{"id":18705,"date":"2025-11-12T22:28:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T22:28:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=18705"},"modified":"2025-11-12T22:29:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T22:29:45","slug":"18705","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=18705","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"

At the end of Third Platoon stood Private Alara Hayes<\/b>\u2014steady, composed, a reputation for flawless compliance. Her dark hair lay braided beneath her cap.<\/p>\n

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One strand<\/b>\u2014no more than a line of shadow\u2014had slipped free and caught the light.<\/p>\n

To most, nothing.
\nTo Marcus, noncompliance<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2 \u2014 The Cut Heard by the Whole Base<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cStep forward, Private Hayes!<\/b>\u201d<\/p>\n

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Alara moved without a tremor. Chin level, gaze straight, voice silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou keep standards, or standards keep you,\u201d Marcus growled, circling. \u201cIf a detail is beneath you, the mission will be too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At the end of Third Platoon stood Private Alara Hayes\u2014steady, composed, a reputation for flawless compliance. Her dark hair lay braided beneath her cap. One strand\u2014no more than a line of shadow\u2014had slipped free and caught the light. To most, nothing. To Marcus, noncompliance. Chapter 2 \u2014 The Cut Heard by the Whole Base \u201cStep…<\/p>\n

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