A/N: Part Two of our Season Interlude is coming up next! Time for a few reviews though.

Also, some character antics are present! Enjoy!

BlackHoleLord: It's coming together alright, but I think next Season's OVA will be far better. I will be sure to post links on each HTTZQ story when Season 2 comes out.

Nairomoff: I wanted her to go a little crazy, but prove to the reader that she has indeed gained some self-discipline. Keep on reading!

NOTE: Credit goes to both Activision Blizzard and SgtHK on Deviant Art for my description of the C-10 Canister Rifle here and throughout. I loved the design and wanted to give credit for creating such a versatile weapon system. Thanks guys!

Tristain-Royal Palace

"I must thank you both for this favor you have done for me, it has given me an idea just how bad things can be for the commoners, particularly those who live under corrupt nobles." Henrietta smiled to both of her subjects, she was truly glad that she discovered just how things were for the common folk.

Both Louise and Kerrigan smiled, for completely different reasons. Louise was excited to have been useful to the Princess and her country, while Kerrigan was glad that the Princess now owed Kerrigan another favor.

'Maybe it's time I call one of those favors in.'

"Your Highness, can I ask you a favor?"

Henrietta seemed surprised, but also rather cautious at that proposition, "What did you have in mind Lady Kerrigan?"

Kerrigan nodded, "During our assignment, there was someone we met that held significant Psionic potential, specifically to be trained as a Ghost. Her name was Jessica, and she worked under her father at the Charming Fairy Inn. It is the same location that we confronted Lord Chillan in as well. Is there any way you can have her and her father Scarron summoned here to the Palace and offer her a chance to serve her country?"

Henrietta found herself in thought, "Alright, I'll send out the request now, they should get here late this afternoon. Can I interest you both in some tea?"

Louise and Kerrigan looked to each other then back to the Princess with a smile and a nod, "That would be lovely."

Charming Fairy Inn

Scarron was supervising his little Fairies as they went about the restaurant, helping the patrons with drinks and giving them the attention that they so longed for. Jessica remained in the kitchen, cleaning dishes and keeping things tidy elsewhere in the Inn. Everyone stopped moving however, when a Royal Musketeer entered the front door, unfurled a scroll bearing the Royal Seal and began to speak.

"Would Jessica and Scarron of Tarbes please approach this Royal Messenger?"

The blood from Scarron's and Jessica's faces drained away, they were being called by a messenger of the Palace. They must be in some sort of trouble from the events of the other night with Lord Chillan, a fact which didn't bode well for any of them.

"I-I-I-I am Scarron, and this is my daughter Jessica of Tarbes. Can we help you with something My Lady?"

The messenger smiled, "I am Dame Agnes de Milan, and I have been requested by the Royal Court to bring you to the Palace."

Royal Palace

That Evening

To say that Jessica and Scarron we scared out of their wits would be a dramatic understatement, both were literally shaking in fear and anticipation of meeting Royal officials for Founder know what reason.

Jessica looked to Scarron, "Father, I'm scared." She grabbed onto him and held him tight, her knuckles going pale white from the pressure they exerted.

"It'll be okay little Angel, I'm sure it's nothing serious. If we were really in trouble they would've made a more forceful effort to take us." Scarron knew you didn't refuse a Royal request, if it was anything it was an order in all but name. Both saw them cross a small moat, they had arrived at the Palace. 'Show time.'

A polite knock on the carriage door was followed by Dame Milan opening the door, motioning them out towards the castle proper, "I'm going to have to ask you to relinquish any and all weapons to me here, civilians and guests are not to carry weapons of any kind while on Royal Property." Jessica pulled the knife she carried at work from her garter and gave it to Agnes, who stowed it on her person.

"Follow me; the Princess is waiting for you along with some guests."

Royal Dining Chambers

Agnes walked up to a large, gilded door and knocked three times solidly with the circular knocker attached to the door. Jessica and Scarron were terrified at this point, they were about to meet one of the most powerful people in Tristain, and neither of them had much courage left at this point. The door opened, and both of the commoners were pushed inside a small dining room set up for five people, three of which already sat in place.

