Starlight Gleaming Ch. 21 Pt. 05

"For the males during this rutting period, in between hunting for more meat, they mount and inseminate any nearby receptive females, often several times a day. Impregnation happens between the second and third week of estrus. Males can readily tell the situation, for our vaginal entrance is consistently engorged and dripping, the smell easily recognizable. Like humans, the eyes dilate, too."

"Fascinating," I commented.

"Our female biology has been a double-edged sword for us. While there are a few males who work with us, most of the Order of Quetzal are females. The current government has been in power for more than two hundred years, with the males holding nearly all of the political power. For over a century, draconian males flaunt their power by keeping several females either in heat or pregnant, and despite their wishes, by making meat the only food available for consumption. Males prefer meat almost exclusively, though they can eat plants. The more meat they eat and the younger they start a carnivorous diet, the bigger and stronger they tend to become. Like humans, there are slight variations to our people. Some subspecies are cannibalistic, that is if there is a fight for dominance and the loser dies, the winner may eat his opponent. Some abuse this by picking fights with inferior males. A few times, that strategy has backfired by picking on popular figures and entertainers."

I listened as she continued.

"Over a hundred years ago, the leadership decided that this was a good alternative method for birth control. Instead of letting the women eat meat when they choose, as it used to be for thousands of years, some males have taken to eating their own young. Some prefer to eat female young entirely. It has also become the fashion to restrain the females. A disturbing trend has been parties where a female is restrained while several males mount her in succession. Such females rarely survive, as the male on ejaculation bites at her neck. The more she bleeds, the more savage the bite. Females can heal quickly, but after several bites without respite, she is often fatally injured."

"I'm sorry," was all I could think to say. Itznacoco trusted her, and she had no reason to fabricate this as some grand lie. I also thought back to when Janetta had been raped; the draconian male had bitten her neck afterward.

Ja-See said, "The preponderance of young males encourages a warrior culture, and the males can be brutal with their potential male heirs. We draconians share a lot of the same brutal customs as you humans. Your Protection Order has sent great excitement through our ranks, Commander, for we yearn for the same equitable treatment as your women do. It also why we vigorously oppose the eating of human children. It reminds us too much of what happens to so many of our own young. There is also a growing philosophical movement that the eating of any sentient race is wrong, even evil."

"That's... remarkably illuminating, Ja-See."

"I presume you will keep our secret? Ah, you wonder why. Human women are often at the mercy of their own bodies. Even when it is against their will, a woman's body may respond with the right stimulation. For that reason, some draconian males enjoy the novelty of raping human women. They don't care that the woman gets wet to prevent internal damage. It's the same on our home-world, where females are often considered the property of their males. The matter keeps coming before the ruling council. Some say letting humans have draconian females as slaves of humans would degrade the race, but some draconian males are greedy for wealth, and they ask -- what are a few less females? Imagine draconian females, restrained and fed a diet of meat, begging to be inseminated? You enslave your own kind, sometimes for laughable reasons like the color of one's skin! Would rich, decadent human males resist the indulgence of owning a few draconian female slaves?"

I shook my head. "No. No, they wouldn't."

"I have watched you, examined you since my arrival, Commander. Then, today happened." She shuddered. "I have told you much, as much as Itznacoco."

"You could help us by sharing some of your technology," I replied.

"Did you forget that I was here when the Atlanteans attacked? I feel your need, but I don't have the technical knowledge to help you! I am trained to use stealth to kill. That's my expertise, Commander."

"All right, Ja-See. Are you aware of Taruca's death?"

"Yes, I learned that this morning. I went there to examine the carrying case in more detail, so I went to his quarters. I knocked and he didn't answer, so I entered his room. Taruca was already dead, and his attacker knocked me down. We struggled on the floor, but almost immediately he was stabbing me. I managed to kick him away, and he crashed against the wall, making a great noise. Others called out, so he bolted. His face was covered, but I knew by his hands, stance, and scent, he was a human male."

"You said you went to examine the carrying case. Do you know where it is?" I asked, eagerness and perhaps some anxiousness filling my voice.

