Editing Second Great War

{{StarCraft storyline}}
{{Quote|Make no mistake, war is coming. With all its glory. And all its horror...|[[Arcturus Mengsk]]|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmBtanGjziM}}
{{BattleBox
|name=Second Great War
|bgcolor=
|fgcolor={{White}}
|prev=[[Spectre Rebellion]]<br/>
|conc=
|next=[[End War]]<br/>
[[Armageddon]] (alternate timeline)
|image=KerriganZeratulRaynor SC2 Art1.jpg
|imgsize=350px
|conflict=
|campaign=
|date=September/October, [[2504]]&ndash;Early April, [[2505]]
|place=[[Koprulu Sector]]<br/>
[[Sigma Quadrant]]<br/>
[[Theta Quadrant]]
|result=*[[Zerg Swarm]] and [[Raynor's Raiders]] victory
*Emperor [[Arcturus Mengsk]] overthrown
*[[Amon]] resurrected
*Crown Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]] ascends the [[Terran Dominion]] throne<ref name="ProjectBlackstone">[http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blackstone/ Project Blackstone], ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed on 2013-05-22</ref>
|battles=*[[Operation Burnout]]
*[[Battle of Char (Dangerous Game)|Battle of Char]]
*[[Battle of Korhal (Planetfall)|Battle of Korhal]]
|side1=Various [[terran]] factions
----
{{FlagDominion}} [[Terran Dominion]]<br/>
{{FlagMoebius}} [[Moebius Foundation]]
----
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} [[Raynor's Raiders]] (early)<br/>
{{FlagMira}} [[Mira's Mercs]] (early)
----
{{FlagKelMorianCombine}} [[Kel-Morian Combine]]
----
{{FlagUmoja}} [[Umojan Protectorate]] (early)
|side2={{FlagKerrigan}} [[Zerg Swarm]]<br/>
*[[Primal zerg]] (late)
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} [[Raynor's Raiders]] (late)<br/>
{{FlagUmoja}} [[Umojan Protectorate]] (late)<br/>
{{FlagDominion}} Valerian's [[Dominion renegades|renegades]] (late)
----
{{FlagMira}} [[Mira's Mercs]] 
|side3=Various [[protoss]] factions
----
{{FlagDaelaam}} [[Daelaam]]
|commanders1={{FlagDominion}} Emperor [[Arcturus Mengsk]]&dagger;<br/>
{{FlagDominion}} Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]] (early)<br/> 
{{FlagDominion}} General [[Horace Warfield]]&dagger;<br/>
{{FlagMoebius}} Doctor [[Emil Narud]]&dagger; (early)
----
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} Commander [[Jim Raynor]] (early)<br/>
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} Captain [[Matt Horner]] (early)<br/>
|commanders2={{FlagKerrigan}} Queen [[Sarah Kerrigan]]<br/>
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} Commander [[Jim Raynor]] (late)<br/>
{{FlagRaynorsRaiders}} Captain [[Matt Horner]] (late)<br/>
{{FlagDominion}} Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]] (late)
----
{{FlagNerazim}} [[Nerazim|Dark]] [[Prelate]] [[Zeratul]] (late)
|commanders3={{FlagDaelaam}} [[Hierarch]] [[Artanis]]<br/>
{{FlagDaelaam}} [[Executor]] [[Selendis]]
|forces1=[[Dominion Armed Forces]]
:[[Dominion Engineering Corps]]
:[[Dominion Fleet]]
:{{FlagDominionMarineCorps}} [[Dominion Marine Corps]]
:Dominion Security Forces
----
[[Raynor's Raiders]]
----
Kel-Morian military
----
Umojan military
|forces2=[[Zerg]] [[brood]]s
:{{FlagCharBrood}} [[Char Brood]]
:[[Nafash Brood]]
:[[Zagara Brood]]
:[[Dehaka's Pack]]
:[[Stukov's forces]]
[[Raynor's Raiders]]<br/>
[[Dominion renegades]]<br/>
Umojan military
|forces3=
{{FlagDaelaam}}[[Daelaam]]
|side4=[[Amon's Forces]]
*{{FlagHybridHonors}} [[Hybrid]]s
*{{flagTal'darim2}} [[Tal'darim]] 
|commanders4={{FlagHybridHonors}} [[Emil Narud]] (late)&dagger;<br/>
|forces4=[[Hybrid]] forces<br/> 
[[Tal'darim]] forces
|casual1=Billions
|casual2=Billions
|casual3=1 [[Kaldir|colony]] and misc. casualties
|casual4=Heavy (Tal'darim), low (hybrids)
|concattop=|
}}
The '''Second Great War'''<ref>Blizzard Entertainment. [https://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/the-story-of-starcraft/chapter9 The Story of StarCraft: Chapter 9]. ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed 2013-04-30.</ref> was a conflict that broke out in [[2504]],<ref name="DDTimeline">April 12, 2011. "Timeline." ''[[StarCraft II: Devils' Due]].'' Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). pp. 248-262. ISBN 978-1416-55085-3.</ref> four years after the first [[Great War]]. The conflict was primarily between the [[Zerg Swarm]] and [[Terran Dominion]], ending with their defeat and a zerg and rebel tactical victory. A major consequence that occurred midway through the Second Great War was the resurrection of the fallen [[xel'naga]], [[Amon]], which would lead to the [[End War]].

==Background==
===The Brood War===
[[File:InfestedSarahKerrigan SC1 CineAscension1.jpg|thumb|left|Kerrigan triumphant]]
The [[Brood War (conflict)|Brood War]] ended with the eviction of the [[United Earth Directorate]] from the [[Koprulu Sector]],<ref name="SC:BW_CineEpi">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Cinematic: [[StarCraft Episode VI#Epilogue|Epilogue]] (in English). 1998.</ref> and the [[Zerg Swarm]], reunited under [[Sarah Kerrigan|Kerrigan]], as the Sector's dominant power.<ref name="SSF2">Blizzard Entertainment staff. 2008-04-16. [http://starcraft2.com/features/storysofar2.xml The Story so Far... Part 2: The Brood War]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2008-04-16.</ref> Kerrigan allowed the other powers a reprieve,<ref name="SC:BW_CineAscension">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Cinematic: [[StarCraft Episode VI#The Ascension|The Ascension]] (in English). 1998.</ref> and sensed a greater threat looming on the horizon.<ref name="SC:BW_CineEpi" />

The lull was used for reconstruction. The [[Terran Dominion]], restored to the rule of Emperor [[Arcturus Mengsk]], made good its losses and emerged as the preeminent terran power; the alliances with the [[Kel-Morian Combine]] or [[Umojan Protectorate]] ended. Attempts by [[Raynor's Raiders]] to foment rebellion against the Dominion met with little success. The [[protoss]] were occupied by the rapprochement of the [[Khalai]] with the [[Nerazim]]. Integrating the two cultures proved difficult and the protoss found themselves sliding back into tribalism.<ref name="SSF2" />

The zerg involvement in the Sector's affairs, starting from the [[Great War]], was the a result of manipulation in the distant past by Amon,<ref name="WoL_EchoesFuture">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Echoes of the Future]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> an ancient fallen [[xel'naga]] who had since died.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryAncientOne">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Ancient One]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_CrucibleDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Crucible|Crucible]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> By the end of the Brood War, the secret efforts to resurrect Amon, and to create the [[hybrid|protoss/zerg hybrid]]s needed to fulfill its vision of the complete and apocalyptic restructuring of Creation.,<ref name="WoL_UtterDarkness">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[In Utter Darkness]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> were nearing fruition. The future enemies of Amon began to uncover these efforts only at the end of the war;<ref name="SSF2" /> it would be some years before enough intelligence was gathered to catalyze large-scale action.<ref name="WoL_UtterDarkness" /><ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoidDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Phantoms of the Void|Phantoms of the Void]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

===Four Years of Peace===
{{Main|StarCraft II introduction}}
{{Quote|Everyone knew a war was coming because there was always another war, and soldiers would be needed to defend people from the zerg and protoss, and any other threat that might be out there, including other terrans.|[[Kath Toom]] reflects on the possibilities of future conflict.|StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres}}
[[File:Odin CollateralDamage Art1.jpg|thumb|left|Preparing for the next war]]
Over the next four years, the zerg were relatively silent.<ref name="SSF2" /> From its holdings at the end of the Brood War<ref name="SC2_Char">2008-6-17. [http://starcraft2.com/features/planets/char.xml Char]. ''Official StarCraft II Website.'' Accessed 2008-6-17.</ref> it continued to explore various worlds for resources and new species to assimilate.<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga2">Golden, Christie (November 27, 2007). ''[[StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Shadow Hunters|StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #2: Shadow Hunters]].'' Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7126-8.</ref> Significantly, the zerg refrained from large scale armed conflict with the terrans and protoss,<ref name="LoreVid">Metzen, Chris; Chambers, Andy; StarCraft Legacy staff. 2009-04-03. [http://sclegacy.com/feature/22-bc07/288-blizzcon-2007-starcraft-lore-panel BlizzCon 2007 StarCraft Lore Panel Editorial]. ''StarCraft Legacy.'' Accessed 2009-05-18.</ref><ref name="ShadowHunt">Golden, Christie. ''[[StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Shadow Hunters]].'' Pocket Star Books, November 27, 2007. ISBN 0-7434-7126-1.</ref> and only took part in occasional skirmishes.<ref>2009-08-20, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrZ7ETUvzb8&feature=fvw Starcraft II Story & Characters Interview]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2009-09-08</ref> No expeditions to zerg-controlled worlds ever returned.<ref name="SSF2" />

