Ranma, Starcraft and X-Com are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Blizzard Entertainment and Hasbro, respectivly.  Enjoy the story and I hope C&C is forthcoming. ^_^

Chapter 14: Comeback

        Ryoga, wearing his new X-Com uniform and the three decorations
he had earned defeating the Zerg a little over a month ago, sat in a
waiting room near one of the several concealed landing pads.  The room
was empty.  Ranma had been here for a while, but he left when they
announced they were getting ready to move Akane.  Ranma wanted to be
there when they did.
        Ryoga did too, but he was just too bloody tired.  He did not
understand why, and neither did anyone else.  Ever since his attempted
suicide, Ryoga was unable to regain his old strength and endurance.
Right now, his strength was about the same as a normal person.  He could
not even defeat Nabiki in his condition, much less Ranma.  Ryoga leaned
back against the wall behind him and closed his eyes.  He felt like he
had been up for two days even though he had slept over ten hours the
night before.  What was wrong?  He felt like he wanted to sleep some
more...
        Rygoa started awake as the door to the room opened.  "Ranma-"
Ryoga stopped when he noticed it was not Ranma walking through the door.
        "Hey there, sugar," said Ukyo brightly.  She wore a standard
issue X-Com uniform that did nothing to flatter her figure, not that
that bothered Ukyo in the slightest.  She still wore her bandoleer of
mini-spatulas and her large battle spatula.  Limping across the room,
she made her way to the eternal lost boy, and sat down on another chair.
Wincing with pain, she straightened her left leg and then slumped back
into the chair with a sigh of relief.
        "Ukyo!" Ryoga could not keep himself from staring.  "Where did
you come from?"
        "The hospital."  She began massaging the leg.  "Where do you
think?"
        "What are you doing here?"
        "I'm coming along for the ride.  Can't you figure anything out
for yourself?"
        "Hey, I'm not stupid, you know," he said indignantly.
        "I'm still reserving judgment on that one, sugar."
        They stared at each other for a moment then broke into peals of
laughter.  Eventually, they settled down and silence filled the room.
        "It's great to see you again, Ukyo," said Ryoga, breaking the
silence.
        "Same here, Ryoga.  Say, you look pretty good in the uniform."
She gave him a quick once over.  "They made you a Captain, huh?  Same
here.  Did you sign up?"
        Ryoga tried to make sense of the jumble of rank insignias, but
quickly gave up.  "It's more like I was drafted.  Not that it matters.
I'll just get lost anyway.  What's with the leg?"
        Ukyo grimaced.  "It was an allergic reaction to the venom in the
Mutalisk spines.  The docs said that it inhibited my healing, and now
I've got a big scar from a Zergling claw."
        "Ouch.  That must have hurt."
        "You got that right.  How about you?  How're you doing?"
        "I'm okay.  Tired, though.  I can't seem to get enough energy.
Nabiki could beat me up right now."
        Ukyo laughed.  "Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
        "Hey, shut up!  It's not funny!  It's been over a month, and no
one knows why.  Even the Protoss's scanners couldn't figure it out."
Ryoga fell back into his chair.  "What if I'm like this for the rest of
my life?  What'll I do?  If I can't do martial arts, then..."
        "That'd be horrible," replied Ukyo.  "Hey, I've got an idea.
You could work for me in my restaurant...when I get it rebuilt, that
is."
        "Work as a waiter?  I don't know..."
        "You don't have to accept now.  We can talk about it later."
        "What about Tsubasa?  Ranma told me that you and he were working
together."
        Ukyo's face clouded over with grief.  "He...he disappeared when
the Zerg attack Japan: North.  I hope he managed to infiltrate himself
in with the Zerg and escape, but it's been so long...I don't know if he
survived.  Ranma told me about Nabiki destroying the Zerg with a nuke.
I'm afraid that...that Tsubasa..." Ukyo choked back a sob.
        "Ukyo, I'm...I'm sorry."  It seemed such an inadequate thing to
say.
        "That's okay.  I'm still...dealing with it."
        "Ukyo..." Ryoga put one hand on her shoulder, trying to console
her.
        At that moment, Ranma opened the door and stuck his head inside.
"Okay, you two, time to-" Ranma stopped as the two pulled away from each
other, their faces blushing red.  "Uhhh, I'm not interrupting anything,
am I?"
        "Of course not, Ran-chan," replied Ukyo, trying to hide her
embarrassment.
        "Uh, good.  Anyway, it's time to go."
        The two got up and left the room, following Ranma to the landing
pad.

        Six days.
        It had been six days since Halos had spoken with the humans, and
they still had yet to respond to his demands.  Well, he could wait.  He
was over four hundred years old.  What were a few weeks to him?
        He had spent his time divided between the base defenses and
small punitive strikes against the Zerg encampment to the east.  Using
the raids as bait, he hoped to draw the Zerg out into the open where he
could raze their forces with his powerful troops.  He knew that Raetor
disapproved of his decision about the humans, but the usually vocal
Judicator had been silent on the matter.  It seemed to Halos that Raetor
had finally learned his place, unlike that upstart Healer, Ka'Dalanis.
        What had possessed her to defect?  It was unheard of!  Protoss
defecting?  Halos shook his head.
        On reflection, he could believe it, even if he could not
understand.  Ka'Dalanis was one of the...Protoss, if he could call them
that, from Shakuras.  While the two peoples had become united in their
quest to destroy the Overmind, old prejudices ran deep.  By Halos's view
of things, the Dark Templar had been traitors to the Khala's Light by
embracing the powers of the cold void.  Ergo, all Dark Templar were
inherently traitors.  It was one of the reasons he allowed no Dark
Templar in his forces.
        It also caused...problems between himself and the Executor.
        A telepathic signal from his view screen caused Halos to look up
from the bureaucratic red tape that cluttered his desk.  Activating the
screen, he watched as the face of a scan-technician appeared.
        [Praetor Halos, scans have detected several Protoss shuttles
being escorted by a squadron of Scout fighters from the south east
heading toward us.  Passcode checks have verified their identity.  They
are our shuttles.]
        [Excellent!  What is their condition?  Do they require repairs?]
        [No, sir.  They report that they are in perfect condition.  They
have also sent us a list of supplies that they are bringing.]
        Halos's eye ridges rose in surprise.  They managed to run the
human's blockade and sustained no damage?  Even if an Arbiter cloaked
them, the Arbiter was usually severely damaged in the crossing.  Could
they be human spies?  How would they have the passcodes?
        [Are you sure they are ours?]
        [Yes Praetor.  The passcodes have been confirmed.  And
Praetor...]  The scan-tech hesitated.
        [What is it?]
        [Sir, I have been informed that the Executor is on one of the
shuttles.]
        Halos's eyes widened and he stared at the scan-tech.  [THE
Executor?  Executor Treyvis?]
        [Yes Praetor.]
        Halos sat back staring around the room, yet seeing nothing.
Executor Treyvis, here?  Why?  Why would he risk the journey?  Shaking
himself out of his amazement, he thanked the scan-tech, then called in
Raetor.  [Raetor!  The Executor is coming here!  We must get the troops
ready for inspection.  Standard order, except I need people to help with
the organization of the supplies they are bringing.  Move Raetor, we
don't have much time!]

