-War & Recollections of the Past-


-High Altitude Over Aiur-


The DZK blazed like burning tree as it entered the atmosphere. The flames of atmospheric friction lapped like waves of fire over the DZKs psionic -aura skin shifting in darker and lighter colors. While the DZKs speed dropped the plasma dissipated, only to be replaced by the withering fire of Wild Mutalisk's attacking from far below. Hundreds of living projectiles consisting of Scourges and Mutalisk projectiles impacted across the DZKs body, a constant stream of them ascended from the surface like a river of bombs.

Ellen was annoyed by the constant barrage of attacks but at the same time knew that it was because of how instinctively afraid the Wild Zerg were of the DZKs power.

"Damn they just don't let up!" Ellen exclaimed as the control chamber shook ever so slightly from the impacts.

Scanning the sky for targets hundreds of organic themed targeting reticles appeared across the bio-screen.

"Suck oni-beams!" shouted Ellen.

The DZK extended its arms gathering energy along its skin. In the next instant hundreds of aura thin beams sliced through both the sky and the countless Scourges. Thousands of bio-explosions raced across the sky as the beams cut down countless living missiles and slammed into the Mutalisk many miles away. Thin beams sliced cleanly through the Wild- Mutalisk and Scourges bodies clearing the skies of enemy forces. Moments after the DZKs counter attack a rain of gross fluids and body parts rained down on the mountains and forests below.

"One annoying threat down?" Ellen mused to her self.

A moment later hundreds of Projectiles continued streaming at the DZK from the surface. Raising it's wings Ellen maneuvered the DZK away diving and flying away in a parallel course.

"Spore colonies on the ground too huh!" said Ellen targeting them.

Again a series of beams sliced through the air this time launching down to the hive clusters on the surface. Along their paths they shifted their angle and form bending and weaving as they sliced through the waves of on coming projectiles, before piercing the Spore colonies on the ground. The DZK fired more and more beams repeatedly cutting through the hive cluster like a hot knife through butter. The Hives, Hatcheries, Spawning pools, Extractors, Hydralisks dens, Spires, Greater Spires and Ultralisk caverns were all decimated in successive attacks that cut them to pieces leaving nothing but a field of gore and bloody decimation.

The DZK floated over the destroyed hive cluster making sure every Wild Zerg was dead. If even a single Drone is left it will just rebuild everything from scratch. Moments later a series of Warp-gates opened a few miles away. A fleet of several hundred Harbinger transports flew out entering a into a circular formation over the destroyed hive cluster.

"Quickly gather up the biomass and scout the surrounding regions," Ellen ordered.

"Yes my empress." replied a Hive queen. "We will not let a single one of these inferior Zerg live!"

Satisfied Ellen turned the DZK around flying off towards the west. She scanned through the orbiting Overseers date concerning the Wild Zergs movements and that of Alarak's forces. Looking through the eyes of several Wyverns scouting in the west Alarak's ships bombarded several Wild Zerg hive clusters from orbit as Ellen had suggested. Swarms of Mutalisk and Guardians flew into orbit to attack them directly but the Tal'darim ships easily obliterated any attacking force with overwhelming fire power. Tal'darim fighters did get to fight in these battles but none of Alaraks infantry were deployed to the surface. Ellen was glad that He had followed her suggestion. It would be a pity if Alarak lost a large number of his forces just to placate their hunger for ground battle.

Before too long Ellen arrived at yet another large hive cluster. However this time when she arrived instead of sticking around the Wild Zerg on the ground scattered in all directions and others burrowed deep under ground or even took flight to the sky leaving only the living buildings to die. Only the Spore colonies gave any resistance.

"Shit! this is bad." exclaimed Ellen. "I guess the Wild Zerg are learning to avoid me. Their evolving battle tactics. Better step up my efforts to clear Aiur before they get out of hand."

Expanding her incorporeal Aura to many miles wide Ellen found and targeted every Wild Zerg in close range with more aura lazers. The DZK floated in the sky just letting the token Spore colonies bombard it as it extended its arms, tail and wings. Energy orbs formed along its aura skin growing in size. All at once they shot outwards in all directions tracking the fleeing Wild Zerg forces farther out, striking their targets. Dozens of explosions racked across the ground tens of miles away as a number of the fleeing Wild Zerg were obliterated in the blasts.

"A hundred down and ten thousand to go." Ellen said as she repeated the process in rapid succession.

The DZK fired thousands of aura orbs in all directions bombarding the area in a continues volley of explosive attacks that annihilated the escaping Wild Zerg forces. Once every one of the escaping Wild Zerg in Ellen's detection range was dealt with She turned her focus on the hive cluster below. Rising a single arm the DZK formed a large aura orb, launching it downwards. The aura orb impacted the center of the hive cluster obliterating everything in ten miles and leaving a shallow crater in the ground.

"Well its not as destructive as last time."

Again a series of warp-gates formed in the sky and out came a fleet of Harbingers to clean house. They landed and began clearing the area of any residual biomass or body parts, gathering it and recycling it into the Azure swarms pool of resources. As Ellen watched many of the Azure Zerglings gathered into hunting packs and started hunting down any fleeing Wild Zerg that got away before Ellen arrived, making sure to prioritize enemy Drones. Ellen landed the DZK managing her swarms operations in the region for a while until being contacted by Alrak.

Alaraks visage appeared on the control chambers bio-screens.

"My Mothership has arrived. I'll instruct them of whose forces belong to whom so as not to have any problems with friendly fire."

"Much appreciated Alarak. Hopefully well be done soon. My forces all report a decrease of 42% in the Wild Zergs forces across the planet. With you Mother ship I hope that number will drop to 0% in the next few hours."

Alarak scoffed as if offended.

"Hours? We will be done in less then one."

Alaraks view screen blinked off leaving Ellen with a view of the surrounding area and her own army.

"That's encouraging," Ellen said to her self. "I guess he doesn't like wasting time."

