“Midshipman Parker, this is serious. You could have reported earlier incidents.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because reports without proof are often treated as personality conflicts.”
The legal officer stopped writing.
Commander Sloane’s jaw tightened, but he did not interrupt.
I continued.
“I was new. Quiet. Already labeled weak. If I filed complaints too early, they would deny everything. Their friends would support them. I would become the problem. So I waited.”
Commander Callahan finally spoke again.
“And the video?”
“I didn’t record it.”
“No,” he said. “But you knew others were.”
I met his stare.
“Yes, sir.”
He looked almost amused.
“You saw the battlefield.”
I said nothing.
