Blood sprayed the area as the bullet tore Pax’s throat out and the other Kel-Morians opened fire. The result was nearly instantaneous as both Tychus and Raynor hosed them down with a hail of gauss spikes.
The enemy soldiers attempted to stand their ground, but one of them fell as Kydd fired on him, and the other staggered drunkenly as the incoming gauss spikes tore through his suit. Then he toppled over backward and skidded for a short distance before coming to a halt.
That was when Tychus realized that Cassidy had taken a spike through the chest at some point in the exchange of fire and was lying on her back looking up at the sky. He hurried to kneel next to her and placed a hand under her head. The liquid in her throat made a gargling sound as she spoke. “It wasn’t personal… . It was never personal. You know that.”
“Yeah,” Tychus replied soberly. “I know.”
Doc forced a smile, and was about to say something else, when her eyes went out of focus. She was gone.
Tychus swore, forced himself to rise, and took a look around. That was when his eyes came to rest on Vanderspool. The officer was on his knees, clutching the bloody mess that was his shoulder and sobbing loudly. “Please!” Vanderspool pleaded as he looked up. “I need a medic! I’ll pay you!”
“Doc is dead,” Tychus said flatly. “You killed her.”
That wasn’t true. Not that it mattered. Raynor stepped beside Tychus, looked down at Vanderspool, and felt the anger start to build inside him. Because there, kneeling in front of him, was the personification of everything he had come to hate. How many people had given their lives so that Vanderspool could line his pockets? Hundreds? Thousands? It was impossible to say. But one thing was for sure… . It was never going to happen again.
Kydd joined his brothers, rifle at his side, and the three men watched the colonel writhe in agony, his façade of power and strength shattered by his own greed.
“Your father wants to see you,” Vanderspool pleaded to Kydd. “I know where he is. I’ll take you there. Please, I’m in pain.”
Kydd snorted and shook his head.
Pax’s pistol was lying on the tarmac. Vanderspool made a grab for it and Raynor stepped on his hand. Flesh gave way, bones broke, and Vanderspool screamed.
“I can ease your pain, you piece of trash,” Raynor growled as the skull on his visor whirred and his real face appeared. His voice was unnaturally cold, guttural. Seething with rage, Raynor brought the gauss rifle to bear. “Good-bye, asshole.”
Vanderspool’s eyes grew larger, he opened his mouth to say “No,” and a single spike slammed into his chest. As the officer toppled over onto his side, Raynor felt his anger melt away, to be replaced by something else. Somehow, without intending to, he had become part of the very thing he despised. A universe in which the Old Families could take whatever they wanted, send brain-panned citizens out to fight interstellar wars, and kill with impunity. The realization was followed by a profound sense of shame—and a determination to be who he wanted to be. Or, in his father’s words, the man he chose to be.
The three men stood there for a moment. The area was completely silent except for the crackle of flames as they continued to devour the city—and the sudden whine of engines as Vanderspool’s dropship prepared to lift without him. Tychus was the first to speak. “The Hellhounds will be here soon. We’d better get a move on.”
The men turned toward the remaining dropship. Haster had dropped the ramp by then, and was waiting inside, as they began to make their way up. Tychus led the way, with Kydd right behind him. Raynor paused to take one last look at the city where so many of his friends had given their lives. We weren’t angels, Raynor thought, we were the Heaven’s Devils. The best of the worst.
The thought brought a nostalgic smile to Raynor’s lips and it was still in place as the dropship took off and left the carnage behind. He was going AWOL, so his war was over, but he would never forget the friends who had fallen in the town of Korsy. Not ever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William C. Dietz is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, spent time with the Navy and Marine Corps as a medic, graduated from the University of Washington, lived in Africa for half a year, and has traveled to six continents.
Dietz has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, news writer, television producer, and director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Writer’s Guild, and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.
