(2023-06-26) Chapter VII: Gnomeregan Gnuisance, Part 2 (Cobalt Blade)
Details
Author: OzmaAsimov
Summary: With the help of the recent data retrieved by Tinkmaster Overspark, the Cobalt Blade can form a plan for entering Gnomeregan and seeking out the A.M.R. (Adaptive Macrodynamic Recombobulator).
Rating: T for Teen
Arthur Reeves Kreebo Mizzyrix Sgt.Tadget Sharpgear Thalstan Stouthammer Vesyllah Rivenheart Zaara
cw_violence.png

Vesyllah dismounts, and Umbra wanders away, bored.

[Tadget]: BooTAY.

[Thalstan]: Alright, we're all here!

[Zaara]: MayHEM.

[Thalstan]: Ready ta venture in?

Tadget giggles at Zaara.

[Thalstan]: With Valor?

[Zaara]: I am ready to adventure in!

Tadget salutes Thalstan with respect.

[Vesyllah]: Sure. Let's go gnome it up.

[Zaara]: This is a saying? 'Gnome it up'?

[Vesyllah]: It is now.

[Zaara]: Okay!

Addled Leper says: Aaaaahhh! So close to escaping.

[Thalstan]: We should be alrigh' on this part, we did recon.

[Vesyllah]: Feel the vengeful gaze of the Night Warrrior, Addled Leper!

[Tadget]: Grab punch cards if you see 'em. The data will be useful.

Addled Leper says: Aaaaahhh! So close to escaping.

[Vesyllah]: Tadget, take these. Trust me, they've got a real kick.

Vesyllah hands Tadget several agility potions.

Addled Leper says: Aaaaahhh! So close to escaping.

[Tadget]: I've got a real kick too. I'll show ya.

[Vesyllah]: Not here, darling.

Addled Leper says: The troggs…they never stop coming. Die trogg! Die!

Addled Leper says: Aaaaahhh! So close to escaping.

[Thalstan]: These ones sure went after you, Mayhem?

Addled Leper says: A foul trogg if ever I saw one. Die!

[Tadget]: They think I'm a trogg.

[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!

Caverndeep Pillager attempts to run away in fear!

Irradiated Invader blood sprays into the air!

[Tadget]: There's no use tryna guilt trip a trogg.

[Vesyllah]: You might be surprised what I can inflict on the minds of the guilty.

[Tadget]: Love what they've done with the place.

Thalstan shoots a sympathetic glance at Tadget.

[Vesyllah]: I'm guessing this hazy green atmosphere isn't typical.

[Tadget]: Yeah nope.

[Tadget]: But it was always this noisy.

[Thalstan]: Dif'rent kind of noise than Ironforge.

[Tadget]: It was a lot cleaner in general. We had bots for that.

[Tadget]: But I guess they broke down a long time ago.

[Thalstan]: Nobody tending 'em properly

[Tadget]: Yeah.

[Tadget]: Tech's pretty useless without engineers.

The Cobalt Blade carves their way through dozens of troggs.

Thalstan considers the path, and then the corridor.

Thalstan looks down at his map.

[Tadget]: Hey Valor, can ya do that thing where you turn their backs to me?

[Thalstan]: Mm? Sure.

[Tadget]: Hate leavin my ass hangin out.

[Thalstan]: Not sure if this path is in the map.

[Vesyllah]: Feel the vengeful gaze of the Night Warrior, Caverndeep Burrower!

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

[Thalstan]: Think we ought to check it out? Or stick ta the path?

[Tadget]: You're the boss.

[Tadget]: I'd say go for it, might be valuable data or something.

[Tadget]: Long as we don't get totally lost.

[Thalstan]: Alrigh'. Let's do it.

[Zaara]: Data!

[Thalstan]: We can always double back.

[Vesyllah]: If Tadget thinks it could be helpful…sure.

[Thalstan]: It doesn't change that fast, does it?

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

[Tadget]: It's pretty random these days.

