Science vessel Columbus
Low orbit above Tyrador VIII
The Explorer-class science vessels have been in service with Terrans for decades, for both war and peace. These starships are used for a wide variety of research and development purposes, with several stationed across several points in the Koprulu Sector and beyond to observe and study anomalous phenomena using the vessels' powerful electronic sensors. These same sensors are also what made science vessels an indispensable part of the Terran arsenal, as they are capable of seeing through even the most powerful of active cloaking fields, as well as detecting even the most minute of disturbances on surfaces which may imply the presence of burrowed threats. They have other support functions that were implemented shortly after the first Great War, such as the defensive matrix (which can absorb even the most powerful of attacks and greatly minimize the damage they deal), a short-range electromagnetic pulse (which can be produced at a distance with the use of missiles), and high-energy irradiation for biological targets; for the most part, however, their most valuable use in battle is still their detection systems.
As of late, science vessels have seen less use in Terran forces, having largely been replaced in the Dominion by the Raven, an advanced remote-controlled drone with a semi-independent AI and equally-impressive sensors, as well as better offensive and defensive utility than the more expensive manned vessel. However, the science vessels still perform their functions as mobile research platforms, gathering data from all over the sector to fuel Terran scientific progress.
Another function that science vessels still serve is for Ghost "repairs": as all active science vessels still hold files about the Terran Ghost Program, a specialized section of the crew aboard these vessels is almost always dedicated to medical aid for the psionic agents when they're out in the field - conventional medical personnel and facilities are usually prohibited (and often unable) to perform medical operations for the more sensitive parts of a Terran Ghost. Even in dire circumstances, field medics can only perform surface and non-sensitive organ healing to ensure that a Ghost can at least call in a science vessel for a full "repair".
That's what the Protoss expedition led by Praetor Rin learned from the commander of the Columbus, at least. The ship's cybernetic commander was very cooperative upon learning of the imminent threat. He expected that one of the science vessels currently in service would be targeted after they identified the spike of psionic energy a few weeks ago, of course - no science vessel crew would forget the fate of the Amerigo - but it surprised him that it took so long before the Zerg made their move.
The plan outlined by the Protoss was simple enough: the Terran Dominion was already alerted of the situation (though the cooperation with the Protoss was understandably kept under wraps), and with Tyrador VIII being both an important R&D site and in close proximity to its sister and Terran core world, Tyrador IX, the Dominion Navy would most likely allocate a substantial force to try and repel the invading Swarm. It was expected that the Princess of Blades would try to slip through the battle to infiltrate the Columbus, and, should she succeed, that's where the Protoss expedition and the vessel's own security crew would come in: the combined force would ambush the infested Terran, and eliminate her before she reaches the main supercomputer. It would be a mainly-Protoss show, with the security crew providing support against the Zerg minions the Princess of Blades is expected to bring, as well as the vessel's internal security systems to slow her down and possibly weaken her before the confrontation.
The Protoss Fleet, on the other hand, would remain on standby, ready to warp in on Rin's signal. Five leviathans' worth of Zerg is a lot, but should be manageable for what the Dominion would bring, or so the science vessel's commander assured. He based it on the information the Protoss provided along with current data on the Dominion's available battle groups.
"So unless external variables come into play, this battle is well within the capabilities of the Dominion Navy," the vessel's commander stated. "We need only worry about our quarry. What are her capabilities?"
"Still developing," Nozomi replied. "Her physical prowess is undeniable: her mutation massively amplified her strength, and her movements showed that she also had advanced close-combat training. Psionically, on the other hand, it was obvious that she had only recently started using her potential, demonstrating it in combat through telekinesis only, and tiring herself after each use.
"However, her potential is vast. My apprentice and I managed to get close enough to consider assassinating her - but it was because she allowed us to get close. She could sense our presence, and see through our cloaking as if it didn't exist. Her control over the Zerg is almost on par with the Queen of Blades herself as well."
"She could have nasty surprises up her sleeve, then." The commander pondered this. "With this information, as well as the possibility for unknown variables...do you think that an ambush is still feasible?"
"Certainly," High Templar Maki answered before Nozomi could speak. She and Hanayo had mostly remained silent throughout the meeting, but her mind was not so idle. "She knows only of the Dark Templar's presence. Rin and I had our presence obscured within our ship during our encounter with her, so she is unaware of us. Even though I used a psionic storm during our escape, I channeled it from within, so she would not be certain if it came from a High Templar or it was merely a defensive weapon on the ship, especially since she does not know of its capabilities. That uncertainty is our advantage.
