Starlight Gleaming Ch. 18

Eventually we made it downstairs. By then, Sowitwee and his wife had departed.

Downstairs, I warmed up their breakfast, then got myself my second cup of cahualt for the day.

"Since Calia isn't feeling well, I get to go with you to school today."

Sisi grinned at me. "You can meet some of my friends, Tenant." Sisi dipped her bacon into the dollop of jam on her hot cereal and munched contentedly.

When they were both done, Sisi took their dishes from the table to the counter. Because she was too short, I moved them into the sink. Then she looked at the wall clock. "Time to go, Tenant."

There was a sharp rap-rap-rap at the front door. Maybe it was the morning security escort.

I went to answer it. Glanced through the peephole. Saw three women standing outside the door. Two in dresses, one in shirt and trousers, all in civilian dress. The women in dresses were both short and slight, and had light brown hair and light blue eyes, a rarity. Their similarity made me think they might be related. By contrast, the woman in front was sturdy, almost stout. Handsome more than pretty. Still, definitely a woman.

I opened the door. "Yes?"

If heard the trooper move close behind me as a precaution.

The one in trousers snapped to attention and saluted, then she looked apologetic. "Sorry, Commander. Habit. I saw your Class B and forgot myself. My name is Uway Sonoctamack, but everyone calls me Mack. That's Tarragon and that's Salvia. This is Lord Kandikan. Give him your papers."

Both women in dresses, keeping their heads looking down, pulled ID papers from their side pockets and handed them to me.

Slowly taking the documents, I said, "I don't understand. Who are you again?"

"I told you, Commander. I'm Mack. I'm here to apply for work as a household guard. These two are your new servants."

I looked at the papers. Both were indentured, and I was the one listed as current contract holder. Flipping both pages over, looking at the back, I discovered the previous holder. Voyacherno. Calia's signature was listed as authorizing the transfer.

I looked at the three women. "This isn't a great time. I don't know anything about this."

Disappointment filled Mack's face.

The other two waited patiently for me to instruct them. Then it occurred to me that I'd been thinking about having full-time guards. Yet, I also desperately needed bodies to fill the regiment. And, Mack's initiative impressed me.

"All right, come inside. I'll go check with Calia about these two and be right back."

The three filed in. The trooper came up, and after checking ID, started talking to Mack.

I pulled the young women aside, showed them the recently vacated room. I looked at the papers for their names. Like Mack said, Tarragon and Salvia. "I need to go away right now, but this room is set aside for you. Right now, I must leave. Do you know how to cook? I see. Well, there is food in the refrigerator. There is the bathroom. I'll be back after lunch time. There will be guards in the front room if you have questions. Do you understand?"

They both nodded, never lifting their eyes to mine.

I sighed. I didn't have time to deal with that. This was Calia's project, but she wasn't in shape deal with it. Hopefully when the girls and I returned from school, Calia would be able to answer questions and give me some direction.

Sisi came up to me, her face disapproving. "Tenant, we need to go!"

"What's your hurry, Sisi? It's not even zero-seven hundred hours yet."

"There's a field trip today, Tenant. If'n we're not at the school soon, we'll miss the bus!"

"Field trip? Where to?"

"To a queerium, to look at the fishies."

"You mean aquarium?"

Sisi looked at the clock again, then to me disapprovingly. "Tenant!"

"Hold on, Sisi. Mack, what's your experience in your field? And why do you think you should come work for me?"

"Almost two years ago I was working here at Air Security. Despite regularly taking birth control medications, I got pregnant, and was dishonorably discharged."

"When you arrived her at High Guard, you would have been issued an new ID card. Show me your lanyard, Mack."

She pulled it out again, removing it for me to examine.

Third Sergeant. ID card was brand new, and picture matched. I handed it back, and she put it back on, tucking it under her shirt.

"You have a jacket, Mack?"

"Not with me, Commander."

"This is Sisi and that's Mina. They are my girls. Wait here. Keep an eye on Mina. Come on, Sisi. Let's get your jackets. It might rain today."

Sisi ran upstairs and I hurried after. I figured I could interview her during the trip.

"Sisi! Get Mina's jacket, too! But be quiet. Calia doesn't feel well and she's resting."

"Okay, Tenant!"

In the bedroom, I grabbed my garrison cap and slickers for Mack and myself. Sisi and I hurried back downstairs.

"Don't run on the stairs, Sisi. You can fall and hurt yourself."

