Starlight Gleaming Ch. 18

Doyya and the others gathered around behind me.

The grey-haired general looked ready to burst a vessel. "You have publicly embarrassed me, Kandikan. I demand satisfaction."

"You are mistaken, General," I answered, trying to give him an out. "The fault is Belliko's. He is out of control, behaving in a manner unbecoming an officer and detrimental to the operation of this war base. He was injuring people because couldn't keep his dick in his pants."

"I challenge you to personal combat, Kandikan," he snapped.

"You don't have to do this, General."

His voice rose to match his fury. "I have issued you a challenge. Do me the courtesy to answer, you jumped up little prick!"

I put my hands on my hips. "High Command does not allow duels between flag and field officers."

"Have you no sense of honor? Answer me, damn you! Orchid and her damn pussy aren't here to protect you. Or are you afraid to fight a real warrior?"

"Very well, General Dagantochtlo. I accept your challenge. The rules are clear. Hand-to-hand duel only, non-fatal, until one of us yields the field."

"I intend to bring you the heel, Kandikan. You cavorted with that whore in my own office! I will have satisfaction. And once I win, you will publicly acknowledge my authority on this war base, and you will follow my orders."

"When and where?" I asked.

"Gymnasium. Be there in one hour. That's seventeen hundred hours, sharp, Kandikan. If you are more than five minutes late, you forfeit."

"You as well, General," I acknowledged, and turned to leave.

"Kandikan! I haven't dismissed you yet!" he barked.

Stopping, I faced him. "Very well, General. However, if we're both late, the challenge is null and void, and I do not have to accept another challenge from you on this matter, and Belliko will be publicly prosecuted to the fullest extent of military law."

"How dare you! I have twenty-two years in the Air Service. Last year, you were a shit-faced sublieutenant, wet behind the ears. How dare you disrespect my authority!"

Dropping my arms to my side, I narrowed my gaze at him. "You've already challenged me to a duel, General. If you have something else to say, get on with it. Otherwise, I have command duties to attend to, and I have a duel to prepare for."

"She gave you your rank because you fucked her."

I narrowed my gaze at him. I knew what he was saying, but pretended ignorance. "What are you going on about?"

"Orchid! You fucked that insolent bitch, didn't you, Kandikan! May the gods damn you, you fucked her in my own office! That why she promoted you."

"Talking about who she does or doesn't sleep with is disrespectful to Commander Orchid's good name. Commander Orchid is a patriot, General. She purged this base of graft, embezzlement, and other serious crimes against the Empire. The stolen materiel for the past five years exceeds half a million credits! For over ten years, Commander Orchid has served as the Vengeful Hand of the Emperor, publicly uncovering criminal gangs and destroying enemies of the Empire. When she was here, she acted justly and honorably, and she saved many more lives than she took. Commander Orchid is also my friend. She is not a whore. I insist that you do not sully her name any further."

"You fucked her and she gave you rank. You whored yourself for rank you didn't deserve."

"Only those of flag rank can look into who signed off on promotions," I replied. "According to my orders - orders that you received a copy of, my promotion to field commander came direct from the Air Marshal himself. If you have a problem with me, General, I suggest you take your complaints to the Air Marshal. You have already challenged me and I have accepted. If you are done with your temper tantrum, I have work to do."

"I'll fix you, you insolent prick," he snarled, then stormed off.

As I glanced around, several heads suddenly had other, more important things to busy themselves with.

"Lieutenant Hanti? For your safety, I think you should come with us."

Doyya signaled, and the Air Security troopers escorted us to the main doors.

Hanti nodded. "Yes, sir. Commander? Um... how good are you?"

I sighed. "I will do my best to win. If I do lose, I swear I will post an Air Security trooper beside you twenty-four hours a day armed with a stunner to keep you safe from reprisals."

"Consider it done, Commander," Doyya said.

"Thank you. Both of you."

* * * * *

Part 7 - Duel

* * * * *

As we exited the building, I said, "Last year, before I left for training, Lieutenant Jonje was CO for the 1025. I believe you were her Second. What happened to her?"

"She died. Air Security ruled it a suicide."

"Do you believe that?" I asked her.

"Not a stinking word of it, Commander."

"Doyya, see if Lieutenant Laroks can find out anything, will you?"

