Chapter 2
Miller turned toward the doors, annoyed more than afraid.
That told me everything.
He still thought the room belonged to him.
The two MPs stopped when they saw me.
Then both of them straightened.
“General Carter,” one said.
The entire mess hall inhaled at once.
Miller froze.
His friends stepped back.
The Sergeant who recognized me closed his eyes like a man watching a train hit a wall.
Miller slowly turned back.
“General?”
I said nothing.
Silence can be useful when a man has already buried himself.
Natsu stayed between us, still calm under my hand.
The older MP looked at Miller.
“Specialist, step away from the general.”
Miller swallowed.
“Ma’am, I didn’t know—”
“I know.”
His face flushed.
“I thought you were a contractor.”
“And that made it acceptable?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Then why did you do it?”
He opened his mouth.
No answer came out.
The mess hall attendant, Mrs. Alvarez, came around the counter holding a towel.
Her hands were shaking.
“I’m sorry, General. I should have said something.”
I looked at her.
“This is not your fault.”
Miller’s Sergeant stepped forward.
“Ma’am, Sergeant Ryan Knox. I tried to stop him.”
I looked at him.
“After he shoved me.”
Knox’s face tightened.
“Yes, ma’am.”
That answer mattered.
He did not defend himself.
Miller tried again.
“General, I made a mistake.”
“You made several.”
I looked at the MPs.
“Escort Specialist Miller to the duty office. I want his commander notified immediately.”
Miller’s confidence cracked.
“Ma’am, please. This will ruin me.”
“No. Your choices may ruin you.”
The MPs moved.
Miller stepped back.
Natsu’s growl deepened.
Miller stopped.
He looked at the dog for the first time with real fear.
The MPs took him by the arms and led him out.
His friends followed, pale and silent.
The room remained frozen after the doors closed.
I picked up my tray.
Mrs. Alvarez reached for it.
“Please, ma’am, let me.”
I shook my head.
“I’ve got it.”
The tray had a crack down the middle.
Just like the morning.
I turned to the room.
“Everyone eat.”
Nobody moved.
So I added, “That was an order.”
Chairs scraped.
Forks lifted.
Conversations returned in whispers.
Mrs. Alvarez brought Natsu his sausage with tears in her eyes.
“He deserves two today,” she said.
Natsu accepted it gently.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Sergeant Knox appeared near my table.
“Ma’am, permission to speak.”
I looked up.
“Granted.”
He stood rigid.
“Miller’s behavior was not isolated.”
I set down my coffee.
“Explain.”
Knox glanced around.
“He’s been targeting civilians. Contractors. Kitchen staff. Junior enlisted. Anyone he thinks can’t push back.”
“Why hasn’t it been reported?”
Knox’s jaw tightened.
“It has.”
That made the room feel colder.
“To whom?”
He hesitated.
“Captain Harlan.”
Miller’s company commander.
I knew the name.
Perfect evaluations.
Fast promotions.
A favorite of the brigade commander.
I looked toward the doors.
“And what did Captain Harlan do?”
Knox’s voice dropped.
“He told us Miller was under pressure because his father is Senator Miller.”
There it was.
Not discipline.
Protection.
I stood.
Natsu rose with me.
Mrs. Alvarez whispered, “General?”
I looked at her.
“How many times has Miller bothered your staff?”
Her eyes filled.
“Enough that we hide when his unit comes in.”
My hand tightened around the tray.
May you like
I had come for eggs.
I had found rot.
