StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void

Chapter 1

Zeratul's petition

The surgeries were more than horrible. The surgeries were hell itself.

Raynor felt like dead most of the time, while Abathur was working, but at least it was just one hour.

Abathur sewed him with no care, overestimating the human immunity system. Kerrigan tortured Abathur 'till he said he'll fix the sewing quickly.

And five hours later, he was like new.

He didn't notice what Abathur's done to him but it was obviously a very good job. Anyway, if he would have the chance to choose between Abathur and a human doctor, he'd choose the human doctor for sure.

Abathur's methods were exotic. Effective, yes, but exotic.

When he left the Evolution chamber behind, he was sure the Zerg were gonna kill him at the time they see him.

But he was wrong.

It was almost as if the Zerg didn't know he was there. They did not care about Raynor, as well as he did not care about them.

But, and he knew this, that had to change if they were going to fight a fallen god that was older than the galaxy itself. Stronger than Kerrigan and Zeratul together.

Of course: they were fucked up.

And then there was this matter of…

-Excuse me.-a female voice said.- Do you need something?-

-Who the hell…?!-Raynor looked around; seeking the place the voice came from.

-I am Izsha.-a weird Zerg worm appeared from a hole nearby the mouth of the Leviathan.- Don't be afraid.-

But Jim was for sure afraid.

-Izsha.-Kerrigan said emerging the Evolution Chamber.- Answer to Jim, as if he was me. There is no difference between he and I. Understood?-

-Yes, my Queen. Is this the man you used to love?-the Zerg asked.

-No. He is the man I still love.-

Raynor stared at Izsha, and then stared at Sarah, clearly stunned.

-There are no secrets here. Private life doesn't exist.-she explained.- Jim, I'll be in my quarters if you need me. But please… Don't leave me alone much time.-she said the lasts things psionically, directly to his mind, so no Zerg knew about those words.- Don't answer me.-

-Oh, well.-he said.- Yes, I am James Raynor. Guess you know Sarah's history, don't you Izsha?-

-Oh, I do.-the Zerg said.- I know everything about my Queen. You may ask if you want.-

-I have a couple of questions if you don't mind.-

-You may ask.-the Zerg had two tentacles born from the laterals of her face; the tentacles formed a cross over her chest.

-For first, where are we right now?-

She doubted it for a second, but when she spoke, she did it completely convinced.

-Exactly in the center of the Koprulu Sector.-

-Why?-

-My Queen seeks to know what the Void is. She believes that Amon is seeking it too, so she wants to find it before he does.-Izsha explained.- Maybe the protoss know what the Void is, but they will not help us.-

-I can try to contact them.-Raynor said.- I have worked with them before.-

-Yes, but against us. The Tal'Darim hate the swarm and the terrans as well, the Dark Templars of Shakuras are still seeking blood for the blood my Queen spilled and let's not talk about the protoss that escaped from Aiur. No protoss will join us in this war, but one: Zeratul. The rest will fight by their side, and we will fight by ours.-

-That's not enough reason to not even try to get their help. I'm sure Zeratul can unite them and make 'em help us.-

-Zeratul have been here.-Izsha said.- He told my Queen to become the Queen of Blades again.

Zeratul… What? What an idea, Zeratul encouraging Kerrigan to be the Queen of Blades again? That was impossible. Zeratul told him how to make her be human again, why would he do such a thing? He couldn't believe that, principally because Zeratul knew what Jim felt for Sarah Kerrigan, and because they were friends. But still, he was going to ask that to Zeratul when he got the chance.

-It can't be.-

-But it is.-Izsha assured.

Raynor felt his heart and his stomach as if a very strong hand was punching and gripping them.

-And what do you know about the process that converted Sarah Kerrigan into the Queen of Blades? I want to know about the last time. And don't lie to make me feel better.-

-I won't.-she assured.- Besides, what's the matter with lying?-

-Many terrans do it not to hurt others.-he explained.

-There is no benefit in lying. We prefer truth instead of lies.-she responded.

-I like your way of thinking, Izsha.-Raynor nodded affirmatively.- So, will you tell me what I asked?-

-Our Queen suffered very much during the transformation.-she started.-It is required a great feeling to survive the process. Such feeling must be enormous, like an infinite hate. Physically, there is no requirement. Even a protoss can turn into the leader of the Swarm, she just got there before others. Internally, her organs are intact. She is Zerg only externally. Her organism is still a human one. Abathur wanted to modify that many times, but she always refused.-

-I wonder how she did it when she has no conscience of what she was doing.-

-Perhaps it was part of Amon's plans. When you beaten our Queen back on Char, the Swarm dismissed. The Queen was gone and no Broodmother was powerful enough to take her place. And then she came back. She refused to be our Queen again, and she still refuses to be. When she arrived to this Leviathan, I received her believing our Queen had come back. But instead, the only thing she wanted was revenge. Her mind was unclear –and it still is-, filled with images of you and another human. The one she killed today hours ago. Arcturus Mengsk.-

-So she became the Queen of Blades again just because there was no other way to take revenge on Mengsk?-

-Yes, but it was also because of you. She thought you were dead, so she was going to take revenge for you more than for her. My Queen has had that part of her mind, the one about you, I mean, closed to us. And when you told her that you two were done, she closed her mind at all. We were blind.-

-So the Zerg speak to each other through Sarah's mind? That's new.-

-No. No Zerg but she and the Broodmothers can speak to the Swarm. Well, I could, but I am not allowed. I was design and brought to life with only two purposes. Offer advice to the Queen and take care of her memories.-

-How's that? You erase Kerrigan's memories every "x" period of time?-he asked, horrified.

