Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

Seven hells, all three hot, all three cold, and the one in between. This is what I had feared. But to hear it was to endure my worry for her safety anew.

The sergeant opened the folder, flipping through several pages of reports and pulled out a head shot. It was Stimmi. He was lying on the bed, his glazed eyes partially open, his mouth frozen mid-scream.

Crazy Wolf resumed speaking. "Items found on scene indicate that this is Sergeant Stimmi Parletl, Imperial Air Service, assigned to the 602 Air Security Regiment. You are the commanding officer of that regiment. Can you confirm this your man, Commander?"

I closed my eyes briefly. "Yes, that's Sergeant Stimmi Parletl. I also want you to know that he was a good man and a good cop. Look, Detective Sergeant, I'd be grateful for any information you wish to share with us. Many of us are also greatly concerned about the woman who was taken. Her name is Sublieutenant Yalcamara Tchanoonka, and she is a Deputy Shift Commander in my regiment."

"They were intimate?"

"Yes, though I hardly see how that's pertinent," I answered. "It merely explains why they were together. They came into my command as partners. Their being lovers never interfered with their professionalism. They were a good team, and they worked well together. If anything, I was happy for them."

"We've identified the men at the scene as priests of Mictlantecuhtli, the Nahua god of death and the underworld. The presence of priests implies this wasn't just a murder but a human sacrifice, Commander. We don't allow that sort of atrocity here in the Seven Nations! I assure you, our press will have a field day at your expense if there are more of these religious killings."

"They're not religious, I assure you. The priests were probably along because they like killing. This was political, Detective Sergeant."

"Huh." He sat back in his chair, looking thoughtful.

I looked at my watch, then I leaned forward, trying my best to convey both sincerity and urgency. "They already have six hours head start. What can I do to convince you that her life is in imminent danger, and that the longer we wait, the greater the chance she will die, too? Detective Sergeant, Yalcamara isn't just my subordinate, she's my friend. If there's anything at all we can do to help rescue her, just tell me. If you need manpower to help search, I can get two hundred trained troopers here inside two hours, and by my orders, they will follow whatever rules and direction you require."

The detective sergeant sat back in his chair, his eyes measuring me. "I'll make you a deal, Commander. I have an open case from last year. Another motel. The bodies of two humans and we think one alien, possibly draconian. The third body was, to put it bluntly, an organic mess. We have no idea who the two men are, but we identified the blood from the bathroom as that of Doyya Lovyanchiti, Imperial Air Service, whom I'm told was recently promoted to captain and is currently your second in command. Both the murdered man and the missing woman work for her. The blood from the bed is that of a female Atlantean, possibly Atlantean-Aesir mix, identity unknown. Coincidence? Don't believe in them. I tell you, Commander, more than coincidences, I hate open cases, and this has been on my desk for a year now. Open cases, they twist up my stomach and leave it in knots, and I become very cranky."

His partner nodded solemnly, and actually said with a straight face, "No one gets crankier than him about open cases."

I sighed. "Fair enough. I'll share what I can."

"Talk to me then. You tell what you know, and if I'm satisfied, I'll share what I can with you. What happened last year, at 7:20 pm, on the third day of Big Winds Moon?"

"Captain Lovyanchiti was providing protection detail for the woman in question. She was leaving both High Guard and the Seven Nations. The captain said they were resting when two men and the draconian broke into the room and immediately started firing their weapons. Apparently the draconian was in disguise, appearing as a human, and using standard weapons. They were a hit team, attempting to assassinate the Atlantean woman. The Atlantean woman identified them as members of Imperial Security."

Both detectives blinked at that admission.

I continued. "The women killed all three assailants. However, both of them were wounded in the firefight, and for security reasons, fled the scene. Captain Lovyanchiti was seriously wounded and soon passed out while the Atlantean woman drove them away. The captain was given a Nu-skin patch and dropped off at an empty warehouse while the other woman continued on alone. I've heard nothing further on her whereabouts, or even whether she's still alive. I hope so. She was a good friend. The warehouse in question was located at 1520 Potawatomie Street. My team and I were only there the one time. Satellite tracking revealed the captain's location."

