StarCraft: Strange Allies

[Skitzophrenik]

Protoss Secondary Assault Force, Outbound

The rest of the medics check in, and Doc Gwilliam makes a successful headcount. The Terrans were able to stay mostly ahead of the zerg push and only sufferes six casualties. Of course right now every man and suit of power armor represents an irreplaceable commodity, so six men may as well be a hundred.

The Ghost (who was present and playerless and open to be taken over if desired by, say, anyone whos Dark Templar is about to move out of playability soon) looks at Ertax and thinks to him.

She still isn't as powerful as she thinks she is. The Confederates spent as much time limiting and putting restraints on our powers as they did training us with them. Right now she represents potential more than anything else.

And the dropship makes its way back to the Gantrithor, passing the Hyperion's battered form (though the passengers cannot see it) and settling down on the decking of the Protoss Carrier's main shuttle bay again.

"End of the line, boys."

The doors open again.

[gregnier]

With a shower of sparks a the whine of damaged servos Kalimar walks out onto the deck. Well, that was certainly one for the history books

[kaclickpoing]

"Hoo wee. I'll say." Bud chimes in after the dragoon speaks his mind. The marine unsafens his restraints and rises from his seat. The power armor easily lifting up his body. When he can, Bud get's off the transport. However, he is not pushy and lets any damaged units go first.

[FreakyBoy]

Aboard the ship, Ertax answered with Doc in the negative: "I am well, Doctor, and able to treat my own wounds when I am not. Thank you, however, for the offer of aid."

You will find that potential speaks for much, my Terran friend.

Turning his attention to the celebrating warriors, the High Templar shakes his head. "A minor skirmish at best. The battles that will be remembered are yet to come." Ertax turns to the Terrans. "You fought well, noble Terrans, but it is not time to celebrate yet. The Zerg brain yet lives, and success eludes us still."

[kaclickpoing]

*bang* A slap of metal on metal is heard after Bud slaps his exoskeleton hand against his thigh. "Well shoot! You sure are good at ruinin' a good feelin'. I sure hope you don't always talk so sour."

[Skitzophrenik]

The Gantrithor, High Orbit around Char

The Terran dropships finish offloading their Protoss passengers and most of them slip back out into space, to land back in their bays on the Hyperion and the few remaining Corvette Transports of the Mar Saran refugee fleet. The Dropship that delivered Ertax and Kalimar stays, and the Sergeant waits, pacing.

"We'll be giving the Commander and Captain Raynor back to the Hyperion. Just sit tight untill they finish with the Protoss brass."

Kalimar's probe friend appears to have survived. It blats at Kalimar and herds him and a few other Dragoons over to a side of the bay where two humans in curious exosuits are doing repairs to a Dragoon.

Garm Brood Hive Cluster, Char

Zeratul pushes forwards further, as the Templar forces in the spearhead are thrown back into a tighter and tighter defence and more and more reach Khala's end at the claws of the Zerg.

It is time, my brothers! I have pierced the beast's defences, we must all strike true!

Gelsard and the other Dark Templar will turn to see Zaratul standing at the base of the bloated form of Zasz, his Warp Blade drawn back as tentacles twitch severed at his feet.

The Gantrithor, High Orbit around Char

The doors leading fromt he drop bay to the rest of the Gantrithor are not loud. They do not draw attention to themselves. But as they open, all the Protoss still in the shuttle bay know it. Even the probes stop hovering along blatting to themselves.

The Executor has arrived.

His body nearly visibly filled with psionic energies, Tassadar is by far the most powerful, though not the eldest, of th e Templar on the ship. The doors open to reveal him in all his glory, dwarfing the armored form of James Raynor and the unarmored form of the former Magistrate. Both seem to know it from their stances, too. And when Tassadar moves, he floats, trailing ghostly images of himself behind, pale psionic echoes that even the most ungifted Terran (Bud) can see.

"Ertax. It is almost time. Our dark cousins are nearly accomplished their goal, and I go to the planet to deal with this "Queen of Blades" while they finish the Abomination Zasz."

[FreakyBoy]

"Is it wise to face her alone, Executor? She does not seem so trustworthy, and we know the Zerg can burrow beneath the surface of that rock."

Ertax has opted to ignore Bud, but even the simple-minded Terran should know why. Tassadar radiates power; even the lowly beasts of Char would pause in awe of his awesome radiance.

