Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. >Culture Clash by barelin by Chessman, a revised version Chapter 2. The Seminoles Marcia Shevat entered the host family home in the detached townhouse in the northwestern section of Danubia City, following a trolley ride two blocks from the trolley stop. She learned that the public penance she had joined with her host family included standing while on all public transportation. The stares she received from those riding the were many more than even Ivanka, with her bruised bottom, had gotten. The three other Siminov children were waiting at home for Ivanka and her parents to return, with or without the exchange student. Marcia wasn -(TM)t sure which of the three and was more excited to meet the now nude American student. The girls, two weeks before, began barraging Marcia with questions before she had a moment to cross the threshold into the Siminov home. With typical curiosity did you have a good trip, was Danubia a surprise to you, what do you like to eat, do you listen to Socrates Mistresses, what does a varsity swimmer do, and what over and over happens to your hair? Marcia was trying to answer each question at her Kivar, looked at them, and reprimanded with, -Martina, Kaleen, go set the table as Mamma asked you before she left. We shall have plenty of time to ask questions as the day. - Among the cultural differences between Danubian and American siblings interacted; however, the tone Kivar took sounded very condescending and somewhat demeaning toward the twins and her. -Thank you, Kivar, needed a moment to get my thoughts together as to the events of the day, and I guess you will be my foster brother for the next year, - Marcia offered her hand. -Men and women do not have public physical contact unless married or engaged, - Kivar noted at her extended hand to look nowhere else. He did not add that rule did not apply to criminals, the butchered head hair, and lack of body hair. Marcia must be a wicked criminal in America. Oddly, he found Marcia -(TM)s tan lines strangely erotic and found himself responding physically in a rather uncomfortable and unexpected way. Kivar turned beet red from embarrassment, muttered something in Danubian slang under his breath, and backed out of the living room. Leaving Marcia standing there alone and listening to the clatter of the dining room. Ivanka came to her rescue and offered to show her the house and yard. -As the sitting room, you have already seen, - Ivanka smiled, -let us step out the doors into the rear yard. - Once outside viewed a well-kept and gardened area about eighteen by ten meters. It almost looked like a suburban yard in America was a four-meter fence around its three sides. Ivanka explained that although everyone sunned and swam in the nude in Danubia, family privacy was the norm. To intrude upon that privacy was a breach of Danubian protocols. Ivanka showed Marcia the swimming pool shared by the four units in the quadrangle. It was adequate for social swimming and aquatic exercise, but Marcia would have to find a fifty-meter swimming pool for her lap and speed training. Ivanka explained that the school and work kept the swimming pool open to the public. Ivanka showed Marcia the raised -air bath - platform where the family sunbathed in the decent weather, nude and as a family. Marcia thought for a moment and then realized her body showed evidence of sunbathing but in the form of tan lines where her swimsuit had covered her when she remembered that swimwear was illegal under Danubian law. Her host family wasn -(TM)t custom to seeing tan marks left from the bikini. Back into the house through the kitchen door, Marcia and her host passed through with a quick hug from Ivanka for her mother, who was busy stirring a noodle dish on the stove. The twins had finished setting the large family table in the dining room and had retreated to their room just down the hall. Ivanka did not knock; minor children expectation of privacy from family members and found the two younger girls quietly squabbling with each other over who would get to read a book first. Popular culture magazines and books were not allowed in Danubia, and the type of book a young girl or boy might desire was the latest in a series of novels for young adults dealing with Danubian history and relationships in a way that interested the tween reader. 