He and his wife live near Gig Harbor in Washington State, where they enjoy traveling, kayaking, and not too surprisingly, reading books. For more information about William C. Dietz and his work, visit: williamcdietz.com.
STARCRAFT TIMELINE
c. 1500
A group of rogue protoss is exiled from the protoss homeworld of Aiur for refusing to join the Khala, a telepathic link shared by the entire race. These rogues, called the dark templar, ultimately settle on the planet of Shakuras. This split between the two protoss factions becomes known as the Discord.
(StarCraft: Shadow Hunters, book two of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
(StarCraft: Twilight, book three of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
1865
The dark templar Zeratul is born. He will later be instrumental in reconciling the severed halves of protoss society.
(StarCraft: Twilight, book three of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
2143
Tassadar is born. He will later be an executor of the Aiur protoss.
(StarCraft: Twilight, book three of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
c. 2259
Four supercarriers—the Argo, the Sarengo, the Reagan, and the Nagglfar—transporting convicts from Earth venture far beyond their intended destination and crash-land on planets in the Koprulu sector. The survivors settle on the planets Moria, Umoja, and Tarsonis, and build new societies that grow to encompass other planets.
2323
Having established colonies on other planets, Tarsonis becomes the capital of the Terran Confederacy, a powerful but increasingly oppressive government.
2460
Arcturus Mengsk is born. He is a member of one of the Confederacy’s elite Old Families.
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Uprising by Micky Neilson)
2464
Tychus Findlay is born. He will later become good friends with Jim Raynor during the Guild Wars.
(StarCraft: Heaven’s Devils by William C. Dietz)
2470
Jim Raynor is born to Trace and Karol Raynor, farmers on the fringe world of Shiloh.
(StarCraft: Heaven’s Devils by William C. Dietz)
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
(StarCraft: Frontline, volume 4, “Homecoming” by Chris Metzen and Hector Sevilla)
(StarCraft monthly comic #5–7 by Simon Furman and Federico Dallocchio)
2473
Sarah Kerrigan is born. She is a terran gifted with powerful psionic abilities.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Uprising by Micky Neilson)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
(StarCraft: the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
2478
Arcturus Mengsk graduates from the Styrling Academy and joins the Confederate Marine Corps against the wishes of his parents.
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
2485
In response to the Confederacy’s underhanded appropriation of resourc
es, the Morian Mining Coalition and the Kelanis Shipping Guild join forces to create the Kel-Morian Combine. Their goal is to protect their lucrative mining operations and provide military aid to any mining guild oppressed by the Confederacy. Rising tensions between the Combine and the Confederacy lead to the outbreak of open warfare. This conflict comes to be known as the Guild Wars.
(StarCraft: Heaven’s Devils by William C. Dietz)
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
2488–2489
Jim Raynor joins the Confederate Marine Corps and meets Tychus Findlay. In the later battles between the Confederacy and the Kel-Morian Combine, the 321st Colonial Rangers Battalion (whose membership includes Raynor and Findlay) comes to prominence for its expertise and bravado, earning it the nickname “Heaven’s Devils.”
(StarCraft: Heaven’s Devils by William C. Dietz)
Jim Raynor meets fellow Confederate soldier Cole Hickson in a Kel-Morian prison camp. During this encounter, Hickson teaches Raynor how to resist and survive the Kel-Morians’ brutal torture methods.
(StarCraft: Heaven’s Devils by William C. Dietz)
(StarCraft monthly comic #6 by Simon Furman and Federico Dallocchio)
Toward the end of the Guild Wars, Jim Raynor and Tychus Findlay go AWOL from the Confederate military.
Arcturus Mengsk resigns from the Confederate military after achieving the rank of colonel. He then becomes a successful prospector in the galactic rim.
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
After nearly four years of war, the Confederacy “negotiates” peace with the Kel-Morian Combine, annexing almost all of the Combine’s supporting mining guilds. Despite this massive setback, the Kel-Morian Combine is allowed to continue its existence and retain its autonomy.
