Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

Terra grinned and scooted out.

"What are those things, Calia?" Janetta asked as she rinsed off her knife and washed her hands.

"Marshmallows, Captain. Terra and the girls helped make them. We have vanilla, lemon, and orange flavored. They are pretty good by themselves, but they are also good with hot chocolate or when warmed on a stick over an open fire."

Cholan got up and hovered. "They look like something I had when I was very little. May I?"

Calia grinned. "Take your pick. The white ones are vanilla, the orange ones are orange, and the pale green ones are lemon. I tried yellow for the lemon, but it was too close to white to really tell the difference."

Zinja took two, handing one over to Janetta. The mechanic bit down gingerly, puzzling over its texture. After washing her hands, Janetta popped it into her mouth. She rapidly chewed and swallowed. Then shrugged. "Mushy flavored sugar. Great for kids, but not really my thing."

Calia got a smug look on her face. "I thought you might say that, so I made you something special."

Janetta stood up, looking surprised. "You did?"

"One moment, please." Calia returned to the pantry, shifted something around, then returned with another albeit smaller storage bin. Popping off the top, she presented it to Janetta.

My lover's eyes widened and she suddenly inhaled. "That... that smells like metl juice." Then she peered down, taking out a round ball that appeared to be chocolate. Nibbled carefully. Then her face lit up. "Gods of North and South, it's like chocolate and metl juice together. It's sort of weird, but... oh, that's really good. Mmm!"

The rest of the treat was happily devoured, and she even licked her fingers. "You... you really made these for me?"

Calia smiled, nodding.

"Thank you," Janetta said quietly. "That was really nice. I don't... well, thank you. Zinja, bring those for me, will you?"

Zinja took the chocolate treats and waited. Janetta carried the snake, and they trooped out. Calia retrieved some long wooden sticks for roasting marshmallows. I picked up the containers of sweet gelatin goodies and followed. Ixma carried Mina, and Quico helped Salvia up the stairs. Behind us came Sowitwee, his arm protectively around the very round Nariya. Right behind them were his two sisters and his father.

It was crowded on the deck, and some chairs for those needing to sit were placed. Zinja stirred the coals and Janetta set the snake on the grill. Calia brought up napkins and glasses. When she headed right back out, I followed her down. I grabbed the large serving plate and some forks. Calia retrieved a pitcher of lemonade. The second trip I carried three six-packs of bottled water and my friend carried up the trash bin and a bag for the recyclables.

The day was slowly easing toward dusk, but being more than a week till the solstice, the light was still strong enough to easily see by. From the deck, I could see and distantly hear some of our neighbors out in their small bit of backyard, relaxing in lounge chairs. The sounds of a few kids playing.

At one end of the grill, Ixma, Mina, and Sisi held their marshmallows over the heat, with Ixma blowing on Mina's to make sure she didn't burn herself. Already my youngest had some of the gooey treat on her cheeks, focused on gobbling it down. Terra squeezed in, holding four more of the plump balls to heat and turn brown.

When the snake was done, it was lifted off the grill, cut into pieces and laid out. The spine easily came out and went into the bin. Several of us had some bites. Most of the excitement, however was about roasting the marshmallows. The girls, Ixma, and Cholan had several. Terra cooked four or five at a time, taking one back to her sister and herself as well as to Leetsi and Ramilla. Sowitwee took a few turns and he and Nariya seemed to enjoy them as well. Calia made sure a few cooked ones made to Quico and Cooma.

During the whole evening on the deck, Janetta had been in very good spirits, and it everyone seemed to have a good time.

Soon enough, most of the marshmallow treats were gone, the snake eaten, and the fire was put out. We wandered back inside. Terra and Calia started cleaning up while Quico helped Salvia back downstairs. When I lent a hand, Cooma started helping, too. The fire was put out and covered. The girls, both a little sticky, were taken to get cleaned up and dressed for bed.

Once the girls were ready, I read them a short story, which they enjoyed, and then they settled down for the night. A still slightly sore Ixma laid down with them.

Seeing her discomfiture, I looked on Ixma's dresser and found a jar of liniment. I had her remove her nightshirt, and I rubbed it in to her back, from shoulder blades to the tops of her rear. Sisi and Mina found the whole process fascinating, and Sisi begged a turn. Being mindful not to be too rough, I dabbed a little on and rubbed it in. Mina, despite Sisi telling her it felt nice, shook her head. I helped Ixma put her nightshirt back on, and she gave me several slow and sultry kisses.

