I raised my chin. “We passed the information on to the lieutenant, but no order was forthcoming. The decision had to be made, and I made it.”
“If you had waited—”
I interrupted him. It certainly wouldn’t buy me any points with the panel, but this was getting ridiculous. “If we had waited, there might not have been another opportunity to get them out safely for days. If at all.”
“You don’t know that,” he spat, the vein visibly throbbing now. The dude was going to have a monster of a headache after this. Between the vein and the mottled appearance of his skin, it seemed the interrogation wasn’t doing his blood pressure any favors. I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for him, though.
I shook my head, rolling my lips into my mouth as I stared him down. “I don’t know that, sir. None of us know what might have happened if we had waited. What we do know is that, as a result of our actions, the mission was a success and the hostages are safe.”
“As a result of your actions?” He scoffed, his eyes widening so much I saw the white all around his irises. Scary shit. “You cocky fuc—”
“I think we can agree you achieved the objectives of the mission,” the Commander cut in. “Whether by your own actions or those of the team you formed part of.”
I nodded, not bothering to point out that it had been my decision that had led to the success of the mission.
I hadn’t done it for the recognition anyway. It just would have been nice not to have been having a pineapple shoved up my ass for making the decision that allowed the team to carry out the mission successfully.
“The question here is not to determine the success or failure of the mission,” he continued seamlessly, oblivious to my mental ranting. “It’s about the fact that you didn’t wait for the order from your superior officer. So far, you have defended yourself with poise. We appreciate that, but we still need to know why you didn’t wait.”
“We did wait at first. After first informing our superior officer that the target was moving, then that he had exited the room and no one was guarding the hostages, we waited at least three minutes before we moved into the house.”
“During that time, your lines of communication were open?” he questioned.
I nodded firmly. “They were, sir. We only turned down our comms once we’d already reached the entry point. Again, only after we informed our superior officer that we were going in. There had still not been any order coming from him. He also didn’t tell us to stand down, for what it’s worth.”
“He shouldn’t have to tell you to stand down when you shouldn’t be moving,” Charles barked, shoving his hands into his graying hair. “Do you even know what an order is?”
“Our orders were to go to Iran, to track down where the hostages were being held, and to bring them home. That’s what we did. Our team formulated a plan before we went in. A key aspect of that plan was identifying a point and time of entry that would involve the least risk to the civilians. We reported on having found that time. Then we stuck to the plan in the absence of any order to the contrary.”
“Did you receive confirmation from your superior officer that he received your communication about having found an opening as described in the plan?” the Commander asked, his ice-blue eyes hard as glaciers.
“Yes, sir. We did.” I dipped my head in respect because this man actually had mine. “We didn’t know how long the window would stay open, so we acted according to the plan when no further orders were communicated.”
“What are you really saying, Dobbs?” Charles glared at me. “Because it sounds like you’re trying to throw your lieutenant under the bus.”
“Not at all, sir. I’m just stating the facts, but maybe you should be questioning the lieutenant on why he was willing to let the moment pass.”
“Maybe we will,” the Lieutenant Commander mused.
Charles, however, didn’t seem to agree. “That’s the problem with mavericks like you. You think you can do whatever you want and you never take responsibility for your actions. Let me tell you what, Dobbs. I’m retiring this month and I’m not going to have you risking the lives of soldiers even when I’m gone.”
For the first time since entering the room, his words got to me. Rage burned through me like wildfire. My hands trembled and my jaw clenched, but I kept the fighting words begging to be let out inside.
Contrary to what he believed, I did understand hierarchy. Bowing to authority might not be my strongest point, but even I knew if I mouthed off at an officer of his rank in a meeting like this, I would be out faster than yesterday’s trash.
The Commander’s eyes drifted to the side of Charles’ face, a slight frown flickering across his features before it disappeared. “Regardless of Ensign Dobbs’ wild streak, we have flagged him for advancement many times. Tell me, Dobbs. Why aren’t you moving through the ranks?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Charles didn’t let me. “He’s going to be where he is for the rest of his career. If it isn’t cut short when we make our decision here. Do you gentlemen have any further questions for him?”
They both shook their heads, and a malicious grin spread across Charles’ face. “We’ll let you know what we decide, Dobbs. You’re excused.”
Extricating myself from the tiny desk proved to be even harder than getting behind it had. Once I managed to free myself, I gave them another salute and left the room.
Eden was still waiting outside, sweating profusely now. The stark white hallway was completely empty at this point, and his footsteps ran out as he rushed at me. “What happened? How was it? You’re not coming out in cuffs, so that’s a good sign.”
“Everything
