In a distant sector of space, far beyond the areas once explored by the Protoss, lies a small unremarkable system warmed by the glow of a red giant and two dwarf stars. Within this system lies a vast array of barren planetoid bodies covered with ice, molten rock, or gaseous clouds; totally uninhabitable to even the most adaptable species. However, as all things go, there are exceptions to the rules that govern the laws of the universe.
One small planetoid, out of the dozens that compose this system, has been slowly engineered to unleash a deadly secret. A secret that has been kept dormant since after the dawn of the universe; far before the species known as Protoss or Zerg even emerged from the seeds of evolution planted by their creators, the accursed Xel’Naga. How fitting, these beings think, that the Xel’Naga were shunned and ultimately destroyed at the hands of their very own creations. Their fate would have been considered a victory in itself were it not for the damnable prison their masters have been banished to since their defeat eons ago. It is a matter these beings intend to resolve soon. Within this ordinary planet lies the key to unlocking the doorway to the unimaginable forces that hunger beyond; their appetite for chaos continues to grow with each passing moment. Deep within the recesses, those gathered continue their work under the guidance of their masters. A small chamber buried at the center of the installation houses the means for their link to the darkened, empty realm. It is here where several beings continue their plans.
The atmosphere within the chamber is thick with noxious gaseous that would kill most life forms. However, to the race named the K’iza by their masters, it is simply another home. A portal expands on one side and the creatures gathered in the chamber turn to watch the passage of their leader, their eyes lighting the darkness with a pale red glow. The Zresa’laz slowly crosses into the center of the chamber as those gathered respectfully move aside. His steps leave small indentations on the organic flooring that are quickly repaired and recover their form. Even in the sparse lighting, his dark-gray exterior radiates a strong presence that all can sense. With a brief gesture from him, switches are activated and the sound of energy building fills the room. At the center of the room lies a circular structure constructed of an unusual glassy substance know only to them. The structure hums deeply from the growing energy and with a sharp crack and a blinding flash of light a tear in the fabric of the universe is created. The release of energy and light temporarily blinds those present and they turn away to shield their eyes from the display. From within the swirling mass of cascading energy a deep voice issues froth from the depths.
“What is your progress…” intones a chilling voice.
“We are at the final stages of completion now my masters,” humbly replies the Zresa’laz. “The structures are nearing completion and will soon be in position. Once that is done, we need only to harness the released energy.”
“How soon before the dimensional barrier can be breached…”
“The red giant will be reaching a point of instability within several cycles with the dwarfs to follow shortly behind my masters. The energy unleashed will be sufficient to fuel our requirements.”
“Our forces grow impatient… make certain that there are no mistakes this time Nar’az…we have waited far too long for this moment…”
“It shall be done as you have commanded. Our search has taken many eons, through countless systems, but we have finally located that which you require to fuel the process. We shall soon breach your prison my masters,” adds Nar’az as he lowers his form to the ground in a gesture of respect.
“And the machinations against the children of our enemies…” asks another voice from beyond.
“All is proceeding as you have ordered. Our forces continue to sow confusion among the ranks of the species known as Protoss,” maliciously states Nar’az. “They are a distrustful species my masters; far too easy to manipulate.”
“And what of their other children… the beasts…”
“They still continue on their path to seek conflict with the Protoss my masters. The child, Kerrigan, leads them. Her motives remain as yet unknown to us. She has no focus… her emotions control her actions. I fear her species’ frailties make her an unsuitable servant. I do not believe that she will willingly do your bidding. She may reject your offer to serve and choose to defy you, my masters.”
“Leave Kerrigan to us… if she will not come to serve us then she will share the fate of the others…”
“As you command my masters. Do you wish us to continue aiding her against these First-born?”
“Yes… but do not interfere with her fight with the Protoss… if she destroys them… then she is worthy enough to serve at our side…”
“And should she defeat the Protoss and refuse to join?”
“Then she and her broods are to be slaughtered without thought… she will serve at our side or lie dead in our path…” answers the voice coldly.
“As you so order my masters.”
“The Xel’Naga had great plans for their children… these Protoss were the first ones… they are indeed the greatest threat… do not take them lightly…”
“Yes masters but what of these newcomers, the ones that call themselves humans? They still remain unknown to us. Shall we seek them out to serve you as well masters?”
