Author's Notes:

I do not own Starcraft or any of its characters.

Thanks to Warchief for beta reading.

Enjoy!

Different communication, thought patterns and sounds:

"Speaking"

'Thinking or speaking mentally'

*Sound effect*

Starcraft: A New Generation

Chapter 3: Clouds on Aiur

— Location: Outside the Psionics Academy, Korhal —

After a few minutes, she found herself standing outside the front area of the Academy. She tried to calm herself down, after her run-in with Dylan. Tried was the word, since the anger and the hurt tore inside her. When lashing out, she at least had something to vent on, but what was she supposed to do now? All it gave was stronger feeling of injustice.

She walked slowly towards the Academy's main gate, leading out to the streets outside the compound, where she noticed someone leaning at one of the gate pillars.

He was wearing dark clothing, with an utility belt around his waist and a rifle strapped on his back. His hair was dark, but cut short and smooth, and he seemed to be in his late 20s. He looked like a hired guard or a mercenary, but the rifle strapped on his back told Terra differently. Eyeing it, she recognized it as a C10-cannister rifle, one of the newest editions. The most common type of weapon for what he likely was: a ghost.

She didn't give it too much thought. This was the Psionics Academy, where the next generation ghosts and other psionics were trained, and sometimes ghost agents had business with people here. Then aside from that, many different people came and went. Most were parents picking up their children, while others came only once.

She turned around and gazed back at the Academy. It was said that the structure was inspired by the Greeks, a people of ancient Earth, said to be an enlightened society of their time.

It was a wide structure, spread out to both left and right, built in white-colored concrete, with classroom windows all over. The main entrance stood behind great pillars of stone, reaching up to support the roof top above. (1)

During the construction of the Academy, the Emperor had made a point that the psionic students had the same right to knowledge and education as the rest of terran society, instead of being made into weapons, a practice from the earlier years. Apparently, the architecture reflected this, as a place of enlightenment.

Though the outer structure was more for display, beneath all the white-colored concrete were reinforced steel, and the windows were made from the most bulletproof glass material available, should a new war break out.

In front and around the Academy were larger fields of either swings or other play sets for the younger children, playing fields for sports, or grass fields and trees. Further out the Academy was surrounded by security fences, which was passed mainly by the gates. Though the guards made sure to keep themselves in the background or cloaked, the area outside the Academy actually heavily guarded, given that psionic children were still considered as valuable weapons on the black market.

'Running away from a fight? How stupid… Am I weak?' she pondered, over her decision.

'Why did I listen to Nova…'

Then she noticed the robed newcomer. Catherine, that was her name. She had just come out of the main entrance, and Annabelle was nowhere to be seen.

Terra's eyes followed Catherine as she passed her. The newcomer gave her a friendly nod as she passed by, but Terra had too much on her mind to even bother nodding back. Still, she watched as the robed figure reached the gate, and approached the waiting man.

"So, how was first day?" he asked her.

"Not bad. I think I might like it here. And… I made a friend already… I think," her metallic voice answered him as they disappeared around the gate.

Catherine… just who, or what was she?

— An hour later—
— Augustgrad tram route 34, heading towards East Sector —

She was gazing out the window of the tram cart. After finally calming herself down, she had gone to some local stores near the Academy to buy some needed supplies. She had, however, been spending more time doing it than usual. Perhaps she was still upset. Now she was gazing over the view as tall skyscrapers passed her field of vision, with the dark yellow sky in the far background, above the wastelands seen far away beyond the city's border. It was the time of the year when sunset began early.

Terra looked over the city, which itself stood proud and lively. She could see glimpses of trees and parks among the buildings in the different sectors, unless it was the city center, which was tightly packed with the tall structures, or the nearby Imperial Sector, which was graced with the imperial palace itself. The great pyramid, built by Arcturus Mengsk. It was the tallest building of the entire city, marking the center of the Dominion, and could be easily spotted from everywhere in the whole capital.

This was the Augustgrad she had always known, ever since she came here three years ago. But, as she recalled, they said that it hasn't always been so. At the end of the Hybrid Wars, it was nothing but ruins and smokes. Without the timely aid of the protoss Hierarch Artanis and his forces, nothing would have remained. Yet having faced the destruction, the survivors had been diligent in reconstructing their civilization, and Augustgrad was among the first cities to be re-raised. Even the protoss had been impressed by how quickly the terrans achieved this, with almost only their will to drive them. Still there were some places with fallen buildings from the war, only hidden from the public.

