Starcraft Story
The coming of the Zerg and Protoss
In the beginning you discover that it is the year 2499. A Terran outpost on the edge of known space, named Chau Sara, is attacked by a technologically-advanced race known as the Protoss. The Terran Confederacy fears that Mar Sara is next and scrambles their defenses. At the same time, an insectoid alien race known as the Zerg slowly begin to spread across the surface of Mar Sara.
In fact, the secret relationship with the Terrans and Zerg had gone on before.
Spoilers for the official Blizzard fiction, StarCraft: Uprising follow.
It is unknown at what moment the Terrans and Zerg made first contact, but it was a secret. The Confederates locked up Zerg in a secret facility on the planet Vyctor 5 in a complex called the Fujita Facility, surrounded by a complex weather formation known as the Fujita Pinnacle.
Hardly anyone had reason to look inside this weather complex, and getting inside was nearly impossible due to the powerful weather and the powerful defenses within. Nonetheless, Arcturus Mengsk did just that, shortly after the devastating attack on Korhal (an attack which had left the Sons of Korhal with fewer than a hundred members). Mengsk had used a powerful new addition to his arsenal, a formerly Confederate vessel he had renamed the Hyperion.
He didn't know there were Zerg there. He had gone hunting for a Ghost, Sarah Kerrigan, for reasons unknown to even his allies. He was quite surprised to find her as part of an experiment involving these xenomorphs. Not knowing what to make of them, his soldiers killed the few Zerg specimens and took the scientists with them. Shortly thereafter, Mengsk led an attack on the primary Ghost Academy on Tarsonis itself. Most of the small Sons of Korhal group were killed in this mission, but Kerrigan survived.
Spoilers for the official Blizzard map series, StarCraft Loomings, follow.
Perhaps interested in these Zerg (now that Kerrigan was one of his top officers) or perhaps seeking to undermine Confederate authority in outlying planets, Mengsk's Sons of Korhal made a raid on Chau Sara, early in November, 2499. This was very dangerous, as Chau Sara would quickly become the temporary headquarters of Alpha Squadron, generally acknowledged as the best of the Confederate Squadrons. Chau Sara's Colonial Magistrate Collins had called them in.
The Colonial Forces fended off the Sons of Korhal with help from Alpha Squadron, but shortly afterwards they made hostile contact with the Zerg (which they were still calling "xenomorphs"). This small attack was repelled by the Confederates.
Immediately after the attack a shadowy group calling itself "Cerberus Recon Squad" appeared. They were using advanced technology and claimed to have extensive knowledge of the xenomorphs, but were very disrespectful of Magistrate Collins. Nonetheless, they assisted in the destruction of the local Sons of Korhal base.
Magistrate Collins confirmed to Alpha Squadron that he had known about these xenomorphs for quite some time. They were being studied in the Flannum Installation but contact there had been lost. Now the installation was surrounded by xenomorphs, which had somehow created large, semi-organic structures, some of which were capable of defending themselves. Cerberus Recon Squad and Alpha Squadron cooperated in clearing a path to the installation.
Cerberus said they knew the code for the installation (something only Magistrate Collins should have known), which enabled them to use the bio-scanners and confirm the presence of the scientists. However, they didn't seem to be able to detect the xenomorphs, which had burrowed themselves in the installation floors. During the rescue of the scientists, the xenomorphs displayed some intelligence, setting traps (using the Terran computers, no less) and even staged a "counter-rescue" from outside the installation. Nonetheless, Cerberus was an elite force, and with the support of security guards found hiding within the facility they overcame the infestation.
The xenomorphs quickly attacked the city of Los Andares after the rescue of the scientists, and so Alpha Squadron and Cerberus had to rescue the city. General Duke himself assisted from his siege tank. Afterwards, Collins wanted to set up a tight defense against the xenomorphs but the Cerberus Commander overruled him, actually taking command of the colony to do so. Cerberus felt now was a good time to attack the primary Hive Clusters. Alpha Squadron and General Duke had to go along with this plan. Those xenomorphs were defeated, and then Cerberus left with a warning:
"By edict of Confederate High Command, all matters regarding these xenomorphs are under Class 7 Seal. Do not speak of the existence of the xenomorphs or in any way relay the events surrounding their appearance on Chau Sara. Failure to comply with these orders will result in immediate termination.
