-Chapter 21-
-Friendly Encounters & Hostile Takeover-
A confederate marine from Delta squadron ran scared and alone. He ran through a field of corpses dead marines while a Zergling chased him. Him and his unit were engaged with the Sons of Korhal just half a hour ago. But then the rebels suddenly disengaged and fled. The marine and his unit were given orders to march on the rebel base but when they arrived the place was empty and striped of anything useful that wasn't nailed down.
Then the sky darkened and Zerg started pouring down from the sky in organic drop pods. The two hundred delta squadron marines present were flooded by a horde of Zerg. Guns fired in all directions as screaming and shouting mixed with the ungodly shrieking of the alien monsters. After a bloody one sided battle lasting mere minutes the lone marine was left on his own. He was able to escape thanks to the distracting battle leaving all his fellow delta squadron troops to die. Really what could he do but run. After walking for hours not able to get in contact with anyone he finally reached the main delta squadron base. Just as he reached the ridge over looking the base a Zergling taking him by surprise nearly took his head off but instead destroyed his helmets comms unit. The beast growled at him before leaping again. The Marine grabbed the beast by the upper and lower jaws and pried the Zerglings mouth apart ripping off its lower jaw. Kicking the wounded Zergling he grabbed its front legs and pulled one off and stabbed the the beasts own bladed forearm into its chest.
Huffing after the long walk and that fight he looked out at the the main base. But it wasn't a good sight. The marines eyes widened in horror and fear as the base burned with hundreds of dead bodies belonging to delta squadron personnel strewn all over the place with dead Zerg. Just then a bright flash from above caught the mans attention along with the Zerg. Tilting his body up and popping his face plate the marine watched as the sky burned. Dozens of golden beams pierced through the clouds burning the land and turning it into molten magma flash vaporising any and all living beings on the contact. Another beam short down right over head striking the confederate base. For a brief moment the lone marine was afraid but then seeing no possible way out just let it happen closing his eyes and raising his arms in acceptance. The blast wave of heat washed over the land from the protoss purifier beam vaporizing everything be they Zerg, plants or Terran.
-5 Hours Before-
On the Hyperion bridge commander Reid, Lieutenant Kerrigan, Captain Raynor, General Duke and Mengsk gathered. On the open comms the delta squadron fleet in orbit radioed for reinforcements as they were cut down by dozens of Zerg Behemoths and their escourt forces. Haruka looked at a long range sensor screen showing the confederate fleet being picked apart piece by piece by dozens of Zerg Behemoths. They were of a different make then those in Ellen's swarm with clouds of smaller organisms swarming around them like a cloud of armored plates taking most of the damage for them.
"Requesting reinforcements. I repeat this is captain Braken of the delta squadron fleet over Antiga prime. Were being overwhelmed by Zerg forces. Requesting immediate reinforcements were... (Static)"
Looking off in the distance Raynor saw a flash of a ships main reactor being compromised detonating in a nuclear fire. It was there and gone in less then a second like the ship that made it.
Mengsk. "Antiga Prime belongs to the Zerg now. Helms men. Take us to the beta staging location."
Helms men. "Yes sire."
Raynor was about to say something but Commander Haruka Reid beat him to it.
"Do we have confirmation that the all Antigens are evacuated?"
As if annoyed Mengsk gave Kerrigan and Raynor a glance before turning to the helms men. "Belay that last order. Check the logs and scan the planet for confirmation that all the Antigens were evacuated."
Mengsk would rather leave anyone still on the planet and not risk his ship and present forces let alone his life but he also knew that Raynor, Kerrigan and perhaps the commander would protest if he pushed for them to leave the civilians behind. And he had already used up some of his leaway with them during the psi-emitter subject so he really didn't have much choice this time.
The bridge crew worked typing away on their consoles. Then a officer replied. "We have confirmation that most of the Antiga population has already left the planet. But were detecting electrical signals from a small remote settlement on a island at the equator that hasn't been evacuated yet."
Raynor. "Damnt we got get those people out of there!"
Mengsk. "Hm... Raynor you and Duke will handle this. The commander and I will stay back here to keep any approaching Zerg flyers from harassing you while you gather and evacuate the civilians."
Kerrigan. "And what about me?"
Mengsk turned to the red head. "Unfortunately your skills won't be useful on this operation. Just sit back for now."
Huffing in slight annoyance Kerrigan crossed her arms leaning against the wall.
Raynor walked up to her placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't look so down. I'll make sure they get out safely. Mengsk just doesn't want the Zerg to be attracted to you is all."
Kerrigan smirked feeling Raynors warm hand through her suit.. "Yeah Ok... Just come back safely."
"You betcha." Raynor left followed by Duke.
Watching the small but interesting interaction Haruk smiled at their developing relationship. But right now she needed to focus. "Launch all the Wraiths onboard and have them fly in a delta formation around the ship. And take a geostationary orbit over the location of the remaining civilians." Haruka stopped turning back to Mengsk. "Any objections sir?"
Mengsk wordlessly grumbled under his breath. "None. Proceed Commander."
Raynor and his unit marched through the hanger into five dropships. But twenty were prepping for launch. The dropships doors closed and the hangers outer doors opened. The twenty Dropships launched ten belonging to Raynor and ten under Dukes command.
Flying into the atmosphere the dropships shook violently shaking the marines about in their armor. Breaking through the atmosphere the shaking dyed down and they leveled out coming upon the settlement which was by all accounts far removed from the rest of the Antigen settlements. The people looked up as twenty dropships descended splitting into two groups and landing at a two clearings at both sides of the the south west of the largest settlement on the island.
Raynor hit the ground running. "Corporal Helton. Sergeant Littlefield. Spread our forces out and protect the dropships while I find the leader around here and get things sorted out."
"Yes sir."
"Yes sir."
Jogging at a brisk pace Raynor contacted Duke while he ran. "Duke it would help if we worked together on this. So for the sake of these people let's forget everything that happened on Mar Sara for the moment."
(Radio buzz) Duke. "For the moment Raynor. I'll have my boys secure the perimeter while you handle the civis, You would be better at that sort of thing then I would anyway."
