-Arc 3 Starcraft-
-Chapter 20 Changing Relationships & The Trump Card-
-Secret Staging Area, Antiga Prime-
Commander Haruka, Raynor, Kerrigan, Duke and Mengsk himself gathered in a meeting. Raynor shot Duke a glare but the general ignored him and focused on Mengsk and his words.
Mengsk. "Now that we're all here I'ed like to formally enter general Duke into our upper echelon. Your retaining command over your alpha squadron forces and in addition i'm giving you some other units to bolster your forces."
Duke. "Thanks."
Raynor. "Wheres Liberty. Shouldn't he be here too?"
Mengsk. "I have him working on propaganda project so as to counter the confederates news media as best we can muster. But on to the main topic at hand."
Kerrigan pushed off the wall lowering her arms. "Which is?"
Mengsk. "Two matters actually. The first being the confederate strike force that will be sent to pacify Antiga in the near future. And the second being the information on the date disks we got from the Jacobs installation. They indeed contained detailed information on a weapon but not the conventional variety." Mengsk brought up a schematics plan on the wall screen.
Kerrigan stared intently at it. "A psi-emitter!"
Raynor. "You gotta be shitting me."
Duke eyed the schematics.
Mengsk turned. "Correct. It seems the Jacobs base was where the Psi-emitters that brought the Zerg to Chau and Mar Sara were built and developed. But now with this we finally have a shot at countering the confederacy military. Otherwise deposing them will take many more years of building up our forces."
Raynor. "I don't like where this is going!"
Kerrigan. "Mengsk! Are you saying we build one of these things and use it to lure the Zerg to attack the confederate forces!"
Mengsk. "If you got a better plane i'm all ears. Other wise, as I just said this rebellion will take years to finally achieve victory. And in the meantime the Zerg will run rampant. And how many other worlds will be burned by the Protoss. We need to end the confederacy now! so that we can build a more competent leadership to keep humanity safe from these alien threats."
The others just shared looks amongst themselves. Then Haruka spoke up.
"If we're careful we may be able to repeat the events of Mar Sara. The Zerg attacks could wipe out or eliminate the local confederate forces while we the Sons of Korhal evacuate the people. But this is not a tactic we can continually use. Maybe just three times before the blame gets shifted to us by the smart ones out there."
Raynor turned to the commander shocked. "Seriously your considering this!"
Haruka turned to him. "I'm just mauling it over. Nothings been decided yet. We haven't even built any psi-emitters yet. But on a more important note why are the Zerg here anyway. Antiga Prime doesn't even have any psi-emitter on it." Haruka already knew the answer but she needed to ask anyway.
Everyone thought about it until Kerrigan raised a hand. "I think that's because of me."
Mengsk. "Because of the program you were apart of."
Raynor looked between the two of them. "Ok what aren't the two of you telling us?"
Kerrigan. "Well you all know about the ghost program right. Well before I joined the Sons of Korhal I was in secret program in which several of us ghosts were used in experiments on captured Zerg. They found out that Zerg are sensitive to psychic emanations from ghosts. I... was able to command a few. Never for long though."
Raynor huffed shaking his head. "So the Zerg are here for you, darlin. This just keeps getting better and better."
Kerrigan. "Shut up."
Mengsk. "In any case there's been a lot of secret experiments surrounding ghosts and the Zerg. The psi-emitter schematics we have are a small but critical part of the confederate conspiracy to use the Zerg on their enemies. What i'm proposing is turning the tables on them. Who knows who they'll send the Zerg to attack after they've stamped out our rebellion. They could even turn the Zerg on the Umojin's and the Kel-Morian. Once the military and governments of those worlds are gone or crumbling the confederacy will swoop in and save the day and be the hero's. Few will ever doubt the confederacy or think that the Zerg attacks were their doing. And anyone who does will not live long."
Raynor. "Damn. When you put it like that Mengsk even I have to agree with you. I may not like it but what you just said could happen. Knowing those confederate bastard's and all."
Kerrigan. "You have a point Mengsk. But I still don't like the idea of sending Zerg to kill people. Military maybe. But I won't use the psi-emitters on civilians."
Mengsk. "Noted Lieutenant. It will be some time before we have a working prototype up and running anyway. And the confederate reinforcements won't arrive here on Antiga for a some time. Until then we'll continue eliminating their forces little by little."
Duke finally spoke up. "What about the Zerg? Aren't they running around on Antiga?"
Haruka. "The swift defeat of the alpha squadron main base has left the majority of the militia free and with my mercs helping out they have been able to wipe out the smaller hive clusters the Zerg had built. But were still tracking a few larger ones here and there but because their already so big were focusing on isolating and containing them at the moment. As for the scattered Zerg, militia and mercs are hunting them down, but thankfully few have gone near populated zones."
Mengsk. "And when the psi-emitter is finished we'll test it. Sending the Zerg charging in to the confederate forces when they land."
Haruka. "I doubt we'll ever be able to control the Zerg but at the least we could direct their movements for the time being. And speaking of the Zerg. It's possible that they communicate by psionic waveform emanations. It's entirely possible that they have a leader or something."
Mengsk. "I may not know much about them but that maybe a possibility. The more we know about the Zerg the more lives we can save in the long run. Defeating the confederacy is one step on that road. Defeating or at least pushing the Zerg out of Terran space in the second."
After the meeting Haruka returned to Deadmans port to check up on the progress of the Gjallarhorn. Her dropship landed at the port close to her ship. Walking across the docks to the front ramp of her ship Haruka looked all around as hundreds of workers in orange and white suits transforming the old clunker into a battle ready warship.
The army of engineers and technicians went to and fro all across the docking platform some on top of the ship itself doing various work. Dropships with laser turrets hanging underneath them hovered over the ship slowly moving them into place while workers directed them into proper place. In larger clusters of four or five dropships moved large double barreled rail guns into place as well.
