Starlight Gleaming Ch. 09

"Fair enough," I agreed. "Just so you know, I love it when you wrap yourself around me."

"This morning was straight-up mind-blowing, Ranji. But I feel like I'm flying low level through mountains, the air is socked in with clouds, and all I have to go by are my instruments. Not much warning between staying alive and hitting the ground dead hard. I need intel from you to give me some visibility."

She was right, of course. Sure, plenty of people get married and the only good thing they have is the sex. And sometimes the sex isn't all that great, and potentially much worse if the marriage was arranged by the parents because then you're stuck with it.

I decided against telling them that the infamous Commander Orchid was here, in person. I worried that seeing Orchid would overwhelm any sense of justice in seeing the villains caught. If Janetta and the others learned that fact, well, I'd help them deal with it.

However, I resolved absolutely that I would not tell Janetta that Melannee was also Orchid. I didn't like keeping things from them, especially Janetta; lying to your lover is flat out wrong and can easily lead to justifying other transgressions. Yet I could see no earthly good that could come from Janetta learning that information. I also believed that such knowledge was not mine to share, and if it got out, it could cost Melannee her life.

I took Janetta's hand in mine. She looked surprised and nervous, then actually blushed. Then she surprised me by squeezing my hand.

Signaling a waitress, we ordered cold beers. Ixma asked for a large plate of the fried potatoes and salsa for us to snack on until dinner. Cholan finally came back with a couple of packages, beaming from ear to ear. Once she settled into her seat, we ordered dinner.

The meal was good, and we were thinking about dessert when the corporal touched his helmet. Ixma jumped at his sudden movement.

"Orders confirmed." His visored helmet turned to me. "Lieutenant, you and your guests are requested to come with me to the Dispensary now."

"All right." We settled up with the diner staff and headed out. Zinja and Ixma rode in Janetta's two-seat HueCac, while I drove the rest of us in my larger ChoCac. To Janetta's consternation, the corporal insisted in riding up front.

At the Dispensary building, as I pulled up, I could see a dozen Imperial Guards posted around the building, at least half in power armor, and there were at least four patrols with dogs. I parked and we were met at the door by an Imperial Security sergeant in summer dress. Greeting the corporal first, he said, "Go take a meal break and report to your unit. Code four three zeta zeta."

The corporal paused, then nodded. "Code confirmed," and walked off.

The sergeant turned to us. "Lieutenants Tlacotli and Kandikan and flight crew, please step inside."

We entered the main room for the Dispensary where people queued up to get their medication orders filled. The service area was large enough to hold scores of people. The floors were marked for lines, and at one end were four counters for receiving people and processing orders.

The first noticeable change were the bright lights on telescoping stands. Seated amongst two dozen folding chairs were eleven men in Air Service summer dress, some wearing medico vests. Nearly all appeared haggard, scared or resigned. Standing guard in the room were four Guardsmen, two in power armor and two in battle dress with guard dogs at their feet. With the score of soldiers outside and these guards inside, it may seem like overkill, and it was. But that was how Imperial Security operated in public. In your face and no hope of success if you tried to run.

Across the room, near a set of double doors was a portable table where two men from Imperial Security were working on laptop computers. Between them was a printer and a stack of folders. Both men wore service pistols in holsters, belt knives, and headsets with mics. One was a first sergeant and the other was a Group Captain.

Our escort bade us halt half-way. He advanced alone to the table, speaking quietly. The officer looked up in irritation, then at us. Speaking into his headset, the captain stood up. The sergeant saluted and went through the double doors. The captain was tall, broad shouldered, black hair, dark brown eyes, and a neatly trimmed mustache and van dyke giving him an aristocratic bearing. Marring the crisp appearance was a thin scar running from his jaw-line down his neck and disappearing below his collar.

Picking up a tablet computer, the captain approached us. From his name tag I recognized him. He was Orchid's assistant.

"I am Group Captain Hanastoctli. You are Lieutenant Tlacotli and Sublieutenant Kandikan. With you are the Lieutenant's Flight Crew, Sergeants Zinja and Cholan, and Corporal Ixma. Is that correct?"

I deferred to Janetta. She was the ranking officer. "That's correct, sir," she told him.

He frowned, giving all of us searing gaze. "Normally we don't do this, but I'm told to accord you special courtesy. This is being recorded. It will not be in the news, but most likely be a part of a video drama this coming year."

