Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

While Doyya, Sowitwee, and myself were in front of the Air Marshal, he also announced the posthumous promotions of Yalcamara Tchanoonka to full lieutenant and Stimmi Parletl to second sergeant. As their CO, Doyya accepted their grades and certificates as she struggled to keep it together. The troopers behind her stood just a bit straighter, proud of the Air Marshal's personal recognition of a well-liked officer and her sergeant.

The three media broadcasters were chattering excitedly about the promotions, especially that of Generals Rikoletsi and Barankoshto. High Guard had been overseen by an Air Service Commandant for the past forty years, so the change to Ground Service was significant. More so, they went on about Barankoshto's promotion, the first female division commander and the first female general, discussing her career highlights, and whether this was a harbinger of more changes to come, even to sometimes talking over each other as they shared the news on live feed to the rest of the war base.

General Barankoshto ordered those attending to disperse by unit.

Meanwhile, I was summoned to speak to the Air Marshal. My two shadows accompanied me, standing a discreet distance away, yet keeping their eyes open for any signs of trouble.

He leaned in, speaking quietly to me. "I have good news, Commander. We were successful in our petition. Minister Supay has been ordered by the Emperor to leave you and your family alone. That includes your parents and everyone at High Guard."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Still. "Do you know what time that happened, sir?"

"About twenty-two hundred hours last night. Why do you ask?"

I explained about the ambush and the three innocents drawn in as bait, resulting in one civilian dead, several people injured, a damaged cruiser, and a roof needing repair.

He frowned. "It is possible that they were running dark once they arrived here. It would be prudent if you and everyone else maintained your alertness. Commander, you are to let me or Itznacoco know immediately if such actions continue."

"There's more, sir, and it affects security in a big way." I told him about how the assassins exploded as human bombs after they died.

"Curses and damnation," he muttered before he looked back at me. "Thank you for your report, Commander."

"Sir, the Scout NCO helmets have sensors that can detect them. We are now scanning all individuals entering the war base."

"Very good, Commander. I'll pass that along."

The Air Marshal then joined up with the two generals, flanked by Commander Papatswee, a few new aides, as well as his two armored bodyguards.

Doyya and Jay joined me, along with Sowitwee, Chita; our guards kept a cordon around us.

My Second looked at me. "What shall I do with these awards, Commander? You're the executor of their estate."

I smiled sadly at her. "I think both of them would be happy if you kept them, Captain Lovyanchiti. Let's get their names on the wall in the Break Room, too."

"Thank you, sir. I'll see to it." She shook her head in disbelief. "With your permission, I'd like to put their wedding picture up in my office."

"Neither one is in uniform, so I don't see why not. I'm sure those who knew them, if they happen to notice who's in the photo, won't say anything. Now that all of you are officially stuck with me -- Doyya, Jay, and Chita, will you please convey to those in your command that the Air Marshal was impressed with the regiment's evaluations. Please inform everyone they can be proud for their part in having successfully restored the honor of the regiment. Jay, you and your people need to stand down and get some shut-eye." I glanced at my watch. "Doyya, in another hour, it'll be time to relieve Pen. As for the rest of us, we need to get back to work."

While civilians and those further away were bussed, Doyya and most of our people marched back to the office. I wanted to join them, but did as I was supposed to and got in the back of the cruiser. Climbing in the back seat with Sowitwee, I exhaled.

Once we were in the cruiser, the guards congratulated me on the promotion and Sowitwee on his medal.

"Sergeant, it appeared that the Air Marshal already knew you," Akama commented as she drove.

"Yes," he confirmed.

"You got that award because of something that happened to you and captain at Tikún?" she prompted.

"Yes, and I can't talk about it. Sorry."

"Understood."

"Unit 15, this is Dispatch, please respond."

Mack spoke up. "Responding. This is Unit 15. Go Dispatch."

"Incoming call from Shift Commander for CO. Transferring."

The next voice to speak was Pen's. "Commander Kandikan? The Commissary Diner is swamped. Care to have lunch at the school? Empire Day is tomorrow, but the kids are putting on a play today. Well, the play's already started, but afterward, they're having a potluck. I'm doing my best to head over now. Meet you for a late lunch?"

I looked at Sowitwee and he shrugged. "All right. That sounds fine. But only for a little while. I am supposed to put in some work today."