"I do," she answered, giving me an enigmatic smile. "It's safe and sound."

"Where is it?"

"This tee-shirt belongs to you, doesn't it. It smells like you. Different, but still definitely male." She rucked up the shirt and inhaled deeply. "Yes, definitely male. Calia's love for you borders on worship, and you protect her, like you protect all your women. Lovyanchiti, Chita, even you troopers, you think of as your women. You worry about the men, too, but the women, they're special. I nearly died today, but because of Calia, I'm still among the living. I'm not human, but I am a woman. Am I one of your women, Commander?"

"Ja-See! Where's the carrying case!"

"Right there," she said calmly, pointing. "Next to the bookshelf. See it?"

Quickly retrieving it, I zeroed the locks and it opened up. Quite visible was the cutout space on one side for the manual, and on the other was the place where the circuit board had rested. Resting on the edge, where the connector pins had sat, was the adapter piece, shiny and black and most of all, there!

"Did I do well, Commander?"

"You did fantastic!" I exclaimed, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. "Thank you!"

I jumped up and rushed upstairs with the carrying case, anxious to find Cholan. I hoped that finding this important part of the circuit board would cheer her up.

In the garage, I stopped, seeing Cholan get into the ChoCac, and Janetta sliding into the driver's seat.

"What's going on?" I demanded and knocked on the window.

Janetta lowered the window, then she rolled her eyes. "When I get back, you better explain why you're in that uniform, Kandikan!"

"No, wait! Cholan just got here and she hasn't had dinner yet."

Cholan lifted up her lunch kit, showed it to me, and set it back onto the seat.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Back to the hanger. They need me. I talked with the captain and she agrees with me. This is research and application, not shift work. This is really important. You asked me to help and that's what I'm going to do. I have some changes of clothes, but I'm going to stay there until we get it working."

"Well, then I suppose you better take this, then." I opened the door and put the carrying case into her lap. "Locks have been reset to zeroes to open it."

Her face eager, she opened it up, and then yelled, "You found it! Captain, it was missing, and the commander found exactly what we were looking for! Isn't that fantastic?"

"I see that, and yes, it is," she observed, giving me an emotional gaze. "Close it up, Cholan, so we can get going."

Janetta tapped the remote on the dash and the garage door opened up, then Janetta began backing up. As it was getting dark, the vehicle's headlights came on. It turned onto the street, then shot away as the garage door closed up again.

"What in the seven hells?" I muttered. "Not even a hug goodbye?"

Zinja came out and stood next to me. "Commander? Dinner's nearly ready." Then she asked, "Are you okay?"

I turned to her. "Cholan went back to the hangar, after I went to the trouble of bringing her here to have a meal with the family. Took her lunch kit and duffle and didn't even give me a hug goodbye. Is there something I'm missing here?"

"Ah," she said, nodding in understanding. "She and the captain talked a bit last night. Sergeant Cholan, when she gets into her groove, focuses on the task at hand. Tonight, the captain helped her pack her gear for a prolonged stay. The captain or I will stop by each day and make sure she eats because sometimes she forgets, especially now that she's finished up her genetic therapy treatments. The sergeant knows how important this project is, and she really wants to do her part. Commander, she was really touched by the fact that you asked her to help make this happen."

"All right."

"You're a good man, sir. Cholan knows that. She'll show you how appreciative she is when it's all working right. Tomorrow, I'm taking the captain's Lightning over to the hangar for them to install the prototype into. We have two Air Security cruisers set up to help us deflect traffic."

"You be careful," I told her.

Zinja grinned. "This isn't our first time hauling aircraft, sir."

"No, I'm talking about when you're there at the hangar."

"Sir?"

"It's more of a gut feeling," I said. "Lieutenant Ja-See warned me that he's a conservative. Doesn't think women should serve in the military. When I said I wanted Cholan to be on the upgrade team, his response was that unless she gave good head or had a tight pussy, he didn't want her."

"Oh."

"I reminded him about the Protection Order in effect at High Guard, and I then warned him off that Cholan was a part of my household and that if he hurt her, I'm jump on his ass with both feet. Then I had to sell him on her abilities. He was actually impressed by her figuring out the LRAT board issue last year. Your officer might not say anything, but if Roshan acts inappropriately with her, with you, or with Cholan, I want you to tell me, Zinja."