This conversation never took place. We were never here."
Within a month, public first contact with two alien species would be made.
Downfall of the Confederacy
In the midst of the crisis which befell Chau Sara, a new Colonial Magistrate is named for the nearby world, Mar Sara. His early orders include taking the colonists to "concentration points" out in the wastelands of Mar Sara.
A small group of these colonists and troops is sent to seek out a local Marshall, named Jim Raynor, to help relocate the colonists. After this relocation, the Colonial Magistrate receives news from Backwater Station, a Confederate outpost that has been besieged by the Zerg. Alpha Squadron General Edmund Duke tells the Magistrate not to interfere, as he will send help, but Raynor, who despises the Confederacy, believes Duke will take too long. Raynor volunteers to lead colonial troops to rescue these Confederates (and is successful at doing so), but after destroying an infested installation he is sent to prison. However, Arcturus Mengsk, who leads the Rebel group Sons of Korhal, frees him.
General Duke has no patience for the Colonial Magistrate's protests over his treatment of Raynor. The Magistrate had a report on Conderate tactics made for him. According to the report, most of the Confederate outposts had been destroyed by the Zerg, the Confederates were refusing to openly face the alien menace, and indeed they had arrested most of the militias who had dared to face off with the Zerg. The Confederate cowardice meant the core city on Mar Sara was virtually undefended; the Zerg were attacking it, and the citizens still left there could not cope withe threat for long. Indeed, the only military group that was actually willing to face the Zerg in the open were the Sons of Korhal...
Arcturus Mengsk made a deal with the Magistrate. He would evacuate the residents of the core city if the Magistrate would work with him. The Confederates, meanwhile, seemed to have no interest in saving these innocent civilians. Left with little choice, the Magistrate agreed. He fended off the Zerg long enough for the Sons of Korhal to rescue the colonists. The Confederacy responded by firing him until they could finish their investigation. Despite his spirited defense of the colonists against the Zerg, he had dared to ally with a terrorist group to do so.
With the destruction of the core city, both the Confederates and the Sons of Korhal planned to flee. However, Mengsk wanted to do one more thing...
After freeing Raynor, Mengsk wanted the former Magistrate's assistance in raiding the last Confederate outpost on Mar Sara for Confederate technology. This base was operated by Alpha Squadron; it was called the Jacobs Installation. Raynor led the Sons of Korhal team inside where they stole an encrypted disk.
They evacuate the planet, which was shortly thereafter sterilized by the Protoss, and flee to the Second Moon of Antiga Prime, where a group of people are ready to rebel against the Confederacy. While they're on the planet they meet up with Sarah Kerrigan, Mengsk's second-in-command. Later, the ship Norad II, flagship of Confederate general Edmund Duke, is shot down by the Zerg, who had arrived at the planet for reasons unknown. They rescue the ship and convince him to join the Sons of Korhal.
Duke probably helped Mengsk decrypt that data disk they had stolen on Mar Sara - it contained the information necessary to create a psi-emitter. This device could amplify the psionic energy produced by a psychic Terran (eg a Ghost, such as Sarah Kerrigan) and attract the attention of the Zerg with it.
With the defection of Alpha Squadron (a huge loss to the Confederacy), Delta Squadron was sent to fight the Zerg and take over the colony. This force, while not as professional as Alpha Squadron, was a lot bigger. Due to recent losses, the combined Sons of Korhal and Alpha Squadron could not hope to defeat them. Instead, Mengsk resorted to trickery. He had Sarah Kerrigan infiltrate the main Delta Squadron base and activate the Psi Emitter. A huge number of Zerg flooded the area, destroying the Confederate army there and, of course, spreading out to kill civilians and so forth.
The Sons of Korhal evacuated, and the Protoss arrived to destroy the infestation (along with all other life on the surface of the planet).