The Dominion deployed new munitions in anticipation of the next conflict with the zerg. New war machines such as the [[thor]],<ref name ="Thor">2007-08-30. [http://www.starcraft2.com/features/terran/thor.xml Thor]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2007-08-30.</ref> [[AH/G-24 Banshee|banshee]],<ref name = "Banshee">2007-08-23. [http://www.starcraft2.com/features/terran/banshee.xml Banshee]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2007-09-02.</ref> and [[viking]]<ref name="SC2">[http://www.starcraft2.com/features/terran/viking.xml Viking]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2007-08-10.</ref> were pressed into service. However, Arcturus Mengsk spent a disproportionate amount on hunting down rebels such as [[Jim Raynor]], leaving the [[Dominion Fleet]] neglected.<ref name="SC2_CinePublic">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Liberation Day#Public Enemy|Public Enemy]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

===The Swarm Stirs===
{{Quote|I know that it has been years since we've seen any zerg activity in terran space. But I hope you're prepared for the next encounter. The zerg are coming. The zerg are nature in all her fury.|[[Maren Ayers]] warns her Dominion [[Serl Gentry|interrogator]]|Broken Wide}}
[[File:Baneling SC2 Art1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Siege of Cask]]]]
Zerg activity increased toward the beginning of the Second Great War. On [[Sorona]], the zerg tested its adaptability by laying [[Siege of Cask|siege]] to [[Cask]] for months; the Dominion passively sacrificed the colony to gather tactical data.<ref name="SC:Broken">Dayton, Cameron. "[[Broken Wide]]." (March 5, 2010). Blizzard Entertainment. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/short-stories/broken-wide/1 Broken Wide] Accessed 2010-03-05.</ref> More telling was the deliberate and overt attack on [[Dead Man's Rock]].<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga2" /> By [[2504]], the Dominion was keeping pace with developments as best it could. A [[Zeta Squad|marine squad]] was purposely expended at [[Roxara's moon]] to observe the [[changeling]] strain.<ref name="SC:Chng">Waugh, James. "[[Changeling (short story)|Changeling]]." (November 18, 2009). Blizzard Entertainment. [http://www.starcraft2.com/features/changeling.xml Changeling: A Short Story by James Waugh] Accessed 2009-11-18.</ref> The [[Dominion Armed Forces]] also undertook a trio of emergency drills to assess response times and defensive capabilities.<ref name = "Dominion">[http://us.starcraft2.com/dominion/ Dominion Propaganda], [[Blizzard Entertainment]]. Accessed on 2010-06-19</ref>

During this period of time, alien artifacts began unearthing themselves, such as [[xel'naga temple]]s.<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga1">Golden, Christie (May 22, 2007). ''[[StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Firstborn|StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #1: Firstborn]].'' Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7125-1.</ref> Emperor Mengsk expressed interest in these discoveries and placed a ban on the trade of alien goods.<ref name="BlizzCon08P2">Dustin Browder, Rob Pardo. 2008-10-11. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMqoz1eEmU8 Blizzcon 2008: StarCraft II Gameplay Discussion Panel (Part 2).] ''Youtube.com'' Accessed 2008-10-11.</ref>

===Long Shadows===
{{Quote|The Zerg Swarm came as was foretold. And the protoss, firstborn of the gods, rose to fight them. Now, the xel'naga that forged us all are returning. But do they come to save... or to destroy?|[[Zeratul]]|url=http://starcraft.org/videos.php|web=x}}
[[File:Zeratul SC2 Game1.jpg|left|Zeratul discovers dire portents for the future|thumb]]
In the closing days of the {{link|Brood War|conflict}}, [[Dark Templar]] Prelate [[Zeratul]] stumbled upon part of Amon's [[hybrid|protoss/zerg hybridization]] project on a [[dark moon]]. At the facility Zeratul discovered a dormant hybrid, an entity whose power the prelate correctly appreciated, and was confronted by [[Samir Duran]]. Duran's words were cryptic as he claimed to serve a [[Amon|far greater power]]; he warned the prelate that the hybrid was the harbinger of the future and the completion of a cycle, and that it was merely one of many seeded throughout the galaxy. Zeratul was deeply disturbed by the hybrid and Duran's words.<ref name="SSF2" /><ref name="SC:BW_Bonus">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Mission: [[Dark Origin]] (in English). 1998.</ref> After the war, Zeratul set off alone to discover the meaning and purpose of these discoveries.<ref name="SC:DkTempSaga3">Golden, Christie (June 30, 2009). ''[[StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga: Twilight|StarCraft: The Dark Templar Saga #3: Twilight]].'' Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-0-7434-7129-9.</ref>

During the interbellum, the hybrid began awakening and Amon's forces took more direct action.<ref name="WoL_SinisterTurn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[A Sinister Turn]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> At the very least, elements of the [[Terran Dominion]] were aware of the hybrids' existence. In characteristic fashion, research on the creatures was done covertly.<ref name="WoL_PierceShroud">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Piercing the Shroud]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> [[Sarah Kerrigan|Kerrigan]] was among the few to notice as well; her unsettling hunch from the end of the Brood War<ref name="SC:BW_CineEpi">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft: Brood War]].'' Vivendi Games. Cinematic: [[StarCraft Episode VI#Epilogue|Epilogue]] (in English). 1998.</ref> grew to be even more foreboding and oppressive during the interbellum. Like Zeratul, Kerrigan sought answers, and like Zeratul, this would bring her to [[Ulaan]].<ref name="WoL_WhispersDoom" />

{{Main|Whispers of Doom}}
Eventually, Zeratul learned of a xel'naga {{link|prophecy|Ulaan}}, which he believed heralded the return of the [[xel'naga]]. The Dark Templar tracked it to Ulaan; he found Kerrigan and the zerg, seeking the prophecy as well, waiting for him. Zeratul received unexpected aid from a band of [[Daelaam]], led by [[Praetor]] [[Karass]], who had been tracking the Queen of Blades, and barely managed to recover and escape with the prophecy's fragments ahead of the zerg.<ref name="WoL_WhispersDoom">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Whispers of Doom]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

{{Main|A Sinister Turn}}
[[File:HybridDestroyer_SC2_Head1.jpg|thumb|[[Maar]], awakened [[hybrid]]]]
Zeratul journeyed to [[Zhakul]] where [[preserver]]s could interpret the fragments. He arrived to find preservers held captive by the hybrid [[Maar]], who had also corrupted local [[Zhakul Guardians]] to serve a "higher power." The Dark Templar slew Maar and freed the preservers.<ref name="WoL_SinisterTurn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[A Sinister Turn]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

{{Main|Echoes of the Future}}
The preservers directed Zeratul to the [[Overmind]]'s remains on [[Aiur]].<ref name="WoL_SinisterTurn" /> The Dark Templar probed the dead zerg's memories and found his greatest fears realized. A victory by [[Amon]] meant the destruction of creation as it was known. Even more importantly, he learned that outcome might be averted if Kerrigan survived. Clinging to that one hope, Zeratul departed to make what preparations he could for the coming [[End War]].<ref name="WoL_EchoesFuture" /><ref name="WoL_UtterDarkness">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[In Utter Darkness]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

By contrast, Kerrigan was apathetic; what she knew pointed to a future without hope<ref name="WoL_WhispersDoom" /> and she was resigned to her fate.<ref name="BC2011LorePanel">2011-10-22, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz4nMWExg98 BlizzCon 2011 - Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm - Campaign and Lore Panel (Full)]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2011-11-07</ref> Nonetheless, she too resolved to fight the looming threat of Amon, though she did not yet know the xel'naga's name.<ref name = "BC2011LorePanel">2011-10-22, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz4nMWExg98 BlizzCon 2011 - Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm - Campaign and Lore Panel (Full)]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2011-11-07</ref>

===Artifact Hunters===
[[File:XelnagaArtifact SC2 CineFireFury1.jpg|thumb|The sought-after device]]
In the [[Terran Dominion]], two groups worked nearly independently to acquire alien artifacts, and for different ends. The first was driven by official policy banning the trading of artifacts.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRaidersRaidDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Outlaws." (in English). 2010.</ref>  The Dominion annexed [[Mar Sara]] from the [[Kel-Morian Combine]] shortly before the war<ref name="SC:FrntLn_V4_Home">Metzen, Chris (w), Hector Sevilla (p, i). "[[StarCraft: Frontline: Homecoming|Homecoming]]." In ''[[StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 4]]'' (paperback binding), pp. 6-27. Tokyopop, October 1, 2009. ISBN 978-1427-81698-6.</ref> and in the final months of peace concentrated on excavating an artifact there.<ref name="WoL_Outlaws">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Outlaws]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

The second nominally-Dominion group was secretly sponsored by Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]], in contravention to the decree by his father, Emperor [[Arcturus Mengsk]]. Valerian used the [[Moebius Foundation]] as a front to locate and acquire artifacts,<ref name="SC2_CineHeirApparent">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Heir Apparent. (in English). 2010.</ref> in particular the pieces of a [[xel'naga device]] that Valerian believed could deinfest Kerrigan.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryLab">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Laboratory (in English). 2010.</ref> Such a goal would inevitably lead to conflict with the zerg.<ref name="SC2_CineDangerGame">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Dangerous Game]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

But it was Kerrigan, more aware of the greater conflict than the terrans, who ultimately precipitated a sector-wide conflagration. Unbeknownst to the terrans, Kerrigan also sought the [[xel'naga device]] as a weapon against Amon.<ref name="BC2011LorePanel">2011-10-22, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz4nMWExg98 BlizzCon 2011 - Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm - Campaign and Lore Panel (Full)]. ''YouTube'', accessed on 2011-11-07</ref> She ordered the [[Swarm]] to invade the [[Koprulu Sector]] and scour it for the pieces.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNZergSlow">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Supernova." (in English). 2010.</ref> Preparations for such a mammoth undertaking were detected by the Dominion's [[Satellite 1]] in the [[Char System]]. The [[Dominion Fleet]] was put on alert.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRaynorReturns">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Liberation Day." (in English). 2010.</ref>

Four years of peace were about to end.