Missiles by the hundreds were loaded into dozens of banks along the wings top and armor plating was welded into place all over by workers and SCVs along with sensor units that including cloaking detectors. Giant prefabricated hanger blocks were attached to the sides of the ships neck area. And all kinds of advanced scientific equipment loaded into the ship along with Wraiths, Siege tanks, Empty CMC armors, ammo and weapons for them.
Walking up the entrance ramp Haruka passed a pair of workers moving a old generator part on a hover platform off the ship. The two workers recognised Haruka and her them nodding to each other as they passed. The truth was that many of the workers were agents from Reach. Sent by Aliasse to help Haruka in her mission. In this case it was upgrading the ship with tech from Reach.
Entering her private room Haruka took off her jacket placing it on her couch before walking into her office. But there in the chair was Mira Han with her feet on the desk arms behind her head.
"Mira!" Haruka said surprised. The two's eyes met for a brief moment before Haruka eyed Graven Hill standing beside Han. "Hill you ought to have a good explanation for bringing her here." Haruka said crossing her arms.
Mira Han took her feet off the desk and stood up. "Oh don't be angry at him. I dragged him here."
Haruka and Miras eyes meet. "What do you want Han. I already gave you a generous investment. Don't tell me you can't do the job. A gauss rifle round can travel over a mile and Ethan Stewart can't stay inside all the time."
Mira. "Don't get me wrong i'm still on the job but... Let's just say that i'm still lacking resources just a little bit. At least not without losing a significant number of my men. It took me quite a long time to get where I am already and I really don't like wasting time gathering more. Even if I take over Paradise it will still take a while."
Haruka walked around her desk chasing Han off her chair. "I can't send you any more money nor can I give you any of my men. Other than Hill here." Haruka sat down and Han took one of the guest seats. "But i've just come into a bit of information concerning a downed confederate ship. It's in bad condition but it should provide worthwhile salvage."
Han had a stone poker face on. "A ship now... that's more interesting. I could salvage some weapons or tech from it and sell the rest."
Haruka downloaded the coordinates of the Norad 2 from her desk computer handing it to Mira. "You have my money and Hill and his men already. I think that's more than enough to salvage it."
Haruka already knew that the Norad 2 was a lifeless husk of a ship but there may still be some weapons worth salvaging from it. And there would minimal risk as the Zerg had also been cleared out from the area by the militia forces after Duke and his men were rescued.
Han. "Sounds good." Han stood up. "I'll get my men and go see what we can find. Hill. Come boy."
Graven Hill sighed and followed Han out the door. "Sorry. I'll try and keep a tighter lease on her next time."
As Hill left Haruka looked down at her hands. "Han your going to be a trouble child aren't you." Haruka turned her chair around and the wall changed to a window showing the outside.
-Tarsonis-
The core of the confederacy and seat of it's power. After the colony ships reached the Koprulu sector one ship landed on this world which would take the name Tarsonis. Years after word the people expanded and built new settlements across the planet. And after a period of time they returned to the stars meeting their brothers and sisters from the other worlds named Moria and Umoja. However not everything went smoothly as the commanding officer of the colony expedition on Tarsonis was killed and a group calling themselves the Old families consisting of the conspirators took over turning things on their head. They took control of the government, manufacturing and military capabilities creating what would eventually become the confederacy.
Why this conspiracy was started and who orchestrated it is lost to history. But as a result most of the most advanced technology from Earth had been taken by the Old families and their descendants. While the technology used by the rest of Tarsonis was intentionally held back to a extent. There were even sabotages on Moria that destroyed their most advanced tech and their ability to build it. Similar events happened on Umoja but didn't they were able to protect some of their tech which is why they remain one of the most advanced Terran faction in the Koprulu sector. This is why the technology of the Terran worlds in the Koprulu sector are the way it is. But that's past this is present.
Ellen few her stealth corvette over the Terra skyscraper. Parking it over the glass dome on top the buildings penthouse. Today was the day the Terra family died and the future ghost known as Nova was born. Ellen had been monitoring the news for reports of a Sons of Korhal splinter group destroying a Terra Family hoverbike plant on Tarsonis. After that happened Ellen moved into position on Tarsonis for the events that would unfold.
Ellen sent out cloaked drones to monitor the situation and the Terra family who were mostly all present with the exception of Nova and her older sister Clara who at the time was with her fiancé somewhere else. Nova had been sent away by her parents to safety after the events on Antiga caused quit the turmoil among the ruling Old families and the terrorist attack on the Terra hoverbike factory three days before.
"Hmp. This feels nostalgic. Just like back on TarKossia with Kerrigans family," Ellen mused to herself.
A monitor beeped catching her attention. One of the drones date feeds showed a group of men enter the front lobby of the building. One man who worked for the Terra family met them and let them passed security. Ellen recognised the man as Edward Peters who was secretly a anti-confederate rebel. Ellen worked fast knowing her planes for Nova would be for-not if she was too slow. Moving to the back of the corvette Ellen retrieve a cylinder of dormant Zerg neural parasites along with a gray and black cloak and mask covering her face and most of her body like a poncho. The rear ramp lowered and Ellen broke into a dead sprint jumping out the back of the cloaked ship.
In one instant the sky over the building was clear then in the next a cloaked figure appeared literally mid air, falling down to the dome below. Focusing her psionic aura into a fist she punched through the dome shattering it. She flipped in the air landing in the middle of the main penthouse.
Constantino Terra who was with a maid at the time wiped around to the intruder, his green eyes bulging in fear at the cloaked person who had just landed in his house stood up. "Who are you?" he said surprised and fearful.
Ignoring him and the maid Ellen looked around the room at the other two servants. She reached behind her back taking the cylinder and placing it on the floor as two other members of the Terra family arrived brought by the commotion.
"Whats going here...?" Annabella said as she and her eldest son Zeb entered the room. "Who are you!" She said with fear thinking the person was a ghost sent to kill her husband and maybe her because of Constantinos big mouth. He had mad no small effort to speak his mind when it came to the confederacy taking heavy handed approaches in dealing with rebels. He was also one of the few to speak out against the destruction of Korhal years before. Did the confederacy finally want to shut him up for good she thought.
