506Starcraft: Reigns of War
Disclaimer: I do not own Starcraft, Warcraft, or any characters associated with them as they are the property of Blizzard entertainment.
"talking"
Thoughts
Protocol
~ Dawn Station ~
Up in high orbit the Terrans and Protoss were maintaining a diligent watch over the planet.
With the war starting two weeks ago, Aiur had successfully captured several territory's within the New Alliance. Although they had a good start, their progress has been significantly dampened due to multiple growing issues.
Thanks in part to their initial strike, the outlining defenses were destroyed. Thus any form of resistance and reinforcements were struck down long before anything could be done. But as they started moving closer to any key sights or any route towards the capital they were met with heavy opposition.
Though their weapons and technology were clearly superior, their forces were spread pretty thin across the continent. Having captured several territories it was taking time to stabilize them before they could move on. It would have been pretty bad if they caused a mess and left it was is which would cause discontent amongst the civilians. If it really became a problem it could pose trouble for the supply lines for their forces pushing against the border.
For the civilians themselves were what was eating up most of their time. Garithos had left most of them in pretty terrible shape. Disease and famine were steadily increasing from day to day. Public safety was at it's lowest with attacks by bandits and random monsters. So some of them had to stay behind to protect the area. Requests were also made for healers and magitech engineers to be transported over to help develop basic essentials for some of these villages and small towns in order to survive.
However their numbers were limited as they needed to go from location to location to settle things before moving on. So for the time being the war was at a stalemate. While Aiur settled the surrounding territories this gave time for the New Alliance to reinforce their defenses along their new bordering area.
"Well isn't this just obnoxious" said Eli. With satellites watching over the continent of Lordaeron one of them had a good look at the New Alliance capital. Zoomed up on it's cameras they were even able to see the dark knight himself apparently on his balcony overlooking his city. Frankly it was rather frustrating for someone like him. With their technological advantage this war could have been over with a literal push of a button.
Realigning the Dawn space station's orbit, they could be right above Garithos's castle within the hour. With one good shot from the H.A.M.M.E.R. all that would be left would be a hole in the ground effectively cutting off the head of the snake.
Seeing how smug he was on his castle, Eli grunted as he got up and left. Going to the dining hall the reaper grabbed himself a cup of coffee as he took a seat. Looking around he saw that his fellow Terrans were just going about their own business. "Sure don't mind the people dying down there" he bitterly thought. Looking up from his drink he saw some Protoss walking around.
Dawn was a co-owned station between the Terran and Protoss. As arranged some sections were purely dedicated to each side in which neither side can intrude on unless invited. However common areas like the dining hall was considered open to all.
No matter how many times he's seen them, the Protoss were quite the sight. As he was musing in his thoughts, "would you mind if I sit with you?"
"You're Malthur right? Yeah sure". Eli couldn't help but be on edge if he was talking to the right one. Without some small details here and there he wouldn't be able to tell them apart from one another.
"No offense implied" Malthur answered back.
"Did he just read my mind?"
"Hmm . . . . I apologize as I'm not used to conversing with such young beings . . . ."
"At least that's a nicer way of calling our monkey brains primitive".
"You're welcome" which caused Eli to cringe again at being overheard. Taking a few minutes to learn and practice in differentiating between private and vocal thoughts they then continued on from there.
"So what brings someone like you to my table? I thought you Protoss usually hangout with your own".
"More for a fact that I couldn't help but overhear your discontent".
About to question his meaning Eli just rolled his eyes and went with it with what was recently on his mind. "Yeah? And what of it?"
"What would you prove from such a thing?"
"What's there to say? It's as simple as the bad guys are dead. Good guys win. Then everyone can go home happy".
"Then I think you missed the entirety of the point".
"Huh?"
"I believe you Terrans also have your own rules concerning your dealings with underdeveloped civilizations. Especially in relations to this one where no meddling should be done. Any interactions should be kept as an absolute minimal to non-existent". Malthur paused for a moment before continuing. "But I question who are you to question what is right or wrong for them?"
"What are you talking about?! Isn't it obvious?!"
"Is it?" Malthur questioned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Do you for a moment understand just how vast the universe is? Or even how the long we Protoss have been studying it?" Malthur asked. "Just how many countless worlds and civilizations that live on them? To a Terran mind, it is beyond your comprehension. But to answer your question, even the best of intentions do not always create a positive outcome or even an outcome in which we can consider a good one. But rest assured you are not the first nor certainly will you not be the last species to interfere with another".
"So what's your point?"
"The point is in it's simplicity is free will. Every species has to make it's own decision what kind of world they want for better or for worse. Each world will evolve differently both in biology, technology, and ideology. Mistakes will be made as that is a natural part of growth. Whether they learn from it or not, that's up to them".
"If they end up blowing themselves right the hell up?"
"Then that is the fate they chose".
"Then what is wrong with trying to do the right thing?"
