14 – Red Morrow
Artanis had been expecting their jump from the far planet-side for almost a day before they final arrived.
The warp gate's plaza was swarmed with troops and while the sight of them soothed his inner soldier, the Praetor knew it was very unlike Zeratul to be so late, much less late at all. His old friend had promised an audience with the UED Captain and had sent her to the Mothership immediately upon arrival, where she waited with the rest of the Prelate's vanguard. Zeratul himself was nowhere to be seen.
Artanis wished for his friend's cloak of darkness to approach her since the last he had spoken to a human in person was when she had fatefully healed him on Braxis, their exchange brief and panicked, and he knew very little of what has transpired after, apart from her poor engagement with Kerrigan. The vanguard stood around her like they would a prisoner instead of an escort and she had a hand curled through the hollow cutout of her rifle butt. Everyone was on edge.
He was careful to keep his thoughts close. What is going on here?
He waved off his own soldiers when he approached, who fanned out around the bridge with suspicious eyes on the lonely human. She bowed, hand jumping to her ear to catch her visor.
"Praetor Artanis." A physical voice made his mind throb. "I hope you are… uh… well, give the circumstances."
He swept her his finest. "As I, you, young warrior. Where is your superior?"
Her eyes were a strange color for humans and he lost the first part of her sentence in them. "…though he sends his regards. He promised to join you for briefing. I am here to discuss the Zerg you are fighting, I have some experience in neutralizing cerebrates."
"We slew the cerebrates nestled at the Temple's grounds long ago, when the Matriarch first ordered the crystals reunited—"
"Then the cerebrates are surely in the process of rebirth. Have you picked up any of their signatures on thermal or psionic scans?"
Her audacity was new, the bravery still the same. He reigned in his manners. "No, young one. But if you believe they are attempting to return, we shall order a re-sweep that you may oversee."
He could see her back straighten and her thoughts thicken about her head. She wet her lips, words suddenly careful. "I would advise speed over planning, Praetor," she replied. "Killing a cerebrate is ugly business. Holding against them is… well, easier isn't the best word, but it'll do. Optimal, maybe. Less loss of life, I would say, and if re-activating the Temple guarantees a full purge, a siege would do just as much as neutralization."
"A wise judgment, Starling. Though as talented as you are, I regret I am most interested in speaking with you once our engagement with the Zerg is over."
The color drained out of her face and her knuckles twitched on her rifle. "About what happened on Braxis? The informant?"
A chord ill-struck, Artanis, he was careful to think to himself. There is a wound here.
"As a sworn officer of Prelate Zeratul, it would be most helpful of you to disclose in full what transpired there. For your safety and ours, as much as you may not believe the first. Zeratul went to great lengths on a suspicion your former brothers would betray you and had he guessed wrong, all of us would be much worse off."
Her expression hadn't changed. He felt his own claws clinking together as he squeezed them behind his back for strength. "You have proved your loyalty to him. I do not doubt this will reward you."
She was staring over his shoulder and her eyes snapped back to his when the sound of the bridge doors closing echoed behind him. He turned, both hoping and knowing who it was.
The Prelate bowed once Artanis turned to face him. "Praetor, Adun has answered my prayers. We come to battle this hour."
The cloud of thought vibrating behind him was suddenly very heavy, but Artanis swept another bow to the old Dark Templar. "En Taro Tassadar, my friend. Adun has answered mine with you."
Zeratul moved like shadows, smooth and shapeless, each step seeming different from the last as he rose to the comsat rig, armor gleaming. Starling saluted with the rest of his vanguard, who fell into place behind him as he breezed past his Captain to boot up one of the communication screens.
"We should begin the briefing immediately. We cannot know if Kerrigan herself waits to strike amongst broods here."
"She isn't here," Starling squeaked, hand coming down from her forehead. Zeratul turned a moment to glare at her, and she swallowed. "She wouldn't risk coming this close to so many Dark Templar without the Swarm behind her."
"Thank you for your insight, Captain. You may retire to the marshal grounds for further orders."
One of his vanguard stepped forward to escort her out, and she followed without even a meek second glance, disappearing through the bay doors with her thunderstorm of thought. Artanis couldn't help crossing his claws.
Do I sense tension between you and your… Captain, is it again?
She serves because she has nowhere else to go. I am mindful of this when true loyalty is needed, especially when discussing secrets. Zeratul paused as the screen opened a connection to Talematros, the city's sigil blinking in wait. Her skills will be useful in the coming battle, but not her presence. It has troubled her enough already.
So Raynor was right then—she was a consort to the Vice-Admiral?
The old Protoss stood upright, facing the screen, the shine off his pauldrons contrasting the darkness of his robes. It was a long while before he spoke.
She saw him die. I cannot say what more she knew of him.
Zeratul, surely you must know the truth about—
His head had turned in warning, eyes small and fiery, looking more a part of the Dark Templar stories of silent assassins than ever before. Do not push me, young Templar.