Again ignoring them Ellen opened the cylinder releasing the Parasites. She psionically commanded them to enter the Terra family and their servants. The people gasped in fear and terror as a cloud of bugs attacked them. Annabella, Constantino, Zeb and the rest all flung their arms about crying and screaming as they tried to get the tiny swarm off but the bugs penetrated their skin and went for their brains, Soon after they fell unconscious. The parasites worked their way to the brains of the Terra family and soon Ellen felt them in the local hive mind. It was at that moment Ellen sent a psionic signal filled with fear and feelings of death to young Nova who was on her way off world at the moment. Ellen had become quite familiar with such emotions during her genocidal war with humanity hundreds of years ago so replicating them wasn't all that hard.
Ellen felt a reaction from the burgeoning psionic girl sensing that she was on her way back to her family just as planned. Looking down at the Terra family on the ground Ellen raised her hand and lifted everyone up with ribbons of aura moving them up out of the hole in the dome and into the stealth corvette. Ellen then used her aura to form doppelgangers that looked just like the real deal but they were just pure blue in color. Focusing she altered her aura clones on the molecular level changing their clothes, eyes, skin and hair color to match the original people. Next she formed wind-pips in the necks and played around with their voices a bit.
Ellen had trained to do this for the passed month, so she was already well trained but still needed to get think's right onsite.
"It's a lovely day isn't it honey." Constantino's doppelganger said with a smile.
"Yes it certainly is my dear." Annabella's doppelganger said with a cherry grin.
"Mom dad can we go get ice-cream later with my bid sisters." said Zebs doppelganger enthusiastically.
Pleased at the speech and facial expressions Ellen was about to make herself scarce when one of her drones signaled that Edward Peters and his group were at the top floor. But there was a catch.
"Ah!"
Just then Ellen remembered about Eleftheria the mistress of Constantino and the woman must have been just behind Bella and Zeb and when they were attacked by Ellen's parasites she must have stayed behind them in hallway.
"Shit!" Ellen exclaimed seeing the read head peek her head out from the hallway.
Looking to her masks HUD Ellen saw the would-be killers exiting the elevator confidently making their way to the man room.
"Please don't hurt me!" the woman pleaded. Ellen face palmed at the fact that even she could make such a mistake. But then again even though shes a empress and master of her own Zerg swarm, and a extremely powerful Valkyrur, she wasn't a trained kidnapper and even someone like her could make mistakes once in awhile. Not wanting to wasn't time arguing Ellen grabbed the woman with a giant aura hand pulled her to herself and with another aura hand pulled both of them up out the broken dome and into the corvette.
After knocking Eleftheria out and placing a parasite in her Ellen extended her aura back down to the building grabbing up all the glass shard and reforming the dome just seconds before Edward Peters and his men walked into the main room.
Ellen watched through her cloaked drones as the events unfolded just like Haruka had described. Controlling the doppelgangers movements and words. One by one the fake Terra family were gunned down and soon after November Terra arrived to see her family dead. Edward Peters tried to kill her him self but just as Ellen expected the extreme emotional trauma of seeing her family murdered and their killers standing over their corpses caused her powers to erupt to the surface.
Quickly Ellen extended her aura in its incorporeal form around the penthouse where Nova was protecting the rest of the people from the coming explosion of psionic force.
A spectacular mind blast shattered the dome and the bodies of the attempted killers. As the smoke cleared Nova Terra was left alone standing in the middle of the blast crater with the twisted broken bodies of Edwards and his men laying all around her. But that's where things changed from what history would have been as no one else died other then Edwards and his men.
Nova was traumatised by the event and stood their in shock. Her family was dead. The tears flowed from her eyes. Their killers were dead. She didn't care. She was alone and dropped to her knees as if she lost her breath. Taking a moment to regain some composer she tried steading herself. It was then that Ellen dropped in. The surprised Nova with tear filled eyes looked up at the masked figure.
"Hello November Terra. Want to make a deal," Ellen said her voice electronically altered by the mask.
After dealing with Nova and her family issue Ellen decided to go to The Gutter and kill Fagin just for the hell of it. With everything on Tarsonis over and done for the time being Ellen set course for a secret staging location outside the confederacy. Where a Behemoth of her swarm was waiting for her to make contact. After all if Ellen's plan for Nova was going to work she needed Abastein to play with her mind a bit.
Exiting warp space the stealth corvette accelerated for the local asteroid belt. While Ellen flew the ship to the meeting location a apprehensive Nova in the medical bay looked down at her parents and brother who like the servants all lay sleeping on the beds. She was partly terrified and partly glad. Who wouldn't want cool super powers. But on the other hand if gaining such came at the cost of her family then she would rather not have them.
"Wonder what Clara's doing right now?" Nova mused thinking of her only family member not present as her father, brother and mother and the house servants all slept soundly. "I know me and big sis were never the closest but... I really miss her now."
After a few minutes the ship jerked catching Novas attention. But not wanting to think about it she went back to worrying for her family. The neural parasites Ellen infected Novas family with were specially made not to harm or infest the host but just control them. And at the moment they were in a kind of coma that would last for as long as Novas mission lasted. Or until she died. It wasn't a fool proof plan and considering the Overminds power it may vary well fail. Or succeed whichever come first.
The door slid open and Ellen walked in. "Hey. We're here." Ellen glanced at the sleeping Terra family and their servants, then back to Nova. "Do your part and I promise you that they'll be safe."
Nova shot Ellen a look that was perhaps part fear and part anger at the possible threat to her families lives. "I... Coming."
Obediently Nova stood up following Ellen out of the medical bay. Making their way to the exit ramp Nova was still only half paying attention when her feet touched something soft and sticky. Finally taking notice she lifted her feet one after the other trying to figure out what it was she was standing on.
Ellen. "Come on stop playing with the creep."
Looking up to the dark ceiling then to Ellen again Nova picked up the pace jogging to her black mailers side. Now paying more attention to her surroundings Nova finally realized that she was not in a ship anymore. At least not the metal variety anyway. Partly in wonder and fear Nova looked about the living walls as she followed Ellen through its twisted and confusing paths. Then a Hydralisk popped one of its sub-heads out behind a corner scaring the ever living life out of the girl and she fell on her back side.
