Note: I don't own anything.
Ragnorok666: The whole prophecy issue can be taken at different angles as I found it to be a bit broad, much like the ones from Harry Potter and Star Wars. It seems to lean towards the aspect that whoever has indisputable control of the whole Zerg Swarm will determine whether or not Armageddon happens but it's debatable. As for Kerrigan, she may a powerful psychic before her infestation but who knows on whether or not there are others that might be better candidates with either a higher potential or skills that she lacks despite canon stating her to be the strongest known Terran psychic.
Sigma Hyperion: I appreciate it although the number of reviews isn't exactly a concern.
Silent Humanoid: I usually try to get three to four weeks on a rate but it can vary depending on real life stuff. If serious events occur, I'll usually leave some notice.
Andrigno: Any help from you on the SC lore is appreciated as I'm pretty much limited to the games and the SC wiki.
Ordo Rolanberry: An Infested Nova? That's something to think about but we'll see. It's a pity that I don't have a base of her character to know what she would be like, even if she gets infested.
Mozez101, Random117860, and Axely: Thanks!
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
"The Sara systems are still not suitable so that left Agria as the place to touch down on." Keith said over the comm. "The civilians will be alright in getting their bearings back together and Dr. Bernard Hanson is understanding of the situation. Michael Liberty is staying here with them before moving onwards."
"We wish him the best of luck." Jim replied as he, Sarah, and Matt stood on the bridge of the Tachyon, all three speaking to the commander through the communications console. "We're getting close to assaulting the Dylarian shipyards so once we meet up, the fleet will be ready for New Folsom."
"Have you found a planet where we can build a base of operations?" Sarah asked.
"I have a list although the climate and terrain on some aren't exactly friendly." Keith replied. "The volcanic planet Char is one place if the Kelmorians have taken off. The icy worlds of Braxis and Kaldir are also options. There were several others that had suitable environments according to the Confederate archives. The only problem is that I haven't been able to get more information on them."
"You know, a lot of things can change and the information you have might end up obsolete." Matt piped up. "Still, it's a start and we could scout them out when time permits."
"I'm going to have to cut this short because I'm about to oversee a team hack into New Folsom security systems to get an idea on what we'll be up against." Keith said. "Jim, Sarah, Matt, best of luck in the shipyards and I'll see you all soon."
Jim, Matt, and Sarah bade the commander farewell before ending the encrypted channel.
"Matt, any idea what the situation we'll be facing?" Jim asked, returning to the large computer screen. Thanks to a former Alpha Squadron lieutenant that was now following the rebel group, they had the overall layout of the Dylarian shipyards.
"If the complex hasn't been claimed by Mengsk, then it would be a lot easier to hijack whatever ships that were in dock." Matt replied. "The only obstacles would be the Confederate security forces."
"It might get real ugly if Mengsk's forces arrive during the raid." Sarah remarked. "But there's a chance of them fighting each other so we can use that to our advantage."
"We'll adapt as best we can to whatever scenario presents itself." Jim said. "Given the number of platforms that make up the whole place, we'll have to land the teams on all of them at the same time."
"Two of the platforms contain long-range artillery in the form of Siege Tanks and one is also supported by enemy aircraft." The adjutant warned. "They have several Battlecruisers in dry-dock."
"Is that so?" Sarah asked. "My team and I can handle the heavier one as long as enemy reinforcements don't shore up the numbers."
"The other teams can keep the security forces occupied so it shouldn't be too much of a problem." Jim replied before turning to leave the bridge. "Let's get this show on the road."
"Yes sir." Matt said while Sarah followed Jim off the bridge. Bringing the Tachyon into position a good distance outside the shipyards, he then waited for confirmation that the raiding teams were prepared before giving the green light. Immediately, several transports left the capital ship's hangar bays, escorted by Wraiths to different platforms.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
With the Terran base destroyed, the Cerebrate felt more confident in its ability to control the minions under its command. But that didn't mean much as the three Chrysalises remained unharmed during the skirmish, just as the Overmind had ordered it to do. As the base was moved onto the orbiting platform of Tarsonis, the Cerebrate had the Chrysalises placed within the heart of its minions before quickly building up a defensive perimeter around them. The Terrans may have been easy to kill yet still proved to be tenacious opponents in their own caliber. On the other hand, the Protoss that it sensed on the planet may prove to be more difficult adversaries to handle.
"I am well pleased young Cerebrate, and so long as my prizes remains intact, I shall remain pleased." The ethereal voice of the Overmind echoed through its mind. "Thus, their lives and yours shall be made as one. As they prosper, so shall you for you are part of the Swarm. If ever your flesh should fail, that flesh shall be made anew. That is my covenant with all Cerebrates. Now you have grown strong enough to bear the rigors of warp travel with the Swarm. Thus we shall make our exit from this blasted world and secure the Chrysalis within the Hive cluster upon the planet Char."
