Chapter 6 - The Strategy Session
Inside the study, the digital displays glowed softly in the afternoon light. Ramirez had already pulled up the secure satellite maps of the regional logistical hubs.
"Command wants you fully briefed on the upcoming Pacific-theater supply chain audit," Ramirez said, sliding into a leather chair opposite the desk. "With your new domestic posting, you’ll be coordinating intelligence oversight for all western command supply depots."
"Good," I said, pulling up my tactical terminal. "Let's pull the inventory manifests from the Seattle and San Diego ports. If there are supply chain vulnerabilities, we need to close the gaps before the end of the quarter."
For the next three hours, the outside world vanished. In the military, my mind found absolute clarity. There were no emotional manipulations, no family betrayals, no hidden agendas—only data, strategy, execution, and duty. It was the world I had chosen, and the world that had saved me.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in deep purples and oranges, my secure terminal beeped. A high-priority priority dispatch from General Mercer flashed on the screen.
“Colonel Bennett. Federal grand jury proceedings against Richard Bennett have been moved forward due to new evidence of offshore asset concealment. Your presence is requested in Washington next Tuesday for a closed deposition regarding the historical ownership of the estate trust.”
I tapped the confirmation key. "Understood, General. I'll be on the 0600 flight."
May you like
Ramirez watched me close the terminal. "Looks like you’re heading back into the storm, Colonel."
"It's not a storm, Sergeant," I said, standing up and buttoning my service jacket as I prepared for an evening briefing. "It's just the final clearance."
