Chapter Fourteen: The Gardens of Antioch
I've often wondered just who Tassadar is.
I know that sounds strange. But the thing is, he isn't just a military commander. Jim Raynor is a pretty inspiring guy, but nobody speaks about him the way they do about Tassadar. Everyone who meets him thinks highly of him. Even if it is as a terrible enemy.
It's like no one can meet him without changing. I wonder if I'll ever met him.
Liberty's Reports, volume IV.
It was a meeting to discuss that upcoming war. Aldaris motioned to a probe who projected a three-dimensional map of the area. The Judicator spoke; "Tassadar has escaped to Antioch and taken shelter there. Mojo reports to me that the zerg are mustering in greater numbers on the borders. But they are waiting."
"Waiting for what?" asked the newly promoted Ankar.
"For the fireworks." said Serena. "The Overmind is smart. He knows that we're about to start killing each other. He's going to launch his assault once we're all too busy to stop him.
"Tassadar probably knows that too."
"We must remove Tassadar quickly then." said Ankar. "If this war drags out, all is lost."
"Maybe." said Serena thoughtfully. "I don't know."
"What is it?" asked Aldaris.
"I'm thinking." said Serena. "Tassadar knows everything we know. He just has a different opinion on what to do about it. But if it comes to a civil war, he is going to have exactly the same plan. He'll want to remove the Conclave quickly so that everyone else has no choice but to follow him."
"Our numbers are greater. And right is on our side." said Ankar.
"Yeah. I guess." said Serena. "Unfortunately Tassadar has the Dark Templar. I've seen the vision crystals chronicling your campaigns against them. If Zeratul is like his brethren, he's not going to do a frontal assault."
"We have deployed observers throughout the region." said Aldaris. "If his troops attempt to infiltrate us, we'll catch them."
"Maybe." mused Serena. "Assuming you aren't otherwise occupied."
"What is your meaning?" asked Aldaris.
Serena tried to put it into words. "I've been thinking. Tassadar has access to both the powers of light and dark. He has Fenix, one of the greates khalai warriors. And Zeratul, who specializes in stealth. He also wants to avoid needless bloodshed.
She pointed at the map. And then she smiled. "…I know Tassadar's next move."
Fenix had already done what he had never thought he would. He had killed other protoss. Not the cursed Dark Ones' who sought to destroy all they stood to. But the khalai. Warriors who once he would have stood alongside proudly and fought to the death in arms with.
He had killed them. As his blades had passed into their bodies, he'd sensed their memories, their hopes, their dreams. He'd felt them come to an end. He'd felt them die.
And now, as his warriors approached the Heart of the Conclave, he was to cross another line. He did not blame Artanis for not wanting to accompany him. As he marched, he looked to his warriors. "Hear me, my warriors. We are facing our brethren here. If possible render them unconscious. There has been too much blood as it is. What we do now, we do for the sake of Aiur.
"Yet it is a bitter task.
"Carry our your orders and remember that we face our brothers because we must."
The walls drew near. The sensation of alarms rang through Fenix's mind. He looked to Zeratul and his Templar who stood hiding just behind the line. He nodded to them.
Then the gates burst open. And the Conclave's guard rushed out, blades drawn. They had blood on their mind. And at their lead was Ankar whose eyes blazed with hatred.
"Traitors!" roared Ankar. "You and your kind will be purged from Aiur and a new age will rise from your blood!"
"Forward!" cried Fenix. "Fear no darkness. Our descendants will know we were right!"
Then Fenix charged forward. He met Ankar in battle and their psi blades met head on. The younger warrior attacked with a flurry filled with hate. Yet he lacked discipline and he was inexperienced. Fenix knocked aside his blows one after another. Then he turned the blade and bring around a hand to clamp around his neck.
Sending a surge of psionic energy he sent Ankar falling into unconsciousness. Then he turned to wade into the rest of the fray.