-No, I do not. I keep her memories. For example, I have this memory of four years ago.-she explained.

Four years? The Brood War was four years ago.

Izsha extended her tentacles and touched Raynor's head with them.

The most painful moment of the Brood War emerged on his brain. Fenix had been betrayed by Kerrigan. She attacked the protoss and strike them with her whole force. Fenix's dragoon exploded, his parts were everywhere, the blue blood on the floor of the satellite images destroyed Jim.

That was the day he swore he'd kill the Queen of Blades.

But now, he was kissing her and trying to save her.

In his defense, he told himself that neither he nor Fenix knew that Kerrigan was part of an ancestral prophecy that spoke about the return of a fallen god that would come to destroy everything.

And now he'd seen how it was gonna end if Kerrigan died…

But he was also there because he loved her and he'd never let nothing bad happen to her.

-Enough.-he said; Izsha stopped at the moment.- I don't wanna see that. I saw that when it happened. A good friend died that day. Doing me a favor. I sent him to his dead. I didn't know, but… I should've seen Kerrigan would betray us all.-

-You mean the protoss named Fenix? I heard about him. He was brave. Now that my Queen is free from Amon's influence, she believes that that protoss should be alive. She also believes it's her fault the protoss isn't here.-

He hated to talk with the Zergs, but he had to. For Sarah. For Zeratul. For the galaxy. But mostly, for Sarah.

-But you think it's not, right?-Raynor crossed his arms over his chest.

-Exactly. She was under Amon's command. I believe my Queen is very hard with herself. Perhaps you can make her see how wrong she is.-

-I'm trying.-

-I know, and I hope you success.-

-You will hate me if I success in what I am looking forward to.-

-If you mean you attempt to make my Queen be human again, then no. I will not hate you for that. Speaking of which… I was wondering how love works.-

Raynor had to seem surprised, because Izsha had to suppress a smile.

-Well… I guess it cannot be described.-he said, still trying to find a way to explain her.- It's too hard to explain. You have to feel it to understand it.-

-Like you and my Queen do?-

He didn't answer quickly. That was personal, but Sarah had said "There is no personal life here". If he was trying to earn the trust of the mindful Zergs on that Leviathan, he had to adapt to the Swarm's rules.

-Yes.-he chose to say.- At least, I love her. I'd do anything for her. I'd sacrifice whatever it takes to bring her back to her human form. Even myself. I hope you can understand.-

-I don't.-Izsha said.- But… I want to. No one else but the Queen has had that impact on me. You seem to be good, James Raynor.-she blinked.- And unusual.-

-What's unusual on me?-

-You look so much like her. The way you think, the things you have in common, even the ideas you both have. Very similar, though it doesn't seem to be like that.-

-I don't think Sarah have the same ideas I do.-Jim said skeptically.

-Deep inside her, she does.-she said, convincingly.

-You're lying, aren't you?-

-No, I am not. All I say is true.-Izsha assured.

Jim looked at the floor, barely convinced by Izsha's words, but he had no way to see if it was really true.

It was difficult, very difficult, but he had to trust the Zergs.

In the past, Kerrigan betrayed him. What was assuring him that she wouldn't betray him again?

-I know what you think.-a voice said in his mind.- And I don't blame you.-

-I only hope we can have a happy ending.-he whispered.

Sarah didn't answer, but he knew she noticed the whisper.

-Are you alright?-Izsha asked; Jim suddenly nodded.

-Oh, yes, yes, I just gone lost on my memories.-he started to walk away.-A pleasure to meet you, Izsha.-Jim made a reverence and turn his back on her.

-The pleasure is mine.-she responded.

-Sarah?-Jim asked while entering the Queen's Quarters.- Are you here?-

Whispers passed through the instance, making Jim's hair bristle. The next silence made him feel overcome with fear. And then, she spoke.

-Here.-

He tried to see, but the darkness was more than enough to not let him see a shit. He took a couple of steps forward, but he stumbled and fell on his side.

-Shit.-he whispered.

The following laughter gradually increased while Sarah was approaching to him, but it wasn't an evil laugh, it was just a laugh. A healthy laugh.

-You ok?-she said helping him to get on his knees and then to stand up.

-Yeah, yeah.-Raynor clean the dust out of his trousers.- What about you? This darkness must be making you pass through a bad while.-he put his hands on her shoulders, and Kerrigan sighed slowly.

