"I understand that you were sent to establish a beachhead and you guys bring back some allies?" asked the Revanite High Master.
"Yes, high master," said Vaukel, "this is Tassadar, High Templar and Executor of the… Protoss Fleet?"
Tassadar nodded.
"And this other one is Zeratul," Vaukel said, pointing to the other alien, "they said they know quite a lot about these Zerg and they wished to help us."
"Is that so?" asked Kalecas.
"Indeed," said Tassadar, "my brethren have had our fair share of encounters with this ferocious swarm. Zeratul, if you will."
"At first, these Zerg appeared to be a feral and violent race of creatures who only sought to consume all life whenever they landed on a single planet. However, when I was on their ashen home world of Char, I had come across a creature that seemed to be serving as the 'Commander' of each colony; called Cerebrates," said Zeratul, "upon striking down the foul beast, m mind briefly touched with the true leader of the Swarm… The Overmind."
"Overmind?" asked Kalecas.
Kayla and a few other Revanites appeared to almost shiver at the mention of the Overmind.
"A creature with an unending desire to assimilate the Protoss into the Swarm in order to 'perfect it'," said Zeratul.
"What stopped it from assimilating your species outright?" Kalecas asked curiously.
"Our genetic code was… Incompatible with the assimilation process," said Tassadar.
"And with our unique psionic capabilities, if the Zerg attempted to confront us, we would have a major advantage over them, counter them if you will," said Zeratul.
"Psionic capabilities?" asked Kalecas.
"Yes, our ability of using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena," said Tassadar.
"That sounds like the Force," said Kayla.
Vaukel clapped a hand over his stepsister's mouth.
"So, it's because of the power that your kind wields…" Kalecas started to say.
"We believe that this splinter group of Zerg has come here seeking to assimilate your kind," said Zeratul, "if the Zerg were to succeed and create a new creature…"
"Abomination," said Vaukel.
"High Master…" said Daralec.
Kalecas turned towards the holo-projection of the Revanite Grandmaster, who was present during the debriefing.
"An insidious race of invaders comes all this way from your galaxy in hopes of creating a creature that would begin to corrupt and tear the Force a part once it learned to control it…" said the Grandmaster, "…A being like that cannot be made manifest. Tell me, Protoss warriors… These Cerebrates that you mentioned… You say they coordinate the Zerg's attacks. What should my knights look for?"
"The Cerabrates are large creatures, usually immobile," said Tassadar, "but they are under heavy protection."
"No problem," said Kovez, "a few bombing runs should be able to thin out the ranks. Then our main strike force can move in and mop up while the Hunters slip in amidst the chaos and skewer the beast."
"I am afraid that would be all but a fruitless effort," said Zeratul, "Cerebrates can only be slain by the weapons of my kind. Dark Templars."
"What's wrong with using our own weapons? Or even the Force?" asked Kayla.
"We assure you; it is nothing personal child," Tassadar said to Kayla, "but the energies that the Cerebrates generate are similar to that of the dark templars. It is only by these energies that a cerebrate can be permanently slain."
Kayla blushed and looked down.
"Oh," she said with embarrassment.
"Regardless, now that we know the weakness of the creatures, we can be able to launch a coordinated attacks against this Swarm," said the Grandmaster, "Kalecas, I want you to work alongside Tassadar and Zeratul, wipe out this splinter group of Zerg and their Cerebrates. Let none of them make it back to their home."
"By your command, Grandmaster," said Kalecas.
The transmission ended.
"Well then, Executor. Dark one," said Kalecas.
He extended a hand.
"Consider our alliance formed," he said.
Tassadar shook the Revanite's hand, then Zeratul.
"En taro Adun, High Master," said Tassadar, "let us begin this noble crusade."
/\/\/\/\/\
"You promised that the Protoss would not follow us all the way out here, Kudril!" roared Airedul, "you lied to us!"
"You dare accuse me of deceit, Airedul!? Fool! This is no ordinary Protoss Fleet, I could recognize the presence of the commander who is leading this fleet, and I have no doubt, this is the same one who was hiding out on our beloved home world of Char," hissed Kudril.
"We cannot prepare this planet while the Protoss are on this planet… Especially if that Protoss is here," grumbled Naruk.
"No! Continue as planned," said Kudril, "we will simply have to improvise."
"You had better be right, Kudril. The Protoss have likely formed an alliance with these powerful Terrans and are likely planning out their first strike against us," said Idokar.
"They have been killing our field agents," said Krurk, "not one of them has been able to stand their ground against their Terran's psionic warriors."
"Perhaps we have been sending the wrong ones against them," said Kudril, "Ygasel, awaken Miss Nadia Gale, have her on standby, and to be ready for deployment."
"You mean Cipher?" asked Ygasel.
"The very same," said Kudril.
"It shall be done," said Ygasel.
Author's note: A little short, but you'll soon learn why in the following chapters