In the perception of the protoss, the Otarian Rift is a gap between the void and reality. And now, the huge fleet passing through it is undoubtedly approaching the void.
"Ask General Edmund Duke to come to the channel." Augustus stared at the mighty Protoss fleet under the porthole, waiting for the communication to be connected.
After just waiting for a few seconds, Duke's iconic, snake-like, diamond-shaped pointed head appeared in front of Augustus. The wrinkles on his forehead had obviously increased, and his face was very tanned.
In the past two years, Duke's Alpha Squadron has been deployed to the imperial world of Scotia to deal with the invading swarm and eliminate the zerg infection that emerged in the mines. It was an extremely cruel volcanic world with steep ash cliffs.
The mountains are crawling with a poisonous variant of Baneling that can jump up and down like fleas.
In the words of the soldiers stationed in the Scotia Empire, every time you lift the quilt when you go to bed at night, you will look like a "purple-skinned gentleman with a big butt".
These poisonous baneling units can even climb cliffs, which is really unfair.
Even though Scotia has the harshest environment and the most difficult conditions in the empire, Duke still devoted himself to his work with great enthusiasm. He was not afraid of the dangers of the tasks assigned to him by the emperor.
I'm afraid of being far away from the center of the military's top brass.
As long as the Emperor of the Empire can give Duke a huge fleet and give him enough power, no matter whether the enemy is the rebels, zerg, protoss or xel'naga, it will just be a reward for meritorious service.
"Emperor Augustus Mengsk." Duke first saluted Augustus and then asked, "What are your instructions?"
"Duke, I want to take Holler's Nova Squadron into the Otarian Rift." Augustus looked at Duke: "After that, I want your Alpha Squadron to stay at the entrance of the rift. You have to personally
Stay there and don’t allow anyone in or out.”
It's not to prevent someone from breaking in, but to be afraid of something coming out.
After hearing this order, Duke on the other side was obviously not very satisfied, and it could even be called a thunderbolt. After receiving the order to garrison the Otarian Rift, Duke had already been gearing up to do a big thing, but the emperor
But still asked him to look at the door.
Although he has reached the rank of admiral and cannot be promoted, Duke's ambition does not end there. He is obsessed with becoming an admiral above all admirals and stepping on the heads of Renault and others.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke shook the forty-two medals on his general uniform, his thick eyebrows knitted together, and the expression on his face became tighter:
"Unless the enemy removes my head, no one can enter the Ultarian Rift!"
The military orders were like mountains, and there was no doubt that the emperor was not consulting with him.
Although Duke is brutal and impulsive, he is not really brainless. At least he knows who is the one who can tell the truth in the Tyran Empire. His mortal enemy Raynor calls him a viper because he is insidious and vengeful, and calling him a mad dog is
Because this guy is violent and aggressive.
But he's not stupid.
"Save your head, Duke." Renault had always been at odds with Duke, and now he couldn't help but said with concern: "No one wants that thing."
"Watch your tongue, country bumpkin, or I won't mind twisting it off!" Duke didn't dare to sway with the emperor, but in his eyes, the famous Jim Raynor was nothing. If they were in the same room
Standing on the deck, there will definitely be a fight.
"Okay, shut up." Augustus frowned, and Renault and Duke stopped talking: "Jim, tell the fleet that we are about to enter the Otarian Rift and be ready to fight the enemy.
."
"Duke, remember the task I gave you. No one can replace you in this matter."
"Fight for you, my majesty." Duke was so elated by Augustus's words that his face lit up, and Renault was speechless at the sight.
A moment later, Duke conveyed Emperor Augustus's order in an angry manner to the officers of Alpha Squadron on the bridge of the Norad III, left the communication channel and left arrogantly, with a very similar posture.
Silverback gorilla who just got a bunch of bananas.
At this time, most of the large Dalam protoss fleet had sailed into the Otarian rift in front of them. On the other side, the flagship of Purifier Protoss executive officer Coralion also took the lead to follow.
The majestic Purifier battleships followed closely behind.
"It's our turn." Augustus gave the order, with the White Star as the flagship, thousands of imperial warships overwhelmingly pressed towards the Otarian Rift.
