Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 04

"Are you saying you can't do it?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No, sir, I didn't say that. I do happen to have a decent understanding of electrical engineering. I also know every system that goes into the AT-7 Lightning, our current state-of-the-art interceptor fighter. What I see before me is a large circuit board that needs to be plugged into a receiving port, and it doesn't match any port currently on any of the AT-7 Lightning's current avionics. This circuit board promises a great deal, but it cannot be all that they sent to us. At a minimum, I've seen references to three other manuals and discrete systems -- including power. Unless I'm missing something, I'm going to have to construct that receiving dock from what I have here, which is all on paper and damn few schematics to work from. Commander, are you absolutely positive we've received nothing else?"

"No, I'm not, actually. I will make inquiries. Can you continue moving forward?"

She paused, then said, "Yes, sir."

I exhaled with relief. We desperately needed to make this tech work! "Outstanding. Look, I have a meeting to go to, but I'll be back in a couple of hours. Take whatever breaks you need to, Sergeant." I paused for a moment, then said, "You know, one of the first things Captain Tlacotli said to me about you was that you are a wizard with avionics. And she's right. You're brilliant, Cholan. There may be times when you feel overwhelmed, but you aren't alone here. Why don't you head to the front desk right now and tell them you need your ID updated."

"Updated? Why?"

"This is a top-secret project, and your security clearance has been upgraded accordingly. The card-reader at the front desk should be able to update the chip in your ID card for you. It should only take you a few minutes. I'll wait to leave until you get back."

"All right." She stood and stretched. "Guess I could stand to stretch my legs a bit." Giving me a smile, she strode out, closing the door behind her.

Turning off the scrambler and putting it into my satchel, I turned my computer back on. Hanami's email arrived. It was perfect. After adding the appropriate recipients, I sent it out.

I still had not heard from Lieutenant Ja-See. I sent a second email to her, asking about her status. Cholan had brought up some good points, some of which needed immediate answers.

Despite knowing how awful I would feel later, I popped a third pair of stim tabs, washing the bitter things down with the rest of my cup of cahault. Then I checked my inbox again, looking for anything from either General Barankoshto or from the Commandant. Nothing.

Biting the bullet, I sent emails to Sammi Reo and to the two detectives, asking them to be there the following day at ten hundred hours. Sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness, especially when even acknowledgment is not readily forthcoming.

Cholan re-entered my office, and I got up to greet her. Holding my arms apart was all she needed to change her direction. She hugged me tight and I wrapped my arms around her, content to just hold her close. This woman practically vibrated with happiness as I held her. She was very much a sweetheart who just wanted to be loved for who she was.

Doyya opened the door a few minutes later, halting as she looked at me. "Is this a bad time?"

A quick kiss and Cholan broke off, settling herself back at the work table.

"Just a little affection, Captain. Is it time to go?"

"Yes, sir. I've already informed your security detail. Akama is bringing the cruiser to the front entrance. Mack is signing both of us out."

Collecting my helmet and vest, I told Hanami that if Lieutenant Ja-See came by, to call me on my cell phone. Then Doyya and I left with Mack leading the way.

Once we were in the backseat of the cruiser, Doyya handed me a file from her satchel. "Thought you might want to review his service jacket before the interview, Commander."

I opened it and scanned the information. Name, Lord Perlikan Insokor, Group Captain, Executive Officer of 1267 Ground Security Regiment. Time in service, 36 years. Time in grade, seven years. Age 52. Background. Fourth son of Lord Hamilax of Sinco See'ayo Estates, Lord Master of Horse, Cuzco.

Then I started skimming. First Wife, married 29 years, Agnyet Insokor née Altsheen, age 47, dowry trust $43,117 Imperial credits. Residence, 15245 Golden Terrace Road, Tri-Cities, East Mogollon State. Seven children birthed, four surviving, three attaining majority. Son, Willifer Insokor, Lieutenant, Ground Service, Signal Corps, Telecommunications, Agasti War Base, age 28. Married... Daughter, Belmaneet Penak née Insokor, housewife, age 26... Son, Perlikan Insokor, Jr., age 25, statistician... Second Wife, married nine years, Leah Insokor née Weego, Lady Hetchomar, age 26, dowry trust $78,900 Imperial credits, residence High Guard War Base...

