Chapter Nine: Mages and Relics Part Two
College of Winterhold, Winterhold Hold, Province of Skyrim, Tamriel
14th Peacekeeper Company, 3rd Platoon
[Duty: Escort UNESCO Members] 1000 Hours, October 21, 2020
It had been three days since the Saarthal incident. The rest of the unit alongside the college personnel were able to transport the orb back to the college. Since then, members of the college, other curious members of society, and UNESCO researchers have been congregating in the College's main hall discussing it.
Lieutenant Clarke sat on the side, watching the group of scholars speculating on all the reasons why the orb was in an ancient Nord city, and what it could do. He could only hear some parts of the conversation, only understanding some of it since he did not have a better grasp of the history or culture of Tamriel.
The congregation had dispersed after a while, seemingly to only create more questions than answers. Team Leader Michelsen approached Lieutenant Clarke; her once more vibrant look was now consumed by minor sleep deprivation. On the way she was slightly swarmed by other people, asking and answering questions.
Team Leader Michelsen raises her arms, stopping the small crowd of two. "Calm down, calm down, even I don't even know what the bloody hell it is. Your guesses are as good as mine."
As the two scholars leave, Lieutenant Clarke walks up to the team leader. "Alright, so you talked to the smart friends, what now? Back to Saarthal?"
"I don't think I'm needed there as much as I need to be here. Whatever this orb is, it's incredible! There has to be some sort of documentation on it, if only we had access to this College's library." Team Leader Michelsen sighs in stress.
Lieutenant Clarke's memory sparked to life. "Well, friend. There was one time when we first got here and met Stroeus, the liaison. We were allowed in their library. Maybe if you ask they'll let you in too."
Team Leader Michelsen goes to the door leading to the library. "Here's hoping, Speaking of whom, where is Stroeus? Didn't he come back here ahead of us?"
"He was in the crowd with you, friend. I should be asking you that." Lieutenant Clarke snarkily jokes.
Team Leader Michelsen turned around, her eyes frantically searching. "He was? I didn't bloody see him then. Point me to him?"
Lieutenant Clarke raised his arm and pointed at a figure in the back. "See there, friend? The man in plate armor, right there."
"How blind of me. Well if you want to tag along then do so." Team Leader Michelsen says.
Lieutenant Clarke nods and follows her, but waves to Stroeus , telling them they were going to the library, which Stroeus acknowledges back. As Michelsen opens the door, it leads to a dark stairway. While tight, it was also cold, about as cold as the outside maybe. Soon enough they reach the library. Lieutenant Clarke sees the familiar face of the orc bookkeeper, tending to books.
Urag gro-Shub puts a stack of books down upon seeing the familiar sight of Lieutenant Clarke "Ah, I remember you. What brings you back to my library?"
"Her thirst for knowledge, friend. Something about the blue ball we found in Saarthal." Lieutenant Clarke says.
Team Leader Michelsen closes the distance. "Well, I was wondering if I could perhaps peruse your collection? I wanted to see if you had anything on the orb that was brought back from Saarthal."
Urag gro-Shub gives them a sad look. "Apologies but you aren't students of the College, but Stroeus over here, I can lend it to him if I find any."
As if on cue, the door to the library opened again. Revealing the plate armored Breton, and his jovial radiance. "I heard my name? You know, for a room full of books, it's quite echoey in here."
Urag gro-Shub scoffs at the comment, knowing obviously why the room could cast an echo. "You know the College is made up of stone and wood right? Sound carries quickly in here. But what is it you need this time?"
"You have anything on the orb below? Specifically between the orb and the Psijic Order?" Stroeus asks for Team Leader Michelsen.
Urag gro-Shub pulls out a paper from his central desk. "I would lend them to you, however they were stolen. I must confess, a former student by the name of Orthorn. His last known location was in Fellglow Keep, in Whiterun Hold."
"It seems we've got our work cut out for us. Thanks mate!" Stroeus says as he returns to the group.
"Whiterun is a long way from here, friend. Who will go get the books?" Lieutenant Clarke asks.
Stroeus puts a finger under his chin, estimating the distance and time. "Aela and I can head over, shouldn't take us more than a week's time if we rush."
"Do we have a week, ma'am?" Lieutenant Clarke asks.
Team Leader Michelsen pulls out a planner, scanning through the pages. "We do, but we could've spent that week researching Saarthal or other ruins better."
"So what now? We cannot just leave this place. That is a dereliction of duty." Lieutenant Clarke states as a matter of fact.
Team Leader Michelsen looked out the window, seeing the large antenna of Winterhold Air Defense. "Well how about I do this, I'll ring up the guys above, tell them what we're about to do is related to what we found in Saarthal. That should give us enough leeway don't you think?"
"Alright then, friend. Let us go to Winterhold Air Defence, see if we can borrow their long-range radio." Lieutenant Clarke leads the rest of the party to the collection of air defense vehicles and a few radar vehicles.
Outside was less windy now. It was a relatively calm day in Winterhold, enough for the sun to shine ever so little. It was still very cold however. The townspeople of Winterhold were milling about their business. Peddling wares, and doing jobs that needed to be done. It looked rather normal in honesty, except for the presence of war-built vehicles, and the guards constantly looking at you.
Crossing the street more, there were now more people. The presence of UNDP, and Red Cross personnel had attracted attention. The Red Cross personnel were setting up tents where medical check-ups and diagnoses could be done, with a larger tent for presumably emergency operations. And the UNDP members unloading surveying equipment. They would be here for about a week maybe, or so.
Team Leader Michelsen went ahead inside the large 8x8 truck with a radar dish, asking permission to use their long-range radio. Lieutenant Clarke, Stroeus, and Aela waited nearby, watching the aid workers set themselves up. At least until the black and yellow of the local Thalmor attachment to the College of Winterhold came looking around.
An Indian peacekeeper noticed the trio looking at the elf, going about the Red Cross equipment from a distance. He walked up beside the trio, and leaned against one of the K30s. "Yeah, he has been looking around ever since we arrived here. Curious that one, but it seems like a malicious type of curiosity."
Lieutenant Clarke looked over to the Indian peacekeeper. "Has he caused any incidents, friend?"
