“Is that your final decision, Lieutenant Colonel?” Vance asked.

“It is, General. It’s final.”

I drew the administrative charge sheet into the middle of the blotter.

I wrote my full name, rank and primary duty title across the signature line.

My black ink stroke was clean, steady and unwavering on the official paper.

The administrative order was now legally binding and on record.

I capped my black pen with a sharp click.

I laid the capped pen flat across the top of the folder.