You chose to break pre-flight transit rules on drinking, as Corporal Reid’s squad log confirms.”

General Vance lifted the pen off the desk and held it just above the bottom line of the administrative order.

“By the authority vested in me, and in line with the administrative discipline chosen by Lieutenant Colonel Miller, I now finalize the following administrative penalties,” General Vance announced.

The room went totally silent except for the low hum of the air conditioner set into the wall.

“You are reduced in rank from lance corporal to private, effective immediately,” General Vance said.