-Arc 3 StarCraft-

-Chapter 19, Deadman's Port-

-Same time as events on Antiga Prime-

The Merrimack exited warp space over Deadmans Rock. A planet far removed from other Terran worlds making it a haven for many types of people that dont want to be apart of or don't fit in to mainstream of society. Some refugees others outcasts or people who just want to get away from it all but mainly Criminals. Although Confederate ships sometimes patrol the vicinity they have little to no reason to even get close to the planet let alone land. The planet itself was habitable but lacked bio-diversity and most of the worlds landscape was flat grassy plains a few lakes and one main ocean, several small inland seas and two large continents.

That being said the planet had two settlements, Paradise and Deadman's Port. Each housing many thousands of people.

Haruka looked out the display screen window showing the planet below. "Take us down to Deadman's port."

The navigation officers redirected the ships course adjusting it for reentry while the AI Adjutant Marry contacted the local port control tower controlled by the local ganglord O'banon who ran Deadman's port and requested permission to land.

Haruka turned around walking back to her captains chair and glanced at Marry. The Adjutant blinked taking on a unamused expression as she communicated for the safe landing of the ship.

"Were authorised to land at docking port 31." The Adjutant said.

The old Leviathan-class battlecruiser flared its retro thrusters slowing its descent. After landing the ships security marines guarded it from tampering and acts of theft. With a hand full of Sons of Korhal Marines by her side and one other person Haruka walked down landing ramp 4 to the space port. Most of the people in the area cleared out not wanting to mess with fully armored marines. Even if they were to attempt to steal from Haruka or even try to kidnap her for ransom they would get a nasty surprise as even though Haruka looks human on the outside and has her psionic abilities cloaked by her limited Void abilities she retains all her Zerg enhanced strength, speed and reflexes.

"Why do I Have to come Along," Lt Breanne said in a somewhat drunken tone.

Haruka was trying to get the Lt to open up and even if Deadman's port isn't the best place it was still better than being cooped up in the steel room on the ship.

Haruka. "You need to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Well air that's not reprocessed at least."

Lt Breanne rolled her eyes as they made there way through the labyrinth of derelict ships and prefab structures made from their skeletons. After walking around for awhile they finally reached a bar. Haruka turned around to the marines security detail protecting her and Lt Breanne.

"Stay here a minute. I have a meeting with a agent in their."

"Yes ma'am." the marine corporal replied.

Just as Haruka was about ready to enter her senses flared and she stepped to one side. A man flew out the double doors passed Haruka, landing the dirt. Groaning in pain the man stood up and started cursing before brushing him self off and leaving. Haruka entered the bar for a few minutes and then returned. After regrouping Haruka and her group traveled to the ganglord of Deadman's port. A man named Scutter O'Banon. From the Starcraft lore Haruka remembered the man would eventually be killed and his operations taken over by Ethan Stewart who would then be succeeded by Mira Han. At least in the original timeline.

Haruka and her group approached a building that looked at least a little cleaner and immaculate than the others. Two armed gang thugs stood guard at the front gate of the wall around the building. "Hold. Whats your business here?" thug asked eyeing the armored marines and keeping his rifle close and safety off.

Haruka stepped forward. "I'm here to see O'Banon. He's incharge of the port here isn't he. I need some things and hes the man to go to when one has money and things to buy."

The two guards conversed a moment before calling their boss. A short time later Haruka and on of her guards were let into the building while the rest including Lt Breanne had to wait outside. Entering the mansion like building Haruka and her one guard were escorted to the main room where four mercs in CMC armor and O'Banon were waiting. The man was wearing a black suit with gold cufflinks with a red tie with a cup of alcohol on the glass table in front of him. O'Banon was a short man at 5 feet 2 inches tall with a with a round face, and pencil-thin mustache.

"Hmm so your the owner of that old wreck of a ship. So tell me miss..?"

Haruka relaxed letting both arms hang. "My names Haruka Reid mister O'Banon."

O'Banon. "Haruka Reid?. Never heard of ya. May I ask what brings you to my port other then meeting with another woman that looks like ya. Tell me is she your sister or something?"

Haruka didn't react much only grinning. It was expected that O'Banon would keep his men on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary and a former confederate ship landing at his port was most definitely a odd event. So of course O'banon would be informed of the ships landing and send some goons to tail them around the port.

Meanwhile across Deadman's port a series of punching and bashing noises echoed in a back alley. Ellen picking up the back pack the keystone fragment was in while using her aura to pin a thug against the wall by the neck. Four others laid unconscious on the ground as the last man struggled gasping for air.

Ellen. "Who hired you to try and jump me?"

The thug gargled his eyes rolling into the back of his head from oxygen deprivation so Ellen let him go. The thug landed on the metal ground holding his neck wheezing and coughing.

"It..." Cough. "was O'Banon." Cough. "Fucking hell. If I knew you were a fucking teek I wouldn't have taken this job!"

Ellen just sighed turning around and left.

Back with Haruka and O'Banon, Haruka looked O'banon in the eyes. "Yeah she's my sister. But you don't want to get in her bad side. But enough about that. I came here to pay you for some services."

With a hum O'Banon took a sip of his alcohol and set it back down crossing his legs as he listened. "In that case please have a seat. So long as you have the money there's virtually nothing we can't get you here at Deadman's port."

Haruka. "Thank you." Haruka walked closer to O'Banon taking a seat in a single chair with her bodyguard staying at the rooms entrance.

O'Banon. "So what is it you want exactly?"

Haruka. "Well my ships a bit old and ill equipped. I'll need it to be reinforced, modified and fully armed. I know it won't be cheap and some components may even be... a bit difficult for even you to get your hands on. So I'll pay 30,000 credits up front and another 60,000 on completion of the job."

O'Banon nearly lost his composer upon hearing the numbers but being experienced in the criminal world he quickly recomposed himself. "Well that's a lot of money. Then again buying weapons and other systems for a ship and customising it does tend to be costly. I'll get to work contacting people I trust who can do the job."

