Smash, Grab and a child?
Nova and Adrian were enjoying a quiet drink while looking over some of Swann's ghost upgrades.
"Adrian and Nova report to the bridge."
They had been told about the plan and it was a good one but they weren't really sure given Tychus control of a prototype super-heavy siege walker was such a good idea.
"Valhalla is a top-secret Dominion research center hidden on a small moon orbiting Sigmaris Prime. Hundreds of vehicles and weapons systems have undergone final testing here, including the Viking multi-role combat walker and the Minotaur-class battlecruiser. The decrypted Adjutant contains records proving Mengsk ordered the massacre on Tarsonis, now we just need to broadcast those records. Mira Han gave us a tip that might help." Matt flipped on the screen. "The Odin is currently in the testing facility on Valhalla."
Nova and Adrian were getting the troops ready. But during the mission prep Adrian noticed a small pain in the back of his mind he had no idea of the source but it was somehow familiar to him. Nova could feel it too and her hand reached for his.
'Are you ok?' He pecked her cheek to say he was fine. She gave his hand a small squeeze then grabbed her rifle. They went into the dropship. Once Tychus stole the Odin they would have to be fast.
"Our team's in position, we're ready to steal the Odin. Are you absolutely sure about this, sir?"
Jim smirked. "Yep. Tychus is definitely our best man for this kind of job. He does get a little excited in combat, we're gonna need to keep up with him once the fightin' starts. Which is why Nova and Adrian are going in behind him."
"Hopefully we can block all transmissions long enough for him to do that. We can't risk word of this getting back to Korhal."
"How much do we know about this 'Odin'?"
Matt pulled up some footage Mira sent. "It's an experimental super-heavy siege walker designed for prolonged front line combat. Very powerful."
"Great, even Tychus can't wreck it then."
"Here they go." They cut to the cameras on their troops armor.
"Go! Go! Go!"
On the ground
"This ain't a stealth mission any more ladies. Bring it loud and fast!" Tychus opened fire.
They pushed hard and fast to take area.
"Activate the auto-turrets!" The Dominion Marine screamed at his men.
Tychus just chuckles. "You ain't keepin' me from that monster!"
After the room is clear they to the machines on to assemble the Odin.
"Hot Damn! I can't wait to get inside that thing and tear this place up!" He jumps into the cockpit "I'll open up the doors."
Jim was on his way down. "Hold your position Tychus! Let the support force catch up to cover you!" Tychus blew to doors open with the Odin's arm cannons.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Jim was less than impressed. "Dammit, Tychus! Stand down! Can you read me?!"
"He's got it stuck on transmit, sir. He can't hear us at all. Defenses are coming online at the Dominion bases."
"Wonderful. Get our base set up ASAP. We'll just have to follow him in and hope he doesn't get too crazy. Ah, who am I kidding...? Adrian, Nova try and keep him out of too much trouble."
"Right." They said in unison.
"Sir, I'm picking up Dominion battlecruisers on an intercept course with the Odin."
"Hey hotshot, you want these Wraith fighters now? They'll take down a battlecruiser easy. You can build more at a starport."
"Great now let's get some Siege Tanks to deal with their ground forces."
"On the way cowboy."
"Thanks Swann. Adrian Nova how's it going?"
"I'll give Tychus some credit he knows how to blow stuff apart." Nova radioed back.
"Jim we should send out some SCV's to keep the Odin from falling apart."
"Good call. You heard boys move out."
Tychus was having the time of his life at the moment. He spotted some Dominion bases.
"So what's the plan now Commander? Trash them bases right?" Tychus not knowing he left the radio on transmit asked. "Uh Jimmy? ...Pardner? Can ya hear me?" Tychus took it as a sigh to blow up everything in sight. "Well if you ain't going to tell me not to have a little fun...I'm going to have a little fun hehe. Here I go!"
Tychus fired the Odin's arm canons again and blew up damn near everything in sight.
"Oh you want some of this? Boom!"
Adrian and Nova sighed.
Matt was unsure if Tychus was even aware of how much he was talking. "Does he always talk this much, Sir?"
"Yep, once you get him in a fight he never shuts up."
Adrian laughed. "How'd you put up with him back in the day?"
Jim would've answered if he knew the answer.
The Odin stopped moving for a minute. "Well now that's done with, I'm gonna take me a little break. Good thing I brought me some liquid refreshment..." The sound of a beer can opening was heard over the comm.
Nova shook her head. "You have got to be kidding me."
Tychus downed his beer and tossed the can. "Now that hit the spot. There's nothing like knocking back a cold one on top o' yer enemies' smoking corpses!" He saw a group of siege tanks and a BIG flashing red button. "Ok, flashy red button what do you do?"
The Odin's heavy artillery cannons fired and the tanks were nothing but scrap. "BOOM, baby! DAMN! Now that is HOT!"
The battle went on like that for an hour and only Adrian and Nova were able to keep up with Tychus. He stopped again. "Just wake me up when you're ready - I reckon a small nuke oughta do it, hehehe."
