The Life Vista

General Evelyn Ross briefed without ornament. “Staff Sergeant Reyes is a specialized capability. She is tasked strategically, not tactically. You will not see her in unit highlight reels. You will feel her in outcome reports.”

Kearns flipped a page and found a line that wasn’t a line so much as a hinge: HOSTAGE INCIDENT—MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN—CONVENTIONAL ASSAULT RISK UNSUPPORTED—SOLUTION: ELR PRECISION.

He imagined four hours of stillness for four seconds of flight that changed the shape of a night.

“Why Camp Horizon?” he asked.

“Because capability isn’t a museum piece,” Ross said. “It’s readiness. She cleans because she might need to go.”

Back at the armory, life returned to its clockwork. Boots. Solvents. Quiet talk that died as soon as it was born. Maya’s mat waited in the corner. The Barrett rested nose-forward in its case, oiled and patient.

Kearns paused at the threshold, then walked the long way around the racks to where she sat.

“Staff Sergeant,” he said, softer than before.

“Sir.”

He nodded at the small enamel rectangle. “Badges tell stories. Some louder than others.”

“Yes, sir.”

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