Chapter 9 - UNWRITTEN PROTOCOLS
With the facility completely emptied, the hum of the overhead ventilation system sounded loud against the concrete walls. The massive American flag hanging behind the platform seemed to cast a long shadow across the blue combat mat.
The Pentagon Observer reached into his dark uniform jacket, pulling out a small, leather-bound credential pass stamped with a gold eagle emblem.
"Operator Mitchell," the Observer said, stepping closer. "Or should I refer to you by your primary call sign from Sector Seven?"
Avery did not blink. "Mitchell is my legal name, sir. My past assignments were cleared under executive order."
"Executive orders cover operational silence, child," the Observer replied gently, a subtle look of profound respect softening his hardened features. "They do not erase the fact that you were trained by the late Colonel Vance."
Commander Hayes’ eyes widened slightly as the name dropped. "Vance? The ghost unit from the ninety-nine Balkan corridor?"
"The very same," the Observer confirmed, looking at Hayes. "Vance only trained six operators in his entire lifetime. Every one of them was listed as missing in action after the ridge collapse in zero-four."
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The Observer turned back to Avery, his eyes searching hers with deep intensity. "We believed that entire lineage of hand-to-hand combat science was wiped off the map. To see it executed here... on a standard training mat in front of three hundred recruits..."
"It was necessary to neutralize the threat without causing permanent structural damage to the instructor, sir," Avery stated simply.
