Bucephalus
The medbay door hissed open, red blinking lights illuminating the open room poorly. Tosh stepped in and fried the circuits of the locking mechanism with a thought, sealing himself inside. "Lasarra?" he said. A lack of answer forthcoming, he ventured in further; it would not be long before the hunter caught back up to the prey, urgency made him step faster than he wanted.
A movement caught his eye, though he could feel no mind connected to it. The true nightmare had been unveiling itself around him as he ran through the ship, away from Nova, his senses were not to be trusted. Clenching his teeth tightly as he approached a desk, a telling stain on the floor gave him enough caution to lean forwards and peer around the corner, the outcome leaving him breathless.
Curled up with her legs to her chest, the medic girl was twitching and gnawing at her hand. Spread across the white flooring and wall beside her were dark stains, no, images depicted in her own blood. He swallowed and stepped away slowly as she slurped and crunched at her hand, using it as a demented artists tool.
No mind left, just a void he dared not reach out to. Could Lasarra be the same? Was this what he was doing, all while dreaming otherwise? He swallowed hard and forced himself to press on- a quick scan of the room Lasarra had made her home revealed nothing. No, this was real. A loud bang on the shorted out door gave him renewed purpose. Amon couldn't reach him for some reason, and he was never going to.
Darting out the opposite door, which slid shut far too loud for his tastes, Tosh grit his teeth and resumed the search. He could not kill Nova, not like this. None of them were themselves, just puppets.
From the speakers radiated a voice, malevolent and searing him with its rage, Give in, they are all waiting for you.
Shrugging it off, he walked through a door and stepped around another fallen form, busy drawing its gruesome pictographs. The smell of blood, coppery and heavy, hit his nose like a hammer. Sorry brother, he thought, dared not say it out loud. Lasarra couldn't be far, every shadow grew darker and even the lights dimmed. Amon did not want this to come to pass, and the thought gave him comfort. I'll find you.
As he approached the next door, he swore there was a telltale hissing behind him. The hunter was close. Teeth on edge, he ran for the next door and nearly tripped when the whole ship shifted, groaning in distaste at its corrupted insides. Nudging himself psionically, he flew to the door and hit the pad to open it. Nothing happened.
I'm coming for you, a familiar voice hissed softly over the comm. or was it in his head? Shaking his head quick, he flung his might into the door and felt relief when it shrieked inwards and open, giving way to the violent psionic power. Ducking through the narrow pass, he fought to keep his heart from soaring when he saw the protoss standing there, because looking backwards showed Nova flying forwards like a demon.
A knifepoint slammed into the gap as he shut it, barely an inch from his face. It quivered, being pulled at ferociously by the monster on the other side. Nova fought like a demon in the bar, he would never forget fighting for his life so hard against someone who no longer had the psi. Still, they were safe for now.
"Lasarra!" he shouted, noting now that there was a faint blue glow radiating from his protoss friend, illuminating the oppressive dark. She did not move at his call, or his entrance for that matter. Full of wariness, he approached.
Tosh? the familiar soft voice questioned.
"Yeah! It be me!" he walked around to face her and frowned, the protoss looked dazed. Soft eyes squinting and head faintly twitching, was she fighting?
Banging began on the door, which sparked sadly and gave no way.
"You found your way before, you gotta do it again girl!" he reached up and grabbed the tall alien's shoulders then, making to give her a shake when she spasmed suddenly and he found himself thrown back.
Get away beast! You are not my brother! she declared, coming to life with a brilliant blue flare.
"It is Tosh!" Stumbling forwards from the wall he had been slammed into, he held his hand out and prayed. "You gotta free yourself!"
From the hallway called a soft, smug voice. "She is free," Nova walked forwards, a red and black goddess of destruction.
Lasarra did not make a move, so he tried again. Leaping forwards he focused and clapped his hand around the alien protoss one. "Take my hand!" he commanded.
From their combined hands erupted energy, enough to blow his body backwards but he clung as fiercely as he could to her. "Take my hand!" he shouted again over the white noise, it sounded like screaming. Was he screaming?