Duke helps them bring down the Confederate homeworld of Tarsonis. To get rid of the Confederacy once and for all they plant a psi-emitter on the planet, a device capable of attracting the Zerg. The Zerg bear down on the planet and destroy the Confederacy. The Protoss follow, but instead of attacking the Zerg they are themselves attacked by a Sons of Korhal force led by Kerrigan - her mission is to protect he Zerg long enough for them to finish wiping out the Confederacy. While she was successful, she had also questioned Mengsk's morals and strategy. Mengsk left her to the Zerg, which overwhelmed her force. Her fate was unknown. In response, Raynor breaks away from the Sons of Korhal. Duke and Mengsk faced off with Raynor, using a powerful Confederate Ion Cannon which Duke had reactivated in order to prevent Raynor's small force from escaping. However, Raynor and the former Mar Sara Colonial Magistrate were able to destroy the Ion Cannon and escape.
Mengsk then unites the Terrans and forms the Terran Dominion, crowning himself as Emperor.
Rise of a new power
Meanwhile, the Zerg Overmind is protecting a "new creation," which you soon learn is to be born from an egg. The Zerg travel to the planet Char and protect the egg. When it hatches an infested form of Kerrigan emerges, now working to serve the Zerg. Kerrigan soon discovers that the Protoss are on Char. Tassadar is leading these forces, and Kerrigan challenges him to a fight. However, Tassadar summons an illusion, which serves as a distraction so that the Protoss can flaunt their new weapon, the Dark Templar, capable of killing Zerg Cerebrates. The Dark Templar Zeratul kills Zasz, but when Zasz is killed the Overmind learns the secrets of the Protoss, including the location of the homeworld of the Protoss, Aiur. The Zerg then travel to Aiur to obtain a Khaydarin Crystal. They set this upon the ground of a Xel'Naga Temple. The Overmind is then able to manifest itself upon this ground, establishing Zerg dominance of Aiur.
Betrayal of the Conclave
Meanwhile, the Protoss known as Fenix flees to the colony of Antioch to defend against a Zerg attack. While there you quickly discover that Tassadar has deserted the Protoss Conclave. He was drawn to Char by Kerrigan's psionic signature, and there met Zeratul, one of the banished Dark Templar. Tassadar says that Zeratul told him that killing Cerebrates is the key to bringing down the Zerg. After they slay the Cerebrate it is immediately reincarnated. Tassadar quickly notes that the only way to kill a Zerg Cerebrate is to use Dark Templar. Fenix then leads an attack against the Zerg and is nearly killed. His crippled body is recovered and placed in a Dragoon exoskeleton so that he may fight again. The Conclave, led by Aldaris, then begins to track down Tassadar and arrest him for his treason. Apparently the treason was not being right about the Cerebrate, which was reincarnated. When they find Tassadar it is found that he has aligned with the Terran Jim Raynor. Tassadar says that he will submit himself once he proves that the Dark Templar indeed can bring down the Cerebrates. The Conclave agrees and Tassadar seeks out Zeratul. He is found with a group of Dark Templar. Fenix soon sides with Tassadar and Zeratul. However, it is soon discovered that the Conclave has betrayed them, and they take out a key Conclave base. However, Tassadar cannot bear the Protoss fighting each other and submits himself to the Conclave. Raynor and Fenix then team up and free Tassadar. Zeratul moves in and eliminates two cerebrates guarding the Overmind so that they may stage their final assault.
Assault on the Overmind
In a final climactic battle, Raynor and his forces, Fenix, Tassadar, and Zeratul team up to defeat the Overmind. Also, in a surprising move, Aldaris apologises for his actions against Tassadar. An immense battle takes place, and finally, in the end, Tassadar realizes that he must sacrifice himself. He takes his personal Carrier, the Gantrithor, channels Dark Templar energy through it, and rams it into the Overmind. The Overmind is killed, but Tassadar is taken with it.
But the threat does not die with the Overmind, for another is poised to take this opportunity to come to power themselves...