"Yes, sir," she confirmed. "For your safety, we'll accompany you over to the gym, Commander."

"Thank you, Commander," Hanti said.

"No promises about Lieutenant Jonje. They may not have taken any evidence, and likely Voyacherno or his men were involved in her murder. I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but it may be something we'll never find the answer to."

Outside C&C, troopers began to get into their vehicles.

"At least you are willing to try, sir," she answered. "Lieutenant Jonje was a good officer. She had high hopes for the Protection Order. But then you went away. Belliko was harassing her, and then she died, supposedly falling down in a staircase. Then the murders and violence escalated. Now you're back and in charge of Air Security. I'll trust you to do right by her."

Doyya didn't say anything, but I caught her nodding.

"You want me to drop you off first, Hachan?" I asked him, as we got into my vehicle.

"Are you kidding, Commander?"

Hanti got into the back seat.

So we drove over to the gym. Five cruisers, lights flashing, escorting us the whole way.

I asked Hanti more about herself. I learned she was Tongvan, from the west coast of the northern continent, near Raydam. I remembered my time there, and told her it appeared to be beautiful country. She agreed. I think I surprised her when I asked if she'd been affected by the Drug Plot the previous year.

"I was," she admitted. "So were all the women of my command. Commander Orchid - she has a dark reputation. But what you said to the general was right. She saved us all. And we remember her with gratitude. Are you really her friend?"

"She is truly a most remarkable woman. Atlantean slavers took my girl Sisi, and Commander Orchid rescued her and Mina."

"There were rumors that she'd smashed a child slavery ring. Heard, too, that a second woman, an evil one also claiming to be Orchid appeared. That they fought on the beach and the one who saved us emerged victorious."

"You don't say."

"Commander, my bungalow is at the shore. I was there when the tanks arrived."

My eyes shot to the rear-view mirror. Hachan was taking in every single word.

Hanti sighed. "Don't worry, Commander. I won't say anything. But I know you were there beside her. Rumor says that it was you who brought Commander Orchid to save the women. It's obvious the General believes that, too."

Once upon a time, I had refused to say anything. Now, Melannee was long gone, and I hoped safe from the reach of Minister Supay. I no longer saw the need to deny everything. I also wanted to clarify the rumor mill.

"No. I didn't bring her. I told her what was happening, and she came on her own. Commander Orchid acted because it was the right thing to do. It was also her personal intervention that revealed the injustice to the Empress, who in turn pled the case to the Emperor. Like I said. Commander Orchid is a patriot and an honorable officer in the service of the Empire."

Hanti smiled grimly. "She is the Vengeful Hand of the Emperor. That time the vengeance was for those men who tried to end our careers." A pause. "You fought beside her."

"She asked for my help and I gave it to her. She saved all those people in the water because it was the right thing to do."

"The buses started up shortly after Commander Orchid left. Was that her idea?"

"No. That was more of a group effort, I'd say. Captain Lovyanchiti, Sergeant Chita, and many others made it a success. Without them, it would never have succeeded like it did."

"Every one of my enlisted ride those buses. I'm glad those stupid wooden wagons are gone. Did you know the newspapers in the Seven Nations used to make fun of us? Every time they had an editorial that compared the Empire to Atlantis or Aesir-Veda, there was a cartoon showing us pushing those wagons about."

"Well, the men selling our equipment on the black market are gone. For the most part anyway. Others will be tempted to resume lining their pockets. Air Security will be there to stop them."

"Llam nuqan, sir?"

I nodded. "Exactly."

I found us a parking spot in front of the gym. Doyya and the others parked nearby, fanning out.

As we walked toward the front doors of the gymnasium, I said, "Lieutenant, if you know of any other women officers who are having problems like you have had, please let me or one of the other Air Security officers know. I can force the enlisted to follow orders, but I need to make sure the officers are also obeying the order. The officers set the tone for everyone under their command."

"For the most part, things have gotten better, Commander. For that, you have my respect and admiration. If I hear of anything amiss, I'll be sure to let you know."

I held the door open for her, breaking military protocol. "After you, Lady Hanti."

Flushing, she nodded. "Thank you, Lord Kandikan."

Just before I moved off to the lockers to change, she called out to me. "Commander? I want you to know. Even if you lose, it means a great deal that you made the effort. For myself, for those in my command, and for the memory of Lieutenant Jonje."

