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: Generation
Chapter 6: The game is on
— 01st of October, 2522—
— Location: Korhal, the Psionics Academy—
— 13:02 —
Days passed. The first week ended, reaching into the second one. And life would quickly turn upside-down on the Academy, much quickly than what was ever intended.
That day, after lunch, Catherine and Annabelle found themselves walking through the hallway, after leaving the cantina for lunch break. Terra would meet them at their training hall.
People stared and whispered at the masked newcomer, as she passed by. Though they slowly were getting used to see her in the hallways, the whispering and the guessing continued like never before. New rumors popped up every day. All this had already become part of the daily life at the Academy.
That no one could sense what has under the cloaks, or see what hiding behind the mask, helped keeping the guessing game alive. She had become the new talk. In several eyes, she was new freak show. Especially since people noticed how much she hung out with the other two freaks, the quiet oddity and now also the angry one. And it had only been over a week since she arrived.
Yep, she had to be a freak. And neither did she care, so far.
Yet now, Catherine and Annabelle both suddenly halted halfway to their destination.
'Do you feel that?' Catherine spoke mentally to her blonde friend.
'Yes… It's him! He's doing it again!' she replied back, directing her thoughts to Catherine while keeping everyone else out of their mental conversation.
Catherine suddenly turned and moved on in a hurry, with Annabelle following right behind her.
'Why the hell is there no staff near him?!' the cloaked figure hissed, feeling her frustration building up as she remembered all she had heard about the bully. And several times had she sensed the suffering he had caused by now.
'He is very strong, and can hide his himself from everyone. He hides his presence, and shields his mind. He knows when the staff are near, and always strikes when his victim is least safe,' Annabelle explained.
'And you're the only human around here who can see through that?'
'I'm afraid so…'
They had taken turns to both left and right, passing through several hallways. They reached a section in the 2nd floor, and rounded a corner that led to a hallway with the left wall full of windows towards the grass yard outside. They immediately spotted Dylan and his two companions, holding their latest victim pressed against the wall. A boy of age 10.
"P-Please! Don't hurt me!" the boy pleaded.
"Aw come on, don't be pouty now, everyone needs a workout once in a while!" Dylan mocked, as he cracked his knuckles, and then sent his fist towards the younger boy's face.
Only to be intercepted by a gloved, long-fingered hand, that caught it flawlessly just in front of the poor boys face.
The onlookers that had followed the masked figure to see what was happening, was caught by surprised as the hunchbacked figure had moved so quickly from the corner to intercept Dylan.
And they had also sensed the small outburst of psionic power that came from the figure when she moved to stop him.
"You!" Dylan hissed, angered at being interrupted.
Dylan's two companions had been so surprised by the move, that their grip on the boy loosened. Seeing his chance, the boy broke away and ran for his dear life.
The bully watched as his victim disappeared around the next corner. Greatly displeased, he turned and glared straight at the mask, his eyes blazing with his seething anger.
"So… you really are asking for it, huh?" he said with a low, dangerous tone.
Annabelle, who stood nearby, backed off nervously as she felt the rising tension between the two. Dylan turned his head and looked at the blonde.
"Oh, you're that freak that I somehow can't catch. I'll deal with you next," he smiled wryly, causing her to wince.
He turned his focus back to the masked girl at his front.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" Catherine asked.
"Like I told you, I'm the devil here," he smiled.
He began circling around her. The cloaked figure kept her stead.
"No one challenges me! I am the one who will shape the future for all of the Dominion, and I'm making my name known already now, so everyone will know and fear me. I am the one who no one trifles with, and gets away with it."
"Making your name known? By causing needless suffering?" she asked him.
"The weak will make room for the stronger. And that is me," he said, giving her an intense stare, as he let his power radiate out for everyone around to feel.
Several of the onlookers backed slightly off, as the pure malice pierced their flesh, causing their fear to rise. Catherine however didn't seem effected, from what they could figure. Not at all. She simply stood still.
To the surprise of everyone, the masked girl began chuckling at his words.
"You have no idea how many times I have heard those words," she chuckled.
'What the hell is she doing?' most onlookers thought among themselves.
Catherine was in deep shit now.
"So you still don't realize what I am, huh?" he taunted her.
"Didn't they tell you what I'm do to people? What I'm capable of? Hmmm… Maybe I should give a demonstration, now how do I best show it, hmmm?"
He turned his gaze towards one of his companions, who suddenly grasped his own head and screamed out in agony, falling on his knees.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHH! STOP IT! AAAAAAAAGH!"
The pain heard in those screams send a terrifying chill down Annabelle's spine, along with everyone else present.
The boy finally stopped his agonized shriek, and was down on his four. He slowly gazed up at Dylan with a furious look in his face.
"What the hell, Dylan?! I thought we were buddies!" he yelled at him.
"Oh can it! I'll make it up to you," Dylan waved it off, before turning back to Catherine, glaring at her.
No one of the gathered audience wanted to stay. They wanted to run, get away, fearing that the heat of the situation could simply kill them. At the same time, Dylan's show of his psionic powers froze them in place. Petrified. Any sudden moves, and he would unleash his power at them.
"Using your powers to simply cause intensive pain…" Catherine whispered.
"A testament to my strength," he smirked.
He leaned in closer, to whisper for only for her to hear.
"Why do you think that Lily girl fears me?"
He leaned back with a dark grin, his malice reeking out of his eyes.
"You know, Dylan…" Catherine began.
"You are one notorious bastard…"
Even if metallic and rasped, her voice now had a low-toned and dangerous edge to it. There was something about her way of speaking that made her very being a challenge towards Dylan. If Dylan's use of powers had frozen everyone present, then the cloaked girl's way of speaking, even just her presence, fought equally for the dominance of the room. She stood her ground against him, not showing any intimidation at all. Many could feel their sweat run, not only Dylan, but Catherine as well was dangerous. Very dangerous.
Dylan grinned at the words she had described him with: a notorious bastard.
"Guilty as charged," he admitted, making a theatrical bow, swinging both his arms sideway in gesticulation, as if he had done some sort of performance.
"And while we're at it, I've actually been looking forward to our 'talk' for a little while now," he added.
"Nice of you to save me the trouble of looking you up."
The truth being, he had looked for her for days, to get back at her for her impudence from last week, but he had never managed to locate her. Instead, he vented his frustration on other poor students who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now she had come.
Dylan smiled slightly, realizing that the key had been to 'enjoy himself' during a break, while his prime target was not in class.
"And now…" he voiced up dangerously.
"I think it's time you learned your place."
This was it. Everyone present knew that Catherine was screwed.
