Duty from Ashes by Sam Schal Page B

Whether it meant they hadn’t expected her to take direct action or not, she didn’t care. All she wanted was to deal with them and get them out of her battalion before they managed to do any further damage.
    But, before she did, she wanted to make sure she had everything covered. There would be no mistakes where they were concerned.
    “Let Lt. Liu know they are here and ask if he will listen in. Assure him I will let them know he is taking part.” She chewed her lower lip, thinking. “I want MPs on the door, on the outside. Kevin and MJ are to be inside. You and I will deal with getting Hotchner and Rhydderch out of the battalion. Then I want you to be sure all recordings, documentation, interviews, etc., are transmitted to my mother and to General Okafor. Let’s make sure these two never see higher rank.”
    “I’ll let you know what Liu has to say.”
    Ashlyn nodded and turned her attention back to the list of potential replacements for Hotchner and Rhydderch. If she got lucky, she might find at least one officer she could transfer in as company CO. Preferably, it would be someone who had served with the Devil Dogs before. But as long as they had the needed combat and command experience, and the right attitude, she wouldn’t require it. Unfortunately, it was proving more difficult than she’d expected.
    Ten minutes later, Ash sat behind her desk, her expression hard, as the MPs escorted the two captains into her office. She thanked them and then told them to wait outside. As the door closed behind them, Adamson and Talbot took up positions on either side of the doorway. Looking at their serious expressions, Ash found herself almost wishing the captains tried to make a break for it. She had no doubts her senior non-coms would make quick work of the two of them.
    “What is the meaning—” Hotchner began, his face flushed with anger.
    “Quiet!” Ortega snapped. “And stand at attention. You haven’t been put at ease.”
    Rebellion crossed both men’s expression before they obeyed. Without a word, Ashlyn stood. As she moved around her desk, she made no attempt to hide her contempt. Nor did she try to disguise the fact she was inspecting every aspect of the men’s appearance. Standing close, she sniffed, her upper lip curling back as she caught the aroma of alcohol on them both.
    “Captain Ortega, inform Medical that I require a technician here on the double to take blood samples from these two officers .” She spat out the word. “I have reason to believe they have been drinking while on duty and want to be sure they haven’t been abusing other substances as well.”
    Rhydderch stiffened and looked like he wanted to speak. But one look from Ash seemed to quell whatever he’d been about to say.
    “For the record, this meeting is being recorded. Lt. Jianyu Liu from the Judge Advocate General Corps is taking part via link at my request. Upon the conclusion of this meeting, copies of the recording as well as all other documentation relating to it will be forwarded to the offices of the commanding officer, First Division, as well as the Office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Do you each understand?”
    She waited until they both answered in the affirmative.
    “To begin, I have one question for the two of you. Did you receive the change in orders issued by Captain Ortega at my behest stating that the afternoon training session had been postponed and that you, along with your XOs, were to report for a briefing at 1500 hours?”
    As she waited for them to respond, she returned to her chair.
    “Answer aloud,” Ortega told them when Rhydderch nodded, his expression grim.
    “Yes.” Anger roughed Hotchner’s voice.
    “Yes what?” Ashlyn prompted. She would not allow their insubordination and lack of respect to continue.
    “Yes, ma’am,” he ground out.
    “Did you understand those orders?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” they answered almost in unison.
    “Was there anything in those orders that led you to