Starlight Gleaming Ch. 11

I kept Doyya back, telling her we needed to take our meal together, as there were things to discuss. Sowitwee kept along side of us. We went down the street to the Commissary.

"So how about it, Doyya? Can you shoot?"

"I passed basic marksmanship, but I've shot nothing in years, sir."

"I'm not expecting anyone to become a crack shot. What I don't want is for people to shoot themselves, or those around them. You, myself, and all the security detail, will be armed while we are on duty. I want us to look at the accounting and the reports, but during our random inventory checks, we might run into people taking things, and they will probably not surrender easily. And, if they have to enforce the no sex without consent rule, a stunner is the best way to make sure no one is hurt until the facts can be determined. I also want us to be prepared to supplement Air Security in times of emergency. Can you drive?"

We entered the Diner and found a table. The waitress brought menus.

"I can do light vehicles, sir," she told me. "Haven't had the practice since arriving here, though. That was four and a half years ago."

Doyya frowned at the prices.

"I'm buying, so don't worry about it. Get what you want. You will also be getting your own HueCac. As my Second, you need to be available at all times, and have the means of getting where you are needed without having to run around on foot. In an emergency, even ten minutes is a lifetime."

I outlined the need for Doyya and I to have our vehicles, so that we could get where we needed to be. The Air Security team would also need two vehicles, one for the sergeant and one for her designated Second. Faster response times were critical. "If we can, we also need to get a ChoCac for Captain Xotochan's use. I'll collect the paperwork for him to sign. If we get there early enough, we should be able to get them before other officers, in other divisions, realize the situation has changed."

My Second looked at me thoughtfully.

The waitress came back, bringing glasses of water.

Doyya blinked. "I thought yesterday was the best day in years, because I got to stay in the service. Today, against all odds, I'm an officer in a unit that will actually be doing things, maybe making a difference. I get a gun, and I get my own vehicle. And it's only lunch time." She suddenly grinned.

"It gets better. And it will get worse. As an officer, you can have your own projectile weapon for personal use. Keep it accessible. You will also get one assigned to you."

"I don't have the funds for a weapon, sir."

I raised my eyebrows.

"I'm helping to support my disabled brother, his wife, and their three children."

"Relax. I know what a sergeant makes. Consider this my congratulations gift for becoming an officer. Stop right there, Doyya. Let me finish! A week from now, you might not feel so charitable toward me. Trust me. If you think things have been chaotic, you don't know the half of it. I just hope that you won't hate me by the time things settle into some sort of routine. So take the gift and bide your time before you respond. I'd like to get the weapons selected before we need to be back to collect our people."

I continued. "While I'm there at the Supply Depot, I will also get you assigned a personal laptop. While we are getting weapons at Air Security, every one of us will need to get updated photo ID, showing rank and unit. We also need to make sure your clearances as an officer are processing properly."

"Yes, sir."

"Believe me, Doyya, you will need that laptop. Once you have it, you will get a copy of the files I received from Imperial Security, detailing what they see as our role and structure. It will be your responsibility to oversee training for everyone. I expect you to delegate much of that to the Senior NCO, but you need to review it periodically. I want constant training to be an important part of our unit. Technical skills, weapons, safety, hand-to-hand, security procedures, even first aid."

Finishing my third cup of cahault for the day, I switched to water.

"Do you have a personal phone, Doyya? All right. One for you, one for Sowitwee, one for Chita or whoever else ends up being our Senior NCO, and one for each of the Air Security team. You will need to get the list of phone numbers and ID chip numbers to Air Security, and they will push out an update packet of contact numbers so that every phone has them."

The waitress came back, hovering. We made our selections, and the waitress moved on.

"Corporal Sowitwee. You are my Aide. Right now, I don't have any sort of duties worked out. As my Aide, I would prefer that you, too, be weapons trained, and be armed. You have been a Medico. Do you have a problem with being armed?"

Sowitwee shook his head. "I like helping people, but I am prepared to do what's needed, sir."

"Good," I told him. "I want you also to keep your Medico training up to date. I want all officers, the Senior NCO, and all the Air Security trained in first aid. You will work out with Lieutenant Lovyanchiti on when it is to take place, and annual reviews. Everyone who passes first aid, learns a weapon proficiency -- and that includes the stunners -- and one new demonstrable skill, I will authorize a ten credit bonus to their monthly paycheck. And the new skill can be basic math or reading."