They also said that it was a different Dominion all those years ago. Under Arcturus Mengsk, the first Emperor, the Dominion was more of a military dictatorship. He ruled with an iron fist, and anyone who dared stand in his way would pay the price dearly, unless he somehow persuaded his opposition to join them. With the silver tongue that man had, that wasn't too difficult. The people were told that the basis for his rule was selfless devotion to the people, and that he was serving the greater interests of humanity. They followed him and as long as they did his bidding, they were kept content. At least, that was the case with the Dominion core worlds. The matter was different for the more outlying worlds, where Mengsk's military was more oppressive, concerned only for its own gain.

The famed Raynor's Raiders helped making a change in this, as they were the first to reveal the truth about Arcturus Mengsk and the fall of Tarsonis.

"I will not be stopped. Not by you, or the Confederates or the protoss or anyone! I will rule this sector or see it burnt to ashes around me…"

Later known as the epitaph of Arcturus Mengsk. Many had their doubts at first, but the son and successor, Valerian Mengsk, confirmed the truth behind the words.

The current rule was a very different one, at least it was said so. Terra knew that the press had greater degree of freedom, and a lot of administrative power of the Dominion was moved over to the Senate as well. Senators were voted by the people, and they passed the laws that were in the interest of the citizens. Or mostly. At least they said that, but Terra had her doubts. The number one reason being Dylan's father, who was a very influential senator. One small needle pops the entire bubble. Nevertheless, Senate or not, the Emperor was still the ruling head, with the highest authority in the Dominion, and Supreme Commander of the military.

Most of the people, even the biggest critiques, had come to agree that Valerian Mengsk was indeed a better Emperor, and a better man, than his father ever was. The focus of his rule was truth, justice and civility, and to become a more enlightened people, through the quest for more knowledge, and more wisdom. Though at first, the immediate need for reconstruction after the war slowed his efforts of changing the Dominion. His rule had never been an easy one either. His father had left him a sullied legacy, and there were those who would forever mistrust him and the Dominion, because of his father.

Still, the people needed to rally behind a leader after the war, someone who could help the reconstruction of their civilization, and Valerian rose to the challenge. These days, people were mostly content with his rule, and Valerian avoided conflicts with the more independent worlds, not even lifting a finger if a fringe world chose to break away. He built the Dominion on trust and diplomacy, not on force. Some rumors said that the renown commander and war hero James Raynor, along with admiral Matthew Horner, had greatly influenced emperor Mengsk's ideas and principles.

Given the premises, Terra had to agree that it was a better Dominion, though for her own sake she might have preferred the previous incarnation of the Academy. In the old days, there was the Ghost Academy. People with psionic powers were trained to be lethal weapons, the ghosts. They said the training was very harsh and even that the trainees were mind wiped when they "graduated". The Confederacy of Man tore families apart as they took their children away. Old Mengsk made the Academy open for visitors, though it was only a charade for the public, the trainees would forever disappear into the lives of ghosts when finishing the Academy. But it would have been so much more simple life for her.

Today the Ghost Academy was no more, in its place was the Psionics Academy. This was an open school, were the children were taught how to control and use their psionic powers, together with a wide array of other subjects that the common man studied. Everything from basic science and maths to history and arts. This Academy didn't focus on training weapons, but to teach the children and help them become enlightened.

At the age of 15, they graduated from what was called the basic level of the Academy, and at this time the young graduating students would choose their future paths. Most would choose to continue their training and careers as ghosts, or other classes of psionic agents, but it was not unheard of that students chose different careers within science, diplomacy or other fields that they shared with the common man. It was against the policy of today's government to force the students to become ghosts. And even with psionic powers, not everyone was ghost material. The most important thing was to learn how to control and use your own psionic powers for the better good.

Another contrast to the previous Ghost Academy was how open it was to the public. Families were involved in the lives of the students. Usually, if a child was proved to be gifted with psionic powers, the government had a program to support the child's family with necessary finances to move to Korhal and live there while the child was attending the Academy. Ideally the parents would be given jobs within their own professions. The South Sector had apartments blocks near the Academy district, meant only for these families, and when a student graduated, they would have to move on to give room for other families.

For Terra, none of these did her any good. Her family was long gone. And the current system clearly had its own weaknesses that opened for others to harass her. Others like Dylan. Her greatest problem was her own anger, which had earned her her bad reputation, and other students found it amusing whenever her temper exploded. A single insult was often all that it took.

