Chapter 3

{ AFTER NOON } 

After six days, the new hostile force attacked the mining base and refinery facilities. After some research,video feeds, I have confirmed it was one of the Tyranid members from Warhammer 40K. I didn't remember which type, but it has something to do with a commanding type of something. Realising upon my discovery, I'm beginning to put in more personnel and build more defensive structures and war equipment to protect these strategic assets. Of course, I didn't forget to build more sensor towers along the way so I could detect the threat earlier and plan ahead of time.

After a new batch of marines and troopers, with a couple of vultures, APCs, and helions, I begin to order them to search for more resources, surver even further, and build more outposts and defensive perimeters to expand my territory and create a bigger buffer zone. The mining excavator progress has significantly increased, and my resource stock has reached new heights. At least the output it produces is close to 1500 minerals and 1150 vespenes per hour.

For the past 2 weeks, I've relied too much on infantry with a couple of APC as fire support. Thus, the casualties on my side are higher than anticipated. I thought I could handle a threat and ignore the possibility of this fucked-up world. The hidden subquest has now been completed, along with newfound knowledge. I finally received one of the ''must have'' units for any Terran player to date. The siege tank.

I don't know why it's not Crusio. Its weaker as Arclite, armed with smaller calibre and thin armour, but I think those beasts from the 1st great war are still good in my eyes. With newly found firepower, I quickly swap vehicle production with the tank and begin to put them in strategic place by using them in 'SIEGE' mode, A.K.A. artillery-style cannon, most of the time. Coupled with mobility to change between modes, I can essentially use them for defense and attackers, with a range of 25~35 km depending on the type of munition and possibility with future refit and upgrade.

This is the force to reckon with. There is no need to research ''Siege mode'' as the system kind of skips that part. Each unit cost 250 minerals and 125 vespene gas. So assume the Crusio model would be more expensive as a trade-off for better performance.Also I didn't forget about another variant called "Cannon Tower". Stationary and weaker version or siege tank in general designs but cheaper and easier to maintain. Plus it could be operate automatically or control by single operator. AI could remotely control it from far distance but for now I prefer manually. It was treated as another type of defensive structure instead of military unit.

Also I need to be creative with the unit I have. I just remember that I can customise unit before so why not do it again. The APC currently have only two variants so I decide to put drawing design to be modular and effective like I did to HELION (Warthogs). One of them is putting flame thrower,missile turret and maybe bigger cannon like plasma,laser or maybe railgun.This is my answer as stop gap until I have found better solution in RnD department.Plus number of personnel I can have can't exceeded total population.Anyway, let's review the update on my stats, which I didn't open for the for the past 15 days for unknown reasons, aside from the [SYSTEM] going on hiatus.

[Character Information]

Name:Jean Razak 

Gender: male (cannot change)

Age: 23 

Rank: Marshall 

Equipment: 

CMC 400a Lvl3 

C14 Impaler Rifle

-Hand Grenades 

Body Status: Augmented Human (no anomalies)

Skills: 

- Andreline

{Description} 

Faster movement, reaction, and strength for short periods of time in exchange for shortened stamina. The fire power also increased, doubling the fire power than normally is.The player will be surrounded by a red energy aura that is visible to certain people.

Resources:

Mineral:46,769

Vespene Gas:39,082

[Current military unit command]

Commander Unit:

Jim Raynor

Hero Unit:

n/a

Normal Unit:

SCV:4000

Marine:1500

-CMC 300:1200 

-CMC 400:300

Dominion Troopers:3500

APC:343

VULTURE:400

HELION:200

SIEGE TANK: 44

-Arclite:44

[Civilian population]

100,000 

<<BUFF >>

Faster construction and production methods until the player escapes the planet surface.

