Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

Winding through the walkways was General Rikoletsi and Commander Barankoshto, both looking right at me. Right behind them was an Air Service senior sergeant with his familiar salt-and-pepper crew cut.

Itznacoco.

Last time I'd seen him, I was in a hospital bed at Sparantzlo. Behind him was an Air Service commander I didn't recognize, and then a tall, older man in an Air Service uniform sporting an eagle surmounted by a crown on each black shoulder board.

Erkarto Bantochi, the Air Marshal, was here -- and a day early.

"Hanami, we need two more chairs in my office."

"Yes, sir," she squeaked out, immediately grabbing her own chair.

I turned and unlocked my door. Wit came in behind, and taking out the grounds, turned the still-hot urn back on. Hanami rolled her own chair in and scooted right back out, grabbing Wit's chair from his desk.

The two Ground Service officers entered first. "It looked like you were just leaving, Commander." General Rikoletsi raised his eyebrows at me. "I hope we didn't come at a bad time?"

"No, sir. Air Security is on duty, twenty-four hours a day. I'm at your disposal."

Itznacoco came in, followed by the unknown commander, the Air Marshal, and two more officers, both captains wearing combat armor and armed with Razor assault rifles. After a quick glance into the office, the officer bodyguards took up station outside my office.

Once she delivered the second chair, Hanami tried to scoot back out, but I said, "Please ask Sergeant Chita to join us, and to bring a chair for herself. I want you to join us, so you'd better grab another chair, Hanami."

"Sir!" Then she ducked out.

Wit and I saluted the Air Marshal, who returned it, followed by salutes exchanged with General Rikoletsi and Commander Barankoshto. Once those were done, the Air Marshal extended his hand in greeting. "So you are the famous Commander Kandikan. A pleasure to at last meet you, young man. This is one of my aides, Commander Maynet Papatswee. He works in the Inspector Marshal's Office."

"An honor, Lord Bantochi," I said as I shook hands with them in turn. "Commander. May I offer you my desk, Lord Bantochi?"

"I appreciate the gesture, but this is your office. I'd rather leave you with a good impression."

I grinned while everyone else got seated. I pulled my chair around, so that my desk wasn't between myself and these senior officers. Moving by me, Itznacoco set a jammer on my desk and flipped it on, then he moved to a seat behind the others. Aside from a quick wink to me, Itznacoco was his usual taciturn self.

Wit hurried out to get more cups. Sergeant Chita came in, clipboard in hand, and my admin right behind her, crowding into the back of the room.

"Sorry to spring this on you, Ranji," Rikoletsi began. "I know we have a meeting scheduled at zero-eight hundred tomorrow on this very matter, and it's still scheduled, but the Air Marshal wanted to meet you ahead of time."

"Not a problem," I replied.

The Air Marshal turned to his aide. "Commander Papatswee, since this affects him directly, why don't you begin with a summary of your report for Lord Kandikan?"

Taking out his laptop, the commander powered it up. Hanami jumped up and retrieved a small portable table from the corner and set it up for the commander to use. "Thank you, Sergeant."

The commander outlined the events since my return to High Guard. The fight with Voyacherno's men, the list of casualties, and the status of the 602 afterward. Next he covered our testing of the remaining members, our recruitment efforts, the costs to replace lost equipment, and paid special attention to our own audits.

"We have had a team here at High Guard gathering data since the week following Commander Kandikan's becoming CO of the 602 Air Security Regiment. Officially, with the unit strength so low, it would normally have been disbanded, and another regiment transferred in to take up the duties. Commander Kandikan's efforts and those of his command have been remarkable. While expenses have been quite high, their own audits have revealed the true depth of the situation at this war base, and their efforts to catch and curb further embezzlement has been noted. It should be said, however, that training costs for these new Air Security troopers are on average thirty-four percent above normal. What do you have to say about that, Commander Kandikan?"

"It's all outlined in my reports to the Base Commandant and to High Command. After review by staff and myself, I've increased the training requirements for our field troopers. The standard training curriculum has been updated, and the new skills make for more efficient and responsive field teams. I stand by them."

