Yay!  Here we go, the latest chapter in One War, Three Sisters.  Only one more to go (not including an Epilog).

Special thanks to Allyn Yonge for is amazing grammar insights.

Disclaimer: I don't own either Ranma or Starcraft, even though I wish I did.  They are owned by Rumiko Takahashi or Blizzard Entertainment, respectivly speaking

Chapter 17: Reawakening

        Ranma jerked awake, a sharp tone ringing at regular intervals.
        "What the hell-?"  He blinked owlishly, trying to figure out
what was happening.  When he did, his eyes widened in alarm.  "Aw crap!
Nabiki!  Nabiki, wake up!"  He gave his partner a quick shake, and
pulled on a shirt.  Groaning in protest, Nabiki rolled away from him.
"Nabiki, wake up!  There's an alert!"  Ranma jumped out of bed and
scrambled into his uniform.
        Nabiki opened her eyes and yawned.  "Wha...waz goin' on?"  Then
her mind registered the tone.  "Son of a-!"  She, too, struggled out of
bed and dressed.  Just as they finished, a message came in from the
Command Centre.
        [Major Saotome, Captain Saotome.  You are ordered to report to
the Nexus Command Centre immediately.]
        [We're on our way.]

        Praetor Artanis glared at the holo-screen with impotent anger.
Kerrigan was on the move, and there was nothing anyone could do.
        On the map, a blue Protoss icon disappeared, engulfed in a sea
of red.  Closing his eyes, Artanis took moment to mourn his fallen
brethren.  From the east coast of what was once the Terran country of
Peru, a huge Zerg armada slowly made its way east by northeast.  After
making a few calculations and estimates, a red like extended from the
red blob on the map and reached out across the Pacific Ocean, over
Hawaii, until it reached Japan.  Artanis bowed his head, feeling the
first stirrings of despair deep in his heart.  Ranma and Nabiki found
him thus when the entered the Nexus Command Centre.
        "What's going on?" asked Nabiki as they entered.
        Artanis continued to stare at the holographic map on the wall.
[An hour ago, a massive Zerg force left South America heading west by
north west.  They passed over one of our bases and Praetor Y'sella tried
to halt their progress.  They were destroyed.  Estimates place the
number of Zerg at between five hundred thousand and one million Zerg.
The number depends on what kind of troops they're carrying within the
Overlords.]  Both humans stared at him in disbelief, and Nabiki actually
swayed on her feet.  Ranma held her until she managed to steady herself.
        "One million?" said Nabiki faintly.  "We could never hold off
that many!"  She studied the map for a few moments, and then turned back
to the Praetor.  "Why?"
        Artanis turned and gazed at her for a long moment, his eyes
glowing a soft blue.  [Approximately two hours ago, our scientists
detected fluctuations in the astral plane.  They originated from
Kasumi.]
        "Kasumi?  What's happening to her?"
        [We think the time is coming near for her to come out of her
cocoon.  This has started some sort of resonance effect in the astral
plane.  Kerrigan can feel it, and it seems that she has decided the
manner in which she will solve her problem of Kasumi.  Her fleet will
arrive here in almost four hours.  There is nothing we can do to stop
it.]
        "Will Kasumi wake up by then?"
        [No, I don't believe so.  She will need at least an additional
hour before she will emerge.]
        "Then we have to slow them down," said Ranma.
        [I agree, and so does the Executor.  He is sending as many
Arbiters as he can.  They will intercept the Zerg here,] he pointed at a
point on the map about just off the coast of Japan.  [They will strike
with their stasis fields, immobilizing as many Zerg as possible.  This
will be followed by a massive attack by all available Protoss and Terran
air and sea forces.  When they are defeated we will continue on with the
second phase of the plan-]
        "Wait a minute!" protested Nabiki.  "You said 'once they are
defeated'.  You mean you expect everyone to die?  And you're still
sending them?"
        [Of course,] he replied grimly.  [Everything we do is merely a
delaying action designed to slow the Zerg and giving Kasumi a chance to
emerge from her cocoon.  Now, as for the second phase, once we figure
out where they will land, we will dispatch as many Dark Archons as
possible.  They will employ their mental powers to slow them more.  This
will include attacks by our Dragoons and Templars, as well as your
Goliaths and Marines.  Then there is the third part of the operation.
That is where you two come in.]
        "What do we do?" asked Ranma.
        [Once our ground forces are destroyed, the two of you will
target and destroy them with nuclear weapons.]
        "Dying in the process?" she demanded.
        [We hope not.  Given your speed, maneuverability, size and your
ability to cloak, you stand a good chance of surviving.]
        "Well, I'm not going!" declared Nabiki.
        Artanis stared at Nabiki in astonishment.  [You what?!]
        "I'm not going.  I'm not letting Kasumi face Kerrigan and all
those Zerg alone."
        [You cannot-!]
        "If Naibki's not going, then I'm not going either," said Ranma.
        Artanis's eye bulged from their sockets.  [This is
insubordination of the highest degree!  You are required-!]
        "That's where you're wrong, Ranma," said Nabiki.  "You are
complying with the rest of the plan."
        "No I'm not!  If you're not-!"
        "That's an order, Captain!"
        "If you're going against orders, then why shouldn't I?"
        "I'm not going against orders I'm...suggesting a modification to
the plan."  She turned to Artanis.  "Are you amendable with my
suggestion?"
        They were interrupted by a call from Ka'Dalanis.
        [Praetor, you wished to speak with me?]
        [Ah yes!  Healer, is Akane ready for combat?]
        There was a pause.  [Yes,] she replied cautiously.  [She has
recovered far more quickly than I first thought she would.  She is
ready.]
        [Excellent!  Have her report to the Stargate where she will take
a shuttle north to the Zerg base.]
        [As you command, Praetor.]
        Artanis turned his attention back to Nabiki.  [I must consult
Executor Treyvis and General Moroto.  In the meantime, prepare for
departure.  Your shuttle will be leaving soon.  You final orders will be
relayed to you en route.]
        "What are you planning to do with Akane?"
        [She will fight with the remainder of our ground troops at the
Zerg base.]
        "Well then, I'm definitely going if both Akane and Kasumi are
there."  She left the room, with Ranma following a half step behind.
        Artanis watched the humans leave.  These humans and their
impulsiveness!

