Starlight Gleaming Ch. 18

Stimmi hummed happily as he exited.

"Oh, something else to think about regarding our fugitive," I said. "Charunt has a distinct fetish. As Pen observed, he's a sociopath. Sexually, he's a violent sadist. If we get a missing person's report, it could be an abduction. Anyone missing longer than six hours should be looked into, and it needs to be asked by Dispatch. Charunt likes to hurt both men and women."

"Updating the bulletin, Commander," Chita said. Doyya gave a disgusted look.

"Also, in all patrol pairs, one trooper will henceforth be issued a standard side-arm, either a Caiman 35 or a Chon 44. The partner needs to be equipped with a Wampag Talon. We've had enough incidents with draconian body shields that it's time we equipped our troopers accordingly. While the Talons don't nearly have the same range, they are good for penetrating standard body armor. The armory currently has none in stock, and only a handful of us are so equipped. We also need a count of ammunition supplies. I believe regs say we should have twenty thousand rounds on hand for every field trooper. Chita, make the purchase order for a thousand Talons, a thousand adjustable holsters and whatever we need to bring our ammunition supply up to specs..."

The rest of the day was like that. Thousands of details, all of which needed to be prioritized, even if it was just to acknowledge the matter.

* * * * *

Part 4 - Janetta Apologizes to Cholan and Some Things Get Settled

* * * * *

While I dogged through emails, Sowitwee stood on a ladder, updating the Org Chart on my wall with names from his tablet.

Even with as much as we'd handled, there was still a mountain of work still to do by the end of shift. The huge number of vacancies had me worried. On the plus side, the demeanor of the outside office had changed. People began to work with more purpose, and work interrupted by five days of mayhem finally began to resume.

At seventeen hundred, Sowitwee reminded me it was time to go home. He turned off the cahault-maker and dumped the grounds while I gathered my laptop and secured my desk and my office.

Both of us were tired, so we lapsed into silence as I drove us home. I made sure I parked so that there was plenty of clearance for the ChoCac wagon Janetta was using. I didn't want to block her in.

After greeting everyone in the living room, to my surprise, Janetta announced that I needed to go upstairs with Cholan and spend some time with her. Cholan, the woman in question, looked hopeful even as she fidgeted.

Switching to Nahuatl so little ears couldn't listen, I sat next to Janetta and put my arm around her. "I promised you I'd eat your pussy until you were a quivering, wet mess. You're only putting off the inevitable, my lovely beauty."

Zinja, Ixma, and Cholan openly laughed as they looked to Janetta for her reaction. Unperturbed, she asked Cholan, "You like it when he puts his mouth on your pussy, don't you?"

Cholan's face lit up. "Oh, gods, yes!"

"Me, too," Ixma echoed with enthusiasm.

Her mother smirked at her and went back to reading a counting book with Sisi.

Janetta turned back to me. "Ranji, in my zeal to let everyone know I am the mistress of the house, I hurt Cholan's feelings when we used the couch in her room. Entering her room wasn't for cause. We should have respected her space. To make it up to her, you need to go upstairs with her and give her some quality time. I'm told dinner will be ready in forty-five minutes, so you'd best hurry." Then she pushed me away.

Even as I got up, I laughed. "Funny how when you apologize to your crew, you give them to me to kiss and make things better."

"It makes perfect sense, Ranji. You're a considerate lover, and they enjoy their time with you. Besides, when you kiss them, they appreciate it more." Standing up, Janetta faced Cholan, who had moved next to me. "Do I need to have him make you beg?"

Blushing furiously, Cholan shook her head, keeping her eyes down. "No, Captain."

"That's what I thought." Janetta nodded in dismissal. "Have fun you two."

Mindful of the time, we went upstairs to her bedroom and quickly undressed.

"Did she chew you out too badly, Cholan?"

"No, sir. She reminded all of us that she is our officer, and as her flight crew, our duties are to her first. She apologized for coming into my room without permission."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Which arm of the couch did you two use?"

"Mmm. That one."

Cholan picked up a towel from her dresser and went to the other arm, laid out the towel, then bent over with a smile.

Gently taking her arm, she looked surprised when I pulled her up, turned her around and kissed her. "Not there. We did that at my parent's place. Let's use your bed, where I can look into your eyes while I make love to you."

She nearly melted in my arms. "I've been waiting to be with you for hours. Ever since she told me about it. I'm pretty wet already, sir. However you want me, I'm ready."

