Cadet 3 by Commander James Bondage

before Bernard Cafferson.
    Strictly speaking, none of these men was
entitled to the uniforms they wore, as none were currently members
of the armed services. Indeed, they had all been obliged to retire
under a cloud, Murchinson for a long string of defeats at the hands
of the Chinese, and the two Admirals for treason, although this had
not been made public.
    “We were listening from the other room,”
Admiral Hall explained. “Don’t pay any attention to the little
bitch, son. She just blowing a lot of smoke, trying to confuse
you.”
    “So you’re the genius behind this half-assed
junta,” Robin said. “We probably should have guessed. It certainly
couldn’t have been anybody with brains.”
    Admiral Hall strode briskly up to the
handcuffed Robin. “Why don’t you just shut your stupid mouth,
slut?” he asked. His hand shot out and smashed into her cheek hard
enough to knock Robin and her chair to the ground.
    Merry jumped up and started to go to her
sister’s aid. Before she could take a step, Hall drove a fist into
her midsection. She doubled over in agony, and dropped to her
knees.
    “I see you’re still as brave as ever,
Admiral, and you can still beat up handcuffed prisoners,” Jodie
ground out through clenched teeth, “but even if you can knock down
a woman half your size, that still doesn’t explain why you have so
many inconsistent storylines out there. Why don’t you explain to
the Captain how I can be a traitor and a ugh! ...”
    Jodie was forced to stop in mid-sentence when
the red-faced Admiral shouted, “Be quiet, whore!” and sank his fist
into her gut. She curled into a ball and fell on the floor at his
feet. When he moved closer and drew back his foot to kick her, his
son jumped up and laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
    “Dad… sir, I can’t let you do that,” he said.
“These people are in my custody, and I’m responsible for their
welfare.” The angry admiral glared at his son, his hands at his
side, still clenched in fists, and it seemed for a moment as if he
might try to strike him as well. But then he backed away a step
and, still breathing heavily, muttered something under his
breath.
    “Jonas, my boy, you’re wasting your sympathy
on the wrong parties,” General Murchinson said. “There’s no need to
worry yourself about what happens to these traitors. They haven’t
gotten even half of what they deserve yet.”
    “I thought they were spies, General, Chinese
doubles who had replaced the real officers, not traitors,” Captain
Hall replied. “Although, I don’t see why the Chinese would go to
the trouble of replacing Cadet Bransom. Or is she the real one? I
must admit, it’s getting a little confusing.” He looked at his
father.
    “Listen, son, there’s a very simple
explanation…” the Admiral began. Then he trailed off. The elder
Hall looked at the Naval Internal Security men and said, “General
Murchinson, Admiral Carroll, Captain Hall and myself are the only
ones cleared to interrogate these prisoners, for the present. You
men are relieved. You will wait in the Ready Room, and we will call
you when you are needed.”
    The NIS men looked to their superior for
confirmation, and after he nodded they obediently headed for the
door. In a few moments, they were gone. General Murchison waited
with seeming impatience until the door slammed behind the last one,
then said to the elder Hall, “For Christ’s sake, Clarence, why
don’t you just explain the facts of life to the boy? He’s old
enough now to handle the truth.”
    “What does that mean, exactly?” Captain Hall
asked. He stared piercingly at his father.
    Admiral Hall moved over to the desk, pulled
out an old fashioned wooden chair and sat down. “Son, let’s say,
just for the sake of argument, that there wasn’t any Chinese plot
and that the real Lawrence is on the floor over there,” he said,
indicating Jodie with a motion of his head.
    “So then, you’re saying she is a traitor
after