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"As long as... the story... doesn't die...I'm...I'm a good reporter."

- Kate Lockwell(src)

Kate Lockwell is the chief anchor for Universal News Network.

Biography[]

"Professional and eager anchor-woman, unafraid to voice her own opinion or search for the the truth."

- Character description(src)

Lockwell was a reporter for UNN by 2496. She began working with cameraman Zach Oliver in this year.[2] Early in her career she covered bowling tournaments on Bukari V.[3]

War-Torn[]

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Lockwell c. 2500

In 2500 Lockwell reported on the disaster at Maltair IV. The zerg had attacked the planet, killing everyone but Senator Corbin Phash and his psychic son, Colin. The two disappeared after being rescued. Lockwell interviewed Greggor Altman, a Dominion representative, who claimed that former Senator Phash's behavior was child abuse and treason, and that the boy needed to be taken to the Ghost Academy in order to protect him from his psionic powers. When Lockwell claimed Phash had much support from the citizenry, Altman downplayed it. She also mentioned that Senator Phash's former aide, Andrew Ballenger, had gone missing.

Lockwell also reported on the Gohbus tragedy – the planet's crust was falling apart, causing the citizens to flee to the Gohbus Moon Refugee Camp. However, when Gohbus fell apart, they would all die anyway.

Wrangler Randall traveled to Gohbus Moon, believing Colin Phash to be there; he had tracked down Ballenger upon hearing Lockwell's report. Randall would be paid for turning Phash in to the Ghost Academy. He used zerglings which had been "lobotomized" to cut them off from the Zerg Swarm to locate Colin, also scaring the populace, which believed Colin's powers were luring them, into giving him up. Colin was eventually captured by the Dominion and taken to the Ghost Academy. Lockwell reported on the "happy ending". Meanwhile, Corbin Phash had taken refuge on Umoja, and planned on exposing the Academy. Minister Jorgensen suggested he could use Lockwell to pass the information to the public.[4]

Dominion Patsy[]

Over the years, Lockwell's reporting established her as a supporter of the Terran Dominion, and she truly did believe that it was a benevolent government.[2] In 2501, she was working with UNN News[5] and fired Oliver in this year.[2]

Newsworthy[]

"You traitor! You said you believed in the Dominion!
I did believe! I trusted you! I trusted you all! How could I have ever guessed...that you didn't have the best intentions?
Because you're not a very good reporter, Lockwell."

- Lockwell's faith in the Dominion falls thanks to Tom Hawkins.(src)

KateLockwell SC-FL2 Comic1

Lockwell c. 2502

In 2502,[6] Lockwell did a story on the application of the death penalty to a group of traitors that year. A month later, namely the month before the anniversary of Arcturus Mengsk's inauguration as emperor of the Terran Dominion, Kate Lockwell was selected for a cushy assignment; UNN's first embedded reporter since the trouble with Michael Liberty. The Dominion Marine Corps had resisted embedded reporters for years, fearing a repeat of the Liberty incident, but Major Tom Hawkins selected her to travel with his marines after UNN editor-in-chief Handy Anderson vouched for her, due to her loyalty to the Dominion and, secretly, because he believed she wasn't a good reporter and wouldn't discover the truth about himself and his unit's activities. He told her this assignment could make her career, a fact that she was well aware of.[2]

Aboard Hawkin's Minotaur-class battlecruiser Victory, Lockwell was unpleasantly surprised to find Zach Oliver as her cameraman. He'd been assigned to her since the previous cameraman developed a cold. It was too late to replace him, however.

Lockwell gave a very pro-Dominion report before landing on Candore. However, there she was abandoned by the marines, who were conducting an urgent "classified" mission. From then on, the marines ceased treating her with politeness. She overhead a report of prisoners, but the marines refused to allow her any interviews.

KateLockwell SC-FL2 Comic2

Lockwell and Oliver snoop

Lockwell tricked one of the marines into confirming the presence of terran prisoners, after which Zach Oliver convinced her to sneak into the brig. There a prisoner told her he'd only been arrested for opposing the government, and that he wasn't a rebel. He directed the newshounds to a chamber full of terran corpses, which greatly disturbed them.

Lockwell told Oliver to make two copies of the footage. Neither Lockwell nor Oliver knew what had really happened at Candore Colony, so Oliver listened in on a transmission from renegade reporter Michael Liberty. He said the colony had simply vanished. The transmission alerted the marines, who arrested them.

Major Hawkins didn't believe there wasn't a copy of the report, and in order to pressure Lockwell into giving up the copy, he had Oliver spaced. He claimed she wasn't a good reporter, and he would have another "patsy" reporter report her being a rebel spy, but before he could kill her, something attacked the ship. During the confusion, Lockwell ran for safety and retrieved the two hard copies that Oliver had made of the brig footage.

