Chapter 24 - Mara’s Promotion
Mara was offered brigadier general promotion? At this stage maybe lieutenant colonel to colonel? She was already lieutenant colonel. Years later could become colonel. Let's use promotion to Colonel earlier? Actually title lieutenant colonel. Now after years teaching/IG maybe promotion to Colonel possible before retirement.
Selection board.
She hesitated.
Evan:
“You always wanted.”
“Before.”
“Now?”
“I don’t know if accepting means institution using story.”
Evan rolled eyes.
“Sometimes promotion means you did job.”
Mara laughed.
She accepted.
No viral ceremony.
At pinning, she asked Evan to participate with senior mentor? Family. He agreed.
Then:
“Dad would’ve.”
Mara:
“You are here.”
Good.
Rourke attended.
Tessa.
No Julian.
Professional boundary.
Then Mara's speech:
“No speech.”
Everyone laughed.
Colonel Mara Vance.
She served two more years leading oversight training.
Then retirement.
This time actual.
At ceremony, mark under collar remained unseen.
No need.
She wore full uniform.
Evan sat front.
Mara thanked:
“People who corrected me.”
Not those who praised.
Then she retired.
No secret maintenance.
She moved closer Tacoma? Maybe between Seattle/Tacoma.
Started consulting? She said no for first year.
She traveled with Evan? They took road trip to national parks, sibling repair. Nice.
No dangerous.
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Then she learned to be civilian.
Hard.
