Chapter Nine
Elenwen looked over the latest reports her agents brought her. Whiterun and Windhelm were firmly in enemy hands, with the rest of Skyrim quickly being secured by the Empire and their Stormcloak and DMC allies. But, as with before, there was a silver lining; The Aldmeri Dominion's Necromyan allies had a strike force poised to attack the Imperial City in Cyrodiil. As an added bonus, the Necromyans aided the Thalmor forces in getting a strike force into Black Marsh, where they were poised to strike the capital of Helstrom. With any luck, this plan of attack would go through without any complications...
Drop ships landed on an improvised landing pad inside the Imperial City, Cyrodiil. Faasnu, Kabier, Ulfric and Tullius stepped off the drop ship, and made their way toward the Imperial Palace.
"Did Emperor Meade say what this was about?" Faasnu asked.
"Something about discussing new intelligence," Tullius replied, "That's all I know."
"I'm assuming he'll give us more details in private," Ulfric suggested. "Less of a risk that unfriendly ears would hear what we've gleaned."
"Then let's not keep him waiting," Faasnu suggested. Faasnu led the team into the Imperial Palace, where once inside the council chambers, Faasnu saw not only was Emperor Meade there, but so was General Indari and his wife. Faasnu immediately snapped to attention.
"General Indari, sir!"
"At ease, Sergeant Major," Indari said. "You've made quite a reputation here on Nirn. Securing Whiterun and Windhelm... infiltrating the Thalmor Embassy and stealing documents from the emissary's office, not to mention the rescue of a foreign member of the Argonian Military... that's quite a resume."
"I do what I can for my father's homeland, sir," Faasnu replied.
"Oh, we know," Emperor Meade agreed. "Dovahkiin was a great ally to us; he united the Empire against the Thalmor and the Dominion in a way no one thought possible. You've become indispensable to our cause."
"So much, Sergeant Major, that I feel you would better serve that cause as an Officer of the DMC instead of an NCO," Indari concluded. In an officious manner, Indari said, "Sergeant Major Faasnu Dovahkiir, in recognition for your many accomplishments, unswerving loyalty, and your unwavering dedication to not only the ideals of the Dragon'taan Marauder Corps, but the Empire of Tamriel, as well, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain. Congratulations."
"Thank you, sir!" Faasnu exclaimed in his military voice, snapping off a sharp salute to Indari. He took his badge of rank, and Meade said,
"Well, now that that's out of the way, take a seat; we have much to discuss." Everyone sat down, and Meade began, "Now, Faasnu – thanks to your efforts in bringing your allies here, we have been able to secure new intelligence regarding the enemy's battle plan."
"We know that the Necromyans and the Dominion both have forces in each province," Indari continued. "We also know for certain that they intend to strike the New Argonian capital of Helstrom. What we don't know is where the base camps of each enemy presence in the provinces are located."
"Is it possible that the Necromyans landed ships and are using some sort of cloaking device to hide the ships and surrounding camps from DMC sensors?" Faasnu asked.
"That's what we're thinking," Indari affirmed. "It would explain why we can't find their camps. Remember that op you did out on Terra VII? The one where you infiltrated a research facility and stole a shitload of documents?"
"Of course, sir," Faasnu said.
"One of the documents detailed a refit to a number of Necromyan Planetary Assault ships to utilize the sort of cloaking device you suggested," Indari said. "We believe that before we drove away the Necromyan fleet, they managed to land several of these in Imperial territory."
"Is there one here in Cyrodiil? Or in Skyrim?" Kabier asked.
"We destroyed the one in Skyrim when we landed; as far as Cyrodiil is concerned, however, the enemy didn't manage to land one here. We are certain they have a cloaked base around here, somewhere – we just don't know where," Indari explained. "While we try to ascertain when the enemy force in Black Marsh will strike, we would like for you to-"
It was then that an imperial courier came in, whispering in the Emperor's ear. Meade then looked to the others present. "Necromyans are on the move – they are headed here in drop ships."
"That was fast," Tullius said.
"We'll stay to protect the Emperor, Faasnu," Ulfric said. "You go out and stop the enemy attack!"
Faasnu and Kabier nodded, armored up and readied their weapons, and headed outside the palace. As soon as they did, they came under fire from a squad of Luranni Marines advancing on the Imperial Palace. Faasnu and Kabier took cover and returned fire, making the Luranni marines scatter as they scampered for cover. Faasnu tossed a grenade into their midst and ducked before it detonated, sending dirt and bodies flying every which way. Faasnu and Kabier emerged from cover and opened up on the dazed survivors, cutting them down in a short fusillade of bullets.
Another drop ship flew over, and was about to drop troops off when a pair of rockets lashed up and blew it out of the sky. The ship crashed near the palace, but didn't quite make it to the steps before it stopped. Faasnu and Kabier headed out, shooting any Necromyans lucky enough to survive the crash. They stopped just shy of the Imperial City Market District to reload.
"I wonder why the Necromyans are attacking the Imperial City...?" Kabier mused.
"I don't know, let's go ask them," Faasnu suggested with a hint of humor.
"After you," Kabier said.
Faasnu chuckled, then headed through the door to the market district, where a swarm of Luranni Marines were waiting. Before they could open fire, however, a fireball dropped in from somewhere above and detonated like a grenade, putting down half of the platoon in an instant.
