Captain Sarah Miller adjusted her clean tan service uniform while walking down the long hallway.
The bright light reflected off the white marble floors inside the grand military base headquarters.
She was rushing toward the main conference room to deliver an urgent set of operational reports.
Her heart pounded against her chest as her boots clicked rapidly along the polished stone pathway.
She carried a stack of heavy paper files tightly tucked under her right arm during her walk.
Inside her left pocket rested a heavy silver challenge coin her mother gave her years ago.
Her late mother always said that precious metallic coin would guide her toward her real family.
Sarah reached into her pocket to check if the precious family heirloom was safe inside.
Her nervous fingers slipped slightly against the smooth polished metal edge of the coin.
The heavy silver coin tumbled out of her fingers and bounced hard onto the floor.
It made a sharp ringing sound as it spun rapidly across the bright marble floor surface.
A young male officer stepped out from a nearby doorway and nearly tripped over the coin.
Male Officer: Hey, are you blind?!
The officer turned around sharply with a harsh and frustrated look on his young face.
Sarah: I am so sorry, sir, it slipped out of my hand!
Sarah froze in place as the coin rolled directly toward an approaching senior officer's shining boots.
General Edward Carter stood tall at the end of the bright corridor in full dress uniform.
His uniform chest displayed rows of colorful medals earned from decades of distinguished military service.
The spinning coin slowed down and rested right at the elderly general's polished black shoe.
General Carter looked down at the tiny piece of metal sitting on the bright white floor.
He slowly bent down to pick up the item before the young officer could step on it.
Sarah held her breath while waiting for the general to scold her for being so careless.
The general adjusted his glasses as his fingers wrapped around the cold heavy silver piece.
He turned the coin over in his hand to inspect the detailed military engraving on its back.
Suddenly his face turned pale white as his eyes widened in total shock and disbelief.
His hands began to shake uncontrollably as he stared at the initials carved into the metal.
The quiet hallway suddenly felt completely still as time seemed to stop for everyone present.
Sarah took a cautious step forward while watching the high ranking general reaction very closely.