In orbit the Tal'darim Mothership, measuring approximately 3 kilometers in diameter and approximately 1 kilometer high oriented its underside towards Aiur. Dozens of super heavy Terminator beam cannons glowed red with malicious energy. Their design though similar to the Templar Tachyon cannon was even more powerful as it was meant to output as much energy as possible even at the cost of some safety systems. In a single burst of power dozans of raging crimson beams pierced through Aiurs atmosphere rocketing downwards to a equal number of Wild Zerg hives clusters on the surface. Upon impact they were all washed away in a blast wave of heat and light producing a explosion akin to a thermonuclear bomb, causing a upwelling of hot air that produced a mushroom cloud at each impact point.

From inside the DZK Ellen watched as Alaraks mothership obliterated several dozen Wild Zerg hive clusters with surgical precision and power equal to her own DZK.

"Heh show off! I wonder if I can do that with the DZK?"

Getting a idea Ellen shot up into the sky into orbit. Once a thousand miles over Aiur Ellen formed a dozen aura orbs in the DZKs hands. After forming each orbited around behind the DZK in a ring formation. Once they were all formed and stable Ellen used her network of Overseers over the planet to find the Wild Zergs largest remaining hive clusters. Minutes passed as she searched around, identifying a dozen of them, locking in on their coordinates. All at once the DZK and Ellen formed a ring of a dozen warp-gates, each just a little further out from the ring of aura orbs. Each of them leading to one of the target locations. The aura orbs slowly moved passing through each of the warp-gates. A instant later all of them were right over the center of each of the Wild Zerg hive clusters. The warp gates closed and a moment later the aura orbs detonated in a flash. From her position in orbit Ellen watched looking through the eyes of her Overseers as the Wild Zerg hive clusters were vaporized.

"Hah! that's one way to get rid of them." Ellen mused to her self satisfied at her little experiment.

A transmission from Alarak came in and the Tal'darim Ascendant appeared on screen.

"Most impressive! I thought you needed me to help you? If you had that kind of destructive power why call me?"

Ellen shrugged with a grin on Her face.

"The DZK is still in its testing phase. This whole battle was meant to be its field testing exercise. It's performed great so far but im still discovering its limits."

Alarak raised a eyebrow.

"Hmm a prototype then. Perhaps in the future I could purchase one of the full production models?"

Ellen gave a snicker.

"Maybe. Lets see if you even survive to become the High-lord before making deals like that."

Alarak gave a huff of dissatisfaction.

"Very well then I understand. We'll discuss the matter later then. In any case at our current pace we should eliminate the enemy forces from Aiur in only a half hour to a hour at most."

Ellen looked through her Azure swarms collective data net checking on how many Wild Zerg hive clusters and units remain.

"There's still a lot to eliminate. Lets see who can kill the most of them in the next hour."

Alarak gave a short chuckle.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Yes."

"Very well then. I'm game."


-Shakuras, Some Time Later-

-Khalai Refugee Camp-

Zerion stood a top the recently completed Nexus at the Khalai refugee camp. Looking up at Shakuras twin moons He felt the cool night breeze.

"En-Taro-Adun Zerion. " Artanis said walking up to Zerion from behind. They both looked up admiring the stars and moons from the upper balcony. "Things have certainly been challenging as of late."

Zerion hummed in response.

"Yes. But since we have a moments rest now I would like to discuss that mater we talked about before."

Artanis eyes widened.

"Ah that! There is no need to explain."

Zerion gave Artanis a serious look.

"No, it is something I believe you should hear. I think it will explain a few things and prepare you for meeting with Matriarch Raszagal tomorrow."

"Very well then. Please explain how it is that you came to be with the Nerazim?"


/Flash-Back/

-Several hundred Years ago-

-Wrath of the Stars, en-route to the Protoss Empire From Earth-

The mostly empty halls of the massive multi mile long Tal'darim ship hummed in the cold vacuum of the Void as the craft and the Khalai colonists from A'rul now made their way back to the empire. On the bridge Kaldalis watched as the crew made use of their free time learning the ships controls. Most did not know the first thing about flying this ship this big but thanks to Lasarra and her know how they learned enough to keep the ship on course to Aiur.

"How's the exploration going?" spoke Kaldalis to a holo-screen floating in the air next to him.

"It goes well." replied Roken. "It seems all of the Tal'darim forces truly fled on that smaller ship." she replied.

"This ship is like a battle fortress considering its armaments and size." spoke Rolana on another split screen.

Rolana watched as the phase-smith Lasarra looked over the internal components of one of the ships primary cannons left intact after the battle with Ellens Zerg forces.

"These weapons seem just as advanced as those from the golden age of expansion if not more so." explained Lasarra. "However when I scanned them for their age it showed that they were hundreds of thousands of years old. The golden age of expansion was only tens of thousands of years ago?"

Kaldalis raised a eye brow at this information.

"How is that possible?" He asked.

On screen Lasarra shook her head.

"I do not know but it seems that there is much that we do not know about regarding these Tal'darim. It is a shame that none are left to answer our questions then."

Kaldalis hummed in agreement.

"Perhaps that is a good thing. From what I know these Tal'darim are fanatical and violent in their single minded service to their leaders. I do not doubt that they would seek death or attempt to kill us if they were captured."

Lasarra scoffed.

"If I use mind probes they'll talk."

Rolana turned around to Lasarra in shock.

"That is highly illegal, even in war time!"

Lasarra turned to Rolana.

"I was making a joke." Lasarra explined.

"It wasn't a vary good one." replied Rolana unamused.

Some where else on the ship Roken sighed as the transmission reached him.

"Ladies please keep the banter to a minimum. There may be saboteurs onboard listening in."

"I highly doubt that." said Zerion as he rounded the corner appearing in front of Roken.

"How goes the search?" said Roken.

"It goes well. I found a storage room half filled with materials and another with Scouts. Or the Tal'darim equivalent of Scouts, along with Probes, Dragoons and larger walker drones. But they seem in bad condition."

"Battle damage?" Lasarra asked over the com.

"Yes, and vary old looking from the looks of them?" replied Zerion.

"I'll be there in a few minutes wait for me." said Lasarra.

