Trouble in Paradise

Trouble in Paradise is the fourth mission of the Nova Covert Ops campaign, and the first mission of the second mission pack.

Heroes
"Reports are coming in from major population centers. They detail extensive damage, and high casualties."

- Reigel

After Agent Nova Terra discovered the Defenders of Man's plans to use psi-emitters to lure the zerg to civilian worlds, Nova set a course for Tyrador IX to try to prevent its destruction. However, the Defenders of Man beat Nova there, and using a Warhawk with a loaded psi-emitter, the Defenders of Man lured the zerg to the planet. The zerg hit the undefended resort world, causing extensive casualties. Dominion forces on the planet were outnumbered, and all evacuation attempts were unsuccessful.

Nova and her Covert Ops Crew arrived, and surveyed the situation. They realized they could not evacuate the population on their own, but noticed that the Defenders of Man fleet was inbound to evacuate the population and claim themselves as heroes. Nova planned to first assault the zerg position, then deal with the Defenders of Man.

Mission
"I am Ji'nara, First Ascendant of the Tal'darim. Our highlord has charged us with the destruction of the Defenders of Man. Do not interfere! That's a tempting solution, but any assault on the Defender's position will surely kill the civilians. Evacuation is impossible."

- Ji'nara and Reigel

Nova and a group of banshees landed on the planet, while Reigel established a base near their position. Reigel noted that warp signatures were detected, and speculated that it may be zerg reinforcements. Meanwhile, a massive amount of civilians evacuated to a stadium near the Defenders of Man's position, fortifying themselves in the structure. Nova stated that they had to destroy the zerg to prevent the civilians from being killed.

Nova and her banshees attacked the nearby zerg hatcheries, attempting to soften up the zerg on the surface before more forces arrived. However, it turned out that the warp signatures were not zerg, rather the Tal'darim Death Fleet. They arrived, blasting through the zerg and fortifying a position on the surface. First Ascendant Ji'nara announced her intention to destroy the Defenders of Man, and told the Dominion not to interfere. Reigel stated that the Tal'darim's attack would surely kill the civilians, and that their mothership had to be destroyed. However, it was being shielded by nearby shield projectors. Nova gathered her forces and prepared to assault the projectors.

Reigel meanwhile noticed strange mutations in the remaining zerg in the area, and requested the Nova destroy the remaining hatcheries so he could study them. Also nearby was a strange Tal'darim fleet beacon emitting an unusual power source, which Reigel also requested Nova destroy so he could research.

Nova destroyed the four projectors shielding the mothership. Enraged, Ji'nara sent her mothership at Nova's position. However it was vulnerable without its shield, and Nova and her forces were able to destroy it. With the mothership destroyed, the Defenders of Man were able to rally again and engage the last of the zerg; evacuation could resume. Nova mournfully reflected that the Defenders of Man would get all the credit for the evacuation, but Reigel stated while true, she saved thousands of lives, and he would inform Emperor Valerian Mengsk of what had been done.

Walkthrough
The first section of the mission revolves around clearing out zerg hatcheries using an array of cloaked units. Permanent banshee cloak, Nova's C-20A rifle, Nova's range upgrade and Nova's permanent cloak are all helpful for this section, as they allow Nova to pick off spore crawlers from out of their detection range and snipe overseers. During this section, the player will be given a nuke, which can be used to pick off heavy pockets of resistance. The amount that the base is cleared will make zerg attacks lighter in the second section, as well as make the bonus objective of clearing zerg hatcheries easier.

The second section involves clearing the four shield projectors before the mothership is able to fully charge and attack the Defenders of Man position. There are several ways to accomplish this, with sufficient micromanagement skill the Tal'darim defenses can be destroyed with Nova and a banshee escort. Oracles in this map have a new detection mechanic in which they will send out a pulse that will uncloak units. However, this can be avoided. The bonus objective to destroy the fleet beacon at the bottom right of the map requires banshees, as it is on an island. It is surrounding by oracles, photon cannons, and void rays, which can't be targeted by the banshees, so micromanagement is necessary in order to avoid taking too many casualties.

The objectives can also be taken with a balanced force of siege tanks, marines and goliaths, with Nova providing support. Nukes are also helpful in clearing out large clusters of Tal'darim defenses. This tactic also allows for a stronger force when the shield projectors are destroyed and the Tal'darim mothership moved to attack the player's base.

When the Tal'darim attack the player's base, it will use a high damage line attack, as well as launch interceptors similar to a carrier. In addition, it can detect and warp in ground units. Marines and goliaths are useful against them, and should be build en masse before the final shield projector is destroyed. Nova with a range upgrade can attack the mothership from outside of its detection range, but does little damage to it. In desperation, using nukes on the mothership is also effective, as when it moves over the player's base it will often remain in one place. After the mothership is destroyed, the mission is over.