In her own opinion, the old system would have been better for her. People would have left her alone, since any form of disobedience or indiscipline would be severely punished. Oh how much she wished it had happened to all those punks! And mostly to Dylan. And she wouldn't mind having her memories wiped out either. If she could forget her own past, she would gladly have done so. However, mind wiping was now illegal, and viewed as unethical and horrifying, unworthy of a society that seeks enlightenment and knowledge.

Jackass Emperor…

"Next stop: East Sector, Central station," the tram adjutant announced.

Terra jerked up her head, as the announcement brought her out of her thoughts. Getting up from her seat, she left the tram as soon as it had stopped and opened its doors.

The East Sector of Augustgrad was one of the largest rural areas of the capital, consisting of blocks by blocks of tall apartment buildings, mostly inhabited by the common people. They were accompanied with shopping centers, hospitals, clinics, security stations, office blocks. In its own way, the East Sector could be considered a city of its own.

Since Terra lived alone and didn't need any more than a small apartment for herself, the administration behind the psionics program found a more suitable place for her in this sector, compared to the larger family apartments in the South Sector that were dedicated to the families of her fellow students at the Academy. All of her neighbors were common people, and she was actually grateful that no one from the Academy lived close by. No one bothered her here. As long as they didn't kick her out of the Academy… for it would also mean that the program would no longer support her financial needs to live here.

Terra sighed at the thought.

She continued on from the central station and proceeded to south, down the street along the apartment buildings. After three blocks, she turned right and continued west. Her apartment building was like any other nearby structures: Tall grey building with many windows. No balconies of any sorts, and no gardens at the bottom. This area housed the cheaper apartments, suitable for those living alone and on low finance. Such as herself.

She entered the building, took a lift up to the third floor, and passed a small hallway to her home.

Home… for now, but for how long?

Inside her apartment was a small kitchen bench, with cooler and sink at the corner. Nearby was a small couch with a monitor screen on the nearby wall.

In another corner was her own gear, including hacking tools, screw gear, and an older C-10 rifle. Mostly souvenirs from her harsh life before the Dominion found her, though she wanted to be prepared if something happened near her.

Terra rarely watched any entertainment on the Holonet, but she would often turn on the news on UNN to keep an update on what was going on around in the vast galaxy. Or to just have some background noise while entering her own world of thoughts. Sometimes she also watched "Tonight with Kate Lockwell". She had to give the famous veteran reporter credit, whether she did an episode that felt like a celebrity talkshow, or did one that felt like a thorough investigating newsmagazine, Lockwell had a knack of always making it interesting. And to get someone like herself interested was not a small achievement.

Beside the monitor was a door that led to her small bed room. The environment of her apartment was as messy as many others used by young lone students. Some food plates on the table, dishes in the sink that she would do when they had piled up enough, and some clothes lying here or there on the floor, either in the living room or in the bedroom.

"Adjutant, switch on to UNN," Terra called out, as she opened the fridge and took out a sandwich.

"-and earlier today, Emperor Valerian Mengsk opened the new exhibition at the Museum of History, called the "Hall of Heroes", dedicated to the renown heroes who fought in the Hybrid War, both those who lived, and those who gave their lives for our survival."

The monitor showed the emperor, in his majesty and full uniform, with long blond hair hanging down behind his neck in his signature ponytail, holding some scissors. He was surrounded by guards, press and guests as he cut a red ribbon to a building entrance.

The words escaped Terra, however. She had walked over to the window, and looked out at the outside street. Turning on the monitor was out of old habit, and it would often act as background noise as she dwelled on her own thoughts. The sky itself was dark, slightly orange color coming from the city light. The street outside was not particularly busy, filled only with some lone pedestrians or hovering vehicles passing by from time to time.

"Critics have raged over the Emperor's decision of including the Queen of Blades in the exhibition, stating that it is a great offense to those who lost family and loved ones to the zerg in the previous wars. Emperor Mengsk has responded in a statement that all contributors in the Hybrid Wars, whether humans, protoss or zerg, must be given their deserved recognition. This includes the heroes we love, and those we hate. He also reminded that Kerrigan was vital in winning the Hybrid Was, and without her, all zerg forces would have been lost to the hybrids, and there would have been no Dominion nor any humanity left. Finally, Emperor Mengsk reminded once again that the Queen herself was betrayed to the zerg during the first war, and in many ways could be considered a victim herself."

As was well known these days, that Kerrigan once served as the right hand of Arcturus Mengsk, then later betrayed to the zerg when Tarsonis fell.

Terra still didn't pay any attention. Two things occupied her own mind. First was her own situation. It was the end of the line, and any further screw-ups would send her on the street. But at the same time she had issues. Deep issues. There were those who knew. Such as the headmaster, and Nova. She knew they had held out for her, but she really could not feel like caring about it. There was only one thing that mattered to her: Vengeance. But if she got herself kicked out, she would likely lose the chance of achieving her goal. She needed the training.