"No. It is like he knows his boundaries on how long he can keep snooping." The Indian peacekeeper pulled out a candy bar, peeling the wrapper back.
"Well, considering how people with… 'metal staves that shoot sideways' have come in, I would be too." Aela added in.
Team Leader Michelsen ran out of the radar truck, a glint of glee in her eyes. "I've got good news, we have the go ahead."
"Well that solves it, friends. When do we leave?" Lieutenant Clarke gets up from leaning on the anti-air system.
"Now? Tomorrow? I don't know the sooner the better!" Team Leader Michelsen says.
"Alright then, friend. You stay here, we'll go get the books." Lieutenant Clarke grabbed the radio on the upper left portion of his jacket, ordering his unit to get ready to retrieve something.
Soon enough, the rest of the unit finally gathered. Both the 2nd and 3rd Squads would be going to retrieve the books. Originally one squad was the idea, however upon remembering that Fellglow Keep was now under the control of mages, it was possible that extra hands would be needed. The convoy of the two BTRs, the Strf 9040, and the French VAB would meet the needs of the group for mobility.
As Lieutenant Clarke gave the order for everyone to mount up, he caught the glimpse of both the red flag and a pair of square glasses getting inside the BTR-82. Lieutenant Clarke shoots out his hand, stopping Private Qin. "When did you get back here, friend?"
"I got a ride with the heavy lift choppers from the airbase in Haafingar. I was diagnosed in the medical wing there." Private Qin replied.
Lieutenant Clarke was not in a bad mood, but he was suspicious. "And what did the doctors say?"
Private Qin took out a set of papers, regarding the doctor's diagnosis and his release, and gave it to his commanding officer. "My leg went numb because of the exposed wound and the cold. Near frostbite, but the shallowness of the wound and its recovery speed got me out."
"And if we need you to run?" Lieutenant Clarke asked, putting the papers in a vest pouch.
"Uh… Well not for too long." Private Qin smiled nervously.
Lieutenant Clarke thought for a moment. There wouldn't be too much running in this assignment, right? "Well, I do not think there will be a lot of running. Get in, friend."
Private Qin smiled and jumped inside, Lieutenant Clarke being the last, letting both a skeptical Stroeus and Aela inside before closing the door. Settling in, and haggling for seats, everyone was ready to leave, except for the crew who were still going over system checks, buttons being pushed, and gauges being checked, right after then, the sound of the engines coming to life and the vehicles lurching forward.
Stroeus nearly jumped out of his seat again. "So how exactly does this… thing function?"
Sergeant Nazarov scoffs in a joking manner. "Questions, questions, is that all you have?"
"I… yes?" Stroeus smiled nervously.
Sergeant Nazarov let out a laugh, which his crew shook their heads in the face of the usual blunder of their crew commander. "It runs on, well, oil. Combusting the oil, and turning it into power through the engine, moving this hunk of metal."
Stroeus simply nodded, confused. "I… sure. Let's just say I understand, yeah?"
"Maybe you can attend the classes they will be setting up soon. Because I just know how to maintain it." Sergeant Nazarov said.
Fellglow Keep, Whiterun Hold, Province of Skyrim, Tamriel
14th Peacekeeper Company, 3rd Platoon
[Duty: Important Book Retrieval] 1500 Hours, October 21, 2020
The convoy stopped only a few hundred meters from the ruined castle. They had taken a break for a moment, consuming their lunch, in the form of different varieties of MREs. Lieutenant Clarke, Stroeus, and Sergeants Sheikh, Şÿrÿfaddinsoy and Drakenberg were grouped up together, eating and discussing their plan. A rough sketch of the castle was drawn on the ground with a stick.
"So far, the plan here is to get through the front, and clear it out room by room. Until Aela arrives back and confirms there is a secondary route, then we split the unit in two. Can we instead talk them into surrendering the boy and the books, friend?" Lieutenant Clarke looks at Stroeus.
Stroeus thought for a moment. "I would reckon there is a good chance since they were students, but if any other mages aside from the students joined with them, then maybe not."
"Then we should have the vehicles stationed a ways back, so they can provide fire support if need be." Lieutenant Clarke looks to Sergeant Drakenberg who was already listing things down in his notebook.
Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy speaks up. "Do we know what kind of magic they'd be practicing?"
"Destruction, illusion, necromancy, conjuration, abjuration. It could be any of those really." Stroeus states.
Lieutenant Clarke runs a hand through his scalp. "Then we give them one chance to surrender, if they attack first, shoot them."
Aela emerges from the shrubs nearby, signaling her scouting of the castle is complete. Earlier she had been sent with a few others to scout the castle, in order to determine how they could approach the situation. Later on it was only her who went due to their apparel that stuck out too much.
"There are three mages here, here, and here." Aela points on the dirt map. "And a back-entrance here. But it seems open, either someone forgot to close it, or someone else is there."
"Only one way to find out, friends. Let us begin." Lieutenant Clarke fastens his blue helmet back on.
It took no more than a few minutes to get in view of Fellglow Keep. There were no official roads going up to it, but the way to the castle was wide enough. The mages in the distance spotted the group of people and the vehicles, magical abilities flaring, ready to fight if need be.
"Good citizens! We want to talk!" Lieutenant Clarke yells out.
The response that came back was a being of fire being summoned, and hurling a ball of flames, exploding nearby. Lieutenant Clarke and the others were quick to run back to the safety of the vehicles, piling up behind them.
"Push up! Push up! Push up!" Lieutenant Clarke yelled through the radio.
The four vehicles started a slow creep. The metal beasts fired back with their coaxial machine guns. All the mage defenders crumpled under the torrent of fire. Ceasing fire, no other mages seemed to come out, prompting them to push up further to secure the inner walls. The rest of the vehicles stayed behind except for Sergeant Dimitry's BTR, which somewhat forced itself inside the compound.
"Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy, secure the lower entrance." Lieutenant Clarke barks as the Azerbajani man leads his squad down a staircase.
Private Yevgenievich and Corporal Sang-Hoon were at the front door, attempting to open it, but to no avail, it was locked. They promptly ran back to their squad to spread the news to come up with a solution.