"When my bruises are gone, I intend to show you how much I love you," she breathed.

"I'd like that," I told her. Sisi and Mina got another kiss to their cheeks and turning off the light, I left.

Stopping by the bathroom, I washed off the liniment, then opened my laptop. Back in the bedroom, I checked my email. The emergency medical visa had been approved, with the provision that I adhere to a strict flight path, and included three guest passengers as observers. Scanning the map provided, with the included stops and return times, it somewhat matched my own estimates. The general had signed off on the guest passes for one state official from the Seven Nations, a man; one media specialist, a woman; and one semi-official guard, a man -- oh. Detective Sergeant Crazy Wolf. This should be interesting.

Satisfied with the itinerary and amused by the turn of events, I added the documents to the flight plan and signed off on it, sending copies to the general, C&C, the Flight Control Officer, and to Janetta as my co-pilot. I printed up the information from the Seven Nations to take with us. Our departure time was to be zero-seven hundred hours.

I scanned through the messages and found a couple from Emilo, both Captains Makhelchel, and the attending physician at the Hoopa Valley Hospital in the town of Kaleka. The latter I skimmed before forwarding the medical summaries to Dr Jehantli.

I responded to the Ground Service officers who were providing transportation from Kaleka to Raydam, and the escort that would accompany them on the commercial flight to Sugarland. Copies of the orders from General Rikoletsi requesting passenger transport from Defiant War Base to the civilian airport. A note from Emilo detailing the names of all those going. These matched what Captain Makhelchel had already forwarded to the general and were listed on the medical visa. Writing quick responses to each of them, I acknowledged the information and looked forward to seeing everyone the next day at Sugarland.

Satisfied and pleased with how quickly it all came together, I closed up my laptop and went downstairs.

Sowitwee and his family were in the front room watching a ball court game. Quico checked in, and did a perimeter check outside. Over the past few weeks, Calia had set up a small table and chair in the gym for the women needing to fill their milk bottles. A shelf in the refrigerator was set aside to keep the milk stored. Cooma set up her kit, waiting only for Quico to return before taking her break.

Salvia was doing better, though because her appendix had actually burst, she was continuing her course of anti-biotics, and her temperature taken twice daily for watch for infections. She'd had a fever that morning, but it had broken by lunch time. Still a little weak, Calia informed me that Salvia was going to help with folding laundry the next day, and the after-school education lessons with the girls would resume.

"The corporal told me about the request from the women," Calia told me while drying her hands on a towel. "Since we still have the danger, I thought we could get some chairs, a white board, and projector so the women could come here. I could teach them once a week in the gym. With the door closed, they wouldn't disturb the rest of the house, and when they depart, they could exit out through the garage."

"I gave them permission," I said. "They can come and go through the front door."

"Master, the time available is in the early evening after dinner. I'm planning on a two hour class, which will likely be during your story time. If we use the doors through the garage, we won't be interrupting your time with your daughters."

I smiled and pulled her in for a hug. "All right. This isn't going to be too much for you, with all your other commitments, is it?"

"No. Much of the things I'll re-use from my own studies. Interestingly, both of Sowitwee's sisters and Nariya have expressed an interest in attending as well."

"You're the teacher. You let in whoever you want. The treats were wonderful. The girls loved it, and I think it was a hit with everyone else, too."

I asked her a few more questions, and asked her to provide a blurb about the class to me in an email. Then I held her for a few minutes, just enjoying touching her. Calia snuggled against me. I let her know that I'd given Ixma and Sisi a massage with the liniment, and she chuckled.

"I bet they both loved that."

Cholan had helped Calia and Terra with kitchen clean-up. As they finished up, I said, "If you have more liniment, I'd be happy to give you and Cholan one, too. Janetta and Zinja are in the living room talking. I'm sure I could persuade them as well."

"That's a sucker's bet," Calia answered. "Give me a minute, and I'll get some more from downstairs."

When she returned, Calia handed me a jar and then insisted that she do Cholan, as she needed a deep massage to help with the bruised areas. Cushions were put on the floor, and she went to work.

