Chapter Ten: Choosing Sides

I should probably talk about one of the other important protoss.

Tassadar.

We mostly know Tassadar as a mysterious entity who went around glassing planets. The ones which the zerg overran. His first notable appearance on the scene of terran politics was going to rescue us at Tarsonis. Mojo reaped the alliance between terrans and protoss. But Tassadar was the one who sewed the seeds.

Oddly enough, on Aiur, Tassadar seems to be regarded as something of an embarrassment. A lot of the lower ranked protoss like him. But the Conclave regards him as a renegade. Someone jeopardizing the future of Aiur on crackpot missions.

It kind of reminds me of those old cop shows. Except in this case the cowboy cop was getting arrested. Either way, I doubt Tassadar will have much more role in events.

Liberty's Reports, volume IV.

Within the Heart of the Conclave Fenix lay upon the bed. The low blue lights illuminated his bare, massive frame. Many machines were attached to his head and body, scanning it. As it went on, he looked up to Karax. 'I do not understand why this is necessary.'

'Neither do I.' admitted Karax. 'Before he left Judicator Aldaris gave specific orders. Your neural network is to be recorded, Praetor. The decision was approved by the Conclave.'

'I understand.' said Fenix.

'Beginning neural scans.' said Karax.

Fenix did not know the purpose for this. However, for the good of Aiur he would do so.

Raynor drew his pistol and cocked it. 'Well from the looks of things we can't decide anything at the moment. We're gonna have to get out of here first.'

'Brothers support Tassadar's forces!' said Artanis. 'The zerg must not get through!'

All differences were forgotten for the moment. The protoss rushed to defend the ramps leading up to the platform. As the zerg washed against the ground defenses mutalisks. They came from other directions, flanking the line.

'You think your reinforcements can save you Tassadar?' asked Kerrigan. 'They've come here to die alongside you.'

'We have no time for this.' said Aldaris. 'Seize Tassadar and hold him until we have dealt with these abominations.'

Aldaris' guards moved forward.

'Aldaris please. Allow me to aid you in this matter.' said Tassadar 'None of our missions will matter if we are all killed here.'

'Judicator Tassadar's men may fight harder if he is with them.' said Artanis.

Aldaris remained silent for a moment as the battle raged. 'So be it. I will deal with the western exit.'

Tassadar went forward to lead his troops and Artanis went with him. Storms of psionic energy surged throughout the zerg ranks. Tearing them to shreds as they came. Artanis marveled at the power which was being sent forth. Aldaris sent storm after storm into the midsts of the enemy, and Tassadar was with him.

There was something strange about Tassadar's powers. They seemed greater than when last they had met. And darker as well.

Yet there were always more zerg.

Then came the Queen of Blades. She was a curvaceous creature, her body in the shape of an hourglass. Her skin was green and her hair chitinous. Four spines came from her back and her hands were claws. She scattered the defense with a psionic burst. Sending a bolt of orange energy she destroyed a line of photon cannons. Artanis knew that if she was allowed further the line would collapse. Rushing forward he saw her tear apart two protoss. Then he was upon her.

She dodged and weaved around his psionic blade, then lashed out with her spines. Artanis dodged back and took a stance. She mirrored the motion. 'So it seems you little protoss are stronger than the usual. It doesn't matter. It won't make a difference in the long run.'

'You speak much for a slave of the Overmind.' said Artanis.

That seemed to get to her. He could sense the anger. 'Considering your position, you're awfully defiant.'

'I am told you are among the most powerful of the terrans.' said Artanis, 'It matters not. We khalai are the firstborn. The greatest and wisest of all races. Compared to us the mightiest terran is but the most powerful insect.'

'I've heard this speech before from Tassadar.' said the Queen. 'Yet things have changed since then.' She raised a hand and it glowed with an orange light as a blade of pure psionic energy.

Artanis scarcely contained his sock. 'A psi blade… Impossible! Only the most advanced of our kind can wield those without a channel.'

'Funny thing. It turns out that terran understanding of psionic power is very limited.' said the Queen. 'Once I'd depopulated one of your villages I was able to learn the secrets of protoss techniques.

'Still confident?'

