Chapter 1: Five Years Afterwards
"Only the Dead see the end of war."
Early Evening, Citadel of Adun, Shakuras
The newly elected Judicator Artanis was walking around his chambers meditating to himself. He was wondering what was taking his visitor so long to arrive. It had been five years since they had seen each other last and he had told the Judicator that he was bringing an old friend along with him.
'Where is he, he instructed me to be waiting for him hours ago,' Artanis thought to himself. He looked out his window at Shakuras' horizon where the sun was slowly setting. All of a sudden, there was a knock at the Judicator's door. It was one of his Zealot guards.
'Sir, Master Zeratul has arrived and he is waiting for you in the Citadel's main temple,' the Zealot said in a deep tone.
'Ok Urahyl, tell Zeratul that I will be with him in one moment and that I am excited for him to be home after these many years,' Artanis told the Zealot. It was true; he hadn't seen nor heard from Zeratul in over five years. After Zeratul left, after the destruction of the Zerg forces on Shakuras, the Protoss had rebuilt their once glorified civilization on their new home planet. Also, as Judicator, Artanis allowed the Dark Templar to come out of banishment that the Old Order, the old Protoss leaders who were once known as the Conclave, had placed on them. Artanis was able to combine to powers of Light and Darkness from the Templar and Dark Templar to create an even more powerful army than before.
'Brother Zeratul, it has been so long since we last conversed, how is it that you did not contact us in these five years?' Artanis asked Zeratul when he reached the Citadel's main temple. He looked at his two visitors, both of whom he remembered vividly. 'And you mighty Captain Raynor, it has been a long time since I have had to honor to speak with you, come, we must return to my chambers where we can discuss what has happened since the last Great War."
'Artanis, a Judicator, I am very pleased to here that,' Zeratul said when they returned to Artanis' chambers. 'Well, Judicator, Captain Raynor and I have some very interesting news.'
"That's right boys, looks like Kerrigan might be up to something again," Jim Raynor said.
'He's correct Artanis, the power fluctuations around the planet Char have grown ever stronger and I fear that Kerrigan has found the ability to create and control her own Cerebrates which she would use to retake Auir, Shakuras, and all other surrounding planets with swift ferocity,' Zeratul said solemnly. 'But fear not, my young Judicator, Raynor and I think we may have a solution to our problems, one that would help eradicate the Zerg for good and help us retake our beloved home world, Auir.' Zeratul looked into the hopeful eyes of Artanis who was elated at the idea of having a way to retake Auir and rebuild their civilization on their own home planet.
'This news is most interesting indeed, Zeratul, you must explain your ideas and we can begin work on them immediately,' Artanis said. Zeratul and Raynor explained to the Judicator that they had already begun the work four years earlier and were nearing completion on the project. They explained that they requested the help of Emperor Mengsk and his Terran Dominion and that there was a peace being formed between the two races so that they could live and fight alongside one another as brethren.
"The UED was completely destroyed by Kerrigan's forces and no ship ever reported having returned to Earth, looks like Dugalle and his boys failed their mission," Raynor added to the conversation. "They won't, well shouldn't, be a problem." Fact is that Raynor really had no idea about the UED and if they had plans of retaliation against the Protoss and Terran Dominion along with finding a means to control the Zerg.
'For now Raynor, we shall not worry about the Directorate of your planet Earth or their plans of controlling any of the Zerg, for now we must complete the task at hand, I request to you that now is the time to return to Korhal and relay this information to the Emperor of your Terran Dominion, we can now begin training of the units,' Zeratul informed Raynor.
"Right, when I return, we can begin constructing a new Academy," Raynor replied. They planned to build the Academy and train Ghosts, Templar and Dark Templar with all of their powers combined into one. The Ghosts would train to use the mind powers developed by the Templar and to harness the Dark Energies of the Dark Templar. In retrospect, the Templar and Dark Templar would learn the ways of the Ghost stealth technology and of nuclear technology developed by the humans. With these new units, the Terran and Protoss would be able to eradicate any Zerg looking to conquer the worlds once more. They could also take back Auir and Tarsonis.
'It is done then, Zeratul and I shall study in the Templar Archives and wait for your return Master Raynor, our mighty Templar warriors and your battle-hardened "Ghost" warriors will come together to form a most worthy army, worthy even for Adun himself, En Taro Tassadar!' Artanis stated and led Raynor to the Protoss Stargate where Hypernion was docked.
'I hope to hear from you soon Captain Raynor and may the gods watch over us,' Zeratul said as Raynor climbed into the Battlecruiser that loomed above them. Artanis and Zeratul watched as the ship exited the atmosphere and headed toward Korhal.
'Are you completely sure about this plan Zeratul?' questioned Artanis.
'I am positive that it will work, Judicator, I have complete trust in Raynor and his comrade Mengsk, things will turn out better for both our races,' Zeratul told Artanis. Artanis, however, still looked slightly worried.
'I hope you are right Zeratul, May Adun watch over us,' Artanis replied. Indeed, Mengsk was also betrayed by Kerrigan as were all of them. The Judicator began to realize that Kerrigan, the self-proclaimed "Queen of Blades" was about to meet her end.