"Care to do the honours honey?" Adrian asked Nova.
"Love to." She called down a nuke strike on a big group of marines near Tychus' position.
"Damn! I didn't think you'd take me serious! C'mon, Jimmy! We got heads to break!"
"Was that really necessary you two?"
"YES!" They shouted at Jim.
"Fair enough."
"This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it's gonna hurt me!"
"You want some of this?!"
"Time to kick ass and chew bubble gum!"
Adrian began to rub is head. "Can we please mute him?"
Nova kissed Adrian to help him relax.
'Thanks Nova I really needed that.'
'Anytime Adrian.' She gave him a warm smile.
"Three bases down, maybe the convict has his uses after all."
"You reckon these Dominion boys'll put up a fight this time? I ain't barely broke a sweat." After he blew another base to hell. "Here we go. I'm hittin' my stride now!" he took a pause to look at his allies. "I see your little guys running around down there, Jimmy. Heh, they look like ants."
Tychus had blasted a Dominion Battlecruiser out of the sky with some help and blew the last base to a huge pile of ash.
"Excellent! With the Odin secured we can hit the UNN complex on Korhal and make our broadcast." Matt took a moment to steady himself as it was hard to believe Tychus had pulled this off.
"Hey can ya hear me 'Captain'? Maybe next time you'll trust ol' Tychus with a little bit o' mayhem."
Jim shook his head. "Huh. That's about all I'd trust you with, Tychus."
The raiders moved quickly to get the Odin into place. Matt knew this would need him to pull in a lot of favours to pull off.
Hyperion Cantina - 19:14 Shipboard Time
"Well, you fought real good out there, Tychus. Your time in the freezer didn't dull your edge none."
Tychus just laughed. "Well, fear and violence always did bring out the best in me."
"Have to admit, we always did make a good team."
"Yeah, well - that was until I went to prison... and you went legit."
"Right. So how does the Odin rate as a fighting machine?"
"Brother... it is the single greatest creation in the history of mankind. Stridin' around dispensin' righteous fury just about brought a tear to my eye. Heh. You just let me know when I can take it out for another spin!"
"You'll get your chance soon enough, ol' buddy. Don't you worry" Jim downed his dink and decided to talk to Swan.
Swam was already working on new upgrades when Jim got there.
"So Swann, what're the chances we can build somthing like that Odin?"
"You nuts? No way we got the facilities for mass-producing hardware on that scale."
"And here I was thinking you could build anything, Swann."
"Cute. Alright - forget the scale! I'm gonna figure it out, don't you worry. An' I'll come up with something a damn sight more practical than that show piece. You see if I don't!" Swan went to work.
Meanwhile in Adrian's room
Adrian's head was pounding. It was like something was using his head for Morse code. It would only last a minute but he could feel something to it. Like something was calling to him. Nova had also started to get these headaches but hers weren't as bad yet.
"Yet being the key word here."
Back in the cantina
Nova's latest headache had stopped. She and Adrian had no idea why they were getting them. She then looked around and saw Jim and Tychus talking then see saw Tychus calling her over.
"What's up Tychus?"
"I was just thinking. You were one of the dominion's best ghosts right?"
She felt very uneasy about where this was going. "Yes."
"Then how come old Mengsk never sent you or anyone to rub out Jimmy?"
Jim Thankfully cut in. "Assassinating me'd just turn me into a martyr. He'd never be rid of me then. He needs to kill my reputation first."
Tychus just looked down. "So I guess that means we can't just send in Adrian to put Mengsk on ice?"
"Nope."
"Damn. Well back to drinking."
Nova just waved goodbye and left.
A little later in the lab.
"I'm not sure what to tell you two. Physically your both fine."
Adrian and Nova sighed.
"Well thanks for checking Doctor."
Back in the Cantina a day later…
"This is Kate Lockwell reporting from UNN headquarters on Korhal. Let's go to Donny Vermillion, on special assignment."
"Kate, I'm very pleased to be talkin to General Horace Warfield. General, I understand that Dominion Forces will soon be showing off their newest weapon, the Odin war machine?"
"That's correct, Donny. We'll show the Odin on the streets of Korhal itself, with full coverage from your fine network."
"General, Kate Lockwell here. I've heard rumblings about some sort of logistics trouble with the Odin's debut?"
"Now Kate!"
"It's true, Kate. The Odin was delayed in shipping, and we briefly lost communication with the production facility. But it arrived safely, so we can go ahead with the unveiling."
"You heard it here first. The Dominion unveiling new weapons of destruction on the streets of Korhal!" The screen fades to the logo then Donny screams. "What is wrong with that woman? Tell her not to interrupt my interviews!"
Their time was limited and they had no time to take a break. Adrian's head was feeling better but it had turned into a background hum in his mind. He was uneasy about it. He had felt something like this before when…
"Hey Adrian. We're about ready to go time to suit up partner." Jim said readying his rifle.
"I'll meet you at the dropship."
