Chapter Seven: The Conclave's Resolution

It was the calm before the storm, so to speak. Or at least it felt that way after the zerg packed up and left Antioch. Nobody for a minute believed that the zerg were gone for good. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before they came again. Even in the Dominion things got calm.

That meant that everyone was scurrying trying to make sure that we would be ready for the next attack. In some ways waiting was even worse than the battle itself.

Liberty's Report, volume IV

Antioch was a shell of its former self. The fortress' walls had been burned and broken and torn down until hardly a stone remained on another. Everything that was not inside the Temple had been utterly destroyed. Of those who had fought at Antioch nearly two-thirds of the protoss were dead. Half the terrans had been killed and many vehicles had been destroyed.

What made it worse was that the zerg swarm they had faced had not been much larger than others. The difference had been in Kaloth, not in his broods. And to top it all off his strategies had not even been that novel. He merely conserved his forces and struck at weak points.

He was a decent commander. And that made him nearly unstoppable.

As Serena watched the wounded she felt much worse about their victory. Her little class in philosophy had turned the tide, or so she assumed. But it was clear who had come off the worse.

'So you think that the Overmind can't create a race of infested protoss?' asked Emily.

'Yeah, I guess that sums it up.' said Serena, not nearly as pleased with herself.

'Ma'am there is a problem with your theory.' said Emily.

'What is it?' asked Serena.

'Humans get infested by the zerg all the time. Remember the infested Command Center in Mar Sara?' asked Emily 'Why have there been infested terrans but no infested protoss?'

'Because terrans are tied much more strongly to their bodies than protoss.' said Serena 'We can be brainwashed, cut of from all other connections. Manipulated through chemical imbalances. The Confederacy did it all the time.

'But protoss from what I've read of their biology are spirits inhabiting a shell. They don't have the same connection to it that we do.'

'Permission to speak freely sir.' said Emily.

'Granted.' said Serena.

'I don't like the protoss, Serena.' said Emily 'At all.'

'Why not?' asked Serena.

'Their entire society is based around serving a greater concept than themselves.' said Emily 'I feel like I'm back in Alpha Squadron during the old days. I get the feeling that all these noble doomed moral victors are just that. Doomed.'

'Emily the protoss aren't like the Confederacy at all.' said Serena.

'How do you know that?' asked Emily. 'Their method of first contact was glassing Chau Sara during the evacuation.'

'Do you see the protoss going around shooting their own people for speaking their mind?' asked Serena 'How many protoss ghost assassins have you seen around here?' She sighed. 'Look they aren't perfect. But they are miles ahead of the Confederacy and the Kel'morian Combine. And I certainly like them better than Umojan.'

'Why would you dislike Umojan more than the Confederacy and the Kel'morians?' asked Emily in surprise.

'Because they don't fight their own battles.' said Serena 'If they had joined the Morians in the Guild Wars they would have lasted much longer. With that extra time, the Korhal revolution would have happened during the Guild Wars. The Confederacy wouldn't have had the fleets to blockade them.

'The Confederacy probably would have lost and would have had to reform itself to survive.'

'That's speculation Serena.' said Emily.

'Well, what about our fight with Schezar?' asked Serena 'No sooner does the Dominion get established and Umojan starts supporting our enemies. As a result, we have a massive conflict while the zerg begin another assault.

'How many zerg could the people who died fighting Schezar have killed? How much damage could have been done to the swarm with the resources we wasted crippling each other?

Yeah, the Confederacy and Moria don't have clean hands. But at least they dirty them directly. The Umojan Protectorate just sews discord. They just want to keep their precious paradise intact. When was the last time they did anything to help someone?'

'Well they-' began Emily.

'And helping someone stage a violent revolution does not count.' said Serena 'I'm talking about foreign aid programs. Even the Confederacy did that.'

'I've got nothing.' admitted Emily.

