Starcraft: Reigns of War

Disclaimer: I do not own Starcraft, Warcraft, or any characters associated with them as they are the property of Blizzard entertainment.

"talking"

Thoughts

Tranquility

~ high orbit ~

"Alright, I'll be seeing you boys later for now. I've got some unfinished business to see too" Jim chuckled.

"Best of luck and god speed sir" as the Raiders saluted their commander.

Pulling away from high orbit, the Hyperion laid in it's coordinates. Firing up it's engines it was gone in a flash disappearing into warp space.

Of all those who had served with him, there was no question that Jim Raynor was a talented commander and one of the few most righteous and honorable men you'll ever meet on this side of the galaxy.

However he made no secret to what he was planning. He wanted to bring the former queen of blades Sarah Kerrigan to Azeroth to hopefully help her find peace. That in turn caused a lot of mixed feelings among them.

They knew and understood what had twisted her so badly that made her become such a vile creature. But that was by no means an excuse for the billions she had killed across the Koprulu sector. Thus they were in a moral conundrum about how they should feel or treat her for what she did and what she was now.

But till she comes to Azeroth, that was a bridge they would cross at that time.

Though before the Hyperion's departure the Dawn space station was fully completed facilitating everything a standard Terran outpost would need for long term assignment. The Protoss also had their own sections to work with. However none of the Terran staff were allowed to enter unless given permission. A bit rude on their part. But when it comes to Protoss technology, it was best not to mess around with stuff you didn't understand.

Elsewhere on the station Stetmann was making the final adjust to the laser drill. He had decided to stay behind as there was quite a lot of interesting thing to study on this planet.

"Sir, if I may ask" as a technician appeared. "What are you doing?"

"Just adjusting the power output a bit while programing different ranges of firing from a concentrated beam to burst shots. This should give us some tactical flexibility on the surface if we ever needed it. Since it's acquisition and installing, I proudly call it the hyper actuated mobile magnetic energy ray".

". . . . Hammer?"

"Hmm?"

"You're basically calling a high powered laser weapon that burns as hot as the sun a hammer".

"Hammer huh?" as Stetmann smirked while rubbing his chin. "I think it has a good ring to it. It will be the H.A.M.M.E.R. of Dawn".

Upon hearing that name the technician could only sigh while walking away.

~ Aiur ~

Business as usual was still on going with construction and transactions as everyone worked day after day with a purpose.

But as this country was the culmination of all the great races a building was constructed where they could meet. It was there as guided by the Protoss that they stood as equals to each other. Though at the start it was a bit shaky with the decades of secrets, conflict, and mistrust between them. But so long as they maintained peace and order then eventually any differences between them would melt away. Of course it wasn't going to happen over night. But everything had to start somewhere.

In the meeting hall, leaders of the great races met having their usual discussions. News updates, taxes, tariffs, construction plans, or other miscellaneous topics.

Usually these meet ups were pretty light hearted to see if their current system was still functioning or required revisions.

However today's meeting was much more serious as they all felt the tension of the matter. A problem that could not go ignored for any longer.

"It seems unavoidable now that we've reached this point" said Jaina. "There is a possibility that we may be going to war against the New Alliance". The female mage could only feel saddened by this. "We have tried all methods to open up dialogue. However it seems words will no longer reach them". She couldn't help but cringe at how things have come to this point. "Damn that Garithos . . . ."

"A foolish human" as Thrall could only shake his head in disappointment. "I do not see what he has to gain in his open hostilities with us. Even if he is a fool, he should be aware that challenging us will only cause him immense losses. But at this time he is currently attempting to claim any territory along his borders".

"But I cannot help but sense that something malevolent is happening that we are not yet aware of" said Kael'thas.

"I've heard that there has been unrest in Quel'Thalas" Jaina continued. "Some are even saying that if hostilities continue as is there might even be a civil war among the elves".

"I'm trying my best to extinguish them. But with the loss of Sylvanas and the continued belief that the Protoss magic is failing there is not much I can do. However . . . . I cannot help but feel how well opportune this all was with the unrest and the rising aggression of the New Alliance".

