Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Starcraft or the characters, but
the story is mine. I was not paid or not receiving any money from
Blizzard.
Chapter 7
Arcturus Mengsk threw the empty glass across the room in pure rage. He lost more then half of his men in one foul swoop. The Zerg now had complete and uncontested dominance in the sector when he heard about the Alliances progression as well. The Protoss Fleet crippled and the Terran Fleet suffering some good loses.
"How can we lose so many men in one attack?! Hell, it wasn't even an attack! God forbid we ever decide that we should patrol our boarders!" Mengsk screamed at the messenger. The man only looked down at the floor. "Get the hell out of my quarters!" The messenger fled before Mengsk finished.
He paced in his room unable to shake the feeling of what happened to his newly acquired fleet. He picked up a chair and threw it against a window in his Command building that was also his throne. The chair broke through the glass and plummeted to the ground far below.
A man dressed in a neatly pressed gray uniform ran in. "Sir are you all right?" he asked looking at the broken window.
"Get the hell out of my office! I didn't call you in here!" Mengsk said throwing another glass bottle at the man. He quickly removed himself from the office. We walked over to his desk and sat down, calming himself. He flipped a switch and a face appeared in a hanger. "General Madison, what do we have left to work with?"
The General took a deep breath. "Well sir, we still have a number of Cruisers and fighters. We have the men to operate these crafts as well, sir. But it wouldn't hurt to wait for the last six Cruisers we have under construction in dry dock to be ready." He finished letting the breath out.
Mengsk's temper did not change. "Well, how many damn Cruisers do we have now?" His face was still slightly red from the explosion of anger he had only moments before.
"We have twenty Cruisers left. We have begun a new mining operation on Moria as well. With the new funds we will have shortly we could make dozens more," General Madison said hoping this conversation would end now.
"Send those damn things out then and patrol our boarders!" he screamed flipping the switch off. He felt new anger rush through his veins. He noticed he had a new message and the face of a man, about the same age as him, with fading black hair and a sharp uniform appeared on his screen.
"Heheh. Did I catch you at a bad time?" the man asked mockingly. He smiled widely as he saw the look on Mengsk's face become twisted with hate.
"Who the hell are you?" Acrturus asked abruptly and holding no respect for the man.
The mans smile faded. "I am Admiral Terrence Gray, Grand Pacific Fleet. I am of the UED, Emperor Mengsk. The Zerg you are having trouble with will not be able to stand against us for very long. We just recently broke an engagement with them losing only two Cruisers before we killed at least six- hundred. That was with only six ships. The rest of our little battle group came through a few minutes afterwards." He stood silently waiting for the response of Arcturus.
"Whoop-de-do. Like I give shit about that. You won't win anyway just like the first boys. They did good for a while but the Zerg figured out their commander and then eliminated their presence. I have things to do," he said hanging up the channel. "God damn it! Now another damn fleet from the Earth has come and we don't have enough ships to drop a shit with!"
He reopened the channel with General Madison. "Listen General, get as many Cruisers up as you can with the resources we have ASAP. Then get moving with that Moria project and assemble fighters and Cruisers or its your ass General." Mengsk flipped the switch cutting the General off before he could speak. This was going to be a close call. He had them before and came out unscathed and he would do it again.
Planet Aiur-Low Orbit
The ruined world of Aiur was beneath the Protoss Fleet. They were the Fleet of the Judicator. Many of the Judicators managed to escape Aiur on their own. They had settled on a planet three systems away called, Vetari. They believed that the true cause of Aiur's fall was due to the Dark Templars. One of the Judicators was now on a mission to hunt them down for poisoning their planet. His name was Armadais.
"Commander, that is Aiur below us," one of the pilots said. He turned to face Armadais to say something but decided not to.
Armadais let his light blue robe touch the floor. The collars were lined in a gold color. He had Protoss righting on the golden fabric. 'Nak tu bel de tus en Palora.' 'The path to clarity will be revealed.'
He walked with a surreal grace. "Aiur may have been our home world, but I told you to get us to the Antigian System. I want Warp Drives ready in two minutes and I want to be in Antiga within the hour," he said walking off the bridge. He resided to his quarters. As he entered he walked to a shrine he made himself and knelt down on a place mat. He prayed to Adun silently.
