Only Augustus himself knew that over 10,000 Revolutionary Army personnel had already landed on Mar Sara. Including the more than 2,000 prisoners forced into labor reform in the mines, their numbers now far exceeded the population of any small or medium-sized town in Hinterland.
The Revolutionary Army currently controlled seven small- to mid-sized mining zones, four of which actively recruited local townspeople as laborers—genuinely boosting the local economy. Compared to other privately owned mines on Mar Sara, the Revolutionary Army's mining sites offered the best conditions in terms of benefits, working hours, and safety.
At that moment, inside the prefab unit, Augustus stood before a holographic screen displaying footage from surveillance drones. Today was a rare day off, and since Rory Swann had assured him—quite confidently—that he'd unearth the electromagnetic interference source buried beneath Perdition's Crossing before the day was out, Augustus had personally come to the mining site.
Although Augustus had already routed the Chimera Pirates and seized their research station—prompting other pirate and criminal groups to abandon their outposts and flee—intelligence reports still indicated a significant number of outlaws lurking deeper within Perdition's Crossing. For that reason, the Revolutionary Army stationed here had to remain alert to the threat of hostile infiltrators or malicious actors eyeing this mining outpost.
"Marshal Mengsk, the archaeology team you invited has arrived at Perdition's Crossing," Sergeant Faraday reported as he stepped into the prefab. Upon entering, he carefully swept the room with his gaze but saw no sign of the Ghost operative, Sarah Kerrigan.
Most of the time, the mysterious and formidable former Confederate Ghost, Sarah Kerrigan, remained cloaked. Rumor had it that she was always at the marshal's side—and when one spoke to him, she might very well be standing between the two of you without anyone noticing.
She was only sixteen years old—barely past childhood—yet already a lethal assassin. A girl who should have been sweet and innocent had instead become a deadly weapon.
Since joining the Revolutionary Army, Sarah Kerrigan had stayed by Augustus's side and never once been deployed on an assassination mission.
Officers close to Augustus, such as Sergeant Faraday, firmly believed that as long as Kerrigan no longer lived as a killer, and if she could suppress the emotional conditioning imposed upon her, she might one day reveal more of her humanity—something beyond a Federation-designed living weapon.
"Let them in," Augustus said, turning to Faraday.
The archaeology team consisted of a dozen or so members—mostly PhD advisors from Umojan University, Moria University and the University of Tarsonis, with the youngest being a freshly graduated doctoral student.
Every member of the team was either currently involved in or had previously conducted research on alien ruins and mysterious extraterrestrial civilizations. They had published a vast number of academic papers on the subject and authored authoritative books in the field. Augustus had lured them in with the promise of generous—virtually irresistible—compensation to participate in what he described as an "unprecedented archaeological discovery." Then he simply waited for the invitations to bear fruit.
For a variety of reasons—including economic pressure—a considerable number of Kel-Morian and Umojan scholars responded. Influenced by the internal propaganda of the Kel-Morian Combine and the Umojan Protectorate, many among them held a favorable view of the Revolutionary Army and its resistance to the Terran Confederacy's tyranny.
Despite not knowing their destination before arriving on Mar Sara, these scholars—some financially struggling, others simply eager to make a mark in their field—still came, willingly taking a significant risk.
After Sergeant Faraday stepped out of the prefab, an elderly man with graying hair and a younger scholar with chestnut hair entered the room.
"This is Professor Jordan Kaczynski from the Kel-Morian Sakai University," Sergeant Faraday introduced him to Augustus. "His main focus is the study of alien ruins."
He then added in a lower voice, "His older brother, Abraham Kaczynski, is a high-ranking official in the Kel-Morian Combine's independent government. The Kaczynski family is a prominent one—renowned across Kel-Morian space for producing top talent, especially in the fields of mechanical engineering and starship design."
"Pleasure to meet you, Professor," Augustus said, stepping forward to shake Jordan Kaczynski's hand. After all, it was Augustus himself who had finalized the invitation list. To be precise, Jordan had been invited primarily because of his surname—the Kaczynski family was one of the Kel-Morian lineages Augustus held in particularly high regard.
Unlike Rory Swann's family, the Kaczynskis specialized in military industrial technology. The appearance of the Kel-Morian battlecruisers during the early stages of the Guild Wars had largely been thanks to the innovations this family brought to starship manufacturing.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marshal of the famed Revolutionary Army," Jordan Kaczynski replied, studying Augustus with curiosity. He then introduced the young man beside him.
"This is Jacob Ramsey, professor of history at the University of Tarsonis. He may be from Tarsonis, but he's temporarily working with my team. He shares a strong hatred for the tyranny of the Terran Confederacy." As Augustus shook Jacob's hand, Jordan continued: "I've heard that you've uncovered a large number of what I'll call psionic crystals. Please allow me to refer to them that way. My colleagues at the University of Umoja believe these crystals can serve as energy sources for starship engines—albeit at a minuscule fraction of their true potential, but still demonstrably effective."
