Antioch Zero

CHAPTER III

In the province of Teross, Aldaris strolled through the courtyard under the evening moons of Aiur, discussing politics with the resident Judicator, Venadar.

"The younger generation has yet to learn the importance of the often strict laws of the Khala," Venadar explained. "They are what make our society function and keep order amongst our people. You are an exception, Aldaris. Being chosen as a Judicator at your age is quite an accomplishment even for one as zealous as yourself."

"I do what I must to help our society progress along the Path of Ascension and maintain balance under the edicts of the Khala. No more, no less. Being of the Ara clan, it is my destiny," Aldaris humbly replied.

A Zealot approached them. "Judicators, I bring news!"

"Speak and be heard," Venadar said.

"An army approaches! It is Sevorak of Scion and his legions!" said the Zealot.

Aldaris' eyes turned dark red. "The blasphemer! I will —" he began.

Venadar motioned for him to be silent. "If it is the knowledge of the Xel'Naga he seeks, then he has come here to do battle knowing we will never give it up. Sound the alert. This will be a battle to the death."

*     *     *

Jepok's Arbiter hovered in the sky just outside the walls of the province of Scion.

"Observers have been deployed," Laurioch said. "Receiving visuals now." On-screen, the province of Scion appeared from several different angles.

"What in the name of Adun is going on in this place?" Jepok wondered aloud.

From the inner edges of the walls and out far to the horizon, the entire province was covered with dense overgrowth from the jungle below. It almost appeared as if the foliage had swallowed up the province in one great gulp.

Laurioch was astonished. "How could they let it deteriorate like this?"

"Kuldarus, move the Arbiter closer. See if we can detect any signs of the capital city. Scan for life forms," Jepok ordered.

"Already in motion, Judicator. Scans are detecting vague energy readings I cannot identify to the northeast. No lifeforms of sufficient sentience are registering anywhere."

Static blared from one of the display screens, followed by another as the transmissions of the Observers mysteriously cut out, one by one.

"What is —" Moloch said before being thrown into Sinar and back toward the aft section of the Arbiter, as a massive blast of energy hit the ship.

"Photon cannons! Evasive maneuvers! Get us out of here!" Jepok shouted.

"Heading out now, Judicator!" Kuldarus replied as a photon blast grazed the front of the ship, blinding the crew momentarily. The Arbiter thrust forward, away from the province and back into safe territory.

A blinking light appeared on the console in front of Kuldarus. "Judicator, we are receiving an emergency transmission from Teross."

"Put it through," Jepok ordered.

Aldaris appeared on-screen, bleeding from a wound on his forhead. "This is Judicator Aldaris calling all available forces in the area! We are under attack by Sevorak of Scion! I repeat, we are under attack by —" The transmission crackled with static as an explosion rocked Aldaris' hiding place and the signal ceased.

"Now we know where they all disappeared to," Kuldarus said calmly.

Jepok lifted Sinar to his feet with one hand and Moloch with the other. "Sinar, call for reinforcements. Everything we have available in Antioch," he said. He turned towards the Zealot pilot in the cockpit. "Kuldarus, take us there at maximum speed. There is no time to waste."

*     *     *

The sun was coming up over the horizon as Jepok's Arbiter arrived and set down amidst the smoldering ruins of the capital city of Teross. Thousands of bodies littered the area, many of those being Shelak tribesmen who were impaled on psimitars sticking into the ground... others were scattered in pieces.

Laurioch emerged first from the Arbiter and took in the ghastly sight of his slaughtered brethren. He fell to his knees in silent horror.

Moloch's eyes burned red with hatred as he removed one of the weapons from the body of a fallen Zealot and waved it in the air. "I should have killed him when I had the chance!" he shouted in rage.

"Moloch, you could not have known. None of us knew he would go to such... lengths," Jepok said, surveying the area.

Sinar was repulsed at the sight of the bodies. "I will take his head for this atrocity," he mumbled.

"How many?" Jepok asked Kuldarus.

