Protoss Human Friendship Lasts Forever

"Phase Technician Karax, I am truly grateful for your help." Augustus gazed at the seemingly easygoing and portly Protoss technician before him and said in an extremely friendly manner.

Most Protoss have slender bodies and move gracefully and swiftly, but the Phase Technician Karax is quite different; he appears clumsy and is not good at running or fighting.

As a Khalai engineer, Karax is shorter than the Templar Knights Protoss, but he possesses all the qualities of an excellent Protoss phase engineer: masterful erudition, a strong sense of responsibility, and unwavering loyalty.

"That's how it should be. I was just doing my duty." Phase Technician Karax held out a hand to Augustus, showing him a crystal field generator. It was a golden disc that shone like gold, with fine lattice indentations on its surface connecting to the blue Kydarin Crystal at its center.

"The Templar Knights and Revolutionary Army warriors have fought to this day, Khalai Caste have only contributed their share within the bounds of their duty. I have come to aid humanity on the orders of Executor Artanis, and therefore it is my duty."

"Every Protoss is a cornerstone of the Protoss Empire," Augustus told Karax.

"Karax, I wonder how many more prosthetics like these you can produce." He thought of the Revolutionary Army soldiers who had been wounded and discharged from the wars over the years. Although these soldiers were well cared for, Augustus still hoped they could receive medical treatment.

Human prosthetic technology has developed quite rapidly in the past two decades, but it is still not entirely satisfactory.

"That's certainly not a problem. A single control core and Robotics Facility are all that's needed to continuously produce custom-made mechanical limbs. This utilizes many technologies from before the Protoss Empire, which, although ancient, are still very advanced."

Karax held Augustus in high regard, knowing that this human was a close friend of Executive Tassadar: "Marshal, I have been researching the creation and application of prosthetics. Extra limbs can greatly improve work efficiency. The mechanical limbs designed for the Revolutionary Army soldiers utilize neural connection technology and energy transmission devices that match human Psionics potential."

"That sounds really good," Tychus joked. "If someone ever shoots me in the head, I might be able to get a new one from the Protoss."

"I will do everything in my power to save your brain, Finley. Tychus Finley, but I am not a doctor." Karax couldn't quite grasp what humor was; in fact, he was completely bewildered by the jumbled mess in Tychus's head.

"Thank you, you're a good Protoss." Tychus was speechless.

"Hello, soldier, I am Marshal Augustus Mengsk." At this moment, Augustus looked at the Revolutionary Army soldier who came out with Karax and extended his hand to shake hands with him.

The soldier's hands and eyes had been modified, with some components handcrafted by the engineers of the Phase Technicians, as the Protoss Empire had not used such technology for centuries.

"Marshal, I am Corporal Ramon Walter, a strike scout in the 1st Raynor's Raiders Brigade of the Revolutionary Army. The Raynor's Raiders are now under the command of the Northern Corps on the battlefield of Aiur. Salute to you, we have always fought against the enemies of humanity."

The soldier had long, messy, reddish-brown hair and freckles on his young face. He was tall and strong, with muscles like solid bricks, as loyal and reliable as a faithful and dependable Korhal horse.

The Raynor's Raiders have transformed into a formidable elite force within the Revolutionary Army. Well-equipped with numerous Vulture and reconnaissance vehicles, they possess exceptional mobility, enabling them to penetrate the battlefield with high mobility to support friendly forces or to infiltrate enemy rear lines from treacherous angles, throwing them into disarray.

"It's an honor." Augustus noticed that the other person's mechanical prosthetic limb even had a delicate touch and temperature like a human hand, rather than being cold metal and stone.

"Tell me, how did you get wounded while bravely fighting the Zerg?" Augustus looked at the soldier's mechanical prosthetic eye, which gleamed with a deep blue light.

"Well, Marshal, at that time I was exploring an ancient Protoss ruin in eastern Antioch, because it happened to be on the marching route—you know, structures like that are everywhere in Aiur, and the crystals inside are dangerous to humans in themselves," said the soldier named Walter.

