The Griffin – Bridge
11:01 PM – Shipboard Time
The Griffin had just escaped the surface of Athena, departing the system at maximum sublight speeds. On the bridge, Nova and Ace both entered, still in their jumpsuit and armor respectively. Ace was disarmed and being escorted by a pair of Nighthawk Marines.
"Captain Kunis, this is Reigel, my second-in-command. He should be able to decipher the intel your team collected." Nova said, handing over the satchel, Reigel looking the satchel over.
"Is there anything we should know about it before looking at it?" Reigel asked as Ace shrugged.
"Not sure I know any more than you do. I'm just the errand boy for this." Ace said as Reigel opened the satchel, pulling out packet with a tablet inside. He placed the tablet on one of the consoles, turning it on. All that it showed was a few lines of text that read…
"Matt
Dominic O. Mann has a shared bank account with Art Of Thunder exhibition. 15.2.8 is the routing number. The exhibition is preparing for a great show. Hope you can attend. Will try to let you know the details.
Garfield."
Corporal Song seemed a bit confused.
"That's the intel? Someone's letter about an art exhibit?" Song asked but Reigel shook his head.
"It's a code. Translated it means Defenders of Man had the same funding as a group known by the acronym of A.O.T. The routing numbers 15.2.8. are another acronym known as O.B.H. which is a reference to whoever is funding this other group. The rest of the message is a warning that whoever A.O.T. is, they're planning something big and that the sender is asking Dominion Forces to try and stop it. The sender finishes that he's trying to get more information about the operation." Reigel explained as Corporal Song gave a nod of realization.
"Oh~h that makes sense." Song said, returning to her console.
"Question is, what is A.O.T." Nova said, turning to Ace who took a breath of apprehension.
"Sounds like the new Anti-Dominion group we've been monitoring lately. A group calling themselves the Angels of Tarsonis. We thought they were some religious nuts at first but evidence indicates otherwise. We believe they're arming themselves." Ace explained.
"And according to the intel, they're receiving the same funding as the Defenders of Man. Any reports of any Dominion Ghosts going missing?" Nova asked but Ace shook his head.
"I don't think so but if they are, I haven't heard of it." Ace replied.
"Any engagements with these Angels?" Nova asked.
"None so far. We think they're in a recruiting and preparation stage. We've sent teams to Tarsonis but we haven't found anything to indicate the Angels are operating out of there. We think their name is more symbolic than literal." Ace explained.
"A reference to the people killed when the Zerg invaded Tarsonis nine years ago." Reigel said as Ace gave a nod.
"That would be my guess. On a personal note, if they pretend to speak for those who lost people at Tarsonis, they don't speak for all of us." Ace said, offended by the Angels' assumed role.
"Agreed." Nova muttered before turning towards him.
"What else can you tell us about the Angels of Tarsonis?" Nova asked.
"Not much I'm afraid. But given this intel, they're being backed by the same people that backed the Defenders of Man." Ace said as Nova looked at Reigel.
"Sounds like we need to pay Mira Han a visit. She's the only one with links to Admiral Horner. If anyone can get this intel into his hands, it's her." Nova said as Reigel gave a nod.
"Agreed. What about Captain Kunis? What shall we do with you?" Reigel asked as Nova looked towards Ace.
"We can drop you off on a Dominion colony, can probably hitch a ride back to Korhal from there. We have no reason to kill you or hold you for ransom or anything." Nova said but Ace seemed disappointed.
"Can if you want, but if it's all the same to you, ma'am, I'd rather stay." Ace said, earning a curious look from Nova. She attempted to read his mind again but again found herself unable to catch even a glimpse of his thoughts.
"You want to go rogue?" Nova asked as Ace gave a light shrug.
"The Dominion black marked mine and my team's mission. The minute we sent out a distress call, our lives were forfeit. As far as the Dominion is concerned, I'm dead. So, I find myself completely free and clear to do as I will and look for work of my own…if you'll have me." Ace said as Nova and Reigel looked at each other. Reigel didn't say anything but allowed Nova to read his thoughts. Nova then looked back at Ace.
"We'll need to do some background checks first, make sure you're not a plant. We are loyal to the Dominion, but we do things that the Dominion just can't do if we can. We'll need to give you limited access until we can do the necessary checks. So until then, you can get out of your suit and relax a little." Nova said but Ace shook his head.
"Sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid the suit doesn't come off. It's the only thing keeping me alive." Ace said as Nova arched a curious eyebrow.
"Care to clarify?" Nova asked but Cpl. Song chimed in.
