Chapter 3:
Protoss Glory
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Selece awoke with a start the next morning. Her psionic abilities told her that someone was coming down the tunnels. She nudged Miira, who was still fairly attached to her, but already awake as well. They jumped out of bed at the same instant and squirmed into their jumpsuits. Quickly checking their guns, they proceeded to move into a corner, fading into the shadows of the room that was still mostly pitch black. Miira was depleted of all energy, and if she cloaked, Selece guessed she would run the risk of passing out. Selece decided that if it really was an unwelcome visitor, she would rather be their target first, and remained uncloaked as well standing slightly in front of Miira.
A few tense minutes passed by, and Selece kept monitoring the tunnels. But then, just as the individual was nearing the main chamber, she sighed and flicked on the lantern halfway across the room with her talents.
"Selece?" Miira asked quizzically.
"It's Taliz." Selece replied. "I couldn't see him at first because the tunnels have a lot of residual psionic energy in them." She sighed again and fell back upon the bedding. Miira followed her, sitting down on the edge, and resting her rifle upon her knees.
Sure enough, the large form of Taliz appeared in the dim light. He was carrying a large bag, and Selece knew at once it was supplies. He looked anxious, and his smile was meager. If you could call it a smile at all. The Protoss features varied significantly from the humans.
"Mistresses, forgive my intrusion. I am glad to see you are both fully functional." Taliz said, bowing slightly. "High Templar Yah'zugar has sent me concerning the business of making sure Mistress Miira is well."
"Oh?" Miira asked. "I feel alright."
"That is not necessarily what I am referring too, Mistress. I am referring to your energy depletion yesterday. It was picked up by the health measurement systems on your outerwear." Taliz replied, setting down the large knapsack on the floor. A few moments passed, and since no one spoke, Taliz continued. "It is usually fatal for a Protoss."
"How is that?" Selece inquired, curious now.
"The Protoss mind and body is a psionic instrument. Without energy, it begins to shut down. That is to say my ladies, we blackout and die. May I sit upon your floor?"
Selece and Miira nodded at the same time, and at last Taliz smiled for real.
"I am truly glad you are still functional, Mistress. Yesterday was a trying day. I trust your operation went well."
"Well enough, we destroyed the remnant's of your probe. The entire building for that matter. Though, we believe we found a command bunker. The New Confederacy doesn't trust their citizens, and the leaders of this chaos conspiracy reside underground. Well, this was one of those places. They have psionic capable people leading their regime." Selece explained. Taliz nodded in understanding.
"Do these psionic capable humans stay underground?" Taliz asked, knowingly.
"Yesterday was the first time I've seen one. I knew they existed, but yesterday... Definitely the only time I've ever seen one." Selece answered, leaning over to pickup her canteen. She handed the well worn container to Miira.
"If I may push the matter further... Do you know anything else about these people?" Taliz persisted, and Selece shook her head slightly.
"Nothing, save for the fact they have been here since the beginning. Since our escape transport ran aground on this planet." Miira handed the canteen back to Selece, and she set it in her lap, eyes upon the ground. Miira nudged her affectionately.
"In the older days, the psionic capable individuals in your race were called Ghosts." Taliz reminded Selece. "I recall you saying one day you were the only active Ghost on duty, in this government."
"My call sign was Zero. That's all I really was: an assassin. But of course, there are other psionics on this planet, they just can't cloak. They are called the PsyOps. But, I don't think we are talking about them. I believe the leaders of the Confederacy are in fact Ghosts as well. At least... the true leaders. Back before I was in the military, the leader I knew was a man named Geoff Telumeen. He was one of the survivors of the landing when humans first reached this part of space. And before people knew what was going on immediately after the crash, he was leading the government. Most definitely not psionic either. He couldn't hold a gun to save his life. At least, this is what I remember hearing. After I was thrown into the military, I never heard of him again. It was all about pleasing the generals, and pleasing the cowardly psionics." Selece grimaced as she remembered her past. A past of hardships, of beatings, of injustice. She sighed and leaned gently on Miira. "This world we live in is foul."
"You do not have to rectify it, my Mistress. It is within my power to take you away from here." Taliz explained, but Selece put up her hand.
"No... We will finish what we have started. I will not stand to see this world fall to pieces. I will not stand to allow the hate here to continue." Selece replied, perhaps a little louder then she needed to. "These people are ruthless. They are prepared to kill each other to get what they want. And I for one will not stand silent, knowing that innocent people die everyday."
"Very well. Master Yah'zugar is preparing a plan to infiltrate the fortress of the Confederacy. When it is complete, our race will work with the both of you to achieve your goals. Our blood is in your hands." Taliz bowed again.
