“Major Meyers, as you are aware, professional relationships are encouraged, as this fosters communication between members, boosts morale, and focuses on the mission at hand. Professional relationships preserve respect for authority. However, personal relationships can become a problem. When this affects the functioning of the unit, it ceases to be personal and becomes an official concern.”
Her instinct to reply with a,Yes, sir, had her biting her tongue. Her role was to receive judgment with dignity. Later, when alone, she could fall apart.
Collins had given his testimony and argued in favor of leniency. The support he’d shown during the proceedings warmed her heart and only deepened her respect for him as not only a leader, but also a man of character.
Colonel Martin’s monotone droned through the silence. “The Air Force frowns on personal relationships between officers and enlisted, and those engaging in fraternization can be brought up on Uniform Code of Military Justice charges. Fraternization violates our core values, places good order and discipline at risk, and discredits thearmed services. It disgraces the officer involved and compromises an officer’s good standing.”
She knew all about the rules against fraternization. Officers couldn’t lend or borrow money from an enlisted member. Participating in personal business enterprises was also prohibited. They weren’t allowed to engage in sexual relations or date enlisted members. They couldn’t even share living accommodations with enlisted members unless required by military operations. Marriage wasn’t necessarily forbidden, but the officer could still be brought up on charges if the relationship began while both members were in the military.
Nothing about what had happened between her and Ryker followed the tenets of appropriate behavior between an officer and enlisted. She’d known this from the very beginning. It hadn’t mattered then, so why did it hurt so much to have this stranger chastise her from behind the power of his bench?
Each word struck like a hammer, slamming her with disgrace and shame. Her heart rattled around inside her chest, thudding like a jackhammer one moment and then fading into stunned quiescence the next. Her palms slicked with sweat, and her throat closed up. Heat pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to cry. Tears were for later.
Colonel Martin leaned back and placed his papers on the table. “Two options face us today. Colonel Collins has been a fierce supporter during these proceedings, and I am inclined to accept his testimony. You’re facing one count of fraternization and one count of making a false official statement. If convicted, these carry a maximum sentence of seven years. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, surprised by how steady her voice sounded as it rang through the room.
“There is precedent for not proceeding with a court-martial. As you are aware, a felony conviction carries jail time. In addition, not proceeding with a trial will spare the Air Force the embarrassingspectacle of prosecuting an officer for what the civilian population sees as nothing more than a crime of the heart. They don’t understand the duress of our job, the missions we face, or why unit cohesion is vital to success. Also, there is the public relations disaster that would follow if the Air Force prosecuted one of the very few special ops females in its ranks.”
He wasn’t done speaking, but already, the tight band constricting her chest eased. No court-martial? There was hope.
“If you desire to defend yourself and face trial, we will proceed, but you might opt for a general discharge instead.”
“And this avoids trial?” She listened for any weakness in her voice. Still none, but it vibrated in her core, and she didn’t know how much longer she could maintain this facade of strength.
“Yes,” he said.
“Sir,” Collins interjected, “is there no way to dismiss the charges? Major Meyers is an exemplary officer. She has much to contribute to her country. Aren’t there other more favorable, constructive solutions to this case? It seems inappropriate she must choose between resignation and a felony. Where’s the middle ground?”
She would rather stay in the military. A general discharge would make it more difficult to find employment. For a health care provider, a general discharge virtually assured she would be a pariah to future employers.
“Unfortunately, no.” Colonel Martin’s pronouncement sealed her fate.
“What about allowing her to resign her commission with an honorable discharge?” Collins pressed.
“That isn’t possible. A general discharge is appropriate when significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct outweigh the positive aspects of their performance. I can offer Major Meyers this choice, but this is the only choice she will be given.”
Tia broke the rigidity of her stance at attention and gripped Collins’s wrist. She’d faced more difficult challenges than this. Although her dreams of making the Air Force a career were shattered and broken at her feet, she would recover.
Somehow.
She cleared her throat and projected her voice, sounding much more self-assured than she felt. “Colonel Martin, thank you for the consideration you have given me. I would like to formally apologize to the Air Force for my actions. I accept a general discharge.”
“T,” Collins said, turning to her, concern scrawled through his features, “we can fight this.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to fight it.”
All she wanted was for it to end. She’d lick her wounds later.
FORTY-TWO
Wembley
RYKER
Over a thousand screamingfans bounced and swayed to the pounding adrenaline of Angel Fire’s music. Electricity sparked through the air, lifting goose bumps on Ryker’s arms.Would he ever get used to this? Did he want to?
The sea of waving arms and bright flashes from cell phones extended into the distance. Angel Fire had packed a standing-room-only crowd into another large hangar at Lakenheath. They played their fifth straight night in a row, but this was nothing compared to what Ryker would face tomorrow night.
