Chapter One: Loopholes

The Guild Wars must seem insignificant in this day and age, but at the time they were considered the most destructive war in human history. Entire planets were devastated by the constant battles. What made it even worse was that neither side really cared all that much about winning.

A lot of people were much more concerned with profits than an actual victory.

Liberty's reports, volume III

Confederate Base Camp,

Twelve years ago:

There were two worst-case scenarios for a man to get into in the Koprolu Sector. One was getting on the Confederacy's bad side. The other was getting on their good side. Gregory Reikson was on their good side. He was familiar to a lot of people, a boy from Mar Sara like Jimmy, but he'd stayed straight as an arrow and kept fighting for the marines. After Jimmy had gotten demoted for slugging a superior officer who'd sent a whole company to die, Reikson had taken his place.

Tychus knew he had a reputation for being incorruptible. And now that reputation was on the line. He looked down at the gun on the table in front of him. A high-grade gauss rifle. Top of the line, one of the ones he had sold to a couple of scumbag Kel'morians after they were captured from Kel'morians who were located a little ways north.

'Recognize this?' asked Reikson.

'Am I supposed to?' asked Tychus.

'Strangely enough,' said Reikson 'this weapon was reported captured from the Kel'morians before falling back into their hands under mysterious circumstances.'

'A couple of misplaced weapons?' asked Tychus 'You really think that's gonna make any difference to the Confederates?'

'Have you seen today's paper, Mr. Findlay?' asked Reikson, before passing him a newspaper.

Tychus read through it.

'Rogue group of marines sells weapons and their souls to the combine.' said the report in big bold letters.

'Selling weaponry to the combine.' said Reikson 'Soldiers mowed down by weapons they captured mere days before? Corruption spreading throughout the ranks. There is hardly a Kel'morian Guild Leader that you haven't rubbed shoulders with.

It was your friend Raynor who led us here.'

'Really?' asked Tychus.

Jimmy had gotten careless. Tychus didn't believe for a second that he'd ratted them out, but Jimmy had been having doubts. He wasn't the deceptive type. He continued to scan through the articles, the public outrage. The papers probably all assumed he was going to jail.

They underestimated him. Tychus looked at Reikson flatly.

'…Have fun with it, kid.' he said.

'What?' said Reikson.

'This.' said Tychus, motioning around him. 'Make a fancy speech about how I'm everything that's wrong with this Confederacy. How criminal scum like me are half the reason this war is going on. Make it quick. Cause you got minutes before I'm out of here.'

'Are you blind? Or just fucking stupid?!' snarled Reikson 'I have enough evidence on you to put you away for multiple life sentences! You are going to spend ten years alternating between prison and court before you even start your fucking sentence! And that's assuming they don't just order me to have you shot! I don't think you understand just how fucked you are!'

'Two of my friends are dead.' said Tychus, remembering the arrest. Harneck had gotten reckless, Rykk had been taken off guard. 'And I won't forget the fact. But I like you Reikson. So I'm going to give you a heads up.' He pointed to the door. 'There is going to be a knock on that door over there. You're going to be called outside. In the hall, you'll find one of those cryptic badasses that the Old Families use. If you're lucky he'll compliment you on your investigation, say the Confederacy needs more men like you, and offer you a promotion as an incentive not to rock the boat. Then he'll tell you that I go free.

Now maybe you'll make a stand, maybe you'll resign. But it won't matter. I'll go free. I'll go free for the same reason you want to put me in jail. Because arms dealing is a lucrative business, and the Old Families love making money. But, since this war is their fault in the first place, they can't afford to risk having their fingertips on the guns. They need someone with contacts in the Kel'morian so they can keep this little war going for as long as they can.

See, you're right about me. I'm corrupt. I make money off of war.

Unfortunately for you, in this economy, it just makes me a legitimate businessman.'

For a long time, they held each other's gaze in silent challenge. Then there was a knock at the door. Reikson looked up, then back to Tychus. '…Go to hell.'

