Chapter Twenty-Eight: Combat by Champion

Braxis was taken.

There were remnants of a zerg brood scattered throughout Braxis. They had lost all direction with the death of Zasz. Kerrigan had been observing through them, and she had seen the UED work.

They were good soldiers; she'd give them that. They had initiated a coordinated blitzkrieg with the Confederate Resistance Forces. Duran was with them now. And he'd had nothing but impressive reports.

And now the human cerebrate was coming here alone.

Kerrigan awaited him at the edge of a huge cliff overlooking a vast tundra. Little by little, they drew near. And then she sensed him.

He emerged from the air, clad in a heavily armored ghost uniform. At his side wasn't a gun, but a medieval sword. It was an elegant blade, and his hand was on it. "So, you're the one I've been sensing all this time. Do you actually use that sword?"

"I am Captain William Mark of the United Earth Directorate." said the masked man. "Tell me, were you human once? Or are you merely a twisted mockery of the divine form?"

"Divine form?" asked Kerrigan, amused. "Someone doesn't know where he stands in the chain of evolution."

"Evolution is but a means to an end." said Mark, drawing his blade in a smooth movement. "The gradual ascension of mankind from a mere ape to a greater being than can be imagined, even in the mind of God.

"So it is that at the end of things, all will serve mankind.

"So I ask again. Are you a pale imitation of the image of God? Or a mere corruption?"

Kerrigan didn't like his tone. "My name is Kerrigan. I am the evolution of mankind. And I'd prefer to make images of my own."

Then she surged forward, her blades surging toward him. Yet he dodged and weaved beneath her onslaught, before making a movement with his sword. A sharp pain went through her body as one of her blades was slashed off. She rolled to one side of him and unleashed another onslaught, only for another limb to be cut off.

She leaped back, her limbs regrowing. Mark flourished his blade and threw aside his sheath, which began to blink. Then he surged forward, and she moved aside, nearly getting a sword through her throat. Backflipping over him, she summoned psionic energy and sent it surging down toward Mark.

He stepped aside and took a stance. Kerrigan halted in the air and lowered herself to the ground.

"Did you think such uncontrolled movements could hurt me?" asked Mark.

He was baiting her. Trying to get her to attack recklessly. Don't lose control. "Let me show you how uncontrollable the swarm is." said Kerrigan.

Then she summoned two psi blades and surged at him in an all-out onslaught. But as she rushed through the air, he dropped to one knee, rolled under her and swung up. Kerrigan nearly got impaled by his blade and got a nick to the side as she landed. "You speak as though that is a virtue." said Mark. "I have mastery over every aspect of both my body and my spirit. There is no aspect of myself, which is not within my dominion. Just as there is no part of the universe which shall be beyond the will of humanity."

"I'm getting really sick of you." said Kerrigan.

She sent another pulse of energy, stronger and broader this time. The wave of power shot toward Mark. This time he did not try to dodge. Instead, he raised his sword before him. The psionic waves hit him and drove him back toward the edge of the cliff.

Then he closed his eyes. A white light emanated from his sword, and the waves of power changed direction. They swirled around his blade, and then he swung it to send it back at her. Kerrigan leaped up easily.

How had he done that?

"You thrash and make grand displays of your power." said Mark. "But for all your brute force, you lack true-"

Kerrigan surged toward him from the air and unleashed a flurry of assault. This was ridiculous! She had the infestation of the zerg, and the protoss techniques she'd learned! And yet he was holding his own against her! He was just human.

Catching his arm, she brought around a psionic blade and stabbed at his armor. The blade glanced off, and he grunted, before bringing around a leg to kick her in the face. Her grip was loosened, and he fell back, clutching his side.

She was winning.

However impressive he was, Kerrigan could regenerate. In a prolonged battle, she would win. No need to rush things. "How's that for brute force."

"I've seen greater power in the weapons of battlecruisers. Devices forged by the genius of man." said Mark, rising up. "Extensions of our will.

"Against that power, all the mutations of the zerg are but a child's plaything."

"I've had just about enough of your SPEECHES!" snarled Kerrigan, before surging forward again.

She drove him back with one assault after another. His injuries hampered him, while whatever minor wounds he inflicted were healed. Finally, he was at the very edge of the cliff, his heel over the chasm below.

"Well, look who's become obsolete." said Kerrigan. "Got any one-liners, before I kill you?"

"Nuclear launch detected." said Mark.

"What?" said Kerrigan.

And then Mark stood up straight and dropped off the edge of the cliff. Kerrigan looked back to the sheath. And then she looked up to see a very large missile heading directly for her location.

"Oh." said Kerrigan.


The mushroom cloud could be seen for miles.

Mira Han realized that it was coming from the direction Mark had come from. And he'd been hunting one person. "I have got to get out of this contract."


