StarCraft II: Outer Haven

Chapter 001: Foreign Competitor

Prologue

For the past four years, freedom fighter Jim Raynor has haunted the edges of the Terran Dominion, pursuing his crusade to overthrow the tyrannical Emperor Arcturus Mengsk. However, Koprulu Sector is going to change beyond anyone's expectation.

From the Earth, Militaires Sans Frontières, a Private Force composed of former XCOM soldiers, resistance members and aliens who opposed United Powers League, finally arrived the Koprulu Sector.

In the other hand, Amon, a malevolent Xel'naga who connected to the Void has reawakened. If Amon lives again, he will destroy the Koprulu Sector.

As a result, the Koprulu Sector won't be the same anymore.


Liberation Day?

On Mar Sara, far off the beaten track, there is a "Joeyray's Bar" situated in one of the most arid and disreputable districts. No outsider would know this little bar, because It is a locals-only establishment, so this place becomes the best hiding place for the most wanted terrorist – Jim Raynor.

4 years ago, Jim Raynor was a captain leading the "Raynor's Ranger" unit who fought in Arcturus Mengsk's resistance movement - Son of Korhal. Jim once believed that toppling the Terran Confederacy would end the misery among human in the Koprulu Sector, but he was totally wrong.

Arcturus Mengsk later turned into a new tyrant once Terran Confederacy capital – Tarsonis city being overrunned by the Zerg Swarm, and he betrayed everyone including Jim's girlfriend – Sarah Kerrigan. Mengsk abandoned Kerrigan and her troops to the overwhelming Zerg force Mengsk at New Gettysburg on Tarsonis. This betrayal caused Jim defected from Son of Korhal and began his own rebel movement – "Raynor's Raiders" against Mengsk and his Terran Dominion.

Unfortunately, Jim Raynor's rebel is too far from success comparing to Mengsk's Son of Korhal in the past. Firstly, Raynor's Raider has no any Terran Ghost while Mengsk had defected Terran Confederate Ghost – Kerrigan's services before the betrayal. Secondly, Raynor lacks public support while Mengsk gets promoted as savior before the Terran Confederacy collapsed. Thirdly, Raynor's Raider is on the edge of bankrupt, and it is barely functional relying on the little funding sent from the Mar Sara locals, Kel-Morian Combine and Umojan Protectorate. Fourthly, Jim Raynor is not good enough as a rebel leader. He totally lacks ambition or political skills opposite to Mengsk. This causes the low morale and a lack of resources in the Raynor's Raider. Under heavy burden, Raynor is almost drowned by his terrible past and the alcohol he drinks every day.

It is noon now. No people stay in "Joeyray's Bar" except Jim Raynor, even the proprietor of the bar - Joeyray isn't here. They all have their own business to deal with. Hardship takes its toll on Jim. He loses his youth and determination. The tidiness he once had in Son of Korhal is gone. His hair and bear are in disarray and growth. He is an old man now and going to get more silver hair and winkles. The passion and dream which Jim once had are replaced by tiredness, disappointment, revenge and emptiness.

At this moment, Jim Raynor is sitting alone in the empty bar. The TV screen hanging on the wall shows a UNN newscast held by Donny Vermillion, "...and in other news today, Emperor Arcturus Mengsk held a press conference commemorating the end of the so-called Brood War some four years ago. Our own Kate Lockwell was on the scene."

While Jim Raynor fills his beer mug again and drink it all in one go. The screen switches to focus on Kate Lockwell interviewing Arcturus Mengsk. Kate Lockwell asked, "Emperor, the threat of a new zerg invasion is still very real - but instead of expanding our fleets, you've squandered trillions on hunting down has-been rebels like Jim Raynor!"

On the screen, Arcturus Mengsk spoke on a luxury stage, "Jim Raynor represents a clear and present threat to this Dominion! He is an unscrupulous, lawless revolutionary bent on spreading fear and dissention across the sector! He and his ragtag band of miscreants have instigated open rebellion across six separate worlds - and stolen vast amounts of Dominion weapons and hardware! ..."

