Toward those Swarm units that had not yet submitted, or even attempted to declare independence, Kerrigan adopted a far more direct approach.
Instead of continuing to broadcast psionic signals for persuasion or deterrence, she decided to display her might.
She selected a previously marked wild brood of moderate size whose controller held an unambiguous attitude as her target.
The brood was located within a canyon region on a small rocky planet.
Aboard the Leviathan, Kerrigan issued orders to Broodmother Zagara, who had already pledged loyalty, directing her to mobilize a detachment of Swarm forces, while also commanding Dehaka to dispatch a small group of Primal Zerg warriors to take part in the operation.
She did not personally direct every engagement, delegating the tactical execution to Zagara; however, her psionic will enveloped the entire combat zone, providing macro-level situational awareness and authoritative pressure at crucial moments.
The mixed strike force led by Zagara—comprising Zerglings, Hydralisks, Mutalisks, and a few Primal Zerg Marauder—launched a sudden assault against the target hive.
The battle erupted within the canyon.
The defending swarm of the target brood offered resistance, but their will to fight experienced marked hesitation and disarray upon sensing Kerrigan's psionic pressure blanketing the battlefield, an aura radiating primal essence.
Zagara's forces held the upper hand in both numbers and combat experience, while Dehaka's Primal Zerg warriors demonstrated far more ferocious individual combat prowess.
The fighting raged for several hours.
The primary defensive redoubts of the target hive were dismantled one by one, and the chamber housing its broodmother was ultimately encircled.
.
At the final moment, Kerrigan's psionic power pierced cleanly through the chamber's barrier, descending directly into the broodmother's consciousness.
There was no elaborate negotiation, only an unmistakable decree backed by a display of absolute force: resistance had been shattered; submit and integrate into the new Swarm hierarchy, or perish alongside the hive.
Confronted by the fall of its hive, the rout of its forces, and that insurmountable psionic pressure, the conservative broodmother finally lowered its head, transmitting a signal of capitulation to Kerrigan across the psionic link.
Kerrigan accepted its allegiance, but immediately stripped it of direct command over its original brood, subordinating it beneath Zagara's unified command structure. The broodmother itself was spared, though demoted, required to prove its value anew through future conquests.
Through this swift and decisive military operation, Kerrigan delivered a clear message to the other Swarm factions still wavering or resisting: she possessed not only the authority born of primal essence, but also the strength to translate it into absolute conquest.
Zeratul observed the entire engagement from aboard the Leviathan without uttering a single word.
Dehaka, however, demonstrated a keen interest in the outcome and the operational synergy shown by the Swarm forces, viewing it as an "application of power" worthy of study.
Kerrigan understood that subjugation through force was merely the beginning; the subsequent integration and cultivation of loyalty were far more critical.
Yet her foremost objective at this stage was precisely to use several such victories to rapidly forge a potent, unified core military force, establishing an immovable foundation to absorb or cow the broader Swarm into submission.
Dehaka and his Primal Zerg pack were temporarily quartered in a separate chamber Sector of the Leviathan.
Dehaka exhibited a profound curiosity toward the workings of Kerrigan's psionics, frequently studying her through pheromones and subtle psionic probing.
He would occasionally inquire about "directions of evolution" or "efficiency in exerting power," to which Kerrigan would offer brief remarks.
The cooperation between the two remained in an exploratory phase of mutual observation.
Zeratul spent most of his time in meditation or studying stellar cartography within the Leviathan's observation chamber.
He would occasionally share intelligence with Kerrigan concerning anomalous Swarm activity across various Sectors, information often drawn from his past travels or the Protoss intelligence network.
His presence functioned more as that of an advisor and witness rather than an active combatant.
The Leviathan cruised steadily onward, venturing deeper into the target Sector.
Synthesizing reconnaissance data gathered by dispersed Swarm scouts, Kerrigan began charting a more detailed territorial map of the Zerg across the expanse.
Several wild broods of varying sizes were plotted, along with territories under the domain of other broodmothers.
She singled out one wild brood of moderate size, tucked away in a relatively secluded area and whose reigning controller projected a weak psionic presence, marking it as her first proactive target for subjugation.
"Alter heading to designated coordinates," Kerrigan commanded. The Leviathan's eerie green wake traced a graceful arc across the void.
After completing basic maintenance and resupply, the pathfinder quietly slipped away from the Haven Star System, trailing the Leviathan's wake from a prudent distance.
Valerie oversaw navigation and telemetry monitoring, while Asuka spent most of her hours within the evangelion unit-01 Entry Plug simulator, undergoing acclimatization drills and reviewing the combat telemetry retrieved from Zerus.
Almost simultaneously with the Leviathan's departure from the Haven Star System, far away on Shakuras, the hyperion received a formal summons to convene from high Protoss leadership.
The invitation came directly from Hierarch Artanis, transmitted across the previously established Zeratul protocol frequency—worded formally, yet bearing an undertone of urgency.
After a brief consultation with Matt and Tychus, Raynor decided to accept the summons.
Under the guidance of Protoss escort vessels, the hyperion re-entered orbit over Shakuras, docking beside the magnificent Protoss orbital platform.
Raynor brought only Matt along as his aide.
The two were escorted to a relatively secluded deliberation chamber, rather than the grand sanctuary that had hosted the conclave before.
