CHAPTER 2: CHARLATAN
"Zeratul. I don't mean to wake you from your slumber, but we have a situation. You will want to attend to this personally. He will be entering you chamber shortly," said one of the many Dark Templar guarding the camp on Shakuras. Zeratul, who happened to be meditating to keep his energy up, opened his eyes. He was in his den, on Shakuras, surrounded in the black-purple darkness. He looked towards the doorway, and separated the violet-red psychic membrane enclosing his den. Physically, it looked as though two curtains were being pulled back. A Zealot walked in, dried blood from a bite to the arm, even though his shields had long since recovered. This caused Zeratul to stir, and he raised himself to his feet, and activated his Warp Blade. He closed the psychic membrane, and noticed that this Zealot wasn't his own, yet bore the markings and color of his friend, Fenix. He waited for him to speak.
"Pardon the interruption, Dark One, but the situation on Aiur has become dire indeed. The Zerg have savagely attacked our brethren on Aiur, and seek to destroy our homeworld to decrease … morale. Fenix sent me through the gate, and is currently holding his position at the entrance on Aiur. But, a small group of Zerg entered with me, and chased me here. Your group exterminated the vile creatures, but I fear there are still more out there. So when we leave, we shall need to tread lightly on the way to the Warp Gate. Fenix requested that you and your battle group make it through the gate, as to fight off the infestation on Aiur."
"I thought the Zerg left Aiur upon realizing their leader was dead. We returned to Shakuras through the Warp Gate, following Tassadar's last orders. What has happened since then?" Zeratul asked the Zealot.
"It seems as though the Cerebrates are continuing the suicidal quest of the Overmind. Even now, the infestation grows, and we are wasting precious minutes." Zeratul could tell he was anxious to get back to Aiur, to fight off the corrupted beasts.
"We will leave immediately, but I need to notify the surrounding camps. I believe there will be many who wish to return to Aiur to help defend it," he told the Zealot.
"Hold that line! Stop the advance! This is a fight for Aiur, our home! Don't let this vile abomination destroy what we've held so dear!" Fenix shouted, killing three Zerglings in the process.
His twenty-one zealots were destroying as many Zerglings as they could, yet it seemed as though they were being overrun. Fifty more Zerglings came over the hill, trying to get through to the Shakuras Warp Gate. Three of the five reavers assisting in the defense turned and fired at the middle; the Zerglings didn't move out of the way; thirty-eight were obliterated.
Where is Zeratul, thought Fenix, checking to see if his brother in armswas passing through. No signs of activation yet. He turned and focused his full attention on the battlefield. It was a break between the waves of Zerglings. Good, a chance to regroup.
Wait, something was coming over the horizon, he could sense it. Something just jumped in, and was making a planetary decent, and it was a massive fleet. He felt a sense of relief. The Protoss fleet had made it. He searched the fleet for the psionic readings of his brethren, the commanders of the scouts. Nothing. He searched one of the transports, the shuttles. A strong signal was pulsating from the middle, surrounded by four lesser signals. But there was something wrong with these signals; they didn't pulsate as fast as any Protoss brethren. Strange, he thought, and pressed further into his mind. He caught a small glimpse of Zerg instinct, until he was pushed out of the mind. He knew who this vile creature was. Kerrigan, here to advance the Zerg on Aiur, to annihilate the many tribes stationed to defend Aiur. He knew he should wait for Zeratul, but Fenix had business to attend to, and Adukamilne, a Protoss form of adrenaline, was surging through his system.
Suddenly, he heard a faint noise behind him. The Warp Gate had risen from its slumber, and was whispering the arrival of someone. Zeratul. Fenix grinned, and walked up to the control panel. Out of his Dragoon came a long, bronze-gold cord, used for general access to buildings for system checks. He logged in through the Khala, and after fighting through the battle commands, he came to the readout coming from the Warp Gate.
SOURCE: SHAKURAS GATE
PRAETOR: ZERATUL
COMMANDS: OPEN WARP RIFT ))COMPLETE((
ARRIVAL TO AIUR ->- 18000 MS
RIFT LAYOUT:
S (----------------------------------------+-----) F (93)
Zeratul was coming, as was indicated by the status report at the end of the readings. Fenix breathed a mental sigh of relief. Although he was prepared to fight this menace, he found it easier to face it with support from a friend.
"Hold position! The Queen of Blades approaches," Fenix said to his Protoss brethren still trying to hold off the Zerg forces trying to get to the Warp Gate. They all paused, and Fenix sensed an air of professionalism.
Kerrigan could sense the blindness of the Zerg forces attacking on Aiur. Zerglings, Hydralisks, and Mutalisks alike were attacking the nearest building, and not the ones that would deal the biggest blow to the enemy, and other acts of stupidity. Zerglings were attacking a Forge instead of a Gateway, Hydralisks attacking Interceptors rather than the Carrier, and Scourges were plowing into one another. It was a slaughter of the mindless, and the Protoss forces were the butcher. They were running low on warriors to fight, and the Zerg could still win with sheer numbers.
She was looking around for Fenix, now Praetor of the Templar. Most of the Judicators had been destroyed by the Zerg, all but the ever-elusive Aldaris, who seemed to have changed after Tassadar's sacrifice. He has said to seen the light. She ciphered through the energies until she reached one standing near the Warp Gate. It was connected, and she had a glimpse of what it was downloading from the building. Yes, definitely a Praetor, for only those at or above that rank were outfitted with the ability to get information from any building at any time. She had found her ally. Instinctively, she knew he wasn't going to be happy to see her. She ordered her guard to mop-up the other Zerg on the planet, and prepare for Warp Travel. She then ordered her Overlord to approach Fenix's position. The time would come for diplomatic relations with one who wasn't going to be too happy to see a newfound leader of the Zerg forces.