At the same time, Raynor stares at a photo of a beautiful red hair woman in wore Terran Ghost costume - Sarah Kerrigan, back when she was still human. His mind is clouded by the past between he and she. Meanwhile, Arcturus Mengsk continued his speech on the Universal News Network, "I assure you, this criminal will be brought to justice... very soon."

Instantly, Jim Raynor's anger goes out of control and pull out his rusty revolver, "It ain't over till it's over, you son of a bitch!"

The bullet penetrates the center mass of Mengsk on the screen which causes the TV shut down. Jim lowers his revolver and realizes he just broken other's TV again. He turns his head away and turns on his very bulky laptop. A bald female robot appears on green hologram projector and Jim asked, "Adjutant, are my troops ready yet?"

The Adjutant answers, "Your forces are prepared and awaiting your orders, Commander. Uploading tactical data now."

Jim Raynor speaks without realizing he is late because of drinking too much, "Good. 'Bout time we kicked this revolution into overdrive."

Adjutant shows video of a pool defense Dominion military base. There are very little armored unit including a single A2 Viking Armored Mechanical Hybrid and handful of light armor vehicles, "Backwater Station is the center of Dominion logistics on Mar Sara. Destroying Dominion authority here will cripple Emperor Mengsk's operations throughout the planet."

Jim Raynor askes, "Adjutant, why is this station important? Dominion only has very weak military presence there."

Adjutant answered, "Dominion forces have set up a logistics headquarters in the town of Backwater Station. This has become the hub for all operations on Mar Sara. The Dominion recently pulled troops out of the city, and they are now understrength."

Jim Raynor questions, "Are the locals cooperating?"

"The people of Backwater Station are known to be anti-Dominion. But they lack weapons and organization…" The Adjutant suddenly switches the satellite live streaming, "Commander, there are 4 unidentified personal fighting a group of Dominion marines on neighbor region of the Backwater Station. I'm detecting at least 2 unclear unknown unrecorded psionic signals. Multiple class eight psi-patterns detected. Recommend extreme caution."

The video feed shows a crossfire near the checkpoint on the main road to the backwater Station. A vehicle seems exploded and stopes the whole Dominion military convoy from moving. Dominion marines with red CMC Powered Combat Suits are fighting 4 guys with different unknown body armors which don't match any known faction in the Koprulu Sector. These 4 guys seem to be some kind of special force. Their energy weapons unlike anything Raynor has saw among Terran soldiers.

Suddenly, purple psionic energy appears on one of the unknown soldiers, it is being concentrated on his left palm and turning into a purple energy ball. Then, the energy ball shoots toward a group of Dominion marines and creates a Void Rift. It is a psionic ability which Raynor have never seen. The Void Rift grows bigger until it envelops a group of Dominion soldiers. This Psionic attack causes them scream in agony. Some Dominion soldiers even shoot their comrades in Psi Panic…

In the chaos, a Dominion officer is being pull out from his cover toward another unknown soldier in white and red armor far who hides near the broken convoy. Before this officer recovers from the movement, his left kidney takes a knockout punch in a blink. This unlucky officer instantly collapses on the ground after receiving such serious amount of damage and pain from a single punch…

On the other side, a different unknown soldier with purple uniform runs toward the remaining Dominion soldiers. When this unknown soldier gets close to his Dominion enemies, he shows a weapon which Raynor has only seen it being used by the Protoss - Psi Blade. Raynor knows Terran have been trying to replicate Protoss weapon since the Great War, but he has never seen any Terran wielding Psi Blades until now. The Psi Blades of this unknown soldier cut through the Dominion CMC Powered Combat Suit and create a wave of energy toward his swinging direction in the same time.

"Protoss!? This is impossible!" One of the Dominion marines scream. He tries to run away but the 4th unknown soldier shoots him down. That marine fells on the ground. Then, this unknown solder pins the last three Dominion soldiers down with her Plasma Rifle until all Dominion survivors surrendered.

Under well planned ambush and the element of surprise, the remaining Dominion soldiers were neutralized by these 4 unknown soldiers quickly. Then, these 4 guys disarm those surrendered Dominion survivors and tie them onto a weird balloon. In screaming, all Dominion soldiers are pull up helplessly. After those Dominion soldiers are gone, these unknown soldiers release the passengers who being locked in the Dominion vehicle of the whole time.

