CHAPTER ONE

Jim Raynor applied the Lazer-Razer carefully. The invisible rays penetrated just deep enough to remove the hair below the surface, but not enough to incinerate the actual root – never knew when he might want a change of style.

It read Red Sun Radiation, Inc. on the side, a new, low-level corporation out here in the fringes. He and the crew had made a quick stop, and he had made a quick purchase.

"Feel like a new man," he said, satisfied at the reflection in the mirror. Not even so much as grey grunge – the first time he tried it, it surprised him how immediately it seemed he was transported back to when he was just a young soldier angling to make something of himself in the marines. Or even so recently as when he met Kerrigan for the first time, that beautiful, mischievous, mysterious girl with red hair and a spirit to match. That girl is definitely some kind of fire now. He smiled to himself. Even though Kerrigan wasn't here, it gave him an unexpected sensation. A new feeling. Like he was young again, and he shouldn't be. Hope, maybe? Or just… interesting? Like going back to the school you once went to, and seeing all your old teachers.

Some folks it didn't bother. Tychus, when he was still alive, had used an old electric razor his old man gave him – one of his only possessions to come out of the cryo-fridge with him.

Raynor liked a balance. Didn't have much time for too much fussing around with these things, but a man needed to look ready to work. Or at least for a coffee.

"Thank the Lord for technology, Tychus." He said, conversationally. He liked to pretend Tychus could still hear him. He didn't pay much attention to rumours, but he had heard one that was interesting. Small chance that Tychus was hiding in one of the vents, though. Too big for that.

A few minutes later, he was on his way to the command tent. They weren't on the Hyperion anymore, for a good reason. But they had made camp down here on the outskirts of a Kel-Morian colony. Raynor was using one of the Hercules' transports as his home-away-from-home – they all were.

"What's up, commander?" a security guard asked him, as Raynor gestured for him to open the security seal to outside. Raynor stood defiantly on the deck, fists just over pockets. "I'm going to get my ship back."

The marine nodded, looking happy to hear it.