"Indeed it is far too suspicious to be a simple coincidence".

"For this reason I'm discreetly investigating the matter".

"But for the time being" as Thrall grinned. "If there is to be war then we will give these fools a war they will never forget". As some of them disagreed, they too understood that this conflict was unavoidable. But specifically for the humans they couldn't understand what was going through Garithos head. They had just finished their recent conflict with the Burning Legion in which there was no telling when they would return. This was hardly the time to be igniting new conflict over one man's pride and prejudice.

Considering the overall problems involved, it was best to end this battle as quickly as possible with the minimal loss of life even if they were enemy soldiers.

The Burning Legion was defeated but not gone. Thus they would not put the gift the Protoss and Terran have given to them to waste with any more of this useless infighting.

In any war, there were three very important factors that decided the difference between victory and defeat.

First was strategy and information gathering.

Second were weapons and overall military strength.

Third which could be the most important was logistics themselves in terms of resource and supplies.

With some of the best commanders of Azeroth gathered together in Aiur they had plenty of talent in planning and winning all future battles a head of them. Gathering intel wasn't going to be problematic with air support to survey the land and magical constructs to investigate what needed to be looked into. Of what they knew so far of Garithos war potential, he had gotten his hands on some dark artifacts which allowed him to create an indispensable army of homunculus soldiers. For some reason he was also commanding forces of the undead. So in terms of morale, there would be no issues in slaying these abominations.

Most of their weapons and standard equipment were steadily undergoing changes with the innovations magitech brought. So in the case of transportation or needing to set up a supply line, many dwarven vehicles had already undergone the changes swapping out their now obsolete steam engine for that of a battery powered one. With this train operational, there would be no issue moving their troops across the continent without any unnecessary waste of resources as it was just a matter of building more.

For logistics such as food and medicine, so long as they had the support of the night elves with the use of their wisps there should be no issues in maintaining their forces upkeep.

With all this talk of war and preparations, "I want to try and talk to them once more" said Jaina.

"You do realize he will not listen to you" as Kael'thas shook his head.

". . . . I know that he will not listen to me as this is more for easing my own conscious. But . . . . I at least want to try". As predicted for the days to come as the New Alliance continued their aggressive acts, the two sides were not able to come to an understanding with each other. In an arrogant letter delivered by the dark knight, war had been declared against them.

~ Unknown ~

Sylvanas was trying her best to return back to Quel'Thalas to tell her people of the treachery from within.

However it pained her deeply as it was her own cousin that had betrayed her which caused her to feel conflicted over the matter. Regardless how detestable and dishonorable Zendarin is, they were still family. But as the general of the high elves, she had a duty to fulfill.

As she raced back to her homeland it was not going to be so easy. On her way she had encountered New Alliance soldiers as she made quick work of them. But that was just the beginning as there was an entire platoon of them waiting to ambush her.

Going over her options, she certainly couldn't fight her way through them.

Racing away was not possible as her horse would tire out well before then.

So moving into the forest, she had to stealthily maneuver around them and make it back to Quel'Thalas with the least amount of engagement.

As the soldiers looked for her with the sun beginning to set, she had climbed a tree as she rested within some branches.

Steadying her breathing, Sylvanas began to relax a bit as fatigue had started to wash over her body. Laying there quietly on the branch she looked to the empty space in front of her.

Now this was something most elves were capable of as they weren't sure if the Protoss were aware of it or not. But whenever the psionic race were around a certain feeling came over them. It was like feeling at home within the forest. Even the night elves felt this way when they were around the Protoss. Considering her situation, the Nerazim must have still been near her.

Staring out at the empty space in front of her, she had nothing to lose. "I don't know why you still choose not to show yourselves" Sylvanas whispered. ". . . . But I can really use some help. My people are in danger. Every moment that they remain unaware brings them closer to doom. So I plead to you . . . . Please use your magic to send me back to Quel'thalas before it is too late".

For a time it was quiet as Sylvanas began to lose heart. At this scene Xerana could not remain silent as her companions tried to stop her. Though she remained cloaked, she had to answer her. But it was not an answer she was going to like. "I'm sorry but we cannot help you in this matter any further then we have".

