-Swarm Wars Arc-
-Chapter 39-
-Talking Things Out-
-Char-
-Some time before the Overminds death -
Sarah Kerrigan stood atop a masa looking up at Eris and Ate, Chars twin moons. The self styled queen of blades and currently the only remaining Zerg leader on Char was in a foul mood as she had been literally left behind by the Overmind and now without a enemy to fight with Raynor and his Protoss allies having departed. Standing there she contemplated her next move on the cliff edge. A flock of Mutalisk's and Scourges flew overhead making their normal patrols. The former red head wanted nothing more then to rip Tassadar's heart out, crush Raynor's skull and rip Artanis to pieces for their slits against her. One including the deaths of Danial and La'la, both killed by Tassadar when Kerrigan was distracted by Artanis and Raynor's forces. Though they were weaker then Kerrigan they were still fellow children of the Overmind. Kerrigan shrugged and for a moment thought of Nova. Kerrigan was jealous of the kid when the Overmind chose Her over Kerrigan wondering why the Overmind would take the less experienced teen over the combat veteran. But the Overmind's words are absolute and as she thought it over Kerrigan came to the conclusion that the Overmind needed Kerrigan to deal with Tassadar and his allies on Char and trusted the task to the more capable person. Kerrigan's pride swelled a little coming at that conclusion and decided to prepare a force to properly defend Char should the Protoss or Terran forces return.
Mentally Kerrigan reached out to the Surrounding Hive clusters ordering the ones with Hive structures, Spires and Greater Spires to begin creating Behemoths in mass. In all the other surrounding Hive clusters the Queen of blades ordered that the Drones to mine for more minerals to convert into biomass. Tens of thousands of Drones across the continent worked tirelessly digging into the rocky mantle of the continental plate, bringing up raw minerals to the Hatcheries, Lairs and Hives to be converted into usable biomass. Overlords and yet more Drones then shipped the biomass en masse to the hive clusters where the Behemoths were growing. Twenty oval shaped cocoons each the size of a Hatchery and surrounded by rootlike tendrils absorbed the biomass from the creep as it was dropped on the living fields of flesh surrounding them. Little by little the Behemoths and their cocoons grew more and more. After several days they reached the size of 550 meter long hills pulsating with life.
The sun rose on Char as Kerrigan tired of her isolation on this planet Road upon a Overlord. She looked down to three of the massive cocoons below her. They expanded and contracted as the final stage of development was reached and started splitting open. A flood of amniotic fluid burst forth from the rips in the cocoons and after the fluids had drained the young but enormous Zerg with in were slightly visible. Kerrigan's lips curved up slightly as she felt pleased with her new fleet. Each newly born Behemoth psionically bellowed a call like a newborn infant as their cocoons fell away and Kerrigan responded in kind connecting her own mind with theirs. Each of the Behemoths submitted to her greater will and psionic powers and quickly responded eager to serve their new master. One by one the Behemoths lifted of from the surface raining fluids onto the land scape below. As her new fleet rose up Kerrigan looked east and west north and south to the seventeen other Behemoths raising from the surface. Kerrigan had all of them fly in a circle flying around her. Satisfied Kerrigan had them all land in a large multi mile long strip of flat land. Many drones moved over the bodies of the Behemoths attaching and growing into massive spore launching symbiotes.
The process lasted a few hours but once done each Behemoth was now armed with a dozen super heavy symbiote launchers along their sides, with four of them pointing forwards on their bows (front's). These along with their Scourge and Mutalisk spawning chambers inside them gave the Behemoths a deadly arsenal.
"It's time to leave this world." thought Kerrigan.
The Overlord she stood upon landed next to a Behemoth Kerrigan hopped off walking confidently to one of the Behemoths. As she approached a scale along the colossal Zerg's side flexed open exposing a opening with a circular organic door. The door irised open exposing the bone hallway beyond. Kerrigan's clawed feet clattered against the hard floor reminded that this was how all Behemoths inner chambers were like until covered in a layer of Creep. Making the mental note Kerrigan ordered the Behemoths to begin generating Creep from their internal systems. Mere moments later a semi liquid fleshy material spilled out from many holes along the hallways quickly latching onto the surface and growing along the insides creating a warm and soft surface to the Behemoths chambers formed from its own bone material. After walking through the now soft creep covered halls Kerrigan arrived at the Behemoths nerve center. There she liked more deeply with the creature seeing through its senses. Kerrigan then ordered all of the other Behemoths to open the scales along their sides and ordered a army of Zerg to enter the living ships chambers. After all of the Behemoths were filled to capacity she called a swarm of Overlords, Mutalisk's and Guardians to her fleets side as escorts. Pleased with her completed fleet Kerrigan gave the order and all twenty Behemoths lifted off and with their escorts floated higher and higher into the sky.
Unbeknownst to Kerrigan the Overmind was killed on Aiur at that moment sending a massive psionic backlash across the Zerg hive mind network. Its mind rending effects hit every Zerg and made Kerrigan black out.
Everything was dark. Kerrigan felt nothing, She felt numb and cold. No the floor was warm still, still alive. As She regained consciousness a burning stinging pain hit her mind with the sensation of hot pines and needles poking all over her body. Kerrigan groaned painfully rolling over as the pain hit her and slowly started to subside. A moment later she heard a growl and shuffling noises around her. Opening her tear filled eyes Kerrigan saw little but a blurry mess in the darkness. Hearing the noises again she looked to her left seeing a blurry shadow move along the wall. She couldn't make out what the blurry shadow was from the pain shooting all over her body and mind. But as she watched it, it moved closer almost stumbling and shaking its head as it got closer. The blurry shadow was now next to Kerrigan and lashed out. Kerrigan felt immense pain shooting through her arm as something over her skin broke from the bit. Lashing out the only way she could a psionic force from Kerrigan's mind crushed the creatures brain killing it. With a weak breath Kerrigan recovered and pulled her arm from the creatures jaws before crawling her self over to the wall to rest. It's warmth was comforting and as she lay there Her memories slowly started coming back. Kerrigan remembered everything she had done since being infested by the Overmind. She remembered fighting against Raynor, Tassadar and the Dark Templar. The deaths of the other infested ghosts Danial and his sister La'la at the hands of Tassadar. Of the long years killing and murdering for the Confederacy as a ghost and then for Mengsk after them. Meeting Raynor and Nova and fighting with both of them. And then of Mengsk betraying her activating the psi-emitter to call the Zerg to Tarsonis and leaving her and everyone else to die on Tarsonis. And then of being infested with Nova and both of them serving the Overmind and shortly after killing over a hundred of Raynor's men and then Protoss. And long before all of that she mentally crippled her father and killed her mother when Her psionic powers spontaneously manifested... but NO! that wasn't what happened.