“They are nothing to us… prey creatures best left to the Zerg… pay them no further attention…”
“Of course masters…” replies Nar’az who hesitates briefly before continuing. “Masters, though they are not children of the Xel’Naga, they are a resourceful species. They have enormous potential that remains as yet untapped. The Overmind knew this fact. Even now they are on the verge of clearing the Zerg from their homeworlds despite their inferiority. They could be a grave threat if left unchecked.”
A brief period of silence occurs from Nar’az’s words. The energies continue to swirl madly within the portal until finally those beyond stir. “The humans fate will be decided upon later… but they must not disrupt the child Kerrigan… ensure to it that they fail…”
“I have anticipated your wish my masters. I have dispatched some of our forces to one of their much-contested worlds with orders to eradicate the planet of these humans”
“You serve us well… continue serving us and you shall be rewarded when we return…”
“As always, we exist to serve you, my masters.”
“What of our own children…” inquires the first voice.
“They continue to mature my masters. They shall be ready to serve you upon your return.”
“How fitting an end to the legacy of our enemies…” states the second voice with dark humor, “the ones soon to be responsible for the destruction of the universe will be spawned from those created to protect it…”
“An ironic end indeed, my masters. A fitting manner for the Xel’Naga to pay for their crimes committed against you,” says Nar’az as his eyes glow brightly for a moment.
“Continue your work… our moment will soon be at hand…”
“As you command our masters,” replies those gathered as the energy portal closes with a sharp crack and a flaring of light.
Those gathered within the chamber make way for Nar’az as he leads the procession of beings out.
“Have the calculations been completed, ” asks Nar’az.
“As you have so ordered Zresa’laz,” humbly replies Ti’z. “The collectors have been tuned to absorb the energy released when the giant and the dwarfs ignite simultaneously.”
“Are we certain that all the calculations are correct,” inquires Nar’az as he continues his path through the installation.
“Of that we are not completely sure Nar’az,” cautiously answer Ti’z as he pauses briefly, “this has never been attempted before… we are working with a technology far beyond even our vast understanding… the possibility for error is great.”
“Our masters have entrusted us with their technology,” states Nar’az with pride. “They have endured their imprisonment for countless eons before breaching the dimensional barrier sufficiently enough to contact us again. They have given us the tools and the knowledge to free them. It is now our turn to prove their faith was not misplaced.”
“Of course Nar’az,” replies Ti’z flatly as they both continue deeper into the installation; their exhaled breathe leaving icy vapors in the chilled atmosphere. As they continue further in, the sound of intense humming begins to fill the passage. The two move purposely forward until they reach a massive cavern at the heart of the base. A pale green glow from the lighted fluid within the thousands of chambers casts an eerie light everywhere. The sound of bubbling fluid echoes across the vast area and permeates the walls with the sound of life. The two K’iza pause for a moment as they survey the legacy of their masters.
“Magnificent… truly magnificent,” proclaims Nar’az as he extends his appendages outward as if to encompass the entire contents of the cavern. “Marvel at the future of the universe… once unleashed none shall be capable of withstanding the winds of chaos.”
“I would not have suspected our masters as possessing a sense of humor,” comments Ti’z.
“Indeed,” replies Nar’az as he makes a deep gurgling sound, their equivalent of a laugh. “It would appear their time spent in exile has given them a sense of humor.”
“Yes… very ironic indeed,” states Ti’z softly as he observes the hybrid stirring within the glossy cylinder. Dozens of tendrils snake down from above the creatures and embrace the children of their masters. Not a Zerg nor a Protoss, but a combination of the two spawned from the genetic template of the Xel’Naga. Perhaps one of the greatest ironies of the universe.
“Magnificent…” again states Nar’az with awe, “the form and sheer ferocity of the beasts… with the powers and intelligence of the Protoss. They are the perfect culmination of all of the strengths, and none of the weaknesses that their templates suffer from.”
“They will serve our masters well.”
“In that task they will,” says Nar’az as he watches several keepers scurry above the ceiling of the cavern, tending to the chambers’ nutrient feeds.
“Continue to grow,” says Nar’az softly as he places an appendage on the wall of a nearby chamber, “your masters will soon be here.”
