-1Starcraft: Takeover
Paul Franklin
Original Concept by Blizzard Entertainment ©
Chapter 3: Council
There was a stir among the High Templar, everyone could sense it. They held meetings far more often than they used to. Even though the search for new worlds to settle on was going well, something kept the High Templar in the council rooms, debating for hours on end before coming out, and even then not a word was said to the rest of the Protoss. Something was happening, and whatever it was, everyone knew it was so important that it could decide the future of the Protoss.
"We need to be patient, Ben," one of the older High Templar said. "We must make absolutely sure that this 'Odesae' is safe before we can colonize."
"But you don't understand, we have to act now!" Ben was rather young for a High Templar. In fact, Ben was the youngest High Templar in the history of the Protoss. As such, Ben was held in high regard and entrusted with wisdom far beyond his years. However, his youth made him somewhat hasty at times, as was the case now.
"Don't be so hasty," said another councilman. "We have plenty of time to decide before we act."
"That's where you're wrong," Ben retorted. He tapped his finger on the round council table. A hologlobe appeared in the middle of the table, depicting the planet Odesae. Several yellow dots were visible on or near the surface of the globe. "I sent a special squadron of my own Observers, shown as these yellow dots, to scour the planet."
One of the High Templar looked outraged. "Who authorized you to commandeer probes for personal use?" he questioned. "Probes are in short supply during these troubled times, and we need all that we can afford to create. It's bad enough without you practically Istealing/I our valuable Observers!"
"Sir!" Ben stood up from his seat and leaned over the table. "Please, that is entirely beside the point. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to continue my report." The disgruntled High Templar eased back in his seat and remained quiet. Ben smiled at his victory. Sitting back down, Ben continued. "As I was saying, my probes have searched every nook of the planet. What I found… was incredible."
Ben pressed another button on the table. On the hologlobe, each of the yellow dots created a small sensor sweep, revealing two forces; one of them, the blue force, covered a small area of the planet, and seemed somewhat formidable. The other force, however, was what surprised the High Templar even more. About 120 degrees from the blue force was a red force almost double in size. There were also smaller spots of red and blue on other parts of the planet, most likely outposts for mineral supplies and protection of the main base. "What are these indications?" the High Templar asked.
"You shouldn't even have to ask," Ben said. "The blue force is the Terran base situated at a key control point of the planet. The base occupies the most proficient point on the planet for sending radio and other inter-planetary signals back to the other homeworlds. These forces should be eliminated as soon as possible in order to ensure an exact pinpoint for our Warp Portals in order to colonize." Ben pressed an arrow on the table, rotating the hologlobe. "The other force is, unfortunately, of Zerg origins." A few of the High Templar began to look worried. "This Zerg force," Ben continued, "is actually very recent, no more than a month old. The very fact that this Zerg colony expanded to such an enormous size in such a limited time span is unbelievable. There must be an incredibly intelligent Cerebrate commanding these Zerg. We should be careful in eliminating them."
Ben pressed one more button on the table in front of him, and the hologlobe retreated back into the table. The other High Templar looked at each other with alarm, obvious concern spreading among them. After a few minutes of conversing, the council head finally called for silence. Looking straight at Ben, he sighed and said, "What would you have us do in order to secure this planet?"
Ben grinned. He had won over the council with his data, and if he played his cards right, he could even be the head of the force sent to eradicate the opposing Zerg and Terran forces. Ben decided it was time for his proposal. "There's only one thing we can do," Ben stated. "We have to send a force down to the planet and eliminate these two forces. This is the only way to secure the planet. We cannot hope to colonize Odesae as long as the Protoss and Zerg inhabit it."
The High Templar talked a little bit more, and seemed to be in unanimous agreement when coming to a conclusion. "It seems," the council head said, "that we have little choice but to act now before either the Terran, or even worse, the Zerg can completely take over the planet. Since your commandeered Observers have given you more information than even we have, it seems only suitable that you lead the forces down to the surface of Odesae." Ben began to stand as if to leave, but the council head seemed to have a little more to say first. "However," said the council head as he glared at Ben, "you must give us access to any and all information that your Observers have gathered and will gather in the future. Also, you must give us regular status reports while creating your base on the planet. If we see even the slightest bit of unusual behavior, we'll strip you of your command and replace you with someone more suited to following orders. Do I make myself clear?"
Ben grimaced, but agreed. He hated being treated like an inexperienced child, even though he was a High Templar. Ben stood up from his seat, bowed to the council, and made his leave. As he was exiting the room, the council head made one last remark. "I will be sending General Ganja with you to Odesae, he said, "in order to keep an eye on you, as well as to aid in commanding your troops." Ben merely kept walking towards his room.
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Ben reached his quarters faster than normal due to his rage. As he opened the door, he noticed another figure already occupying his room. "Long time no see, my friend," Ben said, smiling. He walked forward and embraced General Ganja, his old comrade and long-time friend.
"The honor is all mine, High Templar," General Ganja replied, embracing Ben in a strong hug. "It's been so long since we last met, I almost forgot what you looked like." No one could mistake General Ganja, though. Towering over his soldiers, one could notice Ganja from 50 yards away just from his height. Add to that muscles that could tear an Aiuran War Ram limb from limb, a sharp mind that could easily outwit some of the best military computer simulations the Protoss had to offer, and a large scar across his face from contact with a Zerg Ultralisk, and you had one of the most distinguishing Protoss warriors. There were few that could command forces better than Ganja, and he knew it.
After trading a few words of greetings and catching up on each others' lives, Ganja cut straight to the point. "You know we're going to need a pretty big force to take out all those Zerg. And we're not just talking using our Zealot Infantry squads to take them out quickly. However that base got that big so fast is sure to put up a hell of a fight."
"I've already thought about that, and I'm confident we can take care of it. Leave the ground forces to me - you just keep your eyes on your Air Force." Ganja smiled. He prided himself on his Elite Air Squadron, consisting of the best Scout, Corsair, and Carrier pilots the Protoss had ever seen. Anything that needed to be taken care of, Ganja's EAF could handle it.
"Fine, then," Ganja said. The two friends stood up and shook hands. "I'll prepare my forces for departure. All you'll have to do is give the word and we'll be through the warp gate."
Ben nodded, happy with Ganja's cooperation. "Good. I'm counting on you to secure the base site before we begin building. I'm sure you're more than capable of defending a small plot of land, aren't you?"
"You don't have to worry," Ganja laughed. "I've got everything under control."
"Perfect then." Ben escorted Ganja to the doorway. "I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning then." As the door closed behind Ganja, Ben flopped down onto his bunk, tired from the day's diplomacy and bantering with the other High Templar. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.