Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

My phone rang. "Kandikan."

"Commander?" Hanami said. "I have Senior Captain Makhelchel on satellite link-up for you. I've sent you the link. You have ten minutes of air time, sir."

"Thank you, Hanami." I found the link on my computer and engaged it.

A sun-weathered man almost twice my age looked back at me. "So, I admit I am intrigued by this phone call from out of the blue, and across the continent no less. What does the Air Service at High Guard need from the Ground Service way out in the wilds of northern Chuman State?"

I introduced myself and then asked him if he'd heard about the recent accident affecting a bus with secondary students.

His hauteur softened. "Yes, we're aware of it. The son of the Yuk'siyone chief was killed in that accident, and the nephew of the Winlaki sub-chief is in critical condition. A lot of kids were hurt, including my niece by my younger sister. I'm curious about your interest, Commander, including how you came to know about it."

"Two of the kids belong to a friend of mine. Emilo Bitawel. However, I'm interested in helping all those in need of critical care, as well as those who were crippled in the accident."

"I'll admit, that's unexpected. So what is it you need from me?"

"I have enemies, Captain. Dangerous ones. My helping these young people may draw unwanted attention to them. However, these young people need advanced medical help, and I intend to help them. The alternative is standing by and doing nothing when I am able to make a difference. I'm just putting you on notice some hostiles might cross into your territory."

He scowled.

"I'm not saying it's guaranteed," I added. "But as a courtesy, I thought I would warn you to be on guard." I asked for his contact information, which he cautiously provided.

Makhelchel asked that I include his niece in the group. She was not crippled, but he explained that once her injuries healed, she would be disfigured, and so would benefit greatly from the nano-tech healing. Dermal injuries were the easiest to fix.

"All right, Captain. She can come along. Why don't you send me the names of all those crippled and in critical condition. If things don't work out at Raydam, I'll need their names so I can apply for a medical visa."

"I'll get the list to you. If you do this, I might have to start saying nice things about the Air Service."

"Gods forbid," I said, raising my eyebrows. "We wouldn't want that to happen."

The signal faded, and three seconds later, the connection terminated.

I sent him an encrypted email and he responded. He was added to my contacts.

Raydam had a large nano-tech facility, with part of it open to civilians. I sent an inquiry on their prices.

Less than an hour later Raydam hospital sent me their costs. It was nearly three times the base quote from Sergeant Nuna. Before the discount. Someone was gouging the public on the west coast. To treat all the kids locally would just cost over two hundred thousand Imperial credits. At High Guard, it would be around sixty thousand, including transportation costs, a considerable savings.

Right after that, an exhausted Emilo sent me an email message. I called his home telephone, and he picked up right away. Obviously his wife had warned him about what I'd said earlier, so he took my offer calmly.

We discussed particulars, including that I would cover the travel expenses, travel papers, and tickets. Emilo gave me the name of the doctor and the contact information for their small hospital. I told him to expect their local military commander to contact, that I'd been in touch with him already to facilitate a speedy assist with the medical services.

"Emilo, make sure everyone has photo identification. Student ID cards should work." With the doctor and hospital information, I would initiate contact, and then pass off the pertinent medical stuff to Dr Jehantli.

"Kosumo... they had to put him into a coma to help his body focus on healing. I'll talk to the other parents and get back to you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Sounds good. I'm going to limit the chaperones to four adults. You pick them and you have final say. You know them. I don't. If we try to bring more, the Seven Nations might object. And, we will have space limitations."

"Thank you, my lord. Words cannot express how I feel right now."

"Emilo, I consider us friends. My name's Ranji. I'd be honored if you used that."

"Ranji. All right, Ranji, I don't understand this. I found the money you slipped into my pocket after we parted. That was more than generous for one ride. You might not have talked very much, but your presence kept my mind occupied, thinking up all kinds of possibilities of why you were there on the highway. Yet I'm also confused about why you're doing this for us. It was just a ride."

"That's all it was for you, Emilo. Taking pity on a poor rain-soaked hitchhiker. For me, I was exhausted. I'd been up for nearly two days when you found me. Dozens of men were searching for me, doing their best to find and kill me. You helped me get home to my family, and I got those magic hugs I told you about. For me, that was everything."

