I didn't send chapter 4 to the FFML, just to my web site. Since I just sent chapter 5 the the list, I thought I should send chapter 4 for interested parties that haven't read it yet.
Okay standard disclaimer. Starcraft is owned by Blizzard Entertainment, Ranma 1/2 is owned by Rumiko Takahashi, and X-Com is owned by Microprose. Everything is used without permission, and not for money. If anyone else says so, they're lying!
C&C is PLEADED for. I have been greatly helped by many people in their contributions, but I am always seeking to get better. You can write to abrown@wwdb.org or the FFML
This chapter is also on my website http://abnighthawke.homestead.com/ABNightHawkeMain.html
Chapter 4:
It was as though some ancient god had dropped a rock into clay. A
crater had formed at the center of the blast, while further away, the
energy had melted the ground to a jagged surface of glass. Massive Zerg
buildings had been blown to organic sludge.
The Zerg had been the first to die. The sheer physical power of the
blast had turned water to vapor in an instant, causing flesh to burn and
blood to boil. The psionic interference generated by the blast interrupted
the telepathic control of the Overlords, and any Zerg that survived was cut
off from the group mind.
Scattered about the landscape were gleaming figures of gold and green,
their bodies twisted in agony and pain. The Protoss had been the second
victims. For miles around, a psychic shock wave had spread, killing anyone
with enough psionic ability. The Protoss, being the most sensitive, had
been overcome immediately, their synapses in their brains literally
disintegrating from the onslaught.
Finally, there were the humans. While taking no casualties from the
blast itself, fully half their force had been killed by the Zerg during
the assault on their base. They had retreated back to their hidden
underground fortress shortly after their victory.
A lone Zergling, answering a faint telepathic call, ran to the remains
of the main Zerg Hive and began to dig. Protoplasm flew everywhere, as
the creature used its claws to burrow into the building. It quickly
reached it's goal, and it gently took it in its claws. It pulled gently
at first, then with greater urgency. It could feel the distress of what
it held. Shaking with the effort, the Zergling pulled with all its might.
With a loud slurp and a pop, the object came free. A female human
landed beside the Zergling. She was naked, and had long brown hair that
ended at the small of her back. She was covered with a translucent organic
slime, the remains of the Hive.
The Zergling clamored to its feet. Moving to the young woman, it
crooned softly, and nudged her, but she failed to respond. It crooned
louder and pushed a little harder. She began to shake, and with a violent
shudder of her shoulders, she vomited a large amount of liquid gel that had
been in her lungs. She grimaced as she forced air though her tortured
throat. Coughing, she spat out the last of the disgusting matter and
collapsed in exhaustion.
She was finally brought out of her catatonia by feelings of distress
and loneliness that ran through her mind like a thick haze. She wiped her
eyes clear and looked towards the crooning and purring sounds near her.
Not three feet away was the Zergling that had pulled her out. Behind
it was another one, who was also giving off the same cackle/purr. With
a shriek of terror, she jumped to her feet and scrambled away from the
monsters. The Zerglings jumped back, but quickly overcame their
apprehension and approached her, giving off the same croon as before.
Feelings of fear and loneliness filled her mind and she shook her
head, trying to clear the intrusions. The Zerglings approached her
cautiously, and she backed away until she was pressed against a ruined
wall of the Hive.
She tried to speak, but she started a coughing fit instead. She
doubled over and fell to her knees, her body shaking. A Zergling came
up and nuzzled her consolingly. When she recovered, she looked at the
creature beside her.
"You're not so dangerous after all, are you?" She reached out and
tentatively scratched its exoskeleton. The Zergling shuddered with
delight and pushed itself into her hand. The other, also wanting the
same attention, pushed itself against her. She laughed, and did the
same to him.
She staggered to her feet, and shivered as a cool wind blew across
her. She looked down at herself, then her two companions. "I don't
suppose either of you two know where to get some clothes, do you?"
Surprisingly, one of them walked a few feet away and tapped at a
small pool of protoplasm with a claw. She walked over to it and knelt
down. "What do you want me to do? I don't understand. I want clothing."
Again the Zergling tapped the pool. An image filled her mind of her
touching the pool. "This isn't clothing. It's...I don't even know what
it is." A third time, it tapped its claw against the pool. She sighed.
"All right, if you say so." She reached out and put her hand in the pool.
Responding to her desire, the protoplasm flowed up her arm. It
quickly spread down her body and along her other arm. She stumbled back
away from the pool and the connection was broken. The protoplasm stretched
itself, trying to cover her, but there was not enough. It managed to
cover from her upper chest and arms to mid thigh. She moved, and the
suit moved with her offering no resistance. She slowly put her hand back
in the pool and the process continued until she was covered from neck to
toe with a purple and green organic body suit. The only thing not covered
were her hands and her head. She smiled tentatively and looked down at
the Zergling.
"I don't know how this happened, but thank you." She scratched the
creature under the chin and it purred happily. By this time they had been
joined by three more Zerglings and two Hydralisks, who had been attracted
by her subconscious telepathic radiance. Most of them were in various
states of injury from the previous battle. They projected scenes from the
fight, humans and Zerg killing each other, and the Protoss using their
cruel blades to decimate their brethren. Her head throbbed against the
mental onslaught.
"Stop! Please stop!" she cried. Immediately, the mental din ceased.
She looked around at the creatures before her. "Well, I can see why
someone might want to hurt you. I mean, I was afraid of you at first,
too. But I'm sure if they know that you're friendly, they'll take care
of you. Don't you think?" Not use to having so much free will, the Zerg
merely looked at her. "Where did the men come from?" The Zerglings
looked south and hissed angrily. The Hydralisks growled deeply. She
could feel their anger and fear. "Now, now, don't worry. I'll protect
you. Now let's go."
And so, with her entourage, Kasumi Tendo walked south.
End of Chapter 4