Kerrigan's Fortress, Tarsonis, Saturday

[on_her_korhal]

"My Queen, our scouts have just discovered a massive wave of Zerg in high orbit. Hundreds of Zerg have landed upon Tarsonis and are even now approaching our location! A number of our outposts are already under attack by the renegade Swarm!"

Duran's report came quick, in the heavy staccato of his Zerg-modulated voice. Kerrigan's expression scrounged up. Of course. She could not have expected to rest longer than she had.

"So, the UED is testing out their control of their pet Overmind," she said, thoughtfully. "I had hoped to lay low after we razed Korhal, but it seems the UED is intent on forcing my hand." She turned away from the screen, dismissing Duran without as much as a word.

He was a capable field commander, but she was going to need someone more precise for this job. "River," she called, "Report to my Hive at once."

[[ for the river-child, dialogue taken from StarCraft Brood War mission Z06, 'Fury of the Swarm' ]]

Comments

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River had been resting, which meant she was restless. Kerrigan's call for her came as a welcome interruption, although she knew this was serious. It always was.

"Am on my way," she called back as she got to her feet.

[I'll be away the rest of the evening due to Halloween party]

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

Kerrigan nodded once, staring at the screen as Duran began to whip their forces into action. She had a special task in mind for the girl. Special mission.

[[ I figured this would be SP! Have fun! ]]

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

It didn't take long for River to join Kerrigan, and she walked up to stand next to her in front of the screen. "Special mission?" There was excitement.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"The UED is attacking us with their own renegade swarm," she said, nearly spitting out the last word. "I have Duran covering our outposts. But I've long suspected that the UED's control over their Overmind is... lax. And Tarsonis is too remote." She glanced towards River. "I think there's a hidden science base somewhere nearby. I need you to find it, and kill everyone inside."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River turned her head to look at Kerrigan. "Yes," she said. "Anything else?"

She was about to turn and leave, wasting no time.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Ransack the compound," Kerrigan said, after a moment's pause. "I need to know what they're doing." She glanced at River. She frowned. "River..."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

She gave a small nod, then looked at Kerrigan again. "Yes?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Have you experienced any Fandom oddities lately," she said, "It's been two months, but I am starting to get the impression our link with it has not yet been severed."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Nothing," she said. "But should the link be severed?"

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"I burst out singing on the battlefield several months ago," she said, sounding thoughtful, not dismissive.

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

River remembered that. "Is that a problem?" she asked.

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"It was annoying." Kerrigan crossed her arms. "But it really distracted our would-be enemies." She considered the screen in front of her. "Do you believe the connection should be severed?"

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Does the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?" River said. "Makes everything unpredictable." There was a part of her that did not want to let go of the connection, and the reasons were purely human emotion. "It was once a good place."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"Unpredictability may be an asset," she said. "I don't trust Duran."

[moonbrain-tam.livejournal.com]

"Neither do I." River thought for a moment. "Twist the unpredictability of Fandom to our advantage and we can use it. Won't win our battles, though."

[on-her-korhal.livejournal.com]

"No, but it is something he doesn't know," she said, thoughtfully. "Nor does the UED." She licked her lips. "Maybe we need to return there again sometime in the near future. For now, keep your eyes open?"