"We have no idea what kind of resistance we'll be facing," Nethandris said. "It's fair to assume that we may run into a number of twilight drakes assigned to guard the facility, but apart from that, we're almost completely in the dark. What we've discovered suggests that this location is used for research, so we can guess that we might also encounter a number of cultists who staff the facility, and perhaps one or two black dragons who oversee operations."
A large number of dragons were set to participate in the raid on the Hinterlands facility. Only around a dozen were currently at the meeting as they finalized their plans, while the rest of their forces would receive instructions closer to the day. Those present were either strategists or dragons who had volunteered for particularly important roles. Among the latter group was Virigosa, who kept mostly to herself and spent most of the meeting leaning against a wall. It was her first time inside Nethandris's cave, and she was struck by how many maps and other documents were scattered carelessly around the floor, and in some cases, stuck to the wall.
"We do know, however, that the facility is underground. For that reason, I believe our best shot at getting in would be deception," Nethandris continued on. "We slip in a few dragons disguised as cultists, and get them to open the facility from within. The structure has to be built for dragons, so once we're inside, I suspect we'll have little issue navigating even with our size."
"I'd like to recommend that Virigosa and myself infiltrate the facility," Sathius said immediately.
Nethandris looked over to him, but she didn't seem at all surprised. All the other eyes in the room fell to Virigosa, who was looking at the green dragon with confusion in her eyes. Why did he volunteer her? They had hardly even spoken with each other, and certainly not about the Hinterlands operation.
It didn't seem that Virigosa had to voice her questions, because Sathius answered regardless. "I have experience disguising myself as a mortal, and as a green dragon, I might be able to slip us into the Emerald Dream if we run into trouble," he explained. "And as a blue dragon, Virigosa can help us locate and diffuse any magical traps."
"She can also help revitalize any blue dragon eggs we find that are drained of mana," Nethandris added with hardly a moment of hesitation.
"Sure, I can do that," Virigosa said. "If you want me to. I can fit in among mortals well enough."
"Perfect! So you two will find a way to let us in from the inside and if you're caught, you should be more than capable of defending yourselves," Nethandris said cheerfully. "Once you find a way in, we'll eliminate resistance and pick apart the facility. That phase of the plan will have to be decided once we're actually in the facility and know what we're dealing with."
A murmur of affirmation went through the dragons in the cave. Nethandris, Sathius, and a few other dragons continued discussing plans for the battle. Virigosa listened, but not much of it related to the task she had been assigned She couldn't help but find it odd that Sathius and Nethandris had been so quick to assign her to a role and praise her skills, despite their explanations. Nethandris had been the one to suggest Virigosa volunteer for a special role, so perhaps that was just what they had already had in mind.
"What we know suggests that much of Azeroth, including the Wyrmrest Accord and the Twilight's Hammer, will be watching what's going on in Coldarra the day of the Embrace," Nethandris said. "That's why the attack on the Hinterlands facility will be taking place on that day. The Twilight's Hammer will be distracted, watching what's going on in Coldarra, and they'll be expecting their enemies to do the same, making our attack even more unexpected."
That caught Virigosa's attention. She didn't say anything, not yet, but all the same Nethandris was clearly looking at her where she was standing against the wall. Their eyes met for a moment, then the wyrm turned away. The meeting was almost done, and Virigosa didn't wait long after Nethandris had finished speaking to confront her.
"You know I'm going to Coldarra for the Embrace," Virigosa said. "So why did you put me in this position?"
The two dragons were standing together off to the side now. Nethandris leaned against the wall and faced the blue drake, seemingly unconcerned. A few dragons had already left the cave, while a few groups had gathered elsewhere and were discussing what they'd planned.
"The Embrace is the best date to do the attack, and I have to do what's best for my people," Nethandris said. "I understand that the Embrace is important to you, but I can't change the date just to accommodate you."
"I'm not asking that!" Virigosa protested, growling a little. "You know I'm going to Coldarra. I don't care when you do your little thing, but why do you practically force me into a vital role when you know I'm not planning on being there?"
"I'm sorry, Virigosa. But we need you. You can disable the any traps, revitalize any blue dragon-"
"Like hell you do. The Twilight's Hammer's spellwork is absolutely pathetic, like what I'd expect of a mortal child, and you don't even need to be a mage to revitalize blue eggs. We haven't even seen any blue dragon eggs that have been drained of mana, so I don't know why you're bringing it up. Zoralus, Sathius, probably even you could do the exact same thing you're saying I'm needed for."
"Virigosa, we do need you. You've seen my forces. How many of my drakes do you think have real combat experience? You fought in the Nexus War, you've fought the twilights in Hyjal. You're one of the few people here who actually knows what she's doing."
"Nethandris, do you have any idea how important this is to me? It's the coronation of a new Aspect, my new Aspect. It's never happened before, and will likely never happen again. Asking me to miss that for this silly attack on a Twilight's Hammer facility... You're asking a lot."
"I know, and I'm sorry. You said it yourself, that you think you can do more good out here than arguing in Coldarra. Wouldn't Malygos prefer you be here, helping recover eggs of your flight, than sitting around watching your flight tear itself apart with politics?"
"You were doing well until you said that," Virigosa glared at the other dragon. "You're a snake, Nethandris."
"I'm sorry, Virigosa. I just thought..." Nethandris shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just want to know, will you at least consider staying?"
"Against my better judgement," Virigosa said.
She didn't waste another moment. The blue drake turned and walked out of the cave, leaving Nethandris alone against the wall. Sathius broke off from a group a short distance away and walked over to his mate. She turned to greet him, but not before stealing a glance at the cave entrance Virigosa had left through.
"Did you get her to stay?" Sathius asked.
"She said she'd consider it," Nethandris said. "But if she even let me speak, then she probably already wants to stay. If it gets that far, I've usually already won."
"High stakes game we're playing," Sathius said. "We'd better hope this works."
"We've already lost so much," Nethandris said. "Keeping a pureblooded blue dragon alive will be important if this goes the way I think it will. And, one of our contacts in Wyrmrest passed me some interesting information. Alexstrasza knows Virigosa. Something about a foiled assassination attempt."
"Really? That might make her even more important in the negotiations, then."
"She's a person, Sathius. I don't like talking about people like this. But you are right. If Alexstrasza is willing to listen to her..."
"Virigosa isn't going to be very happy when she finds out."
"After everything I've pulled? I think she might try to kill me."
"She won't get the chance. We'll get her to Wyrmrest one way or another."
"I know, I know. We just have to be careful."