[Tadget]: So might be fast, might be slow

Thalstan waves at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

[Tadget]: Emi!!

[Thalstan]: That looks like a proper gnome!

Zaara whispers, "The earth is very bad in here?"

[Tadget]: Still hard at work down here huh?

[Tadget]: Uh, that is you, right Emi…? If not, sorry.

Emi Shortfuse says: Heh…it's me. I'm not a leper gnome yet!

Tadget giggles at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

[Tadget]: Need any help?

[Thalstan]: What're you doin' down here?

Zaara whispers, "Leopard gnomes."

[Tadget]: Still trying to evict those troggs, I imagine?

Emi Shortfuse says: Working on a way to stop the constant influx of troggs. But it seems like every time I cut them off, they open up a new tunnel.

Tadget sighs at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

[Thalstan]: We're on our own mission, but could help a bit, if yeh need?

[Tadget]: Yeah, we got time.

[Zaara]: We are here to help!

Tadget nods at Zaara.

Emi Shortfuse says: I would very much appreciate it. Think you can keep me covered while I work?

[Tadget]: Yep.

[Thalstan]: We'll be on it, Emi.

Emi Shortfuse says: Okay…just stay clear of the explosives! This stuff packs some serious percussion!

Tadget nods at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

[Thalstan]: We will. We got folks who know their way around explosives. *Thal nods at Arthur.*

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: With your help, I can evaluate these tunnels.

Tadget smiles at Arthur.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Let's see if we can find out where these Troggs are coming from…. and put a stop to the invasion!

Arthur greets Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse with a hearty hello!

Tadget cheers at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Such devastation… what a horrible mess…

Tadget agrees with Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: It's quiet here….

Tadget sticks to the shadows.

[Zaara]: Too quiet!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: …too quiet.

Vesyllah snorts.

Zaara nods firmly. She knew it.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Look! Over there at the tunnel wall!

Thalstan chuckles at Zaara.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Trogg incursion! Defend me while I blast the hole closed!

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

[Tadget]: No end to the little bastards.

[Thalstan]: They've been fightin' so long.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: I don't think one charge is going to cut it. Keep fending them off!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: The charges are set. Get back before they blow!

Tadget yells for everyone to flee!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Well done! Without your help I would have never been able to thwart that wave of troggs.

Tadget was happy to help Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Did you hear something?

[Zaara]: Yes!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: I heard something over there.

Tadget nods at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: More troggs! Ward them off as I prepare the explosives!

[Vesyllah]: I hear a ton of things in this place. Whole city feels like its vibrating.

[Tadget]: That's because it is.

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: I need help!

Vesyllah bows her head reverently to Arthur as she accepts the Gift of Water. "Shaha lor'ma dula Luvas'alith."

Tadget tells Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse to hurry up.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: The final charge is set. Stand back!

[Vesyllah]: Get clear!

Tadget yells for everyone to flee!

[Vesyllah]: What the f-…

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

[Thalstan]: Big trogg!

[Tadget]: It talks.

[Tadget]: I hate when they talk.

Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse says: Nice work! I'll set off the charges to prevent any more troggs from making it to the surface.

[Thalstan]: I think we can stop yeh,

Tadget giggles at Thalstan.

Thalstan nods with satisfaction as the boulders fall.

Tadget cheers at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse!

Tadget congratulates Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse.

[Thalstan]: Glad we could help, Emi!

Arthur cheers at Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse!

[Thalstan]: Reckon now we'll be on our way.

Tadget waves goodbye to Blastmaster Emi Shortfuse. Farewell!

Emi Shortfuse says: Thanks so much!

[Thalstan]: Good ta see other folks workin' in here.

[Thalstan]: Might be hope yet.

[Tadget]: Glad we took the detour. Crushing troggs under piles of rocks is always satisfying.

[Vesyllah]: Gotta admit, that was pretty gratifying.

Tadget nods at Vesyllah.

[Tadget]: There used to be a few parks and things around here, too, but the radiation killed them all off.

[Zaara]: A park?

Thalstan winces. "I can see how they'd not do well with that."

