World of Warcraft®

Time to hide in the shadows, she thought to herself. The tiny mischief she had caused humored her but it barely sated her appetite. A grand scheme was well in the works, one that should be quite profitable for the machine. She knew there were others in the city; her job now was to find them. See what contracts they were working on and steer them into the plans that the collective had laid out. Loose ends must be tied and direction reestablished.

She looked at her documents, noting that there should be two other contacts and four sleepers. She smiled as she ignited the encrypted documents. It would soon be time to send the wakeup call, remove the obstacles and solidify their presence.

Pushing off with her cane, Miss Pennicka Goghvan left the tram. Her wrinkled features puckering up at the dank smells wafting through the station. At least the Stormwind depot wasn’t nearly as foul as the Ironforge side.

She nodded and smiled politely to the other debarking passengers. Her walking stick clicking on the stone floor as she picked up her pace and headed toward the city. Not realizing what they were doing, everyone moved out of her way. This woman emanated an aura of power and most people preferred to leave her alone.

Miss Goghvan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as she exited the tram tunnel and stepped lightly onto the cobblestone street in the Dwarven District. She had people to see, plans to make and things to do.

Miss Pennicka Goghvan followed the realtor through the front door of the building, the tip of her walking stick making a dull ‘thunk’ on the hard, wooden floor. The wrinkles around her faded eyes crimped slightly as she considered the large table in the middle of the room. It would do nicely for soft interrogations and the studying of reports as they came in. Her gaze traveled left and followed the simply carved railing up to a balcony.

Her question to the realtor come out in the typical croak of an old woman, “What is up there?”

“The stairway leads to the balcony you see and over in the corner is a quaint little alcove, perfect for small gatherings.” The man’s smarmy, salesman-like voice oozed with condescension.

It took some effort, but she managed to not roll her eyes as she grasped the bannister for support, and unhurriedly ascended the wide staircase. As she neared the top, she realized the sycophantic realtor was right. A half dozen chairs circled a cozy niche, a war room of sorts for the leadership to gather in and discuss strategy.

“You said there was a basement. I should like to see it as well.”

The realtor nodded and motioned for her to follow him downstairs. Once on the main floor, he led the way to a second staircase, this one leading to the underground room. She sniffed as she entered. It was clean and tidy – no rats, nor did it have the musty smell of a grimy cellar. Miss Goghvan nodded and smiled in approval. It was perfect. The room was large enough to hold a reasonable sized lab as well as an area that could be used for…more intense interrogations.

Soft wrinkles created deep creases around her eyes and lips as she gave the realtor a generous smile. “I’ll take it. How much?”

He named a price and was astounded when she immediately produced a large sack of gold.

That same raspy voice told him what he wanted to hear, “That should cover it as a well as a nice tip for you. Now be gone so I may conduct my business.”

The man shook the bag of gold and nodded, leaving the building in haste.

The old woman shook her head at his departing back. “So easily manipulated by greed.” The lines and furrows of age softened slightly as she climbed the stairs and looked around at the new Stormwind offices of the Underground. A satisfied smile passed over her lips and her old eyes almost seemed to sparkle with anticipation of what was to come.

((Edited: Because apparently Blizzard didn't want the realtor to '!@#$le' the bag of gold and it came out like !@#$. :/ ))

The tip of her ever present walking stick sank into the softness of the grass as she leaned on it heavily while observing the Draenei female walk away from the mage tower. Names had not been exchanged, but Miss Pennicka Goghvan knew who the other woman was. The brand on the back of her neck had made it quite clear to whom the woman belonged. And yet, here she was, seemingly free to own a bar and move about without the collective’s knowledge.

How had this come to be? Miss Goghvan wondered, her face impassive, her mind churning with the possibilities. Turning about, faster than one would expect for an aged gnome, she began to make her way across town, toward the new office. Kosuzu must be informed and a plan enacted.

