The corridor led back to the double doors of the grand ballroom.

Inside, the music had stopped, replaced by the low hum of hundreds of guests talking.

The crystal chandeliers cast a bright, unforgiving light over the crowd.

I walked in, my chin high, my boots clicking rhythmically on the polished wood.

General Drummond and Captain Hayes walked beside me.

Helen followed a few paces behind, trying to maintain her composure.

We walked up to the raised dais at the front of the room.

General Drummond took the microphone from the podium.

The room fell completely silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, officers of the United States Armed Forces,” Drummond said.

His voice echoed off the high ceilings of the ballroom.

“Tonight, we honor service, but we also correct a grave injustice,” Drummond said.

He looked down at the front row, where several senior brass sat.

“For the past three years, Lieutenant Colonel Emerson Rogers has faced quiet marginalization,” Drummond said.

“She was accused of negligence during her deployment in the Middle East,” he continued.

“Tonight, we have verified the logs of that operation,” Drummond said.