Raynor closed the comm line and started asking people why they haven't evacuated with everyone else. Their reply was that they don't even have a outside com line. Apparently these people decided to cut themselves off from the rest of Antiga and live as independent as possible. In a way Raynor envied them just able to forget the rest of the world and its troubles to live a peaceful normal life. But then he remembered that the world doesn't always let us live the way we want to. Raynor was escorted by some of the people he'd meet to the leader of the settlement.
"Zerg?" a forty something man with a prosthetic leg exclaimed as Raynor explained the situation to him.
Raynor. "That's right and if your people don't evacuate now they'll massacre your whole settlement. And even if they don't come to your settlement the planet will be glassed by another race called the Protoss. They burned my world Mar Sara after the Zerg attacked it. It's only a matter of time until they arrive at Antige and burn it too."
The settlement leader thought it over while Raynor got message from his men. "Captain, sensors tracking five Mutalisk in bound."
Raynor cursed. "Everyone heads up. We got five Zerg flyers in bound. Ground forces could be on their way so stay sharp." Raynor got a collective roger on his com.
Five Mutalisks were flying patrol when they sighted the contrails of the twenty dropships as they entered through the atmosphere. They followed the Terran craft to this island. Using their evolved senses they confirmed that Terrans lived here in five small groups across the island but they ignored the buildings and fleshlings on the ground and pursued the dropships. Then they sighted the Terran crafts landed in two groups of ten by the largest settlement. Just as the Mutalisks flew over the settlement a hail of metal spikes ripped their wings and bodies apart. Over fifty Marines jumped out from their cover as the Mutalisk entered their gauss rifles effective range.
Shrieking as its wing was ripped off the last Mutalisk fell crashing atop a house crushing the structure. Civilians and marines walked out from cover inspecting the alien beast as its blood pooled below it.
"Ugh! that that's one of those Zerg you talked about!" the settlements chief exclaimed in fright.
Raynor. "Yeh it is. Listen we don't have time to argue about this. If we don't get everyone out now all of your people are going to die."
Shaking is head the chief sighed. He was one of the first people born in this independent settlement and his whole life revolved around this small island. He knew of the outside world and that there were many people living on many worlds but he himself had not experienced or had a particularly strong desire to leave his home. But there had always been a small part of him that wanted to know about the rest of the world. And now monsters are attacking and he was left with no choice but to leave.
The chief sighed with regret at the isolated nature of his peoples life and made a decision. "Yes.. ok. I'll tell my people that we need to leave."
Raynor followed the chief to a short broadcasting tower that held the islands only means of communication. But normally it was just used to play music during certain times of day or year and during festivals.
"Hello everyone this is you chief speaking. Now I know that all of you wont like this but... as incredible and terrifying as it sounds our world is under attack by... monsters. I've been told by a fellow by the name of Raynor that everyone else on the planet has been evacuated. I'm asking for everyone to cooperate with the marines and gather at the main settlement as quickly as possible. Take only what you can carry."
After the announcement most people were apprehensive and most outside the main settlement that saw the Mutalisk hesitated. They were leaving everything they were familiar with at the drop of a hat and it was someone else's hat. Most didn't feel comfortable and others sent messengers to the main settlement to confirm if this was even true or not. Meanwhile Dukes alpha squadron marines used the time to set up a defensive perimeter using anything they could find from old metal hull plate off old drops ships to wood carts and after watching the chief and the messengers argue for ten straight minutes Raynor had his men do the same. Raynor thought they would get in warn the people and get out. But these people had been isolated on this tiny island for the past forty years. Hell they didn't even have TV.
Then.
"Captain Raynor," one of the dropships called again. "We've got a lot more Zerg in bound."
60 miles away from the island a small aerial fleet of Overlords and Mutalisk flew towards the island.
Meanwhile in high orbit over Antiga Prime a fleet of golden ships appeared from warpspace.
-Gantrithor Bridge-
Tassadar looked long and hard at the planet below lamenting that yet another world must burn. "Scan the surface," he ordered.
With deft strokes and light movements of their hands over the controls the bridge crew scanned the entire surface for any lifeforms. "Executor. There are tens of thousands of Zerg on the surface and several dozen of their bio-vessels in orbit. Were also detecting one Terran ship in orbit and a small Terran settlement on a island below it on the surface. It appears that they are evacuating. There's a airborn force of Zerg heading to their location. They will make contact in five mila-cycles(minutes)"
Tassadar felt it was his duty to purge the Zerg from any world outside the quarantine zone but at the same time he greatly regretted the lose of life. Here were Terran fleeing yet another world attacked by the Zerg. The protoss conclave fered the Zerg would infest and depopulate every habitable world in the galaxy and thus sent many mighty fleets to purge the vile creatures. But as months turned into years, years into decades and decades into centuries the Zerg remained. Even with many great fleets and a empire that has reached every far flung part of the galaxy the Zerg remain. Owing to their ridiculous reproductive rates and their ability to warp nearly to any location so long as the Zerg have been there before or to star systems near the ones they inhabit. It's a miracle that the Protoss have even kept the swarm in one corner of the of the sector. Though many also saw the war as a opportunity to gain glory in battle and rise in the ranks.
In any case the Terran were fighting for their lives and Tassadar stood here safe of his ship. His warrior side was greatly perturbed at this. Feeling that it wasn't a true warrior if he just stood around giving orders. He wanted to fight with honor. Making his decision Tassadar's eye flashed.
"Prepare a contingent of Zealots. I'm going down to the surface. I feel that I need to meet these Terran face to face."
Tassadar turned around and left the bridge. Down on the surface dozens of Overlords escorted by Mutalisk landed at the north most part of the island off loading Zerglings and Hydralisk. As they moved up a steep hill to the inner island gauss rifle fire struck the Mutalisk. They counter attacked while being ripped to pieces one after the other. A mile away from the beach Raynor and his men fired at the Mutalisk and Overlords downing a few before they fired back.
"In coming!" Projectiles from the Mutalisk exploded all around the marines killing a few.
