Starlight Gleaming Ch. 14

Getting up, I intercepted them. "Hello. Can I help you?"

One man held out his clipboard. "Here to see a Second Sergeant Chita, Lieutenant."

"She's right there. And you are?"

"Painters, sir, from the 311th Maintenance and Support Battalion. We're here to put up your unit insignia, sir."

"With your permission, I have this, sir." Chita stood and came forward.

"Very well, Sergeant. Carry on."

She scanned their work order, then turned around, giving instructions and pointing out where they were to work.

I hadn't even thought to arrange to have that done. Having the unit insignia on the wall, bright and bold for everyone else to see would help build unit cohesion. Chita was doing a good job, picking up on the details I missed. Doyya had picked her, too, I recalled. Another good call by my Second.

I retreated to my desk, and followed up on some personal phone calls. One was to SSgt Gerlotsl of the Quartermaster's Office. It turned out there were five larger homes available, with two of them quite close to the airfield. I made arrangements to meet with the second sergeant at the Commissary the next day at lunch time, my treat. He readily accepted.

I then called Lieutenant Tonkchawanda at Building Safety about having a Housing Inspector come with me to the available houses. He assured me that Third Sergeant Neela from his office would contact me in the morning for scheduling.

Wanting to cover my lack of construction knowledge with more expertise, I made a call to First Sergeant Kitam of the Ground Service Mobile Engineers. He said he could only do things after hours for a consultation fee. Otherwise, I would need to clear it with his commanding officer. If I wanted a faster assessment per house, I could hire his picked work team. I was agreeable to having him work after hours and to his using the extra help. We worked out an acceptable rate per house.

Truth be told, I didn't mind the extra expenses. I wanted us settled into a home before I had to leave for my ten weeks of training, and I was willing to spend the needed credits to get it done on time. The women could manage it if I weren't there, but they were my family. It was my job to take care of them. Having a place to live was integral to that care. The notion I might have to leave before finding us a new home galled me.

With my two new daughters, and the arrival of Calia, things on my to-do list had ballooned. Yet to balance that, Ixma and Calia had joined forces and they were both doing their part to help – visiting the hospital during the day, taking the women food and personal items, which I heartily approved of. Janetta, Zinja, Cholan, and Nariya had all enjoyed the pampering that Calia and Ixma had arranged.

All too soon, it was nearly quitting time for the day staff. Chita sent a map link to my laptop of the transportation locations, along with a suggested bus route. I also saw an email from Chita that went out to the 917th, announcing that a bus would be available for those requesting safety rides. With it, she outlined a process for those who wanted to make use of the service. Then I noticed that the email had also included Lieutenant Melia Jonje, CO of the 1025th Communications and TSgt Barris Tarakansotl of the Ground Service, with invites to attend a staff meeting tomorrow at nine bells to further discuss the matter.

Less than an hour later, I had an email from Commander Barankoshto herself, assuring me of her full support for the bus plan. A Captain Billoksl and an aide would be there the next morning to attend our meeting. Lieutenant Jonje also sent her confirmation of attendance.

Support from the Commander meant a lot. Remembering how she sat on her tank, music blaring, flanked by deadly support vehicles as she helped Melannee escape, I pitied the fool who ever stood in the Commander's way. Then I noticed the tag line under her name. No longer Field Commander, but promoted to full commander, CO of the 1st Brigade for the 67th Armored and the division's Second in Command.

I had to grin at the revelation. Her people seemed devoted to her, and she did have a way of getting things done. Good for her, I thought. Remembering her perched on that massive tank with its huge double-barrel main guns, and I pitied anyone who dared get in her way.

At five bells, a driver from Motor Pool entered the building, announcing that the bus had arrived.

Captain Xotochan, CO of the 917th and my boss, showed up by my desk just as I slipped on my garrison cap and collected my satchel.

"Something I can do for you, sir?" I asked him.

He scanned my work station before answering. "I've been seeing half a dozen emails today from your Sergeant Chita. Tell me about this bus thing."

I quickly outlined what I had in mind, and the plan to coordinate with Ground Service on the resources, such as with drivers and buses. Those wanting the safe passage could apply to use the service, and we'd provide the transportation.

