Chapter 13: Life in the ER
[No! This one goes here, that one goes there!] Ka'Dalanis glared at the embarrassed technician, who quickly put the regeneration crystals in the correct order. They did not have time for mistakes! For the last three hours everyone had been scrambling to get the Regeneration Crystal Matrix working. They were almost there! The chemists had brought in their regeneration fluid and she had declared it barely adequate. Unfortunately, they had not been able to do any trial runs, as the Power Conversion Unit, or PCU, had not yet arrived. And time was running out.
"Sirs, you can come in now." Ranma and Genma stepped into the room. Around them, people worked frantically to save Akane's life. Technicians and engineers were constructing a Regeneration Tank, a pitiful attempt to duplicate the medical technology brought by Ka'Dalanis. Ranma went to Akane's bedside. The doctors had done just about everything they could. Now the job of saving Akane was in the hands of Ka'Dalanis. Akane. The girl he had once loved. The girl he still loved, after a fashion, just not the way she needed him to. The girl who was literally falling apart before his eyes. Akane lay before him on a stretcher, wrapped like a mummy in bandages. They were stained red, saturated with her blood. Two tubes poked out of her sides, also draining other fluids, keeping her lungs clear. Another tube from her mouth went down her throat into her lungs, helping her to breathe. Her hair had already fallen out, and it lay in a pile on the floor. The cellular degeneration had slowed when it had reached her internal organs. Ka'Dalanis had explained that Akane was instinctively channeling energy, trying to keep ahead of the disintegration of the rest of her body. Other wires were attached from her body to various monitors that displayed her vital signs. The readings were not encouraging. Fighting down his instinctive revulsion, Ranma forced himself to gently take her hand. Beside him, Genma put one hand consolingly on his shoulder. "Akane," Ranma whispered. "I don't know if you can hear me, but.I'm sorry. I've been such a failure to you. First, when we were engaged, I was afraid." Ranma gave a barking laugh, and a tear rolled down his cheek. "Yeah, me, the great Ranma Saotome, afraid. Hell, I was terrified. I could never admit it. So I got angry instead. Angry at Pops, at old man Tendo, at you.I got mad at anyone who I thought was at fault. It was my fault, really. I just should have made a decision instead of stringing you girls along like I did. But instead, I took you for granted-" Ranma stopped trying to contain his sobs. "Akane, you have to live, you have to! It's all my fau-" Ranma was interrupted as the doors to the room flew open and three people entered the room pushing a large machine covered in gauges, switches and dials. At the top, lying flat on its side in a metal cylinder almost a foot wide was a four-foot long crystal. About six inches of the crystal was poking out of the cylinder at either end. Power cords streamed out of the machine and back through the door. One technician began checking the cords and wiring, and another began fiddling with the dials and switches. The third announced that the Power Conversion Unit was ready. Somehow, above all the noise, Ranma heard at his feet a clink of something hitting the tiled floor of the room. He looked down and noticed a small white oval shaped object. He blinked as a second fell into his field of view and joined the first on the floor, along with a few drops of blood. Ranma looked up and noticed that the fingernails of her pinky and ring finger had slid off her fingers. He watched with a sickened fascination as the index fingernail began sliding out of its sheath. His stomach lurched and he dropped the hand. Stumbling over to a trashcan, Ranma was noisily sick. Ka'Dalanis, amidst the chaos surrounding her, noted Ranma's reaction. Grabbing an orderly, she said [Get those two out of here. They don't need to see this.] The orderly looked at the two Saotomes and nodded. "Sir?" asked the orderly gently. "Could you come with me?" Ranma straightened. His face was pale with a slight greenish cast to it. "I'm not going anywhere," he declared weakly. "Come on, son," rumbled Genma. "Let's go. We can't do any good here. We're just in the way." Ranma stood where he was defiantly, albeit a bit unsteadily. "I said I'm not going anywhere." Genma sighed. Lifting his hand, he put one finger against his son's chest and pushed. Caught completely off guard, Ranma reeled and stumbled back and out of the room. Genma followed. "What'd you do that for?" Ranma demanded. "Ranma, even if you could help, you're in no condition, mentally speaking, to do so. What I just did proved that. If you were ready, you would have never fallen for that trick." "Trick!" spat Ranma. "That's all you know, old man! Tricks! I learned more from Cologne in six months than I ever learned from you in ten years." A corner of Genma's mouth rose into a half smile. "I must know something. After all, I got you out of the room, didn't I?" Ranma stared his father. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound emerged. Suddenly, Ranma began to laugh a silent laugh. His shoulders shook, and before too long, he was on the floor clutching his sides, tears running down his face. Genma solemnly sat down on a chair the orderly provided. After several moments, Ranma recovered from his hysterical laughter, and, after taking several deep breaths, sat on a seat opposite Genma. They sat there, staring at each other, the walls, the ceiling, just about anything their eyes could look at. Finally, Ranma broke the silence. "So, what do we do?" "Three things," Genma replied grimly. "Sit, wait, and pray."
Ka'Dalanis relaxed as she watched Ranma and Genma exit. One less thing to worry about. She turned and addressed the head technician working with the PCU. [All right, start it up.] The technician nodded, flipped a switch, and a hum filled the room. The crystal rose up in the cylinder until it floated in the center and began rotating, slowly at first then faster. There was a bright flash from the crystal, and Ka'Dalanis's world went crazy. Her vision spun and darkened. She reeled as the feeling of disorientation increased. She stumbled as her vision and sense of balance argued with one another as to which direction was up. She felt as though she was space on a ship that was spinning wildly out of control. Meanwhile, the monitors connected to Akane began to sound the alarm. Doctor's and nurses swarmed over the unconscious Human-Protoss hybrid, trying frantically to keep her alive. "Off, off, turn it off!" someone bellowed. The head technician flicked the switch, and the crystal stopped rotating and slowly sank back down. Ka'Dalanis recovered quickly, but it was several tense moments before the same could be said for Akane. "What the hell happened?" demanded the head tech. "Doesn't it work? We tested it on the shuttle and everything worked fine." [It does work,] replied Ka'Dalanis weakly. [But the astral energy obtained is highly concentrated and unusable. You have to vibrate the crystal using opposite gravity fields. One field turns the crystal to the left, then shuts off. The second field activates and turns it to the right, then turns off. The first field activates, and so on. If you time it correctly, the gravity fields cause every molecule in the crystal to vibrate uniformly. The tighter the oscillation, the stronger the astral power field. You can do it your way, but the energy generated is only usable by automated industrial systems. Now, no more talk, we don't have the time.]