"I encountered a Defiler over ten feet long there. That monster killed two of my comrades, but I finally managed to kill it with a grenade." He sighed, "These eyes are the price."

"After that, I lay in the ruins waiting to die, but was rescued by a few Protoss who happened to be passing by. They treated my wounds, gave me water and food, and stayed by my side to prevent me from being carried away by wild beasts, until I was found by my own people."

Augustus embraced the soldier again. "Your superiors should have told you that you deserve a Silver Tower Medal and a pension."

The Silver Tower Medal was a medal awarded by the Revolutionary Army to those who had made significant contributions in battle. What Ramon Walter didn't say was that it was because of his warning that other friendly forces avoided a dangerous ambush.

Compared to medals that have become too common due to their large number of awards, the Silver Tower Medal is much more prestigious. Marked by the silver tower in the capital city of Khastilling, it can only be obtained by those who have achieved extraordinary military exploits.

At the same time, this medal was also a disgrace to Alpha Squadron Commander Edmond Duke, because he did not possess the most valuable medals.

"Yes, sir, they did offer me a leisurely job in the rear, but I still request to return to my original unit," Walter said, a resolute expression on his young, energetic, and clean-cut face. "The war for our generation is not over yet."

"Your application will certainly be approved," Augustus told him. "The front lines always welcome brave and indomitable warriors."

Augustus patted Walter on the shoulder one last time, watching him walk toward a blue-painted Revolutionary Army transport ship, its white Wings of Liberty symbol representing the Revolutionary Army ' unceasing revolutionary cause.

"What a tough guy," Tychus rarely praised someone.

Just then, a dilapidated off-road vehicle drove past the barracks on the muddy road, carrying several Revolutionary Army soldiers who were about to receive prosthetic limb transplants. The driver was a sergeant wearing a silver cross, the sash worn and soaked by the humid heat of Aiur.

The SUV stopped in front of Augustus and Captain Raymond beside him. The sergeant got out of the vehicle, first excitedly greeting Augustus, and then asked if he could take the captain with him.

"Hmm," Augustus nodded, looking at his former teacher. "Captain, I hope we'll meet again at your medal ceremony."

"Farewell, Marshal. All for the restoration of Korhal," Captain Raymond Augustus as he left.

"I will rebuild Korhal," Augustus declared firmly. "Korhal is my homeland, and it rightfully deserves to be the center of the new regime."

"Will I ever see her again? The beautiful Korhal I once was?" Raymond's eyes welled up with tears as he was helped into the SUV by Augustus.

"It definitely will." Augustus sighed inwardly. Korhal is now Radiated Wastes, and even if the city is rebuilt, it will be difficult for the environment to return to its former state.

"Rebuild a planet razed by nuclear weapons? Marshal Augustus, perhaps the Protoss can help you." Karax, who had followed, was able to glean information about the destruction of Korhal from Augustus and the others' thoughts.

"Is that true?" Augustus and the people around him immediately looked at Karax.

"During the Protoss Empire's most prosperous Colonial Era, our ancestors attempted to transform those barren, lifeless worlds, even altering the rotation speed of a planet to make it more habitable." Karax took a few steps back, overwhelmed by the sheer excitement and fervor of the humans.

"That's wonderful." Augustus shook hands with Karax excitedly, while the latter seemed caught off guard, like an innocent blue cat whose paw had been pinched.

"It was nothing," Karax said. "Humans have already helped us so much. So many Revolutionary Army are buried in Aiur. The Protoss will never forget their sacrifice."

"Korhal was once a beautiful planet like Aiur. Nuclear radiation can be completely eliminated; it just takes some time, and we can rebuild it."

"If I had thought of that sooner, I should have mentioned it to Tassadar." Augustus determined to seek the help of the Protoss once the situation in Aiur stabilized.

