Chapter 38 - Reclaiming the Iron
The verdict was swift and merciless.
Derek Halston was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole at ADX Florence for treason, industrial sabotage, and multiple counts of second-degree murder. The Halston Maritime conglomerate was permanently dissolved by federal decree, its assets liquidated, and its drydocks transferred directly under federal naval authority.
A month after the trial, the crisp autumn wind swept through the historic Washington Navy Yard.
I stood inside the newly commissioned Advanced Naval Architecture Laboratory. Blueprints of the next-generation deep-sea rescue vessels floated in holographic displays across the tables. On the door, etched in polished brass, was a new name:
*VANCE ADVANCED MARINE SYSTEMS.*
*DIRECTOR: ELEANOR VANCE, CHIEF NAVAL ARCHITECT.*
The door clicked open, and Liam walked in, holding a wrapped package under his arm. He had resigned his naval commission to head our tactical marine safety division, his limp now barely noticeable.
"Package from DARPA," Liam smiled, setting the case on my workbench. "They said it's the final revision of the Mark IV neural prosthetic. Lighter. Faster. Zero hydraulic latency."
I ran my flesh-and-blood right hand over the polished case, then looked down at my current mechanical limb. "I think I'll keep this one for a while longer. It reminds me of what we built."
Liam stepped closer, his warm hand resting gently over my carbon-fiber knuckles. "You don't need a reminder of what you built, Ellie. Everyone knows who saved the fleet."
Before I could answer, the glass door opened again. Admiral Vance stepped inside, dressed not in his four-star uniform, but in a simple woolen sweater and slacks, looking more relaxed than I had ever seen him in my entire life.
"Grandpa," I smiled, stepping away from the desk to embrace him.
He held me tight, his old hands patting my shoulder with immense warmth. "I just spoke with the shipyard at Newport News, Eleanor. The new lead hull of the rescue fleet has officially been laid down."
"And what did they name her?" Julian asked, leaning against the doorframe with a wide grin.
Admiral Vance looked at me, a rare, proud tear glistening in the corner of his eye.
May you like
"The *USS Eleanor*."
***
