Heaven's Devils

The Revolutionary Army's command post was located in the state government building of Hilo State, a classical building with overall axial symmetry, regular geometric lines, and a spherical superstructure, which contrasted sharply with the many dilapidated immigrant buildings in the area's settlements.

Augustus was holding a meeting with his staff and military advisors in the conference hall of the state government building, a floor-to-ceiling hall large enough to hold five hundred people. The hall was lavishly decorated with golden chandeliers, rose-colored marble wall tiles, and expensive wool carpets.

The building's owner clearly added many extra design elements according to their own taste during the renovation. The wooden ceiling and floor of the conference room are supported by slender square load-bearing columns. In contrast to this retro-style furnishing, sophisticated electronic instruments are hidden in the floors and smooth stone walls. The astonishingly expensive temperature stabilization equipment ensures that the temperature in this desert building is always kept within a stable range.

In just three days, Augustus's capable lieutenant, Tychus Findlay, decisively defeated the less than two thousand poorly equipped Civil Defense Force and Planetary Defense Force of the Hilo Autonomous State through several powerful night raids. The Revolutionary Army then seized the Hilo State government and its numerous subordinate buildings, planting the red whip-ring flag atop the tallest building.

As for the governor of the Hilo Autonomous State and Augustus's judicial friend, they had already flown to the capital region on a private plane, but that luxurious winged aircraft, which resembled a private yacht, was quickly shot down by the Revolutionary Army Air Force, which held air superiority.

"General Raynor's forces have taken full control of Lorenzana State, and in his most recent report, he requested the operator to give you his regards." In the conference room of the state capitol building, Augustus's military advisor was giving Augustus a routine briefing.

"Based on the intercepted and deciphered intelligence, Governor Mar- Sara has been continuously sending encrypted communications to the Tarsonis government and the recent Confederacy Fleets, requesting support. This channel is detectable across the entire spectrum," a chief of staff said.

"As you predicted, he eagerly sought external support but refused to admit defeat to the Revolutionary Army."

He panicked.

"Governor Mar- Sara is a good-for-nothing, a hedonist and womanizer. His staff are mostly incompetent men who have only obtained their positions by currying favor with him. I would not be surprised at all by the absurd things he does." When facing his subordinates, Augustus always maintained a stern expression. Unless Raynor or Tychus were present, he never smiled when listening to reports or giving orders.

"We have now taken control of eight major immigrant states. Only Saint Joanna State and the capital region remain under enemy control, but it will only take us a little time to take those areas." His gaze was piercing, and everyone present listened intently to every word Augustus spoke.

In mid-February, the rapidly changing situation in Mar- Sara finally caught the attention of the Tarsonis Confederate Congress. The people of many of the colonies of the Terran Confederacy put aside their fears brought about by the destruction of Korhal IV and began to talk about revolution and freedom again.

Even the Kel-Morian Combine and the Umojan Republic have focused their attention on a backward, ugly, and desolate world on the Edge World of the Terran Confederacy.

Even if the governor of Mar- Sara's immigrant settlements is unwilling to admit that communications between the governor's office and the state governments of several states, including Hilo, have been completely severed, it is an undeniable fact that more than eight immigrant states and their more than two million inhabitants have fallen into the control of the rebels.

With multiple military bases falling, supplies at supply depots being looted, and ground-based maglev train hubs being used to transport troops and supplies to the rebels, the government forces were no longer able to recapture lost territory and could only retreat to the capital region where the governor's office was located to concentrate their forces on defense.

"The reason we haven't pressed our advantage and brought liberation to the people of these regions is simply because we need Governor Mara Sara to keep appealing to the core world for help." Augustus continued, "And once we defeat the first Confederacy Fleets that arrives, the remaining Fleets will be hesitant to act."

"If the Confederacy Admiral is assembling several naval squadrons to reinforce Mar- Sara, we will likely be at a disadvantage in a Fleets battle." At this point, Augustus's chief of staff raised an objection. "We might have to abandon Mar- Sara."

"We'll have to leave Ma Sara sooner or later; we can't hold onto this place," someone immediately added.

"Then we will force them to launch a landing operation." In Augustus's mind, this was a game of grand strategy. "If every region has Revolutionary Army that adopts a strategy of using nuclear bombs to wipe everything out, then we will have to change our plans."

As they were talking, Augustus was suddenly poked in the waist. When he turned around, he saw Sarah Kerrigan with red hair.

"Don't stop, you all continue. I need the General Staff to produce a new operational plan tonight regarding the capture of the large gas refinery in the Northern Hemisphere," Augustus said before leaving the meeting room.

"What is it?" Augustus asked Kerrigan after following Kerrigan out of the conference room, into the corridor, and closing the conference room door.

"Vice Admiral Warfield's Fleets has arrived in the Sara System and is currently anchored at the edge of the system," Kerrigan told Augustus.

"That's great news!" Augustus's eyes lit up.

Last August, Warfield and six other battlecruisers were too badly damaged to continue fighting and were taken to a large shipyard in the Umojan Republic for repairs. Now, more than half of February has passed, and after six months of repairs by Umojan engineers, these warships have been spared from being scrapped or prematurely decommissioned.

As early as the beginning of last month, Augustus ordered the Warfield Fleets to go to Mar- Sara, but the Warfield Fleets took a long time to arrive in order to avoid the two Confederacy Fleets gathered at the border of the Umojan Republic.

"Where is my general?" Augustus asked Kerrigan first, then caught a glimpse of Horace Warfield walking down the corridor. Warfield was wearing a dark gray Revolutionary Army Fleets soldier's uniform, without any medals or sashes, and his dark face had an expression as hard as steel.

Augustus burst into laughter upon seeing Warfield, the Revolutionary Army marshal's hearty laughter echoing throughout the corridor. Even the usually stern Warfield couldn't help but smile.