He gave a nod to his two companions, who stepped behind her. They moved quickly to grab her by her shoulders.
Knowing their intent, Catherine quickly dodged backwards, her huge hunchback shoving in between the surprised duo, before striking her elbows hard into each of their stomachs. It felt as if something sharp and edgy hit them straight in, adding extra pain as they were shoved backwards, and bent over to gasp for air. Unusually sharp and edgy for elbows, that were.
One of the companions recovered, and tried to land a punch at her, but she quickly intercepted with her gloved hand and caught it easily, before snatching his arm and forcing him in front of her to block a strike from the other companion.
Being hit in the face, Catherine let go as he fell over, while the other attacker stepped back, caught off guard by her quick defensive moves.
For someone her size, with that huge hunchback of hers, her very quick moves caught everyone by surprise. Dylan's companions had the basic training in hand-to-hand combat, as was normal for their age, yet Catherine excelled, and she quickly swung her arm in a back-hand into the stomach of an overwhelmed opponent that had just gotten up, sending him back on the ground.
"Okay, so you're a little good," Dylan noted, not showing any sign of being afraid by her skills. After all, this was his field, and no one was better.
He quickly sent a jab at her, only to get blocked by Catherine's gloved forearm. By instinct he immediately sent his other fist at her, but it was easily deflected by her fast flexing arm. He made a few more attempts in high speed, but the masked figure flexed her arms equally, intercepting any hits. His eye twitched a little at the extra pain he felt, something felt unusually sharp and edged beneath her gloves, at the forearms.
"But not good enough," he hissed as he raised his hand very quickly and sent out a strong psionic shockwave. Catherine quickly followed suit, and raised her own hand, and it caught the bulk of the wave, dispersing the attacking force.
'What the?' Dylan thought, seeing that Catherine stood unharmed in front of him.
"Ha!" he growled, as he launched both arms forward to pour out more of his power at her.
Ever since he came to the Psionics Academy at young age, Dylan had always excelled. He had always been the strongest, no one had ever bested him. And he had, to the horrors of everyone, always taken delight in asserting his absolute dominance over others. It always brought joy to his sadistic nature, to tighten his hand around the weak and crush them, and his old man made sure no one interfered from the outside. No one could stand against him.
This was his world, no one would dare challenge his rule. No one had ever beaten him, or resisted his psionic attacks. He was both too quick and too powerful. He was the ruler, and no one would dare threatening him!
Instructor Nova and a few other staff that taught ghosts were probably strong enough rival his powers, and they outranked him in combat experience big time. Therefore, he always made sure they were not present whenever he 'enjoyed himself'.
That his domain would be profoundly shaken by another student, and by a masked freak of all people, became shockingly apparent to him, as his face turned from his momentarily evil grin, to one full of surprise and shock.
He had expected to send her falling over, writhing in intense pain by his attack. Instead, Catherine was equally quick to raise one single hand and stand against Dylan's attack at the very same moment. The energy he poured in was countered by hers, as she created an equally strong field that trapped it and gathered up more of his power, emitting a strong orange light.
*Boom!* *Shching!* *Shching!* *Cra-ack!*
Before Dylan could comprehend what was happening, Catherine thought quickly and allowed the field to collapse towards him, causing all the energy to explode at him in a powerful shockwave that sent him flying into the wall. The shockwave quickly blasted out in both directions of the hallway, hitting every present student and sending them over on their feet.
All the windows were shattered, sending glass flying out over the grass yard, and Dylan's impact on the wall was so hard that it left a crater, with cracks spreading out on the concrete. It also introduced him to a new definition of pain. And knocked the breath out of him.
Almost every student were stunned from the impact, some of them were bruised and felt pain. One by one, they slowly recovered, and got themselves up.
The first ones noticed that Catherine was still standing, and they watched as she slowly lowered her hand and kept staring at Dylan, growling in his agony by the wall. Remarkably, Annabelle also appeared unharmed. She was holding an arm raised across her chest, and from the look in her visible lower face, she was caught by surprise and had acted instinctively. And she had remained standing!
"What the hell is going on here?!" a male voice yelled out.
They looked over to see one of the staff finally approaching in a hurry to investigate the commotion. Not to mention the very loud bang, the shake it must have caused, and all the broken glass that were lying outside, with dizzy students still on the ground.
Three armed guards came in from outside to investigate, all alerted by the same blast.
"She's…" Dylan began, before a voice cut him off.
'So you're going to admit defeat?' Catherine's mental voice rang in his head.
He glared at her in fury, before he slowly forced himself up.
'This isn't over!' he seethed at her, as he turned and quickly humped himself away. His two companions followed after him, shocked over what they had just experienced.
All the remaining students turned and stared bewildered at the masked girl. So did the staff that had just seen Dylan tumbling off, despite the bully's best effort at masking his pain.
"Miss Catherine, wasn't it?" the staff said, after a moment of eerily silence.
"Explain what the hell that was about, and what has happened here!" he angrily demanded, pointing at the crater Dylan had left in the wall, from where many cracks spread out.
"Is everything alright, here?" an older British Cockney-voice spoke up, and everyone turned to see the headmaster entering the scene.
"Sir, I found Miss Catherine here along with Hadgers. He was here, sitting below that… damage in the wall. There was that loud bang we just heard. And look, all the windows have been blown."
"Oh, that?" the headmaster looked over the entire broken wall.
"Ah, yes, I remember it now. Some engineers were over recently and pointed out some serious construction flaws in this particular wall. Blimey… it happened much faster than I was prepared for. It's a miracle the entire wall didn't go, only the windows!"
"Sir?" the staff asked him, with the three guards standing behind to stare at the headmaster.
"The walls were flawed," Mr. Glendale repeated himself, with emphasis on the last word.
"And what about all the students I saw on the ground?" the staff asked.
"I believe they must have been doing what they call 'flash-mob'," the headmaster said with confidence.
"Apparently, they were caught off-guard, and fell over."
"Uh-huh…" the staff nodded his head, looking skeptically on Mr. Glendale.
Way to play it by the headmaster. Given Dylan's own game, all he needed was a sore excuse.
"Yeah, that's what happened!" one of the students spoke up.
"We were bending over, as part of a group bet, when the wall suddenly cracked, and all the windows were broken. The shake it caused sent us all over."
Several other students nodded along, voicing up that it was true.
"And what about Hadgers? He sat at the the very spot, sir."
"Oh Hugens," the headmaster repeated in an exasperated manner.
"Please give the young Mr. Hadgers the benefit of the doubt, you know how tiring the Academy sometimes can be for a student. Nothing in our rules forbids him from sitting down to take a rest. Even though, I wouldn't recommend the floor, it's a bit dirty."
