The pristine white marble floor of the high-tech command facility gleamed under the harsh, buzzing daylight. Lieutenant Maya Lin knelt on the cold stone, her fingers trembling as she clutched a thick stack of classified thermal logs to her chest.

Commander Briggs: You worthless little cockroach! Did you really think you could slip past my security team?

Maya: Commander, please just listen to me! You do not understand what is down there!

Commander Briggs: Shut your mouth! You violated direct protocol, entered the secure vault without clearance, and stole tactical deep-sea logs.

Maya tried to push herself up, but Briggs stepped forward, his heavy polished boot landing inches from her fingers.

Maya: The fleet is in danger, Briggs! The entire strike group is sailing directly into a kill zone!

Commander Briggs: Save the fairy tales for your court-martial. Hand over those documents right now.

Maya pulled the files closer, shaking her head as tears burned in the corners of her eyes.

Maya: If I give them to you, nobody will ever see them. You will bury this like you bury everything else.

Briggs’s face twisted into an ugly, contemptuous snarl. He bent down, grabbing her wrist with crushing force.

Commander Briggs: You think your pathetic family name can protect you here? You are a traitor, and I am going to make sure you rot away in a federal cell.

Maya: I served this country with honor! Look at the timestamps! Just look at what is attached to the hull of the carrier!

Briggs did not even glance at the top page. Instead, he shoved her hard, sending her sliding across the slick marble floor.

Commander Briggs: You disobeyed direct orders, you worthless traitor!

Maya hit the floor hard, the sharp edge of a console catching her cheek as a deep, suffocating panic set in. She looked down at the scattered papers, knowing the horrifying truth hidden inside would die with her career if someone did not walk through those doors right now.