Chapter 6 - Actually, Commander
The medal appeared in Serena’s hand.
It represented rank, service, and authority Adrian had spent his career claiming to respect.
She placed it on the table.
The metallic clink silenced the room.
Adrian stared at it before his gaze finally rose to the insignia on Serena’s uniform.
His confidence collapsed.
“Actually, Commander…” Serena said.
Adrian released her sleeve.
“You’re way out of line.”
He attempted to stand, but his chair caught against the carpet.
“Admiral Cole, I sincerely apologize. I did not realize…”
“That I outranked you?”
His mouth closed.
Serena kept her voice quiet.
“Would your actions have been acceptable if I did not?”
“No, Admiral.”
“Yet you believed they were acceptable thirty seconds ago.”
Adrian looked toward Howard, hoping for rescue.
The vice admiral gave him none.
Serena turned to Maya.
“Lieutenant Chen, did Commander Vale ask you to change the approved seating arrangement?”
Maya hesitated.
Adrian’s eyes fixed on her.
Serena noticed the fear immediately.
“You are not required to answer in this room,” she said. “But you are protected if you choose to.”
Maya inhaled.
“Yes, Admiral.”
“Has he threatened your career after professional disagreements?”
Adrian stood.
“This is inappropriate. Lieutenant Chen has a history of insubordination.”
Serena turned toward him.
“Sit down, Commander.”
The order was not loud.
Adrian obeyed.
Maya’s voice trembled at first, then became steady.
“He removed me from the planning team after I identified a safety issue. My evaluation changed afterward. Other officers have experienced similar retaliation.”
Chief Daniel Ruiz rose from another table.
“She’s telling the truth.”
Then a lieutenant commander stood.
Then a civilian maintenance specialist.
One by one, people who had been silent because they believed they were alone discovered that they were not.
May you like
Adrian looked around the room he had expected to control.
For the first time, no one appeared afraid of him.
