80Chapter Thirty-Four: Showdown on Bel'Shir
Princess Seto had been busy.
Very busy, in fact.
Forty-eight hours ago, everything had been fine. She'd been wine and dining with a visitor from Aiur, Judicator Aldaris. Aldaris had been expressing concerns about Jurai's recent research. He'd also advocating the return of Bel' Shir in exchange for a settlement. The other worlds Jurai had taken might be ceded to Jurai in a settlement. But none of them had the Breath of Cration.
Seto saw no reason Jurai should give up its hard-won territories. Especially since they had yet to suffer any defeats. And so these requests had been politely but firmly refused.
Yes, Jurai was not at the Khalai's level yet, but they were more than prepared for this. The Tal' Darim were a backward race of pirates and raiders, after all. They had no real hope of victory, only prolonging the inevitable.
And then the attack had happened. Now there were Tal' Darim insurgents attacking the facility, and demons streaming out. So far, the demons had caused only a few injuries. Their attacks were weak and devoid of true skills. No one had even died.
And yet they were causing immense chaos, and they were serving as a distraction.
And Judicator Aldaris was meditating.
"Judicator Aldaris, why are you meditating?" asked Seto, somewhat annoyed. If he had been saying he'd told her so it would have been better.
"I assure you, Princess Seto, I am fully aware of events as they stand," said Aldaris. "These creatures are shallow wilt before the Khala's light. Like to unleash them took significant forethought and skill.
"The one responsible for this is using this as a distraction.
"I recommend you alert your fleets. Tell them to stand by for war and initiate scans of the surrounding space."
"We're always scanning the surrounding space, Judicator. We are at war," said Seto.
"Then broaden the range. Until this crisis is averted, you must exert all power," said the Judicator. "I believe the Tal' Darim will launch an invasion soon."
"And who are you to tell us how to defend our own territory?" asked Seto.
"It was a suggestion motivated out of goodwill. You may do with it as you will," said Aldaris.
Seto looked to her staff, who even now were giving orders. "...Send word to the sentries. Tell them to double up scans until the present crisis is over."
"We're following the protoss' orders?" asked one.
"We're taking a suggestion I judge to be worth following. Do it," said Seto. "And alert our fleets in the area, tell them to standby for orders. I want them able to warp to us on a moment's notice."
"Yes ma'am," said the woman.
Fenix made his way through the facility quickly. As he did, he found signs of smashed equipment the demons had obliterated. It seemed they could obliterate inanimate objects quite effectively. Still, as he walked, he considered his side here.
Why exactly was he helping Naja?
Yes, the demons were a threat. But when he looked out the window, they largely seemed defeated. It was now the Tal' Darim he'd be fighting.
Rounding a corner, he found the hall blocked by a red energy field. And several more down the hall. Obviously, someone had been working to stop him. "Naja, there are multiple energy shields in my path. I cannot break through them."
"I see," said Naja. "They must have set them up to slow you down. But...
"That means they've been observing events somehow. How? Only I have access to the camera.
"Nevermind.
"Can you get to the ventilation shaft on your left?"
"Yes, I can," said Fenix, looking left and seeing a grate. A very small grate.
"Good," said Naja as Fenix looked to the wall the shield was on. "It should lead through the whole installation. It'll get you past the main generators-"
Fenix brought around a fist and smashed a huge chunk off the wall. With another blow, he broke more off, and with a third, he obliterated the corner. From there, he slipped on past.
"...Or you could do that," said Naja.
"Breaking the wall seems faster than moving through it," said Fenix.
Even as he did, however, numerous Tal' Darim zealots rushed around the corner toward him. Fenix took a stance and summoned his blades as they came.
"Stop them! For Amon!" cried the warriors.
"Hold where you are, warrior," said Fenix, parrying their thrusts quite easily. "I am an official representative of the Conclave. Strike me and you will be making a direct act of war on the Khalai." Turning his blades, he slashed both their psi blades at the base, breaking them.
"...If we kill him, no one will know," said some of the others behind.
"My presence in this facility is known to multiple witnesses who will report your deed," said Fenix. "Does your master have time to kill all of them?"
"You will not pass us," they replied, raising their fists.
"I am here to meet your leader, not kill him," said Fenix. "The Khalai are no pawns of the Juraians. Take me to him at once."
They halted and looked at one another. "...As you wish."
"What are you doing!" said Naja.
"I am bound by honor to the will of the Conclave," said Fenix with a shrug. "I cannot in good conscience strike down one we are not at war with,"
Naja said nothing else as they walked through the halls. Fenix suspected she was making last-second adjustments to her plans. The Tal' Darim around Fenix, on the other hand, all stayed out of reach. It was the fact that they were trying to look like they were guarding a prisoner that made it comical, however.
