Chapter Twenty-Three: Delaying Tactics

This is the end. Or close to it.

I'm standing here with Emily in a line of portable bunkers. Commander Calabas set them up here to defend the cliff approaches, and it was a smart move. I'm watching as a constant tide of zerg rush against our bunkers. These things take way more to kill. I've seen men unload dozens of shots into them without killing them.

Siege tanks fire into their midst, but it doesn't do much more than slow them down. The only thing keeping us in the fight right now is the high ground. And those guardians on the horizon don't look too good.

Liberty's Report, volume IV.

There was no more despair on the bridge of the Hyperion. Everyone was working busily, going about their assigned roles. Raynor watched as Matt gave one order after another. He really had grown into the role.

It was better to focus on him than the Overmind. He could see it in the distance, pulsing with energy. The closer he got to it, the more he wanted to make a run for it.

Eventually, Matt came up to him. "Jim, we're landing our forces northwest of the Overmind. Tassadar is on the opposite side. But we haven't gotten any messages from him since the um, conference call we had earlier. Our sensors are being blocked by the Overmind."

"Any chance we can get through?" asked Raynor.

"No, sir. The Overmind it… when you look at it on the sensors it radiates psionic energy." said Matt. "There is so much of it that we can't detect anything on the other side. Hell, I've had to start rotating my ensigns because they get splitting headaches looking at it."

"Well that's pretty typical." said Jim. "What about Serena? Anything on her?"

"Serena has set up her troops to the south of our position, and she's already come under assault. We haven't been able to communicate very well, though." said Matt. "We set up the line of bunkers like you wanted. It'll only be a matter of time before we get hit.

"What's the layout of the Overmind's defenses?" asked Jim.

"The Overmind is heavily dug in." said Matt. "The Tiamat Brood has established itself surrounding the Overminds own forces. But we aren't picking up any cerebrates. So far they've only attacked Serena, but I wouldn't count on our luck holding out."

"Patch me through to Gui." said Jim.

The transmission was worse that Raynor expected. Gui barely appeared past all the static, and it took a moment to get any words through.

"-commander?" Gui finished.

"Gui I want you to take charge of the main defense line." said Raynor. "Don't let any of those critters through."

"Wh-" said Gui. "I can't-"

"Matt can you move us closer." said Jim.

"Roger that." said Matt.

Gradually the static cleared up. "Am I coming through?" asked Raynor.

"Roger that." said Gui. "What are your orders?"

"I want you to take charge of the defense line." said Raynor. "Make sure none of the zerg get through."

"Understood." said Gui. "When I started a mining colony on Mar Sara this wasn't what I was expecting."

"Join the club." said Raynor.

The channel cut out. Raynor looked up. "This isn't working. I'm gonna have to take to the ground if I'm gonna be able to organize things. Take Command of the Hyperion, Matt. And see if you can get a message to Serena.

I need to meet with her, try an coordinate. Figure out some way to get past all this static."

"Understood sir." said Matt. "I may have a plan. It's a bit old fashioned, but if we set up wires between all our major bases, we should be able to coordinate a bit. Though if any of them get cut, we'll be in trouble."

"Do it." said Raynor. "We're not gonna be able to do anything at this rate."

"Are you sure you want to meet with Commander Serena directly?" asked Matt.

"Nah, sometimes a man has got to take responsibility for his actions." said Jim. "Besides, if anybody is gonna skinned alive for this it better be me."

When Jim Raynor found Serena, she was standing by a portable console and reading reports. Her HQ had a clear view of the Overmind, and numerous guards were standing by. Her black hair was tied behind her head, and she had bags under her eyes.

"Serena," said Raynor, "you look terrible."

Serena glanced up. "We've been very busy. For the record, neither of us was right or wrong."

"That wasn't exactly what I was expecting." admitted Raynor.

"What? Did you think I'd let Tassadar into my heart and join your little yin yang club?" asked Serena.

