Starlight Gleaming Ch. 19

Enslaving and trafficking in free Imperial citizens was a major crime. How did this continue? Why was no one speaking up about this?

Kitsi, the customer service rep, suddenly burst into tears. "Please, Lord, you mustn't say anything! They will kill us!"

"Kitsi, we're with the Air Service. We work for the Emperor. We'll protect you," I assured her.

"You don't understand! All they have to do is say something and we will die! We've seen it before."

I looked at the supervisor and the other slaves. "Is this true?"

Morose, they replied, "Yes, Lord."

Nanotech bombs. Had to be. Which meant Minster Supay was involved. It explained why Ventac Securities was acting so blatantly. When your partner in crime is the second most powerful man in the Empire, why bother overly much to hide things?

"Sergeant Vaniksl, your helmet has enhanced scanners. Examine these people. Look for a nano-device next to the heart."

Putting the helmet on and dropping the faceplate down, she leaned forward, scanning. "Device confirmed, Commander. I'm also detecting one microgram of Tetrazene within the nano-device." She moved on to examine on the others.

One microgram. Just enough to blow apart the heart and shred the lungs, initially mimicking a fatal heart attack.

"Do you know how they activate the devices?" I asked Kitsi.

The others shook their heads, but Kitsi switched to Mayan. "Do you understand me, Lord?"

"Yes, I do."

Relief mixed with fear flooded her face. "I heard one of the masters talking about it. They speak Queschuan and tell us we are free and then we die. You found something inside us, Lord? What will happen? Are... are we going to die?"

Speech as a trigger? That was new. Somehow these nano-devices can be voice activated. Maybe a secondary nano-device in the ear? Did it matter?

I spoke to all of them. "I'm going to do what I can get those devices removed. If anything, the presence of those devices confirms your stories about being kidnapped and illegally sold. Vaniksl, report."

"The others have the devices as well, Commander."

They looked frightened.

Vaniksl put her hands on the woman closest to her, speaking an a calming tone. "Hey, listen. If the commander says he will keep you safe, you can count on it being so."

"Kitsi? Can you direct us to where you and the others currently live?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Good. Sowitwee, go tell Corporal Karmek to contact Ground Security C&C for backup. Let them know we have several people believed to be wrongfully enslaved and implanted with explosive devices. Instruct our people they are not to speak to the slaves, and to keep their speech to an absolute minimum until these devices are disarmed. We do not want the devices being accidentally discharged. To avoid his employers finding out and fleeing, I want this manager placed in solitary pending formal charges."

"Sir!" My aide hurried out.

The irony was the manager and the other free men would be enslaved for their crimes. Ah, well. There might some justice in the world after all.

"Is the manager even still alive?" I asked Vaniksl. "He hasn't moved since I arrived."

She shook her head. "Oh, that. He started in, telling us how much danger we were courting. Even after I stuffed something into his mouth and taped it shut, he kept fussing and grunting, kicking the desk and chair, so I stunned him and zip-tied his feet, too. When he came out of it, I had to stun him again. I think he's awake, and hopefully learned his lesson."

Amused, I had to smile. "Good job, Sergeant."

She grinned back. "Thank you, sir."

"All right, the rest of you, listen up. If there are any possessions here in this building that are yours, collect them now. You will not be returning here. Vaniksl, see if the manager has any building keys. When we leave here, we need to lock up. We don't want be accused of negligence."

Sergeant Vaniksl went to the manager and rifled all his pockets, tossing two sets of keys to Cooma, instructing her to determine if any fit the lock on the entrance.

"I need to leave again, but I'll be back as soon as I can. Who's going with me?"

"Yelts, Haytam. Guard the commander."

Outside, I went to the cruiser with Corporal Karmek. "Situation report, Corporal."

Karmek looked at his watch. "Three cruisers are on their way, Commander. ETA is twenty minutes."

"All right. I want you to look up an address for me--"

"Commander," Sowitwee said, interrupting me. "I know where my father's at. I can direct you from here."

"Perfect. Karmek, stay here. We'll take the other vehicle. Yelts, you're driving, and Sowitwee will direct us. Let's go collect your father, Wit."

My aide gave me a grim nod.

Having been at Sparantzlo, my mind slipped into darker, more evil thoughts. Would they have dared put such a device inside Sowitwee's father, too? Lack of hubris had not been the hallmark of these people thus far.