"He's not kidding, chief. Scans show his suit's hardwired into some of his vital organs. A-ya." Song muttered with concern, looking at her monitor.
"So the suit doesn't come off. Alright then, we'll leave it on you for now, but if we find any hidden transmitters or weapons, it's not going to help your case." Nova said as Ace gave a nod.
"Of course. I don't know of any transmitters and you took my weapons when I came aboard. So unless you find anything…" Ace said as Nova looked at him suspiciously.
"Any psi-screens?" she asked but Ace seemed confused.
"Psi-whats?" he asked.
"Nothing. Lieutenant, take him to one of the brig for the time being." Nova said to one of the Nighthawk Marines.
"You got it." He replied, leading Ace out of the bridge. Nova watched him leave before turning and looking away, lost in thought.
"Something the matter, Nova?" Reigel asked.
"I'm not sure. There's something about him. Something familiar but I can't place it. Run the necessary background checks and signal Mira Han that we have a package for Admiral Horner." Nova said as Reigel gave a nod.
"Should I check for any psi-screens?" Reigel asked as Nova sighed in exasperation.
"I'm not feeling the effects of one but for some reason I can't read his thoughts. I can read yours, Song's, and everyone else's thoughts just fine. But his?" Nova replied with a shrug.
"I'll check for any psionic energy coming from his armor." Reigel said as Nova turned to Song.
"Corporal, set a course for Deadman's Rock. I want this intel passed directly into Mira's hands, personally. While we're at it, see what you can dig up on these Angels of Tarsonis. I want to know what they might be planning." Nova said as Song gave a wink and a two-fingered salute.
"I've been wanting to improve my APM." Song commented, causing Nova to smirk a little, amused by the young Umojan's personality. Nova then turned to leave.
"I'll be in my bunk. It's been a long day." Nova said as she left the bridge.
…
The Griffin – Nova's Quarters
5 Hours Later
Nova had changed out of her jumpsuit and was now wearing a sleeveless variant of the standard tactical stealth suit. Her visor was hanging from a peg on the wall by her bunk and her rifle resting in a weapon's locker near the bunk itself. Nova had just woken up and was running her hands over her face. She had just finished putting her hair into its usual long ponytail when she heard a sound, the sound of metal groaning under a person's weight inside her room. Her psychic abilities kicked in, trying to sense anyone within her quarters but she didn't sense anyone. She could sense the minds of nearly everyone aboard, even Ace. She could sense him, but not read his thoughts.
"Who's there?" she asked anyway, looking around. She began to reach under her pillow where she kept a loaded sidearm.
"I said who's there!" Nova ordered into the room as she drew the pistol, looking around for a second as the creaking stopped. Finally, she sighed and slid the firearm back beneath the pillow. But when she turned back…
"You gonna need more than that to finish me, Nova."
"Tosh!" Nova yelped as she saw Gabriel Tosh standing before her, blood from his fatal head wound still staining his face. The dead Spectre was smiling darkly at her with his cold and dead eyes.
"Storm be comin' Nova. Big storm. One dat will consume de stars." Tosh said as he wiped some of the blood off his face, looking at it on his fingers.
"How are you-…I killed you!" Nova gasped as Tosh looked at her.
"De Angels, Nova, dey be bringin' a darkness. A dark remnant of de dark god himself. De End War be over, but dare will always be de darkness itself. You must prevent it, Nova." Tosh said as Nova started fumbling for the pistol under her pillow again.
"What are you talking about?!" she asked as Tosh chuckled.
"De past be back to haunt you, Nova. Question is, can you haunt it back? Can you remember before it be too late?" Tosh asked as Nova pulled her pistol, aiming it at Tosh and firing. But the bullet only hit the metal bulkhead wall, embedding itself in the wall. Tosh had somehow disappeared.
"Break free, Nova." She heard Tosh say from nearby. She turned to see Tosh standing at the foot of her bunk, Nova visibly alarmed by his strange power.
"Break free, and leave de Ghost behind. Give up de, Ghost, and become what you were meant to become." Tosh said before disappearing in a red electronic haze. Nova was now alone in her quarters. She put her hand to her head, feeling cool moisture on her brow. She looked at her hand and realized she'd broken out into a cold sweat and that her hands were shaking. She could feel herself breathing heavily as if she'd just finished a workout.
"Tosh?" she asked herself, finding it difficult to believe that the man she'd killed was somehow back from the dead. She jumped as she heard a metal pounding on the door to her quarters.
"Commander, we heard a report of gunfire! You alright?!" one of the marines asked. Nova got up and headed for the door, opening it to reveal two marines at the door.
