Ayame Kasagi was the first of the two to be called up to Zhang's office. The Captain sat behind the ever-covered desk and as any soldier would see upon entry, he was writing upon Ayame's entry. As soon as he noticed her presence, he requested she sit down in the seat across from him.
Ayame nervously sat down. "H-how can I help you," she asked. "Am I in trouble for something?"
"No," he said with his usual stern look, "you aren't in trouble." Zhang took a moment to collect his thoughts and find a way to formulate what he wanted to say properly. "This is about a report filed against Rookie Persephone Brown. She assaulted a scientist she claims you had encountered as well." His brow furrows as he prepares to break the news. "She also claims he assaulted you sexually and that he approached her in the same way, which is why she attacked him."
The seat of his chair creaks as he leans forward. "This could change everything that would happen to Rookie Brown otherwise, it is of the utmost importance that you tell the truth and if you have evidence... Please, do not hold this back." He pauses for a moment, seeming to realize something. "I... understand if this is difficult to discuss, but this is vital."
Ayame's face turned pale. She started to rub her wrist as she rocked back and forth slightly. "I...I-I...he...I didn't mean, he wanted to, I didn't know, he was going to get, I'm...so stupid, should have said something, too...embarrassed, I didn't...didn't want that, I just, wanted to get her a...I...couldn't...stupid, stupid, so stupid..." Tears started to fall from her eyes as she started hyperventilating.
"Whoa, easy now." Zhang quickly grabs a paper bag and walks over to Ayame, holding it out for her. "Take your time, calm down. Would you rather talk to someone else?" It was clear he was not used to dealing with this sort of thing and for the first time seemed like he was not at ease.
Ayame took the bag, and rapidly breathed in and out of it. After a couple of minutes, she calmed down enough to talk. "Is she okay? Did he hurt her? Oh god, not another one! I should have said something!"
"She's fine." He said, now more calmly. "Now, if you think you are up for it, could you please calmly explain what happened between you, him and Rookie Colin Weger?" Zhang had crouched down beside her, figuring it would be less intimidating.
"I...I went to the labs to see if I could get a look at the aliens. The guy...M-Mac...he said he could get me in. I did not trust him, but then he said he knew Anna, and that she wanted a piece of Crysallid armor but was too embarrassed to ask. He said he could get it for me, a-and all I would have t-to do is help him with...something." Ayame shamefully looked at the ground.
"This complicates things." He walks back to his seat and starts writing down some things before speaking up again. "And what role did Colin Weger have in this? Brown said he was with you during this."
"When I realised what he wanted...me to do, I tried to leave, but he got angry. He squeezed my wrist, said I had to take responsibility for getting him excited. Colin told him to let me go. I-If he hadn't been there...I...I don't..." Ayame started to hyperventilate again, breathing deeply into the bag.
"I see... Take your time." For a moment the only sounds in the room are those of Ayame's breathing into the paper bag and the writing on paper Zhang did. "I am inclined to believe you and someone like that should not be to remain here", he says a moment later, "However, it will take an effort to make that happen, there is no true evidence here. I am afraid the only way to do this is for you and the other two soldiers involved to make a testimony to Command. Would you be up to this?"
"I-If," Ayame said, with a scared but determined look on her face, "if it will prevent this from happening to someone else, if it will help Persephone, then...I-I will do whatever I need to do."
"If we get enough support it should get him out instead of Rookie Brown", Zhang replies.
"Then...just tell w-what to do."
All soldiers involved in this incident need to co-operate on this, which includes you. What you have to do is file a report to Command detailing what happened to you. I will also be sending a report to Command based on my impressions, after having spoken to all of you. It is likely that we will all need to be questioned by Command after this and with any luck, our testimonies will be enough."
Ayame gives a determined nod. "I understand. I will send my report immediately. "
Zhang stands up. "Thank you and good luck." He salutes. Ayame returns his salute and takes her leave.
