Starlight Gleaming Ch. 13

Calia shook her head. "I was already of a like mind, my lord. This was your home, and they had no business destroying where you lived and they deliberately hurt the people you care about. If I am there when they are caught, I will gladly help punish them."

I raised my eyebrows at her. I couldn't imagine the kind and caring Calia doing any such thing.

"I would grieve for the violence done afterward," she admitted, "but I would do it nonetheless. It was an attack on you, too, my lord, and an insult to House Kandikan."

The two air security took in the damaged cottage with surprise. Yalcamara looked at me. "What happened here, sir?"

"While we were at the hospital last night, someone broke into our home and destroyed everything in it."

"Was anything stolen?"

I nodded. "I know at least that the desktop computer was taken. There are also possibly two pistols unaccounted for."

"Stimmi, get out the camera and document this. Was the computer registered to anyone?"

"I'm not sure. It may have been assigned with the cottage, or it could have been assigned to Captain Tlacotli's e-man, Sergeant Cholan Yakalme."

Nodding grimly, she said, "I will find out what's what, sir. I'll put some of our men on it. Come on, Stimmi. Let's go take a look. The crime scene is no doubt hopelessly compromised, but nonetheless, get plenty of pictures." The sergeant then pulled out her tablet, and asked to see my pistol, checking off the serial number against the weapons registered to me. Recalling the other pistol in the glove box, I led her to my vehicle, parked on the other side of the cottage.

The rear cargo door of my ChoCac was open for air. Anton sat in the back with both girls. It appeared he was reading them a story from their tablet. Once I showed her the pistol and she checked it off, Sergeant Yalcamara went to help Stimmi.

I went back to the other vehicle, grabbed some food and drinks, and brought them to Anton and the girls.

Sisi smiled as she greeted me. "Hi, 'Tenant! Anton is reading us a story. He reads good. Did you know that?"

"I'm happy to hear that he is a good reader." I winked at him.

Anton grinned back at me.

I gave them drinks, sandwich wraps, and custard cups for dessert. Sisi slurped noisily through her straw. I made sure Anton got two wraps. After finishing the story, Anton helped me transfer the food and clothing to my vehicle.

Ixma found me, and she was in her new summer class B uniform. She just walked up to me and put her arms around me and started crying. I let her go on for a bit, but then I lifted her chin.

"What happened was bad. But if anything had happened to you or the girls that would been so much worse. I see you, Ixma. I see Mina and Sisi. All of you matter, and if you had been hurt or killed, I don't know if I could stand it. But you are all safe, and for that, I thank the gods."

She sniffed and wiped her eyes. "You're right. Thank you, sir. But if I catch them, they'll wish they'd never been born."

"That I can believe. You are a Warrior, Ixma. And you are still standing. Remember that."

She nodded. "Yes, sir."

With some persuasion, I got her to take a break and eat. Calia had dressed in much simpler civilian dress.

I told Ixma and Calia to keep an eye out for the two pistols that had been in the bedroom. Both of them promised to keep an eye out and let me know if either of them were found.

I did a quick inspection of the work thus far. All told, there weren't a lot of possessions to take care of. The cottage was a mess, though, and its construction was substandard. I'd been frustrated on how to handle taking care of getting us decent housing. I needed to talk to Janetta about this, and about getting us into a larger place. I don't know if Calia would end up here with us or not, but in any event, with the two girls, we needed a bigger place.

The more I thought about it, I wanted some personal guards to keep them safe and to watch over the home. Anton would probably want to return home to my parents estate, where he had a wife and family, but Styen might be persuaded to come stay. Maybe Sowitwee and his wife Nariya would like a room -- though I didn't want to own his life, and I was afraid he might see it that way; he'd struggled hard to make it out of the Indentured class.

It should have seven, maybe eight rooms, a real kitchen, dining room, living room, and an office. Two -- no, three bathrooms for that many people, with one of them off the master bedroom.

Before I headed back to work, Ixma insisted on several long, in-depth kisses, and then she made sure that I gave Calia some attention as well. Ixma watched with approval while Calia and I tasted each other.

Afterward, I made sure there was no tell-tale lipstick on my face. "So, you two are okay with each other?"