A few minutes later Rolana, Roken, Zerion and Lasarra all met back up before they entered a large storage chamber (100 meters by 100 meters wide) half filled with heavily to mildly damaged Dragoons and Probes along with two wrecked Colossus leaning up against the wall.

Roken looked up at them clearly seeing through the gaping hole in one.

"Impressive!"

Lasarra took several steps closer to the two dead metal giants.

"I've heard about them but would have never thought I would have a opportunity to study them if even in this condition."

Rolana glanced to Lasarra

"What about those other ones that fought against the Zerg forces when they attacked the ship?"

Lasarra glanced back to Rolana.

"Those were taken by Ellens pet Zerg for some reason?." Lasarra turned back to the two Colossus. "But these two are almost fully intact." Lasarra scrutinized the battle damage. "The damage seems to be highly accurate. Who or what ever did this knew exactly where to aim to do maximum damage?" Lasarra held up a mini hand scanner and analyzed the damage. "This?! this is damage from another Colossus?" she said, surprised.

Both Roken and Rolana turned to her.

"What? Are you saying that these were destroyed by another Tal'darim Colossus?" questioned Roken.

"No" replied Lasarra.

"What do you mean then?" questioned Rolana.

Lasarra sighed turned to them.

"What I mean is that the Colossus that destroyed these two were of ancient Templar make. But far older then the golden age of our empire. This is confusing? How could there be Colossus older then the golden age? I'll need time to examine them more thoroughly."

Confused just as much as Lasarra was Kaldalis simply left Her to it.

"Take all the time you need Lasarra." said Kaldalis. "The rest of you can scout the surrounding chambers in the mean time."

"Vary well then." said Rolana. "Brother lets see what the nearby rooms have in them."

Roken looked around concerned.

"Where's Zerion?"

Rolana turned around looking about the chamber not seeing any sign of the Dark templar.

"Where and why did he go off to on his own!. This ship is big enough. I would rather not start loosing people."

"Calm your self sister im sure he's just searching the surrounding chambers." stated Roken.

"Lets look for him then." Rolana said walking off.

Both Roken and Rolana left Lasarra to her work. Exiting the storage room they walked down the main hallway. They looked in each of the nearby chambers finding storage crates and several vast cryo-chambers. Now empty and covered in remnants of gore and small patches of slimy creep left behind after Ellen's swarm forces pulled out from the Ship. If Rolana had a biological counterpart to a Terran stomach she may have felt the urge to vomit from the smell and liquid stains on the floor and walls.

"Disgusting!" stated Rolana.

She moved on meeting back up with Roken and together they moved on walking down a corridor and turning a corner. The instant they turned the corner Zerion blinked right behind them. Both siblings spun around psi-blades ignited.

"Rolana, Roken?" said Zerion holding hands up.

"Don't do that!" shouted Roken as he and Rolana turned their psi-blades back off and relaxed their stances.

"My apologies. But i've found something on a upper level that attracted my attention. I believe it was Asrumaths private chambers. Perhaps we could investigate together." explained Zerion.

"Very well then lead the way." said Rolana gesturing.

The three of them used the transporter network on the ship to quickly move up several levels and more to the center of the ship. At the middle of a long corridor they stopped at a armored and decorated door.

"How did you know there was something in here?" questioned Rolana." Its so far from where we were before?"

"As the both of you know now know that I am connected with Void. Something in here is calling to me through the Void." explained Zerion.

Rolana scrutinized the door.

"So you can feel that somethings in there but don't know what it is? Is it hostile?"

"No. I believe not. It may be a artifact or technology of some kind." replied Zerion.

Roken stepped forward igniting his psi-blade.

"Well shall we enter then. Unless there's another way we will have to cut our way in."

"Stay you blade Roken." stated Kaldalis through the ships speakers. "I believe I can open it from here."

Roken, Zerion and Rolana waited a moment. After a minute the doors outer layer split in half sliding to the sids while the inner layer opened vertically.

"How did you open the door?" asked Rolana.

From the hallway speakers Kaldalis replied.

"We just tricked the security system into recognizing you." said Kaldalis.

With the way now open the three templar entered the private chambers of Asrumath. The inside was decorated with trophies of conquest and many battles including the skulls of many Protoss and other races that were unknown. One of which had a elongated skull and a jaw split into 4 parts. Swords and shields along with various weapons from differing races were also mounted on the walls. As she entered Rolana was filled with thoughts of horror and death as she could imagine the countless battles and lives taken by Azrumath in the past, how ever long that was.

Roken wondered why Azrumath would have taken such trophies and displayed them. Perhaps a show of his prowess in combat or perhaps as a way of intimidating anyone who enters his chambers. Or perhaps it was a morbid hobby of his. As they looked around the room Zerion glanced at a bookshelf then around to the various furniture. Then his sight and senses drew him to a alcove recessed into a corner of the chamber. Inside he found a stature of a ten winged angel with a large single eye in the middle. It was decorated and detailed in gold with a golden halo floating behind it.

"Curious?" Zerion stated as he reached out to it.

Roken turned to him just as Zerion reached out.

"Zerion don't get to..."

It was too late. Zerions hand embraced the statue and instantly his eyes glassed over as his consciousness was pulled into the Void.

"What where am I... This... is this the Void?"

Zerion felt as though his mind was being projected into the Void by the statue and was still in motion. As He got his bearings Zerion realized that He was getting closer to something. There in the empty darkness a bright light appeared. But it did not bring any comfort or joy. On the contrary it was the Voids eternal darkness and emptiness that comforted the Dark Templar. The light he rushed towards only gave him a overwhelming sense of dread and pressure as if something was smothering him. Then nothing. Zerion snapped back to his senses as Rolana cut the statue in half. Zerion stared into space a few seconds before looking down at the two halves at his feet.

"Wha? what happened?"

"I was hoping you could tell us that?" said Roken. "Are you ok?"

Zerion shook his hazy head a moment getting his bearings.

"Yes... I believe I am." replied Zerion.

"It must have been this odd statue that caused your laps," said Rolana.

The three of them stared at the bisected statue lying on the floor.

Back with Lasarra She continued scanning the wrecked War machines getting very interesting results. These machines were deemed worth salvaging for future repair but such repairs never happened for some reason?

