Chapter 03: The Rebels

Part 01: Arrival

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The repairing of the ship took its time. Amy kept watching it from a distance how Swann and Santé worked the machine. Every now and then she could hear a curse being shouted out of it. Some times a Marine made its way over to check the status it seemed.

After a good hour ships from the Rebels began moving again. It weren't all but most of them returned back into space.

Seems to be safe... they wouldn't leave now, would they?

Amy didn't want to worry about it right now. Quite some time later the ship started its engines all of a sudden. Everyone got scared shortly but nothing more happened. The two mechanics left the running ship, a smile on their faces. They shortly talked to the two wardens and then left the landing platform. One of the Marines started moving towards the Zerg.

Finally done?

"Ship's ready. You can have it."

He called to her when he was just a few steps away.

"Ah yeah... so... we just enter it and..."

Am I supposed to fly that?

"Can you fly it?"

I... just had like a handful of flight lessons...

Amy struggled to answer the question.

"I see... I'll fly it, then. C'mon, girl. An' bring your... kind with you."

The Marine waved at her to follow and walked back at the ship. The Lady and her Zergs started moving as well. The wardens were the first to enter the ship. Amy however hesitated. Behind the hatch there was a large cargo room. She was surprised as to how big it was on the inside. After another looked at Yashira she entered. One after another the Zergs made their way into the ship. All walked past Amy and she counted.

Yashira, Jack, one, two... five Zerglings.. five Drones.. eh six Hydralisks, two Roaches, Sobeas... ehm?

"What about the Overlord? He won't fit in here will he?"

"Maybe.. he would... but there is no need, Milady. Overlords can travel through... space..."

Amy was surprised at that statement.

This... ball of Zerg... can travel through outer space?! That... is unbelievable!

"Oh really?! Well... ok... then it seems, everyone is here. I'll tell the pilot. Stay here."

She turned around and looked for a way to the cockpit. A pair of stairs led upwards to the front. At the end was a smaller room. She found the two Wardens sitting in the cockpit seats. The seats were wider then the ones she had seen before seemingly to be wide enough for the Marine suits. One of them turned around.

"Heh?! You guys ready?"

"Well yeah... we're all aboard."

The two straightened themselves and proceeded to work the panels in front of them.

"Hehe... How about, Ben? Let's take this old piece of junk... full of Zergs... up to the flagship of the Rebels, eh! Bwuahah!"

He laughed fervently yet the other – apparently 'Ben' – remained silent and started the machines.

What's so funny? The whole situation?

Now Amy noticed that his visor was open but she couldn't see much of his face. The ship started to stutter.

"Better sit down, girl. This thing isn't very comfortable."

Amy searched around but there was no place to sit. She carefully went back into the cargo room. The Zerg didn't seem to mind the shaking. Their legs damped it so their bodies would stay still. Their leader however needed something to hold on to. A corner with some pipes did the job for now. When she had finally found a hold she noticed the hatch closing. It shut tight and the shaking rose.

Off this planet... finally...

It took a couple of minutes before the voice of the one Warden echoed through the ship.

"We're about to land in their hangar. Hold on to somethin'!"

A big bang later the ship calmed down and the engines stopped.

Here we go! I am... definitely nervous! Focus! And straighten up! You need to act strong!

The Lady of Thorns shook herself once, walked up to the middle of the hatch and took stance. Internally her legs were shaking more than the ship had been.

"Yashira, Jack, could you join me?"

Immediately both of the Zerg took position on each of her sides a step behind. The valves of the hatch whiffed and slowly the large plate opened. Bright light entered the room.

"Sarah... wha-"

A male voice was to hear through all the rumbling. A moment later Amy could see the first things outside.

What the...?

She recognized Marines, one after another, two dozens or more. All were clad in blue suits and held their rifles ready, aimed at her. In their middle was one in a dark grey suit. He didn't hold a gun and his visor was open. His face had a weird expression – half astonished, half disappointed. After a moment he shook his head once. Then he raised a fist and made a step forward.

"Don' shoot boys... aheam... The Lady of Thorns, I assume?"

The Zerg-Terran woman made a step forward as well and look him straight into the eyes.

"Yes! You are right... I am the Lady of Thorns!"

That was too much...

"I am Jim Raynor and... you are on board the 'Hyperion'. Sorry for this but we had to be cautious."

He lowered his fist and some of the Marines their weapons.

"Yes... eh, Amalia Tellarin my name. I... would have done the same... but thank you for your help and time."

Amy could make out some rumbling from behind her.

"Of course, I'm su-"

"James Raynor, welcoming us on board his ship. HEHE!"