Princess Henrietta was at the end of the table, flanked by Sarah on her left, and Louise on her right, surprising both of the commoners completely. The Princess smiled and beckoned to them, "Good Evening Scarron of Tarbes, Jessica of Tarbes. Please join us for dinner." Both sheepishly nodded, with Louise sitting next to Scarron and Jessica sitting next to Kerrigan.

Neither could stop shaking until Kerrigan smiled to them, "Relax, this is a completely informal event. You aren't in trouble, so chill. Alright?" She gave Jessica a big hug, and turned to Henrietta, "Your Highness, she is the girl I mentioned to you." Jessica gasped as Henrietta curtsied respectfully as Jessica nearly threw down her head into the table, attempting to bow before getting a light giggle out of the young Princess.

"There's no need for such formality, while said behavior is appropriate for public events this is a private dinner, none will be disturbing us. In fact, I must give you and your father my sincerest gratitude in discovering Chillan's corruption and misbehavior. It seems my hunch about him was correct. I apologize it took so long for me to deal with him."

Jessica carefully spoke, "I didn't think the nobles cared much for our well-being."

Henrietta nodded, "Unfortunately many don't, and that is something I want to change sooner, rather than later. In any case however, the two women you met at your Inn are nobles in fact. Louise's full name is Louise Le Blanc de La Valliere, a daughter of one of Tristain's most powerful duchies. On my left is Lady Sarah Kerrigan de Char, the Shield of Tristain."

Both Scarron and Jessica's jaws dropped wide open, with Scarron speaking first, "I had two powerful nobles working for me?! Tres BIEN!" All the nobles chuckled at Scarron's simultaneous expression of both disbelief and pure joy. That, along with his penchant for speaking in situational French.

"I-I-I-I touched a noblewoman's thighs!?" Jessica nearly fainted before getting shaken by Kerrigan who was only moments away from crying her eyes out from laughter.

"Jessica! You couldn't have known I was a noble, besides; you helped me take care of something I really didn't want to even handle. I owe you one big favor girl!" Both girls looked at each other and laughed uncontrollably, earning looks of curiosity from the other two nobles and Scarron.

"What exactly happened where you had to touch her thighs Jessica of Tarbes?" Henrietta spoke up with a raised eyebrow, and let a little smirk flow to her face, "Don't tell me you fancy my Royal Champion?"

Jessica turned beet red, getting a huge laugh out of Kerrigan who by that point had tears in her eyes from laughter, and it hurt to even continue laughing. "No Your Highness, as the Fairy's at the Inn will tell you, physical touch at dinner is a part of the job in getting tips and repeat customers. Some of the drunker men however . . . have less control over certain bodily functions then the sober ones do."

The color of Scarron's face paled, "Don't tell me that happened to you?! By the Founder this is no good! This could be a scandal!" Henrietta and Louise were completely lost, and gave looks of, 'What just happened?' to everyone at the table.

"I already told Jessica, nothing bad will happen, I won't get pregnant that easily."

Jessica immediately put her fingers in her ears, "LALALALALA! I can't hear you!"

Louise's eyes narrowed, "Sarah, what DID you do?"

Kerrigan went on the defensive, "I did nothing wrong! If anything I did my job too good!" Kerrigan's face actually managed to redden in embarrassment, as everyone but the Princess began to argue and she put her foot down, hard.

"Lady Kerrigan, whatever you do in private is your business, but I do NOT want you pregnant on my coronation date, clear?" The room became almost icy in sensation nearly instantly.

Kerrigan nodded, "Crystal Your Highness."

"Now let's eat before our dinner becomes cold and we waste more time with senseless antics."

The meal came in, which was freshly killed boar with emphasis on salted ham as the main course. They all had wine with their meal, along with fresh vegetables, a side of melon, and a dessert of Lemon Morang Pie.

By the end of it all, everyone was stuffed, and ready to sleep, "Alright rest for awhile and let the food settle, it's time for business."

Twenty Minutes Later

"So then, Miss Jessica, how did my agents do on their assignment to your establishment?"

