(2022-12-18) Taking Care of Business

Details

Author:	Vond
Summary:	Lucy, Tadget, Tibbiah, Jocoza, and Nunuzac make a small-tall alliance and investigate an ethereal's interest in rare magical goods - only for things to get a lot more dragony.
Rating:	T for Teen

Jocoza waves at you.

You cheer at Jocoza.

[Jocoza]: Nunuzac! I hope it's alright I came to help.

[Nunuzac]: Captain Jocoza! So good you are here. Any sharp eyes are good for this thing.

[Jocoza]: I don't mean to, you know, be overbearing about being a Captain or whatever. *Jo grins* I'll keep my eyes sharp!

[Tibbiah]: Heya, Cap. And… tall fry.

[Nunuzac]: Ha! One who is usual about being in charge is better than what I know. Oh! Hello.

[Jocoza]: Tibbs! *Jo looks delighted* You came back over to help Outland-side.

[Tibbiah]: Yeah things were getting kind of heavy on the home-side.

[Nunuzac]: Cobalt? Oh yes, Cobalt blue. I am Nunuzac. Here to look into manaforge cleanup.

Tibbiah salutes Nunuzac casually. "Tibbiah Q. Shinbreaker. Happy to meet you."

[Jocoza]: You might've run into Tibbs on this side, Nunuzac, she was with the Sons of Lothar.

Tibbiah nods solemnly.

Nunuzac blinks a bit. That name is so many syllables. "Sons of— for true? Maybe we passed by and I did not even know until now."

[Tibbiah]: For true. And, I mean. I'm short, so.

[Nunuzac]: Yes, maybe behind a chair, or in some tall grass.

[Jocoza]: We're easy to overlook. *Jo giggles*

[Tadget]: Sup.

Nunuazc blinks at Tadget.

[Jocoza]: Oh my goodness, Tadget!

[Nunuzac]: Another! Wow, so much help today.

Tadget stands at attention and salutes.

Tibbiah squints at Tadget.

[Tadget]: Sergeant Tadget Sharpgear, 7th Legion. Here to help.

Jocoza looks like she might go give Tadget a hug, but she restrains herself. Dignity, right.

Tadget hops down off her magnificent ebon gryphon.
Tadget pats her clearly ethereal-made blades. "So are these guys."

[Nunuzac]: I feel like I am back with Toshley crew.

[Jocoza]: She's basically Cobalt, too. She was, and I'm sure she will be again soon, if she isn't yet.

[Tadget]: Tosh! My man.
[Tadget]: Yep, yep, I am. Again. He replied super fast to my letter for some reason.

[Tibbiah]: Sergeant Tibbiah Shinbreaker, Sons of Lothar. Also basically Cobalt. By which I mean actually Cobalt. Because dang, that was a drag.

[Tadget]: And told me you were doing Ethereal Stuff?

Jocoza cheers at Tadget!

Tadget salutes Tibbiah with respect.

[Tadget]: I think I know you.
[Tadget]: Stratholme, right?

Nunuzac nods sharply at Tadget. "We want to find out what kind of business Consortium is moving in to make here, because there is so much dangerous things around still."

[Tibbiah]: Oh scratch, yeah! That's a heckuva hood you got on there, buddy.
Tibbiah peers at Tadget searchingly.
[Tibbiah]: There was the whole, uh, other one. Enthusiastic kid.

Tadget whips it off dramatically, shaking out her… actually not a lot of hair.

Tibbiah shakes her head sadly.

[Tadget]: Right. The dead one.
[Tadget]: Sparkfly.

[Tibbiah]: Collector of kneecaps.

[Tadget]: I nearly got kicked out of the 7th for what I said at her funeral.

Tibbiah lays a solemn hand over her heart.

[Tadget]: Probably shouldn't have worn the uniform.

Jocoza's smile fades a little, and she turns to Nunuzac. "Right, so we want to make sure the Consortium doesn't do anything dangerous with artifacts. I did contact an expert about that, but I'm not sure she'll make it."

[Tadget]: You don't need an expert; you have three gnomes.

[Tibbiah]: We are by nature experts.

Tadget agrees with Tibbiah.

Lucille slides off her gryphon. "I'm here! I'm here!"

[Tibbiah]: Nature's experts. Though not experts on nature, those are you tall fellas.

Tadget eyes Lucílle up and down.

[Nunuzac]: That is okay, Captain is a mage yes? That could help us know if something is wrong. Oh! Hello.

[Tibbiah]: Experts on most stuff except natu— oh hey, another tall fry.
Tibbiah waves at Lucílle.

[Jocoza]: Yes, I'm a mage… oh, and Lucy! She's also a mage engineer.

Lucille beams. "That's me! Lucy."

Jocoza waves cheerily at Lucy.

[Tadget]: Sergeant Tadget Sharpgear, 7th Legion, sort of. Good to meet you.

[Nunuzac]: Very good. We will find out if something is wrong for sure. I am Nunuzac if you would like to help us. First thing we should do is see what my contact wanted from Cobalt.

Tadget salutes you with respect.

[Jocoza]: Finding out what people want is always a good first step!

[Nunuzac]: Also, Lucy I can say easier than… Tibbicue… shen…

Tadget happily falls into line, cleearly ready to follow orders.

[Tibbiah]: … you can just call me Tibbs.
[Tibbiah]: The Q. is purely cosmetic.

[Tadget]: TIIIIIIIIIBBS.

Lucille looks curiously at Tibbs.

Tibbiah turns to Lucy. "Tibbiah Q. Shinbreaker. The Q is purely cosmetic."

[Nunuzac]: Tibbs! Very good. Windtrader Marid is the name of the one who asks my help with… business.

Tibbiah sticks out a hand. It is a very low hand.

Tadget nods at Nunuzac.

Lucille gets on Tibbiah's level to shake her hand.

[Nunuzac]: We go see?

[Lucille]: It's nice to meet you!

Tibbiah nods approvingly. "Likewise. And yeah, let's get to business."
You nod.

Lucille's rental gryphon takes off. Goodbye. It's gone.

Nunuzac waves at Wind Trader Marid.

Tadget draws both her swords, not threateningly, but just showing them off.

Wind Trader Marid says: Ah, Nunuzac, these must be your colleagues. From the look on your faces, I can tell you're people who appreciate a good profit.

Nunuzac blinks. "Oh, how is that look?"

Wind Trader Marid says: Don't worry about it. For those who haven't met me, I am Marid, and I've built a reputation as a dealer in exotic goods. I'm about to launch a new venture.
Wind Trader Marid says: I need a reliable subcontractor to procure the goods from the Celestial Ridge.

