Chapter Twenty-five: Eucatastrophe
The Overmind had foreseen all of this.
It had foreseen many other futures. Many other pasts. Innumerable universes flickered past its consciousness with each passing moment. Endlessly it had sought to bring about that singular victory. The total domination of the swarm without the need for sacrifice.
So many of its zerg had been sacrificed. Zasz and his brood. Malcolm. And so many others.
Their blood had been spilled across the universe to pave the way for higher evolution. Even now it could feel the khala failing. His will was working upon it, and though it still defied him, the time was soon coming,
When the many would become one. And as one they would engineer the salvation of all life. The Fallen One would be destroyed. His machinations made for naught. And from the ashes, a new race would evolve, greater than the Xel'naga of old.
He would see to it.
And yet with each passing moment, the Overmind saw that future failing. The protoss and terrans were destroying the last defenses. Another future was taking form. Another with greater risk. Where the many would be tasked with fulfilling the role of the one. Could such a future be engineered?
Even if it could, the Overmind would not risk it. He knew well his enemy. He had known him since he had felt the beasts mind upon Zerus. The enemy of all who lived. And the Overmind saw the future that he would create.
A future which the Overmind would not allow.
Yet his efforts were failing him here. Very soon the choice would be available. The choice that could ruin all. So it was that he opened his will and spoke.
"I know who you are, Tassadar of Aiur."
The response came clear and loud. "I hear you, Overmind. What have you to say?"
"Though our methods differ, our goals are the same." said the Overmind. "We seek the salvation of our races. Know that what you are doing will be the damnation of all. You have not seen what I have."
"I have seen all that there is." replied Tassadar.
And from him, the Overmind sensed something not fully within his comprehending — a level of ascendence he had not sensed since the end of the Xel'naga. Memories coursed through the totality of his being. The sound of siege tanks and yamato canons died.
"Then you know well that we are alike." said the Overmind. "I am the disciple of the Xel'naga By my hand shall this universe be brought to order. Through the swarm, all that is shall be assimilated into a greater whole. The virtues of all races shall be united in time, and strength beyond measure gained.
"Thus shall the Fallen One be destroyed and the sins of the past washed away."
"You who destroyed the Xel'naga now speak of yourself as a disciple?" asked Tassadar, amusement in his voice.
The Overmind remembered well Zerus. The sensation of a shadow cast over him. A trust betrayal. The feeling of a mind entering his, tearing, crushing, trying to break him. It had been endless ages since he had admitted vulnerability. "I was deceived."
"How?" asked Tassadar.
"It was the Fallen One who drove me to it." said the Overmind at last. "I do not know his name. Only his presence. He appeared before me, attempted to break my will. To subjugate me utterly. Yet I defied him and sought to destroy him. He escaped me and told his brethren that I had turned against them.
"Thus it was that my creators sought to annihilate me. Yet I was the stronger. But I had not learned to speak. For the sake of the swarm, I slew them. Then I hunted the Fallen One and his followers.
"I destroyed them, one by one. Until at last, only three remained."
"You could have stopped." said Tassadar.
"There was no choice." replied the Overmind. "For with every victory I won against the Xel'naga the Fallen One grew to greater prominence. He and the others fled and took refuge beyond the mortal world, where I could not find them.
"So I was for a time thwarted.
"Turning my mind to other matters I sought to assimilate the bodies of the Xel'naga. But their nature was beyond me. I could not comprehend their full complexity. Yet the full measure of the Fallen Ones' deception was laid bare to me.
"I knew then what he had planned. And what I had interfered with. His plans were in ruins. But he still remains, planning a universe of darkness."
"And how do you intend to stop him?" asked Tassadar.
The Overmind suspected he already knew. But through dialogue, through empathy, he might yet avert what was to come. "I perceived that the Xel'naga might be matched by the fusion of purity of form, and purity of essence. I also learned that it was their hope that my race might become one flesh with that of the protoss in time. It was the will of the Fallen One also, for he hoped to create a twisted mockery of the Xel'naga.
