sorry about the delay, lots of stuff still going on. this is the second installment of Castanar, and will introduce new allies to the Raiders.
also, I've been looking through my past chapters and have noticed, with no little embarrassment, many spelling and grammatical errors, not to mention some involving the ranks within the military. I will be editing these out as I find them, but if there are any I miss, please point them out. this isn't beta read at the moment, and I would appreciate any and all constructive criticism.
on that note, thank you for yours, solaris. Dave is not onboard, he was not found with the rest of Alpha squad, Echo November squad, or Epsilon Theta. he's either a spy, or something else is going on. also, yes, this is in present tense, and that is a conscious decision by me. it's not Julia, or any of the other characters, looking back on what happened, it's being told as it's happening, the purpose of that is setting it apart from most other unpublished stories I write, which are always third person past tense. it's just kind of my way of trying a new writing style.
Read and Review, I should have those corrections out by the end of the day.
Update: I vastly underestimated the time it would take to update and revise everything I needed to. rest assured they are now complete.
The grenade goes off, and the lights flicker as the Reactor Core goes into melt down. Immediately, the Adjutant shouts out a warning of "containment shield weakening, Protoss Zerg hybrid reviving." The scientists desperately try to keep it contained, but with the reactor down, there's no chance. It breaks away from its slumber, and a mental wave of despair enters into my mind. It is powerful, and the same feeling I got before blacking out on Korhal. With it comes a voice, not spoken with a mouth, nor heard with ears, but spoken in the manner of the Protoss.
"Ah, the Prodigal one is here. You are far from home, Prodigal. Return with us, we will keep you safe". A suggestion, implanted into the mind, has a way of growing, and I have to fight to keep it out. I think "No!" knowing it can hear me, and knowing that the psychological effect of the denial should strengthen my resolve. "young one, your family wants you. We shall care for you. Just come." The words once again have an inordinate feeling of trustworthiness and believability, and it takes all that I have not to fall into them. "Ah, you will not? A pity. Your Mother, the Promised would have wished to bring you back alive, after all, you are the first one to escape our hold. We always collect what is ours, Prodigal. You are ours, and we will have you, whether dead or alive is not specified." After it finishes speaking, it bursts its containment shell. The scientists and researchers desperately try to flee, but to no avail. The hybrid attacks and ravages them. While it is busy, we slip through a side door, while the complex begins to collapse.
"sir, you- have to be carefuuuu- the signaaal's war-r-r-rppping, bu—crit-t-t-er's breaki- -ace apar-! Who kn- u'll find d- ere." Matt Horner's distorted voice comes through the radio, telling us basically what we already know.
Raynor speaks into his radio, hoping that he can understand through the interference "Just what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the heads up." he clicks it off. "Stay tight on me! let's move Raiders!" Zerglings mill aimlessly through the area, when they spot us, they attack. Their attacks are easily warded off between Raynor and two elite squads of marines, nevertheless, there is some danger. Eventually we reach the ruins of the brutalisk chamber, and see the Hybrid trying to force its way through the rubble. Someone, I'm not sure who in all the chaos, yells "we can't take that thing down! Let's get out of here!" we then encounter a wall of debris of our own. Raynor powers up the plasma gun, and shoots it at the debris. It punches a hole through which we move one at a time into. Raynor finds some kind of a device labeled chrono-rift; it appears to generate a field which slows everything inside it down. He pockets it, hopefully it will be useful against the hybrid. We keep running down the hallway, and see something wonderful, a second warbot sitting pristine amongst the rubble. Raynor accesses the terminal nearby, powers up the anti-armor pods, and sends it against the rapidly closing hybrid.
Up a ramp and into a second chamber, we find more ammunition, and more troops. They are Dominion, Protoss and Zerg in a three-way clash. Our squads open fire on them, but, at Raynor's orders, avoid hitting the Protoss. Their leader greets Raynor "En taro Tassadar, friend Raynor. Thank you for releasing us from conf- Zerg!" he notices me and readies his blade.