But she was also her own worst enemy: her anger. Spawned by her need to avenge what was done against her, but it had spread out beyond the one she truly hated. She failed miserably to control it, and it lashed out at anything that dared touch her. Even if only a mere insult was thrown at her, it flared up, and her need to retaliate at whoever it was would instantly become everything to her. For once she had avoided doing so with Dylan today, but she knew herself too well. She couldn't keep this contained for long. It would build up until she could not keep it together, and then it would be over.

Terra sighed. It was hopeless.

But then there was the newcomer. Hidden behind the cloaks and a mask. She had asked herself if it the newcomer was an alien. She was not a protoss, Terra was that certain. Why would a protoss hide their face? Beside, most people knew that they had four fingers per hand, two of them thumbs. Not to mention their tall, slender height. Though Terra had to agree: the idea of a protoss exchange student would probably had been interesting. If it was not for their alleged stuck-up attitude against the terrans.

Then there was the avions. Creatures who where more similar to the terrans in many ways, than the protoss, just a lot more blue and purple. Unfortunately, the similarities included hostility, as they were the center of their own universe. No, there was no way an avion would allow herself to affiliate with humans at this level, even Terra had heard of that. And especially not hiding behind robes and mask.

She was finished with her sandwich, and turned to the monitor.

"Adjutant, turn of the screen" she said, and the monitor went black. Her plate was added to the stack in the sink, shed and went to her bedroom, continuing her strain of thoughts.

Perhaps Catherine was human after all, but the result of some horrifying experiment? Was she wearing cloaks and mask because she was very disfigured? Or was she wearing some life support system, or suit, that she wanted to hide? Or maybe she was a cyborg? There were military experiments performed on those who volunteered, but within a set frame of safety and ethics.

Such things were otherwise forbidden in today's Dominion, especially on a child of their age, but there were those who went behind the Emperor's back and cmmited experiments that would disgust even Terra. The few who were caught were imprisoned on New Folsom for life, but both authorities and the press were convinced that there were more people who successfully hid in the shadows. Was Catherine a victim of them? The headmaster did mention that she was from outside the Dominion, so maybe this was outside the Emperor's jurisdiction.

Nevertheless, she appeared as a mysterious girl. Half the mystery was her apparent ability to hide her presence and block out other minds who peeked at her. If so, she had to be powerful psionically.

'Catherine… Just what the hell are you?' she thought, as she slowly drifted to sleep, annoyed that the newcomer was still on her mind, and yet relieved that it distracted her thoughts from her impossible situation.

— Location: Chamber of the protoss Hierarchy, Aiur —

The protoss Hierarchy was once again in session, debating the most greatest problem of recent events that has caught their attention, and, according to some, threatened to throw their people into chaos.

Present in the Hierarchy Chamber were the tribe leaders. Hierarch Artanis, supreme leader of the Unified Protoss and the hero that led their people to salvation, while also leader of the Akilae Tribe. Others were Arken from the Ara Tribe, Agharim from the Auriga Tribe, Tabrenus from the Furinax Tribe, and Zekrath of the Shelak Tribe. Vorazun would as always speak on behalf of the Dark Templar, and Talandar represented the Purifiers.

'Desann continues to gain support. He now openly speaks out us,' Agharim spoke up.

'If this continues unchecked, I fear that he and his followers will turn to violence.'

'I agree,' Arken said. 'These despicable acts must be dealt with! Or before we know it, we will have civil war on our hands again.'

"If it comes down do it, then I and my brethren will gladly stand on the field of battle once more, and uphold honor!" Talandar voiced up, as he would in carrying the will of the deceased Fenix, who always longed for more honorable battle and glory.

'Peace, Talandar. We cannot be rash,' Vorazun warned, though with more calm, 'Desann has not broken any laws yet, none that deserves capital punishment. If we tread this wrongly, we may find ourselves to be on the wrong side. We may even end up as the ones responsible for this chaos Arken fears.'

Arken scoffed at her.

'Speaking of nothing but sentimental ideas, and refusing to deal with the threat the way you should. Clearly, the Dark Templar must be behind this. I would not be surprised if they are Desann's true masters,' he said.

'And you dare accuse us?' Vorazun fiercely glared at Arken.

'Enough!' Artanis yelled, 'Arken, do not patronize Matriarch Vorazun and the Dark Templar!'