'Exactly. The Umojan Protectorate pretend as though they are the exception to the rule. That they are better than the other factions.' said Serena 'But they aren't. Not by a long shot.'

Then she looked up. In the distance, she saw a protoss shuttle. But it was inlaid with all kinds of elaborate designs and was far more opulent. It also flew faster. 'What kind of shuttle is that?' She looked to Fenix and saw that his warriors had abandoned whatever they were doing and were forming up.

She approached him. 'Fenix, what is that shuttle? Why is everyone forming up?'

'That is a Conclave Shuttle. ' said Fenix 'Only Judicators and those accompanying them are permitted to use them.'

'What are they doing here?' asked Serena.

'I do not know.' admitted Fenix.

The shuttle let out a beam of blue light which hit the ground. Judicator Aldaris walked to meet it. Then from the beam of light formed a thin figure. He was dressed like Aldaris, but also far more finely. There were gold and silver on his garbs and he radiated a different kind of pride.

'Judicator Aldaris.' he said, intoning his head.

'Judicator Khakar, we were just about to begin our effort to reclaim the Spear of Adun.' said Aldaris, dislike in his voice.

'I fear those plans have been delayed.' said Khakar 'The Conclave orders that you are to return to the Heart of the Conclave. Executor Artanis and Selendis will accompany you. The forces at your disposal are to secure Scion and Antioch against any further assaults.'

'May I ask why?' asked Aldaris.

'You will have to ask them.' said Khakar, before looking at Serena. 'The terran… commander will go with you.'

'Not without an explanation I won't.' said Serena 'What exactly is so important the Conclave is drawing back half its command staff? We should be pressing the attack.'

'You will find that the will of the Conclave is absolute.' said Khakar 'If you will not come willingly you will be taken before them by force.'

'You boys try it and see what happens.' said Tychus.

It was at this moment that there were several hundred clicking sounds. A veritable forest of gauss rifles were raised and pointed at Khakar. Zealots drew their psi blades and there was a tense silence.

What were these idiots doing?

'Stop! Stop!' yelled Serena 'Put down your guns! Jesus Christ Tychus! We're not starting a civil war over this!'

The guns were raised and the psi blades were dimmed.

'Judicator Khakar you overstep yourself.' said Aldaris 'The terrans are our allies and have been of invaluable service. It is unseemly to treat them so. Serena Calabas I respectfully request you come to the Heart of the Conclave as our guest. With all the protections that apply.'

Serena breathed. 'Thank you Judicator Aldaris. I accept your most gracious offer. Emily, you're in command.'

'So be it. Aldaris, in your absence I will be taking command.' said Khakar.

'Of course.' said Aldaris.

'You will leave immediately.' said Khakar 'Time is of the essence.'

Artanis was in a bad mood. His friend Fenix had nearly died in battle and he'd arrived too late to help. The idea that the zerg could not assimilate the protoss would have been comforting. Unfortunately the information had come from a human. And now he was being dragged away from the front lines in a Conclave shuttle.

The human Serena was sitting on one of the benches. She was looking at a strange device of leather and some white substance. Her eyes were scanning over the pages.

'What is it you are doing?' asked Artanis.

'Reading a book.' said Serena, glancing up. 'Don't you have books?'

'What are books?' asked Artanis.

'Seriously?' asked Serena 'How do you record information if you don't have writing?'

'We protoss infuse our memories into specially designed crystals.' said Artanis 'These psionic records allow us to see through the eyes of those who came before. The more skilled may also look through the khala to see their brethren's memories. Yet those can shift and change.'

'Ah,' said Serena 'well we terrans haven't had psychics until very recently. We created a liquid called ink and used it to stain symbols onto sheets of something called paper. We learn to recognize these symbols and through them can see a meaning.

In Old Earth, the ability to read and write was a sign that a culture was civilized.'

'I see.' said Artanis 'How do you know what you are seeing is the truth?'

