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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | Slicket and Natlee assist with the efforts in and around Gnomeregan after Operation:Gnomeregan. ~5500 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Arc: Dun Morogh
Slicket and Natlee are two new gnome recruits helping to reclaim Gnomeregan and recover those irradiated by Thermaplugg’s recent radiation bomb.
Natlee turns and spots the gnome with the mohawk and startles, pressing both hands to her chest. She forces a huge smile.
[Natlee]: Um, hi!
Nevin Twistwrench says: Hello, my new recruits!
Slicket grins at the cute girl with the pigtails, and then jumps when Nevin addresses them.
Nevin Twistwrench says: My name is Nevin Twistwrench and I'm the commander of the Survivor Assistance Facilitation Expedition, or S.A.F.E.
[Natlee]: I'm Natlee! *She extends her hand, palm down.*
[Slicket]: Name's Slicket, pal.
[Natlee]: I'm a priestess. I'm here to, you know, heal people?
Nevin takes her hand and looks puzzled about what to do with it for a moment. He kind of shakes it.
[Slicket]: And I'm a rocket car pil… uh, I'm a bruiser. I guess.
Natlee removes her hand from the confused commander's grasp and smooths out her pigtails.
Nevin Twistwrench says: I think both of those things will come in handy. Many gnomes haven't fared so well since the most recent radiation explosion.
Nevin Twistwrench says: Our team is rounding up the survivors, but the radiation-addled leper gnomes are too numerous for us to hold back much longer. They've lost their minds!
Nevin Twistwrench says: Healing will be needed soon, but for now… would you help us clear out some of these leper gnomes?
[Slicket]: Right-o, mister.
[Natlee]: Oh, um… I can… okay?
Natlee smiles reeeeally big.
[Slicket]: Looks like we're a pair, sweet cheeks. *Slicket turns to grin at Natlee.*
[Natlee]: Oh um… that's… fun?
[Natlee]: You should go first.
[Slicket]: Sure, wouldn't want the priestess to break a nail. *Slicket chuckles*
Natlee checks her nails in alarm.
The two of them fight some leper gnomes!
Natlee SMITES the leper gnome.
[Natlee]: Wow, I didn't know I could do that. Like for real.
[Slicket]: What, the smiting? *Slicket asks between swings of his sword.*
[Natlee]: Um, begone, evil leper!
[Natlee]: Be purified!
[Natlee]: Wow, I'm pretty good at that, right?
They head back to Nevin, still chatting.
[Slicket]: Do the taglines help?
[Slicket]: Maybe I should try it to. Like sh**-talking at the racetrack.
[Natlee]: Wha— 'taglines'? Ugh.
[Natlee]: I have a holy calling.
[Slicket]: "Begone evil leper" and all that.
Natlee scowls, pouting silently.
[Slicket]: Right, sure thing. Holy calling.
[Slicket]: Hey…. babes, it was a compliment! I liked your taglines.
Natlee preens, still a little sulky.
[Natlee]: Okay but now what?
They both turn to Nevin.
Nevin Twistwrench says: The others can take it from here. Thanks for the help. Now we've got to focus on the survivors.
[Natlee]: Okay so um, I could… go like, cheer them up?
Nevin Twistwrench says: Uh, I think being cheerful might not be enough in this situation. But anyway, I'm going to start preparing for us all to leave this place.
Nevin Twistwrench says: We can't hold out here any longer. I want you to move to a forward position in the middle of the large room ahead.
[Natlee]: Oh. Okay.
Natlee twists a pigtail.
Nevin Twistwrench says: Carvo Blastbolt will be able to give you further instructions. We're going to get as many people as we can out of here safely.
[Natlee]: Out of here. That sounds amazing. Okay.
Slicket bobs his mohawk. "Right on, chief. We'll get 'em out."
[Natlee]: Ugh what a mess. I can't believe we actually lived here? Gnomes?
[Slicket]: Wow this place is a mess. Never thought I'd miss it.
[Natlee]: So you lived here?
[Slicket]: Eh, when I was a baby.
[Slicket]: If you can imagine me that cute.
[Natlee]: I um. Cannot. Really.
