Chapter 786: The Protoss Threat
Inside the bridge's briefing room, the debate concerning Haven and the Protoss continued among a smaller, core circle.
In addition to Raynor, Matt, Dr. Hanson, Tychus, and Valerie, several veteran non-commissioned officers of the Raiders had joined this time.
"We have completed two rounds of biological screening," Dr. Hanson reported, her progress slightly comforting yet unable to provide complete reassurance. "Using the ship's medical scanners and the auxiliary equipment provided by Miss Valerie, we've completed basic vital sign and anomalous bio-signal testing on four thousand eight hundred and fifty-three people."
"We identified and quarantined twenty-seven individuals exhibiting minor anomalous reactions, but for further in-depth analysis... our equipment cannot perform precise genetic-level comparisons. We cannot completely rule out the presence of microscopic, dormant Zerg-related sequences within them."
"As for the situations on the other transport ships... it's much the same."
"In other words, we cannot prove to the Protoss that we are absolutely 'clean'," Matt summarized, his brow furrowed tightly.
"Absolutely clean?" Tychus's holographic projection let out a mocking scoff. "Jimmy, those Protoss probably look at us humans the same way we look at a walking pile of bacteria. Do you think they give a damn if one bacterium has a little extra dirt on it?"
"If you ask me, if they spot us, their first reaction will be to fire a main gun blast just to get some peace and quiet!"
"Not all Protoss are that extreme," Raynor countered, though his tone wasn't entirely confident. "I've dealt with... a few Protoss warriors and Executors. While they are arrogant, they aren't irrational destroyers. They have their own set of logic and principles."
"What kind of logic? The logic of 'suspected contamination, total purification'?" a Raider sergeant couldn't help but interject. He had just returned from the holding areas and had seen too much tragedy with his own eyes. "Commander, I'm not questioning your judgment, but the boys are terrified. We brought these people out to survive, not... not to deliver them to another planet that might get glassed."
"Then where the hell can we go?!" Raynor's voice rose, revealing the exhaustion and anxiety built up over the past few days. "Turn back? Go feed the bugs? Or just drift in space and wait to die?"
"Haven has everything we need: air, water, potential food sources, and a relatively safe natural environment. This is our only chance!"
He forced himself to calm down, pointing at the green-marked planet on the star map: "I know the risks. Protoss purification is the stuff of legendary nightmares. But precisely because of that, the Swarm usually avoids their territory."
"Haven is near the border; the frequency of regular Protoss patrols might not be that high. If we can carefully land on the side of the planet facing away from the core Protoss sectors, establish a small, hidden settlement, and try our best not to attract attention... maybe... maybe we can buy some time."
"Establishing a hidden settlement requires time, resources, and massive manpower," Matt analyzed rationally. "And those are exactly what we lack most. The initial pioneering phase will be incredibly grueling and will likely generate significant energy and biological signatures. The risk of discovery remains."
"That's why we need a plan, a contingency in case we are discovered." Raynor looked at Valerie and Dr. Hanson. "If... and I mean if, the Protoss really do show up and display hostility... is it possible for us to communicate with them by showing our screening efforts and quarantine measures, proving that we are actively controlling the 'contamination' and have no intention of spreading it?"
Dr. Hanson smiled bitterly. "Communicate? We don't even fully understand their language, let alone their complex social philosophies and moral codes. The few non-hostile contacts in history have been fraught with misunderstandings and difficulty."
"As for showing our epidemic prevention measures... to the Protoss, that might be as meaningless as a bacterium showing off how intact its cell wall is. It might even further highlight our 'inferiority' and 'contaminating nature'."
"But we have to try," Raynor insisted. "Miss Valerie, does your company... have more detailed information on the Protoss? Or any suggestions that could enhance our communication or survival capabilities?"
Valerie remained silent for a moment.
Ryo's database naturally contained exhaustive information on the Protoss, even including analyses of partial linguistic logic and diplomatic contact protocols, but these absolutely could not be revealed easily.
She opted for a cautious answer: "The Far Star United database does contain records of the Protoss, emphasizing their highly advanced psionic technology, rigid caste-based social structure, and reliance on the 'Khala' psionic link."
"Their extreme hostility toward the Zerg stems from a tragic history of war and the latter's complete corruption of life forms. To negotiate with them, we might try approaching from the common ground of 'protecting pure life forms,' emphasizing our antagonistic relationship with the Zerg and our proactive efforts to purge contamination."
"But the success rate... is unpredictable. Their perspective on things is vastly different from humanity's."
Her words provided some ideas, but did not lower the absolute value of the risk.
"Protect pure life forms?" Tychus snorted. "You think this bunch of half-starved, missing-limbs refugees looks 'pure' to them? I doubt it."
"Regardless, the course is set," Matt finally stated. "The fleet will enter the outer edges of the Haven system in fourteen hours. I've already arranged preliminary passive scanning; no obvious signs of Protoss ship activity have been detected yet."
"But their probes might be more stealthy. The landing zone has been preliminarily selected in a temperate river valley region in the northern hemisphere, backed by a mountain range for some natural cover. Remote sensing indicates vegetation and a water source."
"Upon landing, the primary objectives are establishing basic survival facilities, finding food and water, and simultaneously setting up strict quarantine observation zones," Raynor deployed the orders. "Dr. Hanson, you have full authority over medical and quarantine operations."
"Tychus, you take your men and handle the perimeter security and the construction of fortifications. Matt, the Hyperion stays in orbit, remains hidden, and stands ready to provide support or... evacuate."
He paused, his voice heavy. "I hope we don't need to use that last option. But if the Protoss appear and display irrevocable hostility... we must be prepared to evacuate a portion of the personnel. That is the worst-case scenario."
The meeting ended in a stifling atmosphere. Everyone knew they were sailing toward either a beautiful trap or their final land of hope. The attitude of the Protoss would become the ultimate judgment deciding the lives of these thousands of people.
Valerie returned to her cabin and sent a brief situational update and route information to Ryo.
Ryo's reply remained concise, lacking any directives for direct intervention, as if he were merely recording the progression of events.
But she understood that observation was still ongoing, and whatever was about to happen on Haven—whether a turning point for survival or the flames of purification—would become valuable data points.