Alexei Stukov was in a bad mood. The battle between the protoss and Stakel was ongoing. But it was coming to an end, and the protoss were winning. Yes, Stakel still technically held a large part of the platform. But the momentum was everything in an attack. And during this time Stukov had been too busy conquering Braxis to get involved.

Mark was late, of course. He entered the bridge, favoring his side. Even so, he seemed in a genuinely good mood. "Captain Mark, you have been busy."

"I apologize for my lateness." said Mark. "I was forced to leap off a cliff to escape the blast radius."

Typical really. "You being late doesn't concern me." said Stukov. "You launching a nuclear missile onto the surface of Braxis does."

"I was facing an enemy that traditional tactics were ineffective against." said Mark.

"In single combat?" asked Stukov, remembering the reports. What had he been thinking?

"Yes." said Mark.

Stukov remained silent. "You do realize that weapons of mass destruction are not meant for personal combat."

"It was a special circumstance." said Mark. "The zerg have merged their DNA with that of a human."

Stukov decided he didn't want to hear about that. "We'll discuss the matter later."

"How goes the battle?" asked Mark.

"As well as can be expected." said Stukov. "The protoss have been making mincemeat of Stakel's forces. They've destroyed several new generators.

"The only good news is that they seem to be trying to avoid a direct confrontation."

An officer approached. "Vice Admiral, we are receiving a communication from Captain Stakel."

Had Stakel actually realized how out of his league he was? He had become more perceptive in recent years. "Patch him through."

Stakel appeared on the screen. He looked confident despite his defeat. "Vice Admiral Stukov, we have stalemated the protoss forces. However, they have brought additional forces for a final assault.

"Since you've finished your conquest of Braxis, I believe you can spare men to fight the aliens."

So that was the story he'd spin this with. No doubt the official story would resound with tales of how Captain Stakel held out against all the odds. When all he did was get completely whipped by the protoss, who were planning to leave anyway.

"Very well then, Captain Stakel. Mr. Malmsten, take us in."

Of course, it was all the moot point. The protoss were already mustering for another attack. At the very least they had been focused on precision strikes, so casualties weren't all that high.

"This is highly unfortunate." said Stukov. "If we get into a slugging match, Nelson's mission will have been for nothing."

"And you believe it important?" asked Mark.

"I do." said Stukov.

"The protoss are a society that values warrior code." said Mark. "All our sources describe the enthusiasm with which they rush to battle. And I have seen it for myself.

"With that in mind, I believe I may have a solution."

Stukov closed his eyes. "And I think I know what it is."


The terran soldiers had fought very bravely, for what it was worth. However, their commander had no notion of how to fight a war. His focus was entirely on static defense, and no attempt had been made on his part to reinforce defenses.

Artanis had seen the extent of the forces on this platform. Had his enemy put forth his full power against him, he might have pinned Artanis in place and destroyed him.

Instead, Artanis had been systematically dismantling his defenses.

At last, the fool had gotten the idea and had gathered the majority of his forces around the last generator. But even so, his forces had been poorly arrayed. Artanis had been able to engage them piecemeal. Eventually, morale had broken, and the terrans had fled.

It had been a true slog, with little challenge. The only consolation was that Artanis had taken very few casualties.

Even now he was descending toward the last generator. His flights were alongside him. "It is true what Adun said." mused Artanis. "The warrior who does battle on all fronts will be victorious nowhere."

He fired his antimatter missiles. They surged toward the generator, and it exploded like the four before it.

That was it.

The last of the missile turrets were shut down.

And then Artanis sensed something. Coming toward them was a large fleet of battlecruisers. And below, he sensed the defeat of the Dominion. So the UED was triumphant on Braxis.

He opened a channel. "Zeratul, we've annihilated the last generator. However, the terran forces are sending in heavy forces to interfere with our assault. It appears that they have succeeded in their conquest of Braxis."

"This is highly unfortunate." said Zeratul. "The Dominion officials are away, however, alongside their personal forces. If we are to escape, we must do so soon. I am dispatching our full forces to interfere.

"Still, it must be done.

"I will go myself."

And then Artanis felt something. A transmission. But it was not sent by terran equipment, but by psionic wavelengths. "We are receiving communication from the terran fleet."

The image of a figure appeared before them. He was a tall terran, with flowing blonde hair. His eyes were hard, and his arms were crossed. At his side was a sword. "Hear me protoss; I am William Mark of the United Earth Directorate! The Hand of Humanity! I wish to challenge your leader or a champion of his choosing to single combat!"

"This may be to our benefit." mused Zeratul, before sending a response. "What terms would you set on this contest?"

"If I am the victor, your ships and spoils shall be given to the UED in tribute for your attack. Those within will be made the prisoners of the UED. They will be afforded all those rights and privileges owed our own kind.

