The Khalasani
Shakuras System
8:01 PM – Terran Time
Nova and Reigel had been warped aboard the Purifier Carrier and were being escorted through its halls by four Purifier Legionnaires. The carrier was busy with activity as Protoss from the Daelaam, Nerazim, and Purifier factions went about their business. Some would give the two Terrans curious or suspicious looks or would simply ignore them outright. The two were ushered into what appeared to be the Carrier's bridge. Waiting for them was the High Templar from the Angel Base along with Danimoth and another Legionnaire that was aesthetically different from the other Legionnaires, with less bulky armor and decoration. Floating near them was a Purifier Probe projecting a yellow hued hologram of a Purifier Colossae's "face."
"Praetor, this is the Terran that freed us from the Angels of Tarsonis." The Templar said as the Purifier looked at Nova.
"I see. You are to be commended for your actions, Terran. I am Mojo, Praetor of this fleet." The Purifier said with a deep mechanical voice as Nova gave a nod.
"I'm Nova Terra, this is my second-in-command, Reigel. It would seem we have a mutual foe." Nova said as Mojo gave a nod.
"Indeed, Nova Terra. These 'Angels' as your kind call them, have committed high crimes against the Protoss. I have been tasked with eliminating them from Protoss space by the orders of the Twilight Council. Our observers had detected their vessels near Shakuras and we were dispatched to find and eliminate them. You and your forces have proven beneficial towards our goal and were it not for Arbiter Danimoth and High Templar Jorrus, I would have ordered your destruction for trespassing. I see now that you were not in alignment with them. For that, you have my apologies." Mojo said as Nova looked to the Arbiter and the High Templar appreciatively.
"I assure you, Praetor, we are on the same side of the conflict. The Angels of Tarsonis mean to destroy the Terran Dominion with a Zerg Virus that they manufactured. We pursued the vessel responsible for first deploying this virus to this system and found the base that your men are now destroying." Nova said as the Praetor motioned his head as if expressing curiosity or skepticism.
"Your claim seems typical of you Terrans. Your history of barbaric practices against each other do not surprise me nor inspire me with confidence. To create and use a virus of the Zerg against your own kind is unexpected but not surprising." Mojo commented. The Colossus hologram then started making a series of sounds that were a mix of the Reaver and Colossae's unique forms of speech. The Protoss stopped to listen to the machine speak.
"Warbringer is correct, Praetor. We personally have had many positive encounters with the Terrans before. There are many similarities between Protoss and Terran, including acts of great compassion. Let us not forget that it was the Terran, James Raynor, who aided the Khalai in a time of great need after Aiur fell to the Zerg. Even your progenitor, the first Praetor Mojo, owed his life to a Terran during the great war." Danimoth said as Mojo seemed contemplative.
"Forgive me, old friend. My memories of such actions taken in my prior life rely heavily upon you and Warbringer. Regardless, Nova Terra, you were found trespassing within Protoss space. However, given your actions, I have seen fit to release you." Mojo said as Nova gave a nod.
"Much appreciated Praetor. The Angels of Tarsonis are no friend to the Dominion or the Protoss. They are essentially the same as the Defenders of Man, a mutual enemy that was eliminated last year." Nova explained.
"The Defenders of Man were enemies of the Tal'darim, not the Daelaam. The Defenders did not take any actions against us and we against them." Danimoth replied.
"The Angels picked up where the Defenders left off. They were planning to revive the Hybrid but they didn't know how." Nova said as the Protoss stared at her. She could feel one of them starting to search her mind and memories telepathically. Danimoth then looked to Mojo.
"Praetor, she speaks the truth. They had the intent to turn High Templar Jorrus and his brethren into Hybrid, but lacked the knowledge and ability to do so." Danimoth said as Jorrus gave a nod.
"My men and I will testify to this before the Council if asked, Praetor. These Angels would surely see us become slaves of Amon once again, were he still alive." Jorrus commented. Mojo gave a nod.
"We shall report this to the Council immediately. Know this, Nova Terra, you have been a friend of the Daelaam. Should you need aid of the Daelaam, inform them that Praetor Mojo calls you a friend. En Taro Adun, Nova Terra." Mojo said as Nova and Reigel both bowed to him.
