Kerrigan, Stukov and Nova were in the midst of planning their attack of Skygeirr Station in the nerve center.

Kerrigan looked to Stukov. "There aren't any hybrids protecting the facility?" she asked as she looked at the map displayed in front of them on the nerve center's viewer; the heavily guarded entrance to the station. She saw only Terran units and a lot of them.

"No," Stukov told her. "They are in status within the lab itself." He'd seen two such creatures, large, blue like Protoss but the shape of it's crown would have more suited a Zerg. They had made him ill at ease as he'd passed them in the lab. He knew there were more than those two, and of different types, but he'd not seen them.

"Hopefully they stay that way," Kerrigan stated, she didn't want to deal with them amidst the heavily defended platform.

Nova could understand her apprehension at facing the hybrid and she too didn't look forward to facing them herself. She liked enemies she could understand, predict, or at least know their abilities. These hybrids harbored many secrets to her.

"I must warn you about the being that runs this lab. Dr. Narud," Stukov warned her. As he spoke Narud's name the hatred leaked through in his voice.

Kerrigan frowned. She remembered Narud. He'd betrayed her, Jim and Valerian, done a deal with Mengsk and tried to kill her.

Nova hated him already knowing what he'd done to Kerrigan. She had never met him, but what he'd done to Kerrigan was reason enough. Besides, he was working with Mengsk and that spoke volumes, not to mention creating these hybrid creatures. Some lines should not be crossed, and these hybrids seemed to be proof of that.

"You know him?" Stukov asked, seeing Kerrigan's expression change.

"We've met," Kerrigan said coldly.

"You said 'being'?" Nova asked, it was a strange term to describe someone. She had thought he was Terran from Kerrigan's stories of him, wasn't he?

"He's an ancient shapeshifter who has worn many faces over the years, he made me what I am," Stukov explained.

Nova understood that's where his hate stemmed from. She still wasn't sure exactly what Stukov was. Clearly Zerg, clearly an infested Terran, but he seemed more intelligent, free willed and potentially far more powerful.

Stukov looked to Nova and smirked.

Nova sensed he could read her thoughts, his psionics were obviously strong if he could read her. Clearly, he was powerful.

"So he's not a Terran," Kerrigan said. She had suspected but had no proof. "Protoss? He can't be Zerg, or I would know," she tried to guess what he was.

"None of those. He is the servant of an ancient Xel'naga known as Amon," Stukov told her. Narud had told him things, used words of Amon to taunt and gloat at him as though all existence was a joke.

"I learned of Amon on Zerus. He's dead," Kerrigan proclaimed.

"Well his creation lives on. Narud is the most dangerous being you've ever met. And you will face him in there," Stukov warned. Stukov wished he'd had the power to destroy Narud but alas even he could not do so. He would still get enjoyment of seeing Narud perish at someone else's hand however even if the killing blow would not be his.

"Let's just hope he stays in there with his hybrids, this platform is protected well enough already," Nova added.

Kerrigan agreed.

"He will let the others do his bidding until he's forced to act," Stukov explained. "Do not underestimate him," he warned.

Kerrigan knew men, if he was even that, like Narud could be dangerous.

"Well, we have to get into the lab first," Nova added. There was no use in talking about what was in the lab if they couldn't get into it.

"Nova's right," Kerrigan stated.

Stukov started to explain that the entrance of the facility was heavily defended, and Kerrigan could see that to be true. The only entrance to the facility was a heavily defended lift, that led down into the belly of the lab. Large canons and heavy fortifications surrounded the lift.

"This is the second most heavily defended location in Dominion space," Stukov stated frankly.

Nova knew the first to be Korhal. She shot a look to Kerrigan, Korhal was obviously their main aim; or more precisely the man who hid there. They both knew if they couldn't breach this lab they'd have no chance when they finally went to Korhal.

The look was not unnoticed by Kerrigan and she shared her concerns but ignored them for now. "So they've got a lot of marines," Kerrigan surmised. She smirked slightly as her plan formed in her mind, "we'll use those numbers against them."

