Suspicions at the Dam (3)

"That would indeed be wonderful."

Jackson's mind spun rapidly.

"But it would take us a long time to get everyone there on foot, and if the Greenskins discovered those tunnels before we crossed through them..."

The Witch smiled. She had clearly already played out such a scenario in her mind.

"The penstocks here were designed to supply the entire turbine array, not a few taps in a kitchen. They're at least ten meters wide. Otherwise, why would they have needed the Arcanists' help? A project like this would have been nearly impossible with manpower alone."

"But aren't they full of water now?"

Jackson immediately pointed out the obvious flaw in the plan.

The Witch nodded.

"Of course they are. That's the crux of the problem, but we can drain the water."

She pointed at the dam again.

"Once we open the sluice gates, the reservoir level will drop quickly. The penstock entrance will be exposed within a few hours. I don't think it will take much effort to find it."

Then she shrugged.

"The whole facility was designed that way in the first place, so maintenance workers could enter for routine upkeep."

"Sounds good."

Jackson admitted it, feeling confident for the first time since this hastily convened meeting.

"Gentlemen, I think I have an idea."

The next morning, the plan still seemed sound, though Jackson stubbornly worried that something might go wrong and tried to find a flaw in it.

He could think of only one concern, which he voiced to Elena over breakfast.

"This valley is a dead end."

That was how he put it.

"If the Greenskins spot us before we enter the penstock, we'll be trapped in there."

"That's true."

She chewed on her toast in thought, then reached over and took another slice from Jackson's plate.