Harbinger/14

X
"Should we get going?" Daniel asked Raynor gently, knowing how hard it was for him. It was difficult for Daniel himself to swallow down the fact that a human could have been adulterated to such an extent--it only went to show how cruel, how fallen, how brutish the Zerg were, reinforcing his desire to destroy the race altogether.

Although he knew that it was probably not going to happen.

Even if the Zerg would someday be eliminated, it might not be him who would get to do it.

Which, he knew, was also the first thing on Raynor's mind.

Raynor finally recuperated from his shock, saying at last, "I... think so. Have the Protoss--take us back home." Daniel caught the undertone for that one: Since the Protoss had mysteriously got them here, it would also be the Protoss to get them back.

[[Time to leave, then, Tealdarin,]] Daniel communicated to the Protoss representative across the length of the extended battlecruiser flagship.

[[It's pointless to... return.]]

[[What do you mean by that?!?]]

[[Do you not recall what we told you on the first time we met?]]

[[What? --Oh,! Phasing...!?]]

[[Exactly. We have been Phased here. This is your third Instance, Daniel. The former instance of our fleet still remains over the surface of Tarsonis. Even if you departed for there through another Phasing sequence, this fleet will still remain over the surface of Char.]]

[[Then... We are stuck here?]]

[[You have clearly not tried to reach out into the deep voids of space. Try it---search for your other self on Tarsonis.]]

Daniel did as the Protoss recommended, and closed his eyes, trying to contact the former Daniel...

They found each other. Impossible to describe in words, it was, but he realized very clearly that there were these two souls, two spirits, which had become lost when the Phasing had occurred...until now.

Now, Daniel suddenly felt a lot less... alone.

He had found... love.

Love for his other self. What??? But that's insane, I can't love my self! ...er, my other self, thought Daniel. I've got to stop this...

[[No, Daniel. You want to foster the relationship between you and your other you. And no, it is not taboo to do so, even in your culture. Can you honestly say to yourself, that you have never loved yourself, when you were one and alone?]]

Daniel realized what Tealdarin meant. [[So... This love that I'm feeling, it's because of the Phasing effect, isn't it?]]

[[Yes. You will always experience that sensation of self-longing and spiritual fulfillment, for that is a key component to the psionic connection.]]

[[I... Don't get it.... Why can't you explain this in more detail?]]

[[We could try, but it would be far more effective for you to discover on your own, and for your fellow humans to discover on their own. In our culture, our Protoss culture, psionic means... A sharing of gifts. In the times to come, Daniel, you shall find many situations in which you and your identities shall find mutual benefit from such a Sharing. You shall come to realize it all... But in the meantime, we are afraid that you shall find it difficult to convince your fellow humans that we shall not be getting a ride back. The Nexii have more important jobs to do.]]