Disclaimer: Starcraft characters and setting are owned by Blizzard Entertainment. OCs belong to me
A/N: The story begins on Aiur just like in Legacy of the Void. but will diverge to observe characters from all four Protoss factions. Additional focus will also be placed on the Terrans and occasionally the Zerg Swarm. This effectively creates an alternative plot line separate from the protoss campaign.
Chapter 11: Fall of Shakuras, Part 1 "Starlight"
-Mar Sara, Major mining city-
Large swaths of dust blew across the desert landscape. The skies were covered with yellow and grey clouds, creating a somber mood. There was no sunlight over the streets, which were rife with panic and haste as civilians, many children, were ushered by Dominion marines towards deep underground bunkers, hoping to survive the glassing the planet may endure.
For once more, Mar Sara was invaded by an alien protoss terror fleet.
Broken bodies of battlecruisers fell from the heavens, heralding the dreaded, titanic, golden protoss warships that descended from the clouds, casting dark shadows over the wastelands. Instead of simply bombarding the planet from orbit, the large protoss vessels were forced to close in by the furious barrage of Drakken pulse cannons installed along the city's defense grid. With targets covered by clouds or simply too low to accurately shoot at, the Drakken cannons struggled to effectively counter their targets.
Over the booming din of anti-orbital artillery, a line of marines, marauders and siege tanks had already formed right outside the city. Thundering cracks echoed across the flat wasteland from behind the terran front line, and heavy artillery fire slammed into the invading ground forces, creating billowing pillars of black smoke.
A ghostly immortal robotically walked out of the ashes, its hardened-shield barely cracked from a direct hit. Like the immortal, the rest of the protoss legion endured the impacts and overall suffered superficial damage to its ranks. Hordes of red-eyed zealots marched unfettered, even as siege tank fire tore wide holes in their numbers, sending broken bodies and armor pieces flying. Immortals and colossi stood tall in the horizon, terrifying the Terran defenders.
"They're not stopping!"
"Fire at will!"
The infantry both within bunkers and outside unleashed their desperate volley of armor-shredding bullets and high-yield grenades. As if provoked by the flickering of their plasma shields, the protoss warriors ended their zombie march and suddenly broke in a unrelenting charge. Lines of tracer rounds and siege tank fire continued to pour into the advancing flood of gold and red, but the tide of psi-blades grew ever closer...
"Shit shit shit!"
"Stimpacks!"
"Don't you fucking stop firing!"
Blue lasers and plasma fire incinerated a squad of marines and annihilated a siege tank as protoss scouts and interceptors zoomed by, strafing the soldiers. Missile turrets spun wildly, desperate to shoot down the increasingly unending waves of starfighters. Many exposed towers were destroyed by the first wave.
Far behind the front lines, Gunner Ashley Lewis despairingly watched the swarm of fighters swarm past the Drakken pulse cannon she had been manning with her crew. This many protoss warships, both big and small, and the deadly horde of warriors and war machines about to crash into the perimeter defenses, what chance did they have to survive?!
One of her fellow crewmembers called out. "In the sky!"
The dark Mar Sara clouds parted as a gargantuan mothership loomed ominously over the desert, leading the terror fleet as it sliced the city with beams of red lasers.
"That one! Hit that one Ashley!"
She nodded and adjusted the cannon's rotary position, aiming her sights at the crystal center of the mothership. Who cares how thick the infamous mothership shields were? They'll just keep shooting it again and again until it cracked.
"Prime the gun!" she called out to her crew.
"Heat cycling commencing."
"Energy build up ready, preparing the catapult's projectile."
Satisfied with their routine, Ashley anxiously held her fist over the fire button as she waited for the cannon's procedure to finish
Someone screamed. "Watch out!"
Ashley ripped her head from concentration, seeing a phoenix pursued by much slower vikings. Her eyes widened with dread as the phoenix fired ionized blasts straight at them. In seconds, the cannon's armored crew bay was destroyed, and that one Drakken cannon out of many went silent.
Ashley's vision spun wildly, and she shook herself back to focus. A pained cry escaped her throat, as her leg had been seared and blown off by a direct shot from the ion blast, and various burns covered her entire body. She had no time to flail in pain though, looking around, she saw her crew dead and her gunner post announcing that the gun was fully charged. Having been knocked away by the explosion, she crawled with both arms back to her station
Meanwhile at the front lines, the marines quickly realized the futility of stopping the zealot charge, even as widow mines and perdition turrets peppered the protoss only to be dug out and torn apart. They looked to eachother's faceless visors for support, affirming that it was too late to retreat and they would stand their ground. They braced for impact as the zealot tide drew closer.
