The mountain air was crisp and clear, a cool wind blowing through the trees of the lands Tarvek sat within as he took in a breath, secured within a ritual circle. There were plenty of humans around, establishing a base camp, a permanent one, in the wilderness of this earth. Their earth. One that, for now, was unlikely to have anyone come upon this rural retreat of sorts in the wake of the not-Asgard invasion, and now mobilisation of this nation amongst many others. At an old 'fire watch' tower Tarvek had been told, or ranger station with a tower, and where campers had gone missing years before.
'I suspect such is why' he thought to himself, exhaling as he opened his eyes, still sitting in his mediative pose, ritual circle shimmering with faint energy visible even to the humans' non-arcane eyes. The mountains and valley below were 'spiritually active' as it were, though Tarvek had to choose his words carefully with the very close-minded humans with their fixed religious beliefs on reality. Not encouraging for them dealing with the wider multiverse, but that was just another obstacle to overcome. Even seeing was not believing for them as Tarvek activated the portal emblazoned on the rock directly in front of his ritual circle; a combination of an extensive runic circle and various technological aids.
The orc pathfinder had made the portal large enough to be easily entered through by his power armoured self, but no vehicle larger. Such would be too much pressure when balanced against safety, and, of course, the power of such a permanent portal as he was laying down. There were ley-lines directly through these lands, and what might have been previous breaches in reality, albeit flickering ones he guessed at. Those were finished now, the energies being drawn and focused into this, intended, permanented portal. Or what would be, as soon as Tarvek 'locked' the 'bridge' between dimensions. Something he would not do till he'd found a decent dimension to 'lock' to, finding his voice now, as he raised up his left arm, touching his pip-boy wrist-comp "Sending through a drone now. Sharing data"
On the rockface the portal rippled like water, though looked like liquid silver, before slowly shifting to a glass-like quality showing forests and hills on the other side. Glass, the liquid, through the surface of a lake, rippling before him as he focused on his breathing, watching the electricity arc on the sides of the 'doorway' as everything solidified. Controlling that flow was why Tarvek remained in his meditative pose, as the last two portal efforts had been to Earths that were far to 'active' and 'noisy' to risk making an appearance where there was an advanced humanity on this level. They didn't want that, in these humans, and neither did Tarvek as he watched a drone go through, images showing up on a holo-screen generated by his wrist-comp as it passed through the 'surface' of the breach.
Technically there were three drones, all together, as they broke apart once they'd entered the other dimension, then risking up into the sky, breaking away in three different directions. Up and apart, gaining information in a roughly triangular area as Tarvek's fingers danced over the wrist-comp, ordering the three drones to move in a designated pattern to map the immediate area. Map it, and listen for the telltale signals of either an industrial or arcane empowered society. Long-range signs, as this site seemed to be in a similar location to where they were now, save on a different plane. Though 'Best avoid a high energy plane if we can avoid it, too much trouble there potentially, even if I could do with the power support'
He ignored all the humans aiming guns at the event horizon, nor looked at his own suit in defence mode, as he plenty of activities to be focusing on. There were dangers potentially beyond of course, from plagues to nano-machines, and this was just a case of his warnings being listened to: one really shouldn't complain about that, even if slowed things down a little. For now things were looking good, as there was little sign of any electronic communications, nor radiation or petrochemical signatures in the air. It could just be the few miles around the breaching site, but, all things considered, it was a good sign as Tarvek explored with the drones, rotating them to gain a 'circular' scan of the miles and miles of raw forest around it. No signs of humans, or human signs, though there were limited signs on the plane he was currently on as well.
'Still…reasonable indicators of non-activity compared to the others' Tarvek told himself after almost an hour, recalling the drones at long last towards the portal. The region around the portal was similar to where they were, save with thicker forests, a mildly colder climate, and nothing too major a problem at a glance. Sensors scans showed no signs of sensors, or radio, or of anything beyond organic organisms below. Magically active, but not problematically so, and with a lake nearby, just like on this plane, save slightly larger or maybe with more recent flooding.
He expelled a weary breath as the drones returned, flying through the portal before he closed it, the ritual circle's light dulling as the drones landed, Tarvek placing his hands on his knees as he pushed himself up to stand "That is sufficient for now. Analyse as you wish. I shall rest a time"
'Ahhh, too long meditating' he grumbled silently as his legs had 'fallen asleep', the aching filling him as he forced them to move as if they weren't that. Standing and walking out of the circle, to rest his back against the rock wall to the right, hand bracing against it as he looked out over the valley below. It was…a nice view, if one ignored the soldiers and tents and various weapons of war…
'Almost like home' he thought with a chuckle as a figure approached "Happy with this one?"
Tarvek gave an amused snort at Janet, towering over now as in his true form, even without armour "Perhaps, it is…quiet so far. Worthy of further study, and perhaps a best choice. It is…taxing though"
More than he wished to show, for he was not a…skilled pathfinder in truth, having been within the guard-warrior for reasons clear to himself, and his fellow caravaners. Such was irrelevant now, for there was only he, Tarvek, to get himself home, and that meant following things by 'the book' as best as was feasible, while innovating as necessary. Or required.
Janet nodded "It does look like that…why though? It is almost as if it is drawing from you rather than a gate?"
"It is, to a degree. In some sense" he answered resting back, circulation restoring itself to his limbs and ache fading to nothingness "I act as conduit…no, rather a better term is guiding the energies that are already present in the lands through the ritual to where I wish it to go. Such is tiring on the wielder unlike my devices. Unlike pure device driven"
"Then why…tire yourself so?"
It was an honest, if enquiring, question and he shrugged "To guide the…flow, path?...however you wish to call it. Purely technological means are…"
Tarvek paused, thinking, shaking his head "Are blind, and can lead to dangerous realms without knowing. Not that guided ones do not either, but they are less likely to. Our wills, unconsciously often, guide the path to realms within defined paradigms. Mortal minds are not able to deal with the madness of the realms between realms, but they are better, even at a distance, of judging the better, safer, path"
Tarvek chuckled "Confusing and nonsensible sounding, yes, but proven as the better method"
It was, for reason beyond Tarvek's own understanding, as that was the way with mortal minds and things, they best not think too much on. Because to open oneself, without training, or even with training, could lead to death or worse. Janet didn't understand that of course, not truly, but she did seem to grasp the generalisation, nodding after considering it a few moments "Will we…be heading through soon?"
"You do not have to" he replied calmly, trying to be kind "This world is much as yours. Travelling will be, dangerous to say the very least"
"Hmm, no, I think is the answer. Better to try and know, than stay here. It's…" she sighed, gazing off into the distance "Uncanny valley. Did you know I live here. I mean…a version of me?"
"It does happen" Tarvek admitted, though not so much within League realms as after the founding years of the League it was something actively avoided. There were, of course, such interactions at times, but they were often best avoided and he wasn't eager to ever meet another version of himself. He was Tarvek, and he did not want to see how other Tarvek's lived. Something Janet seemed to agree with, what with a wince.
"I haven't met her…and don't think I want to" she admitted, then shook her head, resting her back against the rock wall beside him "This isn't my earth, and I know it. That and…I'd rather take my fate into my own hands, and know we tried…"
She trailed off, and Tarvek grunted in agreement. He could relate "Cling to those thoughts in the hard days ahead. Many realms will be far less pleasant than this"
"Heh" she murmured "You have been very clear on warning about that. So never fear on such details. I know what I'm getting in for, even if I might regret it. Sitting here in a gilded cage doesn't appeal"
Tarvek nodded, agreeing "No. It does not"
Janet gave a wan smile "Well, travelling it is then?"