'The Silver Duke Of Danubia' over which the girls were was a prize worth winning in their eyes. Ivanka walked up to the pair, took the book, and shook her head hard enough to loosen a braid. As pouted looks on the younger girls' faces made it clear they were happy it was Ivanka and not Mamma or Poppa who had witnessed the display. Marcia was beginning to wonder how this young woman could have become a criminal when the purity of her heart and spirit seemed to shine in everything she did. Carrying the offending book in her hands, Ivanka opened the door to Kivar -(TM)s room. Kivar, cross-legged, in the middle of his bed with a bewildered look on his face. -What seems to be the trouble, little brother, - Ivanka asked the fourteen-year-old when he looked up at her. -Her, - was his one-word response while pointing a finger in Marcia -(TM)s direction. -Oh, precisely what did Marcia do to make you so upset, - the older sister inquired. -She threatened to hug and kiss me, - Kivar used a tone suggesting this would have proved the worst form of punishment short of a pillory. Hiding the giggle that was forming under her breath, Ivanka very authoritatively suggested to her brother, -Well, I will strongly suggest to you that you not repeat the behavior that provoked such a threat. - The two young women backed out of Kivar -(TM)s room and closed his door just before the giggles got to hold. -He likes you, probably had one of the physical responses young teenage boys get when they like a girl and was so embarrassed he had to retreat to his room. Oh my, I -(TM)d hate to see the reaction he -(TM)ll have if you do hug and kiss him. - Ivanka was still laughing when she showed Marcia the bathroom. Here a sunken tub, more like a hot tub than a typical American bathtub, took center stage. It was communal and for soaking, resting, and relaxing, but not for washing one's body. That was done in the shower, separated from the tub by a meter and a half-tiled wall. It had wall-mounted and handheld shower heads and provided for total cleansing before one stepped into the tub. After a long soak, a person would shower again using an exfoliating scrub. Marcia soon found that each bedroom had a -water closet - integrated with a commode, sink, and mirror but bathing communally. Ivanka opened the door to the room the two young women would share for the next twelve months. A large French door with curtains flung to the sides showed a view of the air bath platform. A rose bush beside it on the fence line. The room itself was a thing of female beauty. Done in lavenders and pinks, from carpet to walls to ceiling, and dominated by two full-size beds. One with a pink spread and the other with a pink and purple striped. Each student's desk at the foot and a small dresser against the wall. Their door to the water closet open on one wall was empty. Not a dress, skirt, blouse, sweater, or undergarment remained in Ivanka -(TM)s room. Having agreed to accept participation in the family -(TM)s public penance, no problem with this, as she also had nothing to be hung up or folded in drawers. The few soaps and lotions she had been allowed to keep in school supplies were in the one backpack. That, for now, she simply sat in the corner by the French doors to the yard. -Which one will be mine? - Marcia asked Ivanka. Ivanka pointed to the room nearest the water closet. -I thought it would be less of a navigation problem for you at night if you found yourself needing to use the facilities, - was Ivanka -(TM)s explanation. The discussion ended for the moment as Momma called the family to the table for dinner. Chapter 3. At The Dinner Table And Afterward Entering the dining room, Marcia immediately noticed that each chair had a small folded towel. -To sit on, - whispered Ivanka. The family placed themselves about the table in their seating arrangement, thus showing Marcia where her place at the table would be for the year. She was to be to Poppa -(TM)s left as he sat at the head of the table. Momma sat at the foot, with one of the twins on either side of her. To Poppa -(TM)s right sat Ivanka sat Kivar. There was an empty chair between Marcia and the twin; Marcia supposed this was to keep the symmetry. Kaleen questioned the American guest as the family finished the traditional prayer of thanks for the food on the table. -You said, Amen, when we prayed, that means, we do not say that, - rattled off. Her father, Ivan, corrected the child with, -Our guest is hungry, let her eat in peace, - and gave the girl a significant look. -With your permission, Poppa Siminov, I feel I can both eat this delicious meal and answer questions. I know what it likes to have curious younger siblings would like all of you to know I wish to have no secrets between us as to myself. - Marcia finished with a twirl of her noodles on a fork and popped the mouthful to chew. Done, she looked at her hostess and said, -I trust you will give me this recipe to take home with me would like to spend time at your side learning to prepare it while I am here. - Ursula Siminova beamed at that. It was the type of response a girl would give to a boyfriend -(TM)s parents when the relationship was becoming enough to consider an engagement sign the American truly wished to become a family member. Marcia had chosen her words well. -Now, Kaleen, - Marcia began, after polishing off another mouthful of food from her plate, -I am not of your faith, and if I ask forgiveness. 