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 13
Shakurus (Xel'Naga Temple)
Jim sat in the corner trying to get comfortable. The walls of the strange temple were so cold. That coldness went straight through him. It scared him because this wasn't normal for him. Magical powers, strange lights, alien beings, infested humans. Even though he was friends with a lot of Protoss, the whole idea just seemed so odd to him. He was sure they felt the same way of course, but he didn't need to mention it. He saw how some of them acted as well. It was only because this was as odd for them as it was for him.
The crystal grew brighter slightly and shook Jim from his thoughts for a moment. He watched as it dimmed again. He got up and walked over to the crystal. The temple ceiling was about forty feet high, but only had one floor. There was nothing inside the temple either besides the crystal. Though there was tons of some kind of hieroglyphics that reached the ceiling. It reminded him of the pyramids back on Earth. He had never been there, but he saw books on pyramids once and the temple look just like it. It was triangular and it had these hieroglyphics as well.
Jim refocused on the crystal. He walked up to it and placed his left hand on the strange formation. The crystal grew brighter where his hand was. He quickly removed his hand and the light had faded. Out of no where he heard a whisper that seemed to echo throughout the entire temple, bouncing off the walls making it seem like the person was everywhere. Jim quickly turned to face the entrance and saw no one.
"Hello?" he said walking slowly towards the entrance. It was growing dark outside. There was another whisper behind him and he quickly turned pulling out his MX Slug Thrower. He pulled back the action and flipped off the safety.
There was a sudden screech and Jim looked all around frantically, aiming his weapon in all directions as he moved. His heart was pounding and the adrenaline in his veins were flowing. He was alert and ready for just about anything, except for what he saw. He dropped his weapon once he turned to face the crystal formation. He dropped to his knees and his arms hung limp at his sides.
"Sarah," he whispered. The former Queen of Blades was lying before him. Her peach skin was revealed to him instead of the green she had. Her red hair was clearly visible rather then the almost Medusa like hair she had. There were two large scars where her attack claws were. Her clawed hands no longer existed. Slowly her eyes opened, revealing her emerald green eyes. "Sarah," he repeated as he slowly began to crawl to her.
Sarah opened her eyes wider and watched as Jim came closer. She quickly sat up pushing at the air around her frantically. She let out little whimpers as she widely flailed her arms and legs.
"Shh. Sarah, it's me Jim," he said quickly reaching her calming her. He placed his hands on her arms to stop her from swinging. "Nothing is gonna hurt you, baby," he whispered pulling her in closer. She wrapped her arms around him and began to sob uncontrollably.
"What about the Zerg? Where are they?" she asked through tears and fear in her voice.
Jim pulled away to look at her. "You don't remember, do you?" He looked at her with such love and adoration. He was glad she couldn't remember.
She looked down at what she was wearing and saw the almost medieval-like armor she wore with boots that reached her knees. "Why am I dressed like this? You didn't save me, did you?" she asked looking at scars on her legs and her arms.
"No, I didn't. They Zerg, they-they infested you, Sarah. You have been that way for at least six months. Probably more now that I think about it," he said gently placing a hand on her cheek.
A tear rolled down her face as she placed a hand on Jim's. "My God. I can remember it now. I can remember some of it now," she spoke pulling Jim's hand off her. "Forget some of it, I remember all of it. What have I done?!" she screamed out standing up. The look of shock was clear across her features.
"You have done more then you could possibly imagine," Zeratul spoke through the entrance. "I see that this ancient device is more powerful then any of us could have imagined."
"Zeratul, I am so sorry. It wasn't my fault. The Zerg had me under their complete control and I couldn't do anything about it," she said in defense of herself.
Zeratul walked in the temple entrance wearily. "And what of when you where in control of the Zerg, Kerrigan," he spoke with an aggressive tone.
Jim stood up in front of Sarah. "Zeratul, come on. Take at easy," he said walking up to Zeratul. Zeratul almost broke out into a run towards Jim. For the first time since Jim and Zeratul had been friends, Jim thought Zeratul was going to hurt him.
