Chapter 12 - THE LOYALTY HEARINGKAYISE
I have never been so angry in my life.
Not when my father admitted what he had done.
Not when Ryan confessed to reporting on me.
Not even when I learned that hundreds of cadets had been monitored without their informed consent.
Because now I understand something much worse.
These people don't simply want to know how we respond to pressure.
They want to discover exactly how much pressure it takes to make us abandon our principles.
The next morning, Ryan and I receive official notices requiring us to attend a cadet conduct review.
The notice describes it as an administrative hearing.
Captain Ndlovu examines my copy.
Her expression darkens.
"Who signed this?"
I point to the bottom.
"Colonel Venter."
She reads it again.
Then she takes out her phone.
"Do not attend this meeting without an approved welfare representative present."
I stare at her.
"Ma'am, am I in trouble?"
"That hasn't been established."
"Then why are they calling it a conduct review?"
She looks at me.
"That's a question I intend to ask."
The hearing room is smaller than I expected.
There are three people seated behind a long table.
Two administrators.
And Colonel Venter.
Ralph stands near the side wall.
Captain Ndlovu sits beside me.
A welfare officer accompanies Ryan.
I am grateful.
At least we aren't alone.
Venter begins.
"This review concerns possible violations of academic integrity and professional conduct."
He looks directly at me.
"Cadet Mthembu, serious questions have been raised about the circumstances surrounding your aptitude assessment."
I say nothing.
"Specifically, whether you received advance information that compromised the results."
I feel my hands grow cold.
"Sir, I wasn't told about the assessment until I entered the room."
He glances at his notes.
"That may be your recollection."
"It is what happened."
His expression tightens.
Then he turns toward Ryan.
"Cadet Dube, please provide your statement."
Ryan stares at the table.
"Sir."
He waits.
She doesn't continue.
"Cadet Dube?"
Ryan takes a breath.
"I have a written statement."
"Read it."
She opens a folded piece of paper.
Her hands are shaking.
I can barely look at her.
For a terrible second, I wonder whether she has decided to betray me again.
Then she begins.
"My name is Ryan Dube. I am a first-year cadet. Several weeks ago, I entered an agreement to participate in what I believed was a student research project."
Venter straightens.
"Cadet Dube, that is not relevant to this hearing."
Ryan continues.
"I was instructed to observe Kayise Mthembu and report on her behavior."
"Stop."
She raises her voice.
"I was paid through an educational assistance arrangement that was presented to me as a grant."
Venter slams his hand on the table.
"CADET DUBE!"
Ryan flinches.
But she doesn't stop.
"I shared private things my friend told me. I knew that was wrong. I am responsible for doing it."
My eyes begin burning.
She looks at me.
"I'm sorry."
Then she turns back toward the panel.
"But I will not falsely accuse her of cheating."
The room becomes silent.
Venter slowly stands.
"That is enough."
Captain Ndlovu speaks.
"Colonel, allow the cadet to finish."
"This is my hearing."
"Then conduct it according to the proper procedure."
One of the administrators clears his throat.
"Colonel Venter, perhaps we should recess."
Venter ignores him.
He points at Ryan.
"You have just admitted to violating a confidentiality agreement."
Ryan nods.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you understand the consequences?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then why would you do something so foolish?"
Ryan's voice breaks.
"Because I hurt somebody who trusted me, and I'm tired of pretending that what happened was normal."
My throat tightens.
She wipes her cheeks.
"I wanted money to help my family. I was scared. I made choices I'm ashamed of."
She looks at the panel.
"But you cannot ask me to tell another lie just because the truth is inconvenient."
Nobody speaks.
Then Ralph steps forward.
"I need to make a statement."
Venter turns.
"Sit down."
Ralph doesn't move.
"The original aptitude assessment was administered without prior notice to Cadet Mthembu. I can confirm that from my records."
The room changes.
One of the administrators leans forward.
"Are those records available for independent examination?"
"Yes."
Venter's face reddens.
"Ralph, you are breaching protocol."
Ralph looks at him.
"No, Colonel. I'm correcting a false allegation."
I stare at the copper-haired man.
For the first time, I wonder whether he might actually be trying to help.
Captain Ndlovu stands.
"I request that this proceeding be suspended and referred to independent oversight."
The welfare officer nods.
"I support that request."
One administrator looks at the other.
Then he closes his folder.
"This hearing is suspended pending review."
Venter looks furious.
But there is nothing he can do without making himself look worse.
At least, that is what I think.
Outside, Ryan approaches me.
"Kayise."
I stop.
She takes a breath.
"I know you have no reason to trust me."
I look at her.
"You're right."
She nods.
"I don't expect that to change today."
"Then why are you talking to me?"
"Because I want you to know that I didn't tell the truth to make you forgive me."
I study her face.
"Why did you do it?"
She looks toward the courtyard.
"Because somebody has to stop them."
For a moment, I see the girl I became friends with during our first week.
The girl who complains about morning runs.
The girl who laughs too loudly.
The girl who once told me she wanted to buy her parents a house with a garden.
I miss her.
I miss us.
But missing something doesn't mean it can return unchanged.
"Ryan," I say quietly, "I don't know what happens to our friendship."
She nods.
"Neither do I."
"But I don't want you to get hurt."
Her eyes fill.
"Thank you."
She starts to leave.
Then turns back.
"Kayise?"
"Yeah?"
"If I disappear from the academy, don't believe whatever they say about me without asking questions."
My stomach tightens.
"Why would you disappear?"
She looks frightened.
"I don't know."
Before I can ask anything else, the welfare officer calls her away.
I watch her leave.
Something about her words makes me uneasy.
Later that afternoon, Captain Ndlovu tells me Ryan has been placed on temporary administrative leave while her research involvement is investigated.
I immediately become worried.
"Where is she?"
"The student care office is arranging her next steps."
"Can I see her?"
"Not right now."
"Why?"
The captain looks troubled.
"I'm trying to confirm the arrangements."
I return to my dormitory.
Ryan's bed is empty.
Her bag is gone.
On her pillow lies a folded piece of paper.
I recognize her handwriting.
Kayise, I told the truth. Whatever happens next, please don't stop telling yours.
I read the note twice.
Then my phone-free academy messaging terminal displays an urgent notice from Captain Ndlovu.
She wants me in her office.
Immediately.
When I arrive, she is standing beside Naledi.
Both women look furious.
Naledi holds an administrative transfer document.
"Kayise," she says, "we need to know whether Ryan mentioned any external appointments to you."
"No. Why?"
Naledi turns the paper toward me.
It is an order transferring Ryan to an off-campus assessment facility.
I scan the document.
Then I see the destination.
NORTHSTAR ANALYTICS — PRIVATE BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH CENTER
My heart stops.
May you like
They aren't sending Ryan home.
They're sending her directly to the people who have been threatening her.
