. 05

To all those who sent me good wishes the last few months while I recovered from my unexpected surgery, thank you. Even if you just thought about it, thank you; what you think goes out into the cosmos and the universe does take note. Taking the time and sending a note is better, but just sayin', thinking nice things helps the universe become a little friendlier. It works! Whatever you focus on is what you attract into your life. Sometimes the gods of chaos decide your life needs a shakeup. What you do with whatever happens makes all the difference, both for you and those around you! At this stage in my own life, I'm well experienced with making lemonade.

All right, enough of the soapbox. Without further ado, here is another chunk of Chapter 25 in the Starlight Gleaming story.

Thanks to TerrytheTraveler, StoshB, and 528 for lending a hand with catching errors and asking questions. Any gaffs, typos, dropped words, usage errors, omissions, commissions, permissions, submissions, definitions, WTFs, and OMGs are totally my fault. Enjoy!

Recap thus far

A worn-out Commander Ranji Kandikan has returned home, and despite his best intentions, fallen asleep while reading to his family. Oceotl, Kirfan's former champion, after being healed, has entered Ranji's service, and he has assigned the big man to help protect his family. Captain Doyya Lovyanchiti and Ranji have interviewed Group Captain Insokor, the XO for the 1267 Ground Security regiment for consideration as its new CO, but neither Ranji nor his Second, Doyya, think the man has what it takes to command the regiment. Avionics specialist Sergeant Cholan Yakalme has started looking at the circuit board and the tech manual, and reports that, in her opinion, there has to be more that should have been delivered. Lieutenant Ja-See is missing and has not responded to emails. Ranji has ordered his Watch Commanders to alternate duty shifts with their Seconds, enforcing time off. Kirfan Tenochta, is in isolation at Ground Security on charges of treason, armed rebellion against the Empire, murder, attempted murder, assault, rape, the kidnapping attempt of Izel Kandikan (who is also Kirfan's sister), and many other lesser offenses. Ranji intends to examine Kirfan to gain information on other criminals both known and heretofore unknown operating in the Empire's central states of Nahua and Chohinze.

Repairs for High Guard War Base continue; Janetta's crew and others have worked in round-the-clock shifts, and two main runways are back in operation; Condor transports have begun bringing in much needed supplies.

Out at sea, much of the Empire's western fleet patrols close by, ready with more EMP missiles to discourage the Atlanteans from making another air raid. Air Security is processing the many slaves liberated, some of whom were betrayed Air Security troopers who have been imprisoned for years. Ranji has been reminded that Supay is not the only one who opposes allowing women to serve in the military, and they are not necessarily aligned with that mad man.

Welcome to the violent world of Starlight Gleaming. This tale takes place the morning after the previous story. Enjoy!

Chapter 21.5 - A Hot Peace and a New Balance of Power

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Part 24 - Ambushed

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When my wristwatch alarm went off, I quickly shut it off, moving carefully out of bed. I was still tired, but having had a few hours of much-needed sleep helped a lot. Padding naked to the bathroom, I did my business, then checked the time. It said zero-six hundred hours, a full hour later than I expected.

Frowning, I wondered,

what happened to my alarm for zero-five hundred?

Gone, no longer listed. Someone tampered with my alarms while I was passed out? Not happy, but I wasn't sure outing the culprit was worth the potential fight. I restored the alarms for zero-five hundred and zero-seven hundred hours, and deleted the one for zero-six hundred.

I quickly brushed my teeth and shaved, then stepped into the shower, taking a moment to enjoy the hot water cascading down my back. Grabbing the shampoo, I lathered up and set to washing my hair.

Someone flushed the toilet. There was a brief drop in water pressure, but once it resumed, I checked the temperature with my hand; it was fine so I rinsed my hair.

Someone stepped into the shower behind me, which I had not been expecting. I turned. "Izel?"

My wife smiled at me shyly. "Calia said that taking a shower with you was something I would enjoy. Or rather, she said it wasn't to be missed. Thinking back on the last time Calia showered with you, I think I have a pretty good idea what she meant. Husband? You don't object, do you, if I shower with you?"

Checking her over, the overhead light revealed the faded stretch marks on her sides. She took my lack of a smile as disapproval, and her face fell. "I'm sorry for bothering you."

