After nearly a decade of brutal warfare, three mightyfactions-the enigmatic protoss, the savage zerg, andthe terrans, humanity's descendants in the sector-haveentered a cease-fire, but the peace is tenuous at best. When the sudden restoration of an incinerated planet isbrought to light, tensions erupt. Neutrality swings backto hostility, and old enemies are accused of developingbiological weapons to reignite the bitter conflict. An expedition of terran and protoss soldiers and researchersis deployed to investigate the mysterious zergplanet and its inhabitants' intentions. But the lush alienlandscape is host to other denizens, creatures shroudedin shadow, and should they be unleashed, they willchange the fate of the entire galaxy.