==Course of the War==
{{Main|StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty}}

===Mar Sara===
Not long before the war's outbreak, convict [[Tychus Findlay]] was released by Arcturus Mengsk,<ref name="SC2_CineTheDeal">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[The Deal]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> on the condition that his freedom would be granted if he assassinated the [[Sarah Kerrigan|Queen of Blades]].<ref name="SC2_CineShowdown">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[The Showdown]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> Findlay was also employed by the Moebius Foundation as a contact between them and Jim Raynor in an effort to retrieve the xel'naga device's components.<ref name="SC2_CineOldTimes">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[The Outlaws#Old Times|Old Times]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

This was part of a long-range plan. Arcturus already knew of [[Valerian Mengsk|Valerian]]'s plan. If successful, the Dominion would take [[Char]] and Findlay would kill a deinfested and weakened Kerrigan. Disaster and military losses would be blamed on the "traitorous" prince, allowing the emperor to use fear of the Dominion's weakened position as a rallying point against [[Jim Raynor]].<ref name = "KindreganQA12">Blizzard Entertainment. 2013-01-15. [http://us.battle.net//sc2/en/blog/8441646 StarCraft II Creative Development Q&A - Part 12]. ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2013-01-15.</ref>

:''Main article: [[Liberation Day|Skirmish at Backwater Station]]''
[[File:DominionHQMarSara SC2-WoL Game1.jpg|thumb|160x160px|The Dominion logistics HQ is destroyed]]

Raynor was on Mar Sara leading the resurgent Raiders against the Dominion.<ref name="SC2_CinePublic" /> The Raiders instigated a planetary anti-Dominion rebellion after an attack on [[Backwater Station]].<ref name="WoL_LibDay">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Liberation Day]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

{{Main|The Outlaws}}
[[File:MarSaraDigSite SC2-WoL Game1.jpg|thumb|220x220px|The Raiders secure the artifact]]
Afterward, Tychus Findlay succeeded in tracking down Raynor and made the proposition of hunting down the artifacts the Moebius Foundation sought. Raynor agreed<ref name="SC2_CineOldTimes" /> and the Raiders successfully retrieved an artifact from a Dominion [[White Rock|dig site]].<ref name="WoL_Outlaws">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Outlaws]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> [[UNN]] put a negative spin on these actions, trying to distract its viewers from the fact that Mar Sarans truly desired independence.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRaidersRaidDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Open Rebellion: UNN newscast after "The Outlaws." (in English). 2010.</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRaynorReturns">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Special Report: UNN newscast after "Liberation Day." (in English). 2010.</ref>

:''Main article: [[Zero Hour|Escape from Mar Sara]]''
[[File:Hyperion SC2 Art1.jpg|thumb|Conflict on Mar Sara]]
These events were quickly overshadowed by the zerg invasion of the planet; the Swarm landed near the abandoned dig site and tracked the component and the Raiders back to Backwater Station. The rebels were besieged but held long enough to be evacuated by ''[[Hyperion]]''.<ref name="WoL_ZeroHour">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Zero Hour]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Mar Sara was not an isolated case. The zerg were invading the entire sector; billions were killed early on and the Swarm established itself on multiple worlds. The war had begun.<ref name="SC2_CineEscapeMarSara">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Zero Hour#Escape from Mar Sara|Escape from Mar Sara]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

===The Dominion Front===
{{Quote|You don't get it, convict&mdash;this isn't gonna just 'blow over'! The zerg won't stop until we're all dead!|[[Matt Horner]] to [[Tychus Findlay]]|StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty}}
[[File:RedPlanetNews SC2 CineEscapeMarSara1.jpg|thumb|The terrans reel from the invasion.]]
The Dominion Fleet withdrew<ref name="SC2-WoL_ZeroHourDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations/Mar Sara Missions#Zero Hour|Zero Hour]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHorner" /> to fortify the [[Core Worlds]],<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNMeinhoffRefugee" /> but the zerg quickly pressed in on those defenses.<ref name="SC2_CineEscapeMarSara" />

The [[Fringe Worlds]] were left to fend for themselves.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHorner" /> The [[Outer Colonies]] were forced to seek aid from mercenaries and outlaws,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNMeinhoffRefugee">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Outbreak." (in English). 2010.</ref> but this was insufficient and the colonists began evacuating their homes<ref name="SC2_CineEscapeMarSara" /> in the millions<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNQueenBlades" /> for the safety of the Core Worlds.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNMeinhoffRefugee" /> The dispossessed received little aid from the Dominion; refugee camps on [[Meinhoff]] were crowded, low on supplies,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNMeinhoffRefugee" /> and lacked adequate medical infrastructure.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarfieldReturns" /> As the crisis deepened, the Dominion Fleet was ordered to turn away refugee ships fleeing to the Core Worlds;<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRejectRefugee">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Haven's Fall." (in English). 2010.</ref> the flow toward the Core Worlds lessened as resentful refugees founded new colonies and declared independence from the Dominion.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRefugeesSettle">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Safe Haven." (in English). 2010.</ref> 

[[File:HoraceWarfield SC2 Art1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Horace Warfield]]]]
The Dominion devoted its attention toward stemming the zerg invasion. Emperor [[Arcturus Mengsk]] recalled General [[Horace Warfield]] from retirement to lead the [[Dominion Armed Forces]]. One of the general's first tasks was to lead a [[Operation Burnout|counter-offensive]] into the [[Sara System]].<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarfieldReturns">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Evacuation." (in English). 2010.</ref> Munitions production and penal recruitment increased.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarEffort">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Dig." (in English). 2010.</ref> Penal troops were supplemented by Core World conscription<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNShadowWar">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Devil's Playground." (in English). 2010.</ref> and a reduced minimum age of conscription.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRejectRefugee" /> Veterans who had fought the zerg during the Great War or Brood War were recalled.<ref name="SC:AWarOn" /> Nonetheless, the Dominion remained on the defensive.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarEffort"/> Some worlds fell<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNZergWithdraw">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg!: UNN newscast after "Gates of Hell." (in English). 2010.</ref> such as [[Tiria]]<ref name="SC:AWarOn">Waugh, James. "[[A War On]]." (Feb. 13, 2013). Blizzard Entertainment. [http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/short-stories/a-war-on/1 StarCraft Lore: A War On] Accessed 2013-02-13.</ref> and [[Braxis]]<ref name="SC:LostVikingsStory">Forbeck, Matt. "[[Lost Vikings]]." (May 16, 2013). Blizzard Entertainment. [https://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/lore/short-stories/lost-vikings/1 StarCraft Lore: Lost Vikings] Accessed 2013-05-16.</ref> while others such as [[Lakius]] held.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNGhost">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "[[Ghost of a Chance]]." (in English). 2010.</ref> The [[First Fleet|First]] and [[Second Fleet]]s were merged to protect the Core Worlds<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNCommentary" /> and the [[Dylar system]] was the site of one such space battle.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRejectRefugee" /> The zerg made advances across all fronts<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNQueenBlades">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Queen of the Zerg: UNN newscast after "Smash and Grab." (in English). 2010.</ref> and the Dominion military suffered heavy casualties<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNValerianInterview">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Whispers of Doom." (in English). 2010.</ref> but the Swarm's advance was slowed, largely thanks to Warfield,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNZergSlow">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg: UNN newscast after "Supernova." (in English). 2010.</ref> who led five separate counter-attacks against the Swarm in the conflict's early stages.<ref name="SC2_CineDangerGame" /> However, over time, it became clear that the zerg's goal was not conquest, but something else...<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNVermillionMengsk">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mengsk Talks: UNN newscast after "Cutthroat." (in English). 2010.</ref>

On the home front, survivors underwent viral testing<ref name="SC2_CineEscapeMarSara" /> and new austerity measures were introduced.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarfieldReturns" /> Interplanetary shipping was brought to a standstill,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNCommentary">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Great Train Robbery." (in English). 2010.</ref> authorities impounded all privately owned vessels and Mengsk declared a moratorium on interplanetary travel.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNVermillionWarfield">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Engine of Destruction." (in English). 2010.</ref> This also reduced pirate attacks, as they had less commercial traffic to prey upon.<ref name="WoLCut">2014-08-30, [http://sclegacy.com/forums/showthread.php?16072-Unused-HoTS-Story-Elements&p=194947&viewfull=1#post194947 Unused HoTS Story Elements]. ''StarCraft Legacy'', accessed on 2014-09-01</ref> Land prices on [[Shiloh]] dropped due to the war.<ref name="SC:AWarOn" /> During the conflict, the Dominion's populace experienced some knee-jerk reactions to the threat of the Swarm. A reported zerg sighting on Korhal turned out to be a hoax<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNNephorII">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Explosion Rocks Nephor II: UNN newscast after "Welcome to the Jungle." (in English). 2010.</ref> and a rumor developed that [[zergling]]s were allergic to lemon juice.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNVermillionMengsk" />  

[[File:ArcturusMengsk SC2 CineNewsFlash1.jpg|thumb|Public opinion turns against Mengsk]]
The Dominion suffered a blow to public morale via Raynor's Raiders, who had uncovered evidence of Mengsk's war crimes against [[Tarsonis]] during the [[Great War]].<ref name="WoL_TrainRobbery">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Great Train Robbery]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref><ref name="WoL_Cutthroat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Cutthroat]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>  The Raiders infiltrated [[UNN Studios]] on [[Korhal]]<ref name="WoL_MediaBlitz">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Media Blitz]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> using a Dominion [[Odin|experimental heavy siege walker]] stolen from {{link|Valhalla|installation}}.<ref name="WoL_EngineDestruction">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Engine of Destruction]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> The rebels transmitted the information across the Dominion using UNN's own broadcast towers.<ref name="WoL_MediaBlitz" /> The result was as hoped. Dominion citizens expressed outrage against Emperor Mengsk in riots and demonstrations.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNDominionRiots">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mengsk Scandal: UNN newscast after "Media Blitz." (in English). 2010.</ref> Mengsk's approval rating dropped to a record low of 14%.<ref name="SC2_CineHeartsMinds">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Hearts and Minds]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> Heavy handed censorship and arrests followed as the Dominion attempted to stem the damage.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNPiercingShroud">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mengsk Scandal: UNN newscast after "Piercing the Shroud." (in English). 2010.</ref> Numerous Fringe Worlds began open revolt,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryFringeRevolt">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Nuke Noodles. UNN newscast after "Echoes of the Future." (in English). 2010.</ref> while [[Bountiful]] declared its independence.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNPiercingShroud" />