"Then do you intend to watch over them for the rest of your life?"
"Well I . . . ." Eli stumbled.
"We Protoss have watched many young races act with cruelty and barbarity with absolute abandonment. But ultimately getting involved will only lead to more chaos. Thus they need to find the right answer by coming to the conclusion on their own. Outsiders like us who will try to interfere will always be treated like outsiders. Even if our actions were for their own good, they would never accept it or come to overly depend on us".
Eli was not sure how to respond.
"Take this from someone who has been around much longer then you. Wording it as you Terrans would put it, 'you just got to let them grow up'".
~ Lordaeron ~
Garithos was furious at losing approximately a third of his territory to those detestable demi-humans and the humans that supported them. He had not expected them to react so quickly nor for them to be so strong.
So reinforcing his lines, homunculus soldiers and undead minions were being pumped out as fast as he could make them. However it did not go without notice when his subjects could not help but wonder where these soldiers were coming from.
But for the time being he didn't have the luxury to explain it away as he forced his commanders and those still loyal to him to keep any and all news silent.
With all resources devoted to his army, he would insure that not one more piece of his land is taken. With army being pumped out he had all black smiths, alchemists, and magic researchers working around the clock to produce weapons, armors, and spells for his soldiers. But at the rate he was going he would undoubtedly burn through his resources.
Thus he needed to resupply. However he couldn't depend on Ironforge. Though they were technically allies, due to their dealings with the machine people he couldn't be certain the supplies he received weren't tainted.
That then left Quel'Thalas. There wasn't much affection between them as they looked down on him just as much as he did they. But considering the dealings he had with Zendarin he should be able to broker a deal less he reveals his little secret. However he still had to wonder why Sylvanas had not been captured yet.
But as this was going on, the dark knight had one problem that constantly haunted him. He worried that the Protoss or the machine people would sooner or later get involved. That was the thing that terrified him most. With all that he has built up he was nowhere near ready to fight them. Even with the combined power of the Burning Legion, the Undead, and the New Alliance couldn't overcome them. But so long as they stayed quiet that was good news for him. That also offered an opportunity. If Aiur did not have their backing in this war then he had to conquer them as soon as possible.
~ Lordaeron ~
Sylvanas was still busy fighting her way out.
She had to keep on her toes as any moment she allowed herself to relax could spell her doom. Putting her decades of experience to use she had to be tactically superior to her enemies.
No matter how fast she ran or where she looked there seemed to be no end to them. Aside from minding monsters there were plenty of New Alliance soldiers patrolling the area looking for her.
Up high at the tree tops the high elf general surveyed the area spotting anything of note. Looking over her equipment she could only give a sigh. "The forest will be enough to provide for me. But for my equipment . . . . ugh . . . ."
Her sword was chipped having been degraded from the blood it spilled. Without any way to maintain her weapon it was close to breaking and would prove to be unreliable in the another fight. So having no choice she discarded the sword as she had no other way to replace it.
Looking to her quiver, her arrows were a bit of a mixed bag. Some were still in good condition while others had at most one more use. However she could replenish her reserve to some extent. Using a dagger, she could carve up some branches to make the base. Finding some rightly shaped rocks it wasn't hard to sharpen them. Taking some dried vines and straws she was able to bind them together. They were extremely crude and probably offset her aim. But enhanced by her magic they could defeat any of the pursuing soldiers. But considering this long drawn out fight she needed to conserve her stamina to a certain extent. If worse came to worse, she would need all her remaining power to make an escape till her magic was fully restored again before engaging in another fight.
"There she is! Get her!"
Pulling out her arrow she charged it with magic turning it into a mini-explosive killing her current pursuer. "Time to go" as Sylvanas started to run again. All she needed to do was reach Quel'Thalas. Once she crossed the border the forest would protect her summoning out photon cannons to repel them. But she had wonder if they were gutsy enough daring to try to pursue her so close to her homeland. "Only one way to find out".
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: Not much to say. Now onto some commentary.
As noted every time a more advanced civilization interacts with a lower one nothing good really ever comes of it. Good intentions or not. Xel'naga really messed up the Protoss and Zerg. The Protoss in turn ended up stone aging a world by accident in trying to stop their war. Even in our own history we have a few bad points. But in relation to the anonymous reviewer, it seems rather unnecessary to be angry at me about this. This is in fact the lore of the Starcraft universe of the Protoss with not messing around with other worlds. Not so sure what the Terrans rules on this are. But I'd expect they would have protocols in place about how they would interact with them.
But it won't be long till Garithos is kicked off his throne. Still deciding what will become of him.
As for Sylvanas, there is going to be a few bumps along the way.
Yet concerning this story, been having a few writers block. I know where I want to take this story. But I'm not sure how I want to get there. I guess we will see.
So if there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask as I'll try to answer them.
Thank you for reading as I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.