Reliable Protoss Technology

The Xel'Naga Gateway to Aiur is located on a lush riverside meadow, next to several lakes that are ten to twenty miles in diameter.

The pure blue lake water was calm and still, like a smooth mirror, with colorful fish swimming beneath it. Occasionally, aquatic giants would swim swiftly past underwater, their huge shadows chasing the luminous fish.

The magnificent and beautiful Protoss golden architecture is nestled among lush green vegetation. Ancient obelisks, statues, and clusters of Kydarin Crystal, buried in soil and green vegetation, gleam with a blended cyan-blue luster under the sunlight.

The plains are surrounded by beautiful mountains, the two highest of which Alwin and Coon, are home to the magnificent Protoss mountain cities. A light bridge spans the mountain peaks, connecting enchanting waterfalls and floating islands launched into the air by the anti-gravity matrix. Various uniquely designed and elegant warships and spaceships are continuously emerging from stargates in the sky and in stationary orbits.

Everywhere were ships laden with Protoss refugees and long lines of fleeing people. Human soldiers and Protoss warriors guarded the outposts that monitored the various entrances. Even the Colossus were transporting refugees; the Protoss had never been so eager to escape their paradise-like home.

"The Zerg invasion of the provinces after the Overmind's death shows no signs of abating, and the Protoss believe their anger and retaliatory attacks on their territories will not cease anytime soon." On a muddy road churned up by Armored Vehicle, Kerrigan caught up with Augustus, who was being escorted by Tychus and Faraday towards the Xel'Naga Gateway.

"This proves our decision was correct; the Zerg will not cease to function because of the Overmind's death. We must relocate civilians as much as possible while simultaneously shrinking our defensive lines, so that we can divert more troops originally intended to protect civilians to defend smaller areas," Augustus said.

"Cities can be rebuilt, but people cannot be brought back to life."

Not far away is Aiur's enormous Xel'Naga Gateway, which is similar to the two on Shakuras and Haj, but just as the veins of two leaves are different, the spiral patterns and even the materials of the walls themselves are not the same.

Every Xel'Naga creation is a masterpiece of art, making even the Protoss architecture seem clumsy in comparison, like the difference between a magnificent castle and a child's sand dune.

The one on Aiur was even more dazzling, its surface radiating a golden light. It was also the only Gateway on Aiur that was still functioning. It was shrouded in a pale blue phantom and was large enough for a ship to pass through.

Even so, the Xel'Naga Gateway was far too crowded, with countless ships and vehicles passing through Gateway every moment, disappearing into the illusory veil. These ships passing through the Gateway resembled a golden river stretching across the sky, its golden light, invisible even to the human eye, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"But in the eyes of the Protoss, their little houses built of broken stones are more important than their own lives. Humans can't understand the Protoss; their minds aren't quite right." Tychus continued to criticize the Protoss's rigidity and stubbornness. He once thought that the Kel-Morian among humans were the epitome of stubbornness, but compared to the Protoss, they were nothing.

"At least Tassadar knows how to make choices," Kerrigan said. "Even the Conclave has consolidated its defenses and concentrated its forces to deal with the first wave of Zerg after the Overmind's death."

"Nobody knows if those damned bugs will ever stop, right? The best way is to divide up the Protoss's ancestral property, then pack up and go back to our home in Antiga. We've helped the Protoss so much, it's time to call it a day." Tychus had never liked the Protoss, and he still didn't.

"That's a good idea, Tychus, but it's a bit flawed." Augustus nodded to Tychus, then looked at Kerrigan: "Judging from the Swarm's movements, they haven't swarmed out. A considerable number of Zerg are still guarding the Overmind's remains, including the most powerful Tiamat Brood."

"It now seems that the Conclave will most likely be able to hold onto their half of Aiur, the Kor-shakal Province, and we will also be able to hold onto the Antioch Province."

"Given the Protoss's transportation capabilities, they can evacuate all non-combat personnel in three days at most," Augustus continued. "At that time, only if we can hold onto Antioch, or even just this Xel'Naga Gateway in Aiur, can we hold out until the Dark Templar reinforcements arrive."