"My Matriarch is dead because of you! Fenix is dead because of you! Countless millions are dead, BECAUSE OF YOU!" he roared charging her with his Psi Blade fully extended.
Sarah watched in horror as he charged her. She screamed and curled into a ball waiting for the blade to cut her. She looked up to see the blade inches from her face. "Do it. You won't be any better then what I was," she said standing up staring at Zeratul with fire blazing in her eyes. Zeratul backed away slowly. His blade retracting.
"Sarah, f-f-forgive me," Zeratul spoke with a great struggle. "I must come to understand that the Zerg had your mind under their influence. I am glad to see you back," he spoke turning to face Jim. "I'm sorry Jim."
Jim walked up to him. "Hey man, don't worry about it. Why are you back here? Did you know it was finished?" he asked looking into Zeratul's eyes seeing that this was not the reason.
"Castor is gone. The Zerg invaded it. Many of the transports did make it though. We don't know what happened to the UED, the Fleet of the Judicator, or the Dominion. I am sure they got away safely though," Zeratul said but Jim looked angry.
"Those rotten sons a bitches!" he screamed. "Where are the rest of the Fleet and the transports?" he asked with anger present in his voice.
"They are at the main Nexus on Shakurus. They are here, don't worry," he said trying to comfort him.
Jim calmed down a little bit. "We worked so hard to get that planet into a home and for what? Not even with the UED, the Dominion, the Judicators Fleet, and our own fleet, could we stop them," Jim said with a sadness building in his voice. "Let's get Sarah up to date with our plans. Get her a change of clothes and her own bunk aboard the New Hope," he said to a few men that were standing outside the temple. They nodded and went about their orders.
"What happened to the Hyperion?" Sarah asked but then looked down as both Zeratul and Jim looked at her shaking their heads. "I'm so sorry," she said. It was truth though. She was sorry for what she had done. Zeratul would never forgive her for what she made him do, she realized that, but would the others feel the same?
"Sarah, it wasn't you. That was the Zerg working through you. Come on, lets get you into something more comfortable, eh?" he asked forcing a smile.
She nodded. She shuttered as she walked out of the temple. Had that all really happened? There still wasn't something right. She still felt a lingering presence inside her. She pushed that aside for now. She would tell someone in a while. Now she just wanted to get aboard a Terran Cruiser and clean herself up. What she had done she would wonder about later and do her best to make it up to everyone. She knew that many had lost friends, family and loved ones because of her and she intended to do something about it. But she couldn't help think about the thing that was still inside her mind. She still felt the Zerg and their influence there. She could feel them and saw them mustering forces somewhere. She still had a connection to the Zerg and that frightened her.
Sara-Aster System Jump Node
Admiral Gray was right. The Zerg did over power them, except they used the last of their forces to do so. They had nothing left to fight with, but the damage was done. The Zerg had no means to deliver the damage, for now, but the UED had suffered great losses.
The Blue Nose had some of its systems back online, but they needed dry dock to finished them. With the resources Aster Prime provided, that wouldn't be a problem at all. Except they had lost a little over half their fleet when Second and Fourth Wing were destroyed. They would need reinforcements. Admiral Gray sorely underestimated the Zerg capabilities and he would have to pay the price for it. He would need more then what he had. He would need at least one-hundred more Cruisers fully loaded with fighters, bombers, and a full detachment of land Troops. He took only so little because he believed that he would only be engaging light Zerg forces in the Sara System.
