"If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."
-E.M. Forster
The battlecruisers were close to their destination, the planet looked like a small circle in the distance. Commodore Mark was taking a sip of his coffee when he saw a bright light in the distance. The equipment started to go out and went back up again. Dropping his cup he rushed to one of his crew.
"What just happened?!" he asked.
"Well sir, it seems from our reports that a blast of some sort occured near Crio."
"I could tell just by looking at it, tell me what is happening. When will we be able to make contact with the base?"
"Well sir, we could do it right now but-"
"But what?"
"But it seems that contact has been broken, possibly interfearance from the explosion. It is possible that it was a nuke."
"Tell the helmsman to increase speed, we are in a rush."
"Yes commodor."
Mark sat down in his chair and clasped his hands up to his mouth.
"I hope you are okay my old friend..."
"What are the conditions? I need you to-" the last sentence of Dominique was interrupted by another shard of the moon hitting the ground.
"Sir, the power is out and the electrical machines are malfunctioning. Besides that, debree from the moon is falling on Crio. Luckily the explosion wasn't close enough to Mrodeg to destroy it. Only the surface was scraped."
"But that is still bad enough to do some major damage...I just hope our troops are doing well."
"It looks like frikkin' Armageddon." said one of the marines.
"Far from it be glad that the ol' moon is made strong, it would take more than a nuclear blast to destroy that baby." answered a ghost.
"Well I don't know about you but I think the Zerg got the worst of it thank goodness."
"How so?"
"Well, the sattelite was stationed above the midpoint of both sides, but its rotation was different than that of the moon's and Crio's."
"Ohhh, but the problem is still that all of our computer systems and machines are down. Between us guys I think we are in deep shit."
A rock landed in front of them and decided it was time to head for shelter.
"Fred" and the rest of the Zerg troops were given orders to retreat. Even burrowing didn't protect them from the rocks from the sky. Some of the ultralisks were so dumbfounded that they stood still being pelted by debrees. When "Fred" got back he could see the destruction that had befallen their beautiful Brood. One of the hatcheries were on the verge of death and several sunken colonies were destroyed completely, with rocks pelting their organic structures. News came though that the overlords had found a planet not to far away and had made a secondary base. The Overmind was deeply disturbed of what had happened. The anger surged through the telepathic bond of it and the Zerg, making them fighting eachother and running amuck.
"Stand still beasts, we will still be victorious." said Darigaaz, "Remember my liege, the Terran have been crippled. Their machines and power sources are offline, there is a chance yet."
"VERY WELL, GIVE ORDERS TO CONTINUE BUILDING AND SEND MORE DRONES TO THE NEW COLONY. DESTRUCTION WILL COME SLOW AND PAINFUL TO THE TERRAN." said the Overmind.
They did what? I told them to disable the engines with the virus, not blow it up! yelled SeAn.
I am sorry sire, but we could not controle what had happened. responded Tria.
This actually might become interesting, the Terran seem to have become crippled and the Zerg are in no better condition. Hmmmmmm...
SeAn then went into a meditation, planning the next move.
Executor Naenoi, I have recieved an urgent message. said a Protoss messenger.
What is it? responded the female Executor.
There is word that at this moment the Terran and Zerg are in a battle.
We lost contact with them during Raynor's death, but you sound like there is more to what you are telling me.
Yes, well there is reason to believe that the dark archon, SeAn, has brought together a large force, some even of our own.
I hoped this day would not come, but how is he linked with what has happened?
It is also rumored that they sabbotaged a Terran science vessel which housed nuclear devices. The ensuing explosion resulted in th-
That is enough, thank you. sighed Naenoi, We may have to fight to protect the Terran lives, but there is a possibility that it would mean we would fight our own kind. Bring in Khell, I need to speak with him... ordered the Executor.
You called me mistress? asked Khell as he walked in.
You might have to once again serve the Protoss force to help us defend the Terran in the upcoming onslaught. He is back...
You mean.
Yes, SeAn is back in power, and his abilities far surpass any of us. He has taken the minds of some of our forces secretly it seems.
Then...he is back also.
Yes, but you are needed to command our scout forces if it ever comes to it.
Very well. replied Khell.
