Exodus: Guns & Gore

"See?" Quinn handed Tal QJ's notebook that his son had passed to him after they finished their morning run. "You and Naomi can go through this and help iron things out. I'm just going to sit here and bask in my awesomeness."

Tal clutched the notebooks to her chest like they were made of gold. "Good job hun, that's why I married you."

"Yep, and the incredible sex." Quinn sipped his coffee and wiggled his eyebrows at his wife.

"Hmm... There is that." She stopped at the front door, "going to show this to Naomi. Love you Little Q."

Quinn held up his cup and cheered her. "Love you too Tal."

************

Welcome to Guns and Gore the Phoenix Server.

One Problem Guild Keep 8 AM, Player population 31,211. Your current level is 21.

System Message: A Skill Book has been added to your inventory.

"A Skill Book? Mr. Soma didn't waste any time, but this doesn't look like a T-Rex."

Engineering Skill

Unique: Subdivision Gunsmith

Description: Adds the Gunsmith

occupation to your character.

QJ whistled, "that's really nice." QJ walked toward the Keep main doors. He accepted two packages from Remmy, they were the re-engineered armor and six-gun that he had been awarded for finishing the Main Event Quest.

Tempest [Silenced]

Barrel Extended with Sound Suppression.

Chamber modified to accept Springfield

Rifle bullets.

Special Effect: Three Round Burst. +15 Perception.

+100 Range

Battle Rating: 12

Silver Silence

Medium Armor

Silver Dragon leather infused

with sound suppression. +10 Agility,

+ 10 perception + 10 Deflection.

Battle Rating: 12

QJ walked into the keep and activated the skill book.

System Message: Gunsmith Occupation has been learned.

"Awesome." He walked through the double doors and into the Guild Hall. There was a huge horseshoe shaped table facing a large hud that was currently displaying the words "One Problem."

Ringo was standing to one side talking to Dessi. They both looked up when he walked in.

"Holy crap QJ, putting down Chained Lightening in Squares?" Dessi shook her head, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Every time she turned around, Ringo's freshman ace was doing something incredible.

QJ shook her head, "who knew that she owned the cafe we were eating at? I thought she was our waitress."

Ringo laughed at the look on his face, she had seen the stream of the Squares competition. QJ had kicked her butt badly. "Amazing as hell, QJ."

"Why are you here this morning Dessi?" He glanced around, but didn't see any of the third year students.

Dessi smiled at him pleasantly. "We have to practice our dancing for the Star Crossed Ball."

"....." QJ.

Ringo patted him on the back, she was still wearing the black vampire armor. "She's teasing, she came by to purchase some land."


QJ raised an eyebrow, the Guild Keep came along with quite a bit of land. "Are we selling land?"

Ringo shrugged, "I'm going to leave those kind of decisions up to you."

Dessi immediately looked downtrodden when she heard her friend. QJ seemed to enjoy saying no to the third year class.

"Something to consider. I seriously doubt that you can afford it. There isn't even a market for land yet, that drives the price way up."

Dessi sighed, "you're probably right."

QJ grinned at the third year teacher. "Perhaps we can work something out. Does this mean you are going to start a guild?" He had shot down the third years attempt to jump on-board the freshmen guild.

Dessi nodded, "looking at it objectively, I see now that RIngo had the right idea."

Ringo smiled at her friend. One Problem was becoming stronger, her freshmen class was much more talented than the third years. Players like Breeze, Lotte, Leeta and Sato were top tier talent. It didn't hurt that the four best marksmen in the Academy were all freshmen. And then there was QJ, she stole a quick glance at her ace. Groomed by the legends of TAP, both players and NPCs alike had carefully instructed him and challenged him. The idea of creating a guild had come to her during the Doubler Canyon raid. She had realized then that her class was the Perfect Storm.

"Good Morning, I'm looking for the Guild Leader of One Problem." A quiet voice spoke from the back of the room. From the long rifle she had slung over one shoulder, she was definitely a Rider.

Ringo looked at her woman who spoke, she was dressed in beginner gear. "That would be me, I'm Ringo."

"I'm Unchained, level one Rider." She bowed slightly before facing QJ, "I must apologize for my actions during Squares. As promised, I'm at your service."