"En Taro Adun, Praetor." Nova replied respectfully as Mojo looked to Jorrus.
"High Templar, please escort the Terrans to their vessel." Mojo said as Jorrus bowed.
"By your command, Praetor." Jorrus replied as the Legionnaires moved away, Jorrus moving to escort the two back to where they'd been warped aboard.
"I wasn't expecting this kind of response." Nova said as Jorrus looked at her, floating beside her.
"You have saved Protoss lives, Nova Terra. It is only proper that yours be spared in turn." Jorrus replied.
"I meant the whole 'friend of the Protoss' thing. After our past encounters with the Tal'darim, I would've thought we'd get harsher treatment." Nova said.
"The Tal'darim stand apart from the Daelaam. Actions taken for or against them, are rarely considered actions taken for or against the Daelaam." Jorrus said as they reached a smaller version of a Protoss Gateway, the three coming to a stop near it.
"That's actually a load off my mind. Kinda nice to know that there's someone out there not looking to have us either thrown in jail or killed." Nova said as Jorrus looked at her curiously.
"Nova Terra, might we speak psionically?" Jorrus asked as Nova looked up at him curiously.
"Alright. No offence Reigel." Nova said but Reigel merely smiled.
"None taken, Commander. I will wait for you on the Griffin." Reigel said as he stepped towards the gateway, one of the Probes monitoring the device teleporting him back to the Griffin.
"What's up?" Nova asked Jorrus telepathically.
"When we first met, I couldn't help but notice that you are very strong psionically for your kind. I almost mistook your presence as one of my fellow Protoss." Jorrus replied as Nova arched a curious eyebrow.
"I'll take that as a compliment, I suppose. What about my psionics?" Nova asked.
"I can tell that your psionic potential is great, and yet it seems confined or restrained." Jorrus said as Nova seemed contemplative.
"You're the second alien to say something like that to me…no offence." Nova said but Jorrus didn't seem to notice.
"I have been in the presence of the Queen of Blades, and your psionic power, were it not constrained, would almost parallel her power before she ascended to godhood. You should consider finding a way to remove this limitation." Jorrus said as Nova glanced away.
"If I knew of a way that wouldn't destroy my sanity or turn me into a monster, I would." Nova replied. Jorrus gave a nod of understanding.
"I understand your apprehension, Nova Terra. Even I have been faced with the possibility of becoming something more than what I am now on numerous occasions. I have been spared such a fate but should this fate befall me, I would go into it knowing that my actions were for the good of my people." Jorrus said as Nova looked at him curiously.
"Becoming an Archon is that scary a possibility?" she asked, vocally.
"It is the ultimate sacrifice for a Templar of any creed. Although the Templar participating in the merging would be given great honor for their sacrifice, it is still a sacrifice." Jorrus replied as Nova took a breath.
"I guess even Protoss fear their own abilities sometimes." Nova said as Jorrus gave a slight nod.
"Indeed. Adun Toridas, Nova Terra. And thank you once again." Jorrus said as Nova saluted.
"You too, Jorrus." Nova said before walking onto the gateway platform and being warped away back to the Griffin.
…
The Griffin – Bridge
Shakuras System
8:21 PM – Shipboard Time.
The Griffin had departed the Protoss fleet, flying away from the asteroid base as the Protoss continued to purge the Angel base of its occupants. On the bridge, the senior staff were gathered for a debriefing, including Graven.
"Man it felt good to bring the fight to those bastards! Hope that puts a dent in their plans!" Ace said with a grin, clearly amped from both the excitement and a little bit from the stims he had used in battle.
"We're sure to have gotten their attention. Taking out that base will hurt their operations but it's highly unlikely that we've stopped them in their tracks. The facility didn't store the virus, but was where they were researching more potent forms of it. The threat posed to the Dominion still hasn't changed. We need to find out where they will strike next and cut them off at the pass." Nova said as Reigel looked to Morales.
"Lieutenant, you have the most experience with the virus. Is there anything you can tell us that might help us predict where the Angels might hit next?" Reigel asked as Morales shrugged.