He stood and walked away. Tychus leaned back in his seat. 'Won't have to go far.'

Later Tychus made his way out of the base and was met by Jimmy Raynor. The kid was leaning with his back to the wall with his hands in his pockets trying to look cool and calm. He was failing. They fell in together and made their way to their transport.

'Tychus, are we good.' asked Raynor.

'Yeah Jimmy, we're good.' said Tychus 'But I think the smuggling game is getting too risky. Figure the Old Families will be wanting to replace us soon enough.' Just because they needed them now didn't mean they wouldn't look to replace them soon.

'Then… Tychus I think we should get out of the whole thing, okay.' said Raynor, handing him a cigerette. 'This was too close.'

'Relax Jimmy, we're not caught yet.' said Tychus, drawing out a lighter. 'All we gotta do is make ourselves a career change. Same contacts, different cargo.'

'What do mean?' asked Raynor.

'How do you feel about robbing some trains?' asked Tychus.

Business was about to get better.

Present Day:

Two months after the zerg were driven from the surface of Tarsonis, the planet had not yet recovered. Construction crews were going around the city twenty four seven just trying to get things working again. Many places lacked power, and some outlying settlements didn't even have running water.

Tarsonis needed money and lots of it. Emperor Mengsk, understandably, had more pressing concerns than repairing the damage his defeated enemy had inflicted on himself. Consequently Serena had been given the nightmarish task of fixing a planet with a fraction of her needed funds.

Fortunately the Old Families had a solution. More than anyone they felt the ire of the sector on them, and were painfully aware that the Dominion could have them all executed to cheering crowds by this stage. Consequently Constantino Terra had given substantial donations to funds for repairing the city. The other families had soon followed suite, not wanting to appear callous.

It was, of course, a bit too late for that as the battered and broken buildings which could still be seen from Serena's window with an aside glance said all too well. Even so, she was inclined to award them points for trying, she'd been considering forcibly confiscating their property to pay the bills for the reconstruction.

Either way, she had bills of her own to pay.

General Tavish Kerr was a lanky man with neat flaxen hair. His skin was smooth and he sat down with a certain pampered confidence. 'It seems we have both moved up in the world since last we met, Serena Calabas.'

'Yes, well, one does ones best.' said Serena 'I must know, how did you ever achieve the rank of General in the Kel'morian Combine without ever once fighting a battle?'

'The best battles are the ones you don't have to fight.' said Tavish 'I appealed to common sentiment to liberate various worlds from the Confederacy. When the need for actual combat came, I delegated authority to more experienced hands than myself.

Of course, since they were working for me, I got the credit.'

'Ah,' said Serena, drawing out a data chip. 'in any case, here is full payment for the loans I took from you. You'll find it all in order.'

'Thank you,' said Tavish 'I must admit I wasn't expecting to see a return on my investment for some years yet. Nor in so explosive a manner.'

'Well with the invasion by the zerg I expect many things happened that we didn't expect.' said Serena 'Chaos provides excellent opportunities to advance quickly.'

'True enough.' said Tavish. 'Shall we have a drink to mutual success?'

Serena made her way over to a refrigerator and drew out two cans of expresso coffee before passing one to Tavish. He looked at it strangely, somewhat started. Then looked to her.

'I don't drink alcohol.' said Serena 'And I don't smoke either.'

'But surely humanity conquered the negative side effects of those substances ages ago.' said Tavish.

'They're still addicting.' said Serena 'Besides, they taste terrible.'

'To each his own.' said Tavish.

They opened the cans and raised them, both feeling somewhat foolish. 'To the mutual success of Dominion and Kel'morian Combine.' said Tavish.

Then they drank.

Tavish looked at her strangely. Serena did not like his calculating gaze. 'Yes?'

'Ms. Calabas,' he said 'I have heard… unfortunate rumors about Tarsonis.'

