Ark

Some time later, the Revolutionary Army built an alien laboratory in the ruins of the Temple of the Preservers.

The laboratory's sophisticated instruments and equipment have been completely wreaked havoc by the Nydus Worm ' rampaging underground digging. Egon Stetmann, one of the people in charge, is clearly having a major headache about it.

Most of these devices were ones that Stetmann couldn't even pronounce properly, and just by looking at his teacher Dr. Francos's irritable expression, one could tell how expensive they were. Two years ago, the doctor was a staunch supporter of the Terran Confederacy, but now he was called Mengsk's lackey and a disgrace to the scientific community by the mainstream media of the Core World.

However, Augustus Mengsk was completely indifferent to the loss of these devices; compared to a battle that would determine the fate of the Protoss Empire and even humanity, it was utterly insignificant.

Numerous Protoss Dark Templar stood on the cracked metal floor of the laboratory, all dressed in deep purple robes and wearing long veils or helmets and masks adorned with Zerg sharp teeth and claws.

These Dark Templar are the elite of their race, serving as the Dark Templar who protect the Protoss matriarch of Shakuras.

Before a large gate with folding, fan-like leaves, heavily armored Protoss Templar Knights marched in in formation, their heavy boots striking the ground with a thunderous sound like drums.

Leading the group were Fenix and Artanis, who were speaking with Augustus alongside Zeratul, the leader of the Dark Templar. Stetmann, standing respectfully beside Augustus, had never seen so many important figures in a single day. The Protoss executor possessed extraordinary bearing and unwavering resolve, and his gaze towards the trembling, pitiful apprentice was always filled with pity and compassion.

"Egon, what's wrong? You're shaking." Raynor asked, looking at Stetmann who had his head down with a puzzled expression.

"The Protoss are nothing to be afraid of. In Swann's words, they're just a bunch of aliens with big foreheads."

"Huh!" Stetmann jumped up in alarm, speaking at an astonishing pace, "Research shows that the strength of Psionics power is related to the structure of certain areas of the brain, and in this respect, the Protoss have clearly evolved to a fairly sophisticated level."

"However, physiological differences lead to different ethical concepts between the Protoss and humans, which results in a gap between them on matters of honor. But deeper research may involve the realms of philosophy and morality."

"Oh, I didn't ask you that." Raynor pointed to Artanis beside him. "Don't be afraid, child, the Protoss won't hurt you."

"Hello, Egon Stetmann. I've seen many humans, but none are as pure of heart as you." Artanis gave him a friendly glance. "I know he's not afraid of the Protoss, just simply because there are so many people here—which is rare among the Protoss."

"Egon is quite talkative in his area of expertise. Well, go clean up Francos's mess; he's about to explode like a boiling pressure cooker." Augustus patted Stetmann on the shoulder, who immediately breathed a sigh of relief and left happily like a puppy released from its cage.

"This kid isn't a bad person," Raynor said.

"Given the right leadership, Egon Stetmann's future achievements will far exceed our expectations," Augustus said, watching Stetmann's departing figure.

"You say that to everyone." Raynor shrugged. "Your achievements won't be limited to the foolish opinions of idiots; your potential far exceeds your imagination."

"This time is different," Augustus shrugged.

"You said the same thing last time," Raynor said.

"It was different last time," Augustus.

"Artanis, you couldn't find Orega and his Fist of Ulrezaj? That means they could come out and cause trouble at any time, which is bad news." Augustus looked at Artanis and Zeratul and returned to the topic they had just been discussing.

Augustus, "Whatever Orega and his backers may be up to, their most obvious goal has been achieved: to instigate a war Conclave and us."

"It's not just about revenge; he wants to weaken the Protoss Empire."

"I will hunt him Zeratul Orega firmly.

"In any case, Orega's goal has certainly been achieved. Countless warriors are raising their swords against their own kind—I originally thought the fall of Aiur was the end of this catastrophe, but it turns out that it was just the beginning of an even more cruel ending," Artanis Augustus.

"This pointless civil war must be ended as soon as possible, and for this purpose I have gathered the finest warriors of the Akilae tribe."

"How's the progress of the Cerebrate Alpha? The Swarm has already dug a large number of intricate tunnel networks underground in the Kor-shakal Province. As long as we use these tunnels..." Augustus was about to ask about the progress of the Cerebrate Alpha in the cryogenic tube, but was interrupted.