"Actually I figured you'd rip me to shreds." said Raynor.

Serena sighed. "The situation had no real villains. Except possibly the Overmind. Both of us looked at the exact same situation and came to the exact opposite conclusion.

"I determined that destroying the zerg through traditional methods was more practical. When the Conclave refused to consider an alliance, I decided not to abandon my allies.

"I'm not saying sorry."

"Right." said Jim. "Wasn't expecting you to. So what's our status?"

"The Overmind is mustering its broods." said Serena. "I've established a line of portable bunkers along all land routes. Emily is there, as well as Michael Liberty. They've already repulsed several attacks, but they are getting heavier.

"I'm expecting to face off against their air power soon."

"So what's the plan for attack?" asked Jim.

"At the moment I've been establishing a base." said Serena. "Artanis and Tassadar have moved into the high ground. We may actually be able to link up our forces. Unfortunately, we've been having trouble communicating."

"You and me both." said Jim. "Matt's set up cables to connect our bases.

"We ought to link up with em and launch a full-on assault. If we break through the zerg we should be able to finish off the Overmind before we get overwhelmed."

"I'm sure it would be very dramatic, but let's make a less suicidal battle strategy." said Serena. "We aren't fighting Kaloth, remember, but the Overmind itself.

"I want to destroy all the outlying zerg hives. Once we've annihilated those, we can focus all our efforts on the Overmind."

"Um, Serena, you do know we're up against a god, don't you?" asked Raynor.

"Of course I do, Jim." said Serena. "But I refuse to make a strategy based on the assumption that our enemy is impossible to defeat. Even if we kill the Overmind, we'll have to wipe out these broods sooner or later anyway."

"We should probably get Tassadar on the line for this." said Raynor. "Have you been able to reach him?"

"No." said Serena. "The Overmind is screwing with psionic communications as well. I tried to reach Tassadar three times before you came over here. Divide and conquer is the Overmind's strategy, I would guess."

"So what are we going to do about this?" asked Raynor. "Protoss tech doesn't use wires."

"I'm having my crews establish multiple psi emitters on low yield." said Serena. "Hopefully we'll be able to bounce our signals off of them and communicate with the protoss. It will take some time though, and we'll have to move ahead with our schedule before it's done."

And then Raynor saw something. A zerg queen surging toward them. With it came a host of mutalisks that crashed against the defenses. As the battle raged, the Queen shot over her doomed escort. It spat out something that landed on the ground. The ball of mucus was torn aside, revealing two parasitic monsters. They scuttled toward them while the guards were distracted with the marines.

"Look out!" said Raynor, going for his pistol.

And then there was a hail of chaingun ammunition. Both were torn apart in seconds. A blue armored marine walked forward, raising the chaingun. Then he looked to Raynor. "You know, for the most famous Commander in the Dominion, you're pretty hard to find." His faceplate slid back, and Raynor saw someone he thought he'd never see again. "I had to see it for myself. Little Jimmy Raynor. The Dominion's hero."

"Tychus?" asked Raynor. He was at a loss. "I heard they put you on ice."

"Life sentence." said Tychus. "But, you know me, Jimmy. There ain't a prison in Koprolu that could contain my raw sex appeal."

"But how'd you get here?" asked Raynor.

"Mengsk released him as a favor to you, actually." said Serena. "His expertise on weaponry has been very useful to me. What are you doing away from the front?"

"Emily wanted me to tell you that there is a large contingent of guardians approaching." said Tychus. "If we don't get rid of em they'll shell the line into dust."

Serena turned to a black haired kid at a portable console. "Morgan, send the signal flare for the south defenses. You should have told me that first."

The kid nodded and ran off. Raynor raised an eyebrow. "Signal flare?"

"I anticipated that the Overmind might cut off all our communications like this." said Serena. "So I worked out a system of flares that give general instructions." As she spoke, there was a burst of light above, brilliant yellow and green.

"What's this one?" asked Raynor.