Raynor grabs his arm to stop him, and says "hold on, now. She's on our side"
"Impossible! It is infested! Raynor, you must not let this thing into your confidence, it will corrupt you!"
"Have you heard of the Confederacy's failed experiments with infested? The ones that were meant to return sanity. This's like that. I'll explain more later, right now we've got to move!" by this time, the hybrid is once again at our heels, Raynor throws a chrono-rift device at it, slowing it down. We then take off at a sprint, and continue running until an explosion appears behind it, and it drops off our sensors. In the next room are dominion bio-experiments. Cocoons that contain miniature Ultralisks. They look like puppies, almost, with almost comically off proportions which indicate that they're not done growing. If they weren't trying to dismember us, they might have even looked kind of cute. Of course, eventually Mama comes out to play. Raynor brings the full-grown Ultralisk down with a couple of blasts from the now-empty plasma gun.
We exit the room, and jump when a detonation behind us echoes through the hallway. The Hybrid has exited a side chamber and is right on top of us. Raynor tosses a second chrono-rift at it, and it's movement is again slowed to a crawl. Not wasting the opportunity, we take off again. We encounter more of the miniature Ultralisk things, but we ignore them, racing for the door. Behind us, the Hybrid enters the room, and sucks the life from the unfortunate creatures. A dominion squad greets us outside, one of them saying "Evac! Everyone, get to the transport, let's move!" we kill the Zerg attacking them, and they drop their weapons in a sign of surrender. Zeke notes "looks like they have some common sense left". We, the Protoss, our squads of marines, and the captive Dominion troops, enter the transport. One of our men moves up to pilot, and we lift off. The hybrid reaches us, having finished off the small Ultralisks from the last room. It gives me a parting message, however.
"You have succeeded, for now. But do not believe this changes anything, prodigal. Your fate chases you, and it runs faster than you ever could."
On the transport, and away from the station, we turn our attention to the Dominion troops. Their leader's name is Nathanial Pierson. He and his men were colonial recruits who volunteered for service. They were stationed on the lab after an exemplary performance against the Zerg on the planet of Braxis. After its history in the brood war, the planet partially fell from the public view. The Zerg attempted to reclaim the world, however, and this man and his squad were among those responsible for it remaining in the dominion's hands. He was well decorated for his service, and sent to work on the Castanar laboratory. He claims to disagree with the project, especially their work on Terrans.
"I used to think that the dominion really stood for something. But between my own work at that… lab" he emphasizes the word, making it clear what he thinks of that designation, "and the broadcast you gave the Dominion recently, I'm not so sure. Unfortunately, the Dominion's not about to just accept my resignation, especially after what I have seen there. When I suggested it, my superior then suggested how many ways he knows to make a man disappear. Quite frankly, if you hadn't come when you did, I would have left anyway. And I think I speak for my entire squad when I say that working for you is a lot better than the alternative at this point." At that point, Raynor interrupts him.
"Look son, if you're asking for employment, you'll get it from me. But I ain't gonna force you into this. All my men are volunteers, and I'm not about to make an exception. You don't want in my revolution? We drop you off on an Umojan world and let you get on with your life."
He looks relieved, and more than a little surprised, at that, and says "thanks. It's been a while since I was given a choice… I guess I just expected that same philosophy from you. I think I will stay on, maybe do some good to make up for all the bad I didn't stop back at that lab."
The dominion transport, apparently a Hercules class cargo ship that was dropping off supplies at the time of the raid, docks inside the Hyperion's cargo hold. The marine squads leave to remove their armor, but the Protoss commander calls Raynor aside. He in turn calls me over. "how 'bout you give our Protoss friend here the rundown on what you've discovered." I nod, and begin talking.