Commodore Mark and the rest of the battlecruisers were near the orbit of Crio. They could still see small pieces falling upon the planet, but it was subsiding. From there he could see the damage that had been done to the surrounding area. Mrodeg had a scar across its face and the remaining EMP from the nuclear blast started to mess with their systems. "Alright, prepare to enter the atmosphere. Pinpoint the exact location of the base and try to get through and make contact." ordered Mark.
"Yes sir. We pinpointed the colony and base, but it seems we still cannot get through with communication."
"Thank you for the report. Time to help old friends."
Zach unburrowed with the other infested terran at the Zerg base. The other Zerg were confused and restless at the similar yet different units. A few zerglings went up to the creatures and sniffed at them, every so often getting into a fight with one. Zach let out a low growl and heard the Overmind's voice being chanelled into his mind.
"IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT SOMETHING. IT IS IRONIC THAT THE TERRAN HAVE MADE IT EASIER FOR US IN EVOLVING THE INFESTATION BY MAKING THIS CHEMICAL. YOU HAVE BEEN USEFUL."
There was an order among the drones and they began to transport the Terran syrum and supplies to one of the hives. Zach had no memory of what happened before being brought into the world of his ruler when he was infested. He looked around curiously at the other creatures around him and put his attention to a group of zerglings. Fred was fooling around with an ultralisk by burrowing underneath it and poking it. The beast got annoyed but was too lazy to move. It simply sat there bellowing. Finally Fred got bored and turned his attention on the new units. He burrowed in front of Zach, thinking he was unnoticed. As he was about to unburrow a claw went into the ground in front of his face. Freaked out he unburrowed to see Zach looking at him with a grumpy expression. Fred never let any of the other Zerg get the best of him, why should he let the new guy step in? He started to sniff Zach. It was odd to smell a Terran and Zerg that was in one body. Thinking of the time when captured he slashed at Zach's leg only to find the new guy with his claw above his head. Fred then slowly walked backwards and ran off looking for something else to annoy.
Kenna was with the resting troops in the dusk of nightfall. He saw a squad of civilians and a medic drive up in a truck with Pierce in the back. They stopped near Dominique's quarters and led Pierce into the building. Kenna was curious of what was going on. He slipped behind the resting troops and tried one of the doors. It was locked. Kenna crouched down out of sight and listened through the door.
"Pierce, I understand from Mr. Stooles that you failed to kill one of the infested marines. Is that true?"
"Yes sir."
"Now, you understand that you are specifically ordered to eliminate any Zerg unit spotted, correct?"
"Yes sir, but-"
"It is also true that this mishap might even have helped the enemy. Recent reports conclude that some of our fellow people have been infested, but do not act like a normal infested terran. They seem to act like the Zerg in all ways. No mind. No voice. No feelings. And, they attack like zerglings. They don't explode like the ones I've seen before."
"Sir, he was my friend, I couldn't just shoot hi-"
"Friendship gets in the way of battle soldier!"
"You don't have the right to speak to me this wa-"
"I have the right! Now, if you can give me a good explanation not to courtmartial you, please do so."
Pierce thought for a moment and looked at Mr. Stooles.
"Hey, you."
"Who, me?" asked Mr. Stooles.
"Yeah, you made the syrum correct?"
"Yes."
"Now tell me, if there was a way to get the DNA from one of the infested terran, would it be possible to find out how to fix it?"
"Yes, but the DNA would have to be from a living specimen."
"There you have it Colonal Dominique. By capturing a specimen, we could reverse all the effects if Stooles here knows how to."
"Hmf, very well Pierce. But do not go against your orders again. Understood?"
"Yes sir, thank you sir."
Pierce opened the door and heard a muffled sound.
"Huh, I wonder what that was."
As Pierce walked away Kenna stumbled to get on his feet.
"Medic."
Rath, come here. ordered SeAn.
What do you wish to discuss SeAn? asked Rath.
You are one of the best dark templar on my force. It has come to my attention that the Khala followers know of our doings. And I believe that-
You don't have to say anything else, no matter what I will follow all of your commands.
Excellent. Gather a small group of troups, I have an assignment for you.
