StarCraft: Lord of the Empire

"Natural-born psionics are a precious asset to humanity, yet the Federation's ruling class clearly regards them only as a threat," Augustus said, his voice calm but firm. "But I believe psionics should never be treated that way. Besides their capacity for killing, their telepathy—mind reading—can effectively help us root out corruption within the government, as well as traitors among the revolutionaries and the military."

"Back in the Earth era, psionics were seen as heretics. The Earth government, which adhered to pure-blood human supremacism, began purging them. Some of our ancestors were among those arrested psionics," he said.

"If we believe psionics are monsters and aberrations, we are denying our own ancestral lineage. In the long future ahead—measured on a geologic timescale—psionics among humans will only become more common. I support human evolution. That's my position in the field of psionic studies."

"So let's believe that psionics are still one of us, and work with them peacefully. Publicly, we must shape a positive image for psionics and promote their value through constructive messaging."

"We were subject to screening as well?" asked the Director of the First Intelligence Bureau, visibly surprised after Augustus had finished. "But we were never informed."

"That's only natural. There must never be traitors in the intelligence bureau," the Director of the Second Intelligence Bureau responded immediately. "The very fact that we're sitting here proves our absolute loyalty to Korhal."

Connor Ward, chairman of the Korhal National Security Committee and former Heaven's Devils rocketeer, turned to Augustus.

"Psionics?" he asked. "I only recently learned about these superpowered individuals living among us."

"I'll be blunt," he continued. "If psionics are used to screen ordinary people, then who's going to oversee and regulate the psionics themselves?"

"The answer is: even more powerful psionics," Augustus said, gesturing to the young woman with long fiery red hair beside him. "This is Sarah Kerrigan, Director of the Bureau of Psionics and Xeno Affairs."

At some point—no one knew exactly when—this Ghost operative, once a Federal assassin sent to kill Augustus's father, Speaker Angus, had begun shadowing Augustus closely, acting as his adjutant.

Kerrigan's typical attire was a dark gray military uniform and a sidecap marked with the insignia of the Revolutionary Army. A sharp dagger and a shotgun were always strapped to her hip.

Connor Ward rose solemnly and walked up to the podium, as though trying to verify for himself that Kerrigan was indeed a psionic. Then he stepped over to Augustus and spoke in a near whisper: "So she's the reason you reassigned Lisa to serve as director of the newly established National Hospital? That's what they asked me to find out—though I'm not even curious."

This remark left Kerrigan visibly puzzled.

"What does that have to do with this meeting?" Augustus shot him a glare. "Besides, it was Lisa's own choice. You knew that."

"Stay serious," he added firmly. "You're the person I trust the most, Connor. Entrusting this agency to you gives me peace of mind."

"I only built this institution based on my father's vision. But turning it into something that strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies—that's your mission now."

"Show no mercy to our enemies," Augustus said gravely.

"I believe in your ability."

"She is indeed very pretty," Connor nodded.

"Shut up," Augustus snapped, visibly flustered.

...

Seated around a large, oval-shaped rosewood conference table were more than a dozen former senators of Korhal. They were mostly elders over the age of fifty—anyone in their thirties standing among them would have counted as a young man.

Most of the senators appeared modest in dress. They wore neither deep crimson robes with gold trim nor carried canes symbolizing noble status, but their choice of words still carried the airs of aristocracy. A few wore round spectacles, though their vision—corrected by laser surgery—remained excellent.

When the Senate of Korhal was first established, its members were local gentry from the colonies and the captains of colony ships. For over a hundred years, the Senate had never been a place where commoners could freely express their views.

Angus did not like these people, but regardless of his feelings, they had supported him in the Senate, at least for their own purposes. And in truth, these individuals did act in the genuine interest of Korhal IV.

Even if, during their tenure as senators, their wealth and power had multiplied geometrically.

With the vote counting for the new senators still underway, Angus had no choice but to discuss the constitution and formation of the new government with these current members.

Fortunately, one benefit of having a small group was that new laws and proposals passed much more quickly. At the very least, Angus didn't have to waste days listening to a bunch of idle senators arguing over whether a legal amendment violated the Constitution of the Terran Federation.

But for someone like Angus, who had navigated the political world for years, this lacked the thrill of debating and defeating a hall full of seasoned rhetoricians. With only a dozen pairs of eyes watching him, Angus couldn't help but feel uneasy at the lack of attention.

It was as if Angus couldn't sleep well whenever he was away from the political center—he simply couldn't imagine it.

In just one morning, the new Senate had passed thirteen bills related to increasing government intervention in the economy, along with the Global Industrial Revival Act. Across Korhal, new heavy industry plants were being rapidly constructed, funded and equipped by several of the Old Families of Tarsonis who had secretly allied themselves with the Mengsk family, and also by the Umojans. More than two million Korhalans who had been left unemployed by the war had found work in the factories.

Situated in the heart of the Terran Federation and blessed with a prosperous economy, Korhal was operating at full capacity under the leadership of a unified and efficient government.