"Zeratul's Dark Templar are quite righteous; they understand the principle of mutual dependence," Kerrigan said.

"I think it stems more from kinship than from other gains or losses," Augustus. "The Protoss are a highly emotional race, and their judgments can be quite different from those of real humans."

"But if we fail to defend this hellhole, that planet called Shakuras will be finished too. The insects will devour us and that planet together, leaving not a trace." Tychus scoffed, "I simply cannot believe there is anyone more noble than you in this world, Augustus."

"I'm not noble; in fact, I'm very vengeful." Augustus shook his head and continued walking along the muddy path. Ahead lay a row of white prefabricated houses painted with striking red crosses, and a hospital converted from an abandoned Xel'Naga watchtower and altar was in sight.

"I haven't done anything wrong recently, Hank can vouch for me, old Tychus is completely innocent," Tychus said immediately, sounding wary.

"They're in cahoots," Kerrigan said.

By this time, no one cared that starting construction on the buildings left behind in Xel'Naga was blasphemous, because even shelter from the wind and rain was in extremely short supply during this period.

At that moment, Augustus heard singing coming from these white houses. Those barracks were prepared for the wounded soldiers of the Revolutionary Army, who were all seriously injured and unable to go to the front lines to continue fighting.

The wounded will be temporarily sent to Shakuras, and then eventually transferred to the Revolutionary Army's planet Haj.

"I am glad they are singing, my esteemed warriors have not been defeated by their injuries." Augustus followed the sound into the barracks, but there was no joy in his voice.

"What song is that?" Tychus asked Kerrigan impatiently.

"That's a folk song from the Korhal New Wilson Region, which goes something like this: the world is so big, and the places where the sun shines are all so beautiful, but the most enchanting place is our homeland," Kerrigan said.

"Damn it, I almost cried," Tychus muttered. "Korhal is gone."

"No one will believe crocodile tears, Colonel Finley," said Faraday, captain of the Marshal Guard.

"I hate you, Faraday, you arrogant brat. I don't believe you dare to lay a finger on Augustus Mengsk, the future Lord of the Terrans." Tychus may seem irritable and easily angered, but he's not just a big, dumb brute who only knows how to fight.

"Don't joke around," Faraday said.

Augustus eventually found the wounded Revolutionary Army singing outside an open barracks, and was surprised to find them sitting around a blazing fire, roasting wild animals from Aiur's native lands on skewers.

Some soldiers with canes were marinating meat with wild onions, rosemary, wine, and ginger. Only a small amount of the seasoning came from supplies; the rest was made from what was available. Several soldiers with bandages wrapped around their faces leaned against the wall in silence, occasionally humming along with the others.

Most of them were scratched by the sharp stingers of the Zerg, or even just touched by a trace of the Defiler's poisonous mist.

Generally speaking, the Revolutionary Army soldiers had to endure Aiur's unpredictable climate and scorching heat, but it was a paradise for life to survive and reproduce, with food almost everywhere, and quite delicious at that.

"Greetings, Marshal Augustus Mengsk. I am Captain Bing Raymond from Khastilling. Marshal, you may not remember, but I was your criminology and history professor. We last met at the graduation ceremony of the School of Cassation, when you hung the academically fraudulent head of the department over a fire until he confessed."

Bing Raymond was the highest-ranking officer here. He was a typical Korhal nobleman, handsome, eloquent, cultured, and knowledgeable, and a good student at the noble school. Raymond's chiseled face was a model of resilience and perseverance, and his light-colored eyes were bright and piercing, not diminished by his empty right trouser leg.

Captain Raymond, who had lost his entire leg, used a cane, but this only added to his elegant demeanor. Such men are often the center of attention at celebrity gatherings, and his past seems all the more mysterious because of his current composed military bearing.

"Professor Raymond, it's so nice to see you again, but I didn't expect it to be here." Augustus immediately stepped forward and hugged Captain Raymond, feeling ashamed that he didn't remember much about him. The latter was over forty years old, with some graying temples, but his body showed no signs of aging and remained strong and powerful.

"What a small world," he exclaimed.

"Yes, I knew you were destined for greatness the first time I saw you," Captain Raymond smiled. "You're a member of the Mengsk Family; you're sure to achieve something no less great than any of the Mengsk before you."

