Their Pain
Fan Work By: N3k0
Doctor Ariel Hanson was a telepath.
Not much of one, of course, but a telepath.
That was why it had hurt so much, when Jim Raynor said no. It wasn't wholly the injustice of it, that innocent Terrans – her people – should die at the command of the Protoss, though there was that.
"If there was a cure," he'd said, his voice ringing with conviction, "you would have found it already."
He had believed his words.
And that crushed what little hope she'd had left.
Years of research, countless lives wasted on its pursuit, and her only hope had given up on her. She imagined she could feel it, even at this distance. The pain of the flames lashing out, charring away all life, any life, Terran or Zerg. She felt like she should be there in person. To witness it. But no.
Jim had left her to research in the lab, despite the futility of it all.
She felt like she should be down there with her people. Hell, she felt like she was down there with her people, joining them in their countless, pointless deaths. She pushed her glasses up on her forehead, her palms into her eyes, too tired to really cry, though she felt the tears well up.
Her decision became clear.
She had already joined her people in mind, in soul … there was only one step remaining, really. She carefully removed her gloves – a minimal safety precaution at best – and then recklessly smashed open the containment unit for one of the Zerg samples.
She would join them in form. And, she thought, the mutations wracking her body, creeping into her very brain, she would live on. They would live on.
In the Swarm.
The doors slid open.
The Terran entered her lair, spattered with the blood of her children, and They raged. He had killed, and killed again, burning many, taking Their newest home from Them. He had killed even the land itself, and all of Their many bodies. Their connection was thin. They needed each other, and the others were so far away.
He spoke, but His words were lost in Their screams, Their rage.
The doors slid shut.
"Will you enjoy it?" A small, human part of Them remained, and It despaired. "Will you enjoy killing me?" It demanded of Him. "Like you killed my children?"
It knew Their pain. It raged with Them.
"You're infested," The Terran replied. "You're dead already."
They leaped at The Terran, and The Terrans' weapon ripped holes in Their body. Its blood sprayed across the room, and They escaped Its body.
They spread.
"Do it! Finish … it …. " It demanded. The Terran complied.
It had served Them well.
Its sacrifice had given Them Jim Raynor.
Its sacrifice had given Them The Terran.
"It's done, Matt." The Terran spoke. "I need a drink." And the doors slid slowly open for Him.