The missing capsule.
The breached trajectory.
The disappearing crew.
All of it suddenly connected.
And somehow my own family sat at the center.
My father looked at me desperately now.
“Claire, tell them this is a mistake.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
For decades he mocked me.
Dismissed me.
Reduced my career to punchlines.
And now suddenly my authority mattered.
General Hale stepped beside me quietly.
“You don’t owe him anything.”
Maybe not.
But despite everything…
He was still my father.
That complicated things in ways operational training never prepared you for.
The agents began escorting him toward the vehicle.
Then my father shouted something that froze me completely.
“It wasn’t supposed to happen this way!”
Everyone stopped.
The lead agent turned.
“What wasn’t supposed to happen?”
My father looked panicked now.
Truly panicked.
“I only passed logistical architecture!” he yelled. “They said it was for navigation optimization!”
My stomach dropped.
They.
Not one buyer.
An organization.
The agent’s voice sharpened instantly.
“Who said that?”
My father looked toward Nathan instinctively.
And suddenly my brother went pale.
“No.”
My pulse thundered.
Nathan shook his head violently.
“Dad… no.”
The entire parking lot felt electrically charged.
Then Nathan whispered six words that changed everything.
“I introduced you to them.”
Silence detonated.
My mother nearly collapsed.
My father stared at his son in horror.
And for the first time all morning…
I realized this wasn’t simply corruption.
My family had accidentally become entangled in something far larger than defense fraud.
Something international.
Something dangerous enough to compromise orbital recovery operations.
General Hale immediately stepped forward.
“Everyone goes into protective custody. Now.”
The agents moved instantly.
But before anyone could react further, one of the security officers shouted sharply.
“Vehicle approaching fast!”
A black SUV came screaming into the circular driveway at terrifying speed.
No plates.
Tinted windows.
Military-grade acceleration.
Every instinct inside me ignited instantly.
Ambush.
“DOWN!” I shouted.
Gunfire exploded across the country club parking lot.
