Chapter 7 - THE LOCKDOWN
General Monroe contacted the base commander.
No sirens sounded.
No dramatic announcement followed.
But every gate at Fort Hartwell quietly changed status.
Outgoing vehicles were stopped.
Flight clearances were suspended.
Secure buildings locked automatically.
Captain Vance reached the main gate in a civilian SUV.
Military police blocked him.
He claimed he had a family emergency.
A search of the vehicle was requested.
Vance refused.
The base commander issued lawful authority based on the active investigation.
Inside the rear compartment, officers found packing material, false shipping labels, and an empty protective case designed for a restricted optical unit.
Vance was returned to headquarters for questioning.
Braddock remained in the dining facility.
He watched military police receive updates through their radios.
His arrogance disappeared.
He looked toward Ava.
“You did this.”
Ava’s voice was quiet.
“You did.”
Braddock glanced at the soldiers around him.
He had humiliated many of them.
Threatened their evaluations.
Forced them to remain silent.
Now no one looked afraid.
Daniel ordered the extinguisher, fallen tray, photographs, and security footage preserved.
The dining facility’s cameras had recorded the attack from three angles.
Braddock could not claim self-defense.
Could not claim an accident.
Could not claim Ava provoked him.
The general then walked toward his daughter.
“Do you need medical treatment?”
“My eyes are burning.”
A medic began flushing them with sterile water.
Daniel crouched beside her wheelchair.
His voice lowered.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ava looked toward the soldiers.
“Because I needed them to believe I could fight my own battles.”
Daniel’s expression softened.
“You did.”
Then he looked toward Braddock.
May you like
“But no soldier should have to fight abuse alone.”
👉 The base was locked down, yet the stolen equipment was still missing—and Braddock knew where it had gone.