Kerrigan's eyes shot open as she remembered the real truth seeing passed the false memories implanted in her and the face of the one who put them there. Standing up Kerrigan shouted one name. "Ellen!"
Slumping to a knee Kerrigan took in several deep breaths from her exhaustion. A moment later her senses picked up on the quick pattering of many feet and vicious snarling heading her way. Shaking her head of the disorientation Kerrigan readied her claws. Not a moment later a pair of Zerglings rushed out from a hallway charging her. One lunged at her. Kerrigan twisted her torso flexing her wing blades, impaling the out of control Zergling and ripped it apart with both her bladed wing blades. The other Zergling rushed to Her side biting her leg with all its strength causing her leg armor to crack. Kerrigan groaned as her exoskeleton was pierced by its sharp teeth. Twisting the other way Kerrigan impaled the other Zergling also ripping it apart before collapsing to her knees still not feeling a 100% yet. Kerrigan felt a odd hunger as the bodies of the Zerglings lay before her. Her survival instincts urged her to eat to recover and gain strength. With a sight Kerrigan gave into her hunger and devouered the organs and flesh of the Zerglings while surpressing her urge to throw up.
After taking some time to rest and recover Kerrigan's minor injuries quickly healed and her headache faded. Feeling stronger and more focused now She could now tell what was wrong with her and the other Zerg. It was the Overmind, He was dead. The feeling of overwhelming love and joy Kerrigan felt from Him was now gone along with any and all feeling of comradery with the Zerg. As these feeling and her proper senses finally came back to Her Kerrigan felt disgusted with her self for thinking about the Overmind like He was Her father and the other Zerg her family. She covered her mouth as she felt like puking keeping her recent lunch inside. Kerrigan shook her head a few more times before standing back up. Looking down the dark hall illuminated by her evolved Zerg night vision Kerrigan clinched her fist and started running.
Jogging down the hallway She turned left at the first intersection encountering a surprise. There before her were two Hydralisk's eating into several dead Zerglings. They looked up at Her the gore dripping from their jaws as they hissed at Her. Kerrigan acted first impaling the closest with a spade shaped hand followed up with a Psionic blast that exploded out its back and followed up with roundhouse kick that sent the creature flying back several meters. The other Hydralisk raised its blade to strike but as the blade fell Kerrigan blocked it with a wing blade of her own. Sensing the Hydralisk's thoughts Kerrigan ducked and a volley of spines flew over her head into the wall behind her. Counter attacking She swung her leg up kicking the Hydralisk in the jaw stunning it for a moment. The first Hydralisk while still wounded slowly got back up and charged. Kerrigan leaped back as it weakly slashed at her. She lunged forwards ducking low and punching up into the Hydralisk's weak point just below its head behind its jaws. Her claws pierced through the throat into the brain killing the creature instantly. Kerrigan quickly pulled her hand out and kicked the dead Hydralisk. As the corpse of its fellow flew past it the second Hydralisk roared, lunging at Kerrigan. She countered with a backwards leap clearing a few meters. The Hydralisk level its head opening several armored flaps along its head again and fired another volley of spines. Raising her blade wings in front of her self Kerrigan blocked the attack and counter attacked with a quick dash up to the Hydralisk followed by a vertical spinning wheel kick to the Hydralisks jaw sending it reeling backwards. With its weak point exposed Kerrigan lunged piercing the underside of the Hydralisks brain like the first.
With that fight done with Kerrigan moved on, fighting through several more groups of raging mad Zerg before reaching the opening to the outside. The opening stayed shut however as the Behemoth was still unconscious. With no other choice Kerrigan used her psionic power telekinetically forcing her way through by pulling the inner circular doorway open followed by the outer armored scale. Sun light flooded the dark passageway. Kerrigan covered her eyes as they adapted closing their irises and covering the eyes with a dark film membrane that acted like a organic sunglasses. Walking one foot in front of the other Kerrigan left the unconscious Behemoth walking into the sun light. All around her the unmoving unconscious forms of the other Behemoths and their escorts lay strewn about the landscape. Looking around while feeling through the Zerg hivemind or what was left of it, Kerrigan could deduce that the psionic backlash from the Overminds death had severed the Zerg command chain. More then likely the Cerebrates were just fine but like Her still getting back on to their feet. But before too long they will exert control over their broods again and out all of them Kerrigan knew one was more then able to take over for the Overmind or even become a second Overmind.
"Daggoth will be a problem," Kerrigan said to her self.
She quickly shook off the idea of gaining control of the swarm for her self.
"After all i've done maybe I should die?" she contemplated. But then Kerrigan remembered about Nova and her grudge against Ellen.
"No I still have unfinished business. I need to save Nova if she's still alive. And get my hands on that bitch Ellen."
Kerrigan turned around to face the Behemoths prone form and sighed to her self.
"I created them? May as well use them." She said to her self.
Kerrigan reached out to the Behemoths mind with her own sensing its damaged psyche and healing the mental injuries as best she can to restore the creatures mental stability. After almost a hour of work the Behemoths mind rebooted so to speak.
Kerrigan patted her self on the back, "Just like rebooting a computer."
The Behemoth strained from the injuries sustained from the fall but it slowly lifted back into the air and held a stable position. As the Behemoth regained control Kerrigan felt it exert control over the rest of the Zerg in its body calming and healing them like Kerrigan did for it.