Nar’az pauses for a moment to view the scene one last time before his form tenses. “Come Ti’z, let us check on the progress of our forces moving against these humans.” He gestures and they both quickly move to exit the cavern. They swiftly travel down a passage until they reach a point where several corridors intersect. They scale the walls and enter the passage leading upwards to a datum chamber.
The portal at the end of the vertical corridor spreads opens with a barely audible hiss and the two enter into a dimly lit chamber. Several of their species pause for a moment to honor the new arrivals and then quickly resume their duties as they monitor the feeds from perhaps thousands of sensors. A light-gray member of their species approaches the new arrivals and greets them.
“Welcome Zresa’laz, I bid you well,” softly gurgles Loh’trez in greeting.
Nar’az merely nods in acknowledgement of the greeting. He turns his view to the hundreds of displays projected within the chamber. Images are displayed for those on duty at a blinding rate that would be interpreted by most species as merely a blur. To the K’iza, it is a just a normal ability evolved from their predatory past. The ability to interpret large masses of information at incredible speeds owes its origins to the small, fast creatures that are the staple source of nutrients for them on their homeworld.
“What is the status of our forces moving against these humans,” asks Nar’az.
“Come… I will show you,” answers Loh’trez as he gestures for them to follow him towards the central display node. Loh’trez places his appendages into an enclosure and with a brief humming, an image appears onto the display at the center of the chamber.
The view from the front of one of their war vessels is quickly displayed and reveals the vast sea of stars that compose the universe.
“I have always enjoy views such as that,” comments Ti’z wistfully.
“It shall become an even better view Ti’z when all that you behold will soon belong to our masters,” states Nar’az. “To mold or destroy in whatever way they see fit. We shall be party to the greatness that is their will.”
“Yes… their greatness…” adds Ti’z softly as his words trail off.
Nar’az misses Ti’z lasts words as he turns his view towards the projected distant image.
“Our fleet arrived within the region of the humans some time ago and encountered one of their crude vehicles. The craft was promptly destroyed,” states Loh’trez with pride. “Has there been a change in the fleet’s orders Zresa’laz?”
“Yes. I have consulted with our masters in regards to these humans. They are to be considered a potential threat to the world that for now is to be left to the Zerg. Inform the Nich’laz of the fleet that they are to disrupt the progress of these humans against the Zerg.”
“It has been made known Zresa’laz. Even now they move to the planet contested by both of those species.” A sharp tone is emitted from the display and draws the attention of those gathered. Loh’trez activates several unseen switches and the central image shifts to display a new image showing a small Dominion battle group.
“The Nich’laz are reporting a number of the human craft approaching. These crafts are an assortment of vehicles but several of their number have been identified as being similar, though inferior to our war vessels,” states Loh’trez as he continues to examine the distant image.
“Order the Nich’laz to destroy them.” quietly commands Nar’az.
“As you so order Zresa’laz.” The order is quickly relayed and the K’iza war vessels move to attack the small human fleet. The distant image becomes a maelstrom of energy beams lancing outward and explosions marking the death of spacecraft.
“Let us see how well these humans handle our forces,” states cruelly Nar’az as he continues to watch the distant conflict with growing interest.
Quietly off to his side, Ti’z reluctantly watches the distant slaughter of the humans as they continue to fight regardless of the overwhelming power of their foes. Such an unusual species he thinks to himself. In a way, he admires their defiant act.
“Does the battle not thrill you Ti’z?” asks Nar’az as he continues to observe the intense scene before him.
“Yes Nar’az,” promptly replies Ti’z, “but what glory can be gained from battling creatures such as these,” he asks. “There is nothing to be gained from this wanton slaughter of so inferior a species.”
“They are merely animals to be slaughtered Ti’z,” states Nar’az as he turns briefly to eye him carefully, “do not dwell on the objects but instead witness the utter beauty of the destruction and chaos our forces bring to bear.”
“Witnessing our forces lay waste to those who cannot hope to match us does not fill me with great elation,” quietly hisses Ti’z.
Nar’az does not hear his comments since his attention is firmly fixed on the battle displayed.
“And so it begins,” proclaims Nar’az to those gathered as the forces of the K’iza continue to clash in the cold, empty void. “May the universe tremble before the darkness that will soon be unleashed.” A series of grunts and gurgles are voiced as those gathered relish the destruction displayed from their forces; except one. Silently, Ti’z moves towards the portal and leaves the company of his race to seek solitude in the darkened passages of their fortress.
