Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. >Culture Clash by barelin by Chessman, a revised version Chapter 5. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Her twenty-third day of employment at the Military Academy of the Duchy of Danubia started and ended differently for Marcia. When the Apprentice Aquatics Instructor arrived, alone today as she finally felt confident in making all of the transfers on the trolley system. The gate guard asked to report not to the pool but Vice Commandant -(TM)s office. Lt. Draco was sitting outside the Vice Commandant -(TM)s office when Marcia was at the door. -When we go inside, be sure to maintain a position of attention and look the Vice Commandant directly in the eyes, - Drakov directed. Entering the office, the voice from inside directed them to do so. The platoon sergeant of the cadre of cadets and Draco were waiting for me. Were you training the cadet before one cadet needed to recover from the water? The Vice Commandant of Cadets was female, mid-forties, and attractive in a way not usually associated with a uniform, offered formal greetings came to the point. -Shevat, we would like to reward you for saving this cadet -(TM)s life. She has explained to us what she did, and she knows it was not behavior acceptable to students at the national military academy. She is to be switched, twenty-five on her naked posterior, at the end of this class session. What we need to know from you is what you mean by, 'play along? - When she spoke, it was carefully phrased, -Ma -(TM)am. Noticed one of the female cadets struggling in the deep end of the pool, I dove down, provided a rescue breath, and undid her trousers. Her legs broke the surface the rest of her cadre filed into the pool area. Since this was a rescue, to use the effort as a rescue demonstration. I said -~play along, - hoping the cadet would stay in the rescued victim position and allow me to show the swimmers cross-chest carry to the rest of her class. Admittedly, I also hope the cadet would face less severe consequences for her actions. Poorly chosen words as they were, based on the fact she had nearly drowned, needed to be recovered from the water, - Marcia concluded. -Your heroic use of your training to rescue this cadet has earned you a commendation, Instructor. Offsetting this is your compassionate attempt to avoid being punished for her actions. That recklessly endangered her own life. Instructor, this normally would carry a fifty-switch penalty. However, I have offset forty strokes due to your heroic action. Instructor Shevat, please make yourself available at the end of the class day for necessary discipline, are dismissed. - -Well, that went better for you, - Lt. Drakov said softly to Marcia outside the office building. -Why I still get ten lashes, - Marcia replied. -Could have been fifty and then dismissal from the academy. The Vice Commandant saw the truth and compassion in your story and decided to take it easy on both of you. The cadet will remain with her cadre graduate, on time with her class, and will wear what all of us would consider a badge of honor on your rump for the next few days. You tried to save the girl twice, succeeded once and partially the second time, have our admiration, - Draco concluded. -Well, let me go get my work in before this happens, - Marcia smiled at Drakov and headed toward the pool. When she arrived poolside, Marcia found the same class of cadets waiting there as had been at the pool when the female cadet almost drowned herself. "Please, Instructor Shevat, - said the platoon sergeant, a male in his late twenties, -please demonstrate how you rescued Cadet Kara. - Marcia smiled and thought, 'Well, why not? After all, I am here to instruct and train, not just to get my work in'. She said, -Sergeant, please point out your weakest swimmers. - -Now, do the same with your strongest swimmers," Marcia ordered. The sergeant looked confused but did as instructed and sent another seven cadets to the left, leaving thirteen cadets and the sergeant standing in the center. -Sergeant, your strongest and weakest cadets will undress to proper swimming attire. - Drew laughs from the class, -while balance and yourself will report here in full combat gear and boots in five minutes, are dismissed. - Calling the twelve cadets to her side, Marcia outlined how the training would proceed, then individually showed the twelve cadets how to carry out the rescue drill. -One of you will have to go twice, and I will deal with the sergeant myself," Marcia concluded. Cadet Kara, the girl who disciplined that afternoon and one of those designated a -~weak swimmer, -(TM) volunteered to do double duty. -I know I can do this least allow me to try, - Kara declared. Marcia scanned the eyes of the other eleven rescue swimmers in training none offered a hint that anyone else should take Kara -(TM)s place. -Okay, I -(TM)ll be there if you need me. - Marcia drew on the confidence of the class in her decision. Five minutes later, the fourteen -~victims -(TM) appeared back in the pool area. -Sergeant, please climb the ladder on the one and one-half meter diving board, turn and face away from the pool, and walk backward until you fall off, - Marcia instructed. As the sergeant struggled up the ladder too narrow for a field pack, Marcia explained to the rest of the class that they would each follow. The cadet