Internally he did the equivalent of a human sigh. Nahaan, the previous leader of the Ara Tribe, had perished during the Hybrid Wars. So had Urun, both slain on Aiur when the Golden Armada came to battle them in the last battle of Aiur.

Artanis had hoped that the younger Arken would be more reasonable, but it had quickly turned into disappointment. And whereas Nahaan was very cunning, manipulative and at times unpredictable, Arken made up for it with open pride and arrogance, often getting at odds with the others at the Hierarchy. He openly believed in the superiority of the Ara Tribe, and he loathed the Dark Templar and the terrans. He was also convinced that the Queen of Blades was plotting their destruction, a sentiment shared among many protoss, something that would often spark fires whenever the Hierarchy gathered.

James Raynor himself had once described Arken as a continuous headache, and Artanis had to agree, slightly amused by how the terran had put it. Though amused far from what he now felt. Once again, Arken used the opportunity to accuse the Dark Templar. The Matriarch was either very patient or had a more stubborn sense of honor, to continue in the Hierarchy with this tribe leader always accusing them.

He had been more fortunate with Agharim, Urun's cousin and now tribe leader. He was as passionate and loving for his people as Urun ever was. But it also meant war with both terrans and zerg if necessary, showing force to keep his people safe. Agharim's plight for his people was as fierce as Urun's once had, gaining the respect of the Auriga tribe, and many others as well, and at least he had the decency to treat the other tribe leaders with respect.

'Vorazun speaks truth,' Artanis said, continuing the debate.

'Though Desann's actions is causing unrest among our people, and great reason to worry, we cannot apprehend him as long as he or any of his followers are not breaking our laws.'

'You have only grown more naive since the war, Hierarch,' Arken scoffed.

'With you being severed from the Khala, you can truly never realize Desann's intention. It's a pity that neither can any of us. But clearly, his intentions are ill.'

There was a moment of silence in the hierarchy.

'It is only a matter of time,' Arken continued.

'And the more time we waste, the greater damage he will cause! We cannot allow this fool to continue while the zerg is still out there!'

'You're still bringing up the zerg, Arken?' Zekrath sighed.

'Those wars are of the past. Or did you forget that we and the Queen of Blades put aside our differences to fight the Dark One? Even the former protoss colonies that she had under control after the war was allowed to be reclaimed, without further incident.'

'Only a ploy that naive fools like yourself refuse to acknowledge,' Arken said, rejecting the very idea that the Queen of Blades had good intentions.

'You should ask those among our people, Zekrath. You will find that many rightly fear the Queen of Blades. Clearly, they have greater wisdom than you.'

'The same 'wise ones' who side with Desann and believe his claims that we are using everyone for our own gain?' Zekrath replied back.

'I agree with Arken concerning the zerg, but we are not the ones who should go to war against the Swarm,' Tabrenus joined in.

'It may even upset the terrans,' he added.

'Why should we concern ourself about the foolish terrans?' Arken thundered.

'Besides, even they should realize the threat of the zerg!'

"While I hold no love for the Swarm or the Queen of Blades, and while I would gladly extend my blades against any zerg, making war now would be foolish," Talandar interjected.

"All of us know that the Swarm and the Avion Dynasty are increasingly hostile to one another. It is about to break out into full war between them. The possible instability any involvement from us may cause, may incite fear among the terrans, and force their hand against us. There are too many uncertainties to account for."

'And is that supposed to be wisdom, machine?' Arken scoffed at the purifier.

"Do not forget, you bitter fleshbag," Talandar sternly replied, causing the tribe leader to glare more harshly at him.

"that James Raynor is a link between the Hierarch himself, the Queen of Blades and the Emperor of the Terran Dominion. While I am honored to have fought alongside him during the last war, I believe the Queen could have him plead for support from the Emperor."

'And then there is Alarak and his ilk,' Agharim pointed out.

'Upset the balance, and they may go to war. The spoils would be tempting.'

'But nonetheless,' Tabrenus continued, getting back to the issue at hand, still annoyed over having been interrupted by the Ara tribe leader.

'Arken is correct, concerning Desann: If this comes out of hand, our people will suffer for it. With or without the zerg threat. I suggest action.'

'We may not apprehend him, but perhaps we should call him in to questioning, and voice our concern?' Vorazun suggested.

'It is at least a place to begin,' Agharim said, agreeing with the Dark Templar.

All the other protoss leaders nodded in agreement.

'I do not think it is enough, but I prefer that the Hierarchy takes some form of action. And perhaps you will come to agree that Desann must be dealt with, properly,' Arken said.