[Natlee]: I guess it wasn't always so… loud and smelly?
[Slicket]: Loud, yes, but I don't mind loud. The smell's new.
They arrive at Carvo Blastbolt.
Carvo Blastbolt says: You two! Did Nevin send you ahead? That means he's getting ready to end the mission, but there are still survivors to be rescued. We have to help them!
[Natlee]: I'm a priestess! I can help.
Carvo Blastbolt says: Healing's great, but we also need to get them OUT of here.
[Natlee]: Just tell us what to do, and I'll make sure whatsisname does it.
Carvo Blastbolt says: I'm going to give you my squad's emergency teleport beacon. We still have enough strength and ammunition to fight our way out of here, but those survivors are in no condition to make a run for it.
[Slicket]: Teleporting, sure.
[Natlee]: Oh wow, okay.
Carvo Blastbolt says: Use the beacon on survivors to arrange for them to be teleported out of here to the safe area my men have set up. Once you've done that, report back to me and we'll make arrangements to get you out of here.
[Natlee]: Let's teleport some poor little weak survivors!
[Natlee]: It's a good thing they have us, right?
[Natlee]: Let's see… how does this thing work…
[Slicket]: Yeah, we're like angels outta the sky for them.
Natlee points it at a survivor.
Survivor says: Don't let them eat me!
The survivor is teleported to safety.
[Natlee]: Oh wow, that worked nicely.
Natlee points at Survivor.
Survivor says: Help! I'm too weak to make it on my own.
The survivor is teleported to safety.
[Slicket]: Good ole gnomish tech.
Survivor says: I'm really going to die down here, aren't I?
[Natlee]: Here you go, old man.
The survivor is teleported to safety.
Survivor says: Some help! Anyone!
[Slicket]: No more worries, man.
The survivor is teleported to safety.
[Natlee]: Poor little thing!
[Natlee]: I think I'm getting the hang of this.
Natlee cheers at Slicket.
[Slicket]: Yeah, beacon's pretty easy to use.
[Natlee]: I don't see any more, do you?
[Slicket]: No exploding at all! Nope, all the rest look pretty leper.
[Natlee]: Ew.
[Slicket]: Yeah let's get out.
[Natlee]: Okay, so that wasn't terrible?
[Natlee]: Can we go yet?
Carvo Blastbolt says: I know Nevin will be pleased with all the survivors you managed to help. I still can't believe you managed to stay so strong down here in the radiation.
[Natlee]: Oh, that's nothing. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff I've escaped.
[Slicket]: We're just tough like that. Good pair.
Natlee makes a face at 'pair' but doesn't argue.
Carvo Blastbolt says: Let's get you to the loading room for decontamination.
[Natlee]: I like the sound of decontamination.
Carvo Blastbolt says: You did an excellent job gathering the survivors! They’re the reason S.A.F.E. teams keep coming down here. Nevin won't rest until we've found and rescued every possible survivor.
Carvo Blastbolt says: I'm sending my men to the Loading Room to prepare for decontamination. Please follow them and meet up with Gaffer Coilspring when you arrive. She'll set you up for decontamination and have you on your way to the surface.
S.A.F.E. Operative says: You can follow me to the Loading Room.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: Alright. I could handle losing this green glow.
[Slicket]: C'mon priestess!
We follow them to the Loading Room.
[Natlee]: Oh my gods, I'm not glowing am I? Tell me I'm not glowing.
[Natlee]: I mean, besides the way I normally glow.
[Slicket]: Glowing with good cheer. And radiation.
[Natlee]: Like, the bad way, like the way you're glowing.
[Natlee]: WHAT?
Slicket laughs.
[Natlee]: Ew ew ew, get it offffff.
[Slicket]: No worries, babes! We're headed to do that now!
Natlee whiiiines.
Rescued Survivor says: It's a relief to be surrounded by normal gnomes again!
Physician's Assistant says: Ah, a new arrival. Right this way, sir.
Gaffer Coilspring says: You two! It's good to meet you. I can help get you decontaminated and on your way out of here.
[Natlee]: Oh thank the LIGHT.
[Slicket]: So… what do we do?
Rescued Survivor says: Thank the Light! I've made it.