After his pray was complete, he walked over to his sleeping chamber. Only five minutes had passed, but the time seemed to slow down to a crawl. He laid down on the soft fabric and closed his eyes. His teal colored body grew darker as he fell into a strong sleep. He dreamt of Aiur and the majestic beauty it once had. The green fields, the beautiful structures, the gorgeous sunsets. As he slept he twisted as the Zerg came to the planet, killing it, infesting it.
As quickly as he was asleep, he was awake again. The sounds of the Warp Drives powering down gave the ship slight shudder. He arose from the bed and walked out of his room into the hallways of the Carrier Fury. He walked onto the bridge fully refreshed from the small nap he had taken.
"Judicator Armadais, it will take us sometime, but we have picked up heavy fighting in the Sara system. Zerg contacts along with Terran and Protoss," a young Templar spoke for his post at the long range scanners.
Armadais nodded. "Very well then. Take us to the Sara system. Maybe some of our 'Lost Brothers' are there," he replied with hate building in his mind. "How long before we reach the jump node that leads to the Sara system?" he asked as we walked down to the work stations.
The Templar looked up at him. "Not to long Judicator Armadais. Possibly another twenty to thirty minutes," he said continuing his work at his post.
Armadais nodded and was very pleased. "Good. Get us their then. Signal the Fleet and let them be aware of our change in course. Finally we will be able to let lose the true fury that is our heritage!" Armadais announced as he stormed off the bridge back to his quarters.
The Carriers effortlessly made their way to the jump node. Scouts were along side them guarding every step of the way. They were going to be quite a force to be reckoned with.
Sara System (Castor Jump Node)
It was gone. Jim was aboard the New Hope now. The Hyperion no longer existed. The men and women that were on it didn't have a chance to get off the ship. The people that were on the bridge were good soldiers and they were good friends. Jim Raynor felt defeated again. Just like he had taken a blow to the gut when looking the other way.
"Captain Raynor, if it means anything at the present time, we do not have a Commander. The crew and I were wondering if you would like to commander the ship?" one of the officers asked. Jim was surprised that one of the officers below the commander wouldn't want the job.
"Where is your Commander?" Jim could only mutter the words.
The officer in front of him pointed to a man under a white cloth. He was completely covered and being taken off the bridge.
"Oh," again he could only mutter the word. "Yeah, sure. I'll take the job. Who are they?" Raynor asked pointing to the other fleet of Battle Cruisers.
Zeratul walked up from behind Jim. "They are the UED Secondary Fleet, Grand Pacific. Under the command of Admiral Terrence Gray." Zeratul walked beside Jim. He only looked up at Zeratul with a surprised look on his face.
"Friends of yours?" he asked jokingly. He was feeling better but could only wish he was still on the Hyperion.
Zeratul looked at Jim with sorrow in his eyes. "Wishing will not bring them back. Focus on the task at hand Captain. There is a time and place for mourning. This is neither," he said bringing Jim back for the trace he was in.
"Right, thanks. Do we have a line to these guys?" As Jim asked a face of a man appeared. "Let me guess, I take it your not the Easter Bunny."
The man laughed slightly. "Ah, you have guessed correctly. I am Admiral Terrence Gray, UE-," he was trying to say before cut off.
"Yeah, yeah. UED, Secondary Fleet, Grand Pacific. What don't I know?" he asked giving no respect to the rank of the Admiral.
The smile faded. "If that is the way it must be then fine. We are here for the Zerg, not you. Just stay out of the way. If you manage not to screw that up, then you have nothing to fear from us." He stood there not moving. It didn't even seem like he was breathing.
Jim smiled suddenly. "Right. Ya all come on down to take the Zerg out? You do realize your mission to take out the Zerg will not go unnoticed. Everyone in this sector will attack you regardless of your mission. And here is a little tip," Raynor said coming closer to the monitor lowering his voice. "The Zerg, they will rip that pretty little fleet of yours a new ass hole," Jim said flipping off the transmission.