The chamber was circular, its walls composed of crystalline formations emitting a soft white glow, with a compact holographic star chart hovering at the center.
Artanis was already there waiting.
Clad in golden Archon armor but shorn of his ceremonial crest, he looked somewhat less formal than during state gatherings.
His gaze locked onto Raynor the moment he stepped inside, his azure eyes reflecting a complicated mixture of scrutiny and sorrow.
"Commander Raynor," Artanis's voice rang out steadily through the translator, "thank you for coming. This meeting concerns the prophecies we previously discussed, and... the latest developments regarding their pivotal figure."
Raynor nodded, settling into a crystalline chair tailored to human anatomy. Matt stood silently at his side. "Hierarch, let's get straight to it. Is this new intel on Amon, or—"
"It concerns Sarah Kerrigan," Artanis cut in, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
Raynor's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Artanis did not mince words. He activated the holo-projector, displaying not Aiur or Shakuras, but the schematic of a fringe expanse, dotted with several faint bio-energy readings.
"According to information Zeratul relayed not long ago, corroborated by limited cross-verification through our monitoring networks, it is confirmed: Sarah Kerrigan has completed the journey of 'tracing the origins' guided by Zeratul.
She arrived at Zerus, the cradle of the Zerg, and has successfully merged with the primal essence there."
Raynor frowned, trying to understand the meaning of those words: "Tracing the source"? "Primal essence"? Artanis, what on earth does this mean? Sarah—she... how is she doing now?
Artanis gazed at him, pausing slightly as if choosing the most precise phrasing: "This means she voluntarily chose and successfully underwent a profound—reshaping.
She didn't simply revert back to human, nor did she return to her previous Queen of Blades form, which had been influenced by Amon's design.
She fused with the primordial essence of the Zerg on Zerus, metamorphosing into a kind of—new existence.
A life-form that is older, more powerful, and completely free from Amon's potential control architecture.
Analogized in human terms, she underwent a thorough 'evolution' or 'ascension'.
Raynor's face began to turn pale; he vaguely realized something, but refused to believe it: "A new existence? You mean, she—"
"She has regained the power and posture to control the Swarm," Artanis's voice was clear and certain, leaving no room for ambiguity, "even surpassing before. According to Zeratul's description, she is currently aboard a newly hatched Leviathan, active in the Koprulu Sector, and setting about gathering and reorganizing the old remnants of the Swarm.
Her goal is to establish a newborn Swarm faction that is unaffected by Amon and completely loyal to her, in order to cope with the dark threat of the future."
The air in the room seemed to be instantly sucked away.
Raynor sat blankly in his chair, his eyes staring dead at the blinking signal markers on the starmap console, as if trying to find a mistake in them.
His lips moved, but no sound came out.
Matt glanced at him with worry, but couldn't interject at this moment.
"This is impossible—" Raynor finally squeezed out a few words with a hoarse, dry voice, "Zeratul—did he guide this? How could he—he clearly knew what she went through, knew how much we paid to save her from that state! How could he push her back onto that path again?!"
His voice was filled with shock, incomprehension, and the stinging pain of betrayal.
Deep inside him, there had always been a vague but stubborn expectation: to save Sarah, to get rid of the shadow of the Swarm, and perhaps—perhaps they could still retrieve some things from the past.
Although reality was cruel, this expectation was like a candle in the wind, never completely extinguished.
And at this moment, Artanis's words were like a basin of icy water, completely extinguishing that faint flame.
"Zeratul's actions are based on his interpretation of the prophecy and the highest priority of opposing Amon." Artanis's tone remained steady, but with an added sense of explanation, "He believes that only by letting Kerrigan acquire true, independent, and powerful strength, and reshaping the Swarm with that as the core, can a key force sufficient to oppose Amon be created.
Her 'key' attribute must be matched with corresponding'strength' in order to open the door of hope.
This is his judgment, and based on the information we have obtained so far, Kerrigan has indeed successfully completed the transformation and begun the anticipated actions."
"Key—strength—door of hope—" Raynor repeated these words, a nearly absurd bitter smile appearing on his face, "So, in your—in Zeratul's eyes, Sarah was never someone who needed to be saved, she was just a—a tool used to deal with a greater threat?
Even what she turns into can be arbitrarily shaped for this purpose?"
Artanis was silent for a moment, light and shadow shifting in his blue eyes: "Commander Raynor, I understand how you feel. But the threats facing the universe sometimes force us to make difficult choices, keeping our eyes on the bigger picture.
Ms. Kerrigan's path was revealed by Zeratul, but it was ultimately decided by her own will. She accepted this path."
"Her own choice?" Raynor raised his head abruptly, his eyes bloodshot, "On that ship, locked up by Osiris, being brainwashed by you guys with those damned prophecies and missions! What other choice could she possibly have?!
This is not a choice at all, this is—this is pushing her into the fire pit again!"
His emotions stirred, and his voice raised.
Matt couldn't help reminding him in a low voice: "Jim—"
Artanis didn't change his tone because of Raynor's agitation, maintaining the calm peculiar to the Protoss: "Emotions cannot help change reality, Commander Raynor. Regardless of the process, the current situation is already as it is.
Kerrigan possesses new power and goals, and she is taking action.