Private Williamson shot her hand up with an idea. "We can blast the door open, sir. We already have the tools to do so."
"I see what you mean, Private." Lieutenant Clarke looked at the biggest gun in the group at the moment.
Grabbing his radio, he tuned into the frequency of the vehicle crews. "Sergeant Dimitry, blow down the door with your main armament."
"Copy, sir. Stand back." The Russian accent came through the radio.
Soon enough the quick-firing 30mm autocannon ripped through the silence, turning the door into splinters in a matter of seconds, and killing anything behind it. However, a quick inspection turns out with the result that no one was there.
"I will take lead. Fall in,!" Lieutenant Clarke readies up his M4.
They walked inside the room, checking every corner of it, but their attention was brought to a ladder instead, leading to a hatch. Going up led them to a room, doors closed. Peeking into it revealed a mage, she seemed to be the one calling the shots, a room to herself, and a large one at that. She seemed to be rather livid at her subordinates, something about failing to contain two breaches.
The mage in the middle yelled, nearly at the top of her voice. "What are you all doing standing around here? Get to the other side, the attackers have already breached!"
One of the mages spoke out. "Who made you the boss huh? Clearly not us."
Their leader replied back, hands glowing. "Do you want to become an undead thrall or not? Move your asses to the other side now!"
Lieutenant Clarke and Corporal Sang-Hoon primed a flashbang in their hands. Opening the door just enough to squeeze their arms out, they pulled the pins and threw the grenades. Closing the door, a white flash could be seen from the crevices, alongside a loud bang.
Aela covered her ears instinctively, despite the effects being muffled. "What just happened? What was that?"
"I don't know but it didn't sound good." Stroeus said almost yelling.
"Flashbang. We'll explain later." Corporal Sang-Hoon said as he and Lieutenant Clarke threw the doors open.
"UN Peacekeepers! Get on the ground, now!" Lieutenant Clarke yelled.
Blinded by the stun grenade, the two subordinate mages were tackled down by Corporal Sang-Hoon, and Private Mercedes, who with their lack of handcuffs, were instead using zip-ties to keep their hands behind their back, with Privates Madsen and Axelsson pointing their guns at their heads, keeping them from moving.
"What in Oblivion just happened? Don't just stand there, retaliate!" The lead mage spoke as she conjured a Flame Atronach.
"Kill the summoner, kill the atronach, and stand back when you kill it, it'll explode!" Stroeus summons his purple blades once again.
They had to hand it to the lead mage, while she was still dazzled by the effects of a flashbang, she was able to elude the group, throw off being arrested, and hide behind a wall in the concaving areas, and summon a monster. However, Private Carver was fast enough to circumnavigate the room, and get a clear line of sight.
Five rounds tore through her as Private Carver pulled the trigger. She went limp, the aura of magic dissipating around her, and soon enough her summoned beast did so too, and then erupted in flames, consuming all within the circle.
The sound of footsteps in the dozens began to become louder and louder as the seconds passed. However, what was not audible was the sound of gunfire. Lieutenant Clarke was beginning to wonder if these mages were cowards or not. It would be odd if they ran so fast simply from reports. What was heard, however, were melee weapons, being swung, and hitting.
Voices of panic soon became audible, and in a few moments, the first mages, panicked and afraid, bursted through the doors to the room 3rd Squad was in. In unison, the unit raised their guns, and declared that they should get on the ground, and put their hands behind their back, which they obliged with.
While the zip-ties were being tied, and the others bringing them to the other side of the room, another batch came in, more of them, still equally panicked and afraid, but with something else, was it anger?
Privates Yevgevich, Qin, and Watts simultaneously raised their weapons, ordering them to surrender. The mages stop for a moment, cursing at them before throwing spells at them. The result should have been live fire resulting in surrendering, but the mages had the intent to kill, and so they had to be put down.
Since they were crammed in the doorway, any attempt to get out was their last. The gunfire died down as Lieutenant Clarke called for a ceasefire. A pile of bodies blocked the entrance, with one moaning in pain.
"St-stop! Please just stop!" a human mage yelled from behind the door frame, his voice shaking.
"Step out of the door with your back towards us! Slowly!" Lieutenant Clarke yelled, signalling for another person to get another zip-tie ready.
"O-okay, okay!" the mage stepped out, trying to miss the bodies in each step.
Private De La Croix grabbed the man by his robes, pushing him to the wall, a bit too hard, putting the zip-ties on his hands. "Is there anyone else?"
"I-I don't know, maybe one or two more? Over there maybe." The mage struggled against his fear.
Sergeant Sheikh stepped up to the door, peeking in carefully. "Come out! Force will be met with returning force!"
"And who in Oblivion are you lot? What are you doing here?" an echoey voice rang out from further down the rooms.
Sergeant Sheikh aimed his Type 56 at the doorway where the voices were coming from. "We're here to retrieve books, and a student from the College of Winterhold. Now come out with your hands up!"
"Woah, woah calm down. We're no students and we don't have any books." The echo replied back.
Lieutenant Clarke got closer, pointing his M4 at the doorway as well, but with intent to simmer the situation down. "Friend! Are you a mage?"
"There are mages among us, but not a part of these rogues."
"Can you come out then, friends? Preferably with your hands up. We are rather on edge at the moment." Lieutenant Clarke asked.
"All right, all right. Everyone sheathe your weapons and douse your magics." the echo soon became footsteps, and soon enough, five individuals in splintmail showed themselves.
Lieutenant Clarke directed them to the circular room they were in so that the light could help them. The five individuals made their way to the room, calmly, and without any more incident. However, just to be sure, a few guns were pointed at them as Lieutenant Clarke and the others made their way to one side in case they needed to be shot.
"So, friends. You are not mages like them." Lieutenant Clarke pointed at the bodies being neatly lined up for identification by other UNMT bodies. "So what are you then?"
"We are Dawnguard, vampires hunters, and you?" The leading figure stated.
Lieutenant Clarke was shocked a bit, however it was no true surprise. Information didn't spread too fast in Skyrim. "We are UN Peacekeepers, with the United Nations Mission to Tamriel. We are here to retrieve stolen books and a felon. But what are vampires doing in a mage controlled ruin, friend?"