[Tadget]: Yeah, a park. Little fake meadow thing.

[Thalstan]: That'd be nice ta see.

[Vesyllah]: If this place is ever reclaimed, maybe some druids would come help regrow what was lost.

[Tadget]: My friend Inkie and I used to play in one not far from here until my mom said I couldn't play with her anymore.

[Thalstan]: There's a druid I hear tell of, who likes ta grow plants in the rocks o' Ironforge. Maybe get her in here.

[Vesyllah]: Were you a bad influence on her?

[Tadget]: I was a bad influence on everyone.

[Vesyllah]: That's why we get along so well.

Tadget giggles at you.

[Thalstan]: Yer a good influence on Cobalt Blade.

[Tadget]: Oh, you.

Tadget blushes at Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: Everybody needs a little mayhem, yeh know?

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

[Zaara]: We have a little Mayhem!

Thalstan grins.

[Zaara]: She is very good.

[Vesyllah]: Thalstan, you're such a silktongue.

Thalstan winks at Vesyllah.

Vesyllah smirks.

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

The swarms of troggs just keep coming, and the Blade just keeps cutting them down.

Thalstan eyes the rickety structure in the center.

[Thalstan]: If my map is right, we go on through here.

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

[Vesyllah]: I am vengeance!

[Thalstan]: It says there's a safe camp up ahead.

[Tadget]: Yeah there are certain areas the troggs avoid. Dunno why.

[Vesyllah]: Too clean?

[Tadget]: Heh. Maybe.

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Caverndeep Burrower is splashed by the blood and becomes irradiated!

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Caverndeep Burrower is splashed by the blood and becomes irradiated!

[Thalstan]: They do keep running at a fella.

Tadget giggles at Thalstan.

[Thalstan]: An it's down this way, 'less I miss my readin'.

[Thalstan]: Whoa.

[Vesyllah]: Well, this looks fun.

[Tadget]: Easy does it.

[Thalstan]: Hmm… that look like one o' those punch card machines ta yeh?

[Tadget]: Yep.

Thalstan points ahead, by the pillar.

[Tadget]: Gotta get closer to see what kind of card it takes though.

[Zaara]: No! *says Zaara cheerfully.*

[Vesyllah]: Is that a goblin…?

[Tadget]: What is that dumb goblin doing in here?

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

[Tadget]: Pretty sure he's dead. Keep movin'.

[Thalstan]: Wait, wait.

Thalstan kneels by the goblin, shaking his shoulder.

Kreebo Mizzyrix groans. "Wha… what happened?" He peers at the faces around him as his vision clears. "Well, audit my books! You're the Cobalt Blade! My brothers really must have shelled out for this rescue, huh?"

[Tadget]: Your… brothers…?

[Tadget]: They did not mention you.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: What?! They didn't even mention me? You're not here to rescue me? THOSE CHEAP INGRATES! I risked my life to get them the info on that dumb key, and they leave me here to rot?!

Thalstan blinks. "Rescue? I.. uh.. yeah, Cobalt Blade t'the rescue."

[Tadget]: I mean we might rescue you. Depending on… things.

[Zaara]: Money.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Look, tax those copper-pinchers. You get me outta here and I'll get you whatever you want. I'll even cut you in when I get back at my backstabbing brothers, if you want.

[Tadget]: Yes. Money and things.

[Thalstan]: They may ha', but we are not leavin' yeh here ta rot. Jus' a thing to consider, when yeh consider yer loyalties. *Thal grins*

Tadget sighs at Thalstan.

Vesyllah chuckles.

[Tadget]: Someone needs to teach Thalstan how to deal with goblins.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Whatever, I don't care. Rescue me and you've got a friend for life!

[Thalstan]: What? *Thal looks at Tadget innocently*

[Tadget]: I have enough friends. You got money?

[Thalstan]: Yeh'll cut us in, right?

[Tadget]: Now he's getting it.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Sure, I got money. Not in here. But if it's gold you want, you'll get it. I respect some healthy greed.