Ellen heard a high pitched scream behind her and turned around. "Relax. He won't hurt you. Unless you make it."
Ellen walked back to Nova holding out her hand. Nova glanced between the hand and the multi-headed Hydralisk a few times before taking the hand. Ellen pulled her up and the two continued on their path to the Evolution chamber. As Nova passed the Hydralisk she slowed her pace, two staring at each other. But after the initial fright and taking a closer look the jet black beast looked kind of cool with its blue bioluminescent glow coming from between its glossy jet black armor and along its head crest.
Looking back down the hallway Nova saw Ellen go round the corner. Not wanting to fall behind she broke into a sprint. They walked the halls for another few minutes before finally arriving at a large door made of ribbed bone. It slid open with a sick slipping noise. Entering the room Nova looked around at the dozens of cocoons and other creatures that seemed like they were guarding the room. Like the Hydralisk they were jetblack and had a bioluminescent glow to them. After looking around the chamber Nova finally came to a flat stone like table with a horrifying slug like creature with eight spider like arms. Four coming off its back and four others on its side like human arms. It also had six green glowing eyes and a vertical slit mouth with multiple grasping fangs.
Ellen. "All right sit on the table and lay down."
Still feeling apprehensive about everything especially at the creature standing before her Nova gulped taking three deep breaths. She had made a deal with Ellen and having a special parasite placed in her was apart of it. Hopping onto the table Nova laid down.
"Abastein." Ellen said.
The evolution master got to work exciting a solution of the special parasite into a injection needles sac. Placing his hands on Novas head he jammed it into her neck but with his evolved mind and body the bone needle only went in a inch and right into her blood vessel. Nova jerked at the pain and uncomfortable nature of her situation but soon relaxed as her mind started getting more and more cloudy until she lost consciousness.
Once Nova was out Ellen turned to Abastein. "Is it working?"
Pleating his hands Abastein focused on the work of altering and sealing Novas memories of everything up to the point she used her power to kill the terrorist.
"Function confirmed. Rewriting Terran memories."
Ellen grinned as she looked back to the girl who would have been a ghost in another world. However her fate was in Ellen's hands now. And in the near future the Overminds.
-Antiga Prime-
Raynor lifted his rifle taking a second to aim. Pulling the trigger a high velocity spike shot out flying down range. The bullet passed Kerrigan as she crushed a confederate marines head. Flying further down range the bullet passed by Sergeant Littlefield as he and his men shot two confederate firebats filling them with bullets. Time moved normally and the round zipped forwards impacting the faceplate of a confederate marine killing him dead. Raynor looked around as his allies finished off their targets leaving them alone at the former confederate base now rebel.
Raynor. "Clear."
Sergeant Littlefield. "Clear here sir."
Kerrigan. "All hostiles down. Raynor lets check the goods."
Recognising the need to deny the enemy resources and gain them for their own forces Kerrigan and Raynor lead a raid on a confederate supply base.
With the defenders taken care of the rebels walked to the rows and rows of supply buildings. The metal door opened revealing stacks of ceiling high crates. Kerrigan telekinetically lifted three of them bringing them to the ground for closer inspection. Marines popped the lids revealing rifles, ammo and spare partes.
Marine. "Sweet we could always use more ammo."
Raynor. "Good work people." Raynor opened a comm. "This is Raynor send in the transports."
Kerrigan walked up to him. "Not a bad haul. Could use more food and consumables though."
Raynor. "I could use a nice cold glass of beer."
The comms crackled to life. "Captain Raynor. Lieutenant Kerrigan. This is command. We got another mission fo you. Intel says that the main confederate forces are moving out to attack a major supply facility for the rebellion. Sending the location to you now. Please intercept them before they attack the base. Our forces are scattered at the moment dealing with all the Zerg and confederate remnants. Leaving the base with just a skeleton defense."
Raynor tapped his comms. "Roger command were on it. All right people lets move out. We got another mission."
Collective groans were exclaimed by the soldiers who has come to call themselves Raynor Raiders. This would make the third mission they had been on today. But yet they straightened up and replied. "Yes sir."
A marine approached Raynor. His face plate raised revealing it to be Corporal Wallace Helton who Raynor had met back on Mar Sara. He had been apart of the commanders contingent since then. During the rescue of General Duke and his men he meet Raynor again. And after that he requested a transfer to Raynors unit.
Helton. "Sir were all kind of beat. Can't we take a brake."
Raynor. "You can rest on the dropships. Move out."
Helton. "Yes sir."
Helton and the rest of the unit marched back to their dropships leaving Raynor and Kerrigan alone for a moment.
"A little harsh. Their not machines ya know."
Raynor looked at Kerrigan slinging his rifle over a shoulder. "A supply base is going to be attacked by confederate forces. If we lose it were not going to be able to last when the confederate reinforcements from Tarsonis arrive."
Kerrigan shrugged reloading her canister rifle. "Guess your right. Can't go losing all that beer."
Raynor laughed and started walking followed by Kerrigan. "Hehe. Yeah well with the Zerg running all over the place both the local militia forces and the Sons of Korhal are stretched thin. If we had one of those Psi-emitters we could lure the Zerg to one location and bomb them to hell and back instead of constantly chasing them all over the damn planet."
Kerrigan. "I wish it was that simple. That one time I sent out a psionic pulse to get them to gather worked but after awhile they scattered like they knew it was a trap. Seems the commanders theory about a leader type of Zerg may be right."
Raynor. "I wonder what they look like. If their like a ant colony maybe they have a big bad queen somewhere."
Kerrigan chukled. "Yeah and maybe they can infest you and eat your brain turning you into mindless drone."
Raynor. "Now that's scary. Heh." a few second passed as they walked. "You seem more talkative lately?"
Kerrigan. "What. Can't have some small talk."
Raynor. "I thought you thought I was a PIG."
Kerrigan. "Your are." she said speeding up a bit.