And Amon's threat has not disappeared. What we need to focus on is how to deal with the upcoming situation."
However, Raynor couldn't listen at all anymore.
Artanis's subsequent words about "Amon's threat", "key variable", and "the big picture" came across as if separated by a thick layer of glass, fuzzy and distant.
What echoed repeatedly in his mind were only those few facts: Sarah had turned back into the Queen of Blades, it was guided by Zeratul, and she was rallying the Swarm—
The figure he had desperately rescued from Char, thinking she had finally escaped the nightmare, once again pulled an insurmountable distance away from the "Sarah Kerrigan" he knew.
The small, unrealistic fantasies he had previously held were completely shattered in the face of the cruel reality.
He stood up abruptly, his movements somewhat staggeringly.
"Jim?" Matt stepped forward.
Raynor ignored Matt, nor did he look at Artanis again. His gaze stared blankly ahead, his voice hoarse and exhausted: "I understand. Thank you for informing me, Hierarch. The hyperion has matters to attend to, I take my leave."
Having said that, he turned and walked straight toward the door, his stride stiff.
"Commander Raynor," Artanis's voice came from behind, carrying a rare hint of an attempt to persuade or make him stay, "The path of destiny is often tortuous and unpredictable.
The path Ms. Kerrigan is walking on right now may well be the necessary path leading to ultimate redemption.
The bond between you and her is not necessarily severed. We still need to face the common threat hand in hand."
Raynor's steps paused at the door, but he didn't look back, nor did he respond.
He just raised his hand, somewhat roughly pushing open the crystal door that was automatically sensing but hadn't had time to fully open, and strode out.
Matt hastily bowed to Artanis and quickly followed.
Artanis was left alone in the meeting room, gazing at the direction Raynor left, silent for a long time, and finally let out an almost imperceptible, sigh-like psionic hum.
Raynor returned to the hyperion without a word.
His complexion was terribly gloomy, and he was shrouded in a low pressure that forbade anyone to approach. Matt followed behind him, opening and closing his mouth as if wanting to say something.
"Set course, leave the Shakuras Sector. Go anywhere, as long as we leave the Protoss territory." Raynor stepped onto the bridge and gave a brief command to the Navigator, his voice hoarse.
"Jim, do we need——" Matt tried to ask for the specific destination or the next step's plan.
"Do as I say, Matt." Jim interrupted him without explaining, without looking at anyone, walked straight to his own seat, sat down heavily, and looked blankly out of the main observation window at the gradually receding Shakuras orbital platform.
Tychus walked over from the side, looked at Jim's state, and then looked at Matt.
Matt shook his head slightly at him, signaling not to ask more. Tychus snorted, crossed his arms, and stood aside.
The hyperion completed the departure procedures in silence, slowly sailed away from the Protoss orbital facility, adjusted its course, began to accelerate, and prepared to enter warp state to leave the Shakuras Star System.
The atmosphere on the bridge was oppressive. Most of the crew noticed the Commander's abnormal emotions, but no one dared to speak out and ask.
Matt took over navigation monitoring to ensure route safety. Jim remained sitting there silently, like a stone sculpture.
Just as the hyperion was about to enter the final acceleration stage before warp, and the ship had just broken away from the main gravity well influence range of the Shakuras Star System, being in the transitional airspace between routine navigation and warp preparation, sudden changes occurred.
The sensors suddenly issued a sharp alarm!
"Detected multiple stealth unit signals suddenly appearing in close-range airspace! Quantity——exceeding twenty! Rapidly disengaging camouflage!" The sensor officer's voice carried shock.
"Energy signature matching——it's the Imperial Ghost agents' dedicated stealth ship! And high-speed assault boats!" Another crew member
reported loudly.
"They are surrounding us! Fire warning shots!" Tychus roared.
However, the opponent's actions were swifter than imagination.
Almost at the same time the hyperion's sensors discovered the targets, those uncloaked imperial small vessels had completed the encirclement formation and fired first.
However, their firepower was not intended for destruction, but precisely aimed at the hyperion's engine exhausts, external sensor arrays, weapon hardpoints, and bridge observation windows.
Dense railgun bullets, small missiles, and precise laser beams struck like a sudden storm.
The hyperion's shields were activated immediately, but faced with such close-range, high-precision, and premeditated saturation attacks, the shield energy was rapidly consumed, and multiple hulls were hit, sparking dazzlingly.
The engine exhaust ports were hit by several special armor-piercing shells; although not completely disabled, the output power instantly dropped, and the hull violently trembled.
Several point-defense turrets tried to fight back, but were quickly suppressed or destroyed by denser firepower.
"We've been ambushed! The enemy's firepower is precise; they don't want to destroy us!" Matt analyzed the situation quickly while trying to stabilize the hull.
"Attempt emergency warp!" Jim bounced from his seat and rushed to the console, but his command was already too late.
Several "Valkyrie" frigates launched special energy suppression missiles. These projectiles exploded near the hyperion's hull, forming an interference field that severely disrupted the warp engine's initiation sequence.
At the same time, more "Wraith" assault boats clung to the hyperion like bone-attached maggots, launching boarding cables with strong magnetic adsorption devices that firmly locked onto the hyperion's outer armor.
"Boarding cables! They want to forcibly board!" Tychus roared, grabbing a rifle from the side, "Notify all Marine, prepare for combat!"