"Your team?"

"Two Air Security were with me when we recovered Captain Lovyanchiti. The two Air Security troopers who accompanied me were Sergeant Stimmi Parletl and Lieutenant Yalcamara Tchanoonka. At the time, he was a private and she was a sergeant."

"Another remarkable coincidence, Commander," the older man observed. "What is the name of the second woman, Commander?"

"That will have to remain a mystery, Sergeant. Her identity is classified."

"One of your spies, perhaps? I don't understand that, I really don't. How could an Atlantean work for you people? That would make her a traitor to her own people! And you? You are full-blooded Vedan according to our records. Yet you wear the uniform of the Empire of Chimorro. Commander, how do you feel about betraying your own people, the Vedans?"

Sowitwee stiffened behind me, snarling out, "Do not insult my officer!"

I held up my hand, and he stopped moving. Either this detective sergeant was an idiot or he was trying to get me to lose my temper.

"You are pretty loose with your accusations about who is and who isn't a traitor. You assume birth determines loyalty, which is a particularly simplistic and ignorant assumption. I am an Imperial citizen, Detective Sergeant. I am also a warrior officer in the service of the Emperor. I wear the uniform of the Air Service, and I have freely given my oath to defend the Empire from all her enemies, whatever their nation, creed, or under what flag they fight, even if such defense require the cost of my own life. Likewise, we accord respect to those who are on friendly terms with the Empire of Chimorro. Like the Seven Nations. If you continue to insult me I will consider this interview over, and I will file a protest with your government over your baseless and inflammatory accusations."

Shifting in his chair, he glanced at his partner speculatively. "There was a lot of weird things going on about that same time. All those bodies from your war base, dozens of them ending up on our beaches, Commander. Mostly women and children. And then all those women visiting family health clinics for abortions. Aren't abortions illegal in the Empire, Commander?"

"Your point, Detective Sergeant?"

"You mentioned satellite tracking. Oh, yes. I heard that you chip your people and keep track of them, like a farmer does to his livestock. Are you and your men chipped, Commander?"

"I say again, do you have a point, Sergeant?"

"We already know about those tracking chips. Whenever Imperial citizens die within the Seven Nations, we look for that chip. It helps us confirm their identity. Yet Sergeant Parletl did not have any such chip on him. Our pathologist looked for it and it wasn't there."

Civilians were chipped, too? Oh. The vaccinations. Of course. A tracking chip given to anyone leaving the Empire. Almost as interesting as the fact that the Seven Nations had cracked the code on the chips.

I looked at the detective. "That's correct. On my orders, Stimmi had his chip removed. As did Yalcamara Tchanoonka."

He scowled. "So what were those two women doing at that motel room, Commander?"

"As I already explained, they were resting," I replied. "The Atlantean woman had been awake for days and was exhausted. Captain Lovyanchiti was there solely to provide protection."

"What were their plans?"

"Again, I already provided that information. Once the Atlantean woman was sufficiently rested, her plans were to leave the Seven Nations as discreetly as possible. The fact that an attempt was made on her life shows that having Captain Lovyanchiti there as protection was justified. The whole incident was instigated by agents hostile to the Empire, and I daresay, hostile to the Seven Nations as well. Those men attacked the women with murderous intent, and the women simply defended themselves. End of story."

"Hostile to the Seven Nations? Why would you say that?"

"Because I don't believe it's your policy to murder foreign nationals out of hand. Like the Empire, you have a legal system for handling someone who breaks the law." Then I smiled at the sergeant and his partner.

"This isn't a game, Commander! People are dead!"

Dropping the smile, I leaned forward. "On that point we quite agree. Stimmi was a sergeant in my command. He was both a trusted and valued member of my team. His direct superior, also highly valued, is now missing and presumed to be in mortal danger. When my people are threatened or killed, I assure you, I take that very seriously. Do you have any leads on her whereabouts or not?"

"What do you intend to do if you find them?"

