A/N I'm still a bit loopy from all the freaking meds that I have had to take so I'm hoping this turned out okay. If not sorry :-) I'll try not to write when I'm under the weather again. I used my phone to type again so hopefully there aren't too many typos.
If the Dominion had any inclination of the impeding attack they showed know sign of it. After only a few hours of planning the combined forces of Matt, Kerrigan, and Zeratul executed their plan of attack. Although the details differed somewhat due to the addition of the Zerg and Protoss the general avenue of attack remained the same. They would attack in sequence and in multiple locations giving the illusion that there were more of them than there were and in so doing overwhelm the Dominion forces before they knew what has happening. Despite protests from the Zerg Queens Matt had decided that the Zerg would strike first. Matt knew first hand that there was nothing in the universe that inspired more fear that the sight of the Zerg swarm bearing down on your position.
Out of the darkness of space they materialized. First as small blips on the Dominion scanners then without warning they were alive with . The Dominion soldiers had been expecting this for days. They knew sooner or later the Raiders would launch an assault to reach their commander. They had sent multiple scouts to asses the strength of the Raider's gathering battle group. While it was certainly impressive when compared to what the Raiders had in the past it was still almost nothing in comparison with the behemoth that is the Dominion Fleet. Some of the leaders had even suggested that they should launch a preemptive assault on the Raiders but General Hastings quickly shot that idea down. He told them that Raynor was their main objective and that no number of losses the Raiders could sustain could equal the prize that waited for them at the planet's surface. Raider was the head of the snake, he argued. Destroy him and the rest of the Raiders would surely crumble.
The alarm was quickly triggered and the signal filtered to every ship on the blockade. Prepare for an attack by the Raiders it said. Imagine the shock then of these soldiers when out of the emptiness of space it was not the Raiders who materialized but the Zerg swarm. As Matt predicted the swarm's appearance inspired terror in the waiting soldiers. They had expected a one sided slaughter and not a life and death battle against the alien species that had decimated so many worlds.
The transmissions between the Dominion vessels changed as well. No longer were they gloating amongst one another on how many terrorists they would kill but now the transmissions were filled with panic stricken voices desperately seeking orders from their superiors. Those superiors tried to calm their troops but they themselves were at a loss. They had no plan for this, no contingency. They would have to defend as best as they could. Urgent messages were quickly dispatched to the surface, asking General Hastings for his orders and to return to orbit. Those transmissions, of course, would never receive a response.
The Zerg wasted no time in closing the gap between themselves and the waiting blockade. The blackness of space suddenly lit up with the day like brilliance of hundreds of explosions. The Zerg attacked seemed to be concentrated on a certain point in the blockade. It was something the Dominion was not used to seeing. In the past the swarm always attacked in full force all along their defenses. Their plan then had been simple. Overwhelm the Terrans with sheer numbers. Those in charge of the blockade were elated to see this. It was proof that the mindless Zerg attacked without any regard to strategy or position. It was a mistake that the Dominion would capitalize on. They ordered the ships not on the forefront of the attack to move forward and flank the Zerg advance. It was their intention to clamp down on their enemies and destroy them like the insects they were.
But then without warning the Zerg fell back melting back into the darkness before the Terrans knew what was going on. Then just as they had planned the Raiders began their assault. Had the Dominion not been so focused on the Zerg they would have seen the Raiders' ship enter Tyrador space. Suddenly the Dominion found themselves in an awkward situation. In an effort to get around the Zerg they had exposed their own flanks and it was there that the Raiders' concentrated their fire. With the Hyperion in the lead, they threw everything they had at the blockade. Dozens of ships were obliterated before they could even turn to face this new onslaught. The Dominion leaders were dumbfounded at what was happening. They had received reports from General Hastings' scouts that said the Zerg allies of the Raiders were no where close by. To make matters worse they have yet to hear back from the General on the surface, worrying them that he may be in the midst of battle with Raynor. Even the Dominion garrison had not received any word from their commander about their situation.
While the Dominion ships on the fringe of the blockade were engulfed in chaos the same could not be said by those at the center. Slowly but steadily they were making there way outwards to the perimeter where they could engage the terrorists. This, however, was all part of the plan. Just like the Zerg before them the Raiders retreated from battle. The only evidence that they had ever been there was the floating debris of the once proud Dominion vessels. At the same time the Raiders were retreating the Zerg materialized and re engaged the blockade further along the perimeter.