falling off the diving board had only one thing to do. Sink to the bottom of the pool. The rescuer was to call 'Victim in the water' to alert others to be ready to assist. Would then dive into the deep end and provide the victim with one rescue breath. Then using the cross-chest carry method Marcia had taught the twelve cadets, the rescuer would bring the victim to the surface and the side of the pool. Their others would help drag the victim out. -Sergeant, at your own time, begin, - Marcia called and watched the sergeant step off the board and plunge into the deepest portion of the pool. A deep breath, a smooth dive, a nose pinch on her victim followed by a breath of air into his mouth, a cross-chest carry position followed by strong scissor kicks brought Marcia and the sergeant to the surface. Using her legs and right arm, Marcia brought the sergeant to the poolside the cadets grabbed his arms and hauled him out of the water. A male cadet was next off the board, the exercise continued, and Kara was the rescuer. The procedure went smoothly. - The class rotated was Kara -(TM)s second turn at a rescue, this victim being a female not much bigger than Kara herself. The female cadet went off the diving board and hit the water awkwardly. Marcia was immediately at the poolside in case there was trouble. Kara dove to the bottom and found her victim on her side. Reviewing everything Marcia had said and shown the class, Kara shook the girl and got no response. All right, temporary loss of consciousness, breathing rate would be slower. Pinch nostrils and hold a hand over the mouth so the victim cannot reflexively breathe water. Get into position and push off with your legs. Now start scissor kicking and using your free arm. Surface in three seconds, two, one, broaching, then breathe, Kara, breathe. -Loss of consciousness, possible aspiration of water, I have a neck pulse, - Kara was yelling to the class when her victim opened her eyes and whispered, -Now that is the way to do a rescue, girlfriend. - With the cadet out of the pool, the wet uniformed half of the class retreated to the locker rooms to put on dry casual uniforms. Marcia had nothing to shave and would simply wait the punishment time. The parade ground was full of cadets and staff information to witness the punishments. Cadet Kara was brought out, in the formation of her cadre, in her place, but nude among her fellow cadets. Her sergeant ordered her two steps forward and presented her to the Academy Vice Commandant for discipline. Read the charges Kara strapped into a device that bent her over and spread her legs slightly apart. It held her firmly in place. Her sergeant then applied in even strokes spaced thirty seconds apart, twenty-five slashes from a leather switch them from the coccyx down her buttocks to her upper thighs and ending mid-way to the knee. The strokes were hard, evenly spaced and the welts raised were sufficient to suggest a return to class tomorrow would be uncomfortable if not downright unpleasant. Releasing Cadet Kara to her cadre, where she would remain at attention. Vice Commandant then called for Instructor Shevat to be brought forward for punishment. Lt. Drakov accompanied Marcia and presented her to the Vice Commandant. Marcia -(TM)s single charge attempted mitigation of a cadet -(TM)s breach of protocol read and the penalty of ten strokes. Marcia buckled into the same device used on the cadet before her as her superior was the Vice Commandant. She took off her dress tunic to allow freedom of movement. -Instructor Shevat, never have I had so defined a target for the administration of punishment, - the Vice Commandant remarked. Marcia thought for a moment as the first stroke of the switch struck her and remembered That her pure white backside from being covered by her bikini bottom was now going to be a purplish blotch of bruises. Marcia counted out loud as each bite of the leather switch took its toll upon her flesh. On reaching the tenth, she felt the device adjust to standing her up correctly, then release her. Marcia turned toward the Vice Commandant, knelt, kissed the toe of the commandant -(TM)s boot, and said, -Thank you for correcting my misguided behavior, Ma -(TM)am. - -Protocol did not require that, Instructor Shevat, yet, I feel you have even more so won the hearts of the men and women of this academy by your doing so. - The Vice Commandant then instructed Lt. Drakov to escort the newly punished Apprentice Aquatics Instructor to her office before being dismissed for the day. -Where did you learn punishment behavior, Instructor Shevat, - the Vice Commandant asked, -whoever taught you taught you well. - -As you may know, Commandant, my university offers a two-semester course preparing students for the exchange program with the National University of Danubia. The instructor of that course was a sociologist named Sarah Bushnell. Believes the students should be fully aware of all aspects of Danubian life before accepting the exchange. That included exposure to public nudity, religious public penance, criminal collaring, and corporal punishment. In the final weeks before accepting the exchange student position, I was switched with five lashes for demonstration of what might happen. Some dropped out of the program at that point. Most of the students dropping out were male students. Those of us left knew what to expect, Ma -(TM)am. - -Very