Jessica smiled, "They did wonderful, though Louise had trouble." Louise's head dropped a little bit at that statement, but she knew it was true. Scarron gave her a little one arm hug to keep her spirits up.

Henrietta nodded, "Most nobles are so used to a certain lifestyle that drastic changes can cause serious problems in the short term."

"I had a suspicion she was a noble, but I had no idea Sarah was. She was so convincing, she knew exactly what to do, and if Chillan hadn't come in she would've easily won the yearly tip contest."

Scarron nodded, "She was a fantastic fairy! Where did you learn how to do such things Sarah?"

Kerrigan smiled meekly, "I was a spy for a long time, so being that way was in the curriculum." Everyone looked nervously at her, "Minus the wings of course."

An audible snort came from Jessica, who Kerrigan glared at.

"Now for the real reason you are here, would you care to explain Lady Kerrigan?"

Sarah nodded, "Of course Your Highness. What I am going to tell you is going to scare you a little bit, but there is an upside to this." Jessica gave Kerrigan a quizzical look, prompting Kerrigan to continue, "I best get started with my explanation then."

Kerrigan began to describe to both Scarron and Jessica about Psionic power, and the role it had on galactic warfare back in the Koprulu Sector. She talked about her own training as a Ghost Operative, and how it ended up backfiring on her original masters with her rescue, followed by her rebirth as the Queen of Blades. She went on to talk about the Great Wars of the Koprulu Sector along with the Brood War. She talked about the alien races that mattered, the Protoss and the Zerg. She finished with her role in the current war, and the Zerg's new destiny on Halkeginia.

It took about half an hour, but by the end of it both Jessica and Scarron looked like they had seen Hell itself.

Jessica had her emotions drained, "So you are saying that guy from our hometown who everyone thought was crazy was actually a soldier from your Koprulu Sector, but also the same kind as you once were?" Kerrigan nodded, "I also have the same capability, and since I can, I can perform a service to Tristain?"

"Yes, you can if you so wish. It means a military commission though, and you'll be in the war in its entirety. If you need time to think about this I understand."

"Pay and benefits?"

"The exact wage is immense compared to a standard soldier's paycheck. You could earn as much as 1200 ECU a year starting, and that can easily reach 2000 ECU after 3 years. Not to mention as your experience grows you can either be a reservist, or stay in as an active duty."

Scarron's eyes widened at the sound of such a ludicrous salary, 'The whole family could survive on half of that for a full year, and the entire Inn doesn't even make that much money in the same time frame.'

Henrietta jumped in, clearly interested in getting Jessica signed up, "In addition, becoming a Ghost and completing your first actual mission will earn you a Knight's Commission and an official title as well."

"What's the catch?" Jessica was a smart girl, and hadn't been successful at the Inn without asking the hard questions.

"The catch is quite simple, you have to survive. You'll be performing the most dangerous operations for Tristain and her allies during the war. Infiltration, observation, all the dangerous tasks will be given to you and other Ghosts."

Jessica found herself in thought, 'It could easily keep my family fed and sheltered for years.'

"Will I have to kill people Sarah?"

Kerrigan closed her eyes and nodded, "Yes, you certainly will. In war time you go behind enemy lines and terrorize the enemy; in peace time you live among your own people and root out violent revolution and sedition."

Kerrigan continued at full speed, "If you want to try the training and see how far you get without making a commitment that is acceptable to me." Jessica looked into her lap, obviously contemplating just what she should do. If she serves as a Ghost it would not only bring honor to her family and ancestors, but also help them live a more comfortable life, particularly for her distant relatives and cousins. For once, Jessica's tough exterior of near instant decision making vanishes in front of all in the room.

Jessica turned to Scarron, she began to tear up, "Dad, I don't know what to do."

Scarron embraced his daughter, "This is your path to walk if you so choose. You are a grown woman, and you would've made your mother proud no matter what path you take." His typical, colorful behavior was absent, replaced by a strong, father mentality, instantly surprising Kerrigan and Louise. Jessica took a deep breath; she knew what she had to do.

Jessica nodded, "I'm willing to give it a try Sarah."