"Suleyk wah fal dovah!" Paarthurnax shouted as he flew over. Faasnu and Kabier moved in and mopped up the stragglers, then moved on. They moved through the Imperial City, killing as though on autopilot. When the Necromyans took sufficient casualties, they retreated. Faasnu and Kabier returned to the Imperial Palace to discuss their next move with the other present military leaders. Ulfric and Tullius were there, as were General Indari and Emperor Meade. As a surprise bonus, Galmar Stone-Fist and Legate Rikke were also present.
"I trust you left Skyrim in good hands?" Ulfric asked as Faasnu and Kabier entered.
"Skyrim is secure; the last of the Thalmor and Necromyan forces have retreated," Galmar responded.
"We have, however, received word from other provinces; Hammerfell, High Rock and Elsweyr are secure, but we have now-isolated Dominion forces in Black Marsh to deal with and Valenwood is being occupied by the Dominion and their Necromyan allies," Rikke reported.
"So we have a few things to take care of before we march on Summerset Isle," Tullius surmised.
"So, how are we going to go about liberating those provinces occupied and under attack?" Faasnu asked.
"That's why we requested you," Indari said. "You've proven yourself more than capable of dealing with these threats."
"We were thinking of sending you to Black Marsh while we gather resources to liberate Valenwood," Tullius added.
"How are we getting there?" Faasnu queried.
"We have a stealth transport being prepped as we speak," Indari answered. "It leaves at 0300 tomorrow, so get some rest. Your orders are to get to Black Marsh province, make contact with the Argonian Royal Family, and assist them in any way possible in routing out elements of the Dominion forces. Any questions?"
"Does the family know we're coming?" Kabier asked.
"No, they don't," Indari replied. "We chose not to inform them of your impending arrival to minimize the chance of the operation being discovered by the Dominion forces in Black Marsh... as unlikely as that is."
"Once the Dominion is routed from Black Marsh, then what?" Faasnu inquired.
"By then, we should have the resources ready to strike Valenwood," Ulfric responded.
"What about the enemy camp here in Cyrodiil?" Kabier queried.
"That task is being headed up by Lieutenant Mike Harrison," Indari stated. "Once he's done here, I'll see if I can get him to meet you in Black Marsh. When you have Black Marsh secured, contact us, and we'll send a transport to pick you up," Indari said. "Good luck out there, Captain. Dismissed." Faasnu and Kabier saluted and left the palace, headed for a tavern, bought a room, and laid down to rest.
From the impression they got from General Indari, they were gonna need it.
Dominion affairs in Tamriel were already falling apart. Their Necromyan allies were a great help, but truth was, they may have jumped the gun when Faasnu crashed in Skyrim. They landed forces in multiple provinces – Hammerfell, Elsweyr, High Rock – and even set up staging grounds in what's left of Morrowind and in Valenwood, and that caused the said provinces to turn to the Empire for aid. In systematically isolating the provinces, the Necromyan and Dominion forces made the Empire stronger. Such irony. The forces in Elsweyr, Hammerfell and High Rock were all but destroyed or driven out, and the Staging grounds in Morrowind were decimated by dragons and DMC Dragon-shifters.
Now, as Elenwen packed her belongings, it was painfully evident that the Dominion wouldn't win this war, even with the Necromyans' aid. Nearby, a 13-year-old Aldmeri Elven girl stood with her bags packed.
"I don't understand, mom," she protested. "Why are we leaving? Where are we going?"
"Someplace this war can't reach us," Elenwen answered. "I don't want to be here on Summerset Isle when the Empire and their dragon and alien allies marches up it's shores."
"I thought you said-" the girl protested.
"Leigh!" Elenwen cut her daughter off. She paused, then calmly added, "The less you know, the better. I promise, I will explain everything once we get where we're going."
She returned to packing her things, and finished in record time, leaving a note to throw off any Thalmor personnel that may come looking for her. With that done, she and Leigh left their house, boarded a carriage, and left for the city of Dusk. The carriage driver was instructed to ride and ride hard – he understood the severity of what was going on.
Once at Dusk, Elenwen made for the docks and was met by her last friendly colleague in this mess.
"I guess this means goodbye," he told her.
"So it would seem," Elenwen answered as Leigh boarded the boat. "Thank you, Faelian."
"I really wish you'd reconsider this," Faelian said. "Resigning is an understandable move – but we may still turn this war around."
"No," Elenwen disagreed. "I can see now that there is no turning the tables, now; what I do, I do for my daughter. If I die with my loyalty to the Thalmor and the corrupted Dominion, I leave my child with nothing but shame. After her father died, Leigh's upbringing and welfare were the only things I cared about; I joined the Thalmor out of a desire to care for her. Now, the Thalmor and the Dominion are fighting a losing battle against a superior foe – I have to leave before this gets any worse." She paused, then whispered, "And you know what I feel for you, and what my daughter feels for you; I really wish you would come with me."
"What we feel for each other was not lost on me when I handed in my resignation," Faelian whispered back, placing a hand on Elenwen's cheek. "I am going with you."
Elenwen threw her arms around Falian with tears in her eyes, and they both boarded the boat, destination unknown...