Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

Finding Jay in his office, I explained to him why I was there. However, to keep Calia's abilities secret, I just said told him that I'd had a reliable tip.

After glancing at me and then his watch, he raised his eyebrows. I just looked at him and he stood up, reaching for his gear. All the security units across the war base were on heightened alert, working hard to make sure there were no acts of sabotage or unaccounted for strangers during our upcoming VIP visit. For most of the day, Ground Service would be running extra AHH-17 Kites on patrols, checking rooftops and aerial approach to the war base.

Within two hours, at zero-four-thirty, two full platoons of Air Security with e-sniffers and one trained handler and his dog descended on the primary school.

I went in with the dog team, staying well back from those doing the initial scouting. At my instruction, we checked out the school cafeteria first. Within ten minutes, we had a positive hit from both the dogs and the e-sniffers, centered on the each of the ten support columns.

As soon as we had confirmation, they proceeded to determine if any other areas were dangerous. I started making phone calls and waking people up. The other teams did a full sweep, and an hour later, we knew the building's underground utility section was also compromised.

An intruder was discovered on site, but when challenged he tried to escape. Jay and I ran to the scene as troopers fired stunners, but the man was too far out of range. Corporal Ingan and his dog, Kartook, proved themselves. The dog rapidly closed the distance, catching the man, then standing guard, growling at him. The corporal and four other troopers moved to cover and secure him. By the time we arrived, however, the man was dead, bleeding from his nose and mouth, his chest a mushy mess.

I swore at the implications. Jay wasn't happy either. A moment of shared meaningful silence, then we finished setting up in a cleared classroom. More off-duty troopers were called in and assigned e-sniffers, and Jay and his staff worked on checking off what was cleared and was still needed to be checked.

At just before zero-six hundred hours, I called the Media Office, and told them the primary school was closed due to the discovery of a nest of poisonous snakes within the grounds, and that until the building was declared safe, neither staff nor students would be allowed on the premises. Then Dispatch routed me to the principal and to the bus service, notifying them of the closure. They could pass it along to others.

Jay, in the meantime, coordinated with Ground Service Bomb Disposal, and they began working on removing the explosives. Around the school, a full platoon of Air Security worked on traffic control, and were soon joined by another platoon from Ground Security. With over three thousand students and the many adult staff needed to teach and run the school, we couldn't depend on everyone getting notice about the closure from the official radio broadcast.

At just after zero-seven twenty, my phone went off. "Kandikan here."

"Sowitwee, sir. We have a call from a Detective Sergeant Crazy Wolf of the Capisco Police Department, Seventh Precinct. He says it's urgent that he speak to you, Commander."

"All right, patch him through. And record it."

"Confirmed, Commander. Recording now. Hello, Detective Sergeant Crazy Wolf? Here he is, sir."

There was a pause, then, "Who am I speaking to now? If it's another messenger boy, I'm going to hang up. I don't have time to play with you Imperials and your damned games."

"This is Commander Kandikan, commander of the Air Security regiment at High Guard War Base, Detective Sergeant. For the record, I don't play games, nor do I have time for them, either. What can I do for you at this early hour?"

"Ah, at last. Well, Commander, I think we have one of your people here. His identification says his name is -- or was -- Sergeant Stimmi Parletl. He was murdered and rather brutally so. I'd like someone to come down to confirm his identity and to answer some questions."

Seven hells! My heart sank. I had no doubt that it really was Stimmi they'd found.

"What of the woman who was with him, Sergeant? Have you found her?"

"She is missing at this time. We already have a BOLO for her."

My heart sank. "All right. Where are you located?"

"I'll be back at my office at the Seventh Precinct in about an hour. The morgue is nearby. Will you be coming, Commander? Or will you be sending someone else?"

"He's one of mine. I'll be there personally, Detective Sergeant."

"Perfect." And he hung up.

Jay walked up to me. "What's going on?"

"Capisco Police just called. They say they have Stimmi's body. I'm going to go identify whether it's him or not. That means you're in charge here."

"What? No, that's not possible! They told us the day before yesterday they were going to work on unpacking their home."

I raised my eyebrows. "Us, who?"

