Chapter 12: Ruins of Tarsonis

Aboard the UED flagship Aleksander, the next steps for the expeditionary force were being discussed.

"Lieutenant Duran, you have informed us that your employers wish to come to an arrangement with us. Tell me, what is it that they seek?" Dugalle asked.

"The Old Families have come to the conclusion that while my Confederate Resistance Forces had some degree of success, alone we are insufficient to bring down Mengsk," Duran answered. "Now, they want to cooperate with you in fighting the Dominion and they have indicated that they are willing to support you as long as they are given certain assurances about their future status. Should you accept the offer to join forces, then we can look forward to working together more in the future."

Dugalle was impassive as he thought about the offer, realizing that he may have misjudged Duran as an opportunistic turncoat. "So the old confederate remnants now seek to work with us. If the rest of them can be as useful as you have, then that would certainly be a boon, but keep in mind that the Directorate will not compromise its goals to cater toward the remnants of a failed system," Dugalle said. "Still, there is merit in this offer and you have done well to bring it to us. Where will this meeting occur?"

"During the invasion of Tarsonis, there were some who managed to survive the zerg onslaught. Several pockets of survivors, led by members of the Old Families whose personal guards secured hidden bunkers, remain on Tarsonis," Duran explained. "The zerg still occupy the planet, making it too dangerous for them to try to escape, but they have been in contact with their assets elsewhere in the sector. Though they wished to keep a low profile so as to not attract Mengsk's attention, they feel now is the time to make a move."

"I see," Dugalle said. "Then I shall send an escort to accompany this expedition. Vice Admiral Stukov will meet with your sponsors and he will be authorized to negotiate on my behalf on all matters. Duran, you shall lead the group to the designated location."

Roland looked out over the ruined city in front of him. "So this is Tarsonis. I suppose this must have once looked quite grand, but now it is nothing more than a monument to a great failure."

"The city was impressive in the past," Duran said. "Before the zerg came. Perhaps total collapse could have been averted were it not for Mengsk's interference."

"Oh? How was he involved in all of this?" Roland asked.

"Preceding the zerg attack, the Sons of Korhal had invaded one of our orbital platforms and launched attacks on the surface of Tarsonis, causing chaos among the defenders and leaving us ill prepared to repel the zerg," Duran said. "And the primary spaceport, here at New Gettysburg, was overrun before we could evacuate, trapping the Confederate leadership on the planet. From there, only some of the Old Families managed to get into hiding in time. The Sons of Korhal fought to defend the zerg from the protoss that tried to destroy them, though the detachment of forces they sent to do so was ultimately consumed as well. They played with fire and were burnt."

Roland frowned. "Fighting to defend the zerg? How absurd."

"Mengsk was quite the opportunist," Duran noted. "But he shall meet his downfall eventually."

"So, where is the bunker we are supposed to be securing?" Roland asked.

"It is buried just to the west of the city," Duran said. "But there are many zerg around it."

Roland nodded. "I can see that. The city shows signs of having a long term infestation problem, and zerg are certainly nesting in it. But it shouldn't be a problem to establish a perimeter once we clear out the area."

He turned to address the soldiers. "I want a group of siege tanks brought into position on that ridge to begin bombarding the hives and I want another group of siege tanks aimed at the city ready to take out any zerg that leave it. Have the vultures lay mines outside the city and then put up a series of bunkers just outside the city limits, we don't want any more zerg getting in our way. And scan the area for any surprises."

Like a well oiled machine, the UED soldiers carried out their orders methodically, advancing in formation toward their objectives. When the scvs began rapidly constructing the bunkers, the zerg, noticing the intrusion, organized an attack. The first wave was thinned out by the mines, allowing the defending soldiers to mop up the rest, buying enough time for the bunkers to be completed.

Before the main force reached the top of the hill, they paused. "Sir, the scanner sweep detected some burrowed zerg at our destination."