This went on for at least an hour. The Raiders and Zerg attacked and retreated in sequence drawing the the battle lines further and further apart until there were massive gaps in between. Then at the top of the hour a new onslaught entered the fray. Dominion ships broke apart and burned as they were assaulted by several small Protoss ships. They did not have the numbers that their allies did but their very presence added to the mass confusion that was already ensuing. This time the Zerg and Raiders did not retreat as they had done for the last hour but instead pressed their siege as far as they could. In the chaos no one seemed to notice a Dominion vessel rise up from the surface and speed right through one of the gaps. It was not the only one. As if on cue several larger Dominion ships broke rank and took off in the same direction as the smaller craft. Some of them even launched empty escape pods to mask what was truly happening. Once they were clear the Raiders, Zerg, and Protoss finally started to retreat as quickly as they could. The Terrans were eager to pursue them but the last hour had taught them a valuable lesson. They would not be tricked again and so instead of following the Dominion did its best to reform their battle lines for the imminent reengagement. It would be over an hour before they realized that no further attack was coming.
It would not be much later that the surviving officers would realize that a vast majority of Hastings' personal battle group was unaccounted for. In a frenzy for answers they searched out for wreckages but the only thing they could locate were signals from the escape pods that had been launched towards the surface of Tyrador. It wasn't until they found the empty escape pods that they realized what had happened. Their suspicions were confirmed when they found the bodies of the slain garrison marines. They also questioned the members of Hastings group that had not vanished. They professed to have no knowledge of the whereabouts of the General or the missing ships. They could not be trusted of course so they were arrested on the spot. They would be taken back to the council of Generals where their date would be decided. The surviving leaders of the blockade that it would at least appease the council. They hoped that the council would direct their fury at losing Raynor at the few who had been arrested instead of them.
Many hours later at mobile shipyard the General's transport slowly landed in the hangar. There were many who were waiting for that particular ship and they had to shield their eyes as the transport's thrusters created a small cloud of dirt and dust. Small icicles that had built up from traveling in cold, deep pace broke apart adding to the debris.
All eyes were on the doors as they slid open. Chase was the first to emerge and was quickly followed by Stettman. Hastings and his men came next, helping support the dozen men that remained from the ill fated mission. Finally the man they had come to see emerged from the transport. One of his arms was slung over Nova's shoulder for balance. He was still weak but he was determined to walk out on his own two feet. Like the rest of the survivors Raynor looked pale from days of malnutrition. Blood and gashes adorned their clothing. Many of them had slings and wrappings to cover what were probably broken bones. Cheers erupted as Raynor walked down the ramp, his eyes solemn and downcast.
At the bottom of the ramp Chase greeted him with a big smile. "We did it." He said, unable to hide his enthusiasm. "We outwitted those Dominion bastards yet again."
Suddenly Jim was filled with anger. Despite his condition he snatched his arm from Nova's shoulder and grabbed Chase by what was left of his collar. "You think this is something to celebrate?!" He made no effort to hide his anger. The hangar became silent as all of those who were gathered were surprised by Raynor's attitude.
Chase was confused. "Of course we should celebrate. We survived."
"And what of those who did not?!" Raynor asked angrily. He could not forget all those who had died. He yanked Chase's collar and forced him to look behind the crowd that had been cheering.
It was only then Chase grasped why Jim was so angry. The young man was suddenly filled with shame. Tears welled up in his eyes. Behind the crowd were men, women, and children who had been anxiously awaiting word if their loved ones had survived. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, friends and lovers were all locked together in agony at realizing that those they cared for would not be returning. Children clung to their siblings, wailing for their deceased parents. Chase could hardly breathe as he saw what was hidden from him earlier and he found himself dizzy and almost unable to stand.
Raynor let go of his collar and started towards those families. More than once he stumbled and nearly fell. Nova rushed to help but the glare in Jim's eyes told her that he did not wish to be touched. When he did finally reach them Jim realized he did not know what to say. What puny words of his could ease their anguish?
"I'm sorry." Was all he could muster before walking away. The room remained silent. It was so quiet that you could probably hear a pin drop. Far to the corner Sarah Kerrigan watched the man she loved and her heart broke for him.
A few hours later James Raynor was sitting in his favorite seat in the Hyperion cantina. In front of him was an unopened bottle of scotch. The seal had already been broken but the cap itself remained in its place. As soon as he had entered the room he had grabbed the bottle of the bartender's shelf. The rest of the cantina was empty. They had moved the majority of the stock to the shipyard cafeteria. It was far more spacious and was more conveniently located since it was closer to what was now the living quarters. The few bottles that were left was for the crew in case they had a prolonged mission. Despite protests by Nova and a multitude of others Jim insisted that he be left alone.
