Disclaimer: All characters, names, settings etc belong to their respective copyright holders, only much of the convoluted plot and a few characters and some objects are mine (such as Night Wolf and all characters inside Night Wolf except Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart).
Chapter 11 – Encounter at Tellus
General Alistair Lethbridge Stewart (although known as The Brig to most people) drove at a safe speed away from Night Wolf, he'd left Birmingham in charge.
He liked to get out in the field now and then, even if this 'field test', was just taking a weapon out around some small test sites which were close to some towns and letting off a few shots, or just making sure that in 'real world environments' the weapons performed as it did in the lab and in the various testing situations that Scott and the others in the weapons integration division came up with.
The weapon, which sat in a matte black case on the passenger seat beside him was version 5 of the research and trailing between James Renwick's weapons research division and Andrew Scott's 'Magical and Non-Magical Weapon integration and development' division.
Night Wolf had after many attempts given up on constructing a workable phased energy weapon side arm, the power requirements were simply too vast to be carried around by the average means.
However for ship based weapons it seemed the logical step, all research which had been conducted on the weapons UNIT had available; which included standard and non-standard Dalek energy weapons, Cyber Guns, a sonic based weapon, and various other weapons had been sent to the Northern Highlands and Gibson Desert ship construction, research, development and implementation facilities.
Instead they had thrown their creative and investigative powers behind using the sorcery division's research in constructing a side arm from 'magical' and technological components.
The result the Brigadier was now holding in a secluded piece of woodland.
It was constructed from a sturdy composite material similar to carbon fibre, inside was the wooden 'focus' for the energy to pass through.
"Sort of…though totally unlike a wand…" Scott had said in the briefing.
Set behind the 'focusing wood' was a crystal, this is what channelled the energy through the focus, it was all powered by a small energy pack which had been retro engineered from various pieces of technology.
"The crystal is what channels everything, currently the crystal is like a clip, it will change the weapon from a stun, to a kill shot or whatever, you're going out with the red crystal…that's the stun shot."
Firing off the weapon produced almost no recoil from a gun of similar size.
Firing off shots at various trees and noting its performance on a small clipboard he tried holding down the trigger for a long time, the red beam shot out of the gun and it was only after a minute or two that it started to warm up, frowning at it he replaced in his holster.
Spinning around the Brig heard something in the distance…it was just a bird…
He was justified being cautious…
The reports that had been coming from the research division and from their few contacts near the ministry of magic had commented on 'he-who-must-not-be-named-, aka Voldemort had returned.
Although this ministry had been refusing to admit that Voldemort had returned despite an incursion into their buildings…
Night Wolf had tried unsuccessfully to gain more information on the incursion, but even knowing that there was some sort of entry into the ministry's depths was something more than most people knew.
The Brig felt the gun again and removed the power cell, it was still quite warm, frowning he opened the case and placed the power cell inside a small box and sealed it, he placed the second power cell into the gun.
He had a second pistol with him, just in case.
He had chosen a village that was well away from any known areas of magic, military or anything else that might get in the way, Tellus was a small town, which had been slanted for greater things, but it had never come to pass…
Later as it was beginning to darken he trudged back towards the town, bypassing where he'd parked his land rover and walked, case in hand to the local pub.
He sat down, happy to be off his feet.
"What can I get ya?"
"A small whiskey…" The Brig said looking around, first at the barman and secondly at the young man who was sitting at the bar.
"You've got quite a selection here, this is where a lot of whiskey makers sell their goods, the town likes it. Umm. Harry you've met a great deal of em, what d'you suggest." The barman gestured around the various whiskey bottles that were on display before nodding at the young man sitting at the bar.
The young man looked at him for a moment.
"What sort of whiskey are you after?" He said finally after studying the General's face for a few moments.
Lethrbdige Stewart only paid him the smallest amount of attention while glancing over the young man who appeared to be carrying a large amount of firepower, more firepower than most UNIT officers went out on a usual operation with…in the old days at least…now they packed quite a punch.
The young man was talking knowledgably about the various distillers in the area.