        Rank upon rank of gleaming Protoss Zealots stood at rigid
attention around the landing pad.  Their armor shone in the bright
sunlight of the late morning.  The air was thick with the smell of ozone
given off by their force fields.  In front, Praetor Halos paced back and
forth, with Judicator Raetor following close behind.
        Halos was worried.  Why would Executor Treyvis come all the way
from Europe to Japan?  Why would he risk the journey?  What was his
purpose?  Was it about the destruction of the Zerg base?  Or the traitor
Ka'Dalanis?  Or maybe Phoenix?  Halos stared up into the sky, wishing he
could see the shuttles approaching.  Shaking his head, he continued
pacing.  Through all of this, Raetor remained silent.
        Several minutes later, the message came in.  The shuttles were
beginning their final approach.  Down from the bright blue sky came six
shuttles, their gold armor plating reflecting the light of the sun of
their hulls.  The multicolored shimmering of their force fields were
barely visible, and the thrum of their drive systems was unmistakable.
Surrounding them was an escort of twelve Scout fighters.  Landing skids
folded down from the shuttles undersides as they began the landing
sequence.  The Scouts hovered over the group, maintaining an altitude of
about one thousand feet.  As the shuttles finished landing, blue-white
energy storms appeared in front of the three lead shuttles.  The Zealots
began a ritual chant.  [We, the sons of Aiur, give homage to the great
Executor Treyvis, who through the grace of the Khala's Light-]
The chant dissolved into chaos as they saw what emerged from the energy
storms.  One contained four Elite Zealots.  The second contained four
Dark Templar.  Their purple robes flowed around them, shifting in color
and texture, making them hard to see.
        From the last storm stepped Executor Treyvis and his Judicator
advisor.  She wore the blue robes of a Judicator, and the Executor was
clad in the armor of a High Templar.  As he walked, the assembled
Protoss could almost see the astral after-image his presence created.
They were in awe of their commander, but what caused the mental din was
what followed them.
        Behind the Executor and Judicator was a Dark Archon.  Created by
the merging of two Dark Templar, their creation had been outlawed
centuries ago.  It was not until the death of the Overmind and the reign
of the Queen of Blades that the stricture against Dark Archons had been
lifted.
        It towered above the Executor, surrounded by a field of astral
energy that glowed a dark crimson.  The field concealed its legs, and it
seemed to float across the ground. It's eyes were a bright orange, and
they seemed to be distracted, as though they were looking at a world
different than the one everyone else saw.
        Halos was rooted to the spot, both in awe and fear.  Dark
Templar and a Dark Archon?  Why would the Executor bring a Dark Archon?
While not warriors in the strictest sense, their mental powers were
unmatched in the known universe.  Through their mental powers they could
render dozens of enemy troops unconscious for a time, or, with enough
effort, they could even wrest control of Zerg from Kerrigan's mental
grip.  It exhausted them, but they could do it.
        The Executor's Zealots and Dark Templar created an honor guard
around the Executor and his entourage.  They walked forward as one.
Halos also stepped forward to meet them.  When they met, Halos and
Raetor bowed deeply.
        [En Taro Adun, Executor,] said Halos placing his fist to his
chest.
        Executor Treyvis inclined his head slightly.  [En Taro Adun,
Praetor.]
        [Your presence here greatly honors us.]
        [Yes,] replied the Executor.  Treyvis looked around at the
assembled warriors.  [May the Khala's light be on this place, and may
the wisdom of Khas, be with you, Praetor.]
        Externally, Halos nodded his thanks, while internally he
seethed.  How dare he invoke the name of the founder of the way of the
Khala while in the presence of this profane creature!
        [Come, let us go to your office, Praetor,] said Treyvis.  [There
are many things I wish to discuss.]
        Halos felt his face pale.  [What about the inspection?]
        [When there is time for inspections, then I will inspect them.
For now, however, time is of the essence.]  Turning to Raetor he said,
[Judicator, dismiss the troops and assemble a detail to unload the
supplies from the other three shuttles.  Praetor, come with me.]

        The door to Halos's office hissed open, and Treyvis walked in,
followed by his Judicator, the Dark Archon and Halos.  Halos motioned to
three chairs.
        [Please, sit and be...]  The Executor sat in Halos's chair
behind the desk.  The Judicator took her place at his right, and the
Dark Archon sat another chair in front of the desk, forcing Halos to sit
beside the Dark Archon.  Halos did not like the implications of Treyvis
sitting behind his own desk.
        [I apologize Halos, I have not introduced my companions.]  He
motioned first to Judicator behind him, the to the Dark Archon.  [This
is Judicator Wenella, and that is Varnor.]
        Halos nodded to each of them.  He could feel his skin crawl as
the wispy tendrils of Varnor's aura brush against him.  [Executor, why-]
        [Praetor, you are a person of puzzling contradictions.  On the
surface you seem to hold a brilliant mind and excellent command ability,
and yet you also have performed some of the worst mistakes a Praetor can
make.  Your performance as a Guard Commander on Altair 6 was both
unpredictable and inspired.  But I promote you to a Praetor and charge
you with removing the Zerg infestation from this island, and you fail.]
Halos began to protest, but Treyvis held up a hand had Halos became
silent.
        [Not that you were without victories.  You successfully managed
to destroy one of the Zerg fortresses.  The losses would have been
relatively light, but you could not have anticipated the strange psychic
weapon the humans used against the Zerg during their attack.  And the
creation of Phoenix was a masterful idea.  Your enthusiasm for the
project persuaded me to approve of the project even against Ka'Dalanis's
misgivings and Wenella's advice.  Phoenix's initial battle reports
showed her to have great promise.]
        [And yet, what was the end result of all this hard work?
Ka'Dalanis, one of the best xenobiologists on this planet defects,
taking Phoenix with them.  Why?  Because she was be used improperly, and
because you were unwilling to listen to the knowledge of those who knew
better than you.  Then, when the Terrans contacted you with news that
they had a weapon to fight the Zerg with, but needed our help, you
refuse to even consider the idea.  They were willing to give you almost
any terms in order to gain your help.  Did that not tell you anything?]
Up until now, Treyvis had managed to remain calm, but as he went through
Halos's list of mistakes, his eye began to flash brightly with anger.
[Humans are nearly as prideful a species as we are, and yet, in your
blindness, you ignore them when they plead for our help!  What of the
Dae'Hul?  Are we not Stewards of this world and its people?]
        [Executor...I...]
        [Yes, you. Exactly you and no one else!]  Treyvis jumped to his
feet and glared at Halos who now sat cowering in his chair.  [I am
demoting you to Guard Commander.  I will be in charge here until I can
find a suitable replacement.  Judicator Raetor is being reassigned.
You, Commander, are dismissed.]
        [You can't do this!] protested Halos, also rising to his feet.
[I rightfully gained this command, and I will not let you-]
        Suddenly, Varnor arose from his seat and stared down at the
rebellious Commander.  His eyes flared a bright orange.  Halos cringed
away from the massive creature, terrified.
        [Leave, Commander,] declared Treyvis, his mind-voice a deadly
quiet whisper.  [Now!]
        Halo's shoulders slumped in defeat.  Getting up, he left the
room.
        [What now, Treyvis?] asked Wenella.
        [Now we see if the humans can deliver as promised.]  Activating
the comm., Treyvis contacted the communications center.  [This is
Executor Treyvis.  Transmit the following code: Alpha-Phoenix-3-Gamma-
Templar.  When the X-Com ships appear, allow them to land.]  Turning to
Varnor, he said, [Do you think it can be done?]
        Varnor turned his head towards Treyvis.  His brow furrowed, as
through just now seeing the Executor.  When Varnor answered, the voices
of the multitude spoke.  [We shall see.]

        "All right, everyone," said General Moroto over the radio.
"We're almost at the Protoss base.  No one is to make any sudden moves.
We don't want to provoke anyone into doing something we'll regret
later."
        [He need not be so worried,] said Ka'Dalanis to the others in
the shuttle with her.  [The Executor gave us safe passage.  No one will
dare defy him.]  Ka'Dalanis bent over Akane, who was in a Protoss stasis
cell that had been delivered by servants of the Executor.  Beside Akane,
lying in their own beds was Kasumi and Jessica.  Both were still
comatose.
        "He sounds pretty nasty," replied Ranma, who sat beside Nabiki.
Across from them sat Darryl, who nodded in agreement.
        [He is not evil, just...powerful.]
        "In what way?" asked Darryl.
        [He was the Executor that defied the Great Conclave and joined
the High Templar Tassadar in his quest to free the Dark Templar from the
world of Char.  Tassadar eventually destroyed the Overmind by combining
the powers of both the Khala's Light and cold void.  He died doing so.]
She was silent for a moment.  [It is rumored that the Executor learned
many things from Tassadar before he died.  Plus he has both the favor of
the remaining warriors of Aiur and the Dark Templar on Shakuras.  He is
probably the most influential and powerful Executor in the Protoss
Empire.]
        "Boy, it's a good thing we didn't bring Pops on this trip," said
Ranma wryly.  "You know how he is around authority."
        "Yeah," replied Nabiki.  "Like father, like son."
        "Hey!"