"Take those bastards out." Raynor shouted over the comms.
Focusing their fire the marines aimed well downing another ten Mutalisk and intercepting their attacks mid air. However the Terrans still incurred loses and dozens of marines were wounded taking minor to moderate splash damage and others were turned into charred corpses in molten caskets. Both sides were about even and most of the Mutalisk attacks were intercepted and shot down by the dense gauss fire. But then the Zerg ground forces reattached the marines. Raynor ordered the rear line to retreat backwards to higher ground slowly while firing at the Mutalisk while the front line focused on the charging Zerglings and Hydralisk. Spines and gauss spikes criss crossed as cross fire struck both opposing forces. But yet it didn't seem like enough as the first group of Zergling reattached the Marines.
"Bayonet's!" Raynor shouted as he pressed a button on the side of his rifle extending a bayonet blade. It was a rarely used accessory to the C-14 rifle but it saw heavy use here as Zergling claws and metal blades met. Marines put their heavy CMC exo suits into the movement impaling Zerglings by the dozen. Quickly pulling out they fired point plank into the wounded Zerglings raising their blades for the next. A few never got the chance as fresh Zerglings jumped on them planting a bone blade into their face plate. Some kicked the beasts off shooting them while others grabbing the Zerglings by the necks, lifted them up and firing into their guts or crushing their throats or crushing their skulls with kicks. The melee was bloody and brutal and made all the worse by the Hydralisk and Mutalisk.
The Terran loses mounted but as the twentieth Marine fell his armor full of spikes and bitmarks golden light flashed across the battlefield. A hundred Protoss Zealots suddenly stood among the Zerg and Terran but seemingly ignored in the melee. That changed quickly as Zealots ignited their psi-blades.
"Raaaa!" A Zealot roared as he leaped over a group of Terran landing among five Hydralisk. The Zealot twisted her body spin slashing and bisected the Hydralisk. The Hydralisk's bodies falling apart like slices tomatoes. More Zealots charged into the fray swinging and thrusting with their psi-blades. Scores of Zerg fell by the second as these psionic warriors cut their way across the field of battle staining it with Zerg blood and corpses.
Raynor and every other Tarran stood gobsmacked at the grace and brutality of the newcomers and all were grateful for the help even if it wasn't planned for.
Raynor. "All squads hold fire the uh... tall golden guys are friendlies. I repeat their non hostile."
Corporal Helton walked up to Raynor. "Sir what are we supposed to do now?"
Taking a moment to think Raynor ordered a retreat to a hill nearby where him and the rest of the marines watched as the Zerg were slaughtered by the Protoss. There were still a few Mutalisk but they were soon annihilated by the psi-spears of the Zealots. In one volley psi-spears pierced the hides of the Mutalisk and detonated blasting a chunk of their bodies off. Two more volleys saw the Overlords felled as they attempted a retreat. As all the Zerg lay dead one Protoss in slightly fancier armor flanked by two Zealots walked up to Raynor and his men.
Standing 3 meters tall. 1 and a quarter meters over the armored Terrans he spoke. "Greetings. I am Tassadar. Executor of the Protoss empire. Who among you leads?"
Some of the marines shifted uneasily remembering the destruction of Mar Sara. But many others felt more than a little grateful to the aliens for their timely arrival and help.
Raynor stepped up. "I'm Captain James Raynor. I'm in charge here. Uh pleased to meet you." Raynor held out his armored hand. Tassadar looked at it for a second before figuring what Raynor intended.
"I'm also pleased to meet you Raynor." Tassadar replied shaking Raynors hand. "I must first apologize for the burning of your worlds. But it is necessary to keep the blight that is the Zerg contained and unable to expand beyond what systems they already control."
Raynor took a second to process that. "So your people have been at war with these Zerg for some time then."
Tassadar nodded. "Yes. For two hundred of your years now we've battled with the swarm. And on more then one occasion attempted to wipe them out. But their propensity to recover their populations and the seeming immortality of the leaders has... made that nearly impossible. I would like to explain more but I sense more of them coming."
Everyone looked out across the ocean seeing a cloud of Overlords and more Mutalisk on the horizon. Then many pillars blazing red and crimson light shot down from the sky burning away the cloud of Zerg flyers in a few minutes. Looking up higher the shadow of the Hyperion loomed over the island like a flying mountain.
On the Hyperions bridge Haruka looked at Tassadar through a display screen making sure her void cloak as up lest he sense her.
"So that's what a Protoss looks like?" Mengsk said standing behind Haruka.
Haruka. "Well it looks like their friendly at least." Haruka opened a com channel to Raynor. "Raynor what's the situation down there?"
On the display screen one of the marines lowered his rifle, looking up. "The situations under control thanks to the Protoss. Their leaders name is Tassadar." On screen the big Protoss next to Raynor looked at him seeming to speak to Raynor. "He says he wants to talk to our leader. Guess that would be Mengsk."
Mengsk stepped closer to the screen. "What does he want captain?"
Raynor. "He says he. Requests a alliance with us against the Zerg."
Mengsk. "Hmp. His people burned two Terran worlds. And now he ask's us for help."
Haruka rolled her eyes. "Raynor can you put Tassadar on so we can talk directly."
After a few moments the coms line crackled to life linking with the Protoss coms. Tassadar could have spoken telepathically to them but that might be seen as bad form for the none telepathic Terrans. "Greetings. I'm Executor Tassadar."
Mengsk was about to speak when Kerrigan rushed into the bridge. Haruka turned around to her while Mengsk spoke. "I'm Arcturus Mengsk. Leader of a rebellion fighting against the confederacy. I don't mean to be rude but why have you been burning our worlds. And what makes you think we would want a alliance after what you've done."
In the back-round Haruka and Kerrigan talked.
Kerrigan looked flushed and somewhat on edge. "Whats going on?"
Haruka telling that she must be sensing the Protoss tried calming her. "Relax Kerrigan. It seems the protoss have decide to talk. They saved Raynor and his men when the Zerg were going to overwhelm them."
"Really." Kerrigan replied in surprise.
