Liberators of Brontes Prime

The defenders of Sunset Fortress were far more tenacious than expected, but they still fell that same day. The empty town ruins surrounding the fortress were almost completely razed to the ground, with destroyed Bunker and tank wrecks smoldering in the flames everywhere.

In this battle, Lieutenant Tychus Finley's new Drakken Siege Tank made its debut and was a great success.

Lieutenant Tychus operated the large-caliber laser pulse cannon, penetrating the 8-foot-thick Plasteel and fine steel walls of Sunset Fortress in just half a minute, and then surgically carved patterns into the majestic fortress walls.

On that day, Marshal Augustus Mengsk issued an order to attack Brontgarden, the capital city of Brontes Garden, the main Brontes Prime of Brontgarden. The order specified that the strategic bombing mission would be carried out by Edmond Duke's Alpha Squadron and Gregory Rexon's Omega Squadron Air Wing to destroy the city's few anti-aircraft weapons and major military installations.

Jack Haller's Nova Squadron Psionics Forces and Alpha Squadron Airborne Forces will seize urban firing positions, followed by a general offensive by Londerstein's Army Group.

Meanwhile, cities across the Brontes Prime were conquered one after another with almost no resistance, and the Revolutionary Army marched directly into the urban areas.

In many areas, the Revolutionary Army soldiers were warmly welcomed by the people of Brontes. Enthusiastic citizens of Brontes lined the streets to welcome the Revolutionary Army soldiers, who were dressed in Power Armor, carrying Electromagnetic Rifle and rockets on their shoulders. To catch a glimpse of the soldiers, fathers in the crowds lifted their children high above their heads, and women offered flowers and kisses.

"All damaged crops must be compensated at twice the market price, and the political commissars and officers of the army must personally apologize. Roads damaged by tanks must be repaired at their own expense. This is an order from Augustus's command. Every Revolutionary Army should remember that we are standing on our own land, and not a single blade of grass or tree is allowed to be trampled on."

Augustus stood on a road in the Brontes countryside, with a command vehicle parked beside him. A Revolutionary Army marine brigade was marching rapidly down the road in colonial armored personnel carriers.

On one side of the road were lush green fields of sweet corn, and on the other side was a sparsely populated village. The weather was fine and sunny, and the large Roland and orange-red windmills were a spectacular sight, casting swirling shadows on the ground. The cool air was filled with the pungent smell of crushed vegetation.

Located about 120 miles from the city of Brontes Garden, the area is primarily composed of vast farmlands cultivating cash crops. Local farmers use automated irrigation pumps, combine harvesting robots, and drones to spray pesticides, growing rice and soybeans, with the output mainly intended to meet local demand.

Most powerful Confederacy member planets are self-sufficient worlds, meaning they are not easily subject to others.

But when Augustus arrived here by carriage, most of the farmland had been abandoned, and large tracts of fertile land were overgrown with weeds. It is no wonder that Brontes Prime that had never experienced a famine, had starved to death in recent years.

Corruption was rampant in the Brontes Kingdom, and its governor was a tyrannical and ruthless figure who levied exorbitant taxes. The planetary Senate was also corrupted by money. Through him, the Confederacy and the Old Families amassed a vast fortune on this planet. This situation was common throughout the entire Terran Confederacy world. There were quite a few Confederacy officials who governed with integrity, but they usually could not hold high positions.

Augustus was standing there because he learned that Tychus Finley had driven a Draken Laser Tank into the cornfield. This was mainly because the fuel-guzzling behemoth's fuel consumption was astonishing, and Tychus was driving it at full throttle, causing the fuel supply trucks to not always be able to keep up.

That wasn't all; Tychus then went on to steal fuel from the village's high-energy gas station. If it weren't for the commotion caused by the Draken Laser Tank, he would have almost succeeded.

After being captured by the local militia Tychus refused to confess, because he had indeed paid money, though not nearly enough, but he had given an IOU—in the name of the Revolutionary Army.

Now, the massive land tank lies quietly in the field, with Tychus himself sitting on the scorching hood, wearing only a pair of floral boxer shorts, drinking an ice-cold beer and watching the busy mechanics repair the tank.

Augustus had little desire to be angry with Tychus anymore. With a wave of his hand, he demoted Tychus by another rank. After all, Augustus promoted him precisely so that he could be demoted later.

