Author's note: I am working on the real chapter 4, but I thought this might be an interesting little interlude to put in, in the spirit of the UNN broadcasts in SC2.

Starcraft II: The Rise of Umoja

By Enilas

Interlude: Media War

"It's been just over a three weeks since what is being called the 'Tarsonis Broadcast'. Mengsk has brutally put down the most of the riots on the core worlds, but on the fringe worlds, things still look bad for him. Notably, the mining world Tarkan IV, right along the border between Dominion and Umojan space has successfully established independence for itself. The Dominion Fleet responded by blockading the world, cutting off vital food shipments that keep the planet's population alive and healthy. Desperate, the people of Tarkan IV appealed to the Umojan Protectorate."

"I have received information from an officer that was on board one of the few Dominion Battlecruisers that escaped the Tarkan IV intact. Over half of the Dominion ships stationed over Tarkan IV were destroyed or forced into the lower atmosphere, and at minimal cost to their own forces. As I speak, Umojan forces are clearing the world of Dominion soldiers, and food shipments are already on their way."

"Although Zerg forces having pulled back for unknown reasons, both Prince Valerian and General Warfield missing – as well as a large portion of the Fleet and Army, and it seems that the days of Mengsk's tyranny over the Sector may be almost over. All free-thinking Terrans can only hope. This is Micheal Liberty, signing off."

-Excerpt from the end of the latest pirate broadcast by rogue reporter and wanted man Micheal Liberty

"This is Kate Lockwell, in the UNN Headquarters on Korhal with shocking news from the fringe world Tarkan IV. As you've heard here before, Tarkan IV is a fringe mining colony that broke into open revolt after the Tarsonis Broadcast. With me in the studio is Flag Captain Jacob Wright, whose ship, the Emperor's Wrath was last stationed at Tarkan IV." Lockwell turned, and the Camera zoomed out a bit to catch both her and the Captain.

"Captain Wright, what happened on Tarkan IV? I understand that there were ten Battlecruisers stationed over Tarkan IV, but that only your ship and two others returned to Korhal, all heavily damaged."

Wright answered carefully. "That is correct. Admiral Theisman, fulfilling his duty to protect the integrity of the Dominion from all threats exercised his independent command authority to establish a blockade of Tarkan IV, preventing any more food shipments from arriving."

"Tarkan IV's population depends on those food shipments to survive. Don't you think that was a harsh measure?"

"Actually, I do." Wright said frankly. "And as I understood it from Theisman, the Emperor had misgivings about it as well. As he himself told me when I arrived." He paused. "The Emperor does not want to see innocent civilians suffer. Even those who are part of an open rebellion against this Dominion."

"The Emperor did not deploy Psi Emitters against the population of Tarsonis. But it is easy to understand – and he understands full well – why so many people believe he did, following the so-called 'Tarsonis Broadcast'. The entire recording is falsified, and be assured that the Dominion will find out who is guilty of this subversion and punish them."

"You said the Emperor had misgivings about the blockade. Could you elaborate on that?"

"Of course." Wright said, "The Emperor's first duty is to humanity as a whole. The twin threats of the Zerg and Protoss are ever present, and if we are not vigilant and united, then they will overrun us all. To that end, the Emperor wants the well being of all Terrans. He approved the blockade, rather than a more direct method like a direct attack on the leaders of the rebellion because it would, he hoped, lead to the smallest number of deaths on both sides. And overall, that was true. There have been low-grade skirmishes between the rebels and our forces, but overall casualties have been low. His majesty had hoped that the people of Tarkan IV, after a short time under the blockade – long enough for them to be feeling it, but no so long that starvation would be a problem – would be willing to come to the negotiating table, and the whole thing could be over."

"Unfortunately," he continued, "It didn't work out that way. We all, from the Emperor on down, underestimated just how upset the 'Tarsonis Broadcast' made the people of Tarkan IV. And, because they didn't understand the Emperor's hopes for the blockade – and his plan to lift it soon if it kept not producing results, though he could hardly tell them that – they appealed to the Umojans for help."

"The Umojans? Why would they intervene?"

"The Umojans have set themselves against the Dominion and the idea of Terran unity since the end of the Brood War. They have in no way the resources to stand up to us, but perhaps they saw Tarkan IV as a convenient way to not only get their hands on that world's massive mineral and Vespene reserves, but also to, I think in their minds, sow more dissent in other fringe colonies with the example of Tarkan IV." He sighed. "Now, this is just me, personally, and not an official statement from the Emperor or any arm of the government, but I would not be surprised if the Umojans were the ones who created the recording before handing it off to Raynor to broadcast when he hijacked the towers here on Korhal, for just such an opportunity such as this. Something they could use as a cover for their greed and their undermining of mankind's unity."

"What can you tell us about the Umojan attack against our forces?"

-Excerpt from a UNN broadcast.

Thanks extended to: Infernal00, Fortune Zyne, and churchichu for reviewing.

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