-Chapter 28-

-Zerg VS Protoss-

The spider/slug evolution master Abathur weaved his multiple arms around in intricate formations in the air next to the three chrysalis. Two belonging to the captured ghosts and the third being Kerrigan's as she went through a detailed and deep neurological rewiring. The confederate conditioning required a significant change to her brains functionality to undo. But it was still a simpler process then being infested so Abathur didn't take to long with it. But with the other two the evolution master was somewhat taxed for focus so Kerrigan waited until they were stabilized and in the final hour of their metamorphosis to begin her own changes.

Nova and Aegis looming over her, watched as Kerrigan's chrysalis started opening followed shortly by the other two. Stepping out of the remains of the gooey container Kerrigan flexed her now unrestrained psionic might. A pulse of energy expanded like a wave traveling tens of kilometers giving all zerg in its range pause before returning to their normal business.

"Kerrigan stronger." Abathur said. "Restoration of neurological tissue unsealed full potential." His voice beaming with pride.

Nova shuttered at how more powerful Kerrigan was and deep down she was a little jealous and afraid while also wondering if she'll get as strong one day.

"Your definitely stronger." she said.

Aegis said nothing silently observing Kerrigan as she projected confidence and power with her very presence.

Kerrigan walked over to them as the two ghosts slowly broke free of their own chrysalis coughing slightly from the goo in their lungs. "I feel free and empowered." she said glancing back over her shoulder towards the two former ghosts. They stood now the newest additions to the swarm.

They weren't as powerful as Nova or Kerrigan but were still powerful psionic Zerg now. Just as the two infested Terrans turn towards Kerrigan and the others She picked up on a distant and none Zerg presence. Looking off in its general direction she sneered in recognition of the psionic signature. She had sensed this psionic signature before on Antiga Prime during Raynors final evacuation of the last civilians there. Kerrigan never directly meet him in person but knew that it had to be the Protoss named Tassadar.

"Nova, Aegis! do you sense that." stated Kerrigan. "The Protoss are here on Char. Perhaps for a long time now... Hiding."

She reached out with her mind across the planet forming a telepathic link with Tassadar whom could have easily stopped the connection but had his own reason to talk if only a moment.

"Tassadar, it was foolish to come here. I am Kerrigan queen of the Zerg."

Nova piggy backing the telepathic conversation and raised a eyebrow at that self declaration and sighed lowering her head with a shrug. She knew she would have to rain in Kerrigan's new arrogant tendencies but now she knew that their were going to be major trouble if she doesn't act with care.

"I know of you well O Queen of the Zerg for we have meet before on Antiga prime, if not in person. I am Executor Tassadar of the Templar. I remember your selfless explote's defending your fellow Terran from the Zerg. Unfortunate it is to see that one who was so honorable and full of life would succumb to the twisted wiles of the Overmind."

Upon hearing the words succumb Kerrigans emotions flared clenching her clawed hands and biting her own lip. "Do not presume to judge me Templar! You should know the folly of being in enemy territory. You'll find my powers are more than a match for yours. In fact I sense that your vanted power has diminished since last we met."

"May, haps O queen. Or is it only that I need not flaunt my power in such an infantile test of will?"

Kerrigan bit her own lips so hard she drew blood. "You'll pay for that slight Templar! I hope your defenses are ready because i'm going to tear them down and then tear out whatever organs you Protoss have and let you bleed to death on the ground while my Zerglings naw on your severed limbs!"

The two new infested ghosts just stood there observing the others who were listening in on Kerrigans conversation. Aegis leaned closer to Kerrigan.

"From your senses I was able to narrow down their position to the far northeast of this continent. There are few Zerg hive clusters there as it lacks substantial resources. I suggest the use of Overlords to transport creep biomass."

Kerrigan turned around walking passed the Cerebrate. "Aegis I'm taking half your brood."

The Cerebrate only nodded as Nova reached out taking a firm hold of Kerrigans shoulder. "Kerrigan it's obvious to me that Tassadar is just baiting you. Perhaps as a distraction?"

Kerrigan while angry and not in the best mood to think straight was still reluctant to disregard Nova's console and opinion but was still fiercely devoted to proving herself stronger then Tassadar. Jerking Nova's hand off her shoulder Kerrigan continued walking away. "I'll deal with Tassadar even if its a trap of some, kind. You deal with the new recruits and any kind of sneak attack that the Protoss may have planed while I'm away."

Shrugging Nova leet out a sigh before turning back to the infested ghosts. Realising she didn't even know their names she walked over to them.

"Im Nova thats (points a thumb at the cerebrate) Aegis. He's a high ranking Zerg called a Cerebrate. So...? how do the two of you feel?"

The two infested ghosts blinked a moment glancing at each other before the man spoke. "Im Danial and this is my twin sister Lala."

Nova realizes that they do look very similar if not identical even infested. "Huh! Really twins now. So. what can you do?"

Lala raised her hand sparking a wispy flame in her palme. Nova raised a eyebrow with a grin. "Pyrokinesis, nice. And you?"

Danial did the same as his sister producing a flame in hand.

Nova bobbed her head back and forth slightly in realization. "Ah, Twins... right."

Kerrigan sent out a call to thousands of Zerg. Drones, Overlords, Zerglings, Hydralisk, (some with the new Spore symbiote upgrade). All of them moving as one across the land preparing for a long trip. Overlords were loaded up and Drones and were bloated with extra biomass, while all Zerglings and Hydralisk seemed ready to fight as they growled and shrieking eagerly.

Stepped closer to a Overlord Kerrigan leaping atop it sitting cross legged hands on her knees as she kept the gathering forces organized while they prepared. Meanwhile Nova made her own preparations. Still on the hill with Aegis and the twins, while Abathur had wandered off somewhere, She manipulated the Creep using her connection to it forming a rough map. The twins figuring this was a strategy meeting and just watched with Aegis as a simple map of the continent was formed from Novas connection to the swarm and Zerg in orbit.