"That could have gone a little better, Jim," Zeratul spoke shakily. They were out numbered, out gunned, out matched in fire power. "I believe we should find an alternate route before showing them Castor," Zeratul spoke quickly.
"They are warping out, sir. They seem to be going to Antiga," the scanning officer replied.
"Well who gives a damn where they are going. Time for us to get back to Castor. How many other Protoss were rescued on Mar Sara," Jim asked as the Warp Drives were engaged.
Zeratul spoke up at the question. "We managed to save a few hundred. Actually I did not think we would find so many alive, but we did and I am grateful for that."
Jim looked up at Zeratul. "No problem. You would have done the same if it were us down there. Don't worry about it," he said patting Zeratul on the back. "Let's go hom-," he was saying before he saw a face on the monitor he could not look away from.
"Leaving so soon, Jimmy?" the voice of Sarah Kerrigan called. "I see that you managed to escape along with the UED. Enjoy it while it lasts," she said in seductive tone.
Jim was hurting and no doubt she knew that. "What do you want Kerrigan?" Jim asked wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.
Kerrigan sighed. "Fine, be that way Jim. Anyway, what did the Admiral say to you? Anything of interest?" Kerrigan asked as the limbs on her back fluttered.
"You honestly think I would help you? After what you put me and my men through? Why can't you let go of this Sarah? You still have that good in you. You still are human, Sarah. I mean look at what you've become," Jim said with the hurt building up inside him.
Kerrigan sat in though for a moment. For that time she almost resembled a human being. She then snapped out of it. "No, I don't think I would do that Jim. You know, since the Sara System as of late has had all the fun, I think I'll go and join the party."
"Good luck darlin'. UED is huntin' you and gonna finish the job this time," Jim said walking away from the monitor.
"In good times, Jim. I'll figure them out as well. Find their weakness and attack that," she said smiling. "Just like I figured your weakness, but it was too easy to do that. I'm your weakness. I always have been and always will be." Even though she was twisted by the Zerg blood running in her veins, there was a lapse in the Queen of Blades.
"Yeah, Sarah. Your weakness is the Zerg inside you," Jim said turning off the monitor. "God what would I do to see her human again," Jim said as the water in his eyes became too heavy. He violently ripped the monitor off the desk it was resting on and threw it against the wall. He crumbled to the floor holding nothing back. He cried for the woman he loved.
The men and women in the bridge stopped to her the sobs of their commander. They felt heartbroken for the man. Then a voice called out to them.
"Get back to work!" Zeratul ordered. Zeratul helped Raynor up and escorted him off the bridge. "Get a hold of yourself, Jim. She is not worth the hurt you are bringing on yourself," Zeratul said dragging him into the former Commanders room.
Jim wiped the tears away from his face. "It was my fault I let her go alone. She is what she is because I didn't stand up to Mengsk when I had the chance. She would still be here if it wasn't for me," Jim said sitting on the edge of the bed in the small room.
Zeratul sighed as sat next to Jim. "If I were to tell you something, something that is of ancient power that can heal any kind of injury or defect," he said but was cut off.
"Where is it?" he asked before Zeratul could finish. He knew what he was getting at.
He shook his head. "Jim, it is on Shakurus. My people would vote against this because of Kerrigan's sins too our race. Even if she did change she would be held responsible for the death of our Matriarch and hundreds of others, like Fenix. She wouldn't leave or enter the planet alive for that matter," Zeratul said knowing he shouldn't have said anything.
Jim looked up to Zeratul. "Man, that's a chance I'm willing to take to make things right. I have to," Jim said wiping his now bloodshot eyes.
Zeratul shook his head. "A man has to do what he has to do. Raynor, Jim, I will stand by you no matter what you choose. Though, I'm almost certain of what your choice is. But how will we get her to come with us willingly? That is the only way it will work. She has to be willing to do this or it will have no effect," Zeratul said walking towards the door. "Rest and give this some thought. The days to come will be long and hard." Zeratul watched Raynor stare at the floor consumed in thought. "May your God watch over you and give you guidance."