"Most vampires are mages, the older ones are more proficient in martial weapons, although I do not think there are any of those here. And books you say? I do not know of these books you seek." The mysterious man explained.
"So, all these mages are vampires?" Lieutenant Clarke asks.
The mysterious figure spoke. "No, the vampires are deeper within the castle. These mages were just in the way."
Lieutenant Clarke flicked the safety switch of his M4 to full-auto, quietly. "And were these mages guilty of any crime?"
The leading figure spoke, helmet slightly blocking his words. "Banditry if anything. Stolen food, goods, and gold."
"Did you at least try to talk to them first in handing over these… vampires?" Lieutenant Clarke pushed further into the topic.
The lead figure paused for a moment before continuing. "I don't think talking would've helped. Seems to me they wanted to do something to the vampires, study them most likely."
"Can we see them?" Lieutenant Clarke asked.
Before the other man could speak, Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy and the rest of his squad pouring in, weapons aimed towards the people in splintmail. However, as soon as he saw Lieutenant Clarke conversing with them, the AKM's barrel pointed down instead.
Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy walked up to the rest of the group, jabbing a thumb behind him. "Was this their work?"
"Apparently so, sergeant." Lieutenant Clarke affirmed. "As for our request, friend?"
"For what reason?" the lead figure asked.
"Proof." Lieutenant Clarke and his other sergeants responded.
The head of the leading figure tilted, confused. "Proof of what? That they're vampires?"
Sergeant Sheikh spoke plainly. "You could be lying, and these could have been innocent people. We just want assurance."
"Then check their eyes, they glow a bright and vibrant orange-gold, their skin is cold to the touch even having just been killed, and they have fangs where normal people do not, or they just completely turn into ash even without the use of fire." the lead figure explained.
"And what state are they in now, friend?" Lieutenant Clarke asked calmly.
"Ash."
Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy shot up, remembering something during his team's insertion. "Were they in cages? Four vampires or so in cages?"
"Yes, it seemed you passed by them, or what remains of them anyway." the lead figure spoke.
"Ah. I can confirm sir that they are indeed in ashes then, sir. And a proper pile of ashes at that." Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy confirmed.
Lieutenant Clarke was confused. Proper pile? "What do you mean?"
Sergeant Şÿrÿfaddinsoy scratched his head, wondering how to explain this properly. "Well, there were no solid remains from the looks of it. All ash."
Lieutenant Clarke sighed. Normally back on a normal peacekeeping mission, he would have temporarily arrested these people until a proper story could be corroborated, but they didn't have the power. With a sigh of both relief and stress, he decided to let them go.
"Alright, friends. Go on and leave." Lieutenant Clarke told them, stepping out of the way.
"We were just on our way out. If you have any vampire issues, call the Dawnguard." The lead figure spoke in a near sing-song mode.
As the splintmail clad group left, the rest of the assembled unit came about and began turning the entire place upside down. Lieutenant Clarke had radioed to the others outside, albeit with great difficulty, about the group who was about to leave. It was assumed they got out just fine since there was no shooting.
The books were eventually retrieved, oddly enough having missed them on their respective altars in the room they spent the most time in, and yet took nearly half an hour looking for it. However the next job was to find the boy, Orthorn. Who was found in a cell, curled up either in fear, regret, or both.
Lieutenant Clarke tapped the cell bars with a discarded piece of chair, causing a loud ring to emanate into the cell. "Are you Orthorn?"
Orthron uncurled, and stood up slowly, backing away. "Y-yes? Who are you?"
Lieutenant Clarke tried to calm him down. "Easy, friend. We are with the College I guess. We came here to get the books, and you now."
"O-oh, yes. Thank you." Orthorn said as the door was finally opened after a few peacekeepers tinkered with the door.
Stroeus produced another purple blade, almost reaching Orthorn, stopping him in his tracks.. Lieutenant Clarke produced another set of zip-ties, and pointed behind Orthron. "Turn around with your hands behind your back."
"Okay, okay. I can't do anything anyway. Where will you be taking me?" Orthorn complied, getting against the wall as the zip-ties were tightened on his hands.
Lieutenant Clarke spun Orthorn around, leading him from the back. "Back to the College. You are under arrest for the theft of property of the College of Winterhold. Any judicial rights applicable to Skyrim are still your right to exercise."
Orthorn slumped, defeated as he climbed the stairs. "Ahh, back there I see… Well then just get on with it."
Stroeus grunted, a bit annoyed with what Orthorn had done. "Well maybe you shouldn't have taken the books and ran. What was your plan anyway?"
Orthorn explained his actions. "I felt welcome among these mages, so as a sort of test I guess, they asked me to steal the books."
"Ancano was insufferable as well. He was always so arrogant and always kept poking his nose everywhere." The Altmer mage admits.
"Ancano? The Thalmor in the College?" Stroeus asks.
Orthorn replied almost immediately. "Yes, him. He's bad news I tell you."
"I'll keep that in mind then. Now get a move on." Storeus pulled him ahead.
The whole operation had taken no more than 30 minutes to complete. However they had to wait an additional hour or so to wait for the Whiterun Guards to come and pick up the last surviving mage after calling Whiterun Air Defence command to pass word along. After that, they had simply left without further incident.
College of Winterhold, Winterhold Hold, Province of Skyrim, Tamriel
14th Peacekeeper Company, 3rd Platoon
[Duty: UNESCO Area Interest Security] 2130 Hours, October 21, 2020
By the time they got back the weather had gotten worse once again as wind battered the small town. The only true indication of the wind's strength was when the K30s lit up the sky, spewing anti-air rounds into the air, but instead of going in a relatively straight line, they were much more scattered.
When they reached Winterhold proper, Stroeus and Aela had also returned, after having absorbed the soul of a dragon recently shot down. Spent casings were being piled onto one side to be sent to recycling centers at a later time. Lieutenant Clarke and Stroeus, with Orthorn, went to the College of Winterhold first, to return the books and their student. Entering the main hall where the strange orb resided, there was no one. It made sense, it was relatively late now.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Lieutenant Clarke called out in the seemingly empty room. Stroeus on the other hand went ahead and tapped him on the shoulder as he went back to the Arcanaeum
An elf in dark robes appeared from behind the orb, his dark robes seemingly familiar. Thalmor, Ancano. "Ahh, the Peacekeepers have returned. What might I help you with?"