'Amen' is an old Hebrew word, 'so let it be. It is what my people say when they agree with a person is leading a prayer. - -Oh. - Kaleen accepted the answer and realized she would treat as an equal by this new entry into the family circle. Martina shot, -Are those white patches on your skin also a religious thing? - Momma looked at the girl with the look only a mother can give an errant child and responded, -In my country, we lack the comfort of the Danubian way; and not all of the people are as happy with the way their bodies. -So, Martina, when I went to enjoy the sun and the lakeside was not as fortunate as you and had to cover those areas up. The sun could not get through the cloth left with these lines on my skin. - Suddenly smiled and thought to herself, Momma and Poppa would have to give Kaleen and me time to lie about in the sun. Maybe having this American stranger in our house could work out after all. Kivar whispered something in his sister -(TM)s as Marcia took a piece of the dense black bread from a plate in the middle of the table to sop up the vegetable juices left on her plate. His mother was about to cite him for rudeness, but Ivanka wagged a finger indicating she had the one under control. -Kivar is also curious about things, but, being a boy, he is afraid to ask you directly, - Ivanka offered, -this is the reason for his whispering in my ear. - Marcia smiled, -If the question needs asking, Kivar, ask it. I have nothing to hide from you or your family, so ask away. Nothing you could say or do would embarrass me. I have brothers and am well over being embarrassed by them. - Kivar looked at his mother for permission, then began, -You have no hair. - with that, he faltered and turned bright red. -So, it is not I who is embarrassed by your question, if that is what that was, is it? - Marcia laughed lightly. -No, I do not have hair on my body. As in many others, those who compete in sports shave off since injuries and wounds are easier to treat without it. Also, in my case, the drag of the water on the body is lessened when swimming. Realizing I was good enough to compete at national and international levels in my sport, my parents took me to a doctor who used a special laser to remove all the hair below the neck. American women use various haircuts and styles, they even change the color of their hair, but here women do not. So again, with your sisters and mother helping me, letting my hair grow out, - Seeing Ivanka rolling her eyes toward Kivar and then looking back to Marcia, Marcia got the hint offered softly. -Kivar brought home girlfriends who would spend the night or the weekend, would get a little excited and embarrassed at seeing a new girl in the house. An hour of conversation allowed Marcia to learn the crime Ivanka had committed was considered an offense which in the states may have only resulted in a university fine or a suspended grade of incomplete. Ivanka knew of the strict interpretation of Danubian plagiarism rules when she turned in her final paper to the professor. Her professor before the classroom, -Ivanka Siminov, do you attest that all the work herein is your work unless proper attribution? - She had answered yes and left the classroom. Upon opening the main compartment of her backpack, she realized that she had turned in without annotated footnotes and a bibliography of citations. Rushing back to the professor to give her the correct paper, she was too late. Left Ivanka open to criminal-level charges of lying to a public official, as the Danubians called it, and plagiarism. Her Spokesman, during her trial, argued that the matter was a simple mistake, exhibited the correct paper, and expressed that when Ivanka swore the work was her own, she believed the content of the package was the final and not the draft. The judge could have sentenced Ivanka to ten years in the collar on the charges and allowed for the mitigation of an error on Ivanka -(TM)s part. He disallowed the plagiarism charges but allowed the false swearing to stand. The sentence imposed was the one-year suspension of university attendance, loss of her exchange student status to the university in Chicago, and corporal punishment equivalent to that within the university rules. Total of one hundred twenty-five lashes with the switch, twenty-five to be administered at the end of this court session. Next year, Ivanka would receive