Exodus: Guns And Gore 5 Doubler Canyon

"That's him. Wonder what he wants now." Chi smiled as her student stopped in front of them, "did you enjoy your lunch QJ?"

"I just hung out a bit, too nervous to eat." QJ returned his teachers smile, "think we could hang out in the 3rd years staging area for the first part of the raid?"

Chi glanced at Freya who nodded at her. "That's good thinking QJ, letting your team see the first stage of the raid will help them relax."

Freya watched him walk away, "he changed the weapon load-out for their raid."

Chi raised an eyebrow, "he did?" She brought up her hud and looked at the raid sheet. "Four Springfield rifles? Why would he do that?"

Freya shrugged, "no idea. That cost a thousand points too. Doesn't he realize that it normally takes three years to save that much?" Freya had to calm her cla.s.s down when they had heard that the freshmen GnG cla.s.s were taking a crack at Doubler Canyon. She had told them they were treating it as a field trip.

***********

The freshmen cla.s.s sat near the back of the staging area, careful not to interfere with the 3rd year preparation.

QJ had divided his raid into four separate groups and made them sit together during the raid. He pointed out which area each group needed to observe. There were a total of 15 sub-bosses and five bosses. With each new sub-boss, new adds would sp.a.w.n at the end of the leaves.

The raid started quickly with the tank and dps attacking the sub-boss. They used the traditional method of having two marksmen and a healer for each leaf. They wiped immediately after the first sp.a.w.n. The third leaf collapsed, and the mobs overran the tank group.

QJ had a hud opened to each of his squad leaders. "The third leg collapsed. I was looking away, so I didn't see the reason. Let's watch the repeat."

The third years reset themselves and started again. This time they managed to get to the second sub-boss before the third leaf collapsed again.

QJ shook his head as the two raid leaders switched the shooters from the third leaf and fourth leaf. "What is that going to do?"

The third years reset and started again, they had nearly finished the third sub-boss when the fourth leaf collapsed causing them to wipe. QJ could hear the bickering between their teammates now.

QJ addressed his raid members. "The last thing you want to do in this situation is point fingers guys."

A second hud opened up in front of QJ, the round face of Char's fodder stared at him. "What's going on? I thought these guys had the juice to win this."

"It will be fine." QJ strolled over to the edge of the staging area; the third years were regrouping, Maya and a girl with violet hair were discussing the raid. Freya and Chi watched them from nearby, like Chi, Freya refused to help them.

The purple haired girl looked up when QJ crowded the edge of the staging area. "What do you want freshmen?"

Maya placed a hand on her shoulder and glanced at him, "What's up QJ?"

QJ lowered his voice, "those two Riders are shooting too early. They waste their first three shots, the result being that the mobs don't die early enough and they end up reloading at the worse possible time."

Maya watched him walk away, "shooting too early?" She glanced at her co-leader who shrugged at the question.

The two instructors had heard the interaction; both of them were deep in thought.

Freya glanced at Chi, "I wonder Chi... Could you give me that first year?"

Chi shook her head, "no way."

QJ rejoined his group; they watched as the 3rd years took down the first three sub-bosses and then quickly burned down the first Boss. There was a cheer among the raid members as they quickly reset and got ready for the second wave.

Chi and Frey walked over to them during this time, "let's go, cla.s.s, we'll have to exit out and join our own Doubler Canyon instance."

QJ round up his team, and they quickly exited.

Chi glanced at her co-worker, "shouldn't you stay with your kids Freya?"

Freya pushed her pale blond hair out of her eyes, "I just want to see the start of your cla.s.ses raid, I'm really curious."

Chi nodded in agreement, "me too."

"Get in your places everyone, follow the steps I laid out. We'll be fine." QJ moved people around carefully; the first sub-boss sat quietly on a boulder in the center of the canyon, he wouldn't move unless someone damaged him.

Chi frowned at the tight grouping in the center, didn't they see what the third years were doing?

Freya watched as the four shooters climbed up on the high ledge, "why are they going up there? And they're facing the wrong way..."

"No way." Chi shook her head, "cheeky brat is going to try and cover the four leaves with four shooters. That's why they have the Springfields; they'll be shooting over the middle."