As he turned to approach the seated men, Janetta blinked, then turned to me, her face a question.

"Not a clue," I muttered.

The captain read off the names of the seated from his tablet, then looked at them. "Each of you are accused of using your positions to cultivate your own personal wealth at the expense of the Emperor, to the detriment of your fellow warriors, threatening the security of this military base and ultimately the safety of the Empire itself."

From a side room, a keening wail began, muffled by the doors. Slowly it rose in volume and pitch.

"Your attention!" the captain barked at the seated men. "I will accept signed confessions now. This is my only offer. Rest assured, for those who do not confess, you will be examined under truth drugs. In a gesture of mercy, for those who confess now, you will save your immediate families."

The wail rose louder and higher. The men were torn between listening to what their lives depended on hearing and the noise of someone suffering indescribable pain. As the wail became a shriek, it was cut off by the sound of two gunshots, one right after the other. Several of them jumped, turning fearfully to face the captain.

The captain paused before continuing. "If you are guilty of the charges, confess now. If we find out later that you have lied about your guilt, you will condemn not only yourselves to death by torture, but you will also condemn your wives and children to slavery, your family listed as traitors, and the forfeiture of all your property to the Empire." Taking two steps back, he barked out, "Who asserts their innocence, raise your hand high above your head."

Seven hands rose. The fear was palpable. The captain asked each to speak his name, making notations on his tablet.

Just then, the doors by the table opened and in came a woman in Imperial Security garb, a full commander, but her face was covered by black gauze wrap that hid her features. In her hand was a Chon .44 pistol. She scanned the room as she holstered her weapon, and immediately walked over to us.

It had to be Melannee, or rather Commander Orchid. How many female commanders might there be within Imperial Security? I had no idea but doubted it was more than a handful. If that. When she spoke, though, I doubted myself. The cold, crisp voice couldn't be the same woman who had ardently professed a desire for my friendship. And there was blood on her shoes and the cuffs of her trousers.

"Sergeant Cholan," the commander ordered, "Go stand by Group Captain Hanastoctli. Point out and verbally identify the man who dispensed your birth control medications. If that man is not here, so speak without fear of reprisal."

Cholan looked at Janetta.

Janetta nodded to her. "For all of us, Sergeant Cholan."

In reply, she snapped a salute to her officer, then walked over by the captain. She scanned their faces, then pointed at one in the second row. "That's him. That's the man who gave me the fake pills."

The commander turned. "Corporal Ixma, do you agree that is the same man?"

Ixma paled, frozen.

"Corporal! Is that the same man who dispensed incorrect medications to you?"

"Y-y-yes, sir. That .. that's him."

The commander faced the men. "His name, Captain."

"Second Sergeant Jantega Oyachan."

The commander patted Cholan on the back. "Thank you, Sergeant Cholan. Please return to your officer." As Cholan returned to us, the commander turned to the captain. "Show me." He tilted the tablet to her, she gazed at it briefly, then spoke into her microphone. "Team Two, come in please."

Four guards came in from the door by the table. "Those who claim innocence, stand up and go with these guards. Not you, Jantega Oyachan. Sit down and stay where you are. The rest of you will be interrogated by a member of Imperial Security and Ground Service Security. The drugs will be administered by a Naval Service technician. Proceed in an orderly fashion, and cooperate fully with your guards." She watched until the guards and their charges exited the room.

Jantega began to sneer. "What's with the covering? Who are you? You don't even have a name on your uniform, bitch!"

She slowly turned to face Jantega. "The covering wasn't for you, it was for those who left." Undoing the loose knot at her neck, she pulled off the gauze wrap. "I am Commander Orchid. I don't need a signed confession from you, Jantega. Besides these two witnesses, I have enough on you to condemn you three times over. Under video, it was explained what would happen if you lied to us about your guilt. Corporal Taklito, secure Jantega."

At the commander's self identification, Ixma gasped. The corporal in powered armor moved forward. Jantega jumped up and tried to evade him, but the corporal was too fast and too strong, pinning Jantega's arms behind his back, securing him with disposable handcuffs. Jantega kicked about, but the armored trooper easily held him in place.

Stuffing the wrap into her belt, Commander Orchid spoke into her microphone again. "I have another one for the priests. Please ask them to come here."

