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 10
The Dropship had docked with the New Hope a few minutes after they broke out of the atmosphere. Sarah and Jim were sitting next to one another holding hands. Jim felt like things just may go his way after all. He looked at the exhausted form sitting next to him. The mind was broken from the Zerg, but the body remained. Soon that would be gone as well.
The hatch had opened into the hanger. The forms of many people, crew, and even a few Protoss stood in wait. Jim stood up with Sarah standing somewhat behind him. She was afraid of what they might say or do to her, for what she looked like and for what she was.
Zeratul and a few of his chosen warriors stood in the back. With him stood Artanis, Zelsasha, and the female he sent to watch over him. Latura was her name. He walked down the platform with Sarah holding onto him closely behind. Her head bowed in desperation trying to hide her face as much as possible.
"Glad to see you are okay, Jim," one of the officers said. Jim remembered the man. He was aboard the Hyperion. He was the maintenance officer, Phil Hawkins. Jim was glad to see someone made it off the Hyperion.
"So, there is the Queen of Blades.." Zeratul said approaching Jim at a quicker then normal pace. Zeratul for the first time, pushed Jim aside. He lifted Kerrigan by her throat and pinned her onto a section of the Dropship.
Jim was about to go and stop him when he felt two large hands holding him back. He turned to see Zelsasha and Artanis keeping him at a safe distance. Jim watched as Sarah winced and trembled under Zeratul's hand.
"Tell me who you are. Are you Sarah Kerrigan or is it more like the Queen of Blades?" he asked with anger rising in his voice.
"Please Zeratul, it's me. S-Sarah Ker-rigan," she said in broken fragments. She was frightened beyond anything Jim could imagine. Except when she was being transformed.
"You are lying, aren't you? Tell me, who are you?!" Zeratul screamed out the question. His Psi Blade was extending from his holder mounted on his arm.
Sarah let a tear roll down her face. "Zeratul, I'm sorry for the grief I have caused all of you. Honestly, I am. But I am Sarah Kerrigan, I'm not what I used to be. If your going to kill me, just hurry up and get it over with," she said grabbing his hand closing her eyes.
Zeratul's period of rage was beginning to subside. He had felt that she was not lying. She was truly in a human state of mind, for now at least. He gently let her down and touch the floor. "Kerrigan, I am glad to see you are back, hopefully. Raynor, is waiting for you," he said letting her walk past.
She took a deep breath and walked past him. She saw the way everyone looked at her. It was either a look of fright or disgust. She saw a medical team waiting by Jim. She finally reached him and the medical team wrapped a blanket around her. They escorted off the hanger with Jim close behind.
"Zeratul, should I continue to watch over Jim?" Latura asked awaiting the answer from her superior.
Zeratul watched as they left the hanger. He began nodding slowly. "Take care of him. I do not trust her. We must quickly make way to get to Shakurus. We must drain as much of this out of her as we can," he said walking off the way the medical team had went.
"But Zeratul, will the council allow us to on Shakurus?" Zelsasha asked walking beside him as quick as Zeratul was.
He shook his head. "I doubt it. But no matter what the council will agree on, he will do it anyway. Latura, follow Jim and Sarah. Report to me if anything 'odd' occurs."
Latura nodded and stormed after the group that had left the hanger. Zeratul rubbed his eyes. Artanis caught that as soon as he did.
"Why don't you get some rest Zeratul. We will take care of things here," Artanis spoke quietly. Zeratul slowly nodded and went off to find his quarters. After a few minutes the hanger was empty again except for Zelsasha and Artanis, still standing there looking shocked.
Zelsasha spoke first after a few minutes of silence. "You don't think those UED ships scanned the Dropship coming back do you?"
Artanis shook his head. "If they had, they would be firing at us already. Make sure Zeratul is okay. I will go get some rest as well. Take care until we meet again. Keep an eye on Latura as well," Artanis said walking off the hanger.
Zelsasha stood there for a few moments longer wondering if Sarah Kerrigan was back or if this was a ploy to take her to Shakurus to invade. Zelsasha pushed the thoughts away. If Jim believed in her so much, he would as well.
"Mr. Tab, we are reading one Zerg life form on board that Dropship. It doesn't seem like the allies they were looking for were Protoss, sir," one of the scanning officers called from his station.