Kuldarus looked at Jepok sadly. "All of them," he said. "The entire city."

Ten thousand Shelak tribesmen were dead.

Antioch Zero

CHAPTER II

In the Province of Scion, Sevorak kneeled at an altar in reverence of his new masters.

"You see, Sevorak? They will never release that which we seek. You must take it from them by force," came a disembodied voice.

"The Baphomet awaits you, prodigy. Seize it! Slay the fools who stand in your way and you will know power undreamed of!" came another.

"I... I cannot do this... I am..." Sevorak protested.

"Weak? Yes. You are. But we will help you to become powerful."

"This province you oversee is but one pitiful scrap of land on a pebble in the Aether. There are entire galaxies to conquer! Thousands of worlds for you to dominate and enslave!"

Sevorak rose to his feet, revitalized by the energies of his masters. "Yes! The Judicators will give me the knowledge, or I will slay every last one of them and bathe in their blood for nourishment!" he declared.

"Good," one of the voices hissed. "You will teach them that Sevorak is a name that should be feared!"

"Your name shall forever be burned into the chronicles of history!"

"Yes," Sevorak said. He reached for a psimitar from a rack of weapons, and twirled the deadly blade in both hands. "Let the bloodbath begin!"

*     *     *

"Jepok? What brings you here this fine day?" Laurioch mumbled as he dug through a crate of components, in search of something.

"I need to requisition a number of Observers you received from the Furinax, my friend."

Laurioch looked up to see the giant Judicator and three Zealots standing at the entrance to his office in the Observatory. "Observers? Hmm. Although most of our technology is being teleported directly to the Auriga Fleet these days for use in exploration, I do have several available. Your thanes may retrieve them from Archive 77."

"Good. I will have them loaded aboard my Arbiter," Jepok said, waving his hand to the three Zealots. They left the office and Jepok sat down. "Tell me, Laurioch. What are you searching for?"

The old Templar looked up again from the crate. "Hmm? Oh yes, I am assembling a portable Archive recorder. For personal use, mainly. What are you going to do with the Observers?"

"Sevorak called an assembly today and asked for the knowledge of the Ancients to be released... or else."

Laurioch scowled, his eyes yellow. "Or else nothing! That knowledge has been protected by the Shelak tribe for centuries and for good reason! I hope you and the others told him where he could go with his request!"

Jepok's eyes turned dark blue and he let out a deep and hearty laugh. Laurioch put his hands on his hips and tilted his head, a sign that he did not understand.

"I am sorry, my friend," Jepok said. "It is rare that I see you so excited over anything but your Archives or the toys of the Furinax. Indeed, we denied the request. Many of us are troubled by Sevorak's bizarre behavior. I wish to send the Observers to conduct remote surveillance in Scion and find out what he is up to."

"Hmm. A good plan," Laurioch said. He picked up a component that had been on his console and swore under his breath. "Finally!" he grumbled. "But what if they are discovered? I don't need to remind you that it is illegal to spy on another Judicator, Jepok."

"I am well aware of that, but I will have to take that chance. I am not the only one who suspects Sevorak of treachery. If whatever he is hiding there is dangerous to the people of the outlying provinces, it is my duty to put an end to it before it escalates."

"Hmm. I suppose you are right." Laurioch inserted the device inside a flat, rectangular object and it powered up with a backlit display. "There. I am all set to accompany you and record what is about to unfold."

"Accompany me?" Jepok asked, uncertain of what Laurioch meant.

"Surely you don't think a Shelak tribesman like me would let others fight his people's battles alone, do you? We must make certain that Sevorak gives up this ludicrous idea. I will give him a good talking to and straighten this out."

Jepok's eyes flashed orange, uncertain if such a thing would be a good idea at all. "Hmm. Very well," he decided at last. "We will go, but... wear some armor... just in case he decides to gut you while you are talking to him."

Laurioch's eyes became yellow in surprise. "You... do not really think he would do such a thing?"

Jepok stood. "These days, I am not certain if there is anything Sevorak would not do."

