Chapter Twenty-three: Fighting Fate
I'm not really sure what I'm going to do when all this is over.
Assuming we survive, of course. But really, after this kind of story, reporting on corrupt politicians is going to seem tame. I used to worry about a ghost assassin blowing my brains out from the top of a skyscraper.
Honestly, at this point, taking a canister round to the head might be a relief.
Liberty's Report, volume IV
The moment Tassadar finished his speech he knew what was coming. But it did not need to happen. He might still avert it, with the proper tactics. As he sat within his chair on the bridge of the Gantrithor, he breathed deeply.
"So it has begun." he opened a channel to his fellows. "Aldaris establish your forces here as a defensive garrison. You have been traveling longer, so you will be the reserves. Zeratul, take your forces up and establish defenses on the cliffs above. Fenix, warp in photon cannons in the passes!
"Let nothing pass our vigil!" "As you command, Tassadar." said Fenix.
"What task shall I accomplish?" asked Artanis.
"Artanis, I would have you take charge of the scout fleets." said Tassadar. "The Overmind now perceives me. It knows well the peril it faces and knows who among us commands.
"The Gantrithor must remain intact."
"There are other carriers. Perhaps you should take to the ground?" said Artanis.
Tassadar was tempted to accept it. But what he had to do, what he might have to do, would require this vessel. He shook his head. "No. My work will be done in the skies above. "Work swiftly, my friends. For all the eyes of the universe are on us."
And work they did. Tassadar could sense them working to achieve their tasks. They did so with a speed and coordination previously unknown even to the khalai. As they did, Tassadar's gaze was drawn again and again to the Overmind. That creature which he had known he would confront for all his life.
Yet must the nature of the confrontation remain the same? There might yet be another way. There was much Tassadar could still accomplish in this life. Lives that could be saved. Enemies who would be more easily defeated for his presence.
Yes, he would not be a slave to fate.
"We are established on the high ground, Tassadar." said Zeratul.
"And our photon cannons have been erected in the passes." said Fenix. "We have already repulsed several probing assaults."
Good. All was going well. Almost too well. "Very well then. Ready your forces for an assault, Fenix. Aldaris will take your place in the defense. Make haste; we must be ready."
"Tassadar, what are we waiting for?" asked Artanis.
"Raynor has established his forces opposite to us." said Tassadar. "Even now he and Calabas are mustering for an assault. We must coordinate with them."
From the moment he had been born Tassadar had known things he should not. He'd been able to do things which masters were incapable of. He could discern truths which were hidden from others. And he had yet to reveal all of them.
Perhaps in time he could.
"Incoming scourge!" said an officer. "All scouts prepare to defend the carriers!" said Artanis.
"Unleash our interceptors. Quickly." said Tassadar.
On the scourges came. But they did not target the scouts or even the other carriers. They surged through the sky, weaving through the carriers toward him. And him alone.
"Tassadar, the enemy is focusing all their fire on the Gantrithor." said Artanis.
"Draw us back, quickly." said Tassadar. "We must not fall before it is time."
Before it was time. It need not be time. It need not ever be time.
The Gantrithor withdrew away from the scourges. The scouts and other carriers obliterated many more of them. Finally, they halted their pursuit and rushed toward nearby ships.
A series of explosions resounded through the sky. Yet more brethren had fallen and sacrificed for this final victory.
"Such is the nature of the world." said Tassadar. "The wounds dealt by the wicked may only be healed by sacrifice." He paused and spoke. "My brethren, remember this. You will meet many who cloak themselves in the trappings of benevolence. They will say to you; 'I am not your enemy.' or 'here is the greater threat that I must protect you from.' They will tell you that destiny demands they be given power over many, lest a greater evil occur. They will say 'by your evil deeds you made this happen.' They will claim that because they spared a few when they killed many, that they are good.
"But they are liars. Their words are but a mask to disguise their malice. Their deeds of good but a smile of hypocrisy on the face of a monster.
"By their actions, you will know them. If a man speaks of salvation and sews only death, then death is all that shall come of his life. And though he may triumph for a day or an eon, he shall be shut out at the end of things. Likewise, if a man speaks only of himself, but serves the right, then he is my brother and worthy of praise."
He was speaking the truth. He had been speaking it since the beginning. He wondered if any would listen. And at once he knew the answer.
So he turned his gaze elsewhere. "Aldaris, is there news?" It was a formality. He already knew what Aldaris would say.
"Our sensors have detected massive numbers of zerg." said Aldaris. "They are flowing in from every direction. The Overmind is sending forth all its hosts to assail us."
