Chapter 751: Rescue Operation
"The Swarm will keep counterattacking," Raynor pointed out the crux of the problem.
"Yes. So we need to deploy bunkers and auto-turrets on both sides of the corridor, and use mobile forces to patrol and intercept." Matt brought up several preset defensive positions. "Swann has prepared enough bunker modules. The key is speed—we must complete the evacuation before the Swarm amasses a larger force."
"What's the situation on Dr. Hanson's end?" Raynor asked.
"The last communication was two hours ago. They are still holding out, but their defensive line is constantly falling back. Casualties are... unknown." Matt's voice was low.
Raynor nodded. "Notify Dr. Hanson that we will arrive in orbit in thirty minutes and begin orbital drops. Tell her to organize the civilians and prepare to evacuate."
"Already on it."
At this moment, the navigator's report rang out on the bridge: "Approaching warp exit. Entering the outer edge of the Agria system."
"All hands, prepare for combat!" Raynor's voice echoed across the ship via the PA system.
The Hyperion shuddered slightly as it dropped out of warp. On the main screen, a green planet appeared in view—Agria.
But looking at the orbital scan imagery, the planet's surface was already covered in ominous purple patches. The Zerg creep blanketed large areas, especially the continent where the colony was located.
"Bio-signal readings are off the charts." Stetmann's voice came over the comms, trembling with nervous energy. "Multiple hive clusters are peaking in activity! They—they're breeding more units!"
"Matt, begin scanning the specific condition of the colony," Raynor ordered.
High-resolution scan imagery was quickly transmitted back.
The colony was situated on a plain, comprising several residential districts, research facilities, and agricultural biodomes.
At this moment, most of the buildings were damaged or covered in creep.
Faint flashes of energy shields could be seen around the northern residential district—the remnants of their defensive systems still operating.
A few small aircraft were engaging Mutalisks at low altitudes.
Between the residential district and the starport, dense clusters of red dots represented Zerg units.
They were like a purple tide, relentlessly crashing against humanity's fragile defensive lines.
"What's the status of the starport?" Raynor asked.
"The starport's structure is mostly intact, but the perimeter is already surrounded by the Swarm. There are a few dropships still on the landing pads, but they likely lack fuel or pilots." Matt pulled up an enlarged image of the starport. "That is our best location to establish a foothold."
"Good. Execute according to plan." Raynor looked at the troops in the hangar. "First wave: Two Marine squads, one Marauder team, four SCVs, led by me personally. Mission: Clear the starport and establish a defensive perimeter."
"Second wave: One Marine squad, two Medics, Swann, and the engineering team. Mission: Consolidate the perimeter and begin deploying bunkers."
"Third wave: Remaining forces, responsible for establishing the corridor and extracting the civilians."
He turned to Valerie: "You guys drop down with the second wave. Once the perimeter is established, you can conduct limited reconnaissance and provide fire support, but do not stray too far from the defensive line."
"Understood," Valerie replied.
"Tychus, you're dropping with me in the first wave. We need to open things up quickly."
"Been waitin' for this." Tychus slammed his visor down, his power armor emitting a whining hum as it charged up.
"All dropship pilots, prepare for takeoff!" Matt ordered from the bridge.
In the hangar, the engines of three large dropships began to roar. The rear ramps slowly lowered.
"First wave, board!" Raynor took the lead, walking toward the nearest dropship.
The Marines followed in neat formations, the heavy, rhythmic thuds of their power armor echoing. The Marauders shouldered their grenade launchers, and the SCVs stomped forward with steady strides.
Tychus's blue armor clanked loudly at the very front of the line. He waved an arm at Valerie: "Good luck, corporate lady. Let's hope your tin cans don't piss their pants when they see the bugs."
Valerie merely nodded calmly.
The first wave fully boarded. The dropship slowly taxied out of the hangar, entered the vacuum of space, and then dove toward Agria's atmosphere.
Valerie and her five "Security Consultants" boarded the second dropship. Sharing the ride were Swann and his engineering team, along with a Marine squad and a few Medics.
"Second wave, preparing for launch!" The pilot's voice came over the comms.
The dropship's engines blasted powerful jets of exhaust, disengaging from the Hyperion's magnetic clamps and sliding into space.
Looking out the viewport, Agria's green surface was rapidly approaching. But as they neared the colony, those patches of purple creep and the dense swarms of Zerg units became clearly visible.
The dropship began to shake violently—the sign of atmospheric entry. Anti-air alarms blared; several acidic spores launched by Spore Crawlers shot up from the ground, deflecting off the dropship's shields.
"Hold on tight! We're making a hard landing at the starport!" the pilot shouted.
The dropship went into a steep dive, evading a swoop from a flock of Mutalisks, then adjusted its attitude and sped toward the starport's landing pads.
Below, on the perimeter of the starport, the Swarm was like a boiling purple ocean, crashing against the starport's remaining automated defense turrets.
The first dropship had already landed ahead of them. The moment the ramp dropped, fierce gunfire and explosions erupted from within.
Raynor's forces were already engaging the Swarm.
Valerie's dropship followed closely, barely landing on a pad on the other side of the starport amidst heavy anti-air fire.
The instant the ramp opened, the pungent smell of acid and blood rushed in.
"Go! Go! Establish a defensive line!" Swann's roar echoed from his SCV's external speakers.
The five "Security Consultants" were the first to charge out of the hold, their power armor making dull thuds as they stepped onto the slime-covered ground.
They swiftly occupied several key positions. Their heavy bolters began spewing tongues of fire, shredding the lunging Zerglings and Hydralisks.
Valerie followed behind, wielding a high-precision rifle, calmly observing the battlefield.
The starport's structure was even more dilapidated than it appeared from orbit: multiple walls were corroded with gaping holes from acid, the ground was covered in thick creep, and while some auto-turrets were still functioning, most had been destroyed by the Swarm.
Not far away, Raynor's first wave was engaged in a fierce firefight with the Swarm at the starport's main entrance.
The Marines' gauss rifles formed a dense web of fire, and the Marauders' grenades blasted clouds of green blood mist among the Zerg.
Tychus's blue armor was particularly conspicuous as he strafed a wave of Hydralisks surging from the flank with his chain gun.
"Swann! Take some men and repair the defense turrets on the east and west sides!" Raynor's voice crackled over the comms, mixed with gunfire and explosions. "We need covering fire on the perimeter!"
"Copy that!" Swann immediately directed the SCVs to run toward the east side. Several SCVs began using fusion welders to repair the destroyed turret foundations while installing new armor plating.
Valerie issued orders to the "Security Consultants" beside her: "A1, A2, cover the engineering team. A3, A4, clear the Swarm from the western corridor. A5, with me, establish a temporary command post."
"Yes, ma'am." The five warriors immediately split up to execute their orders.