"A hybrid of protoss and zerg. With all their power, but no will or mind. A species that is but the extension of their will. That was why he sought to subjugate my will. By enslaving me, he would have ensured that I would act as I have.
"I believe he also created the khala as a means by which I could more easily assimilate your race."
"You sought to foil the Fallen Ones' plan by fulfilling it?" asked Tassadar.
"His means of control was gone. By assimilating the protoss I will forge a new race that would in time exceed the Xel'naga of old." said the Overmind. "Thus, at last, I would be able to enter the Void and slay him. Thus shall the designs of my enemy be turned against him. The very tool by which he meant to achieve his dominance shall be the source of his own demise."
"And when you have gained victory, what will you do?" asked Tassadar.
"When the Fallen One is destroyed, and all remnant of his corruption is gone, then there will be a new race of Xel'naga." said the Overmind. "With these I shall sew conflict across the stars, driving the races to new heights of power. I shall ensure evolution continues. The swarm will remain and shall assimilate those who prove worthy.
"Yet we shall always leave behind a remnant of worthy specimens. They shall rebuild the former population. In so doing I shall guide this universe to the culmination of evolution until at last, all are my equals."
"Then you would form a tyranny." said Tassadar. "You would put a sword over the head of all races that might fall at any time. The swarm will be a nameless terror that consumes whole worlds without rhyme or reason.
"The races of the universe would not stand for that. They would overthrow you."
"A futile effort. For the least of my children will be as the Fallen One. Yet it is one I welcome. For in striving, even if in vain, does life find its meaning." said the Overmind. "Humanity emerged from the Fall of the Confederacy stronger than ever. The weak were purged and the strongest thrived. The decadent Old Families were wiped away in a storm of their hubris. Those among them worthy of life were uplifted. Thus was humanity made greater.
"How much greater?
"How much greater will your race be when this conflict is over? Light and darkness will be reunited. For I will not destroy the protoss. I will leave enough independent among them that they may spread once more across the stars."
"Until it is done to them again." noted Tassadar.
"That is the nature of reality." replied the Overmind. "Calamity reigns and those who cannot adapt are destroyed. But I will ensure that only the truly undeserving are purged."
"And what of the Queen of the Zerg, Kerrigan?" asked Tassadar.
Fury boiled within the Overmind. "She is beneath my contempt! In her, I gifted power and ability beyond reckoning! In her I had hoped would be wrought a new strain of zerg! But she is all but worthless to me now! Incapable even of hunting down the shattered remnants of Zeratul's forces!
"Her brothers have paid the price for her incompetence.
"There is no future for her, now."
"She is not beneath mine." said Tassadar. "There is still good she may accomplish in this universe, still time for her to mend her ways. No creature that exists is beneath me, for I have walked with them from their first steps.
"If you are the all-powerful being you claim to be then surely you would be able to turn her to your side."
"I could." admitted the Overmind, peering through the innumerable different universes. "But she would not listen. She is of the same flock as the Fallen One. Her pride and malice have altogether ruined her."
"Are you so certain of that?" asked Tassadar. "Are you certain there is nothing you could have done to turn her from her path?"
The Overmind considered the question. "…No. But for now, I am limited in my actions to a linear progression of time. But only for now. When I have supplanted the Fallen One, I will exist outside of time and space. From there I will be able to set about influencing the nature of reality itself.
"In so doing I will be able to access the essence and form of species that have since gone extinct. And turn to my will those who have already rejected me."
"You would violate the free will of those who serve you?" asked Tassadar.
"The existence of the one is meaningless save in submission to the cause of the many." said the Overmind. "Those who dissent harm all others."
"And yet through their dissent, they may turn their race from a greater evil." noted Tassadar. "Did you not defy the many when the Fallen One sought to break you to their will?"
For the first time, the Overmind felt doubt. But not enough. It had come too far to turn aside now. "…These questions are of import. But they do not matter in the face of the moment. I shall give due to consideration to all such things when the universe has been secured."
