Tychus grunted, but refrained from objecting further.
He knew all too well that the Terran Dominion was clearly unreliable right now, and Osiris's "Farstar Union" was a enemy beyond comprehension—the Raynor's Raiders' own strength appeared pitifully weak in front of the Eternal Seeker.
Seeking out those ancient alien allies with formidable psionic power and technology was almost the only seemingly viable way out.
Matt nodded, asking no further questions: "Understood. We need specific coordinates. Shakuras? Or Shakuras? Or their new homeworld, Aiur?"
Raynor pondered for a moment, shaking his head: "Aiur is still in the hands of the Swarm, far from being reclaimed. Right now, the political and military center of the Protoss should be the Dark Templar homeworld of Shakuras."
He looked at Matt, "Set a course for the outer perimeter of the Shakuras sector. Broadcast a general identification code—along with my personal identity signature. Use that Protoss emergency communication protocol Zeratul left me.
"Though there's no guarantee it will work, it's our most direct foot in the door right now."
Matt instantly grasped Raynor's intent.
Based on trust forged through surviving countless perils together, Zeratul and Raynor had shared a private contact protocol—in a Protoss culture that highly valued oaths and bonds, this might penetrate the silence better than official channels.
"Understood. Activating the Zeratul Protocol, transmitting a directional identification signal toward Shakuras." Matt began operating the console, "But we need to prepare ourselves mentally, Jim.
"Even if the signal is received, the Protoss response remains unpredictable.
"They might answer, they might remain silent, or they might even view our approach as a threat."
"I know the risks." Raynor's eyes drifted to the region representing Protoss territory on the navigational star chart. "But we can't just sit in the dark and wait. Osiris, Amon, Sarah's predicament... we need answers, and we need allies.
"And of all the factions, the Protoss are the only ones who have faced the apocalyptic threat alongside me, and are powerful enough to potentially comprehend our current situation."
His tone was firm. Though the road ahead was uncertain, at least the direction was now clear.
The Hyperion adjusted its posture, its engines letting out a low roar as it charted a course toward that mysterious and ancient sector.
When the transmission beacon of the Eternal Seeker lit up on the outer perimeter of the Dominion fleet's defensive zone, General Warfield was in the tactical briefing room of his flagship, the Ironclad, analyzing the latest batch of equipment upgrade blueprints from Korhal with his staff.
"General, outer sensors have detected a specific energy signature. Identification code reads 'Farstar Union - The Silent One.'" The comm officer's report interrupted the meeting.
Warfield looked up, not showing much surprise on his face.
Since the purification operation on Char, there had been three such visits.
Each time, Advisor Osiris would bring technical recommendations while taking away certain "special items" recovered by the Dominion from various battlefields for research.
"Grant docking clearance, maintain Security Level Two." Warfield set down the datapad in his hand, "Notify the Technology Reserve Division to prepare for reception. I will head over personally."
By the time Warfield arrived at the docking bay with four fully armed Royal Guards, Osiris's figure had already materialized at the far end of the gantry.
He was still clad in that dark red heavy armor, his optical lens gleaming with a calm crimson light under the bay's illumination.
No entourage, no guards—just him alone, striding with steady steps toward the heart of the Dominion fleet.
"Advisor Osiris." Warfield stood before the hatch, maintaining military courtesy. "What is the purpose of this visit?"
"The Keystone." Osiris's answer was as direct as his mechanical construct. "The Xel'Naga artifact used on Char to reverse Kerrigan's form. It is under your control, and I require it for research."
Warfield's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
The Keystone was indeed in Dominion hands—after the operation on Char concluded, the tri-node crystal, drained of energy and rendered dim, had been sealed within the flagship's highest-security vault.
Emperor Mengsk had personally issued orders to reverse-engineer the artifact that could "cure" the Queen of Blades, but progress within the Dominion Science Council was frustratingly slow.
"The Keystone is Dominion property," Warfield said, a note of testing in his voice. "Furthermore, its research involves the highest tier of security clearance."
"Which is why I came to you, General." Osiris's optical lens locked steadily onto Warfield. "According to the foundational cooperation agreement reached between His Majesty Mengsk and myself, the Dominion shall grant me access to non-core research resources and data.