"We have that Protection Order in place for our people, sir. This helps them get places faster and safer. I don't want there to be any more of our people injured like Corporals Rilli and Meba. The buses will help us enforce that Protection Order, and I think it will improve morale, showing that we mean to stand by our Order and keep them safe."

"I want to be there at the meeting tomorrow. This is sort of a Motor Pool thing, but also fits in with Logistics."

"We'd be glad to have you there, Captain." I was surprised at his interest, but thought I'd keep an open mind about it.

"It will be useful, I think, to hear about tonight's experiences at the meeting tomorrow. Carry on, Lieutenant." Then he left.

It turned out that Chita herself was a rider.

I unplugged the charging cable from Janetta's HueCac. Sowitwee rolled it up and put it in the storage locker abutting the building. Batteries were at one hundred percent. Once Sowitwee climbed in beside me, I flipped the power switch, and the electric engine quietly hummed as the dashboard lights blinked to life.

Stimmi pulled up behind the bus in Yalcamara's ChoCac. I was surprised to see Yalcamara herself riding in the passenger side. Then I shrugged. I'd given her the time off, but If she wanted to ride with Stimmi, that was her call. She was the head of the Security detail.

We coordinated the route with the bus driver, and all in all, because of some backtracking, it took us almost three hours to deliver everyone across the base. Chita had arranged for a second bus to do the pick ups in the morning, to the pleased responses from the riders.

Just before quitting, I had received the list of clothing and items needed by Doyya from Ixma.

Part way through the bus delivery, Sowitwee and I swung by the Women Officers Dormitory, and after some security checks to verify I was her commanding officer – and as long as we were accompanied – they allowed Sowitwee and me in to retrieve items for Doyya. It took us some time to find the items, under the stern gaze of the OD and her armed assistant. Men were normally not allowed in the barracks at all, and they took that regulation seriously.

A few items on Doyya's list eluded our search, and I elected to pass on them and purchase replacements at the Commissary if needed. Seeing the whole of her possessions, if I'd had my ChoCac instead of the two-seat HueCac, I would have simply collected all her gear. As it was, I could only take two of her seven boxes and an armful of her uniforms from her closet.

Because Doyya's absence had partly inspired the purchase of the locator bracelets, I slipped the one I'd purchased for Doyya into one of her boxes of clothing on her bed. Once we were loaded up, I drove us to the Married Enlisted Dormitory, Sowitwee's old quarters, to find out the results of this morning's encounter.

Frankly, I hadn't expected much of a response to the theft, though I'd been serious about reporting them to Imperial Security. What surprised me was their presenting an Air Security report documenting the theft of Sowitwee and Nariya's possessions. No credit voucher. Inexplicably, there had no mention of the break in during my encounter that very morning. They were very unhappy when I demanded a copy of the report. However, I insisted. Sowitwee's silent glare and my loosening the holster strap on my pistol probably helped, too.

Glancing at the report, I saw that it was signed off by a Captain Tonca at the 602nd.

I had yet to meet the man, but I was already pretty sure that we were not going to get along.

Outside the building I handed the paperwork to Sowitwee, telling him to file it with Sergeant Yalcamara or Corporal Trank in the morning. Then I asked if he believed their story.

The young man shook his head. "There are snakes loose in the henhouse, sir, and that's a fact."

"My thoughts exactly," I replied. "If I can, I intend to get me some snake-skin boots."

"Now that I'd like to see, sir," he grinned.

With a quick radio check, we met back up with the bus along its route, falling in behind Stimmi and Yalcamara's vehicle.

I called Ixma and explained that we were going to be a while, and to make sure everyone had dinner.

"Have you eaten, Lieutenant?" Ixma inquired.

"No. We'll grab something when we pick everyone up before heading to the hospital."

"No, you're not," she informed me. "We will have something hot and ready for you both when you get here. And you are on notice that both of us will want to see you eat your meal."

I laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

I heard Sisi's bubbling laughter in the background. "She's a ma'am! Just like me!"

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Ixma said, pleased. "Please come home as soon as you can."

Other than the time involved, there were no incidents, and we had thirty one happy riders. After bidding good night to the driver, and seeing off Yalcamara and Stimmi, we headed to Hangar Thirty-Six.

Group Captain Tanosca, Janetta's commanding officer, was waiting for us by the hangar doors when we arrived. The captain looked irritated and Ixma appeared anxious.

