The large man walked up to the bar, the shadow cast by his massive frame nearly enveloping Raynor.
He glanced at the glass in front of Raynor, then at Raynor's face, which was filled with a mix of complex emotions.
Snorting, he spoke first, his voice loud and coarse, carrying a distinct tone that suggested he didn't care about anything in the world: "What's the matter, Jimmy? Drinking alone? That doesn't sound like you at all."
Raynor looked up at the face before him, both familiar and strange.
The grimness and struggle from moments before seemed to be replaced by a more direct mixture of annoyance and resignation.
He replied testily, "Tychus Findlay—looks like prison food didn't do much to change you."
The large man named Tychus burst into laughter.
Carelessly pulling over a barstool—which groaned under the combined weight of his massive frame and power armor—he sat down, his bulky suit taking up nearly two seats.
"Thanks to you, Jimmy, the 'recreation' in there wasn't half bad."
He took the cigar from his mouth, deftly twirling it between his fingers, though his gaze turned sharp as he looked at Raynor.
"But I didn't come all this way just to reminisce about the good old days.
I hear you've been working on some 'small business' lately?"
The implication in his words made Raynor knit his brows even tighter.
Before Raynor could reply, Tychus's gaze shifted toward the door, noticing Valerie and her conspicuous escort just as they were preparing to leave.
His eyes lingered on their distinctly styled power armor for a split second, a faint glint flashing through them before he quickly returned to his usual carefree demeanor.
"Looks like I timed this perfectly," Tychus said, turning back to Raynor.
He lowered his voice slightly, but it was still loud enough for Valerie to catch.
"Things seem pretty lively around here.
You're even drawing in guests with 'special gear.' What, planning something big? If there's a good score to be had, shouldn't an old friend get first dibs?"
Raynor glared at Tychus, clearly getting a headache from his old friend's sudden appearance and ill-timed banter.
He glanced at Valerie, who was quietly watching by the door, and then at Tychus, who was clearly intending to latch onto him.
The already chaotic situation felt even more troublesome.
Valerie took in everything happening inside the tavern.
The large man in blue power armor who had suddenly burst in shared a familiar yet tense relationship with Raynor, showing he was no ordinary bystander.
She clearly heard the name—Tychus.
It was an unfamiliar name, but combined with his appearance, gear, and the prison background mentioned in his conversation with Raynor, it was enough for her to note him down as a new variable requiring close attention.
His arrival had clearly disrupted Raynor's rhythm and added uncertainty to the fragile contact she had just established.
She showed no outward concern or emotion, acting as if she had merely witnessed an irrelevant reunion by chance.
Taking advantage of Raynor's attention being entirely occupied by the uninvited guest named Tychus, Valerie led her guards out of the tavern silently, leaving the increasingly tense atmosphere behind them.
Returning to the Thunderhawk gunship parked at the starport outside of town, Valerie immediately activated an encrypted communication link with the Eternal Seeker to report the initial results of the contact to Osiris.
"Initial contact has been made with the target, Jim Raynor.
The Swarm warning was delivered as planned, and his reaction matched expectations, showing wariness and a need to verify the information," her report was concise and to the point.
"The offer for cooperation has been extended.
He did not accept directly but set a trial to 'prove our value.' His attitude is guarded, but the door is open.
An unexpected variable arose during the contact: a man calling himself Tychus, wearing old-model CMC power armor, suddenly intervened.
He is close to Raynor and mentioned a prison past, with their dialogue implying he arrived with some kind of 'proposal.' Raynor referred to him as 'Tychus Findlay.' This individual's background, intentions, and influence on Raynor's subsequent decisions remain unknown."
After a brief silence, Osiris's synthesized voice came through, calm as always, though his analytical commands were swift and precise: "Tychus Findlay—matching database records.
Confirmed information indicates a deep history between him and Raynor.
Danger level: high.
His appearance is tied to the active steps Raynor will take next, which go beyond conventional defense.
This is not a bad thing, Valerie."
"Your orders?" Valerie asked.
"Adjust the priority of your next moves," Osiris commanded.
"Maintain contact with Raynor, and find a way to integrate into any substantial actions he and Tychus are about to take.
Your objective is to observe and evaluate up close, and if necessary, provide limited assistance or support for their actions that aligns logically with your current identity."
He paused slightly, emphasizing his core judgment: "According to the Swarm's signal spread model, the massive fall of Mar Sara is only a matter of time, and this window may be shorter than the public warnings suggest.
The local garrison and defenses cannot stop this flood.
If Raynor and Tychus try to accomplish something here, they will inevitably clash directly with the Zerg Swarm.
Your final phase objective is to ensure that you can guide or cover the evacuation of Raynor and his core team when the planet's defenses collapse and the situation completely deteriorates.
They, and especially the 'items' they might acquire, are far more valuable than this doomed planet."
"Understood.
Maintain integration, observe and participate in their actions, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the safe evacuation of the target individuals and any high-value assets they may carry before the planet falls," Valerie repeated the core points.
"Correct. Proceed.
The Eternal Seeker will continue to monitor the overall situation and provide the necessary intelligence support."
The communication ended.
Valerie did not delay; she quickly organized her thoughts.
Passively waiting for Raynor's 'trial' notice was no longer appropriate; Tychus's arrival meant the situation was accelerating.
She needed to take more active steps.
Shortly after, Raynor's communication channel received a message from 'Valerie' her tone calm and direct:
"Mr. Raynor, considering you may need time to verify the risks and gather your strength, we are willing to provide a small credit of supplies in advance for emergency purchases.
There is no need to sign a contract immediately; consider it a further demonstration of our good faith.
Additionally, if your outfit has any upcoming 'field operations' that require rapid mobility or weapons testing, my security team and their transports might be of use.
We are ready to discuss details at any time."
After sending the message, Valerie systematically checked the status of the Thunderhawk gunship and had her 'security consultants' perform their final gear checks before departure.
She knew that the final calm before the storm was likely over, and the real action—following Raynor and Tychus into the increasingly murky chaos of Mar Sara—was about to begin.
And in the skies above, the shadow of the Swarm was silently closing in.