"It's a start," said Kerrigan, she then turned to the other Zerg scattered across the plain in front of her. "Gathering my own Zerg forces will take some time."
-Aiur, High Orbit-
The massive Tamashī no ki ship drifted over the Protoss home world as the DZK warped back inside to its storage chamber. In the crystal throne/control room of the bioship Ellen stepped out from a warp gate and was greeted by her second in command.
"The Overmind may be dead but Daggoth and the rest of the Cereabrate's are still out there." stated Izsha.
Ellen walked up to the seven foot tall gray and black scaled brood leader. Her two large back mounted tentacles standing impassably immobile at Izsha's sides.
"Izsha, glad to see you here. Has the experiments with the Protoss tech been going as planned?"
"Yes. The Cyber Ultralisk's have been upgraded with the tech from the Protoss Ark ships. I'm eager to see what they can do against the Cerebrates forces. Are you going to deploy them to Aiur to clean up the remnants of the Overminds swarm?"
"I can sense the rampaging Zerg down there are organizing. It would seem Izsha that your theory as to what would happen to the Zerg after they lose connection with a overriding controlling will was like the Overmind or his Cerebrates was correct. If they are allowed to spread and multiply a Tyranid like swarm may develop. Hard to believe the similarities between the Zerg and Tyranid's from the Warhammer 40k universe. I already knew that the two races were very close in their abilities to evolve and adapt. But thinking that the Tyranid's themselves could have been a extra dimensional species that first developed from a splinter Zerg swarm that started developing on their own after losing their Masters overriding will is chilling to think about."
Izsha shrugged. "It is a problem that needs to be dealt with. No doubt Daggoth and the other surviving Cerebrates are even now regaining control over the swarm after the Overminds death. It's also a shame that you couldn't collect a fully intact sample of the Overmind's essence. Abastein will be dissapointed."
Ellen walked towards her crystal throne, Izsha followed. "I did get some just not a lot. There's pieces of Him floating about in orbit and some pieces of the corpse should still be viable. Since your here why don't you handle the recovery."
Izsha tilted her head to one side in deep thought.
"May I ask why you didn't use your crimson aura to just absorb the Overminds essence and Soul?"
Ellen leaned her head back taking in a deep breath.
"You know how wild I get when I use THAT power. That and I was worried the Overmind may influence me some how. Considering His age, power and knowledge I didn't want to risk the possibility that He may possess me like he did with Nova and Kerrigan. The parasites Abastein implanted in them relayed a lot of information about how the Overmind controlled them on a unconscious and instinctive level. But?"
Izsha frowned knowing Ellen all to well.
"But what?"
Ellen looked Izsha in the eyes.
"It's the fight with the Overmind im concerned about."
"How so?" questioned Izsha.
"I'm not too sure but I think the Overmind threw the fight. It was an intense battle and the Overmind only got better at fighting with his new body as it went on. Hell He even started simulating my aura. But... when I pinned him to the ground with my aura spears instead of counter attacking He attempted to flee. That's out of character for the Overmind?"
"Cowardice or fear you mean" said Izsha.
Ellen nodded.
"Yeah. It makes me worry that he picked up on the parasite implants in Kerrigan and Nova and traced them to us. Maybe even hacking the azure swarms hive mind."
"That would be impossible. I assure you my empress that not even the Overmind could have done so without drawing attention to him self. I was also monitoring the connection with the parasites in those two so as to make sure that something like that would not happen. But it would be perhaps possible for the Overmind to detect the parasites. So maybe he realized that he was being monitored through Nova and Kerrigan."
Ellen thought a moment.
"If he did know about Us before hand just maybe he came up with a plan to avoid being defeated for good. And if so then He may be out there some where recovering?"
"Either way we need to focus on the task at hand." stated Izsha. "The depleted Terran and Protoss forces are in danger with the wild Zerg running free on Aiur. And the forces from Earth and the inner colonies will be arriving in the not to distant future."
Ellen leaned back taking in a deep breath. "Yeah your right. I'll return to the surface and explain everything to them, and deal with the wild Zerg." With a mental signal a hidden projector formed a holo-screen in front of Ellen, Izsha turned around to it.
On the screen formed a map of Aiur showing the continents and locations of every wild Zerg. Millions of red dots (Wild Zerg) appeared across the map with only a small number of blue dots (Protoss and Terran).
"I'll drop a few Hivelisk's and Swarm crawlers to the surface to help them get to the warp gate that leads to Shakuras."
Ellen stood up and the holo-screen blinked off.
"Stay here and recover as many fragments of the Overminds body as you can Iszha. Then get them to Abastein. And after that get back to Hive Prime and get those Cyber-Ultralisks ready to fight along with the rest of the Azure swarm. "
Iszha nodded.
"At once my empress. However I should note that Rindoll is still playing human with the Terrans. What should be done about Her?"
Ellen crossed her arms. "Just leave that one be for the time being. She's got a plan and I trust her judgement. If the right person is in the right place at the right time they can make all the difference in the world. She'll be fine. As for me im about to drop some rather distasteful bombshells on Raynor and the others."
Izsha shrugged gesturing her arms in a W shape. "Well try not to die out there."
"Out of the frying pan into the fire as it were." Ellen quoted.
A warp gate opened in front of Ellen, she stepped through to the other side, the gate closing behind her.
In the many chambers through-out the Tamashī no ki Hivelisk's and Swarm Crawlers were warped away in the same manner, instantly being transported to the surface of Aiur. Six of the massive Hivelisk's touched down on the remains of the Overminds now destroyed Hive cluster along with twelve Swarm Crawlers. The Hivelisk's quickly started deploying Wyverns and Mutalisk into the air space on patrols that ignored the Terrans and Protoss forces in the area. The Swarm Crawlers rooted themselves into the dying Creep covered ground and started releasing their own Creep. Hive queens were summoned from the Hivelisk's Maws of the Swarm and per-their Empresses orders started establishing a base of operations to hold off the coming tide of wild Zerg.
While her Azure swarm forces build up their Hive cluster Ellen arrived in the Terran command center where the leaders of the Protoss and Terran were meeting. Everyone looked at the Swarm Empress as she appeared through the miniature warp gate.