As soon as I got out, he glared at me and pointed into the bay. "That office. Now!"

Once the door was closed, his hands went to his hips, growling. "All right, Kandikan. Just because you are Tlacotli's lover is no excuse for setting up living quarters here. This is an aircraft hangar for the 233rd Interceptor Group, not a damn hotel! And I'm told the brevet officer, your Second, is recovering from gunshot wounds! Why isn't she in the Naval hospital? And she has refused to answer any of my questions, telling me I had to talk to you for any answers. Last time I checked, you were not in my unit. So I want to know, what the fuck are you doing camped in my hangar?"

"Do you want the sanitized version, Captain, or do you want the truth?"

"Don't fuck with me, Kandikan!" Captain Tanosca snarled. "I want the truth! You impressed me with your response about the compromised diagnostics computer and the attempt on Tlacotli's life. But try and play games with me, and I will lay in charges against you. Now answer the damn question!"

"Very well," I replied.

I told him about what happened to Janetta's quarters, and then to Sowitwee's possessions. As I talked, his anger drained away. "I have made inquiries to see if this is a local problem or if this harassment is directed from outside this base, to be dealt with cautiously. Do I go on, sir?"

Calmer, he nodded.

"During the past week, at least six draconian agents using camouflage technology have been found and killed, and yes, that includes the two that hurt Captain Tlacotli, Sergeants Zinja and Cholan, and Corporal Ixma. These alien agents were responsible for the attempted massacre on the beach a few days ago. That was after they murdered Commander Orchid's Aide and took his place, using their cloaking tech to impersonate him. Yes, most people don't know they can do that. If they can impersonate anyone at will, that puts us at a terrible disadvantage!

"There's a lot more, Captain. The Condor that blew up yesterday morning? I have no doubt its destruction was at the order of Minister Supay of Imperial Security himself, partly to cover up knowledge that draconians had easily infiltrated Imperial Security. The woman who came with you to give the promotion to Captain Tlacotli is now on the run for her life. I see by the look on your face, you suspect her real identify. My Second was providing her protection detail in Capisco when assassins attacked them. Two of those assassins were Imperial Security. The third one, however, turned out to be draconian. Though injured in the line of duty, she and my Second are still standing. Shall I continue?"

His gaze narrowed. "Holy hells, Kandikan. Just what do you think you are doing?"

"My job! Serving the Empire! Helping root out the corruption that poisoned this War base. And in the meantime, I'm trying my best to keep the people I care about alive. A lot of people have died here in the last month, and while the draconians have been responsible for some, a surprising amount of the casualties were from our own people."

I took a deep breath. "I'm already in the process of getting new quarters, and I hope we will be out of here by the time Captain Tlacotli is discharged from the Naval hospital. Now shall I go on?"

"Blazes! There's more?"

"Oh, yes! Plenty, if you are interested. I don't know how safe it is for you or anyone else to know, however. But I'm getting push back on enforcing the Unit Protection Orders. As an aside, I want you to know you have my gratitude and my personal admiration for your own order for the 233rd. I am now in command the 945th Auditing and Security Oversight. For the moment, security seems to be our main priority. I want to be clear that I will do whatever I can to enforce the Protection Order for my people, and for those other units that want them.

"When I first received my command and issued the Protection Order, I wanted to make sure I credited you as the man who started it all. Now, I'm not so sure that was a good idea. I do not want to endanger you without your consent. My own feeling is that it was – and still remains an honorable action by an honorable commanding officer, looking to protect his junior officer. Janetta respects and admires you, Captain. However, I won't mention you any further without your agreement."

He looked surprised, then nodded his acknowledgment. "Go on."

"Commander Orchid publicly gave her blessing for the issuance of Unit Protection Orders. Unfortunately, her disappearance has cooled any further support. Be assured, I will do whatever I can to see that the idea of the Unit Protection Order not only survives but expands."

Captain Tanosca gave me an appraising look. "You will probably get yourself killed, Lieutenant."

