Warp gate (xel'naga)


 * This article refers to Aeon of Strife-era Warp Gates. For the Warp Gate from StarCraft II, see Warp Gate (StarCraft II).

Warp Gates are instantaneous transportation devices made from lost Protoss technology. They are specifically designed to enable movement across interplanetary and interstellar distances.

Warp Gates should not be confused with the Gateway and the Stargate, which are effectively smaller (and inferior) forms of similar technology.

The Gates are Xel'Naga technology. Each Gate connects to other active Gates, unless specifically programmed not to do so. The Gate on Aiur only opens for six minutes before disabling itself.

Ancient History
In the Aeon of Strife, Protoss warriors created Warp Gates to travel great distances instantaneously. The knowledge involved in their creation has been lost until recently, but on some planets, these gates still remain. When these sites are discovered, they spawn some of the most violent battles as great powers try and control these ancient places of power.

Modern History
Following the Zerg invasion of Aiur and the destruction of the Overmind, the Zerg rampaged across Aiur, killing nearly 70% of its population. Aiur had a single remaining Warp Gate. Zeratul convinced the Protoss refugees to flee through it to Aiur. Zeratul and his forces had to fight their way past the rampaging Zerg, assisted by Praetor Fenix and the Terran, Jim Raynor.

The Zerg pushed through the Gate, letting some fraction of their numbers follow the Protoss to Shakuras. Fenix and Raynor told the Protoss Praetor, Artanis, that they would shut the gate, stranding them and any other Protoss survivors there.

Branching History
The Warp Gate is an interesting case study in the changing timelines of the StarCraft universe. In one version of the timeline, it was destroyed, and in the other, it was merely shut down.

Brood War History
Raynor and Fenix remained on Aiur, constructing a powerful base near the Gate. Raynor traveled to Korhal with a Protoss escort in order to rescue Dominion Emperor Arcturus Mengsk from capture by the invading United Earth Directorate Expeditionary Force.

The UED still wanted to capture Mengsk; they traveled to Aiur and, braving attacks by seemingly disoriented Zerg, they destroyed the Protoss base. However, they weren't able to prevent Raynor and Mengsk for escaping through the Gate, which self-destructed immediately after the escape.

Dark Templar Saga History
Members of the Templar Caste, such as Fenix and Ladranix, defended the refugees fleeing through the Gate from the Zerg. Because the Zerg had reached Shakuras, Fenix and Raynor decided to disable the Gate, cutting off the remaining refugees from the retreat.

Fenix programmed the Gate not to open onto Shakuras, whereas Raynor simply shot its control panel with his rifle.

The stranded Protoss coalesced into at least two groups, the Shel'na Kryhas and the Tal'darim. (Fenix, Raynor and other Protoss warriors did not join either group.)

Jake Ramsey, a renegade archaeologist, and Rosemary Dahl, a mercenary, traveled to Aiur in a system runner, seeking a specific piece of ancient technology. They were advised by a Preserver, Zamara, now a disembodied spirit within Ramsey's brain. Together they reunited the two quarreling groups and attempted to escape to Shakuras through the Warp Gate. However, due to the damage inflicted on the Gate by Raynor, they had to pause to repair the Gate. Few of the refugees made it before they were attacked by the Zerg, and the devastating Dark Archon, Ulrezaj.