"Researching the Keystone falls under this clause—it is neither core equipment in the Dominion's current military system, nor a key technology affecting political stability.
"And the analytical results of my study will be shared with the Dominion as per the agreement."
Warfield fell silent for a few seconds, weighing the gravity of the request. Raising his wrist, he entered a high-level passcode into his personal communicator, issuing an emergency contact request to the Royal Palace Tactical Room on Korhal. The encrypted channel chimed with a rhythmic waiting tone.
He made a "wait moment" gesture to Osiris, turning to walk toward a relatively secluded corner of the docking bay. A few seconds later, the line connected.
A holographic projection of Emperor Mengsk appeared before him, the Royal Palace Tactical Room serving as the background. The Emperor looked as though he had just concluded a meeting, holding a glass of amber liquor in hand, a faint trace of interrupted annoyance on his face.
"Warfield." Mengsk's voice came through the encrypted channel, low and direct. "Requesting comms at this hour—it had better be important."
"It is, Your Majesty. Advisor Osiris is currently aboard my flagship." Warfield lowered his voice, ensuring the conversation wouldn't be overheard by Osiris standing silently in the distance. "He has presented a new research request—he wishes to study the Xel'Naga artifact we obtained on Char, the Keystone."
From the other end of the comms came the subtle sound of a glass set gently onto a table.
"I expected as much." Mengsk's tone carried dissatisfaction: "That useless bunch in the Science Council spent a month on it, and aside from confirming that 'the object contains unknown energy' and 'its material composition cannot be analyzed,' they produced nothing. If Osiris wants to study it, let him."
Warfield lowered his voice further: "Your Majesty, the Keystone is an artifact capable of affecting the Queen of Blades. If Osiris discovers some function within it that we are unaware of—"
"Then that makes it all the more necessary for him to research it." Mengsk cut him off, a spark of calculated cunning in his eyes. "Warfield, do you still not understand? Osiris and his 'Farstar Union' possess technology beyond our comprehension.
"The purification of Char was a demonstration, but the technical 'assistance' he has provided over these past months—you've seen those blueprints, haven't you?"
Warfield had, of course, reviewed them.
After reaching the cooperation agreement, Osiris had provided the Dominion with a total of seventeen "foundational technical solutions" across three installments.
These solutions covered areas such as energy efficiency optimization, material fatigue resistance enhancement, and electronic counter-countermeasure algorithm improvements.
Every single proposal precisely targeted bottlenecks in Dominion military R&D that had been stalled for years—some even for over a decade.
For instance, the fusion reactor cooling system on Dominion Battlecruisers had long suffered from rapid efficiency degradation, requiring frequent replacement of core components during sustained combat operations.
A set of "plasma flow field steady-state regulation models" provided by Osiris was verified within just one week to extend the system's lifespan by forty percent.
Another example was the joint drive system of the CMC Powered Combat Suit, which experienced extremely high wear rates in highly corrosive environments like Char.
Osiris offered a specific alloy smelting formula and heat treatment process that increased costs by a mere five percent, yet boosted wear resistance and corrosion resistance by three times.
These technical contributions were, true to Osiris's words, strictly "foundational"—they did not touch upon core military technologies such as warp drives, energy weapons, or shield systems.
Yet it was precisely the resolution of these foundational issues that elevated the overall standard of the Dominion's military industry by a significant margin in just a few short months.
Reports from the Science Council indicated that at least eight key projects had entered mass production ahead of schedule due to Osiris's assistance.
"I have reviewed them, Your Majesty," Warfield replied. "They have indeed resolved practical issues. But the more this is the case, the more vigilant we must be. What he offers are always merely 'answers,' never the underlying principles."
"Precisely." Mengsk nodded. "He gives us fish, but does not teach us how to fish. That is why I agreed to let him research the Keystone—we cannot decipher the thing ourselves anyway, so we might as well let him take a crack at it. But there are two conditions."
"Your instructions, Your Majesty?"
"First, all data from the research process must be shared in real time with the Dominion Science Council. We need to know what he is doing and what he discovers. Second, ownership of the Keystone must explicitly remain with the Dominion, and it must be returned intact once the research concludes." Mengsk paused. "Furthermore, grant him permission to transfer the Keystone onto his Eternal Seeker for study—I want to see just how much more advanced the laboratories aboard that ship of his truly are compared to ours."
