Its's the year 2455 AD, life for the Terran was getting worse as the days past. The planet the Terran, Earth II, is becoming more and more un-inhabitable because of the chemical and bio-tech weapons the planet was producing.
As all hope seen lost for he Terran race the Commander Zaren gets word of a new uninhabited planet. "Commander we have just received word that there is an uninhabited planet in Galactic Zone 423 that we could terra form" said Private Geana. The Commander immediately sent word to President Aron. "Sir, I have just received word that there is a planet that we could defiantly terra form in Galactic Zone 43" said the Commander, not realizing he had made a mistake on the galaxy's location. "Well" said Aron, "I want you to set an outpost on the planet and I will send you our finest men after you have confirmed there is no life on the planet.
The President signed paperwork allowing Commander to take 10 of the best men on the planet with him in case of an emergency. President Aron gives Zaren a folder with 10 soldiers that each specialized in one job. "Go now and gather these men and report back when you do so" said Aron, "Yes Sir!" said Zaren, then he turned and walked out the door.
When Commander Zaren got back into his office he opened the folder. There he saw a picture of each of the people he needed and what they specialize in.
The first person was a man that goes buy the name Ray, According to the paper's he specializes in operating the SCV unit and that he could easily construct anything he wanted in a short period of time. The next was a man by the name of Robert, he was said to be a great hero during the Protoss invasion and while he is to old to actually go into combat he could train an army of soldiers quick. The next was not a man, but a woman. She specializes in stealth and ambushes, she goes by the name Sarah. The next person in the folder was a man by the name of Kody, the paperwork said that he is a great pilot and that he could fly anything that was meant to leave the ground and next was his twin brother, Micheal, who could drive anything with wheels. The next 2 people, Hayne and Guy, are engineers who spent their whole lives working with machinery. And finally the last three people were all weapon upgrade specialist, the first goes by the name Jack the next with the name of Klyde and last was Duece.
The Commander then sent ten scouts out to find each of the men and the one woman. It didnt take, but 5 days to gather them all!
On April 11th, 2445 AD they all were gathered at Starport 14 and told that each of them were to go with the Zaren to see President Aron about very important buisness. The ten recruits were furious that they were called away from what they were doing to meet a man they didn't even know! "Listen up!" said Commander Zaren "My name is Zaren, you have been gathered here by President Aron for a very important mission." he said, "I would now like you to grab all of your belongings and follow me." They all did as they were told and followed Zaren to the Presidents' office. From there President Aron told each of them why they were gathered and what they will receive for their cooperation, which was 10,000 dollars per month for the rest of their lives and that they didnt have to work for it, if they successfully complete their mission.
All the soldiers agreed to do what the President said, because of the benefit. As they all were leaving the office Aron told Zaren to stay for a minute. Thats when Zaren noticed a tall man with a tatoo on his upper arm and a scar on his cheek. Aron said, "Commander this is your final recruit, his name is Fade. Aron told Fade to follow the others and for the Zaren to stay behind for a second. "See that boy" said Aron, "He has the potential for greatness, but he lets his attitude get in his way." Zaren just stood there looking into the Presidents eyes. "I want you to take him along, he has the brains of a leader and I'm hoping that you will take him and make a great use of him." Zaren said, "Sir I will be honered to have him on our side". Then Aron signed the warrant allowing them to leave Earth II.
April 25th, 2445 AD, all were at the launch site and ready to go, but as they were entering the Norad IV Zaren noticed that Fade wasn't in uniform. "Fade!" said Zaren, "Get over here son." He slowley walked over and said, "What the hell do you want." Zaren replied, "Why arent you in uniform it is required and you know it!" "Calm down pops" said Fade, "I don't want to wear that raggy ass suit." Zaren then said, "It's not an option, either suit up or get out of here!" Fade turned around and began to leave, but before he got to the door, the Commander stopped him. "What do you want?! I'm ready to get out of this hellhole!" Zaren said, "Maybe this once I can make an exception. Now get on that ship." So he did and they both entered and waited for launch.
When he entered the ship he noticed that Klyde and Duece were making modifications to Norad IV. He asked, "What are you two planning on doing?" Duece kept on working, but Klyde answered give us an hour and the Norad IV will be able to produce a Wraith every month." Klyde noticed that the Commander looked puzzled. Klyde then said, "We are turning this ship into a flying Wraith factory in other words." "Oh" said the general "Well in that case I will grant you two hours to do this." Then Zaren went to check on the others.
The others were doing nothing out of the ordinary. They were all telling stories of past situations and problems, but he noticed that Fade was standing in the corner staring at them saying smart ass things. Zaren knew he was gonna be a problem.
