So, advice, please! I have a female character masquerading as a male. She's also very outspoken about my main character, a captain of a ship, being incompetent. Naval code means she should be flogged if she says something too harsh against the leader. Do I go through with it?

Pros: Difficult scene that will challenge MC's morality.
	Will out female character as female, something that I need a way to do
	Will show that bad things really do happen at sea
	Will build conflict

Cons: I'm concerned it might be too much. I've had violence, but this'll be brutality, not fighting for one's life.
	I don't want to give the wrong idea with outing the female character. I'm concerned that this might.

That's my thinking, at least! Thoughts?