ArchangleXymos: Thanks sir!
Dspendragon125: Really?! Thanks sir! But I hope the battles in the future would be better.
Guest: There will be, but not that VERY long. In my stories, I time-skip only less than 10 months unless really necessary (Like following canon). At the moment, I will only skip time with a minimum of…let's say from a day to months.
Akshka: I will make more.
Red Qim: You just have to wait sir, thanks. Oh and your Malaysian!...uh…Bonjour? Lol XD
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"Telepathy"
'Thoughts'
"Talks"
EMPHASISM
Highlight
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Chapter 6: Second council and planning.
It was two days since my first combat and exploration beyond the Psionic matrix and the colony was now lively as it could ever be. True to the task fallen to Li'hua which she completed, the engineering bays of the Citadel and the Forgery were now occupied by the Khalai engineers. The production for weapons of war and civilian needs had risen exponentially. Soon the Citadel armory will be full and I might need to warp in more facilities and Nexus's.
Then the golden streets of the colony was finally filled with patrolling Zealots, all conversing to the new body and world they are born into. No one voiced out their complaints about their new bodies, and apparently, they are instead very grateful to acquire a body that is similar to the Hierarch's and they see our physiological similarities to be very honorable.
The Zealot armor was more thinned down than its predecessor but nonetheless effective in protecting the user all the same. The shoulder-guards were now smaller and the golden carapace-like outer armor looked less bulky than it should be, the Plasma Shields are still strong like its predecessor. Thanks to the hard work of Tolun, the Zealots looked like a soldier of the heaven's light. Comforting and a wonder to the eye and intimidating to the enemy. Numbering less than a thousand, they split into divisions assigned to guard over the perimeters of the current territory.
While the Templar Guards stayed in the inner parts of the colony, specifically close to the Nexus's and the Citadel. The Templar Guards are just like the Zealots when compared to training and combat effectiveness. Only they had white capes and armored robes, armed with a long Psi-Lancer and a hand-held rectangular plasma shield.
While not undermanned, I was without leaders or figures of society. So the next day after my first combat, I awakened a soul of a Judicator. Thankfully, they are not stuck-up-assed as they were back in Starcraft 1. Judicators were the best in decision making, advisors in my case.
I threw away the caste system of the former Protoss society, I found it too un-united like and Artanis would approve. I was still in the process of making a new system for the Protoss. Democracy is inferior thanks to the Khala or me, Feudalism shames the culture of Protoss, Meritocracy is out of the question since basically every Protoss is military-capable, Imperialism again shames the Protoss culture and law though Alarak would've been proud…communism, however…not effective to Human capabilities but if Protoss maybe they can.
Anyways, back to the present. I'm in the War Council once again with two new additional leaders by my side.
Executor Lesandros was a military man, very much like to Ohkan but much more…eccentric. He wore the robes and armor that defines his rank. Short black hair but with a long red nerve cord, a shaven face sculpted by gods and a body very strong built that would shame Tychus Findlay.
Judicator Hozar…well, you can imagine a Beethoven in the future reborn only he wore the white and golden robes with less armor. That white puff hair and long white nerve cords really…stood out…nevermind. A very diplomatic and wise man as far as I'm aware with his emotions and thoughts.
Phase-smith Tolun was still talking about the Grimm we captured two days ago and can't seem to get over the fascination of the Grimm. In his perspective, the Grimm would be really fascinating IF you manage to capture a live one without killing itself.
Executor Lesandros and Li'Hua however had something different in mind, while not opposed to the usage of Void energy for combat, they very much hated creatures or at least those who are corrupted by its power and that's something I can understand in a military perspective.
"It was really fascinating." Tolun said.
"Tolun, you've said that six times already." I snorted with a roll of the eyes.
"But Hierarch, truly this being is one to be fascinated." Tolun insisted rather passionately.
"Then please explain scientifically why you see as such?" Ohkan asked, a nod of agreement coming from the Executor.
"You see Hierarch, this Grimm is not entirely an organic being. This being is half Void and Organic, almost hybrid but not of two race but a combination of an element and a DNA." Tolun said as he typed something in the pad in his hands.
A holograph of a Beowolves autopsy result flashed to existence in the middle. True to his words, half of the Grimm was organic, the innards were however only bones, rotten meat and blood. The lack of digestive system suggested the importance of Void energy in the outer shells of the creature, they feed on Void Energy alone and the rage to kill any being on sight was unneeded for them to live.
"So you're saying, were dealing with something like a Zerg Infestation only it's not a virus but Void Energy?" I said as Tolun nodded after a few seconds.
"That is one similarity, the corruption spread through the creature leaving it incurable. Yet unlike the former firstborns who fell into darkness at Amon's grasp, it is not control over the mind but rather mutation."
Well that explains the Grimm coming to existence, the question though…where did the Void energies came from? The Void is stuck in a rift of space and time so they can hardly reach Remnant unless they are native like the Tal'Darims homeworld. But Tolun explained that the Void energies lingering in the air where cost by the Grimm who were already corrupted…so that changes the question…who corrupted them, better yet, where did Salem access Void energies from? As far as I'm aware with the universe, only a xel'nage or Amon has the capability to fully control the Void energy at will. Not even Adun or Tassadar can manipulate the Void energies to such an extent.
Unless the cataclysmic event that happened to the moon in Remnant caused Void energies exude from her core and invade the surface of Remnant. WELP! That is one theory of mine! The moon had Void energies to the core and when it shattered, the Void energies released like a storm invading the surface of Remnant causing the majority of wildlife to turn to what is now the Grimm and surf humanity to Stone Age. That draws another question though…who shattered the moon? The fucking Moon.
