Chapter 31 The Hurdle
Character Vern
Vern stroked his mustache as he and Cullen poured over the maps, in the old throne room, that Anders had just brought them. The four of them, He Cullen, Anders and Sebastian had been coordinating the defense of Kirkwall from an ever increasing threat that was presented in the forms of Belial and Azmodan, the last two remaining Evils that K had inadvertently led to their world. Fereldan, the Free Marches, and Orlais had all fallen to the two, Kirkwall was one of the last bastions of freedom along with the old Teventier Imperium. Why had these two city states survived, Magic. That was the only reason Vern could see and it had definitely made an impact on the people who were still alive. Mages were trusted now, seen as protectors along with the Templars not just as weapons. All in all Vern took a guilty pleasure in knowing that his kind were respected, finally.
"Ah here are the late comers," Cullen remarked as Anders returned with Sebastian in tow.
"What do you mean late," Anders objected, "I got you those maps in the first place. Wasn't easy mind you since Marion's... our house is still in ruins from where... well you know."
"Aye sorry about that," Vern said, "But I couldn't get here any sooner."
"Oh I don't mind the house being gone," Anders clarified, "Wouldn't use it much myself anyways with this war going on."
"We all miss Marion," Cullen said, "But I can understand why your thoughts are on her more than usual."
"Still able to sense these demons," Vern commented as he clapped Anders on the shoulder.
"Don't worry I'm still useful," Anders replied with a laugh. "Marion will turn up when she is needed."
"Meaning right before the world is swallowed up by demons," Sebastian added, "She normally shows up then."
"Maybe she will have found a cat for you," Vern continued as he drew their attention to the map of the Deep Roads. "Now we know that almost all of the surface has fallen to the demons, but the Dwarves have golems. Since we don't know of the situation with Orzamar I suggest I call in a favor or two from Balhen to see if we can get a rout opened up between us and them."
"How Orzamar is on the other side of the ocean," Sebastian said.
"True but when I learned my battle mage talents I also absorbed the knowledge of the old elf who supplied the abilities to me," Vern said, "He remembered an old, old tunnel far deeper than the Deep Roads than we know of now. It stretched across the entire world east to west. If we can control that then we can control the planet."
They looked at each other then back to the map. "Where would we look for this tunnel," Cullen asked.
"Below the cave where Marion found the idol," Anders said, "I was there when she went... I could get us there."
"Then it would be you and Vern going," Sebastian said, "At least two of us need to stay here to guard Kirkwall. In case the worst should happen to one of us."
"Agreed," Cullen said, "I'll coordinate the mages, if you, Sebastian, will accept the title of Knight Captain."
"You would give up your position to me to lead the mages," Sebastian said astounded, "I would be honored."
"You'll do well in that position boy," Vern remarked, "Anders if you can get me to the tunnel entrance I can get us to Orzamar."
"A year ago I wouldn't have left with just Templars in charge of Kirkwall, but now it seems all bets are off in a fight for your lives. I can be ready to go by evening," Anders replied.
"Its settled then," Cullen said, "Knight Captain I'll introduce you to the Templars, Vern if you could then inform the mages of my leadership that would be appreciated."
"I'll do that," Vern acknowledged as the four left the throne room. He headed to the Circle where the mages, despite being able to roam the city at their leisure, still resided most of the time. There he met up with Wynn, an old friend of his from years past, and informed her of Cullen's command.
"Cullen was always the nicest of the Templars I think he will do fine," Wynn said.
"And what about yourself," Vern asked, "How are you holding up?"
"I think that Anders' connection to the fade has renewed the spirit that is bound with me," Wynn replied with a smile, "It looks like I'll live longer than I thought."
Vern took the news with a smile and a pat on Wynn's shoulder before he headed off to collect Anders so they could head into the Deep Roads. Anders met him outside of the Throne room with the maps and a sack of provisions. Vern hefted the sack over his shoulder and they headed out for the Roads.
"Lets try not to get eaten," Anders said as he wrapped a dark, feather, cloak around him.
"Agreed," Vern replied as he pulled up a spell to muffle his armor as he moved, "Lets go the longer we are gone the more likely it is for the situation to fall apart."
