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Dragon Wars: The Force of others
Episode 29: Discovery
Jader
Loghain moved through the streets, keeping his hood over his head. He had left Anora to organise the army and Cauthrien to organise the forces to wait for Leliana and Alistair. That wasn't to say Loghain planned to meet their unlikely ally alone. Cullen and his squad were in hiding, amongst the people on the streets. Loghain was no fool, and he suspected Gaspard wasn't either. Honour only got warriors so far, and Loghain believed that Orlais was a nest of vipers. For Gaspard to be considered honourable and survive the game, he must have been as smart as Loghain. Years as a farm hand, and hunter after that had taught Loghain observational skills. He could spot former Chevaliers even if they did act like drunks. The Butcher in Jader was anti-imperial, but often did services for the imps. If a high ranking official wanted a rival to disappear, the Butcher would provide the service of making the body disappear. He often gave meat to the desperate for free, and Loghain suspected where it came from. Desperate times often led to despicable things, and Loghain knew what it was like to be so hungry you would eat anything.
The Butcher provided a back yard where no imperials would over hear them. Pigs squealed and the air smelt like shit, so no security captain would be caught dead there. Rolling up his sleeve, Loghain checked his chrono-meter and checked the other entrances. Hooded figures appeared, so as Loghain suspected Gaspard wasn't a fool. One walked into the yard, holding a bottle of whiskey and swaying. The man let out a disgusting belch and wiped alcohol off of his beard. Loghain put a hand to the dagger at his waist, watching the drunkard carefully. After two steps, the drunkard stumbled into the pig pen, Loghain followed. Both removed their hoods and Loghain saw for the first time Gaspard De Chalons, heir of Orlais, respected Chevalier and now leader of the Orlesian resistance.
"Mac Tir," Gaspard said, voice refined with an edge Loghain recognised from high born fighters.
"De Chalons," Loghain didn't bother with the proper pronunciation or accent.
If Gaspard took offence, he didn't show it. Setting the bottle down, he drew the Orlesian styled short sword from his hip and set that down too. Loghain took out his dagger and knuckle duster.
"I've come far to meet you," Gaspard said.
"The journey has been long for me," Loghain said.
"My sympathies for Ferelden, to lose a country..."
"My country was taken, twice, but my people still live," Loghain said, not caring whether he sounded too harsh.
"Ferelden was the victim of the Mad Emperor's greed, his desire to keep hold of the old empire. When Kirkwall gained its independence in 8:5, many in the Orlesian court counted it as the end of the Orlesian empire as they knew it. Nevarra followed, and then Ferelden and the arrival of the empire beyond the stars. A select few, my parents among them saw that for all we had fought and cheated for, our 'grand empire' was nothing in comparison to what else was out there," Gaspard explained.
Loghain raised his eyebrows in surprise, not expecting Gaspard to consider his home country so harshly.
"What of Empress Celene?" he asked.
"Governess, Prime Minister Celene, whatever they regard her as, is nothing more than a political tool for the empire. She believes that by serving as a mouth piece, she can slowly manipulate her way into a position of true authority. To her credit, she has genuine control over some of the Orlesian recruited imperial soldiers, but she is beginning to lose power, both from the common folk, the elves and especially the nobility!"
"Surely not because of the Dales," Loghain said.
"There is much prejudice amongst the Orlesian nobility, and even the city alienages. It was recently revealed that Celene's bodyguard Briala is also her lover. Such a thing makes no difference to the imperial occupiers, but old prejudices die hard in the streets and courts of Orlais," Gaspard stated.
Loghain shook his head, he was no saint when it came to elves. He was ignorant of aspects of their history, and understood from a certain point of view that made him prejudice to some people. In another life, he probably would have made their lives harder in order to make the lives of others in Ferelden better. But it would never have been motivated by some petty discrimination.
"So Orlesian nobility and the elves are turning to a better candidate for Orlais," Loghain muttered.
"Oh the elves join me because they hope I can lead them to revenge, the nobility won't do a thing until I have the upper hand over Celene. She's hosting a gala at Halamshiral, in celebration of the graduating legion of Orlesian imperial recruits," Gaspard explained.
