Chapter II, "Battle of the Citadel"
5 hours later
Orbiting above the Citadel of the Executor, Province of Antioch
Bridge, aboard the Spear of Adun
The Citadel of the Executor was the testament to the power of every appointed Executor – a fortress of immeasurable strength, protected by the best Templar warriors and by the finest war machines developed by the protoss. During the Great War, however, due to the arrogance of the Conclave, the most powerful fortress in Aiur – next to the Heart of the Conclave – fell to the Zerg – decimating the fortress to nothingness.
After the End War and the reclamation of Aiur, Hierarch Artanis and Executor Selendis, with the help of the other leaders of the Daelaam, rebuilt the Citadel, strengthening its defenses more than previously and making it a true testament to the power and strength of the unified protoss society.
That is why when the Spear of Adun warped on top of the Citadel, the damage done by the attackers, the insurgents, were not even noticeable. The outlying defenses of the Citadel were already destroyed, but the main defenses were already active. Phase canons firing towards the insurgent's nexus point, disrupting their supply line. Colossi were streaming outside the Citadel's entry point, their thermal lances blazing in fury, decimating the defensive line established by the insurgents. Immortals were stationed above the towers and turrets, continuously firing their phase disruptors against the enemy lines below. Dark templar warriors are harassing the enemy attack lines, striking using their shadow fury ability.
"It seems that we are not needed anymore, Hierarch," said High Executor Angelix, her eyes showing amusement on the situation presented before them.
"Let us not speak as if we have won already Angelix. The fight has just begun. Look." Abraxis pointed out at a projection, the insurgents already beginning to deploy their own cybernetic war machines.
"Reavers! So that was where they disappeared to! It seems that our suspicions are correct Abraxis, someone from inside the Council is using their access to the Templar's old weapon systems! We must confront them at once!"
"Angelix. Patience. The time is not right. We will confront them, but not yet. For now we will deal with the insurgents, the forces of this New Conclave. Praetor Gynacus, do you hear me?" asked Abraxis, looking towards the main Communicator of the Spear.
The Communicator opened, revealing Gynacus, still in full battle regalia, a high templar and a dark templar on each of his side. "Yes Hierarch. Thank you for your abrupt answer to our call of aid. I have activated the Fenix Defensive Matrix and as you can see, colossi and immortals in stasis are now actively defending the Citadel. We cannot proceed with the Fenix Attack Protocol, as we lack the power to do so. The khaydarin crystal generator was damaged during the initial attacks. My phase-smiths are working hard to repair the damage."
"But I fear we lack the time for the repairs and may soon be overrun by enemy forces, since they have already started deploying reavers they are tearing through our defenses. We have our own reavers here but I am hesitant to deploy them, since they are vital in our plans."
"Indeed. Then there is no other option. I will personally join you in battle. We must defend the Citadel until your phase-smiths are finished with the repairs." Turning towards Angelix, "High Executor, you are in charge of the Spear of Adun. I will establish my nexus point below and support Gynacus in the defense of the Citadel," said Abraxis.
"Until you return Hierarch. I will provide you the support you need. My adept strike force will assist you as well in the defense of the Citadel. En taro Tassadar my Hierarch!" said Angelix.
Abraxis turned and left the Spear's Bridge, warping to his flagship, Aiur's Vanguard, one of the newly developed carriers – the same design as the carriers developed during the Second Great War but sleeker, instead of interceptors, it is equipped with laser weapon systems the same as motherships, and capable of firing a long range beam with the same range as the tempest. "Gynacus, the Hierarch is aboard the Vanguard and is warping down to your location!"
Citadel of the Executor, Praetor Gynacus' Nexus Point
As the Vanguard warps in, Praetor Gynacus looks out to the established nexus point of the Hierarch. "Nothing have changed as it seemed old friend. You are still eager to fight in front of the battle lines, leaving the dirty work of administering our forces with Angelix."
"Hah! I am not made to sit behind the projection screens and order my troops Gynacus! I will always fight beside my brethren, as a true leader should!" exclaimed Abraxis in a scratchy transmission voice speaking through his ship, the Vanguard.
"That is good. Our warriors are strengthened by your presence Hierarch. Even more now that they now nothing has changed even if you were made Hierarch, as I have always said to them. Our blades are yours to command, old friend!" said Gynacus, wielding his ancient psionic spear, zealots and stalkers in his back shouting, exclaiming support for the Hierarch as well.
