Chapter VIII: The Return Zeratul stared at Mojo. They had landed on one of the small space stations above Shakuras to rest.
"So the armistice (stand-off) was broken... how dare Kerrigan do this!" he shouted.
Mojo looked up at the viewscreen to see the news. "Hey turn it up." he said aloud. One of the pilots turned up the volume.
"In further news, the Patriarch of the Dark Templar was killed today by this man, Gujokti, a Templar with no past files. Thanks to this Templar, Edwarg, he was apprehended. For his crimes he will suffer one of the most painful ways to die. In other ne-"
Mojo turned off the viewscreen. "I can't believe this." he said.
"Did you hear that? Edwarg is down there!" shouted Artanis. The cargo ship door opened and all the Protoss warriors inside got ready to fight.
"Whoa. It is just I, Zenox (Remember him? WAAAAAAY back in the Prologue you get a glimpse of him)." The Zealot said.
The pilots lowered their guard and sat back again.
"I brought some food and drinks that you can soak up." Zenox continued. He put the tray down and sat down.
"What happened the past few days? I came here to rest after Antioch was slightly rebuilt when I felt your presence and saw you afterwards." he continued on.
Mojo dipped his hands in the bowl filled with a purple liquid and started to tell Zenox what happened to them. Zeratul stayed silent...
* * *
Down on the planet...
Edwarg looked at the Dark Templar around him. All of them seemed to glare at him. The Matriarch had kept him away from the battle because she thought that the Dark Templar would kill him.
"You must leave." ordered Felicix.
"But I want to help fight the Zerg." replied Edwarg.
Felicix shook her head. "That is not a possibility."
Edwarg sighed.
"We do not have any transports to help you at the moment. So you may be able to stay, say maybe another week." Felicix continued.
Edwarg sighed again and sat still...
* * *
"(Music here. Don Don don don!) Tonight on United News Network, the Zerg, a threat or an ally? Can we stay with the Protoss? Stay tuned to find the answers and for more headlines. But at the moment we have an exclusive press conference with Emperor Arcturus Mengsk I." the news reporter stated as the background on the viewscreen showed a huge "UNN" sign.
The screen changed to reveal Emperor Mengsk I standing behind a podium and many news reporters in front of him. They were waving their hands and shouting questions.
Emperor Mengsk pointed at one of the reporters. "Yes, what is your question?" he asked.
The reporter stood up and the whole crowd soon became quiet. "Excuse me Emperor, but is it true that the Protoss are in a state of breaking up?" he asked aloud.
Emperor Mengsk stared at him then answered, "Yes, according to our sources, it seems that something has caused the Protoss to start splitting up. Next question."
A female reporter stood up before anyone could speak.
"What now? Will the Terran Dominion once again attack and rise to power?" she asked.
Emperor Mengsk smiled. "My dear, we would never, ever attack someone lower then us." he paused for a second. "However, plans are being made to rise back into power and once again rule all races with an iron grip." he continued. The smile becoming larger.
* * *
Jasen shook his head. Mengsk was a madman. Sitting, or rather standing up in front of the cameras trying to show off. He felt something stabbing at him. A feeling he had not felt in a long time, sorrow. His conscience was stabbing at him, his conscience was Sue.
"What?" he asked. He didn't have to look back, he felt Sue's glare piercing through his helmet.
"Nothing." She replied.
Jasen turned his seat and stared back at Sue. "Really, what is it?" he repeated.
"Your promise, ye broke ye promise." she replied, her arms crossed across her chest.
Jasen sighed. "What promise?" he asked.
"About not making children into orphans... like ye."
Jasen felt his heart stop.
"Oh, that one. So what? These guys are only Protoss. They live for thousands of years! Who cares if they loose their parents?" he asked, his voice slightly lower then usual.
Sue shook her head. "So Protoss don't have children? Ha! What do you think Ardarriss is? Basically a fatherless child! Just look at him! The proud Judicator he was no longer exists in him! Only a cold revengeful killer is left in him!" she shouted.
Jasen took a deep breath, she was right. "I'm... sorry. But there's something I have to do."
Sue shook her head once again and left, to her quarters. Jasen put in new coordinates on his ship's controls...
