Then.
Only years later, when the bombs began to fall, did the people see the error in their ways. Unlike a metal structure or one made of permacrete, the buildings on Kiyar were just not designed to handle significant stress or any stress whatsoever, and suffered damage regularly in impacts with errant sports balls. When nuclear weapons rained upon the surface of Kiyar, the people had little recourse but to duck and cover, huddling beneath tables, tucked safe behind their natural walls. Those walls were blown apart. Many of them shattered and crumbled under the shockwave impact while those closer were instantly ruptured and turned to dust. When the chaos ended, only the metal frames of the houses were left, many of them bent and broken, blown away. After that, only rubble existed.
Rubble and ash. Burnt trees leaving a poisonous legacy as radiated ash. And all natural buildings turned into useless, broken stone.
It was unfortunate.
“Can you believe, Zeratul? Irradiating weaponry?”
The Skey’g’aar shook his head.
“This is nothing. There is a procedure amongst major Empires of orbital fire, with the intent of opening a magma stream to destabilize the planet’s mantle and swallow the world in melting lava.”
“How… disturbing.”
“In addition, there are numerous governments that utilize biological agents with the intent of poisoning entire Empires. There was an Angel Virus. A Wraith Virus. Our own allies possess something referred to as the Phage.”
Kal Shora waved his hands, dismissively.
“Oh, Zeratul. I long for the days of war with the Lin.”
“You were alive for the war with Lin?”
“Alive, yes… no I did not fight the Lin. But I journeyed many times into battle with our allies, the Parrow Lin. The For’Shan. The Tiradorian Matriarchy. The Yat'a'leg'a'lora. And every time, our enemies fought us, hand to hand, cannon to cannon, like men. None of this… nuclear assault. None of this biological contamination.”
He leaned forward.
“Every day I am here, it becomes more and more clear to me that the power structure of this galaxy is held completely by evil and honorless men. And although it pains me to admit so, I am forced to acknowledge that this galaxy will only be safe when every one of its inhabitants are dead. Every one of its governments buried; every leader executed.”
He leaned back again.
“Fortunately, my duty is not to save these people. But to save my own.”
Zeratul nodded absently. He waved his hand, changing the images displayed on the visage to include a table with the ships distance from the planet.
“We will be entering orbit imminently, Elder.”
Kal Shora signaled an affirmation.
“Good. The Nexus.”
“Of course, Elder. Tek’a'r'odar; Pend'ar'a. Tek’a'Bor'd'daak; Dan’zant, Bar’z’ran.”
The visage immediately responded to his input, displaying figures and text confirming the receipt of his commands.
“Tek’a’tara taking defensive positions around command bunkers. Tek’a’tara stopping at the edge of one of the major cities.”
“Excellent, Zeratul. Take us there.”
“Excuse me, Elder?”
“Take the ship down to the edge of that city. I want to visit Kiyar myself.”
“But the radiation…!”
“Will be damned. Radiation can be removed. But the legacy of death I have cast upon this world will damn my soul for eternity.”
“Elder please…”
“No, Zeratul. If these people are to die, then I will force myself to watch. I don’t dodge guilt. And if I am to be avenged upon, then so be it.”
“Elder, I know better then to attempt to outthink you.”
“A sign of your progress.”
“Wear my Mer’a’brazal?”
Kal Shora took a few moments to consider.
“Will it fit?”
***
It felt odd, the High Judicator of the Dominion, adjusting to armor of a soldier. But it was so… he stretched, one final time, his body growing accustomed to the wrapped bandages that provided a final line of defense. He looked over at his younger colleague, and saw him for the first time, naked as Kal Shora often sat, only a cloak trailing from his neck. He saw the scars adorning his chest and arms, some from ragged cuts, others from intense burns. As his eyes crossed the rough scar tissue that covered much of his neck, the Skey’g’aar warrior turned and saw the High Judicator analyzing him. When their eyes met, Kal Shora bowed his head in respect.
“I may often belittle your intelligence and experience, but never allow anyone to downplay your physical sacrifice and dedication, Zeratul Daz’Da’Mar.”
“Se'T'ap'a'r'odar, Elder.”
“Se'T'ap'a'r'odar, Se'T'ap'a'r'odar. What of the battle on the surface?”
Zeratul closed the lids over his sharp red eyes, inhaling as he concentrated.
“The cities of Krataf, Iridoya, Kimyona, and Negradia have all fallen or are falling under the nexus. There are roughly 8 cities remaining, including the one we have approached, known by the converted as Ionia. We will land about a hundred meters from the city.”
“Very good. Zeratul…”
“Yes Elder?”
“With this armor on, can I…?”
Zeratul shook his head, amused.
“No, Elder. It is a function of a well-trained mind that allows me to shift as such. The jewels in the armor only serve as a catalyst.”
“Ah… disappointing.”
“If you desire, I can teach you when we return?”
“You would enjoy that, would you not?”
Zeratul bowed his head.
“I meant no disrespect, Elder.”
“Of course not. Nor did I imply that you did. But even you must appreciate the irony of me asking you for instruction.”
Zeratul nodded.
“In any case, is there any other information I need to know before we land on the planet’s surface?”
“A party of soldiers left the city, presumably to reinforce another city. It appears they were led by Azguard.”
Kal Shora’s eyes flashed with excitement.
“Excellent. Offer them no resistance unless they open attack.”
“Elder, it is more then possible they will reverse direction in order to investigate our landing.”
“Of course. I am counting on it. The tek’a’tara can handle the Kiyar. You will fight the Azguard.”
“I will?”
“Are you refusing a command?”
“Of course not, Elder, but without my armor…”
“They can kill you. Correct me if I am wrong, Zeratul, you have engaged both the Sith and Jedi in battle. And survived.”
“You are correct, Elder.”
“Then if they can kill you, they can kill a Sith or a Jedi. This I need to know, Zeratul. If the Azguard can kill Sith, Jedi, and Shadowcaste warriors at will, then they may possibly be the most dangerous species of all.”
“And that would…”
“Yes, Zeratul. That would make them the most dangerous weapon of all.”
Zeratul nodded in appreciation of Kal Shora’s plan. Even if he wasn’t exactly thrilled about the possibility of his own death being used as research.
“Is there anything else, Zeratul?”
“Yes, Elder. There is one thing. We picked up several incoming transmissions from out of system. We have jammed them, but are not sure how many may have gotten through us, or the radiation.”
“Excellent.”
“Excellent, Elder? Incoming transmissions more then likely imply replies to outgoing transmissions, which means…”
“Which means that the Coalition knows we are here. And they are coming.”
He turned to Zeratul, eyes aflame with determination.
“We will be ready.”
