Keelhauled

[Lythrilux]

Zoe was shocked and startled. Hartman's words blew through her like an icy wind, then came back to knock down her ego like fists clenched inside boxing gloves. Indeed she did know of the operation that Hartman spoke to her, one which she or her squad-mates may not return from alive. Recently she had developed a lax and uncaring attitude towards her job. Recent victories, at least in the patrols she was on, had made her arrogant in the face of her duty. Zoe broke eye contact with Hartman and tried to gaze out the door, small deposits of tears were slowly welling up in her eyes. Zoe then looked at Lewis, who gave her a cold icy stare, before turning back to Hartman again.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am!" Zoe said meekly, not even directly answering Hartman's question. "It won't happened again, I pinky-promise! I love my uniform and I love Liberty - furthermore I love each and every officer under my watch, ma'am!" She said, nervously saluting at Hartman once again "Yes! In other words!" She responded, answering Hartman's question.

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