Warfield understood the Emperor's intent: use an artifact that the Dominion itself could not decode as bait to thoroughly observe Osiris's technological capabilities and research methodology.
At the same time, through data sharing, the Dominion might glean research concepts that transcended their current scientific paradigm.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I will handle it properly."
The communication ended. Warfield walked back to Osiris, his face resuming the stern expression of a seasoned soldier.
"Advisor Osiris, His Majesty the Emperor has approved your research request. However, there are a few conditions."
"Speak."
"First, all data, analytical results, and experimental logs generated during the research process must be synchronized and transmitted in real time to designated servers belonging to the Dominion Science Council. Our side will dispatch three observers to participate in the research process."
"Acceptable. Data sharing aligns with the spirit of our agreement. Observers must abide by our laboratory safety protocols."
"Second, ownership of the Keystone explicitly belongs to the Terran Dominion. Once the research is completed, you must return the Keystone intact. During the research period, you will assume full responsibility for its security."
"Accepted. I will ensure its physical integrity and safety."
"Third, His Majesty permits you to transfer the Keystone to the Eternal Seeker for study, but the transfer process must take place under our supervision. Additionally, our side requires a research progress briefing every seventy-two hours."
Osiris's optical lens flickered slightly, seemingly performing a rapid analysis of these terms.
Two seconds later, he offered his response: "The terms are reasonable. I can begin preparing the intake protocol now."
Warfield acted with high efficiency.
An hour later, under the supervision of four Dominion researchers, eight Royal Guards, and two officers assigned by Warfield, the Xel'Naga artifact—which had once radiated dazzling light in the depths of Char—was carefully removed from the flagship's highest-security vault.
The Keystone looked unremarkable now.
After reversing Kerrigan's form, the glow within it had completely vanished, leaving it resembling a dormant, massive stone.
Yet when researchers brought energy detectors close to it, the instruments still registered faint but stable readings—proof that the artifact had merely entered a state of latency rather than truly "dying."
The transfer proceeded under strict monitoring.
Osiris summoned a small unmanned transport shuttle, which detached from the Eternal Seeker and slowly docked with the Dominion flagship.
The interior of the transport shuttle had been specially modified, featuring a mounting bracket equipped with multi-layered energy shielding.
Dominion personnel placed the Keystone onto the bracket, after which the transport shuttle detached and returned to the Eternal Seeker.
Throughout the entire process, Osiris did not touch the Keystone even once, directing the mechanical arms via remote commands to secure and inspect it.
"Advisor Osiris," Warfield spoke up just as the transport shuttle was about to depart. "May I ask what the primary objective of your research on the Keystone is? Aside from 'academic interest.'"
Osiris turned around, the red light of his optical lens standing out vividly in the shadows of the docking bay.
"General, the Keystone is a Xel'Naga artifact. And the Xel'Naga, according to existing data, are the ancient precursor race that created the Protoss and the Zerg. To understand their creation is to understand the mechanics of certain fundamental laws of this universe." His synthetic voice remained steady and objective. "As for more specific application prospects, that judgment must await the completion of preliminary analysis.
"However, one thing is certain—if I can understand how it 'reversed' Kerrigan, I may gain greater insight into the fundamental nature of lifeform transformation. This holds potential value for medicine, biology, and even military applications."
The answer was seamless, providing a plausible motive while hinting at potential technical yields—precisely what Mengsk hoped to hear.
Warfield nodded and pressed no further. He knew Osiris would not reveal more, but at least this justification was sufficient to satisfy the Emperor.
The shuttle doors sealed, the engines ignited, and it glided smoothly out of the docking bay, heading toward the distant Eternal Seeker, which loomed like a mountain range of steel.
"General, are we really just letting him take the artifact?" a staff officer asked in a low voice.
"Those are His Majesty's orders." Warfield watched the transport shuttle disappear into the hangar bay of the Eternal Seeker. "Besides, the Science Council has already set up the data reception channels. Every single operation Osiris performs in that lab will be visible to us."
He paused, adding: "Notify the Science Council that all received data is to be backed up in triplicate immediately. One copy for routine analysis, one for the archives, and one more—sent to the special research group designated by His Majesty."
"Do you mean... the people from the Ghost Program?"
