Exodus: Guns & Gore

"Better check those messages hun, I've taken up enough of your time." Robin gave him a sexy smile as she tied up her orange hair and put her armor back on.

QJ was sitting on the couch. "I don't think I've ever seen a more comfortable piece of furniture."

"I'll be gone till the morning." Robin walked toward her office, stopping in the doorway. "My sisters are going to be so jealous."

QJ laughed at her expression. "No matter what, I won't make them one."

"Just hold out a few days at least, they can be very persuasive."

"Okay, Robs."

QJ left the shop a few minutes later, "might as well peek at the stats."

Kingslayer QJ

Wrangler: Level 42

Agility 57

Perception 57

Stamina 44

Wisdom 31

Strength 42

Command 27

Total BR: 12

Skills

Pistol V 11/100 Level 2

Shotgun IV 23/100 Level 2

Grand Master Gunsmith: Magnum Opus: 1 [+3 to all Stats]

Indomitable Will

+5 All stats, immune

to curses.

QJ whistled softly as he headed down the stairs, "That little derringer made my stats skyrocket."

He passed through the kitchen and accessed the Instances. He chose the 'Defend the Keep' Instance and ported directly onto the Keep wall. Cleo was standing still for once, staring at the sky.

She smiled without looking, "thought you may have forgotten about us QJ."

QJ shook his head, returning her smile when her warm thoughts washed over him. "Not really possible right? Aren't we a family?"

"That's right! Are you here to take more measurements?"

QJ had decided that since Cleo was technically part of his character, she would attend the Star Crossed Ball as his guard. "No. I came to see your progress."

She grabbed his hand, "you will be pleased QJ."

"Hmmm?" QJ picked up her hand and touched it with his other hand.

"QJ?"

"Going to touch your arm Cleo." He ran his hand from her elbow to her wrist.

Cleo's pretty golden face smiled sweetly, "that feels nice."

QJ had thought it was her skin that was golden, but it wasn't the case. She had the finest yellow fuzz covering her arms. It felt like smooth velvet to the touch.

Cleo's head cocked to one side and stroked his arm. "Oh I see... we're different."

"Yep... but just between us, I like yours better."

Cleo's wings fluttered slightly, making her feet leave the ground for a moment. "You say such nice things, thank you."

"Show me your progress."

Cleo nodded and summoned a drone.

Drone

Killer-Bee

Level 46

HP: 15,750

Strength 45

Agility 60

Stamina 48

BR: 9

"We've been able to achieve a flawless victory on the Arduous Setting, but we've only progressed to the second stage on the Deadly Setting."


"Wow... that's really impressive. Don't forget tomorrow is the Star Crossed Ball, Aji will have your outfit."

"I will protect you QJ."

QJ sighed, "I'm scared to ask, but show me your individual progress."

Cleo gave him a small nod, "of course."

Cleo

Spider-Bee [Royalty]

Level 56

HP 29,950/29,950

Strength 52

Agility 81

Stamina 50

BR:12

"As expected, Cleo is the best." QJ patted her head, "Keep working the instance. Once you can achieve victory on the Deadly setting, your job here will be finished."

Cleo clapped her hands together excitedly, her gold eyes brightening. "Then I will fight next to you again!"

QJ nodded and focused on warm thoughts. "I look forward to it. Don't forget to pick up your outfit tomorrow afternoon."

***********

After leaving the Keep, QJ summoned Scorch and started toward Briar Rose at a very leisurely pace. "Better return some calls."

A pretty woman with light blue hair popped up on QJ's screen. A dark bow hung from one shoulder, even through the hud, it radiated power. "Hey QJ, just wanted to let you know that Nix is ready to go."

Daze had nicknamed the Phoenix, Nix. Apparently, it was male and very smart. The ranger was certain that it would develop speech once it was older.

QJ gave her a nervous look, the beautiful ranger was known as an eternal optimist. "Will it be okay?"

She smiled at him through the hud, "have I ever let you down QJ? Even one time?"

"Fine, fine. Showtime is tomorrow, I'll have everything sent to you. I owe you one Daze."

"One Friday night babysit will square us!" Daze narrowed her eyes when he frowned, "come on QJ, that last time was an accident!"

QJ laughed at her expression. "Fine, we'll figure it out." Daze and Onion had a ten-year-old daughter named Josie, as hellions go, she was the cream of the crop. In two hours she had managed to set QJ's hair on fire, start the truck and drive it through the garage door and set loose a horned toad in Anna's bathroom.