Artanis lifted his palms in surrender. As you wish, Zeratul.
A familiar face appeared over his shoulder, her long, sleek tendrils of neural cords cascading from behind her veil, and Zeratul bowed deeply as she spoke.
My children, the hour of battle has dawned. At long last, we must undo the wrongs of our past and cleanse this land of our betrayer's ilk.
The anger that flared through him as his memories rushed to him made him forget his manners. He buried his fist in his claws. Kerrigan has masterminded this entire chain of events, and we played right into her hands!
Zeratul nodded grimly. Yes we did, Artanis. Yet our course is set nonetheless. Using the Temple's energies against the renegade Zerg may accomplish Kerrigan's aims, but it is still our only chance of survival.
And survive we will, my warriors, came Raszagal's fierce reply. For too long have we labored in futile defense as our enemies push us further and further away from victory. The time has come to let loose the full fury of our powers! Never again shall Shakuras be despoiled by the foul touch of alien species! These Zerg shall be the first to fall before us!
Zeratul traded looks with Artanis but his calm held. Matriarch, I have served you for many millennia. I have always valued your wisdom and strength. Yet lately, in your mind…
He turned again to glance at Artanis, who sensed the concern in his old friend's words. Zeratul crossed his arms in front. I have sensed something that clouds your true spirit. Though Kerrigan has gone, I wonder if her treachery still remains?
Be at ease, Zeratul. The Matriarch raised her hand, eyes cooling. I am still the same Raszagal you have always known. These recent events have weighed heavily upon me and I am wearied. But fear not; my warrior spirit will shine before you, and light your path to victory.
Indeed, Zeratul hedged, the uncertainty only faintly masked.
Artanis walked beside him to hail his Executor on the partner screen. The time for action is upon us! The crystals must be taken to the Temple while the Zerg still muster their forces. He put a hand on the Prelate's shoulder. I shall carry the Uraj myself, while Zeratul handles the Khalis.
He nodded in reply, his voice quiet and directed this time. After this has passed, we shall speak. In private.
It was Artanis' turn to nod as the Matriarch gave her orders. Executor, you shall provide escort for Artanis and Zeratul as they make their way to the Temple. Gods willing, we will channel the energies of the Xel'Naga, and scour this world clean of the Zerg! Go now, my children, and know that the survival of our entire race depends upon your actions!
He wanted to rub his hands together in delight – everything was falling so perfectly into place – but that seemed too staunchly human for him, so he settled for a grin that almost split his face in half as he watched the mutalisks hand their payload off to the waiting drones.
Kerrigan had been kept out of this loop for fear of disrupting it; the Queen of Blades had a bad habit of threshing things she didn't understand and she passed judgments so quickly that had she understood what he was doing, she'd have destroyed it anyway. She was so paranoid of anything with the potential to overpower her that she had made a hobby out of nipping would-be challenges in the bud. The breeding expert Abathur had started coming to Duran on the quiet after she wrecked the first few mega-zerg it had been brewing to serve her.
The old Zerg was clicking his teeth and claws together as Duran watched the casket come in. He patted his dear friend on what could possibly be considered a shoulder. "Calm yourself, Abathur. I daresay you might be something other than level-headed… can this be excitement I see dawning on you?"
It settled back into the crevice of the hatchery walls. "Anticipation for work. A powerful canvas comes to me. Potential indiscernible, must begin immediately."
Duran laughed, his laryngeal flaps flexing with each peal. "Soon, my friend, soon. He shall be yours once I make sure it is truly our fallen Vice-Admiral."
"Human strains always weak. Output varies. A tiny soldier, a Queen of Blades. Unpredictable but unprecedented, if strains behave."
"And you always make them behave, Abathur. This will be good practice for you – when the time comes, you will have another opportunity to create a Queen of all the Queens." He could see Abathur's eyes swell. "The Vice-Admiral is only a beta-test."
"Redundant," it gurgled, claws spinning. "Stukov greater than prey."
"He will be a true predator once you finish with him," Duran mused, eyes on the casket the drones were hauling down to the hatchery. "But he will be prey for his lost love, if all goes as planned."
Zeratul watched the invasion begin with his vanguard at his side, ever mindful of her presence among them. For the first time since the jump, she seemed to be at peace watching the legions march forth from Void Seeker's bridge, her hand slipping from her rifle to fan across the glass. The drums of war were serenely familiar to her.
He hadn't yet returned her helmet, giving her a visor to use instead, knowing she could breathe the air on Shakuras for the time being. The freezing winds of Talematros were a result of Shakuras' long nightly winter, and here, where the Zerg festered and grew, a warm, fertile summer was heralding their arrival.
The Executor had given her the orders for the battle, and his vanguard was to follow her command on the field. The Zerg specialists of her homestead were average warriors amongst the Protoss—nearly every Elect had fought them in their struggle to stay alive. Humans knew little of their blessings.