"Then you must hold them at bay, Aldaris." said Tassadar. "Ensure they cannot attack our rear and we may triumph."
They could triumph. He did not need to do it.
"Tassadar, if Aldaris withdraws from the defense then we will be spread thin." said Artanis.
"Much must be risked if we are to emerge victorious." said Tassadar. Then he turned his gaze north. "It is time, Felix. Launch your assault."
"But we have no data on Raynor's base." said Fenix.
"Have I not led you here?" asked Tassadar, feeling irritation. "Could you not trust me by word alone?"
"I can." said Fenix.
"Do as I command." said Tassadar. "Have faith, and victory shall be yours."
"As you command." said Fenix. "Arise! Arise sons of Aiur! We march to war!"
And Tassadar watched. Watched as Fenix and his armies rushed to attack. At the same moment, Raynor launched his own assault. There were roars and explosion and all manner of death. But it blurred together, for Tassadar knew that this was but the prelude. But a prelude could be the beginning of many things.
If all the hosts of terrans arrayed themselves with the legions of the protoss. If they unleashed their full might…
Tassadar beheld a vision. A vision of a valley cleared of all zerg. Of siege tanks and carriers and reavers and marines, of all the forces arrayed here. They unleashed their weaponry upon the Overmind. Its shell was broken, and the Dark Templar entered to destroy it.
No need for any more sacrifice. No need for more death.
He was afraid. Tassadar realized that now. Though his form was strong, his flesh was weak. He peered across the battlefield, watching the bloodshed and seeking a way to escape. As he did, he gave commands to a group of arbiters. "Tassadar, I am picking up a large detachment of guardians and mutalisks responding to Fenix's attack." said Artanis. "We must aid him."
"Our cause will be better served by guile, Artanis. Arbiters, unleash your stasis fields." said Tassadar.
As he commanded, half the zerg flyers were frozen in place. Tassadar was glad. "Now Artanis, move in. We must destroy the enemy."
Thus they went forth and unleashed their full might. As they did, Fenix sent a message. "Tassadar, I am detecting terran weaponry on the other side of the zerg hive cluster. And our outlying observers are detecting terran battlecruisers. You were right. Raynor has launched his assault."
"It is more than Raynor." said Tassadar. "The Dominion as a whole is with us."
The events were different. The Dominion was not as it could have been. It was strong. A force for good. In time, it could become far greater still. Could that change alter the fate before him? His limitations in this form prevented him from seeing.
Or perhaps he merely did not want to see.
"Tassadar, scourges come from the south!" said Artanis.
Tassadar had not seen this. "Deploy interceptors. Redeploy scouts to cover us-"
Then the Gantrithor shook as the scourges crashed into it. Tassadar shuddered as the power fractured the ship. He could feel cracks in the surface. That had been close.
"Tassadar, our shields were erased by that assault." said an officer. "And I fear that our superstructure sustained serious damage from the zerg onslaught."
"Tassadar, you should pull back to the rear of the line at once." said Artanis. "Command from safety."
He could not do that. Tassadar saw the universes where he did that. Each one failed. In darkness. And he realized why his sight had failed him. He now faced himself in the Overmind — a shadowy reflection.
What Tassadar was to the protoss, so to was the Overmind to the zerg. Perhaps more so. For he had been with them from the very beginning. He now beheld it within the physical mass that was its body — a great eye.
It beheld all. Had its powers truly advanced to the point where it could contend directly with him?
"…I cannot, Artanis." said Tassadar. "Zeratul, tell me of Serena Calabas?"
"She appears to have taken a defensive position." said Zeratul "Her battlecruisers are absent, however."
"They are assisting Raynor in his assault." said Tassadar. "Prepare to open communication to her."
"Unfortunately I have been unable to reach her." said Zeratul. "The Overmind's aura is interfering with our communications. Only the khala allows us to speak with one another now."
"She will have gotten around that in a few moments." said Tassadar. Then he paused. "Hear me, Zeratul. There are many futures ahead of this moment. Each one changes dramatically based on the will of every individual.
"As every individual may be saved by their will, so too may everyone be damned. A single act may move mountains.
"But the future in its fullness cannot be known to any within this mortal realm. Do not peer too deeply into visions that you forget the moment. And the actions of those within it. For not all prophets are true. And some among them will appear as those you trust."
"I do not understand." said Zeratul.
"You will." said Tassadar. "Open communication to Calabas."
"As you wish." said Zeratul.