well. Your work here thus far has been excellent, with nothing but positive remarks about your water safety and rescue training programs. I hope our relationship shall continue beyond the start of the university year when the rest of the cadet battalion returns from summer field games. Lt. Drakov will see to your arriving home safely. - Marcia turned to Lt. Drakov and meekly asked him, -Lieutenant, by the way, she hired me and switched me, but I -(TM)ve never caught the Vice Commandant -(TM)s name. - -Oh, I think you -(TM)d recognize the name when you hear it, - Draco chuckled. -Well? - an exasperated Marcia uttered sarcastically, -Are you going to tell me? - -Her name is Colonel Magda Dakota, my mother, - Drakov chuckled again. Resisting the temptation to rub her sore rear, Marcia muttered, -Your Mom sure swings a mean switch. - -She learned taming my two brothers and me as we grew up, - Draco grinned. The pair reached the motor pool, where the Vice-commandant -(TM)s driver and car awaited them. A much shorter while later than the trolley and transfer system allowed, Marcia was at the Siminov front door saying good night to the young officer in full uniform. To kiss him or not to kiss him, Marcia wondered. What was Danubian protocol on that? Marcia had the question answered by Ivan Simonov coming to the door and saying, -Lieutenant, if you wish to court this, you will begin by having dinner at my family table on Sunday. - Feeling dragged into the house by Ivan -(TM)s strong right arm, Marcia grinned back at Draco. She shrugged and said, -See you at work tomorrow? - His response, -Definitely! - thrilled her heart. Ivanka arrived home, saw her roommate -(TM)s backside, and took her into their shared water closet. A tube of cream, some of which Ivanka liberally applied to Marcia -(TM)s welts, was shown to Marcia. Use it once daily before bedtime until the bruising receded. To say the rest of the evening was uneventful compared to the day is an understatement. Chapter 6. Help, I -(TM)m Drowning Arriving at the academy gates the following morning, The guard instructed Marcia to go directly to the Vice Commandant -(TM)s office. -Go right in her office, expecting you, - came from the uniformed receptionist. Knocking, Marcia saw a light breakfast buffet on the table nearest the Vice Commandant -(TM)s window and a male officer standing nearby. The male looked like an older version of Lt. Drakov, and Marcia had another of her moments. -Brigadier Mykle Drakov, I would very much like you to make the acquaintance of Instructor Marcia Shevat, - Col. Drakova introduced the pair. -Instructor Shevat, my husband Brigadier Mykle Drakov, our Mykle is named after. - Marcia bowed, hands at her side. As she was still a public penitent and nude, Marcia could not salute. The usual protocol of kneeling before a superior was waived in the military, as was the kissing of the person administering punishment -(TM)s boots. Both viewed as not within military tradition The Brigadier acknowledged the formal greeting with a nod and gestured toward the table. -First turn around, Instructor, so the Brigadier may see your discipline completed, - the Vice Commandant chuckled. Marcia complied with the order, the ten purple stripes across her otherwise white backside showing up dramatically. She then took a cup of tea and a pear from the tray near the window and sat on a pillowed and toweled chair. -I am a military man and not one for mincing words, the point the colonel wishes brought to your attention, - the Brigadier voiced in a quiet yet authoritative tone. -Our son is attracted to you, Instructor Shevat, and has asked our permission to court you. We have two concerns that we would hope for you to assuage. First, do you have feelings for our son? Second, would you be willing to trade your life in America for one as a Danubian housewife? The relationship settles into one of serious permanence? - -I genuinely like your son. He is sweet and intelligent, makes me laugh, and taught me a great deal about the military culture in Danubia. I would be honored if he wished to court me. As to your second question, Sir, I have no answer. I have not yet begun my course work for the first semester of my exchange student status, and while I love the regimen here at the academy. I do not know if I could balance being courted, instructing here, and taking course work there. - Marcia spoke honestly. -We have spoken to the exchange student counselor at the university, Marcia, - Magda Drakova stated, -they have no objections to your doing your course work here, as your study of athletics and kinesiology would be the same in either institution. You will have access to our pool for your training whenever you need it, and work on coursework can also be done here in Danubian culture and history. -Your job as Instructor here entitles you to take classes at the academy free of charge. Exchange for your Aquatics Training - added Mykle Drakov, -so if you wanted to stay in Danubia beyond your student visa time, you have a job and schooling to justify your extension. - -A very tempting and interesting offer indeed, Brigadier, - Marcia turned to the Vice Commandant, -How many courses would I need to take here to qualify me as a student? - -Three a semester will give you the twelve contact hours your university requires, - the Vice Commandant replied. - During the week, we