However, facing everyone's suggestions, Alex shook his head, his voice echoing in the command hall: "We cannot wait for these two xenos races to decide a victor."
As soon as Alex spoke, he immediately attracted everyone's attention.
The blue light of the holographic projection illuminated his stern face, his eyes, flickering with psychic energy, swept over every senior officer present.
Someone asked in confusion: "Commander, why? The Expeditionary Force has been fighting until now, and the soldiers are exhausted. We need to rest!
Furthermore, we need to re-establish medical worlds in the rear to treat the wounded. We are unable to launch an offensive in a short period."
The staff officers whispered among themselves, the casualty figures on their data-slates were shocking—over 60% of Astra Militarum companies were severely understrength, armored units had lost one-third of their vehicles, and even the Astartes Chapter had suffered considerable casualties.
The data streams of the Adeptus Mechanicus representative constantly flashed warnings of supply shortages, and the medical ships were packed with wounded soldiers missing limbs.
Alex, of course, understood this.
"Allowing the Necrons and Orks to fight and consume each other's strength, there's no problem with that; it was also the strategy I had previously devised." He looked at the questioning officer and replied in a steady voice: "The Expeditionary Force can take this opportunity to rest and recover its strength, and there's no problem with that either."
But then his tone suddenly turned cold: "But waiting until they decide a victor before dealing with the remaining one, that is not appropriate."
Alex brought up real-time battlefield footage. On the shattered planetary debris, the Orks were rapidly evolving—their armor became thicker, their weapon power significantly increased, and even their body size was growing at a visible rate.
"If the Necrons win, it's fine," Alex pointed to the Necron technology in the footage, which had been grotesquely modified by Ork Mekboyz, "but if the Orks win, what we will have to face will be even more terrifying Orks than now."
His voice carried an undeniable certainty, "You should be aware that the characteristic of Orks is that they grow stronger the more they fight."
"Then, Commander, what is your intention?" The Astra Militarum Lord General stood up, his medals glinting in the light. He looked at Alex with a probing gaze, subtly revealing his dissatisfaction.
As a highly decorated Astra Militarum Commander, he knew all too well what continuing the offensive would mean—it would be filling a bottomless pit with the lives of countless Astra Militarum soldiers.
The atmosphere in the command hall immediately became heavy.
Although the high command of the Expeditionary Force understood Alex's meaning—Orks indeed grow stronger the more they fight—continuing the offensive would mean the deaths of Astra Militarum and other ground forces.
As the Astra Militarum Lord General, he naturally harbored some resentment.
Alex sensed this emotion, but he did not back down.
"The Expeditionary Force will undergo rest and reorganization. Replenish personnel where needed, reorganize units where necessary, and restore the troops' combat effectiveness as quickly as possible." His finger traced a line across the star map, drawing a circle around the shattered planetary debris: "But rest is not retreat—we need to eliminate both of these xenos races together before they decide a victor!"
This bold plan caused an uproar in the command hall.
Alex did not wait for anyone to object and continued: "I have already contacted the Ecclesiarchy, and they will dispatch more Battle Sisterss to assist. At the same time, the Adeptus Mechanicus has promised to complete the emergency deployment of two Warlord-Class Titans within three weeks."
His gaze swept over every Commander, "This is not a request, but an order! By the Emperor, we must prevent the Orks from evolving and expanding through this war, no matter the cost."
The Astra Militarum Lord General's expression changed repeatedly, and finally, under Alex's determined gaze, he slowly raised his right hand and performed a standard military salute: "Yes, Commander. For the Emperor!"
The moment he spoke these words, it was as if all his strength was drained, but at the same time, it carried the unique resolve of a soldier.
---
Alex's orders spread like thunder throughout the entire Expeditionary Force system.
As the directives were issued layer by layer, the intense artillery fire on the front lines gradually ceased, and various units began to withdraw in an orderly fashion for rest.
After repeated reconnaissance, the General Staff finally selected a temperate ecological planet as the new medical center.
Within just three days, hundreds of transport ships transferred tens of thousands of wounded from various battlefields to this location.
Newly constructed medical domes rose from the planetary surface, equipped with the most advanced medical equipment and ample medical supplies. Thousands of Hospitallers and medical officers worked day and night to treat the wounded soldiers.
In the rear reorganization areas, units whose structures had been broken down were undergoing large-scale restructuring.
Alex personally signed orders to dismantle and reorganize the elite units of the Holy War Army and the Rostov Defense Force.
These experienced veterans, organized into squads and platoons, were used to replenish the heavily depleted Astra Militarum regiments.
Although this practice of inter-regiment mixed-unit formation severely violated the relevant regulations of the Astra Militarum, in this special period of urgent war, officers at all levels could only turn a blind eye.
For Astra Militarum units that had lost more than half of their personnel, being able to receive reinforcements was already a blessing; they dared not ask for more.
Not to mention that these reinforcements were all veterans who had already experienced the fires of war, making them quite valuable even for the Astra Militarum.
On the Adeptus Mechanicus side, the Rust Blade Legion was now officially integrated into the Expeditionary Force's operational sequence. Under Alex's command, they were dispersed into three battle groups, each strengthening one of the three Commanders.
They reorganized their respective forces in Kharkov, forming three attack spearheads in preparation for the next round of offensive.
Meanwhile, transport fleets from Mars brought exciting reinforcements—two brand new Warlord-Class Titans were delivered to Rostov, their gleaming armor shining brightly under the stellar light.
Even more surprisingly, the accompanying Archmagos also brought a permit bearing the holy seal of the Mars Council: approval to establish a brand new Titan Legion in Rostov.
These two Warlord-Class Titans, along with the several Warhound-class Titans Alex originally possessed, formed the backbone of this nascent Legion.
As for the other Titans of this new Legion, they would need to wait for Mars to allocate them.
Evidently, Mars also knew that there was currently one Titan Legion serving under Alex, and they would not give him a second Legion.
This new Legion was currently just a designation; until the Rust Blade Legion withdrew from combat, the new Legion would not receive sufficient reinforcements.
Although Alex and the Adeptus Mechanicus had not reached a consensus or communicated on this point, there was an unspoken understanding between them.
Of course, apart from the Titan war machines, the other accompanying components of the Titan Legion were not in short supply; the corresponding Titan Guard and noble houses of Princeps were also assigned to Rostov.
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