"Remnants of the Protoss fleet still linger within this planet's orbit." Zasz warned. "They
will attempt to block our exodus at every turn."
The Cerebrate then detected several Zerg from a different brood approaching its base. The arriving Overlords were red and began unloading several groups of Hydralisks around the Chrysalises. But these weren't ordinary Hydralisks as the specimens were bigger and appeared more intimidating than the mainstream counterparts before recognizing them as Hunter Killers from the Tiamat Brood.
"My Brood shall aid you, Cerebrate, should you require assistance." Daggoth said. "Do with my minions as you will, Cerebrate. They will serve you unquestioningly. Go and bring swift wrath to all who would oppose the Swarm."
The Cerebrate was thankful for the assistance before having the hatcheries sprout larvae, needing more Drones to gather resources to build up its forces as fast as possible. There were some Mutalisks available and the Cerebrate took time in using them to scout the platform before encountering the Protoss warriors. Though not as cunning as Zasz and its Garm Brood or specifically powerful as Daggoth and its Tiamat Brood, the Cerebrate did manage to figure out a specific way to deal with the Protoss, combining what it knew from the tactics of its fellow brethren. Zerglings moved to the edge of the creep with Hydralisks and some Overlords following them. The Cerebrate was hesitant to hatch more Mutalisks but decided that about a dozen of them would suffice if only to scout and get a better view of the Protoss obstacles.
Taking its time, the Cerebrate arranged its plans and had teams of its minions move into position. Sending a few Zerglings as cannon fodder, the Cerebrate managed to draw some of the Protoss on a wild goose chase, relying on the enemy's pride and belief of glorious combat to blind them from the danger that awaited. Almost immediately, it had the Hydralisk groups ambush the unsuspecting Zealots and Dragoons, peppering them with continuous Needle Spine volleys.
Even with small groups of Protoss being annihilated with ease, the Cerebrate decided that taking out their base would guarantee safe passage despite the difficulties before hatching more Zerg to grow the numbers of its army. It wasn't long before a massive force of newly hatched Hydralisks and Zerglings went on the attack, overrun the Protoss positions with some losses. The Zealots tore through the Zerglings but succumbed to the concentrated barrage of Needle Spines from the Hydralisks. With the enemies eliminated, the Cerebrate had its remaining minions secure the routes while Drones carried the Chrysalises, escorted by the Hunter Killers.
'The Overmind may not have given me a specific brood to operate but perhaps whatever minions that the other Cerebrates give to me might at least provide a substantial force for me to grow and develop.' The Cerebrate thought to itself.
"Prepare yourself, Cerebrate." Zasz spoke, bringing the Cerebrate to attention. "Your first jump through warp space could be... unsettling."
No sooner had those words been spoken, the Cerebrate felt the dimensional energies forming into a massive worm hole and it wasn't long before it joined up with the Swarm, entering the anomaly.
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Massaging her knuckles, Sarah felt very pleased in giving General Duke a black eye before leaving him tied up on the docks and boarding the newly commandeered Hyperion, which disembarked to join up with the other Battlecruisers that had been hijacked by Raynor's men. Who would've thought that using the cranes and other machinery on the docks to entangle a capital ship can be effective? The operation hadn't been entirely easy but General Duke's hesitation on direct engagement to avoid collateral damage at least limited his options enough to outmaneuver him.
Reaching the bridge, Sarah found Jim speaking to Matt before both men noticed her arrival.
"Congratulations on acquiring a small armada." The redhead remarked. "It's also a miracle that we didn't lose anyone in that operation."
"That's true. First time there is for such a flawless mission, thanks to you and Matt along with those that took part." Jim replied.
"Indeed." Matt spoke. "Now that we have additional firepower and transports, I take it that the next stop is New Folsom?"
"Yep." Jim answered. "Keith was having a team hack into the security systems before we raided the shipyards. Besides, the prison does have factories that supplied the Confederate fleet. With any luck, we should be able to strike and grab the goods along with freeing the prisoners. If anything, Mengsk will be having to divert his attention on them just to keep his Terran Dominion safe and we'll be able to cover our tracks."
"That sounds like a plan." Matt replied before typing some commands onto the console, bringing up a status screen that showed the fleet of nine Battlecruisers along with the Hyperion and the Tachyon, the latter two highlighted in green while the rest were red. "We'll be jumping into warp space in a moment once the other ships confirm that they're ready."
Within the next few moments, the other ships changed from red to green and Matt had the fleet initiate the warp jump. A short time later, they arrived a good distance away from the fiery planet of New Folsom and outside the planetary sensor's detection range. Matt noticed another Battlecruiser holding position not far away before recognizing it as the Thunder Child that he made contact.