No lights were on in the abandoned cantina and that was the way Him preferred shadows engulfed Raynor as he stared down the bottle. Those shadows had almost become a second home to him. More than once he had found comfort in them. More than once he wished he could have just melted into them so that they could whisk him away from all his troubles. He had lost count of how many times he had twisted open the cap and lifted the bottle to pour himself a drink. It was so tempting... If he could just numb away the pain for a little while then wouldn't it be worth it? In the end it was the pain the won out but not in the way it used to. It would disgrace the memory of the men that had died if he let himself get lost again. No, the memories and the pain was the penance he would have to pay for all that he had wrought.
Eventually the exhaustion took its toll and Jim nodded off in his chair. He couldn't have been asleep for more than a few minutes when the sound of movement woke him. After several days on the run such noises had become a warning that had been ingrained in him. He looked around to what could have woken him but found nothing or no one around him. Everything was as it should be. He was about to lean his head back down on the table when a shifting of the shadows told him he was not alone.
Jim jumped from his chair and reached for his gun, forgetting that he did not have it with him. His eyes quickly darted to the door. Measuring his distance from it and the intruder's distance from him. In his weakened state Jim was in no condition for a fightZ
"You won't need a weapon, my friend." A familiar voice echoed. A form started materializing from the darkness but its face was still hidden from him. "Nor will you need to run."
"Who are you?" Jim snarled. He was in no mood for games.
"Forgotten me already?" The figure stepped forward. Jim suddenly found a Protoss warrior standing in front of him. Though the voice seemed eerily familiar it was not a face Jim could ever recall seeing before.
"I'm not surprised you don't recognize me. After all the only time you have seen me was when I was in the cold, hard shell of a dragoon." The Protoss warrior told him, answering Jim's thoughts.
All of a sudden everything clicked into place. He did know the Protoss standing in front of him but the very fact that he was there was impossible. "Fenix? Impossible! You're dead."
"I am, aren't I?" The Protoss sighed heavily as he sat down on the chair next to Jim. It creaked at the weight placed on it as if it intended to buckle but surprisingly it held together.
"How are you even here?" Jim asked incredulously. He had to stop himself from reaching out to pike his friend to make sure he was indeed real.
"How am I supposed to know why I'm here? This is your dream." Fenix answered, amused by the question.
"Dream?" Jim looked down at where he had been sitting only moments ago. Surely enough there he was still asleep on his chair. Jim scratched his head. This was certainly a first for him.
"Maybe the question isn't why I am here but why you are here." Fenix indicated to the empty cantina and to the bottle suiting in front of him.
"I-umm-I a lot has happened the last few days. So many died because of me." Jim thought back to all those who perished especially to the one who died while still carrying him.
Fenix shook his head in frustration. "For a Terran that has seen so much you remain blind James Raynor." The being who appeared as Fenix reached across the table and grabbed Raynor's shirt, pulling him closer. The bottle of scotch was sent flying to the floor, drenching their feet and the floor with alcohol. This feels to real to be a dream, Raynor thought to himself. Fenix shook Raynor forcibly. "Haven't you figured it out yet. You are no hero James Raynor. In your youth you could barely even follow the laws of your people."
Jim was confused. He tried to break Fenix's grip on him but found that he could not even pry the large Protoss' fingers from his shirt.
"You are deluding yourself with illusions of grandeur. You cannot save them just as you could not save me. You could not even save yourself." Fenix continued with his scathing assault.
"But the others. Sarah, Chase, Matt..." Jim knew even without him they would not stop.
"Are better off without you." Fenix finished for him. "Stop fighting. You have sacrificed so much already. Let someone else take up this crucible. Take those you care about and leave this all behind. Find a planet far from here, far from the Zerg, far from the hybrids. Far away where this war cannot reach you."
Far beyond where James Raynor thought he was sleeping. In the dark abyss that is space the glowing eyes of Amon continued to speak to his victim. "So many are already dead because of you. How many more must die before you heed my words?"
All of a sudden the brilliance in Amon's eyes faded. The connection was lost. Even he had his limits. His spies had served him well. They told him that they had read reports where the Terran pest had received a mental summons from The Queen of blades even while she was in her chrysalis. It was not out of the question then, after all the events that had transpired, that he would be able to invade Raynor's mind. Amon had been trying for weeks on end without much success but In Raynor's weakened state finally gave him the opening he had needed even if it was only for a moment. That fleeting intrusion was more than enough to plant the seed of doubt in the Terran's mind. Hopefully that seed grow until it consumed him. That, however, was not Amon's only goal. Through that small intrusion he had learned some interesting things that he could use to his advantage. He learned of the growing rift between Kerrigan and her beloved and of the woman who was even now trying to come in between them. A woman who had once been under his control. While he no longer owned his slave a small push, a slight suggestion might be possible. Amon smiled. One small push and their little resistance would fall over the edge into oblivion.