Two hours has past, and Duece and Klyde have successfully completed the Norad modifications, but just before launch Zaren noticed Fade and Ray were in a huge argument about the importance over the SCV unit. "Whats going on here?" said Zaren. "Ray thinks his SCV job is lame and that he shouldn't be on this mission." said Fade. Zaren had complete surprise in his eyes when he realized that he was arguing for that purpose. Zaren then knew that Fade might actually be a good kid after all.
For two days nothing happened aboard the Norad IV and everyone on the ship were bored and aggravated with each other. Then out of nowhere a huge yellowish colored ship appeared right in front of him. The pilot informed Zaren quickly and as soon as Zaren got word he almost dove to the front of Norad to see. "What is that?" said Zaren with a puzzled look in his eyes. "A Carrier" said Fade. Zaren quickly turned around quickly "It contains eight smaller ships inside that could tear this ship apart quickly" said Fade calmly. Zaren replied "Well why the hell are you so calm?! Were all about to die!" Fade just gave a small laugh and said, "Leave this to me".
Fade went into the storage room and pulled out the EMP Blaster then he instructed the pilot to start charging the Yomato Gun. Zaren was still confused as he watched Fade get into his space suit. The pilot said, "What drugs are that boy on? That thing has shields, Yomato Gun will do damage, but it surely won't destroy it and why is he using EMP? It isn't cloaked!" Zaren said, "I have no idea what hes doing, but charge the Yomato Gun."
Fade jumped out the emergency hatch and fired a EMP missel strait at the Carrier and everyone watched in amazement how the shockwave distorted everything and made a beautiful display. Fade jumped back in the ship and yelled, "Fire the Yomato Gun!" so the pilot did and it blew the carrier into pieces. "What just happened here?" said Zaren. "EMP can fry Protoss shields." said Fade. "That was a Protoss unit?!" said Zaren. "Yup" Replied Fade then Fade walked off as if nothing ever happened.
The next day, Zaren contacted President Aron to report their findings so far...
"You said you encountered what?!?"
"A Protoss Carrier sir. When we picked it up on sensors, they didn't hail or anything. They had a heading that would have brought them directly to Earth II within 3 standard days sir."
"How badly are you damaged? Do you require a repair team?"
"No sir, actually Fade devised a very clever tactic that killed the Carrier with one Yomato shot"
"One shot?! How did you pull that off?"
"Apparently Fade knew that the EMP missiles we have here can neutralize Protoss shields. As soon as he dropped them we got a shot off with the Yomato Gun, and neutralized the enemy carrier sir."
"Excellent work Zaren! I knew the people of Earth could count on you. How is Fad-"
Just then Zaren heard a clanging of supplies down the hall from him. He was making the communication through a wall mounted Transcommunication Monitor and hadn't bothered to check the area before making this call. No one usually came down here.
"Who's there?" turning back to the monitor, "I'm very sorry Mr. President, but I think we may have an animal in here. I'm going to investigate"
"Very well Commander. I'll expect a full report on the Protoss encounter by tomorrow morning. Out."
As Zaren began to walk down the hallway, a hand shot out and hit him in the chest stopping him dead in his tracks. He hadn't seen him before, but now could make out the silhouette of Fade crouching in the shadows, looking ahead.
"I've been watching it for some time." said Fade, "I think it's the Protoss Commander of that Carrier we destroyed"...
Zaren paused with complete fear in his eyes as he seen Fade reach into his pocket and pull out a 9mm Rifle and held it steadily following its every movement. Fade and Zaren stood there for the next two hours watching it move around.
"Come out already!" said Fade, "I don't have all day". Then in the most deep voice it said, "Drop your weapon, I mean you no harm." Fade opened a box full of Canister Rifle shells and threw the gun in it and said, "Now get out here before I change my mind" Zaren started to reach into the box for the gun, but Fade grabbed his arm and said, "He may not mean us harm, but even if he does he has no shields, so I could kill it with a head shot." Zaren slowly pulled back and put his hands into his pockets.
When it came out Fade asked, "Why are you here and what do you want?" "I can't tell you were I've come from, but I can tell you why I'm here. It's all because you blew my ship to pieces!" Fade gave a slight grin and then both of Fade and it bursted out into laughter. "Well, sorry about your ship, but when I was fighting in the Protoss Invasion, Carriers where feared and we were instructed to destroy them on first site" said Fade "By the way what is your name?" It replied with "Zertual III"
"Well" said Fade, "Feel free to stay on our ship until we get enough fuel for the Wraiths and we will gladly grant you one to go back to your home planet" "My people will thank you greatly for this" said Zertual, "But I don't know what they'll do about the Carrier." Then both Fade and Zertual bursted out into laughter again. As usual, Zaren was just left in complete confusion.
For seven weeks nothing special happened. All was good aboard the Norad until a loud siren went off scaring the hell out of everyone aboard the ship. Everyone rushed to the front of the ship, even Zertual, to see what the hell was going on.
