"Ensnare templars, plague archons. Zerg magic at its finest"
-WilliamWC3
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| The Starcraft Chronicles: Episode X Armageddon | | | Author: | | | IP: | gateway.XXXX | | Date: | 12/02/00 05:12 | | 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 other episodes first or this will really make no sense
The Starcraft Chronicles: Episode X Armageddon
The grassy plains of Aiur swayed gently, as a soft breeze past over the hills. That breeze however, would soon give way to a bloody frenzy that this calm planet had known before. Zeratul and General Harper were able to reach Praetor Artanis before the attack. They warned him that Duran and his men were preparing an invasion and that he had both terran and zerg troops at his command. Artanis also had distressing news to inform Zeratul and Harper that was only the beginning of their concerns. They played a recorded transmission that was sent to Artanis not minutes before Zeratul's arrival.
The recording showed Ahc, Petrov and Serov on the bridge of a battlecruiser. Ahc address the protoss with the two commodores at his side.
"Attention protoss guardian fleet. I am a representative of the Queen of Blades. She demands that you deliver the Xel' Naga weapon to us or you will be destroyed. My orders are to take no prisoners so I would advice you comply with her wishes. I have a considerable zerg army at my disposal and I will not hesitate to use it. Bring the weapon to the Lost Temple or we will come after you."
"This is most distressing news Artanis. How can we fight two armies at once? There are so few of us left and our fleet is all we have."
"If you don't mind fellas I think I have a plan."
"Commander Raynor, you have returned. Where did you go and where is your ship?"
"Trust me pal, it's a very long story we don't have time for. Let's just say I paid Kerrigan a visit and I had to stay for awhile."
"I see, let us not discuss that now, tell us what is your plan?"
"Well Zeratul, when I was captured by Kerrigan she was concerned that someone else was controlling the zerg without her authorization. She wants the culprit found and I think it is this Duran. No doubt Duran is hunting this fleet. If we meet with Ahc, Duran will follow us. Hopefully the two will start to fight each other instead of us."
"An excellent idea commander but I do not like the idea of our fleet in-between that kind of battle."
"I don't either, but it's the only option we have at this point. All I need is a ship and a gun."
"That could pose a problem commander. Our fleets can not spare anymore ships. Also, protoss technology is complicated to learn in a few hours."
"I can give him a ship."
The room turned and looked at General Harper. In the excitement they almost forgot about the Dominion general.
"That's great but who the Hell are you?"
"General Harper of the Dominion Police Fleet."
"Police fleet! Dominion! What is he doing here?"
"It is as you put it, a long story, Commander Raynor. I can assure you that he is quite reliable in battle and can be trusted for now."
"Fine. If you can deal then I can deal. So, what kind of ship have ya got?"
"Well, it is an older vessel, but it has been given full upgrades and additions that any modern ship has."
"Really, what's the name of this prize?"
"Its name is the ThieverIV, I assure you that it is quite effective in battle."
"Well it's better than no ship at all, point me too it."
The protoss and terran forces prepared for battle and rallied every single troop and ship available. Raynor took command of his new ship with Sid and the Doc at his side. Duran and Kane search parties returned with news that the protoss fleet was on the move and headed for a place called The Lost Temple. Duran ordered and interception course and every terran and zerg rallied to the temple. Ahc was contacted and told he would have to fight for the weapon. Ahc ordered all zerg troops to intercept the fleet and to kill anything that moved. The three armies all head for the temple and again, Aiur was at war.
The temple grounds grew cold and chill to the touch. Many would die here and the ground readied itself for the blood that would soak deep. The protoss arrived first and set up meager defenses. Photon cannons were warped in and the fleet prepared itself for an onslaught. The sun was high in the air as the first zerg peeked over the horizon. Leading the charge was a battlecruiser, Ahc had arrived.
Ahc gave his final orders as the swarm closed in on its enemies.
"Alright, we attack on my word. Wait for my signal then attack as planned."
Ahc sees a wing of mutalisks pass the cruiser and begins attacking the protoss lines.
"I said wait for my signal!"
"I am! Those aren't our zerg!"
"Not our zerg? What are you talking about Petrov? Oh damn, the renegades! Okay change of plans, send half the swarm to attack the protoss and the other half to kill those renegade zerg. Find out who is in control of them."
The zerg broke formation and descended over the protoss and Duran lines. Th photon cannons were holding but they would not last. At Durans side, Kane was having problems of his own.
"Hold that line dammit! Get the siege tanks online! Why aren't the wraiths in the air! Move dammit! Move!"
As Kane tried to restore order Duran sent his zerg to attack Ahc's ship. Mutalisks and scourge began to target the thrusters and weapons systems. Ahc responded with scourge and mutalisks of his own.
"Petrov! Get the overlords ready to drop the hydralisks onto the protoss lines. Go with that drop and make sure the protoss are occupied."
"I'm going. Serov you have the bridge."
Serov didn't respond, but Petrov didn't notice. The effects of the serum had begun to lose their control. Serov could now think clearly and knew this was bad. He took a deep breath and drew his sidearm. He raised his arm and took aim. He fired a shot and it slammed into Ahc's back. He fired again and again until he was out of rounds. Ahc lay on the floor and Serov quickly contacted the protoss.
"Zeratul, Artanis, is anyone there? Come in this is Serov."
"Serov this is Artanis."
"Artanis listen to me, Kerrigan infested me, but it didn't work. Ahc sent a large group of overlords that will drop a hydralisk army behind your position. You must kill those overlords."
"I see the overlords in the distance. You had better hope for your sake you are telling the truth."