It was just turning to dusk as they set out from the city and into the hills where the entrance to the old ruins that Anders and Marion had explored so long ago. Through clever use of their spells and some luck the two managed to make it to the ruins without incident. That was the easy part however, since neither Vern nor Anders knew exactly where to look for the entrance to the lower tunnel.
"I thought you said you knew where this was," Anders commented as they, mostly Vern, shifted rubble out of the way.
"I said the elf I learned my powers from knew," Vern replied, "I know what to look for just not exactly where."
"Terrific," Anders stated, "So what are we looking for?"
"The entrances were sealed with a symbol, like a giant dragon eating its own tail," Vern replied, "Any idea how big it is," Anders asked as Vern helped him move more of the rubble out of the way.
"That is the biggest problem," Vern continued, "I can make out every detail of the seal but I can't make out its size, there is nothing in the memories to compare it with."
"So it could be tiny," Anders started before he paused for a moment, "Or giant..."
"You've got an idea," Vern stated.
"In the fade the spirits would use seals to link places together, the seal however was usually a building or structure of some kind," Anders/Justice said as he started glowing, "The entire ruin is the seal."
"Maker," Vern whispered, "How do you know?" Anders/Justice just looked at him. "Never mind, if the entire ruin is the seal then... Get ready for a drop." Vern sent out the tendrils of magic that he knew would activate the seals opening mechanism. Soon as he had done so the entire area started to grind and sink into the ground.
"What did you do," Anders, now in his normal form, asked.
"Lowering us into the tunnel," Vern replied, "The seals lower down into the tunnel with the passengers on them. It makes more sense now that I'm seeing their function in person."
After ten minutes the movement stopped. Where the entrance used to be was now an opening that led out to a most marvelous piece of engineering. The old East-West tunnel was immense, there were openings on three different levels where other structures like the one they rode down presumably were located.
"Maker that is big," Anders remarked.
"And we have an ocean to cross under on foot," Vern reminded, "These provisions seem kind of light for the journey."
"Dimensional shift," Anders explained, "I've got enough in there to last us two or three months."
"Well lets hope that we will only need a week or two," Vern added as he started East towards Orzamar.
It took them a while to get used to the constant dim light emanating from the walls of the tunnel and to figure out when 'day' and 'night' was. Most of their time they spent in conversation Anders recounting through Justice the energy that he saw flowing through the tunnel.
"It almost fits with the story of the first Blight," Vern commented, "So much corruption in the rock would be indicative of an Arch-Demon."
"You believe in those huh," Anders replied, "Not the actual physical creature that I've seen, but the stories behind it?"
"I've got my theories," Vern replied, "Like why only a Gray Warden can kill an Arch-Demon. I don't think that even we actually kill them, well it."
"Then what do you think happens," Anders asked.
"I think that these Arch-Demons are just a fraction of the true Demon," Vern replied, "The first dark-spawn I think they became the first Arch-Demon and it has simply been inactive for these last several thousand years."
"And next your going to say it lives in here," Anders scoffed, "Now your just trying to scare me."
"Scare you? An 'abomination'," Vern replied innocently, "I'd never."
"Don't call us..." Anders/Justice started but was interrupted by a grating sound. "What was that?"
"It was to low to be rocks grating," Vern observed, "I think we should be more careful, we might not be down here alone after all."
They continued on in silence, Anders/Justice still present in case his more unnatural abilities might be needed. They could see all the way down the passageway due to the light coming from the walls and nothing seemed to be in the chambers off to the sides. There was nothing in the passage except a collapse that was still several miles away.
"Did I mention I hate caves," Anders said.
"Several times now," Vern replied, "I don't like them either."
An hour later they arrived at the collapse without any more alarms. Looking it over Vern didn't see any good way of moving the mass of rock, indeed it looked more like a solid wall once they reached it.
"It's like a giant lock," Anders said, "There is one under the keep in Amaranthine. Should be a lever or crank or latch somewhere around here that opens it."
As they looked around for the control for the door the grating sound resounded through the tunnel again only this time Vern was almost certain it came from the other side of the door.
"Justice can you detect anything on the other side of this wall," Vern asked the spirit side of his friend.
After a moment of intense glowing Anders replied, "There is something but it seems more like it is the door itself not what is on the other side."