One of the guards that stood behind the questioning staff, turned around as he barely could keep himself from laughing.
"Fine… sir…" the man gave up, threw up his arms and turned to leave.
"As for all of you," the headmaster called out to all the students present.
"If any of you got bruised or any wounds from your 'accident', go see the nurse at the infirmary. The rest of you, please move on to your next class."
Thus the students began to disperse in a steady flow, returning to their designated class rooms. They had their own lectures to focus on. If they could that was, because Catherine had just made herself a name here today. No one ever dreamed of seeing Dylan bested at his own game, and this badly.
Catherine remained behind, to see the students disappear from her, but the headmaster remained behind, giving her a smirk.
'Just make sure you keep playing on his pride, so he won't tell his father. He'll want to take you out on his own. Oh, and try avoiding more of this collateral damage next time?' he thought, which the girl picked up.
If Dylan and his father bent the rules to their own will, then he would make sure to turn the game back against them. After all, no one among the school's staff had actually seen them fight, and Dylan knew to pick places with little surveillance.
As the headmaster retired back to his office, having a lot of work ahead of him to 'document' the construction errors, Catherine found herself remaining with Annabelle, and a few onlookers. She paid no attention to them however, as Annabelle's voice reached her mind.
'Are you not worried that he will find out? Or what if he does bring it to his father, and they end up exposing your secret?'
'If it happens, then so be it. Dad taught me to stand up for others, and I won't let Dylan keep continuing if I can do something about it. Besides, there is no way back now, the game is on.'
'I understand,' Annabelle nodded.
'Though… it had been nice if we could remain low, just thinking of any attention this will give us… I…. I just…'
'Annabelle, what about Lily? Would you let her or others like her suffer?' Catherine asked her in a rebuking manner.
'No, that's not how I meant it!' the blonde waved her hands.
'I'm sorry!'
'It's fine,' Catherine sighed, before turning her head towards the remaining onlookers.
"Oh, Terra, there you are," she spotted her other blonde friend among them.
Terra had arrived earlier during the opening exchange between the two adversaries, and thought that Catherine's 'mistakes' had come to bite her in her ass… If she had one below that outfit.
Instead she now remained here, staring at the cloaked girl in open shock.
'She beat him… She beat him… She beat Dylan, she freaking beat Dylan! What the hell is she?!'
Catherine herself only dusted off her cloaks a little.
"Shall we go?" she said to her.
The blonde was momentarily shaken out of her thoughts by Catherine's words, and she began to follow. But her mind soon found itself in an infinate loop, trying to process what she just had witnessed.
'She beat Dylan!…'
— Location: Aiur —
— Chamber of Hearing —
Desann's uprising was finally to be addressed in public by the Hierarchy. They were all gathered in the Chamber of Hearing, where these matters often were brought up. And the matter with Desann was by no means a small one, with the entire public watching in anticipation.
A protoss male strode forward on the central podium, a platform raised from the ground below. He wore nothing but a bleak purple garment that covered his body and hung by his left shoulder (1), and looked around, seeing the members of the Hierarchy on their designated seats on a slight heigth above him to his front, and all around him the podium was encircled by rows and rows fully seated with protoss from all tribes.
All similarly to a colosseum.
All tribe leaders were present in front of him, making up the complete Hierarchy. Some of them were accompanied by their advisors, standing by their sides. Executor Selendis were found among them, standing proudly beside the Hierarch himself.
The podium itself was colored gold, with blue circling stripes that radiated their light, and great spires of gold rose up behind the Hierarchy seats to his front. Truly a magnificent sight, his people never faltered in anything their hands would build.
'Desann,' Artanis called out from his high seat, the one at the center of them all, towards the lower podium where the rebel met his gaze.
'Words reach us that you are stirring up the people, making claims against our leadership and our intents. Some accuse you and your followers of rebellion. What we hear, again and again, makes us greatly concerned.'
'We have summoned you today so you can explain your actions. It is our hope that we can resolve this peacefully, and strengthen the unity of our people.'
There were murmur among the audience at the words spoken by the Hierarch. For an individual to be called in for an hearing, with the entire Hierarchy present, was itself a testimony of how serious it had become.
'Now, speak your thoughts, Desann,' Artanis said.
'And let us know your intents.'
Desann looked around, from the Hierarch, to over the full audience that had gathered. Recognizing several of his followers among the audience, as well as opposition that supported the current ruling body. But he took note that many present were neither supporters nor opposers. At least, not tet.
He turned his gaze back at the
'Honored Hierarch,' he spoke up.
'I am nothing but a humble being, seeking to uplift the life of our brethren, and our people. That you call me in for a hearing, must be considered an honor, and in many ways, it is so. That I am given a opportunity on behalf of my plight. I know I should be thankful to you, for letting me speak out.'
He gazed back and forth, from council member to council member.
'Why have you really summoned me here? Why this farce? Is it to make mockery of our work, one way or another? Is it to cast doubt over my plight? Is it to fool our people, and put another veil of lies over their eyes, as you make a display of how 'righteous' you are against me?'
'And what is that supposed to mean?' Agharim replied, with his eyes narrowed.
But Desann did not answer the question from, but turned around against the large audience.
'My brethren, hear me out!' he lifted out his arms towards them.
'Once we were ruled by the Conclave, who deceived us with their unjust ways, and denied us the truth. They hindered the salvation brought by the one who would save us, our hero Tassadar! They almost brought us to ruin!'
Artanis narrowed his eyes, and fought back his own rage at hearing his honored mentor's name being invoked against them.
'The Conclave was wrong, and in rebelling, Tassadar and his followers saved us from the zerg onslaught.'
He turned and pointed at the hierarchy.
'And now, this lot has put itself in the place of the Conclave, and they are following in their footsteps, as they are taking away our freedom!'
Several mental whispers could be heard from the audience. What was this one up to?
'Perhaps you would like to indulge as to how we have taken away the freedom of our people?' Artanis queried, though his tone made it clear that he was not to be trifled with.
'We have a leadership, that tells us what to do, where to put our skills at use. All while they keep themselves secluded in their council chambers. On the outside, they appear kind and wise, and they keep us believing that they have for our well-being. Yet we cannot trust them, for they are only interested in power. They seek to rule us all!'
He pointed at Artanis.
'Lead by the one titled Hierarch, sitting on the top, controlling us all.'
A surge of shock went through the audience, someone had dared to question the great Saviour of the Templar, claiming him to be hungry for power.
The one they honored by 'En Taro Artanis!'