For a second Raynor glanced down at her ass in that form fitting suit.
Kerrigan. "I know you checked out my butt just now!"
Raynor held out his arms. "And you intentionally walked out in front so i'ed look!" he countered.
Kerrigan grinned as she walked away. "Maybe. Or maybe your just a hopeless pervert."
Raynor stopped shaking his head with a wiry grin. "Woman!?"
A hour later Raynor and his unit reached the rebel supply base resting at the base of a mountain. It was originally a confederate base but in the opening days of the Antiga revolt it had been taken after most of its defenders were deployed to put down the rebellion. So it was quite ironic that the rebels found themselves in the same situation.
Raynor, Kerrigan, corporal Helton and sergeant Littlefield approached the bases militia officer in-charge of the base.
"What's the situation?" Raynor asked.
Militia officer. "Captain. As you can see were short staffed at the moment. Those Zerg have us running all over the (blep)-damn place protecting the civilians and evacuating them to other places on and off world."
Kerrigan. "We know that already. Tell us how far away the confederate forces are. Their numbers and composition of their forces?"
Militia officer. "Uh... sorry ma'am. Last report two minutes ago said that they passed a bridge twenty miles away that land forces need to reach here. No air forces spotted yet. As for numbers and unit types there's around a hundred marines, four Siege tanks, ten Vultures, seven Goliaths and nine SCVs."
Kerrigan. "Any ghosts?"
Militia Officer. "None sighted. But knowing them their probably cloaked or something."
Corporal Helton. "What's the SCVs for?"
Sergeant Littlefield turned to him. "This base is inside a mountain. Can't get in without either blasting or cutting in."
Raynor. "Are there any places good for a ambush between here and them?"
Militia officer. "Yes actually. But its close. Just two miles down the road there's a turn that has a high cliff right over it and a steep hill on the other side and hard right turn at the end that leads the road here."
Raynor. All right people lets move out and see what we can do to prepare.
Raynors unit moved out quickly marching down the road. Kerrigan took the lead cloaking as she scouted the area the militia officer talked about. Stopping at the bend in the road there was indeed a tall vertical cliff to her left and a steep hill to her right. It was a good place for a ambush. But if the enemy knew of this base then they might know its local terrain. Kerrigan bent her legs infusing energy into them and kicking off the ground launching herself a hundred feet up. Cushioning her collision with the stone wall with her telekinetic abilities Kerrigan climbed the rest of the way up. After a minute of climbing she hopped over the top quickly taking cover behind a car sized rock from instinct and experience.
"Ok anyone here." Kerrigan said to herself using psi-pulse to try to locate any other ghosts. Ghosts are able to read the thoughts of others however it's much easier to read the minds of fellow ghosts then normal people. If any other ghosts were in the area then Kerrigan would feel their minds. Ghosts normally have a great deal of training to learn to keep from reading the minds of others. That and the implants that keep them a leashed dog serving a master control their aggression. But if any of them has a psi-screen Kerrigan wouldn't be able to read their minds. But she would at least be able to tell if anyone with a psi-screen was around because a psi-screen blocking a ghosts mind-reading would hurt a bit which in this context would be a give away.
"Eh!" Kerrigan got a response just a few dozen meters in front. Not just one but three.
Shots flew towards Kerrigan buts sensing that ghosts were around she instantly dropped behind the rock.
"Damn it when it rains it pores!" Kerrigan exclaimed as the rock lost large chunks with every hit from the ghosts canister rifles.
Raynor and his men were just about to round the corner of the road when Kerrigan came over their comms. "Raynor its Kerrigan!" Raynor noticing the duress in her voice held up his arm telling his men to stop. "What's your sitrep (situation report)?"
Kerrigan."I'm under fire from three ghosts atop the cliff."
Looking up Raynor heard the faint cracks of gun fire. "Sorry I can't get to where your at. It would take to much time to climb that cliff and we don't have the equipment." Raynor turned to the steep hill to his right getting a thought.
Kerrigan counted the shots and their dely's. At just the right moment she poked her rifle out from her covers side linking the scope to her helmets HUDs giving her inferred sight. Ghosts could make themselves almost perfectly invisible but they still have chinks in their armor. One being as soon as the bullets leave the barrel it becomes visible. Seeing out the scopes perspective she focused on where the shots were coming and fired.
"Gah!" a ghost screamed as Kerrigans round ripped a deep gash across his midsection.
Kerrigan saw blood oozing out from a spot in the air and adjusted her aim.
Bang! A splatter of gore erupted from the ghosts neck stump as he fell back headless.
Kerrigan. "That steep hill should be able to reach up high enough to give you a decent angle to the cliff top."
A grenade landed behind Kerrigan. She looked back at it with her eyes wide. "Oh fuck me!"
Boom!
Seeing the Explosion from his position at the base of the Hill Raynor feared for Kerrigans life. "Kerrigan your ok. Report!"
Coughing up dust Kerrigan rolled to her side shooting a telekinetic blast that sent the two enemy ghosts flying back twenty meters. They landed in a roll quickly getting to their feet and behind cover, returning fire. Kerigan ran to the next rock cover she could find as the rounds zipped passed her, one being deflected by her telekinesis shield. Getting behind cover she returned fire. "I'm fine but I need support fire. I got two ghosts up here."
"Roger." Raynor turned back to his men. "Ok people I need twenty of you to follow me up the hill there. Helton you and Littlefield take the rest and form a defensive position here. Roll those rocks onto the road to block it and take cover behind them."
Raynor and twenty men marched up the steep hill as echos of rifle fire resonated from the cliff above. The confederate ghosts alternated their fire as they reported back to their main forces about the enemy ghost. Breathing heavily from the speedy march upwards Raynor and his group reached the top of the hill taking aim at the cliff a mile away now.
Raynor. "Kerrigan where are the enemy ghosts we can't see them?"
Kerrigan shot twice, ducking behind cover to reload. "Hold on a minute."
Closing her eyes and using her telepathic abilities Kerrigan sensed the local area and where the two ghosts are. Raising her free hand she created a tornado around the two ghosts kicking up a dust storm.
