Chapter 3 - The Four-Star Salute
|
"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise," the master of ceremonies announced over the speakers, his voice echoing across the silent room. "Welcome the senior military liaison responsible for authorizing today's historic defense partnership."
The heavy oak doors at the back of the ballroom swung wide open.
A bright spotlight shifted away from the main stage, ignoring the corporate executives and ignoring my sister. It cut across the marble floor and stopped dead on me.
A four-star General walked into the ballroom, flanked by two full-bird Colonels and a military police escort. It was General William Vance—the Chief of Staff of Army Material Command.
Every uniformed service member in the hall instantly snapped to attention.
My father frowned, muttering under his breath. "Why is he looking over here?"
Madison quickly adjusted her dress, plastering a fake smile back onto her face as she took a step toward the General. "General Vance! Welcome! I am Madison Carter, the executive who negotiated—"
General Vance walked right past her as if she were made of glass.
He marched across the polished floor, stopped exactly two feet in front of me, and brought his hand up to his brow in a crisp, flawless military salute.
"Colonel Emily Carter," General Vance said, his booming voice cutting through the quiet room.
My father’s hand dropped to his side. Madison’s smile froze into a grotesque mask.
"On behalf of the Department of the Army," General Vance announced loudly, "thank you for your exceptional leadership and uncompromising integrity in overseeing the acquisition program that secured today's five-hundred-million-dollar defense contract."
May you like
The ballroom went completely breathless.
My mother gasped, clutching my father's arm so hard her knuckles turned white. "What... what did he just say?"
