Raynor did not respond immediately.
He scrutinized Osiris, swiftly weighing his options.
Osiris's technical capabilities had proven immensely valuable during their previous missions, and his departure would undoubtedly be a loss.
However, the people on Haven—especially Dr. Hanson—truly needed help.
Furthermore, allowing the mysterious faction known as the "Far Star Alliance" to become more deeply involved in fringe colony affairs might indirectly relieve some of the Raiders' burden.
"How long will you be gone?" Raynor asked.
"It depends on the complexity of the situation. Preliminary reconnaissance and emergency supply deployment are expected to take five to seven days. Should establishing a long-term assistance framework be required, it may take longer to coordinate," Osiris replied.
"My recommendation is for Miss Valerie to remain aboard the Hyperion as the liaison representative for the Far Star Alliance, assisting with ongoing inquiries regarding artifact fragments or other potential technical needs. She is familiar with your operational protocols and will ensure smooth communication."
Raynor looked over at Valerie. She offered a subtle nod: "If the Commander agrees, I am more than willing to continue fulfilling my duties."
Matt chimed in: "From a tactical perspective, Miss Valerie's presence during the consultant's absence will maintain the continuity of our partnership with the Far Star Alliance. Besides, the situation on Haven does genuinely require external aid."
Raynor finally nodded: "Alright. Consultant, go lend Ariel a hand. Tell her that if things deteriorate to the point where armed protection is necessary, the Raiders won't sit by and watch—as for the risks from the Dominion, we'll always find a way to manage."
"I will pass along the message," Osiris said. "Additionally, regarding the new material project pursued in collaboration with Engineer Swann, all technical documentation and current progress have been synchronized to the engineering department's central database. Engineer Swann can independently proceed with subsequent trial fabrications and testing."
"You certainly plan ahead," Tychus grinned. "Fair enough. Give our best to Dr. Hanson. Tell her if she grows anything good to eat, save us some."
Osiris bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement of the jest.
He turned toward Valerie, transmitting a rapid directive via an encrypted data stream on a frequency only the two of them could process: Maintain routine intelligence gathering. Focus on subsequent leads regarding artifact fragments and anomalous movements from both the Protoss and the Swarm. In case of emergency, initiate contact under Protocol Three.
Valerie blinked discreetly, signifying receipt.
There were no further farewell ceremonies.
Osiris left the bridge and returned to his quarters to make final preparations for departure.
He then proceeded to the hangar bay and boarded a disguised light shuttle.
The Hyperion's flight controller cleared a launch corridor for him.
The shuttle's engines engaged, gliding smoothly out of the hangar and melting into the starry expanse.
On the bridge, Raynor watched the direction where the shuttle had disappeared, speaking to Matt: "Set a course and proceed to our next contact point according to plan. Let's see what new intelligence Tychus's 'buyer' has for us."
Valerie quietly stepped back toward the tactical analysis console, bringing up her data slate to organize recent reports on sector faction activity.
Her role remained that of a professional, neutral corporate representative—as though Osiris's departure were merely a routine off-ship assignment.
Inside the shuttle, Osiris locked in the warp coordinates for Haven.
He brought up Haven's detailed dossier and began constructing a preliminary evaluation model.
Planetary ecological data, colony layout schematics, resource demand manifests—everything was translated into variables awaiting optimization.
The engine hum escalated as the warp sequence initiated, stretching the starlight outside the viewport. Osiris's optical lenses remained fixed on the blip representing Haven on the navigation screen.
This was a simple aid mission, but also an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the survival conditions of human colonies in this universe while assessing the operational feasibility of the "Far Star Alliance" model.
After traversing several asteroid belts and a sparse nebula, Osiris's shuttle arrived in the Haven system.
Viewed from orbit, Haven still presented a vibrant blue-green sphere, yet the surface energy signatures picked up by the sensors appeared faint and sparse compared to before.
There were no signs of large-scale Protoss or Terran fleet operations.
The scars left by the previous conflict—glassed valleys scorched by the Mothership's purification beam, alongside burnt terrain where the Raiders and Protoss had clashed—remained clearly identifiable on the scanner maps, though no active residual energy persisted.
Following the coordinates provided by Dr. Hanson, Osiris brought the shuttle down onto a temporary landing pad near the main colonial sector.
The pad consisted of compacted soil, flanked by several old Vulture hoverbikes and an SCV that had clearly undergone extensive repairs.
Compared to the encampment when the Raiders were present, this location felt barren and crude.
The hatch opened, and Osiris stepped out.
The air carried the scent of damp earth, plant volatiles, and faint traces of smoke. In the distance, a sprawling shantytown built primarily from prefabricated panels and recycled metal came into view—vastly expanded in size since his last visit, yet haphazard in layout.
A handful of sturdier-looking structures—likely laboratories or supply vaults—were concentrated in the central area.
Several individuals dressed in mismatched clothing and holding crude tools noticed the shuttle's landing, pausing their work to look over with a blend of vigilance and curiosity.
Most of their faces bore marks of exhaustion, their attire aged yet clean.
Dr. Hanson soon emerged from one of the larger buildings, quickening her pace toward the landing pad.
She appeared considerably thinner than when they had last parted, the shadows under her eyes pronounced, yet her stride remained purposeful.
Two assistants followed behind her, both familiar faces.
"Consultant!" Dr. Hanson stopped a few steps away, her tone marked by a distinct wave of relief. "Thank you for coming so quickly."
"Dr. Hanson," Osiris gave a slight nod, his gaze rapidly scanning her condition and the surrounding environment. "I received your transmission. Let us proceed directly to evaluating the situation."
"Of course," Dr. Hanson turned to lead the way. "We can talk as we walk. The situation here... is far more specific, and urgent, than what I described in the message."
They walked toward the shantytown. Along the way, Dr. Hanson began outlining the details: "Food is our primary crisis. The emergency rations we originally brought are nearly exhausted. Identification and cultivation of edible local flora are progressing slowly, soil composition requires adjustment, and many crops have long growth cycles.
We tried hunting and gathering, but efficiency is low and cannot sustain this many people. There are already several reported cases of mild malnutrition caused by inadequate distribution."
She pointed toward a plot of land enclosed by a crude fence, where green shoots grew sparsely: "That's an experimental field. We lack specialized agricultural equipment; fertilizer application and irrigation rely entirely on manual labor, yielding very unstable output."
As they traversed the residential area, Osiris logged key details: repair marks patched over panel seams, mismatched roofing materials; a shallow trench serving as a temporary drainage ditch; a few children playing in an open space with very few toys; and most adults engaged in manual labor like fixing tools, weaving materials, or processing food.
Everyone's clothing showed wear, though kept fundamentally clean.
No heavy machinery or transport vehicles were in sight.