"Doyya, Chita, and myself. I'd come in early. Yalcamara was working to get some paperwork cleared off her desk before they left shift the night before. There may have been a few other troopers nearby who would have overheard us talking about it."

I nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. "Pen comes on shift in an hour, Jay. You finish up the rest of the sweeps. I want a status report on the situation here before you hand it over at zero-six hundred, understand? General Rikoletsi wants an update as well. You have more practical experience than any of us, so if you have any recommendations, speak up."

"You think the body they found is really Stimmi?"

"Unfortunately, I do. Dispatch sent a patrol team to their quarters and they weren't there. On site eval is they had packed quickly and left, and the main gate records them leaving High Guard yesterday, just before midnight."

"Holy gods. Yalcamara is Doyya's Second. This'll hit her hard."

"I'm going to call Garnet and have her send a CID team over to do a more thorough on- site at their place. They were planning on staying home, yet they somehow ended up in Capisco. Stimmi's dead and Yalcamara's whereabouts are unknown." I paused. "It's not confirmed yet, but I'm told they took his heart."

"What? That's priest work. Or draconians." He looked grim, and lowered his voice. "Do you think Supay is involved?"

"What do you think? That suspect we chased and ended up with the mushy chest implies it's his handiwork. Autopsy will confirm, but I've seen the results of a nano-heart bomb before, at Copán."

"Commander... Ranji, don't go into Capisco alone. Take an escort. At least two teams."

"I'll take an escort. Watch yourself, Jay. You keep your own security team close. Talk to you later."

"Safe flight and safe return, Commander." Jay whistled, and pointed at two troopers, then at me. "Stay with the Commander."

As I got in my vehicle, I thought about the situation.

Bilan had chastised me for having Yalcamara impersonate Commander Orchid, saying it had been foolish. On reflection, I realized he had been right. I'd been an arrogant fool with that stunt. Pretending to be Orchid had been a deliberate thumbing of our noses at the Minister. I only hoped we would be able to find and get back Yalcamara. But the fact that she was missing did not bode well.

Whatever happened, the Minister may have killed him, but I'd put Stimmi into harm's way. His blood was on my hands, too.

The school also had the Minister's hallmarks, yet I couldn't see a motive for that. Unless it was just to spread fear? Or to discredit me as the commanding officer of High Guard's Air Security? More likely, it would be easy for him to find out my girls attended the school, and he was willing to kill thousands of innocents for the chance to kill them for my insult to his authority, amoral though it may be.

After the beach incident and killing his own men afterward? Yeah, I could see that evil bastard doing that.

I was loyal to Itznacoco and what he stood for. Imperial Security's goals should be to preserve the Empire, to protect its citizens from encroachment by foreign and often hostile powers. Instead, it was often the personal army of a maniac.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the man was a real detriment to the Empire. Kidnapping citizens, murdering some and enslaving others; selling them in other parts of the Empire, and probably to foreign shores, too. Instead of stopping criminal gangs, he was the likely the leader of the largest criminal gang in the Empire. Illegal drugs. Selling children to draconians for food. Ordering the murder of hundreds of security forces during a rage. The near escapes by Melannee as well as Bilan and his squad.

And Sparantzlo. That was ultimately the Minister's doing as well.

As much as I wanted the Protection Order to spread and become law throughout the Empire, maybe I needed to shift focus, and do the Empire a favor by sending a fifty-caliber letter of cancellation by air mail to the Minister of Imperial Security.

Such was my mood when I checked in at Air Security C&C.

As I went into my office, both Chita and her admin, Sunahee, watched me, their faces full of questions. Because it was before zero-eight hundred, my own admin, Sergeant Hanami, wasn't in yet.

I paused for half a second. Chita usually came in at ten hundred hours and worked later, to overlap some with Doyya's shift. That she was here at zero-six hundred meant someone must have called her. Since they were roommates, it was likely that Doyya, too, would be in early.

Seven hells, I thought.

Inside my office, Sowitwee was seated in one of the guest chairs. He looked up as I came in. Closing the door behind me, I went to my chair behind my desk and sat down.

Wit's face was an almost unreadable mix of emotions. "I'd like to go with you into Capisco, Commander. Stimmi was a good man. And a good friend."

"They may not release the body right away," I replied.

