Starlight Gleaming Ch. 19

Menallo looked angry but said nothing, refusing to even look at Cholan.

"You were too young to understand anything that happened, Breena," Layeena protested.

"Mother, I know what I saw. It happened enough times to become seared there. My oldest memories are of him raping you, and of you weeping afterward. I have three children of my own, Mother! I know how children are made, and I saw what he did it to you, over and over, until he bred you. The bridge is father's greatest achievement. It's also a memorial to your everlasting shame."

Layeena hung her head, struggling to remain composed.

Cholan looked stunned. I put my hand back onto her shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"No. Maybe. I don't know. I... don't want to talk about this any longer."

"I quite agree," Menallo said. "This should never have come out." He glared angrily at Breena and Tanti.

"It''s done, Father," Breena said. "Anyway, I want to hear more about this Protection Order. That's big news. Huge even. If it's real."

"What?" Cholan exclaimed. "You think I'm lying?"

"Not lying. Exaggerating." She glanced at me.

She was skirting a line, but I let it slide. Still, a lot of things about Cholan's childhood were now painfully clear, and I grieved for what she's endured while growing up.

Cholan's anger at her sister flared anew. "I deal in measurable facts and verifiable, repeatable assessments, Breena! I paid my dues for every bar I wear on my uniform. I do not exaggerate."

I remembered her electrical report on the cottage on Seashell Lane. And her analysis of the short-circuit in the Lightning that nearly killed Janetta. Cholan's assessments were thorough, considered, and expertly done.

Cholan pulled out her phone out of her purse and started dialing.

"What are you doing?" her mother asked, alarmed.

"There are two Air Security troopers sitting in the ChoCac cruiser out front. They work for Commander Kandikan. Since you don't believe me, you can talk to Sergeant Mack on speaker-phone yourself."

The phone rang through the tiny speaker.

Mack answered. "Hello? Sergeant Cholan, is everything all right? Hey, Laylandi, wake up. Cholan's calling. They could be in trouble."

"All right, already. I'm waking up," Laylandi replied sleepily.

"Wait! Wait, Mack!" Cholan exclaimed. "There's no danger, honest. I was telling my sister about the Protection Order, and she doesn't believe I'm telling the truth."

"Does the commander know about this phone call?"

"He's sitting right next to me," Cholan reassured her.

"Hmm. All right. What is it you want from me exactly?"

"Why were we late getting to my parents?"

"That? Oh, we were shopping," Mack answered.

Oops.

Cholan's mother shot daggers at both of us. However, in light of these latest family revelations, I did not feel any embarrassment for making them wait.

"Not that, Mack. I meant, what happened this morning, before we even had a chance to have breakfast?"

"The issue is filed but not adjudicated yet. Do I have the commander's permission to speak on this matter?"

"You do, Mack. Within reason," I confirmed.

"Thank you, Commander. Well, without naming names, this is the sequence of events -- in brief -- as reported by Commander Kandikan. These events have been verified by myself and two other experienced Air Security troopers, based on our on-scene assessment of the evidence and statements from the victim.

"The commander interceded on behalf of a junior officer, a young woman being assaulted in the shower by six men. Two of them had already forcefully initiated penetration of the woman. The commander disabled all five men without injury and ordered them to cease and desist. The sixth man fled the scene. The commander offered the woman assistance with transferring to a new billet. She did not take him up on said offer. He left the site to get dressed in preparation to leaving the premises.

"The remaining five men chose to ignore the commander's advice, even though he had demonstrated his possession of a stunner. Pistols and stunners are only allowed to unit commanders at company level or above, company Seconds and XOs, and Security forces. As officers, those men should have been acutely aware of that fact. Instead, they decided to lure the commander back, planning to injure and possibly kill him for interfering with their rape. They deliberately broke the lieutenant's arm, a clear violation of military regulations. The commander heard her cries of pain, and he immediately returned and subdued all five assailants single-handed. In short, he handed them their asses."

The pride in Mack's voice was obvious. "Oh, uh, sorry, Commander. That wasn't very professional.

"Anyway, when we arrived on the scene, we rendered first aid and arrested the men. The commander was there at the showers for less than half an hour, and the event took place just before zero-eight hundred this morning. Most of the time afterward was spent filling out paperwork with Ground Security and getting the victim medical treatment."