KateLockwell SC-FL2 Head2

Lockwell covers for the Knights

Hawkins caught her running along a corridor and shot her in the shoulder. He cornered the wounded reporter, but before he could finish her off, was in turn shot down through the back of the head by Michael Liberty and the Knights of Freedom, who had invaded the vessel. Lockwell refused to be rescued, however. She gave Liberty one copy of the footage, and allowed the marines to find her with the other copy.

Lockwell survived the encounter with the marines, and her report aired on Universal News Network, but it was a pro-Dominion propaganda piece. Liberty speculated that she had possibly undergone neural resocialization, or simply had a short guilt trip. However, he believed it was more likely that she was playing along to protect the original footage and its keepers. Either way, both Lockwell's interview with Mengsk went ahead, as did the airing of the Candore footage.[2]

Shadows and Lies[]

In 2503,[6][7][8] Lockwell reported on the actions of UED terrorist cells striking at Dominion targets, such as a refinery on Atticus Minor. In reality however, whether she knew it or not, this was false information, the UED angle designed to cover-up the existence of the real perpetrators.[9] Later in the year,[8] Lockwell reported on a Raynor's Raiders "attack" on a school on Halcyon.[10]

Uprising[]

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Lockwell on Mar Sara

In 2504,[6][11][8] Lockwell reported on the Terran Dominion's annexation of Mar Sara, many of whose colonists had returned to terraform the mining planet after its destruction. She stated that local citizens worried about an increase in Dominion military presence damaging the economy, which could even spark an uprising.[12]

Wings of Liberty[]

"What is wrong with that woman? Tell her not to interrupt my interviews!"

- Lockwell's integrity translates to Vermillion's loss(src)

KateLockwell SC2 DevStory1

Lockwell reports on the zerg

Lockwell interviewed Emperor Mengsk over the subject of why he was diverting resources from preparing against the eventual return of the zerg, to hunting down Jim Raynor. Mengsk answered that he perceived Raynor to be a terrorist who must be brought to justice.

Back on Mar Sara, Lockwell reported on Raynor's explosive return in stirring up rebellion on the planet.[13][14] Whenever she approached the subject of Raynor's Raiders not being the bloodthirsty terrorists Mengsk wanted to portray them as, anchor Donny Vermillion would cut her off. It was a status quo that lasted throughout the Second Great War, in which Lockwell found herself in as the zerg returned in force after four years of relative silence.[15]

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Lockwell uncovers the shadow war waged by Dominion ghosts

Lockwell's reporting took her to many places within the Koprulu Sector, including Agria,[16] Meinhoff,[17] Nephor II[18] and New Folsom.[19] During her travels, she was able to partake in various interviews, including discussing the Queen of Blades with Vermillion,[20] discussing the counter-insurgency to Project Shadow Blade[21] and even scoring an interview with Valerian Mengsk. The heir apparent revealed that he had a crush on Lockwell for a number of years, causing her to become flustered.[22][note 1]

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Kate Lockwell presenting the transmission

When Raynor and his men broadcast proof that Arcturus Mengsk had used psi emitters to bring down Tarsonis, Lockwell was on the scene at a news conference with the Emperor, and questioned if he was truly benevolent towards his subjects. Mengsk tried to claim that he was not a power monger, only for Lockwell to challenge his statement with a recording of his rant from the Fall of Tarsonis about his callousness towards the well-being of others in pursuit of power. A flustered Mengsk then abruptly stormed out of the conference.[23]

While riots across the Dominion were running rampant, Vermillion was stunned by the news, due to having lost a brother there. When Lockwell reported the chaos created by riots across the streets of Korhal, she asked him to report the situation into his location, Vermillion muttering to himself on the air that his brother lived on Tarsonis, and being unable to present it. Lockwell was in turn cut off by a lockdown on Korhal's satellites.[24]

Vermillion was eventually committed to a mental institution. Lockwell was promoted to chief anchor in his place. She gave herself a personal cheer as she signed off.[25]

Heart of the Swarm[]

"We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you this news. Notorious rebel Jim Raynor was captured in a daring raid yesterday. He was briefly interrogated, and summarily executed."