The Brood War: Protoss Missions
The Zerg and Protoss were both left in a weakened state by the death of the Overmind and the battles on Aiur.
The Zerg went wild, taking over 70% of Aiur and killing 70% of it's population. At least two Broods were completely leaderless because of Zeratul's actions, while the Protoss Conclave was destroyed. Aldaris and Zeratul become the de-facto leaders of Aiur. Believing themselves unable to defend the Homeworld, Zeratul proposes evacuating Aiur. He will lead the Protoss refugees to the last Warp Gate on Aiur and lead them to Shakuras, the world the Dark Templar had adopted as their own. On their way they meet up with Raynor and Fenix, who assist in holding off the Zerg (who are attracted to any powerful source of psionic energy, such as the Warp Gate) until the Protoss can escape.
These two heroes maintain small forces on Aiur; their main purpose is to defend this Warp Gate.
Shakuras, a strange and dark planet, was never fully colonized by the Dark Templar. Indeed, the Dark Templar never made an effort to defend their own side of the Warp Gate, which would quickly cause trouble.
The refugees, under the command of the new Protoss Praetor, Artanis, found a suitable site to create their new colony, New Antioch. It was promptly attacked by Zerg (and these Zerg were promptly killed by the Dark Templar of Shakuras).
The Zerg had taken control of the Warp Gate and could now flood to this new world. The Dark Templar and Protoss refugees cooperated to destroy the Zerg who had nestled on the Shakuras side of the Warp Gate, then moved on to the primary Zerg Hive Clusters.
During the battle Jim Raynor and Fenix recaptured the Aiur side of the Warp Gate. They sent a transmission informing Artanis and Zeratul of this, and say they will shut down the Gate on their side to prevent any more Zerg from getting through. This will prevent the refugees and Dark Templar from sending any reinforcements to help Raynor and Fenix, and Artanis, moved, says he will send as many warriors as he can spare.
Zeratul has an emotional reunion with Matriarch Raszagal, the Matriarch of the Dark Templar, in her Citadel in Talematros, the capital of Shakuras. Zeratul had been away from Shakuras for "many decades".
Raszagal welcomes the Protoss refugees to her planet; she has no qualms with them now that the Conclave has been destroyed. Of course, this kind of greeting does not please Aldaris.
She says there is a way to defeat the Zerg who have now spread over much of Shakuras. On her world lies another Temple to the Xel'Naga which can harness the energies of the High Templar and the Dark Templar to eradicate the Zerg. However, doing so will require the crystals Uraj and Khalis. The Uraj is a High Templar crystal, while the Khalis uses the energies of the Dark Templar. In the meantime, two Zerg Cerebrates nestled themselves near the Temple, presumably in order to study it. The Zerg no longer appeared as insane as they had been after the death of the Zerg Overmind on Aiur. The Dark Templar, working with the refugees, defeat the Zerg and kill the two Cerebrates. They are surprised at the results.
A Zerg Overlord arrives, carrying with it Sarah Kerrigan. She informs the Protoss that she must talk with their Matriarch. The Protoss naturally protest, but Raszagal surprises them by agreeing to this discussion. Aldaris is especially upset at this.
In Raszagal's Citadel, Kerrigan tells her story. She says that with the death of the Overmind she is now free of Zerg influence (at least the mental kind) but that this will soon change. There is a new Overmind growing on Char and when it becomes mature it will control her again. She claims that Senior Cerebrate Daggoth ordered it's formation from the union of a many Cerebrates. Aldaris does not believe her and storms out of the meeting.
Zeratul is not particularly interested in assaulting the new Overmind. If he can acquire these two crystals and activate the Xel'Naga Temple, the Zerg will not threaten the Protoss on Shakuras. In some ways, it seems as if Zeratul is giving up on Aiur. Kerrigan, ever the diplomat, agrees to help the Protoss on their mission if they'll help her with her mission. Raszagal appreciates her help.
