“IT MAY BE DIFFERENT FOR YOUR PEOPLE, BUT TO THE CLAN BROTHERHOODS THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR IS TO PROTECT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT THE STRENGTH TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. AS IT IS IN THE HIGH PLACES, SO IT IS IN THE LOW. WOULD YOU NOT AGREE?”

“If you say so.” You can’t say that’s been your own lived experienced in a mercenary outfit.

“IF WE DO NOT DO ALL WITHIN OUR POWER TO SAVE THOSE WHO CAN BE SAVED, WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF THAT CODE AND WALKED THE LOW WAYS.” Breaker regards your silence with solemn understanding for a moment, the hint of a weary smile slipping out from that cliffside of a xenos face. “YOU ARE LESS CERTAIN, I KNOW. I WISH WE HAD LONGER, THAT OUR TIME IN KAVARG'MAGA WAS NOT SO FLEETING. FOR THAT YOU HAVE MY HEARTFELT SORROW. YOU HAVE DONE MUCH FOR US ALREADY, SNAKE EYES. MUCH FOR THIS BROTHERHOOD. I WOULD ASK ONE MORE HIGH DUTY OF YOU, BEFORE YOU AND YOURS DEPART FROM US.”

You suppress a stiff knee-jerk reaction, playing it as cool as you can.

“Who said anything about us leaving?”

“NO ONE. BUT I AM NOT BLIND. I KNOW THAT YOUR BROTHERHOOD WALKS THE LOW WAYS, AND I KNOW THAT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE COME AS FAR AS WE HAVE IF THEY DID NOT. YOUR PEOPLE DO NOT INTEND TO DIE HERE, AND YOUR MASTER IS A CUNNING ONE. I AM CERTAIN HE HAS A PLAN.” Something in your face must have given away your concerns, because Breaker shifts his weight. An entirely innocent movement, but one that brings you back to full awareness of how thick his furred arms are, how easily he could snack you like a twig. “IF. IF YOUR CAPTAIN DOES HAVE A PLAN TO SURVIVE WHAT LIES AHEAD BY MY BROKEN CHAINS YOU HAVE MY WORD WE WILL DO YOU NO HARM. I ASK ONLY ONE THING OF YOU.”

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