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 14
Alone in the dimly lit bunk room, Sarah Kerrigan washed herself for the fourth time that day. The filth and stench of the Zerg lingered on her body still and see couldn't stand it. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to be able to wash herself with warm, clean water. She washed her long red hair with an unlabled shampoo and continued to scrub herself with soap doing her best to remove the Zerg and their tainted aroma they left on her body.
"Sarah?" she heard Jim call. He must have entered her room because his voice was drawing closer. She loved him for all he had done for her and what he was willing to sacrifice for her.
"Uh, I'm in the shower, Jim," she responded knowing that he would say something about it. She already took three before this one.
She heard Jim sigh. "You know you have taken a couple of those today already. People are starting to complain about all the hot water disapearin'. You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would ya?" he asked with sarcasm but she could tell he found it funny. I mean, she was a Ghost after all.
Sarah turned both knobs clockwise to shut off the water. She reached her hand out of the shower curtain to grab the towel she left hanging on a towel rack next to the shower. Her hand felt around blindly to clasp the towel that wasn't there.
"Looking for something?" Jim asked holding back laughter. Sarah peeked her head out of the shower curtain and saw Jim in the doorway to the bathroom, holding a towel. "Like I said, some people wanted me to know if you were the one using all the hot water," he continued with a large smile building on his face.
"Jim, that's not funny. Give it to me," Sarah said coldly. She was still concerned about what he would think of her and all of the scaring done to her body.
Jim stopped smiling and placed the towel on the sink. The sink was right beside the doorway leading to the bathroom. "If you want it, come on and get it. Sarah, what you may look like on the outside doesn't mean anything to me. It's what is in your heart that matters to me. No matter what you look like now, that won't change my mind about how I feel about you," he said with a low but serious voice. He really was in love with her. That is what made it all the more harder for her.
Sarah felt sick suddenly and she closed her eyes tightly. Her hand that was on the shower curtain clenched into a fist. She turned so her back was facing towards his direction, but was still concealed behind the curtain. She looked over her right shoulder and pulled back the curtain slightly to show him her shoulder blades. She revealed the large scar on her back where one of her bone-like claws were.
Jim gasped slightly and immediately she pulled the curtain back covering herself. "I told you, Jim. Please, just give me the damn towel," she spoke through tears.
"It's not that, Sarah. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You're a Ghost, see if I'm lying," he said with a serious tone of voice. She did what he said and found out he was telling the truth. It wasn't the scaring he had gasped at. She did acknowledge that he did look at it, but in anger for the beings that had done it, not of disgust.
It crushed her to see that he cared so much. She had never had that feeling before because of how the Confederates kept her and all the work she had to do for Mengsk. She felt sick and she closed her eyes tightly. Her hand clenched into a fist holding the shower curtain. She dropped to the shower floor and began to sob uncontrollably. Jim went to her quickly with the towel and wrapped her up. He could stay like that all day if he needed too.
"What is it you see in me?" she asked through a strained voice. She didn't know what he wanted at this point, but he was seriously concerned for her and that made her feel better about herself.
Jim only held tighter. "Sarah, there is nothing that will make me think any different of you," he whispered as he rocked her gently back and forth. "I won't let them hurt you anymore," he whispered to her.
"Thank you, Jim," she replied. She felt that he was tense though. She could feel him holding back slightly because she had ordered Fenix's death, but he was trying so hard not to show it, she didn't bring it up. "Jim, I- I l-love you," she struggled with every word.
Jim placed his gentle and caring hand on her head and brushed her hair. "I love you too, Sarah. Everything will be okay, I swear it," he said holding her tighter.
The door to Sarah's room opened slightly. Corey Lowell peeked in only slightly and saw Jim holding Sarah in the back room. He quickly turned his head the other direction. "Begging your pardon, Raynor, you are needed on the bridge," Corey said very uncomfortable. Jim nodded and Corey closed the door behind him.