"I wonder why?" Lasarra mused to her self as she stood up from scanning the under side of a heavily damaged Probe.

"Lasarra." Rolana calledout. "We have something that could be more interesting then those hunks of metal."

Lasarra turned around to see Roken, Zerion and Rolana with the two halves of a odd statue.

"What is this?" asked Lasarra.

After hearing about Zerion's episode from the others Lasarra quickly took the statue to her lab where She quickly took it apart and analyzed its components and material structure. It base compounds were not all that interesting but the technology inside it was intriguing.

The door slid open as Kaldalis entered the lab. He looked about at all of the various samples and devices strewn about semi-half haphazardly.

"I see that your still disorganized since our departure." He said.

Lasarra looked up at him.

"I don't plan on staying here for vary long so it doesn't matter. I would rather use my time before we reach Aiur to conduct as much research as possible rather then waste time organizing when it will all just be moved again later. Speaking of which how much longer till we reach Aiur?"

"Not long," Kaldalis replied. "Another day or so and we'll arrive. But concerning that there is one matter I want to discuss with you."

Lasarra one step ahead nodded.

"Yes the matter concerning Zerion becoming a Dark Templar. Everything moved along quite fast before, or we were distracted with other matters so none of us had brought it up before now. However once we reach Aiur it will be quit different. The Conclave may have him executed just to cover up the fact a Khalai Templar can become a Dark Templar just from loosing their Nerve cords!"

Kaldalis crossed his arms and closed his eyes a moment in deep contemplation.

It was at that moment that Kaldalis realized that even though he was now a Dark Templar Zerion was still the same person he was before but the Conclave would not see it like that and Lasarra's words and advice became all to true.

"Your right he will be made to disappear if he returns to Aiur with us. And despite his new abilities it would be impractical to stay On Aiur or any of the colony and Forge worlds in the empire."

"Then the only option is to send him to the Dark Templar then," stated Lasarra.

"But how too find them?" mused Kaldalis.

"That is a problem? How would we even get in contact with them? Perhaps Zerion him self could do it." Lasarra wondered.

She thought a moment before turning her gaze to the statue from before.

"I may be able to use this device to amplify Zerions connection to the Void using the statue."

"What's the likely hood of it working?" asked Kaldalis.

"Unknown? But its better the alternative of doing nothing." replied Lasarra.

"Then that should be your priority for the time being," stated Kaldalis.


-5 Hours later-

After only a few hours of tinkering Lasarra had worked out a device that would boost Zerions connection to the Void. He with Kaldalis and Roken gathered in Lasarras lab while Rolana was off doing other things like makin g sure the rest of their people were ready to disembark once they reach Aiur.

"So this is the device you spoke of?" said Zerion.

He looked at the device now taken out of the statue and connected to a series of relays.

Catching the hesitation in his tone Kaldalis gave Him a side on glance.

"Is there anything we should know about?"

Zerion glanced at Kaldalis for a moment then returned his gaze to Lasarras device as she fine tuned it.

"It's only the first time I touched this statue I felt as if my mind had been ripped from my body and thrust into the Void. But it was not just that. It was like I was being transported to another realm beyond the Void."

Lasarra founding this interesting.

"From what you said happened before and my own analysis it sounds like the statue was a kind of projector that connected your mind to a place beyond the Void. Perhaps another dimensional realm?"

"Perhaps," replied Zerion. "But while the Void felt embracing and calm this other realm felt as if it was scrutinizing Me and probing my very being for worth. It was not comfortable."

"I see." said Lasarra as she completed her calibration. "Everything seems in order. I've recalibrated it to only boost your connection to the Void nothing more. Touch it and see if it works."

Reluctantly Zerion took a step forwards placing a hand on the device. He instantly felt a deeper and stronger connection with the Void and his consciousness was soon subsumed in the shadowed realm. Zerion found his mind floating in a space of pure blackness. Again it felt comforting but unlike last time his mind did not feel like it was rushing through the Void to some where else. Zerion got to business expanding his mind and reaching out to any others connected to the Void. Farther and faster His minds perception reached out. But then his soul shuddered as He felt a overwhelming sense of dread echo through the Void. It was like the foot steps of a giant and made Zerion shudder like a ant hiding in a bush as a giant simply walked by. But along with the sense of dread also came a strange sense of familiarity with the Zerg. Then as He tried to understand the presence more it turned its attention to him. Zerion felt like he was gripped by a invisible force as the other presence looked deeply into him.

"Gah!" Zerion mentally gasped as he cut the connection.

"Are you ok?" asked Roken.

Taking a moment to mentally recover Zerion replied.

"Guh, yes. There was... another presence in the void. Old, powerful, Hungry!"

"Not the Dark Templar then," stated Lasarra in dismay. "I wonder what it was? Perhaps another being that uses the Void like the Dark Templar perhaps?"

"I believe so?" stated Zerion. "But I believe that this being was connected to or is a Zerg."

"A Zerg?" questioned Kaldalis. "Perhaps it was from the original Swarm, which forced us to flee from our colony where all of this started."

"Perhaps?" said Lasarra.

Roken felt unsettled by this fact. "If it was the original Zerg swarm then it probably continuing to attack the Empire. Our people are under threat."

Kaldalis took that seriously. "If true then the fowl Zerg has never stopped with their attack on our colony and simply continued attacking our people. We need to prepare the ship for combat before we reach Aiur."

At Kaldalis orders everyone forgot about contacting the Dark Templar for the moment and instead every Protoss on board the Wrath of the Stars readied for a fight. Though the ship had taken a beating from Ellens forces it was still able to fight to a degree and the self repair system had been fixed by Lasarra and the other Phase-smiths. Before too long most of the ships hull damage and destroyed turrets were repaired and replaced. A day later the Wrath of the Stars exited the Warp/Void space to the sight of Aiur. Its vast orbital rings and fleets of Templar ships and transports coming and going, some arriving others leaving via warp jumps.

On the bridge Kaldalis watched as multiple Carriers and Arbiters quickly changed their course flying straight towards their ship.

