“Yes, Colonel,” he replied.

“Have two MPs escort them to the quarters so they can pack without being harrassed by the media,” I said.

“And make sure they leave the base through the commercial gate,” I added.

“Understood, ma’am,” Vance said.

He gestured for Claire and my parents to exit the room.

Claire stood up, her movements stiff.

She stopped in front of me.

She looked down at my uniform, then up at my face.

“You think you won,” she said.

Her voice was quiet now, stripped of its anger.

“But you’re going to be here all by yourself,” she said.

“Nobody here likes you, Emily,” she added.

“They only respect the rank,” she said.

“That’s enough for me, Claire,” I said.

She turned and walked out of the room, her high heels clicking softly on the linoleum.

My mother followed her without looking back.

My father paused at the door.

He looked at me for a long three seconds.

“Take care of yourself, Emily,” he said.

“I will, Dad,” I said.

He closed the door behind him.

The room was suddenly very quiet.