"I know I asked you before," Cholan said, "but how was Lieutenant Sovansi when you saw her last?"

"Sergeant Cholan. I like you, but it's policy for Security forces to only release names prior to official adjudication to immediate blood relatives, spouses, or commanding officers of any victims or accused. I can neither confirm nor deny any names at this time."

While I avoided laughing, a smile did escape.

Breena, however, shot up in her seat. "Wait a minute! Is that Sublieutenant Chianna Sovansi? Of the Third Special Munitions Testing Company?"

"I said, I'm not at liberty to comment or confirm names. Commander?"

I set down my fork and looked at Breena. "How do you know Lieutenant Sovansi?"

Breena sat back in her chair, chuckling wryly. "Oh, the irony of it all. The gods of chaos must be hysterical with laughter!"

"What are you talking about, Breena," her mother demanded. "Do you know this woman they're talking about?"

"By any chance were the others Lieutenants Keedro, Franjammo, Rantam, Parthesque, Quedestar, and Lixowalt?"

I recognized the additional names from Mack's report. "The one man ran away without giving his name, but the others are correct. How do you know them?"

She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly before answering. "I know them because my husband works with them. The munitions have been performing within testing specifications. However, those officers refused to sign off on the tests without compensation. Rather than hiring a prostitute, my loving husband told me to do whatever it took to get them to sign. They decided I was their compensation. Sovansi was the only professional there." Tears spilled from her eyes. "Like I said, I am my husband's whore. However many there are that day, I have to service all of them until they sign the QC reports."

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Note: in the following scene, there is discussion of domestic and sexual abuse. If such bother you, please skip ahead.

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Menallo looked appalled. "Your husband actually ordered you to do that?"

Breena wiped her eyes as she grinned fiercely. "Yes, Father. For almost two years now. As I told you and as my husband daily reminds me, as his wife I am his property. I do what my husband orders me to do or I pay the consequences."

"Surely you can do something!" her mother exclaimed.

"Like what?" she asked bitterly. "I used to object, and every time I did, he beat me. Not to the face. My looks are a selling point he tells me. But there are plenty of places on the human body that can be made to hurt. Arvine is very diligent about making sure I understand my place. If I leave him, I'm accused of adultery, with many fine upstanding Warriors who will vouch for my debasement. He keeps the children, and I would be lucky to ever see them again. My reputation would be in ruins, and because of the adultery, he will get to keep the dowry and my children. No man of any reputation would marry me after I was divorced because of adultery. The best I could do would be to become a paid whore on Sonkado Lane. Like I said before. We're all whores for our men, Mother. All of us."

Cholan jumped up, slapping her palms onto the table, rattling the dishes. "I'm not a whore, damn you! You're always so self-absorbed, Breena. Thinking you're better than me! Haven't you been paying attention? Lord Kandikan took on five adult warriors at once and he beat the shit out of them! Those men are in the stockade right now, and a couple of them needed help in moving. The commander's changing things -- for all of us, and for the better!"

Breena's silent tears spilled down her face, ruining her makeup.

Focused on her sister, Cholan barreled on. "The Protection Orders are in effect all over High Guard. Lord Kandikan's brother commands a unit near Tohingo, and the Order is in effect there, too. Last night, we had dinner with Commander Brenaka, who's in charge of Operations at Copán War Base. Sometime after he left us, he issued a Protection Order for everyone within his command. This morning in the showers, we heard other women talking about it. It was all they were talking about. Yes, there will be resistence, but Lord Kandikan's Protection Order is spreading -- and it's gaining momentum. Most of the men support it. Once it becomes part of the military, it's only a matter of time before it becomes Imperial law."

"Mack, the news about Commander Brenaka. Is that true?" I asked.

"Mack, the news about Commander Brenaka. Is that true?" I asked.

"It is indeed, Commander," she gleefully confirmed. "We are proud to be part of the 602! We get bonuses to improve ourselves through training, families have good medical care, and we women can work beside men without fear. Captain Lovyanchiti says we have the best commanding officer in the entire Imperial Air Service. That is a fact not even the gods can dispute. Llam nuqan, sir."

