, used for changing into their ceremonial or combat garb.

Then we entered a large arena, with the roof open to the second story. It was a big place, with seating for maybe a thousand spectators. Around the arena itself were walled-off tiers of bleachers with access gaps every fifty feet. The room was easily three hundred feet square.

High above, on the second level, there were rows of windows to let in outside light. On the north wall, however, there were no windows. Instead, there was an enormous mural of Huitzilopochtli, god of war and the north in bright colors. Flanking the eagle god were two guardian eagles in fierce display, their wings outspread, and within each giant talon it clutched a bleeding man, representing the fate of all the god's enemies.

To the east of the mural was a large stone archway decorated in base-reliefs, leading deeper into the temple.

There were fifty or so men dressed in ceremonial white cotton tunics and kilts, embroidered based on rank, including red- and blue-feathered headdresses. All the eagle warriors wore ornate daggers at their waists. Some men were in clusters of two or three, but most of them were congregated beneath the mural.

As we three entered the room, voices died down as we were noticed.

A few, frowning, began to move toward us.

"Air Security," I warned them, showing them the palm of my hand. "Do not interfere. We're here on official business."

Nonetheless, they drew in behind us.

Men ahead of us turned around, curious at the growing silence and the sound of our shoes on the tiled floor, as the eagles wore soft leather sandals.

We got about half way across the floor when one man pushed his way toward us, his face angry.

"Stop! Only Eagle Warriors are allowed inside the temple. Leave at once -- or you will face the wrath of Huitzilopochtli and His holy warriors!"

Then pointing and glaring at Janetta, he barked out, "No filthy women allowed on holy ground! You have been banished, Tlacotli. Get your foul cunt out of here, you whore! Go offer your hole to the jaguars of Tezcatlipocha -- if they will have you! Nahuatl trash!"

Tribal slurs were not allowed in the military, and were a punishable offense. Even officers got the lash for that one.

Janetta drew her knives.

I pointed the shotgun at him. "I don't know who you are, but that's far enough! Another step closer and I will shoot you dead."

Several faces behind the lead man suddenly showed hesitation.

"That's Tonca," Janetta growled.

The man who hurt my family and my people.

There were noises behind us, and then the firing of a score of stunners in rapid succession. Then half the platoon of guards joined us, including Sowitwee.

"Sowitwee, take my shotgun. If any of them try to interfere, don't ask, just shoot them. If they move after you shoot them, shoot them again."

He nodded grimly. "Shoot until they quit moving. Yes, sir!"

I pointed at Tonca. "I challenge you, Warrior to Warrior, hand to hand, to the death!"

"You're not an Eagle," he declared. "You are beneath me."

"I am also Priest Caste, shit for brains. I can be here and I can challenge you. Or are you a coward?"

"Who am I to you?"

I kicked off my shoes and socks. "Calia is my Personal Servant. You raped her. You kidnapped and tortured my woman, Ixma Ba'lanchicotl, among many other insults to me and my House. You are unfit to wear the uniform of the Imperial Air Service. When you are dead, I will take everything you own for my own, and I will erase your name, Tonca!"

"Ah, yes," he sneered. "I remember the Pano bitch, from the Commissary. A lousy fuck, unworthy to take my seed, and worse, unfit to breed. Pano are worse than tapirs. I should have put her down like the animal she is. It is unfortunate that my training of the other one was interrupted. She had potential."

"I intend to see that your corpse ends on the garbage heap for the rats and birds to eat!"

"Kandikan, let me have him!" Janetta pleaded. "I have claims, too!"

"Watch my back, Janetta," was my reply.

Tonca charged, arms moving in a series of strikes. I knew some of the Eagle school katas, but it didn't seem to matter. Without thinking, my hands flew, blocking and deflecting.

When he came in for another volley, the Eskeirat kicked in, and I roughly tossed him aside. The strength of the Eagle School was in distracting hand attacks, followed by devastating feet attacks. Eskeirat had been developed by the Atlanteans specifically to exploit weaknesses in the Eagle School of combat.

As we moved and circled, testing and pressing each other, what I didn't expect was outside treachery. As Tonca and I circled each other, I took a couple of hits to my upper back. They hurt, but nothing too punishing. I tried to shift position so that my allies were behind me. Suddenly another man moved in and delivered a hard kick to my kidney.

Janetta cried foul, and charged the man. Doyya charged in behind her. Sowitwee stepped around me and fired a blast. The Household Guard yelled and joined in, stunners and pistols and even rifles barking loudly. It was a free-for-all.

Grunting from the kidney hit, I was thrown off balance. Tonca used that, giving me three hard shots that pounded along my ribs and ended with a pair of additional kidney shots. I dodged his follow up kick aimed at knocking me down.

Squinting my eyes as I rolled away, I gritted my teeth and pushed away the agony. I'd endured worse. Back on my feet, I took a deep breath, deliberately slowing down my breathing. Rolled my shoulders and exhaled. I had his measure now.

Tonca laughed. "Not so easy is it, want-to-be warrior! You will lose! I will own all your women! I will teach them what a real man is!"

As I stepped in, he spun, whipping his feet in a whirl, attempting to connect with the power of his feet. Catching his foot, I twisted, then dropped and rolled, pulling him down with me. He hit the floor hard, then tried to kick out. While he was extended, I pinned his leg and brought my elbow to his knee.