The light was so intense he closed his eyes, clung so tight his hands burned and hoped beyond hope that Nova was being knocked away too. After a time, he realized there was no more pushing and the bright lights had died down enough that he could tentatively open his eyes and see what happened.
He froze, senses on alert as an entirely new location surrounded him. He found himself peering out of a shimmering wall of force into an alien world, no, an alien vessel, but with friends.
"Raynor?" awed, his voice came out quiet.
"Tosh?" twisted an alien, Raynor still had a distinctly human look of concern on his face when he all but ran over to the cell. "You're awake!" he laughed and for a second they shared a sense of blissful relief.
"I be alive, and I think I owe that to you?" Tosh questioned, looking around at other familiar and unfamiliar faces, not seeing one important one.
Fingers tapping at keys on the console, Jim powered down the shield and clapped hands with Tosh, who took the savage clawed fist in his own without hesitation. "I wanted to pull you outta there earlier, but we had to find Lasarra and you were lookin' for her."
Lasarra. "You got her back too?" he did not care to conceal the concern in his voice, this adventure had gone well and beyond taxing long ago.
Jim's hesitation was noted. "Yes, but they got her in a cell and she isn't coherent," he reached to scratch at his neck before catching himself and lowering his hand. "They said she called for you, we've been waiting for you to come back, maybe you can help."
Tosh stepped off the platform and on to the glassy smooth surface of the Mothership. His eyes wandered, nodding at those whose gaze met his eye, "I be ready."
Looking sharply from the suspended form of Lasarra, Vorazun scanned the newcomer critically, Who is this terran?
Tosh, he said, watching her eyes widen a degree at the mental response.
What business does he have with this protoss? She asked, but already Tosh could feel a presence gently probing his mind without asking. He slammed the door shut, earning another surprised look.
"Look Vorazun," Jim said, noting the shifting expressions between the two and figuring there were some mind games going on, "he knows her and that might be all we need to get Lasarra out of this," he gestured vaguely at the twitching body of Lasarra, "whatever this is."
"She be fighting Amon," Tosh took a step forwards and Vorazun remained still beside her charge. "I can help, I have before," he said.
How is it you resisted Amon yourself? Her eyes narrowed with distrust.
"Long story," Tosh shrugged, "but I am hidden from him," he said, tapping his temple.
As Tosh came to stand beside Vorazun and Lasarra, standing against a vertical board that seemed to be monitoring vitals, Zeratul appeared beside Jim.
Jim nearly jumped, the old protoss' silent steps unheard even to his vastly improved hearing, "A little warning please," he mumbled, careful not to disrupt the conversation between Tosh and Vorazun.
My apologies friend, they clasped hands quickly in greeting, What do you know of Lasarra and this terran, Tosh?
Worry curled in Jim's guts, recalling the situation on the icy planet, it felt like so long ago now.
I see, Zeratul said, carefully neutral as he browsed Jim's thoughts on the two.
"It's complicated," Jim said lamely.
It is. Zeratul paused, watching as Tosh grasped Lasarra's hand and closed his eyes. I think it best we do not mention their connection to the khalai, what they did would be considered a gross defilement of the khala.
Jim nodded. "Not sure of the details of it myself, we left soon after," he said.
Lasarra's eyes closed, falling fully into her nightmare.
Her condition must be discussed with the others, Zeratul said as Vorazun approached.
She's been butchered, a sharp glance at Jim suggested she knew just who did the butchering, how can we use her to infiltrate the khala she is no longer a part of?
Zeratul thoughtfully touched where his fatal wound had been dealt, It may be possible for her to be restored. Vornuum would not have pointed her out if there was not a chance.
"This isn't just the fate of the protoss boys, let us pass," an authoritative voice, tinged with annoyance, broke the quiet that fell over the three when a door opened.
Kerrigan and the entire infested terran team gathered behind her, were being blocked by several protoss warriors, the tension between them was written clearly in their tense postures, ready to strike.
"Easy there!" Jim called, glancing at Vorazun for some help.
Let them pass, she gestured them forwards. Why have you come?
"I want to be here to witness this," Kerrigan said as she quickly walked past the warriors.