'We don't.' said Serena 'Actually there is an entire business in writing books of fiction. Stories about things which never happened but we like imagining happened.'

'You practice deception for entertainment?' asked Artanis.

'You make it sound villainous.' said Serena.

'It is.' said Artanis 'Only truth should be spoken. Anything else merely distorts the purity of the world.'

'The world is a horrible place.' said Serena 'Stories of things which didn't happen can improve it.'

'You would claim that deception can be better than truth?' asked Artanis.

'Of course.' said Serena 'Stories do more than entertain. They teach. They inspire. They make people want to work to improve themselves. To make those great stories the truth.'

Artanis did not understand. However, he did not want to admit it so he stayed silent. Silence fell over them for a time. Serena eventually looked to Aldaris. The Judicator was meditating on the opposite end of the room from Tychus. 'Judicator Aldaris,' said Serena 'who is Khakar?'

Aldaris' eyes shone as he became aware of his surroundings again. 'A Judicator of notable lineage.' said Aldaris 'He would have been Consul in my place, had the zerg not invaded.'

'Why would that change things?' asked Serena, already knowing the answer.

'The Judicator Caste has always had closer relationships between blood.' said Aldaris 'Our small size ensures that family members can keep in contact. Thus political connections have begun to play a part in our decisions. There have even been marriages of political alliance.'

'And Khakar has better connections.' guessed Serena.

'Yes.' said Aldaris 'For my part I grant no favors to any of my blood. I have had several children. All of them have gained nothing save a fair chance from me. They earned their ranks.'

'Did Khakar earn his rank?' asked Serena.

Aldaris darkened visibly. 'He is a skilled administrator he has no experience at war.'

'And they've put him in charge of the army?' asked Serena. 'Artanis does this happen often?'

Artanis considered the question. 'No. Command often changes in the wake of defeat. But victory does not lead to reassignment. Not unless some more important task requires the Executor in question.'

'About that, what is the difference between Executor and Praetor?' asked Serena.

'The two ranks are technically equal. However, they have different jurisdictions.' said Artanis 'Executor's traditionally commanded a fleet in battles off-world. While Praetor's are traditionally assigned to the defense of their world.'

'So what are you doing here?' asked Serena.

'The defense of Aiur takes priority over all other missions. Thus Fenix and I have our paths converge.'

'How long have you two been friends?' asked Serena.

She was genuinely curious. Artanis felt irritated at her questions, but he saw no harm in answering them. He felt like she was driving at something,

'We have been comrades since childhood.' said Artanis 'Fenix helped me ignite my first psi blade. Before I met him I was terrible but he helped me become greater. The two of us fought many battles together. Then Fenix was made Praetor and I entered the fleet to begin exploring distant worlds.

'When the zerg invaded I was recalled to Aiur to replace Tassadar.'

'Did you ever know Tassadar?' asked Serena.

'Fenix and I served under him in several campaigns.' said Artanis 'He seemed to me the greatest of our kind. He was swift in action but careful in planning. Few could compete with him in power or wisdom.

'I believed then that he would be known as among the greatest of the Templar.'

'Do not speak of him.' said Aldaris 'The Conclave has declared him a heretic. We should pay no further heed to him until the time has come for vengeance.'

Artanis wondered how it was that Aldaris could remain so dedicated in the face of his own emotions. He could sense the inner conflict within Aldaris. The Judicator had crushed it within a vice-like grip of duty. He was reminded as to why Aldaris was considered the greatest of the Judicator. '…As you command, Judicator.'

'Do you believe the Conclave has some off-world mission for you?' asked Serena suddenly.

'It is possible. However, I pray it is not so.' said Artanis 'In these dark times my place is upon Aiur.'

They arrived in the Heart of the Conclave within a few hours. Artanis felt relieved as he walked among the hallowed halls to be back in such a place. Here was khala was strongest. Here no zerg had ever dared to venture. And with luck, it never would.