"What the hell!" Raynor stated in surprise.
Ellen looked around the room while everyone pointed their weapons at her.
"Ok my fault for not saying I was coming. Could you all drop the weapons please?" Ellen opened her armors face plate exposing her face.
Zeratul and Tassadar slowly dropped their arms and deactivated their psi-/warp blades along with the others. Ellen looked about the room seeing that everyone was present.
"I take it all of you were preparing to leave to a more secure base to plan your next move?" asked Ellen.
"Yes we were, empress of the azure swarm." replied Artanis in a disdainful tone. "We've seen your forces land on the remains of the Overminds former Hive cluster. What is your intention? Are you going to take Aiur for your self?"
"Relax Executor. The Zerg formerly under the Overminds control have went wild and even now are mutating into a independent entity. If their not dealt with now they will become fully independent from any controlling will other then their base instincts which will drive them to mindlessly consume everything."
Tassadar gave Artanis a glance before turning back to Ellen.
"It will greatly put everyon's minds at ease if you fully explain yourself."
"I was going to just that." replied Ellen. "To get things started, all of you were going to retreat to a Templar base were you not?"
"Yes" replied Artanis.
"I assume you would be meeting Aldaris there and then evacuate the remaining Protoss trapped on Aiur." Ellen took a flat device from a pouch on her hip and touched its surface. The display-screen on the wall turned on showing a map of Aiur. The image drew everyone's attention as it zoomed in on the warp gate built on a plateau surrounded but by Zerg Hive clusters.
"That is one of the only remaining large scale warpgates left on Aiur." stated Tassadar. "Most of them were lost during the recent conflict. And the ones in our bases only allow small groups to be transported at a time. Why show us this?"
"You were going to use the warpgates to evacuate the remaining civilians anyway right." replied Ellen.
Tassadar only nodded in reply.
Selendis noted the large numbers of Zerg in the region.
"There are many Zerg forces between us and the gates."
"With our depleted forces it will be a hard fight to reach the gate." said Tassadar.
"I'll handle the wild Zerg." Ellen declared drawing everyone's attention.
Raynor stared at her with a scowl.
"And why would you help out?"
Ellen met his eyes not batting a eye lash.
"Because my swarm is more evolved then the Overminds swarm, Oh! for now on i'll refer to them as the Over-swarm. Its simpler that way. Eliminating the Overmind may have been in my best interests but i'm not a uncaring person."
"And what makes your Azur-swarm any diffarant then that of the Overminds?" questioned Artanis.
Ellen turned to the executor. "My swarm knows how to make friends and understands the concept and usefulness of allies. Besides I already saved millions of Khalai Protoss by stealing those Ark ships."
As Ellen expected the eyes of every Protoss was focused on her with malicious intent.
"You say it was your scheming that saw the Arks take flight and spirit away millions of our people!" stated Tassadar in surprise.
Ellen saw that he was understandable on edge and looking from Protoss to Protoss understood that a proper explanation was needed or else a fight was bound to breakout.
"Tassadar, Zeratul. Do you remember that data drive that held information on future events that Zerion gave you." said Ellen.
"Yes." replied Tassadar, He and Zeratul glanced at each other for a moment.
"Well it was me and Haruka that created it. Its a long story but before that let me ask you a question. Do you Protoss believe in the multiverse theory?"
Tassadar spoke up.
"The belief that many universes each with a different time line of events. Yes we Protoss have long confirmed that such a thing exists."
Raynor looked surprised at Tassadars reply.
"I just thought all that stuff was just in syfy shows and books. But you really saying alternate worlds like that are real!"
Tassadar glanced at Raynor.
"It is true friend Raynor. But we Protoss have never actually traveled to other realities. I only know of a mirror like device that allowed the observation of other realities. Long ago when I wandered Aiur on a personal journey I came across a facility that the device was created in. It was a very old structure from the empires golden age of expansion."
Raynor scoffed.
"Well if that don't beat all."
Ellen clapped her hands getting back on track.
"You see I have a theory that our universe was created by some one who copied or combined the histories of multiple other universes. Kind of like taking parts of multiple story's and making a new one with people, places and things. That's our universe."
Selendis scoffed at the ridiculousness of Ellen's claim.
"And what proof do you have to this?"
"Well one would be the knowledge of future events on the data drive itself. That was one reason Haruka told me to create that data drive and give it to the Dark Templar."
Haruka spoke up.
"It's true."
Raynor turned to Her.
"You said something along the lines of you being another version of Ellen from another universe before?"
"Yes. The being who created this universe grabbed my soul from my body upon death and gave me another chance at life. I took It's offer, gained this body and started a whole adventure in another universe from this one. But I was able to use a certain ship to travel to this universe and arrive shortly after Ellen and her swarm had left Earth hundreds of years ago. I convinced Ellen to get in contact with the Dark Templar and convince them not to attack the Over-swarm. I also provided information on the events of the future, some of which was on that data drive."
Knowingly distressed at this revelation Tassadars curiosity was peeked and could not help but ask his next questions.
"If this Godly being is capable of creating entire universe then why did he reveal him self to you and create our universe?"
Now all eyes and ears were firmly directed at Haruka.
"First of all its name is Psyon. Second He didn't reveal too much but He did say that his kind are called the Transcendent Ones. Its basically their job to create new possibilities. And this universe was Psyon's latest project. Ellen can explain the rest."
Ellen huffed as she thought how best to explain.
"As for my theory about our universe being a composite of several others, it comes from the fact that back before I awakened as a Valkyrur I played a PC game called StarCraft. It was about a future where Humanity now called Terrans colonized a part of the galaxy called the Koprulu sector. Terrans had colonized the sector after multiple colony ships landed on several worlds. One Tarsonis another Umoja and lastly Moria. Time passed and eventually the Terran colony worlds expanded, fought wars against each other, and then the Zerg came and Great war started and ended with the great Tassadar infused his ship the Gantrithor with Void energies crashing it into the Overmind killing the creature at the cost of his own life."
