The Overmind's Plan

"I believe you." Augustus recovered from his initial shock. To be honest, he was willing to believe Zeratul because he knew what kind of Protoss he was.

"Please tell me what you found in Char, Elder. I need to know the details of what happened."

Zeratul, the Dark Prelate, is generally quite reliable, although he often only provides clues and lets others find out the truth themselves, rather than explaining the whole story from the beginning.

Zeratul could be a patient and inspiring teacher and a guide for young people; his deep, magnetic voice and calm tone are perfect for captivatingly telling a story.

"He is powerful; this Protoss's Psionics is colder than a glacier that has never melted in millions of years." After learning that Augustus recognized this Protoss, Haller stopped adopting an aggressive or defensive stance. He looked at Zeratul and gave his assessment of him, but remained highly vigilant.

Due to his unique experiences and personality, Haller never easily trusts other people; he even believes that he will never trust anyone again in his life.

Raynor, the "Swarm Agent," looked at the travel-worn Zeratul and said...

"And what is that thing?"

"A human infected and twisted by the Zerg, yet still retaining his intelligence." Zeratul's dark purple robes looked even more tattered, and his coat, adorned with a brown beast-skin hat, was covered with scratches and holes left by sharp pebbles and Zerg spikes.

His robes, which may have been exquisitely crafted and luxurious centuries ago, are now completely worn and tattered at the edges. But Zeratul's clothes have not become dirty as a result; in fact, they are more like spotless.

Even so, Zeratul's eyes, radiating a twilight-like green light, still shone like stars.

"Since then, I have traversed the land of Char, covered in ash and black rock, watching over lava and volcanoes ravaged by heat waves and storms." The Zeratul is part of a narrative of an ancient poem.

"In the Overmind's main hive, I overheard the Overmind and the Cerebrate plotting. Normally, I shouldn't have been able to hear their conversations at the telepathic level, but the voices seemed to come from the void," Zeratul said. "In the process of invading the human world, the Zerg are constantly infecting the humans on those planets with viruses; it's not just part of the genetic assimilation process."

"Without exception, all infected humans will become hideous, mindless, twisted monsters. Only Psionics might retain their past intelligence under the Zerg infection." He had clearly thought this through carefully before speaking.

"Overmind needs a creature like this."

"He was once a human being."

"But after being infected, he will possess the Zerg's powerful, highly evolved body and the ability to control the Swarm. At the same time, he will retain his human wisdom, experience, and strategies." Zeratul's deep and resonant voice echoed in everyone's minds.

"And hatred."

"This unparalleled monster will eventually become an agent under the Swarm Overmind, a commander different from the Cerebrate."

"The Overmind is searching for a new Swarm agent, a powerful being capable of taking control of the Swarm while it is away from Char. It is so eager that all the Zerg can sense the Swarm's anxiety."

"Doesn't the Overlord still have those brain worms?" Renault asked doubtfully, "Why would it go to a human planet to find some agent? What kind of person can be smarter than the brain worms? When it is not around, those brain worms are fully capable of commanding the swarm."

"Wait, if the Overmind wants to leave Char, where will it go?" He suddenly thought, "It's as tall as a mountain, rooted deep underground in Char. How can such a thing move? Don't be ridiculous."

"It and its Swarm only recently arrived in Char. The Overmind's massive size must be able to move between galaxies in some way," Zeratul replied. "After I killed several Cerebrate, the Overmind realized the flaws in the Swarm's mastermind's command structure, which is probably the main reason it needs a replacement for a Cerebrate."

"Oh—" Raynor said thoughtfully, "Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine."

"Continue, elder." Augustus did not offer his opinion on the matter.

But upon hearing Zeratul's words, Augustus's first thought was of Sarah Kerrigan, the Queen of Blades of the Swarm, the agent of the Swarm.

According to Zeratul's words, with Augustus protecting Kerrigan well, the Overmind has set its sights on its next target. It is anxiously searching for a replacement for Kerrigan, a human who can retain intelligence after being infected.