"Magic hugs. I remember them," he chuckled. A moment of thoughtful silence. "I should pack then."

"Captain Makhelchel has asked that his niece be included, and I've agreed. The sooner that list is completed, the sooner I can get the paperwork for your travel done. He will contact you and will help coordinate the necessary details."

He sounded worn out, yet more hopeful than before. "I understand. I'll do whatever you need from me. Thank you."

My next order of business was to call the High Guard Base Commandant. He took my call right away. I quickly explained the situation.

The general didn't look happy. "Commander, you do understand we lost a major engagement against Atlantis recently? How are you going to get these kids here?"

"I thought about flying them via public airlines," I said. "But the truth is it would be simpler to have permission to fly our own aircraft through the Seven Nations because they aren't currently on duty. With the CAP flights grounded, a Search and Rescue Super Albatross would work perfectly. The PE-15R can hold up to thirty people, and will have fittings to secure the gurneys. We'll make one stop each way at Tellumgu to refuel -- it's their biggest air hub -- and then we'll continue on to Sugarland. Taking into account the refueling and time on the ground, it should take us six hours to reach Sugarland. After we load everyone, we'll be back at High Guard seven to eight hours later.

"If the Seven Nations wants, they can even send an observer or two to ride along. We can include a media specialist as well. They can take photos of the trip, the injured students before and after their nano-treatments. We release first names only. If the chaperones want to reveal family names, that's up to them. The Empire reaches out to injured young adults in an act of mercy for its own citizens. It's a feel-good story that will help take people's minds off all the good pilots and crews we lost."

His frown vanished at the last part. "You may have something there. Send me an email with the information -- who they are, what happened, where they live, that sort of thing." Then he pursed his lips. "Just how did you get involved in this?"

"Two of the children belong to a friend of mine, General. I'd rather not discuss how the two of us met as it was during a classified operation. I'm extending the healing to the other young people as it seemed the thing to do. The media specialists can use this to highlight the opening of the new nano-tech facility at High Guard."

"Who's going to pilot this rescue mission, Commander?"

"I am. Frankly, I need the hours to maintain my pilot's certification."

General Rikoletsi nodded. "All right. I'll start the paperwork going with our Protocol Officer. We'll see if we can fast-track this. What about afterward?"

"Afterward?"

"The Seven Nations entertainment stations might like to see how they react to visiting Capisco after they are healed up."

"If that's what you decide, I'm agreeable, General."

"Who's your co-pilot?"

"I'd like to request Captain Tlacotli of the 233rd. With a minimum of instruction, she safely landed the damaged Condor that brought us back to High Guard. She flies a Lightning interceptor, and I may be biased, but I believe her flying skills are the best in the Empire."

Despite his effort to look stern, a grin slipped through. "So I've heard. All right, Commander. I'll write the orders for you to take one of the Search and Rescue craft and to have Captain Tlacotli ride as co-pilot with you. Round-trip to Sugarland with a stopover both ways at Tellumgu. That's their capital city, so I can pretty much guarantee they will insist on at least one observer. He will probably be armed, Commander."

"We are taking at least four security troopers ourselves. Thank you for your help, sir."

"As this will likely happen tomorrow, I'd better get started. Forward to me the names of the troopers going with you, as well as the civilians when you get them. Safe flight and safe return, Commander." Then he terminated the connection.

I noticed Hanami was in the room with me.

"I'll start clearing your calendar for tomorrow, Commander." She turned to leave.

"Hanami, be careful when you enter my office. There may be things you shouldn't hear. Some of them for your own safety."

"I apologize for not knocking, Commander. However, Senior Sergeant Chita picked me to be your administrative assistant. I saw what happened to Lieutenant Tchanoonka. We have enemies both outside the Empire and within it. If I'm to help, I will need to know about things as they happen -- or better yet, before they happen, so that I can best help you prepare to meet whatever our enemies throw our way."

"All right, Third Sergeant. Are you pistol qualified?"

She blinked in surprise. "Just what I had in Boot and I haven't touched one since. Why?"

"Talk to Sergeant Chita. Get issued a Wampag Talon and a Caiman 35 and schedule yourself for a firearms refresher. Learn to shoot both. You have your stunner?"