"Zeratul, thank you for everything," Jim said looking up. Zeratul nodded and walked out of the room to leave Jim to his thoughts. The sudden dead silence pieced Jim's heart. He laid on the bed and closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
Chapter 7
Arcturus Mengsk threw the empty glass across the room in pure rage. He lost more then half of his men in one foul swoop. The Zerg now had complete and uncontested dominance in the sector when he heard about the Alliances progression as well. The Protoss Fleet crippled and the Terran Fleet suffering some good loses.
"How can we lose so many men in one attack?! Hell, it wasn't even an attack! God forbid we ever decide that we should patrol our boarders!" Mengsk screamed at the messenger. The man only looked down at the floor. "Get the hell out of my quarters!" The messenger fled before Mengsk finished.
He paced in his room unable to shake the feeling of what happened to his newly acquired fleet. He picked up a chair and threw it against a window in his Command building that was also his throne. The chair broke through the glass and plummeted to the ground far below.
A man dressed in a neatly pressed gray uniform ran in. "Sir are you all right?" he asked looking at the broken window.
"Get the hell out of my office! I didn't call you in here!" Mengsk said throwing another glass bottle at the man. He quickly removed himself from the office. We walked over to his desk and sat down, calming himself. He flipped a switch and a face appeared in a hanger. "General Madison, what do we have left to work with?"
The General took a deep breath. "Well sir, we still have a number of Cruisers and fighters. We have the men to operate these crafts as well, sir. But it wouldn't hurt to wait for the last six Cruisers we have under construction in dry dock to be ready." He finished letting the breath out.
Mengsk's temper did not change. "Well, how many damn Cruisers do we have now?" His face was still slightly red from the explosion of anger he had only moments before.
"We have twenty Cruisers left. We have begun a new mining operation on Moria as well. With the new funds we will have shortly we could make dozens more," General Madison said hoping this conversation would end now.
"Send those damn things out then and patrol our boarders!" he screamed flipping the switch off. He felt new anger rush through his veins. He noticed he had a new message and the face of a man, about the same age as him, with fading black hair and a sharp uniform appeared on his screen.
"Heheh. Did I catch you at a bad time?" the man asked mockingly. He smiled widely as he saw the look on Mengsk's face become twisted with hate.
"Who the hell are you?" Acrturus asked abruptly and holding no respect for the man.
The mans smile faded. "I am Admiral Terrence Gray, Grand Pacific Fleet. I am of the UED, Emperor Mengsk. The Zerg you are having trouble with will not be able to stand against us for very long. We just recently broke an engagement with them losing only two Cruisers before we killed at least six- hundred. That was with only six ships. The rest of our little battle group came through a few minutes afterwards." He stood silently waiting for the response of Arcturus.
"Whoop-de-do. Like I give shit about that. You won't win anyway just like the first boys. They did good for a while but the Zerg figured out their commander and then eliminated their presence. I have things to do," he said hanging up the channel. "God damn it! Now another damn fleet from the Earth has come and we don't have enough ships to drop a shit with!"
He reopened the channel with General Madison. "Listen General, get as many Cruisers up as you can with the resources we have ASAP. Then get moving with that Moria project and assemble fighters and Cruisers or its your ass General." Mengsk flipped the switch cutting the General off before he could speak. This was going to be a close call. He had them before and came out unscathed and he would do it again.
Planet Aiur-Low Orbit
The ruined world of Aiur was beneath the Protoss Fleet. They were the Fleet of the Judicator. Many of the Judicators managed to escape Aiur on their own. They had settled on a planet three systems away called, Vetari. They believed that the true cause of Aiur's fall was due to the Dark Templars. One of the Judicators was now on a mission to hunt them down for poisoning their planet. His name was Armadais.
"Commander, that is Aiur below us," one of the pilots said. He turned to face Armadais to say something but decided not to.
Armadais let his light blue robe touch the floor. The collars were lined in a gold color. He had Protoss righting on the golden fabric. 'Nak tu bel de tus en Palora.' 'The path to clarity will be revealed.'
He walked with a surreal grace. "Aiur may have been our home world, but I told you to get us to the Antigian System. I want Warp Drives ready in two minutes and I want to be in Antiga within the hour," he said walking off the bridge. He resided to his quarters. As he entered he walked to a shrine he made himself and knelt down on a place mat. He prayed to Adun silently.
