Maya stood.
“For what?”
Sarah handed her the document.
The written counseling accused Sarah of publicly undermining a senior officer, interfering in a matter outside her responsibility, and demonstrating poor judgment by questioning an established seating practice in front of other personnel.
Maya read the last phrase twice.
Established seating practice.
Vanessa had put it in writing.
“Is there a policy?”
Sarah shook her head.
“I checked. Dining services says no. The facility manager says no. The local instruction says nothing about rank-based tables.”
Maya looked at the signature block.
Vanessa had signed it.
The counseling meant to protect her authority had documented the exact claim that could now be checked.
“Are you going to rebut this?”
Sarah hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
“Why not?”
“Because formal rebuttal turns lunch into a command issue.”
“She already did that.”
Sarah looked at Maya.
There was fear there now, plain and unhidden.
“I have an evaluation due in six weeks. She has input.”
Maya understood.
This was why the cafeteria had gone quiet.
Not because everyone agreed with Vanessa.
Because rank could reach beyond the moment.
A chair could become a report.
A sentence could become a rating.
A disagreement could follow someone long after lunch ended.
Maya took a breath.