"Have the tanks clear out the area first," Roland ordered. "Make sure the zerg are removed. I also want some bunkers constructed atop the hill too to protect the tanks."

The attack was progressing smoothly as UED forces secured the hill and the siege tanks began their bombardment of the hive cluster. In response, streams of zerglings and hydralisks began emerging from the hive as well as the city, but were blown apart by the tanks. While this went on, a flock of mutalisks flew out toward the tanks.

The goliaths moved forward to counter the mutalisks when suddenly another group of zerg emerged, unburrowing from another area nearby that hadn't been scanned. These zerg began rushing the tanks from the other side, forcing some of them to divert their fire to hold back the new assault.

In the end, the goliaths and bunkers were enough to blunt both of the zerg attacks, and time was on the side of the terrans as the zerg forces quickly dwindled. The hive clusters were eliminated and the UED secured the area.

"Well done Captain," Duran said. "Your assault was brilliantly carried out."

"These were only basic maneuvers," Roland replied. "A well trained force would have no trouble with this. This was merely an outlying hive cluster. In any case, the zerg in this area no longer pose a threat to us. Duran, will you now take us to the objective of our trip here."

They reached a cliffside with a carved out cavity covered by a metal wall. Duran sent a message on his communicator, and a few minutes later the metal wall opened up.

"Mr. Kusinis, I have brought the UED delegation," Duran said.

"Good work. I was starting to worry we would be trapped here by the zerg forever," Milo Kusinis said. "Come in, we would like to discuss matters of great import."

The lights flickered as they walked down a tunnel before emerging in a dimly lit room with concrete walls. On the walls hung several paintings framed with gold, but a layer of dust covered them. Upon entering the room, they saw several individuals, some virtually present through hologram, seated around a table, which was also quite gaudily constructed but which showed some scratches and dents. The visual opulence clashed with the MREs and plain water laid out on the tables.

One old lady seated on a powered wheelchair spoke up. "Welcome, I am Andrea Tygore. Now, who do we have the pleasure of talking to?"

"I am Vice Admiral Alexei Stukov, and I represent the Expeditionary Force of the United Earth Directorate. I was told that your group may be able to provide some aid to us in our goal of asserting our control over the sector."

"Well, you certainly talk a big game Mr. Stukov," the old woman said. "But what makes you think you will be able to defeat the Dominion? We would like assurances before throwing our weight behind you."

"Earth has sent its best on this expedition, and with our resources and technology we will be able to take over the Dominion and then bring the war to the zerg and protoss," Stukov said. "We have already struck a great blow against the Dominion, and we have the tools to control the zerg. With that, our victory is secured."

"The zerg are not so easily controlled," she replied quietly.

"We do not intend to repeat your mistakes," Stukov said with a faint hint of derision. "You all appear to still hold a strong belief in your own importance, when you are now nothing more than the remnants of a failed state. We could leave right now and leave you in this hovel waiting for death. We do not need you. You need us. So think carefully about what you will say."

The woman slumped back and let out a sigh. "You are correct, Vice Admiral Stukov. We are not what we once were. That is why we shall not ask for much."

"Tell me, what are you willing to offer, and what do you wish for in return? I shall consider whether to accept your proposal," Stukov said.

"We would like to see our children," Milo Kusinis said. "We sent them away before the zerg arrived, but we lost communications with them. I fear that something may have happened. If you could protect our families from both the zerg and Mengsk, that would allay our greatest fears."

"That is acceptable," Stukov said. "Anything else?"

"There is one more thing," Andrea Tygore said. "While I would not presume to demand positions within your government, I would like to maintain our lives and ask for our property not to be confiscated. Of course, we would be more than willing to donate to your cause."

Stukov thought for a few moments. "As long as you obey the laws of the United Earth Directorate, you will be provided the same protection and rights given to all UED citizens. That is the extent of what I can guarantee you. But should you prove useful, I think some further privileges may be granted. Will that be acceptable?"