Suddenly, Raynor's Adjutant loses its satellite connection. The live streaming stops. After seeing these unknown soldiers fighting the Dominion convoy, Jim Raynor stands up and orders, "Prep my ship. We may find some new allies there. If things go well, they may even join us to fight against Mengsk. Then, we will take that headquarters away from Mengsk more easily, and it'll cripple his presence on this planet."


Persona Change: D-Snake

At the same time in orbit of Mar Sara, a black colored VTOL which was once used by ADVENT forces many years ago moves close to a satellite. Its jammer is on and that cuts off any nearby communication. The original ADVENT logo of the VTOL is already replaced by a Diamond Dogs logo. A female Viper in Powered Plated Environmental Sneaking Suit (In short, Sneaking Suit) with steel gray camouflage shows up when the VTOL's side door opens. She grapples to the satellite.

""D-Snake". This is Kaz. Have you reach that uncooperative satellite yet?"

"Kaz, this is "D-Snake". I am in position now. Just wait a few minutes and I will fix it." The Viper opens the satellite chassis, reveals the hardware inside and scans them with her personal customized GREMLIN Mark III.

"Here you are." Within seconds, "D-Snake" finds a tiny chip from the satellite motherboard and pulls it away easily. "Is this satellite's live streaming function in our total control now?"

"Yes, there is no unwanted live streaming anymore. You can return now."

"So, all satellites around Mar Sara are truly under our control now. No bug problems anymore. Once "Big Boss" takes over the Backwater Station, local Dominion forces on Mar Sara will lose contact with core worlds, and other Dominion Armed Forces won't know what happens in Mar Sara." "D-Snake" looks down on Mar Sara and she feels that Earth is far more beautiful, but there's no point in crying over spilled milk. They are already in the Koprulu Sector. Too late to turn back now.

"This planet will be our new mother base until a better home is found. We will make our new future from here."

"Let's hope so. I really want sunset beach holiday now, not a dust ball without ocean." "D-Snake" says in guilt. She is the one who brought Militaires Sans Frontières here. She is responsible of putting everyone in this situation.

""D-Snake", I need you return to "Peaquod". You should be the one to interrogate those Dominion POW "Big Boss" just caught. They are on the way."

"No problem. I will use the containment facility on "Pequod" to house our new captives. Tell other medical staffs to prepare for work. Time to get our hands dirty again." D-Snake returns to the VTOL and the side door shuts behind her.

"Treat humans like aliens?"

"Not to worry. I've not lost touch with interrogating humans yet. I won't leave any permanent damages on their bodies." "D-Snake" smiles and watches another VTOL enters Mar Sara atmosphere from the radar screen.

"Just like old times."


Persona Change: Big Boss

"Garrett Snelling? We are here to get you out." "Big Boss" speaks to a young man who still stays inside a disable Dominion vehicle. He refuses to leave when all other passengers already run like hell to get back their home.

"Stay away from me! Terrorist. I have nothing to do with Raynor's Raider!" Garrett screams in the car.

"We are not Raynor's Raider. We are a private army called Militaires Sans Frontières. Your dad, Arnold Snelling, paid us to break you and your siblings out from Dominion labor camp. He is willing to pay whatever he has to us if we bring you back home safely. Where is Oscar Snelling now?" Big Boss simply answers.

"So, who are you? You are not even wearing CMC Armor. How did you take out those Dominion marines? They are much bigger than you." Garrett changes his mind once he heard that his rescuers are not wanted terrorists. He walks out of the Dominion prison car and judges the unknown soldiers from head to toe.

"Call me Ahab. Since we are not locals, our armors and weapons wouldn't be the same. You haven't answered my question yet. Where are your siblings now? We can't find them in this convoy." "Big Boss" takes out a Fulton recovery device from his six-color desert pattern Sneaking Suit (a new variant of light weight powered armor system developed from the Wraith Suit after War of the Chosen) and attaches it to Garrett's waist.

"Calvin Snelling is already sent to Backwater Station before my transportation two days ago. What do you do now?" Garrett asked when he doesn't know what Big Boss is doing.