Zeratul was feeling uneasy. He had always disliked travel through the Gates, and would much rather travel in a Shuttle, given it had been his choice. But that would have been too slow, and this was the only way to get to Aiur immediately. Still, the strange assortment of blues and purples and dark and light all around them was interesting to watch, even if he felt sick. He could sense the exit nearing, and waited patiently with anticipation. He made sure everyone was ready for the arrival. He closed his eyes, wishing for the unpleasant ride to end.
"Zeratul, it is I, Fenix. The Queen of Blades approaches our position. We are preparing for battle, and as should you. I will speak with you more about our situation after we deal with her." Zeratul realized that he was within range of psychic network that radiates from the Pylons.
"We will be ready. Fenix, I have a member of your tribe with me. He was the one who asked us to help with fighting the infestation of Aiur. Be sure to reward him." Zeratul knew that the Zealot he had spoke about was too crippled to fight, but instead would soon become a High Templar. The energy emanating around his body was strong, and he would be useful in future battles.
Zeratul could see the end of the rift, and Aiur appeared before him. The time to fight was now.
Fenix stepped back away from the Warp Gate, allowing his friend and battle guard a place to appear in front of the Gate. He turned, and saw a surprise. It seemed as though Kerrigan had found him, and was lumbering toward him in her Overlord. He saw that it was from the remnants of the Garm Brood, commanded by the deceased Cerebrate, Zasz. She must be the new Cerebrate of the brood. But, no matter, for the Garm Brood wasn't as massive as other broods have proven to be, and wiping her out shall be simple, Fenix thought to himself. He wished to be done with this confrontation, and would instead rather be searching for Raynor, now friend of the Protoss after his help in the destruction of the Overmind.
"Yes, we will need to find him, Fenix, but after we force the Zerg from Aiur. I bring you news from the Garm Brood: I am the Queen of Blades, Cerebrate of the Garm Brood, and I offer you peace in this war. My quarry is with these beasts that stole me away, and not you Protoss. I realize that you could very much reject my offer, but I come with a proposition: Your people are dying, Praetor. Let me quarantine this planet, your homeworld, of the Zerg. If you allow it, I'll use my powers to control all or at least most of the forces on Aiur, and all others shall fall before us. Once we all unite into one attack force, Terran, Protoss, and Zerg, then we will reign supreme, and this war can cease to exist, and become ancient history. These are my wishes," Kerrigan whispered psychically, but something was wrong with her.
She confused Fenix with her talk, because she was being too formal, much like his fellow people. He believed her plan, yet it seemed as though an outside force would be sure she kept to her word. And yet, he wasn't sure, but he had to reply.
"We shall see, oh Queen. But, before I make my decision, my friend will be appearing before your eyes, or, at least, your Overlord's eyes. Zeratul will arrive shortly, and before I make any rash moves, as is my nature to do so, I must be sure of his opinion."
"Zeratul, the Queen of Blades has arrived. I will keep our connection open, so to see that you will be much informed when the rift is closed," Fenix spoke faintly, which was normal given their range.
Another faint voice was sent to Zeratul via Fenix, and Zeratul had no trouble recognizing Kerrigan's voice: "'Yes, we will need to find him, Fenix, but after we force the Zerg from Aiur. I bring you news from the Garm Brood: I am the Queen of Blades, Cerebrate of the Garm Brood, and I offer you peace in this war. My quarry is with these beasts that stole me away, and not you Protoss. I realize that you could very much reject my offer, but I come with a proposition: Your people are dying, Praetor. Let me quarantine this planet, your home world, of the Zerg. If you allow it, I'll use my powers to control all or at least most of the forces on Aiur, and all others shall fall before use. Once we all unite into one attack force, Terran, Protoss, and Zerg, then we will reign supreme, and this war can cease to exist, and become ancient history. These are my wishes,'"
"We shall see, oh Queen. But, before I make my decision, my friend will be appearing before your eyes, or, at least, your Overlord's eyes. Zeratul will arrive shortly, and before I make any rash moves, as is my nature to do so, I must be sure of his opinion." Fenix seemed troubled by her speech, and Zeratul couldn't help sharing the feeling with his Protoss brethren.
"Fenix, allow me to speak, this won't take long. We are coming through the Warp Gate now," Zeratul practically yelled, and his battle guard eyed him questioningly.
"Whom do you believe is controlling her? I noticed something misplaced about her speech. You seem to have caught it also?" Fenix asked, the first being a real question, the last, a rhetorical.
"An old friend, if my assumptions are correct, Fenix. Carry on with the…diplomacy? I believe that is what Raynor called it. We see the end of the rift, and I will deal with the charlatan," Zeratul said.
Zeratul's eyes flared as he remembered the beginning, the life on Shakuras, growing up, stories of Aiur, and his long-time friend, Akubar. Unfortunately, they would soon be on opposite sides of a war, one in which the Rogues of Shakuras were destroyed. Not a remnant of his friend or fleet was found. But, on this day, he believes he has found at least one.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I was having problems with the QuickEdit function of this website, and the Shakuras Gate readout is not how I have it in my real story. If anyone would like to receive the real version of this chapter, please feel free to E-mail me at the E-mail in my personal information page, since it doesn't show up here, and I will be sure that you receive it as soon as possible. It will be Microsoft Word format. That is all.