[Tadget]: Great!

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: I knew I smelled smarts on you. Just get me to the exit. If you get out of here alive, go to Booty Bay and see my partner, Scooty—he operates the transpolyporter pad there. He's how I passed information to Wixxil and Mebok.

[Tadget]: Hey, I know Scooty.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Ain't he just the best?

[Thalstan]: He's an upstanding sort? *Thal asks Tadget*

Zaara sniffs gently. She is smelling for smarts.

[Tadget]: I mean, for a goblin.

Vesyllah raises an eyebrow at Zaara…then winks.

[Thalstan]: Okay, so I think we're all in for the rescue.

Zaara sees neither of those expressions but appreciates them.

Tadget lets Thalstan know that she is ready!

[Zaara]: A rescue!

Tadget sighs at Caverndeep Ambusher.

Kernobee says: Get me out of here!

Tadget tells Kernobee to hurry up.

[Tadget]: Took my yellow card. Excellent.

[Thalstan]: Let's get our cards punched right quick

Tadget takes a blue one.

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: So, if you're not here for me, why are you in Gnomeregan?

[Tadget]: Punching cards.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Riiiight…

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: But seriously…why would you come to this place?

[Tadget]: Don't see why that's your business, buddy.

[Zaara]: To gnome it up!

Tadget giggles at Zaara.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Seein' as you seem to know my brothers, it kinda concerns me.

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

Vesyllah sighs. "He was passing them information. Maybe he knows something useful?"

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Caverndeep Ambusher is splashed by the blood and becomes irradiated!

[Tadget]: We're here to fix a key.

Alarm-a-bomb 2600 says: Anti-escape countermeasures activated. Self-destruct in t-minus 20 seconds….

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: That taxing key?!

[Tadget]: Yeah.

[Thalstan]: We're goin' ta fix it.

[Tadget]: It's ours. We've killed like a billion people for it.

[Tadget]: So don't get any ideas. No problem killing one more.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: I knew it. All this over that stupid thing. They're obsessed.

[Tadget]: So are we, frankly.

[Thalstan]: But we're gonna succeed, so there's the dif'rence.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Hey, I got no interest in that thing. Especially after what I've been through over it.

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

[Tadget]: Know anything that might help us? Since we saved your green butt?

[Thalstan]: Tha's fair. Wish us luck, then!

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: So, you must be here after the A.M.R.

[Tadget]: Exactly.

[Vesyllah]: What do you know about the A.M.R.?

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: I can confirm it's definitely operational. So is Thermaplugg's suit, but heavily modified. Crazy thing is, it's not a gnome in the suit. It's a dwarf! Some Dark Iron called Thauric Slagvein.

[Tadget]: Oh, great.

[Tadget]: Only thing worse than a leper gnome.

[Vesyllah]: There are Dark Irons here? Wonderful.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Afraid I don't know too much about what the Dark Irons are doing here, but they sure seem interested in the troggs.

[Zaara]: Wonderful!

[Tadget]: That's … weird.

[Thalstan]: Huh, tha's odd.

[Thalstan]: Well, we'll keep an eye out.

[Tadget]: Maybe 'cause they found out they're cousins? Heh heh.

Kreebo Mizzyrix says: Good luck in there, Cobalt Blade. Hey, maybe I'll see you in Booty Bay!

[Tadget]: Not if I see you first.

[Zaara]: Booty!

Kreebo Mizzyrix runs the heck outta Gnomeregan.

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

[Vesyllah]: Elune's Light, don't they ever STOP? I thought we plugged the holes.

[Tadget]: That's the weird thing about troggs.

[Thalstan]: I thought so, but they keep comin'.

[Tadget]: There are seeminngly endless numbers of them and they can just kinda appear right out of the rock.

[Tadget]: Never seen anything like it.

[Vesyllah]: Annoying.

[Tadget]: The Titans really oughta clean up their mess.

[Thalstan]: Not th' dwarves though. We're a masterpiece.

[Vesyllah]: What's this got to do with the Titans?