Raynor saw this and ordered his men to fire at the dust tornados. As they struggled to see through the dust tornados the confederate ghosts were ripped apart by a hail of gauss rounds. The dust tornadoes dyed down and Kerrigan decloaked standing up. She looked over at Raynor on the hill. "Nice work. Now we got to deal with the main confederate forces."
Raynor. "We're a little out gunned since we don't have many mechanized forces at the moment. Kerrigan do you think you could create a landslide on that cliff."
Kerrigan thought a moment. "We'll need to plant detonation charges in the cliff. But i'm sure the supply base has some of those. I'll be right back. You hold this position."
Raynor arranged his men in the most optimal positions to hide and strike at the confederate forces when they arrive. Even though he knew those ghosts must have reported in that they've encountered enemy forces they still hopefully didn't know how many enemies their facing.
Running back to the supply base Kerrigan meet the militia officer. He opened the base doors showing her where the high-explosives were. But by then the shit hit the fan.
At the turn in the road a hail of gauss rounds besieged the main force of Raynors unit holding the road. Their boulder cover was slowly chipped away at while they only took potshots at the advanching confederate forces. Corporal Helton peeked out from behind his cover boulder to see 100 marines 10 wide ten deep marching in front of a group of Goliaths, Vultures and Siege tanks. They didn't even need their heavy weapons. If they kept up their pace and rate of fire then they would just bowl over Helton and his men. Then Littlefield aimed from the side of his boulder and shot.
"Gah!"
A confederate marine fell his face plate shattered by a headshot. The front row of confederate marines returned fire chipping away at Littlefields cover.
"Nice shot." Helton complemented from the next rock over.
Littlefield. "Thanks... don't you think their in position by now?"
Helton looked up at the top of the hill where Raynor and his separate unit were. "Captain Raynor. You gonna join the party or what?"
Hiding behind large boulders atop the hill Raynor checked his weapon and grenades. He then peeked out from his rock at the enemy forces position. "All right let em have it."
Raynor and his twenty men stood up from cover throwing a barrage of grenades at the line of Goliath's down below. The strength enhancing armor boosting their throwing range well beyond a normal humans. Twenty one HE grenades arched through the air landing and rolling onto to the road. One Goliath stepped on a grenade just before it went off. The explosion destroyed the foot and knocked the mech off its feet. Then the rest detonated. Five Goliath's were destroyed and the remaining two were heavily damaged. The convoy of confederate forces stopped and aimed at the hill. Half the marines open fire at the hill while the Siege tanks slowly rotated their main turrets elevating them to target the enemy ambush forces.
"Time to move out." Raynor and his men ran to the other side of the hill. A moment later the Siege tanks fired turning the hill top into a cratered blast zone. As he ran down the other side of the hill Raynor and his men could hear the ear splitting explosions going off just behind them. The boulders they hid behind moments ago were shattered into tiny pebbles.
While the tanks bombarded the now vacant hill Raynor and his men circled around to the road corner where the Sergeant and Corporal were holding their ground. Raynor ran up to and crouched beside Corporal Helton.
Raynor. "Ok lets hit em while their attention is divided."
All at once Raynors unit of fifty men came out from cover firing a hail of gunfire into the confederate lines. Dozens of confederate marines fell in the barrage but soon after the tables were turned as the confederates returned fire with a vengeance. Returning behind their cover the rebels kept exchanging fire with the confederates. The Vultures moved up to start barraging the rebels with heavy grenades but just then a series of explosions ripped a line through the cliff right above the confederates forces. A rain of rocks large and small slammed onto the Vultures, marines, Siege tanks and the Goliaths.
By the time the avalanche ended most of the confederate forces were buried. Raynor looked up at the now smaller cliff at the lone figure standing atop it. Smiling Raynor gave Kerrigan a thumbs up. A hour later the few confederate survivors left that weren't crushed were placed in confinement.. The SCVs that had stayed back out of the fighting were used to recover any weapons and vehicles remaining in working order or that could be repaired.
After the successful mission Raynor and his unit returned to Andasar City for some down time which they were needing after completing so many missions in the last few days.
-Andasar City, South District-
Kerrigan waited at a street corner in casual clothes. A few minutes passed and Raynor on a civilian white and red Vulture drove up.
Kerrigan. "Your late. Isn't it the woman that's supposed to be the one making the man wait."
Raynor set the landing gear down turning the engine off. "Sorry. It took me a bit to find this beauty." he said patting the rented Vulture. Can't use military Vultures fore fooling around.
Kerrigan. "Whatever. So. Where's this bare you said you know?"
Raynor. "Hop on and we'll go."
With a shrug Kerrigan got on the vulture behind Raynor wrapping her arms around his toned waist. For a moment she checked his mind but surprisingly he didn't have a single dirty thought. The hover bikes engine reved up and they sped down the road.
They arrived at a bare with a neon sign saying Lucy's bar and grill in bright pink and green. Raynor parked the bike in the parking lot beside the building and they hoped off walking inside. Entering the establishment Kerrigan looked around the normal restaurant. Five other people were present besides her and Raynor each drinking and eating their own meals. Raynor sat at the bar where a brunette girl in her thirties was cleaning a glass cup.
"What can I get for ya" she asked placing the glass in back of the counter.
Raynor. "I'll have a stake with A1 sauce, beer and fries. Hey Kerrigan what do you want?"
Walking over Kerrigan took a seat beside Raynor taking a few seconds to look at the manu on the counter top. "Uh I'll have the same I guess. But i'll have a lemon juice. No beer."
The woman took the order on a paper note and sent it to the kitchen staff. While the bar keep got Raynor his beer he eyed Kerrigan.
"What?" sha asked as he looked at here.
"You don't like alcohol?"
"Not while im eating." she replied.
"But you do drink?"
Feeling like she was being interrogated d Kerrigan crossed her arms. "Yes. When I feel like it.'"
Raynor shrugged backing off. "Ok ok don't bit my head off."
After waiting for a few minutes the bar keep came back with their meals.
