Hubert Pays His Respects

"A miniature artificial sun, Tassadar has truly given us a great gift." Augustus moved closer and felt a warmth.

This is a colossal sphere standing atop a massive pedestal, occupying the entire engine room of the Hyperion. Anyone standing before it feels insignificant. Golden furnace walls encase a burning synthetic star, connected to the entire warship's systems via matrix circuits and energy conduits deeply embedded beneath the engine room deck.

To put it more aptly, the Protoss are directly utilizing the energy of this artificial star. The brilliance and heat released by the star's rotation are incorporated into the Solar Matrix Furnace, providing a continuous and powerful energy supply.

Several exquisite Protoss control consoles stood around the Solar Core. They were clearly salvaged from the Protoss Nessun's Memory, and welded onto the deck of the Hyperion's engine room by Swann and his engineers. Even though the entire deck was painted gold, the ornate Protoss control consoles still looked out of place on the Hyperion.

"In human terms, this is what you deserve. Marshal Augustus Mengsk, millions of Protoss been saved because of you and your army. The blood of warriors is worthy of this gift." Phase Technician Karax said proudly, holding a data panel in both hands.

Apart from the Ark-ship Spear of Adun, all other Protoss warships used Kydarin Crystal as their power source. It wasn't that they couldn't use the Solar Core; it could have served as a secondary engine for the Spear of Adun, making the Ark even more powerful. However, at the generous suggestion of Tassadar, the Solar Core was donated to the Revolutionary Army of Humanity in memory of their heroic sacrifices on Aiur.

"The person who created it was truly great," Karax said.

"A single synthetic star could provide enough energy for an ark and power multiple systems. One can imagine the brilliance our civilization would have achieved in that era."

After he finished speaking, a sparse round of applause could be heard from Kerrigan. Raynor and Tychus had already rushed out, one was carefully observing how the Solar Core worked, and the other was trying to use the hot smoke and light emanating from the cracks in the furnace wall, while calling for the former to lend a hand.

"Protoss Technology?" Augustus's cold gray eyes lit up.

"Using it on the Hyperion would be a huge waste of its potential," he said. "Mr. Karax, tell us what use this Solar Core could possibly have, and give us primitives a glimpse into its potential."

"You'll be absolutely amazed, boss. This old ship has been completely transformed," Swann said. "Just watch."

"Even though this artificial core has been dormant for centuries and needs powerful catalysts like Solarite to function fully, the energy it generates now is far more than the Hyperion can use," Karax said.

"I made some improvements to the Hyperion's extremely inefficient energy conversion equipment, enabling it to convert energy into electricity and thus receive power from the Solar Core. Rory Swann was a huge help in accomplishing this."

"However, considering how outdated this spaceship is, a considerable amount of energy will still be wasted, as you can see, which will cause the Hyperion's external bulkheads and hull armor to always be bathed in a dazzling light."

"Don't be so petty. Karax didn't mean how broken or old our ship is, okay? That's what he meant, but it wasn't intentional," Swann said to Augustus.

"You're truly kind, Swann." Augustus shrugged.

"A single flash from an artificial star is enough to power the Hyperion's basic systems, keeping the warship's energy shields permanently active," Karax said with much more confidence when discussing his field.

"I also improved the Hyperion's shield engine—it was as outdated as a child walking into Forge and using Templar Knights's Psionic Blade as a light source."

"Flashlight, I know that's what you mean." Swann waved his hand.

"Now, the Hyperion's shields can operate at a higher power, strong enough to withstand a frontal bombardment from the carrier's main guns, and the shields will be replenished at an extremely fast rate." Karax tilted his head.

"Similarly, the Hyperion's weapon systems have also been upgraded. Now, its Yamato Cannon can operate without the need for a large separate generator set and reactor, thus saving space for other equipment."

"We can use that to build an inboard garden, filled with flowers and zucchini," Kerrigan, known for her ruthlessness and efficiency, suggested.

"No, every inch of space inside the ship is precious; we need to use it to expand the medical bay and activity bay." Augustus rejected the idea without hesitation, not noticing Kerrigan's upturned red lips.