The general cleared his throat. "In the Commander's defense, Commander Jaykoor, CO of the 1267 Ground Security Regiment, has recommended adopting several of the same changes already put in place by Commander Kandikan. I've already given my support and forwarded those same recommendations adopted locally to Marshal Abay, head of Ground Service Training and Development."

Commander Papatswee looked at me. "It still doesn't answer the question. How do you justify these expenses, Commander Kandikan? The current level of training for security forces has been in place for more than ten years, and has been deemed sufficient to ensure the mission of security forces is carried out."

"Times change," I replied. "Ten years ago, Condors carrying supplies to High Guard were not interfered with. Now they are as often met by alien vessels as not. The Condor that I myself arrived in this spring required passenger intervention to land, as the pilot and his crew were poisoned and died by the time we landed. We as security forces have to adapt to changing conditions, and at a minimum, we do that through training and practice, over and over, until the responses are second nature. Some people are of the opinion that you win battles simply by throwing bodies into combat. Flag officers who want to win those battles understand that those with better equipment, training, and morale have a better chance of winning, even against greater odds. The better trained and better equipped they are, the quicker those in the field can respond appropriately to the event they are faced with, often at a lower cost in personnel and materiél. Sergeant Chita, please bring up those figures about the fire statistics."

"Yes, Commander," she answered. "Fire Services estimates that since Air Security field troopers have begun deploying fire extinguishers with patrol cruisers, the severity of structural damages due to fire have dropped seventeen percent over the past two months. Fifty-seven percent of the time, Air Security arrived on site before Fire Services. Air Security troopers were able to successfully extinguish fourteen fires, preventing them from becoming structural events, saving the Empire thousands of credits, and assisted with numerous rescues of dependents from danger."

The commander continued with his report, asking questions. Chita and I responded.

Half an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Sergeants Sowitwee and Sunahee and three office staff brought in cups, and plates of sandwiches fresh from the Commissary Diner. After they departed, the officers availed themselves of hot cahault and a bite to eat. Itznacoco quietly helped himself as well.

Papatswee continued asking questions and summarizing his findings. "This proposal to fully cover medical care, for both those on active duty and their dependents. This will raise the annual budgetary costs across the board by almost eighteen percent. How are we supposed to justify this to the Minister of the Treasury? To the Emperor?"

"If a warrior has a sick or injured child or spouse, their mind isn't fully focused on their duty. If their families are cared for, they can focus on their jobs, and it helps earn their loyalty. Reducing the costs alone aren't sufficient, and sometimes short-term cash gains end up being long-term losses. Accidents happen and people get sick all the time--"

There was another sharp rap-rap at the door, then it opened. Pen stuck his head in. "Commander, I was able to..." His face blanched as heads turned around to look at him. "I'm sorry, sir. This can wait until--"

"What do you mean I can't get by?" It sounded like Doyya. "You let him by, and I outrank him! I don't care who you are, I'm the on-duty Shift Commander, and if you don't move aside right now, I'll stun both your asses, and after I plant my boot up each of your backsides, you can cool off in a holding cell!"

I saw the blink of recognition and then a smile from the Air Marshal, who then glanced at Itznacoco. The wily old man gave an almost imperceptible nod back.

Pen turned and said, "If she needs to speak to the commander, you need to let her. Come on inside, Captain Lovyanchiti."

Angrily squeezing by Pen, she pushed her way in, saw the crowded room and the grade on the shoulders and froze. She muttered, "Shit."

"Is this how you manage your regiment, Commander?" Papatswee demanded. "People barging in all the time? The Air Marshal's time is valuable--"

I cleared my throat. "With all due respect, Commander, this is the office of the CO for a working Air Security regiment. This unit does not cease its operations when it's inconvenient. Those are two of my three shift commanders, and if they feel there's a need to interrupt me, chances are it's important Air Security business. Pen, close the door, please." I glanced at my watch. "Pen, you were first. After you tell me what you were going to say, next I want to know why you're still here two hours after the end of your shift. I know you didn't get much sleep last night because you came in two hours early, and tomorrow is going to be a very full day."