"Shut up, I'm controlling those Nydus Worm. Don't interfere with the judgment of a Swarm Overlord." The Cerebrate rolled over and shifted its tail. "The excavation work is also part of the Overmind's grand plan, and it cannot be questioned by an outsider."

As the top level of the Zerg hive's mind, the Cerebrate can directly take control of the bodies of its swarm members when manipulating Zerg, or command an endless Zerg to launch an attack. At this moment, this Cerebrate is controlling the Nydus Worm to open a wormhole network leading to the Protoss Empire's capital province of Kor-shakal Province.

It must be said that the Cerebrate Alpha is still very fond of digging holes; nothing can give him a greater sense of security than dark and damp tunnels and caves.

"Almost done!" the Cerebrate Alpha proudly announced to Augustus and the others a dozen seconds later, completely unaware that it sounded like it was taking credit, "I have opened a tunnel directly beneath the Heart of the Conclave the Kor-shakal Province Council. Through this tunnel, the Swarm can appear directly in the heart of the Protoss Empire."

"Minions, the moment of destruction has come. Devouring the Protoss, the Swarm will inevitably reach the end of its evolution."

"I am the Swarm!"

"Let's move out." Augustus nodded, looking at Zeratul: "According to the plan, Zeratul, you and your Dark Templar will launch the most lethal attack first."

"Dark Templar, sons of Shakuras, follow me, all for Aiur." Zeratul quickly led his Dark Templar away; the warriors, their robes billowing as they moved together, resembled flowing shadows.

"We will try our best to avoid killing, but we will never be lenient."

"Then my Templar Knights," Artanis continued. "Once Zeratul successfully enters the Heart of the Conclave and forces the Arbitrators to surrender, I will lead the Templar Knights to control the entire Council."

"We know the terrain of Kor-shakal like the back of our hand," Fenix said. "Many of the Templar Knights guarding there are old friends of mine, and they will surely be willing to listen to my advice."

Artanis and Fenix, leading a large group of Templar Knights clad in golden armor, caught up with Zeratul's forces, running towards the entrance to the underground Nydus Worm beneath the laboratory.

"We are the key figures who will make our grand entrance last; how could such a grand event be complete without the Revolutionary Army?"

As Raynor checked his weapons and equipment once again, a squad of the Revolutionary Army special forces soldiers, dressed in gold and red CMC-300 War Pigs -type Power Armor, lined up in two long rows and came in front of them. Behind the Revolutionary Army soldiers were more than twenty Revolutionary Army Ghost operative, who proudly called themselves the ghostly figures of Marshals.

"I hope everything goes smoothly." Augustus raised his left hand to check his watch, calculating the time it would take for his troops to enter the Nydus Worm.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, with a dull thud, Augustus and Raynor once again turned their gaze to the cryogenic tube behind them, where the Cerebrate was being held, and were shocked to see a Cerebrate's face pressed tightly against the glass.

This cryogenic tube was enormous; the location where the Cerebrate had just been was hundreds of yards away from this glass curtain wall. Generally speaking, Cerebrate do not have the ability to move; their obese bodies make it almost impossible for them to move, and everything is done with the assistance of their clan's servants.

"Is he asking for candy?" After a moment of stunned silence, Augustus looked at Raynor and asked.

"Or did we just overlook him?" Raynor was puzzled. He thought for a moment, then took out a bundle of lollipops from a pocket in his vest, opened a small door in the glass curtain wall, and threw them onto the Cerebrate's forehead, which had no exoskeleton or hard skin for protection.

"..." The Cerebrate picked up the lollipop and, without a word, rolled away like a caterpillar.

When he returned to the television, he called out, "Jim, my dear friend!"

It must be said that, apart from being occasionally studied, life here is not much different from that of the Cerebrate Alpha in their hives. They would stay motionless in their hives for very long periods of time. The Cerebrate learn about the outside world through communication with other Cerebrate and through the eyes of their colony members, without feeling any repression or discomfort.

After all, the Swarm Overmind assigned the Cerebrates the mission of commanding Cerebrate swarm when they were created, without requiring the Cerebrate to fight.

