Victory Day

With a deafening roar, the Senate Building of the Terran Confederacy collapsed, its bronze steel structure and gleaming copper-colored glass crumbling in an instant. The dust kicked up by the collapsing parliament building almost covered the entire central area of Tarsonis, blocking out the sun.

The collapsed grand building also buried the surrounding incomparably magnificent buildings, including the Tutankhamun Theater, the Tarsonis New Gatesburg Railway Station, and the Holt Hotel.

These world-renowned landmark buildings were among the many glorious symbols of Tarsonis, employing luxurious and rare craftsmanship and modern architectural techniques. They are a precious legacy left to future generations by Tarsonis' greatest architects, designers, and founders of modern art.

The Naglfar Hall, the "Hall of Reason" beneath the Parliament Building, was not spared either. Its golden marble facade, once hailed as the Wall of Gold, with each piece transported from distant Moria, is now a ruin. It is now piled with Chau Sara mahogany door frames, crystal chandeliers, and artificial solar panels installed at great expense to demonstrate energy conservation policies.

"The Hall of Reason is the symbol of the Confederate Congress; it once led and represented an entire era—" Augustus walked up to the place where the steps of the Naglfar Hall once stood, atop a pile of ruins. High above, several Holographic Projection cameras were capturing the scene.

"But now, that era is over."

Multiple UNN news crews, dressed in their new uniforms, were busy filming Augustus's every move and recording every word he spoke. A Revolutionary Army colonel Matt Horner Matt Horner, leading Revolutionary Army whose armor was riddled with bullet holes and blood, braved a hail of bullets and stormed into the UNN headquarters building, hastily assembling a film crew from among the stunned UNN employees.

Overall, these UNN employees were not only quite surprised, but also ecstatic, as if they had won the lottery. They quickly realized that they were about to become witnesses to history.

Under the camera's view, Augustus and his generals stood together on the ruins of the Naglfar Hall. From left to right, they were General Arcturus Mengsk, General Horace Warfield, and General Edmond Duke, while Kerrigan and Marshal Guard Faraday directed the guards around them.

Citizens of the Terran Confederacy who follow UNN military and political news should know General Warfield. He was a Confederacy officer who later devoted himself to the revolutionary cause and was one of Augustus's earliest supporters. On the Confederacy's wanted list, Warfield was second only to members of the Mengsk Family.

As for Arcturus Mengsk, he is a Revolutionary Army has only recently come to the public eye, but was previously known as the leader of a terrorist organization. Arcturus is more often seen by cynical Confederacy commentators as a dirty worker under Augustus, and he is generally rumored to be a rather sinister terrorist.

However, Arcturus didn't care what others thought of him. For a man as controlling as him, he preferred that those who knew him feared and dreaded him, so that he could punish those who betrayed the Mengsk Family on Augustus's behalf.

Arcturus was a brother-supporting demon, and he knew that once Augustus ascended to the throne, he would surely stand at the top of the entire Koprulu Sector.

General Edmond Duke was an old acquaintance; he had been captured by Augustus when the rebels were gaining momentum, and then simply defected to the enemy. Although Duke had lost his entire family, he was not returning to Tarsonis as a loser.

General Duke flew here in a fighter plane from another city specifically to be there when Augustus delivered his victory declaration, bringing all his medals with him. On this day, Duke knew he would be showered with glory, though only because the man beside him was so dazzling.

Augustus wore his dark gray cloak from the time of Mar- Sara, with the Mengsk Family's iconic crest beside the double-breasted brass buttons. The red flag behind him would be reflected in the eyes of the Terrans and other humans in the years to come; in the eyes of the next generation of children who grew up under that flag, the red and blue flag of the Confederacy would become history.

The bright red flag resembles a burning flame, with two white V-shaped stripes and a strong golden arm encircling a whip, upon which a five-pointed star is engraved. There are many interpretations of the flag's design; some believe it symbolizes unity and dominance, but has little to do with freedom. However, Augustus, who designed the design, merely borrowed the idea from his Arcturus and didn't have much of his own thought.

"In Tarsonis, I stand atop the crumbling Terran Confederacy. Now, the Confederacy's shadow can no longer oppress anyone on its territory." Augustus stood beside several fallen white stone pillars, a spot where the Confederate Congress's historic mahogany lectern once stood.

"We have overthrown the rule of the Terran Confederacy, defeated the invaders from the UED, and forced those despicable, shameless nobles and greedy Earthlings to their knees in surrender. This is the power of the united Terrans Terrans, and the shackles and fetters imposed upon them have become a thing of the past—we have won," he said.

"Now, the people on the former lands of the Terran Confederacy can choose to live freely in their own way. The Confederacy can no longer plunder wealth at will as it did in the past, and abandon the people it promised to protect. Freedom, this inherent and inalienable right of humankind, belongs to all Terrans."

The magnificent dome of the Naglfar Hall was now shattered, its ornate arched aluminum leaf ceiling gleaming silver in the sunlight. Only a few white marble columns, still astonishing even by today's standards, stood forlornly. Even the red and blue Stars and Stripes flag was buried beneath them, replaced by the flags of the Revolutionary Army and Korhal.

Across from where Augustus stood was Kings Avenue in the heart of Tarsonis City, lined with gleaming skyscrapers whose metal and glass facades outlined sharp right angles against the horizon, their beautiful silver leaf patterns and expansive glass curtain walls shimmering in the sunlight.

These magnificent and ornate buildings are products of the last century, a testament to the growing wealth and arrogance of the Tarsonis people, who indulged themselves in the pursuit of splendor and elegance.

"Countless warriors sacrificed their lives, and countless revolutionaries followed one after another to overthrow the tyranny of the Terran Confederacy. They were the ones who held up the torch for humanity in the long, cold night, and they are the heroes of this new era." Augustus vowed that all of this would forever become history.

