It's been a while. I'm not going to say any more now – too tired. I'll try to come back from here on, but Walking Backwards on a Tightrope is really commanding my attention. Sorry. I hope you enjoy this (exceedingly late) update.

Chapter XIV

Assignment

"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."
~Sun Tzu

Cynder felt the odd sensation of being spread over many bodies as the MageWalker crept as silently as the massive suit of steel could. She was still primarily herself, but she could also feel the fifty Zerg bodies by Spyro charging headlong at the enemy. She could see through their eyes, smell through their nostrils, feel the blood and fury flowing through their veins.

And it came perfectly naturally, as though she was born for it. That was the most frightening part.

Yet… it was exhilarating, too; the joy came to her with the same natural speed. It was as though it was a biological part of her offering her exultation in exchange for commanding the Zerg.

There were more Zerg here than she'd thought, she observed suddenly, as she stole among the marauding other hive's denizens. She told as much to her two Protoss companions.

Then he must make haste, or Spyro may be overrun, said Zeratul gimly.

"It shouldn't be too difficult," Cynder shrugged. "Spine Crawlers usually aren't built outside of the real perimeter – and that we've already passed in the first hive. There are Spore Crawlers, but they can't hit us; and no units here are a real thre—"

Stop! called Zeratul, cutting her off. She reacted instantly, halting all forward motion.

Spore Crawler, Shazun grunted. We must pass – the Hive is just beyond.

We will take it, Zeratul said. Cynder, take the Hive as we charge. We will buy you time.

With that, he sealed the Spore Crawler in a void prison and the two of them charged before Cynder could say a word.

They had, unfortunately, failed to realize, as Cynder had, that no self-respecting hive isolated its Spore Crawlers. There was another to the east.

And, since the Swarm was expecting Zeratul and his Void Prison, that one had the first within its detection range.

In the instant when the two Nerazim first struck at the turret, they became instantly under attack from all sides, courtesy of the many Zerg stationed around them.

For the love of… Cynder thought furiously through clenched teeth. She wished she could complete the saying; unfortunately, the Dragon religion had not been a major part of her education under Malefor and Gaul. Not that there was much.

She wanted to help the two Protoss Templar as they fought. She wanted to take out the Zerg attacking them. But she knew that she could be of far more use in other ways.

They were, after all, giving her time. It'd be a shame not to use it.

While the spore crawler was deactivated, she charged past it, along the west side, where she guessed instinctively that there would not be another watching. She was correct – she made it to the Hive without incident.

Now came the difficult part; replicating the way she had taken the other Hive on this one. She had acted on impulse the previous time, but she didn't have that luxury now. She would have to work it out consciously.

She considered how it had gone the first time. She's been searching through her mind, looking this way and that for a solution… no, that wasn't it. She'd been reaching out, grasping out with her mind for an answer.

And that was the answer, she realized. She hadn't been reaching into her mind, she'd been reaching out with it. Out to the Hive.

She closed her eyes, looking instead with her mind. And there it was – the same barrier of resistance, the same opposing force. It was, she now saw, the will of the Hive striving against her. But it wasn't strong – if it were, the Zerg would have rebelled against their Cerebrate masters long ago. No, it was meant to be subjugated.

And subjugate it she did. She stretched her mind around it like water parting around a rock, enclosing it, and then she squeezed. In an instant, the Zerg mind crumbled to her power and all fighting noises around her stopped.

She smirked. It had been even easier this time – she was learning. And she was nowhere near her limit yet. Who could say what heights she could grasp? In her mind's eye, she saw an image of herself at the head of the Swarm, leading them on into battle, destroying and assimilating all enemies into the gene pool.

She shook herself. It was far too early to be harboring ambitions like that. Two hives were nothing – not when they were compared to the whole planets – star systems, even – that Kerrigan even now held sway over.

It was only when she was halfway back to Zeratul and Shazun that she realized that not once had she considered in her ambitious thoughts the prospects of returning home, to the Dragon Realms and Warfang. And for a moment she wondered if she really did want to go home. Could she sacrifice all that was here in Koprulu for that?

And then she chuckled at her own foolishness. She was no Zerg Cerebrate. She was only a Black Dragoness who somehow had a power that allowed her to command the Zerg. Nothing more. This was not her home. Whether she liked it or not, Warfang was waiting.

We thank you, Cynder, said Shazun as she approached. We might have met with less success without your timely action.

"Just doing my best," Cynder replied easily. "Now come on – let's go pick up Spyro."

Artanis sat deep in thought on his command podium on the Shield of Aiur. The battle was barely begun and already the Zerg were surprising him.

He'd been preparing his plans for assault when suddenly the Zerg had seemed to retreat, leaving only a part of their force present. He had not attacked immediately for fear of a trap, and soon, that part had stopped all movement.

Then suddenly, all the Zerg had returned, but they did not look like they were prepared for a battle with their ancient enemies – instead they were milling about in very loose formation, seemingly waiting for something. And it made Artanis nervous.

A Khalai Templar entered his chamber and he sighed. Yes, yes, he said in response to his subordinate's questioning aura. It is time we attacked. I am worried, however.

It seems that their Cerebrate has been destroyed or disabled, Hierarch, said the Templar. We should seize the chance.

Perhaps you are right, Artanis said. Then, more firmly, Yes, you are. Thank you. All troops! Now he was projecting his thoughts through the local Khala so his force would hear him. Charge and fire on my mark!

His four-digit fist clenched as he looked out at the creep carpet. But just as he was about to give the order to fire, he heard a voice he knew well. Hierarch! Hold your fire!

Zeratul! cried Artanis in surprise. It is good to hear from you, old friend. But what occasion is this? Are you captured?