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Ayame had only just left when Colin Weger arrived at Zhang's office. He too, would see the Captain busy writing as he entered. As he usually did when he noticed someone had entered, Zhang requested Colin sit down in the seat across from him, while putting down his pen and leaning back in his seat.
Colin has a serious face on him. "Is something wrong Captain?"
"It seems so, Rookie," Zhang started in a serious tone, "I have three soldiers going where they shouldn't and two of them have accused a scientist of sexual harassment. Do you know what I am talking about?"
Colin takes a seat. "Whoa, if I'm one of those three soldiers then you got something wrong, I was waiting outside the Lab to speak to the teacher Selena, you can even ask her, that I requested for her. But none the less I know exactly what you are talking about."
Colin gets an angry look on his face. "What kind of scientist is here to go around trying to rape the people who want to safe this planet? This Mac guy is up to something and I believe something should be done about it. I don't know who told you of this, but I promised I wouldn't tell anyone, so I would be pleased if you could tell me who you got the information from, Captain."
"A Rookie named Persephone Brown claims you and Ayame Kasagi had an encounter with this scientist and claims that the result of this is part of the reason she assaulted him. A report was filed by the guards who had to pull her off of him. This is a serious matter and any form of assault or harassment should have been reported immediately. If this is true, then this 'Mac' should indeed be persecuted and withholding information counteracts that very thing."
"Persephone? She is the room-mate from Anna and Ayame right? What reason does she have to assault him? Either way it serves Mac right after what he did, not surprised if he tried to seduce her too. I say you should check the video footage, I mean what other reason do we have cameras for anyway. Do you still have any other question's for me?"
"Surveillance cameras do not record sound, as of now there is no evidence of sexual harassment other than two testimonies of two soldiers who had to be sent out of the labs, one of who assaulted the guy. If you could give a detailed report, it might make the case against Mac stronger."
"Alright, so I was as I already said, waiting for the Teacher outside the Lab, then I noticed Ayame walking with this Mac guy. I never met the guy and did not know him, but I knew Ayame and knew she does not trust men easily, which got me confused, so I decided to follow them. When they arrived at Mac's Room I stopped them and talked to Ayame privately, warning her that this guy was up to no good. She took my advice and turned down Mac, Mac on the other hand decided to let his anger get the better of him and took hold of Ayame's hand forcefully, I stepped in to make sure he wouldn't harm her. I also made sure to settle it all in a peaceful manner."
Colin takes a second to catch his breath. "Ayame did nothing wrong, she was curious and Mac promised her entrance to the lab, which we all know that he has no authorities to make such decision. On the other hand, I was not there when Persephone met the guy, but I would believe her over this Mac guy."
"And you did not think to advise her to report this, or do that yourself? How long ago was this?"
"I did want to tell the Commander it, but I promised Ayame not to tell anyone, which does not matter now since you already know, it was a couple of days ago, Captain."
Zhang lets out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. "Look, I believe you guys, but you have to understand the circumstance is not in your favour. I'd love nothing more than to have this Mac guy removed, but it will be a tough case." He leaned toward Colin, a stern look in his eyes. "If I am to do this, I will need the full co-operation of all soldiers involved in this, which includes you. You will have to file a report on the incident to Command, as will the others. I will report my impressions on this case and hopefully it will be enough to penetrate the layers of bureaucracy to get our case to point."
"If it means that Ayame and Persephone will be no harm done in the end then you will have my full co-operation."
"I am doing my best to keep Rookie Brown from being kicked from this base for assaulting a member of the science team."
"I understand that and I can't thank you enough. Now is there anything else you need me to do?"
"That will be enough for now. Command will likely want to question you after you have sent the report. Now please, I have a lot of paperwork and I'm sure you have other things to attend to." Zhang stands up and salutes the Rookie.
"Alright, Captain." Colin stands up and salutes and leaves shortly after.
. I will go back and change some of that,but for now just know that Elise is 20 and still lifes with her parent's.)