The guard of the Conclave were fairing poorly. These were members of the Judicator Caste. They had long been assigned a ceremonial purpose. The majority of them had never seen combat. While they were well trained by the few who had, Fenix and his warriors were veterans of many battles.
Although they were outnumbered , Fenix's warriors were the stronger. More and more Conclave guards were thrown down, unconscious. Even not fighting to kill, Fenix and his warrior seemed invincible. Yet all too soon there came ships and the dragoons of Fenix were put to work.
There was no way to destroy a ship nonlethally. All one could do was shoot it down and pray the pilot escaped with their life. Still, now that the ships were engaged it meant the Conclave was committing its full force.
Zeratul turned to Varsus. "Praetor Fenix has made his move. That is our signal. Come, Varsus. We have work to do."
They sliped around the growing fray. Making their way south based on the directions given by Artanis they found the side entrance. To Zeratul's pleasure, it was unguarded. "So they have not erected photon cannons here. Artanis was correct in his belief."
"No one has noticed us yet." said Varsus. "Let us finish our mission before it changes."
"Peace, Varsus." said Zeratul as he moved. "A calm mind is the key to victory. One should not deny ones' passions, as the Judicator would have us do. But allow them to pass through us until only we remain."
They found no guards. It was practically deserted as they slipped through, raising their cloaking shields. Several times they encountered reaver's abandoned.
"The Conclave are fools to send their whole force away." said Varsus.
"Perhaps," said Zeratul, "perhaps not. I do not like this. Though it appears the Conclave's guards have all gone to face Fenix, not all may be as it seems." He paused as the sound of weaponfire intensified. "I pray that Fenix is able to escape. Though he has no love for us, he is a valiant defender of his people."
They slipped through and soon came to the worker caste section. Here they saw many buildings where servants and workers dwelled. The highest of that caste. Those who had reached the height of their profession and been sent to serve as the footmen of the Conclave.
It was pitiful, in a way. Among the Dark Templar, one could rise to wherever ones' ability dictated one could be. Yet there might well be some inherent virtue to the khalai's methods. One which Zeratul could not perceive.
Then they came to it. And it was beautiful. Elegant golden arches rose into the sky, surrounded by walls and a great moat. It was framed against the twilight. Zeratul admired the way the plants had been grown to increase the beauty of the place. The contrast was wondrous.
"There it is." said Zeratul. "The Heart of the Conclave."
"It is beautiful…" said Varsas. "Why have we nothing like this on Shakuras?"
"Our world is not as suited to this fashion of building." said Zeratul. "But no doubt the khalai would find things beautiful there which we find mundange. Experience is always sharpest when one first feels it.
"Come, Fenix may be overwhelmed if we are not swift."
They rushed over the bridge and scaled quickly up the walls. Slipping over them they landed within a beautiful courtyard. There were plants of all kinds here. Songbirds chirped in the trees. Great canals of water flowed here, prestine and sparkling. Many fountains could be seen and there was an immense sense of peace here.
Yet it was a peace surrounded by darkness. Like a pleasant dream amidst a waking world of horrors. A deceptive illusion which blinded one and prevented the growth of wisdom.
Zeratul drew out the map and scanned over it. "Here, this way leads to the Conclave room. They are surely in session even now."
They went through the halls and finally came to the meeting hall. They entered and found nothing within. Not a soul was here. Nor had they seen anyone on their way through here.
"There is no one here. Where could they be?" asked Varsus.
And then the doors slid closed behind the Dark Templar in every direction. The windows too shut closed. The room went dark as the twilight was blocked out.
"A trap." realized Zeratul.
At that moment in the center of a room, an image appeared. It was of a terran female. She was curvaceous for her kind with long black hair. Her eyes were violet and she wore an officers uniform.
"Hello Zeratul." said the woman in a psionic message. "I'm Serena Calabas of the Dominion Armada. If you're seeing this message, then it means I guessed right. In a few minutes, you and your Dark Templar are all probably going to be dead. I've arranged for the Conclave to be evacuated to a safe location.
