In the Netherstorm Area 52, Nexus-Prince Haramad listened Anjing to his subordinates' reports.
"Your Highness, the Burning Legion is in trouble. Their base has been discovered, and they're urging us to ship the goods immediately."
Haramad waved his hand dismissively, saying:
"Don't rush, let the Burning Legion worry about it. We just need to deliver on time. That idiot Archimonde needs to be taught a lesson. We Ethereal beings aren't so easily fooled."
In the vast universe, the Consortium is merely a small organization, its activities limited to Outland. It possesses partial control over the Dark Portal and is able to smuggle certain items into Azeroth.
However, behind the Consortium is the powerful Ethereal race, who possess all sorts of incredible high technology and are a vast interstellar Alliance, no less powerful than the Burning Legion. Therefore Ethereal, Haramad is no less formidable than Archimonde.
The subordinate then reported, "Archimonde has demanded that we open the Dark Portal. He intends to send a large army of the Legion to protect the cargo. My lord, the Legion clearly looks down on our security system; this is a challenge to us."
Haramad hesitated for a moment, then marked out an area on the map of Netherstorm:
"Since they want to protect their goods, let's hand them over to Archimonde. This will save us manpower. Grant this area to the Burning Legion, allowing them to build camps, but the core components of the production line must be in our hands, lest they deny responsibility later."
His subordinates accepted the order and left. Haramad processed some documents, and soon it was time to leave work. He walked to the secret room at the back of the office and took out a treasure unique to the Ethereal from his robes.
This treasure is called the Shifter's Signet, and it can transform into the appearance of a flesh-and-blood creature.
The Ethereals resemble mummy wrapped in bandages. When they are killed, they turn to ashes and vanish without a trace. No one knows what secrets are hidden beneath the bandages.
Few people know that the Ethereal can use the Shifter's Signet to transform themselves and blend into the lives of other races. This is an extremely sophisticated transformation tool, so sophisticated that even their own people cannot detect the flaws.
Haramad used the Shifter's Signet to transform into a beautiful and charming female Goblin. She dressed up carefully and changed into a gorgeous outfit. There were many Goblins in Area 52 who indulged in pleasure during their free time after work.
"Tonight, you are the queen of the ball again," Haramad said to herself in the mirror, her voice equally flawless. This female Goblin had already made a name for herself in Area 52, and Haramad thoroughly enjoyed this feeling.
Haramad put on his high heels, walked briskly, and slipped out the back door with his bag. This was his little secret, and he didn't want his subordinates to know, otherwise he would surely lose face and be ridiculed by countless tribesmen.
Walking down the dimly lit street, Haramad hummed a cheerful tune. He was really looking forward to the upcoming dance, and even more so to a perfect encounter.
An Orcs walked towards them, but Haramad paid it no mind. The Outland was the Orcs' homeland, and there were many Orcs Horde near Area 52. The Consortium employed many Orcs as laborers.
A whoosh of wind came from behind him, Haramad instinctively dodged, but he forgot that his body was Goblin of a tiny goblin. He couldn't dodge in time, and a sharp pain shot through the back of his head.
"Damn it, how dare some audacious Orcs ambush me! The security in Area 52 needs a serious overhaul!" Haramad was furious. He was quite strong and could easily defeat dozens of powerful Orcs.
But then, Haramad's face showed fear. He felt waves of dizziness coming over him. Clearly, this was not an ordinary sneak attack. It contained powerful magic. The orc's hideous face became increasingly blurry in Orcs eyes.
When Haramad woke up, he found himself tightly bound and surrounded by darkness. Haramad realized that he was probably in a cave. Area 52 was surrounded by ravines and numerous caves of all sizes.
"Who are you?" Haramad demanded in a shrill voice.
The Orcs gave a strange smile, "I am sent by the great Savior Thrall Faction, serving the esteemed Eitrigg, with the purpose of capturing you to be used as medicine for the great Savior Thrall."
"Savior Thrall? You mean that filthy Orcs? That cruel, despicable liar?" Haramad roared. "Foolish Orcs, do you know who I am? You've arrested the wrong person."
The Orcs shook his head, grinned, and said, "That's right, Eitrigg's order was to capture you, Nexus-Prince Haramad."
Haramad stood there stunned for a long while before asking, "How did you know?"
The Orcs smiled slightly, "I've been observing you for days, Haramad. You can fool others by disguising yourself as a Goblin, but you can't fool me. Dancers are lowly among Goblins, their eyes filled with flattery and humility, but your eyes hide only smug mockery."
Haramad sighed, "To think that an Orcs saw right through me. Well, we Ethereal aren't made of flesh and blood, so we can't be used as medicine. Just let me go, and I'll pretend nothing happened."
The Orcs grinned menacingly. "Haramad, have you ever heard of a medicine called Schisandra?"
"What is Schisandra?" Haramad asked, somewhat bewildered.
The Orcs looked down on him and sneered:
"You don't even know this? The so-called Schisandra requires the direct blood relatives of five Trade Princes, supplemented with various precious herbs, to be refined into a superior tonic with remarkable effects. The Trade Prince of Rustwater Port has escaped, and a new Trade Prince has not yet appeared. You are Nexus-Prince of the Consortium, so you can be used as a substitute. I originally wanted to kidnap your children, but I couldn't figure out the blood relations of your Ethereal race, so I had no choice but to kidnap you."
Haramad was both angry and amused upon hearing this. "Foolish! What kind of damned secret medicine is that? It's a lie! Your Savior has been fooled! Release me now! We, the Ethereal, possess advanced technology and can cure any disease."
"Haha, you have no idea about the origins of the Troll's secret medicine. They have a history of over 25,000 years, which is far beyond the reach of your insignificant Ethereal race." The Orcs refused to listen to Haramad's explanation and continued to mock him.
Haramad was so angry he almost fainted. The Orcs quickly left, taking Haramad's Shifter's Signet with him, saying he needed to find someone to send Haramad away.
Haramad could only pray silently in his heart that his men would find this place as soon as possible.
In the dimly lit cave, after who knows how many days had passed, the effect of the Shifter's Signet had expired, and Haramad had reverted to his original state. His once exquisite Goblin attire was now just a pile of tattered rags.
Haramad's subordinates were quite capable; they found this place in just a few days, thanks to the advanced technology of the Ethereal race.
"My lord, what exactly happened?"
Haramad couldn't possibly admit he'd been kidnapped by an Orcs —it was too humiliating. He gritted his teeth and said, "It was our old adversary, Nexus-Prince Shaffar. He sent men to kidnap me, and I will absolutely not let him get away with it."
Back in his office in Area 52, Haramad hurriedly checked the core components. During the days he was missing, no outsiders had touched them, which reassured him.