Chapter 434: Protectors!!
The Medal of Honour rested against Miles’ uniform.
For a brief second...
The entire ceremony hall remained silent.
President Maxwell stepped back after fastening it carefully into place.
Then applause erupted.
Not polite applause.
Not the kind people gave simply because protocol required it.
The sound filled the hall.
Senior officers stood.
Generals clapped.
Miles remained standing on the platform, looking out across the room.
His family was the first thing he noticed.
Timothy was smiling.
The old man’s expression carried a pride that he wasn’t even trying to hide.
Daniel stood beside him, applauding with the same warm smile Miles had seen many times before.
Elena...
She was wiping the corner of her eye.
Miles saw it.
His own expression softened.
Chloe had her phone in her hand.
Click.
Another picture.
Click.
Miles looked directly toward her.
Chloe grinned and took one more.
Hope and Asher were practically bouncing beside their seats.
Asher whispered something to Hope.
She nodded enthusiastically.
Both looked as if their brother had just won the greatest prize in the world.
From the row of senior military officials, General Wilfred Wraithborne slowly shook his head.
"Decades."
Sloane glanced toward him.
Wilfred continued quietly,
"Decades of service in the Army..."
His eyes remained on Miles.
"...and I still get to see things that amaze me."
Sloane smiled.
Wilfred chuckled.
"What a boy."
Then his expression softened.
"And he still has an entire life ahead of him."
On the opposite side...
Vivienne applauded with everyone else.
Her smile appeared genuine enough.
But her thoughts were somewhere else.
Miles Sterling.
Twenty-three.
Businessman.
Honorary General.
Close to Maxwell.
Connected to the Sterling bloodline.
And apparently trusted by some of the most decorated military officers in Haven.
Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
Things are getting interesting.
She watched him carefully.
Who exactly are you, Miles Sterling?
Miles looked away from his family.
His eyes moved across the hall.
Generals.
Senior officers.
Secret Service.
Then...
Someone near the far corner finally entered his sight.
A uniformed man stood quietly beside several officers.
He had remained nearly invisible throughout the ceremony.
Not because he was actually hidden.
Because he had made no effort to stand out.
Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Vane.
Miles recognized him immediately.
The photograph Charles had sent.
Their eyes met.
Vane froze.
Miles smiled.
Barely.
Just enough.
Marcus Vane looked away.
Maxwell returned to the microphone.
"General Sterling."
Miles turned.
Maxwell gestured toward the podium.
"Since we’ve dragged you all the way here..."
He smiled.
"...say a few words to some of the most trusted officials in this country."
A few people laughed.
Miles glanced toward the microphone.
Then toward Maxwell.
"Of course."
He stepped forward.
For a moment...
Miles simply stood there.
The applause slowly faded.
The hall became quiet again.
He looked at the people before him.
Then spoke.
"Greetings, everyone."
His voice carried clearly across the room.
"I’m General Miles Sterling."
A few smiles appeared.
Miles continued,
"For many of you..."
"This is probably the first time you’re seeing me."
He looked toward one section.
"I’ve worked with a few people present here."
His eyes found familiar faces.
"General Wilfred Wraithborne."
Wilfred nodded.
"General Everett Sloane."
Sloane smiled.
"And..."
Miles looked toward another group.
"I see a few officers connected to the Northern Frontier."
Several men straightened slightly.
They knew exactly what those words meant.
Miles smiled.
"So I suppose I should clear something up."
He looked across the hall.
"I was never recruited into the Army."
Some expressions immediately changed.
Miles continued calmly,
"I didn’t go through the normal military path."
"I was privately deployed."
He glanced toward Maxwell.
"You can say..."
"Mr. President had been training me for this day."
Maxwell’s smile disappeared.
Wilfred immediately covered his mouth.
Sloane turned away.
His shoulders started shaking.
They tried not to laugh.
Maxwell stared at Miles.
Miles remained completely serious.
"I think that clears several questions in your heads."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"So yes."
"I did come out of nowhere."
The hall was listening carefully now.
Miles continued,
"Mr. President picked me out of hell..."
He paused.
"...and made me human."
Wilfred finally lost the battle.
A laugh escaped him.
