Disclaimer: Starcraft characters and setting are owned by Blizzard Entertainment. OCs belong to me

A/N: The story will begin on Aiur just like in Legacy of the Void. but will diverge on its own soon from time to time to observe characters from all four Protoss factions. Additional focus will also be placed on the Terrans and occasionally the Zerg Swarm during the Protoss campaign.

Chapter 10: "Haunting Ghosts"

"Approximately 4 hours ago, the Dominion received a dire distress call from the fledgling Haven Republic warning of a Moebius attack terrorizing their people. Commander Raynor, having been immediately informed, quickly gathered his raiders, pulled several battlecruisers from Korhal's garrison fleet, and quickly rushed to aid the refugees he's helped in the past. Our reporters haven't reached the scene yet, but fortunately we've received word the terrorist fleet was repelled, insurgents arrested, and damage control is taking into account."

"While Haven survives to live another day, the vulnerability of the fringe worlds to assault became much more apparent. This, followed by warnings of alien zerg/protoss hybrids invading on a potentially apocalyptic scale, raises an age-old question championed since the founding of the Dominion: must humanity unite to survive the hostilities of space, including rogue members of our own race?"

"Haven is one of many fringe worlds to declare independence from the Dominion due to Arcturus' oppressive regime, but the people there are afraid of standing alone, and Dominion officials are well aware to exploit this in the name of a united Terran front in the Koprulu sector."

"Valerian Mengsk is arranging a diplomatic visi-"

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-Haven, Fjellhavn Starport, Phantom-

Still laying on the medical bed where Lexi had placed him, William remotely turned off the television as Lily hovered over and passively mended his torn tissue with surgical precision.

"We risked our lives to save these people. Yet they'll just end up under Dominion control like before. It's not like they have a choice after almost getting rekt."

"That doesn't sound so bad." said an unsuited Lexi with a cup of coffee in hand, having sat beside William to watch Kate Lockwell's broadcast. "I'm sure the Dominion will protect them this time."

"It's not that it's bad. It just seems like an utter waste building up an entirely new republic, only to realize they can't grow in peaceful isolation. If my studies on Terran history amount to anything, they're going to be assimilated out of necessity."

Lexi sipped her coffee. "Sad life."

"Yep. Oh yeah, can you pass me the coffee oil? I'm getting a little jittery."

Lexi strolled over to the kitchen area, grabbed a small bottle from William's coffee oil stash in the counter, and tossed it to him across the room. His arm shot up and caught it, then he recoiled in pain.

"Thanks... Ok. I think she tore a muscle." He hissed as he rubbed the oil over his arms. "Much better."

"So this Corona." inquired Lexi. "It's the same Corona you supposedly killed at New Folsom? During that mission with Nova?"

"It's definitely her. Same look, same scent, same psionic signature. I think she survived, because the way she "died" wasn't certain, like an explosion or something... it's really difficult to explain in a short way."

"But the important thing is she's back now, and definitely hates you."

"Yes, but enough of that. When you think about it, we haven't fought together since the last invasion of Char."

Lexi choked on her coffee. "Oh god. Please don't remind me about Char..."

"Oh. Sorry. But yeah, how was fighting for the sake of 'justice'? Were you in any grave danger?"

"Hm, not really. I never felt like I was threatened with you around."

"Oh?" William wished he had a mouth to smirk. "Is that so?"

"Yep! Thanks to you, I could save dozens of people without impediment. Seriously William, good job on that one."

"Well, what did you expect me to do? Run off and let you die? A good friend of mine taught me to always cover my allies."

Lexi hummed, and sipped her coffee again. "I guess she taught you well. What about you? How did you feel?"

William sighed. "Lexi, I think I felt the fire within me rekindle."

The terran set down her coffee to focus her gaze at William, "What do you mean by that?"

"I knew it would happen if I picked up a gun, or any weapon in general. Every kill I scored out there, the adrenaline, the rush, the thrill of life and death, it's reawakening the thirst for battle that constitutes the core of my bloodline. Normally I'd easily suppress it, but now that the freaking apocalypse is at our doorstep, I don't think I can let my pacifism continue..."

She frowned, but was interrupted by the adjutant who spoke.

"Tissue reconstitution complete. I notify that the protoss are approaching the vessel."

