Chapter 6 - The Restoration of Honor
General Marcus Vance held the cap in both hands, using his gloved fingers to reshape the crown and smooth down the woven American flag patch. With deep, reverent respect, he stepped forward and placed the cap gently back onto Arthur’s silver head, adjusting the bill until it sat perfectly straight.
"Your retirement clearance wasn't delayed because of an audit, Master Sergeant," Marcus explained, turning to face Arthur fully while keeping his back turned dismissively to Victor. "The President signed the Congressional Order yesterday morning. You have been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for your actions at the Ridge thirty years ago. The bureau wasn't holding your papers—they were trying to locate you for the ceremony at the Capitol."
Arthur looked at the General, a quiet, profound emotion settling over his weathered face. The tears that had welled in his eyes were no longer born of humiliation, but of a quiet, long-overdue peace. Thirty years of silence, thirty years of living in the shadow of forgotten history, had been wiped clean in a single breath.
Behind them, Victor stumbled backward, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps as he looked at the tactical guards holding the perimeter. He realized with horrifying clarity that he hadn't just insulted a helpless old man on a sidewalk; he had assaulted a decorated national hero in front of the high command of the armed forces.
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"G-General... please," Victor pleaded, his voice cracking into a high-pitched whimper as he pulled a handkerchief from his trench coat to wipe his sweat-drenched brow. "I didn't know... if I had known his record—"
Marcus turned his head slowly, looking over his shoulder at the trembling auditor with complete, unadulterated contempt. "That’s the problem with men like you," Marcus said coldly. "You only respect a man when you see his rank, not when you see his sacrifice."
