Chapter 2 - Revealing The Hidden Silver Insignia
Elena slowly withdrew her hand from her breast pocket, bringing the solid silver colonel eagles into the cold mess hall light.
Major Thomas Sterling blinked hard, his eyes fixing on the gleaming metal pins as the absolute weight of reality began to descend.
“Colonel... that’s impossible,” Sterling whispered, his face draining of its arrogant color until he looked like carved marble.
“Nothing is impossible when you wear civilian oversight blinders, Thomas,” Elena replied, her voice cutting through the stunned silence like a razor.
Private Miller stopped crying, wiping his eyes with a shaking sleeve while staring at the unexpected stars now gleaming on Elena’s collar.
Sergeant Hayes snapped straight into a rigid position of attention, his posture instantly correcting itself as institutional discipline reasserted control.
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“Lock down the exits, Sergeant,” Elena ordered, her tone carrying the absolute authority of the Office of the Inspector General.
“Yes, Colonel!” Hayes shouted back, his voice ringing with a newfound strength that banished his previous fear.
