Chapter 41 Choice
FORTY-ONE
Choice
TIA
Tia’s recovery progressed quickly. The wound in her chest healed with little residual effect.
Initially, there had been concerns about nerve damage to her shoulder and arm, but aggressive physical therapy helped her avoid long-term disability.
Standing at rigid attention before the judge caused only mild discomfort.
Not that it mattered. Her career was in shambles. She faced Colonel Martin, the judge presiding over whether to proceed with a court-martial for fraternization, with a grim set to her jaw, a ramrod posture, and as much courage as she could muster.
She was doing this alone.
Ryker wasn’t here.
Vane had forced Ryker to fulfill his temporary-duty obligations, playing with Angel Fire on their USO tour.
In the days following her hospitalization and the weeks before this hearing, Ryker had traveled to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, RAF Lakenheath in England, and other bases scattered around Europe.
At each base, he’d sent pictures of him with the band, playing onstage, and signing pictures with a growing fan base.
In every picture, a smile lit his face, laughter brightened his eyes, and his expression filled with adrenaline.
She loved how he could bring such intensity to every moment.
In his emails, he imbued his words with love, hope, and a profound loss at not having her by his side.
There was anger there, too, over what Vane had done.
Ryker tried to hide it, but he missed her and hated that she was facing this trial alone, but his presence would have only strengthened the case against her. He understood this, too.
Collins tried to protect her against Vane’s crusade as best he could, but there had been several witnesses to that kiss, the most damning being Vane himself. Unlike her wound, the damage done from that single kiss would have repercussions for the rest of her life.
Colonel Martin read from a stack of papers that held her future. “Major Meyers…”
The lack of emotion in his voice brought a shiver to her spine.
There would be no leniency in this courtroom.
Her good friends, Skye and Forest, had flown in for her trial and sat on the stiff benches behind her.
Skye had brought letters from Ryker, things he didn’t feel safe placing in an email that could be used against her in the court proceedings.
Forest had brought his indomitable presence.
He’d rescued her in her youth, and in the years that followed, he had been a solid presence of support and strength.
She leaned on her friends now, knowing, no matter what happened, Forest and Skye would be there to help her pick up the pieces.
Collins was at her side, and Warren sat behind Forest and Skye. His hug prior to the proceedings filled her with strength. Collins’s steadfast support lifted her spirits. She was surrounded by those who cared for her, even if Ryker couldn’t be present.
Colonel Martin cleared his throat and continued reading from his official report.
“The Air Force places high value on the professional relationships within its ranks. This is vital to the functional effectiveness of our units. Our missions involve great challenge and hardship, and unit cohesion is vital for mission success. Anything that might interfere with the interests of the Air Force is grounds for censure.”
She rolled her shoulders and stiffened her spine. This wasn’t censorship. It was a witch hunt.
“Professional relations are consistent with the Air Force values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.” Martin read directly from his brief, barely glancing up.
“It’s incumbent on all our military members to understand that the needs of the Air Force will sometimes outweigh personal desires. ”
She hated this waiting, wanting only to get to the end, to the part where she found out if she would face a court-martial with the potential for jail time or be offered an alternative. His speech was a part of the process, and he continued to read from his legal brief while she stood at attention.
“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 the armed 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 embarrassing spectacle 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.