Soldiers and Secrets

Gant, E. Jon - Soldiers and Secrets [Avidbook, Alternative F/F, LGBT, Sic-Fi, Military, Action Adventure] Chapter One Captain Jacqueline Damascus was at the bar, quietly sipping at the beer, when someone pushed her shoulder from behind. The beer slopped from the glass, and she put it down, stood, and turned. The soldier was grinning at her, a look in his eyes she knew too well. She tilted her head slowly, no hint of a smile on her face. “Would you like to apologise, soldier?” “Why?” “Why? Because you are a soldier, who has just spilt a lady’s drink. A captain’s drink, too. You are supposed to be a gentleman. Maybe you’re not, in which case, you’re not much of a soldier, either. Now, if you’ll say sorry, I’ll forget all about it.” The soldier looked around, smiled back at Damascus. “You want me to apologise? To a girl lover?” Damascus nodded. “I see. Your problem is a fairly basic intolerance of the fact that I am a bisexual, yes?” “In one.” “Okay. You’d prefer it if I made love with the boys, just like you do?” “God, you’re a bitch.” She blocked the move, brushing the backhanded slap away, followed through with the heel of a hand to the centre of the man’s chest. He staggered back, fell. The bar went silent. “If you want some more, I will see you outside.” Damascus flexed the fingers of her right hand. “After ten minutes, the offer is closed, I am out of here, and you lose your chance. Settle it here and now.” Damascus stepped out of the bar into the street. The soldier trotted out behind her, brushing some imaginary dust from his arms and shoulders, flexing his arms, balling his fists. He turned to the crowd following him out, grinned widely, and faced Damascus again. “Whenever you are ready, girl lover.” “Your move, soldier boy.” He powered a fist towards her face, hitting nothing but air as she stepped aside. He turned to her, his face twisting with anger and hate, and slammed another fist towards her. Damascus brushed it aside, turned, and shoved an elbow into the man’s ribs. He staggered against a wall, swore. “You’re in serious trouble, now. You can back off here. I’ll say no more about it. If you wish to continue, you are committed.” “To what?” “To whichever way it goes from now on.” “You can’t hit me. You’re an officer.” “Okay. Walk away and leave it. You started this. I am simply defending myself. Nothing more will be said if you decide to walk away from this. You want to carry on, whatever happens, happens. If you want to drag this out to its inevitable end, then go for it.” “What is its inevitable end?” “You end up in the crap.” “Why only me?” “I’ve already told you. God, you’re stupid for a soldier. You want to hit me, so hit me!” Again, the fist swung at her head, and Damascus stepped back. As she did, she lifted her left foot from the ground and slammed it into the soldier’s right knee. All colour dropped from his face, and he fell, curling into the fetal position. There was the sound of an electric car pulling up behind her, and she turned, saw the military police contingent pulling out. Their commander looked at her. “I received a call saying there was trouble here. What is going on?” “I have just assaulted this soldier. You can arrest me, now.” “No, it’s all right…” “What?” The commander tilted his head to the right, frowning. “I have just assaulted this soldier. Arrest me.” “You want me to arrest you?” “If you allow me to walk free, I shall kick this soldier so damned hard, he will not wake up for a week. Maybe longer.” “That does it. You, Captain…” “Damascus.” “Captain Damascus, you are under arrest for assault. Get in the car.” “You will not need the binders. I am not going to do anything stupid.” “Anything else stupid.” “As I said, anything stupid.” Damascus dipped her head slightly as she got into the car. When the door closed and they were just about to move off, she turned, looked at the soldier on the ground and smiled. The soldier didn’t. “They are ready for you, now.” Damascus rose from the seat, waited until the squad formed around her, and watched as the commander tapped on the door, and swung it open. As they entered, they spread out, leaving Damascus at the mercy of the two men behind the big table. Her blank expression gave no hint of what she was feeling inside. Which was fortunate. She swallowed the lump which had appeared in her throat. “Captain Damascus, we have heard and read depositions from yourself and the other soldier involved in this, as well as numerous others from witnesses. Before we pronounce judgement, do you have anything else to add to this?” Damascus sighed. “I don’t believe I have anything else to add at this point. If I say any more, I run the risk of repeating myself, and that will help neither you nor me.” “Very well.” The figure glanced at the other, nodded. “Such an act of violence by a commissioned officer is not acceptable, and is generally punishable by expulsion. However, from your testimony and those of others, there are enough extenuating circumstances to avoid that measure. Nevertheless, this cannot be allowed to pass without some kind of visible punishment, simply to act as a deterrent towards others. Due to this, and this only, it has been decided to reduce you two ranks. You will be second lieutenant, transferring to a company in Portsmouth. We can offer you two weeks of extraordinary leave, which will be in addition to your current entitlement. Do you wish for us to make your travel arrangements, or can you make your own?” “I have my own transport.” “Very well. Do you have anything else to say?” “No.” “Very well. In conclusion, all we can add is that this action was not taken lightly. You were provoked, but you gave the other party the opportunity to…” “Sir?” “Yes?” “Is it necessary to say this?” “No. I don’t really think it is.” “Then, may I leave?” “Yes.” “Thank you.” She turned to leave and was stopped by the voice. “Captain?” “That’s lieutenant.” “Leave the jacket, please. It will be returned to you tomorrow morning.” She slipped the jacket off, draped it over the back of a chair. Turning, she left the room, her humiliation complete. An hour later, she stepped out of the shower, picked up a towel, and gave herself a cursory dry-off. She looked around without really seeing anything. Finishing off, she found the locker key, opened the door, and fished out her fatigues. Less than half a minute later, she was dressed and hungry. Somehow, it seemed criminal to take such a downturn in her career and still be hungry. Still, it wouldn’t be denied and it proved she was still human. As if any more proof was really necessary. * * * * Conspicuous by her solitude, Damascus dug into the food on her plate with a gusto she didn’t know she still had. As much as she tried to bury herself in the pleasure of eating, she could still feel the eyes. The eyes of her former company's members. The eyes of her friends. The eyes of the soldier’s friends, no doubt locked on her something rather less than sympathetically. Paranoia. Maybe. If she was just paranoid, why was she sitting there on her own, eating food she had no real mental appetite for, drinking coffee she did not really want? It was less like paranoia, and more like the truth. Reduced in the ranks. Two of them. How humiliating. Her new posting would know all about this by now, of course. She couldn’t wait to see her new captain’s face when she turned up in Portsmouth. Captain! The word made her feel physically sick, and she pushed the plate of food away. Appetite destroyed. No trace left. Mission end. She could not believe her life had undergone such a radical shift in so short a space of time. At least she was still a soldier. There was always that. She glanced at the time, shook her head. Time to get going. She wanted to be ready to run as soon as the new jacket arrived tomorrow morning. She had a bag to pack.