Assembling the Troops

"If, at the last moment, we are forced to draw our swords against the Conclave, the help of Artanis and the Akilae Tribe will be indispensable." Tassadar was pleased that the new executor Artanis, was on his side.

"Akilae has always been a strongman and leader among the Templar Knights, and their support is indispensable," Fenix added.

"Once war breaks out with the Conclave, the balance of power between the two sides will be crucial to victory or defeat. Will we be able to gain the upper hand on the main battlefield? Otherwise, we will still have to rely on Zeratul and the Dark Templar for help." Augustus touched the control panel of the Holographic Projection tactical map, pondering the route of advance from southeast Antioch to the Heart of the Conclave Kor-shakal.

"The Auriga Tribe, Ara Tribe, Velari Tribe, and Furinax Tribe have sided with the Conclave, and Shilak, the guardian of the Xel'Naga Temple, has refused to take a stand. Only Sargas and Akilae support us," Fenix said.

"We lost contact with the territory of the Fennatir Tribe. It is said that the last person to see those Aiur hunters, Khalai, claimed that the Fen Na'til Templar Knights were lost in the endless hunt for the Zerg's fury."

"The Fennatir Tribe possesses noble virtues," Tassadar said. "If we can find the Fennatir Templar Knights, they will surely turn to support us. Hopefully, this tribe has not suffered a tragedy."

"If the Akilae tribe hadn't obeyed Artanis's command, we would have been at a great disadvantage," Fenix, looking at Augustus.

"Was the Akilae tribe of Artanis capable of defeating all the other tribes?" Augustus could only make such an assumption.

"If we add the power of the Sargas tribes, yes," Tassadar said. "The Auriga Fleets was severely damaged in the battle to defend Aiur, and the Ara Tribe and Furinax Tribe, respectively from the Arbitrator and the Khalai Caste, are not natural warriors. Only the Preservers of the Velari and the High Templar are a force to be reckoned with."

"However, despite having the best spearmen and valiant light infantry in the Protoss Empire, the Velari tribe rarely uses heavy armor and weapons."

The Arbitrators' tribes are few in number and not skilled in combat. Among the various Templar Knights tribes, only the Akilae, Fennatir, Sargas, and Origa are the most powerful and renowned.

The Khalai Caste, despite having the largest population in the Protoss Empire, are not skilled in warfare. The Furinax Tribe, in particular, are weapon forgers and the most outstanding craftsmen. Their ancestors were also warlike warriors during the Aeon of Strife. Therefore, while this tribe is dedicated to developing Khaydarin Crystal and maintaining and expanding the crystal matrix network of Aiur and even the Protoss Empire, they can also join the battle as savage warriors.

Among the Templar Knights clans of the Protoss Empire, the Akilae have always been the most powerful, and in a sense, they even control the Protoss Empire's military. The Akilae clan has always maintained the martial spirit of their ancestors, and their strength is widely known throughout the Protoss Empire.

"Very well, I propose that once Artanis has assembled all his troops and the warriors of the Akilae tribe, we shall immediately advance into the heart of the Protoss Empire Conclave." Augustus had located the Antioch Province on the battle map, at the border with Kor-shakal, the seat of the Conclave.

There stands a Protoss Empire military fortress called the Executor Fortress, the place where the Conclave consults with their Executors and makes decisions, essentially the supreme command headquarters of the Terran Confederacy. The new Executor who succeeds Tassadar should be sitting there commanding the Protoss Empire's massive army, but it appears that Artanis is currently leading troops in battle on the front lines.

"If we take this fortress, we can strike at the heart of the Protoss Empire."

As he spoke, Augustus paused, then changed his wording. "Continue to advance on the Heart of the Conclave of Kor-shakal, avoiding contact with other Protoss Empire armies as much as possible. As long as you kill all the Arbitrators, no one will object to you."

"A desperate strike while the Conclave still believes they have victory in the bag will surely have a miraculous effect," Tassadar agreed.