The Uraj is located on Braxis, a small cold moon "recently" settled by the Terans (the date of settlement is unknown). The Terrans and Protoss forces (with Kerrigan aiding the Protoss directly) began fighting with each other, with the Protoss gaining a victory. Now they can establish a forward base to aid in thir search. Artanis informs the Protoss that the Warp Matrix has been damaged and they cannot use the large Stargates to summon Protoss spacecraft.
Zeratul says that Braxis was a Protoss colony called Khyrador a long time ago, during the Aeon of Strife, and that the Uraj was abandoned on the planet with the chaos at the end of the Aeon of Strife. The Protoss had never returned to reclaim the crystal until now.
The Protoss find the Uraj, which was being studied by the hostile Terrans. With Kerrigan leading the battle, the Terrans are driven off and the Uraj was recovered.
When the Protoss try to leave Braxis, however, they are surprised to find it blockaded by another Terran force. Vice Admiral Stukov introduces himself (rather arrogantly) to the Protoss, demanding they surrender to the authority of the UED. The large orbital platform built around Braxis is studded with UED missile turrets, powered by fusion power generators. The Protoss had learned about Earth (and the UPL) from Raynor, and are quite surprised to find these humans here.
Artanis is dismissive of these Terrans, saying the Protoss have nothing to fear from them, but Zeratul counsels him, saying the Protoss were only able to defeat the Overmind with the aid of Terrans.
Artanis leads the charge against the Terrans, and with backup from Zeratul is able to destroy the fusion generators and cut a path to freedom.
Zeratul had previously felt the energy of the Khalis on Char, which was, of course, heavily infested by the Zerg. The Khalis was next to a powerful source of psionic energy, which Kerrigan reveals is the new infant Overmind itself. Fortunately it is still weak, and this weakness extends to the Zerg who serve it.
Kerrigan suggests striking quickly and making off with the Khalis; it is curious that she doesn't take the opportunity to destroy the new Overmind immediately. Artanis suggests damaging the Overmind enough to temporarily subdue the Zerg, which Kerrigan says will also work.
Once the Protoss make their way to the planet, Kerrigan is able to use her formidable psionic powers to capture a small Zerg Hive Cluster which works alongside the Protoss. This combined force is able to retrieve the Khalis and escape. Unfortunately, Artanis and Zeratul had been away from Shakuras for quite a long time, and Artanis believed that Shakuras may have already been completely overrun by the Zerg.
When Artanis and Zeratul return to Shakuras, they find it in the throes of a revolt. Aldaris took control of a large number of Protoss refugees, including virtually all of the High Templar, Archons and Judicators, and led them in an attack against Raszagal. The Matriarch returned the favor.
Raszagal: "Executor, as Matriarch of the Dark Templar and custodian of this world, I hereby order you to terminate Judicator Aldaris, and quell this untimely uprising without delay! There will be no dissent among us while the Zerg are poised to strike!"
However, Zeratul had known Raszagal for a long time and felt that, perhaps, Aldaris was on to something. Out of Raszagal's earshot, he said to Artanis:
"There is something amiss here. The Matriarch has always been a wise and gentle soul. Though there is some merit in her decision, this is very unlike her."
Nonetheless, the Matriarch's forces attacked. Raszagal had even authorized the creation of the Dark Archon, something which had not been done for a thousand years (about the time the Dark Templar were exiled from Aiur). With this kind of power behind her, she was able to defeat Aldaris' revolt.
Cornered, Aldaris tried to explain himself to Artanis and Zeratul. He claimed that while the two Protoss were away, he discovered that Kerrigan had somehow corrupted the mind of Raszagal. Kerrigan interrupted his explanation by murdering him.
Only because of her assistance in acquiring the crystals did the Protoss let her leave, with a warning. Kerrigan retorted "Fine. I've done what I came here to do. I've insured the destruction of the renegade Cerebrates, and I used you to do it. Have fun, mighty Protoss... We'll be seeing each other again, real soon..."
After this betrayal, Raszagal assured Zeratul that, with Kerrigan gone, she was back to normal. Now that the Protoss refugees sided once again with the Dark Templar, they could retake the Xel'Naga Temple.