"It tells Tom Kazansky that the south defenses need air support." said Serena. "Unless the Overmind can block people's eyesight he can't shut that down.

"I want to launch an assault on the northmost zerg hives as soon as possible. I don't want the Overmind calling in reinforcements while we're occupied."

"Gotcha." said Raynor.

Serena looked to Tychus. "Mr. Findlay, would you like to accompany Raynor?"

Tychus took drew out a cigerette and lit it. "Sure, I'm done with errand work anyway."

"Good." said Serena. "I'm sure you have much to talk about."

"You want me to lead the assault?" asked Raynor.

"Well you are the conquering hero." said Serena. "I'm more the unflappable commander. Much as I'd love to charge in guns a blazing like back on Mar Sara, I now have people to do that for me."

"Harsh." said Raynor.

"Not harsh enough, actually. When we get back to Korhal you can explain things to Arcturus." said Serena. "Now I believe we have work to do. Take your choice of men and get ready to strike at the zerg base just near the entrance. I'll have the fleet give you fire support."

"Got ya." said Raynor.

He and Tychus began to make their way back. As they did, Raynor wondered if Mengsk would tell Serena just what his orders had been. On they walked.

Raynor looked to Tychus. "So, what have you been up to?"

"A hell of a lotta things, Jimmy." said Tychus. "I gotta say, old Mengsk picked the perfect era to wake me up for."

"So you aren't put off by the whole alien invasion thing?" asked Raynor.

"Eh," said Tychus, "got a bit weird. But at least we're shooting up something that deserves it. Those Guild Wars got old real quick."

"Don't I know it." said Raynor. "I think that's really why I went bad. The Kel'morians were bad. But the Confederates were bad too. I didn't know which one was worse.

"Was it like that with you?"

"Nah." said Tychus. "Well, maybe a little. I guess I figured it was a dog eat dog world. So it didn't matter what I did, since everybody else did the same.

"Way I see it now, that made me part of the problem."

"Well, in our defense," said Raynor, "there wasn't much of a solution until now."

Soon they reached the base, and Raynor found Gui at the bunkers. Huge piles of zerglings were lying burned and flaming by the defense line. Vast numbers of zerg were dead in the fields. Gui saluted as he approached.

"Gui, how are you holding up?" asked Raynor.

"Not so well." admitted Gui. "The damn zerg just keep on coming. What's the plan?"

"We're going to launch an attack on the zerg." said Raynor. "I want your firebats in the front, keeping the zerglings off our backs."

"Understood." said Gui.

"Has Matt set up communications yet?" asked Raynor.

"Yeah." said Gui. "The com is over there." He pointed.

Raynor nodded. "Right, keep up the good work."

He made his way over and opened a channel. Matt looked at him. "Sir, glad to see you're all right."

"Matt, get the scanners working on a good attack point on the nearest zerg hive." said Raynor. "And prepare to bring the Hyperion up behind us with the rest of the fleet."

Matt nodded. "Understood sir. Is this your plan or Serena's?"

"I little from columns A and B." said Raynor. "Patch me through to the boys."

Matt nodded. "You're on, sir."

"Alright people, listen up." said Raynor. "I know we're technically rogue. But the whole rebel freedom fighter thing won't do anyone a lick of good if everybody gets assimilated. Calabas wants us to launch an attack against the northmost zerg hive, and we're gonna do it.

"I want all our siege tank crews ready with their infantry. Battlecruiser support will be with us, but that doesn't mean we can afford to get careless.

"Let's show these critters what the terrans are made of."

"Jimmy, I'm impressed. I never figured you'd be one for making speeches." said Tychus.

"Well, you pick up a thing or two as a Marshall." said Raynor. "And as an intergalactic space cowboy."

"Where'd you study tactics anyway?" asked Tychus. "Must have been a hell of an officers school."

"Never did. Picked things up as I went." said Raynor. "Wasn't much more than a face at first. Let's-"

There were cries of dismay coming from where the heavy equipment was landing. Raynor looked up to see the assembled siege tanks were covered in red goo. The metal was visibly smoking before their eyes. "God damn it."