"Hard to say. I arrived on Haven after the virus had already warranted a quarantine. But Ariel forwarded all of her notes and files on her own research into the virus to me prior to your arrival. I know what symptoms to look for, so maybe we might be able to predict where they'll strike next by searching for outbreaks of similar symptoms on Dominion worlds." Morales said but Hammer scratched her head.
"Uh, wouldn't that mean it's too late to stop 'em?" Hammer asked.
"Oh, right, you weren't with us when Haven got hit." Ace muttered.
"Lieutenant, I think a quick recap would not go amiss." Reigel said as Morales gave a nod.
"Sure. The virus acts in two stages: the transmission stage and then the infestation stage. The Transmission stage is its most deceptive form in that it disguises itself as an ordinary epidemic, spreading rapidly amongst the population as a simple virus. Causes sneezing, coughing, nausea, projectile vomiting, rashes, itching, etcetera. It's when the Angels introduce a second compound via an aerosol distribution method that the second stage activates. When that happens, it causes the virus to mutate into the common Zerg Infestation Virus, turning all of the people infected by the virus into Infested Terrans, subservient to a Cerebrate in service to the Angels of Tarsonis." Morales explained as Hammer cringed.
"Damn, and here I thought it was some kind of ordinary plague or somethin'. But hold on, how come a Zerg Cerebrate is willin' to work with Terrans? How's that work?" Hammer asked.
"Actually it's been done before. Nine years ago, a criminal named Alan Schezar found a way to control a Zerg Cerebrate and its brood. In the end the Cerebrate and Schezar were killed but it did alert the Dominion to the fact that the Zerg could be controlled. It's probably one of the reasons which led Kerrigan to kill off all of the remaining Cerebrates after the Brood War. The Brood Queens have proven far less susceptible to the same control methods as the Cerebrates were." Ace explained as Nova nodded in agreement.
"So the Angels infect a planet, infest the population, seize control of them using the Cerebrate, and then boom, they have themselves an unholy army of Terran and Zerg." Nova said as Hammer looked to Morales.
"Are we sure it ain't those UED punks again? I mean this sounds an awful lot like the stunt they pulled with the Brood War." Hammer said as Morales rolled her eyes.
"I would know if it was them. They would've called up any of the survivors from the expeditionary fleet. I'm one of them, remember. None of my old UED contacts have heard a peep since the fleet was destroyed." Morales said as several eyes fell on her.
"Hypothetically speaking doc, and no disrespect intended, but if it were them, would you go along with them?" Ace asked. Morales didn't hesitate with her answer.
"No, I wouldn't. I wasn't totally onboard with the whole Overmind thing either. At least with that, we weren't deliberately turning other humans into Zerg. If the UED were behind this, I'd be in line to defect from them in a heartbeat." Morales replied.
"She has a point. And in all fairness, the UED only sent their pet Zerg after Dominion Military Targets, not civilian." Nova added.
"So we've dealt the Angels a black eye. Any ideas on how we can hit 'em in the gut?" Ace asked as Nova pondered.
"At the moment, no. But I would like to go back to Haven. There was some information that I got about the colony that seems strange that I need to verify." Nova said.
"Inadvisable. Latest Dominion fleet movements indicates that they've got a few Battlecruisers and two science vessels in the system. They would detect us with ease." Reigel commented as Nova looked contemplative for a moment.
"Alright we'll need to see if we can get a hold of their findings then. Graven, any chance that anything's crossed your desk on that?" Nova asked but Graven shook his head.
"Sorry. I've kept my ears open but I've gotten nothing. Dominion's keeping this pretty hush-hush." Graven replied.
"Dominion's trying to prevent a panic. Knowing the Emperor and Admiral Horner, they're not going to mess around. Hopefully we can eliminate the Angels before they have a chance to strike." Nova said before looking back at Graven.
"What's the latest on your search for a CAG?" Nova asked as Graven smiled.
"Mission accomplished. I've got the jackpot for you. A CAG that's bringing the Hel's Angels, Dusk Wings, and his own private squadrons of Wraiths, Liberators, Valkyries, and a Science Vessel with him." Graven said but Nova seemed apprehensive.
"Wait, you don't mean…" she said as Graven straightened his sunglasses.
"None other than Thomas 'Icebat' Kazansky, leader of the Blackthorne Squadron. The biggest and baddest Terran Starfighter Force-for-hire in the Sector." Graven said as Nova glanced away.
