Captains

The air on the front lines is thick with the smell of gunpowder and determination. After the briefing and greetings from the field commanders, you were summoned to an emergency meeting. The situation has escalated, and your strategic genius is needed immediately.

You have taken charge of the meeting in the field headquarters. Around the table are the chief of intelligence, the commander of security, the head of the operations department, and other officers. The atmosphere is electric. Your composure, honed by years of service, grants you a sense of calm.

"General," the strategist began, unfolding the tactical display. "The enemy is preparing to attack in three directions. Here is our plan..."

He pointed out critical points on the tactical map, sketching the trajectories of the offensive. But you noticed that the commander of the heavy artillery and the commander of the mechanized troops were not listening. Their gazes were fixed on you—on your uniform, on your movements. A slight flush touched their cheeks when you asked, "In your estimation, how great is the risk of a breakthrough on the flank?"

"The risk in this sector is extremely low," the strategist replied. "However, if we reinforce the positions on Hill 170, we can eliminate this factor entirely. This will require the redeployment of reserves..."

You nodded, your gaze lingering for only a moment on the captains. A flicker of confusion crossed their eyes, replaced by cautious attention.