"Storm troopers?"
"No, regular Sith troopers, they'll be deployed to off world warzones. The bulk of the garrison in Orlais will be at this event, which is where a small team will infiltrate and kidnap Celene and Moff Wessel," Gaspard said.
"What?" Loghain narrowed his eyes at Gaspard.
"When you sent me your plan to attack Halamshiral, I knew that it would serve as a good example to the people of our ability to work together. But with Halamshiral taken, the greater target would have its security increased."
"Verchiel, your old posting," Loghain shook his head, picking up his weapons and turning.
"I'm not talking about taking Verchiel, I'm talking about the fighter yard where Planascene forest used to be," Gaspard said.
Loghain stopped, turning to Gaspard with his interest half regained.
"Garrison commanders of Halamshiral believe we will attack there, the garrison commanders at Verchiel believe the same. However I sent additional leaks that we would attack Val Royeaux," Gaspard explained.
"Idiotic considering our numbers and equipment, Denerim was our pride, but not the same size as your capital," Loghain said.
"To attack Val Royeaux without uniting all of Orlais, as you united all of Ferelden is suicidal. Abducting VIP's from the event in Halamshiral will give us leeway. As our covert team takes hostages from Halamshiral, you and I will join with Knight-Commander Meredith of Kirkwall, and the Dalish clans of Lavellan and Ghilain!"
Loghain widened his eyes slightly, then stroked his chin as he sat down.
"Thedas will see not just major leaders of Ferelden and Orlais, but a commanding figure of Kirkwall and the two largest Dalish clans in the region. By taking the fighter yard, we will have secured fuel, materials and weapons to kick start bigger operations. Moving through the imperial Highway, to Val Chevin and then Val Royeaux, taking the Orlesian capital and capturing Divine Victoria and the Dark lord of the Sith stationed there," he explained.
"Darth Asher, the Divine and a Sith lord in one fell swoop. We will have crippled the Sith version of the Chantry and defeated one of their lords," Gaspard said.
"And shown Thedas an army not of Ferelden, but of all of Thedas. I will begin calling forth warriors of all the Ferelden factions," Loghain said and Gaspard nodded his head.
"We must unite not just Orlais, but all of the people whom call Thedas their home. Just as you had united all of Ferelden!"
"You are wrong, that was not me, but Daylen Amell!"
"I would have liked to have met this mage, he and the sacrifice his fellow mages made to stop that Sith weapon is one I will never forget," Gaspard said.
Loghain hesitantly nodded his head in agreement. He had never met a tactician and fighter like Daylen Amell. Wherever he was, he served the rebellion better as a noble sacrifice than a hero waiting to return.
Deep Roads
Wherever Daylen was, Leliana hoped he was seeing wonders as grand as what she looked upon now. Though time had affected the vault, it was still as impressive as the first one she saw. The vault itself was a hundred yard hallway filled with containers. Leliana looked at the ceiling, seeing the molten orange lights running across it.
"It drew on the power of the planet itself, to keep itself active," she gasped.
Oghren stepped up to one of the containers and tapped it.
"Take a look at this," he gestured to the shining blue crystals inside of it.
"It appears to be lyrium," Sten said.
Oghren touched the container again, withdrawing when a set of holographic letters appeared on it.
"EZ, maybe it isn't lyrium," he said.
Zevran walked around one of the containers, putting his hand in one. There was a clicking sound, and then a hiss. Suddenly, Zevran withdrew his hand with a yell.
"What is it?" Leliana asked.
"Something in there stung me, it..." Zevran paused when he moved his hands.
Two orange gauntlets covered his arms, much like the gauntlet over Leliana's. Blades extended from the arms, followed by plates of holographic armour over Zevran's chest and parts of his legs.
"Wow," he muttered.
Sten sheathed his sword, stepping up to one of the containers. He removed a disc shaped device from it. It beeped and he was about to put it back in the box, when he heard something behind him. Throwing the disc, he drew his sword and looked upon...a floating ball. Its form continually rotated as it floated off of the floor. The disc suddenly shifted as well, expanding and floating off of the ground. A barrel extended from the front of the disc and suddenly fired green beams at the floating ball. The ball fired back with pulses of electricity, both drones attacked one another until they were destroyed. But the disc suddenly flew back to Sten, the Qunari catching it cautiously.