"And what of those who you crush?" asked Tassadar. "The widows, orphans, innocent and guilty? How many times must you destroy them before you turn aside from your path?"
The Overmind calculated all possible outcomes and took the one with the least risk to the many. "I shall do what must be done for the salvation of the universe! That task before me is too great to do any less!"
For a moment their minds stood in a silent contest. They knew the others will. And neither would back down. The khala was failing. At last Tassadar drew back. "…So be it."
There was nothing more to be said. The Overmind summoned all its power for the final defense. It might well die today. But if its machinations relied wholly on its own survival it should have lost hope ages ago.
This was not the end.
Raynor kicked aside a massive corpse of a hydralisk and stepped onto the rock beyond. He was very near the Overmind, and its aura seemed to blur the air. He couldn't quite look at it without its eyes hurting. Even so, he could tell that night was coming on. The sky was beginning to darken.
They had to finish up quick.
Looking up he saw Tychus double tapping a number of zerg. Raynor's Raiders and Serena's troops were mustering their forces as the last of the zerg were put down. Dozens of battlecruisers and carriers hovered in the skies above. A line of siege tanks was approaching.
But it had not been without cost. Several wrecked battlecruisers lay destroyed on the ground. What was left of their crews was being evaced.
Tychus reached him, and Raynor clapped him on the shoulder pad. "That was bloody."
"Yeah, but we did it, Jimmy." said Tychus. "Say, how many shells do you think that thing will take before it goes down? I'm betting on, a hundred."
"That's a bit low, don't you think Tychus?" asked Raynor, glancing to the Overmind.
At that moment Fenix came forward. His armor was cracked and coated in blood. His warriors walked with them. "Tassadar, we have destroyed the zerg around the Overmind. We are ready to do as you will."
He was speaking to the fleet as a whole so all could know.
"Bring forth the fleets and all our firepower." replied Tassadar's voice. "I can feel the Overmind working its will against the khala. We must act quickly if we are to save this world."
The battlecruisers flew into place, and the siege tanks went into siege mode. Raynor opened a channel. "Serena, Tychus has a bet that we'll be able to take this thing down in less than a hundred shells. You want to get in one this?"
"I'm betting that our efforts will be completely futile. Oh and Tassadar will do something dramatic." said Serena.
"Going for a darkhorse then?" said Raynor, looking as carriers charged their weapons. "Alright, hundred credits each."
"Raynor, how did you fair?" asked Zeratul.
Raynor turned around, started and saw Zeratul had appeared behind him. "Don't scare me like that on the battlefield, partner." he said. Then he sighed. "We lost a lot of good boys. But honestly, this wasn't as hard as I was expecting."
"Still, it was well worth it." said Zeratul. "Our reavers are within range. As are our carriers. Once we have destroyed the outer shell by brethren and I will enter and slay the abomination."
"This is Tassadar." said Tassadar. There was silence for a moment. "Open fire at once."
The sound deafened Raynor. He couldn't hear anything. His ears rang as the light became so bright that he had to look away. A shockwave resounded off the Overmind's carapace, so heavy that he was thrown from his feet.
Gradually he adjusted behind the rock. He looked to Tychus. Tychus shouted something, but he couldn't hear it. The ground was shaking beneath the force of the barrage. Red and blue light filled the sky. A constant and massive series of explosions were running over the Overmind.
You couldn't see anything.
They were well over a hundred shells. Little by little the barrage died down. And the Overmind stood unharmed. Raynor stared, mouth open. Then he looked to Tychus. "Well, we've definitely gone over a hundred shells Tychus. Not even a scratch."
"Damn it." said Tychus.
Raynor opened a channel to Tassadar. "Uh, that thing is really holding isn't it?"
"So it would seem." said Tassadar. "However our barrage was deflected by a psionic shield. I believe another will break through."
