Chapter III, "War"

The next day

Citadel of the Executor, Province of Antioch

Daelaam Sanctum Chamber

Though the attacks of the New Conclave did considerable damage to the Citadel, most of the chambers within remained intact, undamaged. The Daelaam Sactum Chamber, in particular, was famous because of its history. Hierarch Artanis and the members of the Hierarchy inaugurated the chamber after the End War, in commemoration of the establishment of the unified protoss society, the Daelaam. Countless relics and projections of war heroes and previous and present leaders of the Daelaam were displayed in the chamber. An armory exists within the chamber as well, protection for anyone trapped inside the chamber. It also serves as the assembly point of the Hierarchy in their meetings at the Citadel.

Praetor Gynacus and the Hierarchy's Advisor, Raeza was inside the chamber, waiting for the rest of the Hierarchy. "Such history. Knowledge and ideas stored within this chambers. It is fortunate that the New Conclave's attacks did not damage its contents. How ill-fated it would be, centuries of history of the Daelaam lost to such attacks. I have no doubt that if they manage to enter the Citadel, all of these will be sacked and destroyed."

"Indeed. We were in luck Raeza. We may have managed to activate the Defensive Matrix of the Citadel but without the Hierarch's support, the enemy would have overwhelmed us. It seemed that the attack was made to test the resolve of the Hierarch," said Gynacus, gesturing to the newly established projection of Hierarch Abraxis in the chamber.

Raeza nodded, agreeing to the sentiment. "Most of the members I have spoken with, and I as well, share your sentiment Praetor. The Hierarcy… has an ill reputation of doing things slow, even from the beginning of its conception. Hierarch Artanis was aware of this and through his reclamation of Aiur, he managed to minimize the slowness of the decision making."

"Hierarch Abraxis is appointed in the moment where the Hierarchy is in the brink of a collapse," worried Raeza, shaking his head in the process.

Outraged, Gynacus turned to Raeza, "What makes you think that is the situation now, Advisor? Are you insulting the Hierarchy and its place in our unified society?"

"No, no. Of course not Praetor! I believe as you do in the Hierarchy and its importance. Abraxis has a unique way of leadership, and he brings unity within the different groups in the Hierarchy. Even Hierarch Selendis, who was considered the most close in terms of the progress and achievements made to the Hierarchy, next to Hierarch Artanis, did not manage to attain the full support of the Nerazim and the Tal'darim!" said Raeza, backing away slightly from the angry Praetor.

Standing from his place and turning again towards the Advisor, Gynacus ignited a psi-blade as if a threat to Raeza, "Watch your words, Advisor. I am of the Praetor Guard, the Stalwarts of the Hierarch! And as Admiral of the Armada, I have the power to arrest you for treason."

"Pardons, Praetor. What I mean is that the Hierarchy is in the brink of a collapse is that our support base, of course not considering our military, is going down. Our people are seeing the Protectorate Council as a more benevolent group of leaders than the Hierarchy and we are already obsolete – that the Hierarchy is from a time of war."

"The Council is manipulating our people to believe them. Surely, you see this as well, Raeza?" asked Gynacus.

Raeza nodded, while glancing at the old transcription of the Peace Declaration with the Terran Dominion, "I know that Gynacus. I am an Advisor for the Hierarchy am I not? I am just giving you the view of the people Praetor. And in this front of the war, we are losing."

A sentry approached the two Templar, projecting the image of a zealot. "The members of the Hierarchy are on their way Advisor. Hierarch Abraxis and the rest of the Praetor Guard as well."

"Thank you Templar," said Raeza, nodding to Gynacus.

A moment later…

"Welcome to the Daelaam Sanctum Chamber, Heirarchy. It is the first time we have met here, is it not?" inquired Raeza.

Grand Preserver Ralnisa nodded, "Indeed Advisor. It has been long when I was inside this glorious place. Thank the gods that the Hierarch and Praetor Gynacus managed to save the Citadel from destruction. Our gratitude for your efforts."

"It is not by our hand alone Grand Preserver. We must acknowledge the contributions of our noble Templar who fought valiantly in defense of the Citadel. They fought bravely achieving glory for the Daelaam," said Abraxis.

"Indeed. Now – to the matter at hand," agreed Matriarch Venara. "Our Shadow Guard reports that the Council have started making their move. The garrison at the inner most chamber of the Twilight Council in Scion, where the Protectorate Council meets, was strengthened, and only warriors under the Council's command are stationed in the area."

Praetor Lynnax, the Shield of the Hierarch and in-charge of the defense of the capital province, Scion bowed. "This is true Hierarch. Even I was not given access to the innermost defense, and I fiercely demanded it – as I was in-charge of Scion's defensive systems. Forgive me, I was not able to gather more information. I fear that the Council knows we are planning something against them."