"I do not like your choice of words!" Talandar growled loudly, raising up his mechanical fist against the protoss.
"They are nothing but an insult to Hierarch Artanis! He fought for you, while you were slaves to Amon! It is because of him that you are free, and you turn your back at him? You are nothing but an ungrateful-!"
Artanis held up his hand towards the purifier.
'Peace, Talandar. I understand your plight, and I do appreciate your loyalty, but please hold your silence until we can pass conclusion on his claims.'
The hierarch turned towards the speaker.
'These are serious accusations you are bringing us. I see now that the words are true, that you are telling your followers to turn against us. But Desann, be reasonable!'
He rose up from his chair.
'It saddens me to see your distrust against us. I assure you, I and the council intends the best for our people! We have been on the brink of annihilation, we have survived great destructions, and we are just raising ourselves to be one unified people. A people free from their fate.'
'So what have you against us? Why are you turning our people against us? I fail to understand, do you not see that what you are doing may put our efforts into peril? Already on the streets we see the people being divided over your cause. There have been reports of violence breaking out.'
'Only the blind ask for answer, and the answer will not open their eyes,' Desann replied.
'If you cannot see for yourself, then I shall not need to give you an answer.'
Several of the Hierarchy members scoffed at the rebel.
'You dare?' Vorazun growled, finding his attitude insulting towards Artanis.
Desann paid her no heed, and turned towards the audience again.
'But my brethren need to hear this, that is why I will tell you all. These people, who call themselves your leaders, are closed off from you. There is no way you can tell their intentions. The lowest is denied the right to hold the highest accountable. We have separation, and those who heed the past, you know this separation harms us more than it helps us.'
'Do not forget the Conclave,' he looked at the leaders.
'And do not forget the strife between the Khalai and the Nerazim while we were still on Shakuras.'
'We must become… alike. Everyone must be one, given the same rights.'
Several members of the audience looked at each other in confusion, while other's widened their eyes as they begun to realize where this were heading. Several of Desann's followers nodded in approval.
'We must recreate… the Khala!' he announced, making a collective shock go through the audience.
'This is outrageous!' Arken's voice boomed from his seat, as he stood up.
'The Khala was the one tool the Dark God used to control us all! And you strive to see that recreated?!'
'Ironic, spoken by the one who would use all means necessary to defend the original Khala, you whose tribe ruled the Conclave,' Desann scoffed back.
'Just like the ruler you are. Tell me, tribe leader, how much does my way threaten your hold over our people? How much do you believe that your Ara tribe should rule everyone? How much do I defy your power hungry ideas?'
'Enough!' Artanis called out, motioning Arken to sit down.
'So this is what you are fighting for? Is it the loss of the Khala that has grieved you, beyond what you can bear? Do you even realize what you are trying to aim for, Desann?' the Hierarch queried, with narrowed eyes.
'Completely,' Desann nodded.
'Though this will not be the Dark God's Khala. This will be ours. A shared community, an untainted link, where everyone is equal, and everyone are given the same privileges. No caste, no Conclave, no Hierarchy to dictate us. Only then, shall we be truly free!'
'So now it's a hive mind, like the zerg,' Tanebraus shook his head, as the associations were a little too much alike.
'Hear me out!' Desann called to the audience.
'This can be achieved! If we all come together and work this out, we can create a new Khala! Even without the need of our nerve chords that we severed. We protoss have achieved the impossible before, and we shall do so, again!'
'I cannot believe I would hear these words, after what we have been through!' Vorazun spoke up.
'You would incite a possible war, to make everyone 'alike'? What if everyone do not wish to become 'equal' as you say? Would you really give up your individuality for all this?'
'I would gladly do anything to see my brethren fully liberated from the rule of you and your fellow leaders, Dark Templar!'
'One free people, reunited under one fellowship. The same values for all!'
By this point, the audience broke out into a large dispute, all their mental voices sounded into loud arguments.
Many found the words of Desann to be complete madness, while there were those who eagerly supported his vision.
'Hierarch, this bickering leads us to nowhere,' Arken said to Artanis, who let out a heavy sigh.
'No, I am afraid you are right. It seems you were more correct about him than I feared. Selendis, have your men escort him out. This hearing is over.'
The Executor, standing by Artanis's side, nodded her head, and gave the order to her zealot guards, who stepped up on the podium to lead the rebel out of the Hearing Hall.
But their appearance on the podium sparked a reaction. Several followers of Desann jumped in and surrounded their leader, with psi blades drawn and glowing brightly from their armbands. The guards ignited their own weapons, and everyone moved into combat stance. The audience froze at what was happening so quickly in front of their eyes.
But Desann made the first move, and held his hand up against his own followers.
'Peace, brethren! Lower your weapons!' he commanded, and they complied.
'There is no need for bloodshed today. If our yoke can be thrown off peacefully, then we should aim to do so. Let the blades be drawn only when they truly force us to do so.'
A little hesitant, his followers moved aside, allowing the guards to pass, and they watched as their leader was escorted towards the entrance to the Chamber.
'This hearing has ended,' Artanis declared, before he and the other tribe leaders turned to leave, disappearing beyond the great golden spires, behind their seats.
'Why has it come to this?' the Hierarch asked himself, feeling a heavy burden inside. He had to find a way to solve this, or it would inevitably lead to bloodshed.
— 8th of October, 2522—
— Location: Museum of History, Korhal—
Excursion day. And to the Museum of History, nonetheless.
On one hand, she had not too much interest in history, but Terra welcomed a change in the daily routine. Or, at least what would have been the daily routine. Things have been been turned on the head, again and again, ever since Catherine came to their class.
She had found herself hanging out with her and Annabelle, instead of always staying on her own. Or, it was the other way around: they came and hung out with her. At first, Catherine with Annabelle in tow, but the blind blonde actually started to come and say hello on her own, in the mornings before class began, before Catherine beat her to it. Shy and with a little smile. But hey, Annabelle was actually nice, compared to those others idiots in her class.
Terra had always been on her own, minding her own business. But she didn't mind this, at least the days got less dull. And… it felt good.
Some of the teachers got used to the newcomer quickly, while others still needed more time. Especially poor Mrs. Sullivan. And for some reason, during the training lessons, she always ended up speaking with Annabelle in a distant corner while the rest where practicing their psionic abilities.
But she was no weakling at all, not after what Terra had seen last week. The young teenager hid behind her mask and was a mystery in her own way, but the news of her fight with Dylan spread like fire in the grass, and within the next hour, the entire Academy knew that she had bruised, man-handled and utterly humiliated him.
Well, that's what the students said, Catherine merely shrugged at the exaggerated words, and replied that "I just gave him a little push." The staff knew 'nothing' of what they talked about.
