Chapter XVII - Enter the Firstborn ~Markior

The Spectrum moved along with blazing speeds, the great train-like vehicle which had once belonged to Havering now speeding along one of the darker planets in the Beta quadrant. After picking up Rainstorm Yoshi, the Spectrum was now going towards their next 'pick-up'. Lich, Rainy, Prism, Ark and 6400 were sitting in the same coupé, Prism looking out of one of the windows at the stars.

"Really... a wonderful vehicle this is. Funny how it brought so much fear along with it the first time we saw it."

She smiled. Ark patted his brother's back.

"You sure you're okay again, bro? If you feel dizzy, you tell so immediately, right?"

Lich nodded, a little blue-green between the eyes and on top of the nose. "I'm alright. Really…"

Rainy nodded a little, his eyes closed in thought momentarily before saying, "So, there was a planet called Zolott, and an evil guy named Havering there...and he was dealt the defeating blow by The Markior, our species' guardian spirit. Right?"

6400 nodded towards the sky blue-coloured Yoshi.

"That's right. But this CR person, who seems to be very important and powerful, told us that there're still followers of this Havering guy. So now, he's gathering powerful allies, some who were on Zolott, to bring these followers to a halt."

Rainy nodded again after 6400's words.

"If that's so…" he began, “...and he's gathering powerful allies…" he continued, "...then why isn't Markior here yet?"

Prism looked around, broken out of her continuous staring at the passing stars.

"That's a good question! I...I don't even think he was back on Yamauchi when..." she closed her eyes, "when..." she shook her head. "Agh...everything's so darned vague…I can't even remember when I returned from Zolott back at the Star Road."

The gathered Yoshies (and Hoshi) looked away for a second.

"It's true," Lich said. "It's like a big...thick cloud is stuck in my memory, blocking some things away but some fragments slipping through occasionally."

6400 nodded. "We have all got that same thing...all of us who were on Zolott."

Ark looked up, narrowing his eyes. He held up a finger.

"Wait…guys, be quiet for a second...did any of you sense that too?" he mumbled. "A peak. Another peak on the Mana fie-"

There was a loud *CLA-ANK*, shaking the Spectrum lightly. A loud and echoing voice was heard throughout the cabins, though it was actually a telepathic message. But since it was heard by everyone, it might've very well been someone speaking through a megaphone.

Passengers of the Spectrum. You are hereby under arrest by the First Order of the Neo Conclave of the Protoss, for the disappearance of Markior Archonius. Power down your engines and prepare to be taken into custody, Artanis's voice called out.

Omega grumbled and flicked on a screen displaying the Protoss Scout vessel of Artanis being magnetically clamped onto the roof of the Spectrum's front cabin.

"Friendly alien, ain't he?" he called out towards CR and the others.

CR mumbled something inaudible and nodded towards Omega. "Do what he asks. I don't feel like a shoot-out with those guys."

Lich and Ark looked outside, several more ships of the Protoss coming out of Warp.

Prepare for Recall to Aiur.

Ratch clenched a metallic fist, slamming it on a cabin table, thus splitting it in half.

"We don't have the time for this! Let's just trash 'em and move on! We have a much more important..." He looked at CR, who shook his head slowly. Ratch grunted agitatedly. "Fine then."

It was then that a black portal appeared in front of the Spectrum, moving over the train. The Protoss Arbiter recalled the Spectrum away, before being recalled back to Aiur itself.

Alright, A Dragoon calls out in a metallic voice. Move out of the Spectrum slowly, one at a time.

Within the lush greenery of Aiur, on a grassy field with pieces of temple architecture, now stood the Spectrum, shut down and being held in one place by a Pylon Barrier. Surrounding the exit of the Spectrum were multiple Protoss warriors, most of them Archons and Dark Templar, as well as three High Templar, clothed in official robes, representing each of their old tribes before they were combined so many decades ago. In front of the three Templar stood Artanis, the young Praetor of one of the more important provinces of Aiur. The high dark-green jungle trees in the distance let a partial shadow fall over the Spectrum and the Protoss as the passengers moved out one at a time.

Hands on your neck, Hel'iao, the Dragoon said, using the word 'Hel'iao' as a rather rude name for "outsiders".

Most of them complied, except CR and Ratch. The moment Ratch stepped out, he was surrounded by three Archons, the white Psionic champions of the Protoss, massive creations of light in their own way, looking at him.

An old, deeply echoing voice called out, That is the one…take him to the Temple of Trial… lock away the others… put the more powerful ones in stasis cells…

It was Zeratul's voice; Lich moved his head towards the shadow of the invisible, cloaked Dark Templar Patriarch, recognising the voice as Markior's old mentor.

“Zeratul! It's us! How can you do this?!”

He was greeted with a shove in the back by a Zealot. Keep moving, Hel'iao!

Ratch was gripped by the metallic arms by the great 4-fingered hands of the Archons and tugged along, accompanied by a number of insults and curses by the ex-Infect. Even though Ratch still had no lower jaw, his words still thundered through the air as he was dragged along.

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The group stood inside an old building. A single Grey Templar, followers of one of the newer Protoss religions stepped forward, three sky-blue images of himself following him in his path, the last image fading away every time a fourth image appeared. He pointed at CR, Ian and Jade.

Protoss Probes, hold these. They don't look too powerful. He pointed at the others. Stasis Cells for these.