Ashley pulled herself onto the seat in front of the control panel. Ignoring the intense pain racking her body, she double-checked the gun's sights on the protoss mothership. She gave herself a broken smile. They will surely die trying to defend this planet they call home from the protoss, but God forbid if they'll kill her hiding in some bunker. They'll all die fighting to the last man, and she accepted her fate.
Three sounds echoed.
The clash of a marine's bayonet against zealot armor.
Ashley's scream as she brought her fist down against the fire button.
And the banging of two doors being slammed open.
-Korhal, Augustgrad Palace-
Admiral Horner barged in with a stern expression. He hastily strode through the room as nervous officials flocked by his side, messily grabbing onto papers and punching away on their tablets. Horner approached a large holographic tactical table surrounded by people, and two officers politely parted aside so the admiral could assess the situation.
This tactical map was wide and expanded to show the holographic projections of most major systems and their planets within the Koprulu sector; all color-coded by faction. People were busily discussing the current geopolitical state of the Koprulu, using extendable pointers for convenience in identifying each holographic system.
The current hot topic? The Golden Armada invasions have begun, mere hours after their first warning.
Horner addressed the crowd. "Do we have fleets inbound to the Sara system?"
One officer addressed. "Yes Admiral." He extended his pointer and gestured to the holographic planets. "As per our current war doctrine, we pulled fleets from three outer core systems to destroy the Golden Armada force striking our worlds. Ships from our inner core worlds filled some of the vacant garrisons to protect our out-most territories."
"Not a single dedicated attack on a core world." observed Horner. "So far the Golden Armada has been striking a few fringe worlds, and not even that many. That doesn't make sense... they have enough ships to make at least a concentrated strike and try to destroy one of our cores."
Another officer offered. "Mar Sara was a major mining planet, and the five other invaded worlds had valuable minerals and vespene reserves. Perhaps they're trying to cripple a portion of our war economy?"
Horner explained. "It would make sense for a drawn out conflict of attrition. But the protoss, or whoever's controlling them, wouldn't allow us time to reinforce our worlds. We still haven't fully mobilized, and the core worlds alone can still sustain the war effort. Unless... they're holding back a majority of their armada to prepare for something."
One officer said, "If they're hoping to catch our core worlds by surprise in a concentrated aattack, our web of outposts and long-range scanners would alert us in time to prepare. A core planet's tough defenses should buy us enough time to respond."
Another officer argued. "But if they all attack at the same spot, I doubt we'd even be able to encircle and destroy them."
"Then what can we do?!"
Horner tapped his pointer against the projector's surface to catch their attention. "We must accept that if the entire Golden Armada attacks a core world all at once, we may not be able to stop it. We need to stick to the doctrine and hope to catch their fleets when separated from the main armada, just like the one in Mar Sara."
"Defeat-in-detail." said General Davis, who had been with them the whole time. "What about the independent fringe worlds? What will we do if they're attacked?"
"We can't afford to defend every single fringe world from a protoss strike fleet, but we have a solution..." Horner pointed to a planet. "The Dominion recently established Haven as a protectorate, where we currently send consultants and advanced hardware to bulk up their military. They already have strong viking traditions with many skilled pilots - a decent viking fleet can pack a serious punch against protoss warships, and have reliable FTL response times. They will be the extension of the Dominion defense doctrine, and through them we can fulfill our moral obligation to defend the refugee systems."
General Davis nodded. "It's a cost-effective strategy, and would still exert Dominion influence without causing a ruckus. I concur with this move. But that also reminds me: We still do not have an accurate estimate of Moebius Corps' true strength, nor what they're up to."
"Intelligence suggests Moebius is lurking in the shadows of space," answered Horner. "It's estimated their fleet is dangerous, but not truly threatening to our core fleets. My only guess is they're preparing for something too... just like the Golden Armada. Any news on the major Zerg broods?"
One officer double-checked her tablet, then pointed. "Kerrigan's Swarm is still out there in unknown space, presumably fighting the hybrid like we're led to believe. However, rogue broods across the sector have mysteriously vanished. We don't know if Kerrigan's involved or another entity is controlling them."