Lexi leaned in to scratch his forehead. "We'll talk more later, Willie. Mmk?"

"Very well," purred the protoss, angling his head so she could reach the sweet spot.

"Words cannot express my jubilation, for I no longer have to babysit you!"

"Watch your words carefully, Dark Templar! With my revived powers, do not be surprised if I carry you to our next victory."

Kaldalis shook his head as he listened to the noisy duo behind him. "Tassadar be praised... I can no longer tell whether you two are playfully bantering or bickering with spite."

The shorter Khalis, who had been hovering over the taller Val'idin to gain the height advantage, ceased trying to shove him off-balance. "Honored one. Is it not obvious? I can never allow the Nerazim to gain delusions of grandeur."

"That doesn't exactly answer his question, Khalai." said Val'idin. "Are we bantering or bickering?"

Khalis blindly shot a mild electric blast into his side, shocking him into blinking onto the Phantom to escape.

"I call it a 'spirited repartee'."

"That's a foul move!" yelled Val'idin.

"Of course you would be familiar with foul moves, crawling in the dark."

No longer caring where this is going, Kaldalis marched into the dropship to sleep on his favorite couch.

Khalis took the moment's silence to survey the empty starport. "Do you think the Terrans would praise us if they were not busy elsewhere?"

"After what we did, Khalis?" Val'idin sat at the edge of the ship over its passenger bay entrance. "They'd be throwing us cheers instead of pointing guns. You'd best remember the Terrans can understand the meaning of gratitude." He looked across the room and pointed. "Wait, someone's coming."

Khalis turned to see Constance running towards them, holding in her arms a relatively large glaive cannon.

The girl called out. "Wait! Don't go!" She skidded to a halt, nearly falling forward from the weight of the protoss weapon. "You forgot your shield, Miss Khalis."

Admittedly, Khalis did forget her glaive cannon after the battle, though she now had psionic powers in lieu of the simple weapon. "I no longer require it, child."

"Oh... maybe you can still keep it just in case? Or maybe as a souvenir?"

Khalis considered the value of the girl's words. The glaive cannon was dirty; it's chrome gold covering riddled with scratches. This weapon wasn't given to her for her rank or station - she salvaged it from the disturbed corpse of a fallen warrior whose identity eluded her. Yet, the weapon did aid her during her most vulnerable state, and she'd need it if the same disability were to strike her again. Having grown attached to the previously forgotten weapon, Khalis easily grasped the cannon from Constance's cumbersome hold.

"Thank you, Constance. I will carry this weapon with me unto death."

"You're welcome, Miss Khalis," bowed Constance respectfully.

Khalis could still sense the lingering sadness in the girl, most certainly from her kidnapping by the spectre and seeing the immediate effects of war and loss on her people. And yet, this girl wasn't communing with her kind for comfort? Khalis always lived with the support of her people, and she in turn supported them.

She leaned as low as she comfortably could to Constance's eye level. "Young one, would you like to see a stunning display?"

Constance perked up with curiousity. "A stunning display?"

"Yes. Just take a few steps back."

Val'idin, who had been sitting passively the whole time, raised a brow as the inquisitive girl backpedaled and Khalis held out her left palm. The high templar created her standard focus orb which levitated in her palm, and it quickly wobbled like an air bubble before popping gently. Lightning cascaded down like roots and arcs of light sprouted up, creating arching branches of static energy. Constance gazed with wide-eyes as the crackling lines of blue, purple, and white stretched out like webs until its speedy growth petered out, creating a bright Tesla tree as tall as she was, all growing from Khalis' left palm.

Constance eyed the sparkling energy tree with awe, noting how the stems of energy pulsed with life. "Whoa~ that's so cool!"

Seeing the youngling cheer up by her efforts, even for just this moment, made Khalis swell with joyful emotions that over swept her exhausted state. "I am delighted to hear you are pleased. Is it not stunning?"

Val'idin facepalmed as Constance chimed. "Can you teach me how to do tricks like that? Please~?"

"Oh... uh." droned Khalis as the lightning tree dispersed into thin air. "I hardly believe I would have time nor the opportunity to bring you under my tutelage, even without the End War consuming our focus."