"Okay, Tenant."

I handed a slicker to Mack. "We'll talk on the way. Need help getting your jacket on Mina?" I crouched down and made sure it was all the way on, kissed Mina on the forehead, then picked her up. Slipped the laptop satchel over my shoulder.

"Let's go."

"Tenant! Our lunches!"

"I'll grab them, Commander," Mack offered.

The guards providing transportation arrived to drive us to the school. The girls were quickly buckled into safety seat in the rear, and I sat in back with them. Mack squeezed into the passenger seat in the front. After greeting the troopers driving us to school, we were on our way.

I realized my cruiser was probably still parked outside Command and Control. I called Chita on the phone. She wasn't in yet, but I spoke to her new aide, Third Sergeant Sunahee.

"Senior Sergeant Chita's office. How may I direct your call?"

"Sunahee? This is Commander Kandikan. I am without the vehicle checked out to me. I believe it is still in the parking lot at C&C. Can you let Sergeant Chita know? I'd like to have it delivered to the primary school, so I can drive my girls home this afternoon."

"Yes, sir. Anything else, Commander?"

"No, that's all. Thank you."

"Goodbye, Commander."

She hung up, and I put away my phone.

"So, Mack, where's home?" I asked.

"Solerti. It's on the Inland Sea." She turned a little to give her attention to me.

"That's not too far from Tikún as I recall. Southeastern part of the peninsula, right?"

"Yes. Have you been there?"

"No, but I know the area some. What do your parents do?"

"Pop's a fisherman. Mom does laundry to help make ends meet."

"Hard workers by the sound of it. I'm guessing you enlisted for a chance a better life. I thought so. How'd you get by after the dishonorable discharge? If I'm being too nosy, just say so. But I want to get a sense of who you are."

She shrugged. "I understand I'm taking a chance here. You are my new CO. I survived by doing odd jobs, sir. Bouncer mostly. I had plenty of experience defusing difficult situations. Solerti is a tourist town, so it gets people coming for the beaches and the casinos. With the dishonorable and being a woman, I didn't earn much, and I couldn't get a job with the local police. But, with my parents' help, we scraped by."

"Any other family?"

"Yeah. Two brothers. But they're married with kids of their own, and barely making it themselves."

"Your child?"

She glanced at me. "A son. Tambo. Named him after my father."

I caught her lower lip trembling out of the corner of my eye. "Are you okay, Sergeant?"

"I told myself I was going to be a professional. But I need to tell you how grateful I am. All of us coming back here are grateful to you. It's a real miracle."

"Tenant? Mina can't have ice cream."

"What brought that up?"

"'Cause a few days ago, Mina had the farts, but she didn't have an accident, and the captain said it was a miracle. Then she lit a match because it was stinky so that we could all live."

Mack burst out in laughter, and I joined her. Even the troopers cracked a smile, and I caught the amused glance of the driver in the mirror.

I nodded to Sisi. "If the captain says it's a miracle, then it's a miracle. So did Mina have ice cream yesterday?"

"No, that was before you came home, Tenant. She had peanut butter, and it gives her the farts and a sore tummy. Cashew butter is okay."

"Got it. No ice cream or peanut butter for Mina. Cashew butter is okay."

We pulled into the school parking lot. Two large buses were loading up with adults and children. Sisi craned her neck, frowning. "They're here! Are we gonna miss the bus?"

"No, Sisi. If they try and leave without us, I'll arrest the drivers."

"Okay, Tenant." And she relaxed.

Mack gave an odd look, wondering if I was joking or not. One of the troopers walked over to let the driver know we were joining the field trip.

The driver, meanwhile, conferred with Dispatch about my leaving the war base with my daughters. While they conferred, I asked to speak to Dispatch.

"This is Commander Kandikan. The troopers can be here when we return. Since this trip was unknown to me before this morning, there's not likely to be any guarding needed. Third Sergeant Mack is going along with us. The troopers that would normally be here to guard my daughters can provide security at the school until our return."

A pause. Then, "So logged by the Shift Commander. Be safe, sir."

Mack helped me gather my girls and their lunches. As we walked over to the bus, Mina on my hip, Mack carried the lunches and Sisi trotted happily along.

"Do you have a weapon yet, Mack?"

"I have a Beltan 110, sir. Nothing else."

"At least you have something. Keep it secure. And, since we didn't plan on you, we'll see about purchasing some food for you at the aquarium."