"Don't resist. My people will bring you back home." Big Boss activates the Fulton device and Garrett is floating few meters above the ground.

"What? Ahhhhhhhhh!" Then, Garrett is being pull straight up to the sky by the balloon.

"Is this necessary? We can call our VTOL to pick him up." One of the Big Boss' squadmates, "Patch", asks in amusement. She is a Specialist who utilizes her own remote-controlled airborne drone called a GREMLIN to provide team support. Like "Big Boss", she had left XCOM after the War of the Chosen. She is the battle medic of this squad now.

"This is faster than waiting for VTOL to pick him up." Another squadmates, Mox, says calmly. Unlike "Big Boss", Mox is not human or former XCOM soldier. He is a Skirmisher of a former Earth resistance faction called Brigade of Flame. At first, he was an ADVENT soldier created by the alien who called Ethereal to serve and die as their puppets. Ethereal manufactured ADVENT soldiers with human genetic material as a bonding agent to insert whatever alien DNA they want, so Mox possesses both human and alien genetic characteristics. Fortunately, some ADVENT soldiers who learned how to remove the chips that connect them to the Ethereal's Psionic Network. As a result, they have been liberated from the Ethereal's control and became independence from them. Now, Mox joins this mission to helps his leader, Betas to learn more about Mar Sara through first-hand experience.

Suddenly, "Big Boss" receives an emergency call from "Pequod", an alien Battleship which is used as the flagship of the Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) now. About three hundred years ago (around 2204), the Ethereal had started the invasion of Earth. At the beginning of that alien invasion, most alien spacecrafts were shot down by XCOM Interceptors, and some of them had fallen into the ocean. After 20 years of alien occupation on Earth ended, MSF found some of those alien spacecrafts which had been discarded around the Abyssal Zone or below of the ocean on Earth. Eventually, MSF repaired those spacecrafts to escape from United Powers League (UPL). They have turned their back on Earth from that moment.

""Big Boss", one bogey toward your AO, steady at point five miles." The staff of the Combat Information Center (CIC) on "Pequod" alert the ground squad. "It's flying to you…"

"We need to leave now!" "Big Boss" orders and fires his wrist mounted grapple to the nearby cliff. His grappling hook pull him toward the high ground. His squadmates follow him immediately.

"Is it Dominion reinforcement?" "Ether" askes. He is the only human Templar among this squad. Like typical Protoss zealot, "Ether" also uses a pair of Psi Blades in close combat and Powered Templar Armor. However, human Templars don't limit themselves like Protoss zealots do. These Human Templars carry autopistol, use explosive charges and other Psionic Powers which are uncommon among Protoss.

"Negative. IFF doesn't match." The CIC staff reportes.

"Who are on that spacecraft?" Mox askes and ready his Kal-90 Bullpup, a plasma assault rifle used by Skirmisher.

"Six humans onboard. No alien. No psionic power detected. Don't look like dangerous. Just in case, we are sending air support to you. Firestorm "Demon-03" will arrive in 5 minutes." The CIC staff answers.

"Should we ambush it here?" Specialist "Patch" asked.

"No. Our main objectives are rescue imprisoned Snelling family members and capture local Dominion logistics center as intact as possible. Unless this bogey or people in it attacks us, we will do nothing with it. Let's move to Backwater Station now." Big Boss' squad leaves the cliff. They take the high road to the Backwater Station while the bogey crosses the broken bridge.


Persona Change: Jim Raynor

After few minutes, Jim Raynor and his troops are going to the Backwater Station by a black colored Special Ops Dropship. They fly over a broken bridge and stop above the main road.

"Alright boys, let's show the locals they don't need to fear the Dominion." Raynor jumps out from his dropship. His troops follow and land on the ground. His Dropship flies away immediately after Raynor and his troops touch the ground.

Quickly, Jim Raynor and his followers reach the location where the Dominion convoy was ambushed, "Keep your intervals wide, your eyes open and your asses covered. Let's move!" Raynor starts looking for possible remaining enemies or ambushers.

They search around the stopped vehicles and find no one there. Only the vehicle wreckage and Dominion bodies remain on site. However, Raynor cannot shake the feeling that they are being watched.