The closer it gets to the Otarian Fissure, its brightness increases exponentially. This is definitely not reflected light, but comes from the celestial body itself.
When the White Star jumped into the swaying white band of light at the entrance to the Ultarian Rift, a blindingly intense light shone in from the bridge porthole. Even under the isolation and filtering of the shield force field
Underneath, this strong light was so bright that it erased the shadows of people.
In the past, I could still see the shining stars outside the porthole window, but now I could see nothing but a vast expanse of white.
The light shines brightly.
Fortunately, this bright light only lasted for a short period of time, as if Augustus had just crossed a threshold, and the gap between void and reality was as thin as a piece of paper.
In the blink of an eye, the light on the bridge quickly dissipated, replaced by a majestic structure shrouded in a large cloud of luminous gas and bright dust. In the distance were countless void celestial bodies and countless stars that were colliding and erupting in the dark space.
Celestial bodies of all sizes are born or destroyed with every flash of light.
You can't see the stars in the universe here, but maybe this is also the other side of its cold and dark side.
Augustus approached the porthole and found that the legendary Urna was much larger than he remembered. This was something he saw with his own eyes and a shock that could not be felt just by watching the cutscenes in the game. He suddenly realized,
The dazzling luster that Urna is emitting comes from itself, and that light can nourish all things.
Urna is exaggeratedly big, as big as a huge, pyramidal planet, an epic and magnificent spectacle. Its surface is full of light, like a planet-scale work of art.
But everything he saw told Augustus that it was anything but a planet in the ordinary sense - its organic rock structure seemed to be alive, engraved with exquisite patterns, hieroglyphics and golden ratio spirals, every detail It demonstrates Xel'Naga's perfect artistic attainments and natural aesthetics that reveal the truth of the universe.
There are no extravagant lines, everything seems to be returning to nature, and all beauty comes from the universe itself.
"I really should have worn a pair of sunglasses." At this moment, Renault was still rubbing his eyes that were almost blinded. He had no time to appreciate and could not appreciate much of the beauty and art.
"I think most people would close their eyes at that point," Augustus said. "It's instinctive."
"I think I'm blind." Renault opened his eyes and stared at Urna in the blue and silver waves.
As the White Star got closer to Urna, the magnificent structure became larger and larger. The extremely huge wall almost occupied every porthole on the bridge, as if a diamond-shaped continent was unfolding in front of us.
In comparison, the two protoss fleets arrayed in front of them seemed as insignificant as stardust, and even the Spear of Adon was just a shining dot in the distance.
This is where the giants of the universe live.
"Is this Urna?"
"It's grand enough." Renault said: "But this place doesn't look like it can be inhabited. What is it used for? Is it a temple the size of a planet, or an artificial planet that has been transformed into a temple?"
"I can't tell the difference between the two." Augustus looked at Urna outside the porthole: "But I know that now we have to go in and find out."
"I'm good at this. The boys of the Marine Corps can handle any battlefield in the universe." Renault stared at Urna, already trying to figure out where to launch the airdrop pod: "The engineering team has also done enough. We are ready, just waiting to see how many treasures we can pry back from this place."
"I guess the owners here won't mind." Augustus raised the corners of his mouth and his eyes shone.
They are not protoss, and they don't mind getting back some inheritance from Urna. Just like Zhu Bajie yelling that although the master is lost, the luggage must still be divided.
"If it is destined that two races will inherit the mantle of the Xel'Naga, why can't it be us humans."
"I don't think this has anything to do with us." Raynor has always felt that the Xel'Naga have little to do with humans - they inspired the protoss, transformed the zerg, and even birds have never surpassed humans.
"Praise be to the gods...Urna, the star of divine creation."
At this time, Zeratul slowly walked into the bridge deck, staring at the shining giant celestial body with a pair of eyes shining with flames: "The hometown of Xel'Naga, the legendary country."
Since the First World War in the Atrias System, Zeratul has been recuperating in a very quiet cabin on the White Star, either meditating or talking to Augustus about Xel'Naga, mysticism, philosophy, and politics.
...In short, they are both teachers and friends, talking about everything.
