Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 03

She glanced at his uniform, then said, "Captain Reno, please accept our apologies. I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage. We've been arranging for emergency supplies for High Guard and were just taking a short nap after hours of negotiations. We must look an absolute fright. I beg you, please forgive us for not greeting you properly."

The captain took off his helmet, and glancing at me first, rubbed at the stubble on his own face ruefully. "Not at all, Lady Izel. Considering the state the entire war base is in, I don't think any one of us is at our best right now. But despite that, no one could fail to recognize your grace, manners, and noble bearing of a real lady."

She offered her free hand and he touched it to his forehead before standing again.

"How very gallant, Captain," Izel said. "I thank you for your kind words. Please convey to your superiors and to those brave warriors in your command our sincere gratitude for your very timely arrival. My husband is a brave and ferocious warrior and I believe he could very well have won the day. Yet I am grateful that he didn't need such testing. Why you and your gallant Ground Service warriors arriving in the nick of time to save our lives? It's like something right out of a thrilling video adventure!"

The captain blushed. "My lady, your words do us a kindness. Commander, I am instructed to follow your lead with regard to the prisoners. Please be advised that because there was an urgent need for their services elsewhere, the protective detail on Lord Kirfan and his men had been reduced to a single platoon. Needless to say, they broke custody almost right away. Since then, it's mostly been a matter of following the trail of bodies."

Taking a measuring breath, I asked, "Exactly how many bodies, Captain?"

"Seventeen dead, and three critically wounded from the platoon watching them. Because my men were surprised and outnumbered three to one, they only managed to kill three and wound one. Once loose, Kirfan and his men headed straight to Housing and killed the guards on duty there. A sergeant was killed and Captain Uturuncu was seriously injured in the process. Accessing the housing records, they found your address and that of Lady Izel's men."

"Holy gods!" Izel exclaimed.

"How many guards? What happened to Captain Uturuncu? And who else was killed?" I asked.

"Only two at the gate, the others pulled to help fight the fires." The Captain looked disturbed. "Commander, they were animals. Kirfan and many of his men forced her and every woman in that office. Seven women and at least twenty men, maybe as many as thirty men. The survivors could barely move. Uturuncu and the rest were sent to the hospital, all in critical condition. The sergeant they killed was Gan. The captain had ordered them not to resist, telling them they could survive it. I don't think she expected what happened. But when Kirfan forced her, he also began hitting her and she cried out in pain. Gan broke free, grabbed a knife, and wounded one of the men, but they quickly overwhelmed her. When they were done, Kirfan said they shot her because she had resisted. Did you know her?"

Izel gasped and covered her mouth, horrified.

"Seven hells, all three hot, all three cold, and the one in between. I believe Gan was a specialist with photography." I gritted my teeth in anger. Izel gave me a look of both sadness and shame. "Kirfan is not only a complete idiot, he's a complete bastard. Murder, rape, assault, attempted kidnapping. I assume they came here next?"

"No, sir. They went to your place first." At my look of alarm, the captain quickly added, "It's all right, Commander. Apparently, there's a huge number of troopers all armed to the teeth at your place right now. It's become the operational HQ for the sector. I think all those armed people and the traffic scared them off. Apparently, next on their list was Lady Izel's retinue. However, their assigned quarters were empty, so after they trashed the place, they set fire to the building."

I reached over and pulled Izel close, kissing her on the temple. Her arms went about me as she stood close.

"Somehow they learned you and Lady Izel were here," the captain continued. "We were already in the area, closing in. We received a call from a reporter who let us know they were here."

"I think I owe a great deal to Sammi Reo," I observed quietly.

Izel wiped her face and mastered herself. "Captain, my sincere condolences on the brave soldiers who were grievously injured or fell to my brother's treachery and despicable behavior. It grieves me to even admit that he and I are related. He continues to blacken my family's good name. Your arrival was most fortuitous. Again, please let me convey my gratitude for your timeliness to your brave warriors. I shall pray for the women that he and his men brutalized."

He was moved by Izel's silent tears of shame and grief. "Lady, please understand, no one could ever associate that man's seditious actions with a woman of your grace and gentility."

I held out my hand and we shook.

He winked at me and said, "Llam nuqan, Commander."