        Sure enough, by the time they reached the Stargate, their orders
were ready.  Nabiki was to go north to the Zerg base, while Ranma's
orders were to heat east to the coast.
        "This sucks!" declared Ranma hotly.  "There's no way I'm going
along with this!"
        "Yes, you are," replied Nabiki calmly.  "Because if you don't,
first, I will beat the crap out of you.  You won't be able to stop me;
you won't let yourself.  Second, if we survive, I will willingly
participate in the court martial you go through."  Ranma's mouth opened
and closed several times, and his face burned red with anger.  "Close
your mouth Ranma.  You look like a fish out of water."  Ranma's mouth
snapped shut, but his eyes still bulged dangerously.  Finally, his anger
chilled down into a cold rage and he turned away from her and started
towards his own shuttle.
        "Ranma!"  Running to him, she grabbed his hand and pulled him
around.  His looked close tears, angry and miserable.  Pulling him
close, she embraced him tightly.  "Be careful, Ranma!" she choked around
tears of her own.  "Be safe, and above all, live!"
        "I will," he replied softly.  He bent down and they kissed each
other passionately, perhaps for the last time.  The moment seemed to go
on forever, but for the two of them, it would never be enough.
        Finally, they separated and went to fight their own battles.

        Akane heard the crackling hum of the transporter, and turned to
look who the late arrival was.  Nabiki materialized in the interior of
the shuttle.  Her mouth suddenly dry, Akane forced a smile.  [Nabiki!  I
didn't know you were coming!]
        "They changed the plan," Nabiki replied shortly.
        In silence they prepared for departure.  Eventually, the shuttle
took off, and turned north towards the Zerg base.  Akane fidgeted,
trying to come up with the right words.  She had not had a lot of time
to contemplate her apology, but everything she thought up sounded fake
and trite.  Nabiki, with her honed powers of observation, easily noticed
Akane's discomfort.
        "What is it Akane?" she asked tiredly.
        [I-I want to...apologize for what I tried to do to Ranma.  It-]
        Nabiki waved the event away.  "I understand.  It's okay, Akane.
I've forgiven you already.  I'm not mad."
        Frustrated, Akane stood.  [No!  You don't understand!]  Sitting
down beside her sister, Akane took Nabiki's hand in her own, trying to
find the right words to express her shame.
        Nabiki forced a grin.  "I know what you wanted.  You wanted
Ranma."  Akane blushed a dark blue, and sheepishly nodded.  "Don't
worry, Akane, I'm use to that.  *Everyone* wants Ranma.  In every batch
of new recruits there's always at least one or two he has to beat off
with a stick.  People have wanted him, good or bad, ever since we met
him.  I'm use to it."  Her expression sobered.  "You're just came the
closest to taking him away that's all."
        [Nabiki, I-]
        Nabiki shook her head.  "Akane, I said it's okay!  In a strange
sort of way, it was good for our marriage.  We're closer now than we've
ever been before."  Wrapping and arm around her younger sister's
shoulder, Nabiki gave her a quick squeeze.  "Now stop worrying about
Ranma and I.  Try worrying about Kasumi."
        [What do you think she'll be like?] Akane asked.
        "I don't know.  But she won't be the Kasumi we knew, that's for