"Pretty good so far. But I need more tanks. Those nasty space bugs are tough nuts to crack. Siri, double the production of the siege tank and construct more factories. Status report on Earth Splinter Ordinance and Starport"

"Acknowledge diverting 40% of resources to siege tank production. ESO at 20% percent.Starport has resumed the repair, and currently the progress is steady. Require additional resources and SCV to speed up both constructions."

The ESO cannon is a huge artillery cannon capable of unleashing huge wide-range damage at distances of 100km and beyond with further research and upgrade. Another part of Mengsk's arsenal in co-op is his main source of damage. Geez, I've started to think the system is trying to force me to become him or what. While I prefer Jim Raynor kits as those guys, I'm using quite a lot of them because they're free and easy to use. By the way, I am focusing my intentions on a weird-haired man with a dirty grease white coat.

"Do what ever is necessary. Professor Stetmann. How is the research so far?" I ask the man with the lab coat. Wearing some glasses, and his hair was a bit dirty, though. His yellow teeth could be seen when he smiled.

Oh, anyway, Egon Stetmann is the first summoned hero from the compound after I brought back the hydralisk and some unknown carcass. He appeared after I unlocked the ZERG biology research menu, and he was free without any cost. But right now, he was not registered either as commander (co-op) or even a hero. Maybe he is just here to speed up my research progress since my buffs are not affected. Damn, I hope I have Rory Swann here to help me manage machines and stuff. Speaking of buff,. 

Some summoned heroes have special attributes that could be used as active or passive. Stetman buff is passive as he speeds up the research time of all possible research options and is not just limited to military but also limited to reverse engineering of alien tech. I bet the Swann guy has a better buff, especially with tech and war machines. Anyway, about Jim Raynor? I didn't see any buffs in his character data, or I just didn't look hard enough?. Alas, I didn't forget about new tech research. Of course, many of the unit options and upgrades are still locked or do not exist yet. 

My current location is in a joint fusion building of science facilities, a tech lab, a fusion core, and an engineering bay. Since the system allows me to customise not just troops but structures as well, It cost me a lot of money with whooping 45,000 minerals and 30,000 vespenes. Thanks to the many mining facilities and refinery I set up, the current is flow run smoother in and out like an ocean. Currently, this is the first customised structure I have ever built. So I need to inspect it myself to confirm it's functional. So far, there has been no problem since it was founded. No named are decided yet tho.

"It's pretty good so far, Marshall. Thanks to the carcass you brought days ago, we have found a way to increase our machine performance and endurance with these little tissue samples. With more time, we could, in theory, create super soldiers. But we are focusing on something we could achieve with current technology. Here, take a look." He showed me the laboratory console with a huge hologram screen. I see some weird science stuff I couldn't understand. But the system translates it for me in the form of a game WoL research interface.

(PICTURE)

(But with the human icon flexing its back muscle at the very top.)

"So we could research them simultaneously, but with a lot of cost as an exchange?" While in the game, you only choose one, but here this is an almost realistic life situation. So maybe some game logic does not apply here.

"Yes, and sorry, we already had to begin the research on the fortified structure of all of our buildings. This can increase the endurance and flexibility of the materials, so they could take punishment for a certain period of time.Salvage cost could bring more useful material to build next structure thus making use of resources more efficiently at least by 10% less than original.Second is adding a new function to our bunker with a new type of cannon to increase the firepower, and it could operate automatically. Currently, we are only in the ironing phase for ground use but not yet for the air targeting system.Oh and the bunker also can take more punishment and *Gasp* Still on the drawing board, of course." Giggling as he typed something on his tablet. He gasping for air because he talking not stop without taking a breath for a moment.

"Yeah, how long does it take for research and implementation of the current structure and forces?" I ask just to stop him from creeping me out.

"Wait, Marshall, let me finish first. Our research on these organisms could benefit not only military applications but also civilian use and humans as a whole. With more research samples collected, I could find a way to increase our natural lifespan, and our medical field will jump a century ahead.Even our construction effort would be reduced time and cost. But I need more manpower and resources dedicated to me to continue my work. I just need your permission, of course." He tried to sweet talk to me. It is tempting, but building more forces is more important. I have a feeling the 'revenge' might happen sooner. I don't want another 'Backwater' siege under my watch.

