A few of the items here are mere trinkets, things only worth examining due to the location in which they were unearthed.

Others, however, have somewhat more potential. Curious objects sometimes without an immediately clear purpose, but nevertheless appearing to be part of a shattered window into the past. Others have a clearer purpose, such as the hand of an ancient golem or a fragment of a basic turret attached to a war machine.

Regardless, the artifacts doubtlessly raise questions.

And what is the path of Metis but seeking answers to questions?

Thus, it is only logical that I am here, and only logical that I am examining what they've managed to uncover. Not that they've delved into the main sight particularly deeply, yet, but what they've discovered in the surrounding area is enough to paint at least the beginnings of a picture.

Some sort of military installation was here at some point, that much is perfectly clear. Perhaps a facility that was producing these weapons? The industrial nature of some of the fragmented relics as well as the scattered pieces of weaponry points to such a purpose, at least, older than the far more recent war.

Naturally, it only makes sense that they contacted me. Who is more appropriate to participate in this expedition than a genius? And, naturally, I accepted.

I've turned down plenty of less interesting requests for collaboration before, but this digsite---

Well, in truth, it holds some interesting possibilities. An expedition into an unknown site to discover what may lay within is sure to grant me further knowledge, isn't it?

With my staff floating alongside me, currently acting as a portable heater, the cold isn't much of an issue either.

Only very few of those I consider peers are directly involved in this, which is somewhat disappointing. But at least they've hopefully gathered people who will be of [i]some kind[/i] of assistance.

---Hmmm.

This artifact appears to be some sort of artificial limb. A bit more humanoid than expected from a killing machine, but at the same time no entirely identical to the structure of one of the ancient golems.

I may have to return to that artifact in particular. For now, it appears that the main dig is about get underway.

A genius wouldn't miss this.