(2024-05-04) Down With Crushcog
Details
Author: Alli
Summary: Natlee and Slicket help the gnomish forces in their efforts to take out the dastardly Crushcog and his minions! ~2400 words.
Rating: T for Teen

Arc: Dun Morogh

Natlee Spatterspark Slicket Throttleblast

Natlee greets you with a hearty hello!

[Slicket]: Natlee! Are you ready to help some more gnomes? Maybe with sludge?
Slicket grins.

[Natlee]: 'Kay.

[Slicket]: Let's head to the High Tinker, see what's up!

Natlee checks her makeup.

Slicket straightens his mustache.

[Slicket]: High Tinker! What's up?

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: A number of things! Including the sky.

Natlee giggles at High Tinker Mekkatorque.

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: But most importantly… Our old enemy, Thermaplugg, is doing his best to keep us from rebuilding and finishing our reclamation of Gnomeregan.
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: He's sent one of his most loyal henchmen, Razlo Crushcog, and a force of irradiated gnomes to harry us. Hinkles, what do we know?

Hinkles Fastblast says: It's been hard for our scouts to get information on what Crushcog is planning.
Hinkles Fastblast says: What we do know is that Crushcog is using an advanced mechano-tank prototype and his irradiated gnomes are trying to repair more at the old arsenal.

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: You two should head up the road to the old arsenal in the north, where Crushcog's technicians are repairing those weapons. We have to stop them before they're able to get those mechano-tanks back online.

Natlee gives the High Tinker big blue eyes. "We will totally take care of everything for you."

[Slicket]: Everything you want, pal!

Hinkles Fastblast says: We've also lost more than a couple scouts trying to find out what exactly Razlo Crushcog plans to do with all those mechano-tanks.
Hinkles Fastblast says: Whatever it is, it can’t be good. This techno-grenade packs enough explosive power to destroy the mechano-tanks and deny Crushcog their use. Take it with you, and take out those tanks!

[Slicket]: Destroy tanks and take out the minions. Got it!
[Slicket]: Your nose is nicely powdered now?

[Natlee]: Excuse you!

[Slicket]: What does that even mean? Gunpowder?

[Natlee]: If you have to ask.

[Slicket]: Eh, whatever. Another not-my-business thing, huh?

[Natlee]: So it's probably safe to assume that like, most things are not your business.

Slicket peers at her nose, checking for gunpowder.
[Slicket]: If you ever need to make a rocket car, that is absolutely my business. So let me know.

[Natlee]: I will definitely do that.

[Slicket]: The rest I'll just make up.

Natlee scoffs softly.

They start to blow up some damaged tanks and kill some minions.

[Slicket]: Like that Kerlo Quarterflash guy. Owes you money, I bet.

Natlee narrows her eyes.
[Natlee]: That is definitely none of your business.

[Slicket]: Hah! I got it, didn't I? No, no, that's not a question.

[Slicket]: Anyway, that's enough tanks and minions.

They head back to the camp.

[Natlee]: Have you never heard the golden rule of combat situations? Do not annoy the healer, okay?

[Slicket]: I'm new at this bruiser thing, okay?

[Natlee]: Okay well now you know one rule.
[Natlee]: Like, the most important rule.

[Slicket]: I guess it's a variation on one I knew.
[Slicket]: Don't piss off the pit crew.

[Natlee]: What's a pit crew?

[Slicket]: They're like… people who take care of your car. Make sure it's functioning in the middle of a race, replace things that need replacing.

[Natlee]: I can't believe that of all the places I've been in my life I have never been to a car race.

[Slicket]: Really? I'd offer to take you but… my place is underwater right now.

They arrive to High Tinker Mekkatorque.

Slicket salutes High Tinker Mekkatorque with respect.

Natlee eyes High Tinker Mekkatorque up and down.

[Slicket]: We've softened him up!

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: That should set back Crushcog's plans a bit, but we can't rest until he is defeated and Chill Breeze Valley is secure.

[Natlee]: I'm also very soft, incidentally.
Natlee winks slyly at High Tinker Mekkatorque.

[Slicket]: Yeah, you should see her hands!

Mekkatorque raises his eyebrows and looks at Natlee curiously.

Natlee shows off her manicure.

Slicket grins.

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: I'm impressed you demolished tanks and didn't damage the polish.

Natlee giggles at High Tinker Mekkatorque.
[Natlee]: Oh my gosh did you hear that, he is IMPRESSED
Natlee is all pink.

[Slicket]: Good going, babes. *Slicket is still grinning*

Hinkles Fastblast says: Without the mechano-tanks under his command, he'll be weak and vulnerable.

Kelsey Steelspark says: Still, we're going to have a hard time handling this one alone. I sent a message to the dwarven capital of Ironforge asking for their support.

Elgin Clickspring says: A messenger reached us from Brewnall Village this morning. The dwarves are sending a squad of mountaineers to help us.

Captain Tread Sparknozzle says: We have to be in position to strike against Crushcog when the mountaineers arrive.

Kelsey Steelspark says: Hey, you two! Over here!

[Natlee]: Oh wow, LOVE the goggles.