[Tadget]: So the Titans made the Earthen, right? You know what Earthen are?

[Vesyllah]: I…do not.

[Tadget]: Oh.

[Tadget]: Well, they were like stone dwarf shaped statues that moved.

[Thalstan]: They're… wha' dwarves come from.

[Tadget]: I was getting to that.

Thalstan nods at Tadget.

[Vesyllah]: Soooo…dwarves come from dwarf statues?

[Thalstan]: No' quite.

[Tadget]: So the Titans made the Earthen to do… I dunno. Something.

[Tadget]: Something went wrong with the Earthen, and they turned into dwarves and troggs.

[Vesyllah]: Waaaait…

[Tadget]: The end.

[Vesyllah]: So troggs are dwarf cousins?

[Tadget]: I just said!

[Thalstan]: We'd no' claim them. But…

[Thalstan]: The dwarves… the League… they make a right proper study o' the Titans.

[Tadget]: Cobalt Company discovered that, in Uldaman.

[Vesyllah]: That's a little funny…gross, but funny.

[Thalstan]: The main tie yeh can see is this…

Tadget fiddles with some of the machines.

Thalstan turns to stone.

[Vesyllah]: Oh shit.

[Zaara]: Oh shit! *Zaara didn't see it.*

Tadget giggles.

[Thalstan]: Lingerin' skills. Maybe from bein' Earthen.

[Tadget]: He can turn to stone!

[Vesyllah]: I've heard of dwarves turning to stone…but I've never seen it before.

[Thalstan]: Sorry, Booty. Not sure I can turn ta stone out loud.

[Tadget]: Insert lewd joke here.

[Zaara]: You turned into stones?

Vesyllah snickers. "At least two stones…"

[Tadget]: Like a statue of Thalstan.

[Arthur]: The grime cleaning machine gives presents!

[Thalstan]: Yeah, jus' fer a few seconds.

[Thalstan]: Everyone ready to head out?

Arthur comes back with a load of Sparklematic-Wrapped Boxes.

Tadget giggles at Arthur.

[Tadget]: He knows where it's at.

[Vesyllah]: Huh…lemme try this…

[Tadget]: It's fun! It goes ch-ch-ch-ch-ch and your thing comes out all shiny!

Tadget salutes Holdout Warrior with respect.

[Thalstan]: Oh, nice!

[Thalstan]: Ready to venture on?

Tadget nods at Thalstan.

Tadget salutes Thalstan with respect.

[Vesyllah]: Let's go find this Thauric Slagvein.

[Vesyllah]: Oh fuuh…that SMELL.

[Thalstan]: This is clearly no' the good side town

[Tadget]: Oooooh, TOXIC.

Tadget picks up the fallen dagger.

[Thalstan]: What, was it lodge in there?

[Tadget]: Neat, huh?

[Thalstan]: Huh. Hope it's a good one.

[Vesyllah]: Gross. I love it.

Tadget giggles.

Tadget collects fallout from the toxic elemental.

[Thalstan]: This place is nasty. Let's just circle round till we find the exit.

[Tadget]: Hopefully these samples will help their studies…

[Vesyllah]: I was just starting to like it here.

[Tadget]: What about whatsisname?

[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!

[Thalstan]: This looks like the hallway.

[Thalstan]: Ah, mounted one.

[Vesyllah]: Got those mechanobirds.

[Tadget]: No way they're doing proper maintenance on them.

[Thalstan]: Whew, maybe a drink o' water?

[Zaara]: Yes, please!

[Vesyllah]: Face the agony of your sins!

[Thalstan]: This place is huge.

[Thalstan]: Hope we can find that suit.

[Tadget]: I mean, it was technically a kingdom.

[Tadget]: Every gnome in existence lived here.

[Tadget]: All stacked on top of each other, admittedly, but still.

[Vesyllah]: Was the whole kingdom this one city? Or are there other underground cities?

[Thalstan]: Makes sense it's so big then.

[Tadget]: Just this one.

[Tadget]: But we lived very space-efficiently.