Lieutenant Clarke wanted to roll his eyes, but he had no choice. "College authorities, friend. Where are they?"
Ancano got closer, laying a hand on Orthorn who visibly recoiled. "Somewhere within the College, probably doing nothing of note. In any case I can bring whatever you need to give them."
Lieutenant Clarke looked up at the elf, sternly but respectfully. "I would be breaking protocol to do so, friend. I think we shall wait here for the proper authorities."
"Very well, I will let them know you are looking for them, if I see them that is." Ancano left to look for any of the College officials.
It took awhile, even for a small campus. For the time being, Lieutenant Clarke had pulled out a small notebook, writing into it. He didn't have to keep an eye on Orthorn since he didn't seem to fret too much, nor did he even try to break his binds. Eventually however, after a better part of the hour, an official finally came about with the sound of a door opening.
"Oh my, have you been waiting here all this time?" Mirabelle Ervine said as she closed the door behind her, barring the cold entry.
Lieutenant Clarke stood up as he placed the notebook inside his thick jacket's many pockets. "No, ma'am. Stroeus has returned the books, and I am here to hand over your student."
Mirabelle looked at Orthorn for a moment before speaking. "Student? Ah, you mean Orthorn, yes, we will hand him over to the Hold Guards for theft."
Lieutenant Clarke was slightly shocked. Normally on universities on Earth, they would first be sent to the faculty offices, or at least the campus police. But he was in no position to argue. "Very well, ma'am. Do I leave him here?"
Mirabelle took Orthorn, hands still bound. "Yes, we'll take it from here. Thank you very much for retrieving the books and Orthorn. But did none of the other students make it?"
Lieutenant Clarke was taken back. There were other students? "There were other students, ma'am?"
"Some students went rogue years back, from what I recall they wanted to practice the forbidden kinds of necromancy, the type not sanctioned either by the College or by Skyrim and the Empire." Mirabelle said.
"Ah." Lieutenant Clarke put a hand behind his head. "One was arrested, the others were… killed. I am sorry."
Mirabelle looked morose-stricken. "Ahh, I see. It was for the best. Who knows what they would've done if they were either arrested or let loose. Thank you for telling me, I will report this to the Archmage."
"No problem, ma'am. I will be taking my leave now." Lieutenant Clarke drew the zipper of his jacket up before leaving the campus.
[Duty: UNESCO Area Interest Security] 1400 Hours, October 22, 2020
Lieutenant Clarke and a few others were now pulling guard duty alongside the 1st Squad in Saarthal. While they would normally be moving around the ruin, they were now temporarily in groups, enjoying lunch. The mobile kitchen equipment was finally fully set up, and now more complicated meals could be made.
Lieutenant Clarke and Sergeants Sheikh and Linehan were sitting together on a table near their camp in what was originally thought to be the main chamber before having explored Saarthal further. Nearby was a radio station to help contact other people in the ruin, with the help of signal repeaters. The whole place was now properly lit up with the use of floodlights.
"So you met those Sunguard fellas' then sir?" Sergeant Linehan asked, scooping up a piece of beef with mushroom gravy, a relatively poor attempt at it.
Lieutenant Clarke swallowed a mouthful of finished powdered mashed potatoes. "No, friend. They were called Dawnguard. Vampire killers, but we only had their word for proof."
Sergeant Sheikh shot up. "We should have arrested them, sir. But it's too much of a hassle."
Lieutenant Clarke finished his food first among them, but not too soon after they had finished. Sitting down for a moment and enjoying some chocolate bars, donated by Team Leader Michelsen.
"This beef was absolute dogshit. But damn is it better than those damn MREs." Sergeant Linehan said as he pocketed the wrapper of a Hershey's bar.
The trio laughed, echoing through the area. Sergeant Sheikh stood up, declaring he was going to start his rounds. Sergeant Linehan soon left too for his rounds. Lieutenant Clarke went ahead and performed an inventory check. They found out they were running low on canned goods, he listed it down on a list to pass onto 2nd Squad when one of the squads here were to return back.
As Lieutenant Clarke went onto another list of tasks of each peacekeeper, a UNESCO archeologist rounded the corner, a radio in hand. "Lieutenant, you got a call."
"Oh, from who, friend?" Lieutenant Clarke grabbed the radio.
The UNESCO archeologist leaned against the wall. "Michelsen, said it's urgent."
Lieutenant Clarke pressed down the button on the radio. "This is Globe Lead, send traffic, over."
The voice of Michelsen came through as Lieutenant Clarke released the button. "We got a new assignment, we're making our way over to another set of ruins called Mzulft. Said to have belonged to an extinct, or disappeared race as the locals say."
"Uh, why are we going there exactly?" Lieutenant Clarke asked.
"Some knowledge on the orb you found in Saarthal." the reply came back.
Lieutenant Clarke thought for a moment, he went through the proper processes of needing to leave, but he remembered all he needed was permission from either Captain Baker or command to leave. "Do we have permission to go?"
"Why else would I be telling you? Come now, you could use a much warmer place than Saarthal, at least we've heard there are steam vents there. Odd technology for people of this caliber."
Lieutenant Clarke pulled out a list regarding the unit's munitions stockpile. "Are we expecting any resistance? Is the area already secured by someone else?"
"None, place has been cleaned out long before we even got there. There were some weird robotic creatures, sentries, and even golems, but none now. Also, there were some inhabitants: blind and pale… elves I suppose? Falmer, I hear the local adventurers call them. They had these weird insect-like creatures that spit poison, Chaurus they're called."
Lieutenant Clarke flips through more papers, checking fuel this time. "Yeah, we have faced them before. Not very pleasant friends. Alright I will go rile them up. How many of us do you need?"
"I think a squad should be fine and dandy. Don't want to overextend now do we?"
"Alright, friend. See you in a few minutes, I'll fetch Stroeus. Globe Lead out." Lieutenant Clarke handed back the radio to the UNESCO archeologist.