The two Wardens appeared out of the ships front. The one still without a name laughed and only he had his visors open. Their red suits looked dirty compared to the shining blue ones of the Raiders. Raynor's expression however darkened.

"I see, more of 'e men of the Lieutenant. If you don't cause any trouble we won't either, a'right? You'll be brought to the others."

Raynor waved a hand and immediately a group of Marines approached the Wardens.

"I don't think so. We were order to stay with the girl. So we'll stay whether you lik-"

"Brick! Mind your words! ..."

Ben had raised his voice and his companion – Brick – went silent. Ben opened his visor revealing a young and stern face with a thick, brown moustache. Nodding to Raynor he continued.

"We thank you Mr Raynor. We'll take our leave."

What a smooth and gallant voice?!

And with those words they both left together with a couple Marines. She could still hear Brick grumbling quietly. Afterwards the two leaders continued their conversation. In the meantime more and more Marines lowered their weapons – not without Amy noticing it.

They are slowly calming down. Good... no danger... at least from me. Okay?

She relaxed a bit.

"Yea ok. Speakin' of the Lieutenant. He's currently on the bridge discussin' further events. I'd like you to join... Lady Tellarin."

He sounded determined not giving into any answer than 'yes'. His voice was similar to the one of this Swann but without the strong accent.

"Yes, of course, Mr Raynor."

"Great. But for now, your Zergs needa stay on that ship. We don' got any more room for 'em to stay, 'right?"

Isn't this a big ship? Sounded like one. The flagship of the rebels! ... hmm..

The Lady turned to her aide.

"What do you say, Yashira? Can you hold out on this ship a while longer?"

Again she felt kind of bad for making Yashira stay behind but she didn't seem to mind.

"As you wish, Milady."

Amy thanked her and continued with Raynor. She somehow couldn't wait to finally get to know more about what had happened. Maybe they even knew a way to make her normal again.

Well but actually... this is kind of neat.. I can fight and have kind of control over Zergs! But... will this stay? Or will I change more over time… Into what? … Kerrigan?!

"So we aehm... good'o go?

Mr Raynor's voice interrupted her thoughts. She then realized she was staring at him.

"Ah yeah... I had been thinking, sorry. Lead the way."

"A'right boys, back on yo marks!"

With this command he started moving and half of the Marines as well.

"Yashira? When anything happens, contact me!"

She whispered that note to the Mother before leaving. The Zerg nodded shortly and began to watch over the current tumult.

The Lady trotted a few steps behind the Terran leader through the landing dock. It was a huge room with some machinery and a lot of crates all around. Most of it appeared to be for war – weapons and ammunition, as well as parts for repairment. They were heading towards a large door while only a few Marines came with them. The rest scattered all around or left through different doors.

Hm.. four Marines and Raynor... that might be an impossible fight...

The metallic door slid open and the troop went on into a narrow corridor. Two Marines first, then Raynor, Tellarin and the remaining two. Some displays and metal plates covered the walls. It was way cleaner than the facility down on the planet. Amy could make out some people talking somewhere yet the heavy stomps of the suits and the high clangs of Amy's heels filled the air. They made a left turn, then a right and a few steps later Raynor started to talk.

"If it's a'right, I'm gonna get outta this suit, right?"

"Yeah sure, no problem."

She answered quickly and the troop came to a stop. The leader of the rebels made a turn and walked through another door. On the other side Amy could spot a lot of those blue Marine suits standing at the walls. Their fronts were open and she saw the interior of those armors. It was clad with padding, some vents and mechanical parts. The door shut.

Seems to be the storage room for their suits. That were quite a lot. How many men are there? The rebels have grown in size, haven't they?

It took a few moments before anything happened. The other rebels just moved a bit occasionally. Nobody said anything.

This is oddly familiar...

The metal door slid open again and small man stood on the other side. Raynor was just barely taller than Amy but way wider. His muscular upper body was just covered by a thin, bleached-out, white shirt and a small leather vest. The vest had many pockets and pouches filled with ammunition. His hands were inside large, fingerless leather-gloves and between them and the shirt Amy saw some tattoos. Together with his black hair and rough beard it made him look fierce – just as one would expect it from the leader of a feared military group.

"That's better. Let's move on!"

Again the Marines started moving without a word and Raynor gestured Tellarin to walk before following between her and the last two Marines.

"Raynor? How many men are there in your ship?"

"Hehe.."

He laughed shortly.

"This ain' ma ship but yeah... we are a'ready a lot of men... Every tryin' to make something happen.? Against Mengsk, the Zer- ye Kerrigan's Zergs and even the damn Protoss..."