"This is one of the advantages. The energy of artificial stars can be directly converted into energy beams for salvo firing, which greatly shortens the charging speed of the main gun and increases the salvo firing frequency," Karax continued.

"In other words, the Hyperion's main guns have now been directly replaced with solar beams." Augustus thought to himself, "Does this mean we can bombard the sun directly?"

"The new main gun can fire three times in a row, and if it weren't for the limitations of the barrel's material strength, it could do even better," Karax said. "The Hyperion will become a legendary warship, even capable of threatening the flagship of the Protoss Empire Fleets."

"Given that the core solar energy source is virtually inexhaustible, I also plan to design a new planetary orbital cannon and cloaking system for the Hyperion," he continued.

"Hopefully, that can be completed before the high-ranking executive recalls me."

"You can stay as long as you want." Augustus laughed. "I'm worried that the Hyperion might become overwhelmed after adding so many functions all at once, since it's already lagging behind the newly built battlecruisers."

"Oh, you can't say that," Karax. "From the Protoss's perspective, the older the warship, the more decorated and honorable it is. Ancient warships can serve for centuries, even fighting since the Aeon of Strife."

"As long as Tychus doesn't spill his wine into the cracks, the Hyperion won't rust," Swann joked.

"Additionally, if you want the star to operate at even higher power, you can use a powerful catalyst called the Solarite to make it burn even more intensely," Karax continued.

"I brought some." He pulled a pointed, golden crystal from under his robe and showed it to Augustus. It was hard to imagine how this Protoss engineer had managed to stuff it into his clothes.

"Be careful. In ancient times, it wasn't used as a catalyst in the Solar Core, but rather as a direct power source for spaceships. A violent collision has nearly a one-in-five chance of making it unstable, leading to an accident. You must be extremely careful when storing it."

Augustus took the prismatic Solarite from Karax's hand, feeling the warmth it contained. Thinking it might also be the excrement of a Slayn elemental being, Augustus leisurely returned it.

"It's beautiful," he said, praising the Solarite.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Kerrigan said, examining the Solarite. "It doesn't look like something you could dig out of the ground."

"Now that you've seen it, young lady," Swann shrugged. "We might find something like this in the Protoss ruins; hopefully, it won't cause a diplomatic conflict."

"Making this fire burn even brighter isn't a good thing. Well, sometimes, boiling the water in the boiler too vigorously doesn't make it more powerful; it can lead to even more terrible consequences."

"It's better to be prepared. I'll have my men keep an eye out for this kind of resource," Augustus.

"This spaceship is now yours. These kinds of things should be left to the experts."

As he spoke, Augustus walked toward the base of the Solar Core embedded in the hull of the Hyperion, put his hands on his hips and stared at the giant sphere encased in cold-colored metal. He realized that since it was possible to preserve and utilize the energy of a miniature core without damage, the Solar Matrix reactor itself was an incredible miracle.

If the Protoss can harness the energy of this miniature sun, they should also be able to capture a larger star for energy. Considering the Protoss's already incredible achievements in space and time technology, the Xel'Naga's progress is likely the pinnacle of cosmic advancement.

As Karax manipulated the control panel, the furnace walls enveloping the Solar Core rotated open, revealing the pale golden sun radiating a warm golden light. That light would be far too intense for humans, but just right for the Protoss.

Centered on the Solar Core base, the Psionics matrix corridor embedded in the deck emitted blue arcs of light, flowing past Augustus's feet, and the entire engine room was enveloped in light.

"This star can not only power propulsion and defense systems, but also nourish our soldiers," Karax said. "Its light is also gentle on humans and vegetation."

"How magnificent, how grand!"

Praise the sun!

"So, I can sunbathe on the Hyperion now," Raynor said with a laugh.

"I have to say, this is amazing."

"We could build a swimming pool here, set up a wave machine and a beach, and then we could sunbathe while applying sunscreen to beautiful women." Tychus drew a circle on the ground.

