Ceasefire
"If Aiur falls, and the firstborn sons of the gods are all gone, what meaning will inheritance and law have left?"
Tassadar stood to Augustus's right, dressed in High Templar robe and gold and blue, his tall and imposing figure towering above the rest.
"This is not an excuse for your repeated disobedience to the Council's orders, Tassadar. You have made one mistake after another, and the crimes you have committed are so grave that even the most esteemed members of the Council are ashamed to speak of them." This Conclave Arbitrator was relatively young among the Council members, yet his words and actions were already indistinguishable from those of professional politicians. He still issued orders to the Templar Knights Order's executive officers with a superior attitude.
"Artanis, we are astonished to see you among the traitors—this is the Templar Knights' reward for their trust in the Conclave. The Akilae tribe was once the cornerstone of the Imperial army, yet now they openly rebel!" He spoke harshly and aggressively.
"Tassadar, Artanis, the executives we once placed our hopes on, you swore allegiance to the Council and the people of the Empire, do you really want blood to flow here now?"
Upon hearing this, Artanis's momentum immediately deflated, while Tassadar maintained a firm gaze on the arbitrator on the projection screen.
"A politician's specialty is using the people as a shield," Augustus remarked softly.
"A human? Get out of here, this is not a place for you." The arbitrator was furious, but still pretended to be nonchalant, while Augustus thought it was a family scandal that should not be aired in public.
"Your Honorable Arbitrator, you are the leader of the Protoss Empire and the guide of the Protoss, yet you have no right to force a being with free will to leave the land beneath his feet," Augustus said humbly, just as he had when facing the nobles of the Tarsonis Old Families.
"It seems we were too lenient." The arbitrator was enraged, his cold anger turning into icy blue flames overflowing from his eyes.
"Did you consider any mercy when you were burning humanity's planet?" Augustus showed him no mercy. "Arbitrators, in my eyes, you are no different from cold-blooded blue-skinned lizards. Humanity came here only because there were noble individuals among you like Tassadar."
"Do you think I care about the opinions and thoughts of the Protoss arbitrators? You mean nothing to me."
"You rarely show such ruthlessness, but I have to applaud you," Kerrigan said, to prove that Augustus n't the only human present.
"Arbitrator, don't let anger Overmind your thinking." Tassadar's words stopped a pointless argument, implying that no matter how Augustus argued with the arbitrator, he would have to endure it. "You should forgive the arbitrator's outrageous words from such a young race, because that is their limit."
"I don't want to start a war that kills our own family, and I believe the Conclave feels the same way."
Behind this arbitrator must have stood all the arbitrators of the Conclave, whispering amongst themselves in the council hall, out of sight of Augustus and Tassadar.
This arbitrator was not one of the highly respected and influential council members that Tassadar was familiar with; he was practically a young man compared to Aldaris. He was merely a mouthpiece conveying the will of the Conclave, and his anger was likely directed at all the arbitrators, since the Khala allowed all the Protoss to have close emotional interactions.
Given that these arbitrators are even more deeply embedded in the Khala's mental network than the High Templar and Preservers, and that the Khala are filled with the rage and sorrow of the dead due to the tragedy of Aiur and the deaths of billions of Protoss, they are likely also affected by this upheaval.
"Aside from my anger toward the Zerg and the traitors, I am calm, Tassadar." The young arbitrator issued his final ultimatum once again with a condescending air.
"On behalf of the Conclave, I once again order you to immediately lay down your arms, surrender, and hand over all the Dark Templar. The Conclave will re-evaluate your crimes to determine whether you are still qualified to return to the people."
"If that's the case, then I will not carry out this order." Tassadar had already anticipated this response, and he certainly didn't underestimate the arrogance of the council members. "The Dark Templar are indispensable allies in our fight against the Swarm; they are key to our success in killing the Cerebrate and the Overmind."
"Let's set aside all disputes and misunderstandings, and join hands to fight the Zerg and kill the enemy together." He said sincerely, "Once we drive out the enemy and reclaim Aiur, I am willing to accept the Council's punishment, or I will die on the battlefield as a hero, so that the historians can erase the crimes that once shamed the Protoss Empire."