[Lucille]: I'm Lucy Moore. We're from Cobalt Company. It's so nice to meet you.

Tadget eyes Lucílle up and down.

[Tibbiah]: Reliable subcontractors, yeah. That is, like, 80% of us. Good call.

Wind Trader Marid says: It's good to see so many have answered me in this endeavor. I am sure that if we all work together we can make it mutally profitable.

Lucille looks at the group as if trying to determine who is an unreliable subcontractor.

Wind Trader Marid says: First, you'll need to re-energize a teleport pad. There is a spare power pack in Access Shaft Zeon, which is on the south side of Manaforge UItris.

Tibbiah ain't saying.

[Tadget]: We got a perky one… *she mutters to herself*

Wind Trader Marid says: The Protectorate is operating in there, so you may be able to follow their tracers to your goal.

[Jocoza]: That sounds like something we can help with, for sure!

[Nunuzac]: Hmm, that seems easy, yes? We get the part from down below.

Tadget eyes Jocoza. "Maybe two perky ones."

[Nunuzac]: Okay! Very right ahead. To the point.
Nunuzac shuffles a small ways off and says, "Okay, we go see if we find that teleporter piece. Then we might find out just what is the rare goods he talks about."

[Tadget]: Nice.

Lucille unzips an arcane pocket in the air and pulls out… Yep, another flying machine.

[Nunuzac]: The access shaft is on the other side of the island, but not too far.

[Tadget]: I love that sound. Makes me feel like I'm en route somewhere with the 7th. *SIGH*

The group sets out to fly past the remnants of the Etherium staging grounds, left in a shambles by previous squad activity. While approaching Access Shaft Zeon, they find a Protectorate tracer - a greenish crystal beacon. A bit beyond it, an ethereal is futzing with a piece of technology.

[Nunuzac]: Oh! This here, this is an ethereal marker.
[Nunuzac]: Ah? Someone else is here?

[Tibbiah]: I will do so many barrel rolls later. Mission first, though.

Nunuzac points at Agent Araxes.

Tadget waves them forward and points.

Tibbiah peers at Agent Araxes searchingly.

Agent Araxes says: I hope this damned thing works. *Araxes pounds on the portable transponder.*

Image of Commander Ameer says: Araxes, come in… Are you there Araxes? Visibility is nil. Warp storms blocking us.

Agent Araxes says: I'm here, commander.

Image of Commander Ameer says: Copy. Status report, soldier.

Agent Araxes says: We've located the mark, commander. Ya-six and I have been separated. Requesting backup.

Image of Commander Ameer says: Copy that, Araxes. Backup is on the way. Hold your position. I repeat, hold your position.
Image of Commander Ameer says: Ameer, over and out.

[Tibbiah]: Oooh, he looks shifty.
[Tibbiah]: … get it?

[Jocoza]: They all do…

Tibbiah looks around to see who got it.

Lucille giggles.

Tadget giggles at Tibbiah.

Agent Araxes says: Fleshlings. Wait, speak to me before you go below, if that is where you are headed.

[Tadget]: Oh good. One of the good ones.

[Lucille]: Hello! That's us, the fleshlings from Cobalt Company!

[Nunuzac]: Ehhh? What is it you are here for?

[Jocoza]: Getting bored out here all alone?

[Tibbiah]: I love it when you call me fleshling.

Tadget giggles at Tibbiah.

Image of Agent Ya-six says: Araxes! Send help! I'm pinned down in the mines. I… I'm not sure where I am exactly but I had the presence of mind to drop tracers on the ground behind me.
Image of Agent Ya-six says: I can't follow the tracers back out, too many flesh beasts in the way. Send someone in… Follow the tracers… Ya-six, out.

Agent Araxes says: Agent Ya-six and I were given a high priority mission from Protectorate command to eradicate all signs of void creature infestation at Ultris.

Jocoza whispers to Tibbs, "It's an upgrade from flesh beast."

[Tadget]: You're not ready for this flesh.

Tibbiah nods at Jo. "Oh, that wasn't sarcasm. It's a great word. F l e s h h h h l i n g."

Jocoza giggles at Tibbiah.

[Lucille]: Do you suppose we're the backup?

Agent Araxes says: These were to be tactical strikes. Our last hit before returning to the Protectorate Watch Post was to be on a void lord named Arconus who had been getting fat off the fleshlings of the area.

Nunuzac looks shocked! "Another void lord? Already?" She starts to look hesitant and worried.

[Lucille]: Goodness.

[Jocoza]: What? Really?

Agent Araxes raises his sparking palm. "Easy. This is not a being of the same class as Dimensius, not by a long shot. It has proven elusive, but our readings indicate its strength is very limited."

[Tadget]: Okay good because so's mine.

Agent Araxes says: Limited but complicated. Unfortunately, we arrived a bit late. Ya-six and I got separated in the firefight with the flesh beasts. Now he's trapped inside, pinned down behind enemy lines.

[Tibbiah]: Limited strength, that's our area of expertise.

[Nunuzac]: We have our bodies here instead of just casted image. Maybe we can find Protectorate Agent before it is too late.

[Tibbiah]: Don't worry, buddy, we are on Ya-six.

[Jocoza]: Well, with magic all things can be unlimited…

Agent Araxes says: Another thing before you go barreling into danger.

Tibbiah looks around to see who got that one.

Lucille giggles.

Jocoza giggles at Tibbiah.

Nunuzac seems oblivious.

Tadget examines the projector.
Tadget giggles at Tibbiah.

Agent Araxes says: You see these corpses, fleshlings? Arconus is responsible for this slaughter. He's sucked them dry, leaving nothing more than a fleshy husk. But don't let the bodies fool you!
Agent Araxes says: Inside those corpses lie flesh beasts, waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting fool that gets too close.

[Tadget]: Flesh beasts meaning like… us? Or…?

[Lucille]: Oh, no, probably worse.

[Nunuzac]: Flesh… beasts. Those little small wiggle monsters? Ew.

[Tibbiah]: Got it. Don't worry about us. We barrel roll into danger.
[Tadget]: Worse than me?

Agent Araxes says: I've got my orders. I must remain here until backup arrives. That doesn't mean that you can't take my igniter and destroy the withered corpses that litter the mines. One way or another, the mission must be completed.

[Tadget]: Yikes.

[Lucille]: Not as cute as you, I bet.

