Searing 34, 122 - 10:30 AM
Franky and Dalma didn't know precisely when the devastation would come. Neither had slept since Dalma received that vision of Fate. The day prior, they both had been racing across the Knob making preparations as best they could. Franky had formed a plan as best he could with the extremely limited time frame. His first meeting yesterday was incredibly early, before the sun had risen, knocking on Lyra's door. It had taken a small bribe of a sleepy official, but he'd gotten her home address from the Business Licensure Board. Franky had informed Lyra of what was to come and how he'd come to know this. And he'd asked her to go to the Gobbler as quickly as she could and begin doing what she could with her antimagic knowledge. He didn't know how her craft worked, but Franky was a practical man. He suggested the basement beneath the Gobbler. It was underground, the strongest part of the building, and had plenty of supplies down there, with two entrances, a stairwell in the kitchen and the large double doors for wagon deliveries in the back alley.
Following that meeting, Franky set about on a strategic list he'd scrawled up. Franky was well aware of the various business owners of the Knob. This list was those who owned warehouses throughout the neighborhood. Franky started with those whose warehouses were currently storing things like dried and preserved food, barrels of water, clothing, weapons, etc. After all, the nearby Grungeworks produced many of these things, but it was the Knob that held them before being sold. Franky offered 50% over market price on each of these warehouses on the agreement that they were sold to him same day. None refused such generosity. Franky even gave all of the warehouse workers the 34th off.
After that, Franky ventured into the Old Mines, calling forth a meeting of the various leaders of the Druskai and Moratallen clans down there. He kept it simple. He brought with him a chest of one hundred thousand gold coins pulled from the bank, carried by wagon. Allow any refugees entry into the community within the minds and provide safe haven. In exchange, the money, and if the Knob survived, those of the Old Mines could negotiate for more and Franky would listen. They accepted.
Franky then began hunting down every single goblin that had come into the Gobbler seeking employment through Franky's Odd Jobs board. He paid each of them a sum up front, assigning them to one of the many warehouses he'd purchased, and gave them simple orders. Protect these warehouses tomorrow, and any person seeking shelter in them, to provide it. He told them the attack was coming, and he needed them to step up, for the Knob and all of the people within it.
Franky met with his Editor in Chief at the Knob Free Press, and after a vehement argument on the morals of truth and journalistic ethics, she relented to Franky's plan. The newspaper printed an issue that spoke of an incoming attack from Kalzasi on the 34th, retaliation for the Black Wedding. It was unknown how, but that it would come on that day and it would be massive. It implored that all people of Zaichaer evacuate if they could, and if not, to seek shelter underground or to follow the Goblins. It was given to the newsies to distribute for free, to stuff under every door, placed in the hands of every person a couple of hours before nightfall.
Franky and Dalma were standing behind the bar of the Gobbler, all of his staff looking worried. He'd told them about the incoming attack tomorrow, and told them about his plans to fortify the Gobbler. He said he'd provide shelter for any of them and their loved ones. But the workers of the Gobbler and the Free Press were not the only people here this day. Several regular customers were here, other people coming out of curiosity. None were turned away. The Gobbler was huge, but Franky knew on short notice that only the basement was fortified. He'd just have to hope the old building stood up to what was to come.
"We don't know when the attack is coming, we don't know how. But it will be chaos and destruction, of this we can be certain. You all are familiar with the Gobbler. There's limited space in the basement which is fortified. I am giving that space first to the employees of the Gobbler and their families first. Any space left we will allow to be filled on a first come, first served basis." He swallowed hard, looking over at Dalma, reaching out to grasp her hand, "Myself and Dalma will stay up here, to help try to keep abreast of this situation."
Weston stepped forward, placing his metal hands on the bar top, looking Franky in the eyes with a smug grin. "We've been talking, Franky. We've decided that this place is alright, and we'd like to stay here, doing this for longer. Send our loved ones in the basement, but the staff of the Gobbler will be up here helping our people, as we always have. You've always had our back, Franky. We've got yours now."
Every member of the staff stepped forward, joining Weston in this show of rapport. Franky's throat tightened. "Alright. Let's get to work."
Franky squeezed Dalma's hand, then let go, and his demeanor changed. This was the same face her wore when he was serving as major. No nonsense, grim line of a mouth, intense eyes. "Evzark, your staff are to guard the basement entrance from the kitchens. Do whatever you must, we'll clean up after." The Goblin chef and his crew all nodded in unison, and Chestnut had an especially crazy look in her eyes.
"Gug, Glasha, you're to man the theater. The back windows there give you access and view over the loading ramp, that's what needs protecting. Weston, you and Merielle are on front door duty. Bob, you, Birx, Haroth, and Shel gather up as much of the hard liquor as possible and head upstairs. Make torch bombs and chuck them out the windows if you need. Oaky, basement."
Franky now looked at those who weren't staff, "If any of you wish to volunteer, do so now. I'll need to know your name, any training or useful skills you might have."