        Treyvis, Wenella, and Varnor, along with their honor guard
watched as the three X-Com shuttles came in to land.  Treyvis squinted
his eyes as air blown from the vertical jets of the craft blew dust and
debris around the landing pad.  He watched as large vehicle elevators
lowered from the belly of the shuttles and several humans emerged.
        From one came General Moroto, his aid Lieutenant Harper, Ryoga,
and Ukyo, along with four other scientists and doctors.  The second
contained Ka'Dalanis, Akane in her stasis tube, Kasumi and Jessica on
their gurneys, with Darryl, Ranma, and Nabiki beside them.  The last
held eight marines, an honor guard for the X-Com representatives.
        Before the Executor could step forward and greet them,
Ka'Dalanis led Akane, Ranma, Ukyo, Ryoga and two of the doctors towards
the Nexus, where Regeneration Tanks was awaiting them.  One of Treyvis's
eye-ridges rose as he watched the Healer and Ranma leave with their
patient.  Beside him, Wenella shook her head ruefully.
        [Healers,] she said to him privately.  [They never change.]
        [So it would seem,] he replied, turning back to watch the rest
of the human delegation form up and approach.
        [There is something...] started Varnor, his eyes lingering on
Ka'Dalanis.
        The Executor's eyes furrowed.  [What do you mean?]
        [I am...unsure.  Something in her...calls to me.]
        Treyvis turned his attention to the humans.  [We can worry about
that later.]  As the humans approached, the three could feel a heavy
presence settle over them.  It suddenly felt like they were trying to
move through water, so thick was the feeling.
        [Tari Khala...!] whispered Varnor in amazement.
        At the head of the delegation was General Moroto, followed
closely by Lieutenant Harper.  After that was Kasumi and Jessica, each
being pushed along by the two remaining doctors and Darryl and Nabiki.
All around them were marines, who formed an escort for the party.  The
group stopped several feet from the Executor and his party.  General
Moroto and the rest of the military personnel saluted.
        "I am General Hikaru Moroto and I bring greetings from the
United Earth Government and the X-Com defense force.  With me is my
aide, Lieutenant Deanna Harper.  Captains Nabiki Saotome and Darryl
Johnson, and finally Doctor Ibisha Yoshiro, our expert in Protoss
biology, and Captain Harper Collins, our current head of Special
Operations."
        Treyvis put one fist to his breast, as did his companions.  [En
Taro Adun, General.  I am Executor Treyvis.  This is my advisor,
Judicator Wenella and Varnor, who is what we call a 'Dark Archon'.  I,
also, bring greetings from the Protoss people.]
        General Moroto barely restrained himself from staring at the
Dark Archon before him.  What was it?  Where did they come from?  So far
Intelligence had no information about any such creatures in the Protoss
army.  Moroto knew it would be a long debriefing session when they
returned to base.
        Treyvis's eye flickered over to the two humans on the gurneys.
[These are the two you told us about?]
        "Yes, they are."
        Treyvis and Varnor moved over to Kasumi and Jessica.  Dr.
Yoshiro tried to explain what the problem was, but Wenella waved them
away.  Treyvis began to examine Jessica, but Varnor did not even spare a
glance in her direction.  All his attention was on Kasumi.  Varnor's
hand moved down until it was just above Kasumi's forehead.  He closed
his eyes.
        Kasumi's body began to twitch.  He head shook and a grimace came
to her features.  The crimson aura around Varnor flared brightly, and
Kasumi's eyes and mouth opened.  Her scream was a silent one, but the
pain and horror she felt were blasted out onto the astral plane, and
both Nabiki and Henry groaned and clutched their heads, while Treyvis
and Wenella winced.  A single blue tendril of energy came out of
Kasumi's forehead and stopped in Varnor's palm.
        Suddenly, the biosuit surrounding Kasumi's body went wild.
Spikes and spines formed all around her body, some two or three feet
long, blindly stabbing out at the source of the pain to its host.  One
spike lashed out at the Dark Archon, but was halted by Varnor's crimson
aura.  Varnor pulled his hand away and the tendril of energy sank back
into Kasumi's head.  After a few moments, Kasumi's biosuit calmed and
returned to its normal state.  Varnor looked up at Treyvis, his
expression grave.
        [This will be...difficult.]

        Ka'Dalanis sat back, trying to relax after the several moments
of tension she had experienced transferring Akane from the stasis cell
to the Regeneration Tank.  The transfer had caused Akane's life signs to
fluctuate wildly, and she and another Healer had worked frantically to
stabilize her.  Ka'Dalanis turned to the other Healer to express her
thanks.
        [Thank you Healer...]  She trailed off not knowing the Healer's
name.
        [Pranala, Healer.]
        Ka'Dalanis's eye ridges rose in surprise.  [Pranala?  I've read
your record, and you're just a field Healer.  What are you doing here?]
        Pranala's blue-white cheeks flushed a dark purple at the 'just a
field Healer' remark.  [Evidently, the Executor thought I would be of
assistance to you in caring for your patients,] she replied stiffly.
[And if you've read my file, then it must have been some time ago.  I've
started my teachings in xeno-cellular biology and nano-restructuring.]
        [Really?]  Perhaps Halos had been using some forethought and I
was being the impulsive one, Ka'Dalanis thought to her self.
        [Yes.  Now, I believe that there are two Regeneration Tanks
ready for your other patients downstairs.]  Pranala began to make her
way downstairs to where Ryoga and Ukyo awaited them.
        [Yes.  Of course.]  Ka'Dalanis followed the younger Healer, a
bemused expression on her face.

        In the upper levels of the Templar Archives General Moroto and
most of his party joined gathered to be told the Executor's findings.
The Executor had spent most of the day cloistered with Varnor as they
performed a detailed examination of both Kasumi and Jessica.  By
evening, they were ready to give them their report.
        "Well, can you heal her?" demanded Nabiki as Treyvis and Varnor
entered.
        Treyvis looked down at the smaller woman.  [Yes, we can.]
        Nabiki blinked.  "Y-you can?"  Tears filled her eyes.  Her lower
lip trembled and she buried herself in Ranma's shoulder.  "S-she's going
to be okay," she whispered hoarsely, not quite believing it.  Ranma put
his arms around her, a reassuring grin on his face.
        "See?" said Ranma, his voice and expression at his cockiest.
"What'd I tell you?"
        Nabiki laughed and wiped the tears from her eyes.  "Oh, you!"
she said, exasperated.  She pushed him away.
        Most of the rest of the humans looked relieved, except Darryl.
        "What about Jessica?" he asked.
        [Yes, we can help her as well...]  Darryl's eye widened with
hope.  [But, her situation is more complicated.]
        "What do you mean?" asked Henry.
        [Think of it as thought their minds were plastic.  They are
joined together by powerful bonds.  As we pull them apart, they stretch
and tear.  Bits and pieces of each other's mind will be left behind
after we separate them.  Also, this operation will be extremely taxing.
We will not have the strength to both pull Jessica free of Kasumi and
put Jessica back into her own body.  We will, instead, put her into what
we call a Mind Gem.  They are receptacles for the minds of Protoss
Zealots when they have become injured beyond our capacity to heal them.
Normally, once a Protoss has been transferred to a Gem, they are then
implanted into a Dragoon.  But in Jessica's case, we will leave her
there until both Varnor and I have rested.  After that, we shall return
Jessica's mind to her body.]
        "When will you start?"
        [I the day after tomorrow should be enough time for Varnor and
myself to prepare ourselves.  After we separate them, we will need a
couple of days to rest and recover before we can move Jessica back to
her body.]  They all turned as Healer Pranala entered the room.
[Excellent!  Healer, what word do you have from Ka'Dalanis?]
        Pranala took out a data pad, tapped a few buttons, and gave her
report.  [Ukyo's scar tissue is being dealt with, and she will need some
gene therapy to cure her of her allergy to Mutalisk venom.  Ka'Dalanis
estimates this will take about two days.  Ryoga has sustained injuries
to his astral receptors.]  Pranala noted the confused looks from the
humans.  [Astral receptors are the synapses in the brain that channel
energy from astral space.  They've been burned out, and that's why he
cannot regain his former strength.  Healing him will take somewhat
longer, about five days since we must do an extensive scan and map of
Ryoga's brain, and use tailor made nanites to perform the
restructuring.]
        "And what about Akane?" asked Nabiki.
        [That will take several weeks, but she thinks Akane will make a
complete recovery, now that she had...'proper tools', I believe was the
way she put it.]
        General Moroto chuckled.
        [Excellent!  Thank you, Healer.]  Pranala left.  Turning to the
rest, Treyvis continued.  [I believe that is everything.  If there are
no further questions, then we shall see all of you here the day after
tomorrow.]