"I'm fine. I…I was cleaning it. Accidental misfire." Nova said. She could tell by their thoughts that the Marines didn't fully buy her story judging by her appearance and emotional state.
"Of course." One of the marines replied, smacking the other marine on the shoulder plate, motioning quietly to move out, the two walking off down the hall. Nova took a deep breath before grabbing an old black officer's coat that she'd taken as a trophy from an ex-Dominion Battlecruiser Captain that had gone rogue a few months prior. She put the coat on and headed for Reigel's Lab.
…
The Griffin – Reigel's Lab
Four minutes later.
Reigel's lab doubled as his quarters and was filled with state-of-the-art scientific equipment, mostly focused on cybernetics and various other technological enhancements. His bunk was hidden beneath a fake wall that flipped up into the wall above it. Nova sat on a metal box in Reigel's lab as he shined a pen light into her left eye, examining her.
"It felt so real. I could practically feel him breathing down my neck." Nova said as Reigel put away the pen light, putting his fingers to his chin in thought.
"And you're sure there's no way he could have survived?" Reigel asked as Nova gave a nod.
"I sunk a dagger into his skull, Reigel. I turned his body over to the Dominion. I watched them incinerate it. His butterfly knife is still hanging on the wall of the Hyperion's Cantina. There's no way Gabriel Tosh is still alive." Nova said as Reigel tapped his chin in thought but remained silent.
"Reigel…is it possible that…that he was some kind of latent side effect of the Terrazine I used last year?" Nova asked as Reigel shrugged.
"Unlikely but possible. We still have no idea of what the long-term effects of Terrazine usage is on humans. It could be any number of things. Unfortunately, we'd need a more qualified physician to truly be able to diagnose any physical ailments." Reigel replied as Nova sighed in frustration.
"Got any suggestions?" Nova asked. Reigel gave a light shrug.
"Perhaps its time we started recruiting. Perhaps speak to Graven. He might know of some medical professionals that we could trust." Reigel said as Nova gave a nod.
"We could also use an engineer and perhaps a pilot. Song's fine as a pilot but she can't be an adjutant and a pilot at the same time." Nova said, Reigel giving a nod.
"Agreed."
"Furthermore, there's something about these Angels. If they are getting the same funding that the Defenders of Man were, its possible that they could be just as bad if not worse than the Defenders were. We might need to be ready for war." Nova said as Reigel gave a grim nod.
"I've been apprehensive about them too. Bringing the Nighthawks back to peak efficiency might be worth the investment. We have to accept that we won't be able to use the Covert Ops tech though. We may have to consider alternatives such as contracting out Mercenary groups to fill in the gaps." Reigel said but Nova seemed apprehensive.
"I'm not sure. So many of them don't exactly support the Dominion or are loyal only to whoever signs their checks." Nova said as Reigel gave a nod.
"It's a risk we'll have to take." Reigel said, Nova standing up.
"I guess we'll see what Graven has for us then. At the very least, rebuilding the team will open a few extra doors for us." Nova said as she headed for the door. She then paused and turned towards Reigel.
"Oh, one more thing. Not a word about my head case. I don't need the crew thinking I'm going insane. But if you think I'm losing it, give the order." Nova said as Reigel gave a grim nod.
"Hopefully it won't come to that, but if you leave me no choice…" Reigel said, his sentence dropping off. Nova gave a quiet nod over her shoulder before leaving the lab.
…
Raynor's Rock - Deadman's Port
Deadman's Rock
4:21 AM – Local Time
The Griffin had landed in the area that had previously been the base used by Raynor's Raiders when they teamed up with Mira Han to take on Colonel Orlan. The area was nicknamed Raynor's Rock and had been taken over by Mira Han and her forces. Mira had converted the old Raider's Command Center into her private residence. The Command Center was protected by numerous heavy defenses though so Mira wasn't concerned. Nova and Reigel were personally escorted from the landed Griffin to the Command Center by a squad of Mira's elite mercs which included a few War Pig Marines. As they entered the Command Center, they saw the repurposed Command Bay. The Command Bay had been refurbished to act as a meeting area and bar for the various mercenary groups across the sector. Mira herself sat in a curved couch at the back near the elevators, watching a live stream performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni on a monitor hanging near her booth live from the Juliana Pasteur Memorial Opera House. She noticed Nova and Reigel's approach and smiled slightly.
"Ah the spook returns. Psi-screens, please." Mira said to one of her aides, the aide remotely activating the psi-screen to prevent Nova's telepathy from giving her an unfair advantage over the Mercenary Lord.