It was half an hour before Ka'Dalanis was willing to accept the results of the PCU. The crystal still rotated somewhat, but she did not think that they would be able to do anything else in the time they had. There had already been several fibrillations of Akane's heart, but the medical staff had managed to get her heartbeat back on track. Akane's diaphragm had completely failed, forcing them to connect her lungs to a pump, and most of her internal organs were barely working. It was time to put her in. They rolled Akane over to the Regeneration Tank. Since human technology did not have command over gravity to the extent of the Protoss, they had built the tank so that Akane would lie down in it. Picking her up, they gently placed her into the tank. The green fluid turned a dull brown as it mixed with the blood in the bandages. Every few moments, bubbles from the tube in Akane's throat would rise to the surface. Closing the tank as much as they could with all the wires and tubes in the way, they stepped back and the head doctor nodded to Ka'Dalanis. Ka'Dalanis activated the Regeneration Tank. The regeneration fluid brightened as astral energy flowed from the improvised power pylon into the Regeneration Crystal Matrix. Ka'Dalanis sat back and intently watched Akane's life signs.
Both Ranma and Genma stood as Ka'Dalanis stepped out of the room. She paused for a moment before making her announcement. For the two Saotome's, it was the wait of a lifetime. [She will live,] the tired Healer announced. "YES!" crowed both Ranma and Genma together. Genma ran out of the room to find Nodoka and tell her the good news. Ranma fell to his knees and bowed low, his forehead pressed to the ground. "Thank you for saving her life! We owe you a debt we can never repay." Ka'Dalanis reached down and pulled the young man to his feet. [Oh, stop that nonsense. I did nothing more than fulfill my debt to her. You owe me nothing.] "But-" He stopped as she motioned him to silence. [You owe me nothing. I owe a debt to Akane that can never be repaid. I took her life from her, by turning her into Phoenix. The debt is mine.] Ka'Dalanis looked back at the doors leading to the room where Akane rested. [Even were I not compelled by my conscience, I would be compelled by love, for she has become the daughter I never had.] Ranma sat back down in his chair, and Ka'Dalanis sat beside him on the floor. That was one thing she missed! Some good, large, padded chairs! She would have to see if General Moroto would be willing to commission one for her. "Do you have any family?" ask Ranma. Ka'Dalanis shook her head. [No, the Zerg killed most of my family when they invaded Shakuras, the homeworld of the Dark Templar. I was young when that happened, barely grown beyond childhood.] [It was my thirst for vengeance that drove me to join the Dark Templar. When I became a Dark Templar I renounced my family name, knowing that the souls of my family would disapprove of my quest. Weariness of war drove me from their ranks. I became a Healer, and took back my name. It was because of love that I abandoned my people to help Akane return to hers. I wonder if this time I should renounce my name again or keep it? Would the souls of family disapprove of my betrayal of my people or would they understand the feelings in my heart?] "What's your family name?" [It's Ka'Dalanis Jor-Ya'Leth. It roughly translates to 'Ka'Dalanis of the Family of Ya'Leth.' Ya'Leth was the Executor who founded our clan.] "And Akane's the only 'family' you have?" [Yes.] "Why didn't you, you know, have kids or something?" [The energies of the cold void that the Dark Templar draw from make us sterile. It was one of the many reasons the Conclave persecuted the Dark Templar over the millennia. I can no longer have children.] "So.you're all alone, then?" Ka'Dalanis seemed to wilt slightly. [Yes.] Her mind-voice was laden with regret. "Well, if you want, I think I'd be great if Nabiki and Akane adopted you." [Adopted? Me?] Ka'Dalanis stared at him in confusion. "Yeah. I mean, their mom's been dead for a long time, and you seem to be sort of a surrogate mom to Akane. I'm sure Nabiki wouldn't mind, especially after all you've done for her sister." Ka'Dalanis stared at the wall opposite them, but did not really see it. [So I would be Ka'Dalanis Jor-Tendo?] She thought about it for several long moments. [I think.I think I'd like that very much, Ranma. Thank you.]
General Moroto looked up from his computer as Ka'Dalanis walked into his office. "Healer!" he exclaimed. "It's good to see you. It's been awhile. How are you?" His face broke out into a smile as she stared at the strange object in front of his desk. It looked like someone had taken a giant egg and cut it open, leaving only the bottom and one side remaining. Set inside was fabric, when pushed, felt like it was filled with gel. "I see you've notice your present." He motioned for her to sit. Ka'Dalanis sat carefully, afraid the chair was going to break. The gel filled chair molded to her body. What a relief! Finally, after weeks of sitting on floors, tables, anything but a nice padded chair, she could relax in something like this. "I see you approve." [Yes! Thank you. You are too kind.] "Are you kidding? If these reports I've received are correct, you've managed to revolutionize not only modern medicine, but our fledgling understanding of Protoss power systems." He thought Ka'Dalanis would be happy, but instead her expression turned grim. "You disagree?" [Well, no.but.I just feel so frustrated!] "How so?" [You talk about how advanced the technology is, but I feel like I'm working with tools of stone! I don't have any of the things I'm accustomed to. No protein baths, nanite cellular reconstruction, I can't even do a simple neural pathway realignment! I have all this knowledge, but not the tools to use them!] Ka'Dalanis's sank further back into her chair, her anger fading quickly. [I'm sorry. I'm just.frustrated. I wish I could do more for Akane. Instead, all I can do is just sit and wait.] "How is she doing?" [As well as can be expected. It's been a week, and she is responding well, if slowly. That is to be expected, though, due to the inadequacy of the equipment. It will be several months before she can be removed from the tank. Even then, she will never be the same. The amount of damage combined with poor facilities.she may never be in any sort of condition to walk, much less fight, ever again. I wonder if it would have been kinder to let her die.] The General's expression was one of shock. [Oh, don't give me that look. A Healer must know when to heal a hurt and when hurting is part of healing. Sometimes, death is the best healing a Healer can offer.] There was a long pause. Finally, Ka'Dalanis continued. [I hear the engineers are hoping to build a more efficient PCU, now that they know how to create a proper astral power field. What gave them the idea that they had to rotate the crystal? Even your species knows that if you vibrate a crystal, you get power.] "Uh.I'm sorry, but our experiments are classified. We appreciate your help, though." [Of course,] replied Ka'Dalanis, wryly. General Moroto gave her a knowing grin. "Yes, well, moving right along. I didn't call you just to show you your chair, or ask about Akane, though I am interested. Actually, I need your help. We have two patients that have been comatose for about a month. One has no brain activity, and the other's brain-wave readings are off the charts. I don't really understand it myself, but I was wondering if you could take a look at them." Ka'Dalanis's face clearly expressed her feeling of resignation. [Is it absolutely necessary?] she asked somewhat plaintively. [I haven't had a good rest in days.] "I'm sorry. I wouldn't press except, we can't think of anything we can do." [What is the nature of the illness?] "It's.somewhat hard to explain. The problem is psionic in nature, and as you know, our knowledge of psionics is vastly inferior to yours." [True.] Ka'Dalanis said thoughtfully. After a few moments, with a pang of regret at having to get out of her chair, she stood. [Very well. I will see what I can do.]
