The air in the room grew colder when she walked in, and Captain Price didn’t bother hiding the displeasure etched on his face. Being second-in-command should have come with respect, but under Price’s leadership, it was more like a curse.

“Lieutenant,” he called sharply, not looking up from the map he was studying. “You finally decided to show up.”

“It’s 0545, sir. The briefing isn’t until 0600.” She kept her tone neutral, though the jab stung.

“Well, maybe if you spent as much time preparing as you do watching the clock, your last mission report wouldn’t look like garbage,” he replied, tossing a file onto the table without glancing at her.

“I’ll revise it.”

“You’ll rewrite it,” he snapped. “By tonight. And while you’re at it, organize the supply logs from last week. I found at least three discrepancies. That’s on you.”

“Yes, sir.” She fought the urge to clench her fists.

“And don’t even think about clocking out early. I’ll be here to make sure it’s done right this time.”

The squad shifted uncomfortably nearby, some casting her sympathetic glances, others keeping their heads down. Price’s disdain for her was obvious, and he wasn’t shy about airing it publicly.

Later, during a training exercise, it only got worse.

“Lieutenant, what the hell was that?” Price’s voice boomed across the range after a minor misstep by one of her squad members.

“Just a timing issue, sir. We’ll correct it.”

“Timing issue?” he repeated mockingly. “You’re leading a team, not hosting a bloody talent show. If your men can’t follow basic orders, that’s on you. Fix it, or I’ll replace you with someone who can.”

Her jaw tightened, but she forced herself to nod. “Understood, sir.”

By the end of the day, she was buried in paperwork, her eyes burning as the clock ticked past midnight. Price strolled past her desk, his tone deceptively casual.

“Still here? Good. Maybe you’ll finally learn to get things right the first time.”