Turner’s eyes were wide, glaring at the young lieutenant with silent fury.

“I…” Carter stammered.

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple moving up and down.

“Answer the question, Lieutenant,” Harris said.

“Yes,” Carter said, his voice suddenly clear. “Yes, sir. He ordered me to delete the pressure-test failures from the primary database.”

“You coward,” Turner hissed.

“I have the physical backup drive in my locker,” Carter said, ignoring Turner. “I kept it because I knew this would happen.”

“Good man,” Hayes muttered.

The shore patrol officer grabbed Turner’s right arm.

“Do not touch me,” Turner barked.

The officer did not hesitate.

He forced Turner’s arm behind his back.

The second officer grabbed Turner’s left arm and pulled it down.

The handcuffs clicked shut with two distinct, metallic snaps.

Turner winced as the steel bit into his wrists.

“This is a mistake,” Turner said, his voice dropping to a low, desperate tone. “The program was compromised before I ever took command.”

“We’ll find out,” Harris said.

Harris reached out and tore the black command insignia patch from Turner’s collar.