It had been three weeks since Harrison had set to work. The production of SCV's was his first step. He had twenty five SCV's constructed, and put them to work salvaging the armour, weapons, and technology from the battlefield.

The organic remains of the Protoss and Zerg were put aside for study. Diverse genetic material from the many Terran remains, as well as Harrison's own genetics, was used to begin re population via a progenitor machine in the command center's infirmary. The individuals produced were not clones, they were unique people made by recombining old DNA in new ways.

Once the salvage of the battlefield was complete, the SCV's began mining nearby mineral and gas deposits, as well as constructing new structures for the base: barracks, factories, star ports, refineries, and supply depots. They also produced the accompanying tech labs and reactors of course.

Harrison sat in his office off on the observation deck, the adjutant with him. They were reviewing the resource income and expenditures of the previous weeks. He understood this was a complex web of economics, something he excelled at. Having had few possessions in his life, he had no desire to spend more valuable resources than what was necessary. He studied the economics extensively and, with the adjutant's assistance, swiftly developed a knack for efficient resource management.

"General, this cavern and the connected tunnel system have plentiful resources, but outside expansion is preferable to draining it in its entirety."

"Our first drop ships will be ready soon. We can deploy them with the SCV's to establish a new command center. The trouble will be finding a suitably uninhabited area. Most of this world's land masses are already populated."

"What about off–world?"

"Yes, this planet's moon will make a fine starting point, then it's sister planet, Mars. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of other bodies capable of colonization in this system alone," Harrison mused.

"And when the inhabitants of this world inevitably notice us?"

"Given our rapid rate of expansion and advanced technology, we should have all the power we require to defend against aggression on their part by the time they notice us," he answered, the scenarios running through his mind.

"Concerning Hogwarts… do you plan to continue to attend?"

"I have to. There's too much I still don't know about the magical world, and Hogwarts is the best opportunity to learn. Plus it's close enough that I can attend and still keep in contact with the base without arising suspicion."

The adjutant nodded in approval. Harry stood, dismissed the computer's company, and walked to the observation deck. He arrived in time to meet with Hedwig. She brought two letters, from Ron and Hermione.

Harrison carried them back to his office to sat read them. Ron's was an expression of how relieved he was to hear he was okay, and a gentle inquiry into what was going on. Hermione was a not gentle inquiry, instead berating him on how he had worried them sick and how much trouble he was in. He responses were short and identical: he wrote that he was alive, safe, and happy.

Pfft, like she has a say. She's lucky I informed her. My life, my choices. Admittedly, it's nice that she cares. Perhaps we could recruit her… No. Not while she thinks she knows better than I. There can't be questioning of the chain of command. Harrison smiled at the prospect of bringing his best friends into the fold. He was getting better at hiding his emotions behind the mask of a commanding officer. It was important to contain his personal feelings when in command.


The drop ships were complete. They were of the G–226 medical transport variety. Originally meant for medical evacuation in the midst of war zones, they served the purpose of a drop ship equally well. There were three in total. One was loaded with SCV's, another with marines. They were sent to lead the colonization of Luna, Earth's moon. The third was retained at the base.

Harrison was in the command center's operations room. He sat close to the monitors, observing the drop ships, along with the rest of his command staff. The ships themselves were surprisingly fast. They'd reach the moon in moments. They would land on the dark side, to avoid detection. Once there, the SCV's would construct a new command center. Harrison would remote link to that base and commence expansion there too. Luna was barren of life, yet guaranteed to have a vast amount of untapped resources.

"Sir, we've touched down on the surface of Luna. Estimated completion time for the new command center is approximately eight hours. All SCV's are fully functional. All marines are in good spirits, and all their power armor is exceeding expectations for coping with the environment," a lieutenant informed Harrison.

"Excellent. Keep a close eye on the systems. Luna will be an important step for us. Communications Officer…"

He turned to look at the lieutenant he had addressed.

"Tell everyone that the Luna colonization is in motion."

She nodded and repeated his request into the speaker system. Harrison strode over to the observation deck. His people's subterranean expansion was almost complete. The cavern and tunnel systems were full of Terran technology and patrol units. Powered armour marines in tactically located bunkers occupied the entrances and exits. The armory, engineering bay, and ghost academy were nearly finished.

Soon there would be nothing left to do except gather resources and expand the military. Medivac drop ships, power armoured marines, and even grenade launching marauders were being manufactured. Later they'd be joined by ghost infiltrators, siege tans, viking fighter crafts, and banshee gunships. Harrison was developing a balanced force of infantry and air units, basic units and armored ones. He'd need every kind of unit, should war with the Earthlings break out. He sighed to himself.

This will be a long, dangerous path.


Historic note: During the fall of early Terran civilization, the name of the game was numbers. The Terrans, Protoss, and Zerg had reached the apex of their civilizations: weapons, armors, and scientific development. Terrans were losing. They were being overwhelmed by the Zerg swarm that outnumbered them close to one thousand to one in the late days of the war. The progenitor machine is what Terran scientists created to replenish their forces. It only partially worked. This way, Terrans still died; it was a three–way slaughter rather than a Zerg victory. The progenitor machine accelerates the age of individuals produced, in addition to mental imprints of knowledge. Thus those who emerge from it are fully educated adults.