Daze signed off, quickly leaving before QJ could take his words back. He shook his head and another face popped up on his hud. A beautiful Chinese woman with short curly hair. "Hey, Yu."

The woman smiled at the nickname. Only Q and his son still called her that. Daiyu Ling had worked with Fora for twenty years. She no longer did commentary, but she did run a small media corporation that sponsored gamers. She still owned a private studio and retained everything she needed if she desired to return. QJ had asked her to install cameras and listening devices in his casino. "Everything is set-up and ready to go."

QJ raised an eyebrow, "did I catch you working out?"

Daiyu nodded, "doing some yoga. Can I ask you for a favor QJ?"

"Of course." Daiyu had flatly refused to charge him anything, although a savvy businesswoman, she valued friendship above everything else.

"My nephew Wu is a GnG nut, the only problem is that his gaming skills are complete crap." Daiyu sighed, "he lives in my basement and seems to enjoy doing things that drive me crazy."

"Hmm... want me to beat him up?"

Yu laughed, "yes, please!!" She paused for a moment, "someone is going to have to go through all the data from the casino cameras and mics. I think this might be something he could be good at. He's a tech-head and a GnG encyclopedia."

"You want to assign him to us?" QJ pretended to give it some thought. He had planned on doing it himself. He also knew how long that would take. "I'm going to make you so happy, you'll want to propose."

Yu picked up a towel and wiped her forehead. Even slightly sweaty and without make-up, her pretty face could stop traffic. "Having Wu work with you will make me happy, but it probably falls short of matrimony."

QJ cringed at her expression, silently kicking himself for bringing up a sore subject. Yu had been engaged once, the groom had left her standing at the altar. "My friends and I just moved into the house next door to Mom & Dads. There is one empty bedroom. Would you like to reclaim your basement?"

Yu made her living at keeping a straight face under pressure, but she couldn't contain the smile that seeped out. "You're inviting Wu to come live with you and your friends from GnG?"

QJ nodded, "yep, that will make things easier all around."

Daiyu moved to Seattle after her failed engagement, and had visited Quinn's parents a few times over the years. "I'll run it by him... " Her smiled widened, "you've just made my top five favorite people list QJ."

"Only the top five?" QJ frowned, "I'll have to work harder then!"

Yu nodded in agreement. "Depends on what your goal is. Do your best QJ." She flashed him the million dollar smile and then closed her hud.

*Guild Speak Breeze* QJ! Pick up your damn hud!

*Guild Speak QJ* Give me a break, I've like 14 messages to filter through.

*Guild Speak Lotte* So popular.

*Guild Speak Ringo* Impressive work QJ, keep it up.

*Guild Speak Sato* How many of those are from women?

*Guild Speak QJ* I can't hear you, you're breaking up.

QJ clicked the latest notice on his hud, a moment later an unfamiliar face popped up. The person was an Aborigine NPC. She was dressed in dark colors and wore her hair up in a braided bun. "Permit me to introduce myself, I'm Sierra Sandhealer, a daughter of the Dunjai Nomadic Tribes."

QJ bowed his head slightly. "Nice to meet you, I'm QJ of the One Problem Guild."

"I have heard of your exploits and am in need of someone with your qualifications." Sierra's dark eyes stared at him through the hud. She was sitting in a well-lit tent, there was no sign of anyone else.

"No promises Sierra, I'm somewhat busy at the moment." QJ brought up his world map, he had never heard of the Dunjai tribes. He frowned as he studied the map, the Dunjai Desert was on the Basara Continent, on the other side of the Khabi Ocean.

"This will only take one evening of your time. I have the ability to transport you to my side and return you home when finished." Sierra leaned closer, her dark skin was the color of coffee beans.

Test of Strength

Quest Type: Major Event/Foreign Land

Defend Sierra throughout the night. Quest is

successful if she survives.

Do you Accept this Quest Y/N?

*Guild Speak QJ* Out of touch for a while.

QJ used his hud to turn off guild notifications. "I accept."

System Message: A foreign power is conducting a summons, do you wish to answer?

QJ dismounted and stowed his mount before answering. "Yes."

QJ grabbed his stomach as it flip-flopped and a blinding light flashed in his eyes. The ground rose up and slammed into his face. A moment later he was on his back, gasping like a fish out of water.