She made to step out again, but I grabbed her hand, tugging her into my embrace. "You are not a bother, Izel. Never think that! You are Izel Kandikan, my wife! My silence should not be taken as automatic disapproval. I'm waking up is all."

Izel hugged me. "All right."

Tilting up her chin, I brushed her cheek with my wet hand. Then I leaned down.

"Ranji, I haven't brushed my teeth!"

I kissed her anyway. She hesitated, then responded to my mouth on hers, sighing as I pulled her body flush against mine. When I broke the kiss, she was panting. "I love you, Mrs. Kandikan. You have a right to approach me at any time without having to ask anyone permission to do so. As my wife, I depend on you to support me, just as you have every right to expect me to support you. This is all stuff we've talked about before. Do I need to go over things again, this time in more detail?"

Izel shook her head as she licked her lips. "No. It's more that sometimes I believe I'm dreaming, my husband. I find I like your kisses. They are full of desire, yet also seek my consent. It's not something I can point to specifically. It's how I feel when you kiss me. You made promises when we married, and when my brother tried to carry me off into bondage, you stood firm against them. My brave, strong, kind husband. You were shot and said nothing, showing me with actions that you would defend me from harm. Maybe I'm reading more into it than there is, but I don't think so."

Her hand reached down, found my length, which she stroked, making me harden. She looked down at my erection, then tilted up her head to look me in the eyes. "I used to dread seeing a man's erection. It was an instrument of pain for so many years. But you, Ranji, you have been so gentle, so considerate, you show me over and over how much you want my body to have its own pleasure. have shown me places on my own body that even I didn't know could feel amazingly good. Each time that I've been in your arms, you have sent me to soaring heights of bliss. What was once taken from me by force, to you I offer freely with trembling eagerness. Dear husband, I confess by your gentle manner you have taught me to crave your touch. I miss your company when you are away. Whenever you are nearby, I find myself getting wet, anticipating that you might favor me with a look, a hint, the smallest word that you want me. Janetta is right. You are so very pretty, Ranji Kandikan."

Another kiss seemed appropriate, and she sighed as our tongues dueled. Her nipples were already hard, so I thumbed one. Her breathy sigh became a whimper, and she rubbed her belly against me. My hands slid down her side, pulling her close; one dropped between her legs, then ran through the hair of her mound. The ardor of her kiss increased, and I pressed my middle finger along her silken crease. Izel shivered and widened her stance, offering me easier access to her heated center.

Between the folds of her hot flesh I found a flood of liquid heat.

Her lower lip trembled. "I need you, Ranji. Please, take me?"

Grabbing her rear, I lifted her up. Her legs moved around me as I turned, pushing her against the tile wall. While her legs locked behind my back, my hard cock probed for her entrance. When I found it, I shoved hard into her tender, yielding sheath. Joy, amazement, and need cascaded over her face as we both savored her scalding heat enveloping my engorged crown atop my hard shaft. My length partially coated with her juices, I pulled back a little, then shoved harder, plunging deeper into her snug, slick center.

Izel clutched me to her. "Ranji! Oh, gods, yes!"

In a matter of a few strokes, I was working the full depth of her hot, slick tunnel of clasping, steamy depths. I probed, thoroughly explored, then fully demanded from her. My balls slapped against her rear as my hard staff plundered her tight, slick tunnel. I felt her inner walls trembling around my cock, her body answering my demands with a needful hunger of her own. Whimpering, her hands gripped me every time I plunged deep to open up her intimate center.

"Yes, take me. Fill my emptiness, my love!"

I vigorously pumped into her clasping cavity, changing the stroke angle to intensify her pleasure, grinding against her mound.

"Oh, Ranji, you feel so good!"

Izel rocked her hips, grunting, gasping, and writhing against me. Then her eyes rolled up and she froze, her pussy suddenly firmly milking the entire length of my shaft.

It was too much. I shoved deep and my balls unloaded, my cock firing long, hot streams into her core.

Izel jerked, then her eyes seemed to clear. Cupping my face, and said with utter sincerity, "Yes! Yes, give me your love, you wonderful man. Oh, Ranji! I feel it pooling in me, so warm and deep! I love you!"

A few moments while we enjoyed the intensity of union. When her pussy stopped clenching and my balls ceased emptying into her, her eyes opened.

I kissed her. "Are you okay?"