Tilting her head to one side then the other side Nova gave a node of approval at the map but it was still incomplete. Through the hive mind Nova again formed a rough estimation of the locations of all major Zerg hive clusters on Char. The only cerebrates on Char at the moment were Daggoth, Zasz and Aegis, along with the Overmind itself and of course Kerrigan Nova and Danial and Lala. Marking all their locations on the map Nova studied it again before adding a large ring around the area the Protoss were supposed to be in. Everyone leaned in studying the map but no one knew what they were really looking for.

Nova glanced over to Kerrigans fleet of Overlords and Mutalisk taking off and heading out. Then back to the map in thought. Then Lala spoke. Still not too used to being a Zerg but loyal enough she looked at Nova seeing her as a allie.

"What are we looking for?"

Nova glanced at her then back to the map. "I'm trying to figure out why the Protoss would want to bait Kerrigan into a trap or distract her. She's a powerful psiker and fighter and the Overminds important project. They may want to kill her to weaken the swarm and deny the Overmind his desires and plains but I didn't pick up any impressions like that from Tassadar?"

Danial look the map over in quite thought. "If they don't want to lure Kerrigan into a trap to kill her then they would want to distract her. Perhaps when Kerrigan sensed them they panicked and made a quick on the spot plan to keep her distracted until they could do want they are planning?"

Nova placed her index and thumb to her chin thinking. "If Tassadar's distracting her that means their real target could be somewhere else. Maybe they have developed a way to kill Cerebrates permanently and are on Char to test it!"

Aegis growled anger evident in his thoughts as he got a thought. "They could be here to slay the Overmind! If they were to test such a weapon, would they not use it on a cerebrate on a less defended world first."

Nova more so then the newly converted twins got a intense sense of foreboding and anger at the thought and her anger surged at the Protoss for even thinking of doing such. In the middle of this emotional flare up Nova again got a odd sensation as she realised that she and the Overmind were not related nor have they had a relationship for all that long. But still her Zerg half burned at the idea of any harm coming to the Overmind. Shaking it off Nova refocused. It could be any of the above suggestions.

"The Overmind and any Cerebrates could be their target." said Nova.

"Perhaps we could split up." Danial suggested. "If Kerrigan could detect the Protoss then maybe we could as well. If they move any of their forces cloaked or not to the location of the Overmind, Daggoth or Zasz than one of us infested Terrans could detect them or at least raise the alarm if they attack."

Lala turned her head quizzically asking. "If they can somehow jam the Zerg hive mind then how are any of us going to get a alarm out?"

Nova and the twins shared a moment of quite thought as they wondered how to do such a thing. Then Aegis got a idea.

"Place Behemoths in high altitude on observation watch of all Cerebrate and the Overmind. They should be out of range of any jamming unless it encompasses the whole planet."

Nova and the twins thought it through adding a formation of Mutalisk and some Scourges to the plans. Once any of the Cerebrates are attacked this force will be ordered to bombard the area surrounding the Cerebrate or Overmind killing any none Zerg hostiles before returning to high altitude.

"Even if the Zerg connection to the hive mind is disrupted they'll still fulfill their last orders at least. "Nova said. "But if their completely severed from the hive mind and to any cerebrate they may go berserk. The only ones not effected by this would maybe be us infested Terrans the Cerebrates and the Overmind itself."

Danial spoke up. "Just in case we should take precautions to stop major losses. We should expect to take losses but limit them to the bare minimal."

Nova turned to him. "Your right. Limiting the major loses would be best. It goes without saying that the Overmind takes top priority to protect. But out of the cerebrates who are on Char which would be the lowest priority?"

Nova tilted her head up at Aegis. "Aegis is the newest cerebrate..." Aegis trilled with annoyance at the truth. "But after him I would have to say Zasz is the lowest on the totem pole."

"That would make sense." stated Danial. "Which means Zasz would be the one the Protoss would target to strike a blow to the swarm or just to test their new weapon."

Nova raised her head to Danial at the mention of a new weapon thinking back to the psi-disrupter on Tarsonis. The Protoss could have taken that tech and reversed engineered it to sever a Cerebrate from the hive mind and by extension the Overmind allowing them to be killed permanently.

The Overmind who had been watching silently until now voiced his opinion. "So long as the connection to me is restored shortly after their death any cerebrate will be restored to full life once again."

Nova looked off into the distance where the Overminds distant massive form lay partly obscured by the hazzey atmosphere and terrain. "If that's the case then even if they slay a cerebrate using this method it will be but a short lived victory."

"True." Overmind replied. "Nova, while you lack the experience of Kerrigan you will one day match her. But unlike her you bare a cautious mind and a thoughtful inquisitive nature. The two of you are a good match. Where one fails the other may succeed."

"I will do my best Overmind." Nova replied proudly.

Meanwhile Kerrigan and her forces neared the location of Tassadar and his forces. Looking through the many eyes of her air fleet She observed the local terrain spotting a large clearing. With a simple intention the fleet of Overlords set down in the clearing unloading their living cargo. Combat breeds secured the perimeter while Drones started morphing into hatcheries and other Overlords deposited creep from their ventral sacs covering the local landscape. A short time later the first hatcheries were fully morphed and underway when a scouting pack of Zerglings spotted a squad of Protoss Zealots. Wanting to see how a dozen Zerglings fared against half as many Templar Kerrigan gave the order for them to attack.

As quickly as the Zerglings charged their prey the Templar formed ranks having sensed the Zerg hostility from a distance. With great curiosity Kerrigan watched as the Zerglings leaped at the Templar only to be quickly gutted and cut down by psionic blades flashing and arching through the air. In mere moments all the Zerglings lay dead while not one Templar was even so much as scratched.

"Hmp. Impressive. Lets see how they deal with me then."

The Overlord Kerrigan road upon flew over to the Templar while Kerrigan analyzed their strengths and weaknesses when Zasz contacted her.

"Kerrigan. I sense something strange about this Templar Tassadar. Perhaps you should reconsider your attack..."

Kerrigan growled, annoyed that Zasz was interfering in her business yet again. "For the last time Zasz you question my motives and authority at your own peril."

"You dare threaten a cerebrate? You will be the doom of us all!"