With the help of the Protoss, Augustus could rebuild his homeland much faster, and under the influence of Protoss technology, Korhal would surely build many new cities.

Augustus would not ask the Protoss for much support, as the Protoss themselves also needed to rebuild their devastated homeland, but they could always be of great help. Every Protoss architect possessed masterful talent in this field, and when they built those Protoss structures that seemed incredibly magnificent to humans, humanity had not yet set foot in the Koprulu Sector.

"Korhal," Captain Raymond said before leaving, "We'll be back soon, not too long."

"I believe that Executive Tassadar will do everything in his power to help the Revolutionary Army," Karax simply said. "Because we are friends, the friendship between the Protoss and humanity will last forever."

"You're right," Augustus.

As he reflected, Augustus's heavy mood lightened considerably. He led Karax and the others through the white-painted barracks toward the engineering station in the camp. "Karax, let me introduce you to an outstanding human engineer. I'm sure you'll get along well."

"I'm looking forward to it." Although Karax looks very clumsy, when he moves at lightning speed, even Tychus, who is wearing Power Armor, can't keep up with him.

"Hearing you say that, I immediately guessed who it was. I'm telling you, it's that Protoss named Karax. Rory Swann is best at dealing with machine oil and screws, but that's about all he's good at." Tychus said to Karax, "Those who know Tychus Finley here know best, and old Tychus's words are the most pertinent."

Rory Swann only arrived here today; he had been building fortifications on the Derin front.

Along the way, Augustus encountered many soldiers resting, including quite a few Khalai phase technicians. After many days of fighting side by side, the Revolutionary Army and the Protoss became increasingly familiar with each other, and prejudice and arrogance vanished with the friendship forged in blood and fire.

Augustus also spotted phase engineers from the Shakuras Protoss, whose deep purple robes were vastly different from those of the Aiur Protoss. Furthermore, the Shakuras Protoss phase engineers were also proficient in Void energy and combat, indicating that there was no clear hierarchical distinction between the Aiur Protoss Templar Knights and the Khalai among them.

On the way, Augustus inevitably encountered the dead. One soldier died from a parasite that burst out of his chest, his body almost torn in two; another soldier committed suicide because he could not accept the fact that he was about to have his limbs amputated.

Not everyone in the Revolutionary Army possessed the strong will of the two men Augustus just met. Many only realized their own vulnerability after witnessing the war, and the cruelty of the Zerg on the battlefield could inflict unimaginable psychological trauma.

The Revolutionary Army consists of recruits who have passed the telepathy test, but people's beliefs can change. During the years of war, there have been times when Revolutionary Army soldiers have betrayed the cause because they could not withstand the pressure.

Augustus eventually met Rory Swann, the Revolutionary Army's chief engineer, who was testing a new laser in an engineering station with a spacious warehouse. Swann was sitting in the middle of a pile of supply crates, surrounded by several young engineers, including Thatcher and Earl, the female engineers who Augustus before.

"Ah, hello boss—Mrs. Mengsk, Sergeant Faraday, Tychus Finley, you shameless drunkard." Swann was still quite young, but his fiery temper was terrifying, just like his relatives in Meinhoff.

"Don't run away after work," Tychus yelled.

"A Protoss engineer, it's a pleasure to meet you." Swann ignored the enraged Tychus and spoke to Karax behind Augustus. As an outstanding engineer, Swann understood the importance of making many friends.

"From today onwards, you will be working together for some time," Augustus said to Swann.

Because the Human Revolutionary Army's camps are located right next to the Protoss, their areas of operation overlap, and their public areas are practically indistinguishable. Humans and Protoss work together, transporting refugees while defending against retaliatory Swarm attacks; both sides have become accustomed to having each other's company during battles.

"Interesting. I've always wanted to observe the effectiveness of these primitive ballistic weapons." Karax was already quite adept at shaking hands with humans.

"No problem, brother, observe however you want," Swann said with a smile.

"Brother?" Karax said, "No problem, brother."