Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

The helicopters scanned around, and M-type ChoCacs from a Ground Service infantry company began to arrive. Two took up station while three others began to patrol around.

When the second ambulance arrived, they loaded me aboard. My back hurt so much I could hardly move.

"Mack, call Dispatch. Get my girls home. Put the cruiser up on the sidewalk if you have to. I don't want them exposed."

"Yes, sir." Using her portable radio, she called it in.

As we raced to the hospital, the deeper screams of air raid sirens began to blare. Mack looked at me in astonished alarm.

Seven hells! All three hot, all three cold, and the one in between!

* * * * *

Part 12 -- Eye of the Storm

* * * * *

While the air raid sirens had sounded off, thankfully there had been no sign of hostile aircraft approaching the war base.

It took awhile for everyone to get treated. In the meantime, the war base remained on high alert.

Ten healing chambers had been constructed, but there was a shortage of personnel to oversee the process. We weren't the only patients, though we did set back appointments for those ahead of us.

Doctor Jehantli oversaw the treatment for everyone. He was the physician whom I'd first met when I'd brought Mack and little Tambo into the ER on that stormy spring night.

Was that only three months ago?

The doctor stopped by my bed to check my vitals and updated me on my two friends. Akama managed to survive her ordeal, but it took almost three hours for the nanites to rebuild her destroyed tissue. Pen went through several X-rays before he went into the tanks, and he was there for two hours while they repaired his ribs and left lung.

In the meantime, the nurse took readings of my blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels. As she read off the data, he entered the information into the tablet containing my chart notes. When she was done, the nurse changed the nearly empty saline bag, dumping the old one into a bin.

When she moved the curtain to exit, the trooper uniform caught my eye and I saw it was Corporal Cooma. She'd replaced Mack an hour ago, and Sergeant Yelts was now covering Jay in her place. Seeing I was awake, she gave me a brief smile and a nod, then resumed her watchful attendance.

Dr. Jehantli cleared his throat. "Please pay attention, Commander. Follow the light. Look left. Now look right."

He flicked off his penlight and put it into his breast pocket. He spoke as he tapped away on the tablet. "Looks good, Commander. There's no swelling, but both urine samples show you're still passing blood. You could probably survive without treatment, but I was told by General Rikoletsi himself that getting you back onto your feet is essential. Not that that would have been an issue, being as you are the facility's patron." Then he sighed. "I'm not sure if I should thank you or curse you."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"All this," he said, gesturing around the room, as if that somehow explained it. "I like being an ER physician, but I only get to do that half the time now. Because Medical Command has decided to upgrade us to a full hospital regiment, there have been ungodly noises that I should be put in charge of this nano-tech unit. This technology is truly amazing. But it's not ER work."

"Yet not so long ago you were ecstatic to get the funding." I shifted, then grunted at the clenching ache hammering across my back. "I'm Air Security, Doctor. If you need bad guys taken down, I'm your man. If you're looking for sympathy, I can provide some of that, too. But if you want actual change, that's outside my jurisdiction. Best talk to the general and your own superiors."

Dr. Jehantli put the tablet away, looking amused. "Fair enough. Since you are our patron, I'll give you the quick, informal update. We should be fully operational in six months. We spent money for the better computer system, and the chief of staff is already looking to expand with a second ten-bed facility to be built right below us. After the engineers finish their designs, excavation work will start sometime this fall. The plaque you wanted is done and in place. It's covered until you give the official okay."

"Thank you, Doctor. It'll be soon," I promised.

"You'd best hurry with your presentation. People -- including some staff -- are trying to check behind the covering out of curiosity. Soon word will get out and it'll be moot."

Rolling his chair closer, he leaned down and lowered his voice. "I want to speak to you about Corporal Akama, Commander. Frankly, she shouldn't have made it. Her wounds were too extensive and she'd lost too much blood. Our estimate is that she had less than a full liter of blood remaining in her body when she arrived. We expected there would be fragments from her vest in the wound, yet there were none. Incredibly, the wound itself was somehow already starting to clot. Care to share what you know about this miracle?"

I shook my head. "Maybe the gods blessed her."

He blinked, then rolled his eyes. "That's the way you're going to be, is it? Fine. Then let me be more direct. I'd like to do a full work-up of your Personal Servant, Commander."

