At her sister Melody’s promotion dinner at an upscale steakhouse, Lena is treated like an afterthought. Everyone has a name card—except her. Her family mocks her for “just” being a teacher, implying she failed after leaving the military. When her father makes a cutting toast about those who “serve their egos,” the insult is clear: Lena is a nobody.
Then Colonel Barrett arrives.
Ignoring Melody, he walks straight to Lena, snaps to attention, and salutes her. “General Strickland, ma’am. Welcome back.”
The room freezes. Barrett reveals Lena was a high-ranking joint operations strategist who saved countless lives during major operations, including Langi Tigra, by refusing faulty intelligence—sacrificing her career to prevent catastrophe. Her family, who believed she had washed out, is stunned. Lena says little, letting the truth settle.
Later, Barrett privately warns her: a journalist has received leaked documents accusing her of authorizing civilian casualties at Langi Tigra. The leak traces back to National Guard systems—potentially connected to Melody. Someone is rewriting history again.
Back home, Lena discovers her West Point photo removed from the family display, her achievements erased. Then an email arrives from the journalist asking for comment before publication.
Five years ago, she accepted silence to protect others. This time, she decides she won’t stay buried.
Not anymore.