'What kind?' asked Serena.

'Well there is word that the Old Families are more than a little unhappy with the way things turned out.' said Tavish 'Many special interest groups throughout the sector-'

Serena raised a hand for silence. Then walked over to the window and pulled aside a curtain. She motioned to Tavish, who came up. 'Look out that window, Mr. Kerr. What do you see?'

'…Ruins,' said Tavish 'I see a city devastated by the swarm, well on its way to recovering. Thanks no doubt to your family, and others like its efforts.' He paused. 'With no help from the Dominion.'

'Emperor Arcturus seriously considered razing Tarsonis to the ground, Mr. Kerr.' said Serena 'And most of the devastation wrought on it is a direct result of the Old Families actions. Believe me when I say that he has many other things to concern himself with.'

'Still, it does seem unseemly to let one of the Throne Worlds of the Terran Sector to remain in ruins.' said Tavish 'Surely you must feel some anger at such mistreatment?'

'Mr. Kerr,' said Serena 'this room is not bugged. Just what are you getting at?'

Kerr remained silent. 'The Dominion has occupied many of its best soldiers in a fruitless war on Char. After months of battle they have begun to withdrawal with little benefit. In light of such failure, it seems to me this might be an ideal time to reclaim your families rightful-'

'Get out.' said Serena with a smile.

Tavish flinched. 'I was merely saying that if you were interested I might support-'

'I am not.' said Serena 'Arcturus Mengsk is the greatest leader the sector has had in years. Someone who had not only defeated the Confederacy of Man, but united its Dominions against the alien threat. It is the proudest thing in my life to have served in its founding.

I will never betray it so long as I live.

Now, if there is nothing else, I'll show you the door.'

'Of course,' said Tavish 'I meant no offense.'

'Well you gave it none the less.' said Serena 'Don't let me detain you.'

'Good day, Ms. Calabas.'

Tavish Kerr walked out the door and Serena sat down in her seat and continued doing paperwork, approving new construction and other such affairs that fell within her providence. Then there came a chime.

'Ms. Calabas,' said a secretary 'Constantino Terra here to see you.'

Serena sighed. 'Send him in.'

Constantino Terra was a blonde mustache man with long hair, clad in a white suit. He came through and took off his hat, sitting down at the desk. Serena continued typing. She didn't want to give him, or any other member of the Old Families, the idea that he was in any way welcome.

'I am extrodinarily busy, sir.' said Serra, closing the window and looking up. 'What do you want?'

Terra seemed surprised by the harsh welcome. 'You truly are nothing like your uncle.'

'Mr. Terra,' said Serena 'I went to Mar Sara because I completely reject the Old Families idea of how one should live ones life. Business should never be mixed with pleasure, especially when peoples lives are on their line.'

'I was firmly against Arturro's plans-' began Constantino.

'Doesn't matter, you didn't do anything to stop him.' said Serena 'Not until Tarsonis had paid the price of your inaction. And who knows how many other worlds. Duran didn't clear everything with you people, and even if he did I doubt you were paying attention.'

'You work with Duran now.' noted Constantino.

'Yes, I do.' said Serena 'His psi disruptor gives us a serious advantage and his contacts allow the Dominion access to some of the most influential researchers and zerg specialists in the sector. If I'd had my way I'd have had him shot. If Arcturus had had his way all of you would have been shot, and if all of you had had your way Arcturus would have been shot.

So it seems nobody got what they wanted.' She was being discourteous now. She wiped her eyes. 'I'm sure you have a very good reason for being here, Mr. Terra, and it isn't in my nature to be impolite without reason. However, a gentlemen from the Kel'morian Combine was recently here trying to sway me into raising a rebellion against the Dominion. He is only the first of many people, many from the Old Families, who have given me flowery compliments on my bravery, lamenting the unfortunate breaking between myself and the Old Families, before subtly inquiring as to whether I am thinking of starting a counter revolution.