QJ approached her and offered his hand. "No worries, we'll need you to level up quickly. Once you get to level eight, I'll take you to the Cavern and power level you to the current Guild standard.

"Please call me Chainy from now on." She had changed avatar look, she nearly looked like one of the Freeborn. Her hair was the color of snow, her dark eyes seemed larger than normal.

System Message: Unchained has joined your Guild.

A few minutes later the entire class freshmen class had settled into their seats. Ringo was standing in front. She brought up the server leaderboard on the new Guild Hud. "No changes since last time we were here, but this will refresh your memory."

Top Guild Level: 1) One Problem 18.5 2) Old Skool 18.4 3) Chupa Lupa 15.1

Class Leaderboard: Range Rider: Sexy Dexy-Lvl 19, Gunfighter: Oldman Crane-Lvl 23, Brave: Laffy Taffy-Lvl-19, Tracker: Carlotti Hottie-Lvl 18, Shaman: Dead Mimi-Lvl 18, Field Medic: Suga Pie-Lvl 20, Wrangler: Kingslayer QJ-Lvl 21, Scout: Cactus Flower Lvl 19, Commanchero: Breeze-Lvl 19, Cavalry: Iron Lou-Lvl 18, Raider: Devil Woman-Lvl 18, Gambler: Pinnacle-Lvl 19.

Top Five Ranking: 1) Oldman Crane, 2) Kingslayer QJ 3) Suga Pie 4) Breeze 5) Ringo

Chainy had grabbed a seat next to Lotte, she found herself looking forward to playing with this guild. The enthusiasm in the room was amazing. Unlike other top-end players, she had never put much effort into an alt. Chainy had focused on her Slinger up until a few years ago when she had stepped away to start up her restaurant chain. Occasionally she would compete at the gunfights in Bizarro's, but she hadn't done any raids or grouping in years. She had faced Q seventeen years ago when she was eighteen. The loss had been devastating to her.

QJ moved to the front of the class when Ringo motioned him. "One last thing before everyone starts doing their own thing this morning. This Keep owns three private Instances." He brought them up on the Guild Hud.

[Ghost Dancer] Instance 5-10 People. Level Match [Difficulty: Routine, Arduous, Deadly]

[Defend the Keep] Instance 30+ People. Level Match [Difficulty: Routine, Arduous, Deadly]

[Lover's Embrace] Instance 2 People. Level Match [Difficulty: Unknown]

Robin chose this time to enter the room, she wore black armor with a Raven emblazoned on the chest. Her orange hair was pulled up in a ponytail, two wicked looking daggers hung from her belt. She gave off the pressure of a endgame boss.

QJ smiled at the rogue and then continued. "The cellar door leading from the kitchen is the access point for all the instances. A hud will pop up and you merely have to choose which one you want. A portal will activate and bring you to your destination."

"The Guild Keep has a instance?" It was Chainy who spoke, her dark eyes showed their surprise.

Ringo nodded from the side. "Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

"Never." Chainy smiled slightly, "Keeps this a secret as long as you can."

QJ waved Robin to the front. "For those of you who haven't met her, this is Robin, the Keep Commandant. She will run the day to day activities and will be in charge of Keep Defense."

Robin smiled pleasantly. "Good Morning everyone. I'm Robin, level 184 TAP rogue." She let her words sink in, "My office is upstairs at the end of the hall, feel free to stop in and introduce yourself if you get the chance."

"Thanks Robs," QJ looked at his guildmates, "let's pound those Keep instances and find out what we have. I want detailed maps and strategies on Ghost Dancer and Lover's Embrace. You can take a look at 'Defend the Keep,' but since it's a 30 person instance, we'll let it sit for now."

Robin handed him a large white box, "Angel dropped this off for you."

QJ hands nearly went numb from the intense vibration coming from the container. Angel didn't waste any time sending him the drones.

Ringo dismissed everyone and walked over to QJ, "I'm going to help out Dessi and the third years this morning. What are your plans?"

"Not sure yet, probably head over to Briar Rose and check it out." QJ decided not to mention the drones to Ringo while so many people were present.

Ringo and Dessi left with a quick wave. Very quickly the Guild Hall emptied out, almost everyone was heading for the cellar instances.