Tab shook his head. "Let them go. We do not need this conflict until we can properly repair and rearm ourselves. Maintain all focus on the Zerg on the surface of Mar Sara," Tab said letting the ship dock.
"But sir, I do believe you are seriously underestimating the current situation. Unless the scanners are malfunctioning, it is reading that Kerrigan is on board," he said with a stern look painted on his face.
Tab spoke with a hint of anger rising in his voice. "Lieutenant, I said stay focused with the Zerg on the surface. I doubt that the Queen of Blades would willingly board a Terran Vessel. That is enough talk. Focus Lieutenant," Tab spoke as he watched a screen flicker in front of him. It was the ground forces on Mar Sara. Mr. Perry's face appeared on the screen.
"We have taken the first Hive with little resistance, but then again the Hive was in its infant stages. We have the location of another Hive about twenty clicks from our current location and are en-route to it now. We will finish mopping up this cluster, then we will need to be re-supplied with more men, ammo, and artillery. Perry out," he said as he flickered off the screen.
Tab sighed. This campaign with the Zerg would be a harder conflict then he thought. Even the report Perry had given him, he felt, unsure of the attack of the next Hive. Something did not sit right with him. Even though he tried shaking the feeling off, he couldn't. It was burning at the back of his mind.
"We have incoming! The Zerg are mustering major forces on Chau Sara and our ships are requesting support," the radio officer said.
Tab nodded. Fear was building in his gut. He was afraid for the first time in a long time. "Send fighters to help aid. One squad from each ship in Mar Sara orbit," he said with a cool tone. He felt troubled by the decision but he had to do something. "Get the Admiral up here," he said to one of the officers. The young man nodded and began calling the Admirals room.
The screen where Perry's face was moments before was back again. His face was pale and clammy. Tab looked at the mans fear overwhelming every aspect of his face.
"The Zerg have engaged us! They came out of no where and started hammering our position! Kerrigan's motives are simple, she would have waited for us to reach the Hive and ambush us there! This attack is unlike her! Send so- ," the message was cut off. The screen went black and fell silent.
"Prepare for evacuation," the Admiral said walking onto the bridge. His voice was cold but authoritative.
"Sir?" Tab asked with disbelief in his voice.
"I said prepare for evacuation now! Follow those other Terran ships through to the Castor system. They sent me a message giving me more then enough reasons to follow. The men on the surface are dead or dying. Get away from Mar and Chau Sara now," he spoke again this time his voice was shaken.
"Sir, I must object. We have men down there and we must pull them out," Tab spoke stepping up to the Admiral.
"Not now. The Zerg are under another influence. Sarah Kerrigan is on board on of the Terran Vessels now and some Cerebrate named Daggoth has now gained full control over the Zerg here. His plans differ from that of Kerrigans. Now if you get in my way again, I'll have you shot Mr. Tab. Time is against us," he whispered with his head hung low.
"The Cruisers near Chau Sara are being hammered by heavy Zerg opposition. Oh Jesus, Zerg warping in from the Antigian Sector! They are also emerging from the Ribos! They are everywhere!" cried the scanning officer.
The Admiral nodded. "Get us out of here." He watched as a few Cruisers erupted into fire far off in the distance. He was hurt for the men they were leaving and the Cruisers holding over Chau Sara. The Ships over Mar Sara fled to the Castor Jump node and vanished into subspace. No ship over Chau Sara or any man or woman on the surface of these two planets survived.
Korhal System
Arcturus Mengsk sat in a lost state of mind. He picked up radio chatter from the UED and they were being beaten off by the Zerg defenders. That didn't bother him in the least. The Zerg were the most formidable enemy that they had ever faced. What bothered him was the message a man gave to the Admiral of the UED. The man was Jim Raynor. He was still alive and kicking. Not even the fact that Raynor was alive really bothered him. He heard Sarah Kerrigans voice alongside Jim's. The fact that they were together is what bothered him. The infamous Queen of Blades and the warm hearted James Raynor were with one another.
"Well, this can't be good. If she is no longer in control and the Zerg are launching a massive attack against those UED boys, what would twenty measly Cruisers do?" he asked himself in fear. Mengsk was a very controlled man. He believed with his heart that Kerrigan did not attack him because she couldn't afford it, but with the facts laid on the table, it was more then enough to lay waste to the planet of Korhal more the once.