"We're not here to cause trouble Mira, we just need to have something passed along to a mutual friend, and you're the only one who can get close enough without sparking an incident." Nova said as Mira chuckled.
"You say the nicest things, Nova. I assume you are referring to my Matthew?" Mira asked as Nova gave a nod.
"That's right. We recovered some intel for the Dominion. We need it passed directly into his hands." Nova said as Mira smiled and sat up in her seat.
"This is why I like our meetings. You always tend to have something for my Matthew. Gives me a reason to see him, aside from his boyish good looks." Mira said playfully.
"Then perhaps you might have information we could use, Ms. Han. We're investigating a potential terrorist group known as the Angels of Tarsonis. Any chance you have any additional information on them?" Reigel asked as Mira gave him a suspicious look. She then glanced towards one of her goons for a second before back at the two Nighthawks. She then snapped her fingers and motioned away, the goons quietly moving away, out of earshot.
"The Angels of Tarsonis have employed my shipping and 'procurement' services recently. They have established a small base here on Deadman's Rock. They've been using it as a recruiting center. Perhaps you can learn something from them." Mira said as Nova arched a curious eyebrow.
"They have a base here? What've they been hiring you to get for them?" Nova asked but Mira gave her a coy smirk.
"Now-now, Nova, you should know by now that I do not reveal the details of the services rendered to my clients to others. But because I like you, I will say that some of the services have involved live shipments from a few planets such as Cavir, Agria, and Meinhoff." Mira said as Nova looked contemplative.
"What's so special about those worlds?" Nova asked but Mira merely gave her a coy shrug and a smile, indicating that she wasn't going to answer.
"We will gladly pay you for delivering the intel to Admiral Horner." Reigel stated, bringing the conversation back on track. Mira gave a dismissive wave.
"Ah but why would anyone pay a loving wife to visit her husband?" Mira asked with a chuckle.
"So, the usual rate then." Nova said as Mira chuckled again.
"I'm feeling generous. A quarter of the usual rate. I understand your group is having difficulty making ends meet." Mira said as Nova and Reigel gave a nod.
"We'll have the minerals transferred over right away." Reigel said as Mira rose to her feet.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Nova. If you and your team ever need work, I've got a few smuggling jobs that your ship would be perfect for." Mira said as Nova and Reigel started to back away, Reigel setting the intelligence packet on the small coffee table between them and Mira.
"We'll keep in touch." Nova said as they started to leave. As they headed for the front door, Nova glanced at Reigel.
"After you've gotten the minerals transferred to Mira, contact Graven about expanding our crew. If he wants to speak to me directly, he'll have to wait." Mira said as Reigel gave a nod.
"Of course. Where will you be?" Reigel asked as they exited the Command Center, Nova heading for one of their impounded vultures.
"I'm going to see if an angel can be touched by a ghost." Nova said as she revved up the vulture.
…
Angels of Tarsonis Recruiting Center – Angel Compound
Deadman's Rock
14 Minutes Later
Nova was cloaked and looking over the Angel facility from atop a hill through the scope of her rifle. The facility was lightly defended with a pair of automated turrets guarding the entrance and she could see where two Perdition Turrets were hidden between them. The compound itself consisted of an Orbital Command Center and four Terran Barracks, two with reactors and two with tech labs. There was also an Engineering Bay and several supply depots, the latter of which were all retracted beneath the surface. She could see four missile turrets set up in the corners of the compound, one turret each. Nova quietly scowled, knowing that her cloak would be useless but she decided to give it a shot anyway. She saw only a handful of patrols, Marines all in white armor with gold colored angel wing markings on their shoulder plates.
Nova loaded her rifle with an EMP Round, heading towards the turrets at the entrance. She fired off the round, the turrets letting off a spluttering sound as sparks flew from their generators. She made her way straight towards the Command Center without a hitch, the Angel Marines moving to check the turrets as she boarded the vessel. In the Command Bay, she found it full of people, all able bodied men and women, all conversing with militarily dressed individuals. The Bay was brightly lit with white banners hanging along the edges of the ceiling with the Angel logo in gold coloring. She could overhear the conversations being held by the people present. Nova made her way through to one of the access hatches to one of the Command Center's upper levels. She easily made her way to the second level where, as she passed close to the Operation's Deck, she felt the effects of a psi-screen the closer she got. She paused to look inside where she saw something curious.