Artanis carried the Uraj while Zeratul carried the Khalis. The Zerg were cleared from the Temple, which was surrounded by a powerful Protoss force. Artanis and Zeratul carried their crystals within the Temple and channeled energy through them into the Temple. The process took a long time, and the Zerg almost desperately began to attack the Temple. The Protoss were victorious, however, and when the Temple was about to activate, the Protoss forces withdrew from the temples and braced themselves for the upcoming attack.
The Temple created a giant burst of energy, seeming to kill all Zerg on the planet of Shakuras. As an additional surprise, the sun rose over the planet. Shakuras now had a night and day cycle like most other worlds.
The Aftermath: The Protoss didn't dare reactivate the Warp Gate, fearing that Zerg would once again flood onto Shakuras. This had tragic consequences, since Zeratul could not warn Fenix and Raynor of Kerrigan's treachery.
The Protoss were almost perfectly safe on Shakuras. The Terrans did not know their location, and the Zerg couldn't attack them there, either. From there, they could threaten the Zerg on Char. Indeed, this probably prevented the Zerg from conquering the entire sector.
The Brood War: Terran Missions
The Terran missions follow the United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Fleet's attempt to conquer the Sector with an iron fist. They stole both a fleet of battlecrusiers from the Dominian shipyards and a prototype Psi Disrupter from Tarsonis, right from under the Zerg's noses. The UED fleet successfully conquers the Terran Dominion after disabling Mengsk's most powerful weapons, and occupies Korhal after the massive Siege of Augustgrad, the capital city. However, Mengk himself is rescued by Raynor and Fenix. The UED follows them to Aiur, but the zerg distract them at a critical moment and the three escape again. Following an internal rebellinon the Vice admiral is killed and the Psi Disrupter almost destroyed. The UED then used the Psi Disruptor to attack Char and using psychics and powerful drugs enslave the second Overmind, leaving the UED in command of it's swarms.
The Brood War: Zerg Missions
Sarah Kerrigan, infested Terran and self-styled Queen of Blades, then makes her move to overthrow the UED and destroy the new Overmind. Based on the Zerg infested former Condfederate capital Tarsonis, Kerrigan makes a deal with Mengsk that if he will give her Psi Emitters so she can stop the effect the Psi Disrupter is having on her control of her Zerg faction, then Raynor and Fenix help her destroy the Psi Disrupter on Braxis, she'll help them retake Korhal from the UED. After a fuel raid on Moria (which had kept it's freedom from the UED by buying them off) led by Fenix, Kerrigan and her "allies" successfully liberate Korhal as the UED falls back to Char.
Immediately after the battle, Kerrigan shows her true colors and takes her revenge on Mengsk by devastating his forces and killing General Duke. Convinced that Raynor and the Protoss would also pose a threat to her, she attacks them as well and kills Fenix.
The UED used their enslaved Zerg to attack Tarsonis, but Kerrigan beats them off. Kerrigan then destroys the city of Talematross on Shakuras to distract the Protoss so she can "kidnap" the Matriarch. As a price for returning her, Kerrigan wants Zeratul and his bretheren to aid her in the attack on Char, as only a Dark Templar can kill the Overmind. Kerrigan's assault on Char kills the second Overmind and sends the remnants of the UED fleet in full retreat. Zeratul then attempts to rescue the Matriarch but Kerrigan intercepts him. It turns out the Matriarch was telepathically enslaved by Kerrigan and the only release is death; Zeratul kills her as she passes leadership of the Dark Templar to him. Kerrigan then lets him live, with his guilt.
(Bonus mission: Zeratul leaves but discovers a facility on a distant planet with a Protoss energy signature. Investicagting with little more than a pair of Dark archons, he manages to break into the depths of the base, which proves to be a genetic facilty hybridizing the Zerg and Protoss. And a mysterious entity taunts him saying that no matter what he does he cannot stop what will come...)
Mengsk, the Protoss, and the remnant of the UED fleet attack Kerrigan's new base on an orbital platform over Char, but she defeats them all and eradicates the UED fleet down to the last ship. DuGaulle commits suicide rather than give Kerrigan the pleasure of killing him.