        Nabiki arose from the bed she and Ranma shared and went to the
window.  Going to the window, she watched the aliens working on the
ground below her.  It was not long before she heard Ranma get up and
come to her side.
        "Worried about tomorrow?" he asked quietly.  The day had gone by
surprisingly quickly, as they all had busied themselves, trying not to
focus on the treatment Kasumi and Jessica were going to undergo the next
day.
        She nodded.  "What...what if it doesn't work?"
        "It will work."
        Nabiki frowned and turned away.  "You're just saying that."
        Ranma sighed.  "Yeah, maybe I am.  And maybe I believe, too."
        Nabiki hugged herself, trying to dispel the feelings of fear and
uncertainty.  "It's just...even if it does work, Kasumi won't be Kasumi
anymore.  You heard the Executor.  There will be bits of Jessica in
Kasumi.  How do we know she'll even be sane?"  She turned to Ranma,
anger plainly written on her face.  "And what about Akane?  You...and
her...I...I don't want to share you!  You're mine!  But...but Akane
almost killed herself when she realized she couldn't have you
and...and...I don't want her to die!"  She spun away from him and
gripped the window frame so tightly that had the metal not been made of
alien materials, it would have warped under her hands.  "Everything's
been going so wrong in the past few weeks, and now so many problems are
being solved...but what about the new problems they create?"
        Ranma took her in his arms.  "Nabiki, I'm not sharing myself
with anyone.  Anyone!  Not even Akane.  You remember what happened when
I wouldn't make a decision about the women in my life before, and I'm
not going to make the same mistake now.  I love you.  I married you, and
that's more important to me than anything."
        Nabiki felt tears run down her cheeks.  "But what about Akane?"
she whispered.
        "She'll just have to...get over me," he replied glumly.  He knew
how hard that could be on someone after seeing Ukyo's and Shampoo's
reactions after they had discovered that he had married Nabiki.  He also
remembered some of their early attempts to 'convince' him to dump his
wife.  They did not work, much to their disappointment. "As for Kasumi,
well, there's not much that we can do except wait, and hope."