Startled at the sudden voice the high elf general calmed herself immediately. "Why?! Why do you abandon us now when we are in need of your aid?!"

"I'm afraid it is not as simple as that" as Xerana explained the basics of Protoss law. If the threat was extraterrestrial in nature then there would be no question of them intervening to protect them. But for internal matters they were forbidden to ever interfere. Regardless of morality, ideals, or even a simple matter of right and wrong they were not allowed to do anything as the result was one of the darkest moments of their history as they nearly destroyed a young civilization in an attempt to end their war.

". . . . I see" as Sylvanas felt completely dishearten.

"You have said enough" said Sharas in a closed telepathic message. "We are leaving this matter to her now" as the shadow guard began to leave.

But true to her own nature, Xerana could not leave it alone. Discreetly behind her companions backs she placed something in front of the high elf general as it appeared from her black mist cloak. "This will keep you safe. Use it wisely as it's power is limited" as she too soon left.

Picking up the Protoss device Sylvanas gripped it tightly. "Thank you" as she then fell asleep.

~ Aiur ~

Illidan was not sure what to make of his companion as he was certainly rather odd.

After introducing himself, he made himself rather clear about his objective. He was just looking for a place to die.

But as a warrior himself any battlefield was a worthy place to find peace.

Though for Zac, he was rather cryptic about his wish.

Curious to the meaning of it, "are you ill?" asked Illidan as the man before him seemed to have been in good health.

"Ill? I suppose I am. And it won't be long before this illness kills me. So before then I would like to die before I succumb to it's mercy".

"So why ask me to travel with you?"

"You wished to see the world right? For a time I can use a traveling companion to help me look for a worthy place to die".

The blind swordsmen could only scoff at him. "You certainly are a rather strange mortal. But if you desire someone to see you off then so be it".

Coming to this arrangement the two gathered some supplies they would need for their long travel. As Illidan walked around he had heard gossip of an impending war between this country and the one that neighbors it. Frankly he had very little interest in it as a fight between mortals was so trivial in hindsight. Though rather it was close to pointless.

Of what he knew of their short lived lives everything about their goals and agendas were so frugal. Fighting over one thing only for it to change to the next. Thus why he felt that these short lived individuals were so foolish with their talk of idealism or ambition.

But once again it didn't matter to him. Gathering the items he would need he soon met up with Zac. "Any ideas on where you will be going?"

The specter could only shrug. "For now, just going where my feet will take me will. So for the time we will keep going north".

Illidian could only scoff at the suggestion. The further north you went the closer you got to the source of where all the undead were coming from. If he had to guess whatever was the cause of it must have been emanating from Northrend. Of course undead activity has receded quite a bit after the recent defeat of the Burning Legion. However they were still something to be wary of.

Before the blind swordsmen could word his concern, "I'm aware of the danger that awaits in that direction".

"Then why go?"

"Because I don't wish to die some meaningless death. As a warrior, if it is my time I wish to die proudly on my feet".

At hearing this Illidan gave a wide grin as a chuckle couldn't help but escape his lips. "Heh heh heh, well said mortal. Then I shall personally give you your send off when that time has come".

To be continued . . . .

Author's notes: It's been a while since I've updated as I've been busy as of late. Now here is some commentary.

Just giving a little shout out to Gears of War with their satellite weapon the hammer of dawn. Since Starcraft is infamous with it's many sci fi references I figured I just throw one in myself from time to time.

As noted war is coming as Aiur and the New Alliance will clash. Quel'Thalas for the time being is paralyzed due to the internal power struggle. Ironforge is keeping out of this fight due to conflict of interest. Kalimdorians won't really participate as this problem is Lordaeron issue. However these three factions will have a few individuals who will participate. Not representing their people but just themselves. I don't really plan to draw out this fight unnecessarily long. So I'll try to wrap this up as soon as possible with time skips and monologue of how the situations is changing.

Zac and Illidan are going on their own journey which will reveal the puppet master behind this war.

If there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask as I'll try to answer them.

So thank you for reading and I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.