"That's not necessary, sir."

"Yes, it is, Mack. I am now your officer. You will learn that I do my best to take care of everyone in my command."

I introduced myself to the teacher, who obviously recognized me. She gave my weapons a worried glance, but said nothing. We got onto the bus and found seats at the very back. Mack got in first, and placed the lunch cooler on her lap and the rain slicker over her arm. Sisi sat between us, with Mina parked on my lap.

A few minutes later, we were at the gate leading to Capisco. The last time I'd gone into town, I'd met Melannee Siroptic and my world changed forever. This time I was taking my girls on a field trip with their schoolmates. Another remarkable day. Hopefully not nearly as life-changing. Hopefully the the gods of chaos would be satisfied with my near-death experience the previous evening.

Mack looked at Sisi and Sisi smiled back.

"Can I ask you a question?" she asked my daughter.

"Yep."

"How come you call him Tenant?"

"He's my 'dopted Dad and my officer."

"He's your officer?"

"Mama Zinja says a good officer takes care of his people. Captain takes care of Mama Zinja, Ixma, and Aunt Cholan. Tenant takes care of all of us. Captain, too. I tried calling him Tenant Daddy, but it was too long."

"Good choice," Mack told her. She was amused and impressed by Sisi's answer.

Ground Security boarded at the gate, and checked ID papers. It was a very different experience this time. I had never seen these particular men before, yet the troopers readily recognized me and smiled. Two asked to shake my hand. They thanked me for the food and beer from the previous week, and moved on.

"You gave them a party?" Mack inquired.

"After I returned to High Guard, there was a fight. Almost all the Air Security field troopers were killed. That meant Ground Security had to pick up the slack. It'll be a few months before the new recruits are ready for field work, and I'd prefer they have experienced partners. These Ground Security troopers have had to do all their work and much of ours, too. I simply acknowledged their efforts."

Mina dozed against me. Sisi opened her little pack and took out her headphones and her tablet to pass the time. I'm afraid I dozed a bit. Once we were through the last checkpoint, though, I woke up.

We arrived at the aquarium by nine. Once we disembarked, we spent the next three hours following the guided tour. Both girls seems fascinated with the variety of fish within the huge tanks with their glass walls. Sharks, seals, large turtles, stone fish, flounders, rays. Some species from the other side of the world. I enjoyed it myself. Tohingo has an aquarium, too, but they have different local wildlife, and of course, differing exhibits. The girls seemed to have a good time, too.

I also paid attention to how Mack interacted with my girls. If she wanted to work in my home, she needed to be professional as well as compassionate.

At the early lunch, Sisi dragged me over to meet some of her friends and greetings were exchanged. As I'd hoped, there were food vendors near the eating area, so I split my lunch with Mack. Knowing she likely had little surplus funds, I bought us both some extra fried fish sticks and potato wedgies with lemon and dill sauce. Not great, but not awful either. Both Sisi and Mina seemed to like the fried potato slices, taking delight in dipping them into the small condiment cups.

After the meal, lists were checked, stray children and parents were rounded up, and we loaded for our return trip. Mina again settled onto my lap, and I was pretty pleased with myself. A far cry from when I'd first arrived at my parents' home! As we rode back, Mack grew quieter, staring out the window, and she frequently checked her watch.

"Everything all right, Mack?"

Her head jerked to me, then she looked away. "Yes, sir."

"You've been away from your son for a long time. Is he still nursing?"

She just nodded.

Those women returning to duty with children expressed their milk so the women at the Care Center could feed them while the mothers worked. Sometimes, too, they stopped by and took their lunch break at the center, just to feed them. Sergeant Chita was really good at keeping me apprised of those kinds of important details.

"We'll be back soon enough. I'll drive you to the Care Center."

"Thank you, Commander." She looked at me then, and I could see the question in her eyes.

"I'll review your personnel jacket and let you know by end of day shift tomorrow."

"Appreciate the chance, sir," she murmured.

As the buses pulled into the parking lot, I woke up Sisi and Mina. Sisi yawned and rubbed her eyes absently.

Mina blinked and looked around. "Where's Mama?"

"She'll be home soon, Mina," I reassured her. "We'll drop you and Sisi off, and then I need to take Mack to see her son."

"Can I go with you, Tenant? Mack said I could meet Tambo." Sisi looked at me hopefully.

