The Ulaan Prophecy

Year: 320 CE - tba

While HAWK was researching a collection of Protoss-Zerg Hybrids it had captured, HAWK noted that the only records it had of the species prior to recently were 'legends' among the Protoss which described them as harbingers of the apocalypse according to a prophecy engraved by their gods on the unknown space planet of Ulaan. HAWK decided to investigate this planet, sending 5 Type-2 HAWK Craft which scanned for any kind of artificial activity and structures, locating 3 temples underneath its crust, though during these scans a extremely advanced Protoss stealth-ship known as the 'Voidseeker' (which was roughly 'fighter sized') arrived in the system around the same time that the psionic frequencies of Protoss and especially Zerg began being detected, prompting HAWK to hide its crafts in the system's asteroid belt as to avoid detection while a group of Type-1 HAWK Crafts fully mapped the planet. The Voidseeker descended into Ulaan's caverns and unlocked 'psionic-seals' containing the Temples while the Zerg infested the planet, wiping out all Protoss forces aside from the Voidseeker which left to the Protoss world of Zhakul unscathed after 2 hours. HAWK quickly dropped in probes to analyse all it could before the Zerg could overtake the planet, finding the entire place to be a desolate rocky wasteland with a couple ancient artifacts and temples. Alarmingly, a Hybrid named Maar was detected on Zhakul around the same time that the Voidseeker (piloted by a individual named 'Zeratul') had arrived on the planet, with the three preservers dedicated to assisting in deciphering the prophecy havbing been mind-controlled by the Hybrid. HAWK was justifyably concerned by the presence of something prophecised to bring about a galaxy-wide apocalypse, secretly relaying a message to the Protoss leadership recommending them to take immediate action against the threat on Zhakul, prompting the Protoss to send over an army and a fleet.

Battle at Zhakul Zeratul lands on Zhakul, and finds an abandoned Protoss base. He walks around, him and a few probes begin placing pylons and activating the base. "I sense a dark presence on this world." He activates his Psi blade. The hybrid appears, a few miles in the distance, in the middle of all the Preservers in stasis. "Come my slaves... The time has come to give me your strength!" The Hybrid begins making its way towards Zeratul's base. A few Stalkers, and an immortal and some Zealots begin digging in. They begin attacking the Hybrid as it approaches. "An abomination!" exclaims Zeratul "A hybrid is consuming the Preservers life energy. I must free them." He blinks around the Hybrid, attacking it. The small force of Protoss is chewed up by the hybrid, but it becomes too damaged to fight, so it teleports away. "Alright my friends, continues building up our forces." He orders "It shall strike again." The base sits atop a hill. Zhakul is a dark world. Pillars are everywhere, that frequently raise and retract into the ground. They are in a valley area. Mountains flank both sides of the base. There are Protoss structures everywhere. There's a few rock formations and a hill, towards the preservers' stasis chambers. A ray bridge connects the stasis area to the rest of the valley, over a river. A Protoss stalker emerges from the shadows. "You do not seek out the preservers, you must submit to oblivion!" The stalkers begin attacking Zeratul and his allies. "Corrupted Protoss? What has this hybrid done?" The stalkers are defeated. Zeratul and his allies begin moving through the valley. Zeratul and his allies moves toward the bridge, where they are ambushed by Dark Protoss. Zeratul blinks behind one, and stabs it in the back, while an immortal turns around and blasts another dark Protoss. "Thank you friend." Says Zeratul They look across the bridge, towards the Dark Protoss encampment. "Help is on the way." they hear in their heads Suddenly, Daelaam Protoss begin warping down right inside the Dark Protoss encampment. They begin tearing it apart Zeratul and his allies cross the bridge, and provide their assistance Then, the Hybrid appears "You all do no comprehend. You all are doomed. Submit to oblivion!" shouts the Hybrid It uses a psionic storm, right in the group of Protoss, injuring many of them. They all begin to swarm the hybrid, who's Dark Protoss defenders have been defeated. The hybrid multiplies. Many Protoss die. "How... This abomination... How can it do such things??" A group of 5 type 2 HAWK ships enters the system of Zhakul and enters orbit around the planet. They activate Psi-disruptors and 2 ships descend into the atmosphere to get in range. For the time being, there is no way to accurately use psionic powers in the battle. "AHHH... hrrrgggg AHHHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRGGG" screams the Hybrid Its energy fields and matrices die, and it collapses to the ground, dead. Zeratul is latched onto its back, with his Psi blade inside the hybrid. The ships retreat again. The Dark Prelate and his allies walk across the path. He steps on the pressure plate, and somehow, it knows he is Protoss. The stasis chambers of the Preservers become unlocked. They emerge. "Zeratul..... Thank you for destroying the abomination." "We sense the prophecy fragments in your mind.." The preservers surround Zeratul, and they all kneel down. "We have seen the prophetic fragments in your mind, Zeratul. We will make of them what we can." "The Cycle shall draw to its end. The Xel'Naga who forged the stars will transcend their creation..." "Yet, the Fallen One shall remain..." "Destined to cover the Void in shadow..." "It begins with the Great Hungerer." "It ends... in utter darkness." "The great hungerer... The overmind!" "I must seek out the Overmind's final resting place." He treks back to the void seeker.