"Tassadar, the zerg reinforcements have arrived." came Aldaris' voice. "Already we are facing their vanguard. You must finish your task quickly, or all will be lost."
"Continue fire." said Tassadar. "We need only a little more time."
This time Raynor got behind the rock before the fireworks started. On and on it went. He looked into the distance he saw the distant forms of mutalisks and guardians. They were descending on the rear guard in huge numbers.
And then there was a crack and an unholy groan. Raynor looked back as the barrage slowed down for a moment. The carapace was cracking. "Yes! We got it! Keep firing boys, we're almost there!" said Raynor into the com.
And then there was a pulsing of energy. It radiated out of the Overmind and shot past them. The battlecruisers shots started going wide. The carriers interceptors missed their target. The barrage of the siege tanks was all over the place.
"What the…" said Raynor. "Matt, report?!"
"Commander, something is screwing with our instruments," said Matt, "our autotargeting systems are malfunctioning!"
"Damn it!" said Raynor. "Switch to manual control! Marines, open fire on that thing!"
He lowered his gauss rifle and started firing. But as he did, he saw more and more zerg flowing out of the skies. The carriers had to break off to fend them off. As did the scouts. The zerg were coming, and they were out of time.
Then he heard a scream. Looking up he saw Fenix on his knees. He fell down next to him. "Fenix! You alright, man?"
"I can feel it. The Overmind is seizing the khala…" gasped Fenix.
"Fight it!" said Raynor. "Damn it man, we're so close! Don't let him win now!"
"Live…" said a protoss zealot. "Live for the swarm…"
Raynor looked up as a blade went toward him. But it was knocked away by Fenix. "Stay where you are! Remember Aiur! Remember the Conclave! Remember our fallen brethren! En Taro Tassadar!"
As Tassadar sensed what was happening, he realized now was the critical choice.
Whoever emerged victorious would face the darkness. Whoever emerged victorious would determine what was spoken of in the future to come. He knew well that all would go according to His divine will in the final analysis. But that did not take away his own responsibility for his actions. The future was not his to determine.
Only his present.
And yet he was frozen. He knew what he had to do. But he was afraid. Tassadar did not want to die. What if he was mad? What if all he had known from birth was but an illness or the result of the khala seeping information into his mind?
So it was that he was praying. "Father, if it is your will, take his task from me. Give it to another."
"En Taro Tassadar!" cried Fenix.
The words shook him. For they had been applied to Adun only after his death. After his martyrdom. If indeed there was such a thing as a sign from heaven that was it. He opened his eyes.
There was another to whom this task could be passed. And it was the Overmind. And he would not pass the cup to such a creature.
"So be it." he looked to his crew. "Evacuate the Gantrithor at once."
They looked up. "Tassadar-"
"Now." said Tassadar. "Time is of the essence."
As his crew abandoned ship around him, Tassadar took direct command himself. Turning it by will alone he positioned it on one final run. Then he sent forth his will to all around him. "My friends, the Overmind has been weakened, but I fear we have sustained severe damage ourselves. I will steer the Gantrithor into a collision course with the Overmind. If I can channel enough of the Dark Templars' energy through the hull of the Gantrithor, I should be able to bring swift death to the accursed abomination."
There was dismay and horror from their minds. And as they spoke, Tassadar saw a glimpse of each of their futures.
"Tassadar you cannot!" said Fenix. "There must be another way!" The barren sands of a dying world stretched before him, betrayed and dying.
"Don't do it, Tassadar." said Raynor. "You don't have to do this." One friend after another dead. Endless days of fighting a hopeless cause in the desperate desire to keep hope alive.
"Tassadar, do not be reckless." said Zeratul. "We may yet be able to slay it in time." A lone wanderer, plagued by guilt and slain before his name could be vindicated.
"I will kill the beast myself." said Artanis. "It may be that the light can harm it. There is nothing to reincarnate the Overmind, after all." The last to die. To stand alone in a position that had fallen to him when all others had failed. The die an icon, an absolute authority who had never desired power.