"Sounds good, Commander. Unit 23 clear."

Akama changed direction at the next intersection.

"Mack, aren't you and Akama past your scheduled time off? I thought Corporals Haytam and Cooma were supposed to be on duty now."

"Last minute changes because of the review with the Air Marshal, sir. We're taking another half shift. Haytam is with Laylandi and they're doing swing shift protection detail for Lieutenant Raltikon. Cooma and Derkmando will replace us later this afternoon."

"I see."

Because of the celebration, there were a couple of Ground Security troopers working traffic control. We were pointed toward the staff parking area at the front of the school, and after a spot was selected, we got out and went inside.

A couple of school staff were by the entrance holding flyers, and I learned that the children's show was nearly over, but that afterward, there was a celebration planned in the cafeteria. With all the happy faces of parents and children, I was glad that all of us in Air and Ground Security had made a safe celebration possible. Along with plenty of food and drink, there were games and interactive activities for the children to enjoy. I hadn't talked to Calia about it, but I assumed she and my girls were here on site, and that we'd get a chance to visit.

With a few instructions from the teacher, we headed off to the auditorium, and snuck in as quietly as we could to watch the last few minutes of the children on stage. The children were re-enacting the unification of all the Queschua under Emperor Viracocha the First. After unification, the Queschua began absorbing their neighbors by conquest or through marriage, leading to the creation of the Empire of Chimorro.

Speeches were made and young, earnest actors spoke their parts with equal parts innocence and melodrama mixed in with a fair amount of stage fright. At the end, when the soldiers cheered for the Emperor, I caught sight of Sisi dressed up as a warrior, and saw how smartly she looked playing her part. When the Emperor and his warriors made their grand exit, Sisi lifted her fake sword with the others and marched to the faint strains of the Imperial anthem.

That's my girl up there, I remembered thinking, being mostly gobsmacked by the sight. Sliding out my tablet, I managed to snap a couple of pictures. Both of my guards discreetly smiled in knowing amusement at my dad moment.

As the last of the children filed off-stage, the lights began to come up, and all the proud parents proudly stood and clapped. Teachers and assistants herded the young actors back for a bow and all of us parents ate it up, clapping louder. The leading players were named and took individual bows, as well as those providing music and props and costume assistance. A couple more snaps and I put the tablet away.

Made me wish that I'd seen the entire play. However, I hoped fiercely that duty wouldn't keep me from experiencing more of these important events in the life of my child. Soon, Mina would have her activities, too.

Being a parent while working a career is walk along the razor's edge; a constant balancing of earning a livelihood and spending time with your children. Success in your career is nearly always a good thing, whether the success be adulation, advancement, or a monetary reward. But if you focus too much on that and neglect your family, your family will drift away or may even come to resent your abandonment of their hearts. Of course, sometimes no matter what you do, you can't catch a break. But even if there's privation, if it's shared with a lot of love, much can be forgiven, and bonds stronger than steel can be forged.

As the children filtered into the auditorium, eager to be reunited with their parents, we waited by the main doors as the assistant principal announced that food was ready and available in the cafeteria. "Please exit through the main doors and follow the signs."

Long lines filing out of the auditorium. Many avoided looking at us, yet some nodded in acknowledgment. A few actually smiled in greeting or even recognition. Seeing that made me feel really good, and I knew that Air Security's rehabilitation was on its way.

Of course, my heart leaped at cries of, "Tenant! Tenant!" And then I saw Calia walking up the exit ramp while carrying Mina. Sisi bolted forward to greet me.

I knelt down, and she jumped into my arms. Pride and love washed over me as her little arms squeezed me tight, then her jubilant face searching mine. "Did you see us, Tenant?"

"Just a little, I'm afraid," I replied ruefully. "We had to do our own marching today. Couldn't be helped. However, we are taking a small break from work to visit and have lunch with you and Mina."

My bright girl nodded, then her face brightened with surprise, the fingers of one hand caressing my shoulder board. "You got promoted! Are you still a commander?"

"Yes, I'm still a commander," I assured her.

She nodding happily. I set her down, and she took my hand with hers. "Okay, Tenant."

When Calia moved to walk beside me, I leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Hello, my love."

She blushed as she smiled.