"I have a 110, sir. I'll get on it, Commander." She closed the door behind her.

A good officer listens to his sergeant. But the responsibility, the power, and the blame belong to the officer in charge. I had never really questioned the rightness of assuming command of the 602. But I always needed to remember that my words carried weight. My pride and ignorance had gotten Yalcamara and Stimmi killed. Yes, the Minister had murdered them, but I needed to act with more planning and deliberation to avoid or reduce future casualties. Right now, it was still costing me with all the subsequent attempts to kill me and those around me.

This medical flight was impulse, but I considered it a good move.

Checking my watch, I saw it was after fifteen hundred hours.

My phone rang. "Kandikan."

"Makhelchel here, Commander. Just got a request from a General Rikoletsi to provide air transport to Raydam, then to provide one fire team as safe escort on a special transport by Itcha Airways. Unfortunately our PE-15E is out surveying in the Mamo Mountains. The Albatross will be available for our return flight, but the best we can do is two Raptors. Half the space in one will by taken up with the four gurneys and two attendants. The rest of us will squeeze into the second. I'm growing concerned. First you and now this general asked us to provide safe escort and to be on alert. I'd like a little more information before I put these civilians in harm's way."

"Certainly. I'll be flying the transport that's picking them up at Sugarland. I can tell you more in person, but not over a wireless phone connection even with encryption. I have no reason to believe there will be any trouble. However, as a ranking officer in Air Security, my orders to you are that if anyone attempts to stop you or the others, be prepared to meet them with deadly force. Don't let them get close to you, either. Be advised, they may carry bombs internally. These devices are detectable with an NCO Scout helmet. Any hostiles that are killed will explode within sixty seconds. The blast radius is about thirty feet in diameter. They can also speak a phrase that triggers the bomb as well."

"You're shitting me."

"I am totally serious, Captain. Again, I have no indication you will be bothered. This is precautionary only. High Guard has already encountered several instances of these human bombs, and we've lost some good people. I'll answer your questions in person."

"Is this some new threat from Atlantis?"

"No. This threat is internal in origin. That's all I can say over an unsecure line."

"Emilo says you're okay. If it wasn't for my niece and Emilo, I'd call this whole thing off. We'll depart--"

"Don't say it! Use encrypted email, Captain. Safe flight and safe return."

He stared at me a moment, then disconnected the call.

Hopefully we'd end up friends. However, despite what I was going to do for his niece, I think he was growing to dislike me a great deal.

Getting up, I left my office and walked over to see Doyya.

She looked up from her desk as I hovered by the doorframe. She squinted, then went back to staring at her monitor. "You're up to something, Commander. That makes me nervous."

"Astute as always. That's why you're my Second." Entering, I closed the door for privacy and she sat back in her chair, watching me.

"I'll be gone all day tomorrow," I told her. "I'm flying a medical transport to pick up some injured secondary school kids for treatment at the nano-facility. I--"

My phone rang again. Doyya rolled her eyes as I answered it.

"Kandikan."

It was Janetta. "I just got a call from Flight Operations asking me if I was going to file a flight plan tonight or tomorrow going to Sugarland? Sugarland? That's in the Seven Nations over half-way across the continent. Why in the name of all the gods am I going there? Why would I even want to? And you, I'm told, are the pilot. What the fuck is going on, Kandikan?"

"I love you, too, my fierce warrior. Putting you on speaker phone."

"--load of complication, and it better be good."

Doyya winced as she looked at me.

I explained the situation, why I was doing it and my part in it.

Janetta said, "So this is some Public Relations stunt?"

"Yes and no," I answered. "I'm doing it to help those kids, and if I could do without the PR stuff, I would. I added that in to sell the project to the base commandant, and to help push the paperwork through the Seven Nations. If I have to make nice for the camera and answer questions in order to make that happen, I'll do so. I was planning on filing the Flight Plan tonight after dinner. If you don't want to go, Janetta, I won't make you. And I'll take along anyone you recommend. Granted, an Albatross is not as exciting as a Lightning, a shot-up Condor, or a Sunskipper. I just thought it would be nice for us to fly together again."

All she said was, "Oh."

Doyya gave me a thumbs up. Then she blinked and sat back, looking at me thoughtfully.

