Chapter 9 - The Exercise Put Melody In Charge
On the final week of the exercise, severe thunderstorms created a
real-world complication.
Road flooding closed two routes near the training area.
The exercise command temporarily integrated actual support requirements
with simulated operations.
Melody’s section was positioned closest to a supply transfer point.
General Mercer assigned her to coordinate the immediate reroute.
Not Lena.
Mercer.
Melody looked toward Lena.
Lena said:
“You have the mission, Captain.”
Nothing more.
Melody made decisions.
She checked fuel twice.
She delegated clearly.
When a lieutenant raised a concern about bridge clearance, Melody
listened instead of dismissing him.
The convoy rerouted successfully.
Afterward Mercer congratulated her.
“You recovered well from the Sector Four error.”
Melody smiled.
“Thank you, sir.”
Then Mercer added:
“Your sister recommended I not intervene unless you asked.”
Melody blinked.
“She did?”
“She said you needed room to command.”
That mattered more to Melody than if Lena had solved everything for her.
Later she found Lena outside the operations center.
“You trusted me.”
Lena looked confused.
“You’re a captain.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Lena understood.
“Yes.”
Melody swallowed.
“Thank you.”
Lena smiled.
“Don’t make me regret it.”
Melody laughed.
May you like
For the first time in years, they sounded like sisters rather than
opponents.
