The Broken Cup Signals the Charge, Executioners Emerge

"I don't know much about warships, but making a superwarship dozens of miles long, built from countless tons of steel and stone, hover lightly above Augustgrad and fly wherever we wanted it to go as effortlessly as a feather might be far more difficult than we imagined."

Augustus showed some interest, though he seemed uncharacteristically hesitant. "If we put the Xel'Naga Worldship over Augustgrad, it would be a structure grander than the Imperial Palace. The Protoss Empire could use a launch platform the size of a city to send the Spear of Adun out of Aiur's gravity well, but we don't have one."

In the end, Augustus did not give the warship a name such as Prometheus or Will of Korhal. As things stood, the name Worldship alone was sufficiently awe-inspiring, and there could no longer be another vessel like it anywhere in the world.

"Oh—my Emperor, that will not be a problem at all. Before the stars that are now nearing old age were even born, the Xel'Naga traveled the universe aboard their worldships." Narud chuckled. "Whenever they decided to land on a planet, countless vessels descended through the atmosphere like palaces. It was nothing short of a miracle."

"Please believe me, all such concerns are unnecessary."

Before the Emperor, Narud appeared thoroughly pleased with himself. Dressed in that black formal suit, he resembled an arrogant Braxis penguin. Rather than a scientist, Narud fit people's image of a diplomat or politician better. He was adept at conversation, versed in etiquette, elegant in speech, and every word and gesture drew the attention of those around him.

"If we had ten worldships, the Terran Empire could rule the world," Narud said grandly. "I guarantee that even with only one, you could rule a tenth of it."

Augustus smiled and shook his