*     *     *

"What do you know of this Sevorak, Kuldarus?" Moloch inquired as he loaded an Observer aboard a hovercart.

"Master Taeradun once told me he thought of him as a wise Judicator. He does not say much of anything to me these days, but in all honesty, I have been spending more time listening to Laurioch's tales of Adun and the Dark Templar than meditation at the Citadel with Master Taeradun."

"Do not speak of the Dark Ones, Kuldarus. You should not be listening to such stories," Moloch warned.

Kuldarus nodded and gave Moloch a sad look but said nothing more on the subject.

Sinar waved an arm and closed his fist. "Hmph. Master Jepok will crush Sevorak in one hand!" he boasted.

Ignoring Sinar's usual violent declaration, Moloch turned to Kuldarus. "A fortnight ago, Master Nannoth told me that Taeradun tried to reason with Sevorak," he said.

"Indeed? I was not aware. What happened?" Kuldarus asked.

"I do not know. One night while I was in meditation, I heard shouting coming from Master Nannoth's chamber and when I burst through the door, Taeradun was there, arguing with him. I went to intervene and Taeradun struck me unconscious with a psionic storm. When I awoke, Master Nannoth was meditating and did not wish to be disturbed. Neither of us has spoken of the incident since."

Sinar laughed. "If it had been me, I would have taken Taeradun's head off in a single blow!"

Kuldarus laughed. "You couldn't take the head off a Rhynadon, braggart!"

Sinar scowled. "Oh? I can do well enough against you, Krythla-face!"

"As well as you did against Aldaris' student, Verana?", Moloch asked.

Sinar's face flushed in embarrassment and the other two Zealots laughed.

"I was only trying to test her skills!" Sinar protested weakly. "How was I to know Aldaris had taught her the art of Nin-hassa?"

"Looks like she taught you a few lessons the hard way," Kuldarus chided.

"Next time she won't fair as well!" Sinar barked.

"Yes, next time she'll just tell Aldaris you asked to court her and he'll brand you a heretic!" Kuldarus said. "That is heresy! You are a traitor to your people! Blah blah blah!" he said, mimicking Aldaris' voice.

The Zealots laughed together, continuing to poke fun at each other and telling stories as they loaded up the last of the Observers.

They did not realize it would be the last time they would be able to do so together.

Currently Gaming Starcraft By Havas Interactive see related

Storyline connotations:

BSC – Before Starcraft or the events that led to the incineration of the planet Chau Sara by the

            Protoss Expeditionary Forces of Tassadar.

ASC – After Starcraft or the events that led to the sacrifice of Tassadar in Aiur which resulted in

            the death of the Overmind.

BSB – Before Starcraft: Broodwar a.k.a. ASC where the events took place immediately after

            the destruction of the Overmind but before the evacuation of the Protoss race from Aiur.

ASB – After Starcraft: Broodwar or the events that took place immediately after Sarah Kerrigan

           defeated the UED fleet led by Admiral Dugalle, the Terran Dominion forces of Emperor

           Mengsk and the Protoss Survivors of Praetor Artanis and Zeratul.

Antioch Zero

2200 AD (300 BSC). The following events took place in Aiur and Umbra. A mad Judicator attempts to unleash a forbidden secret.

CHAPTER I

The Judicator of the province of Scion made his grand entrance under the arched dome of the Tribunal's main auditorium, his hooves clacking loudly on the stone floor. He seated himself as his usual entourage of Zealot bodyguards positioned themselves a few feet behind him, standing at attention.

Those who thought they had known Sevorak well had born witness to dark changes in his behavior in recent weeks. The normally outgoing Templar's brash sense of humor had been replaced by an inexplicable anger and need for secrecy. He had recently ordered a massive wall to be built around the entire province of Scion, sealing off entry to anyone lacking his express permission to enter.

