“Are you threatening me?” On a giant computer screen, Arcturus Mengsk demanded. Jean had just told him her offer. She would destroy the other two terran fractions and make Mengsk the head of all terran in the sector. In return Mengsk will lead the entire Dominion fleet and perform an assault on Shakurus. The offer wasn’t the problem with Arcturus. The problem was that Jean mentioned slightly how the other two fractions would be more than happy to take the offer if Mengsk turned it down. The emperor didn’t enjoy being threatened.

“Just stating a fact.” Jean glanced at a young man with blonde hair beside Mengsk. It was Valerian Mengsk, the son of Arcturus Mengsk and the heir to the throne of the Dominion.

“Very well. I will take the offer. However, you need to prove to me your ability. Hacking into a single ship is very different from hacking into a government.”

“That’s fine. I will do my part of the deal first. Once I’m done, it will be your turn to act. Just remember, don’t try to betray me, for the price is beyond your ability to pay.” She ended the transmission.

In the emperor’s palace, Arcturus smashed the table before him.

“Father?” Valerian asked with confusion.

“That bitch is becoming a problem.” Mengsk whispered, trying to conceal his emotion. Who does Jean think she is? How dare she talk to the emperor of the Dominion like this? She must pay. And she will.

“What are you going to do with her threat?” Valerian asked. “From what I’ve seen this Jean Turner can be a real threat. She will not hesitate to strike. If we reject her deal...there’s no telling what she will do.”

Mengsk smirked like a viper. “Remember, son, we Mengsks don’t take threats. We don’t bargain. We don’t yield. We don’t surrender.” He held his right fist together forcefully. “When we get threatened, we neutralize the threat. Nova! How is the plan going?”

A figure solidified behind Mengsk. Valerian glanced at Nova Terra with a scent of fear. The ghost was as merciless as she was beautiful. Nova was Arcturus Mengsk’s most trusted blade. Countless innocent have perished under her hands.

“Two of my best men have landed on Deadman’s Port. They will examine the defenses and make sure Jean Turner is present on that planet. Once the target is confirmed, they will send a signal to the Pride of Augustgrad fleet. The fleet will obliterate the port and capture Jean Turner.”

“I want her alive. Who is the head of Deadman’s port?”

“A man named Liam.”

“See if he can be turned. If he can, tell him to imprison Jean and hand her over to the fleet. I will take as little risk as possible.”

Mengsk added viciously and turned to Valerian, who was obviously surprised. “This, my son, is how we deal with our enemies.”

The Pride of Augustgrad fleet was Mengsk’s elite guardian fleet. Consisting of over 30 Gorgon battlecruisers and more than 50 other battlecruisers, the fleet was one of the strongest armadas in the Dominion. Every men in the fleet was willing to give their life for their beloved emperor. Normally the fleet stayed with Mengsk, but the emperor sent it after Jean to make sure she couldn’t escape.

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Mengsk had wanted Jean down a while ago. Jean was a threat. She had always been one. The only difference was that her benefit had always outweighed her potential damage. At first the Raiders and Raynor were more threatening then Jean, who Mengsk saw as just a hacker. As a result Mengsk went for the greater enemy. Later, Jean’s threat was deemed much less than that of Amon. This was why Mengsk, again, worked with Jean against the Moebius Foundation.

But things have changed.

Things changed when Jean offered to take down Umojan and Kel-Morian. A normal person would be thrilled, but not Mengsk. There was a reason why he hadn’t conquered them already. The three terran fractions were similar in strength and technology. This meant if Jean could destroy Umojan and Kel-Morian, then she could also destroy the Terran Dominion.

This was something Mengsk couldn’t accept. He couldn’t accept the presence of someone with the ability to destroy him. He didn’t go through everything, the Confederacy, the UED, the swarm, to be taken down by a girl with some talent in computers. What was the best way to not get attacked by someone? Attack them before they can attack you. Mengsk did exactly that.

Hundreds of battlecruisers would sprang into action as soon as Jean’s presence was confirmed by the ghosts. Mengsk knew she had two enhanced battlecruisers, but they wouldn’t stand a chance against his fleet. The captains wouldn’t allow her to get close to anything electronical to start hacking. Jean was a hacker, nothing else. What could a hacker without her computer do against hundreds of armored men?

Motioning for his son and Nova Terra to leave, Mengsk sat in his seat, wondering what he would do with a captured Jean Turner. Torture? Execution? Imprisonment? Brainwash? Maybe he could brainwash her and use her talents against his enemies. Kel-Morian. Umojan.

But would things go as the emperor expected?

----------------------------------------

Valerian walked back into his own chamber. He glanced at a device, which showed there was no cloaked units in his chamber. Another sweep from another device told him there was no surveillance around him.

Valerian might seem too careful, but with what he was doing he could never be too safe.

Tapping a tab on his own computer screen, the face of a certain female blonde popped up.

“My father has no intention of making a deal with you. There are two ghosts approaching your location. As soon as they confirm your presence the Pride of Augustgrad fleet will jump above and open fire on the Deadman’s Port. You should run as soon as possible.” He advised.

Jean smiled, something she was getting better and better on. “Are you caring about my safety? I am flattered.”

“You know very well why I am helping you.” Valerian moved closer to the screen. His tone was full of anger and hatred. “I did what I promised. I expect you to do the same.” He broke off the connection. For some reason he left out the part about Liam.

Of course Jean knew why the Dominion prince was helping the enemy of his father. She thought of the possibility that Arcturus might have something else in mind, which was why she planted a mole within the Dominion. Someone Arcturus trusted. Someone in a place high enough to take part in major decisions.

Valerian wasn’t exactly excited to help the enemy of the Dominion, but he complied after what happened later. Jean threatened to wipe out a Dominion civilian planet everytime he refused her offer. The first time Valerian doubted her determination, and Jean merely broke off the communication. The next day the prince received report of losing contact with a colonized planet. Further information told him everyone on the planet was slaughtered. Left with no choice and wanting to protect his people, the prince yielded.

Since then the Dominion prince became Jean’s eyes and ears in the heart of the Dominion.

Valerian hated her, but he wouldn’t attempt anything to her because the price was too great. Only when the prince could confidently protect every Dominion civilian would he act, but that was impossible.

Jean sat back in her seat. The plan she had just came up with was useless, but that didn’t mean the Dominion Fleet was off limits. In fact, she had just came up with another plan...