===Other Terran Politics===
The [[Umojan Protectorate]] closed its borders<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNRejectRefugee" /> and mobilized.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNShadowWar" />

The [[Kel-Morian Combine]] was charged with perpetrating refugee massacres, a charge which it refused.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNMeinhoffRefugee" /> The Combine attempted to hold on to its outlying worlds, but was forced to follow the Dominion's example and abandon them when losses mounted,<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNShadowWar" /> such as on [[Redstone III]].<ref name="WoL_DevilPlayground">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Devil's Playground]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> The Kel-Morian military's performance was criticized by General [[Martin (Wings of Liberty)|Martin]]<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNWarEffort">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. War!: UNN newscast after "The Dig." (in English). 2010.</ref> and market confidence slumped.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNShadowWar" /> A zerg sighting was reported on [[Moria]] but this turned out to be false.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNVermillionWarfield" />

{{AmbigCanon|StarCraft II}}
The Combine had some success on a [[space platform]] above [[Braxis Alpha]], where its [[ghost]]s used [[nuclear missile]]s to obliterate both Dominion and [[protoss]] forces. The ghosts were subsequently overwhelmed by the zerg however.<ref>2007-05-19. [http://www.starcraft2.com/movies.xml#m3 Gameplay Trailer.] ''Blizzard Entertainment.'' Accessed 2007-08-12.</ref>

===Mercenaries and Rebels===
[[File:ShadowWar_SC2-WoL_Story1.jpg|thumb|The shadow war waged by Dominion ghosts comes to light.]]
The war worked to the advantage of independent groups. Mercenaries were in great demand<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHill">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Graven Hill]] (in English). 2010.</ref> and the chaos only encouraged rebels and revolutionaries. Even as it fought the zerg the Dominion continued to fight sedition through covert means<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNShadowWar">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Devil's Playground." (in English). 2010.</ref> and propaganda.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryTV">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. General television (in English). 2010.</ref>

[[Gabriel Tosh]], a former Dominion [[ghost]] turned anti-Dominion [[spectre]], hoped to use the fighting to mask the acquisition of [[jorium]], [[terrazine]], and suitable candidates needed to augment [[Project Shadowblade]].<ref name="WoL_Breakout">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Breakout]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>
{{clear}}

===Raiding the Ancients===
[[File:XelnagaArtifact SC2 CineFireFury1.jpg|thumb|The collected device]]
While the Raiders resumed their anti-Dominion activities just before the outbreak of war, it was the contract with the [[Moebius Foundation]] to collect the [[xel'naga device]]'s components that directed them during this phase. This was first for money,<ref name="SC2_CineOldTimes">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[The Outlaws#Old Times|Old Times]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> and then as a way to strike against the zerg.<ref name="SC2_CineBarFight">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Bar Fight]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> Jim Raynor would additionally become motivated by the prospect of deinfesting [[Sarah Kerrigan]].<ref name="SC2-WoL_SupernovaDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations/Artifact Missions#Supernova|Supernova]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryLab" />

The device consisted of five pieces scattered across the [[Koprulu Sector]]. Four pieces were in the custody of the [[Tal'darim]] &mdash;one in a shrine on [[Monlyth]],<ref name="WoL_SmashGrab" /> one was in a [[xel'naga temple]] on the dead world of [[Xil]],<ref name="WoL_TheDig" /> another one in a vault on the old world of [[Typhon XI]]<ref name="WoL_Supernova" /> and the last on a [[xel'naga worldship]] in the [[Sigma Quadrant]].<ref name="WoL_MawVoid" /> The Tal'darim viewed the components as holy relics and appointed themselves guardians against all thieves.<ref name="WoL_TheDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Dig]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

The Raiders' main obstacle were these Tal'darim.<ref name="WoL_SmashGrab">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Smash and Grab]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref><ref name="WoL_TheDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Dig]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref><ref name="WoL_Supernova">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Supernova]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref><ref name="WoL_MawVoid">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Maw of the Void]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

:''Main article: [[Smash and Grab|Battle of Monlyth]]''
[[File:Tal'darimMonlyth SC2-WoL Story1.jpg|thumb|220x220px|The Tal'darim defenders on Monlyth]]

The Raiders first collected a component on Mar Sara,<ref name="WoL_Outlaws">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Outlaws]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> then moved on to [[Monlyth]] where the Tal'darim stood sentinel over another component. The [[Zerg Swarm]] arrived with the same objective as the terrans, and the Raiders secured the component while the Tal'darim were forced to split their forces against both invaders.<ref name="WoL_SmashGrab">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Smash and Grab]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

:''Main article: [[The Dig|Battle of Xil]]''

The Raiders collected the device's third component on the dead world of [[Xil]]. Again they clashed with the Tal'darim and again achieved victory. The [[Nyon|Tal'darim Executor]] swore vengeance on Raynor.<ref name="WoL_TheDig">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Dig]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

As the Raiders collected the components, [[Zeratul]] appeared aboard ''[[Hyperion]]'' and spoke privately with Raynor. The Nerazim was injured<ref name="SC2_CineZeratulWarn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Zeratul's Warning]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> and seemingly being pursued;<ref name="SC2-WoL_TheDigDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations/Artifact Missions#The Dig|The Dig]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHorner">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Matt Horner]] (in English). 2010.</ref> the prelate just stayed long enough to give the terran an [[ihan crystal]] recounting his discoveries since [[Ulaan]], and a warning that Kerrigan's survival was necessary.<ref name="SC2_CineZeratulWarn" />

:''Main article: [[The Moebius Factor|Battle of Tyrador VIII]]''
The [[Swarm]] struggled to keep up with Raynor's recovery effort. Eventually, the [[Sarah Kerrigan|Queen of Blades]] struck directly at the [[Moebius Foundation]]'s base on [[Tyrador VIII]],<ref name="WoL_MoebiusFactor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Moebius Factor]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> the defenses of which had been criticized for lack of readiness.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNVermillionMengsk" /> However, the Raiders intervened and insured the zerg failed to gain access to the Foundation's [[data core]]s and research, which would have enabled the zerg to locate the other pieces.<ref name="WoL_MoebiusFactor">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[The Moebius Factor]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Shortly afterward the zerg judged the race to the components as lost, and the impetus went out of the Sector-wide invasion.<ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryUNNZergSlow">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Zerg: UNN newscast after "Supernova." (in English). 2010.</ref>

:''Main article: [[Supernova|Battle of Typhon]]''
The Tal'darim guarded on [[Typhon XI]]. The Raiders arrived to collect it, but both sides were interrupted by a supernova. The Tal'darim recognized the Raiders' interest, but specific preparations to stop the terrans failed. The Raiders made off with the artifact piece.<ref name="WoL_Supernova" />

===Terran Alliances===
{{Quote|Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now."<br>"Because I can offer you what you've always wanted. A chance to rescue Sarah Kerrigan...|Raynor confronts Valerian Mengsk|Heir Apparent (cinematic)}}
[[File:ValerianMengskJimRaynor SC2 Cine1.jpg|thumb|Raynor confronts Valerian]]
With component recovery continuing apace, Prince Valerian Mengsk decided it was time to reveal his involvement with the [[Moebius Foundation]] to the Raiders. He went in place of Foundation representatives to a rendezvous with the rebel flagship, ''Hyperion'', aboard the Dominion flagship ''[[Bucephalus]]''. The rebels were taken aback by the appearance of ''Bucephalus'' and its battlecruiser escort and immediately attacked. Raynor boarded ''Bucephalus'' expecting to find and kill Emperor Arcturus Mengsk. Instead, he was doubly surprised to be met not only by the prince, but also the prince's offer of further cooperation.<ref name="SC2_CineHeirApparent">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Heir Apparent. (in English). 2010.</ref>

Valerian discussed the goal of deinfesting Kerrigan with the xel'naga device. This meant fighting the zerg on [[Char]], and the prince wanted Raynor's assistance to do so; while Valerian could muster the Dominion's military for the assault, only the rebel had knowledge of the Queen of Blade's methods and tactics.<ref name="SC2-WoL_SupernovaDialogue" /><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryLab" />

[[File:Ulnar SC2-WoL Story1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Sigma Quadrant Worldship]]]]
Raynor agreed to cooperate over the objections of his crew. [[Matt Horner]] and [[Tychus Findlay]] warned against allowing personal feelings for Kerrigan to draw the rebels into a Dominion trap.<ref name="SC2-WoL_SupernovaDialogue" /> <ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryHorner" /><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryFindlay">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Tychus Findlay]] (in English). 2010.</ref> The final component was retrieved from a [[Sigma Quadrant Worldship]], a derelict [[xel'naga]] [[worldship]].<ref name="WoL_MawVoid">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Maw of the Void]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

The Raiders were hardly reciprocal to this alliance&mdash;to those less acquainted with the rebel leader, he had simply abandoned the revolution. Raynor argued the Queen of Blades was a dire threat to terran freedom and the temporary alliance with the Dominion was the best opportunity to deal with it. The crew was only convinced after Raynor beat a drunken Findlay in a bar fight. The Raiders were impressed by Raynor's resurgent conviction and doubts about his leadership were dispelled.<ref name="SC2_CineBarFight">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Bar Fight]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