Adrian geared up and grabbed his gun which now looked more Protoss than Terran. He had made it a truly multirole weapon. Nova came to get him and the pair walked to the drop bay waiting for Tychus to make his move.
The briefing was done over the radio. As the Raiders moved into their spots.
"Our raid on the Valhalla facility hasn't even been reported yet. The Dominion have no idea we stole the Odin. I had to call in every favor I had, but I got the Odin on the surface, with Tychus inside."
"Matt, you're a miracle worker. It must have been a complicated operation."
"You don't even want to know sir. I'm not going to let anything keep up from exposing Mengsk."
"So they're still expecting to film it at the UNN studio later today?"
"That's right - and we won't disappoint them. Seeing as he's the only one with experience, Tychus will pilot the Odin and hit the studio guards with a surprise attack. They'll be confused for several minutes - and won't even know who to attack at first."
"And during the confusion, we'll establish a forward base using this command center we 'acquired' earlier. Pretty devious, Matt. I like it."
"If Tychus can inflict enough damage during the sneak attack, making the broadcast should be relatively easy. Keep in mind - we'll only have a few minutes before the Dominion realize that Tychus is in the Odin."
"Whatever happens, we'll be givin' Mengsk one hell of a broadcast. Let's do this."
The Raiders set up their command center. They quickly begin deploying.
"I'm in the Dominion security network. Bringing up their locations now."
Jim smile as he called Tychus. "Alright, Tychus - do your thing."
"Thought you'd never ask." Tychus started to shoot the nearby Dominion troops. The marines started running for their lives. They soon started shooting at the Odin which just made Tychus laugh. He moved the Odin's foot and crushed the group of marines.
"Eww I stepped in something."
Jim was getting very irritated at seeing all the statues of Mengsk. "Man, I am so sick of seeing Mengsk's face! Tychus, do me a favor and blast any of those damned statues you see."
"Hehe, With pleasure Jimmy." Tychus said as he blew up about ten statues.
Adrian and Nova were putting holes through heads like there was no tomorrow. 'Adrian are you feeling okay?'
'I'm fine Nova.' Nova knew he wasn't telling the whole truth. She could feel something nagging him in the back of his mind. Based on the pain she could sense she could guess what he was thinking about.
'You want to go after Arcturus don't you?' Adrian knew he couldn't hide his anger from her. They spent almost three mouths together rarely being apart. She knew him better than Jim and Matt at this point.
'The thought has crossed my mind. We may never get another chance at him. Look at us we're on Korhal. We could end him here and now.' Nova noticed a break in the fighting in the area they were in. She slung her rifle over her shoulder and pulled off Adrian's helmet her hands resting on his cheeks and clearing away a tear. Her green eyes met his red.
'Adrian you are better than that. You aren't a cold blooded killer like I was.'
'That wasn't you Nova but you are right I'm not a cold blooded killer. Jim and I will settle the score later. If you weren't here though.' Nova pulled Adrian into a deep kiss. It lasted only a few seconds but it made Adrian feel better.
'I'm here Adrian I'm always going to be here at your side no matter what.' Adrian held her close for a minute. Then the sound of explosions pulled them back into the heat of battle.
After about ten more minutes of heavy combat. Matt came onto the comm. "An alert's gone out! It won't be long before they shut me out of their system."
Tychus kept firing the Odin's cannons at groups of siege tanks foolish enough to shoot at him. "Don't rush me, kid. Can't a man take some pleasure in his work?"
"We're almost out of time!"
"So are these guys! Heh - don't sweat it."
"The Dominion's switched to a secure channel. I can't track their positions anymore. But I have gained access to the UNN network. We'll need troops to stay close to one of the broadcast towers long enough to get our message out. For our broadcast to reach all of Dominion space we'll need to control each broadcast tower long enough to upload the data."
"You can bet Mengsk'll have something to say about that. Let's get moving. Adrian, Nova can you two get clear lines of site?"
"You bet we have a great view of the action." Nova said while sneaking a peek at Adrian's well shaped ass. 'Mmm.'
'Nova can you please focus on the bad guys first? You can look at my ass when we're home.'
'Hmm I have more to look at back on the ship. Mm you and I are having some fun later.'
'It's a good thing no one can hear these conversations. Otherwise Jim and Swan would never shut up.'
"Our base is up and running. I'm transferring control of it to you now, sir."
"Hey Cowboy, Hardware inbound. These Thors are smaller than the Odin but they handle better - and they still hit hard. Enjoy!"
The Thors formed up with Tychus and they laid waste to most of the Dominion forces guarding the first tower. Warfield's forces getting their sorry asses handed to them on a sliver plater.
"Alright the way is clear Adrian Nova get in there and upload the transmission."
"Got it." Adrian and Nova ran in and got the first tower transmitting.
"First transmission uploaded...Even Mengsk won't be able to wriggle out of this one."
"There's only one man arrogant enough to think he can get away with this - Raynor!" Arcturus yelled over an open comm.