"Llam nuqan, Lieutenant. For the Empire and the Air Service, llam nuqan."

Smiling, she and Hachan hurried off to find a seat.

I headed to my locker. Unlocked it. Pulled out my spare shirt and shorts. Unbuckled my vest and holsters, shirt and neckerchief, finding room for everything. Shucked my shoes and socks and set them inside.

I was just pushing down my trousers when Doyya and Yalcamara came around the corner. I paused, then resumed undressing. "What are you two doing here?"

Both of them checked me out. Most men will look at women, and most women will return the favor. The body is just the physical part of ourselves. It's what you do with it that matters. Just as with your beliefs and actions.

Doyya cleared her throat. "Just wanted to let you know that the gym is filling up with spectators. News of the duel is passing through the war base like a wildfire. The other people exercising are getting squeezed out by people coming to watch the fight. We're staying because we want to make sure you don't have an accident, sir. In fact, Pen is sending over more troopers to help keep order."

I straightened up. "What makes you think there might be a problem?"

"The general's old-school, Commander," Yalcamara answered. "He has personal guards that aren't military."

I shrugged. "So?"

"If he loses, they may attack you out of revenge, Commander. If you're dead, you aren't a reminder of the general's loss of face."

"Besides," Doyya added, "you aren't like the rest of us, sir. If something happened to you, we would take that personally. Sowitwee's your aide, but he not here now to watch over you."

"He's my aide, not my bodyguard. He's helping some of the new arrivals get settled in. We've doubled our strength in a short time, and a few hundred people need things like equipment, orientation to the war base, housing. Though, what time is it? Crap. I was supposed to be home an hour ago."

I dug out my phone. Janetta would have called me, wondering where I was. Checking the setting, I saw it was set to send only, so it wouldn't ring during that stupid staff meeting. I set it back to full function, and it immediately vibrated, letting me know I had several missed calls and messages.

Doyya's phone rang, and she answered. Glancing at me with a smirk, she said, "Yes, Chita, I'll tell him. And yes, it's true, The commander tried to give the general an out, but the general insisted on the duel. I'll tell you more later, when I know all the details. Bye."

Closing her phone, she said, "Captain Tlacotli's called twice. She wants to know if you're in the hospital or if your phone is broken."

"Turned it off for that damned meeting and forgot to turn it back on. Thanks." I dialed Janetta. She picked up on the first ring. "Hi-"

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I'm sorry I didn't call. I turned off receive while I was in a staff meeting. It ran almost two hours longer than expected. Right after we got out, I ran into a problem that needed immediate attention."

"I feel awkward, checking up on you like this. But you are already putting in ten and eleven hour days. And I pay attention if you aren't where you're expected to be. You're usually home an hour after I arrive, but today you aren't here yet. It's nearly dinner time, Ranji. Will you be home soon?"

"Thank you for checking up on me. I love you, too. No, don't wait on me for dinner. Give my apologies to everyone. That problem I ran into ended up with me being challenged to a duel. I'm down at the gym getting ready to fight. I'll explain it all when I get home later."

Just then, I heard a ruckus on Janetta's end. "What's going on, Ixma?" A pause, then, "Gods of North and South, Kandikan! They just interrupted News from the Empire for a breaking bulletin - coming from the fucking gym! You're fighting the Base Commandant? Are you out of your mind? The media guys are posting comparisons of your hand-to-hand ratings. Yours is a big question mark. Holy shit, Kandikan. He's a Qinchu third-level Master. Are you going to be okay?"

I smiled. She didn't question why I was going to fight or ask my reasons. She just wanted me to know she was worried for me. "I'll do the best I can, Janetta. I need to go. I'll call you when I'm done."

"Even if you lose, get back up on your feet. Let him know you aren't beaten. Remember the Warrior's creed, Kandikan." Then she hung up.

"Warrior's creed." I whispered it quietly, putting the phone away. "I am a Warrior. All my enemies are dead, and I am still standing."

Both women, startled, sought my eyes, and locked on. Doyya's hand unconsciously rubbed the outside of her vest where she'd been shot. Yalcamara glanced at her, then both grimly nodded.

Dressed, I closed and secured my locker.

In the next aisle, we heard two men come in, discussing the impending fight. "I've got a hundred credits on the general," declared the first one.

