Vargas did his best to summon the Forge's membership, though some of them were a bit scattered throughout the caves at the best of times. So he opened with the obvious:

"What I am about to tell you is important to all of us. So spread the word if you see those of us who missed this meeting!"

On the surface, the Leviathan was calm, authoritative, aggressively confident: his usual self. Those who knew him well, though, would have seen him in recent days and might have noted a few changes. The pacing. The staring at the new chrysalises, both at the Womb and in nearby Tunnel G, beyond the door of life. The muttering to himself, the lashing of his tail. Was he nervous? Vargas? ...Certainly not! But something was going on, and it seemed now was the time to make it known. It did imply, though, that the confidence he now showed might not be the entire truth, however he might present it.

"We have been issued a call to war." One hand rose to forestall any questions as yet. "Volunteer only. Strictly. And, in fact, I recommend none of you attend. Those who do... will be removed from the cave, most painfully. Sent to another world, to fight, and perhaps to die! You will be told to kill those who stand in your way." He paused, to let the potential moral implication sink in. He knew some of those here wouldn't be too big on random murder. Others... Others would revel in it, he imagined. "I do not know how dangerous it would be. It is unlikely you would return alive, if at all. These," and he gestured back at the chrysalises, those he'd been working on with Totum for the last couple weeks, "are also destined for that battle. I would prefer if all of you aid in teaching them everything you know before they are taken! Train them! They--along with any volunteers--will be taken in a few cycles' time."

He paused, and took a breath, gritting his teeth. He did not like this next part. "I have been instructed to inform you all that there will be rewards for participation. I do not know what kind." Done. And now for the caveat: "But I do not wish the Forge to lose anyone; we require all hands, all roles. Still... it is your decision."

He could have forbidden it, but it would have looked bad. He had to give them the option, at least. And at least... his agreement held. They would not be taken against their wills.