Jim pulled Sarah away slightly. "I will be back as fast as I can. You stay here, okay?" he asked as she nodded slowly wiping a few tears away. Jim left just as suddenly as he entered.
Sarah picked herself up and began gathering some clothes to change into. She opened a drawer and pulled out underwear and a bra and placed them on the bunk. She then opened another drawer and removed green cargo pants and a white tank top. She sat on the edge of the bunk for a moment feeling rage build up in her system. She picked up a lamp that rested near the bunk and threw it across the small room. She knocked over the small dresser and broke a shelf of books that rested above the bunk.
"I can't give you what you need!" she screamed alone in her quarters. "I'm sick of wasting time on what will never be! I can't show you what you want to see!" again she screamed at the top of lungs. She fell at the base of the bed as a new wave of tears hit. She took a few breaths and began dressing. She then turned the dresser back up right and pulled out standard footwear that the infantry used. She pulled her boots out from underneath the bed and laced them on her feet.
A knock came on her door with a voice calling from the other side. "Ms. Kerrigan, are you okay?" the voice from the other side called.
She nodded to herself and then responded. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm okay. I'm fine, thanks," she replied trying to sound as calm as possible. She took another deep breath and then began cleaning up the mess she made. Sarah picked up the books and placed them back on the now flimsy shelf and picked up the lamp. Only the bulb had been broken luckily.
Sarah Kerrigan sat alone in the dim room. She waited silently for the grand nothingness that awaited her. Why was this so hard to move past? She clenched her left fist and watched as the muscles and veins in her hand shifted and flexed to do what she wanted. Even though she was a Ghost, she did not know what made Jim to want her so. After the hell she had given him, why would he love her? He made a vow to kill her, but that was then, right? She fought to find an answer that was so clear but so distant. She closed her eyes and saw the Swarm. She saw what was happening now. She saw Zerglings and Hydralisks roaming around. Zerg flyers flew above them not to far into the sky. She could not shake the feeling that something was watching her. It wasn't entirely false though either. She was sure the Zerg were watching her, waiting for her. She heard them calling to her and she found herself lost in the moment and thought of nothing.
Aster Prime (Surface)
The UED had made several repairs on the remaining ships they had. Many of them were fully repaired and back up to one hundred percent combat effective. Almost all of the fighters were fully repair as well. Admiral Gray had received a reply from President Holland. He expected the message to be slightly discouraging to make him get the job done. It read:
'Admiral Gray, I must say I am saddened by this report. I believed that you could have handled it with what you took. But then again, I do realize the costs of war and have sent you reinforcements. I want to see progress in the Sara System. We are all pulling for you back on Earth. We hope that you can get the situation under control and return home safely. God speed in taking down the Zerg. You would do well to remember that is the reason why you are out there. Your primary objective is to engage and destroy the Zerg Hives in the Sara System and wherever they are. Good luck, Terrence," President Holland said with a strained smile.
Admiral Gray knew he had screwed up the situation and knew it could have been worse. He sat silently in his quarters looking up reports that Dugalle had. The reports were glorious. They seemed nothing but victory against the Zerg. Shortly after the Overmind was subdued and placed under UED control, things fell apart. The Zerg battered the UED's position. The Psi Disrupter was destroyed. Mengsk had allied with Kerrigan and so had the Alliance to assault Korhal. All UED troops stationed there were killed. Then Kerrigan showed her true agenda and slaughtered any Dominion or Alliance troops in her grasp.
Gray rubbed his eyes. Now the Zerg tactics were changing and changing quickly. They were more aggressive and seemed more desperate. He read the last thing Dugalle wrote. It was a message to his wife. It seemed he was desperate and looking for a way out of this. After the battle above Char, all remaining UED ships were hunted down. No one had survived of the UED Expeditionary Fleet.
Admiral Gray was intending on winning this war against the Zerg. He did think silently to himself about how the Zerg probably felt the same way. He grabbed his coat and slipped both arms into the sleeves. He buttoned the golden buttons and knew that wearing this uniform would probably never be the same. He could only imagine how the men of the first fleet must have felt, knowing the Zerg were hunting them.