It was a hooded figure clad in a large white robe with golden angelic patterns, sat in an almost meditative pose facing away from the door while looking up at four large square monitors suspended on four metal arms. Three of the monitors, the two middle and one to the right were active, each showing live feeds from different sources. All three feeds were communications feeds of some kind. The first was clearly a human man seated in a darkened office. The second was a strange red smoke or mist with a pair of glowing yellow eyes piercing through the mist. The third showed part of a strange spherical shape of some kind that was moving and shifting oddly. There was no one else in the Operation's Deck save for a squad of four Marines and a single man in an Angel Officer's uniform. The man was stood over the hooded figure's shoulder.
"The report that there was a Dominion spy in your midst does not please us, Angel. Time is starting to run short. Phase I must be underway before Phase II can begin." The human said with a light Spanish accent.
"We are redoubling our efforts. Our recruiting efforts are not as successful with the Angels of Tarsonis as the Defenders of Man. Fortunately O.B.H. has helped provide the extra manpower we need. We are on schedule with Phase I. We are already preparing to commence Operation: Horseman One." The Officer reported with a Russian accent.
"We will be waiting for you to begin, Terrans." The spherical shape hissed with a strange series of guttural and slimy sounds echoing from it.
"As for 'recruiting' we can always 'convince' anyone who seems reluctant to join our cause." The figure in the red mist said with a strange echoing sound to its voice.
"We will consider your offer if it seems more persuasive means are necessary. For now, let us see what effect Operation: Horseman One has on the Dominion." The officer reported.
"See to it, Admiral. We will be waiting for your report. Angel, don't disappoint us." The human said before his screen went dark. The other two screens similarly cut out before all four screens slid away and a hologram of the Angel insignia appeared from a projector off to the side. At this, the hooded figure rose from its seat, turning towards the door. The four marines guarding the room moved into an escort formation around the hooded figure while the Officer followed close behind her. Nova ducked out of the way, still cloaked, as the approaching Angels got closer. She saw the officer placing a small device in his ear, a short-range psi-screen, activating it as they shut off the larger screen. As the entourage exited the Operation's Center, the hooded figure stopped mid-step, looking around curiously.
"Angel? What is it?" the officer asked. Angel didn't respond as she looked around in silence.
"I know you're there, Ghost." Angel spoke, but when she did, Nova winced in pain at every word. Angel's voice was booming, a mix of male and female voices, echoing in Nova's mind, making her brain tingle painfully. The Officer realized what she meant and motioned for the Marines to spread out.
"I feel your presence. I hear your thoughts. I feel your air." Angel said as she put her hands together in front of her in a relaxed pose. Nova was still pained by her voice but she didn't know why. She quickly moved out of the way as one of the Marines approached, rifle raised and sweeping the area with its rifle's targeting laser sweeping across in front of it.
"Do not be afraid, little Ghost. Step into the light." Angel said in a low, almost monstrous tone. Nova was struggling to keep from making a sound in spite of the pain, taking aim at Angel with her rifle. Angel was looking around, clearly able to sense Nova's presence with her own telepathic powers.
"It is not her time, Nova." Nova heard Tosh's voice whisper. Nova froze at the sound of his voice. Angel then slowly turned towards her, looking in her direction but still unable to tell where Nova was exactly.
"Where are you?" Angel asked her monstrous tones. Nova kept her rifle trained on her, a kill shot lined up and ready to fire in an instant, but Nova could not bring herself to fire.
"You are not prepared, Nova. Dis is not her time." Tosh whispered again. Nova grimaced and lowered her rifle, quietly slipping away for one of the access hatches. As she ran, Angel's head snapped towards the hatch but said nothing as the hatch opened and closed, seemingly on its own. The Officer then approached.
"Should we go into lockdown?" the officer asked.
"No. Let them go. There is nothing the Ghost or their Dominion masters can do to stop us. Begin departure protocols. We are moving out." Angel asked, her voice normal now. The Officer saluted in response.
…
Nova had just made it outside the base, still cloaked, when she heard the sounds of powerful engines firing up. She turned in time to see the base structures lifting off the ground along with several dropships and medivacs, all turning and heading towards a Battlecruiser with the Angel insignia on its hull in low orbit. Nova scowled at the departing Angels, haunted by her encounter with Angel. She then turned away, decloaking as she started for where she had hidden her vulture.
"Operation Horseman One?" she asked herself, softly, trying to figure out what it could imply. She hurried to the Vulture, climbing on and headed back towards the Griffin's landing area.
End Chapter 2
Please R&R…
Just a side note, if anyone with talent at making custom StarCraft II campaigns is interested, feel free to try and adapt this story into a playable campaign. Just let me know if you're attempting it.