[Tadget]: Yeah, if we lived like you humans do it'd be the size of the whole nation of Lordaeron.

[Vesyllah]: You might be the only people in history who preferred to live tighter rather than expand.

[Tadget]: Well we didn't farm or anything.

[Thalstan]: What did yeh eat?

[Vesyllah]: I'm guessing you didn't do much hunting, either. Yeah, where'd you get your food?

[Tadget]: We bought it.

[Vesyllah]: Fed a whole civilization that way?

[Tadget]: Yep!

[Tadget]: I mean, we sometimes ate rats or mushrooms, but we didn't expect to feed the whole population like that.

[Thalstan]: S'pose that makes sense.

[Tadget]: Dwarves were happy enough to take our gold.

Tadget looks wistful suddenly.

[Vesyllah]: Guess it's a good thing you were on good terms with the dwarves. Seems like a good way to put yourself at someone else's mercy.

[Vesyllah]: Suffer the pain you have inflicted!

Tadget gently pats the plane.

Thalstan peers at the platform. "Looks like some kind o' suit up there. Maybe we make our way up."

[Thalstan]: Aha, here's the bridge!

Vesyllah looks up at the ceiling. "So…these are flying machines, right? Is that a hatch in the ceiling?"

[Tadget]: Yes!

[Tadget]: That's how they get out.

[Vesyllah]: So…just a giant door straight up into the mountains? Damn.

[Tadget]: My husband's an ace pilot.

[Tadget]: Among other things.

[Vesyllah]: You saw the suit up here?

[Thalstan]: He flies these sorts?

Thalstan peers at Electrocutioner 6000 searchingly.

[Tadget]: He shot down DRAGONS during the Second War.

[Thalstan]: I think tha's somethin' else.

[Vesyllah]: Well…that's less impressive than I was expecting.

[Thalstan]: Dragons? Huh. Tha's impressive.

[Thalstan]: Anyway… punch card thing, behind it?

[Tadget]: We should… we should dismantle that thing.

[Tadget]: And its driver.

[Thalstan]: Reckon I could make a sword out o' part of this.

[Tadget]: Punch, brothers! Punch with care!

Thalstan hefts the robot's leg.

[Tadget]: Okay, I got a RED card now!

[Vesyllah]: Hopefully Slagvein is that easy to take down.

[Tadget]: We're getting into some high level access stuff!

Tadget seems weirdly excited about the punch cards.

[Thalstan]: It must be lower down. Let's keep lookin'.

[Thalstan]: I'm seein' this is the way down.

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

Tadget gently pats Zaara.

[Thalstan]: It might be this way…

Tadget sighs at Leprous Machinesmith.

[Tadget]: Yes. Naturally, assume trogg.

[Tadget]: Makes sense.

[Thalstan]: Ah, an elevator!

[Thalstan]: Look! More punch card stations!

[Tadget]: I got one!! I got a prismatic punch card!!

[Thalstan]: Me too!

[Thalstan]: Maybe we should check upstairs, in case we missed any?

[Tadget]: Whatever you say, boss.

[Thalstan]: We can make a quick circle up… Art?

[Tadget]: Uh oh.

[Tadget]: Did we lose prettyboy?

Tadget gently pats Arthur.

[Vesyllah]: Which prettyboy?

Tadget giggles at Vesyllah.

[Thalstan]: Mind the gap, Art.

[Tadget]: I'd call Thalstan more handsome than pretty.

[Vesyllah]: Tomato, potato.

Thalstan chuckles.

[Thalstan]: Looks like it was a pub here.

[Tadget]: Yeah.

[Tadget]: Used to drink here with my army buddies.

[Thalstan]: Ah, y'know the place?

[Tadget]: Yeah. Was called the Oil Can.

[Vesyllah]: Of course it was.

Thalstan gives a sad chuckle.

[Thalstan]: Hmm, no more punch card machines, but tha' thing looks dangerous,

[Vesyllah]: Is that a suit, or a…'bot'?

