Iso turned around, walking quickly towards the council round table, his face, slightly flushed with excitement, radiating a fervent glow.
"Gentlemen!" He spread his arms as if to embrace the entire star map, "It's clear now! We need to be as enthusiastic and uncompromising as Commander Ghostface and his Helldivers Legion in cleansing the entire Jersey Sector! Root out all hidden heretics, traitors, and the weak-willed!"
Just as he was about to elaborate on his grand purification plan, which would set the entire sector ablaze, Commander-in-Chief Wendell Gage's voice rang out, interrupting his fervent speech at just the right moment.
"Bishop Iso," Wendell's voice was as steady as ever, "I understand your fervent loyalty to the Emperor and your deep-seated hatred and anger towards traitors. However, from a military perspective, the expeditionary fleet can no longer afford the risk of remaining here."
Wendell clearly expressed his opposition. Rogue trader Lucian didn't even need to speak; he simply leisurely picked up a glass of wine from the table, gently swirling it. His relaxed posture itself was a silent vote against.
Therefore, Iso hesitantly cast a pleading gaze towards his staunchest ally—Inquisitor Grande.
However, Grande merely shook his head slightly.
"Alright… alright…" The fervent fire in the Pope's eyes instantly dimmed considerably. He grumbled, reluctantly walking to his seat and sitting down. Then, he beckoned to Ghostface, signaling him to come over and stand behind his chair.
Ghostface complied, muttering in his heart beneath his cold faceplate, "So, I've inexplicably been labeled as part of the Ecclesiarchy faction."
He stood behind the Pope, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. Since he was wearing a full-face helmet, as long as he didn't stare at anyone for too long, he wouldn't be noticed.
Even though he hadn't read the original works about the Damocles Gulf Crusade, the clear factional struggle in the room was already very evident. He didn't yet know whether it was right or wrong to stand with the Ecclesiarchy at this moment.
However, Ghostface didn't feel any particular regret. This was much better than being excluded from the core of power. Moreover, joining the Ecclesiarchy faction might not necessarily be a bad thing.
As the internal cleansing agenda was temporarily shelved, Commander-in-Chief Wendell Gage's authority once again filled the entire hall. He stood up, hands braced on the table, leaning slightly forward, his gaze as sharp as a hawk, fixed on a specific area of the holographic star map.
"Gentlemen, let's now discuss the next military action." His voice drew everyone's attention back. "I propose that the fleet immediately end its rest in the Jersey Sector and proceed at full speed into the neighboring 'Highlander' region. I have two reasons."
He extended a finger, pointing to a deep red marked route on the star map.
"First, the Highlander region is the best springboard for attacking the T'au Empire's frontier colonies. If our fleet can successfully pass through this region, we can immediately launch a surprise attack deep into the T'au Empire, striking at the heart of the enemy and disrupting their overall deployment."
Then, he moved his finger, tracing a return route.
"Second, and equally important, the Highlander region provides us with a safe retreat route. Should we encounter unexpected setbacks during the attack, or if the enemy's reinforcements exceed our estimates, the fleet can rely on the terrain of the Highlander star system to calmly withdraw to the Jersey Sector, which we have just finished cleansing, for rest and resupply. The logistics base we established here will become our strongest backing."
Wendell Gage straightened up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally concluding, "This plan allows us to advance or retreat. We have already spent time purifying the rear; now, we must thrust out the sword before the enemy can fully react."
Wendell Gage's plan was clear, pragmatic, and logically rigorous.
The magnates present thought for a moment and quickly reached a consensus. rogue trader Lucian was the first to express support; for him, a clear, swift military operation was far more in his interest than a protracted internal cleansing with uncertain returns. Inquisitor Grande merely nodded slightly, uttering a single word: "Feasible." His duty was to judge the Emperor's enemies, and the primary enemy at hand was undoubtedly the T'au Empire entrenched here.
Even the most reluctant Bishop Iso, after a brief silence, could only admit that the Commander-in-Chief's plan was militarily impeccable. Strategically, his proposal for continued cleansing of traitors had been rejected; to try and refute the fleet's most professional military commander on a tactical level would only bring humiliation.
With consensus reached, the next items on the agenda were minor details. For example, the allocation of logistics supplies for various space marines chapters and Astra Militarum legions, the order of fleet formations, and initial communication protocols. These details were quickly finalized under the Commander-in-Chief's efficient chairmanship.
Finally, Wendell Gage stood up and declared in his unequivocal voice, "The council is adjourned. All personnel return to their posts. In twelve terra hour, the expeditionary fleet will set sail to attack the xenos!"
Amidst the clamor of people leaving, Pope Iso called out to Ghostface, who was preparing to follow the crowd out. He patted Ghostface's cold black shoulder plate affectionately and said earnestly, "You should hurry back. Remember, as an Astra Militarum commander, you must be upright, kind, intelligent, enthusiastic, pious, and always ready to secure victory for the Emperor, and to exterminate all xenos and heretics!"
"Hehe, of course, of course." Ghostface chuckled under his faceplate, echoing, "Do you have any other instructions?"
Pope Iso hesitated, seemingly weighing an important proposal: "Would you… be willing to stay and continue the cleansing work in the Jersey Sector? I still have the authority to mobilize an Astra Militarum legion in my name."
"Uh…" Ghostface felt that this old man was truly a bit crazy, "I think my warriors would still prefer to fight for the Emperor's glory on a real battlefield."
"Alright," a flicker of regret crossed Iso's face, but it quickly transformed into fervent encouragement. He waved his hand grandly, saying passionately, "Then go with confidence! I'll get you double… oh no, triple the supplies you need! As many leman russ tanks as you want! You must utterly annihilate those filthy xenos for me!"
What the heck?!
Ghostface's eyes, hidden beneath his full-face helmet, instantly widened. Just a moment ago, he thought this old man was a bit crazy; now, he seemed like the most adorable and generous fanatic in the entire universe!
The next second, he snapped his feet together, straightened his body, and performed an impeccable aquila salute towards Pope Iso with unprecedented precision.
"Loyalty! For the Emperor!"