Starcraft Evolution- Intermission 1

A long time since the first of these evolution missions and now that the votes are up, this intermission will show which one was more chosen.

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Leviathan nerve center…

"So, the first of Abathur's experiments turned out well," Stukov summarized the first test.

"And now, we have the Warden strain," Kerrigan analyzed. "It should work well against our enemies' larger ground units and stronger biological soldiers."

"Very much like the old Queens during the Brood War. The spy parasites inside enemies is one thing, but curable by our medics. Their Ensnare ability was even more trouble."

"That and their broodling ability were the best major functions of the old Queen. There's also their ability to infest badly damaged Commander Centers, now replaced by our virophages."

"Yes, and even those lost their suicide ability, replaced by the Banelings."

"Our Swarm is about numbers. The former infested terrans were few in number and did excessive damage. Banelings are numerous and just a few are enough to finish the job."

"The Infested Terrans could still use some improvement. Perhaps Abathur should look into new strains from the other worlds."

"I'll leave that to him."

Izsha then slithered out from the ceiling.

"What is it?"

"My Queen, the captured Witch specimen has hatched."

"Finally. It must've taken a while. Is the Witch itself secured?"

"It is, my Queen. Zagara and her brood have eliminated her minions and successfully restrained her."

"Good. I'll take a look at her myself."

Throne room...

Kerrigan entered the central chamber of the Leviathan.

Inside, Zagara was busy commanding her brood and several tendrils. Once the witch came back, she had to send minions in order to drag it outside of its labyrinth. The tendrils were used to entangle the Witch, but since it kept trying to cut them off, they had to bring in very thick ones. Aside from that, it also tried attacking Zagara and brood while spawning its own minions. She had to remain very distant- to the other side of the room where Kerrigan stood- as her brood dealt with the minions.

"My Queen, she's been restrained, but the whole process was problematic," Zagara addressed. "And the fact she looks flat is very...disturbing."

"I know Zagara, and that may not mean much, but she could still be useful."

"Apparently, she's unable to speak to us. Only psionic connections can reach out to her."

"I'll take care of it."

Kerrigan approached the Witch, which stopped and looked down at her. Her eyes radiated to contact the Witch psionically.

"Now, who are you?"

"Why should I tell you?"

A voice came out to her...psionically. Similar to telepathy. It sounded like a woman's voice, or in between that and a little girl's. Kerrigan then switched to this connection.

"Don't try to hide it from me. I already see it in your mind. Your name is Gertrud, isn't it?"

The Witch fell silent.

"I actually learned your name since we found you, Abathur introduced me to you."

"H-How...How could you-"

"Know of all this? Whatever species you're from, it's not the only kind with such abilities. Now I know everything about you."

"Well then, what do plan to do me now? Kill me?"

"I'll find some use for you. Witches may not be very practical as weapons, but admittedly, they're very unique. I bet there's something you and your minions could do for us."

"I will have nothing to do with you!"

Her defiance was agitating. It reminded Kerrigan of when she found Zagara, refusing to acknowledge her as the Queen of Blades. All it took was some force, and some convincing on Zagara's own part, to integrate her into the Swarm.

"Still don't trust me?"

"Are you saying I should?"

"I'm saying that likely came from something that happened to you. Often a betrayal. Whoever or whatever you used to be, you're not the only one who suffered this."

Kerrigan radiated her eyes more with energy. The Witch shriveled as it let out roars outside the psionic connection.

"Stop! STOP!"

The memories Kerrigan transferred into Gertrud were those of her betrayal. First of her joining Arcturus Mengsk, the leader of the rebellion Sons of Korhal, who rebelled against the Confederacy that used her like a tool. To further the proof how much she trusted him, she shared many of the battles and major meetings during the rebellion. That included the climactic battle on Tarsonis, specifically New Gettysburg, when the Protoss came. That was the more important part, showing how much she trusted Mengsk. At least, until he abandoned her with her knowledge and left her to the Zerg he sent to ravage Tarsonis. And that was the genesis of her as the transformed Queen of Blades.

