Chapter 2 - The First Step
By mid-morning, the story had spread. The new lieutenant had tried to give orders, and Maddox had put her in her place — or so the whispers said.
Angela walked through the company area. Soldiers looked away when she passed. She heard the words: rookie, soft, doesn't belong.
She found Maddox behind the supply shed. He was smoking, staring at the ground.
"Sergeant," she said.
He didn't turn. "You think your grandfather's name is going to run this platoon for you?"
"I know it won't," Angela said. "Which is why I didn't ask him to say anything back there. I can earn their respect, Sergeant. But I can't do it if you undermine me every time I open my mouth."
Maddox flicked his cigarette into the dirt. "You don't know what's going on here, Park. You see uniforms and ranks. I see what people hide."
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"What are you talking about?"
He hesitated. Then shook his head. "Nothing. Go do your job, Lieutenant."