No, Zeratul said quickly. Rather, these Zerg before you are. Pay them no heed – come towards our forward camp.

Artanis frowned. Pay them no heed? Are you mad, Prelate? These are Zerg – they will destroy us the instant we turn our backs!

These will not, Zeratul insisted. They are ours. You recall that creature that was not quite Terran that bested Urun in mental combat?

Artanis nodded mentally. Urun will not forget it. What of him?

He came alongside another, Zeratul quickly explained. And as he has strength to match ours, so hers matches the Zerg – she has taken these three Hives and commands them now herself.

Artanis' eyes widened. This is worrisome, he said. But you trust her?

Absolutely, said the Nerazim, and there was honesty in the thought.

Very well, said Artanis. We will make for Raynor's position. Thank you, Prelate.

My honor, Hierarch, said Zeratul.

"So let me get this straight," said Raynor quietly. He, Artanis, Horner, Zeratul, Spyro, and Cynder all stood together in a large room in the Terrans' Command Center around a three-dimensional tactical map of Aiur's terrain. Spyro and Cynder had not originally been invited to this meeting of the commanders, but the odd situation made their presence a clear necessity.

"Cynder, you have control over three full hives of Zerg forces," Raynor said quietly.

"Yes," the Dragoness said impatiently. They'd been through this.

"And Spyro, you took down the Protoss Admiral Urun in mental combat without even breaking a sweat," the commander continued, ignoring the black MageWalker's displeasure.

"Yes," said Spyro, not openly showing his own annoyance at the slowness both the Terrans and Protoss were showing at grasping these simple facts.

"And they're definitely not Terran?" the grizzled rebel leader asked Zeratul.

Zeratul shook his head. Their secrets are not for me to divulge, he said. But you might ask any Protoss with reasonable skill the same and they could tell you that much at least.

"And you won't tell the rest of us what you are," Raynor said.

"Nope," Cynder said with false cheer, the edge of annoyance in her voice apparent. Spyro rolled his eyes at her in the privacy of his cockpit.

"But you trust them," Raynor said to Zeratul.

Yes, said the Prelate simply.

Raynor considered for a moment. "Fine, we'll roll with it," he decided. "Any problems and I put the two of you down, Zerg or no Zerg."

"Finally!" Cynder cried.

Spyro chuckled lightly. Horner did too. "If we're past that," said the Hyperion's captain, "then let's move on. Cynder's fixed our Zerg problem in the near north. This field is ours. But we've got a whole damn planet to take – this battle's far from over."

"Right," said Raynor. "Our specialist team has worked so far, though; what say we use it again?"

Cynder is needed to lead her Zerg forces, Artanis said. Other than that, It seems prudent.

Spyro looked at Cynder on his monitor. She smiled wryly at him. "We can't stay together through this whole battle, Spyro," she said softly. "And I do need to lead the Zerg."

But Horner had something more to say. "Spyro hasn't got a cloak," he said. "He's a tank-type commando, not a stealth-type. Sending him with Zeratul, Tosh and Shazun again worked once, but he'll be more useful in other ways."

What do you suggest? Zeratul asked.

"Put him on a commando squad," said Horner. "A kill team. A high-profile one that can take a lot of hits. Send them in…" he looked down at the map for a moment, "there." He pointed at a thin land bridge over one of Aiur's thinner seas. "If we keep our offensive up, we'll reach that shore tomorrow, at noon, but after we arrive, we'll need to turn aside and retake the Aluriin province. That land bridge could be defended by a bunker for a while, but only the best troops could hold it long if the Zerg press."

So we send in commandos, said Zeratul quietly.

"Right," said Horner. "We can set up missile turrets along the beaches to prevent fliers from slipping by, but we need a commando squad with a bunker to give us the best long-term anti-ground solution."

"And Spyro's the best for the job," said Raynor. "How's this sound to you, Spyro?"

Spyro shrugged, and the MageWalker reflected it. "It's the best idea we've got. I'll do it."

Good, said Artanis. I'll leave the assignment to you, Commander.

"Fine," said Jim. "Spyro, you go get some rest. Cynder, hold on for a little longer – we need to work out your Zerg's positions in our tactics."

"Er…" Spyro muttered, "I think I'll stay, if that's all right."

Raynor looked at him appraisingly for a moment, then nodded. "Fine," he said. "You'd hear everything from Cynder anyway."

"Yep," said Cynder cheerfully. "So, what should I do?"

First, what are your limitations? Artanis asked. Is there anything you don't feel comfortable doing that we should know about?

"Well, I'd rather keep my troops together for now," Cynder replied. "I don't think I'll be able to control them all perfectly, so small squads just aren't an option yet."

Artanis nodded. Fine. Then you can have your own front. Can you take a few more Hives for yourself?

"I… think so," Cynder decided.

"Good," Raynor said. "Then how about she takes this province here?" He pointed. "Mar'daan. Fairly small, relatively low Zerg presence… it's a perfect opportunity to practice commanding your Zerg with the lowest stakes we can get you on the battlefield."

"Fine," Cynder agreed. "Should I order my Zerg to move our while I sleep?"

If you can, yes, said Zeratul. We will watch over your hives here. Keep your Drones harvesting. Positionyour Zerg along this ridge overnight, and claim command in the morning. After that…

"After that, it's your skirmish," said Raynor quietly. "Good luck, Cynder. Now get some sleep, both of you – you've earned it."

They thanked the generals and were off to find some corner to catch a wink in. They barely stayed awake long enough to bid one another good night; it had, after all, been a very long day.

A/N: There. The next part of the battle starts next time. I hope some of you are still reading. If not, then none of you will read my apology. But I stand by my old promise – I WILL FINISH every story I begin. That much I swear. I hope you liked this, and please review – it really encourages me to write more.