Chapter 62
December 11, 1982
09:00
US Legion Base - Fort Grove
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
The day of the hearing arrived. Hazard dressed in his service uniform after a shower in the brig’s washroom. Jax had brought it to him since it was required dress for the hearing. He assumed he’d taken Ice his service dress as well.
Hazard didn’t regret anything that had happened the past few months. Royce was his mate and he would never regret meeting or falling for him. But he hated that their relationship might cost his lover his career. He knew how much Royce loved being in the military. How much it meant to him. Being a soldier was Ice’s whole life. With that in mind, he’d made his decision. He knew what he had to do.
An MP came and escorted him to the chamber where their hearing would take place. Inside there were two tables facing the hearing bench with a large space between them. Ice was already there, sitting at the table on the left. The alpha was also wearing his dress uniform, along with a plain black balaclava. Hazard was instantly hit with a sense of relief. It was the first time he’d seen his mate in three days. When he made eye contact with Ice, he could see the same feeling of relief reflected in his dark eyes.
“Miss you,” Ice mouthed.
Hazard smiled at his mate. “Miss you too.”
The MP directed him to sit at the other table, then retreated to stand at the chamber doors.
The hearing chambers was a large room, with wood paneling on two walls, while the back and front walls were painted a bright white. Large windows on either side of the room let in the morning sunlight. The floor was green and white marbled tile. A high judge’s bench with three seats for the courts-martial members dominated the room. Behind it, tall, brass flag poles held the US and US Legion flags.
The chamber door opened, the sound loud in the quiet room. Hazard twisted in his seat to look behind him and see who was entering. Jax, Ortiz, and Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs came in. Hazard sent them all a grateful smile for coming to show their support. Following after them was a blonde officer he’d only seen a few times before. Hazard gave her a polite nod.
He started to reface forward, but the door opened again. More soldiers came in, about a dozen of them. The group consisted of privates from the group of recruits he trained, members of their support team, and other soldiers he and Ice often interacted with. Most of them were shifters but there were some humans as well. Lance Corporal Boone was there, Private Bell, and Private Thomas, the kid Ice had saved from bullies. Jennings and Hightower, the two Ice sometimes played cards with. And even Captain Hayes. The wounded soldier proceeded into the room with slow, careful movements. His left arm was in a sling and he walked with the assistance of a cane.
Hazard was surprised to see them. His expression must have said as much, because Boone grinned and gave him a thumbs up as they all took their seats in the back of the gallery.
“We’ve got your back, brother,” the young alpha said.
Soon after, the three officers who would decide his and Ice’s fate entered from a door at the rear of the chamber. They took their seats on the bench.
“Good morning,” the woman who sat in the middle greeted the court. “I’m Lieutenant General Hart. To my right is Lieutenant General Collins and to my left Lieutenant General Reid.”
Hazard quickly assessed the panel. All three were in their late forties. Hazard couldn’t get a facial read on Hart while Reid looked as if she was there with an open mind. Collins appeared stern, his gaze narrow behind gold wire rim glasses.
After the introduction, Lieutenant General Reid began the hearing.
“Captain Royce Anderson and Corporal Dylan Mitchell.”
Hazard stood at attention. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ice do the same.
“You both are brought before this panel today on the charge of improper fraternization. Do you understand this charge?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. You may be seated and we will proceed.”
Lieutenant General Collins rested his clasped hands atop the panel bench and leaned forward. “The two of you are in a romantic relationship even though the difference in your ranks forbids it. And you have exchanged mating bites without seeking permission to do so,” he stated.
“That is correct,” Ice said.
Hazard simply nodded.
“I’m surprised to see this from soldiers with such exemplary records. I’m loathe to destroy two promising careers, so before we continue with the hearing, I offer a solution. Agree to end your relationship. We’ll transfer you to different units on different bases. After that, you’ll both be allowed to return to duty without further consequences.” He paused to let his words sink in. “Do you accept this solution?” Collins asked.
Hazard looked at Ice. Their eye contact was brief, but it was enough for them to communicate their feelings on the offered solution. They turned back to the judges.
“No,” they said in unison.
Collins looked disappointed. “I’m sorry to hear that. Then let us proceed with the hearing.”
Hazard’s heart began to pound. Now that the moment was here, nerves tumbled about in his stomach. But he was going to do it. He opened his mouth to speak. “Members of the court, I would like to —.”