However, the opponent's boarding operation was tightly organized and extremely efficient.
Dozens of boarding hatches were forcefully opened by external cutters almost simultaneously, and Imperial Ghost unit soldiers wearing black special operations CMC armor swarmed in.
They acted swiftly and cooperated tacitly, using non-lethal concussion grenades, stun nets, and anesthetic gas to clear the way, quickly suppressing the hurriedly organized defense crew of the hyperion.
Combat erupted simultaneously in multiple areas inside the ship, but it showed a one-sided trend.
The Ghost unit clearly knew the internal structure of the hyperion inside out, precisely raiding the bridge, engine room, weapon control center, and crew quarters.
On the bridge, the heavy blast door was blown open by an external demolition device, and amidst thick smoke, several Ghost soldiers rushed in, raising their guns to aim.
Jim, Matt, Tychus, and other bridge personnel tried to resist, but facing the well-trained, well-equipped, and well-prepared Ghost unit, their resistance was quickly dismantled.
Tychus knocked down two soldiers, but was entangled by a stun net fired by a third soldier, and high-voltage current caused his massive body to crash to the ground.
Matt was affected by a concussion grenade and temporarily lost his mobility.
The moment Jim drew his gun, his head was heavily struck from the side by a Ghost soldier with a rifle butt, everything went black before his eyes, he stumbled and fell to the ground, and was quickly subdued, fitted with special suppression handcuffs.
The entire boarding battle lasted less than fifteen minutes.
Resistance inside the hyperion was basically cleared.
Most of the crew were captured, and a few became casualties in the fierce crossfire.
When Jim was roughly pulled up from the ground by two Ghost soldiers and dragged toward the boarding hatch, his blurred vision saw a tall figure stepping in with steady paces from outside the blown-open bridge door.
That person was wearing a tight dark-blue Ghost special operations suit, covered with light tactical armor, and under a head of silver-white short hair was a delicate yet cold face, with blue eyes devoid of any emotional fluctuations.
She held a uniquely shaped sniper rifle whose muzzle still lingered with a bit of residual energy twilight.
Nova.
She walked up to the suppressed Jim, looked down at him condescendingly, the corners of her mouth seemed to twitch extremely slightly, but that curve was icy without the slightest trace of warmth.
"Target confirmed. Jim Raynor, and all senior members of the hyperion." Her voice came through the visor, clear and devoid of any ripples, "Mission accomplished. Prepare to evacuate. Tow this ship away as well."
"Yes, Commander!" The surrounding Ghost soldiers responded in unison.
When Jim was dragged out of the bridge and passed by Nova, he struggled to raise his head with his last ounce of strength, rasping out: "Mengsk——sent you——"
Nova did not answer, nor did she even look at Jim again, just slightly sideways, letting the soldiers take him past.
Her gaze swept across the chaotic bridge, then cast toward the deep starry sky outside the porthole, as if confirming something.
Soon, the remaining power of the hyperion was taken over by an imperial engineering ship.
This warship that once roamed the Sector and symbolized the spirit of rebellion was now like a subdued behemoth, under the traction and coercion of several imperial vessels, slowly changing course and heading deep into the empire-controlled stellar territory.
The Protoss monitoring network on Shakuras might have detected the brief energy fluctuations in this peripheral airspace, but by the time they reacted, there were long since only some debris and energy traces left here, while the hyperion and its crew had already vanished into the shadows of the empire.
On the star map on the outskirts of the Shakuras Star System, the abnormal energy residue and debris signals at the coordinates where the hyperion was attacked have been marked for over seventy-two hours.
The assembly of the Protoss Golden Fleet's capital ship groups had entered its final stage, and Artanis stood before the star map on the orbital command platform of Shakuras, light and shadow shifting in his deep blue eyes.
High Templar Selendis stood by his side, a rare hint of solemnity emanating from her psionic fluctuations.
"Energy signature analysis confirms that the directional interference field and rail weapon wreckage remaining at the scene match the specialized equipment of the Terran Dominion Ghost forces."
Selendis brought up the data projection, "The hyperion's warp drive attempted to engage but was heavily suppressed. According to debris distribution simulations, the ship was forcibly dragged away from the scene rather than destroyed."
Artanis silently gazed at the coordinates of that star Sector.
Raynor's figure—that human Commander who had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him on Char facing the Queen of Blades, that warrior who had come seeking help with Zeratul's final warning—surfaced in his consciousness.
Now, this warrior had fallen into the Imperium's hands.
"Arcturus Mengsk will not let him go."
Artanis's voice was low, "A public execution will become a political performance for the Imperium to consolidate its authority."
"Do we need to take action?" Selendis asked, though she knew the answer.
Artanis slowly shook his head, the energy cloak behind him fluttering without wind, "The campaign to retake Aiur has entered its countdown. Every warship and every warrior of the Golden Fleet has been assigned to the attack sequence. Splitting forces for a rescue means weakening the main offensive strength, increasing variables and casualties in retaking Aiur. We cannot endanger the holy war of our entire race for the sake of one person—even if he is a respected ally."
