The Mengsk Family's Guard Convoy, marked with its golden wolf-head emblem, passed through the magnificent walls left behind by the Colonial Era and entered the downtown area of Sterling, Korhal's capital. It headed along the broad Ring Road toward the Recruitment Center the Terran Confederacy's Interstellar Marine Corps had established in the city.
The shadows of towering skyscrapers and flashes of reflected light from their glass facades soon enveloped the sky. The convoy, made up of Vulture Motorcycles and Armored Vehicles, seemed to travel through a rift in a canyon of steel and glass.
Ground-effect cars and Hover Cars filled the road in increasing numbers, a ceaseless stream amid the din of the crowds. Augustus's expression remained calm, but inwardly he marveled at the city's advanced technology and prosperity.
It was morning in Sterling. The sidewalks on either side of the road were crowded with people in business and work clothes, along with IAA cleaning robots and Sales Robots. As the sun rose over Sterling, countless people hurried about for their dreams and families. This was the life of the countless ordinary people who sustained this prosperous world.
A holographic screen on a skyscraper belonging to the UNN Global News Network played a dazzling array of luxury advertisements, from works of art crafted from gold, silver, and rare materials to floor-length dresses endorsed by celebrities.
The Armored Vehicle slowed as it passed Stirling Academy. Angus had deliberately told the driver to ease up.
"The Director of Instruction and the dean and vice dean of Sterling Academy tried to expel you many times, saying you disrupted classes and violated school rules." Angus looked out at Sterling Academy's imposing marble walls, covered in deep purple vines, and its grand gates. When people near the academy turned to look at the Armored Vehicle, Angus waved, wearing the trademark smile of a politician.
"Those teachers had nothing left to teach me a long time ago." Augustus recalled the excuse he used to make and pretended to be cold and disdainful. "Staying in their classes just to graduate would've been a waste of my life. Besides, didn't you fire those Directors and deans who signed the petition?"
After nearly two hundred years and more than a dozen generations of accumulation, the Mengsk Family's businesses had spread throughout Sterling and the other prosperous cities of Korhal. Angus was also the main benefactor of Sterling Academy, Korhal's most renowned institution of higher learning. In reality, those teachers and administrators worked for him.
"They were all hypocrites, putting on a respectable front while lining their own pockets with embezzled funds and bribes," Angus said. "At any rate, I hope your time at the academy will be a fond memory for you."
Augustus turned to look at Sterling Academy. Beyond the gray railings, first-year students in fitted formal wear practiced elegant Light Sword Technique under the guidance of their instructor. They were young and beautiful, moving lightly across the lush lawns, with the gray granite clock tower, statues of historical figures, fountains, and flower beds behind them. Their footwork was light, and their moves were dazzling.
Augustus wasn't good at swordplay, but his older brother, the eldest son of the Mengsk family, Arcturus Mengsk, loved bladed weapons.
Arcturus excelled at everything he cared about and had become a celebrated Sword Master at a young age. He studied swordplay not to kill enemies but to hone his will. The first-year students might look graceful, but his only comment on their performance would be that they were weak and limp.
After letting his gaze linger briefly on the girls' pale thighs, Augustus drew his eyes away at the right moment.
"Could've been worse," Augustus said.
"Look after yourself." Out of the blue, Angus said something that had nothing to do with their previous conversation. Then he changed tack. "Young people take wrong turns because they lack experience. But one day, you'll find your way back to the right path."
"The Mengsk family was born to accomplish great things."
Augustus nodded in reply.
The Recruitment Center established by the Confederacy's government in Sterling City was not far from the academy, in the finest part of Queen's District. Its Alloy Steel Structure looked cold and unwelcoming. A red-and-blue flag flew atop the center, its bright red field bearing a blue diagonal cross, dotted with numerous white stars.
Two soldiers in light blue Power Armor stood at the Recruitment Center's arched entrance, holding rifles. They were more commonly known as Confederate Marines.
Their chests, backs, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, thighs, shins, and hips were all covered in thick Exoskeleton Armor. They wore Anti-fall Boots with oversized soles and traction claws, and matte orange helmets.
Screws, Capacitor Servos, and Haptic Feedback Systems connected the components of their Exoskeleton Armor, which had built-in Life Support Systems. The Servo Motor Units allowed Marines in Power Armor to wield heavier weapons, such as AGR Gauss Rifles.
CMC-200 Power Armor.
Before the Guild Wars began, this model of Power Armor had been hailed as an Epoch-making Progress in Terran Military Industry. Even today, with the CMC-300 released to great acclaim, Confederate soldiers still favored this reliable Individual Armor. Of course, on some more remote colony planets and Edge Worlds, the Magistrates still used older models of Power Armor and Black Powder Weapons from centuries ago.
In Power Armor, Confederate soldiers stood far taller than the average Korhal man, reaching a full eight feet, and were much more heavily built. Beside Augustus, who stood six feet tall, they looked like Giants.
The convoy came to a slow stop. Security personnel in dark brown uniforms and carrying Plasma Rifles filed out of the Armored Vehicles, drove back the onlookers, and set up a perimeter. Field, the Mengsk Family's Guard Captain, jumped down from a Vulture Motorcycle and personally opened the door for Angus and his family.
Just as Augustus was about to get out, a pair of soft little hands reached around from behind and cupped his face. The little girl stood behind his seat, bending over to bury her face between her brother's right cheek and shoulder.
"Augustus," Dorothy whispered. "You promised you'd write to me."
Within seconds, Dorothy's tears had soaked Augustus's collar. The little girl must have been crying quietly for a long time; her face was covered in tears, yet he had been looking out the window and hadn't noticed at all.
An uncontrollable sadness welled up inside Augustus. Though, as a Transmigrator, he hadn't felt much for his new family in this world, his past memories still affected him deeply.
Augustus knew he couldn't ignore the little girl's sobs. She was the Mengsk Family's Pearl in the Palm.
"I will, Little One." Augustus used the name his older brother Arcturus had for their little sister. "I'll send you an email every week."
Augustus stood up and bent down to kiss Dorothy's smooth forehead. Then he smiled gently.
But the smile that had once charmed many lovely girls at Sterling Academy soon froze. Augustus saw his mother's face twist as she struggled to hold herself together.
"Augustus... my child..." Katherine suddenly threw her arms around him. Her shoulders shook, and she could barely speak.
"When I first saw you... it feels like a lifetime ago..." His mother's emotions eased a little, and her loud sobs turned into trembling whimpers.
"Be strong, and learn to respect everyone who will fight alongside you. Perhaps one day, you'll lead them, guiding them to the farthest reaches of the Sea of Stars, to places we can no longer see. But remember, Korhal will always be your home."
"Forgive your father. We will always love you."
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