“Lieutenant Colonel Miller is the lead Inspector General evaluator high command assigned to carry out your battalion’s unannounced readiness audit,” General Vance said flatly.

Evan’s jaw sagged open again, but no sound came out.

“She has direct authority to certify or fail your unit’s administrative standing before you ever set foot on the training field,” General Vance added.

The news landed like a heavy iron weight dropped on the thin concourse carpet.

Evan’s shoulders slumped and his chest caved in as his boot heel finally stopped its quick drumming against the terrazzo, and for the first time all afternoon he looked exactly as young as he was.

Across the walkway, Clara Higgins stepped back behind her two children, adjusting her heavy shoulder bag as she watched without a word.