Chapter 12 - A Commander Without a Command
Brennan returned to Meridian under a flag of surrender. She carried the microfilm cylinder openly and wore no weapon.
Rourke met her in the underground command center, surrounded by twelve armed Marines who believed they were containing a traitor. Price, Daniel, Ortiz, Voss, and Evan were restrained along the wall.
"You could have had an extraordinary career," Rourke said.
"I did."
"You confuse insubordination with courage."
"You confuse rank with character."
He demanded the cylinder. Brennan placed it on the table but kept one finger on it.
"Release them."
Rourke ordered the prisoners freed one at a time. Voss could barely stand. When only Price remained bound, Rourke seized the cylinder and discovered it empty.
The real microfilm was already traveling to Washington inside the medical helicopter that had evacuated Travis's body. Brennan had hidden it beneath the dead man's identity patch, knowing military protocol would preserve his effects as evidence.
Rourke drew his pistol.
Every Marine in the room raised a weapon at Brennan.
Then the command screens came alive.
Daniel had used his brief freedom to connect Price's phone to the base emergency network. Across the displays played Voss's confession, the surviving satellite files, and Garrett's bridge recording. Rourke's own voice ordered the destruction of a Navy relief ship.
The Marines lowered their weapons one by one.
Rourke fired at Brennan. Ortiz struck his arm aside, and the bullet buried itself in the ceiling. Price tackled him. Brennan took the pistol and stepped back rather than use it.
Outside, sirens converged on headquarters. Federal agents entered with warrants issued minutes earlier after the microfilm reached Washington.
Rourke looked around at the officers who no longer obeyed him.
"This institution will protect itself," he said. "It always does."
"An institution is people making choices," Brennan replied. "Tonight they can choose differently."
Rourke was led away in restraints. Marcus and Cole surrendered. Garrett was arrested aboard the grounded Resolute. Voss requested no immunity and confessed to every act he had enabled.
At sunrise, Brennan stood outside Depot Seventeen. Daniel joined her with two coffees.
"Is it over?" he asked.
She watched investigators carry boxes into the rain.
"This part is."
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Her phone rang from a number that should not have existed.
The caller identification displayed her father's name.