Even as his mouth flapped open O'Banon's mind was spinning trying to figure out how this woman had so much money. Even if she was a spy of some sort sent by the confederates they wouldn't throw that kind of money away just for a convoluted plan to take out a guy like him. Whatever this woman was on about it wasn't anything O'Banon needed to be worried about. But one thing he was interested in was where she got that amount of money from. And how could O'Banon get his hands on it.

But before O'Banon could to a double take Haruka spoke again. "Also another thing mister O'Banon. I'll be hiring mercenaries at a later date. I already have a few under my employ on my ship."

O'Banon just smiled twisting his mustache. "As I said before miss Reid. So long as you got the money you can buy anything here at Deadman's port."

Haruka smiled. "Thank you for the services mister O'Banon. I'll be returning to the Merrimack now."

O'Banon seemed too sigh.

Haruka. "And what was that sigh about?"

O'Banon. "Well I couldn't help notice that the name of your ship was the Merrimack. Not a fitting name for a beauty like you. Perhaps you should change it to something more... complementing."

Haruka gave a exasperated laugh as she hadn't thought of changing the ships name at all. For her the ships abilities were more important but then again thinking about it the name Merrimack wasn't the most flattering name. Then again Haruka was certain that O'banon was just trying to get her to pay more for the paint to spell out the new name. "Heha. Your right. I'll think up a new name later. But for right now this is where we part ways." Haruka stood up. "Until we meet again mister O'banon."

O'Banon. "No no it was all my pleasure."

Haruka left leaving the crime boss to do his part. Leaving the mansion Haruka, Lt Breanne and the marines escorting them returned to the Merrimack where some technicians and engineers had already started looking the ship over for what they needed to do to get the old girl battle ready again. They weren't exactly the best but no other port would let rebels land except those in the kel-morian or umojan territories. Unfortunately they were a little out of the way at the moment.

As they walked back up onto the ships loading ramp Lt Breanne felt like a doll being dragged around by a child, even if she felt somewhat better for the walk.

"And what was the point of bringing me along on all that?" she said as her and Haruka walked down a hall.

Haruka. "As I said you needed some fresh air."

Lt Breanne shrugged. "I didn't learn anything or get any work done. What did you get out of bringing me along?"

Haruka stopped turning to the Lt. "Breanne. If you want to change the world you must first understand all its facets and complicating elements. Including Politics and peoples hearts."

Breanne felt like she had missed something. "Uh... come again?"

Haruka looked her in the eye more seriously. "Breanne. The Confederacy is not immortal and like many oppressive and needlessly violent governments before it. It will crumble. The choice i'm giving you is weather or not you want to parish with it. Or... Survive and make something of your life once the ashes are blowing in the wind."

Breanne crossed her arms and looked down at the deck plating thinking seriously about it. If the confederacy did fall then what would be the point of all that time and effort she put in to raising up the ranks. And her loyalty. Branne was earnestly wondering what worth her life had been if she lost the thing she devoted herself to fell. "I... eh. What proof do your have the confederacy will be destroyed anyway?"

Haruka just turned around and walked slowly away. "History. Making too many enemies always causes the fall of governments and a changing political system."

Leaving Breanne behind to think things over Haruka made her way to her private office. She told Mary to call Graven Hill to her room so they could talk about his next mission.

A few minutes later.

"Reporting as ordered." Hill said walking in.

Haruka. "Take a seat."

Hill sat down on the chair by Harukas desk.

"Your next mission is a simple one. I want you to look for a woman named Mira Han and hire her."

Hill raised a eye brow before scratching his chin. "Mira Han huh?"

Haruka. "Do you know her?"

Hill. "No. Not personally. But let's just say she's got a... reputation. From what I last heard she's trying to build up her own mercenary group at the moment."

Haruka. "In that case. Hill your next job will be to make contact with miss Han and aide her with some generous funds i'll be giving you."

Hill. "She's a merc like me? Just hire her."

Haruka. "I have planes and need things to fall in to place before I can hire her openly."

Hill. "Got it. Cloak and dagger stuff then. A little odd sending a merc to hire another merc but I get it. Just give me the funds and i'll go find her."

Haruka. "Now as for what I want her to do..."

-2 Hours later, Paradise Settlement-

It did not take Hill long to find Mira as her reputation as a hard and brutal but efficient leader made her well known in the settlement named Paradise. The name was a either a misnomer or some ones joke as the place actually consisted of prefabricated buildings and houses constructed of the hulls of starships in the interior of the settlement, and numerous shanties on the outskirts, the town is anything but a paradise. But many people still called it a home of sorts. Walking over the red dust covered ground Hill and his two body guards in CMC armor could smell the distinct aroma of human excrement, unwashed bodies and maybe a few rotting corpses left in a hole somewhere.

"Gah, this place reeks!" Hill exclaimed as he passed a brothel. The information Hill got by using a portion of his employers money, showed him the way to Miras little neck of the woods. Though Mira was a low level merc she was well know as cautious and brutal type. Which in this business normally meant she was very good at staying alive. After walking through the twisted shanty-town of a maze Hill and his men arrived at a large three story building set in between other buildings on all sides making the place a veritable fortress of a lesser degree.

"Halt who go's there," a armored guard behind a chain link fence said.

"Halt who go's there really?" another guard said looking at the first.

Hill raised a eyebrow as the two started arguing. "Eh hem. Men i'm here to see your boss Mira Han. Is she here?"

The two guards looked at him wide eyed. "Business or pleasure?" the first guard asked tightening the grip on his rifle.

Hill almost rolled his eyes at the obvious joke which he had heard a few times. Many mercs had their own idiosyncrasies but these guys were much too obvious. "Business is a pleasure."

The guard almost sighed at Hill getting the right answer and left to report to the boss. A few minutes later Hill and his men were let inside but were kept under close observation by the mercs under Miss Hans employ. They were led to a decent looking room with four guards in red CMC armor decorated with spikes welded on. Hill sat on a couch in the middle of the room while the guards eyed his bodyguards.