* * *
Mojo stared at Artanis. "By Adun, fifteen Protoss killed in a bar fight. How is that possible?" Mojo asked.
Zeratul stared at all the Protoss warriors before him. "We have failed. We made it through the Aeon of Strife and now we sit here and get ready to go through another one."
The cargo ship filled with Artanis, Mojo, Zenox, and Zeratul was heading straight for Shakuras. The ship was silent again.
* * *
Edwarg stared up at the sky. It was filled with Mutalisks and Guardians as well as Devourers. Corsairs, Scouts and Carriers filled the inner area ready to strike back if the Zerg were to strike. And out in the Zerg Hive sat an insane man. Or rather a Zerg, known as Sinister. He sat there, twirling a Data Disk in his hand. The Data Disk had an important message in it, made by the dead Admiral Dugalle.
If he were to send the contents to Earth, then the United Earth Directorate would undoubtfully send another UED force. He smiled at the thought and stuck the disk into one of his computers. He then pressed a red button, which sent the message straight to Earth. "Attack." he said as he pressed the button
.
The Zerg Scourge began the second assault. The Scouts began to move in front of the Carriers and the Corsairs in front of them. They began shooting at the Scourge but there were too many of them. Many of the Carriers exploded and all of the Zerg began the assault.
Mutalisks began attacking first but soon died when a mass of Hydralisks killed them. The mind-controlled Zerg were doing their work nicely. Many of the confused Zerg began attacking each other. It seemed that the second assault had failed as well. Sinister cursed the Protoss then walked off into the shadows.
The Dark Templar cheered and laughed when they knew that the Zerg had failed again. Damogo was once again safe... for the moment. Edwarg stared out at the city. This is insane he thought. A few days had passed since he had first arrived and now he felt alone. All the Dark Templar
seemed to stare him down. The mind-controlled Zerg from the first battle had already made some lairs and many hatcheries. The creep itslef prevented the Protoss Probes from building anymore defenses near the Zerg. He felt something familiar and looked up at the sky, something or someone was coming, he knew it.
He heard a sound and quickly turned and ignited his psionic blades. He had become slighty paranoid lately. He turned off his blades when he saw the huge red ball of energy known as Kaist/Zuu'man, the Dark Archon.
"What troubles you?" asked the Dark Archon.
Edwarg stared at Kaist/Zuu'man. "Nothing. Just these glares that I've been getting." he replied.
"You deserve it."
"What? Did you just say that I deserve it?"
"Argh... Kaist, stop this insane hatred of yours. I am terribly sorry, you must understand that we are now two different Protoss warriors molded into one." the Dark Archon replied.
Edwarg sighed and walked out of the small balcony. The Dark Archon stared after him, feeling grief in itself as well.
* * *
Far away, (Like really far) on Earth...
General Stryker stared at the huge super carriers rising into the sky. These modified super carriers held not only people but ships as well. His broad shoulders out and his hands behind his back, with his rough hard, uncut face, he looked to be an old and cunning General, which he was. He turned his head slighty when he heard footsteps.
"General, sir!" the private shouted. He felt a cold shiver run down his back when the General looked at him.
"The Admiral would like to see you now, sir!" the private continued.
General Stryker turned by his heel and walked passed the small scared private. While walked off he made one last speech. "Do not be afraid of me, fear is nothing more than an emotion. Emotion is nothing."
The private stared at the General. He let out a breath of air that he didn't know he held.
General Stryker walked into one of the Super carriers and into the bridge. On the chair sat a woman (Heh, for all you female readers). She was in good shape and her white uniform was clean, down to the last metal. She had more metals then most men could imagine, and considering she was a female some didn't believe it.
Of course all who opposed her soon fell and her status was undoubtfully known throughout the fleet. Her cool behavior, even during the most scariest of situations, made her men feel confident. He name was Admiral Jane Johanson, or otherwise just Admiral Jane. She sat with her legs were crossed and her arms were as well.
"Three minutes and twenty-six seconds. What took you so long?" she asked, her voice firm and emotionless.
"I was outside, what did you expect?" he replied. His voice as firm and emotionless as well.
Admiral Jane smiled and turned her seat toward the viewscreen. General Stryker stared in the direction as well. Everyone who worked for the UED was shocked when the message had come in. The first fleet had failed, the Zerg were too powerful. They learned of Stukov's death as well.
