"they have to kill tomatoes to make ketchup flavored chips"
-X'Ds~Reek
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| The Starcraft Chronicles: Episode IV The Lost Temple | | | Author: | | | IP: | gateway.XXXX | | Date: | 11/20/00 07:11 | | Game Type: | Starcraft | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 1, Max: 7, Min: 7
Lifetime Rating for Monty Pylon: 6.0390 |  | Warning: please read the previous episode so you do not get lost. Thank you.
The Starcraft Chronicles: Episode IV The Lost Temple
The sounds of death and destruction could be heard even in the void of space. Duran's zerg attack on the defense platform was complete and savage. No man was left alive and the platform was reduced to a burning wreckage floating in space. Serov's ship was at full speed and was attempting to outrun the speedy scourge sent to destroy him. His ship was fast but the flying, living bombs were still gaining as they flew farther into the sea of black.
"Engine room! This is Serov, I need more speed to outrun those scourge!"
"Commodore we have all engines at full speed as of right now. This is the fastest we can go or we'll burn the generators."
"Dammit! What is the scourge position?"
"We have ten on screen about one thousand mectrics off our rear engines but they are gaining speed. They are now nine thousand and closing."
"How many can we kill once they are in range?"
"We could kill about five sir but we would have to make a complete stop and then fire or else we would likely miss. Our armor can not sustain five scourge direct hits. We took a fair amount of damage from that platform and two scourge will be the end of us."
"How much longer until they reach us?"
"At current speed they should intercept us in five minutes."
"Alright we'll try and take as many as we can out of the air. All hands prepare for full stop."
The cruiser lurched to a halt and all guns trained into the void waiting for a target. A brief silence allowed each man to say a silent prayer and then the horrible high pitched screams began. Even in the depths of space the could be heard clearly to everyone. When the UED arrived they called these ungodly creatures banshee's. They learned from terran rebels that they were know as scourge. A fitting name for such a terrible creature. The helmsmen had their eye's peeled and looked for any movement. Then in the distance they saw them. Laser batteries opened fire and the menacing flyers exploded before them. Laser after laser emptied it's energy bullets but their attempt was in vain. They had not killed enough and the scourge continued on. With fate about to claim it's victims each man and woman aboard saw their lives and the lives of their families pass before them. The scourge had their targets and fly for the kill. They drew closer and closer and then burst in midair. A few turned and chased after a lone figure in the dark. More unseen fire and the zerg remains floated away. Everyone aboard the Saturn was confused and joyful all at the same time.
"What the hell just happened?"
"I believe we can answer that."
"We? Who are you and where are your ships?"
A small pause and then a great shimmer of light filled the portholes. Like water washing away oil shapes could be seen. The blue haze faded and before them was a small protoss fleet. They were surrounded by corsairs, scouts and at the center was a carrier flanked by an arbiter. Everyone was speechless and confused. None was more confused than Serov himself. Seeing that he was surrounded he did the only thing he could think of.
"This is Commodore Serov of the UED Saturn. I hereby surrender this vessel and its occupants to your commander and ask only to spare my crew and this fine vessel."
A long silence proceeded the surrender and all onboard had a million scenarios pass through their minds.
"They will enslaves us or maybe they'll kill us."
"They will destroy our ship and take us for a reward."
The speculation as well as the silence was broken by a strange sound. It was almost like laughter.
"Ah ha ha ha ha ha, you terrans are so dramatic. We mean you no harm. There is no need to surrender we are allies."
"Allies?"
"Yes we have a common enemy. Samir Duran."
"Yes, I have met that snake Duran. Those were his scourge."
"His scourge? He has become more dangerous that I expected. We must leave this place. Join us and we will warp jump to a safer location."
"Very well, if I may, you still have not given me your name?"
"My name?"
"Yes, we would like to know the name of the protoss who has saved our lives."
"I am Zeratul of the Dark Templar. But you are mistaken, you may be the ones who will save us."
A bright light formed from nowhere and although confused and even a little scared, Serov and the Saturn made the jump. On the way to Aiur the fallen homeworld of the protoss, Zeratul and Serov met. They told each other their connections with Duran and each story brought about new problems.
"So Duran wants to create a zerg/protoss hybrid?"
"That is correct. With such a hybrid we are not certain what he would be able to do. An abomination of that nature would have incredible power. He must be stopped."
"I understand the dire need to eliminate his power but how will we be able to help?"
"When the zerg were eliminated from our world we used the power channeled from a temple created by the Xel' Naga. In the temple was a series of inscriptions and a history of their people. It told of a temple that was kept under the guard of the children of light. We, the protoss, are the "children of light". Myself and Praetor Artanis believe that such a temple exists on Aiur, our fallen homeworld. We have translated the inscriptions of the Shakuras temple and we believe your terran technology holds the key to the final mystery of the Xel' Naga."
"I will help you in any way I can. My crew and myself owe you our lives."
"That is good to hear. When we reach Aiur, Praetor Artanis will explain the inscriptions to you and we will show you the temple grounds. Until then you and your men may rest until tommorow."
"I look forward to it. I shall be ready at a moments notice."
Serov left the meeting and had another night deprived of a good sleep. So many questions and no answers for any of them. His final thoughts were of home and loneliness.
The next morning he and Zeratul met with Praetor Artanis.
"En taro Tassadar. En taro Adun. Greetings Zeratul. Did you find Commandor Raynor?"
"En taro Tassadar. En taro Adun. Alas young artanis I have not. I have found another who will serve in his absence. His name is Commodore Serov of the UED Saturn."
"UED? I thought you had fled after the great battle?"