Soon they came to a great set of heavy metal doors. Standing there was a Tal' Darim with his hands behind his back. He wore ornate, black armor, and in front of him was a machine gradually melting through the door. He looked back. "You, what is the meaning of this?"
"This is the... intruder, Malrath," said a guard. "He wishes to speak with you."
"What is there to speak of?" asked Malrath.
"More than you can conceive of," said Fenix. "I am Zealot Fenix of the Judicator Elite Guard, and I am here to demand you retreat from this realm immediately."
"And why should we do such a thing?" asked Malrath. "The Juraians have occupied our domain and committed heresy against Lord Amon. I am here by his will to take from them their vaunted energy source.
"One more stolen relic."
"What relic?" asked Fenix.
"A stone of immense power," said Malrath. "The Juraians use it to maintain their defenses across this entire world. Once removed, their weapon systems will be rendered useless.
"Why do you take their side?"
"I am on no one's side save the Conclave," said Fenix. "My goal in being here is simply to ensure the safety of non-combatants. The demons you have summoned may cause fatalities and attacked me.
"When I began fighting you, I was unaware of your machinations."
Malrath shifted. "...If I guarantee the safety of all non-combatants, will you let me take the stone."
"Are you in a position to make such a promise?" asked Fenix.
"I can organize the demons we summon to focus entirely on military targets," said Malrath. "We are literally giving them form out of will, so that is possible. It was never my intention to wipe out my own civilians, in any case. Most of them are my own people.
"Do we have an agreement?"
"Opposing you in the field of battle would be in violation of the Conclave's neutrality," said Fenix. "Without a good cause to intervene and without a direct threat to my person, I am bound to do nothing."
Malrath blinked. "...Excellent, I'm glad this worked out." Then he turned to the gate and raised a hand. The weakened gate cracked, and exploded inward. Beyond they saw the room where the jewel was stored. It stood upon a great generator, pouring vast amounts of power into it.
And in front of it stood Azaka, holding his staff in two hands and brimming with energy. "You shall not pass."
"Azaka, a personal guard of Emperor Nesshin," said Malrath, leading his forces forward.
"The same," said Azaka. "Do any of you possess the will to face me in combat?"
"I will enjoy telling my son stories of how I killed you in single combat," said Malrath. "They will, of course, be lies.
"Get him."
Dozens of Tal' Darim rushed toward Azaka and attacked him. Fenix expected him to be cut to ribbons in seconds, but he was proven wrong. As Malrath made his way toward the generator, Azaka ducked and weaved, before striking his enemies away.
"He is quite formidable, is he not?" mused Fenix.
"He'd be even more formidable if you would help him!" snapped Naja.
"I have little sympathy for one who has conjured up such horrors for the sake of knowledge," said Fenix. "And in any case, I am bound to do nothing.
"If I were you, I would concern yourself with the fleet heading this way."
"Fleet?" asked Naja.
"Malrath obviously planned this strategy long in advance," said Fenix. "If I were to initiate a plan that might cripple your defenses, I would also have a fleet standing by. To take advantage of the inevitable shutdown.
"His goal is to prevent you from profaning the Breath of Creation. For that purpose, he must liberate this world."
Naja went silent. "...I need to make a phone call."
Malrath reached the shield surrounded the gem, and summoned a shield of power around one hand. Plunging forward, he grasped the gem and drew it out. He emanated pain as the gem burned his hand but smiled and held his grip.
"We have the gem. Leave him," said Malrath, launching himself to stand beside Fenix.
The Tal' Darim obeyed, and they ran to join him. As they did, Fenix detached a blue gem from his gauntlet and rolled it at Malraths feet. With Azaka coming at him, he had no time to see it.
"No!" cried Azaka, sending a wave of power. "I will not allow you to take the gem!"
"You are in a position to allow nothing," said Malrath. "Warp us away, quickly." And he was gone.
Fenix opened communicators mentally. "Judicator, track my homing beacon now. It should show you the location of Malraths vessel and where they are heading."
"What?" said Azaka. "Why did you not stop them in the first place?"
"This was an internal matter," said Fenix. "And the Conclave was not directly involved beyond saving civilians. However, there is no reason we cannot track them down.
"Now, let us find the exit."
Judicator Aldaris had disappeared at some point. Nobody could say exactly when he'd left, but Seto didn't have time to find out. As she was giving orders, she finally got an emergency call from the facility. Naja appeared, looking frantic.
"Lady Seto, I need to talk to you now!"
"What is it, Naja?" asked Seto.
"The defense systems power source is about to go down, make appropriate measures," said Naja. "The gem has been stolen!"
"Very well, I'll scramble all troops," said Seto. "We were nearly done here anyway."
