Until the World Stops - L.A. Witt Page 0,81
telling other service members to remember their oath. But Chief is—”
“I’m sorry, MA1.” He shrugged. “I can talk to him about reining in the discussions about conspiracy theories at work, but he’s not violating any regulations by talking about them on his personal social media page.”
“Neither was my husband,” I growled.
He shrugged tightly. “Holloway knew the regs.”
“Yes. He did. And he wasn’t violating any of them. What I don’t get is how Chief Larson isn’t violating any, least of all whichever imaginary regs Tristan violated to get himself kicked out of the Navy.” I didn’t give a damn that my tone was slipping well into insubordination range. “Or is it only a violation if it comes from someone whose politics you’ve disagreed with all along?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Oh come on. You and Chief had it out for Tristan after the first time he opened his mouth and didn’t agree with you politically. How many times did you two threaten to report him for being a part of antifa? How many times did you both accuse him of being a socialist and tell him he couldn’t talk about his political views while in uniform, but then you both went off on your own views?” I sniffed derisively and shook my head. “None of you even cared when MA3 Walters wore a MAGA hat with his uniform at the range last fall. So why not at least come out and admit that the problem isn’t politically incendiary speech—it’s politically incendiary speech you disagree with.”
Senior held my gaze, and I fully expected him to chew me out for the way I was speaking to him. When his expression changed, though, it wasn’t to one of anger or frustration. It was pity. With a patronizing sigh, he shook his head. “MA1, I’m sure you’re frustrated after what happened to your husband. But once the XO and CO found out about that, it—”
“So it only matters if someone important knows about it?” I snapped. “Should I email them about what Chief has been saying? Or send them the picture of MA3 Walters in uniform with his hat on?”
Another sigh, this one definitely edging toward frustration. “It’s not up for discussion, MA1,” he said sharply. “If you disagree with Chief Larson, then change the subject or unfollow him on Facebook. It’s that simple.”
“It was that simple for Tristan too!”
“It wasn’t, and you know it.” He put up a hand. “And if you don’t want a counseling chit, this conversation is over.”
“Tristan’s entire career is over because you and Chief had it out for him,” I threw back. “It didn’t have to be a big deal. You made it a big deal. Chief is going to get someone killed, and you don’t give a fuck because—”
“MA1,” he snapped. “That’s enough.”
I closed my mouth, but only for a second. Through my teeth, I said, “So do we just keep putting up with what Chief says?”
He pushed out a breath through his nose. “I’ll talk to him about what he says while on duty and in uniform.”
Oh, it was tempting to remind him again that Tristan had been neither in uniform nor on duty, but there was no point.
Senior dismissed me, and as I walked out, I was fuming. I definitely had a counseling chit in my future, but what the fuck did I care? I said what I said, and I stood by it, and as angry as I was right now, I felt even guiltier for not standing by Tristan and being more vocal about supporting him. Would it have made a difference? No. It really wouldn’t have. But showing some integrity and support when he needed it the most wouldn’t have killed me even when I still hadn’t liked him. Now that my feelings for him had changed? God. Yeah. I should’ve done more for him.
Maybe I was just feeling a little bit guilty and a whole lot vindictive, but I was sorely, sorely tempted to show Senior the screencaps I had of Chief’s Tinder profile. Maybe the Navy didn’t have regs about disseminating harmful information, and maybe nobody cared about Chief spouting his political views while in uniform, but there was definitely a reg in there about adultery. I didn’t even have to admit I’d taken the screencaps myself (since that would implicate me for adultery), and I could argue to the XO and CO that if this command was willing to end someone’s career over saying “let’s not commit war crimes,” then they should