Continuing on her path and ignoring the cerebrates inane whining She entered the area the templar scouts had been spotted at. Kerrigan stood up extending her sense's and perceptions, easily detecting the templar were below to her south east. The Overlord turned in the wind running the Templar down as they sprinted through a valley path. Realizing that they were being tailed the Templar Zealots stopped, turning to their hostile treat the lead Zealot formed a psi-spear sending it flying through the air. Sensing the danger Kerrigan leaped off her mount as the psionic attack hit it. Falling Kerrigan extended her skeletal wings catching as much air as she could as a shower of gore and speakals of blood shower her from above.

Landing with a thump She didn't turn to see the remains of the Overlord splat against the ground behind her. Kerrigan and the Templar eyed each other from a mile distance. She raised a clawed hand building up her power. The templar not wanting to let their enemy attack at range charged with their full power clearing the mile plus gap in mere seconds. The lead Templar thrust his psi-blade at Kerrigans chest, she dodged away. Two other Zealots dashed in behind her slashing full force only for their attacks to be blocked by Kerrigans bladed wings now glowing slightly with purple streaks from her psionic energy. Kerrigan smirked at the cunning templars good effort but she was not going to let herself be open to such pathetic back stabs. The instant the Zealots psi-blades struck her own Kerrigan leaped back giving herself more reach and impaling both Zealots with her wing blades.

Spinning around she threw the wounded Zealot's at the first watching them crash into a hep while the remaining three Zealots charged her from the side. Having charged up she grinned as she shot her hand at the three coming at her from the front and both sides. The simultaneous delta attack was a good plan but Kerrigan was again ahead of her opponents and just leaped into the air. Nearly crashing into one another the three Templar stopped looking up as Kerrigan reached the apex of he jump and pointed her arm at them unleashing a psionic-storm. The area was hit with a pressure wave of concentrated psionic energy coalescing into a raging storm of lightning striking and sparking off of anything in range.

The attack drained the templar of all their shields and did significant damage to their ornate armor now partly charred black in places. Kerrigan landed behind one of the Zealots as she stood back up only to get a clawed hand speared through her torso.

"I expected more." Kerrigan said with a grin as she ripped a vital organ out.

Ragging at the death of their squad mate the remaining five Zealots charged Kerrigan but she deftly blocked their lightning quick strikes. For a few minutes they danced around Kerrigan, trying to get through her defenses but her perception psi-charged carapace and psionic might blocking or repulsed their attacks with nearly nothing but a few scraps on the Zerg queens carapace for their efforts.

"I'm getting board." If she played around with these Templar they may catch her off guard but Kerrigan had bigger fish to fry.

Four of the remaining five Zealots surrounded Kerrigan charging all at once. But a mighty roar and telekinetic shock wave from the self proclaimed Queen of the zerg sent all of them flying back. The last Templar taking the opening through a psi-spear dead center at his target his aim true and deadly but again it was not to be. Twisting out of the way Kerrigan evaded the rod of pure psionic energy just enough to have it tear a scar across her mid-section. Looking between the Templar and her new scar Kerrigan bore a wicked grin as the psi-spear exploded behind her.

"You die."

It was Kerrigans time to attack. The other templar stood back up as the queen of the Zerg charged at their squad mate. Psi charged bio-blades clashed with psi-blades in a increasingly fast flurry of attacks. But Kerrigan had six blades to the Templars two, and it was over by the sixth strike. Kerrigan thrust one bladed wing forwards and the Zealot parried it. But taking the kinetic force of the Templars own counter blow Kerrigan spun like a top slashing with all of her blades shredding the Zealot into pieces.

The remaining Zealots seeing their numbers drop once again and once again losing a comrade were enraged but while feeling the loss of another fellow Templar through the Khala they remaining disciplined and started full charge. But Kerrigan was done with them, raising a single arm at the charging Zealots she cast two back to back psi-storms. The surging energies quickly drained their shields frying the vulnerable flesh beneath. By the time more Zerg arrived the Protoss lay baking in their own armor now charred a dark yellow. Kerrigan walked over to the steaming corpses observing their armor and mentally sighing at how its more ornate then practical. It doesn't even fully cover their bodies for a vacuum seal. Then again Protoss are biologically and psionically superior to most other life forms besides the Zerg so maybe they view the need for full body armor as unnecessary.

Turning around Kerrigan walked back to one of the less damaged bodies taking off the gauntlets that produce the psi-blades. They were too large for her but the purpose and design could perhaps be replicated by a symbiote much like the spore symbiote. The only problem Kerrigan saw was the special psi reactive crystals embedded in the gauntlets that seemed to be the primary components of the device. With a satisfied huff Kerrigan tucked both gauntlets under her arms and called another Overlord to pick her up. Minutes later she was sky bound on her way back to her growing hive cluster. She was slightly perturbed at the fact Tassadar didn't take the opportunity to attack her weak base when it was still growing. But not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth she redirected her mental energies elsewhere. The first hatcheries spawned from its cocoon and started producing creep and larva. Kerrigan had he main forces out scouting but the mountains terrain made even the Zerglings movements slower. And when a Overlord or Mutalisk spotted a Templar they would always retaliate with those long ranged psi-spear's that were oh so deadly to air units. Kerrigan swor that those psi-spears had a homing ability of some kind because of their ability to hit Mutalisk even across a distance of miles.

Despite a dozen encounters between the two alien forces Kerrigan had yet to find the main Protoss base. Standing atop a hatchery arms crossed, Kerrigan tapped at her carapace covered arm in thought as she wondered where that enemy base was. Then Nova connected to her through the hive mind.

"Kerrigan i'm concerned that the Protoss are just distracting you. I think they have a new weapon based on the psi-disrupter the Confederacy developed on Tarsonis."

Kerrigan raised a armored eyebrow at this. "You think that they have a second force somewhere else." Kerrigan mused. "They do possess advanced cloaking systems. And with the psi-disruptor tech they could have developed a means to hid from my sight. But then why let me detect them in the first place?"

Nova was taken aback at this realization but had her own theory. "Maybe... only a few of them have the new cloak's?"

"Perhaps?"