"Right here, they fell in their final moments before dawn," Augustus. "And we will remember them forever, just as we remember the warriors who perished in the Aiur, Char, Sara System, Antiga, and many other worlds."

"Whether they are soldiers of the Revolutionary Army or soldiers of the Terran Confederacy, those who sacrificed their lives in resisting the alien invasion will have their deeds immortalized," he said.

"Therefore, we dedicate a day to commemorate this victory and the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives since the start of the Total War. On this day, October 15, 2493 AD, we defeated the United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet and recaptured Tarsonis, the homeworld of the Terrans," Augustus. "This day is Victory Day, and it will become a permanent statutory holiday enshrined in the constitution."

"People of all the land of Terrans, you may gather your friends and celebrate to your hearts' content, for this is Victory Day."

Having finished speaking, Augustus walked towards the ruins of the Naglfar Hall in the comforting lamplight, signifying the end of his victory speech.

"Augustus, this is the time. You can take advantage of the opportunity to reclaim Tarsonis and declare the establishment of the Terran Empire, which is simply a matter of seizing the moment," Arcturus followed closely behind Augustus.

"I know, but there's no rush, and we haven't done much preparation for it," Augustus said to Arcturus. "No need to rush, Arcturus."

"When the people of the former Terran Confederacy realize they need a strong government to lead them and protect their rights, they will think of calling upon us," Augustus.

"Furthermore, as you know, I have no intention of making Tarsonis the capital of the New Terran Empire."

"Indeed, your prestige among the Terrans is soaring. Everyone believes you will establish a new government after defeating the UED and reclaiming Tarsonis, some even certain it will happen today," Arcturus said. "If this new regime is to have a ruler, it can only be you."

"As long as people begin to desperately need a strong ruler, you can ascend to the throne without hindrance, by following the will of the people and with popular support. But if it drags on for too long, I fear the Edge World will seek independence."

Arcturus's concerns were not unfounded. Within the old Terran Confederacy, nearly half the world had not yet declared allegiance to Augustus. The remnants of the Confederacy still wielded considerable power, and no one knew when they would rise again.

While the external threats from the Zerg and Protoss have temporarily subsided, who knows in which year these terrifying alien creatures will return?

"It won't take long," Augustus said, trying to reassure his brother.

"It's mine, and no one can take it away."

It is absolutely impossible for anyone to believe that Augustus a pure and innocent saint and Revolutionary Army was wholeheartedly devoted to the people, and that he would voluntarily resign and return all the power in his hands to the people once the Terran Confederacy was overthrown.

After all, Augustus had said that the people needed their master. Augustus Angus; he wasn't as ambitious or power-hungry as Arcturus, but that didn't mean he wasn't susceptible to those temptations. The people worshipped only the image Augustus presented to them, and naturally, there would be a difference.

Augustus been forced to join the revolution, intending to retire to a secluded planet after it was all over, but now his thoughts had changed. Conquering the world was a monumental undertaking; once that step was taken, there was no turning back.

"Hello, Mr. Mike Liberty." Augustus walked past several UNN employees immediately flattered them. "And Mark Pierce and Mr. Donnie Mili, thank you for your silent dedication."

"He knows me!" Mili, his hair meticulously combed, beamed with joy, shouting, "Whoosh—he knows me! He knows me!"

"I am your fan, Marshal Augustus, I..."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marshal Augustus." Liberty and Pierce, being veterans of the UNN, appeared much calmer.

"I didn't expect you to know our names."

"I personally selected the list of the new UNN company team," Augustus said. "Mike, you will be the editor-in-chief of UNN Universe News Network. Mark, you will be the main reporter with a program during prime time."

UNN is a shareholder-controlled company, but Augustus clearly wouldn't allow such an important media platform to fall into the control of others.

"That's great." Mili couldn't help but feel a little envious when he didn't hear his own name called.

"Of course, Mili, you have something to say too." Augustus smiled, patted the other man on the shoulder, and left.

"Work hard, you know how to speak properly."

Upon hearing this, Mili assumed that Augustus referring to the time he had harshly criticized Augustus, and immediately panicked, vowing never to utter another bad word about Marshal Augustus Mengsk.

"Augustus, the Atlas Wing's headquarters has been breached," Kerrigan Augustus at that moment.

"Where is their commander? That UED captain?" Augustus asked.

"I said, keep him alive if possible."

"He's dead," Kerrigan said.

"Hoo," Augustus a deep breath, surprised but also feeling it was reasonable. This UED general who had never left any name should have disappeared into the long river of history.

Did he die a painful death?

"A small piece of shrapnel had lodged in his temple. When we found him, he was pale and his limbs were limp. Beside him was a pistol with only one bullet, which he probably intended to use to end his own life," Kerrigan sighed.

"He chose loyalty, what a noble quality," Augustus.

Give him a proper burial.

Arcturus and others also felt sorry for this, but the UED officers themselves possessed a strong sense of honor belonging to soldiers, and were unyielding.

"Marshal! Marshal!" An adjutant from the Marshal's command headquarters rushed over.

"An urgent call has come from Agria; a terrible infection is spreading there. Braxis is under attack by the Protoss, and an unknown Zerg hive has been discovered in Taradorn."

Before Augustus anything, another officer walked over with a data panel that was repeatedly playing a video clip taken by a drone.

On the ruins of a human command center, a tall Protoss clad in black armor and red robes stares at a screen, the towering Psionics amplifiers behind him resembling two blades.

"Ha, creatures whose lives are so short, yet you're all so eager to die?" His Psionics signal was translated into a mocking tsk-tsk sound by the human equipment:

"In that case, let's start the war!"

"Krisol thok aran!" (Tal'darim, My blade thirsts for blood!)

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