Chapter 10 - The Horizon of Gold
Looking out the tinted window of the armored vehicle, Arthur watched the city skyline roll past under the clearing late-afternoon sky. The dark, overcast clouds that had hung over the town all morning were finally breaking apart, allowing long, golden rays of sunlight to pierce through the mist and illuminate the highway ahead.
Beside him, General Vance pulled a dark leather folder from his briefcase, opening it to reveal an official parchment bearing the gold seal of the President of the United States.
"Your service record has been fully restored, Master Sergeant," Marcus said, handing the document over to Arthur. "And your pension account has been backdated with full back-pay and interest."
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Arthur took the folder, holding it gently in his lap. He didn't need to read the words; the true reward was not the parchment, nor was it the back-pay. It was the knowledge that honor, though tested and tried by the darkness of corrupt men, would always find its way back into the light.
He looked back out the window as the motorcade accelerated toward the glowing horizon. The old soldier adjusted his cap, closed his eyes, and let out a long, peaceful breath. The long road had been hard, but the Master Sergeant was finally going home.