A group of Mutalisks flying over a small magma lake began taking fire from a small forward Protoss base catching Kerrigans attention. Smiling that she finally had found the enemies base or at least a small forward base she ordered for a few spires to be morphed in preparation for spawning Guardian's the bombers of the Zerg swarm.

A hour later Kerrigan stood atop a small plateau like hill in visual range of the small forward templar base. Kerrigan grinned as the templar had thought things through and placed their base on a small solid ground in the middle of a magma pool making a land attack difficult and next to suicidal. Even if a land attack was ordered the ring of defensive structures at the base edges would eliminate any ground forces before they could even get close to the magma pool let alone find a way across. But Kerrigan wasn't going to attack by ground assault anyway. Watching the base through the eyes of her retreating forces, She wondered what a few of the buildings were for. She knew weapons when she saw them so the buildings that looked like cannons were her only concern for her first assault. But besides the defensive weapons she knew the mechanical four legged units were combat mechs of some kind.

"Oh well this attack is partial recon anyway. I'll learn what to avoid when my forces attack." Kerrigan stated talking to herself.

Glancing over her shoulder Kerrigan smirked at the distant sight of wide crab like creatures floating towards her. They ascended to a higher altitude flying over her towards Protoss base. The Guardians growled opening fire and casting volleys of heavy spores at the protoss forward base. The defensive structures and the multi'legged mechs opened fire intercepting the spores. The explosive globs detonated showering the landscape below with burning acid creating thousands of small pot holes burning and bubbling with a green vapor. The protoss defense's were to strong and not one of the Guardians attacks landed on their targets. A little frustrated at this Kerrigan growled before calling her resurve of Mutalisk to help in the attack. Then without warning a beam shot out of the protoss base blasting a Guardian out of the air. The fragments of its corpse fell to the ground below while the other Guardians hung a hard right circling around for another attack run.

Taking a keen interest in the origin of that attack Kerrigan called one of her upgraded Overlords up and using its longer ranged detection spied a large golden mechanical worm with a cannon on its back. It looked like a mobile version of the other stationary cannon. Kerrigan prioritized the unit and searched the Zerg hive mind for information on it while several formations of Mutalisk descended and attacked. Zerg air forces and Protoss ground forces exchanged fire as Kerrigan watched intently. She preferred to learn from first hand experience but instead of just having the date downloaded into her mind from other Zerg as it didn't feel as real to her. But losing because she was ignorant of the enemies abilities was another matter.

As her forces assaulted the Protoss base from three different directions dividing their fire Kerrigan realised more about the Protoss units and buildings realizing that the large worm things were Reavers and that they had a powerful but slow firing beam attack able to devastated both air and ground units in addition to having a swarm of highly maneuverable bomb like bots. While she re strategize's Kerrigan lost another two Guardians to the Reavers in the protoss base. She ordered more of her Mutalisk guarding her hive cluster to morph into replacements as the assault continued. Between the defensive weapons she know knew were Photon cannons, the Dragoons and the three Reavers, her air forces were all but annihilated in short order.

But again this was a recon mission. Satisfied with the intel she got Kerrigan reorganized her forces this time using a proper formation. Now with six Guardians, twenty Mutalisk and ground force of over a hundred Zerglings upgraded with Spore symbiotes Kerrigan attacked in force. The Zerglings were the first to attack as they ran across the cracked rock and blackened earth stopping as they neared the magma pool surrounding the Protoss base. They shot volley after of volley of spores across the magma pool. They arched in a mortar like trajectory before bombarding the Reavers and Dragoons splashing against their plasma shields like rain on a windshield. The Protoss Dragoons and Reavers counter attacked with barrages and beams of white hot energy projectiles and the Reavers now dealing with enemy ground forces had a second method of attack. They deployed small swarms of machines Kerrigan now knew were Scarabs. These Scarabs flew across the magma pool with ease attaching themselves to the Zerglings before detonated like small bombs. Zerglings died quickly but still they did their job in distracting the Dragoons and Reavers. Looking through the eyes of her Mutalisk and Guardians Kerrigan watched as they weaved in between several short mountains before coming upon the Protoss base and beginning their bombardment from the rear flank. The Photon cannons rotated and began firing at the new air born attackers saturating the sky with thousands of white projectiles as they took heavy fire from the Guardians. The concentrated heavy barrages took their toll on the Photon cannons shields and before the Zerg arial forces flew over the base one Photon cannon lost its shields.

Seeing the opening and becoming increasingly used to commanding other Zerg Kerrigan took direct control of half the Mutalisk formation. Ten Mutalisk flipped upside down before righting them self's and firing on the exposed Photon cannon. Four more Mutas died to the cannons rapid firing but before did they launched their attacks destroying the Photon cannon. The opening in the defenses only shifted the Protoss defensive strategy as the barrales of the Photon cannons shifted their structure. Seeing this from her Overlords Kerrigan watched intently to glen more data. But was surprised when intense beams shot out from the cannons killing two Guardians and a dozen Mutalisk. Seeing that her attack was going poorly Kerrigan recalled her forces seeing no need in losing units needlessly. Another Guardian and six Mutas died before they were out of range, But as the Zerglings forces (now reduced to less than half their original number) retreated the Dragoons and Reavers did something more unexpected.

Kerrigan was again surprised as she observed the Dragoons floated off the ground a bit before tucking their legs underneath their main bodies followed by the Reavers. Their movements swift the Protoss heavy armor hovered over the magma pools quickly catching up to the Zerglings. Catching herself from panicking Kerrigan had half the Zerglings stop and turn around to meet the attack while the rest continued in their retreat. The distracting battle was over in less than a minute with the land covered in scattered corpses. The Dragoons and Reavers returned to their base taking their former positions and much to Kerrigans annoyance the destroyed Photon cannon was rapidly replaced with another that emerged from a whirling vortex of energy produced from a unit she knew was called a Probe.