Still, one problem remained, and she couldn't help but wonder: How would Catherine and her parents handle it, if Dylan was not so proud as they thought, and blurted out this 'humiliation' to his father?
Damn…
As these thoughts went through Terra's mind, she took a look around, and saw no one of age-group 14 among the students in the museum. Only age groups 11-13 were at the excursion. That meant no Dylan either, to make trouble in the museum or giving them any payback.
No, this was not the Academy, but it was hard to know with Dylan. He could either respect the laws outside the Academy, or he could have the gall not to.
No Dylan, less trouble, especially for herself. And this was not a place where Catherine could easily intervene without stirring up the rage from the authorities, for all the broken relics she would leave behind. Dylan's father would have bailed him out. Catherine's parents…
Anyway, the blonde figured she would make this a relaxing time of walk-around in the museum, probably a bit pointless one. This place didn't interest her too much, but a sight-seeing wouldn't hurt.
The Museum of History, being one of the largest and most pristine attractions on Korhal. It housed many sections, dedicated to different eras of terran history. Including pre-colonization history, when all terrans lived on Earth, and then after they were sent to the Koprulu sector. The colonization, the rise of the Umojan Protectorate, the Kel-Morian Combine, and the Confederacy of Men.
The Guild Wars, the wars with the protoss and the zerg, the rise of the Dominion, the Hybrid War. Stunning achievements by famous individuals. Heroes and villains. Leaders and ground soldiers.
The Museum of History had everything. Thanks to Emperor Valerian who had given an extra investment to this place, for everyone to behold and learn from. Not to mention that the esthetics had an mixed tinge of nostalgia and art. The Emperor was a historian and archeologist by heart, they said, with him dedicating huge resources to this museum, and similar constructs across the Dominion.
The walls all around them were covered in dark brick, with illumination light all around, while there was a significant height to the glass roof above. Giving an old nostalgic feel to those who appreciated it.
Terra turned her head to see Mrs. Sullivan, the history teacher, leading their excursion group and guiding all the students, stopping and speaking for minutes at each historical object, illustration or whatever it was they passed by.
Beside the enthusiastic teacher, stood the real museum guide, with an exasperated look at his face, something the history teacher never noticed.
Terra couldn't help herself, and peeked into his mind.
'If this goes on, that woman is going to put me out of my job!'
The blonde had to restrain herself to avoid letting out a loud snort. Taking a glance at her own class mates, she noticed a few others having the same problem, while others… There was June, who rolled her eyes, frustrated over her own class.
Oh, just forget about that red-haired b…
Terra turned and broke away from the group to walk around by herself. After all, no one was really obligated to follow after the teacher as she spoke, and she was too slow anyway. Several of the students had the same idea, and were already journeying around the museum on their own 'adventures'. Some of them talked loudly. Kids these days.
She was a kid too, in many ways. But in many ways, she was not… She had always been so different from most of the others on the Academy. Her own childhood was gone, lost long ago.
Time passed on as she strode around and felt relaxed. For some reason, none of the other students she passed didn't bother her either. Since they were not in the Academy, most of them probably wouldn't take their chances on her out here, in case something more happened. Or maybe she was just extra lucky. Or maybe what Catherine had done last week made it clear: Don't touch her friends. Ever!
Whatever the reason was, if felt good to not have someone try tampering with her anger.
She began to feel bored, when she passed the entrance to the "Hall of Heroes", the newest exhibition. The one devoted to the notable heroes of the past. The girl felt her interest peeking as she turned and entered.
It was not a small exhibition this one, there were several hallways intersecting with each other, filled with statues, holo-images and relics. This was the museum's most recent and largest extensions. The Emperor himself was the manager behind it, and had personally opened it. Ironically, on the same day that Catherine had arrived.
As she walked through the halls, she saw that some of the exhibition objects were commended to the First and Second Great Wars, while the most were to the greater Hybrid War. Illustrations of great battles, statues made of concrete, painted light brown. They portrayed the great war heroes.
In spite of herself, and of her rather… harsh nature, as some would say, she couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for these who gave everything to save everyone's lives. Many of these at the cost of their own. She saw the names as she passed the statues.
— General Horace Warfield —
— Admiral Harrison Jones —
— David Petuga —
— General Edmund Duke —
— Praetor Talis —
— Professor Titus Acherman —
— Admiral James Thulman—
— Matriarch Vorazun —
…
…
Many were the names. Names of the dead. Names of the living. Some protoss. This truly was a hall of heroes.
Most of the description plates were the mere summaries, as more information could be found on the nearby monitors, if one were inclined to.
She stopped at one particular statue, and looked up. She couldn't help but smile a bit as she saw the figure of a very familiar woman. Her eyes turned to the description plate in front of the statue.
— November Terra —
Born January 2485, Tarsonis.
Originally from the Terra Family of Tarsonis. Served as a ghost under Emperor Arcturus Mengsk, then Valerian Mengsk. Said to be the greatest psionic of her time, with a PI of 10, only rivaled by former ghost Sarah Kerrigan.
Was instrumental for ensuring crucial victories in the Hybrid War in 2506, especially during the battle of Eves, the battle of Tyrador VIII and the defence of Haven.
Currently serves as ghost instructor at the Psionic Academy of Korhal.
The blonde looked up again. Everyone knew of her achievements in the war, but it was funny to see actually a large statue of Nova, commended to her efforts. Not that the instructor seemed to enjoy the spotlight too much.
"We all had to do what we all had to do," was her only remark when asked about the war.
Yet here was the statue in light-brown colors, showing the woman well fit, in her combat gear and with a deadly focus on her face, holding her rifle in her arms. There were many older teens on the Academy that was too much obsessed with their looks. Yes, even on the Psionics Academy. Terra was convinced that they would all be jealous if they saw this status, while ironically, the famous ghost had never cared much for those things.
Nova…
Terra met her first a few years ago, when the blonde woman joined the Academy to be an instructor, just right after her own arrival to Korhal. She taught in the ghost classes, older than 15 years old.
They both shared similar pasts, and quickly formed a bond. Nova gave her best support, of what she could. Frankly, while the blonde never showed it, she guess she in retrospect had to be thankful for Nova being there. If not for her, she would probably have snapped and crossed the last line long time ago.
And she… she wanted to teach Terra. Personally. She felt a pang of guilt, as she had shown so little gratitude to the older blonde. Her own deep anger had always been in her way. Now that Catherine was here to take the spotlight away from her, she actually got time to think.