"This is part one of our problem." The doors to Jessica Johnson's room opened, and General Moroto, Ka'Dalanis, and Doctor Horato entered. Lying on a bed, covered with wires connected to monitors and tubes giving the life-giving nutrients needed to stay alive, was Jes. Her face was pale, and her brown hair unkempt on the white pillow. The antiseptic smell of the recently cleaned room caused the humans to wrinkle their noses. [She's been here for some time, hasn't she?] ask Ka'Dalanis as she examined the comatose woman. She tapped various nerve centers, eliciting quick jerking movements. So messages could be sent along the nerves, at least to the muscles. Looking at the monitors, she focused on one with several lines moving horizontally across the screen. [This is her brain activity, yes?] Doctor Horato nodded. Ka'Dalanis repressed a shudder. Reading the electronic activity generated by the brain instead of simply doing a synapse fire count, how horribly primitive! She noted that there was almost no brain activity, except in her brain stem. [How long has her readings been this inactive?] Doctor Horato nervously fingered his collar. "Uh." he glanced over at the General for reassurance, and Moroto nodded slightly. "Since the.incident." Ka'Dalanis turned back to them, one eye ridge raised questioningly. [Incident?] General Moroto answered. "When Akane had her psychic seizure, Jes was mindlinked with another person, attempting to more rapidly train her in psionics." [Mindlink?] Ka'Dalanis stared at the two humans. [That is very dangerous! The least disturbance in the astral plane can disrupt the link. We Protoss by our mere presence would cause a disruption because of our psionic abilities.] "Yes, well, you can imagine what happened when Akane's psychic shock wave hit them." Ka'Dalanis's eyes widened. [By Adun! The damage.] Ka'Dalanis turned to Jes and put her fingers on Jes's head. She then closed her eyes and probed lightly into Jes's mind. After maybe ten seconds, Ka'Dalanis returned to herself. [She is not simply in a coma! She has no mind!] She turned to the two men. [Was her mind wiped clean?] "We don't think so," replied Doctor Horato. [Then where is it?] General Moroto motioned her to follow. "That brings us to part two of the problem. If you'll follow me." The trio left the room and went to a door across the hall. Even before they entered, Ka'Dalanis could feel.something, a presence. It felt familiar, but she could not quite place it. "Here is our second patient," announced the General as they entered. Inside the room, connected to a similar series of tubes and monitors lay Kasumi. They only difference between her and Jes, aside from her biosuit, was her brain activity monitor. All the lines were going wild. The readings spiked and flattened at unpredictable intervals, and even the experts could not make any sense of them. Ka'Dalanis, however, ignored the screen in favor of the more obvious physical and psionic differences. [Tari Khala!] she exclaimed. The presence she felt was coming from the girl! And the suit! What was it? Ka'Dalanis had never seen anything like it. She pushed tentatively against the suit and it hardened, protecting its host against the intrusion. [Amazing! I wish I had brought my medical scanner. What can the suit do? And her presence! The astral plane is thick with it! What is she? Some sort of new infestation?] "She's not an infestation. Her DNA is clean," replied Doctor Horato. "We think she is a human that can control the Zerg." Ka'Dalanis looked up at the two humans in surprise. [Control the Zerg? How?] "She's been a captive of the Zerg for several years. We think her mind adapted and learned how to control Zerg like an Overlord or a Cerebrate. Unfortunately, she's had no training, so her powers were unfocused. We were trying to train her when Akane's psychic shock wave hit them. Our telepaths think that she ripped Jes's mind out of her body and drew it into hers. We want to separate the two, but we don't know how." Ka'Dalanis turned and looked down at Kasumi. Weighing the dangers, Ka'Dalanis touched Kasumi's forehead and probed into her mind. Ka'Dalanis looked in awe at the mind before her. Minds, she corrected to herself. It looked like a sphere of light twisted together, suspended in darkness. Half was red, and the other half was blue, one shape, yet separate. Ka'Dalanis could tell that the red presence was the host mind. It was larger than the blue side, as though the red was slowly absorbing the blue. Lightning flashed out from both sides, probes searching. Before Ka'Dalanis could think of anything to do, a blue fork lashed out and attached itself to her. Along with it was a babble of confused, frightened, desperate thought. [Trapped.Pain!.Lost.Darryl.Help me!.Where are you.Need you.] As Ka'Dalanis tried to deal with this frightened presence, a red bolt struck her. [Father!.Lost.Akane.Nabiki.Where.Mother?.Is that you?.Mother, help me! I'm so frightened!.Someone's here.Make them go away.Mother please!.I'm scared.] With great effort, Ka'Dalanis managed to break away from the two minds in Kasumi's body. Shaking herself, she straightened. This woman knew Akane and Nabiki, she thought. She looks familiar. Where have I seen her before? After thinking for several moments, she remembered. Ka'Dalanis had not seen her, but a picture of her. At the Tendo family shrine! There were even facial similarities between the three sisters that Ka'Dalanis could see. She turned to the two men who were waiting for the results of her probe. [What is her name?] Both the General and Doctor Horato had not expected this. "What?" asked the Doctor, confused. [Her name. What is her name?] "Uh.er." the Doctor began to sweat. He glanced over at the General, who was staring back at Ka'Dalanis, his expression stony. [It's Kasumi, isn't it? Isn't it?] Silence. [I knew it! She's been here for what, a month? And you haven't told Nabiki. Why?] "They think she's dead. We thought it was better not to let them know, than get their hopes up in case she died-" [By the Great Council of Aiur, don't try to lie to me! You wanted a tame little weapon for yourself, didn't you? Didn't you?! Just like Halos wanted Akane!] "Ka'Dalanis," started General Moroto, "This isn't the time-" [Then when is 'the time'? That idiot Halos never thought it was 'the time'. It wasn't until I took things into my own hands that 'the time' became now.] She turned away from them in disgust. [I thought you were different but, deep down, you're no different than Halos.] Silence. Finally, General Moroto spoke up. "Healer, regardless of what you think of us, we need Kasumi. We need her to win the war against the Zerg, but we don't know what to do. We need your help. She needs your help." Ka'Dalanis turned back to them. [You realize I won't stay silent about this. I'm going to tell Nabiki about her sister, and don't try to 'order' me not to. I'd defy you. I did it with Halos, I can do it with you.] General Moroto sighed. "As you wish. This secret isn't worth losing the war. Now: can you help her?" [I'm not sure. I think I know what's happened, and I think I know how to help her, but I don't think I can do it.] "Then who can?" [My people. The Templar might be able to help. Their mental powers and knowledge exceed my own. The question is, how do we get them to help?] "Yes, we're not exactly on their good side right now, are we?" said Doctor Horato. General Moroto shrugged. "What have we got to lose by asking?"