"Maybe there's a manual we could use before we start opening more boxes," Zevran said.
"I've found something," Leliana called to her companions.
She was standing in the middle of the room, at a type of console. Running her hand over the console, holographic screens appeared around her.
"You wanted instructions, here they are gentlemen, information translated to multiple languages. Omni-Tech, blade, armour, shield, knuckle. Tech; flamethrower, cryo-dust, drones, overload, turrets, barricade. Not quite the weapons we were looking for, but an incredible find, this could help us surpass the Sith troopers," Leliana explained.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this," Zevran said, deactivating the armour and the gauntlet. "It's all in the fingers I think!"
"Materials and technology, guess we need to thank them," Oghren muttered.
"I'll send a prayer later, we should get back to the surface and organise an expedition to bring these containers back," Leliana said.
She downloaded the inventory, schematics and relevant codexes, even taking some of the corrupt files to hopefully repair later. Leaving the vault doors to close behind them, the group made their way back to the entrance. Upon coming out of the vault however, they quickly drew their weapons out. Standing before them, some snarling and battle ready, were pale, rough skinned creatures dressed in cruel armour. With the size and bulk of human men were Hurlocks, the majority of the group. Diminutive, but bulky and fierce were the Genlocks. Near feral and with rat like faces were the Shriek's. And towering above them were three gigantic, horned Ogres.
"Darkspawn," Oghren snarled, identifying the race itself.
"Hold!"
Even Sten widened his eyes, as three Darkspawn stepped forward. One wore armour over his loin cloth, a purple scarf around his neck, and a helmet covered his face with the front of it shaped into a pair of outward horns. The second carried two crude blades like butcher cleavers, ropes rang over his shoulders, keeping his chest plate together, he also covered his face with a red and black helm. The last of them, and the apparent leader carried a shield and mace, both of which he laid out on the floor. His armour seemed to be a better quality than the other Darkspawn, consisting of scale mail and grey and gold plates. A purple cloth was wrapped around his neck, and his fierce pale face had blood like paint over his eyes.
"Did one of those Hurlocks just talk?" Zevran asked.
"You are thinking you know of our kind elf? It is understandable. But that will soon be changed," the Hurlock with the horned helmet said.
"We have not come to fight," the leader said.
"We are here to trade," said the second.
"So the rumours are true," Leliana muttered. "I thought it was a fairy tale, Darkspawn that talk!"
"We have been awakened, freed of the song, individuals but still part of the group. We speak for them, I am the Withered!"
"The Herald!"
"And I am the Architect's Messenger," the leader stepped closer to the group.
"You attacked the Imperial caravans here didn't you?" Leliana asked.
"Yes, they dig, dig deep into our homes, burn the children and the mothers," the Messenger said.
"Mothers who were abducted and changed by you," Oghren glared.
"We know what we are, and how we are born...we do not have pride, but we do wish to live," the Herald said.
"The Sith," the Messenger snarled. "Dig deep, seeking lost secrets," he gestured to the vault. "And more, they dig quicker than we can, find the lost dragons."
"Before you can corrupt them, it seems like they're doing us a favour," Leliana said.
"Blights not our desire, was not the desire before...lost dragons, wanted blights before. But now, Sith chain lost dragons, take them above clouds!"
"Off world, we know they're taking them, but we don't know why," Zevran said.
"We fight empire, we join rebellion," the Messenger said.
"So that you can just take over Thedas once the Sith are gone?" Leliana demanded.
"No different, from what humans will do to each other, when Sith gone," the Herald said.
Leliana was about to rebuke, but she couldn't. She knew the greed of people, the corruption of courts and nobility, and even the Chantry itself.
"Architect does not seek rule, but freedom, from the Sith and for us," the Withered said.
"So what, we live in harmony, man and darkspawn?" Oghren scoffed.
"We go back to the nature of our world, the balance of it," the Messenger said.
Leliana lowered her pistol and stepped cautiously towards the Messenger. Cautious, but also confident that she could draw her dagger before he could attack.
