Protoss Ship In Orbit Around Char, Afternoon
"Executor," Artanis spoke, his mouthless face an insistent presence on the viewscreen before her, "The Uraj is secured and after two weeks, the UED has finally given up the chase. We are currently holding perimeter orbit over the planet Char. Zeratul, have you locked onto the location of the Khalis?"
The Protoss and their little magic crystals. Kerrigan would have mocked that kind of adherence to spiritual symbols, if it wasn't for the actual power they held. As Zeratul spoke about the next crystal's hard-to-spot location, she thought back to the past couple of weeks. Most specifically, the UED. They had been... surprising.
Earth had always seemed like a far-away myth. The fact that their military was now unexpectedly in town would complicate things, and she wasn't certain if she liked it.
With comms back up, she took a moment between Protoss exchanges to whisper some commands to her latest acquisition. Duran. It would help to use him to keep an eye on the UED before they'd arrive and mess up the Protoss's carefully-laid plans any further.
"...Our sensors indicate a massive, fluctuating energy signature at its location," Zeratul continued, "I am unable to identify the signature's source."
That pinged something. "That should be obvious, gentlemen," Kerrigan said, shifting sideways as she cocked her head at the screen. "The source is the new Overmind itself. When the Cerebrates merged together, they must've locked onto the Khalis' energies and nestled near it. It's probable there'll be a number of Zerg broods protecting that area." She tapped a clawed finger against her arm. Think fast. Think well.
Think of the Booth tactic, she allowed herself, and bit down on a snicker. "It's risky," she said, "But if we can strike hard and fast, we might be able to fight our way through their defenses and escape with the crystal."
"Comrades," Artanis's visage communicated across the screen, "I may have an alternative." Of course he did. Every single Protoss leader would have some sort of 'alternative' to her ideas. She would not gnash her teeth. Things would work out. "Seeing as how the Overmind is still in its infant stages, I wonder if we might be able to disrupt its control over those Broods. If we can do enough superficial damage to the creature, it might pacify the Zerg nearest to it, allowing us some time to retrieve the Khalis."
Oh, sure. Go with the boring, potentially suicidal strategy.
"A bold plan, young Artanis," Zeratul spoke, with approval. Of course the old fart would pick the Protoss's side. It hadn't been that long since the Templars and the Dark Templars had been at each other's throats. Pity... she kinda missed those days. "Your courage rivals that of mighty Tassadar himself."
And Tassadar, the holy cow. Buried a ship in the old Overmind and set her free. She did have to let a twinge of gratefulness into her heart. Freedom. That was a gift.
"You give me too much credit, noble Zeratul," Artanis said, and she could swear he'd just ducked his head in embarrasment. "I am not worthy to even speak His name."
She groaned. "Touching," she interrupted, before Zeratul would get whimsical. "Look, boys, either of these plans will work, but let's not waste any time. I'll be able to exert limited control over a few of the Zerg here and get you some back-up. But the longer we stay, the more we risk losing both crystals again."
That should get them back on the path that actually meant shit.
"Agreed," Artanis spoke. At least they trusted her that much. "Executor, deploy your forces. Let us get to it, and may Adun be with you!"
It wouldn't be long until they'd secured the Khalis. Kerrigan made sure of that; she knew the area like the back of her hand, and they really didn't have the time to waste.
Midway in, she sent a little mental call out to River, just to see how she was doing, and Kerrigan would not hate herself for the sentimentality of it.
[ mostly 'stablishy, but open to moonbrain_tam if she wishes to answer. OOC-okay, and dialogue partly taken from StarCraft: Brood War mission 6, 'Return to Char' ]
The Protoss and their little magic crystals. Kerrigan would have mocked that kind of adherence to spiritual symbols, if it wasn't for the actual power they held. As Zeratul spoke about the next crystal's hard-to-spot location, she thought back to the past couple of weeks. Most specifically, the UED. They had been... surprising.
Earth had always seemed like a far-away myth. The fact that their military was now unexpectedly in town would complicate things, and she wasn't certain if she liked it.
With comms back up, she took a moment between Protoss exchanges to whisper some commands to her latest acquisition. Duran. It would help to use him to keep an eye on the UED before they'd arrive and mess up the Protoss's carefully-laid plans any further.
"...Our sensors indicate a massive, fluctuating energy signature at its location," Zeratul continued, "I am unable to identify the signature's source."
That pinged something. "That should be obvious, gentlemen," Kerrigan said, shifting sideways as she cocked her head at the screen. "The source is the new Overmind itself. When the Cerebrates merged together, they must've locked onto the Khalis' energies and nestled near it. It's probable there'll be a number of Zerg broods protecting that area." She tapped a clawed finger against her arm. Think fast. Think well.
Think of the Booth tactic, she allowed herself, and bit down on a snicker. "It's risky," she said, "But if we can strike hard and fast, we might be able to fight our way through their defenses and escape with the crystal."
"Comrades," Artanis's visage communicated across the screen, "I may have an alternative." Of course he did. Every single Protoss leader would have some sort of 'alternative' to her ideas. She would not gnash her teeth. Things would work out. "Seeing as how the Overmind is still in its infant stages, I wonder if we might be able to disrupt its control over those Broods. If we can do enough superficial damage to the creature, it might pacify the Zerg nearest to it, allowing us some time to retrieve the Khalis."
Oh, sure. Go with the boring, potentially suicidal strategy.
"A bold plan, young Artanis," Zeratul spoke, with approval. Of course the old fart would pick the Protoss's side. It hadn't been that long since the Templars and the Dark Templars had been at each other's throats. Pity... she kinda missed those days. "Your courage rivals that of mighty Tassadar himself."
And Tassadar, the holy cow. Buried a ship in the old Overmind and set her free. She did have to let a twinge of gratefulness into her heart. Freedom. That was a gift.
"You give me too much credit, noble Zeratul," Artanis said, and she could swear he'd just ducked his head in embarrasment. "I am not worthy to even speak His name."
She groaned. "Touching," she interrupted, before Zeratul would get whimsical. "Look, boys, either of these plans will work, but let's not waste any time. I'll be able to exert limited control over a few of the Zerg here and get you some back-up. But the longer we stay, the more we risk losing both crystals again."
That should get them back on the path that actually meant shit.
"Agreed," Artanis spoke. At least they trusted her that much. "Executor, deploy your forces. Let us get to it, and may Adun be with you!"
It wouldn't be long until they'd secured the Khalis. Kerrigan made sure of that; she knew the area like the back of her hand, and they really didn't have the time to waste.
Midway in, she sent a little mental call out to River, just to see how she was doing, and Kerrigan would not hate herself for the sentimentality of it.
[ mostly 'stablishy, but open to moonbrain_tam if she wishes to answer. OOC-okay, and dialogue partly taken from StarCraft: Brood War mission 6, 'Return to Char' ]