Stukov was keen to hear her plan.

Kerrigan looked at the map of the area and pointed to the landing bay. "Nova, I want you to accompany my infestors. Cover them while they implant virophages at these garrisons." She pointed to the spot she was talking about. Kerrigan knew sending Nova might give them the element of surprise and delay the Dominion from realizing what they were up to until they had at least some reinforcements.

Nova nodded. She'd never seen an infestor in action, but she'd read reports of them and had learned more about them from Kerrigan.

"Once they've infested the Terrans inside, use them to secure the landing bay," she told Nova. "I want you to keep clear of the virophages," Kerrigan told her seriously, "and wear your face mask at all times." She didn't want Nova to become infested by the virophages.

"Understood," Nova replied. "There are some heavy ordinances down there, I'm guessing I should use Parasitic Domination to bring them under our control?" she asked as she noticed banshees and tanks.

Kerrigan couldn't hide the smile that crept onto her face, Nova was picking this swarm thing up. "Precisely," she complimented her. "Once you secure the landing bay, I'll join you with reinforcements. There are more garrisons across the platform. We should infest them, too."

"With our forces, and theirs, we should be able to get to that lift," Nova proclaimed.

"You do not wish me to join in the fight?" Stukov asked, wondering if they didn't entirely trust him.

"No," Kerrigan replied honestly. "Me and Nova have this, you will remain here and the swarm will keep an eye on you. If your intelligence is correct, I will know I can trust you. Somewhat," she explained. She sensed no treachery on his behalf, but it didn't hurt to play it safe and she didn't need him for this one.

"As you wish," Stukov understood her reasoning. He could stand to sit this one out, but he'd certainly be keen to join Kerrigan in the lab to battle Narud.

Kerrigan turned to Zagara. "Keep an eye on our guest," she said coldly. "If he tries to act against the swarm, kill him."

"Yes, my Queen," Zagara replied instantly.

Kerrigan turned back to Stukov. "Just in case."

Stukov chuckled. "I would have done the same," he told her frankly. He liked that they thought alike and he knew she would be a great ally.

Kerrigan liked to think Stukov could be a great addition to her swarm, and these next few missions would either confirm that or greatly disprove it. She was keen to see which way this would go. She nodded her respects to Stukov before turning to Nova. "Nova, I'll accompany you to the drop pods, introduce you to your investors," Kerrigan stated with the hint of a smile on her lips. She turned and moved towards the exit of the nerve center.

Nova followed. Once they had exited and continued down the corridor for a bit Nova spoke frankly. "You trust him?"

"I don't think he's hiding anything. Time will tell, but I have no immediate concerns," Kerrigan spoke honestly. "Except that he finds you attractive," she smirked.

"Oh, risky, going after the Queen of Blades' girl," Nova laughed. "If he thought Narud was scary..."

Kerrigan smirked. She took Nova's hand in her own as they walked down the corridor and spoke softly, changing the subject, "you don't mind leading the Zerg down there, do you?"

"No," Nova answered honestly. "If you had asked me a few weeks ago I'd have had some misgivings. But now, I'll actually looking forward to it." Nova paused, "I'm glad it's only a few infestors though. I think I'd be more nervous if it was a larger team."

"You're a very skilled team leader," Kerrigan told her frankly. Hell, Nova had even captured her once upon a time. "I know you will lead a team of Zerg as well as any team of Terrans."

Nova liked that Kerrigan had faith in her. "I won't let you down," Nova replied.

"You never could," Kerrigan held her hand tighter and brought them to a stop. "Good luck down there, my beautiful girl," Kerrigan told her although knowing she didn't need luck. She looked into her deep green eyes before pulling her in for a hug.

Nova hugged back, "for the swarm," she whispered softly.

Author's Note: Obviously I've kept Stukov very close to canon in this chapter - but next chapter I've played with him a little :)