"What are you here to propose?" she asked.
"We know these caves, this world beneath yours, better than those whom know the world above you," he said.
"We have an alliance with dwarves already," Leliana said.
"But we know what dwarves do not, older secrets, secrets you seek," The Messenger gestured to the vault. "We know where another is, we will show you, if you share key, if you share what is inside. We will help you carry half of what is inside to the surface if you let us keep other half," the Messenger explained.
Leliana took a few steps back to her companions, eager for their thoughts.
"We don't know what could happen to the vault and its contents if we go to prepare an expedition, with Loghain planning his campaigns he probably won't be able to spare the man power," Zevran explained.
"Nothing should be wasted, but the darkspawn are dangers greater than Serabas, there must always be caution and conditions with them," Sten added.
"I can't believe we're actually considering allying with these freaks...I need a drink!" Oghren huffed.
"Daylen made allies out of the werewolves, out of dragon cultists, we have an alliance with people in Tevinter and Loghain's willing to put aside his pride to ally with De Chalons," Leliana explained.
"Fereldans allying with Orlesians is very different from allying with the monsters you're told nightmarish stories about as children," Zevran said.
"I'm not going to fight beside them, and I may be a drunk but I still know some of the logistics of war. Loghain won't be able to spare his men, but I don't need to be a genius to know this could back fire on us," Oghren explained.
"I know, the rebel alliance, saviours of Thedas, allying with monsters that have tried to destroy it four times," Leliana dragged her hands through her hair and sighed.
"We need to take the contents of the vault to the surface, Loghain is not here, nor is Ashkari, a decision must be made," Sten said.
Leliana looked up at the vault, one of the last hope for their people. Then at the Darkspawn, once one of its greatest threats and from a certain viewpoint, still its greatest threat. Yet still, they offered hope during a time of darkness and Leliana knew to look in the most unexpected places for hope.
Storm Coast
Thieves and murderers, Alistair didn't expect to call these people allies. Nor did he expect them to look to him for leadership. When they heard he and Irving were planning to strike against the Empire on dragon island, they offered their assistance instantly. They gathered at their camp, around a table with a map of the Stormcoast on it. Alistair held the knife in his hand, giving the directions on the map.
"An aerial attack will be futile, the Vinsomer still circles the island often, the turrets are always active in the event it tries to take back its home. Once we've eliminated the turrets, the Vinsomer will return. But first we have to clear the island, an attack by sea is risky but still our best chance, what do we have to get across the sea?" Alistair asked.
"Boats with speeder engines on them, we put the engines underneath the water and we go faster than we ever have before," one of the blades said.
"Impressive, they have guns on the beach that will strike at us though," Alistair said.
"Not if I use a barrier, I could protect the boat until it lands on the beach," Irving said.
"Even if we land on the beach, they still have repeated blaster rifles, they'll cut us all apart," said another of the blades.
"If you have lyrium dust and poultices, start crafting, because I have an idea," Irving smirked.
They packed weapons, explosives, both stolen and homemade with dust, alcohol and shrapnel. As Irving walked, he checked over the bags of lyrium dust that some of the blades carried. Alistair walked between two blades, one carrying a sniper rifle and another a rocket launcher. The Mabari walked at the head of the blades's hounds, the unofficial Alpha to their pack.
"What are you planning Irving?" Alistair asked.
"How much did you see of the ground battle from the back of a dragon Alistair?" Irving asked back.
"I remember Daylen led a group of the mages outside of Denerim, he performed some spell using Knight-Enchanter techniques," Alistair said and Irving shook his head, humoured.
"He took the fundamental techniques of the Arcane Warrior specialisation, drawing magic inwards, and instead of unleashing that magic as a mana blade, or increasing his physical strength, he created a massive projection," Irving explained.
"I remember now, but wasn't he drawing on lyrium he painted onto his skin as well as the collective mana of a select group of mages?" Alistair asked.
"My Mana pool is greater than Daylen's, it comes with my age of course," Irving said.
"It was a big risk for him to take, an original spell that had no guarantee of working and he was drained after it," Alistair said.