Arcturus Mengsk’s father, Confederate senator Angus Mengsk, declares the independence of Korhal IV, a core world of the Confederacy that has long been at odds with the government. In response, three Confederate ghosts—covert terran operatives possessing superhuman psionic powers enhanced by cutting-edge technology—assassinate Angus, his wife, and their young daughter. Furious at the murder of his family, Arcturus takes command of the rebellion in Korhal and wages a guerilla war against the Confederacy.
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
2491
As a warning to other would-be separatists, the Confederacy unleashes a nuclear holocaust on Korhal IV, killing millions. In retaliation, Arcturus Mengsk names his rebel group the Sons of Korhal and intensifies his struggle against the Confederacy. During this time Arcturus liberates a Confederate ghost named Sarah Kerrigan, who later becomes his second-in-command.
(StarCraft: Uprising by Micky Neilson)
2495
Jim Raynor ends his outlaw years when his partner in crime, Tychus Findlay, is apprehended by authorities. Raynor starts a new life as a Confederate marshal on the planet Mar Sara.
2499–2500
Two alien threats appear in the Koprulu sector: the ruthless, highly adaptable zerg and the enigmatic protoss. In a seemingly unprovoked attack, the protoss incinerate the terran planet Chau Sara, drawing the ire of the Confederacy. Unbeknownst to most terrans, Chau Sara had become infested by the zerg, and the protoss carried out their attack in order to destroy the infestation. Other worlds, including the nearby planet Mar Sara, are also found to be infested by the zerg.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Twilight, book three of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
On Mar Sara, the Confederacy imprisons Jim Raynor for destroying Backwater Station, a zerg-infested terran outpost. He is liberated soon after by Mengsk’s rebel group, the Sons of Korhal.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
A Confederate marine named Ardo Melnikov finds himself embroiled in the conflict on Mar Sara. He suffers from painful memories of his former life on the planet Bountiful, but he soon discovers that there is a darker truth to his past.
(StarCraft: Speed of Darkness by Tracy Hickman)
Mar Sara suffers the same fate as Chau Sara and is incinerated by the protoss. Jim Raynor, Arcturus Mengsk, the Sons of Korhal, and some of the planet’s residents manage to escape the destruction.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
Feeling betrayed by the Confederacy, Jim Raynor joins the Sons of Korhal and meets Sarah Kerrigan. A Universal News Network (UNN) reporter, Michael Liberty, accompanies the rebel group to report on the chaos and counteract Confederate propaganda.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
A Confederate politician named Tamsen Cauley tasks the War Pigs—a covert military unit created to take on the Confederacy’s dirtiest jobs—to assassinate Arcturus Mengsk. The attempt on Mengsk’s life fails.
(StarCraft monthly comic #1 by Simon Furman and Federico Dallocchio)
November “Nova” Terra, a daughter of one of the Confederacy’s powerful Old Families on Tarsonis, unleashes her latent psionic abilities after she telepathically feels her parents and brother being murdered. Once her terrifying power becomes known, the Confederacy hunts her down, intending to take advantage of her talents.
(StarCraft: Ghost: Nova by Keith R.A. DeCandido)
Arcturus Mengsk deploys a devastating weapon—the psi emitter—on the Confederate capital of Tarsonis. The device sends out amplified psionic signals and draws large numbers of zerg to the planet. Tarsonis falls soon after, and the loss of the capital proves to be a deathblow to the Confederacy.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
Arcturus Mengsk betrays Sarah Kerrigan and abandons her on Tarsonis as it is being overrun by zerg. Jim Raynor, who had developed a deep bond with Kerrigan, defects from the Sons of Korhal in fury and forms a rebel group that will come to be known as Raynor’s Raiders. He soon discovers Kerrigan’s true fate: instead of being killed by the zerg, she is transformed into a powerful being known as the Queen of Blades.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
Michael Liberty leaves the Sons of Korhal along with Raynor after witnessing Mengsk’s ruthlessness. Unwilling to become a propaganda tool, the reporter begins transmitting rogue news broadcasts that expose Mengsk’s oppressive tactics.