He paused for a moment, a trace of complex emotional fluctuation revealing itself in his psionic waves, "But the warning brought by Commander Raynor, Zeratul's prophecy, and his intelligence regarding Kerrigan and Amon—all of this indicates that he is not merely a human rebel. He is a nexus connecting multiple critical nodes. His death could lead to the fracture of an important intelligence chain, or even affect the overall layout against the Dark Voice."
Selendis understood the Hierarch's dilemma, "Then what should we do?"
Artanis brought up another communication interface, which displayed a special, multi-layer encrypted psionic communication protocol—a one-way contact channel left by Zeratul before his departure for use in emergencies.
"We cannot take action, but someone else can."
Artanis began injecting psionic encoded information into the protocol, "Zeratul is with Kerrigan, and they are executing a tracing mission. Behind them is also that person—Osiris. Although his power and motives are unclear, at least in matters related to Amon, we share a temporary intersection of interests."
The message was quickly compiled, concise and direct: "Raynor has been captured, and Mengsk will hold a public trial. Coordinates attached. The Golden Fleet cannot break away. If possible, save him. The key nodes of the prophecy must be preserved.—Artanis"
The message was sent, propagating along the psionic path preset by Zeratul into unknown deep space.
"Will they take action?" Selendis asked.
"There is a strong emotional bond between Kerrigan and Raynor, which is a remnant of her human nature."
Artanis closed the communication interface, "Zeratul values every variable in the prophecy, and Raynor is the guide who revealed Kerrigan's critical attributes. As for Osiris—his behavioral pattern is unpredictable, but if a rescue operation can weaken the Imperium and acquire critical samples or data, it may align with his calculation of interests."
He turned around and looked at the massive fleet assembling outside the window, "This is all we can do. Now, focus on Aiur. May Kara guide us to reclaim our homeland."
Almost at the same time Artanis sent the message, major public communication channels in the core Sector of the Terran Dominion were forcibly intruded.
The golden emblem of the Dominion Ministry of News flashed on the screen, and then the figure of Emperor Arcturus Mengsk appeared in the image.
He stood on the high platform of the imperial palace council hall, dressed in the ceremonial attire of the Imperium's sovereign, with a majestic and stern expression, against the background of a huge Imperium flag and the Eye of Korhal relief.
"Citizens of the Imperium, loyal warriors."
Mengsk's voice spread to every corner through the public address system, "For a long time, a toxic current of rebellion has been spreading in our Sector. In the name of freedom, they commit acts of destruction; under the banner of resistance, they perpetrate terror."
"Their leader, Jim Raynor, a terrorist ringleader who betrayed his military status, colluded with Xenos, and repeatedly attacked Imperium facilities—"
The screen switched to show footage of Raynor in detention.
His hands were locked with heavy magnetic handcuffs, standing in a standard Imperium detention room, with bruises on his face, but his eyes remained unyielding.
The footage was clearly shot earlier.
"—has been successfully brought to justice by the brave Ghost operatives of the Imperium forty-eight hours ago!"
Mengsk's voice rose, filled with unquestionable authority, "Justice may be late, but it will never be absent. To demonstrate the majesty of the Imperium's laws and to let all ill-intentioned individuals see the end of betrayal, the Imperium Supreme Court will hold a public trial for Jim Raynor fourteen standard days from now on the judicial planet Corriste IV in the core Sector!"
He paused, looking straight into the lens as if trying to pierce through the screen to look at every potential opponent, "The trial will be broadcast publicly throughout, and all Imperium citizens can watch it through official channels. Raynor will face every crime he has committed—treason, murder, destruction of public property, colluding with Xenos to endanger human survival—and accept the fair verdict of the law. The Imperium will never tolerate any form of betrayal and chaos!"
The announcement repeated on a loop, quickly spreading across the entire Koprulu Sector through the FTL communication network controlled by the Imperium.
In the main chamber of the Leviathan, Kerrigan was coordinating a new round of the Swarm's gathering operations through psionic linkage.
Zagara's signal came from afar, reporting that yet another wild brood had submitted under coercion.
Dehaka crouched in a corner of the chamber, observing the way Kerrigan manipulated the psionic network, emitting a low pheromone signal expressing "Interesting domination techniques."
Just at this moment, a special psionic fluctuation penetrated the Leviathan's bio-energy field, directly touching the depths of Kerrigan's consciousness.
That was the psionic imprint after the decoding of the emergency communication from Artanis received by Zeratul.
The meaning of the message was understood in an instant.
Kerrigan's body stiffened.
The psionic wings behind her suddenly unfurled, bursting with blinding light, and the biological tissues of the entire chamber trembled under her abruptly out-of-control psionic coercion.
Zagara's signal transmitted a panicked inquiry, and Dehaka stood up alertly, his heavy bone plates slightly spreading.
"Sarah Kerrigan?" Zeratul's voice came from the entrance of the chamber.
He had evidently received the message as well, deep gravity carrying within his eerie green eyes.
He strode in, his tattered cloak fluttering in the psionic aftershocks.
Kerrigan did not answer.
She slowly turned around, the expression on her face freezing into a cold, almost tangible intent to kill.
Beneath the fine cuticles covering her skin, a dark golden shimmer violently circulated, and the amber light deep within her eyes almost overwhelmed the azure blue.
"Mengsk————" She hoarsely spat out the name, her voice carrying a hatred and fury as if it would tear space apart, "He captured Jim."