Luckily, the 'Dark Guardians of Zhakul' were expelled which prompted the Voidseeker to move onto Char, where Zeratul implanted his memories into an I'jan Crystal and showed them to the High Templar of the Daelaam Protoss, seeing a vision which The Overmind saw prior to its death as well stating that the end of all things would come as the Fallen one would 'end the infinite cycle' via a plan which involved the Zerg and the Hybrids. The Protoss alerted the CSIS about the situation, though due to the still ongoing Pisura27 Sickness Intervention they were unable to intervene.

An employee of the Moebius Foundation tipped off the CSIS and Accord governments that Emil Narud, the leader of the organization, had been breeding Protoss-Zerg Hybrids, prompting the Protoss to demand that Emil be arrested at once, which the OMM picked up on and decided to intervene in.

Battle at Skygeir Station An employee of the Moebius Foundation tipped off the CSIS and Accord governments that Emil Narud, the leader of the organization, had been breeding Protoss-Zerg Hybrids, prompting the Protoss to demand that Emil be arrested at once, which the OMM picked up on this situation and decided to intervene in, sighting a fortified CSIS space platform in a asteroid field named 'Skygeir Station' (which additionally contained a Zerg Leviathan and a wider Zerg infestation) which they promptly decided to infiltrate. Two Coordinator ships in the system exit the hangars of a OMM station far away and warp to another position. A recon drone group warps as close to the station as possible without getting detected and closes in. They identify the ship types present and the specific armaments and weaponry employed. They observe how the Zerg behave in proximity to the Moebius ships. A small stealth probe not bigger than an arrow is sent to touch down at the station. Different combat drones start gathering in the void just outside the system and also in the asteroid belt. The head OMM ships receives a hail from the Zerg Leviathan. Their computer beeps: Psionic Signature Detected. Unclassifiable. The hail is parsed through into the Black Link Network. OMM sees Miraak's face on view screens. "Hello. I have detected your presence despite your stealth technology. I assume that you are here for Narud." Onboard the "Valravn" Coordinator ship the captain speaks up. "What is your deal in this matter Miraak?" A slight pause. "I assume you can hear me." "Yes." "I am also here for Narud." "I'm destroying his Hybrid breeding program." "And I intend to kill him." The Captain looks slightly down. A small message appears on his HUD. He looks up again. "I have to inform you that our own intentions do not align as we claim capture on the person you desire." "You cannot capture Narud" "Why?" "He is a changeling." "A shapeshifter." "We are aware, we will be-" A new message appears on the HUD. He pauses then slightly nods. "Very well, we will not interfere." The gathering of drones in the void outside the system disperses, returning to their normal patrol routines. The drones in the asteroid belt remain, keeping an eye on the fight. As the infestation on the platform spreads, they see infested humans roaming the platform. Several Hundered Zerg break the door open to the Station, and begin flooding inside. Miraak is spotted entering the inner facility, and heading down towards the lower levels. Skygeir station begins tearing itself apart as the ancient Xel-Naga temple it was built around was revealed as it exploded and the Zerg fled. Skygeir Station, Lower Levels A Massive Xel Naga shrine stands above Miraak. A Door, massive in size, begins to crack open. Miraak steps inside. He continues walking. Inside, it is a dark, yet beautiful arrangement, there is a massive green crystalline structure, sort of like a Chandelier. The walls are emblazoned with Carvings of pictograms depicting the Infinite Cycle. And the Dark One. There is a raised area ahead of Miraak as he walks towards the raised platform. Suddenly, a figure jumps out, and lands in front of him. It is Narud. "You have come here to kill me, to stop his plans" "You are already too late." He cackles. He outstretches his arm, and the massive Chandelier comes loose, and falls. Miraak looks up, right as it lands right on top of him. There is a loud crash, has the Chandelier shatters, and its mounts and such land everywhere. It is a massive pile of rocks that have just landed on Miraak. A blue light can be visible from inside the pile. A massive burst of Energy throws Narud back into the wall, debris being shattered everywhere. Where the pile once was, is Miraak, floating inside a bright teal energy orb. His eyes glowing. "No. I'm right on time." Miraak lunges at Narud, lighting flowing from his hands directly into Narud, who cries out in Agony. Narud's eyes become a deep black. Another push of energy throws Miraak across the room. Miraak lands on all fours, and stands back up. Miraak stands again, and races towards Narud, who is shooting balls of energy at Miraak. Massive spikes come out of Miraaks back, they form what look like the skeletal structure of a bats wings. A small Psionic storms forms right on top of Narud, greatly injuring him. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGGG" "HAAAAAA HAAAA AAHHHHHH" The storm ends, and Narud collapses. "Your existance in this realm, ends this day, Narud." shouts Miraak. Miraaks hands begin glowing, and Miraak grabs Naruds face. Miraak transfers some sort of Energy into Narud. A bright orange light starts coming from Naruds eyes and mouth. "Arg arrrg aaa rgggg rhhnng aa" Narud explodes with bits of his body going everywhere. "Banished back into the Void." "Where you belong." Miraak walks away from what is left of Narud's body. Miraak later informed the OMM of Narud's death and thanked them for their cooperation.