"Well they know were here now. Hail them." ordered Kaldalis.

A few moments passed after the crew sent the transmission. Meanwhile the Templar fleet surrounded the Wrath of the Stars as it held its position over Aiur. A holo-screen blinked on showing a high ranking fleet commander.

"Identify your self's?" He asked.

"We are refugees from from the border colony of A'rul."

The Templar commanders expression turned to one of disbelief as his scanners displayed the weapons and systems of the unknown ship clamming to house refugees.

"Your claims seem suspect considering that colony was reported to have been destroyed some time ago and that your ship is armed to the teeth if damaged. Give me one reason why I shouldn't disable you ship right now!"

Kaldalis had no reason to fight or to meet the commanders banter.

"I have none but to say it will be a long story. That is if you let me explain?"

On the bridge of the Templar fleet commanders flagship the Commander felt uneasy just taking the unknown Protoss at his word.

"What's their status?" the commander asked a crewmate.

One of his men replied.

"Their weapons and shields are off line and life signs are reading several hundred Protoss onboard."

The fleet commander contemplated the situation and decided to board the ship beginning with the bridge.

"Very well. We will be bording your vessel shortly. Do not resist."

Kaldalis mentally expressed a sigh of relief.

"We will not. We welcome you aboard."

A few moments later a squad of Templar teleported onboard the Wrath of the Stars bridge. More Templar teleported across the ship securing its Khalai inhabitants. Meanwhile in one of the Wrath of the Stars lower hangers Zerion sat alone in a advanced shuttle. He started its engines and opened the hanger doors quickly flying out and activating a stealth drive Lasarra had created departing without telling anyone for the simple fact He knew what the Conclave would have treated the others poorly had he stayed and been associated with him, a Dark Templar. It may not be far to the others to just leave like this but it was better for everyone this way.

Zerion sent the order to the ship to close the hanger doors he had just left and activated his shuttles warp drive, entering the Void and traversing light years in moments. After a few hours of travel He exited warp-space arriving at a Forge world he knew of. Under the cloaking-field the shuttle entered a low security docking bay and landed. Wrapping him self in the Voids energies Zerion disappeared from view and blinked out of the shuttle leaving it cloaked.

Zerion was here because in order to reach the Dark Templar He needed a larger more robust ship with greater capabilities. A Shuttle is great for short distances and journeys between planets but not for extended trips across sectors of the galaxy. Zerion made his way passed hundreds of Templar guards and Phase-smiths as he traversed the facility looking for a ship forge. A larger Forge facility that can create whole ships by its self. After a hour of looking he found his target. It was only guarded by a few autonomous-Dragoons which He easily blinked passed. The construction-dock looked like a expansive hollow cylinder surrounded by a U shaped walkway with folded robotic arms along the ceiling and walls. To one side was a control room. Zerion entered the control room and turned the terminal on. Thinking up what He needed He got to designing a new ship type.

He stuck with the basic hull type of a Shuttle but expanded it to triple the original size with extra power cores and added a redundant shield, power and warp-drive systems, along with adding few more rooms, one a cargo bay the others a armory and personal room. Zerion also added several Photon cannons for defense and combat. After finalizing the schematics He pushed the create button and watched as the robotic arms swiveled into place along with floating rings along the walls. The robotic arms extended converging on one location and began creating a orb of matter. It changed in size and mass and shifted its form and structure until it was formed into a box like frame with several half cylinder hollow holes on two of its sides. The robotic arms pulled back a bit making more room as more components were formed atom by atom, molecule by molecule and assembled into parts by guiding forcefields before they were then installed into the box frame. Several khaydarin crystals were teleported into the chamber from a storage room some where else and inserted into the cylinders before they were caped on both ends and a large frame walls were formed and placed on the box covering its internal parts.

The automated construction process continued for several more hours until the ship was completed. Zerion admired the shape and art of the construction process and its efficiency. All the parts and new internal structure was created by a A.I. based on his basic design. He felt a little worried that no guards had arrived to see why a automated construction yard has activated by its self but He wasn't complaining. Forge worlds and their orbital rings were vast expansive construction facilities with the ability to build whole fleets in days. It would be ridiculous to have guards monitoring every one of the hundreds of millions of automated Forges that build everything from spare parts to whole ships. One activating by its self perhaps would not be all that odd considering that the facilities only require a pass code to activate which Zerion had thanks to reading the minds of several Phase-smiths while making his way through the facility earlier. Being a Dark Templar certainly has it perks. And drawbacks.

"Construction completed." a robotic voice stated emotionlessly.

The robotic arms pulled back as the ships golden hull shimmered in the light. It was much longer and slightly wider then a normal shuttle with retractable Photon cannons pods along its hull. Zerion walked to the ships bow and gave a telepathic order. Grooves appeared along the lower front of the ship bow as a ramp lowered. Zerion blinked onto the ships bridge. There was a control console with a chair behind it in front of the ramp. The ramp closed as Zerion walked around the control console taking the seat. Activating the engines caused the ship to thrum with power as the ship lifted off the force fields supports projected from the walls and floor. Zerion looked through the functions of the ship reaching the Cloaking controls. With the press of a button the stealth systems activated and the ship became invisible. Zerion added his own Void cloaking to the system bolstering the ships invisibility with Void energy. He didn't think it would work but He had had the idea floating in his head while the ship was being built.

The Hanger bays opened revealing the empty vacuum beyond. The ships engines flared pushing it's self out of the construction bay. Zerion in his new ship crushed away from the orbital ring enjoying the view of the massive construct and the planet below. With one last reprieve sigh He activated the engines and entered Warp space.