Walking along the main road, Raynor and his soldiers meet a female civilian who speaks to them in fear, "Don't go up that road."

"Did you see any soldier who just ambushed the Dominion convoy or outsider who brought weapon?" Raynor asks.

"They have already left." The civilian points to the cliff.

Raynor wishes to follow the disappeared ambushers, but CMC armor clearly cannot climb over cliff which is so steep. Therefore, he gives up the chase. Raynor's team takes the low road and pass a corner. They immediately meet a poorly constructed blockade which only guarded by 3 Dominion marines.

"Raynor? Kill him!" Bullets start flying around…


Persona Change: Big Boss

"So, this man is the famous local rebel Jim Raynor." Big Boss and his squadmates observe the combat between Ranyor's Raider and Dominion marines from above. Nothing special happens as Dominion side has fewer soldiers and lesser skills comparing to their opponents. The result is obvious.

"Should we help them now? We share the same enemies." "Patch" asked.

"They can handle themselves. These Dominion marines are no match to them. Our mission is rescuing the VIP and capture Backwater Station first." Mox added.

"Kaz. This is Ahab. Ready our ground troops to capture the Blackwater Station. Load human soldiers, Heavy MEC units, Sectopods and whatever you think are needed into the VTOL. Deploy them into the station once we secure the VIP!"

"Yes, "Boss", this will be done. Our comrades are very eager to join the fight after they witness those Dominion soldiers are so weak and so few on this planet, especially soldiers from DESPERADO Enterprises. "Sundowner" really wants to do some exercises and spill a lot of blood on the ground."

"I don't think locals will welcome any alien after what Protoss or Zerg did on this planet, and I doubt they will accept what "Sundowner" may do here. Tell those Mutons to wait. It's just too soon for any alien to show up on Mar Sara now." "Big Boss" says. His squad move again when Raynor's Raider are still fighting Dominion marines on the main road.

"Are you worry that those rebels will destroy the Backwater Station?" Mox asks when they start running in full speed.

"If Backwater Station is destroyed, Dominion will be alerted and send in reinforcement to wipe out any possible threat on Mar Sara. We need Dominion being ignorant of us, or we would lose a potential base to rebuild MSF in the Koprulu Sector." "Big Boss" explains "D-Snake" new plan after their arrival delay in the Koprulu Sector.

The whole squad jumps down from the cliff and bypass the Dominion marines who gather in the center of town. The local Dominion force solely focuses on Raynor's Raider now, so they don't expect any new enemies passing by carelessly.

"Plus, if we capture this logistics headquarters and hub for Dominion operations on Mar Sara, we can resupply out tiny fleet and hack into the Dominion deep-encryption network directly. MSF will gain more intel and building new Shadow Chamber will become possible." This situation reminds "Big Boss" that how XCOM fought in the War of the Chosen.

"What if those rebels want that station, too? They certainly have the right to get back what they were stolen here. They are locals." "Ether" askes in worry.

"One problem at a time. We will try to talk this out later." "Patch" activates her GREMLIN Scanning Protocol to search for any hidden enemies in the empty town, but nothing is found.


Persona Change: Jim Raynor

After dealing with the tiny Dominion blockade, Raynor meets some Dominion propaganda device - Holoboards which keeps playing Arcturus Mengsk's recording, "Keep a close watch on your neighbors. Dissent will only slow our progress." "Korhal is the heart of the Dominion, but the common man is the heart of the future!" "Work hard. Stand proud. We must all sacrifice for the glory of the Dominion." "No sacrifice is too great for safe guarding our communities..." "Your freedoms must be protected!"

"Commander, destroying Dominion Holoboards will help incite rebellion against the Dominion…" Before the Adjutant finishes its suggestion, Raynor already pull the trigger.

"I'm gettin' mighty tired of seein' Mengsk's face! Blast it!" Jim Raynor orders in rage.

After 20 minutes, Jim Raynor finally destroys every Dominion Holoboards which he can find near the town, and he kills all the Dominion marines who protect those things. At this moment, Raynor suddenly realizes something wrong in the town, "Where is everyone?"

Raynor and his soldiers starts searching civilians in the town. Later, they find a scared civilian, "My neighbors. My family... Dominion takes them all away."