Ixma gave me a knowing smile. "Oh, yes. We've been talking. I'm learning all kinds of things about you."

Hoo, boy. An avalanche, Orchid had said. I think it just picked up a bit more speed.

Sergeant Yalcamara said she and Private Stimmi would stay behind as they had plenty to do, documenting the incident and starting the police investigation.

"All right," I told her. "Let me know if you discover anything. I'm going to swing by the Naval Hospital first. I need to let Captain Tlacotli know what's happened to her home." Then I left.

* * * * *

"Ranji!" Janetta exclaimed in delight as I entered their room. "It's the middle of the day. Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Then, more concerned, she added, "And why do you look like death warmed over?"

Against the wall, I noticed that the flowers had finally begun to arrive. The window sill was covered.

As usual, Janetta sat on the bed, her tattooed chest bared, with only a sheet around her waist in a merest semblance of modesty. Tossing it off, she hopped off the bed, and naked in all her nubile, feminine glory, she hobbled over and embraced me. I drew her in and wrapped my arms around her. She laid her face on my chest, sniffed deeply, and sighed. "You smell good."

I glanced around. The three marines were new, but I'd expected the shift change. Sowitwee sat with Nariya, exchanging sign language -- at least until I entered the room. Zinja dozed, but Cholan's eyes lit up. The brace on her ribs was gone, but she still had the one enclosing her jaw and covering half her face.

Nodding to the marines, I told them, "Go take a meal break. Be back in an hour."

The field corporal with them looked at Janetta for confirmation. "Captain?"

"Do as he says," she said, looking at me for some indication as to why. "He's paying your wages."

The marines saluted, then exited the room.

Janetta pulled me down for a solid kiss, rubbing her body against me. "Now, that's what I was missing all night last night," she breathed. Then she pulled back, moving to her bed and motioning for me to sit beside her. "What's this about, Ranji? It's not another attack, is it?"

"Yes, it is, but this time no one's hurt." I took off my garrison cap and sat beside her. "This affects everyone, and what I have to say will possibly affect even you, Sowitwee, both you and your wife. Though I will give you the option to refuse the offer without fear -- and I will explain that in a moment."

I turned on the bed to face her more directly. "When we got home last night, Janetta, we discovered the house had been broken into. My security sergeant is looking things over right now, but it appears it wasn't theft. They destroyed everything in the house that might have any value whatsoever. Uniforms, personal items, clothing. Everything. The house computer was stolen. They're searching for my pistol and for yours, to see if they are present or were stolen as well. Ixma is helping supervise some laborers I hired to clean up the mess."

Janetta's eyes hardened. She and her crew had had attempts on their lives. Now she learned that her very home had also been violated. "I want my pistol back," she informed me. "It was a gift from the Emperor himself to honor my father. It's inscribed with his name on the barrel."

When I asked, she was able to recite the serial number by heart. I also confirmed the serial on the Talon pistol she had with her. I pulled out my laptop computer and sent the information to Sergeants Chita and Yalcamara. Then I continued.

"There's more," I continued. "A lot more, so bear with me. A friend showed up, and we found four listening devices in the house. Only one was Imperial. Presumably the others were either enemy or alien. I don't know. I destroyed them. But because of his help yesterday and last night, he and his family are now running for their lives.

"I got some emergency gear -- cots, a cooking stove, and some supplies, I took Ixma and the girls to the hangar to sleep, then I went to take care of the refugee business. Actually, Commander Barankoshto did all the hard work. My part was very small. The Condor transport assigned to ferry the refugees blew up about five minutes after take off this morning. The base dispatch reported all aboard were killed in the explosion. All the Imperial Security agents at the beach that morning were ordered killed by Minister Supay, for simply being there when his lover was killed. And, it looks like the minister was collecting money from the sale of the children to the draconians, so the rumors of him being an evil, soulless bastard are true."

All their eyes were on me, listening intently.

"I can see there's more. Spill it, Ranji."

I took a breath. "They defaced your unit logo in the living room."

She jumped up and paced. A long string of inventive Nahuatl and Mayan oaths burst forth, mixed in with some Queschuan. After several long minutes of her promising horrendous acts of retribution on the foul villainous cowards if she ever caught them, she caught my look and then paused. "There's more?"