The Conclave was completely unaware that Artanis and Fenix had joined Tassadar's side, and the bravest and most skilled generals in the Protoss Empire had turned against the Conclave, to which they had once sworn allegiance.

"But I don't want to, and will not, slaughter all the arbitrators in the Conclave, causing the bloodiest massacre in the history of the Protoss Empire." Tassadar sighed at Augustus's thoughts.

"Then imprison them until all is settled," Augustus.

If Augustus Tassadar, even if he didn't purge the Protoss Empire, he would imprison all the Arbitrators and seize all power. Considering the possibility of the Arbitrators seeking revenge later or their supporters restoring power, Augustus would certainly eliminate them completely.

"Alright." Tassadar couldn't find a better solution. The thought of his own kind killing each other was heartbreaking for Tassadar. After all, the Protoss were not human; they understood each other's feelings and were of one mind. The infighting would cause an unprecedented upheaval in the Khala's mental network.

"Now let's decide where to launch our attack," Tassadar continued. "The Fleets in Aiur Synchronous orbit tells me that the Auriga Fleets is not completely wiped out; even if they are less than one percent of their former strength, they are still enough to drive out the Combined Fleets."

"The Zerg also launched their attack at this time, Aiur's space was plunged into a fierce melee," he said. "We must resolve our differences with the Conclave as soon as possible."

"Speed is of the essence in war." Augustus nodded in agreement. Just now, Jim Raynor, who was commanding the Revolutionary Army Fleets, had also reported to him on the latest battle situation in orbit around Aiur. The Fleets engaged in combat could only send a very limited number of military forces to the planet's surface.

Conversely, the Protoss Empire Conclave and the Zerg were also unable to deploy an overwhelming Fleets and air power to deal with the Allied forces.

"This is the battle plan." As Augustus spoke, he had already detailed the plan on the Holographic Projection map. "One of my legions will advance along the Radiant River to the border of Kor-shakal, the Sain Province, and Antioch, to defend against Swarm that might launch an attack while we are engaged in battle with the Conclave's army."

"Another legion and its forces will depart from the Elder's Cemetery and proceed along the Memorial Road – Altar – Executor Fortress line, establishing a new superfortress at the Executor Fortress, and engaging the first army dispatched by the Conclave as planned," he said. "Once this army is defeated, we will storm the city of Kor-shakal."

"I've heard Tassadar mention the three Arks of Salvation that lie dormant beneath the Heart of the Conclave Kor-shakal. If we take that place, we can activate these Arks to launch a counterattack against the Zerg and relocate refugees."

"We are currently in the vast primeval rainforest of Antioch, but we lack cities that can serve as a springboard for attack or a stronghold for defense," Augustus said, marking a location with a red circle on the battle map.

"After capturing the Executor Fortress, the forests to the south and the deserts to the west of Antioch can serve as a vast strategic buffer."

"This is what humanity must do," Fenix pointed out. "And the task of the offensive falls to us, with my troops leading the way—as always."

"My Templar Knights will fight alongside humanity." Tassadar had already discussed the operational plans after landing on Aiur with Augustus.

"At this time, we also need to try our best to gather the Khalai and Templar Knights along the way."

"..." Augustus nodded. "I will send a professional army and medical personnel to help the refugees in Aiur."

Augustus and Tassadar both knew that extending a helping hand to the Protoss they encountered at this time was not a wise strategic choice. Even if the main force did not stop, they would have to divert a portion of their troops to transfer and protect the Protoss Empire civilians.

But this was their original purpose in coming to Aiur, not for power or other personal desires, but to save this ancient land. Even if they couldn't save Aiur, they wanted to help the Protoss escape their homeland.

"Therefore, we must also send an army toward the Xel'Naga Gateway in Aiur." Augustus drew a long red line and arrow between the Xel'Naga Gateway and the Antioch Province on the battle map.

"This is an airborne force, led by my most capable airborne commander, Zander Max. Capture the Xel'Naga Gateway and open it as quickly as possible."

"That Gateway will open a passage to Shakuras, the home of the Dark Templar. All the Aiur refugees will travel along this road to Shakuras to seek the merciful protection of Raszagal, the Nerazim chieftain."