"My priority is to rescue my officer and see that she is afforded the best medical care available. If you want the murderers, I will acknowledge your authority here. However, I will gladly take them off your hands if that would help. I make no promises if during the rescue whether some or all are killed, The safety of my people comes first. Now is she still within the Seven Nations?"

Leaning back in his chair, his hostility dropped considerably. "No. Our computer specialists went to work right away. Through traffic cameras, we tracked the van to the airport. All nine passengers boarded a chartered aircraft to Tellemgu, and after refueling, proceeded on to Boganaway, which you Imperials like to call Sugarland. The Sayandok authorities report the suspects and your officer deplaned and almost immediately boarded a diplomatic aircraft. They departed the Seven Nations about four hours ago, presumably for Imperial territory. From what we could see on the video, she appeared either unconscious or drugged. They didn't even try to hide her presence."

She was back in the Empire? I slumped. All my hopes for Yalcamara vanished.

"I take it that's not good news?"

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

Sadness seemed to wash over me like a wave. "If she's back within the Empire, I probably can't save her, and I'd endure much to make it otherwise. If you would be so kind as to provide any additional information about the case, it would be greatly appreciated."

Crazy Wolf stared at me, like he was pondering things.

"Look, we're both cops," I said. "My predecessor was a bad cop. As dirty as they come. Didn't you get anything good from the information we sent you three months ago? About the slavers and the kidnapping rings?"

They glanced at each other, then the detective sergeant said, "Actually, it was remarkably helpful. Three long-time criminal leaders were taken down. Dozens were arrested, and two major cartels were seriously impacted for the worse."

"It was very big news," his partner confirmed. "And a very good day for us."

"I've been as cooperative as I'm able to be about the incident from last year. Stimmi and Yalcamara were good cops. They were proud of what they did. They caught bad guys and helped protect those who couldn't protect themselves. You deal with what's in your jurisdiction. You already know that the men who did this are long gone. Share what you have with me, and maybe I can track down the bastards and get some justice for my people."

"You assume she's dead, then?"

I glared at him. "The alternative is not something I would wish on anyone. They will not let her die easy."

"These are your people. This must really gall you."

"Yes, of course it does! At this time, I have no interest in pursuing any leads that point to the Seven Nations, and if that changes, you have my word that I will tell you so. My interest is solely on those within the Empire who did this. Those that I can bring to justice, I will do so. But letting good cops get killed with impunity sets a bad precedent. A very bad precedent."

The detective sergeant looked at me. A glance at his partner, before he said, "Give us a few minutes, Commander. We need to discuss things."

Sitting back in my chair, I nodded. "Sure. Take your time."

After they left, I realized they'd left the folder with their reports. I didn't have my laptop, but I did have my tablet. At a glance from me, Sowitwee went to the door and listened for their return. Opening the folder, I activated the camera and rapidly began taking pictures. There were several photos of the murder scene. Stimmi's blood everywhere on the bed. The great gaping hole where his heart had been. I found the ones of the van, and what shots they had of the assailants. The two men in plain clothes wore masks, but the priests had openly worn their regalia. There were some good shots of their arrival and departure, Stimmi's blood on some of them. I focused on getting pictures of the men. In their arrogance, they hadn't bothered to hide from any cameras.

The priests might outrank the warrior caste, but I vowed that they were going to learn that attacking members of the warrior caste had consequences. They would pay blood for blood, and if I had anything to do with it, payback would be a nasty bitch.

I worked as quickly as I could, then put the folder back into place on the table. Powering down my tablet, I secured it back inside my vest. Sowitwee carefully resumed his previous position behind me, this time standing at attention. I had no doubt that Detective Sergeant Crazy Wolf and his partner had watched everything from the observation room, and had clandestinely given me as much help as he could.

Within moments of the folder being put back, the two detectives returned.

"Sorry, Commander. I must inform you that this murder investigation is the sole jurisdiction of the Seven Nations. If you have any more information for us, we ask that you please share it with us. In the meantime, this remains an open homicide investigation, and any interference from you or other agents of the Empire will not be tolerated."

