Starlight Gleaming Ch. 19

Mack saluted as we entered. "Area secure, Commander! I have the information you requested. I also have photos of the crime scene as well as shots of each of the men under charge."

Producing her field tablet, Mack held it out for the Ground Security sergeant to exchange data.

Janoose surveyed the scene and let out a whistle. "Did any of them even land a hit on you?"

"Yeah. One landed a few shots."

"You're slowing down. Frankly, I'm surprised they aren't hurt worse."

"I didn't want to deal with the paperwork."

The Ground Security sergeant ignored Mack, and started taking photos with his own tablet.

Janoose growled out, "Sergeant Willamway, stop ignoring her and collect the data from her unit. You can do your own shots and interviews after. That way, they aren't tied up here. Air Security wears a different service uniform, but they do the same job we do."

"Yes, sir," he said tersely. The sergeant moved over next to Mack, tapping away at his screen.

Janoose chatted about a couple of the others who had survived Sparantzlo, but from the corner of my eye I could see Mack whispering something to the Ground Security sergeant. Then she yanked back her tablet and stepped back.

"Permission to escort the Sublieutenant downstairs, Commander," she called out.

I asked Janoose, "Your people need anything else?"

He shook his head. "This is pretty cut and dried. Wish all my other cases were so easy."

"Granted, Mack," I said. "Trooper Haytam, you will accompany the sublieutenant to treatment, and then make sure she makes it back to our quarters."

"Sir!" they acknowledged, giving crisp salutes.

Mack and Haytam escorted Sovansi through the swinging door, each keeping protectively watch over her.

Janoose frowned at his sergeant. "Willamway, you and your partner will remain here until the prison wagon picks these men up. You will personally ensure that they receive an exam by a Medico. You will also secure their possessions from the lockers and personally make sure the arrive at the stockade. I expect your report on my desk by end of shift. Commander Kandikan, after you, sir."

We headed out, Laylandi shadowing me and his driver joining us.

"Commissary for breakfast all right? I'm suspicious of the cafeteria. I think Cholan would be delighted to meet you."

"Cholan? I don't think I've heard you mention her. What happened to that other woman you spoke of. Letta... no." Then he snapped his fingers. "Janetta, that's it. Whatever happened to her?"

"I'm living with her. And with Cholan. Zinja. Ixma. And with Calia. As well as with Sisi and Mina."

"Wait! What? That's seven names! You actually live with seven women? You do, don't you?" He barked out a laugh. "You really don't do anything by half-measures, do you, Commander? Seven women. I'm not sure if I should be envious or if I should pity you."

I chuckled. "Actually, two of them are my daughters, but I love them all dearly."

"Now that you mention it, I remember Deedee saying you had children. Adopted, right?"

"Yes. But that doesn't matter to me. They are my girls."

We came out into the main lobby. Laylandi dropped off my key, and signed off the register for me. Looking out the windows, I saw two ChoCac security cruisers with lights flashing next to the staff vehicle with Mack waiting patiently in the front seat and Cholan behind her. But no ambulance.

"Where the devil is the medical transport?"

"She's not in immanent danger so C&C probably cancelled it," Janoose observed. "Looks like you're done here, so let me take you and your woman to breakfast." He held the door open for me.

Stepping out into the morning, it was already in the mid-eighties. "Does C&C do that often? Make medical decisions about field calls?"

"Afraid so. It was a directive from the Base Commandant to reduce budget costs. Basically, if there's no blood, you are on your own regarding medical visits."

"I see." To my mind, that budgetary choice violated an officer's duty to protect his command.

Seeing me, Mack got out with a look of disgust on her face. "Commander? Ground Security C&C cancelled the ambulance and didn't even let us know about it! I had to call them to find out. Don't they know the most important part of Command and Control is communication?"

"Lieutenant Janoose, this is Mack, one of my sergeants. We're going to the Commissary for breakfast, right? Mack, you and Corporal Haytam take Lieutenant Sovansi to the clinic for treatment. Make sure they assign the bill to Ground Service report number --"

"I didn't get one from the sergeant, Commander. He accepted my data, but gave me nothing in return."

Face burning, Janoose approached her, pulling out his own tablet, and transferred the reciprocal information to Mack.