"That does raise an interesting question though," said Val'idin as he leaped down. "Who is training this youngling? Proper psionic training isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. All protoss are trained to control their psionic potential the moment they can walk, including even the weakest. For terrans such as her, this is no exception."

Constance answered, "I remember people telling papa to send me to a ghost school, because no one else knows how deal with what I can do. Neither of us know much about the school. Papa didn't want me to leave and asked Dr. Hanson to take care of me."

"Is she psionic? Did she teach you anything" asked Val'idin.

"No... and she didn't teach me. I learned almost everything myself, she just promised to watch after me."

"Ghost school? The Ghost Academy in the Dominion sounds like a good idea." His purple eyes assessed Constance. "Do you want to go?"

"Hm. Learning how to do tricks like a ghost sounds cool. I want to go, but I promised papa I'd stay here."

Khalis spoke her turn. "Fear not, Constance. I am certain your father will allow your departure to better your future."

"Really?" she asked, a glimmer of wishful hope in her eyes. "Maybe if I promise to call him and visit, he'll let me go!"

"A sound statement. If you were to attend this academy, I wish you good luck in the pursuit of strength and knowledge."

"Indeed," added Val'idin. "The best teachers for a terran psionic would be other trained terran psychics. It's imperative she goes to that academy."

"Like HELL NO!"

Khalis and Constance flinched from the angry bark, and Val'idin turned to see an irate William leaning his arm against the side of the entrance to support his shaky legs, his red eyes glaring furiously and emitting streams of energy like fire.

Khalis and Constance were the first to sense the outpouring aura of unyielding rage, with the latter fearfully hiding behind Khalis' leg. The Khalai had never felt so much raw anger with this much intensity from a real living being, except for Amon when he briefly controlled her.

Val'idin made no move to summon his warp scythe, but nonetheless kept his tense guard up as he stood still; watching. What set William off?

Lexi was already at her partner's side. "Willie, you can barely stand! Get back in bed!"

"I'm not that weak. I can stand on my own god damn feet!" He snapped forcefully back at the undaunted Lexi. He reflexively flinched, bringing his head lower. "I-I mean-... I said just give me a moment, Lexi." He shambled down the ramp towards them, with Constance digging her nails into Khalis' leg as the enraged ghostly-white alien drew closer. He maintained his furious, unbroken glare as he pointed furiously. "I overheard you scrubs talking. You want to send that girl to the ghost academy?"

"Yes," said Val'idin. "She needs to learn control as she grows older. I've seen enough ghosts both personally and from combat reports to assume the Dominion's academy can competently train their recruits."

"Fuck tha- I mean- No!" corrected William in young Constance and critical Lexi's presence. "Do you ignorant outsiders have any idea what that academy does to its trainees?"

"No, it's because we're ignorant outsiders. Do you?" retorted Val'idin sarcastically.

William's pointing finger clenched into a fist to emphasize his rant. "I know the clandestine machination of the academy. Every psychic member in that school is psychologically broken down and rebuilt as depraved and unprincipled warrior slaves to the Dominion. These ghosts have no life, no dignity, and not a shred of morals! At a single command from the Emperor or whoever the hell's leading these slaves, they'll turn on whoever they're ordered to kill, even betraying friends and family."

"All you had to do was simply inform us." said Khalis. "Why are you so angry?"

"Angry? You're asking why I'm angry!? It's so that this child doesn't lose her life to another megalomaniac's pathetic schemes and ruin someone else's life!"

"Willaim that's enough!" scolded Lexi, tugging at his arm.

"Lexi, please! You out of all people should understand why I'm taking this seriously!"

"Yes, I know Nova gave us a hard time in the past. But that's over! Mengsk is dead. She won't bother us anymore so let it go! You're scaring the kid!"

William's pulled his furious gaze away and saw Constance, reduced to tears by his unbridled fury, taking cover behind Khalis' cape; the high templar shot him a disappointing look as she tried to console the girl. His posture seemed to shrink; he stomped his metal boots and repeatedly clenched his hands as if willing the anger to leave his body. Khalis felt all that unnaturally powerful rage be replaced by a new burning sensation - it was shame.

"I'm sorry." he said stiffly, the energy streaming from his eyes were snuffed out. "I got a little spirited. But I still insist - she can not go to that academy."

"If she can't get proper training-," said Val'idin, who was now eyeing William with suspicion and scorn. "-the chances for a psionic accident will increase dramatically with age."