"Yes, sir. I was trying to track down the identity of the intruder found at the school. Tattoos and blood work confirmed he's from the Empire. Tattoos indicated Slianghovi tribe, from west central Je State. As you'll recall, there was no ID on his person. There were no match on fingerprints in the Armed Services Identification Database, so I ran him on another database, and I got a match. The intruder was Lieutenant Sonomits Konoxio of Imperial Security. Until last week, when he went on approved leave, his last known posting was Marfak Prison in Chohinze State."

Itznacoco's eyebrows briefly shot up.

Commander Papatswee looked flustered. "What other database? Just what's--"

The Air Marshal put his hand on the shoulder of the commander. "Let Commander Kandikan do his job. I'm curious to know more about this just-identified intruder at a school. Commander Kandikan, I'd like a report on the situation, please."

"Early this morning, operating on a tip," I explained, "around zero-three hundred we discovered that explosive devices had been placed in several locations at the primary school. We also discovered an intruder on premises. He nearly got away, but fortunately, we had a dog handler present, and the dog chased him down. Before he could be questioned, the man died, and not from the dog or from our field troopers. He had a nano-tech explosive device in his body that went off, killing him instantly."

Itznacoco looked sharply at me at mention of the nano-bomb.

"A lot of children use the school, I imagine," the Air Marshal said, looking concerned.

"Over thirty-three hundred students, and hundreds of support staff, sir. There's actually enough need for another school the same size, but there's been a lack of space and funds, so dependents of those in service with a higher grade get priority, and a waiting list for the others. The school does an annual joint holiday presentation -- First Day of Summer and Empire Day. The bombs would have killed thousands, and most of those children. We hope to have the school reopened tomorrow morning, and we are working to verify all explosive devices have been found and safely neutralized. However, we'd rather be safe than sorry."

General Rikoletsi and Commander Barankoshto looked both angry and incredulous that someone would target a primary school. Two-thirds of the children were Ground Service dependents. The general looked at me. "Based on the lieutenant's report, we can't blame this on the Atlanteans. So why would the Minister target the school?"

"Because my daughters go there, and he's determined to punish me, no matter who else gets hurt," I answered. "Thank you, Pen. You should go home and get some sleep."

Doyya put her hand on his arm. "Wait. You need to hear this, too." Turning to me, she said, "The men who murdered Yalcamara sent me a film via email, which I believe is video of her actual murder. I've only watched the first few moments of it."

The Air Marshal looked at me. "Who is this Yalcamara?"

"She was my Second and my good friend," Doyya explained.

"Lieutenant Tchanoonka's platoon sergeant was discovered murdered in Capisco early this morning. The lieutenant herself was kidnapped and flown out of the Seven Nations. We have it on good authority she died shortly after she arrived in Imperial territory."

Itznacoco narrowed his gaze but said nothing.

"Do you have a lead on the men who did this?" the Air Marshal asked.

"Yes, some of the men were clearly photographed leaving the motel," I added. "Two of the men wore masks, but the other men made no attempt to hide their identities. They wore ritual regalia for priests of Mictlantecuhtli, Nahua god of death and the underworld. The Capisco authorities are quite upset, as it appears to them to be a religious killing, and human sacrifice is outlawed in all seven of the Seven Nations. From our viewpoint, since it was not within temple grounds, and the sergeant was on authorized leave but still on active duty, this temple's priests committed murder of an Imperial security trooper for non-religious reasons."

The Air Marshal looked at me. "Do you know why these two were targeted, Commander? And do you have any idea who ordered the deaths of two of your people?"

"I have a good idea, but unfortunately it's all circumstantial," I answered. "However, I'll withhold my speculations until I've had a chance to view it later. If it's the man I suspect, his ego will demand that he brag about it. As to the why, perhaps this will provide some hints.

"Two weeks ago I and a platoon of troopers paid a visit to Copán War Base. Part of it was to pick up replacement vehicles destroyed in the fight between Air Security under my predecessor and the Ground Service. A second reason was to pay off the indenture of Sergeant Sowitwee's father. The short story is the company holding the debt fraudulently added thousands of credits to the original debt, used slaves to transact financial business, and then after he was legally emancipated, they tried to kill the sergeant's father, using the same type of bomb that killed the intruder at the school.

"Since this violation involved the sergeant, an active duty warrior in good standing, when we discovered that slaves were conducting public financial transactions, I ordered the slaves placed into custody and arrested the company manager.