Gaffer Coilspring says: Before we can send you to the surface, you have to go through the decontamination process. Just head into the next room and board the Sanitron 500.
Gaffer Coilspring says: It will do the rest! It shouldn't even hurt… much.
Gaffer Coilspring says: When you're all done, check in with Technician Braggle and he'll make sure you get some suitable gear.
The Sanitron 500 looks kind of like a drive-through carwash.
[Natlee]: Um, wow.
Natlee gapes at the whirring gizmos.
[Slicket]: Huh. I was sort of thinking of a shower. Maybe a sand scrub.
[Natlee]: You first.
[Slicket]: Let's… give it a whirl?
Sanitron 500 says: Commencing decontamination sequence…
Pincers grab both Slicket and Natlee and forcibly move them through the decontamination procedure.
[Slicket]: It's GOT ME!!!
[Natlee]: WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW
[Slicket]: AAAHHH
S.A.F.E. Technician says: Ugh! Not this again! I'm asking for a new station next expedition…
Sanitron 500 says: Decontamination complete. Standby for delivery.
Sanitron 500 says: Warning, system overload. Malfunction imminent!
//There’s a small explosion, and Natlee and Slicket are deposited unceremoniously at the exit.
S.A.F.E. Technician says: No, not the Sanitron… it was my pride and joy!
[Slicket]: Whoa. Think I like it better when I'm driving.
[Natlee]: I… oh! It washed my clothes!
Natlee goes from shaking convulsively to perfectly fine in less than 4 seconds.
[Slicket]: No more radiation glow on you, sweet cheeks. Me?
[Natlee]: You look um…
[Natlee]: Well… you're not glowing green?
Natlee smiles stiffly.
[Slicket]: Unusually hot. Yeah, I know. Must be weird now you can see me better.
Natlee quietly whispers, 'ew'
Technician Braggle says: There, now you're fit to head off to the surface. The High Tinker will be delighted to hear of your arrival.
[Natlee]: Oh, the High Tinker! One sec.
Natlee pulls out a little compact mirror and checks her makeup.
[Slicket]: Where do we go next? Straight to the High Tinker?
Technician Braggle says: Not quite. Nevin has just sent word that he and his men are making their way to the surface. He'll be waiting for you in the S.A.F.E. headquarters.
Natlee reapplies some lipstick and gives the mirror a little air-kiss.
Technician Braggle says: See Torben Zapblast over there? Talk to him when you're ready to head to the surface and he'll arrange to have you transported up there.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
Slicket runs his fingers over his mustache, to make sure it's extra pointy.
[Natlee]: So I guess your hair is… normally like that? Or…?
[Slicket]: I keep it like this, yeah. Pretty cool, huh?
[Natlee]: Oh, it's… fun! Mm hm, very fun.
[Slicket]: I'm a fun guy!
Natlee snickers.
[Slicket]: Not, you know, a fungi.
[Natlee]: Mm hm.
We make it to the surface.
[Natlee]: Oh, it smells so much better out here.
[Slicket]: Nice brisk air! Little cold, but whatever.
[Natlee]: There's whatsisname.
Natlee greets Nevin Twistwrench with a hearty hello!
You wave at Nevin Twistwrench.
Nevin Twistwrench says: It's good to see you again. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to get so many survivors out of Gnomeregan this time.
Natlee rearranges her hair.
Nevin Twistwrench says: I realize you've only been back here at Gnomeregan for a brief while. You're going to have to get reacclimated. Our leader, High Tinker Mekkatorque has assembled a team of trainers to help you learn your arts.
[Natlee]: Oh my gosh it's him.
Natlee bounces.
Slicket salutes High Tinker Mekkatorque with respect.
Slicket murmurs, "Bad*ss"
Natlee clutches both hands limply against her chest, eyes wide and sparkly.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: It's good to meet you, newcomers. You've probably heard others speaking of Operation: Gnomeregan. Let me tell you a bit about what happened and why we left the dwarven city of Ironforge.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: The dwarves of Ironforge kindly took us in when the trogg invasion and radiation forced us to leave Gnomeregan for the first time. But even the kindness of friends can't quell the longing for home.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: I sent out a call for brave gnomes and other members of the Alliance to help us regain control of Gnomeregan and defeat the usurper Thermaplugg once and for all.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: We weren't able to achieve everything Operation: Gnomeregan set out to do, but Thermaplugg is on the run and we're closer to home than ever.