Ellen turned to Tassadar.
"Your welcome by the way."
"What would this game have to due with other universes?" asked Zeratul.
"Imagination and possibility," replied Ellen. "From what I know practically any and every work of fiction has at least a few universes that match or at least come close to their stories but the fiction and the other universe are not directly connected. The game StarCraft was one of them."
"So I was destined to give my life to kill the Overmind in this other universe then." said Tassadar as he contemplated this information.
Tassadar glanced at Haruka the one who convinced him of another path and directed him a way from needlessly giving his life.
"You say I crashed the Gantrithor into the Overmind to kill it. But in the actual battle Void energy alone could not fatally harm the Overmind?"
Ellen snapped he fingers.
"Exactly. There are considerable similarities and differences between the original StarCraft universe the game I played is based on and our universe."
"My heads starting to hurt," Raynor stated rubbing his temple.
"This is... a unusual thing to consider." said Zeratul.
"Indeed." said Tassadar. "But getting back to the matter of the Overmind."
Taking her que Ellen continued her explanation.
"As ive explained our universe is in some ways different then the original StarCraft universe and in others ways the same. A major difference is that the Overmind of the original universe was a creation and slave of a Being called Amon. Who was a Xel'naga in that universe. Amon was the final enemy that all three races Zerg, Terran and Protoss united to defeat in that universe as from what Haruka explained. You see that's another difference. Because I unleashed my swarm on humanity back then the StarCraft games ended with the Brood war expansion. But Haruka Is from a universe that saw a second version of the games released show she knows more of the story then me"
"Considering all this how can we know that your knowledge is not flawed?" questioned Selendis.
Zerion turned to Selendis.
"Many of the events that have transpired since the Zerg first attacked the Terran worlds has come true. There are a few differences but for the most part the information Haruka provided on the data drive is accurate."
Ellen continued her explination.
"In the other universes lore at this point in time because the Overmind was killed Kerrigan gained autonomy and freedom. She makes war on Daggoth and the other Cerebrates. But also mind controls Raszagal using her to... well to make a long story short, in that other universe Kerrigan tricks Artanis, Zeratul and Aldaris to trust her so they can work together against Daggoth. Aldaris learns of Her duplicity forms a rebellion and is defeated by Zeratul and Artanis and then killed by Karrigan. And later She forces Zeratul to kill Raszagal."
Zeratul and Artanis were both horrified by the prospects of this possibility as expressed by their silent but intense expressions.
Ellen continued.
"But that's the original universe. Not our universe. Getting back on topic I think the Overmind was in no way connected to Amon and as such was able to evolve the way He did. As for Kerrigan, She's a non issue and will be coming to Aiur soon to confront me."
"And whys that?" asked Raynor.
"Because I have her parents. It's a long story."
The explanations were interrupted by a transmission from Aldaris. The display screen showing the map of Aiur and the warp gate changed showing the Judicator.
"Ah there you are Executor. It is a miracle that you and Tassadar are alive. After I heard the report that the Gantrithor was destroyed I feared the worst."
Tassadar looked at his former foe. Feeling through the Khalai the Judicator was feeling honest concern.
"Calm you self Aldaris for we are most certainly alive."
"That is a most grateful thing to know Tassadar. However I must voice my concern about the new Zerg hive cluster growing close to your location?"
Artanis addressed the Judicator.
"Judicator Aldaris. We will meet you at a base to the north to discuss in detail the events of the Overminds death and the presence of the new Zerg forces."
Aldaris nodded.
"Executor. I will meet you there."
The screen turned off and Ellen gave a short laugh.
"Haha. Guess I wasn't in the cameras like of sight."
Artani's turned to her, his gaze cold as ice and hard as iron.
"Ellen we will talk more later on the matters we discussed. Especially regarding the Ark ships and the many Protoss they spirited away from Aiur."
With a impassive expression Ellen replied.
"Don't worry Executor your people are all fine and safe. They wouldn't make good hostages if they were dead or infested."
Artanis eyes glowed brightly and his fists tightened at that comment.
"For your sake I hope they are not."
The Executor left with Selendis, Tassadar, Zeratul and Zerion following, leaving Raynor with Haruka and Ellen. Once they were alone Ellen walked up to Him.
"Raynor."
Hardly wanting to talk with her Raynor shrugged.
"Yeah what."
Ellen pulled a USB drive from a dry flesh pocket placing it in Raynor's hands.
"This is the data on your next job, along with some other information you'll need."
Raynor looked at her questioningly.
"And why would I just follow your orders?"
Ellen impassive face twisted into a wicked grin.
"Well if you ever want to see Liddy and Johnny again you'd better."
Raynor's eyes opened wide in shock.
"What did you just say!? They... their dead they..."
Ellen tilted her head slightly.
"Are alive and well. Kerrigan and Nova's memories and fates aren't the only ones I altered. I already said I knew the future events that would occurre. That includes certain peoples deaths."
Raynor's surprise turned to anger and rose to new heights at the revelation. Gritting his teeth He clenched his fists and turned around punching the wall. Taking in a few calming deep breath's He turned back to Ellen and took the USB giving Haruka a hostile glance before storming out of the room.
Haruka sighed and started following Raynor out.
"You could have been a little more gentle with the poor guy."
The door slid closed leaving Ellen alone.
"Gentle? I don't deserve gentle." she scoffed remembering the billions of people whos lives she ordered the deaths of. Shaking off the silly self deprecation Ellen opened a warp gate and left.
After returning to the Hyperion Raynor went to his private quarters and placed the USB drive into the wall mounted terminal and opened the main file marked watch first. As the screen changed to a still picture Raynores eyes widened in shock and emotion as his thought to be dead family Liddy and Johnny both appeared sitting on a sofa. A large window behind them showed a cityscape of white sky scrapers reaching up to a wide blue sky. Raynor was both surprised and elated seeing that his beloved family were yet alive but He also knew Ellen was playing them against him for some reason. He hit the play button listening silently.
