Siege of Cask

The Siege of Cask took place after the. The Zerg Swarm laid siege to the colonial outpost for fourteen months, eventually evolving the baneling to overcome and destroy the defenses. The Terran Dominion was aware of Cask's plight but refused to intervene; the battle was used to observe zerg evolution and colonial resourcefulness.

Invasion
The zerg began the invasion of Sorona by attacking the outlying settlements. The colonists retreated to Cask and abandoned the surrounding area. Cask was situated at the end of a high-walled canyon, where a thick arch of rock provided a natural roof. The location was proof against all but the heaviest air attack. The only ground route into the outpost was the Wedge, a bottleneck just wide enough for a bit ore loader to scrape through.

Daily zerg assaults were held at the Wedge by miners wielding shotguns and repurposed mining lasers. The terrans hoped the zerg would be unable to sustain their assault from a practically lifeless world.

Seven months into the siege Cask's doctor committed suicide. By the next supplies had run low and malnutrition set in. Hydroponic gardens and a native mold prevented starvation. The mold provided protein and carboxylic but its acidity caused dental problems.

At some point the zerg began constructing spore cannons in the surrounding mountain ranges. These were not turned on the colony even when completed.

The Marines Arrive
At the end month eight terran reinforcements arrived in the form of the 128th Platoon, Dominion Marine Corps, commanded by Lieutenant Travis Orran. The 60-strong unit was en route to Anselm aboard a Minotaur-class battlecruiser when the ship was recalled to Korhal IV. The platoon was deposited at the deserted starport 15 miles from Cask without being informed of the situation on the ground or any timetable for retrieval.