A scientist-consultant spoke up. "Data extracted from Moebius files tells us the hybrid are capable of controlling the Zerg. It's possible the hybrid, and by extension this 'Amon' are responsible for their disappearance. He or it may be building a swarm of their own."
"I sincerely hope not." shuddered an officer, and the room hummed in agreement.
"It'll bite us in the rear if we're caught off-guard." spoke Horner. "Make sure to divert at least some of our resources to anti-Zerg countermeasures."
Another officer frantically joined the discussion and connected her tablet into the projector's interface. He calmly, and urgently, spoke. "We've received report a major protoss fleet is warping deeper into our territory."
"What?!" yelled Davis. "How'd they slip by?"
"Ah-" croaked the officer, intimidated by Davis' stern glare. "They're just jumping systems, ignoring planets and the fleets defending them."
"What is the fleet's strength?" asked Horner.
"10 carriers, several dozen escorting void-rays, and one mothership."
"That's not enough to threaten any of the core worlds" noted Horner. "And yet here they are deep in Dominion space. Do we know anything else about them?"
"I was just getting to that," said the reporting officer. "These warships are different, they're colored red and black with different aesthetics that don't match Daelaam architecture. This leads us to believe this is a Tal'darim fleet that appeared from unknown space."
Horner refrained from groaning in front of his subordinates. "The Tal'darim... These fanatics are always so unpredictable, yet extremely dangerous as well. They're randomly jumping across our systems, but they must have a goal in mind."
The officer input data into the projector, which displayed the Tal'darim's reported path on the three-dimensional holograms.
The admiral rubbed his chin in thought. "It does seem sporadic, but the lines suggest the Tal'darim are slowly circling... onto Korhal?"
Davis guffawed. "Korhal? Our capital world? What do these aliens think they can accomplish? A diversionary distraction? The moment they stop jumping, our core fleet'll tear them a new behind."
"But we can't just ignore them." said Horner. "The protoss have their moments of shortsightedness, but they're almost never stupid."
"You're not wrong about that," admitted Davis. "But all we can do is wait for their move." She spotted a raised hand. "Speak up."
"What if our enemies attack us all at once?"
The question weighed heavily on everyone's shoulders.
Horner was the first to break the silence. "It's obvious the Dominion can't stand alone. Valerian sought a potential alliance with the Daelaam, who'd be our best ally in a sector-wide crisis, but now it's likely they're in no position to help us whatsoever."
"We shouldn't depend on the protoss for aid." spoke Davis. "What about the other major terran factions? Our young emperor is quite the diplomat bringing us in the favor of Umoja and the Kel-Morians."
"Valerian's already working on a defensive-pact with the Protectorate and the Combine."
"There's also Mira's Marauders and their crime lord. Extensive intelligence reports tells me Mira Han's built a very formidable army, for a band of mere mercenaries. Perhaps you should make sure your wife doesn't laze around while her husband's doing all the fighting." spoke Davis with derision.
"Uh." flatlined Horner having been thrown into an uncomfortable situation. 'Why does everyone know about this?!' "They're mercenaries, they'll probably be fighting the war since someone's bound to hire them anyway. Weren't we tight on money?"
"It would be best-," spoke Davis firmly. "-if the mercenaries fought on our behalf and led by our skilled and competent minds. Mira's Marauders didn't build their fearsome reputation out of nothing, so it's imperative we secure the contract and have them on our side, and you are just the man to do it."
"But.. it's complicated." croaked Horner lamely.
"If we are to win this war, every Terran loyal to defending our divine right in the stars must stand by us! It is the only way we can survive the apocalypse!" The general typed her commands into the holoprojector. The map of the Koprulu sector was erased, instead showing a grand fleet of red, grey, and green Terran battlecruisers and starships facing enemy vessels from all three races. "The Kel-Morians and the Umojans will stand behind us." Ahead of the massive allied Terran fleet, three ships took lead. A red Dominion wraith, a pink Marauder battlecruiser, and a white Haven viking. "Humanity, long divided, must unite!" The three ships moved to take on the enemy horde. "And our manifest destiny be shaped by its champions!"
Now hyped, the room cheered General Davis' rousing jingoistic mandate of a united terran front. Except for Horner, he was not looking forward to another awkward marital confrontation.
