Led Into The Long Chamber
Two armed guards held her elbows, guiding her battered combat boots across the polished grey tiles.
Dust clung to the seams of her camouflage trousers, and dark streaks smeared across her forehead down to an open cut above her brow.
She did not resist the grip on her sleeves. Step by step, her boots struck the floor in a measured rhythm toward the double doors at the end of the corridor.
Beyond the entryway stretched a massive mahogany table flanked by senior military brass in full dress uniforms.
Gold braid, polished brass buttons, and medal ribbons lined both sides of the room, every face turned toward the entrance.
The guards steered her to the far end of the long conference table and released their hold.
She stood centered before the assembled panel, her gaze fixed straight ahead while dried blood crusted along the edge of her temple.
A Demand Across The Mahogany
“Place both hands flat on the table,” a low voice ordered from the center of the panel.
Her shoulders stayed rigid. She lowered her posture slowly, bending forward until her palms pressed firmly against the dark, reflective wood.
The fabric of her green tactical gloves scraped against the lacquered surface.
Across the back of her glove, printed block letters and numbers were clearly visible: “UNIQUE COAC: 0-7-K-9-E-X-V.”
At the center of the table, a two-star general leaned in over his crossed arms. His mouth set into a tight line as his eyes narrowed onto her face.
“You are a disgrace to the uniform,” the general stated, leaning his weight forward against his elbows.
Her expression did not shift. A tiny trail of sweat cut through the grit on her cheek, tracing down her jawline without breaking her forward stare.
The Shift In The Room
Down the length of the table, an older official in a dark tailored suit and blue tie tilted his chin down to inspect the glove markings.
His eyebrows drew together as his pupils focused on the printed sequence.
His eyelids snapped wide. His mouth fell slack, and his fingers tightened around the armrests of his leather chair.
He pushed his body upward from the seat so fast the castors rolled backward against the baseboard.
His cane struck the floor with a sharp crack that echoed off the high ceiling.
“Seal the doors!” the older man shouted, extending the tip of his wooden cane directly toward the seated brass.
His arm remained fully extended across the table. “Detain every officer on this panel, immediately!”
Orders Carried Out
The guards stationed at the back entryway shifted instantly, sliding their boots across the floor to secure the heavy double doors.
The lock clicked shut with a heavy metallic thump.
The officers along the table turned their heads in rapid succession, looking between the standing official with the raised cane and the female soldier resting her marked gloves on the wood.
The two-star general reached a hand to his collar, pulling gently at his tie as guards stepped inward along both sides of the long table.
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