[Tadget]: There's no AMR on it.

[Thalstan]: Ah. Well, we'd best dismantle it anyway.

[Tadget]: But we should probably 0- yeah

[Vesyllah]: I am the night!

[Tadget]: Yikes.

[Thalstan]: He had a punch on 'im.

[Tadget]: And no pie.

Leprous Machinesmith says: A foul trogg if ever I saw one. Die!

[Thalstan]: Probably all the cards we'll find.

Tadget gently pats Zaara.

[Thalstan]: I think we're on the final approach o' the bottom o' this place.

Tadget snickers.

[Vesyllah]: I'm starting to doubt is has a bottom.

[Zaara]: Who?

[Tadget]: Vesyllah. You have a very ample one.

[Zaara]: Wengeance has no bottom?

[Tadget]: Not like yours.

[Tadget]: Or mine.

Tadget shakes her rear.

[Thalstan]: I would weigh in, but I'm a gentleman.

Zaara shrugs genially. No one has a bottom like hers.

Dark Iron Land Mine will be armed in 10 seconds!

[Vesyllah]: Suffer the pain you have inflicted!

[Zaara]: You are pain!

Tadget giggles at Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: So I've been told.

[Tadget]: I like when you're all badass, Zaara.

[Vesyllah]: So…the Dark Irons are here in force.

Dark Iron Land Mine will be armed in 10 seconds!

[Thalstan]: No' jus' one fella, yeah.

[Tadget]: Wonder what the heck they want.

[Thalstan]: Hopefully no' our key.

[Vesyllah]: I am vengeance!

[Tadget]: I am mayhem!

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

[Zaara]: I am booty!

[Thalstan]: I am valor!

[Arthur]: I am trouble!

[Zaara]: WE ARE COBOLT BLADE.

Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.

Thalstan laughs.

[Vesyllah]: You are cheeseballs.

Tadget agrees with Vesyllah.

[Zaara]: Be fresh, cheese balls!

[Tadget]: Oooh. Love those doors.

[Thalstan]: Well, now. That looks like a suit.

[Tadget]: Ho boy. Yeah, they could definitely fit the AMR on that baby.

In the chamber ahead is Thermaplugg's power suit. As Kreebo had mentioned, it appears that it is being piloted by a Dark Iron dwarf.

The power suit seems to have been fitted with a drill, and its claw hand has been replaced with a more shovel-and-bucket type appendage—the sort that would be useful for digging and move large quantities of earth, stone, or rubble.

[Tadget]: Someone's been doing some serious digging.

[Thalstan]: What do you think he's up to?

Thauric Slagvein yells: You've reached the end of your road, intruders … and the end of your lives!

[Tadget]: I'm not paid to think.

[Vesyllah]: Sounds like he's ready for us.

[Thalstan]: Well, we can report on the digging things.

[Thalstan]: Ready ta take him down?

[Tadget]: Yes sir!

Thauric Slagvein yells: Gnomeregan is just the beginning!

Tadget cheers!

[Vesyllah]: Elune's breath, that was…a little intense.

[Tadget]: There it is! There's the AMR. Uh, I dunno how to remove it.

[Tadget]: Art?

[Thalstan]: Can yeh get that out?

[Vesyllah]: Think they said just stick the key in it?

[Tadget]: Oh, we don't have to remove it?

[Tadget]: Either way, let Art do it.

[Thalstan]: Ahhh… give it a try, Art.

The A.M.R. appears to be built into the suit's ignition system. There is already what appears to be a keyhole of sorts.

Arthur examines it. "what if i just…"

Tadget backs up.

Arthur tries turning the key.

When the key slides into the suit's ignition, there is a loud CLACK as it locks into place, and the A.M.R. begins to make a whole lot of noise…

[Arthur]: uh oh.

CLIK-CLIK-CLIK-CLIK … WHIRRRR … BZZ-BZZ-BZZ … RATTATTATTATTAT … FSSSHHHHH …

[Arthur]: TAKE COVER!