After the better part of half an hour, 3rd Squad had finally traversed the snow-covered valley in the way of Saarthal and Winterhold. To ease the travel time, they had decided to only take one UAZ, a Land Rover Wolf, and one of the 4x4 Cougar MRAPs. The trip lasted for more than five hours, with no other disturbances.
By the time they had arrived at Mzulft it was dark, with the stars out in full force, accompanied by an aurora. Lieutenant Clarke got out of the left-hand side of the passengers' row of the vehicle, looking up to the sky, he'd never taken the time to appreciate the aurora, perhaps he'd take this time now.
Michelsen stepped out opposite the Lieutenant, and saw him gazing at the sky with the awe of a child. She smiled. "Pretty isn't it. Only place you'd only be able to see this is in Sweden, Norway, or Finland in our world. In any case, I'll wait for you inside, take your time out here."
"Stay awhile." Lieutenant Clarke's eyes were still glued to the sky, not realizing what he had just said.
Team Leader Michelsen stopped, taken back at the response, but smiled it off. "I would love to admire the sights with you but I need to set up down below with my team. You take your time here."
Lieutenant Clarke started feeling the heat, eyes wide as he realized what he said, putting a hand to rub his cheeks. Shaking his head, he grabbed his discarded helmet and put it back on. "I am sorry, friend. The quicker we get this done the better for those back in Saarthal."
Stroeus stopped his horse by the Lieutenant, jumping off and patting it. "Enjoying the sights?"
"Yes, absolutely friend. It is stunning." Lieutenant Clarke replied, grabbing his M4 from the Land Rover Wolf.
Stroeus ties the reins of his horse to a nearby tree. "Well don't get used to it. It comes out every night, and every night it's a spectacle."
Lieutenant Clarke walked closer to the entrance of Mzulft, the floodlights making it clear where it was. "You make it sound like a bad thing, friend."
Stroeus followed soon after making sure the horse reins were properly secured. "It's not, it's too beautiful to be a bad thing."
The Mzulft site was now fully cleared of any hostiles. Peacekeepers and UNESCO members were hauling out Dwemer metals and automaton corpses using a makeshift wheeled platform. A sandbag barrier with an LMG mounted on it was present on both sides of the door, floodlights lighting the outside. Whoever the Peacekeeper unit was, they kept their vehicles on one side of the road, opposite theirs.
Team Leader Michelsen by this time was already bargaining with a peacekeeper on allowing them entrance. "May I enter? I got the go ahead from HQ."
"I'm sorry ma'am, but without the proper permits I can't grant you access to this site." the peacekeeper behind the sandbag barrier argued back.
"How the hell am I gonna get a permit when all they gave was a verbal response? Goddamnit." Michelsen demanded back.
"Ma'am, every UNESCO team has a set of permits in their standard kit, one of them is several C12-SEP forms." the peacekeeper said in response.
Sighing in defeat, Michelsen started to march back towards their vehicles, up until the rest of the peacekeepers arrived. Private Axelsson crested the incline, and his eyes shot up upon seeing the familiar face. "Van der Wel? Oh my God! It is you! Guys! Van der Wel is here!"
Private Van der Wel smiled at the sight of some of her old squadmates cresting the incline gleefully. Some hugs, handshakes, and words being exchanged. "It's been ages! What are you guys doing here?"
"Well, we're here because of her need for knowledge." Corporal Sang-Hoon pointed.
Lieutenant Clarke crested the hill, waving at her. "Hello, Private Van der Wel. How are things with 1st Platoon?"
Private Van der Wel and the other peacekeepers gave their greetings, not saluting since they were not in friendly territory. Lieutenant Clarke finally got close so that their voices did not need to be raised. "Did you turn her away?"
Private Van der Wel put a hand behind her neck. "She doesn't have the permits, sir. I'm sorry."
"Is Lieutenant Duquesne here? Can I talk to him?" Lieutenant Clarke asked.
Private Van der Wel waved over to another peacekeeper to get a radio. Several minutes later a handheld radio was brought, with the frequency already set. "This is Shield 1-6 to Shield Lead."
"This is Shield Lead to Shield 1-6, send traffic over."
Lieutenant Clarke took the radio as it was offered to him, depressing the button. "Shield Lead, this is Globe Lead, how are you today, friend?"
"Clarke? What are you doing on my front door?" Lieutenant Duquesne replied back.
"I'm here because the College of Winterhold said that we could extract more information on this orb we found. We don't have a C12-SEP form, could you let us in? It was a long trip, friend. We'll only be here for around three hours maybe?" Lieutenant Clarke asked.
There was a pause, until the radio came back to life. "Alright, sure. I'm sending Sergeant Nilsson to fetch you guys."
Lieutenant Clarke gave the radio back to Private Van der Wel. "Well I guess we have to wait here for a while. Is Nilsson your squad lead?"
A chorus of yes rang out in affirmation. Lieutenant Clarke left the group for the time being, going back to Stroeus and Michelsen so that his old squad could bond. On the way however, he saw the P5 peacekeepers awkwardly standing around. Smiling, he whistles to them, pointing to the mass of soldiers at the top of the incline. "Don't be strangers, introduce yourselves!"
With some hesitation, they climbed the incline and introduced themselves, which the others took in warmly, arms slinging around them. Michelsen, Stroeus, Aela, and a few other UNESCO members were collected near the Land Rover Wolf.
Lieutenant Clarke leaned against the vehicle, beside Michelsen.. "We have about three hours to get whatever information that we need. Lieutenant Duquesne did not give us a time limit, but we cannot stay here forever."
"Three hours is more than enough. I'll be asking your squad to help in the search just to make things quicker." Michelsen replied back.
"Sure. The sooner we get back the better." Lieutenant Clarke answered.
Waiting did not take long, as the familiar sight of Sergeant Nilsson, waving a friendly hand, and Private Van der Wel, or rather Corporal Van der Wel now that Lieutenant Clarke got a closer look at her sleeves.
"I am guessing you are our escorts, friends?" Lieutenant Clarke asks as he gets up from leaning against the vehicle.