"I'm well aware of that." said William.

"May I also add-," said Lexi. "-Valerian made the public well aware of his numerous reforms to the Ghost Program. They're not as harsh and restricting as they used to be, and the ghost even get paid and live normal lives when not on important missions."

"The Ghost program is government owned. You can't be certain how long that'll last," responded William lamely, knowing that statement heavily countered his argument. He growled, "You know what? How about this?" He winced as he stalked towards Constance and Khalis. "Your name is Constance?"

The frightened girl peeked from Khalis' cape and responded. "Y-yes."

"Let us make a bargain. You will never join that academy, and I will train you myself."

Khalis and Val'idin stared with wide eyes at that bold, outlandish proclamation. Lexi gaped. Constance, disoriented by the sudden request, asked, "You w-would?"

"I have few better things to do in life, except maybe our side-job as musicians... Think about it, Constance. You'll probably be the first terran trained by a real protoss warrior. I'll teach you to be strong, to be cunning, but most importantly... I will teach you how to be free!"

"Free?"

"Yes, free! Your force of will be made strong, never to be a slave under another being!" He extended a clawed hand. "This is entirely your choice."

Everyone else was in shock. A protoss training a terran? That was unheard of! No protoss would ever consider trying to raise an inferior psionic species, and no terran would ever refuse such a rare opportunity.

But that is exactly what happened: William extended his offer... which Constance shot down.

"I-I don't want to. You're too scary! I want to go to the school."

William was momentarily stunned with rejection. He quickly stood up. "So that's how it is then? You're scared of me? Fine. I will respect your decision." He turned and shambled back inside. "I'm sorry for bothering you."

Lexi waved her hand in dismissal. "I'm so sorry about William. A lot of random shit happened to us in the past, but he's usually not like this anymore."

"It's fine," said a skeptical Val'idin.

The terran woman laughed awkwardly, trying to clear the mood. She walked over to Constance and patted her head. "I wish you good luck getting into that academy, Constance."

"Thank you, Miss."

Lexi cheerily smiled, and quickly paced back inside.

Khalis placed a comforting hand on Constance's shoulder. "Stay safe, young one. May your people protect and guide you."

"I will." said Constance, giving a genuine smile.

Khalis beamed and walked into the ship, with Val'idin the last to enter. Constance watched as the passenger bay door closed off her saviors, and waved as the ship quickly took off from the starport and flew into the sky.

Inside, William crawled back to the medical bed whilst Lexi gave him a firm lecture in the background. Khalis telepathically conversed with Val'idin.

"Did you sense the rage?"

"I felt it. A being with that much fury bottled up inside him is a walking explosive. If William were to lose self-control... I don't think he can be entirely trusted."

"But he did aid us in our time of need."

"Remember that Lexi asked him to help us, and he's getting paid too. I don't know how that terran managed to hold his loyalty like a leashed animal, he's wild and undisciplined."

Khalis looked to Kaldalis, who was staring at them unexpectedly, and asked. "Honored one, did you sense William?"

"As Val'idin worded, I felt it."

"That would mean this enigmatic protoss is potentially dangerous." said Val'idin.

"The potential to be dangerous is not the same as actually being dangerous," responded Kaldalis. "You may provoke him further if too much caution is exercised. For now, leave him in peace. He will return us home, and we may never see him again."

"Now that is something I can look forward to." said Val'idin as the Phantom zoomed into warp space.

-Fjellhavn Government Hall-

"How are you doing, Jim?"

"Pretty good, Ariel. That is if I can ignore the apocalypse I'm trying to prepare for."

Dr. Hanson sat awkwardly with Raynor at a wooden end-table in Haven's government hall. "This 'End War' you mentioned. Is it really true?"

"Remember all the hybrid we found in Castanar? The Moebius Foundation was behind it all and got Mengsk to make more of them. With him gone, all the hybrid are under Moebius' control, but even they're also controlled by the Dark Voice I saw in that Ihan crystal."

"And now this Dark Voice is back and the reason why Moebius attacked us?"

"Right."

"I just wanted to say: Thank you for coming to help us again. You really are a hero."

"Don't mention it."

"And I know you'll do your best to stop these invasions."

"Thanks."