"Your assistance is much appreciated. We are honored to be working with you." Selece was prepared to say more, but she was forced to stop as the sound of a deep rumbling reverberated in the cool air. The cavern shook horribly, almost as if screaming in pain. Loose rocks and dust fell from the ceiling. Selece and Miira stood immediately, rifles at the ready. Taliz stood as well, dropping the bag he had carried in with him, prepared to ignite his fist weapons. Another explosion rocked the ground, and more debris fell.
"They have found us." Miira said quietly. Selece nodded.
"Grab our food and our munitions, a couple of our filled canteens. We need to get out of here. Our air vents and tunnels are going to be clogged pretty fast." Selece replied, and Miira nodded as they grabbed supplies quickly.
"I am going to miss this place." Miira whispered, and Selece could see a tear roll down her cheek. "This place where we were always safe... in each other's arms..." The ground rumbled again. Larger pieces of rocks were falling now, enough to threaten the safety of the occupants. Selece moved forward to hug Miira, and they stood there amongst the destruction for several moments. It was as if the past was holding them back now, and suddenly neither of them had the power to move in dissent of their memories.
"We need to leave now." Taliz said authoritatively, yet Selece and Miira were still not moving. "There will be time in the future for..." Another explosion, closer this time, sent shockwaves through the chamber, sending Taliz to the floor. He immediately stood up again and made his way closer to the girls, preparing to carry them away from harm. He approached quickly, only to stop in mid step at the sound of another voice he hadn't quite heard before.
"Go!" came a psionically charged voice that seemed to push Selece and Miira right out the exit at a run with Taliz following close behind. The three of them dashed through the tunnels, rocks falling all around them and rolling down into the blackness they were leaving. While they had been affected by the voice, Selece and Miira were forced to forget about it for the time being as they dodged debris.
"Miira, Taliz, they will be waiting at the entrance." Selece said in her thoughts, and her companions nodded their heads. Miira wiped away her tears and brought her rifle up to her shoulders, the barrel pointed forward, and her finger on the trigger. Selece followed suit, and as she checked her safety, Taliz slipped to the front.
"I will go first, I am shielded. For your safety, my Mistresses." He ignited the blades at his fists, and an aquamarine light filled the passageway. "It is my born duty to keep you from harm." Selece nodded, wordless, and they pressed on. They were close to the exit now.
"Sound cloaking. Miira doesn't have the energy for a full cloak." Selece ordered, and the noise of their boots upon the rocks and dirt suddenly became mute. "Exit in 40 feet. Detecting 50 odd hostiles."
The early morning light appeared suddenly, and Taliz charged into it with such zeal, Selece and Miira followed at either side of him, the vengeance in their hearts suddenly stirring with great fury.
"For Auir!" Taliz's voice boomed out of his throat, his searing blades swinging in the air with deadly grace. Bullets pounded his shields, but it held, and he continued his charge. Selece and Miira exited the cavern soon after him, and they trained their scopes on the Confederate soldiers as they ran behind Taliz. The rifles discharged again and again, rapidly changing position in the air to point at targets that still breathed.
The hills that surrounded the exit were overrun with Marines, their weapons aimed at Taliz and firing relentlessly. Selece could sense the presence of fear in many of them. Taliz's battle roar had probably given them a fright. Even more, the sight of a Protoss had doubtlessly confused them to no ends. Selece's weapon clicked empty, and she psionically pulled a grenade from a soldier's corpse into her hand. The deadly contraption flew into her palm and she released the pin, tossing it into a cluster of Marines. An explosion rocked the ground, shrapnel could be heard whistling though the air at blistering speeds, and screams of agony filled the air.
Miira had run out of ammunition in her clip as well, and she had begun breaking necks with her psionic abilities. A soldier's head was twisting itself 180 degrees not far from the raging trio, and with a sudden pop, the soldier fell over dead, just yards in front of Miira. As she reached the corpse in her run, she grabbed the rifle he was using and returned to picking off targets with deadly accuracy.
Selece moved behind Taliz to reload her rifle with a fresh clip, still running. It had only been a couple minutes since they had exited the cave, and the battle was still fierce. She glanced at the Protoss in front of her. Bullets were still hitting a nearly invisible blue force field of sorts, though Selece could tell that some were beginning to break through. One such bullet penetrated the field, and it ripped through Taliz's exposed arm. He picked up a nearby rifle from another slain Marine, and still running, fired with fatal accuracy at the soldier that had just hit him.
"But a flesh wound, mortals!" Taliz screamed mightily, unwavering. He grabbed a grenade from the next corpse he found and tossed it several dozen yards directly in front of him. They were almost out of the rut. The last men would be at the end. Another explosion rattled the forest, and more shrapnel flew out in all directions. That which flew back at Taliz he took with a grim smile into his armor, and into his body. "Whom which can take his own cruel punishment is truly the stronger!"