(StarCraft: Liberty’s Crusade by Jeff Grubb)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
Arcturus Mengsk declares himself emperor of the Terran Dominion, a new government that takes power over many of the terran planets in the Koprulu sector.
(StarCraft: I, Mengsk by Graham McNeill)
Dominion senator Corbin Phash discovers that his young son, Colin, can attract hordes of deadly zerg with his psionic abilities— a talent that the Dominion sees as a useful weapon.
(StarCraft: Frontline, volume 1, “Weapon of War” by Paul Benjamin, David Shramek, and Hector Sevilla)
On the fringe world of Bhekar Ro, terran, protoss, and zerg forces fight to claim a recently unearthed building belonging to the xel’naga, an ancient alien race that is thought to have influenced the evolution of the zerg and the protoss.
(StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel’Naga by Gabriel Mesta)
The supreme ruler of the zerg, the Overmind, discovers the location of the protoss homeworld of Aiur. The zerg invade the planet, but the heroic high templar Tassadar sacrifices himself to destroy the Overmind. However, much of Aiur is left in ruins, and the remaining Aiur protoss flee to the dark templar planet of Shakuras through a xel’naga warp gate. For the first time since the dark templar were banished from Aiur, the two protoss societies are reunited.
(StarCraft: Frontline, volume 3, “Twilight Archon” by Ren Zatopek and Noel Rodriguez)
(StarCraft: Queen of Blades by Aaron Rosenberg)
(StarCraft: Twilight, book three of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
The zerg pursue the refugees from the planet Aiur through
the warp gate to Shakuras. Jim Raynor and his forces, who had become allies with Tassadar and the dark templar Zeratul, stay behind on Aiur in order to shut down the warp gate. Meanwhile, Zeratul and the protoss executor Artanis utilize the powers of an ancient xel’naga temple on Shakuras to purge the zerg that have already invaded the planet.
The United Earth Directorate (UED), having observed the conflict between the terrans, the zerg, and the protoss, arrives in the Koprulu sector from Earth in order to take control. To accomplish its goal, the UED captures a fledgling Overmind on the zerg-occupied planet of Char. The Queen of Blades, Mengsk, Raynor, and the protoss put aside their differences and work together in order to defeat the UED and the new Overmind. These unlikely allies manage to accomplish their goal, and after the death of the second Overmind, the Queen of Blades attains control over all zerg in the Koprulu sector.
On an uncharted moon near Char, Zeratul encounters the terran Samir Duran, once an ally of the Queen of Blades. Zeratul discovers that Duran has successfully spliced together zerg and protoss DNA to create a hybrid, a creation that Duran ominously prophesizes will change the universe forever.
Arcturus Mengsk exterminates half of his ghost operatives to ensure loyalty among the former Confederate agents who have been integrated into the Dominion ghost program. Additionally, he establishes a new Ghost Academy on Ursa, a moon orbiting Korhal IV.
(StarCraft: Shadow Hunters, book two of the Dark Templar Saga by Christie Golden)
Corbin Phash sends his son, Colin, into hiding from the Dominion, whose agents are hunting down the young boy to exploit his psionic abilities. Corbin flees to the Umojan Protectorate, a terran government independent of the Dominion.
(StarCraft: Frontline, volume 3, “War-Torn” by Paul Benjamin, David Shramek, and Hector Sevilla)
The young Colin Phash is captured by the Dominion and sent to the Ghost Academy. Meanwhile, his father, Corbin, acts as a dissenting voice against the Dominion from the Umojan Protectorate. For his outspoken opposition, Corbin becomes the target of an assassination attempt.
(StarCraft: Frontline, volume 4, “Orientation” by Paul Benjamin, David Shramek, and Mel Joy San Juan)
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