Starlight Gleaming Ch. 20

"The Emperor, for his part, has been made aware of his transgressions and his descent into madness. Supay lets very few people get close to him, and never lets anyone get within touching distance. I think the only other human being that he held any affection for in recent years was Maretta Danchotl. However, she was becoming more dangerous all the time, and beginning to murder because she liked inflicting pain. Ever since her death, Supay's become more reclusive, yet also more blatant about abusing his power."

I frowned. "What happened to Captains Tikleet and Sirkett? I've seen nothing of them since my return here, and they were supposed to be my contacts here, managing my external assignments, arranging for supplies, et cetera."

Itznacoco frowned. "They disappeared a month before you returned to High Guard."

"Probably killed by Charunt then. He arrived at High Guard around that time. Well, I didn't like either one of them. Melannee is my friend, and Tikleet voiced his opinion that he hoped that Supay killed her. Claimed her actions here at High Guard endangered you and those who work for you."

"You're probably right." He sighed. "Despite my own reservations and Tikleet's unasked for opinion, she was right to do what she did. Both in coming here and in saving those civilians. In a very short time, she did a lot of good. Unfortunately, it's earned her a death sentence from Supay."

Doyya jumped on that. "Her real name's Melannee?"

"That name doesn't leave this room." He stared at her for a moment, glanced at Wit, then continued. "I and my team will be looking into things while I'm here. And, I hope we can clear up the isolation you have been experiencing here. As Air Security and being Imperial Security, you should be having access to a lot of intelligence. I will do my best to see that that mystery is not only solved, but resolved. In the meantime, you are the official station chief here. A staff person will be appointed to assist you in intelligence gathering and other Imperial Security duties."

"That would be good," I said. Pen nodded. "I think aside from the loss of Orchid, I wished I could have known Doctor Devaal better. I had the impression he was a likeable man."

Sadness briefly crossed Itznacoco's face. "Yes. Not to belittle the loss of the Condor and its crew, Devaal's death was a great tragedy, both to Imperial Security and to me personally. He was skilled and a reliable agent and a good physician."

"He said that you and Melannee had a father-daughter relationship, but that if I wanted to learn more, I had ask you or her. You're here. How did you meet and recruit her?"

He narrowed his gaze at me. "She's still alive, so I'm not sure if I should go into that. The more others know about her, the more dangerous it is for her."

Hearing that Melannee was definitely alive felt surprisingly good, so I smiled. I caught Doyya touching her scar at the same time as she realized what she was doing.

After looking at each of us, Itznacoco shrugged. "Half of you are mine, and the other half have proved their worth elsewhere. All right, I'll tell it for your sake, Ranji.

"I met her when I was much younger, during an away mission to Atlantis itself, on one of the outlying islands. I was planting passive tracking devices over the countryside. One night, I passed near a farmhouse when I heard screaming. When I investigated, I saw a woman savagely beating a young girl. In one hand, she gripped that little arm while the other swung a cane onto her bruised and bleeding back. The girl was seven years old, and the woman beating her was her own mother. She hated her half-Aesir bastard child, but had come to depend upon her help to survive.

"Some cults in Atlantis are restrictive about both ending pregnancies and infanticide, like it is here in the Empire. I wasn't supposed to, but I intervened. And then I found I couldn't walk away, because when I tried, the mother grabbed her daughter and was prepared to resume beating the girl within an inch of her life. All because the child hadn't folded the laundry correctly.

"For five hundred Atlantean credits, I bought her. Then I had the problem of what to do with her. I was in a hostile nation with a small girl who needed medical care and a place to live. Fortunately, I was able to arrange for a care-giver. I set up a place for them to live, and for the next ten years, she grew up with access to good schools and decent food. She proved surprisingly intelligent and a disciplined student as well as an outstanding athlete.

"As she grew into a young woman, she was determined to learn more about me. At first she ignored my attempts to terminate our connection, and then later she pleaded with me to remain a part of my life. Devaal was correct. I freely admit that I love her as if she were my own child. I have not said it before, but I'm aware that you, Lovyanchiti, and Barankoshto were involved in getting her out of High Guard last year. I am grateful for what you did. That was part of what motivated me to bring you along to that meeting at Chitolpo. I'm glad I did. You saved me and the Air Marshal, and he's not likely to forget that."