sure."

        When they arrived, Doctor Ibisha Yoshiro met them.
        "Major Saotome, Templar Tendo, good to see you."  Doctor Yoshiro
saluted both of them.
        "Same here, Doc," replied Nabiki, returning the salute.  "How is
she?"
        "Kasumi?  Who knows?  Her readings change from moment to
moment."  She turned away and led them towards the compound that housed
Kasumi and her cocoon.
        All around them, the Zerg lounged in apparent carelessness, only
moving to take care of their basic needs.  Arrayed around the base were
the last of joint Terran/Protoss forces.  They had already been briefed
about the plan, and were preparing for their role in defending
themselves against Kerrigan's Zerg forces.
        "Not even the Protoss can fully explain what's happening.
Probably the same thing that happened to Kerrigan, but no one was around
to take readings of that event.  And we've never had an intact
infestation centers before, either."
        [Any idea of when she will emerge?] asked Akane.
        "Our best guess is about three hours."
        "Kerrigan's going to be here in two.  That means our guys'll
have to delay Kerrigan for at least an hour."  They walked on in
silence, sobered by the amount of death that would occur today.
Virtually every soldier from both bases was either part of the initial
assault at the coast, or here.  If Kerrigan won, there would be nothing
to stop her from destroying everyone.

        "Barricade, this is Sleeping Beauty, come in!  I repeat, this is
Sleeping Beauty, come in!"  The communications technician adjusted the
controls, frantically trying to raise someone.  "Barricade, this is
Sleeping Beauty, anyone who can hear this message, please respond."
Several minutes later, he shook his head.  "I'm sorry, sir.  No one's
responding."
        Nabiki forced herself to take a slow deep breath.  She could
feel worms of anxiety squirming through her stomach, and it took every
ounce of discipline to control her features.
        "No...wait!"  He turned back to his machine as it emitted a
short squawk.   "I'm getting something..."  His face fell.  "It's Home
Base 1, sir."
        Her face set, she took a headset.  "Major Saotome, sir."  She
looked up as Commander Garatar entered.  Protoss equipment translated
the radio signal into telepathic emissions that he could hear.
        General Moroto's strained voice came clearly from her headset.
"Major, sat-scan shows that Barricade has been destroyed by the incoming
Zerg armada.  It's in the process of regrouping and we put the ETA at
about one and a half hours."
        [How many are left?] asked Garatar.
        "Estimates put them at about thirty percent losses, which makes
between three hundred and fifty to seven hundred thousand Zerg.  We
managed to kill more than we expected."
        [Excellent.  Our forces are arrayed and ready.]
        "Good.  What about Kasumi?  What does Doctor Yoshiro say?"
        [She thinks Kasumi could emerge any time.  Ten minutes, an hour,
two hours, we don't know enough to tell accurately.]
        "Sir?" asked Nabiki quietly.  "What about Ran...Captain
Saotome?"
        There was a moment of silence.  "We don't know.  Some elements
managed to disengage, but we don't know who survived."  She heard him
sigh.  "I'm sorry, Nabiki."
        "Thank you," she whispered.  Putting down the headset, she went
to another room of the pavilion tent.