The general opinion among the sector seems to be that I'm an opportunistic witch who joined Arcturus solely to get back at my uncle, and now that I've had my vengeance will promptly turn on all my previous loyalties and set myself up as ruler of a Neo Confederacy of sorts.

Now I'm sure that Arcturus would have done that in my shoes, but I am not Arcturus Mengsk. Consequently if this business of yours has anything to do with activities which could be considered treason-'

'It doesn't.' said Terra 'It has nothing to do with that. What we did… what we allowed to happen was beyond forgiveness. We never should have let things go that far, but we did and now we're paying the price.'

'Very well,' said Serena 'what seems to be the problem?'

'My daughter never came home.' said Terra.

'Then perhaps you should file a missing person.' said Serena 'I'm sure if she has been captured someone will ransom her back to you soon enough.'

'It's not that.' said Terra 'I mean from the Baker's Dozen. She was sent there with your cousin, and a number of other Old Family heirs for safety as the war turned against us. The facility they were sheltering at was seized by the Dominion without a fight, and Emperor Arcturus agreed to return our children.

But… Nova never came home.'

'Oh yes,' said Serena 'I recall little Morgan mentioned something about her being taken into a different room. What do you want me to do about it?'

'That was a Dominion ship.' said Terra 'You are one of Arcturus' most trusted subordinates. Surely you must know something.'

'You underestimate Arcturus.' said Serena 'When you work directly under him you feel like you're his most trusted subordinate. That you and you alone have been chosen to achieve great things in the name of his cause.' She smiled. 'Then you find out you were part of a much greater whole all along. That operation was carried out by General Carolina Davis of the Dominion Fleet. I didn't need to know the details, so they weren't provided.'

'Davis?' asked Terra.

'Yes.' said Serena 'She was a former associate of yours, wasn't she?'

'Yes.' said Terra 'We used to do business together. Now she may have… You have a line to the Emperor himself.' said Terra 'If you inquired, you could find out. Couldn't you?' He was sweating. This was no political play. In that moment Constantino Terra stopped being a member of the Old Families and just became a man concerned for his daughter.

'I'm sure I could.' said Serena 'She isn't dead. Arcturus doesn't waste pieces on pointless brutality. Everything he does has a purpose. And given Davis' personal connection it is doubtful she would have killed her.' She paused. 'I'll look into it.'

'Thank you.' said Constantino 'I'll leave you to it.'

'Go to the waiting room.' said Serena 'I may be done with this quickly.'

'One more thing,' said Constantino 'when you said Arcturus Mengsk would betray you if he were in your shoes… do you really mean that?'

'Of course.' said Serena 'Just because I admire him doesn't mean I'm not aware of his personality flaws.'

Constantino left the room and Serena looked to her computer. Using it she opened a communication to the Emperor. It took a few minutes before he came through, then Mengsk appeared. He looked the very image of a benevolent and understanding Emperor.

'Ah, Serena.' he said 'I received your list of people who tried to subvert your loyalty. I must admit it was somewhat larger than I was expecting. I'd hoped people would have some more faith in your integrity.'

'Integrity is a concept the sector has trouble grasping.' mused Serena 'Whatever the case, I have a gentleman in my waiting room who is missing his daughter.'

'Surely that is a matter for the police.' said Mengsk.

'His name is Constantino Terra.' said Serena.

'Ah, that.' said Mengsk, expression darkening. 'Inform him that she was taken for a program for teens exibiting special talents and that there was a shuttle accident on the way. It may ring a few bells.'

'She's at the ghost academy, isn't she?' realized Serena 'So that's why you had the UNN do an expose on Jim Raynor's background and a history of the ghost academy. You wanted Terra to hear the news and freeze up in sheer horror at karma coming back to bite him. You're getting back at him for what his program did to Jim.'