Chuckling, and immensely pleased, I answered, "Llam nuqan, indeed!"

Just then there was a squawk on the corporal's radio. "Attention! Attention! All sectors, attention! Water has been restored! Repeat, we now have fresh water! All Fire Service crews -- to your stations at once! All crews to your stations!"

The captain muttered in relief, "Thank the gods! Now we can save High Guard."

"I'm so proud of you, my husband!" Izel declared. When the captain cocked his head at her words, she explained, "This was part of what we have been working on. However, my husband paid for the costs out of his own personal fortune. This is his victory."

"I did my share, Izel. We all contributed by working together." I said my own silent thanks to Sergeant Kitam and his tireless crew from Mobile Construction. I promised myself they were going to get one hell of a party when things calmed down. They'd certainly earned it.

Stepping further into the room, I looked for my two troopers. Both lay sprawled on the wooden floor. Grannok had been shot twice in the chest. Jomin was on his belly by the cot he'd been sleeping in. I rolled him over. His throat had been slashed. Both were barely eighteen. Both had been rightly proud of the rescue we'd accomplished the night before. "Amend your report, Captain. Please add two more to our list of Imperial dead."

"So noted, Commander."

Scanning around, I saw a huge shirtless man laying on the floor with the others. By the various tattooed bears in various positions covering his back, this had to be Kirfan's champion. I walked over to him and the others followed.

"Set this one aside, away from the others," I instructed. "As for the rest of Kirfan's men, Captain, my recommendation is they become slaves, and that they be branded as well as chipped. They are to have chains on their feet at all times. They are further forbidden to ever return to Nahua State. Justice demands they be put to death, but I think they can be better used doing manual labor, like clearing debris. I will review their records at the end of thirty days. Those who did their work diligently can earn a chance at life."

I recognized Kirfan from his picture and strode over to him. "Ah, there he is, the Minister's new pet and despoiler of chickens."

Kirfan tried to sit up, but one of the three soldiers keeping guard firmly thumped him with the butt of his rifle. Scowling, he grunted and lay back down.

"It's all right, he can sit up."

Kirfan glared at me. "You'll pay for this, you upstart freak! I'm friends with the Minister of Imperial Security! Did you hear me? If you know what's good for you, you'll release me at once. And stop lying about me! I do not and never have fucked chickens! That's disgusting!"

I looked down at him. "What? No threats that Garan Bayloks'mec's criminal connections will kill me and everyone I love? As for the Minister, are you really that delusional? The Minister has no friends, only expendable pawns.

"As for you? Look at you now. The once-great Lord Kirfan under arrest for murder and treason are only the most serious of your foul deeds. You have acted like a common bandit, savage and without honor. Yet I am beginning to think you don't truly comprehend the seriousness of your situation. You had to have obtained your position by birth because you sure as hell didn't earn it by using your brains! You and your men have attacked Imperial troops! That's a capital offense and makes all of you armed rebels -- traitors to the Empire. Killing the Ground Service troops gets you a quick temple death. Killing Security forces, however, earns you death by torture. And damn your hide, these warriors are my brothers and sisters in arms! How dare you!"

I backhanded him, knocking him sprawling, shouting out, "How long have you been in the pay of Atlantis, Lord Kirfan Tenochta? When did you decide to betray the Empire? How much did they pay you? What did they promise you for your betrayal? Who's your Atlantean handler? Speak, damn you! Speak!"

He spat out blood from his split lip. "More of your lies. I have nothing to do with Atlantis! Nothing!"

"So you deny helping to murder thousands of men, women, and children, all of whom were valued citizens of the Empire? You deny being a traitor and aiding the enemy?"

"Yes!"

"So it was just armed rebellion, kidnapping, and looting on an Imperial War Base that you planned? I say again, Kirfan! When did you decide to betray the Empire?"

"I'm no rebel but the ruler of all the Nahua! At my word, people live or die. This is all your fault. You denied me my rights as the head of my family! Had you done as was my right, I would have gone home. But no, you kept my own flesh and blood from me. I have nothing to do with your silly war games."

"Silly war games? Silly war games! Scores of brave pilots gave their lives in defense of this war base. Brave warriors, men and women serving the Empire, were slaughtered while trying to defend this war base! Helpless patients at the Naval hospital were burned alive. Innocent children and teachers were murdered in their schools. Thousands are dead and many more thousands missing or wounded and homeless! Silly war games.