"Commander! Our siege tanks have just been hit with some kind of red goo!" shouted a man. "It's making hell with our systems! Anything it touches gets burned up!"

"Damn it, get anyone hit with the stuff to the medical bay and pull those tanks back for repairs." said Raynor. "Gui, get someone to tell Serena we're gonna have to delay the assault.

"Matt, get comsat sweeps in the surrounding area. Find the defiler and blast it to pieces. And keep an eye out for any more."

"Well this ain't good." said Tychus. "Sure we can't just tough it out, partner?"

Raynor shook his head. "Not an option, Tychus. That stuff makes weapons practically useless. It's be like throwing paper at a dragon."

"Well, this ain't much in the way of fun then is it?" asked Tychus.

"Jim, we've got incoming zerg coming at us from the south." said Matt. "Our long-range sensors are also picking up broods of zerg from all over Aiur coming toward us. In a few hours, we're gonna have company."

Raynor slammed his fist against the com. "Damn it! The old eyeball knows we're on a timetable, so he's just stalling us while he can get more broods in to attack us!" He looked up to Tychus and drew his pistol. "There's your fun, Tychus. Start the party without me. I've got to get my marine armor on.

"Lock and load people! Nothing gets through!"

Tychus unslung his gattling canon. "Fair enough."

Author's Note:

I had some very poetic ideas for how to do this chapter. Ultimately I threw them away since I figured we'd had enough poetry last chapter. I figured that I'd focus on the terran side of things first off. It ended up being long enough for an entire chapter.

The reunion between Tychus and Raynor was something which flowed naturally.

Actually, I'd like to talk about the ending of Wings of Liberty and why it fails on a symbolic level. See, one of the most notable moments in Brood War is when Raynor swears vengeance over the corpse of a friend. This is his last scene in the game, and it is one of the best. It is the only source of hope in the ending of Brood War.

So what is Raynor's last seen in Wings of Liberty? It is of him killing another friend in order to protect the woman he swore to kill. In a properly written story, this would have been a moral event horizon. Forsaking his duty to his fallen comrade, who he swore to avenge while murdering a friend. And for what? So he can get his complete monster of a girlfriend back?

Of course, all of that was unintentional.

But the ending of Wings of Liberty remains a complete betrayal of Raynor's entire character. All so they could focus on a romantic plot tumor nobody cared about. Kerrigan didn't even contribute anything to the story after Wings of Liberty. He could have put a bullet in her then given her role to Stukov.

Which is unfortunate. Wings of Liberty is by far the best of the three expansions. Both in terms of gameplay, characterization, and storyline. Heart of the Swarm had a protagonist so utterly repulsive that I was rooting for Duran in their fight. It did what I thought was impossible and made me hate Kerrigan more than I did in Brood War. During her redemption arc, no less. And Stukov's character was also betrayed. Kerrigan is just as responsible for what happened to Dugalle as Duran. Perhaps even moreso. If Stukov were in character, he'd have backstabbed Kerrigan at some point.

As for Legacy of the Void, it didn't have any characters at all. Just a series of emotionless automatons without any pathos reciting bad imitation Shakespear. And yes, I know that everyone likes Alerak. But if you took away his voice actor, he'd be nothing more than yet another mustache-twirling villain. Which is admittedly more than Amon got. He was reduced from an eldritch abomination to a whiny anti-climax boss by the end. He's about one notch above Kylo Ren in terms of villainy by the end.

That said, I liked Nova: Covert Ops. It had a hero you could root for. The villain had established motivations and was legitimately competent. There were several morally gray moments which players could disagree on. And since it only had nine missions, the plot was efficiently told. Also, there were a lot of really interesting game mechanics. It was also the only campaign which captured the feel of the original Starcraft. It gave you a sense that there were a lot of different powers with conflicting agendas.