"So its a living door," Vern remarked, "Unless... Anders how big would an Arch-Demon be if it was the parent of all the others?"
"I would assume massive," Anders replied before the implication dawned on him, "Oh you don't think this wall is the Arch-Demon?"
Vern was about to reply when the grating sound screeched out again this time followed by a tremor in the stone and the movement of the wall.
"Arch-Demon or not there certainly seems to be a connection between the name and this tunnel," Vern said as he stepped through the now open doorway. On the other side was more tunnel which was a plus in Vern's book but Anders gave a heavy sigh as they looked out over the distance that they still had to travel. "Look at it this way," Vern said, "at least we don't have to fight anything."
"Fair point I suppose," Anders remarked as they continued down the tunnel. Behind them the door closed with a deep thump, "I hope we can get back that way."
Vern walk over to the door and looked it over. "Arch-Demon," He hissed at the door. The door rose out of the way again with the grating and tremor in the floor. "I think I can get us back."
"Why does it listen to you," Anders asked.
"I think it 'listens' to both of us," Vern said as he turned away from the door and caught up to Anders who had already started walking, "We both carry the taint after all."
"What is this place for," Anders pondered out loud.
"I would guess it was built by the first dark-spawn for their Arch-Demon," Vern conjectured, "Now it is either abandoned or... well lets not think about or."
"Or the dark-spawn have been driven out by something nastier than they are," Anders supplied.
"Ok now you're trying to scare me," Vern accused.
"Me never," Anders replied with a smile causing Vern to laugh. They would both regret that. The laugh set off grating from the rooms on the sides of the tunnel, the other ruins or seals were raising up to the surface as a booming, rolling, growl echoed through the tunnel from behind them.
"Maker," Anders/Justice, Vengeance, said, "You were right. The Arch-Demon is here."
"Well at least we have a very time trusted and proven way to deal with it," Vern said as they started backing farther from the door.
"What one of us absorb it and die," Vengeance replied, "Not the greatest plan."
"No," Vern added as something big hit the door, "Run!"
They started running as the noise of the door raising up echoed behind them. Looking over his shoulder Vern caught a glimpse of the creature that was pursuing them. The scales on the creature were enough for him to picture the size of the monster behind them. In the several hundred foot tall and nearly half that wide tunnel one scale was as big as one of the stone blocks that made up the massive structure.
"We can't out run it," Vern said as they hit a section where the side ruins had not started to rise out of the ground, "Quick in here." He pulled Vengeance into one of the rooms just as it started to rise up. Their escape was noticed though as the demon howled in frustration and slammed into the wall several times before leaving them alone. Vengeance slowly returned to Anders/Justice then just to Anders as the demon got farther away.
"Well that was close," Anders said, "Where do you think we ended up?"
"I'd say at least to the other side of the sea," Vern replied, "As to the exact location I can't be sure until we go outside."
"How about I help you figure that out," said a voice Vern knew very well. Leliana then walked into the room through the door that now led outside, put a hand on her hip slicked her orange hair out of her hazel eyes and looked them both over. "Vern always knew you would show up once those demons got control of the capital, never thought you would do so in such a spectacular manner."
"Its good to see you too dear," Vern said as he hugged her, "You remember Anders right?"
"How could I forget? He helped you clear Amaranthine while I was digging up in those ruins around the ashes," Leliana replied, "You look different though, something happened to you."
"Well that is one way to put it," Anders replied, "It is good to see you again, but how did you get well wherever we are."
"You are under Solder's Peak," Leliana clarified, "The last bastion of freedom in all Fereldan, Alistair is up stairs overseeing the running of the place but there are not many for him to have to govern left."
"We need to get to Orzamar," Vern said, "We think they may still be free."
"Most likely," Leliana confirmed, "Many of the demons that were attacking us seem to have been drawn west to fight some threat that has come up from near Balhen's forge."
"So he has an army," Vern contemplated, "golems most likely... we need to get to him."
"Morrigan and I came to the same conclusion," Leliana said, "You are welcome to join us."
"Wait Morrigan," Vern asked surprised that their old, very cryptic, wild mage would have turned up at this time, "Its been what sixteen years since we last saw her."
