Chapter XXVI - Artanis's Task ~Markior

A fist slammed down on the yellow metal in anger, the fist lit up with a bright light, thus being psionically enpowered.

This is an outrage! one of the Grey Templar yelled as he retracted his fist and stood straight. We've been made a fool of. By a collection of...rogue adventurers!

Artanis nodded towards the Templar. It is hard to believe. Not a single soul was able to escape stasis cells. Ever. He waved a hand, displaying an Observer Output screen. But look what we missed.

The screen displayed Ian moving from the room next to the stasis cells into the Stasis Cells' room.

Freeze screen. Now watch closely. Our Observer displays a second being in the room next to the Terran.

He pointed at the Protoss writings, displaying psychic emanations.

Now, unfreeze screen, he said.

There was a split-second more of video before the screen seemed to split in two, before it is replaced by static.

It is obvious we missed this second entity's appearance, Artanis said. But seeing as how strong this creature is… this second, unseen creature, that is… we may have been dealing with more than just a group of rogue adventurers.

Zeratul's old voice echoed lightly throughout the hall of the Temple of Trial, "There were Yoshians there...the species that Markior is the guardian of… He uncloaked, looking up as he moved forward. But they don't seem to realize we are danger of losing the upper hand of our region…ever since Kerrigan returned, she has been amassing her Zerg forces. Without the Markior, and the Twin Crystals at our side, it seems we stand on the edge of another war... He looked forwards again, his eyes glowing with a sorrowful, yet strong feeling. We had no choice, they were the only ones with the answers…

Artanis moved forward. Zeratul, we were not at a wrong here. They are criminals! You know about this Ratch's history. Everyone who works together with that creature cannot be…

Zeratul held up a hand. Artanis…beings can change…when this Ratch spoke of the one called Havering…I realized…we were wrong.

Artanis blinked slightly in confusion.

Zeratul… if that is so…then what do we do now? The young Praetor spoke.

Zeratul looked to the side. We need to find Markior. We need to reclaim the Uraj and the Khalis. If they truly are not criminals, then they will most likely be better allies, then enemies. A number of our Zealots were taken down by them…but we made the first hostile move…so, they are not to blame for acting in defense.

Artanis lowered his head. I suppose their bodies have been implanted in Dragoon Shells already...?

Zeratul nodded slightly in response. Indeed. Now...I have taken the liberty..." the old Dark Templar moved towards a screen, moving his fingertips over translucent buttons, "... to attach an Observer to their vessel. Now we can locate them."

It was still night on the planet. Covered in black space-dust, the Observer's lights jumped on, letting out a series of bleeps, each one a single tone higher then the first before growing silent after six tones. The space-dust flew off of the Observer as it cloaked and hovered into the air, off of the Spectrum. Zeratul, Artanis, and a number of other Protoss looked at the screen. The Observer started transmitting the video output back to Aiur. The greenery, the position of stars in relevance to the planet, the...they all widened their eyes…before both Zeratul and Artanis spoke: Mhor…

It was then that a light panic broke out.

"They don't realize what terrible danger they're in, a Grey templar said.

Of all the planets they choose to land on... the metallic voice of a Dragoon called out.

It's a miracle they haven't encountered Zerg forces yet! Artanis said, looking at Zeratul.

Mhor is the planet where Kerrigan's Primary Hive clusters are located. It doesn't matter how powerful they are individually...if they're overrun, they're as good as done for! Artanis! Zeratul looked at the young Praetor. Go to your Scout, take along any forces you may need! Defend them when they're attacked! With any luck, you'll arrive there just in time. If you manage to save them, go along with them. Return the Markior! Find him, and find the Twin Crystals!

Artanis nodded once in response, turned, and took off towards the StarGate. Outside the Temple, Corsairs and Scouts, as well as two Carriers, took to the skies.

... .... "Sscouting troopss not return..." ~~~ "Sseen outssiderss." ~~~ "We wait for leaderss' command."

The Zerg clusters, massive buildings of flesh, spiked and carapaced, were pumping their blood through the ground and throughout the purple slime encircling them…known as The Creep.

“Leader Kerrigan ssayss…desstroy all." ~~~ "Let none esscape... Conssume new sspeciess." ~~~ "Ssend out...Full force! Ssend out..." ~~~ "The Swarm..."

With thunderous roars and screeches, the Zerg forces awakened, flying up or un-burrowing from the ground. Teeth, spikes, wings, claws, tails, tusks... a mass of horrid flesh awoke as if it was a single creature…and started massing together...

... It was then when the group broke up camp, and the Spectrum flew away from Mhor. At an instant, the Zerg Cerebrate which was controlling the Clusters sensed their presences leaving. Artanis, too, saw it, since the Observer now was giving space data instead of the planet's data.

Follow their vessel, brethren. They do not know of the dangers that lie in their path!

The Cerebrate was sending out Zerg Scourges, small kamikaze-like beasts with the characteristics of human-sized bats...

..."Four ssecondss..."…

"Perhaps you should see the fellow by the name of C. R. He seems very wise. Perhaps he can reveal more," she told him...

…"Three ssecondss..."...

…“But, who are all these people? And how do you know so many?"

Naaro smiled…

…"TWO ssecondss..." ...

…"Well...perhaps I shall tell you, my angel."

She sat back as he began his tale about the others…

... "ONE ssecond..."…

Omega looked up at the many small screens and displays, tracking each part of the Spectrum.

"Ok, ready to enter warp in a few mome-"

A loud crash was heard from the back of the train as the Zerg Scourges drilled their way into the rear, not actually penetrating the metal, before they let their bodies explode in a corrosive blast. The Spectrum tilted sideways and made a quarter of a roll, Omega rapidly pushing buttons.

Pushing the Com button, he called out: “We're under attack! Rear thrusters are blown to bits! I'm making an emergency landing!"

The Spectrum landed heavily on the surface of an icy planet, splinters of ice showering around as its nose delved into the surface of the planet, the rest of the train quickly following…the passengers that weren't holding on to anything were roughly shaken about. Numerous yards away, Zerg Overlords started unloading their troops.

CR looked out the window. "Whoo boy. Everyone get ready, we're in for a doozy."

Artanis looked at his screen. They've crash-landed on a sister planet of Braxis. Brethren, we're going down! Help them in any way you can!