The commander stared at the maintenance tag.
The commander stared at the maintenance tag.
Then he looked at Derek.
“Captain Cole,” he said quietly, “why is your name on this?”
Derek opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Emma watched him carefully.
For the first time since she had entered the warehouse, Derek wasn't laughing.
“I can explain,” he finally said.
The commander raised one hand.
“Then explain.”
Derek swallowed.
“The tag doesn't prove anything.”
Emma stepped forward.
“It proves the rifle was serviced under your authorization.”
Derek snapped his eyes toward her.
“You're a medic. Don't pretend you understand weapons maintenance.”
Emma's expression didn't change.
“No, Captain.”
She pointed toward the wounded soldier being treated by another medic.
“But I understand what happens when people ignore warnings.”
The commander looked toward the range officer.
“Secure every weapon in this building.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And nobody leaves.”
The doors locked.
A nervous murmur moved through the soldiers.
Derek suddenly looked toward the exit.
Emma noticed.
“So did I,” she said.
Derek stopped.
“What?”
“You looked at the door.”
“I was checking security.”
“No.”
Emma's voice became colder.
“You were thinking about leaving.”
The commander's eyes narrowed.
“Captain Cole, step away from the weapons table.”
Derek obeyed.
But before he could move farther, a sergeant rushed through the side door.
“Sir!”
Everyone turned.
“What is it?”
The sergeant held up a tablet.
“We found another rifle.”
The commander's expression hardened.
“Where?”
“Vehicle bay.”
Emma's stomach tightened.
“Was it assigned to this exercise?”
The sergeant nodded.
“And there's something else.”
He turned the tablet around.
A maintenance record appeared on the screen.
Emma recognized the format immediately.
“This was signed at 0500.”
Derek shook his head.
“I wasn't here at 0500.”
Emma looked at him.
“Exactly.”
The room went silent.
The commander stepped closer.
“Then who signed it?”
The sergeant hesitated.
“Your name is on the authorization.”
Derek's face went white.
Emma stared at the screen.
Someone wasn't just trying to make the exercise unsafe.
Someone was using Derek's credentials.
Then the wounded soldier suddenly cried out.
Emma ran back to him.
“What's wrong?”
“My chest.”
Emma immediately checked his breathing.
“Stay still.”
“I can't breathe.”
“Look at me.”
She placed an oxygen mask over his face.
“Slow breaths.”
The soldier's eyes widened.
“Lieutenant...”
“What?”
“I saw someone.”
Emma froze.
“Who?”
“Before the shot.”
His breathing became shallow.
“Someone was standing behind the storage cages.”
Emma looked toward the cages.
Empty.
“Did you see their face?”
The soldier shook his head.
“No.”
“Uniform?”
He swallowed.
“Black gloves.”
Emma's eyes narrowed.
Black gloves.
She looked at the range officer.
“Who has access to that area?”
The officer hesitated.
“Range personnel. Command staff. Maintenance.”
Derek suddenly spoke.
“And medics.”
Emma turned toward him.
“Are you accusing me?”
“No.”
His voice was quieter now.
“I'm saying you had access.”
Emma stepped closer.
“You're right.”
Derek looked surprised.
“I did.”
She reached into her medical bag.
“But so did you.”
She pulled out a small evidence bag.
Inside was a black glove.
The room erupted in whispers.
Derek stared at it.
“Where did you get that?”
“Under the medical table.”
His expression changed.
“That wasn't there before.”
Emma nodded.
“I know.”
The commander looked at her.
“You're saying someone planted it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
Emma looked at Derek.
“To make us suspect each other.”
Then the lights suddenly went out.
The warehouse disappeared into darkness.
Someone shouted.
“Everybody stay where you are!”
A metal door slammed somewhere in the building.
Then another sound.
Footsteps.
Running.
Emma grabbed her flashlight.
“Commander!”
“I hear it.”
“Someone is moving through the vehicle bay.”
The commander ordered two soldiers to secure the entrance.
Emma followed.
Derek moved behind them.
Then Emma stopped.
“Wait.”
Everyone froze.
She pointed at the floor.
Fresh boot prints.
Leading toward the rear door.
The commander whispered,
“Whoever did this is still inside.”
Suddenly Derek grabbed Emma's arm.
“Don't go.”
She pulled free.
“Why?”
His face was pale.
“Because I know where those footprints lead.”
“Where?”
Derek looked toward the dark hallway.
“To the command office.”
Emma's heart dropped.
“What's in there?”
Derek hesitated.
“Every inspection report from the last six months.”
The commander stared at him.
“And why would someone want those destroyed?”
Derek looked at Emma.
“Because three other weapons failed during training.”
Emma's eyes widened.
“You knew?”
“I suspected.”
“You suspected?”
Her voice cracked with anger.
“People could have died!”
Derek lowered his head.
“I was ordered to keep it quiet.”
The commander stepped forward.
“Ordered by whom?”
Derek looked terrified.
Before he could answer—
the command office door opened by itself.
A figure stepped into the hallway.
Black gloves.
Dark uniform.
The figure held a folder in one hand.
Emma raised her flashlight.
“Stop!”
The figure turned.
For one second, their face was visible.
Emma recognized him.
Her blood ran cold.
Because it wasn't a soldier.
It was someone from command.
And he was holding the missing inspection reports.
The commander whispered,
“Oh my God.”
The figure smiled.
Then dropped the folder.
And ran.
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