His jaw worked a moment, then he frowned. "Yes, sir."

"Have you eaten anything yet?"

He shook his head. "Not terribly hungry right now."

I nodded back. "We both should. But I feel the same way. And you're right. Stimmi was both a good man and a good friend."

"Commander? May I ask a question?"

I gave him a sad smile. "Sure."

"Your Personal Servant, Calia... she's more than she seems."

That got my attention. "What do you mean?"

"She sees ghosts and knows when you are hurt. And the bombs this morning. She knew about them, too."

"You have a question in there somewhere, Wit?"

"Among my people, well, they would treat her as a holy woman. Someone touched by the gods. She's full of kindness and a great healer, too."

"Yet she's a Personal Servant. A slave," I acknowledged. "I offered her her freedom once. She refused it because she didn't want to be separated from me. Of course, then, I couldn't fully emancipate her. I could free her to Guild level at the cost of wiping out my fortune and repudiating her. Both the thought of leaving me, and that I would have to cast her away, asserting she had been a poor bondswoman was more than she could bear. She begged me, Wit, not to free her. At the time, I had to agree. Now, however, things have changed. I have a lot more funds available, so I can free her and help her get her many skills certified."

"She loves you deeply, Commander. Women can get funny about their men. If you freed her without talking to her first, she would no longer be part of House Kandikan, and she could easily take it as your rejection of her."

"Yes, well, I seem to be hurting Calia's feelings a lot of late. Wit, you should know that talking about her abilities to other people -- well, it's not safe for her."

"I understand, Commander. On a related matter, Nariya's time is approaching. She's told me she wants Calia to midwife her. I know she's not licensed, but Nariya knows Calia and trusts her."

I relaxed, sitting back. "If that's what Nariya wants and Calia's agreeable, I'm fine with it. Has Nariya asked Calia?"

"Calia said that as your bondswoman, her first priority must be to you, so I needed to get your permission first."

"Did she now. This is the sort of thing I'm talking about. She shouldn't have to ask my permission for every little thing. Whatever you and Nariya want and if Calia's willing is fine with me. Will we be getting to hear some of her singing any time soon?"

He gave a rueful smile. "She loves it when we gather around to hear the stories you read. You are the lord of the House, Commander. She's afraid to take any of that from you, and the time you spend with your daughters."

"With the right motivation, a literate person comes to love books and reading. Likewise, I imagine that someone who has made their living at music would feel bereft at the loss of her voice. Now that she can speak again, it would please me that she be able to express herself musically. I think if she started singing during the day, Calia and the servants would appreciate it, and so would my girls. Does she play an instrument?"

"A guitar. Hers was destroyed when she was attacked. We've never had the opportunity to replace it."

"Did she enjoy singing?"

Happy memories washed over his face. "Oh, yes, sir. Even when she wasn't working, she was always humming or singing something. She's always humming while she's rubbing her belly."

"That's what I thought. My task for you, Wit, is to find her a good quality instrument. If there is any justice in the world, the gods will punish whoever took her voice away, for surely the gods must have a special love those who lift their voices in song."

"You've already done so much for me and my family, my lord."

"This isn't for you. This is for Nariya. I want to see the choices by the end of this week. Pick a quality instrument, Wit. Browse around. Ask her what she'd like, as if money were no object."

"She will be overwhelmed by your kindness."

"I'd rather she enjoy playing the instrument."

"Yes, sir. I'll do as you ask."

We lapsed then into silence. I should have been working. Checking my work email. Something. But my thoughts kept coming back to three indisputable facts. Stimmi was dead. Yalcamara was missing, and likely in mortal danger. And it was my fault.

Just then there was a rap at the door. Pen opened it and stepped in. "Is it true? About Stimmi and 'Mara?"

I gave him a grim nod. "Yes. I need you to go to the primary school and coordinate with Jay. He'll fill you in with what we found, and you and he will need to coordinate with the Bomb Disposal unit about removing the explosive devices. Make sure the support columns haven't been compromised, too. There's also several units from Ground Security on site to assist us. They're taking their lead from us, since we found the bombs. Oh, and General Rikoletsi will want a written status report just before lunch time. Make sure you send a copy to me as well."