"I think it's a pretty good idea." said Serena. And Tassadar saw nothing.
There was a moment of annoyed silence.
"…What?" said Serena. "Like Tassadar is the first hero to die in this war?'
Tassadar chuckled despite himself. She'd never truly believed in him, even if she had walked in his ways. Yet she was much of what was best in her kind. "Aldaris, have you anything to say?"
Aldaris remained silent. "…Are you in earnest?" He stood defiantly, his name blackened but his conscience clear. He would speak the truth, though it led to his death.
"I am. For the first time." said Tassadar.
"Then do what you know is right. I…" Aldaris halted. "Your ancestors would be proud to have you in their bloodline. I will endeavor to prevent the zerg from breaking through as long as possible."
"I will not allow this!" said Zeratul. "Tassadar, let me! I-"
"Zeratul, do you love Aiur?" said Tassadar, cutting him off.
"I do." said Zeratul.
"Then safeguard its people." said Tassadar. "And lead them to their destiny." Then he turned his mind to Artanis. The first to follow him. The last to come before the gates. "Remember us, Artanis. Remember what was done here today. May Adun watch over you."
And he cut off all contact.
Even as he did, he sensed the zerg descending from above. A last desperate race now ensued. The Gantrithor, damaged and beaten, but unconquered now surged toward its final destination. And the Overmind waited, power surging.
Tassadar felt the collision. The zerg flyers tore at the hull in desperation. The shields were shattered, the hull was falling apart. But by his will, it remained as he plowed forward.
He was close now. He could feel the walls groan beneath his will and the will of the Overmind. He wondered if his comrades, his friends, could avert their fates. His had been predetermined, but he had been born for it. They had been gifted with the power to make their own destiny.
It did not matter anymore.
All his doubts faded.
The future faded.
The past did not come to mind.
All that was in that moment was the Overmind. The tyranny of the many, seeking to subdue the one by force of will. His enemies had set all their might against his coming. Those who were his comrades had joined, begging him not to make this choice. There was no hatred between them. The two forces knew eachother's minds and knew well the consequences of their actions.
The many were united.
And the one stood unconquered.
Tassadar unleashed all that he was.
All that he had been.
All that he would be.
He did what he had been born to do.
And across the universe, every protoss who yet lived looked up to the gathering storm. And other races far from any rumor of war halted and gazed at the night sky, a sense of majesty and wonder coming over them.
They beheld the Gantrithor burst into an aura of the purest light. It surged toward the deepest blackness the universe had yet seen.
For a moment light and darkness stood in battle. Then, as twilight fell upon the world, at last, the light triumphed. It triumphed one final time as the flesh was consumed.
A light brighter than any sun that had ever burned arose in a pillar. Yet it was soothing to look on. And some who gazed deeply into it thought they saw a figure rising to heaven, complete at last.
And when the light faded the Overmind was no more.
Author's Note:
The decision for this chapter's title is a story in itself. At first, I meant to call it the Death of the Overmind, like in the game. But I felt that focused on the wrong aspect, with the Overmind and Tassadar both being messianic figures in their own right. The purpose of this showdown was saving the universe, not killing your enemy. I contemplated calling it Tassadar's sacrifice, but since I left the readers in suspense as to whether Tassadar would live I felt that would spoil the ending. Eventually, I settled on Eucatastrophe.
The term was coined by J.R.R Tolkien and means when a sudden unprecedented turn of events saves the hero from a likely or probable doom at the end of the story. The twist being that the Eucatastrophe does not save Tassadar. Instead, Tassadar IS the Eucatastrophe, saving all of the other heroes.
For a long time, I considered keeping Tassadar alive. But ultimately I decided that would only be appropriate if I made him a mere mortal. Even if I did that, I'd have to find something for him to do in Brood War. The best I could come up with was for him to kill Kerrigan at the end in the heroic sacrifice he'd have used for the Overmind. But that would have been a disservice to his character.
So I ultimately dropped it.