"We all do," Stukov said, filing in sedately with Stetmann and Warfield.
Jim looked between their gathering and to Tosh and Lasarra, both in some kind of trance. "You might be waiting a while," he said.
My allies will see to your end, Amon. Lasarra said, casting her voice into the void that surrounded her.
Laughter echoed back, burning like acid. When they fail, I will let you watch how I make them all suffer.
Amon cast aside the illusion of Arut, for which she was thankful, but it did not change the situation: she was lost in the darkness and who knew what happened to her allies. His words alluded to them not having fallen yet, which gave her a glimmer of hope.
Tosh crashed through the void like a comet, casting his mind and gaze about, searching for that one spot of comforting light. "Lasarra!" he yelled, words smothered by the dark. It was like a heavy fog, he could feel it cloying at his skin and attempting to seep into his mind.
A faint noise made her tilt her head, unsure of what she heard. Amon was all for mind games, this could certainly be another.
The terran is coming to save you, Amon purred.
Tosh, it had to be! The voice was shouting, it sounded miles away but getting closer rapidly. Tosh! Go back! Turn back! She cast her voice out, desperation mounting. If Amon was pleased, that surely meant nothing good would come of Gabriel arriving.
There! A small shimmer of light, far away but visible and real, he could feel it. I'm coming! He charged, navigating the inky void towards his target. She was waving, long arms swaying like tree limbs in a strong wind, that was a good sign.
Shimmering and radiating a simple warmth, Vornuum descended to Zeratul, observing the two entranced beings quietly, like everyone else in the chamber.
How long might they take? Aware of the Xel'naga creations arrival, Zeratul was quick to question.
It is unknown. Amon has begun to strip away zerg from our control and regain power once more, they must hurry.
Tosh's face had gained a soft smile, a gesture he would not make so lightly were he not in this position, Zeratul noted. Then we must have faith that our terran companion will succeed. They are most resourceful, he said.
"Lasarra! It be good to see you conscious," Tosh laughed triumphantly, not hearing any words of warning from the protoss and misreading the body language. He took a step forwards and let out a howl of agony as shadowy tendrils erupted from all around, grasping at him and burning his flesh.
No! Lasarra ran forwards and grasped at the physical manifestation of evil, pulling her hands away when touching them lit her body on fire with agony.
His suffering begins now, Amon whispered with malevolent glee.
"Why's he frowning?" Jim muttered out loud. Tosh's facial expression morphed into one of pure displeasure, maybe even agony, so fast he barely saw it happen.
I sense a dark touch upon them both now, Vorazun said, Amon may very well have them both in his grip.
Amon has struck at them where he is most powerful, Vornuum confirmed. The sphere of light he manifested as floated forwards, filtering through the small crowd and getting near the two entrapped beings.
"Lasarra," Tosh gasped, reaching out and trying to grasp for his friend, all he saw was his skin smoking as a tendril stroked it and held his arm fast.
"Do something!" Jim shouted, steadied by the hand of Sarah on his shoulder.
"Watch," Sarah murmured.
We must intervene somehow, James Raynor is right, Zeratul said, following after Vornuum.
To restore dead flesh is within the realm of our ability, Vornuum said, slowly circling the pair. But to repel Amon and restore this khalai to the khala will require sacrifices. The creature sounded saddened, its voice heavy as light began to filter through the translucent shell of the ship overhead, golden tendrils approaching their leader.
"What's he mean, sacrifice?" Jim did not like the sound of this one bit.
I do not know, James Raynor, Zeratul admitted, taking a half step back as these phoenixes began to circle the pair slowly, bathing the chamber with light.
Amon's laughter taunted Lasarra, who narrowed her eyes. Tosh was shrieking, smoking, the scent of burnt flesh thick. He would not die, she understood, this was an eternal damnation. I defy you! Again she struck out and grasped at the tendrils, her flesh hissing and smoking just as much as his.
Evacuate the chamber! Vorazun, wary of the choice of wording, commanded.
"We will stay," Sarah said simply, and Jim rooted himself to the spot. Egon and others seemed more wary, but remained as the protoss fled all the same.
