Chapter 40 - The Commandant’s Honor
"Marcus will face a closed-door court-martial," General Hayes continued, his voice heavy with righteous wrath. "Treasons, high conspiracy, and premeditated murder of a flag officer. He will never see the light of day again. His name will be expunged from the Marine Corps rolls. Every medal he ever wore will be stripped."
Hayes opened the manila folder and pulled out a small, velvet-lined wooden box. Inside lay an Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignia, forged from pure sterling silver—the original insignia that Dylan's father had worn on his dress blues throughout three combat tours.
"Your brother took your badge, Dylan. He threw your dignity into the dirt in front of an entire battalion. He tried to break your spirit so you would never look into what he did," Hayes said softly. "He forgot that honor isn't inherited. It’s forged in fire."
Hayes picked up the insignia and handed it across the table to Dylan.
"The Commandant has approved an extraordinary merit promotion. As of zero-eight-hundred this morning, you are promoted to the rank of Sergeant, United States Marine Corps. And effective immediately, you are reassigned to the Special Reconnaissance Command under my direct authority."
Dylan stared at his father’s silver emblem. He felt a tear cut through the dried salt and grime on his cheek, but he did not waver. He closed his fingers tightly around the cold, heavy metal, feeling the unbroken chain of honor that connected him to the man who had raised him right.
"Thank you, General," Dylan said, his voice steady and resolute.
"Don't thank me yet, Sergeant Vance," General Hayes said, leaning in, his expression turning intensely grim. "The syndicate Marcus was feeding didn't die with the *Caspian Tide*. When you took Marcus down, you severed their primary conduit. Right now, a private military contractor operating out of Southeast Asia called 'Aegis Vanguard' is mobilizing."
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Mia leaned forward. "Aegis Vanguard? That was the name on the shipping manifests in the hold!"
"Yes," Hayes said. "And their commanding director just issued a bounty on you and your sister. They know you have the unredacted files."
