Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 03

I reached over and pulled her into my arms and she buried her face into my chest, crying again.

"It's all right," I murmured. "You were terrified and the adrenaline is wearing off."

She pulled away and looked at me with astonishment while tears spilled down. "I just realized how close I was to losing you! I just got you and we almost died!"

I grinned, brushing away her tears with my thumb. "I love you, too, Izel Kandikan."

* * * * *

Part 16 -- Negotiations Conclude

* * * * *

Two Ground Service troopers arrived and stood at attention. "Commander, we are your temporary replacements until new bodyguards can be assigned."

Haylock and Beym. Both were privates.

"Welcome to the Air Service," I said, giving them a wink.

The two soldiers rolled their eyes and laughed.

Sammi Reo and her main cameraman, Jess Allonscott, entered the room. The reporter exclaimed, "Thank the gods you're both alive. Are you all right?"

"A little rattled. Our guards were killed, but we're fine. These brave souls have been assigned to keep watch on us for the time being," I explained. "How about you?"

"They broke into here, but they made a lot of noise breaking the lock, so we hid in the closet," Reo said. "They glanced around and left. As soon as they were out the door, I called your Dispatch operator."

I nodded. "I'm glad you didn't have to deal with them. You would have suffered greatly at their hands." Izel nodded. "I want you to know that we appreciate your call to Security. Both of our guards died, but if not for your call, we might have died as well. So, thank you. I shan't forget that."

Sammi shrugged, giving me an arch look. "Well, it seemed the thing to do at the time. Would be a shame not to finish these talks, don't you think, Commander?"

"So it would," I admitted. Glancing at my watch, I added, "Well, we're awake now. Perhaps we can resume early?"

The reporter gave us both a grim smile. "I think that is reasonable. The big item remaining is medical supplies."

Pulling out my handkerchief, I gave it Izel. She wiped her face and blew her nose. "Thank you. I'm feeling better. What's that your daughter says? Your magic hug made me feel better."

I smiled at her words. "Sisi has some pretty special magic herself. So do the rest of the women in my household. You included."

I checked my laptop for a response from the hospital. Not seeing anything, I called Dr. Jehantli's office and reached his medical assistant, Sergeant Nuna.

"Sergeant? This is Commander Kandikan. I suspect you're swamped, but this is urgent. I'm in a conference with representatives of the Seven Nations. I want to make sure you don't run out of needed supplies, but I have no idea what you need. I spoke with a Field Captain by the name of Tuwa'ree in Hospital Administration several hours ago, telling him to get me a list some six hours ago, but I've heard nothing back since. It would grieve me if someone died because you ran out of commonly used medical supplies."

"I'm sorry, Commander. We have so many wounded, the overflow is sitting in the hospital corridors waiting to be treated. Dr. Jehantli is working in the ER as we speak."

"That makes this call all the more important," I told her. "I'm now putting this task on your shoulders. The airfield is out of commission and it'll be days before a ship can dock safely. Please tell me what Dr. Jehantli and the others are out of or running low on. A few minutes now could save hundreds, possibly even thousands."

"Understood, Commander. I'll call you back in an hour. However, the most urgent thing I can think of is Nu-skin patches. The medical warehouse on the naval side caught fire. They put it out pretty quickly, but most of the patches were destroyed by exposure to the fire's heat. We always need gauze pads and wrapping tape. They can be cut down, be sure to get large and medium. Blood and plasma are in high demand, too. Oh, and medical-grade pain medications. A lot of people are being treated and if they're stable, they're being sent away because we're only keeping critically wounded at this time, and we still have people spilling out into the corridors."

"I'll see what I can do. Sergeant, get me that list and include what you just told me. I need the common name, item code, size and/or type, and amount requested. Like with the gauze, how many boxes of large, how many of medium? How many rolls of wrapping tape? All right, Sergeant. I'll wait for your call. If I don't hear from you in the next two hours, I'll just have to do the best I can."

"Thank you, Commander!" She hung up.