This guy made a mistake; beating or scolding him wouldn't work because Tychus has no shame. Demotion is also useless, since he only wants to enjoy the benefits of promotion and wealth without taking responsibility. However, this punishment still manages to keep the others in check.

In this world, Augustus could not find a man exactly like Tychus Finley. He was not ignorant of reason, nor was he a vicious thug or a stupid savage; he was simply an egoist driven by desire.

Tychus could never be without his own thoughts; he was a villain, but not entirely evil.

"It seems that Earthlings are not popular here either." Augustus looked at the dilapidated village and the graffiti-covered slogans at the village entrance, but he could still vaguely make out the slogans against Earth's tyranny.

"The Earthlings came here to conquer the Koprulu Sector and bring it under the rule of the Solar System Empire, not to bring prosperity and peace to this place. These fools just don't understand that the Earth Federation is already facing its own troubles, so how could it possibly care about us, who are 60,000 light-years away?"

Arcturus Mengsk viewed humanity as an enemy no less formidable than the Zerg and Protoss, believing that once Earth mobilized the power of its vast colonies, even a united human force in the Koprulu Sector would be unable to withstand it.

"There is currently no evidence to suggest that this expeditionary force is the only military force Earth will send." Arcturus's assessment of the situation was not optimistic. "We cannot allow any United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet members to escape back to Earth and bring news of defeat."

Arcturus possesses the wolf-like cunning, ruthlessness, and suspicion of the Mengsk Family. Even threats from afar make him uneasy, and he prefers to deal with those who pose a threat directly rather than wait for trouble to come knocking.

The only way to eliminate the threat of the Zerg and Protoss once and for all is to utterly destroy them, and the same applies to dealing with the humans.

Unfortunately, the Koprulu Sector currently engulfed in war, and the Terrans have fallen apart. A counterattack on Earth is nothing but a pipe dream. Augustus's generals believe that losing such a large expeditionary force might cripple Earth, but it wouldn't severely weaken them.

"Arcturus, are you already convinced that the United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet is doomed to fail?" Augustus chuckled. "Only when Alexei Stukov surrenders will we have truly repelled this invasion by the Earthlings."

"I have never doubted that we will ultimately win," Arcturus said. "It is with this belief that I have persevered until now—I have never failed."

"Except for the matter of Valerian's education." Augustus's words carried a hint of dissatisfaction; Arcturus had been trying to avoid the fact that he had a son.

Therefore, compared to his stern and always demanding father, Valerian was closer to his uncle, who never hid his affection for his nephew. Arcturus always told his son Valerian that if he wanted to wield a sword skillfully and fire every bullet accurately from a pistol, he had to become stronger, but unfortunately he was too thin. Augustus say that he should become a great man in thought.

"Command at Edmond Duke just reported that the Alpha Squadron's airborne assault forces have taken control of the Brontes Garden Central Airport, Blood Eagles Marines have successfully overwhelmed the city's defenses and are now besieging the City Hall and the Senate building," Sarah Kerrigan Augustus just as Arcturus was about to say something.

"Looks like Duke has accomplished another great feat—well, a few medals and a commendation from the entire army will be enough to make this guy ecstatic." This was within Augustus's expectations, but he hadn't anticipated it would go so smoothly.

This is exactly Duke's style of reporting to claim credit and rewards. Although he wouldn't be shameless enough to take credit for all the achievements of friendly forces, don't expect any mention of other units in his reports, as if General Duke single-handedly defeated the entire United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet.

"Didn't you encounter any decent resistance?"

Multiple intelligence sources indicate that the UED expeditionary force in Brontgarden may only number less than 120,000, of which less than 25,000 are Earth soldiers from the Earth United Council's homeland. The rest are either former Brontgarden Terran Federation troops that have been incorporated into the force or civilian soldiers who have been temporarily recruited.

Brontes's main UED forces are concentrated in the Fleets in orbit. After the defending Fleets was completely defeated by the Revolutionary Army Fleets, the fall of this planet was only a matter of time.

The incorporated Terrans troops were poorly trained and had almost no combat capability, making them no match for the Revolutionary Army, which had repeatedly fought against the Zerg and Protoss and emerged victorious.

If Augustus hadn't been concerned about the civilian casualties in the city, the Revolutionary Army, with its absolute air and ground superiority in Brontes, would have captured Brontes Garden on the very first day.