"If your champion is victorious, you will be allowed to depart."

There was a long silence as Zeratul mulled the matter over. "So be it.

"We will meet in single combat."

"Zeratul, allow me." said Artanis. "Let me face him."

"I am loathed to do so, Artanis." said Zeratul. "Though you are a stalwart warrior, you are not the strongest amongst us."

"But I am a leader in my own way." said Artanis. "If I am defeated, I shall yield those ships I command to him. But you and Selendis may rightfully withhold your forces. If you face him, then we risk everything."

"A technicality that violates the spirit of our agreement." noted Zeratul. But I suspect the UED is as reluctant for this combat as we are. So perhaps they will tolerate it.

"So be it."

Artanis saw a dropship flying toward the ruins of the generator. Out of it descended William Mark. Artanis landed his scout and leaped out, summoning his psi-blade to him. Mark raised a weapon of neo-steel. He was favoring his right side. Yet he was confident.

Either a fool. Or a powerful individual then.

"Are you the leader, or the champion?" asked Mark.

"I am Artanis, and I champion the fleet that attacked this station." said Artanis. "You will soon learn to fear the Firstborn."

"I fear nothing." said Mark. "Least of all the protoss."

"Then you are a fool. Many races have challenged us before, and none have been victorious." said Artanis. "And yet you, human, think to stand blade to blade against me?"

"I have been victorious." said Mark. "For the protoss colony of Khalroth has been taken from you. It is but the first blow that should be struck.

"And I am never alone, for I do not belong to myself but to mankind. I am the instrument of its will and all who oppose it shall be crushed in turn."

Artanis raised his psi blades and took a stance. Mark did the same. For a long time, they remained silent. Then Artanis surged forward, stabbing at the side Mark was favoring. Yet he dodged back, parrying the strikes.

It quickly became clear that his enemy was very skilled. Despite his injury, Mark was able to fend him off. Artanis separated, and they circled one another, watching for weaknesses.

"You speak of serving mankind." said Artanis. "And yet you have brought weapons to bear against your own brethren?"

"They have erred, and we have come to correct them." said Mark.

"And who are you to stand in judgment of them?" asked Artanis. "I have heard of your UED by another name. The UPL. Your government waged a brutal war against its own people in pursuit of racial purity.

"Not for an ideology or what you believed is right, but for mere DNA."

"For their crimes, they were cast out." said Mark. "By our hand will this world know redemption."

"Redemption?" asked Artanis. Then he surged forward and attacked. Mark was driven back over the wreckage of the generator. "For your tyranny were they imprisoned! By your malice were they cast to the winds of an uncaring universe! And now you return centuries and lay claim to the civilization which was built by their blood and sweat! "What debt do they owe to you?"

Mark tripped over a fallen beam and fell. Artanis put forward his blade, but Mark blocked the stroke. "None." said Mark. Then he shoved Artanis back and went on the offensive. "You speak as though the UED and the UPL are those who dispatched us to this place. But you do not understand. For we are but the channel of a greater force that has sent us to this place!" His attacks now became an onslaught, his wounds forgotten. "By its will was strife sewn in Old Earth and so man sent to this distant world! By its will was the Overmind undone, and through us, it's instruments, shall all the universe be made ready."

Artanis halted him and their blades locked. They were face to face, blade to blade. "Ready for what? What do you seek?"

Mark smiled. "It is not my part to know.

"For I am, but the messenger sent to prepare the way. But I know this, you protoss shall learn that no victory may be won that does not have its source in Him. And those evildoers who triumph shall be but the birthing pains in the creation of greater glories! "Thus shall-"

Artanis had had enough. The words, spoken with such passion to justify base tyranny infuriated him. It was as if he had taken the words of Tassadar and distorted them for his own agenda. "Silence!

A wave of light emanated from Artanis as he poured forth his power. Mark was thrown backward, landing on one knee. But his confidence remained. "My voice may be silenced, but all of humanity shall cry out in my stead, for I am but one aspect of many. The forces of the universe stand behind me."

"You say much." said Artanis. "And there is a kernel of truth in what you say. So it is with the best lies.

"If you are invincible, why do you cloak yourself in falsehood. You wore the mask of a Kel'morian for fear that others would perceive your true nature. Can it be that those who looked on you may recoil in fear at the sight of a slathering beast?"

Mark arose. "Often the divine cloaks itself in forms less comely."

"And yet you would not see it." said Artanis. "You are certain of yourself and your own righteousness. It had never entered your thoughts that what you are doing may be wrong. So your virtues are twisted and turned to evil ends by those who care nothing for the ideals you espouse.

"How many in this great army you wield would die for this cause? Were there no gun behind them, or money in their hands."

