1THE FALL OF KERRIGAN

Summary: It has been about 12 years since the end of Brood War. Kerrigan's Zerg still rule the galaxy, virtually unopposed by the Terrans or the Protoss. There are few enemies that could ever pose a threat to The Queen of Blades. Among them are the Terran Commander, James Raynor, and the Protoss Artanis and Zeratul. Despite these brave figures, an even greater threat looms on the horizon for the young queen that could shatter the very foundation of her empire. An uprising within her own ranks...

James Raynor awoke with a startle. He was dreaming about what had happened to him throughout the past. He dreamed about his long lost friends, like Fenix. He dreamed of happier times on Mar Sara as a Marshal. None of these had been anything new to him, however there was one thing he dreamed about...The Zerg. They were not as he saw them in real life; savage butchers of Humanity. Instead they seemed intelligent, like maybe they knew and had control of their actions after all. Raynor assumed these weird dream would have to have been some effect of the sleep pills he takes now. After all, someone who has been through and seen as much as he has, how can you possibly get a good night's sleep?

Raynor opened his window and looked outside. It began to hit him that this planet he had landed on held large similarities with Old Earth. Trees, animals, a familiar ecosystem. He decided to walk down to the command center and eat something for breakfast. It was a sorry excuse for food, but food nonetheless. Raynor walks into the Marine quarters.

"How's it goin Marines?" Raynor said simply.

"Just fine, sir."

"That's good to hear. Anything strange going on? Any reports from the scouts?" Raynor asked.

"No sir, this planet seems to be passive, we've encountered no Zerg or hostile wildlife. Whatsoever." replied the officer.

"Alright then. I'm going to take my Vulture for a spin and get the lay of the land. Can you handle base operations while I'm gone?"

"Not a problem, sir."

With that, Raynor went into the hangar. There was his old hover bike. Most likely an outdated model, but it had gotten him through a revolution or two. He examined the side dent for a minute. He had crashed into a rock on Antiga Prime, when Sarah Kerrigan had been near him.

"Dumb ass." she had said.

They had both laughed together.

Kerrigan...

That was someone he had not thought about for a long while. Raynor sighed. He had always admired here efficiency in battle, as well as her build and her physique, but most of all, her personality. Other then when she was physically burned out, she was charming. He had always felt a certain attraction to her, but war usually disbanded all possible hopes. And if they had not been enough, she had been taken by the Zerg, and they recognized her psychic potential, and infested her. It had to be her, of course. Couldn't have been someone he didn't know. Fate had rarely been on his side. Raynor sighed once more, and decided it best not to dwell on such feelings from the past, and to focus on the here and now. He passed through a canyon, resembling the one of Mar Sara that he rode along during his rough childhood. It was steep and narrow. He doubted his wits were sharper than before, so he decided not to speed through at 120 Miles Per Hour like he had done as a child. Instead he chose a more relaxing speed. For once, he actually admired the nature of this unnamed planet. Steep, narrow canyons. Beautiful, lush valleys, like how it had been at home. Raynor kept on, nearing the end of the valley. He then noticed something very strange, an all-too-familiar substance was hanging out of a wide cavern.

"No..No!!!!" He shouted.

Raynor is no fool, but he decided to check it out. He had is Gauss Rifle, night vision goggles and armor, he was fine. Besides, whether he died or not, he really didn't care. As he entered he heard something akin to what a whale would sound like.

"James Raynor..."

"Who...who the hell are you?" demanded Raynor.

"I am Cerebrate Daggoth, and I have been watching you, human. I hold your skills in high regard. I will admit you put the Queen of Blades to shame..."

Raynor calmed down so he could reply. Obviously this cerebrate wanted something, and it had him in a bind. All he could do is listen and reply.

" Why are you talking to me? I am no telepath like she is. I am normal..."

"Human...I seek not to infest you. I have realized with the past ages that your race is rarely compatible with our genes. However, Kerrigan was a rare exception."

"Well, I'm flattered that I'm not going to be infested, but I still don't understand what you want with me."

"Hmm...Then perhaps I should tell you why. You are familiar with the Queen of Blades, are you not?"

"Yes, I knew here well when she was human. I also know she is the most powerful being in the galaxy now." Raynor said.

"Ha! If only, if only. The Overmind saw great potential in Kerrigan, and decided to integrate her into the swarm. What the Overmind overlooked was her spirit. The Overmind is dead now, you see. She has taken most of the Zerg under her command."

"But you aren't under her sway. And you don't like her ruling how she is." finished Raynor.

The cerebrate sounded surprised at his reply.

"You catch on quick, Human. Perhaps I have misjudged your race? Whatever the reason, I have come to offer you an Alliance. Allow me to state my terms, then I will allow you to state yours. Fair?"

Raynor nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I seek to overthrow the Queen of Blades, and place the command back into Cerebrates like myself. I will admit with the small size of my Zerg, it will be very difficult. Tat is why I request your help."

"Well, I have helped her in alliance before, she stabbed me in the back and shoveled shit into my face every time." replied Raynor.

"Ha! Kerrigan is not wise. Nor does she have any regard for allies. I promise you I will hold true to any terms you present me with and that I agree upon. Will you assist me?

Raynor thought for a minute. Did he really have a choice? Would this cerebrate turn on him? Only time could ever tell...it is done.

"Alright, Daggoth. I will join you. However, on these conditions. The Zerg and Terrans are never to quarrel with each other again. Terrans will stay out of your buisness and Zerg will stay out of our buisness, unless we are allied, which I would hope we could always hold allied terms." Raynor stated.

"Very well, Human. I agree to you terms. The Zerg and your race will not be enemies any longer, as long as the pact is not broken. However, Terran's like Arctutus Mengsk will provide trouble to this pact...I assume this pact holds true only to your forces and civilians."

"Of course, I hate Arcturus. He can burn in hell. I agree to your terms."

"And I agree to yours. It is done. We are Allied."