"Enough," Augustus said to Tychus. "I could kick you right now and give you a cold bath in the Arctic Ocean, Finley."

"I was just saying, how you decorate is your business," Tychus said innocently. "When can we go on vacation? The guys are all looking forward to having some fun."

"I'm afraid you won't have much time for a vacation," Augustus, glancing at his schedule to indicate that he was very busy.

"We will stay in Haj for two weeks to replenish our personnel and ships. After that, I must travel through the Xel'Naga Gateway to the Protoss Dark Templar planet Shakuras as an invited guest to witness the birth of a transitional united government formed by the Protoss Aiur Shakuras Protoss," Augustus.

"Then, we must return to Antiga Prime immediately to rendezvous with Warfield's Fleets and concentrate our efforts on reclaiming the remaining Edge World from the Zerg and the Confederacy."

"Well, I can get a lot done in these two weeks," Tychus said. "I was really bored in Aiur. The Protoss are really boring, not much better than your dull-witted Adjutant."

"Machines are far more sincere than you." Augustus stared at the Solar Core for a while, feeling the beauty of nourishing all things and nurturing life from that luminous golden sphere. It was still calm and approachable at this moment, but when it was angry, it could destroy everything.

"Protect it, make good use of it. I'm just helping Tassadar safeguard this treasure," he told Swann.

"There are only three such miniature stars left in the world."

"Don't worry about me doing the work," Swann patted his chest.

"Don't always be working non-stop, old friend. I hear from your lads that you're always busy." Augustus patted Swann on the shoulder. "If Tychus worked half as hard as you, he wouldn't always be getting criticized by me."

"Oh, well, we're just sitting around doing nothing anyway, and these jobs always need to be done. You might as well send me more people," Swann waved his hand dismissively.

"I'm recruiting in Haj," Augustus a smile.

"I've heard of the Haj people. They're very capable and hardworking, which is exactly the kind of people you like," Swann said. "But the Haj people are always a bit mystical; many of them are mystics and theists."

"It's fine, as long as they don't scribble on my toolbox."

"Your engineering team will have a new batch of people next week." Augustus told Swann to do a good job before pulling Raynor and Tychus out of the engine room.

As Karax noted, the Protoss 'Hyperion modifications were evident throughout its hull, with crystals, matrices, and energy conduits replacing the dilapidated steel structures. The corridors were also decorated in Protoss style, becoming increasingly opulent and resembling a palace.

"Swann is a real talent," Augustus. "His efforts in localizing Protoss technology are commendable."

"Bringing him out of Meinhoff was one of the best things I've ever done in my life."

"Meinhoff? I heard that the Kel-Morian Combine has become even more ruthless in its exploitation and oppression there. The Kel-Morian Combine's guild enterprises are shifting the burden of Confederacy reparations and the economic recession onto the miners, while the glamorous CEOs are intensifying their plunder of various mining planets," Raynor said at this moment.

"It seems that Swann's people are not doing too well either; they should have been brought out earlier."

"Given our relationship with the Kel-Morian Combine, we cannot openly support resistance activities in its territory. But if the people there later seek the help of the Revolutionary Army, we can provide the people of Meinhoff with all kinds of protection, including armed and political protection." Augustus looked at Raynor.

"The revolution is not yet complete; we must continue our efforts."

"Intelligence from the Tarsonis Revolutionary Underground Organization, which has been confirmed by the Ogrub and the Umojan Shadow Guard agents," Kerrigan said to Augustus, mentioning a report she had just received.

"Twelve hours ago, Andrea Tagore, the head of the Tagore Family, died at home. The current patriarch of the Tagore Family claims that a highly trained intelligence agency assassinated Andrea," she said.

"The Terra Family, which supports us within the Old Families, knows even more about this—those small pieces of equipment left behind by the assassins are replicas of the weapons used by the Confederacy Ghost operative, but the craftsmanship is something that no current Confederacy, Kel-Morian Combine, or United States could ever achieve."

"Good riddance!" Raynor clapped his hands in delight.

"This is something I should dance with Tychus to celebrate."

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