"Amazing," Egon whispered, golden streamers dancing in his eyes.
Do not fear, Vornuum reassured, even as the spinning sped up to a blur, All will be as it should be, prophet.
Tendrils lashed out and grasped Lasarra in response to her violent assault, pulling her screaming and kicking up against Tosh.
You wish to suffer with him? Consider it done, Amon laughed.
"They-they ain't doin' nothin'!" Jim shouted, when had the air filled with a humming so loud he had to shout? He was not sure but he was getting more eager to leave by the second. He could barely see the shapes of Lasarra, Tosh and Zeratul over all the glowing.
Come prophet, Vornuum called serenely, help us.
It was true, the two figures did not stir under the touch of all the Xel'naga creations, Amon was holding them at bay.
"Zeratul no!" Jim tried to leap forwards but was held fast by Sarah, who unashamedly dug her claws into his shoulders to keep him still.
I gave my life for Aiur once, Zeratul said, slowly reaching outwards to the light, I am unafraid to do so once more.
The resulting shock wave of energies knocked everyone present to the floor, for a moment nothing existed but blinding light and ringing in Jim's ears.
"James Raynor," a voice, familiar yet changed enough to be unfamiliar, called.
"Zeratul," Jim said, shaking his head and opening his eyes. The resulting scene struck him silent.
A radiant protoss, whose nerve cords reached the floor and floated over it, stood before him. Tosh, Zeratul, Lasarra, they were nowhere.
"We have given ourselves so that others might live," the voice echoed.
He understood now, they were this one being! "We could've found another way, you didn't have to do this," Jim swallowed at the tightness in his throat, stumbling to his feet. It was only then that he noted something else spectacular. His hands! Whole, fleshy, human hands!
"There was no choice, we promise," the beings chuckle reverberated, then it sobered quickly. "Time is of the essence. Amon's taint is being washed away as we speak, he is undone."
Jim let out a relieved noise, looking up from his hands and listening earnestly.
"There will be many crying out for help in the days to come, there will be those that will help them. Your duty is to Sarah Kerrigan," it paused heavily, "to see that she completes her mission."
"She's damn well done enough," Jim growled, clenching his fists. "The universe ain't gonna be taking from her hide anymore!"
The sound of other bodies stirring began to fill the air, though Jim could not see them, and his combined friends seemed to be fading away rapidly. "Speak with her Jim, we know not even Gods could change your mind, but she will."
"Jim," a familiar voice, full of wonder, called from beside him.
As the vision- was it a vision?- faded from his eyes, Jim quickly turned around and helped Sarah to her feet. Her human feet. He closed his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her hair. It was over, the nightmare was over.
Tentatively, she curled her arms around him in return, her voice soft in his ear, "It is not over."
"Jim! We're-we're..." Egon's voice was excited for all of a moment before he looked over everyone present and saw Stukov.
"All human again," Stukov said, sounding equal parts sarcastic and bewildered himself. The infested terran remained untouched.
"Why-" Jim began.
He has a purpose, Sarah spoke into his mind, further sinking his hopes, Just like me, Jim.
"No, it's over, we're done," Jim's voice fell, emotion clogging his throat.
Vorazun and a group of warriors entered the chamber swiftly as Sarah spoke, "So long as Narud exists, Amon will return again and again to have another swing at his perverted cycle."
"Someone else can find and kill Narud then, not you, not me, not us," Jim said.
"It has to be us," Sarah smiled sadly, giving Jim a pat on the back and letting him go. "You can stay behind if you want, but I already know your answer."
All the Xel'naga creations are gone and we have already received word from the Golden Armada! Vorazun declared, looking over the half clothed terrans in rising confusion. Where is Zeratul? What has transpired?
"I'll tell you everythin' I know," Jim said, raising a placating hand, "But first there's a whole lot of people out there that need our help, maybe urgently, and we need some clothes. Lets start with those."
Vorazun's eyes narrowed, unsure what to make of the situation. We shall see to these things while you tell me what has transpired.
"Well let's get started then," Warfield said, pulling his now too loose clothing tighter to himself.