After his pray was complete, he walked over to his sleeping chamber. Only five minutes had passed, but the time seemed to slow down to a crawl. He laid down on the soft fabric and closed his eyes. His teal colored body grew darker as he fell into a strong sleep. He dreamt of Aiur and the majestic beauty it once had. The green fields, the beautiful structures, the gorgeous sunsets. As he slept he twisted as the Zerg came to the planet, killing it, infesting it.
As quickly as he was asleep, he was awake again. The sounds of the Warp Drives powering down gave the ship slight shudder. He arose from the bed and walked out of his room into the hallways of the Carrier Fury. He walked onto the bridge fully refreshed from the small nap he had taken.
"Judicator Armadais, it will take us sometime, but we have picked up heavy fighting in the Sara system. Zerg contacts along with Terran and Protoss," a young Templar spoke for his post at the long range scanners.
Armadais nodded. "Very well then. Take us to the Sara system. Maybe some of our 'Lost Brothers' are there," he replied with hate building in his mind. "How long before we reach the jump node that leads to the Sara system?" he asked as we walked down to the work stations.
The Templar looked up at him. "Not to long Judicator Armadais. Possibly another twenty to thirty minutes," he said continuing his work at his post.
Armadais nodded and was very pleased. "Good. Get us their then. Signal the Fleet and let them be aware of our change in course. Finally we will be able to let lose the true fury that is our heritage!" Armadais announced as he stormed off the bridge back to his quarters.
The Carriers effortlessly made their way to the jump node. Scouts were along side them guarding every step of the way. They were going to be quite a force to be reckoned with.
Sara System (Castor Jump Node)
It was gone. Jim was aboard the New Hope now. The Hyperion no longer existed. The men and women that were on it didn't have a chance to get off the ship. The people that were on the bridge were good soldiers and they were good friends. Jim Raynor felt defeated again. Just like he had taken a blow to the gut when looking the other way.
"Captain Raynor, if it means anything at the present time, we do not have a Commander. The crew and I were wondering if you would like to commander the ship?" one of the officers asked. Jim was surprised that one of the officers below the commander wouldn't want the job.
"Where is your Commander?" Jim could only mutter the words.
The officer in front of him pointed to a man under a white cloth. He was completely covered and being taken off the bridge.
"Oh," again he could only mutter the word. "Yeah, sure. I'll take the job. Who are they?" Raynor asked pointing to the other fleet of Battle Cruisers.
Zeratul walked up from behind Jim. "They are the UED Secondary Fleet, Grand Pacific. Under the command of Admiral Terrence Gray." Zeratul walked beside Jim. He only looked up at Zeratul with a surprised look on his face.
"Friends of yours?" he asked jokingly. He was feeling better but could only wish he was still on the Hyperion.
Zeratul looked at Jim with sorrow in his eyes. "Wishing will not bring them back. Focus on the task at hand Captain. There is a time and place for mourning. This is neither," he said bringing Jim back for the trace he was in.
"Right, thanks. Do we have a line to these guys?" As Jim asked a face of a man appeared. "Let me guess, I take it your not the Easter Bunny."
The man laughed slightly. "Ah, you have guessed correctly. I am Admiral Terrence Gray, UE-," he was trying to say before cut off.
"Yeah, yeah. UED, Secondary Fleet, Grand Pacific. What don't I know?" he asked giving no respect to the rank of the Admiral.
The smile faded. "If that is the way it must be then fine. We are here for the Zerg, not you. Just stay out of the way. If you manage not to screw that up, then you have nothing to fear from us." He stood there not moving. It didn't even seem like he was breathing.
Jim smiled suddenly. "Right. Ya all come on down to take the Zerg out? You do realize your mission to take out the Zerg will not go unnoticed. Everyone in this sector will attack you regardless of your mission. And here is a little tip," Raynor said coming closer to the monitor lowering his voice. "The Zerg, they will rip that pretty little fleet of yours a new ass hole," Jim said flipping off the transmission.
"That could have gone a little better, Jim," Zeratul spoke shakily. They were out numbered, out gunned, out matched in fire power. "I believe we should find an alternate route before showing them Castor," Zeratul spoke quickly.