Corsairs were dispatched to kill the overlord drop and most of the overlords were killed in the first wave of attackers. The few surviving overlords were ordered to release their cargo before the landing sight. Petrov and a small group of hydralisks landed and began to tear the remaining cannons to pieces. They were stopped by a group of lurkers that Duran had sent to finish the protoss line. They burrowed and spines tore the hydralisks apart. Petrov tried to run but a group of spines ripped through his leg. It was cut to the bone and Petrov lay on the ground bleeding and writhing in pain. A pack of zerglings spotted petrov lying helpless on the ground and pounced like a group of rabid dogs.
"Serov, this is Artanis. Our thanks to you for warning us of that attack. We are in your debt.
Serov didn't answer and instead he heard the voice of Ahc.
"I'm sorry Artanis, but Serov is suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Next time you try an kill an infest terran, make sure he's dead. All zerg attack the protoss and destroy them!"
The zerg rushed with full force and the protoss and terrans put up a desperate fight.
"Okay people listen up. Protect the capital ships at all cost. All wraiths squadrons report in."
"Falcon Squadron checked and ready."
"Tao Squadron ready to go."
"Montag Squadron reporting in."
"All group leaders, watch the flank and look for scourge. Keep your nose in the sky and your ass out of the ground. Good luck gentlemen, happy hunting."
The fighters engaged the first wing of zerg with the ground troops providing support. Zerg were everywhere and they did not stop. The fighters took losses but were still in the fight.
"Let's hit them again boys. I want a full laser spread and try and hit the scourge. They're headed for the carrier and the cruisers. Stop they from detonating."
On the ground it was a bitter war as the zerg hurled themselves at the protoss lines. Zealots and goons kept a heavy fire going and storms torn into the advancing zerg. Once the energy and focus to create storms was drained, the templar merged into archons. The swirls of energy blazed ahead and cut down enemies as they moved over the zerg sea.
With all the zerg concentration on the protoss, Kane was able to compose his troops. Siege tanks were brought online and began a barrage on the zerg from the rear. The great zerg army was now losing too many warriors. Ahc turned his swarm again and ordered that the terrans that fought with the renegade zerg to be destroyed. An angry zerg airforce crushed the ground troops who did not have the ability to repel such an air raid. The terrans were beat and most of the survivors retreated. Duran had seen enough and left Aiur to rebuild his researcj facilities elsewhere. When most of the terran army past through the warp gate, Duran destroyed it. Stranding the few survivors including Kane.
Both the protoss and zerg were tired and weak. Ahc commanded his troops forward and again the swarm attacked the protoss lines. The front was breaking and soon the zerg would engulf the last lines of defense. Both Zeratul and Artanis knew there was only one hope. The weapon that the Xel' Naga had left them. The weapon was retrieved and placed before them. It was unlike anything they had ever seen. It was short, slender and made from a metal that was unknown to the protoss. On the top was the seal of the Xel' Naga and a switch. The protoss warriors flipped the switch and the weapon began to glow. It hovered out of Zeratuls hands and began to spin faster and faster in midair. The faster it spun the more it glowed until it spoke to the children of light.
"I am Forsaken. The peacekeeper of the Xel' Naga. Many eons ago I was used to protect the Xel' Naga from their enemies. I have been given to you so that I may protect you from your enemies."
The weapon rose into the air and then shot into the heart of the zerg army. A low rumble was heard and the air crackled and burned. From the weapon leaped a pillar of light and it unleashed a whirlwind of energy. Lightening and fire engulfed the zerg, who screamed as their bodies were imploded from the pressure of the blast. A shockwave was sent across the plains and it echoed to the far reaches of the planet. Every zerg was dead and only Ahc's burned and damaged ship had survived. He had been a mile from the blast and still he was almost killed. The ship started to retreated, but Kane had other plans.
Without an army, Kane was stranded on Aiur. He had one wraith and he was going to put it to use. He headed for Ahc crippled cruiser with bad intentions on his mind.
"Sir, we have a small wraith on scanners. He's headed right for us."
"Is he friendly?"
"I don't think so sir."
"Blast him out of the sky."
"Yes sir. All laser batteries i want a full spread. fire at will."
Lasers engulfed the small wraith, but Kane didn't seem to care. he knew he was going to die and he was going to take some else with him.
"Sir he's still headed for us. He's on a collision course with the bridge!"
"I want him shot down now! Don't let him get to us!"
Again the batteries fired and again they failed to take him out of the sky.
"Fire the forward lasers!"
Ahc looks up and sees the wraith just outside the window.
"Oh shit!"
The wraith plows into the bridge and the cruiser begins to dive towards the ground. The ship crashes into the dirt raising a large plume of dust. And with that plume it signifies the end of the conflict. The beginning to a whole new adventure.
EPILOGUE: Aftermath
Duran escaped to live another day and continued with his experiments. His base was moved again and his location is unknown.
Raynor left to restart Raynor's Riders with Sid and Zchivago by his side. They left for a new start with their "loaned" ship. Raynor and his crew dropped out of sight and he too is listed as unknown.
Zeratul returned to Shakuras and waits for Durans return. He hasn't been heard from since.
General Harper returned to Mengsk with the news that Duran had escaped. He reported that Duran had lost his army and had disappeared. Mengsk sent Harper to guard the new platform that was being built orbiting Omega Prime.
Kerrigan had lost an army and her network of spies. She remains content to rebuild and focus on the next battle.
Serov was given a funeral on Aiur, that was attended by Zeratul, Artanis, Raynor and the other survivors of the battle. His remains were not officially found but a statue in his likeness was erected at The Lost Temple. An inscription reads: His work here is done, he can finally go home.
But that was many years ago, when I was just a young soldier in a vicious battle. I was aboard Raynor's ship during the last battle, but choose to leave instead of joining him. I know that this story seems a bit hard to swallow, but I guarantee every word is the honest to God truth.
From my personal memoirs,
Montgomery Plyon
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