His call for an assembly of the leaders of local provinces this day filled many of the other Judicators with the grim feeling that this bizarre metamorphosis was about to come to a head. No one sensed this more than the behemoth Judicator seated directly across from him. The brawny Protoss from the province of Antioch rose and pointed an accusing finger at his political nemesis.

"Why have you called us here, Sevorak?" Jepok questioned.

For a brief moment, Sevorak's eyes flashed red with hatred, but he quickly gained his composure and rose to meet Jepok, eye to eye. Saying nothing, he glared at the Judicator for a moment, then spun around and walked down to the center of the Comitatus and addressed the assembly:

"Long ago, when the Ancients left us, our brethren turned on each other in despair and wallowed in self-hatred," he began. "Khas saved us and taught us to become one with each other again, restoring our communal psionic link, and order to Aiur. I have called all of you here this day to make a request, on behalf of all Protoss, that will make certain there will never again be another Aeon of Strife!"

The chamber was filled with murmurs as the Judicators expressed their shock at Sevorak's unlikely claim. It was Judicator Aldaris who spoke first.

"Quite an ambitious goal for one who has yet to demonstrate any significant achievements other than a talent for building walls. Just how do you propose to do such a thing, Sevorak?" Aldaris asked in his usual facetious manner.

Sevorak's eyes flashed blue in amusement. He ignored the barbed comment and continued.

"I ask that you release all artifacts and knowledge of the Ancients to the populace of Aiur so that our brethren will know what it means to be the First Born! That it is we who shall inherit the cosmos from our creators and none other! The Ancients' knowledge will pave the way to our destiny by renewing our understanding of the universe!" Sevorak bellowed.

Aldaris, flashing with anger, rose and shouted. "Preposterous! That is forbidden! You speak of heresy, Sevorak!"

Sevorak's eyes now also flashed with anger. "Watch your words carefully, Aldaris. You may live to regret them."

Aldaris turned to see that Sevorak's bodyguards had silently moved to a mere five feet behind him. Aldaris turned to the others in disbelief. "This is an outrage! He implies murder and none of you have honor enough to contest this mad scheme of his?"

Jepok rose to his full height and pointed to Sevorak's bodyguards. Aldaris turned to see that three Zealots bearing the markings of Antioch had silently crept out from the shadows and surrounded the bodyguards, ready to strike. "Enough of this," Jepok said. "We have heard Sevorak's request and the Council has already reached a judgment."

"Do tell," Sevorak said, knowing full well what the answer would be.

"No," Jepok said. "The Ancients' knowledge is too dangerous. We are not ready yet as a species to dabble in technologies and sciences devised by creatures older than Aiur itself. If we have a destiny, we will get there in due time by following the teachings of the Khala."

"So be it," Sevorak replied. "I tried to do it your way. If you will not release the secrets of the Xel'Naga willingly then you have forced my hand. Remember that you are all responsible for what is to come."

One of the three Zealots from Antioch stepped forward. "Is that a threat? You would do wisely to leave this place now while you have the opportunity to do so!"

Jepok waved a hand. "Moloch, you will be silent. Sevorak is a Judicator and you will address him with respect until he proves that he is not deserving of it."

"It would be wise for you to listen to Jepok, Zealot," Sevorak laughed.

"Silence!" Jepok shouted. "The young Zealot may be out of line here, Sevorak, but we of the Judicatura agree with his sentiments. Leave now. This assembly is adjourned."

*     *     *

The behemoth Judicator, Jepok, and the three Zealots from Antioch walked along the halls of the Tribunal.

"I meant no disrespect, Judicator. Please forgive me," Moloch intoned.

"There is nothing to forgive," Jepok replied. "You must learn to control your emotions, Moloch. They will be your undoing, as it was with the Dark Templar. The other Judicators were tempted to censure you for your outburst. Had it not been for your young age and the greater weight of Sevorak's veiled threat, it would have been so."

"Surely, the other Judicators won't let Sevorak continue with whatever secret scheme he is plotting?" Kuldarus asked.

"I say we smash down the walls of Geryko and find out what he is up to!" snorted Sinar.