"Even if you escape here you'll never find them now."
"Damn." said Zeratul. "Look for a way out."
"The entire building has been sealed within an energy shield. One meant to deflect orbital bombardments." said Calabas.
Varsus slashed at the doors. Yet his blade fizzled out as he made contact.
"Even if you get out of this room you'll have nowhere to go. The pylon system in the Heart of the Conclave has been rigged to explode. When it does the shield will focus it.
"We're talking enough firepower to destroy three capital ships."
Zeratul looked around and saw the canals running throughout the room. They were still flowing. Which meant that they must not have been wholly blocked off.
"Anyway," said Serena, "Tassadar only had one small Nerazim ship. The reports of a whole fleet were just flat out wrong. So I'm guessing he only has a few Dark Templar on hand. Which means that once you die Tassadar's whole cause goes out the window."
"Into the canals." said Zeratul. "Quickly!"
They took a deep breath and plunged into the water, swimming with the current for speed. It took them downstream, but the voice stayed with them.
"He can't exactly fight to have the Dark Templar save the khalai if there are no Dark Templar left on Aiur. Oh, and I'm just stalling. The self destruct sequence was activated as soon as you entered this room. Even if by some chance you find a way of escape you won't have time to use it."
Zeratul hit a grating. Drawing his saber, he slashed at it. The metal burned. With another stroke, it broke and they were threw.
"Not bad for a plan thrown together in five minutes, if I do say so myself." finished the recording, fading away.
The Dark Templar swam through the canals, rushing faster and faster through the river. Zeratul mentally focused on drawing the oxygen out of the water and into his lungs. Then, as the canals widened out into a great natural caverns a vast fish with huge teeth surged towards them.
They scattered and Zeratul brought around his saber to slash its side. Varsus ran it through the skull as they swam on. Other fish were coming from all around and Zeratul knew they didn't have time. He could feel the psionic power of the pylons gathering behind them.
At any moment they would detonate. And anything in the blast radius would be obliterated.
"What are these creatures?" asked Varsus psionically as he slashed one down and swam on.
"Indigious species set within the canals of the Conclave." said Zeratul. "Their whole purpose to prevent us from doing just this."
They swam as quickly as they could.
And then there was a brilliant, blinding, flash of light and a massive shockwave. Everything went black.
A garden upon a hill Artanis paced. He had made plans upon plans to deal with every possibility. And yet it wasn't enough. He could feel his brethren dying. Killing eachother. Fenix was trying to spare everyone he could.
But it wasn't enough. Brother had killed brother for the first time in ages. Yes, there had been executions. But there had never been a war.
"Calm yourself, Artanis." said Tassadar, opening his eyes. The former executor had been meditating for a long time.
"How can I be calm?" asked Artanis. "If anything goes wrong all could be lost."
"That always seems to be the case in times of crisis." said Tassadar. "We take the cup which is given to us. We might beg the universe to give it to another. Or to take it from our hands. But it was given to us for a reason. We are all of us chosen for a purpose. Though we may never know what that purpose is."
Artanis looked up. "Do you know what you're purpose is?"
"I have always known." said Tassadar. "Once, a long time ago, I wished for another to take my place. But that was on a world far from here. Now I am resolved to do what I must." He stood. "Fenix will contact us soon. I fear his news will be ill."
He knew his news would be ill, Artanis realized. There was no uncertainty. Though he had known Tassadar for years, he had never understood him. "Who are you, Tassadar?" asked Artanis.
Slight mirth came to Tassadar's mind. "Perhaps some day I will tell you. But not today."
Then came Fenix's voice. "Tassadar, we have held out as long as we can. However, we will soon be overwhelmed. We must withdraw."
"So be it, noble Fenix." said Tassadar. "Draw back. And let pray that Zeratul will succeed in his mission."
