Inside the Hyperion's isolation laboratory, Osiris was focused on conducting the fourth round of energy resonance tests on the mineral crystal samples.
The faint blue light of his optical lenses reflected the stream of data constantly updating across the spectral analyzer as his mind cross-referenced the parameters of the "replication" field provided by Stetmann with the mass-energy conversion model he had constructed.
In the corner of his workbench, an indicator light on the dedicated communication terminal linked to the Eternity's Quest suddenly illuminated silently, signaling an incoming encrypted transmission.
Temporarily setting the tests aside, Osiris routed the data stream into his processing interface. The source origin displayed as Haven, with an encryption format that matched the one used by Dr. Hanson's team perfectly.
Although protected by multi-layered encryption, the message was fully decrypted almost instantaneously by Osiris's parsing algorithms.
"To Osiris, Consultant for the Far Star Alliance. This is Ariel Hanson, transmitting from the Haven colony.
First, allow me to express my gratitude once more for the decisive technical support your side provided during the recent crisis. Without your inhibitors and analytical methods, we would never have gained the opportunity to dialogue with the Protoss.
This message is not merely a note of thanks. Though Haven was spared from purification, our crisis is far from over. The Raiders fleet has departed, leaving behind only about four thousand refugees from various colonies alongside our limited scientific and medical personnel.
Prior to the crisis, the planet itself was in an undeveloped state, lacking infrastructure, large-scale agriculture, and any form of standing military forces.
We currently face three urgent issues: First, food shortages. Our existing rations will last only two weeks, while our survey and domestication of local edible flora and fauna have only just begun—a distant well cannot quench immediate thirst.
Second, a severe lack of infrastructure. Most living quarters are temporary shelters lacking stable power supplies, water purification systems, waste processing, and medical facilities.
Third, a vacuum in armed defense. Aside from a small quantity of light firearms used to maintain order, we are powerless against potential pirate raids, local predatory fauna, or any form of off-world threat.
I considered asking Commander Raynor for help, but after careful evaluation, I deemed it unwise. The Raiders are fundamentally mercenaries and insurgents in open hostility with the Terran Dominion.
Binding Haven too closely to the Raiders would inevitably draw the Dominion's gaze or even incite direct military intervention. What we need is sustainable, neutral support rather than dragging ourselves into a larger political and military vortex.
Therefore, I earnestly request that the Far Star Alliance consider providing humanitarian and technical assistance to Haven. We do not require military intervention, but we urgently need food, basic construction supplies, power equipment, agricultural guidance, and non-offensive defensive systems to help us build a basic self-defense capability.
In exchange, Haven is willing to serve as a research observation outpost or technology proving ground for the Far Star Alliance in the Koprulu Sector, sharing environmental and biological data while offering assistance within our capability.
The situation is urgent, awaiting your reply. Ariel Hanson, Temporary Administrative Center, Haven."
Attached to the transmission was a current inventory manifest, a rough statistical breakdown of the population demographics, and a preliminary security threat assessment report.
Osiris's gaze lingered on the data for a moment before launching multiple analytical threads simultaneously.
He first accessed his database to pull up the ecological data on Haven collected during previous missions, alongside topographical scans and the current colony location, inferring the refugees' demographic makeup and potential skill sets based on Dr. Hanson's previously shared research roster.
Next, he queried the resource inventory aboard the Eternity's Quest: raw material reserves for synthesized rations were plentiful; prefabricated modular housing units, water purification, and recycling systems were available in standard stock; low-yield shield generators and automated sentry turrets also existed as prototypes ready for rapid mass production.
He then evaluated the risks: the Terran Dominion's intelligence network might monitor the Haven sector, but the planet's current strategic value was low, making the probability of direct Dominion military intervention under fifteen percent.
Based on known shipping lane data, the probability of encountering pirate raids sat at roughly thirty-seven percent.
As for the planet's native ecological threats, they remained well within controllable bounds.
He swiftly calculated the costs of commitment against potential returns: the expense of shipping these supplies was moderate, but if Haven could serve as a neutral research outpost and a potential node for technical collaboration, its long-term value would vastly outweigh the initial material investment.
Dr. Hanson's research capabilities were proven, and her team was highly likely to yield valuable biotechnological data in the future. Maintaining a connection with this node also aligned with the macro strategy of observing this universe's civilizational dynamics.
Taking all factors into account, providing aid was feasible.
However, he deemed an on-site reconnaissance necessary to precisely match their needs with available resources while assessing the viability of establishing a long-term presence.
Via an encrypted link, Osiris transmitted preliminary orders to the Eternity's Quest: prepare a shipment of baseline survival supplies and construction modules, and place a stealth transport vessel equipped with scientific and engineering capabilities on standby.
Afterward, he closed the mineral analysis interface, exited the laboratory, and headed to the bridge to find Raynor.
On the bridge of the Hyperion, Matt Horner stood before the main console reviewing navigation plans for the next phase, while Raynor stood by the viewscreen listening to Tychus propose stopping at Deadman's Port to resupply a specialized type of ammunition.
As Osiris stepped onto the bridge, Tychus paused mid-sentence, and all three turned their eyes toward him.
"Commander Raynor, Captain Horner, Mr. Findlay," Osiris spoke smoothly, his gaze sweeping over the trio. "I have received an urgent transmission from Dr. Hanson on Haven."
Raynor turned around, his brows furrowing slightly: "Ariel? What's happened over there? Did the Protoss come back?"
"It is not a Protoss threat," Osiris briefly summarized the core contents of Dr. Hanson's letter: food shortages, infrastructure deficits, and a defensive vacuum. "She deduced that aligning too closely with the Raiders might draw Dominion hostility, prompting her to request humanitarian and technical assistance from the 'Far Star Alliance' as a neutral third party."
Tychus let out a whistle: "Well, look at that—we got turned down. Can't blame the doc, though. Linking up with a bunch of wanted outlaws like us is asking for trouble."
Raynor stayed silent for a few seconds before looking at Osiris: "Your organization plans to help her?"
"Based on our cooperative agreements and a baseline humanitarian stance, our preliminary assessment deems providing assistance feasible," Osiris replied. "However, an on-site survey is required to formulate a precise plan. Therefore, I must temporarily depart the squad and travel to Haven in person."