Chapter 5 - Sterling
Colonel Victoria Sterling did not shout because she had never needed volume to make people afraid. The courtyard belonged to her before she crossed half of it. Soldiers straightened without orders. Vance went pale before she even said his name.
She stopped beside Sarah and lowered herself carefully despite the stiffness in her left leg. Her eyes moved over the torn fabric, the gravel embedded in Sarah’s sleeves, the shallow rise and fall of her breathing. Sterling’s jaw tightened once, then settled back into command.
“Private Jenkins,” she said. “Can you hear me?”
Sarah’s eyelids fluttered.
“Don’t move,” Sterling said. “Help is coming.”
Vance swallowed. “Ma’am, with respect—”
“No.”
The word hit harder than shouting.
Sterling stood and turned toward him. “You will not decorate this with respect.”
The formation seemed to shrink.
Vance tried again. “She was resisting corrective training.”
Sterling looked toward the soldiers. “Who here saw Private Jenkins refuse an order?”
No one spoke.
Caleb’s hands trembled.
Sterling’s gaze found him. Not accusing. Not forgiving. Just seeing.
Caleb stepped forward before fear could drag him back. “Ma’am.”
Vance snapped, “Ross—”
Sterling did not look away from Caleb. “Speak.”
Caleb’s voice cracked. “Private Jenkins completed the drill. Sergeant Vance ordered the low crawl after completion. She reported pain. He continued.”
Vance’s face hardened. “He’s lying.”
Another soldier stepped forward. Then another.
“No, ma’am,” one said. “Ross is telling the truth.”
Sterling’s eyes returned to Vance.
May you like
Something in the air changed.
Power had moved.