"How dare you! You aren't fit to lick the boots of the sanitation workers. Atlantis didn't focus on military defenses. They didn't come to raid or even to conquer. They came to annihilate us! If they could, Atlantis would burn and ravage the city of Tenochta, just like they tried to do to High Guard. And you! While High Guard reels from the carnage, you, Lord Kirfan, killed and injured even more brave, loyal warriors sworn to serve and protect the Empire! Where is your patriotism? What I find are the actions of a traitor to the Empire. Silly war games. You disgust me."

"We had no idea they were going to attack! You can't blame me for that!"

"Holy gods! You saw the situation, yet the only thing on your mind was your personal ambitions. You chose to kill, murder, rape, brutalize, and then you tried to add kidnapping as well. You truly are an imbecile! Didn't you ever learn that when you find yourself in a hole to stop digging? You think being a nobleman entitles you to do whatever you want. Wrong! Being a nobleman means you are responsible for those under your charge. A nobleman's duties are a sacred trust, no less than that of an officer of the Empire.

"As for your sister, you can't have her, you stupid prick. She's my wife. Mine! Legally wed in a temple recognized by the Empire. If by some miracle you survive all these many capital offenses against you, I tell you now that if you come within a hundred rads of my wife, I will personally end you."

Kirfan snarled back, "Your wife! Women are too stupid to think for themselves. All they're good for is fucking and breeding. I'm her brother! I decide who she marries, who she keeps company with. You stole her from my House and from the people of Nahua! You're no better than a common thief, you upstart Vedan trash!"

Taking a deep breath, I stood up. "I've said my piece. I will break you, and when I'm done, I will know all your secrets, Kirfan of Tenochta. Captain? I want him in the stockade in isolation, secured by chains and a restraint jacket. If Ground Security doesn't have space, I'm sure we can find some dark hole at Air Security to put him into. We'll see what he says when he's full of Truth Drugs."

"Yes, Commander."

Kirfan's head whipped around to his sister. "How could you, Izel? You did this to me! You dirty, filthy whore! I--!"

Reaching down, I yanked him up with my left and my fist came down hard. His collarbone snapped. Pushing him back down, I straddled his chest. With each word, my fist hammered into his face. "You. Do not. Get to. Speak to. My wife. Like. That!"

The next thing I knew, someone grabbed my wrist. I whirled in anger, yet when I saw it was Izel in tears, my rage vanished.

"Please, my lord," she begged. "I ask not for myself, but General Rikoletsi asked you not to kill him and you gave your word to him."

I stared at Kirfan's battered face a moment, then nodded, deliberately calming my fierce rage. I stood and took a step back from his body. "You're quite right, Izel. Thank you. Now you listen to me, Kirfan. Izel is my lawfully wedded wife. Full stop. I forbid you from ever attempting to contact her again in any way, shape, or form. If you speak about her, you will do so with respect or I will punish you! She is a lady. A lady, you hear me? You are unworthy to even look upon her shadow! Press me further, and I will personally demonstrate to you what I learned from the Minister about pain!"

Closing my eyes, I took another calming breath, then realized Izel was still standing there, quietly weeping as she watched me. Yet another calming breath was needed before I turned to her. As gently as I could, I said, "Please do not be afraid of me, Izel. I couldn't bear it if you were. You are my wife and I love you."

Holding out my hands, I repeated, "I love you."

She flung herself at me, burying her face against my chest. "I was so scared, Ranji! You had such rage on your face!"

"He hurt you, Izel. Then he tried to kill me so he could hurt you again. Everywhere he's been, he's left death and destruction. This time, he's injured or killed good Imperial warriors. He needs to pay for that."

While I soothed Izel, I was worried. I had no regrets about the beating I'd just given Kirfan. None at all. But without her intervention, I think I would have beaten him to death with my bare hands. I hoped it was just my exhaustion that led to my lapse. I had indeed promised the general not to kill this man. I rubbed her back, doing my best to calm us both down.

The worst thing a good man can ever do is become that which he fights against.

