The ground crunches beneath him and creates small swirls of dust as he treads toward the encampment. Everywhere he looks, the terrain is bathed in the soft blue tones from the nearby dwarf star and he can’t help but feel a great sorrow build within him. He remembers the sweet smells of his planet. The lush green vegetation and the sounds that emitted from the jungles that he had known for most of his existence. Now all of what he held dear lies destroyed and in ruin. His people have been pushed to where they are now, a barren dark world. He suppresses the cold anger growing within him and thinks as to how their current situation came into being. He wonders as to whether if there was perhaps something more that could have been done to prevent it. He shakes his head in frustration as he plays out the scenario like he has been doing for the past few years. His thoughts are interrupted as several small winged creatures fly overhead casting dark shadows on his path. He wonders if the shadows are an ill omen. Shaking his musings, he quickens his pace to the base. The elders should be preparing to assemble and it would not be wise for a young Praetor of the Templar caste to arrive late. As he nears the outskirts of the settlement, he spots a shuttle as it descends from orbit and heads towards the base. All of those involved with the war council should have been present by now and the new arrival strikes his interest. He increases his pace for the meeting soon to begin.
The council chamber is a flurry of activity as he enters. The leaders of the shattered castes and the representatives of the different tribes speak passionately regarding their current situation. Despite the activity within the chamber, his late arrival does not go unnoticed.
“Artanis, you are late young one. Do the actions of the council keep you away,” asks Kreza, one of the elders of the Templar caste.
“No elder, you know I have nothing but great respect and admiration for our leaders.”
Eyeing him thoughtfully, Kreza continues with a touch of humor in his tone. “Yet I sense you question their inability to reach a course of action to our present situation.”
With frustration lining his words, Artanis replies. “Our situation has not improved elder. Our homeworld of Aiur lies still under the control of the accursed Zerg. Our numbers have been culled severely by this conflict and we our forced to hide in fear from our enemies.”
“Patience Artanis,” replies Kreza as he turns his attention back to the council. “I sense that the time for action will be at hand soon.” Following Kreza’s gaze, Artanis turns his attention to one of the members of the conclave as he speaks.
“What you propose is madness Nagol,” bellows Razzal of the Judicators. “We do not have the sufficient forces for your plan.”
Projecting his thoughts loud enough to be heard over the din, Nagol calmly addresses the members of the newly formed conclave. “Are we merely expected to huddle in fear from our enemies? Does the thought of battle weaken your wills? Our enemies grows legions while we grow complacent. If we are to rid ourselves of the threat of the Zerg, then we must act and act now.”
Throughout the chamber, the murmurs of those gathered fill the silence as the conclave absorbs the words of Nagol. Trukal, one of the elders of the Judicator caste is the first to speak on Nagol’s words.
“Your proposal to send an expeditionary force to Auir has merit Templar but to what end? Those of our people who survived the culling of the Zerg have already been evacuated to this world. What would be the point of sending more of our warriors through the warpgate to search for survivors?”
“I do not propose a rescue attempt Judicator,” calmly replies Nagol. “I am instead proposing an invasion to retake our lost world from the Zerg.”
A wave of shock and surprise passes over those assembled from Nagol’s words. “He is MAD!” screams Razzal. “He is consumed by the lust of the glory of combat that he is willing to risk the very lives of those foolish enough to follow. Any force sent through the gate will be set upon and will eventually succumb to the Zerg.”
The chamber once again fills with sounds of those gathered as they contemplate the words of the Templar. The opinions of the proposed plan are clearly divided among those of the Judicators and the Templar castes.
“Listen my brethren, we exist now merely because the Zerg do not know where we are. If they were to stumble across our world as the bulk of our forces are off attempting to retake Aiur, what remains of our civilization will cease to exist,” pleads Razzal.
“What is the alternative, Razzal,” asks Nagol patiently. “Should we instead wait until the Zerg become so great in number that they are all that remains in the galaxy. Do we still not honor the dictates of the Dae’Uhl or have we as Protoss forsaken that as well.”
