There was no explicit instruction to falsify maintenance records.
But the message established that the regional command office had been monitoring the figures closely.
Maya requested that the communication be preserved.
She also asked headquarters to identify whether General Vale had received the original maintenance concerns before the evaluation.
If he had, the investigation would need to determine what he knew and what actions he took.
Daniel looked concerned.
DANIEL PRICE: "Colonel, this could become a very large investigation."
MAYA BROOKS: "It already is."
DANIEL PRICE: "Do you think the regional command knew about the altered reports?"
MAYA BROOKS: "We don't know yet."
DANIEL PRICE: "But the messages suggest they were involved."
MAYA BROOKS: "They suggest the regional command was monitoring the readiness figures. We need evidence before deciding whether anyone knowingly approved inaccurate reports."
Daniel nodded.
He understood the distinction.
Maya was determined not to repeat the same mistake that had allowed the problems to develop.
She would not replace one set of unsupported claims with another.
Every conclusion would have to be supported by evidence.
That evening, headquarters responded to the request concerning Lieutenant Colonel Mercer.
He had been located at his new assignment and informed that he would be required to provide a formal statement.
He denied authorizing any improper changes to the maintenance records.
He also claimed that Captain Ross had misunderstood his instructions concerning the archive.
According to Mercer, he had only asked Ross to retrieve documents needed for an administrative reconciliation.
Maya requested that the original communications be preserved.
She also asked whether Mercer had retained access to the installation's reporting system after his transfer.
Headquarters confirmed that his account had remained active under a temporary authorization.
The authorization had been approved by the former installation commander.
Maya requested a copy.
When the document arrived, she noticed that the access extension included broad administrative permissions.
It did not restrict Mercer to read-only access.
That meant the account could potentially have been used to modify records after the officer had left the installation.
Maya asked the system administrator to determine whether any changes had been made during that period.
The results were troubling.
Several archived reports had been accessed.
One had been downloaded.
Another had been reopened shortly before the investigation began.
The administrator could not immediately determine whether the activity had been performed personally by Mercer or by someone using his credentials.
Maya instructed the team to preserve the evidence and identify the physical workstations associated with the sessions.
The investigation continued late into the evening.
By then, the hangar had become unusually quiet.
Most of the personnel had completed their shifts.
The grounded aircraft remained surrounded by inspection equipment.
Security personnel monitored the administrative offices.
Maya stood near the maintenance bay, reviewing the day's findings.
Her lip was still sore.
The swelling near her cheek had begun to fade, but the physical evidence of Victor's assault remained visible.
Daniel approached carrying a folder.
DANIEL PRICE: "Colonel, the independent inspection team has completed its initial assessment."
MAYA BROOKS: "What did they find?"
Daniel handed her the report.
The inspectors had confirmed that the aircraft's original safety discrepancy required additional work.
The available records did not establish that the required follow-up inspection had been completed before the aircraft was certified.
The aircraft would remain grounded.
Maya read the report.
Then she looked toward the fighter jet.
MAYA BROOKS: "Was the component itself found to be defective?"
DANIEL PRICE: "The team identified a condition requiring further examination. They haven't completed the full technical assessment yet."
MAYA BROOKS: "Then the report should say exactly that."
Daniel nodded.
MAYA BROOKS: "We will not exaggerate the finding. But we will not minimize it either."
DANIEL PRICE: "Understood."
Maya closed the folder.
She thought about the technicians who had been pressured to sign documents.
She thought about Aaron Mitchell, Samuel Bennett, and the others who had been moved after questioning the reports.
And she thought about Victor Hayes, who had believed that intimidation could prevent anyone from examining the truth.
The investigation had already shown that he was wrong.
But Maya knew that the most difficult part was still ahead.
She needed to establish who had authorized the changes.
She needed to determine whether the inaccurate readiness figures had been deliberately created.
And she needed to make sure that the people responsible could not hide behind the ambiguity of verbal instructions.
The following morning, the investigation team received another important document.
It came from the installation's former administrative assistant.
She had worked in Calloway's office during the readiness evaluation.
Her name was Olivia Grant.
Olivia had recently transferred to another department.
When she learned that the maintenance records were being investigated, she contacted the official reporting channel.
She said that she had preserved a copy of a meeting schedule and several notes from a conference held before the final readiness report was submitted.
Maya arranged a formal interview.
Olivia arrived carrying a sealed envelope.
She appeared nervous.
Maya asked her to sit.
MAYA BROOKS: "Ms. Grant, thank you for coming forward."