"No."

"As long as she held onto Akama, the trooper's pulse was slow but steady, and more incredibly, the blood loss was a mere trickle, despite the size of the wounds," Dr. Jehantli persisted. "When she was made to let go, Akama's pulse immediately shot up and became thready, preparatory to cardiac arrest, and the blood loss was in accord with the size of her wounds. Sergeant Sowitwee nearly blew a gasket, loudly insisting that Calia was a shaman healer and that she be allowed to stay in physical contact with Akama. And, remarkably, as soon as Calia touched Akama's hand again, the woman's pulse strengthened and the bleeding slowed back down to a trickle."

"I said no."

He gave me a look of frustration. "I don't understand. I saw the effects with my own eyes, damn it! What we could learn from her is enormous. Nano-tech is amazing, but if we could have humans doing this? The ramifications are astounding to contemplate."

"Dr. Jehantli, we can talk later, but not right now. In the meantime, as Air Security, I'm ordering you to keep your observations to yourself. Am I clear?"

Exasperated, he grated out, "Yes, sir."

"I don't need to explain myself, Doctor, but I will tell you I have good reasons for my decision. You need to respect that and do what I say. Also, I want restricted access on Akama's medical records. Don't look at me like that. It's either that or I order you to delete your observations and all mention of Calia."

He looked at me in stony silence for several seconds, then nodded his acceptance.

The nurse came back, announcing it was my turn to enter the tanks. Less than a minute after the mask with the anesthetic gas was applied, I was out.

* * * * *

When I woke up in my room, Janetta was the only person there.

Sitting in a wheelchair, her right leg extended and wrapped up in a brace to prevent movement! She also had a black eye and a fat lip. Struggling to sit up, I also saw a tear in her shirt, with at least three buttons missing. Dried blood covered her side and thigh. Since she didn't hesitate when she leaned down to fuss with her extended leg, I assumed the blood wasn't hers.

Next to Corporal Cooma, a second Air Security trooper stood guard by the door. I sort of recognized him, but no name came to mind.

When Janetta saw I was awake, relief washed over her face. Then she shook her head at me. "Finally! Commander Complications awakens at last."

Still wobbly as the anesthetic wore off, I manage to sit upright. "Janetta, are you all right? What happened to you?"

She rolled her wheelchair closer. "Atlantean scum and the fucking gods-cursed Minister, that's what!"

"I've been pretty much out of it since just after lunch time, Janetta. Please, just bring me up to speed here."

She sighed, then pursed her lips. "It was bad today, Ranji. Late this afternoon, five brand new Atlantean jets arrived at the edge of our CAP Zone, two-hundred and fifty rads out at sea, approaching from east by northeast. They came in high and fast, making contact with the CAP at one-fifty rads. They didn't hesitate, didn't do any flybys, they simply opened fire. Ranji, inside five minutes, the entire CAP -- all ten aircraft were down."

"Seven hells. All ten? Air Service."

"Air Service," she echoed. "The 116th was flying CAP today. I knew some of them."

"That's pretty serious. What does the CAG want to do?"

CAG is the acronym for the Commander, Air Group.

"I'll get to that shortly." Furious, she clenched her fist as she spoke. "There's more. You know how many Atlanteans were shot down? Not a single damn one. They didn't even get hit! Do you know why? They had fucking energy shields, Ranji. Energy shields that protected them from our 20 mm cannons and our missiles! They have newer and faster engines, too. Two more flights were scrambled to engage, but as the last jet hit sky, the engagement with the CAP was over."

Shields? The Greys are stepping up their game. I waited for her to continue.

"Aerial recon caught most of what happened afterward. Seven of our pilots managed to eject. Three were killed while still in their parachutes. The others landed into the water. After the last Lightning was down, those damned faithless cowards killed them! They were defeated and helpless and no threat to them, yet they strafed them in the water. Aerial recon transmitted their videos before two of the Atlanteans took them out, too. Yeah, Ranji. They shot down the Recon craft, too.

"The two flights that were scrambled were accompanied by two Search and Rescue seaplanes. Same result, Ranji. All aircraft, and all hands lost, without a single damn Atlantean hit. Not a damn one! The 116th took it in the teeth today. Flight Ops has grounded the rest of us, ordering us not to engage until the situation is evaluated. Thirty-three aircraft and forty-one pilots and crew killed without a single Atlantean loss! The Atlantean sortie made a sweep over our entire CAP run, approaching within fifty-seven rads of High Guard. Unopposed."

