Keelhauled

[Rodent]

Lewis

---

Lewis pushed himself away from the Console, looking around in faint satisfaction. In front of him and around him, men and women had strapped into chairs bolted to the ground, and had placed gray Helmet-like structures on their heads. Each one of those was hooked up via thin, almost invisible wires to a central hub, under the platform on which Lewis stood. This was IPEC-ONE. Both the name for the building and the training exercise, it stood for Intra-PlanEtary Combat. These men and women were being run through Command simulations, being presented with situations that to all observers would seem very real. It was not a test of Combat Proficiency, the soldiers merely had to make decisions based on the situations presented to them, pitting all their wits and all they knew against a Thinking Computer that had both the sum total of all that House Liberty had faced in this regard, as well as hypothetical scenarios.

Truth be told, Lewis didn't have to do much, merely take judgement on what this current batch could handle and set the simulation's parameters accordingly. It was refreshing to be on the other end, he'd put one of those 'Nightmare Simulators' as Spec Ops had nicknamed them too often to count. He stepped down and walked through the ranks of the quietly seated, making sure that everything was in Order.

"Simulation's Green, Carter,"He said.

A raspy voice answered him. "So they'll come out in about two hours, looking like someone nearly beat them to death."Carter was a relatively new acquaintance, one he had met after his induction into SEAL a couple of months ago. He was currently at IPEC-2, doing the same thing.

"Yeah, pretty much. I tried to go easy this time though. No Gaia Simulations, at least."

There was a derisive snort on the other end. "If that's your definition of easy....

Lewis shook his head in wry amusement. Carter was one of the worst slave drivers that he knew of, and he also had the cheek to be hypocritical about it. "Anyways, Carter. Can you take over observation for me? I have another assignment I need to go to.

"You didn't mention that before. What's up?

"Admiral's Orders. Just a Disciplinary Hearing I need to be a witness at."

There was a whistle on the other end, and Carter's voice went low, almost conspiratorial. "Who and Who?"He said, asking about both the Admiral and the one on the receiving end of their ire. Lewis laughed. "You'll have to wait for your gossip, Carter. You know I can't talk about it until a decision is made public."

"It's a long way to walk, Lewis...What's in it for me?

Lewis had anticipated that one coming. "Calico, in a couple of days. I'll call you." Carter made no response, apart from the distinctive click of a line being disconnected. That was Carter's way of agreeing.

As he left IPEC-ONE, a sudden thought struck him. While it was unheard of for a person to ignore a calls to a Disciplinary Meeting...Valentine was a special case, and Lewis had no intention of wasting time. He looked up her contact details and placed a call. After forty seconds of a song which made Lewis raise both eyebrows in disbelief, it went to Voicemail. Lewis kept it brief and as neutral as he could manage, putting no particular emphasis on anything except she had to be in Hartman's Office now.

With that sorted, Lewis started making his own way from Fort Bragg to Long Island Station.

A few hours later, he found himself facing a very lanky man, who didn't look like he was expecting anyone. Lewis decided to take charge immediately, cutting over the man's mumbled questions with authority.

"Lieutenant Commander Lewis. I'm expected, Disciplinary Hearing for Lieutenant Commander Zoe Valentine."

The mention of his name seemed to make the aide feel better, as he looked significantly less spooked.

"Ah, Yes. I'm Petty Officer Molloy. She mentioned you..."

Lewis folded his arms and waited, his posture a mental prod to the indecisive man in front of him. Molloy opened up the intercom, seeking confirmation which was given very quickly.

"Go ahead. She's expecting you." Lewis merely nodded and went past, the sealed doors opening themselves after a moment's pause. Lewis stopped for a moment, then strode in.