Disclaimer: I own the plot and all of the characters in this story, though there are references to events in the games and the books.

A/N: Udestae (OO deh stay)

Kylpirsva (kill PERS vah)

BLAM! Another siege tank fired a round at the Protoss defenses. Udestae shielded his eyes as the remains of the pylon cascaded down on him. The nearest photon cannons instantly shut down. The perimeter defenses had been breached. Terran Marines flowed into the base like there was no tomorrow. The remaining Protoss forces followed Udestae's command and retreated into the highlands.

The marines began the pursuit. Udestae ran as fast as he could, but his energy was low, so they overtook him and his comrades in seconds (it was also extremely hard to run in all that zealot armor). Protoss scattered wildly to the nearest shuttles. Any shuttles that didn't make it in the air were shot down in the blink of an eye by the blockade of battlecruisers hovering above the city.

The battle died down, as there was no longer any resistance being provided by the Protoss. Any survivors were locked in chains and being escorted, two marines per zealot, to the prison ships.

After Udestae's capture, he was brought to a cell on a prison ship called The Liberty. Once the door to his cell slid shut, the lights were turned off and Udestae was consumed in darkness. He stumbled to the bunk and sat down, reflecting on the battle that had just been waged. His amazement at the size of the Terran army was equal to his curiousity of why the Terrans would want to take over Aiur in the first place.

"Why would they attack us anyway?" Udestae thought. "Is there something in particular they want? Or are they just tired of being considered and inferior race?"

"Well, I'm sorry to say that I cant answer that," said a voice from what Udestae thought to be an empty corner of the cell. He jumped up and stared into the blackness. After a few short moments he detected movement and saw the shadow of a templar moving towards him.

"Who's there!" Udestae was getting nervous. "State your name! I warn you, I am a high templar of the Akilae tribe! I can bring you down before your next breath!"

The figure sighed. "Udestae, relax, it's me. Kylpirsva. You always were a little high strung." Kylpirsva was Praetor in the Sargas tribe. His tribe was known for being rather hasty, ruthless, and cruel. Kylpirsva was a perfect example of that. Udestae had met him on Shakuras over 100 years ago, when the Protoss were fighting to destroy the Zerg presence (from Brood War). He had not seen nor spoken to Kylpirsva since. "So was your battle a massacre or were you able to put up a fight?"

"Massacre," Udestae replied as he slowly sank back into his seat. "It seems like just yesterday we were allied with the Terrans in a fight against the Zerg and now they completely decimate every Protoss city. Where did the Terrans come up with such a large force without our knowing about it? And so quickly?"

"Maybe they are just pissed off that we took control of Earth, because that's where we got captured. But, as far as every Protoss city being 'decimated,' they haven't touched Jazhael yet, which is where all of the refugees are running to. Even though it is my hometown, I wouldn't go there," Kylpirsva's tone was rising. "The running cowards should stand and fight! We didn't get captured because we ran and got cornered! No! We stood our ground and fought until every last one of us was either dead or in chains! That's the Protoss way!"

"Don't say that in front of Helfun," Udestae warned. "If he heard you say that, he would demote you to zealot status in a hurry."

"I don't think I've ever seen a more retarded Judicator than him. If you were to have every Protoss under your command lay back and get killed, he wouldn't do anything. But, if you were to have them all fight and win, when there was the possibility of fleeing and avoiding a fight, he'd kill you (plus, he hates me). Who appointed him Head Judicator anyway?"

A/N: Most of the Protoss honor Helfun for being so wise. Kylpirsva is one of the very few who don't like him, mainly because he doesn't agree with Helfun's war tactics. Helfun is pretty much the Ghandi of the Protoss.