Chapter 2: Close Call
Artanis, Zeratul, and Selendis looked down with worry at the icy planet below them. Braxis was a cold and remote planet in the fringe of Terran space, yet even here the hand of the Dominion was clear. There was a sizable garrison force, and the planet was not without orbital protection, having several ships along with a defense platform.
"Explain something to me, Zeratul. Why would your people leave such a sacred crystal in the hands of these Terrans?" Kerrigan asked.
"We didn't," Zeratul replied. "Long ago this world was a protoss colony called Khyrador. When the strife between our tribes escalated, this planet and the Uraj crystal were abandoned. These Terrans have come here only recently."
"The expansion rate of these Terrans is truly astounding," Artanis said. "Not long ago they were nearly wiped out by the zerg invasion. Now it seems their people are willing to colonize even worlds like this."
"The Dominion is surprisingly tenacious," Kerrigan said. "Mengsk has the support of most of the Terran worlds bar those controlled by the Kel-Morians and Umojans. And he has commanders who are competent enough to allow the Dominion to use their resources effectively. And unlike the Confederacy the people actually support the regime to some extent."
"Raynor spoke of this Confederacy," Zeratul said. "From what I gather, they wouldn't have been able to marshall the same response."
"Of course not," Kerrigan scoffed. "The Confederacy was decadent and corrupt. They knew about the zerg for ages and thought only of how they might use them. And in the end the entire rotten edifice fell apart. Once Tarsonis fell no one held any more loyalty toward the Confederacy. Instead they all jumped to become part of Arcturus's new Dominion."
Her voice was tinged with bitterness. "That bastard crowned himself Emperor. The people who put him there, thrown away. It was me, Raynor, and the Magistrate who allowed him to topple the Confederacy. Raynor was the inspiring hero leading from the front. The Magistrate was a tactical genius that pulled out victories out of battles that we had no right to win. And I killed his enemies and gave everything for him. Back then Mengsk talked about freedom and lofty ideals. We were all fooled. I was abandoned to the zerg. Raynor fled and is now a fugitive. The Magistrate followed him all the way to Aiur. Though I think the Magistrate went back to working for Mengsk after that. The Dominion forces fighting the zerg are exhibiting more competence."
"That is quite the tale," Zeratul said. "This emperor is certainly skilled at advancing his power. And his domain is well guarded. He can afford to station forces even here on Braxis while he is fighting the zerg across many worlds."
"Well, what are we going to do to get the crystal?" Kerrigan asked. "Can't your ships slip down to the planet's surface unnoticed?"
"The technology of the Terrans is behind ours, but even so the sensors on the platform can detect our ships even through the cloak. We will have to avoid it. But given that the energy signature of the Uraj is below it, it will be difficult to find our way past both the platform and the patrolling fleet."
"We need only to strike hard and fast," Selendis said. "Take them by surprise and retrieve the crystal. By the time they can respond, our ships will have been able to leave orbit and we can easily outrun their vessels."
"Indeed, but finding a way to pass unnoticed will be our greatest problem." Zeratul examined the formations of Terran ships in front of them.
"We should be able to get through if we pass through this gap." Zeratul pointed toward a location on the holomap. From there we can avoid the patrols and slip through to the planet's surface. Once we get low enough it is unlikely that they will be actively scanning there. This is of course assuming that we make it this far undetected."
"Time is of the essence," Artanis said. "We must arrive on the planet's surface and strike quickly to retrieve the Uraj. The fate of Shakuras depends on this. I will instruct our fleet to begin the approach."
The cloaked ships took a circuitous route around the planet, finally finding a suitable place to begin descending. There were Terran ships not far away from them, with the majority being civilian freighters, though there were a few wraith patrols.
"Our course is steady," Artanis said. "We will be able to maintain a safe distance from the Terran ships to avoid close contact that might expose us. It shouldn't be long now before we make it through."
Suddenly, Zeratul looked up in alarm. "Artanis, one of the Terran science vessels has begun moving. If we continue along our path then we will be detected."
"If we destroy the vessel, the Terrans will be aware of our presence too soon. We must find another way," Artanis said as he looked around. "We can try to go through in that direction."
The protoss fleet began shifting course, but before long Artanis realized their position was far more precarious than they thought. "This path will run into one of the Terran patrol paths. There is no way forward, we must retreat to find a better approach."
The cloaked fleet began to change direction to travel away from the planet. However, there were as many ships above them as there were below. "Our path that we took to enter has been blocked off by the movements of the Terran ships. Still, there must be other open paths."
The protoss fleet moved a bit in one direction before pausing to wait for the Terran ships in front of them to pass. Little by little, the protoss fleet began to make their escape.
"Artanis, Terran ships are approaching us. They will likely be upon us within a few minutes. There is a science vessel with them," Zeratul said.
