Starlight Gleaming Ch. 09

At the window, her back to me, was a woman, her black hair in a severe bun, hands clasped behind her. She was wore the black uniform and grey piping of Imperial Security. Holstered pistol and dagger on her hip, a mini earpiece and microphone on her head. Scabbarded short sword and harness beside a black beret sat in the center of the general's desk as if laying claim to it. I noted the twin diamonds over twin bars of a commander on her shoulder boards. She was just one grade below a general and six steps above me.

I had wanted Imperial Security to take my reports seriously. With a full commander here, I wondered, was this officer loyal to the emperor? Or did she have another master and thus dangerous?

Without turning, she said, "General Dagantochtlo, will you be good enough to give us some privacy for about ten minutes?"

That voice was familiar.

Without a word, the general stood up and walked out, followed by my two escorts.

When the door closed, the commander turned around. The hair was black instead of blonde and the eyes were brown instead of green, but I knew that face and the huge smile on her face!

Melannee!

"Miss me, Ranji?" She came around the desk and perched on its edge. Now that we were alone, her excitement was plain.

"We just saw each other yesterday," I reminded her.

She laughed. "Thank the gods for stim tabs. I haven't been to bed yet, so I guess it seems longer to me." Melannee looked me over. Sucking in her lower lip, she nodded in approval. "I thought you looked nice yesterday. Uniform suits you. Even in your class B, you look handsome. Your pilot has good taste."

"Thank you for the compliment. Why the change?" I gestured to her hair and eyes.

"My alter ego," she replied evasively. Melannee didn't try to hide her discomfort of the subject. That piqued my own curiosity.

"I thought I was to wait at the Commissary until later, about dark you said. Have things changed since your message earlier?"

"No, but it will be earlier. Just after dinner hour. Your pilot has to be in the air near sunset for her duty shift, and she should have a chance to confront those who tried to hurt her people." Melannee licked her lips, then plunged on. "Ranji, I waffled on this, back and forth. By the time I'd decided that I wasn't going to do this, I'd already sent for you. And once I give orders, I have to have a good reason to change them. Now that you're here, though, I'm going to indulge myself." She dropped down in front of me and reached for the zipper on my trousers.

"Hey!" I tried to pull back but she had her hand securely on my belt. She held me in place.

"I've been thinking about this in the back of my mind all night," she muttered. Melannee undid my belt and pushed down my trousers and underwear, her hands on my growing shaft. "You stretched me good yesterday, Ranji. I want another go around. I'd prefer a couple of hours, but all we have time for is one hard and fast couple. And I mean fast, no diddling around. Hump and dump."

"I hardly know you, Melannee. Yesterday, I messed up. I--Melannee!" She inhaled me, her head bobbing along my length. "Don't I get a say so here?"

Melannee pulled off and looked up at me. "Ranji, I gave you the same outline I give all new Security recruits. And that was before you treated me to three rocking orgasms. I haven't come like that since I can't remember when. I've got a lot of unpleasant work ahead of me, and some sex with you would really help me get through it."

I stared at her.

"I read your psych profile so I know if I order you, you won't do it. I'm not going to get between you and your pilot. I want us to be friends! And I thought we had fun being together shopping for your women. Was being inside me yesterday so bad that you won't give me a quickie right now?"

"You read my psych profile?"

"Of course I did. I stay alive that way." She looked hurt. "Yesterday, you said you'd consider doing me again. Now I'm asking. But you didn't answer my question, Ranji. Was I so bad that you won't fuck me again?"

"No. Actually, you were fun to be with, Melannee. You are attractive as a blonde. I also appreciated your help, and I enjoyed the shopping." Her hand resumed fondling my cock. "You just surprised me."

"You think we can be friends? Because I really want to be your friend."

She looked at me, her face eager and intense. Below that, I sensed vulnerability. I knew she was a veteran spy and double agent. Melannee already admitted she was an expert and casual liar. But this desire to be friends struck me as truth.

"Sure. I'd like that ..." I began, but then her mouth inhaled me again. "Less tongue on the piss hole, Melannee! Shit, that's intense!"

