The familiar smell of floor wax in the granite hallway hadn’t changed, and neither had the quiet authority of General Thomas Vance sitting behind his heavy oak desk.

He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, took them off, and polished the gold rims with a small square of dark silk.

“Your file came across my desk from the War College, Sarah,” he said, settling his glasses back on his nose.

“Lieutenant Colonel suits you.”

“Thank you, General,” I said.

He tapped a thick cream folder lying on his green desk blotter.

“The board unanimously recommended you for the Distinguished Honor Graduate track.