[Natlee]: Can I ask you something, High Tinker?
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Go ahead!
[Natlee]: Do you happen to know if one of the people who helped with the um, operation, was called 'Kerlo Quarterflash'?
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Kerlo Quarterflash? From the 7th Legion? Of course! He and Captain Sparkwire of Cobalt Company both led teams in there.
[Natlee]: Ohhhhhh. 7th Legion. 'Kay, thanks.
Slicket looks curiously at Natlee.
Natlee just smiles.
[Natlee]: I'd like to know more about this operation! Sir.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Take a look at this holotable. I want to show you a bit about Operation: Gnomeregan.
[Natlee]: Wowwww.
[Natlee]: Mm hm.
Image of High Tinker Mekkatorque says: It's too quiet. Where are Thermaplugg's defense forces?
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: We assembled a mighty force and defeated Thermaplugg's servants, fighting our way into the city. But, the usurper Thermaplugg had one last trick up his sleeve…
Thermaplugg's Brag-bot says: No! No, no, NO!!! I won't allow you into my kingdom, usurper! I WON'T ALLOW IT!
Thermaplugg's Brag-bot says: Activate the Ultimate Atomic Protection System.
Thermaplugg's Brag-bot says: …DISINTEGRATE THEM ALL!
[Natlee]: Ooooh!
Image of High Tinker Mekkatorque says: IT'S A TRAP! That's a fully functional irradiator!
Irradiator 3000 Image says: Irradiator 3000 activated. Attention. Emergency. You now have ten minutes to reach minimum safe distance.
Natlee watches the holotable, mesmerized.
Image of High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Ten minutes? Plenty of time to disarm the device.
Image of High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Hinkles, hand me that Whirring Bronze Gizmo and some Fresh Spring Water. Cogspin, toss me that Dirty Trogg Cloth and a Handful of Copper Bolts…
Thermaplugg's Brag-bot says: TEN MINUTES?! You left the factory setting on? Give me that controller, you idiot!
Irradiator 3000 Image says: *BEEP* Attention. Emergency. You now have ten seconds to reach minimum safe distance.
Image of High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Whuh-oh! We've got to get out of here! Lapforge, beam us back, quickly!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: We were forced to retreat. Thermaplugg continues to hide behind the radiation, sending his crony, Crushcog, to harass us here on the surface.
[Natlee]: Awwww.
[Natlee]: That was like, a really good try, though?
[Slicket]: We'll get it next time!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: We will need all the weapons, inventions, and soldiers we can get in order to defeat Razlo Crushcog and his followers.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Over to the northeast, you'll find Engineer Grindspark, one of a new generation of brilliant gnomish minds. Why, he hasn't had an explosion in over three prototypes!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: But enough bragging. Engineer Grindspark is working on a bot that he says will help clean up the toxic airfield. You should introduce yourself to him and see if he needs any help testing it.
[Natlee]: 'Kay!
The two of them head over to Engineer Grindspark.
Natlee greets Engineer Grindspark with a hearty hello!
[Slicket]: The High Tinker said we should come over and see if you needed any help with your bot.
Engineer Grindspark says: So the high tinker himself has heard of my little project? Splendid! I've almost finished my latest prototype, but maybe you can help me chase down those last few parts.
[Natlee]: Um, sure.
Engineer Grindspark says: There's just too much to do around here, and too few gnomes on their feet to help! The high tinker has asked me to start converting some of our old bots and parts from Operation: Gnomeregan.
Engineer Grindspark says: I hope to have a new line of multi-bots ready for a field test soon!
Engineer Grindspark says: I don't suppose you'd have some time to help, do you? There are all kinds of parts scattered around. Pick up anything you find and bring it back to me. You never know what could turn out to be useful!
[Natlee]: Oh um, Slimy here should be able to help, yeah.
[Slicket]: Uh, sure. Anything to help.
[Slicket]: Just… pick up all the things, huh?