General Moroto was surprised when Praetor Halos agreed to talk to him immediately. He watched as Halos's image solidified on the viewscreen in his office. Standing on his right was his advisor, the Judicator Raetor. Halos was seated in a chair in what appeared to be his own office. "Praetor, I'm glad you are willing to talk. I feared that, given what has happened in the past would damage relations. Of course, I should not have doubted the maturity of an elder race like the Protoss. I-" "Enough with the flattery," interrupted Halos. The General found it strange hearing an audible voice from the Protoss. Of course, the Protoss were transmitting signals that the human's own receivers, unable to handle telepathic communications, could use. "I'm assuming that you wish to discuss the return of Phoenix and the traitor Ka'Dalanis since, of course, our race is superior to yours, and you wish to have a positive relationship with us." "Actually, no. I had no intention of talking to you about Akane. We have-" "What?! You dare speak to us without attempting to right the wrong done to us? You feigned ignorance when we first contacted you after the betrayal by Ka'Dalanis did not fool us. We cut contact, hoping that you would be moved by fear into contacting us again. After all, we are, as you admit yourself, a superior race. *Phoenix* is our property, stolen by Ka'Dalanis. Unless you return both to us, no further dialog is possible." General Moroto maintained a tight reign on his temper. "Praetor, please! We have a way to defeat the Zerg!" "And I should believe you? Perhaps a show of good will is needed. Like the return of Phoenix-" "Praetor, *Akane* isn't the issue. We have a way to defeat the Zerg, but we need your help." "I agree. Akane is not the issue, but *Phoenix* is! I want her and the traitor returned to us or-" Halos stopped as the Judicator leaned down. General Moroto ground his teeth in frustration and waited as the two conversed. Halos's face wrinkled into an expression of distaste. "Very well," he said with extreme reluctance. "What is this 'way to defeat the Zerg,' that you have mysteriously conjured up?" "We have someone that can control the Zerg." Halos's laughter echoed though the speakers. "You expect me to believe that? If you have this person, then why haven't you used him yet?" "She's been injured. It's a psionic injury, and we don't know how to cure her. Ka'Dalanis said that the Templar might be able to help." "So, you wish to have the services of our valuable Templar? And how did you think to pay for such services?" Patience Hikaru, he thought to himself. "Actually, that's not the end. We have several martial artists of supreme skill who are injured. If you would consider giving us access to your medical facilities, they could be healed in days, instead of the weeks or months it could normally take to heal. With their help, I think we could defeat the Zerg on this planet." Halos's eyes were narrow as he gazed at the General with extreme suspicion. "So let me make sure I fully understand your proposal. You wish for me to let several of your most powerful warriors into my fortress, along with a powerful telepath which *may* be able to control the Zerg? I think not. It is nothing more than a plot to defeat us and take our technology for your own. You've received a taste of it from Ka'Dalanis, and now you hunger for such morsels. I have seen it in many inferior races. You are jealous of our superiority, and you will stop at nothing to obtain our secrets." "Praetor! Everything I've said is the absolute truth! Send someone to verify what I'm saying-" "Are you mad? You think I would trust my warriors to you? Maybe this telepath doesn't control Zerg. Maybe she controls Protoss instead? Maybe that is how you subverted Ka'Dalanis. No. I shall have nothing to do with you." Raetor leaned down again, but Halos waved him off. "No! I have made my decision! Sit there, General, and know that when next we meet, one of us will not survive the meeting." The screen flickered and went dark. General Moroto slammed a fist against his desk. "Damn him!"
Raetor sat at his console in his quarters. A way to control the Zerg? Was it possible? Were the humans lying? Yes, they must have been lying. Control the Zerg? Impossible! But what if they could? said a voice in his mind. What if they could? They could usurp Kerrigan, use the Zerg to their own purposes. Raetor shuddered. Could his people afford not to investigate? If the humans managed to take control of the Zerg, and the Protoss were their enemies.Raetor shuddered again. And that fool Halos would not even consider the possibility. His wounded pride had made him more and more defensive, more and more arrogant. He was impossible to guide! Halos's blindness would kill everyone, eventually. Making a decision, Raetor activated his console. [Put me through to Judicator Wenella. Yes, the advisor to Executor Treyvis. I have a very important message for her.]
The doors to the elevator opened and Nabiki and Ka'Dalanis stepped out. Nabiki looked around at the hospital staff, then back up at the Healer. Ka'Dalanis gazed back reassuringly. Nabiki had suffered much from her own emotional turmoil. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked like she had lost weight. Nabiki had never been very big to begin with. Ka'Dalanis hoped that this visit would help. "Is this where they're keeping Akane?" Ka'Dalanis shook her head. [No, there's someone else I want you to see.] "Who?" [You'll see. Come.] Ka'Dalanis led her to the door of the room where Kasumi was. Nabiki stopped just before entering. [What is it?] "I feel.something. Like a weight on my shoulders." [Yes. I feel it too. It's all right.] Ka'Dalanis motioned for her to enter. [Go on.] Nabiki entered. "I don't understand. If Akane's not-" Nabiki gasped as she saw who the occupant of the room was. Ka'Dalanis watched as the blood drained from Nabiki's face. What a fascinating biological reaction! Ka'Dalanis shook her head, breaking out of her reverie. I must be very tired to focus on things like that, she thought to herself. Nabiki took a few faltering steps forward. Reaching out, she touched her sister with shaking hands, feeling the slickness of the biosuit encasing her. Moving up, she took Kasumi's exposed hand in her own. Forcing her eyes upward she focused on Kasumi's face. The eyes were closed, the face was pale and her breathing was shallow. Wrenching her eyes away, she stared at Ka'Dalanis. "I-is she.is she my.sister?" Nabiki asked. Her voice was full of both a desperate hope and a barely contained horror. [Yes.] Ka'Dalanis came up behind the young martial artist. [She is your sister, Kasumi.] Tears filled Nabiki's eyes. She turned back to her sister and gazed at her peaceful face. "How?" she whispered. [We believe the Zerg captured her when they invaded this planet. Instead of turning her into an infestation, they used her DNA to develop the new strain of super soldiers that you encountered. When you attacked the Zerg base last month, she managed to escape.] Nabiki slid down along Kasumi's body. "Not an infestation? But this.this." Nabiki waved a hand over Kasumi's biosuit. [She controls it, like she can control the Zerg. General Moroto wants to use her to wrest control of the Zerg from Kerrigan.] Nabiki leaned down, close to Kasumi's face. "Kasumi?" she whispered. "Kasumi, can you hear me?" Nabiki shook Kasumi's shoulder lightly. "Kasumi?" Tears slid down Nabiki's cheeks and fell onto Kasumi's shoulder. Nabiki watched as the suit absorbed the moisture of the tears. "Kasumi-" Nabiki's voice broke and her shoulders began to shake with her silent sobs. [She cannot hear you. Her mind is lost deep within itself.] "Wh-what h-h-happened?" Ka'Dalanis explained what General Moroto had told her about Kasumi's capture, and subsequent attempt at training, and the end result. "Can she be cured?" [I don't know.] Again, Ka'Dalanis was lost in Nabiki's expression as it slowly crumpled from hope to dispair. "Oh, Kasumi!" cried Nabiki. She wrapped her arms around her comatose sister and wept her pain into Kasumi's unfeeling shoulder.