His words strike deeply into those present and even Razzal is left with nothing to say. The chamber is deadly silent as those present consider the impact of those words. The Dae’Uhl, or Great Stewardship, called for the Protoss to protect and safeguard the lesser races that lived under their shadow. It was one of the founding dictates of the Khala and was drawn from the traditions of the Xel’Naga; the ancient ones. To forsake that would be to forsake all that their race had strived to attain.
Al’shak, one of the Dark Templar elders and member of the conclave is the first to break the silence. “We, the Dark Templar have long held Aiur closely to our souls. Despite the actions of the early Judicators,” his eyes flashing briefly at the Judicators present, “we stand willing to aid those who move to liberate her from the Zerg.” Turning to address Nagol, he speaks. “You have our support Templar if you wish it.”
With a nod of deeply rooted respect and thanks, Nagol turns back to address the majority of the conclave. “Are there others among you who share the opinion of our dark brethren,” asks Nagol.
Nechabol, leader of the Khalai caste, the workers of Protoss society answers the question. “Our caste has not worked for centuries to build Aiur up only to abandon it to the trappings of the Zerg. You will have all the support that we can afford you Templar.”
Trukal is the next to voice his opinions on the matter. “Despite the inherent danger that your proposed plan has Nagol, we of the Judicators offer our support as well. Many seasons have passed since we left Aiur, I believe it is time for us to return and claim what is rightfully ours.”
“Then we are all in agreement,” states Nagol as he nods.
A chorus of replies fills the chamber as the decision has been approved. “What is you plan Templar,” asks Trukal.
“The first stage of the plan will be initiated most subtlety. Our forces lack the numbers to engage the Zerg in a direct confrontation therefore we seek instead to gather in secret and then strike at where they are weakest; their controlling cerebrate. Once the creature is destroyed, the broods present on Aiur will be without a coordinating mind and reduced to mere animals. Without guidance and leadership, the Zerg will be easier to handle divided than as a unified force.”
“The plan appears sound but what of the warpgates,” asks Razzal. “Though we control them on this world the Zerg will most assuredly be lying in wait. Any force sent through will be immediately destroyed.”
“That is why we will not be traveling by that route. Since our passing through the gateways to this world, we have been working in secret to build a new gateway to channel our forces back to Aiur.” Nagol activates a nearby console and an image of Aiur materializes and then magnifies on a marked position. “The new warpgate is hidden deeply underground away from the eyes of the Zerg.” Surprise fills the chamber at the revelation.
“Why was the conclave not informed of this endeavor Nagol,” demands Trukal. “The construction of this wargate was not authorized by the council.” “Its very existence could have very well jeopardized the safety of this planet should the Zerg discover it,” adds Razzal as his eyes flash with challenge.
“I was just recently made aware of the gate’s existence by its creator and was asked to cooperate in constructing the gateway on this world.”
“There are no Protoss left on Aiur. Who informed you of the gate’s completion,” asks Nechabol with curiosity in her voice.
“That who you speak of would be I,” comes the reply in a deep, grave tone. All present in the chamber turn to seek the source of the reply and a ripple of shock flows over the assembled masses as one by one they recognize their new arrival. As he strides towards the central area of the chamber, those in his path move aside out of respect. His cloak billows around him like a foreboding nebula, threatening to engulf him within its dark folds. He walks purposefully towards the center of the chamber as his powerful presence fills the air.
With pride in his voice, Al’shak welcomes the new arrival. “Welcome home Zeratul, you have been away for far too long. We had thought that you had forsaken your fellow Templars.”
“I would never forsake my brethren. I have had much to think about and prepare for these past seasons Al’shak,” replies Zeratul grimly. “My forces have been preparing the gate secretly and only required that the mate here on Shakuras be completed. Nagol was willing to assist us so that we would be better able to retake Aiur."
Glancing around at the assembled members of the conclave, Zeratul speaks. “I trust that the council has reached a decision regarding the proposed plan.”
“We have indeed,” answers Trukal. “The plan has the full support of the council. You have but to ask and all your needs shall be met.” With a deep gravely tone, Trukal continues. “However, be wary. Should the possibility arise that the Zerg are on the verge of penetrating the gateway, we will have no choice but to destroy it and those still left on Aiur will be stranded there… forever.”