Doyya glanced at me. "Sosha isn't in our unit."

"I noticed." I pulled out the laptop and powered it up. I typed for several minutes, outlining a training program, which covered much of what I had just told Doyya. I sent a copy to Captain Xotochan, and one to Doyya's account as well. Then I put the laptop away.

"Last item, for the time being. I want both of you to go with me on my visit to the Naval hospital. There's news you need to hear tonight. It shouldn't take long, and I'll cut you loose after that."

They both acknowledged the order.

The food arrived, and in no time, we demolished the fare. There was a short pause while we waited for the food to hit bottom.

Doyya swirled her half-empty cup of cahualt. "Are you sure you want Sergeant Matiwatli working on your team, sir? He was aide to Senior Lieutenant Topichtwi, our former CO, and Topichtwi was executed yesterday. Matiwatli was busted to Corporal, but you are taking him back as a Sergeant. Are you sure you can trust him?"

"It's your team, too, Doyya. You are my Second," I corrected. Then I shrugged. "You might be right. I hope not. He's got years of experience, more than either of us in how things have worked in the past. He passed through Imperial Security's scans, so he's not dirty, even if he looked the other way. He's been in fourteen years. I want that experience. In our unit, we get to watch him close without making him feel like he's being singled out. If he's reformed, he deserves a chance. Later on, or sooner, if you feel it's warranted, we'll test him, and then we'll know."

After I paid for the meal, we went into the shopping area. On the off-chance, I checked in the uniform section. Commander Orchid was thorough. The only thing she had missed thus far was Cholan; she'd told me that Cholan was getting the best care. At the Naval hospital, I discovered that wasn't so, and I had remedied the situation myself. I did plan on asking her about it later. However, since the commander had gone to the effort of designing and outlining the unit I was to command, I thought I'd check to see if unit badges were in the computer database.

The Unit badges were indeed available. We were the 945th Logistics & Supply - Security Oversight. I bought fifty patches. The robotic weaver began creating the patches right there, sliding in the velcro backed blanks into the slot and the computer stitching away.

While the patches were being made, we browsed through the weapons section.

Doyya tried the weight of the Chon .44, the Peacemaker of the Pampas, but it was too heavy for her to draw quickly. The next best option was the Caiman 35, another handgun made by Chon Firearms, but lighter in both weight and caliber. I bought a service belt and two spare clips for my own Chon pistol, and a shoulder holster for the Wampag Talon.

The Talon intrigued Doyya. When I described that it would penetrate body weave, she looked interested. When I said that, thus far, it had also successfully bypassed draconian body shields, she was eager to have it.

"If you want the Caiman and the Talon, let me buy you the Talon. Air Security doesn't approve of the Talon as a sidearm, so let them assign you a Caiman 35 from their stores. Keep the Talon as your backup."

Doyya agreed, her face thoughtful.

I also purchased the remaining two Talons they had in stock. One was for Janetta, to supplement her Chon pistol. The second Talon was to be a spare, to be stored in my replacement ChoCac. I bought all four boxes of ammo for the Talon they had in stock and ordered ten more. Eight boxes of shells for the Chon, and a shoulder holster. Two spare clips for each pistol. I also picked up an extra holster for the Talon I had. I decided that having a spare pistol in my satchel with the laptop was a good place to store my backup weapon. Over six hundred credits, but an investment in safety.

Next, I bought a backpack, put the extra weapons and ammo into it, and gave it to Sowitwee. I then bought him a basic combat knife with a belt sheath.

He nodded, putting the knife onto his belt without comment.

We exited the Commissary and walked the six blocks back to Logistics and Supply. Overhead, the sun shone bright and warm, the air thickening with humidity.

As we neared the unit, I turned to Doyya. "After we get our gear from Air Security, I want you to make a personal plea to persuade Yalcamara and Chita to join our unit. If either or both pass on us, we need to select a replacement as soon as possible. One more thing, Sublieutenant. I want to apologize for placing your life in jeopardy."

At first, she looked puzzled. Then she paled. "I'm an officer now."

I looked at her seriously. "Do not miss your trip into Capisco, Lieutenant. I just got you. I don't want to lose you."

"Yes, sir."

