Gar has finally decided to talk to someone about his latest dream. It was not a nightmare, not as such, but it was still one of the most disturbing dreams he ever had. He could not speak with medical staff, they were useless. He dared not to bring it to the Overseer, KB was not someone Gar would trust with his secrets. And the dream really seemed like it should stay a secret, at least for now. It was Litheme again, but unlike other times he dreamt of her she was not dead or dying. She told him that they need to go deeper, whatever that meant.
There was only one person who could be trusted with knowing it...
~~~~~
KB was talking to two new agents that arrived in the fortress. Agent Tallow Stew was an expert in propaganda-making, sent to Murderwheel to ensure population is kept happy and under control. Agent Prickle Berry Pie was new engineer, employed only to service RIN. Zurko is good but due to fact that he was an agent that could not be fully trusted, on the account of multiple disobeyed orders back in mountain homes, KB needed someone to design the security systems for RIN Head Quarters in Murderwheel.
Hissing Wallnuts agreed to join the ranks of agents, not under a codename of Rock Nut Paste. Whatever one may think RIN’s resources are not unlimited and skilled craftdwarves are important to keep the organisation afloat.
All three were promised specialised equipment, Tallow Stew [TS] will get a screw press to print his leaflets, Prickle Berry Pie [PBP] will get mechanics workshop and Siege Workshop. As for Rock Nut Paste [RNP] will have to do with simple craftdwarf workshop.
~~
On 25th of Malachite 18 alarm sounded and Vgray opened fire upon an ambush that swarmed into the entrance. For some unknown reason gate was open and yet magma was not unleashed.
As rain of bolts was pouring on foolish goblins Ezum Stukonlor, one of Flame’s Hammerdwarves, had managed to reach the gate and recklessly attacked the goblin lashers. Their numbers were too much for him to handle.
When rest of his caught up it was too late. Weather seemed to reflect cold fury that settled inside Flame’s heart.
Those green-skinned bastards will pay for it. Assisted by the marksdwarves, to a certain degree, the Cobalt Trails assaulted the assailants. One of the goblins was blinded by a bolt, sealing his fate.
After a while the Overseer joined the fray, still fully in control of his fighting style...
~~~~~
Meanwhile Agent Sunshine was sleeping in his quarters...
~~~~~
Looking around the battlefield Flame have noted a curious thing, goblins were not working alone! Kobolds were among them, trying to help to take over the Fortress! This could not be! Once goblins fell, their allies turned tail and Flame gave chase. First kobold he caught up with was quickly disarmed and got his knee shattered, as punishment for cowardice. If he would show courage Flame would show mercy and kill it on the spot.
Next opponent was even more unlucky, before he was finally killed his bones were pulverized in a way even Sunshine would blush hearing about it.
Third kobold whose fate was to be beset upon by militia commander suffered weirder fate. Once Flame’s wrath spilled over he stopped caring about the way he was executing the ambushers. In grief after death of his subordinate he bit the kobold by the head and shook him around until he died.
~~~~~
‘Gar!’ KB was furious. ‘I have a job for you!’
‘What do you want?’ Gar, like many other, did not warm up to their new Overseer. How could he? KB was there to replace Litheme. It did not matter she was dead, for Gar she was the only one fit to lead Murderwheel.
‘I was just told by one of the hammerdwarves that someone opened the gate and broke the controls... In the middle of lockdown... In a crowded room... AND NOBODY SAW ANYTHING!’ Kolkeskal was barely containing his rage. ‘You will figure out who is responsible... and bring them to me... ALIVE.’ KB’s eyes emanated pure fury. Someone tried to sabotage
his fortress. Fortress so very important to the Crown. Fortress that could give the Tomb of Pleating a military advantage that would be unsurpassable by other civilizations, if the legends about what is buried under this place are true. That treachery could not be tolerated, KB already told Sunshine to prepare his equipment.
‘Sure, I’ll get right on it.’ Gar’s dislike of Kolkeskal did not mean he would ignore his duties...