The Reckoning (Brood War mission)

The Reckoning is the ninth zerg mission of Episode VI of StarCraft: Brood War.

Background
With the death of the Second Overmind, the entire Zerg Swarm fell under the control of Sarah Kerrigan. The remnants of the UED Expeditionary Fleet fled Char, and Kerrigan's primary hive clusters were relocated to Char Aleph, an orbital platform over Char that now served as her base of operations. However, in the aftermath of the battle, prelate Zeratul rescued the dark templar matriarch Raszagal from Kerrigan and was recalled away.

Samir Duran informed Kerrigan that Zeratul had regrouped with a number of protoss survivors on the surface of Char, and they were preparing to return to Shakuras. Raszagal, her mind corrupted by Kerrigan's influence, was being held in a stasis cell their compound. Duran estimated 30 minutes before the protoss was ready for dimensional recall. Kerrigan ordered the Cerebrate to mobilize all her broods and descend to Char; she wanted Zeratul and Raszagal captured alive, and the remaining protoss exterminated.

The Cerebrate destroyed the protoss, and Kerrigan and her forces moved in reclaim Raszagal. Zeratul arrived at the stasis cell before her, and killed Raszagal, choosing her death over letting her live as Kerrigan's slave. Kerrigan was surprised at his actions, and elected to allow Zeratul to go free, letting him live in guilt for what he had done instead of killing him. Zeratul was recalled away and departed.

Gameplay
The player has 30 minutes on the timer, but the protoss base must be destroyed within 25 minutes to access the hidden mission. The starting base is fully established with all possible buildings, a hive, a hatchery, and several drones. The UED will attack but rarely in force, often sending stray units into the player's base to be killed by the sunken colonies. The protoss will not attack at all, just defend, so all attention can be focused on mutating and upgrading a large attack force to sweep the protoss boss.

Once the economy is going strong, research the upgrades for s and s, and send a force of them south to destroy a small UED base there. Quickly expand to this resource node, and have several hatcheries built here. The attack will take place from the south, as the northern passage is guarded by the UED. A large swarm of zerglings and hydralisks, fully upgraded, will do. Overlords must accompany them to spot for high templar. s and guardians also also helpful, particularly needed to destroy photon cannons on high ground around the stasis cell.

Rally all hatcheries to the south-east corner of the map, and continue to upgrade and expand all forces. With 10 minutes on the time, commence the attack. The protoss will rally all forces to defend the entry chokepoint to their base, but once their defenses here fall the base will quickly be overrun. When all protoss structures are destroyed, the mission ends. If at least five minutes were left on the timer, the player will unlock the secret mission, Dark Origin.