Kelsey Steelspark says: They're my favorite pair. *Kelsey winks at Natlee, by which I mean she flicks a lens on one side of the goggles.*

Natlee giggles at Kelsey Steelspark.

Kelsey Steelspark says: While Mekkatorque, his military advisors, and I finalize the plans for the attack on Razlo Crushcog, I've sent my assistant ahead to Brewnall Village to begin preparations.
Kelsey Steelspark says: Can you head to Brewnall Village for me? Find Jarvi Shadowstep and see if he needs any help. Our dwarven cousins have dispatched a cadre of mountaineers from Ironforge to join us in the fight against Crushcog.

[Natlee]: Ooh, mountaineers.

[Slicket]: It's great the dwarves are still helping us out.

They head over to Brewnall Village.

[Slicket]: Jarvi? You look like a Jarvi.

[Natlee]: You definitely look covert ops.

Jarvi Shadowstep says: Ah, yes, Kelsey told me to expect you. Slicket and Natlee. There's still much to do before we can take on Crushcog.

[Natlee]: I wish priests were allowed to wear tight fitting black leather. That is such a good look for me.

[Slicket]: I wish that too, sometimes. *Slicket says with a straight face.*

Natlee scoffs.

Jarvi Shadowstep says: Right, anyway. We have reliable intelligence that Razlo Crushcog has taken up a defense position on the island in the middle of frozen Iceflow Lake.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: To make matters worse, he's surrounded himself with a network of sentry-bots that will detect any possible intruders.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: If we're to take on Crushcog, we'll need to take out those sentries. This device launches a dark, sticky paint that will coat the optical sensors of Crushcog's sentry-bots. Use it to take out his early warning system.

[Natlee]: Oh just like that time I — nevermind.

[Slicket]: Black paint is not quite as cool as black leather, but okay.

[Natlee]: Let me handle this one.

[Slicket]: Oh? Got a cool story about black paint? Or is that also not my business?
Slicket hands over his share of black paint.

[Natlee]: Yes and yes.

Slicket chuckles.

[Natlee]: Taking out optical sensors isn't HARD but if you do it wrong you just draw attention to yourself which is TOTALLY the opposite of what you want.

[Slicket]: Right, I see.

Natlee heads out to disable the sentry bots.

Crushcog Sentry-Bot says: Optical sensor malfunction detected! Shutting down…

[Slicket]: I can say I can't imagine you not attracting attention, but… you're really good at this.

[Natlee]: Okay, that should do it!

They head back to Jarvi.

[Slicket]: She blinded those sentry bots for you!

[Natlee]: All donesies.

Jarvi Shadowstep says: You've given us just the opening we'll need to get the drop on Crushcog. Excellent work, Natlee.

Natlee beams!

Jarvi Shadowstep says: Now it's time for the battle.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Our cousins, the dwarves of Ironforge, have agreed to help us in the battle against Razlo Crushcog.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Mountaineer Stonegrind is a veteran who knows Dun Morogh well. He and High Tinker Mekkatorque stand ready on a small snow-covered island in Iceflow Lake to the north.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Meet up with them there and let the high tinker know when you are ready to face the traitor Crushcog.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Take this orbital targeting device and use it during the battle. It will help guide the high tinker's special weapons.

[Slicket]: Oh cool!
[Slicket]: Thanks, dude.

[Natlee]: I … guess I should be there for that. Because… healer.
Natlee sighs at you.

[Slicket]: And me, because bruiser.

[Natlee]: You should really find something to call yourself that sounds a little less - you know. Than 'bruiser.'

[Slicket]: Less what?

[Natlee]: Um… kind of… um.
[Natlee]: You know, not very…

[Slicket]: Very?

[Natlee]: With um, a little less class than you might maybe potentially have.

[Slicket]: What should I call myself then?

[Natlee]: You know, you should call yourself something heroic, like a WARRIOR or — ow.

Natlee is attacked by a Crushcog bot.

[Slicket]: Leave the lady alone you dumb bot!
[Slicket]: Sorry about that.

[Natlee]: Awww.
[Natlee]: Thanks for like, defending me or whatever. So cute.

Slicket smiles.
[Slicket]: Warrior, then?
[Slicket]: Slicket the Warrior.

[Natlee]: Warrior!

They arrive at the preparatory camp.

Natlee smiles shyly at High Tinker Mekkatorque.

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Mekgineer Thermaplugg refuses to acknowledge that his defeat is imminent! He has sent Razlo Crushcog to prevent us from rebuilding our beloved Gnomeregan!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: But Natlee and Slicket have thwarted his plans at every turn, and the dwarves of Ironforge stand with us!
High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Let's send him crawling back to his master in defeat!

Mountaineer Stonegrind says: Aye, let's teach this addle-brained gnome a lesson!

Slicket charges forward.

Natlee hangs back a little.

Razlo Crushcog says: You! How did you escape detection by my sentry-bots?
Razlo Crushcog says: No matter! My guardians and I will make short work of you. To arms, men!

Natlee giggles at Razlo Crushcog.
[Natlee]: Oopsie, I guess something happened to your sentry bots.

