"I know what you're thinking." Kester interrupted Hanks's imaginings. "In the Euronia System, even if a Space Marine Chapter arrives, we'll only have three to four hundred warships, counting every transport and escort ship at our disposal. We have only a handful of capital ships of cruiser class or above. Even if the follow-up fleet arrives ahead of schedule, we won't have more than ten in total."
"A fleet that size cannot defeat the xenos. So we'll face an even more brutal ground war. That's why I recommended appointing you as a general. Even if one command structure is destroyed, there will still be another, and the fighting can continue."
"I..." Hanks opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but Kester interrupted him again.
"General Hanks, I'm addressing you as a general ahead of time because I want you to adjust to the role. Later, I'll introduce you to the captain of every warship. This campaign will be difficult, and the Imperium's warships are precious..."
At that, Commissar Kester fell silent for a moment. "In an emergency, I authorize you to order some of the warships to retreat, preserving the Imperium's fighting strength and preparing for the continued defense."
Hanks wanted to say, How could I abandon my comrades and my army and withdraw? What about you, Commissar? But when he saw the look in Kester's eyes, he could not utter a word.
Sacrifice was the bedrock of the Imperium. Every soldier of the Imperial Army ought to understand the weight of those words.
Watching Hanks walk away, Kester felt much more at ease. With the Reserve Command Centre in place, he could throw himself into the fight without reservation. He simply had not expected this remote system to be where his life ended.
If only he had a little