Jim couldn't help himself. Hah. Just for once Arcturus, this really is all about you. I hope you enjoy our show."
"I knew it. Warfield! Get your men down there. I want Raynor's head, you understand!? Him and all his terrorist friends!"
Nova came on the comm. "Jim was that really necessary?"
"Oh yeah." The raiders take another tower. "We're almost done transmitting Mengsk's dirty little secret to the Dominion." The Raiders waste no time in taking the other two towers. "That's the last one! Let's see what the people will think of their beloved emperor now!"
Soon the civilians stared attacking the Dominion troops in fits of rage at what they heard.
"All transmissions have been sent, Sir. Every world in the Dominion just got a 'UNN special bulletin' about Mengsk."
"Let's get out of here. We can enjoy the results from a nice, safe distance."
The Raiders got lucky as the Dominion troops were too busy dealing with riots to worry about the Raiders escape.
5 Hours later…
Pretty much every screen on the Hyperion was tuned into the news. In the cantina Jim, Matt, and Adrien were watching Arcturus try his best to defend against the reporter's questions.
"Emperor, how do you respond to these allegations of genocide! Of using aliens to…"
"I assure you, these slanderous attacks against the throne are baseless and irresponsible!" Arcturus was sweating. Kate Lockwell was as always trying to get to the truth.
"Sir, do you still stand by the sentiment that selfless devotion to the people is the basis of your rule?"
"Well, of course! I was called upon to serve the greater interest of humanity! Personal power was never my goal!"
"Then how would you characterize these statements?" Kate asked while holding up a recorder.
(recording) ... "I will not be stopped. Not by you or the Confederates or the Protoss or anyone! I will rule this sector or see it burnt to ashes around me! ..." Arcturus was very anger at this point. "I... I won't stand for this! You jackals think you can come in here and question ME?! This interview is over!"
The screen turned itself off and the three men smiled. "Y'know I love seeing him squirm, but the Dominion's just going to spin this like they do everything else."
Matt reached behind the bar to grab some cigars. "Not this time. Mengsk used the media as a weapon for years, now we've turned it against him. One broadcast and it won us a bigger victory than a hundred battles." He hands Jim a cigar and offers one to Adrian but he just shakes his head while pouring the three of them a drink.
"I guess you're right, well its what we started this revolution for in the first place... We've got a long way to go, but maybe we started something here."
"Hearts and minds man, just like you always said."
"Y'know Matt, someday one of you two are going to wind up leading this bunch of misfits." Adrian and Matt look at each other. Then Matt says as he lights Jim's cigar.
"Oh, no... that's what we keep you around for...sir." The three men laugh and enjoy their drinks. For soon they would be in battle again.
2 hours Later in Adrian's room. (Warning lemon ahead)
Adrian and Nova had just finished a shower and rested on the bed clad in only towels. The two ghosts had been moving to this point for a while and now they were ready to fully embrace each other. Nova sat up and slid her towel off. Her naked body exposed for Adrian to take. Adrian sat up as well and removed his towel. Nova let her hands run over his six pack taking in the feeling of his skin. He in turn touched her breasts softly squeezing them and rubbing her erect nipples.
"OH!" Nova moaned as she felt shivers go down her spine. Her hands moved to his erect manhood. Softly moving her hands up and down his length. He pulled her into a deep passionate kiss letting her move him back down onto the mattress and having her on top of him. She knew Adrian was putting a lot of trust in her.
On Adrian part he was taken aback. Nova looked gorgeous with her hair down. Her body was that of a goddess. His hands fell to her hips and her hands moved to his shoulders. They looked into each other's eyes and then began to truly make love.
Adrian entered Nova's wet core her body gladly welcoming him inside of her. Nova stared to move her hips gradually trying to get used to Adrian inside of her. To her this was a new experience. Her shadow never got close to anyone. Never let anyone get close she was a weapon not a person. But the real Nova was a woman and needed love and passion and Adrian despite his childhood traumas was enjoying this.
He never thought he would enjoy sex but here he was. With Nova and she felt so good. The way she looked on top of him all hot and bothered. A look of lust and love in her eyes as her hips moved against him. The two ghosts continued their love making for hours. Nova letting go and moaning loudly as Adrian pushed her over the edge again and again.
When it was over they two lie in bed.
"I love you Adrian." Nova said as she lay her head on his shoulder.
"I love you too Nova. Sweat Dreams." He said as she finally let sleep take over her.
The Next Morning in the Cantina…
Jim and Tychus were sitting at a table. "So are ya thinking about giving up this life of luxury and becoming a professional broadcaster?"
"Aw, regular folk just ain't ready for the raw sex appeal I'd unleash into their grey little lives. I reckon my niche is right here with you, ol' buddy. Right to the end."
"I'm glad you're part of all this, Tychus. You did real good yesterday."
Jim went down to have a word with Doc Hanson. But she said. "We sure gave Mengsk a kick in the pants! Excuse me, I don't usually have outbursts like that." Jim did his best to not laugh.
