Chapter 7 - The Senior Command Intervenes
Crawford spun around on his heel, his face still pale with shock.
Standing ten feet behind them was an older senior officer—a two-star Major General wearing full service dress, accompanied by two armed aides. The General’s eyes were narrowed in intense anger as he looked from Crawford down to the Female Officer standing beside the memorial wall.
"Sir—I—" Crawford stammered, his usual military discipline entirely crumbling. He pointed a trembling finger back toward the woman. "She wasn't wearing rank... she was near the wall..."
"Shut your mouth, Captain," the General barked, his voice carrying the full weight of thirty-five years of command. "Step away from her immediately."
Crawford backed away three full steps, his hands shaking at his sides. He looked back at the woman, his eyes wide with growing dread as he realized the sheer magnitude of the career-ending mistake he had just made.
The Female Officer slowly slid the metallic edge back beneath her collar, smoothing the fabric down with two fingers until her uniform looked completely plain once again. She re-secured her patrol cap beneath her left arm, her expression returning to the same calm, unreadable composure she had maintained since the beginning.
The General walked past Crawford without giving him another glance, stopping two feet in front of the Female Officer. He stood at rigid attention and offered her a sharp, respectful salute.
"Ma'am," the General said quietly. "We were not informed you would be attending the ceremony in person."
May you like
"I was here to pay my respects to the wall, General," she replied softly. "Until your captain decided to conduct an inspection."
The General’s jaw set into a hard line. He turned his head slowly to glare at Crawford, who looked as if he wished the earth would open up and swallow him whole.
