Valerian, managing to get his exo-suit back on swiftly and returned to the bridge just before part of the support ceiling collapsed, strained only a little to lift a beam to free Matthew and Egon.
"Thanks sir, we owe you one." Matthew coughed, straightening up and carefully checking himself over, hissing at pain blossoming from his right arm, unable to flex his hand. Egon quickly absconded for a moment before returning with a medkit, administering a painkiller to at least assist Matthew. Matthew nodded a thanks to him as the pain numbed, they would have to address it later.
"That was a bit too close for my liking…" Valerian lowered the beam back down, then turned back to the battle readouts and viewports. He would have to thank the Protoss a great deal, the two very similar yet notably different Ark ships showing them that there had been plenty Karax had been previously unable to utilise, protecting the Hyperion and their watchdog Space Station as well as Mira's Frigate. More of Mira's Mercenary army and some of the Dominion fleet had begun to arrive, Zagara bringing two more Broodqueens with their Leviathans and accompanying swarm of flyers adding to the fray.
In response, however, void rifts began to open and hundreds more opposing capital ships appeared, including another group of Thrashers. As though Amon expected the retalliation to come, he had held back another even larger force, which filled the spaces previously cleared, bearing down on the Ulnar Station, Dominion and Zerg forces backing away hesitantly, not wishing to give ground in such a dire situation.
Sudden Light, blinding and, while quite harsh even compared to the singularity that hid Ulnar, seemed to warm those viewing it, emanating from where Samateus had last been spotted. Matthew, despite having only his left hand at the moment, quickly adjusted the screens and zoomed in on Samateus.
Karax, distracted by the increase in light from the singularity, did not realise until he noted it almost seem to caress his skin, that it was coming from Samateus, who lowered her barrier just long enough to release a wave of psionic energy and light so powerful, even the Spear shuddered under its force. As the glow subsided slightly, a massive black shape remained where she had been. Unfurling its long limbs, it at first looked like a spider or crustacean, then a simulacrum of a Zerg Queen, with a long upper body, main arms appearing more like the long sickle blades of Zerglings, two more stretching out from the upper back behind a broad face decorated with horns. Seven brilliant turquoise eyes opened, and long strands of energy flowed outward like wings at the base of the upper torso. What was quite difficult to tell from such a distance, was the many pairs of tiny limbs along its chest above its Sternum.
**Goddess Ashtareen, we are unworthy of your Light.** Xerxes broadcast for all to hear, as he moved to float beside her, appearing to bow in reverence. The head swivelled to regard him coldly, then nodded, and briefly met the gaze of others, or so they felt. It was and was not Samateus at the same time, the form of the goddess obscured by swirling patterns on the black carapace exterior, the sheer power of this being only a fraction of its overall.
**Illusions, nothing more.** Alarak snidely scoffed, and promptly crumpled, clutching his head in mute agony for a moment. Artanis saw this and had made move to help, then narrowed his eyes as he realised it to be Ashtareen herself causing pain to the Tal'Darim, as Samateus had repeatedly threatened, but had not acted or harmed him previously. Alarak shuddered lightly, even the battle for his position had not caused him such pain, only having felt such when a child, long ago.
Rohana and Vorazun both balked at the almost flippant use of such power, Karax shaking his head as the pain caused toward the Highlord withdrew, a last warning to Alarak not to challenge beings beyond his comprehension.
**She would only retaliate if given reason. He has repeatedly mocked her today.** Karax explained to the two females and Artanis, without turning to acknowledge what had happened to Alarak, Kul laughing from the Flare nearby.
**Alarak, do mind yourself in her presence, she isn't as forgiving as Sam!**
**Too little too late, prat. I will tear you apart when this is over!** Alarak stabbed at Kul psionically, appearing in a viewing holoscreen before Karax who simply waved at him and went back to directing his ship, a ghostly hologram of a female Protoss at his side. The Highlord growled, glowering at any that dared look at him, Artanis shaking his head sadly at the display.
Before further could be said, an oppressive and powerful Call, a form of both psionic and verbal wordless song intended to bring her followers to her and changed to be a force against her enemies, issued from Ashtareen. Hybrids, other than Xerxes and his little brood, who hid upon the Obsidian Flare while all the battling went on without them, began to writhe in agony, screaming mutely as they were torn apart by the force issued by the Goddess. Zerg thralls, their eyes glowing crimson like their masters, also began writhing in space, several scourge seen exploding and causing massive damage and disarray amongst the enemy forces.
**I believe we should move back.** Kul warned, broadcasting to Valerian, Matthew, Mira and Zagara as well. None were negatively affected by the Call, but they could feel their ships and forces almost vibrating from the force of it, Egon almost collapsing at one point. Valerian caught him, trying to help the young man block out the agony he seemed to be experiencing before it suddenly stopped.
"That was… Loud." Egon muttered, nodding a thanks to Valerian. He seemed to shudder, shaking his head as though to clear it. "Haven't been so… lost like that in a while. She sounds angry, daring Amon to fight her." He explained as Valerian helped him stand again.
**You are able to understand her Call?** Kul asked, surprised. Artanis, Karax and Rohana also expressed their concern, having heard him through the commlink that had been re-established at the moment Ashtareen had been given permission to enter their realm in a physical state.
"More feel it, lots of emotion is going through that. Mostly anger and sorrow." Egon explained haltingly, trying to tune into it again and finding that he had been purposely given respite from her, as she did not want to harm any undeserving of her wrath. He almost gave himself a headache for trying, smiling sheepishly at Rohana who expressed concern more directly than the others. "I'll be okay. I have lots more questions for her now too." He reassured, taking a deep breath before he returned to his station on the bridge of the Hyperion, though mostly just stepping back from the command console as his prior location had been crushed under a support beam.
Ashtareen slowly stopped uttering her Call, instead of using her overpowering will, snaking a long energy wisp from her back and snapping it like a whip through the opposing forces turning on her. Explosions sent shockwaves through the allied ships as all those touched by her had been cleaved by the energy wisp, as it acted more like the bladed limbs on the Zerg Queens. Xerxes remained near her, to direct her rage, and ensure she did not accidentally harm allies.
Ashtareen continued until only a few opponents remained, which were easily dispatched by the Flare and Spear working in tandem, as though the two ships communicated between themselves as the Templar had once been able to within the Khala. She turned, regarding Xerxes calmly as her attention shifted to Ulnar and the Ahr'Aht, who were finally powering up their device, which fired a beam of turquoise energy at the Xel'Nagan construct. The beam held for several moments, the energy dancing across Ulnar's surface as the massive structure began to move.
**Please ensure you get my vessel to safety.** Ashtareen addressed Xerxes, her light sweeping over him as her form began to illuminate brightly, flashed once, and then promptly withdrew, Samateus left floating in her armour, unconscious. Xerxes quickly gathered her up as best he could, worried his talons may injure her despite her armour, the two nearly the same size, before the Obsidian Flare quickly blinked closer so he could bring her to the deck. He gently lay her on her side upon the platform near the bridge, stepping lightly before falling to all fours as he relaxed, energy mainly spent. Xerxes cautiously touched her side with one of his smaller hands, nodding once he was certain she still breathed, likely spent after channelling the immense power of Ashtareen.