Chapter 8 – Doubt and Determination
August 15th 2502, 19:00
Jim Raynor's Quarters, Hyperion
Shakuras
Jim Raynor sighed as he downed a glass of whiskey at his quarters in the Hyperion. Lost in thoughts, he didn't hear the knocking on the door.
"Commander?" Rowena called. "Are you all right?"
Snapping out of his trance, he stood up and walked to the door.
"Just... thinking... What's the matter?"
"Artanis called. He needs you at the citadel."
"Tell him I'll be right over."
"You could probably use a change of clothes." she remarked. "You've been wearing the same outfit for two weeks."
"I guess I have..." he replied absentmindedly. "I suppose I've been neglecting myself a bit lately."
"You're still thinking about her, aren't you?"
Raynor sighed and lowered his gaze.
"How could someone change so much?" he muttered. "I know she was infested, but..."
"You think you know someone, and yet they surprise you." Rowena said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "There was no way you could have predicted it. And you were powerless to prevent it."
"The sweet girl I knew is gone. There's nothing more than a monster in her place. Someday, I will fulfill my promise. I will kill her. But I can't stop thinking about what could have been."
"And after that? What will you do?"
"I don't know... I wanted to overthrow that bastard Mengsk, make him pay for his crimes... but there's only so much we can do with our limited resources. I'm not so sure we can make it anymore... And even if we do, then what?"
"Then we start over. Build a better future. You've proved that we can get along with the Protoss. We don't need to be in a constant war against everyone else. The Alliance is small, true, but growing strong. The Zerg will be dealt with in time, and though we can't bring all those dead back, we can honor their memory by making those ravaged worlds whole again."
"And then maybe... just maybe... I'll be able to sleep at night, without being haunted by my failure." Raynor muttered.
"The failure was not yours. You can't blame yourself for everything. You took decisive action when it was required and saved lives."
Raynor sighed.
"I guess there's no point in dwelling on the past, is there? Not when there's so much work ahead of us."
"That's more like it." Rowena said with a smile. "Matt and I were getting worried about you. Come, let's make history."
"You're right about me needing a change of clothes though." Raynor said, smelling himself. "And a bath. You go on ahead. I'll just freshen up a bit."
Twenty minutes later, Raynor found himself at the Council Chamber, where he was greeted by Artanis and Raziel. Raynor couldn't help noticing how the shadows wrapped themselves around the wraith, giving him an ethereal look.
"Hey guys." he said. "How's it going Raziel? You look different."
"I find the shadows... comforting." the wraith replied.
"So, what's going on around here?" Raynor asked. "I just came back from Umoja and haven't had the time to catch up on the local news."
"You know of the Zerg incursions we have repelled with Raziel's assistance?" Artanis asked.
"I heard about them. Just as I thought, he's blending in just nicely."
"His ability to tap into the Zerg's hive mind has proved invaluable as well. But you are probably wondering why I called you here."
"I get the feeling it's not good news, but go ahead and drop the bomb."
"With the recent escalade in Zerg attacks, the Council is convinced that we should strike at Char."
"After what happened last time? If three fleets didn't get the job done, what makes you think one will be enough?"
"This time, we have a different plan. We intend to use three smaller Strike Fleets in a diversionary maneuver while a small force infiltrates the surface."
"So you're going for an assassination?" Raynor asked in surprise.
"The Council has been pressuring me to take action after the Zerg incursions of the last few months."
"Hierarch, what are you doing?" Selendis interrupted, stepping into the chamber. "This is a Protoss matter. Why are you getting him involved?"
"Selendis, you know how much Jim Raynor has done for our people." Artanis retorted. "And this matter has a personal meaning to him."
"I want the bitch dead as much as any of you, especially after what she did to Fenix." Raynor said. "But I swore I'd be the one to do it."
"The Council would not approve of your presence, unfortunately." Artanis stated wearily. "To put it simply, the Hierarchy is becoming increasingly fragmented. Without the Conclave's influence, and with the loss of Aiur, the Protoss are reverting to tribalism."
"What if I just happened to be in the neighborhood?" Raynor asked with an odd gleam in his eyes.
"I could not guarantee your safety. I understand your oath of vengeance but do you really want to throw your life away to kill her?"
"Besides, there is something amiss about the whole thing." Selendis said. "The Hierarchy's plans sound too simple, too straightforward. Too optimistic. And who can tell what will happen to the Zerg once Kerrigan is dead? They might go on a rampage across the sector. But Judicator Telorus has whipped the Council into a frenzy. They want blood."