"Huh!" Doyya remarked. "So our Commander Orchid is actually your daughter."

"Only by coincidence," he replied with a harrumph. Then, "Our Orchid?"

"Of course," Doyya said. "To differentiate between the Orchid who acted with honor and that mad-woman, Maretta. Commander Orchid still has a fearsome reputation, but among the many women in uniform here at High Guard War Base, she's also revered. We know she went out on a limb to save our lives and careers, and we are grateful to her."

Itznacoco didn't say anything, but he seemed appreciative of her words.

"Whatever she does," I added, "she does for you, to make you proud of her. She loves you. To her, you are father and her role model. She serves the Empire loyally, and acts within the constraints of her various roles to behave as honorably as she can. It doesn't diminish her actions, but now I think I understand her better."

He just stared at me.

"Maybe it would help if I shared something with you," I continued. "With the hurried nature of her departure, with Supay's agents trying to kill her, you should know that when she killed Maretta, your daughter pissed on her corpse, and said, 'Payback's a bitch, Maretta. This is for Nic'te.' She explained afterward that she knew Maretta had persuaded Captain Zoubat to hurt your wife, and those injuries led to her death. She hated both of them for what they did to you. Did she and your wife ever get to meet?"

Thoughtful, he shook his head. "My wife died before she came of age. And to my knowledge, they never met or even exchanged any sort of communication." Then he scowled at me. "If you're satisfied, I have work to do, and supposedly, you do, too. Watch your six, Kandikan. The rest of you as well."

With that, he almost vaulted out his chair and left. The door slammed behind him with a bang and a rattle of the glass window.

Pen looked at me. "Do you think he knows you and she slept together?"

I pursed my lips. "Don't know, and I'm not going to volunteer it. Hard telling what his reaction would be, and if he decided to be a protective father, I'd rather not be on the receiving end."

Pen and Doyya burst out laughing at me, and even Sowitwee covered his mouth to hide his amusement, though there was no hiding the merry glint in his eyes.

"Did you and she--" Doyya began, but I cut her off.

"Like a certain aircraft mechanic I know who says, 'just you no nevermind!' Besides, a gentleman doesn't talk about women in such a manner."

"At least twice then," Doyya answered cheekily. "Shall I drop you off, Pen?"

"I have a vehicle, thanks."

"I hear you found someone special this morning," she added.

Standing up, he headed toward the door, a silly grin plastered on his face. "Yes, I have. Good night."

Doyya followed Pen out of the office.

Sowitwee turned off the cahault-maker and policed all the plates and extra cups. While I turned off the jammer and locked it in my lower desk drawer, he also pushed some chairs out to their desks.

I lent a hand, and in short order, I locked up my office, and collecting our escort, we headed out.

In the cruiser, Wit asked, "Does this qualify as a shit day, sir?"

"Close. There's not a lot I wouldn't do to have our two friends back with us, alive and safe. But I count the school as a huge win. Besides our family and all the many families we would have lost had those bombs gone off, we could have also lost the troopers assigned to the school, too."

He nodded, conceding the point. "A win with a large helping of shit on the side, then."

"Yeah. That sums it up all right."

* * * * *

Part 6 -- More of the Devil's Handiwork

* * * * *

An Air Security cruiser paced us all the way home. Once we arrived, they gave a couple of quick flashes of the emergency lights, then drove off to continue their patrol.

Once inside, Wit and I divested ourselves of our gear. Wit's father had returned and they had a good hug. Nariya took her turn welcoming him home, and they settled into some slow, unhurried kisses while he leaned over her huge belly. He ran his hands over their unborn child while she watched him intently. Then they grinned at each other and kissed again.

For my part, Ixma and my girls swooped in, and I got my own kisses and hugs. I did my best to give as good as I got. Then I went to the couch where Calia lay. I pulled her to her feet and squeezed her until she squeaked. When I let her get some air, she looked up at me with sad eyes.

"I'm so proud of you," I murmured to her. "I'm sorry that your gifts are so troublesome, but so many people are alive today because of you. I tell you true, Calia. You are a hero."

After giving me a wet kiss, she sniffled and buried her face into my chest.

