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Harbingers of Darkness: Chapter 34Chapter 34
Uninvited Guests
Location: Dylar IV, Sector 27B planetary side
On an outcropping of stone and twisted debris stands a lone figure that continues to silently watch the events transpiring before her. The figure glances to her left and shields her eyes briefly as a cloud of heated sand and debris is blasted outward from the passage of a landing dropship. More of the ponderous vessels roar past her position to a nearby flare-marked field where the remnants of her crew wait patiently to be evacuated. She shifts her gaze and watches as several flights of fighters continue to protect the evacuation; the fighters' tracing lazy tracks across the early morning sky. Another dropship roars past her lookout point and she decides that it is time to finally leave this place she and her crew have called home for almost two weeks now.
"Are we about ready, Ensign," asks Captain Rachael Foster with a flat tone devoid of life.
"Yes, captain," exhaustively replies Ensign Garret Arguello. "We just finished loading up the wounded into those dropships over there," he adds as he points to a group of dropships slowly lifting off.
"So all that we have left to transport are the casualties," says Foster quietly as she spares a glance at the rows of dark colored bags lining the side of what remains of the wrecked cruiser.
"Yes, captain. We've got several teams moving them out now but," and he pauses slightly, "it's going to take awhile."
"I know, ensign," replies Foster barely above a whisper, her voice on the verge of cracking.
"I'm surprised you managed to get most of her down in one piece, captain," says a tall dark-skinned marine. "You did a good job bringing a lot of your people out of that scrap."
"Not all of them," she says as she turns away from the gruesome rows of bodies and turns to address the person behind her. "Most of them will never leave this place, colonel."
"I'm sorry if that sounded a bit insensitive, captain," quickly replies Colonel Anthony Soroka, "but it does you no good to dwell on them now, worry about the living instead," he offers.
"I have been worrying about the living. I've been worrying about the living, or what's left of them, for almost TWO WEEKS now," she snaps back viciously.
"Where the HELL have you guys been?!" screams Foster as the remnants of her crew and the rescue party stop their work briefly; their attention drawn to the sharp outburst.
"Maybe we shouldn't discuss this matter in so public a manner, captain," rasps Soroka as he spares a quick glance towards those nearby.
"To hell with etiquette, colonel!" snaps back Foster, as she is long past the point of caring about appearances. Almost two weeks of intense stress has pushed her to the breaking point and more than anything else she wants someone or something to vent her anger on. "We've been scrapping by on pretty much whatever we could dig out of the ground without any support of any kind and I'd like to know, WHY! There should have been a search team dispatched within hours after our patrol failed to report back in! Where the hell was it?! Why was my crew left to hang out in the breeze without support for almost two weeks?! TWO WEEKS, colonel?!"
"Sorry, captain," answers back Soroka diplomatically as he tries to calm her down, "but we've had practically all of our resources tied up fighting this new Zerg brood. We've been-"
"I've had to watch critically wounded members of my crew die because we didn't have the equipment or supplies to treat them," interrupts Foster, "I had to constantly lie to them and tell them that help is on the way and slowly watch the life leave them as we waited patiently for help that never came! There is no excuse-"
"Alright that's ENOUGH!" roars Soroka as he pins her with a harsh glare as she stares back defiantly. "Look, I'm sorry about what happened to you crew. I really am but don't go pinning all this grief on my men and me, captain," snaps Soroka. "You think you're the only one who has a monopoly on losing people on this planet? I've lost more people in three days than you probably lost in that entire crash so don't talk to me like I don't know what it is like to have people die under your command!"
"Listen, I know what you are going through but your responsibility is to the living now," says Soroka as he tries to quickly bring his temper back under control, "keep that in mind, captain."
After a brief pause, Foster's features soften slightly as she suddenly realizes the truth of his words. "I'm. sorry about that, colonel. That was rather unprofessional of me," she offers softly.
"Forget it," replies Soroka back as he waves his hand dismissively. "Like I said, I know where you're coming from and I can relate but you're a captain, it's time to start acting like one again."
An uneasy moment of silence stretches out between the two commanders until Soroka finally stirs.
"Now," says Soroka sternly, "getting back to the real reason why I came to speak to you before you pulled me into that little self-help discussion," and his comment draws a weak smile from Foster, "I had just received word that you are wanted back at Central Command ASAP. I have a crew standing by to transport you there immediately."
"What about my crew," asks Foster as she glances back at the last survivors of her crew and the dead.
"Don't worry, we'll take it from here. They'll be well taken care of. You have my word. One of my men will escort you to my dropship now," states Soroka as he gestures to a nearby marine.
"Thank you, colonel," replies Foster blankly as she turns to follow the marine.