"She will expect to overwhelm this planet's defenses, and slip into the ship while her Swarm invades the surface. She will be expecting the two Dark Templar, perhaps three, along with whatever resistance this ship would offer. She will also expect that the Templar will have infiltrated the ship beforehand, and strike during the chaos that her assault would make. However, what she would not expect is a coordinated attack on her from the Nerazim, the Khalai, and the Terrans. She would not expect us to stand together against her and her minions, nor the swift response of the Terran fleet. Surprise is on our side."
"Quite confident, aren't we?" Nozomi said, with a touch of pride. Maki's shoulder-length locks started burning in her color and bathed her face in its glow, giving the impression of a blush.
"I-I simply based my assumptions on the information we've collected, and on what we know about her." Maki then started twirling her locks with her finger, as she was wont to do in such situations. Behind her, Hanayo chuckled silently - the first positive emotion she'd shown since the encounter at Meinhoff. "Our biggest advantage is that the Princess of Blades is severely inexperienced in fighting against the Protoss - let alone a well-prepared coalition. Along with our other tactical advantages, we have a good chance of stopping her."
Rin, of course, was exponentially more expressive than the rest. "I knew it was a good nyaidea to bring you along, Maki-chan!" she said excitedly, smothering the High Templar with a hug. The latter was unable to react in time, and thus could not properly repel the Praetor.
"Rin, get off!"
"Quite the lively crowd we have here," the commander noted, chuckling as well. "Now, then. It seems like we have reached a consensus for our course of action." The four Protoss nodded in agreement. "Shall we make preparations before the Zerg arrive, then?" A holographic table was then raised in front of the commander, and the plans of each level of the Columbus was projected on it. The commander then began detailing the defensive arrangements the Princess of Blades will have to endure before the final confrontation.
Planetary defense platform
Tyrador VIII geostationary orbit
Dominion core worlds are often orbited by a small network of platforms; these platforms have a variety of functions, ranging from orbital docking areas, to staging grounds for deep-space expeditions, to even habitation when the planet below has reached its population carrying capacity. More commonly for the Dominion core worlds and specific plants which hold strategic importance to the Dominion, however, most of their orbital platforms are equipped with powerful early-warning systems and anti-ship defenses. As such, these platforms need to be overrun before a proper invasion of a Dominion planet could even begin, as attempting to storm the planet from orbit often ends with severe casualties for the invading force.
Which is why the blaring early-warning sensors worried the current crew of Tyrador VIII's planetary defense platform. There was no visual confirmation of the oncoming threat yet, but, based solely on the sheer number picked up by their scanners coming from southeast of their position, the invaders could not be mistaken for any other entity in the sector. The powerful psionic signature radiating within the signatures merely confirmed the platform crew's fears.
Suddenly, the sensors picked up another incoming unknown force. A large cluster of biological signatures started appearing from the southwest. And much like the force picked up earlier, a powerful psionic signature was present in its midst.
The platform commander's hand turned cold. He was informed of an incoming Zerg threat led by a powerful infested psionic...but not two. The central control station erupted in panic as personnel scrambled to defensive positions and hastily activated the platform's pulse cannons.
Hyperion
Hours later
Raynor's Raiders had just exited warp space and was closing in on Tyrador VIII, after accepting a mission given to them by the Moebius Foundation's head, Dr. Emil Narud. Dr. Narud showed relief when the Raiders established communications, and expressed his gratitude. In front of the ship was a chaotic skirmish between what seemed to be the entire Zerg Swarm and the fragmented remnants of a clearly overwhelmed Dominion Squadron.
"Looks like you got one heck of a Zerg problem here," Raynor began as he and the bridge personnel watched the rest of the Dominion ships get overrun. He wasn't overly surprised. It's happened in so many planets now that the best option for an imminent Zerg invasion was usually mass evacuation. "Where do you need us?"
"We're ready to evacuate, but none of the teams I sent to purge the Foundation data cores have reported back!" Dr. Narud replied urgently. "I need you to destroy those cores before the Queen of Blades finds them and discovers the coordinates of the remaining artifacts. The fate of the entire sector could hang in the balance!"
"Class-twelve psi pattern detected," the adjutant interrupted, immediately followed by the monitor displaying the source. "Recommend extreme caution."
"Kerrigan..." There was no doubt about it. Even her silhouette was such a recognizable figure, and her very presence on Tyrador VIII meant that there was something she wanted and would personally hunt for on the planet. "Alright then Doc, our timetable's shorter than we thought. We gotta move!"