Arcturus Mengsk was going to do something he never though he would have to do again. He was going to need allies, whether he liked it or not. Raynor had signed a pact with the Protoss, maybe he could "offer" his talents to them.
He went over to his desk and flipped on the intercom. "General Madison, can we contact those Alliance ships? They are heading towards the Castor System now," Mengsk said in a calm manner. He was very good at what he did. He could read people like a book and that's what he intended on doing once again.
General Madison nodded. "Yes sir, we can. We can hook up a live feed for you or we can send a message to them. Live feeds will have a small delay though due to the distance from us though," he replied cooly. He was a strong leader. His wavy brown hair was longer then what would be recommended for a General. He was a rebel and did not care much for rules or regulations but he got the job done.
"Patch me through, live feed if you would. I need to talk with them personally," he said brushing his graying hair back. The picture of Jim Raynor appeared on the screen. The man looked aged from the conflict since last they met.
"You got nerve man. What do you want and make it quick," he said not a question but a cold statement.
"Jim, you do not know how sorry I am for what I have done. But you must come to realize that what's done is done and we must move on. The Zerg rage now completely unchecked. Your fleet as well as mine as been hit hard. Even the UED are having some, well, technical difficulty with the Zerg," he said with a sympathetic tone.
"Thanks for the news flash Mengsk. What is it you want?" he asked more aggravated then before.
"Jim, you don't know-," he said but was cut off by the man on the other side.
"Look, my friends call me Jim, my family called me James.. You're neither. Captain should be suitable for now," he said with a unfaltering stare. This was going to be harder then Mengsk thought.
"So be it Captain. I have heard of your resucue of Sarah Kerrigan. That is good news indeed, but now these Zerg under the command of who ever they are under, is launching a blitzkrieg and I don't know how long we will hold out divided as we are. I know you hate me for what I have done, but James, I am a person and I have made mistakes. Would you be willing to hold this grudge you have against me at the cost of thousands of lives? Think about this, James," he smiled to himself. Jim Raynor was caught and knew he was right.
"You have a point Mengsk. But I know your rep all to well. I'm not taking that risk again. You cost me everything and the lives of over half my men," he was starting to pause and falter.
Suddenly a new face appeared on the screen. It was Sarah Kerrigan, the former Queen of Blades. "I do understand why you left me on Tarsonis. I understand what it would have cost you Arcturus. But I can't and never will forgive you for the hell I have been through. The torment I went through before I went into the chrysalis. After the war with the Zerg ends, no matter the out come, I will kill you for what you did to me and millions of people on Tarsonis," she spoke with tears building.
"Sarah, please, lets put aside these petty differences for now. I understand your hurt and I am responsible for what happened to you. But now the tides of a greater and ungodly war is on the horizon. Will you let your hate for me blind true reasoning? The Zerg just dominated my fleet and the Alliances. Not to mention the UED as well," he spoke with more sorrow in his voice. His true agenda buried deep within his thoughts. He had her as well.
"All right then Mengsk. We got a deal here. We fight for one another and die for one another. I know that this term is gonna be a bit of a hard one for you to understand but try real hard okay?" The sarcasm in Jim's voice was high. "It's team work. We fight and die for the betterment of our Alliance, not policical power or thrones on a desert."
Mengsk sighed. "Very well Jim. But just hear me out. The Zerg are mustering enough of their attackers to destroy that encampment on Castor. Come to Korhal and I will give you shelter for now until we can make an effective strike on the Zerg," he said as he watched one of his monitors of the Sara System fill up with different breeds of Zerg.
Jim was in thought again for several moments. "No. We are making a stand here because we have a warp gate to Shakurus. This gate will allow us to heal the damage you have created. You come here with your ships to help us defend. No execptions, Raynor out," he said and just like the link faded.
"Damn," he whispered to himself. "General Madison, suit up fifteen of the Cruisers we have. We are going to the Castor System," he said a little nervous. He was not afraid of the Zerg so much, but what Sarah would do if the two were alone.
"Somewhere we are going?" he asked making the preparations to inform the Cruisers.
"Going to defend a planet full of our enemies General. For the greater good though of course. This will be quite a show," he whispered turning the intercom off. He could only imagine the reaction of when he showed up with a few Cruisers. He had to do something and this was it.