"This is starting to look ugly." Jim Raynor shakes his head and returns to the path which leads them to the Blackwater Station.

"Commander, a large Dominion force is gathering on the road." Raynor's Adjutant warns. Raynor finds out that there are 10 Dominion marines in front of him. These enemies are waiting for Raynor's Raider's arrival behind sandbags.

"That's Raynor! Most wanted man in the Dominion!" One of the Dominion marine shouts. From the sky, three enemies' A2 Viking Armored Mechanical Hybrids are landing behind those Dominion marines in Assault mode.

"Then it's time to call in that 'special delivery' we talked about." Jim Raynor orders his reserves to land behind Dominion troopers through three Drop Pods. With the timely arrive of 9 allied marines, the stationed Dominion force becomes outnumbered and being killed easily.

"Thanks for the assist! We're with you, Raynor!" One of the marines who just arrives says.


Persona Change: D-Snake

After those surrendered Dominion soldiers being retrieved by Fulton surface-to-air recovery system with Diamond Dogs' VTOL, they were immediately transported to the alien Battleship "Pequod". A welcome party composed of "D-Snake", 2 Elite Lancer from the Skirmisher, few Mutons from DESPERADO are waiting for escorting those Dominion prisoners to the Containment facility.

"Why don't we just execute those useless Dominion prisoners and take away what they have? We don't have much space and resources to hold prisoners here. This spacecraft is already overcrowded." "Sundowner", the Muton commander of DESPERADO and former Muton Elite before his demotion in ADVENT asks "D-Snake" annoyingly.

"It is immoral to execute Prisoners of War like that. MSF will build a suitable facility to hold them up after we take over the Backwater Station. Furthermore, I want to know more about Dominion and what kind of changes have happened to human race during these three hundred years we lost." "D-Snake" gives "Sundowner" a cold stare.

"You speak like you still make the call in MSF. Don't you forget that you have already screwed up? Tell me. Is this your privilege of being "Big Boss" girlfriend huh?" "Sundowner" snorts while he plays with his Fusion Machetes. Other Mutons behind him laugh.

At this moment, the airlock opens. Three Dominion marines and one Dominion officer who are escorted by former XCOM soldiers look at the welcome party in total surprise, "Snake!" "They are aliens!" "Run!" "This can't be real!" The Dominion officer even wets his trousers and collapses on the ground.

Actually, "D-Snake" isn't just a code name. It is an appropriate title for a female Viper who is being a field agent and scientist in the same time. On the one side, her opponents call her "Demon Snake" because of what she does in work. On the other side, that means "Dr. Snake", just like her human mother – Dr. Vahlen did.

All Dominion prisoner loses their calm. The marines did a 180 degree turn and try to go back to the VTOL which brought them here. Of course, this is not allowed. "D-Snake" springs a great distance and blocks their escape route, so the closest Dominion marine immediately throw a straight punch to her. In reflex, "D-Snake" blocks the CMC fist with her right Shock Lance (shock baton she took from ADVENT Elite Lancer) and stunts him.

Although CMC Powered Combat Suit is immune to most small arms fire, but it moves slowly and be vulnerable to electric shock. These features make Shock Lance an effective weapon against CMC suit.

The Shock Lance electrodes the right fist of the CMC suit and disrupt the nearby right-hand operator interface. The Dominion Marine's right-hand recoils under electric shock and leaves his right side defenseless.

"D-Snake" pulls back her right Shock Lance after strikes the incoming hand and electrode the CMC suit with her left Shock Lance. Force the Dominion Marine steps back in chest pain.

A single Shock Lance is already enough for Close Quarters Combat (CQC), but a pair of Shock Lances are more suitable for torture. It's easier to control where electricity goes in and out from the body this way. That's why "D-Snake" carries a pair of Shock Lances in work.

Keeping the momentum, "D-Snake" weaves her Shock Lances through different directions with staple technique called sinawali until the Dominion Marine who is in receiving end stops moving anymore.

Another Dominion marine try to interrupt but the Elite Lancers from the Skirmisher strike his back with their Shock Lances. Unlike "D-Snake", those former ADVENT Elite Lancer haven't lowered the output voltage, so that marine's CMC suit is down immediately.