[kaclickpoing]

The leader. Even Bud, stupid, redneck Bud could tell that Tassadar was very important, if not THE important one. He smartly stands up as straight as possible, feet together, hands at his sides. Amazingly, the goofy grin is gone as well. It seems as if he is trying to...impress.

[gregnier]

Kalimar limps over to the SCVs. Terran, i thank you for your skill. A small request. If there is the ability to color my armor Red. I will be appreciative. Kalimar, exhausted, Flops to the deck and thanks the Artoo unit before succumbing to reverie.

[Hagadorn]

Doc barely gives the powerful templar a second glance. He's busy making sure everyone is fine and healthy.

[Skitzophrenik]

The Gantrithor, High Orbit around Char

"This I know, Ertax, but my course is already decided. Zeratul and his Dark Templar have yet to slay their Cerebrate, and this Kerrigan needs to be prevented from mobilizing her Brood against them before they succeed. I shall put her in her place."

Tassadar makes his way to one of the few remaining Protoss shuttles and shrugs off his Executorial robe, revealing his gleaming armor, with its glowing Khaydarian Crystals. As the High Templar boards his vessel the human Raynor starts.

"Wait a minute, Tassadar, remember what you said! You said you wouldn't to hurt her if you didn't have to!"

"Yes, Human Raynor, I remember your request and plan on fulfilling it, though it is to the detriment of us all in my belief. Ertax, you have the ship untill my return."

... And then, from outside the ship, projected with enough force to cause the closest minions of the Jorgumand Cerebrate to recoil in fear, Tassadar's message to Kerrigan ring out as the High Templar makes his swift way to the planet.

This shall be our battleground, O queen. Face me here and I will defeat you myself.

Garm Brood Hive Cluster, Char

Elsewhere on Char, Tassadar's message is drowned out by the sound of battle and the clammer of Zasz as it attempts to control its ten thousand minions and repell the assault of the Dark Templar and their Khalai defenders as well.

As Zasz learns of Tassadar's challenge to Kerrigan through the mind of the Overmind Zeratul and his warriors surge forwards, bringing the assault to the Cerebrate itself, killing it with their blades of cosmic energy.

The Cerebrate dies, and Zeratul slumps forwards, caught by the arms of his companions as the Zerg about them colapse for a fraction of an istant, and then all descends to madness.

The Gantrithor, High Orbit around Char

And then on the Gantrithor, ringing out in the minds of the entire Protoss and Terran force:

Victory for the Templar! The Cerebrate is dead! We have succeeded!

The Marines pause, and then begin to cheer, as Jim Raynor stares out at the point where Tassadar's shuttle left his vision against the backdrop of Char.

[Hagadorn]

When raynor makes his comment about tassadar not hurting kerrigan. Doc almost bursts out laughing. he thinks sharply to himself, She ain't deserving of no mercy. Just contempt and pity.

When the call about the cerebrate goes out Doc just smiles and goes back to his work.

[FreakyBoy]

Ertax turns his gaze towards Raynor at his exclamation, but he makes no comment. Instead, he returns attention to Tassadar and inclines his head. "May the Khala guide your hand, Executor."

He remains silent thereafter until the Executor's proclamation rings out across the skies. He turns to Raynor. "Commander, you should return to your ship with whatever men you need. We shall be preparing to leave as soon as the Executor returns, and I am sure you will wish to be ready to accompany us."

His mind turns to the fleet. All ships, prepare to break orbit. This world is about to be thrust into chaos. It is no place for the Khalai.

[Skitzophrenik]

The Gantrithor, High Orbit around Char

Understood. Scouts, remain in defensive formation, all interceptors return to your Carriers. Terran Vessels, please remain withing the confines of the Fleet.

"Right. Alright boys, you heard the man, it's time to get ready to move out. Doc, you look like you got your hands full here, so if the Templar says its alright, keep shop set up right where you are. Sergeant keep a detachment of the boys here to help out. Brooke... keep doing what you do."

Raynor gives his orders quickly and then gathers the rest of the Marines to himself (save the PCs, who are convieniently all part of the "security detachment" or whatnot) and has a dropship prepped for return to the Hyperion.

"Where's this caravan headed, anyway?"

[FreakyBoy]

"At the moment, anywhere but here. After this, it is probably best that we remain unseen for a time. If you have any suggestions, I would be glad to hear them."