**DISCLAIMER**
I do not own Starcraft or any of its associated properties, characters or species.
I use them in an Alternate Universe capacity, with my own characters, interpretations of existing ones including but not limited to belief systems and familial ties, events speculated or written of by others (Including the original Antioch Chronicles and their fictions from the early 2000's which are almost impossible to find anymore) and am a lover of Multiverse Theory acknowledging storylines.
I am aware several of my main characters are 'Mary Sue' or 'Marty Stu' characters, within context though and given my ability to write all of their stories out, I hope that you, the reader, would understand why and be willing to set aside any grievance with such.
Several species mentioned here are mine however, are likely still in development (indefinitely because I'm a huge procrastinator) and will be only briefly touched on in official capacity within the confines of a story.
As much of my personal and continuously editing storylines are tied into existing universes (including some that are far more obscure than more recent ones) I will do my best to tag appropriately.
If you are interested, I have a Discord server for RP/Questions and will be very cautious about chatting as I've been burned many times. I also have several art pages I frequent, though my main character hub is privatized.
I may do requests, if enough interest is brought up and it's a character I resonate with, and am familiar with the universe, so don't be afraid to send me a PM!
Legend:
"..." = Normal Speech
**...** = Thought-Speech
~...~ = Invasive Overwhelming Thought-Speech
**END DISCLAIMER**
The Medivac carrying Valerian, Egon and Zagara slowly approached where the Overmind's remains had once lain, later built over and used as Bio-fuel for the pieced-together Hybrid form Amon had intended to use to enter this realm fully. The crater, created by the combined force of the Spear of Adun, the Purifier hub and the Tal'darim Mothership, still steamed even so long after the blast had vaporised the surface. Many trees and plant life had overgrown the edges of the crater, treating it akin to a volcano, even the Protoss settlements keeping clear of the area as though it were plagued.
Some surface scans had revealed hidden cave systems in the area, leading deep underground, beneath the crater, where something obscured all scanning systems, even from on the ground near or directly above the crater. Some more recent visitors to the area had come across Zerg corpses that had been recently slain, but not by Protoss blades.
The Medivac pilot quickly called back to warn them they were about to land, having finally reached the clearing where the Daelaam had directed them to meet.
As the ship landed and its engines powered down, several flashes of light announced the teleportation of Artanis, Rohana, Vorazun and Karax, who stood waiting for their visitors as the cargo door lowered to allow them exit. Artanis and Zagara exchanged a bow as courtesy, turned and Artanis began leading his entourage of sorts toward the nearest reported cave entrance.
Valerian and Egon shared greetings with the three other Protoss, Rohana spending a few moments with Egon making certain he was doing well. Once satisfied that they had greeted each other sufficiently, Vorazun led the other four where Zagara and Artanis had gone, where the two stood looking over another wild Zerg corpse.
**It appears to have been attacked by another Zergling, one capable of performing very precise and swift killing motions. Its throat was cut and allowed to bleed out before it was gutted.** Zagara explained as she observed the corpse, gently lifting parts of it to get a better look. Her eyes narrowed as she viewed the innards, tilting her head to one side. **The heart and liver are missing.**
**Perhaps cannibalised by another?** Artanis offered, watching from a few steps back with his arms crossed, doing his best to appear uninterested, Zagara shaking her head.
**No. More would have been devoured, there would also be claw and tooth marks. There are none.** She straightened back up, Egon peering over, blushing and gladly stepping toward them when Zagara nodded to him. He examined the throat wound, and the edges of the opening that had been made to gut the Zergling.
"It looks like it was made by someone who knew what they were doing. Not an incision, and definitely not a psi-blade, there's no cauterization to the edges of the wound." He announced his findings aloud, Valerian and Rohana, with Vorazun remaining at a respectful distance, Karax moving to have a look as well, though he admittedly preferred technology over biology. He noted primarily that the corpse must be fairly fresh, as no stench of rot or decay lingered, though the blood appeared to be absent from the ground.
Karax began to look around, noting drag marks and footprints, akin to a Zerglings, yet were obviously different as they appeared to have weight-distributing pads akin to the foot of a Protoss, that appeared to move bipedally, without dragging a tail behind or other markings to denote the forelimbs. He began to follow them, first to one bush near where they had come from, then leading back toward them and the corpse, then away. None of the trackers previously had seen any tracks, perhaps they had mistaken them as their own?