[Jocoza]: Like the ones that burrowed into Lena in the Arcatraz? That sounded awful.

Tadget grins wickedly at Lucílle.

Lucille beams at Tadget.

[Tibbiah]: Flesh beasts are a definite downgrade in… uh, who got burrowed into?

[Tadget]: She thinks I'm cute, Jo.

[Lucille]: Burrowed into… ew.

[Nunuzac]: Of course, no help from strong ethereal. And. We are going down there anyway to find the teleporter piece.
[Nunuzac]: Let us see if we can find Ya-six as well.

Tibbiah nods at Nunuzac.

[Nunuzac]: All ready?

[Tadget]: I'm right on your tail.

[Tibbiah]: On Ya-six.

[Jocoza]: Oh, come on, Tadget, anyone with eyes can see you're cute.

[Tadget]: Oh. That kind of flesh beast. 'Kay.

They head toward the mouth of the access shaft and find both wandering flesh beasts and blood elf corpses.

[Nunuzac]: That beast is bigger than I think would fit.

[Tibbiah]: I sure hope so.

[Tadget]: So Jo you're saying go for the eyes.

Nunuzac sighs at Withered Corpse.

Jocoza giggles at Tadget.

[Nunuzac]: Eeeeugh!
[Nunuzac]: Ah— here! Another marker.
Nunuzac points at the greenish crystal.

[Tadget]: What the crap are they mining in here?

[Nunuzac]: I hope it is the Protectorate leaves these on their way in.
[Nunuzac]: Wh-

The gnomes double back on a mysterious smoking object.

[Tibbiah]: What is this?
[Nunuzac]: What is /that/.

[Jocoza]: Uh, its floating.

[Lucille]: Oh. That's weird.

[Tibbiah]: Someone should poke it.
[Tibbiah]: Not me, though.

[Nunuzac]: Does not look healthy.

[Jocoza]: Looks kinda evil.

[Tadget]: I have not seen a thing like that. I'll poke it.
Tadget pokes the thing.
[Tadget]: OW.

Tibbiah nods approval. From a safe distance.

Jocoza watches Tadget. "Evil ow? Or just burning?"

[Tadget]: Conclusion: do not poke.
[Tadget]: Just burning.

The smoking object seems inert other than being on fire.

[Tibbiah]: Do you feel any percent more evil??

[Tadget]: I mean, hard to tell
.
[Tibbiah]: Okay.

[Nunuzac]: Probably just garbage.

[Tibbiah]: We'll table it for now.

[Jocoza]: How does one measure a percent evil?
[Jocoza]: Really, we'd need a metric.

[Tibbiah]: I love the way you talk.

[Tadget]: We can call the units Tadgets.

[Nunuzac]: Hmm.. did I miss more markers? One moment, I look.

[Lucille]: It was back at the turn—

[Nunuzac]: I see!

[Lucille]: This way!

[Jocoza]: Ah, floating burning thing.

[Nunuzac]: Aha.

[Jocoza]: And crystals.

Tadget, for all her amazing swords, doesn't seem to be doing much.

[Nunuzac]: Happy I just miss it. And not that they stop.

Tadget points to the ethereal.
Tadget makes a series of incomprehensible hand signals.

[Nunuzac]: Right, so easy! He leaves a trail for us.

[Tibbiah]: Fleshlings 15, flesh beasts zero.

[Tadget]: It's him.

[Nunuzac]: Behind him. Is that?

[Lucille]: Ya-six?

Tadget greets Agent Ya-six with a hearty hello!

Agent Ya-six says: Hey! Hey you! Draenei! Over here!
Agent Ya-six waves vigorously at the fleshlings.

[Jocoza]: I don't think you're behind enemy lines anymore.
[Jocoza]: Because they're dead. The enemies.

Tadget giggles at Jocoza.

Agent Ya-six says: Thank goodness you're here. Did Araxes send you?

[Tibbiah]: If that was the other one, yes. I wasn't paying attention.

Tadget nods.

Agent Ya-six says: Araxes and I were deployed to Ultris 2 days ago. Our mission: Find and terminate the void lord Arconus. We tracked him to this mine and discovered that he'd been feeding off the energies of the creatures in the area.

[Nunuzac]: I think so! I think that was Araxes.

Agent Ya-six says: A fire-fight broke out which resulted in Araxes and I separating. Now I'm stuck here, badly injured. The mission is in shambles!

Tadget eyes Agent Ya-six up and down.
[Tadget]: Yeah, you look a mess.

Agent Ya-six says: If you can take out Arconus, high command would be grateful. Should you accept this mission, I will assist by providing a reflection of myself as a guardian.

[Lucille]: That, ah, teleporter power pack behind you… might we just… scoop that up?

Tadget thanks Agent Ya-six.

Ya-six produces several reflections.

Reflection of Ya-six says: Look at that handsome grouping of chaotic energies!
Reflection of Ya-six says: Look at that handsome grouping of chaotic energies!
Reflection of Ya-six says: Look at that handsome grouping of chaotic energies!
Reflection of Ya-six says: Look at that handsome grouping of chaotic energies!
Reflection of Ya-six says: Look at that handsome grouping of chaotic energies!

Agent Ya-six says: Oh stop! You're going to make me turn red and then someone is going to mistake me for Ethereum and kill me.

[Jocoza]: How many can you make? Can we have an army?

[Nunuzac]: Well, we are already here.

Tadget cackles maniacally at Agent Ya-six.

[Nunuzac]: We cannot let weak void lord just go without saying yes to this.

[Jocoza]: I agree, let's kill it.

[Nunuzac]: Right! Extra help.
[Nunuzac]: It cannot be far.

Tadget lets her flirty reflected ethereal do the fighting.

Reflection of Ya-six says: Arconus is close. I can feel him. Take the northwest passage. He should be just up and around the corner. Be ready to battle!
Reflection of Ya-six says: Did I forget to mention that I'm injured?

[Tadget]: Hold still, Nunuzac, lemme patch ya up.

[Nunuzac]: You were right, Ya-six
[Nunuzac]: It is okay, I can heal a little bit.

[Jocoza]: This is so disorienting with all the Ya-sixes… who are great to have around!

Nunuzac frowns with disappointment at Arconus the Insatiable.

[Tibbiah]: I gotta figure out how to rig those things to explode out of me when I'm dead. But, like, voluntarily and many, many years from now.

[Nunuzac]: It does look bigger than the other creatures…

Lucille giggles. "Is that really a void lord? It looks so small."

