ISLE OF KEZAN

On the Isle of Kezan, things were afoot.

The Bilgewater Cartel, the Steamwheedle Cartel, and the Venture Company were the three most prominent goblin organizations in Azeroth. Each had their own unique view on acquiring wealth, depending on their leader's values, or lack thereof. Despite their differences, all three organizations shared a common bond: their love of the almighty gold.

They also shared a habit of obstructing their rivals when they got the chance...

BILGEWATER CARTEL

Trade Prince Gallywix, robust leader of the Bilgewater Cartel, had an ugly, sour frown marring his handsome face. Jeweled fingers rapidly drummed on the arm of his jeweled throne, as his mind raced.

Concerning news from his spies placed within the Venture Co headquarters had reached him earlier. Mogul Razdunk had reportedly laughed out loud.

Yet that brutish goblin who ruled the Venture Co through intimidation had laughed. Out loud!

A serious issue, since Gallywix now had something to seriously worry about!

Worry if he was going to be on the receiving end of whatever caused Mogul Razdunk such joy.

And worry that he might be missing out on a big opportunity. Or that he had already missed out.

Gallywix looked at the orb atop his cane and his stress seemed to melt away, to be replaced with new resolve. He'd take a measured approach. It wouldn't do to make a rash decision.

He'd have to have his spies look deeper into all Venture Co activities. And perhaps his spies within the Steamwheedle Cartel might have heard something...

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STEAMWHEEDLE CARTEL

Trade Prince Steamwheedle, leader of the Steamwheedle Cartel, and richest goblin on Azeroth, was feeling in a particularly suspicious mood as he sat in his lavish office. It was a shame in his opinion, because everything within his organization was moving smoothly.

The horde was receiving a steady stream of zeppelins for their armies, and he was receiving the proper amount of gold as orders were fulfilled. All good.

Until Mogul Razdunk had laughed. Suspicious.

So to Trade Prince Steamwheedle's thinking, it was rather normal to be suspicious. Especially ever since the Venture Co had gotten that alliance contract. In his mind, that should have been the Steamwheedle's contract, but as the zeppelin construction was currently soaking up the entirety of his crews, the Trade Prince hadn't taken offense.

And now he and Gallywix had their feelers out and about in town. Which of course had alerted the entirety of the Isle, causing a tense state of affairs. Goblins were perceptive like that.

What was the Venture Co up to? And was it due to the alliance contract? Had he missed out on a truly lucrative deal?

It bothered him. It bothered him a lot!

VENTURE COMPANY

Mogul Razdunk, leader of the Venture Company, was not a Trade Prince. Yet currently he was the focus of the trade princes. And he was currently mad. Mad at himself.

For a momentary loss of control in front of his workers had the whole of Kezan speculating. Razdunk swore then and there, he'd never laugh again!

So he had suited up his mithril steamsuit and stomped around the Venture Co compound, intimidating his underlings until they were thoroughly cowed and he felt somewhat better.

But still mad.

He had returned to the his office, and as he cooled down, he allowed himself to regain his earlier cheer. Without laughing.

The heist had gone off perfectly. The defias juggernaut had been slipped out from under the nose of the Alliance observers. And according to the report he'd received this morning, that was the cause of Kezan's current tizzy, the ship was currently anchored at one of the islands under his control for refit.

Once the refit was done, Razdunk planned on making it the flagship of his fleet. Or at least that was the original plan...

Today's events had changed the importance of Kezan to his line of thinking. He was being scrutinized and constrained by the other cartels with everyones spies being up in his business. Not that he was going to quit utilizing his own spies.

But what if he was to change up the way he played the game? What if he moved his headquarters? Or his headquarters could move? After a refit?

Razdunk suddenly couldn't help himself.

He laughed!