"Have you scanned for any fleets approaching us?" asked Naja.
"Yes, we have," said Seto. "However, we are not detecting anything, no matter how many scans we do. This appears to be a single raid. Still, Emperor Nesshin is only minutes away. The Tal' Darim fleets haven't even made any move to intercept him.
"I expect this is part of a power struggle. Third Ascendant working against Second Ascendant."
"We've already tracked down the fleet, thanks to a homing beacon one of Aldaris' men put on them. They should be intercepted in orbit."
"What about in the orbit of the planet? Have you scanned there?" asked Naja.
"We ought to have known, although, the Tal' Darim possess cloaking technology," said Seto. "If they used the proper application of Arbiters..." She froze and turned to her ensigns. "Send word to the Emperor, tell him to come out of warp space now! He's walking into a trap!"
"But Princess-" began one.
"Do it now!"
Emperor Nesshin had no intention of walking into a trap twice.
He'd had his fleets trained extensively. He'd one everything he could to avoid the humiliation they'd suffered before. And it had paid off. He'd won a dozen smaller battles against the Tal'Darim and conquered many worlds. Bel' Shir was only the first. Yet Ma'lash, the Tal' Darim's leader, had used hit and run tactics until now.
He'd preferred to drag the conflict out. He'd both their time with costly occupations. That and raids upon merchant's vessels, trying to provoke Nesshin to rash action. But Nesshin was not foolish enough to try a direct assault on Slayn.
It had been a frustrating stalemate.
Now, at last, Ma'lash was launching a counterattack. Nesshin had a feeling that he was walking into a far larger engagement than expected. And so he had brought the entire Jurai Fleet with him.
If this turned out to be another false alarm, he would strike directly at Slayn next.
Kamidake moved up to him. "Emperor Nesshin, Lady Seto requests we come out of warp space immediately. She believes there is a trap waiting for us at our current landing point."
"Do it now, Kamidake," said Nesshin.
No sense in going in half-cocked.
The ships halted, coming out of phase and saw Bel' Shir before them. Nesshin clasped his hands and saw only a small fleet of Tal'Darim ships. Hardly enough for a raid and they were being pursued by multiple vessels.
Nesshin didn't like it. "There is a fleet waiting here. I can sense it."
He raised Sword Tenchi and focused his power through it. Sending it outward, he sensed tiny disturbances that were familiar. The sort he'd seen many times before, but on a much larger scale. "I see them now.
"I will show this fleet for what it is with the power of Tsunami. Assemble the fleet for war and prepare to assault them as soon as they are revealed."
Then he set to work.
"It was a clever tactic,' said Kamidake. "Make the appearance of a small strike force to create a disturbance below, then lure us in. If it had worked, they could have made an ambush for us.
"Still, against the might of the Jurai Fleet, even the whole Death Fleet could not stand against us in fair combat. All weapons are ready."
Nesshin unleashed the pulse. The Juraian Fleet surged forward, firing at the revealed ships. Yet the ships, in turn, seemed to have been waiting, and they rushed forward with the same fury. Multiple vessels were scorched by assaults from both sides, and the battle had only begun. A cheer resounded through the room as the Tal'Darim lost two carriers. Nesshin had yet to even commit his Second and First Generation ships.
And yet more were being revealed with every moment. As the pulse continued, the sky was filled with Tal'Darim vessels. They seemed to outnumber the stars. Their red lights were like images of hell upon the sky.
Yet Nesshin was not afraid. The might of Jurai was fully assembled. Never before had such a fleet been assembled, nor against such force. And coming to meet it was the whole of the Tal'Darim Death Fleet.
"...It appears that belief is going to be tested, Kamidake," said Nesshin, smiling "to battle! For Tsunami and Jurai!"
"FOR TSUNAMI AND JURAI!" cried the fleet.
The Tal'Darim rushed forward with equal might. There would be no protoss fleet to end the conflict this time. Nesshin was now certain that Ma'lash himself was present. The battle would continue until one of them was dead.
Perfect.
Author's Note:
I have a confession to make. The entire Fenix arc was basically setup to get Nesshin into this critical battle. It was sufficiently important that I had to show it on screen. However, at the same time, I didn't have any main characters working directly under Nesshin.
I'm trying to keep a fast pace with all of this, to be honest. I'm certain that Starcraft players want to see the heroes of Starcraft. And the Tenchi Muyo fans will want to see some characters beyond Washu. Thus why I had the backstory to this arc revealed in retrospect.
Also, some aspects of the timeline will change to make this merging work. I've already fast-tracked the Juraian Timeline by literally millions of years, possibly more. I did this because... how much has happened in the last ten years?
Right, now if that much happens in ten years, multiply that by a thousand?
Anyway, hopefully, the UED will show up soon.