"Yes, in fact I'd go as far as to say it nearly killed him. I'm not as great as an expert as Wynn, but using your magic in such a fashion when you don't have the necessary mana pool can damage the inside of your body in the long term. But my job will simply be to protect the boat as it lands, at that point, you'll be able to neutralise the imperial blasters!"
"With the force," Alistair muttered.
"Yes Alistair, trust in it, you used it during the battle for Ferelden, use it for this battle and every battle beyond it," Irving explained.
"But are you sure you'll be able to create something that matches what Daylen made?" Alistair asked.
"I will, have faith Alistair, in both yourself and those who follow you."
Irving smiled at Alistair as he walked away. The blades prepared their boats, Irving and Alistair stood at the front of theirs and looked behind them. These men and women depended on their success and in order to succeed, they had to discover the strengths they often tried to hide. Irving because he was a mage, hiding power was his duty. And Alistair because he doubted himself, if there was another leader, he would turn to them. But there was no other leader, and they couldn't hide their power.
Planet 31
The Fury floated over the blue and grey planet. A world of bogs, swamps and energy storms, it was yet another potential resource for the empire. Canus stood at the map projector, bringing up some of the first projected sites that the empire occupied. The exploratory corps had formed four bases across the planet. Two had been decimated, one was protecting itself from the natives and the fourth maintained a type of truce with the natives. The fourth was where he would go, as his master dictated, at least for now.
"What do we know about this planet?" Vette asked, looking over her blaster pistols.
"Imperial intelligence confirms that there are two single gendered species aliens on the planet, one is extremely technologically advanced, whilst the other is very aggressive, feral even," Malavai explained.
"Looking forward to the fight then," Pierce removed his chain gun from the rack, attaching it to a clamp on his armour.
Landing the ship in the imperial dock, Canus walked to the hatch. Pierce put his helmet on, whilst Canus used the force to move breather masks to Vette and Quinn.
"This planet has been known to produce natural gasses, troops have occasionally suffered for their ignorance," Canus said.
"What do these gasses do?" Vette asked.
"Once they make contact with the fluid in a person's blood stream, they begin to crystallise and expand," Malavai said.
"To bloody results I'm guessing," Vette cringed.
Canus walked down the hatch, surprising the gathered officers and troops with his salute.
"Lord Canus, this is an unexpected pleasure," the base commander said.
"I am no lord, and you can dispense with the pleasantries, you will provide a status report to Agent Quinn here, Lieutenant Pierce will verify the readiness of your troops. Consider them in charge until I return," Canus explained.
"Return?" the commander looked at him in confusion.
"I want a speeder bike prepared, put two day's worth of rations in there," he commanded.
"Y-yes sir," the commander bowed his head before rushing to see everything done.
"Vette, you'll go with me," Canus said and the Twi'lek girl nodded her head.
Once the speeder bike was ready, Canus climbed onto it with Vette behind him. She held the support handles at the back of it whilst he punched down on the throttle. The bike levitated off of the ground as the Sith troops opened the base's gate. With a twist of the bike's handles, Canus and Vette darted off. They flew across the planet's landscape, a bog of swamps with blue crystals jutting out of them. Canus flew around a few of these formations, then dived down a cliff face, at the last moment, Canus pulled up, putting more thrust into the bike so that it could hover to the ground. He stopped briefly, looking into the distance, where a natural fortress had formed. A great tree upon a hilltop, surrounded by rocks and fissures.
"Beautiful," he heard Vette mutter behind him.
He had to agree with her, particles of blue energy emanated from the branches of the tree, making them look like fireflies or shooting stars. Canus activated the engine again and continue the rest of the way. Riding to the base of the hill, he parked the bike and walked with Vette up the hill. There was the snapping of twigs around them, the rustle of leaves and general disturbing of the ground. Vette's hands unconsciously drifted to her pistols. She looked at her surroundings more than the Sith lord, at least that's what she believed. In truth, Canus knew they were surrounded, he knew that guns and other astonishing weapons were trailing on them. Canus drew his sword from his back and stabbed it into the ground.
"Take your pistols out and drop them to the floor," Canus commanded.
"What?"
"If you want to avoid a fight do it," Canus said.