"All right, Commander," he replied. "My Second will remain on site here to over see things."

"How's she working out? Your Second? I can't recall her name."

"Sublieutenant Tsutsunin. A bit green yet, but she's doing fine." He blinked, then shook his head. "All right. You going to be here, Commander?"

"No. I'm heading in to Capisco in a short while to deal with Stimmi's murder, find out what I can, and hopefully bring his body home. I was mostly waiting for the shift change before I left."

Pen looked Sowitwee. "Sergeant, you make sure he wears his helmet when he is out of doors."

"Yes, sir, Lieutenant."

"After I arrange for your escort, Commander, I'll head to the school." Pen closed the door.

Before it latched all the way, Chita came to the door. "Commander? I've taken the liberty of ordering some food from the Commissary Diner for you and Sowitwee. I... I know you won't feel like it, but you need to eat to keep up your strength. So you can catch the rotten bastards who killed our Stimmi. And find our Yalcamara."

I saw her wipe at her eyes, but before I could say anything, she'd already left, closing the door behind her.

Over the next half hour, Wit and I sat in silence. When I was notified my escort was ready, I got up and went outside the office. Sowitwee grabbed both our helmets and followed.

Stopping by Chita's office, I told her we were headed to Capisco, and that Sowitwee and I would eat whatever she selected for us after we returned. She just nodded.

A type-M, machine-gun ChoCac led the way across the war base, followed by an Air Security cruiser. My vehicle took third position, while a second type-M vehicle was on rear guard. The sky, already cloudy, darkened further, and then it began to rain in a steady downpour. It was as if the mood of the gods reflected our own, the sky weeping tears at the loss of a fine warrior. With each minute that passed without hearing the whereabouts of Yalcamara, my hope for her faded.

Because of our escort, Capisco Police Department met us at the border and provided an escort of their own. Six vehicles -- four in the lead and two at the rear -- flashing lights and sirens to clear the way through traffic.

My escort of four troopers didn't carry rifles -- those remained stowed in the vehicles. However, they did carry short swords as well as side arms and belt knives. All of us also wore our combat vests and helmets.

Naturally, as expected, my armed escort and I were provided an armed escort of local uniformed police as we entered the building. All very polite, attentive, with some guarded wariness. Both sets of escorts waited by the detective's desk, causing a lot of stir as curious heads turned to gawk at us.

I followed a detective to the interrogation room, Sowitwee behind me. Having the same type of setup ourselves -- a single table, some chairs and set up with the one-way glass. I knew whatever was going to be discussed also going to be filmed. It's what I'd do.

Because we weren't at the lead detective's desk, this told me this was to be a formal inquiry and they wanted anything I said on record.

The other detective was already there, a cup of something hot in front of him -- it smelled of straight coffee -- and a full file folder under his hands in front of him. He half-rose, holding out his hand. Crazy Wolf looked to be in his mid-thirties or early forties. Short hair, hooked nose, sharp eyes, with a tired face. His partner was at least a decade younger, sporting a crew cut and glasses. He glanced at Sowitwee, but my aide took station flanking the chair I was to sit in, standing at ease. The two detectives looked at each other, and decided to ignore him.

The older man began speaking Queschuan.

"Commander Ranji Kandikan? I'm Detective Sergeant Jon Crazy Wolf. This is my partner, Detective Aranan Thunder Cloud."

I shook each of their hands in turn, and we three sat down.

He continued speaking. "As this is a murder investigation, we are informing you that we are recording these proceedings."

"I've no objections, Detective Sergeant."

"Thank you, Commander. That helps a great deal. All right, let's begin, shall we?

"According to witness reports, an altercation began at the Peaceful Shores Motel on 223 West Alder Drive within unit 216 at approximately 2:14 am this morning. Witnesses report sounds of fighting and yelling, then screams from both a man and a woman. Then a shout from several men, described as a cheer or an exultation. Most of the men wore what was described as priest regalia. Do you know anything about that? No? All right. They were seen by several witnesses dragging a naked woman in restraints down the stairs between them. The woman might have been either unconscious or weeping. Accounts vary. The men entered a white panel van with their prisoner and drove off. Police were called at 2:18 am, and the first unit arrived on scene at 2:20 am."