"Like what, Colonel?" Thornton rounded on him with barely controlled fury. "Like a human being who's fallen on hard times? Like a warrior who's been broken by demons you couldn't possibly comprehend? You think every combat veteran gets to retire to a nice house with a pension and no nightmares?"
"No, sir. I just—"
"You just what? You just humiliated a man who sacrificed more for this country in a single operation than you'll contribute in your entire career."
Thornton moved closer to Vance, his voice dropping to something far more dangerous than a shout. "Let me tell you something about Captain Reeves. While you were getting your degree at some comfortable university, he was breathing through a buried tube for eighteen hours while enemy forces walked over his hide site. While you were networking at officer clubs, he was calling in danger-close fire missions with his radio operator dead beside him. While you were polishing your resume, he was carrying wounded men through hostile mountains for three days straight on a shattered ankle, because never leave a brother behind."
Vance stumbled backward, his face a mask of horror. "Sir, I apologize. I didn't—"
"You didn't ask." Thornton cut him off. "You saw a man in difficult circumstances and assumed worthlessness. You violated the first principle of leadership: know your people. Honor your people. Protect your people."
He paused, his next words coming out like hammer blows. "You are relieved of command, effective immediately. Report to my staff car. You and I are going to have a very long conversation with the Inspector General about your fitness to wear this uniform."
"Sir, please." Vance's voice broke.
"Get out." Thornton pointed to the door. "And pray that I don't dig deeper into how you've been running this base. Because if I find out you've treated other veterans with this level of contempt, ending your career will be the least of your concerns."
Two MPs appeared at Vance's elbows. He looked around desperately but found only cold stares and turned backs. His carefully constructed world imploded in seconds. As they escorted him out, his shoulders were hunched, his pristine uniform suddenly looking ridiculous on his diminished frame. The door closed behind him with a hollow thump.
Thornton turned back to Marcus, who stood perfectly still, his face wet with tears he no longer tried to hide. The general's own eyes glistened.
"Captain Reeves." The words came out thick with emotion. "May I ask, how did this happen? How did Phantom Six end up..."
Marcus took a shaky breath. "My wife and daughter, sir. Car accident in 2019. Drunk driver."