Shannon kept her posture steady. “I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say.”
“You’re allowed to tell the truth.”
She looked away, then back. “Yes.”
He nodded once. “I reviewed the rotation assignments. You were given the wrong vest weight. It was a cadre-only loadout. Fifteen became twenty-two.”
Shannon’s jaw tightened. “Accidental?”
“No.”
She felt her breath settle, slow and quiet.
“You’re not in trouble,” Olivo said. “Medical cleared you. But that’s the second irregularity this week tied to your name.”
She nodded. “I don’t think it’s over.”
“It’s not.”
“What do I do?”
His voice stayed calm. “You survive it. Don’t overreact. And let me do my job.”
Shannon took a breath. “And if it escalates?”
“Then I escalate too.”
They stood in silence a moment longer. Then he stepped back. “Go get some sleep.”
She turned toward the door, paused, and looked over her shoulder. “Why do you believe me?”
Olivo didn’t smile, but his answer came without hesitation. “Because you’re not trying to convince me.”
SEVEN
BASIC CADET TRAINING – DAY 14
The bruise on her shoulder had turned a deeper yellow by the time Shannon finished her pull-up set. She didn’t complain. She hadn’t since her collapse.
She still woke early, still moved with precision, and still passed inspections without comment. But everything took longer now. Her laces never tied quite right the first time. Her locker door squeaked when it hadn’t before. Her hands shook just slightly when she stood at attention too long.
Mia didn’t say anything, not at first. But the way she looked at Shannon changed. She took longer pauses, hesitated a little longer before joking. She made quiet decisions not to speak.
That morning, as they dressed in silence, Mia caught her eye in the mirror. “You look like you haven’t slept.”
Shannon adjusted her collar. “I’m fine.”
“You’re starting to flinch when people call your name.”
“I’m just tired.”
Mia didn’t answer. She finished tightening her braid and walked out without comment.
During rec period,Shannon sat alone behind the supply shed with her notebook open on her lap. She had found the spot by accident three days earlier. It was quiet, shaded, and just out of sight from the main quad. She kept her back against the concrete wall, knees drawn up, notebook balanced carefully between them.
Day 10 – Krueger assigned me to mop hangar floor alone. No one else was scheduled. 2 hours. No explanation.
Day 11 – Inspection: sock “discovered.” Issued demerit. Confirmed item wasn’t mine. Mia witnessed.
