“They call me their success story,” she began, trembling with rage. “They say their advanced armor saved my life. It’s a lie. My whole squad was wiped out in that valley because the ceramic plates Vance Defense Solutions supplied were defective.

They shattered on the first impact. I only survived because I was buried under rubble.”

My chest tightened. “Why didn’t you go to the press? Why didn’t you testify?”

Maya stopped and looked at me, her eyes hollow. “Because Harrison Vance visited me in the hospital. He brought a pre-written confession saying I led my squad into an unapproved zone, against direct orders.

He told me if I ever spoke about the armor, he’d have me court-martialed for treason and blamed for the deaths of my friends. He had the power to do it.

So I smiled for the cameras and let Patricia parade me around.”