PART 3: The Command Call
“Is… is this… General Arthur Vance?” Officer Miller stammered, his voice pitching high with sudden, sheer disbelief.
“It was my honor to serve, Officer,” Arthur replied softly, picking up his wallet.
Officer Miller immediately snapped his heels together, stood at rigid attention, and brought his right hand to his temple in a crisp, flawless military salute that echoed across the quiet garage row.
“General Vance, sir! Forgive me, sir!” Officer Miller declared, his eyes locked straight ahead.
Tyler stared at the officer, his arrogant grin freezing instantly. “Officer, what are you doing?! He’s just a homeless-looking old guy in a ruined sedan! Arrest him!”
“Shut your mouth!” Officer Miller snapped, turning his head sharply toward the youth with pure fury. “Shut your mouth right now!”
Officer Miller grabbed his shoulder radio, pressing the emergency override channel directly to central dispatch.
“Dispatch, this is Unit 414! I have a Priority-1 critical situation at Grand Central Plaza, Level 2!” Officer Miller shouted into the microphone. “We have an active assault on a Medal of Honor recipient and retired Four-Star General! Requesting immediate command response! Repeat, notify CPT Chief Harrison immediately!”
Over the radio, the dispatch operator’s tone shifted from routine to instant panic. “Unit 414, confirm target identity. Did you say General Arthur Vance?!”
“Affirmative! Code Red protocol!”
Within four minutes, the subterranean garage vibrated with the roar of heavy engines.
Four black police interceptors and two unmarked government SUVs tore down the parking ramps, their sirens wailing. The vehicles screeched to a halt, forming a perimeter around Tyler’s red sports car.
