A Temporary Reunion
SCT 2491.2.14.
North of Salenga, the Pasteur Family mansion.
The Revolutionary Army Fleets rested for about half a month at the interstellar port within the Umojan Republic before preparing to set sail again. The Revolutionary Army soldiers were enjoying their last vacation or spending time with their families on the beautiful beaches and ocean of Umojan.
To this day, the United States' transportation giants and suppliers, who have signed contracts with the Umojan Protectorate, continue to deliver supplies and replacement parts to the Revolutionary Army warships in orbit, enabling them to support long-distance interstellar travel.
While waiting for the preparations to be completed, Augustus a rare moment of leisure to enjoy a meal with his family at the Pasteur Family estate, where birds sang and flowers bloomed. Unlike in the past, the tea and refreshments were now prepared by Juliana and Kerrigan, instead of Katherine, the mistress of the Mengsk family.
In the nearby Saleng Bay, this time of year is the most sunny and breezy, and the Pasteur courtyard is filled with blooming flowers and fragrant aromas.
This was a family gathering at the Pasteur Family. The Mengsk, Raynor, and Liddy Family were all invited, as were Augustus's generals and several field officers—except for Tychus and Duke.
The former claimed he had been invited but was too busy to attend, while the latter refused to participate in the dinner gathering among the "gentry."
The guests at the family gathering adapted to local customs, wearing casual clothes instead of the elaborate attire of the Tarsonis "court." Everyone was warmly welcomed and felt right at home.
Both Ailin Pasteur and Angus Mengsk attended the gathering. Every Revolutionary Army officer present knew that those who received this honor were highly regarded by the marshal, and only the bravest and most loyal generals in battle were qualified.
The Mengsk Family did not build another Sky Tower or family estate in New Sterling or the other Korhal cities. Instead, they lived in a small courtyard outside the Korhal Council Building because Angus was unwilling and unable to use the scarce resources on his own family. Therefore, the Mengsk family had to borrow the Pasteur Family's mansion to entertain guests.
At the table where Augustus seated were his family members and Revolutionary Army, including Tres Raynor and Jim Raynor, who had been brought from Shiloh to Umojan by agents of August National Security Committee two months earlier.
Raynor's parents, wife, and son will remain in Umojan while the Revolutionary Army Fleets sails away, and he will no longer need to worry about their safety.
Angus, with a full head of white hair, personally presided over the gathering. He looked many times older than he had two years ago, truly resembling a frail old man. His frail appearance was a far cry from the strong man Augustus remembered from Arcturus; he was haggard due to the destruction of Korhal IV and the slander of the people.
If it weren't for his two sons, wife, and daughter standing by Angus's side to help him, this former Lord of the Korhal would have eventually gone down the path of self-destruction.
Angus Mengsk, persuaded by Augustus, was able to rekindle his past dreams. What made the old father most gratified was that his eldest son Arcturus was already thirty-two years old, had finally returned. The Wolf of Mengsk would one day return to his homeland.
"The Umojan Council has decided to hand over the Traveler-11 mobile fortress in the Hades System to the Korhal Revolutionary Army, but it must be returned within ten years." During the meeting, Angus announced one piece of news after another to the people present, but he did not mention a word about the efforts he had made to get these resolutions passed by the Umojan Council.
"The Hades System is located within the territory of the Terran Confederacy. It is a massive, invisible fortress, adjacent to the Confederacy's main planet, Hermes. Hermes is an extremely developed commercial world and a very important economic center." Augustus picked up where his father left off, emphasizing the importance of this information to his subordinates.
"Once we acquire this mobile Umojan Fortress, we essentially have a base of operations in space."
"In addition, the Umojan Council has decided to provide the Revolutionary Army with more support, including weapons and more aid," Angus continued.
"It's a drop in the ocean. When it comes to weapons aid, Umojan has always talked a lot but done much more." Arcturus poured cold water on Angus's words. "They dare not support our most advanced weapons; even those with many features stripped down are given very little."
"Of course, we can't ask too much of Umojan, who helped us; they wouldn't dare to wage a full-scale war against the Terran Confederacy," he said.
"Whether we overthrow the Terran Confederacy or the Confederacy army wipes us out, that's not what Umojan wants. What Umojan desires most is for the rebels to continue existing as a powerful and unstable force within the Terran Confederacy, so they can reap the benefits."
"To gain the unwavering support of Umojan, we must convince them that the newly formed Terrans regime will never harm the United States." Augustus nodded, his gaze fixed on Valerian, who sat quietly at the other end of the table.
"I also hope you can hear about the upheavals in the political arena of the Terran Confederacy." Angus had remained in Umojan and held a seat in the United States National Elected Parliament.
"During this period, diplomatic relations between Kel-Morian, Umojan, and the Terran Confederacy have eased. The Confederacy and the Kel-Morian Combine have exchanged ambassadors again, but the subsequent wiretapping and espionage incidents continue to occur," he said.
"The Confederate Congress is trying to put political pressure on the Kel-Morian Combine and Umojan, prohibiting them from providing any form of support to the Revolutionary Army, and trying to further isolate us," Angus said. "The Kel-Morian Combine's board of directors has already impatiently told the Confederacy that they will not allow even a single piece of ore to fall into the hands of the Revolutionary Army, and Umojan will be even more cautious than before."
"I'm afraid that from now on, we can only rely on ourselves. The Umojan people believe they have already done enough."
"I understand, Father. Don't worry. Our revolutionary path is quite difficult, but a few more difficulties won't hurt." Augustus looked at his father.
"Alright, let's talk about something more cheerful." He looked at the people at the table, who had become serious, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, I didn't invite you here to see you looking so dejected."
Augustus was very happy today. Arcturus had not returned to the family for more than ten years. The Mengsk Family had finally reunited after many years, and they were all very happy.
Just then, a messenger with a whip-ring badge on his hat walked through the gardens of Pasteur Estate towards Augustus, reporting that the Fleets had been resupplyed. As planned, the Revolutionary Army Marshal's headquarters was systematically recalling the troops on vacation in batches, signaling the imminent end of their pleasant time.