At the same time, this human must also possess sufficiently powerful Psionics; at least level eight is probably not enough.

As far as Augustus knew, there were only three documented Level 10 Psionics: Sarah Kerrigan, Nova Terra, the youngest child of Nova Terra Family, and Sako Angelini, the principal of the Ghost Academy. And if Augustus remembered correctly, Haj was the hometown of Gabriel Tosh, the future Ghost Agent, though Tosh's Psionics level remained a mystery.

Thinking of the scene of devastation, Augustus absolutely did not want to have another opponent as terrifying as the Queen of Blades.

"Under the Overmind's command, the Cerebrate Carlos and the Nagar swarm have traveled through a newly opened wormhole to the world called Haj —a human colony shrouded in strong winds," Zeratul, looking at Augustus.

"That is the human world, so I came to you first, because you are the bravest and most courageous human being I know. Most importantly, Augustus, you have a rare and righteous heart."

"I'm afraid we're in big trouble, Elder. Wormhole. That means the Zerg may have already arrived at Haj." Augustus took a few steps back and typed Haj's name into the star map console. A series of data popped up on the screen.

"One of the Edge World, with a harsh environment, most areas are poor and underdeveloped, and the general level of education among the people is extremely low. However, the Terran Confederacy has established an administrative center in that region and also stationed an army there," Raynor said after glancing at it.

"The population of Haj is more than just a few million. This is terrible. Why did the insects target that place?" he said. "This planet is still far from the Zerg invaded, so it should be safe in theory."

"This is troublesome. Only we can help the people there. But as Augustus said, by the time we get to Haj, it may be too late."

"The Zerg don't play by the rules, we can't delay any longer," Augustus, facing the main screen and activating the Hyperion's mechanical Adjutant.

"Immediately contact the Protoss Fleets's Mothership, the Star Shuttle."

"Marshal, if I may be so bold, are we really going to travel all the way to such a distant planet based solely on this Protoss's word?" Haller was completely baffled, as he couldn't understand what Zeratul was saying.

Haller was used to understanding the meaning of others' words by directly reading their thoughts, but this method failed when facing the Protoss.

"Our most important task now should be to find the Confederacy's main Fleets and wage a decisive battle that will determine the fate of several star systems, rather than wasting time chasing after the Protoss's ethereal words. Who knows if what this Protoss said is true or not? I can't see through him," Haller said.

"New guy, I don't see what you don't know." Raynor shook his head. "Anyway, the most important thing now is to rescue people. Put everything else aside for now. Haj is our next destination for spreading the revolution; the people there need us."

"Whatever the enemy is planning or doing, as long as we can disrupt their operations, it will be to our advantage. The more the enemy tries to accomplish everything, the more we must do everything we can to hinder them, and that's enough."

At that moment, the Hyperion's communication with the Protoss flagship, the Star Shuttle, was established. Protoss Executive Tassadar scanned the bridge with his glowing blue eyes, finally stopping beside Augustus and Zeratul.

"A Dark Templar." Tassadar immediately recognized Zeratul from his attire and darker skin tone. The muscles on his narrow face seemed to twitch together, and the edges of his eyes lengthened and drooped in surprise.

In Augustus's interpretation, this should be a complex expression encompassing fear, disgust, and curiosity. He swore that Tassadar's facial expressions had never been so varied.

"You are Zeratul, the Dark Prelate of the Dark Templar. I know you and your people." Tassadar stopped there, saying no more.

However, Augustus and Zeratul could sense that Tassadar also harbored a certain prejudice against the Dark Templar, a prejudice stemming from his own Templar Knights education and the limitations of his era—a situation all too common among the Aiur Protoss.

"Yes, High Templar and Executor Tassadar, I salute you." Zeratul extended his hands and opened them, displaying his palms—a gesture of goodwill.