        [First, we need someone to act as an anchor,] Treyvis explained
to the assembled group.  [That person must be a powerful psion, and
trusted by Kasumi.  They will help Kasumi to keep her mind in her body
as we pull Jessica and Kasumi apart.]
        "I'll do it," replied Nabiki and Darryl simultaneously.  They
turned to each other.
        "I'm more powerful than you are," said Darryl.
        "Kasumi trusts me a heck of a lot more than you," retorted
Nabiki.
        General Moroto cleared his throat loudly.  "Executor, what's the
most important trait needed, trust or power?"
        [Power will create a stronger bond between the two, but trust
will give the bond endurance, as neither side would be willing to give
up and let go.  I believe that trust is needed the most.]
        "It's all yours, Nabiki," growled Darryl.
        "Wait a minute," said Nabiki.  "Why can't we both help?"
        [The more minds involved, the harder it will be.  The astral
resonance caused by your mind will make it harder for us to separate
them.  It is another reason why trust is more important that power.  All
we need is that you be powerful *enough*.  And...]  Treyvis brushed his
fingers against Nabiki's forehead and she felt a slight tingle as he
performed a minor probe.  [Yes.  I believe you are.  Come with me.]  The
rest of the assembled went to an observation room, while the Executor
took Nabiki to where Kasumi and Varnor awaited.
        Inside the room Varnor stood at Kasumi's right and Treyvis took
up a position on Kasumi's left.  Kasumi herself was lying down on a
table with a wide variety of sensors imbedded in it.  Above her was a
large spherical crystal about the size of a human head.  Treyvis pulled
up a chair so that it was at the head of the table.  [Sit,] he told
Nabiki.  She did so.  [Now what you must do is go into Kasumi's mind and
make contact.  Let her know that no matter what happens, you are there
to help her.  Link with her, and do not let go until we tell you.  Do
not worry about Jessica and her probes, Varnor and I will shield you
from them.]  Varnor and Treyvis then turned to Kasumi and put their
fingers lightly on her head.  Nabiki felt a shift in the presence that
accompanied Kasumi.  Trevyis eyes began to glow a soft white, while
Varnor's orange eyes flared brightly.  [Now, Nabiki!]  Nabiki put her
hands on Kasumi's head and closed here eyes.
        She was amazed at the sight before her.  In front of her,
illuminated by a shaft of light, was Kasumi.  Sticking out of Kasumi
like a Siamese twin was Jessica.  Jessica's left side was imbedded into
Kasumi and the right half stuck out, flailing wildly.  Both of their
expressions were one of terror and confusion.
        On either side of Kasumi and Jessica were Varnor and Treyvis.
Varnor glowed a deep dark red, while Treyvis was a brilliant white.
Behind Kasumi and Jessica was a single point of light, which Nabiki
assumed was the Mind Gem.  A shaft of light from above, which
represented the physical boundaries of their bodies, illuminated them
all.
        Nabiki could see bolts of energy flashing out from both Kasumi
and Jessica.  Kasumi's were a bright red, while Jessica's were blue.
The forks flew out in random directions.  When they came near Varnor or
Treyvis, the twisted away, deflected.  Suddenly, a blue bold flashed out
directly at Nabiki.  She instinctively raised her arms to block the
strike, knowing as she did it, it would be futile, when, to her
amazement, the bolt was blocked by a brilliant white shield and sprang
up near her.  She looked up and saw Treyvis staring at her.
        [Go!  We cannot start until you have anchored Kasumi's mind!]
        Nabiki reached out, and touched Kasumi.  Kasumi started in
surprise then grasped Nabiki's hand tightly.
        [Who's there?  Help me, please!  What's happening to us...I mean
me?  What's going on?]
        [Kasumi!  Kasumi, it's Nabiki!]
        [Nabiki?  Who's Nabiki?]
        [Nabiki!  I'm your sister!  Remember?  Nabiki!]
        [Nabiki...Nabiki...wait...yes, I do remember!  Nabiki, you've
got to help!]
        [That's what I'm here for.  I've got some friends who are coming
to help.  All you need to do is hang on to me?  Can you do that?]
        [Yes...yes I can?  What's going to happen?]
        [Don't worry.  Just hold on.]  Focusing her attention on Treyvis
she said [We're ready.]
        She watched as Varnor and Treyvis stepped out from under their
columns of light and moved to Jessica.  Varnor grabbed Jessica's hair
and arm, and Trevyis took hold of her leg.  As one they pulled.
        Kasumi's and Jessica's expressions changed from terror and
confusion to excruciating pain.  Like Varnor and Treyvis, they acted as
one.  They screamed.
        The shrill cry echoed throughout the astral plane.  Nabiki was
so surprised and horrified that she almost let go.  The sight of Kasumi
being pulled out from her body made Nabiki grab hold of her tightly
again.
        Kasumi was completely ignoring Nabiki, focusing her attention on
the strange creatures that hurt her.  A blaze of red and blue energy
blasted out from the pair and engulfed Treyvis and Varnor.  It met their
psychic shields and the energy storm flowed around and off them.  Kasumi
and Jessica struck again.  And again.  Powerful shields blocked each
attack.
        [Stop her!  We will fail if you do not stop her!] thundered
Varnor.
        [Kasumi, stop!] cried Nabiki.  [You have to stop; they're here
to help!]
        [But they're hurting us...I mean me!  They're hurting me!]
Kasumi and Jessica hit them a fourth time with another wash of burning
psychic energy.
        [Kasumi, you have to stop!  Trust me!  They're here to help.]
Kasumi ceased her attack and looked back at Nabiki.  [Please, trust me.
I know it hurts, but they're trying to help you.]  Kasumi stared back at
her.  Nabiki could feel her fear and uncertainty.  [Trust me.]  After
what seemed to be an eternity, Kasumi nodded.  Reaching out, she grasped
hold of Nabiki's hands.  Jessica continued to pound the two Protoss with
blasts of energy, but without Kasumi's strength behind them, they were
little more than an annoyance.
        Nabiki watched as Varnor and Treyvis slowly pulled Jessica away
from Kasumi.  Trying to ignore the screams of the two women, she
realized that they were not pulling Jessica out of Kasumi, they were
pulling her away from Kasumi.  The parts where Jessica had melded into
Kasumi did not reform into a complete face, but stayed at half a face
with wispy blue tendrils of energy flowing out.
        For an eternity, Nabiki and Kasumi strained against Varnor and
Treyvis.  Several times she though she would not be able to keep a hold
on her older sister, but she managed to summon up a reserve of energy
she did not think she had, and managed to stay anchored.
        Eventually, the two Protoss managed to completely separate the
two women.  Drawing what was left of Jessica with them, they pulled her
up to the Mind Gem and gently pushed her mind into it.
        When Jessica was finally pulled free, there was a psychic
whiplash effect.  Augmented by Kasumi's and Jessica's formidable powers,
the wave washed over all present, knocking them to the ground.  Treyvis
and Varnor managed to retain their grip on Jessica, but Nabiki was
pushed away from Kasumi.  With the removal of Jessica from her mind,
Kasumi had collapsed in a heap.  Nabiki gently shook her, trying to get
some response.  By the time Treyvis made his way to her, she was
shouting.
        [Nabiki!]  Nabiki jumped, startled.  [Let her rest.  She will be
several days in recovering.]  His astral presence, once a brilliant
white, was now just a dull gray.  Turning away, he made his way back to
his body.
        Releasing her hold on her older sister, Nabiki came out of her
trance.  Exhaustion overwhelmed her.  She felt like she had swam across
the Pacific, climbed Mount Fuji, and then had no sleep for three days.
Trembling she stood and stumbled over to the window.  Pressing a button,
the window slid open and she stuck her head out, breathing the fresh
air.  A peculiar expression crossed her face, and she vomited up
breakfast.  Heaving over and over, she managed to push herself back
inside just before she passed out.
        Ranma entered the room, completely ignoring the exhausted
Executor and weakened Dark Archon.  Picking up his wife, he jumped out
of the window, fell four floors to the ground, and bolted towards the
Nexus, where Ka'Dalanis was.
        Wenella was next into the room and helped Treyvis up.  The
Executor's dark gray skin was now a dull white, and circles hung under
his eyes.  [Must...rest,] he managed to project to his advisor.  She
nodded, and she and Pranala carried him from the room.
        General Moroto and Darryl watched the Executor leave.  Turning
to Varnor he asked, "Well?  Did it work?"
        The Dark Archon's crimson aura was pale and weak, but the
powerful creature did not show any other signs of his exertions.  [Yes.
Kasumi is alone in her body, and Jessica resides in the Mind Gem.]  The
Gem itself now glowed with a soft blue light.  [The Executor will be a
few days in recovering.  Once he is ready, we will move Jessica from the
Mind Gem to her body.]
        "What about Kasumi?"
        [She is as she should be.  Whether that is enough, only time can
tell.]

        Several miles to the north, a lone Zergling stopped in its
tracks.  It cast its head about, looking like it was sniffing the air.
The direction of its target discovered, it oriented itself and began the
long trek south.

        The Scan Technician massaged her skull, trying to relieve the
dull pain in her forehead.  Kasumi and Jessica had been separated the
day before, and the psychic backwash had given everyone with a hint of
psionic power a headache.  Looking out through a window, she could see
one of the humans, Ukyo, meet another human, whose name was...Nabiki,
yes, that was it.  These humans were so strange!  The Scan Tech shook
her head.
        A beep brought her back to her console.  Observer 247 stationed
about five miles from the base, was reporting an intruder.  An eye ridge
rose as she saw that a Zergling was making its way south towards them.
        [Sir?] she called to her superior.
        [Yes, what is it?] he replied, coming over to her.
        [Observer 247 reports a Zergling making its way towards us.  It
should be here in about an hour.]
        [Only one?]
        [Yes sir.]
        His forehead wrinkled in confusion.  [How unusual.  Alert the
Commander and reroute Observer 232 to monitor its progress.]
        [Yes sir.]

        About three quarters of an hour later, the Zergling approached
the outskirts of the Protoss base.  The Scan Technician, her superior,
Commander Halos and General Moroto watched the screen intently.  The
Zergling approached the base and stopped just short of the Photon
Cannon's range.  It moved back and forth, apparently trying to decide
what to do.
        "That's not characteristic behavior in a Zergling," said Moroto.
        [Could it be caused by Kasumi?] asked Halos.
        Morotos rubbed his chin.  "Possibly.  But I don't know
why...what the hell?!"
        As they watched, the Zergling blurred into the form of a Protoss
Zealot, who then continued to walk towards the Protoss base.
        {What is that?] demanded Halos.
        [Scans show it to be Protoss,] replied the Scan Tech.
        [Impossible!  Order the Photon Cannons to open fire!]
        "No, wait!  Capture it.  We could learn more if we can take it
alive."
        Halos nodded, albeit reluctantly.  [As you wish.  We will
capture the creature instead.]

        Outside, the Zealot passed through the Photon Cannons with
little consequences.  It stopped when confronted by several other
Zealots and two Dragoons.
        [Halt and surrender!] declared one Zealot.
        The invader looked around at the assembled troops.  Its form
blurred again and it leapt away over their heads, evading the plasma
blasts from the Dragoons.

        [Sir, now it registers as human.]
        Moroto stared at the screen intently.  "Can you give me a close
up?"
        [Yes.]  Pressing a few buttons, the figure expanded to fill the
screen.
        General Moroto began to laugh.  "Call off your men, Halos,"
managed Moroto through his laughter.  "She...he's one of ours."
        [One of yours?] growled Halos.
        "Yes.  He's an infiltrator.  We thought he died when the Zerg
attacked Japan: North."

