Chapter 5 - Who Still Had Discipline
Cross turned toward Cole.
“Sir, the trainee was insubordinate.”
Cole stopped beside the fallen gear.
“What did she do?”
“She challenged my authority in front of the company.”
“Did she finish second?”
Cross hesitated.
The timekeeper answered from the edge of formation.
“Yes, sir.”
Cole looked at the damaged medical pouch.
“Why is issued equipment on the ground?”
Cross’s jaw tightened.
“I was correcting her attitude.”
“By damaging Army property?”
No one moved.
Cole faced Maya.
“Did Sergeant Cross touch you?”
“No, sir.”
“Did he remove the rucksack?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did he kick it?”
“Yes, sir.”
Cole turned toward the recruits.
“Who witnessed that?”
For several seconds, fear held every hand down.
Then Private Ellis raised his.
Another followed.
Then ten.
Then nearly the entire formation.
Cross stared at them.
“You people better understand what you’re doing.”
Cole’s voice became quiet.
“They do now.”
He pointed toward the bag.
“Pick it up, Sergeant.”
Cross remained still.
The company commander stepped forward.
“That was a lawful order.”
May you like
Under forty pairs of eyes, Cross bent down and gathered every item he had scattered.
For the first time, he experienced the silence he had used against everyone else.
