The Allied Forces of Augustus and Tassadar

"I repeat, the Fleets is heading towards Aiur. Go home, Sons of Aiur. Your loyalty is immeasurable." Tassadar relayed his order for the last time through the Protoss Koprulu Expeditionary Force Fleets's communications network.

"A tribute to Adun."

"." Behind Tassadar, the Templar High Priest Dragon Knight Tal'darin turned to leave with his men, leading the remaining fleet back to their homeworld Aiur.

"Listen, Tassadar, my brother, heir to the glory of Adun. In the years to come, you will be regarded as a traitor, stripped of all honor, merit, and even dignity. You will lose everything you once had and be all alone," Taldarin said to Tassadar before leaving.

"But you must remember, Aiur will always be your home, Templar Knights will always welcome your return."

"Thank you for your guidance." Tassadar bowed his head again, his chin pressed tightly against the armor on his chest in respect.

Taldarin, accompanied by his High Templar and Velari Warriors, headed towards the teleportation platform on the bridge, their footsteps fading into the distance.

At this moment, Augustus was standing next to Tassadar, shoulder to shoulder with the former executive officer who had angered the Conclave by disobeying orders, with their respective followers standing on either side.

This was an unprecedented scene: human warriors clad in gold and red alloy Power Armor stood together with Protoss executives, discussing their views on the current situation as two leaders.

"The Protoss Empire's Conclave has stripped you of your power and is determined to humiliate you because of it," Augustus said to Tassadar. "You no longer need to carry out their orders, Executor. You have your own standards of judgment regarding right and wrong in this world."

"Tassadar, you are one of the very few who believe that the honor and dignity of the people are above orders and authority. You will do anything to uphold the nobility of your race, even if it means tarnishing your own reputation."

Outside the porthole of the bridge of the Protoss Expeditionary Force, the Star Shuttle, several massive Carrier sailing side by side were adjusting their course, their elegant, streamlined shapes resembling a whale tumbling in the ocean. Several flight formations, consisting of shuttles, Scout, and carrier-based interceptors, swept past the porthole, their golden hulls gleaming brightly in the light of the Char Binary system.

Even after losing many warships in battles against the Char and the Zerg, this magnificent Fleets remained quite large.

"Are you trying to teach me, as a young human being?" Tassadar's voice, echoing in Augustus's mind, transformed into a hearty, anthropomorphic laugh, "Augustus Mengsk, you have a very accurate view of me and this matter; it's as if you've known me for a long time."

"You're not the first person to say that," Augustus said with a smile.

Tassadar paused here. "The Conclave not only considers my disobedience to be a challenge to the arbitrators and an intolerable transgression, but also an unforgivable... criminal act."

He was cautious in using the word "crime," as in the Protoss Empire's social system, the word "crime" was often associated with harming or betraying one's fellow citizens.

Augustus sensed Tassadar's sorrow over the word: "You only did what you thought was right—rejected the Conclave's unnecessary and cruel orders. Even if you purged all human planets, the Zerg threat would still exist."

"As a human, you actually understand me. Protoss and humans are both intelligent beings with rich emotions; sorrow and joy are shared." Tassadar's voice, echoing in Augustus's mind, was drawn out, like a lament. "From the very beginning, the Conclave has placed itself in an extremely extreme position, insisting on purifying even a human planet that might be infected with fire immediately."

"But I am unwilling to do that. I am determined to take a way that can protect our people without harming the innocent—sending troops to eliminate the Zerg instead of burning a planet that nourishes beautiful life," he said.

"This is a decision based on extreme rationality and ruthlessness: destroying all infected planets is not only the fastest and most effective way to eliminate all Zerg and the infected, but it also prevents the genes and biomass of an entire planet from becoming nutrients for the Zerg's evolution and growth."

"That's understandable. After all, the arrogant Conclave never took humans seriously from the beginning. In their eyes, we're no different from insects that can be crushed at any moment," Augustus said irritably. "They don't need to consider other races. If the roles were reversed, humans would probably be even more ruthless."

