Never Confuse Loud People With Strong Ones

My breath caught.

Then her voice rang out through the speakers — clear, unshakeable, steady as a drawn line.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for a toast to Rear Admiral Maren Rowe.”

Somewhere near the front, a crystal glass shattered against the marble.

Chapter 4 — The Admiral’s Truth

For one suspended second, the ballroom ceased to exist. The words hung over the crowd like a signal flare no one had the clearance to answer.

Rear Admiral Maren Rowe.