[Lucille]: I mean, compared to what I would imagine…

[Tadget]: Piece of cake.

[Tibbiah]: That is a void vassal.

[Tadget]: I killed a god, you know.

[Jocoza]: A weak one, they said.

[Nunuzac]: Not anything like Dimensius at all.

[Lucille]: You did?

[Tadget]: Yep!
[Tadget]: Well, I helped.

[Nunuzac]: Go get him, Ya-six!

[Jocoza]: Not your god, I'm sure the one you killed was very strong. I mean, this one's weak.

[Tadget]: It definitely had some of my stab wounds in it when it died.

[Tibbiah]: Ya-si— oh okay we'll just get him.

They all go get him.

[Lucille]: That's really something!

[Nunuzac]: Well, if it was going to get any more big—
[Nunuzac]: Now it will not.

Jocoza nods firmly.

[Tadget]: It had the biggest eyeball you've ever seen.

[Nunuzac]: Let us tell Araxes. I hope that is enough.

[Jocoza]: Do we need to do anything special?
[Jocoza]: For it to not come back?

[Tibbiah]: I mean we're returning to him with like five Ya-sixes, he's gotta be impressed.

Tadget sighs at Reflection of Ya-six.

[Tibbiah]: Ya-five.

[Nunuzac]: What I know is we must repair all nether tears. The Protectorate will know more.

Reflection of Ya-six says: Turn its back to me! I need a clean shot!

[Jocoza]: Okay.

[Tibbiah]: Do you… not know how to find the backs of things, buddy?

[Nunuzac]: They led the fight against Dimensius and work here a long time.

[Tadget]: Ethereals are so freakin sexy.

Nunuzac giggles. "Sexy?"

[Tadget]: Super sexy.

Agent Araxes says: Any luck in finding Ya-six?

[Tibbiah]: Um.

[Tadget]: We found a bunch of him.

[Lucille]: Ta-da!

[Nunuzac]: So many!

Tibbiah looks around at the gaggle of Ya-sixes.

Agent Araxes says: You saved my wrappings, Cobalt. The Protectorate will know of what you've done on this day, friends.

[Jocoza]: I'm glad we could help!

[Nunuzac]: Hmm… we should definitely tell Ameer back at the Protectorate about little void lord. But before we go there, this teleporter piece, we go with it to the relay?

[Tibbiah]: Yes.

Tadget nods at Nunuzac.

[Jocoza]: Right, the original mission.

Lucille takes out her flying machine again.

Agent Ya-six coalesces into his teleporter image, presumably, to exist in person elsewhere.

[Tibbiah]: Can we… lose these Ya-sixes now? Guys, you can hang out here with your pal, Araxes-One.

[Tibbiah]: … oh, whew.

[Nunuzac]: To the teleporter location!

[Jocoza]: Oh my goodness.
[Jocoza]: I just realized

[Nunuzac]: Ah?

[Lucille]: The original… and our five?

[Tibbiah]: Ya? Six?

[Nunuzac]: Waaaay out here, he says.

They fly waaaay out to the far reach of the island on which Ultris is situated - the side most exposed to the raw nether, and the edge of habitable islands. The region is full of tall cryastl formations and wandering ghostly dragons of various sizes, from drakes to full grown.

Nunuzac blinks at Nether Dragon.

[Lucille]: Well!

[Jocoza]: Looks like a hologram pad.

Lucille unzips her arcane pocket and takes out the teleporter pack.

Tadget pokes it.

[Nunuzac]: Engineer? You assemble the piece maybe?

Tibbiah does a barrel roll and comes in for a pretty alarming landing. She hops out, looking unfazed.

[Lucille]: Shall I get this installed, then?

Tadget cheers at Tibbiah!
Tadget claps excitedly for Tibbiah.

Tibbiah grins wickedly at Tadget.

This ethereal teleport pad is covered in brightly colored buttons and switches, but seems to have fallen into disuse.

[Jocoza]: I guess they can use them for transport and communication.
[Jocoza]: Go for it, Lucy!

Tadget pokes it again.

Lucille presses some buttons and some switches like she knows what she's doing.
Tadget looks like she's pretty sure her poking it was what did the trick.
[Lucille]: Marid! It's your reliable contractors.

[Tibbiah]: And one other.

Wind Trader Marid emerges as a projected image when Lucy activates the pad. "Are you prepared to discuss business now, Cobalt?"

[Lucille]: We've got your power cell~

[Nunuzac]: Were we not…
[Nunuzac]: Ah!

A rampaging dragon interrupts.

[Tibbiah]: Whoa!

[Tadget]: WHAT THE WHAT.

[Nunuzac]: Bad place for business…

[Lucille]: Goodness. Jo, are you alright?

[Tadget]: I WAS NOT WARNED THERE WOULD BE DRAGONS.

[Tibbiah]: No one said anything about dragons!
Tibbiah looks delighted.

Jocoza shakes her arms a little. "I'm alright. Now, the dragon is dispatched, ready for business!"

Wind Trader Marid says: As you've no doubt seen, *gestures to the dragon* the area is teeming with nether dragons in various stages of growth. All nether dragons, young and old, contain an essence that was highly desired by K - err, by a client of mine.

[Tadget]: I totally had that, I was just… distracted…

[Jocoza]: K…
Jocoza 's eyebrows raise.

Wind Trader Marid says: Unforseen circumstances have changed the situation with my buyers somewhat, but now that I know the demand is there, it should be no problem finding a way to move these essences.

[Tadget]: K'er, yeah, I know the guy.

[Lucille]: Oh, we wouldn't expect you to divulge the identity of your client, don't worry! That's terrible business etiquette.
Lucille smile smiles.

[Tibbiah]: Is dragon essence a legally-traded good? *Tibbs doesn't look disapproving, just cheerfully curious.*

Jocoza does not look like she entirely agrees with the business etiquette.

Wind Trader Marid says: What do you say? Most people aren't willing to risk their lives to gather it, so we've got the place to ourselves.
Wind Trader Marid says: You can start by gathering the essence from any of the creatures out here, but it's imperative that we start building a supply right away. Return to me once you have the first batch.

[Tibbiah]: We are not most people.

[Lucille]: Well, they're hostile! They attacked Jo.

[Jocoza]: I suppose we've already proven we're fine to fight dragons…

[Lucille]: Can't have that happening again!

[Tadget]: Yeah, I'll… scout ahead.
[Tadget]: Yep, I see dragons.

[Tibbiah]: We will protect the Captain with these dragons' lives!