Until now, I never knew what this colony did to them. Most of the time, they refuse to tell me. Especially that cowboy. He always told me, 'You know about it; you can feel it'. Plus, the ''First'' clue hidden quest oddly gives me a scaring aura. There is something more about this world than I could imagine. I hope this is just my wild imagination, as I thought this world was "ZERAS," the home world of the zerg, a.k.a. Primal version since there is a lot of forest biome I saw so far. Or maybe it was a 40k forest world, but I couldn't remember name tho.

"Professor,first focusing on the medical field. I want a mobile medic that can heal my troops on the field quickly. If you can, try to find a way to be capable of fighting on the frontlines and do surgery on site." As I ordered, Stetman and his man began to work tirelessly to complete the assignment. But, of course, not without more Zerg samples. Even the system has issued a subquest, which is perfectly aligned with my current needs.

[New Sub Quest Initiated:Crazy Dave Plea]

Help Stetmann complete his research for the benefit of not just the colony but humanity as a whole. You might find some hidden artefacts if you look hard enough. Ganbare (*~<)< strong>

Progress

0.1%

The sample gallery (all types)

Tyrant (new)

Hydralisk (new)

Primal Hydralisk (new)

[NOTE]

(Updates will occur when the player encounters and collects the new sample.)

Reward:

-A new unit, "Medic," will be added, including possible upgrades.

-The colony medical field and facilities will be upgraded.

-Research speed will increase if it is related to biology and chemicals.

-An additional quest may be triggered if the player finds the "artefacts" while roaming the land.

DEADLINE: NONE

"So now we do the Raider mission. Hmm... Current forces I know are Zerg Hydralisk and a Tyrant!!?. Need more intel what biggest threat to us in vicinity.Let's go to the command centre first." As I move on to the next destination,.

{ COMMAND CENTRE}

After almost a half hour of walking and driving (which the colony base could be considered big), I finally arrive at my office, where I usually hang out and give orders. There was much information in the archive I could access, including information the [SYSTEM] didn't give me. But most of the file is corrupt enough that any attempts to salvage it will be futile. It includes the origin of this colony, which might give me an idea of the type of universe I got thrown into. To this day, I still don't know the whole picture about the people I'm leading.

Maybe this is an alternate version of StarCraft or by the gods I'm in the middle of the age of strife in the Warhammer universe. There are a few things I learn when I'm living here for more than half a month. The delerict ship, which is located in the centre of the colony, is an unknown class of prototype experimental colonisation ship intended to travel towards the nearest habitable star system from earth solar system.Around 2 kilometer length, 343 meter width and 500 meter height.No notables weapon been found so the ship truly was build for sole purpose only.

The ship is using the latest generation (at that time) of fusion engines to power up the prototype FTL engine called "Warp Engine System." Should this FTL drive design prove to be successful, humanity might use it as a blueprint for future ships. But of course, there is always a contender to fight for the right to be the first to pioneer humanity's greatest achievement to date. But the data regarding the second FTL drive is corrupted, purposely deleted, or hidden. Alas, the event that led the colonies here to be stranded on this death planet is still unknown. Only the highest-ranked knew about it, which is me, the current leader. Ok, let's cut short this wank history lesson, shall we? On the command console on my desk, I open up communication channels and connect them to Commander Jim Raynor for discussion about colony defense perimeter.

"Commander, any update about our neighbours?" I ask while doing the ''Gendo post''.

