Chapter 7 - Inside the Perimeter
Morgan returned to Outpost 2960 on a stretcher, conscious enough to refuse sedation until the command log was secured.
Sterling waited beside the operations barrier.
His expression was not relief.
It was rage.
“You disobeyed a direct retrograde order.”
Morgan pushed herself upright against the medic’s protest.
“You declared me KIA while I was transmitting.”
“You were cut off.”
“You knew my position.”
“I made a battlefield decision.”
“You made a report decision.”
The soldiers around them went silent.
Sterling stepped closer.
“You endangered this entire outpost by staying behind.”
Morgan lifted the data book.
“Convoy Copper is alive because I stayed.”
Sterling reached toward the book.
Miller moved between them.
“Don’t.”
Sterling looked at him as though rank should end the conversation.
“Stand down, Master Sergeant.”
Miller did not move.
“Touch her again, sir, and I’ll report you resisted enemy capture.”
A ripple passed through the troops.
Sterling’s eyes widened.
“You’re threatening a commissioned officer.”
“No,” Miller said. “I’m preserving a witness.”
Sergeant Hale stepped forward holding a field log.
“FDC recorded the full transmission.”
Another soldier raised a radio handset.
“Convoy command confirms the launcher was operational.”
A medic spoke from behind Morgan.
“And Staff Sergeant Vance was alive when Captain Sterling submitted the casualty report.”
Sterling looked around.
May you like
The perimeter had not mutinied.
It had simply stopped protecting his lie.