Wind Trader Marid says: That's what I like to hear, and why I asked for Nunuzac's people specifically. The showing at the Protectorate's recent endeavors was impressive.

Tibbiah salutes Image of Wind Trader Marid with respect.

Lucílle giggles.

Wind Trader Marid says: Now go! The bounty is just there for the taking!

[Tadget]: At least four dragons.
[Tadget]: I'm helping.

[Nunuzac]: Aha! They like us a lot here in Netherstorm now.
[Nunuzac]: This kind of dragon, some in Blade's Edge too.

Tadget continues carefully sneaking up on dragons and letting others kill them.
Tadget is helping.

[Nunuzac]: All the ones I meet, none friendly.

[Tadget]: I've still got it.

Jocoza smiles at Tadget.

[Nunuzac]: What you have?

[Tadget]: You know. "It."

[Lucille]: Style?

[Tibbiah]: Her brass bolts.

[Tadget]: Skilllllz.

[Tibbiah]: WHOA.

Lucille says cheerfully, "Up and at 'em, god-killer."

[Nunuzac]: Oh! I know this one. Skills pay bills.

Tadget nods at you.

[Tibbiah]: Skills pay bills!
[Tibbiah]: Yes.
[Tibbiah]: A wise old adage.

[Tadget]: And provide thrills.

[Tibbiah]: … some of 'em.

[Tadget]: And clean kills.

[Tibbiah]: Too much rhyming now.
[Tibbiah]: It's too much.

[Nunuzac]: So big. But a little invisible.
[Nunuzac]: Just a little.

[Tadget]: These are the third prettiest things I've ever murdered.

[Tibbiah]: Captain, you're cute when you're being insouciant.
[Tibbiah]: Rhyme that.

[Tadget]: The captain is always cute.

Lucille rhymes that: "She's cute, but I bet she can't."

[Tibbiah]: Oooooh! In swoops the human!

[Nunuzac]: Gnomes good friends? Sound like you know each other well.

[Tadget]: Nice try.
[Tadget]: All gnomes are friends..

[Tibbiah]: Not quite on the vowel there, though.

[Tadget]: Except the ones in cults.
[Tadget]: And the lepers.

[Jocoza]: I'd say 8.6 at least.

[Tadget]: Engineers.

[Jocoza]: I think there's some like this out in Shadowmoon Valley.

[Nunuzac]: More invisible dragons?

[Jocoza]: Yes.
[Jocoza]: I remember a report… one squad killed a guy riding one.

[Nunuzac]: Now I want to go look.

[Tadget]: I'm definitely dusting off the ol' cobwebs.

[Tibbiah]: If we decided to go freelance with the essence thing do you think we'd start a trade war with the ethereals?

[Nunuzac]: What is essence even good for?

[Jocoza]: We'd have to find this K, I imagine.
[Jocoza]: And it better not be Kael'Thas.

[Tadget]: Jo. C'mon.
[Tadget]: Of course it is.

[Jocoza]: It's a common letter, right?

[Tibbiah]: I mean they're all in active use.

[Jocoza]: He's got to be terribly busy right now anyway, surely he's not buying dragon essence.

[Nunuzac]: It could be… I know a Khlaria.
[Nunuzac]: And a Kevin.

[Jocoza]: There was a Vindicator Kaylaan.

[Tadget]: He did say it was a former client, right? Whose name he almost said and then changed his mind. Indicating that it's not his usual habit to avoid saying their names.
[Tadget]: So he's got something to hide.

[Lucille]: Or perhaps he's just not a very good businessperson.

[Nunuzac]: Hmm… sure we find out more.

[Tadget]: No one ever listens to meeeeee
[Tadget]: This is fun.

[Nunuzac]: That is so many. That is enough, yes?

[Jocoza]: Alright, now let's see if he lets anything else slip about K.

[Lucille]: I hope so!

[Tadget]: I've never skinned invisible dragons before.

[Nunuzac]: No dragon! We do not need your gas.

Tadget snickers at Nunuzac.

Lucille pushes the same buttons. "Marid?"

The teleporter is inoperable. Something has been changed about it.

Tadget pokes it repeatedly.

[Tibbiah]: Huh.

Nunuzac sets out to attempt to operate the image projector again.

There is movement from behind a nearby cluster of crystals, a shadowy figure beckoning.

[Lucille]: That's odd. Sabotage?

[Jocoza]: Did it break?

[Tibbiah]: Too much dragon gas.

Tyri says: Wait. Please.

[Jocoza]: What's that?

[Lucille]: Oh?

[Tibbiah]: Uh.

[Tadget]: Hold up.

[Nunuzac]: Aah? Who?

Tyri says: I'm certain you have many questions, all of which will be answered in due time.

[Tadget]: Isn't that the wrong kind of elf?

[Jocoza]: Oh there's some perfectly nice blood elves.
[Jocoza]: Wait, she's…

Tyri says: Or maybe the right kind for you, at this juncture. Greetings. Do not be alarmed. This is merely a projection of my current form. It's the only way my companion and I could keep watch without revealing ourselves.

[Tibbiah]: Neat.

[Tadget]: A blood elf who talks like a gnome…
[Tadget]: I'm weirdly aroused?

Tyri says: The ethereal who approached you, Marid, is little better than a swindler in the guise of a legitimate merchant. I'd like you to consider working with me instead.
Tyri says: My purpose out here is to find out more about the unusual dragonkin on this ridge.

[Jocoza]: Maybe she is a gnome… and this is just a projection…

[Nunuzac]: Oh no, a swindler! We could not tell.

Lucille peers at the projection. "Blue eyes. Oh, pardon! How rude of me."

[Tibbiah]: We absolutely had no idea. I am appalled.

[Lucille]: I'm Lucy, and we're here representing Cobalt Company.

[Tadget]: We think he was dealing with You Know Who. Or at least I do.

[Tibbiah]: Largely reliable subcontractors.
[Tibbiah]: We are, I mean. We do not think he was dealing with them.

[Tadget]: I am extremely reliable, depending on what you're relying on me for.

[Tibbiah]: … wait, but he was dealing with us.
[Tibbiah]: Hm.

Tyri says: Cobalt Company, yes, I have heard a thing or two. I believe we can help each other.
Tyri says: The essences you carry should not be allowed to fall into the hands of careless profiteers.

[Jocoza]: That I'll agree with. Are you a careless profiteer?

[Lucille]: Well, I wouldn't like to go back on an agreement without due cause, but I'm willing to hear you out!