Haruka took a step to Kerrigan's side placing a arms over her shoulder. "Just listen. I hope Mengsk doesn't mess this up." Regretting saying that out loud Haruka listened to Mengsk talk with Tassadar.
Tassadar. "It is true we have destroyed two of your worlds. However it was necessary. We cannot allow the Zerg to spread any further then what they already have. Though the loss of life has been regrettably it was not our intention to harm any Terran. However the Zerg are a ruthless race that devours all in their path. In more ways than one. Before the destruction of the world you call Mar Sara I lead a unit to the surface to investigate in person. What I found was a Terran undergoing a process of infestation. He was becoming a Zerg. He requested me to end his life before he lost who he was. And I did so."
Mengsk took a moment to think. "I can see that your only trying to do what you see as right and just. But as for a alliance. As I said were just a small band of rebels fighting against a oppressive government. We don't even have many ships. We wouldn't really have much to offer a advanced race like yourselves. Perhaps after we depose the confederacy we could talk. But for now we would still appreciate any aide you could render in helping us get the civilians off Antiga."
On the surface Tassadar nodded. "I see. Perhaps at a later date we will meet again. Until then we will help to buy time for your people leave this world."
Raynor heard Mengsk on his radio. "Thank you Executor." Mengsk hung up.
Tassadar turned to Raynor. "We will continue to render assistance until you have evacuated your people Raynor. Until then I hope we will fight well together."
Raynor nodded as best he could in his armor. "Thanks Tassadar. We can use all the help we can get."
Tassadar glanced up a moment at the Hyperion sensing a strong psionic presence on board. He then received a report from his ship concerning a even larger group of Zerg coming and ordered his men to move out. With the Protoss taking the front lines Raynor and the rest of the Terrans could focus on defense and returned to the settlement to help with the evacuation. The Hyperion was attacked by a swarm of Scourge's and had to retreat into orbit but occasionally flew back over the island blasting Zerg flyers out of the air.
When the Zerg landed on the island the Protoss intercepted them as they landed. But a few would ignore the Protoss and run away to attack the settlement. By then the forces of Raynor and Duke had created simple barricades to slow the Zerg down. Still many Zerglings reached the makeshift walls jumping over but as soon as they did many were sniped by single shot bursts from the marines C-14 rifles. They may not be specialized sniper rifle's but they work quite well at closer ranges.
One after the other marines pulled their triggers popping off Zerglings heads and the occasional Hydralisk as the beasts run from the Beach to the Terran settlement. After a hour most of the people on the island had reached the dropships but there were still a few stragglers that had been to greedy trying to haul too much of their things across the island. A truck got stuck in a muddy road and a marine squad had to go get them. They were attacked by a few Zerglings while they were pushing the truck out of the mud but there were no casualties.
Before too long the Zerg learned to avoid the Protoss and simply landed on the opposite side of the island from them. Tassadar had anticipated this and had Pylons placed around the Terran Settlements.
A horde of Zerglings rushed into a Terran settlement hoping to tear the weak Terrans to pieces. What they got was fifteen Zealots warping in and charging at them.
"Charge. Die vile beasts." a Zealot shouted as they rushed at the Zerglings. Swinging both his blades at once the Zealot cut two Zerglings head off as another leaped at him. Side stepping at the last second one stroke of the Zealots blade bisected the creature. The Zealot then reached out with his psionic powers as his fellow Zealots sliced through the Zerglings all around him. Grasping onto one Zergling with telekinetic power he pulled it towards him impaling it on his psi-blade. Kicking it off he dashed forwards dancing across the battlefield. His blades spinning and cutting through air and flesh alike in a display of grace and skill honed over centuries. The short battle lasted only half a minute leaving the Zealots longing for more.
"Squad 2 more Zerg are arriving via Overlords at the north east side of the island."
The Zealots warped across the island again. Quickly forming psi-spears and launching them into the sky. Dozens of Overlords exploded showering their formaly living cargo upon the ocean waves. After another half hour the last civilians were loaded up into the dropships. Raynor the last person to leave solid ground stepped onto the last dropship closed the loading ramp.
"All right let's get going. Hyperion fly close for we can get onboard quickly."
Flying at high altitude the Hyperion fired all of its laser batteries cutting a swath through the increasing Zerg aerial forces.
Haruka heard Raynors message ordering the ship to fly back to the island while evading the large Scourge clusters chasing after them. Knowing what they were and how deadly Scourges cold be she had prioritizing their destruction and evasion over Mutalisk and the occasional Guardian. Laser beams shot out connecting the Hyperions rear hull to the pursuing Zerg forces.
The Hyperion dived into the atmosphere its weapons blazing as it continually killed Zerg flyers chasing after it. Raynor moved up to the cockpit hanging a arm on the door way as the pilot pulled up on the controls ascending to a higher altitude.
On the ground below Tassadar watched the twenty Terran craft fly higher and higher leaving visual range.
"Deploy wings of Scouts to cover the Terran transports." he turned to his Zealots. "We return to the fleet." In a flash of light Tassadar and his Zealots disappeared leaving the now empty island to the Zerg.
The Hyperion leveled out and slowed down its hull dented, burned and damaged by the Mutalisk continually on its tail. The ships pilot saw the approaching dropships on his VR helmets HUD.
"Drop ships low at 4-o clock."
Haruka. "Launch a missile barrage at the Zerg flyers!"
Bursting from the ships back and wings hundreds of missiles arched backwards. In dazzling bursts of fire and flesh Mutalisk and Scourges died by the dozen every second, their bodies scattered to the wind drifting to the sea below. With most of the enemies down the Hyperion slowed to a crawl letting the dropships land in its hanger bays. More Mutalisk arrived firing so many times it created a veritable wall of living projectiles. The Hyperions laser banks flashed cutting hundreds of the bio-missiles out of the air and killing more Mutalisk but more always came. Then a streaking volley of missiles flew down from above impacting the Mutalisk formations but unlike the Terran missiles that produced a orange fiery blast these missiles detonated with a black and white shock wave of pure annihilating energy. Fifty seven anti-matter missiles truck the Mutalisk wiping them out in one attack. Haruka and Mengsk looked through the display monitors as the twenty sleek gold fighters flew over head.
