“If that clearance goes, we lose access to the secure network,” Reyes said.

“We won’t be able to pull the rest of the offshore bank transfer logs.”

“Can he do that?” Jake asked, his hands clenching into fists.

“Under Section Eight of the military code, yes,” Hayes said.

“Pending an active investigation.”

“He’s trying to starve us out,” I said.

“He wants to freeze everything before we can prove the fraud.”

“Exactly,” Hayes said. “Without pay, and without clearance, Jake is legally a fugitive.”

The red light on the wall terminal began to flash rapidly.

A high-pitched tone echoed from the tablet on the table.

Reyes grabbed the device, his eyes scanning the fast-scrolling text.

“The system lock is already propagating,” Reyes said.

“We have ten minutes before my credentials are locked out too.”

“Can we stop it?” Jake asked, leaning over the screen.

“Only if we can get to the server terminal in the command building,” Hayes said.

“But Vance is already there.”

The speaker on the wall crackled to life with a harsh, static-filled voice.

“Attention all personnel,” the automated voice announced.