'Very well, then. We will summon Desann for a hearing, and question him,' Artanis stated.

— One hour later —
— Location: New Talametros, capitol building—

'That insufferable fool, I can not even see why the Ara tribe would choose him of all people,' she growled mentally.

Even if she had held out, hearing Arken lash out against her tribe, again and again over the last 16 years was starting to make her weary.

She glared out of the window in front over her, over New Talametros, the capital settlement for the Nerazim on Aiur. In a hallway outside her office, in the capitol building, towering high over the city with it's twilight colors, dark purple and green, traditional to the architects of her people.

'Even Nahaan was more pleasant,' she added.

'Are you troubled, my Matriarch?' a gentle voice spoke to her, and she turned to see an elderly Nerazim slowly approaching her, supporting himself with a cane.

The ancient protoss was wearing a dark red robe, consistent with the color of traditional veil that covered his lower face. His green eyes met Vorazun's own, seen just above her own dark purple vel, worn along with her usual outfit, including long purple dress, and the skull adorned on her shoulder.

'Esadrok,' Vorazun acknowledged him with a polite bow.

'No need to bow for me, my Matriarch. In any case, it is I who should offer you respect, not the other way around,' the ancient Nerazim spoke with a friendly tone.

'You were close to my mother, and to Mohandar. You will always have my deepest respect, for all you have taught me and given me and my mother,' Vorazun said.

'And the pleasure has always been mine. So, is it the Ara tribe leader that is pestering your mind again?' the elderly protoss asked, wanting to offer his counsel.

'That… and the situation with Desann,' she said, looking out of the window once again.

'Yes, rebellious that one,' Esadrok agreed, as he stood by her side, and looked out over their settlement.

'It is curious to see it from the other side,' Vorazun mused.

'Ages ago, when our people rejected the Khala, we were branded as traitors. Our presence threatened their very society, they believed. And now that the Khalai no longer have their link, they are the ones to sink into this chaos, while we have to solve this peacefully.'

'But we never encouraged rebellion against the Conclave, did we?' the elderly Esadrok said.

'We only rejected their doctrines. They did not take it well,' Vorazun answered.

'Still, it hurts me to see that the fears of the old Conclave may come true,' her said, with a tinge of sadness attached to her words.

'To see their beliefs vindicated, about rejecting the Khala. That we were wrong in the end.'

'This Desann,' Esadrok said.

'He goes further in his accusations, than we ever did. We wanted to live free, he entices the people against the Daelaam Hierarchy.'

'Everything our people have stood for, is being sullied by the likes of him,' Vorazun growled, feeling her disdain for this… 'free speaker'.

'But it is not the first time, there was tension between us and the Khalai, when we were all settled on Shakuras. There were incidents. And more than once were we on the brink of a great schism,' Esadrok said.

'Mohandar died…" Vorazun softly murmured, remembering that fateful day all too well.

'But it was before we fought and bled against Amon. It was before we lost Shakuras. We had to learn to trust everyone we had left, with all our hearts and our souls. Before Artanis led us to victory. After all we have been through, and after all the burdens Artanis has carried, the protoss as a whole should have been united. And then this Desann dares to cause doubt about our intentions. What upsets me the most, is what he and his followers say about Artanis, the very one who saved our people. No, we need to convince the people that he is wrong,' the Matriarch said with clear resolution.

'Then I hope you and the Hierarchy lives up to your responsibilities. Have faith, my Matriarch. Your people believe in you,' Esadrok looked fondly at the younger Nerazim, with pride in his eyes.

'If only your mother was here to see how well you lead our people.'

Vorazun said nothing, and kept looking out of the window, together with the elderly Dark Templar. They remained there, in comfortable silence. Though she gave no answer to his encouragement, he knew that the Matriarch carried a heavy burden, and would need to be reminded, again and again, how much her people had faith in her.

'Have you heard anything more, about … him?' she asked, breaking the silence.

'You mean Prelate Zeratul?' Esadrok replied, noticing the small venom in her last word.

'No, I am afraid not. He has been gone for some time now. Traveling among the stars to search for its secrets, as he always has. I think that clue he found on Ulnar sparked his interest.'

'What he is chasing is only a myth.'

'His discoveries did lead us to the Xel'naga's place of slumber, did it not?' Esadrok pointed out.

'True,' Vorazun nodded.

'Ulnar is at the most unlikely location we would have thought of.'

'But from my sources,' Esadrok continued, 'I believe he and his apprentice entered the space between avion and zerg territory, some time ago.'

