Chapter 7 - The Report Nobody Wanted Opened
I didn't sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured Nathan lying on wet ground, waiting for help.
But by morning, I understood that Daniel's memory, as important as it was, couldn't settle what had happened.
He'd been injured.
Frightened.
Possibly disoriented.
And I wasn't going to use his suffering to make an accusation I couldn't prove.
I needed records.
Medical timelines.
Radio logs.
Witness statements.
I needed an actual investigation.
At 0730, I submitted a formal written complaint requesting review of the circumstances surrounding Nathan's death.
I included the conflicting reported time of death, the route-change recording, the discrepancy in the formation roster, and Daniel's account, with his permission to identify him as a potential witness.
I preserved the original files and provided copies through the reporting channel I had been given.
By noon, Major Brant knew.
He summoned me to his office.
Sergeant Price stood outside the door.
He wouldn't meet my eyes.
“Go in,” he said.
Brant sat behind his desk.
The command coin rested near his keyboard.
“Close the door, Corporal.”
I did.
He didn't invite me to sit.
“I understand you've been making allegations.”
“I requested a review, sir.”
“You've been contacting Marines involved in a completed investigation.”
“I contacted Sergeant Price. Lance Corporal Mercer contacted me.”
Brant leaned back.
“Mercer is recovering from a serious injury. He doesn't need harassment.”
“I agree, sir.”
“Then leave him alone.”
“I have.”
Brant studied me.
“You're making a difficult situation worse.”
“Sir, I believe there are discrepancies in the report.”
“Because your fiancé died.”
“Because the reported time conflicts with his phone call.”
Brant's expression tightened.
“Phone records can be misunderstood.”
“Then an investigator can verify them.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You think you're smarter than the people who reviewed this incident?”
“No, sir.”
“Then why won't you accept their findings?”
“Because I haven't been shown findings that address the discrepancies.”
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he opened a folder.
“There's another matter.”
I felt something shift.
Brant removed a document.
“A review of your administrative records has identified irregularities.”
“What irregularities?”
“An inaccurate relationship disclosure. Questionable entries on a training roster. Failure to follow reporting procedures.”
I stared at him.
“Sir, Nathan and I were engaged. Our relationship wasn't prohibited.”
“That's not for you to decide.”
“Then I request the specific regulation and the alleged violation.”
Brant's face reddened.
“You're in no position to make demands.”
“I'm asking for the basis of the accusation, sir.”
He stood.
“Dismissed.”
I remained at attention.
“Sir, will these allegations be provided to me in writing?”
He walked around the desk.
“You need to understand something, Walsh.”
He stopped in front of me.
“Your fiancé made decisions that had consequences.”
I stared at him.
“Are you saying Nathan caused his own death?”
Brant's jaw flexed.
“I'm saying you should consider whether this crusade is how he'd want to be remembered.”
I felt anger rise so fast that my vision blurred.
But I kept my voice steady.
“Sir, Nathan wanted his Marines to come home alive.”
Brant's expression hardened.
“Get out.”
I turned.
As I reached the door, he added:
“And Corporal?”
I stopped.
“Tomorrow morning, you will report to formation. We'll address your conduct in front of the unit.”
I looked back.
He was already sitting down.
His command coin gleamed beneath the office light.
I understood what he was planning.
May you like
He wasn't going to answer my complaint.
He was going to make an example of me.
