Chapter 794: The Purification Begins
With the aid of the micro-reaction module Ryo had brought along, mass production of the inhibitor proceeded efficiently, the pale blue liquid being decanted into portable containers.
Tychus's detection squad reported back that, assisted by the suppression field, seven primary contamination sources and twenty-three secondary nodes had been located and tagged, with follow-up clearance operations largely completed.
The camp's suppression field operated stably, and orbital scans indicated that detectable contamination signatures had dropped by nearly seventy percent within forty-eight hours.
Inside the temporary laboratory, Dr. Hanson held the latest bioactivity test report, her fingers trembling slightly with excitement: "It works... Consultant, the inhibitor is demonstrating clear signs of genetic-level reversal in the contaminated tissue!"
"If we are given more time to develop a true cure, or even a vaccine—"
Ryo's gaze swept over the data streams.
His analysis supported Dr. Hanson's observations; a preliminary vaccine framework optimized from this foundation was theoretically viable.
However, he stated calmly, "From suppression and reversal to immunity, every single phase requires verification and production measured in weeks or months."
Raynor stared at the ticking countdown on the display—only four hours remained until Selendis's final deadline.
"We don't have weeks and months," his voice was hoarse. "In four hours, she either sees results, or she sees purification."
He stood up, his gaze sweeping across the laboratory: the hope in Dr. Hanson's eyes, Ryo's inorganic calm, Valerie's impassive observation, and the exhaustion and anxiety etched across his officers' faces.
"We've pushed it to the absolute limit," Raynor said. "The contamination is suppressed, the clearance is basically done, and we've got hope for a cure. Now we need to convince Selendis that this planet doesn't need to be burned."
He looked at Ryo and Valerie: "Your technical breakthroughs are our strongest bargaining chips. Prepare all the data—the clearest, most undeniable proof that the infection is under control and that a reliable treatment exists."
He then turned to Dr. Hanson: "Ariel, compile all research logs, the inhibitor efficacy verifications, and the vaccine blueprint. We need to show her that humanity is actually solving the problem."
Finally, he patched through to the Hyperion: "Matt, prep the comms link with Selendis, and transmit our environmental monitoring and clearance reports ahead of time. Tell her we need to talk."
With only thirty minutes left on the countdown, the communications link was established.
Selendis's holographic projection materialized once more in the center of the camp, her golden armor shimmering with a cold radiance beneath the setting sun.
"Jim Raynor. The allotted time has expired. Will you execute the purification yourselves, or await the judgment of the Purifier?" The psionic voice resonated directly in their minds.
Raynor stepped forward: "Executor Selendis. We haven't abandoned a single life. Look at this data."
He signaled for the data stream to be transmitted. On the main display, contamination decay curves, confirmed coordinates of purged sites, video footage of the inhibitor's bioactivity trials, and Dr. Hanson's pathological analyses and blueprints appeared side by side.
"We've cleared out every primary source of contamination. Residual signals are down to negligible levels and are being continuously suppressed. More importantly, our scientists have developed an inhibitor capable of reversing the infection process, and we've established a viable method to develop a full cure and a vaccine."
"The infection is under control, and we're on the verge of beating it! Based on this hard evidence and real progress, we ask for more time to complete the treatment—to truly purify this planet instead of destroying it."
Dr. Hanson stepped forward, her voice filled with earnestness and conviction: "High Executor, the Swarm infection is not completely irreversible! We found the key! Give us more time, and we can save every infected life without sacrificing the innocent!"
Selendis's projection fell silent for a moment, scrutinizing the data. When she spoke again, her voice remained unyielding and cold: "The data demonstrates your efforts. Yet it is insufficient to alter the fundamental truth. The Swarm's corruption is rooted within the most basic coding of life itself."
"What you call 'reversal' and 'treatment' has been attempted by countless civilizations throughout the long history of the Protoss. They bring only a brief respite, followed by a far more violent and uncontrollable outbreak."
"To place faith in such an unstable 'cure' is tantamount to subjecting the safety of the entire sector to incalculable risk."
She looked at Raynor: "The three days I granted were already the maximum concession permissible out of respect for your past record of resistance. The severity of the Dae'Uhl was forged in the bloody lessons of countless worlds."
"Seventy-two hours is the absolute outer window for assessing and neutralizing such latent infestations. Beyond this threshold, any delay risks irreversible spread and mutation."
"You have proven your resolve, yet you have failed to prove absolute safety. And the Protoss cannot tolerate 'possibilities' and 'risks.'"
Raynor's heart sank: "Isn't even a sliver of hope worth fighting for? We have the situation contained! We can work under your surveillance and submit to inspections at any time!"
"Surveillance and inspections cannot eradicate a nightmare lying dormant within the genome," Selendis's voice was final. "The countdown has ended. Regrettably, your path and the path of purification diverge here."
The projection began to dissolve, her final words falling like an executioner's blade: "May the Khala guide your souls. Purifier, commence."
The transmission cut out.
High in the sky, the Mothership's main cannon—suspended like a small blue sun—flared with sudden, blinding intensity. A low, spatial tremor hummed faintly down from orbit.
"No—!" Dr. Hanson let out a cry of despair.
Raynor's face turned ashen, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned white. Negotiations had failed. Selendis's will was as unyielding as her armor; in Protoss philosophy, there was no "risky treatment," only "total purification."
Tychus swore viciously, raising his rifle toward the sky.
Valerie stepped swiftly back to Ryo's side, speaking under her breath: "Orbital bombardment is imminent. Do we initiate emergency extraction?"
Ryo gazed upward, his sensors "seeing" the energy readings of the Mothership's main gun breach critical thresholds as the Protoss fleet shifted formation and Selendis's flagship moved forward.
His logic core computed the variables rapidly: direct confrontation meant total exposure, violating the original mandate of covert data collection; immediate withdrawal meant forfeiting ongoing observation, established ties, and priceless specimens.
The optimal solution was limited intervention paired with maximum data acquisition.
At that moment, Raynor spun around abruptly. There was no despair left in his eyes—only the ferocious resolve of a man backed into a corner.
"Matt!" he roared into his comm. "The Protoss want to burn our home! If they won't give us a way to live, we'll carve one out ourselves! Hyperion, move to battle stations! All hands, prepare for combat!"
His bloodshot eyes swept over every person in the camp: "We aren't sitting here waiting to die! We're gonna protect our home, and we're gonna protect the people we saved! Swann! Get those 'big boy' blueprints ready right now! Everyone follows Captain Horner's orders! We're gonna shoot that damn Mothership right out of the sky!"
The fires of a final stand ignited in Raynor's eyes.