Performance evaluations, prior to High Guard, marks were good or very good. Since arrival six years ago, he's been alternating between good and adequate.

Closing the folder, I handed it back to her. "Your thoughts on him?"

"He has the time in grade for promotion to Field Commander, but doesn't have the points, and for the last three years, has skipped further training opportunities. It appears his second wife has supplanted his career focus. She's wealthy in her own right, half his age, and pregnant with her second child. Both his wives are lookers, but his first is over a thousand rads away while the younger version is here at High Guard. I'd say he's clean, but Commander Orchid missed Voyacherno, although to be fair, she did have a very short window of time to work with and Voyacherno's full perfidy we are just now learning about. Insokor may be trying to relive his golden days. The interview will tell us a lot."

"All right." I handed her back the personnel file. "This was useful. Well done, Captain."

We soon arrived at Ground Security.

After signing in, we were directed to a meeting room. We met the interim CO, Group Captain Insokor, and discussed security issues during the recovery period and plans to tackle them. Aside from myself and Doyya and Group Captain Isokor, three other Ground Security officers sat in on the meeting, along with a sergeant taking notes.

At the end of ninety minutes when we were supposed to wrap things up, part of that discussion turned out to be what to do with my murderous brother-in-law, Kirfan of Tenochta.

When the question was put to me, I replied, "His men are shackled and chipped?"

Insokor said, "Yes, those who weren't recovering from wounds had been enslaved and are currently working to clear debris. But what about Lord Kirfan, Commander?"

"Keep him in isolation and deny him any communication access. He should also be continuously monitored to make sure the isolation is enforced. By next week, things will have settled down and I will have the opportunity to examine him under Truth Drugs. I'm anxious to see if we can net any others in his crime web, even if it's in Nahua. He killed or injured many good people, including almost a full platoon of Captain Reno's men, Sergeant Gann at Housing, and two of my personal guards, and seriously injured the CO of Base Housing. On his orders, his men tried to kill me and nearly succeeded. If the 1267 receives orders contrary to his current arrest and detention for high crimes against the Empire, I ask that I be informed before those changes are implemented. Lady Ocotépan is my wife and I will protect her."

Isokor nodded. "That's a reasonable request. About the loan of officers?"

Doyya replied, "I'll get the list to you this evening, before eighteen hundred hours. Who's your Second and who's your XO?"

Isokor snapped out, "I don't have those yet. I was only notified about the appointment this morning."

I was ready to chastise him for his sharp tone with Doyya, but then I remembered he was the regiment's XO, and both Branco and Terkouri, his superior officers, were dead. "All right. Isokor and Lovyanchiti, you stay. The rest of you clear this room. Meeting's over."

"Hey! These are my officers, Commander."

"As you just pointed out, I'm a Commander, two full grades above you. We need to chat." I addressed the rest of the room. "If Group Captain Isokor has anything further to tell you, he will contact you later. Thank you and dismissed."

His face tense, he stared at me as the rest of the Ground Security officers, now his staff, cleared the room.

I nodded to Doyya, then I got up and moved closer to Isokor. Doyya sat on the other side of me. "Captain, you have requested the loan of thirty officers from us to command some of your trooper platoons. Doyya, is this feasible?"

"It'll be a further strain on us, but if we can get more Ground Security platoons up and running, it will ease some of the overall pressure on us. If the loan is longer than two weeks, we'll have to make some decisions of our own. But I think it's doable, Commander. Our NCOs can handle the job. And if they need help, we'll assign them officers they can seek answers from."

"Excellent." I turned to Isokor. "Let's say we cut through the bearshit and get to the important stuff. You were the XO for the 1267 and you're now its temporary CO. Is this something you want? Or would you rather remain the XO?"

His posture defensive, he scowled. "Why?"

"You and I have hardly had any contact. Seven Hells, I've only been back to High Guard for just over four months. What I do know is that not everyone wants command. That's not a failing. If it's not something you want, it's better to admit it out front and deal with it. I'm not your enemy, and I'm not trying to horn in on your show. Think it over and give me your decision tomorrow at zero-eight hundred."

He just stared at me.

I raised my eyebrows. "Go home to your wife and talk it over. Call wife one and ask her advice. Call a best friend and talk to him or her. Once you've made a decision, then we can get things moving forward."

"Yes, sir," he grumbled.