Gray walked out of his quarters walking to the officers dinning room. He picked up only a small salad and sat alone, mentally checking the reports he had gone over. However his concentration broke by how uncomfortable the metallic bench was. He used the metal utensil and began slowly eating the salad. He saw Stanley Tab walk over to him with a slight smile.
"Hello, sir. Did we get a response from the Council yet?" he asked sitting down across from the Admiral.
Gray nodded. "Yeah, we did. They are disappointed that we need more men to do this, but the seemed happy enough that we are still alive. Stan, let me ask you a question. Why did you join up to fight?" Admiral Gray asked looking up from his salad for a brief moment.
"Well, I wanted to see the galaxies and I wanted to defend home. I guess it kinda goes back when I was a kid," he said looking back at the Admiral with a small smile on his face. "Why do you ask?" his tone had gone from light and care free to a voice that was strained with concern.
Gray sighed heavily. "Stan, I'm having real doubts about this war. I have read Dugalle's reports before we left and I thought that this would help us win against them. Now that I read them again out here, it seems more like a prelude of things to come. Like the nightmare has only just begun and that scares me. I don't want to lose good men to these creatures," he shared his feelings about the reports he read. "Stan, the Zerg hunted the UED vessels after the Battle of Char. I fear that they are going to be doing that again," he said looking the younger officer directly in the eyes.
Tab just sat there for a few minutes silently thinking of what was said. "Well I am glad that I am serving with you, sir. If something should happen, I'm sure that you will know a solution, sir," Tab replied smiling before standing up and walking back over to his food.
Suddenly a Captain appeared in the room holding a red folder. "Admiral Gray," he said walking over to him. "Sir, we have begun mining operations for extra resources and," he was saying but was interrupted.
"Captain, do you see the food in front of me?" he asked not looking up to the Captain.
When he replied his voice was shaky. "Yes sir, I do."
"Then you can wait till I am done. Mr. Tab, would you please grab me another salad with Ranch dressing, if you would?" he asked laughing inwardly. Tab nodded with a smile as well. The Captain then nodded and walked out of the dinning area. Admiral Gray smiled as he saw Tab give him the salad. "Thank you, Mr. Tab," he said smiling. Tab was too. He found it funny on how the Captain was dealt with.
Shakurus (Surface)
Zelsasha sat in the flight hanger of the Carrier Lone Wolf. Zelsasha held himself responsible for Artanis' downfall. He could have taken a shot even though it might not have it. It would make it easier for himself if he had. It had been several days since the attack on Castor and they were almost done regrouping and repairs. Soon they would be back out their fighting the Zerg or whatever other horrors may lye in store for them.
"Are you okay, Zelsasha?" the familiar but somewhat of a strangers voice asked. It was Latura. He turned to see her standing next to him wearing an armored breast plate. That was until her wound had healed fully.
Zelsasha shook his head. "Not really. Artanis is dead because of me. The great pilot and Templar himself, is no more," he replied with a depressed voice.
"It is not your fault. He did what he did. He was not your responsibility. He was a Templar and he understood that. It was not you fault," she said sitting down next to him. She made a small noise as she sat because of the injury she still had.
"Maybe your right. Anyway, how is the other survivor from the Vengeance? Monera was her name I believe," he asked turning his head to face Latura. She was the most beautiful female Protoss he had ever seen in his entire life. He suddenly found himself at a loss of words. She was quickly catching on to this so he turn his head back facing forward.
"Is there, something wrong?" she asked slowly watching his sudden odd behavior.
Zelsasha turned back to face her. "You wouldn't happen to have, um, well, a mate would you?" he asked as he watched her brow raise in confusion by the sudden curiosity. "I am sorry. Forgive my rudeness," he said looking back the other way.
"No, I do not," she replied shaking her head from side to side. "Heh, why, are you looking for the part?" she asked laughing slightly.