End Chapter 13
[No! This one goes here, that one goes there!] Ka'Dalanis glared at the embarrassed technician, who quickly put the regeneration crystals in the correct order. They did not have time for mistakes! For the last three hours everyone had been scrambling to get the Regeneration Crystal Matrix working. They were almost there! The chemists had brought in their regeneration fluid and she had declared it barely adequate. Unfortunately, they had not been able to do any trial runs, as the Power Conversion Unit, or PCU, had not yet arrived. And time was running out.
"Sirs, you can come in now." Ranma and Genma stepped into the room. Around them, people worked frantically to save Akane's life. Technicians and engineers were constructing a Regeneration Tank, a pitiful attempt to duplicate the medical technology brought by Ka'Dalanis. Ranma went to Akane's bedside. The doctors had done just about everything they could. Now the job of saving Akane was in the hands of Ka'Dalanis. Akane. The girl he had once loved. The girl he still loved, after a fashion, just not the way she needed him to. The girl who was literally falling apart before his eyes. Akane lay before him on a stretcher, wrapped like a mummy in bandages. They were stained red, saturated with her blood. Two tubes poked out of her sides, also draining other fluids, keeping her lungs clear. Another tube from her mouth went down her throat into her lungs, helping her to breathe. Her hair had already fallen out, and it lay in a pile on the floor. The cellular degeneration had slowed when it had reached her internal organs. Ka'Dalanis had explained that Akane was instinctively channeling energy, trying to keep ahead of the disintegration of the rest of her body. Other wires were attached from her body to various monitors that displayed her vital signs. The readings were not encouraging. Fighting down his instinctive revulsion, Ranma forced himself to gently take her hand. Beside him, Genma put one hand consolingly on his shoulder. "Akane," Ranma whispered. "I don't know if you can hear me, but.I'm sorry. I've been such a failure to you. First, when we were engaged, I was afraid." Ranma gave a barking laugh, and a tear rolled down his cheek. "Yeah, me, the great Ranma Saotome, afraid. Hell, I was terrified. I could never admit it. So I got angry instead. Angry at Pops, at old man Tendo, at you.I got mad at anyone who I thought was at fault. It was my fault, really. I just should have made a decision instead of stringing you girls along like I did. But instead, I took you for granted-" Ranma stopped trying to contain his sobs. "Akane, you have to live, you have to! It's all my fau-" Ranma was interrupted as the doors to the room flew open and three people entered the room pushing a large machine covered in gauges, switches and dials. At the top, lying flat on its side in a metal cylinder almost a foot wide was a four-foot long crystal. About six inches of the crystal was poking out of the cylinder at either end. Power cords streamed out of the machine and back through the door. One technician began checking the cords and wiring, and another began fiddling with the dials and switches. The third announced that the Power Conversion Unit was ready. Somehow, above all the noise, Ranma heard at his feet a clink of something hitting the tiled floor of the room. He looked down and noticed a small white oval shaped object. He blinked as a second fell into his field of view and joined the first on the floor, along with a few drops of blood. Ranma looked up and noticed that the fingernails of her pinky and ring finger had slid off her fingers. He watched with a sickened fascination as the index fingernail began sliding out of its sheath. His stomach lurched and he dropped the hand. Stumbling over to a trashcan, Ranma was noisily sick. Ka'Dalanis, amidst the chaos surrounding her, noted Ranma's reaction. Grabbing an orderly, she said [Get those two out of here. They don't need to see this.] The orderly looked at the two Saotomes and nodded. "Sir?" asked the orderly gently. "Could you come with me?" Ranma straightened. His face was pale with a slight greenish cast to it. "I'm not going anywhere," he declared weakly. "Come on, son," rumbled Genma. "Let's go. We can't do any good here. We're just in the way." Ranma stood where he was defiantly, albeit a bit unsteadily. "I said I'm not going anywhere." Genma sighed. Lifting his hand, he put one finger against his son's chest and pushed. Caught completely off guard, Ranma reeled and stumbled back and out of the room. Genma followed. "What'd you do that for?" Ranma demanded. "Ranma, even if you could help, you're in no condition, mentally speaking, to do so. What I just did proved that. If you were ready, you would have never fallen for that trick." "Trick!" spat Ranma. "That's all you know, old man! Tricks! I learned more from Cologne in six months than I ever learned from you in ten years." A corner of Genma's mouth rose into a half smile. "I must know something. After all, I got you out of the room, didn't I?" Ranma stared his father. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound emerged. Suddenly, Ranma began to laugh a silent laugh. His shoulders shook, and before too long, he was on the floor clutching his sides, tears running down his face. Genma solemnly sat down on a chair the orderly provided. After several moments, Ranma recovered from his hysterical laughter, and, after taking several deep breaths, sat on a seat opposite Genma. They sat there, staring at each other, the walls, the ceiling, just about anything their eyes could look at. Finally, Ranma broke the silence. "So, what do we do?" "Three things," Genma replied grimly. "Sit, wait, and pray."
Ka'Dalanis relaxed as she watched Ranma and Genma exit. One less thing to worry about. She turned and addressed the head technician working with the PCU. [All right, start it up.] The technician nodded, flipped a switch, and a hum filled the room. The crystal rose up in the cylinder until it floated in the center and began rotating, slowly at first then faster. There was a bright flash from the crystal, and Ka'Dalanis's world went crazy. Her vision spun and darkened. She reeled as the feeling of disorientation increased. She stumbled as her vision and sense of balance argued with one another as to which direction was up. She felt as though she was space on a ship that was spinning wildly out of control. Meanwhile, the monitors connected to Akane began to sound the alarm. Doctor's and nurses swarmed over the unconscious Human-Protoss hybrid, trying frantically to keep her alive. "Off, off, turn it off!" someone bellowed. The head technician flicked the switch, and the crystal stopped rotating and slowly sank back down. Ka'Dalanis recovered quickly, but it was several tense moments before the same could be said for Akane. "What the hell happened?" demanded the head tech. "Doesn't it work? We tested it on the shuttle and everything worked fine." [It does work,] replied Ka'Dalanis weakly. [But the astral energy obtained is highly concentrated and unusable. You have to vibrate the crystal using opposite gravity fields. One field turns the crystal to the left, then shuts off. The second field activates and turns it to the right, then turns off. The first field activates, and so on. If you time it correctly, the gravity fields cause every molecule in the crystal to vibrate uniformly. The tighter the oscillation, the stronger the astral power field. You can do it your way, but the energy generated is only usable by automated industrial systems. Now, no more talk, we don't have the time.]