"…The McDouglass is a nice combination, he's a bit of a collector, so he knows his stuff. Big operation that one, but they've been at it a while. The Lofts, that's Prongs Whiskey Dools, they've been playing around with it since Justin left to go see his friends. They're still working out the bumps, but I like it, a bit of variety makes life more interesting." The barman was looking at him expectantly.
"I'll have what the young man suggested."
Lethbridge Stewart took his drink and walked calmly to the back of the bar, aware that the young man with the weapons was studying him curiously as he sat down gazing around the pub.
Lethbridge Stewart sat at the back of the pub, just wetting his lips occasionally, once he'd sat down, taking the weight off his feet he'd felt something…
Odd…
Feelings we're something he put stock in years ago, but after working with Birmingham and the others at Night Wolf you approached…how you responded to a situation in a different manner.
Even research that came from regular UNIT R&D and UNIT Broadsword described 'unique impressions' on the field of battle, areas which gave off almost nothing analysis wise, and yet there was still something readable…
The young man was the cause of it…
'No…' Lethbridge Stewart thought to himself.
The young man was tense, as though he was waiting for something, the rest of the pub had no idea, though they all seemed to know the young man.
They didn't acknowledge him as though he'd lived there his whole life…he had the look of someone…he caught his eyes again in the mirror, the young man was also studying him.
It was in his eyes in that brief glimpse that Lethbridge Stewart saw it, the carefree look that he'd expected, with a battle hardened look behind them…this young man had seen…a lot.
Lethbridge Stewart had been there for a few hours…when it happened.
A series of cracks, which were not a series of cars backfiring.
He saw that the young man tensed as he heard the cracks and started swearing to himself.
"Interesting." Lethbridge Stewart muttered to himself.
The young man was calling everyone away from the windows, clearing them away from the windows and doors…
"Everyone get away from the front…" The young man argued with another of the patrons before staring at him with hard eyes.
"The people out there will have killed whoever out there…if not…they will pay…I guarantee this…" He said with a hard stare before walking to the back of the pub, he seemed to ignore the General.
Lethbridge Stewart watched interested as the young man pulled out a magical trunk and enlarged it and removing three chunks of wood from it before reshrinking it.
The man was obviously a wizard but was much more at ease around other people.
Lethbridge Stewart could hear laughter outside, the young man seemed to ignore it…
"Listen to me everyone…" His voice was commanding grabbing the occupants of the pub's attention despite the laughter and shots of spells outside. "You've got to leave here and go to the church…" The crowd turned to force their way towards the door.
"When I give the word." He bit out.
"How will we be safe?" One man called out.
'That is a question…' The General thought to himself as he heard the young man mutter to himself.
"That my friend is why I have to talk to the Vicar."
The young man walked over to where the vicar was sitting watching the young man organise the crowd, Lethbridge Stewart leaned forward to listen to the young man talk to the vicar.
"I need you to lead these people, and anyone else and get them into the church."
"Will we be safe?…Those people…outside, I've heard before…the war…" The vicar stuttered out, he seemed to gain 20 years as he glanced towards the door.
"Yes, they will be safe from them." The young man said disgustedly pausing. "I have to ask you to do something."
"Yes?" The vicar asked curiously studying the young man.
"When you get into the church close the doors. Use something sharp, enough to draw blood, and put a few drops along the seam in the door. You may feel something." The young man said calmly looking into the man of god's eyes.
"I will pray…" he started to say, the young man gave a brief smile.
"Your faith. If we survive I'll explain. But for now, just have faith in your parishioners, in the church and yourself. As you got to the church, put these at the entrances, say Protego. A shield will form from them. Again…."
This peaked the General's interest, he knew that the shielding spell that the wand users used was 'Protego' though he'd never heard that it could be reproduced without a wand user standing by.
The young man handed the priest the pieces of wood.
The General watched as the young man with bright green eyes address the crowd.
"Everyone, when I say run, run for the church, when you get in the vicar will do something to the church, it will make it safe for you inside. Grab anyone you can, but once inside don't leave, you will be safe." He said firmly.