"Seventeen," Morrigan said as she entered the chamber. She was tall with black hair and eyes and pale skin and garbed in her signature leather pants and red drapery. More to the point she didn't look like she had aged a day since they had parted ways.
"Demoness," Vengeance declared as he burst forth once again.
"I'm no different than you," Morrigan replied unphased, "Now do compose yourself."
"Anders is an abomination," Leliana stated troubled, "Demon or Spirit?"
"Spirit," Anders said as he returned, "Apologies some times we get ahead of ourselves."
"True," Morrigan said with an understanding look, "Wolfgang its ok you can come in."
"Who Vern asked.
"Oh yeah you know how she and Alistair... um are, well Wolfgang is their son," Leliana said, "He is... different."
"Wasn't he supposed to have the power of the Arch-Demon in him without the taint," Vern replied.
"What do you mean supposed to," said the man who walked in. He, Wolfgang, was six feet tall with arms like trees and legs like mountains, he was a deep bronze color with black eyes and hair. "I knew you were on your way up when you got into the antechamber."
"Wait when we got in," Anders said, "So that... Maker you are aren't you?"
Wolfgang smiled revealing rows of fangs as the roar of the Arch-Demon echoed off the mountains. "Fight fire with fire," he said, "Call me Wolf."
Vern and Anders looked at each other then back to Wolf before adopting his vicious grin.
"Ok I'm liking this," Vern said, "All the power of the Arch-Demon at your disposal and golems from Balhen... we might be able to free this world anyways."
"Then we should inform the whining one and go," Morrigan said, "And yes I mean Alistair."
"So no questions then," Leliana remarked as they headed out into the basement of Solder's Peak.
"Just one," Vern replied, "Do I get a welcome back kiss?"
"I'll even let you chose where I place it," Leliana said as she wrapped his hand in hers.
"Right here," Vern said as he kissed her lips.
"Oh get a room," Morrigan said, "I may be a 'witch of the wilds' but I do have some taste."
"Well lets get this over with," Vern said, "We gather everyone we can combine our forces with those in Kirkwall and Teventier then we crush these demon lords."
Character Wolfgang
With a roar that deafened the animals around him Wolf's Arch form summoned the Dark-spawn to him. He was also leading his unlikely, but oddly fitting, parents and their friends to him with his human form.
"Don't you have to stay and 'Lead the people in this time of darkness,'" Morrigan said to Alistair from behind Wolf.
"I figured that I would be more useful with my Gray Warden friends here," Alistair replied, "Since I have to keep an eye on you and Wolf."
"You keep your eyes on mom just fine," Wolf commented.
"Well that is her own fault," Alistair replied, "If she didn't have such revealing dress..."
"Hold up," Vern said, "Do I detect that you two might actually have, maker forbid, developed a relationship?"
"Is it that strange to you," Morrigan said, "Oh yes he is still as impracticable and naive and sometimes down right stupid as ever, but he does keep his promises."
"Here is the passage down," Wolf said as he opened a tunnel into the Deep Roads that would take them to Orzamar. "We should go, Azmodan will be sure to follow us and if we can't get an agreement between us and Balhen before his demons arrive I doubt even my Dark-spawn could stop them. We need the golems."
"And the golems need bodies to be formed with," Vern said.
"Supplied," Wolf said, "The Dark-spawn are my vessels golems made from them will be under my domain."
"I doubt that the dwarves will agree to having dark-spawn as golems," Leliana said, "When we were there last they seemed intent on using the golems to fight dark-spawn."
"They won't have a choice," Wolf replied through his Arch form as he entered the passageway. The air smelled of rock, blood, metal and fire. His Dark-spawn were clearing the way forward, his family, friends and human form were in front of him as he pulled the door closed behind them. They had entered the underbelly of the mountain on which Solder's Peak was situated. This particular tunnel would head straight west to the Dwarven capital, the trek should only take two days or so, about a fifth of the time it took for Vern and Anders to get to the entrance to Solder's Peak from the East-West World Tunnel. How they found it he wasn't sure but suspected it had something to do with the spirit that shared its existence with Anders.
