"We don't need those weapons," Karl bellowed furiously. "I can keep us in fighting shape with what we have! We must save Joanna Dresari!"

"We can't afford to miss this opportunity," Elise retorted in exasperation. "One more death will not make a difference."

"It is not one more death," roared Karl. "She is the only other leader our people have! We cannot lose her!"

The bickering went on as Ian stood by silently, examining the tactical display. He was torn. He could risk his sister's life and seize the armory, ensuring that the resistance would be armed to the teeth when they attacked the palace. Or he could risk the cause and save his sister. He closed his eyes, feeling helpless. Uncle Peter, father…what would you have done? The ghosts of his family's patriarchs did not answer him of course, he was on his own. He opened his eyes and found Elise and Karl still arguing their points viciously. He had to stop this now before they came to blows.

"Alright that's enough," neither stopped shouting. He glowered. "Major, I said that is enough!"

Elise clapped her mouth shut, looking injuriously at him. He hadn't called her 'Major' in quite sometime and then only to get her to follow an order she didn't wish to. Carl too had fallen silent, looking to him expectantly, no doubt thinking that by token of Ian silencing Major Rathburn his point had prevailed.

"Here's what we're going to do," Ian said, and he began making the adjustments on the tactical board. "I will take Damon with me and take command of the resistance forces escorting my sister. We will evacuate her to safety and then withdraw." He held up a hand for silence as Elise began to protest. She clamped her jaw shut as he continued. "Jules will lead a second team composed of himself, Terra, Jen, and Casey against the armory. Once my sister is safe, Damon and I will redeploy and join the second team." He looked at his two advisors, "any objections?" His gaze said there had better not be.

Elise opened her mouth, and then closed it again. Ian raised an eyebrow. "Elise?"

"Sir, I cannot agree with your plan. We can't divide our forces."

"I am not going to abandon my sister; there are sufficient forces in the area for me to get her out safely. And," he began again as she started to protest further. "Jules is more than capable of leading a strike such as this. Both he and Terra are skilled night and city fighters and Jen is an electronic warfare expert. They will be fine."

Elise just nodded, though Ian doubted her misgivings were fully assuaged.

"My Duke," Karl spoke up. "You are your father's son. It is an honor to serve you."

Ian sighed and nodded, "don't praise me yet Karl. I haven't rescued Joanna yet." He looked between the two of them for a moment more. "Alright then, let's deploy."