"That may not pan out like you might think, Graven." Nova commented, surprising even Reigel by her reaction.
"Captain Kazansky was a highly decorated pilot with the Dominion nine years ago. His exploits are legendary and his reputation is enviable even today. The Blackthornes' reputation is well warranted. We won't do any better than Kazanski, Nova." Reigel said but Nova still seemed apprehensive.
"Oh I know his record, Reigel. There's just one problem…I might've tried to kill him once before the second war." Nova said hesitantly.
"You tried to kill Sarah Kerrigan, Jim Raynor, and Matthew Horner a few times before too. Turned out alright for you those times." Ace commented but Nova shifted uncomfortably.
"It's a little more complicated this time." Nova said, a clear blush appearing in her cheeks. Hammer immediately caught on.
"Whoa, wait a minute, you don't have a thing for ol' Icebat do ya?" she asked but Nova glared at her.
"N-no but…we did…uh, how do I put this tactfully?" she asked. Morales immediately deduced it.
"You slept with him, didn't you?" Morales asked as Nova sighed.
"I was on deep-cover assignment, trying to get in close enough to assassinate him. Part of that included a little…drunken fraternization in his bunk." Nova muttered, embarrassed by the circumstances.
"And after coitus he found out about your status as a deep cover agent, didn't he?" Ace asked as Nova sighed, still blushing.
"Whoa-ho! I always knew you had it goin' on chief!" Hana commented with a coy grin from her station. Nova quietly ignored the Corporal's teasing.
"Mr. Hill, does Captain Kazansky know who it is he'd be working for?" Reigel asked, Graven giving a nod.
"He sure does. In fact, when I mentioned it would be for Nova's Nighthawks, that was the clincher to convincing him. All we gotta do now is meet with him in person to seal the deal." Graven said as Nova glared at him.
"Wait, what? Meet with him?" Nova asked.
"He's given me his assurances that he's interested in working with you on a professional basis. He just wants to meet you in person before signing on, and in his defense, he does this with all his clients. If you're afraid of a double-cross, I'm laying my reputation on the line that this is legit. Blackthorne Squadron's never welshed on a contract without good reason. If anything, they tend to be more like the Nighthawks than you'd think. Both ex-Dominion who got kicked out for doing the right thing, fighting for the little guy, pro-Dominion loyalties…practically made for each other." Graven said, prompting Song, Hammer, and Morales to let out a chorus of "Oo~oohs." This got them a death glare from Nova in response.
"What the hell are you, a bunch of teenagers?" Nova snapped at the three but the three merely kept their crap-eating grins plastered across their faces.
"Technically I am!" Hana replied cheekily, earning an audible growl from Nova.
"I was talking about Blackthorne versus Nighthawk anyway. I don't know what Icebat's got planned and if it's a double-cross, I'll do everything I can to make it up to you. You know my rep, Nova. I don't leave my clients wanting. Besides, I've got more to lose if this goes south than you do." Graven said as Nova sighed.
"Alright, fine. Send Song the coordinates and she'll set a course." Nova said as Graven gave a nod, pulling a tablet from his satchel, entering a few commands into it.
"Already on it." Graven said.
"So, then if that's the case, we're dismissed until we-…" Nova said but fell silent with a suspicious look on her face, something Reigel and Ace noticed.
"Commander?" Ace asked, worriedly. Hana's console suddenly started beeping an alarm.
"Uh, Commander we've got a ship decloaking dead ahead of us!" Hana reported as they all spun towards the front in time to see a Behemoth class Battlecruiser appear in a blue electronic fizzling. The Battlecruiser was adorned with a white livery and had the Angels of Tarsonis insignia on its hull.
"Evasive action! Hail the Protoss if they're within range!" Nova ordered as the Griffin went into red alert, Hana quickly moving the Griffin to avoid a collision with the massive Battlecruiser.
"Transponder codes register the vessel as the Tyrael! It's the Angel flagship!" Reigel reported as Nova scowled, sensing Angel's psionic presence aboard the ship. Hana's console started beeping again.