Amon was not stupid. He, of course, would not leave such things to chance encounters. He had gained one more piece of valuable information while wandering around in Raynor's subconscious. The location of his battle group and their mobile shipyard. Before the connection was even lost Amon had given the command for the hybrids and the Zerg they controlled to make for the battle group's coordinates. Amon would not give them time to repair and resupply their dwindling numbers. Soon there would be no one left to challenge him and the heavens will run red with the blood of all creation.
Jim's head snapped up, his eyes were still blurry with sleep. "Jim, are you okay?" Nova was shaking him awake. "You were talking and mumbling to yourself."
Jim's head was hazy as he looked around while rubbing his eyes. He saw no evidence of Fenix. The bottle of scotch still rested in the middle of the table with contents still inside.
"So it was just a dream..." Jim spoke to himself.
"What was just a dream?" Nova asked curiously. In the days she had spent with him on Tyrador she had known him to talk in his sleep.
"Nothing." Jim replied quickly, regaining his composure. His eyes took in Nova for the first time since they returned. Her hair hung loosely across her shoulders and it was still damp from the shower she must have already taken. Gone was the dirt and grime that had covered her face and instead her creamy white skin almost gave of a soft glow. A bit of color had returned to her cheeks and lips. She wasn't dressed in her usual ghost attire either but in plain loose fitting trousers and a shirt that she had tied around the midriff, slightly exposing her well toned stomach.
"Are you okay?" She asked, clearly concerned. He realized he must look like a street beggar in comparison. He had neither eaten, showered, or even changed since they had returned. How could he enjoy such comforts when so many had not returned.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself." He whispered quietly.
"For what?" Nova asked, placing her hand on his.
He looked up straight into her eyes. Then Nova heard Jim say something that she would never forget. "That my men died and I didn't."
Nova was touched. As a ghost she had never known the value of human life. To her and to those who gave her orders all that mattered was the mission and the mission alone. The lives that were spent to achieve those ends were inconsequential.
Her hand moved to Raynor's chin. Without another thought Nova closed the gap between them and locked her lips onto his. The dried blood on his lip did not even register in her mind.
The kiss did not last even for a second. Nova pulled back as quickly as she moved in.
"Nova..." Jim cautioned. But Nova would not let him continue. She would not give him the chance to say that he regretted the moments they shared or that she had misinterpreted his actions. It meant too much to her.
"Come with me." Nova insisted. When she felt Raynor resist she pulled him harder. "It's not what you think."
Jim let Nova pull him to a standing position and lead him through the corridors. She had told him that it wasn't what he was thinking but he was still on guard. He was relieved when Nova led him to the airlocks but he still had no idea where she was taking him.
Eventually they made their way to a massive area within the shipyard. It was a central lobby from which all the living quarters were located. He hadn't been here since they confiscated the shipyard from the Dominion. It looked vastly different once empty hallways were now lined with people.
They stopped in their tracks when they saw Jim. Most of them had never seen him face to face but recognized him on sight anyway. Without hesitation they approached him, many of them pulling their families with them. They were being crowded so much that Nova found herself pushed right up to Jim. She made sure her hand stayed clasped on his while enjoying the fact the her left breast was now touching his arm.
One by one the crown moved closer all craning to get a look at Jim. Many grabbed his free hand, shaking it furiously while at the same time thanking him for saving them. Fathers lifted their kids on their shoulders in an effort to help the glimpse at the man who came for them when no one else would. Thank you, they told him. Bless you. Gratitude, Mr. Raynor. For my family. You saved us, they yelled. When the crown became to thick for Jim to shake each hand individually they instead reached out and touched his shoulder or his arm in a sign of appreciation and acknowledgment. Hands strained over one another in an effort to touch the man who given them hope when everything seemed hopeless. He fought for them even when he didn't have to. He didn't know them but he bled for them. He saved them but asked for nothing in return. This was a man they could follow, they told themselves. This was a man who deserved to lead.
A while later when the crowd had been satiated Nova walked with Jim hand in hand. She still did not understand why he was dumbstruck at what had just happened.
"Don't you see? You gave Matt a future to look forward to. You gave Chase a life he could be proud of. Even Hastings saw that things can be better because of you." Nova laughed. She left out that he had given her hope as well. That she could have a life outside of what she had known. "You give out hope like it was candy it your pocket."
She was silent then until she knew they were alone. "I know you grieve for those you lost but respect them enough to honor their decisions. They felt that protecting you was well worth their lives."
Jim took it all in. She was right, of course. He was too caught up in his own sorrow to see anything else. "Thank you." He whispered to her. He flashed her a smile that for the first time was reflected in his eyes.
A/N how was it? Too much? I nat have overdone that a little...
