Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

"We checked with the various businesses indicated on our own. The spa and restaurant confirm there had indeed been reservations, but they were cancelled early this morning, minus a small processing fee. The motel confirmed the second day was cancelled and an attempt was made to collect a refund on the unused portion of the stay. As of this morning, the motel has refused to refund the balance."

"Parsimonious bastards." I sat back in my chair. "So they were lured there. Anything else?"

"There are a few more things, which I'll leave at your discretion, Commander."

"At my discretion?" I scowled at him. "I expect everyone in this regiment to do their duty according to regulations, Lieutenant."

He winced. "I meant no disrespect, Commander. It's just that this information might be less than favorable to them -- and to others -- were it to become common knowledge, and has no bearing on the case itself."

"Explain yourself, Lieutenant Laroks."

"It's easier to show you, sir." He pulled a document out of a binder and slid it across my desk. It was a marriage certificate, dated a week ago. The two witnesses were listed as Doyya Lovyanchiti and Chita Wanwari. It sure looked like their signatures, too.

Women in the military aren't allowed to be married. Laroks was correct. If this got out and became an official part of their record, it would tarnish Yalcamara's reputation, with a sanction for Conduct Unbecoming an Officer, ending her career on a bad note. Worse, it could lead to JAG inquires for both Doyya and Chita for not only not reporting it, but also for participating. A court martial would probably result in official reprimands with possible reductions in rank.

I unlocked my secure drawer and put the certificate inside. "Thank you. I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I jumped on you, and you didn't deserve it. And you're right. This has no bearing on the case. I assume this is the same place they stayed at during their previous outing?"

"For privacy's sake, I looked into the time period in question. It was the same place. So it's true he's been murdered?"

"We just returned from dropping his body off at the morgue. Officially, the Capisco Police say the homicide is their business, and if they find out anything or catch anyone, they'll let us know. Unofficially, they shared what they had, which was a lot. Based on what you just told me, it's clear they were lured into town by the offers, and no doubt being newlyweds, they jumped at the chance for some shared pampering. You know better than I do how bad it got here. Gods know they deserved it. Both of them have worked like dogs since I took over here. Seven hells, they probably even thought some of us had paid for it.

"Here's what we know so far. At least nine men broke in while they were sleeping, killed him, took his heart, and kidnapped her. Then they immediately drove to the airport, got onto a transport, flew across the Seven Nations with one stop to refuel, and transferred to a diplomatic transport at Sugarland. Within three hours, they were out of the country, headed for somewhere in the Empire. The use of the diplomatic transport means someone with power did this. The changes we've made here and have begun elsewhere have no doubt angered those invested in continuing their criminal activities. I have no hope that we can save her. And while it may sound cruel, I actually hope her end is quick. The alternative does not bear thinking about."

If Marvak Prison, the Sixth Hell, was anything like my time at Sparantzlo -- well, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Laroks nodded grimly. "Your predecessor used to brag about his relationship with the Minister of Imperial Security. It's a damn shame, Commander. I didn't know her well, but by all accounts, both of them were first rate security troopers."

"Sergeant Sowitwee is making copies of the reports and photos provided by the Capisco Police Department. You should add that to the case file you've started, but mark the case as Restricted. I'm keeping a separate copy with me. Would you be so good as to find out where that diplomatic shuttle went? The Capisco Police have the departure time and the aircraft's registry number in their records. Lieutenant, be sure you affix my name to any inquiries, not your own."

Putting away his tablet, he stood, preparing to leave. "Yes, sir. I'll let you know what I find out, Commander."

"You implied there was something else, Lieutenant."

"Oh! Yes, there was." He looked apologetic. "I found this among their personal effects. It's also not relevant to this investigation, but it does need to be addressed soon."

He took out a sealed envelope from his folder and handed it over. The letter was addressed to me. It was also already opened. I couldn't find fault with that, since at the time I'd already heard that Stimmi was dead. Inside the envelope was another envelope, still sealed and showing a stamp from the Air Service JAG Office. Outside the second envelope was the phrase Final Disposition.

A will. Considering what I'd just learned about their personal lives, likely a joint one.