Know knowing what she was up against Kerrigan altered her planes. Over the course of the next few hours she spawned many more units including Hydralisk that were again equipped with Spore symbiotes along with Mutalisk and Guardians. Now resting a top her newly morphed Lair Kerrigan gathered her forces to now annihilate the enemy forward base. Ten Guardians, Forty Mutalisk along with Two hundred Hydralisk and three hundred Zerglings equipped with spore symbiotes now marched out. Still Kerrigan had a bad feeling something she had not gotten in a long while. Perhaps it was because she was opening up and being more cautious because of Nova and her influence or maybe Kerrigan was finally considering all the possibilities including sneak attacks. Whichever the case She felt that things were off and decided to expand her hive cluster to a area to the north also on a plateau where some mineral deposits were.

The expansion force included a dozen Overlords and many more Drones but no escort forces as her reserves were needed to protect the main hive cluster. Shortly after Kerrigans force's began their attack. The swift Mutalisk went in first spread out in waves strafing the Photon cannons and killing any Probes in the base. The defused Mutalisk formations made it harder for the Protoss forces and defenses to shoot them down but still losses were taken but not nearly as many as before. The third wave consisted of the Guardians with some escort Mutalisk while the Hydralisks and Zerglings attacked simultaneously with them but they ignored the Photon cannons this time and the collective third wave all attacked the Reavers and Dragoons. A heavy rain of projectiles bombarded their shields quickly overwhelming them. In minutes the Reavers and Dragoons started exploding much to Kerrigans glee.

But as if the rain on her parade a Zergling on patrol near her hive cluster shrieked to her through the hive mind. Refocusing on the Zergling Kerrigans glee turned to horror as a force of ten Dragoons and twenty Zealots and a high templar stood amassed atop a plateau just a mile to the south west of her main hive cluster.

"Damn it!" shouted Kerrigan turning towards the enemy attack force.

As the words left her mouth Ten beams connected the Dragoons to Kerrigans hive cluster. The attack heavily damaged several Hatcheries, the greater spire, destroyed six spawning pools, and killed four Drones. Now backed into a corner Kerrigan needed her air forces back even if they were actually damaging the enemy base. Angered by the surprise attack Kerrigan recalled all her air and ground forces while sending out the small reserves she kept at her main Hive cluster. The Dragoons charged and fired again destroying a few Hydralisks dens and killing several Mutalisk along with killing more of her Drones. Not wanting to risk getting hit by the Dragoons Kerrigan moved herself to the opposite side of her Lair from the attacking Templar forces. The few Mutalisk she had bombarded the Protoss harassment position. Kerrigan expected them to last at least a few minutes but a barrage of psi-spears took them all out in mere seconds.

Using a Overlord to identify the Protoss responsible Kerrigan's anger found a target as a High templar floated over the other Protoss forces with psionic energy sparking off his hovering form. Looking to the south east the queen of the zerg smiled in malicious intent as her air forces had returned. Intending to send them to directly annihilate the attacking Protoss Kerrigan stopped herself instead taking a more tactical route. Splitting her Air forces in two she attacked from two different directions. The dragoons seeing the incoming treats switched to rapid fire mode quickly saturating the sky with countless bursts of white death. Mutalisk flapped their wings evading the anti-air fire as best they could while the bulker Guardians could only rely on their thicker armor for defense as they returned fire bombing the Protoss position. Dragoon shields flared and rippled but held for the moment. Then the second half of Kerrigans air force arrived and hit the Templar from behind. Taken off guard the Templar Zealots scattered as a wave of bio-projectiles smashed against the Shields of the Dragoons breaking them and with their shields down they exploded in quick succession.

Angered by this the High templar quickly turned his attention to the second arial fleet quickly approaching while using his own plasma shield to deflect some of the acid that was flying around. The High templar raised both his hands calling forth his most destructive ability. Then in a calamitous thunderclap a spiraling storm of psionic energy several miles across formed around the second Zerg air force. Flesh twisted and burned, bones broke and were charred, nerves and brain cells vaporised as the psionic storm ripped the Zerg apart. Eighty percent of the Zerg reinforcements died in mere seconds as the survivors that were lucky to be just out of the attacks range retreated. But Kerrigan grinned. She smiled falling from the sky in a controlled dive right towards the High templar her bladed wings held out as if to catch the air. The high templar sensing a approaching threat turned to see a lone figure descending towards him at high speed. He pulled back his arm to form a Psi-spear but Kerrigan was faster. She pushed a open hand at the High templar firing a focused telekinetic blast that smashed in the ground around him. Armor cracked and flesh tore as he took the full brunt of the attack. Kerrigan landed softly wrapped in a bubble of her own telekinesis and watched as ten Zealots surrounded the high templar.

"Come at me templar filth!" Kerrigan taunted charging her body with energy.

Four of the Zealots charged at her splitting into two flanking groups but Kerrigan was not having any of that. Bending her knees she turned into a blur as she dashed at the two Zealots to her right slashing with her clawed hands. Psi- charged claws deflected psi-blades in a whirl of attacks. The other Zealot jumped in for a over head strike. Kerrigan didn't even look at him as she flicked her wing blades up and jumped with a spin. Sensing this coming the still air born Zealot defended but still got a side pierced and a gash across his arm. The Zealot landed in a bleeding heep as Kerrigans rotation stopped from the impact and she shot the first Zealot with a barrage of telekinetic blasts. His shield took the first hit but was weekend, the second blast drained his shield more and the third shot broke the plasma shield completely. Kerrigan landed bending her legs, digging her wings into the ground just as the other two Zealots readied to strike her in the back. But just as their blades arched towards her Kerrigan accelerated in a burst of speed disappearing for a mere half second before repairing behind the shieldless Zealot.

[Kerrigan learned Psi-Dash]

Kerrigan stood up from her striking position as the shieldless and now headless zealot fell dead. The wounded Zealot got back up determined to continue the fight. Zerg Mutalisks and Guardians circled overhead as the Zealots charged at Kerrigan. She dodged a flurry of lightning quick strikes parrying and deflecting those that would have been more damaging or fatal but was pushed back bit by bit. One Zealot used its own psi-charge to instantly flank Kerrigan but as his blade went for her neck the Queen of the Zergs wings flexed in the way deflecting the strike at the last nano-second. Recoiling the Zealot and two others striked at the same time. Kerrigan ducked bringing up her psi-charged arms and wings to block the three pronged attack but this move was a double edged sword. Charging her legs again with energy Kerrigan dashed forwards bashing a Zealot away twenty feet while bear hugging him. She closed her vice like grip until his armor and spine broke followed by spearing his skull with her bladed wings. The Zealot went limp while the other two turned to face Kerrigan.