After a few moments, she took my battered hands in hers and gasped. She began to kiss them tenderly. "My lord, I tremble not out of fear. All you have done is show me kindness, compassion, and respect. No one has ever defended me so vigorously before. You are my lord and my husband. I know that with you my reputation and honor are safe. Thank you, for defending me, and for doing as the general asked. I know it was a hardship for a man of honor such as yourself."

The captain quietly issued orders, and under the watchful eyes of the armored soldiers, a squad set about collecting ID cards, weapons, weapon belts, tablets, and radios. As for my dead troopers, he pulled out their lanyards and respectfully laid them on their chests, scanning them into his tablet.

Seeing my dead troopers again, I knew we would have to take the time to honor our dead. All of us would need that. Meanwhile, everyone was doing their part to save as many lives as possible, working to keep High Guard a functional war base.

The captain turned his gaze to my men. "Commander, what do you wish for your men?"

"Do you happen to have any body-bags on hand?"

He nodded. "Actually, I do. We grabbed a bag with a score for our own losses and I have two left, hoping the rest of the wounded make it through today. Do you wish them to be attended to? I can drop them off wherever you wish."

"There's already a pile of dead in front of my residence. Drop them off at my place. 1210 Cirrus Avenue. I'm sure the others won't mind these two brave warriors joining their ranks. I know it's no real compensation, but you have our condolences on your own losses, Captain. I think the one job I hate most is having to write to their families when we lose good warriors."

Giving a grim nod, he said, "Air Service, Commander."

"Ground Service, too." I shook my head. "After yesterday, Naval Service and Marine Service, too. We drove off Atlantis, but only after they gave us one hell of a beating."

"Do you think they'll be back?"

"Count on it," I answered. "I'm told our own scientists are expecting a breakthrough any day now. We just have to hold on until then. High Guard is all that stands between Atlantis and the heart of our nation, so hold we will. Hold we must. For the Empire."

"For the Empire," he and his men echoed.

Except for Oceotl, Kirfan and his men were hauled away. A corporal and a sergeant remained, guarding the big tattooed man.

Lying on the floor, a rifle barrel in his back, he watched me approach.

"Let him up," I ordered.

As the two guards stepped back, keeping him covered, the huge man slowly sat up. Bald and stoic, I saw he had many more bear tattoos across his chest and arms in addition to what covered his back. Maybe it was his size, but he reminded me of Anton Sonilawa.

"Is your name Oceotl?"

He nodded, his attention on me.

Squatting down, I said, "I am Lord Commander Kandikan, Imperial Air Security. I need to ask you a few questions. First, have you injured any of the soldiers since your arrival?"

Oceotl shrugged.

Frowning, I said, "You can't answer?"

Opening his mouth, he showed me. His tongue had been cut out.

I sighed. "Thank you. So you might have injured one or more soldiers?"

Oceotl shrugged again.

"Fair enough. I'll take that as a maybe. Did you kill anyone?"

At that, he vigorously shook his head in the negative. "That helps a great deal. Do you understand that your master is in a great deal of trouble? The kind where they put even nobles to death."

He nodded.

"Because he's under arrest, he cannot issue any challenges unless an Imperial judge gives him the right. Considering the charges against him, I don't expect that to happen. Do you still feel bound to Kirfan in any way?"

He just gave me a frustrated look.

"Can you write?" He shook his head no. "Crap."

Izel crouched down beside me. "What are you thinking?"

"If he's a slave or indentured, he's pretty much working under duress. To me, that's extenuating circumstances. However, until I know more about him, I can't afford to trust him."

"Are you thinking of having our special friend check him out?"

Then I recalled it was her voice that had awakened me and thus saved our lives. That in turn actually made me smile. Calia's love was a true miracle.

"Our special friend? Yeah, I was, actually." Turning back to Oceotl, I said, "Do I have your word that you will go peacefully with the soldiers? That you will not resist and do what they tell you to do?"

He nodded.

Izel and I stood. "Captain, take normal safety precautions but don't abuse him. We have his promise to behave. I'll follow up with him in the next day or so."

"All right, Commander. Oceotl, go with the guards."

With an armed escort, we went out into the daylight, back to the other barracks building where we'd set up the conferencing. On the way, we passed troopers carrying body bags.

Once we got close to our seats, Izel was noticeably shaking. The after-effects of a serious adrenaline rush.