Breaking the seal and opening it up, I scanned through it. I was named sole executor of whatever possessions they owned. A few described items to go to friends. A note that neither one of them had any close surviving family. A safety deposit box at Finance. A few other miscellaneous items.

As he was the lead investigator, I let Laroks look it over. He read through it and handed it back to me, saying nothing.

"I appreciate your discretion with Lieutenant Tchanoonka's record. Remember, Lieutenant, your report and your investigation are Restricted. You, me, your CO, and any Shift Commander only. If anyone else requests access, you are to notify me before releasing that information. Am I clear? Also, if you have any questions or if any additional information becomes available, we update each other in person."

"Yes, sir. You seem to know who took her, Commander."

"Though I have no proof at this point in time, I believe this operation was sanctioned by Minister Supay. Anything else?"

"No, sir." His face troubled, he saluted and departed.

Taking a breath, I called home.

Someone picked up on the third ring. "Hello, Ranji."

"Ixma? I thought you'd be at work."

"The Captain said I should stay here and help. Nariya is getting close to her delivery date, and shouldn't have a lot of emotional stress. Daydo hasn't returned yet, so I guess he must still be visiting his daughters. Terra and Salvia are doing their best to try and cheer everyone up. Terra tried to read aloud one of Mina's books to distract them. Sisi helped her read it, and she praised Terra for her efforts. She's just turning six and she's so smart!"

Her voice dropped lower, and she added, her voice hitching as she spoke. "Calia said Yalcamara's ghost was here. Calia said her eyes were gouged out and her heart cut out... just like Stimmi. Then... she said they both changed, looking good as new, dressed in fancy civilian clothing. Calia said it looked like a wedding dress, Ranji. They said they were sorry they won't be here to help in the days ahead. The way she described it, they held hands and just faded away. That was about four hours after you left this morning, somewhere around zero-seven-forty."

"I see. That... helps, actually. I was afraid for her life, but I was more afraid they would keep her and torture her. At least she isn't suffering now."

She sniffed before responding. "I didn't know them very well, Ranji, but I liked them both. They were always checking up on us while you were gone. I have the feeling Calia knew them better than I did. I think Calia's finally sleeping now. The girls are with me on the couch, taking an extra nap."

"They were really good people, Ixma. Fine warriors and good friends. How are my girls doing?"

"Sisi missed going to school and seeing her friends. Mina is getting used to school, but she was happy getting some extra time with me. They are sad for Calia, and they want to help her feel better." She took a moment to blow her nose. "We heard the school was closed. Cholan told us what Calia said before they left. Was it --?"

"Not over the phone, Ixma. I'll tell you when I get home tonight."

"I understand. All right, then. I love you, Ranji."

"I love you, too, Ixma. Tell Calia and my girls, I love them as well. Give them hugs from me. I'm not sure if I'll be home at my usual time, but I'll definitely be home for dinner."

"We'll miss you until you come home. Please be safe." Then she hung up.

I sighed. So Yalcamara was dead, too.

I should be working, but instead I wanted to destroy something. I'd missed my morning workout with Jay because of the bombs. Maybe a trip down to the shooting range.

There was a knock at the door.

I barked out, "Enter!"

Sowitwee came in, carrying a cooler. "You should eat something, Commander."

"Not hungry, Wit."

The food Chita had procured earlier was still in their boxes next to the cahault-maker. The sandwiches were still reasonably fresh.

He carried his load to the small table, setting it beside the cahault maker on the opposite side with the food containers. Opening the cooler, he lifted out two millet beers. Setting them both onto my desk, he said, "Permission to raise a toast to the honored dead, Commander?"

I got up and passed by him, glancing into the cooler. Looked like two dozen beers chilling in there. Opening up the door, I scanned the busy office. It was just noon, and I happened to see Doyya coming in almost two hours early. Her shift didn't start until fourteen hundred, yet here she was.

Doyya dropped her gear just inside her office and then headed directly to me and my office, her face full of questions and a riot of emotions. And she looked worn out.

I poked my head around the corner, to the office adjacent to mine. "Sergeant Chita, I need to see you in my office, please."