Then a pink haired woman entered the room wearing a olive drab green and black military cloths. She was armed with a pistol by her left thigh and a bandolier of five grenades over her chest.

"Hello boys. I don't get many visitors out here especially not from Hammer Securities. So! What dragged your butts on to my doorstep." Han said in an Eastern European accent.

Hill. "A job." Hill placed a large case on the table opening it to revile a pile of pure mineral crystals worth quite a lot of money. Though credits was the man-stream currency trading in pure crystalized minerals was common too. Hill traded some of the credits Haruka gave him into purified minerals which were far less traceable.

The eyes of the other mercs went wide as they gawked at the crystals. But Han was just silent and stoic. She sat down on another couch opposite Hill crossing her legs and resting both arms on the back of the couch.

Han. "So... what's the job. I an't cheap."

Hill sat up straight. "I want you to kill Ethan Stewart and take over Paradise."

Miras mercs looked at each other and started laughing. A moment later Han waved her hand and the mercs quieted down while Han kept her poker face looking disinterested. But she had questions like why would a large merc outfit have against Stewart and want him dead. Then again Hill said he wanted Stewart dead and for Mira to take over for him. Han hummed in thought as she started slowly swinging her foot as it rested on her other leg.

"So... you want little old me to take over Paradise huh. What's in it for you. Or... rather the person paying your checking accounts?"

Hill grinned liking how sharp Han on the uptake. "My... employer knows about your reputation and character. And seems to think you can do a better job then Stewart. That and helping you grow your merc outfit will help them in the long run."

Han looked out the window a moment nodding. "I see I see." She turned back to Hill. "So a scratch my back and I'll scratch yours proposal then. I take it that the credits your giving me are for building up my men." Hill nodded.

Han set her leg down grabbing the case full of minerals with a wide smile. "Aah you lovelies come to mama." Han closed the case setting it down by her feet and placed both hands on her lap. "So question? Are your men going to help me?"

Hill. "We're at your disposal for the duration of our stay on the planet."

Han looked at Hill more seriously. "So... your boss IS on Deadmans Rock then aren't they. Let me guess. They wouldn't be the owner of that fancy Leviathan class battle-cruiser that recently landed at Deadman's port would they."

Hill hesitated a moment partly in shock at how fast news spreads around Deadmans Rock and was about to say something but Han beat him to the punch.

"I knew it. Not that I care just wanted to have some small talk. Though I wonder why your boss didn't contact me me themselves. May be their being watched or... in a position that is watched by others. But. Either way a job is a job. And speaking of jobs since were going to be working together maybe you and your men can help me and mine with a little job."

Hill shifted in has seat starting to get a little uncomfortable at how good Han is at guessing things and for a moment he thought she must have been a Teek(telepath). Or at least a low level one if the confederates ghost academy goons hadn't got to her. "What's the job?"

Han. "Just a small job on Mar Sara. Well... not really a job per saw as it is a shopping trip.."

Hill raised his eyes."You know Mar Sara is a blasted rock right now right?"

Han leaned forwards placing both hands together nodding. "Hm... yes I do. But..." She leaned back again. "I have it on good authority that a few confederate bases and other resources survived the attack by both those aliens... what were they called again?

"The Zerg and Protoss." said Hill.

Han. "Oh yes. Well from what i've gathered a rather large amount of weapons and minerals were left on the planet. And seeing how the Zerg were wiped out by the Protoss and they then left. Mar Sara should be a scavengers gold mine. If one know where to look and has the guts to go that is. Oh and had the drop ships to transport the goods."

Hill sighed thinking it through. "Ok. im in. But I'll have to contact my employer to inform them i'm leaving the planet with some dropships. I doubt they would have thought that you would have me doing a off world job like this."

Han. "I'll, be here waiting, for ya."

Hill left Han's base of operations and returned to the Merrimack. Haruka authorised use of dropships for the mision Han proposed and five hours later seventeen dropships exited warp over the desolated Mar Sara. Some parts of the planets tectonic crust was still red hot from the Protoss bombardment and other parts were covered in ash clouds.

Hills Hammer Security dropships followed Hans crafts into low orbit and they spent the next few hours scanning the planet for any remaining ruins of value. After finding some good looking places Han and Hills forces landed at a relatively intact refinery complex.

Deep breath and exelation. "Ahh. Smell that fire and brimstone." Han said as she stepped out of the dropship in black CMC armor with a few pink accents.

Hans people and Hills split up searching the place top to bottom for any useful scraps they could sell or mineral storage depots. After two hour a of looking they found underground storage buildings holding processed minerals worth tens of thousands of credits to the right people or they could be used to make a whole lot of mechanized units like Siege tanks, Vultures and Wraiths or lots of CMC armor, ammo and weapons to arm infantry. The minerals were loaded up and then the whole expedition made their way to a half destroyed Confederate base.

It was in a terrible state with half of it replaced by a blast massive crater still glowing a little bit in patch's here and there and the other half melted by the heat from the purifier beam that made said crater. The mercenaries again spread out searching under every piece of scrape left behind. Some surviving Siege tanks were found in the remains of a hanger with some Vultures but all of them were heavily damaged but repairable. Lots of ammo were found in the underground armory along with a few hundred rifles and grenades but most of the CMC armor was out of the storage leaving just a hand full.

Feeling like their luck ran its course Han ordered everyone to leave. With seventeen Dropships full of weapons, minerals, ammo, and weapons Han was on cloud nine with all the new gear she had. And for free. After returning to Paradise and unloading all their cargo into a warehouse close to Mira Hans base Han and Hill met again.

"Thanks for all the help Hill. I was a little apprehensive at the prospect of going to Mar Sara but with you and your big strong men there to help me everything went off without a hitch. I'm a little richer and better armed. So when the time comes for that other job i'll be ready. I'll be in the neighborhood so if your or your boss ever need me just call."

