“Paperwork never lies, Lance Corporal,” General Vance said.

“Lieutenant Colonel Miller has been acting under my direct authority since the moment she left her home station.”

He pointed to the ribbon rack on my jacket and named two of the overseas deployment ribbons.

“Her awards were earned through fifteen years of honorable service,” General Vance said.

“Every pin on that uniform was put there by official command authority.”

Carter swallowed hard, his throat bobbing against his tight collar.