"this all started back during the second invasion of Mar Sara, I was en route to the planet to help in the liberation, when my transport was attacked by the Zerg. One of them knocked me unconscious, and when I woke up, I was in a hive cluster orbiting char from an asteroid, infested. What was strange, though, was that everything but me appeared to have died, I'm still not entirely sure what caused that. I, at that time, was certain that I was under the control of the swarm, but as time passed, I became less and less sure, because I didn't feel any different. Anyway, I eventually decided to get off the rock, which was originally a Kel-Morian mining facility. I took a dropship, rendezvoused with the Raiders, and went through a battery of tests. Those, and later experimentation which I took part in as a researcher, confirmed that the Zerg virus is unable to breach the cell membranes of my nerve cells, basically making me immune to the mind-controlling elements of infestation. After that, Doctor Ariel Hanson, Egon Stettman and I collaborated in putting the parts of my genome responsible into a retrovirus which would cause immunity like mine. We succeeded, and the planet Haven is now under the control of sentient infested Terrans, who call themselves Haveners to show their distinction from the swarm. Unfortunately, this did not go over well with the Protoss, who were unwilling to believe that the virus would be cured. We had to fight off a portion of your fleet in order to deliver the cure. After that, many of their people joined in with us as a show of gratitude for what we did for them. We're still as Terran in mind as we were before the change."
As I speak, the Protoss, from what I can understand of his expression, turns from outrage, to disbelief, to doubt. When I am finished, he states "I will need to take a copy of those notes to Shakuras for verification. If it is true, we will try to use it as a method of combatting the Zerg while gaining an advantage of ourselves. Our greatest researchers have been attempting to solve this very problem since the Zerg were first discovered. Very well, Raynor, I will hold my judgment until I see for myself whether what you have said is true. Now, was there something else?" he asks, turning back to me. I remember my earlier encounter with the hybrid, and the fact that it spoke to me.
"yes, did you hear any of what the Hybrid in that lab was saying?"
He nods. "it was insulting me, calling me a coward, and challenging me to face it like a true warrior. Why? Is that not what you heard?"
"No." I say, somewhat surprised, although that is quickly discarded. Why wouldn't it be talking to everyone else psionically? "it was calling me back to the swarm. It referred to me as "prodigal", and appeared to be attempting to use some level of suggestion to get me to comply with what it was saying."
"Intriguing. You have given me much to think on. I will return to my fellow warriors, now. We have much to discuss." He walks back to his men, and I go to get changed, and hopefully relax a little. Yep, no more biological impossibilities, firefights, or much of anything else for the next few days. I chuckle, knowing that it's not going to happen, but it's nice to dream.
"What a mission. Ever since that one on Xil it's been nonstop movement… of course, that was our choice, but still…" Zeke lets it trail off. We're all back in our barracks. Zeke, Blake and I are sitting at a table, talking. "we fight our way through a lab to rescue our great damsel in distress here, and end up running from the dragon. Between that and the fact half our squad's Zerg now… too soon?" Blake winces and nods. Surprisingly, infestation looks good on him; armor plating and larger, better toned muscles make an even more impressive form than he had before the change. As with all HIM infested, he lacks the outgrowths common to previous generations, instead improving upon the base human design. His face is clear, but surrounded by armor plating. "it's like something out of one of those crappy Sci-Fi vids they put on late at night when everyone is too tired to realize what they're watching has been tweaked slightly from its last form, and republished with flashy graphics. If there's some kind of true ancient end-of-days prophecy coming, I'm turning in my gun and becoming a monk, seriously."
We all chuckle a little at that image, and I say "you becoming a monk is about as feasible, given your personality, as two Protoss French-kissing."
He sputters in mock-outrage. "I'll have you know that my becoming a monk is at least twice as unlikely! Now, if I remember correctly, we still have a matter of honor to decide."
Slightly confused, Blake responds "we do?" Zeke nods in solemnity, which is only slightly overdone.
"Julia and her fiendish Rentoth has made several heinous assaults upon the Terran Sovereignty, these assaults shall not go unpunished so long as I am commander, and I call upon my ally, the Xori, to stand with humanity in its hour of need against these brazen foes."
Blake nods, "I stand with you".