"They're charging weapons and shields! We've got an incoming transmission!" Hana reported as Nova glared at her for a moment before turning towards the main screen, the words "Incoming Transmission" flashing repeatedly on the screen. She hesitantly pressed the answer button, allowing the masked face of Angel to appear live from her quarters. Angel took an audible breath through her mask when she saw Nova, the very sound of it echoing with the same booming voice Nova had heard her speak with on Deadman's Rock.
"At last, we meet face to face, little Ghost. I have found you." Angel said in her deep and booming voice, causing Nova to wince and snarl in pain.
"We just shut down your operations here, Angel. Are you here to get payback?" Nova asked. Ace was looking at the screen with a look of shock on his face.
"No." he whispered to himself, closing his visor as Angel let out a demonic sounding laugh of contempt.
"Shakuras was merely a setback. You cannot stop us from delivering judgement upon this sector. We needn't be adversaries, Ghost. You can always join us. You know better than we do that the Dominion is not worth saving, not after the atrocities committed by Arcturus Mengsk and his dynasty." Angel boomed, Nova starting to breath heavily with pain at every word she uttered.
"I will stop you. You think Arcturus was bad? When the Dominion finds out that you're willing to turn innocent people into Infested Terrans, you'll be worse than he ever was!" Nova said but Angel laughed at her again, causing Nova to let out a moan of pain, putting her hands to her head.
"You cannot stop me, November. You don't have the power to stop us." Angel said as Nova looked at the monitor in surprise at the mention of her full first name.
"Yes I know who you are, November Annabella Terra. I know who you were, where you come from, what you are, and what you could become…if you were to join us." Angel said, Nova crumpling in pain, Graven quickly moving to help her to her feet, holding her up to the monitor personally. Hana then spotted something on the sensors. The Protoss had noticed the Tyrael's arrival and were scrambling to intercept.
"I don't have the power now, but one way or another, Angel, I will stop you, even if it destroys me in the process!" Nova said as Angel let out a snort of contempt. At this, Nova saw something behind Angel that made her eyes widen in shock and disbelief. Sitting in the background was the very same white grand piano with gold trim that she'd seen in her dreams and visions.
"I look forward to seeing you try…November." Angel said before beginning to laugh at her again, her laugh starting out as a menacing chuckle and gradually evolving into a cackle, the sound causing Nova to crumple on the floor, screaming in agony as she held her head with her hands.
"Stop! STOP! MAKE IT STOP!" Nova screamed before a gunshot rang out, the monitor exploding with a bullet hole in it. Nova was still mewling in Graven's arms as Ace holstered his sidearm, approaching Nova and opening a first-aid compartment on his armor, pulling out a pre-loaded syringe with anesthetic and injecting her with it, putting the Commander to sleep within seconds.
"Corporal, get us to warp! Now!" Ace ordered. Hana, stunned by Ace's actions looked to Reigel who gave her a nod. Hana quickly turned back to her controls and took the Griffin into warp space for a few seconds before dropping out in a completely empty section of space, giving them some breathing room. Ace quietly picked the unconscious Ghost up in his arms, carrying her bridal style towards the back of the bridge.
"Doc, you've got a patient to see to." Ace said as he passed a stunned Morales.
"R-right." Morales said, turning and starting to run ahead of them to prep her lab. Reigel then looked to Hammer.
"Sergeant, I want a damage report as soon as possible." Reigel said, Hammer giving a nod.
"I'll have it in your hands faster than you can blink!" Hammer replied, hurrying towards the door. Graven was dusting himself off as Reigel approached.
"Mr. Hill, I'd like to check something." Reigel said as Graven looked at him curiously.
"What is it?" he asked. Reigel quietly reached up and looked at the inside collar of his jacket, looking at a small black device near the collar. The sight of it caused Reigel to furrow his brow, looking wistfully towards the bridge doors.
"Corporal, maintain course for the Blackthorne Base." Reigel said as he started for the door.
"Aye sir. Oh, and Reigel, let the chief know I'm sorry about the teasing earlier." Hana said, visibly worried for Nova. Reigel looked at her understandingly.
"I will, Corporal. I'll also let her know that you wished her a full recovery." Reigel said, Hana nodding with an approving smile before turning back to her console.
End Chapter 10
I own High Templar Jorrus.