When they were done, I continued. "Stay with her, Mack. When she's been discharged, she'll need to go to Ground Security to sign the transfer orders. Then she will need help packing her gear. With a busted arm, she can't do anything herself."

Mack followed me as I walked over to our vehicle. "Commander, those instructions are in conflict with my previous orders."

"Explain."

"Lieutenant Sovansi needs an escort. Corporal Haytam will take her in the spare cruiser to the clinic, then drive her to Ground Security. You are heading into Copán, Commander, and that means you need at least a pair of troopers to provide escort."

Janoose smirked. "It will leave Sergeant Willamway and Private Donocktowee on foot. Considering the sergeant deliberately disobeyed protocol and snubbed your sergeant here, I'm okay with that. They can ride with the prison transport. Willamway is an uppity prick that continually skirts the edge of obedience."

"Seven hells. I'm sorry you have to put up with that shit. Corporal Haytam? I know the lieutenant will probably want to rest afterward, but after she signs her transfer orders, she needs to collect her gear. Help her get squared away, including getting things shipped to Sentry War Base to await her arrival."

"Corporal Brill, go with them," Janoose ordered. "Then you show them where the shop is. Follow Corporal Haytam's lead."

"Sir!"

Haytam and Brill helped the pale Sovansi into the back seat of the Ground Security cruiser, then Haytam got in beside her. Brill backed out and then sped off.

Mack got into our loaner vehicle and followed us to the Commissary Diner.

Janoose explained that Copán was large enough they had three different diners in different locations, each with a different theme. I got into the front of the cruiser with Janoose. Cholan and Laylandi climbed into the back. I made introductions, and to her delight, Janoose kissed Cholan's hand, saying, "A pleasure, Lady Cholan."

As he drove us across the base, Janoose said, "Once Sovansi is out of the clinic, I can put a couple of troopers on moving detail. They'll get her gear boxed and take it to where you are staying. Would that be of help?"

"It would, indeed," I acknowledged. "And thank you. Until we get things worked out for her next billet, Sublieutenant Sovansi will be joining the 602 and coming with us to High Guard. However, I fully expect she will be transferring south as soon as I make some phone calls. In the meantime, High Guard will be safer for her. Oh, and I'll need transfer papers drawn up for her and her CO to sign. Cholan, how are you doing back there?"

"I'm all right. I'm glad you stopped them hurting her. Are we still going to have time for some shopping before visiting my parents?"

"I plan on it. We're not due until fourteen hundred, and I hope we will be in town by ten. That gives us a few hours yet."

Breakfast was pleasant, and I got to know the man a bit better. I also made Mack and Laylandi eat with us. Both took several seconds before complying, mulling over obeying their CO versus abiding by the protocols of someone on escort -- and whatever the fallout that might descend on them from Yalcamara and Doyya should they find out.

Me? I admit I was still reluctant about the necessity of my own protection. However, I also realized I didn't exactly see things clearly in regard to my own well-being. This was the middle of a war base, and should by all accounts provide some measure of safety.

Personally, I would much rather have those guards looking after others that I believed needed protecting, like Sisi and Mina. I'm pretty sure it was when I said it would make me happy for them to have a meal at the same table that I convinced them to sit and eat. I knew they were hungry because I heard Mack's stomach growl twice -- once when we entered the diner and then again when the smell of cooking food filled the air.

Cholan smiled at me, and Janoose was amused.

I took my role as regimental commander seriously. Ultimately, the safety and lives of over fifteen hundred men and women were in my hands. In the days ahead, I would lose people. Accidents happen. There's no getting around that. Those in my command take care of me as I take care of them, and we all do our duty to the Empire.

The grade pins on my shoulders weren't just privilege. It was my commitment and obligation that I do my best to make their lives better -- while I shield them from the excesses of others less scrupulous. I also believe there is something out there, some higher power -- just not the gods as they are worshipped within the Empire. What I mean is that when I fuck up -- like I have in the past and no doubt will do so again -- I pray to whatever being is out there that my mistake doesn't cost good men and women their lives.

Forty-five minutes later, more or less, and our bellies full, I insisted on paying for the entire meal. When Janoose saw the color of my charge card, he laughed and said that since I was filthy rich, he would insist on it.