Ice’s chair scraped the floor as he abruptly stood, the loud, harsh sound cutting Hazard off mid-sentence.
“I resign,” Ice said.
* * *
“ What ?” Hazard loudly exclaimed. “Royce you can’t do that!”
“Quiet please Corporal Mitchell!” Lieutenant General Hart sternly admonished.
Once it was quiet, Ice repeated his statement. “I resign my rank and position. That way, my mate can continue his career in the Legion without consequence as I will no longer be his superior officer.”
“No, he can’t quit!” Hazard protested. “ I was going to quit.”
Ice turned to his mate. “Beat you to it.”
Hazard looked at him, his face flushed with shock and anger. But moments after their eyes met, the anger faded. Love shone on his mate’s face, so bright and pure that Ice felt the warmth of it in the connection they shared. Confident that he was doing the right thing for his mate, Ice turned back to the judges.
“Neither of you can simply quit,” Reid calmly stated. “You are both under contract to the US Legion.”
“I understand that,” Ice said with a nod. “But he is my mate. And I will do anything for him. There are six months left on my current contract and I have not yet signed my reenlistment papers. If the panel separates us, I will not reenlist.”
“If you resign, you will still be separated,” Reid pointed out.
“Wherever you station Corporal Mitchell, I will obtain civilian housing near that base. It’s not ideal, but we’ll still be able to be together when he’s not out in the field.”
Collins peered over the rim of his glasses to look down at Hazard.
“Corporal Mitchell, what do you think of this?”
Hazard was now calm when he spoke. “My plan is much the same, sir. I’d like to request a general discharge. If that request is denied I will wait out the year left in my enlistment. Then I will leave. I mean no disrespect to the court. But the captain and I won’t be without each other. It’s as simple as that.”
Silence reigned after Hazard’s declaration.
Ice was proud of his mate for his conviction. He was also touched and amused that they’d both decided to give up their careers for the other. It couldn’t be any clearer what they both saw as the most important thing in their lives. It wasn’t their rank and position as soldiers. It was each other.
Hart broke the silence. “Let’s wait before we make any decisions on new units or resignations,” she said. “I understand that there are people who would like to speak on your behalf. Major Ortiz, please come forward.”
Ice watched as his squad leader went to stand in front of the panel. He’d been glad to see her and all the others there to show their support. He hadn’t expected any of them to speak.
“Good morning. My name is Major Samantha Ortiz. I am the commanding officer of Unit 448. Captain Royce Anderson and Corporals Jackson and Mitchell are under my leadership. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to speak on their behalf.”
“You’re welcome, Major Ortiz.”
The chamber was quiet as Ortiz explained about shifter dynamics and why it was practically impossible to resist their Instincts when it came to a romantic interest. Regardless of the ranks of the two shifters involved. Hart’s face remained carefully neutral. Bell looked as if she was trying to learn while Collins appeared unswayed.
“Thank you, Major,” Lieutenant General Hart said when Ortiz was finished. “We will take your statement into consideration. Please be seated.”
Ortiz thanked the judges and returned to the gallery.
“I would like to question Corporal Noah Jackson,” Collins suddenly said.
Jax rose and went to stand at attention in the spot vacated by the captain.
“Did either Corporal Mitchell or Captain Anderson ever behave in an improper manner toward you?” Collins asked. “Or attempt to solicit you for a romantic relationship?”
Jax almost snorted a laugh before he got himself under control. “No, sir. Corporal Mitchell and Captain Anderson only had eyes for each other. From the moment Corporal Mitchell arrived actually.”
“And did their relationship ever interfere in a mission or cause you to feel that you were not adequately supported by your teammates in the field?”
“Not one bit. Those two men are my teammates, my brothers, my packmates. And no matter what was going on between them, they always had my back, just like I had theirs. In fact, since Ice — Captain Anderson — became involved with Corporal Mitchell, he’s become an even better teammate to work with.”
“Thank you, Corporal Jackson.”
Jax saluted then retook his seat.
Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs and the blonde officer — Lieutenant Colonel Kelly — took turns speaking next, both stating their confidence that he and Hazard could continue working together despite their romantic relationship.
Once Kelly retook her seat, Hart addressed the group of soldiers sitting at the back of the gallery. “I’ve been informed that all of you here today have asked a representative to speak for you.”
As one, the group of soldiers rose. Boone stepped forward and approached the bench.
