Cassandra finished securing the final bandage and stepped back from the table.
For a brief moment, she simply looked at Shae.
Then she crossed her arms.
The expression on her face shifted again—back into that familiar, controlled authority that had nothing to do with irritation anymore.
And everything to do with decision.
“You have additional consequences.” Shae closed her eyes.
“No.” “Yes.” Shae let her head tip back against the wall.
A long, suffering exhale followed.
“Please tell me you’re joking.” “I’m not.” “…I hate that I can’t tell when you’re serious.” “That is a separate problem.” Shae groaned again.
“Fine.
Hit me.” Cassandra didn’t react to the phrasing.
She simply began.
“First,” Cassandra said evenly, “you are restricted from all unsupervised movement outside your quarters or medical.” Shae blinked.
“Locked in?” “Supervised.” “That’s locked in with extra steps.” “It is medical compliance.” Shae stared at the ceiling.
“This is prison with better lighting.” Cassandra ignored her.
“Second,” she continued, “you will not participate in or observe any combat training for the next seven days.” Shae immediately sat forward.
“Even watching?” “Especially watching.” “That’s excessive.” “It’s preventative.” “That’s your favorite word.” “It’s an accurate one.” Shae slumped back down.
“This is torture.” “It is discipline.” “Third,” Cassandra said, “you will submit a physical status check every six hours while awake.” Shae frowned.
“Six hours?” “Yes.” “That’s obsessive.” “That’s medical oversight.” “I can monitor myself.” Cassandra gave her a look.
Shae immediately corrected: “…Badly phrased.” “Correct.” Cassandra paused.
This one, she considered more carefully.
Then: “Fourth.” Shae narrowed her eyes.
“There’s always a fourth.” “There is now.” Cassandra’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“You will report directly to me twice daily.” Shae blinked.
“Report what.” “Your condition.” “Medical already does that.” “This is not medical.” Shae studied her.
“Then what is it.” Cassandra didn’t hesitate.
“It is accountability.” Shae sighed.
“That sounds suspiciously like babysitting.” “It is not.” “It absolutely is.” Cassandra stepped forward slightly.
“You will report to my office in the morning after medical clearance, and again in the evening before duty rotation ends.” Shae frowned.
“So I just… check in with you.” “Yes.” “Every day.” “Yes.” “For a week.” “Yes.” Shae stared at her.
Then slowly said: “…You’re enjoying this more than you should be.” Cassandra’s expression didn’t change.
But her pause was just long enough to be suspicious.
“I am ensuring compliance.” Shae pointed at her.
“That pause was criminal.” “Move on.” Shae groaned loudly.
“This is worse than getting stabbed.” “That is debatable.” “It is not.” “It is.” Cassandra unfolded her arms.
“And if you violate any of these conditions…” Shae immediately interrupted.
“Don’t.” “…there will be further consequences.” Shae dropped her head into her hands.
“I regret everything.” “You will report to my office at 0800 tomorrow.” Shae looked up.
“Directly to you?” “Yes.” “Why does that feel like the worst one?” Cassandra tilted her head slightly.
“Because it is the most important one.” Shae narrowed her eyes.
“You’re absolutely making sure I can’t sneak off again.” “I am making sure you don’t injure yourself again.” “That’s not the same thing.” “It is in your case.” Shae opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then sighed.
“…Fine.” Cassandra nodded once.
“Good.” A pause.
Then, almost as an afterthought: “And Major?” Shae looked up.
“Yes?” Cassandra’s voice lowered slightly.
“If you find a way to stab yourself between now and tomorrow morning…” Shae immediately held up a hand.
“I swear it wasn’t on purpose.” “That is not reassuring.” Shae leaned back.
“Noted.” Cassandra turned toward the door.
“Get some rest.” Shae muttered: “I feel like I just got grounded by a warlord.” Cassandra paused at the door.
Without turning around, she replied: “Then behave like it.” And walked out.