Giggling, her hand stroked the lower part of my shaft while her tongue caressed my crown. Once I was hard, she stood up, unbuttoned the front panel on her trousers, and hopped onto the desk. The padding of cloth she'd added to catch her fluids was imprinted by a wet kiss from her nether lips. Lifting her legs, she held them apart, showing me her pussy, her eyes full of hunger. The thick blonde muff along her folds glistened, her labia dark pink and swollen. With a tug and a wet sound, Melannee pulled her nether lips pulled apart and her juices dribbled out. The scent of her arousal hardened me further. "Come on, Ranji. Hard and fast."

Lining up, I put my cock at her entrance. Parting her fat lips, I moved over her, shoving into her slick, tight heat. Thrusting vigorously, driving deep.

"Oh, sweet gods, Ranji! That's better than I remembered!" she groaned. Melannee wrapped her legs around me as I thundered into her center. I had only given her a few strokes before she stiffened, arching her back as her sheath began clasping and throbbing around my length. Melannee's release coated my shaft, splashing out onto my thighs. Pulling her legs up, I spread her wider, pounding into her soft, feminine center, my balls slapping against her butt. Melannee closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, gripping the desk and whimpering while I sawed in and out of her swollen channel.

For several minutes, there was just the sound of us grunting, breathing heavily, and the liquid sound of my cock stirring her frothy, gaping pussy. I focused on the tightness of her walls grasping my shaft, the give of her slick folds as she took what I pressed within her. Sensation built as I continually parted her, over and over, opening a pathway into her innermost sanctuary. My balls tightened and I bucked harder within her sheath, held her, pressed her down, pinned her body to the desk. When my cock swelled and began spraying into her cavity, Melannee suddenly looked at me, an emotional riot crossing her face. Her hands dug in while her pussy began clenching my hard member, the walls of her sex gushing with her second release.

"Ranji," she shuddered. "Oh, sweet mother Hera ... oh, filling me up." Melannee let out a long, quivering breath. Then she caressed my cheek, running her hands through my hair, her look thoughtful. "Whenever I think of you, I will remember you, here and now, your handsome face above me, your hard cock deep and giving me your seed. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Thank you." She took a deep breath. "We have a couple of minutes yet. Just stay where you are and let me savor this moment."

"Gotta ask. Your natural look is blonde and green eyes?"

She nodded.

"I like that look better."

"So do I," she replied, smiling faintly.

There was no name tag, but before I could ask, she distracted me. Reaching up, she undid the knot and pulled off my neckerchief. When I laughed, she looked at me strangely.

"What's so funny?" She pulled it free.

"Janetta, her team, and now you. I go through lot of neckerchiefs."

Melannee smiled indulgently. "Hazards of being a nice guy." She patted my shoulder. "I'd love to just lay here and spend the day fucking you until neither one of us can move. We are about to have visitors very soon."

As I pulled out, she quickly stuffed the neckerchief into her crotch, then pulled the panel of her trousers closed. I started to put myself back into my pants but Melannee dropped down and inhaled me into her mouth, just long enough to run her tongue around my shaft and lick me clean. Standing back up, pleased, she murmured, "Very nice. Very nice, indeed, Ranji."

"What about the mess on the general's desk?" I asked, straightening my uniform.

She shrugged dismissively. "Dagantochtlo is lucky he's connected. Otherwise he'd have to retire. Might as well leave it."

"After you leave, I'm going to be here. I'd rather not make enemies where I don't have to."

Melannee pursed her lips. "You're right, of course. And being prudent. There's a private toilet behind in that door."

Grabbing some wet paper towels, I wiped the evidence off his desk. After disposing of the towels, I washed my hands.

Melannee stood by the door, her face serious. "Ranji, my gut says I can trust you and it's never been wrong. I have only trusted one other man as much as I trust you, and for as short a time as we've known each other, believe me when I tell you it's a big deal. You will hear and see a side of me I'd rather you not know about, but it can't be helped. What I ask of you is that you don't believe everything you hear about me. Please, consider me your friend. It would mean a lot to me. I already count you as mine. And, I take care of my friends."

I paused. Except for the rocky start yesterday, I knew I liked her. While we were together - was it only yesterday? - she had laughed easily and let me feel the measure of her sharp wit. She could be leading me. Expert liar, spy, and probably assassin, too. Yet I could see us becoming lifelong friends.

"How bad could it be?" I told her. Then, suddenly curious, "No name tag, though? And that grade on your shoulders, is that real?"