Vette quickly drew both her pistols, placing them on the ground as they continued walking up the hill. They came to the base of the tree, where a doorway had been formed.
"I find it hard to believe they have an open door policy," Vette said.
"They must not perceive us as a threat," Canus said.
He slowly and cautiously raised his hands, an action Vette repeated.
"We're not going to have to kneel are we?" she asked.
"Well, do we?" Canus asked, finally speaking to the people around them.
They climbed the trees, traversed the branches, hid behind the rocks. Blue energy flowed around four as they jumped towards Canus and Vette. The blue energy lifted them off of the ground and they gracefully landed in front of the two intruders. They were female figures, though varying weights and muscle tone, each one though clearly a fighter from the armour they wore. Some had cloaks on their backs, others had studded guards on their shoulders, or clear blue visors exposing human like eyes. All of them however wore various tones of blue armour over black hard suits, or put over bare blue skin. The helmets had designs at the back of them resembling some form of head tails, though not like the Twi'lek kind. There was a mild shake and more fighters walked around the roots.
They were male figures, unlike the earlier ones, and didn't seem to utilise the blue energy. Massive, hulking like figures covered completely in armour. The packs on their backs seemed to be modified rocket boosters perhaps to account for their immense size. They were bigger than Wookies, probably half the size of Rancors and fittingly, they carried big guns. Though the guns themselves were primitive compared to blasters, but Canus didn't doubt their fire power alone made up for that.
The flying warriors aimed their own purple and white blasters, some opening their palms of their hands, the blue energy crackling between their finger tips. Canus noticed a few had bladed weapons too.
"We mean you no harm, we just wish to talk," Canus said.
"Talk you wish hmm!"
Canus shifted his feet, hearing the laughter coming from the 'ceiling' of the tree. He watched the trees, seeing the green and blue blur darting across the branches. Then he saw the red light sabre ignite. He didn't move his head, didn't resist, feeling a clawed foot on his shoulder. It had a surprisingly strong grip considering the size of the person it belonged to. Half the size of a dwarf, small and light enough to grab and throw off. But the red light sabre held to his throat gave him pause.
"Well, what is it you wish to talk about?" the alien asked him.
He had pointed ears, green skin and wore a set of blue robes. Jumping off of Canus's shoulder, he deactivated his small light sabre, hanging it off of his belt and walking between each of the alien warriors. Though they were giants compared to him, Canus had no doubt this small alien creature was the most powerful person in the tree. He had seen pictures of the species, but no one seemed to have a name for them, save for the fact they tended to be strong in the force and some often spoke a form of broken basic.
"I seek knowledge, I seek answers, I seek discovery...I seek lost secrets and secrets that were not even known," Canus said.
The small alien turned towards Canus, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Where did you learn such words?" he asked.
"From my master, he whom also guides my path to vengeance," Canus said.
"And who is your master?"
"He's never given a name, but he is older than the emperor, older than he whom leads the First order. And he knows far more about the universe than any who exist, save perhaps for the Whills," Canus explained.
"Yes, met this one I have," the alien smirked.
"He was the one whom convinced you to leave Darth Revan," Canus said and the alien nodded his head.
"Leave Revan's order before it fails, convince others he did too," the little alien jumped onto the shoulder of one of the bulky aliens.
"You are Veda bearer of the four Holocrons, I already have the first from Starkiller," Canus said.
Veda reached into his robe, a chuckle escaping his mouth as he removed a white pyramid from it.
"Knowledge for knowledge, hmmm?" he laughed again.
"I can give you information on troop movements..."
"No!" the humour left Veda's voice as he narrowed his eyes. "When it is time to fight, we will be ready, instead you will give me much more important information, tell me, even if your master has denied you speak of this. It does not need to be great detail, simply a yes or no question. Answer me this, is the gate going to open?" Veda asked.
Vette looked at Canus in confusion, noticing how he lowered his head and hesitated. Squeezing his hand into a fist, he looked towards Veda and finally gave his answer:
"Yes!"
Next Episode 30: Bloody grip
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, and the revelations, plus campaign planning for the future.
The aliens Canus meets on Planet 31 are only partly original. They and other species will have a role to play in the future, connected to the vaults Leliana seeks.