"The Dae'uhl Doctrine taught us to protect other weaker races and fulfill our duty as the Firstborn, but now the Conclave has completely forgotten that." Tassadar knew that from the Conclave's perspective, sacrificing humanity to save the Protoss was perfectly justifiable.

The arbitrators in the Protoss Empire's Conclave are elders considered to possess exceptional foresight and politicians capable of ensuring the Protoss continue on a bright and righteous path. For these arbitrators, who have an extremely profound understanding of the Khala doctrine, upholding the ancestral institutions is of paramount importance; the fate of the Empire rests above all Protoss and all things.

"Even the Templar Knights, considered the most virtuous, loyal, and courageous class, have begun to show signs of corruption and internal strife over the years. The gradual degeneration of the Arbitrators has led to the rise of some unworthy and incompetent arbitrators to the Conclave." Clearly, Tassadar's dissatisfaction with the Conclave is not a recent development.

"Corruption and decadence are unavoidable in any system, but when they take root in a entrenched ruling class, the Protoss Empire is in trouble."

"So it seems those arbitrators in your Conclave are no different from the Confederate Congress of the Terran Confederacy," Raynor said. "They're all a bunch of frozen, cold-blooded fish."

"How ironic, now it's your turn, little Protoss." Tychus, standing behind Augustus, spoke up, gloating and openly displaying it. "Well, is it time for your Conclave to decide to burn Aiur?"

Tychus didn't care whether an alien he found repulsive would get angry or beat him up because of his words, but he didn't mind fighting the arrogant Protoss.

"I can understand your anger, just as I can see the good side of you through your soul," Tassadar said.

"It must be pitifully little," Raynor laughed heartily.

"Don't you dare peek into my brain, or I'll teach you a lesson you damn Protoss sharphead!" Tychus yelled, taking it as Tassadar's retort to his mocking words.

"Want to fight? You idiot."

"Enough, Tychus, we are the guests." Augustus stopped Tychus, who was about to lash out. "You idiot, I'm going to deduct your salary for next month... and the month after that."

"What? What did I do wrong? Just because I said a few words to that Protoss? He's not your father." Tychus couldn't remember ever angering Augustus.

"Damn Tychus, you just said Augustus a sissy not long ago, and you know he hates that the most," Raynor reminded Tychus. "Just because he says he doesn't care doesn't mean he won't retaliate."

"Oh, petty Augustus," Tychus said irritably. "Looks like I won't be seeing those sweethearts at the club for a while. You'll have to foot the bill, Jimmy. For the sake of the past, you can't just leave them to die."

"Come on, I never agreed to anything like that." Raynor emphasized that he was a married man. "I'm not going to go to places like that with you again."

"Just pay my bills, I'll pay them as soon as I have the money," Tychus said, his eyes darting around. Since joining the Revolutionary Army, Tychus's sources of income had become much fewer, especially with Augustus keeping a close eye on him.

"Where are you going next, and what are you going to do?" Augustus ignored Tychus's complaints and turned to Tassadar, preparing to recruit him.

"Next, I will continue my mission with the Star Shuttle —to eliminate the Zerg in the Koprulu Sector, protect other races, and find a way to fight the Zerg. Until my homeland, until Aiur needs me again," Tassadar said truthfully.

"That's exactly what my Korhal Revolutionary Army is doing," Augustus immediately said. "Perhaps we can form an alliance and act together."

Augustus believed that the fugitive Protoss Expeditionary Force Commander Tassadar had now obtained his own script, only lacking a bit of the spirit of rebellion.

Tassadar has not yet considered overthrowing the rule of the Protoss Empire Conclave. He still believes that although the Conclave has begun to become pedantic, closed-minded, and paranoid, and even wants to try the executives they once trusted, it is not yet time for Tassadar to turn his sword against the Conclave.

"A coalition." Tassadar was surprised. He looked at Augustus, then understood. "Yes, now we all share a common goal. This is invaluable—a common enemy, a common pursuit."

"Let's save the world together, Tassadar! We will become heroes for both humans and Protoss!" Raynor shook off Tychus, who was starting to act like a spoiled child. As an idealistic young man, Raynor still firmly believed that he was saving the world.