"Don't need a name tag. The rank is as real as the sun in the sky. And Itznacoco outranks me."

"Seven hells," I muttered.

She reached over and brushed my cheek, trying to reassure me. "Hey! I'm still the same woman who helped you buy sex toys for your girlfriends. Please, don't forget yesterday. That's a golden day for me."

There were two raps at the door, the outside world making itself known.

Melannee moved back to center of the office, straightening her tunic as she called out, "Enter!"

The door opened and the general re-entered his office. The sergeant in the powered armor stood by the entrance. "Commander, the priests of Xipe Toltec are here. And the plastic is in place in the Interrogation Rooms."

Plastic? Priests of Xipe Toltec? Gods above! What were they planning?

The general sniffed the air and frowned, staring at Melannee and me. The smell of sex was strong. There was no hiding what we had done. I stepped out of his private toilet and closed the door.

Melannee went to the desk and collected her sword and beret. She started to leave but then turned back slowly to face the general. I realized it was deliberate, and it was done naturally to great effect. "Thank you for your cooperation, General Dagantochtlo. I look forward to your continued assistance in this grave threat to our people and our way of life. Imperial Security and the Imperial Guard will remain here at High Guard War base until the traitors are rooted out. And root them out, I will, for the good of the Empire. You will be provided a list of detainees, prisoners, and any punishments and executions by the end of the week.

"Additionally, teams from the Naval Service Inspector Admiral's will be here to audit the records of Logistics and Supply. They will be here soon. Likewise Ground Service will be audited by Air Service, and Naval Service will be audited by Ground Service. The 92nd will also conduct safety inspections once our criminal investigations wrap up. If you have any questions, I will be in Conference Room Twelve until Seventeen Hundred. After that, you can reach me through my aide, Group Captain Hanastoctli. I believe you have already met him."

The general nodded to her. "We will help in any way we can, Commander Orchid. We all serve the Emperor."

Commander Orchid?

It was a bright and hot summer day outside, but I was suddenly cold. The only person in the Empire who had a reputation for being more ruthless and cruel than Commander Orchid was Minister Supay, the Imperial Spymaster and head of Imperial Security. The Commander had a reputation for laughing as the families of traitors were sentenced to slavery, and for bathing in the blood of those declared to be enemies of the Empire. Melannee was playing a dangerous game if she was impersonating ...

It hit me then. Gods above, she really was Commander Orchid. She had just tried to warn me, to cushion the blow. My realization must have been all over my face. I saw the hurt flash in her eyes as she briefly glanced my way. Then she was all business: brisk, cold, efficient.

"Remember what I told you, Sublieutenant." She slipped on her sword harness. Buckled it into place. With her black beret firmly on her head, she strode to the door. "Sergeant! Have the corporal see that Sublieutenant Kandikan gets where he needs to be. Sergeant, your orders are to remain and protect the general until relieved."

"Sir!"

"Yes, sir," I replied quietly, saluting to her back, but she was already through the door.

Numbly, I collected my satchel. I turned to salute the general before leaving, but he stared out the window, watching the rotary craft of the Imperial Guard drift over the buildings, like vultures hovering over the bones of his command. The corruption on the base had been uncovered on his watch. The general might survive, but I would be very surprised if his career wasn't dead.

The corporal met me outside the office and I followed him outside.

"Do you mind if we pick up my ChoCac, Corporal? It's back at Logistics and Supply."

He paused. "If you wish, sir. My instructions are to let you do as you want as long as it doesn't contradict or interfere with my own orders."

"Thank you, Corporal."

As we walked, I tried to reconcile what I knew of Melannee Siroptic and Commander Orchid, the latter a woman whose face was never seen in pictures or videos, but whose name inspired fear throughout the Empire of Chimorro. There were even entire dramas featuring her. She was portrayed as the Emperor's Vengeful Hand, dispensing brutal justice and venting the empire's wrath upon criminals. Her face was never directly shown on the vids, just a woman's cold, calm voice spoken from the shadows, narrating, issuing orders, or simply pronouncing judgment.

Melannee had been fun to hang around with.

I had trouble wrapping my head around the dichotomy.