"A hundred! I heard Kandikan beat Tonca at the temple fight. He was the Aerie Captain, supposedly the best one they had."

"Who are you going to believe? Some ground pounder? The general is a Qinchu Master. Hummingbird school is rare, and to reach that level, they have to be good."

Qinchu focused on speed for defense and quick, debilitating strikes, wearing down an opponent before moving in for the kill.

The first man continued speaking. "Are you going to bet?"

As they moved off, the second one replied, "I'll bet ten credits on the general."

"Ten!" the first one scoffed. "With all those betting on the other one? Come on! This is easy money!"

Their voices faded as they exited through the doors.

"You're going to kick his ass, Commander. I know it," Doyya assured me.

"Did you wager on me?" I asked.

"Of course, Commander," Doyya answered. "We both bet a hundred on you."

"Pretty sure of me, aren't you?" I challenged.

Just then, Jay came around the corner, his hair uncombed, his eyes tired. He should have been home, sleeping. Pen was right behind him. Both wore civilian slacks and bronze tee-shirts with "Ground Service" in yellow lettering on the back. Below, in smaller font, were the words, "Copán War Base."

"What are you two doing here?" I demanded.

Jay shook his head. "You have to ask? My commanding officer and the base commandant are going to duel. You are my friend. I came to offer my moral support, and to make sure no one tries to pull anything funny. What started this, anyway?"

"Captain Belliko. He was injuring Lieutenant Hanti's people. Forced her to give him sex to save her command. There's more, but that's the gist of it. Forced consent is not consent. Apparently that nuance of fairness escaped his moral upbringing. I caught him in the act, and she told me everything. The general demanded I set Belliko free and I refused." I nodded toward Doyya and Yalcamara. "These two said they're here to watch my back, too."

Pen laughed. You are important to us, Ranji. We were there in the Seventh Hell with you, and we survived. Once you've been hurt that bad, there's little that can intimidate you. Besides, we saw you nearly beat Stryker to death with your bare hands, and with being shot and spraying blood everywhere. When you get hurt, you just get mad and come back harder. We also know who your teacher was."

Jay nodded sagely. "Styen Topangiti still holds several records at Copán, Commander. And you've learned a few things since then. If you need incentive, we each have a hundred credits on you to win."

"I see how it is. I enforce the law while my subordinates line their pockets with the brunt of my fists. You scoundrels. Hmm. If all of you are here, who's minding the store? Because Hachan's here, too."

Pen said, "Lieutenant Laroks is at HQ. Dispatch knows where we are. The others at HQ know he's the ranking officer on site at the moment. Besides, Hachan is handling the betting pool for us."

"What? You mean my XO is a bookie?" I looked at Doyya. "You helped me interview him. Did you know he's a bookie?"

"He might have some experience in that field, sir," she admitted.

"Seven hells," I muttered as we entered the hallway back to the gym. Then I laughed. "I guess it's a good thing I trust you, Captain. Holy gods."

"Don't worry, sir," Doyya said. "I checked around. He's been helpful in the past with keeping some of the enlisted from becoming too indebted."

"Thank the gods for small favors," I muttered.

Pen said, "When you beat the general, it'll send a clear message across the war base that disobeying the Protection Order is not a good idea."

"Because I'll kick their ass?"

"Exactly!" Pen said.

"Great," I muttered. "You'd think that people would embrace social change because it makes sense or improves lives."

"Whatever works, Commander," said Jay. "We're a warrior culture. For many of our people, for the message to have value, the messenger has to be seen as strong and victorious."

Doyya and Yalcamara voiced their agreement.

I glanced at my watch. Five minutes to go. "Okay, let's get this done and over with."

Yalcamara took point, followed by Jay and Pen. I followed behind them, with Doyya at the rear.

Doyya was right. The room was packed. And off to one side, I saw the media guys already set up. One sat at a table, speaking into a microphone. Another was panning around with a portable camera. I recognized him and his companion from the Media Center where the radio broadcasts were aired. It had only been weeks ago, but now it seemed like another lifetime.

I saw a fair number of Ground Service uniforms in the crowd.

Yalcamara and the others made room for me to prepare outside the fight circle. I stretched, trying to loosen up. Doyya disappeared, then came back with a couple of bottles of electrolyte water. I drank half of one and handed it back.