Hill relaxed a little seeing Mira was in a rather good mood. "I'm glad to hear that. We should be ready for that job soon. I'll contact my employer for the date and time."

Han. "Any time. You just say go and me and my men will hit the ground running."

Hill and his men left leaving Mira to her preparations.. Back on the Merrimack Haruka sat in her private room enjoying a meal. She was going over different names while eating and came upon a random name generated by Adjutant Mary. A name appeared on screen that caught her eye.

Haruka smiled and double clicked it. "That name sounds interesting. Let's go with that."

Adjutant Mary. "New name Gjallarhorn accepted. Contacting dock workers for imprinting on hull."

"Tell them to color it in silver with a gold edging." said. Haruka.

-Antiga Prime-

-Minutes After the fall of the Main Alpha Squadron Base-

The Behemoth class Battlecruiser second in the Norad class and hence named the Norad 2 cursed at high orbit over Antiga Prime. As Raynor and Kerrigan were celebrating a victory the confederate General Edmond Duke was having a even worse day then what he thought possible.

General Duke slammed his fist onto the tactical display table. The pain of his aging body didn't distract him from the colossal failure of failing to stop a planet wide revolt and losing both a high ranking officer and a small army of Alpha squadron troops. It was yet another blow to his career and another roadblock delaying his further promotion. Just like the time he failed to apprehend Mengsk years before, in which Duke not only let his ship be damaged but lost a ghost in the engagement.

"Sir were getting hundreds of reports of open attacks on confederate facilities and personnel all over the planet. Should we report to central command?" asked a officer.

The thought of reporting his own failure irked the general to no end but if he were to lose the planet it would threaten his position as a general and getting all this way in the chain of command only to fail was something that he would not allow.

Duke. "Contact Tarsonis and call in Alpha squadron reinforcements."

"Yes sir." replied the officer.

Duke crossed his arms trying to think of the most efficient way to eliminate the rebels and restore his reputation. But as the general mused a Zerg Overlord hovered over the planet directly over the now destroyed Alpha squadron base. It was Kerrigans display of psionic power that attracted its attention to the terrans battle on this world. But it's presence was a order by the Overmind. After Zasz's Garm brood attacked the human world of Mar Sara Zasz's brood detected a powerful psionic signal that at first turned out to be just a Terran machine but after the area was flooded with thousands of Zerg a Terran appeared wreathed in a powerful psionic barrier and was powerful enough to slaughter hundreds of Zerg on their own. This peeked the Overminds interest in the Terrans. Where before he saw them as weak and in significant even though they had some psionic power none of the humans thus far were anywhere close to the Protoss. But that changed with the appearance of this newcomer. And as a result many Overlords were scattered across Terran space to find more psionic Terrans or the same one that appeared on Mar Sara.

But what the Overmind and his Cerebrates failed to understand is that their interest in the Terrans was all according to Ellen and Harukas plan. Other then Kerrigan and a few other rare people most Terrans don't have any psionic power and are few and far between. Realistically Ellen and Haruka saw that there was no way the Overmind and his Zerg would care about the Terrans and by extension would not attack the Norad 2 during the events on Antiga Prime. The previous attacks on both Chau and Mar Sara were the result of the confederate experiments with psi-emitters attracting the swarm. But there was no such thing on Antiga prime. So Ellen had to increase the Overminds interest in Terrans and so exposed herself on Mar Sara to a limited degree. And so that explained the presence of a Overlord over Antiga Prime and why a warp gate was opening three thousand kilometres away from the Norad 2.

General Dukes head shot up as a warning alarm blared. "What the hell's going on! What is that?"

Bridge officers hands raced across keyboards as they tracked the spatial anomaly and the increasing numbers of Zerg flyers.

"General there's a fleet of Zerg exiting a spatial anomaly. It's not a normal warpspace exit?.

"There's hundreds of Mutalisk and four dozen larger creatures not on record. Along with over thousand smaller ones also not on record? Their numbers are increasing!"

General Duke was taken completely by surprise. Why were the Zerg here and why now of all times.

Duke swung his arm out expressing the force of his order. "Battle stations, full alert. Arm all weapons. Were going to burn those alien bastards to ash's."

At his orders the Norad 2 entered full combat mode. Maneuvering thrusters flared spinning the ship around to the approaching enemy and all its laser turrets aimed at the approaching cloud of Zerg while missile tubes were loaded. Mutalisk, Guardians and Scourges all swarmed after the Terran ship splitting their formation with the Mutalisk and Guardians up front and the Scourges in back and to the flanks. The Zerg formation resembled a three tiered U with each tier separated by miles and the bottom curved part facing the Terran ship with the two trailing parts consisting of the Scourges.

Mutalisk and Guardians launched a collective attack at the Norad 2. But instead of Glaive worms and globs of acid there was a horde of mini-Scouges flying towards the Norad 2. A moment later a storm of laser fire ripped through the Mutalisk and Guardines formations blasting holes in their organic carapace. The formations scattered and coalesced as the battle went on.

In the Terran barrage the horde of living munition suffered minimal losses as they accelerated forwards impacting the Terran ships reinforced hull. The the mini-Scourges blasted hundreds of craters into the ships hull with their bio-plasma reactions.

Over the course of the war with the Protoss Abathur altered the Mutalisk and Guardians to produce and fire smaller mini-Scourges that unlike the original Glaive worms and acid globs could home in on their targets and fly at greater ranges in both atmosphere and in space increasing their effectiveness. In the case of the Glaive worms they were much more destructive and they had rather good tracking abilities unlike the acid globs which had none.

Duke grab hold of the tactical table stabilizing himself as the ship shook from hundreds of impacts. "Damage report?"

"Minimal damage to the forward hull and back hull plating."

Duke smirked. "Launch a missile barrage. I want my air space cleared of those damn monster movie rejects."

On the Norad 2s wings sections dozens of armored plates flipped up reveling cone shaped missile tips. Then with a surge of electromagnetic force the missiles launched silently out into space. Moments after being pushed out their thrusters flared in a blue hue of plasma exhaust. Maneuvering thrusters altered their course and the missiles accelerated towards their targets while laser fire shooting in between their flight paths.