Zeratul nodded: "Artanis sent a warning.
The public trial will be held on Korhal IV in fourteen days.
The Golden Fleet cannot break away to rescue him."
"I do not need the Protoss fleet."
Kerrigan's psionic pressure slowly receded, but the light in her eyes became even more terrifying, "I have the Swarm.
Forty percent of my old subordinates have defected back, coupled with Dehaka's primal Zerg, I can tear that planet apart."
"Calm down, Kerrigan."
Zeratul stepped forward, releasing his Psionic Energy smoothly in an attempt to neutralize her emotional fluctuations, "Korhal IV is located in the Imperial core Sector, stationed with the main force of the Imperial Fleet.
A frontal assault means a full-scale war with the entire Imperium.
Your Zerg have not been fully integrated yet, and the primal Zerg tribes may not necessarily be willing to participate in such a direct frontal assault.
Even if successful, the losses would be unbearable, and your primary target—Amon—will be shelved."
"So what?"
Kerrigan stared at him, her voice icy, "Let me watch him die?"
"We need strategy, not brute force."
Zeratul pointed to the starmap suspended in the center of the chamber, calling up the Star System data of Korhal IV, "A public trial is a political ritual, Mengsk will inevitably deploy heavy troops, but at the same time, it also means procedural fixity and predictability.
The key lies in how to bypass the Imperial main defense and directly reach the trial site."
He paused, his eerie green gaze looking at Kerrigan: "The ground defenses of Korhal IV are tight, but Protoss warp technology can bypass the orbital defense line.
We can organize an elite team to infiltrate first and establish a warp beacon near the trial site.
Then, through the Arbiter's mass recall capability, directly deploy the assault force—including Asuka's evangelion unit-01—to the core area of the site.
After rescuing the person, evacuate via warp just the same, and the Imperial Fleet won't even have time to react."
Kerrigan immediately understood the advantages of this plan: no need to frontally break through orbital defenses, no need to engage the Imperial Fleet in combat, striking straight at the vitals and evacuating quickly.
But this required precise support from Protoss warp technology, as well as an elite team capable of infiltrating the Imperium's core planet to establish a beacon.
"You will lead the infiltration team personally?" she asked.
Zeratul nodded: "Dark Templar excel at covert operations.
I will select the most elite warriors to form an infiltration team, arrive at Korhal IV before the trial begins, and establish the warp beacon.
But this requires a time window; planetary shields will interfere with warping, and we must complete the beacon activation during the trough of its energy cycle."
Kerrigan was silent for a few seconds, weighing it rapidly.
The risk of this plan was that the infiltration team might be discovered and the warp beacon might be interfered with.
But compared to a frontal assault, the success rate was higher and losses were more controllable.
"What about Osiris?" she asked, "Asuka and evangelion unit-01 are key assault forces; without his consent, we cannot mobilize them."
"This is precisely why we need to cooperate with him," Zeratul replied, "The combat capability of evangelion unit-01 is sufficient to suppress all guards at the trial site in a short time, creating an opportunity for the rescue.
Osiris's thirst for'samples' and 'data' is clear."
Rescuing Raynor, striking Mengsk, acquiring combat data of the Imperial core Sector—all of these could potentially move him to provide support."
Kerrigan took a deep breath, suppressing the roiling intent to kill and anxiety in her chest.
She needed to be rational in order to rescue Raynor.
"Contact him." She made her decision, "We are going to Haven. Now."
Leviathan's massive body changed direction in the starry sky, its eerie green biological thrusters ejecting an even denser stream of plasma.
Zeratul stood quietly to the side, beginning to contact those followers who had not returned to Shakuras to participate in the Battle of Aiur through the Dark Templar's covert psionic network.
In fact, a portion of those warriors had precisely obtained Artanis's tacit approval, remaining in the Koprulu Sector under the name of "personal choice" as a backup force to deal with other crises in the prophecy.
Soon, several Dark Templar Void Rays and an Arbiter responded, and they would rendezvous with the Leviathan at the scheduled coordinates and head to Haven together.
pathfinder was maintaining a predetermined safe distance from the Leviathan, trailing the latter's track and cruising in the peripheral Star Systems of the Koprulu Sector.
Valerie was monitoring the flight path and the periodic data stream of the Swarm's activities on the bridge, while Asuka was conducting routine maintenance checks on evangelion unit-01 in the hangar.
When the Leviathan's identification signal and Kerrigan's emergency communication request arrived simultaneously, Valerie immediately connected.
"We need to return to Haven immediately."
Kerrigan's hologram appeared on the bridge without any pleasantries, her voice urgent and cold, "Raynor was captured by Mengsk, and a public trial will be held in fourteen days.
We must rescue him, and we need Osiris's power."
Valerie's cybernetic eye flashed rapidly, quickly pulling up the relevant information flow of the Imperial announcement to confirm the authenticity of the intelligence.
She did not respond immediately, instead sending a priority communication request to the Eternal seeker according to protocol.
The request was connected directly to the Haven Star System where Osiris's Main Body was currently aboard the Eternal seeker in that Star System.
"The situation is understood."
Osiris's synthesized voice came through the encrypted channel, with the low-frequency running sound of bridge equipment faintly audible in the background, "According to preset protocols, action requests involving Kerrigan's major interests and opposing Mengsk's Imperial forces require my evaluation and decision.