would like you to accept housing in the unmarried female staff barracks, as academy hours are more erratic than our public transportation allows. Our military priest and priestess assure us that you may continue your public penance while with the Siminov family and be absolved of it while on campus. Therefore, except for your poolside teaching duties, we like you to wear this. - She handed Marcia a garment bag. Marcia removed the garment. It was a modest caftan, in the military brown of the Danubian armed forces, the mandarin collar at the neck, pinched to a princess -(TM)s waist and coming to the floor, stopping just at Marcia -(TM)s ankles. A military belt for the loops above the hips of the caftan. The Danubian script letter I was on the epaulets, where the rank insignia would have been, and two medals hung from the left breast pocket. One was the Commendation of Heroic Action in Saving a Life award for the incident with Cadet Kara. The other was the Danubian Academician Second Class for her development of the aquatic training and water safety program. Soft fore and aft cap with the Danubian military griffon crest on the right and the letter I on the left completed the look. Marcia slipped the caftan on, still barefooted, and was surprised at the lightweight feel of the fabric, which looked so coarsely military but felt like silk against her body. -As a symbolic gesture toward your penance, you may remain barefoot until the cold weather sets in after the Days of the Dead at the Fall Equinox. - The Vice Commandant added. Giving the fist to chest salute and having it returned by her superiors for the first time (nude penitents do not salute) felt odd to Marcia, another protocol she would have to remember in the future. Worse was she left, the enlisted receptionist immediately jumped to her feet and saluted. Marcia returned it and told the girl to return to her duties. Mykle Drakov, Lieutenant, Danubian military, one look at Marcia in her uniform and did not know whether to laugh or to cry. To laugh for the sheer joy of the woman for whom he had affection being in the uniform of his life -(TM)s work or cry as now he could no longer openly stare at her beautiful body and drink in the woman whose essence made his life worthwhile. She saluted him, and he responded in kind. How best to normalize things with the now clothed Instructor? Ask Instructor Shevat if she had enough time for a cup of tea in the officers club. The next shock was bumping into Cadet Kara and her cadre. Salutes, -Doc-Doc Instructor Shevat, - echoed from the group. Instructor Shevat and Lt. Drakov entered the Officer -(TM)s Club. Marcia, this was a new experience since nude penitents could not be in the officers club. Over tea and biscuits, the couple spoke of all aspects of their duties. Marcia explained her incorporation of water safety, water rescue, and basic lifeguard techniques in the various cadet classes. She mentioned that several cadets had approached her, with permission, about starting intramural competitive swims. She asked Mykle if this was acceptable in society. Which physical culture was approved, competitive athletics were almost unknown. Mykle sipped his tea and thought for a moment, then suggested, -Why not come to dinner on Sunday at my parent -(TM)s, and we -(TM)ll all discuss this at that time? - -I should go see the Siminov family almost three weeks since we -(TM)ve broken bread, and I hate to admit it, but I miss Kivar and the twins, - Marcia responded. -We shall go together and visit your host family for an early lunch then, Marcia, and return to the academy for a late dinner with my parents. - Mykle made it sound so final that Marcia simply nodded in agreement. Marcia had three more aquatic training classes to finish that day and five scheduled for Saturday, and then she was free. Mykle was taking a group of senior cadets on a night exercise and would be on Sunday after 0800 hours. So it was agreed. Phone calls and the Siminovs and the Drakovs would both have guests at meals on Sunday. Chapter 7. Dining Out The trolley ride from the academy to the Siminov home took the usual two transfers, followed by a short walk to the family front door. Unsure of the protocol of entering while accompanied by Mykle, Marcia knocked and waited for someone to answer, and it happened to be Kivar. Quick-witted as always, Kivar yelled into the house, -Ivanka, there are two people in uniform at the door who wish to speak to you, - he then grinned and winked at Marcia. Ivanka came scampering to the door, her pubic region freshly shaved. Marcia realized it was near the start of the university semester. Ivanka had either just received her second twenty-five lash switching or was due for it tomorrow. -Stand for inspection, - Mykle snapped the order, playing along with Kivar, and Ivanka followed the order about facing and showing the two uniformed guests her bruised and welted bottom and thighs. Marcia giggled and blurted out, -Got you good this time, you naughty school girl? - -Oh, - Ivanka feigned anger when she realized it was Marcia in the female uniform, -It is only you two. Come in and make yourselves comfortable. - Kivar, beside himself laughing, ran to get out of his older sister -(TM)s sight. Seeing Momma and Poppa Siminov in the kitchen, Marcia quickly introduced Mykle and then asked if they might use Ivanka -(TM)s room for a