[Natlee]: I'll let you do that.
[Natlee]: I have to be careful of my hands, since, they like, channel the Light.
[Natlee]: Also my nail polish literally just dried, so.
[Slicket]: Have to keep them soft for that?
[Natlee]: Mm hm.
[Slicket]: Does the polish help with the Light?
[Natlee]: The Light wouldn't want grubby hands, right?
[Slicket]: I couldn't say, never met it.
[Natlee]: Oh but you have! The Light is everywhere.
[Slicket]: Uh-huh. *Slicket sounds skeptical*
They find enough parts.
[Natlee]: Good job finding those parts! Yay!
Slicket grins.
They take them back to the engineer.
[Natlee]: Are these like, at all helpful, sir?
[Slicket]: Yeah, how's this look?
Engineer Grindspark says: These are fantastic! Let's see what we can put together. Would you be interested in testing out the prototype once I'm done?
[Slicket]: Sure, yeah! Is it something we can drive?
Natlee looks uncertain.
Engineer Grindspark says: Uh, no. But operate, yes.
Engineer Grindspark says: If the multi-bot works, it will help us do all kinds of jobs that are unpleasant or dangerous for us gnomes!
Engineer Grindspark says: Anyway, time to put the finishing touches on my bot.
He puts in the finishing touches.
Engineer Grindspark says: At last, it's finished.
Engineer Grindspark says: Arise my, uh… what shall I call you? How about 'multi-bot'? Arise, my multi-bot!
Engineer Grindspark says: Uh… a couple more tweaks should do it, I think…
Engineer Grindspark says: There we go!
Engineer Grindspark says: After Thermaplugg detonated his irradiator at the end of Operation: Gnomeregan, toxic clouds and ooze began bubbling up at the old airfield south of town.
[Natlee]: Ew.
Engineer Grindspark says: If we don't get it under control, the contamination could spread to the rest of our lands. Take the multi-bot with you, and bring it close to the geysers in the green pools at the Toxic Airfield.
Engineer Grindspark says: Your bot should spring into action!
[Slicket]: So more toxic stuff. Alright, we can handle it.
[Natlee]: I will um… stay at a distance in case anything needs smiting.
Another gnome calls out.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Hey, I've got another thing for you!
[Natlee]: Uh huh?
Tock Sprysprocket says: Most of us have seen the sickly and deranged gnomes suffering from exposure to the poisons and radiation of Gnomeregan. Eventually, they will devolve further, until they become mindless, but harmless, puddles of toxic sludge.
[Natlee]: Ewwww!
Tock Sprysprocket says: My research suggests that we may even be able to restore them from this state. Go to the Toxic Airfield to the south, subdue the toxic sludge I told you about, and bring back the possessions of the gnomes they once were.
[Slicket]: And you can… bring them back with that?
[Natlee]: O… kaaaay….
Tock Sprysprocket says: That's the hope!
Natlee shudders.
Natlee whispers, 'ew ew ew'
[Slicket]: Right, I'm on sludge duty, aren't I?
[Natlee]: Totally.
They approach the Toxic Airfield, and Slicket hails a Corporal.
[Slicket]: What's up, Corporal?
Natlee looks around at the chaos, blue eyes wide.
Corporal Fizzwhistle says: Not much. I'm on orders not to engage these sludges. Tock Sprysprocket has some crazy theory about these toxic sludges being the last remnants of gnomes.
Natlee shudders.
[Slicket]: Yeah, we heard.
Corporal Fizzwhistle says: However, the Toxic Airfield, just south of us, is teeming with living contamination. They are elementals composed of contaminated water and other toxic materials. Left unchecked, they'll overrun the town.
Corporal Fizzwhistle says: Will you help us dispose of them?
Natlee takes a deep breath and braces herself.
[Slicket]: Sure, I can knock down an elemental or two.
They try to knock down an elemental or two, and are pretty successful at it.
[Natlee]: Oh good, the Light can smite these, too.
[Natlee]: It is really useful for smiting.
[Slicket]: Are there things the light can't smite?
[Natlee]: Um I dunno.
Slicket digs into a sludge.
