The planet of Shakuras was guarded by a much smaller fleet than before. Agile fighters patrolled the space and would send warnings to the armada if they saw enemies. Carriers and motherships were kept near Shakuras’ orbit, ready for war. With the majority of the Golden Armada absent, the Daelaam kept their guards up.

“The Death Fleet? Those tal’darim filth.” In the twilight council, Vorazun stood up in anger as news of the Death Fleet descending upon the Daelaam world was announced by a survivor. The tal’darim were like a swarm of locusts, executing all lifeform they came across and stripping all the planets they came across with resources. They managed to intercept a small Daelaam that was sent to investigate the loss of communication with several outposts. The Death Fleet wiped out all four carriers with overwhelming firepower. It was lucky that some of the zealots onboard managed to warp back to Aiur and deliver the news of the enemies to the Hierarch.

“You have done well, warrior.” Artanis acknowledged the survivors before turning to Vorazun. “We need to fight off the swarm first before we can turn back and deal with the tal’darim. Evacuate all settlements near the Death Fleet and pull the ships to Aiur. Open a transmission to Admiral Urun.” He made the wise choice. Splitting the Golden Armada into two parts and take on two formidable enemies at the same time was one way to lose the armada. But the matriarch wasn’t as calm.

“You are suggesting we fall back and hide while those tal’darim scum roam through our territory?” Vorazun stood in disbelief. Her sense of honor didn’t allow her to do such a cowardly act.

Artanis signed. This was why he considered himself a warrior, not a leader. Being a leader meant having to approach problems from all fronts. As a warrior all he had to do was defeat the enemy. As a leader he needed to defeat the enemy and make sure his followers were satisfied.

Vorazun had had a long time conflict with Artanis. She would often object his ideas and stand up against him when she felt the need to do so. Her despise for Artanis peaked when a squad of phoenixes destroyed a Nerazim transport by accident and Artanis didn’t attend the funeral of the victims. She showed some respect to Artanis when her friend Mohander was killed by her rebellious student in a conflict and Artanis payed respect to Mohander, but that didn’t stop her from objecting when she thought he was wrong.

“I am suggesting we wait for the Golden Armada to return before engaging the tal’darim.” Artanis tried to appeal to Vorazun’s logic.

“There are a hundred carriers on Shakuras...” Vorazun wasn’t convinced by Artanis’ caution.

“And they will remain on Shakuras. This planet is the key to retaking Aiur. It is also the homeworld of all dark templars and the last stronghold of the Daelaam. It must be well protected.” Artanis argued. He wasn’t about to give in on such an important issue. “Order all settlements to be evacuated. There is nothing the tal’darim can do against a few empty planets. I will tell Urun to engage the swarm immediately. When they defeat the zerg, the Golden Armada will return and chase away the Death Fleet.” He said, not giving room for questions.

The difference between the two leaders was to a degree caused by their experience. Artanis had been present since the Brood War. He had seen countless brothers and sisters dying at the hands of enemies including but not limited to the zerg. This prompted him to do anything he could do protect his people. In the original future he went against all oppositions and traditions and severed the nerve cords of his people while others like Selendis were hesitant. He also went against his traditional values and made an alliance with the tal’darim and the purifiers, both seen as enemies by the public. Artanis would do anything to protect his people.

Vorazun was different. She was on Shakuras for most of her time, and she had barely experienced any horror of war. The lost of dozens of Nerazims was enough to shook her while any experienced commander, maybe not Raynor, could calmly deal the losses with a clear mind. Vorazun was all about honor and courage and the glory of war. This made Artanis’ decision of avoiding the tal’darim a shameful act in the matriarch's opinion.

“If that is your command, hierarch, then I will obey.” Vorazun wasn’t even close to being satisfied. She stood up to leave. “I never thought your were a coward, Artanis. I may not be able to change your decision, but I will make sure every brethren knows about your choice to let the tal’darim ravage through our world unpunished.”

Artanis signed as Vorazun turned to leave the chamber. “I can’t risk the future of our people. You, the matriarch of the Nerazim, should understand this.” He called out after the female dark templar. Vorazun paused for a second before proceeding to walk out the door.

In a mothership in the Daelaam fleet, admiral Urin and executor Selendis received the order from Artanis himself.

“Tal’darim? This really is a desperate time for our people.” Urun whispered deeply.

“Admiral?” Selendis looked at Urun for orders.

“We can’t afford to wait any longer. The longer we wait, the more the Death Fleet can do to our world.” Urun made a psionic connection with all the protoss in the Golden Armada. A few seconds later the entire Golden Armada started to prepare the ships.

As his warriors got ready, Urun walked to face the enormous fleet. A sense of doubt clouded his mind.

The Golden Armada was powerful, but so was the zerg. Against the endless swarm, many protoss will give their lives. Even if the swarm is undone, they would have to face the tal’darim. Assuming both encounters ended in Daelaam victories, will the Golden Armada, after two tough enemies, still have the strength to retake Aur?

Urun didn’t know. What he did know was that it was his duty and his destiny as a templar to fight and die for the Daelaam.

Sensing all the ships were ready, Urun looked at the swarm with renewed determination.

“And so it begin..."