"And that everything's turning out well for you in the end. Everyone finally sees you as a hero. You deserve that, Jim."

Raynor laughed. "Well Doc, being a hero means you can't stop and settle down so long as there's a problem we need to solve."

"Right." Dr. Hanson twiddled with her thumbs. "You know, the offer I made before still stands." Her face reddened. "I mean, when all this craziness is over of course. There's still a place for you on Haven if you're interested."

Raynor looked to her with a weak smile. "Appreciated, Doc."

Hearing particularly heavy footsteps, they both saw Swann and Nathaniel walking towards them, having gone to drink and converse with other random officials. The dwarfish man called out. "Hey cowboy, if you're done talking to the gal, I pulled 'Slinky' away from the party so you two can talk."

"Slinky?" asked Raynor with a bemused expression.

"Yeah, you know." said Swann, gesturing his hydraulic claw to Nathaniel. "He's like the skinniest man I've ever met. And from what I've heard, he's a flexible commander and can do some neat tricks."

"I for one actually like that nickname." added Nathaniel.

"I see you boys are busy," said Hanson as she stood up. "I'll just get back to reorganizing the science facility. Have a great day, Jim."

"You too, Ariel." He saluted her off with two fingers as she quickly fled the scene.

Swann leaned into Raynor's ear and spoke. "You know. I was kinda hoping you two would get together. No offense cowboy, we were hoping she could bring you out of the pit you dug yourself into. But now you got your girl back... eh it's just awkward now."

"Tell me about it. I think I need to talk to her before it gets out of hand."

"Well ladies man, I'll leave you with Slinky here and go direct the engineers."

"I'll see you later Swann."

Swann waddled off while Nathaniel occupied where Hanson sat earlier, setting his crate of beer at their feet.

"So it's true, Raynor? That you're a commander of the Dominion now?"

"You betcha, Austin." said Raynor, taking a shot from Nathaniel's beer crate.

Nathaniel chuckled, "Ain't that funny? You back up the young crown prince, put him in power, and he makes you one of his top dogs."

"Junior's a good guy at heart, Matt and I can tell. Otherwise I would've put a bullet in his head not too long ago."

"You'd never get that close to the crown prince."

"Now, funny thing is... I actually had him at gunpoint during our first meeting. I thought he was Arcturus, and even afterwards I still couldn't completely trust him."

"You had the bastard's son's life in your hands? Why didn't you shoot him then? Or at least hold him hostage?"

Raynor took a moment to find the words. "Letting him go did seem foolish at the time. Let me ask you this: How much have you heard about Kerrigan in recent news?"

Nathaniel's friendly smile vanished instantly. He took a long swig from his own beer, and let his hand drop the bottle hard onto the table. Raynor watched him return his gaze, and noted how his eyes seemed weary and aged beyond his years... kinda like him.

"Hey man... you alright there buddy?" he cautioned.

Seconds awkwardly passed until Nathaniel croaked. "I've been able to catch up. I heard about her deinfestation, the fall and rise of the Zerg Swarm, and her invasion of Korhal. Here on Haven, I had no idea what was going on and why she was doing these things. I was so worried, and I knew you would be involved in it one way or another."

"Yeah, a lot of crazy shit happened. It's a long story."

"Then start from the beginning, Raynor."

"Well, back on track. I didn't shoot or capture Junior because he told me of a way to deinfest and save Kerrigan."

"You actually believed him? What if it was all an elaborate scheme to capture the infamous outlaw."

Raynor frowned. "I already got enough of that bull from my crew, it's a miracle no one mutinied. I knew that if Junior wanted me captured, he wouldn't have made such a complicated scheme. And if there was even a small chance I could fix things and bring back something I lost, I would take it!" Raynor took another shot. "I know some people think I was getting desperate, but don't forget: if we could have taken out the Queen of Blades back then, we might have a chance of stopping the Zerg invasion."

"... Heh, so you didn't completely lose yourself back then. But... remind me again, how many people she killed?"

"That's all in the past, Austi-."

"Tell me how many people died because of my failure!" he suddenly yelled, catching the attention of several officials and soldiers.

Raynor was spooked, unused to seeing the calm and collected Magistrate so troubled. He waved the others off to carry on their business. Once the awkward moment passed, he turned to Nathaniel, whose eyes were haunted and pained as he clutched to his beer bottle for support. "Do you blame yourself for what happened on Tarsonis?"