"The summoning is very harsh, please drink this."

A smooth feminine voice drew his attention, slowly he sat up. QJ squinted at her, his head still pounding. "You have a beautiful voice."

"Oh... well thank you sir."

QJ grabbed the object that was held out to him. It was an animal skin flask. He tilted his head back letting the cool liquid flow down his throat. It was cold and sweet. Immediately he felt revitalized, the pain in his stomach quickly fading. "Thank you."

QJ took a quick look around. He was in a small tent, roughly 10 feet in diameter. Cushions for resting covered nearly half of the floor. The dark woman who had performed the summoning was seated in front of him.

The dark woman bowed her head slightly. "Our time is short, so I must apologize by rushing our initial meeting."

"Don't worry about. Take your time and tell me everything I need to know. I'll save any questions I have until the end."

"In half an hour, the Raja of the Dunjai will ask for introductions from his daughters. There are seven of us that have been chosen. I am the least of them and the only one that is not a warrior. We are allowed to bring support. My sister's forces will be far greater than mine. When the sun is at its highest, we will each enter the City of Ancestors through our own door. There's an object that they will all be trying to retrieve. It is hidden somewhere among the traps and creatures of the city. My goal is only to survive until dusk. Regardless if anyone finds the object, the test ends with the setting sun." She paused for a moment, "do you have questions?"

QJ nodded, "just a few. Your goal is survival. Do you have reason to believe that you will be targeted?"

Sierra's dark eyes watched him carefully, her voice lowered to a whisper. "The weakest are always targeted. My faction is filled with elders, children and maybe one foreigner.

System Message: You have been asked to join the Sandhealer faction. Unless war is declared, joining a foreign faction will not impact any factions you are part of in your home country. Will you join the Sandhealer faction?

"Yes." QJ returned her silent gaze for a moment. "Are these your real sisters and is the Raja your actual father?"

Sierra shook her head. "No. That is just a clan term. "My father is an alchemist and my only sister is in training to be an herbalist like my mother. "

"Last question, where is the rest of your faction?"

"We went on a raid two years ago, with two other factions. Unfortunately, their target had prior knowledge of the raid and set up a trap. My faction was hit the hardest."

"So you were set-up. What about the other two factions?"

"They combined through marriage and together retain enough strength to keep their enemies at bay. They sought to bring us into their alliance also, but the terms were unsuitable for us."

QJ shook his head. "Brutal."

"The desert is harsh, yet the water remains."

"That sounds like a proverb. The faction that brings back the hidden object gets what?"

"Support of the Raja faction. Troops for defense, seeds for planting, horses for travel. The benefits of being favored means safety and security for friends and family."

QJ stood up and checked his weapons. Fortunately, he had made himself new weapons, and his armor had been recently upgraded by Remmy. "You don't want any of that?"

"Of course I do, but given my circumstances. I would like to survive." Sierra placed a dark hand on his shoulder, "in the event of my death, you will automatically be sent home."

QJ covered her hand with his, "don't even talk like that. I definitely won't let you down."

"Each faction leader will introduce themselves. After that is done the Raja will call upon each faction independently. This will be there time to boast and taunt the other factions. They will throw spears at their enemies and say the most horrid things."

QJ frowned, "they are going to throw spears at us?"

Sierra nodded, "and shoot arrows. However, drawing blood is absolutely forbidden. If someone is injured, the faction responsible will be sent home after their leader is beheaded."

"Damn..."

They sat together for a few minutes. QJ was curious about tribal life and Sierra was more than willing to answer his questions.

Sierra stopped talking suddenly and checked the time. The smile she had been wearing vanished as if it never existed. She picked up a long spear that was thrust in the ground. It was a banner made from a white cloth that shimmered like silk. There was an image of a pair of hands cupping water. "This is the banner of my Faction. It has never touched the ground. After the introductions, a holder from the Raja faction will approach us. He will take care of it until we get back."

QJ nodded, "Sierra seems formal. Is there something more familiar I can call you?"

"More familiar?" Sierra pursed her dark lips together, "if you wish, my family calls me Ra."

"I like it. My family calls me QJ."

She held out her hand, palm up and slightly cupped. "Let's hold the water together QJ."

QJ placed his hand against hers, also cupped. "Let's hold the water together."

His response caused her to smile widely. "A good start. Follow me."