"I would rather die than die, just for Aiur."
The arbitrator behind the screen fell silent, his face shrouded in an illusory light, hidden beneath his hood. The Khala was filled with heated debate among the Conclave members, each holding their own opinion on whether Tassadar and the Dark Templar should be trusted.
"You deceived the Conclave," the arbitrator said after a moment of silence. "You told us you had destroyed the infected human planet, but in reality you protected them."
"My loyalty to Aiur is unwavering," Tassadar proclaimed. "Stand before me, look into my eyes through Khala, and you will see that everything I say is true."
"I am the Sons of Adun, and everything I have done is for Aiur."
Augustus, Artanis, and Zeratul all looked at their friend and teacher; even though the Protoss lacked vocal cords and throats, they could feel each other's desperate cries.
"Arbitrator, how can you doubt the fervent cry of someone willing to die for Aiur?" Fenix added, "Tassadar returned to Aiur when it was on the verge of destruction, solely to save her."
"How will you prove it, Templar Knights? The Conclave only believes what one sees with one's own eyes." The Conclave members behind the arbitrator finally stopped their heated debate. "Otherwise, we cannot believe you."
"This is for the survival of the Protoss Empire and the safety and suffering of its people. The Conclave guides all Protoss in their path, and our choice concerns the continuation of all the Firstborn, and indeed, the entire race. We cannot afford to make a mistake, and we cannot listen to the one-sided story of a traitor."
"I will prove I am worthy of the honor of commanding the army in the name of Adun," Tassadar immediately declared.
"Enough! Do you want a Templar Knights to prove his loyalty with his death?" Fenix shouted.
"Aiur is right at the heart of the war. Every wrong step you take will lead to her utter destruction."
"That's why we must proceed with extreme caution, High Consul. Be mindful of the manner befitting an Arbitrator," the Arbitrator said to Fenix. "How long has it been? Has Tassadar already taught all the Templar Knights to disregard class and status and reject the decisions of council members?"
"We are the arbitrators entrusted with high hopes by the great Khas. Every resolution and order from the Conclave is a carefully considered decision made from the perspective of the Protoss Empire. The clear mission of restoring the Protoss Empire to the pinnacle of the world does not allow the Conclave to make mistakes—and we will never make mistakes!"
"Oh, well, guys, this is why you're about to lose Aiur. Don't say I didn't warn you, every second you waste here means countless Protoss will be Zerg and eaten by the Zerg." Kerrigan said mercilessly, her arms crossed over her chest.
"The reason they talk so much is simply because they're unsure whether they can defeat us," Augustus said.
"Many executives and governors have sided with Tassadar, and the Conclave knows that this civil war will inevitably result in mutual destruction. The fragmentation of the Protoss Empire is unavoidable. The most important question is, who will fight the Zerg and save the people from their suffering?"
Originally, in the original timeline, Tassadar returned to Aiur with only his flagship, the Star Shuttle, a small Fleets from Artanis, and the Hyperion. But now they possess a massive Fleets. Tassadar had no intention of immediately clashing with the Conclave upon his return to Aiur; he hoped to find a way to reconcile the two sides without war.
Augustus advised Tassadar to contact his friends among the Templar Knights before returning to Aiur, and to use his prestige to gather an army capable of challenging the Conclave.
It was only because of the power in Tassadar's hands that the Conclave made concessions; otherwise, they would not have given Tassadar any chance to explain before launching a direct attack.
"Put away your worthless pride, Arbitrator," Fenix said. "Listen to the wails of the Khala, and how can you still have the leisure to sit in your ornate chair inlaid with crystals and jewels?"
In Augustus's view, Fenix was a very interesting Protoss. He was certainly a legendary warrior, and among the humans and Templar Knights Augustus seen, no one could rival him in terms of combat prowess and bravery.
However, Fenix is more likely to understand human concepts and humor, and his cheerful and upright personality is also very popular among humans. Given time, Fenix may become the first Protoss to become sworn brothers with Augustus.
