"I, I, I..." Commander Partt was drenched in sweat, his lips trembling uncontrollably. His sky-blue shirt was quickly soaked.
"I went to the warehouse. Some of that gauze has already turned yellow. It's clearly substandard, and if you had checked it, you would have definitely noticed," Cross said, his eyes cold. "Don't tell me you didn't inspect this batch of medical supplies!"
Marine regulations state that important supplies such as weaponry and medical supplies must be personally inspected by the head of logistics. If ten random items pass the inspection, five more inspectors must then randomly check twenty more items. Only if those also pass can the entire batch be accepted and stored in the warehouse.
During his time on Shanna Island, half of Branch 211's supplies were purchased from the Bion Kingdom. Cross often personally inspected the supplies when they were received, so he was very familiar with these procedures.
Now, with half of the medical supplies being substandard, he couldn't possibly say that all thirty randomly checked items passed the inspection. Such a claim wouldn't absolve him of guilt.
Commander Partt looked at Cross's icy gaze, feeling as if he were being stared down by a terrifying beast. The pressure made him tremble uncontrollably.
At the same time, Vian glared at Commander Partt in anger. A doctor's heart is filled with compassion. As a doctor, Vian couldn't stand the thought of Marines who could have been saved being amputated or even dying because of substandard medical supplies.
"If you know anything, you'd better say it now. Otherwise, I'll assume you're covering for them," Cross said, his expression menacing. "If you were involved, you'd better confess honestly to lessen your crime. But if I find out on my own, the first head I'll cut off is yours!"
"C-Commodore Cross, I swear I wasn't involved!" Commander Partt was terrified. He explained with a panicked expression, "This batch of medical supplies was received 15 days ago from the Jimmy Trading Company. At that time, the person in charge of the Jimmy Trading Company invited us from the logistics department out for drinks. We've also had a good relationship with them for several years, and there have never been any issues with their weaponry or medical supplies. So, we didn't inspect them carefully and sent them directly to the warehouse!"
"So what you're saying is, the logistics department wasn't involved at all, and the fault lies with the Jimmy Trading Company?" Cross narrowed his eyes, his voice low.
"Commodore Cross, I heard that you and Rear Admiral Tokikake established Branch 211, so you must understand that there are always shady dealings in lucrative positions like the logistics department, such as kickbacks, false reports, and fraud. I certainly won't claim to be completely clean," Commander Partt said, no longer hiding anything. He shakily took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his face. "But making half of the medical supplies substandard? That's too big a deal! You could kill me, and I wouldn't dare to do something like that!"
Cross pondered for a moment, then said in a cold voice, "So, the Jimmy Trading Company deliberately invited you to a meal and, relying on your relationship and your carelessness, slipped this batch of medical supplies into the warehouse?"
"That's right! That's exactly it!" Commander Partt nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick, quickly justifying himself. "If I had known about this, a matter that could lead to a court-martial or even a hanging, I would never have let these supplies into the warehouse! Oh, that's right! It must be Jimmy Capo!"
Suddenly, Commander Partt seemed to have a realization and said loudly, "The person who used to be in charge of dealing with our Branch G-2 was someone else. Jimmy Capo was just recently transferred to the position, and he was the one who invited the logistics department to dinner last time!"
"Jimmy Capo?!" Cross frowned and asked in a low voice, "Who is he? And what's his relationship with Jimmy Myers?"
"He's the younger brother of Jimmy Myers, the president of the Jimmy Trading Company. He's a notorious gambler and even has a history of gambling away the company's funds!" Commander Partt said excitedly. "It has to be him. An ordinary person wouldn't be bold enough to tamper with Marine supplies. He probably lost the Jimmy Trading Company's funds in a casino and is using this method to cover up his losses!"
"Even if what you're saying is true, wouldn't that Jimmy Capo be afraid of the Marines coming for him after the matter is exposed?" Cross asked, puzzled.
"Jimmy Capo is Jimmy Myers's biological brother, and the Jimmy Trading Company has the World Government as its backer. They have partnerships with many high-ranking officials in the World Government and with many kingdoms. They're connected in both the legitimate and underworlds. If Jimmy Myers is determined to protect his brother, he just needs to get the World Government to pressure the Marines and offer up a few scapegoats, which would be enough to give the Marines an explanation!" Commander Partt grew more confident as he spoke, believing his guess was correct.
Cross frowned and fell silent for a while. After thinking it over, he turned to Vian and asked, "Vian-san, how much of what he said do you think is true?"
Vian hesitated for a moment and said slowly, "Commodore Cross, I don't know who this Jimmy Capo person is, but it's true that the Jimmy Trading Company is very influential and well-connected."
Cross nodded with a poker face, turning his attention back to Commander Partt. He said in a deep voice, "I'll take your word for it for now, but I'll continue to investigate. Also, with such a major incident, your logistics department is not getting away with the crime of negligence! If you want to lessen your crime, you'd better investigate your own people and see if those inspectors that day had a problem. Don't say I didn't warn you if I find out before you do, or if a special inspector sent by Marine Headquarters finds out!"
After the warning, Cross demanded the record of the supplies from that day from Commander Partt, then left the logistics department with Vian.
On the way, Vian looked hesitant and asked in a low voice, "Commodore Cross, do you really believe Commander Partt's words?"
Cross shook his head and said in a calm tone, "About half. I'll learn more about this Jimmy Capo person before I decide. But what he said makes some sense. With so many substandard medical supplies entering the Branch G-2 warehouse, it couldn't have been hidden for long. As soon as it's exposed, the logistics department and Commander Partt would be the first to face the music. So he shouldn't be so foolish as to be the one to do it openly."
"Then, what if it really was this Jimmy Capo? What if the Jimmy Trading Company goes all out to protect him, gets a high-ranking World Government official to pressure the Marines, and offers up some scapegoats in exchange?" Vian asked, his expression heavy.
"It's simple," Cross said, looking at Vian with a serious expression and a fierce tone. "Whoever is responsible for the substandard medical supplies dies. Even the Celestial Dragons can't save them. I'll make sure of it."
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