Sensing their approach the Mutalisk fired again but the guardians didn't as it would be a waste of their ammunition. Once, twice, three times the Mutalisk fired a counter wave at the missiles. The mini-Scourges bobbed around tracking their intended targets with the few Overlords in the Zerg formation helped guide them. Both terran and Zerg missiles were in their own world as they sped forwards and collided. Laser fire burned through Mutalisk, and scared Guardians armor as a silent stream of explosions blossomed in space. 94% of the Terrans Missiles were destroyed leaving 12.

Sensing the incoming danger the Mutalisk slowed letting the Guardians fly in front of them and take the hit. Explosions racked the Guardians armor blasting out deep holes and cracking the surrounding plating but all the Guardians were left standing and counter attacked blasting holes in the Terran ships hull.

But the Guardians that survived the missiles were barraged by a storm of laser fire. While the Mutalisk and Guardians took the brunt of the damage the living missiles that were the full sized Scourges flanked the Terran vessel. But as if seeing the trap the missile and Laser fire scattered their fire striking the Scourges. Dozens dyed in seconds as the reactive plasma elements in the Scourge bodies were detonated by the Teran weapons.

Minutes passed and half the Zerg forces were either turned into scattered giblets of dead rotting meat confetti or were well cooked by the laser fire. But the Zerg as always were relentless and closed the distance regardless of the lose's.

"Sir enemy closing on collision course!" a officer shouted panicked.

The ship continued shaking from more impacts while Duke clenched his teeth and stood up straight. "Evasive maneuver."

The Norad 2s maneuvering thrusters flared again flipping the ship 100 degrees up while the main engines flared to life. But soon a swarm of Scourges both of the smaller and full sized types missed the Terran ship by dozens of meters as it rapidly accelerated away turning things into a running battle. Laser turrets and missiles continued to fire at the horde of pursuing Zerg but the Scourges were built for speed. They flexed their bodies accelerating ever faster. Through the laser fire dozens of Scourges impacted two main engines and unlike the smaller mini-Scourges the full sized Scourges did far more damage ripping giant holes in the ships hull.

"Gah!"

"Ah!"

A bridge officer shook off the disorientation of the impact shock. "Heavy damage to engines 2 and 3. Were being pulled into the planets gravity well!"

Duke stood back up from being knocked on his ass by the impact. "Can were warpout?"

The navigation officer shook her head. "No sir. The warp drives not getting any power. The power conduits must have taken a hit."

Cursing under his breath Duke did the only thing he could. "Prepare for crash landing."

-Rebel Staging area Antiga Prime Colony-

Raynor and Kerrigan stood by a display screen as Mengsk's and Haruka's faces appeared on the screen.

Haruka. "I here the revolt on Antiga went off without a hitch. Good work Raynor. Kerrigan."

Kerrigan. "Thanks..."

Raynor. "It wasn't easy but the people on Antiga seem to have the confederates on the run for now. That'll change once they send reinforcements so we need to keep on our toes."

Mengsk. "I agree Raynor. And with that in mind. Commander Reid could you give us some intel on the confederates movements."

Haruka. "From what my adjutant was able to gather the confederate brass on Tarsonis are panicking over the Antigan revolt. There's been hundreds of encrypted transmissions going back and forth from their Antiga outposts and their headquarters on Tarsonis but..." Haruka looked off screen for a minute. "It seems there's been high level distress call. Patching it through."

The face of General Duke appeared on screen.

"This is General Duke on the Alpha squadron flag ship Norad 2 giving a priority distress call. We've suffered heavy damage and have crash landed on Antiga Prime. We're under attack by the Zerg. Requesting immediate rescue from any confederate forces receiving this transmission. I repeat this is a priority distress call... "

The transmission was cut off by Harukas adjutant. "From what I can gather from the transmission the Norad 2 crashed at these coordinates."

A stream of GPS coordinates blinked on screen.

Raynor. "I'm surprised and alarmed about the Zerg being here on Antiga. Seems like we'll have to evacuate everyone again. But as far as the general is concerned serves em right."

Karrigan nodded silently with a smirk.

Mengsk on the other hand took on a serious tone as he spoke. "Normally I would agree with you captain Raynor however in this particular situation I would have to disagree. I want you and Kerrigan to rescue the general and his men."

Raynor. "What? You gotta be joking or something. Like i'd save that rat bastard. And why?"

Kerrigan. "Really Arcturus! What schemes brewing in that head of yours now?"

Mengsk. "I know Dukes a bastard with ice cold blood but a whole colony shouldn't suffer to let him burn. Besides he could be useful to our cause. Imagine what the top brass at Tarsonis let alone the people would think if a top ranking confederate general turned to our side. Plus practically speaking he's a powerful ally and the alpha squadron men under his command are highly skilled. This is an opportunity we can not miss."

Kerrigan sighed in frustration but remained silent.

Raynor. "Your sure Mengsk. He could just as well shoot you in the back as shake your hand? But... your right we can't let the Zerg over run Antiga like Mar Sara."

Mengsk. "Thanks for understanding Raynor. What do you think commander?"

Haruka. "So long as you handle him correctly Duke and his men will be quite useful. But I wouldn't trust him any farther then I could throw him in full CMC armor."

Mengsk. "Agreed. Commander I would like you to drop what your doing at Deadman's Port and take command of this mission and give Kerrigan and Raynor your full support."

Haruka. "Got it."

At the crash site of the Norad 2 general Duke now in full armor walked passed two hastily built bunkers his men were able to put up after the crash. Standing tall and proud he knew moral was important so he couldn't afford to look worried or weak to his men now.

"Zerg!" yelled a marine.