A moment later, two priests came through the doors. They wore large feathered headdresses of red, orange and blue, wearing red robes and carrying bloody obsidian knives. Priests of Xipe Toltec.

One priest lifted up a floppy, bloody mess. Holding it up and whooping as he waved it about, it was the skin of a man. Incredibly, he poked fingers through two holes in the chest. The priest flung the skin onto the floor, then pointed at Jantega. Jantega kicked out with his feet and began to scream.

Ixma fainted. Cholan, tears falling, yelled, "No! Stop! Stop I say!"

Commander Orchid turned to her. "He wronged you. He tried to end your career in disgrace. You and two thousand three hundred and seventeen other women, all serving in defense of the Empire."

"Punishment, yes. And justice. That? That's torture." She pointed at the priests. "What do they have to do with me? I wear the uniform and I will fight if I need to, but I'm not a real warrior. My Lieutenant is brave and fearless. She puts her life on the line for us every time she goes into the air. I do my best to help her, but she's the real warrior. Not me!" Cholan took a breath. "This has nothing to do with me."

Cholan was short and fat, but she was also a wizard with electronics, and a friendly and likeable woman with good taste in music. And at that moment, I was immensely proud of her strength. Despite her words, she was a brave warrior.

I also noticed Zinja quietly attending to her daughter, helping her stand back up.

The commander walked up to Cholan. "Sergeant Cholan Yakalme, do you seek mercy for this man?"

Cholan struggled to answer, wiping at her eyes. Jantega struggled vainly with the trooper holding him, screaming obscenities.

Commander Orchid continued more quietly. "There are four Air Service women officers that use birth control drugs. Thirty-two in the Ground Service. All of them would face death if their plan had succeeded. Thirty-six warriors in the service of the Empire threatened simply because they are women."

"No mercy, Commander. But .. no torture either. Please."

The Commander gave her a nod. "Very well, Sergeant Cholan. I give you the honor of carrying out that sentence."

Cholan paled. "Lieutenant?"

Janetta stepped in between the commander and her sergeant. "Sergeant Cholan is mine. I am her officer and I protect what is mine. I want his blood, for Cholan and Ixma."

"I accept your claim, Lieutenant. As her officer, carry out the sentence."

Aroused and barking, the dogs had to be restrained by their handlers.

Janetta removed her right boot knife and strode to the struggling Jantega. The man flailed out with his legs at Janetta. She stood quietly a moment, just out of range, her face grim. Suddenly she swooped in and stabbed him in the heart, then twisting it. Withdrawing her blade, she shoved her left hand into the wound. As Jantega went limp, blood pumped out over her hand and dousing his chest. Stepping back, she smeared the blood onto the front of her flight jump suit. "You worthless shit, I am Eagle and I am Jaguar, and I protect what is mine!"

The dogs barked at the violence, struggling to be free and attack. The guards worked to calm them down.

The armored trooper hauled the body to the wall and unceremoniously dropped it onto the floor.

"Team Three, bring in the plastic," the commander spoke into her headset. "It's getting messy in here."

Janetta cleaned her knife, replacing it in her boot sheath. Returning to us, she asked the commander, "Are we done here?"

Orchid looked at Cholan. "Are you satisfied, Sergeant?"

She nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir. I'm satisfied."

The commander turned to the remaining men. Four had emptied their bladders. "You will approach the sergeant at the table one at a time, identify yourself to him, sign the confession, and then line up against the far wall. You have my word that in return for your confessions, there will be no reprisals and no actions taken against your families. They will, unfortunately, lose all benefits, returning to your former caste prior to your entry into the Air Service. If you have extended family, indicate that on the Notes to Survivors form. Your family will receive transportation to where you indicate. You will have five minutes to compose any notes you wish them to receive. This is your reward for your admission of guilt. Afterwards, you will be given poison. As traitors, your bodies will then be shot and dropped out at sea."

Two Imperial Guards entered the room, carrying a large folded square of plastic. They began laying it out on the floor.

To the priests, the commander said, "You may return to the room set up for you. I expect three of those being interrogated will end up in your hands before the night is over. Now please go."

"What about them?" one of the priests demanded. "They are traitors. They deserve a traitor's death."