We collected my vehicle and drove over to the Commissary to wait for Janetta and her team. I looked at my watch. Three hours to go. I offered the Corporal a meal and a drink, but he declined both as he was on duty. He stationed himself near my table and stood there in silence.

I called Janetta and updated her that because of her duty shift, the confrontation was taking place right after dinner rather than later. I also let her know I was already there at the Commissary Diner, so that whenever they were ready, they could come down.

In the meantime, I pulled out my new personal comp and caught up on email. I responded to mail from Calia and my mother, then settled into another article from my father.

The corporal stood immobile in his power armor, his head encased in a bullet shaped helmet, the visor completely masking his face, like some guardian statue hewn for a temple.

Slowly, the dining area filled up with patrons, but they were quiet, subdued, and avoided going near the armored soldier.

I was on my third cup of cahault, finishing up my comments to my father on the article when Janetta and her team arrived. Janetta gave me a quick kiss and sat down next to me. Cholan sat on my other side. She and Zinja wore the neckerchiefs tied to their braids down their backs. Ixma wore hers in her usual bandana fashion. All of them stashed their berets under their left shoulder lapels.

"What are you working on, Ranji?" Janetta asked.

I saved the draft and closed the message. "Science paper from my father. He sends articles and asks for my feedback. Nearly done with this one, but I want to check it again later before I send it. If you like, I'll give you his personal email so you can talk with him. My mother, too, for that matter." I smiled at her. It would be good, I thought, for them to start talking to each other.

She frowned. "I don't know much about your family other than they live near Tohingo and they are wealthy. Email is not a way to make a good first impression. I would prefer to meet them first. In person, Ranji."

I nodded. "I'd love to introduce you to my parents. I'd also love to meet your mother."

She gave me a sharp glance before looking away. "Maybe," she hedged. "Later. Not now."

Once my comp was powered down, I put it into my satchel, and retrieved my old unit and the charging cord. I set it down in front of Cholan.

Her round face was a question. "Sir?"

"I have a new one, so I'm giving this one to you," I told her. "You need something portable for your own work. The memory is maxed out to what the motherboard will support. It should have enough storage to do whatever you need it to do. It's a lot better than the desktop comp at home."

Cholan looked surprised and delighted. "Are you sure, sir? I mean, this is a seriously decent model. It's listed in the top ten as a favorite in the trades." She glanced at Janetta, who nodded.

"Lieutenant Kandikan already talked with me about it. Now you won't have to carry data sticks around and wait until you get home to test your ideas out." As Cholan opened it up, Janetta continued. "However, right now, we are having our first meal out in public together, and your attention is required to be with us."

Chagrined, Cholan nodded, closing the lid. Then she cradled it in her arms, grinning widely.

I was pleased by her reaction to the gift. "Since we're here at the Commissary, why don't you use your new charge card and buy yourself a satchel to carry it in, and a data cable so you can synch with that clunky desktop. And, if you need some software, you have my permission to get it."

"Just don't take too long," Janetta warned. "I want to eat soon, and we have other business to attend to tonight."

Standing up, Cholan glanced at Janetta before she leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Thank you, sir!" Then she hurried off.

Janetta raised her eyebrows at the retreating sergeant. Zinja laughed and even Ixma grinned. Janetta asked Zinja archly, "You think that's funny?"

"Yes, sir, I do. She's already strung tight, wondering when she's going to get another turn at Lieutenant Kandikan. Fancy clothes and fancier undergarments. Past couple of days of listening to the rest of us scream in delight, she's on edge. The poor girl went into the bedroom to relieve herself three times before you got up. Cholan needs to get laid before she has an accident." Zinja paused a moment. "Just a suggestion, sir."

My warrior took a long breath before nodding. "Thank you and duly noted, Sergeant." Janetta leaned close to me and quietly asked, "Why is that Imperial Guard here, Ranji? Where is your neckerchief? And why do you smell of lavender and sex?"

"He's to make sure we get to where we're supposed to. As for the rest, we'll talk later, in private."

Janetta looked thoughtful before speaking quietly. "All right, Ranji. I'll wait. Tonight's my first duty back in the air in a couple of weeks. I'll be busy for about two hours, but then I'll have some time free. It will make a short night for you, but I need you to be there. And as much as I want to wrap myself around you, we--no, you need to talk. I need to learn more about you."