Now, three years later, those men were being honored.
Their families had been invited.
Their medals polished.
Their names spoken aloud.
Ethan listened as each one echoed across the courtyard.
One.
Then another.
Then another.
Until the fifth name was read.
The commanding officer paused.
Less than a second.
But Ethan saw it.
A tiny break in the rhythm.
A flicker behind the officer’s eyes.
Like he had almost remembered something he was forbidden to say.
Ethan stepped forward before he could stop himself.
“There’s one missing.”
The words cut through the ceremony.
Every head turned.
Rain struck harder against the pavement.
A few soldiers shifted uneasily.
The commanding officer’s face tightened.
“This is a restricted ceremony. Step back.”
Ethan didn’t move.
“My team went in with six men.”
His voice stayed low.
“You read five.”
The courtyard went still.
Not confused.
Not surprised.