Admiral Gray looked around on the damaged bridge and rubbed his eyes. He needed sleep now. His vision was blurred and his thinking wasn't as good as it should be. "Mr. Tab, you have command. Get us the proper landing and repair. I am going to talk to President Holland. We will need some assistance out here," he said and Tab nodded. He was glad he could finally lay down and rest. It had been a few days since he really got some sleep and it had taken its toll on him. He reached his room and sat behind his desk. He sighed and rested his head in his hands. He opened up his computer and opened a link to send a message back to Earth. It read:
'Good day, President Holland. We are back in the Aster System for the moment. Mr. President, we have unforeseen problems in dealing with the Zerg. Second and Fourth Wing were destroyed, sir. The good news is, the Sara System is virtually undefended and I know when you do receive this message, we will be hitting hard in Sara. But, we do not believe we will be able to continue the fight against the Zerg with the equipment and man power we have now. I am requesting at least sixty more Cruisers along with complete fighter and bomber accommodation and full ground troop detachment, including artillery. I am sorry about this situation and I assure you, this will not happen again. End Message.'
Admiral Gray knew that Holland would be furious and might even call off the attack. Gray shook at the thought. Maybe he went a little to far. He wouldn't call of the attacks but would chew him out defiantly. But adding sixty more Cruisers to the ones they had left, they'd have more then eighty strong Cruisers with fighters and foot soldiers. They wouldn't let the Zerg off so easy this time. He stood up stretching his arms and back. He unbuttoned his long jacket and hung it on the coat rack near his desk. He unlaced his combat boots and sat on the edge of his bed. He would deal with the Zerg another day. For now the battle of sleep was quickly dawning on him. He laid down and drifted into a carefree sleep.
Korhal (Arcturus' Throne Building- Four days after Zerg attack on Castor)
Emperor Mengsk waited and waited for four days, but heard no word from Jim Raynor. It's not really that he cared for his well being, its just he could use his help in dealing with the Zerg. He wouldn't send his men to die for him that's for sure. But Raynor wasn't the kind of person to just roll of and die. He was so much stronger then that.
"Emperor Mengsk, there is some one holding on line six," his secretary called in on the intercom. Mengsk knew who it was. Raynor had finally been able to send out a transmission. The face that appeared on the screen scared him to death. The color flushed out of his face. His chin dropped open and his eyes widened.
"My God. Sarah, is that truly you?" he asked looking at the Ghost. His heart was pounding inside his chest and he felt almost sick by seeing her in a human form. "Listen, I had my reasons in leaving you. The whole fleet was in danger! We all may have died if we waited for you!" he said trying to explain his actions.
Sarah Kerrigan shook her head. "You left not just me. You left a lot of good men down their Mengsk. It's funny too. Most of them seemed to be Jim's men from Mar Sara. Didn't want anyone to fight against you, huh? You had this planned didn't you?" she spoke in not anger, but in disappointment. "I would have died for you and that is the thanks I get from you."
Mengsk cleared his throat. "Sarah, I was willing to do anything to preserve the way many people have now because of your sacrifice. You understood that then," he spoke with control regained. He was impossible to read and he loved that not even Ghosts knew what his real agenda was.
"Preserve the way many people lived, Arcturus? You helped kill so many. You single-handily helped do that by not sending a Dropship or two to recover my men. The things that should have been done and the things the could have been done, you let roll on by. How do you sleep at night?" Kerrigan was hurt more then anything else. She was angry but it was more then that. She was betrayed by the man that had saved her. Where's the irony in that?
Jim's face appeared on the screen replacing Sarah's. "She just wanted to say hi. I guess she did, eh?" Jim said smiling. "Arcturus, she is right. How do you sleep at night? You killed so many people. Anyway look, the Zerg are building up a lot. From my "source" I got some good ideas on where they will be striking next, but they might know that we know. We will need.your help," he said waiting for the response of the great Emperor.
Mengsk laughed a little. "You insult me, belittle me, and now ask for my help. I'll tell you what, I fed you to the Zerg once, I'm sure I can do it again," he spoke with the laughter draining from his voice.
Jim's eyes narrowed. "Mengsk, this is serious! We don't have the fire power to take them down and we know you don't either. They will be hitting the UED we believe. They are on Aster Prime and that planet has more resources then Moria. If the Zerg do land on that planet they could-," Mengsk had terminated the feed. He would not play part in their game. He would not be insulted then pleaded to join them. He was Emperor of the Terran Dominion and he would be able to stand on his own. With the new resources General Madison's men were gathering, they could construct more Cruisers to defend with and attack with.
