record after being transferred here. He used to be chief medical officer at an outpost, but from what I read between the lines, he was probably either an asshole the other doctors hated or he caused a scandal. Basically, the brass couldn’t outright fire him, since he’s on a fleet contract. They had to send him somewhere to work off the remaining years. He was put here, busted down in rank, and he’s low on the totem pole.”
“In simpler words we’ll understand.” Roth sighed. “We don’t know totem pole.”
“He went from overseeing other doctors to having to take orders from his peers. He was knocked down to, um, rookie status on a team. Newbie who must take orders from others, despite his previous years of service. Is that clear enough? He’s probably looking for a way to stir some shit.” Abby waved to Gnaw. “Like attempting to charge a Veslor with rape because initial scans picked up semen.
“Best case for him, he can accuse the other doctors assigned to the Med shuttle of incompetence, since he supposedly saw what they missed. It could move him up in ranking. Worst case, it’s payback toward the fleet and the ones who busted him down. It’s no secret how much the fleet wanted a Veslor fighting grouping assigned to Defcon Red. Imagine the embarrassment it would cause if one of you was accused of raping a civilian worker?
“I agree with Doctor Brick. It’s best to say Miss Mitt and Gnaw worked together to fool the Elth, she gave you hand jobs to release your seed, and you never entered her. It was all her idea. That’s what she’s going to swear, and you need to as well.”
Roth frowned. “The female did talk Gnaw into complying.”
“I know. It’s a stupid fine line kind of thing with humans. It will be simpler this way.” Abby sounded frustrated. “You need to trust my judgement this time, and that of Doctor Brick.”
“I don’t trust that female.” Maith scowled more.
“Well, she’s willing to swear on record and falsify scans to only show semen on Miss Mitt’s thighs and stomach. She sent me a copy of it as proof.” Abby smiled at Maith. “Maybe she’ll come back later to ask for one of you to volunteer for some tests, as a thank you. I think it’s worth the price if we can stop Doctor Jenson from using Gnaw as a tool to accomplish whatever the hell he’s up to.”
“Why is a hand job from a female seen differently from penetration?” Maith still seemed displeased.
“Giving a hand job doesn’t involve mandatory mental evaluations on Miss Mitt. Penetration under dubious circumstances is more severe, and they’d want to get inside her head to make certain she wasn’t threatened, fearful of reprisals, or denying an attack because of emotional damage. It’s a fleet thing. Let’s just say there’s a long history of women being abused and intimidated by other soldiers in the military. They always investigate any sexual misconduct, but a report of penetration of any body cavity calls for mental evaluations to be done on both parties, and the one accused of that crime is sequestered in a holding cell during the deeper investigation to make the victim feel safer. It’s just how it is.”
“Darla would never tell them that I hurt her.” Gnaw had faith in the female. She was honest and trustworthy.
“Do you want to wait it out in a holding cell until the investigation concludes and you’re both forced to speak to various therapists first?” Abby held his gaze. “Meanwhile, the rumors are going to be flying around Defcon Red and other fleet vessels for the days or weeks it could take for them to put a halt to this unnecessary bullshit.”
“Veslors don’t lie.” Gnaw clenched his fists.
Roth moved, coming up to me. “We do to protect our grouping from being prosecuted for a crime they did not commit. I agree with Abby after hearing her explain the flaws in their justice system. I refuse to allow one of my males to be used as a tool by a bitter male holding a grudge.”
Gnaw gave a sharp nod, peering at Abby. “Hand job. I understand the term.”
“Good. Just stick as closely to the truth as you can. Tell them what happened, but there was no penetration. You fooled the Elth together. Worked as a team. That way your stories match.
He didn’t like it but he’d comply. It seemed he did that often now. His gaze locked with Roth’s.