-I'm full of fear while inside this ship. I don't like it, I wanna get outta here, but I can't as long as Amon lives. Once he dies, I will leave this place. And Zagara will lead the Swarm. I think she's ready for the tasks and the responsibilities.-Sarah embraced him and closed her eyes.- Shit, I don't know how you can make me feel so soft.-

Jim did the same thing, putting his hands, with some disgust, on her back, close to the wings she was wearing.

-I feel the same way. I swore I'd kill you, but I knew I wasn't able to do it.-

-Luckily.-she said against his chest.

He stared at her body, seeing how mutated it was. But still, her body wasn't shapeless. Under the endurance of the Zerg armor covering her, he could see a human form.

-Jim.-she whispered.- You should talk to Matt and let him know about… About us.-

The mention of "us" made him a little happy. Raynor grabbed her hand.

-I guess there's no technology here.-

-You're right.-

-Then show me the way.-

-My pleasure.-she said, like a child.

Raynor had to recognize that he didn't expect an organism to work as a long-range communicator.

Sarah just named Matthew Horner, Hyperion, and Matt's face automatically appeared there, among the Zerg walking around the place.

-Kerrigan? Where's Jim?-was the first thing he asked.

-He's here. He wanted to come with me.-she responded instantly.

-Bullshit.-Matt said.- If he's there, I want to speak to him.-

-So be it.-

Sarah told Jim to approach by signs. He walked until Matt's face changed into an astonishment one.

-What…? Why…? Do you…?-he searched injuries in Raynor's body, but there were no one.-What does this mean, Sir?-he finally asked.

-It's… Difficult to explain.-Jim said.

-She has kidnapped you.-

-No.-

-And she will make me an offer, an offer I must accept or you will die.-

-Matt.-

-So I gotta go back to Mira and steal her things to pay, and…-

-Matt!-Jim punched his own leg, furious; the man stopped, stared at him, clearly thunderstruck.- I ain't here against my will. I am here because I want to.-

-But…-

-Matt, you know everything about me. You know what I feel for Sarah.-Raynor's eyes sparkled.

-You mean the Queen of Blades.-Matt said aloud.

-No. I mean Sarah. Call her for her name.-Raynor said, annoyed.- She is Sarah Kerrigan, not the Queen of Blades. The sooner you learn it, the sooner you will know where we are.-

Matt sighed, clearly disgusted, but Jim didn't care. For the first time, he didn't care about what Matt had to say.

-Alright, boss.-his second in command said.- Alright. My apologies, Kerrigan. I do not trust you, even with what you've done for Jim and Valerian.-

-I understand.-she said.- I will pay for my crimes when this is done. You can terminate me yourself if you want.-

-What?-Jim said, suddenly.

-Do you not expect me to pay for what I've done?-

-Leave that chat for you two, I need to know where you are.-Matt cut them off.

-You won't know it for now, Matt. You are useful where you are.-he added at Matt's face.- I guess you didn't leave Korhal yet.-Raynor said, putting his hands on his waist.

-No, I didn't. We're still in Korhal, as you said. Valerian has become the new Emperor, but he wants to change everything. He wants to turn the Dominion into a Popular Republic, introduce the vote, let the people have more liberty, that kinda things. It's… good. He will name it Popular Terran Republic, P.T.R. And he's planning to make you his war councilor as well as the army's general. He says we'll need the bests in command. Oh, and the Hyperion is now the Flagship of the fleet. She's been uploaded, by the way.-

It was a lot of information to process. He, a terrorist, was now the General of the Dominion's army? He couldn't believe it.

-I can't do that. My place is here. At least for now. I will have to reject the opportunity. You should take my place, Matt. I believe you are more than ready.-

Matt kept silent, clearly overwhelmed by feelings. Proud? Fear? Only he knew which.

-But, Sir…-

-Matt. You comforted me every time it was necessary. You helped me against Mengsk, you were always there during our bad days, you were there even when we have all against us… You were there to make me believe I could still do something. You were the first in helping me assault Char. You didn't even defy me when I told the crew we were going to save Sarah instead of killing her. You were the first and the only real friend I've ever had but Fenix, but he's dead. Now I'm asking you to let me rest a while. Please. It means everything to me.-Matt looked at the floor, asking himself what to do.- Matt, answer me this: if you got the chance to rest with the person you most care about before death reach you… Would you let the chance go?-

-Of course not.-

-Now you understand.-he took Sarah's hand.- I know how it looks like. But I don't care anymore. Anyone can say whatever they want. I will be with the woman I love during the storm. Protecting her every way I can. Please, Matt. It means everything to me.-

-Roger.-he said, after the longest sigh of his life.- I understand, boss. So I'm in charge now, right?-

-Yes, you are.-

-Then I guess…-

But before he ended talking, the transmission disappeared, and a protoss came up instead of Matt. They both Jim and Sarah would recognize that face wherever they see it.

Zeratul.

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