Beaming at me as she let her legs drop, she declared, "I feel great!"

"Sorry it was so short."

She cupped my face and kissed me gently. "Short or long, we pleasured each other. I'm happy for every scrap of time with you I can get."

I pulled out of her and lowered to her to stand. She leaned against me a moment, and while she stood there, I grabbed a washcloth and the bar of soap and set to washing her breasts and belly. Amused, she thrust out her chest so that I got it all. While she rinsed her front, I lathered up her back. As she turned to rinse her back, I soaped up between her legs, soaping up gently over her tender folds. I gently kissed her as I removed each of her three hair combs, her smile growing larger each time. Intrigued, I asked, "Why are you smiling so much?"

"I have more combs, Ranji. If this is the attention I'm going to get, I may shower with you more often."

I made sure her long black hair was fully wet before moving behind her. I saw a new bottle of shampoo and showing it to her, asked, "This one okay?"

Izel looked at it and nodded. Eyes glued to what I was doing, she watched as I poured a good amount into one hand, set the bottle back onto the shelf, and worked my hands throughout her thick tresses. Lathering up all of it, the scent of coconut filled the enclosed area. Adding some water to partially rinse, I then added more shampoo, working till it bubbled up around and amongst her thick locks. Then I had her step under the shower head. As she leaned against me, I used my fingers like a wide comb until the water ran clear.

"Conditioner?"

She nodded, and I repeated my actions.

I was startled from my reverie when I heard Janetta say, "Kandikan! Are you planning on leaving me any hot water at all?"

"Nearly done," I answered as Izel grabbed the soap and lathered up her crotch. After handing me the soap, she washed and rinsed again between her legs while I cleaned up my own groin. While I stepped back, she quickly did a final hair rinse.

"Leave the water running," Janetta added.

Izel twisted the towel to remove water clinging to her long ebony locks. Then she stepped out and I followed her. Zinja handed out towels while Janetta scooted by. Janetta passed me Izel's combs, then resumed her morning routine. Both women had their long hair pinned up to avoid getting it wet. Once her officer was in the shower, the tall mechanic joined her.

Izel bound up her hair in one towel and tucked in the end, using the second to dry her body.

I was already done, setting my towel onto the drying rack. Touching her chin, I gave her a quick kiss and a smile before striding into the bedroom. The lights were on, and I quickly dressed in my Class B uniform of Air Service blues. Next, after quickly filling my pockets of the things I considered essential, I added both my weapons.

Sitting on the end of the bed and brushing out her wet hair, Izel watched me prepare for work. "I quite enjoyed meeting your friend, Jay. How long do you think it will be before you return to your previous schedule at the gym?"

"Don't know for sure," I replied. "A couple of weeks, for sure."

"You look so handsome in your uniform, Ranji!" Then she flushed before adding, "Thank you for this morning."

I gave her an indulgent smile. "No thanks needed. I had a good time, too, Izel. You want help combing out your hair?"

She shook her head. "I don't want you to be late. Besides, Chihua will help me style it later this morning." Then she paused before continuing. "Ranji, it honestly doesn't bother you I'm so much older than you?"

Her serious tone caused me to pause and stare at her self-conscious look. "Why would you ask that?"

"You were staring at my stretch marks. I guess I felt self-conscious. No, that's not right. I felt old and worn down."

Janetta walked in, bold as brass, going straight into the closet. "If you're worried whether Ranji will get hard for you, you can stop worrying." Bringing out a blouse on a hanger, she hung it on a dresser knob and fished into a drawer for a set of fresh panties and bra.

Zinja came in from the bathroom, collected her own pile of clean undergarments from atop my dresser, and quickly put them on. While Janetta dressed in her own Class B uniform, Zinja put on a clean set of medium blue Class C coveralls.

"Oh? Why's that?" Izel asked Janetta, clearly curious. "I'm nearly twenty years older than my husband, Janetta. I love him and he loves me, but I can't exactly ignore the age difference. In a few short years, I expect to enter menopause, and I know enough to fear the possibility that my sex drive will vanish. I'm fast becoming addicted to Ranji working his cock magic upon my body. To find such joy and the threat of it all ending in just a few short years? It's enough to make one weep at the unfairness of it all."