"The propaganda offensive has been effective; the resistance from the city's defenders has been quite passive." Kerrigan tossed her long, fiery red hair.

"What about the Hybrid?" Arcturus asked. "If I had any secret weapon that could seal the deal, I certainly wouldn't keep it to myself."

"As for the Hybrid, multiple units have claimed to have spotted them in the city," Kerrigan replied. "There are no further reports at this time."

With Augustus having airdropped leaflets and videotapes several days in advance, news of the United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet force's complete annihilation at Char had already spread uncontrollably throughout the city, also affecting the UED garrison within.

Although they were unaware of the Project Black Flag formulated by the United Earth Directorate before their departure, and had not received any news that Marshal DuGalle was leading the main Fleets to Char, if there was no such change, then why hadn't reinforcements arrived for so long while the Revolutionary Army was besieging Brontes Prime for many days?

If the United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet had enough troops, they could have completed the counter-encirclement of the Revolutionary Army Fleets outside the Brontes System, but that was not the case in reality.

"The Hybrid is one of the most terrifying creatures ever discovered. This monster will inflict unimaginable casualties on our warriors. Never underestimate it." Augustus said solemnly.

"Only the anti- Psionics forces and the Nova Squadron's Psionics special operations units can deal with this monster; all other units must avoid direct combat with it."

The mere presence of Hybrid monsters among humans evokes inexplicable fear and unease, even leading to mental breakdowns. In contrast, only the powerful High Templar the Protoss can exert a similar influence on humans.

"Fortunately, the Protoss will also provide us with assistance," Augustus.

"Protoss Executor Artanis has left the Ark and is personally leading the Protoss's most powerful warriors to land on Brontes to help us fight the Hybrid."

Augustus had already learned from Artanis about the attack on Shakuras, and the humiliating news of the disappearance of the current Hierarch of the Daelaam, Raszagal, only added insult to injury.

At this time, the Daelaam of Shakuras were leaderless. The Nerazim and Aiur Protoss, who already had many disagreements and conflicts, were fighting their own battles and were unable to eliminate the Zerg invading Shakuras for the time being.

To Augustus's surprise, even under these circumstances, Artanis, the Protoss executive officer who commanded the Arkship Spear of Adun to support the Revolutionary Army, did not break his promise.

This is partly because the Protoss value commitment as honor and life itself, Hybrid are a thorn in their side; it also stems from the direct orders of the new Hierarch of the Daelaam.

Tassadar, the high-ranking executive officer of the Daelaam Expedition, returned to Shakuras in time. He was appointed to a critical mission and turned the tide, temporarily assuming the position of archbishop and stabilizing the crisis. Once again, he stood at the forefront of saving the Protoss.

Tassadar also announced that he would do everything in his power to find Archbishop Raszagal, for which he gained the support of both Shakuras and the Aiur Protoss.

The newly appointed Hierarch of the Daelaam, Tassadar, ordered the Spear of Adun to immediately return to Shakuras to defend their homeland, but also commanded the Executor Artanis to lead a legion of Zealot to remain and continue assisting Augustus.

Tassadar believed that the Overmind's escape from Char and the invasion of Shakuras were all related to the dark truth behind the Hybrid, and that the humans led by Augustus would inevitably become allies of the Daelaam.

Under these circumstances, Artanis, the Protoss executive who considered his mission of great importance, dared not slack off and personally led the Templar Knights and Dark Templar to fight against the Hybrid.

"Marshal, General Duke is calling. He requests to speak directly with you." At this moment, a command officer stepped out of the command vehicle next to him, holding a radio communication device.

"This is Duke. The Alpha Squadron has discovered several Psi Emitter in downtown Brontes Garden. I can assure you, Marshal, the Earthlings want to use the Zerg against us." Duke's languid and sarcastic voice came through the other end immediately.

Augustus, the "Psi Emitter," truly hadn't anticipated the UED's actions. If the Psi Emitter could attract a large number of Zerg, then Alexei Stukov could indeed take advantage of the chaos.

From any perspective, the Revolutionary Army currently holds a significant advantage. The intervention of external forces is enough to throw this human civil war into chaos, and only by breaking the stalemate can Alexei Stukov have a chance to turn the tide.

"But there isn't a single insect left within hundreds of light-years." Kerrigan parted her red lips and laughed.

"There are plenty of flies and mosquitoes, though."