He followed her out of the tent and immediately shielded his eyes from the glaring sun of late morning. The heat was already stifling, QJ could feel himself sweating beneath his armor. Ra motioned for him to stop. She stabbed the point of the banner into the ground and then stood beside it; holding it with one hand, the other hand behind her back.

QJ was standing perhaps ten feet behind her. There was no one on their left, but several groups were lined up to the right of them. They were all facing a central platform where a single person sat on a large stone throne. Even from a distance, he looked like someone who was quite large. A horn sounded and all of the talking and movement seized.

"I find myself curious. Please introduce yourselves, Clans of the Dunjai." The seated man's voice boomed like thunder. He didn't stand up or even look like he was interested. QJ could tell that he was looking at Sierra.

"I am Sierra Sandhealer of the Sandhealer faction. Thank you for having us, honored Raja." To her credit, she spoke loud and clear, without a hint of nervousness.

"Sandhealer faction? You seem to have only one person with you." The Raja's voice boomed again, QJ had the feeling she wasn't expecting to have to say anything further.

"How many suns does the sky need honored Raja?"

The Raja's laugh sounded like a rockslide, "only one sun."

Again QJ had the feeling that Ra had spoken a proverb. The introductions continued, the Raja didn't speak to any of the other leaders. From the nearest faction they were, the Burning Horse Faction, the Fire Sand Faction, the Screaming Eagle Faction, the Thunderstone Faction, the Bullhead Faction, and the Bloody Spear Faction.

The Raja finally stood up and walked to the end of the platform. "Bloody Spear Faction! What say you?"

"The Bloody Spear Faction will destroy its enemies. Especially the weak and vile Sandhealer Faction. We will turn their leader into a breeding sow for our soldiers and remove the manhood of her follower!"

The insults and taunts continued for a few minutes, during that time dozens of spears were hurled in their direction. QJ watched as many of them stuck in the sand close to him. As Ra said, none of them drew blood.

One by one the factions made their distaste for the Sandhealer leader and her follower obvious. QJ listened intently as he was insulted again and again. Some of the clans had insulted a few of the others, but by the time it had become the Burning Horse Factions turn, the ground around QJ looked like a pincushion.

Raja crossed his huge arms in front of him. "Burning Horse Faction! What say you?"

The Burning Horse Faction Leader was a dark beauty. She could have been sisters with Ra. "The Burning Horse Faction will kill all of its enemies. None that we meet in the great Ancestor City will be spared. I will personally ensure that after today, the Sandhealer Faction doesn't exist. My men will take her body until she bleeds from the inside. Then I will have her limbs cut off and her eyes removed. She will spend the remainder of her days as a plaything in my dog kennels."

The mandatory spears punctured the ground around QJ and Ra. His anger bubbled beneath the surface, they had said such terrible things about her. QJ stared at her back, she stood straight and quiet.

Finally, the Raja faced Ra and QJ. "Sandhealer Faction! What say you?"

Sierra's voice was firm and clear. "The desert is harsh, yet the water remains."

QJ stared at her back in surprise. "You are way more mature than me," he muttered under his breath. QJ pulled his gun and took careful aim.

*Aimed Shot*

The bullet struck the spear from the Burning Horse faction, six inches below the banner. A moment later the Burning Horse banner crashed into the sand.

QJ pulled the trigger five more times in succession, then he holstered his smoking six-gun. Only the banner of the Sandhealer faction was left standing.

Ra stared to her right and then turned slightly to look at QJ. The shock on her face was evident. The booming laugh of the Raja brought her attention back to the stage.

He laughed for nearly a minute, during that time QJ felt the deathly stares of the other factions, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"Bearers! Take your posts!" The Raja watched as his people walked toward the Faction leaders. A slim dark-haired man bowed to Ra and took her position holding the banner.

The Raja started laughing again, as the other Faction leaders handed their banners to the bearers. Each of them had been cut neatly about six inches below the banner. "Tossed into the sand like horse dung!"

Ra looked over her shoulder at QJ again. He shrugged at her and mouthed a quick. "What?"

"Apparently, the Sandhealer Faction doesn't need useless boasts to make their point." The Raja glanced up at the steadily climbing sun. "Ready yourself, the doors are about to open."

A Glyph appeared on the ground in front of the Sandhealer banner. Ra glanced over her shoulder at him, her dark lips hiding a small smile. "Follow me QJ."

"Yep, right behind you."