"You, how dare you".
Just as First Lieutenant Darvik was about to condemn Elijah's behaviour, The Major raised his hand.
"Enough, we are not here to bicker amongst ourselves, First Lieutenant Verayth, you said you had something of utmost importance to share with everyone?".
First Lieutenant Darvik closed his mouth and sat back down, Meanwhile Elijah finally breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed like Verayth didn't tell anyone about his spacial gifts.
First Lieutenant Verayth stood up and addressed the crowd.
"I'm not the one who has something to say, it's my friend here, Elijah... he believes to know a much more effective method of defeating the Thalorian advance force, so please hear him out".
First Lieutenant Darvik's fist slammed onto the table, silencing the murmurs around him. His face twisted with fury as roared.
"Just what is the meaning of this incompetence. First Lieutenant Verayth, How can you truly believe a civilian that had never held a rifle till two days ago will somehow know more about the art of war than the Major himself... This is preposterous".
First Lieutenant Verayth didn't answer instantly, she simply maintained her silence and signaled for Elijah to step closer to the table.
Once he did, she turned to First Lieutenant Darvik and said coldly.
"If you are in doubt, then just shortup and hear him out, not like you have any bright ideas to contribute".
First Lieutenant Darvik's expression twisted, his pigeon wings fluttered as if ready to open, but didn't, he simply spat.
"How dare you?".
"Alright, that's enough... We will hear the boy out". The Major interrupted.
With Verayth's signal, Elijah began.
"The enemy's advanced forces are lower in number, but heavily armed, in prolonged combat, defeating them wouldn't had been an issue, but their intentions isn't to fight for an extended period of time...
Elijah further raised his voice to ensure that even the sergeant's could hear him, before he continued.
... They are here to buy time for their main force, just like we recruits, they are sacrificial..."
The high ranking officers eyes shifted from Elijah's last comment, but he ignored it and carried on.
... Meaning they are afraid, once they lose their commander, they will scatter like leaves on a windy day".
A random sergeant raised the question everyone was wondering.
"How exactly do we eliminate this commader of theirs, he is behind enemy lines afterall".
Elijah's analysis was splendid, but if that was all he could do, the best he was getting here was a slap on the wrist.
Elijah smiled, and paused for a second to build up the tension in the room, he needed them to know just how powerless they were without his plans, and that was how his influence will start to grow within the army.
"Well for starters, charging at the enemy like suicidal masochist clearly isn't working, so we teach our men to fight in a more effective way, By dividing them into small units of twenty men each spread out in a highly mobile force... The men will use an easy to understand formation of ten men in front and ten behind...
Each group of ten soldiers alternates between firing and reloading, creating a seamless rhythm of attack. The front line fires relentlessly at the enemy, while the second line reloads and prepares to switch places. This simple yet effective strategy ensures a continuous barrage of gunfire, keeping the enemy suppressed and pinned down in the field."
The Major's eyes lit up even before Elijah finished, Clearly he was the first to understand what Elijah was unto.
"I see, this strategy will alow us to continuously fire at the enemy without the need to pause our fire to reload, this will suffocate and frustrate the enemy, brilliant, simply brilliant".
As the Major spoke, the sergeant's and the other officers finally reacted, at first they were confused seeing as their guns only fire a bullet at a time, but when they imagined the formation Elijah just came up with, it made perfect sense.
But before they could finish admiring the plan, Elijah struck once more.
"That isn't all, from my observations, we need to employ a hit and run tactic for our bomb and infantry squads, we create a small squad of five to six, they infiltrate behind enemy lines and plant IEDs on their artillery unit and then make a break for it...
While I was on the battlefield, I noticed the enemies artillery unit, though further back, isn't really well protected, its probably because they need more men on the front lines, but we can take advantage of this..."
Elijah's lips curled into a sly grin, the officers erupted into whispers, their brows crossed as they exchanged uneasy glances.
But Elijah ignored it all and continued.
And lastly, the official suicide squad, a small team of about six to ten men, equipped with a medic, highly trained infantry, explosive expert, and communication experts, a well rounded team led by an observant and reliable leader, this team takes missions that involve infiltrating enemy lines and assassinating the enemy commander or even sabotage enemy chain of command... So what do you guys think?".
The Major was impressed with the first of Elijah's ideas to begin with, but as Elijah kept on talking, his respect for him kept on growing.
The Major stood upright and finally made his decision.
"You're a talented young man, Elijah. Why don't you retire to your tent for the time being".
Elijah nodded and exited the tent, he'd already accomplished his objective, now they will have no choice but to enlist him. Heck, they might even give him a promotion if he's plans work.
After Elijah left, the Major calmed his fluctuating emotions down.
"All the sergeant's, leave right now, go and begin training our veteran's to shoot like Elijah suggested, use the recruits and injured to deceive the Thalorians into thinking the trench is still occupied by our main forces...".
The major looked towards the other high ranking soldiers.
"All the second Lieutenants will prepare a, what did Elijah call them again, Ah yes. Hit and run bomb squads, you will make sure the enemy artillery unit is harassed enough for the suicide squad to infiltrate and eliminate the enemy commander...".
The Major turned to Verayth.
"... First Lieutenant Verayth will oversee the suicide squad".
Verayth nodded in acknowledgment.