"Our way ahead is still obstructed," Artanis noted. "And if we stay still we will be discovered. And while we could destroy the ships in front of us and make an escape, once we alert the Terrans to our presence here it will be many times harder to attack next time. And we cannot afford to return to Shakuras for more reinforcements."
"We can only prepare for the worst if they come close enough to detect us. At that point we will have no other option than to fight," Selendis said.
The Terran patrol drew ever closer. The command room was silent as they all watched the enemy approach. Artanis prepared to give the order to attack.
Then, the patrol took a turn, setting their path to pass to the side of the cloaked protoss fleet. Still, Artanis didn't dare to relax. It was only once they had passed by completely that Artanis allowed himself to feel relief. Soon, the path ahead became clear and the protoss ships quickly made their escape.
The protoss were once again in high orbit over Braxis, but they were right back to where they started. The Uraj Crystal was still out of their grip, and the mood aboard the command ship was one of dismay.
"It is clear that if we want to successfully launch a direct assault and fight our way out, we will need a larger force," Selendis said.
"I cannot dispute that," Artanis said. "But at the same time, Shakuras cannot spare any more warriors. We will have to make do with what we have, and rely on our courage and strength of will to grant us victory."
"What do you have in mind, Artanis?" Zeratul asked. "Neither force nor stealth will be enough here."
"Indeed, we won't be able to avoid pursuit after beginning our evacuation from the planet once our attack is concluded," Artanis said. "That is why I shall stay behind with a contingent of warriors who volunteer. We will hold the attention of the terrans and cause mayhem on the surface, forcing the terrans to focus their efforts on us. I will hold them off as long as I can while you escape with the Uraj."
"Artanis, must we truly abandon you here?" Zeratul asked. "Surely there must be a better way."
"We have exhausted all other options," Artanis said. "Do not worry for me. I will be one with the Khala. There is no greater honor than to serve our people."
"Now, before you let ideas of honor overtake you, perhaps we can look into alternate methods," Kerrigan said. "I might be able to gather some zerg to aid in your attack. My forces on Maltair IV are being hit hard by the Dominion forces that were dispatched to relieve the planet, and the situation has become unfavorable. If you can travel there and help me evacuate my forces successfully, I will be able to use them to help assault Braxis. And a sizable group of zerg would be more effective as a distraction."
"Your plan has merit Kerrigan," Zeratul said. "We may yet have a solution."
"I guess you are useful. So, where is this planet?" Selendis asked, waiting for Kerrigan to point out the location.
After seeing their destination, Artanis looked hesitant. "It would take some time for us to arrive there. And time is something that is of the utmost importance. Every day we spend is another day that Shakuras is under threat and more of our people die. That is something I cannot accept."
"I am sure that Shakuras can handle itself," Selendis said. "There is no need to rush on an unfavorable course of action."
"We know not how long Shakuras can hold while we are gone," Artanis said. "While we made sure to leave enough warriors guarding Shakuras to defend it while we were gone, if there are too many unexpected delays the situation can deteriorate past our expectations."
"We should at least examine the terran patrol patterns a little more before we commit to a course of action," Zeratul said.
"Very well. But we will have to take action soon," Artanis said.
While they waited, a large fleet of terran ships appeared at the edge of the system.
Zeratul was alarmed. "Has the Dominion sent more reinforcements? With the size of that fleet, there is no way we will be able to successfully assault the planet."
"Could they have somehow detected our presence?" Selendis pondered. "No, there wouldn't have been enough time for them to get a message out and for a fleet to arrive."
As the protoss fleet pulled away from Braxis, they noticed a massive commotion occurring below them. The Braxis defense garrison was launching their ships and organizing into formation. The civilian ships were clearing the airspace, either fleeing from Braxis or landing.
The unknown fleet approached and opened fire on the Braxis defense fleet. With the orbital defenses totally occupied, a smaller force broke off from the enemy fleet and began heading toward the surface.
"Do you recognize the identity of the second terran fleet?" Artanis asked Zeratul. "I was not aware that the terrans were at open war among themselves right now."
"Raynor mentioned other terran factions such as the Umojan Protectorate and the Kel-Morian Combine," Zeratul said.
"The markings on the ships aren't of either of them," Kerrigan interjected. "It is possible they are hiding their identity, but it makes no sense for the Umojans or Kel-Morians to be attacking the Dominion right now. Especially not to take this ball of ice."
"You do not recognize them either?" Artanis asked.
"Whoever it is, they are a new player," Kerrigan said. "I can't imagine a militia scrounging up enough assets for an attack of this kind. And it would be foolish to go up against the Dominion. There is something that we are unaware of."
"Be that as it may, it is none of our concern at the moment," Artanis said. "Our priority is the Uraj Crystal, and we must obtain it at all costs. Now that the defenders are completely distracted, we will have no better opportunity than this. Ready the fleet to descend upon Braxis. En Taro Adun!"