        Akane stood off to the side during the exchange, listening
silently.  She felt a stab in her chest as they learned of Ranma's
disappearance.  Turning away, she leaned forward against one of the tent
poles, tears coming to her eyes.  Was it true?  Was he really dead?
Grief washed through her, making her throat tighten and tears run down
her cheeks.
        The Protoss aspect of her mind stood back and looked at her
grief with a cool curiosity.  What was this?  How could she be filled
with such sadness and rage as the same time?  How could someone feel so
weak, yet so full of mad strength, ready to destroy the first thing she
came in contact with?  Why?  How?  What-?
        Akane's eyes snapped open as she realized what was happening.
This part of her mind, the strange alien processes which still, and
probably always would in some sense, be a part of her, could help her.
It gave her another choice.  She could either choose the human way, the
way of anger, of sadness, or the Protoss way.  Either served a purpose,
and no choice was wrong.  What should she choose?
        Behind a partition in the tent, Akane could see a silhouette of
Nabiki, sitting in a chair, bent over in grief.  The other humans in the
room looked at each other self-consciously, trying to ignore Nabiki's
grief, yet unable to not bear witness to it.
        Gazing at her older sister, she knew what was needed now.
        Closing her eyes, Akane summoned up the training of her past.
Calming meditations ran through her mind and body.  Mental exercises
designed to control her body's responses ceased the tears and relaxed
her muscles.  A cool detachment settled over her, and she straightened.
        Wiping the tears away, she was about to join Nabiki on her side
of the partition, when Doctor Yoshiro bolted into the room.  She danced
with excitement, even as fear was plain on her face.
        [What is it?]
        "It's Kasumi," Doctor Yoshiro gasped breathlessly.  "She's going
to emerge any minute now!  Look at the Zerg!"
        Peering out of the tent, Akane could see that the Zerg were all
staring in the direction of Kasumi.  Indeed, the air was thick with
tension, and Akane could feel a heavy telepathic pressure on her mind.
It was like trying to peer through smoke.
        [We'll be right there.]  Akane turned and went to Nabiki.
Reaching out, Akane put one golden hand gently on Nabiki's shoulder.
        [Nabiki?] she said softly.
        "Huh?"  Nabiki looked up, her red eyes puffy and swollen.  Akane
managed to fight of a surge of sorrow as she saw Nabiki suffering
blotchy, tear streaked face.  "Akane?" she said dumbly.
        [We have to go.  Kasumi's about to emerge.]
        "But Ranma-" said Nabiki brokenly.
        [We will make the Queen of Blades pay, Nabiki.]  Letting a small
fraction of her anger loose, her body began to glow a sullen blue.  [We
will take every death she has caused out of her hide.  In Adun's name,
this I promise!]
        Gulping once, Nabiki took a deep breath, forcing herself to
calmness.  Nodding slightly, she stood.  "Alright," she said hoarsely.
"I'm coming."

        "How is she," asked Nabiki as they entered.  They could not see
Kasumi herself, just the large, pulsating cocoon.  The place was dank,
and smelled of rotting meat.  It was all Nabik could do to keep from
gagging in disgust.  Beside her, protected by her suit, Akane went to
the throbbing monstrosity, running her own scanner over it.
        "She-"  Doctor Yoshiro was interrupted by a startled cry from
Akane.  Without any warning, the cocoon split, releasing a flood of
translucent fluid.  Wet steam burst from within, spreading through the
air, making the humans cough uncontrollably.
        A pair of hands reached out and wrapped around the edges of the
cocoon.  They were not human hands.  The skin was dark purple, leathery
and smooth.  The fingers were tipped with sharp wicked claws that leaked
small amounts of dirty brown fluid that burned as they pressed against
the cocoon.
        Pulling, Kasumi slowly stepped out of the empty shell.  The
slick biosuit had joined with her own body, merging into tough leathery
skin.  Nothing was unaffected.  Chest, arms, legs head, everything had
been transformed into an alien likeness.  Even her toes ended in deadly
talons that also dripped with venom.  From the base of her spine came
long thin tail, and her ears were long and pointed.  She moved like a
reptile, boneless and smooth, causing the humans to shudder with
revulsion.  Her long brown hair was plastered to her back and soaked
with the slimy fluid of her cocoon.  Some of the hair had been
transformed into long flexible spines that bent back over her head.  As
they watched, the fluid was absorbed into Kasumi's body.  Her eyes were
closed, as though asleep.
        Nabiki stepped closer.  "Kasumi-"  Kasumi opened her mouth and
breathed her first breath.  With it came a telepathic wave of power that
pulled in, centered on Kasumi.  Nabiki and Akane grimaced and shuddered
against the mental 'wind'.  As Kasumi exhaled, the wind reversed and
washed over them all.  Nabiki could feel Kasumi's mind touch her, and
she barely resisted the urge to shield herself against it.  Looking over
to Akane, she could sense that Akane was undergoing a similar struggle.
        Kasumi's mind continued its outward expansion, racing through
the astral plane.  As she touched each Zerg, it stiffened to attention,
and then howled.  Soon the entire base was alive with the noise of
howling Zerg as they celebrated the awakening of their Queen.