Some murmurs went around the table as the others present discussed a bit amongst themselves. But prior to the meeting they had already thought about what they would be willing to accept, and the realities of the harsh situation before them gave them little choice but to take the offer.

"Now, how do you plan to be of service to the Directorate?" Stukov asked.

A third man, Errol Bennet, spoke up. "Our associate, Lieutenant Duran, has already aided you in your endeavors, and he can continue to do so. Furthermore, we can induce some of the worlds in which our supporters still hold sway to submit to you. We also know of some people on Tarsonis that still survive, just like we did. They would be loyal to your cause if you rescue them. This world can be a great asset to you if you can cleanse it of the zerg. Lastly, I believe that we have some secret technology that could aid you in your conquest of the sector."

Stukov, who had appeared disinterested so far, perked up upon hearing the last line. "Oh, what might that be?"

"The Confederacy performed research on the zerg in order to find a way to combat them, and you may ask Duran more detail if you wish, and we discovered that communications between the zerg can be disrupted. To that end, we were able to construct a device known as the Psi Disrupter which will be able to throw the zerg into chaos," Bennet said. "We would have used the device when the zerg attacked Tarsonis, but they came so suddenly and we had no warning. Since an earlier attack by the Sons of Korhal had incidentally destroyed a power plant that powered the Psi Disruptor, we were unable to make it operational in time."

"Such a device would be useful," Stukov said. "It seems you may be of use after all."

"We are glad to hear that," Bennet said. "Currently, the Psi Disrupter is in an area surrounded by zerg, so you will have to clear them out in order to secure it. We shall give you special override codes to allow you to operate the Psi Disrupter as well as activate any Confederate military bases in the area to aid you in your fight."

"That will be appreciated," Stukov said. "Now if we have nothing else to discuss, then we shall depart then. If you wish to leave this bunker we will have a ship available to take you up to the fleet."

Once the VIPs were secured and sent away, Stukov contacted Dugalle to report on the situation.

"Gerard, I have successfully secured the cooperation of the local aristocrats," Stukov said. "Surprisingly, they did have something of use. They have reported to me that there is a device known as the Psi Disruptor which can be used to disrupt the communications of the zerg."

Dugalle looked to be deep in thought. "We shall have to decide what to do with this Psi Disrupter then."

At this moment, Duran spoke up. "I must humbly suggest to you, Admiral, that the Disrupter be destroyed as quickly as possible. If it should fall into the hands of the Dominion we could face some very serious problems."

Dugalle nodded. "Hmm. A prudent call, Lieutenant. I am inclined to agree."

Roland was aghast, but before we could speak, Stukov already spoke out with his objections. "But Admiral, this device could insure our victory over the Zerg! It is foolhardy to discard such an advantage!"

"Surely, Vice Admiral, you don't doubt the tenacity of your own fleet?" Duran said. "Your Directorate forces will devastate the Zerg without the need for such a device."

Hearing this, Stukov started to grow angry as he could hardly believe what was being proposed. "Listen here, Lieutenant, I've had just about enough your-"

"This conversation is over, Alexei," Dugalle said firmly. "Given the true nature of our mission to enslave the Overmind, we could hardly stand to have Mengsk control a device of this magnitude. If the device, or even the principles behind the device were to be discovered by others, then hostile parties could use it against us. Even if we established our control over the zerg, they could be made to turn rampant, devastating our own soldiers when we least expect it. This Psi Disrupter must be destroyed in order to safeguard our mission."

"As you say, Admiral," Stukov said through gritted teeth.

Next, Dugalle addressed Duran. "Lieutenant Duran, since you have shown such concern for this device's inherent danger, I charge you with finding the Disrupter and securing it. We will commence with its destruction once we've cleared the area. Captain, you shall work under his command to defeat the zerg in the area."

Roland nodded, not letting the sinking feeling he felt affect his expression. "Of course Admiral."