-One Week Later-

After cruising away from one colony after the other Zerion collected some plants, and water filling the living quarters garden for his biological needs. Protoss may only require sun-light and water to live for the most part but having some plants helps the psychological side of things as its company and a distraction to the loneliness of his travel even if the plants don't talk. While floating in the void between systems Zerion tended his plants. Watering them and snipping off extra growths on the branches to keep them healthy. After tending his garden Zerion meditated for several hours searching the Void for any traces of Dark Templar. Just as he was about to stop and move to another region of space He felt a surge of Psionic power emanating from a distant system. It felt familiar to him so Zerion decided to investigate. Hours later the ship exited Warp-space in a binary star system. The psionic power was even stronger then before. Parking the ship in orbit Zerion scanned the planet quickly finding that the world was devoid of life except for one area. Focusing on the life signatures He saw a Zerg colony on the surface next to a small sea. It was several miles long and two deep with over four hundred of the swarms living bio-structures. And floating over it was over a thousand Overlords and Overseers floating in the air along with several dozen Mutalisks and Guardians moving in formation on patrol.

"Strange?" Zerion questioned.

Maintaining the ships cloak Zerion entered the atmosphere. It was obvious from his perspective that this was a Hive cluster belonging to Ellen's swarm but why was she here in the Protoss Empire. Investigating the hive cluster was also on Zerions mind as his ship levitated over the dense cloud of Overlords and Overseers. On the ground Zerion could see Creep spreading out in all directions but there were few Zerg on the ground. It looked as if this hive cluster was built for spawning Overlords and Overseers mostly.

"Is that self proclaimed Empress of the swarm exploring the galaxy then?" Zerion wondered.

That seemed to be the only viable nature of this Hive cluster given its construction and contents.

"Well well if it isn't Zerion? What brings you out here?"

Zerion recognized the telepathic voice as Ellens.

"What are you up to Oh Empress of the Zerg?" asked Zerion.

"Just scouting the galaxy for a certain planet." Ellen replied mentally. "What are you doing out in the middle of nowhere.?"

Zerion could sense that the empress was present in the system but not on the planet.

"I am looking for a group of my kin that were exiled from the Protoss empire long ago. Though I was a Templar I am, now through no fault of my own, a Dark templar now. It would be... problematic if I were to return to Aiur and the empire."

"I understand the situation." replied Ellen strangely understanding. "So your looking for the Dark Templar then. I could help since my swarm is scouring the galaxy at the moment. But i'm steering clear of the inner Protoss empire. Don't want the... well I just think it would be problematic at the moment to fight the original swarm right now."

"And why would you help me?" Zerion felt suspicious of Ellen's motivation.

"I plan on destroying the original swarm one day but at the moment im preparing. Until then im evolving my swarm and doing other things to pass the time. Besides if the Dark Templar are anything like the Normal Templar they'll try to fight the Original Zerg swarm. That can't and won't end well for them. If possible I would like to talk with them and having someone like you to be a go between would be an help in diplomacy. I think a major conflict between the Protoss and the Original Zerg Swarm will be starting soon if not already. If the Dark Templar enter the battle too soon then they will get wiped out before doing anything of significance."

Zerion contemplated Ellen's words. She did have a few good points as the Zerg are most likely to attack other colonies in the empire leading to a major war. Still why would Ellen not want to attack a enemy swarm with allies? It was odd to Zerion that Ellen would not seek a alliance with the Protoss empire and Dark templar considering she went out of her way to get the Humans and Protoss refugees to work together and with her swarm. But the thought of the Templar and Dark Templar working together also felt like a distant dream to Zerion.

"I, reluctantly, take you up on your offer. But I will remain on my ship."

A warp-gate opened a few kilometers away from the hive cluster catching Zerions attention. A massive Leviathan exited the warp-gate and slowly landed next to the hive cluster hovering meters off the ground.

"Feeling a little scared are we. I won't bit... much!" projected Ellen.

"Cease your childish banter! I'm in no mood for deceptive or ambiguous talk." replied Zerion.

"Geeze. Ok ok. I'll act seriously." Ellen replied. "Though do you even have a clue as to the location of the Dark Templars location?"

Zerion sighed at his own ignorance to this important fact.

"No unfortunately. But I believe I know the general direction based on the stories of the Dark templars exile."

"That's odd." Projected Ellen. "Based on what I know wouldn't the Conclave keep that kind of information secret?"

"How would you know that?" questioned Zerion.

"Ha!. I have my own secrets. Maybe I'll tell you one day."

Zerion growled in annoyance.

"You are right to think that the Conclave would do much to hide the fact that the Dark Templar exist from the public eye. But it's not like everyone who knew about them back then never talked about it. And as the saying goes stories are infectious."

"I'm guessing that that's a Protoss saying?" said Ellen.


-Present-

Artanis widened His eyes shocked at the story.

"It is curious that Ellen would have added you in finding the Dark Templar?"

"True." Zerion replied. "But That one was never easy to read. She always seems to butt into others affairs and com up with reasons for others to ally with her or other factions for her own reasons. Remember when we and the Human of Earth worked with her swarm to attack Asrumath and his Tal'darim forces."

"I do." replied Artanis. "So what happened next?"

Zerion continued.

"I traveled with Ellen's forces for a time before her fleets of Overlords and Overseers found a group of Dark templar. I left Her company and meet with the Dark Templar. They were hesitant at first, rightly so considering I had at one time been a Templar. The ones who exiled them and hunted them on Aiur long ago. Eventually however I encountered Zeratul and he saw potential in me. It was thanks to him that I was allowed to come to Shakuras and meet with Matriarch Raszagal and find my place among the Nerazim. Some time after words Ellen and Haruka both arrived causing quit a mess. It was at that time they gave us the data drive containing the information of future and past events. Matriarch Raszagal was quit surprised at the information. Rightly so considering much of her own life's events were in there. It was a great source of dismay to her and many others including Zeratul, when He too saw into the data drives contents. Eventually it was decided then that the Dark Templar would stay out of the Khalai Protoss war with Zergs way until the appointed time arrived.

"You mean after the Terrans Kerrigan and Nova were taken and infested by the Overmind?" said Artanis.

Zerion nodded. "Yes unfortunately. But considering the convoluted nature of time travel or even knowing the future it was perhaps the best decision."

Artanis crossed his arms in contemplation. "Perhaps?"

"In any case what of you and Rolana." questioned Zerion. "Why did you two change your names. And what happened to our old teacher Kaldalis, and Lasarra and the others from A'rul?"