Immediately all the alpha squadron marines aimed and fired at the charging line of Zerglings. Bullets pierced armor and ripped through flesh as dozens of Zerg fell in the storm of bullets. Duke himself entered the battle knowing the sight of their leader on the front lines with them would help moral greatly for the men. As he gunned down two Zerglings Duke cursed at his luck and would rather stay in the ship and would have if it weren't for the fact the upper half of the ship was bombarded by the same flying bombs that crippled his ship in the first place just minutes after the crash itself. The internal fires and collapsed hull sections made the ship a death trap. Only the lower decks and main hanger where the SCVs were and a few other compartments survived the bombardment along with a few laser turrets that were thankfully still operational.

Said laser turrets flared burning dozens of Mutalisks out of the sky. Duke looked up smiling that he still had some luck and firepower on his side. And while his attention was turned to the sky he noticed a dozen dropships flying in his direction.

Duke. "Finally a rescue."

No sooner had he said that a dozen spores flew up at the dropships destroying two and forcing the rest to evade landing on the other side of a steep rocky hill range surrounding the Norad. Cursing his luck again the general got back to killing Zerglings.

The dropships swarved side to side evading the semi homing spores while making an emergency landing. One dropship opened its rear hatch and Kerrigan holding on to the side of the opening held out the other hand telekinetically crushing the all the spores at once. After landing she and Raynor regrouped with their surviving forces.

Raynor. "Damn. What the hell were those things Zerg anti-air fire?"

Kerrigan. "Still think this is a good idea saving his ass?"

Raynor. "No. But I kindy get why Mengsk wants Duke alive and fighting for us. But I don't have to like it now do I."

"I second that emotion," Kerrigan replied.

Just then a marine radioed the two officers. "Captain Raynor. Lieutenant Kerrigan i've spotted a abandoned confederate base a few miles away."

Both Raynor and Kerrigan got their moping over with and got back to business. Their forces moved out quickly reaching the half thrashed base. Dead confederate marines and Zerg were everywhere. Raynor ordered his men to check the bodies if any were still alive. None were, so they collected any ammo left over. The base had been attacked and abandoned in the last half hour and figuring some useful stuff may have been left behind the base was thoroughly checked.

Two Goliaths were discovered in a hanger along with a Siege tank adding to the rebels arsenal. This was supposed to be a rescue mission not a assault so they didn't bring any heavy firepower. Kerrigan and Raynor were in the command center seeing if the comms still worked. They still had a satellite link. Kerrigan's fingers danced across the keyboard bringing up a image of the Norads crash site. The image of the downed ship filled the screen. Hundreds of flashes from weapons fire surrounded the ship while the trails of attacking Zerg trailed to the ship clear to see.

Raynor. "If we're doing this, We'd better hurry. That ship won't last long against those Zerg."

Kerrigan. "We can use this base as a staging ground to reach the ship. It looks like the Zerg are focusing on the Norad so we should be free to regroup our forces. The commander hasn't arrived yet right. So we hold our ground until she gets here. Then we push our way to the ship. "

Raynor. "Sounds like a plan to me. I'll check the defenses and get the SCVs working if we got anywhere."

Kerrigan staying in the command center ordered the dropships to fly to the base for protection while Raynor left to organize some of his men to get the base defenses back online. The anti-air towers were ok just lacking power. After figuring that out a few rebel marines who had experience exited their armor and piloted some abandoned SCVs. While the repairs to the power cables were going on a Zerg Overlord floated over to the bases east side. It quickly called more of his kind over.

A pair of Marines were patrolling around there when they spotted the Overlord floating over a nearby hill and contacted Raynor. "Sir we've got a uh... I don't know but it's a Zerg."

Raynor. "Is it attacking?"

Marine. "No. It's by itself just floating about a mile away. Looks like it's watching us."

Raynor didn't like the sound of that and his gut told him that the floating Zerg was a scout of some kind.

Marine 2. "Scratch that I see the fast ones incoming. I count fifty."

Raynor. "All combat units to the east base sector now! Get those anti-air towers online now!"

Hearing the order most of the rebel forces quickly marched to their stations. Dozens of marines entered the bunkers just as the Zerglings reached the base. They wasted no time opening fire ripping holes in the Zerg bodies. Disciplined short bursts efficiently eliminated Zerg after Zerg with rounds striking Zergling legs and forcing them into stumbling rolls. Controlled bursts continued dozens at a time until ripping the Zerglings apart until they were all dead.

Even with its allies gone the Overlord remained floating over the hill. Just then two missiles streaked through the air popping the living balloon in a gory shower of blood and organs.

"Not too shabby boys." Kerrigan said over the radio. "But there's more on the way. I suggest we hunker down."

More waves of Zerg attacked the Base as Raynor, Kerrigan and the soldiers under their command took defensive positions. Hydralisk, Zerglings and Mutalisk attacked continuously.. Mutalisk blasted chunks off buildings. Missiles downed the Mutalisk. Zerglings charged Bunkers clawing grooves out and sometimes even jumping inside killing a marine or two before being killed. Hydralisk fired barrage after barrage of spines as they advanced using the Zerglings as distractions and cannon fodder. Kerrigan lead sniper teams in taking them out blasting chunks out of them from over a mile away. The Goliaths and Siege tank blasted swaths of death through the Zerg lines but they couldn't be everywhere at once.

A pair of Mutalisks fired repeatedly sending their living projectiles slamming into a anti-air tower destroying it. The Goliaths looked up targeting the Mutalisk with their hellfire-missiles. Both Mutalisk exploded spectacularly. But more Zerg just kept coming and the loses of the rebels only increased. Raynor reloaded slamming a fresh clip into his rifle and took aim once again. A full bursted took out a cluster of Zerglings. Turning left he shot once, twice, three times putting a Hydralisk down. Five more controlled busts and three more Hydralisk dropped. A spine dug into his shoulder pauldron forcing Raynor to duck back behind a bunker with four other marines.

Jim looked at them. One shooting out from the other side of the bunker and the others reloading or taking a breather. Even with their visors down He could tell that they had almost lost moral and that was a dangerous thing as when some lose heart it isn't long before others do to. Looking around he spotted one of the Goliaths sweeping its guns side to side gunning down dozens of Zerg in mere seconds alternating its left and right auto cannons.