"That room I asked for next to your office, please have it emptied out for me. Also find me everything we have in the Keep for Gunsmithing." QJ held tightly on the box and headed down to the cellar.

Robin watched him leave, a slight smile curving her lips. She had several vendors coming to the Keep daily, finding what he needed should be easy.

By the time QJ made it to the cellar, everyone had entered. Felicia handed him a fresh bun as he walked through the kitchen. "Thanks Felicia."

"That's Aunt Felicia!" Felicia gave him a stern look, "I'm seven years older than you!"

QJ stopped in front of the cellar door. He brought up the instance hud and selected Keep Defense. He already knew that if you died in this instance you'd be returned to the holding area until the Instance was complete.

[Defend the Keep] Instance 30+ People. Level Match [Difficulty: Routine, Arduous, Deadly]

He selected the 'Routine' difficulty choice and ported in. He found himself standing on the walls above the portcullis. He sat the box down for a moment and held out his hand.

"Come."

A moment later Cleo appeared. She had changed drastically since QJ had last seen her. Her hair was black with gold highlights. Her skin was the color of gold, there were a few black stripes on her arms and legs. She hovered a few inches off the ground, iridescent wings beat so fast that you could barely see them. On her head was a tiny silver tiara, besides that she was entirely without clothes, her petite body was perfect.

"I should have brought you something to wear Cleo, sorry."

"That's fine Master." She dipped her head slightly, not bothering to cover her small breasts as she looked around.

"Sweet mother..." QJ moved closer and inspected.

Cleo

Spider-Bee [Royalty]

Level 28

HP 9,980/9,980

Strength 34

Agility 70

Stamina 40

BR:12

"Just bring me something next time." She moved closer and placed a small hand on his shoulder. "I will protect you Master."

"Wow... Okay, first thing. Just call me QJ." He stared at her, she had completely evolved. Her dark gold eyes watched him. He could feel the overwhelming warmth coming from her.

"Okay." She stopped her wings and dropped lightly to the ground, her wings were actually doubled, like a dragonfly.

"These are drones, there should be a thousand of them in here." QJ handed her the box, "can you control them?"

Cleo nodded, "yes QJ."

"Take them through this instance over and over. I want them trained up." QJ watched as she summoned the two Incider Spiders.

"Leave everything to us QJ, we will make them strong."

"Perfect, thank you Cleo." QJ left he instance, his mind still on Cleo while he walked toward the stairs.

QJ had to dodge to one side when he entered the hallway, several people were carrying out furnature from his room. "You guys work fast."

He stepped into the room and noticed that there was already a lathe in place. Robin was carefully stocking a shelf with books. "How did you get this so fast?"

Robin smiled, "I took it from Blinky." The gnome engineer would have thrown a fit, but Robin wasn't known for being overly patient.

QJ glanced through the books Robin was placing on the shelf. "These are gunsmith books, Blinky didn't have these."

Robin shook her head, "nope, we currently have three vendors visiting the Keep. I was able to buy these."

"Very nice, thank you Robs."

QJ couldn't keep the smile off of his face as he paged through the Beginner Gunsmith manual. He walked toward the desk, that and two stools were the only pieces of furnature left in the room.

Robin quietly closed the door and followed him. She pulled up a stool and sat next to him. "I'll make sure you have all the tools and supplies you need."

"Thanks Robs, I'll make a list." He noticed the closed door, "did you want some privacy Robs?"

Robin shook her head, "this is your workshop, it shouldn't have too many distractions."

QJ pointed to the wall that separated his workshop area from her office. "I want a door put there please."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "A private entrance to my office?"

He grinned at her and nodded. "Are you against it?"

"No, not at all. I'll have someone in here today." Robin scooted her stool closer and rested a hand lightly on his shoulder.

QJ leaned forward and continued to read. "I wonder if you could shoot a gun in GnG."

Robin shrugged, she wasn't a gnome or an engineer, so every gun she touched in TAP was basically a paperweight. "They are so loud."

QJ pursed his lips while considering it. "Something small and quiet, like a hideout gun. We'll have to see if will even work."

Robin continued watching him, a small smile on her lips. "Okay QJ."