Chapter 7
The mood in the UED command room was solemn. Mengsk had managed to escape from their grasp, and he would prove to be a threat to their plans. What was more worrying, the protoss seemed to be supporting him as they helped him escape to an unknown location that they were still tracking.
Finally, the adjutant reported that they had found the location of Mengsk and Raynor. "Captain, we have tracked the fugitives Mengsk and Raynor to the devastated Protoss homeworld of Aiur. Apparently, these two have taken shelter within a fortified Protoss encampment that lies at the base of a fully functional warp gate."
"I don't understand this", DuGalle muttered. "Why would the Protoss harbor these men?"
"I have no idea, Gerard", Stukov replied. "But the Protoss aren't our only problem. Our sensors have identified multiple Zerg broods surrounding the Protoss base. Presently, the broods seem to be passive, but there's no telling what might set them off. Should the broods attack, we'd be hard pressed to hold them at bay."
"I see. It is a risk we'll need to take. Mengsk represents a considerable threat to our agenda and must be eliminated." DuGalle turned to Flash. "Captain, you will focus your attack against the rebel command center in the middle of the Protoss encampment. That must be where Mengsk and Raynor are hiding. We will deploy our own Valkyrie frigates and tighten up our air defenses. Vice Admiral Stukov and Lieutenant Duran will provide cover for your forces, and insure that no external threats interfere with your mission."
"Yes Sir", Flash replied. "Mengsk and Raynor will be captured."
A large strike force was deployed in order to defeat the Protoss and catch Mengsk and Raynor. The landing area was filled with mutalisks, so the Valkyrie frigates were sent in. The missiles of the Valkyries were highly effective against the mutalisks, and the large flock was reduced to nothing. Once the mutalisk were cleared out, the ground forces could move in and a base was quickly set up.
The force sent to secure the area brought some special assets, the nuclear missiles captured after the fall of Korhal. These nukes would serve as a backup for emergencies.
Soon after they had landed, an energy signature from the Protoss encampment was detected.
"Captain, the warp gate at the center of the Protoss encampment has been activated!", Stukov said. "Our sensors show that the gate's energies are inciting the Zerg to attack. Be prepared for anything, Captain."
In order to defend against attacks from the zerg and protoss, several bunkers and missile turrets were constructed. With the aid of the tanks, they should be able to hold off any attacks. Both the zerg and the protoss proved to be irritating, but their attacks were easily handled.
Finally, a large force was amassed consisting of many siege tanks and goliaths, backed up with battlecruisers. The first target was the warp gate, it had to be secured to prevent an escape from Mengsk and Raynor.
The warp gate was heavily guarded, having numerous photon cannons surrounding it. It was also protected by the mightiest of the protoss forces, carriers and archons. The tanks began bombarding the edge of the base, which sparked a massive protoss response. Hordes of zealots, dragoons, and archons charged toward their lines. In addition, the carriers were also bearing down on them.
The goliaths were able to focus their missiles on the carriers, taking them down before they could deal too much damage. The zealots and dragoons died in droves, but the archons were powerful and would not fall very easily. The archons were able to brave the tank fire and assault their forces, blasting apart infantry forces and destroying tanks. It was only the timely intervention of the science vessels with their EMP blasts that stopped the archons.
After the warp gate was secured, the UED forces dug in defensive positions in order to hold the area. Their control of the warp gate was heavily contested, and they faced attacks from both the protoss seeking to reclaim their warp gate as well as the zerg attracted by the warp gate's energies.
Since time was of the essence, Flash ordered a speedy attack on Raynor's command center. The battlecruisers moved in, destroying the minimal opposition in the way and ignoring the protoss structures. With most of the protoss forces distracted by the attack on the warp gate, the battlecruisers were able to punch through the defenses and assault Raynor's command center.
Raynor's situation was untenable and he was forced to flee as his command center fell into ruins.
Stukov called to offer his congratulations. "Good work, Captain. The Command center is destroyed, but it looks like Mengsk and Raynor will try to escape through the warp gate. Make ready to move in and intercept their vessel before…"
A sudden development seemed to give Stukov pause. "Wait, I've just picked up multiple Zerg signals coming in from the northeast. That's Duran's position, but he seems to have moved his forces out of place! Lieutenant Duran, this is Stukov! Come in! I'm tracking a massive Zerg swarm in your quadrant! Respond, damnit!"
"That is strange, Vice Admiral", Duran said. "My scanners don't show any Zerg at all. Maybe you have a technical problem with your equipment?"
Stukov was infuriated. "Lieutenant, if these Zerg get through, we'll never be able to capture Mengsk! I'm giving you a direct order to return to your position and reinforce my troops!"
Duran's signal seemed to become patchy and filled with static."Oh, I'm sorry sir, but it seems your signal's... fading out. I couldn't... make out that last part. I'll try to... reestablish contact later."