Chapter 10
The Dropship had docked with the New Hope a few minutes after they broke out of the atmosphere. Sarah and Jim were sitting next to one another holding hands. Jim felt like things just may go his way after all. He looked at the exhausted form sitting next to him. The mind was broken from the Zerg, but the body remained. Soon that would be gone as well.
The hatch had opened into the hanger. The forms of many people, crew, and even a few Protoss stood in wait. Jim stood up with Sarah standing somewhat behind him. She was afraid of what they might say or do to her, for what she looked like and for what she was.
Zeratul and a few of his chosen warriors stood in the back. With him stood Artanis, Zelsasha, and the female he sent to watch over him. Latura was her name. He walked down the platform with Sarah holding onto him closely behind. Her head bowed in desperation trying to hide her face as much as possible.
"Glad to see you are okay, Jim," one of the officers said. Jim remembered the man. He was aboard the Hyperion. He was the maintenance officer, Phil Hawkins. Jim was glad to see someone made it off the Hyperion.
"So, there is the Queen of Blades.." Zeratul said approaching Jim at a quicker then normal pace. Zeratul for the first time, pushed Jim aside. He lifted Kerrigan by her throat and pinned her onto a section of the Dropship.
Jim was about to go and stop him when he felt two large hands holding him back. He turned to see Zelsasha and Artanis keeping him at a safe distance. Jim watched as Sarah winced and trembled under Zeratul's hand.
"Tell me who you are. Are you Sarah Kerrigan or is it more like the Queen of Blades?" he asked with anger rising in his voice.
"Please Zeratul, it's me. S-Sarah Ker-rigan," she said in broken fragments. She was frightened beyond anything Jim could imagine. Except when she was being transformed.
"You are lying, aren't you? Tell me, who are you?!" Zeratul screamed out the question. His Psi Blade was extending from his holder mounted on his arm.
Sarah let a tear roll down her face. "Zeratul, I'm sorry for the grief I have caused all of you. Honestly, I am. But I am Sarah Kerrigan, I'm not what I used to be. If your going to kill me, just hurry up and get it over with," she said grabbing his hand closing her eyes.
Zeratul's period of rage was beginning to subside. He had felt that she was not lying. She was truly in a human state of mind, for now at least. He gently let her down and touch the floor. "Kerrigan, I am glad to see you are back, hopefully. Raynor, is waiting for you," he said letting her walk past.
She took a deep breath and walked past him. She saw the way everyone looked at her. It was either a look of fright or disgust. She saw a medical team waiting by Jim. She finally reached him and the medical team wrapped a blanket around her. They escorted off the hanger with Jim close behind.
"Zeratul, should I continue to watch over Jim?" Latura asked awaiting the answer from her superior.
Zeratul watched as they left the hanger. He began nodding slowly. "Take care of him. I do not trust her. We must quickly make way to get to Shakurus. We must drain as much of this out of her as we can," he said walking off the way the medical team had went.
"But Zeratul, will the council allow us to on Shakurus?" Zelsasha asked walking beside him as quick as Zeratul was.
He shook his head. "I doubt it. But no matter what the council will agree on, he will do it anyway. Latura, follow Jim and Sarah. Report to me if anything 'odd' occurs."
Latura nodded and stormed after the group that had left the hanger. Zeratul rubbed his eyes. Artanis caught that as soon as he did.
"Why don't you get some rest Zeratul. We will take care of things here," Artanis spoke quietly. Zeratul slowly nodded and went off to find his quarters. After a few minutes the hanger was empty again except for Zelsasha and Artanis, still standing there looking shocked.
Zelsasha spoke first after a few minutes of silence. "You don't think those UED ships scanned the Dropship coming back do you?"
Artanis shook his head. "If they had, they would be firing at us already. Make sure Zeratul is okay. I will go get some rest as well. Take care until we meet again. Keep an eye on Latura as well," Artanis said walking off the hanger.
Zelsasha stood there for a few moments longer wondering if Sarah Kerrigan was back or if this was a ploy to take her to Shakurus to invade. Zelsasha pushed the thoughts away. If Jim believed in her so much, he would as well.
"Mr. Tab, we are reading one Zerg life form on board that Dropship. It doesn't seem like the allies they were looking for were Protoss, sir," one of the scanning officers called from his station.