"I guess it was just me skipping class by jumping off the eleventh floor on my first day of your class," Augustus said, making them both burst into laughter.

"I almost fainted." Raymond's laugh quickly faded, "Who knew your hovercraft was parked down there?"

Augustus Mengsk was every teacher's nightmare when he was causing trouble in Sterling, but he just happened to be the son of the academy's biggest investor. However, despite his outrageous behavior, Augustus never did anything truly bad; he remained the same mischievous kid who always thought of upholding justice.

Regardless, Augustus was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw his former teacher. Never before had they met again on such a planet in such a capacity.

At the same time, Augustus also knew that such coincidences were not uncommon. The Korhal had a total population of just over 40 million, of whom men and women aged 16 to 45 had received military training in the Revolutionary Army's military training camps, and one in ten people served in the Revolutionary Army's active-duty departments.

As for the Sterling Academy, where Augustus once studied, his former classmates, teachers, and even the gatekeepers were assigned to combat units and other departments. The Revolutionary Army even jokingly said that the cats and dogs that strolled around the Korhal Sterling Academy were carrying weapons and going to the battlefield.

This was not only because Revolutionary Army's Augustus Mengsk was a graduate of the school, but also because after the Confederacy bombed Korhal, even many Korhal nobles and vested interests who had previously opposed the Mengsk Family's uprising sided with the Revolutionary Army, because the Confederacy had taken everything from them.

"Wow, I never knew Augustus so unrestrained in his youth. The great spiritual leader of the Revolutionary Army actually did such things in the past." Tychus's eyes widened like saucers.

"They've done even more outrageous things," Kerrigan remarked. "This world is truly wondrous. Sterling Academy used to be terrified of Mengsk, but now they regard him as the greatest hero in the school's history. In the newly established Korhal Sterling Academy in the Umojan region, the headmaster, who was once tricked by Augustus, even erected a statue in his honor."

"His Arcturus Mengsk, was also a troublemaker; they were exactly the same in that respect—that's the nature of scum."

"I knew it. Our relationship is exactly what you call mutual respect between bad guys." Tychus stroked his chin. "What other outrageous things has he done?"

"For example, some people claim that Augustus Mengsk once stole the kisses of a hundred girls." Faraday was a huge fan of Augustus, and he knew all about the stories he had gathered from who-knows-where.

"I've never heard Augustus boast about this before." Tychus clicked his tongue. "What about the details?"

"Alright, none of that's true." Kerrigan cut off Tychus's rambling. "He's not Korhal the Casanova."

"That's hard to say," Tychus said.

"Teacher, the Protoss Phase Technicians will soon be replacing your leg with a new one, which is said to be exactly the same as the old one. The new mechanical limb is powered by Kydarin Crystal, capable of delivering powerful force and never running out of power," Augustus told Captain Raymond.

"I've already witnessed the Protoss's amazing technology, and nobody knows how they did it," Raymond said. "But if that's the case, why don't they give those Protoss Templar Knights who pilot Dragoon similar limbs?"

"Probably, they didn't have this tradition before the Dragoon appeared," Augustus said, shrugging. Then, smiling, he took a skewer of grilled meat from a soldier and loudly praised it as delicious, ignoring the fact that parts of the meat were burnt.

As he spoke, a Revolutionary Army soldier wearing a golden mechanical right arm emerged from the camp. His arm had a perfect shape, its surface flowing with a faint blue Psionics light, and blue Khaydarin Crystal were inlaid in its joints and shoulder. The movement of his arm was exactly the same as his other, still intact arm. His eyes were replaced with gleaming blue mechanical prosthetics, and Augustus even suspected that they could shoot out crackling lasers.

Behind this Revolutionary Army soldier was a plump Khalai phase engineer dressed in a gold and red robe, with several elusive, sunfish-like dark gold mechanical minions circling the ends of his long nerve bundles.

"Hello, I am Khalai, a phase engineer from the Karax." The Protoss engineer approached Augustus and said, "Marshal Augustus Mengsk, I provide your men with simple and practical mechanical limbs. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."