“There’s nothing wrong with the machine. I trust my people, and I trust my judgment.” Lucian’s voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the clamor in the medical bay like a drawn saber.
His combat boots echoed steadily on the metal floor as he took two steps forward, positioning himself in front of Loyce and shielding her from the hostile stares. His action was a clear statement of protection.
“Lucian, you…” The Naval Commander’s disappointment deepened. “The facts are right in front of you. Why are you still so stubborn? Are you really willing to lose your title and position over this?”
Others chimed in, trying to persuade Lucian.
Gavin, playing the part of the reasonable peacemaker, stepped forward. “It’s possible it was just a diagnostic error. My software has a virtual patient simulation. Let me just check if that’s been corrupted.”
An anatomical diagram appeared on the medical machine’s screen. Gavin deliberately launched a trauma simulation. “Let’s test the basic functions.”
As the virtual patient showed signs of a massive hemorrhage, the machine blared a piercing alarm. “Warning! Abnormal vital signs! Immediate transfusion recommended!”
But the projection incorrectly displayed a Type O blood marker, while the simulated patient was clearly Type AB.
“My God!” a medic exclaimed. “If this happened on the battlefield…”
Gavin feigned panic as he fiddled with the controls. “Strange, the system’s assessment is completely wrong!”
He tested a few more basic functions, each resulting in either a delay or a misdiagnosis. Finally, the machine blue-screened, displaying a ‘System Failure’ message.
The medical bay erupted.
“This is what you call an upgrade?”
“It’s a joke! A deadly one that gambles with soldiers’ lives!”
“How could Admiral Shapiro fall for such a childish prank…”
The Army Commander, having already heard from his daughter how poorly she was treated at the Shapiro estate, slammed his hand on the table. “Lucian! What do you have to say for yourself? You’ve ruined a multi-million dollar piece of military equipment for a woman!”
“Commander, please calm down. Admiral Shapiro was likely just misled…” Caden interjected smoothly, then turned to Lucian. “This has blown up. You can’t protect that audacious girl anymore. Send her to the stockade, apologize to Gavin, and we can put this behind us.”
“I wasn’t misled,” Lucian said, his voice chillingly calm. “This machine was sabotaged.”

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