"I see. All right. Considering what you told me, you have a right to be concerned. I'll give the captain a head's up, sir. If she sees something she can't do anything about, she'll tell you, mark my words!" She tugged at my arm. "Come on, let's to get washed up."

Dinner was good, and Izel's cooks along with Terra and Salvia were kept hopping as lines of people were fed. There were a couple of new appliances on the counter, four of which automatically steamed quinoa, which I'm told worked excellently. Two more cooked locally-grown rice from the Seven Nations. More additions were six slow-cookers that cooked food for hours at a slightly lower heat. Large tapir roasts had been put into them with water and spices just before lunch time and were amazingly tender, the meat flaking off the fork. Potatoes and various vegetables had been added two hours before dinner, adding to the bounty.

Calia confirmed that the neither the rice nor the quinoa had been flavored with meat, then scooped up a large bowl of both, with a mix of steamed vegetables, then took the food downstairs.

When Janetta returned, midway through the meal, she was quickly served a plate of food, and gave her approval of what was served. With the airfields operational, they were clearing out any of the damaged hangars that couldn't be repaired.

Izel was officially seated between Janetta and me; Sowitwee and Nariya, who'd previously sat between us, moved to the table's end with Salvia and Terra. During the current mess, Terra and Salvia, like Izel's servants and guards, grabbed food and ate where they could find space. Folding chairs and card tables had been set up in the front room and living room for people to eat at rather than standing around. Most of them had one- or two-year-old toddlers, with mother and child sharing their food from the same plate. As the family finished up their meal, some took the vacated space; troopers that had finished their meal used cleaning rags to wipe things down and put them away.

Most everyone was shocked when I announced my transfer to the 1267 Ground Security regiment. I assured those anxious about the situation that the transfer was temporary, and that while I was away, Captain Lovyanchiti was in charge of the 602. This resulted in some sighs of relief. Mack confirmed that my security detail would remain the same people, and no transfer would be required, which when asked, I confirmed.

After that, my girls and their mothers gathered around me, Janetta settled in her recliner, Izel and Calia at my feet while I read from two books, the shorter aimed at Mina and the longer tale for Sisi, but which was seemingly enjoyed by many of the adults as well. Izel's personal staff were more visible, and along the edges, many mothers with nursing babies listened as I read aloud.

After the stories were done, I had Sowitwee check the weather forecast, and indeed the weekend looked great. With that confirmed, I announced the plans to visit the aquarium in Capisco, that besides my family, all off-duty troopers staying at our home and at Second Home were welcome to join us, that I would pay admission costs and help provide food. I needed to get a head count of those who were wanting to go, as I was going to arrange to borrow two buses from the Ground Service motor pool. I tasked Sowitwee with preparing the list of attendees and their children.

Janetta, initially willing to go, balked at attending with so many others. "I'll stay here and relax in the bathtub with Zinja."

"You will not," Izel declared. "Ranji's right. We need this break. I'm going and I am his wife. You are his mistress and my sister. Are you going to refuse his company and mine?"

My lover harrumphed, then agreed to go with everyone. Sisi was excited that Zinja was going, and as they climbed the stairs to prepare for bed, Sisi recounted the funny seals and the tricky dolphins who jumped through hoops for fish and anything else she could remember from the last visit.

Janetta pointedly asked, "Didn't you go with them to the aquarium the last time?"

"I did," I confirmed.

"So why are we going there this time?" she asked.

"Because last time it was her pre-school classmates, Mack, myself, Sisi, and Mina," I answered. "This time the outing will include you, her mom Zinja, Mina's mom Ixma, Izel, and a lot of other hard-working moms who deserve an outing to show appreciation for all their hard work and dedication to their jobs. Besides, the last time we went was just over three months ago. Next time we'll go someplace else. All right?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going. I can't believe I'm actually planning on going with you," Janetta grumped.

"Oh, come on, little sister," Izel said with a grin. "Is this too domestic for you? Remember that part of the reason you fly those interceptors is to protect your family. It's helpful to spend time with that family."

