Chapter 6 - Unearthing the Ghost ReportOn Monday morning, Major Crane walked into the nurse's station, holding a folder of transfer orders. He had a smug smile on his face as he looked at Mara, who was quietly charting patient vitals.
"Lieutenant Vance," Crane said, sliding the folder onto her desk. "Your transfer to Fort Greely, Alaska, has been approved. You'll be leaving on Wednesday morning. Pack your things."
Mara looked at the folder, but she didn't shrink back this time. She looked directly into Crane's eyes. "I’m not signing those orders, Major."
Crane’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by a dark, dangerous scowl. He leaned over the desk, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You don't have a choice, Vance. If you refuse these orders, I will have you formally charged with insubordination. You’ll be leaving this base in handcuffs, not a uniform."
"Actually, Major," I said, stepping out from the corridor behind him. "She isn't going anywhere."
Crane spun around, his jaw clenching. "Commander, this is an administrative matter. Mind your own business."
"I made it my business when I found the unredacted communications log from Helmand Province, Silas," I said, pulling the printed document from my pocket and placing it on the desk between them.
Crane looked down at the paper, and I watched the color rapidly drain from his face as his eyes scanned the text. His hand began to shake, mirroring the very tremor he had mocked in Mara for months.
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"This... this is classified," Crane stammered, his voice losing all its authority.
"It’s evidence of corporate theft, fraud, and the falsification of official military records," I said. "And if you try to process those transfer orders, this file goes directly to the Inspector General’s office before lunch."
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