-Warp Space, Phantom-
Kaldalis pushed himself off the medical table after the adjutant finished scanning his body for possible internal injuries. He passed William, cleaning his two rifles, sitting in front of an active television and watching the movie it currently displayed.
The veteran warrior paused his pace and turned back to watch the video with curiosity.
The video showed two terrans facing off in an unfamiliar installation. One an old man with earthen colored robes... and a blue laser sword? The other a towering black armored individual wielding a similar sword, but red. Kaldalis never knew the Terrans had such weapons; why hadn't he seen them before? The two terrans were locked in blade-to-blade combat, occasionally swinging wildly as the blades clashed with exotic electric crackles.
"What are you watching?" asked Kaldalis.
Spooked, William snapped his head to address the elder. "It's just Star Wars. One of the best things the Terrans have ever produced."
Extremely interested at this never before seen aspect of terrans, Kaldalis took time to study the unusual martial forms utilized by the two swordsmen. Perhaps this was a video manual on an ancient terran combat style before their transition to firearms? Terran warriors actually engaging protoss zealots in hand to hand combat would surely be a sight!
"Those... laser swords. Did the terrans use them in the past?"
William choked on his own laugh. "What? Lightsabers? Yes. In fact, I hear they still use lightsabers in monasteries back on Earth."
"Is that so?" Maybe he should make plans to sneak past the UED and explore around...
"Nah. I'm just kidding. They never existed. The lightsabers you see here are just special effects, they're fake. This whole thing is just an act, and the people in the video are just actors."
"Ah." said Kaldalis, genuinely disappointed. "A theatrical performance. I did notice their fighting style seemed oddly subdued and stiff."
"I know right?! That's what I told Lexi, but she said it's not always about the choreograph or CGI special effects, blah blah blah. It's about the story and its character's development, I guess she's right on that one. The original Star Wars is basically about a farm boy who goes on a journey to defeat an evil empire."
Kaldalis watched as the elder terran paused to quote dialogue.
"If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."
"What does he mean by that?" Would the terran become a dragoon? An energy being? The terrans he fought rarely survived psi-blade wounds!
"Just watch the movie, old man."
Kaldalis watched as the swordsmen dueled into a tense stand-off. Elsewhere in the movie a group of terrans sneaked around accompanied by two robots, one an ugly, rustic imitation of a terran and the other a chirping and beeping blue robot of endearing size. One of the terrans, a young boy it appeared, sought 'Ben', and Kaldalis saw the elder man...Ben?... allow the black-armored terran to cut him down. To the protoss' mild surprise, Ben instantly disappeared instantly when the red lightsaber struck him down, to the grief of the young boy.
"What happened to Ben?"
"He became 'One with the Force'."
"What is the 'Force'?"
"Come on old man! There's no point in me explaining unless you watch the movies."
"Of course. I had no idea the Terrans enjoy creating and watching heroic epics."
"Yeah, it's a popular cliche anyone will eat. Ordinary kid lives a normal life, gets called or forced into some crazy adventure, then meets a gang of weird people in a ship to go on crazy adventures as a bunch of misfits."
"Intriguing." mused Kaldalis. "That mirrors similarly to the situation we are in."
William shot Kaldalis a dirty look. "I'm not going to get attached to a group I'll drop off and never see again. And with that logic... I think you saving my ass earlier was stupid."
"Is that really what you believe?" asked the elder protoss. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
"I'm worth nothing to you, and you all are worth nothing to me," explained William. "If our roles were reversed, I would rather ensure I survived, and not risk myself saving you."
"That is a rather... callous approach, openly admitting a willingness to abandon your comrades, but an understandable one. Do you view your life as more important?"
"One life usually isn't more important than another. But to me, of course my life would be more important."
"You are correct, one life should not deserve greater priority than the other. In the Khalai, we believe there is strength in unity. Would it not be mathematically sound to combine our strengths together to accomplish greater heights? It was this reasoning that spurred me to aid you among many in my time. I risk my life to help yours, and you may support me in return. That is the core philosophy of the Khalai people."
"That sounds like wide-eyed idealist bullshit." spat William. "Not even mocking you, I honestly believe that's stupid. Tell me this, old man. What happens if one day, you're alone. Either your friends aren't around to help or they just straight up abandoned you to die. Where's your strength then? What will you do?" He continued, his voice stern and harsh. "I'll tell you what you're supposed to do. You need to become strong alone so that your life will never be placed in the mercy of another. Feeding off the support of others makes you weak and overly dependent! This is probably why you lost your home in the first place!"