Artanis and Zagara picked up on this immediately, following the tracks with their eyes as they led away from the corpse, toward what appeared to be a vine covered sheer rock wall towering up before them. As Artanis approached the wall, he leapt back, narrowly dodging the Zergling that burst out from its hiding spot, tearing vines away from the cave entrance and swiftly leaping over Vorazun as she moved to engage. It flipped forward in the air, landing expertly on its hind feet, leaping to the side to land at Karax's feet as Rohana and then Valerian attempted to grab or strike it, the two narrowly stopping from hitting each other.
Karax, untrained as a warrior, did attempt to herd the Zergling toward the others, spreading his arms and angling his three mechanical extras in an attempt to appear larger.
The Zergling, as it appeared, shrank back from the metal claw, tilted its head to peer up at him from under its head crest-like carapace, almost as though to say 'seriously?', before it slipped between his legs on all fours and quickly ducked into the brush nearby. None realised it had not gone far, peering out at them through the broad leaves of a giant fern-like plant.
Valerian raised a hand to his face, covering his smile and stifling the urge to laugh, to which Egon did not have such immaculate control over his emotion, and burst out laughing.
**You at least made an effort…** Artanis chuckled, moving to reassuringly pat Karax's shoulder as he seemed to crumple under the scrutiny of his peers, furthered by Egons laughter, which cut off when Valerian turned and lightly nudged him.
"Apologies, but… Did you notice how it just, stopped?" Egon let out a nervous cough, Zagara remaining quiet, yet observed the situation. She had never seen a Zergling like that before, none of her strains or the many variants amongst the Broodmothers came even remotely close. Artanis nodded to Egon in response to his questioning statement, turning to Zagara, who reluctantly shook her head.
**It is nothing like the Zerglings within the swarm, nor the Primals from Zerus.** She announced, at a loss for what to make of it. It lacked a swarm connection, so she could not take control of it psionically. Instead, and she disliked this tremendously, it appeared able to mask its presence.
"That's concerning." Valerian frowned, lightly scratching his chin. A benefit of the lighter Exo-Suit, it had no built in visor or dome, instead either a helm or atmospheric shield could be used in conjunction with it. Valerian opted for the Shield, though did not keep it engaged as he was within an atmosphere that he could breathe without problem.
As Valerian mulled over the strange Zergling, Rohana and Vorazun had noticed it seemed to move akin to a young Protoss, or how their ancestors had often run on all fours, the two motioning for Karax to step back, looking at the tracks left at his feet. Four toes on the forepaw print had the two females further concerned.
**Could it be Hybrid?** Artanis hazarded, Zagara let out a growl.
**That would explain why I cannot even sense it at this moment.** She admitted, eyes narrowed. **How long have you been receiving reports of this?**
**Only the last two months. Most frequently this last week, however, and now this.** Vorazun announced, having turned to Zagara, not noticing that Rohana had moved past Karax, with the Phasesmith watching her, to the bush where the Zergling had disappeared from view. Egon watched, quickly moving closer, concerned that the Zergling would leap out and attack her, as her armour was more decorative than functional.
"Rohana… I don't think that's a good idea…" Egon warned, watching her hold out a hand, palm up, eyes focused on the bush. That was when he saw the claws just barely visible by the roots and stems that were obscured from view by the broad leaves. He made a move to fire one of his tranquilizer rounds, stopped by Rohana swiftly motioning for him to wait.
**I will not hurt you.** Rohana broadcast, the claws just barely visible to her and Egon shifting and attempting to hide further back.
The Zergling's movements caused the leaves to move, all eyes turning to rest on Rohana. Vorazun and Artanis both readied their blades, Egon moving back slowly to get out of the way. Before anything further occurred, Karax jumped slightly, Zagara, Valerian and Artanis noticing this, watching as Karax looked to his right forearm, where he kept a direct control unit in the form of a gauntlet of sorts linking him to the Spear of Adun even when away from it.
**Hierarch, the Spear just picked up another Ark ship dropping out of warp near it, however it seems to have cloaked somehow, as I cannot locate it on scanners.** Karax announced, bewildered, Zagara growling and stepping back from the group.
**I will do nothing further, lest I become target to some unknown. Should you require my assistance with WILD Zerg, I will remain on the dropship.** Zagara then stomped her way back to the Terran Medivac, plopped herself down, and shut out the rest. Valerian scrubbed a hand over his face, much as he had done earlier that day.