Cholan and Laylandi were flabbergasted by his words.

I just laughed. "Lieutenant Janoose was one of the men who served alongside me, along with Lieutenants Raltikon and Fortri, when we were in the Seventh Hell."

"Is that what you're calling it?" Janoose asked.

"That's what Deedee called it. Fits, don't you think?"

"I guess it does," he admitted.

We raised a glass together. "To the honored dead, and to the survivors."

It was cahualt, but the others drank with us, repeating the words.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the waitress brought Janoose a meal box and drink to go. "It's for Brill," he explained. Inspired, I ordered two more. Haytam and Sovansi would likely need food when they met back up with us.

When we arrived at Ground Security HQ, I dictated my official statement. I had Mack verify the citations of the charges, and she made one correction before I signed it for the record.

Once those things were out of the way, Cholan waited by his admin assistant while Janoose and I stepped into his office, whereupon he closed the door. He placed one of those small boxes onto his desk and flipped the switch, effectively creating a wall of noise to prevent electronic eavesdropping in a ten-foor radius.

"I wish I had one of those doodads," I said, marveling at its usefulness.

He raised his eyebrows. "You don't have one?"

I shook my head. "None of us at High Guard possess one."

He frowned as he moved behind his desk and sat in his chair. "You should talk to your contact."

"What contact? As far as I know, I'm the ranking Imperial Security person at High Guard, and the only other two I know of are Jay and Pen, and I see them everyday. I've heard squat from any other agents. I'm beginning to think we are the only ones at High Guard. I doubt it's true, but that's what I feel like." I parked my butt on the edge of his desk, gesturing for him to sit in his chair.

"That's not good, Commander."

"It's Ranji in private. You've earned it. I haven't forgotten that there were five people who watched over me while I recovered from being shot by Stryker. You, Deedee, Jay, Pen, and Songha Bacholet made sure Beltan or Charunt didn't kill me while I was unconscious."

"Frenok is my first name, but it doesn't really roll off the tongue, does it? I prefer my tribal name, Kestral. I'd be honored if you would use it. What you just told me is disturbing, Ranji. No contact and supplies getting to you mean someone's intercepting things and people. Are you able to get messages through?"

"Yes, that's not a problem. Thus far, though, it's the only means of contact I have with anyone else. I send off my weekly status reports, but most of the time what I get back is silence. At the moment, I'm totally focused on building the 602, my Air Security regiment. There was a fight when I took over, and after I assumed command, I cleaned house, officers and enlisted alike. I literally haven't had the time to explore any other issues. The Air Marshal himself is coming to High Guard in two weeks to check things over.

"I can see now that needs to change and soon. Maybe after the Air Marshal's done his thing I can turn my attention to that. Having other agents would be a real help. At the least I could get their intelligence reports. I'll check with Jay and Pen, but at this point, since no one else has reached out to me, I have to assume any other agents at High Guard are fully in league with the Minister, and therefore enemies, and that anyone else that's been sent to High Guard has been intercepted. High Guard isn't half as large as Copán, but it's still over fifty thousand people. An inventive person can find a lot of places to hide bodies."

He nodded slowly, then rubbed his chin. "Unfortunately, that's probably accurate. A lot of money flowed through High Guard once upon a time and into the Minister's coffers. The loss of income has no doubt made him unhappy. The danger is how he goes about trying to reassert himself at High Guard. You need to very careful, Ranji. Watch out for your family, and anyone who's important to you, too."

"I'm aware. I'm doing what I can. But I have work to do. Work the Empire needs done. I won't let myself be driven by fear. By the way, we found Charunt at High Guard. But then the bastard escaped, killing three Ground Security troopers, including an officer. There's been no sign of him since. "

He sat up straighter. "What? Jay said he'd tossed that miserable fucker down an air shaft. How could he survive that?"

"Hard telling. He's like a damn cockroach. My aide even offered to kill him when we captured him, but I insisted on due process. If the good guys don't follow the rules, then what's the point of having them?"

"You're speaking to the choir here. Still, I hope you find him." He took a long breath as he mulled things over. "Holy shit. May he burn for a thousand years in each of the seven hells. What I wanted to talk to you about was that I'm sending a team with you to High Guard."

"New team? What kind of team?"