Most of the Revolutionary Army soldiers, represented by Raynor, believed that they were undertaking a great cause that would bring about change for the Terrans. After the Zerg invaded the Koprulu Sector, fighting for humanity made this goal seem even more ambitious.

"A hero? If someone can be sung about and celebrated, then they are a hero." Tassadar fell silent.

In his view, Raynor was far too young; even Protoss over two hundred years old would be considered too young to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. However, Raynor's pure integrity and ideals earned Tassadar's admiration.

Tassadar felt lucky; Augustus and Raynor, whom he had met most often, were among the most upright and charismatic people in the world, and these excellent qualities were even more precious in comparison to Tychus and Duke.

At this moment, the Protoss Expeditionary Force Fleets anchored at the edge of the Char system began to move. A black spacetime rift appeared at the center of the Protoss Fleets, like a black hole sucking the ships into it.

Hundreds and thousands of Carrier, shuttle escorts, Scout, Observer, and other butterfly and needle-shaped Protoss ships are leaping into this spacetime rift, their countless shimmering gravity thrusters and auxiliary high-energy plasma thrusters creating spacetime wakes that resemble ice-blue suns.

When these Protoss warships reappear, they will appear in stargates above Aiur and in high-altitude orbit, guided by Fleets beacons.

Augustus and Tassadar both noticed that some of these warships did not follow the returning Fleets into the spacetime tunnel. After all the returning warships entered the spacetime tunnel, the warships that remained in place stayed in their original positions.

At the original point in time, when Tassadar announced his rejection of the Conclave and ordered the Fleets to return to Aiur, the Overmind was unaware of Aiur's coordinates. When he went to Char to find the Queen of Blades, Tassadar only had the Star Shuttle with him, but now he believes he needs the support of a small Fleets.

Tassadar respected the choice of everyone in the expeditionary Fleets; those who wished to follow him stayed, while the others returned to Aiur.

Tassadar's Fleets, including its flagship Star Shuttle, now consists of only twenty-two carriers and several hundred smaller warships and vessels. Even so, this Fleets is still powerful enough to roam freely in human territory within the Koprulu Sector.

After a while, a series of thumping sounds from metal boots came from behind Augustus. Augustus certain that it was the sound of humans' reckless and rude footsteps, because the Protoss were a race as elegant and noble as cats, and their gait was extremely orderly and quiet.

"Marshal, the Protoss's medical equipment is truly advanced, our wounded..." Duke rarely praised the Protoss, so he must have been quite impressed by the medical technology he had seen, otherwise Duke is usually stubborn and reluctant to praise others, would never have said that. But Duke's words were quickly interrupted by Tychus, who came up to him.

"Even nobles don't have the money to lend you anymore." Duke glanced at Tychus's old face. "I don't care how you got this money, by stealing or robbing? Do what a country bumpkin and an uncultured person should do... If you have any shame or dignity left, then get lost, you stupid donkey."

"Gather our soldiers and the wounded, we'll return to our ship immediately." Augustus glanced at the timer on his Power Armor's display, realizing his third dose of Stimpack was about to wear off. Before he made a complete fool of himself, he had to return to his flagship Hyperion.

Through the communication channel inside the Power Armor, Augustus contacted the vice-captain who was on duty on the Hyperion, only to hear a series of extremely hurried footsteps.

"What happened, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan?" Augustus asked.

"Marshal, we've finally made contact with you." Lieutenant Colonel Ryan's voice was filled with surprise. "The Nova Squadron's Fleets located and surrounded us twenty minutes ago. At least thirteen Behemoth-class Battlecruiser are attacking us, with Haller's Nova Terra leading the way."

"Prepare to retaliate, Lieutenant Colonel. Report the coordinates. Support will be arriving shortly," Augustus decisively ordered.

"Yes, sir!" The lieutenant colonel did not ask who the reinforcements were or when they would arrive; since Augustus so, they would definitely arrive.

"The Confederacy bastards in the Nova Squadron probably never imagined we'd just gotten in touch with the Protoss," Raynor said.

"Good timing!" Tychus realized that he would probably have plenty of loot to collect soon.

"The Heaven's Devils Tychus, is about to make his appearance."