Chapter 9 - THE STANDDOWN
The Range Officer stepped forward, snapping to a rigid military attention. “Ma’am, Range Command is clearing Lane Twelve and the adjacent sectors for your exclusive use. The Base Commander is en route to your position now.”
“Thank you, Sergeant,” the woman replied, offering the Range Officer a brief, respectful nod. “Please instruct the shooters along the line to resume their scheduled qualification drills. I do not wish to interrupt legitimate training.”
“Yes, ma’am!” the Range Officer barked out, immediately turning toward the control tower and raising his radio to sound the range-resume signal.
The woman turned her full attention back to Mercer, who remained frozen on the concrete deck, his confidence completely dismantled in front of the very men he commanded.
“Colonel Mercer, you are relieved of your oversight duties on this range for the remainder of the day,” she stated quietly, her tone leaving zero room for debate or appeal. “You will report to the Range Headquarters building and await the Base Commander’s arrival. You may bring your coffee.”
Mercer’s face burned with intense humiliation, but the ironclad authority in her voice left him with only one viable response. He pulled his posture together, stood at stiff attention, and offered a crisp, formal salute.
May you like
“Understood, ma’am.”
The woman did not return the salute, as she was in civilian attire, but she acknowledged him with a sharp, icy nod. Mercer turned on his heel and walked briskly away down the concrete deck, his head held down, the sound of his boots echoing hollowly against the silence of the range.
