The Sons of Korhal fleet closed into an orbital platform of Tarsonis where the Confederate government was based. "The time of our final strike against the Confederacy is close at hand. Before we can strike at Tarsonis itself, however, we must break through the Confederacy's most potent defenses. General Duke will brief you," Mengsk told the commander.
"I've defended Tarsonis in over thirty major battles, so I know its defenses inside and out. There are three primary orbital platforms that serve as staging areas for the Confederate fleet. If we assault the central platform, we should cause enough of a ruckus to allow a small force to break through the planetary defenses," Duke was in Norad II using the communicator.
"General, I'm impressed. I never figured you for the frontal assault type," Raynor spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"Well, the Confederates have Omega and Delta Squadron troops defending the platform. They're nothing compared to my Alpha Squadron boys," Duke informed.
"Right," Raynor finished.
Duke led the assault in Norad making use of the available equipment to wipe to out the defenders in the platform. Like Mengsk, the general was also a tactician. The Sons of Korhal successfully penetrated into Tarsonis and established foothold in New Gettysburg. "This is Duke. The Emitters are secured and on-line."
"Who authorized the use of Psi Emitters?" Kerrigan questioned.
"I did, Lieutenant," Mengsk spoke in an ambitious tone.
"What? The Confederates on Antiga were bad enough, but now you're going to use the Zerg against an entire planet? This is insane!" Kerrigan was horrified.
"She's right, man. Think this through," Raynor agreed.
"I have thought it through. Believe me. You all have your orders. Carry them out," Mengsk was determined, but the conversation was being heard by Matthew.
He asked Raynor, Kerrigan, and the commander to have a word him in private in the armory. "If Mengsk were to use Zerg on this planet, those innocent civilians there will die. He's going against the objective of saving humanity," Matthew raised a concern.
"I know, but he insisted. Are you thinking about evacuating the civilians?" Kerrigan read Matthew's mind.
"Will you guys help me with it?" the chief engineer asked.
"We will," the commander agreed.
"Commander, you and I will bring word to the people. Kerrigan will assist Matthew with the evacuation. We'll save as many civilians as possible, I don't think everyone will live through this," Raynor made a plan.
"For this operation, I came up with Vikings based on the research of the siege tank's switching mechanism. They change between jet and combat walker, if the Zerg dared to bring their bombers on us, they will hit them in the air. Lastly, these Hercules dropships are just as durable as Battlecruisers and had the capacity of 50," Matthew informed the trio about the fortified-armored durable support craft equipped with long-range siege-capable missiles in fighter mode and twin piercing Gatling cannons in walker mode as well as the heavy transport. The chief engineer took all the schematics and data making the infantry equipment as he expected they would leave the Sons of Korhal.
Like a beacon, the combined power of the Psi Emitters reached out to the far corners of the Terran Sector, luring billions of Zerg to the capitol world of Tarsonis. The Zerg overran the Confederacy's best defenses.
Raynor and the commander reached a radio station and informed the civilians that they need to evacuate. Matthew and Kerrigan established a base and had the transports ready. Raynor and the commander had a separate base to gather civilians sent escorts bringing the convoy to Matthew and Kerrigan's location where the people boarded the Hercules transports. The armored personnel carriers loaded the civilians and were armed with a piercing autocannon that fired only at ground forces. Matthew anticipated that the Zerg would throw everything they had including fortified-armored Ultralisks took the role of heavy assault beasts with chaotic pincers, fortified-armored squid-like Corruptors attacked with chaotic acid that inflicted more damage against massive enemies, and fortified-armored Brood Lords with a long-range chaotic attack lethal against ground forces using Broodlings as live melee ammunition.
A fleet of Protoss ships arrived. "Oh, man. What the hell do they want? Stay alert people, these guys play hardball," Raynor reminded everyone.
"Terran Commander, I am Tassadar, High Templar and Executor of the Protoss Fleet. I come bearing no ill will towards you or your brethren. I have watched your struggle with the Zerg and stand ready to aid you in your struggle against them," the Protoss commander introduced himself and provided assistance in the evacuation.
"Wow... well, hell. The more the merrier," Raynor was relieved.
"I commend your courage," Tassadar commented.
Tassadar's ground forces included medium-armored Zealot warriors armed with a pair of chaotic energy blades that could cut through all armor types; Dragoon striders armed with siege-capable phase disruptor; High Templar as support troopers casting psionic powers; Archons which were psionic entities attacked with chaotic psionic shockwave that could deal more damage against any organic opponents; and tall robotic Colossi battle striders that could do cliff walks armed with chaotic lasers. The Protoss air force consisted of fortified-armored Scout fighters armed with piercing dual photon blasters and siege-capable anti-matter missiles, medium-armored Phoenix fighters with ion cannons, and fortified-armored Carrier warships that launch robotic Interceptors to swarm enemies.
"Looks like the Zerg won't stand against such combined forces," Matthew commented, as the Protoss helped out as escorts. The Zerg used Sacs as drop pods bringing more minions to attack the convoy. For the last convoy, the ground was moving and a tunneling Zerg called Nydus Worms emerged allowing the Zerg ground breeds to reach the roads faster forcing the combined forces to kill them.
Mengsk was not pleased with the evacuation especially when the Protoss were aiding them. "You're making a terrible mistake. Don't even think to cross me. I've sacrificed too much to let this fall apart," Mengsk contacted both command centers. "What we are doing is right for the well-being of humanity. We can't just leave those civilians to rot, they were not meant to be sacrificed," Matthew spoke in determination.
"You'll regret that. You don't seem to realize my situation here. I will not be stopped. Not by you, or the Confederates, or the Protoss or anyone! I will rule this sector or see it burnt to ashes around me. If you try to get in my…" Mengsk ranted and revealed his true intentions subsequently. Matthew was disgusted by that afterwards.
When Mengsk and Duke ordered the attack on the Protoss encampment, Matthew sent a number of troops to help the alien humanoids to Tassadar's surprise, "You're not with Arcturus Mengsk?"
"No, he went too far," Matthew answered. Eventually the combined Protoss and humans saved the lives of 20% of the civilian population of Tarsonis.
Mengsk ordered the Sons of Korhal to pull away from Tarsonis and Duke activated the Ion Cannon to shoot down anybody from escaping starting with an unarmed ship loaded with 50 civilians. It even targeted the Protoss as well. Raynor and Kerrigan formed a paramilitary rebel group with many men joining them, "Well, Commander, it looks like we're on our own. It's funny... It seems like yesterday Arcturus was the idealistic rebel crusader. Now he's the law, and we're the criminals. It kills me to know that we helped him achieve his goals of conquest," Raynor spoke in a tone feeling bad.
"I can't believe Arcturus was doing this for personal power," Kerrigan found it hard to accept. The newly formed rebel group and the Protoss fought through Duke's men and destroyed the Ion Cannon. The commander was seen no more as he left afterwards.
The fall of the Confederacy led to the rise of the Terran Dominion with Mengsk crowned emperor. The Dominion military promised protection against Zerg and Protoss; however the government turned out just as corrupt as its predecessor. Mengsk used the media as a weapon to marginalize the efforts of the newly formed paramilitary group painting Raynor and Kerrigan terrorists. They led the raid on the Dylarian shipyards stealing Mengsk's flagship, Hyperion, while Matthew took the new Battlecruiser, Zeus. A number of men joined Matthew when he chose to go on separate ways. Raynor and Kerrigan fell in love with each other during the efficient partnership. The fate of Raynor, Kerrigan, and Mengsk was unknown.