"Enough to gain victory." said Mark. "Mankind is not so weak as you protoss believe. Our flesh is flawed, but our spirit is rising. Though the leaders of nations betray their promises, the common man strives on. They achieved greatness, even as those above them descend into decadence.

"The soldier in the trenches wins undying glory, though his name be forgotten. And the generals who sent him to his death shall be reviled by history, though he die in comfort. The worker who endures pain and degradation, and his leader who hurls abuse shall in time both have justice done upon them! The one shall be praised! The other consigned to oblivion!

"War. Famine. Plague. Death. All these things and more have torn at us. And yet we have triumphed each time. So it shall be again.

"The UED shall triumph over zerg and Dominion and protoss! Korhal shall be brought to its knees! The beast shall be chained! A new order shall rise from the ashes of the decadent past! And by our deeds shall we be judged in history!"

"Then let our actions speak for us." said Artanis, before summoning his psi-blade. "En Taro Tassadar!"

"For humanity!" cried Mark.

Artanis rushed at Mark, even as his enemy made his charge. In that final rush, both poured forth the whole of their power. Light men light as they passed one another. Artanis slashed at Mark but did not see his attack. He slid to a halt on the ground. Artanis fell to one knee, feeling blood trickling down one of his legs. Then he glanced back to where Mark stood, back to him. The Captain's blade was broken in his hand at the hilt.

"…You fought well." said Artanis. "Though your cause was unworthy."

"Spare me your pretensions, protoss." said Mark. "I am but the hand."

Then blood poured from his wound, and Mark collapsed to the ground. Artanis arose and felt the rejoicing of his brethren. Glancing back, Artanis felt something strange. For a moment, Mark's life force had almost flickered out. But he was clinging to life despite his injuries, and in his hand was gripped his broken sword. It did not matter.

Artanis turned away. He was victorious. Now it was only a question if the UED would keep its word.


Kerrigan wasn't dead.

She did, however, wish she was at the moment. Her headtails had been burned away; her skin was flaking off, only to be replaced by her regeneration. She'd gone blind three times already, only to have her sight restored.

All that sustained her was the knowledge that the protoss would leave without her. And pure, undiluted spite. She refused to die here in this miserable icy hell world. She'd had that battle won.

She should have won! Kerrigan would not die here. So she staggered her way up the clifftop to the protoss encampment. Her every limb was shaking as she gradually worked off the radiation poisoning.

She could see the shuttles leaving. She had to hurry.

As she forced her radiation poisoned legs to move, Kerrigan remembered. Before the nuke hit, she'd dug deep into the ground, deeper than she thought possible in such a short time. Then she'd created a shield above herself with her remaining psionic power.

And then everything had gone white.

Bile was rising in her throat as she staggered up the area. Glancing back she saw the abandoned Dominion facilities. What they couldn't take with them they had blown up. Everything but the temple.

Now there was just wreckage.

Kerrigan reached the top to find Selendis waiting by the last transport. She had waited. Why?

Selendis walked toward her. "Kerrigan, we are about to leave without you. The UED has given us the authorization to withdraw peacefully.

"What occurred with you?"

Kerrigan remained silent. "…I fell."

And then she fell to the ground and threw up all over the snow. The UED would pay for this. Especially Captain Mark.


Stukov received Captain Nelson on the observation deck of the Aleksander's bridge. Soothing opera was playing to one side as he observed the site of their victory with two wine glasses in hand. He offered one to Nelson, who took it silently.

Raising his watch, Stukov looked at the time.

"Two hours." said Stukov. "Not a bad start to our conquest."

"Yes." said Nelson. "Are the protoss away?"

"Of course." said Stukov. "The tracking device?"

"It was installed, as planned." said Neslon. "We'll be able to observe their path. Whatever they are doing, we'll know what it is soon enough. What of Mark?"

"He's in medical bay." said Stukov. "He's been clinging to life, but we expect he'll make a full recovery."

"Good." said Mark. "Let's hope that the protoss show us something we can use."

"On that, we can agree." said Stukov. "Still, their fleet would have been a valuable prize. This had best have some results."

"It will." said Nelson. "Information is power."

"On that subject, I need some." said Stukov. He sipped his wine. "Somehow a great many of our materials disappeared during the Battle of Braxis. I'd like to find out where it all went."

"I think we both already know the answer to that." said Nelson flatly.

"...Yes, well, I was rather hoping you could prove it." said Stukov.

"Well, that sounds difficult, doesn't it?" asked Nelson. "Give me two hours and a pot of coffee."


Author's Note:

The last part of this chapter was not planned.

I apologize for the false alarm on posting chapter. I was ill yesterday and rushed out the chapter. Then, upon reading it, I realized it was redundant, poorly paced, and turned Mark into a mary sue.

I had to completely remove a large part of the chapter. I also revamped several events to make them less notable.

Honestly, I still feel terrible. Enjoy.