"They are warping out, sir. They seem to be going to Antiga," the scanning officer replied.
"Well who gives a damn where they are going. Time for us to get back to Castor. How many other Protoss were rescued on Mar Sara," Jim asked as the Warp Drives were engaged.
Zeratul spoke up at the question. "We managed to save a few hundred. Actually I did not think we would find so many alive, but we did and I am grateful for that."
Jim looked up at Zeratul. "No problem. You would have done the same if it were us down there. Don't worry about it," he said patting Zeratul on the back. "Let's go hom-," he was saying before he saw a face on the monitor he could not look away from.
"Leaving so soon, Jimmy?" the voice of Sarah Kerrigan called. "I see that you managed to escape along with the UED. Enjoy it while it lasts," she said in seductive tone.
Jim was hurting and no doubt she knew that. "What do you want Kerrigan?" Jim asked wanting to get out of here as soon as possible.
Kerrigan sighed. "Fine, be that way Jim. Anyway, what did the Admiral say to you? Anything of interest?" Kerrigan asked as the limbs on her back fluttered.
"You honestly think I would help you? After what you put me and my men through? Why can't you let go of this Sarah? You still have that good in you. You still are human, Sarah. I mean look at what you've become," Jim said with the hurt building up inside him.
Kerrigan sat in though for a moment. For that time she almost resembled a human being. She then snapped out of it. "No, I don't think I would do that Jim. You know, since the Sara System as of late has had all the fun, I think I'll go and join the party."
"Good luck darlin'. UED is huntin' you and gonna finish the job this time," Jim said walking away from the monitor.
"In good times, Jim. I'll figure them out as well. Find their weakness and attack that," she said smiling. "Just like I figured your weakness, but it was too easy to do that. I'm your weakness. I always have been and always will be." Even though she was twisted by the Zerg blood running in her veins, there was a lapse in the Queen of Blades.
"Yeah, Sarah. Your weakness is the Zerg inside you," Jim said turning off the monitor. "God what would I do to see her human again," Jim said as the water in his eyes became too heavy. He violently ripped the monitor off the desk it was resting on and threw it against the wall. He crumbled to the floor holding nothing back. He cried for the woman he loved.
The men and women in the bridge stopped to her the sobs of their commander. They felt heartbroken for the man. Then a voice called out to them.
"Get back to work!" Zeratul ordered. Zeratul helped Raynor up and escorted him off the bridge. "Get a hold of yourself, Jim. She is not worth the hurt you are bringing on yourself," Zeratul said dragging him into the former Commanders room.
Jim wiped the tears away from his face. "It was my fault I let her go alone. She is what she is because I didn't stand up to Mengsk when I had the chance. She would still be here if it wasn't for me," Jim said sitting on the edge of the bed in the small room.
Zeratul sighed as sat next to Jim. "If I were to tell you something, something that is of ancient power that can heal any kind of injury or defect," he said but was cut off.
"Where is it?" he asked before Zeratul could finish. He knew what he was getting at.
He shook his head. "Jim, it is on Shakurus. My people would vote against this because of Kerrigan's sins too our race. Even if she did change she would be held responsible for the death of our Matriarch and hundreds of others, like Fenix. She wouldn't leave or enter the planet alive for that matter," Zeratul said knowing he shouldn't have said anything.
Jim looked up to Zeratul. "Man, that's a chance I'm willing to take to make things right. I have to," Jim said wiping his now bloodshot eyes.
Zeratul shook his head. "A man has to do what he has to do. Raynor, Jim, I will stand by you no matter what you choose. Though, I'm almost certain of what your choice is. But how will we get her to come with us willingly? That is the only way it will work. She has to be willing to do this or it will have no effect," Zeratul said walking towards the door. "Rest and give this some thought. The days to come will be long and hard." Zeratul watched Raynor stare at the floor consumed in thought. "May your God watch over you and give you guidance."
"Zeratul, thank you for everything," Jim said looking up. Zeratul nodded and walked out of the room to leave Jim to his thoughts. The sudden dead silence pieced Jim's heart. He laid on the bed and closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.