Tyri says: There is someone who can substantiate my credentials and intentions, if you would agree to entrust the essences to me for proper handling. The one called Sidhanei.

Tadget looks at the others.

[Jocoza]: Sidhanei Ambersong?

Tadget shrugs.

Lucille looks at Jo.

[Tadget]: Oh, Jo knows her? 'Kay.

[Tibbiah]: Okay but why do we take a reference from a—
[Tibbiah]: oh.
[Tibbiah]: This person is beknownst to us.

Tyri says: The very same. She knows of my work here on the ridge. But for the present—

[Jocoza]: Yeah, for sure. I trust her. *Jo peers at the blue-eyed elf* What's your connection to her?

[Tadget]: Can we get a name, also? For the, you know, corroborating?

[Nunuzac]: If it is someone known, we can give them then?

Tyri says: My name is Tyrygosa, of the brood of Malygos, but most call me 'Tyri.'

[Tadget]: of the WHAT now?

[Lucille]: Goodness.

Tadget backs up several steps.

[Jocoza]: Oh. *Jo's eyes widen* Okay, then.

Tadget whispers loudly, "THEY'RE ALL CRAZY"

[Jocoza]: I'm pleased to meete you, Tyri.

Tyri gathers the collected essences. "And to think, that wretched ethereal was going to sell these essences to the blood elves like so much candy… Thank you, travellers. Meet me at the north end of the ridge and we will discuss this further."

[Tibbiah]: This is a more complicated transaction than I had anticipated.

[Lucille]: Oh, yes, let's discuss. Shall we?

Jocoza gestures the others over.

[Tadget]: We should definitely discuss.

Nunuzac does not seem to recognize 'Malygos.' "So this is a friend of a friend, how good."

[Tadget]: How much do you trust this Sidhanei person?

[Jocoza]: Right, so. She's a blue dragon. Not Sidhanei, this woman.

[Nunuzac]: That lady is dragon? Weird.
[Nunuzac]: Most dragon just tries to bite me.

[Jocoza]: So Sidhanei, she's connected to the ones that still have some bolts. I think.

[Tadget]: …oh, and a paladin. Also mostly crazy.

[Jocoza]: It tracks, that's why they know her name.

Tyri welcomes everyone to the small camp. "My companion is the paladin Jorad Mace. He is sane as far as I have seen."

[Tadget]: Elf ears…

[Lucille]: I'm Lucy! It's a pleasure to meet you both.

Jorad Mace watches stoically, protective but relaxed.

[Tibbiah]: Mace? Feels a little on the nose, pal.
Tibbiah eyes Jorad Mace up and down.

Tadget laughs at Tibbiah.

Jocoza winces. "We didn't mean to say you're insane, Tyri, it's just… I'm Captain Jocoza Sparkwire, pleased to meet you both."

[Tibbiah]: My paladin name is Bigash Hammer.

Tyri says: Thank you for coming with me. Word of these strange dragonkin has already traveled far and I fear that too many will rush to exploit them for profit without realizing the true nature of what they're dealing with.

[Tadget]: I mean, I said it, and I totally meant it, but I'm not in charge here.

Tyri says: With your help, we're hoping to gain insight into these creatures before others discover their presence.

[Jocoza]: The kinda translucent dragons? We were curious about them.

[Tadget]: They tried to eat us, which we were not completely okay with.
[Tadget]: There may have been some stabbing.
[Tadget]: Hope that's fine.

Tyri says: Yes, these creatures you have been culling along this ridge. I do not fault you for defending yourselves, or for hunting them as beasts. That is what I am hoping to rectify.

[Jocoza]: Not okay with that, no, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're evil.

[Tibbiah]: It was interesting, though. I'm interested. I have not previously been eaten by a dragon.

Tyri says: So thank you, thank you for listening. By now you can see that this is a unique dragon brood, and many of them are beyond safety or reason. Perhaps there is a way to bring them into the fold.

[Lucille]: Hm hmm…

Tadget looks at Tibbiah, stroking her chin… because if you put it THAT way…

[Jocoza]: You want us to make friends with the dragons. *Jo perks up* I'd like to be friends.

Tyri says: First things first. We've come here to investigate the rumors that they were here, and perhaps even descendents of Deathwing himself. These are clearly not ordinary black dragons, though.

[Tadget]: The desc— oh GREAT.
[Tadget]: This just gets better and better.

[Nunuzac]: Wait, black dragons like Blade's Edge? That have a big cult? Or had…

[Tadget]: The absolute worst kind of dragon.

Tyri says: We'll know more once we've had a chance to examine their eggs. Their hatred for my flight runs deep, so I can't get close enough to gather the eggs. Will you agree to help?

[Jocoza]: These ones don't look like black dragons. Way more see-through.

[Tadget]: Blue are only the second worst.

Jocoza glances to Tadget. "We've liaised with blues before. And we didn't get killed."

[Lucille]: We can bring some eggs back here, that's no trouble..

[Tadget]: Really? When?

Lucille looks at Jo for permission.

Tadget peers at Jo searchingly.

Tyri pretends to have not heard Tadget's slight, in the interest of the eggs, likely.

[Nunuzac]: Eggs! I saw many eggs.

[Tadget]: There's one right there.

[Jocoza]: Oh, it was when you were away with the 7th. That's when I met Sidhanei. I didn't really meet any of the dragons back then.
Tadget points over yonder.

[Jocoza]: Let's scatter and collect?

[Lucille]: Of course!

[Tadget]: It's like Noblegarden!

The group spreads out to hunt and reconvene with a hefty bounty of nether drake eggs.

[Tadget]: Awww drat!
[Tadget]: The human won.

Tyri says: Were you able to gather the eggs?

Tadget nods at Tyri.

Tyri eyes the egg-laden gnomes and human. The question was premature.
Tyri says: These will work quite nicely, Cobalt. Thank you for agreeing to help us. Before we can continue, however, there is something else we'll need to address.

[Jocoza]: So many eggs.

Tadget listens intently to Tyri.

Jocoza looks up at her attentively.

Tyri says: Your former employer, Wind Trader Marid, must've gotten wind that you're helping us now. Through my projection, I've seen his nether-stalkers entering the area, hoping to track us down.

[Tadget]: Welllllllllp.

[Nunuzac]: Oh… that is fast.

[Tadget]: Maybe I shouldn't have yelled about the eggs.

[Jocoza]: Yeah, we could've been more discreet. Sorry.

[Nunuzac]: It might not be too bad, yes? Some ethereals favor us much. For sure he would not try something bad. Yes?