As they entered a section of poorly ventilated tunnel he turned down his lamp, as did his Dark-spawn, to conserve the air for his breathing companions. As both one of the Old Beings and the Arch Demon Wolf didn't personally need air but his Spawn did and so did his friends, it seemed to be a weakness that plagued the races now, having to breath.
"So tell me Wolf," Anders said, "You're the Arch Demon and yet you're also Alistair and Morrigan's son. So how does that work?"
"I'm not the Arch Demon as you knew it," Wolf replied, "I am restored to the being I was before the corruption. Mom then took that and raised me into what I am now and Dad got to help over the last year or two as well but most of my time so far has been spent in the wild. Only recently have I gathered the Dark-spawn to me and that was because the situation demanded I have an army."
"You can't be more than sixteen or seventeen," Vern remarked, "I assume your unusual level of maturity comes from your unique nature."
"Correct," Wolf replied, "As do may other traits that may come in handy in this upcoming battle. Even with all that I offer we are outmatched you know."
"Not if Marion has her way we aren't," Anders added, "If she gets K back here... I'll feel sorry for Azmodan."
"You'll have to tell me about this K," Wolf said. His curiosity piqued at the unanticipated response.
"Other than what we've seen of him and his army of friends," Anders continued, "All we really know is he can travel through time, space and dimensions, controls reality, is the biggest dragon I've ever known, and is scarier than you."
"There are lots of things scarier than me," Wolf commented with a grin, "But I get the idea. Who is Marion then to be able to bring this being here?"
"My wife," Anders replied, "She is a bit overdue on her appearance here however which is why we are in the trouble we are in."
"Interesting," Wolf commented as they continued on towards Orzamar. "So all we have to do is get the Dwarves to align with Dark-spawn, get the rest of our people across the ocean through the World Tunnel, gather the Teventier, get to this Kirkwall and hold out there until help arrives. Not too bad a job."
"Ha," Anders laughed, "I guess I might like you after all, at least you've got a sense of humor."
Character Johnson
After much discussion with Grish and various leaders of Skyrim they made the inevitable mistake of venturing out to see what was troubling the lands to the west. He decided it was a mistake not because the collection of creatures from the realms of the Daedra were as hard to fight as the Lambent but a mistake because he was now having to manage an entire army as a commander. A squad he was fine with, even the army back on Serra was fine since Throon helped with most of it, but now that Throon was out in the Krogoth unit being a beast and smashing anything that got in his way the leadership of everything else was left to him. The Flood part of him helped as it could since the Flood by nature lead hundreds of millions with one mind but unless he became a Gravemind he wouldn't be able to coordinate like that.
Luckily the interface for issuing orders to his support commanders were very intuitive and with practice he could become quit the capable commander, like Griffen or Sparks even but not like Cortana or Doug and that is who they really needed right now. The Daedra were attacking Tamriel on just about every front except Skyrim, Morowind and Blackmarsh. Thus Johnson was now fighting a world war from his command chair, well him and Fenix. The Paladin was taking up the role that Brain, Fenix's great, great, great, something descendant, predicted.
"Hey there big guy," Sam, one of Fenix's old squad mates called on the comm, "We've got some trouble here at Dragonstar, mind sending in some more AA to help clear the skies?"
"I'll have to get back to you on that Mama," Johnson replied, "Most of my AA is tied up cross country in Forval. I've got one maybe two constructors that could build some guns but..." Johnson got an incoming hail, "Hold that thought Sam." He switched channels, "Johnson here Chief is that you?"
"Oh yeah," John said, "We see that you've been busy got any where you need us? We are here for a clean up and extract mission so the faster we win this war the happier everyone will be."
"I'm sending you, well Cortana, a map with locations and needs at those cities," Johnson replied, "I'll update her and the other ACUs to the battle net its good to hear from you all." He switched back to Sam's channel, "Have I got a gift for you all," Johnson said, "Guess who is back."
"Haha K came for us hey," Sam replied, "I'll tell the others."
"Johnson," Doug's voice rang in his head, "I'm bringing in the Pestilence above you do add our profile to your do not shoot log."
"Got it Doug," Johnson replied as he entered the command for his turrets to not auto target the ship, "You're clear got those deployments ready?"
"When don't we," Doug replied, "Cortana will contact you soon."
