Chapter 6 - The Arrival of the Three-Star
The heavy brass doors of the main ICU concourse swung open with a loud, authoritative slam.
A tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a three-star general's uniform marched into the corridor, flanked by four armed Military Police officers.
His chest was covered in colorful ribbons, including the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.
It was Lieutenant General Marcus Vance—Chief of the Army Medical Department and my former commander at Cinder Pass.
Hospital staff froze in place, backing up against the walls as the three-star general marched straight toward us.
Pike immediately snapped to attention, raising a crisp, trembling salute as the general approached his position.
"General Vance, sir!" Pike shouted, his voice cracking with severe nervousness. "Welcome to Chesapeake Joint Trauma Center!"
General Vance didn't even look at Pike's salute; he walked right past him as if the colonel were made of glass.
He stopped three feet in front of me, his harsh, weathered face softening into a look of deep, paternal respect.
General Vance raised his right hand to his temple, rendering a sharp, rigid salute directly to a civilian nurse in blood-stained scrubs.
"Lieutenant Colonel Holloway," General Vance declared, his voice ringing loudly through the silent ICU corridor.
"It is an honor to stand in your presence again, soldier."
May you like
I stood tall, snapped my heels together, and returned the salute with perfect military precision.
"At ease, General," I replied softly. "It's been a long time."