Serena Calabas appeared on the screen. She was clad in marine armor and looking over reports. She looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Tassadar? Well, this is coincidental. I was just about to try and call you."
"Your use of psi emitters was a far better one than what was intended in their design." said Tassadar.
This irritated Calabas. She did not like the idea of meeting Tassadar. Her belief in him was more a minor tradition. "Well, someone is showing off their powers of foresight. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You will establish contact with Raynor at once." said Tassadar. "His ground forces will move west and assault the zerg clusters there. Fenix will march to meet him.
"You will then dispatch your fleets to the hive clusters south of our position. I will meet you there, and together we will annihilate it."
"I'm sorry, at what point during this conversation did I become your subordinate?" asked Serena.
"I was not commanding you to do anything." said Tassadar. "Nor do I claim any authority over any creature save that which is given willingly. I was mere foretelling what you would do."
Calbas rolled her eyes. "…Showoff.
"Fine, I'll send my fleets to help yours. But this had better work."
Tassadar cut the channel and opened another. "Fenix, take your forces and move north along the outskirts of the primary hive. Destroy everything you find until you meet with Raynor. From there you will regroup and prepare for an assault."
"Tassadar, these actions seem reckless." said Artanis. "By dividing our forces, we risk being destroyed piecemeal-"
"I have given my orders, Artanis." said Tassadar. "Speed is of the essence. The Overmind must be destroyed without any further sacrifice.
"The swarm must be routed.
"Array our fleets and launch the assault, now!"
"As you command." said Artanis.
On went the battle. Minutes ticked into hours. As it progressed, Tassadar began to hope. For victory was coming ever closer. And it occurred to him that if the Overmind was able to contend with his will, then the result was not set in stone.
It might be that he could destroy the Overmind and remain as he was. He saw before him a vision. Of khalai and nerazim alike hailing him as their king. Aiur would be rebuilt, and he would rule with a just hand. The wicked would be driven out, and the dark powers would be destroyed.
So much misery might be averted. There would be peace between terran and protoss. The dark influence upon the swarm would be rooted out. And in time that race might be redeemed by Tassadar's guidance.
He imagined himself ruling for millennia. His influence spreading out throughout the stars. He would bring about heaven itself on the material plane. None would be able to oppose him. All could be set right, as he so desired. He knew better than others. With his foresight and wisdom, a new age could be made. Perhaps there would be lesser evils performed, but it would be in pursuit of the greater good.
"Tassadar, we have done as you commanded." said Fenix. "The outlying hives on this side of the valley lie in ashes."
Tassadar looked up. "Well done, Fenix. We need only wait for-"
"Tassadar! We have come under attack by overwhelming zerg forces!" said Zeratul. "Our photon cannons are being overrun!"
"This is Jimmy. My boys are under heavy assault by the zerg and need help ASAP." said Jim. "Can you help us?"
Tassadar shook his head. "…I never saw this.
"Hold on, Zeratul. Fenix, go to their aid. I will take the Gantrithor and shore up our terran allies. Artanis, take us to the terran encampment."
And so his orders were followed. And Tassadar knew that these thoughts were not the way to salvation. They had been the thoughts of Duran once, of the Confederacy, of the protoss when they had attacked the Xel'naga. 'For the greater good.' had been the motto of every tyrant and monster in history. Men who had set aside the will of god and the wills of their fellows. They had terrorized over the innocent in pursuit of imagined goals. And so they became the villain of every story. Their virtues were forgotten by a universe who knew only their deeds.
What if the world were to end tomorrow? Who among mankind would look with the end of all things with more horror than one of these? A man who has been committing slaughter and tyranny in pursuit of a perfect future. But that future would now never be anything more than a dream. While their deeds of the moment and the past were the sum of their beings. All for nothing.
No. Tassadar would not become a king. Whatever happened, victory or defeat, sacrifice or life, he would remain a servant. He would remain Tassadar the Executor.
The victory was won. The assault repulsed. The outlying zerg hive clusters were in ashes. And Tassadar knew that his hope might well be fulfilled. He needed only to launch on final attack. One last battle and all would be finished.
Or perhaps, everything would begin.
"We have regained control here. Well done, all of you." said Tassadar. "Now we must stand ready for the final attack."
"Tassadar, we have run out of time." said Aldaris. "The zerg reinforcements are here."
Tassadar looked at the walls. "Then matters are truly dire.
"Forward my brethren! All terran and protoss forces not engaged are to assault the Overmind! Destiny is at hand, and all our fates will soon be decided!