From the mothership control room, Jim explained what happened as best he could while they took stock of what happened beyond their ship.
When a fresh-looking Valerian Mengsk appeared on a screen, Jim was certain he'd never been so happy to see a Mengsk in his life.
"I believe you may know what has happened," Valerian's eyes widened when he caught sight of Jim, "I would love to be filled in."
From there, communication was established with the terran factions, the protoss and lastly, the zerg. The swarm and golden armada were hanging in space a careful distance apart, like two large bullies ready to be at each others throats at the first sign of aggression.
Fully clothed once more, thanks to a tactful warp prism delivery from the lamed Bucephalus, Jim and his companions stood alongside Vorazun, facing three faces on screens: Zagara, Valerian and Jorish, a khalai protoss who stepped up to lead until a new leadership could be chosen within the khala.
"Many of my brood have gone missing," Zagara said.
There are thousands of voices missing from the khala, but they did not die, Jorish chimed in, albeit grudgingly. A strange peace was afoot, and no one dared be the first to break it. Not with everyone in such bad shape.
"They joined the Xel'naga, ascended, whatever you want to call it," Jim shrugged.
"We have been receiving distress calls from everywhere, with no hope of reaching everyone," Already, Emperor Valerian looked stressed.
Without a khalai witness to what truly happened aboard my ship, I am afraid we must take James Raynor's words at face value. Given the circumstances, I find no fault in them. Vorazun said.
We find fault in you harboring the Queen of Blades, Jorish's words cut like a knife, and all eyes rested on Sarah. In her ghost suit, she looked visibly less formidable than her infested form. Perhaps the protoss saw weakness?
I am no longer the Queen of Blades, Sarah said simply.
We wish her to be delivered to us for a trial, Jorish said.
There will be no trial, and you will not start a war after what just happened, Jorish. Not while there is no true leader of the khala, Vorazun cut in fiercely, silencing the khalai whose eyes widened in response.
Sarah, unsure what to make of the defense, kept quiet.
"Here's an idea: Why don't your people help our people and whoever is in charge of talkin' about peace talks that with you in the meantime?" Jim said. It seemed obvious, all this alien firepower just sitting around was a powder keg, and the terrans were in dire straights.
A heavy silence settled over the comms. The first to respond surprised everyone, however. "I will grant you assistance until your mission is complete, my Queen," Zagara said, "But the terrans will not want the assistance of the Zerg, and we could not give any meaningful help besides."
"We will need the swarm's might, I accept your help Zagara," Sarah said quickly, before Jim could open his mouth to intervene.
Bitterness radiated from Jorish before he schooled his emotions and spoke, The Golden Armada acknowledges the plight of the terrans and will grant aid until otherwise noted. We will leave to our home world when our aid is no longer necessary, he said.
I will be accompanying Sarah Kerrigan on her mission and will see it to completion, Vorazun said.
Jorish bristled then, it was too much. How do we know she is not controlling you as she controlled matriarch Raszagal once before?!
You will not speak of my mother, Vorazun said, as cold as the void. The Xel'naga spoke to all of us when they left- you know full well the consequences of not seeing his through.
Be that as it may, Jorish admitted, the khalai will offer no help to the Queen of Blades or the Zerg.
"It is not expected," Zagara said without inflection.
"She's got plenty of help," Jim said.
"There is also a matter of the terrans aboard my ships," Zagara seemed confused, "They were infested, but no more."
Jim's heart soared at the idea of all the infested being freed from the zerg-or was it really Amon in the end? In his wildest dreams he could not imagine it.
"Bring them to the surface of Korhal, Zagara," Sarah commanded and the broodmother bowed.
"It shall be done," Zagara said.
I believe we have said all that need be said right now, Vorazun said, Let us part ways and begin our work.
Lets, Jorish said, it seemed he could hardly close the comm fast enough.
"Summon me when you are ready, my Queen," Zagara said before allowing the comm to fade.
Having sat quiet through the discussion, Valerian looked at his companions with a kind of awe. "You really must tell me what happened later Jim," smiling at the look he received, he said, "over a drink, of course."
Korhal Palace - Refugee camp
"Jimmy?"