You may proceed to Haven to rendezvous; I will wait here."
Kerrigan's hologram nodded slightly and cut off the communication without saying much more.
The Leviathan and pathfinder adjusted their courses almost simultaneously, accelerating their return toward the Haven Star System.
The Protoss ships contacted by Zeratul through the psionic network also began converging on Haven from different directions.
On the periphery of the Haven Star System, the Eternal seeker lay quietly moored within its disguised berth.
Osiris's Main Body had just concluded remote communication with Kerrigan and had not left the bridge.
His optical sensors swept across the main data screen, and the sensor array had confirmed that the signals of the Leviathan, the pathfinder, several newly added Protoss Void Rays, and an Arbiter were converging on Haven from different directions, expected to arrive successively within a few hours.
"All units are about to arrive at the designated rendezvous coordinates," the Navigation Tech-Priest reported.
Osiris's mechanical body stood silently before the main control console, his internal Logic Core processing the newly acquired Imperium public announcement at high speed, cross-referencing it with the existing database's defense data on Crest IV and Protoss warp Tech parameters.
A preliminary feasibility model for a high-risk raid was being constructed.
"Prepare the conference room. Notify Valerie to guide Kerrigan, Zeratul, and the Protoss representatives to the Eternal seeker for an in-person meeting once the fleet finishes assembling," Osiris issued the command, his synthesized voice echoing clearly through the Bridge. "At the same time, have Asuka stand by. She needs to participate in the tactical briefing."
"Understood."
The holographic projections of Kerrigan, Zeratul, and Valerie stabilized within the conference area on the Eternal seeker's Bridge.
Kerrigan's projection appeared sharper than when she had departed Haven, the dark-gold shimmer beneath her skin far more pronounced, and the azure and amber gleams in her eyes flashing alternately in an unstable rhythm, revealing her suppressed anxiety and surging power.
Zeratul stood quietly beside her, his abyssal green eyes calm as ever, though the edges of his Psionic Energy projection bore the faint tremor characteristic of a long-distance Psionic Energy link.
Valerie's projection maintained its customary professionalism and composure.
"Osiris," Kerrigan began without any pleasantries, her voice cold and urgent, cutting straight to the core. "Mengsk captured Jim Raynor and will hold a public trial on Crest IV in fourteen days. I'm going to rescue him. I need your strength—Asuka and evangelion unit-
01."
The optical sensors of Osiris's Main Body adjusted focus slightly, a crimson point of light sweeping across the three projections. "Intelligence confirmed. Please state the specific plan."
Zeratul took over, his voice deep and clear: "Crest IV is located in the Imperium's core Sector; a conventional assault would come at a tremendous cost. We plan to use Protoss warp Tech to execute a precision strike.
"Specifically, it is divided into three phases: In the first phase, I will lead an elite team of Dark Templar to infiltrate the planet's surface and establish a warp beacon near the trial grounds.
"In the second phase, utilizing the arbiter's mass recall capability, we will deploy the strike force—including the evangelion unit-01 piloted by Asuka—directly to the beacon's location.
"In the third phase, evangelion unit-01 will suppress the guards on site to rescue Raynor, after which all personnel will evacuate via warp."
He brought up the ground layout of Crest IV: "The trial will take place at 'Justice Square' in the capital. The area is open and well-suited for evangelion unit-01 to engage in combat. The Imperium's ground defenses consist primarily of heavy armored units and infantry, with no large units capable of countering evangelion unit-01.
"The primary difficulty lies in whether the infiltration team can safely deploy the beacon, and whether the warp process can avoid interference from the planetary shield."
Osiris quickly analyzed the plan.
A warp raid could indeed bypass the Imperium's orbital defense network and deliver a surprise strike.
However, the risks were concentrated in the infiltration phase and warp stability.
If the infiltration team was exposed, the entire operation would fail.
If the warp process suffered shield interference, it could lead to coordinate deviation or even the disappearance of the strike force.
"The infiltration team's success rate?" Osiris asked directly about the key point.
"Seventy-eight percent," Zeratul provided a calculated figure. "The stealth capabilities of the Dark Templar offer a significant advantage against human surveillance systems. I have selected five warriors who excel at stealth and Psionic Energy cloaking.
"We require specific data on the planetary shield's energy cycle to choose the optimal infiltration window."
"The data can be provided." Osiris pulled up Crest IV's defense profiles—an integration of public data and partial reconnaissance gathered previously through Imperium channels. "Every six hours, the shield undergoes a five-percent energy calibration lasting twelve minutes.
"During this time, the shield's detection sensitivity to low-energy Psionic Energy signals drops by forty percent. This is the optimal infiltration window."
He looked toward Kerrigan. "The role of the Swarm forces?"
Kerrigan replied, "Simultaneously with the warp raid, the Swarm will launch feints at multiple locations on the perimeter of the Crest IV Star System to draw the Imperial Fleet's attention, creating opportunities for infiltration and extraction. Zagara and Dehaka's forces are already in position."
"Then, the mission for Asuka and evangelion unit-01." Osiris turned to tactical details. "Upon warp arrival, they must seize control of the trial grounds in the shortest possible time, ensure Raynor's safety, and hold out until the evacuation warp is complete. What is the estimated duration needed?"