A little while later…
Jim was looking over some classified documents they got while on Korhal. They had gotten two sets of documents. They had cracked one but the other was a bit harder to crack.
"Those classified documents we found on Korhal weren't anything special. Just referred to some old bio-weapons lab orbiting Castanar."
"I think this one might be different. The files suggest they were planning to terminate everyone who ever worked there."
"I assume that doesn't mean 'firing' them... But why would Mengsk wanna' kill a whole research staff?"
"I don't know, but it seems like something we should check out."
"It does, indeed. Set a course Matt and see about gettin that other file sorted. It could be important."
"Yes Sir."
Jim headed down to talk to Swan. "Ha! Y'see - told ya' I could build something better than that piece o' crap Odin."
"I like that. That's the spirit, brother! Show 'em who's boss!"
"Got some work to do on the chassis still, but I got to thinkin' about upgrades and variants, y'know? They ain't gonna be cheap, cowboy. Big honkin' thing like that never is. But they'll be worth it, you'll see."
"That's what I like to hear! I'll take a look and see what's affordable."
Jim looked at the upgrades Swan and Adrian talked about. Jim had to give it to them these upgrades were inspired.
He just started walking around the ship. During his little walk he saw Adrian and Nova going over to the Lab. Their hands interlocked Jim just let them be those two earned a rest.
10 Hours later…
The Hyperion had arrived at Castanar. "The classified documents we found on Korhal imply the Dominion has a top secret bio-weapons lab on an orbital platform at Castanar. If the Dominion is cooking up a big surprise for us, I'd like to know about it."
"So what's the scoop on this top-secret death-lab?"
"This asteroid is registered as a Beryllium Storage warehouse, but that must be a cover for the Dominion's bio-lab."
"Let's hope so. We'd look pretty silly comin' all this way for a few tons of Beryllium. Did those documents give us any clues as to what the Dominion's cookin' up in there?"
"No sir. But they did contain some of the facility's security codes, so we may be able to hack into their systems."
"Sounds fun. Well, 'long as we're here, we may as well take a look."
Jim Takes a small squad down with him. Five marines and two medics.
"Sir, parts of the facility seems to be scan shielded... our signals are breaking up left and right. Be careful in there."
"Hey, careful's my middle name."
"Thought it was Eugene."
"Shut it, Matt. Alright, boys - stay frosty."
The facility seems pretty empty. The Raiders came across a locked door.
"Surprise, surprise. The door is sealed. Nothing a little breaching charge won't cure."
Jim planted the charge on the door. The Raiders took cover as it blew. A Dominion marine noticed the blast and ran toward it.
"This facility is strictly off limits - Raynor!? Halt, you're under arrest!"
"Not today, Buddy."
A huge fight broke out and the Raiders fought their way deeper in. They came across some strange tanks.
"These creatures... they ain't like any zerg I've seen before. Matt, scan their bio-signatures."
"Hold on... the signal's weak in there. Wait, sir- I'm reading both Zerg and Protoss DNA. Were those... things assimilated somehow?"
"I don't know. But I'm real curious as to what they're doing inside a Dominion lab. Looks like the same creature was mutated and cloned over and over. Matt, you got any additional info?"
"Stetmann's been running some tests, sir. He says the specimens' DNA strands have been artificially spliced. Whoever's in charge of this mess did it deliberately."
"Matt, we gonna blow this place sky high. No way we can just leave it standing."
"Well.. I'm picking up a strong power signature close to you. There must be a large fusion reactor somewhere in the facility."
"Perfect. We'll find the reactor, destroy it, then we're outta here!"
The Raiders move towards the reactor. They come across a plasma gun and pick it up.
"They were testing these weapons... on the specimens. What the hell have they been up to here?"
The Raiders heard something banging on the massive doors. "You reading me, Matt? I could use some reinforcements down here. They got something big in the next room and I don't think it's friendly."
"You got it, sir. I only have one dropship available. What do you need?"
"Just get Adrian, Nova, and Tychus down here. Along with some marines."
"Yes, sir. Your reinforcements are inbound."
Adrian, Nova and Tychus along with a few heavy weapon marines came down in a dropship.
"Hey Jimmy, having a little trouble?" Tychus said
"Ok Jim we're here what's waiting for us on the other side of that door?"
"I have no idea Adrian. We can check that terminal on the wall." Jim walked over and opened up the camera. To everyone's horror they saw a Brutalisk.
"Brutalisk, huh? So the Dominion's doing research on these things too. Mean looking sucker..."
"Um Jim I see a side door we could use instead of going through there. I don't know about everyone else but I'd rather avoid that thing." Adrian stood at her side.
"She has a point Jim. But we could use the lab gear to get a sample for Stetmann."
"Good thinking you two. Let's get the sample and move on."
They grab the sample and move through the side passage to the reactor room. "Sir, you're right on top of that power signature - the fusion reactor must be nearby."
Adrian and Nova plant some explosives and blow em. Tychus finding immense entertainment in the explosion yells. "BOOM BABY! We need to do stuff like this more often!"