Mengsk. "Must be the Protoss fighters."
Haruka. "I'm glad their giving us so much aide. They'll be great allies later."
With the last of the dropships landed and the hanger closed the Hyperion accelerated up and out of the atmosphere. Another wave of Zerg closed in but were held back by the Protoss Scouts and the Hyperions laser batteries. Then in a flash the Hyperion entered warp space.
On the Gantrithor bridge Tassadar watched as the Terran ship left the system. Satisfied that it was finally acceptable he gave the order. "Purify the planet."
The fleet of golden ships that had stayed at lagrange point 1 between Antiga and its moon now moved closer to the planet. Sensing the intruder into its territory the swarm attacked. Scores of Mutalisk, Scourges, and Guardians gathered before attacking the fleet in one massive wave. Protoss ships fired their Photon cannons in rapid fire mode quickly filling the surrounding space with countless burning white energy projectiles for hundreds of miles around. Hordes of Zerg were wiped out in seconds and what few reached the protoss ships did little to their plasma shields. Once the small fry were wiped out the few Behemoths that had come to the Antiga system also attached.
Dozens of Behemoths would be a serious threat to the Terran's perhaps, but to the Protoss fleet they were only a speed bump. Dozens of Tachyon towers fired burning holes through the cloud like layer of Barnacle's protecting the Behemoths but in so few numbers they were quickly overwhelmed. Cartarised holes melted through the living ships leaving them dead cold husks drifting through space. With the Zerg space forces gone the fleet proceeded to enter low orbit of Antiga prime. Their bows (front) glowed with bright flaring energy like the surface of the sun and fired. Golden beams launched down into the planet's surface. The targets were the largest Hive clusters followed by the rest. The bombardment continued for hours until the world's surface was a sea of molten magma that not even Zerg could survive.
Satisfied that the planet had been purified Tassadar ordered the Expeditionary Fleet to leave. All at once the fleet of golden vessels warped away. Shortly after a confederate fleet of battle cruisers arrived flying closer to the planet. The name Moebius Foundation painted on the hulls. On the bridge of the main ship a man with white hair a mustache and goatee stood impassively at the burning world
"Doctor Narud sir." said a crew member. "Were detecting a cluster of dead Zerg space bio-forms drifting close to the planets orbit."
Narud looked off in the distance as if seeing them with his own eyes. "Set course. Their genetic date is invaluable for our organization."
"Yes sir." the helms men replied.
The small fleet of Moebius ships closed in on the corpses as they drifted aimlessly. Slowing down over one corpse with a massive hole in its body the Moebius ship extended six large crane arms latching onto the dead beast. Many smaller arms extended out from the ships underbelly entering the large cauterized hole in the body. A few people in space suits drifted closer entering the dead Behemoth collecting samples including the corpses of smaller Zerg still within its body.
While his men worked Narud sensed something retreating to his private room. Standing in the middle of the chamber he focusd. "Yes master."
Within Narud's mind Amon spoke. "How goes your mission Narud?"
Narud. "It is going as planned. My Terran servants are collecting Zerg essence as we speak. It should only be a matter of time before I collect Protoss Essence. I can then begin the Hybrid project. However master may I ask what should I do about the rebels. They have already used the Zerg to destroy one Confederate world. No doubt using Psi-emitter technology."
Amon. "Ignore them. If the Terran's change leadership it is no obstacle to our plane's. However the machinations of Ellen and her swarm may prove a hindrance. However since they have become so powerful it would be foolish to directly engage them at the moment. But it matters not so long as the self proclaimed empress does not interfere in our objectives for the time being. She can not risk the Overminds swarm gaining any of her swarms Essence."
Narud. "Speaking of which. I could steal essence from her 3rd gen hive cluster and give it to the Overmind. That could force her hand and cause a war between the two swarms that would weaken them sooner."
Amon. "A possible plane. But not viable. The Overmind would prove even more of a hindrance if it is allowed too much power before the Hybrid project is completed. But collecting the essence of Ellen's swarm for the Hybrid project could prove useful."
Narud. "As soon as im able I'll seek out a world controlled by the azure swarm and collect their essence."
Amon. "Do not underestimate them Narud. The azure swarm is a order of magnitude more powerful than the Overmind's. Take care your essence isn't collected instead."
Narud bowed mentally. "I won't allow such a thing to hinder my work master."
-Hostile Takeover-
-Dead Man's Rock-
-Paradise Settlement-
With a loud thunk one of the ship mounted laser's were lowered onto a flatbed vehicle. Mira han and Graven hill watched as the spoils of their expedition to Antiga was loaded into Hans warehouse.
The cargo was moved into the building by several SCVs finishing the unloading.
"That's all of the cargo," Hill said turning to Han.
"Yes. Yes it is." Han turned around walking back to her home complex. Mercs in custom spiky red and black armor marched passed them while hired engineers and technicians worked on refitting and modifying Hans war gear she build up after scavenging ruins on Mar Sara and the Norad 2.
Han. "I'm still miffed about not being able to pick that ship clean. Those Zerg certainly are making everything troublesome lately."
Hill kept pace with her. "From what I heard Antiga was invaded by a large army of them just a few hours after our employer ordered us to leave."
They entered Hans main building proceeding to the main room where they both sat down. Han brought out a thin plat of flexible metal touching its corner and laying it on the table. The flat sheet of metal changed its color and pattern displaying a map of Paradise. The locations of both Mira Han's base and the other big merc gangs in paradise including Ethan Stewarts were marked with circles. Hans holdings and allies were marks pink while Stewart's and his allies were marked red. Hans forces and holdings were just 1/5th that of Stewarts.
Han. "Now all we have to do is get more allies."
Hill looked up to Han. "And how do we do that. Your used up most of the credits we were given. Not that those engineers and techs aren't important to maintain gear but why so many?"