"This boy..."
He whispered to Sloane.
"Is he taking revenge on the President?"
Sloane couldn’t stop smiling.
Maxwell cleared his throat.
Loudly.
Miles looked innocent.
Several officers were already imagining the questions.
What kind of hell?
How old was Miles?
Why had the President been privately deploying him?
What exactly had Maxwell done with this child?
Maxwell could practically feel those questions flying toward him like arrows.
Miles continued before anyone could form too many theories.
"When I was younger..."
"I didn’t have a very good opinion of conventional forces."
Several officers raised their eyebrows.
Miles smiled faintly.
"I thought soldiers were a drag."
That earned some surprised laughter.
"They slowed me down."
"Too many commands."
"Too many procedures."
"Too many people telling me there was a correct way to do something."
Sloane shook his head knowingly.
Miles continued,
"I wasn’t like that."
"I was straightforward."
"If I had a job..."
"I completed it."
"If someone told me to destroy something..."
His expression became slightly colder.
"...I left ashes."
The hall went quiet.
"If someone told me to protect someone..."
Miles looked toward his family for a moment.
"...I bled before I let anything reach them."
Chloe’s smile faded slightly.
She knew that wasn’t an exaggeration.
Miles looked forward again.
"I didn’t care whether my method looked pretty."
"I cared whether it worked."
Several senior officers nodded slowly.
They understood that mentality.
Especially those who had served in active combat.
Miles took a quiet breath.
"Then..."
"One day..."
"I was deployed somewhere."
He smiled faintly.
"Unfortunately, I’m apparently still bound by rules."
A few chuckles came.
"So I can’t tell you where."
His expression changed.
"But it was a difficult operation."
"A very difficult one."
Miles’ fingers rested lightly against the edge of the podium.
"I almost died."
The room became quiet.
"My senior officer during that operation..."
Miles paused.
"...was Lieutenant Adam Reeves."
The effect was immediate.
Several members of the Secret Service looked up.
Maxwell’s expression changed.
Vivienne’s eyes sharpened.
Brennan, standing among the Presidential security personnel, slowly straightened.
Miles looked downward.
"Adam saved my life that day."
His voice was quieter now.
"He was probably one of the first people who changed the way I looked at the Army."
"At government forces."
"At people who followed rules I used to think were pointless."
Several people listened without moving.
Miles smiled faintly.
"He was talented."
"Annoying."
That earned a few weak smiles from people who knew Adam.
"Very confident."
"And..."
Miles swallowed.
"...he became my friend."
Chloe watched him closely.
The playful calm from moments earlier was gone.
Miles continued,
"Later, Adam left Special Forces."
"He joined the Secret Service."
"Built an incredible career."
"Protected the people entrusted to him."
"Served this country."
His eyes remained lowered.
"He was still young."
"So much life ahead of him."
Silence.
Miles slowly lifted his gaze.
"A few days ago..."
His voice hardened.
"...we lost him."
Maxwell looked down.
Catherine’s expression softened.
Elena’s hand slowly found Daniel’s.
He held it immediately.
Timothy stared toward Miles holding Hope and Asher close.
Miles continued,
"Three bullets."
Nothing moved.
Three simple words.
Yet they filled the entire hall.
Several Secret Service officers lowered their heads.
Miles looked toward the medal resting against his chest.
"If I’m standing here today..."
"If I’m receiving this honour..."
He touched the medal lightly.
"...then Adam Reeves is one of the reasons I survived long enough to receive it."
Brennan closed his eyes for a moment.
Miles looked up.
Then his gaze slowly moved toward one particular corner of the hall.
Marcus Vane.
Their eyes met again.
This time...
Miles didn’t smile.
"On the name of the honour I’ve received today..."
His voice became firmer.
"...I make a promise."
Vane stared at him.
A drop of sweat slowly formed near his temple.
Miles continued,
"Whoever killed Adam Reeves..."
He held Vane’s gaze.
"...whoever ordered it..."
Vane’s fingers tightened behind his back.
"...whoever helped hide it..."
His breathing changed.
"...I will bring them to justice."
Vane finally looked away.
Miles’ expression remained unreadable.