They were nearly at the open forest now. The grenade had nearly totally shattered the last standing unit of soldiers. Two men were still alive until Selece and Miira finally finished the job. Taliz stopped for a brief moment to survey the wreckage, apparently dismayed that it was finally over. Selece and Miira dashed passed him into the forest a dozen yards before turning around.
"The righteous shall prevail, dogs of thy mothers' shame! Heathen from hell!" Taliz roared again. The sound of reinforcements could be heard in the near distance, and Selece ordered Taliz to catch up in her thoughts. He turned immediately, and began to dash towards the girls. A whistling could be heard now... Something was falling from the sky at a rapid speed... Selece instinctively grabbed Miira and catapulted the both of them forward on her feet.
A flash of light and heat erupted from the ground where Taliz was standing moments earlier, where the artillery shell had detonated, though Selece and Miira didn't see. They had turned their backs against the explosion. Selece fell to the ground, still clutching Miira tightly in her arms. Her back seared with a sudden burning sensation, and her chest ached as it absorbed the force of the blow when she fell. Her eyes shut in pain.
"No time to fall... No time to fall! Get up, Selece, GET UP!" Selece rallied in her thoughts, screaming to her body to get up and keep moving. Her skin felt like it was on fire, and her bones felt like they were going to splinter. Blood flowed freely from her lip, dropping onto Miira's face. Miira's face... Miira... A sudden wave of panic rolled through Selece. Miira wasn't conscious. Sub-machine gun fire erupted behind her, and she looked back, but could not find Taliz... Only a charred and smoking crater remained of the area the shell had hit. Of where Taliz had been standing...
Selece jumped into the air and ran, slinging Miira's rifle on her back like her own. She ran like she would have run only in her dreams. Dreams of glory. Dreams of victory and certain happiness. But no, she was running for her life now. Her life, and Miira's.
"You cannot run forever..." Selece's consciousness told her. "You cannot possibly run forever." And whether she liked it or not, her inner mind was absolutely right. She scanned her memories for someplace to hide... but there where none in this area. There was no fruit in this area. Therefore, they had no constructed hiding places. The weapon fire died as Selece gained distance from the soldiers. A river was up ahead, Selece could hear it now. Wraith Bee's could be heard as well.
"They're going to see us. They have thermal scanning." Selece warned herself. The river finally came into view, and she cloaked. "This is going to be tricky."
The cloaking field covered Selece and Miira, and they vanished. A splash of water followed soon after, and then it was as if Selece and Miira never really existed at all, save for small ripples making their way across the river. Selece popped above the surface of the cold water at the other side, still holding Miira's head above the slowly flowing current. They were soaked to the skin with the chilly water, though Selece wasn't paying attention. Instead she was listening intently to the sound of the Bee's. They were getting closer. Tense moments passed, and finally they came into few, flying swiftly towards them. Selece held Miira's nose and mouth closed, and she submerged once more, this time with Miira.
Engines could be heard coming closer over the water, then finally they were overhead after only a few more seconds. Seconds which felt like they took their time passing on the chronometer. And then Selece heard the sound she did not want to hear: The Bee's engines had been put into idle. Selece knew Miira wasn't going to last long underwater while still unconscious. Risking their cover, Selece popped above the surface, face down. She pulled Miira up under her head, and released her clasp on Miira's face to let her breath. The Bee's in the air hovered longer, and just when Selece thought she could feel their eyes on the back of her head, they screamed away at a blazing speed, back to where they had come from: The collapsing remains of Selece and Miira's home. Selece put her hand to her hooded forehead.
"Thank you Protoss!" She whispered to herself, satisfied, as the river water streamed down her face. Selece turned back to Miira, sensing that she was coming about.
"Selece?" Miira began slowly, and her protector looked back down at her. She slowly eyed her surroundings. "Selece... Why are we standing in a river and soaking wet and cold?"
"This river just made us completely invisible to the thermal detection on the Bee's. The water absorbed into our hoods and our long hair, and I was able to poke above the surface for air with you while we remained protected from their scanning. And if you haven't realized yet, you're in my cloaking field at the moment, so... Are you going to be okay, Miira?"
"Yes, of course... because I'm with you." Miira answered truthfully, and Selece managed a smile. "Taliz... Where is he?" The smile was quickly lost. Miira had asked the question Selece didn't want to answer.
"Gone." Selece answered dismally. She dropped her head next to Miira's and sighed. "There was nothing left of him after the shell hit." Several quiet moments passed. Selece turned to look at Miira.
"Because we have to keep going, Selece..." Miira leaned forward and kissed Selece gently on the lips. "Because we have to keep fighting."