Actually… Catherine… The instructor seemed to dislike Catherine for some reason. A lot. Catherine was not much friendlier to her either. At least they didn't turn to violence, but they kept scoffing at one another, and the air always seemed to be tense around them. Something was wrong between them, that was for sure.
She continued down the hall, and stopped at another statue. A protoss, clad in his glory. A magnificent armor covering most of his tall body, and it had a more glorious splendor than the other statues of his kin. Tall… Typical for the protoss. She had never seen a fat one for sure. Then again, they had no mouths. Overweight had to be an unknown concept for that race.
— Hierarch Artanis —
Born on Aiur of the Akilae Tribe, of the Templar caste.
Became Executor during the First Great War, and fought valiantly to destroy the first zerg Overmind during the invasion of Aiur.
Became Hierarch of the protoss, after their exile to Shakuras, home world of the Dark Templar (also known as the Nerazim).
Built the Golden Armada to retake Aiur, but in the ensuing invasion (2506 by terran reckoning), Amon made himself present and corrupted the Khala, the communal link the protoss shared, with the Dark Templar being the exception. Artanis was freed from the Khala by Dark Prelate Zeratul, who nearly lost his life in the effort and was rendered incapacitated for the rest of the war.
This incident sparked the beginning of the Hybrid War.
The Golden Armada, under Amon's hold, brought chaos and destruction in their path, including the Terran Dominion.
Came to our defence when the Mobius Corps invaded Korhal, set on destroying the Dominion Capital. With the Dominion forces led by James Raynor, side-by-side with Artanis, the hybrid-led invaders were pushed back, but not without significant losses (for further details, see the information about Mobius Corp's raid of Korhal).
Later made an alliance with the Tal'darim and the Purifiers, and led a new invasion on Aiur. In the confrontation with the Golden Armada, Artanis used a Xel'naga artifact to free the protoss and banish Amon back to the dimension known as 'the Void'. The heroic acts on Aiur also saved the terran colonies from destruction (For further details, see the information about the battle of the Verion system).
Represented the protoss in the Alliance, where they united with the terrans and the Zerg Swarm to invade the Void and defeat Amon, once and for all. The campaign was a success, as the final victory was earned, and Amon was destroyed forever, saving the galaxy from his wanton plans of destruction.
Artanis has since the war continued his role as leader of the protoss Hierarchy, the governing body of the Protoss Daelaam (also known as the 'Protoss Protectorate' or 'Unified Protoss'). Peace negotiations began between the Dominion and the Daelaam after the war, but in spite of a promising beginning, no official treaties have been signed of as today.
Is highly revered among the protoss, and even among terran officials, in spite of any hostilities since the war. Known as the 'Savior of the Templar'.
Damn, that was a long description plate, most of the others were short. Nova had little spotlight in comparison. Apparently one of the feats of being the top leader of a race.
Hierarch Artanis, huh?
She had heard the name before. Everyone pretty much has. He was the protoss equal of Emperor Mengsk, they said. And thanks to him, everyone was alive today, more or less. Perhaps no wonder that the Emperor had this protoss added to the exhibition, probably a friendly gesture from one ruler to another, in addition to honor the war effort.
Then again, the description plate painted the Hierarch in a very positive and glorifying image, while the different voices in the media certainly did not. And what terran officials really thought about this leader… In a nutshell, it was very varied. But the Emperor and notable people like James Raynor, the war hero, spoke warmly about Artanis at least. So, it wasn't too bad right now.
She looked over the statue once more. It was imposing. Going up against this leader… What idiot would be insane enough to do that?
The blonde had to admit, she felt respect for this hero.
Terra continued further down the hallway, and stopped as she recognized another one. A very famous one that everyone knew, and the summary plate rivaled Artanis's in length.
— James Eugene Raynor —
Born on Shiloh, August 20th 2470
Joined the confederate army in 2488, became an outlaw in 2489. Confederate marshall on Mar Sara in 2496 until the zerg invasion in 2499, that sparked the First Great War.
Joined the Sons of Korhal along with the local magistrate, Jason Davis, after the Confederacy abandoned the people of Mar Sara to their own fate. Was involved in the battles of Antiga Prime and Tarsonis during the rebellion.
Broke away from the Sons of Korhal after the fall of Tarsonis, due to Arcturus Mengsk betraying Sarah Kerrigan and leaving her and the population to their fate against the Zerg Swarm. He was joined by Matthew Horner, who became his right-hand, and temporarily by Jason Davis.
Joined forces with the protoss leaders Tassadar and Artanis at Char, and assisted them in defeating the first Overmind on Aiur.
Formed Raynor's Raiders, which opposed Mengsk's rule over the next four years. Successes were few, but Raynor eventually scored the notable victory, being the famous operation "Media Blitz", where the rebel forces broke into Korhal and published the famed audio-recordings of Mengsk in late 2504, after the Second Great War had broken out between the Dominion and the Zerg Swarm.
Defended several worlds during the war against the Zerg Swarm, and led a joint operation with the Dominion, under General Horace Warfield and Valerian Mengsk, against Kerrigan, now the Queen of Blades and the Swarm ruler, on Char.
After her apparent defeat, he was captured and imprisoned by Arcturus Mengsk, but later freed by Kerrigan. He assisted the zerg Queen during her invasion of Korhal in April 2505.
Became Commander within the Dominion Armed Forces, and led the defenses of Korhal during the Hybrid War in 2506, leading the forces from the Hyperion.
The timely arrival of protoss Hierarch Artanis and his forces on the Spear of Adun helped defending our throne world during the initial invasion by the Mobius Corps.
United the rest of the terran factions under one banner, most notably the Umojan Protectorate and the Kel-Morian Combine. Was instrumental in several important battles, including the battle of Tyrador VIII, the second and third battles of Char, the battle of the Verion System and the battle of Ilum. Stood the ground in the Verion System against the hybrid controlled Golden Armada, with aid from the Zerg Swarm.
Represented the terrans in the Alliance, with the Zerg Swarm and the Protoss Daelaam at the ending stage of the war, and led the terran factions, as the Alliance journeyed into the realm called 'The Void', to defeat the hybrid master.
Is highly decorated for his efforts and defence of the Dominion, and humanity. Has acted as ambassador along with Admiral Matthew Horner, between the Dominion and the Daelaam after the war. Even without an official peace treaty as of today, James Raynor is highly acknowledged among the protoss.
Has retired from the Dominion Armed Forces, and works today as freelance mercenary with the Raynor's Raiders, occasionally.
'Jim Raynor, huh?' Terra smirked, and looked over the light brown concrete figure, typically clad power armor, but with the detailed face shown clearly, and a rifle help upwards in one of his hands.