"Calia's here."

Janetta looked puzzled. "Who is Calia?"

"She's my Personal Servant, Janetta. Now I know you are angry about what they did to our place and to your unit's honor. But you need to hear this about Calia. My parents bought her for me many years ago. She's a good woman. All the things that you like about what I do to you, Janetta, she taught me. Gods above, you've taught me a few things yourself. But I will not cast her aside. How she fits in with our lives -- or not -- is something we have yet to discuss. Whatever your feelings -- please, she's a good person, and at least meet her before you make any decisions."

"Why would I want to meet your Personal Whore?" Janetta yelled, glaring at me, hands on her hips. "You have four women to fuck, Ranji! Isn't that enough that you had to have her here, too? Did you fuck her in my home, Ranji? Did you do her in my office at the hangar?"

I could see the hurt and the fear that fed her words. "Janetta, if any one referred to you in such a contemptuous manner, I would kill them. Just as I would for any of your crew. You are my family and they are my family, and I won't abide such disrespect for those I love. Calia is my Personal Servant, but she is not a whore. Calia is part of my family, too, Janetta. She is kind, loyal, and generous. You talk about how important being treated as an equal means to you. You are a noble woman, a Warrior, born to privilege by the sacrifice made by your father. Women like Calia have no say over their own bodies but for what their master gives them. Poor families sell pretty girl children to be bought by rich families, and yes, mine was one of them. Knowing what I know now, I don't like the practice as there's too much potential for abuse. Yet I would still have taken Calia because I've come to know and value the person she is. Knowing her has made me a better person. Calia had no choice about what she is. No choice! And I will not let her be talked about in such a manner. Am I clear, Janetta?"

"You're clear, Kandikan," she replied quietly, her eyes angry and, was that jealousy?

"You yourself have told me more than once, we can't be monogamous. Why does she affect you so?"

Janetta bit her lower lip a moment, taking a breath. When she looked at me, I could see the struggle for her to maintain her composure. "Because we're in the military, and we can both be ordered to fuck by those who outrank us. No questions, just do it. But her? I don't know if I can meet her. Because with her, you fuck her because you want to. And that's a big difference. How can I compete with that?"

I stood up to reach for her, but she threw up her arms, batting mine away.

"Don't you get it, Janetta? There is no competition. I love you. Whenever I think of who I love, I think of you. Whenever I think of who I want to make love to, it's you. You are the most beautiful woman in the world, hands down. I love your spirit and your courage, Janetta Tlacotli. You. And I will be in your life as long as you will let me. What can I do to make you see that?"

A bit of a nod, then she closed the distance, her arms going tightly around me. I squeezed her right back, lifting her off the ground while our mouths tried to devour each other.

When we broke for air, she gasped, then said, "You are such a --"

"--shitload of complication," I finished with her. "I know. Do you love me?"

"Yes," she murmured, exasperated. "Gods of North and South, I have no clue why because you are so much trouble. My life was so much simpler before I met you. But I do love you, Ranji Kandikan."

I grinned. "Then we can talk about what's next."

Her eyes widened. "There's more? Fuck, Ranji. I don't know if I can take any more today."

"This is dealing with what's happened. The cottage is totally unfit to live in, and will be for days yet. And then it has to be repaired. I have to buy furniture and uniforms for everyone. I have some purchased already, but all of you will need a lot more yet. Plus, our family keeps growing and we need more room. That cottage barely held the five of us, and it was cramped like -- how did Zinja describe it? A cracker box. Packed solid and no lee way. The water pressure sucked, and every time that mini fridge kicked on, the lights went dim. We need space, but we also need more people. You and I still need to discuss Calia later, but I think it would be good to have a servant to help with the chores, and one or two body guards to watch the house while we are on duty."

"What are you saying? We can't afford anything like that!"

"Housing prices should be coming down, Janetta, now that the auditors are going through the books. Besides, I have the funds. We need a bigger place. Minimum of four bedrooms, but preferably seven or eight. An office space for us would be nice, but I want a real kitchen, a dining room, and a living room. Two or three bathrooms. Let me look around and see what I can figure out. You're getting out of here in a couple of days, right? Cholan is expected to be discharged a few days later. Well, you, Cholan, and Zinja deserve to have a home to come to, and not have to face sleeping in the hangar."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm a pilot, Ranji, and I happen to love flying. Sleeping in a hangar with you, my crew, and my aircraft would not be a hardship for me."