I recalled hearing part of that discussion during lunch. "Sure, you can come along."

Without much fuss, we got the girls from the bus to our security escort.

Once we were home, Mack carried in the cooler and I carried Mina. Each of us took a bathroom break and since Calia was up, she made a snack for Mina.

Giving Calia a hug and a quick kiss, I checked her over. She still looked tired.

Sowitwee was sitting on the couch in the front room, watching a ball game. He looked uncomfortable.

"How is Nariya?" I asked.

"Resting," Sowitwee answered, sitting up straighter. "She has a urinary tract infection. She should be better in a day or so. The physician assures us the baby is in no danger. Are you going back out, Commander?"

"I am. Mack needs a lift back to her son. You are staying here to keep watch on your wife. Who's winning?"

He relaxed a bit. "Acotec Avengers are ahead of the Bribri Bravados, three to two."

"You have your stunner on you?"

He pulled it out of his pocket to show me. I saw he wore his belt knife, too.

"Good man."

Sisi came out of the bathroom.

Calia commented, "Mack, I think you are leaking."

Mortified, Mack blushed several shades.

"It's all right, Sergeant. We'll get you back to your son soon enough. Keep the slicker. You have something to change into when you get home? Good. Sisi, did you wash your hands? Good girl. Get your jacket. Those clouds in the northwest looked pretty dark. Calia, we're taking Mack to her residence. Will you let Janetta and the others know where we are?"

"Yes, my lord."

Sisi slipped her jacket on and grabbed my hand. I had had a great if tiring day with my girls, and relished my role as dad.

We stepped outside, and it began to rain. Light drops at first while we hurried over to the cruiser. Without Mina, the extra safety seat was temporarily removed and placed into the trunk. I buckled Sisi in the middle, while Mack climbed in on the other side. She gave the address, and the driver set off.

Water began to come down in sheets. The driver flicked on the wipers and headlights, keeping an eye out for pedestrians.

"Tenant, do you think she uses soap?"

"What are you talking about, Sisi?"

"Aunt Cholan says when it rains, the Jade Goddess is cleaning the world. I just wondered if she used soap, 'cause Mina and I have to use soap when we wash."

I smiled to myself. "What does your Aunt Cholan say?"

"The Jade Goddess doesn't have to use soap, but people have to."

"So why did you ask me?"

"I wanted to see if you had the same answer."

She's just turning five? I thought. Gods above, if I'm not careful, when she's older, she's going to run rings around me!

"Your Aunt Cholan knows about the Jade Goddess, so I will defer to her."

"What's defer, Tenant?"

"To put off or to wait. In this case, she knows more about the Jade Goddess than I do."

Within a few minutes, we arrived, and the three of us hurried inside. The place appeared to be a large residence. In the main room there were four women in civilian clothes, one heading upstairs. The three remaining had large bellies, and one carried an infant as well, moving toward the kitchen. The three women greeted Mack warmly, and Mack began talking to one of them.

In the kitchen itself, I spied three men in Ground Service uniforms with tool belts working. Curious, I went around the corner. I recognized the man pulling himself out from under a sink.

"Sergeant Kitam! Small world! How are you?" I offered my hand to help him stand.

He grinned as he accept the assist. "Doing just fine, Commander. I'd heard you were back and making quite the ruckus. The whole damn war base is buzzing over your fight. We heard the broadcast after dinner that you survived. Me and my men, well, we're pleased to see the truth of it."

"Thank you," I said.

"Thank you for the beer, too. My men and I enjoyed it." The other three gave me brief smiles and nods before resuming work.

I grinned at him. "Glad to hear it. What's going on here?"

"Your Sergeant Chita called me over. Those three layabouts are supposed to be adding wiring for a new electrical outlet, so they can add three more refrigerators. I was removing a clog in the drain. Most of the women living here don't know about proper cleaning. Instead of scooping out the debris and putting it into the trash, they pushed it down the sink until it clogged the drain."

"Huh. What is this place? It looks like a residence. In fact, the design looks pretty close to my place."

The sergeant nodded. "It is. Or was. This used to be Commander Voyacherno's place. That pounding in the garage is the rest of my crew tearing out part of the wall so they can add in more laundry machines. With a dozen babies, they are having trouble keeping up with the diapers."

"I can imagine," I said. So the pregnant women were probably the abandoned wives.

Sisi came running over to me. "Tenant? Come quick! Mack's crying."