[Natlee]: Hey, don't smite the sludges, remember?
[Natlee]: Aren't they like… gnomes?
[Slicket]: I was just digging stuff out of them!
[Natlee]: Oh.
[Natlee]: Ew.
[Slicket]: Like he said, we've got to get these. *He holds up what looks like a sludge-covered diving helmet*
Natlee covers her mouth and makes a hrrrk sound.
[Slicket]: Hold still li'l sludge, I just want to…
Slicket digs his hands in, to the elbows.
Slicket holds up a pocketwatch. "See?"
[Natlee]: Okay okay but stop showing me.
Slicket runs to the next, leaving a nice little trail of dripped sludge.
[Slicket]: Sure, maybe you'll like them better when they're gnomes again.
[Natlee]: You really think he can… bring them back?
[Slicket]: Maybe? I've seen weirder things with gnomish tech.
[Natlee]: I don't know much about it.
[Slicket]: Or maybe not, but there's always a first time.
Natlee sighs at you.
[Slicket]: It's worth a shot at least!
Slicket goes for another sludge.
Natlee stands waaaay back.
[Natlee]: Ugh, how did it still get ON me??
[Slicket]: It's everywhere, babes. We're just gonna have to shower later.
Corporal Fizzwhistle says: What a relief! Thank you for your help. I hope that gadget the engineer was working on cleans up the airfield permanently.
[Natlee]: So where are the showers?
Doc Cogspin is waving Natlee over.
[Natlee]: Sec.
[Natlee]: Doc wants to talk.
[Natlee]: Um, she wants me to heal some people.
[Slicket]: We could split up for training after we give this robot back?
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: And.. maybe the gnome sludge things.
They head to the engineer.
[Slicket]: Engineer! Robot worked like a charm.
Engineer Grindspark says: Wow, I never expected it to work on the first trial!
Natlee fidgets and checks her mirror again.
Engineer Grindspark says: Uh, I mean, we've succeeded! I wonder what other uses I can find for this handy little guy.
[Slicket]: Bet you'll think of something! *Slick waves as he moves off*
They head back to Tock.
[Slicket]: Tock, we found you some stuff. Can you really turn them back into gnomes?
Natlee watches with sharp interest.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Well, I can't wait to give it a try!
Tock Sprysprocket says: My brother has spent years working on a cure for leper gnomes. Using his notes, I think I've perfected a process for restoring gnomes who've devolved to sludge.
Natlee peers at Tock Sprysprocket searchingly.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Let's give this a try. Goggles, everyone!
Natlee puts on some goggles.
Recovered Gnome says: What… what happened to me?
Slicket shades his eyes.
[Natlee]: Wow!!!
Tock Sprysprocket says: Absolutely amazing! We've done it!
Slicket gasps.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Sure, he's a little small, even by gnome standards, but he's all there! The real question is, what will he remember?
Recovered Gnome says: Don't talk about me like I'm not here! All I know is I'm hungry and I need to get out of these hideous, smelly clothes!
[Natlee]: Look at the little guy…
Natlee clasps her hands over her heart.
The miniature gnome runs off.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Wait, come back! I have readings to take!
Natlee blows Recovered Gnome a kiss.
Tock Sprysprocket says: You need to see a medic!
[Slicket]: Small's not so bad!
The Recovered Gnome combusts.
Tock Sprysprocket says: Better make that a rocket scientist.
[Natlee]: …. Oh.
[Slicket]: Oh…
Natlee blinks a few times, her eyes shiny with tears.
[Natlee]: Um… okay.
[Slicket]: Well, still needs some refining.
Natlee nodnodnods.
[Slicket]: Let's do some training of our own. Keep up the work, Tock.
Slicket runs off to his ‘bruiser’ training.
Natlee busily heals wounded infantry with little flashes of Light.
[Natlee]: Okay Doc, they're all patched up. Cute, right?
Doc Cogspin gives her a new staff.
[Natlee]: Oh wow, for me?? I love it. This is a great look for me.
Natlee admires her new staff.
Slicket ambles back up.
[Natlee]: Look what Doc gave me!
[Slicket]: Natlee, babe, you got a new staff! Check out my sword!
It kind of looks like a lightsaber.