The Moebius Foundation was afterwards indicted for breeding Hybrids as well as being involved in corruption, bribery, and smuggling of illegal substances, leading to a battle in the Praxis System which lead to the Moebius Foundation's fleet being destroyed, and the organization largely falling apart as most of its leaders were detained. Once the Pisura27 Sickness Crisis concluded, the CSIS and Protoss began more formal cooperation as the Protoss told the CSIS of Narud's death and his status as 'most faithful servant' of the Dark One, while other events prompted the Protoss to begin preparing a fleet for war.

The Daelaam Palace, Aiur. Artanis stands in his study, at the top of the Nexus point that acts as the Daelaam Palace. He looks over, across Aiur City. The city is full of light. He turns around, and his good friend, Zeratul is standing, in silence. "Zeratul." "Artanis." "I feel something calling me into Unknown space." "Do you feel it too Artanis?" "I do." "Something dark." There is a long pause. "The Xel Naga, Narud, is dead." "I heard" "Felled by Miraak." Zeratul looks up. "Miraak?" "Yes." "Miraak leads the swarm." "Yet there is... Another one." "I Sense a another swarm" "A new swarm" "This is most disturbing." "We must prepare, then."

---

Zerg-Protoss Hybrids aligned with Irton alongside their possessed armies consisting of Humans, Protoss, and Zerg began launching raids against the Galactic Federation, Kintu Empire, Blarg Republic, and Blarg Kingdom, which were largely fought off. Soon afterwards, various cults began to emerge throughout the Milky Way aligned with Irton (The Dark One), gradually radicalising from fairly ordinary cults to extremist threats. The first notable occurrence of 'Irton followers' acting against another society was their attack on Taros-1, though the planet had not yet developed intelligent life so the Irtonist fleets' attacks were relatively pointless. The next major incident occurred on the planet of Xin-Martia, where a major Irtonist uprising occurred supported by several Hybrids. Concerned by the threat, HAWK also began a simulation to see the spread of the ideology asserted by the followers of Irton in comparison to the responses of all galactic nations. As Ironist attacks increased, many groups began simultaneously preparing for an attack on the Irtonist "capital" of Ulnar in Unknown Space, with groups such as the Hybrid Enclave, Zerg Collective, and CSIS forces, with those from the CIS gathering at their staging ground on Miranda Prime;