I knew we still had a long way to go. But a step forward is still a step forward. "Thank you, Mack. That's all."

"A privilege to serve, Commander." Then she hung up.

Sitting back down, Cholan put her phone away. I glanced at her, and heard her mutter, "I'm a Warrior."

I resisted the desire to reach over, draw her into my arms, and offer her comfort. When you love someone, that's what you do. But Cholan's words told me she was trying to be strong on her own, and I did not want to undermine her efforts. That can be harder to do -- letting someone stand on their own, but it's no less important an act of support than a hug and a kiss.

Tanti looked at Cholan thoughtfully, then returned her attention to her weeping sister.

Menallo scooted his chair next to Breena and put his arm around his daughter, leaning close. "What are you going to do, my child?"

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. "I'm going to carry on, Father. What else can I do?"

Tanti spoke then. "I'm sorry for your situation, Breena. I thought you had a good marriage, not a prison sentence. I had a good husband. Eardric treated me with kindness. Cholan seems to have found herself a most remarkable man. We all thought Breena was lucky, and that poor Cholan was being taken advantage of. I now ask my parents -- I know I've mourned more than a year for my dead husband, but I tell you I'm not yet done grieving for him. Please, I want to decide when I'm ready to marry again on my own. Is that so much to ask?"

Menallo shook his head sadly while comforting Breena. "No, it's not. Take your time, Tanti. You tell us when."

"Thank you, Father." With a small smile, she finally began eating her meal.

Breena pulled herself together. The servant girl offered her a damp towel, and she took it, wiping much of the make up off. A snap of the fingers and another dampened towel was handed to Layeena, who took Breena's face in hand and quickly cleaned off any remaining smears.

In between, the older sister took several swallows of wine, looking calmer.

At that moment, Hadwin brought in the warmed pork slices, quickly setting them onto the plates. Behind him, his assistant brought in honey mustard and pineapple slices to go with the meat.

Breena looked at Cholan, almost with desperation. "I know when I asked if there were plans about marriage and children, you said it was complicated. But if you could, would you have Lord Kandikan's children?"

"In a heartbeat." She gave me a smile.

"You'd give up your career, after giving almost nine years of your life, just to have his kids?"

"I said so, didn't I?" Cholan shook her head, sitting back down.

The sister shook her head. "I just want to know if there's more than fucking for men and having their children. Surely there's more to being a woman."

Cholan glanced at me before speaking. "To Lord Kandikan, I'm a person first, and a woman second. Do you understand the significance of that? Think about it, Breena! He sees women as human beings, as being on par with men. He fights so that women get a say over their own bodies. He treats me and the others with love and kindness. He's an amazing father -- who fiercely loves his girls even though he did not sire them. How could I not love him? Now enough about me. I have some things I need to say and I'm going to say them, so listen up and don't interrupt!

"Breena, you never listened to anything I said when I was growing up, and you rarely lost an opportunity to belittle or mock me. Your life is a damn nightmare, but even when your life is in the toilet, you apparently still need to get your jabs in at me. I finally understand Papa's refusal to give me the same love he gave to you and Tanti. He believes I'm not his child -- and no matter what I do or how much love I have given him, in his eyes I will never really be his child. So be it. However, I've never understood what it was I did to earn your hatred, Breena."

Her older sister stared at her plate.

Mellano wouldn't meet Cholan's eyes, either.

Layeena watched the interplay, and I had to wonder if the shame I saw was more because I as an outsider was there to witness the airing of their dirty laundry than admitting her part in her daughter's undeserved emotional misery.

Cholan sighed. "Why am I bothering? Doesn't matter, I guess. I no longer live here, so thankfully I no longer have to endure your cruel taunts. I no longer care what you think, Breena, and you know what? I am done with you. This past year has had a lot of heartache, but at High Guard there are people who love me. I matter to them. You are my blood, but it's really clear to me that my family lives at High Guard."

"Well, that's all fascinating," Cholan's mother began. "Can we please finish our meal without any further drama?"

