An Unlikely Ally...
Raynor flew his battleship, the Hyperion to the place where he and the Zerg hunter killer were supposed to rendezvous. In time, Raynor arrived at Shakuras and got ready to land the Hyperion. The rendezvous was at the west end of a canyon. When he arrived, he had just enough room to land the Hyperion at the rendezvous point. The ramp lowered, and Raynor cautiously vacated the Hyperion. He looked around, expecting a Zerg ambush. But to his surprise, the hunter killer was there waiting for him, alone as promised.
"Hello human," it hissed.
Raynor wasn't in the mood for small talk. "What is this great threat you told me about earlier?"
This must've been funny to the hunter killer, because it seemed as if it was giving a short laugh. A few seconds later, the hunter killer replied. "It's not safe to discuss this here. Come with me to my base, and then we can talk."
'Don't do it Raynor,' Raynor thought to himself. 'This could be a trap.'
But there was something about this hunter killer that even though it didn't make him feel safe, it made him feel that he could be trusted. "Lead the way."
The hunter killer didn't even respond. It turned east and slithered down the canyon, with Raynor following from behind. They walked through the canyon for at least five minutes before another word was spoken.
"How much farther?" Raynor asked.
"Only a few more minutes. Be patient."
It took another five minutes, but they did reach the Zerg base. The base was situated where the eastern and western canyons merged together. This was the perfect location, since any land attacks would be forced to attack from one entrance. Raynor immediately noticed the two Sunken Towers guarding the entrance, with Spore Colonies not far behind.
"Don't worry," the hunter killer said, as if sensing his thoughts. "The Zerg won't attack you. I ordered them not to."
Raynor gave a nod, signaling that he understood.
The two progressed passed the base defenses and continued further inward. All the Zerg hydralisks and zerglings eyed Raynor, as if they were about to attack. But none did. Finally, at the other side of the base, the Zerg Hatchery came into view.
"I think I've been patient long enough." Raynor said. "What's this threat you've been telling me about?"
The hunter killer stopped and turned to face him. "His name is Cratious. Those Protoss who attacked us earlier were his servants. He is a Protoss archon who was at one time highly respected. He taught everyone from zealots to the newly recruited Dark Templar how to fight in battle, among other things.
"Then he joined his brethren Protoss and the Terrans in battle against the Zerg to destroy the Overmind. He fought well, and when the battle was over, he was commemorated for his valor.
"That's when things turned north. He became greedy, and bought the support of twelve dark archons. They consumed everyone's mind they could, brainwashing them to support Cratious. In time, anyone in powerful positions was coerced into either doing his bidding, or supporting him. Those who they couldn't, they were terminated.
"Now, he's so powerful, that even Kerrigan is beginning to fear him. At one word, Cratious could destroy all the Zerg have worked and died for."
"How do you know this?" Raynor asked.
The hunter killer answered. "In time, rumors started spreading that Cratious was using trickery to gain his power. They started on Auir, then ever so slowly spread across countless systems. We only heard about it when Kerrigan did."
The hunter killer turned to face Raynor again. "True, the Zerg may not have the same... ideals that you do; but imagine if something could literally manipulate your thoughts in order to support its rise to power. Only a select few living on any planet are strong enough to withstand the manipulation of the dark archons, but they are countlessly outnumbered. Many systems have already fallen prey. No one, not even you humans are safe."
Raynor was silent. "So, what are you proposing?"
"Cratious is growing more and more powerful every minute. Even if all the Zerg in existence were to wage battle against Cratious, we would surely be defeated before Cratious broke a sweat. However, if two or even three armies stood up against Cratious and his forces..."
"Maybe they would be able to stand a chance." Raynor finished.
The hunter killer gave a nod. "I know you don't trust me human, and I don't blame you for that. However, you need to make the choice now. Are you going to let Cratious sweep control over every system in existence? Killing all who stand in his way and forcing us to live like mindless slaves? Or are you going to do what you can to prevent that from happening? It's up to you."
Raynor was silent for a few moments. Not only was he still taking in the story the hunter killer had told him, but he was surprised at how much he believed it. He hadn't expected to trust the hunter killer so well. Despite the fact that he was still unsure what to make of what he just found out, he replied. "Cratious'll never know what hit him."
A smile seemed to appear on the hunter killer's face. "Good."
"By the way, you got a name?" Raynor asked.
"The name's Drakura." he then walked passed Raynor. "Go to your ship, and inform Praetor Fenix about what you've just learned. If he can help us, the better our chances against Cratious."
Raynor gave a nod, then turned and walked back to his ship. Upon entering, Raynor went to a small screen attached to a COM station. He turned it on, and switched to Fenix's frequency. "Fenix, you read me? It's Raynor."
After a few seconds, Fenix's appeared on the screen. "Loud and clear. What is it?"
"You will not believe this one Fenix," Raynor said. "I was attacked by some Protoss who were being led by someone named Cratious. You ever hear of him?"
"Cratious?" Fenix was surprised. "Are you and your men alright?"
Raynor nodded. "We're okay. But we couldn't have lasted like we did without the help of the Zerg."
As Raynor had expected, shock appeared on Fenix's face. "The Zerg?"
"They helped us survive against the Protoss, and the leader of the group is a hunter killer by the name of Drakura. He told me that Cratious was the one who ordered the Protoss to attack us, and that Cratious is becoming more and more like an oppressive dictator, killing those who oppose him. Kind of like a guy named Adolf Hitler, who once ruled through the same principles on Earth."
Fenix was silent for a moment. Then he said. "Word has reached me about Cratious' supposed conquests. I just never thought that Cratious would go that far."
"Believe it or not, something about Drakura makes me trust him." Raynor paused for a moment. "I've allied myself with Drakura in an attempt to stop Cratious from getting any more power than he already has. Can you help us?"
"Us?" Fenix asked. "Ally with the Zerg?"
"Only until we know what the true story with Cratious is. If Drakura was wrong, we'll both quit on the spot."
Fenix was silent. "I may not trust Drakura like you do... but I do trust you, Raynor. For now, I'll join your alliance. Just hope that Drakura really is as trustworthy as you think he is. You and Drakura meet me here on Auir at 1800 hours, and we'll talk about a plan of action."
Raynor gave a nod. "Understood." He cut the communication and Fenix's disappeared from the screen. He then contacted Drakura. "Drakura, Fenix has accepted our offer and wants us to meet him on Auir. Get in an overlord and come with me to Auir so we can come up with some kind of plan."
Drakura hissed. "Very well."
In three minutes, an overlord finally reached the Hyperion. "Let's go," came Drakura's voice through the helm communicator.
The Hyperion lifted off, and then flew to Auir with the overlord not far behind.
Halfway to Auir, Fenix's voice came through the helm communicator. "Raynor, I need help. Protoss forces are attacking me and my men. Hurry!"
"We're on our way," Raynor said, gunning the throttle on the Hyperion to full. 'I hope we can make it to Fenix on time,' he thought to himself. 'I already lost Kerrigan to a ranting lunatic, I don't want to lose Fenix the same way.'