He posed in a typical 'space cowboy' fashion, as some called it.
Everyone knew of him, even she. Said to be one of the most honored heroes of the war. Not only terrans, but the protoss revered him greatly as well, and according to the rumors, even the Queen of Blades. Apparently, they had some sort of connection in the past while she was still human, if the rumors were true.
She continued down the hallways. She was not so bored after all now. She turned at an intersection, to see an imposing figure at the end of the hallway.
A tall figure, with hair strands thicker than on any other, and bone wings.
The Queen of Blades, the ruler of the Zerg Swarm. Even as a statue, Terra could feel the intimidating presence of this one. As she walked closer, she noticed a figure in cloaks standing below the statue, gazing up at it.
The blonde stopped by her, as Catherine nodded her head to acknowledge her presence, but otherwise remained silent.
The statued had the same light-brown color as the rest. Yet this was the most distinguishable from the others, by the unique shape that Kerrigan had. With exception of the breasts, the torso had a protective ragged shell over it. Zerg carapace. The armor extended to spikes over her right shoulder, at the elbows, along the back of her hands. The hair was made of thick dreadlocks, and seemed segmented like an insect's legs, or human bone joints, and they reached below her shoulders.
Her most distinguishing features were the bone wings that stood out of her back. If they hadn't been featherless or without fur, they would have been bird-like or bat-like. Sort of. Instead, they were pairs of elongated, segmented spikes, great hooked claws protruding from her back that reached down to her knees, when in normal stance.
Under her feet were engraved heels, pushing them high up.
Truly a figure that sent fear into the hearts of men. If mentioning Dylan could make an Academy student shiver, then mentioning Kerrigan's name had the same effect on a huge portion of the population. At least among the adult generation, it's been many years without direct confrontation with the Swarm.
But for better or worse, they were damn lucky that Kerrigan had been on their side during the Hybrid War.
Terra then noticed the hands of the statue. Long, clawed fingers. Somehow this made her instincts scream to her, but for some reason, she couldn't put her finger on what it exactly was, so she shook it off instead.
She looked over to the plate, and read the description.
— Sarah Kerrigan —
— Queen of Blades and ruler of the Zerg Swarm —
Born on TarKossia in 2473.
Was conscripted to the Ghost Program in 2481, eight years old, and holds the title to this day as the most powerful human to ever pass the Ghost Academy, a record still carried on by today's Psionics Academy on Korhal. Recorded PI at the time was 10.
Served the Confederacy of Man as their most powerful ghost agent for ten years.
Was liberated by Arcturus Mengsk and the Sons of Korhal in 2491, and given the choice to join their cause against the Confederacy, which she accepted. The offer was given by Mengsk himself, in spite of her involvement in the assassination of his family.
Eventually she reached the rank as second in command, and right hand of Mengsk.
Was betrayed and left behind at the fall of Tarsonis in 2500, after Mengsk had lured in the Zerg Swarm to destroy the Confederacy. At first believed to be dead, but Kerrigan was instead captured and brought to Char, the zerg base of operations in the Koprulu sector. She was infested into the zerg's most powerful weapon: The Queen of Blades.
She would fight the forces of Dominion General Edmund Duke and rebel James Raynor and soon the protoss forces led by former Executor Tassadar, and Dark Prelate Zeratul of the Dark Templar.
After the death of the first Overmind, leading into the so-called 'Brood war', Kerrigan began taking control over zerg troops. She aided Arcturus Mengsk in escaping from Korhal during the invasion of the UED, and later aided in fending of the invaders and reinstating Mengsk to his throne, before betraying him and her other allies and killing off significant numbers of their forces, including General Edmund Duke.
Also responsible for the deaths of notable leaders among the protoss, her actions earned her the hatred of every other known sentient species in the Koprulu Sector.
Kerrigan would rise to take the throne of the Zerg Swarm after the death of the infant second Overmind and fall of the UED, but not before she defeated UED Admiral Gerard DuGalle, Emperor Arcturus Mengsk, and Executor Artanis of the protoss, in the concluding battle above Char.
…
…
Terra gave the description plate a quick glance downwards, and slightly widened her eyes.
Goodness, it was over twice as long as those about Raynor or Artanis, she felt a looming headache threaten.
Most of this she had heard before, that Kerrigan would return four years laters, Raynor fought against her, Raynor later fougth alongside with her, that the Swarm gave some important aid in the Hybrid War, blah blah blah.
Man, what was the Emperor thinking about with all these details? If anyone wanted, couldn't they just look up more on the nearby information monitor?
Just to finish it up, she turned her eyes to the far bottom paragraph.
Kerrigan remains to this day the ruler of the Zerg Swarm, and a very controversial character. Responsible for the death of billions, and at the same time, for saving our lives. It is claimed by Emperor Valerian, by experts and by veterans of the war, that without Kerrigan, Amon could not have been defeated, and the entire Zerg Swarm would have fallen into the hands of the hybrids. None of us would exist today without her. Protoss Hierarch Artanis, and several notable terrans, including James Raynor and Admiral Matthew Horner, appear to support the claim. At the same time, several notable critics strongly disagree with the notion, and point out that while the alliance with the zerg was a needed convenience, the Zerg Queen is given too much credit, and must one day be held accountable for her crimes.
Whatever the unseen truth remains, Kerrigan remains as one of the most influential persons of the Koprulu system, as well as the most disputed.
"So… Sarah Kerrigan, huh?" Terra began.
"You know… she really does freak me out, a little…" she said as she glanced over the imposing statue above her.
"I'm surprised Valerian had the guts to put her into the exhibition," Catherine's metallic voice spoke.
"Valerian?" Terra raised an eyebrow.
"You know… for someone who acts polite with the teachers, you seem to take saying his first name very lightly."
"Oh…" Catherine muttered, "Well, I have my habits."
Though Terra couldn't see it, she knew that the girl smiled behind her mask, given the tone in her voice.
"Many people opposed the idea of having her at the exhibition," the masked girl continued.
"Yeah," Terra nodded.
"Many people died to the zerg during the previous wars. Can't say I blame them."
"Me neither," Catherine agreed.
"But Val- the Emperor knows her personally, and her backstory. When all comes to all, she was also a victim to war."
"Sounds like you're defending her," Terra said.
"Maybe I am… But you know she was betrayed to the zerg when Tarsonis fell."
"True. Way to go, ol' Mengsk," Terra sighed.
"Then again, aren't they saying that without Kerrigan, that fallen Xel'naga would have taken the entire Zerg Swarm? We barely held out the war, imagine how it would be if the entire zerg race was used against us. None would be alive today," she added.