It was half an hour before Ka'Dalanis was willing to accept the results of the PCU. The crystal still rotated somewhat, but she did not think that they would be able to do anything else in the time they had. There had already been several fibrillations of Akane's heart, but the medical staff had managed to get her heartbeat back on track. Akane's diaphragm had completely failed, forcing them to connect her lungs to a pump, and most of her internal organs were barely working. It was time to put her in. They rolled Akane over to the Regeneration Tank. Since human technology did not have command over gravity to the extent of the Protoss, they had built the tank so that Akane would lie down in it. Picking her up, they gently placed her into the tank. The green fluid turned a dull brown as it mixed with the blood in the bandages. Every few moments, bubbles from the tube in Akane's throat would rise to the surface. Closing the tank as much as they could with all the wires and tubes in the way, they stepped back and the head doctor nodded to Ka'Dalanis. Ka'Dalanis activated the Regeneration Tank. The regeneration fluid brightened as astral energy flowed from the improvised power pylon into the Regeneration Crystal Matrix. Ka'Dalanis sat back and intently watched Akane's life signs.
Both Ranma and Genma stood as Ka'Dalanis stepped out of the room. She paused for a moment before making her announcement. For the two Saotome's, it was the wait of a lifetime. [She will live,] the tired Healer announced. "YES!" crowed both Ranma and Genma together. Genma ran out of the room to find Nodoka and tell her the good news. Ranma fell to his knees and bowed low, his forehead pressed to the ground. "Thank you for saving her life! We owe you a debt we can never repay." Ka'Dalanis reached down and pulled the young man to his feet. [Oh, stop that nonsense. I did nothing more than fulfill my debt to her. You owe me nothing.] "But-" He stopped as she motioned him to silence. [You owe me nothing. I owe a debt to Akane that can never be repaid. I took her life from her, by turning her into Phoenix. The debt is mine.] Ka'Dalanis looked back at the doors leading to the room where Akane rested. [Even were I not compelled by my conscience, I would be compelled by love, for she has become the daughter I never had.] Ranma sat back down in his chair, and Ka'Dalanis sat beside him on the floor. That was one thing she missed! Some good, large, padded chairs! She would have to see if General Moroto would be willing to commission one for her. "Do you have any family?" ask Ranma. Ka'Dalanis shook her head. [No, the Zerg killed most of my family when they invaded Shakuras, the homeworld of the Dark Templar. I was young when that happened, barely grown beyond childhood.] [It was my thirst for vengeance that drove me to join the Dark Templar. When I became a Dark Templar I renounced my family name, knowing that the souls of my family would disapprove of my quest. Weariness of war drove me from their ranks. I became a Healer, and took back my name. It was because of love that I abandoned my people to help Akane return to hers. I wonder if this time I should renounce my name again or keep it? Would the souls of family disapprove of my betrayal of my people or would they understand the feelings in my heart?] "What's your family name?" [It's Ka'Dalanis Jor-Ya'Leth. It roughly translates to 'Ka'Dalanis of the Family of Ya'Leth.' Ya'Leth was the Executor who founded our clan.] "And Akane's the only 'family' you have?" [Yes.] "Why didn't you, you know, have kids or something?" [The energies of the cold void that the Dark Templar draw from make us sterile. It was one of the many reasons the Conclave persecuted the Dark Templar over the millennia. I can no longer have children.] "So.you're all alone, then?" Ka'Dalanis seemed to wilt slightly. [Yes.] Her mind-voice was laden with regret. "Well, if you want, I think I'd be great if Nabiki and Akane adopted you." [Adopted? Me?] Ka'Dalanis stared at him in confusion. "Yeah. I mean, their mom's been dead for a long time, and you seem to be sort of a surrogate mom to Akane. I'm sure Nabiki wouldn't mind, especially after all you've done for her sister." Ka'Dalanis stared at the wall opposite them, but did not really see it. [So I would be Ka'Dalanis Jor-Tendo?] She thought about it for several long moments. [I think.I think I'd like that very much, Ranma. Thank you.]
General Moroto looked up from his computer as Ka'Dalanis walked into his office. "Healer!" he exclaimed. "It's good to see you. It's been awhile. How are you?" His face broke out into a smile as she stared at the strange object in front of his desk. It looked like someone had taken a giant egg and cut it open, leaving only the bottom and one side remaining. Set inside was fabric, when pushed, felt like it was filled with gel. "I see you've notice your present." He motioned for her to sit. Ka'Dalanis sat carefully, afraid the chair was going to break. The gel filled chair molded to her body. What a relief! Finally, after weeks of sitting on floors, tables, anything but a nice padded chair, she could relax in something like this. "I see you approve." [Yes! Thank you. You are too kind.] "Are you kidding? If these reports I've received are correct, you've managed to revolutionize not only modern medicine, but our fledgling understanding of Protoss power systems." He thought Ka'Dalanis would be happy, but instead her expression turned grim. "You disagree?" [Well, no.but.I just feel so frustrated!] "How so?" [You talk about how advanced the technology is, but I feel like I'm working with tools of stone! I don't have any of the things I'm accustomed to. No protein baths, nanite cellular reconstruction, I can't even do a simple neural pathway realignment! I have all this knowledge, but not the tools to use them!] Ka'Dalanis's sank further back into her chair, her anger fading quickly. [I'm sorry. I'm just.frustrated. I wish I could do more for Akane. Instead, all I can do is just sit and wait.] "How is she doing?" [As well as can be expected. It's been a week, and she is responding well, if slowly. That is to be expected, though, due to the inadequacy of the equipment. It will be several months before she can be removed from the tank. Even then, she will never be the same. The amount of damage combined with poor facilities.she may never be in any sort of condition to walk, much less fight, ever again. I wonder if it would have been kinder to let her die.] The General's expression was one of shock. [Oh, don't give me that look. A Healer must know when to heal a hurt and when hurting is part of healing. Sometimes, death is the best healing a Healer can offer.] There was a long pause. Finally, Ka'Dalanis continued. [I hear the engineers are hoping to build a more efficient PCU, now that they know how to create a proper astral power field. What gave them the idea that they had to rotate the crystal? Even your species knows that if you vibrate a crystal, you get power.] "Uh.I'm sorry, but our experiments are classified. We appreciate your help, though." [Of course,] replied Ka'Dalanis, wryly. General Moroto gave her a knowing grin. "Yes, well, moving right along. I didn't call you just to show you your chair, or ask about Akane, though I am interested. Actually, I need your help. We have two patients that have been comatose for about a month. One has no brain activity, and the other's brain-wave readings are off the charts. I don't really understand it myself, but I was wondering if you could take a look at them." Ka'Dalanis's face clearly expressed her feeling of resignation. [Is it absolutely necessary?] she asked somewhat plaintively. [I haven't had a good rest in days.] "I'm sorry. I wouldn't press except, we can't think of anything we can do." [What is the nature of the illness?] "It's.somewhat hard to explain. The problem is psionic in nature, and as you know, our knowledge of psionics is vastly inferior to yours." [True.] Ka'Dalanis said thoughtfully. After a few moments, with a pang of regret at having to get out of her chair, she stood. [Very well. I will see what I can do.]