"Yes, sir. Follow me, please." Sergeant Nilsson turns around, leading the group. "I hope your trip here was pleasant?"
Lieutenant Clarke signalled to Sergeant Sheikh with a hand sign to collect the unit and fall in. "It was smooth all things considered, no dragon attacks."
"Same for us then, seems like the dragons have been thinning out, or hiding anyway. Let's hope it's the same case when we return." Michelsen responded back.
They passed through the doors, its golden-bronze sheen reflecting floodlights. Lieutenant Clarke had only ever been inside Blackreach, but the surrounding Dwarven sites were cleared out by UN Peacekeepers. Scraps of Dwarven automatons were being piled onto one side, by size, and weight.
Lieutenant Clarke looked to the left and saw a pile of multiple Dwarven Centurion wrecks. "How did you get rid of the larger automatons, friend?"
"Ah. Well, we used 40mm HEDP rounds, two or three do the job, but we need to be very accurate with them. Might hit something that could collapse the whole structure." Sergeant Nilsson described.
Michelsen visibly flairs up. "Did you blow up the automatons and other stuff within the ruins? You know how I'm gonna respond to this already Sergeant."
"Well, they are giant hulks of metal. We need more penetration, and rocket launchers are too big for the job." Lieutenant Clarke defends but comes out in still a respectable manner.
"But they're still history! History of a bygone people yes, but history nonetheless!" Michelsen retorts.
"History that wants us dead, though." Corporal Van der Wel said, causing a laugh from the other peacekeepers. Apologizing shortly.
Michelsen rolls her eyes and crosses her arms as they make a turn. "As if our history proved anything else. Look, these Dwemer may end up the way of The Sea Peoples or other dead and forgotten peoples and culture."
The group went back and forth, bickering about how it would be done. Michelsen advocated for finding a less wreckless solution. Most of them say that they need more firepower to do it. However, they reached a point where this time Falmer bodies were being piled up, alongside Chaurus corpses. A flamethrower roared to life, burning a pillar covered in Chaurus eggs.
"Ah, so that is how their nests look like." Lieutenant Clarke commented.
Michelsen's eyes go wide, only a bit. "Wait, are flamethrowers even… you know, allowed? Didn't they ban the usage of those things back then?"
"Oh, they were and still are banned, ma'am. But about two weeks after The Chasovoy had the peripherals of Blackreach cleared out, bugs came back, crawling out. They found the nests, but then shooting them didn't do good for a time table, and blowing them up was met with… hostility from smarter people." Sergeant Nilsson explained.
Michelsen's stance relaxed. "Well I guess it is just a larger version of bug extermination, one that's lethal to both us and them anyway. You got the go ahead, so who am I to say anything else."
"Glad to know you know flamethrowers are banned under the Geneva Convention, under weapons that cause prolonged suffering. Not a lot know about it so they just don't bat an eye. Or so I think anyway." Sergeant Nilsson says.
The group eventually reached a large room with two paths, one on the left, going up, the other on a downward ramp. They descend into the square, taking a left, sticking to the part where stairs were, missing a group of UNESCO archaeologists, and experts disarming a trap.
"You see that door going down there." Sergeant Nilsson points to the downward ramp. "There was a nasty surprise down there. A Dwarven Centurion with a nasty electricity weapon. Got two of our guys, they were airlifted soon after that. Real bad burns"
"We fell prey to a Nordic trap. Nearly saw 50% casualties, but we had antidotes from Stroeus, our liaison. One of us had to be airlifted when his leg started going numb." Lieutenant Clarke added in.
Stroeus waved off the gratitude, preferring to remain humble. "Don't worry about them, it was good fortune that Aela and I had some antidotes packed in our satchels. I expect something of the same degree might've happened here."
"Was it Watts?" Corporal Van der Wel said, half mocking, half worried.
Lieutenant Clarke replied. "No, friend. One of our new people. A Private Qin."
"Well at least they were treated immediately, I shudder to think what would've happened if not." Michelsen adds in.
They continue up the ramp, seeing more people come up and down, hauling equipment and reports. Soon enough they come up to another circular room. Light, or rather, the starlight, was seeping in via a glass piece in the ceiling. There were many people milling about. However it seems that a team leader, an officer, and a liaison discussing what these contraptions about are, discussing it atop of a control dais.
"Surely these crystal contraptions do something. We just need to figure it out."
"There are surely experts in these fields in the holds. Maybe we can go look for one tomorrow."
"I'm sure something around here should tell us how to do it."
The group made their way up to the dais, the rest of the unit staying below. Sergeant Nilsson saluted briefly. "Lieutenant Duquesne, Lieutenant Clarke and Doctor Michelsen from the Saarthal excavation group here to see you."
Lieutenant Duquesne extends a hand out, which Lieutenant Clarke grabs, initiating a handshake. "Clarke! Good to see you. How's Saarthal?"
"It could have been better, Duquesne, friend. Nearly lost one man and injured myself. How about you?" Lieutenant Clarke exchanges pleasantries.
Lieutenant Duquesne's demeanor becomes grim for a moment. "Six MEDEVACs. None of them are dead, thankfully, but… these incidents could have been avoided." The Belgian lieutenant looks past his co-worker, looking at Stroeus, Aela, and Team Leader Michelsen. Giving Clarke a pat on the shoulder, he moves past him politely. "I apologize. I'm Lieutenant Henrik Duquesne, commanding officer of First Platoon, 14th Peacekeeper Company."
Stroeus reaches out a hand, taken immediately by the Belgian man. "I am Stroeus, resident Breton and Dragonborn. And this here's Aela, a huntress of the Companions based out of Whiterun."
"An honor to meet a hero, and his friend." Lieutenant Duquesne says in a formal yet friendly tone.
Another hand shoots out. "I am Dr. Katja Michelsen, leader of UNESCO's expedition team to the ruins of Saarthal. Pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant."
"Let me have the pleasure to introduce Doctor Cara O'Gallagher, a specialist in many archaeological specialties." Lieutenant Duquesne introduces.