"Who else will be going with us?" the General asked.
"Who else? The mysterious guy of course." she replied.
The General stared at Admiral Jane. "You mean?"
"Yep. The only guy to reach 'Grand Admiral'. Grand Admiral Thrawn is accompanying us. Supposedly just to observe not fight." she replied with some anger in her voice.
The General cursed. He knew the anger that the Admiral felt. This "Grand Admiral Thrawn" (Sorry, I just had to use this name. If it's not allowed then I'll change it immedietly.) was just a civilian who had walked in one day and joined the United Powers League. During second Civil War, when the UPL was changed to the UED, he had been a P.O.W. Admiral Jane was in charge of destroying him but he had destroyed her army with primitive weapons and survived for months. When the UED emerged as the victor, Thrawn was taken into the newly made UED and he soon rose into the ranks. The wierd this was, was that he had no record what so ever, making Admiral Jane even more angry.
"Shall we leave?" asked one of the privates.
Admiral Jane nodded.
The super carriers began to rise, their huge powerful engines flaring blue flames. While on another super carrier, sat another admiral. His eyes were red, he had gotten it through a genetic disorder, but the eyes to only help in what he had to do.
His cool, calm voice came out. "ETA to destination?"
One of the privates answered. "A few days at least sir. About 3 weeks at most, sir. With these new engines we can-"
Thrawn waved his hand and the private quickly shut his mouth. "I know about the new engines." he said.
His ship became silent and only the sound of fire from the engines filled the area.
* * *
Back on Shakuras...
More days had passed since his first arrival. Edwarg was sleeping until the presence was revealed. Artanis, Mojo, Zenox, and Zeratul had arrived. Edwarg ran out to the Stargate, which was still on fire. He looked up to see a cargo ship rather than a transport. He was confused but he stood still, even though there were Dark Templar all over him, all of them looking up at the sky.
Before the Cargo Ship landed, another ship filled a sky. A battlecruiser this time. This caused the Dark Templar to cloak and wait. But soon they uncloaked when they found out that it was only Jim Raynor (Long Time no See!).
Raynor had gone on his own adventure (might write about it. Not sure) and needed some supplies and ended up on Shakuras. He landed at about the same time the Cargo ship did. Raynor walked out of his ship and looked at all the Protoss.
"Were you all waitin' fer me?" he asked, with a smile on his face.
He saw the Dark Templar look in a different direction and he looked that way, to see Zeratul, Artanis, Mojo, and a zealot walk out of a cargo ship.
"We have returned!" Mojo shouted.
The Dark Templar cheered. Seeing Zeratul alive and well had livened up their spirits. Before they could begin a celebration, the Zerg began to attack... again
.
This time it was out of total surprise. Unburrowing and surrounding the Dark Templar. They saw a huge outling of an Overlord above them. Raynor quickly ran back to his ship and started the engines. Kaist/Zuu'man ran out and called upon it's Zerg. Before anyone was hurt, a huge flash blasted through the area and all the Zerg disappeared, including the mind-controlled ones.
The Dark Templar stood still, not knowing what just happened. The ground shook and parts of it cracked. The Protoss began running around, looking for a safer place to be in. Zeratul and the others, except Artanis got back into the Cargo Ship, and lifted off. Artanis was now alone, the land around him had cracked off, and nothing but darkness was around him. The ground cracked again and this time he fell, down the deep dark hole that was created from the shaking. Artanis closed his eyes and readied himself for death, for the impact.
However, he didn't feel the impact. He felt like he was flying and his mind told him to open his eyes. He finally couldn't take it and opened his eyes. He heard the flapping of wings and looked up. He couldn't believe his eyes. He would have sworn that it was a Protoss but he had wings on his back that looked like a Mutalisk's wings.
They landed on a safe area and the creature got ready to take off.
"Wait!" shouted Artanis.
The creature turned it's head. "Yes?" it asked.
"What... what are you?"
The creature stared at Artanis and then looked at itself.
"I am a Hybrid. Now I must go. I shouldn't be making contact with another race." it said. Then it flew off.
Artanis stared at the Hybrid flying off. A hybrid of what? he asked himself.
He sat on the dirt and began laughing, not because of humor but because of terror.