She looked at me, then to the three enlisted she was talking to, telling them, "We'll continue this later." Then as she started to rise, said, "I'll be right there, Commander."

My admin looked to me as well. My schedule had gone to the crapper this morning, and even with the rush to prepare for the inspection, she'd had the sense to not try and bother me with reports and sundry.

"Hanami, in my office, please. Bring your chair, too."

"Yes, sir."

I waited for Doyya to get closer, then standing aside, said, "In my office, Captain."

Chita and Hanami came in right after Doyya.

I closed the door, then went to my desk. Digging into my bottom left drawer I pulled out the jammer that Kestral had given me. "Pass out the beer, Sowitwee." I grabbed one of the beers and popped the cap off.

"First off, there are things I'm going to say, and they don't leave this room. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," came the echoes around the room.

Doyya was holding it together, but her hands shook. Chita directed her to a chair, then stood behind her, her hands rubbing her shoulders to comfort her.

"All right, some of you know I went to Capisco this morning to recover the body of Sergeant Stimmi Parletl. The morgue still has to do its own confirmations, but I saw his body, and yes, Stimmi is dead."

Then I summarized what I learned from Laroks and from the Capisco Police Department. When I described that Yalcamara had been taken back to the Empire by diplomatic transport, Doyya gasped.

I paused, then said, "I have reliable information that Yalcamara died sometime around seven-hundred-forty hours this morning."

Faces looked at me, still trying to absorb what I'd just told them. Doyya's second in command and friend was gone.

"How do you know, Commander?" Chita asked. Doyya's hand moved up to Chita's, and they clasped.

"My Personal Servant, Calia. She sees ghosts. Stimmi's ghost arrived at my house early this morning. That's why Sergeant Sowitwee began making inquiries about them both shortly after we arrived early this morning. While we were in Capisco, collecting Stimmi's body, Yalcamara's ghost showed up, and they departed together."

Hanami looked puzzled. "This Calia, your Personal Servant -- she's some sort of seer?"

"Yes," Sowitwee answered. "She's both a seer and a healer."

Hanami turned to me. "Do you believe she has abilities, Commander?"

"Calia's the one who warned us about the bombs at the school. We looked and found them, right where she described we would. If she tells me something, I'll verify it, but I will act on it, too. We need to deal in hard facts and evidence, but there's no escaping her abilities. She has been right about so many things -- things she could have had no way of knowing anything about."

Hanami looked around, then followed up. "Do we know why they were murdered?"

I tried my best not to look guilty. Not sure if I pulled it off. "I believe Sowitwee's father was falsely accused and convicted for selling counterfeit jewelry. I believe they did it to destroy his business and force him into indenture. Barring any other information, I believe they did it to his family solely out of greed, so they could have his skilled labor at a cheap cost.

"Last year, the company holding his contract fraudulently amended the debt, adding fees and interest charges they weren't entitled to without his signature. They didn't even bother because the men who did this didn't fear the court challenging them on it. What they did violated Imperial law. Each month they added more charges, again violating Imperial law. That was a big part of our trip to Copán. While there, we learned the workers in the office holding the contract were not Guildsmen but slaves, again violating Imperial law against unfair trade practices, using slaves to conduct financial transactions. I paid off the fraudulent contract, to clear the debt and free both Sowitwee and his father. Then I secured all the slaves and arrested the manager."

I frowned. "Most of the slaves told us a startling story, and several of those stories were confirmed as true by Captain Korreem, the Imperial Security chief stationed at Copán War Base. They or their family were approached to either sell out or take on a silent partner -- who would get a large share of the profits without any investment. Having refused, they were kidnapped, family members separated, and presumably sold into slavery like those we rescued. Based on their testimony, we learned nearly a dozen others falsely enslaved were at the home of their owners -- two brothers with strong criminal connections. These brothers have powerful allies in the state government, and one Imperial ally of infamous reputation.