'The Zerg Swarm and the Avion Dynasty are openly hostile to each other, it is just about to break out into a full scale war between them, Zeratul and Derais will get caught in the middle of it!'

'I thought you held him in the greatest contempt?' Esadrok asked, with a raised eye brow.

'I do,' Vorazun said.

'But as you said, his aid was pivotal for us to defeat Amon, even I must bow to that. And his services can become necessary once again.'

'And the Queen of Blades? Without her, we could never have defeated the dark god,' Esadrok pointed out.

'You know as well as I do, that the Queen of Blades is equally guilty in my mother's death, as Zeratul is. She will have nothing but my undying hatred!' Vorazun glared her eyes.

'And that hatred will consume you. Even your mother did not wish it for you,' Esadrok cautioned.

'Enough, I will not speak of this matter further,' Vorazun silenced him.

'Do not bring this up for me again. Now, please, leave me. I have much to think of.'

With a mental sigh, Esadrok nodded, and left Vorazun alone, slowly disappearing behind a remote corner, the fastest his weak legs could.

Bringing up the zerg leader had way to faulen Vorazun's mood in a way unlike others. It was a thorn, but one he still hoped he could show a way out of, when the time allowed for it.

Vorazun remained alone with herself.

'One day,' she spoke.

'One day…'

"Terra…" her voice called out.

The little girl stood and watched, as the older woman in front of her met her stare. The stench of death was in the air. Everyone else were… gone…

The grown woman in front of her, with short brown hair, wearing a green apron and a white shirt looked down at her, with deep fear radiating from her eyes, mixed with concern and love.

"Terra, run! They'll kill you if you stay!" she pleaded.

The woman didn't manage to say any more words before a blade burst through her chest. Drops of hit her face, but she didn't notice as she watched it happen with pure horror, while someone appeared from behind, out of nothing. Decloaking.

"Terra… run!…" the woman barely managed to choke out.

"MOMMY!" she screamed with a 5-year old's voice.

Before she knew it, she had jolted up and was sitting fully awake on her bed. She panted quickly, almost close to hyperventilating, and she realized she was sweat all over.

As she came back to herself, and realized where she were, Terra took a deep breath to calm herself down.

'That dream again…' she thought to herself.

She looked out of the window, and noticed that the sky was lighting up.

'32 minutes before the alarm goes off…' she realized when gazing at the alarm clock. It stood there on the small bedside table beside her, showing a digital screen.

'Might as well make the most of the morning'

She hadn't removed her t-shirt from the previous day, but there was no much choice now that it was all wet. She pulled it off and threw it into her laundry basket, which stood on a nearby corner. Then proceeding to find new clothes from a closet, along with a towel for a quick shower.

Afterwards, her mourning routine remained the same: warm up some coffee, and make a sandwich for breakfast. Very few on her age, if any, were drinking coffee. Most people began drinking it at an older age, though for the girl, coffee was a pure breeze compared to what she has been into before. Besides, it was the replacement source for kicking her body a little awake, even if it was much weaker. Had to be a mental issue, she concluded a long time ago. The girl gazed out the window as she ate her food, and watched as the pedestrians were passing by, getting to their jobs or whatever they usually did in the mornings.

People, apparently ignorant of how hard life could be. Ignorance must be bliss, as they said. Well, almost, she knew that most of them had survived watching Korhal burn in front of their eyes, during the horrors of the Hybrid War.

As for herself, today was not going to be a pleasant day. None were pleasant anyway, but now she was at the end of the line. She had to keep her anger in check, and things would definitely be worse. They always tried to wind her up, and she knew herself too well, she could only keep herself at bay only that much.

And to add salt to the wound, she didn't know what frustrated her the most: Her anger issues that now would have her expelled from the Academy, or that Dylan got a laugh of her yesterday and she did nothing but running away.

That she actually considered these two issues on equal grounds clearly indicated her problem, but she has always thoughts of running away as a sign of weakness, something that she didn't need for her goals. Getting back on someone became all that mattered to her, and that very quickly, when that person deliberately wronged her.

Terra sighed, before she took the final sip from the coffee mug. She was so messed up inside.

She put aside the coffee mug, and put on her brown leather jacket and boots.

'No point in waiting here. Might as well meet up earlier at the Academy and get this over with'

— Location: Psionics Academy —
— 7:52 A.M. —

The Academy usually started at 8:30 A.M, and the hallways would be most crowded the final ten minutes before start. Perhaps it was luck that she woke up earlier, as earlier arrival meant less people to pass by. Less people meant less trouble, and she was really not in the mood for it today. Not with her currents issues anyway.