Miranda Prime Staging Grounds. 0800 Hours, Local Time A sizeable base has been established on Miranda Prime, as the CSIS military gathers its rescources for the coming battle ahead. Several marines in their combat suits walk along a perimiter, establuished 300 meters out from the center of the base. The perimiter is made up a small trench and bunker network, with marines and tanks guarding the perimiter. Inside the Command post, several officers are pondering over a star-map, surrounded by viewscreens of several different high ranking Confederate Admirals and Generals. "We have established our forward outpost on Miranda Prime. Says General Sikora, the main man inside the command center "Our SCVs are unloading the equipment, we are preparing Vespene refineries and other basic infastructure to get the spaceports moving." "Good." Says An admiral. "A self sustained halfway point to Ulnar is the first step in defeating Irton." "I agree. Our main base is almost fully constructed, I will provide updates tomorrow morning." "Good luck gentlemen." Says the General The viewscreens turn off. General Sikora walks down a fight of stairs into the main area of the command center, which is full of ore processing equipment, SCV suits, as well as other staging areas and equipment for the Marines. The General walks down the stairs, which are stuck to the walls of the small garage bay. He then makes a fast pace walk to the door. He steps outside The breeze of the Desert hits him, its dry, and hot. Not too far off from his home on Mar Sara. He observes his surroundings, making note of all the hardworking individuals here. He thinks of the coming storm. Everyone is afraid of Irton, what he might do. What he is capable of. Fighting a god seems futile, he thinks. But sitting down and taking it is too. Some time later. 2200 hours The base is asleep. The only people awake are those on the defense perimeter on night watch, as well as the command center personnel. Suddenly, a rumbling can be heard. It can be felt. The base quickly goes on alert. "ZERRG!!!" A marine calls out. Thousands of Zerglings and Hydralisks descends the mountains in the distance, running after the Confederate base. The Siege tanks open fire. Marines rush to the trenches, unleashing gunfire upon the swarm. The Zerglings approach the trench. Few make it in. A Marine private opens fire on them, but its overwhelmed, and a Firebat lights the whole trench on fire "AAAAAAAARRRGHHHHHH" Screams the marine, out in agony. A sergeant watches, in horror, at the sight. The fight dissapates, and two more Zerglings stand there, stunned. The sergeant racks his rifle, and opens fire. The sergeant is nearly overwhelmed, and then, his rifle stops. Click. Out of ammo. Then, two rockets whizz by his head, blasting the Zerglings to bits. knocking the Sergeant down. He turns around, stunned. A marine holding the rocket launcher, puts it on the ground, and sits down. he starts rocking back and forth. The sergeant approaches him. 'What unit are you in?" "Whos in charge here?" A radio nearby plays a psychadelic guitar solo. Gunfire and explosions fill the nigh sky. The Marine, looks at the sergeant, and sits down. he starts rocking back and fourth. "Where is the air support?" The sergeant says, noticing the air combat controller insignia on the marines armour. The Marine stops and points up. The sergeant looks up, and hanging in the clouds, is a massive, Behemoth Class battlecruiser. Its lights glowing, lighting up the night. Suddenly, its guns begin opening fire on the Zerg. Green and red tracers fill the sky. Banshees fly over, unleashing swarms of napalm filled missiles. The Sergeant drops the magazine out of his gun, quickly replacing it with a new one. He presses the bolt release on his rifle, which causes the bolt to slam forward, chambering a new round. Weapon is hot. "RAAAAA" Screams the sergeant, as he squeezes the trigger on his weapon. The weapon lets off a violent burst of rounds. It's loud. He manages to kill a few Zerglings with his small burst. A presses a button on the side of his rifle, and a large bayonet deploys from the front of the rifle. A Zergling lunges at him, and he stabs it with his bayonet, throwing it to the ground. "Die you son of a bitch." The Zergling twitching, and he fired a round into its face. The sergeant is then hit several times with a Hydralisks venomous spikes, he brunt's through pain and the poison and continues fighting. He fights to his last round. When his weapons runs out, he uses his bayonet. After several hours, He finally passes out due to shock and the poison. Days later. 1200 hours Staging Point Alpha, Miranda Prime. The base is in shambles. But it is still there. Dead Humans and Zerg lay everywhere General Sikora zips up body bags of fallen soldiers. He comes to one man. A sergeant. He rips the tags off the man's neck. It reads "Sergeant John Piduleski". His rifles bayonet is deployed, covered in Zerg blood. His rifle completely out of ammunition. The Sikora pulls several Hydralisk spines out of the man's shoulder, abdomen, and legs The general prays for a brief moment, and zips up the bag.