"Of course I do. We all knew Mengsk was growing mad with power, but I still followed his orders. If I was just a little more careful, maybe get Kerrigan onto a dropship-"

"Nathan. As far as I know about that day, there was literally nothing you could have done. We couldn't have guessed the Zerg wanted Kerrigan for their own twisted plans. Don't blame yourself for what they made her do."

Nathaniel sighed. "It's not as easy as it looks. But when I look at you, you don't seem haunted anymore. I remember you and Kerrigan were close, weren't you going to kill her? How did you move on?"

Raynor chuckled lightly trying to raise the mood. "That'll bring us back to our story. I did promise to kill the Queen of Blades during the Brood War... Don't make this mistake: I'll never forget Fenix and the millions she butchered. But when Junior gave me the chance, I took everything we had to Char and deinfested Kerrigan."

"You didn't kill her then? To avenge the billions dead?"

"That was the complicated part. The whole time that thought ate away at me, I felt like I was betraying the billions dead, Fenix, and my friends who lost something to her. I didn't kill her though, because I did fulfill my promise to kill the Queen of Blades. I killed her using the Xel'Naga artifact on Char, and saved Kerrigan instead."

"That does sound poetic... and a cheap handwaving of the lives still lost."

"It's all a matter of perspective, Austin." said Raynor with a frown.

"I didn't say you were wrong. But, didn't she infest herself again?"

"Now that, that actually sent me over the edge. I couldn't believe it at first. I sacrificed so much to bring her back, good men, my morals, my conviction that all the good things I gave up could amount to something worthwhile, and I thought she threw that all away. Even if it was still the same Kerrigan, she wasted everything we sacrificed just so she could chase revenge. Honestly, I did want to shoot her when I had the chance then."

"And it's obvious you didn't."

"No... I couldn't... because of a damn protoss prophecy that needed her alive, otherwise we're done for by an apocalyptic Xel'naga god. That's how Kerrigan ties with everything that's happening now. Moebius? The Hybrid? For some reason I can't imagine, she's supposed to stop that."

"Keep going."

"In the end, she helped us overthrow Mengsk off his cushy throne with a blast. Last I heard, now she's leading the Zerg swarm to fight the Xel'naga god's hybrid out there." He placed a comforting hand on Austin's shoulder. "The Zerg swarm will never threaten us again. So don't beat yourself up too hard; it's all in the past and something good came out of it."

Nathaniel sighed. "I suppose so. But now I guess now we'll just have to fight Moebius and the hybrid on our end." He took another swig.

"That's the gist of it. But I already warned Chief Strommen this: somehow the Xel'naga god, Amon, hijacked control over most of the protoss fleet."

Nathaniel twisted to the side and did a spit-take with the beer in his mouth, much to the chagrin of the janitor. "What?" He asked after barely regaining his stoicism.

"It's called the Golden Armada, the protoss tried to use it to reclaim their homeworld of Aiur, but now Amon's had their sights set onto us."

"How many ships?"

Raynor spoke seriously. "Enough to scare the entire Dominion into full mobilization. Umoja and the Kel-Morians are also on high alert. Everyone's looking to hire mercenaries, and Matt tells me Mira Han's suddenly become filthy rich. So basically enough ships to spook all the Terrans in the sector more than the Zerg ever did."

Nathaniel's haunted eyes grew darker over his prematurely wrinkled, skinny face. "What can we do to stop that?"

"What we do best, Austin. Bunker down and blow up whatever comes our way."

"Just like when we were holding out against the Zerg for the Sons of Korhal evac on the outskirts of Mar Sara city."

"Exactly like that, buddy. And speaking of old times, I think it's best if we recruit you in our ranks."

Nathaniel pulled a smirk over his previously haunted face. "Are you serious? A forgotten Magistrate such as myself?"

"I'm serious! You're actually kinda popular in the military books, and I can vouch for you to Junior. We could use all the best minds we can get."

"Gee man. I don't know what to say. At least we won't be outlaws anymore, right?"

"Think of it this way, Austin. All the lives lost before? You could save even more by helping us stop Amon's crazy apocalypse, as a commander just like old times. What do you say, partner?

