Aiur Rangers

Aiur surface, Xel'Naga Gateway.

Saying goodbye to the countless sacrifices and bloodshed of January, we have arrived at February, a month of lush greenery and vibrant life. In this season of renewal, the first rays of dawn illuminate the scarred earth.

The Taiga Camp is a human military camp near the Xel'Naga Gateway, named after a local herbivorous reptile known to the Aiur Protoss as the Taiga Hunter Lizard. Many ages ago, this creature was considered a symbol of some kind of divinity by the Protoss.

The camp consists of hundreds of modular building blocks airdropped onto the surface of Aiur. These symmetrically gridded blocks are white or gray with sharp gold and red lines along their edges. The drinking water storage tower is located next to a tranquil lake called Sanger Lake, which means "small pond" in the ancient Khalani.

These practical and functionally distinct human buildings are nestled amidst lush vegetation, and the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers as the heavy factories begin producing tank parts. The Revolutionary Army has many such camps, which are linearly distributed around the central Xel'Naga Gateway, with the longest stretching over 120 miles.

Revolutionary Army like these, along with Protoss fortifications, guarded a wide area near the Xel'Naga Gateway. Even along the banks of the Antioch River, traces of human and Protoss activity could be found. In the initial days of resisting the Swarm counterattack, the outermost defensive structures changed hands several times, and the intensity of the battle was no less than that of the battle for the Overmind's hive.

After losing their Overmind, the enraged Swarm emerged in full force, and the Zerg Creep, which had been retreating under the counterattack of the Protoss and humans, once again rapidly extended and advanced across the vast lands of Aiur.

Over the past two weeks, the enraged Swarm have devoured vast areas including the Sain Province, Antioch Province, Velari Province, and the Protector Temple, occupying nearly ninety percent of Aiur's surface. Only now have all people begun to realize that they had completely underestimated the meaning of death and destruction that the insect plague represented.

It was only then that the Protoss and humans realized that if the Swarm had done so earlier, the vast swarm of Zerg would have already engulfed the entire Aiur. However, after arriving in Aiur, the Overmind stopped responding to the calls of its servants and remained silent, which was puzzling.

Billions of enraged Zerg swept across Aiur, nearly unstoppable under the influence of the Hive's will and hormones, but the offensive was halted outside the Antioch Province. Augustus and Tassadar's armies held off the endless horde of Zerg like a steel gate, finally turning a disastrous retreat into a protracted war of attrition and stalemate on local battlefields and defensive lines.

By this day, the Swarm's attack had weakened once again compared to the previous day, a situation that had persisted for weeks. As a result, Augustus and his Protoss allies began to believe that the situation was improving.

The combined forces of Augustus and Tassadar held the Antioch Province, while the supporters of the Conclave, relying on the strength of the Protoss Empire, preserved the last dignity and honor of the arbitrators in the capital city of Kor-shakal.

At the height of the war, the armies on both sides at the border of Antioch and Kor-shakal tacitly provided each other with as much support as possible, setting aside sentiments and kinship. Even their wisest and most farsighted leaders understood the principle of mutual dependence.

As the situation gradually improved, the Antioch Province, which had been shrouded in the shadow of war, finally saw a long-awaited period of peace. When the smoke cleared, the survivors had time to mourn those who had perished and the vast lands that had been reduced to wasteland.

Given time, perhaps the Protoss will be able to look to the future and hope to reclaim their former glory.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, falling on the windows and swaying against the walls behind them, which were covered with firearms, sketches, and operational orders. The wind rustled, and the overhead fan spun, drawing out the fumes from the command center.

A special tactical unit of the 109th Ground Assault Division is marching along the asphalt road from the command center. This mixed force, composed of Firebat, Heavy Marauder, and Reaper Reaper, is a new combat formation created specifically for the Aiur battlefield.

Sometimes these units also include Templar Knights or Dark Templar, in which case they are called Aiur Rangers.

The war that raged throughout Aiur ultimately did not reach the vicinity of the Xel'Naga Gateway. Supported by ancient war weapons, the Allied forces, which still retained a certain military strength, allowed this beautiful, untouched virgin land to escape the ravages of war.

