Chapter 6 - Witnesses
The blow split Riley’s lip and drove her to one knee. Dust rose around her hand. The SEALs froze, caught between rank and instinct.
Kael lowered his fist.
“Drag her off my base.”
Nobody moved.
That was the first sign he had lost them.
Riley pressed her palm into the sand and breathed once. Then again. When she stood, there was no anger in her face. That frightened Kael more than anger would have.
“I warned you, Senior Chief.”
“You think you scare me?”
“No,” she said. “I think you just made witnesses.”
The words settled across the yard.
Webb stepped half a pace forward. Delaney’s jaw tightened. Two operators behind him exchanged a look. These were men trained to notice movement, timing, intent. They had seen the strike. They had seen Riley choose not to escalate. They had seen Kael turn authority into assault.
Kael pointed at Webb. “Back in formation.”
Webb did not move.
Kael’s voice dropped. “Operator, I gave you an order.”
Webb looked at Riley’s split lip, then at Kael’s fist.
“No, Senior Chief,” he said quietly. “You gave us evidence.”
A folder snapped behind the formation.
Captain Elias Morrow stepped into the training yard with two command staff beside him. His eyes moved over Riley, Kael, the operators, and the blood drying at the corner of Riley’s mouth.
Kael tried to speak. “Captain—”
May you like
“Stand down,” Morrow said.
The phrase hit the yard like a gate slamming shut.