Not really having room, I worked first on Zinja's feet -- I had her moaning in no time -- and once she was done, I set to work on Janetta.

As it was getting late, Janetta and Zinja retired upstairs with Cholan while I worked over Calia. After I was done, she sat up and leaned her back against me, and we sat there for a bit. A few kisses, and she put her blouse back on, saying she would make sure Sowitwee knew where the bedding for her sisters were. Apparently they were spending the night in the front room.

I headed upstairs and prepped for bed. Cholan, Janetta, and Zinja were already in bed. I offered to rub Zinja's back, but she said it was late. Janetta had the same response.

"Just because it's late doesn't mean we don't want them, Kandikan. I know I will probably want mine tomorrow after we get home."

"Deal," I told her.

Climbing into bed, I snuggled up with Janetta, and Cholan curled up behind me.

"Kandikan," Janetta growled. "I feel you poking me in the ass. I'm letting you know my pussy is in the shop for repairs."

"Janetta, you are the most beautiful woman in the entire world. Sometime all it takes to make me hard is to see you. You think I care about that? Say the word and I will poke you and any repairs till you see stars."

"It's a good thing I love you, you pervert." Even as she grumbled that out, she clasped my hand and held it against her belly, giving a contented sigh.

All in all, it had been a great evening. Tomorrow would likely be a long day, but I looked forward to the dawn.

* * * * *

Part 18 -- Medical Mission

* * * * *

My alarm went off at zero-five hundred. A breath to clear the sleep. Then I carefully got out of bed. Cholan half woke, mumbled something, then latched onto my pillow, burying her face into it.

A shave, then a quick shower. I heard both Janetta and Zinja getting up and making their way into the bathroom. When I was done, I leaned out of the shower and asked, "Do you want me to leave the water on?"

Janetta, who was just finishing her business, said, "Please." As I stepped out, she said, "Doesn't that thing ever go down?"

I grinned as I toweled off. "You are so beautiful, Janetta. I knew you were out here waiting for me. Think of it as me giving you my morning greeting."

"Maybe I should make you do Zinja. You haven't greeted her for a few days."

Zinja turned around at the sink. "What did you call it, Captain? I'm under repairs, too."

Janetta flushed, then scooted by me into the shower. "Guess you're out of luck, Kandikan."

"Ladies," I said, chuckling. "I'm more than happy to check the pipes. Just say the word."

"We don't have time," Janetta said. "Get dressed or go bother someone else."

Zinja stiffened as she watched me approach her. She rinsed her mouth of toothpaste and stood up as my arms went around her.

"You understand, Zinja, that you are beautiful, too, don't you? Look at the woman in the mirror." I kissed across her shoulders. "I love you, Zinja Ba'lanchicotl. It may not feel good, but what happens in your body does not diminish my feelings for you. You are amazing. You are a wonderful lover, a true friend, a great mother, and a kick-ass mechanic. Like I told you before, I have no trouble getting hard for you, Farm Girl."

A gentle squeeze to both her butt cheeks, then I left to get dressed.

I didn't have a flight suit, so I dressed in a Class B uniform. I grabbed my flight jacket, though, and made sure I had my aviation glasses. Slipped my laptop into my satchel with the printouts for the flight. Light stunner, cuffs, zip-ties, keys, lanyard, phone. Checked both weapons. Safeties on, full magazines, three spare clips on each rig. A kiss to the sleepy Cholan.

I was almost to the door when Janetta and Zinja entered the room in all their glory. "Very nice," I said with a grin. "Now that I've seen perfection, I am content."

"Kiss my ass, Kandikan," Janetta growled.

"Which one?" I immediately offered. "Or should I do both."

While she gave me a baleful look, Zinja snickered. At Janetta's glare, she said, "Well, you did sort of walk right into that one, Captain. He's kissed your very fine ass before. If you like, I'll kiss it, too."

Janetta scowled.

Seeing the lay of the land, I blew a kiss and closed the door behind me. A glance outside the window. The weather report for the whole trip was for clear skies, with some strong headwinds at the upper elevations. We'd eat more fuel on the trip out, but should use less on the return flight.

Downstairs, I passed the sleeping sisters on their air mattress on the floor by the couch. In the kitchen, Calia was already there, hovering over chopped potatoes and carrots cooking in the large skillet. Another pan was full of bacon.