While the young man was moving the people into position and grabbing for flammable liquids from behind the bar, Lethbridge Stewart was checking for his regular gun which still nestled in his holster, he thought about pulling out his test gun…but it was still experimental, not to mention classified.
Lethbridge Stewart sat back against the wall smiling at the young man who ran back to him and muttered.
"You should have gone with the others." He sounded worried and slightly annoyed, as though if he were injured then others might come to harm…however that didn't stop the young man from glancing to his holster.
"Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart." He hadn't really gotten used to introducing himself as General, he always thought of himself as a Brigadier…
"Harry Potter." The young….Harry countered, glancing over the Brigadier and nodding to himself.
"You're in the military I take it." It wasn't so much a question as a statement requiring confirmation, after the last couple of hours he'd obviously worked up his own opinion of the Brigadier, as the Brigadier had of Harry Potter.
"Something like that." The Brigadier said vaguely.
The young man…Harry pulled out his trunk for a second time and started to rummage through it, he again paid no heed to the Brigadier who was standing over him, watching and listening for approaching Death Eaters it seemed that the explosions of alcohol and the villagers had provided ample distraction from the pub within which himself and Harry Potter resided in.
"Hold onto these." He said looking up from his trunk the Brigadier blinked when he looked at what Harry had thrust into his hands.
Harry Potter grabbed two shotguns, put one on a table and took the other handling it was second nature to him and smiled at the Brigadier.
"Thanks." He took back the C4, slipping them into one pocket and the detonators he had in the other hand into another pocket.
The Brigadier breathed a sigh, well a slight sigh at least this Potter knew how to handle…very powerful explosive.
As Harry walked up to the front of the pub the Brigadier strained his hearing, and saw several people run past the window.
"Scott wanted a real world test…" He muttered to himself and slipped the experimental gun out of the case and onto a second holster on his back.
Harry Potter walked back and chucked one of the shot guns he was holding to the Brigadier, he grabbed the second from the table.
"There are wizards, they're attacking. That shotty should kill em, probably." Potter added with a not too reassuring smile, the Brigadier simply nodded at this young man who was very calm considering the destruction that was going on outside.
"I know." The Brigadier said with a smile.
"You know? You're with the Ministry of Magic?" Harry Potter exclaimed.
"No. Maybe when this is over we'll have a chat." The Brigadier added helpfully.
"What's that?" Harry Potter indicated the gun as the Brigadier turned around putting the case's remains inside his jacket pockets, all that was left was the plastic and foam inside.
"Just something I was testing, it should stun most of em if I get the chance."
"Right, so we fight out way out, together? I don't have much of a plan to stop em. Just to…" He trailed off and then stared at him hard. "They can't be allowed to hurt anyone any more." Harry Potter said calmly with trace amounts of anger and control.
"They are?" The Brigadier inquired curiously, he'd recognised them…but was Harry Potter just out to get anyone or…
'Where
have I heard Harry Potter before?' He wondered to himself.
"Death
Eaters. The ministry won't turn up while they're still
killing…they'll wait until they're done."
The Brig nodded, that was how the ministry tended to operate…especially now that the second war was in full swing…why risk their own people, when they could just wait for the fires and flames to die on their own?
The Brigadier checked the pump action shot gun that Harry had thrown him as he saw a spell being cast on the door.
It swung open to reveal a Death Eater, he was about to fire when Potter brought up a Uzi and opened fire, some of the bullets seemed to stop mid air whilst others went right through the shield.
"Don't you just wish that there were some things that weren't impervious to bullets." Harry smirked when the Brigadier smiled at him
"All the time Harry….All the time." He muttered again to himself.
As they were about to make their way outside Potter handed him a thin stick it looked to be similar to the pieces of wood he'd handed the vicar.
"Put this in your pocket, say Protego, it should stop most low level curses, duck for anything else. It'll only stay up for about 8 hits give or take."
The Brigadier just nodded, when Night Wolf squads went out to patrol in the last war they used covert techniques rather than direct assault, but in this situation he'd take anything he could get, or be given.