They waited and waited. Artanis heard nothing. Saw nothing. Fenix returned and arrived with his forces. Many had died in the fighting, or perhaps been captured. Artanis dared to hope that the Conclave too might have been reluctant to kill its brethren. Perhaps they had given orders that as many be taken alive as possible.
Fenix shook his head and sat down bitterly.
Still, Zeratul was silent. Artanis looked across the fields, hoping to see some sign. What he saw was a mustering host. Zealots walked in great ranks. Scoutships filled the air. Carriers descended from on high.
The full might of the Conclave was massing. They had to act. Artanis looked to Tassadar. "No word. The Conclave is mustering. They'll be here soon."
"We'll be ready for them Tassadar." said Fenix. "We can hold out for a long time. Long enough for Zeratul to succeed."
"Zeratul has already failed." said Tassadar, voice dark.
And Artanis knew he was right. "What now?"
Tassadar looked at the coming army. Then he looked to Artanis and Fenix with distant eyes. "…Take our forces and flee into the wildness. Take everyone you can. I will stay here and surrender myself to the Conclave."
"We cannot allow you to sacrifice yourself!" said Artanis.
"Go." said Tassadar. "If Zeratul and his brethren are indeed dead then this war is for naught. It is better that the khalai be unified by my capture, than destroyed by a pointless war."
"We must go, Artanis." said Fenix. "Tassadar is right."
Artanis stared helplessly. Then he looked down at his feet. "Forgive me, Tassadar. This is my plan. My fault."
Tassadar put a hand to his shoulder. "No. No, the fault is mine. As it always has been."
They fled. They took all the forces and equipment they could muster and ran. They fled into the wilderness with their ships. As they did, Artanis glanced back and saw Tassadar standing silent on the hilltop. Night fell over the Gardens of Antioch. The sun fell behind the hills and the only light which remained was Tassadar.
Tassadar spoke;
"Executor! Aldaris! This madness must stop!" cried Tassadar. "The sight of my brethren slaughtering one another is more than I can stand. Though I fear you would doom us all, Aldaris, I surrender myself to the Conclave. En Taro Adun, Executor. Don't give up the fight!"
Out of the skies came a great carrier. It descended from on high and sent forth many spotlights to flare down on Tassadar. Tassadar stood silent and looked up at the ship above them. "Tassadar of the Templar, by your actions you have severed yourself from the mercy of your brethren." said Aldaris' voice from everywhere and nowhere. "You refused to destroy the Terran worlds as was commanded. You have questioned time and time again, the sacred will of the Conclave. And you have abandoned your Homeworld in its darkest hour. Most grievous of all is that you have allied yourself with the blasphemous Dark Ones, and learned to utilize their profane powers in tandem with our own! What say you, oh fallen Templar?"
"Aldaris, I submit myself to the Conclave's judgment." said Tassadar. "But know this, given the same choices again, I would surely have made them. I have sacrificed all that our world might live. I have sullied my honor, I have discarded my rank and standing, and I have even broken our own most ancient traditions. But never think that I would, for one moment, regret my actions. For I am Templar, and above all else, I have sworn to Protect our Homeworld 'till the end."
Fenix set a hand to Artanis' shoulder. Artanis looked at him. Then they turned from their friend, their hero, and fled into darkness.
Author's Note:
I personally think that the above was one of the most effective scenes in Starcraft 1. It very much mirrored Judas and the Pharisees.
By the way, the above is a legimitate strategy in Homeland. It is actually the easier way to win. You quickly build up an attack force and assault the front gate of the Heart of the Conclave. Then you sneak Zeratul and the Dark Templar around to the eastern entrance. If you're quick, you can destroy the Heart of the Conclave without a lengthy battle.
It also is better in an in universe situation, since it means you didn't have a massive civil war. And that seems more in character for Tassadar anyway.
Anyway, enjoy.