After that, we resumed our negotiations with the Seven Nations, working out deals for other supplies. Because of the lack of response, we went ahead anyway. A rep from Capisco's Emergency Services called two hospital administrators from their local hospitals for advice. While we were in discussion, the email from Sergeant Nuna finally arrived. This list was shared, and after consulting with the civilian administrator, further supplies were added and prices agreed upon. The city's liaison got to work once the payment cleared.

Mortuary services came next, especially cremation. Arrangements were made for pick up, cremation, and urns. A cold storage facility offered space to store bodies, and the city government said they would find out what was available, and if no space could be found, would I be willing to pay to have it made? Yes, I assured them.

What took the most time was the political arrangements. I wanted to make sure we had guards for the dead. The state government wanted their say in this. At first, they attempted to forbid having any military guards, then insisting on having local guards only, then to having their people guard our guards. Then, who was going to pay for the guards, the warehouse, transportation, et cetera.

The City of Capisco stepped in and said their experience working with High Guard in recent months had been a marked change for the better, and they would arrange for city police who wanted to work off-duty with our troopers standing watch over our dead.

I know I already mentioned it, but Izel's presence throughout the entire process cannot be understated. I consider myself a quick study. However, more than once she stepped in and kept things going or made counter-offers that smoothed the way when I was ready to walk away and take a long break. By the end, she was handling most of the talks directly, and while I may have asked some questions, I agreed to pretty much anything she said.

When one of the Seven Nations representatives balked over one point, he burst out, "Okay, I know what her opinion is. What do you think, Commander?"

I gave him a tired smile. "I think she's doing just fine. My wife has my complete confidence."

While the rep was disgruntled, a few of his compatriots chuckled at his expense. For her part, Izel flashed me a look of surprise that immediately transformed into adoration. With renewed vigor, she returned to the fray.

Since Emilo and the others were staying just a few buildings over, Reo and her cameraman brought us a hot afternoon meal courtesy of the Ground Service. Even with the disaster, the Ground Service chefs had not forgotten their guests. Performing minor miracles, they continued to provide delicious and hearty meals for their guests. As I dug in, I recalled a tidbit from General Barankoshto the previous year when she had informed me improvements had been made in their food services resulting in improved morale. If this was what the Ground Service had been getting recently, it was no wonder they were protective of them.

We ate with enthusiasm while we continued negotiations over video. Sammi, her cameraman, and assistant also enjoyed their meal, and I made sure our new bodyguards were also fed. Naturally, the men were delighted.

More stim tabs for me and Izel.

I was beginning to feel a bit numb from the chemical stimulants. I suspected that I was nearing the point where my body would refuse to function without hours of real sleep.

The last item of business was evacuations. For any civilians at High Guard, for whatever reason, that wanted passage back to the Empire, they were guaranteed passage through the Seven Nations flying on their transports to Sugarland, and then passage by railroad to the Empire's border and thence to Mohingo. Turned out that there were four members of the state government with serious medical issues, one terminal but all incurable by their own medical technology. These officials wanted to live bad enough to guarantee the cost of travel back to the empire for up to ten thousand Imperial citizens at five credits each. This deal was appended and attached to the previous medical deal of two treatments per month at the Tlacotli Nano-tech Facility signed earlier.

Much of that was Izel's doing. Now that things with Atlantis were heating up, if warriors wanted their families out of harm's way, I had no issues with them getting to safer shores. Paid passage through the Seven Nations was a far sight better than having to run the gauntlet by freighter or air transport.

Throughout the day, I'd been receiving text updates on my tablet. Deliveries were already arriving at the main gate, and several fire stations and hospitals from around the state of Hassenyeet sent in volunteers and vehicles to help contain the fires. The state government also picked up their travel costs and wages.

We finally wrapped things up around dinner time. It took my bleary eyes more than once to figure out the time.

Izel had kept track of various agreements, making a quick summary of what they were and the cost in Imperial credits as well as any other obligations incurred. When we finished, she sent the file to me, and I forwarded a copy to the Commandant and to Tikún Travel.

After the video conferences ended, Sammi Reo asked us for a short interview. Izel and I were exhausted. We'd had a few short breaks, but except for the two-hour nap and a lot of stim tabs, we were both approaching thirty-six hours. I was certain my wife and I had exceeded both the daily recommended allotment of stim tabs and caffeine intake. I was not only beyond tired, I was becoming fidgety.