"We protect the citizens of this country with our blood."
He looked across the military officers before him.
"Soldiers."
"Police."
"Secret Service."
"Intelligence."
"Every man and woman who places themselves between danger and ordinary people."
Miles’ voice became colder.
"And if someone believes they can kill the protectors..."
His eyes returned briefly to Marcus Vane.
"...then they should understand something."
A pause.
"No one will protect them."
The silence that followed felt heavier than applause.
Marcus Vane swallowed.
His face had visibly changed.
Vivienne noticed.
She didn’t turn toward him directly.
But she noticed.
Everything.
Miles suddenly smiled.
The tension disappeared from his face almost instantly.
He looked back toward his family.
"And..."
"Before Mr. President regrets giving me the microphone..."
Laughter finally broke the heaviness.
Maxwell sighed.
Miles continued,
"I’d like to thank my family."
Elena smiled through wet eyes.
"My mother."
"My father."
"My grandfather."
"My younger brother and sister."
Hope immediately smiled again.
"And my wife."
Chloe’s eyes softened.
Miles continued,
"Thank you."
He looked toward the senior officers.
"Thank you to every officer who guided me through my journey."
Then toward Maxwell.
"Thank you, Mr. President."
Maxwell nodded.
Finally...
Miles looked toward the Secret Service personnel.
"And..."
"My friend."
"Adam Reeves."
Miles stepped back slightly.
"Thank you."
The applause began almost immediately.
This time...
Even many Secret Service agents who had remained quiet throughout the earlier celebration joined in.
Brennan clapped slowly.
Keaton beside him followed.
Wilfred stood.
Sloane joined him.
Soon...
Almost the entire hall was standing again.
Miles stepped away from the podium.
As he descended from the platform...
Vivienne watched him.
Something uncomfortable had begun forming inside her.
Not fear.
Not yet.
But instinct.
The speech had been too direct.
Adam.
Three bullets.
Justice.
Then the way Miles had looked across the room.
She glanced subtly toward Marcus Vane.
The man was pale.
Sweating.
Avoiding Miles completely.
Vivienne’s expression remained pleasant.
But internally...
A warning had sounded.
...
Miles returned to his seat.
The moment he sat down...
Chloe leaned closer.
"It was a lie, wasn’t it?"
Miles looked confused.
"What?"
"President picking you out of hell and making you human."
Miles stared at her.
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
Miles slowly smiled.
"Well..."
"I was pissed at him."
Chloe’s mouth opened.
Miles leaned back comfortably.
"I feel better now."
Timothy heard it.
A chuckle escaped him.
Maxwell, at the platform, looked toward Miles suspiciously.
Miles pretended not to notice.
Elena turned toward her son.
"You were amazing."
Miles smiled.
Then Elena’s expression softened.
"I’m sorry about your friend."
"Are you alright?"
Miles looked at her.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
"I’m alright."
Daniel reached over and gently tapped his shoulder.
Asher immediately leaned closer.
"Big Bro."
"Hmm?"
"You were cool."
Hope nodded enthusiastically.
"Very cool."
Miles smiled.
"Thanks."
From the platform...
Maxwell returned to the microphone.
"Thank you, everyone."
The room settled.
Maxwell looked toward Miles.
"And..."
"Like General Miles said..."
"Those who protect others deserve protection too."
His expression became serious.
"Miles."
Miles looked toward him.
Maxwell continued,
"I promise you."
"Adam Reeves will receive justice."
Miles held his gaze for a moment.
Then nodded.
Maxwell looked toward the room.
"Thank you all for joining us."
"I know most of you have an actual country to defend instead of sitting here listening to my speeches."
Some officers laughed.
"You may return to your duties."
The ceremony formally ended.
...
The hall gradually emptied.
Senior officers approached Miles one after another.
"Congratulations, General."
"Well deserved."
"It was an honour."
Some offered handshakes.
Others saluted.
Miles responded respectfully to each.
𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
General Wilfred stopped beside him.
"Very subtle."
Miles smiled innocently.
"What?"
Wilfred pointed vaguely toward the podium.
"Of course."
Wilfred laughed.
"That’s definitely what that was."
He patted Miles’ shoulder.