Raynor turned back to the marines. "Hey you!"

Three of the marines looked at each other before turning to Jim. "Uh yes sir?"

Raynor. "Follow me. Single file."

All four marines including the one that was shooting out from behind cover followed Jim. He had them run out to the Goliath. He ordered the Goliath to focus on the left flank were the enemy was hitting them the hardest.

Raynor. "Your four form up with me. Fire short controlled bursts. Two of ya focus on the snake looking ones and the other two hit the smaller ones with me."

Raynor and the four marines assisted the Goliath in holding the gap between the bunkers. The bipedal robot held the left side while Raynor and the four marines held the right. Raynor was right there in the fore front of battle showing them that he's fighting along with them. Despite the seemingly endless horde of monsters charging at them the marines and Raynor held them off. Clip after clip bullet after bullet they fired in short controlled bursts that not only conserved ammo but allowed better aim over a longer distance. After minutes of fighting and a few stempacks to keep them focused Raynor and his men had left a small wall of dead Zerg behind.

The last Zergling leaped at Raynor after using its brothers as shields. Evolved fangs pierced neo-steel armor as the suit and monster struggled. Raynor kicked the Zergling over himself aiming upside down putting a five round burst into its exposed gut. The Zergling shrieked before dying.

"Sir you ok." asked one of the marines.

Raynor raised the damaged arm checking the teeth pattern holes left behind. "Yeah. I'm ok. You all did good yea hear."

Raynors radio hissed on. From her position atop a bunker Kerrigan looked up to the sky.

Kerrigan. "Raynor the commanders arrived. Up high."

Raynor and the others all looked skyward seeing twenty Wraiths escorting ten dropships. Soon they all landed except for the Wraiths who remained on alert flying patrols around the base. Both Raynor and Kerrigan met commander Reid at the landing side at the southern part of the base.

Haruka. "Nice to see the two of you again." she held her hand out.

Raynor shook her hand gently with his armored hand. "Really nice to see yah. Were kind of pinned down at the moment."

Haruka looked in the direction of the Norad 2. "I can see that." She turned back to Kerrigan. "From orbit I could see that a ring of Zerg structures surrounded the Norad. They look like some kind of anti-air building."

Raynor. "I'm no expert on biology but how the hell are these monsters able to make anti-air buildings?"

Kerrigan shrugged. "Beats me. But regardless we need to move out. The more time we stay here the more Zerg will come and we only have so many men and bullets."

Haruka. "Agreed. That's why I brought the Wraiths. I also saw that you found a Siege tank and some Goliaths. Kerrigan. I have a plan. Are you up for a display of your telekinesis?"

Kerrigan looked at the commander oddly. "Uh... what do you have in mind?"

Ten minutes later the rebel reinforcements and mercenaries the commander brought pushed as one cohesive unit towards the downed ship. Kerrigan at the tip of the spear stood atop the Siege tank. Shaking a mild migraine off as she focused on keeping the Siege tank hovering a few feet off the ground with her telekinesis. And flying or rather hovering alongside her were two Wraiths. Commander Reid's plane to break the Zerg encirclement was for Kerrigan to use her abilities to move the Siege tank rapidly over the creep which has been found to slow ground units that go over it and the Wraiths add more fire power and kept their anti gravity engines on so as to lighten Kerrigans load.

Feeling the right Wraith drift a bit Kerrigan pulled it back into formation. The pilots felt more then a little uncomfortable but seeing as those Spore launcher things could detect them it was safer staying low and fast but the Anti-gravity engine of the Wraiths can't counter gravity completely as they were designed to only aide the craft in flying and exiting a planets gravity well and in space maneuvering.

"Hold on boys I gotcha," said Kerrigan as she staybalised all three vehicles.

Meanwhile Raynor and Haruka watched from a distance.

Raynor. "Are you sure this is going to work?"

Haruka. "Kerrigans the only one here that can make it work. Besides we'll take more casualties trying to attack the Zerg encirclement normally. Why, don't you trust she can get the job done?"

Raynor. "Well... it's not that I don't believe in her but. Maybe it's a bit much for her is all im saying."

Kerrigan having overheard that little conversation smiled at Jims concern. "Raynor i'm fine. I just get a few mild headaches when I push my telekinesis too much. It goes away soon after I stop. If I really wanted too I could lift that whole damned ship right out of that crash sight. But... I need line of sight for something that big however. Plus lifting something that heavy would probably take to long and leave me a open target anyway."

Haruka. "You ready Kerrigan?"

"As I'll ever be."

"Then begin the attack."

Kerrigan wasted no time accelerating the Siege tank and Wraiths forwards. They glided over the creep with feet to spare. Slower than the Wraiths normally fly but still much faster than the Siege tanks top speed of around 50 KPH. The tank gunner swiveled the turret to the right aiming at the nearest Spore colony. Kerrigan pivoted the two Wraiths in the same direction and all at once they opened fire. The fleshy tower was ripped to pieces by the barrage of cannon shells and burst lasers.

Kerrigan grinned in satisfaction seeing the living tower burn and fall. But another soon appeared off in the distance to take its place along with Zerg ground forces. The Wraith pilots were aimed in their direction and fired. Moving at the speed of light the lasers instantly cut into the Zerg lines leaving the Siege tank to take out the Spore colonies. Whenever any Zerg got close Kerrigan would back off quickly hovering back out of rang while the Siege tanks and Wraiths blasted them to dust. After a short 30 minute battle a large hole was punched in the ring of Spore and creep colonies surrounding the Norad 2.

Commander Reid ordered a full attack over the receding creep and any Zerg forces that attacked them were quickly intercepted by the Wraiths under stealth cloak before being gunned down by the marines and firebats took care of any that got in close.