As they were talking, Marshal Guard Faraday, who was standing outside the command center conference room, reported to Augustus that another Protoss commander had arrived.

As the steel doors of the conference room opened, Augustus noticed that the person who had arrived was the new executive officer they had mentioned before, Artanis from the Akilae tribe.

Artanis's ancient plate armor, gleaming like platinum, was now covered in scratches, and his once spotless executive robes had darkened considerably. Only his eyes, burning with pure blue fire, remained as bright as ever—young, energetic, driven, and full of hope.

"En Taro Adun, I salute you, great Executor Tassadar, Grand Consul Fenix —and you, Marshal Augustus Mengsk, the outstanding leader of the Human Revolutionary Army, a mentor and friend worthy of my study." Artanis still addressed Tassadar as Executor, while showing great respect for Augustus.

"I have assembled the last of my troops, and they are now under your command, Tassadar."

What could be more worthy of the Protoss' respect than humans who would travel thousands of miles to Aiur to fight for a race so different from themselves?

Artanis overheard Augustus's last words as he entered the command center, inevitably hearing the term "Aiur refugees." Refugees are a human term, representing those who are destitute and starving.

The Protoss Empire would never refer to its people by that word. Since their civilization shone among the stars again after the Aeon of Strife, the population lost to war and medical malpractice has been at its lowest point. For centuries, the Protoss have not been in such dire straits.

My noble people have become refugees.

"Artanis, it's so good to see you here again. I thought the Conclave would punish you for protecting Tassadar." Augustus extended a hand to Artanis, who, bewildered, quickly deciphered the intention to shake hands and the friendly meaning behind it from the other's surface thoughts.

Then, Augustus, clad in Power Armor, briefly embraced Artanis, leaving the young Protoss executive bewildered, his hands trembling unsure of what to do.

Artanis knew that among humans, long-separated friends celebrated their reunion in this way.

"The arbitrators in the Conclave are sometimes just too stubborn and extreme; they are all good people." Artanis, however, did not believe that the Conclave was an irredeemable ruling class.

"They were simply too deeply immersed in their arrogance," Fenix added. "The Great Khas entrusted the Protoss who first followed him with the responsibility of governing and leading the Protoss Empire to glory. Every Arbitrator carried such a heavy burden that they often made inhuman decisions for the benefit of the Empire and all the Protoss."

"Perhaps some arbitrators in the Conclave will make wrong decisions due to personal bias or narrow-mindedness, but that's only because they haven't seen successful examples."

"Yes," Tassadar said. "Artanis, thank you for choosing to believe in me in this time of crisis."

"I hope your Templar Knights will continue to fight alongside us."

"Of course."

At this time, Augustus's order for the troops landing on Aiur to advance according to the original plan had been executed, all the temporary Bunker and alloy steel barriers erected to defend against the enemy's attack had been recovered, and the jungle camouflage barracks, engineering stations, heavy factories and command centers were also lifted into the air by thrusters.

Augustus and Tassadar, along with other Protoss commanders, left the command center just before it took off. They walked onto the humus-covered ground of the primeval forest, preparing to return to their respective units in spacecraft or vehicles.

Before them lay a vast and magnificent sight: the marching column of just one human army stretched for miles, heavy tanks and chariots roaring across the flat land of Aiur. Every now and then, golden-red fighter jets of the Human Revolutionary Army and gleaming Protoss shuttles flew overhead, while the Protoss army was rapidly deployed to this strategic location through the warp matrix network that covered Aiur.

Had it not been for the Zerg invasion destroying many warp facilities and the Matrix network, still under the control of the Conclave, refusing access to Tassadar's army, they could have appeared in the square of the Heart of the Conclave in an instant.

Seeing this magnificent scene, Tassadar said, "With everyone united and determined, we will surely be able to save Aiur."

There's an outbreak in Taixing, and my neighborhood is under lockdown. I'm going crazy from queuing up for nucleic acid tests, so I'm writing this in a rush.