Commander Orchid stood up straight as she turned to them. "I serve the Emperor of Chimorro, the chosen of Inti, God of the Sun. You heard my decision. Do not question my orders again, priest, lest you seek the scrutiny of Imperial Security on you and yours. Attempt to presume on my good will and you will find I have none. Now get out."

They whirled angrily about, slamming the door behind them.

"Dangerous," I heard the captain mutter quietly.

"Fascinating, don't you think," she quietly replied, "that all the priests who do the sacrifices also happen to be sociopaths?" Then she walked over to a young man seated amongst the remaining condemned. "Corporal Sowitwee, no plea for justice? No claim of innocence?"

He shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "No, sir. I knew what was going on. I .. no excuse, sir."

"Yes, you did know what was going on. Corporal Sowitwee, we are aware of your circumstances." The commander's voice became less harsh. "Your wife was found this afternoon. She is badly hurt, but she's at the Naval Hospital right now. The doctors expect she will make a full recovery."

"Nariya? She's safe?" He started, his face full of hope, but then he sat back down, overcome by emotion.

"We know all about it and the men who did this will not get away with their crimes. Captain, restore his status pending further review, and write him a pass so that he can enter the Naval base. I believe Corporal Sowitwee wants to see his wife and make sure for himself that she is all right. Sowitwee, you are granted Emergency Leave for tomorrow. The day after that, you will report to Logistics and Supply bright and early for whatever duty your new officer assigns you."

"Sir?" he looked at Commander Orchid blankly.

"Corporal, you will be examined under truth drugs sometime during the next couple of days. There may yet be a disciplinary hearing. That is undecided at this time. After all, your silence aided the plans to endanger thousands of armed service personnel. But at this time, I am satisfied that we have the truth of the matter."

The captain went over to the table, wrote on a paper, stamped it, and handed it to the commander.

"Thank you, Group Captain." She looked at it, and handed it to the corporal. Taking his elbow, she gently guided him in our direction. "Take this pass, Corporal. I'd like to introduce you to your new officer, Sublieutenant Kandikan. Lieutenant? Would you be good enough to give your new Aide a lift to the Naval Hospital? Corporal Sowitwee is to report to you day after tomorrow."

She turned to Janetta next, leaving me to digest the surprise she'd just delivered. "Lieutenant Tlacotli, I know you are anxious to leave. However, there is one bit of business that must be taken care of, and while I have no doubts there is nothing of concern, I must be thorough. Please follow this Security agent."

A woman, a Third Sergeant, had just arrived and stood at ease behind the commander. "You will be provided labels to write your names. Each of you must urinate into a cup in front of the sergeant. The cup will be sealed and marked in front of you. Every woman in the Air, Ground, and Naval Services on this base must do this. No exceptions."

Janetta put her hands on her hips. "With all due respect, sir, I had my tubes cut on entry into the Air Service. That fact is in my personnel jacket. Second Sergeant Zinja is the same."

The commander's face hardened. "I said no exceptions, Lieutenant. This is not a request."

Janetta kept her eyes on the commander. "Sir! Second Sergeant Zinja, is Corporal Ixma back on her feet?"

"Yes, Lieutenant."

"Alright, Sergeant Monc'te. Lead on." Janetta followed the sergeant through the doors. Cholan, Zinja, and Ixma were right behind her.

"She is feisty," the commander quietly observed, switching to Vedan. "I can see why you like her."

"I love her," I corrected.

"Ah, yes. So you told me earlier."

"Was that necessary? The pregnancy testing?"

"I am not prepared to discuss it further right now. But I assure you I had little choice in the matter."

"I don't intend to tell them about your other personae. But that's moot, because you already have."

She raised her eyebrows.

"You're still wearing the lavender. Janetta has a good nose and smelt you on me earlier. Pointed out my missing neckerchief. She will put it together. She's smart, and she won't say anything to anyone else. But she knows."

"That's embarrassing. Normally Orchid wears a different scent. That sort of slip up can be fatal. Thank you for the reminder. I'll have Sowitwee's personnel jacket sent to your computer tomorrow." She sighed, whispering, "I am so tired."

I looked at her. Up close, now that I was looking for them, I could see the color contacts she wore. And the dark circles around her eyes from lack of sleep. Going on thirty-six hours for her, at least. "I take it things will change for me, too?"