"Congratulations, boy."
"Thanks, General."
Sloane followed soon after.
"Try not to create a national crisis before lunch."
Miles smiled.
"No promises."
Sloane shook his head and walked away.
Across the room...
Marcus Vane didn’t approach.
He left.
Fast.
Not enough to look like he was running.
But enough that Miles noticed.
And so did Vivienne.
Her eyes followed Vane toward the exit.
He didn’t look back.
Vivienne’s expression remained unchanged.
It didn’t matter.
Marcus Vane’s usefulness had already ended.
If everything proceeded as planned...
This would be his last day in Citadel anyway.
...
Once most of the officers had left...
Nick walked over.
"Congratulations, buddy."
Miles smiled.
"Thanks."
Nick looked at the medal.
"Looks good."
"Still jealous?"
"Absolutely."
Evelyn stood beside him.
"Congratulations."
Miles looked toward her.
"Thank you."
Her expression became softer.
"And..."
"I’m sorry about your friend."
Miles nodded.
"Thanks, Evie."
Her eyes then moved toward Chloe.
Nick immediately smiled.
"Right."
He gestured dramatically.
"Proper introductions."
He pointed toward Chloe.
"Evie, meet Sister-in-law."
Chloe laughed.
Evelyn smiled politely.
"Hello."
"Hello."
"I’m Evelyn."
Chloe nodded.
"I’ve heard about you."
Evelyn became curious.
"Good things?"
Chloe looked toward Miles.
Miles immediately said,
"Don’t involve me."
Chloe laughed.
Then Evelyn smiled warmly.
"You’re very pretty, Sister."
"And congratulations on the wedding."
Chloe’s expression softened.
"Thank you."
Evelyn glanced toward Miles.
He was smiling.
For some reason...
She smiled too.
Then she noticed Hope and Asher.
Both were standing beside Timothy.
Evelyn’s eyes brightened.
"Are these your siblings?"
Miles nodded.
"Yes."
Hope politely greeted,
"Hello."
Asher copied her.
"Hello."
Evelyn walked toward them.
"You two are adorable."
Hope smiled shyly.
Evelyn reached inside the small handbag she carried.
"Would you like candy?"
Hope immediately looked toward Miles.
Miles noticed.
He smiled and nodded.
Hope turned back.
"Yes."
"We love candies."
Asher nodded very seriously.
"A lot."
Evelyn laughed.
She gave one to each.
Catherine watched nearby.
"Look at them."
Her expression softened.
"So sweet."
Maxwell smiled.
"Yes."
Vivienne approached them.
"Then..."
She looked toward the clock.
"I believe it’s time for lunch."
Catherine nodded.
"Yes."
Then she looked toward the Sterling family.
"Please."
"Join us."
...
A private dining room had been prepared elsewhere inside the secured compound.
Nothing excessively ceremonial.
A long dining table.
Fresh flowers.
Large windows overlooking part of the airbase.
Security remained outside rather than crowding the room.
The atmosphere quickly became less formal.
Military ceremony was over.
Now it was simply two families having lunch.
Along with Vivienne.
Timothy sat near Maxwell.
Miles and Chloe sat beside Elena and Daniel.
Hope and Asher were close enough that Elena could watch them.
Nick and Evelyn sat across from them.
Catherine sat beside Maxwell.
Vivienne occupied one of the seats near the center.
Once everyone settled...
Timothy looked toward Maxwell.
"Thank you, Mr. President."
"For having lunch with us."
Maxwell smiled.
"I should be thanking you, Mr. Sterling."
Timothy raised an eyebrow.
Maxwell continued,
"Meeting someone like you is an opportunity."
Timothy chuckled.
"I’m just an old businessman."
"I disagree."
Maxwell placed down his glass.
"You practically sparked the modern development of Star Harbor."
Timothy smiled faintly.
"That was a long time ago."
Vivienne joined the conversation.
"Still..."
"Star Harbor alone contributes more than several cities combined."
She looked toward Timothy.
"And the recent development there is remarkable."
"Technology."
"Finance."
"Entertainment."
"Tourism."
Timothy smiled.
"Thanks to my grandson."