Soon they were led to the chamber of the Conclave, a great circular room with a high ceiling. There were many statues here of ancient figures from history. Adun was most prominent. And floating throughout the chamber were psionic crystals. And within each of them was one of the protoss elders.

A figure appeared. A protoss wearing a golden mask and shrouded in white robes appeared. Artanis and Aldaris fell to one knee in fealty, while Serena mirrored them. 'I am the Voice of the Conclave. Through me, the elders of Aiur speak.' He regarded Serena 'Serena Calabas. Your forces aid in our war against the zerg is known to us. We appreciate your assistance.'

'I'm glad to hear it.' said Serena, looking around. 'If I may ask, why does the Conclave need a voice?'

'The Conclave is not a council as you terrans would see it.' said the Voice. 'The wisest elders of the Ara Tribe enter into willing stasis. Our minds meld together temporarily. Through our thoughts comes the course by which our people shall walk.

'They speak through me.'

'Ah, right.' said Serena.

'Judicator Aldaris, the Conclave is well pleased by the actions of the Templar Caste. They are further pleased by your command of them.' said the Voice. 'The war is now being won. However, as one threat fails another rears its head.

'We have listened to the rumors among the people. They speak well of Tassadar, giving him credit for bringing the terrans to our aid. Praetor Fenix is known as a great friend of his and many are beginning to question the truth that he is a renegade. Such talk is dangerous and if it continues it may lead to further heresy.

'It is the way of darkness to sew discord.

'The Conclave cannot allow this. He must be found and brought back to Aiur to stand trial.'

'With all due respect the zerg are a clear threat to us now.' said Aldaris 'They may yet resurge. Allow me to reactivate the Spear of Adun and send another on this errand.'

'No other will suffice.' said the Voice. 'Tassadar was among the most powerful of the Templar. There is no telling what dark powers he has learned from the Fallen Ones. You need not concern yourself for Aiur. Our reports tell us that the zerg have ceased their attacks across our border.

'Moreover, the assault on Antioch was far too near for our liking. To continue attacking would leave us even further exposed.'

'It is our decision that assaulting Khor-Shakal is no longer practical

'Tassadar had with him a large part of our fleet. If we can withdraw them back to Aiur it will give us the manpower we need to finish our assault.'

'We might gather the manpower from our outlying colonies.' said Artanis.

'We might.' said the Voice 'However we have already drawn forces from them. To draw any more that would leave them defenseless. It is not the will of the Conclave to leave our subject worlds undefended.'

'I understand.' said Artanis.

'There are potential complications, however.' said the Conclave 'We have been speaking with the terran Emperor, Arcturus Mengsk. He informs me that Tassadar has been working closely with a terran called Raynor. And in their company are the Dark Templar.

'If you attempt to seize Tassadar directly it may cause conflict with the terrans. That is to be avoided at all costs. To this end, the terran Commander, Serena Calabas, will accompany you. She will ensure that the terran Raynor does not interfere. Executor Artanis will have tactical authority, having proven himself.'

'What if Tassadar should resist arrest?' asked Aldaris.

'Then you have our permission to use force. However, you must shed as little blood as possible of the terrans or our own brethren.' said the Voice.

'And if I find the Dark Templar?' asked Aldaris.

'Kill them all.' said the Voice. 'Down to the last child.'

Aldaris fell to one knee. 'I swear it will be done.'

The hunt for Tassadar had begun.

Authors Note:

Next chapter is up. I decided to focus on what exactly the Conclave's motives are for going to arrest Tassadar when he is stuck on Char. I decided that the decision made a lot of sense if they were also supposed to evacuate Tassadar's army.

I've always been much more sympathetic to the Conclave than I was to the Confederacy. The Conclave had issues and were close-minded, but they were still protecting Aiur. And I think they actually had a point. After all, just killing the cerebrates resulted in the zerg overruning Aiur. You can't just cut off the head, you also have to wipe them out.