"Tychus? Oh hell," Jim could barely respond before the outrageously burly man caught him in a savage hug.
It only lasted a second and ended with a painful clap on the back, but Tychus laughed as boisterously as he ever did and grinned ear to ear. "One hell of a trip brother, remind me to never go on an adventure with you again."
"Only if you remind me to never go on adventures again," Jim let out a laugh, smiling. The zerg delivered all of the uninfested terrans to the ground safely as promised and with the help of the protoss, chaos was neatly transforming into order on the planets surface. Things were looking up, but his joy couldn't help but dim. "Is she...?"
Tychus sobered faster than the drop of a stone, "Alive. Doesn't want much to do with me neither," he raised his hands defensively at the smouldering look Jim gave him, "not that I blame her Jimmy."
"You gonna try and patch it up or?"
"Did them Xel'naga talk to you too?"
Jim shrugged, guarded, "Yeah."
Tychus threw out a paw and caught Jim's shoulder with a heavy pat, "Let's just say, when godlike beings tell you to get your shit together son, you get it together. This sinner's got a lot of repentin' to do," his eyes looked off through the masses of bodies, spotting one in particular. "Whole helluva lot."
"Good," Jim looked in another direction, a certain Ghost catching his eye.
"She is staying to help people here, so I am too. Be seeing you son, take care of yourself out there," Tychus said.
"You too partner, you too." Jim walked towards Sarah. The mission wasn't over, but he sure looked forwards to the day he could walk away like Tychus.
"You ready cowboy?" Sarah asked, though she knew. There was a strain on her features that did not get lost on Jim, it was hard to block so many minds.
"Always ready sweetheart, lets go see if Valerian found us any leads," Jim said.
Together they wound their way through the Korhal Palace, a place Jim never thought he would get to stroll through at such a leisurely pace. He was enjoying this semblance of normalcy for all it was worth.
"You know you don't have to go with me-"
"I know damn well, but you also know I'm coming either way."
"You're right," she smiled.
"The Kirkegaard belt," was the first thing Valerian said to them when they entered his new chambers.
Jim quirked a brow, "What about it?"
"It's where Narud is hiding," Sarah supplied, shrugging at Valerian's guarded look, "Impossible not to see it."
"So how is he hiding in one of the densest, most inhospitable asteroid belts known to man?" Jim wondered out loud.
"If you'll give me a moment," Valerian said tartly, "I will be glad to explain."
"Go ahead," Jim said.
Gesturing to a screen that appeared over his expansive desk, Valerian said, "The Moebius foundation has a top secret facility on one of the asteroids,"
"Why am I not surprised," Jim said.
"It is fortunate that I have an agent who is familiar with this facility, and is very eager to go," Valerian said.
A door began to open at the other end of the room and Jim muttered, "No way."
"Yes Mister Raynor," Nova's sarcasm filled the room, "I am coming with you."
"I don't think so," Sarah said immediately, sizing up the tall blonde ghost with a keen eye.
"Ladies, hang on a sec here," Jim raised his arms placatingly, as did Valerian.
"Nova knows the facility and how to actually get to it without being turned to space dust. I have no other personnel to spare and you know it, I don't see the problem here," Valerian said.
"He's got a point," Jim said.
"Amon and Narud have nearly destroyed everything I dedicated my life to protecting," Nova said, voice firm, "I will be coming with you on this mission."
"We will be traveling on a zerg Leviathan," Sarah said, quirking a brow.
"I trust you'll keep the zerg from slaughtering everyone else that comes with you, you can do the same for me," Nova looked away from Sarah then, saluting Valerian. "Emperor Valerian," she said professionally.
"Be at ease agent, please," Valerian waved off the formality.
"Zagara is ready to take us wherever we need to go, are you prepared?" Sarah said, mouth a fine line of displeasure. She could feel Nova's mind, firmly shielded from intrusion. It seemed the ghost operative regained her own ability as well.
"My people have an assortment of supplies and ammunition available, it is the best we could give you on short notice." Valerian shrugged, "Given the situation I'm amazed they gathered as much as they did."