"Yes, even the protoss agree to it, if very reluctantly," Catherine replied.
They looked over the figure once more in silence, before Catherine looked over to Terra.
"The story of Sarah Kerrigan is one filled with much pain and sadness…" she said, before turning back at the statue again.
Terra looked at the masked girl, curious about what now was coming.
"Eight years old, she had a psionic outburst that killed her mother, and permanently wounded his father's brain."
Terra could feel a familiar joint of pain inside, as she heard the truth.
"The Confederacy took her in, and she become the strongest ghost ever. They made her a weapon. She killed, and killed. Even assassinated the young child of a political opponent who held a speech, with the child is his own arms."
"That's a low blow…" Terra felt disgusted, at which Catherine nodded her head.
"Then Mengsk found her and freed her, after years of this nightmare, and he gave her the opportunity to join the Sons of Korhal," Catherine continued.
"Only to be betrayed on Tarsonis," Terra finished.
"Then the zerg made her into… that… and after the death of the Overmind, she became the Queen and killed millions of us and the protoss. Then made up her part during her Hybrid Wars."
"That's the official story," Catherine remarked.
"So, what more is it?" Terra asked, curiously.
"Did you ever hear about the third battle of Char, where the Dominion under Valerian and Raynor's Raiders fought her?"
"Third battle…" Terra mused.
"The first two were during the first war, so it's the one from the second war." (2)
"The goal was to pacify her, with a special weapon of some sorts. It's said that they won, but Emperor Arcturus interfered and turned the Dominion against Raynor, and it allowed for Kerrigan to escape."
"Have you heard anything else?" Catherine inclined.
Terra realized that the masked girl was pressing on, wanting for her to look beyond the established 'facts'.
"You mean all those rumors that goes around? About her being deinfested? Look, aside from the official story, there are many rumors and conspiracies out there regarding her. For all I know, she was turned into a yellow fairy with a magic stick before turning back into Queen of Blades again," she finished sarcastically, looking at the masked Catherine.
"But, I guess you have your own version?"
"You could say so," Catherine nodded.
"Jim Raynor, the war hero, had assembled a Xel'naga artifact, and after a long and heated battle, it gave off a blast that destroyed many zerg, and deinfested Kerrigan. Unfortunately, Mengsk hunted her and Raynor, and after few weeks on the run, Raynor was captured and said to be executed. He… He was her love before Tarsonis, and the only one who really was there for her those weeks."
"Tough luck…" Terra commented.
"Yes," Catherine continued.
"Needless to say, Raynor was all she had left, and with him gone, the small remains of her world fell apart. She didn't trust Valerian and his men. She didn't count on the Raiders to back her up when Jim "died". All she had to live for was revenge. So she rejoined the Swarm."
"But how would the zerg accept a human?" Terra asked.
"They still recognized her as the Queen of Blades," Catherine explained.
"Part of her was still zerg, and part of her former strength remained. She had to fight to regain control of the Swarm… Then a Dark Templar, Zeratul, showed her the zerg birth world."
"Zeratul… didn't I read his name among the war heroes?" Terra pondered.
"Yes, his involvement helped saving us all. Zeratul took her to the zerg birth world, Zerus, where she learned about… Well, what do you know about zerg history? About their relationship to the Xel'naga?" Catherine asked.
"That part with the bastard corrupting the zerg? Yep, heard about that rumor too. Except, that one makes sense, since the hybrids fought against Kerrigan in controlling the Swarm. And I heard the remaining zerg were 'clean', as they said. Even the protoss support that one too, from what I know."
"Yes, clean," Catherine nodded.
"Free of the Dark One's corruption. The same corruption that had made Kerrigan the former mass murderess. On Zerus, she was led to the first spawning pool, where the zerg arose from, and there she was transformed."
"To the so-called primal Queen of Blades," Terra finished the sentence.
"The strongest being ever existing in our space, except for Xel'naga. And maybe hybrids."
"Oh, Kerrigan was able to fight hybrids single-handedly," Catherine said, with a positive note in her rasping voice.
Terra slightly raised an eye brow.
'Is it me, or did she sound a little bit… chimed?'
The blonde shrugged it off, and paid attention to the continuing story.
"She later learned that Jim was alive, and broke him out of prison. That was… not a happy reunion."
"No shit? The girl he had saved had turned back into zerg," Terra stated the obvious.
"But not her soul," Catherine continued.
"She didn't turn into the same mass murderess this time. But Raynor couldn't know that, not immediately. Their relationship suffered because of her choice, for a long time… but when all comes to all, her transformation saved us all."
"I guess it did," Terra nodded.
"And even if one could commend her for saving us, Kerrigan still lives to this day with the blood of billions on her hands… and her conscience. Like I said: She was a victim. Everyone are victims."
"Catherine, let me ask you something," Terra said as she turned to the masked girl.
"If I assume that all you're saying is true, how do you know all this?"
"I have my sources…" she stated, not returning her look once, only gazing at the statue.
"Is that so…" Terra sighed, slightly disappointed that Catherine wouldn't give the real answer.
They looked over the statue in another moment of silence.
"Did you lose anyone close to the zerg? Like your family?" Catherine asked.
"No, I… my fam…"
A pained expression was on her face for a brief moment, as she quickly looked away.
"I… I don't want to go into that topic… But if you really want to know, I didn't lose any close relatives to the Swarm. We were lucky."
"I see…" Catherine whispered.
Somehow, the cloaked girl seemed relieved.
"What about you? Did the zerg catch up to your family?" Terra asked back.
"Hey you two!" they heard a voice calling to them, far away into the hallways.
Terra quickly turned to see June standing there, waving at them.
"We're leaving for the Academy soon. You two need to hurry!"
"What, already? But I haven't seen Mrs. Sullivan coming here yet!" Terra shouted back.
"She got caught up in her talks. Didn't make it this far!" June yelled back, before turning around to disappear.
'Oh… Well, that's Mrs. Sullivan for you,' Terra mused for herself, before she started walking.
Catherine remained for a few more moments, as she gazed on the statue of Kerrigan and mused over the question Terra had asked.
"Did the zerg catch up to my family?" she repeated it for herself.
"More than you can ever imagine, Terra. More than you can ever imagine."
— END CHAPTER —
Author's notes:
(1) Think Greek style clothing.
(2) Referring to the Dominion landing on Char while Kerrigan was being infested in SC, and to the final battle in SC:Brood War. Those where the two battles that involved the Dominion.
Also, credit to Warchief for the magistrate name, Jason Davis. Once again, I urge you to look at his story, "When One Domino Falls". ^^
Until next time!