My Island Girl turned her focus onto her mother. "Every time I asked you why the man I loved and called my Papa couldn't hug me or tell me he loved me, you told me to be a good girl and to be patient, that one day he would give me the love I deserved. My patience is finally at an end. I'm going to be twenty-six years old this year, Mother, and I know in my heart that Papa will never love me like he loves Breena and Tanti.

"Breena's life is a fucking mess, Mother, and you're still worried about having lunch? The goats already have escaped the corral, so there's no need to close the gate. Ignoring shitty things doesn't make them go away. If you saw stress fractures in a building, would you analyze the cause and repair the damage, ignore it, or worse, paint over them? Because all my life, all you've done is worry about appearances and pretend like everything is fine. Well, sorry, Mother. It's not okay."

"Cholan! Such language!" Layeena exclaimed.

"Mother, I am a sergeant in the Imperial Air Service, with skills and responsibilities that I've earned. All the paint in the world won't hide an aircraft that doesn't work properly -- or a structure that's going to collapse. Ignoring the facts just gets people killed. Thankfully, this unpleasant little get-together is almost done. I still have more questions I'd like to have answered. Breena, is your husband hitting you in the head?"

She nodded slowly.

Cholan turned to me. "That can result in serious problems, right?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Traumatic brain injury can lead to mood or personality changes. It can even be fatal. She should be seen by a physician."

"I'm not allowed," Breena replied bitterly. "I don't even get the household funds anymore, and he's taken away all my jewelry. I have to beg for money to buy clothes for the children. My boys, they're growing so fast now."

Cholan rose to her feet again. "Your daughter Siénte is two months old. When was the last time you had sex with your husband?"

Flushing, Breena stared at her plate of half-eaten food. "Two days ago."

She narrowed her gaze at her sister. "Let me clarify. Arvine put his cock inside your pussy two days ago?"

Closing her eyes in shame, Breena said, "My pussy... he says it's too dirty for his cock. The only way I can please him is with my mouth. I don't deserve to swallow it, so he shoots it onto my face and into my hair. He says I'm a filthy whore, not fit to be his wife."

"How long has it been since your husband seeded you?"

Breena choked, then whispered, "More than a year ago."

Cholan let out a long exhale. "Which means that your daughter, Siénte, can't be his. Holy Sweet Jade Goddess, Breena! Why the fuck aren't you on birth control?"

"He forbids it."

"And you actually listened to him? He beats you and forces you to have sex with other men! How could you be so stupid? Why didn't you at least get your tubes tied?"

Menallo answered that one. "Without the husband's written consent, it's illegal in the state of Chohinze."

Exasperated, Cholan shook her head. "You're not his wife, Breena. You're his damn slave. You should have told Father about this when it first started. Then maybe he could have helped extricate you from this fiasco. Does he have a mistress?"

"Yes. His former secretary. He... moved her into our bedroom some months ago. She's five months pregnant. I sleep with the children and the nanny."

Tanti looked appalled, and Cholan's mother put her hand to her mouth.

"I'll take a cane to him!" Menallo avowed.

"You'll do no such thing, Papa," Breena snapped, then blew her nose. "Arvine's family is well-placed. His maternal uncle is friends with the Imperial governor. You'll get sacked and lose your pension, and then what will you do?"

Cholan shook her head before speaking. "I still think of you as my father. Intellectually, I comprehend your reasons, but I don't think I'll ever forgive you for your choice. I suppose I should be grateful you even let me live."

"I couldn't do anything else," Menallo said, glancing to his wife. "You're half hers."

She sighed. "Don't worry, Master Yakalme. Now that I know the score, I'll no longer embarrass you by calling you my father. And Mother? I recall that sometimes you would look at me with shame, and I never could figure out what it was that I'd done -- only that somehow I'd done something horribly wrong. At last I know it was never what I did. Just who I was. Both of you blamed me for something I had no control over. Now enough about me. I'm asking both of you, how many grandchildren do you have?"

"Three," Menallo replied. They looked puzzled at her question.

"That's good. Now both of you listen up and hear me good." She pointed her finger at them. "You both put me through the fucking emotional grinder because I was mother's bastard get. If I get wind of either of you calling Siénte a bastard and treating her differently than her brothers, I will take one of Zinja's big-ass wrenches and I will beat you both about the head until you can't see straight. Do you fucking hear me?"