Raynor and Kerrigan shared their time together eating and talking. They enjoyed each others company off the battlefield. Eventually however the issue of family came up and both if them became a little withdrawn.
Raynor. "Eh. family huh." he took a deep gulp of beer placing the glass on the counter.
Kerrigan. "Hey you brought it up."
"Right right." Raynor gave a deep sigh before starting his story. "Well... I was a big disappointment for my dad. Running with criminals and all that after the guild wars. Heard that the family farm was falling on hard times and sent some money back to them. Which I had... stolen. And killed more than a few people over."
Kerrigan asked the bar keep for some beer feeling that she needed it given the topic at hand.
Raynor continued. "But my dad wouldn't take the money. He... said it was blood money in his last message to me." Sigh. "Hard to argue with him. He was right. I heard that he had died in a accident and came back home. Learned mom had cancer and died soon after I returned home. The damnable thing was that she got it from those damn shipping material that was used to store the old rations the Confederacy's sent as part of its half-hearted efforts to help the people of Shiloh recover from the Guild Wars."
Kerrigan drank some of her beer chugging one third of the bottle. "Life's rough all over."
Raynor looked at the red head. "So what's your story."
Kerrigan smiled bitterly leaning back into her chair. "I was born on TraKossia. Lived a happy normal life. Until I developed psionic powers..." Kerrigan stopped getting a odd feeling from her memory but shook it off as nothing. "I... my mom died when I first showed psionic abilities." Kerrigan took a deep swig of her beer. "Dad was severely injured mentally. A bastard named Rumm in the ghost program made my life hell. They tried to break me. Make me use my powers. He injected a (bleep)-damn fucking cat with a cancer causing drug. Told me to kill the cancer with my powers. I refused. The cat died... painfully. Then they brought my dad in. Threatened to do the same to him. I refused but they didn't go through with it. Just decided to use a Neuro-adjuster on me instead. It worked." Kerrigan drank again from her glass finished it off and asked for more.
Raynor held his jaw open. He regained some composer. "Shit!"
"A men brother." the barkeep said handing a whole bottle to Kerrigan. She drank half of it in four chugs in between breaths.
A hour later they exited Lucy's bar and grill walking with a unsteady stride to the parking lot.
Kerrigan sat on Raynor's vulture sighing in annoyance as she held her spinning woozy head. "So. Youu think a uh... girl like me could ever live a normal life?" She said her voice slurred.
Raynor a little tipsy himself leaned up against the brick wall rubbing his eyes. "Huh.. well. We all got our lot in life. But... as my dad said once. A man er... or woman. Is what they choose to be. It's not how their born, or how their raised, that makes then what they are. It's their choices. But a person can turn their life around with a single thought, a single decision. You can always choose to be something new. He said that on a message he left me after he had died. I'll Never forget that."
Kerrigan smiled closing her eyes. "Sounds like a smart man."
Raynor. "Hah. Yeah. Smarter them me at my age."
-Trump Card-
Over Antiga a confederate fleet warped in. Numbering 10 capital ships and 20 support ships. The fleet turned towards the planet arming all weapons. It was smart move as a cloud of Zerg flyers Mutalisk, Guardians and Scourges quickly approached at high velocity. Lines of red traced through space piercing and burning through the Zerg attack fleet. The Confederate fleet pressed forwards slowly until the threat was eliminated. Once their local space was clear they entered orbit releasing a raining storm of metal structures. Drop pods, Command centers, Barracks, Starports and Factories descended to the surface and started building a fortress from which to end the rebellion.
At the rebels main staging center Raynor, Kerrigan, Haruka, Duke and Mengsk gathered.
Adjutant Mary communicated via the inter planet quantum communication node which allowed planets separated by many light years to communicate in real time.
"Commander a confederate invasion force has landed on the surface forty miles away from our position. No doubt our position has been discovered by the confederate forces landing on the surface. I estimate no more then two hours until they complete their forward base and begin their attack.
Raynor. "Well the shits hit the fan now."
Duke. "Would have thought they would send a force sooner. Hey adjutant. What unit are they from?"
Haruka. "Answer him."
Adjutant Mary. "The Confederate forces are confirmed as Delta squadron."
Mengsk. "I know your all concerned about the strike force but I also have good news. The psionic transplaner wave form emitter has been completed and tested successfully."
Kerrigan still feeling a little hung over from yesterdays bar trip with Raynor, held her temples shaking her head before turning to Mengsk. "Ah. Your still going through with it."
Mengsk. "Yes I am. Most of the Antiga people has been evacuated already anyway so the risk to civilians is minimal."
Kerrigan. "It's not just that. I don't like the principal of unleashing the Zerg on people."
Mengsk. "I understand your reluctance but if not Zerg then our own men and woman will pay for victory with their lives in their place.."
Kerrigan. "..."
Mengsk. "Lieutenant Kerrigan. I want you to plant one of our psi-emitters at the enemy base. Commander you and Captain Raynor will provide backup for her while general Duke and his men will act as a distraction. When the Zerg arrive, They'll break through the enemies defenses and if not destroy the confederate forces themselves then weaken them enough for us to retreat off world. We don't want to be here when the Zerg arrive in larger numbers or when the Protoss arrive to burn Antiga."
Kerrigan took her rifle and left the room followed by Raynor and Haruka.
Duke. "Not the most loyal bunch are they."
Mengsk turn to duke. "That's one reason I hope your more useful them them."
Kerrigan walked out to the command center making her way to the dropship landing platform followed by Raynor and commander Haruka who called their forces to meet them there. After ten minutes Raynor and commander Harukas forces were gathered +1 new Science vessel. Taking to the air in the transports a wing of four Wraiths escorted them.
Kerrigan still feeling uneasy contacted Mengsk via her radio. "Mengsk I'm still having doubts about this. I just don't think anyone deserves to have the Zerg unleashed on them."
Mengsk."I understand how you feel but you can't let your feelings cloud your judgment. Carry out you orders Lieutenant."
