MAYA CARTER:
"Because the evacuation route had been compromised."
GENERAL STERLING:
"You had no authority to make that decision."
MAYA CARTER:
"Forty-two people were still waiting for evacuation."
The room became noticeably quieter.
A few officers seated along the walls looked at one another.
General Whitaker stopped turning the pages.
GENERAL WHITAKER:
"Forty-two people?"
MAYA CARTER:
"Forty-two personnel were trapped beyond the northern checkpoint. Their location was known to the command center."
GENERAL STERLING:
"That number is not included in the official operational record."
MAYA CARTER:
"That is precisely the problem."
The general placed his pen on the table.
GENERAL STERLING:
"Captain, you are making serious accusations against senior command personnel."
MAYA CARTER:
"I'm describing what happened to the people who were left behind."
GENERAL STERLING:
"Enough."
His voice echoed through the chamber.
Maya stopped speaking.
The military clerk looked down at his papers.
General Sterling adjusted his uniform collar and turned toward the other members of the tribunal.
GENERAL STERLING:
"This hearing is not an opportunity for an officer to rewrite history simply because she disagrees with the consequences of her own decisions."
He paused before continuing.
GENERAL STERLING:
"Captain Carter's conduct demonstrates a fundamental failure of military discipline. Her continued possession of classified equipment is also a matter of concern."
The general looked directly at Maya.
GENERAL STERLING:
"Until this tribunal reaches its final determination, I recommend the immediate suspension of her rank and operational privileges."
A murmur passed through the courtroom.
Maya remained still.
Her hands were still held together in front of her.
The damaged glove on her left hand was partially hidden beneath the torn sleeve of her uniform.
The general motioned toward the senior official standing nearby.
GENERAL STERLING:
"Proceed with the removal of her captain insignia."
The official stepped forward.
He reached toward the insignia attached to Maya's uniform.
For the first time, she moved.
It was only a small movement.
Her left hand shifted slightly, and her fingers tightened inside the damaged glove.
The official stopped for a fraction of a second.
Maya looked down at his hand.
Then she looked back toward the general.
MAYA CARTER:
"Before you take anything from me, I want the tribunal to examine the evidence recovered during the operation."
GENERAL STERLING:
"All relevant evidence has already been reviewed."
MAYA CARTER:
"Not all of it."
GENERAL STERLING:
"What exactly are you referring to?"
Maya lifted her left hand a few inches.
The destroyed tactical glove was clearly visible now.
Its outer surface was covered in scratches, burn marks, and deep cuts. Several sections of the material had been torn apart, revealing a darker inner layer.
GENERAL WHITAKER:
"What is that?"
MAYA CARTER:
"The only thing I managed to bring back from the communications station."
GENERAL STERLING:
"That equipment should have been surrendered to military intelligence immediately."
MAYA CARTER:
"It was."
GENERAL STERLING:
"Then why is it still in your possession?"
Maya looked at him without answering immediately.
The question seemed to carry a weight that none of the officers had anticipated.
MAYA CARTER:
"Because the people who were supposed to examine it were the same people who wanted it destroyed."
General Sterling's expression changed.
GENERAL STERLING:
"Be careful, Captain."
MAYA CARTER:
"I have been careful for a very long time, General."
The senior official stepped closer.
He examined the damaged glove.
At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a piece of ruined military equipment.
Its outer material was scorched, its stitching had come apart, and the fabric near the wrist had been cut almost completely through.
But beneath the damaged surface, a small section of reinforced material remained intact.
Maya turned her wrist slightly.
A faint series of engraved characters became visible.
The official leaned closer.
He could not immediately understand what he was looking at.
It did not resemble an ordinary serial number.
It was not a standard equipment identification label.
Instead, the characters appeared in several groups, separated by small markings that resembled military authentication symbols.
General Whitaker stood slightly forward in his chair.
GENERAL WHITAKER:
"Is that a manufacturing code?"
MAYA CARTER:
"No."
GENERAL WHITAKER:
"Then what is it?"
MAYA CARTER:
"A verification sequence."
GENERAL STERLING:
"That is enough. Remove the glove and submit it for inspection."
Maya did not immediately respond.
The official reached toward the glove again.
This time, another voice interrupted the proceedings.
DEFENSE SECRETARY DAVID BROOKS:
"Stop."
The single word carried across the courtroom.
Every person turned toward the entrance.
David Brooks had entered without the usual announcement.