* * * * *

The rest of the day went as planned. There was a lot of paperwork, but there were no issues with getting the supplies we requested. The captain was delighted with his new vehicle.

He was less enthused about going through the suggestions. He also resisted my plan regarding training, of rewarding those who completed the extra training with a slight bonus to their pay. And he grew less enthusiastic as the afternoon wore on. His aide and mine were kept busy typing notes into computers to follow up on.

I got a call from Zinja. Looking at the clock, I saw it was an hour past dinner. "Grab their laptops and meet us at the Diner," I told Zinja.

Xotochan looked at me in annoyance, looked at the clock, and then grudgingly changed tack. "Mit'an, put it away. Let's call it a night, and start again, first thing tomorrow. Good night, Kandikan."

He put away his own laptop, grabbed his satchel and garrison cap, and headed out of the conference room.

"Doyya? Sowitwee? Let's grab some food. Doyya, you'll get to meet some of my family at dinner, and the rest of them at the hospital." I collected my own gear.

"It will be an honor, Lieutenant," Doyya assured me.

Outside, I got into my new ChoCac. Sowitwee slipped into the passenger side. As a precaution and a sign of trust, I had the ChoCac's AI record both of their voice prints as having access to my new vehicle.

I flipped the power switch and it hummed to life. Doyya hopped into her own vehicle, turned it on, and bouncing in the seat, grinned with delight.

Most people who drive the two-seat HueCacs in the tropics have the doors removed. Since her vehicle was fresh from the warehouse, the doors were still on. The doors were little more than frames, with snaps for attaching plastic covers for rain, and a solid bar across the middle for the door handles.

In the southeastern skies, the dark clouds roiled closer, occasionally showing flashes of lightning. The hurricane was expected to hit landfall later tonight. Already, we were getting gusts of wind.

Doyya waited until I pulled out, then she followed us the short distance to the Commissary Diner.

At the same time as we pulled in, Zinja arrived right behind us. Once I stepped outside the vehicle, they both gave me a hug. Ixma gave me a kiss full of eagerness and desire. "I'm so proud of you," she whispered.

I introduced them both to Doyya, who greeted them politely, then I had Zinja and Ixma record their voices for the AI.

During the meal, the three women seemed to warm up to each other. Ixma, for her part, asked about Sowitwee's wife, and then surprised me by asking permission to visit her. Nariya was improved, he said, and that he and his wife would honored by her visit.

Zinja then casually informed me, "The cameras that you wanted were installed this afternoon. They seem to work fine."

"Oh? Imperial Security techs?" I asked. I had asked for the equipment. Having the work done was unexpected. However, with everything that needed doing, I frankly was relieved that I didn't have to deal with it myself.

She nodded warily. "Does that mean they are going to spy on us?"

"Possibly," I shrugged. "But they already do a lot of that already. And they already know all about us. If it truly bothers you, when Cholan gets out of the hospital, you and she can examine the cameras, and the computer setup, for any spyware or external communication software."

Zinja scowled. "Thank you, sir. It's just that the hangar is our work area. We do what we're supposed to do. What we do, and how we go about it, is no one's business but Lieutenant Tlacotli's, and our own."

Ixma gave a wicked grin to her mother. "I think the Second Sergeant wants her own chance to make sure you are clean, Lieutenant."

Sowitwee and Doyya looked puzzled at Ixma's statement, but politely said nothing.

"That's enough, Corporal," Zinja muttered.

Ixma burst out laughing, and then began laughing so hard, she could hardly breathe. It was a struggle for her to stand up. "Oh, gods," she gasped. "I better go pee. If I laugh any more .. I'll wet my pants!" Giggling, she put her hand between her legs and dashed off to the latrine.

Zinja blushed, eating her food with fierce determination. Our two guests glanced at me, but that was one mystery I didn't intend to reveal. I barely managed to keep from laughing at Zinja myself.

* * * * *

Just over an hour later, our caravan arrived at the Naval Hospital.

Zinja had had the foresight to put the doors on Janetta's HueCac. Her tropical two-seat version had a rollbar with a canvas top. The thin doors were little more than a frame for the removable plastic covers; the horizontal support bar halfway up also held the door handles. There were alpine versions of the HueCac, their passenger areas were solid construction with roofs and doors, much like the ChoCacs, and were able to withstand sub-zero temperatures.