Razlo Crushcog says: You will never defeat the true sons of Gnomeregan!

Slicket laughs.
[Slicket]: Radiation! Watch out!
[Slicket]: More bots!

Bots and radiation swarm Natlee.

[Natlee]: Um HELP???

Slicket dives in with his –lightsaber– sword to defend her. They win!

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: We've done it! We're victorious!

Mountaineer Stonegrind says: That'll teach you to mess with the might of Ironforge and Gnomeregan!

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: With Crushcog defeated, Thermaplugg is sure to be quaking in his mechano-tank, and rightly so. You're next Thermaplugg. You're next!

Natlee cheers at Slicket.
Natlee dabs at her brow with a cute lacy hankie.

Slicket cheers at Natlee!
[Slicket]: We did awesome!
[Slicket]: Natlee and Slick, Priestess and Warrior!

[Natlee]: Ugh, I need a bath now.

The team arrives back at Brewnall Village.

Gnomeregan Infantry says: Three cheers for Natlee and Slicket!
Gnomeregan Infantry says: Victory at last!

Jarvi Shadowstep says: The victorious heroes have returned! Control of Chill Breeze Valley is ours once again!

Dun Morogh Mountaineer says: I'll drink to that!

[Natlee]: Oh gosh, I don't know what to say. Um, I'd like to thank my mother…
Natlee goes on for a while.

[Slicket]: I'd like to thank everyone, yeah! Good team effort!

High Tinker Mekkatorque says: Razlo Crushcog is no more! The people of Ironforge and Gnomeregan speak with one voice this day. Hear us well, Thermaplugg. The day of your defeat approaches!

Natlee cheers!
Natlee curtsies.
[Natlee]: My mother would be SO - Hm. Actually I'm not sure what she'd be. She'd be something, for sure.

[Slicket]: She ought to be proud.

[Natlee]: I think she maybe would be? Like at least a little?
Natlee 's eyes suddenly fill with tears. She turns away and dabs at them.

Slicket looks like he might pat her shoulder for a second, but then decides his hands are dirty.
[Slicket]: I bet she would!

Natlee forces a bright smile!

Jarvi Shadowstep says: Now that everything's stable here, it's probably time for you two to move on.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Some of the mountaineers under Stonegrind's command were telling me about the situation out at Kharanos. When the troggs took over Frostmane Hold, it sounds like the surviving trolls fled westward, deep into the heart of the dwarven homeland.
Jarvi Shadowstep says: Now, they threaten the dwarven town of Kharanos. It sounds like they're going to need all the help they can get. You should go to Kharanos and introduce yourself to Captain Tharran. Just follow the road east out of Brewnall and keep going until you see the town.

[Natlee]: Okay so um, Kharanos? Where's that?

[Slicket]: You comin' along to Kharanos, too? It's um… east?

[Natlee]: Is there like, a bathtub there?

[Slicket]: Let's head that way, I'll make sure no bots come after you on the road.
[Slicket]: I sure hope so.

[Natlee]: Well aren't you just the sweetest little … rustic thing.

[Slicket]: Warrior!

[Natlee]: Warrior!

Natlee giggles at you.

Clara Deepstone says: Are ye on your way to Kharanos, by chance?

[Natlee]: Apparently!

Clara Deepstone says: I'm supposed to take these casks to Kharanos, from a new brewery in Brewnall Village.
Clara Deepstone says: But as I was on my way, I was attacked by a Frostmane troll raiding party!

[Natlee]: Oh, um, my friend is good at carrying stuff.
Natlee backs up.

Clara Deepstone says: Oh, aye, he looks… strong?

[Natlee]: That's a nice way of putting it.

[Slicket]: Yeah, no problem, I can take… one of them.

Clara Deepstone says: That'll already help. Thanks!

Slicket loads a barrel on his back and grunts.

They arrive in Kharanos to find it a mess from the quakes. Captain Tharran is deep in conversation with Quartermaster Glynna about other troubles.

Captain Tharran says: We're getting bogged down in the fight against the Frostmane trolls.
Captain Tharran says: Most of our steam tanks are out of commission and we're losing mountaineers quickly.

Quartermaster Glynna says: It won't be long before we're out of supplies too, Captain. Between the trolls and the yeti raids, we'll be down to half rations within a week.

Captain Tharran says: We can't keep up the operation much longer. Delber and his team must launch their attack from Steelgrill's Depot as soon as possible!

[Slicket]: Captain Tharran? Reporting in! Warrior and Priestess.

Captain Tharran says: Good to have ye! We need all the help we can get since the quakes and all the other problems.

Natlee looks past Captain Tharran to what's left of the inn.
[Natlee]: Well @#$%.
[Natlee]: I'm guessing there's not a bathtub.
[Natlee]: Uggggggggggh.

Captain Tharran says: No… but by all means, find yourself a tent!

[Natlee]: Oh um, yeah, a tent, that sounds… *big big smiles* really super.

[Slicket]: I'm gonna go hand over this cask. And then maybe give it a try. Want a drink, Natlee? I think we could both use a drink.

[Natlee]: I could use FIVE drinks.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License