"Duran!" Stukov was apoplectic with rage at Duran's treachery. "Captain, your position will be overrun by superior Zerg numbers within fifteen minutes. I suggest you retreat back to the fleet immediately. Inform Admiral DuGalle that I have a personal matter to take care of…"
"Not if I have anything to say about it", Flash responded.
"Agent, are you in position?", Flash asked. He had sent a ghost to the northeast where Duran's forces were positioned.
"Yes sir", the ghost replied. "The area if deserted, no sign of Duran's forces. There is a large army of zerg approaching though."
"Fire the nuclear missile", Flash ordered. "I want those zerg fried!"
"Captain, what is going on?", Stukov asked.
"I am taking care of the zerg, Alexei", Flash replied. "Mengsk must not be allowed to escape."
The UED forces guarding the warp gate were facing increasingly desperate attacks from the protoss forces trying to reclaim the warp gate. Though the protoss attacks caused great damage, the UED defenders were able to hold after gathering all of their might at the warp gate.
Finally, Raynor's dropship came into view as it tried to make a beeline toward the warp gate. Several carriers were also present, hoping to force their way through.
"Goliaths! Shoot down that dropship", Flash ordered. "Ignore the carriers."
The UED forces focused their firepower on Raynor's dropship while enduring the protoss attacks. Very quickly, Raynor's dropship exploded. Mengsk and Raynor were dead.
"All forces, pull back", Flash commanded. "Our mission is complete."
The UED forces, savaged by the attacks from the carriers and archons, quickly retreated and returned to the fleet. The protoss didn't pursue any further after they secured the warp gate, especially since the zerg were now attacking in full force.
As their forces regrouped, Stukov came to speak with Flash. "Good work Captain. I had thought we would be done for after Duran abandoned us. Your ploy was nothing short of genius!"
"Thank you, Vice Admiral", Flash replied. "A good commander must always have contingency measures."
"Of course", Stukov replied. "Now, we have to deal with Duran."
"Yes, he is clearly a traitor", Flash said. "Vice Admiral, you have the authority to order his arrest. Take away his command and send a team to apprehend him."
"Very well. I shall do that now", Stukov replied. "Also, there is something that I wish to talk to you about."
"Oh, what is it", Flash asked.
"Duran has been working against us for a long time", Stukov said. "Remember back on Tarsonis, when Duran advised us to destroy the Psi Disruptor? I suspect he was working for the zerg even then. I remember that during our discussion, you opposed the destruction of the Psi Disruptor as well."
"And you are going to tell me that the Psi Disruptor has not been destroyed after all, aren't you Vice Admiral?", Flash said with a smile.
Stukov was shocked. "How did you know?"
For a moment, Flash thought about claiming that he had knowledge of everything that was going to happen. But that would make him sound crazy. And there wasn't even any need at this point. He was already deeply involved with the decision making and could easily push things in the right direction.
"It seems reasonable", Flash said. "After all, your operatives were responsible for the supposed demolition, and you bringing up the Psi Disruptor now suggests that there was something more to the story."
"Very astute, Captain", Stukov replied. "It seems I underestimated you. Now, I have the Psi Disruptor and I was planning on activating it to give us an edge against the zerg."
"That is a good idea, Stukov", Flash said. "Just make sure you put the Psi Disruptor on Korhal, instead of some backwater like Braxis. We need it to be in a well defended location. It is a critical asset."
"I will keep that in mind, Captain", Stukov said. "Now, the team I sent to apprehend Duran should be there soon. Once we catch him we can have him executed."
Suddenly, a massive blast of energy was seen in the distance. It was in the direction where Duran had returned with his forces.
"What is going on", yelled Stukov. The camp had quickly descended into chaos.
"Sir, there appears to be an unknown creature attacking us", a soldier reported. "It doesn't seem to be a protoss, but it is making extensive use of psionic abilities. It is ripping through our men!"
"DAMN YOU STUKOV!" Duran's voice echoed through the area. "I WAS SO CLOSE TO ACCOMPLISHING MY MASTER'S WILL. AND YOU HAD TO RUIN IT."
"Duran…", Stukov muttered. "How can this be? What has he turned into."
Meanwhile, Flash spoke into his communicator. "Were the packages placed as I instructed?"
"Yes Sir", the ghost replied. "Several nuclear bombs were buried at the location where Duran arrived."
"Very good. Detonate them", Flash ordered.
Suddenly, several mushroom clouds filled the sky as the area next to the base exploded. Duran's form was vaporized by the explosion, along with scores of men that were around him.
"What!", Stukov was in shock. "Was this your doing, Captain."
"Duran needed extraordinary measures to put down", Flash replied. "The loss was unavoidable."
Stukov continued to look at Flash with a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Come now", Flash said. "We have to go report back to DuGalle. There is a lot of explaining we have to do."