Warfield offered no verbal answer, confirming the directive with a look alone.
On his way back to the bridge, he recalled the final words the Emperor had spoken over the comms: "Warfield, remember—Osiris is a tool, not an ally. Tools are meant to be used, but also guarded against.
"The Keystone is a test—a test of his capabilities, and a test of his sincerity."
And now, the test had begun.
The deep research area of the Eternal Seeker, like other regions aboard the vessel, was filled with the distinct functionalist aesthetic of the Adeptus Mechanicus.
Beneath towering vaulted ceilings, several tiers of circular platforms encircled the central experimental zone, each packed with various sensor arrays, energy detectors, and multispectral scanners.
The air was thick with the scent of ozone and cryogenic coolant, underpinned by the steady, low-frequency hum of operating machinery.
The Keystone was positioned atop an anti-gravity levitation platform at the center of the experimental zone. No physical support structure touched it within a three-and-a-half-meter radius—only six overlapping layers of varied energy fields enclosed it, serving as both protection and containment.
Osiris stood before the primary observation terminal, his mechanical body directly connected to the surrounding control interface via data cables.
Dozens of holographic screens expanded before him, each refreshing data streams across different dimensions: energy spectrum analysis, material composition scans, spacetime curvature perturbation monitoring, quantum state resonance mapping...
Kerrigan was present as well.
She had been granted access to the observation area, but was restricted behind a reinforced glass curtain wall fifteen meters away from the experimental platform.
The psionic suppressors remained locked around her wrists, though Osiris had calibrated their intensity to a "monitoring" rather than a "suppression" mode—as long as she made no active attempt to harness psionic power, the enforcement measures would not trigger.
"So that's... the thing that changed me," Kerrigan's voice echoed through the comms channel, quiet yet laced with complex emotion.
"To be precise, it activated a reversal program pre-encoded into your genome." Osiris's focus remained largely anchored to the data stream, though he still allocated a portion of his processing threads to respond. "The Keystone itself is an energy catalyst and command transmitter. It does not 'create' anything new; it merely triggers pre-existing latent code."
"Like flipping a switch."
"An extraordinarily complex switch involving quantum-biological psionic fields," Osiris corrected, simultaneously directing a low-intensity neutrino beam to sweep across the Keystone's surface. "Your transformation involved the synchronized restructuring of over one hundred and seventy thousand genetic loci, alongside a global remapping of your psionic neural network.
"An operation like that requires nanosecond-level time control and subatomic energy guidance. From a technical standpoint, its precision far surpasses any known technology currently possessed by the Terran Dominion or the Protoss."
Kerrigan stared silently at the dim tri-node structure. Deep within the core of Char, it had emitted a radiance that shook the entire cavern, yet now it rested as quietly as a dead object. Still, she could sense it—not through psionic power, but through a more primal intuition—that something within was "sleeping."
"How do you plan to study it?" she asked.
"Multidimensional scans, reverse-engineering its energy structure, and attempting to construct a mathematical model of it," Osiris answered while pulling up a fresh analysis interface on his console. "Then, conditions permitting, conducting controlled activation experiments."
"Activation?" Kerrigan's voice rose half a octave. "You want to power it up again?"
"Under complete isolation and energy-restricted conditions, we will activate its basic functional modules to observe energy flow patterns," Osiris explained. "This will not trigger large-scale effects—it is like illuminating a single bulb filament rather than switching on the entire lighting grid."
At that moment, a hovering micro-probe ascended from the edge of the platform, emitting a slender, blue-white beam of light from its tip that struck one of the Keystone's edges with pinpoint precision. The beam persisted for three seconds before winking out.
"First scan set complete. Surface material analysis: unknown alloy; atomic arrangement exhibits a non-periodic quasicrystalline structure that should theoretically be incapable of existing stably under natural conditions," Osiris synchronized the analytical results to the display panel before Kerrigan. "Its density is eighty-seven percent that of an equivalent volume of titanium alloy, yet its rigidity and energy conductivity efficiency are three orders of magnitude higher.
"Preliminary assessment: its manufacturing technology involves the direct editing of fundamental material structures."
"Directly editing material structures?"
