Chapter 4 - The Empty Quarters
The heavy oak doors of the banquet hall slammed shut behind Julian Vance, cutting off his muffled threats as the military police escorted him out into the rain-slicked courtyard. The tense silence in the room slowly gave way to a chaotic flurry of whispered conversations and flashing camera lights. The senior official touched Loasing’s elbow, guiding her away from the staring crowd toward a quiet corner near the tall arched windows that overlooked the city skyline.
“Are you alright, Captain?” the senior official asked, his voice softening now that they were out of the public eye. “That audio drop was designed to trigger an immediate suspension before the promotion review board meets on Monday.”
“I am fine, General,” Loasing replied, her eyes fixed on the rain streaking down the glass. Her mind was racing, processing Julian’s parting warning. Look at the file I left in your quarters. “He mentioned a file in my quarters. That means someone entered my room while we were down here at the banquet.”
The General frowned, his bushy eyebrows knitting together in concern. “Your barracks apartment is on the secure base perimeter. Access requires a biometric clearance code.”
“Which Julian’s corporate partners acquired through the defense network vulnerability we reported last month,” Loasing said, a cold realization settling into her stomach. “General, we need to get back to my quarters immediately. If they planted something physical, digital scrubbing won't save us.”
Without waiting for dismissal, Loasing pivoted on her heel, striding briskly toward the private elevator banks that led down to the subterranean motor pool. The General hurried to keep pace with her military stride, pulling out his secure satellite phone to dial the base security desk.
“Base command, this is General Vance,” he spoke into the receiver as they stepped into the private elevator. “Lock down Captain Loasing’s quarters on the eastern residential wing. Authorize a sweep for unauthorized electronic hardware or physical contraband. Nobody enters until we arrive.”
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The steel doors slid shut, sealing them in the descending car. The digital floor indicator ticked downward: negative two, negative three, arriving at the underground garage. When the doors opened again, a sleek military staff car was waiting with its engine idling, but the driver’s seat was entirely empty.
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