Outside the window was a preserved green space, with the shadows of gnarled and robust redwood trees of the Aiur rainforest swaying in the breeze. A tall Psi Disrupter was in operation, its main structure, built of numerous curved pipes and newly formed alloy steel, shrouded in a pale orange light—the light emitted by Protoss Kydarin Crystal variant that could amplify the power of the Psi Disrupter.

Although the Swarm has found ways to overcome the effects of the Psi Disrupter to some extent, it has still been very effective.

The wisdom and experience of Protoss engineers are unmatched. Compared to humans, Protoss master craftsmen possess exceptional talent and extremely profound knowledge. They have the powerful Protoss Protoss abilities and memory far superior to humans, allowing Protoss engineers to freely sketch engineering blueprints.

This ancient and venerable race is perfectly capable of serving as humanity's teacher in many fields, and the knowledge they reveal is enough to overjoy the Revolutionary Army's engineers. Had the Protoss technology not been based on the Kydarin Crystal and the Crystal Matrix, the enlightenment they have brought to humanity would have been far greater than it is now.

Further away is a makeshift weather station and a vehicle shed, both made from Aiur Joy Trees. This is a beautiful and precious tree species, with bark softer and sharper than leather, and the cross-sections of its planks resemble impressionistic oil paintings, reminding any Protoss sees it of the idyllic past of Aiur.

The tall, triangular wooden structure and geometric fence, painted with a bright varnish, are a beautiful example of the Revolutionary Army engineers' imitation of Protoss architecture. Neat fences divide the green vegetation and colorful flowers, and the tender green shoots in the nursery were planted by the Revolutionary Army soldiers when they first arrived here.

To cope with the problems caused by the shortage of supplies, Augustus ordered the soldiers in the rear to make good use of the land on Aiur. So, just as Augustus now sees, the Revolutionary Army have begun to grow vegetables on Aiur.

Thanks to Aiur's rich and fertile land and hot climate, newly planted crops always mature quickly, and humans have also discovered many new crops here that can be promoted in the future.

A Revolutionary Army engineer was hammering nails into the roof of a weather station. On his sweaty shoulders stood two primates that the Protoss called "Small Hands." These two creatures, which looked like brown balls of fur, trembled with each movement of the engineer and would sometimes jump up with a snap as he turned around.

These cunning creatures are masters of theft, adept at petty theft and opportunistic exploitation, always causing trouble when humans and Protoss are at work. And this peculiar creature is itself a miracle in terms of evolution.

Augustus leaned back in his command chair facing the window, the sunlight shining on his face, bringing him a long-lost sense of comfort and ease. In the past, Augustus had hardly ever rested; if the Swarm didn't rest, neither could he.

Kerrigan stood behind Augustus, her sexy, strong arms encircling Augustus head, letting the back of his head rest against her soft chest. Her long, wet, red hair cascaded down her back, flowing like silk. This was Kerrigan's first hot bath in weeks, a moment as hard-won as the victory the Allied forces had achieved.

The furnishings and incense in the command center created a comfortable and elegant atmosphere. Golden wolf head badges and swords hung on the walls, and the bright textiles gifted by the Protoss, along with crystal vases filled with fresh flowers, contributed to a noble and elegant ambiance.

Augustus closed his tired eyes and heard Tychus's shouting.

"I'm tired, I'm sleepy, I don't want to do this anymore, Augustus. When can we pack up and go back to Antiga?" Tychus walked back and forth in front of Augustus, his gold and red Power Armor still bearing purplish-red bloodstains.

The Spade Beauty on Tychus Armor had somehow been replaced by a Protoss woman dressed in a thin veil, and Augustus could only assume that she was simply adapting to local customs.

Tychus wasn't interested in the Protoss; he just thought it might have a seductive effect.

He had just returned from the battlefield, where he had ruthlessly shattered the heads of hundreds of Zerg just over ten minutes ago, yet now he was acting as if he was afraid of hardship and difficulty.

"Colonel Finley, if you want to return to Antiga now, I won't stop you, but there's no bus back to Koprulu right now." Augustus Tychus a few times. "Well, warrior, I've heard you've saved quite a few Protoss refugees, and all the Protoss who know you praise your bravery. If you ask me, you're the best freedom fighter here."

