Chapter 2: New Recruits

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

George Washington - Jan. 8, 1790

Early Morning, Terran Dominion on Korhal

Captain James Raynor and Emperor Arcturus Mengsk looked down from the podium at the lines of the Ghost soldiers. When they put out the announcement that they were looking for recruits for a new training program, they didn't think that there would be such a turnout. Raynor looked at Mengsk and stood up to the microphone.

"Good morning, now the reason that Emperor Mengsk and I asked for all of you to come today is that, most of you now know, we have a new program you all will be trained for," Raynor said into the loudspeaker. He looked for any signs of reaction from the crowd of soldiers but got nothing more than seats shifting or yawns. "This program will be very new to all of you; you will be learning skills that even the greatest Terran generals can not teach you, that's why I have called upon the help of another race, the Protoss."

Raynor knew that would get the attention of the crowd. Seats were now shuffling as some of the men stood and began to ask questions while others were talking to one another. As all this happened, Mengsk got up and began to speak into the loudspeaker.

"Now I know this may surprise you all but Captain Raynor and I have come to the conclusion that this is most necessary if we want to finally eradicate any remaining Zerg in the galaxy," Mengsk said to the crowd.

"How do you know if we can trust these aliens?" questioned one of the recruits followed by a crowd of agreements.

"I have been fighting alongside them for a long time, against the Zerg in the final defense of Auir before it succumbed to the Overmind's will," Raynor said to the crowd. "One of my dearest Protoss friends, Praetor Fenix, was brutally slain by Kerrigan and her forces nearing the end of the last Great War, as well as your beloved General Duke."

"What do you mean, Duke was murdered?" another recruit asked surprisingly. This kind of startled Raynor, this meant that Mengsk didn't tell his men that Duke was slain by the Zerg.

"Yes, Kerrigan had Duke killed," replied Raynor. He looked at Mengsk and motioned him to leave the stage so he could talk to him in private. Both climbed down the steps and talked off to the side of the stage.

"What'd ya mean you didn't tell them," Raynor said to Mengsk trying to keep his voice low.

"I didn't want them to know that one of their glorious generals succumbed to the Zerg besides why should it be any matter to you?" Mengsk replied. "I'm helping you, aren't I?"

Raynor agreed and went back up on stage. He quieted to crowd down and explained to them what was going to happen within the next few months. The soldiers didn't really like the idea that they were going to be trained alongside Protoss warriors on the Protoss planet Shakuras but they knew better than to argue with superior officers.

3 Days Later, Midday, Terran Dominion on Korhal

"Sergeant Ellison, those birds almost fueled?" Raynor asked the lead pilot of the Dropship battalion. They were at one of the Starports on Korhal. All around them, Raynor could see Ghosts packing their gear on different Dropships and getting ready for their long flight to Shakuras.

"Almost sir, give me about 10 more minutes and I think we'll be all set," replied the sergeant. Raynor gave him a nod and headed over to the 11th SCV and Engineer battlement. He was planning on starting construction for a new Terran settlement on Shakuras. It would help to strengthen the already fast growing Protoss populace with new Anti-air defense and ground defense.

'Can't be too prepared, I don't want none of those Zerg attacking Shakuras and messin' up what we've been planning,' Raynor thought to himself. He checked with the lieutenant working with the SCVs and made sure they were ready. Shakuras' environment was much different than Korhal's.

"Yessah, the SCVs are almost done," the lieutenant told Raynor. "We collected and stored a lot of minerals from the mineral fields that weren't affected by the nuclear storm; we can use them to start construction on a new Command Center when we reach Shakuras."

"Very well Lieutenant," Raynor replied. He saluted the men and walked to his Battlecruiser where Mengsk was waiting for him.

"I will be waiting to hear from you in a couple months, I hope all will be doing well and I'm going to want to visit the settlement," instructed Mengsk. Raynor nodded and saluted the Emperor.

"Will do Mengsk, before you or I know it, these men will be the smartest, toughest bastards we've ever trained," Raynor reassured him. "See you on Shakuras."

And with that, Raynor climbed into the Battlecruiser and radioed to all pilots. He was bringing a fleet of Wraiths and Battlecruisers to set up a defensive grid on the outskirts of Shakuras' atmosphere.

"148th Battlecruiser Squadron, 99th Wraith Squadron, I need you to cover my ass, watch for any Zerg forces, with all our movement, Kerrigan is bound to sense something," Raynor informed them as they were leaving the atmosphere. They changed course and headed for Shakuras.

Late Evening, Protoss Nexus, Shakuras

By now, Judicator Artanis and Zeratul had informed the Templar of their new assignment and what kind of new training they will be required to perform. It went pretty smoothly with the Protoss warriors. They felt that if it gave them the ability to retake their home world and destroy their enemies then they would be honored to fight for it. Zealots and Dragoons received brand new armor and shielding with upgraded firepower. The Protoss fleet was also given upgrades of their own. Artanis was beginning to gain more trust in their newly found army.

Artanis also selected Zeratul to be Praetor of this new army. The first Dark One to hold that kind of honor in many thousands of years. Both of them were walking along a darkened corridor inside Shakuras' main Nexus.

'Have you heard anything new from Captain Raynor, Zeratul?" questioned Artanis. 'I grow increasingly worried about his safety in getting such a massive military movement here to Shakuras; surely Kerrigan will feel the presence of it."

'Do not fret Artanis, I have faith in Raynor, he will see to it that no one will be hurt, and as for Kerrigan, I'm sure she will feel such a presence but she is waiting for us to make the first move, that I am sure of,' Zeratul reassured Artanis. Yes, they had technically made the first move but however, Zeratul felt that this one yet does not scare Kerrigan.

'Do you think Kerrigan realizes our intentions?' Artanis questioned again.

'No, I do believe she knows something isn't right, why else would we have not launched a counter-attack after so many years, she must suspect something, but I do not believe she knows of our current plans,' Zeratul replied. Two Zealots came rushing into the room as he finished speaking.

'Sirs, the Terran captain, Raynor, is on his way as we speak, he tells me to inform you that he is bringing a massive army to help reinforce our defenses here on Shakuras, this is a proud day indeed,' one of the Zealots told them.

'Wonderful news, let us head back to my meeting chambers in the Citadel, we shall contact Raynor from there,' said Artanis. They walked out toward the Citadel past three big Pylons powering the Nexus and the Photon Cannons providing a defensive perimeter. Just shortly after six years of almost complete destruction, the Protoss were beginning to look like the civilization it once was.