{{clear}}

===Battle of Char===
{{Main|Battle of Char (Dangerous Game)}}
{{Quote|This ain't about the Dominion. Our war's always been about savin' lives. If the zerg wipe everyone out, it's all been for nothing. So I'm going back to Char. If you’re with me, it's your choice. Just like it's always been.|Raynor addresses his crew|Bar Fight}}
[[File:BattleChar SC2 CineDangerGames1.jpg|thumb|The Fleet engages at Char]]
With the xel'naga device now completed, it had to be brought within range of the Queen of Blades on Char. Valerian requisitioned half of the [[Dominion Fleet]] without immediately informing the emperor for the assault. General [[Horace Warfield]] was placed in command; the general was not keen on working with the Raiders. Warfield planned a frontal assault against Raynor's advice.<ref name="SC2_CineDangerGame">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Dangerous Game]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

The initial landing was a disaster and the terrans suffered heavy casualties. Only Raynor's initiative allowed a foothold to be secured. General Warfield's ship, ''{{link|Helios|battlecruiser}}'', was shot down.<ref name="WoL_GatesHell">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Gates of Hell]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Warfield was rescued by the Raiders, and marking the beginning of a much improved relationship between the general and Raynor.<ref name="SC2_CineCardToPlay">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Card To Play]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> Operational command was transferred from a wounded Warfield to Raynor.<ref name="SC2-WoL_GatesHellDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty campaign quotations/Final Missions#Gates of Hell|Gates of Hell]] (in English). 2010</ref><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryWarfield">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Horace Warfield]] (in English). 2010.</ref>

[[File:Marine SC2-WoL CineCardPlay1.jpg|thumb|The DMC holds the line]] 
The invaders were in a precarious position. A quick push to the primary hive was essential before they were overwhelmed by the zerg.<ref name="SC2-WoL_GatesHellDialogue" /><ref name="SC2-WoL_StoryFindlay" /> There was time to launch one secondary attack to weaken the hive's defenses. [[Tychus Findlay]] recommended disabling the [[nydus network]] near the hive,<ref name="WoL_BellyBeast">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Belly of the Beast]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> while General Warfield was more concerned with striking enemy air power.<ref name="WoL_ShatterSky">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Shatter the Sky]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

[[File:SarahKerrigan_SC2_CineShowdown1.jpg|thumb|left|Kerrigan deinfested.]]
Raynor chose the target and the secondary attack was a success. The terrans struck quickly at the primary hive's weakened defenses and emplaced the [[xel'naga device]] at the base of the hive. The remaining terran troops dug in and held off the Swarm's attempt to take the device. The device's fully-charged energy burst crippled the Swarm in the area and deinfested [[Sarah Kerrigan|Kerrigan]].<ref name="WoL_AllIn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[All In]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

[[Arcturus Mengsk]] made one final attempt to kill Kerrigan. Findlay revealed to the Raiders that he had agreed to kill Kerrigan for Mengsk in return for his freedom, and fired at a helpless Kerrigan. Raynor used his own armor to intercept the bullet, then shot<ref name="SC2_CineShowdown">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[The Showdown]]. (in English). 2010.</ref> and killed Findlay.<ref name="SC2_WoLEpilogue" /> That Kerrigan hadn't been killed at Char was a point of divergence from the apocalyptic future glimpsed at by the Overmind.<ref name="Q&A">2012-12-05, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwJ_e2d9AFI Community Lore Discussion BlizzCon 2015]. ''StarCraft Legacy'', accessed on 2015-12-28</ref> 

{{clear}}

===The Flashpoint Conflict===
{{Main|Flashpoint Conflict}}
[[Raynor's Raiders]] and Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]] refused to turn over Kerrigan to Emperor Arcturus Mengsk for execution. The Raiders and the prince fled Char with the survivors of the invasion fleet with Kerrigan and the xel'naga device. They were pursued by the [[Dominion Armada]]. The emperor was willing to kill his own son to ensure Kerrigan's death. Trackers planted on ''[[Bucephalus]]'' allowed the Dominion to track and intercept the rebels; numerous skirmishes reduced the rebel fleet to just ''[[Hyperion]]'' and ''Bucephalus''.

Kerrigan needed medical treatment. The rebels hid at [[Dead Man's Rock]], under the protection of dominant crime lord [[Mira Han]]. At Valerian's request, [[Emil Narud]], an expert on the zerg, joined them to treat Kerrigan. Narud was secretly in contact with the emperor; Kerrigan did not trust Narud. The rebels were ambushed by a traitor in Han's organizations, but escaped with Han's help.

The rebels travelled to [[Space Station Prometheus]], a secret [[Moebius Foundation]] installation in the [[Kirkegaard Belt]]. Kerrigan underwent preliminary tests aboard the station while the battlecruisers took on station repair teams. The station was a trap by Narud. The repair teams sabotaged the battlecruisers, allowing the Dominion fleet to attack.

Aboard Prometheus, Narud used two [[hybrid]]s to prevent Raynor from rescuing Kerrigan. Emperor Mengsk remotely offered the rebels safe passage in exchange for Kerrigan's death. Kerrigan was enraged at hearing Mengsk's voice and destroyed the hybrids with her powers. Narud fled the station with the [[xel'naga device]]. Kerrigan held off another hybrid long enough for the rebels on the station to be evacuated by dropship. ''Hyperion'' and ''Bucephalus'' then fled.

Valerian directed the rebels to a secret [[Umojan Protectorate]] orbital platform where the battlecruisers could be repaired, and Kerrigan could receive treatment.<ref name="SC:Flashpoint">Golden, Christie (November 6, 2012). ''[[StarCraft II: Flashpoint]].'' Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1451-65962-7.</ref>

Kerrigan was taken to an Umojan Protectorate<ref name="SC:Flashpoint">Golden, Christie (November 6, 2012). ''[[StarCraft II: Flashpoint]].'' Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). ISBN 978-1451-65962-7.</ref> [[Research Station EB-103|lab]].<ref name="HotSTeaser1">2011-05-31. Blizzard Entertainment. [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-teaser-starcraft-ii/714345 Debut Teaser HD]. ''Gametrailers.'' Accessed 2011-05-31.</ref>

===A Brief Respite===
Victory in the previous phase of the war had come at a heavy cost but Arcturus Mengsk remained secure on his throne.<ref name="SC2_WoLEpilogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[All In#Epilogue|Wings of Liberty Epilogue]]. (in English). 2010.</ref>

General [[Horace Warfield]] was charged with purging the remaining zerg on Char.<ref name="HotSTeaser2">2011-05-31. Blizzard Entertainment. [http://www.gametrailers.com/video/debut-trailer-starcraft-ii/714343 Debut Trailer HD]. ''Gametrailers.'' Accessed 2011-05-31.</ref> With the Swarm's power vacuum, [[broodmother]]s began vying for control.<ref name="LegacyHotSPreview">StarCraft Legacy staff. 2011-05-30. [http://sclegacy.com/feature/3-events/1016-may-2011-hots-gameplay-info May 2011 HoTS Gameplay Info]. ''StarCraft Legacy.'' Accessed 2011-05-31.</ref> Terrans and protoss analyzed the battles of the war and made adjustments/additions to their war machines accordingly.<ref>2011-10-27, [http://www.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2011-starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm-units-and-abilities BlizzCon 2011: StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm – Units and Abilities]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2011-11-06</ref>


===To Take the Queen===
{{Quote|My father will sacrifice any piece on the chessboard to take the queen.|Valerian Mengsk|Choices}}
[[File:Battlecruiser SC2-HotS Cine1.jpg|thumb|Dominion forces assaulting the Umojan facility]]
Three weeks after the Battle of Char,<ref name="HotSRetail">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard) (in English). March 12, 2013</ref> the Dominion tracked down Kerrigan and those protecting her. They [[Back in the Saddle|attacked]] the Umojan lab housing her, triggering an evacuation.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineGetItTogether">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Get it Together]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Kerrigan and Raynor fought their way through the base, but were separated. Raynor was subsequently apprehended by Nova.<ref name="SC2:HotS_BackSaddle">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Back in the Saddle]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:Battlecruiser SC2-HotS CineChoices1.jpg|thumb|left|The fleets engage over Phaethon]]
The joint Raider/Umojan/Dominion rebel fleet rendezvoused over [[Phaethon]]. Kerrigan was a late arrival, and was distressed to find that Raynor hadn't arrived. Almost immediately afterwards, the pursuing Dominion Fleet arrived in the system as well, opening fire. Horner contacted the attacking ships, telling them that Valerian was on the ''Hyperion'', but it made no difference&mdash;Kerrigan was the target. Valerian was expendable in regards to achieving that goal. Kerrigan, uninterested in the plight of the rebels, took her [[special ops dropship|dropship]] down to the surface while the fleet engaged in a warp jump, the intent being to loop back to Phaethon to pick up Raynor. The Dominion ships in pursuit,<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineChoices">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Choices]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> but not before dispatching forces to the surface.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Rendezvous">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Rendezvous]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Arriving on the planet, Kerrigan found that the Dominion had set up a [[Drakken pulse cannon]], capable of taking out any ships in orbit, including the one she hoped Raynor would arrive on. Her only recourse was to take control of a nearby [[hive cluster]] and the [[Naktul's Brood|forces]] of Broodmother [[Naktul]]. Kerrigan denied that she had returned to lead the Swarm, but nonetheless, the Swarm was her only recourse in eliminating the Dominion forces. It was a task she succeeded in, and both the ground forces and pulse cannon were destroyed.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Rendezvous" /> 