Kerrigan stood up, "Then we best get started. Get some rest Jessica, your training begins at dawn."

Royal Palace-Dungeon

Former Albion Emperor Cromwell sat in his dark, dreary cell for yet another day had passed by. At least he thought another day had gone by.

'Damn body clock is all off from being down here in this hole all the time.'

Cromwell turned and heard steps coming towards his cell, "Meal time again? I guess being an imprisoned noble does have its perks."

"That depends on your definition of perks Cromwell."

His face drained of color, "YOU! What are you doing here Sheffield?!"

"Ensuring your silence foolish old man," Cromwell saw a purple ring come up to his face, and begin glowing, "You will head to the back wall of your cell, and strike your head against the wall as hard as you humanly possible. You will continue to do so until your life is snuffed from this world."

Sheffield put her hand with the ring back down to her side and watched as Cromwell slammed his skull into the hard stone walls of the dungeon, with each impact, the sound becoming filled with brain matter being squished, and bone being crushed.

It was a glorious sight for Sheffield, as she vanished into the darkness once more.

Tarbes-Starport Construction Site

Elliot found himself wiping his face with a rag to keep the sweat from stinging his eyes. Kerrigan had sent word she had secured some funds from a covert operation in country and authorized him to begin building a Starport and basic starships for the war effort.

The Confederate Ghost was disappointed about not being able to build his new battlecruiser class, but knew he couldn't afford the crew or even materials to build her without serious assistance from both the Swarm and even Germania.

Thankfully he was authorized to build Wraith air superiority fighters, and the new Viking series hybrid starship/walkers. While he didn't know much about the newer Vikings, he knew from experience that if you wanted control of the skies the Wraith Fighter was your best chance.

The Wraith was a fighter craft specially designed for fighting numerous adversaries and medium starships; in orbit or atmosphere with little difficulty transitioning between the two. The design of the Wraith was rather counter-intuitive from aircraft from the beginning of flight on Old Earth, with all its vertical control surfaces on the bottom of the ship, meaning the pilot has virtually no blind spots when they dogfight with the fighter's bubble canopy.

Its main arsenal was comprised of Gemini Missiles for taking on other fighters and enemy capital ships, while its pulse lasers would focus on ground targets. Elliot had considered removing the missiles entirely to allow them to better focus on fighting airborne mounted troops, but decided to leave them as they were. He would, however have to change the Gemini Missiles tracking system to compensate for smaller targets at a later date.

The Vikings were an interesting concept for an airborne combat platform, in that they were small frigates, similar in size to the Valkyrie, but intended to fight enemy capital ships, rather than enemy fighters. What surprised Elliot the most about them was their unique hybrid functionality, which allowed them to actively transform between an anti-capital air superiority platforms into a walking combat walker from one moment to the next. The winning point for him was that the Viking had seriously heavy plating in either form, meaning they could easily hold their own, or preferably in small raiding parties.

'The name is rather fitting.'

He had also succeeded in getting two factories online, where he was currently building a variety of standard units for the coming attack on Albion. He already built half a dozen Vultures, as well as a dozen other assorted vehicles, from the newer Hellion to the venerable Siege Tank. Elliot was currently manufacturing an old APC unit for the purpose of turning it into a mobile command center, while his other factory was down for maintenance.

Elliot looked into the build options that either production building could manufacture, there were several units that the elder Ghost had never seen before. Thanks to Kerrigan's Erebus he was able to modernize all the vehicles and systems that were originally developed before the Guild Wars, along with new designs, such as the Viking. The Viking itself turning into a walker was shocking, but monsters like the 'Thor' series siege walker was beyond anything he could've imagined. It was literally a walking artillery battery, with two sets of dual particle accelerator cannons on the arms, and a set of four 250mm heavy guns for bombardment and long range strikes. It even had Javelin series missiles to strike airborne targets, meaning the giant was able to fight against most targets with little difficulty.

The armor was also no laughing matter either, heavy neosteel plating across the body and limbs made the Thor a truly hard kill, and disabling it only slowed it down; there was an upgrade available that would let damaged or disabled Thors to actually rebuild themselves in the field. This meant that unless you completely destroyed it, the Thor would keep coming back for more action.