'More or less.' admitted Arcturus 'Constantino Terra is the one who fielded the idea for the ghost academy in the first place. If I'd known it at the time of the trials they may have had an entirely different outcome, but these things sometimes take time to come out, and we had little time to spare.'

'I may be able to shed some light on that.' said Serena 'I… eavesdropped on a conversation between my Father and my uncle. Terra was upset as to what Arturro and the others had done to the program, and Arturro in so many polite words told him to shut up.

As usual Terra was voted down.'

'Be that as it may, my actions are perfectly legal.' said Mengsk 'Until such a time as my legal reforms go through we are still operating on Confederate law. And Confederate law clearly indicates that all psionically attuned children are to be recruited into the ghost program.

Frankly I could try Terra for treason for concealing his daughters ability.'

'Yes, yes, it is all very karmic.' said Serena 'But if we were in this purely for revenge Samir Duran would be dead, however much use to us he might be. Constantino Terra has thus far cooperated with us, his family is held in higher regard than the other families, and we should probably acknowledge the fact.

If the Old Families feel they have a stake in the system they are less likely to cause trouble.'

'So now we must restore the rights and privileges to the depraved elite that have spent centuries crushing the innocent underfoot.' said Mengsk 'This conversation is over Serena. Even if I was willing to make an exception to appease those parasites, I have a moral obligation not to. Nova Terra beat Kerrigan's score on the psionic exam.' He said it as though it explained everything.

'…Is that significant?' asked Serena. 'Look I realize that Kerrigan was a powerful ghost, but she was still mortal. Emily put an impaler round into her during the battle for Antiga. And without training-'

'Kerrigan had the highest psionic rating in the history of the ghost academy.' said Mengsk 'And you never saw her at her peak. The Confederates put psychic blocks in her mind which prevent her from accessing her full power. That is why the Queen of Blades is so much more deadly than she was as a ghost, the zerg… got around those restraints.

Right now, Nova doesn't have any of those psychic blocks. Nor does she have any training on how to control her power. If her emotions get out of control she could level a whole city block.'

'All right,' said Serena 'okay, so we can't release her. That doesn't mean we can't make any kind of concession. Has she been processed?'

'No.' said Mengsk 'They are still scanning her. And before anyone asks, I'm already initiating a series of reforms in the academy. Future ghosts will be mind wiped, like the Confederacy, but they will not be brutalized.'

'That's it!' said Serena 'Okay, make an exception for Nova.'

'Didn't we just go over this Serena?' asked Mengsk.

'No, I mean…' Serena paused. 'Don't mind wipe her. Let her keep her memories. She still gets trained as a ghost. She still gets indoctrinated and all that, but she is allowed to keep up communication with her family and all that.'

Mengsk considered that. 'What you're suggesting might be a serious security risk.'

'Fine,' said Serena 'we can take extra security measures to make sure she doesn't betray or something… Look just give me this Arcturus. This is literally the first favor someone has asked of me in months which doesn't involve treason.'

'All right Serena,' said Mengsk 'I'll see what I can do, but I'm not making any promises.'

'Thank you.' said Serena 'Listen, I'd probably better tell Constantino the news.'

'Do as you like.' said Mengsk. before cutting the channel.

Serena leaned back in her chair and mentally prepared herself for what she was going to have to do. Then she pressed a button. 'Carol-'

'My name is Cynthia, ma'am.'

'Whatever,' said Serena 'send Mr. Constantino in. I have his results.'

Authors Note:

And here we have the beginnings of the Enslavers Campaign. One of the things which surprised me was that a lot of people really liked the character of Serena Calabas and were doubtless disappointed when she didn't appear in Act II.

Well wish granted, I guess.

However I want this fic to be more than just Enslavers. It will be examining the situation in the Koprolu Sector immidiately after Arcturus Mengsk ascends to become Emperor. This is a subject that is barely touched upon in canon, all we know is that Duke successfully established Mengsk's hold on the sector.

I mean to elaborate on that here.