"Yes, err, I mean no. Well, actually, if it would be okay with you, I would," he said beating himself up in his mind. 'That could have gone better,' he thought to himself.
'I think you did fine,' Latura said laughing a little more.
Zelsasha had completely forgotten that she could read minds just like every other Protoss. "Thanks, I guess," he said lightening up a bit. "So, you do huh?" he asked again just to make sure.
Latura arched her head. "Maybe. I don't know you all that well. If it would be okay, I would like to be able to know you a little better first," she said standing up. Zelsasha was quickly on his feet as well.
"Have you ever seen a sunset?" Zelsasha asked watching her turn her head raising her brow.
"Well, yes. Hasn't everyone?" she asked chuckling a little.
"Have you ever seen a sunset on Shakuras?" he asked as he knew the answer. She wasn't a Dark Templar and this was probably her first visit here.
Latura shook her head and looked at him. "No I haven't," she said standing in front of him waiting.
"Would you like to see it? It is quite beautiful. But nothing I can say matches your beauty," he said easing up a little.
Latura blushed and looked down. "You know, Artanis did speak of you highly. He actually suggested that you and I should become one. It's funny now that I think about it. Artanis was a good friend and I want you to know he considered you as a brother. He would never have be able to tell you that, but he said that you and him were good friends," she said with sencirty in her voice.
Zelsasha sighed as he looked down at the floor. "He was my best friend. I failed him," he said softly.
"That's enough!" Latura screamed drawing her Psi Blade. Zelsasha was stunned by the action but did the same. "Let it all out!" she screamed louder then before with anger left in her voice. The sweetness in her died out almost immediately. Latura took a swipe at him and Zelsasha was more stunned by it. He barely missed the energy blade that could have killed him.
"Have you lost your mind?!" he asked as she came at him with another swipe.
"Let it out!" she yelled again swinging with such anger and swiftness. It startled him to see her like this, in a weakened state as well.
Zelsasha then lounged in and blocked one of her attacks. He used his free hand and balled it into a fist. He then punched her over the breast plate. She weakened for a moment and at that moment, Zelsasha grabbed her arm that had the Psi Blade. He retracted Blade as soon as he had control of hers. He then stepped behind her leg with one of his and pushed forward. Latura lost her footing and fell backwards with Zelsasha on top of her.
"Feel better?" she asked casually as nothing had happened. Zelsasha almost gasped when she said that.
"Better?! You tried to kill me for all I know!" he screamed as he used both of his hands to pin her hands to the floor.
"No?" she asked and then rolled him over. Her Psi Blade was inches from his face. The love in her drained yet again.
"Enough of this!" he screamed as he pushed forward with all his might. Latura stepped back with the blade still drawn. Zelsasha charged her and dodged one of her deadly swings. Psi Blade still not drawn he grabbed her arm again. He fully extended his arm and gave a ridge hand directly across her chest. She almost buckled from the force of the shot and screamed in pain as he made contact with her wound. She dropped from the shot and landed heavy.
"Are you feeling better now?" she asked in a large amount of pain.
Only now did Zelsasha see what she was trying to do. He almost smashed his head into a nearby wall. "I'm sorry. I'm so terribly sorry," he said kneeling down.
"Artanis knew you well. Heh, always taking things so seriously. Do you feel better?" she asked jokingly.
Zelsasha had to admit he did feel better but felt bad for hurting her. "You are quite the fighter. Do you need medical attention?" he asked terribly concerned and sorry for the hit.
"Well now that you mention it, I could go for a sunset, if that is okay with you of course," she said chuckling slightly. She thought to herself and knew she liked him. Give it a little time and this will be able to grow.
"I hope so," Zelsasha said laughing a little. Latura blushed again. He helped her up a little and she finally caught her breath. She placed her hand on the breast plate to adjust it slightly.
"That was a good hit," she said trying to fix the plate.
"Thank you. A friend of mine, taught me that," he said helping her out of the cold hanger. "A very good friend," he repeated allowing the torment to leave his system. "The sun should be setting soon, let's go."