[[File:SarahKerrigan SC2-HotS CineChoices1.jpg|thumb|left|Charting the course of vengeance]]
Yet Raynor hadn't arrived, and after seeing a televised broadcast that had Emperor Mengsk declare Raynor dead, Kerrigan saw why. With nothing left save vengeance, Kerrigan embraced the darkness within her and set a course for zerg space, intent on reuniting the Swarm.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineTransmission">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Transmission]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

===The Swarm Resurgent===
{{conjecture|type=section}}
{{Quote|Warning. Zerg organisms detected."<br/>"That's why I'm here. They'll either accept me as their queen, or I'll start killing them one-by-one until they do.|Kerrigan upon arriving on the leviathan, conversing with her dropship|StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm}}
[[File:SarahKerrigan SC2-HotS Story1.jpg|thumb|Kerrigan establishes control over nearby zerg]]
Kerrigan took the dropship to a [[Kerrigan's leviathan|leviathan]]. There, she met with the creature [[Izsha]], a creation of hers from her days as the Queen of Blades. Kerrigan wanted the Swarm to move on Korhal, but as Izsha informed her, the Swarm was in disarray, the [[broodmother]]s vying for control in light of the power vacuum Kerrigan's de-infestation had created. It was a situation Kerrigan resolved to rectify.<ref name="SC2:HotS_LeviathanCutscenes">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cutscenes: [[Kerrigan's leviathan]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> 

{{AmbigTime}}
====Zerg Recapture of Char====
{{Quote|Kerrigan, this is Warfield. I know you can hear me. I have a message for you: Bring everything you have. Bring your whole Swarm. I don't want to hunt down stragglers after we wipe you out.<br/>I'll see you on the Dauntless Plateau, old man.|Warfield and Kerrigan spar|Fire in the Sky}} 
[[File:BattlecruiserHatchery SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|A ''Gorgon''-class battlecruiser bombarding the zerg]]
Since the Queen of Blades' fall, [[Broodmother]] [[Zagara]] had been continuing the attack, sending her zerg against [[Terran Dominion]] forces led by General [[Horace Warfield]]. The general's base was secure on [[Dauntless Plateau]], and Zagara's troops had to cross the [[Bone Trench]] to get there. Without guidance from their leader, they were heavily defeated by Warfield's ''[[Gorgon]]''-class [[battlecruiser]]s on the way to Warfield's base, and most were never able to join the assault.<ref name="SC2:HotS_FireSky">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Fire in the Sky]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[Sarah Kerrigan]] took her zerg to Char in order to collect the [[Zagara Brood]]. Zagara refused to accept the "weak" queen. Kerrigan and Zagara fought over [[baneling]] eggs in the [[acid marsh]]. Kerrigan defeated Zagara and was about to kill her when Zagara reminded Kerrigan of her earlier instructions. Kerrigan admitted Zagara and her brood into her [[Zerg Swarm]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_Domination">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Domination (mission)|Domination]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Kerrigan consolidated her forces for another push against the Dominion on Char. She took advantage of [[scourge nest]]s in the Bone Trench, whose inhabitants could destroy the ''Gorgon'' ships. Warfield could only launch one ''Gorgon'' at a time. Kerrigan's greater tactical abilities enabled her to defeat General Warfield, who kept throwing ''Gorgon''s at her until he ran out.<ref name="SC2:HotS_FireSky" />

[[File:KerriganWarfield SC2 ConscienceCine1.jpg|thumb|Warfield's last stand]]
Kerrigan's forces moved toward the Dauntless Plateau. Her initial attack did great damage to the Dominion forces, but were almost destroyed by a barrage of [[nuclear missile]]s. Kerrigan rebuilt her forces, using Zagara's [[aberration]]s to assault the Dominion. She crushed Warfield's defense and defeated his forces.<ref name="SC2:HotS_OldSoldiers">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Old Soldiers]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====Battle of Angdra====
Some time after the reclamation of Char, zerg forces descended on the planet of [[Angdra]], seeking intellegence locked in the Terran Dominion government buildings there. While the main force engaged the terrans, Kerrigan sent a sentient zergling, [[Broken Horn]], into the structure to find the data she sought. The operation was successful, but Broken Horn was captured, and presumed dead by Kerrigan, a loss that left an unexpected hollowness in her.<ref name="SC:BlindDevil">Cassandra Clarke. "[[Operation Blind Devil]]." (August 11, 2020). Blizzard Entertainment. [https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/NMO9HR5UFPOI1597169961975.pdf Operation Blind Devil] Accessed 2020-08-11.</ref>

====The Battle of Kaldir====
[[File:Leviathan SC2-HotS KaldirCine1.jpg|thumb|left|The leviathan descends towards Kaldir]]
A broodmother named [[Nafash]] had taken her [[Nafash Brood|brood]] to the frozen moon of [[Kaldir]],<ref name="SC2:HotS_Harvest">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Harvest of Screams]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>  seeking to create her own Swarm.<ref name="SC2:HotS_LeviathanCutscenes" /> She set up a base of operations, but was forced to retreat into the [[Ice Valleys]] due to the protoss presence on the moon.<ref name="SC2-HotS_StoryBackgroundKaldir">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Kaldir]] background features (in English). 2013.</ref>

Kerrigan later arrived seeking Nafash. She was struck by extremely cold weather, which froze her zerg in place but not the local aggressive [[ursadon]]s. She sought the [[essence]] of the local [[ursadon matriarch]], granting her forces the same immunity.

The moon was occupied by [[protoss]] forces, which attempted to summon the [[Golden Armada]] to destroy her. However, the protoss were too far away to contact [[Shakuras]] through the [[Khala]] and had to use [[psi-link spire]]s instead. Kerrigan's forces attacked and destroyed the spires, a task made easier because the protoss were vulnerable to the cold weather.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Harvest">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Harvest of Screams]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> [[Abathur]] secured the capture of a protoss civilian, [[Lasarra]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_HarvestDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after: [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Kaldir Missions#Harvest of Screams|Harvest of Screams]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

The protoss [[Expedition Leader]] tried to get word to [[Shakuras]] via [[shuttle]], but Kerrigan foiled this plan too.<ref name="SC2:HotS_ShootMessenger">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Shoot the Messenger]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:Kaldir SC2 Art2.jpg|thumb|The Daelaam Ark flees Kaldir]]
The protoss launched the [[Daelaam Ark]], filled with refugees, which would eventually carry the survivors to protoss space. Kerrigan responded by implanting Lasarra with a [[larva]] and then allowing the protoss to transport her to the ship. The larva emerged, killing her. The larva collected [[biomass]] and eventually transformed into a {{link|queen|SC2}}, [[Niadra]]. Niadra created a brood and killed every protoss on the ship. However, the ship traveled too far from Kerrigan and Niadra couldn't contact her.<ref name="SC2:HotS_EnemyWithin">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Enemy Within]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====Expedition to Zerus====
[[Zeratul]] had traveled to [[Zerus]] earlier in the war, which was the Zerg's original homeworld before they had ventured to the [[Koprulu Sector]]. He discovered the [[primal zerg]], free from a [[Amon|dark influence]] but they continually fought each other over [[essence]]. He confronted Kerrigan aboard her leviathan and after weathering her frenzied attack upon him, imparted this knowledge to her.

While Kerrigan had little interest in Zeratul's goals, the primal zerg could give her enough power to take revenge on Mengsk.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineBirthworld">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Birthworld]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Zeratul told Kerrigan that [[Zurvan|The Ancient One]], a powerful primal zerg organism, was the key to Zerus restoring her powers.<ref name="SC2:HotS_WakeAncient" /> Zeratul also informed her that xel'naga wished her to return to her old form. Zeratul claimed the protoss would have a hard time forgiving him for these actions. He later departed the world, willing to face the judgment of his people.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryZeratul">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Zeratul]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_PreWakeAncientDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Waking the Ancient|Waking the Ancient]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>
 		
Kerrigan's forces slaughtered [[quillgor]] and brought the meat to the Ancient One to awaken it. Primal zerg from [[Brakk's Pack]] massed to stop her from doing so. [[Brakk]]'s flying primals attacked, prompting Abathur to reconstitute the [[mutalisk]] as a form of defense. During the battle, Brakk was killed.

[[File:Zurvan_SC2-HotS_Art1.jpg|[[Zurvan]], the Ancient One|thumb|left|Zurvan became a key source of information for Kerrigan]]

When the Ancient One awoke, it revealed its name to be Zurvan, and told Kerrigan that her zerg bore the mark of [[Amon]], a fallen [[xel'naga]]. Amon had forged most of the zerg into a weapon, but some of the primal zerg remained hidden away and were overlooked.<ref name="SC2:HotS_WakeAncient">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Waking the Ancient]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Zurvan would go on to explain that Amon's corruption was the creation of the zerg hivemind.<ref name="SC2:HotS_WakeAncientDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Waking the Ancient|Waking the Ancient]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryZurvan">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Zurvan]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:FirstSpawningPool SC2-HotS Art1.jpg|thumb|The first spawning pool]]
Zurvan told Kerrigan she needed to head to the [[first spawning pool]] to gain the power she needed to defeat [[Arcturus Mengsk]], calling it a source of power more ancient than himself. However, she would have to make a sacrifice. On the way there, Kerrigan's forces were attacked by [[primal zerg]], but the first attack was fended off.