"Jim." Liddy said in a hopeful tone. "If your watching this it means you either know all about what really happed back then to Johnny when we sent him to the ghost academy or that that woman Ellen gave you this recording. Either way you know that were alive and well. As for where we are its a world called Reach in the outer colonies. I even have a job and Johnny goes to a school for people with psionic abilities. There's a lot more people here with the same powers like him and its practically common place. Its so much different from the Confederacy. But the Confederacy is gone now so maybe things will change under Valerians rule. I heard that he's a kind hearted man very different from Arcturus. A woman called Aliasse give's us regular updates as to what's going on in the Koprulu sector so that's how we know all this stuff. Recently She said that you were fighting with a group of aliens called Protoss to defeat a monster called the Overmind. Since your watching this I guess you won that fight. But from what Aliasse told me they need you to do some important work."
Johnny turned to his mother.
"Mom can I show dad?"
"Yes you can. Just don't break anything again." said Liddy, she stood up and walked off screen.
Johnny sat up and looked off screen somewhere. A moment later multiple glass cups, some fruit and a bowl floated in to view and started orbiting around John. Johnny held a focused expression as he Telekinetically levitated them around him self forming a ring.
"Cool huh dad! My teachers thought me how to do this. Its easy with smaller objects but I still have trouble with larger heavier things and my teachers have also been teaching me and my classmates how to talk with our minds, crazy huh. Well that and normal school stuff." Johnny moved the objects back to where he got them from. "My Teachers say there are a few jobs that pay well for people like me to work in but..." Johnny glanced off screen to his mother then back to the camera. "I want to join the military and help you fight. I know i,m still a kid but i,ve heard about this thing called the Spartan program. It's a volunteer only and is pretty hard to get in, but if I can i'll be one of the elites. " Johnny glanced off screen to his mom. "I know both you and mom would worry about me but i've chosen this after thinking it over for a while. I just want to help you anyway I can."
Liddy walked back into view and placed her arms around her son.
"He's already talked with me about it and though I told him no. Well he's as stubborn as you are. Aliasse ensured me that its a safe program for skilled kids but has intense training. I only let Him apply for the initial written and physical tests but he passed, even though I was hoping that he wouldn't. Even so he's our boy and we can't coddle him forever."
Liddy wiped a tear from her eyes.
"But getting back to what I wanted to say. Jim. Stay alive and come see us when you get the chance. I'm sure that Ellen woman will let you come visit. Aliasse said she was working with you and had the only means for you to come to Reach quickly. So once your done with all that fighting please come home will you."
The video cut out for a moment before changing to a new scene of a office and a young woman with Silver hair and red eyes in a casual dress. Her hair tied into a long brad over her left shoulder.
"Raynor. Allow me to introduce my self. I'm Aliasse Irving. The benefactor whose been helping everyone from the Koprulu sector acclimate to their new lives here on Reach and the other colonies. I'm sure Ellen has left a few things out so let me explain. Me and Ellen are beings called Valkyrur. Were kind of like other psionic users but vastly different in power and ability. During the war on Earth hundreds of years ago Me and Ellen fought several times. But in the end we ended up allies... of a short. Being a Valkyrur also means both me and Ellen are immortal, I may not look it but I was born in the early 2000s. well we don't age but if we suffered any critical injuries it could kill us. In the long years since we have formed a unsteady alliance to fight the coming threats. One of those threats is Amon. One of the few beings that could possibly match both me and Ellen in power. Now that the Overmind is gone we should focus all our efforts in fighting Him and any subordinates of his. But im getting ahead of my self. Back to the topic at hand. To tell you the truth Ellen had used her Azure swarms power to save everyone who would have died on Korhal, including the Mengsk family. She did this as apart of a experiment to use the people as test subjects in a attempt to master her swarms mastery over psionic powers. The experiment was to see if they could give normal people psionic powers and to use their collective power on a large scale. I was present for some of these experiments so trust me when I say that none of the many millions of people were unduly harmed in anyway, and after the experiments were concluded all of the people were released. I had a real headache finding all of them places to live. Moving on I wanted to say that your not the only one who's past Ellen had intervened in. She also saved the families of both Sarah Kerrigan and November Terra. Their families are also here on Reach under my care. Ellen,s plan was most likely to use the two of them as spy's in the Overminds swarm. Or at least that's her excuse. But over the long years ive developed a sense of Her true intentions. I think she is just frustrated and pissed off at the bullshit people go through and wanted to change their fates. So next when you talk to either Kerrigan or Nova please don't be so unforgiving. The Overmind no doubt messed with their heads not to mention their bodies. But once he's gone they should return to normal, maybe? I sent Haruka that exo-suit and anti-psionic weapons to help you capture them alive. Moving on."
Aliasse pressed a button and a smaller screen appeared showing multiple fragments of a device Raynor didn't recognize.
"This is a object called the Key stone. Its a relic of the Xel'naga who basically ruled the galaxy many tens of thousands of years ago. Fragments of it have been scattered across the Koprulu sector. Ellen already acquired one of the fragments From Mar-Sara but We want you and the Terran dominion to locate and gather rest of them. Their very important and will be valuable tools in the future. But you don't have to get them right way. You still have to help the Protoss get their people to Shakurus. That is what your counter part in the original universe did around this time."
Aliasse chuckled to her self.
"All this talk of alternate universe's and time lines is a headache ain't it." Raynor chuckled to him self in agreement. "When Haruka explained it all to me I felt like what you probably do right now. But I do trust her. Ellen and Haruka may be leading, and or are Zerg, but being a Valkyrur my self I have the insight to feel their true intentions. I don't really understand it but for a while now Ellen has acted like she's been preparing both her self and all of us to fight some looming threat that's so powerful it will require all of us to come together to survive it. And the scary thing is I believe she's right. For a long time now ive had this sinking feeling of apprehension in my gut. And I guess its he same thing Ellen has felt too."
A secondary com link-screen from the bridge opened interrupting the recording.
Raynor paused the video. "What's is it Horner?"
Matt Horner always one to see the obvious could clearly see that Raynor had been crying but decided to keep the observation to him self.
"Uh, sorry to intrude sir but a Zerg fleet has landed close by and uh Kerrigan's leading them."