“Good morning. I’m Lance Corporal Ryder Boone.” He waved a hand to indicate the group standing with him. “We are here to show our support for our fellow soldiers. Captain Anderson and Corporal Mitchell should not be reprimanded or reassigned because of their relationship. Shifters don’t work like humans. Our physiology is different and there are instinctive urges that we can’t ignore without physical and mental consequence. If we do, we’re like to come down feeling sick as a dog. However, we shouldn’t be punished for that. Shifters are good soldiers. Excellent soldiers actually. All we want is for this great force that we serve to accept us as we are.”
Hart smiled, clearly charmed by Boone’s down-home demeanor and way of speaking.
“Thank you, Lance Corporal Boone.”
“Thank you to the panel for listening.” Boone saluted and the group of supporters all sat down.
“Is there anyone else?” Hart asked.
“Yes,” Major Ortiz said. “We have one more person who would like to be heard.”
Ice frowned, wondering who it could be.
The MP stationed at the door opened it for whoever was coming. The sound of high heels clicking on the tile floor preceded the speaker’s entrance.
A moment later, Councilor Doucette walked in. The alpha was impeccably dressed in a red tweed power suit. She wore her long braids down in a twist over her right shoulder. Her face was still bruised and bandaged but her makeup was artfully applied as usual.
“Councilor Doucette. You are here to speak on behalf of these two soldiers?” Collins asked in disbelief.
Ice understood his surprise. The councilor had the political weight of a senator. That was a heavy hitter going to bat for them.
“Indeed I am.”
She walked forward to stand directly in front of the panel’s bench. One of the soldiers tried to bring her a chair but she waved them away.
“Captain Anderson and Corporal Mitchell rescued my daughter when she was abducted,” Doucette began. “Less than a week ago, they saved me when I and the entire shifter council were taken hostage by a twisted insurrectionist with plans to assassinate us all. Corporal Mitchell took on an additional risk to his life when he went deeper into the building where we were being held to find the fourteenth councilor. He was in that building when it collapsed and he nearly died doing his duty. As I understand it, these two soldiers were romantically involved during that mission yet they managed to complete it with what I have to label as a resounding success.”
Hart spoke up. “Councilor Doucette, I understand your personal gratitude to these two men but we cannot allow that to be the deciding factor in this trial.”
“It’s not only about gratitude,” Doucette calmly stated. “Shifters have served faithfully in the Legion since we joined the larger society. And truthfully, even before that. But there are restrictions placed on them that I consider unjust. Such as shifter soldiers being required to seek permission before exchanging mating bites even if they bond with a civilian. While human soldiers are not required to get permission before marriage. That is a discriminatory practice that I am shocked exists. Shifters in the military should have allowances made for our nature and this is a good place to start. These two soldiers want to continue doing their jobs. And they want to do it together. Separating them will not work. We cannot ignore the mating pull once it starts.”
“What do you suggest, Councilor?” Hart asked.
“Leave them be. Major Ortiz is an outstanding CO. I’m sure she will take action if their relationship becomes a problem. And for future instances where this might occur, put protocols in place for shifters to adhere to. An official disclosure procedure. Check-ins. Counseling. Whatever is necessary that lets our shifter soldiers follow their natural instincts without fear that they will be punished for them. I don’t want to lose any more good men and women from the Legion because we don’t trust our soldiers to comport themselves with maturity once they’ve found their mates.”
Lieutenant General Bell spoke for the panel.
“We can take these suggestions for a disclosure procedure into consideration for the future.”
“And for right now?” Doucette asked.
The panel of judges put their heads together, talking amongst themselves in low tones so that the rest of the court couldn’t hear them.
Ice held his breath, waiting. He could feel Hazard’s tension even with the space separating them.
After a few moments, the judges separated. Lieutenant General Hart stood to deliver the panel’s decision.
“We will allow the relationship to continue without consequence. Major Ortiz, you are to immediately establish a schedule of individual check-ins with the captain and the corporal. You will also submit these check-ins to Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs. And Captain Anderson cannot have any say in Corporal Mitchell’s performance reviews or promotion.”
“Understood, ma’am,” Ortiz said.
“Captain Anderson and Corporal Mitchell, please stand.”
Ice and Hazard both stood.
“We expect you to comport yourselves with dignity while on base or when serving in any official US Legion capacity. Is that clear?”
Ice nodded, hardly daring to believe how the trial had turned out. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Crystal clear, ma’am,” Hazard said.
“The court has issued its ruling. This case is closed.”