Chapter Ten: A Journey of Revenge
A line of nukes descended from the air like lightning and struck the surface of Char. A great, blinding light shone through Serena's visor. Even shielded from the rays, she had to close her eyes as the sound of the explosion resounded far and wide. The mushroom clouds rose skyward, even as Battlecruisers descended through them.
Waves of plasma fell on the enemy as the UED landed troops on the enemy hives. The protoss, meanwhile, marshaled their forces. Above her, she saw the Hyperion watching over the defenses. Even as it did, dropships landed from the Dominion on her command. In unison, they stormed enemy fortifications, heedless of casualties.
The sheer onslaught of it had shattered the zerg defenses. And though the zerg were massing, there seemed taken aback by the fury of the attack. It was time that Artanis and Raynor were using to engage them on their own terms. Communications from the battle above indicated Kaloth was barely holding out.
"Cower zerg and despair!" roared a voice over the com. "The Hand of Humanity is upon you?!"
The statement was punctuated by a dozen battlecruisers unleashing volleys of Yamato cannons. All into the zerg air defenses. Mere moments later, siege tanks were landed on cliffs to fire down on them. Medics and marines guarded them as their payloads annihilated more. A battle cruiser was shot down and exploded, killing thousands of crewmen, and no one cared.
"Well... Mark seems to be enthusiastic about this," said Serena.
"Well, he is the ideological zealot," noted Raynor. "You'd have to be to take the Dominion HQ on Korhal. This infestation is dust. Let's move on to the next one."
And then another presence appeared one that had been there for a long time, just beyond notice. Now it was stronger, and Serena felt her in their minds. "Do you really think you can win? Mengsk is sending you on a suicide mission. The moment you've completed your mission, he'll abandon you as he did me."
"Quit your bitching!" replied Raynor. "You don't get to whine about Mengsk abandoning you when your hands are bathed the blood of Fenix and so many others! We've all got our choices to make! And you're going to pay for yours!"
"Pretty good, Jimmy. But you don't have what it takes to be a killer," replied Kerrigan.
"We're all killers. But you're a monster," said Raynor.
"I am what the sector made me," replied Kerrigan.0
"You made yourself, bitch. And I'm going to unmake you!" said Raynor.
"Well, you'll have to do it without your friends in the United Earth Directorate," said Kerrigan. "Some reinforcements just arrived from my broods on Tarsonis."
But, for once, things did not go as Kerrigan expected. One of the great things about being on the same side as Captain Mark of the UED was that he was a tactical empath. His entire specialty was in arranging coordination. Soldiers under his command often saw things their eyes could not. Or they had a sudden urge they were needed elsewhere. They'd hurry and find a base under attack that had lost communications.
Of course, Serena and Raynor were still commanding. But it was like all of them had become part of a greater instrument. They were individuals, but one. A similar theory to the Khala of the Protoss, or so Artanis expressed. Mark rebuffed him and insisted they were completely different, however.
The incoming swarms of zerg met a withering barrage from missile turrets. Serena dispatched many wraiths to aid them. Enemy overlords were caught in midair and destroyed. Meanwhile, the flyers were repulsed by the protoss. Then everyone started looking for more zerg to kill.
What followed was a miserable, brutal few weeks. All punctuated by endless victories and gradual cost. No one pulled any punches, throwing everything they had at Kerrigan. Their attacks lacked a core objective or strategy. Wiping out the infested terrans, who had been detected to the south. They ultimately became a secondary consideration.
Blood was on the mind of everyone here; Raynor had merely spoken for them.
They fanned out, obliterating hive clusters wherever they found them. Kaloth succeeded in stalemating them, but he was kept contained. And the alliance used that time to pursue their revenge.
Yes, this was pure revenge.
Nuclear strikes were unloaded without regard to ecology or safety onto the surface. Reports came in that Arcturus was launching nukes in any areas where the zerg had power. Some were intercepted and destroyed, but mushroom clouds became a common sight. Dust storms raged across the surface of the world, and sometimes the armies would be forced to stop.
Overwhelmed by endless swaths of ash and fire, they had no choice but to seek cover.
Yet even this brief despite did not last long. Captain Mark of the UED thirsted for blood, and he quickly had tunnels dug from his base. Entering into the Nydus Canals, he caught the zerg planning the same maneuver. Soon, the war went underground.
Explosives were set, and tunnels cast down, burying millions of zerg at a time. Often Mark would have men set the charges off as suicide bombers instead of evacuating. Why risk the mission for the sake of the men? Especially when they did so willingly.
The UED fought like madmen when Serena observed them.
They'd throw themselves without fear or hesitating into certain death. It was like the people on Mar Sara had years ago. Mark often led these forays, and his soldiers moved like a single entity.
Soon the ash clouds became too clear.
When they dawned, Serena looked upon a broken and blood-soaked hellscape. And yet, it hardly seemed to have changed from when the ashes first fell on them. What good was it to ruin that which was ruined beyond repair?
Whatever the case, the blood continued to spill.
