Chapter 13 - The Order Nobody Wanted
General Shaw listened to the recording once. When it ended, she turned to Ortiz. "Do we know it's authentic?"
"Not yet, ma'am. It needs forensic review. But the voices, times, and archived incident log match preliminary records."
Shaw nodded. "Preserve everything. Suspend Lantern's demonstration. No vehicle moves until range safety clears it independently."
Rusk arrived halfway through the order. "General, you're canceling an evaluation based on a disgraced soldier and an unauthorized recording?"
"I'm canceling it because unsafe equipment was found on my range. The recording makes me want answers."
"Northgate will file a complaint."
"They can put it in writing."
Outside headquarters, Vale intercepted Marcus beside a row of parked vehicles. His smile was gone. "You're costing people jobs. Hundreds of them."
"Danny lost his life."
"And you think wrecking this contract changes that?"
"No. I think telling his daughter the truth changes something."
Vale reached into his jacket. Marcus tensed, but the man produced an envelope filled with legal language and a settlement offer. Northgate would provide generous compensation if Marcus agreed to withdraw all statements and stop contacting witnesses.
"You can't buy his name," Marcus said.
"You'd be surprised what you can buy."
Marcus handed back the envelope. "Not this."
Vale got into his SUV and drove toward the hangars. Minutes later, June radioed Ortiz from the operations office.
"The official stop order went out," she said, breathless. "But Northgate has a separate convoy staged under a private test authorization. The vehicles are already being loaded."
"They can't use this range without permission," Ortiz said.
"They've labeled it equipment recovery. The drivers think they're taking role players back to the staging area."
In the distance, a column of dust rose beyond the motor pool.
May you like
Marcus knew what it meant before the radio confirmed it.
The convoy was moving.