"So what are we going to do?" Raynor asked.
"We are going to play along for now." Selendis said. "You are going to head somewhere safe and out of the way. And this conversation never took place."
"I will destroy the wretch, do not worry." Raziel said with a gleam in his eyes. "I shall be your hand, your instrument of retribution."
"I guess it's out of my hands..." Raynor said with a sigh. "You go get her, buddy. Nail the bitch hard."
Little did they know that a shrouded figure was watching the whole exchange from the shadows, somehow undetected even by Raziel.
August 15th 2502, 19:10
Starport Lounge
Augustgrad, Korhal IV
Kain did not particularly appreciate having to answer to politicians. His empire had never had a place for them, and with good reason, he thought. He wondered how Mengsk managed to keep such a vast dominion under control when he had to juggle the susceptibilities of billions of humans and keep thousands of underlings in line.
His thoughts were interrupted as an aide entered the lounge and handed him a plated briefcase with an electronic lock. Kain absently placed a hand on the touchpad and nodded as the DNA recognition system activated and undid the lock. Inside the briefcase was a bundle of papers, containing a set of maps of the Tarsonis system and the surrounding space, along with a simple missive.
"For this mission you will also have the assistance of the Alpha and Nova squadrons on the field." It read. "Secure ATLAS. All other considerations are secondary."
Kain rubbed his chin and pondered. It would seem that Mengsk cared little about casualties.
"I hope this will all be worth it." He thought. "I am growing tired of playing games with these humans."
Kain made his way out of the building and towards the boarding room, where the helmsman awaited. His mind was already working furiously to process all the information he had just been given, and to formulate a proper combat strategy. Though the Zerg were weaklings compared to him, he knew he would have to be smart if he was going to take on an entire planet of them.
August 15th 2502, 20:00
Council Chambers
New Talematros, Shakuras
"We have evidence that the Dominion is preparing a major offensive against Char." Telorus said to the council. "Though we have little reason to care if they throw themselves at the Zerg, their clumsy attack could provide an opportunity for a decisive strike."
"Do not underestimate the humans." Artanis said. "They are resourceful and may yet surprise us. But I agree with your assessment. Our prototypes have exceeded all expectations and the Immortals are eager to do battle once again. The detachments we dispatched to retreive the Motherships and the Colossi report that they should be able to bring the first devices to Shakuras within two weeks."
"If I may." Selendis said. "I would suggest tearing through the defenses at the Omega platform with a heavy bombardment, followed by a rush of mechanized units. At the same time, Raziel will lead a cadre of Dark Templar and hunt Kerrigan down. Once she has been dealt with, the Zerg will fall into disarray and we can pull back and sterilize Char."
"A sound plan, Executor." Telorus said.
"Make it so." Artanis added. "We shall finish what Tassadar started."
"You can count on me." Raziel said. "I am most eager to test myself against the harlot. I hope she will provide suitable exercise. In the meantime, have there been any sightings of Kain?"
"Not to our knowledge." Artanis said. "But there is a rumor that may be worth looking into."
"A rumor?" Raziel asked.
"It would seem that Mengsk has a powerful new agent." Selendis said. "The rank and file have not seen anything, but it is said that their senate has been holding some secret meetings. We will look into this matter."
"I shall continue my training then." Raziel said. "Not to brag, but I am becoming adept at disrupting biological organisms. It should be useful if I am ever grossly outnumbered."
"Good luck with your training." Artanis said. Raziel saluted and stepped out of the chamber.
August 15th 2502, 23:00
Battlecruiser Bloody Fang
High Orbit Over Tarsonis
Kain stood in the bridge, gazing out into the planet below. At the edge of his perception he could feel the Zerg and their primal, raw emanations. The ferocity of such creatures had surprised him, but their mindlessness disgusted him to no end. Having been a pawn his entire existence, he deeply resented anyone who would make puppets out of living beings. Though he had never been very interested in his powers of mental manipulation, he was strong enough to resist any attempts at dominating his will, and once, in an age long past, he had been able to subjugate the minds of lesser humans to perform menial tasks that would clear the way for him through Meridian in his hunt for the Sarafan Lord.
The vampire's thoughts were interrupted as the ship arrived at its intended destination and the crew hastened to prepare for deployment. From the bridge he could see the preparations through several screens, and he was rather impressed by the crew's organization and coordination. Had he possessed a fraction of the communication technology that now surrounded him, his war would have been over in less than a century.
Meanwhile, in the ship's hangars, Exaccus grinned maniacally, rubbing his hands in eager anticipation...