Tab shook his head. "Let them go. We do not need this conflict until we can properly repair and rearm ourselves. Maintain all focus on the Zerg on the surface of Mar Sara," Tab said letting the ship dock.
"But sir, I do believe you are seriously underestimating the current situation. Unless the scanners are malfunctioning, it is reading that Kerrigan is on board," he said with a stern look painted on his face.
Tab spoke with a hint of anger rising in his voice. "Lieutenant, I said stay focused with the Zerg on the surface. I doubt that the Queen of Blades would willingly board a Terran Vessel. That is enough talk. Focus Lieutenant," Tab spoke as he watched a screen flicker in front of him. It was the ground forces on Mar Sara. Mr. Perry's face appeared on the screen.
"We have taken the first Hive with little resistance, but then again the Hive was in its infant stages. We have the location of another Hive about twenty clicks from our current location and are en-route to it now. We will finish mopping up this cluster, then we will need to be re-supplied with more men, ammo, and artillery. Perry out," he said as he flickered off the screen.
Tab sighed. This campaign with the Zerg would be a harder conflict then he thought. Even the report Perry had given him, he felt, unsure of the attack of the next Hive. Something did not sit right with him. Even though he tried shaking the feeling off, he couldn't. It was burning at the back of his mind.
"We have incoming! The Zerg are mustering major forces on Chau Sara and our ships are requesting support," the radio officer said.
Tab nodded. Fear was building in his gut. He was afraid for the first time in a long time. "Send fighters to help aid. One squad from each ship in Mar Sara orbit," he said with a cool tone. He felt troubled by the decision but he had to do something. "Get the Admiral up here," he said to one of the officers. The young man nodded and began calling the Admirals room.
The screen where Perry's face was moments before was back again. His face was pale and clammy. Tab looked at the mans fear overwhelming every aspect of his face.
"The Zerg have engaged us! They came out of no where and started hammering our position! Kerrigan's motives are simple, she would have waited for us to reach the Hive and ambush us there! This attack is unlike her! Send so- ," the message was cut off. The screen went black and fell silent.
"Prepare for evacuation," the Admiral said walking onto the bridge. His voice was cold but authoritative.
"Sir?" Tab asked with disbelief in his voice.
"I said prepare for evacuation now! Follow those other Terran ships through to the Castor system. They sent me a message giving me more then enough reasons to follow. The men on the surface are dead or dying. Get away from Mar and Chau Sara now," he spoke again this time his voice was shaken.
"Sir, I must object. We have men down there and we must pull them out," Tab spoke stepping up to the Admiral.
"Not now. The Zerg are under another influence. Sarah Kerrigan is on board on of the Terran Vessels now and some Cerebrate named Daggoth has now gained full control over the Zerg here. His plans differ from that of Kerrigans. Now if you get in my way again, I'll have you shot Mr. Tab. Time is against us," he whispered with his head hung low.
"The Cruisers near Chau Sara are being hammered by heavy Zerg opposition. Oh Jesus, Zerg warping in from the Antigian Sector! They are also emerging from the Ribos! They are everywhere!" cried the scanning officer.
The Admiral nodded. "Get us out of here." He watched as a few Cruisers erupted into fire far off in the distance. He was hurt for the men they were leaving and the Cruisers holding over Chau Sara. The Ships over Mar Sara fled to the Castor Jump node and vanished into subspace. No ship over Chau Sara or any man or woman on the surface of these two planets survived.
Korhal System
Arcturus Mengsk sat in a lost state of mind. He picked up radio chatter from the UED and they were being beaten off by the Zerg defenders. That didn't bother him in the least. The Zerg were the most formidable enemy that they had ever faced. What bothered him was the message a man gave to the Admiral of the UED. The man was Jim Raynor. He was still alive and kicking. Not even the fact that Raynor was alive really bothered him. He heard Sarah Kerrigans voice alongside Jim's. The fact that they were together is what bothered him. The infamous Queen of Blades and the warm hearted James Raynor were with one another.
"Well, this can't be good. If she is no longer in control and the Zerg are launching a massive attack against those UED boys, what would twenty measly Cruisers do?" he asked himself in fear. Mengsk was a very controlled man. He believed with his heart that Kerrigan did not attack him because she couldn't afford it, but with the facts laid on the table, it was more then enough to lay waste to the planet of Korhal more the once.