Artanis lowered his arms looking Zerion in the eyes.

"It is... a long story."


-Flash Back-

Roken his sister Rolana and many others from on the Wrath of the Stars looked on as Templar Zealots marched through the ships halls searching for anything and everyone onboard while the A'rul refugees stood along the hallway walls waiting to be taken off the ship.

"Whey are they lining us up?" asked a A'rul colonist.

"This is not a Templar ship. Perhaps they are simply caution's of it and us?" stated another.

Two Templar walked up to Roken and Rolana giving them a look over.

"Are you Roken and Rolana of the A'rul colony militia?" the Templar asked.

"Yes." replied Rolana.

"Follow us." said the Templar in a serious tone.

Rolana and Roken gave each other a momentary glance before complying. They followed the Templar to a teleportation pad and teleported away to Khor-shakal on Aiur. There they meet up with Kaldalis and Lasarra who were waiting under guard outside the Conclaves meeting chambers.

"Kaldalis? what is the manning of our presence here?" asked Rolana feeling confused.

"Ah Rolana, Roken." said Kaldalis. "It would seem the Conclave has become greatly interested in how we are alive after the Zerg attack on our colony."

Lasarra shifted her weight onto her other leg as she thought.

"They probably just want to figure out how we obtained the Tal'darim ship?"

"I'm not so sure?" Roken wondered.

"Something on you mind?" asked Kaldalis.

Roken took a side glance at the Templar guarding them.

"It's just a feeling."

The four of them took a few silent moments to think about their situation before the doors opened drawing their attention. Standing in the door way a High Templar ushered them inside the Conclaves meeting hall. Inside ten high ranking members of the Conclave sat on opulent thrones.

"En-Taro- Adun," The conclave greeted.

"En-Taro-Adun," Kaldalis an the others replied.

"So you are the ones clamming to be from that far flung colony?" questioned a Conclave member.

"Its status was reported to have been completely wiped out by the hostile xeno-forms that engaged with the investigation fleet." said another conclave member.

Kaldalis, Lasarra, Roken and Rolana all stood there in the middle of the room waiting to be questioned as per the protocol.

"The report by the investigation fleet stated that they discovered a ruined structure of Xel'naga make. It was completely destroyed. You Kaldalis. What say you in regards to this structure."

The Conclave member waved a arm and a holo-gram of the ruined Xel'naga spiral warp-gate appeared in front of them in miniature.

Kaldalis and the others remembered when they had to destroy that structure to flee their doomed world bringing back much emotion.

"It is a Xel'naga warp-gate long buried on A'rul. Some time after the colony was completed a Observer discovered a surface structure connected to the warp-gate. A investigation was launched with Lasarra as the lead investigator. She was... is the chief scientist of A'rul. I and these two... and some others investigated the ruins. During our investigation of the surface structure the greater ruins, the warp-gate arose from the planets crust. It was some time after that when the hostile Xeno-form attacked our colony. Perhaps the ruins raising drew their attention. Or perhaps their arrival was just a coincidence, I do not know. Lasarra learned that the ruins were a warp-gate of some make and during the battle with the xeno-forms I decided to evacuate the surviving population to the other side of where-ever the gate led to after all of our gatways were destroyed in a tactical strike by the xeno-forms."

"But in the process the Xel'naga ruins were destroyed were they not!" stated a Conclave member in anger.

"Yes they were." said Kaldalis. "We could not allow the xeno-forms to follow us. So I ordered the structure to be destroyed after we we made it through to the other side."

Many in the conclave were more then a little angered by the fact a Templar ordered the destruction of a priceless Xel'naga artifact. But given the life and death situation prioritizing the lives of the people living now was understandable. Something else how ever was not so forgivable.

"When you discovered these ruins why did you not report it to Auir?" asked a conclave member.

"I believe a full report should have included a comprehensive analysis. I wanted to send Aiur a report that was as complete as possible given our equipment and personnel. If given a day more I believe such a report would have reached Aiur if not for the Xeno-formes attack."

Most of the conclave members present accepted the explanation while a few felt that the report should have been sent to Aiur as soon as the ruins were discovered.

"Phase-Smith Lasarra." said a more livid conclave member. "You were in charge of the ruins investigation were you not?"

"Yes I was. I was the most qualified on our colony considering my expertise in science and technology."

"But you are not a archaeologist nor do you have any deep understanding of Xel'naga technology do you not? "

Lasarra held her composer as her qualifications were attacked.

"No. I do not have training concerning Xel'naga technology."

"Then pray tell what possessed you to fool around with sacred Xel'naga artifacts let alone destroy them?"

Lasarra could tell that this member of the conclave was among those few who hold the Xel'naga and all that they have built in high regard. Some to a religious degree.

"Though it is true that I am not a expert in Xel'naga technology I am a graduate of the Arch'vante sciences academy. I'm, at least qualified to give a preliminary investigation report for the experts to read to and catch up on the basics of the discovery before beginning their own investigation."

"So you think that that..." started a conclave member before being interrupted by another.

"Enough! I would like to move on to the next matter at hand. Namely that ship that you arrived on and where both it came from and where you went upon traveling through the Xel'naga warp gate?"

The members of the conclave argued some what before settling down and allowing Kaldalis a explanation.

"After traveling through the warp-gate we found ourselves on a red planet. It was a barren lifeless world so far beyond the empire that were were unable to communicate our situation."

"That would mean they traveled half way across the galaxy?" mumbled one conclave member.

Kaldalis continued.

"Far from home we did the only thing we could do. Survive. Using some of the Probes and smaller forges we brought with us we were able to fabricate a underground city for ourselves. But we were not the only ones to have come through the warp-gate."

"What do you mean by that?" asked a conclave member.

Kaldalis continued.

"Before the warp-gate collapsed one of the larger Xeno-formes was able to come through the gate with us."

This news made the conclave very suspicious, anxious, worried as to how this story was going to play out.

"Did you not try and kill the beast?" asked one member of the conclave.

"Actually we had very little fighting ability at that time having lost most of our Scouts to destroy the warp-gate. But it seemed that we did not need to do anything nor be worried. For as soon as the Xeno-form passed through the gateway it seemed to have lost all sense of purpose and simply lay there on the red planets surface after crashing."