"Lieutenant Tchanoonka and our contact there in Copán recommended I leave the situation as it was. Instead, I discussed it with her, and both she and Stimmi volunteered to lead the night raid to rescue the other falsely enslaved citizens. Note that all the slaves were controlled by a nano-bomb, injected into the host. Disobey, and they simply spoke the phrase, 'You are free' in Queschuan, and the bombs go off, blowing apart their heart. This is technology favored by one person in particular. Minister Supay."

Hanami gasped, paling, but remained where she was.

Looking across the room, I said, "Knowing what I know now, I don't know if it was worth losing Yalcamara and Stimmi."

Doyya, her face suddenly furious, blurted out, "Stop it!"

I blinked. "Stop what?"

"She told me what they did, Commander! Rescued another nine slaves and five children from unjust slavery. Those men broke the Emperor's laws! Yes, Yalcamara was initially cautious, and rightly so, but she and Stimmi were both proud of what they did. Proud! You reminded them of who we are, and what these uniforms we wear represent. They enforced the law and rescued civilians wrongfully enslaved. As you often remind us, sir, each of us took oaths to defend the Empire from all enemies, foreign and domestic, even if it cost us our lives to uphold that oath. That includes resisting powerful bastards who illegally enslave Imperial citizens and who murder our friends and fellow warriors."

I leaned back in my chair.

She chugged the rest of her beer and took a calming breath. "I want you to know that I really admire you, Commander. You have a strong sense of honor and justice, and you do your best to be fair and to protect others. I still have that blood-stained uniform from my first day on the job working for you. It has its own special place in my closet. I've had a lot of my own personal doubts along the way, but I have to say, hearing you voice them right here and now is terribly unsettling. Especially when it involves you questioning your resolve and your determination to do the right thing. We're warriors. We know the risks that come with the uniform, sir."

"Doyya, despite the rumors, I'm human, too. Even if there is no other choice, I know I might have to send men and women to their deaths, and it's going to weigh upon me. I made a promise to everyone in the 602 that I would not spend anyone's life foolishly or callously, that I would do everything in my power to keep my people as safe as I possibly can. May the gods strike me down if it ever gets easy to send people to their deaths."

Her angry face faded, and she nodded at me.

I continued. "I will do my best to learn from my mistakes. Unfortunately, I made more than my fair share at Copán. Taking on Cholan's ex-brother-in-law nearly got me, Cholan, and my protection detail killed. I'm chastising myself for what happened with the slave rescue, not them. I was and remain proud of what Yalcamara and Stimmi accomplished. However, because I authorised the action, their deaths are on me. More, I think the manner of the action provoked the Minister. We did our best to hide their identities, but somehow that information got out."

"If I may be blunt, Commander?" Doyya said.

Being new, the best that Hanami managed was a discreet grin behind her hand. The others simply laughed. Doyya shot them a scowl, then snapped her face back toward me.

I raised my eyebrows. "This is all off the record. Go for it."

"You've been a thorn in the Minister's arse since you arrived. You found the discrepancies in the supply orders and reported it. High Guard has been hemorrhaging money and equipment for decades, but after the work by Commander Orchid and by you, that's stopped. Yes, it's cost a lot to get us back to where we need to be. But emergency shelters actually have supplies in them, and those discovered unsafe have been repaired and brought up to code. We've caught several people trying to re-establish smuggling rings on the base. The Minister chooses to enrich himself at the cost of the Empire, and he leaves fear and shattered lives in his wake. You choose to serve the Empire, and leave behind hope. Being a security trooper -- an honest one -- is dangerous at the best of times. The more I learn about that evil man, the more the depths of his corruption are revealed. He should be our ally, serving the Empire!"

"The point is, he's not our ally, and he is not to be taken lightly," I warned sharply. "He is extremely dangerous, with access to a lot of resources and manpower. During our search for bombs at the school, an intruder was discovered. Before he could be questioned, he died, and it appears he was killed by one of those nano-bombs to the heart so that he couldn't talk."

"Doesn't change a thing, sir," she asserted. "We do our jobs the best we can. By all the gods above, the reason we are here is to stand in their way, whether it's to protect our fellow warriors or the citizens of the Empire. It just means that we have three enemies. Atlantis, Aesir-Veda, and the Minister of Imperial Security."