A science vessel was a pipe dream however, Elliot would need a space station ship yard to build one, given the huge size and construction requirements. The new Banshee ground support craft were suprisingly effective attack craft.

'That is going to be essential for the invasion of Albion, a way to blast back the defenders to clear a beachhead. It won't be pretty, but these weapons could reduce the losses we will take.'

Elliot smiled, everything was going as planned.

Magic Academy

The Next Day

"GO!" Kerrigan fired her AGR-14 into the air, startling Jessica who began to run like she never had in her life.

Jessica had been put through the grinder as soon as she woke up. Kerrigan had walked into her room with a bugle and started playing Reveille at full blare, rousting her out of bed in a hurry all the while yelling at her to get dressed. After waking half the castle with their antics (and leaving the Princess and Musketeers with a huge set of grins), she slapped her on the back of the Vulture and raced for the Academy along with Louise.

Louise was used to the terror of riding on a Vulture from her vehicle training (as well as plain old experience being a backseat driver), while Jessica didn't quite expect the sheer horror of Kerrigan's driving skills.

She flashed back to the moment they took a huge jump, "OH MY FUCKING ANCESTORS!"

Her outburst, along with Kerrigan's cackling and Louise's scowling managed to get them to the Academy in record time, just 28 minutes and change.

As soon as the Vulture powered down, Jessica had been sent running, leaving her to where she currently is, on her fifth lap around the Academy exterior. When she made it to the front gate she promptly collapsed, and just lay in the cool fall sun. Her blissful reunion with the ground was interrupted by a charging Kerrigan as she jumped and landed both feet just inches from her head.

Jessica bolted straight up into Kerrigan's knees, inadvertently knocking her back down, and earning a grin from the Queen of Blades, "Good work Jessica! Hit the showers!"

Jessica crawled her way to the servant's quarters to use their bath and was surprised to find her cousin Siesta in their bathing. "Siesta?!"

The maid-turned-noble turned around and lit a giant grin across her face, "Jessica! What are you doing here?!"

"I'm training with Lady Kerrigan; I've been offered a commission in the military."

"Let me guess, she's got your worn out from all the running and physical training?"

Jessica found herself stumbling, "Y-Yes how did you know that?!"

Siesta let a warm smile, "I suppose I should call you one of my sisters in arms, fellow Ghost."

Jessica's jaw dropped, "How many of us are there Siesta?"

She shrugged, "I don't know; only Kerrigan does for sure. I'm a noble now and even I can't find out from her. Neither can Louise for that matter."

"Wait, since when did you become a noble?!"

Siesta smiled, "When my father became Lord of Tarbes after the successful battle that he and Kerrigan planned out. The old Lord died in the fighting, so Princess Henrietta appointed him the title in the field. He's running construction efforts in Tarbes now, before the real war starts."

"Wow, Uncle Elliot is a noble now, I wouldn't have thought that 6 months ago Siesta."

"No shit, I myself thought he was crazy when I first heard all the details, not just the public ones but more secret ones. There are things you wouldn't believe Jessica and the sheer amount of stuff you have to learn is mind-bending."

Jessica smiled weakly, "I'll just focus on surviving the physical training, then worry about the things I have to learn."

Siesta smiled back, "Welcome, fellow Acolyte."

Magic Academy

That Evening

Upon returning to the Academy, Kerrigan had learned that Kirche and Tabitha had both gone to the latter's house in Gallia while she had been gone. It was a minor detail, but Kerrigan didn't trust the bluenette Gallian. She hid a huge amount of emotion and facts away, Kerrigan could see, even feel her pain. Not to mention that dragon of hers was far smarter than either let on.

Trying to get her to open up would be a waste of time in her opinion though; Kirche had known her for at least a year before Kerrigan even arrived in Halkeginia, and she had discovered little to nothing about the mysterious Knight.

'She may be a threat in the future, especially if she is being manipulated by other parties.'

Kerrigan shook her head; she had bigger worries to handle, such as keeping Jessica's and the rest of the girls' training schedule relatively full. Technically school had been dismissed, but many had remained in school simply because they had no reason to leave otherwise.