“We understand the risks and are prepared to take them regardless of where this path may lead us,” replies Nagol. “If we are to fall in battle, then let it be done as warriors in defense of Aiur.”
With a grudging sense of respect, Trukal continues. “How soon before your forces will be ready to depart.”
“Our troops are in the final stages of preparation and merely await the arrival of Zeratul’s forces.”
“My forces are in transit now and will arrive shortly,” replies Zeratul. “We shall be ready when the time comes,” he adds as his eyes flash with menace.
“Then may Adun and Tassadar watch over you in this endeavor,” says Trukal. With that the conclave disbands and the chamber empties rapidly as the Protoss prepare for battle. Soon the chamber is deadly quiet except for those few who remained behind.
“It is good to see you again noble Zeratul. Your presence here on Shakuras has been greatly missed.”
“It is good to be home young Artanis but my reasons for leaving were compelling.”
“I sense you still carry within your soul a heavy burden Zeratul,” observes Kreza. “Are you still troubled by the taking of the Matriarch’s life-force my friend,” asks Kreza with concern in his tone.
“Her death at my hands still troubles me greatly my friends,” replies Zeratul with sorrow in his tone. “She was entrusted to my protection and I failed her and my fellow Protoss.”
“She was beyond any help we could afford her,” offers Al’shak. “The Zerg had all but claimed her body and soul and her only release from their grasp was death. You did what any of us would have done Zeratul.”
“The Zerg,” snarls Zeratul as his eyes flash with a cold fire of hatred. “They are a plague on this galaxy that must be set to the fire.”
“And soon they will… soon they will,” adds Nagol with an edge to his tone. “We have much to do and little time to prepare. We must see to the preparations of our forces Zeratul.”
As Nagol and Zeratul turn to leave, Kreza senses something else within Zeratul. “Zeratul, is there something more troubling you?”
Pausing to look back towards his friend, Zeratul replies to the inquiry. “I see there is not much that I can hide from you my friend. I had planned on not revealing this matter to the council until I knew more. What I am about to tell you is know only to a select few and must remain so until I decide otherwise.” Those gathered nod their heads in agreement. “Very well, allow me to explain.”
“Several years ago I chanced upon a secret that may very well spell doom for the entire galaxy. During my time away I have spent much energy searching for this elusive threat and have found very little. They are out there now, watching us… waiting for the right time to make their presence known to all. I fear that it may be for the worst should they reveal themselves.”
“What is this threat that could be so powerful that it overshadows that of the Zerg,” asks Artanis incredulously.
“What little I was told is still a mystery to me as well. But this I know for certain, what I saw before me could herald the end for all if unleashed. It was a hybrid of Protoss and Zerg genetics and the creature I spoke with implied that it was the culmination of centuries of planning.”
“Protoss and Zerg combined?! That is sheer madness,” exasperates Kreza. “What force would do such a thing?”
“Who was this creature who informed you of this Zeratul,” asks Al’shak intently.
Shaking his head, Zeratul answers. “I do not know. The creature was in the form of a human named Samir Duran, a known puppet to Kerrigan, but it was obviously more than what it appeared to be. I sensed a great and ancient power emanating from within it.”
There is a moment of intense silence as the five Protoss dwelled on the disturbing news. Finally Zeratul stirs and breaks the uneasy moment. “We will have time later to solve this mystery my brethren. We must concentrate on the immediate task at hand.”
“Zeratul is correct. We must concentrate on readying our forces if our plan to liberate Aiur is to succeed. We will speak of this later,” adds Nagol.
The others have left the chamber and Kreza and Artanis are left to ponder the recent news. Turning to Artanis, he poses a question. “What are your thoughts on this matter young one?”
“I am uncertain elder. The liberation of Aiur is of course are primary concern right now but what of the disturbing developments from Zeratul. If this force is indeed out there planning our destruction, what do we do about it.”
“We will know what to do when the time to act is upon us. Come, let us join the others in preparing for the coming conflict.” Kreza motions for him to follow.
As Artanis falls in step behind Kreza he can only wonder as to whether the shadows he saw cast upon his path earlier were harbingers of a dark era yet to come. Forcing the thoughts into the back of his mind, he quickens his pace to prepare for the coming conflict ahead.
