In the Capital city, at the President's mansion
A long wooden table was arranged in the center of the meeting room. It was brimmed with higher officials in uniforms and formal wear. Bernard was chairing the meeting alongside the Chief Justice.
The attendees didn't just contain people from administration but also honored figures from different fields such as arts, research, literature, technology, and so on.
They were discussing and choosing the awardees for the upcoming National day of Narnia, to honor the people for their achievement and bravery.
The three hours had passed with the meeting when a knock on the door silenced the presenter who was speaking about a person.
Everyone turned to the door and saw a man in a crisp white shirt, buttoned up to the collar to support the navy blue striped tie, pairing with the navy slim-fit blue blazer, he stepped inside the room.
His expression was cold despite entering late to the meeting. Yet no one in the hall dared to frown at him. Ones who were seeing him for the first time, read the intense situation and quietly watched the handsome man.
His shiny black shoes created a rhythmic tune when he proceeded inside, followed by an attendant with a chair in his hands
The Chief Justice was busy reading a file in his hand without bother. His lips arced slyly, sensing the air turn still.
He lifted his head and saw Jason boldly proceeding towards the front of the meeting hall. Jason had the power to attend the meeting and voice his opinion on nominated awardees, however, he hadn't cared.
Jason greeted the Chief Justice with a salute ignoring all the eyes on him. Chief Justice nodded in response and signaled him to take a seat, making others gasp. They couldn't believe Jason was attending the meeting.
Jason could have taken a seat in the front, but he purposefully went to the end and pointed to a spot for the attendant to place the chair. Another person kept a nameplate, water bottle, coffee, and microphone on the table, in front of Jason.
Everyone was speechless when they saw Jason showing a blind eye to look at the screen. It felt like Jason was there to waste his spare time.
Chief Justice cued the presenter to continue the presentation.
Just half an hour passed when it was Chief Justice's turn to recommend anybody for the awards. He turned to his assistant who clicked a button on the laptop screen and stood silently.
The Chief Justice began, "I have only one person to recommend." A portrait picture of a lady appeared on the large screen.
The meeting attendees looked at the lady. She had a soft arch of her eyebrows and a straight nose like a wedge. Her full pink lips looked delicate like a petal of a rose.
Her supple skin and smooth jawline added extra exquisiteness to her look. The straight dark brown hair reaching her shoulder made her face look petite.
However, the steely cold gray eyes behind the lashes were as if controlling them. And the badge on her uniform made a few take a look at Jason in awe.
A few assumed Jason was there because of her and Some were surprised that a lady had impressed Chief Justice to recommend her personally.
Bernard's eyes widened looking at the screen before he composed as if he didn't react. He couldn't believe he assumed Anya to be a helpless lady.
"Anya Owen." The Chief Justice pronounced her name, clear and crisp, with a hint of pride. He rarely recommended anybody and it was always the men he recommended for an award in the past years. He felt like a proud father of a daughter to recommend her.
Suddenly the silent hall filled with a murmur. They started talking about the name they heard a few times on the news channel, and read in the newspaper.
"Silence." The Assistant of the Chief Justice said in a voice of authority.
The Chief Justice continued when the room fell into complete silence, "Right, she is the same lady whose name had become a source of baseless stories."
The curiosity of people arose. They looked at Bernard as Anya was said to be the assistant general secretary of President Bernard but she is an officer from the Secret Service. They didn't need any more words to say she was working as assistant general secretary due to some work.
The Chief Justice wasn't there to clarify the rumors. Her identity was enough to clear it. So he went to the main point, "The lady who saved 700 people. The lady found 15 pests in the higher administration office and reclaimed 2 billion worth of black money. She has assisted over 15 critical, 39 moderate, and 72 low profile cases."
The Chief Justice didn't use flattering words and directly stated the statistics of Anya's current track record in five years.