The Hyperion then made a small warp jump to bypass the Zerg invasion force. Afterwards, dropships were immediately dispatched to the Moebius research campus, followed by a command center to rapidly establish a foothold on the ground.
As the dropships descended, Shadowguard Umi Sonoda, riding one of the ships with her fellow Shadowguard, a squad of marines, and her two medic friends, noticed a science vessel that was still strangely untouched by the nearby conflict. It still hung in geostationary orbit, and seemed to be still operating. 'It's strange to see one of those still operational.'
'An Explorer-class vessel?' Eli noted. 'It doesn't seem to be participating in the current conflict.'
'Perhaps it's doing so covertly-wait...' She then saw a Zerg Overlord approach the vessel. The lumbering Zerg spacefarer, which helped exert control over the Zerg Swarm, approached the Terran vessel, and forced itself onto the vessel's docking bays. 'I feel a strong psionic presence within that overlord...don't you feel like this has happened before?'
'Perhaps it has.' Eli stood up and went over to the pilot. "Please head towards that science vessel," she ordered. "I'll explain later."
"The Zerg...boarding a science vessel?" Raynor repeated after Eli relayed what she and her partner saw. Immediately, old reports started flooding in. And they weren't good ones. "I'm glad you informed me." He then addressed the rest of the dropship's occupants: "You all have new orders: board that vessel and find out what the Zerg are up to. The rest of us'll continue with the mission."
Science vessel Columbus
"Our target has boarded," the vessel's commander observed, watching the feed from the security camera at the docking bay. He had to allow a disgusting overlord to latch onto his ship for this...but it was a small matter compared to the fate of the sector. "There's a sizeable pack of hydralisks and roaches with her. No zerglings to lead the charge and catch bullets, but I suppose the roaches and their robust carapaces will do that job."
"No real problem for a Templar's psi blades," Maki noted. "Or my psionic storm, for that matter.
"Regardless, their numbers should be considerably thinned by the time they arrive at the lowest level of the ship," Nozomi said. The Princess of Blades and her minions would have to fight through four levels of the ship's interior before they reached the ship's lowest level, located on which is the secure room which housed the supercomputer holding the Ghost Program files. "Remember to tell your warriors not to engage them head-on. Let your automated systems bear the brunt of their attacks, but we must avoid unnecessary casualties."
"The most logical tactic, given our situation." With their limited numbers, and plenty of space between the Zerg and their objective, the combined Protoss and Terran force will have to trade space for time, to fight a moving battle against the Zerg, slowly bleeding their forces out until they are capable of dealing the finishing blow.
"Hmph," Nico said as she surveyed the docking bay, and seeing no threats. The plan is going as planned so far: Kerrigan has a target of interest on this planet, providing a perfect distraction for the Terrans to allow her to raid the science vessel in orbit without having to worry about any interruptions.
At least from the Dominion. The psionic energy she sensed somewhere on the ship reminded her that it wasn't just the Terrans that were involved. The Protoss were here. Lurking in the shadows, she was sure, possibly waiting for the Terrans to wear her out before trying to stab her in the back.
They will find their end here. The roaches and hydralisks she personally picked were the fiercest veterans of their invasion of Meinhoff. They tore through defensive lines which held firm against the infested, and slaughtered every Terran that crossed their path. More importantly, in environments where their lives would have been measured in hours, they outlived the others that struck before and with them.
Surely, a small group of Terran soldiers on a ship which has never seen combat, and cut off from their forces, would pose no problem. And while the Protoss might destroy her minions, their strength and ferocity would leave those fools crippled, and she would deal the final blow. Perhaps, even, after showing them the futility of their resistance, as she lays claim to the Ghost Program files to help fully realize her psionic potential.
She saw her reflection on a pane of glass leaning on the wall, and inspected herself. She then held her chest. "Could've made them even a bit bigger..." she muttered under her breath. Still, she was cute. The cutest being in the universe, even. Her small frown changed to a smug smile as she raised both her hands, with both index fingers, pinky fingers and thumbs extended outward, and then lowered them one by one to the side of her head as she made a big smile.
"Nico Nico Nii!"
The moment lasted for a few seconds before she realized that her minions were looking at her, and she immediately turned around and dropped her hands.
"What are you staring at?" Nico crossly asked. "Get a move on already!" The hydralisks and roaches were more or less indifferent at the outburst, and diligently proceeded to force the door leading out of the docking bay open. Nico sighed and shook her head, before psionically cracking the glass and following her minions.
"What is going on with me?"
A/N: It's been a long while again. But the eve of contact is finally at hand. This won't be pretty.
I'll get the next chapters out as quickly as I can.