Picking her up, she snagged the towel. I carried her over and gently laid her down. Her nipples already hard, she scooted toward the middle. Putting the towel beneath her, she spread her legs wide for me. I crawled next to her and I convinced her to spend time just kissing. Mostly on her mouth, but I paid attention to her neck and ears, too. She kept grinning at me between kisses, her soft brown eyes lit with happiness.

When I began playing with her breasts, her sighs deepened and her breath caught several times.

By the time I moved down to lavish some attention to her pussy, she was soaked. When she came for me, Cholan firmly gripped her pillow over her face and screamed into it while bucking against my face. I let her calm down a little, then went back for more. When she pulled the pillow away the second time, she was sobbing for air while little tremors kept crashing through her small body.

When I finally entered her, she gasped. I took my time, caressing her face and slow-stroking her, gently probing deeply and thoroughly while playing with her clit. It didn't take much, and when she exploded around my cock, she lifted up, crying out she loved me as she buried her face into my chest. I continued pumping slow, deep, and firm strokes that prolonged her orgasm.

When she shuddered and went limp, I reached down to kiss her. I couldn't quite fully bury myself inside her, but I didn't feel the need to. Working in a tight circle, I rubbed the underside of my cockhead on her cervix. Sensation rapidly built in my balls. While tremors still crashed through her body, I pressed into her, feeling good while my cock pulsed and squirted, filling her depths. She jerked when the first splash landed deep within her belly. Wrapping her body around me, she moaned and shivered as I continued filling her up.

Rolling to the side, I pulled her with me so I could remain inside her while we laid together. She brushed away her sweaty hair and sniffed as she held me tight.

"Everything okay, Island Girl?"

"I love you so much, Commander. You're so good to me."

"Even in your own room, you won't call me Ranji?"

"I want to, and I know you want me to, but... not yet. Someday, maybe."

I grinned. "You're resolve is weakening. Good. I love you, Cholan."

She looked thoughtful. "May I ask a question?"

"Of course!"

"You gave me a lot of money before you left. Why did you do that?"

"So that in case something happened to me, you would be taken care of. The money is yours, to do with as you see fit."

Before I'd left for Sparantzlo, I'd given Janetta fifty thousand credits, and twenty-five thousand each to Zinja, Ixma, Cholan, and ten to Calia. Calia received less because I knew my parents would take care of her if anything ever happened to me. Trust funds of ten thousand credits had been set up for each of my daughters as well.

I knew my parents would see that my daughters and their mothers would be taken care of if something happened to me. The money would make sure my girls could pursue an advanced education, or if they chose, to be used as an income supplement for the rest of their lives, or even as a part of a dowry. I disliked the idea of paying a man to wed my daughter - he should consider himself lucky she would have him. But his family might not be so forward thinking.

Cholan ran her hand slowly across my chest. "We thought as much. It made us feel loved that you would do that for us, but it also made us afraid because you thought you might not make it back." Cholan looked me in the eyes. "I... I told my parents about the money, and they've asked me to give them some."

"You didn't need to tell me that, Cholan. I meant what I said. The money is yours, and what you do with it is your personal business. All right?"

"I want your advice, sir. The amount they're asking for, it's a lot. I want to help them. They are my parents after all. But, I don't know."

Concerned, I rolled until I lay facing her. "Just how much are they asking for?"

"They want twenty-three thousand credits."

I blinked. That was an awful lot of money. Still, Cholan's medical treatments had run fifteen thousand. Maybe her parents had legitimate and urgent needs. "Have they told you what they needed the money for?"

"No."

"They are your family and I understand familial obligations. However, that's your money, not theirs. You are a smart woman, Cholan Yakalme. Do what you feel is right. I'll back you up one hundred percent. Whatever happens, it won't change how I feel for you."

She kissed me and nuzzled into my chest. "Thank you, sir."

"How long since you've seen them?"

"Just over two years. We exchange emails every few weeks, and letters on birthdays."

"Your parents are in Copán, aren't they?"

"Yes, sir. My two sisters are there, too."

"I'll work with your officer and see what we can work out. It would be nice if all of us to go along. Go meet and visit with your family. Show them how much we love you. Would you be down with that?"

Her eyes widened, full of emotion. "Yes, sir. I'd be down with that."

Then, giving me a sultry look, she moved down and inhaled my sticky, still-drooling cock.

There was a rap on the door. "Five minute warning till dinner." Janetta.

Cholan lifted her head. "Almost done!" She grinned at me, then finished licking me clean.