"Holy gods," I muttered.

"Navy heard the whole thing and their nearest task force immediately sailed north to engage. Air-Sea Rescue launched a Sea Tern, and advanced ahead to see what they could find over the combat area. The Atlanteans returned to the combat site and proceeded to attack. They hit the Sea Tern at long range, so it retreated. The Atlanteans chased it, right into the ever loving arms of the Sea Dragon and her escort ships. That Aegis cruiser gave them everything it had. So we found out their shields do have limits. Three Altantean aircraft were damaged and bleeding smoke. Only then did they beat feet. Gods damned tapir-fucking sons of bitches!"

I shook my head. This was a really bad turn of events.

She took a calming breath. "I heard that at least one missile frigate and two destroyers suffered damage, and the Sea Dragon took some hits, too. Navy is holding out on how many crew they lost."

"Naval Service," I said.

"Naval Service, indeed. There what's between us and Atlantis now. As for the Air Service, there's no getting around it. The new Atlantean fighters are faster, more maneuverable, and with those shields, they are fucking invulnerable to everything we can put into the air against them. It was a gods-damned massacre out there, and it was all because of that fucking Grey alien tech! Three wounded fighters in return for massive damage inflicted. They've tasted blood, Ranji. You and I both know those Atlantean pricks will be back for more and soon."

I nodded, pondering her assessment. "Do you think the Air Marshal will authorize micro-nukes?"

Her eyes widened, but then steeled herself. "I hope not. But if that's what it takes..."

She was likely right. The trouble with that is it would rapidly escalate things between our nations, and in the short term, their tech advantage could prove decisive, with High Guard the first casualty, and possibly a smoking ruin. Whatever High Command decided, the Empire was in for some dark times ahead.

What was troubling was that the Air Service Search and Rescue and the Navy's Sea-Rescue aircraft were clearly marked, and were supposed to be treated as non-combatants. The pilots and crew might have pistols, but the aircraft themselves were unarmed.

Killing the combat pilots wasn't unheard of, but for more than ten years, when pilots from either side had been forced to eject, they had been left alone and rescue efforts had been allowed to take place after the combatants disengaged. With as serious a tech advantage as they now possessed, the Atlanteans had clearly won the field. Killing all the pilots and shooting down the unarmed rescue craft was a major change in our previous encounters against them, telling us that future engagements were going to be just as merciless.

Pushing that aside for the moment, I returned to Janetta and her injuries. "You're right. It's a black day for the Air Service. Now tell me what happened to you."

Janetta gave me a sad look as she slumped back into her seat. "Two of the Minister's men showed up at the hangar, Ranji. They killed both of your troopers beforehand, then quietly entered the hangar. I was in my office working when they showed up, both armed with a pistol. It was nearly Tikún all over again."

Her eyes glittered with emotion as she stared at me. "One came into my office, while the other one ordered my crew to strip. He told them they were going to get fucked." She gave me a rueful laugh. "Know what Cholan said? 'No, thanks. We already have a real man and we aren't interested in any dickless imitations.'"

Before I had a chance to smile, she pressed on. "Ranji, he backhanded her hard enough that she flew back almost ten feet. She crashed hard into the lockers. Her shiner is bigger than mine, and she has a several bad bruises. Thankfully he didn't break her jaw, but she's pretty beat up. What saved us was while Cholan distracted him, Zinja pulled out a stunner and shot him twice. Yeah, I didn't know she had one either. Apparently your man Sowitwee gave it to her. All four of us owe him our sincere thanks.

"Anyway, while he was groggy, Ixma took her mother's 912 torque wrench -- the one that's two-feet long -- and let him have it. Did you know Zinja named it? She calls it Valena." She frowned. "Ixma said she lost count of how many times she hit the fucker.

While that was going on, his partner was beating on me while he had his weapon on me, telling me if I didn't cooperate, his partner was going to kill my crew, one at a time, until I got the message. While he was working me over, Zinja broke in and shot him from behind and then tackled him. His pistol fired three times, but fortunately he missed both of us. I managed to get my knife into him, but in the struggle with him and Zinja, I got tangled up with his legs and my chair. When he rolled, my knee popped. Less than two minutes later, we had both Air and Ground Security cruisers charging up to the hanger."