"Containment field weakening. Protoss/zerg hybrid reviving." Adrian turns in the direction of a loud crashing sound.
"Oh shit!"
The Hybrid breaks free and starts slaughtering everything in sight. "Oh my Lord. Am I seein' this right?"
The Hybrid tears through walls to meet a group of siege tanks. "Hybrid? We should get out of here right now..." The Hybrid turns to the Raiders and lets out a roar. "Alright, that's it. We're leaving!" Jim Shouted as the Raiders made a run for it.
"Shit, Shit, Shit!" Tychus screamed as the ran from the Hybrid.
"Sir, you'll have to be careful. Signal's warping, but that critter's breaking the place apart! Who knows what you'll run into!"
"Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the head's up. Stay tight on me! Let's move, Raiders!"
They ran through the halls and ducked into a small lab. The Hybrid was too busy with Dominion troops to notice them. "Well that was a lucky break. Hey what's that on the table it looks like Protoss tech!" Adrian said as they went to look at it.
"Chrono Rift Device? Must be based on alien tech. Mengsk is really playing with fire here. Let's grab it and go."
The Raiders move throughout the halls and unfortunately for them the Hybrid sees them. "Move it Raiders!"
"Sir! If I'm reading this right, that hybrid is virtually indestructible, don't try and fight it - just get out of there!" Adrian takes a shot at the ceiling with his rifle. Using a power beam blast he brings a massive amount of debris on top of the Hybrid. The Hybrid is barely phased by this and starts clawing through the debris.
"Ah hell, that debris won't hold it for long. Keep moving! Go! GO!"
The Raiders start running again but it isn't long before the Hybrid breaks free and resumes its pursuit.
"The hybrid is on the move." Lucky for the Raiders a group of Zerg broke out of holding pens and the Hybrid seemed more interested in them then the Raiders. But the Raiders just kept running. "Sir, I've lost the Hybrid's signal. It seems to just... disappear."
"Define "disappear"." Jim asks Matt over the comm. Before Matt could reply the Hybrid burst through a massive blast door.
"Whoa! What the hell!"
Just then a group of Dominion marines ran through the hall. "Evac! Get to the transport!" The Hybrid kills them before they get any further.
"Transport? I think we just found our way out of here." They get on the transport "Time we were leaving! Lift off! Matt, can you read me? I'm inbound some big transport the Dominion was nice enough to supply. Don't shoot us down!" Before they get out of range the Hybrid let's out a scream which brings Adrian and Nova to their knees holding their heads. The Medics move to help them. Jim Looks at them worried he knew this wasn't over not by a long shot.
An Hour Later…
Jim and matt were on the bridge. "That thing down there, it... It was like the hybrid Zeratul fought."
"Here? But how?"
"Mengsk! It's always Mengsk! The end of the universe is coming and I should have known he'd be behind it!"
"But how did he hybridize zerg and protoss? The technology required is way beyond anything Terrans have developed. He can't be working alone on this..." Jim nodded and left Matt to his thoughts.
He went down to the lab to check on Adrian and Nova.
"Hey how are you two doing?"
They were lying on a medical bed. Nova had passed out while Adrian was holding her with one arm and rubbing his head with the other.
"I feel like my head was stepped on by a Thor a few hundred times." Nova had stirred and her eyes slowly opened.
"Same here."
"Get some rest you two." The ghosts nodded and Jim went to speak to Ariel.
"I can't believe those Dominion scientists were hybridizing zerg and protoss! That's just... madness!"
"How are Nova and Adrian?"
"Physically they're fine. But it looks like they suffered from some sort of psionic attack. They should be alight in a few hours since they both have a very high psi rating. But if they weren't as strong…"
"Yeah, keep an eye on them for me?"
"Of course."
Jim looked at them and left the room.
2 Days Later…
Adrian and Nova had made a full recovery and had barely left each other's side. They had been Talking about removing the wall that stood between their quarters or Having Nova move all her stuff into Adrian's room since he had more than enough space to fit the two of them comfortably. They have also been making love as much as possible. The Hybrid had left a dark feeling over them so they used their love for each other to combat it and it worked oh boy did it work. But Adrian could still feel something in the back of his mind. It felt foreign yet familiar. Nova had a similar feeling but she couldn't explain it any better than Adrian. The two of them got dressed and walked to the bridge.
Jim was still sleeping in his quarters. Matt was looking at a data file. He turned and frowned when he sees Adrian.
Adrian saw the look in Matt's eyes. There was something wrong. "Matt what is it?"
Matt sighed and motioned for Adrian to sit. The pair of ghosts sat down and Matt was trying to explain what he had found. "We finished decoding the second data file we got while on Korhal. It held some information on a Dr. Simon Cutter."
Cutter. Just the mention of that bastard's name made Adrian's blood boil. He was the lead scientist for the project that tortured him. Cutter was the only whose body wasn't found.