Stroking her hair, I said, "Thank you, Island Girl."

She giggled, and smacked her lips as she winked at me. Hopping off the bed, she carefully wiped at her leaking slit. Slipping on some fresh panties, she added a washcloth for extra padding. Putting on her bra, she went to her closet and put on a nice dress. A pale blue one, with tropical flowers from knee to half-way up her thighs. She quickly brushed out her hair, and tied it with the neckerchief with my grade pins on them. Slipped a pair of flats onto her feet.

Noticing I still hadn't moved, she put her hands on her hips and grinned. "Need help getting dressed, Commander?"

Getting off the bed, I felt tired. Putting on my underwear, I grabbed my clothes, putting my weapon belts onto my shoulder. "I'll go put something on and be right down." I leaned down and kissed her slow. "Thank you, Cholan. Remember. Anybody asks, you fuck just fine."

She looked at me, her face full of emotion. "Thank you, sir. See you downstairs." And she scooted out the door.

In my bedroom, I put things away. Washed my face and crotch in the bathroom, and grabbed a pair of casual tan-colored slacks and a clean yellow polo shirt. Fresh socks and my deck shoes.

Dinner was good. A huge crockpot meal, with fresh panbread and salad. I was happy to see they hadn't waited for me before starting. Sisi happily talked about her day at the school and all the new friends she'd made, asking when she could go back.

Seeing Zinja, Ixma, and Calia turning to me, Sisi asked, "Can we go back, Tenant?"

"Yes," I answered. "Mina, too."

Giddy with excitement, Sisi bounced in her seat. "Yay!" And she got Mina to clap, too.

Calia explained the schedule. The primary school for Sisi and Mina, because of their ages, was half a day, starting as early as seven in the morning and ending after lunchtime at thirteen hundred hours. They could opt to eat at the school cafeteria, which Sisi wanted to do.

I asked, "What time do they want to go?"

"Early would be good. Seven-thirty? There's a bus that stops at the end of the street..." Calia stopped, seeing my look, then nodded. "My apologies, my lord. I will obey your previous instructions."

"It's especially important now, Calia. Sergeant Charunt, a very dangerous and evil man, killed his guards and escaped custody this morning. He has sworn to hurt each one of you, including Sisi and Mina. I'm assuming you are staying at the school to help them learn while also keeping a watchful eye? Good. Janetta? I would feel better if you went armed as well."

Janetta gave a firm nod. "I will do so. I still have the Talon you gave me."

"There used to be a spare pistol in the glove box. I don't think it's there anymore. All right, I'll pick up a replacement. As a safety feature, the vehicle AI will keep it locked and only open by voice authorization. That way, we avoid accidents with little people."

"Mama Zinja? What a little people?" Sisi asked.

"That's you and Mina, my dear. It just means you aren't grown up yet."

"Okay."

Janetta said, "I think your Tenant has more to say, Sisi."

"I'm almost done. Calia, you said something about seven-thirty?"

"I did. Seven is too early, and most of the children who arrive that early just play. Mina and Sisi are doing better with the extra sleep. As it is, they need about an hour to get up. After you and the captain leave, I get dressed and get them up, with enough time for breakfast before school."

"Perfect," I said. "I'll let Doyya know that you want a pickup at seven-thirty every morning. Nariya can go whenever she likes, or stay home. Guards will be showing up to keep watch, whether Nariya stays or goes. Janetta, I told Captain Lovyanchiti that anyone selected should also meet with you, for your approval."

She looked pleased by my statement. "I look forward to it."

"Captain?" Calia asked. "May I be permitted to be present?"

Janetta raised her eyebrows.

"I think it would be a good idea," I said. "Calia can give you her impressions afterward."

"Do you need to see them? Or just hear them to do your thing?" Janetta asked Calia.

"I learn more if I can see them," Calia answered. "I don't need to say anything. Just watch and listen to what's going on to get an overall impression."

Janetta shrugged. "I've no objection."

I smiled. "It's settle then."

After dinner, Sisi and I played a couple of games of fox and hounds, and then I read to her and Mina. By the end of the second story, Mina was asleep and everyone else was yawning. After goodnight kisses, Calia and Ixma carried the girls off to bed.

As we went upstairs, Janetta held my hand. "At least you aren't heading to work."

"No. But I need to get up an hour earlier tomorrow morning. I need exercise, or I'll suffer for it."

"I'll take whatever time with you I can get," she replied meaningfully.