Sowitwee must have been thinking the same thing I was. "Commander, do you think--?"

"I hope not. However, until we can make sure one way or another, we must act as if it's so. For his safety and yours."

"Yes, sir." An emotional exhale, then he resumed watching the road, giving Yelts directions. Would they be so cruel as to cheat Sowitwee of his father should the old man ever regain his freedom? The nano-bombs within the slaves told me yes, they were.

I wondered just how far Supay would go to force people into alliances with him, with the threat of immediate death to force their loyalty. These voice-activated heart bombs were a huge new wrinkle in things. Not just slaves or agents of Imperial Security, but free men and women could be suborned by means of simple injection.

Getting out my laptop, I wrote out an email.

Dear Tikún Travel --

Have encountered multiple people with heart-wrenching mementos like those I found during my visit down south a few months ago. These mementos respond to voice control. What advice to you have?

-- R

The vehicle's AI was primitive, but the radio system allowed wifi piggybacking by way of Copán War Base. I sent the encrypted message, then shut down the laptop and put it away.

Within ten minutes, we pulled into a parking lot. The street ahead was blocked.

"Sorry, Commander," Sowitwee said. "The shop is around the corner halfway down the block. The street ahead is reserved for pedestrian traffic."

Yelts stayed with the vehicle, and Haytam accompanied us. I checked both sidearms, but didn't charge them. Sowitwee looked anxious.

I put my hand to his shoulder. "Treat this like the temple fight, Wit. We're going to get your father, but we have no idea what we're walking into. It could be a simple trip or it could be a serpent's den, so keep on your guard."

Looking at my watch, I called Cholan.

"Hello?"

"Hello my lovely Island Girl. Where are you now?"

"Waiting for you at the Commissary Diner. Mack's keeping me company. Are you on your way?"

I sighed. "I know we had plans to have dinner first, but this is taking longer than I thought. Don't go hungry on my account. Eat something to tide you over. Tell your escorts to eat something, too, and put it on my card. I'll pick you up on my way to the Officers Club."

"If it's too much trouble, I don't have to go, Commander."

"Did you get a dress and shoes and did you make yourself pretty for me?"

"Yes, sir." Her voice dropped, and had a shy quality.

"You are my date tonight, Cholan. Taking care of Wit's problem is taking a bit longer than anticipated, but we're nearly done here. We're picking up Sowitwee's father now. When he's safe, we'll head back to the war base. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"I understand. Sowitwee is a good man. Do what you need to do, Commander. I'll wait for you." Then she made a kissing sound.

"I love you, too, Island Girl. See you soon."

Sowitwee and I passed around the vehicle barrier, followed by Corporal Haytam. I looked around. There were a lot of people out as for many it was still the dinner hour. The street vendors were beginning to close up, but there was still a lot of shoppers and hungry traffic for the indoor cafes and upscale businesses.

It didn't take us long to locate the shop. Wit opened the door and we went inside.

A bell rang and almost immediately, a salesman appeared, giving me a bow. "Welcome to Endo's Fine Jewelry. How may I serve you?"

"You can take us to the craftsman Daydo Bancorri."

The man stepped back. "I don't understand. Is there a problem, sir?"

"Only if we don't see Daydo. Where is he?"

He was unsettled by my glare and brusque manner.

I motioned to Sowitwee and he darted around the glass display cases, heading into the back. Another salesman attempted to block the way. "Hey, you're not allowed back there--"

Sowitwee roughly shoved him aside and barreled on by.

The now alarmed salesman said, "My lord? Whatever the issue is, I'm sure we can work something out--"

"I have to be across this city in half an hour. It's already after eighteen hundred hours and I'm going to be late for my dinner. All we want is Daydo Bancorri. This is a military matter. Do not interfere, and you won't be harmed."

The salesman looked at me. "His debt's paid?"

"In full. And he's leaving, right now."

Within a few minutes, Sowitwee came out carrying two satchels, followed by an older version of Wit.

Satisfied, he nodded to me. "We're ready, Commander. Come along, Papa."

The salesman suddenly cleared his throat. "Congratulations, Daydo Bancorri. Today you--"

The back of my fist hammered his mouth. He flew back, landing hard, his lip split.