Kerrigan was wrapped into a chrysalis there to transform, while the remnants of [[Brakk's Pack]], and later [[Yagdra's Pack]], attacked each other and her own forces. The pool could unleash swarms of [[locust]]s to attack the primals.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Cruicible">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[The Crucible]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:QueenofBlades SC2 RebornCine1.jpg|thumb|left|Kerrigan reborn]]
Kerrigan emerged looking much like her old infested form.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineReborn">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Reborn]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Zurvan called her new form "primal" but they both wondered if she was as strong as Amon, or whether Amon was even alive.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryZurvan">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Zurvan]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_CrucibleDialogue" /> Abathur said her new form was more powerful than the old infested one.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryAbathur">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Abathur]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_CrucibleDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Crucible|Crucible]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Kerrigan would go on to discover her form's new abilities.<ref name="SC2-HotS_StoryKerriganStat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Sarah Kerrigan (Heart of the Swarm)|Kerrigan's abilities and status]] (in English). 2013.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_SupremeDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Supreme|Supreme]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

In addition, Kerrigan made a new ally, [[Dehaka]], a primal pack leader. While the other pack leaders feared her, Dehaka believed Kerrigan would lead him to more [[essence]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_CrucibleDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Crucible|Crucible]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:KerriganZurvan SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|Kerrigan slays Zurvan]]
Zurvan instructed Kerrigan to kill the three remaining hostile pack leaders, [[Yagdra]], [[Kraith]] and [[Slivan]], who had sent the majority of their packs against Kerrigan's leviathan. Kerrigan went on a rampage, and with assistance from [[Dehaka's Pack]] destroyed all three. When she finished off Slivan, Zurvan announced his betrayal (though this didn't really surprise Kerrigan). Zurvan believed she would provide a boost to his evolution. The two fought, and Kerrigan eventually killed Zurvan and absorbed his essence too. Kerrigan then announced that Zerus was hers, and that she would return to the [[Koprulu Sector]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_Supreme">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Supreme]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Despite her capture of the planet, the primal essence was Kerrigan's main objective and Zerus would remain largely uninvolved in the war against Mengsk, until Dehaka's return during the [[End War]].

===Return of the Swarm===
[[File:MengskKerrigan SC2-HotS Story2.jpg|thumb|Mengsk threatens Kerrigan by holding Raynor hostage]]
As Kerrigan returned, [[broodmother]] [[Kilysa]] asked to rejoin the Swarm. Kilysa's brood had many [[leviathan]]s. Kerrigan accepted, as long as Kilysa destroyed [[Mistaff IV]], a Dominion world, for her.<ref name="SC2:HotS_SupremeDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Supreme|Supreme]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Kilysa's brood picked up a number of two-way communication devices on [[Char]]. These allowed [[Arcturus Mengsk]] to threaten Kerrigan. He had only captured rather than killed [[Jim Raynor]], and was holding him hostage to protect himself from Kerrigan.<ref name="SC2:HotS_LeviathanCutscenes">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cutscenes: [[Kerrigan's leviathan|Leviathan]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

During Kerrigan's struggles against Dr. [[Emil Narud]], [[Ryloth]] requested to rejoin Kerrigan's swarm. Kerrigan allowed this, as long as Ryloth destroyed [[Jontur II]], a Dominion shipbuilding world for her.<ref name="SC2:HotS_InfestedDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Infested|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

As Kerrigan traveled through Dominion space, [[Naktul]] represented other broodmothers who wished to rejoin the Swarm.<ref name="SC2:HotS_FriendsLikeTheseDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Space Missions#Friends Like These...|Friends Like These...]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>
{{AmbigTime}}

====Skygeirr Platform====
[[File:SkygeirrPlatform SC2-HotS Art1.jpg|thumb|Skygeirr Platform]]
A broodmother picked up a psionic transmission from [[Alexei Stukov]], describing a [[Terran Dominion]] [[hybrid]] breeding program and wishing to join Kerrigan in her opposition to [[Arcturus Mengsk]]. They made contact at [[Skygeirr Station]].<ref name="SC2:HotS_PreInfestedDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Infested|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Stukov himself had knowledge of the facility, as he had been experimented upon there.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PreInfestedDialogue" /><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryStukov">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Alexei Stukov|Stukov]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Stukov described this as the second most heavily-defended area in Dominion space. He guided Kerrigan through the first level of the platform. She [[infested terran|infested]] large numbers of Dominion personnel, which responded with a gas that could destroy them. However, the gas did not affect other zerg (or Kerrigan), and could not be produced continually. Kerrigan built up her forces when the gas was being released and advanced when the gas wasn't available. Eventually, her army of infested terrans enabled her to break into the laboratory section.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Infested">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Infested (Heart of the Swarm mission)|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:KerriganStukov SC2-HotS Story1.jpg|thumb|left|Kerrigan and Stukov]]
Before the next assault, Stukov told Kerrigan a bit more about the hybrid program. The platform was a Dominion weapons lab, creating impossible hybrids (as their DNA could not be combined). He said that Mengsk believed he could control the creatures, but doubted that would actually happen.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryStukov">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Alexei Stukov|Stukov]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_InfestedDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Infested|Infested]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> As the two infested terran commanders headed further into the lab, Stukov warned Kerrigan about Dr. [[Emil Narud]], an ancient [[shapeshifter]] responsible for infesting Stukov. He served [[Amon]], and despite the fallen xel'naga's demise, was still a dangerous foe.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Hand of Darkness]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

As Kerrigan's forces established themselves, Kerrigan fell under psionic attack by a [[hybrid dominator]]. While Kerrigan tried to resist, her forces had to hunt and kill it while dealing with Dominion forces. If the dominator wasn't killed fast enough, Kerrigan would perish. As Kerrigan's zerg traveled through the lab, more dominators awoke and these too had to be dispatched. Narud sometimes contacted Kerrigan to taunt her. Finally Kerrigan finished off the hybrids on that level.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarkness" />

Kerrigan had been able to sense Narud's devotion to Amon, and had been trying to resurrect him for millennia. Stukov believed the entire zerg and protoss conflict had been engineered by Narud somehow.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarknessDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Skygeirr Missions#Hand of Darkness|Hand of Darkness]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> When she and Stukov discussed how Amon could be resurrected, Kerrigan said that hybrids can collect energy, and Stukov said that the energy she lost when she was deinfested could have been collected by Narud.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HandDarknessDialogue" /><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryStukov" />

The final level was a xel'naga temple, defended by the [[Tal'darim]], whom Stukov described as Narud's best troops.
[[File:EmilNarud SC2 Game1.png|thumb|Narud, powered up, uses a [[null zone]]]]
Narud's opening move was to summon a null zone, which if it touched Kerrigan would kill her. Kerrigan fought back with her own powers, but was slowly losing. Narud was getting a boost of power from five xel'naga shrines. Stukov led Kerrigan's zerg into sealing these shrines, slowly depowering Narud, while Narud released hybrids in an attempt to stop Stukov. Eventually Kerrigan was able to overcome Narud, weakening him.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PhantomsVoid">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Phantoms of the Void]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

Kerrigan and Narud battled. Finally Kerrigan triumphed, but Narud told her as he died that Amon had already been revived.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineShiftPerspect">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Shifting Perspectives]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====Rescuing Raynor====
The Dominion's holding of Raynor prevented an assault on Korhal.<ref name="SC2:HotS_OldSoldiersDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Char Missions#Old Soldiers|Old Soldiers]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_SupremeDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations after [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Zerus Missions#Supreme|Supreme]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Kerrigan intercepted the ''[[Hyperion]]'' in Dominion space and informed [[Raynor's Raiders]] that Raynor was alive. Though shocked by Kerrigan's return to the Swarm, [[Matt Horner]] immediately accepted her request for the Raiders aid to rescue Raynor. Crown Prince [[Valerian Mengsk]], accompanying the Raiders, held reservations about trusting Kerrigan.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PreFriendsLikeTheseDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Space Missions#Friends Like These...|Friends Like These...]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:Hyperion SC2-HotS Art1.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Hyperion'' departs to retrieve Orlan]]
The Swarm needed the Raiders to extract the location of Raynor's secret prison from the Dominion's deep-encryption network. The Raiders moved to retrieve Colonel [[Orlan]], an expert hacker held by [[Mira Han]]<ref name="SC2:HotS_PreFriendsLikeTheseDialogue" /> at Raynor's request after betraying the Raiders earlier in the war.<ref name="WoL_Cutthroat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Cutthroat]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Han refused to release Orlan; professional integrity demanded she only release the hacker on Raynor's explicit orders. Han surrendered Orlan only after the Raiders inflicted significant losses on [[Mira's Marauders]] by attacking an asteroid field operation. Orlan agreed to cooperate to avoid being sent back to Han.<ref name="SC2:HotS_FriendsLikeThese">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[With Friends Like These...]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

The remaining broods rejoined the Swarm<ref name="SC2:HotS_FriendsLikeTheseDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Space Missions#Friends Like These...|Friends Like These...]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> as Orlan worked. Kerrigan impatiently demanded the work be done with undue haste, but Valerian refused to rush the hacker and risk failure. The prince's steadfastness impressed Kerrigan and she agreed to wait.<ref name="SC2:HotS_FriendsLikeTheseDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Space Missions#Friends Like These...|Friends Like These...]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryHyperion">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Hyperion]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> Their patience was rewarded. Orlan discovered Raynor was held aboard the ''[[Moros]]'', a high security prison ship that jumped to a random set of coordinates every hour.<ref name="WoL_Cutthroat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Cutthroat]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref>

[[File:HyperionAtlasMorosLeviathan SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|The ''Hyperion'' and leviathan close in on the ''Moros'']]
Kerrigan boarded the ship when it stopped to refuel at [[Atlas Station]]; the Raiders did not take part in the boarding action at her insistence. Emperor Arcturus Mengsk anticipated Kerrigan's assault. The ship began to self-destruct as Kerrigan broke into the prison deck. She found Raynor in maximum security.<ref name="WoL_Cutthroat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Wings of Liberty]], [[Cutthroat]] (in English). 2010-07-27.</ref> Raynor was angered by her return to the zerg, recalling the atrocities committed by the Queen of Blades. She returned his gun, but he resisted and then rejected the implicit offer to execute her. Instead, Raynor declared their relationship to be over.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineBelieveMe">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Believe in Me]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