Chapter 14
Alone in the dimly lit bunk room, Sarah Kerrigan washed herself for the fourth time that day. The filth and stench of the Zerg lingered on her body still and see couldn't stand it. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to be able to wash herself with warm, clean water. She washed her long red hair with an unlabled shampoo and continued to scrub herself with soap doing her best to remove the Zerg and their tainted aroma they left on her body.
"Sarah?" she heard Jim call. He must have entered her room because his voice was drawing closer. She loved him for all he had done for her and what he was willing to sacrifice for her.
"Uh, I'm in the shower, Jim," she responded knowing that he would say something about it. She already took three before this one.
She heard Jim sigh. "You know you have taken a couple of those today already. People are starting to complain about all the hot water disapearin'. You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would ya?" he asked with sarcasm but she could tell he found it funny. I mean, she was a Ghost after all.
Sarah turned both knobs clockwise to shut off the water. She reached her hand out of the shower curtain to grab the towel she left hanging on a towel rack next to the shower. Her hand felt around blindly to clasp the towel that wasn't there.
"Looking for something?" Jim asked holding back laughter. Sarah peeked her head out of the shower curtain and saw Jim in the doorway to the bathroom, holding a towel. "Like I said, some people wanted me to know if you were the one using all the hot water," he continued with a large smile building on his face.
"Jim, that's not funny. Give it to me," Sarah said coldly. She was still concerned about what he would think of her and all of the scaring done to her body.
Jim stopped smiling and placed the towel on the sink. The sink was right beside the doorway leading to the bathroom. "If you want it, come on and get it. Sarah, what you may look like on the outside doesn't mean anything to me. It's what is in your heart that matters to me. No matter what you look like now, that won't change my mind about how I feel about you," he said with a low but serious voice. He really was in love with her. That is what made it all the more harder for her.
Sarah felt sick suddenly and she closed her eyes tightly. Her hand that was on the shower curtain clenched into a fist. She turned so her back was facing towards his direction, but was still concealed behind the curtain. She looked over her right shoulder and pulled back the curtain slightly to show him her shoulder blades. She revealed the large scar on her back where one of her bone-like claws were.
Jim gasped slightly and immediately she pulled the curtain back covering herself. "I told you, Jim. Please, just give me the damn towel," she spoke through tears.
"It's not that, Sarah. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You're a Ghost, see if I'm lying," he said with a serious tone of voice. She did what he said and found out he was telling the truth. It wasn't the scaring he had gasped at. She did acknowledge that he did look at it, but in anger for the beings that had done it, not of disgust.
It crushed her to see that he cared so much. She had never had that feeling before because of how the Confederates kept her and all the work she had to do for Mengsk. She felt sick and she closed her eyes tightly. Her hand clenched into a fist holding the shower curtain. She dropped to the shower floor and began to sob uncontrollably. Jim went to her quickly with the towel and wrapped her up. He could stay like that all day if he needed too.
"What is it you see in me?" she asked through a strained voice. She didn't know what he wanted at this point, but he was seriously concerned for her and that made her feel better about herself.
Jim only held tighter. "Sarah, there is nothing that will make me think any different of you," he whispered as he rocked her gently back and forth. "I won't let them hurt you anymore," he whispered to her.
"Thank you, Jim," she replied. She felt that he was tense though. She could feel him holding back slightly because she had ordered Fenix's death, but he was trying so hard not to show it, she didn't bring it up. "Jim, I- I l-love you," she struggled with every word.
Jim placed his gentle and caring hand on her head and brushed her hair. "I love you too, Sarah. Everything will be okay, I swear it," he said holding her tighter.
The door to Sarah's room opened slightly. Corey Lowell peeked in only slightly and saw Jim holding Sarah in the back room. He quickly turned his head the other direction. "Begging your pardon, Raynor, you are needed on the bridge," Corey said very uncomfortable. Jim nodded and Corey closed the door behind him.
