Chapter 3: The Hidden Enemy
I did not sleep.
At dawn, I broke my restriction and went directly to the security archives.
The officer on duty, Private Daniel Ross, nearly dropped his coffee when he saw me.
“Sergeant, you’re not supposed to be here.””
“I need the original camera files.””
He looked nervous.
“Those are restricted.””
“Then call Captain Ward.””
He hesitated.
That hesitation told me everything.
“Daniel,” I said quietly, “someone is using this base against me.””
He looked toward the hallway.
Then he whispered.
“I know.””
I froze.
“What?””
He swallowed.
“I saw someone access the footage.””
“Who?””
He looked terrified.
“Lieutenant Vane.””
The room went silent.
“Are you sure?””
“I saw his access card.””
Before I could ask more, alarms suddenly screamed.
Emergency.
Everyone rushed toward the weapons depot.
A soldier shouted.
“The missing key was found!””
My stomach dropped.
Found?
How?
When we reached the depot, Vane stood there holding the key.
A crowd surrounded him.
He looked at me.
“Interesting timing.””
I immediately understood.
He had planned this.
“The key was discovered in Sergeant Cole’s locker,” he announced.
The soldiers turned toward me.
My own locker?
Impossible.
Vane opened the evidence bag.
“There’s no mistake.””
Captain Ward looked disturbed.
“This investigation is no longer simple.””
Vane smiled.
“No, Captain. It’s actually very simple.””
He faced the unit.
“Sergeant Cole betrayed this army.””
I looked around.
Friends avoided my eyes.
Doubt filled the room.
Then Daniel pushed through the crowd.
“Wait!””
Everyone turned.
He held a small device.
“I found something.””
Vane’s expression changed.
“What is that?””
Daniel looked at me.
“A backup recording.””
The lieutenant stepped forward.
“Give me that.””
Daniel stepped back.
May you like
“No.””
And for the first time, I saw fear on Vane’s face.
