This statement was not meant to motivate them. In reality, when war truly descended upon everyone's heads, continuing to use words to express anything would only add paleness.
Eternal farewells to loved ones. The terror of witnessing horrifying things. The temperature of shrapnel and lasers grazing past one's body. Decades of life being easily shattered.
When those rhetorically decorated things truly manifested before them, words like "sacrifice" and "dedication" - which might have been glossed over in half a second during speeches - finally revealed their true meanings hidden between the lines.
Therefore, this statement merely conveyed a message even more concise than spoken words: I'm still alive, and I don't intend to give up.
What should be used to describe the current Zhang Ge? Spiritual leader? Or commander? Neither seems quite appropriate.
He searched his mind and found a suitable description:
The bird that sticks its head out.
Exactly, he was now that bird about to be shot - this was true for him, while for other birds in the flock, it simultaneously meant another thing.
Before that protruding bird gets killed, the gun muzzle won't point at them.
Despair, numbness, fear or whatever else - though no one explicitly said it, these things froze everyone involved like sinking cold air, invisible and intangible.
If allowed to continue, these emotions would engulf them before the enemy's actual arrival.
Now, when everyone's gaze focused, Zhang Ge became the person slamming brakes on the sliding emotions. As long as he remained alive, those seeing him would feel the next bullet wouldn't hit them, making the escalating depression pause temporarily.
The risks involved went without saying. Zhang Ge himself didn't care at all - he eagerly wished the shooter would hit every shot.
After the words fell, no one responded to Zhang Ge. Everyone returned their attention to their current tasks, but unlike before, their interactions became noticeably less rigid.
Usable military morale? Maybe not exactly, but definitely better than the earlier mortuary-like atmosphere.
As long as news of his reappearance spread to stabilize low morale, maintaining fiercer resistance here than other defense zones, Chaos forces would soon notice the anomaly. With Chaos Space Marines present, how could he fail to die?
Satisfied, Zhang Ge tried again and found he could finally stand without Dominica's support. He told her to stop helping him, saying:
"Dominica, find me a set of usable armor."
After she nodded and left, he told the veteran:
"You're responsible for reorganizing the 1st Mechanized Regiment here, including structural divisions, officer appointments at all levels, logistical personnel replenishment, etc. I hope to see this regiment combat-ready when I return."
Actually, these should be the Munitorum's responsibilities, but current conditions clearly didn't permit prior applications.
The veteran nodded without wasting time, directly approaching other Guardsmen to assign tasks.
Zhang Ge forced himself to walk before Yolanda and asked:
"Enginseer Yolanda, can you contact other Tech-Priests?"
Seeing Zhang Ge swaying unsteadily as he approached, her nervousness became visibly apparent.
"Some can. Why?"
"Help me ask if the elevators connecting to the lower hive are still operational."
"This? The database shows that during the blackout period, all lower hive elevators suffered coordinated terrorist attacks, forcing temporary shutdowns for repairs. Though many have restored transport capacity now, they can only carry lighter items."
Exactly. Chaos Lord—I love you too.
Since the enemy could devise such meticulous plans, they'd definitely account for the sudden appearance of a Warlord Titan. Even if their cultists in the hive were blind, they'd at least hear its footsteps during the parade.
Titans as decisive weapons could alter any warzone's situation. But considering the hive's layered structure, hindering its movement was better than destroying it outright.
Considering the Warlord Titan's decisive deployment, the elevator attacks might have involved direct Terminator teleportation strikes.
Thus, while forcing an appropriately solemn expression, Zhang Ge told the nearby security captain:
"We don't have time to wait for elevator repairs. We must take risks... Is your security team with you? I need to requisition them."
Avoiding the first disaster only meets the fifteenth.
The captain sighed internally. Though unwilling to go frontline, he understood the hive's fall meant everyone's doom. Moreover, his family remained in the upper hive without evacuation. He nodded:
"Present. 140 personnel total. Fully equipped vehicles and gear. Give your orders."
"You'll accompany me on forward reconnaissance. We need to chart a path through the warzone to reach the void shield control area."
Hearing this, the captain hesitated:
"With respect, even if we clear the path, supporting 20,000 Guardsmen there would be nearly meaningless."
He emphasized "20,000 Guardsmen", clearly reminding Zhang Ge - especially since these troops fell far below standard Guard quality.
"Who said I want to support there?"
Zhang Ge drew a combat knife from a nearby Guardsman's belt.
"Imagine this dagger is made of adamantium. Yes, now it's indestructible and unstoppable. But it's too short - stabbing enemies isn't lethal. It needs lengthening, but with limited adamantium, what to do?"
Seeing the captain's dawning comprehension, Zhang Ge continued:
"Exactly. Use inferior materials behind the adamantium, letting it penetrate deeper as a spearhead. But does this make it indestructible now?"
Zhang Ge curled his fingers and tapped the dagger's pommel:
"Whether breaking this dagger or making the adamantium tip retract to stab us, the goal is already achieved."
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