Within a short time we found the cafeteria and queued up for food. Since it was all laid out in a buffet, the lines moved quickly. And, as one would expect, some plates quickly emptied while a few here and there seemed to be avoided.

Feeling adventurous and perhaps sympathetic, I snagged a spoonful of a couple of those dishes avoided by so many others. Calia shook her head at my choices.

We found a spot to sit next to a small boy named Yanno, one of Sisi's friends, and polite introductions with his parents were made. Calia already seemed to know them.

One of my try-outs turned out to be a chilli casserole. One bite was all I could manage, and Calia openly laughed at me. I think the entire dish was peppers and other vegetables with but a thin layer of cheese under the pie crust.

As I emptied my drink, I now suspected peppers in various incarnations were the only ingredient, and I wondered why my spoon hadn't dissolved. Those were some of the hottest peppers I'd ever eaten. I started sweating and Mack took pity and refilled my cup three times. A few bites of other food later, I winced a bit at the continued burning in my stomach and the back of my mouth. I considered what kept those paper plates from combusting into open flames.

With a sympathetic snicker, Calia leaned in, letting her hand move gently over my discomforted stomach. Within seconds I felt better. Murmuring quietly, I said, "Thank you! You are amazing, you know that?"

She gave me a small, amused smile. "It is my privilege to take care of you, my lord."

Taking out the box given to me by the Air Marshal, I changed out the grade pins in her neckerchief. I gave her the box to share with the others.

With parental permission, Sisi and her friend Yanno decided to explore the activities. The two guards assigned to Calia and the girls followed them while Mina and Calia remained with me. Mack and Akama kept close by.

Sowitwee refilled my glass yet again and he found us some decent seconds. In the meantime, Mina consented to sitting in my lap, though she liked the food that Calia had picked for her much better than my own fare -- her choices being mostly fruit, a few vegetables, with some bits of meat.

After the second time Mack's stomach growled, I insisted Mack and Akama take a food break. Sowitwee, done with his meal, stood up and kept watch.

A few school officials came by to chat a bit, and I got some compliments about both my girls. I figured I would get a less politic assessment from Calia later, so I chatted politely and enjoyed Mina calling me, "Daddy."

No sign of Pen, though.

As time moved along, I had to say my goodbyes. After Wit and I took our own latrine stop, Akama and Mack followed us in without a pause, standing guard by the door while keeping us in sight. Some of the men were disconcerted by their presence, but went about their business anyway.

Outside in the parking lot, I burst into laughter when I saw Pen coming my way. With him were Tanti, Breena, and her three children. We paused on the sidewalk a short distance from the school's main doors.

Pen's face lit up. "By the gods, you're a full commander now! You know there's a betting pool that you'll have a general's sun there soon."

"Hunh." We shook hands and clapped each other's shoulder. "I thought I was meeting you for lunch. What happened?"

"It's been chaos with the work schedule, trying to cover for those who were at the review and everything." He gave me an amused smile. "The ladies here informed that me that you already know them. I want to convey a personal thank you, Commander. Bringing them to High Guard saved their lives. I'm sorry we missed each other. We'll spend some time here and let the boys explore and meet some of the other students. Hopefully, we can get them enrolled."

"If you hurry, there's still a few decent dishes available."

Tanti and Breena both gave me respectful nods. Little Sachi was quiet, and Aarpo was politely reserved, but both boys looked better; their eyes were still suspicious, but some of the edge on their watchfulness was gone, and both were also starting to put on some more weight. Even better, the visible bruises were fading away.

"Good luck with that," I told him with a smile. "We can play catch-up tomorrow. Let me know if there are no open slots at the school. We'll work something out. Oh! And we're having a birthday for my girls in five days. All of you are invited to come celebrate with us. Bring something you'd like to drink, but we'll provide all the food."

Sowitwee peered over at baby Siénte, and Breena smiled at him, but it she also kept glancing deferentially at Pen, reaching out to briefly touch him. Tanti, too, kept brushing her fingers against him, and for that moment, each seemed to relax. Pen was a good man, and maybe he would be good for both of them.

Pen grinned. "I'm sure we'd all--"

"Down!"

Akama collided into me. She knocked me forward, and I slammed into Pen and Breena. Off balance, she cried out as she struggled and failed to keep a hold of her baby as she fell to the ground.