"He means now," Cortana said, "I am heading into Dragonstar with Chief and friends, oh we've got some new members you'll be meeting a few of them soon don't judge them to quickly they are an odd bunch."
"Aren't we all," Johnson laughed, "How is everyone?"
"Actually not bad," Cortana replied, "Ah but your guests are about to arrive I'll let you meet them transfer the command of the units to me if you would you can resume command when you are done."
Johnson closed the channel with a U-rah, as he got out of the ACU. He stretched and looked around then he heard the music, and the sound of cars. The song was "Ain't no Rest for the Wicked," the car's were two jeep-like vehicles with catapult type turrets and filled with a total of eight people.
"Johnson meet the Vault Hunters, or most of them anyways," Cortana said as the cars pulled up to him. "Maya and Lily are Sirens thus the tats Lily has red hair don't confuse them. Roland is K and C's son, Mordecai has the bird, Brick and Krieg are the large ones, Zer0 is in the suit, Sal is the short one. I'll let you figure out the rest."
"So you're Johnson, I'm Roland we are here to help," Roland said.
"He means hi," Lily added as the Hunters got out of the cars.
"Mama's meat train," Krieg yelled.
"Yeah he does look like Doug," Maya replied.
"Ok wait that wasn't even a sentence," Johnson said, "How the blarg did you understand that?"
"Only she can do that," Brick commented, " So what you need?"
"Well if you all can keep some of these infantry off of my factories that would ramp up production and free up some units for relocation," Johnson said, "Looks like Cortana took my ACU so I'll just head out with you."
"We're out of seats," Mordecai said, "You going to hang on or something?"
"That will work," Johnson replied as he flexed his Flood enhanced muscles, "I'll tell you where we need to go as you drive." They mounted up as Johnson's ACU walked off to attend to whatever Cortana need it to. Maya and Lily drove Johnson held onto the back of the one Maya was driving. Krieg was in the barrel-turret, Sal and Zer0 were in the back seats which were in front of Johnson. "Just don't crush me against anything," Johnson cautioned.
"Copy that," Maya said, "Where to?"
"The factories are east of here you can follow the ruts that the constructors leave, use em as roads."
"Johnson," Haggard called, "K's back? That is awesome lets go blow up some stuff to celebrate."
"Well I'll blow up some Daedra if you will," Johnson replied, "Meet any of the new friends yet?"
"Yeah this real cool kid Gaige and her macho boy Ax," Hags replied, "There is Torgue, Tina, and Kaylee and all five of them can blow up things like you wouldn't believe. Got to go shoot more stuff, later."
"Well we can't speak for Kaylee but the rest are very good at blowing up stuff," Sal said, "Yeah we listen in to the radios what else we got to do?"
"Huh I started doing the same thing while in the ACU," Johnson said, "Mostly is was just Dom and Sam arguing over stuff and Fenix and Anya going back and forth."
"You'll have to introduce us to them," Maya said, "For now what are we going to do with that."
She had stopped the car just outside the factory area and was pointing to a Daedra... a colossal Daedra. The half demon half reptile creatures were hard enough to kill at normal size but this twenty foot tall monster was ripping apart the defending units for the factories like they were paper. It was wingless, which was the only bonus to the situation as the scales on the Daedra were so thick that flight would be impossible for it anyway.
"Lilith get me close," Roland said, "I may be human in form but I am Leviathan... let's see how that likes tangling with me."
"Johnson take the wheel," Lily said, "Distract it or something just give me time to get us in and kill that thing."
"On it," Johnson said as he jumped to the other car as Lily and Roland got out. "How are you going to get to it?"
"Phase-walk," Lily replied as she shimmered and faded out before popping back into the world with an explosion.
"Now that is cool," Johnson admired, "We'll keep the big guy occupied while you two get in there." Lily grabbed Roland and they both Phased as Johnson gunned the jeep/truck and Brick got on the gun. "Ok everybody hold on this will be rough," Johnson warned as he headed for one of the factories. The Core K-Bot lab was angled in just such a way that Johnson could us it as a ramp to jump right in front of the Daedra. He planned to do just that.
"Uh are you going to..." Mordecai started as Johnson hit the factory and started up the incline, "I guess so, hold on Blood."