"I thought I told you I was the big sister," Janetta grumbled.

"Being a wet blanket and staying home is what little sisters do. Since you're going, you get to keep your title and make sure I don't get out of line."

Puzzled, Janetta said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Like getting your fair share of kisses, making sure I don't try to sneak off with Ranji for some married fun. You know, the usual."

"You're going to be trouble, aren't you," Janetta said.

"Depends on how nice you are to me between now and then," Izel said teasingly.

Looking at me, Janetta said in Nahuatl, "Kandikan, your wife needs you to fuck her brains out. For like the next three days."

Izel looked impressed. "That'll probably work. What about you?"

"The man has two balls, doesn't he?" she answered. "Besides, he's always telling how hard I make him."

Rolling my eyes, I said, "I'm going to bed."

* * * * *

Part 26 - Projects

* * * * *

The next day, Haytam and Cooma were on my protection detail, and they drove me to Ground Security; my transfer had caused a wrinkle in things for them, but they were determined to stick close and do their duty. About every hour, they'd swing by and do a visual check on me.

I was given a key to my new office door, and once I was settled inside, I was able to log into the CO's account without issue. I worked as quickly as I could to approve standard reports so as to reduce the logjam that was my new inbox.

Doyya surprised me by showing up to have lunch in my office. Even better, she brought a new cahualt maker along with filters and tins of the ground ambrosia to make several urns of the brew. While we ate the lunch she'd brought, the urn gurgled and percolated and soon had a fresh pot of the drink ready to dispense. While we chatted, I sent my guard detail to go have lunch and be back in an hour. After assurances that I was not going anywhere, Cooma and Haytam departed.

The two main topics during our meal together were my sudden transfer and Doyya having to sit in the hotseat, and the almost two hundred troopers over five years that Voyacherno had betrayed and sold into slavery. I had seen the numbers compiled by Doyya and added to by Sergeant Kenoka and his team in the 602's Personnel office. Unsurprisingly, most of those were women but there were also a few men that had been labeled trouble-makers before their "disappearance." Unfortunately, out of those numbers, only nineteen former Air Security had survived and were still in ordeal in captivity when their sudden rescue arrived.

For each of the nineteen, medical leave was authorized along with a complete check-up; while paperwork was processed and service records reviewed, I provided the funds and access to the nanotech facility to heal any injuries considered debilitating. What I found heartwarming was we had volunteers who had agreed to help them re-integrate into Imperial society. Most of the volunteers were among the veterans that Voyacherno had tried so hard to destroy. However, word had somehow gotten out and there were five helpers from the temple of the Jade Goddess, including Lady Chaplain Commander Xiao Lec'lama! While I marveled at the High Priestess' actions, Doyya told me the charismatic woman had prior experience helping women in abusive relationships get help, and there was a rumor that she'd helped a handful find better lives elsewhere. According to Chita, Lady Xiao's talk to the gathered attendees had been extremely well received.

Since Kenoka and his small team were assigned a pair from the 602's CID to examine the service records and match them to the Obsidian Tears' documents of slave arrivals and sales, with an eye toward eventual destination. While the cartel didn't use real names, they were meticulous about arrival and departure times, physical descriptions of the slave, and eventual sale price. Lieutenant Ja-See had been the one to crack the gang's encryption method used, including those documenting their slave trade.

Those nineteen survivors had been captive for a year or more, being forced to work in the cartel's brothels; five of them were pregnant. While six were civilians - being either servants or wives that had gone missing - the remaining thirteen were former Air Security field troopers. Some ended up at Second Home, crowding together with the other women veterans; surprisingly, seven were apparently sharing space in my gym.

While men would remain on an AWOL list for years, the same could not be said for women; if they weren't caught or turned themselves in within a year's time, it was assumed "they got tired and went home" and were automatically dishonorably discharged on a charge of desertion. Personnel had to get these women identified and then get their service records cleaned up and their back pay calculated and dispensed. Besides healing and adjustment time, they would also need to be debriefed for any information they knew that might help identify others still missing.