Chapter Four: Patriots Blood Part 2

It was a grim scene upon the bridge of the Battlecruiser Aleksander as it came out of orbit over the planet of Braxis. Duran leaned against the wall, confident and smug. The Captain of the UED leaned on the other wall, wondering if things would turn out as he planned. Dugalle paced back and forth on the bridge, a troubled expression on his face.

'Admiral,' said the Adjutant 'the fugitives Mengsk and Raynor escaped through the warp gate due to intervention of the Zerg. But shortly before our forces were overrun, Vice Admiral Stukov took control of a large contingent of troops and came here to the planet Braxis.'

'Why would he abandon the battle on Aiur?' asked Dugalle of himself. 'Why has he come back to Braxis?'

'I mean no offense, Admiral.' said Duran 'But perhaps Stukov's loyalties are not as strong as you once believed.'

'Because you are young and foolish, Lieutenant, I will pardon that insult.' snapped Dugalle 'Alexei and I have been friends since long before you were born. However, he must be found. If Stukov is here, he will account for his actions.'

'Admiral,' said the Adjutant 'our sensors have detected a fully functional Psi Disrupter on the planet's surface directly below our position. It would appear that the Vice Admiral did not destroy the Psi Disrupter on Tarsonis as was ordered.'

'What? Impossible!' said Dugalle.

'I warned you, Admiral!' said Duran 'Stukov has betrayed you! He's reconstructed Psi Disrupter in order to sabotage your mission in this sector!'

'I can't believe it. Yet the evidence is incontrovertible.' said Dugalle, voice heartbroken. 'Alexei, what have you done?

Perhaps you've been right all along, Lieutenant. I will now compose a strongly worded letter to him expressing my severe displeasure with his actions.'

Stunned silence. This, evidently, was not the response which Duran had been expecting. 'Um… are you certain Admiral? Shouldn't you make an example of him.'

'Hmm perhaps your right.' said Dugalle 'I'd best speak with him in person then over a transmission.'

As Dugalle made his way over to the communications array, the Captain looked at Duran with a smile. 'Problem, Samir Duran?'

'Um… hold on a second, I uh…' Duran raised a hand.

'Guards, Alexei has just informed me that Duran abandoned the battle on Auir!' said Dugalle 'He has been working to sabotage our mission, and may indeed be infested. Have him shot by firing squad at once!'

A group of burly marines made their way over to Duran and grabbed him before beginning to drag him away. Duran caught himself on the door frame. 'No! I was lucky enough that the Captain didn't bother saying anything about me abandoning the battle on Auir! You weren't supposed to ask Stukov for his side of the story!'

Then he was dragged away, the sound of his screaming becoming more and more distant before being abruptly cut off by gauss fire. Dugalle wiped his brow in relief and let out a sigh. 'Well now that that is all sorted out we can go after the Overmind. Still Captain, I'm surprised that you didn't mention Duran abandoning the battle.'

'Well truth be told I was hoping that Duran would murder Stukov, who would then make a final death speech which would reveal Duran as the traitor, then I could murder Duran and be your top subordinate.' admitted the Captain 'I'm kind of your biggest fan and envy Stukov.'

'…You know, that actually explains your actions perfectly.' said Dugalle 'Keep up the good work. We need star screams like yourself to keep us higher officers on our toes.'

'All in a days work sir.' said the Captain with a salute.

They then went, won the war and lived happily ever after.

Authors Note:

Well here we have part 2 as promised. Based on the idea that the Captain didn't say anything, now we have Dugalle's turn to do the obvious, non stupid thing. It's really satisfying to have Duran shot by firing squad, I must say. Twice no less.

But we're not done yet. Far from it, the climax to all this is yet to come. Tune in next time for How Brood War Should have ended: A Simple Solution.