Chapter 6 - THE VOICE FROM THE SHADOWS
Brock grunted, dragging his knees under himself as he prepared to push back up to his feet and attempt to regain whatever scrap of dignity he had left.
Before his boots could find solid purchase on the asphalt, a loud, thunderous, and deeply authoritative voice boomed out across the parade field, echoing through every speaker connected to the podium's live audio system.
"Commander Sullivan..." the voice resonated, deep and terrifyingly calm. "...do you have any idea who you just hit?"
Every senior officer, Marine, and sailor within fifty yards immediately snapped their heads toward the reviewing stand.
Brock froze mid-rise, hovering on one knee, his face instantly draining of all color.
Avery slowly turned her head, her calm brown eyes lifting toward the elevated canopy.
Beneath the deep shade of the structure, the silhouette of a high-ranking Admiral slowly stood up from the central chair, stepping forward into the light just enough to reveal three glittering stars on his shoulder boards, while keeping his face partially obscured in the shadow of his cover.
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Sergeant Major Reed stood beside the canopy pillar, perfectly motionless, his stern expression revealing that he had known this intervention was coming the second Brock had laid a hand on Captain Hayes.
Brock looked back at Avery, his jaw trembling, his mind frantically trying to piece together the terrifying truth behind the quiet administrative captain standing before him.
