Page 29 of Alpha Awakened
“Understood, Captain Anderson!”
He waited a long moment, long enough for them to start to nervously squirm in their boots before he released them.
“Dismissed.”
They quickly saluted then scrambled off.
Ice watched them until they were out of sight and then went over to Hazard and Thomas.
“Are you okay?” he asked, expecting an honest answer this time.
“I am now. Thank you, Captain.”
“Is that your first run-in with those two?” Hazard asked.
He shook his head. “They’ve been bothering me for a while. I try to avoid them when I can. But when they do find me I can’t exactly walk away or ignore them since they’re both second lieutenants.”
“What have they done?”
Thomas hesitated. Clearly he didn’t want to rat the two out. Hazard loudly cleared his throat, in a clear sign for him to speak. Thomas began listing off the officers’ transgressions.
“They’ve made me run laps for every little infraction they could think of. Tracked mud in the laundry room when I was on laundry duty. Then they came back and did it again right when I finished mopping it up. Put a snake in my bed. Although I can’t prove that one was them since I didn’t see them do it. And they destroyed a couple of my books. Snatched one and tossed it in the toilet before pissing in it. Poured soda over another.”
“Little shit baby officers. Throwing the weight of that shiny first bar around,” Hazard said in disgust.
Ice was disgusted himself. And angry. But he didn’t let the emotions show. “They shouldn’t bother you or anyone else from now on. If they do, come find me.”
Thomas frowned. “Sir, I don’t want —.”
Ice cut him off. “You’re not being a snitch or getting anyone in trouble. They need to respect the rank they’ve been given. If they can’t do that, they will be dealt with.”
“I understand, sir. Thank you again for your help. I’d hate to lose another book,” he said with a wave of the paperback he was holding.
Ice acknowledged his thanks with a nod. “Turn in and get some rest, soldier.”
After a salute to Ice and a nod to Hazard, Thomas did an about face and walked off toward the housing area for first year recruits.
“You handled that well,” Hazard said once they were alone.
“Mmmm.”
“Actually, I’m surprised you handled it at all. Too many officers think a little hazing is good for building strength and character.”
“I don’t. And I don’t like bullies.”
They resumed the walk to their barracks.
“Neither do I. That was a pretty good punishment you threatened them with.”
Ice huffed a short laugh. “It was only partially a threat.”
“What do you mean?”
“If they stay here, eventually they’re going to bother that recruit again.”
“You sound certain of that.”
“I know how bullies behave.” A memory tried to surface but Ice shoved it back down. “I won’t have them sent to North Dakota or put on janitor duty, but they’ve already proven that together, they’re a problem. They need to be separated. Maybe a fresh start on their own on separate bases will put a stop to their bullying.”