===The Battle of Korhal===
{{Quote|I am the Swarm. Armies will be shattered. Worlds will burn. Now at last, on this world, vengeance shall be mine. For I am the Queen of Blades.|Kerrigan leading the zerg|Swarm (HotS cinematic)}}
:''Main article: [[Battle of Korhal (Planetfall)|Battle of Korhal]]''
[[File:ValerianKerriganHorner SC2-HotS Story1.jpg|thumb|The upcoming invasion is discussed]]
The path to Korhal was clear. The Swarm received Prince Valerian's tacit approval to invade Korhal and depose the emperor.<ref name="SC2:HotS_DominionSpaceCutscenes">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cutscenes: [[Dominion Space Missions]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> At the prince's urging, the Swarm's initial landings would be outside of [[Augustgrad]]; though this made the invader's task more difficult it would give time to evacuate civilians. For her part, Kerrigan approved of Valerian's imminent ascent to the throne.<ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryHyperion">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Hyperion]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_PrePlanetfallDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Final Missions#Planetfall|Planetfall]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

The arrival of the Swarm over Korhal elicited a strong Dominion response. Emperor Mengsk recalled all Dominion fleets to the defense of the throne world.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PrePlanetfallDialogue">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Conversations before [[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm campaign quotations/Final Missions#Planetfall|Planetfall]]. (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryRelaySat">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Relay satellite]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> The [[Kilysa Brood]]'s [[leviathan]]s were deployed to destroy all ships entering the system.<ref name="SC2:HotS_PrePlanetfallDialogue" /><ref name="SC2:HotS_StoryIzsha">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. [[Izsha]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:Sac SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|The zerg assault begins|left]]
The assault opened with millions of zerg drop pods launched toward the surface. The  Dominion's orbital defense network inflicted heavy casualties. The Swarm needed only a fraction of the pods to survive and deliver [[bile launcher]]s; the launchers would cripple the defense network. However, Dominion ground forces quickly destroyed launchers while they were vulnerable after landing. Kerrigan landed outside Augustgrad and secured a landing zone for the launchers. Once the launchers were emplaced, the broods began landing in strength and entered the city.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Planetfall">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Planetfall]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:PsiDestroyer SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|The Psi Destroyer]]
The Dominion had deployed the [[Psi Destroyer]] on an aerial platform over the city. It projected a field that destroyed Swarm zerg by weaponizing the hive mind. The Destroyer's activation inflicted severe casualties on several broods. The Dominion followed up with a counterattack to draw zerg away from the Destroyer. [[Dehaka's Pack]] spearheaded the Swarm's response; the [[primal zerg]] were without a hive mind and immune to the weapon's effects. Supported by Kerrigan and a hive cluster, the primal zerg crippled then destroyed the Psi Destroyer.<ref name="SC2:HotS_DeathAbove">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Death from Above]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

The Swarm entered the city's Imperial sector<ref name="SC2:HotS_DeathAbove" /> and lay siege to the [[Korhal Palace]]. The [[Raynor's Raiders]]-led civilian evacuation was still in progress, but the Swarm could wait no longer. On Valerian's insistence, Kerrigan agreed to avoid civilian centers where possible. This pledge was silently witnessed by Jim Raynor.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Reckoning">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[The Reckoning (Heart of the Swarm mission)|The Reckoning]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

====The Death of Arcturus Mengsk====
{{Quote|Izsha, Zagara, Stukov, Dehaka. All my broodmothers, all my queens, hear me. The time for planning and deliberation is past. Now we tear them down. Attack, and do not stop until they are all dead.|Kerrigan orders the final assault|The Reckoning (Heart of the Swarm mission)}} 
[[File:KorhalPalace SC2-HotS Game1.jpg|thumb|left|The final target]]
The Swarm attack on the palace was opposed by elite Dominion formations. The Swarm was unexpectedly reinforced by Raynor's Raiders, with ''[[Hyperion]]'' setting down and offloading troops. To Kerrigan's surprise, Raynor's rancor toward her since his rescue from the ''Moros'' had vanished. He was determined to be in at the kill. As the siege wore on, Mengsk deployed his forces piecemeal in unsuccessful attempts to destroy the Raiders. Finally, the palace gate was breached and Kerrigan entered in search of Mengsk.<ref name="SC2:HotS_Reckoning" /> The palace's internal security was unable to stop her.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineAscension">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: [[Ascension]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

[[File:SarahKerrigan SC2-HotS CineAscension1.jpg|thumb|Kerrigan triumphant]]
Kerrigan found an unperturbed Mengsk waiting for her in an office. His confidence stemmed from the [[xel'naga device]], now installed in the office's floor, which had previously deinfested her. The emperor used the device to disable her. Mengsk gloated about her impending execution and did not notice Raynor approaching from behind. Raynor, in [[CMC Powered Combat Suit|full armor]], easily manhandled Mengsk and destroyed the device's remote control. Raynor withdrew and allowed Kerrigan to exact her revenge. She infused Mengsk with psionic energy, causing him to explode and destroy the office. Raynor and Kerrigan parted on good terms. The Swarm immediately began withdrawing from Augustgrad.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineAscension" />

==The Aftermath==
{{Quote|I now see my true enemy. He waits for me in the [[Void]], wielding powers I cannot imagine. I go to face him, having renounced everything. My humanity. My identity. The man I love. But I will not face this enemy alone. I am the Swarm.|Kerrigan's declaration|Ascension}}
[[File:Void SC2 AscensionCine1.jpg|thumb|The coming darkness]]
With her vengeance against Mengsk complete, Kerrigan departed to find and confront Amon. While she was aware of the immense power he wielded, the Swarm was once again hers.<ref name="SC2:HotS_CineAscension" />

With his father's death, Valerian ascended to the throne, coming to rule over a Dominion in chaos. He began establishing new rules and regulations to weed out corruption in the senate and re-organize its armed forces.<ref name="ProjectBlackstone">[http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blackstone/ Project Blackstone], ''Blizzard Entertainment''. Accessed on 2013-05-22</ref>

With the absence of the Swarm from the Koprulu sector, the [[Daelaam]] now finally had a chance to retake [[Aiur]].<ref>2015-06-22, [http://starcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/e3-2015-pcgamer-starcraft-ii-whispers-of-oblivion-announced E3 2015 – PCGamer StarCraft II: Whispers of Oblivion Prologue Missions Announced]. ''Blizzplanet'', accessed on 2015-06-24</ref> [[Hierarch]] [[Artanis]] declared that with the zerg no longer a threat, Aiur would be reclaimed. Dissenting voices went unheard as the Daelaam began making preparations for the [[Reclamation of Aiur|invasion]].<ref name="SC2:LotV_TheStorySoFar">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]].'' (Activision Blizzard). Cinematic: ''StarCraft II: The Story So Far'' (in English). 2015-10-27.</ref> However, this would coincide with the return of Amon and his subsequent corruption of the Khala, heralding the beginning of the [[End War]].<ref name="SC2:LotV:TheGrowingShadow">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void]]''. Vivendi Games. Mission: [[The Growing Shadow]]. (in English). November 10, 2015</ref> 

==Misc. Battles==

The following battles are known to have occurred during the Second Great War, but their timing in relation to the above events is unclear.

===Evolution Battles===
{{PlotBranchBrack|desc=Kerrigan evolves the Swarm}}
Over the course of the war's second phase, Kerrigan would test zerg strains on various worlds to develop new evolutions. Often these tests involved conflict of some kind. These events included the following:

*On [[Calus]], the [[raptor]] strain was tested against a Dominion outpost, destroying it.<ref name="HotS_ZerglingEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Zergling Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Astrid III]], Kerrigan used [[swarmling]]s to defend a hive cluster against attacking Dominion forces.<ref name="HotS_ZerglingEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Zergling Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Scoria]], Kerrigan used [[hunter]]s to destroy a Dominion mining facility.<ref name="HotS_BanelingEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Baneling Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Nelyth]], Kerrigan used [[splitter]]s to eradicate protoss forces stationed at a shrine.<ref name="SC2:HotS_BanelingEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Baneling Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> 

*On [[Cantar]], Kerrigan used [[corpser]]s to destroy a Protoss Protectorate facility.<ref name="SC2:HotS_RoachEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Roach Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Mehlus IV]], Kerrigan used the [[vile]] roach strain to destroy Protoss Protectorate forces.<ref name="HotS_RoachEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Roach Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Cavir]], Kerrigan's zerg fought against [[feral zerg]] in order to recover the [[lurker]] strain.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HydraliskEvolution">[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Hydralisk Evolution]] (in English). 2013-05-08.</ref> 

*On [[Marek V]], Kerrigan used [[impaler]]s to repel [[Prometheus Company]] from a hive cluster.<ref name="SC2:HotS_HydraliskEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Hydralisk Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref> 

*On [[Brokas Hur]], Kerrigen used [[viper]]s to support [[aberration]]s in destroying a Dominion base.<ref name="HotS_MutaliskEvolution">[[Blizzard Entertainment]]. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]]''. ([[Activision Blizzard]]). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Mutalisk Evolution]] (in [[English]]). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*At [[Sigma Centari]], Kerrigan used [[brood lord]]s to destroy the entrenched Dominion forces.<ref name="HotS_MutaliskEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Mutalisk Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>

*On [[Ignus]], Kerrigan used the [[creeper]] strain to defend hive clusters from Dominion forces.

*On [[Cruxas III]], Kerrigan used the [[carrion]] strain to destroy Dominion [[nuclear silo]]s.<ref name="HotS_SwarmHostEvolution">Blizzard Entertainment. ''[[StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm]].'' (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: [[Heart of the Swarm]], [[Swarm Host Evolution]] (in English). 2013-03-12.</ref>
{{PlotBranchBrack/end|lvl=1}}

==References==
{{Ref|scroll=x|col=2}}
{{Wars}}
{{SC2Battles}}
[[Category:Wars]]