Oblivion - Chapter 3
TOC
General McCarthy stood at the viewing port staring silently down at the planet below. He was pleased with the results from the use of Zeta's super-weapon, although the first mission down to the planet had not gone strictly to plan. His first test firing of the death-ray back on Earth had been impressive, wiping both the Brotherhood citadel and Adam's air force base off the capital wasteland map. But the leveling of the gigantic mountain peak was truly awe inspiring. With such power at his fingertips he was a god among insects.
The door chime to his private quarters sounded.
"Enter." he called. The emaciated doctor Gellar walked quietly into the room. "Status report."
The doctor's thin, dry voice matched his frame.
"The mountain peak's temperature reached safe levels two hours ago and we have begun teleporting personnel and equipment down to the surface." he paused, clearing his throat. "The space-time anomaly remains unchanged but the peak is now lower, so we will have to build a structure up to it." McCarthy nodded.
"That was the plan. Time frame?"
"About two weeks."
McCarthy rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Very well. What is the status of our scouting parties?"
The doctor consulted a datapad.
"Preliminary assessments suggest that much of the indigenous flora and fauna is almost identical to that of pre-war Earth. Teams have been collecting samples for analysis back on the mothership."
"Good." said McCarthy with satisfaction. There was silence for several seconds. "Is there something else, Doctor Gellar?"
Gellar cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"We have picked up life signs from Thorne's power armor."
The general spun, a hybrid of disbelief and rage spreading across his face.
"What?!"
"He survived the blast, sir. The armor is somewhat exceptional. He must have cleared the blast zone before the beam hit."
McCarthy ground his teeth together. He should have terminated Thorne when he had the chance. He had known that the compulsion chip had inexplicably failed during the engagement on the peak and he had at least expected Thorne to survive long enough to place the teleporter beacon. But the dragons had been more aggressive than he had bargained for, despite months of observing them from the ship and none of the other recon flyers had been able to land. He had lost dozens of them in the skirmish.
At least the death ray had destroyed many of the beasts as well. It would make colonization much easier. Thorne though. That was a problem. He was too dangerous to leave alive. He turned to the scientist.
"Is his tracking beacon still active?"
"It is. He appears to have a joined a large group of natives who are moving north, away from the mountain. We believe they are making for their northern most stronghold."
The general smiled. All the easier to eventually round them up.
"Should I dispatch a team to deal with him sir?" asked Gellar.
The general shook his head. He could not afford to waste his special forces whilst the mountain fortress was being constructed. There were still enough dragons to make an effective counter attack.
"Can you assure me that the compulsion chips are still a valid option?" he asked the doctor.
"I have thought about possible reasons why the chip failed in Thorne's case, sir." replied Gellar, slightly nervous. "He was heavily augmented by the Brotherhood of Steel before we captured him. Perhaps he found some way to deactivate the chip via those pre-existing neural implants. A non-augmented brain should not pose that problem."
McCarthy pondered for several seconds.
"Very well," he said. "Send down the mutant."
* * *
The two warriors trudged through the recently fallen snow, slowly ascending the hills to the north-west of Whiterun hold. They had left the ash fall behind, which had rendered the city akin to Raven Rock in Solstheim.
Maxim and Thorne had left the group of refugees over an hour ago, making for the dragonborn's homestead in the hills for extra supplies. Maxim had advised Jarl Balgruuf to make for Solitude via Dragon bridge and avoid the pass of Labyrinthian. The Jarl had agreed wholeheartedly. He had not agreed with Maxim's choice of travelling partner, however, and had said so. Balgruuf always spoke his mind. Maxim smiled.
The pair clambered over a cluster of snow dusted boulders at the top of the hill and Maxim made out his home in the distance, a gentle wisp of grey smoke rising into the sky from its chimney.
The two had discussed many things during their journey. Maxim had learned of Earth and its ruination by nuclear war. Although he found the concepts hard to grasp, he understood the basics. It was as if Oblivion had claimed that world entirely, it denizens warped and twisted. Thorne was truly a hardened soldier to have successfully survived there. Although Maxim did not trust him, he hoped he would be a powerful ally in the new war to come.
Without warning a crossbow bolt came hissing at them from a nearby copse of trees. Maxim barely had enough time to raise Spellbreaker and the bolt's wooden shaft splintered on impact. Thorne was already moving to engage the dozen fur-clad bandits that had burst from the woods, howling war cries and brandishing axes and clubs. Maxim looked on as Thorne rammed the lead warrior with his shoulder with a sickening wet crack. The limp body was hurled backwards into his companions, knocking them flying. The bandits surrounded the black armored warrior, raining blows on him with their weapons with no effect. Thorne dispatched several of them with his fists before the rest ran screaming in terror back into the forest.
"No wonder the Whiterun guard thought you were daedra," said Maxim as the bloodstained soldier returned.
"Daydra." said Thorne curiously. "What is that?"
"Daedra," Maxim corrected. "Demons from Oblivion."
"Your description of Oblivion sounds like the capital wasteland." replied Thorne. Maxim shook his head in wonder.
"How is it that your people could cause such destruction to your own world? The place that sustains you?"
"I suppose its in our nature to destroy ourselves." replied Thorne quietly.
"And us too," Maxim retorted somewhat angrily.
"Not if I can help it," said Thorne.
Maxim stopped and looked at the scarred soldier.
"I want to believe you, Thorne."
They walked on in silence for another hour before reaching Maxim's home.
* * *
Lydia was waiting for them as they reached the manor. Her hand rested on the pommel of her sword as she eyed Thorne warily.
"My Thane," she said to Maxim. "How fared you at the Throat?"
She looked beyond the two warriors to the mountain peak, which was no longer smoking but still shrouded in a cloud of ash. Maxim regarded her solemnly.
"The Throat of the World and High Hrothgar has been destroyed by invaders from beyond the stars."
Lydia started in horror and half drew her sword, staring at Thorne. Maxim held up his hand.
"At ease Lydia. This is Thorne. Yes, he is one of them, but he was their thrall. I have freed him and he has vowed to help us fight these new enemies."
Lydia gave a slight nod.
"You both must be hungry and tired. Come in and eat and rest."
"Only for a short while Lydia." replied Maxim. "Prepare to travel north. We leave for Solitude at day break. Via castle Volkihar."
Lydia shivered.
"Must we?"
"I'm afraid so housecarl. We will need Serana's help." With another, somewhat reluctant nod Lydia returned to the manor house. Thorne looked down at Maxim.
"A friend of yours?"
Maxim merely nodded and made to follow Lydia. Thorne stared for a second, then back at the mountain. Then he followed Maxim into the house, his power armor humming quietly as he walked.
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