- Lockwell reports on Raynor's 'death'(src)

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Lockwell gives her report

Three weeks later,[26] she brought news that Raynor had been captured in a raid by Dominion forces and summarily executed.[27]

A New Era[]

In 2508, Kate Lockwell reported on the three year anniversary of the fall of the Arcturus Mengsk regime and the ensuing celebrations. She stated that there was a continuing peace through the Dominion, and that Admiral Matt Horner and the Dominion military continued to support Valerian Mengsk's new regime.[28] Lockwell would later report on the exposure of the criminal past of Senator Joss Brogan and his subsequent arrest, and another broadcast of hers would lead into Emperor Valerian's admitting to his part in the creation of the Moebius Foundation and his responsibility for the hybrids.[29]

The Defenders of Man Insurgency[]

"We have just received a new report from the controversial Defenders of Man...They claim that more zerg attacks are imminent, and Emperor Valerian has refused to take necessary action to protect civilians. General Dave has supported Emperor, while Magistrate Grayson says this could mean the worst for Valerian regime..."

- Kate Lockwell(src)

KateLockwell SC2-NCO Cine1

Lockwell reports on the disappearance of Dominion ghosts

A few years after the anniversary report, she reported on the zerg sightings on the world of Antiga Prime and the disappearances of groups of Dominion ghosts. When it was leaked that Agent Nova Terra killed four Dominion Intelligence Section agents, Lockwell ran a special on her desertion.[30]

When zerg attacks increased, Nova reported on the continuing disapproval of Valerian's regime by the Dominion population, regularly featuring Magistrate Grayson and General Carolina Davis.[31] Lockwell covered the zerg attack on Tyrador IX as it developed, and had General Davis on to discuss the loss of life and recent appearance of the protoss.[32] Lockwell did a newspiece on the protests outside of Korhal Palace, with protestors calling for Valerian Mengsk to step down as emperor of the Dominion.[33]

LockwellDavis SC2-NCO CineResolutions1

Lockwell reports on Davis's death

Lockwell reported as Valerian began to make his speech on Vardona, speculating that he would make an announcement of his resignation. Lockwell asked if Valerian was running from his problems, or paving the way for a better Dominion.[34] After the Tal'darim attacked Vardona, Lockwell reported on the protoss attacking the planet, and of Dominion officials being trapped on world along with Valerian.[35] After the situation on Vardona was resolved, Lockwell pointed out Defenders of Man were fighting alongside the Dominion, stating they may have gained some faith in the Emperor, and stated that the search for the former leader of the Defenders, General Carolina Davis was ongoing.[36] After Davis's death, Lockwell reported that popular opinion had shifted back toward Valerian as the documents insinuating the Defender's involvement in the feral zerg attack were revealed, and pointed out that the public generally stood behind Valerian's use of lethal force against Carolina Davis.[37]

Post-War[]

"Officials have declined to release the total number of casualties on Adena, but our source alleges that rogue mercenaries were responsible. They opened fire with both the feral zerg and the protoss, perhaps hoping to control the planet's mineral reserves. Admiral Horner has confirmed there were no survivors."

- Lockwell reports on Adena(src)

KateLockwell SC-ShadowWars Comic1

Lockwell's report

After the Battle of Adena, Lockwell reported on the official statement released by Matt Horner after the battle, that there was a fight instigated by mercenaries that turned into a conflict with the Daelaam and feral zerg, and that no mercenaries survived the battle.[38]

Later, Lockwell reported on the outbreak of spectre attacks across the Dominion, destabilizing the peace. She asked whether the attacks were a portent of doom to come. Whether the Dominion was cursed by its "tainted roots," or whether there was hope for redemption. The spectres were ultimately dealt with by Nova Terra and her Daelaam allies, and Lockwell reported on the end of the crisis.[3]

Notes[]

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Early image of Lockwell

  • Lockwell's role in Wings of Liberty was originally taken by Michael Liberty. However, his strong anti-Dominion views would have limited what and how he reported, hence Lockwell was created to allow a greater range of news and a more balanced view on events.[39]
  • "Nora Colby" was the main character of pre-publication versions of StarCraft: Frontline: Newsworthy, who would become a protégé of Michael Liberty, not to mention having a large collection of sweaters. Blizzard Entertainment suggested author Grace Randolph change the character to Lockwell instead.[40]
  • Based on early videos, Lockwell's style of reporting was originally different than what was present in the final release. An example of this was the claim by Dominion Security Control that the raid on White Rock, Mar Sara, was in obtaining bio-weapons. Lockwell went along with this in a manner quite different from her style in Wings of Liberty.[41]

References[]