Miles looked up from his food.
Timothy continued proudly,
"He’s a better businessman than I ever was."
Miles sighed.
"Grandpa."
Maxwell laughed.
"Well..."
"I agree."
Miles looked betrayed.
"Mr. President?"
"What?"
Maxwell smiled.
"I’m being truthful."
Catherine joined in.
"Also..."
She looked toward Miles.
"Congratulations on the Formula One project."
Then toward Nick.
"Thanks to you..."
"My son might finally learn some business."
Nick froze.
"Mom."
Everyone laughed.
Catherine continued,
"Seriously."
She looked toward Elena.
"Mrs. Elena."
Elena turned toward her.
"Miles has always been such a sweet child."
Miles almost choked on his food.
Nick immediately laughed.
Catherine ignored them.
"When Max first brought him to the Ivory House..."
Her expression softened.
"He blended into the family surprisingly quickly."
Miles became quieter.
"It was almost like Nick suddenly got a brother."
Nick smiled.
Catherine continued,
"I even asked Max..."
"...if we could adopt him."
Maxwell suddenly coughed.
Miles slowly turned toward him.
Maxwell immediately raised one hand.
"Hey."
"Don’t look at me."
He pointed toward Catherine.
"Not my idea."
Nick looked at his father.
"Well..."
"Your idea was completely different."
Maxwell’s head snapped toward him.
"Don’t speak while eating."
Nick grinned.
Miles narrowed his eyes.
"What idea?"
Maxwell picked up his water.
"No idea."
"Mr. President."
"Eat."
Catherine laughed.
Elena looked toward her.
"Thank you."
Her voice was sincere.
"For taking care of him."
Catherine’s expression immediately became warmer.
"We’re just happy he finally found you again."
Elena smiled.
Miles quietly continued eating.
Catherine then looked toward Chloe.
"Chloe, dear."
"Yes?"
"I heard you’re in business too."
Chloe smiled.
"Technically."
Catherine became curious.
"Technically?"
"I’m a designer."
Chloe explained,
"I leave most business operations to my partner."
"I work more on the creative side."
Catherine smiled.
"That’s one way of doing it."
Evelyn immediately became interested.
"You design animations?"
Chloe nodded.
"For games, mostly."
Evelyn’s eyes brightened.
"That’s so cool."
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you."
Evelyn looked between Chloe and Miles.
Then muttered,
"No wonder."
Nick chuckled.
Evelyn immediately turned.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing."
She pointed toward Miles.
"You’re the same age as him."
Nick immediately became suspicious.
"So?"
"Compare your achievements."
The table erupted into laughter.
Nick looked offended.
"Excuse me?"
Miles slowly looked toward him.
Then gave him the most irritating smirk he could manage.
Nick stared.
"You..."
Miles calmly took another bite.
"I didn’t say anything."
"Your face did."
Chloe covered her mouth.
Evelyn looked pleased with herself.
Across the table...
Vivienne watched.
Not obviously.
Not enough for anyone to notice.
But she watched every interaction.
Miles with Maxwell.
Miles with Catherine.
Miles with Nick.
The familiarity.
The history.
The trust.
Even the way the President allowed Miles to joke with him in a room full of people.
This wasn’t a recent relationship.
Maxwell had known Miles when he was still a boy.
Military commanders knew him personally.
He had somehow participated in operations before ever holding an official military rank.
He had connections to the Northern Frontier.
He had worked privately for the government.
He had survived things that made seasoned soldiers respect him.
And now...
At only twenty-three...
He controlled one of Haven’s one of largest business empires.
Vivienne slowly lifted her glass.
Her eyes settled on Miles.
There was more.
There had to be.
Maxwell had waited years before restoring the tradition of the Honorary General.
He would never choose someone randomly.
He would never seal someone’s records so deeply without reason.
He would never trust an ordinary businessman with the kind of authority Miles apparently possessed.
And then there was Adam Reeves.
The speech.
The promise.
The look Marcus Vane had worn before fleeing the hall.
Vivienne took a quiet sip.
Her smile never disappeared.
But somewhere behind it...
A simple thought began to grow.
Miles Sterling was far more dangerous than she had first assumed.