"No, sir." "Commander Hayes, same apology, same formation. Additionally, you'll be writing a personal letter to Captain Chen detailing exactly how your behavior contradicted the values you claim to represent. That letter will be reviewed by your commanding officer and placed in your personnel file." Hayes swallowed hard.
"Yes, sir." "Colonel Davidson, you're assigned as Captain Chen's primary point of contact for any needs related to her father's care or her own security concerns. You served with Master Sergeant Chen. You know what he sacrificed. Make sure his daughter has everything she needs."
"Sir, it would be my honor." "Chief Rodriguez." Thornton's voice went cold. "You staged a fake medical emergency designed to embarrass and potentially implicate Captain Chen in an assault. You physically grabbed a superior officer."
"You've been conducting unauthorized background investigations. You're confined to quarters pending formal court-martial proceedings. Security will escort you from this briefing." Rodriguez's face had gone gray. Two security personnel entered and flanked him.
As they led him away, he looked back at Sarah. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't know. I didn't."
"You didn't care." She said quietly. "That was the problem." The door closed behind him. The briefing room felt larger, emptier.
Park raised his hand tentatively. "Sir, what about me? I participated in the the mocking, the challenges." "Yes, you did, Lieutenant. You also recognized skill when you saw it, even if you didn't want to admit it."
"You'll be assisting Captain Chen with weapons training classes, should she accept the instructor position. Consider it an opportunity to learn from someone who's actually used these skills in combat, not just on a range." "Yes, sir." Thornton stood.
"The rest of you, Walsh, Morrison, Brooks, Dr. Bradford, you're here because you either tried to defend Captain Chen or recognized something was wrong. That's noted and appreciated. Dismissed." They filed out leaving Sarah alone with Thornton. He waited until the door closed, then his formal bearing relaxed slightly.
"Off the record, Captain, how are you really doing?" She took a breath. "Honestly, sir, I'm tired. My father has good days and bad days. On good days, he remembers me."
"On bad days, he thinks I'm my mother, who died when I was 12. The doctors say the injury is progressing. Every week, he loses a little more." "I'm sorry." "He was always proud of my service. Showed everyone my commendations, even though he wasn't supposed to talk about them."
"Now, he can't remember most of it. Sometimes he asks when I'm deploying and I have to remind him I retired. It breaks his heart every time, like hearing it for the first time." Her voice remained steady, but her eyes were bright.
"So, no, sir. I don't want to go back to active duty. I don't want security details or a relocated identity. I just want the time I have left with him to be as normal as possible."