Jepok laughed. "Brave talk, young Sinar. And what would you do if there is nothing to be found?"

The young Zealot shook his hands vehemently. "Beat him until he told us the truth!"

Jepok laughed again. "Sinar, I wish I were young and naive again so that I could do that very thing." Jepok turned and looked down at the brawny little Zealot who oddly resembled a shorter version of himself. "But I am a Judicator. There are laws that must be upheld and it is my responsibility to make certain that they are. Attacking other Judicators on mere charges of suspicion is not something I can do."

"As you say, Master. I still have much to learn from you."

Jepok placed one of his massive hands on the Zealot's shoulder. "Indeed you do, Sinar. But your idea has given me one of my own. As a Judicator, I am allowed a few special considerations. I intend to use some of them to uncover Sevorak's misdeeds, quietly, should there be any. Come. We must speak with Laurioch."

Falls Creek 2006! – I’ll never forget

The ski trip this year was a lot more fun than last year’s. This time around, many more of my friends went while last year, there were only James, Ben, Kiet and I while Von went with her other bunch of friends.

James and Mag were kind enough to come and see us off. James is skipping the trip because of an IELTS test. Too bad, he missed all the loads of fun we had…hahaha!

Here’s the whole bunch including those who didn’t go (Kishan, Greg, Mags, and James). What a great bunch of friends! If only all had went.

Here at our first stop for the trip, Gerard is seeing swallowing down his chow for supper. Yep, he swallows…his food. It was around 3am that time.

These buggers were sleep-walking into the petro station shop. Look at G! Ghost.

When we arrived, we went out to scout the immediate surrounding as some of them have never seen a snow terrain or felt snow before. Some were too eager, like Harin, that she slipped and fell. Here’s her getting up from the ground. If only my hands were quicker.

Introducing the Bogong boyband with Beauty on the left (Ariff), C in the center (G) and Omeo on the right (Tetek). Their name is pronounced as “boh gong” in Hokkien. Try that, it sounds hilarious. It means they are “not” stupid.

Look at this pic. Sux. Missing the signboard totally. We all know who took the pic. Loser.

As usual, we had to wait for about an hour or more to check in as we arrived dead in the morning at around 6am. It was earlier than last year. Did I also mention it was snowing when we arrived? So we waited in the Falls Creek Resort Information Center. TS was crying…awww. Everyone else was just tired.

And the girls never fail to look photogenic in front of a camera no matter what the situation is. That includes you, G since you’re in the pic. You’re either a girl or you’re ugly…pick one. Haha!

Once we got the word, we got moving. We had to take a 300 meters hike up a small hill on snow. Spot Ben with his traveler’s bag. TS looks like some fisherman on shore leave here.

So glad to be there finally!

This is the boys’ room. All six of us except Farhad bunked here. It’s small but it’s certainly cozy. TS shared the double-decker with G on top. Little did TS know that he was in for a BIG surprise that night, LOL! Poor sucker.

You can see how cold and snowy it was when we arrived.

Here, Farhad and Kiet demonstrates the art of eating snow. So take heart, young ones.

Our ski equipments, ready to go!

This is the view in front of Halley’s Lodge (our resort). It was such a near-perfect view until…

…two dudes came along and made it PERFECT.

The squad. Day 1 assesment: one coach, one assistant, and 4 fresh meats for the grinder.

Just like last year, we took our first ski trek photo at Wombat’s Trail at exactly the same spot last year. It took us a lot longer to reach that area this year though because someone was way too slow. Hahaha! Siapa tau? Tuhan jugak tau.

I’ve never wore a beanie before and I assure you I won’t ever again. I seriously look like one of the rejected cast from “Coneheads”.

That concludes our first day. At night, we dined at the Lodge’s cafeteria. It is such a warm and cozy place. They had a fireplace to one side with nice sofas, a pool table, and a TV area with plasma screen. Did I also mentioned a bar?