Tyri says: We've been able to evade them so far, but Marid must be dealt with before the problem grows more severe.

[Jocoza]: The Trade-Prince over in Stormspire loves us.

[Tadget]: I'm good at "dealing with" people.

Tyri says: If your impressions of Marid are correct, he'll do just about anything to secure the supply of his product. Return to him and tell him you're prepared to offer a deal. Lure him away and slay him.

Nunuzac covers her mouth in alarm - looks to the others.

[Jocoza]: Ah, so it will be that kind of 'dealing-with'. Tadget kind.

[Tadget]: That's the kind of deal I usually offer, yep.

[Nunuzac]: For sure that is too much! Like you say, Nexus-Prince Haramad likes Cobalt very much. For sure Marid listens if we just say is important to stop.
[Nunuzac]: We can ask nice!

Tadget stares you down.

[Jocoza]: Are we sure he won't listen to reason?

[Nunuzac]: Ask very very nice!

Tadget makes eye contact with Nunuzac while licking one of her blades.

Nunuzac takes a bit of a hoof backward from Tadget.

[Tadget]: I'll ask reallll nice.

[Jocoza]: Tadget you don't have to scare our friends.

[Nunuzac]: Oh, good! Good plan, ask nice.

[Tadget]: Aw, but it's fun.

[Tibbiah]: We can ask him nice first. Nice before knives.

Tadget sighs at Tibbiah.

[Tibbiah]: But then probably definitely knives.

[Tadget]: Et tu, Tibbs?
[Tadget]: FINE.

[Tibbiah]: We'll see, though! I love a good optimist.

[Tadget]: I am a good obedient soldier.

[Jocoza]: Right, bring knives, get him alone, and see if he'll be reasonable./

Tibbiah beams at Nunuzac.

[Nunuzac]: Let us go see, go talk. Nice.

Back to the Protectorate Watch Post. To ask nice.

[Nunuzac]: Wind Trader Marid! Before any more business, we must talk more about dragons.

Nunuzac | Wind Trader Marid says: Let us hold our discussion in a more… private place. Follow me, Cobalt.

Tadget lets the sweet-faced draenei do the talking.

Jocoza raises her eyebrows, like, that was easy.

[Nunuzac]: Oh yes, we do not want any PROTECTORATE to know about DRAGON ESSENCE STEALING for WIND TRADER MARID.
[Nunuzac]: We talk.

Tadget facepalms.

[Tibbiah]: Love to hold a discussion in a more private place.

[Jocoza]: Absolutely.

Tadget agrees with Tibbiah.

Tibbiah tries to step on Nunuzac's hoof, which doesn't really work, just anatomically-speaking.

Tadget giggles at Tibbiah.
Tadget reaches into her bag and pulls out a dog-eared manual of some kind, leafing through it. The cover is black, and has no writing on it.

Nunuzac is resilently hoofed, and besides is making eye contact with a Protectorate watcher who seems unconcerned.

Wind Trader Marid says: Let us hold our discussion in a more… private place. Follow me, Cobalt.

[Nunuzac]: Somewhere nice and quiet. For business!

Wind Trader Marid says: You didn't really think I'd do business with you again, did you? Sometimes, the best way to return to profitability is to know when to cut your losses.

Tadget sighs at Nunzuac.

[Lucille]: Soooo—

[Jocoza]: Really?

Tadget threatens Wind Trader Marid with the wrath of doom.

[Jocoza]: Fire it is then. *Jo sighs*

[Tibbiah]: Aw, sparks. And the draenei asked us to be nice.

[Lucille]: Ambush!

[Tibbiah]: Your loss.

[Nunuzac]: Ah… and here we are to talk nice.
Nunuzac lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Wind Trader Marid and his backup ethereal muscle make poor decisions.

[Jocoza]: Well. We tried.

[Tadget]: I hope you've learned a little something today, Zuzu.

Tibbiah shrugs sadly at Nunuzac as she wipes a dagger-blade off on her tabard.

[Nunuzac]: That Consortium is stupid.

Lucille drinks a healing potion, frowning at the nether-stalker who just tried to kill her.

[Jocoza]: Yeah, that sounds about right.

[Nunuzac]: Or at least this one.

[Tadget]: Everybody good?

[Tibbiah]: I am absolutely the best.

Tadget cackles maniacally at Tibbiah.

[Nunuzac]: How stupid, right after we help so much.

[Lucille]: I'm fine!

Jocoza giggles.

[Tadget]: Ethereals are like that.

[Nunuzac]: We talk to elf dragon?

[Tadget]: Part of what makes them so sexy.

Tibbiah nods sadly (again) at Nunuzac.

Jocoza gives Lucy a thumbs up.

[Tadget]: You just never know what they're gonna do.

[Nunuzac]: Tell her she gets what she wants.

[Jocoza]: Yes, let's go talk to the dragon.

[Lucille]: Three on five… those weren't very good odds for Marid!

[Nunuzac]: He should have brought more Ya-six.

[Tadget]: Such arrogance.

Lucille giggles.

[Tadget]: Also sexy.

Tyri says: This Marid is a fool, or shall I say, was a fool.

Nunuzac looks VERY upset.

[Tibbiah]: A fool in the past tense.

Tyri says: I knew you would come through on this.
Tyri says: Now that that troublesome ethereal has been dealt with, we can focus our efforts on understanding these nether dragons. I've had a chance to examine the eggs and I've made a few discoveries.

[Jocoza]: I'm sorry we couldn't talk sense into him.
[Jocoza]: Oh? Like what?

Tadget listens intently to Tyri.

[Lucille]: Hm hmm?

Tyri says: Don't be sorry. That one in particular was going out of his way to cause trouble outside of the bounds of good trade.

[Lucille]: He certainly was! He tried to have us assassinated!

Tyri says: The nether dragons have the same ferocious temperament as their black dragon forbears, but there is something entirely alien about them.
Tyri says: They hatch and mature rapidly, harnessing the strange energies that forged their kind in the destruction of Draenor.

[Tadget]: Oh, great, as vicious as black dragons but get big really fast. This is fine.

[Jocoza]: Is that… worse than black dragons?

[Nunuzac]: Like nightmare vine!

Tyri says: There is so much more I need to know about them, but I believe the powers may be of use to my own flight. If we can displace the leader of these drakes, Veraku, with a show of dominance, we can cow the rest of them into submission.

[Jocoza]: Wait.. how will they be useful for you?

[Tadget]: They have a… population problem..