"All right, I'll go. My crew have already cleaned the hangar three times this week, and Cholan can't work on my aircraft until the parts she ordered arrive. I'll give them tomorrow off."

"Thank you, Janetta. I look forward to flying with you."

"Kandikan, the only reason I'm doing it because I love you. Don't let it go to your head."

"I won't," I assured her, grinning. My prickly pear. Barbed on the outside, and soft and juicy on the inside. Though she might get pissed if I actually verbalized that in her presence.

"You going to be home on time tonight?"

"I'm working on that now."

"Hey, you said speaker phone. Who else is there?"

"Doyya's here," I answered. "I figured it would save time telling both of you at the same time about tomorrow."

"Hello, Captain," Doyya said. "He surprised both of us -- and at the same time."

"Don't you let him get away with shit, Doyya, or he'll think he's in charge."

Doyya snorted with amusement. "I'll do my best, Captain."

"I'll be home at my normal time. I still have work to do. Later, Kandikan. And go easy on the surprises!"

After Janetta hung up, Doyya picked up her own phone. "I'll arrange for your security detail, Commander. Hello, Exham? This is Doyya over at the 602." Captain Exham Terkouri was her counterpart for the 1267 Ground Security Regiment. "Yes, I'd like to borrow a squad of armored troopers. We don't have of ours rated yet. What are they going to do? They'll be escort for Commander Kandikan while he's away from the war base. We'll also send along a squad of our own people. Uh, how long a flight, Commander?"

"Six to seven hours each way."

"Looks like twelve to fourteen hours. We don't expect trouble, but we both know who's been causing headaches for both of us, don't we? Thank you. Much appreciated. Watch your six."

Doyya grabbed an Inter-Service courier envelope and wrote a note. I saw her drop two salon tickets into envelope with a quick note. Then she sealed it up and addressed it.

I frowned.

She smiled back at me. "It's not what you think. Chita told me what you did, so I went over and bought a dozen while they're on sale. They make good inducements."

"Because bribery is such a dirty word," I observed.

"Favors help get things done. It's a fact of life. Those are his men, not ours."

"Yes, you're right. And the plans for integrating certain units are coming along nicely. Forward the names of the security detail to General Rikoletsi, will you?"

"Your Air Security detail will be there tomorrow morning, waiting by your aircraft."

"Thank you, Doyya. I'd be lost without you."

She gave me an indulgent smile. "Thank you, Ranji, for the salon cards. Chita and I have a day off together next week, so we're making an afternoon of it."

I smiled. "Glad to hear it."

"Umm, you mentioned a flying a Sunskipper. As in the ultra-classified high altitude transport? Has she really flown one?"

"There's one parked at my parent's house. I'm certified to fly it."

"Really? Huh." She shook her head in amazement.

"Say, how's your mother doing?"

"My mother? What made you ask about her?"

"I assume she's gotten used to not calling you while you're on duty. Now that you work swing shift, I assume she's calling you before work?"

Doyya chuckled. "That's right. Yeah, it took her a week or two with the warnings for it to get through her head. She's doing fine, thank you for asking. She still tells me I should jump you to secure my career."

I laughed. "Doyya, you're doing just fine all on your own. Does your mother understand you are now a captain? With an award for bravery in combat?"

She nodded, amused. "I got a chance to visit for a few days while I was at Tikún. Sowitwee went with me. Both of my parents saw for themselves that I was a full lieutenant, a real bonafide officer, and they were really proud, showing me off to all the neighbors. The boost in wages means I'm able to send more home now, which helps. They know I was promoted after we returned to High Guard, but they're sort of fuzzy on the ranks."

"Your brother... I don't want to presume, but I recall he has a birth defect? Do you--?"

She vigorously shook her head. "No, sir. Do not do anything with or to him. Seriously. I know you mean well, but my younger brother... his disability helps make him manageable for his wife. He's a dreamer and always involved in get-rich schemes. I've never seen a single one pan out. A few have broken even, but that's the exception. He has a good heart and I love him, but if he was mobile, he'd just get into more trouble. A lot more. Seven hells, he's a damn trouble magnet. He gets some money to play with, but most of the money I send goes to his wife. She's the one that makes sure their kids have food to eat and clothes to wear."