        "Ukyo-sama!" cried Tsubasa Kuranai.  "I know you're here
somewhere!"  He raced around the compound, searching for his love.
"Ukyo-sama!"  Tsubasa had traded his girl school uniform for a female
military formal dress.
        "Tsubasa, is that you?" called Ukyo from the opposite side of
the compound.
        "Ukyo!"  Ukyo was knocked off her feet as Tsubasa slammed into
her at several miles an hour.  When the dust cleared, Ukyo was lying
against a building, with Tsubasa on top.  He was covering her face with
a multitude of kisses, trying to squeeze several words in between them.
Ukyo, in the meantime, was trying unsuccessfully trying to fend him off.
        "Oh Ukyo!  I'm so happy I found you!  I love you, and I'll never
abandon you like that ever again-"  He was interrupted as Ukyo grabbed
his head, pulled him near, and planted a huge passionate kiss on his
lips.
        By the time Ranma and Nabiki arrived, the kiss had already
lasted for about half a minute.  They waited.  And waited, and waited.
Finally, Ukyo ended the kiss, and fell back, gasping for air.
        "Mmmmmmm...nice to see you too, Ukyo-sama," Tsubasa gurgled
happily.
        Ukyo pushed the transvestite off of her and got to her feet.
Tsubasa did not even notice.  Brushing dust off her uniform, Ukyo
muttered, "Stupid jackass!"  Picking him up, she began shaking him.
"Don't you ever disappear like that ever again!  Are you out of your
mind?!  If you ever do something like that again, I'll...I'll..."
Pulling him into a tight hug, she whispered hoarsely.  "You idiot!  I'm
so glad you're okay..."
        "There, there, Ukyo," replied Tsubasa consolingly, still lost in
the euphoria of Ukyo's kiss.  "There, there."
        "Another family happily united," whispered Nabiki to Ranma.
Ranma grinned and nodded.
        "Well, this is some unexpected good news," said General Moroto
as he approached the group, with Commander Halos on his heels.  Ranma
and Nabiki snapped to attention.  Ukyo tried, but was still being clung
to by a dazed Tsubasa.
        "So, Tsubasa, how are you feeling?" asked Moroto.
        "Wonderful," he sighed, tracing designs into Ukyo's shoulder
with a finger.
        "And where have you been?"
        "Oh, spying on the Zerg, and stuff like that."
        "And what did you find out?"
        "Not much.  Oh, wait; they're getting ready to attack.  They'll
be here by tomorrow."
        "What?!" exclaimed the group.
        Tsubasa was startled out of his daze and stared at them.  "What?
What'd I say?"
        Grabbing the transvestite, Moroto began dragging him away.  "We
need to talk."
        "Hey!  Leggo!"  Tsubasa tried to struggle with the General, but
his grip was like iron.  "Ukyo, we'll talk later, right?"
        "Yeah, you go ahead."
        Halos stared at General Moroto and Tsubasa as they left.  [What
a strange human,] he remarked before following.
        "You got that right," muttered Ranma.

        Tsubasa bolted from the briefing room.if the briefing and lasted
for hours, and he was dying to see his love, Ukyo.
        Halos and General Moroto, however, stayed behind, staring at the
holographic display that Tsubasa's information had enabled them to
create.  The entire northern and eastern walls of the Protoss base is
surrounded by Zerg.  Troops all kind made up the attacking force.
Zerglings, Hydralisks, Ultralisks, they were all there.  Vector lines
showed the directions of the assault.  Matched against the Protoss
defenses, the Zerg would surely win.
        "We can't win, can we?" asked Moroto.
        [No,] replied Halos grimly.  [We can, however, make sure that we
take as many of them with us as possible.]
        "What if we added our super martial artists to the defense?"
        Halos gave him a strange look but added the necessary
information.  After several trial runs, the Protoss lasted longer, but
eventually they were overwhelmed.  [It's no good, General.  There are
simply too many of them.]
        Moroto stared at the map, thinking furiously.  "When adding any
troops from Japan: North help?  I have to leave most of them there, but
I'm sure I could call up -"
        [Why are you doing this, human?]  asked Halos.
        "Doing what?"
        [Volunteer to sacrifice your man for an alien race?]
        Moroto shook his head.  "You really don't understand, do you?"
        [Enlighten me.]
        "Well, for starters, your base acts as a buffer zone between my
base and the Zerg.  Oh don't give me that look," said Moroto, as Halos
glared down at him.  "You'd think the same thing if our positions were
reversed.  Second, I have several excellent fighters here that won't
leave without Akane, and quite frankly, I can't make them leave even if
they don't want to.  And third, were allies Halos.  It wouldn't be
honorable to just leave you to the Zerg.  I mean, what kind of creatures
did you think we were?  Ignorant barbarian savages?"
        Halos blinked.  [In a word...yes.]
        Moroto threw hands up into the air in disgust.  "Well, do you
want our help or not?"
        [Of course,] replied Halos.  [I just wanted to understand why
you were offering.]
        "Oh," said Moroto, non-plussed.  "Then we shall we get back to
planning?"

        "It's too bad Executor Treyvis could not be here," remarked
General Moroto.
        [Yes, unfortunately he is still recovering from his ordeal with
Kasumi,] replied Halos.  [While the Executor and I did not agree on many
things, one thing we do agree on is our goal to destroy the Zerg.]
        "I think that's one thing we can all agree on."  Activating his
communicator Moroto checked his forces.  "Nabiki, is everyone ready?"
        "As ready as will ever be," came the reply.  Throughout the
night X-Com troops moved it into the Protoss base, bolstering the aliens
forces.  Almost fifty marines were joined by two dozen Goliaths, twelve
siege tanks and another dozen interceptors.  In a bit of a surprise
move, X-Com: China East managed to send six prototype Valkyrie Missile
Craft.  These planes were loaded with hundreds of short-range dumb-fire
missiles designed to inflict heavy damage against Guardian squadrons.
"Brahma and myself are at the west entrance into Ukyo and Ryoga are at
the North."
        "Good.  Wait there for further orders."  Moroto turned to Halos.
"So, what does the simulator say?"
        [Now we're destroyed only two times out of three.]
        "Great.  Now instead of certain doom, were facing almost certain
doom."
        [Jest will you can, General.  Soon the time for humor will be
behind us.]
        they waited.  The sun peeked over the eastern horizon, bathing
the warriors in its golden rays.  Tension among the troops thickened
until you could almost see it.  Each person had his or her own way of
dealing with it.  Some joked, like General Moroto, while others simply
waited.  Many, both Protoss and humans, preyed.  The Protoss prayed to
the Khala, that its light and strength would guide them, and the humans
prayed to whatever God they believed in.
        [Zerg units spotted in sectors A-3 and the C-5.  All units,
stand ready!]  Down the line, Zealots activated their psi blades,
marines cocked rifles, and all the other troops prepared for battle.