[Tibbiah]: A show of dominance. Neat.

Nunuzac looks around at the others.

[Tibbiah]: Love a good show of dominance.

[Lucille]: Well, if this stops them from attacking unsuspecting travelers…

[Tadget]: Sure, that too.

Tyri says: Yes, the blue flight is thin on eggs and allies. The other benefit to this is preventing further attacks from our confused brethren.

[Tibbiah]: Plus, dominance.

Tadget nods at Tibbiah.

Tyri says: We have designs on taking leadership of this brood and guiding them to a more constructive purpose.

Jocoza nods thoughtfully. "I can see the population angle."

[Tadget]: If we can figure out how to make this work on MY spawn I'm all for it.

Tibbiah eyes Jo askance. How is she not seeing the dominance angle?

[Tadget]: They're super boring.

Tyri says: Seek out Veraku, and I will arrange the rest.

[Tibbiah]: Okay!

They set off to find Veraku's favorite pile of dragon bones.

[Nunuzac]: This friend of friend, she is a dragon, she knows dragon ways, yes?

[Tibbiah]: I mean, uh. If that's okay.

[Lucille]: Where do you suppose we can find Veraku?

Tibbiah looks to Jo and Nunu.

[Nunuzac]: This keeps wild dragons from biting people and getting hunted maybe?

[Jocoza]: I suppose she should know dragon ways, yes.

[Tadget]: I wanna learn more about how they grow 'em so fast. Just think how this could help the gnomes!

Tyri says: Veraku usually circles the bones of the progenitor dragon that fell here. Not far.

Lucille climbs into her flying machine.

[Nunuzac]: We find.

[Jocoza]: I mean, okay, but… we're not dragons.

[Nunuzac]: Big bones, big dragon.

Lucille snaps the high-beam lights on her flying machine onto the bones.

[Tadget]: This should be fun.

Lucille lands by them.

Tadget bursts into dance.

Nunuzac shades her eyes with a hand and looks around.

Lucille looks around as well.

[Jocoza]: Here one comes!

[Tibbiah]: Incoming!

[Jocoza]: It's big!

[Nunuzac]: Right away with the biting.

[Tadget]: DOMINATION!

[Nunuzac]: No manners.

[Tibbiah]: Oh, wow. That was extremely dominant of us.

[Jocoza]: Yeah, very dominant. And well, maybe they'll be friends now.

Lucille giggles.

[Tibbiah]: Love a good optimist

They all return to Tyri's camp.

Tyri says: Have you challenged and defeated Veraku?

[Tadget]: He's toast.

[Lucille]: I believe we have!

[Nunuzac]: I think so. If that is the big one that comes to bite every one.

Tyri says: Well done, Cobalt. Well done indeed. The nether dragonkin will not accept a blue dragon among them at first, but with time and the firm demonstration of my authority, they will come around.

[Jocoza]: And kindness, right?

[Tadget]: Oooh, a firm demonstration of authority.

[Tibbiah]: Oooh, now who's the show of dominance?

Tyri says: Scattered, isolated, and without a definitive leader, we must be vigilant in preventing them from falling under the sway of a malevolent power, keeping them in check all the while.

[Tadget]: Good luck with all that.

[Jocoza]: Yes, that makes sense.

Tyri says: If kindness proves effective, then it will be shown.

Tibbiah stares Jorad Mace down.

[Jocoza]: If… well, okay. But I'd suggest to give it a try.

Jorad Mace stares back at Tibbiah, impassive.

[Tadget]: …He don't talk much do he.

[Jocoza]: I'm glad we could help secure them a better future.

Tibbiah whispers loudly, "Bet I know why he's here. It's her dominance."

Tadget agrees with Tibbiah.

Tyri says: Rest assured that we will take necessary measures to ensure that this brood will not be wandering wild and come to ruin. Thank you.

[Tibbiah]: Paladins love that kind of thing. I imagine.

Tadget nods at Tibbiah.

Lucille giggles, but more quietly.

Jocoza tries to stifle a giggle at the other gnomes.

[Tadget]: Real twist on the classic knight and dragon story ending.

[Lucille]: Should we report the defeat of Arconus, do you suppose?

Nunuzac taps her finger to her chin. "Well, that is the last of Wind Trader Marid."

[Tadget]: Right, right
.
[Tibbiah]: What a naughty paladin! Repent! Repent for the sexy lady! — sorry, yes, let's report back.

[Jocoza]: Oh, yes, we should let them know.

Tadget giggles at Tibbiah.

[Nunuzac]: If he was planning other things with artifacts, it is not a problem anymore.

Tadget cheers at you.

Commander Ameer raises his wispy energy filled hood when people approach. "Fleshlings?"

[Lucille]: Hello there! It's us, the fleshlings who rescued Ya-six!

[Jocoza]: And killed a minor void lord!

[Tibbiah]: Four of the best fleshlings.

[Nunuzac]: Ameer, Ameer! We were in Zeon! Lucy is right, Ya-six is safe.

Commander Ameer says: Ya-six made it? Let's damn well hope so. I was unable to get reinforcements back to them… Ethereum have been pushed back by Cobalt efforts, but the area is still hazardous.
Commander Ameer says: My apologies, I nearly forgot about your reward. Take something with our gratitude, once again. Your people have been invaluable to the Protectorate.

[Lucille]: Oh! Why, thank you, that's very kind.

Tibbiah eyes Lucílle up and down.

Lucille beams at Ameer.

Tadget eyes his swords enviously.

[Jocoza]: We cleared a path, and made sure they were safe. I think Ya-Six likely got out alright.

Commander Ameer says: Hm… Marid did not come back from your little jaunt, did he? He must have finally become satisfied with his profits and taken a well earned vacation.

[Lucille]: Oh, well… hm…

Lucille looks at the others.

Commander Ameer folds his arms pointedly as if this is a satisfactory final word on the matter.

[Jocoza]: Hmm, must be.

[Tadget]: He's in a better place for sure.

Lucille smiles and nods.
Lucille just smiles and nods.

[Nunuzac]: Hmm… let us say yes.

Jocoza coughs. Maybe it was a laugh. Probably a cough.

Nunuzac beams a bit nervously at the gnomes.

[Tibbiah]: It was definitely earned.

Tadget agrees with Tibbiah.

[Jocoza]: Well-earned, yes.

[Tibbiah]: Anyway, I'm gonna go see a man about a sandwich.

[Tadget]: Tell Ference how great I did, Jo. 'Kay?

[Tibbiah]: Nice working with you all.