With a heavy sigh Kerrigan replied. "Yes sir." Deep in her heart Kerrigan really didn't want to do this but her more logical side understood why Mengsk was ordering this. If the confederacy is allowed to use the Zerg as their own weapons to ensure no one rebels against them again then any hope of ending the confederacy and its heavy handed ways also ends. Kerrigan then thought back to her experience in the ghost program and all that they had her do and all the lives she ended.
Raynor. "You ok darlin."
Waving a dismissive hand Kerrigan replied. "I'm ok. Let's just get this over with."
Landing ten miles outside the delta squadron bases detector network Commander Haruka and Raynor along their forces and Kerrigan exited their dropships. This time they had eight Siege tanks, twelve Vultures and sixty marines gathered. Haruka in a CMC armor for the first time in a long while checked her map on the suits HUD noting the path through the local hills.
Haruka. "Kerrigan the delta squadron base should be past that hill range. Since we can't gather a large force we need to hit them in a weak point. Think you can get close enough to find one."
Kerrigan nodded cloaking herself.
Raynor sensing her dismay at the situation spoke up. "I Don't think she means to be rude. I feel that using those psi-emitters is a bad call too. It just doesn't sit right with me."
Haruka. "I don't like it either but for different reasons."
Raynor glanced at the commander. "Different reasons?"
Haruka just smirked. "I'm more worried about the Zerg leaders or whatever they are becoming too interested in us Terran's. Obviously the Zerg and Protoss are at war. I just don't want us Terrans getting drawn in because of the psi-emitters use. Right now the protoss are only glassing worlds that have Zerg presence on them but how long are they going to repeat that until they discover that the Zerg are being drawn by Terran made tech and decide to attack us."
Raynor. "I know absolutely nothing about the Protoss but they may just take out the confederacy themselves in that scenario."
Haruka laughed. "Haha. Maybe. But I hardly think it's that simple."
Meanwhile with Kerrigan.
A Goliath flew into a hillside exploding. Kerrigan breathed a sigh of relief reloading her canister rifle as a dozen marines and two exploded Vultures lay scattered about behind her. After taking care of the patrol she focused her powers into her legs and broke into a 50 mile a hour sprint sprint. Dashing towards a steep hill she leaped high into the air landing on its top. Stretching out before her was a large confederate base crawling with enemies. She ducked down lying prone on her belly. Lowering her visor she zoomed in on the base making note of where the Anti-air towers and bunkers were. Then she noticed that a area along one part of the perimeter had four bunkers and two Anti-air towers bunched up together. Normally that would be a killzone if enemy infantry or aircraft attacked but with Siege tanks on high ground it would be a opening that would allow Kerrigan the opportunity to slip in.
Explosions echoed from off in the distance catching Kerrigans attention. Fearing that her unit had been attacked she radioed them. "Raynor. Haruka you two ok?"
Back on their end Commander Haruka and Raynor looked off in the distance as a battle was fought some distance away.
Haruka. "Were fine Lieutenant. It must be Duke and his forces making that distraction. Have you found any place we can hit."
Kerrigan. "Yeah. Sending the coordinates now."
Commander Haruka received the date and formulated a attack strategy. Moving out they came under fire from the sky as lasers cut into their position destroying a few Vultures. Soon after the Cloaked Wraith entered and became visible under their Science Vessels detectors.
"Marines eyes in the sky!" Raynor shouted as the science vessels date was relayed to his and his men's HUDs.
All fifty Marines aimed upwards opening fire. Normally marines wouldn't try to shoot at aircraft but under Raynors lead they had been trained to calculate the angle and range of a enemy aircraft. The standard C-14 impaler rifle fires rounds by magnetic induction firing the armor-piercing metal spikes at hypersonic velocities. At this speed the C-14 was quite effective at being used against low flying aircraft.
Hundreds of rounds fired spared about in the sky, a few punching holes in the Wraiths hull destroying its cloak and crippling a engine. The Wraith limped away smoking and was about to leave sight but then some force grabbed it sending it crashing to the ground. The troops cheered as the satisfying explosion echoed faintly in the distance.
"Must have been Kerrigan." Commander Haruka stated. "Alright people lets move out."
With one distraction gone The rebel force marched out reaching the location of the weak point. The Siege tanks stopped at the crest of a hill overlooking the enemy base switching to their Siege mode. Stabilizing anchors lifted the tanks up a few inches and the turrets barrels extended as they aimed upwards. All at once the Siege tanks fired. Moments later all four bunkers exploded from the focused fire and a second barrage finished off the Anti-air towers. Kerrigan cloaked running down to the base below as enemy Siegetanks opened fire on the hill. But all the shots landed just short as the height advantage gave the rebel artillery fire extra range. If the delta squadron goons wanted to hit Haruka and her forces then they needed to get closer.
The confederate Siege tanks moved out to the edge of the base to reenter siege mode but as soon as they did the rebel Vultures swooped in using their high speed to quickly get in range and strike at the enemy tanks enmass. In just thirty seconds six Delta squadron Siege tanks lay as smoking ruins.
As they moved out delta squadron Wraiths attacked but Harukas science vessel detected them and Raynor and his men ripped the Wraiths to pieces with concentrated fire. It was easier to hit something flying at you then away from you.
Four Wraith fighters fell out of the sky as smoking wrecks but they got a few shots off killing six marines and damaging two Siege tanks. Said tanks continued firing blasting chunks out of buildings as infantry scattered to avoid the artillery fire. But the Siege tanks shots weren't random but rather pre planned pattern in their arrangement. This gave Kerrigan a clear shot to the center of the base and the command center.
Kerrigan slipped into the rear of the command center placing the psi-emitter up under a compartment and turned it on. She then hoofed it out of there at full speed quickly meeting up with Raynor and Haruka before they all left the area meeting back up with their dropships at a safe location. While enroute back Kerrigan contacted Mengsk.
"Psi-emitter is in place. Mengsk just promise me we'll never do this again."
Mengsk. "We will do whatever it takes to protect humanity even from its own internal fools like the confederacy. Our responsibilities are too great to do any less."
-Chapter End-