"Once they were assured of safety, the slaves informed us they were free citizens who had been abducted and sold into slavery without hearing or trial. Scans of the slaves confirmed that nano-devices had been implanted in them as a threat to keep them docile. Captain Korreem, the local Imperial Security field agent assigned to Copán War Base, confirmed that the slaves were positively matched as being among those listed as missing, and initial checks corroborated their stories. Apparently they had been targeted because they or their families owned profitable businesses desired by criminal cartels. After the families disappeared, the various businesses either failed or were purchased at a severe discount.

"I decided that the men who would break several Imperial laws, brazenly try to murder a free citizen in front me, as well as traffic and enslave in other free citizens probably had more slaves in need of rescue. Lieutenant Tchanoonka and Sergeant Stimmi, working with local Imperial Security forces, led the raid on the two owners of those slaves. One of those owners, confronted by openly identified Imperial Security forces, tried to shoot them. Instead, he was shot and killed. The slaves were successfully freed and the implanted explosive devices were safely removed. The owner that died was one Mika Bayloks'mec."

"Bayloks'mec? As in the son of Commander Pren Bayloks'mec, Hero of Ventac Two?" Papatswee exclaimed. "Holy gods!"

"Pren Bayloks'mec was no hero," General Rikoletsi growled out.

Commander Papatswee looked at him in surprise.

I nodded grimly. "My good friend, Styen Topangiti, was among those who helped suppress the rebellion. Styen is in agreement with your statement, General."

Both the general and Commander Barankoshto looked astonished. The general leaned forward, demanding, "You know Styen Topangiti, the former Fight Master of Copán War Base?"

The Iron Lady of the 67th folded her arms and narrowed her gaze at me. Apparently she wanted to know, too.

Pen chortled loudly. "Didn't you know? The redoubtable Styen works for the commander's family, and personally schooled him in personal combat while he was growing up."

The general started laughing quietly, shaking his head. "Oh, that explains so much."

"You keep surprising me, Commander," Barankoshto said quietly. "Any time you want to learn how to drive a tank, just say the word."

The Air Marshal raised his eyebrows. "Commander Barankoshto, are you trying to poach my officer?"

I grinned. "Since last year. I have a great deal of respect for the Iron Lady as well as the the general. Captain Lovyanchiti, would you be good enough to bring your laptop here? We'll watch the video after this meeting."

"I'd actually be interested in seeing that video," the Air Marshal said, his demeanor suddenly serious.

Itznacoco frowned, then shrugged.

"I should warn you, sir, from the few seconds I saw, she's on some sort of altar underground," Doyya said, her eyes sad. "What we are about to see is likely to be very graphic."

"So noted, Captain," Lord Bantochi replied.

"Sergeant Hanami," I said. "This may be difficult to witness. If you like, you may be excused."

Looking brave, she pushed her glasses up her nose, then said, "Sergeant Stimmi was a good man, and Lieutenant Tchanoonka was a fine officer. Warriors of the Empire shouldn't be murdered for doing their duty. I'll stay, sir."

"Sergeant Chita?" I raised my eyebrows at her.

"They were my friends, Commander. I need to know what was done to them."

"Very well," I said. "Sergeant Sowitwee?"

"Wherever you go, I'm your man, Commander. Llam nuqan, sir."

"So be it."

* * * * *

The following scene contains descriptions of severe graphic violence; the next section break is clearly marked for your convenience.

Doyya came back, and after the door was closed, she set the laptop onto my desk, turning the monitor so it faced those seated in the room. Pen volunteered to operate the laptop, shutting off the jammer atop my desk. When she looked ready to argue, all he said was, "Please."

She looked at him, then nodded, stepping over next to me. Chairs scooted closer and after resetting the video progress marker back to the beginning, Pen hit the play button, then maximized the screen.

We saw a woman, naked save for a hood over her head, laid out on a blood altar, her wrists tied to the stone. The hood was roughly removed, and we saw it was Yalcamara. There were several sharp intakes of breath, despite their resolution to watch, and I found myself gritting my teeth. Yalcamara was in the hands of the enemy, she was going to die -- had already died, I reminded myself -- and I knew this was not going to be an easy death.