In the Command Hall, Chief of Staff Wood watched Morton, carefully organizing his words in his mind.
Morton spoke first. "Do you remember when we were at military academy? I fell for a girl, and you helped me come up with a plan. In the end, she started dating me."
Wood froze for a moment, unsure why the general had brought up such an old story. No matter how he looked at it, this was not the time for idle chatter.
Still, he smiled. "Yes. You were impulsive back then. I don't know how many messes I had to clean up for you."
Morton smiled at him as well. "That's right, Wood. You cleaned up a lot of messes for me."
"Come to think of it, I really haven't been a qualified friend."
"But I still want to ask you for one more favor."
"If—just if."
"If we fail, I'd like to ask you to help clean up after me one more time. This should be the last time."
"When that happens, you must decisively cut ties with me and be the first to stand up against and denounce me. Only then will you have the standing to clean up the mess I leave behind after I'm gone."
Wood was stunned, an incredulous expression appearing on his face. "Morton, have you lost confidence in this war?"
Overcome by emotion, the Chief of Staff addressed the general by name.
Morton shook his head. "Not at all."
"But you know me. I'm confident, not arrogant."
"It's always best to keep something in reserve."
"Just treat what I told you as a backup plan."
"Though I don't think we'll need it."
"I have another option."
Wood frowned and lowered his voice. "That option of yours isn't good at all."
Morton laughed. "Don't worry