An officer who uses rank only to crush a foolish subordinate tears down the very foundation of military order.

I turned back around to face the desk.

“I’d like Corporal Reid back in this room,” I said.

General Vance opened the liaison office door and signaled out into the concourse corridor.

Corporal Mason Reid came in right away, his boots striking the linoleum in quick, exact snaps.

He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck as the heavy door latched behind him.

“Stand at ease, Corporal,” I said.