Chapter eleven: Assimilated

While these most violent acts were taking place on Moria's surface, in high orbit, the invisible Protoss warships hovered silently. For two weeks, Rodger had studied the ways of the First-Born with Fenix. He learned how to read the mysterious Protoss symbols, as such, he plunged himself into analysis of the books he could not understand when he first was on the ship. He found them very interesting and increased his knowledge on pretty much everything.

The man was now completely comfortable with Fenix near him. In fact, he felt better when he was alongside the gigantic spider then when he was near Aldaris. For some strange reason, he thought Aldaris hated him, but he knew it was probably only suspicion. One day, the great warrior Fenix, saw that something troubled the man. He approached him with caution.

"Rodger… We have learned many things from each other in these last weeks. However, I sense that something causes dilemma within you. You can trust me, friend."

Of course, the Kel-Morian knew he could. He asked a question he wanted an answer for several months ago.

"Fenix… do you know what T'rgashi means in the Protoss tongue?"

Fenix pondered for a while, not common with this word, but then the headpiece of the spider rose.

"If I can remember, T'rgashi means, "Wicked mind." Why?"

Rod told Fenix everything: his dreams about the great eye, his fears of the death of Feodora, and the time that meteor flew over his head during the Protoss attack and how he heard a voice. Fenix, terrified for a reason Rodger ignored, asked Rodger if Aldaris could examine him. The human did not understand why his new friend requested this, but not wanting to disappoint him, and touched by his concern, agreed.

Aldaris arrived in the room five minutes later.

"Entaro Adun, noble Aldaris." Greeted Rodger.

Aldaris mysteriously did not answer. He moved towards Rodger and looked at him right into the eyes. The yellow eyes brought fear within the human.

"Aldaris!" called Fenix. "We do not know yet! Do not kill him!"

Rodger, confused, called to the Dragoon.

"Kill?? After two weeks, you're going to kill me? Why didn't you just kill me the first day if that was your intention??"

Aldaris backed up a few steps. Fenix then stated:

"Peace, Rodger. We will not harm you. You said you saw the Overmind in your dreams?"

Rodger nodded, also adding that the Overmind had named itself T'rgashi several times during those nights. Aldaris then asked a question of his own.

"Do you recall a little white worm entering your body? In your youth, perhaps?"

Getting more and more confused, Rod did not answer.

"Maybe you do not remember. Follow me." Requested Aldaris.

Rod followed the Judicator across the warship to a door that had never been opened all the while he was amongst the Protoss. On the door, there was a sign that read: "Memory room: no entry." The human and the two Protoss entered the room.

A pleasing surprise awaited Rodger; Zeratul, the Prelate, was already in the room, with the Matriarch.

"Entaro Adun, Raszagal! Entaro Adun, Zeratul!" he called happily.

He noticed something was wrong. Zeratul looked terribly lamented. The Dark Templar walked towards a hovering chair with a cap, sort of like a chair one would see at a hairstylist's, and asked Rodger to sit. The man obeyed. Zeratul then gently placed the cap on top of his human companion's head, and explained:

"This, my friend, is the memory chair. Lost memories can be regained here. If what Fenix has said is correct, if it is true you can hear the Overmind speak…I cannot even tell you how worried I am about you. Now, I want you to think of absolutely nothing. The memory chair will do the rest."

A large screen appeared in front of Rodger, Zeratul, Raszagal, Fenix, and Judicator Aldaris. Suddenly, a black and white image of a young Rodger catching a football and dancing to the touchdown appeared on the screen.

"HEY! I remember this!" exclaimed the excited human. "This is when Kurt and I went to state finals! This is the catch that won us the game!"

The image faded. It changed to the image of a young boy, perhaps three years old, playing in a sandbox.

"There's me again." Said Rodger.

Zeratul walked right up to the screen. He noticed a little white worm was in Rodger's miniature shovel. The worm crawled up Rodger's forearm and burrowed into his skin.

"I…I don't remember this happening!"

Zeratul buried his face in his large hands. Fenix let his mechanical legs collapse and fell to the ground loudly. Raszagal shook her head in despair.

Aldaris, the Judicator, was more direct. He shouted:

"Dreaded Zerg creature! You were assimilated into the swarm! That is why you can hear T'rgashi talk! Because you are one of his minions!"

Aldaris, armed with psionic blades, the same weapon the Zealots had employed against Rodger's team upon Moria, charged at the bewildered human.

"NO!!!" roared Fenix, as he leapt in front of the marine.

Aldaris pulled back his blades, decorated with a strange symbol shaped like a star, angered.

"Back off, Fenix! Let me cut this one through its tainted throat! We were wrong to bring "it" here at the first place!"

Raszagal, who did not speak since Rodger's arrival in the memory room, moved forward.

"Lower your weapons, Judicator. Rodger Hertubiz is no immediate harm to us at the moment. Remember, it took over two centuries for the peaceful slothian to be transformed into the nightmarish Hydralisks. It could be the same case for Rodger."

Not believing his comrades, Aldaris backed up quickly, turned his back to the group, and prepared to leave the room. As the door opened, he turned around and yelled:

"Damn you, Rodger Hertubiz! You will be the death of us all!"

Then he disappeared. Zeratul approached Rodger and grabbed him by the shoulders amicably.

"Old friend… would this ever come to pass."

The human, on the edge of tears, murmured:

"It… It can't be true…"

"I'm afraid it is, Rodger. Fear not. You won't feel any different until a century. It is true you have been assimilated into the Zerg swarm, but we can use that as a weapon. If you can hear the Overmind, it means you can overhear his plans, as well. With you by our side, T'rgashi, as we will now call it, will never be able to catch us off guard again. I find it is more a blessing then anything else."

Zeratul and the Matriarch left the room. On her way out, Raszagal gave Rodger a big hug, and whispered:

"Fear not, child. You are still the First-Born's friend."

The marine was alone with Fenix again.

"I may be of some use now," quoted Rodger, but when I will turn into a dreaded Zerg creature…"

The Dragoon interrupted him.

"That day will not come soon! You will lead us on the fields of Moria tomorrow, and we will destroy the Zerg Cerebrate! This is also your chance to unite human and Protoss! Only you, Rodger Hertubiz can do this! You are a vital part of this operation! The Zerg will not fall if you are not there to fight it!"

Truly touched by his friend's words, Rod hugged one of the Dragoon's imposing legs. Fenix, not understanding the gesture, but comprehending the emotion, accepted the embrace gladly.

"Do me a favour, Fenix?" demanded Rodger.

"Anything for you, my friend."

The marine's request was one Fenix did not anticipate.

"When I start to display Zerg behaviour symptoms… please kill me."

Fenix did not believe he would be able to slaughter his only human friend, so he gave no answer, and the two remained close to each other for many minutes. If he had to do what Rod asked for, the Dragoon knew he would miss this feeling.

The Dragoon felt loved, for the first time since he died as a Zealot.