Arcturus walked over to the large window inside this throne room and watched as the streets below were busy as usual. He saw a few crafts flying by with the Dominion ensignia painted on their sides. He remembered his Inauguration speech. He always remembered it when he needed to calm himself or give him that extra push.
'Fellow Terrans, I come to you in the wake of recent events to issue a call to reason. Let no human deny the perils of our time. While we battle one another, divided by the petty strife of our common history, the tide of Greater Conflict has turned against us, threatening to destroy all we have accomplished.'
Those words sunk in deep to the Emperor of the Dominion. He knew those words were true, except this time he didn't have a grand army behind him. Most of his men were wiped out by the Zerg and their attacks. For once his faith was shaken on winning the war with the Zerg alone.
'We have seen our homes and our communities destroyed by the calculated blows of the Protoss. We have seen first hand our friends and loved ones consumed by the nightmarey Zerg. Unprecedented and unimaginable though they may be, these are the signs of our time.'
Arcturus shuddered at the words. He knew that he would need allies, but he wasn't on best terms with Jim or Sarah. He stepped back from the window and sat back down at his desk.
"Good God, have I been so blind? Could I not see that this will be the undoing of us all because I have allowed myself to see only in black and white?" he let the words echo in his head. He was ashamed of himself. He could have rescued Sarah from the Zerg on Tarsonis. He could have done a lot of things, but did not. "Watch over us in our dark hours," he prayed. The Zerg were mounting up and the time to make a stand was near. He swore to himself, he would not let the Zerg gain an inch of ground. He would not falter and run. He would leave no one behind this time.
Uncharted Planet
'The Sleepers powers have vanished! I still sense the presence of the Sleeper, but I can hardly find any Zerg trace in her. I still feel her mental link with us unbroken and that will be her undoing. But how is that possible. What was done to her is irreversible," he Overmind cried out in the dream like voice it used.
'I would not be all that concerned, Overmind. I will make it my personal responsibility to retain your prize. Let the will of the Swarm be done as you see fit," Daggoth responded with confidence. 'I can sense where she is and I will go to her and reclaim her for your honor,' Daggoth said with the dream like voice deepening. They had mustered up enough minions to launch another campaign to finish off the rest of the pitiful creatures that resisted.
'Daggoth, do not harm her. She is more vital now then she ever was. This time, I will have more of a hold on her then was held before. She will obey," the Overmind called out. The Swarm felt his plans and knew what had to be done.
Daggoth thought of all Kerrigan had accomplished when she was apart of the Swarm, not when she was the Queen of Blades. She lured so many of their enemies to them and they had slaughtered them all. She had done well when she was apart of the eternal will of the Swarm.
Daggoth began calling to his Broods and began loading them into multiple Overlords. He was about to embark on his own Brood war, but he intended on winning this one. He would enjoy seeing the fear on her face and on her body. She had almost destroyed the Swarms unity. The Swarm is nothing without being united and she almost took that away.
Daggoth's outer body hardened and grew smaller in size. The jelly-like Cerebrate was now more like a hard stone. An Overlord had picked up Daggoth and what was left of the Zerg Brood he was taking. Garm Brood had never failed him before, and doubted they would now. The left the burned world they were on and began the journey to victory. Daggoth would have to wait till Kerrigan moved before he could launch his attacks succesfully.
Daggoth used his mental capabilities and began to open something. A worm hole opened in front of the Zerg Broods and they flew inside the giant blue hole. Dozens of Zerg flyers led the way into the hole followed closely by the Overlords. Daggoth went in last with the Overlord tranporting him. Daggoth let the worm hole close by not thinking about it. The metal abilities of Daggoth grew to stronger with each passing day. Daggoth understood more of the Swarms will as the days passed.
Never again would the Zerg race know defeat. Never again will the Swarm be divided. Never again will the Zerg falter. It was time for the war in Koprulu to end.