I noticed that Zinja joined us.

"Do I need to sleep some place else?" I asked.

"Get real, Kandikan. You sleep in the middle. Your women will keep you safe and warm."

I raised my eyebrows. "I would have thought you'd want the middle."

"Don't get lippy, Kandikan. My bed. My rules."

"You are such a hard-ass sometimes," I said with a laugh.

"Hard enough to bounce coins off of," Zinja quipped.

Cholan, coming up behind us on the stairs, snorted at the comment. Janetta gave them both an arch look as we reached the top landing.

"Just saying," Zinja said, blushing. "No disrespect intended, Captain."

I smirked. "I agree Zinja. She has a very hard and most perfect ass."

"Keep it up, Kandikan, and you can test out the couch for sleeping."

I wisely held my tongue.

We took turns in the bathroom, and I crawled in the middle, bracketed by Janetta and Zinja. They insisted on snuggling, so I laid on my back and let them, quickly fading away.

* * * * *

Part 5 - More Family Time, and Calia's Revelation

* * * * *

Once a week I answered emails with Emilo, learning about his family, their brothers and sisters on both sides, and their lives on the west coast. By all accounts they worked hard, but in general they had good lives.

I kept up with Zaniyah and Pelita, as well, getting news of what they were up to, learning about their handyman, Liko, and the latest news about Teela and her two grandsons.

Bilan kept me up to date on what was happening at my parents' place, and passed on news of Meeno and his family, who were doing great, and wanted me to visit to show their progress and to express their gratitude.

Then there were letters to my mother and father. I spent time going over materials my father sent. He was impressed with the sudden increase in my knowledge, and proud that I'd passed the exams to qualify as a basic research technician, securing my position within the Priest Caste. His written communications with me continued apace. He wrote that taking the time to explain situations forced him to take a step back and re-examine his own assumptions, and that my questions helped with that. He also continued to send me reading material to review.

On the home front, an enthusiastic Sisi and a more suspicious Mina continued attending school.

While the girls played with their toys, Calia informed us that during recess, my oldest worked her considerable charm on her fellow students.

During dinner meals, I learned that Mina liked finger painting and drawing and coloring, but that she resisted her rote recitations without Sisi or Calia present. Sisi sometimes struggled to be quiet when the teacher was talking. She readily accepted the rebukes without complaint and did what was asked. From Sisi herself, I began to hear stories about the Princess of the World and their successful efforts to destroy the villainous forces of Atlantis and Aesir-Veda. To my delight, Janetta listened to Sisi's plans, and suggested strategies for beating the invisible enemy forces. Sisi listened respectfully, periodically nodding sagely.

One day Sisi surprised me by saying she couldn't wait to confer with Prince Powan and Prince Mika, and told me how much she missed their help in fighting her enemies. I asked if she enjoyed her weekend chats with her grandparents and the boys.

"Very much, Tenant. But Grandmama said you should talk to her, too."

I caught several smirks from around the table. My mother's barb, launched from twenty-six hundred rads away by way of my daughter landed with a bullseye.

Immediately conceding defeat, I told Sisi, "I will make every effort to sit with you this weekend. It is important to make time for family."

A few days later I was surprised when Ixma and my daughters decided it was time to practice kissing me before story-time. Ixma and Sisi both encouraged Mina to do extra practices, and she liked my dramatic reactions. Afterward, instead of holding onto Ixma, who sat on the other side of her, Mina leaned into me while I read aloud. Ixma beamed happily. Ixma was still her mama, and Calia and Zinja were both close seconds. Having finally gained Mina's approval made me feel like I was on top of the world.

The stories, too, weren't all children's tales. Some were more complex. Sisi was five, and while she might have trouble with some of the nuances, she was bright and able to follow the stories without issue. I encouraged her to ask questions, too, and sometimes she did.

By the end of the first week, we started a longer book, one that couldn't be completed in one sitting. So we had a shorter story for Mina, which I read first, and then I read a chapter from the other book. Janetta and the others were more interested in this, and I lost my place when I looked around the room and realized the whole house was there. Nariya curled up next to Sowitwee. Cholan next to Calia, giving the sergeant a shoulder rub. Janetta relaxed in Zinja's arm. Ixma and my girls next to me. Everyone was following the story. I apologized and quickly resumed reading, but afterward, treasured the moment as another snapshot for my heart. Not that I was the center. No, but rather everyone in my family was there, they were caught up in the story, we were generally happy and safe, and most important, we were together.