Enough with theories for now, I needed to face facts first.
"There is only one cure we can give to this creature and that is purifying fire of the Templar." Preserver Li'Hua sounded her voice with a just voice.
"No argument there. You see when I severed the left arm of this Beowolf, the arm started to dissolve into ashes releasing Void Energies into the air." Tolun said.
"I definitely can't see any soul inside it. All I sense is Void and rage." Executor Lesandros said.
"As I also do. How do you suggest we approach this…problem?" Li'hua asked me and I pondered for a second. Both in the long and short run, the Grimm are nothing but a nuisance to the Protoss army. BUT they are good instruments for hunting and training newborns in the future.
"Nothing…The Grimm is not a threat to our territories, a Zealot can wipe out an army unless overwhelmed or outnumbered. I'll risk my faith to the perimeter defenses. Executor Lesandros and Judicator Hozar."
"Yes Hierarch." The two said in unison both perking in anticipation.
"Executor, I give you the task of defending our borders and upgrading our defenses, the Zealots in your command should suffice enough but should you need more, do not hesitate to request more and make use of our robotics facilities. Judicator, you are in charge of expanding the Psionic Matrix and our territory. But don't expand past the mountains, not a league away from the grasslands and not beyond the dark forest but nonetheless large enough to accommodate a million and turn this small colony to a shining city capable of independence."
"As you command Hierarch."
"You may excuse yourselves." I said and the two just nodded promptly left the chambers as did Ohkan.
"Phase-smith Tolun, have your colleagues finished surveying the land." I asked and he nodded.
"Done Hierarch, we've found high deposits of minerals and are bound for reaping by your command. Though they found something that may be of use." I raise my eyebrows.
"What is it?"
Tolun took out something from his behind and held a red glowing crystal. I took it from his hand and felt unstable yet controllable nuclear energy exuding around the crystal. It was then I realized the mineral I was holding.
"Dust?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. I forgot about the native resource of Remnant, Dust.
"Is that what it's called Hierarch, I am intrigued. Before this council, I took the liberty to scan the mineral and found foreign results."
"I am well aware about the mineral Tolun, I am not surprise that you would find yourself intrigue."
"Yes, this Dust as you call it…differs from every color the survey team collected for research, each color having their own distinctive level and type of energy. May I request that you share your knowledge about this Mineral?"
"Of course, I'll be sure to write it out in the Data-Matrix, I'll inform you when done."
"Much appreciated Hierarch."
"So what's more to discuss?"
"I inform that two Nexus's are now dedicated to creating the new bodies for the Protoss. Each filled with thousands of Psi-tank capsules able to create bioorganic forms in the matter of seconds." Li'Hua informed and I nodded approvingly.
"Really, so that's why I'm feeling tinglier than ever." I wasn't even lying. I felt a foreign feeling when I draw Psionic energy from myself and release it as my weapon, not exhilarating but still shuddering and that feeling became stronger during the continues built of new bodies reborn Protoss souls.
"Is drawing Psionic Energy from you tiring you Wales?" Li'Hua, with a hint of regret, sounded really concerned. How sweet. I shook my head and gave a smile in hopes to ease the concern drawing from her.
"No, don't worry I'm fine. But I do want an alternate source of raw psionic energy in the future to power our Pylons and what not. We can't always rely on me despite the infinite amount."
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind Wales. The air in this world is so corrupted and littering of Void energies that Psionic energy is absolutely scarce, I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault Li'Hua so let's move this subject away. Anything else to discuss? Then this council is adjourned."
With that, we went to our separate ways. Tolun straight went back to the Starforge chambers to continue his faithful work to the Protoss, he was still busy the personal task that I gave him privately. Li'hua returned to the Archives storing up information and awakening sleeping souls back into the fold.
I find myself in the command room. Unlike the other day, the room was filled with Probes maintaining and organizing things. Now handful of Zealots manned the consoles and computers, probably remaining in contact with the Judicators progress and keeping watch on our outer defenses.
If there is one thing I really wanted to do with the Protoss, it was teamwork. The Protoss are fanatically dedicated in working for the greater good of their race and others. Always restless and eager to work in long hours without respite.
I remember questioning myself for the first time since I found myself in Remant. It was a day ago. Everyone was at work while I find myself just there standing giving out orders and I hated being useless and a burden. Li'Hua counseled me that I was not a burden and the souls willingly followed me and seeks my guidance which I countered that I felt they were like slaves and myself an unwilling master. I asked to the souls of billions in my heart if they saw me as such.
And they answered with a simple no.
They reasoned that I was the Khala, I am the one that binds them together, not control them. It was just due to the fact that I am a Hierarch and the Protoss are too honor-bound for their own good. They say I was chosen for a reason, they say I can lead them better than any other leader, they had all their faith in me to lead them.
I shivered at the thought.
The burden was too much and that was the moment I could relate the feeling of Eddard Stark when he unwillingly became Hand of the King.
It was then I realized that all the Zealots in the chamber were looking at me. I felt the Khala that binds the emotions of all Protoss were filled with my self-doubts and I felt comforting emotions trying to poke in the back of my head.
'Idiot! You really had to show weakness in front of them' I mentally scolded myself.
"There is no need to worry my brethren, I am not giving up on you. Know that I will lead you till the end of my days. I'm just reminiscing on my former…inferiority." I telepathically declared to everyone who felt my self-loathing emotion.
"We share the burden Hierarch and we stand by your side." The Zealots said in unison, I also heard Li'Hua, Ohkan and Tolun in the synchronized voices in the Khala.
"Thank you everyone."
Welp…Back to work.
[END]