Han smiled leaning back in her soft sofa. "It's for my plane to take over Paradise. I'll need their expertise if i'm going to change things around here. As for the other merc groups. Most of them are hostile like the he Crimson Vipers, Black hands, Jaw breakers and a few others. Or their loyal to Stewart. Meaning we'll have to eliminate them."
Hill got a bad feeling welling up in his gut. "And how do we do that?"
Han laughed. "Oh... just some blackmail and kidnapping and a big ambush." Han pulled a paper list out from her pocket placing it on the table in front of Hill.
Hill took the paper reading it. On the paper was a list of names and locations. It looked like a hit list but the words don't kill them was written on it. "I take it were going to be holding these people hostage to get the merc gangs attention."
"Correct."
Hill folded and placed the paper in his coat pocket. I'll be going then."
Hill left leaving Mira alone. A few seconds after one of Mira Hans hired engineers entered the room.
"Miss Han."
"Yes come in. Have a seat." The man took Her advice and sat down across from her. "So how's the project going?"
"Miss Han we only just started and the laser turrets were in less then ideal condition."
Han raised a eyebrow. "But they still work don't they?"
"Yes they do. But they need proper maintenance before we can modify them."
Han looked off out the window in thought. "You have three hours to get them ready."
The engineer sighed. "Very well that should be enough time for one of them. I'll get back to work then."
Han. "You do that. Oh and after words get to work on the dropships."
The engineer nodded and left.
At the south western district of paradise Hill and his two bodyguards walked around looking for their target. The list of names on the paper came with a image of each target and instructions from Han. Some said to grab them while others just said to take a photo. Others said beat senseless and some to kill. Hill didn't think of himself as a bully but it sure seems that Han was ruthless in her dealings. Turning a corner Hill came upon a group of big muscle guys talking in a back alley. Hill took a closer look at one of them and recognised him as a target on the list.
Making sure no one else was in the area Hill made a hand sign to his men and they pulled rifles out. The three men heard the sound of weapons being drawn turning to the noise and drew their own. But with their guns already out Hill and his men had the advantage. Loud bangs and tracer fire raced through the ally way for just a few short seconds. All four of the gang members lay on the ground except one. Hill walked up to the man noticing a red snake tattoo on his arm as He aimed his SMG at the mans head.
"Han says hi." Bang!
With the first group down Hill and his men left leaving the bodies where they lay. Over the next five hours Hill and his men killed four groups of men, kidnapped ten people some woman and kids and beat the hell out of ten other guys who were from different merc gangs.
At the Base of the Crimson Vipers. A big guy with a mohawk gripped a glass bottle in his hands throwing it across the room shattering against the wall. "What! Jacks dead."
The other gang members stayed back a little as their boss lost his composer hearing that his little brother had been killed. "Whoever did it's going to pay. I'll flay their skin slowly and dip it in acid before chopping it off and shoving it down their throats."
One of the mercs walked up to him. "We questioned anyone in the area that could have seen what happened and they said some new guys power armor and one other in a leather clothes were the ones that killed Jack."
The leader of the Crimson Vipers shot the gang member a look. "Who are they?"
"From what we're able to learn they seem to be the new group that's been running with Han and her merc group lately."
"Han! I'll strangle that bitch while im raping her. And that will be after i'm done cutting off her arms and legs and maybe pulling her eyes out. Everyone get the boys together. Where going hunting." The leader of the Crimson Vipers stood up." Were going to kill them all. Han and her men."
"Yeaah!" all the mercs shouted.
A hour later at Hans HQ the place was abuzz with activity as mercs from Hammer Security in full armor marched around on patrol while Mira's Marauders maned the wall defenses and watch towers. Each of which had two C-14 rifles mounted on tripods that were braced onto the structure. Hill approached the building with a dozen people in tow all bound by their wrists.
"Open the gates." Hill ordered.
As Hill and his prisoners entered the complex Han came out to great him.
"Ah Hill. You did excellent work. Yes now that should be all of them."
"When my big brother gets here he's going to kill you for this you bitch!" shouted one of the female captives.
Han with a calm face casually walked up to the young girl and brutally started beating her. After half minute of getting beaten within a inch of her life the girl curled up into a fetal position on the ground whimpering. Han turned to the rest of the captives who all just stayed silent and passive not wanting to get the same treatment.
"Good you all know when to speak and when not to. Keep it up and you'll all get out of this alive. Take them to the holding cell."
Standing by observing all that Hill and his men watched Han as she walked over to them.
Hill. "So. What are you going to do with them?"
Han. "Nothing. Their just bait to lure out the other merc gangs. I have a little surprise waiting in store for them. It would be tedious to try and take over each gang one at a time so I thought it would be simpler if they all came to me."
Hill shrugged. "All at the same time. Do you even know how many of them your going to be up against."
"I do" Han said in a calm tone. "My forces are a round 150 men as of now. Each of the other merc-gangs have around 200. But thanks to you and our employer I now have full exo-armor, higher grade weapons for all my men."
Hill looked around and at every gate along the walls. There was twin C-14 rifles with high capacity magazines mounted around them. The walls were also thicker with better armor and a few drop ships had similar turrets mounted on their wings.
Hill. "Still your out numbered and that alone can defeat larger and better armed forces."
Han looked up at the orange sky as the sun set drawing night closer. "But I understand how other merc gangs operate and who hates who and who knows who. They should be arriving any moment..."
Gunfire erupted outside Hans compound but it wasn't aimed at the complex but rather elsewhere.
-A few minutes ago. A block away from Hans compound-
The Crimson Vipers one of the largest Merc gangs running out of Paradise marched down the road towards Mira hans compound. Some of their men were in power armor but not many. Most didn't have any armor and their weapons were of lower caliber so the amount of damage they could do to fully armored soldier was little to none. And even if they had C-14 rifles equipped just shooting the things would more than likely break their arms or dislocate their shoulders. But to partly make up for that they had reinforced technical trucks equipped with C-14 rifles instead. Over half the Crimson Vipers in Paradise marched down the road heading straight for Mira Hans compound numbering a little over 200 men only thirty of them had armor on and fifteen weapon mounted trucks brought up the rear.