* * *
On Auir...
A Tribunal member stepped into his quarters but he was sure he hit something when he walked in. A Dark Templar? He looked on his desk to see a data disk. He picked it up and began to watch it. He saw some of the most richest Protoss sitting in a circle of a low-lit room. On one end was Ardarriss.
"Alright. If I supply you with nuclear missiles, will you destroy some settlements on Shakuras?" asked Ardarriss
.
"Shakuras? Ain't that the Dark Templar planet? Hey buddy, you better show me the money and the nukes." replied a Terran mercenary in blue-black armor.
"I will pay you afterwards." answered Ardarriss.
The Tribunal member turned off his viewscreen, and stood their, in shock. He grasped his chest for a few minutes then returned to normal
.
"Y-you there. See if this disk is real." he ordered a Zealot.
The Zealot obeyed and ran off with the disk.
Jasen stood staring at the office door. Well my parts done, he said inside his head. He looked on his status screen in his helmet. He had to leave soon, before his cloaking would wear off. He ran down the corridor and out the door. He saw the outline of his ship and ran to it.
"Uh, Sue? You there?" he asked.
"Huh? what? Oh ye back." she replied. The ship uncloaked and the doors opened, allowing Jasen to run in. The ship cloaked again and they were off, to go on with their adventures (Which I WILL right about).
* * *
Ardarriss meditated in his quarters for a few minutes before the door was forced open and Zealots rushed in and grabbed him.
"What is the meaning of this?" he shouted. The Zealots didn't answer and instead took him to the Tribunal.
He was forced on his seat and tied down.
"I will kill all of you if you-" Ardarriss was cut short when he saw one of the Tribunal members standing before him.
"Ardarriss... you were supposed to be our savior and yet you try and destroy us all... how could you?" he asked, nothing but sorrow in his voice.
Ardarriss stared at the Tribunal member. "What are you-"
"You know exactly what I am talking about. I know about your plans. I saw the whole thing. I know you planned the assault on Damogo." the member continued.
Ardarriss lowered his head in shame. Then a thought occured to him. The only one who could've taped the whole incident would have been the mercenary. His eyes flashed red at the thought.
The member sighed. "Ardarriss, you will go under trial in less then five hours. If you are found guilty... then may Adun be watching you."
"Adun can just watch someone else die! I don't want a fool who helped the Dark Templar watching me!" Ardarriss shouted.
The Tribunal member sighed and watched Ardarriss get carried off.
* * *
Back in Shakuras..
.
The quake was over. What caused it was yet unknown. Whether it was the huge blast or just a random accident was still to be found out. Sinister was on the ground... not dead yet. He got up and let his natural regeneration heal him. Whatever the blast was, it had killed all of his men. He screamed in pain and anguish.
The Cargo ship landed and all the members ran out.
"Where is Artanis?" asked Mojo as he ran out.
"I'm over here." Artanis replied. He looked unharmed... physically.
"What is it?" asked Mojo.
"I-I saw it... the Hybrid."
"What?"
Before Artanis could repeat what he said, Zeratul walked out and stopped Artanis from talking again.
"He must've seen an infested Terran running at him." he said calmly. Then grabbed Artanis and walked off.
Mojo was utterly confused. He didn't know what had just happened. He saw a movement in the sky and looked up to see a massive ship. Bigger then a carrier! It looked organic, yet looked inorganic. Whatever it was, it was huge. He saw a huge cannon in the front. The ship began to cloak and soon it was gone.
Mojo stood still... shocked by what he had seen. What could it have been? He saw another movement and looked down and saw it... a Zergling, but not like the others. This one stood on two legs and the face of a Protoss was on it.
"By Adun..."
The creature stared at him for a few second then ran off.
"The... the Hybrid." he said to himself. (Cool huh? Now all of the main Protoss saw the Hybrid.)
* * *
Thrawn sat on his seat. He was in his own room now. A song from the 20th Century was silently playing. "When I dream... I dream of you... (Some people should know that song.)" the song was playing out of the small stereo.
Thrawn closed his eyes and dozed off to the song. A few more hours were left until the conflict. He knew something was going to go wrong. He at least wanted to hear a peaceful song before dying, which he knew was inevitable...