[Natlee]: Oh um, that's… very… shiny.
[Slicket]: Yeah, it'll cut through anything.
[Natlee]: That's… neat?
Slicket casually slings it across his back.
[Natlee]: Mkay, what next?
Captain Tread Sparknozzle says: Recruits! We need information!
Captain Tread Sparknozzle says: The cataclysm tore open deep caves beneath Frostmane Hold and troggs flooded out of their warrens. They succeeded in displacing the trolls who used to live there and they stand to drive us out if we do not act.
Captain Tread Sparknozzle says: High Tinker Mekkatorque hired the renowned demolitionist, Kharnarm Palegrip, to close the caves and stem the trogg advance. We've received no word about whether he was able to stop the troggs.
Captain Tread Sparknozzle says: Would you look for him at his camp near Frostmane Hold, to the south beyond the Toxic Airfield?
[Slicket]: Of course!
[Slicket]: Demolitionists are the bomb!
Natlee giggles at you.
[Slicket]: Seriously, demolitionists are good at explosions, but they can also make some rad boosters.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: Always good to keep on good terms.
[Natlee]: That's super interesting to know.
[Slicket]: I'm full of interesting stuff.
Natlee eyes you up and down.
They arrive at the demolitionist’s camp. He’s a dwarf.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Kharnarm Palegrip, of Palegrip's Mountain Movers, at your service.
[Slicket]: Have you done it? Collapsed the tunnel? People are waiting for you.
Natlee adjusts her hair and clothes.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Collapsing the tunnel's not a problem, but I'm goin' to need my team and my equipmeant afore I can get to th' task.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Fer a job like this, I normally bring me whole crew o' demolitionists. With some help in settin' up th' powder, th' charges, and th' rest o' th' gear, the job gets done a lot faster.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Those blasted troggs have me men caged all around Frostmane Hold. Now I'm 'ere all alone without th' personnel I need to finish th' job.
Natlee fidgets, her pale blue gaze wandering.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: You look capable, though. Would you find th' demolitionists th' troggs captured and break them out o' their cages?
[Slicket]: Get people outta cages, right. Got it.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Next is the explosives.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: It's gonna take a lot of powder ta collapse those caves. I don't know whether th' damnable troggs understood that when they stole me supplies and kidnapped me demolitionists! But th' outcome's th' same.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Ain't gonna be able ta blow nothin' up until I've got that powder back.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Go south to Frostmane Hold and kill any o' those troggs you find. Any one o' 'em could be carryin' me kegs o' powder.
[Slicket]: Kill troggs, get powder, free from cages. We're on the case, my man.
Natlee trails along behind Slick, trotting daintily through the snow.
They break open a cage and free a demolitionist.
Captured Demolitionist says: Thank you for breaking me out of here!
[Slicket]: Cages haven't even got locks.
They free some more demolitionists.
Captured Demolitionist says: Thanks. Now, let's blow up that cave!
Captured Demolitionist says: Finally, someone who's not a trogg!
Captured Demolitionist says: You have no idea how happy I am to see you!
[Natlee]: It's always a good idea to keep hairpins on you in case you get locked in a cage.
[Slicket]: Oh yeah? Common problem for you?
[Natlee]: It's not not common?
Slicket chuckles.
[Slicket]: Didn't know the world was so rough for priestesses.
Captured Demolitionist says: I'm free! I'm really free!
[Natlee]: Oh well, I wasn't always a priestess.
[Slicket]: No? What were you?
[Natlee]: Um, I'm not sure that's like, super your business or whatever?
Slicket looks her up and down. "Something that got put in cages a lot. I'll use my imagination."
[Natlee]: The Light transforms all, okay?
[Slicket]: You got it, babes.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: My people made it back! An' ye got my powder?
Natlee nods at Kharnarm Palegrip.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Great! Then we might be blowin' somethin' up after all!
[Natlee]: Yay?
Kharnarm Palegrip says: My team is settin' up th' powder kegs and th' detonator at the bottom o' th' cave in th' western part of Frostmane Hold.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: All you'll need to do is venture down there and activate th' detonator to explode the powder and collapse those tunnels.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: That'll stop th' flow of troggs from th' deep parts of th' earth. Mekkatorque'll have an easier time of dealin' with the remainin' troggs if you can take out their leader, who calls 'imself Boss Bruggor.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: We can handle a boom, my man.