"Thank the gods everyone is all right," I said. "I'll have words with Sowitwee as well. Zinja, too. Two troopers, though. Damn!"

"About that time, the man in the locker area blew up, making an ungodly mess. I remembered what you told us this morning, and Zinja hauled me out of my office just in time. Blood and body parts are all over my fucking office. And my chair -- the one you gave me last year -- that fucker blew it up!"

She sighed before continuing. "The reaction of the security troopers... It was nice, you know? They were clearly angry about the two men killed, yet they treated us with respect and they politely insisted that Cholan and I both get medical attention. On the way to the hospital, I heard about the second attempt on your life, and what happened to your bodyguard and Lieutenant Fortri."

I just pursed my lips as I looked back at her.

"I thought this was going to stop, Ranji," she said earnestly. "If it's not, I can deal with it. I just need to know."

I sighed. "It was supposed to, Janetta. This afternoon, the Air Marshal reported that the Emperor himself had ordered Supay to leave High Guard and my family alone. In the meantime, the troopers will continue to guard us. I'll talk to the Air Marshal again and see if he'll sign off on me permanently adding another company of troopers to the regiment. The gods know we could use the extra security--"

Just then, the door opened, and I was startled to see it was the Air Marshal himself! He paused at the entrance and told the two troopers at the doorway, "Please give us some privacy."

The one I didn't know immediately left, but Corporal Cooma looked at me for confirmation. At my nod, she also exited.

The Air Marshal closed the door and entered the room. "I'm impressed by the loyalty you inspire in your troops, Commander. I literally am the Air Service, yet I saw that corporal looked to you for confirmation before obeying my instruction. Though there is some discretion for those acting as bodyguards, she could have been shot."

"Please don't hold it against them. She and others are worried that if something happens to me, all the changes will go away."

"I would be an idiot to punish such loyalty, Commander. Would that more of our warriors were as devoted. And what's impressive is she's not alone." Pulling over the roll-around chair, he sat down. "So, what to do with what's happened today? Has Captain Tlacotli informed you of what happened when our forces engaged those of Atlantis, Commander?"

"Yes, sir. She was just bringing me up to speed."

He smiled at Janetta. "A pleasure to meet you, Captain Tlacotli. I've heard some remarkable things about you from your CO. I'm also aware of your father's exploits. He was an exemplary warrior, Captain. You must be proud of his memory."

"Thank you, sir. I am," she answered, sitting straighter in the wheelchair.

"I am sure that given all of your accomplishments, your father would be proud of you, too. I was surprised to see such a young warrior already at the grade of captain, so I looked into the circumstances leading to your promotion. I must say that I truly am impressed, Captain. I find it somehow fitting that you two are also lovers."

"Thank you, sir." Janetta actually blushed as she looked at me with fierce possessiveness.

He turned to me. "You do know that final approval for naming any facility has to be approved by High Command, Commander? However, I have no objections, so I have issued an order confirming the facility's official name. Have you told her yet?"

Janetta turned her gaze to me, frowning. "Is there something I need to know, Kandikan?"

The Air Marshal chuckled. "Oh, my. I can see she's still in the dark. Well, I wish I had time for an official public ceremony. However, given today's events with the Atlanteans, I don't have the luxury for such niceties. I've ordered the cover on the wall plaque to be removed, so when you two leave, show her what you've done. I think you will be most pleased, Captain. And, congratulations.

"In light of our losses as well as the circumstances resulting in your injury, Captain, I'm ordering that you undergo nano-tech treatment. You are a skilled interceptor pilot, and we need all that we can get. I just hope our own research teams can get our fighters some shielding, too, so that you and the other pilots are on a more equal footing. Commander, your Second is outside. She's brought clean uniforms for the both of you."

He frowned a bit, then continued. "The Emperor will not be happy with the news of today's encounter with Atlantis. His Imperial Majesty will be equally unhappy with me for once again bringing up the issue of Minister Supay, especially since it was supposed to have already been settled. I'm pretty sure about what I'm going to say, but since you are such a provocative element, always shaking things up, I'd be interested in your input."