Jim pulled Sarah away slightly. "I will be back as fast as I can. You stay here, okay?" he asked as she nodded slowly wiping a few tears away. Jim left just as suddenly as he entered.
Sarah picked herself up and began gathering some clothes to change into. She opened a drawer and pulled out underwear and a bra and placed them on the bunk. She then opened another drawer and removed green cargo pants and a white tank top. She sat on the edge of the bunk for a moment feeling rage build up in her system. She picked up a lamp that rested near the bunk and threw it across the small room. She knocked over the small dresser and broke a shelf of books that rested above the bunk.
"I can't give you what you need!" she screamed alone in her quarters. "I'm sick of wasting time on what will never be! I can't show you what you want to see!" again she screamed at the top of lungs. She fell at the base of the bed as a new wave of tears hit. She took a few breaths and began dressing. She then turned the dresser back up right and pulled out standard footwear that the infantry used. She pulled her boots out from underneath the bed and laced them on her feet.
A knock came on her door with a voice calling from the other side. "Ms. Kerrigan, are you okay?" the voice from the other side called.
She nodded to herself and then responded. "Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm okay. I'm fine, thanks," she replied trying to sound as calm as possible. She took another deep breath and then began cleaning up the mess she made. Sarah picked up the books and placed them back on the now flimsy shelf and picked up the lamp. Only the bulb had been broken luckily.
Sarah Kerrigan sat alone in the dim room. She waited silently for the grand nothingness that awaited her. Why was this so hard to move past? She clenched her left fist and watched as the muscles and veins in her hand shifted and flexed to do what she wanted. Even though she was a Ghost, she did not know what made Jim to want her so. After the hell she had given him, why would he love her? He made a vow to kill her, but that was then, right? She fought to find an answer that was so clear but so distant. She closed her eyes and saw the Swarm. She saw what was happening now. She saw Zerglings and Hydralisks roaming around. Zerg flyers flew above them not to far into the sky. She could not shake the feeling that something was watching her. It wasn't entirely false though either. She was sure the Zerg were watching her, waiting for her. She heard them calling to her and she found herself lost in the moment and thought of nothing.
Aster Prime (Surface)
The UED had made several repairs on the remaining ships they had. Many of them were fully repaired and back up to one hundred percent combat effective. Almost all of the fighters were fully repair as well. Admiral Gray had received a reply from President Holland. He expected the message to be slightly discouraging to make him get the job done. It read:
'Admiral Gray, I must say I am saddened by this report. I believed that you could have handled it with what you took. But then again, I do realize the costs of war and have sent you reinforcements. I want to see progress in the Sara System. We are all pulling for you back on Earth. We hope that you can get the situation under control and return home safely. God speed in taking down the Zerg. You would do well to remember that is the reason why you are out there. Your primary objective is to engage and destroy the Zerg Hives in the Sara System and wherever they are. Good luck, Terrence," President Holland said with a strained smile.
Admiral Gray knew he had screwed up the situation and knew it could have been worse. He sat silently in his quarters looking up reports that Dugalle had. The reports were glorious. They seemed nothing but victory against the Zerg. Shortly after the Overmind was subdued and placed under UED control, things fell apart. The Zerg battered the UED's position. The Psi Disrupter was destroyed. Mengsk had allied with Kerrigan and so had the Alliance to assault Korhal. All UED troops stationed there were killed. Then Kerrigan showed her true agenda and slaughtered any Dominion or Alliance troops in her grasp.
Gray rubbed his eyes. Now the Zerg tactics were changing and changing quickly. They were more aggressive and seemed more desperate. He read the last thing Dugalle wrote. It was a message to his wife. It seemed he was desperate and looking for a way out of this. After the battle above Char, all remaining UED ships were hunted down. No one had survived of the UED Expeditionary Fleet.
Admiral Gray was intending on winning this war against the Zerg. He did think silently to himself about how the Zerg probably felt the same way. He grabbed his coat and slipped both arms into the sleeves. He buttoned the golden buttons and knew that wearing this uniform would probably never be the same. He could only imagine how the men of the first fleet must have felt, knowing the Zerg were hunting them.