Unfortunately she is still talking with other aides, and their local liaison, in regards to what can only be assumed, is focused on the crystals. A man in a cloak and a man in plate armor, almost similar to Stroeus'plate armor, except for the highlights and engravings on the edges. Their talks were beginning to reach rather unsuitable levels of noise, becoming near disturbing or ear-piercing.
"Over there is Paratus Decimus, we found him when clearing out this place, refused to leave, so we're waiting for an Imperial army escort to get him. The other one is Vilkas from the Comrades, I think." Lieutenant Duquesne slightly frowns.
Stroeus perks up at the mention of Vilkas. "Aela and I both know Vilkas, he's part of the Companions as well. As for this Decimus, we have never heard of him."
"Well I'm sure they'd want to meet you soon." Lieutenant Duquesne said a little bit louder, catching their attention.
The trio soon declared amongst themselves to continue their bickering later. Moving closer, they began introducing themselves properly. Vilkas, Aela, and Stroeus being the more candid and cheerful ones.
"Oh it's a pleasure to meet you two it truly is! I am Cara O'Gallagher, resident archaeologist specialising in many a thing! Oh it is so fanciful to meet you here of all places." A red haired woman with blue eyes and a light dusting of freckles spoke up. Her height put her at about 5'3 and her thin build was not not as obvious due to the rather loose fitting clothes she was wearing.
"A pleasure to meet you, ma'am. Lieutenant Travon Clarke, Third Platoon, 14th Peacekeeper Company." Lieutenant Clarke introduces. "I believe Doctor Michelsen can expand further."
Michelsen steps forward, clasping hands with her fellow archaeologist in a warm greeting. "We're looking for a staff, see. Something we discovered up in Saarthal needs it, we found out through a book in the library in the College. Any thoughts?"
"Staff? The Staff of Magnus!? What do you know of it?" the hooded man asks.
Michelsen is taken back by the sudden surge of the hooded man. "Not much except it was mentioned in the books lent to us by the College. You seem to know about it, any ideas?"
"It is a staff of immense power! One capable of maybe even controlling the orb the College of Winterhold currently hosts. What do you want with it?"
"Well it's exactly that. We came from the College to get the staff for the Archmage."
"You seek power?"
"No? I told you we're only here to help the College. We have no idea what that orb even does."
"Well we do not know any more about it than you, or the College at this point then. However this observatory does hold the answers. It is just that the crystal on that mechanism, was perfected, still requires adjustment. Heat and cold should to do the trick."
Michelsen looks towards the group of Companions on her left, discussing something. "Well maybe our friend can help. Stroeus?"
"Sure, point me to the mechanism." Stroeus says, poking his head out from the bulk of Vilkas.
"If he is talented enough, then simply hit the crystal with fire or ice to adjust it. I will begin moving the rest of those mirrors into position." The robed man says as he walks towards the panels.
"Here goes." Stroeus strides down from the dais to the crystal.
Lieutenant Duquesne grabs a microphone from a nearby table. It was connected to a roughly set up PA system since the entire area of Mzulft was large, and that his unit was not able to attain a large number of radios. He spoke into it, calmly but assertively.
"Attention! There will be an on-going test of mechanisms, noises will be heard, do not panic. As a precaution, all Peacekeepers to your designated defensive positions!"
In his plated hands, he conjures orbs of orange and white-blue in each. A blast of fire leapt out from his left hand, the reflected light visibly adjusting slowly. In an instant, the mirrors began to move as the hooded man willed it. The grinding of gears as they moved after centuries gave the area a cry of motion as they moved.
"It's still off. Try cooling it down!" the Synod yelled.
A blast of ice, this time from the right hand of Stroeus bursted out, moving the light back to its original position, and then past that. The mirrors moved again, but this time, much like the last, they were not in position.
"Too cold, but you are almost there! Use a bit of fire this time."
Stroeus blasted the crystal only for a second with the flames. The light adjusted perfectly into the mirrors' center. The light grew brighter and brighter, and soon projected a map of light on the wall of the dais-like structure.
"What's down there?"
"A map by the look of things."
The mage made his way down, alongside the two officers and archaeologists. "I forget sometimes. I am Paratus Decimius of the Synod Council."
All of them look at the map, wondering what knowledge it is showing them. There was a visible glow in two locations. One was somewhere in the center of Skyrim, the glow was like a star in the sky, defined. The other one was in Winterhold, but it was more hazy, as if it were a disturbance.
"If I am not mistaken, that there cannot be anything else, but Labyrinthian. The other one is Winterhold, but it is hazy." Paratus turns towards Team Leader Michelsen. "What are you doing there exactly that's causing all that?"
"We wouldn't know. We left Winterhold and had just arrived." Michelsen defends.
"Well something or someone is creating a disturbance up there!"
The sound of boots slamming onto the stone ground could be faintly heard. It grew louder and louder however as the mage bickered with the members of the Saarthal team present. Corporal Ethan Osborne came barreling through the ramp, taking a while to breath.
"Lieutenant Clarke. Radio chatter from Saarthal is going wild! You need to hear it." Corporal Osborne says, heaving for breath.
"Where did you hear it from, friend?" Lieutenant Clarke asks.
"Winterhold Air Defense Command channels, sir. The flyboys and AA crews have been going off about some light show, and the mages seem to have no idea what's happening." the Corporal said as he stood up straight again.
Lieutenants Duquesne and Clarke shared a look for a split second. Duquesne however acted just a bit faster, pointing at a radio operator on the far side of the Oculory. "Tune into the WADC channels."
The radio operator pressed a few buttons into the long-range radio, referencing a card no larger than a 4x6 index card. Adjusting a few more knobs, a signal was heard, faint but audible, which was fixed with yet another few twists.
"Hell kind of light show are those magicians up to now?"
"I dunno, Holt. Does this happen often, WADC?"
"Negative, Eagle 1-2, this is a first. Peacekeepers from the 14th are already setting up a perimeter as we speak."
A/N: And we are back! To a degree. We apologize first and foremost for having gone away for over two years. Education does not stop and our courses took the best of us for a while. Re-adjusting to physical classes after years of online learning had dulled us, lowered our guards that learning at the tertiary and quaternary levels of education is very demanding. But now having been accustomed or waiting for the next step, we are writing again!