The scarred zealot stared at William for an intense few seconds, and closed his one eye with a frown. Soon, he spoke, with the same level-tone and calmness as before. "It is true that one must find his own strength. That is where unity comes in. In order to help others, one must have an iron will and strong hearts. Collectivism does not automatically equate to weakness for the individual. When we lost the Khala, I feared the worst, that our people will no longer turn to each other to create a solid foundation. Yet, after seeing those like Khalis and Val'idin fight together, I believe there is still hope for the Khalai culture, and the protoss people as a whole."
William processed his words. "That would only work if you can place total trust in each other. You shouldn't have trusted me, especially since I actually tried to abandon you all. That's how Terran society functions. You agree to work with each other. You can become good friends and stalwart partners. You can even actually, genuinely like and love each other. But there's always a chance you'll backstab and betray each other, in one way or another, and you'll be broken because of that. That's why the smart terrans are wary of building trust towards each other."
He continued. "So I think you lied earlier. You hate me for my 'dishonorable deed'."
Kaldalis responded. "What I told you earlier is an earnest truth. I can not despise you for wanting to live. And you are not as dishonorable as you believe. Which brings us to this question. Why did you risk your life to aid the terrans on Haven? That is contrary to everything you just told me."
William's glare intensified. "I wanted to leave. But Lexi willed me to save them, so I did just that."
"Why would you listen to Lexi? Someone who asked you to risk your life?"
"And why are you asking me these questions?!" William's voice rose unintentionally. "Technically, I'm her servant and she's my master. That's how we function. Emotionally, I owe her a lot, that's why she's my best friend."
"Do you expect her to betray you?"
"What makes you think you know anything about how our relationship works?! She would never betray me, so I would never turn my back on her!"
The old zealot threw down the finishing strike. "Because you completely trust in her to support you. And thus you found yourself depending on her companionship and, as you said, would never turn your back on your friend. Seeing this, that is why I chose to save your life, even if it costed my own. And if you gave them a chance, the others will hold you in the same light."
William stared up wide-eyed at the standing elder protoss, who held a confident look in his own eye. The albino pulled himself from his stunned silence to snarl, he could practically imagine Kaldalis with a shit-eating grin on his face.
"Ha...haha... That is a very bold claim, Kaldalis. I see how it is. You think you're so wise and clever. You think you're some Ben? The Obi-wan Kenobi?!" His voice dropped to a hiss. "Get the fuck out of my face..."
Satisfied, Kaldalis left William in peace.
'Kaldalis as Obi-wan?... Hm... Between me and Lexi, who's Han Solo and Chewie? I still don't know that' He sat there, pondering deeply on a question he juggled for years.
"Are you faring well, Lexi?"
Lexi had borrowed her adjutant's auto-laser mod to mend a minor shrapnel wound on Khalis' arm, and accidentally dozed onto said arm. She pulled herself back up to face the high templar with weary eyes. "Oh, haha. Sorry. I'm-" she yawned, milking tears from her eyes. "-good."
"You seem... tired."
"Yeah.. it was like 2:00 P.M when we left Korhal. Then I ran all over the place with you guys on Haven for fourhours, in power armor. So yeah, I'm kinda tired." She sipped her now cold coffee. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Her hand reached behind Khalis' neck and removed the terrazine clamp. "I guess you won't be needing this anymore."
"Admittedly, I too forgot. I appreciate your diligence in healing our injuries," said Khalis. "Would you like to rest afterwards?" she asked tentatively, feeling guilty for consuming her time.
"Oh no. Even if I wanted to, I can't sleep. I'm too excited to see what Shakuras looks like. Don't coffee, Khalis -I mean- don't worry! A little coffee won't hurt."
"I believe you will like Shakuras," mentioned Val'idin, meditating next to their spot on the couch. "The world is shadowed and harsh, but we Dark Templar managed to create a comfortable abode within the darkness. In the distance, you can see the towering obelisks and 'skyscrapers' lighting the sky. The center of the city is even brighter."
Lexi lit up with excitement. "Ooh~ So it's like the pictures I've seen of New York City back on Earth. 'The City that Never Sleeps'."