The other troopers were just starting to come aware when the muffled rifle report echoed, bouncing off nearby buildings. Akama gave a pained grunt at the same instant I felt the hard thump of something crashing into the right side of my back. I'd already taken a hard knock against a rooftop railing earlier, and I sucked air. From shoulders to kidneys, it felt like I'd been slapped by a giant.

Sowitwee managed to catch the baby.

Pen pulled Tanti down and covered her with his body when the second report rang out. His body actually shifted several inches as he grunted out. "Fuck!" came his half-snarl, half-groan.

"Troopers, get your charges to cover!" Mack barked out, then she reached over, pulling Akama off me. "Holy gods, girl! You're hit!"

While the rest of us were dragged or hustled over by the security vehicles, the other two troopers drew pistols, scanning around, but saw nothing.

I rolled to my side, gasping. I could hardly move, fighting a sudden round of nausea. "Pen... you okay?"

"I think... my ribs are broke. Argh! Gods damn it."

Mack quickly tossed off her vest and ripping off her shirt, tearing it in half as her muscled arms flexed. She applied the cloth wads to the front and back holes bleeding on her partner. "You, stop looking around! Call this in! Hold on, Akama. Hold on!"

Breena took her child, and Sowitwee grabbed both boys, hauling them down to safety in front of the next cruiser over. "Stay down, boys!"

My own vest armor, being one of the newer models, had held. But the caliber of the round had dealt me a nasty kinetic punch. Pen, too, had one of the newer vests, but the power of the attack had been too much for his body to absorb. Akama's vest, however, had provided no protection at all. The bullet passed right through her before slamming into me. Taking a couple of quick breaths, I sat up.

"Sit down, Commander!" Mack exclaimed.

Exhaling slowly, I shook my head. "No follow up. Two shots and nothing. He's dusted and ran."

Breena clutched her crying baby in her arms. Both sisters eyes were wide with fright. After telling the boys to stay put, Sowitwee crawled over and helped Mack put pressure on Akama's wounds.

"How is it?" Mack asked him.

He shook his head. "Don't know. The wound's massive and there's a lot of blood. We need to get it stopped or she won't make it."

People outside scattered in panic. A crash as someone collided with another vehicle. A few, too terrified to move, simply crouched down on the ground and screamed.

The Ground Security units across the lot immediately sprang in action, and within moments we heard the distinctive sound of helicopters approaching. Seconds later, we heard several sirens wailing as emergency vehicles approached.

Ranji! Where are you? Fear and love from Calia filled my thoughts.

I'm out front. Stay inside, Calia. Protect my girls!

You're hurt!

I felt her determination to seek me out. Stay there!

But the connection was gone.

My back hurt so much it was tough to draw a good breath.

Air and Ground Security cruisers swarmed into the parking lot from three different directions. Two screeched to a halt nearby. Troopers piled out, taking up defensive positions.

"Wit, sitrep!" I gasped out.

"It's bad, Commander. No arteries hit, but she's bleeding out. If we can't stop the blood loss, she won't make it to the hospital."

"Mack, get Akama into the cruiser... take her to the nano-tech center. Can't wait for ambulance."

And then Calia was there. "The girls are with their bodyguards, Ranji. Sergeant, let me take your place."

"Yes, ma'am."

Sowitwee helped Mack and Calia get Akama into the back of a cruiser that pulled up. Calia kept her eyes scrunched closed, one hand pressed over the wound's exit near Akama's hip. I pulled myself up slowly, then stepped back from the cruiser's grill. In the back seat, Sowitwee replaced Mack, keeping pressure on Akama's wound while one of the troopers hopped into the driver's seat.

Once the doors were closed, wheels spun as it did a one-eighty. Then it sped north for the hospital, lights and siren blaring. Mack watched them drive off with a forlorn look. Then, with a shake of her head, she looked at me. "You're stuck with me, Commander."

Almost immediately an ambulance pulled up. "Take Pen!" I ordered. "He's more badly wounded."

Pen moaned as they loaded him onto the gurney and secured him. A sobbing Tanti climbed in with him. "Breena! Come on, there's room!" And despite the medico's protests, she herded the boys into the back, all of them squeezing in. Mack slammed the door closed, ending the matter, and the ambulance zoomed off.