"With a two-year old and a four-year old running around under foot?"

Janetta scowled. "Okay, you made your point." Then she sighed, waving her hand in the air. "Look around. See what accommodations you can find. You've done a good job of taking care of us so far. I will trust you to keep on doing what you seem to like to do. It .. it hurts my pride that you are spending so much of your money on us, like I'm not carrying my share."

"You gave me that same argument when I gave you your own charge card," I reminded her. "I explained how I felt about you not having enough to get by on, and how it made me feel."

She nodded, her big black eyes full of emotion. "And you helped me then to see that it was okay to take your help. That is why I'm okay with it now."

Cupping her face with my hands, I kissed her gently, and then ardently, over and over. When I was finally sated for the moment with the taste of her lips, I asked, "Let me brush your hair before I have to go?"

Love and vulnerability passed over her face. Without a word, she moved back to her bed, picked up the brush from the roll-around table, and handed it to me. As I undid her jaguar hair clasp, she gave a long, sigh.

As I brushed out Janetta's hair, I continued talking. "Corporal Sowitwee, if I can find a place big enough, I would like to offer a room for you and your wife to stay with us. I'm not requiring this, nor am I asking for any extra duty from you and none from your wife. It just seems to me that all of us will do better if we stick together. You are beginning to see, perhaps, that working for me may be a dangerous duty assignment. If you choose to do so, you can refuse the offer of housing -- and that offer is only if I find a house with enough space. You might even be thinking about getting transferred away from me. I don't know. You didn't exactly have a choice about your assignment with me, so if you want out, I'd understand. No hard feelings."

He didn't even look at his wife before he answered. "Commander Orchid saved Nariya and she spared me. I took it as a sign from the gods that I am to serve you, sir. I'm staying, sir."

I nodded. "Fair enough, Corporal. The housing decision can wait until we know for sure, but I wanted you to know the offer might be coming. Who knows? I might even have to build the damned house myself. But I will if I have to, to take care of my family.

"This next bit is difficult, Corporal, and I know I'm butting into your personal lives. I read your jackets, for you and your wife. I am aware of only the barest details of what happened to her. However, it struck me that if I were blinded and could no longer see, that I would find it devastating. I would like to offer to pay to have Nariya healed. If I'm stepping in where I'm not wanted, all you have --"

"Shut up, Ranji," Janetta growled, interrupting me. "Look at them. You're destroying them with kindness."

They held each other tightly, muffled sobbing coming from them both. He looked at me and gave a nod.

I finished up Janetta's hair and replaced her hair clasp. I started to rise up, but she pulled me down for a hungry kiss.

"You are a cruel man, Ranji Kandikan," she breathed, "And you need to leave."

"Oh?" I whispered back. "Why is that?"

"Because I want to feel you pounding inside me right now and I can't do anything about it." Then she pushed me away. "You need to get back to work. I think Zinja's still asleep, but before you go, you'd better give Cholan some attention."

I checked Zinja first. Gently brushed the hair from her sleeping face. Kissing her cheek, I whispered, "Get better, Farm Girl. Your family needs you."

Cholan sat up as I approached. With the brace around her jaw, it was awkward to try and kiss her. Sitting next to her, I turned, and pulled her so her back was to my chest. Moving carefully to avoid the frame hitting my face, I managed to get in close to the back of her neck.

"You know, you need to get well, too." I told her, running my lips from her shoulder to the nape of her neck.

Cholan shivered.

"Your captain needs you," I whispered into her ear. "I need you. I love you, Cholan Yakalme and you matter. Besides, I'm going to have to get a new couch for our home, and I will select it with you in mind. When you see that couch, know as truth that I intend to bend you over and have my way with you."

With a gasp, she reached down for my arms embracing her, and pulled my hands to her breasts. Accepting her direction, I felt her up, feeling the soft, pliant flesh roll in my hands, enjoying the hardening of her areolas and nipples in response to my touch. She rocked her hips, whimpering as she pressed back against me.