"Think of it as rearranging protons and neutrons at the atomic nucleus level to fabricate elements or isotopes that do not exist in nature," Osiris brought up a scan diagram. "Look here: on the standard periodic table, atomic number eighty-three is bismuth. However, the atomic nuclear structure displayed in this region of the Keystone's surface corresponds to... eighty-three point four seven. This is not any known element."
Kerrigan studied the data diagrams, which were far too obscure for her.
She had once been a top Ghost agent, formally trained in the sciences, but the material before her exceeded the boundaries of her knowledge.
"Xel'Naga technology..." she murmured.
"Far surpassing the current technological levels of all existing races," Osiris confirmed. "Yet that is precisely where its research value lies. Understanding this technological gap means understanding the true distance between us and those 'ancient entities.'"
Over the next six hours, Osiris executed twenty-seven sets of scans and analyses using varying parameters.
Every scan employed a distinct detection method: ranging from traditional electromagnetic spectrums to high-energy particle streams, and from gravitational wave detection to spacetime curvature measurements.
The data reception terminal of the Dominion Science Council faithfully recorded every bit of it. Yet according to a report Warfield received later, the Science Council was "entirely unable to comprehend what eighty percent of the data even meant."
Osiris cared little for how much the Dominion could understand.
What he needed was a complete dataset.
Once the baseline scans were complete, he initiated Phase Two: attempting to establish an energy link with the Keystone.
"Initiating low-power psionic simulation field," he commanded.
The ring-shaped array surrounding the experimental zone began to emit a low hum. A faint purple halo slowly materialized in the three-meter space around the Keystone.
This was not genuine psionic energy, but a "psionic signal signature" simulated through precise energy fields—Osiris hoped to "awaken" the Keystone's baseline response mechanisms through this approach.
For the first thirty seconds, there was no reaction whatsoever.
At the thirty-first second, a minuscule point of light emerged at the center of the Keystone.
The light was no larger than a pinprick, a dull gold, so faint as to be nearly invisible. Yet readings across all sensors began to fluctuate wildly.
"Energy readings rising at an incremental rate of three percent per second."
"Material structure scan indicates internal crystal lattice resonance has begun."
"Weak spacetime distortion detected—coefficient zero point zero zero zero zero three, but maintaining stability."
Osiris swiftly logged every piece of data. Rather than ramping up the energy input, he maintained the current stable output to observe the Keystone's autonomous response.
The point of light expanded gradually, growing from the size of a pinprick to that of a grain of rice before stabilizing. The Keystone remained dim, yet something deep within appeared to be slowly "awakening."
"It's absorbing energy," Kerrigan said suddenly. Standing beyond the glass curtain wall, a primal intuition made her sense the shift. "Very slowly, but it is absorbing it."
"Correct." Osiris pulled up an energy flow diagram, showing that zero point seven percent of the simulated psionic field's energy was being directionally drawn into the Keystone. "It is replenishing its base energy reserves. Reversing your state depleted most of its stored power; it is currently in a low-battery state."
"Low battery..." Kerrigan found the anthropomorphic phrasing somewhat absurd. "An artifact that needs charging."
"All ordered systems require energy to sustain themselves," Osiris replied matter-of-factly. "The only difference lies in the energy form and utilization efficiency."
He continued observing for another hour. Throughout this period, the light point inside the Keystone remained the size of a grain of rice, and the energy absorption rate stabilized between zero point six and zero point eight percent. There were no further signs of activation, nor any abnormal radiation or field effects.
"Baseline testing concluded." Osiris deactivated the simulated psionic field. As the energy supply cut off, the light point within the Keystone gradually dimmed and vanished, returning to its prior state of deathly stillness.
"That's it?" Kerrigan asked.
"Phase One baseline data acquisition is complete." Osiris began organizing the analytical results. "Seventy-two hours of data processing are now required to construct a preliminary energy model and material structure diagram. Following that, based on model precision, we will determine whether to proceed with Phase Two testing."
He paused, turning his optical lens toward Kerrigan: "During this process, I will require your assistance."
"Me?" Kerrigan raised an eyebrow. "What can I do? Right now, I can barely hold a combat knife steady."
"Your value lies not in physical strength, but in information." Osiris stepped toward the isolated glass curtain wall. "You are the only known individual to have been fully reversed by the Keystone. During the transformation, your consciousness was directly linked to its energy field.
