My eyes scanned the digital signature blocks at the bottom of the manifest.

A document like this required multiple levels of clearance to bypass the standard military transport database.

It needed a security override from a high-ranking officer within the command structure.

I looked at the digital certificate block on the bottom right.

The signature was encrypted, but the routing prefix was visible: *HQ-SO-3.*

My heart missed a beat.

That was the staff code for the Headquarters of the Special Operations Command.

More specifically, it belonged to the office of the commanding officer of my division.

I stared at the alphanumeric code.

“This came from my unit,” I said.

My father smiled, a thin, cruel line.

“You always were quick, Natalie,” he said.

“Who authorized this, Richard?” I asked, my grip tightening on the pistol.

“You know the system,” he said. “The chain of command is very efficient when it wants to be.”

I looked back at the screen, zooming in on the security hash.

The digital seal was authorized by a personal encryption key.

A key that was only issued to select general officers and their immediate staff.