"This is part one of our problem." The doors to Jessica Johnson's room opened, and General Moroto, Ka'Dalanis, and Doctor Horato entered. Lying on a bed, covered with wires connected to monitors and tubes giving the life-giving nutrients needed to stay alive, was Jes. Her face was pale, and her brown hair unkempt on the white pillow. The antiseptic smell of the recently cleaned room caused the humans to wrinkle their noses. [She's been here for some time, hasn't she?] ask Ka'Dalanis as she examined the comatose woman. She tapped various nerve centers, eliciting quick jerking movements. So messages could be sent along the nerves, at least to the muscles. Looking at the monitors, she focused on one with several lines moving horizontally across the screen. [This is her brain activity, yes?] Doctor Horato nodded. Ka'Dalanis repressed a shudder. Reading the electronic activity generated by the brain instead of simply doing a synapse fire count, how horribly primitive! She noted that there was almost no brain activity, except in her brain stem. [How long has her readings been this inactive?] Doctor Horato nervously fingered his collar. "Uh." he glanced over at the General for reassurance, and Moroto nodded slightly. "Since the.incident." Ka'Dalanis turned back to them, one eye ridge raised questioningly. [Incident?] General Moroto answered. "When Akane had her psychic seizure, Jes was mindlinked with another person, attempting to more rapidly train her in psionics." [Mindlink?] Ka'Dalanis stared at the two humans. [That is very dangerous! The least disturbance in the astral plane can disrupt the link. We Protoss by our mere presence would cause a disruption because of our psionic abilities.] "Yes, well, you can imagine what happened when Akane's psychic shock wave hit them." Ka'Dalanis's eyes widened. [By Adun! The damage.] Ka'Dalanis turned to Jes and put her fingers on Jes's head. She then closed her eyes and probed lightly into Jes's mind. After maybe ten seconds, Ka'Dalanis returned to herself. [She is not simply in a coma! She has no mind!] She turned to the two men. [Was her mind wiped clean?] "We don't think so," replied Doctor Horato. [Then where is it?] General Moroto motioned her to follow. "That brings us to part two of the problem. If you'll follow me." The trio left the room and went to a door across the hall. Even before they entered, Ka'Dalanis could feel.something, a presence. It felt familiar, but she could not quite place it. "Here is our second patient," announced the General as they entered. Inside the room, connected to a similar series of tubes and monitors lay Kasumi. They only difference between her and Jes, aside from her biosuit, was her brain activity monitor. All the lines were going wild. The readings spiked and flattened at unpredictable intervals, and even the experts could not make any sense of them. Ka'Dalanis, however, ignored the screen in favor of the more obvious physical and psionic differences. [Tari Khala!] she exclaimed. The presence she felt was coming from the girl! And the suit! What was it? Ka'Dalanis had never seen anything like it. She pushed tentatively against the suit and it hardened, protecting its host against the intrusion. [Amazing! I wish I had brought my medical scanner. What can the suit do? And her presence! The astral plane is thick with it! What is she? Some sort of new infestation?] "She's not an infestation. Her DNA is clean," replied Doctor Horato. "We think she is a human that can control the Zerg." Ka'Dalanis looked up at the two humans in surprise. [Control the Zerg? How?] "She's been a captive of the Zerg for several years. We think her mind adapted and learned how to control Zerg like an Overlord or a Cerebrate. Unfortunately, she's had no training, so her powers were unfocused. We were trying to train her when Akane's psychic shock wave hit them. Our telepaths think that she ripped Jes's mind out of her body and drew it into hers. We want to separate the two, but we don't know how." Ka'Dalanis turned and looked down at Kasumi. Weighing the dangers, Ka'Dalanis touched Kasumi's forehead and probed into her mind. Ka'Dalanis looked in awe at the mind before her. Minds, she corrected to herself. It looked like a sphere of light twisted together, suspended in darkness. Half was red, and the other half was blue, one shape, yet separate. Ka'Dalanis could tell that the red presence was the host mind. It was larger than the blue side, as though the red was slowly absorbing the blue. Lightning flashed out from both sides, probes searching. Before Ka'Dalanis could think of anything to do, a blue fork lashed out and attached itself to her. Along with it was a babble of confused, frightened, desperate thought. [Trapped.Pain!.Lost.Darryl.Help me!.Where are you.Need you.] As Ka'Dalanis tried to deal with this frightened presence, a red bolt struck her. [Father!.Lost.Akane.Nabiki.Where.Mother?.Is that you?.Mother, help me! I'm so frightened!.Someone's here.Make them go away.Mother please!.I'm scared.] With great effort, Ka'Dalanis managed to break away from the two minds in Kasumi's body. Shaking herself, she straightened. This woman knew Akane and Nabiki, she thought. She looks familiar. Where have I seen her before? After thinking for several moments, she remembered. Ka'Dalanis had not seen her, but a picture of her. At the Tendo family shrine! There were even facial similarities between the three sisters that Ka'Dalanis could see. She turned to the two men who were waiting for the results of her probe. [What is her name?] Both the General and Doctor Horato had not expected this. "What?" asked the Doctor, confused. [Her name. What is her name?] "Uh.er." the Doctor began to sweat. He glanced over at the General, who was staring back at Ka'Dalanis, his expression stony. [It's Kasumi, isn't it? Isn't it?] Silence. [I knew it! She's been here for what, a month? And you haven't told Nabiki. Why?] "They think she's dead. We thought it was better not to let them know, than get their hopes up in case she died-" [By the Great Council of Aiur, don't try to lie to me! You wanted a tame little weapon for yourself, didn't you? Didn't you?! Just like Halos wanted Akane!] "Ka'Dalanis," started General Moroto, "This isn't the time-" [Then when is 'the time'? That idiot Halos never thought it was 'the time'. It wasn't until I took things into my own hands that 'the time' became now.] She turned away from them in disgust. [I thought you were different but, deep down, you're no different than Halos.] Silence. Finally, General Moroto spoke up. "Healer, regardless of what you think of us, we need Kasumi. We need her to win the war against the Zerg, but we don't know what to do. We need your help. She needs your help." Ka'Dalanis turned back to them. [You realize I won't stay silent about this. I'm going to tell Nabiki about her sister, and don't try to 'order' me not to. I'd defy you. I did it with Halos, I can do it with you.] General Moroto sighed. "As you wish. This secret isn't worth losing the war. Now: can you help her?" [I'm not sure. I think I know what's happened, and I think I know how to help her, but I don't think I can do it.] "Then who can?" [My people. The Templar might be able to help. Their mental powers and knowledge exceed my own. The question is, how do we get them to help?] "Yes, we're not exactly on their good side right now, are we?" said Doctor Horato. General Moroto shrugged. "What have we got to lose by asking?"