"That is true Praetor but our fleet was attack by the zerg. My crew, myself and my ship are all that remain."
"That is sad news indeed. Kerrigan is truly a a plague to all of us."
"That is not the worst news Artanis. Duran has reappeared and he too has control of the zerg."
"This is most distressing indeed. Perhaps with your help Commodore we can end this madness once and for all."
"I do not understand my role but I will be happy to help in any way I can."
"That is good to hear. It is a shame that Raynor could not be found. He is a good friend and I hope he is well. Bring your ship with the fleet commodore and I will best explain the ancient texts from the Shakuras temple as best I can."
The fleet headed west and the commodore, Zeratul and Artanis gathered in the meeting room of Zeratuals carrier.
"The text describe a temple that holds the final secret of the Xel' Naga. It's location was never know because the text were found on Shakuras not Aiur. Loosely translated they give us the location of the temple and tell us of a key borne of alien creation."
"When the light of the stars burns upon the ground and brings its great destruction upon the seal, it shall uncover the gateway to the temple."
"We believe they speak of a weapon you terran's call the yamoto gun."
"Commander Raynor has such a weapon aboard his battlecruiser but he has disappeared. You also have a yamoto gun and we believe you can break the seal."
"That's fine with me but were is this lost temple?"
"The text describe a place that all protoss know exists. It is an ancient area that the Xel' Naga built eons ago. The protoss have never know what the purpose of this monument was and it was lost to time. The text describes it with amazing detail and we can see it from our position here."
Serov looked out the window and compared what he saw with the text.
"Four flat mountains rise and spread to each direction of the universe. One to the north, one to the south, one to the east and one to the west. In the great valley stands statues of our fathers, fallen heros and honored souls. They guard the seal and look out to stand guard against any intruder. May none pass the gates of stone without paying homage to the fallen ones."
Before him were four plateaus in each direction described on the text. In the center were walls and the statues. A small mound rose in the center of the statues.
"I see it. I see the seal."
"Then do what you must and release the secrets that await us."
Serov was shuttled to his ship and began the power up procedures for the yamoto gun.
"I want all systems go. Your target is the mound in the center of those statues on the valley floor. I want a full concentrated spread. Accuracy is a must people."
"All systems ready. Yamoto is online and ready to fire."
"Fire at will."
The yamoto charged and a swirl of nuclear energy boiled at the bow of the cruiser. It sparkled a fiery red and shot fast at its target. The ground shook and the mound was enveloped by the weapons energy. The heat and force from the blast melted the target and all that was left was a dark hole.
"Scan for an entrance at the hole."
"Scans show no entrance. Readings are the same before firing."
"I don't understand? Why didn't it work."
"Patience Serov. You did not read the rest of the text."
"What rest of the text?"
Serov looked below and saw that the statues now glowed a bright golden color. Light streamed from their eyes and the ground cracked and the statues began to rise. From the dirt arose a great structure. It was black and had the shape of a nexus but was larger than any nexus anyone had ever seen. Only Zeratul and Artanis knew what they were looking at. It was the same temple they had found on Shakuras.
The three met on Aiur and approached the great temple. The pushed open the heavy doors and walked into the darkness. the doors slammed behind them and the temple began to light with blue swirls of psionic energy. The temple was cavernous but was for the most part empty. In front of them was a large alter. They approached it and a voice spoke to them.
"Greetings my children. If you have entered this temple then you truly have attained greatness beyond our wildest dreams. You have found the sister temple we built long ago and have found this last monument to our efforts."
"Who are you?"
"I am Oracle, the keeper of this temple. The Xel' Naga long ago kept my conscious here to look over our children of light. My job is complete and I shall be laid to rest after all these eons. The Xel' Naga offer this to you, a final aid in your existence. A weapon to defend yourself with against your enemies. Use it with caution and be warned that it is very powerful and can be used but once. The Xel' Naga also bestow to you a record of their culture and the secrets of science and technology. I bid you farewell and hope you use these gifts wisely."
The temple began to dim as the psionic energy left the chamber. The three left and went aboard their respective ships. The temple again sank into the ground and was sealed agin. This time for all eternity. The Saturn was given supplies and fuel and Serov departed from Aiur. They crew set a course for Earth and the cold sleep chambers were prepared and for the first time in a long time, Commodore Jacob Serov was able to sleep peacefully.
But as Serov was headed home an emperor sits on his throne and contemplates his situation. He has lost the defensive platform to the zerg and a lunatic rebel by the name of samir Duran is now in control of those zerg. Mengsk thinks long and hard and decides to tell his people what they want to hear. A press release is organized and the emperor makes a speech reminiscent of more glorious days.
"My fellow terrans. Today we stand together as we did before the arrival of the UED. We stand united and united we can overcome all. We have seen the horrors of war for a second time and now we must stay strong. I urge all terrans to rise up and join me as we rebuild our once glorious dominion and take back what is ours. I made a promise to protect you and I stand by that promise. No matter what the cost and no matter what trials and tribulations we must endure we stand strong together or we shall endure the same fate. We shall overcome."
The cheers and celebrations are loud and echo throughout the system. But for one man he can hear nothing. He sits high inspace on a platform that once defended Tarsonis. Chained to the wall by living tissue he waits and bears the pain of wounds and bruises. A failed assassination would mean death for any regular man but he was not just a regular man. he bleed when cut and felt pain like anyone but it was his special kinship with his captor that kept him alive. A single ray of sun pokes through the slime and flesh covered walls. It shines and reflects light off his name plate and if you look closely you can just make out his name.
"Commander Jim Raynor"
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