The procession of Mercs closed in on Hans base but right before that they entered a crosswalk that merged with another road from which another group of mercs appeared. At first the two groups didn't see each other because of the shanty town food stall's dividing their line of sight in between the two roads but then they cleared the obstructions entering the main road.
As the Crimson Vipers entered the main road leading to Hans base mercs on both sides finally took notice of one another. In short exacerbated cries of surprise the two groups started firing at each other. Small skirmishes broke out all over as not one but four different merc groups started a small war in the streets surrounding Hans compound. The confusion ran rampant as mercs of multiple groups shot at each other.
"Fucking Black Hands Han hired you bastards to ambush us huh!" The leader of the Crimson Vipers shouted as ten unarmored members of the Black Hands shot at him. Their lower caliber rounds bounced off his armor as he pulled the trigger to his C-14 rifle gunning them down.
The leader of the Black hands partly ducked behind a car and fired a burst into the line of Crimson Vipers. "Damn those Crimson Vipers they must be working with Han to take us out."
The surprise battle didn't leave much leeway for any conversation or for either side to realize their fight was exactly what Han wanted. No their own theory was that the other side was working with Mira Han. And on the other side of Hans componed two other mercenary groups were also fighting who had been duped into attacking Hans compound at the same time. The streets of Paradise surrounding Hans compound became a war zone as four different merc-gangs all fought, thinking the others were working with Han to ambush them. Han had calculated that these four rival groups would turn on each other at the drop of a hat. And it worked.
Hill and Mira watched from her main building as the streets lit up with echoing gunfire.
Hill. "How the hell did you organized all this?" Hill thought. If even one of the merc groups were not present then they would be attacked on one side while two others fought and it would severally limit troop deployment and options.
Mira Han sipped at her glass of wine while the fire fight continued unabated. "Oh a girl has her secrets. Han looked down over the balcony at her troops gearing up. "Stay frosty boys we'll wait here a bit until their worn down a bit.
Han left the balcony not wanting to be a sniper target. Dawning her own armor colored black with red and pink highlights and a few spikes Han joined her men at the gates. She patiently waited for her men to give their report.
Han like her men were iching to get into the thick of it with all their new toys. The credits she was given were spent mostly on buying new gear and another good portion hiring personnel to maintain it among other things. Now the Mira Marauders were a force to be reckoned with even with their small numbers. But still best to use any and every advantage one has at their disposal. Graven Hill in his black Hammer Securities armor and flanked by thirty of his men approached Han.
"Seems like its dying down a little." hill said.
Han opened her visor smiling while cocking her rifle. "Sounds like their just about ready to meet us then."
Han looked up to the wall and radioed her scouts. "Boss its looks like their just about half gone. Some have retreated but the rest are being lead by the bosses. But it looks like the Jaw-Breakers boss is a no show. Sent his lieutenant instead."
Han cursed. "Fuck. He's a smart one isn't he. Well Conrad well have a talk later." Han looked over to another of her men giving him a nod. "Blow it."
The man nodded back taking out a hand healed detonator. Hill raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Oh shit." Hill exclaimed as the man pressed the detonator.
The streets erupted in a conflagration of explosions flaring upwards like mini nuke clouds. The noise was deafening as strategic positions around Hans compound turned in to death traps killing hundreds of Mira Hans most dangerous competitors.
As soon as the explosions ended Han gave the order to open the main gates. The shanty town streets outside looked even worse as dead bodies and body parts littered the ground. Mira Han lead her men with a roaring war cry as they ran out to meet their a enemies. Armored mercs in spiky suits ran into the streets ginning down anyone and everyone who was standing and even those who were half dead. It was a bloodbath but upon closer inspection no one in the war zone was a combatant as Mira had evacuated every civilian in the area prior to the battle. She even had mannequins installed with voice boxes places around the area surrounding her compound to make it look like it was ant a trap. However to not draw suspicion to the ruse the dummies had to be placed in such a way as to hide their true nature so most of the mannequins were partly or mostly out of direct view.
And as for how Han got all the merc-gangs to arrive at her compound all on time well it was partly street rats payed to slow the faster marching mercs down a bit and others were double agents in the enemy ranks. Money did wonders.
Hill aimed at a armored merc with a snake image on his armor and fired. Bullets pierced the mercs inferior armor ripping him to pieces in his armored suit. The rest of Hill Hammer Securities mercs gathered around him and opened fire downing ten more mercs not all of them in armored CMC sits. Those that were unarmored were either half dead with shrapnel in their bodies or stunned from the concussive blasts. The armored mercs fared much better at least making it out of Hans explosive ambuse. However once the more well maintained and armed Miras Marauders and Hammer mercs stepped up the second hand weapons and armored suits of the Crimson vipers and Black hands proved much inferior. It only took a short burst from Mirias new C-14 rifle to gun down a armored merc of the Black hands.
Grinning with sadistic glee Han and her men fired in controlled bursts raining death to all in their path. The few mercs that fought back soon got dog piled by three or more more well armed mercs from Miria or Hills forces. Twin mounted C-14 rifle turret's on the walls of Hans componed rained death on the enemy technicals silencing their guns and any who had taken refuge on the surrounding buildings. The shoddy construction and weak materials offered little protection as the hyper velocity rounds ripped through walls and floors alike tearing flesh and blood bodies apart.
The fire fight lasted only five minutes before the leaders of both the Crimson Vipers and Black hands were dead. But they were the most emotional and dumb merc leaders. The leaders of the Jaw breakers and the Fang wolves were going to be much more troublesome.
Once the fighting on one side of the compound was over Mira had her men scavenge what they could before returning back to their base. The fighting had stopped at the other end of the compound. By the time Han and Hill returned to the safety of the compound the sounds of fighting and weapons fire had stopped leaving somewhat unnerving silence.
"That's not good." said Han as she reloaded.
Hill walked up to her. "Wouldn't that mean their either retreated or one side has one. We can take one group but not two. I doubt they would have figured it out and joined forces."
Mira Han turned to Hill. "I was kind of hoping to get four birds with one stone but that's maybe too much to ask." Han open her radio coms. "Hey on the east side. What's going on?"