Kerrigan had also killed any Creep colony she came across helping the rebel and merc forces move more quickly. The army lead by Raynor, Haruka and Kerrigan quickly reached a plateau overlooking the Norad 2. Down below Hundreds of alpha squadron marines with a hand full of Goliaths, Vultures and Siege tanks fought back a horde of Zerg attacking from both sides.

Kerrigan dropped the Siege tank and let the Wraiths fly back up into the sky before running over to Raynor and the commanders side. The light show below them was impressive but would eventually end when the bullets ran out. A dozen laser beams shot from the Norad's back shooting three Mutalisk and a Guardian out of the sky.

Kerrigan. "Well how are we going to get down there?"

Raynor looked around spotting a land ramp to the far left of their position. "Over there. The Zerg are using that to get down to the Norad. If we can take out the Spore launchers in that area the Wraiths can give us air support. Me and my guys can handle the anti-air buildings but the Zerg ground units would overwhelm us. But at this range I think the Goliaths and Siege tank can handle it."

Haruka. "Ok then let's move out. That is if any one has a better idea."

No one said a word and Raynors plan was set in to motion. The Goliaths and Siege tank got into range each guarded by 15 marines and five Firebats. Shook cannons flashed and auto cannons roared. one after the other Spore colonies fell one after the other. The Marines and Firebats ripped and burned any Zerg that got close. A mere ten minutes later five more Spore colonies were downed opening a even larger gap in the Zerg anti-air screen. Even more Zerg started attacking but were vaped by lasers and blasted by bombs dropped from the Wraiths. The ground forces were open and clear to get to the Norad and General Duke.

"What the hell's going on up there?" Duke stated as he stared up at the plateau were the Zerg were coming from until a moment ago. Then a army of marines and a few mechanized units started coming down from the plateau. Duke and the other alpha squadron men didn't care who they were they were just glad to have a rescue party show up.

The unknown group approached General Duke and his men showing no hostile intention which was always a good sign. But one armored approached Duke with a swager that hinted at mild annoyance. But what shocked Duke was the voice that came from the armor.

"Well well. General Duke. Fancy meeting you again. Did yah blow up any infested Command centers while you were fighting the Zerg."

At first Duke was confused but then it clicked. "Raynor? What the hell are you doing here. Last time I saw you you were being shipped to that old prison ship."

Opening his face plate Raynor hefted his rifle over his shoulder. "Well I joined the Sons of Korhal if you really want to know."

The Alpha squadron marines started getting antsy and some even started aiming at the Rebel forces but fully aware of his situation General Duke raised a arm wordlessly telling his men to stand down. As everyone lowered their weapons Commander Reid stepped up to the general with Kerrigan by her side.

"You too then huh." Duke said looking down at Haruka. "You were the Magistrate on Mar Sara. So you joined the Rebels too I see."

"After the Confederates abandoned us yes. But I guess the tables have turned in this situation."

Duke grimaced at the turn of events but reality was reality and Duke was not one to deny it.

"Hmph. Sons of Korhal rebels rescuing confederate forces. Now i've seen everything. Whats you angle anyway?"

Raynor was about to step forwards and started yelling in the generals face when Haruka stepped in stopping him with a arm stretched out in front of him like a fence. Looking down at the thin arm in front of him Raynor backed off.

"I'll handle this." Haruka turned back to Duke and his men. "We came here under Mengsk orders because he saw the tactical value in recruiting you and your men. Now neither miss Kerrigan and Mister Raynor here like the idea very much but I understand the political value in it as well as the military power that you and your men represent. Now I know your not stupid general. A man like you wouldn't have been able to reach the rank of general if he was a fool so I assume you can see the writing on the wall. The brutal actions of the confederacy towards its people have caused many revolts and rebellions. Antiga is just one of many. And lets not forget about Korhal. That just lit a powder keg. Only a complete moron would think brutality can make people loyal. The confederacy have already failed as a leadership for not seeing this. And then there's the Zerg running around attacking one colony after the next. In this kind of environment the confederacy is going to crumble really easily after a few dozen worlds fall to the Zerg. A government that can't protect its people is no government at all and will have no respect or authority. Let alone one that kills its own people. Hench the rebellions."

Duke. "So... what your saying is that if we want off this rock we have to join you huh? Really. I'm a general for god's sake."

Haruka. "Yeah your a general. But a general thats been shot down and surrounded by a army of monsters. We can leave your ass on this planet if you like. Go ahead and die a confederate marter. I'm sure there will be a nice story in the news about General duke of Alpha squadron and his men who died valiantly in battle."

Almost all of the alpha squadron marines either shifted uncomfortably or looked at each other thinking that one over. They knew what was up but did the general.

Duke. "Hmph. So what's in it for me. I got no intention of being a low level lacky of Mengsk."

Haruka. "Come now general. He wouldn't have sent us here just to have you. A general join him and then use you as a mere lacky. I'm pretty sure you'll join me, Raynor and Kerrigan in the upper echelon. You are a general after all. Raynor was just a marshal and now he's a captain. What do you think Mengsk will make you."

A dead mutalisk crashed into a nearby hill rolling into a bunker while the Wraiths and the rest of Alpha squadron kept fighting the Zerg forces.

Duke looked off in the distance as the battle continued to rage around them. Even if he and his men fought off and killed all of the rebels the transports that brought them here would just leave and if they said no they would just leave him and his men to die anyway. Duke only really had one choice. But capitulation to Mengsk turned his stomach. Not that Duke wouldn't have joined the rebels if he were doing the talking. But the magistrate was as they say. Easier on the eyes. That and her reasoning was more realistic.

"Fine fine... I'll join ya." Duke turned to his men. "Ain't that right men."

Haruka smiled. "Thank you general."

Raynor. "Your really going to trust this snake?"

Haruka turned to Raynor. "He's a useful snake. And he on our side now."

Haruka called in the main Wraith forces and the Dropships who had been waiting back at the abandoned base. Within half a hour everyone and anything useful on the Norad that could be taken was loaded up and everyone left. The dropships headed back to the base to get out of range of the spore colonies before flying at a high altitude.

-Chapter End-