My Marine Brother Threw My Visitor Badge Into the Gravel and Mocked Me in Front of His Entire Unit / Chapter 49 / 53

Chapter 49 - Bloodline Severed

Dylan breached the upper catwalk in a low crouch, just as the last exo-rig mercenary pivoted toward him, raising a heavy combat shotgun.

Dylan didn't back down. He closed the distance in two explosive strides, driving his combat knife into the exposed hydraulic line beneath the mercenary's shoulder armor. Pressurized fluid sprayed hot across Dylan's chest rig as the robotic arm went limp. Dylan slammed his sidearm beneath the mercenary’s chin, pulling the trigger twice before kicking the massive armored body over the railing.

Now, only the wind howling through the moon pool vent and the hum of the warheads remained.

And fifteen paces down the narrow steel gantry, Marcus Vance stood waiting, his sidearm leveled directly at Dylan’s chest.

"You're a persistent little dog, Dylan," Marcus panted, his eyes bloodshot, his face glistening with cold sweat. "You traveled across the world, boarded a submarine graveyard, all for what? To bring me back so they can court-martial me? To restore the proud Vance family honor?"

Marcus laughed—a cracked, unhinged sound that echoed against the damp dome.

"I remember that day at Camp Pendleton," Marcus said, stepping closer, his finger tightening on the trigger. "You came there with Dad’s old service watch, begging me to come home. You looked so pathetic standing in the dirt. I threw that plastic visitor badge on the ground because you didn't belong in my world! You were weak then, Dylan. And you’re weak now."

Dylan lowered his pistol slightly, holding Marcus's crazed stare with absolute, icy calm.

"You threw that badge in the dirt because you were terrified, Marcus," Dylan said quietly.

Marcus froze, his sneer faltering. "What did you say?"

"You knew Dad saw right through you," Dylan continued, taking one steady step forward. "You knew that despite all your high test scores, your spotless dress blues, and your fake charisma, you had no courage. You joined Aegis Vanguard because you couldn't stand the thought of being judged by real men. You stole those dirty bombs because without a gun to the world's head, you are nothing. You're just a coward hiding behind stolen rank."

A vein pulsed violently on Marcus's forehead. His teeth bared in an animalistic snarl.