Chapter 6 - The Major's Mandate
Major Raymond Vance carried himself like a man who believed the world was governed entirely by manuals, protocols, and chain-of-command hierarchy. His boots were polished to a mirror shine, his uniform creases were razor-sharp, and his face was set in a permanent expression of institutional authority.
"Doctor Mercer," Major Vance’s voice cut through the quiet afternoon air like an iron bar. "What is a civilian child doing in a tactical evaluation zone with a classified asset?"
Griffin’s head snapped up off Sophie's boots instantly. He didn't bark, but his body transformed in a microsecond back into a weapon. He stood up, placing his muscular shoulder directly in front of Sophie, shielding her body with his own while his dark eyes locked onto the two armed military policemen standing by the gate.
"Major Vance," Natalie said smoothly, stepping between the Major and the dog. "We are conducting a behavioral modification trial under my authority as lead veterinary officer."
"Your authority, Doctor, is limited to medical assessment," Vance said, walking toward her, his heavy boots thudding against the turf. "Not running unapproved daycare experiments with a dog slated for high-risk containment."
Ethan stepped forward immediately, his steel cane digging deep into the soft soil. "Major Vance. Sergeant Cole, sir. With respect, this 'experiment' just achieved a complete stress-de-escalation in less than three minutes."
Vance turned his cold gaze toward Ethan, looking the disabled veteran up and down with detached assessment. "Sergeant Cole. I see you've recovered enough from your knee surgery to break protocol. You were ordered to remain in the recovery lodge until the formal transfer hearing tomorrow morning."
"I don't leave my dog, sir," Ethan said, standing as straight as his broken body would allow.
"He's not your dog, Sergeant," Vance countered sharply, pulling a document from his coat pocket. "He is government property. Asset MWD-774. And as of 1400 hours today, the Pentagon review board officially denied your petition for civilian adoption."
The air left Ethan's lungs in a sickening rush. "Denied? The deadline wasn't until tomorrow!"
"I filed an expedited administrative review," Vance replied coldly. "Given the incident in the hospital hallway yesterday, the risk assessment was elevated to unacceptable levels. I have orders to transport MWD-774 to the regional holding facility in Fort Meade by 1800 hours tonight."
"Fort Meade?" Natalie gasped, her professional composure cracking. "Major, Fort Meade is a high-security euthanasia and permanent isolation kennel for un-rehomable combat assets! You're signing his death warrant!"
"I am executing military protocol, Doctor Mercer," Vance said, gesturing to the two M.P.s behind him. "Officers, secure the asset. Use the heavy restraint pole if necessary."
The two military policemen unclipped heavy metal poles with wire snares from their belts and began stepping forward.
Griffin let out a low, guttural growl that vibrated through the ground beneath their feet. His lips curled back, revealing rows of gleaming white teeth. He stepped further in front of Sophie, his tail held rigid, his eyes locked on the approaching guards.
"Major, stop!" Natalie yelled, stepping directly into the path of the M.P.s. "If you bring restraint poles near him right now, he will defend this child with lethal force! He views her as an innocent under his protection!"
"Then move the child!" Vance snapped.
Camila rushed forward from the bench, grabbing Sophie's hand. "Sophie, come on! Get up!"
"No!" Sophie said loudly, her small voice ringing out across the yard with startling authority. She didn't run away. Instead, she threw her small arms entirely around Griffin's thick neck, burying her face into his fur. "He's not a weapon! He's my friend!"
The two M.P.s froze, their restraint poles hovering in mid-air. Neither of them wanted to be responsible for a disaster involving a seven-year-old child on camera.
Major Vance glared at the scene, his jaw working as he weighed the immediate public relations nightmare of forcing the issue against his orders.
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"You have two hours, Doctor Mercer," Vance spat, turning on his heel toward the gate. "Two hours to pack his medical files and surrender him willingly at the transport gate. If he is not in that van by six o'clock, I will have the Sheriff's department seize him under civil endangerment laws, and Sergeant Cole will face court-martial charges for interfering with military property."
The heavy metal gate slammed shut behind them, leaving the yard in suffocating silence.
