Evan slowly turned his head to the right and looked up over his shoulder.

Four silver stars stared back down at him.

Evan’s mouth hung open for two full seconds before his knees snapped together with a sharp crack.

He shot up out of the blue vinyl chair, his boot heel striking the terrazzo floor hard, and threw his right hand up into a stiff, shaky salute that wavered near his eyebrow.

“Sir,” Evan stammered, his cheeks burning bright red under the harsh fluorescent lights of Gate C27.

“Lance Corporal Carter, sir.