Raynor shot to his feet at the mention of his one time lover. The emotions of his time with her and the revelation of his wife and sons survival filled him with a storm of emotions. But taking in all those feelings He looked up to the ceiling breathing in and out deeply.
"Are they attacking?" He asked.
"Strangely no. Kerrigan sent me a telepathic message saying she wants to talk to you in person?"
Raynor looked to the paused screen of Aliasse stopped mid sentence then turned to the image of Horner.
"Tell her i'll meet her alone under the Hyperion."
Reluctantly Horner nodded and paused a moment listening to Kerrigan's reply in his head.
"She says she'll meet you in a few minutes."
Raynor turned off the recording of Aliasse, taking the USB drive out and placing it into a weapons locker along his wall. Raynor left his room making a short trip to the armory where He equipped the same advanced exosuit Haruka had received from Aliasse and given to Him. The two anti-psionic grenades had been recharged and were ready to be used again. Grabbing his rifle Raynor loaded a fresh mag when Sergeant Littlefield came up to him.
"Looks like your gearing up for another war?"
Raynor shouldered his rifle and turned to the sergeant.
"If I have to."
Raynor left the armory taking a dropship to the surface. Walking down the ramp He looked up quickly spotting a Overlord floating towards him. Raynor looked up seeing that the Hyperion's turrets were tracking the Overlord. For a moment Raynor considered giving the order to shoot but quickly shook the thought away.
"Lets see if Kerrigan is really back to her old self. But If not." He thought to him self.
Raynor pumped the handle to his rifles underslung grenade launcher loading a fresh round while He watched the Overlord land. Kerrigan exited the creature alone. She looked pissed and tired all at the same time. Kerrigan and Raynor approached each other stopping ten feet distance from the other. Raynor opened his face plate showing that it's him and not someone else in the suit. The two of them stood there silently for a few seconds until Kerrigan spoke.
"I...(sigh) I like your new armor. Sleek, Fancy. Didn't take you for the smooth angular type?"
Raynor's eye brows raised at the clearly awkward Kerrigan. He was surprised at her terrible first impression after their separation and hostility after her infestation.
"That's the worst pickup line i've ever heard." He replied.
A moment passed and the two of them both held back a chuckle.
"Your really back to being your self Sarah?" asked Raynor.
Kerrigan looked down at her own infested form and sighed. She grabbed a lock of her own hair tendrils that only barely resembled the beautiful red hear she used to have.
"No! Look at me. I'm a real freak, worthy of one of those B horror movies. But. I guess it not all that bad. (shrug) Raynor I know that the things I did can't be forgiven. But I have a score to settle with that bitch Ellen for using me like a puppet. And I need to find my parents and that kid Nova!"
Raynor wrenched at that last name remembering what he had done to capture Her.
"Actually. I've defeated Nova recently."
Raynor was him self surprised when he saw Kerrigan's eyes shoot open in surprise.
"Is she...?"
"She's alive." Raynor explained. "Tough for a Zerg, but she's not that bad off."
"Can I see her?"
"Only if you send you pets away."
Kerrigan looked back to the horizon where her fleet of Behemoths were hovering. With a wave of her hand they started flying into the sky and out of the atmosphere.
"Satisfied?"
Raynor stared at Kerrigan a moment. "Yeah. Follow me. And keep those wings of your folded up will you."
Not complaining Kerrigan folded her bladed wings up as far as they could go and followed Raynor into the Dropship. Inside ten Marines with shotguns all pointed at Kerrigan tracked her as she moved to the back. Kerrigan said nothing simply sitting down crossing her arms and legs.
Minutes later Horner contacted Raynor via radio.
"Are you sure about this?"
Raynor glanced at Kerrigan silently sitting in the back of the dropship.
"No... but ive recently been informed about a few things that are above my pay grade. If there's a chance that Kerrigan and Nova are really back to normal and no longer enemies then their more allies that can help us against the remining Zerg under Daggoth's control."
Raynor heard a audible sigh from Horner over his suits radio.
"If you say so. Also just to inform you Mira Han and her Mercs have left Aiur. She said their job was done and went to collect their pay."
Raynor shrugged
"Well their help was greatly appreciated while it lasted."
The Dropship landed in one of the Hyperion's hangers. Raynor lead the group out as the deck was cleared of any hanger personnel while Kerrigan was escorted under heavy guard to the holding cells. As she walked the halls of the ship Kerrigan remembered many people she had interacted with during the rebellion against the Confederacy. And how many of them she killed while under the Overmind's influence. She knew forgiveness wouldn't come easy nor would her regrets. But she new that the person responsible for both her and Nova being in that situation would pay.
After a short trip through the ship they reached the holding cells where Nova was being held. A Marine opened the reinforced door into a hallway with ten cells. Raynor lead Kerrigan to the one occupied cell.
"We had to be extra rough considering she's a Zerg and all. Sorry" said Raynor.
Kerrigan frowned as she saw Nova wrapped in large heavy chains individually binding both the wings and arms (that had regenerated) and the whole mess was further locked in place by a two chains shackling Nova to the wall, and completing the bindings was a pair of Psi-screens on her head.
"I'm glad that she's alive at least." said Kerrigan breathing a sigh of relief.
"You know it wasn't easy keeping some of my guys from killing her. The both of you killed a lot of their friends on Char." explained Raynor.
Nova looked up. "Kerrigan?" She mumbled through the bars.
"Are you back to your old self kid?" said Raynor.
Nova looked at Raynor and the Marines behind him and then leaned back, the chains clanking against the wall and each other as she shifted.
"Well I feel like shit and have a headache that could kill a dinosaur. And I don't feel like killing everyone. So... maybe I think. Is... the Overmind dead?"
"Yeah." Raynor confirmed.
"How?" Nova asked.
Kerrigan turned to Raynor also wanting a explanation.
"It was someone called Ellen. She used this giant bio-construct that kind of looked like a dragon knight thing?. It was one hell of a fight. She used a pair of Khaydarin and Void crystals Tassadar and the others created to land the final blow."