However, I owed this reporter more than I could repay and would do my best to bull through and not sound like an idiot or that I was drunk. Sammi Reo had gone out of her way to help us while our people, especially our civilian population, suffered from the attack by Atlantis. Because of Sammi -- and Izel -- High Guard would soon be on its way to recovery, or at least functional operational capacity. Sammi had helped save thousands of civilians, well aware that it would not be politic to mention our warriors.

So, of course, Izel and I consented.

There was a considerable amount of digital records. As promised, Sammi Reo made a copy as we watched and gave me the hard drive clone. A copy of the interview, too, on a flash drive, was made by her assistant. I know the man had been introduced to me, but at that moment, I drew a complete blank. By the gods, I'd been trying to remember pretty much all day and had drawn a blank.

I did take the time to thank her for putting the meeting together. "You went above and beyond for us. And the story you aired the night before? It was full of outrage, but it was also heartfelt and gracious. I know you will get a lot of airplay from all this which will help advance your career. Still, I wish to thank you."

She pursed her lips a moment before answering. "I know you mean well, Commander. I like you. I seriously do. This thing you're doing for those kids -- you didn't have to do it, yet you did. The loyalty of your Sergeant Mack and the others? It all speaks to the kind of man you are.

"But to be honest, I don't like the fact that you and the Empire are here on our doorstep, and that you are a high-ranking military officer in the service of a foreign government. Intellectually, I understand that High Guard is your chance to keep Atlantis from striking deeper into your country. The homes and businesses damaged by the Atlanteans will have to be balanced against the massive amount of electrical damage your EMP missiles did to many surrounding areas. A lot of rural homes lost power, and some are still out.

"Just as you love your country, I love mine. Chimorro and Atlantis and Aesir-Veda have been at odds for a very long time. Sometimes I think the only reason the Seven Nations and the Eastern Islands are still around as independent countries is because it's convenient for the Empire and Atlantis to have us as a buffer between you. There have been times, too, when the Empire and Atlantis have raided us for slaves and whatever you could steal. Granted, there hasn't been a lot of that from either side in a few years, but that's been the nature of the relationship between our respective nations -- and worse, it still happens today. You three are the top world powers. You wage your bush wars in the Tongwe States and in Afrika like both places were your private playgrounds. If you have any sway with your leaders, please tell them we'd like to be around to see the future, too? And we'd also like to keep our independence."

Her words stung, but they were true and respectfully restrained. "I promise to convey your concerns, Sammi. I appreciate your honesty and integrity. Once you get to know me, I hope you will come to understand that I do not condone raiding other nations to steal, nor do I like it when selfish and cruel men carry off women and children."

Sammi snorted. "Honesty and integrity spread more easily when people have a free and open press. It helps keep governments more honest than they usually are. Both qualities are something the Empire could seriously use. But I'm being an ungrateful guest even as I hosted these meetings. Patriotism wasn't the only reason I helped arrange for assistance. It was for the kids. Your media broadcasts have been updating the casualty lists. I... met a few of the ones killed yesterday. Still, you're welcome, Lord Kandikan. Lady Kandikan, it's been a pleasure."

She and Izel shook hands.

The email from Dispatch regarding the Main Gate arrived and pinged my tablet. I reviewed the orders, made a few minor adjustments, and digitally signed it. I also wrote up a Gate Pass, allowing Sammi Reo and her staff to come and go with civilians, provided documentation for all passengers was properly presented. The Pass was good for one week, and the security team at the gate was to provide a copy of the Gate Pass for Sammi to keep as they exited the war base. Copies were included to the Base Commandant, Ground Security's CO and Second, and to Doyya. While I knew about Commander Jaykoor's death, his replacement would need to be informed as a courtesy.

Sammi Reo and her two assistants continued putting their gear away.

Izel and I sat together, staring into our cups of cahault than actually drinking any more. I knew both of us were so overtired we were beginning to shut down mentally before our bodies followed suit.