Gray walked out of his quarters walking to the officers dinning room. He picked up only a small salad and sat alone, mentally checking the reports he had gone over. However his concentration broke by how uncomfortable the metallic bench was. He used the metal utensil and began slowly eating the salad. He saw Stanley Tab walk over to him with a slight smile.
"Hello, sir. Did we get a response from the Council yet?" he asked sitting down across from the Admiral.
Gray nodded. "Yeah, we did. They are disappointed that we need more men to do this, but the seemed happy enough that we are still alive. Stan, let me ask you a question. Why did you join up to fight?" Admiral Gray asked looking up from his salad for a brief moment.
"Well, I wanted to see the galaxies and I wanted to defend home. I guess it kinda goes back when I was a kid," he said looking back at the Admiral with a small smile on his face. "Why do you ask?" his tone had gone from light and care free to a voice that was strained with concern.
Gray sighed heavily. "Stan, I'm having real doubts about this war. I have read Dugalle's reports before we left and I thought that this would help us win against them. Now that I read them again out here, it seems more like a prelude of things to come. Like the nightmare has only just begun and that scares me. I don't want to lose good men to these creatures," he shared his feelings about the reports he read. "Stan, the Zerg hunted the UED vessels after the Battle of Char. I fear that they are going to be doing that again," he said looking the younger officer directly in the eyes.
Tab just sat there for a few minutes silently thinking of what was said. "Well I am glad that I am serving with you, sir. If something should happen, I'm sure that you will know a solution, sir," Tab replied smiling before standing up and walking back over to his food.
Suddenly a Captain appeared in the room holding a red folder. "Admiral Gray," he said walking over to him. "Sir, we have begun mining operations for extra resources and," he was saying but was interrupted.
"Captain, do you see the food in front of me?" he asked not looking up to the Captain.
When he replied his voice was shaky. "Yes sir, I do."
"Then you can wait till I am done. Mr. Tab, would you please grab me another salad with Ranch dressing, if you would?" he asked laughing inwardly. Tab nodded with a smile as well. The Captain then nodded and walked out of the dinning area. Admiral Gray smiled as he saw Tab give him the salad. "Thank you, Mr. Tab," he said smiling. Tab was too. He found it funny on how the Captain was dealt with.
Shakurus (Surface)
Zelsasha sat in the flight hanger of the Carrier Lone Wolf. Zelsasha held himself responsible for Artanis' downfall. He could have taken a shot even though it might not have it. It would make it easier for himself if he had. It had been several days since the attack on Castor and they were almost done regrouping and repairs. Soon they would be back out their fighting the Zerg or whatever other horrors may lye in store for them.
"Are you okay, Zelsasha?" the familiar but somewhat of a strangers voice asked. It was Latura. He turned to see her standing next to him wearing an armored breast plate. That was until her wound had healed fully.
Zelsasha shook his head. "Not really. Artanis is dead because of me. The great pilot and Templar himself, is no more," he replied with a depressed voice.
"It is not your fault. He did what he did. He was not your responsibility. He was a Templar and he understood that. It was not you fault," she said sitting down next to him. She made a small noise as she sat because of the injury she still had.
"Maybe your right. Anyway, how is the other survivor from the Vengeance? Monera was her name I believe," he asked turning his head to face Latura. She was the most beautiful female Protoss he had ever seen in his entire life. He suddenly found himself at a loss of words. She was quickly catching on to this so he turn his head back facing forward.
"Is there, something wrong?" she asked slowly watching his sudden odd behavior.
Zelsasha turned back to face her. "You wouldn't happen to have, um, well, a mate would you?" he asked as he watched her brow raise in confusion by the sudden curiosity. "I am sorry. Forgive my rudeness," he said looking back the other way.
"No, I do not," she replied shaking her head from side to side. "Heh, why, are you looking for the part?" she asked laughing slightly.