punishment on the first and last day of each school semester. She could return to school on the first day of the following semester. The year she would have spent overseas in America would be spent instead working as a waitress in an outdoor coffee shop in the center of Danubia City. Marcia could not comprehend the punishment fitting the crime. The Simonov family had not only accepted it but was using it as a teaching tool for the younger children. Every action within Danubian society carried with it consequences farther reaching than just the individual. In this case, the family taking on public penance showed that the entire family accepted responsibility for Ivanka -(TM)s act of carelessness. Expected to learn to take care in our work and to assure they attested to was indeed the truth. Ivanka -(TM)s parents drew the knowledge that one can presume one's child, adult and ready to take on those responsibilities, yet, that child will still need the attention of a parent to a child when to fundamental aspects of living. The family was very impressed with the American girl who came to the country of Danubia, with the Danubian sense of honor and honesty already in place. Answered every question and every action from her arrival in the home had been more Danubian than their children ask. To have this girl in their home could only add honor to the Siminov family name. In the room, a quiet gabfest was ongoing as well. -The twins will be your shadows for at least the rest of the summer until their school reopens, - Ivanka whispered, -they are in awe of you. You are what they would like to be as women, strong, intelligent, athletic, and independent, yet, respectful of tradition. - Marcia quietly laughed and noted, -Yeah, they both seemed to light up when I mentioned needing their help and wanting to even out my tan. I guess Momma keeps them busy most days. - -She feels happy keeping them occupied about the house and indoors. I suppose she feels they will become too happy and comfortable in their nudity and do something stupid before school starts to remain that way, - Ivanka answered. -And your brother? - We shall have to see about him, although I feel he will become to you as he is to me. Pain in the rear end when you're around him, yet, a fiercely loyal protector when non-family is concerned. You have not seen his altogether moody brat attitude yet. It will show up at some point. That will be the test of your family acceptance. - Ivanka whispered. She never realized she had fallen asleep; she was so exhausted from the long events of the day. Chapter 4. Getting Into The Swim Of Things Marcia was up early and learned that the rest of the house was already up and about. Cleaned me up and went into the kitchen buffet on the countertops, choosing from fruits, fresh bread, and jam spreads that looked homemade. -Well, sleepy head, - Poppa smiled broadly at the American girl, -not quite ready to keep Danubian farmer hours yet? - -Sorry, Poppa, - Marcia used the familiar with Ivan knowing that as a guest, she was considered one of his children, - I must still be shaking off jet lag. -In the states, this time of the morning in the pool for two hours, stretching and doing laps, - I said. Kaleen offered, -Well, the pool is just out back. - Martina countered, -She needs a real pool, silly, the kind that the military and the National Police have at their academies, not a tiny family backyard affair. - Kaleen almost whispered, -I forgot - the enthusiasm and happiness drained from her voice. -About that, Marcia, - Ursula offered, -we can arrange for Ivanka to take you on your first day and introduce you to the academy instructors at the Military Academy of Danubia. Unfortunately, the academy is just outside the yellow line, beyond which Ivanka now may not travel. Poppa and I have other commitments and cannot go, but we have written directions for you with the trolleys to take and the stops to transfer if you do not mind going by yourself. Poppa has also written a letter of introduction for you to show the guards at the gate. The look she gave was sorrow that her daughter -(TM)s actions had again impacted the life of her American guest. Marcia looked at Kivar and the twins, then at Ursula Siminov, and offered, -Momma, is there any reason why Kivar and the girls cannot escort me today? I would be glad for the company keeps me from getting lost know of a pastry shop where I could buy a nice dessert for tonight -(TM)s dinner. - Ivanka looked at Marcia and explained that the twins were too young to venture into the; outer reaches of the city during their period of public penance. -For them, it is home, school, temple activities, and play within the neighborhood unless a parent is escorting