"What are you doing up? You were still awake when I went to bed last night. You better not be overdoing it." Then I paused. "You didn't have one of those foretelling dreams, did you?"

"No," she said, giving me a tired smile. At least not directly." She moved to me and I gave her a lingering hug. "I think Nariya's son is planning to make his appearance today."

I kissed her, then looked at her. "No problems expected?"

"Goodness, no. The accu-pressure got the baby turned so he's at least facing the right way now. But having a baby is hard work. That's why they call it labor, Ranji. It's also the most dangerous event. Human children have heads that are too large for an easy birth, and some grow too large for a natural birth and need surgery to live. Nariya may or may not have had her child by the time you return. Nariya's mother died some years back, so she wasn't able to answer some of the family history questions I had. It'll take as long as it takes.

"I've already called the school telling them your girls won't be in today. Even with guards, I won't send them to school alone. Beside, Mina would not like it. She knows me and she's not sold yet on her teacher. She does take awhile to warm up to strangers."

"That's a fact."

"What happened between you and her wasn't your fault. And within a week or so, she started warming back up to you."

"She's had a few knocks in her young life. I'm not complaining."

Calia said, "Again, you show me why I love you."

The two troopers came in from the front room. I didn't recognize either of them by name, but I had seen them around Air Security. Corporal Brantoz and Private Yunam.

"Corporal?"

"Sir?"

"Last night Trooper Quico did a perimeter check outside by himself. I want those checks done at shift change. If you have reason to do it at other times, the orders are to notify Dispatch first. No solo checks, and no checks without back up immediately present. Tchanoonka's Rule: partners are supposed to keep each other within sight or sound."

Startled, he nodded. "Yes, sir. I'll be sure and pass it along, Commander."

The cahault-maker beeped, so Calia detached herself and poured me a cup, then poured a cup for each of the troopers.

"Mack and Akama have the day off?" I asked.

"No, Commander. They'll be here soon to drive you to the airfield. They're part of your escort during the flight."

"Huh." I pondered that as I grabbed my usual seat at the table.

Calia asked, "How many eggs do you want this morning?"

"Three will be fine."

Corporal Brantoz moved to my line of sight. "Excuse me, sir?"

"Yes?"

"You're really a pilot, too?"

"Transports only. As much as I would have wished it otherwise, I don't have the reflexes. Lady Tlacotli, however, is the best combat pilot in all the Empire."

Just then, Janetta and Zinja came around the corner. Janetta sat down while Zinja got her a cup of cahault and placed it before her, then got one for herself.

"The commander is rather modest," Janetta said. "He has survived being shot down by missiles and walked... well, he survived anyway. He dodged a draconian starship that tried to shoot him down and escaped. He also either piloted or co-piloted two damaged Condors, bringing both safely to the ground."

"You piloted the second one," I countered.

"After you showed me where half the controls were. With you there, I didn't have to go looking for them." Janetta sipped her cahault, then put her free hand briefly on Zinja's and squeezed. The Oexecan woman's face lit up, pleased at the acknowledgment.

"How many eggs for you two?" Calia called out.

"Two," they both said.

"Corporal? Private?"

At their surprise, Janetta laughed. "Go ahead. Your officer likes to make sure that duty guarding him isn't to onerous. He also likes to feed anyone who's here at meal times."

Both the men opted for three eggs as well. There was the sound of several egg shells cracking followed by the sound of oil bubbling.

Terra came out, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry I'm late, Calia. What can I do to help?"

"You're fine, Terra. This is earlier than normal for you. Cut up the pan bread and get out the various jams from the refrigerator."

She washed and dried her hands, then set to her tasks. Watching her briefly, I was pleased with her attention to cleanliness.

Terra set out silverware and napkins, retrieved the jars of jam and set them onto the table, then worked to cut up the hot pan bread.

Calia pulled out my eggs, added them to the bacon and diced carrots and potatoes. Then in rapid succession, she filled the plates for the others. Terra went around, dishing out hot, buttered pan bread.

A bleary-eyed Sowitwee came out wearing his sleep wear.

"Food, Wit?" Calia asked.

"No, thanks. Just some cahault right now." He grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled the cup, then sat down.

Calia dished up food for Terra and made her sit down and eat. As she cooked her own meal, she asked Sowitwee, "Rough night?"