"Great." I stood and Doyya mirrored me. "We'll the get the list of officers ready. Meantime, there's someone else in the Stockade I want to see."

"Who is it?" Isokor asked.

"Oceotl. He used to be one of Kirfan's men."

"I've no objection," he told me.

"Thanks. Good night, Captain."

He nodded, remaining seated.

Outside of the conference room, Doyya asked, "Do you want me with you?"

"That would be lovely, Lady Captain Lovyanchiti." I headed toward the Stockade at the other end of the building complex.

Walking beside me, she flushed. "Why did you call me that?"

I smiled at her. "Because we aren't at the 602, and sometimes I like to remind myself that you are not just a very competent officer but a noblewoman with very good instincts."

"A noblewoman because you made me so." She raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Is this revenge for me talking you up to Mack and Akama?"

"Not really. And whatever you three talked about in that short time seems to have helped pull Akama back together. I'm worried about some of our women veterans. They've been singled out, and Seven Hells, we've got former Air Security declared AWOL who were apparently sold into slavery and living within a stone's throw of High Guard, chained up and forced to work as whores."

"I'm already working on that, Commander. I'd like permission to talk with Lady Calia, if you don't mind."

"I wish I had a dozen like her," I confessed. "I've already asked her to set up classes on human sexuality. In a few days, she'll be emancipated, and my mother has said she will help Calia get credentials as a dula and a primary teacher. I'd like her to design something for dealing with trauma, but I don't want to overwhelm her. She's already stretched so thin with everything at home. However, I think it might be better to have Izel help."

"Indeed?"

I chuckled. "My new wife is a wonder. She has a mind for details and excellent questions. My fear is that once the Empress has her child and returns to the capital, that she will ask Izel to return to Court."

"Oh." Doyya thought for a moment, then said, "Won't her being newly married make a difference?"

I sighed. "Maybe. But if the Empress asks, we'll just have to grin and bear the hardship of separation. The Empress is on our side against the Minister as well as several well-placed traditionalist members of High Command, though not all of them, that's for sure. From what Izel has told me, the Empress has her own tightrope to walk."

"With all due respect, sir, shit always seems to be happening to you."

I winked at her. "That seems to be the case, Captain. But if the alternative means giving up my family or seeing hope for a better life fade in the eyes of those around me, I'll just have to stay in the hot seat."

"That's why your motto is such a good one."

"My motto?"

"Llam nuqan, sir. You made that the motto for the 945 and then you gave it to the 602. It's simple but catchy. It implies a lot more, too. If you are stuck in the hot seat as you put it, what can the rest of us do but suck it up and stand beside you."

"I appreciate your loyalty," I told her.

"Loyalty is but one of those implied qualities."

We arrived at Ground Security's stockade entrance. I presented my ID card. "Commander Kandikan to visit prisoner Oceotl."

"Yes, sir," the Ground Security corporal said. "He's very popular today."

That caught my attention. "What does that mean, Corporal? Who else has visited the prisoner?"

"We thought you knew? Lady Izel presented her ID card. She's your wife, sir, and a noblewoman in her own right. We also know you and she helped get water and a lot of extra supplies for High Guard. The other one was your Personal Servant. Since she accompanied your wife, the OD okayed them both." As if anticipating my reaction, he brought up the log book on screen and showed me the names.

Izel Kandikan, Lady Ocotépan; Calia of House Kandikan; and Sergeant Sowitwee.

As I took a slow, deep breath, the corporal asked, "Is there a problem, Commander?"

I shook my head. "No, there's not. However, I need to make a call before we enter the cell block."

"Of course, sir."

Taking out my phone, I called home.

"Commander Kandikan's residence. Sergeant Welksl speaking."

"Sergeant, is either Calia or Lady Izel available to speak?"

"Lady Izel is upstairs in your private quarters. She asked not to be disturbed unless it was something serious. I just saw Lady Calia. She's with your daughters, sir. I'll go get her."

As I waited, Doyya gave me a silent inquiry. I nodded and she moved to my side.

The exuberant voice on the phone said, "Master, what a pleasant surprise! I did nap like you told me to. Your daughters miss you. Are you going to be home soon? Please, say yes!"

I chuckled. "Yes, I do plan to be home a little early tonight. I understand that you and Lady Izel were at Ground Security earlier, and you visited your brother's champion. Why was that?"