Yet the disadvantages of Korhal IV were equally apparent. Compared to other fringe worlds where uprisings were now breaking out, Korhal lay far too close to Tarsonis—and far too conspicuous.

"By the end of 2499, we will eliminate all slums! No one on this planet will go hungry again!" declared Angus with impassioned conviction. Beside him, someone was jotting down his speech with shorthand on paper—using non-technological means.

As soon as those words were spoken, the front doors of the Palatine Assembly Hall swung open. Angus and the senators turned to see Augustus, clad in a dark gray general's uniform with a gold-braided broad-brimmed officer's cap. The senators were already quite familiar with this proud 'Eagle of Korhal', who made his father immensely proud. In fact, it was the woman silently following behind him—former Ghost operative Sarah Kerrigan—that drew more of their attention.

"Augustus, what's the matter? You seem agitated," Angus cleared his throat and addressed his son.

"You still have time to play these conference games with them? What we need now isn't a parliament—we can just issue executive orders," Augustus said. "This is wartime. Korhal needs nothing more than a man who speaks with absolute authority."

"The people of Korhal need their master. And the Senate must be bound in its rightful chains."

"Don't record that. No one is to repeat what I just said," Angus commanded with a stern expression, his cold gray eyes sweeping across the room like a fierce old wolf, flashing with menace.

Augustus had never admitted that he was a revolutionary fighting for the people. In Angus's view, the only reason Augustus agreed to lead the Korhalan Revolutionary Army was to protect his mother, Katherine, and his sister, Dorothy.

None of the senators present showed anger at Augustus's insolence. The fact that they had survived the power shift and retained their positions was not due to their talent or merit—but simply because they had chosen the right side.

After the end of the Korhal War of Independence, all the corrupt officials across the planet were put on trial by Augustus's Revolutionary Army.

They sat in prison transports, wailing and weeping, until they were executed by firing squad on the banks of the Styrling River.

For three days, the bloodied water flowed downstream, turning the river into what seemed like a stream of blood.

The senators knew exactly what roles they had to play, for Augustus was truly the wolf of the Mengsk family—he held not the slightest respect for nobles or bureaucrats. When he slaughtered them, it was no different from butchering cattle or sheep.

"You just chaired a meeting of the Augustus National Security Committee. I hope that spy agency proves effective," Angus said.

"You're quite agitated," he added. "Did you receive word about the failed uprising on the Antiga System?"

"Just now," Augustus replied. "No one expected there to be a Federal fleet just four light-years away from the Antiga system. According to reports from the rebellion's organizers, it was Gamma Squadron of the Federal fleet."

"Gamma Squadron flattened Fort Ansu with nuclear warheads—200,000 people reduced to ashes. Many more were severely burned, and the radiation has permanently destroyed the local environment. Mutated creatures have begun appearing one after another, like demons unleashed," he continued.

"Pride of Ryosui has been struck by an unknown plague. The resistance forces there have suffered heavy losses due to excessive non-combat casualties."

"What a tragedy. That's the third failed uprising by the people of Antiga," Angus said, frowning. "But what happened with the Pride of Ryosui?"

"There's no direct evidence proving it was a viral weapon," Augustus said, "but the timing is too coincidental. All media outlets have suppressed the story. The lack of truthful reporting has misled the citizens on other Federation planets."

"Compared to them, Korhal—being closer to the Core Worlds—is actually more fortunate. Most of the Federal fleet is still deployed on the outer rim, being used as leverage in the government's negotiations with the Kel-Morian Combine."

"But they've been negotiating for three months," Angus muttered, almost as if to himself.

"The Kel-Morian Combine has been stalling for time, trying to transfer their assets. But how much longer can they hold out?"

"We must prepare for the worst," Augustus sighed. "The newly established agency is still training operatives, but for now, we mainly rely on Umojan agents. These individuals will use every means available to win over high-ranking Federation officials and the Old Families to our side."

"At the same time, our fleet has taken initial form. At my request, the Umojans have poured massive resources into the rushed reconstruction of the Hyperion. In about two weeks, I expect to see a 'brand new' battlecruiser."

"During this time, aside from fortifying Korhal's defenses and preparing the military and civilians for a prolonged war, I also plan to immediately lead a fleet raid on a Federal base called Victor V. A captured Ghost operative told me twenty Ghosts are stationed there."

"Intel suggests the base's computers may contain blueprints for a new type of weapon."

"Good," Angus said. "You're far more qualified than I am when it comes to commanding troops."

"..."

"I have one more question." After a long silence, Angus suddenly looked toward Sarah Kerrigan standing behind Augustus.

"My son, do you really insist on assigning as your personal bodyguard the very same Federal assassin who killed my decoy with a single strike?"

"I think she's rather exceptional," Augustus replied thoughtfully. "And I honestly don't feel any psychological burden about her once trying to assassinate you."

"No, I'm just worried about your safety." The old wolf of House Mengsk sounded a little hurt, though he had already grown used to it.

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