Before I could set my water glass down, the chatter around Chloe’s table died instantly.

Standing directly behind my sister was Major General Arthur Vance.

He was the deputy commander of Special Operations Training.

He wasn’t smiling.

He wasn’t holding a drink.

He was staring at the back of Chloe’s head with laser focus.

General Vance didn’t address Chloe.

He looked right past her and met my eyes across the room.

Then, he snapped to a sharp, flawless attention.

The sharp click of his dress heels echoed across the quieted ballroom.

“Colonel Bennett,” General Vance said loudly.

“I didn’t realize you were in attendance tonight, ma’am.”

Chloe froze.

The smug grin on her face faltered.

“General,” I replied calmly, taking a step forward.

“I’m just here as a big sister tonight.”

“With all due respect, Colonel,” Vance said, stepping right past Chloe, “the curriculum your sister just completed exists because of the doctrine you wrote.”

He looked at the crowd.

“The ‘ghost story’ she was referring to is sitting on the desk of every tactical commander in this building.”

My mother dropped her napkin.

My father’s glass stopped halfway to his mouth.

Chloe turned slowly, her eyes wide with shock.

“Wait… Colonel? Mara… what is he talking about?”

“General Vance,” I said softly, “my sister was just explaining how unimpressed she was with the Black Viper benchmark.”

Vance looked at Chloe in genuine disbelief.

“Is that right?” Vance said, his tone dropping sharply.

“Lieutenant Bennett, you finished near the top of your class with a ninety-two percent evaluation score.”

He leaned in slightly.

“The person standing next to you set the course record fifteen years ago with a ninety-nine point eight.”

He turned back to face the gathering.

“The Black Viper isn’t a story, Lieutenant. She’s the reason half the instructors in your school are still alive.”