He held the Khalis in his hands and could feel its gentle vibrations coursing through him, the soft whispers of the Khala replaced with the silence he had always known. She had complained of the noise, and he rued her for it; he hadn't heard those voices since his severance, and he had known them for so long before then. As he had thought, humans knew little of their blessings.
"How long until the grounds are secured?" She was staring through the glass, which fogged when she drew too close.
"Another hour, perhaps less. Artanis is efficient when his vengeance directs him."
"Vengeance is strength, not direction. Acumen swings the sword, vengeance makes it hurt. Unchecked, it is fury. Fury destroys you. Vengeance destroys them." She said it so flatly and mindlessly he wondered if she was thinking aloud.
"Reconstruction still speaks to you, even out here, it seems."
She let her hands drop back to her sides, pulling her nose off the window. "It gives me value."
The word was acid in her sweet voice. He narrowed his eyes. "Again it shall be tested. Again, you will prove it to yourself true."
"That's only if I don't die."
"Do you forget my promise to you, little one?"
"I'd like to," she countered, but when their eyes connected, she dropped her gaze to the floor. "Maybe that will be tested, too."
"My brothers will keep you safe while I am within the Temple." He waited for Artanis' wave, eyes on the commlink. She was testing his patience with her passive-aggressive jibes. "You will report to the Executor thereafter."
She returned her gaze to the battlefield as small mountains of smoke and psi began to bloom across the surface, the Protoss army cutting through the ground forces situated around the Temple. The path they hewed glittered from the armors of a thousand, a vein of silver through the cracked earth. He could feel her thoughts quiet as she stared.
"I did not think you were the kind to yearn for battle, little one."
"Stop calling me that," she said, her tone harsh, but softening as she heard how she sounded. "I just want to get back to something I know. Something familiar."
He heard the thought echo so clearly in her mind that it had discernable words—maybe the battlefield is home.
It warmed his heart to know she liked the fury of battle as much as he did, but when he realized why, he forced himself not to think of it. It would bring him back to the dream, back to all the other things about her that he valued—
That is where I will lose this. By value without action.
Yet he was paralyzed, watching her, knowing anything he said would be used against him; she had often said battle was the same everywhere, and so were females. The Matriarch's disfavor had taught him that, and he knew better than to try bribing his Captain with words. His kindness would only be construed as attempts to, as she called it, 'protect his asset'.
There is no action that can prove her wrong, short of letting her die. And I shall not lose integrity by breaking a promise to fix it in her mind.
She was right there in front of him. He was backed into a corner.
What does she want?
"Prelate Zeratul, we are ready to begin your escort to the Temple," the Executor boomed over the commlink, shaking him from his thoughts less violently than Demeter, who had pulled hard enough on her rifle's back-strap to swing it lose.
He nodded to his vanguard and started for Void Seeker's hangar. "Received. We shall speak again when we break ground."
Demeter moved with his Dark Templar, her combat whites sparkling amongst the blacks and blues of his brethren. She stopped as soon as she heard his voice.
"Starling, I request that you remain here."
His mind was roaring at itself as she turned to face him, her eyes as blank and confused as he was. The whole point of bringing her into the vanguard was to ensure she saw combat. And now she is to be left behind?
She knows I value her warrior spirit. I need to show that I value her.
She cleared her throat. "Zeratul-"
"You shall remain on Void Seeker until I return. I cannot guarantee your safety in the wake of the purge - I know only that it will destroy the Zerg, not that it will spare you amongst us."
"You're leaving me here?"
"Do you question every order given by superior officer on their way to war, Captain?" The invocation of her rank made him sound pompous, but he couldn't take it back now. His heart ached when she made her defiant stand, knees bending and eyes narrowing, the usual way she responded when backed in to a political corner—
"You can't, I swore you an oath—"
"You swore to obey," he replied, careful to keep his retort calm and level, the way a Prelate should reply. "Obey me and stay here."
"I swore to protect you," she spat. "I am a member of your vanguard, you can't take the rest and leave me—"
"And I swore you an oath in return, as your superior," he vented. "I swore the same, the oath to protect, and my rank gives mine precedence." He narrowed his eyes and forced himself to look angry. "Your bravery gives way to insolence so quickly. You will report to the captain at the helm until I return, and if I am forced to teach you a lesson in obedience to ensure your cooperation, you had best pray it shall not delay my arrival afield."
Her mouth hung open in stunned silence, her eyebrows relaxing against her forehead as the words crashed over her. After a moment, she seemed to marshal her wits and she straightened, face blank. "Yes, Prelate."
He caught her pointed thought as it whizzed out of her head. I will remember this.
He relished the expression of surprise on her face when he echoed in reply: Good.
He turned and pulled the shadows about him, watching his brothers fade from the light at his lead, leaving her standing alone in the viewing chamber, head heavy against his chest.