"Everyone sleeps," answered Val'idin with some confusion. "But I suppose you can say the lights of Talemetros are everlasting."
"Yes... It is a nice place I suppose." said Khalis.
"Have you ever visited Talemetros?" asked Val'idin.
"No. I never set foot in Talemetros and spent most of my time training in the Khalai district. I know that my brother Farus would frequently visit the capital. He said he was..." she narrowed her eyes. "...seeing someone."
"'Gasp!' Was he meeting a girl?~" Lexi nudged Khalis' knee with an elbow.
"Your brother, a Templar, entranced by one of our own?," joined Val'idin, stroking his chin. "Very interesting~."
"Enough of these foolish allegations!" spat Khalis. "There is no way my honorable little brother would stoop to that level. Perhaps he had to work with a dark templar - purely business."
"No one said it was wrong. But if your brother was caught truly in such a relationship, it'll become everyone's business. A riot so to speak. I mean, if I caught my younger sister pursuing and courting a Khalai, my whole family would faint."
Lexi snorted. "So scandalous! Good one Val!" She held her right hand to her mouth to stifle the chuckles. The blood-red crystal bracelet on Lexi's wrist was bare for Khalis could see. She was deeply curious.
"Lexi," she started. "Earlier, you were able to conjure a psi-blade during our battle on Haven. How were you able to wield one?"
"Eh?" croaked Lexi, with her mouth hanging like a deer caught in the spotlight.
"She can what?" asked Val'idin.
"I saw her wield a psi-blade on Haven. It was floating just past her fist, and it was red. I have never seen a red psi-blade outside the ones possessed by Amon."
Val'idin took a perceptive look at the meek terran woman shrinking in their gaze. "Was it right-handed?"
"I believe so." answered Khalis. "Does it have something to do with this crystal?" She straight up snatched and pulled Lexi's right hand to closely examine the piece of jewelry. "I know psi-blades need a crystal to power and focus the blade, this must be the explanation!"
Lexi's face paled and broke into a cold sweat. "Uh-"
"Let me see." Val'idin stood up and approached them, leaning in to examine. "This bracelet looks handcrafted. And what's this? Minute components and focusers, all disguised as smaller gems and parts of the bracelet's band? This is a blade unit? If it is, a red crystal?..." Val'idin's eyes turned to slits.
Her eyes zoned out. "I...uh...Yes." she finally answered. "I use this bracelet to make my very own psi-blade."
"Can you demonstrate?" pressed Val'idin.
"Yeah, sure." She held her arm away. "I just need to think and-" With a crackling pop, an inwardly curved red blade instantly sprouted mere inches past her fist. Her wrist was free to rotate, and the blade would stay fixed ahead of her knuckles. The red crystal in the bracelet glowed with power as the bracelet's metal band surged with red sparks that danced harmlessly against her skin and fed into the crystal itself.
Lexi took a mock fencing combat stance and slashed the air with her blade. "I love whipping this out. It's like my very own lightsaber!"
Khalis marveled at how this Terran was enthusiastically wielding what was otherwise uniquely protoss weapon, ignoring the dreaded Duran. She looked to Val'idin for his reaction, but saw that he was visibly disturbed and troubled. "Val'idin, are you alright?"
Lexi stopped her playing as Val'idin spoke. "This blade. It's not just a psi-blade. It's some twisted mixture of psionic and void energy. Like a hybridization of purely psionic Khalai blades and Nerazim warp blades. And the curvature of the blade... its distinct redness." His frowned deepened as he spoke darkly and firmly. His tone was no longer speculative, it was a declaration. "I've seen this before."
The adjutant suddenly brought Val'idin out from his train of thoughts and announced. "We are now entering the Shakuras system."
Val'idin wasted no time rushing to the glass windows as the blast-doors opened, revealing the Shadow World. Lexi followed Khalis to observe this alien planet. It was breathtakingly beautiful in spite of its simple colors. What little light the system's star managed to shine on the planet created a blue atmosphere, over deep blue oceans and grey continents. The otherside of the planet glowed a deep violet, illuminated by some celestial anomaly. In between day and night was a pitch-black twilight.
"Dark and edgy, but it's so beautiful." enthused Lexi.
"Oh thank the gods we're home!" cheered Val'idin. He nudged Khalis' shoulder. "We can finally rest!"