"Yes, err, I mean no. Well, actually, if it would be okay with you, I would," he said beating himself up in his mind. 'That could have gone better,' he thought to himself.
'I think you did fine,' Latura said laughing a little more.
Zelsasha had completely forgotten that she could read minds just like every other Protoss. "Thanks, I guess," he said lightening up a bit. "So, you do huh?" he asked again just to make sure.
Latura arched her head. "Maybe. I don't know you all that well. If it would be okay, I would like to be able to know you a little better first," she said standing up. Zelsasha was quickly on his feet as well.
"Have you ever seen a sunset?" Zelsasha asked watching her turn her head raising her brow.
"Well, yes. Hasn't everyone?" she asked chuckling a little.
"Have you ever seen a sunset on Shakuras?" he asked as he knew the answer. She wasn't a Dark Templar and this was probably her first visit here.
Latura shook her head and looked at him. "No I haven't," she said standing in front of him waiting.
"Would you like to see it? It is quite beautiful. But nothing I can say matches your beauty," he said easing up a little.
Latura blushed and looked down. "You know, Artanis did speak of you highly. He actually suggested that you and I should become one. It's funny now that I think about it. Artanis was a good friend and I want you to know he considered you as a brother. He would never have be able to tell you that, but he said that you and him were good friends," she said with sencirty in her voice.
Zelsasha sighed as he looked down at the floor. "He was my best friend. I failed him," he said softly.
"That's enough!" Latura screamed drawing her Psi Blade. Zelsasha was stunned by the action but did the same. "Let it all out!" she screamed louder then before with anger left in her voice. The sweetness in her died out almost immediately. Latura took a swipe at him and Zelsasha was more stunned by it. He barely missed the energy blade that could have killed him.
"Have you lost your mind?!" he asked as she came at him with another swipe.
"Let it out!" she yelled again swinging with such anger and swiftness. It startled him to see her like this, in a weakened state as well.
Zelsasha then lounged in and blocked one of her attacks. He used his free hand and balled it into a fist. He then punched her over the breast plate. She weakened for a moment and at that moment, Zelsasha grabbed her arm that had the Psi Blade. He retracted Blade as soon as he had control of hers. He then stepped behind her leg with one of his and pushed forward. Latura lost her footing and fell backwards with Zelsasha on top of her.
"Feel better?" she asked casually as nothing had happened. Zelsasha almost gasped when she said that.
"Better?! You tried to kill me for all I know!" he screamed as he used both of his hands to pin her hands to the floor.
"No?" she asked and then rolled him over. Her Psi Blade was inches from his face. The love in her drained yet again.
"Enough of this!" he screamed as he pushed forward with all his might. Latura stepped back with the blade still drawn. Zelsasha charged her and dodged one of her deadly swings. Psi Blade still not drawn he grabbed her arm again. He fully extended his arm and gave a ridge hand directly across her chest. She almost buckled from the force of the shot and screamed in pain as he made contact with her wound. She dropped from the shot and landed heavy.
"Are you feeling better now?" she asked in a large amount of pain.
Only now did Zelsasha see what she was trying to do. He almost smashed his head into a nearby wall. "I'm sorry. I'm so terribly sorry," he said kneeling down.
"Artanis knew you well. Heh, always taking things so seriously. Do you feel better?" she asked jokingly.
Zelsasha had to admit he did feel better but felt bad for hurting her. "You are quite the fighter. Do you need medical attention?" he asked terribly concerned and sorry for the hit.
"Well now that you mention it, I could go for a sunset, if that is okay with you of course," she said chuckling slightly. She thought to herself and knew she liked him. Give it a little time and this will be able to grow.
"I hope so," Zelsasha said laughing a little. Latura blushed again. He helped her up a little and she finally caught her breath. She placed her hand on the breast plate to adjust it slightly.
"That was a good hit," she said trying to fix the plate.
"Thank you. A friend of mine, taught me that," he said helping her out of the cold hanger. "A very good friend," he repeated allowing the torment to leave his system. "The sun should be setting soon, let's go."