With a little encouragement, all of us went into the front drawing room and settled in to watch some video entertainment and just hang out. From the smells from the kitchen, dinner would be ready shortly. I took a seat in a recliner, and both Ixma and Calia wedged themselves onto each side, so I put an arm around each of them and enjoyed the comfort of their feminine bodies next to mine. Because they could, Mina and Sisi also crammed themselves into the seat with me. I was sort of squished, but I loved it at the same time.

Daydo found his own seat, and Sowitwee sat at one end of the couch, and Nariya lay stretched out, her hand protectively on her rounded middle. With a sigh, she laid her head on his lap while his fingers stroked her hair. With his other hand, he used the remote to turn on the television, and sports news sprang to life.

After a bit, Mina got bored and got down onto the floor. Pulling out a box stored under the coffee table, she pulled out some blocks and tiny plastic animals. Sisi, too, soon got down and turned on her tablet, diving into a word puzzle.

I pretty much laid there and switched back and forth with snuggling and kissing Ixma and Calia. They seemed to enjoy it, and it was nice.

Ixma caught Sisi grinning at us. "What are you looking at?"

"Tenant has magic hugs, too," she answered, and went back to her tablet.

Calia grinned at Ixma, whispering, "They are pretty high quality."

"True enough," Ixma agreed. At which point both needed more hugs and more kisses.

The sports show continued along, stories from many contests of prowess from around the Empire being discussed. It was half an hour later, while highlights of ball games played and scores scrolled beneath, when Janetta and the others finally arrived home, entering from the garage into the kitchen. I heard Cholan and Zinja chatting to Terra and Salvia about dinner.

Janetta came to the archway and stopped. What a vision! Her hair in her jaguar hair clasp, wearing her cyan flight-suit and combat boots, her arms akimbo. "Well, well, well. Don't you look all cosy on your throne, Kandikan, surrounded by your adoring, nubile women."

Calia actually smiled a bit at that. "You think I'm nubile, Captain? Thank you for the compliment. I've always thought of myself as more full-figured."

Ixma glanced at her, winked, then looked back at her officer. "You can have my spot, Captain."

"Don't mind if I do," Janetta answered.

After another kiss from Ixma, she lifted off and stood up, heading to the kitchen to greet her mother. Janetta didn't even make it all the way down when there was a shriek, followed by the sound of someone hitting the ground, and then frantic cries of "Cholan!"

Janetta sprang off, followed by the rest of us.

Cholan lay on the floor, sobbing hysterically, Ixma doing her best to comfort her friend. Zinja quickly gathered up the scattered glossy photos and handed them and the large envelope they came in to Janetta.

Janetta looked at them in stony silence. Calia, Ixma, and I peered over her shoulder. Calia and Ixma almost immediately looked away, aghast at the gruesome images.

"Who would send something like that?" Ixma demanded. "Those are awful!"

The eight-by-eleven prints were photos of severed heads atop a dining room table. I recognized the dead and the rooms of the house. The once-immaculate room was awash in blood spatters and gore. On the ground were headless bodies being savaged by those dog-men.

"What the fuck?!" Janetta scowled. "Is this some sort of cruel, sick joke?"

"No," I told her quietly, taking the stack of pictures from her. "Those are Cholan's parents. These are their servants. That one was their house guard. They were slain in their own home."

Janetta looked at me, her voice quiet. "Holy gods, Ranji. Who did this to her family?"

"Why is Aunt Cholan crying? Did something happen?" I saw my daughter taking off her headphones, walking toward us. Further behind them stood Wit and Nariya and Daydo, their faces full of concern.

Calia whipped around, intercepting Sisi, intent on herding her back to the drawing room. "Your aunty has just lost her parents, Sisi."

I remembered when Sisi's parents had died on that cold, stormy night just over a year ago. Stuffing the pictures back into the envelope, I said, "Wait. Bring her here."

Janetta growled at me, "Are you fucking crazy? She's a kid, Kandikan!"

"She may be a kid, but my girl understands what Cholan's feeling right now. Zinja knows, too. So do you, Janetta. You've each lost someone dear to you. We're all family here. Give Sisi a chance to show she cares, too."

My brave warrior winced at the last bit. I think it was seeing nods from both Calia and Zinja that convinced her. And I was immensely pleased that my wonderful, fierce warrior wanted to protect my girl.

"All right," she grudgingly allowed. "We can't shield them from death, merely soften the blow as best we can."