Nathaniel thought heavily before making his decision.

"Wait!" yelled Tana. "You can't leave us! Who will command Haven's forces?"

Nathaniel carried a simple briefcase holding whatever scant clothing and belongings he owned, he answered. "Why, you of course."

"Indeed," added Chief Strommen as Tana squelched. "If I remember correctly, you enthusiastically wanted to be Haven's commander."

"Okay, look." said Tana. "I know I got excited, but recent events forced me to reconsider. If we get attacked again, this magnificent drunk musician is the only one who can successfully protect us!"

"Don't you worry," reassured Raynor. "The Dominion garrison will ensure you folks stand a fighting chance. Austin and I gotta go back to Korhal and get him signed up. In the meantime, you boys best rebuild and bulk up your military while Swann stays behind a little longer."

"Understood," said Strommen, who then explained to Tana. "It'll be part of our new deal with the Dominion. We receive development and recovery aid, and in return, we become a Dominion protectorate. It's our job to use the new resources to build a respectable fleet so that when the time comes we can join the Dominion in battle."

"How did this happen without me knowing?" asked Tana.

"Valerian called."

"Did we cast a vote on this decision?"

"The Council's decision was unanimous, we're desperate for aid."

"So we're Dominion dogs again?"

"It's not like before, young Tana. We still get to keep our republic, but of course the Dominion controls our foreign affairs. It we want them to help us, we have to help fight their war, which is basically our war too. Honestly, this is a good deal."

"So... I'm our new commander?"

"Yes." Strommen approached her and clamped his hand on her shoulder. "When the next opportunity comes, I trust that you will seize it and make us proud."

The blonde woman took a moment to accept her new responsibility, then saluted proudly. "I won't fail you nor our people, Uncle."

Strommen smiled and turned to shake Nathaniel's hand. "It was a pleasure to have you here. Go make the sector a safer place."

"Sure man." said Nathaniel with a small smile. He shook Tana's hand, then followed Raynor out the hall.

"Just like old times?" said Nathaniel.

"Like old times, buddy."

A/N: This is basically the interlude between the Haven Arc and the Shakuras Arc, which will come up next.

When the apocalypse is at your doorstep, can you really afford to give precious resources to a weaker neighbor hoping they could survive? It would make sense that the Dominion would send a task-force to smash Gestefield's fleet before he could raid other worlds, but what about long-term protection? Any Dominion battlecruiser guarding haven could make the difference in defending a Dominion world elsewhere. So I reasoned that the Dominion can still gain benefits from protecting Haven. By helping Haven recover and developing their military using the planet's untapped resources, the republic can build a decent force, which would be expected to fight on behalf of themselves and the Dominion. Here's an analogy. Someone(The Dominion) finds a puppy(Haven) harassed by crows, saves the puppy, protects and feeds it until it grows into an attack dog. Would this be real political investment?

I also wanted to cover two things with Raynor, his relationship with Hanson and more importantly, his motives in Wings of Liberty and Legacy of the Void.

Hanson and Raynor together sounded like a cute idea at the time, and I was all up for that until one thinks it through. To me, Hanson and Raynor seemed pretty similar to Eowyn and Aragorn's case from The Lord of the Rings. Both woman fell in love with the ideals and heroicism the men stood for, not the gritty, troubled men themselves. Raynor would probably be too deep in his hole of self-pity and pain to drag Hanson into his mess, and if Hanson got to know him longer, she might change her mind.

Many people were upset over Raynor choosing to spare Kerrigan. Was he a hypocrite? Did he forget the countless deaths she inflicted, including his friend Fenix, whom he promised to avenge among the many she's killed? As mentioned earlier, I assumed Raynor believes that he did kill the Queen of Blades, who possessed Kerrigan, on Char. Also, I believe Raynor would definitely kill Kerrigan otherwise if given the chance, but the moment Valerian offered to not kill, but save Kerrigan, after losing almost everything he loved, can we really blame Raynor for going off the rails? To save one out of many things he's lost?

Also because the prophecy specifically told him not to kill Kerrigan or the apocalypse will happen. It's probably why he didn't angrily shoot Kerrigan in Heart of the Swarm for basically throwing all his sacrifices back into his face. He's angry, but he knows he can't kill Kerrigan because of that prophecy.