He Humiliated Her in Front of the Squadron—Then She Revealed Her True Rank
Previously: When Lieutenant Eric publicly mocked Laura in a packed military briefing room, telling her to fetch coffee, he had no idea she was actually his new commanding officer.
Two hours after the humiliating encounter in the briefing room, a siren echoed across the base, calling all personnel to the main hangar. The sudden assembly was unexpected, and a wave of nervous energy rippled through the ranks. The pilots lined up in perfect formation, their boots clicking against the polished concrete floor.
At the front of the hangar, the Base Commander stood behind a wooden podium, his expression grave. Eric stood in the front line, his chest puffed out with unearned pride. He was still riding the high of his morning "victory," whispering jokes to the pilot next to him. He was convinced he was untouchable.
The New Commander
The Base Commander cleared his throat, the sound amplifying through the hangar's PA system. "Attention on deck!" he commanded. Instantly, the entire room snapped to attention, hands raised in crisp salutes.
"As of today, this squadron is under new leadership," the Commander announced. "Commander Vance has officially retired, and your new Commanding Officer has just arrived to oversee the upcoming deployment."
Behind the double doors of the command deck, Laura adjusted her uniform. She pinned the gold oak leaves of a Lieutenant Commander onto her collar. She knew exactly what she was about to face, and she was ready.
"Please welcome your new Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Laura Vance," the Base Commander bellowed.
The doors slid open, and Laura marched out onto the hangar floor, her eyes fixed forward. The moment her face came into view, a collective gasp echoed through the ranks. But no one was more affected than Eric.
The cocky smirk vanished from Eric's face instantly. His jaw dropped, and the color drained from his cheeks until he looked entirely ghost-white. He stared at the woman he had called "sweetie" and ordered to get coffee, realizing she was now his supreme commander.
”and ordered to get coffee, realizing she was now his supreme commander.