"Ah, yes. Oceotl. Your wife suggested we visit him together. She told me you were worried that he was serving under duress and was deliberately made into a mute. If he gives you his word, I believe you can depend upon him to fulfill his promise. With some persuasion, I was able to convince the guards to let me touch his hand. Under supervision, of course. They were quite concerned for both our safety."

"Anything else?" I asked.

"He is ashamed and contrite at the women who were hurt by Lady Izel's brother and his men. He only speaks Nahuatl and I don't, but your wife translated for us. I do know he hopes for a chance to prove himself and to make some amends, especially for what transpired here. He has a grandmother who raised him, and I have the impression that Lady Izel's brother has some sort of threat in place to keep Oceotl compliant. He is worried for his grandmother's safety. Your wife explained the charges and he understands if he has to be punished. Does that help, Master?"

"It does. I should be home soon."

"I love you, Master."

"I love you, too, Calia. Thank you. Goodbye."

Doyya looked at me. "Lady Izel brought Calia in to check out the prisoner we're going to see?"

Looking at her sharply, "What do you know?"

"Only what we both heard together, Commander," she replied earnestly. "I am your Second and I would do everything in my power to protect you and your family. I'm aware of the Base Commandant's request, sir. However, if it meant keeping you and your family safe, I would have no hesitation about going into Kirfan's cell and putting a bullet between his eyes, nobleman or not, and damn the consequences."

Flushing, I nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that how it sounded. I trust you utterly, Doyya. Chita, too. And for the record, unless he's loose and lives are in immediate danger, I forbid you from doing such a reckless action. You're too valuable to me."

"And you'd put yourself in harm's way to save us, wouldn't you?" She shook her head. "While Chita and I appreciate your sentiment, as your Second, it's my job to prevent you from making stupid decisions like that. You're the CO. You need to stop jumping into the line of fire."

Accepting Doyya's words, I put away my phone, pondering the fact Izel and Calia had done this. Izel certainly had the right. Kirfan was her brother, and Oceotl had been his champion. No doubt, too, she'd taken my concerns to heart and had taken it upon herself to make herself useful to me.

Once things eased off here at High Guard, Izel would likely need to visit Nahua and put the government and her family business in order. I fully expected Kirfan to end up a temple sacrifice or facing a firing squad. But, despite the seriousness of the charges against him, Kirfan's fate was not set in stone. Many things were yet possible with him.

Doyya looked at me. "Well, sir?"

"Looks like the nature of our visit has changed considerably." We walked back to the checkpoint.

My Second kept pace beside me. "How so, Commander?"

I signed on the tablet the corporal presented, and Doyya did the same. Our ID cards were scanned, and the locked door popped open. "Corporal, please prepare the paperwork for prisoner transfer."

"To Air Security, Commander?" he ventured.

"No. I will take personal responsibility for him."

"Yes, Commander." He gestured and a second Ground Security trooper opened the second door for us after the first door locked behind us. After we stepped through, the guard pushed the door shut, then led the way. A third security trooper followed behind us.

Doyya briefly raised her eyebrows at me, but said nothing further.

Passing through two more checkpoints, we soon stood before Oceotl's cell. The first guard opened the cell, announcing the prisoner had visitors.

Rolling over, the big man sat up and passively watched us.

As we stepped into the cell, the door closed behind us. Both guards remained a few feet away, keeping us within visual range. I might be taking the prisoner into personal custody, but until then, I was a senior officer entering a prison cell. Oceotl was a huge man, and until that paperwork was processed, Ground Security was responsible for the prisoner's safety and ours as well.

Doyya quietly asked, "Do you plan to take him into your service, sir?"

"I do. Chiatl thinks I would have fared badly against my wife's late husband. Both Janetta and Jay told her I was going to win. I knew that myself, but with the drugs the late general was on, the question was how much it was going to hurt before we got to that point. Chiatl refused to challenge Kirfan because he feared Oceotl. He also stated that he was sure Oceotl would kill me in any confrontation."

"He is rather large, Commander. From what you say, the question is moot," she said. "This Chiatl fellow, on the other hand, is in serious danger of becoming a boil on my ass and I hate those with a passion. He's received two warnings from security troopers and everyone has been informed that if there's a third incident, they are to take him down and arrest him. If any of his men resist, they go with him."