Steam hisses from several vents in the devices, and with another 'clack' the key jiggles, loosening and now able to be removed.

Vesyllah covers her face.

[Arthur]: okay. okay!

[Vesyllah]: Is it gonna blow?

[Arthur]: well heck!

[Thalstan]: Is it fixed? Was that good sounds?

Tadget cackles maniacally at the situation.

Arthur retrieves the key. "Fixed!"

Tadget slings an arm around Zaara's shin.

[Arthur]: I hardly did a thing.

Zaara bends sideways to pat Tadget's head absently.

[Tadget]: That's what HE said.

[Thalstan]: Now we jus' got to get it back to the box!

[Zaara]: He did, yes. I heard him.

[Tadget]: That's also what he said.

[Thalstan]: That's done it then, yeah? We can make our way out?

[Arthur]: well, unless you want to wash things, I think we're done!

[Tadget]: Wouldn't it be funny if we finally get the thing unlocked and it's just like, somebody's diary?

[Thalstan]: Heh. I hope it's a bit more than that.

[Tadget]: "Dear Diary, my minions were so meeean to me today!"

[Tadget]: Can we go clean some more junk?

[Thalstan]: Sure!

[Tadget]: I really miss those machines…

Tadget lets out a long, drawn-out sigh.

Vesyllah makes a rude gesture at Mobile Alert System.

[Vesyllah]: I am vengeance!

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

[Vesyllah]: Elune, smite this Dark Iron Agent with your punishing light!

Tadget giggles at Dark Iron Agent.

[Tadget]: Watch out for the gnome behind you.

Leprous Assistant says: This sickness clouds my vision, but I know you must be a trogg. Die foul invader!

[Tadget]: Stabbing you.

[Tadget]: Gross.

Caverndeep Reaver attempts to run away in fear!

Tadget gently pats Holdout Warrior.

[Tadget]: Thank you for your service, cheesebag.

Tadget salutes Holdout Warrior with respect.

[Tadget]: Thalstan's still washing his bits.

[Tadget]: It takes a while, on account of the quantity.

Vesyllah snorts.

[Thalstan]: All done! All my bits!

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Caverndeep Burrower is splashed by the blood and becomes irradiated!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

[Vesyllah]: This is your penance!

Irradiated Pillager blood sprays into the air!

Caverndeep Burrower is splashed by the blood and becomes irradiated!

Caverndeep Burrower attempts to run away in fear!

Irradiated Pillager goes into a frenzy!

Irradiated Invader blood sprays into the air!

[Tadget]: Congratulations everyone. You escaped Gnomeregan.

[Thalstan]: I hope if we e'er come again, it's because it's recovered.

Caverndeep Invader attempts to run away in fear!

[Tadget]: I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Tadget]: Well, unless you see a big jet of bright green steam. Then definitely hold your breath.

[Vesyllah]: I just hold my breath around troggs. By Elune, they stink.

Tadget and Vesyllah take the elevator ahead of the rest of the group.

[Tadget]: I figured it was my turn to leave someone for dead in Gnomeregan.

Zaara walks facefirst into the inconvenient midsummer door banner.

[Tadget]: Took you all long enough!

The Cobalt Blade departs Gnomeregan at last and rides out, heading back to Kharanos to see Ozzie Togglevolt.

Tadget 's eyes aren't red. YOUR eyes are red.

[Tadget]: Here's your crap.

Ozzie Togglevolt says: Ooooh! This is high quality crap! Excellent!

Tadget was happy to help Ozzie Togglevolt.

[Thalstan]: Glad we were able ta finally get that key.

[Vesyllah]: Just don't break it, Art!

[Thalstan]: Meet up next time ta try the box?

[Tadget]: Yeah. Soon we'll find out what it oooooooooopens.

[Tadget]: Okay!

Tadget stands at attention and salutes.

[Arthur]: I really want to see what's in the box.

[Tadget]: Stay fresh, cheesebags!

[Zaara]: Be fresh, cheese balls!

[Thalstan]: Good job, Cobalt Blade!

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