Fenix stared across the scorched planet of Auir. It almost hurt when he came to his window to survey the damage. A tear would come to his eye each time he witnessed the horrible damage that had taken place to his home world he had so much pride in. His palace had been overrun so long ago, but Fenix had insisted on returning here after the war. Even though the land surrounding his palace was scorched, it still was Auir, and Fenix would never turn his eyes away from it in shame or sadness. He needed to be strong, like the planet had been. The planetÕs clearing had begun, and as of a month ago, all the zerg had been wiped off Auir. Fenix realized with disgust that the conclave had held off his trial for just long enough for him to wipe the remaining zerg off of Auir. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThen the distress signal had come. Raynor had broken the crystal, somewhere far away, and Fenix was sure that Raynor, being the strong Terran he was, would not do such a thing unless something worse than his own life was at stake. Fenix had tried twice already to open a warp and follow Raynor's distress call, but thus far to no avail. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Praetor Fenix?" a young scribe called. Fenix turned to face him. "TheyÕre ready for you now." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Thank you." Fenix said. Fenix swore when the scribe left. Conducting his trial in Fenix's own palace? The conclave was delirious with their power now. They would surely be the end of Auir before the zerg would. The planetÕs trust in them had been shaken after the overmind had landed, but all it took was an apology to the public, holding ceremonies in honor of their heroes and excusing Tassadar for his crimes, and the public was back in their palms. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix stepped away from the ledge of his palace and towards the small chamber. He opened the door and saw the small circle of all13 protoss Executors staring at him, Judicator Aldaris wearing a night-blue ceremonial gown and looking all too pleased with himself. Fenix met eyes with the Judicator, and the Dragoon made his way into the center of the circle alone, with the scribes in the dark corners making their presence as invisible as possible. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix held his head high the whole way. This was not the first time he'd faced the conclave in trial, but he feared that it might be his last. Judicator Aldaris had also taken the opportunity of the zerg attack to replace many of the conclave members, namely those members who were sympathetic to praetors and templars acting in the interests of Auir rather than the conclaveÕs wishes. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Praetor Fenix. Our oldest but most loyal son. The loved one from his birth and loyal guardian to Auir." Judicator Aldaris remarked. He shook his head. "How was it that such a brave son has come to such a horrible fate as to be placed under the inspection of the conclave?Ó ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix did not answer. The circle of conclave members muttered amongst themselves. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris raised his voice. "Praetor, you are under trial by the conclave and will answer our questions when requested." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"I suppose I did not understand the purpose of the question." answered Fenix calmly. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris rose from his seat more menacingly. He spoke more loudly and clearly, but still with control. "It is not your purpose to decide if the question has a purpose, Praetor. You are to answer the conclave with the truth." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Then I suppose I was lead astray by my desire to see Auir survive." Fenix answered. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris let silence fall on the room before continuing. "Might I remind you, Fenix, that the trial you are facing now is not for your actions against the zerg? While you did disobey us then, we have given you the privilege to continue to serve under the conclave to redeem yourself, but of course we find that you have disobeyed our requests again." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"I find it difficult to believe that I am not being tried for my actions against the zerg since I was never given a full pardon and apology by the conclave." Fenix returned. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"The matter of the zerg has been dealt with, Praetor, and you would do well to hold your words in front of the conclave whom is deciding your fate!" Aldaris' voice echoed in the room as a deep hum. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix nodded. "I apologize, Judicator." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris settled back in his chair. "The zerg are a problem of the past. The overmind is finished, but now because of you we have two new enemies." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Who might these be?" asked Fenix. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris waited for the full attention of the conclave. "After this battle, we now have two races who know the secret location of the our home world, and both factions have disappeared under your assistance, Fenix." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix felt his anger boiling, but kept a cool head. He would give his life to see Judicator Aldaris thrown from the helm of the conclave, but there were more important things at stake now than Fenix's life, and Fenix needed to survive this trial to aid Raynor. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Thanks to you, Fenix, the Terrans AND the Dark Templar know of the location of our home world. This is not a time that the conclave can afford to make enemies." Judicator Aldaris shouted. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Both will never return to this planet, I assure you." Fenix said. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"And why is it that you have already twice attempted to escape us before your trial, Praetor? Who are you running to? Are the Terrans and the Dark Templar your new brethren?" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"I sense something. This war is not over, and the zerg still have many agents at their disposal. We have cut off the head, though I fear another may grow in its place." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"That is for the conclave to decide, Praetor. Might I remind you of your place?" Aldaris stood up, "You are a general. A Dragoon does not decide the fate of the conclaveÕs armies. If the conclave decides the zerg are still a risk, then we will send you to finish them." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix calmed himself down and bowed. "Yes sir. Forgive me sir." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊJudicator Aldaris smiled. "Unfortunately, that is not enough, Praetor." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix was shocked. "What?" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Unfortunately, your actions of late have shaken the conclaveÕs trust in you. Perhaps we should have discharged you long ago, but you are to be removed from your status as Praetor." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"What?" Fenix cried. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"In addition, your suspended life in the Dragoon is to be terminated as of tomorrow." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix was becoming desperate. He needed to get to Raynor. Fenix did not fear death, but something was terribly wrong, and Raynor could not fight alone. "Please Judicator. I request only a few days more." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"May I remind you that you were granted that Dragoon by the conclave for purposes of your repeated action within the army. If you are no longer part, then you should be laid to rest." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix bowed his head. This was the end then. He needed to get the word to someone else, but who? There were no sympathizers left on Auir since he'd helped Raynor escape, and Fenix's psy power was too weak to make any call to the Dark Templar. This was the end. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix's shell was suddenly rigid and under the conclaveÕs control.. His Dragoon obediently marched out the opposite door alongside two templars. They escorted Fenix down the long walk of his palace to his quarters. Fenix felt hopeless. How could his spirit lay to rest with so much more to do? He'd assumed that at least one more chance to leave Auir, or that he would eventually reach Raynor somehow, but now this had all been so tragically cut short. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix had attended many of these ceremonies. When a general residing in a Dragoon was relieved of duty, a ceremony would take place where his body was removed from the dragoon, and his spirit would pass back into Aiur's heart and lay to rest. Usually it was the praetor who requested this passing, but Fenix had never dreamed the conclave would force this on a praetor. It was completely barbaric. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊFenix stared out his window and across the plain. The sandy ground, which had once been so beautiful. Fenix silently feared for the future of Auir under the rule of Judicator Aldaris. ~*~ ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Judicator!" cried a conclave member. Judicator Aldaris turned to address the protoss. The protoss bowed. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Yes Jarcanus?" Aldaris asked. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"I would never question your decision as Judicator." he said nervously. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Then don't." Aldaris responded. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Of course Judicator." Jarcanus paused to think, but then continued. "But isn't this a little barbaric? I mean, sending a soul to rest when Fenix had not chosen himself?" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Fenix is a fool and a danger to Auir. Although it pains me to take this action, it is so necessary for the future of Auir." Aldaris responded calmly. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Judicator, perhaps there is something wrong. I believe that we should take the judgment of Fenix more seriously." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"He is a praetor, Jarcanus. He does not hold the gift of foresight as we templar do." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"Of course Judicator, but-" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"But nothing." Aldaris said firmly, and turned and left Jarcanus speechless. Aldaris walked alone along the long passage toward his quarter. Aldaris smiled as all the pieces were coming together. Complete control of Auir was coming soon as he had selected a conclave that practically gave him absolute rule. With Fenix gone soon, his plans could begin taking motion. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊA scribe stood at Aldaris' door and bowed. Aldaris approached him. "Take note scribe." Aldaris spoke. The scribe nodded. "I want Jarcanus removed from the conclave immediately." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThe scribe started. "Judicator?" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"However you need to, do it. I want him gone and replaced quickly." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ"By who?" the scribe asked. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThe Judicator smiled. "If you prove you can follow an order," Aldaris paused, "you then." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThe scribe started. "Judicator, this is such an honor, but am I qualified?" ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊAldaris raised his hand. "Nonsense. You have shown your loyalty time and time again. If you do this for me, I would be pleased to have you on the council." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThe scribe bowed deeply with appreciation. "Thank you Judicator. Consider it done." ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊAldaris gave a light bow, and the scribe left quickly. Aldaris entered his chamber. "More puppets." he muttered to himself.

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Special authors thank you goes out to Chrono-cross maniac again for betaing this story for me! thanks so much!