Khalis was also relieved, for even if it was not Aiur, Shakuras was good enough to be her second home, especially after everything they've been through.
William was behind Kaldalis as they joined them, and gave Lexi a camera. "There, you happy now, Lexi?"
"This is THE BEST, Willie!" She immediately worked to take full snapshots of the planet from orbit.
"Would this be Umbara?... Nah, Umbara doesn't look like this."
Val'idin took the moment to share their jubilation, but something, a sixth sense, troubled the Nerazim psionic. "Wait... something is wrong. I have a bad feeling about this for some reason."
"Oh my god you said it." said William off-handedly.
"I sense it too." said Khalis. "It feels like..."
"Zerg!" yelled Val'idin with dread.
Seeing how quickly the mood became serious, Lexi called out. "Lily, can you run a long-range scan over the planet?"
"Look near the side of the planet with the purple night sky." directed Val'idin. "That is where most of the Nerazim settlements are!"
"Scanning... Warning: Zerg biosignatures detected."
"No... no no no" rambled the usually composed Val'idin. "Not this again!"
"We need to know what exactly is happening!" urged Kaldalis. "Get us closer!"
The Phantom quickly descended closer to the atmosphere over the night zone. Looking down, Val'idin watched in horror as the dreaded sight of Zerg creep was spreading like a tumor across the shadowy landscape, all from the fortress where the Warpgate to Aiur was located.
"Get us tactical, Adjutant!" commanded William.
"The Zerg are pouring from a central warpgate by the thousands. Battlefield analysis suggests the Dark Templar have fortified a web of fortresses surrounding the warpgate and are doing their best to contain the Zerg onslaught. By calculating proportional military strength, the total Protoss on Shakuras currently overpower the Zerg, but the Hybrid are spearheading the assault. It is possible the encirclement will break before the Zerg can be contained, and the invading brood's expanding hive clusters will worsen the situation."
"Alright." said Val'idin. "So the situation is bad, but there's still a chance we can stop it. We have to!"
"I shall stand beside you Dark Templar." said Khalis.
"As will I." Kaldalis.
"I'll get suited up," said Lexi. "William and I will help as much as we can."
"What?" hissed William. "Lexi, we've already survived deep shit on Haven. This time it's the Zerg. I don't want to do this!"
Lexi looked to William with a firm expression. "William, please. People need our help. Don't run away from this."
William struggled to find his words. He faced Lexi, and could see Kaldalis' expectant look in his peripheral vision. The albino sighed. "Fine. Let's do this."
Val'idin summoned his warp scythe as it materialized in his hand. It was time to plan. "We need to find the prelate leadership and know what is the best course of action we can do to help. Take us down with all our haste!"
The Phantom dove straight towards the Nerazim lights over the planet's surface, becoming a small light over the dark sky.
A/N: When you're too hyped for Total War: Three Kingdoms and couldn't resist weaving that into General Davis' dialogue.
Now we've finally reached the Shakuras Arc. It will take place before Artanis arrives with the Spear of Adun, and we'll see how everything goes from bad to worse by the time the player reaches Shakuras.
I'm throwing you guys even more questions! What plans are being cooked with the Golden Armada, Moebius and Amon's slave brood? Why is that Tal'darim fleet jumping wildly across the Terran Dominion? What's Val'idin's deal with Lexi's lightsab- I mean psi/warp blade? Just where did she get that blade? Is William the scoundrel and reluctant ally Han Solo or the alien Chewie to Lexi's Han Solo? Or maybe Lexi's Chewie since she's the token alien?...
Yes, I am a Star Wars fan. I might write a Starcraft/Star Wars crossover once this story is finished.
The Tal'darim fleet being able to completely bypass Dominion defenses and travel deep into their territory was inspired by Stellaris before it's 2.0 patch. You can build defenses in systems, but unless you can stop them from jumping away, hostile ships can just completely ignore the fleets and fortresses near your planets and jump to another less defended system. It was a pain to deal with... I often allowed only Hyperspace travel in my games. I'm glad for the 2.0 update, but you better make sure you still research the FTL-inhibitors. I once built a super fortress in a hyperlane chokepoint, only to watch as hostile ships went AROUND it. Chasing those raiders with my deathstack took forever. ; u ;
Philosophical discussions in this chapter aside, we're now back in the action. I hope you enjoyed the interlude!