"Good to see you all here." Keith remarked, his expression one of amazement at the number of capital ships and the Hyperion accompanying the Tachyon. "Wow, good timing in getting new ships."
"It was an easy steal." Sarah replied. "So how's everything at your end?"
"Here's the data that my team got and I'll get straight to the point." Keith began before uploading information to the Hyperion. "Currently, the New Folsom prison has a full regiment along with artillery and minor air support. At the moment, the planet hasn't received any news about the Confederacy's fall and according to their schedule, they're due tomorrow to ship out their equipment."
"Looks like we came just in time." Matt replied. "So any idea on where to start?"
Looking at the map of the prison, Jim then pointed to a barren area just south of a major prison compound. "We can land here and have our forces push through. Any prisoners we free can continue the fight while we move to the next one. We split up the enemy regiment so they won't be able to respond effectively."
"I can arrange for a strike team to be deployed but we'll need more than just that and the prisoners' cooperation." Keith spoke. "Jim, how about you and Sarah lead another force? It should make it easier in dealing with the security forces there."
"What do you think?" Jim asked, directing the question at Sarah and Matt.
"It's a sound plan. But we'll be needing to establish forwards positions to keep the pressure on them." Matt replied, pointing at two spots on the map.
"Some of the Battlecruisers that we hijacked have nuclear ordinance. If anything, we can use them to wipe out enemy strongholds that get in the way." Sarah replied.
"Matt, keep us updated on anything unusual. I can expect that Mengsk might be sending a force here to impress the Confederates into his military." Jim spoke
"Understood, sir." Matt replied, watching Jim and Sarah leave the bridge. "Keith, let's get this started."
From the hangar bays of the Hyperion, several transports took off before dropping off a small army and engineering crew, both of which began securing the area and then building a small makeshift base. Wearing his powered armor suit, Jim took a deep breath before readying his gauss impaler rifle and moving alongside Sarah to join up with a team of twelve marines and a ghost, all of them saluting the pair.
The ghost followed after Sarah, cloaking and scouting ahead. Coming across the first group of marines holding station at the entrance of the compound, both quickly opened fire on them with skilled accuracy, leaving the ground littered with the dead Confederates.
"Let's move on." Sarah suggested before moving into the compound when she felt an unknown psychic call. Looking around, the redhead wondered on where the emanation came from. "Did you feel that?"
"What are you talking about?" the ghost operative by the name of Ian asked.
"Never mind. Let's continue onwards." Sarah replied before patching into her comm. "Move in anytime, Jim."
"Got it." Jim replied. "Alright, Raiders! Let's move!"
Joining up with Sarah and Ian, Jim and the marine team began moving ahead, engaging the guards and wiping the slate with them through superior tactics. Reaching one of the areas earmarked for a forward position, Jim and his team drew the attention of the enemy guards stationed there before pulling back, seeing the heavy defenses.
"Sir, a tank team is heading to back you up." Matt spoke. A minute later, a dropship touched down before unloading a pair of Siege Tanks that immediately set themselves up. Taking aim at the enemy bunkers, the tanks unloaded a savage barrage that blasted them asunder. Seeing the enemy defenses fall, Jim and his marine team quickly stormed into the area before engaging the stragglers.
"Matt, the place is secured. Have a team set a forward position." Jim spoke into the comm.
"Understood, sir. They're in route now." Matt replied. Minutes later, a large transport ship unloaded two squads along with an SCV crew, the latter quickly constructing barracks and bunkers. "You're getting close to one of the cell blocks. If you free the prisoners, you might count on some Goliath support."
"Who in their right minds would keep vehicles next to the cells?" Sarah asked.
"Only the sloppy ones." Jim replied. "Matt, what's the status on Keith's forces?"
"They're moving a bit faster than I anticipated." Matt answered. "Prisoners are freed and they're close to finishing one compound. Things should start getting a bit easier for you and the others."
"Matt, are there any missile turrets or Science Vessels our the immediate area?" Sarah asked, hoping to see on how far she could put her cloaking and stealth abilities to the test.
"Just missile turrets. There's a Science Vessel but only at the compound for cryo-frozen prisoners." Matt replied. "However, sensors picked up a Comstat Station under construction."
"Thanks for the warning." Sarah replied, her mind already calculating plans and contingencies for the remaining enemy forces.
"Let's keep moving. The Siege Tanks can take care of whatever strong points we come across." Jim spoke, reloading his rifle before moving ahead where two bunkers and a missile turret stood at the entrance to the cellblock. The Siege Tanks quickly changed modes and began hitting the enemy station, taking out the missile turret first. Meanwhile, Sarah and Ian took a narrow corridor that led to the rear of the station where they saw four Siege Tanks and six Goliaths appear from a corner. If it wasn't enough, a sizable force of marines and firebats were following right behind them.