[Natlee]: I'll just keep him from exploding.
Natlee points at you.
Slicket laughs.
We chill for a while, as the demolitionists get things prepared. Then it’s our turn.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Hey! The explosives are all set up! Just waiting for you to go hit the ignition.
[Natlee]: Ready when you are!
Natlee smiles nervously.
[Slicket]: Let's do it!
[Slicket]: Just stick behind me, sweet cheeks, and I'll keep 'em off you.
We fight our way through a cave.
[Natlee]: Oh um, I think you got poisoned. I don't know how to fix that.
[Slicket]: I usually just walk it off.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: I mean, you saw me with all the sludge. Pretty sure I've built up like… some kinda immunity?
[Natlee]: Um, that's… useful I guess?
[Slicket]: It all just falls right off me, sooner or later.
Boss Bruggor becomes enraged!
[Slicket]: Oh! I think this is the bossman!
[Slicket]: Was.
Natlee giggles at you.
[Natlee]: Well he wasn't so tough, right?
[Slicket]: Not for us!
[Slicket]: And here's the explosives. Got your hair tied up tight?
[Natlee]: I probably should have worn some better running shoes. It's just hard to find cute running shoes, you know?
Natlee prepares her hair.
[Slicket]: Well, you can always learn to run in walking shoes. Explosives are good motivation.
[Natlee]: Um, yes.
[Slicket]: Let's go!
[Natlee]: Oh gosh
Natlee frantically heals Slick as a massive troll attacks.
We defeat the troll, but it’s a close thing. Thank the Light!
[Slicket]: What's a troll doing in here?
[Natlee]: I think they said these like, used to be troll caves?
[Slicket]: Ah right, the details.
[Slicket]: Blah blah troggs chased out trolls blah blah
[Slicket]: He was pretty not-chased-out though.
We fight our way through a few more troggs, then make it out of the cave.
[Slicket]: Think it'll be a while till we even get the troggs already up here taken care of.
[Natlee]: So that was an adventure I guess?
Palegrip is waving us over.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Ye don't have to tell me it was a success! I could feel the explosion all the way out here!
Kharnarm Palegrip says: My boys did a fine job riggin' up that blast, but it wouldn't have happened without your help. It's only fair that I split my contract payment with you for helpin' me finish th' job.
[Slicket]: That seems fair.
Natlee beams!
[Natlee]: We're really nailing this, right?
[Slicket]: We are! Nailing it hard!
Natlee wrinkles her nose.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Well, it's time to start packin' up and movin' on to the next job. There's always somethin' else to blow up out there. Somewhere, there's a mountain needs movin' or a gorge that needs carvin', and I'll be there to do it.
Kharnarm Palegrip says: Right, nailing it. But… I don't suppose you'd do me one more favor? Would you take this report back to High Tinker Mekkatorque in New Tinkertown?
[Slicket]: Yeah, sure, we're headed that way anyway, right babes?
Kharnarm Palegrip says: He needs to know that th' troggs won't be botherin' his people again anytime soon.
Natlee nods.
[Slicket]: I think we might've already solved most of the problems here.
[Slicket]: Just that one Cog-whatever guy left.
Natlee nods.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Welcome back!
[Slicket]: We're here to tell you that the trogg problems are over. Courtesy of yours truly, and her, and some other people.
Natlee preens!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Splendid news! With the troggs taken care of, we should be able to turn our attention to Crushcog's troublemaking.
[Natlee]: Mkay, well, I need to powder my nose and stuff, but I'll be back to help out with that or whatever.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: I'll just get the strategy worked up, and we'll be ready to send you out soon.
[Natlee]: 'Kay.
[Slicket]: Sure, yeah, maybe I could wash the toxic sludge off my hands.
[Natlee]: Ugh, yes, please.
Slicket reaches over to give Natlee a high-four.
Natlee puts her hands quickly behind her back.
[Natlee]: Um, see you in a little bit.
Slicket laughs.