Three sides, one war, survival depends on your command.
James Raynor is your go-to-guy from the beginning. Soon it becomes clear that Confederacy is lying and hedging the bets. Arcturus Mengsk is just as treacherous, but this doesn't become entirely apparent until Antiga where he has Kerrigan unleash the Zerg on the Confederates. The hammer falls finally at Tarsonis where Mengsk's newest stooge General Duke orders strike teams to place emitters at so-called key locations throughout the planet. The Zerg arrive with the Protoss snapping at their heels, the human survivors divide and go separate ways.
Among the ruins, the aliens battle it out. The Zerg are experimenting on humans, namely Sarah Kerrigan, their newest agent. The Zerg take flight back to Char and later assault Aiur, the Protoss homeworld. Kerrigan decimates the Protoss remaining on Char, but some escape yet become separated.
The Zerg invasion has devastated Aiur. Fenix and the new executor hold the line until they are divided between two provinces. Antioch, Fenix's encampment, are wiped out while the Executor is sent off to capture Tassadar, the previous executor. The Executor shifts sides to aid Tassadar and the Dark Templar led by Zeratul. The alliance of Templar, Dark Templar, and Raynor's forces return to Aiur.
The final showdown of Starcraft devastates the Zerg, nearly wipes out the Protoss, and humanity gains a short interim.
The war has worn down all sides, but greater challenges lie ahead as new alliances are tested by new and old foes.
The UED comes to the Koprulu Sector to enslave the Zerg, contain the Protoss, and topple the Terran Dominion. The Khalai-Dark Templar Alliance unites the crystals at the cost of Aldaris and Raszagal. The Renegade Swarm is crippled, but not gone.
Kerrigan battles the renegades led by Daggoth and assumes her role as the reigning queen of blades. It culminates as a showdown between her, Mengsk, DuGalle, and Artanis.
Elsewhere, Zeratul discovers a disturbing ripple for the future. The war is only an extension of a stranger tale going on behind the scenes.