Sisi walked up to Cholan. "I'm sorry you are sad. We love you, Aunt Cholan."

Seven hells, I thought. Melannee once told me that the Minister believed in a scorched earth policy.

Suddenly stepping away, I pulled out my phone and dialed Pen.

On the second ring, he answered. "Commander?"

I heard two women weeping in the background. "I take it you are with Tanti and Breena?"

"Yes, sir. I ran into Tanti at the Commissary, so we picked up dinner together and I drove her home."

"They both got packages today? Is one of them unopened?"

"Yes, sir. I have one secured, unopened. I'll bring both of them in tomorrow for the lab team." He sounded angry and worn out.

"Are you okay there? Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine. But I don't think I'm going anywhere--" The weeping rose a notch, and it was in stereo. "Ah, yeah, I'm here for the night, Commander."

"All right. Our condolences to them on their loss. Their sister is in about the same shape. See you tomorrow, Pen. Best of luck to you."

"Bye, Commander." And he hung up.

I whirled around. "Daydo! Daydo, did your daughters get a package today?"

"Yes, they did. It arrived just as I left. Why? What's going on?"

Striding to the foyer closet, I grabbed my vest and put it on. "Wit, you stay here! Keep everyone safe!"

"I'm coming with you, Ranji!" Janetta declared, handing off the envelope to Zinja and grabbing her jacket.

"Let's go!"

Daydo came forward. "Are they in danger? Let me come with you. They don't know you so well."

"Take this slicker. Zinja, we'll be back as soon as we're able."

"Safe flight and safe return, all of you," she replied, concern writ across her face.

Calia, Ixma, and Sisi did their best to comfort the distraught Cholan.

Outside, Janetta went to the front passenger side, and Daydo climbed in back. Flipping on the lights, I set off for the small cottage almost two rads away.

* * * * *

Part 7 -- Mistress of my House

* * * * *

It was a tense trip, but we arrived within a few minutes.

After Daydo pounded on the door in worry, we were let into the small domicile. Both young women were dressed for the night, and had been sitting on the couch, watching video entertainment. On a counter was the package, which aside from the coffee grounds used as packing, contained a large package of cocaine. Still unopened.

"You... you didn't open it?" Daydo asked in surprise. "You told me how much you wanted some coke to get wasted on."

They looked at each other, then both shrugged. Ramilla said, "Chocolate ice cream tastes much better. We also have cookies and fizzy drinks. And we get as much as we want."

Daydo laughed. "I'm so relieved!"

I exhaled, also relieved that we hadn't found two bodies. Supay had inflicted more than enough mayhem this day. I collected the wrapping and the drugs. Daydo gave his daughters hugs and we said goodnight as we prepared to leave.

At the doorway, Leetsi gave me a strange look. "You really came here because you thought we were in danger?"

"Yes, that's why we're here. Your brother would have been here, too, but I ordered him to stay and protect those we left behind."

"Not all nobles are cruel monsters, my daughters," Daydo said, giving me a meaningful look.

Leetsi rolled her eyes.

Janetta saw it, and her temper flared, snapping out, "Hey, girlie! Your father is free, you get to see your brother, and they both care for you. They didn't help you before because they couldn't. They had neither the money nor the power to do so. None of it was their fault, and they did the best they could. You have a warm place to stay with a bed of your own -- and you don't have to share it with anyone. Who bought the new clothes in your closet and the food that's on your shelves? Lord Kandikan, that's who! So mind the attitude!"

Ramilla, standing behind her sister while holding her hand protectively on her growing belly, bowed her head. "If we have offended you, great lady, we beg for your forgiveness."

Alarmed, Daydo interposed himself, head lowered as he faced Janetta. "Please, do not be angry, Lady Tlacotli. This has been a big adjustment for all of us."

Leetsi's eyes flashed, and she nodded grimly. "If you wish for us to show proper gratitude, we know how to do that."

Uh, oh.

Before I could say anything, she yanked at the ties on her shoulders. Her loose top spilled down, revealing her conical breasts with their brown areolas and thick nipples atop her young, copper-skinned body. With a shove from both hands, her top and loose house pants dropped, pooling at her feet.

Giving a short bow, she said, "I am experienced with pleasing both men and women. Command me, Lady. How may I service you? I wish to show proper gratitude."

Janetta was angry, and her jaw worked as her temper built.