"They're dog handlers. It's a brand new program. I think it has great potential. There's resistence to using them, and I'm hoping a good review from you as an Air Security CO will help convince others to reconsider using them."

I shook my head. "War dogs are for infantry shock units, and the Ground Service division at High Guard has plenty. We don't need that sort of functionality in Air Security."

Janoose held up a hand. "Not war dogs, though they can double as that. No, these dogs are trained to sniff out contraband, Ranji. Drugs and explosives. I think they work better than the sensor units we have. I'm not advocating replacing the units, but rather supplementing them. Lieutenant Sticks is the program developer and leader. He showed me what they can do and sold me on the idea. I'm giving him my support, and have a few of them on regular patrols. The narcotics contraband captures have doubled since the dogs have joined the teams. Doubled, Ranji. I've already spoken to Tikún Travel about sending them to you, and the general said it was up to you. Will you consider it?"

I shrugged. "All right. I'll give them a shot to prove themselves."

"Great," he said, rubbing his hands together. "There's only a few trained and ready to go yet. You're only getting a single platoon. Ten handlers and ten dogs. You're heading back to High Guard tomorrow morning, yes?"

"That's right," I confirmed. "They should be at Terminal Three by zero-six hundred hours."

He nodded. "The group I'm sending with you is lead by a Third Sergeant. Name is Paolto Spokane."

"I can always use more troopers. Anything else?"

"Not at this time. I'll send on a report about your situation with lack of communication. Here, take my cube. I'm heading to Tikún next weekend and I'll get another one while I'm there."

"Thanks." I pocketed the device, then looked at my watch. "Can we work on Sovansi's transfer now?"

He powered up his computer, and with a dozen keystrokes, used Sovansi's data and completed most of the form. He printed it up and gave it to me. I folded it up and put it into my shirt pocket.

The cube felt bulgy in my pocket. Seeing my actions, Janoose stood up, unsnapping the carry case from his own utility belt. I put it into the pouch and attached it to my own belt.

"So this Cholan, is she someone serious? Going to see a woman's parents is viewed in some circles as a big deal socially."

"She hasn't seen her parents in a couple of years. She also recently gave them almost all her life savings because they requested it. It was a sizeable amount, and they didn't explain why they needed it. She wants to make sure they're okay. I'm mostly there for support. But yes, Cholan's a special woman."

Janoose nodded, then smirked. "You have to admit it's ironic. You champion women's rights, and here you are, with five lovers."

"The two aren't mutually exclusive. Janetta pointed out to me that it's a selling point for all those conservative types who object to women having a say over their bodies. They think it will mean less pussy for them. The reality is it will mean less pussy only if the men are assholes. Rich assholes seem to get a free pass, but average assholes seem to float to the surface like a bad turd and the women quickly learn to avoid them. If I'm advocating for women's rights and I have five women who are willing lovers -- well, it shoots down a lot of their arguments against the Protection Order."

"But surely that's not the reason for your living situation?"

"Of course not. I... once saw my Janetta being raped. In fact, she let it happen because another scumbag had a knife at Cholan's throat. There's no doubt she could have killed the man but she endured it for Cholan's sake. I saw the look in Janetta's face while it was happening. She didn't know I was there at first. I interceded, of course. But it set me on the course I'm on now. Janetta insisted I take all of her crew as lovers because it would allow them to wear a neckerchief with my grade pins, to protect them. Then, because they wore the neckerchiefs, she insisted that I take them as lovers, to avoid lying. She's an honorable woman, and she's very protective of her crew."

"Over and above, I'd say. A show of exceptional loyalty on her part. She has an all-female flight crew? Interesting. Though from what I understand, pilots do tend to be pretty protective of their crews."

He paused before continuing. "I don't have much authority here, Ranji, and I don't know how much good it's done, but I did institute your Protection Order for my platoon. I've caught a lot of flak for it, but I have noticed some thoughtful looks from many women in the support sections, especially among the enlisted. I haven't been able to stop it around me, but I have had terse talks about how rough some of the men get. I wish I had your skill in hand-to-hand combat. I did master Jaguar during my time in the Seventh Hell. I'm keeping up with it, and my automatic skill is rapidly improving. I'm curious, how many schools do you know?"