The two first hugged each other, then shook hands twice.

"It's so good to see you again," Augustus said to Warfield. "I've spent over a year in Turaxis, traveling to various places, and another six months in Mar- Sara, far from my old comrades and family."

"Haha. I heard you're doing quite well in Mara Sara, and you've dug up a lot of rare crystals." Warfield first exchanged a few pleasantries with Augustus, and then talked about some of his experiences in Umojan.

"I met your family, and they are all well."

"Are Mother and Dorothy doing well in Umojan?" Augustus's smile vanished.

"Mrs. Katherine misses her home, but she's content," Warfield said. "Angus and Arcturus didn't dare send your sister to the university in Umojan, so they had to hire a governess—and she doesn't seem very happy with that."

"Dorothy is capable of doing everything very well," Augustus nodded. "We arrange the curriculum according to Dorothy's preferences. She is quite adept at finance, and her political acumen far surpasses that of ordinary people."

"By declaring the destroyed Khar to join the Union of Yumoyan, Angus secured a seat in the Yumoyan Council," Warfield said. "While he can no longer advance, he has at least gained a foothold there."

"Declaring that Korhal is part of the Umojan Republic is not a wise choice in the long run," Augustus thought to himself, adding that it would give Umojan an opportunity to make such a claim in the future.

"Well, but this is the best course of action for those Korhal people stranded in Umojan," Warfield said, a sad expression on his face. "I have bad news for you; Angus's mental state has deteriorated."

"Angus began to suffer from insomnia and had to take sedatives to fall asleep. He had to muster the courage to face his people, even though they still loved him." He said, "Although no one ever blamed Angus, he must have taken the blame for the destruction of Korhal at his own expense and was deeply saddened by excessive self-reproach."

"The destruction of Korhal was indeed a blow to Angus, but I don't believe he will be completely defeated by such a setback." Augustus paused for a moment before saying, "Now who is in charge of the safety of my family?"

"It was Field," Warfield said. "The Umojan Shadow Academy sent agents to protect Congressman Angus and his family, and your brother also personally arranged for many loyal men to protect them."

"Are they from the Sons of Korhal?" Augustus's Arcturus did not hide the fact that he had formed the Sons of Korhal from him.

The current Sons of Korhal are composed of the most hostile members of the entire Korhal community to the Terran Confederacy. Arcturus deliberately gathered these people together and used his highly inflammatory speeches to turn them into extremists willing to do anything for revenge.

"I have met the Sons of Korhal; they are just ordinary people, not the demons the UNN speaks of."

"I never doubted their loyalty," Augustus. "I even sent several Ghost operative to Sons of Korhal."

"Arcturus doesn't like Ghost operative." Warfield was one of Arcturus's old subordinates when he was Colonel in the 33rd Ground Assault Division: "But he really likes the Ghost operative you sent, named 24718, and the new agents and assassins trained by the August National Security Committee."

"I hope 24718 will satisfy Arcturus," Augustus.

Where is he now?

"The last time I heard from Arcturus was that his mining fleet had reached Pegasus outside the Koprulu Sector. This time they came up empty-handed, but they unearthed a well-preserved alien relic, which the scientists at Umojan are very interested in, and the sponsors behind their research projects are willing to pay real money to buy these things," Warfield said.

"Unlike explorers who always come up empty-handed, Arcturus always finds something on his trips. Many people attribute this to his superhuman intuition and good luck in searching for crystal mines and alien ruins, but they haven't seen how much time Arcturus has spent studying geology and operating the resonators."

"The funds Arcturus gave me have been a great help. I don't have to worry about military expenses and I even have extra money to buy new weapons." Augustus nodded.

"You are not fighting alone, Mengsk, young man. Many people stand behind you. Some are willing to die for you simply because they truly love and respect you." Warfield patted Augustus on the shoulder. "We will ultimately prevail."

"Because of us, and of morality, we stand by your side."

"I have some good news for you too. The cargo holds of those battlecruisers are fully loaded with weapons and ammunition, as well as nearly 10,000 sets of CMC-200 Power Armor manufactured by the Umojan Armory," he continued.

"Your brother spent a lot of money on this, you know that. Umojan wouldn't give you this equipment for free."

Augustus nodded, noticing footsteps coming from the end of the corridor where Warfield had come from, and he could even hear the sound of high heels.

A red-haired man with a mohawk appeared at the corner of the corridor. It was none other than Harnack Hank, a member of the Heaven's Devils who had been absent for many days. His gait was no longer as unsteady as before, as if he were drifting. After not seeing him for so long, Augustus noticed that Harnack had gained a bit of the aura of the Revolutionary Army general.

The Heaven's Devils, which remained in the Korhal system during the Battle of Korhal, went to Umojan and has now returned to Mar- Sara with Warfield's Fleets.

"Boss, I've brought a Firebat unit!" Harnack shouted as soon as he saw Augustus, still looking like a country bumpkin.

During his time in Umojan, Harnack and other key generals attended Umojan's military academy for further training, but so far, he doesn't seem to have changed much.

Next was Londerstein, a young general entrusted with important responsibilities by Augustus for his calm and reliable character. In the Battle of Korhal, he lost two brothers and three uncles, and his elder brother died in Tarsonis. This famous Sterling family was almost wiped out. Londerstein became more and more silent. He wrapped himself in a military overcoat and only nodded when he saw Augustus.

Finally, Lisa Cassidy arrived, dressed in a Marine Corps medic's uniform. She wore black-rimmed glasses for radiation protection and had her ginger-yellow hair braided into a long ponytail.

Lisa smiled when she saw Augustus, but gritted her teeth when she saw Kerrigan behind him. She walked quickly, running up to Augustus in her high heels, and then put her arms around him.

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