My response to this outrageous claim is simple. "We of the Rentoth Ascendancy are not without allies. The Celan will come to my aid." I claim a Virtual ally.
Raynor is furious. Mengsk has gotten too greedy with his power. Nothing he has done to this point, except for the Butchering of Tarsonis comes close to the danger inherent in the creations he is working in this lab. This revelation spurs him to the Laboratory, and he roughly activates the crystal, almost overbalancing it in his anger.
Aiur, home world of the Protoss. Fallen jewel of the galaxy. Paradise, his people called it. Well, paradise burns now. Zeratul stands on the bridge of his ship, commanding a great number of ships. He looks at Aiur in despair, knowing what has happened to the world can, in some measure, be blamed upon him alone. One of the workers on the ship moves up to him, and hands him a report. "all battle groups in position, Prelate Zeratul we will begin the attack to reclaim our home world on your order". Zeratul steps up to the communications center, feeling the import of the moment.
"All battle groups, Engage the Zerg defenses. The Liberation begins Today! EN TARO TASSADAR!" void ray beams align on the greater Zerg, tearing through their armor. Phoenixes and scouts engage in dogfights with corrupters and mutalisks. The Shield of Aiur focuses fire upon one of the Leviathans, ripping through it. The beam causes depressurization of the hull, and the massive beast dies in fire. Carriers release interceptor swarms to counter scourge. Detonations rock the upper atmosphere. "On my mark, Deploy troop carriers!" Zeratul speaks. They have broken the Zerg aerial defense, now comes the ground war.
The Void Seeker arrives at Antioch Ruins. Some of the structures still active. The Forward base for reclamation has been set up on this historic site. The reclamation of Aiur is going well. Some of the Protoss believe that they should not be overextending themselves like this, Zeratul knows better. This will be a monumental victory, if it is accomplished. Untold caches of technology exist upon Aiur, Protoss refugees still exist onworld, and that is not even counting the morale booster that comes from the successful reclamation of their home, all of which are things which will be needed in the coming war. Attacking now is the only option. He cannot afford this Amon and the Zerg to join forces, and if the Zerg do trade sides as the Xel'Naga believe, the loss of a single world will do little one way or the other, so he mobilized all of his political pull, his own vast resource network, and moved proverbial mountains within the hierarchy to gain support for the invasion. They had initially contacted the observers stationed on Aiur to give a report as to the Zerg's numbers. It appears that Kerrigan never got around to reclaiming this brood, and it is mostly feral. That is what allowed the invasion to be pulled off so well. He worries somewhat that he may be pulling his people into a trap, but he has prepared as much as he can. Protoss warriors run to and fro, holding key positions against the Zerg, moving supplies and setting up. Zeratul leaves his ship, and is immediately accosted by people who require him for various tasks.
Antioch Reclamation Point has been established fully, photon cannons are holding off the Zerg advance, giving the living warriors time to rest. similar points have been established across all five of Aiur's continents. The Golden armada holds Aiur's skys, but cannot descend into low orbit for fear of the Zerg Anti-ship weaponry. That's what these reclamation points are for. Zeratul is looking over a report on troop positions when something else grabs hiss attention. They have reclaimed the Reaver manufacturing facilities. Those had been lost in the evacuation, along with many other pieces of technology. They will be a boon in the coming months. In addition, contact has been made with deep-sea bases which were left virtually untouched in the war. Those uncovered ancient technology in the form of monstrous walkers, sealed away during the Aeon of strife. These autonomous warriors immediately went to the aid of failing Protoss forces, reinforcing lines and dealing massive amounts of damage. With the base secured, he can move forward on his second, more secretive reason for coming to this world. Moving in the dead of night, taking his most trusted dark Templar to aid him he approaches the corpse of his enemy. The rotting mass of the overmind lays silent, but around it a hub of Zerg activity is seen. Zeratul moves forward to access the thing's Neural Cortex, but is stopped when a shimmer of white energy is seen. The level of radiance increases, and coalesces into the shape of a Protoss, one Zeratul recognizes. "Tassadar?"