Chapter 13
Shakurus (Xel'Naga Temple)
Jim sat in the corner trying to get comfortable. The walls of the strange temple were so cold. That coldness went straight through him. It scared him because this wasn't normal for him. Magical powers, strange lights, alien beings, infested humans. Even though he was friends with a lot of Protoss, the whole idea just seemed so odd to him. He was sure they felt the same way of course, but he didn't need to mention it. He saw how some of them acted as well. It was only because this was as odd for them as it was for him.
The crystal grew brighter slightly and shook Jim from his thoughts for a moment. He watched as it dimmed again. He got up and walked over to the crystal. The temple ceiling was about forty feet high, but only had one floor. There was nothing inside the temple either besides the crystal. Though there was tons of some kind of hieroglyphics that reached the ceiling. It reminded him of the pyramids back on Earth. He had never been there, but he saw books on pyramids once and the temple look just like it. It was triangular and it had these hieroglyphics as well.
Jim refocused on the crystal. He walked up to it and placed his left hand on the strange formation. The crystal grew brighter where his hand was. He quickly removed his hand and the light had faded. Out of no where he heard a whisper that seemed to echo throughout the entire temple, bouncing off the walls making it seem like the person was everywhere. Jim quickly turned to face the entrance and saw no one.
"Hello?" he said walking slowly towards the entrance. It was growing dark outside. There was another whisper behind him and he quickly turned pulling out his MX Slug Thrower. He pulled back the action and flipped off the safety.
There was a sudden screech and Jim looked all around frantically, aiming his weapon in all directions as he moved. His heart was pounding and the adrenaline in his veins were flowing. He was alert and ready for just about anything, except for what he saw. He dropped his weapon once he turned to face the crystal formation. He dropped to his knees and his arms hung limp at his sides.
"Sarah," he whispered. The former Queen of Blades was lying before him. Her peach skin was revealed to him instead of the green she had. Her red hair was clearly visible rather then the almost Medusa like hair she had. There were two large scars where her attack claws were. Her clawed hands no longer existed. Slowly her eyes opened, revealing her emerald green eyes. "Sarah," he repeated as he slowly began to crawl to her.
Sarah opened her eyes wider and watched as Jim came closer. She quickly sat up pushing at the air around her frantically. She let out little whimpers as she widely flailed her arms and legs.
"Shh. Sarah, it's me Jim," he said quickly reaching her calming her. He placed his hands on her arms to stop her from swinging. "Nothing is gonna hurt you, baby," he whispered pulling her in closer. She wrapped her arms around him and began to sob uncontrollably.
"What about the Zerg? Where are they?" she asked through tears and fear in her voice.
Jim pulled away to look at her. "You don't remember, do you?" He looked at her with such love and adoration. He was glad she couldn't remember.
She looked down at what she was wearing and saw the almost medieval-like armor she wore with boots that reached her knees. "Why am I dressed like this? You didn't save me, did you?" she asked looking at scars on her legs and her arms.
"No, I didn't. They Zerg, they-they infested you, Sarah. You have been that way for at least six months. Probably more now that I think about it," he said gently placing a hand on her cheek.
A tear rolled down her face as she placed a hand on Jim's. "My God. I can remember it now. I can remember some of it now," she spoke pulling Jim's hand off her. "Forget some of it, I remember all of it. What have I done?!" she screamed out standing up. The look of shock was clear across her features.
"You have done more then you could possibly imagine," Zeratul spoke through the entrance. "I see that this ancient device is more powerful then any of us could have imagined."
"Zeratul, I am so sorry. It wasn't my fault. The Zerg had me under their complete control and I couldn't do anything about it," she said in defense of herself.
Zeratul walked in the temple entrance wearily. "And what of when you where in control of the Zerg, Kerrigan," he spoke with an aggressive tone.
Jim stood up in front of Sarah. "Zeratul, come on. Take at easy," he said walking up to Zeratul. Zeratul almost broke out into a run towards Jim. For the first time since Jim and Zeratul had been friends, Jim thought Zeratul was going to hurt him.