A number of Zealots move the group, except CR, Jade and Ian into the Stasis Cells. Three Protoss Probes, each about 4 feet tall, bleeped in recognition, the small yellow robots extending gripping arms. The first probe gripped around Jade's ankles and wrists, then around her middle. The reptile hissed, a grin creeping over her face.

"Oooh…a yellow robot is hugging me.. I'm scared!" she laughed and flipped up, the robot bleeping loudly as it was flung into the air.

Jade turned around in midair and landed, the Probe hitting the floor first and being crushed by the reptile's tail. The Grey Templar widened an eye.

Very well, if you plan on making this hard for yourself…

The Templar extended a hand, an invisible force shoving Jade into a Stasis Cell, freezing her body as the door snaps shut. The Templar turned, seeing Ian being gripped by the Probe, being held in place. CR, however, is seen standing there, hands behind his back.

I thought there were three probes...where's the second one? The Grey Templar mumbled, looking at a Zealot, who shrugged in response. The Grey Templar snapped his fingers.

I don't have time for this… he said, as another Probe hovered in.

The Templar examined the stasis cells.

They won't be able to break out of these. Remember, they are allied to the one that is responsible for Markior's disappearance.

The Grey Templar looked at CR again. No probe was in sight.

WHAT is going on here?! The Grey Templar called out, looking at CR.

CR grinned and shrugged. “Beats me, Protoss. Listen, I'm not sure what strange thoughts you have about us being resp-"

The Grey Templar rumbled, cutting off CR, I will not tolerate this. For all I know, you might've…eaten our probes! Zealots, lock him in a Stasis Cell too!

The zealots pushed CR into a Stasis Cell and closed the door.

There, much better, The Grey Templar rumbled, moving towards the exit. Strange outsiders…

CR's voice was heard: “Isn't this a bit...underpowered for me?"

The Grey Templar clenched his fists and turned around, seeing the remains of the Cell soaking away in the ground like bubbling goo.

By Adun!

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You now stand on trial for the disappearance of Markior Archonius, leader of our Protoss Archon armies, student of Zeratul and founder of the Order of Grey, the old, echoing voice sounded in the grand, open room of the Temple. Your name is Ratch. You were manufactured by Alpha Tek. My name is Zeratul, Patriarch of the Dark Templar. Let the trial commence.

Ratch grinned, “What, don't I get a lawyer, old guy? And what about the whole 'I vow to tell the truth' bit?"

A quiet murmur rose up from the gathered Protoss, before Artanis, who was sitting next to Zeratul, responded, We have less prehistoric means of interrogation then those, Ratch. Send in the Dark Archon!

The doors opened and a great being of burning red telekinetic energy moved in, standing next to Ratch.

Hasah-hurditum-hari, the Dark Archon spoke.

Zeratul nodded, Ner'mah. Zeratul looked at Ratch. Our Dark Archon will now use his abilities to get the answers we want. Do not try to resist, because it will harm you greatly if you do so. And do not think you are safe from his abilities because you are robotic.

Ratch grinned, "Are you in for a surprise, then, old guy."

The Dark Archon turned towards Ratch and widened his eyes, the yellow-red energy burning from them as he delved into Ratch's mind. Seeking, the Dark Archon psychically spoke, surprisedly, There is a barrier here. I will now attempt to break it.

Ratch's mouth opened: "Bite me."

The Dark Archon, Zeratul, and Artanis looked surprised.

Err… the Dark Archon continued. I…shall attempt again.

Ratch's mouth opened again as the Dark Archon attempted to get some answers.

"Screw you ...Take a hike...Piss off."

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Fine then! the Grey Templar said. Let's try it this way. Archons!

Two Archons moved into the room, as CR was put into a new stasis cell.

Target your psionic essences towards the Cell, the Grey Templar grumbles. Empower it. Before I go through a psi-antar (Translation: nervous breakdown).

The Archons nodded slowly in response and placed their hands on the Stasis Cell, lowering their psionic shields and letting that psionic energy course through it. As nothing out of the ordinary happened, the Grey Templar sighed mentally in relief, and moved out of the room, only Ian not being placed within a stasis cell.

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Very well…since you have some sort of psychic protection that grants us an insult rather then information, we'll do it the old-fashioned way, Zeratul said, looking at Ratch.

The Dark Templar stood up, his hands on the glowing desk in front of him.

WHERE IS THE MARKIOR?! he roared, agitatedly.

Ratch laughed in response. “How am I supposed to know where mister egocentrical is?”

Artanis moved his hand to the side. This was Observer Output returned from Zolott. It clearly shows you and the Markior in one place, and the two of you were very close to combat.

Ratch looks at the screen, displaying himself and Markior, standing on top of a mountain.

“That's when Markior did that psionic punching on Havering…" he grumbled.

Artanis shook his head. Havering, whoever that is, is not on trial here. We know of your past, we have studied the manuscripts and video output. We know who you are and how you are! So you are the prime suspect here!

Zeratul stayed quiet after Havering was mentioned…he closed his eyes, thinking hard.

Artanis continued, So, for the final time…where is the Markior?!

Ratch threw his hands in the air. “Oh, for Pete's sake! Listen, I don't know where he is! Get it through your heads!" Artanis narrowed his eyes. Ratch Havoc…we can stay here for as long as we want. Answer our questions, for we know you know the answers. Or should we use even more prehistoric methods?!

Right then, a Dark Templar revealed his WarpBlade, the dark energy humming momentarily.

One way or another, we'll get our answers.