“All right. Let’s look at his action. I still don’t see any redeeming factors in what he did.”
“He inspired one of those Dudley-Do-Right pilots you’re so envious of to make an unauthorized strafing run. I know commanders who haven’t been able to get that kind of cross-service support even when the pilots were under orders to cooperate. Do you think it’s wise to squelch that kind of leadership potential?”
“That depends on if you’re differentiating between ‘leadership’ and an ability to incite disobedience. What your young lieutenant really needs is a couple years in the stockade to calm him down. Then maybe he’ll think twice before he goes charging off half-cocked.”
“I don’t think we want to do that.”
Both men broke off their argument and turned their attention to the colonel, who had finally entered into the discussion.
“While you have made several valid points, Major, and your proposed sentence would be in line with those points, there are certain … factors to be considered here which you are not aware of.”
She paused, as if weighing each word for correctness, while the other officers waited patiently.
“I am extremely reluctant to bring this up-in fact, I rather hoped it wouldn’t be necessary. As you know, each Legionnaire starts with a clean slate when he or she joins up. We aren’t supposed to be biased by, or even be aware of, their personal history prior to their enlistment. To maintain that illusion, I’ll have to ask that not only what I tell you be kept in strictest confidence, but also the fact that you were told anything at all.”