Chapter 8 - The Sergeant Who Said No
Ortiz asked for the original Black Ridge files through official channels. Within ten minutes, her request was denied by an office that shouldn't have known she had submitted it. The reason given was "ongoing contractor review."
"Convenient," she muttered.
Brooks stood beside Viper's kennel. "They sent a transfer order. Private holding facility, tonight."
"Who signed it?"
"Colonel Rusk. He says the dog is unfit for duty."
Ortiz read the order twice. "There is no veterinary finding. And the address belongs to Northgate, not the Army."
Rusk called before she could reply. His voice came through the speaker. "Captain, send the dog. Do not force me to relieve you."
"Sir, Dr. Chen has not cleared a transfer."
"Then find a doctor who will."
Brooks leaned toward the phone. "With respect, sir, Viper saved forty people this morning. You can suspend me. I'm not handing him to the company that loaded that truck."
Rusk went quiet. "You're making a serious mistake, Sergeant."
"Maybe. It would be my first one today."
The line went dead. Ortiz almost smiled, then looked frightened. She had just heard a junior sergeant risk his career for an animal that nobody in command wanted to remember.
Outside, Marcus watched workers unload equipment from a second Northgate vehicle. A black weatherproof case came down the ramp. Its lid bore a crooked red X.
Viper slammed his paws against the kennel door. Three taps. Then three more.
Marcus pulled the gate latch. "Easy, buddy. I see it."
A worker carried the case toward Hangar Four. June's voice came over Marcus's phone, sharp with fear.
May you like
"Don't let them open that at the test," she said. "That's the original Black Ridge archive."
Marcus watched the hangar doors begin to close around it.