General Moroto was surprised when Praetor Halos agreed to talk to him immediately. He watched as Halos's image solidified on the viewscreen in his office. Standing on his right was his advisor, the Judicator Raetor. Halos was seated in a chair in what appeared to be his own office. "Praetor, I'm glad you are willing to talk. I feared that, given what has happened in the past would damage relations. Of course, I should not have doubted the maturity of an elder race like the Protoss. I-" "Enough with the flattery," interrupted Halos. The General found it strange hearing an audible voice from the Protoss. Of course, the Protoss were transmitting signals that the human's own receivers, unable to handle telepathic communications, could use. "I'm assuming that you wish to discuss the return of Phoenix and the traitor Ka'Dalanis since, of course, our race is superior to yours, and you wish to have a positive relationship with us." "Actually, no. I had no intention of talking to you about Akane. We have-" "What?! You dare speak to us without attempting to right the wrong done to us? You feigned ignorance when we first contacted you after the betrayal by Ka'Dalanis did not fool us. We cut contact, hoping that you would be moved by fear into contacting us again. After all, we are, as you admit yourself, a superior race. *Phoenix* is our property, stolen by Ka'Dalanis. Unless you return both to us, no further dialog is possible." General Moroto maintained a tight reign on his temper. "Praetor, please! We have a way to defeat the Zerg!" "And I should believe you? Perhaps a show of good will is needed. Like the return of Phoenix-" "Praetor, *Akane* isn't the issue. We have a way to defeat the Zerg, but we need your help." "I agree. Akane is not the issue, but *Phoenix* is! I want her and the traitor returned to us or-" Halos stopped as the Judicator leaned down. General Moroto ground his teeth in frustration and waited as the two conversed. Halos's face wrinkled into an expression of distaste. "Very well," he said with extreme reluctance. "What is this 'way to defeat the Zerg,' that you have mysteriously conjured up?" "We have someone that can control the Zerg." Halos's laughter echoed though the speakers. "You expect me to believe that? If you have this person, then why haven't you used him yet?" "She's been injured. It's a psionic injury, and we don't know how to cure her. Ka'Dalanis said that the Templar might be able to help." "So, you wish to have the services of our valuable Templar? And how did you think to pay for such services?" Patience Hikaru, he thought to himself. "Actually, that's not the end. We have several martial artists of supreme skill who are injured. If you would consider giving us access to your medical facilities, they could be healed in days, instead of the weeks or months it could normally take to heal. With their help, I think we could defeat the Zerg on this planet." Halos's eyes were narrow as he gazed at the General with extreme suspicion. "So let me make sure I fully understand your proposal. You wish for me to let several of your most powerful warriors into my fortress, along with a powerful telepath which *may* be able to control the Zerg? I think not. It is nothing more than a plot to defeat us and take our technology for your own. You've received a taste of it from Ka'Dalanis, and now you hunger for such morsels. I have seen it in many inferior races. You are jealous of our superiority, and you will stop at nothing to obtain our secrets." "Praetor! Everything I've said is the absolute truth! Send someone to verify what I'm saying-" "Are you mad? You think I would trust my warriors to you? Maybe this telepath doesn't control Zerg. Maybe she controls Protoss instead? Maybe that is how you subverted Ka'Dalanis. No. I shall have nothing to do with you." Raetor leaned down again, but Halos waved him off. "No! I have made my decision! Sit there, General, and know that when next we meet, one of us will not survive the meeting." The screen flickered and went dark. General Moroto slammed a fist against his desk. "Damn him!"
Raetor sat at his console in his quarters. A way to control the Zerg? Was it possible? Were the humans lying? Yes, they must have been lying. Control the Zerg? Impossible! But what if they could? said a voice in his mind. What if they could? They could usurp Kerrigan, use the Zerg to their own purposes. Raetor shuddered. Could his people afford not to investigate? If the humans managed to take control of the Zerg, and the Protoss were their enemies.Raetor shuddered again. And that fool Halos would not even consider the possibility. His wounded pride had made him more and more defensive, more and more arrogant. He was impossible to guide! Halos's blindness would kill everyone, eventually. Making a decision, Raetor activated his console. [Put me through to Judicator Wenella. Yes, the advisor to Executor Treyvis. I have a very important message for her.]
The doors to the elevator opened and Nabiki and Ka'Dalanis stepped out. Nabiki looked around at the hospital staff, then back up at the Healer. Ka'Dalanis gazed back reassuringly. Nabiki had suffered much from her own emotional turmoil. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked like she had lost weight. Nabiki had never been very big to begin with. Ka'Dalanis hoped that this visit would help. "Is this where they're keeping Akane?" Ka'Dalanis shook her head. [No, there's someone else I want you to see.] "Who?" [You'll see. Come.] Ka'Dalanis led her to the door of the room where Kasumi was. Nabiki stopped just before entering. [What is it?] "I feel.something. Like a weight on my shoulders." [Yes. I feel it too. It's all right.] Ka'Dalanis motioned for her to enter. [Go on.] Nabiki entered. "I don't understand. If Akane's not-" Nabiki gasped as she saw who the occupant of the room was. Ka'Dalanis watched as the blood drained from Nabiki's face. What a fascinating biological reaction! Ka'Dalanis shook her head, breaking out of her reverie. I must be very tired to focus on things like that, she thought to herself. Nabiki took a few faltering steps forward. Reaching out, she touched her sister with shaking hands, feeling the slickness of the biosuit encasing her. Moving up, she took Kasumi's exposed hand in her own. Forcing her eyes upward she focused on Kasumi's face. The eyes were closed, the face was pale and her breathing was shallow. Wrenching her eyes away, she stared at Ka'Dalanis. "I-is she.is she my.sister?" Nabiki asked. Her voice was full of both a desperate hope and a barely contained horror. [Yes.] Ka'Dalanis came up behind the young martial artist. [She is your sister, Kasumi.] Tears filled Nabiki's eyes. She turned back to her sister and gazed at her peaceful face. "How?" she whispered. [We believe the Zerg captured her when they invaded this planet. Instead of turning her into an infestation, they used her DNA to develop the new strain of super soldiers that you encountered. When you attacked the Zerg base last month, she managed to escape.] Nabiki slid down along Kasumi's body. "Not an infestation? But this.this." Nabiki waved a hand over Kasumi's biosuit. [She controls it, like she can control the Zerg. General Moroto wants to use her to wrest control of the Zerg from Kerrigan.] Nabiki leaned down, close to Kasumi's face. "Kasumi?" she whispered. "Kasumi, can you hear me?" Nabiki shook Kasumi's shoulder lightly. "Kasumi?" Tears slid down Nabiki's cheeks and fell onto Kasumi's shoulder. Nabiki watched as the suit absorbed the moisture of the tears. "Kasumi-" Nabiki's voice broke and her shoulders began to shake with her silent sobs. [She cannot hear you. Her mind is lost deep within itself.] "Wh-what h-h-happened?" Ka'Dalanis explained what General Moroto had told her about Kasumi's capture, and subsequent attempt at training, and the end result. "Can she be cured?" [I don't know.] Again, Ka'Dalanis was lost in Nabiki's expression as it slowly crumpled from hope to dispair. "Oh, Kasumi!" cried Nabiki. She wrapped her arms around her comatose sister and wept her pain into Kasumi's unfeeling shoulder.
End Chapter 13