StarCraft II
Rise of the Claymore
Raphael clenched his teeth as he felt Gakuo's yoki flickered violently and then vanished all together.
"This raid was foolish… enough, we're leaving now!" Raphael shouted angrily as the remaining Abyssal ones fled.
Back at the Rabona main gate, Teresa and Miria landed side by side as Gakuo's head crashed to the ground behind them. Teresa smiled as the remaining Yoma began to frantically retreat.
"Well, looks like we scared them off," she declared sheathing her claymore.
"Not to mention we were able to take down two of the remaining Abyssal ones. Now only Raphael and the women are left," Helen said laughing. Miria sheathed her claymore as Raynor approached the group from behind.
"I believe we owe our victory today to you," Miria declared, "you have my thanks. Thanks to your men, none of my warriors were killed today. I'm sorry about the soldiers you lost."
"They were happy to help," Raynor replied, "I don't think they'd have wanted it to end any other way. Now, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. I need to know if you have any idea what the Dominion was doing on your planet."
"Right… the Dominion," Miria replied, "first, tell me what interest you have in the Dominion."
"I've got a score to settle with its emperor, Arcturas Mengsk. He's got a lot to answer for, and I intend to see to it that he does. You saw for yourself I'm sure, this sector'd be a lot better off without the Dominion controlling it. However, I wouldn't of thought that they'd come to a remote planet like this. Not to be rude, but your levels of technology aren't exactly modern, and there aren't any resources one this planet."
"Resources? What do you mean?" Miria asked.
"I'm talking about stuff like this," Raynor declared pulling a mineral crystal out of the back of his suit. "These minerals are the raw materials we use to build and power our weapons and structures. Without this, it's a lot harder for us to build our settlements. Due to that fact, your planet, Talderan, has been left alone for a lot of years. That's part of the reason you folks've never heard of the Dominion or anything like that. For some reason, though, Mengsk suddenly found a reason to be interested in your planet. I need to figure out what it is."
"I see. I think I can help you, Mr. Raynor, but before I do… you have to agree to help me one more time," Miria declared.
"What do you need?" Raynor asked.
"I need you to take me and a small number of my warriors with you when you leave this planet. You aren't the only one who has unfinished business with this Dominion," Miria replied.
"I see…" Raynor replied, "well, I think we might just be able to oblige. If you don't mind me askin' though, what is this unfinished business of yours?"
"Let's just say, Mr. Raynor that I think we may be after the same thing."
Miria's Claymores Command Room: Underground bunker beneath Rabona Cathedral: 30 minutes later
Inside the hidden bunker within Rabona chapel, Miria explained the situation to Raynor. She told him about how the Dominion had invaded their planet and about how they had kidnapped Clare and taken her off planet. When she finished Raynor shook his head.
"So, that's what he's up to. Sounds like he's got big plans for your girl, Miria. I think you might be right about us being after the same thing. If you Claymore are really half monster, and Mengsk is holding one of you for experimentation, you'd better believe it's in everyones best interest that we get her away from him," Raynor declared.
"I couldn't agree with you more, Mr. Raynor," Miria replied, "my comrades and I are coming with you to see to the rescue of our comrade. In exchange for your help with this, we're willing to help you bring down the Dominion."
"You act like it's gonna be easy, but I won't lie. From what I saw of your abilities out there today, I have no doubt you and your girls can be of great help to us," Raynor declared, "welcome to Raynor's Raiders, Miria."
"Thank you Mr. Raynor. First things first, I need to gather some of my warriors together and prepare them for what's coming. With any luck, we'll be ready to leave within an hour," Miria declared.
"Then let's get ready," Raynor ordered, "we don't have any time to lose."
….
It didn't take more than 10 minutes to have 12 warriors volunteered for the mission. When she'd found out Clare had been taken, Jean had been the first to volunteer, followed closely by Teresa, neither of whom had been surprising. What had been more surprising had been when Ilena and Galatea had also volunteered for the mission, though it was likely Ilena was going because Teresa was and Galatea just wasn't looking to have to be in charge while the numbers 1-3 were gone. Helen and Deneve had volunteered quickly as well, followed by Dietrich, whom Miria had known would stick with Helen and Deneve. She had personally requested that Cynthia and Yuma accompany them, but of course it wasn't necessary to ask Tabitha. If Miria was going, so was Tabitha. The brown haired Clarice and her young charge, Miata had rounded out the volunteer squad. While the others were preparing for their mission, Miria was speaking to the remaining single digit claymore who would be staying behind to run things in Miria's absence, Gentle Sword Audrey.
"Are you certain about this, Miria?" Audrey asked.
"This is our only chance to rescue Clare," Miria replied, "we have no choice but to take it."
"I suppose you're right, but I still don't like it. We don't know much about this Raynor guy."
"We know he saved us and this entire city from being overrun by Yoma. That's enough for me," Miria replied. This silenced all of Audrey's remaining objections. Suddenly, the door to the room burst open. Miria sighed. She'd wondered how long it would be before he found her.
"Miria!" Raki shouted, "you have to take me with you!"
"This is going to be dangerous, Raki," Miria replied, "if you go along, there's a very good possibility you could get…"
"I don't care!" Raki replied, "I have to go! I've gotta help Clare! I wasn't strong enough to protect her! I let them take her away! Please, you've gotta let me help rescue her!"
"I'm not going to argue with you, Raki, and I'm not your babysitter. If you want to come, that's your choice. Just make sure you're ready to go in one hour!"
"I will, thank you Miria!" Raki said as he ran off to get ready.
"Are you sure you should let him go with you?" Audrey asked, "I don't care how strong he is, he may not…"
"That boy isn't going to take no for an answer. It'll be easier if we just let him come," Miria replied sitting down, "when it comes to Clare, there is nothing Raki won't do. No matter how dangerous this may be, he will still do whatever it takes to save her. I have a feeling that we may need his resolve before this mission is through."
Outside Rabona: 1 hour later
An hour later, thirteen Claymores stood outside the outer wall of Rabona, dressed in their old Organization Claymore uniforms, along with Raki who was just wearing his usual attire with his broadsword strapped to his back. Audrey and Anastasia stood behind them wearing regular clothes, waiting to see their comrades off. It wasn't long, before the monstrous Battlecruiser, Hyperion, came into view. The ship landed a short distance away from the team and a hatch underneath opened up. Raynor walked out wearing a dirty white t-shirt under a black, sleeveless vest and blue jeans. "Well girls, it's about time to go."
"Right," Miria replied turning back to Audrey and Anastasia, "I'm counting on you two to hold down the fort here while we're gone."
"Don't worry about us, Miria," Audrey said reassuringly, "just be careful and bring Clare back in one piece."
"We'll do our best," Miria replied nodding her head. Then she turned and led her forces aboard the Hyperion.
"Well, girls and guy, welcome aboard the Hyperion," Raynor declared, "as long as we're together, you're officially part of Raynor's Raiders."
