Chapter 6

After destroying the physics labs, it was time to make the final strike toward Augustgrad. Flash was called to the final tactical meeting before the attack begins.

After he arrived, DuGalle spoke to him. "Ah, Captain, we've been expecting you. As you may have guessed, we are coordinating our final attack plans. You should know, that even though Mengsk cannot reinforce his numbers, his standing forces are substantial. Augustgrad is easily the most heavily fortified city in all of Dominion space. And remember that Mengsk is an accomplished tactician so you had best be wary of any counter attacks he may attempt."

"Also, despite the fact that we have crippled his fleet of battlecruisers, we suspect that Mengsk will unload his nuclear silos whenever the opportunity presents itself", Stukov added. "Keep security tight at all of your bases, and watch out for enemy Ghosts."

"That should cover it, Captain", DuGalle said. "Be careful and good luck. By the day's end, the Terran Dominion will be nothing more than a bad memory."

Immediately following the meeting, Flash took command of the base near Augustgrad. Not long after, he received notifications that nuclear launches were detected on the outlying outposts. After discovering they had no science vessels at the base, he ground his teeth in frustration. There was no choice but to abandon the area while the nuclear missiles were being launched.

He had just finished lifting off whatever buildings he could and moving them away when he received a message.

"Reinforcements are in transit", the officer leading the new arrivals said. "They should be arriving right now."

Hearing this, along with the nuclear launch warnings that were blaring, Flash yelled at the officer leading the force. "Don't send your men in! Are you an idiot? Nukes are about to hit the area. Can't you see that we have evacuated."

The reinforcement fleet promptly stopped and turned around. Not long after, mushroom clouds filled the sky as nuclear missiles hit the area they were about to land in.

"Alright, now we can go back", Flash said. "Have our forces guard the base. It is a good thing we didn't send all of them into an imminent nuclear blast. That would have been a terrible idea."

Although they saved some of their buildings, they had lost a majority of the base, including the supply depots. The SCVs quickly began rebuilding. The first priority was getting some missile turrets on the outskirts of the base to spot for ghosts. This wouldn't be a perfect solution but the combination of missile turrets and scanner sweeps would have to do until science vessels were made.

They were attacked several times by the Dominion, but they were able to defeat the attacks with the forces they had available. Finally, some science vessels were acquired. The science vessels would patrol around the base and spot for any incoming ghosts.

Now that the army had science vessels, they were able to being pushing into the city. Their first major obstacle was a bridge which was defended on the other side by bunkers and siege tanks. In order to break open the position, battlecruisers were sent forward to yamato blast the siege tanks. Then, their own siege tanks were able to move in and destroy the bunkers. Ghosts occasionally tried to attack them, but the accompanying science vessels were able to spot them, allowing for the rest of their forces to take care of them.

As they moved deeper into the city, ghosts began coming from all sides. The biggest threat weren't the nuclear missiles, rather it was lockdown. The ghosts were able to lock down critical units such as siege tanks, battlecruisers, and especially science vessels. In one instance, they had managed to lock down all of the science vessels, and the medics had to scramble to restore them before the nukes were dropped.

The narrow quarters of the city made it difficult for large groups of units to pass. They were forced to use siege tanks to break their way through each layer of defense. Fortunately, they were supported by battlecruisers which had obtained total air superiority in the absence of enemy battlecruisers. The attack, spearheaded by the UED battlecruiser fleet, broke through to Mengsk's palace.

As their forces converged on Mengsk's palace, Mengsk fled, taking a dropship to the battlecruiser Norad III, which began to leave. As the UED fleet surrounded the Norad III, they received a transmission.

"This is Emperor Mengsk of the Terran Dominion. I wish to parlay with your Executive Officer at once!"

"So, the elusive Arcturus Mengsk at last", DuGalle replied. "I was hoping to speak with you before we finished our business here. I am Admiral Gerard DuGalle, and I must commend you, Sir, for holding back our advance for as long as you have. You are indeed a worthy opponent."

"My thanks to you, sir. But you must know that your victory here means little to me. It might have taken me awhile, but I did overthrow the Confederacy. I'll overthrow your rule as well:, Mengsk said with a sneer.

DuGalle smiled. "That seems unlikely, sir, seeing as how you'll be publicly executed along with the rest of your ranking officers."

Mengsk's face held a look of shock. "You wouldn't dare!"

DuGalle laughed. "The man who crowns himself 'Emperor' speaks to me of daring? You have far outlived your reputation, citizen Mengsk. Captain, prepare to take the 'Emperor' into custody."

Then, a third party interrupted. "You'll have to postpone those plans, gentlemen." It was Jim Raynor.

The adjutant reported. "Sir, the rebel command ship, Hyperion, has just entered our sensor range. It is accompanied by a small Protoss fleet"

"What?" DuGalle seemed incensed. "Who are these intruders!"

Mengsk appeared to be shocked as well. "Jim Raynor... What the hell are you doing here?!"

"I'm pullin' your ass out of the fire, Arcturus", Raynor said with clear distaste for the situation. "So shut up and sit tight. Make no mistake about it; we've got us a serious score to settle, but right now a mutual acquaintance of ours wants you alive. Prepare you ships for dimensional recall."

As the protoss fleet began warping them away, DuGalle was filled with anger. "This is intolerable! They're escaping right out from under us! Track them! Track them!", he yelled with desperation.

The Terran Dominion had been defeated, but the victory felt incomplete. Mengsk had escaped, no doubt plotting his return. While this day would no doubt be hailed as a great victory, inside the top officers of the UED knew that things had gone poorly.