His voice got more serious with every word. It was a quick change from cheerful to grave. Amy could feel his angry stare yet she didn't know much about all this.

They are fighting against pretty much everyone... Against Zergs... and now they let me on board. Seems bitter. And also the Protoss? I thought this highly advanced alien race wouldn't interfere with us simple Terrans..

"You are fighting the Protoss? Why?"

"Eh... Long story... You... 'll know soon 'nough."

Guess I missed much during my nap...

She knew it wouldn't change his mind if she'd ask again so she kept quiet. They still walked through some corridors. Every now and then someone crossed their way. Some nodded towards Raynor but all of them at least staggered shortly at the sight of the Lady. She slowly got used to getting stared at. She somehow didn't care.

Heck, I would stare at me if I could!

On their way it was easy to notice the difference between the base on the planet and this ship. Everything was still intact and no loose parts were hanging around. Everything seemed to be at its place. After a few more turns the troop stopped at another door.

It slid open. Amy could hear some remains of a conversation which died down by the opening of the door. The two Marines in the front entered and positioned themselves on each side of the entrance. Amy was next to enter. She made a few steps into the room and made a quick look around. A group of people had gathered. Lieutenant Leandre was among them. All eyes were focused on her. Everyone had some kind of fear in their expression, yet some also seemed surprised. The group stood around a large holo-table. She had always loved those tables. They had had one in the Academy. It was fun to play with the holographic images on it – turning and changing them as she pleased.

To her left were a lot of monitors and consoles in front of a large window. On the other side of that window was the endless open space with all its sparkling stars together with a big, green planet in which orbit this ship stayed.

This is the bridge! And that might be Ophelia IV?!

Her eyes wandered back to the group of people. Nobody said anything until Raynor made a move. He walked past her towards the table.

"I'm back, Matt! Brought you the Lady of Thorns!"

With this he gestured towards the suddenly more nervous Zerg woman. She took her posture and spoke.

"Eh... Amalia Tellarin. I.. have to thank you for the audience."

With a short bow she finished. Silence.

"A gurl... which had d' experiience a loat in 'er still young laife! Poar liittle thing!"

A dark-skined man was the first to talk. He was a muscular person in a weird, dark Ghost suit which had glowing red lines on it. His chest was protected by a heavy metal vest and decorated with doll on a necklace. His eyes were white as snow and black dreadlocks ran down the back of his head.

"Yeah! We sh'uld get rid of 'er right away! First we' fightin' dem... then we welcom' dem with our ass' open for-"

"Tychus! Enough!"

Raynor stopped the Marine from depicting his image any further. Oddly the one he was talking to stood next to the other men around the table yet he was the only one in a Marine suit. Also he carried no rifle and had a cigar in his mouth. His bald head and stern face were the only things to see of him. Raynor glinted at him.

"Lady.. Tellarin, I am sorry. Please don't listen to the loose tongue of this convict. I am Matt Horner, Captain of the Hyperion and I welcome you aboard."

A well dressed man made two steps forward and bowed down a bit, one hand behind his back, the other resting on his chest.

Elegant! I like it!

"Thank you, Captain Horner. A pretty and large ship you have command of."

She answered the bow. During that she let her eyes wander over him. He wore a black admiral's suit with a few medals on his chest and fancy shoulder pads. Many edges of the suit were clad in golden metal borders. His young, well-tended face made Amy guess him to be in his mid twenties. This, his short black hair and his respectful posture made him into a handsome man.

"Hehe, yes it's rather large."

Their eyes met shortly before Amy continued looking through the round.

Next up the was a thin, young scientist, looking a little scared. He wore yellow glasses, had some pimples in his face and a spiky hair cut. The white coat and the ochre shirt beneath were a little to big for him. When their glances met he twitched a bit.

"Ha, yea and that lil' greenhorn there is Stetman. Our doc an' scientist. He knows lot 'bout other races."

Raynor continued the introduction.

"Lieutenant Leandre, you a'ready know... Ah well and the dark one there is Tosh, the leader of the Spectres."

This is a weird group of people... Could get interesting...

She smiled.

A/N: This one was pretty fun to write. All those people =D And Tosh's accent XD Finally on board the Hyperion and finally time for some more background plot =)

+halo is bad ass: You really want to see Amy get a hive, do you? =D

+pt1oef: Well if something is in a need to be fixed Swann is your man! ;)

+Naughty Meowmeow: Here you go ;D (and appearance ;) )

+Guest: Right now I try to get at least on part every week. More isn't possible at the moment, sry. But glad you like it. =) A twist yes. Already had some ideas and discarded some but yeah... we'll see.