Chapter 33: The Stand at the TOC

The door to the TOC swung open, and Major Sterling stepped out, followed closely by a pale, stony-faced Captain James. Sterling stopped dead when he saw the semi-circle of soldiers blocking his path to the helipad.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sterling demanded, his hand moving instinctively to his hip. "Sergeant First Class Vance, get these men back to their sectors."

Viper didn't move. He stood at the front, his thumbs tucked into his belt. "With all due respect, Major, the men have a grievance. They’ve heard rumors about a transfer for our RTO."

"It’s not a rumor, it’s a command decision," Sterling snapped. "Now move."

"No, Sir," Thorne said, stepping forward.

The silence that followed was absolute. A Sergeant defying a Major in the middle of a combat zone was unheard of. James looked at Thorne, his eyes wide with a mix of shock and a sudden, desperate hope.

"Repeat that, Sergeant?" Sterling whispered, his face turning a dangerous shade of red.

"I said no, Sir," Thorne repeated, his voice booming across the gravel. "If Specialist Ramírez is a 'distraction' or a 'liability,' then so am I. She saved my life when I was too stupid to stay in my truck. She drew the fire of a sniper so the Captain could make the shot. If she’s not fit for this unit, then none of us are."

"She’s a jinx!" Sterling shouted, pointing a finger at me. "The men call her a witch! There’s unrest—"

"We called her that because we were cowards, Sir," Jax interrupted, his voice steady. "We used her as a target because it was easier than facing the fact that she was better than us. That’s over. She’s not the distraction. You are."