The wind blustered and snapped around us, and the air pressure continued dropping. The air was damp with moisture.

Doyya's new vehicle had none of the coverings in place, but at least the doors were on. Her vehicle was the standard type, with a solid roof and canopy, with a solid back door that lifted for access. We spent half an hour getting the plastic covers for the doors installed on her HueCac.

Weather predictions were for winds in excess of ninety rads per hour. Having clipped some of the northern Eastern Islands, the storm had dropped about a foot of water in twenty-four hours. That's a lot of water in a short time. Many Eastern Island villages and towns were reporting floods and washed out roads.

Once inside the hospital, we went up to the third floor to look for Cholan first, as she was closest. Two guards kept watch inside the room. They checked us out, and let us through.

When we entered the room, Cholan's casts were gone, replaced by braces. But the first thing that struck me was the second bed in the room. As soon as we entered the room, the occupant sat up.

Janetta!

The look of delight and relief on her face was plain. "Zinja! Ixma! Please tell me you've come to break me out of this gods-forsaken exile!"

Zinja held up Janetta's laptop, and Janetta held out her hands to receive it. "I think I love you," she grinned. "I've been absolutely dying of boredom. All I've had to do is sleep and watch these awful melodramas. I was considering tackling my guard for his gun so I could shoot the television."

I came in behind Zinja and Ixma. Doyya and Sowitwee followed me in.

"Ah, there's my shitload of complication! Ranji Kandikan, I don't know whether to kiss you or kick your ass for what -- gods of North and South, what is that on your shoulders? Explain yourself!"

But for the foot brace she wore, she was as naked as I'd left her this morning, with only a thin hospital sheet around her waist.

"What are you going on about, Janetta?" I walked up to her, grinning. "Aren't you happy to see me?" I took her face with both my hands and homed in on her mouth. Her agitation smoothed out some, and her lips opened to the touch of my tongue, eager to explore her mouth.

When we broke apart, both of us were breathing hard. I leaned my forehead against hers, lightly kissing her face.

Then she glared and socked me in the shoulder. "I asked you about what's on your shoulders, Senior Lieutenant. Now fill me in."

"As to what-for or why, I am clueless," I told her, rubbing my arm. "I just showed up to work today. That's all I did. Honest. And they promoted me. I'm pretty sure it had a lot to do with all the vacancies."

"Begging your pardon, sirs," Doyya said. "He's too modest. He helped save dozens of us yesterday, and today, bold as brass, issued an order that no one in our Division, man or woman, has to have sex if they don't want to. Convinced the CO to support it. And the whole Division cheered him on."

"Who are you?" Janetta asked.

Snapping to attention and giving a salute, she said, "Sublieutenant Doyya Lovyanchiti, Second in Command, 945th Logistics and Supply, Security Oversight, sir!"

Janetta looked at me.

"She works for me," I confirmed. "Doyya, this is Lieutenant Janetta Tlacotli, combat pilot, 233rd Interceptor Group, and the keeper of my heart."

"An honor, sir." Doyya held out her hand, and Janetta shook it.

Then Janetta, looking pleased, glanced sideways at me. "Keeper of your heart, Ranji?" Leaning forward, she touched my chest. "Nope. It's still there."

Taking her hand, I brought it to my lips. "Sassy and full of brass. I love you, Janetta Tlacotli."

Scooting over, Janetta patted the bed. Spying her hairbrush on the table nearby, I collected it, showed it to her, and her face softened. Unhooking her jaguar hair clasp, I began to section out her hair and brush out the knots.

Janetta closed her eyes as I worked. "Did you issue that order like she said?"

"I did," I confirmed.

She was quiet while my hands worked through her thick, black strands of hair. When I finished my brushing, the jaguar clasp went back on. Janetta then pulled my arms around her, leaning against me.

"I don't know how," Janetta said said at last, "but every day, my heart is full to bursting with how much I love you, Ranji Kandikan. And then you go and do something like this. You know what that choice means to us, knowing there will be resistance, and still you did that for us. I don't know if you truly understand how much it means to be treated like a human being, to have a say over my own body. You are a shitload of complication, Ranji, and gods above, I love you so much!"

She turned her head - and I saw her wince from the pain, but she didn't pull away. "It's a good thing I hurt too much, because otherwise, I'd take you right here and now. And with the nano-treatments, that's not a safe thing to do."