"Your boys know how to hustle," Jim nodded, "we're ready to get this show on the road."
Reaching into a drawer of his desk, Valerian procured a small comm device and held it out to Sarah, "Zagara has the one that is linked to this, here," he said.
"I have already contacted her," without effort, Sarah drew the small metal device from Valerian's hand psionically and placed it in Jim's. Just in case. "She is on her way," she said.
"I can only wish you the best of luck on your mission Sarah," Valerian said in a formal tone. "I hope that you will choose to return to us when it is over."
"I don't know about you but I plan on retiring after this one," Jim chuckled. He hoped dearly Sarah felt the same.
"Yes, I don't plan on being found after this is over Valerian," Sarah frowned slightly, "and I will not be going back to the Zerg either."
"I am relieved," Valerian said, "If you would agent, please escort them to the cargo and they may discuss with Zagara how best to move it to the Leviathan."
Nova saluted once more, "yes, Emperor Valerian." Resolute, she turned around and lead the way as asked.
It turned out that people still screamed and ran when the zerg came back. Thankfully a brave SCV pilot helped get the cargo out of the palace and into the waiting claws of a drone. Their ride up into the living ship quickly abandoned them after letting them off as well.
Both Sarah and Nova's shoulders sagged with relief when they exited the atmosphere of Korhal, the awakened minds of a good portion of the entire terran race were hard to handle. Jim was in his CMC and Stukov stood beside him. All the rest had decided to stay and help, wishing Jim their best. He could not blame them, not one bit.
"You are hard to follow even on your best day," Sarah said playfully, smiling.
"You got that right," Jim said.
Nova cringed at the minds of the zerg, shying away from them. A ship should not be fleshy, she firmly thought. "So where is our tour guide?" she said.
"I do not know what a tour guide is," a voice hissed. Zagara straightened threateningly when Nova spun and put the broodmother in the sights of her rifle.
"Put your weapon down," Sarah commanded. Strangely, Nova listened. This was not her territory. "We need a place to stay during our travels Zagara," she said.
"Perhaps the briefing chamber?" Zagara offered thoughtfully.
"It will do," Sarah nodded. "Take us there," she said.
"Yes my Queen," the broodmother bowed stiffly and turned, leading the way.
With the drone and its cargo in tow, the group began their tour through the insides of the zerg prime ship.
"This is the last Leviathan in the swarm my Queen," Zagara said quietly, voice echo dampened by the close quarters of the tunnels they were traversing.
"The oldest," Sarah noted. Her own ship, even it was loyal.
Zagara's voice dropped to a displeased hiss, "We were offered to become one with a greater whole, many of the lesser zerg accepted this. Most of your broodmothers chose to remain a part of the swarm, thankfully."
"We will need the strength of their broods to get inside space station Prometheus," Sarah noted, the schematics of the facility were extensive and that place was one of the most fortified she had ever seen. "I am glad they remained loyal to you as well," she said.
"Narud will be destroyed, one way or another," Stukov said, voice dark.
"He's the reason Amon keeps coming back," Sarah said, "Amon made him all but invisible to the other Xel'naga, his fallback plan every time he was destroyed."
"So that's why we're the ones who gotta go kill him?" Jim did not sound convinced.
"Yes. He will scheme and plot as long as it takes, the hybrid will come back and so will Amon as long as Narud lives," Sarah said.
So that was what the Xel'naga told her, Jim thought, receiving a small nod in response. He'd have to get used to being an open book again.
"Tosh gave his life to make sure all of us have ours," Nova said somberly, "I owe him and even if I didn't, I would still be on this mission."
"Home sweet home," Stukov said as the final door peeled back and revealed the eye of the leviathan. They were already in warp, traveling towards their destination.
"Hopefully there will be an in-tact ship to go back home on," Nova said tartly, looking over the surrounding pools and moist flesh with distaste. How could she even sleep?
"Just uhh, put it over there," Jim waved his mechanized arm vaguely at an empty space for the drone.
"Make yourselves at home," Sarah said, "I have things to discuss with Zagara and will return later." Before Jim could even argue she and the broodmother were gone.