At that moment there was a sound of compressed air. Something landed but the Queen leaped into the air as an explosion rocked on the ground. The Queen landed and looked to where the terran Raynor was loading another grenade.

'Oh come on Jimmy.' said the Queen. 'You really thought you could get me from behind? I was a ghost, remember?'

Artanis surged forward. Yet even as he lunged with his psi blade the Queen knocked it aside. Then her other hand came up with another blade. Artanis met the blade en route. Yet his psi blade generator flickered, then shattered.

Artanis felt the blade as it was driven into his gut. The Queen drew it out and he fell.

'Artanis!' cried Tassadar.

Artanis looked up at the former Executor fell upon Kerrigan. Their psi blades met as they danced back and forth, fighting against one another. Artanis focused his energy on stemming the blood loss and watched.

'So Tassadar, come to fight me have you?' asked the Queen. 'You'll find my powers have become far greater since our last meeting. Your precious khala isn't going to be able to save you this time.'

Tassadar ducked under a stab and attempted to kick her legs out from under her. Yet she leaped over him and spun backward. Both unleashed a torrent of psionic energy and the clash was blinding.
When it ended both were standing. The Queen smiled. Then she unleashed a flurry of orange bolts which exploded around him.

Yet Tassadar was calm. He weaved and dodged, knocking each one aside or dissipating them with one hand. 'You are correct, Kerrigan. Your powers have grown to a point where my power over the light is insufficient to stop you.

'However, I have-'

Then a psi blade was plunged from behind through the Queen's chest. She froze and gasped, as Aldaris drew his hand out of the hole he'd put in her torso. He was perfectly calm. 'Interesting.' he mused. 'It seems your insufferable boasting does nothing to avail you when you have a psi blade in your stomach.'

The Queen rose and glared at him. 'You… bastard…'

Aldaris raised a hand.

There was a burst of psionic energy so bright it was blinding. This was a psionic storm. Yet it was not like the one used against masses of mutalisks. This one was unleashed in a concentrated area. It struck the Queen head-on.

'Kerrigan!' cried Raynor. Artanis sensed grief. Raynor was grieving. Why mourne such a creature? She had tried to kill them.

She screamed and was sent flying away, farther and farther up. Eventually she went beyond the station's artificial gravity. Then she fell still and floated away.

Aldaris walked to Artanis' side and kneeled by him. 'Artanis are you able to continue to command?'

Artanis had stopped the bleeding. He'd created psychic bandages to keep the wound from getting worse. 'Yes, I think so. However, I will not be able to fight.' He rose. 'Aldaris, how is it that you manifested such a blade?'

'Manifesting a psionic blade without the aid of machines is a matter of focus.' said Artanis. 'When you have achieved mastery of your emotions then you will be able to wield it.'

'That was uh… what the hell.' said Raynor.

'Judicator Aldaris is the most powerful khalai to ever assume the position of Consul.' said Tassadar. 'He possesses a mastery of the light which far surpasses even my own.'

Around them, the zerg were routed. Their leader apparently dead, they fled back the way they had come and taken a defensive stance. Artanis could sense them. Waiting.

'Judicator our observers have located the main zerg hive.' said Selendis. 'It is heavily guarded on the eastern reaches of the platform. Yet they have no means to reach the evacuation zone on foot.'

'Very well then.' said Artanis. 'If we set out we should be able to carve a path to the evacuation zone.'

'Hold on a moment.' said Serena as she walked forward. 'The platform is an ideal staging ground for fleets. That was the entire reason that you came here in the first place. I think we should keep a presence here.'

'What are you suggesting?' asked Artanis.

'Destroy the zerg hive and establish a foothold here.' said Serena. 'It will be ideal for staging future operations.'

'Serena we're hemmed in and surrounded and you want to attack?' asked Raynor.

'Why not?' asked Serena. 'It worked on Mar Sara.'

'If we launch an assault against the main zerg hive the creatures besieging us will not be idle. They will surely assail us.' said Aldaris. 'We cannot fight both at once.'

'Comrades I may have a method by which we can do both.' said Artanis. 'Our position has divided the zerg's forces. So long as this outpost stands they cannot link up.' He winced at the pain. 'There is good ground here. We might leave behind a small guard force here to hold the photon cannons. Then we could take the bulk of our forces and clear away the zerg to our south.'