After a short walk and several minutes have passed, she feels the dropship pitch and roll slightly as the pilot slowly lifts off, pivots in midair and heads for the distant base. Deep within the cavern of the dropship, the only sound she can hear is the high-pitched whining of the engines as the throttle is quickly increased propelling the vessel through the atmosphere. Looking out a nearby view port, she looks at the massive swath of land gouged out of the surface of Dylar IV from the crash. She traces the path of destruction to the twisted wreckage of her ship, the Peregrine, and quickly feels a cold rage building within in her yet again. Since she lost her family so many years ago, that ship and her crew were the only family she had left. The only things she had left to love and care for. Now, it seems that the Zerg have taken this family away from her as well and the thought causes her to boil with newfound fury. She silently cursed the whole universe for what has happened to her and vowed to see that the Zerg are made to pay ten-fold for everything they have cost her. No matter what it takes.
***
Location: Region beyond Protoss space, coreward of the Galactic Spin
Though their journey has taken many cycles, the guiding mind of the dark wavering mass feels some level of satisfaction at what he has accomplished, even though the undertaking was not his idea. Overall, the cerebrate, Xerus feels himself fortunate to be able to do that which he is best at and that is to hunt for new prey. With his minions now completely attuned to the energy pulse signature emitted by the distant relay located above Char, Xerus simply has to ride the beam back to its destination, and ultimately to those who received it. Searching out through the many minds of his forward scouts, he detects yet another of the complex signal relays despite the light masking technology employed by its creators and he adjusts his brood accordingly. The further he travels into this unexplored region the more he begins to sense that these new arrivals will indeed be a potent species to implement into the swarm should his queen decide it. He wonders to himself if he should indeed be worried and grudgingly pushes the stray thought aside. Urging his forces onward, his anticipation continues to grow as he contemplates what will await him at the end of his trek.
Meanwhile, a distant array far beyond the senses of the passing Zerg brood continues to track the movement of the incoming threat and quickly beams a signal to its home base.
Deep within the heart of the K'iza installation, the alarming information is received and brought to the attention of the Zresa'laz. One of the clan leaders slowly enters a darkly lit room and the only sound audible is the soft thrumming coming from a dark green structure taking up the vast majority of the floor space. A low hiss of annoyance is emitted from the structure's lone occupant and the new arrival considers whether the decision to deliver the news was a sound one.
"Forgive this intrusion but we have a matter that has come to our attention, Zresa'laz."
"It must be a matter of great important since you are interrupting my regeneration, Ptok'za," says Nar'az with annoyance as the regeneration casing softly hisses shut as he exits.
"Unfortunately the information I bring to you warrants such actions," humbly replies Ptok'za as he produces a small device and places it within the center of the chamber. Within moments the small device cracks open and twirls rapidly as it slowly begins to project the contained image.
"One of our relays located several systems away has detected the passage of a large organic mass."
"Could it be a collection of those space dwelling animals that inhabit this region," inquires Nar'az lazily.
"That was what we had assumed initially," explains Ptok'za, "but we have later ascertained the true identity of the mass." The projected image quickly changes under his command to reveal an enhanced image, an image of a Zerg scouting brood.
"Zerg? Here in this region?" excitedly asks Nar'az as he grunts with agitation.
"We have extrapolated their course and it would appear the Zerg are apparently on an intercept with our base of operations. Their present course is consistent with the probe we dispatched to Char, their home planet."
"They must have been following the energy pulses from the orbital relay stationed there," states Nar'az as understanding comes to mind. "That beam is far beyond the perception range of lesser species and yet they somehow managed to attune themselves to its wavelength."
"It would appear that is the case, Zresa'laz."
"I am beginning to understand why the Xel'Naga and our masters have had such a vested interest in these beasts. These Zerg are quite an adaptive species. They will prove to be useful allies if our masters wish it so."
"Shall I order our forces here to intercept and destroy the incoming brood," inquires Ptok'za quietly.
"No, there is no need to destroy them yet. Instead," and he pauses thoughtfully, "deploy several relays along their incoming path and divert them to a different region of this sector. We shall deal with them at a time of our choosing not theirs."
"As you so order, Zresa'laz," says Ptok'za as he retrieves the device, bows respectfully and quietly exits the chamber.
The silence returns once again to his chamber and Nar'az ponders this new development. His masters contemplated an alliance with the Zerg but a decision was never truly made. It would appear that they might have to decide the fate of the Zerg sooner than anticipated. He quickly decides that their masters must be made aware so that they may offer their guidance. With a soft hiss, the entrance to his chamber slowly parts and he briskly makes his way deeper into the heart of the installation to make contact.
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