The Brigadier followed Potter outside and watched as he shot two of the Death Eaters in the back.
It wasn't cricket, but then they'd gone beyond games long ago…Harry too seemed to have surpassed the need to play games.
The Brigadier looked around there were probably 10 Death Eaters around them, they were firing side by side, attacking and picking off the Death Eaters who still swarmed around the town at the two of them, approaching them with a superior stance.
'Probably think I'm a 'harmless muggle'' He thought to himself as he pumped the shotgun.
Harry was on the ground helping up the remaining villagers who were shaking, it looked like the after effects of the torture curse they were supporting each other as Harry talked to them.
"Run. To the church the Vicar should be there by now." He said glancing towards the church as he fired off a spell from his wand behind him.
The Brigadier also turned to make sure they had no one stopping them he saw just for a moment a brilliant white light bend from the highest spire and then down to the ground of the church.
Turning around quickly he yelled a warning to Harry.
"Harry duck!" He shouted as a green spell flashed past both himself and Harry.
He chucked away the shotgun and resorted to his experimental weapon and started to fire that off, hoping it wouldn't explode…or worse.
He moved closer to Harry who seemed to have stunned two of the Death Eaters.
He moved closer, there were now almost no Death Eaters around them.
"Thanks for the save. Nice wand, or gun or whatever." Potter looked up as he was pulling out the C4 and detonators from his pockets.
"Harry that's C4." The Brigadier said, stating the obvious as Harry pressed the detonators into the claylike explosive.
"That is it." Potter said tilting his head experimentally. "Anti-apparition wards, they've got portkeys…"
The Brigadier was rather interested in what Potter was planning, but if it involved C4 he wanted to be some distance away from here should anything happen, holstering his weapon he stepped a small step away from Harry Potter before retrieving his radio from his jacket and turned it to the more powerful frequency.
"…Greyhound Leader to Firefox do you read?" There was a burst of static before the carrier signal.
"Greyhound Leader we read you." Firefox responded.
"Firefox, is teleport fixed?" The Brig hopped other wise they'd have to use the transmat which was a whole other-other way not to travel.
"Greyhound, sensors have picked up on your locator and additional locator, do you wish for teleport? Over."
"Firefox, Greyhound Leader. Standby." He said slipping the radio into one pocket and searching the other for his teleport lock on device which looked like a piece of composite material…sort of rock shaped.
He walked back to Harry who was just placing the C4 inside the Death Eaters pockets, which wasn't good if they were here when it went off.
Then Potter pointed his wand at the two Death Eaters and watched them wake up and then panic, he turned to face the Brigadier a satisfied smile on his face.
Potter spun round as another series of cracks, much further off alerted them to another wizarding presence.
"You got a way out of here Brig?"
"Hold onto this." He said handing Harry the teleport rock.
"Portkey?" Potter asked turning the rock over in his hands.
"Not exactly. Greyhound Leader to Firefox. Bring us up, over."
"They don't look like Death Eaters, but they're still wizards, and not all friendly." The Brigadier muttered as he waited for a response from Firefox.
"Greyhound Leader, Firefox bringing you up now…" Harry turned away from the advancing group and pulled up his hood marginally startled by the radio. Then the world dematerialised around them and they were standing in Firefox's matter transmission room, with a bunch of Firefox's security pointing guns at them.
Before the Brigadier could say anything Harry Potter opened his mouth.
"I already have one guy who wants to kill me, and there are plenty others, so jump in the que."
The Brigadier laughed.
"Harry stay here for a second I need to have a word with their commander." He muttered.
"General…we didn't know you were…"
"Quite alright Captain…can you put us back down just outside of Night Wolf?"
The Captain nodded to his men who dispersed and the an officer began to operate the controls.
"Sir do you wish to leave now or…" The Captain asked slightly nervously.
"Now Captain…and radio Night Wolf to expect myself and my guest…"
"Sir."
The Brigadier walked back over to Harry who was looking around him with a raised eyebrow and then a moment later the world dematerialised around them again for the second time in the last 5 minutes.