Janetta gave me an arch grin as she hiked up her trousers and secured them. "If we weren't talking of Ranji, your fears would be well-founded, Izel, even if there weren't hormone supplements. However, you have nothing to worry about for at least a couple of decades. As long as you are willing to spread your legs, Ranji will happily check your engine and then thoroughly fuck your brains out."

"What are you going on about, Janetta?" I asked her, collecting my laptop satchel.

Putting on her socks, she grinned as she said, "Izel is your wife, Kandikan. She deserves to learn some of your secrets, especially the naughtier ones." At my uncomprehending look, she archly added, "Oh, how soon you forget. Remember Teela?"

Snorting, I shook my head. "Yes, I remember Teela. Whatever. I'm going to get some breakfast before I have to leave."

"Don't forget about tomorrow night!" Janetta called out. "It's the start of the weekend!"

After the girls were in bed, twice a month I gave Janetta and Zinja a night of their own. They could share the evening, but Janetta and her crew had insisted they get some personal one-on-one time with me, though Janetta and Zinja were usually together. Typically, I washed their hair while they relaxed and drank in the jacuzzi, then Calia and I gave them massages. When I could, the following day I usually plied Calia with attention, mostly with my face lovingly buried between her legs, which she loved. The last time, it had been Cholan and Ixma who had received some loving attention.

However, in the interim, I'd gotten married, the Atlanteans had had their air raid, and then Obsidian Tears had attacked and abducted Imperial citizens, including a lot of my troopers. You know. The usual surprise party sponsored by the gods of chaos, when in their inscrutable ways of thinking, they had decided my life had become too quiet.

"All right, yes, special time. You're the Mistress, Janetta. Figure out where Izel is going to fit into things." Slipping on my vest and grabbing my helmet, I hustled out the door.

There were still a lot of people in the house. Being more awake than the previous few days, I smiled and waved back to those who acknowledged my presence, but if they were busy, I didn't fuss. Yes, it was my home, but they were homeless for the duration, and they needed time to rest and recuperate.

My spot at the table was open. In the kitchen Terra and Salvia and the cooks, Citlalli and Zyana, were busy at the stove either cooking or at the counter prepping food to be cooked. As soon as I sat, Terra filled a mug with cahault and set it in front of me. The mix of bitter and sweet liquid charged down to my empty stomach. As I was distracted, hot food was scooped onto a plate, and before I could say thank you, she had moved onto the next task. Oh, well.

I found I was pretty hungry and tucked into my meal at a pretty pace, yet about halfway through my meal, I heard Mack say from behind me, "Commander? You need to come with me."

I took a swallow of cahault to clear my throat, then turned. "What's wrong, Mack?"

Seeing the spatters of blood on her uniform sent alarms through me. I jumped up from my seat.

"Follow me, sir." She turned and trotted out the door.

Grabbing my satchel, I hustled to catch up. When security veterans like Mack put on the speed, I set questions aside until I learned the situation, understanding that urgent cooperation often saved lives.

Mack turned left, jogging quickly to the damaged house immediately to the east. As I understood it, the entire west side of the building was deemed unsafe, and the building's roof could collapse in the next test of high winds. Mack pulled aside the plastic sheet and slipped inside. She waited anxiously till she saw me, then she hurried down a hallway, moving into the abandoned living room.

In the dim light, there were two troopers standing nearby, one holding a light while the other looked green. Coming around a couch, I saw Calia sitting on the floor, blood seemingly everywhere - on her apron, dress, and up to her elbows, the iron tang filling my nostrils. In her arms she cradled an injured woman.

Then I halted in recognition.

Seven hells! Ja-See!

Crouching down, the front of her Air Service blouse open and bra unhooked revealed five bloody knife-sized punctures weeping in her belly, soaking the lower half of her uniform blouse. Huge gauze pads over her midsection were beneath Calia's two hands as she tried to apply pressure to the wounds. They were soaking through even as I stared.

Thinking she was going to die any moment, I crouched down, asking urgently, "Who did this to you?"

She looked at me, moving weakly, her eyes filled with pain. "Need... privacy."

I turned to the two troopers standing by. "You, with the light, give it to Sergeant Mack, and take position at the front door. No one comes in until you are relieved. And you, if you're going to heave, trooper, do it outside, then take position by the plastic sheet covering the west wall. Secure the entryway." I watched them follow my orders, then gave my attention back to Ja-See. "They're gone."