"She did now did she!" said Kerrigan sarcastically. "She just waited for everyone to exhaust themselves fighting the Overmind so she could take all the glory for her self!"
Raynor stared at Kerrigan wondering why She couldn't sense Ellen's presence and He became worried weather or not He should tell her that Ellen WAS nearby, but decided against it.
"Kerrigan. If you and Nova are no longer enemies then we could use your help.
Both Kerrigan and Nova stared at Raynor expectantly with much emotion behind their expresions.
"From what I know the rest of the Cerebrates are still out there and in control of the rest of the swarm. I don't know what the Protoss are doing at the moment but their gathering their surviving forces up north. I know they wont like you being there but if the two of you feel like redeeming yourselves then you could help out a little."
Nova and Kerrigan shared looks as they thought the offer through.
"I'm in." said Kerrigan. She glanced back at the Marines behind her then to Raynor. "I was a attack dog under the Confederacy and a disposable tool for Mengsk! But I know you Raynor. Far more then Arcturus. If its you giving the orders i'll... follow them."
Nova stood up clanking her metal bindings.
"If Kerrigan trusts you like that Raynor... I guess I do to."
Kerrigan looked at Raynor questioningly.
"Now that that's over with. Raynor could I ask why your so close to that gathering of odd Zerg ive never seen before?"
Raynor felt like he's stepped on a landmine.
"Well...!?"
-Meanwhile at Ellen's developing Hive cluster-
Ellen the empress of the Azure swarm sat atop the head of one of the massive Hivelisk's sensing all around her through the collective senses of her Swarm. And beyond her growing Hive cluster she could detect Kerrigan's anger and rage, but it quickly subsided slowly.
"It seems Kerrigan knows i'm here. Void stealth is quite useful. If I wasn't hiding my psionic signature i'm sure Kerrigan would have come to me first instead of Raynor."
Ellen paused to focus on sensing what was going on with Kerrigan. It seems Raynor was able to calm her and get her refocused. Shortly after the Hyperion took on all the ground forces and left following the Templar to the north.
"I hope they play nice with the Templar?" thought Ellen. "Now then."
Ellen turned her attention to the Overseers on orbit that have been scanning for the rampaging Zerg across Aiur.
"Number count 47 million across the planet. Number of hive clusters 389. This is going to take awhile."
Ellen called her Brood queens across the Koprulu sector.
"Nysha, Zavara, Navash, Kilysa, Respond."
In a instant all five brood queens connected more directly to their empress.
"All preparations are ready." reported Zavara.
"My fleets are ready." reported Navash.
"My brood is ready to fest on the essence of the enemy swarm my empress." reported Kilysa.
"Give the word empress and we'll all begin our attack." said Nysha.
Ellen formed a virtual version of the Koprulu sector in her mind and superimposed a map of the known Protoss empire over it, altering it to show the planets and systems controlled by the renegade swarm controlled by Daggoth. The enemy swarm had taken more territory then what Ellen first expected. But no matter it was time the galaxy was freed of the old swarms influence.
"All broods attack. Wipe the enemy swarm from the face of the galaxy."
All across the Protoss empire Zerg from the Over-swarm still attacked the beleaguered Templar defenders. The shock from the Overminds death gave the Templar a temporary reprieve and advantage. But once the Cerebrates recovered they once again exerted full control over the rampaging broods refocusing and continuing their attacks. In the orbits of thousands of worlds countless numbers of warp gates opened bringing forth a new swarm. Behemoths and Leviathans unleashed clouds of Scourges and flocks of Wyverns beginning a full assault on the rear flanks of the Over-swarms fleets. In the golden Carriers and Motherships the Templar watched in both surprise and odd joy as their hated enemy seemingly fought against themselves not seeing much difference between the two swarms. Fleets of Templar across the empire pulled back to recoup and recover while the two swarms fought.
Back on Aiur Ellen monitored the fighting across the galactic sector as her Gen 1 and 2 forces fought against the armys and fleets of the Cerebrates. While her own swarm keeps the majority of the Cerebrates forces tied up Ellen her self needed to deal with Daggoth before the UED or their counter parts in this universe arrive. And to this end Ellen had elected to deal with the Zerg on Aiur her self and with her Gen 3 brood. Ellen's Hive cluster at the moment was still developing but the wild Zerg seemed to sense the danger.
"As expected! Here they come." Ellen thought as she picked up on a massive wave of wild Zerg approaching.
From the many eyes of her Hivelisk's Ellen observed a horde Zerglings and Ultralisk's numbering in the thousands charging at her position from multiple directions.
"Just a standard rush. Without a Cerebrate the wild Zerg aren't planning for future eventualities or complications." Ellen thought.
With a mental wave of her will Ellen opened a dozen warp gates above the enemies rear lines sending a stream of Scourges from the Tamashī no ki in orbit to the surface. The waves of explosive living missiles bombarded the charging hordes greatly reducing their numbers and slowing them down.
"That did the trick. Now their rear resurves are reduced and my own defenses should be fully developed in a few minutes."
Below her Ellen watched as the last of her obsidian black colored Spine crawlers and Glaive crawlers placed themselves into a wall around the hive cluster. The Hivelisk's opened their bellies spawning forth a tide of Obsidian black Zerglings and Hydralisk. The Hydralisk gathered between the crawlers while the Zerglings formed into defensive packs in front of them. As the smoke and ash of the bombardment cleared the reformed wild Zerg hordes continued their charge after recouping their loses with their constant stream of reinforcements. With the enemy nearly on her Ellen checked on the cocoons that had grown from the giant Larva spawned from the Swarm Crawlers. The bulging cocoons pulsated and bulged, seconds later splitting to reveal a row of Digesters right behind the multiheaded Hydralisk.
Ellen looked one last time to the charging enemy hordes with a sense of pity.
"It's feeding time!"
With those words Ellen's swarm of obsidian black Zerg all started glowing in between the gaps in their smooth obsidian black armor. The Zerglings roared and Hydralisk hissed as the Wild Zerg horde slammed into the defenses.
[Chapter End]