        In the end, it was the Guardians that turned at the tide.  The
Protoss and X-Com air forces, weakened by wave after wave of Scourges,
Mutalisks and Devourers, were unable to turn back the horde of Guardians
sent against them.  Their acid spore cut a bloody swath through the
ranks, Zealots and marine armor melting to slag with equal ease.  The
defenders answered the initial barrage with the volley of service tear
missiles from the X-Com Goliaths and plasma blasts from Protoss
Dragoons.  Several guardians disintegrated and others were heavily
wounded.  Unfortunately for the defenders, the hole created by the death
of much of the infantry was filled by Zerglings and Hydralisks.
        Energy beams from Toronto and Nabiki ripped Zerglings apart, but
Ryoga engaged his Breaking Point Technique, blasting huge craters in the
landscape.  Are running through their ranks like a freight train, Ukyo
cut down Zergling and Hydralisks with ease.  She even managed to slice
of the leg off of an Ultralisk, which roared in pain and collapsed,
lashing out at everything that came within reach, friend or foe alike.
        "Ukyo, Ryoga, how are we doing?"  cried Nabiki through her
communicator.
        "We're getting torn apart!"  Replied Ukyo.  She watched as Ryoga
threw a large boulder at the Guardians.  On the way up, it hit one
breaking bones in shattering flesh.  On the way down, Ryoga jumped up
and hit the rock with the Breaking Point.  The Boulder became a large
fragmentation bomb, and peeling the airborne monsters with thousands of
granite shards.  During his descent, Ryoga lashed out at three Scourges
that were approaching him with a powerful ki blast, turn them into
protoplasmic mush.
        "We've got a breach in our line!" cried Ukyo.  Several Zerglings
and Hydralisks ran through a hole in the defender's line created by the
Guardians.  The creatures streamed through by the dozens.  "Nabiki,
you've got Zerg coming down to flank you!  We can't do anything about
it!"
        "Dammit!  All right, all troops fall back - what the hell?!"  To
those who were psionically aware, it felt like the air had suddenly
turned to water and a rock had been dropped in.  Psionic waves rippled
outward, washing over everyone, making both groups pause in their fight.
Turning towards the source, the Zerg charged.  Overrunning the
defenders, Zerg poured into the base, completely ignoring their foes,
who continued to pour fire into their enemies.
        [What's happening?] demanded Halos.
        [Our sensors have been scrambled, sir,] replied one scan-
technician.  [It will take us a few moments to get back on-line.]
        "We've got more important things to worry about!" said General
Moroto, pointing out a window.  Through the window, they could see the
Zerg that had managed to break through running towards the Nexus at top
speed.  Guardians joined Hydralisks, Ultralisks and Zerglings in the
assault.  The defenders retreated and tried to regroup around the Nexus,
but the Zerg ad the advantage of both speed and numbers.
        [Prepare for the assault!] bellowed Halos to the security forces
in the besieged building.  [All personnel to battle stations!]
        "Here they come!" cried Moroto.  They braced themselves for the
attack.  The thunder of approaching invaders shook the building to its
foundations.  Any time now... thought Moroto.  The roaring reached a
cresendo and...
        Nothing.
        No sounds of battle, no cries of anger, just the thunder of
running Zerg.
        "What's going on?" demanded Moroto as the building shook around
them.
        [Sensors are on line,] replied the scan-technician.  [The Zerg
forces are ignoring us and continuing south.]
        Moroto's brow furrowed in confusion.  "South?  What's so
important to the south of us?"
        [Nothing,] replied Halos.  [Just some research facilities.  An
Observatory, our Robotics Support Bay and the...]  Halo's eyes widened
in horror.  [The Templar Archives!  They're after Kasumi!  Everyone,
rally around the Templar Archives!  We must protect Kasumi at all
costs!]
        Horror and fear for her older sister's life flooded through
Nabiki.  Her green battle aura blazed around her, and she bolted to
Kasumi's aid.  Green fire flowed off her as she ran, past the defenders,
leaping over the Zerg, and to the enterance of the Archives.  Her aura
grew brighter, and she raised an arm, her first two fingers extended.
"I'm not going to let you have her!" she cried to the advancing aliens.
"Never again!"  Nabiki crouched down and touched her fingers to the
ground.
        A wave of concussive force blasted outward and into the enemy.
While there was little damage, the confusion caused was considerable.
The first and second ranks were blown off their feet into the third, who
tripped and fell, causing those behind them to stumble and fall.
        This gave the defenders the precious seconds to catch up with
their foes.  The Siege Tanks led the way, crushing the Hydralisks and
Zerglins underneath their treads, creating a path for the rest.  Zealots
and Marines sprinted to created a perimeter around the Archives.
Goliaths and Dragoons blasted away at the Zerg while moving into
supporting positions behind the infantry.  Reavers, to slow to take the
advantage of the enemy's confusion, took up positions behind the Zerg,
protected by Dark Templar.  The few remaining Templar joined them,
bathing the Zerg in storms of psionic energy.  It did not take long for
the martial artists to catch up to where Nabiki waited.
        "Way to go Nabiki," congratulated Ukyo.
        "Yeah, that was really, something," added Ryoga.
        "Are you okay?" asked Ranma.
        Nabiki got to her feet.  "Yeah," she replied, her voice shaking
slightly.  "Just let me catch my breath.
        "What was that?"
        "A spur of the moment combination of the Breaking Point and the
Moko Takabisha."
        "You'll have to teach it to me."
        "If we survive."
        "Yeah, if we survive."
        As the Zerg forces milled around in confusion, the defenders
pounded them with their wide array of weapons.  Zealots engage them in
hand-to-hand, tearing into them with their psi-blades.  Marines and
Goliaths poured bullets into the enemy, creating piles of dead in the
enemy line.  Dragoons attacked Zerg air units, knocking Scourges and
Mutalisks from the sky.  Reavers shot their Scarabs into the Zerg ranks,
obliterating dozens of Hydralisks.  The invisible Dark Templar quickly
obliterated the troops that managed to counterattack.  It took less than
thirty seconds for the Zerg to recover, but in that time, the defenders
managed to change the odds from five-to-one to three-to-one.
        Even with the horrible losses incurred from the defenders, the
Zerg still managed to tear into the defenders, breaking the first line.
Ultralisks slammed into the second line, tearing apart Dragoons,
Goliaths, and Tanks with their powerful mandibles.  The final line, the
martial artists, managed to hold, but they could only protect one side
of the building.  The other three were open to attack.
        Zerglings began clawing at the building while Hydralisks shot
their spines.  The force field surrounding the Archives glowed a
sapphire blue as it repelled the attacks.  Guardian acid spores caused
the shield to burn, the smell of ozone filling the air.  In less than a
minute, the shield was breached and Zerglings poured into the building,
followed by the martial artists, who managed to race ahead of the aliens
up to Kasumi's room.
        Ryoga shut and locked the door just ahead of a charging
Zergling.  There was a loud clang, and the door shuddered.  "That's not
going to hold them for long!" he cried.
        Kasumi was lying on the floor, unconscious.  Ranma grabbed her
and ran to the window.  He quickly leaped back and away as an acid spore
hit the side of the building.  The group watched in horror as the wall
melted away before their eyes.  Guardians hovered almost a hundred feet
away, their sacs bulging in preparation for another attack.  Down below,
a sea of Zerglings and Hydralisks, with about a dozen Ultralisks trying
to get close, covered the ground.
        "Ryoga, jump down and make an opening for us!" ordered Nabiki.
"Ranma, back me up.  Ukyo, take care of Kasumi."  Rnma gave Kasumi to
Ukyo, then he and Nabiki began shooting the Guardians with their ki
blasts while Ryoga dropped to the ground below.
        "Baksai-Tenketsu!"  Touching the ground with is finger, the
ground erupted, creating a thirty-foot diameter crater and knocking the
Zerglings back and away from him.  The rest of the group dropped down
into the clear space created by Ryoga.  Above them, the Guardians
continued to hammer the Archives.
        "Quick, let's get to the Nexus!" said Nabiki.  Using the Zerg
like stepping stones, they leapt from Zergling to Zergling, staying one
step ahead of their attackers, dodging Zergling claws and Hydralisk
spines sometimes with only inches to spare.
        They soon reached the Nexus.  When the reached it, they ran to
the enterance - and bounced off the building's shield.
        "We can't get in!" exclaimed Ukyo.