Rising to my feet, I nodded. "I understand. If we don't respect the sovereign rights of other nations, then how can we expect them to respect ours? I will share with you whatever I can. In return, if you find out anything further, anything at all, please let me know." Pulling out my wallet, I handed both of them my card with my name and contact information.

The detective sergeant gave me his own card. He offered his hand, and we shook. As they led us back to the main precinct offices where my escort waited, the detective sergeant received a phone call as we walked.

"Crazy Wolf here. Oh? I'm sure they will appreciate the news. Thank you for working so fast. Bye."

We reached his desk, and he put the folder into a drawer in his desk and locked it. "That was the Medical Examiner's Office, Commander. As a courtesy to you and your government, they have finished with their examination of your man's body and are ready to release it into your custody."

"That's very generous of you. Thank you."

"A pair of our uniforms will escort you to the morgue and see that you get safely back to your war base."

With that, we left.

When we stepped outside, it was grey and drizzily, but within moments it began to rain harder. Like spring rains in many places, it came down in sheets of water for several minutes, then settled into a consistent drenching of the landscape. We followed the Capisco cruiser to another public service building a few blocks away.

And, with due ceremony, we collected the body bag holding our fallen warrior. Room had been prepared inside the second M-type ChoCac, and his body was carefully and reverently placed in the space allocated.

After loading up into our vehicles, we turned around and drove back to the base.

Sowitwee looked at me intently.

"Not here, Sergeant. Later, when we're in private," I said. "I promise you that I will do my best to get whoever did this, Wit."

"Commander, with all due respect, sir, we're hurting, too. Let us help."

Sergeant Yelts, my driver, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. Corporal Cooma, half-turned in the front seat. "Stimmi was well liked. Llam nuqan, Commander. For the honor of the 602, let us help you get the bad guys."

I remembered that day outside the Dependent's Office, when the Guard sergeant thanked Commander Orchid for allowing him to help take the child slavers down. "It was the reason why he'd joined the service," he'd said to her.

Giving her a tired smile, I said, "Point taken. I will discuss this with your officers. We'll figure something out."

* * * * *

Part 4 -- Aftermath

* * * * *

We took Stimmi's body to the morgue. While four vied for the honor to be his litter bearer, and I ended up choosing Sowitwee, Yelts, and two other sergeants. The rest of us marched as his escort. Once inside the morgue, I had them open the body bag to personally verify it was him. With that grisly detail confirmed, I signed the paperwork to have him cremated after our own people did their own verifications. Then we saluted our fallen brother warrior, calling out "Air Service" for him three times.

Afterward, the heavy weapons units returned to the motor pool, while the second cruiser checked in before going out on its assigned patrol.

Outside, the sky continued pouring water everywhere. Drains struggled to take away the deluge. People hurried about or hid under the eaves, some looking in desperation for a break before obligations forced them to dash away regardless.

Lieutenant Laroks from CID was waiting for me in my office when I returned to my office. I handed Sowitwee my tablet, and he went to his desk next to that of my admin to extract the files. "Send me the digital files. I want a hard copy, too, Wit."

"Yes, sir."

I unlocked and opened my office door. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?"

"I have the initial report from our search of the living quarters of Lieutenant Tchanoonka and Sergeant Stimmi, sir."

"All right, go in and have a seat." I turned to my admin. "Sergeant Hanami, has Shift Commander Fortri returned from the school, yet?"

My admin pushed her wire-frames up her nose before speaking. "No, sir. He and Lieutenant Raltikon were here a little bit ago to update their boards. They're at the Commissary Diner if you need to speak with them. They said they expected to return to the school and be there for the remainder of the shift today."

"Jay didn't go off duty?"

"No, Commander."

"Thank you." Closing the door, I motioned for him to have a seat. "Please, proceed with your report."

He laid his tablet on my desk, briefly checking his notes first. "A quick scan by the IT Forensics team examining both their personal computers revealed three days ago they received some promotional material indicating they had won a free two-day stay at the Peaceful Shores Motel. Included in the package was a free spa visit as well as a discounted dinner at an upscale restaurant the following evening. His browser history shows that he checked out reviews of the restaurant. According to the rating system he looked at, it has a good reputation.