He looked at his assistant who changed the screen and took the charge to continue, "Due to her exceptional service to the nation and the citizens, Officer Owen has obtained various awards and decorations such as Distinguished Intelligence Medal, Intelligence Medal of Merit, Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, Exceptional Service Medallion…"
Some were shocked, some were astonished as the assistant continued to list every award and decoration. It wasn't easy to accept that a young lady could achieve so much in such a short time.
But it wasn't difficult to accept when they glanced at Jason who had numerous awards and decorations in his bag. Not to mention, they were speaking about Team Ace of Secret Service.
When the assistant completed his part, Chief Justice questioned, as he leaned back on the chair and brushed his eyes on everyone. "Your opinions are welcome."
An air force major general said, "Chief Justice, giving awards to secret service officers is like leaking her identity to the public." He meant she should continue to serve with no recognition.
"Major General has a point. Taking her young age, she will become the talk of the town. Then it wouldn't be possible to perform her future tasks by hiding her identity."
"The exceptional contribution of the officer is truly commendable. We shouldn't leak her identity."
There were a few who were against awarding Anya. It wasn't because they didn't recognize her value, they focused on the favor of the country.
Jason didn't interject. He had turned down the highest honors reward to hide his identity till three years ago.
However, the situation with Anya was different, if she successfully concludes her coming mission, her next promotion will put her in a position that doesn't need for her to hide her identity.
Nevertheless, the Chief Justice decided to recommend Anya. So Jason let the Chief Justice handle it himself.
The Chief Justice didn't speak about Anya's situation. He let the people voice their thoughts first.
A man in the middle, lifted his hand to voice his opinion. He was a major general of the army, "A medal or a decoration isn't to show off. It is an additional level of veneration to a highly esteemed officer. It won't just motivate the officer but also inspire other officers to work hard and influence the public to come forward to serve the country."
A lot of members nodded their heads, agreeing with the man's words.
He continued, "In regards to leaking her details, we can find an alternative. Such as, Chief Jason could receive it on Officer Owen's behalf or her family could honor the award.
When we think of the nation, we should also respect and encourage our heroes to put their life at risk. That's all."
In no time, everyone unanimously agreed to award Anya Owen while President Collins stayed exceptionally mute.
The guilt was eating him. Compared to his twenty years of service in the military, what Anya did was remarkable. And he had planned to entitle her to a criminal for his selfish plans. He couldn't bring himself to look at her picture on the screen, much less have his opinion.
The Chief Justice appreciated the people who could think through. "Alright, I haven't recommended her for a particular award. So please go ahead and suggest one."
A man suggested looking at Anya's expertise, "National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal."
A lady who remembered briefing on Anya responded, "Officer Owen already has it."
A few chuckled and another man voiced, "Officer Owen has gone above and beyond the call of duty in response to a threat. How about the National Intelligence Cross?"
A man shook his head, "We shouldn't choose depending on her expertise in cyber security. She is exceptional in all the tasks she has completed."
"She has shown extraordinary heroism, and courage in the face of significant and known risk. A bravery award will definitely influence females in the country."
A few agreed and another one disagreed, "You are considering only one task of PSR. She is more than that."
The discussion continued. Chief Justice and Jason looked at each other. Both knew where it was going to end, yet they voiced nothing until a person finally exclaimed, "Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive." In short, the Presidential award.
A person hesitantly commented, "Isn't she too young for it?"
Another person countered, "Is there an age restriction to the award?"
A small discussion went on before the majority agreed on the Presidential award.
"Then it's…" The Chief Justice paused and looked at the hand in the air.
Suddenly silence enveloped them when they sensed a hand raise. All turned to Jason who finally opened his lips to speak but denied the decision, "I. Object."
Everyone was shocked. Jason should be proud to know one of his subordinates was capable like him to earn the highest degree award.
Though they didn't voice, their thoughts ran wild wondering if he was jealous of his subordinate's growth. After all, men are self-esteemed creatures when it comes to establishing superiority against women.
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