them, - Ivanka concluded. She then continued, -Kivar, on the other hand, has passed his fourteenth birthday and is considered a pre-adult under Danubian law. He has slightly more freedom of movement than do the twins. If you desire an escort, sure Kivar would be willing. - Ivanka suggested that Kivar had no wiggle room in the matter; he would smile, volunteer his services, and make no fuss. Marcia wondered what the older sister held over her brother -(TM)s head to compliance. -So, what do you say, Kivar, - Marcia asked cheerfully, -would you do that for me, at least for today I get to know the routes to take? - Giving a look that suggested he -(TM)d rather have a root canal done without anesthesia, Kivar muttered, -Sure, fine, whatever. - -Yep, - Marcia thought, -this one is a moody teenage brother, this before, this passive-aggressive attitude. - She offered me, -Do you have a friend you would like to come along with, Kivar? - -None whom I wish to see me dressed the way I am, - Kivar admitted ruefully, -Particularly not Lydia. - Kaleen risked her life to mutter, -Kivar likes Lydia, and she is in his class at school and is quite the curviest girl in his grade level. She did not see the sweet roll Kivar launched at her. Martina said, -~Duck, -(TM) and she did so instinctively. Momma decided to let the punishment fit the crime, -Kaleen, please do call over to Lydia -(TM)s and see if she is free to help our guest find her way in the city. - Kivar was stuck, two females to escort, both of whom stirred teenage yearnings in his loins and nothing to hide his reactions behind. -Ah, too bad, well maybe another time, - Kaleen spoke into the phone and hung up. -She cannot go with you, Kivar - her family is doing an outing at the lake north of the city today. She was going to invite you to go, but I told her you were busy with family duties. - If Kivar did not retaliate against Kaleen in the future would only be because she never left herself alone long enough for him to get his hands on her. It took almost ninety minutes to get from the Siminov home to the National Military Academy of the Danubian Republic. Kivar handed the letter of introduction to the guard at the gate. The officer came to the gate he asked, -You are the American swimming athlete, Marcia Shevat? - -Yes, sir, I am. - Marcia, and then went on, -The son of my host family, Kivar Siminov, was kind enough to escort me on the unfamiliar public transportation system. May he be allowed to wait for me while I train? - -Of course, though afraid the pool is set up for athletic spectators in your homeland. - The young lieutenant, Drakov, as Marcia read the name badge correctly, escorted them about seventy-five meters inside the perimeter fence to a building that looked, from its exterior, like a former palace. A marble entryway with names and dates etched into the floor clearly showed that 'Fallen Defenders of Danubia Memorial Hall' had a reason for its existence. -Come, - Lt. Drakov directed, -the natatorium is one level down. - They arrived at the pool level in time to witness the final moments of a defensive combat training exercise. Male and female cadets struggled in shallow water to apply and break various hand-to-hand combat holds on one another. Lt. Drakov remarked that as the cadets became more proficient. The class would move into deeper water and would be able to touch the bottom as they fought. The Danubian budget for combat simulation training in the pool and not used for recreation or athletics. For that reason, the cadets were in the water in their battle dress uniforms. Combat training and the mandatory nudity for swimmers were for them. Only Marcia Shevat would swim laps, as an athlete swimmer would do so in the nude. Two lanes of the pool had roped off for Marcia. The one closest to the wall, where the most turbulence existed, would be empty. Marcia would swim one lane in the five spots in most Olympic-size pools. Kivar found out of the draft and relatively dry to sit. He watched Marcia stretch on the starter block provided. Marcia stood upon it and crouched into her starting position. When she launched herself torpedo-like from it, dolphin kicking beneath the surface to rise in a steady freestyle stroke a third of the distance down the pool, she did not realize that all activity in the cadet class had ceased. All eyes in the natatorium were on Marcia as she cut through the water, perfectly timing herself at the end of each length of the pool to flip and turn her way back the way she had just come, her breathing coming rhythmically with every third stroke. She repeated the processed lap after lap until her count she had done her requisite three kilometers. She then pulled herself out of the water to the deep