"Praetor Kevnar? Have you uncovered any information from the remaining judicators in Khereson?" inquired Purifier Xylos.

Praetor Kevnar shook his head, "None Xylos. The judicators were adamant that they know nothing of the emerging threat of this New Conclave. However, I was able to glean on something one of them gave me. I am projecting it now for everyone to see."

The projection screen glowed brightly, showing a recording shot seemingly by an observer – two templars, a male and a female, talking. The recording zoomed in, capturing the veiled face of the female templar.

"It is Councilwoman Lissara! And it seems the location this was captured is near our templar archives! This confirms the reports to us of someone accessing and retrieving old war fabrication matrixes from the templar archives – and it seems she is using the coded access provided to her as a council member. But who is she conversing with?" wondered Ralnisa.

"Kevnar, have you confirmed the accuracy of this recording?" inquired Abraxis.

Kevnar nodded, "Yes Hierarch, a few moments after the recorded time shown here, another coded access was noted in our templar archives. We cannot glean if the accessed information was on the Empire's old war fabrication matrixes."

"Hierarch, our Shadow Guard have information on the accessed war fabrication matrixes – they have infiltrated a facility in the outskirts of the ruins of the Heart of the Conclave, and have found templar warriors replicating the matrixes. Our information shows that the enemy has managed to successfully replicate war machines such as reavers and arbiter starships. Our dragoon technology was also part of the data duplication process, however, they were unable to replicate all the accessed matrixes as to the standards we are using aboard the Spear. What they are producing for their war effort are old versions of our war machines used before and during the Great War Hierarch," reported Praetor Palinus.

Abraxis stood and moved over the projection screen looking on the data presented. After a few minutes of silence, he looked over the assembled Hierarchy members, "This is good news indeed. If they are unable to replicate what we are producing in our star forges right now, then we have an advantage, so to speak. We already have the knowledge on how to deal with these war machines, their strengths and weaknesses. We can use that to our benefit!"

"The Hierarch is correct! It is time to bring the war to the New Conclave! We will show them what it means to deal with the Hierarchy! Abraxis, let me take the primary battle line. My Tal'darim warriors will decimate them for the Daelaam!" proclaimed Highlord Mythos, igniting his bane scythe.

Ever cautious, Raeza shook his head, "We must not act so rashly Highlord. Hierarch, we have to be careful. Our people are wary of war and confronting the Council head on will spark the anger of the Daelaam."

"You speak non-sense Advisor! War is the only solution to our predicament! Or well… subjugation of the Council, whichever you prefer," glared Mythos while pointing his scythe on Raeza.

"The Advisor is right Hierarch. We must deal with this as silently as possible. We will only prove the Council right if we attack them head on, as the Highlord suggested," advised Ralnisa.

The Hierarch nodded, closing his eyes. "High Executor, Matriarch. Both of you have been silent. Please, share your thoughts with us."

The two addressed templar looked at each other as if silently conversing. Angelix, aboard the Spear, as she is projected on the sanctum chamber, nodded towards the Matriarch and said, "Hierarch, both points have equal levels of importance. But Venara and I think that we should proceed with our original plan. It would still work."

"Even if much has changed? You would want us to walk blindly and pretend we know nothing? That is a foolish advice High Executor!" protested Mythos.

Nodding, Xylos said, "I do not like agreeing to the Tal'darim but he has a good point. Pretending to know nothing and let everything work as before? Let them reveal their hand first? That is dangerous High Executor."

But before Angelix was able to reply, at that moment, a blaring alarm went off from the Spear, the sound echoing as well in the sanctum chamber. Surprised, the High Executor left her projection machine and disappeared for a moment. Just as she turned away, a high templar burst inside the sanctum chamber, "Hierarch, you must see this at once!"

"Templar, what happened?" asked Abraxis.

Pointing towards the projection screens the high templar reported, "Multiple warp signatures were detected across multiple outposts Hierarch! Several nexus points were also established opposite our own nexus points planet wide! Right now, as we speak, some of our nexus points are already under heavy fire. Our templar warriors are scrambling to defend their positions, and our starships rallying towards heavily attacked nexus points."

Abraxis stood, looking towards Angelix' position, "Angelix? Do you hear me? What is happening on your end High Executor?"

"Hierarch, the Spear is being assaulted by multiple starships! We are now making defensive maneuvers. Our –" An explosion rocked the projection, then abruptly disappearing.

Abraxis slammed his fists upon the table. Turning towards the assembled Hierarchy members, he said, "Our next move have been decided for us then. Everyone, prepare your warriors, your fleets. Preators, Raeza, Feraz you will join me. We will confront the Council at Scion of our investigations. It seems your wish has been granted Highlord. War is upon the Daelaam once more."