"My Matriarch is dead because of you! Fenix is dead because of you! Countless millions are dead, BECAUSE OF YOU!" he roared charging her with his Psi Blade fully extended.
Sarah watched in horror as he charged her. She screamed and curled into a ball waiting for the blade to cut her. She looked up to see the blade inches from her face. "Do it. You won't be any better then what I was," she said standing up staring at Zeratul with fire blazing in her eyes. Zeratul backed away slowly. His blade retracting.
"Sarah, f-f-forgive me," Zeratul spoke with a great struggle. "I must come to understand that the Zerg had your mind under their influence. I am glad to see you back," he spoke turning to face Jim. "I'm sorry Jim."
Jim walked up to him. "Hey man, don't worry about it. Why are you back here? Did you know it was finished?" he asked looking into Zeratul's eyes seeing that this was not the reason.
"Castor is gone. The Zerg invaded it. Many of the transports did make it though. We don't know what happened to the UED, the Fleet of the Judicator, or the Dominion. I am sure they got away safely though," Zeratul said but Jim looked angry.
"Those rotten sons a bitches!" he screamed. "Where are the rest of the Fleet and the transports?" he asked with anger present in his voice.
"They are at the main Nexus on Shakurus. They are here, don't worry," he said trying to comfort him.
Jim calmed down a little bit. "We worked so hard to get that planet into a home and for what? Not even with the UED, the Dominion, the Judicators Fleet, and our own fleet, could we stop them," Jim said with a sadness building in his voice. "Let's get Sarah up to date with our plans. Get her a change of clothes and her own bunk aboard the New Hope," he said to a few men that were standing outside the temple. They nodded and went about their orders.
"What happened to the Hyperion?" Sarah asked but then looked down as both Zeratul and Jim looked at her shaking their heads. "I'm so sorry," she said. It was truth though. She was sorry for what she had done. Zeratul would never forgive her for what she made him do, she realized that, but would the others feel the same?
"Sarah, it wasn't you. That was the Zerg working through you. Come on, lets get you into something more comfortable, eh?" he asked forcing a smile.
She nodded. She shuttered as she walked out of the temple. Had that all really happened? There still wasn't something right. She still felt a lingering presence inside her. She pushed that aside for now. She would tell someone in a while. Now she just wanted to get aboard a Terran Cruiser and clean herself up. What she had done she would wonder about later and do her best to make it up to everyone. She knew that many had lost friends, family and loved ones because of her and she intended to do something about it. But she couldn't help think about the thing that was still inside her mind. She still felt the Zerg and their influence there. She could feel them and saw them mustering forces somewhere. She still had a connection to the Zerg and that frightened her.
Sara-Aster System Jump Node
Admiral Gray was right. The Zerg did over power them, except they used the last of their forces to do so. They had nothing left to fight with, but the damage was done. The Zerg had no means to deliver the damage, for now, but the UED had suffered great losses.
The Blue Nose had some of its systems back online, but they needed dry dock to finished them. With the resources Aster Prime provided, that wouldn't be a problem at all. Except they had lost a little over half their fleet when Second and Fourth Wing were destroyed. They would need reinforcements. Admiral Gray sorely underestimated the Zerg capabilities and he would have to pay the price for it. He would need more then what he had. He would need at least one-hundred more Cruisers fully loaded with fighters, bombers, and a full detachment of land Troops. He took only so little because he believed that he would only be engaging light Zerg forces in the Sara System.