"We must not fail!"
Tassadar would have smiled if he had a mouth. There was yet hope. The sacrifice was not needed now. What purpose would it serve if the Dominion and protoss emerged victoriously? They had achieved this victory by their own actions. Surely a martyr was of no use when the victory was won wholly and completely.
Tassadar did not need to die. Aiur did not need to fall.
He just needed to win this last battle.
Author's Note:
Writing Tassadar's perspective is always a bit difficult. Since he is protoss Jesus any kind of personality flaw would mess with the lore.
Also, some of you may have noticed a number of take-that's to Heart of the Swarm in this chapter. I didn't plan on including them to be honest, they just came naturally. Either way, I'm sure nobody wants to hear me rip into Heart of the Swarm again, so why don't we call it quits.
...Actually, no. Let's not. If you don't want to read me ranting about Heart of the Swarm, don't read any further.
Are they gone? Okay, here I go.
It boggles my mind that anyone could seriously think that Kerrigan had redeemed herself at the end of Legacy of the Void. All she did in Starcraft II was commit mass genocide against protoss, terran, AND zerg. She didn't even stop attacking Zeratul after Heart of the Swarm. Sparing a few ships of soldiers and not massacring civilians in Augustgrad does not count as redemption. You don't get a prize for basic decency. And she only did it to impress her boyfriend.
Genocide is not the path to being a good person. This should be obvious, but it apparently isn't obvious enough. So I'm going to keep emphasizing the fact. Because there are people who still genuinely believe that Kerrigan is a good guy in Starcraft II. Or an anti-hero. Or an anti-villain. When in reality she is just a villain working against other villains.
If you think that Kerrigan was redeemed, you are wrong.
You are entitled to your opinion. But your opinion is objectively wrong.
That may sound arrogant to say, but it isn't. Nobody would get on my case if I said the sky was blue. Kerrigan is a genocidal, hypocritical, self-righteous, entitled, merciless, spiteful, person who murders and tortures everybody who helps her and never once acknowledges that she did anything wrong except for a throwaway line toward the end of Void. She is like that in Brood War, and she doesn't change in the slightest afterward. People just stop calling her on it. On literally every form of morality that humankind has ever adopted, she counts as a monster. From the idea that one gets into heaven by having their good deeds outweigh their bad, she fails because she has like, three minor good deeds compared to multiple counts of genocide. And from a Christian perspective, she fails because she never even acknowledges her misdeeds, letting alone seeking absolution for them. I'm no expert on Buddhists or Muslims, so I won't speak for them, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't be okay with it either. Fucking Genghis Khan would tell this bitch to take a chill pill.
Oh and don't even give me anything about destiny or necessary evils. Because from the perspective of a utilitarian idea that survival is the greatest good, and extinction the greatest evil, Kerrigan still earns a failing grade in ethics. Her actions only serve to leave the Koprolu Sector exposed to Amon.
If she had done nothing in Brood War, the UED would have saved the universe by wiping out both zerg and protoss. And her taking out Arcturus ends up decimating the Dominion Military in the process. If she had just assassinated him with her ghost skills, Valerian would have taken the throne easily. Instead, she chose the most destructive possible method to kill the maximum number of people possible.
Hell, even protagonist centered morality cannot justify her actions, because there are three protagonists in Starcrafts and she routinely acts contrary to their interests.
I could, and have, talked for years on end about how much I fucking hate Heart of the Swarm's story. This goes beyond merely bad storytelling. This is a personal vendetta.
That may sound silly. But it isn't.
What you read, watch and play in fiction effects how you view the real world. Stories are more than just entertainment. They shape the beliefs and ideals of our society. If no one calls out popular stories with monsters for heroes, then people will start to admire those monsters. In a way, Kerrigan, Mengsk, Raynor, Tassadar, are all are real.
We invest ourselves in their stories. We care about their struggles. And they shape us. Change us.
So no, I'm not going to let Kerrigan win. I'm not going to let her murder billions of innocent people, kill Fenix and Duke, and just walk off happily into the sunset like a Nazi who fled to Brazil.
Fuck. That.
I haven't decided what I'm going to do with Kerrigan just yet. I may try for the redemption angle. I may kill her off. But she isn't going to get to do everything she did in canon and then just walk away.
On a separate note, I invite you to prove me wrong on this. Bring me an ideology in the real world which would be okay with what Kerrigan has done. A system of morality that claims that the best way to atone for your misdeeds is to do the same misdeeds all over again. Except on a larger scale.
I'll wait.