The Vanguard moves forward, destroying an approaching reaver from the distance. "Thank you friend Gynacus. Warriors! It is time to bring the fight to the enemy! High Executor! Warp in the Templar Guard! Let us show these insurgents what it means to defy the Templar and the Hierarchy!"
With a roar from the Praetor's remaining forces, the defenders of the Citadel moved forward, blades thrumming as enemy after enemy falls down. At the same time, the elite forces of the Hierarcy, the Templar Guard, was finished warping in, entering the field of battle. Elite warriors of sentinels, dark templar and ascendants, as well as void rays and tempest warships were deployed in force to defend the Citadel from the insurgents.
With the descent of the Hierarch and his Templar Guard, and the renewed vigor of the Praetor's forces, the insurgents were starting to be overwhelmed. Enemy zealots and dragoons were beginning to fall back, reavers deployed were captured back to the control of the defenders by the Templar Guard's dark archons, warp prisms are starting to be deployed to evacuate the retreating enemy forces. The nexus point flying the banner of the New Conclave was strengthening its defenses, seemingly preparing for the Hierarchy's final assault.
"It seems that they think we are pushing out for an assault against them, Hierarch. The enemy forces are gathering inside their nexus point. Photon canons are being set-up by the insurgents along the defensive perimeter of their nexus point. What is your command Hierarch?" asked Gynacus, while glancing through the projected reports by the observers.
"Maintain the façade Gynacus. Continue attacking the stragglers left outside their nexus point. Send phoenixes and stalkers to harass their defensive points. Make it seem we are preparing for a massive assault. This will pressure them to reveal their hand. How much more time before your phase-smiths finish the repairs to the khaydarin crystal generator?" said Abraxis.
"Five minutes until full repair Hierarch. However, an additional five minutes will be needed to power-up the systems and activate the Attack Protocol," reported Gynacus.
"And our shields? Will they hold? I have a suspicion as to the New Conclave's final weapon… Angelix! Do you hear me? Scan the enemy nexus without them knowing it. I believe they are warping-in a mothership. From where they will get it I have no idea," inquired Abraxis, pointing towards the direction of the enemy nexus point.
Gynacus nodded, confirming the strength of the Citadel. "I believe so Hierarch. Our shields will hold off any enemy attack."
Angelix' image blared in the Vanguard's screens. "Hierarch, I have scanned the enemy based as instructed. No signs of warping in any aerial defense or a mothership. I do not believe… Wait, Hierarch, we are receiving an incoming transmission from an unknown location."
"Angelix, track its location. Quietly," whispered Abraxis.
A deep voice started laughing, insultingly so. "Do not be so paranoid Hierarch, We are not sending anything against your precious Citadel. Nor you will be able to track our location. Our forces will start retreating now – you have won this battle. We commend you for that. We thought that after the death of the old Hierarch your precious Hierarchy will start crumble from within. You seem to love fighting each other. Heh. It seems that we have underestimated your hold within the Hierarchy, Hierarch Abraxis."
"I assume you are the leader of this New Conclave. Why hide yourself? If you are the leader you claim to be, then show yourself! We will not break as you assume so, for we are the Daelaam! Stronger than ever and unified as one!" exclaimed Abraxis, eyes blazing.
The deep voice started laughing once more, amused with Abraxis words. "Unified? Only the Khala united our people. What we are now is a one united mess. Hah. Our forebears were wrong in disbanding the Conclave for they are the only one familiar, knowledgeable on what a true unified protoss is! And I am not alone. We are one! And the Conclave will stand once more!" an abrupt silence ensued, after the last words of the speaker.
"The transmission was cut from by the enemy Hierarch," reported Angelix, "And the enemy forces are beginning to be recalled. Tracking their destination point now."
"Good. Report on that development as soon as you have leads Angelix. You will continue to be in command of the Spear. I will stay on the ground for the meantime. Gynacus? The crystal?" "Ready for activation anytime Hierarch."
"It seems that we will not need it anymore old friend. Still it does not hurt to be cautious. Ready the Citadel's defenses Praetor. I will call on the Hierarchy to meet here tomorrow. The Protectorate Council will assemble 3 days from now. It is time to enact our plans. We must prepare for our move."