"You're right Miira, we have to keep going. For each other." Selece could feel tears welling in her eyes from the emotional stress she was feeling that moment, but Miira wiped them away gently, and Selece sniveled.
"Thank you, Miira..." Selece trudged out of the water and on the bank, then made an immediate turn right.
"Selece, you don't actually want to head in the direction of the city, do you?" Miira asked, nudging Selece in affectionate wonder.
"No, we aren't going there. Not yet." Selece moved quickly, dashing upon the river's edge. She scanned the terrain, and noticing a large old tree, took a left turn.
"Into the old growth forest..." Miira noticed with a quiet voice as they left the banks of the water. Selece looked carefully, and found the next worn tree, deeper into the forest. She walked around it several times until she found what she was looking for: a very small marking in the surface. It was a bearing, and Selece flipped her chronometer over on her wrist to reveal a digital compass.
"Remember? About a year ago now, we came here to see if there was fruit here?" Selece whispered, watching her compass intently as she turned her body to the proper direction. She began walking quickly forward.
"Yes, how could I forget, Selece..." Miira replied, blushing. Not only were they looking for food here, Miira had become highly aware of her feelings for Selece while she was in the area last time. It was as if she had walked into a magical garden of love, and became enchanted with the first individual she laid eyes upon. Of course, the only other person around at the time was Selece... And with these thoughts, Miira suddenly felt very secure in her surroundings, and she leaned closer to Selece, closing her eyes.
It was several minutes later when Selece finally stopped, and the sounds of the forest filled her ears instead of the rocks grinding under her feet. Miira opened her eyes, and comprehension dawned upon her eyes. They had made it to the tree they affectionately called 'Blackie', back in the days of their adventuring.
It was a stunning testament to the resilience of the indigenous old growth trees of the planet. Evidence of a fire was readily apparent, but the tree was still alive... Alive even though it was clear one entire side of the tree was dead. Nearly 300 feet tall and twelve feet in diameter, it was massive as well.
Selece set Miira down gently, and took her hand. They walked carefully around to the other side of the tree, and kneeled down to clear a layer of leaves and branches they had left to cover the opening. Once this work was down, a small hole was revealed, and Selece helped Miira through to the inside.
"Not much has changed. The sap of this tree is still the same as when we last left it. It's like it keeps away the bugs and animals. Though, I'm not surprised, it does irritate the skin..." Miira commented from inside, and Selece climbed in after her.
It was not a very large opening, but it was enough. The fire that had burned a good portion of the tree had also affected one of the roots jutting above the ground, effectively hollowing it. That and the half removed insides made for about seven feet of room. Enough to sleep. Selece took the canteen from her waist, removing the lid. She lovingly put it to Miira's lips
"Please, Miira, drink as much as you want." Selece whispered, scooting up to Miira's side and draping an arm around her shoulders.
"But... we..." Miira began to protest, however Selece nodded her head smiling. nudging Miira's mouth with the container softly.
"Don't worry, sweetie." Miira fell silent, taking a few drinks of water and handing the canteen back to Selece, who did the same. "We are going to be okay. Turn around."
Miira did as she was told, and could feel Selece undoing her equipment from its place. Selece turned Miira back around to face her and removed extra clips of ammunition from her waist. Selece placed their rifles on the ground and took off her own things, then laid down upon the ground. She shifted around for a few moments to find a comfortable position, and motioned for Miira to rest upon the top of her.
"Are you sure, Selece? I know it's a bit hard on you..." Miira began, but Selece shook her head.
"You are in need of this rest more then I am. At least be more comfortable and warm, rest on me this afternoon. We move at night fall." Miira complied, and let herself drop lightly upon Selece. Warm, comforting arms wrapped around Miira as she snuggled her head into Selece's chest and closed her eyes. "There you go, lovely..."
"Selece..." Miira asked in whispers.
"Yes, Miira?"
"Why are you so good to me... Especially now, when we are having such a hard time lately..." Miira responded, and Selece considered the question carefully for a few moments.
"Because we are both trying our best for each other. We are trying our best to save our race from itself. We are trying our best to save each other from our race. We are trying our best in everything we do, including sharing the love and compassion we have in our hearts, for each other..." Selece replied caringly.
"But... why now... When we are still in danger... It won't take long for them to start scouting this area... I have energy, we can still move to a safer location..." Miira explained, and again Selece spent a few moments thinking over her answer.
"Today was very close, whether or not we realized it as we were escaping, I'm beginning to realize it right now. No, forget that. It wasn't close. We failed. Taliz is dead. But, in all honesty... It's just that we..." Selece started, tears running quietly down her cheeks. She took a few breathes before continuing, but Miira already knew what she was planning to say. "... we really don't know when ..."
Selece would have finished if Miira hadn't snuck up and clamped her lips over her partially open mouth.