"Well boys, and girl" said the pilot, "Guess where we are." Excitement appeared in everyones eyes when they realized that the long and boring travel was finally over. "Now don't rush off the ship when we land" said Zaren, "Await for each of your orders." But of course, everyone rushed to get out of the Norad IV anyway.
Everyone was shocked to see how much the new planet compared to Earth I and II. What appeared to stretch into the clouds and they felt like they were petrified were what looked like Earth trees. Water looked normal enough, but the taste was actually very refreshing. The planet had grass like Earth and the sky was blue. Even the air was breathable according to Zertual.
"Now that everyone is here I would like you to start on each of your tasks." said Zaren, "Fade, Robert, Sarah, Kody, Klyde, Jack, and Micheal you have the day off. Ray I need you to construct some Barracks and Hayne and Guy I would like you to start scouting a location for the Command Center."
"I sense something, almost familiar, though this planet was never charted by my people to my knowledge" said Zeratul. He had been staring up at the clouds, revelling in life which flourished on this untapped planet. "So much life here, it's almost a shame it's going to lose it's beauty."
"Zeratul, I fully agree with you" said Zaren, "However my people need this planet if we are to survive. Perhaps through the development of Terran technology, we may one day learn to restore that which has been lost in this universe. But in honor of our new friendship, I would like you to name this new planet Zeratul."
"I am honored to have such an opportunity Zaren. We shall call this planet Oraius, which means 'Bringers of Hope' in my language." pulling a small Protoss data disk out of his pocket, Zeratul continued, "I have something that may come in use for you. My ship was on a course to deliver some cutting edge technology plans for a new Protoss weapon, in experimental stages. It's codenamed 'Project Cleansing'. It was initiated by the late Tassadar of the Templar. The weapon, in it's final stages, would allow Protoss Observers to direct Psionic energy, channeled through a Protoss Nexus, which would replicate the effects of a Yomato Gun. However the damage would be directed at multiple targets, and much weaker."
"You're just giving this to us?"
"I believe that through Protoss/Terran hybrid technology, the war with the Zerg may soon come to an end."
"Klyde" shouted Zaren
"Sir?" replied Klyde from a work bench where he was studying the inner workings of an Arclyte Shock Cannon, not yet attached to anything.
"I want you to take these designs and see what you can make of it."
"Yes sir." said Klyde, excited he had a new toy.
Four hours later all was going according to plans. Ray established a Command Center and surprised everyone by making two Barracks over night, he even managed to get a Refinery half built.
"Ray" said Zaren, "You are no doubt the best SCV pilot ever known"
"Thank you sir" Ray said, "But you should really thank Fade for making me realize the importance of my job."
"Well" said Zaren, "Finish up the Refinery and I will give you some time to off"
"Yes Sir" Shouted Ray, as he hurried to finish his job.
Zaren then climbed aboard the Norad to use the transmitter to inform President Aron that they have successfully landed and started an outpost.
"President Aron" said Zaren, "We have made a successful landing and we would now like you to start sending us our reinforcements now"
"Okay" said Aron, "And I hope you do realize that you and that crew will be forever remembered for saving the human race."
"Yes Sir" said Zaren "And I would always be happy to-"
Suddenly the transmitter went dead and a loud scream came from the cockpit. Zaren rushed into the cockpit to see what the noise was and there he found what seemed to be remains of a human. It was horribly torn into pieces and shredded, blood was all over the wall and limbs were at least five feet apart from each other. Then Fade and Zertual walked in.
Blood stained Zaren's hands as he nearly collapsed to the ground. Bracing to a panel on the wall, the blood droplets, still fresh, began trickling down his arm. "This used to be Kody. That's the necklace his girlfriend gave him before he went on this mission. Someone get Michael, he needs to be told."
"It is as I feared" said Zeratul inspecting the gore. "This is how I dreamed it would happen."
"Dreamed what?" said Fade, turning to look away from the horrible scene.
"This slaughter. Last night I dreamt of an abomination to the Protoss race... a hybrid that could only be created through the twisted wiles of the Swarm. A Protoss/Zerg hybrid able to wield the psionic energies of Protoss Templars, with the stealth and speed of any other Zerg species. This entire area still emanates psionic energies only learned through embracing the Khala... however everything about it is tainted, as if on purpose."
As Zeratul finished speaking, a small squadron of 10 Marines began to approach the Norad.
"Private First Class Doran Brose at your service sir." said the squad leader. "We heard the scream and have snipers positioned in the surrounding area, however they haven't reported anything."
"Oh, Jesus!" "Oh, no!" "Who hell did this?!" could be heard in the distance. Kody's brother Michael had just been told what had transpired.
"Your snipers won't be any good here Private." said Zeratul, a solemn look sweeping across his weathered face. "Whatever it was that killed this man can cloak"...