The High templar recovered standing back up. "Abomination die."

While the High templar gave his insulting threat one of the surviving Guardians under Kerrigans command turned around firing four heavy spores. The High templar realized at the last second.

"Full defense," he shouted bolstering his shield along with his other six Zealots.

The heavy spores detonated around the seven templar as they directed extra power to their shields. Two templar were hit directly by the Heavy spores and just ceased to be while the other five stood firm but their shields were nearly depleted and one more good hit would shatter them. And that last hit came from Mutalisk. In one last barrage the five templars shields failed killing another three of them leaving the High templar and one Zealot.

Kerrigan roared charging the other two remaining Zealots. Taken a little off guard after seeing their comrades killed in such a way the other two quickly recovered finally getting a solid hit in as one Zealot kicked Kerrigan away and formed a psi-spear. He threw it with all his might as Kerrigan recovered from the blunt impact. The other Zealot flanked her again as the psi-spear flew at her. In this moment the High templar and Zealot were also charging at her. Seeing the threats all around her Kerrigan dug her clawed feet into the ground ducking in a low crouch, letting the psi-spear fly over her by a few mere inches obliterating a boulder. Kerrigan rose up just as the other Zealot attacked her. They exchanged a furious barrage of strikes and parries before the other two Zealots and the High templar joined in.

Kerrigan was pushed back as the three Zealots stayed in front and just kept the pressure on her while the High templar charged up another Psi-storm to finish her off and was about to unleash it when the ground at his feet cracked and buckled. The High templar only glanced down at the last second as a Zergling jumped out of the ground burying its fangs at his face. The High templar reared back at the last second slashing with his psi-blades bisecting the Zergling but it was just the first as five more erupted from all around him burying their blades into his back and sides and fangs into his arms and legs. The Zealots glanced back in surprise and horror as the High templar was ripped apart by a pack of Zerglings. In a burst of power Kerrigan drew their attention again as her eyes glowed with intense light. In the next moment a intense telekinetic shock wave blasted the Zealots back where a dozen Hydralisks loomed over them. Kerrigan gave a sigh of relief that her ground forces had finally arrived. Looking across the way Zealots and Dragoons fought off hordas of Zerglings and Hydralisks while mutalisk and Guardians harassed the Protoss tanks and remaining Zealots from above.

Kerrigan walked across the field of corpses of both hers and her enemies.

By the end of the battle to defend her main hive cluster Kerrigan had suffered sixty nine percent losses to her air force and 20 percent losses to her ground forces. With a frustrated look on her face Kerrigan admitted to her self that she had lost even more time and forces to stop this attack. She stood there a moment strategizing. Raising her head she ordered a fleet of Overlords from Aegis first hive cluster to fill up on biomass and Creep and bring it to her via shortcut through space. Being able to travel much faster out of the planets atmosphere then in, the Overlords cut the travel time by seventy percent and just a half hour after she gave the order, over two hundred Overlords floated over the Plateau the Protoss used as ambush sight. The Drones from her own hive cluster had already planted themselves down on the plateau and with the extra biomass the new hive cluster would be up and running in mere hours. But a foreboding feeling made Kerrigan accelerate her planes.

This time she would join the next attack on the forward base herself. Raising a clawed hand she called a Guardian to land next to the plateaus cliff edge. Leaping on its back she ordered the two hundred Overlords into a single line in the sky, they flew forwards splitting up until five miles divided each of them but their altitud maxed out at three miles up. The scouting force swept over the lands south east wards in the general direction of the known Protoss base. Kerrigans Guardian joined into formation with a hundred Mutalisk and twenty others of its kind. And on the ground two hundred Zerglings all with spore symbiotes trampled across the cracked ash covered earth.

The Protoss forward base was in sight now and this time she attacked in force and in better formations. But even so the Protoss had bolstered their defenses with another two Photon cannons. Kerrigan could feel the Dragoons and Photon cannons swivel at her forces and charge up.

"Attack."

The order given the horde of Zerglings charged the base firing as soon as they were in range. Arching rain of Spores fell upon the Dragoons and Reavers with twenty Zerglings targeting each of them. Not to be defeated so easily the Dragoons and Reavers focused their fire felling dozens of Zerglings every ten seconds.

The Guardians broke off from the Mutalisk joining the Zerglings in their attack while the Mutalisk swarmed on the Photon cannons. Bolts of energy, beams and countless acid filled projectiles were exchanged by both sides. Dragoons were blasted to wrecks by the Guardians powerful attacks and the Zerglings unending barrage, while the Photon cannons were distracted by the Swarms of Mutalisk circling around the base. After a few minutes the last Dragoon fell from the focused attacks. The Zerglings and Guardians refocused on the Reavers who soon destroyed as we'll. Kerrigan watched as the last Reaver exploded and knew it was her own moment to attack. Leaping off her Guardian she free fell towards the base. Her eyes focused on the floating Khaydarin crystals called Pylons. As the wind wiped at her face Kerrigan gathered power firing a focused blast of telekinetic force. The nearest Pylon cracked as the invisible blast of force smashed into it. Landing softly amid the ruins of the Dragoons and Reavers Kerrigan raised both arms lifting the burned out metal wrecks around her into the air. Motioning her arms forward the ruined bodies of the Dragoons and Reavers accelerated through the air smashing into the Pylon shattering it.

The energy output from the Photon cannons dropped a bit as their power source was reduced. Kerrigan repeated her attacks until all three of the Pylons were on the ground broken and ruined. But still the Photon cannons remained powered but at a minimal level by their internal power source. It was then Kerrigan sent the Guardians in to finish them. Dozens of Heavy spores shot through the air as the cannons continued attacking the swarm of Mutalisk over them. Their shields were down by half by now and as one spore hit one after the other thay quickly failed. Kerrigan watched stoically as the last of the buildings exploded.

