“Begging your pardon, Colonel Temple,” the young Sergeant politely interrupted her rapid-fire profane description of the Major’s intelligence, manners and the genetic diversity of his parents.
“Yes, Sergeant, what is it?” the Colonel replied vehemently biting back a more colorful response to the undeserving junior officer.
“Ma’am, the CO has been given additional responsibility because of the disappearance of two officers in his direct chain of command. Up until then, he was a fair man to work for.”
Rounding on the Sergeant, Colonel Temple replied, “Were you aware you could be court-martialed for insubordination for even implying the behavior of your CO was unacceptable?”
The Sergeant stopped short and visibly paled before he quietly replied, “No, ma’am.”
“No, of course you didn’t, but, if you worked for me, I would have promoted you for the effort,” the Colonel said with a grin as she walked out the door into the bright sunlight. The Colonel paused for a moment, considering, before she turned back, “However, Sergeant, you should also be aware that your CO has made a grave tactical error that will ultimately endanger all personnel at Nellis, yourself included.”
“I understand, ma’am,” the Sergeant replied holding the door open.
“Sergeant, you seem to have a better grasp of the situation than your CO does. If you were in my unit tomorrow, I could promote you to master sergeant if you were so inclined,” the Colonel offered.
“I would be so inclined ma’am, thank you,” the Sergeant replied as he shut the door and walked away smiling for the first time in months. He would have to jump ship to get his promotion, but his prospects were bleak at Nellis anyway.