Kosuzu Felvice watched Miss Goghvan walk away and on up the stars. She turned back to filing cabinet pulling out the last report of the sleeper in question. A puzzled look crossed her face as she read through the document. Every sleeper was given an ID number and tracking device, to circumvent the tracking device was unheard of, there were a number of failsafe’s involved to keep such a thing from happening, none of which were pleasant for the sleeper.

She replaced the document once again and refreshed the wards, it wasn’t like anyone could read the pages but it always gave her an added feeling of security to apply them. The filing cabinet shimmered as its appearance changed to that of a wine barrel. The machines against the walls, hanging maps and desks all faded until once again the basement looked dank and deserted.

She left the cellar, exiting the building to take a walk along the canals. She was sure her colleagues would do their job well, they always did. She just didn’t want any more problems. The pressure for results was already starting to bear down on her, but the foundation must be in place first. She smiled to herself as she walked. The rogue sleeper would be dealt with the collective would gain a sure footing in the city once again.

Tension stretched out along the strand of silence that followed the order given. Lola was irate, but there was nothing she could do about it. The collective owned her – for now. And she must do what they commanded.

She nodded politely at Miss Goghvan, but did not return the elderly gnome’s smile as she left the Collective’s office in Stormwind. Raising her right hand in the air, she made a slight twirling motion and one small spark left her forefinger, shooting straight up into the sky. Shortly, a large bat, a bloodwing to be precise, landed in front of her. Lola quickly mounted. The bloodwing knew where to go and he immediately headed north.

The warlock frowned as she considered the best way to deal with the rogue sleeper. This would be a delicate operation. For the woman in question had previously seen Lola’s face.

Muted colors of green and brown undulated slowly back and forth, swaying to a silent tempo. The elongated bodies of aquatic vertebrates weaved in and out of the seaweed arms, tail fins creating ripples threading out like a balls of yarn unfurling behind them. Below the dancing algae, along the seabed, a small benthic crab scuttled over the sand. He moved this way and that, wandering along in search of his next meal. Disengaging himself from a large clump of sea tangle, he stopped in surprise. Before him was a good sized layer of marine snow – a banquet of detritus to last him a long while. The crustacean made a mental note of this area of the aphotic zone as he feasted. He would definitely have to come back here again.

Scurrying sideways, he was too intent on his repast and did not notice the large rock before he slammed into it. Half buried, it lay in his path. On top of the rock, a thicker, even more scrumptious layer of detritus could be observed. Of course, he had to have it. Scrambling, he climbed up and prepared to indulge.

Just as he was settling in, his right claw snagged on something taut. He squirmed and twisted and eventually his claw pulled free. Unrestricted, the rope upon which it had been caught snapped, part of it reeling back to smack the upper exoskeleton of the crab. The rest of the rope slithered upwards as if it were a sea snake chasing after whatever was attached to its other end. At that moment an inch long strip of burlap drifted down, flustering the feast and causing the delicate marine snow to puff up in an atomic plume formation. Disturbed at the commotion, the crustacean skittered away, vowing to come back another time.

Sometime later, the rope, the remains of a large burlap sack and its contents arrived at the water’s surface. Slowly, unhurriedly, the items drifted with the tidal stream toward Stormwind Harbor.

A small voice spoke up, " Matron Stoneheardt?"

Genevra looked up from her post and smiled, "Yes, Laura isn't it?"

Laura nods her head attempting to smile back, she rubs her right ear "How... are things here at the cathedral?"

Genevra half smiled half shrugged, "They are as they always are, healing the sick, offering comfort to those in need."

Laura bows her head “I never got the chance to thank you for helping me find a new position”

"It is the least that I could have done, how has the post been? Have you enjoyed things in the north?"

Laura nods her head "Yes it is a different area. Not quiet what I am used to, but the people are nice and welcoming. There is allot to do which keeps me busy."

" I am glad to hear that they have been so. I was always partial to the north, had the old war not come, I would have grown up there."

Laura tilts her head "You were part of the war then?"