Socrates looked up into the dust infested sky and saw a group of lights. They started to come closer and a loud sound came to his ears. Several battlecruisers landed onto the ground, dwarfing the barrack's with their massive size. The captains and some of the workers on the ship came out of the ships. Colonal Dominique walked out of his office and walked up to the captains of the vessels. As this was happening something sparked in Pierces mind. He remembered someone from several years ago before he enlisted.
"Greetings Dominique, we have come as ordered. We are all curious of what happened here, for I see there are no lights, except the explosion that we saw from space." said Mark.
"We had some difficulty when our science vessel which housed some nukes mysteriously detinated. The EMP took out all of our systems, yet I see yours still works."
"Yes, our ships are protected from EMP sources. It was developed after the rebellion."
"I see. I ask of you yet another favor."
"Yes? What is it?"
"We have suffered severe losses, is there a way you could contact a nearby colony for reinforcements?"
"The closest one that I
know of is a mercenary barrack. I'll try to persuade them." Pierce walked up to the captain and remembered his name. "Hello Mark." said Pierce.
"Greetings Pierce, I see you finally enlisted into the forces. How has it been?" responded Comodore Mark.
"Some good things some bad things. One of my recent comrads were infested."
"I'm sorry to here that. But we have plenty of times for stories tonight. I have important business to attend to."
"Good bye."
"Radock VI, come in." said Mark through the onboard communicator.
"Radock VI, come in."
"Radock VI, mercenary commander speaking. What do you want?"
"Crio needs reinforcements after a battle with the Zerg."
"What?! The Zerg, I thought they killed eachother off."
"No they have not, we need as many people here as fast as possible. Can you come?"
"Whats in it for me and the rest?"
"I won't destroy your base."
"....," there was some whispering on the other side and then a loud crash, "I persuaded my fellow mercenaries to accept your generous offer."
"How long till you can get your units over?"
"It will take a few days if we don't run into a meteor shower."
"Thank you for your cooperation. Goodbye." Mark turned off the communicator.
"Get all the guys over here. I need to speak with them." said the mercenary commander to his adviser.
James was resting against a rock when he heard a voice from the intercom in his helmet.
"Okay guys, meet up Commander Gary in headquarters."
James got up tiredly, he had been up all night fixing his goliath to increase its power. As he got up and started to walk he stumbled into one of the mercenaries.
"Hey whatch where your going James."
"What the hell is your problem jack ass."
"What do you mean whats my problem?"
"All you vulture drivers are all the same, all mouth and no fight."
"You goliath pilots aren't the brightest of the bunch either."
"You want some of this?"
"Men, men, men. We need to get to the boss, he's calling us." said one of the mercenaries.
"Thanks a lot Nick you got us in trouble yet again."
"Shut up James."
They walked into the building with the other two hundred some mercenaries. Radock VI was a place where mercenaries could rest and test their skills, and attitudes.
"Alright gals, I got word from Commodore Mark is ordering us to report to Crio to help out the troops there."
"Why should we?" asked one guy.
"He said he won't destroy this planet."
"YOU FRIKKIN' MORON! WHO CARES ABOUT THIS PLACE! WE WANT MONEY!"
There was a moment of pause and then a barage of trash was thrown at Gary. He was buried underneath the pile.
"Hey wait a minute, we could always get some things from them anyway. Heck, we're running out of resources."
"Thats what I was trying to tell you!" said Gary as he was crawling out of the trash pile.
"Really?"
"Uh, yeah why not."
"Oh....................ROAD TRIP!"
The mercenaries got ready and took everything they thought was needed, which was mostly weapons. James got into his goliath and went into one of the dropships. To his annoyance he found that Nick was in the same one.
"What are you doing here?" asked Nick.
"Me?! What about you?" said James.
"Doors Closing beeboo" said the computer.
"Great, we're gonna be stuck in here for days." said James.
"Shut up." responded Nick.
"My leige, I have a feeling that the Terran will be getting reinforcements soon. I don't think infesting them would be good enough." said Darigaaz. "PATIENCE DARIGAAZ, AS WE SPEAK OUR OTHER COLONY ON JIGAO IS BUILDING UP A LARGE FORCE AND TRANSPORTING THEM HERE." said the Overmind.