Even with the destruction of the base Kerrigan was still unsatisfied as her primary target was still left. Moments later she got a ping from the Overlord fleet she had scouting over the region. Further south of her position was a much larger Protoss base three times the size of the forward base. Bolts of Photon cannon fire rained upwards like a reverse rain storm killing or injuring many of the Overlords. Having seen enough Kerrigan recalled the Overlords and gave the order for her three hive clusters in the region to start producing as many units as possible and now was the time to use it. Returning to her hive cluster Kerrigan watched as new larva morphed into cocoons. The cocoons soon quickly hatched into pairs of Zerglings that all received spore cannons on their backs. Looking up a cloud of Guardians and Mutalisk circled high above and every so often a new one would hatch from it's cocoon and join the rest. Having a new idea Kerrigan mass produced spore symbiotes and attached them not only to the Zerglings but to the Mutalisk and Guardians as well bolstering their weapons and giving them a alternative means of attack. But with Mutalisk and Guardians being much larger more spore symbiotes could be attached onto each of them. Each Mutalisk had four and Guardian's eight.

Kerrigan stood atop her Lair surveying her forces. All of them were given upgrades to their melee attacks and armor from the evolution chamber and Lair and with the spore symbiotes bolstering their fire power Kerrigan was confident that her forces were strong enough to destroy Tassadars base. The Queen of the Zerg called a Guardian to her. The massive building sized living bomber heard the call and slowly floated to Kerrigan hovering over the ground in front of her. It rose upwards high into the air followed by others of its kind and soon all of the arial Zerg gathered into a massive multi layered flying wing formation. Taking her seat on the back of the Guardian Kerrigan ordered the Overlords to land filling up on the Zerglings. Once full they followed behind the rest of the attack force but just to make be cautious Kerrigan left a group of them behind to maintain control. The trip across the battlefield was short on the backs of flyers and the final Protoss presence lay before Kerrigan.

The Zealots guarding the base watched the sky's and landscape with all possible diligence. Word of the destruction of the forward base had spread and the entire base was on high alert. Another Zealot approached the first each keeping their eyes focused for any Zerg movement. Then a slight tingle at the back of their necks brought the two Templar's attention to a particular part of the sky. The clouds drifted north wards gathering as they shifted forms and rows higher or descended lower. Then amongst the white and gray clouds a black cloud approached. The two Templar Zealots tensed their muscles as they saw it. They watched as it creeped closer and closer and then a nearby Photon Cannon and Reaver confirmed their suspicions.

"Zerg bioforms detected entering standby combat mode!"

The two Templar ignited their psi-blades and were joined by many other brother and sister templar. A line forming along the plateaus edge. The cloud of Zerg drew closer before splitting into three parts. Each higher than the last. A minute passed and the differing types of Zerg became visible. Guardians and five unit groups of Mutalisk made up the front and lowest layer. Behind and above them were more Guardians and Mutalisk but the Guardians were in front with Mutalisk in three lines behind them. And the highest and rear most group was entirely consisted of Overlords. By their experience alone the templar knew the formations purpose was to protect the Overlords know doubt full of Zerg to be landed right on the base itself after the rest of the Zergs forces blitz's the base in a strafing run. Dragoons and Reavers spread out while Zealots gathered onto groups. The Zerg were nearly upon them and then the first shot was struck. At first they were small. Then came closer becoming larger and larger as they accelerated. A hail storm of Zerg projectiles rained down on the Protoss base. Scourges, heavy and light spores impacted the whole base all at once splashing on the shields of every structure. Then their trajectories shifted concentrating onto the Reavers and Photon cannons. Shields flared and rippled as they took the barrage and acid splattered everywhere injuring a few Zealots. But the shields held bolstered by the Pylons boosting the energy put.

Reavers and Photon cannons charged up and fired sending a dozen beams across the sky. Zerg fell burned and vaporised by the shafts of pure energy. The Zergs formation changed and shifted as the Overlords landed quickly off loading their cargo as the other Zerg pressed the attack and split into four groups. Two continuing straight to the Protoss base and the other two circled around to the flanks before continuing their attack. Now besieged from three directions the Protoss fired everything they had. Even Zealots and another High templar fired their Psi-spears into the sky felling beast after beast as it was very nearly covered by them. The Battle dragged on for ten minutes before the first crack of their defense's happened. A Reavers shields failed leaving it exposed. Then with fury and without mercy and as if smelling the blood the Guardians focused fire on the lone Reaver. It erupted into a blossom of greens and reds as the explosion consumed it whole. Then one after the other more Reavers fell along with Dragoons and Zealots. The casualties climbed as the battle dragged on.

Beams and rapid fire bolts of Photon cannon and Dragoon fire scattered across the sky but even as they fell one Zerg after the other it seemed as though they always had more but their numbers did in fact drop. The High templar raised his fist to the sky casting psi-storm. As the energy gathered and burst to life a storm of psionic power the swarm parted. Much to the dismay of the High templar only a few Guardians were killed with a dozen Mutalisks. But the Templars own psionic attack seemed to be a trigger for some thing as the ground all over the base and especially around the Pylons vibrated. Realizing what the Queen of the Zergs true strategy was the High Templar ordered the Pylons to be protected. No sooner was the order given that a horde of Zerglings erupted from underground. A dozen surrounding every Pylon. Zealots charged slashing and slaying as the Zerglings fired their spore cannons at the Pylons. The Pylons shields held and before long every Zergling lay dead. But then the trap was sprung. Without warning the Areas surrounding all the Pylons were suddenly the primary target of all the remaining Guardians and Mutalisk as they fired everything they had onto the Zealots that had just been protecting the Pylons moments before.

Almost all at once the entirety of the Zealots died. The High templar looked around calling out but to no avail. He was alone as the last infantry left. The Remaining Reavers, Dragoons and Photon cannons continued to fire as fast as they could but the Zerg flyers maneuvered in layered formations the Guardians using their armor to take the weaker attacks while the Mutalisk drew the Heavier attacks that could kill Guardians making the Protos waste their shots and time. Which was unfortunately up. The High templar seeing how the wind was blowing readied another psi-storm but just as he was going to cast it into the largest concentration of Zerg forces he sensed a attack directed his way. He jumped back as the ground where he stood but a few moments ago was cratered leaving a distinctive crater in the ground. Looking around he focused his attention on the one who attacked him. There atop a destroyed Reaver stood the Queen of the Zerg.