  1. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Credits. (in English). 2010.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Randolph, Grace (w), Nan Kim (art), Matt Dalton (i). "Newsworthy." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 2 (paperback binding), pp. 68-121. Tokyopop, January 1, 2009. ISBN 1427-80831-7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Brian Alexander, Akex Acks (w), Carlos Rodríguez (i) and Sandra Molina (c). (April 2, 2022). StarCraft II: Nature of the Beast - The Complete Collection. Blizzard Entertainment. ISBN 978-1950366866
  4. Benjamin, Paul and Dave Shramek (w), Sevilla, Hector (p, i). "War-Torn." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 3 (paperback binding), pp. 6-47. Tokyopop, July 14, 2009. ISBN 978-1427-80832-5.
  5. Gerrold, David (w), Fernando Heinz Furukawa (p, i). StarCraft: Ghost Academy: Volume 2 (paperback binding). Tokyopop, August 10, 2010. ISBN 978-1427-81613-9.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 April 6, 2010. "Timeline". StarCraft II: Heaven's Devils. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 311 - 323. ISBN 978-1416-55084-6.
  7. April 12, 2011. "Timeline." StarCraft II: Devils' Due. Simon & Schuster (Gallery Books). pp. 248-262. ISBN 978-1416-55085-3.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 September 27, 2011. "Timeline." StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). pp. 393-416. ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.
  9. Kenyon, Nate. (September 27, 2011). StarCraft: Ghost: Spectres. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 978-1439-10938-0.
  10. Waugh, James. "Changeling." (November 18, 2009). Blizzard Entertainment. Changeling: A Short Story by James Waugh Accessed 2009-11-18.
  11. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SC:DDTimeline
  12. Metzen, Chris (w), Hector Sevilla (p, i). "Homecoming." In StarCraft: Frontline: Volume 4 (paperback binding), pp. 6-27. Tokyopop, October 1, 2009. ISBN 978-1427-81698-6.
  13. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Special Report: UNN newscast after "Liberation Day." (in English). 2010.
  14. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Open Rebellion: UNN newscast after "The Outlaws." (in English). 2010.
  15. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. General television (in English). 2010.
  16. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Evacuation." (in English). 2010.
  17. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Outbreak." (in English). 2010.
  18. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Explosion Rocks Nephor II: UNN newscast after "Welcome to the Jungle." (in English). 2010.
  19. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Prison Break: UNN newscast after "Breakout." (in English). 2010.
  20. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Queen of the Zerg: UNN newscast after "Smash and Grab." (in English). 2010.
  21. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "The Devil's Playground." (in English). 2010.
  22. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Whispers of Doom." (in English). 2010.
  23. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Wings of Liberty, Media Blitz (in English). 2010-07-27.
  24. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Media Blitz." (in English). 2010.
  25. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. (Activision Blizzard). PC. UNN newscast after "Belly of the Beast" or "Shatter the Sky." (in English). 2010.
  26. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Prologue loading screen (in English). 2013-03-12.
  27. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Transmission (in English). 2013-03-12.
  28. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Homecoming. (in English). 2015.
  29. Neilson, Micky (w), Edouard Guiton (i) and Sandra Molina (c). (November 29, 2016). Nova: The Keep. Blizzard Entertainment. Nova: The Keep Accessed 2016-11-29.
  30. Katie Lockwell Twitter. Katie Lockwell's Twitter, accessed on 2016-03-22
  31. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Lost Memories (in English). 2016-03-29.
  32. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: The Highlord's Bargain (in English). 2016-08-02.
  33. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Nova Covert Ops, Flashpoint (in English). 2016-08-02.
  34. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Nova Covert Ops, In the Enemy's Shadow (in English). 2016-11-22.
  35. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Nova Covert Ops, Dark Skies (in English). 2016-11-22.
  36. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Mission: Nova Covert Ops, End Game (in English). 2016-11-22.
  37. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops. (Activision Blizzard). PC. Cinematic: Resolutions (in English). 2016-11-22.
  38. Valerie Watrous (w), Andrés Guinaldo (i) and Javier Mena (c). (December 9th, 2017). StarCraft II: Shadow Wars: Part 7. Blizzard Entertainment. StarCraft II: Shadow Wars: Part 7 Accessed 2018-08-09.
  39. Chris Metzen, Moondragon. 2009-08-17. In-Depth Lore Interview With Chris Metzen. Inc.Gamers. Accessed 2009-11-02.
  40. " Medievaldragon et al. 2009-09-09.Blizzplanet Live Chat with Tokyopop: Starcraft: Frontline Vol. 4. Blizzplanet. Accessed 2009-09-11.
  41. 2008-10-13. StarCraft II in-game cinematics. Gameplanet. Accessed 2008-10-15.

Reference Notes[]

  1. This version of the newscast only occurs if Media Blitz has not previously been played. If Media Blitz has been completed, Kate asks Valerian about the corruption scandals before these declaration.
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