Kerrigan now seemed less confident. Often Serena thought she sensed her will turning upon them. Viciously striking to try and keep them back. But she failed every time, for the protoss and the UED and the Dominion were powered by sheer hatred. And so long as she drew breath, so long as any of her works survived, there would be no peace.
The area had been secured, and yet they continued to go farther afield. Dominion vessels were brought up to aid in the siege of Kaloth, who had begun to push back. Even more hive clusters were eradicated, burned to a cinder. Kerrigan seemed to grow in confidence, even as she lost more and more zerg.
Of course.
Kerrigan couldn't control all the zerg anyway. Those they killed here could be replaced by more feral broods. So she likely thought that the loss of so many great men more than worth the trade. Discussions were had on the subject, but no one was ready to give up yet.
A number of infested terran experiments were found, photographed, and destroyed. Serena and Raynor observed them being burned to a cinder from afar. So many firebats and marines at work. It was what ought to have happened so long ago on Mar Sara.
That was something.
Arcturus Mengsk would never arrest a man for destroying his enemies. Merely leave them to their fate.
But, in the end, the inevitable began to happen. The alliance has, won, and won, and won, began to show cracks. The nukes ran out, and the protoss carriers exhausted much of their power. Ammunition was being spent faster than it could be manufactured. In some places, they were facing shortages, and infantry casualties were piling up.
And Kaloth began his counteroffensive. He had held, and held until he had been able to breed a new army. And he attacked with strategic and tactical power.
"Raynor, my forces are being overrun," said Artanis. "You'll have to finish the assault on your own."
"Right," said Raynor. "We're nearly done here anyway. We'll watch your back."
"Fight on, brave warrior. Avenge those we have lost!"
And he departed.
Listening to the conversations, Serena heard Kerrigan's conversation with Artanis.
"Savor this victory, Kerrigan!" said Artanis. "For the Protoss will never forget your treachery. We shall be watching you."
A vow of revenge, made after a mission of revenge and a very successful one. Serena observed as the protoss departed Char. And they had come off the better. Their wrath unleashed had scoured many thousands of miles of zerg. Yes, there were many more, but those brought in to replace them would be contained on Char.
And great deeds of valor were no less great, even if there was no one left to remember them.
But the UED scorned them, and you could sense their mockery.
"Flee back to your holes, protoss!" said Mark. "And cower in them, waiting for the swarm to reach you! The men of the UED will not turn our backs to these demons!"
"Adun be with you," said Artanis, and his voice was sad.
So it was that the UED parted with their allies in bitterness, but it did nothing to halt their attacks. A madness was on the UED now, and they attacked even more aggressively. Soon their strikes were calculated. And Serena that, to them, the end of days was on them.
The UED was a shattered fragment of itself, the Dominion a broken and tyrannical ruin. Kerrigan was, to them, a terrible dark lord, unassailable in might. And facing such inevitable odds, they had chosen to confront her anyway. And in the face of their reckless hate, the zerg were beaten back again and again.
For their part, Serena and Raynor focused on finishing the mission. They had come to destroy the infested, to put them out of their misery. And both of them meant to do so before the end. Though by now, it certainly seemed as though it would be a terrible end indeed. Even if successful, they might simply be used to replace those they saved.
So it was that Serena began to focus on creating a stronghold. A place on which they could base their remaining forces to make a stand. Either to evacuate or to make the zerg pay in blood.
"I hope you weren't counting on your protoss friends to bail you out, as usual, Commander," said Kerrigan to them. "Tassadar is dead, and your friend Artanis will soon be joining him."
But Raynor made no response to her this time, and Serena saw no reason to either. Instead, she chose to focus on saving what she could. So it was that she got in contact with Mark. "Captain Mark."
"Yes, what is it, Calabas?" asked Mark, who was the very image of an angelic paladin. His long blonde hair and chiseled features worked better with battle armor than his uniform. "Our assaults continues."
"That may be so," said Serena. "But Raynor and I have reason to believe that we will be forced onto the defensive. I have located an island chain that we could hold on to for a long period of time."
"Would you seek evacuation from a serpent-like Mengsk?" asked Mark. "He is not one to repay favors."
"Maybe not," said Serena. "But we'll do more harm to the zerg bleeding them white than being cut off and destroyed. You should draw your forces back."
"Perhaps," said Mark. "It may be that such an action might delay the end by some. Perhaps long enough for some new strength to be mustered that is not altogether evil. And I have heard that Kaloth has been gaining ground with our warriors."
And so, the offensive was called off before it could end in disaster. The Dominion and UED forces left behind vast stretches of wasteland. Nothing lived there now, save shattered husks of creep structures. And the zerg were slow to retake their territory. But the rage which had driven the warriors was beginning to fade, leaving only despair.
Not that it stopped any of them.
Everyone knew that even one slip-up could doom them all. So all of them were motivated to keep working at it. To make the zerg's life more difficult, if not to save their own. And they finally succeeded in destroying the infested. Several different places were uprooted and obliterated, and Nova had destroyed others.