"Are you being sarcastic?" Tychus muttered, walking straight to Augustus's liquor cabinet, grabbing a bottle of whiskey and a plate of blueberries picked from the Aiur Rainforest and devouring them.

"You said those yourself." Augustus shook his head. "I received reports from the front that the Zerg offensive has noticeably weakened today; they haven't attacked the Executor Fortress for over two hours. The Jormungand Brood is increasing in number, while several other hives have vanished without a trace."

"Tychus, you just got back from there. Tell me what happened."

"As usual, the bugs came fast and fiercely, and we and the Protoss took cover behind strong fortifications and bombarded them relentlessly. The bugs on the ground were piled up like mountains, and our men kept falling," Tychus said. "Today is indeed strange, because the bugs don't seem as eager to avenge the Overmind?"

"I can smell the pheromones of insects in the air; they must be afraid. Or rather, why would they fight to the death for a dead master?" He continued, "When the boss dies, it's time to divide the spoils and flock to a new master. Loyalty is the most worthless thing."

"The Zerg are not you, Tychus." Kerrigan didn't turn to look at him; the profile of her face became more beautiful and captivating as she matured.

"Are you saying I'm not even as good as a bug?" Tychus exclaimed in shock and anger.

"You are something else entirely, something even more worm-like than a bedbug." Faraday, captain of the Marshal Guard, walked in from outside the command room, carrying a beautifully woven basket filled with Aiur's fruit and intricately carved wooden handicrafts.

"The Protoss of the Frenax Tribe have sent you some gifts. Their master craftsmen have forged you a magnificent Protoss Sigma, a weapon said to be able to easily slice open the skull of Zergling." Faraday handed the item to Augustus under Tychus's piercing gaze.

"Please thank them for their generosity," Augustus said, taking the sharp, serpentine sword. "I hope they won't be displeased that I've given this to Arcturus as a token of my gratitude. It shows that I still remember him."

"Your brother will be very happy, even though you only mentioned him a few times in the letter, while the name Dorothy Mengsk appeared a hundred times more often," Kerrigan said.

"I don't know what to say, it's his fault for not contacting me." Augustus nodded, handing his longsword to Faraday for safekeeping. Then he took a cup of instant coffee from Kerrigan and returned to the front lines and the Zerg: "The Zerg haven't stopped their attack, but some of their hives are leaving the front lines."

"As far as I know, apart from the Overmind, very few individual Cerebrate can command other Cerebrate like the Overmind. If it's not that the surviving Cerebrate have reached some kind of consensus, then they've already fallen into a civil war for power."

"Anyway, this is good news for us. Tychus, while I'm in a good mood, grab my wine and get out of here, so I won't have to get angry about all the trouble you've caused, understand?" Augustus's tone shifted.

"How many times have I told you not to try to steal from the Protoss? You can't hide your intentions from them; it's just humiliating."

"Which bastard told on me? Was it you, Faraday, you despicable bulldog? I swear this isn't over." Tychus, after bluffing, pocketed a few bottles of liquor and made his escape.

"Has he always been like this?" Faraday's face showed a sorrowful expression.

"Always the same." Kerrigan shrugged. "Tychus has done as many good deeds as he's caused trouble, and he does some ridiculous things when he's drunk. If Harnack trying to give a Protoss Templar Knights a haircut is outrageous enough, Tychus has done far more than you can imagine."

"Hmm." After the noisy Tychus finally left, Augustus closed his eyes to rest. But the next moment, his cold gray eyes opened again, because the Dark Prelate Zeratul had appeared in front of him at some point.

"Hello, Master—you always inadvertently demonstrate how flawed our work in protecting the Marshal is." Faraday's face twitched; as a proud member of the Marshal Guard and Augustus's personal bodyguard, nothing could be more humiliating for him.

"I told you that a distinguished guest would be visiting today." Augustus met Zeratul's eyes, which glowed with an eerie green light.

"Augustus Mengsk, I bring a message from afar." Zeratul's telepathic message reached Augustus's mind directly.

"The Tiamat Brood's Cerebrate Daggoth has left Aiur, and at least four other Cerebrate from the same hive have also vanished. Only the winds of Aiur know their whereabouts."