Peter listened to Cordelia and Nathan. He quieted and let them speak. listening to their words as much as he was forming his own. The mission, he had to talk about the mission. Not emotional pleas.
Wait a minute. They didn't care about emotionality. But his people, the others at the Hyperion, did. What would happen to morale if Mantis died, when Katara's death still weighed so heavily?
"I understand the mission. And I am still focused on the mission. Mantis is important to the mission. He is one of our strongest fighters. Between his abilities and his demeanor, he has been one of our main lines of defense." His voice dropped lightly, the commanding tone taking on a more serious note. "This is a war. In a war you need morale. One of our own has recently given her life to the mission. If Mantis dies, on the heels of that, the morale of our side will fail."
Peter shook his head. "He has fought with us, helped us, and he is loyal, unyieldingly loyal to the mission. What must be done to save his life?"