Haytam immediately aimed her assault rifle at the other clerk, the click of her safety going off sounding loud. The second salesman squeaked.

I pulled out my Caiman from my hip holster, flipped the safety and charged it, pointing it at the man on the floor.

"Silence! Attempt to speak unless I ask you something, and I will shoot you dead. If your associate says anything, I will kill you both. Nod if you understand. Good. Take your father outside, Wit."

They scooted by and exited.

"Who told you to tell him he was free?" I demanded.

"Lord Bayloks'mec."

"Which one?"

"The son, Garan."

"How long ago?"

"Last year."

I looked around for the cameras. Spying one, I looked up and spoke. "Daydo's alive and no longer under your control. If you are smart, you will let everything that happens today and tomorrow go without a response. Ask your father what happens when you fuck with the military!"

I flipped the safety back on, holstering the pistol as we left. Haytam kept the rifle pointed at them until we were both clear.

Moving quickly along the street, we reached the cruiser without incident. Sowitwee put the bags into the boot and we got in.

"Back to Chantamoco, Yelts," I instructed, then turned to man seated beside me. "Daydo Bancorri, I'm Lord Kandikan. I am your son's officer. Do you speak Mayan?"

"I do, Lord," Daydo answered.

Switching to that language, I said, "Good. Until we are back at the war base, do not speak to any one but me or your son. We'll explain things later."

On the short trip back, he and Wit chatted, his son showing him the papers. The old man was astonished that he was now free, and Wit did his best to quietly explain the situation.

We returned to Chantamoco Investments and Holdings. The Ground Security cruisers were already there, as well as an M-type ChoCac. Leading the group was a lieutenant, who after saluting, asked me to explain the situation.

"These people have had explosive devices implanted in their bodies. I am securing them and taking them to the war base to be disarmed."

"What? If they have explosives on them, you can't take them there! Disarm them here."

"Lieutenant, I don't have the means to do so here. And as long as you don't speak to any of them, there's no danger."

"But, Commander--!"

"Lieutenant! Look at your shoulder board. Now look at mine. I have a meeting with Field Commander Brenaka in -- seven hells -- five minutes. Excuse me."

I pulled out my phone and dialed the commander in question. He picked up on the second ring.

"Commander Kandikan?"

"Ranji, please. I am embarrassed to say I'm still held up across town, Commander. One man is under arrest and I have five people needing specialized attention. I expect to be there in forty-five minutes, an hour at the latest. I promise I'll explain once I get there. If that's too late for you, I will understand."

"What's the nature of the problem?"

"I came to pay off the debt for my aide and his father. The business put a lot of obstacles in my way. That is taken care of, but after they had the money, they attempted to kill the father in my presence rather than let him go free. There's a lot more, and again, I'll explain when I get there."

He paused a moment, then sounded amused. "All right. My wife and I look forward to hearing your tale. I'm also expecting to hear about Styen's adventure with your brother as well."

"I am in your debt, sir. I will be there as quickly as possible."

"What's that you Air Service people say? Safe flight and safe return, Commander."

I blinked, then grinned. I liked him. "Thank you. Goodbye, sir."

Turning my attention back to the lieutenant, I glared at him. "You will take these civilians to where we're quartered by the airfield. You will transport them -- on my authority -- and we'll see to their care. As for the manager, I want him in the stockade in solitary confinement. He's to have no visitors without permission from me or from a Shift Commander. I'll file my report with your C&C tomorrow morning. Are we clear?"

Unhappy, he said, "Yes, Commander."

We locked the doors to the building, front and back, and the lieutenant put a seal on the door with bright yellow tape marked Imperial Ground Security. We loaded up, and with Corporal Karmek leading the way, headed back to Copán War Base. Behind us were the four security vehicles and the Ground Service machine-gun vehicle in the rear. At the Lieutenant's insistence, we drove with lights flashing the entire the way.

In the fading twilight, vehicles and pedestrians cleared the way for us. Once we hit the highway, we accelerated.

My phone rang. I looked at it, but there was no ID.

"Hello?"

A woman spoke. "This is Tikún Travel with an advisory. You will be met at the north gate. The phrase spoken to you will be, 'The winter was hard here.' You will respond with 'The spring should be much better.' End of advisory." Then she hung up.

As the woman had warned me, we were met at the gate by Imperial Security, readily apparent by their black vehicles, black uniforms with silver piping, and their flashing lights.

