“Sign the demotion and the retirement request,” I said.

“Or the military police will escort you to the brig.”

Nathan looked at the pen.

His fingers hovered over it for a long moment.

He looked at Captain Vance once more, but Vance remained motionless.

With a trembling hand, Nathan picked up the pen.

He pulled the document toward him.

The paper made a scratching sound against the wood as he adjusted it.

He signed his name on the first line.

He flipped the page and signed his name on the second line.

The ink was black and wet.

“It is done,” Nathan said, his voice barely audible.

He dropped the pen, and it rolled across the table, stopping against my folder.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” I said.

I gathered the papers and handed them to Captain Vance.

“Take him to security to process the badge and ID card return,” I said.

“Aye, Admiral,” Vance said.

Vance stood up and gestured to Nathan.

“Stand up, Lieutenant,” Vance said.

Nathan stood, his movements slow and clumsy, like an old man.

He did not look at me as he followed Vance out of the room.