Admiral Gray looked around on the damaged bridge and rubbed his eyes. He needed sleep now. His vision was blurred and his thinking wasn't as good as it should be. "Mr. Tab, you have command. Get us the proper landing and repair. I am going to talk to President Holland. We will need some assistance out here," he said and Tab nodded. He was glad he could finally lay down and rest. It had been a few days since he really got some sleep and it had taken its toll on him. He reached his room and sat behind his desk. He sighed and rested his head in his hands. He opened up his computer and opened a link to send a message back to Earth. It read:
'Good day, President Holland. We are back in the Aster System for the moment. Mr. President, we have unforeseen problems in dealing with the Zerg. Second and Fourth Wing were destroyed, sir. The good news is, the Sara System is virtually undefended and I know when you do receive this message, we will be hitting hard in Sara. But, we do not believe we will be able to continue the fight against the Zerg with the equipment and man power we have now. I am requesting at least sixty more Cruisers along with complete fighter and bomber accommodation and full ground troop detachment, including artillery. I am sorry about this situation and I assure you, this will not happen again. End Message.'
Admiral Gray knew that Holland would be furious and might even call off the attack. Gray shook at the thought. Maybe he went a little to far. He wouldn't call of the attacks but would chew him out defiantly. But adding sixty more Cruisers to the ones they had left, they'd have more then eighty strong Cruisers with fighters and foot soldiers. They wouldn't let the Zerg off so easy this time. He stood up stretching his arms and back. He unbuttoned his long jacket and hung it on the coat rack near his desk. He unlaced his combat boots and sat on the edge of his bed. He would deal with the Zerg another day. For now the battle of sleep was quickly dawning on him. He laid down and drifted into a carefree sleep.
Korhal (Arcturus' Throne Building- Four days after Zerg attack on Castor)
Emperor Mengsk waited and waited for four days, but heard no word from Jim Raynor. It's not really that he cared for his well being, its just he could use his help in dealing with the Zerg. He wouldn't send his men to die for him that's for sure. But Raynor wasn't the kind of person to just roll of and die. He was so much stronger then that.
"Emperor Mengsk, there is some one holding on line six," his secretary called in on the intercom. Mengsk knew who it was. Raynor had finally been able to send out a transmission. The face that appeared on the screen scared him to death. The color flushed out of his face. His chin dropped open and his eyes widened.
"My God. Sarah, is that truly you?" he asked looking at the Ghost. His heart was pounding inside his chest and he felt almost sick by seeing her in a human form. "Listen, I had my reasons in leaving you. The whole fleet was in danger! We all may have died if we waited for you!" he said trying to explain his actions.
Sarah Kerrigan shook her head. "You left not just me. You left a lot of good men down their Mengsk. It's funny too. Most of them seemed to be Jim's men from Mar Sara. Didn't want anyone to fight against you, huh? You had this planned didn't you?" she spoke in not anger, but in disappointment. "I would have died for you and that is the thanks I get from you."
Mengsk cleared his throat. "Sarah, I was willing to do anything to preserve the way many people have now because of your sacrifice. You understood that then," he spoke with control regained. He was impossible to read and he loved that not even Ghosts knew what his real agenda was.
"Preserve the way many people lived, Arcturus? You helped kill so many. You single-handily helped do that by not sending a Dropship or two to recover my men. The things that should have been done and the things the could have been done, you let roll on by. How do you sleep at night?" Kerrigan was hurt more then anything else. She was angry but it was more then that. She was betrayed by the man that had saved her. Where's the irony in that?
Jim's face appeared on the screen replacing Sarah's. "She just wanted to say hi. I guess she did, eh?" Jim said smiling. "Arcturus, she is right. How do you sleep at night? You killed so many people. Anyway look, the Zerg are building up a lot. From my "source" I got some good ideas on where they will be striking next, but they might know that we know. We will need.your help," he said waiting for the response of the great Emperor.
Mengsk laughed a little. "You insult me, belittle me, and now ask for my help. I'll tell you what, I fed you to the Zerg once, I'm sure I can do it again," he spoke with the laughter draining from his voice.
Jim's eyes narrowed. "Mengsk, this is serious! We don't have the fire power to take them down and we know you don't either. They will be hitting the UED we believe. They are on Aster Prime and that planet has more resources then Moria. If the Zerg do land on that planet they could-," Mengsk had terminated the feed. He would not play part in their game. He would not be insulted then pleaded to join them. He was Emperor of the Terran Dominion and he would be able to stand on his own. With the new resources General Madison's men were gathering, they could construct more Cruisers to defend with and attack with.
