Chapter 7 - The Recruiter's Demise
""I'm... I'm sorry,"" Malden choked out, staring at Jonah's worn sneakers. ""I was wrong. I spoke out of turn. I didn't know.""
""You didn't care to know,"" Jonah replied, finding his voice. It wasn't loud, but it was steady, carrying the quiet authority he had inherited from the woman standing beside him. ""You just wanted everyone to laugh at someone you thought was weaker than you.""
Malden flinched as if he had been slapped.
Vivian extended her open palm toward him. ""The microphone, Lieutenant. And your credentials.""
Malden mechanically handed over the wireless microphone, then reached into his uniform pocket and pulled out his military recruiting badge and commission identification. His hands were trembling so violently he dropped them onto the floor before Vivian scooped them up.
""Mason,"" Vivian said without looking back. ""Call Rear Admiral Harris at Recruiting Command. Inform him that Lieutenant Corey Malden is relieved of duty immediately, pending an Article 133 court-martial for conduct unbecoming an officer and unauthorized disclosure provocation.""
""Already dialed in, Commander,"" Mason replied, speaking into a secure throat-mic. ""Admiral's staff is drafting the relief order right now. Transport is en route to escort Lieutenant Malden off school grounds.""
Malden let out a broken groan, burying his face in his hands. His naval career was finished. The spotless record he had bragged about was about to be shredded, replaced by a dishonorable discharge and the permanent stain of public disgrace.
Chief Griggs walked over, picked up Malden's discarded service dress jacket, and tossed it into the lieutenant's lap. ""Get up, Malden. Go wait by the flagpole outside. You don't belong in this uniform, and you sure as hell don't belong in this school.""
Malden scrambled to his feet, clutching his jacket to his chest like a condemned man, and practically sprinted toward the side exit, tripping over his own boots as he fled the gymnasium.
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As the emergency door slammed shut behind him, the gym erupted into a deafening roar. The entire student body rose to their feet in a standing ovation.
Students cheered, clapped, and chanted Jonah’s name. The high school football captain ran down the bleachers, offering Jonah a high-five, while other classmates crowded around, marveling at the giant operators and trying to pet Scout, who graciously allowed two girls from Jonah’s homeroom to scratch behind his ears.