end. Shack her body to get the excess water from her body as a wet dog might. Then walked from the deep end to the shallow, barely breathing hard. She neither expected nor knew what to do with the applause that broke out; nor why the chant, -Doc-Doc Marcia, - echoed loudly from the pool. While she was swimming her laps, Lieutenant Drakov had spoken to the training officer and the class about who Marcia was and her reason for using the pool. Later, Lt. Drakov explained to Marcia that while all Danubians expected to swim. There were no competitive sports venues in Danubia where one could train to be a swimmer such as Marcia. He was sure that many cadets and instructors would be asking questions in the coming months, looking to improve individual performance and perhaps even challenging Marcia to informal competition. Marcia responded that it was always better for a swimmer to have others against whom to pace would be happy to spend time in the water with those who wished to learn how to breathe, turn and time themselves as repayment for the favor of the use of Danubia -(TM)s fine aquatic center. -We will see you tomorrow at about this time, then, Marcia Shevat? - Lt. Draco asked. -If that is convenient with you, Sir, then yes, - Marcia responded. -You respond as one who has served in the military, Marcia Shevat, - Lt. Drakov stated, -Are you a veteran of your armed services? - -No, Sir, - Marcia responded, -My father was career military, a Staff Sergeant in the Infantry branch of our Army. I grew up on military posts and learned military courtesy as part of my childhood education, Sir. - Draco nodded, -I see, and are you also familiar with other aspects of military training and discipline? - -My father was fond of saying I was born with the eye and hand of a sniper, - Marcia responded, - I believe I can still put a grouping into the Q on a Quantico qualification target that would look like a single round passed through the paper. - Draco smiled as he led Marcia and Kivar down a different corridor than which they had used to enter the building. They passed through a thick door were a Sergeant handed them safety glasses and hearing protection. Draco unholstered his sidearm in the port of the firing range and leaned over to Marcia, -Show me - you can fire this weapon. The Gun she was handed was beautifully maintained for a post-World War Two Walther P-38. Marcia dropped the magazine and checked to see if eight rounds loaded. Drawing back the weapon slide, Marcia saw Drakov carried round in the chamber. Not a practice of which her father would have approved, she thought. She checked the action last time as Drakov added five more magazines to the tray at her shooting position. Gripping the weapon in a modified Weaver grip and waiting for the range master to turn the targets, Marcia drew a long breath and exhaled slowly. The target swung was a -~no shoot -(TM) of a woman holding an umbrella and a weapon. Another breath and the next target presented a hooded male with an AK-47. Marcia quickly fired four rounds into the target, two into the chest, one into the groin, and one between the eyes. Simultaneously the last round fired target pivoted away another popped up. Another bad guy, another of the spent magazine, reloaded it. The process continued until she shot one hundred rounds of ammunition at targets varying in distance between seven and fifty meters. The range master quickly flashed results back to Drakov, ninety-nine out of one hundred perfectly on target. He also informed Drakov that the last round -~may -(TM) have entered through a keyhole type hole caused by a misshaped bullet entering the target would be given credit for perfect scoring. -Very nice, - Draco said, with a straight face hiding the fact he did not believe the girl could shoot as well as she swam. -You shall indeed be an asset to this school on many levels, Marcia Shevat. Tomorrow you will have your identity photo taken for your official duties here. - Draco continued, - you shall be an Apprentice Aquatics Instructor. - Marcia was stunned on her second day in the country following being stripped of everything that resembles clothing. Accepting her host family's violation of full nudity and now has a job with the Danubian military. This country is indeed a strange new world, Marcia thought to herself, not a bad one by any means, but nonetheless. Kivar was, for the first time in her knowing him, at a loss of words and attitude. He had never seen anything as cleanly athletic as Marcia Shevat slicing through the waters of the military pool. Nor had he ever seen anyone, male or female, handle a handgun with the proficiency Marcia had shown at the pistol range. She had elevated herself from embarrassing lust