Genevra shook her head, "No, I was but a small child when Lordaeron fell."

Laura 's face saddens "I wish that had never happened"

Genevra reached out and patted her shoulder, "We all do."

"But you are such a great inspiration here in the city." Laura said

"Yes, and who knows what would have happened had things been different. But alas, we cannot dwell on the past."

Laura frowns "It is so hard at times. I don't know how so many do it. Perhaps they don't and just keep it to themselves."

" Do not fret so, we must not be discouraged. " Genevra said.

"Tell me. Do you ever think about the past? "

"Yes, I do, perhaps more than I should."

Laura sighs with relief "Then I don't feel so bad"

Genevra smiled warmly, "Do not be so hard on yourself."

Laura smiles weakly "Sorry its just, sometimes I feel I have seen too much"

A gnome slowly walks past looking at the ceiling "That must be 45.6 heads hight"

"You must not despair, that is the darkness trying to get in." Genevra reassured her.

Laura blinks confused for a moment looking at the gnome and then back to Genvera, she pulls at her dagger and lunges at Genevra “I.. I’m sorry. I must do this”

Genevra gasped as she lunged at her, feeling the dagger press into her flesh. Genevra lamented the fact that she was not in her armor as she struck out at the priest, "What? Why did you do that?"

Laura tears streak from Laura's eyes "You are no longer needed, it is time for you to sleep" Laura attempts to press her weight against Genevra and knock her to the ground, she dosn't seem to care about the those running towards her.

Genevra summons a shield around her and steps back, "No, you do not mean this." She looks around, lamenting the situation, pressing her hand to the wound in her stomach, blood easily staining the white cloth.

Laura shakes her head trying in vein to clear her head, her eyes focus on Genevra, she casts a mind spike attempting to break the concentration holding the shield.

Genevra lurches forward as the shield is broken, she gasps and extends her free hand towards Laura, attempting to stop her in her tracks, to stop the attacks.

Laura ‘s eyes turn wild as she casts psychic scream, causing the crowd to flee, she turns back to Genevra leaving only a spectral form of herself, then shows up behind Genevra and attempts to bury the dagger in her back .

Genevra stumbles forward as the dagger is embedded in her back. Her eyes flash bright white as something is awakened in her. Her heart racing. She turned around, despite the pain in both her abdomen and her back and lashed out at Laura with a holy hammer, seeking to incapacitate her attacker.

Laura is crushed by the hammer causing her to kneel, she breathes harshly, he head slowly raises to stare at Genvera, blood dripping off its blade “No, you must sleep. I must end you!”

Genevra had tears falling down her cheeks from the pain, from her despair as she looked down at Laura, who still desperately tried to end her own life. "Light forgive me." She says as another hammer would fall from the air, seeking to end Laura. Genevra breathed heavily, she was pale, it was all too much.

Laura ‘s neck twists, her eyes looks to Genevra, she tries to mouth the words “I’m sorry” a crack his heard as her neck snaps, a quite pause as her soul releases, her eyes stare lifeless ahead

Genevra collapses on the floor next to Laura, "Oh Light what have I done?"

Laura ‘s head smokes from her right ear, a loud pop his heard

And then the familiar voice came. "I owe you far more than I can ever repay...hopefully this is just the start."

Darkness was coming it was so close she could taste it, and then she felt her heart beat stronger than it had since the first stab. She was not yet done. The Light had work for her yet.

Kosuzu rubbed her temples, her anger clearly etched over her stern features. It has not been an easy process to break Laura. Hearing that her target still lived was undesirable news. Kosuzu had only stayed long enough to issue the trigger words that would cause Laura to act. She couldn't stay and witness the carnage that followed. She shook her head. It should have been simple. Laura was someone that everyone trusted, how could she have failed.

Her sharp eyes darted across the room to where the filing cabinets stood. She bowed her head in thought, speaking allowed “There is another” a slight smile crested her lips as she continued “She just needs to be reawakened”