Chapter 17 - The Verdict
At 13:00 hours, the inspection team reconvened on the asphalt pad. The lead IG colonel was holding a signed document with a thick red seal across the bottom corner. His expression, which had been severe and skeptical all morning, had transformed into one of stunned, grudging admiration.
Hayes stepped forward, taking the document from the IG’s hand and walking directly toward me.
"Well, Mara," Hayes said, his voice carrying clearly across the assembled ranks of hundreds of soldiers standing at attention. "The Inspector General’s office has completed its audit. Not only are the maintenance rates at ninety-eight percent—the highest in the entire division—but every single logistical discrepancy from the past three years has been fully rectified."
A collective wave of relief seemed to ripple through the ranks of the soldiers standing behind me. The dark cloud that had hung over the 3rd Armored Cavalry for years was finally lifting.
"Furthermore," Hayes continued, raising his voice so it echoed across the entire base, "the preliminary inquiry into former Lieutenant Colonel Thorne’s administrative corruption has uncovered systematic fraud. Warrants for his arrest and formal court-martial proceedings have already been signed by the Chief of Staff of the Army."
Hayes paused, looking down at the document before handing it to me.
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"Official commendation for exemplary leadership under extraordinary operational pressure," Hayes said quietly, his eyes locking onto mine. "You saved this regiment, Colonel. In less than forty-eight hours."
"I just did my job, General," I replied, accepting the document and tucking it under my arm. "The soldiers did the rest."
