[Dwemeri] 5 – Escape Part 3

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[Machavin's POV]

I felt vile for using the [Drain Knowledge] spell from Hermaeus Mora, but it gave me the answers I sought, and so much more. This planet, unlike Nirn, was named 'Earth.' Why the 'Humans' of this planet named it after dirt, I had no idea. But that was not the most important thing I had learned. 

These Humans were as industrious as my people and seemed to have advanced far more regarding technology than anything I could have ever dreamed of. Not only that, but they did it entirely without magic! In the mind of the 'Human' I drained the knowledge from, they believed magic existed, citing some examples, but believed it was nothing more than more advanced technology. It was unfortunate that much of the information I had gained was lost in the transference, but what I gained intrigued both Hermaues and me to the point of sheer excitement.

I could feel Hermaeus watching even more intently through our pact and bond, soaking up everything in sight as well as feel his need and demand for more, and I was starting to agree with him.

My original plan was to flee from the disaster that was coming for my people and eventually return to Solstheim and Nirn, but what could I learn from this place? I could learn everything I would need to restore my people! Or so I hoped. First, I needed to escape with these human 'teenagers' first, who seemed to have started keeping their distance from me since I had killed the human.

So, I instead focused on leading us out of this 'Cadmus,' some organization in a nation called the 'United States of America,' or just 'America' or the 'US.' The first thing I would need to do when I escaped was find a safe place to build a new workshop and heal myself of the wounds I received to my mana channels and body from traveling here.

As I led them through the underground structure, through endless corridors and up multiple flights of stairs, I grew increasingly worried when we still hadn't encountered any more of the 'Genomorphs.' Risking it, I took a moment to cast [Detect Life], finding that for around a mile in every direction, there were no signs of life larger than that of life at the microscopic level outside of the others in the group. Where had the Genomorphs gone, or the other scientists?

Pushing that aside, I looked back at those following behind me and spoke, "We are nearing the ground floor, just up this flight of stairs." I gestured to the flight of stairs before us before continuing forward, regardless of whether they followed me.

It was at the top of the stairs that I realized the building above was likely destroyed, as rubble blocked my way. With a moderate use of Telekinesis, the rubble was removed out of my way, and I stepped upon the ruins to look upon the night's sky above.

A brilliant moon, one smaller than the two that floated above Nirn, yet shone in an excellent white.  Yet, in the sky alongside the moon, I could not see the stars of Atherius. 

Floating by my side was the human in white, who looked upon the moon before us with as much awe as I did.

"What is its name?" I asked, to no one in particular.

"Luna," Robin answered.

"A wonderful name," I spoke, before tearing my eyes away from the beauty before us, to look upon the many figures who floated and stood at the edge of the crater that had become what remained of Cadmus.

They came in many different shapes and sizes, the most notable of which were figures I recognized from the human's memories.

Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. Green Lantern. The Martian. 

Yet, there were many other figures alongside them that I did not know or recognize from the man's memories. 

"Crap," one of the teenagers behind me cursed.

...

[The Watch Tower, an hour later]

Standing around a huge round table, the more prominent members of the Justice League watched as Batman typed away at a holographic keyboard and pulled up an image.

"Cadmus. According to the files Robin acquired, Cadmus was funded and run by Lex Luthor," Batman began, only for Superman and Wonder Woman to speak, "Of course, it's him."

Ignoring their words, Batman continued. "Underneath the Cadmus building, lay an extensive and very expensive lab, with a direct focus on Genetic Research and Experimentation, resulting in the creation of 'super soldiers' code-named Genomorphs in their files. These Genomorphs come in six types: the G-Gnomes, G-Goblins, G-Trolls, G-Elves, G-Dwarves, and G-Sprites." Batman showed an image with each name.

"Not exactly original," The Flash joked.

Ignoring his words, Batman continued by explaining what each Genomorph strain was capable of.

"Each cast of Genomorphs was designed for specific purposes. G-Gnomes, which were the Genomorphs that controlled Guardian, were capable of telepathy. G-Gnomes could use Telkenesis and could speak. G-Trolls were designed with strength and endurance in mind. G-Elves were equipped with claws and were far more nimbler. G-Dwarves were workers, with the only notable difference being specialized tentacles with which they could work. G-Sprites were the smallest of Genomorphs, capable of generating electricity, could fly, and were naturally bio-luminescent." Batman showcased each image with a video of Cadmus scientists testing these abilities.

Noticing the worried expressions of the other heroes, Batman shook his head, "However, the Genomorphs were likely destroyed and buried with the destruction of the facility underground shortly after our arrival."

"And the two other figures we saw with our sidekicks?" Green Arrow suddenly spoke up, rather seriously, which was unusual for the man.

"Project Kr. Robin and the others discovered a Clone of Superman and an unknown Human, and subsequently freed him from his test tube, where he immediately attacked Robin and the others. Batman showed a picture of the clone as Superman clenched his jaw at the familiar sight.

"But he freed them in the end and joined their side to escape Cadmus," The Martian commented before anyone else could speak.

"That's right," Batman admitted, "I motion that we screen it for any more influence first before we do anything further with it."

"It's not an it," The Canary spoke up suddenly, interrupting Batman with a glare.

The two stared at one another for a few moments before Batman looked away, moving on to the next subject.

"Subject: Dark Elf, a speciman that was gifted to Cadmus by Lex Luthor with the goal of learning what it was, where it came from, what it could do, and if anything useful could be made of it," Batman read aloud, showing an image of the supposed 'Dark Elf' contained in a tube full of fluid.

"Certainly looks like a Dark Elf," Flash commented.

"Despite having the Subject contained for three months, the subject suddenly awoke from its stasis, where it began to fight its way out. Zatanna?" Batman suddenly looked to the aged magician in the group.

Standing up, Zatanna looked upon the subject and began to speak, as footage captured by the cameras showed what the subject could do and did after it escaped containment, "This...'Dark Elf,' upon escaping, began to use and flaunt spells and magic I have never heard of, let alone seen before. It spoke in a language that I could not find or had any record of. Its appearance, while similar to the Dark Elves of legend, is different and most certainly not an Elf. I believe that it is of extraterrestrial origin, much like some members of the League," Zatanna gave his brief report.

"So, a wizard that looked like an elf but is an alien?" Green Arrow asked.

"Whatever he is, he is dangerous. Some of the magics he conjured and cast took on a very... ominous element, magic that has been expressly forbidden from being used for centuries. Magic that delves into the Eldritch," Zatanna spoke with a grave tone.

"Like the stuff Lovecraft wrote?" The Flash asked, confused.

"Yes," Zatanna confirmed, making the Flash wince and gulp, letting out an awkward smile.

"He is currently contained within a cell aboard the Watch Tower, a cell warded with the best magic Zatanna could cast alongside the best technology I could buy," Batman informed the others.

"What are we going to do with him?" Wonder Woman asked.

"With your help? We will soon find out," Batman said with his ever-present frown.