object to warrior goddess in a single afternoon. He could not wait until he could tell his family and friends what was in that pool and on the firing range. To make sure Marcia needed an escort every day went there. Kivar burst through the front door of the Siminov home four steps ahead of Marcia when they finished the walk from the trolley stop. Marcia found him and realized he had cornered his mother and was gushing forth factoids faster than the parent could comprehend the child -(TM)s words. Ursula asked what seemed to be the problem and responded, -I went to the academy Kivar was a great help with directions and transfers. I met a Lt. Drakov, who escorted me to the pool and swam my laps, impressed some cadets offered a job. - Marcia had to repeat the story as Ivanka arrived home from her job. As Ivan returned home from his and finally for the twins who had played soccer all afternoon, he tired and took a nap, awakening just before Ursula called everyone to the table for dinner. -Well, congratulations, Officer Marcia Shevat, - Ivan said and threw her a very sloppy salute, sitting at the head of the dinner table. -Poppa, I do not understand, - Marcia replied. -Marcia, even an Apprentice Instructor at a military academy with rank. Be considered the lowest level officer but would still outrank the cadets you would train. That means you will be the equivalent of a Signet, subaltern, ensign, or a rank like that in your military system. Perhaps, not officially on the books for the Danubian military, but your title would carry the weight of such a rank. - After dinner, Marcia excused herself to go to her room and study some Internet sites concerned with water safety training and swimming instruction. Then it was early to bed to be up early enough to get to the military academy and to get her photo identification processed along with a short employment form. At the deep end of the pool, another class assembled. To jump into the water with full packs and uniforms and swim to the surface as part of survival training. Day three passed quietly. On day four, Marcia began demonstrating water safety techniques to a class of military instructors. Those instructors would then teach the swimming techniques to the cadets watching assure the correct methodology. Day five through day twenty-two passed almost as day four had, except one event toward the end of the twenty-second day changed Marcia -(TM)s direction again. A female cadet had done the survival portion of her test perfectly, except she had lost her identity tags from around her neck. She had remained behind while her class went to change into dry uniforms. Then had to jump back into the pool the search for her tags. Finding them, she put them around her neck and tried to push off toward the surface. Her battle dress pant lousing laces have sucked into the drains in the deep end she could not surface. Marcia was up top walking to the doors when Kivar yelled and waved, -She did not come up, Marcia, she did not come up, - and pointed to the middle of the pool, deep end. Marcia dove back into the pool at the bottom and located the girl. Putting her mouth on the cadet -(TM)s blew air into the other girl to give a few more seconds to her rescue. Working the belt and buttons on the girl's pants, Marcia helped her to kick free of the bottom of her uniform and pulled her to the surface. The cadet -(TM)s classmates, noticing she was missing, had returned to the pool to witness the cross-chest carry of their classmate by the Apprentice Aquatics Instructor. -Play along, - Marcia whispered when the girl nodded. Marcia said, -Okay, cadet, that is how you extract a victim who has become entangled in an underwater obstacle, any other questions? - The Cadet wisely answered, -No ma -(TM)am, - followed by, -Just one ma -(TM)am, can you get my pants back for me before they get sucked into the drain? - In seconds the pants were in the grateful hands of Cadet. Marcia was on her way, still drying off, to pick up her identification. It looked like a dog tag of two metal discs hung from a chain. One contained a microchip with data concerning the wearer and a locator that used satellite technology to pinpoint a military member's location. The other had Marcia -(TM)s image laser engraved on one side electronic chip embedded will allow Marcia access to several buildings and offices on the academy grounds, including the pool, 24/7. As not considered jewelry necessary for her employment, the tags didn -(TM)t break her vow of public penance. Instead, they had become her uniform. She left them with the building guard as she entered and gathered them from the guard arriving at the base or when she was done in the pool and going to other areas of the post.