Cerebrate (Episode II)

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"Awaken my child, and embrace the glory that is your birthright. Know that I am the Overmind; the eternal will of the Swarm, and that you have been created to serve me."

―The Overmind addresses the newly created Cerebrate.^[src]

"Cerebrate"
Biographical
Born	Late June, 2500
Died	October 4, 2500
Physical
Race	Zerg
Political
Affiliation	Zerg Swarm
Occupation	Cerebrate

The Cerebrate was the player character of Episode II, entrusted to watch over Infested Kerrigan after her implantation inside a chrysalis.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Genesis 1.2 Egression 1.3 Char 1.4 Blade in the Darkness 2 References

Biography

Genesis

"Behold that I shall set you amongst the greatest of my Cerebrates, that you might benefit from their wisdom and experience. Yet your purpose is unique. While they carry forth my will to the innumerable Broods, you have but one charge entrusted to your care. For I have found a creature that may yet become the greatest of my agents. Even now it resides within a protective Chrysalis, awaiting its rebirth into the Swarm. You must watch over the Chrysalis, and ensure that no harm comes to the creature within it. Go now and keep safe my prize."

―The Overmind gives the Cerebrate its orders.^[src]

In the aftermath of the Fall of Tarsonis, the Overmind had finally succeeded in obtaining a psionically gifted Terran, one that would come to aid the Swarm in the destruction of its enemies. Before that day could come however, a period of incubation was required, one in which the potential agent would be vulnerable. To this end, the Overmind created a Cerebrate to watch over the Chrysalis.^[1]

The Cerebrate established a small hive cluster on Tarsonis under the guidance of Daggoth-a senior Cerebrate and the leader of the Tiamat Brood. Soon, the Cerebrate was contacted by Zasz, informing it of a group of nearby Terrans that could threaten the Chrysalis and hive cluster. Zasz ordered that none of the Terrans be left alive, an order which the Cerebrate promptly carried out.^[1]

Egression

"I am well pleased young Cerebrate, and so long as my prize remains intact, I shall remain pleased. Thus, its life and yours shall be made as one. As it prospers, so shall you. For you are part of the Swarm. If ever your flesh should fail, that flesh shall be made anew. That is my covenant with all Cerebrates."

―The Overmind^[src]

The Chrysalis still intact, the Overmind declared that the Swarm be relocated from Tarsonis to the world of Char. However, Protoss forces still remained on Tarsonis and would attempt to prevent any attempts to leave the planet.^[2] The Cerebrate's forces thus began a trek through the ruined city of New Gettysburg,^[3] Daggoth providing a group of Hunter Killers in this endevour. The Chrysalis was safely escorted and the Cerebrate embarked on travel through warp space to Char with the rest of the Swarm.

Char

The Chrysalis was a powerful creature...so powerful that psionic eminations drew the Swarm's enemies to Char, including Alpha Squadron forces led by General Edmund Duke. Still ensuring that the Chrysalis was intact, the Cerebrate led its Brood against the Terrans, its attack preventing Duke's forces from even holding their landing zone.^[3] Before long, the Terrans were in retreat. The Cerebrate was ordered to relocate the Chrysalis while Daggoth dealt with the remaining Terrans. ^[4]

Before long, more Terrans arrived on Char, this time a group known as Raynor's Raiders. The group came within range of the Chrysalis but the Cerebrate was able to hold them back long enough for Kerrigan to emerge. With her emergence, the Overmind ordered the Cerebrate to eradicate the remaining Terrans, a task that Kerrigan aided in...for the most part.^[3]

In a sense, little changed for the Cerebrate with Kerrigan's birth, its actions still bound with hers. This included an assault on the Science Vessel Amerigo.^[5] However, Kerrigan began going her own way, engaging the forces of Executor Tassadar, who had recently arrived on Char as well. Although the High Templar's forces were forced to retreat, it also allowed the Dark Templar Zeratul to assassinate Zasz, sending the Garm Brood into a rampant frenzy and even giving pause to the Overmind itself.^[3]

The Garm Brood threatening the primary Hive Cluster, the Cerebrate was tasked with eradicating the now leaderless Garm Brood.^[6] In the aftermath of the culling, the Overmind broke its silence and revealed that its mind connected with that of Zeratul at the moment when Zasz was assassinated. As such, it had discovered the location of the Protoss homeworld of Aiur.^[7] The majority of the Swarm embarked through warp space to assault the Protoss. Kerrigan and the Cerebrate however, remained on Char to hunt the remaining Protoss forces.

While he was in Char, the Cerebrate could command several assaults of great importance in Aiur.^[8][9]

Blade in the Darkness

Tracking down the Protoss was not as easy a task as first anticipated, the Zerg's quarry eluding their grasp. Kerrigan was in command and her impatience often worked to her detriment. In the end, it was to the detriment of the Cerebrate as well, as Kerrigan led her Brood into a trap set up by the Protoss and their Terran allies (Raynor's Raiders). This left the Cerebrate undefended and in the end, history repeated itself, Tassadar assassinating it.^[3]

References

Player Characters of the StarCraft Universe
Terran	Episode I: "Commander" - Episode V: "Captain" - StarCraft: Ghost: Nova - Wings of Liberty: Jim Raynor Enslavers: "Commander" - Loomings: "Lieutenant" - Retribution: "Commander"
Protoss	Episode III: Artanis - Episode IV "Executor" - Legacy of the Void: Zeratul Retribution: "Executor" - Enslavers II "Executor"
Zerg	Episode II: "Cerebrate" - Episode VI: "Cerebrate" - Heart of the Swarm: Infested Kerrigan Insurrection: "Cerebrate" - Retribution: "Cerebrate"