"Boss the Fang Wolves and the Jaw breakers have both retreated. They fought some after the bombs went off but after they just left."
Mira just hummed in thought thinking about her next move. "Well were going hunting then. Still first lets make sure to scrap all that's worth getting from the other two mercs bases. Hill you take your boys and head over to the Black hands compound while I go pay the base of the Crimson vipers a house call."
Hill rested his rifle over a shoulder. "How should we handle any noncombatants there."
Han who had turned to walk away turned back to him. "If they shoot, shoot back." Han turned around continuing to the dropship hanger. Hill and his men followed taking a different dropship.
Four dropships raised off the ground each pair heading in different directions. As the dropships left a man watched them atop a building a far distance away from Miras compound. He wore a dark cloak to camouflage his presence. Through binoculars he watched the four dropships take off and disappear into the sky.
"Mister Stewart. Hans men are moving out and they've left the compound. It looks like both the Crimson Vipers and Black hands bought it. The Jaw breakers and Fang Wolves retreated though but almost half their guys died."
On the other end of the line Ethan Stewart in his mansion leaned into his chair placing two digits over his ear piece. "Keep watching them. I don't really care what Han or her new partners do but no one disrupts my business." Stewart switched comm lines to his own men. "Captain Ramses. Move out. I want you to take Han for everything shes worth. Anything of value she has in there bring back undamaged. Do you hear me."
"Yes Sir." Captain Ramses replied. The confederate marine armor turned merc captain eyed his men all waiting in the back of the dropship. "Alright people its hussle time, Kill anything that moves in the compound and don't get killed yourself you hear me."
"Yes sir." the mercs replied.
The dropship arched upwards as its climbed in altitude. It and three other like it flew just over the buildings of the settlement on their way to the mostly empty compound belonging to Mira Han. A dozen of Hans mercs patrolled around the compound. Then the roar of dropship engines drew their attention upwards as three dropships hovered over head.
"What the... the boss isn't supposed to be back so fast and didn't she take four drops ships..."
The merc didn't have time to finish the thought as the dropships twin gun turrets ripped him apart in seconds. Some of Miras men fired back doing some damage but the turrets quickly swiveled around gunning them down. Twelve mercs were down in as many seconds. The dropships landed and Captain Ramses and his men stepped out. They raided the warehouse but oddly none of the technicians and engineers were around. Wondering where they were Ramses men searched the warehouse.
Captain Ramses. "Hm. Odd. Didn't that informant say the new people Han had hired were working in here."
As he looked around the captains men searched for the praise. "Sir their over here."
Not thinking too much about it the captain walked over to the row of ship mounted laser cannons. The informant in Mira Hans group had said that there were three functional ship mounted laser turrets in here and that the forth was none operational needing repairs. But captain Ramses only saw three present. Feeling a little uneasy the captain hurradly ordered his men to load up the three present and get them ready for transport back to their boss Ethan Stewarts own warehouse.
"Come on people let's get a move on." the captain exclaimed as his men all ran back o the dropships.
Three dropships rows up into the air dragging cables up with them. The cables lead to the laser turrets dragging them up into the sky. Stabilizing their cargo the three crafts boosted away across the sky loaded with ammo and weapons and other gear.
Ethan Stewart watched as his warehouse was loaded up with equipment, weapons and other gear. But the grand prize was the giant ship mounted laser guns. Feeling in a good mood Stewart thought of how many buyers he could have for such weapons. Or alternatively he could keep the weapons for himself. No one would dare mess with him or his business with that kind of fire power at his command.
"Good work captain Ramses. This is a good hall. We'll make plenty of money selling it all."
Captain Ramsas still felt uncomfortable concerning the absence of the engineers and techs. "Yes sir. But what about Mira Han. Do we off her now or later."
Stewart. "Shes bitten off more than she can chew and is a problem now. I really didn't give a damn about her little merc group but now shes disrupting the order of Paradise. My order. We'll eliminate her at a latter date. But for now we'll let her lick her wounds."
Stewart and Captain Ramses turned around to leave the warehouse, unaware of the cameras places in the Laser cannons. The small lense irised more open and closed as it got a good look at its target.
At the crimson vipers base Mira han watched from the display screen on her armors hud. Watching Stewart and his right hand man walk off. "Oh Stewart too bad your not going to have the time to kill me." Mira pressed a button on her Hud display sending a signal to a dropship waiting at high altitude.
Hovering miles over Paradise a lone dropship carrying a modified container received the signal it had been waiting on. The pilots nodded to each other and one pressed a button. The container below the dropship split open into four halves revealing a cut down version of the ship mounted laser cannon It barely fit in the container but now it was ready to do its intended job. The laser turret swiveled down slowly taking aim at the house of Ethan Stewart. From her HUD Mira saw Stewart and Ramses enter the house just before the Warehouse doors closed. The laser turret fired its beam of deadly red light sped through the air being affected by the air molecules but not enough to make a difference. As Ramses closed the door behind himself he turned to his boss Ethan stewart as the world went white. The blazing red beam sliced into the house killing everyone that was inside leaving a few remaining corners of the building as burning ruins.
Watching the devastation unfold on her HUD display brought a grin to Miras lips. Both the Crimson vipers and Black hands were down a leader and their best men. And Stewart was dead along with his best man and maybe other cronies. The whole time Mia had planned it this way. The operation to take out two merc groups that were her rivels and Kill Stewart went off without a hitch. Mira knew that if Stewart knew she had weapons like ship mounted laser guns that he would try to either destroy them or take them to use or sell for himself seeing as he would think that anyone in his town with weapons like that was a threat that needed to be eliminated one way or another. Mira just used this as a opportunity to draw him into a sneak attack.
It wouldn't have been possible without Harukas funds nore the gear from Mar Sara and the laser turrets from the Norad 2 or Graven Hills help. All these resources came together to make this moment a reality. There were plenty of things that could have gone wrong but it seems Mira and by extension Haruka were quite lucky.
"Well now it's time to start making a few changes around here." Mira Han mused to hear self.
-Chapter End-