Holding the Line (Part 2)

Jackson remained silent.

Although he agreed with Onori's view, he had to believe that Yushikin knew what he was doing.

As a top graduate of a military academy, it was not impossible to understand the intentions of a master strategist. But Jackson knew better than anyone that Yushikin, who had never attended officer school, possessed leaps of imagination, intuition, and logic beyond anyone else's reach.

However, what he had designed would only work when every gear in the machine turned in the same direction.

Onori had courage and honor, but he was warping the machine's operation.

That could not be allowed, at least not now.

"Onori, you are relieved of command."

Jackson dropped a bombshell.

"Leave your post and let your deputy take over."

"Jackson, wait—"

While everyone else was too shocked to speak, Kexian of the Seventh Division was the first to open his mouth.

"You want to go with Onori?"

Before he could finish, Jackson cut off everything he had intended to say.

"No, sir."

Kexian gave a brief bow.

"But even you must admit that your orders seem... somewhat contradictory. You know, I can see it in your eyes."

"What I need to know is that my orders carry the authority of High Command. Does anyone here think they know more than the commander? Can any of you claim to understand the subtleties of war better than General Yushikin? Everything I have arranged has been approved by him."

The officers exchanged silent looks, while Nutans's silence gave everyone all the answer they needed.

Since the Empress's representative had no objections, Jackson had the authority to temporarily appoint or dismiss a divisional commander.

"I understand."

"Then carry out my orders."

Their gazes returned to the holographic map. As noon arrived, the entire front began to burn again.

Orks