Arcturus walked over to the large window inside this throne room and watched as the streets below were busy as usual. He saw a few crafts flying by with the Dominion ensignia painted on their sides. He remembered his Inauguration speech. He always remembered it when he needed to calm himself or give him that extra push.
'Fellow Terrans, I come to you in the wake of recent events to issue a call to reason. Let no human deny the perils of our time. While we battle one another, divided by the petty strife of our common history, the tide of Greater Conflict has turned against us, threatening to destroy all we have accomplished.'
Those words sunk in deep to the Emperor of the Dominion. He knew those words were true, except this time he didn't have a grand army behind him. Most of his men were wiped out by the Zerg and their attacks. For once his faith was shaken on winning the war with the Zerg alone.
'We have seen our homes and our communities destroyed by the calculated blows of the Protoss. We have seen first hand our friends and loved ones consumed by the nightmarey Zerg. Unprecedented and unimaginable though they may be, these are the signs of our time.'
Arcturus shuddered at the words. He knew that he would need allies, but he wasn't on best terms with Jim or Sarah. He stepped back from the window and sat back down at his desk.
"Good God, have I been so blind? Could I not see that this will be the undoing of us all because I have allowed myself to see only in black and white?" he let the words echo in his head. He was ashamed of himself. He could have rescued Sarah from the Zerg on Tarsonis. He could have done a lot of things, but did not. "Watch over us in our dark hours," he prayed. The Zerg were mounting up and the time to make a stand was near. He swore to himself, he would not let the Zerg gain an inch of ground. He would not falter and run. He would leave no one behind this time.
Uncharted Planet
'The Sleepers powers have vanished! I still sense the presence of the Sleeper, but I can hardly find any Zerg trace in her. I still feel her mental link with us unbroken and that will be her undoing. But how is that possible. What was done to her is irreversible," he Overmind cried out in the dream like voice it used.
'I would not be all that concerned, Overmind. I will make it my personal responsibility to retain your prize. Let the will of the Swarm be done as you see fit," Daggoth responded with confidence. 'I can sense where she is and I will go to her and reclaim her for your honor,' Daggoth said with the dream like voice deepening. They had mustered up enough minions to launch another campaign to finish off the rest of the pitiful creatures that resisted.
'Daggoth, do not harm her. She is more vital now then she ever was. This time, I will have more of a hold on her then was held before. She will obey," the Overmind called out. The Swarm felt his plans and knew what had to be done.
Daggoth thought of all Kerrigan had accomplished when she was apart of the Swarm, not when she was the Queen of Blades. She lured so many of their enemies to them and they had slaughtered them all. She had done well when she was apart of the eternal will of the Swarm.
Daggoth began calling to his Broods and began loading them into multiple Overlords. He was about to embark on his own Brood war, but he intended on winning this one. He would enjoy seeing the fear on her face and on her body. She had almost destroyed the Swarms unity. The Swarm is nothing without being united and she almost took that away.
Daggoth's outer body hardened and grew smaller in size. The jelly-like Cerebrate was now more like a hard stone. An Overlord had picked up Daggoth and what was left of the Zerg Brood he was taking. Garm Brood had never failed him before, and doubted they would now. The left the burned world they were on and began the journey to victory. Daggoth would have to wait till Kerrigan moved before he could launch his attacks succesfully.
Daggoth used his mental capabilities and began to open something. A worm hole opened in front of the Zerg Broods and they flew inside the giant blue hole. Dozens of Zerg flyers led the way into the hole followed closely by the Overlords. Daggoth went in last with the Overlord tranporting him. Daggoth let the worm hole close by not thinking about it. The metal abilities of Daggoth grew to stronger with each passing day. Daggoth understood more of the Swarms will as the days passed.
Never again would the Zerg race know defeat. Never again will the Swarm be divided. Never again will the Zerg falter. It was time for the war in Koprulu to end.