The third Dominion marine tries to run away, but "D-Snake" does a classic Viper Tongue Pull on him. She pulls the prey into her coil with lightning speed. Unlike other Vipers, "D-Snake" gets Gene Mods from her mother which makes her stronger. Moreover, she has martial arts training for her work after she finds that Arc Thrower is too unreliable. Furthermore, "D-Snake" is in her own Powered Plated Environmental Sneaking Suit now. That's why pulling a Dominion marine who wears CMC suits into her hug isn't difficult at all.

Above the "bound" Dominion marine, "D-Snake" points her two Shock Lances right to his chest. With a little electric shock, his CMC suit is shorted out.

"Prisoners. You better cooperate. Stand up. Walk to your own cell by yourself. If you refuse, I will keep shocking you until you comply." "D-Snake" speaks after she releases that poor Dominion marine.

"Ah… I can't walk." "Medic! I can't feel my legs!" "Are you serious? My suit can't even move!"


Timeskip

Persona Change: Big Boss

"Ahab. I find something very interesting in those CMC Powered Combat Suit. You have to know this." "D-Snake" speaks in the comm.

"What have you found this time?" "Big Boss" opens the prison cell where Dominion holds Oscar Snelling.

"CMC Powered Combat Suit are not shockproof. If you use Arc Blade, Shock Lance, Ionic Ripjack, Stun Rod, Bluescreen Rounds or EMP Bomb on them. The Lockdown System of their suits will trip and prevents the user from moving. In short, electric shock can paralyze Terran marines without killing the wearer." "D-Snake" explains with images showing some disassembled CMC suits.

"Well, Clark, you give me a good idea. Kaz, do you hear me?" "Big Boss" motion battle medic "Patch" takes care of the VIP.

"I'm here, "Big Boss". What do you want this time?"

"Kaz. Is it possible that our Sectopods being dropped precisely from the VTOLs without activating their parachute packs' thrusters?"

"Yes. Our VTOL airdrop can do this. Even without those thrusters, Sectopod can still land accurately at any point you want and enter combat immediately. Sectopod is very tough after all."

"Good. I know how to deal with those Dominion Marines in Backwater Station now…"

Timeskip

Outside the barbed wire of the Backwater Station, "Big Boss" throws 3 special Mimic Beacon right into the middle of the open area. Once these Beacons touch the ground. They generate holographic decoys of sexy bar dancers. This immediately draws all nearby Dominion marines' attentions. Those Dominion soldiers start gathering around those Mimic Beacons unprofessionally.

"Big Boss" immediately marks the locations of those Dominion marines with his scope, then he orders multiple airdrops through his tablet. After few seconds, 3 Diamond Dogs VTOLs pass by and release their cargo. 3 Sectopods with Diamond Dogs logo descend quietly while their parachutes open in midair.

When those Dominion marines are still watching the holographic decoy, Sectopods are hitting the ground with great impacts. Knocking nearby Dominion soldiers to the ground.

Before those Dominion marines can stand up, these Diamond Dogs Sectopods stand up and extend their legs. All Sectopods emit their Lighting Field as once, disable all Dominion soldiers' CMC suits instantly.

The last 2 Dominion Vikings which just return to the Blackwater Station land and turn into Assault mode once their pilots see all remaining Dominion Marines are lying on the ground unconsciously. However, their arrivals can't even the odd because they already fall into ambush.

"Big Boss" and "Quiet" simultaneously focus their Psionic Power into their own palms while the last 2 Dominion Viking show up. Before those Viking pilots realize what happen, they already get hit by their enemies' Psionic Resonant ability. Their minds be dominated without any resistance.

From now on, the Backwater Station falls under Militaires Sans Frontières' control. More MSF troops which include human soldiers, Heavy MEC and Elite Stun Lancer enter the station by VTOLs. They move into covers and wait for the Raynor's Raiders' arrival. They won't let locals destroy this place.


Timeskip

Persona Change: Jim Raynor

Raynor sees a group of unknown VTOLs landing unknown troops into the Backwater Station when he is destroying another Dominion Holoboard. So, Raynor and his followers immediately rush toward the station, but they are too late. It is already occupied by soldiers who he doesn't recognize at all.