        [Yes...(yes)...]  Kasumi's mind echoed through them, speaking as
though the voice of thousands.  [You are my children.  And I am your
Queen...(queen)...]
        [Kasumi...] Akane started hesitantly, but stopped as Kasumi's
eyes swiveled in her direction.  As they locked onto Akane, a primal
fear paralyzed her, like a sparrow in the sights of a hawk.
        [PROTOSS!!!]  Her mind roared over them all like a storm.  Eyes
flashing as they opened, she raised a hand, psychic energy gathering,
crackling between her fingertips.
        [Kasumi, it's me, Akane!]  Akane raised her arms to defend
herself, but made no move to attack.
        Kasumi struck.
        The blast of energy knocked Akane through several walls and out
of the building.  Crashing to the ground, she bounced several times and
slowly rolled to a halt.  Opening her eyes, she saw Kasumi striding
towards her, her eyes glowing red, energy writhing around her hands.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over her as Nabiki raced ahead of her older
sister and placed herself in harm's way.
        "Kasumi, stop!" cried Nabiki desperately.  Pulling her pistol,
Nabiki pointed it at Kasumi.  "Please, don't make me do it!" she begged.
Surprisingly, Kasumi did stop.  "Kasumi?"  Nabiki took a step closer to
Kasumi.  Another, then another.  Only a few feet away now, Nabiki
reached out and touched her older sister tentatively.  [Kasumi, it's
Nabiki.  Remember, Nabiki?  Your sister?]
        The anger slowly melted away from Kasumi's features, and the
glow in her eyes died.  Pools of darkness replaced them, with only bits
of white at the edges.  There was no hint of iris.
        [Nabiki?]  Kasumi reached out and brushed Nabiki's cheek with
her fingers, careful not to get any of the venom on her sister.
        "Yes, that's right, I'm Nabiki.  And this..."  She turned
slightly and indicated Akane.   "...is Akane."
        Kasumi looked at the sprawled form before her.  "Akane?  Are you
sure?"  Nabiki nodded, surprised at the sound of Kasumi's voice.  It was
almost normal, with only a slight rasping.  Around them, Zerg of all
kinds approached slowly, growling with anger, threatening the two
younger sisters.  Kasumi turned and hissed angrily, ordering them back.
She then turned back and continued her inspection of Akane.  "I'm not
sure-"
        Akane took a page from her own book of experiences and used it
on Kasumi.
        [Remember this?]

        Akane and Kasumi stared down at the unconscious form of their
father.  Gently placing an ice pack on his head, Kasumi sighed.
        "Akane?"
        "Huh?"
        "I want you to listen to me like I was our dear departed
mother."
        Akane looked at her older sister, confused.  "Okay..."
        "Akane, I want you to promise me you won't hit anyone in anger
ever again."
        "But Kasumi-"
        "Promise me, Akane!"

