Episode 4: Memories and Nightmares Part 1

The Trading Union, as their name implied, controlled nearly all trading that went on in the Koprulu Sector completely, whether it was between companies, between companies and banks, between individuals and banks, between companies and governments, or whatever else. As a result, they were a very powerful group, and few had the galls to cross them. The Terran Dominion made this exclusive list of few people and organizations who would knowingly, and unapologetically, cross the Union. But tonight, the Union's Chief Viceroy, Lord Evice, was quite intent on removing Arcturus Mengsk's disgusting name off that list.

It was a simple enough job, really. The Union wanted to build a small dock near Uilila IV, to rest Union ships. The trouble was, the Dominion also wanted that area, supposedly, to build a scientific facility, for research. Evice saw through the gesture. The Dominion could have built the facility anywhere they wanted to, but intentionally chose the same location as the Union, simply to demonstrate their power over them. Mengsk was secretly threatened by the Trading Union. Evice was infuriated. He had to destroy the Dominion, and show them that they meant business. The Trading Union already possessed a sizeable military, and was more then capable of destroying the facility themselves if they felt so inclined. However, none of the board leaders were ready to declare the Second Guild Wars, just yet, especially not with the Zerg threat constantly looming over them. Those pesky Koprulu Liberation Front, who charged enormously for their services, were enough distraction, without the Trading Union compounding on to the problem. The solution was simple. They would hire a powerful mercenary gang to destroy the base completely, and leave just enough traces to let the Dominion know that the Union was pulling the strings, without being too overt, as to allow them to incriminate them. It was perfect. The only problem was, the most powerful mercenary group in the Koprulu Sector couldn't land anywhere near Korhal, because they were so heavily wanted by Mengsk and his boys. Normally, Evice disliked going to his employees, instead of making them come to him, but just this once, he'd make an exception. His guarded Drop Ship touched down on a small, fringe planet they chose for the occasion. Surrounded by guards, Evice made way towards the rendezvous, to meet with his mercenaries, equally guarded.

"Right on time. Impressive," said the leader, Matt Horner.

"I am a businessman, Mister Horner, and you will find that us businesspeople are very savvy when it comes to keeping time."

"Right. So, we called you down here all the way from Korhal. Let's not waste time. What's the assignment?"

"We need you to take out a Dominion base."

Horner looked a little unpleasant, and looked around. Jim Raynor, standing by him, spoke.

"We do have an unspoken policy on trying to avoid any unnecessary direct confrontations with the Dominion Military. Now, if it was assassination of a certain person, or robbing, maybe, but-"

"But you're the best there is. Come now. After all you lot have been through, you can't take out one measly Dominion Base? It's not very heavily guarded either, mind you. Just recently built."

Evice motioned towards one of his men to bring forth a pair of heavy briefcases.

"These are your payments, just for meeting me here today. If you complete the job successfully, you will be paid double that sum, which is, from what I gather, nearly quadruple your usual salary."

"Christ, you guys aren't the Trading Union for nothing," said Horner.

"Indeed. We are very wealthy men, Mister Horner. And we wealthy men tend to be generous towards the best."

Sab sat in her piloting seat, reading, and occasionally twirling in her chair, when Vi walked in.

"Oh, hey Vi. Didn't hear you."

"Hi Sab. I haven't talked to you in a while. Have they come back yet?"

"Nope. They should be back soon though. How's the uh, Ghost going?"
"Her name is Dre, Sab. Let's try to use her name, instead of just calling her Ghost. How would you feel if someone decided to start pretending your name was just Pilot?"

"Well, your brother, and our Captain, calls me more demeaning things everyday…. Isn't it just a tad scary working with her so much?"

"Not really. She's very much harmless, I can assure you. And very intriguing a person to talk to. She guesses a lot about me."

"Well, you're a pretty transparent person, so that's not much of a feat."

Then, Matt and Jim came back to the Hyperion, each carrying briefcases. Matt made way into the ship's main gym, where the crew kept in shape. Tychus was beating on Kevin, badly.

"Come on, you pansy. Your strike stance is all wrong. Get up and try that kick again, come on."

"Tychus, quit beating on the kid and get back to the bridge. We need you. You too Kev."

"Yes sir," they both said in unison. Then, Tychus gave Kevin a nudge.

"Work on that technique. Right now, I could kill you with my pinky."

"Sab, get ready to take off. You're reading? Gossip Girl, eh? Never thought you were the type for classical literature."
"Classical can be fun too. This one is pretty god," she said.

"Woah, Sab is reading? I need a picture of this," said Matt.

"Oh, shut up Matt," said Vi.

Then, Jim, Matt, and Vi all left the piloting area, to gather around the Bridge.

"Hi Kevin. Your arm is bruised. What happened?" asked Vi.

"Righteous Tychus happened," said Kevin.

"Vi, go fetch Dre. We have a new job, and this one is seriously big. Right now, Marshall Raynor here and I were paid close to our usual salary for a complete job, just for meeting with this guy. If we do this right, we are a giant step closer to our ultimate goal, which coincidentally, ties into this job."

"So, what's the job?" asked Tychus.

"We have to take out a Dominion base on Uilila."

"What? We're actually going to make a head-on collision against the Dominion?" asked Kevin.

"Isn't it our ultimate goal to take out Mengsk anyway? Might as well start practicing now. Dominion ain't nothing special. We've beaten them before."

"Only now, you have me."

Dre entered the room soundlessly, aside from her voice.

"Is she going with us?" asked Tychus.

"Why? Are you scared she might kick your ass, Ty?" said Matt.

"Hell no."

"You're lying to us," said Dre.

"God damn it! Fucking stop that! I hate it when they read my mind. I'm going to bed to jerk off or something."

Then, Tychus left.

"Alright, he's gone, so we can officially make this discussion a little brainier than usual, am I right? We land, we kill everyone, blow things up, leave, get paid. Cool."

"What if they send in the big guns?" asked Vi.

"If they send in the big guns, we'll run really fast. It's a no brainer, really. Besides, we have a big gun of our own. Dre. And with the cash from our last job, we got us a new Silo."

"I'm an act of God. That makes you God, Captain Horner." said Dre.

"Uh, thank you. I guess. With the Silo, we should be able to take out what defenses they have, and strike really fast with Marines and Goliaths before they can react. Oh and Kevin, stay out of this one."
"What, why?"

"It's too dangerous. You've never fought the Dominion before."

"Yes I have."

"No, you've ran from them before. This is different."

"I've fought the Zerg, and won! I've killed Hydralisks before, and they're worse than the Dominion-"

"Stay out."

"Listen to him, Kev. Better safe than sorry," said Vi.

"Vi, you stay back too. That's an order you won't argue."

"Yes sir," said Vi, with an eye roll.

"Ok then. Briefing over. Sab, take us down to Uilila IV then."

Matt and Raynor left, and as Dre was about to leave, she stopped Kevin.

"By the way Kevin, there is nothing wrong with your technique. Tychus is cheating to beat you up, so that he can feel like a superior male specimen over you. Don't take it personally."

Kevin stood there, confused.

"Come on Kev, let's get your bruise fixed up," said Vi.