Once all those memories were shared, Kerrigan's eyes paled. The Witch rested from what she thought was torture. Kerrigan waited a moment for her to recover.

"Hope that was some convincing. Now you'll see what my view of distrust is."

"That still doesn't change anything. You and your minions killed me before, didn't you? How can you be sure you won't do it again?"

"I'll make amends whenever I can. That's something I'm working on, but not until later. We need prepare for an even greater enemy and gather new forces to combat it." Kerrigan started to walk away. "Also, Abathur will want you some time. I won't say it's going to be complete torture, but it's going to be very...unpleasant."

Gertrud remained on it toes as the Queen turned around. "And by the way, if I can, maybe I'll find some roses for you. As an additional consolation prize." She made the Witch rise, both cautious and excited, as she turned to her distant disciple.

"Zagara, make sure she's kept that way. I may find her some use in the Swarm."

"My Queen, will she not be a threat us?"

"Leave her for now. She should fine here. For moment, we're going to see Abathur."

"Yes, my Queen."

Evolution Pit...

Abathur emerged in front of his Queen and her disciple.

"Anything new, Abathur?"

"Depends on subject. Busy with Witch, additional strains."

"First, the Witch."

"More analysis difficult. Specimen composed of entirely different structure."

"Like what kind of structure?"

"Entity Gertrud not made of DNA, based on energy, comparable to Protoss. However, not Protoss, mindset and form similar to Zerg. Conclusion: Witch made of emotional essence, negative stress, negative energy."

It made a lot of sense. It was difficult to contact the creature to begin with, let alone having a flat 2D form unlike most creatures. But then, there were also the Witch's minions.

"What about her assisting creatures? Do you have use of them."

"Minions just as difficult, sometimes harder. Purpose of creatures various. Ground units made to landscape. Aerial units made to restrain and watch over for intruders."

Those same roles also varied in usefulness. A creature made to merely landscape didn't have that much use. It could be useful for spreading creep, but do that much in battle. Perhaps so something with the Creep Tumors? Still won't be good enough. The other unit, however, could be useful. Since the Swarm collapsed, they also lost their Overseers made to spawn units. Despite not needing them, the fear fighting invisible units without something to deal with them was going to be very problematic against future threats. If possible, the Witch's minions could help gain that ability. Their ability to restrain target is a bonus feature.

"Well then, use your information and see what you can do with it. Just don't kill Gertrud."

"Witch constantly reviving creature, death irrelevant."

"She's still irreplaceable and new to the Swarm. I'd like to have her join if I can. But to do so, you must not try anything too painful or anything that'll give us a bad name to her. I'll inform Izsha and have her keep watch as you do." She also said as a side note, "And make sure Dehaka doesn't try taking her essence."

"Unclear, but will comply. Will treat specimen Gertrud, minions lightly. Security also relevant for unknown entity."

With that done, Kerrigan move to the second and last reports, "What else do you have?"

"Exploration continuing. New strains discovered. Necessary Zerg creatures released into parallel worlds to acquire."

"His work is very troubling," Zagara complained to Kerrigan. "He could endanger our presence. Let us kill him before he goes too far!"

"That won't do, Zagara." Kerrigan ordered her to stand down and turned her radiated eyes to Abathur. "Explain why you let some Zerg loose into the other worlds."

"Strains heavily defended. Requires...infiltration. News of Zerg still contained. Subjects in position, await your command."

"Which units did you send?"

"Very. Starting with Hydralisk, Aberration."

Letting Zerg be captured was peeve for Kerrigan, but, "I thought we already did the Hydralisk."

"Previous Hydralisk evolution only gives ability to transform, morphs into completely different unit. Does not affect Hydralisk itself. New strains affect Hydralisk itself. Two new strains available."

"Make it quick. The sooner we get it over with, the better."

"Understood. Starting Hydralisk experiments soon."