Once they were all packed, Sammi stopped to discuss their plans with me. She still had her story to finish about Emilo and the kids getting treatment. "I don't want this to get buried in the news of potential war breaking out. We'll be leaving High Guard for the rest of today. We'll get some much-needed sleep, freshen up, and we'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

I sighed. "If we can't get the rest of the kids taken care of soon, I'll arrange for them to get treated at Tohingo. I made a promise to heal them."

Reo looked at me. "You know, it might be good for the healthy ones to get out of here. We'd put them up in a nice hotel, let them have the afternoon at an arcade, go out to eat, see some sights, maybe get in some dancing with some local kids their own age."

"That's awfully generous. Still, we're strapped at the moment. As much I'd like to, I'm worried that they may be targeted."

She frowned. "By Atlanteans? What would be the purpose of that?"

I shook my head. "I have political enemies, too. Enemies that have no qualms about torturing or murdering children."

"Terrific. Look, let me call my boss," she replied. "Capisco Police Department has a good reputation. If we don't advertise this until after they're back on your war base, they should be okay, shouldn't they?"

"If Emilo and the other parents want to go with you, you have my blessing, and I'll cover the expenses. Anyone who wants to stay stays. Since I'm footing the bill, try not to sell them any diamonds, will you? Even cheap ones. I do have my limits, and I've seriously dented my family fortune this day."

Reo laughed. "Fair enough, Commander. I'll talk to the parents and my boss. Let's see if we can scrounge up some rides. If we can rent a passenger van from Capisco, can we bring it here to pick everyone up?"

"Already cleared. Your guest pass is waiting at the Main Gate. It's good for one week. Everyone accompanying you will still need a photo ID and will be checked before allowed entry. I trust you will not attempt to abuse my trust, especially in security matters. Regardless, any one of the young guests from the Western Frontier who wants to leave with you for a fancy stay in Capisco, they have permission to do so. Though I suppose now it's anyone's guess how long the last of the nano-treatment are going to take."

"Thank you. I'll go let them know." Then she paused. "Your fortune, Commander? Surely you'll be reimbursed by the Empire for your expenditures."

"Possibly," I replied. "But there's no guarantee. I was ordered to handle the negotiations, but there was no authorization to expend funds. I did that on my own. The situation demanded I act so I did. If it saves even one life, it's worth it."

"If I were to approach you later for a personal interview, would you be open to it?"

"I would not reject it out of hand, you have my word."

Izel reached over and squeezed my hand. The reporter gave me a thoughtful look, then collected her bags and exited the door. Jess the cameraman and her assistant began carrying equipment out to their vehicle.

Rubbing my eyes, I felt the two days' worth of whiskers on my face. I honestly didn't know what the women were complaining about. My face felt fine to me.

Izel ran her hands over my cheek. "Oh, my. You really are bristly, Husband. I thought Calia was joking."

I couldn't help it. I started laughing, but I was so tired I couldn't maintain it.

"I don't care," she continued. "I enjoy being kissed by you, even if you are bristly."

"It's not the face kissing she was concerned about," I said with a grin. "It's the more tender regions down below getting rubbed raw, Izel."

"What?" Shocked by the implication, her face darkened with embarrassment. "Oh. Oh, my! That... " Then she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Husband, I really like it when you do that to me!"

"Wife, that's great because I love doing that to you. Come on. Let's go home."

"Whatever you say, Ranji." However, instead of collecting our own possessions, Izel guided me over to a couch, and before I knew it, I sat and she crawled into my lap. "We'll go soon," she promised. "I just need to rest for a bit."

"Okay," I murmured, wrapping my arms around her.

* * * * *

Part 17 -- In Trouble Again

* * * * *

"Kandikan, wake up." Then I was being shaken awake. "Wake up! It's time to go home."

I froze as my neck suddenly pinched, and my hand flew to where it hurt. "Ow, ow, ow."

Izel woke up, slowly blinking. "What's happening?" She wiped her chin because of the wetness, then looked mortified as she realized she'd drooled onto my shirt.

Glancing around, I saw both Ground Service soldiers watching us with amusement.