STRANGLETHORN VALE
Bling the goblin overseer stood waiting at the shoreline along the Venture Co emcampment, looking out at the sea. The sight was beautiful, a veritable flotilla of goblin task ships under his command. Backlit by the setting sun of course!
It was due to be a moonless night, so Bling was waiting. Waiting to initiate the final step of the Grand Plan.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, it was go time!
On each shore, giant bonfires flared up. Venture Co employees started carousing as the kegs got tapped and the party started.
Bling smirked. So far so good. The watchers eyes would definitely be attracted to the festivities.
His bosses had known that their jobsite would be under intense scrutiny from the very beginning. And in the months following access to the sea cave, Bling's workers had eventually confirmed the existence of Alliance scouts on the fringe of their encampments.
Leading to the need and development of the Grand Plan.
Mogul Razdunk's goal even before the Alliance contract had landed in his lap, was to acquire the dear departed-Defias ship, the Juggernaut. Which he of course knew about thanks to daily reports from his goblin contacts within the rebellious organization.
Originally the Defias would have been the victims, but with the Alliance just wanting it scrapped according to the contract, now the goal was to shift the ginormous ship out from under the Alliance's nose without none the wiser. Very difficult considering the watchers. Requiring thorough thought.
But first they had to finish the construction of the ship behind the repaired seagate. With a few goblin tweaks of course.
Which is what Bling's task force was assembled for. A crack team of goblin engineers and builders at his beck and call. That, and to smuggle in the materials to pass off to the Alliance as Juggernaut scrap.
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And over a few months, they finally had the ship seaworthy. With a lot more goblin tweaks than planned. The engineers simply couldn't help themselves. As it goes with goblin engineering. But even with all the firepower available, tonight's success would be reliant on stealth.
INSIDE THE DEADMINES GROTTO
"Alright, listen up!", Bling barked at his crew within the grotto. "Once you hear the fireworks, its time to open the gates for this baby's maiden voyage. No lights! Aboard the ship and inside the cave. And remember, if you get caught, the Alliance is really going to be out to get us. If the boss doesn't get us first."
The goblins nodded in agreement, their faces set in manic determination. They knew what was at stake. A fat bonus. Or death.
STRANGLETHORN VALE
Overseer Bling made his way by small boat out of the grotto to join the diversions along the shoreline. Ultimately, it wasn't his job to helm the Juggernaut, but to oversee all operations in Westfall and Stranglethorn Vale.
And as he hopped onto shore, his firework operators took it as their cue.
Bright explosions lit up the night sky, to draw and dazzle any observers eyes. But in short order the eyecatching distraction came to an end. No need to illuminate the Juggernaut themselves.
But the roaring bonfires to destroy nightvision and the partygoers raucous singing to drown out any noise over the water continued on.
INSIDE THE DEADMINES GROTTO
Goblins worked quickly, using their expertise to disengage the Juggernaut's moorings and power up its engines as distant explosions sounded out.
Lights within the cave were all disabled and then the seagate panels began to open outwards.
And once they were fully open, the engines murmured into life and paddle wheels slowly started churning.
INSIDE THE DEADMINES GROTTO
Bling stood along the shore, his back to the party, waves lapping at his feet. The overseer was straining his eyes, vision glued towards the grotto. He hadn't heard the gates open which was a good start. Nor did he spot any lights to betray the heist.
One of the Grand Plan's steps was to launch during a moonless night. And to capitalize on that, the entire ship had been painted black just for tonight.
But Bling saw nothing in the inky blackness beyond the bonfires. And he figured if he didn't catch sight of the ship while knowing to look for it, there was no way any unsuspecting scout was going to detect it. That was the overseer's hope anyways. But he kept watching.
Ten minutes later Bling relaxed and a giant smile plastered itself to his face. Ten minutes and not a single trace had caught his eye. Or ear.
Now it was time to celebrate for real. For his fat bonus!