'More social opportunities at school then in their mansions I suppose.'

Kerrigan found herself walking into the courtyard, seeing Guiche and Montmorency having a late night candlelit dinner. She found herself grinning, 'I never had that chance when I was their age, lucky kids.' What grabbed her attention was how nervous Montmorency was behaving, she was definitely up to something, but wasn't ready to reveal herself just yet. Kerrigan saw Montmorency plant several drops of a purple tonic into Guiche's wine glass, as she pointed towards the air.

'This will be interesting to watch, has Montmorency finally cracked?' Kerrigan felt a huge maniacal grin cross her face at the thought.

Xxx

Montmorency was incredibly nervous at her current predicament, she had just put several drops of an aphrodisiac filled love potion into Guiche's wine while he was distracted, 'By the sound me saying "Look! A naked woman flying through the air!"'Typical man.'

She felt relieved when Guiche drank the wine glass in its entirety with a single motion, but alarmed when he fell out of his chair and began to shake.

"Oh shit, that doesn't look healthy. Probably should go check it out."

Kerrigan blinked over to the now seizure afflicted Guiche and began to move anything that could hurt him out of the way, before taking his head into her lap, to prevent any potential head trauma. Montmorency was incensed, "What do you think you are doing Kerrigan?!"

Kerrigan glared back at the rather irritated mage, "Saving his life Montmorency! If he hit his head on something hard during a seizure he could end up dead."

'The wine must be bad hmm?'

The blonde silenced herself, and waited another few seconds where the seizure ended. Kerrigan gently laid his head onto the ground and looked for any signs of actual damage that occurred during his literal shake-up. He decided at that very moment to open his eyes, and they didn't appear right.

"Is this what true love is Lady Kerrigan de Char? To see one's eyes and simply come alive with a single touch! I yearn to live Lady Kerrigan! Share yourself with me-!"

"Not. A. Fucking. Chance."

Guiche immediately began to sob and cry uncontrollably, making Kerrigan turn to Montmorency with a truly demonic scowl, "Montmorency, I strongly advise you for the sake of your love with this man and all that makes him male tell me how to fix this!"

Montmorency made an audible *Gulp* sound before proceeding, "I can't, you'll have to wait a month to a year for it to go away on its on."

"Unacceptable Montmorency! You know a way, now tell me before I have to tear it out of you!"

Montmorency began to scream hysterically, "Please! Don't do that! I'll talk, I'll TALK!"

Kerrigan threw her to the ground and pinned her, "Tell me everything I need to know."

Montmorency began to talk . . .

Ten Minutes Later

"So you're telling me I need to face down an immortal water spirit to get a piece of it so you can get this fleabag off of me?"

"Fleabag Lady Kerrigan? Such cruel, but sensual words." Kerrigan backhanded him and knocked him cold, again.

"Yes, but it probably won't agree to it."

"As I see it you don't have much choice, either you tell me what I want, or I can the following: Dig into your mind and search out the answers to all my questions, report you to the royal authorities and still dig into your head, or I kill both of you and make it look like self-defense. Don't you dare doubt my intent, I will get what I want." Montmorency's jaw dropped at just how blunt Kerrigan was being, she could try to call her a dirty commoner like Guiche did (and get her ass kicked, hard); or she could cooperate with the woman.

Montmorency found herself literally without an option to fall back on, "The water spirit of my family is at Lagdorian Lake, on the Gallian border."

Kerrigan smiled a cold, deadly smile, "See? That wasn't difficult, we leave at daybreak, prepare yourself."

Kerrigan rushed off to collect everyone for their first mission as a team.

Kerrigan smiled, "Training Day."

A/N: And there is part 2 of the Season 1 OVA set in stone! See you all on April 10th for the finale, Part 3!

Now for your little sneak peek:

"AMBUSH!" Both the Marine volunteers poked their heads up and opened fire with their C-14's, saturating the area with hyper-velocity slugs, as Siesta banged as hard as she could on the crew hatch to get them to speed up.

I'm sure some of you have your theories already, but stay tuned!