"You mean this green crystal?" Augustus pulled out the Xel'Naga void crystal pendant that had once belonged to the Chimera Pirates. "I call it a Void Crystal."
"Yes," Professor Kaczynski nodded. "That's an excellent name—'Void': unknown, cold, dark. It aligns well with the nature of the crystal."
"But with our current technology, we can't make real use of its energy. We're able to refine Ardeon crystals, but these green crystals are beyond us. Their structural integrity and energy-sealing methods far exceed our understanding. And I'm convinced they're artificial, not a natural resource gifted by the universe."
"They're certainly not of human origin," Augustus agreed. "Can these crystals be used to enhance our warships?"
"If you install them aboard your vessels, they'll automatically supply energy to the engines and systems," Jordan replied. "As for the next step—upgrading ship hull materials and integrated systems based on this energy—perhaps my brothers and nephews could help with that."
Though the Kaczynski family had been affected by the Kel-Morian Combine's defeat in the Guild Wars, they were never reduced to the desperate straits of the Swann family. Even so, some among the Kaczynskis were willing to work for the rebellion in exchange for generous pay—especially since many of them harbored deep resentment toward the Terran Confederacy.
"Excellent. I've been considering recruiting more Kel-Morians into the ranks of the Revolutionary Army." Augustus gave Jordan Kaczynski a firm handshake once again.
He had once fought bloody battles against the Kel-Morians during the Guild Wars—now he was preparing to fight alongside them.
"I'd also like to invite you to join the alien technology lab I'm establishing," Augustus continued, handing Jordan a formal invitation. "It will specialize in the excavation of alien ruins and the research of ways to apply their technology in both military and civilian contexts."
"I might help with the initial setup," Professor Jordan replied with a shake of his head, "but in the end, I'll return to Moria. I'm getting old—about to retire, really—but I'll recommend some of my students to you."
"Very well. Then I'll have to find someone else to lead the research," Augustus said, respectful of the professor's decision.
"Marshal, Swann says he's hit the jackpot! Uh, I think what he means is that he's dug up the source of the electromagnetic interference." At that moment, Sergeant Faraday entered the prefab after offering a quick apology.
"Perfect timing. Professor, it seems my people have made a new discovery. Let's head out," Augustus said, then turned to Faraday: "Prep my command vehicle."
Augustus, his escort of personal guards, and the archaeology team led by Professor Kaczynski immediately boarded the vehicles and departed for the excavation site.
As he stepped out of the prefab, Augustus was met by a grand scene: six massive Drakken laser drills loomed beneath Mar Sara's orange-gray sky. A towering crane was hoisting up crates filled with tons of ore and sediment, while a squad of khaki-uniformed militia with Gauss rifles jogged past the buildings.
"When I first came here, I was just as surprised by how efficient the engineering corps was," Augustus remarked proudly as the command vehicle rolled toward the mining pit. Seated beside him, Professor Jordan listened intently.
"But then again, considering that the engineers piloting those space-grade construction rigs and welding hull plates are some of the most experienced techs from all across Korhal, I suppose it really shouldn't come as a surprise."
When Augustus arrived at the pit, he found Tychus Findlay—clad in his sheriff's uniform—standing alongside Jim Raynor and a visibly excited Rory Swann. As soon as Augustus stepped out of the vehicle, Tychus approached with a grin from ear to ear. He liked leaders like Augustus—ones who kept the profits rolling.
"So, what'd you dig up?" Augustus asked. "A slab? Or some sort of strange crystal?"
He had already guessed it was likely a shard of a Xel'Naga artifact, but he wasn't ready to confirm anything until he saw it for himself.
"Looks like a piece of a triangular prism," Swann reported. "It was glowing faintly blue when we found it in the dark. And alongside it, we uncovered a Void Crystal—about as tall as a man."
"Now that's a keeper," Raynor chimed in. "Carry one of those around and you won't even need an air conditioner anymore."
"Mounting it in the Norad II's engine room might be a good idea," Augustus nodded thoughtfully. "It might help stabilize the ship's systems."
"It's a treasure, alright—how much is it worth?" Tychus asked, eyes gleaming.
"It's priceless."
At that moment, two miners carried over a titanium storage crate and set it before Professor Jordan. The elderly scholar let out a gasp of awe the instant he saw it.
Augustus wasn't surprised in the slightest by the professor's loss of composure.
Floating in the air above the crate was a dark, prism-shaped fragment, glowing with a bluish-copper hue. Fine fissures traced along its surface like delicate engravings, and from those cracks emanated a pure blue light—like rays from some divine heaven above.
"Take a guess—what do you think we can do with it?" Raynor said from beside Augustus, his voice tinged with wonder.
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