"The creature became docile?" questioned a conclave member.

"That is what I believed at the time yes. Since we were disconnected from the empire by distance then I had assumed that the xeno-form had also been separated from its race and leaders in much the same way because it seemingly lost all its motivations. But that was not the truth however."

"What happened after words?" a conclave member asked.

"I don't know the details but it seems that the xeno-form regained its composure and left for another world. The third world in that solar system which at the time I and the others did not know was inhabited. It was only later that we discovered antiquated radio waves eminating from that world."

"A less advanced species inhabited that world!" stated conclave member. "You know the rules regarding the Dae'Uhl (Great Stewardship)"

"Yes I am aware." replied Kaldalis. "But the situation was far from normal. By the time we became aware of the Humans as they call themselves some weeks had passed. I sent a scout team to the Humans world of Earth in a shuttle we managed to construct. The team consisted of both Rolana here along several others who... are no longer with us."

"Did the Xeno-form attack the Humans?" the conclave asked.

"Yes. But the situation was as I said far from normal or simple." Kaldalis stated.

Kaldalis spent the next hour explaining the events that followed regarding Ellen, her gaining command over the swarm and her actions, Along with the Tal'darim attacking and taking over the small community the A'rul refugees had built on Mars and how everything ended.

The Conclave murmured amongst themselves as they took in this explanation, deciding on what to do next. Rolana, Roken, Kaldalis and Lasarra all waited for a decision to be made.

"We have come to a decision." stated a Conclave member. "We have decided that, regarding the Tal'darim vessel, It will be sent to to a remote world to be analyzed. We had intended to start a terraforming operation there already so it would benefit the efforts if the survivors of the A'rul colony also joined in the efforts."

Kaldalis and the others were some what shocked.

"Kaldir?"said Lasarra. "What kind of world is it?"

A member of the conclave continued.

"Kaldir is a moon of Midr IV(4). It is a cold world bereft of life. Only a few spieces survive its icy weather. But efforts to terriform it have been started. We hope to turn the moon into a more hospitable place for not only our own race but many others. It is... a experiment."

"Since we don't know what this ship is capable of or if it has some hidden system that the Tal'darim could use against us should they turn their weapons against us it will serve as a safe place to understand and hopefully use their technology in the future"

Despite the positive disposition of the Conclave Kaldalis could see through their act. They were no doubt interested in the Tal'darims technology but at the same time they didn't want the Protoss population to learn of a different and more violent faction of Protoss whos existence could up turn thousands of years of established history. Ad to that the fact the Protoss people could want to make contact with these Tal'darim and cause them to attack Aiur or the empire at large. The Conclave didn't want that or any other kind of trouble so it would be much easier of everyone and all the evidence just disappeared and Kaldir was the dumping round. It wasn't all that bad but it would no doubt result in the refugees from A'rul never being allowed to leave or advance up the ranks of society.

"That sound rather inviting a proposal. The Conclave is indeed wise," complemented Kaldalis.

Some members of the Conclave took the compliment while others were some what suspicious of the wording.

"Is there anything on your mind Kaldalis." asked a member of the Comclave.

"It is just. Being isolated on a distant world would make it diffacult for aspiering Templar like Rolana and Roken here to raise in status. If it would be possable could they be allowed to stay on Aiur."

The members of the Conclave contemplated the request amongst themselves.

"It is not a complicated request," stated on member.

"It would run the risk of them talking or others finding out about the A'rul refugees and everything else. Its not worth the risk." said another member.

"We could keep them under surveillance and give them a warning. Or we could simply erase their memories of the past and give them new identities." suggested another member.

"That could work but I think erasing their memories is too harse. They are loyal Templar after all. They should be rewarded. We only need to make sure they sware a oath of secrecy regarding their little adventures and the Tal'darim. Their honor will restrict them to obay."

"I agree to that proposle."

"As do I. It is foolish to strike the hand that protects you. A more subtle approach is needed here."

The majority of the Conclave members agreed to the proposal.

"Kaldalis. We have decided to grant your request. However their are conditions."

"And what are these conditions?" asked Kaldalis.

The Conclave explined.

"Both Roken and Rolana must change their identities. And sware a oath of secrecy regarding everything that has transpird. Do you accept our terms?"

Rolana and Roken gave each other a questioning glance before turning back to the Conclave.

"I accept," stated Roken.

"Are you sure?" asked Lasarra.

Rolana considered everything before making her decision.

"I accept as well."

-Present-

Zerion found his answer to why both Roken and Rolana had changed their names and identities. It was no surprised to Him that the Conclave had tried to hid the truth of what happened. Perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps it was just them trying to control everything. Considering that most of the Conclaves members were now dead it did not matter anymore.

"I see. So Kaldalis, Lasarra and the others must be on Kaldir then."

Artanis formally Roken nodded.

"Yes. But I and my sister have not had any contact with them in many centuries. However we now have the authority and freedom to free them from the exile."

"Do you think Kaldir has been terraformed?" asked Zerion.

"Perhaps? But we won't know until we go their ourselves." said Artanis.

Zerion looked at Artanis questioningly.

"What?" asked Artanis.

"It is just... do you enjoy your new names."

Artanis shrugged. "Honestly its not all that different. It took a little getting used to but we adapted."

"That is good to here. Also about that Purifier?" asked Zerion.

"Ah him. He's also searching for a new name. Perhaps we should help him find a new name." replied Artanis.

"I already know of his bravery and skill. Even if he's a copy of Fenix. He's still Templar at heart."

"Perhaps we should help him find a new name." suggested Artanis.

"Only if he willingly accepts our counsel." Zerion stated.

"Of course," replied Artanis.

The two looked back up to the stars filling the perpetual twilight sky of Shakures continuing to admire its beauty. Moments later a massive object exited warp-space over the planet catching their eye as it moved in front of Rajal, one of Shakures moons covering a good 1/10th of the moons surface as it passed between the two.

"What is that?" questioned Zerion

-Chapter End-