"Tassadar, answer us." The arbitrator looked at Tassadar, offering no further response to Augustus and Fenix's words.
"You don't need to die to prove your loyalty, Tassadar. Your value to your people is greater than you think," Augustus advised Tassadar as a friend.
We can't lose you.
"Face Khala, arbitrators. You may send one of your arbitrators to me, to delve into the hearts of Khala and me. All darkness will vanish in the light of day." Tassadar gave Augustus a knowing look.
"Tassadar, if your loyalty truly stands the test, then you should come to Kor-shakal at this time and answer our questions in the hall of the Heart of the Conclave." The arbitrator unusually twisted his long neck.
"I originally thought the arbitrators were not lacking in courage to face danger?" Tassadar knew that once he went, he might not come back. He gradually grew tired of the intrigue with the Conclave and was deeply saddened by the suspicion of his compatriots.
Tassadar has always been pure, and it is precisely because of his excessive honesty, kindness and purity that he could not and would never become an arbitrator.
The Conclave is still locked in a fierce debate over whether or not to trust Tassadar, which shouldn't be the primary concern at this time.
"Who knows if the Dark Templar beside you won't take the opportunity to corrupt the mind of an Arbitrator?" The Arbitrator's telepathic voice sharpened with hatred for the Dark Templar. He didn't notice Zeratul, who was invisible; otherwise, he would have already begun cursing him.
"They can manipulate minds, allowing depravity to strike directly at the heart."
"I have a better idea," Augustus said as the two sides continued their argument.
The arbitrator opposite him initially didn't want to pay attention to this ignorant and powerless human, but at this moment, the Protoss, including Tassadar, who were beside Augustus, all looked at him.
"We all know that the Protoss Empire is headed for certain defeat in its war against the Zerg," Augustus continued.
"Nonsense!" A loud bang came from the arbitrator's side, and Augustus could hardly help but suspect that the other party was slamming his fist on the table.
"The Zerg Overmind rules over all the Cerebrate and Zerg, and the Cerebrate rule over all the lower Zerg. Only by killing them can the Zerg be truly crippled; otherwise, the ever-hatching Zerg will eventually devour the entire world." Augustus the other party.
"Tassadar warned you long ago that the Cerebrate are key, but no matter how many times the Templar Knights kill Cerebrate, they will always regenerate," he said.
The arbitrator looked around, as if making eye contact with his colleagues.
"You don't believe the Dark Templar's power can permanently kill the Cerebrate and prevent its resurrection? Then we'll show you! Tassadar and my forces will attack the Overmind and deliver a fatal blow to its minions."
"Open your eyes and watch closely as we advance over the corpses of the Zerg," Augustus concluded.
"Even as a human being, I will fight for Aiur."
"While we fought and bled, gentlemen, arbitrators of the Conclave, you were able to witness the difference between lies and truthful words behind the backs of humans and Protoss warriors."
"While there's still time, you can all comment on the warrior's actions under the canopy."
"Hurry and save the Protoss who are suffering. We are not afraid to start a civil war, but we do not want to lose our loyal and fearless warriors in pointless matters and let them sacrifice in vain."
If the opposing side were the Confederate Congress of the Terran Confederacy, Augustus never have said so much; he would have simply said: Gentlemen, let blood flow here.
"We do not need human assistance." The arbitrator's response was swift, suggesting that the arbitrators were in complete agreement on this matter.
In the beginning, the Conclave trusted Tassadar without reservation. Even when Tassadar disobeyed the Conclave's orders, the arbitrators did not hesitate to believe his advice—that the Cerebrate Zerg be killed to deal with them—until the Cerebrate were resurrected by the Fenix army.
"Just as you said, we will not doubt a warrior who fought and bled to defend his homeland. If the Dark Templar can truly kill the Cerebrate and save Aiur, then the Conclave will not pursue their betrayal from a thousand years ago," he said.
"When you launch your attack, the parliament will send an army to fight alongside you—we are willing to give Tassadar a chance."