moment. Both girls excused themselves while leaving the door open and removed the uniform to be as nude as the rest of the Simonov family. -Ah, that is more comfortable, - Mykle stretched and grinned. He asked Kivar, -Have you ever thought of a career in the military? - Ivanka muttered, -No, he destined to go on stage at the Socrates club as a comedian. - Brought howls of laughter from the adults, although the twins did not get the joke. Ivanka promised to explain things later, alone, and this satisfied Kaleen, and Martina was more fascinated by their military guest than a lame joke at the moment. -What are your intentioned toward my daughter, Marcia Shevat, Lt. Mykle Drakov? - The question came after a dessert of fruit and tea while the family sat in the dining room. -Ivan Siminov, I am here formally requesting your permission, and that of your family, to court your daughter Marcia Shevat, - Mykle answered formally. -You may do so in this home and of your parents. You may also do so while well chaperoned and in public. - Poppa Siminov gave the formal blessing. Mykle would have to send a gift, by courier, to the Siminovs by Wednesday of the following week to acknowledge his honorable intentions. He has chosen a family gift that would be both unique and one the family would not expect. After exchanging goodbyes -(TM) the couple, now again in uniform, left to take the double trolley trip back to the academy and Mykle -(TM)s parents -(TM) residence. Dinner at the Drakov -(TM)s was more formal, with orderlies serving the several courses of food and polite conversation held to a minimum. Talk about duty, class schedule, and cadet disciplining arose, including Marcia having to take the college course in the proper administration of corporal punishment. She was to continue in her post as Instructor of Aquatics training and Water Safety. Her courses in Leadership, Organization, and Structure of Danubian Society, and Military Law and Protocol had been going very well for Marcia. To set up the college course to appreciate the different cultural backgrounds the American student/instructor brought to the class discussion. Honored her input on many topics that otherwise would have resulted in the Danubian cadets resorting to rote memorization of facts. Brigadier Drakov that the cadet officer corps had asked that named an -Instructor of Merit - for her work to improve the cadets -(TM) physical well-being and motivation toward water safety. The Vice Commandant added that the Officer Instructors had requested Marcia be given full Instructor status following the end of this semester and the brevet rank of Signet, the lowest commissioned officer rank in the Danubian military. -Would you think extending your visa from a student stay to a working visa status, - Colonel Drakova asked, -and signing a three-year Instructor -(TM)s contract with the Academy? - -Wow, that is a lot of stuff to think about, - Marcia exclaimed, - I -(TM)m honored that your people think so highly of me, Brigadier, Colonel, and I will strive to meet or exceed the standard I have already set in my work as Aquatics Instructor. However, I am only a second-semester Junior in my American university and do not see how I -(TM)m qualified to do what you perceive me doing. - -Marcia Shevat, in conjunction with you still being a student and working as an instructor at this academy. Next semester you can complete all your course work here at the academy. Combined with the course of your American credit will add sufficient credits and practical experience to graduate from the Military Academy of Danubia, undoubtedly with honors. - Brigadier Drakov offered. Mykle Drakov then cut into the conversation with, - Besides all that, Marcia Shevat, my heart would break if you were not to stay. I -(TM)m sure the Siminov family would feel the same way. - Marcia laughed and said, -Kivar is already disappointed, and did you see the look on his face when he saw me in uniform instead of naked than the way he is used to seeing me? - -We make excuses for teenage boys, - Mykle chuckled, -all adult males pass through that stage. - -A gaggle of giggling teenage girls is almost as bad, - Marcia noted, -and I -(TM)ve seen some of the first-year cadets. Ogling one another on the poolside while waiting for their turns at lessons. I guess that sort of attraction built into us all, or none of us would be here. - -Using that as a segue, Marcia Shevat, - Colonel Drakova smiled, her voice was almost a whisper, -what are your intentions toward our son? - -~Oh my, now I -(TM)m committed, -(TM) Marcia thought, and then said, - I would, very much, request the honor of being allowed to see your son, Mykle a regular formal basis. - -Mother and Father, - Mykle interjected, -I have already asked permission of the Siminovs to court Marcia formally. - -So be it then, - the elder male Drakov pronounced, -from this day, you are welcome in this house as the official guest of our son, offer hospitality. - -Mykle, - asked his mother, -have you arranged a gift for the Siminovs? - -Yes, Mother, - rank is dropped a family matter, not a military one, - I have. Although it took some negotiation between the University and the office of the Spokesperson for the Criminal, I believe my gift is more than adequate. - His mother smiled. Marcia thought for a put two and two together and was pleased with Mykle -(TM)s thoughtfulness.