Carefully, Raynor's Raiders walk close. They meet a man with unknown armor leading a group of unknown humanoid soldiers and advanced military robots to block the front entrance of the Backwater Station. 3 massive bipedal robots with long legs are backing those foreign soldiers up. Although these newcomers are using different weapons, but they all share the same logo on their outfits. The logo has a dog above a blue diamond with a yellow ribbon below. The ribbon is written: DIAMOND DOGS.

"Hello. Mr. Jim Raynor. This Backwater Station is under Militaires Sans Frontières' control now. What will you do?" The leader of this unknown army asks.


Codex

Characters

Locals:

Jim Raynor

Commander of Raynor's Raiders who starts a revolution against Dominion on Mar Sara. He seems to be an alcohol dependent.

Arcturus Mengsk

Jim Raynor's No. 1 enemy who is a master manipulator. He is the Emperor Arcturus Mengsk I of Terran Dominion now.

Arnold Snelling

The first client of Militaires Sans Frontières found in the Koprulu Sector. Original owner of White Rock Base. He is the father of Garrett Snelling and Oscar Snelling.

Garrett Snelling

Arnold Snelling's son. Dislike Raynor's Raider

Oscar Snelling

Arnold Snelling's son. A terrorism suspect who was interrogated by local Dominion officer.

Outsiders:

Big Boss

Also known as "Punished Snake" and "Ahab". One of the leaders of Militaires Sans Frontières. Mercenary commander of the Diamond Dogs. Renowned veteran in War of the Chosen. Former Ranger, Specialist and Psi Operative of XCOM. He later defected from XCOM. One of the founders of Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) to combat United Powers League and XCOM. Agreed with D-Snake's plan to leave the Earth and establish MSF in the Koprulu Sector. Unfortunately, this plan is sabotaged, and MSF's arrival is delayed more than two hundred years.

D-Snake

Real name Clark Vahlen, also known as "Demon Snake" or "Dr. Snake". One of Militaires Sans Frontières' top advisors. A field agent, battle medic and scientist of the Diamond Dogs. One of the lead figures of Viper community. Daughter and successor of Dr. M. Vahlen. Female Viper with the mind of a human. She and the Viper King were created from the same embryo which was discovered by Vahlen during War of the Chosen. Once became double agent of Skirmishers and scientist of XCOM. Eventually joined the Diamond Dogs and Militaires Sans Frontières. She brought Huey and Strangelove to MSF which caused the Alien Nav Computer be sabotaged.

Did she receive her mother's Selfish Gene?

Kaz

Kazuhira Miller. Subcommander of both the Militaires Sans Frontières and Diamond Dogs.

Ether

Real name Daichi Kato. Veteran in War of the Chosen.

Mox

Skirmisher. Veteran in War of the Chosen. Former ADVENT soldier.

Outrider

Reaper. Real name Elena Dragunova. Veteran in War of the Chosen. She is the one who stopped the Dominion convoy with environmental explosive. Camouflage Parasites user.

Patch

Real name Kesia Cissoko. Veteran in War of the Chosen. Former Specialist of XCOM. She later defected from XCOM.

Quiet

Psi Vanguard Sharpshooter. Veteran in War of the Chosen. Former Sharpshooter and Psi Operative of XCOM. She later defected from XCOM. Camouflage Parasites user.

Sundowner

One of the leaders of the DESPERADO Enterprises. Veteran in War of the Chosen. Former Muton Elite and ADVENT soldier. Weapon Master.


Author's Note

Disclaimer:

Metal Gear created by Hideo Kojima but published by Konami;

StarCraft belongs to Blizzard;

XCOM 2: War of the Chosen developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games.

I don't own any characters. I am not making any profits for writing this story. I am writing for entertainment purposes only. All events are purely fictitious, and my settings are leading to Out Of Character.

I thanked for inspirations, opinions and/or supports from other writers especially magostera and NamThunder. Without NamThunder's Avatar of Liberty, writing this story will be far more difficult.

I also appreciated their indirect inspirations which helped developing this story.

I like to hear any suggestions or opinions.