“You will provide a written apology to Mason, the school, and every student who heard you misuse your authority.”
His face flushed.
“Yes, Commander.”
She held his gaze a moment longer.
Then she said, “Dismissed from this demonstration.”
The lieutenant froze.
Technically, she had no command over him in that school gym.
Not in the ordinary way.
But nothing about that moment was ordinary.
Carter looked toward Chief Ramirez.
The chief did not help him.
Slowly, Lieutenant Carter stepped away from the center of the court.
Nobody clapped.
Nobody whispered.
They simply watched him retreat to the Navy booth he had owned so confidently minutes earlier.
My mother turned back to the students.
“The demonstration is over.”
Master Sergeant Vale raised one hand.
The dogs rose as one.
“Exit formation.”
The rows shifted smoothly, turning toward the gym doors.
That was when Titan growled.
Low.
Deep.
The kind of sound that bypassed thought and went straight into instinct.
Every handler in the room reacted.
Not with panic.
With readiness.
My mother’s head turned toward Titan.
He was staring at the equipment storage room near the far corner of the gym.
The door was closed.
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