"Unacceptable."
Morgan's words caused the military tent to practically freeze over.
General Song frowned, looking toward the professor with a sharp gaze and an unhappy twist to his lip.
"Professor Hayes, this is—."
"Don't try to belittle me, General. I've allowed your rules and regulations to put up guardrails wherever you may please in the past. Have I ever resisted your orders before?
"But you seem to have forgotten that we are not in a subordinate-superior relationship. In fact, in the eyes of the Celestial Republic, I am no less important than you are.
"I might listen to your words when it's a matter of safety, but you know nothing about my field. So I would suggest that you show the same level of deference that I have given you in these last several months in matters such as these."
The atmosphere seemed to solidify as silence fell over them all. No one dared to speak or even breathe too loudly as the two men faced off.