'You mean to open a path to freedom and then turn back to destroy the zerg completely.' mused Tassadar. 'It is a bold move, Artanis. Though I would have expected to hear such a move from Fenix. How does he fair?'

'Well.' said Artanis. 'He has won more glory than any other Templar and even now holds the line against our enemies.'

'I am glad.' said Tassadar. 'My forces will go with you.'

'My boys and I will tag along too.' said Raynor. 'May as well make ourselves useful.'

'Shouldn't you see a medic?' asked Serena.

'There is no need.' said Artanis. 'While my injuries are serious I can keep them in check. So long as I stay out of the thick of the fighting they will heal eventually on their own.'

'Tassadar will remain here in the custody of my forces.' said Aldaris quickly. 'Artanis, I yield you tactical authority. Do with it as you will.'

Now that her suggestions were being heeded Serena faded into the background. Raynor was in command of the terran forced and she wasn't about to steal his thunder. So she remained at the colony and waited.

Aldaris' personal forces maintained an iron grip on the perimeter. Every angle was covered. Aldaris summoned several more proton cannons to reinforce the position. In this time she kept glancing to Tassadar.

She felt as though she knew him. Not in the sense of having heard his transmission over the radio. It was like she'd always known him. Even though they had never met.

It was similar to the feeling she got when speaking with the Overmind. Except where the Overmind had been present it had not known her. This feeling made her think she had known Tassadar for her entire life.

And that he had known her.

'I know you, Serena Calabas.' said Tassadar. 'You were the commander on Mar Sara.'

'I was." said Serena. 'I remember you almost glassed the planet.'

'My orders were very clear at the time.' said Tassadar. 'I was to destroy all infested terran worlds. When I destroyed Chau Sara there were still colonists upon it. Pockets of resistance which had not yet been overrun.

'I destroyed them. Consumed them all alongside the zerg.' His voice held immeasurable grief.

'Evacuation was underway.' said Serena. 'You could have let them evacuate.'

'It was a calculated decision.' admitted Tassadar. 'They were keeping the bulk of the zerg swarm occupied. So long as there was still resistance on Chau Sara I could strike with impunity. Had I waited until the last of the colonists were evacuated many more of the zerg would have escaped.

'Some did escape and made their way to Mar Sara in great numbers. There you destroyed them.'

'Fair enough.' said Serena. 'So why did you go to Mar Sara? You came within seconds of blowing the whole planet up.'

'My orders were simple.' said Tassadar. 'To destroy every infested world. My observers had detected hidden hive clusters of zerg upon Mar Sara. I judged that they might in time overwhelm the colony.

'I had waited in the hopes that the planet would be evacuated. However, I perceived that they would not now abandon the colony even if an evacuation was offered. Thus to obey the Conclave's directives I would have had to obliterate it.

'That directive I did not follow. I remember your words to this day. They were finely spoken. And a brilliant foreshadowing of the valiant deeds performed in defense of your race.'

'If you had followed orders I'd have killed you with my own hands.' said Serena, smiling while she said it.

'I believe you.' said Tassadar. 'Which makes me all the more glad that it need not come to that. Yet enough of this. Tell me what has happened in Aiur in my absence.'

Serena felt strange suddenly. The way Tassadar was looking at her she felt as though he already knew everything she told him. And yet she found herself telling him anyway. She described in detail the events.

Often Tassadar would comment on one person or another. He seemed to know everyone on Aiur by name. Worker, Templar and Judicator, and he had commentary on each of them.

Then suddenly a young protoss, a child, approached. It had big eyes and was absolutely adorable. Despite not having a mouth of nose. Had it wandered out of the buildings? Tassadar looked up. 'Tassadar what is happening? Will we be able to leave soon?'

Tassadar seemed to smile and kneeled by her. 'Soon, young one. However, you should return before-'

And then Aldaris was there. His eyes were flaring and a psi blade was in his hand. 'One of the dark ones.' His voice was filled with hatred.

Serena looked to the child and could not see any difference. However, Aldaris surged forward and raised his blade to kill the child. Tassadar stood between him.

'Stay your hand, Aldaris.' said Tassadar. 'He is an innocent.'

