Chapter 6.1 - Engines of Hate - OOC

"No one has to die." Lucius said more to himself than anyone else. He knew in his heart that many would die, perhaps even one of his brothers, but he had to try to prevent that.

"Watch Captain, all due respect, we did not carry you from the brink of oblivion through hell for you to throw it all away now."

An idea was forming in his head. It was a long shot - but he had to try. It ached at him at the bottom of his psyche. The mission, his duty, his loyalty, his brothers, his promises... they were all coming together in this one perfect moment.

"Caedmon, I would ask much of you, brother. I would have you gather the survivors of the Gaze and make your way back to the Thicker Than Blood. You should be clear of the reactor explosion there. You would be the only chance the base humans have of surviving, but I would not order this of you. It is your choice and we have no time." He moved in close before continuing. "I know not exactly what dwells there, but I know that none are better to cleanse this wretched place of it than you."

He then turned to Kor'sahn and Cassiel, the weight of the decision weighing on him like a million tonnes of stone and steel. "Your bravery and honor cannot be overstated. Makradon, give me the cartograph." Assuming Makradon hands over the map-tool, Lucius hands it to Korsahn. "But you are faster, brother sergeant Korsahn. Take the cartograph. Makradon, give him the machine codes to overload the reactor. Give him time to clear the area." He turned from Makradon, assuming he began uploading the data to Korsahn's HUD, back to Korsahn. "Set the blasted thing and then make your way to Caedmon's position and link up with him and the survivors. This is not a suicide mission, brother sergeant. Your orders are to survive and assist one another and await extraction. I will come back for you and Caedmon. I swear it upon my honor as a son of Guilliman and the Emperor Himself."

To Kellick, Kam, and Dhunn he spoke briefly. "It appears once more that you and yours will be tested. There is simply not enough room on the Arvus for but a handful of you. I would leave this decision to you. The rest will accompany Brother Caedmon to minimum safe blast distance and await for rendezvous with Brother Korsahn. You must act quickly, there is no time to waste."

As the human leaders decided their own fate, he began pulling weapons and ordnance from his web gear and handing them to Caedmon. "Draco, drop bags out and loaded up with your extra ammunition, ordnance, repair cement, and anything you can spare. Then move out to the Arvus. Double time!"

[Luicus will leave Caedmon the Infernus pistol and all reloads, all frag and krak grenades, one concussion grenade, all of his mass reactive rounds, and his Mk. VII battle helm]

He knew the extra burden would not slow down the Storm Warden one bit. When it had been gathered and handed over, he held out his right hand. In it was his helmet. "I would give you this as well. Yours seems to be damaged. I will take yours." Assuming Caedmon accepts the gesture, Lucius adds, "I expect my helm back and in pristine condition when I return." He offered a smile of gratitude for the gravity of the orders he had placed on the Librarian.