Anyway, the guys decided to play a prank on Harin. It wasn’t her birthday but we “decided” it was anyway and sang her the song. This is how she looked like when we started singing. She had no idea whose birthday it was.

This is how she looked like when her name was sung in the song. Poor girl. She had it coming, hahah!

Happy “Birthday” Harin!

Day 1 ends.

We started the next morning pretty early. After some really good and hot breakfast, we left at about 8.45am. Look at the sun rays that I accidentally captured which turned out very beautiful in the end, hehe!

Like some Sega Snow Rally lidet except for G who was too eager swinging his pole-stick around as if it was a lightsaber like some Jedi wanabe. LOA.

The squad. Day 2 assessment: one coach, one assistant, 3 meatballs and 4 meats for the grinder.

If only the girls can snowboard as well as they lined up in formation here.

Welcome to Drover’s Dream (advance Beginner track). The lake below is superb. Here’s where Kiet had her mishap last year. It was psychologically challenging for her to confront her fears again, but she did nonetheless. Bravo.

At the bottom of Drover’s Dream. The lake was frozen last year. It’s a lot warmer this year, especially on the second day. Sux.

Introducing Mainstreet (advance Intermediate track). Can you see how steep the slope is? I’ll give you an idea. See the tiny dots near a building far below? Behind those fences? The dots are people.

Here’s another pic of Mainstreet. This was my first Intermediate track that I tried. It was smooth-sailing until I reached the top part of the slope. Here was where Ben (who was leading the way) psyched out and stopped. Being behind him, I stopped as well, not before tumbling due to unwarranted fear. It was really steep. Some of the “meatballs” made short work of this track while other “fresh meats” took longer than expected.

Here’s us conquering Mainstreet!

This is the track leading to The Village (intermediate Beginner track). What beautiful scenery!

Lunch time break. Recuperating from our mis-adventures.

One of the journey on the skip lifts. It’s so damn high up with nothing below you except the chair you’re sitting on.

Introducing the Scott Chair’s tracks. On the left we have Racecourse and on the right we have Scotty’s. Both are advanced Intermediate tracks. Super steep. At this point, only a few of us made it this far.

Here’s Farhad conquering Scott Chair.

Here’s Gerard conquering Scott Chair.

Here’s Ariff conquering Scott Chair and still not stopping. He crashed into me soon after.

And here’s me conquering Scott Chair.

We went up the ski lift for another round on Scotty’s. The pic here doesn’t really show the steepness of the track, giving it the due respect it deserves.

Bye Scott Chair.

Look at the peak of that mountain. Why don’t they make another track there? It’ll be extreme. I wonder how thick the snow is at that peak.

Beside Scott Chair, I caught a glimpse of the Ruined Castle course. It’s advance Intermediate and Advance tracks only. Again, the pic doesn’t give it the due amount of respect this track deserves. I told the boys about it and we decided to conquer it as well since we’re on a killing spree anyway.

On the way up to the top we saw some props along the course especially for snowboarders to perform stunts on. Cool!

At the peak of Ruined Castle. Say “Hi” to Father Fosters. Do they have to name all Advance tracks like this? I still remember the Advance track named Widowmaker that we accidentally went to last year. Bloody hell.

Lookit lookit! Black and blues baby!

Caught this while were leaving Ruined Castle. I wonder is the bus there on purpose (and what purpose might that be) or some great accident happened here during the summer.

Here’s me conquering Ruined Castle.

Bye Ruined Castle.

Dinner was as usual again. Love this bunch!

The whole gang. Proud to say no more “fresh meats” at the end of the day.

After dinner, we decided to check one of the local discotheques out. Turned out we had to pay cover charge so we scrammed and took this photo.

Wanna ride?

On the morning of our last day. Sigh.

Bye Falls Creek! Don’t know when I will ever see you again.

That concludes my ski trip. It was nothing but fun and more fun all the way. The people I hanged out with were great. The place was even better. My adventures was awesome, thanks to G, Farhad and Ariff. All in all, I’ll go again if I am in Melbourne next year…without a doubt.