Once through the gate, Karmek parked next to them, and the other vehicles pulled alongside. I exited, followed by Corporal Haytam. At my instruction, the others remained inside their vehicles.

A captain approached, with two armed enlisted guards behind him. "Commander Kandikan? I am Captain Korreem."

He looked at me expectantly.

"Captain. Pleased to meet you. I'm told the winter was hard here."

Relaxing, he answered, "The spring should be much better. I understand you have people with explosive devices that need to be neutralized."

"I do. I have six here with me. I may have more later."

He raised his eyebrows. "Oh? How is that?"

"I'll ride with you to where we're quartered, and explain on the way. Haytam, there's no room, so you ride with Karmek and the others. Corporal Karmek, please take us back to the rest of our people at Hangar 67."

"Yes, sir."

Once we were moving, I sat next to Korreem, giving him a quick rundown on what I'd discovered thus far, including the discovery of the voice-activated explosive devices, and the events when we retrieved Sowitwee's father.

"One of the women is Kitsi Oporandsa," I said. "One of my security sergeants has information on the others. They tell me there are more slaves at their owner's compound. Their owners have profited from shattering the innocent and I won't have it. Regardless of their previous circumstances, I plan to see they are all freed."

At the captain's signal, the passenger in front called in for a profile report on the woman. Captain Korreem looked at me. "How much support will you need on this raid?"

"I could use a couple of support vehicles, and an Armadillo to bring back the slaves. I have good people. My people are in Hangar 67 near Terminal Three. We can talk more when I return. Right now, I need to be somewhere else."

"You're leaving?"

"I'm meeting Commander Brenaka for a couple of hours at the Officers Club. He's provided assistance to me earlier today, and since I'm already late, I need to make an appearance and explain things and thank him properly."

"Brenaka, the Operations CO? All right. While you're away, we'll be checking into things. We have requested delivery of the neutralizing solutions to remove the nano-devices, and it will take a few hours to get here. I'll meet you by twenty-three hundred hours."

* * * * *

Part 18 -- Dinner and a Date

* * * * *

When we pulled up at the hangar, Yalcamara approached, full of questions.

I instructed her to debrief the troopers first, but that I was late for my dinner meeting with Commander Brenaka. "I'll tell you more later. In the meantime, don't speak with the civilians using Queschuan. They have a voice-activated explosive device implanted in their chests. If they hear the trigger words, they'll die, and I will be very upset. Take care of them until I return."

"Yes, sir. I'll see to it." She narrowed her gaze at me, then went to carry out my instructions.

Once the slaves were unloaded, Captain Korreem dismissed the Ground Security people, with the exception of Corporal Karmek.

I needed to leave immediately to pick up Cholan at the Commissary and then head over the Officers Club.

"Haytam," Yalcamara ordered. "Stay with the commander."

Karmec informed me he was past the end of his shift; he would drive me where I needed to go and go off duty. Haytam would follow in the other vehicle so that after the dinner at the Officers Club, we'd have something to ferry everyone back with.

"Corporal, our first stop is the Commissary to pick up two passengers. Then on to the Officers Club. After that you'll be rid of me."

He just laughed as he drove. I ignored him.

I called Cholan, letting her know we were almost there, and to wait out front. Two minutes later, we arrived. Cholan hopped into the back with me while Mack jumped into the front. We resumed our journey.

There was some light to see by, and I did my best to take in Cholan's changes.

She wore a flowing ankle-length red dress with large blue squares; the dress was parted half-way up her left thigh for ease of walking. Her finger nails were painted red with blue tips. Small bright studs glittered from her earlobes. Around her neck was an interlocking necklace of silver beads and tubes with two lower chains festooned with polished red garnet and lapis lazuli. Glossy blue shoes peeked out from beneath the floor-length dress. The combination of red and blue were associated with Huitzilopochtli, and thus the Imperial Air Service. The dress highlighted her feminine figure nicely.

Her own transformation was more profound. Her normally straight brown hair was curled. Two tortoise shell combs held her tresses behind her ears. Lips painted red, her face was covered in white makeup, while the area from just above her eyebrows down to her cheeks was a painted black rectangle three-inches wide. I wasn't sure what I thought about the style, but she was definitely striking and I knew she was eager to impress me.