Zeratul calculated, "From the completion of the warp-in to the initiation of the evacuation warp, the ideal window is five minutes. Beyond that, the Imperium's orbital defense platforms may adjust their firing arcs, and the planetary garrison will complete their encirclement."
"Five minutes..." Kerrigan repeated under her breath, a flash of anxiety in her eyes, but she quickly steadied herself. "That's enough.
"As long as evangelion unit-01 suppresses the guards right away."
Osiris's optical sensors turned toward the data screen, initiating a simulated projection. The performance parameters of evangelion unit-01, the stability of Protoss warp Tech, the response speed of the Imperium's ground forces—a series of variables were fed into the model.
Several seconds later, the simulation results appeared: under ideal conditions, the success probability was sixty-nine percent; if the infiltration team was exposed prematurely, the probability dropped to thirty-three percent; if deviation occurred during the warp process, the probability dropped to forty-one percent.
The risk was not low, but acceptable.
Especially considering the potential gains following a successful operation.
The primary objective was to test the eva titan's rapid Reflexes and combat effectiveness under the Protoss warp-drop doctrine, acquiring valuable combat data in extreme environments.
Secondly, fulfilling the transactional commitment to Kerrigan would help solidify this critical alliance, increasing her degree of cooperation in subsequent operations against Amon.
Meanwhile, it would also strike at Mengsk's political prestige within a controlled scope, without directly affecting their outward Tech cooperation.
In addition, the operation could yield live-combat data on Protoss warp Tech countering core human defense systems.
As for Raynor himself, being the key figure and emotional tether linking Kerrigan, Protoss prophecy, and even Mengsk's Imperium, rescuing him held symbolic significance and strategic impact far exceeding mere intelligence value.
"Asuka and evangelion unit-01 can be deployed," Osiris finally said. "However, the operation must adhere to the following framework: First, evangelion unit-01 prioritizes Raynor's safety, abandoning the suppression of other targets if necessary.
"Second, if warp coordinates deviate or on-site conditions exceed expectations, Asuka has the authority to adjust tactics based on her own judgment.
"Third, all tactical data acquired during the operation must be shared unconditionally with me."
Kerrigan did not hesitate: "Agreed."
Zeratul nodded slightly: "Reasonable."
"Then, let us begin formulating specific tactics." Osiris brought up a more detailed star chart and timetable. "The public trial will take place in eleven days. The infiltration team must arrive at Crest IV three days in advance, utilizing the shield calibration window to complete the infiltration and beacon deployment.
"the Swarm's feint should be launched thirty minutes prior to the warp raid to maximize the diversion of the Imperial Fleet."
Osiris looked at Zeratul: "The infiltration team's evacuation plan."
"After the beacon is established, the team will remain hidden and on standby. Once the assault force warps in and secures the site, the team will join the evacuation sequence and warp away together." Zeratul replied, "If the team is exposed before establishing the beacon, the backup plan will be initiated: use short-range psionic transfer to evacuate to a preset safe point, but the operation will be aborted."
Osiris nodded and began assigning tasks: "Valerie, you are responsible for coordinating the data link between the pathfinder and the Eternal seeker, monitoring the entire operation process.
"Asuka, immediately begin adaptability adjustments for evangelion unit-01 for rapid-response combat, focusing on enhancing immediate combat capabilities after warp arrival and short-term high-intensity output."
"Understood." / "Leave it to me!" The two responded one after another.
"Finally," Osiris's optical sensors locked onto Kerrigan and Zeratul, "After a successful rescue, the disposition of Raynor. Whether he is willing to join subsequent operations against Amon should be his own choice.
"However, regarding all intelligence concerning Amon, the prophecy, and this operation, he must be subject to information control."
Kerrigan fell silent for a moment and nodded: "As long as he is rescued, these can be discussed."
Zeratul also expressed approval: "Commander Raynor is a rational warrior; he will understand the necessity."
The tactical meeting entered the detailed deduction phase.
Osiris brought up the three-dimensional architectural map of Justice Square.
In the center of the square was the trial podium, surrounded by viewing areas, with the Imperial Guard garrison on the outer perimeter.
The best position for evangelion unit-01's warp arrival was the relatively open area on the north side of the square. The straight-line distance from there to the trial podium was about four hundred meters, and evangelion unit-01 only needed fifteen seconds for a full-speed charge.
"The weapon and equipment configuration of evangelion unit-01." Osiris looked at Asuka's holographic image, "It is recommended to focus on the high-frequency particle blade and positron rifle. There may be civilians in the square, so avoid using large-area destructive weapons."
"Understood." Asuka looked intently at the architectural map, "After arriving, I can first use the rifle to suppress the guards around the podium, and then rush over with the blade to cut open the cage or whatever is holding Raynor. Give me three minutes, that's enough."
Zeratul and Kerrigan discussed the specific deployment of the Zerg feint.
The Swarm needed to create enough momentum to make the Imperial Fleet believe this was the main direction of attack.
Zagara would lead the main Swarm to attack the mining base on the third planet of the Korist Star System, where there were important Imperial resource facilities, and the garrison would inevitably return to defend with all its might.
Dehaka's Primal Zerg would attack the navigation beacon stations on the outer edge of the Star System, disrupting the dispatch communications of the Imperial Fleet.