"Jim, we got some enemy armor and a large infantry unit moving to back up that station." Sarah spoke over the comm. "Looks like the compound is getting all of its security to attack together."
"Confirmed." Matt added. "They're putting everything into this one push."
"With that size of a force, we'll lose our forward position." Jim replied. "Sarah, Ian. My team and I will try to hold them at bay. Hit them with a nuke while they're still in one spot."
"Already on it." Ian replied before taking aim and firing a lockdown round at one of the tanks. Sarah followed suit, causing the enemy force to halt in their tracks. However, only the Goliaths and two of the tanks continued onwards as did half of the infantry.
"Well, it's better than getting none." Ian remarked before calling down the nuclear strike, keeping the laser on the red armor of a firebat. A moment later, the warhead appeared and both ghosts quickly displaced as it landed, eradicating the enemy force. Jim and his team quickly displaced to the safety of the forward position, losing two marines and a Siege Tank in the process while still managing to down three Goliaths. As the enemy Siege Tanks switched modes, both were immobilized by lockdown rounds and Sarah quickly alerted Jim to mop them up. Like piranhas going after the scent of blood, Jim and his marine team charged, blasting the Goliaths with their grenade launchers before finishing them off.
"Sir, all enemy forces in that compound have been neutralized." Matt spoke. "Keith is already working on another compound and the freed prisoners are building momentum to handle the enemy forces. I think it's a good time to raid the factories while the Confederates are busy."
"Is it a good idea to just let him and his forces fight without backup?" Sarah asked.
"With the prisoners helping him out after he's springing more of them loose, Keith is probably using the fight now as a diversion if anything." Jim replied. "Besides, even when he was magistrate, his tactics got us out of so many close calls so I think he'll be fine. Just in case he calls for help, we'll be ready to move in."
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
Onboard the Gantrithor, Tassadar pondered on the Conclave's orders to return to Aiur and face judgment for his failure to stop the spread of the Zerg after the fall of Tarsonis. He had already sent the expeditionary fleet home while retaining only his ship. The Gantrithor is formidable in its own right and Tassadar opted to defy the order to return before alerting the helmsman to move out. The strange psionic calls had shown him a fiery world and Tassadar had every intention of investigating the source behind them. The visions of the Zerg also being present gave him even cause to look into the issue.
Focusing on the visions, Tassadar sifted through as much as he could before eventually finding what he was looking for. After sending his orders, Tassadar went ahead to set a course and the ship vanished into warp space. Moments later, the Gantrithor emerged into real space and Tassadar caught sight of the fiery planet known as Char in the distance along with the presence of the Zerg in accordance to the ship's sensors. Yet, the creatures weren't the only entities for he could sense an unknown darkness lurking in the system.
"Be prepared for anything." Tassadar spoke before calling the helmsman to take control of the Gantrithor. He would be heading down to the fiery planet and personally investigate both the psionic calls linked to the Zerg and the unknown darkness there.
"Executor, I'm detecting a number of small ships holding orbit on the far side of the planet." The helmsman reported. "Though their designs are different, they register as Protoss signatures."
"Odd. The Conclave had only sent us into the sector and the 7th Fleet had been eradicated." Tassadar replied. "Regardless, I am going down there to investigate."
A moment later, five shuttles departed from the Gantrithor, escorted by scouts and observers onto the surface of Char. Entering the atmosphere, the ships moved through the air before Tassadar noticed an area with several large mineral nodes and Vespene geysers that he ordered all to touch down.
The shuttles dropped off Zealots and Dragoons, all of whom scattered to form a defense perimeter. Moments later, probes were dropped off and the robotic units began warping in structures. Some time passed before the base was completed and Tassadar ordered a building up of forces when he sensed the unknown darkness from earlier. What later confirmed the presences were the observers detecting cloaked individuals moving towards the perimeter, causing the Zealots and Dragoons to brace themselves for an attack. Tassadar could now clearly sense that he and his forces weren't alone.
"En Taro Adun, I am Tassadar of the Templar." Tassadar spoke. "Who are you?"
One of the cloaked individuals approached before revealing itself as another Protoss warrior. But unlike the others, this one wore ragged attire along with a cloak that looked frayed as though worn out by time. Tassadar couldn't sense this being through the Khala whatsoever and the response confirmed the only logical answer to his suspicion.
"Und lara Khar, Tassadar of the Templar." The unknown Protoss spoke. "I am Prelate Zeratul of the Nerazim, those known to the Conclave as the Dark Templar and the Fallen Ones."
Almost immediately by instinct, the cloaked individuals revealed themselves as other Protoss in similar appearance that accompanied Zeratul. Tassadar himself had not expected to run into the Fallen Ones that the Conclave had banished long ago.
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Note: The local bookstores in my area lack the Starcraft novels so I'm kind of running on guesses to the canonical events that weren't shown in the game.
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