Arcturus Mengsk was going to do something he never though he would have to do again. He was going to need allies, whether he liked it or not. Raynor had signed a pact with the Protoss, maybe he could "offer" his talents to them.
He went over to his desk and flipped on the intercom. "General Madison, can we contact those Alliance ships? They are heading towards the Castor System now," Mengsk said in a calm manner. He was very good at what he did. He could read people like a book and that's what he intended on doing once again.
General Madison nodded. "Yes sir, we can. We can hook up a live feed for you or we can send a message to them. Live feeds will have a small delay though due to the distance from us though," he replied cooly. He was a strong leader. His wavy brown hair was longer then what would be recommended for a General. He was a rebel and did not care much for rules or regulations but he got the job done.
"Patch me through, live feed if you would. I need to talk with them personally," he said brushing his graying hair back. The picture of Jim Raynor appeared on the screen. The man looked aged from the conflict since last they met.
"You got nerve man. What do you want and make it quick," he said not a question but a cold statement.
"Jim, you do not know how sorry I am for what I have done. But you must come to realize that what's done is done and we must move on. The Zerg rage now completely unchecked. Your fleet as well as mine as been hit hard. Even the UED are having some, well, technical difficulty with the Zerg," he said with a sympathetic tone.
"Thanks for the news flash Mengsk. What is it you want?" he asked more aggravated then before.
"Jim, you don't know-," he said but was cut off by the man on the other side.
"Look, my friends call me Jim, my family called me James.. You're neither. Captain should be suitable for now," he said with a unfaltering stare. This was going to be harder then Mengsk thought.
"So be it Captain. I have heard of your resucue of Sarah Kerrigan. That is good news indeed, but now these Zerg under the command of who ever they are under, is launching a blitzkrieg and I don't know how long we will hold out divided as we are. I know you hate me for what I have done, but James, I am a person and I have made mistakes. Would you be willing to hold this grudge you have against me at the cost of thousands of lives? Think about this, James," he smiled to himself. Jim Raynor was caught and knew he was right.
"You have a point Mengsk. But I know your rep all to well. I'm not taking that risk again. You cost me everything and the lives of over half my men," he was starting to pause and falter.
Suddenly a new face appeared on the screen. It was Sarah Kerrigan, the former Queen of Blades. "I do understand why you left me on Tarsonis. I understand what it would have cost you Arcturus. But I can't and never will forgive you for the hell I have been through. The torment I went through before I went into the chrysalis. After the war with the Zerg ends, no matter the out come, I will kill you for what you did to me and millions of people on Tarsonis," she spoke with tears building.
"Sarah, please, lets put aside these petty differences for now. I understand your hurt and I am responsible for what happened to you. But now the tides of a greater and ungodly war is on the horizon. Will you let your hate for me blind true reasoning? The Zerg just dominated my fleet and the Alliances. Not to mention the UED as well," he spoke with more sorrow in his voice. His true agenda buried deep within his thoughts. He had her as well.
"All right then Mengsk. We got a deal here. We fight for one another and die for one another. I know that this term is gonna be a bit of a hard one for you to understand but try real hard okay?" The sarcasm in Jim's voice was high. "It's team work. We fight and die for the betterment of our Alliance, not policical power or thrones on a desert."
Mengsk sighed. "Very well Jim. But just hear me out. The Zerg are mustering enough of their attackers to destroy that encampment on Castor. Come to Korhal and I will give you shelter for now until we can make an effective strike on the Zerg," he said as he watched one of his monitors of the Sara System fill up with different breeds of Zerg.
Jim was in thought again for several moments. "No. We are making a stand here because we have a warp gate to Shakurus. This gate will allow us to heal the damage you have created. You come here with your ships to help us defend. No execptions, Raynor out," he said and just like the link faded.
"Damn," he whispered to himself. "General Madison, suit up fifteen of the Cruisers we have. We are going to the Castor System," he said a little nervous. He was not afraid of the Zerg so much, but what Sarah would do if the two were alone.
"Somewhere we are going?" he asked making the preparations to inform the Cruisers.
"Going to defend a planet full of our enemies General. For the greater good though of course. This will be quite a show," he whispered turning the intercom off. He could only imagine the reaction of when he showed up with a few Cruisers. He had to do something and this was it.