"Booo Yeah," Brick yelled as they flew off the top and went right past the Daedra's head. The landing threw them back into the air for a second, almost allowing the Daedra to swat them with its car-sized paw. They got traction though and took off as Maya and the others raced in after them. With the Daedra's attention divided between the two of them Lily managed to get Roland and herself up onto the beast's head. They appeared in an explosion which got the Daedra's attention.
"Brick hit it with those barrels," Johnson yelled. A barrel flew towards the Daedra and was followed by a barrel from the other car. The two explosions caused the creature to turn its attention back to them and allow Roland and Lilith to do whatever they were planning. Johnson only got glimpses of what was happening as he was trying to avoid getting squashed by the Daedra's paws but he could make out some sort of glow and a really big gun right before the shock wave hit them then the boom and then the heat. The explosion threw the car onto its side. The others' vehicle landed next to theirs and Roland landed on top of it. Lilith then appeared beside him and the Daedra's corpse fell next to her.
"What was that," Johnson asked after making sure everyone was as ok as they could be after that.
"That," Roland replied, "Was a little Leviathan juice added to Lilith's Phase-Blast, pretty cool huh?"
"Pretty loud," Salvador replied as he flexed his huge jaw to try and get his ears to pop.
"Yeah sorry bout that," Lily said, "We were phased so didn't hear the noise."
"This is normal for you guys," Johnson asked.
"Normalcy, for us, this is," Zer0 affirmed.
"Was that Haiku," Johnson stated, "Now that is classy." Zero's mask lit up with a thumbs up. "And that is... ah never mind," Johnson added.
"This is Mal calling for anyone's assistance, we are pinned down in White... uh Wash what is this place called? 'Whiterun' Oh right we are pinned down in Whiterun and need the closest available help. Some sort of molten, flaming ghost is rampaging around the city."
"Well that doesn't sound good," Maya remarked.
"Whiterun is just North of here," Johnson said, "let me get these cars back up." He turned the cars back onto their wheels and check them out to make sure they still worked. "Everyone get in lets go see about this ghost."
They piled in and headed out of the factory district and followed Johnson's directions to Whiterun. When they got there the city was readied for attack and there was fire all around the walls but nothing inside the city.
"Vignar," Johnson yelled over the noise of the fire, "Vignar Are you still there?"
"Johnson," Vignar yelled down, "Can't see you through the smoke. Somewhere out there is an atronach, biggest I've ever seen, we've kept it out of the city but just."
"What do you mean just," Mal added, "I thought we were doing well."
"I said better than I expected you to do," Vignar replied.
"Mal who else is with you," Sal asked.
"Oh me, Jayne, Hoban and Zoe," Mal replied, "Our guns have kept the ghost out but I don't think we've actually hurt it all that much."
"Nonsense," Vignar said, "I've killed those before with a sword, never mind these magic weapons you've got."
"They are called guns," Zoe said.
"But this one is bigger right," Johnson said, "So it will take more damage to bring down, what about explosive barrels?"
"Eh enough of those might do it," Vignar replied with a cough, "Damn smoke."
"We'll go take out this atronach you all get these fire out," Johnson said.
"Ok how are we supposed to find this thing," Roland asked.
"If they hurt it enough then it will have retreated and I am assuming that the fire trails around here are its doing so we find the one that heads away from here and we can track it," Mordecai said.
"On it," Maya said as she drove off, they headed in the other direction to cover the ground twice as fast. They found the trail but didn't like where it headed. It headed away from Whiterun and towards the base of a massive mountain, the Throat of the World as Grish called it. Also it was where the civilian population from Serra was stationed.
"We have to get there," Johnson said, "There are civilians out that way."
Lily gunned the jeep and they were off. The rolling hills and rivers that were on the way were as nothing to the two vehicles as they swept over the landscape. They soon could see the end of the trail and the atronach, or what was left of it.
"What did that number," Roland asked as they pulled up beside the corpse.
"That would be us," Grish said as he Lydia and Serana walked over to them.
"Johnson good to see you're out and about again," Serana said.
"Ok introductions please," Maya said.