'All who wield the taint of darkness are to be purged.' said Aldaris. 'That is the will of the Conclave. Step aside.'

At that moment a female protoss ran out and shielded the child with her body. 'Wait! Please, spare the boy Judicator! I beg of you!'

Aldaris hesitated. Then he looked to his warriors. 'Templar search these buildings. Find the dark ones and wipe this station clean of their heresy.'

Tassadar summoned a psi blade. And many of his warriors did the same. 'I will not allow this. Aldaris stay this madness. These are refugees whose homes have been destroyed by the zerg.'

'Those who stray from the path of the light deserve no mercy.' said Aldaris.

'Are they not of the firstborn race? Do they not bleed when cut?' asked Tassadar. 'Do they not weep when tragedy besets them? These are not monsters, they are our brethren.' This was getting out of hand. Serena had to do something.

'You dare-' began Aldaris.

'Aldaris wait.' said Serena, stepping between them. 'Listen to me. If you kill that mother and her child you're going to have a civil war on your hands. Your forces will die. Tassadar's forces will die. Everyone will die. Aiur will be left without many of its best commanders.'

'The will of the Conclave was made clear.' said Aldaris.

'Your objective is to bring Tassadar back for trial.' said Serena. 'If everyone dies that mission has failed. Destroying the dark ones is a secondary objective. Stop this now. Or we'll all die.'

One of Aldaris' men came up to him. 'Judicator, what are your orders?'

Aldaris remained silent. The protoss drew up behind their respective leaders. Tassadar and Aldaris held eachother's gaze. They stood there, and it seemed to last into eternity. Serena felt as though a line of fire was passing between their eyes.

Finally, Aldaris looked away and hid the motion by turning to look at his warriors. 'Stand down, Sons of Aiur. Now is not the time.' He glanced back. 'When we return to Aiur you will pay the price for this heresy, Tassadar.'

'If that is the price I must pay to save my race then so be it.' said Tassadar.

Artanis returned with Raynor. When he arrived, he found the two camps of protoss standing some distance away. There was an air of distrust among them and evident hatred bubbling beneath the surface. Serena felt as though Aldaris' men were screaming accusations of heresy and betrayal. Tassadar's men, however, seemed grimly silent.

She could almost hear the voices. Not quite, though.

Artanis looked one way, then the other, then to Aldaris. A bandage had been set over his wound. 'Judicator we have cleared away the zerg maintaining the siege. Our observers report that they are transporting large numbers of troops. It is likely they intend to reestablish the siege.'

'A miscalculation made to their peril. Come, my brethren.' said Tassadar, eager to end the face off. 'We go to finish the hive cluster.

'Hold, Artanis. Your men are weary.' said Aldaris. 'You will take Tassadar's forces. They will be the vanguard in this assault, and when they have made the breach, you will finish the beast.'

'…As you command, Judicator.' said Artanis.

Raynor looked at Aldaris carefully as the troops marched away. Then he moved to gun his engine. Serena approached him. 'Raynor mind if I ride with you? I want to see this.'

'Sure,' said Raynor, 'hop on.'

Serena got behind him, and the bike sped away after the protoss. As they rode Serena watched as the protoss engaged the first wave of zerg defenders. Battle was joined. Though the protoss destroyed many zerg, many of them also fell.

The zerg had established many sunken colonies. The defense was hard and the two sides fought back and forth. Raynor's men advanced behind, firing their guns into the ranks of the zerg. Eventually, the battle moved on up the ridge.

'Hold up boys.' said Raynor. 'That area is too tight for us. Leave it to the protoss, and we'll act as a rearguard. We've lost enough of our boys already.'

''Raynor where are the rest of your forces?' asked Serena suddenly. 'You had many more of these.'

Raynor didn't answer at first. 'I'll level with you, Serena. Things have been going badly. One of my primary bases got overrun right before you arrived. I came here to set up a homing beacon. I was hoping I could lure Matt back here, wherever he ended up.'

Zeratul sent out some ships to try and find him, but we haven't heard anything from them just yet.'

'Right.' guessed Serena. 'Because he made an emergency jump.'

'Yeah.' said Raynor.