Kerrigan extended her wings bending her legs. In one motion she launched her self at the High templar baring her claws. The High templar hovered out of way just enough to only get a gash across his chest armor. He countered with a psi-blast of his own. Kerrigan back flipped letting the psionic attack sail passed her. Even as something exploded behind her Kerrigan kept her eyes on the High templar. More Photon cannons exploded in the distance as the two combatants kept their eyes on eachother. The High templar attacked again drawing upon his ages of knowledge and psionic might forming a ball of lightning in his palmes. Kerrigan realized that this was not a psi-storm but something else. As the High templar aimed his palme at her Kerrigan leaped back but was still to slow as the bolt of lightning struck her in the chest. The blast of pure power blasted Kerrigan back into a destroyed Dragoon. Groaning in pain Kerrigan stood up her chest smoking with a burn mark. The High templar readied another lightning attack. Kerrigan counter attacked with a telekinetic blast. Easily evading the High templar floated further away blasting Kerrigan with another bolt of lightning. This time defending herself Kerrigan took the blast with minimal damage.

Breaking into a sprint She bared her claws gathering energy into her bladed wings. Keeping his distance the High templar fired back to back lightning bolts each one deflected or stopped by Kerrigans wings. Then once she had gotten in range Kerrigan fired another telekinetic blast. The plasma shields of the High templar flared for a moment taking the blast but he immediately countered raising higher and igniting his psi-blades. Taking a defensive stance Kerrigan blocked his down stroke and flexed her wings pushing him back, but he shot another lightning bolt at her knocking Kerrigan into the ground again. Rolling away from the High templars attacks Kerrigan became fed up with the lightning bolts. Kerrigan threw a few Dragoon wrecks at the High templar but he dodged them one after the other. But she had maneuvered her opponent into the trap. As the High templar readied another lightning bolt Kerrigan pulled the wrecks of several Dragoons between them and launched them at him. The High templar dodged as expected but was stuck between the Nexus and a wrecked Reaver. In the moment he took getting his barrings Kerrigan launched a telekinetic attack at him pining the High templar down. With a roar Kerrigan and the High templar struggled to overcome the other as she gathered energy for a psi-storm. Ironically the High templar seemed low on gas as he struggled to push the telekinetic force off himself. Lightning started to spark off Kerrigans body as she continued charging up. The high templar struggled all the more nearly pushing Kerrigans force off him but then Her eyes flashed as her Psi-storm was ready. For a moment the force keeping the High templar in place lifted only to be replaced with a overwhelming psionic force that burned its way through the High templars defenses lightning arching from the templar to the surroundings. When it was done The High templar kneeled exhausted from protecting him self. As he raised his head Kerrigans face was but a few inches away. She made a jerking motion tearing out the High templars heart.

"You were quite the opponent." she said looking into the fading light of the High templar. In that moment something primal overtook Kerrigan and her lips started salivating. Feeling a hunger she had not felt before. It was alanagist to feeling like she hadn't eaten in awhile but was also something more. "Your essence will make me stronger!"

With the declaration Kerrigan lifted the heart up to her mouth baring her fangs and devoured it. Once she had consumed the heart she only felt more hunger and with a focused thought ripped the armor off the now dead High templar. She feasted on his flesh and bones devouring not only his body but essence too. Then upon feeling full Kerrigan jerked up looking skywards. Her body beginning to shift and change. Slowly new tendrils started growing from her head into a large main and her legs and arms grew longer followed by her torso and her wings grew thicker and stronger. All along her body glowing purple light started growing like cracks illuminated by psionic energy. By the end of the transformation Kerrigans body had grown to seven feet tall and her head was covered in long tendrils resembling Protoss nerve cords. She looked all around seeing nothing but devastation the Protoss base was leveled. She had lost all sense of time but it didn't look like too much time had passed.

"Where are you Tassadar. Do your underlings always do your fighting for you?"

Kerrigan only had to wait a moment for a response.

"We will have our dual on the central plateau of this region O queen of blades. Face me there and I will defeat you myself."

Kerrigans only reply was a huff of irritation. She called a Overlord over feeling quit unbeatable thanks to the evolution she had gone through after eating the essence of that High templar.

Upon a lone plateau dotted by rocky spikes Tassadar watched the sky. He didn't have to wait long as a Overlord descended from a cloud bank quickly making its way to the plateau and dropping off Kerrigan. The Queen of the Zerg looked taller for a Terran and quit different then what Tassadar had expected but her looks mattered little nor were words. Even before the Overlord left Kerrigan's attacked sending a shock wave ripping through the ground towards the Executor. Tassadar easily evaded countering with a psionic lightning bolt. Kerrigan was ready this time and stopped the light speed bolt with a barrier of telekinetic force. She smiled in satisfaction holding her arms out, ripping dozens of the surrounding stone rocks out of the ground. Tassadar formed a barrier and the rocks launched at him. The barrier deflected the barrage of stones but as she launched them Kerrigan closed the distance and with a leaping strike Pierced Tassadar's psionic barrier with her wing blades. Their tips glowing with energy as they ripped the barrier open. Tassadar ignited his psi-blades but to his surprise Kerrigan grabbed the blade of pure psionic energy and flexed her wings.

Tassadar smiled as he cast a psionic storm around himself, or rather his Hallucination as Kerrigans blades pierced the hallucination making it dissipate like a ghost into a cloud of fading fog.

Even as her body took the full brunt of the psi-storm Kerrigans face contorted into scowl. "A illusion? Are you afraid to face me Templar?"

"So long as you continue to be so predictable O queen I need not face you at all. You are your own worst enemy." Tassadar projected from where ever he really was.

Kerrigan's realization that both Zasz and Nova were right only fueled her rage all the more and with a roaring shout of unrestrained psionic power Kerrigan split the plateau.

-Chapter end-