"What does the file say?" He said coldly. Matt opened the file and Adrian walked up to it. He read it and was barely able to control his powers. Nova moved quickly and held him. Her presence calmed Adrian down but he still felt sick to his stomach. Cutter was alive and still doing his research. Oh god he had to stop this now!
"Did you get the location of the planet?" Matt stayed quiet. Adrian stepped up to him. "Did you get the location?" Matt nodded. "Where's Jim?"
"He's still in his room." Adrian bolted out of the room. Nova and Matt looked at each other. "Before you say anything I don't blame him. He suffered at the hands of that madman." Matt took a moment to compose himself. "Did he tell you?" Nova knew what Matt was asking.
"We're telepaths. He didn't need to. But I saw what he went through yes." Matt was taken aback.
"He showed you?" Nova only nodded in response. Matt decided it was best to just put in the coordinates. True the planet wasn't on any star map he knew of but considering the type of research that made sense.
Jim's room minutes later.
Jim woke up from a bad dream. He was in the commander's quarters of the Hyperion. When he and Matt stole the ship the crew had insisted he take the room. At the time he really didn't want it but he took it. At the time he had no strength to argue. Jim got up from the bed and went to the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face to help him wake up. When he was done he saw Adrian in the mirror behind him.
"Adrian what are you…"
"Cutter's alive Jim." That stopped Jim cold.
"What?"
"That bastard is still alive and continuing his research. I know we have a lot going on right now but I can't let this pass. I have to stop it." Jim stood there reading Adrian's face. He was going to do this no matter what. "I know you have to get Sarah back and this could get in the way so if you don't want to…"
"Hold it right there Adrian. If you think for one second that I'm going to let you run off on your own to face a madman think again. We're in this fight together brother don't think for a second that you're alone here cause you ain't. Now where do you want to start?"
That had been that the Raiders were going after Cutter. It took them a week to get to the unnamed planet's location. Adrian had been prepping. Nova was slightly worried about him. She could feel his fear and feel the terror from his childhood memories. He had been picked because of his high psi rating. One day he was playing with his younger siblings when a group of marines came to his home his parent and siblings killed and he was locked in a lab.
Nova knew there was nothing she could say to ease his pain. She could only be there for him. During their latest lovemaking session, he had held her close at the end and cried into her shoulder. He was worried he would lose her too. Nova just let him cry he needed to let the pain out. She would be there for him. They were there for each other and they always would be.
The bridge and hour later…
Matt overlooked the planet it was covered in black storm clouds. It was like some sort of nightmare down there.
"Matt where are we at?"
"Everyone is ready but I'm not seeing any activity. This could be a trap."
"Well if it is we'll know soon enough."
…
The ride down was very quiet. Nova and Adrian sat in silence only talking via their thoughts.
'Adrian is that feeling getting any stronger?'
'You too?'
'Yes. I guess this is where it's coming from.'
'Hmm it does make some sense but what is down there?'
'We'll know soon enough.'
The dropship landed on the stormy planet. Adrian, Nova, Jim, and Tychus exited the ship. A group of marines stayed behind to guard the ship. They saw a large building but it looked like all hell broke loose.
"What eh hell happened here?" Tychus asked seeing blood all over the place.
"Whatever it was it happened pretty recently." Adrian said noting the blood was pretty fresh.
"The place still has power. Maybe we can find an active terminal somewhere." They came Across a hallway that split into two paths.
"Okay looks like we'll have to split up. Tychus and I will head left. Adrian you and Nova go right."
The two ghosts nodded and went down the right hallway. They walked for a time the hallways covered in blood and other bits the two ghosts couldn't identify until they finally they came across what looked like the central lab. They went inside rifles at the ready but there was nothing in the room save for some bloodstains on the walls. The lights were now and there was a powered up computer. Adrian activated the holo screen and it show a list of logs by Dr. Simon Cutter. Adrian played the oldest entry on the list.
"Dr. Simon Cutter personal log. The ghost modification project was my life's work and now it is gone. My lab destroyed and my staff dead. In retrospect the way our primary subject was treated was a poor lack of judgement on my part. The boy was made to suffer in the hopes his psi powers could be controlled. Thinking it over now I should have used a weaker subject so I could have kept a proper hold on the tests and the tortures. Oh well live and learn. At least I still have the genetic samples from young Adrian so my work will be able to continue."
The next log was about a year later.
"Personal log. I was in a meeting with Emperor Mengsk. He wanted to know what I would need to further my research. I gave him my list and he approved it. He is much more interested in my work then the Confederacy ever was! He said if I needed anything it would be mine. Oh mental note once this lab is fully up and running I'll need test subjects."
The next log was from two years ago.
"Personal log. This has been a very frustrating day. I asked Emperor Mengsk for every in service female ghost's ovaries. I have more than enough eggs but now they don't seem to be working! My attempt to make an offspring of Adrian is failing! Adrian's genetic material is very fickle we've run low on female eggs. Only one ghost's eggs remain. Agent X41822N is the only source extracted we have yet to try. I will have a new subject! My work will not be stopped!"