Johnson introduced the two groups as they headed to check on the carrier that housed the civilians. Dizzy, the self-declared mechanic and former submarine pilot, met them and gave the all clear. Hoffman then indicated that they were going to be picked up by the Infinity and would be out of danger soon enough.
"Well that is all well and good for them," Lydia remarked, "We only have to fight back the forces of the Daedric lords no biggie right?"
"Not for K it isn't," Roland said, "Dad's won more than one planetary battle."
"Still not seeing the family resemblance," Grish said.
"Its in his eyes," Lily replied, "Look far enough into them and you can see those white flames like K has."
"So you've looked that deep into his eyes then," Johnson remarked with a laugh, "I thought there was something between you two, glad to see I haven't lost my touch. I was right about John and Cortana too."
"So you're what the match maker of the group," Zer0 said, "How odd."
"And your not using Haiku," Johnson returned, "Not match maker per say more like match identifier. Now lets go kick some scaly hides back to this Oblivion that they are coming from."
"Hey you took care of that atronach," Mal said over the omni-tool that Maya had, "Yeah we watched the whole thing too bad we didn't get to see you three in action, names Mal we'll met later. Looks like Cortana needs you guys to head back to your base. Sounds like she's already got the Daedra retreating."
"That is Cortana for you," Johnson replied, "Ok heading back. Grish and friends you in?"
"Only if you do us a favor," Grish said, "Get a transport to take us to Riften."
"Aye you want to check on your kid right," Johnson said, "I'll get you there."
Cortana and Doug were finishing up the Daedra as Johnson piloted a light transport to Riften, Grish and Lydia were in the back anxiously awaiting their arrival. As the lake-side city came into view Johnson was alarmed by the emptiness of the surroundings.
"Grish, Lyds, we might have trouble," Johnson said.
"Crap," came Lydia's reply along with a low rumble from Grish. Johnson landed the transport outside the mountain side gate to the city. They got out and the smell was the first thing to hit Johnson.
"Death has come to this city," Grish growled, "If it's found our son then I will be coming for death."
"I wouldn't be to hasty in you accusations," came the rolling purr of Jinx's voice, "After all I am the Dragonborn." Jinx walked out of the city gates which swung open before her. Instead of the lap cat that Johnson remembered before him was an odd combination of human, cat, and lizard. Jinx licked one of her 'hands' clean of blood before saying, "Your townspeople are hiding in the Ragged Flagon under the city. The Thieves Guild just saved the city."
"What are you," Johnson asked.
"She is the Dragonborn," Lydia replied, "Restored it seems."
"Yes ol Hermaous Mora never saw me coming," Jinx said, "Oh and I'm also part succubus."
"I can see that," Johnson said with a encompassing wave of his arm, "Explains the wings and horns and such."
"Your one to talk," Jinx retorted.
"That was a compliment," Johnson said.
"Well you two sort this out we're heading down to see how our son is," Grish said as he and Lydia headed into the city.
"So how did you end up a cat," Johnson asked.
"Long story solder boy," Jinx said as she lounged across a wagon, "It starts with Alduin and a Dremora lord..."
By the time Grish and Lydia returned Jinx had only gotten to her first encounter with Hermaous Mora and Johnson found her tail fascinating. Jinx was the child of a Khajiit and a Succubus but was also a Dragonborn so she was part dragon from both parents and had all the abilities of the three bloodlines. Her unique powers had led her into several adventures and she had foiled the Dremora lords many times previously, thus her curse of being a cat and getting sent to Serra.
"You two seem to have hit it off," Lydia remarked, "Come on lets go."
"The kid ok," Johnson asked.
"Just as independent as ever," Grish replied, "First thing he said was, 'oh you thought I needed saving didn't you?' I tell you we did good with him."
"Cortana called while you were visiting she says we're ready to depart," Johnson conveyed, "You two coming?"
"Blarg yeah," Lydia replied, "Seems that things here will be okay and if Serana is going then someone will have to watch her back."
"Because I would be totally incapable of that," Jinx replied with a laugh, "Lets go I've missed my nap."
"You sure you're not just a morphed cat," Johnson teased, "You sure sound like one."
"Solder boy," Jinx retorted as she got into the transport and Johnson plotted their course for the Pestilence's light craft hangar bays.