"I hope you have a good time, Alpha," Raynor said to the Cerebrate. "Once we deem you no longer a threat, we will grant you your freedom. No one has ever stipulated that a citizen of the Terran Empire cannot be a worm, nor will anyone deprive a Cerebrate of the right to shop online."

"Yes, the Cerebrate Alpha is different." Augustus agreed with Raynor's words, "Alpha is unlike any other Cerebrate; everything he says comes from an interesting soul."

At this moment, Augustus even had the feeling that he had raised a pet insect. If the Cerebrate Alpha could truly become a guardian insect, Augustus wouldn't have to pin his hopes for solving the Zerg problem on Cerberus Project.

"A great Swarm leader would never be subservient to anyone, begging for mercy. You cannot treat the Cerebrate as slaves; everything I have done is priceless." Perhaps tired, the Cerebrate Alpha quickly refocused its attention on the television.

"Step aside and let Alpha watch TV in peace for a while, praising the revolution and the benevolent Overmind for the ten thousandth time, and appreciating the comfortable life He has bestowed upon us."

"Alright, you'd better eat sparingly." Raynor and Augustus exchanged a glance. "As the old saying goes, even the richest landlord has no surplus grain."

"Did you hear that? He accepted the name Alpha. Before, this Cerebrate always considered it a disgrace to accept a name given by someone other than the Overmind," he whispered.

"Maybe this Cerebrate is just overly proud and arrogant, plus it's all just a charade?"

"He looks a lot like an old friend of mine," Augustus.

"That old friend must be furious, because you actually think he's like a bug." Raynor laughed heartily, his laughter causing the distant Cerebrate Alpha to tremble; its plump, white body seemed to be brewing anger.

"Keep your voice down, don't let him think we're laughing at him." Augustus turned to leave, just as Kerrigan came running towards him.

"The guard is ready," Kerrigan told Augustus. "The Vulture Hovercraft will be necessary for marching through the guts of the Nydus Worm. The Protoss have a similar alternative; at the maximum speed of their flight disks, they can reach their destination in just a few hours."

"Let's go," Augustus. "Hopefully we'll resolve everything tonight and return to Koprulu."

Raynor waved his hand, and the soldiers marched in orderly steps toward the entrance to the lower Nydus Worm. In the period after the Nydus Worm awakened, the lower laboratory had already been covered by the Zerg Creep secreted by the Nydus Worm.

Multiple hill-like organic fleshy chunks stood on the Creep, covered with a thick layer of hard bone and shell. The entrance resembled the gaping maw of a monster, its sharp teeth seemingly capable of shoving any Zerg about to enter.

Augustus climbed into a gold and red Vulture and ordered the ashen-faced Raynor to sit behind him, "What's wrong with you, Jimmy? Do you have some doubts about my driving skills?"

"Let me drive for the Marshal," Kerrigan Augustus.

"You never consider the people behind you. Last time you almost threw away the political officer your father sent from Umojan to help you."

"Sorry." Augustus mind traveling with Kerrigan, but he would prefer to go with Raynor. Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like racing through the Nydus Worm.

Augustus had no choice but to get into Kerrigan's vehicle and fasten his seatbelt. As the entrance to the Nydus Worm began to writhe, large amounts of worm Vulture and flesh-colored soft tissue were churned out. With a sudden start from Kerrigan, Augustus was plunged into darkness.

The Nydus Worm's intestines resemble a straight tunnel, with no light source inside except for the headlights. It is surrounded by the Nydus Worm's sturdy body and flexible cartilage. The smell inside isn't exactly foul, but it's not much better than a sewer.

The convoy drove for nearly three hours before reaching the exit of the Nydus Worm. When Augustus was blinded by a flash of light, an unparalleled, colossal underground cavern appeared before him.

The cave's smooth, glass-like walls are inlaid with blue natural crystals, extending infinitely upwards, to the left, and to the right, its dome reaching an unreachable height like the sky. At the very center of the cave, a colossal golden-blue ship, seemingly supporting the entire dome, stands amidst the shimmering crystal light and harmonious, resonant matrix sounds, its tip resembling a spear. It is more magnificent than any mortal warship ever seen, a spectacle akin to hundreds of cities forged from gold.

A level four writer... This also shows that the lack of success of interstellar works is definitely not due to the niche nature of the subject matter.

The editor-in-chief highly recommended it on the 22nd, it's amazing! Thanks for your support, everyone!