Then, the inevitable happened; "This is Admiral Dugalle of the United Earth Directorate. Our position on Char has become untenable, and we are withdrawing back to orbit. The assault will have to continue without us."
Serena saw it now.
And she was able to see Dugalle's negotiations with Kerrigan as well;
Dugalle opened a channel, looking now simply as a broken old man. "Kerrigan, I am prepared to offer terms of surrender. It is my wish that you allow my men to live-"
"You're not in a position to offer me anything, Admiral," said Kerrigan with a smile. "And I don't take prisoners. I'll tell you what... Turn your remaining ships around and start heading back towards the Earth. I'll even let you have a head start before I send the Swarms after you. It'll be interesting sport to see how far you get before you die."
Did Kerrigan think she was cool?
Did she think it was a mark of power or virtue to harry a broken army to annihilation? Or to torment an old man past his prime? It would seem she did.
Kerrigan was even more childish than Serena thought.
"Poor bastards," said Raynor as he opened a communication.
"Admiral Dugalle," said Mark. "Depart without us. My men and I will find alternative transport. We will have more success in two groups."
"I understand," said Dugalle. "God be with you, Captain. Dugalle out."
The last few infestations were destroyed, and then began transportation. Many more Dominion battlecruisers were being called up to fight Kaloth. And by all accounts, the battle was going poorly. It seemed now inevitable they'd be overrun. Mengsk was already making plans for an evacuation.
"...Mengsk is going to leave us to die, isn't he?" asked Raynor, knowing the answer.
"It is part of his pattern," said Mark.
The last of their troops were being moved over to islands. Mark paced with increasing restlessness. His gaze kept turning far afield to someplace Serena could not see. He'd been convinced he'd found Kerrigan's lair. The place where she had resided.
If Artanis had not abandoned them...
If he had just stayed in the fight, victory would have been theirs. Or so Serena guessed Mark was thinking. But not the moment was lost, and the enemy was triumphant, and the sector would collapse. Good men would become the slaves to Arcturus Mengsk or the victims of the swarm. And those who believed in honor or nobility would be scoffed at and disregarded as tools.
Perhaps he was right, after a fashion.
William Mark existed in a kind of fantasy world, where the UED was the righteous defender of man. They had come to overthrow an evil usurper and establish order and prosperity. All of the wicked aliens who stood against them had to be destroyed. When the people of the sector had sided with Arcturus, it hadn't made sense.
Mengsk was the bad guy. So were the zerg.
The UED were taking out bad guys, so why would you side against them?
Better the evil you know.
Although that idea had been completely discredited.
"Raynor here. We've wasted the infestation," said Raynor. "But we'll need evac pretty soon. We've got a lot of valuable troops down here."
Silence.
Everyone had known it was coming. But Serena felt disappointed in Mengsk despite herself. He could have been a great hero if he'd chosen differently. "Mengsk, do you read?"
Raynor sighed. "What the hell is going on?"
"You know what's going on," said Serena. "Mengsk has abandoned the people he doesn't trust. As usual."
"...You know, I was really hoping he'd turn over a new leaf," said Raynor.
"Mengsk is a serpent," said Mark. "You are a fool to put any hope in him acting any other way. But you rescued him from the justice of the UED and scorned the blood of those on Tarsonis. And for what?
"To rest in the arms of this monstrosity?"
"Get off your high horse," said Raynor. "If the UED had taken over this place, Dugalle would be doing exactly the same thing. At least Mengsk knows how to negotiate with people."
"Yes, our present situation is a vast improvement," said Mark. "Mengsk will rebuild his shattered Dominion. And Kerrigan will wipe it out. The zerg will rape and burn their way across the sector. Until everything that has ever been good or virtuous here has been extinguished.
"All for a monument to Kerrigan's narcissism."
"We're not living in a time of myth, Mark," said Serena. "And not everything is decided." Then she found the transmission.
"Congratulations, Kerrigan. You've beaten me again," said Mengsk, in far too good a mood for any man who had lost so many men. "Just remember that I'll be out there... waiting for you to slip up. Because sooner or later, you'll make a mistake. And when you do..."
The transmission cut out.
Mark bristled, handshaking in silent fury. Serena sensed rage within him, rage not just from him but from those who followed him. He was drawing it all into himself.
And as he did so, Kerrigan's voice resounded, and with it came visions of carnage. "Once again, I stand atop the broken bodies of my enemies, victorious but not unscarred.
The Earth-borne Directorate has been destroyed. And the Overmind lies dead and trampled beneath the ashes of Char.
"As for my unlikely allies, I think that I shall allow them to reprieve. For in time, I will seek to test their resolve and their strengths. They will all be mine in the end. For I am the Queen of Blades. None shall ever dispute my rule again!"
The rage boiling within Mark now turned icy cold. And he turned to Serena and then opened a channel. "Attention defenders of the United Earth Directorate. We have been cut off from the main fleet, and our mission seems to have failed.
"Now lacking transportation for most of our forces, we will be merging our forces with the Mar Sarans." He looked to Rayor. "The zerg are mustering now. They will strike soon."
Now things were going to get bloody.
