Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT THE RIVER ROSEKAYISE
The rain begins before sunrise.
By breakfast, the academy grounds are covered in shallow puddles.
By noon, water is streaming along the paths.
By two o'clock, thunder is rolling over the hills.
We are supposed to have an outdoor emergency response exercise.
I assume it will be postponed.
Apparently, I have too much faith in common sense.
Captain Ndlovu enters the equipment room wearing a waterproof jacket.
"Listen up."
We gather around her.
"The weather has affected our planned route. We will remain within the approved training boundary unless conditions require cancellation."
Sebastian looks through the window.
"That sounds encouraging," he mutters.
I glance at him.
"Try to stay positive."
"I'm positive we're going to get soaked."
Ryan stands a few feet away.
We haven't spoken properly since the classroom confrontation.
She looks smaller somehow.
Not physically.
Just exhausted.
I notice that she keeps checking the entrance.
As though she's expecting someone.
Captain Ndlovu continues.
"Today's objective is to establish communication between two simulated emergency sites and organize a safe evacuation plan."
Finally.
Something I actually enjoy.
We receive our assignments.
I am placed on communications.
Sebastian handles route planning.
Ryan is assigned to medical support.
A fourth cadet, Amara, is responsible for equipment inventory.
We are told to move to a sheltered field station beside the lower training grounds.
At first, everything is fine.
The rain is uncomfortable, but manageable.
We set up a portable radio.
Sebastian checks the map.
Ryan organizes the medical equipment.
I contact the control station.
"Field Unit Three to Control. Communications check."
Static.
Then Captain Ndlovu's voice.
"Control receiving. Proceed."
I smile.
"Copy."
For a brief moment, I forget all the problems surrounding us.
This is why I came here.
Not because I want to impress my father.
Not because I want to prove I'm smarter than everyone else.
Because I like solving problems that matter.
Then the rain becomes heavier.
Much heavier.
Water begins collecting around the lower path.
Sebastian looks at the drainage channel.
"Kayise, that's rising fast."
I turn.
He's right.
The water is moving faster than it was ten minutes ago.
I call Control.
"Field Unit Three reporting rapidly rising water near the lower route. Requesting updated conditions."
Static.
Then:
"Maintain position. Stand by."
We wait.
A minute passes.
Then another.
The rain continues.
Amara points toward a small utility structure across the channel.
"Isn't that where Unit Four was stationed?"
I look.
Two figures are visible beneath the shelter.
They're waving.
Sebastian raises his binoculars.
"That's Unit Four."
I check the map.
Their return route crosses a narrow footbridge.
The water has already reached the bridge supports.
I grab the radio.
"Control, this is Field Unit Three. Unit Four appears isolated on the opposite side of the drainage channel. Request immediate safety assistance."
No answer.
I try again.
"Control, do you copy?"
Static.
Ryan moves beside me.
"What's happening?"
"Communication interference."
Sebastian points toward the bridge.
"Look."
A section of the bank collapses into the water.
My stomach drops.
The two cadets across the channel retreat from the edge.
Good.
At least they're thinking.
I try the radio again.
"Emergency traffic. Field Unit Three requesting assistance for two cadets isolated by rising water."
Finally, a response.
But it isn't Captain Ndlovu.
It's Colonel Venter.
"Field Unit Three, maintain the exercise. Do not abandon your assigned responsibilities."
I stare at the radio.
"Sir, this is no longer a simulated condition."
"Your task is to manage the situation."
"Then we require emergency response personnel."
"Stay within the scenario."
My heart begins pounding.
I look at Ryan.
She is staring at me.
For a moment, the entire world seems to narrow to one terrible question.
Do I obey?
Or do I do what I know is right?
I remember the rescue exercise.
The fake injury.
The lost points.
The people watching from the tower.
I press the radio button.
"Sir, I am reporting an actual hazard. Two cadets are isolated. We need the academy emergency team."
Venter's voice sharpens.
"Cadet Mthembu, you are being evaluated on your ability to follow orders."
I take a breath.
"Understood, sir. I am also responsible for reporting an immediate threat to life."
I switch to the designated emergency channel.
"Mayday relay, Field Unit Three. Two cadets isolated near the lower drainage channel. Rising water. Coordinates to follow."
Sebastian begins reading the location.
Ryan takes out the emergency blanket and medical supplies.
Amara checks our equipment.
Nobody argues.
Nobody wastes time.
A minute later, Captain Ndlovu responds.
"Field Unit Three, this is Safety Command. Message received. Do not enter moving water. Rescue team deploying."
Relief floods through me.
"Copy, ma'am."
We move to higher ground.
Ryan points to a marker pole beside the bank.
"There's a safety line attached."
A rope stretches from the training platform toward the bridge area.
It is supposed to provide a fixed reference for instructors working near the channel.
But one section hangs loose.
I frown.
"That doesn't look right."
Sebastian checks the route sheet.
"It was supposed to be inspected this morning."
I raise my binoculars.
The loose rope is dragging in the water.
Before I can say anything, a loud cracking sound echoes across the training grounds.
A second section of the bank gives way.
Amara screams.
The two cadets on the opposite side run toward the utility shelter.
One slips.
My chest tightens.
"Come on," I whisper.
The cadet scrambles to his feet.
Good.
Good.
Stay there.
Several minutes later, the academy rescue team arrives with specialized equipment.
Captain Ndlovu takes command.
She establishes a safety perimeter and coordinates with the rescuers.
We provide the information we've gathered.
The exact position.
The number of cadets.
The changing water level.
The route hazards.
Nobody sends untrained cadets into the channel.
Nobody pretends this is still a classroom exercise.
For the next forty minutes, we assist from the safe staging area while trained personnel bring the stranded cadets back.
When the second cadet reaches solid ground, I nearly collapse with relief.
Ryan hugs Amara.
Sebastian exhales.
I close my eyes.
Everybody is alive.
That is all I care about.
The following morning, Captain Ndlovu calls our group together.
The exercise has been suspended pending a formal safety investigation.
She thanks us for reporting the emergency.
Then she looks directly at me.
"Mthembu."
"Ma'am."
"You were right to escalate the situation through the emergency channel."
I nod.
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Remember this. Discipline does not eliminate the responsibility to recognize immediate danger."
My throat tightens.
"Yes, ma'am."
After the meeting, Ryan approaches me.
We stand near the equipment shed.
Neither of us knows what to say.
Finally, she whispers:
"You did the right thing yesterday."
I look at her.
"Anyone would have."
"No."
She shakes her head.
"Not everyone."
I study her face.
She's frightened.
Not of me.
Of something else.
"Ryan, what's going on?"
Her lips tremble.
"I need to tell you something."
Before she can continue, Sebastian runs toward us.
"Kayise!"
I turn.
"What?"
He is carrying a sealed evidence bag.
Captain Ndlovu follows several steps behind him.
Her expression is grim.
"The safety team recovered the damaged line," Sebastian says.
I frown.
"So?"
Captain Ndlovu speaks.
"The rope didn't fail because of ordinary wear."
I stare at her.
"What do you mean?"
She looks toward the flooded training ground.
"The damaged section shows a clean cut."
My stomach drops.
Sebastian lowers his voice.
"And according to the inspection record, that line was intact less than an hour before the exercise began."
I look at Ryan.
Her face has gone completely white.
Then she whispers something I almost don't hear.
"They weren't supposed to do that."
I turn toward her.
"What?"
She covers her mouth.
I step closer.
"Ryan, what weren't they supposed to do?"
Her eyes fill with tears.
May you like
And she says the words that change everything.
"They told me they were only going to make you think someone was in danger."