The battle moved beyond their sight. Serena considered the account Mengsk had given her. 'So why didn't you just shoot down the-'

'I didn't think of it.' said Raynor. 'Now could people please get off my back about it?'

'Sorry.' said Serena. 'What happened with Duke?'

'Duke has problems of his own.' said Raynor. 'Who the hell is this Judicator Aldaris anyway?'

'One of the most important protoss alive.' said Serena. 'You've only really seen him at his worst.'

'Why are you helping him arrest Tassadar?' asked Raynor.

'Because we're allies.' said Serena. 'The Conclave of the protoss think Tassadar has committed treason. I don't understand why. And frankly, I don't care. It's their own business what they do with their own people. As long as we crush the zerg they can do what they want.'

'The Conclave are just like the Confederacy, Serena.' said Raynor. 'They've been hunting the dark templar for generations just because they refuse to submit to them.'

'I've met the Conclave, Raynor, and I had a front-row seat on the rulers of the Confederacy.' said Serena. 'So I can say with authority that you have no idea what you're talking about.' She looked up. The sound of combat had died down.

'Looks like the protoss have finished.' said Raynor. 'Let's head up boys.'

Later they returned to find Judicator Aldaris and his warriors waiting. As they arrived Aldaris looked very pleased as they arrived. Artanis was clutching his wound and fell to one knee before Aldaris. It seemed more a movement to hide the pain than a gesture of fealty. 'Judicator Aldaris we have destroyed the zerg hive. However, it was at the cost of many lives. Much of the vanguard was wiped out.'

'Well done Artanis.' said Aldaris. 'Their sacrifice has ensured that this station may be used for future campaigns.' He sent forth his will. Serena sensed him doing it. She also sensed Selendis on the other end. 'Selendis, you will establish a stronghold on this , and we will use it as a base to begin the withdrawal of our remaining forces. The remnant of Tassadar's forces on this station will be in your charge.'

As the troops dispersed and plans were made to evacuate Serena watched Tassadar gather the protoss refugees to leave. Serena looked to Aldaris. He seemed pleased, almost smug. 'Just as planned then?'

Aldaris looked up. 'I know not of what you speak.'

'Then I'll spell it out.' said Serena. 'You sent Tassadar's forces in first to decimate them and reduce his support.'

Serena had the feeling that Aldaris had marked this particular conversation as private. It was a strange sensation. 'The task had to fall to someone, and Tassadar had already nearly corrupted them. It is better that they die for the glory of Aiur than fall into darkness. They were Tassadar's closest subordinates. Now the others may be induced to return to the light.'

'No I get it.' said Serena. 'It was a very terran solution.'

Aldaris looked away. 'Artanis we will begin our return to the ships at once. Move the refugees quickly.'

The journey back to the landing zone was brief and silent. There was a tense silence in the air. The protoss warriors kept glancing at one another and at their leaders. Beneath the surface, Serena could sense a struggle of some kind taking place. Some looked with hatred at the protoss refugees. Others had their eyes filled with doubt.

At last, they reached the shuttles. Aldaris turned to Artanis. 'The way is clear. Artanis I will return to Aiur with Tassadar in my custody. You will oversee the evacuation of the remaining protoss forces on Char. For now, however, you will execute all remaining dark ones on this station.'

Of course. Now there was no one to protect the refugees. Artanis realized what had happened. Tassadar remained silent. It was a silence that seeped into the air itself. Artanis looked around him. 'I cannot, Judicator.'

'What?' said Aldaris, voice subdued.

'With all due respect, Judicator,' said Artanis, 'when I accepted the position of Executor I did not do it to execute women and children.

'Nor do I deem the Conclave's decision wise. Tassadar has been of invaluable service to the khalai. Without him, we would not have the Dominion as allies. He has devised a means to slay cerebrates. That much is clear.

'I will see if his plan is worth trying, at least.'

'You have my thanks, Executor.' said Tassadar. 'Now let us find Zeratul and speed our way home.'

Damn. Now there was going to be a fight.

Authors Note:

Hey everyone. I've been out of contact for the past few days thanks to being in regions with no internet. But now I'm back with a new update of Ascension of the Khalai.

I feel like I didn't focus on Artanis enough in this. The focus has more been on Judicator Aldaris and Serena.

Anyway, enjoy.