She entered the Academy, and walked through the hallway to reach the stairs. She passed a few staff and students on the way, and ignored them, as they tried the best to ignore her back, except from some whispering.

'She's probably going to get kicked out soon,' a janitor thought, as he passed by without considering how easily the girl could pick up his thoughts.

Terra closed her eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath to calm herself. These… common people… could be insensitive sometimes, as most of them weren't used to watch their own thoughts when in contact with psychics.

She continued on her way in the seconds floor, but halted when she saw a familiar face further down the hallway, on the other side of an intersection.

Lily Atkins.

An 8-year old girl, with blonde hair reaching down her neck, and in a white long dress with red flowers, child-size. She carried a small bag, embraced in her arms, and carefully looked around the corner of the intersection, down its hallway to Terra's right. The older girl knew why the younger did this. Everyone knew of Lily, just as they knew of Terra, just differently. While Terra was the girl with serious anger issues, Lily was the unfortunate favorite victim of Dylan, all since her arrival nearly two years ago. A title that even Terra didn't think Lily deserved.

From as early as the young girl's first day at school, Dylan picked on her, bullying her every chance he got, and he always got away with it. By now, Lily was deeply terrified of him, and in spite of the efforts of her mother and the headmaster, nothing could be done about the bully. That bastard…

Lily was also rumored to be cursed with bad luck, along with her mother. Her mother lost her family during the fall of Tarsonis, and she lost her closest friends during the Hybrid War. Lily's father died shortly before she was born, and in spite of her mother's best effort, they have struggled to live ever since. Lily was psionically gifted like everyone else on the Academy, but somehow they weren't supported by the government program for psionic students, and had to make the money on their own. Some said it was due to lack of resources as the Dominion was still recovering from the war, others talked about incompetent bureaucracy. Some even gossiped that her mother was criminal, while others joked that it was an inescapable curse. Curse or not, Lily had become Dylan's number one target, and it made her life on the Academy a recurring hell. An understatement, according to Terra.

The said girl looked carefully around the corner of the intersection, and looked the other way before stepping around the corner, towards her destination. Terra let out her breath, and continued to walk. That relief was short-lived. She froze immediately when she saw the young girl reappear, running from where she had walked to. She ran towards Terra's direction, with fear written all over her face.

'Shit!' Terra thought, as the 8-year passed by her.

When Lily ran in fear, it always meant that she had seen Dylan. It was rare among psionic humans, but Dylan had the nasty ability to completely shield his mind and hide his presence from other students, but everyone knew to move away if Lily ran past you in terror.

'I need to get out of here!' Terra thought, before she quickly turned and bumped into someone, nearly falling over.

It took her by surprised, she hadn't known that someone was behind her. It was not Dylan. It was the masked figure in the cloaks, from the previous day.

"Whoa, careful there," the newcomer said, as she steadied herself, holding onto a small bag that hang to her left side, with a strap going over her right shoulder.

"I…" Terra muttered, but couldn't say anything else.

'She was behind me, and I didn't even feel her!' she thought, baffled.

The masked figure looked at her for a moment.

"I'm fine, don't worry," she said, with her rasping metallic voice.

"Then again, I did hide my presence. So, I'm sorry about that."

"Uh… What… " Terra muttered.

In fact, she didn't know what to say. Technically she was the one who had bumped into her, so an apology from was not what she expected. Especially since it was her, almost no one ever apologized to her.

"Not the talkative person, huh?" the masked girl said, with a hint of teasing in her tone.

"I'm Catherine. You are?" she asked as she held out her hand, with her extra long finger edges clearly visible.

Terra looked at her with narrowed eyes. A lot of things felt strange about this character, aside from the outfit. She was sceptic. People were not her strong suit, for obvious reasons, and the newcomer didn't make it much easier.

"I'm Terra," the blonde said finally, as she grabbed the hand and shook.

"So, Terra, what got you-" Catherine began, but was interrupted by a loud taunt from behind the blonde.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the almighty coward!"

'Oh damn it!' Terra cursed in her mind, and gritted her teeth. It was only a brief moment, and she had completely forgotten about Dylan.

That masked figure really was a big distraction.

"Fancy that I find you here, I thought you ran away in fear yesterday," he continued his mocking.

'Not this, not now!'

— CHAPTER END —

Author's Notes:

(1) Google images of the University of Oslo, to see where I got my inspiration. As far as I know, Greek architecture is the inspiration behind it.

Yes, I stole Desann's name from SW Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast. Deal with it!

Though it is a protoss, not a two-legged lizard this time ;)