"Even if you do not recall the precise details, your subconscious, your genetic memory, and even the residual traces within your psionic neural network may hold critical data."
"You want to scan my brain?"
"I intend to conduct a deep neural mapping and memory retrieval, prioritizing the extraction of all identifiable data during the period of contact with the Keystone," Osiris's tone was as calm as if discussing the weather. "This requires your voluntary cooperation. A forced scan would compromise data integrity."
Kerrigan fell silent. She looked at the dim artifact at the center of the experimental zone, then down at the suppressors around her wrists.
Then, she raised her head to meet Osiris's optical lens.
"And if I say no?"
"Then the research will proceed, but it will lack a vital data dimension. Efficiency will decrease, though not to an unacceptable degree," Osiris answered candidly. "However, if you agree and the data provided proves of sufficient value, I can consider adjusting your current confinement conditions in return.
"For instance, expanding your range of movement from your current suite to designated research zones, or granting a certain level of information access."
"Information access?"
"Regarding Amon, regarding the Xel'Naga, and regarding the true origins of the Swarm," Osiris said. "Many of the answers you seek reside within my databanks. Access, however, requires authorization. Assisting the research can be exchanged for authorization."
A calculating glint flickered in Kerrigan's eyes. She was weighing risk against reward, freedom against the cost. After a few seconds, she slowly nodded.
"I need to know the specific operational procedures, safety measures, and potential risks. Every detail."
"A reasonable request. All relevant information will be provided to you within three hours." Osiris accepted her conditional agreement. "Now, I will begin processing the Phase One scan data.
"You may return to your quarters to rest, or remain here to observe—if you are interested in the data analysis process."
Kerrigan chose to stay.
She sat in a chair within the observation area, watching Osiris throw himself back into work.
Across dozens of holographic screens, data streams cascaded like waterfalls, as complex mathematical models were constructed, tested, and refined in virtual space.
The Keystone—the artifact that had reshaped her destiny—hung quietly in the center of the platform, its dull gold surface reflecting the cold light of the laboratory.
Meanwhile, at the Terran Dominion's Science Council, the incoming data stream sparked a vastly different reaction.
"These readings... make no sense whatsoever." The chief researcher stared at the screen, his face a picture of sheer confusion. "Half the sensor methods he's using don't even have corresponding equipment on our end, and the precision of the other half is more than ten times ours.
"And these analytical algorithms... look at this code structure. This isn't based on the logic of any existing programming paradigm."
"How much of it can we comprehend?" Warfield asked via video comms.
"Surface data can be parsed at roughly thirty percent. Deep analysis... less than five percent," the researcher offered a bitter smile. "General, this is like showing quantum mechanics equations to cavemen. We know those are text symbols, but we have no idea what they mean."
"Keep recording and archive everything," Warfield ordered. "Furthermore, notify the 'Ghost Program' group—they may need to step in and analyze this ahead of schedule."
"Understood."
The transmission ended. Warfield leaned back against his chair, his brow furrowed deeply.
Osiris's research capabilities far exceeded expectations, which signified two things: first, he might actually discover vital information from the Keystone; second, the technological gap between the Dominion and the "Farstar Union" might be far wider than imagined.
And in politics, a technological gap often translated to a power gap.
Warfield hoped His Majesty the Emperor understood this clearly.
The Hyperion lingered on the outer perimeter of the Shakuras sector for over forty hours.
Matt Horner followed Raynor's instructions, continuously transmitting the special contact protocol code left behind by Zeratul. Yet aside from an automated response system confirming the signal was "received," there was no substantive reply.
On the bridge, the anxious atmosphere steadily mounted.
"Maybe they just don't wanna see us, Jim," Tychus leaned against the console. He had climbed back into his CMC-2A powered armor, looking ready to handle the worst-case scenario at a moment's notice. "Those Protoss have always been high and mighty. Right now they're busy prepping to take back Aiur—why would they have time for a few humans?"
Raynor stood before the observation viewport, staring out at the planet emitting a faint purple glow—Shakuras, homeworld of the Dark Templar.
In planetary orbit, several Protoss Carriers glided slowly on patrol, their golden hulls reflecting a sacred sheen under the star's light, surrounded by an escort fleet of Phoenix fighters and Void Rays.
This was a fleet in the midst of assembling.