"Unfortunately, Marshall,our neighbour, is eager to give us some baking hot chocolate cake as a house gift. Multiple reports said there were many other myriad creatures beside our encounter during the Gaia Colony attack and the mining and refinery Alpha Outpost. Some even laid eggs, creating some kind of ferocious little insect swarming our defensive network and reaching even the cannon tower black points range. While some is paper thin easily shredded even from smallest fire arm but come with huge numbers like tsunami.Here is the picture of who we are up against. Currently, me and my fellow other officer are making a countermeasure to stop their advance into our controlled area, possibly reaching out to the to the colony and important facilities themselves."

"Understood commander, I shall send you more reinforcement as our current armoured unit focuses on producing siege tanks. Our infantry is also shifting in favour of marines for the heavy duty frontline as troopers for supporters. About our air unit, it takes time before it's fully functional. Do whatever you think is necessary to protect our home commander with our current forces. Give me an update regularly, as usual.Oh don't forget to collect and bring the sample for Stetmann research if you can.Marshall Razak out." I do a military salute and change my communication.

"Rodger, Commander Raynor out" as our line cut.

The situation is more dire than I anticipated. As I scroll down the data, I see more and more creatures I'm familiar with and others I'm not. Most of the creatures are not even Zergs or primal version. Xenomorp, more Tyranid unit type,bugs from Starship Troopers and some other creature I didn't remember. Although most of them are alien organism, one for them oddly is in fact earth origin. It was some kind bug with egg attached behind it guard by oversize wasp or winged ant?. Futhermore it was the most threatened due to its overwhelming number compared to others.For example like Zerg or Tyranids packs is around hundred to low thousand but these things. Numbering millions and practically could blocking the sun from reaching Gaia.

Luckily, it's only an individual group instead of actually combining forces.Most of time those things fighting each other for territory or food supply. There is not a single flying unit detected yet beside that earth origin giant bug. Most importantly there is no Single Hive mind entity type yet that rule, organise and form complex society been confirm.Alas, it's not dangerous enough for the StarCraft army to handle for now. This is why that guy said a battle between them was just normal. But what they usually encounter anyway.

With a covering area of 100 km radius from Gaia as a focus point, including a 2km buffer zone for the stop gap. With dense tropical forests, swarms,rocky canyons, and some huge open grass fields within my territory, the biome within my territory must have an abundance of resources, or maybe some artefacts waiting for discovery.

Without a starport or any aerospace facilities to launch any air force or even a satellite to get full pictures of the planet and effective reconnaissance and patrol. Plus, what kind of modern army is there without coordination and accurate information from satellites, even with futuristic weapons and stuff? Plus, my forces are stretched too thin to fight a war on this scale. I need more dudes to fight, as I fear all these nightmarish creatures could swarm my army sooner or later.

"Siri, I want to use 30% of the of the stockpile resources available to continue to support the war industry while the remaining is for our project,repair effort, and building more defensive structures. Tell all able citizens for mandatory enlistment and put them on training under the command of Raynor." 

"Yes Sir. Sending the order now" if the situation is not grim enough. The universe always has a plan to screw me up. Plus, the only heavy hitter I have is a siege tank. If I have Marauder or any extra heavy duty, that could be helpful. As the warning siren sounds and lights appear in my office and throughout the colony and outpost, Then a com-link holographic screen lit up again, but this time showing a face I was not that much familiar with.

"Marshall Jean Razak. This is 2nd lieutenant Shirogane Takeru, 3rd recon and expedition team currently in Grand Canyon region, 250 clicks Southeast from Gaia Colony. I think we have a situation over here," he said with an unfunny tone. While the visor still obscured his faces, I couldn't tell whenever he was scared or excited. Then the video feed showed me what he had found.

"I think I have found my answer." The camera tries to zoom in to give me a clear picture of what that thing is. A massive superstructure frame is buried deep down below the surface. Only some of its parts reveal its true form. The best part is that whatever is buried underneath might help my current dilemma. Further investigation is needed to know it's origin and its true form. That is another day for tomb raider activity.

Time Remaining for Escape

[11 months, 23 days, 10 hours]