Chapter 7 - The Shadow of Angel
The single word was soft, barely louder than a breath, yet it carried an extraordinary weight that seemed to freeze the immediate air on the command deck.
Tara, whose senses were tuned to catch the faintest shifts in her environment, slowly raised her hazel eyes from her rifle case and locked them directly onto the Senior Official standing twenty yards away on the platform. There was no surprise in her face—only a deep, quiet acknowledgment.
Rear Admiral Crawford turned his head slowly toward the Senior Official, his brow furrowing in deep irritation.
"What did you just say?" Crawford demanded, his voice sharp and dismissive. "What is that paper? Some late entry form?"
The Senior Official didn't answer him. His eyes remained fixed on Tara, filled with an unreadable mix of sudden reverence, shock, and profound fear—the look of a man who had suddenly realized he had been standing in the presence of a legendary, classified entity without knowing it.
"Official!" Crawford barked louder, stepping closer and extending a hand. "Hand me that document!"
The Senior Official instantly pulled the document back against his chest, sliding it securely into the manila envelope and folding the top down tightly.
"This document is classified under National Security Executive Order 12958, Admiral," the Senior Official said, his tone entirely transformed. The nervous deference he had shown Crawford all morning had vanished, replaced by rigid military authority. "You do not have the clearance level to view this file."
Crawford stared at him, stunned. "I am a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy! I run this facility!"
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"And this order comes directly from the Office of the Secretary of Defense," the Senior Official replied coldly. "Effective immediately, all artificial range alterations are to cease."
He turned to the range master. "Shut down those wind machines. Now."