        Kasumi's eyes widened as the memory played through her mind.
Looking down at her youngest sister, the memories came flooding back.
        "Akane!"  Kasumi ran to Akane's side and gathered her up in her
arms.  "I'm so sorry!  I don't know what came over me!"
        Nabiki sighed in relief and holstered her pistol.
        [Really, Kasumi, I'm okay,] Akane was saying.  [You just managed
to drain all the power out of my force field.  I'll get it recharged at
the Battery.]
        "Battery?"  Before Akane could explain, Kasumi's eyes glazed
over as she explored her fortress and the alien creatures inhabiting it.
Her expression hardened and she stood.  "This will never do," she
growled.
        "What?" asked Nabiki.  "What is it?"  Kasumi did not respond.
Instead she mounted a Hydralisk that approached at her mental command,
then slithered away towards the allies' command bunker.

        Commander Garatar looked up from his holographic map where he
was planning the final stages of their defense.  In the doorway stood
Kasumi.  He could feel the taint of the Zerg she carried with her in her
mind, and struggled for a moment, managing to refrain from unsheathing
his psi-blades and attacking her.  Staring at her, he shrugged.
        [Greetings, Kasumi,] he managed cordially enough, even though
every fiber of his being urged him to lash out at this...thing.  [Now
that you are awake, I would like your assistance in plan-]
        [You all must leave.  Now,] she ordered, glaring at the Protoss
Commander.
        Garatar stiffened.  [I will not abandon my post, Kasumi.
Kerrigan is coming, and-]
        [You don't understand, Protoss,] she interrupted.  [I know
Kerrigan is coming and you must all leave if you wish to survive.  I
will face her, alone.]
        [But-!]
        Kasumi's eyes began to glow a dark, sooty red.  [I rule here
Protoss, not you!  When I command, you obey!]  Outside the bunker came
the sounds of angry Zerg.  This time, Garatar did not resist the
impulse, and his psi-blades slid out of his forearms.  Akane and Nabiki
entered, hesitating as they saw the imminent confrontation.
        [You don't understand, Protoss,] Kasumi said quietly.  [I'm not
doing this for me, I'm doing this for you.  The Zerg cannot attack me,
just as the Zerg cannot attack Kerrigan.  However, they can attack you.
I don't have the power to stop the Zerg under her command.  If you leave
and deny them a target, they will stay placated.  If you stay, they will
fall upon you and tear you to shreds, and not even your precious Adun
could save you!]
        [Go, Commander,] added Akane, her speech falling into the formal
cadence of Protoss speech.  [It is not cowardice to flee from a battle
you cannot win.  Especially if the battle is a pointless one.]
        Garatar straightened, and he thrust out his chin arrogantly.  [I
will not abandon my post!  Praetor Artanis-]
        "On that subject," interrupted Nabiki.  "Now that Kasumi is
awake, she is the commander of this base.  That would make her equal in
authority to General Moroto and Praetor Artanis.  And since she does
outnumber us about five to one..."  Nabiki glanced significantly
outside, where more and more Zerg were approaching the command bunker,
growling dangerously.
        [Don't fall into the trap that is our pride and arrogance,
Commander.  Obey her.  There will be no dishonor to you.]
        [What do you know about us, half-breed?] scoffed Garatar.
        Flushing slightly, Akane glanced at Nabiki.  [Pride is not a
flaw found solely in the Protoss, Garatar.  And I assure you, my
training with your people was very complete.]
        Garatar stood there, shivering in anger.  How dare they order
him around!  He knew the odds, however, and knew that no one would
survive the battle with Kerrigan.
        [Very well,] he said with great reluctance.  [We will leave.]
        [Good.]  Kasumi spun on one heel and left, with Nabiki and Akane
right behind her.  [You two should go, too.]
        "Are you kidding?  There's no way I'd leave you now."  Nabiki
reached out and put one hand on her shoulder.  "I left you once five
years ago," she said, voice threatening to break.  "I'm not going to do
it again."
        Akane placed her hand on Kasumi's other shoulder.  [I will stay,
too.  It is a martial artists' duty to protect the weak.]  Akane looked
away from her older sister.  [I failed five years ago.]  Looking back
up, she met Kasumi's eyes.  A fierce determination burned in them. [I
will not fail a second time.]  Kasumi looked at them for a long moment,
gazing at them with her dark, alien eyes.  Then she smiled, and, for a
brief moment, she looked almost human.
        "Good," she said.  "Let's go prepare for Kerrigan's arrival."

End



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