Chapter Three
Faasnu approached the gathered group of troops, thinking over what he was going to say to them. A hundred of the legion's best troops, and a hundred of Ulfric Stormcloak's best warriors. Two hundred men and women that would train the thousands upon thousands of troops that remained, and that was in Skyrim alone.
Paarthurnax and Odahviing watched as the son of Dovahkiin prepared to speak. To them, this was the beginning of what was sure to be a long war.
"Soldiers of the Imperial Legion, warriors of the Stormcloak Rebellion, hear me!" Faasnu spoke. "You are the best of the best. You have distinguished yourselves in combat multiple times over, and for that, you have been chosen for special training – for it is you who will train the thousands upon thousands of warriors and soldiers in preparation for the coming war!"
The assembled troops let loose a cheer. Their enthusiasm was refreshing to Faasnu, and he continued, "Soldiers of the Imperial Legion – you are the best the Empire has to offer. You come from all races, all provinces of the empire, to fight for the empire's glory. As the main fighting force of the Empire, it is only fitting that henceforth, you will be known as the Imperial Army. You will be backed by the most advanced armors and sophisticated technology and weaponry available – all so you might attack with impunity and crush your enemies underfoot! You will be trained to use weapons such as Assault Rifles, Anti-Armor Rocket Launchers, Heavy Machine Guns, Light Machine Guns, and trained to operate the most advanced vehicles the Galaxy has to offer!"
The Imperial troops cheered with excitement. But the Stormcloaks remained silent – all but one, a man named Ralof, who asked, "What of we Stormcloaks?"
"I have not forgotten you, Stormcloaks," Faasnu replied. "You are the best at what you do – you come from all walks of life, to fight for freedom and glory. You strike hard and fast, and you leave no room for error in battle. You improvise, adapt, and overcome any situation you are faced with. When Dovahkiin – my father – came here, he united you with the empire while still keeping your beliefs at heart. With the empire, you became a force to be reckoned with. You've expanded your forces to include other races, as my father had intended – and still, you remain Skyrim's best. Therefore, you will be known as the Stormcloak Special Forces. You will be trained in a wide array of arts, including infiltration, espionage, sabotage, Stealth Assaults, and more. You will train in the use of Stealth Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles, Submachine guns, High-Explosives, time bombs, and more. Where the Imperial Army will be the Hammer, you will be the spear, striking with speed and precision to achieve utter chaos and destruction behind enemy lines."
This time, the Stormcloaks cheered, but the Imperials didn't complain. With both forces' training laid out before them, Faasnu concluded, "I will not lie; many of you will not survive the battles ahead. Our enemy will be battle-hardened and waiting for us. But you are the best of the best. The few. The proud. We will prevail or die trying!"
"Victory or death!" One of the Imperials shouted. At that moment, the Imperials and Stormcloaks let loose a loud "URA!" They were eager to get started.
Here we go, into another war, to hell and back once more, Faasnu repeated the quote from Dragonarian General Kylet'oran Jek'ari in his head. A quote said at the start of the First Kemoran War. This war would be no different – a war for the survival of an empire, the survival of an entire race. So began the Second Great War...
The weeks rolled by in what seemed to be days. The Imperial and Stormcloak soldiers continued to show an incredible aptitude for the DMC-supplied weapons. To test them, Faasnu had the materialization machine create a holographic training simulation machine, which he installed in an underground complex. They passed their tests magnificently. By the time Faasnu began gearing up to infiltrate Thalmor territory, the two hundred troops that Faasnu had personally trained had transformed the Empire and Stormcloak forces into a fighting force ready to take on the Thalmor. Emperor Titus Meade himself toured the training facility and camps, and was himself impressed with Faasnu's work.
The day Faasnu was getting ready to infiltrate Thalmor territory, he was visited by his staunch allies, Tullius and Ulfric, and Paarthurnax himself came to see his godson off.
"Off to hit the Thalmor where it hurts, eh?" Tullius asked.
"This isn't that kind of mission, onik fahdon," Faasnu responded. "We need to know who we're up against."
"Either way, good luck," Tullius said. "You'll need it with the Thalmor."
"We brought you a little something," Ulfric said. "Something to thank you and help you on your way." Ulfric tossed Faasnu a sheathed katana. "I believe you'll find the blade... familiar."
Faasnu inspected the blade, finding it identical to the katana he already had. He sheathed the katana and put it on his belt. "Thank you, old friend," he told him.
"Be careful out there, kul," Paarthurnax cautioned Faasnu as he got ready to hop onto Odahviing's back. "The Thalmor will not take kindly to your intrusion into their territory."
"I know," Faasnu replied. "I aim to be careful." He looked back at Ulfric and Tullius. "If I'm not back in a week, set the beacon. I've left instructions in my desk that should guide you through it. Call in the cavalry, and give the Thalmor hell."
That said, he hopped onto Odahviing's back, and rode out into the nighttime darkness before Odahviing's cloaking device – supplied by Faasnu – made him disappear like a ghost.
"Take care, Faasnu," Ulfric said solemnly. "And may Talos preserve you."
"Indeed," Paarthurnax agreed. "But I doubt Faasnu will need such a thing. He has done these kinds of missions many times before he met us; he will survive."
"Let's hope you're right, Paarthurnax," Tullius stated. With Faasnu on his way to his mission, Ulfric, Tullius and Paarthurnax retired for the night, hoping the warrior whom the Empire's fate – and the fate of the rest of Tamriel – rested on, returned safely...