Hybrid


 * ''This article is concerned with a species in the StarCraft universe; for other uses of the term see StarCraft: Hybrid and Infested Terran.

The Protoss/Zerg Hybrid is a species in the fictional StarCraft universe. It is usually referred to as Hybrid, although the term as been used to describe Infested Terrans as well.

The Hybrid was first observed on a secret mission conducted by Zeratul on a cold moon, after Zeratul was forced to slay Matriarch Raszagal on Char.

Zeratul travelled to the moon because he detected Protoss energy signatures there - these signatures came from Protoss technology that was being operated by clandestine Terran mercenaries. They were holding Protoss and Zerg (including Infested Terran) prisoners in Stasis Cells.

The computers on some of the cells indicated that their DNA was being compiled and spliced, creating a genetic hybrid of the Protoss and Zerg races.

One of the Stasis Cells contained a successfully created Hybrid, and as Zeratul accessed the computer, he was contacted by Samir Duran. Duran claimed to have created the species on the orders of his masters, who have been asleep for countless ages.

Many fans believe this is a reference to the Xel'Naga, which empowered the Protoss and Zerg early in their history, due to their interest in their purity of form and essence, respectively. By combining the purity of form of the Protoss and purity of essence of the Zerg, Duran hoped to create a "perfect" Hybrid. As no awake Hybrids have ever been observed, it is unknown if Duran's hopes would come true.

Zeratul was offended by the existence of the creature and prepared to attack it. Duran said it would make no difference, because he had seeded the Hybrid on many worlds, and Zeratul could not find them all before they awoke. Zeratul attacked it (off-screen), but afterwards was unable to tell the other Protoss of this potential new threat to their species.

To date, it has made no appearances in StarCraft, but is widely believed to play a role in the yet-to-be-announced StarCraft II.