"I was told that the Dark Templar were traitors banished for their sins, that they were fallen beings unable to control their powers, and that their inability to control their Psionics energy caused a storm that swept across Aiur." Tassadar was an honest and candid Protoss who would speak his mind about all the feelings of others, both good and bad.

"That's true, but we've now learned to suppress that powerful and primal force—the Void energy, the force we used to kill the Cerebrate," Zeratul said.

"I will carefully consider your words," Tassadar said. "Dark Templar Zeratul, I hope you are not one of those wicked and corrupted beings of legend. Your heroic act of slaying the Zerg cerebrates is the only reason I have changed my opinion of the Dark Templar."

"Executor Tassadar, you must use your own eyes and wisdom to see through the truth of history, to distinguish between lies and reality, and the great sages will give you the right guidance." Zeratul was a wise and learned elder who could always see through the truth directly with his wisdom and experience.

"The Dark Templar exist simply to break free from the narrow and rigid hierarchy of the Protoss Empire. We unite and help each other, but every Nerazim has their own independent goals and thoughts."

"Alright, Augustus, tell me why you contacted me." Tassadar at least listened to Zeratul's words. "I already guessed it had something to do with my Dark Templar Protoss."

"Zeratul has learned that the Overmind is preparing to invade a human world." Augustus told Tassadar the news Zeratul brought, emphasizing the terrible consequences it would bring.

"If that's the case, I think it's worth temporarily shelving my plans to return to Aiur," Tassadar said. "My Fleets is ready. You can set off together through the spacetime we've opened."

"I will also set off with you," Zeratul said. "I believe this may be an opportunity to mend the rift between the Dark Templar and the Templar Knights."

"I have no objection, Master." Augustus saw the Hyperion's port-side camera suddenly issue a warning, and about four or five dark, obsidian-sculpted Dark Templar ships appeared from the side.

The Dark Templar did not assemble a massive Fleets like their brothers, the Templar Knights, but these warriors were just as important in the fight against the Swarm.

"You will always have a place among my wartime advisors," he said.

"A Protoss?" Zeratul's eyes narrowed; he was clearly amused. This elder Dark Templar was one of the few Protoss with even a modicum of humor; at least he could tell if the human was joking.

"A Protoss," Augustus a smile.

"There's no time to waste. Notify the Fleets we must depart immediately," he then said on the Fleets's command channel.

"The new destination coordinates will be sent to all warships shortly. This time, we will still operate alongside Tassadar's Protoss Fleets."

Currently, the Revolutionary Army led by Augustus is fully aware that they are allies with the Protoss Fleets headed by Executor Tassadar. Just as most Protoss only know the name Augustus Mengsk, the human side only knows the name Tassadar.

The Revolutionary Army remained skeptical of the Protoss, convinced that these aliens might one day suddenly turn their guns on them. Meanwhile, the Protoss remained indifferent to humanity, showing no interest whatsoever.

The Protoss sometimes see humans as their equals, while others—just as Protoss cannot see monkeys as "humans."

"Navigator, send the Hyperion into the hyperspace passage." As Augustus spoke, various numbers and indicators popped up on the main screen in front of him, showing that the Hyperion was ready to enter warp drive.

"Everyone stay in your acceleration seats and fasten your seatbelts," Raynor said over the Hyperion's channel.

Directly below the bridge of the Hyperion were ten Revolutionary Army battlecruisers lined up, each about twenty miles apart, surrounded by thousands of ships.

Six scientific research vessels, each as large as Behemoth-class Battlecruiser, served as flagships, acting as giant research laboratories on prototype foundations, staffed with engineers and scientists capable of repairing damage to the Fleets's ships.

Before Augustus appeared a dark vortex radiating colorful light, and a Protoss Fleets gleaming with gold and blue light sailed into it in a mighty procession, with Tassadar's flagship Star Shuttle, at the forefront.

Happy New Year!

Thank you to Ying Si's father for the generous reward.