"I'm becoming acutely aware of that. They will have to get in line. And I fully intend to give a good accounting to any that want to try. While I am aware that I am making enemies, I am also gathering allies. I will find out who is who as I go along. The Empire needs loyal warriors to protect our people. High Guard is our front-line defense against Atlantis. The Unit Protection Orders help place women on a more equal footing, so they can do their share without having to be afraid of being hurt by their fellow warriors. I'm not some starry-eyed philosopher expounding foreign ideas. This change is both practical and right. Indeed, I firmly believe the safety and morale of this War base truly depends on these Unit Protection Orders. While all this internal shit is going on, Atlantis is not sleeping. When they come knocking – and it's only a matter of when – I want us to have a decent chance of bloodying their nose when they do."

Captain Tanosca studied me for long seconds. "All right, Lieutenant. I hadn't actually given a full Unit Protection Order. My original orders only covered Captain Tlacotli herself. You can mention me or not as you will. But now that it's been pointed out, I will amend that deficiency regarding my own unit in the morning. In the face of your insane heroics, what else can I do?"

"Thank you, sir." I ventured a smile at him. "While I loathe the idea of seeing her in any danger, Captain Tlacotli would be my first choice to have by my side in a firefight.

They generally haven't said so, but these Orders mean a great deal to the women, sir, officer and enlisted both, and to a lot of the men, too. Like the men, most of the women in the Services just want an honest chance to serve the Empire. Believe me, I understand there will be resistance. But many are ripe for the change, and I daresay even eager for it."

"You are persuasive, Lieutenant." He let out his breath as the last of his tension slipped away. "While you didn't have my permission, at least now you have my forgiveness for your trespassing. Keep me informed on what's going on here, Lieutenant. Soon, and I mean very soon, Lieutenant, there will be a fighter aircraft sitting in this bay, and there better not be beds or children here when that happens. Am I clear?"

"I read you five by five, sir," I answered. On a radio scale, that meant his words were crystal clear and at the strongest power.

"Now that that's settled, what are those women cooking?" He inhaled slowly, lifting his face and turning to face the door. "The food smells intriguing, and I must confess, it's making my mouth water."

Suddenly I grinned as I opened the door for him. "I'm sure Calia and Corporal Ixma would be honored if you would stay and eat some of what they have prepared. After you, sir?"

Almost as soon as we exited, Calia approached, presenting the captain with a plate of hot food. The cardamom with the rice and the curried potatoes garnered his approval, so Calia offered to share the recipes with his wife. While Sowitwee and I quickly ate, Calia kept up a constant chatter, asking about the Captain's family and his interests. He was a little guarded at first, but Calia soon had him laughing and enjoying himself. When he was ready to leave, the captain was given a carry-bag with containers of food to take and share with his wife. Assured there was plenty to spare, he was also given a six-pack of cold millet beer. With both of his hands full, Group Captain Pentil Tanosca left Hangar Thirty-Six a much happier man.

I glanced at Calia, giving her a slow nod. She just grinned and winked at me before helping with the cleanup. I had defused the situation, but Calia had wrapped it up and put a bow on it.

The relief on Ixma's face as they worked and quietly chatted was obvious.

"Corporal Sowitwee?" I said, after taking a drink of bottled water.

Clearing his mouth of food, he replied, "Sir?"

"Tomorrow, I want you to contact Sergeant Vanu. He's the aide for Captain Tanosca – who just left. Find out if the Captain has a refrigerator in his hangar and let me know."

"Grease for the skids, sir?"

"Just so," I nodded. It wasn't a bribe, but rather a gift of thanks for the forgiveness and permission to stay a bit longer. He could have ordered us out. It was within his rights to do so. But he didn't. Like Ixma, the last thing I wanted was for Janetta's commanding officer to be angry at me and indirectly at her when she returned to duty.

It was already quite late, but I made sure I spent some time with Mina on my lap and asking Sisi about what she had done that day.

The older girl was a little shy, but she talked about how much she enjoyed listening to music on her tablet, and to the many stories Uncle Anton read them. Sisi picked out a story on her tablet and I read it to them both. To my delight, I got nice, solid hugs from them both before Ixma and Calia collected the girls. It was time for them to brush their teeth and go to bed.

I loved the women in my life. Janetta, Zinja, Cholan, Ixma, and Calia, and treasured their love for me. But I found the new role of father addictive in its own way. I wanted more. What had been an impulsive decision of support for Zinja was now a tangled web of Zinja, Ixma, two small girls, and myself, and gods willing, would be so for decades to come.