Adrian turned to Nova who looked pale. She was not liking where this was leading.
"Should I play the next log?" She turned to him and nodded. She also held Adrian's hand tightly.
This log was just four months ago.
"Finally! The test subject is stable the girl unlike her earlier siblings is alive and well. Her siblings seemingly willed themselves to death but not this one. Within a few weeks her body should have matured enough to start testing on controlling Protoss technology. Soon the Dominion will have an army that will destroy everything in its path and I will have brought it into existence!"
There were only two logs left. And this one was from a month ago after Nova joined the raiders
"Interesting events. The girl hasn't grown enough and has stopped at a physical age of about four years old. Her mind however is annoyingly mature and rebellious but still innocent. And she has no control over Protoss technology like her 'father'. However, she seems to possess highly advanced knowledge of Zerg genetics and genetics in general. She is still rebellious and pinning for her parents. What's worse is her mother's mind wipe has failed and joined forces with the same group that Adrian is involved with! I'm thankful she can't send out a full psionic call to them but she may be able to get some sort of signal to them! If the intel is right her parents have become romantic! Which will only boost their connection to each other and her! I am recommending to Mengsk that her parents be taken down with the utmost haste! I will not have my work destroyed again."
Adrian and Nova just stand there. The news they had a daughter was a shock to say the least. The more Adrian thought about it the more it made sense to him. Their daughter had been able to send some sort of signal to them once they were together and had a bond strong enough to hear it. The feeling in the back of his mind reminded him of how he felt when he was in captivity. Angry, scared, and alone. It all fit but that lead to one question in his mind. Where was their daughter?
"Play the last log." Nova said a sense of panic building in side of her. Adrian gave her hand a squeeze and hit play. This log was only two days old.
"Well 'cough' it would seem my work and my life are at their end. The test subject freed the Zerg from their cages. I got torn up pretty badly and it looks like there is an unauthorized ship coming this way. Judging by my luck it could only be Adrian. In fact, if anyone is watching this it's most likely you Adrian. Hahahahahahaha, well looks like you finally got me. Or rather a part of you had a hand in my demise. Looks like you finally get your revenge. I guess there's nothing left but for me to congratulate you. Your daughter managed to avenge your family. Oh I remember you crying and being very pitiful when we first brought you in. I.. I can't believe you actually got me in some small way. And the worst part is I can't even kill your little brat. She has shut me out of every system except this one. I guess she wants me to confess some long hidden remorse for my actions. But I have no regrets. The two of you will live on as a testament to my work and whatever you do my name will follow you. Ha ha ha ! Dr. Simon Cutter out." The recording ends with him coughing up a lot of blood and falls to the ground.
Adrian follows a blood trail to a closet. He opens the door the find what's left of Cutter's corpse. He was dead Adrian couldn't help but laugh. "Well Dr was it worth it?" He just reached into a compartment in his suit and pulled out a small bottle and some matches. He opens the bottle and pours a clear liquid and to the corpse. Adrian lights a match and drops it onto the corpse. It catches fire and burns. Adrian turns to Nova and takes her hand looking her in the eyes. "Let's go get our daughter." They run through the halls looking lab to lab until they notice the lights are blinking in a certain direction. They follow the lights to a lab which looks untouched. They enter the lab to see an empty glass tank. They see a small figure hiding behind a table. The figure moves out from behind the table. It was a little girl.
She looked a lot like Nova but had one major trait from Adrian. Red eyes, she had her father eyes. The girl looked at Adrian and Nova for a second before stepping towards them hesitantly. She didn't know if they were really here. Her steps were slow and her eyes were full of worry and hope. Adrian knelt down and extended his hand. The child stopped and stared for a moment before running towards Adrian and wrapping her small arms around him. She cried into his shoulder. He hugged her back and picked her up. Nova joined in the hug and the three of them felt a loving connection. The girl stopped crying and Adrian put her down and he and Nova knelt down to look her in the eyes.
"Hi Daddy, Hi Mommy."
Meanwhile with Tychus and Jim.
The pair had been walking around for over an hour and found nothing. "Well Jimmy I think we hit a dead end."
"Agreed. I think we should try to find Adrian and Nova."
"Hopefully they aren't bent over some desk going at it like rabbits."
They couldn't reach them on the comm so they followed their signals and found them in a room with Nova holding a small child.
"What the heck."
Adrian smiled proudly. "Jim, Tychus, Meet our daughter."
The two men stood in shock. Jim shook it off and walked up to the three of them. "So what's your name?"
The three of stood in silence realizing. That she didn't have a name. The researchers never needed a her for her and she didn't have a name for herself. She looked at her parents and they could only agree on one name.
"How does Kaylee sound?" The girl looked at the ground for a second then back up at Jim.
"Kaylee. My name is Kaylee."
Well that's it for this chapter I hope it was worth the long wait. I Want to thank all of you who have favorited and followed this story. As always I look forward to your reviews and hope to see if you like these longer chapters. As always thanks for reading.