Chapter 14: A Special Kind of Signal

"We've knocked off a number of those coordinates you gave us." Horner fiddled with switches of the display. "Most were destroyed or overrun. A few fresh, but most had been long disposed of. I guess your intrusion reminded Rhyst to clean house."

"I'm on edge for his thank you note."

"Well, you don't have to wait too much longer. We narrowed it down to two coordinates."

The display split into two separate planets with a red identification marker on each. One planet was Braxis and the second was Tarsonis, home of the former Confederacy. Secretly, he was hoping it was Braxis for the better.

"Sorry for your losses, by the way." Horner ignored the holographic planets and looked straight at him. "We've all lost something so you're not alone. That's the price of war."

Now that struck a nerve. "Price of war?" Weston shook it off. "A fallen comrade in war I can handle and wouldn't be here if I couldn't. Rhyst on the other hand, what he did was send men and women through an experimental meat grinder."

"As he said, we've all lost good people."

Raynor had made his way onto the bridge silently until now. His attitude of no bullshit was an easy read, and honestly his personality as a whole for the most part. Humbling himself to others did not seem to be a priority these days.

"Let me guess, a backstory you're not going to bring up because of reasons?"

He leaned in between Horner and Weston. "Something like that." They stared each other down for what seemed like minutes. It only reinforced what Weston had seen earlier, the eyes of a driven warrior; a man worthy of considerable concern. "How are the rest of you holding up?"

"Good, better than I thought they would. Some might even consider this a second home."

"Really?" Raynor raised an eyebrow. "Well, everyone's always hurting for manpower these days and we aren't any different. I won't turn down any applicants."

Weston could almost hear his conversation with LaCroix about where they might end up when it was all said and done. For as much as he had tried to fight for a ride home, going back to Earth was a longshot he did not want to admit. No one in their right mind would let able bodied soldiers walk with the ever present threat of Zerg.

So, right now the Raiders and Raynor were looking pretty good. They gave them a home base, food, and a job. He gave them a purpose in this sector. Plus, kicking Zerg ass had a sort of cathartic feel to it. It was like venting frustration out on a punching bag that never wore down.

"We got something." Horner fingers guided over the controls. "Old Antigan contact, sitrep, location Braxis, and...wait, they built another?"

"What is it, Matt?"

Raynor swing over his shoulder. A few more flicks of his fingers and the display change to a surface view of Braxis and one particular structure, both familiar and foreign.

"Whatever it is, its acting like a Psi Emitter. Probably partially built from the old disruptor that used to be operational there." If only it was as simple as that. "However, unlike the constant wavelength pattern that am emitter puts out, this is different. The report mentions early scans show a fluctuation, or at least something more organic."

"Organic?" Weston's curiosity was now peaked. "They care to explain it any further?"

"The only comparison it gives is similar to that of the Overmind."

The Overmind was long dead, thankfully. For something to be giving off similar vibes could only mean bad news. There was also the bigger question that nagged at the back of his brain.

"If it's acting like the Overmind, then others should have picked up on it." Weston shifted back and forth between Horner and Raynor. "How has this been hidden until now?"

"The pattern is similar in form, but not in substance." Horner pulled up the rest of the report. "From what I can tell, it's a unique signal only meant for certain types of receptors. We only know about it because of the coordinates you provided."

"Long story short, we got ourselves a different kind of Overmind."

"That's what the report says."

Weston exchanged glances with Raynor. "I'm willing to bet it also has a name, one Samuel Rhyst."

It did not take long for the Hyperion to correct course and make way for Braxis. Weston was eager for some payback now that he had Raynor watching his peripherals. His fireteams were set, the ice planet below them, and a final destination. If this was going to end poorly, then at least it was going to be a hell of a ride. And if by some chance they made it out alive of this fuckery, then maybe he might take Raynor up on his implied offer as others probably would. Because after the Zerg came Mengsk and the Raiders would give them plenty of opportunities to kick his ass.

Weston had his teams assemble in the same hangar they got dropped off in. Each one of them was ready to make the trip to the surface regardless of Zerg or human dangers. Raynor's men lined the walls and looked from the outside in, curious but also admiring the display in front of them. Even in dark times did the men of the UED show a high level of discipline. They oozed a sense of professionalism that Weston could not be prouder of especially under the circumstances.

"Everyone, I hope you are ready to vent some frustration from over the last few months." He paced back and forth in fervent vigor. "Momentarily, we will get to kill two birds with one stone as the old Earth saying goes. First, we get to exterminate some Zerg from this sector. Secondly, we hopefully get to show our recent acquaintance, Samuel Rhyst, what happens when you mess with the UED. I can definitely assure you, it won't be pretty."

There were a few laughs, not only from the UED remnants but some Raider onlookers. Raynors crew had warmed up to them over the course of their stay. When it came to the Zerg, it was not hard to find common ground. Weston nodded at the nearest ones in acknowledgment before he continued.

"What we know so far is that there is a Psi Emitter equivalent on Braxis that is most likely the central control system of Rhyst's pet Zerg brood. The exact same pet Zerg that decided to pay us a visit on Balok and almost wipe us out, and payback is a bitch. We're not sure what to expect once down there. All I can say, expect the unexpected. Any questions save for your team leads. We move out in ten."

Weston moved off to the side as each team made their personal preparations and was surprised by an interruption. "Nice speech." Raynor commented. "Why do I get a feeling you have a knack for this shit?"

Raynor stood nearby with arms crossed and a smug smile on his face. "Nah, I don't work miracles. I just say what needs to be said." Weston said with a shrug.

"Fair enough." Raynor took a moment and surveyed the landing party. "You think they're ready?"

"With the Zerg, there is never a ready. You can't prepare for the unpreparable."

"Well now," He slapped Weston's suit encased shoulder. "Looks like you and I may think along the same lines after all."

"Yeah, I guess so." Weston could not hold back a grin. "You ready for this?"

"I got your back up here as long as you kick ass down there, sir."

"As above so below, gotcha." They shook hands for what he hoped was not the last time.