In the culture of the protoss, Urna, the resting place of the gods, plays an important role. However, because it is too mysterious, Urna has always been considered a place that only exists in myths and legends.
In the last period of his life, Zeratul was immersed in self-blame and pain and was searching for the Xel'Naga prophecy of salvation, but throughout his life he had never been to Urna, the place he was searching for.
"In Urna, the truth that all civilizations are struggling to pursue is waiting for us to discover." Zeratul said: "Augustus Mengsk, all the secrets are waiting for us to unlock."
"Signal incoming..."
Within a few seconds, Durham and the two Purifier executives Artanis and Korora Leon appeared in the channel.
"I have deployed support alpha to the surface of Urna to find a way to enter it." Coralion's face seemed to be made of white steel, and the light shone behind him. His tone was very calm, and he seemed to be just stating something.
something.
"We see the road to ascension unfolding before our eyes."
This is not to say that the Purifiers have no emotions. In fact, they are close to 100% personality simulation of the protoss. Augustus has seen several other Purifier executives. They seem to be full of anger at all times when they speak, and their voices are full of anger.
Like thunder.
Through several exchanges over the years, Augustus also had a general understanding of the character of this Purifier executive. In that golden age when all heroes gathered together, Collarion was also the most outstanding and famous among the Templars, with noble moral character.
He is resourceful, possesses extraordinary courage and will, and is admired by thousands of people.
When conversing with a great ancient hero like Cororarion, Augustus always benefited greatly from his profound knowledge and profound insights into strategies and tactics.
To be able to make this legendary hero furious when he wakes up shows how inappropriate the Supreme Council that enslaved and oppressed the ancient Purifiers was.
Colorarion told Augustus more than once: If he had known the Supreme Council's attitude towards "artificial intelligence machines", he would never have joined the Purifier project.
But even such great figures do not have any choice. As Templars, they are only sword-wielding listeners under the Arbitrator class and have no qualifications to question the orders of the Supreme Council.
"Urna, this is the place where the Xel'Naga sleep. Rohana, the highest protector of our clan, told me that the past arbiters had speculated that the Xel'Naga returned here after completing their guidance to us.
." Artanis said:
"Your Majesty Augustus, as promised, now we plan to awaken the sleeping Xel'Naga - the Light and Shadow Council believes that they will bring salvation to the Protoss clan."
"Okay." Augustus nodded towards Artanis and Coralion: "Maybe these Xel'Naga can bring us real revelations. But to explore Urna, we still need brave warriors.
Be a pioneer."
"I propose that we each send an army into it to find a way to open the temple inside." Artanis said.
"The Son of Cybros has no objection." Coralion paused and said.
The Purifier's data network can be regarded as a low-end version of Kara. It can only exchange data and information, but is much less expressive of emotions. Whenever there is a major decision to be made, all the ancient Purifier personalities in the data network will vote.
, so Coralion often represents the will of all Purifiers when he speaks.
At this moment, ships gathered around Urna, and the three forces were all mobilizing their elite forces to prepare to explore this place of gods.
"Tell Jackson Holler that I need a special operations elite from the Nova Squadron... Where is Tychus?" Augustus asked habitually: "It's time for this old bastard to appear."
"You forgot, he is still locked up in the prison cell of the White Star. It has been more than half a month." Renault smiled unkindly: "Remember? When the fleet stayed in Korhal, this guy seriously violated discipline.
, did not return to the army on time, and became a deserter for several days."
"Later, the Augustgrad press began to rush to report that the famous imperial hero could not afford the prostitution and wanted to pawn the belt and underwear given by Emperor Augustus. - This guy was really drunk.
head."
"What?"
In fact, Augustus was not too worried about what big trouble Tychus could create. This guy was lawless and bold, but he was also very shrewd and cautious. Although his moral quality was low and his character was bad, he never did anything harmful or bully men.
The evil deeds of a domineering girl.
"I remembered." Augustus couldn't help but cover his head, as if some painful memory had revived: "This piece of shit."
"Get Tychus out of here now and let him go out to work!"
Not to mention that Augustus didn’t know how to give gifts at all. At most, he would give a pistol accessory, or even a vulture car. If he wanted to give a gift, he would not give a man a belt and underwear in a bad taste.