        "The shield's still up," replied Nabiki, her voice resigned.
"Besides," she continued, looking out at the horde before them.  "What
good would it do?"
        Ukyo gently put Kasumi on the ground.  Drawing her battle
spatula, she faced the enemy.  "I don't know about you guys, but they're
not taking me without a fight."
        Ryoga pulled his umbrella out from behind him.  "I'm with you,
Ukyo."
        Ranma and Nabiki embraced each other tightly.  "I love you,"
Ranma whispered.
        Nabiki's mouth twitched into a slight smile.  "I know."
        Ranma threw his hands up in disgust.  "Women!"
        Taking his face in her hands, Naibki drew him into a short,
deep, passionate kiss.  "I love you too."  Behind the Zerg army, the
Templar Archives collapsed into rubble
        "NOOOOOO!!!!"  Kasumi bolted upright into a sitting position,
eye wide with fear.  "Jessica!!"  She blinked and looked around.  "Where
am I?"
        "Kasumi?!" cried the assembled group of martial artists in
amazement.
        "Oh, hello everyone.  What-" Kasumi was interrupted as Nabiki
fell into Kasumi's arms.
        "Kasumi!  Are you all right?  How do you feel?"
        "I'm fine Nabiki."  Kasumi stood, pulling Nabiki up with her.
Looking Nabiki over, Kasumi shook her head.  "Nabiki Tendo, you look
horrible.  You've always had the most inappropriate taste in clothes.
And your figure!  What happened to you?"
        "Hey guys, we've got other things to worry about than what
Nabiki's wearing," warned Ukyo.
        "Oh, it's those cute Zerg creatures," remarked Kasumi.
        The Zerg, about to pounce on their foes, had now drawn back away
from the group.  They hissed in anger and fear, but were unwilling to
close with them.
        "What're they doing?" wondered Ryoga.
        "It almost seems like they're afraid of us," replied Ranma.
        "No," said Nabiki.  "Not us, but..."  She turned to Kasumi.
"Her.  They're afraid of Kasumi."
        "No way!" said Ukyo.  "Zerg aren't smart enough to be afraid."
        "The troops are," replied Ranma.  "But the Overlords aren't.
Look."  He pointed up to where the Overlords, hovering over their
charges, were grouping together, seeking strength in numbers.
        "Kasumi," said Nabiki earnestly.  "You've got to take control of
them, like you did before."
        "What?"
        "The other Zerg.  You've got to turn them to our side or they'll
kill us all!"
        "Me?  But I-"
        "Go!"  Nabiki pushed her older sister to the front, in full view
of the Brood.
        Kasumi stared at the massed aliens, fear filling her entire
being.  "N-nabiki, I-I don't think I can do this!"
        "You have to!"
        "I can't!  I-"
        At that moment, a Guardian floated forward and shot a gob of
acid at the Nexus.  The ball hit the shield and was repelled.  Down
below the martial artists scattered, trying to avoid the spray.
Unfortunately, Nabiki dodged one glob of acid, only to run into another
one.  It landed on her back and almost immediately ate through her
uniform.  Nabiki screamed in agony and the acid burned her flesh.  She
began thrashing wildly, trying to get the acid off of her.
        "Nabiki!"  Ranma tore off his uniform shirt.  Jumping on the
struggling woman, he tried to scrape off the acid with his shirt, with
minimal success as the acid also began to eat through his shirt and
reach his fingers.
        Kasumi's face turned white and she felt her legs weaken.  I
can't do it, I can't! she thought.  The world began to fade into
darkness when a bolt of thought reached out and touched her.
        [Join us.]
        The thought brought her back upright.  "What?" she asked
confused.
        [Join us, or we will kill your friends.]
        Kasumi looked across the field of battle and saw the assembled
Overlords.  The thought was coming from them.
        [Join us now!] they demanded.  [Or we will destroy all you hold
dear!  End this conflict and live!]
        They were afraid!  She could feel it.  If they were afraid, then
that meant she could do something.  But what?  Suddenly, she remembered
her first confrontation with these creatures, and how she defeated them.
Processes floated through her mind.  Methods of channeling energy she
never knew before.  Kasumi realized they were from Jessica, while they
shared the same body.  Kasumi had most, if not all of Jessica's
training.
        She had the power, she had the knowledge, and she had a target.
Now to use it.
        Kasumi turned to face the Overlords.  Her eyes began to glow a
bright red.  Staring up at the bulbous creatures she sent her reply.
        [This fight ends NOW!]  Kasumi opened the floodgates.
        Astral power poured through the aliens.  Telepathic cries of
agony radiated out from the Overlords.  Zerglings charged at her, but
she raised her hand, palm outward.  Another blast of energy eradicated
those closest to her.
        [No,] came a weak telepathic call.  Kasumi started in surprise.
That was not from the Overlords.  She turned and saw Nabiki lying prone
on the ground, her eyes filled with pain, barely holding on to
consciousness.  Ranma was above her, trying his best to remove the acid
still on her body.  [Don't kill them.  Capture them.  Take them from the
Swarm.  You can do it...]  Nabiki became too weak to send.  Kasumi saw
Nabiki's body slump into unconsciousness.
        Take control of them?  How? Kasumi wondered.  She turned back to
the Overlords, who were squirming in her mental grip.  Closing her eyes,
she looked at them with her mind's eye.  She could see tiny strands
leading from every Zerg up to the Overlords that controlled them.  She
could see thicker, more powerful lines that came out of the Overlords
that led back to the Cerebrate that controlled them.  Reaching out, she
grabbed hold of one of the lines in her mental hands.  With a powerful
yank, she broke the line in two.  Taking the end that was connected to
the Overlord, she pulled that line into herself.
        A flood of alien sensations filled her mind.  She could see, for
a moment, herself through the eyes of the Overlord, of the Zerglings, of
the Hyralisks under its command.  The Overlord's thoughts and her's were
one.
        The Zerg still in the Swarm turned on the emancipated Overlord.
Already weakened by Kasumi's previous attack, the Overlord fell,
disintegrating into blood and gobbets of flesh.  As the Overlord died,
the alien presences in her mind vanished.
        Kasumi opened her eyes and stared at the aliens before her.  She
could do it.  She could do it!  Kasumi smiled, remembering all the times
Ranma or Akane had acted to protect herself or her friends.  Now, it was
her turn.
        Grabbing all the lines connecting the Overlords to the
Cerebrate, Kasumi strained, trying to break the ties.  She could feel
both the Overlords and the Cerebrate resisting her intrusion.  Trying
every trick Jessica had taught her, she fought.  For her friends, for
her family, for her world, she fought them.
        For an eternity, it seemed like no one side managed gain the
upper hand.  Then, Kasumi felt a tiny bit of give in one of the lines.
Then another.  And another.  With a rush of renewed strength, Kasumi
pulled.  One by one, the bonds were broken.  Kasumi pulled apart the tie
that bound the Cerebrate and its Zerg.  Bringing the lines to her, she
and the Zerg became one.
        Alien sensations overwhelmed her.  Clutching her head, she fell
to her knees, trying desperately to keep her sense of self.  Memories
not her own appeared in her mind's eye.  Her mind was a swirling
maelstrom, and she was at its center, being pulled in every direction.
She could not think.  She fought to remember.  She was Kasumi.  She had
two sisters.  She was ...
        ...a Mutalisk attacking an avian race on Deneb VII.
        ...an Ultralisk, awaiting the commands of its Cerebrate on
Altair III.
        ...a Zergling, deep in its burrow.
        ...a Guardian...an Overlord...a Drone...a Hydralisk...
        ...

        Kasumi awoke.  Her first recognizable sensation was something
warm pushing her.  Opening her eyes, she saw the horrid form of a
Zergling.  It was nudging her, encouraging her to stand.  She sat up.
Looking around, she could see the assembled Brood around her, silent
waiting for her orders.  Above in the sky were the Overlords, bent to
her will.  She smiled.  It was her family.  They were waiting for her.
How considerate of them.
        Standing, she turned and saw Nabiki, Ranma, and the others.  Her
brow furrowed.  She knew them.  Who were they?  She blinked.  Who am I?
she thought.  I use to know.  I can almost remember...
        Nabiki and Ranma approached Kasumi.  Nabiki's face was filled
with pain, and she leaned heavily on her husband.  "K-Kasumi?" she
asked, her voice hoarse from her screams.
        Kasumi's eyes widened.  "Yes.  Kasumi.  I'm Kasumi.  Your
sister."  She smiled and embraced her younger sibling.
        [Queen of the Zerg.]

End of Chapter 14

You can check out the rest of this at http://members.home.net/a.brown10/

Adam

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