Author's note: Much thanks to Blackhole1 for letting me know I had my initial lore mixed up. I'm a detail man, so I appreciate it a great deal! Here's a revised chapter one with Inquisitors in their correct Ordos.

I wrote this with hard core fans like me in mind, who know both universes well and want to get into the action right away.

But Blackhole1's right. This story does deserve a bit more back story. Allow me to give it just that!

James Raynor glared at the holovid screen, watching as Dominion forces drove back his brave Raiders yet again. "How's Mengsk doing that?" he wondered aloud. "Where's he getting the manpower to pull this stuff off? That shoulda been an easy win!"

Jim's ship captain and friend Matt Horner stepped softly to his side. "What's our next move, sir?" Matt was always formal like that.

Raynor sighed. "I don't know, Matt. Dominion's cracking down hard."

Matt contemplated the holovid recording thoughtfully. "What worlds we do liberate run us too ragged to hold for more than a few days."

"It don't add up!" Raynor muttered. "The Dominion's always outnumbered us, but there's never been that many of them."

"Especially in so many places at once."

Raynor took out a fresh ciggarette and lit it. "Maybe I'm pushing the boys too hard. We need to find a quiet spot and lay low for a bit."

Matt walked to the star map in the center of the room. "Quiet in this galaxy? Not likely. But we might be able to touch down where Mengsk won't think to look. Even if it's not even in the Dominion at all."

Raynor threw him a puzzled look. "Sounds like you already got someplace in mind, Matt."

"Maybe." Matt entered a sequnce into the navcomputer. "It's a long shot at best anyhow."

Raynor curiously regarded the lush green globe the computer had drawn up. "Typhon? Never heard of it."

A dry voice rasped from behind Jim. "They be havin' bad time down there. Lot's of real bad mojo."

Matt jumped. "Blast it, Tosh! Don't do that!"

Raynor was much more interested in the planet on screen. "Tell me more about Typhon."

Matt threw the Specter an irritated look and turned back to the display. "It's a jungle world. Sparsely populated." he hesitated. "It's under Imperium control."

Tosh laughed. "Control be the wrong word."

Jim narrowed his eyes. "Imperium? You mean the 'Imperium of Man?'" he groaned. "I don't like it. They're a bit over the top, but at least they ain't looking for me. Plus they're nuts enough even Mengsk doesn't tangle with them. Set course for Typhon."

Tosh said nothing, but slowly shook his head.

.

The HiveLord writhed in agony as blood and bile gushed from its mouth and numerous bullet holes. It whipped its barbed appendages back and forth as life drained from its once mighty, flesh-rending limbs. At last it succumbed to oblivion and crashed to the ground, sighing a foul gas cloud as it expired.

The mighty human warrior who had, admittedly with the help of friends, slain the creature stood triumphant. He hefted his powerful sniper weapon with satifaction and raised his skull-painted visor.

Jim Raynor took the spent ciggarette from his mouth and tossed it into one of the monster's gaping wounds.

"Sweet mercy, Jimmy," a gravally voice said behind him. "What do you reckon it was? Zerg?"

Raynor reguarded the creature. "Sure was mean enough to be zerg. Never seen one like this before, though. I'm just glad it's dead, Tychus."

"Amen to that, brother." Tychus said around his huge cigar. "So where to next, parter?"

Raynor was about to respond when he heard a faint step behind him. He whirled, sniper ready. The figure facing him was not the slightest deterred by the formidable weapon. She was dressed all in black and heavily armed. her face was concealed by a high collar and a tall, wide-brimmed hat marked with an iron 'I.'

She spoke, her voice deep and fobidding. "Well done, Commander Raynor. Few have accomplished what you have just done so casually."

Raynor lowered his weapon. Slightly. "You have me at a disadvantage, miss...?"

"I am Inquisitor Adrastia of the Ordo Hereticus."

Tychus chuckled. "Say that three times fast."

Adrastia ignored him. "You are in need of funds, commander. The Imperium can provide them, given your cooperation regarding a matter of some concern to the Inquisition."

Raynor raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening. What kind of 'funds' we talkin' here?"

"Big enough to convince a man already on the run to do something illegal but nevertheless beneficial to the Imperium."

"Illegal's not my thing, ma'am. I'd like a figure if you don't mind."

The Inquisitor sniffed irritably. "Very well, commander. Ten million Credits."

Tychus nearly swallowed his cigar and coughed. Raynor flinched but held his Poker face. "And," Adrastia continued, "A Liberator Class destroyer with all onboard weaponry and equipment to bolster the ranks of your Raiders."

Raynor narrowed his eyes at her. "You're awful generous with your government's cash and gear. What's so important, if you don't mind my asking?"

Adrastia folded her arms. "The Inquisition requires you to dispose of a...troublesom individual. This man cannot to brought to justice without proof, which would take far too long to acquire before it will do any good."

"What do you mean?" Raynor was liking this less by the minute.

Tychus chewed on his cigar excitedly. "Who cares what she means, jimmy? It's ten million Credits and a brand new ride to put a slug in some joker's noggin!"

Adrastia's words were steelly "This 'joker,' Mr. Findly, is Azaria Kyrus, Chapter Master of the Blood Raven Space Marines and Chief Librarian."

The cigar fell out of Tychus's mouth. "I mighta spoke too soon seems." he mumbled.

Raynor looked hard at Adrastia. "I thought your Space Marines were the good guys. What's Kyrus done to ten million on his head?"

"It is thanks to Kyrus that the Inquisition has condemned this subsector to Exterminatus." The Inquisitor's words were grim. "He has become corrupt. Kyrus orchistrates the insurrection and rebelion causing the Imperium no end of grief. I have found evidence enough to know for myself, but not to disuade Exterminatus. Were he to be...removed..."

"The incursions will stop and Exterminatus will be unnesessary." Raynor finished.

"Precisely."

Raynor sighed. "A lot of good folks will die if that Exterminatus goes down." He looked to the Hivelord corpse thoughfully. "I'll do it."

Adrastia nodded her approval. "Excellant, commander. The Ordo Malleus arrives first here at Typhon in three weeks. Until then." The Inquisitor turned on her heel and departed.

Tychus gave a low whistle as he picked up his fallen cigar. "Ten million." he breathed.

"To kill a psychic maniac." Raynor replied darkly.

Tychus shrugged. "Ten million regardless. And a new ride thrown in. Besides..." he brushed off the cigar and stuck it back between his teeth. "Psychic maniacs are our speciality!"