Freya whistled softly, "if four shooters can hold the leaves, then that frees up four healers and four dps."

QJ checked his rifle and got in a comfortable p.r.o.ne position, he could see all the way down both leaves he was facing, but he was only responsible for the one on the left. "Okay everyone, remember your steps. Shammy's on debuff duty, let the tanks establish aggro. Secondary healers hold back your dps, your main focus is to jump in on heals if needed. Call out when you are ready."

"Tanks Ready."

"DPS Ready."

"Heals Ready."

"Debuffs Ready."

QJ looked at the other three shooters. "Remember, open fire right away. Go for the front leg, slow everything down first. Then burn the target down."

Chi's voice spoke through the raid interface, "whenever you are ready cla.s.s. Good luck."

QJ nodded to himself and scanned his leaf. "Shammy debuff the first Sub-Boss, as soon as it's debuffed then the tank can jump in."

*Shendra has cast Wild Wind*

A Notorious Outlaw has been slowed by 40 percent.

*Tarbuck has activated Battle Cry*

A Notorious Outlaw has taunted.

QJ caught the movement at the back of his leaf.

*Club-foot*

A Wild Longhorn has been crippled.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

A Wild Longhorn has been struck for 13,500 damage

*Riders Sharpshooter*

A Wild Longhorn has been struck for 6750 damage

QJ caught a second sp.a.w.n at the back of the canyon, "Shooters watch for the second sp.a.w.n."

*Club-foot*

A Vicious Wild Cat has been crippled.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

A Wild Longhorn has been struck for 10,200 damage

A Wild Longhorn has been slain.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

(Head-Shot Bonus)

A Vicious Wild Cat has been struck for 17,600 damage

"Shooters watch for the Third sp.a.w.n!"

*Club-foot*

A Dire Wolf has been crippled.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

A Vicious Wild Cat has been struck for 3,080 damage

A Vicious Wild Cat has been slain.

Freya and Chi watched as the freshmen marched through the first three sub-bosses and started on the first boss.

Chi couldn't keep the smile off of her face. "The shooters are carrying the load so far."

Freya watched and listened to QJ, he kept the shooters on point, always reminding them so that all they had to do was shoot. "s.h.i.t... I have to go Chi."

Chi glanced at Freya as she rushed out of the instance. Her cla.s.s was just finishing off the first boss. "Great Job guys."

QJ glanced at his hud, "90 seconds, reload and reset. Shammies get ready to debuff. Tanks make sure you wait.

QJ took a deep breath and then started scanning his leaf again. "Shooters start scanning now. Thirty seconds until resp.a.w.n."

QJ caught a glimpse of movement in the back of the canyon. "Here they come."

*Club-foot*

An Outlaw has been crippled.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

(Headshot Bonus)

An Outlaw has been struck for 24,544 damage.

An Outlaw has been slain.

***********

Chi watched as her freshmen cla.s.s continued to advance through the raid. She recorded everything, taking notes so they could review them later. Her com-chat blinked and she opened it up to see Freya's smiling face.

"We finished the Raid Chi!" Freya had to speak loudly over the cheers of her students. "How're things going over there."

Chi's calm eyes stayed on QJ; when the raid leader is relaxed, everyone else is that way too. "We are halfway through the fourth boss, about to move toward the last leg."

"What? Your cla.s.s is going to finish it?" Freya's face said it all, she couldn't believe it.

"Fraid so, no wipes yet and we are about to start the last boss." Chi couldn't keep the pride out of her voice, they made mistakes but they were recovering and listening closely. More importantly, the shooters and their Springfield rifles were uncanny with their accuracy. It was like they had drawn a line in the sand and refused to let anything pa.s.s.

"Can I bring my cla.s.s over?" Freya wanted them to see the Springfield strategy.

"Yes, but they stay off comms, and act like church mice." Chi's serious face said she'd be merciless if the 3rd years became unruly.

Freya nodded, "understood."

*******

The fourth boss went down quickly, QJ glanced at his hud. "90 seconds everyone, stay calm and keep moving along. Shammies prep for debuff, Tanks make sure you wait!"

*Shendra has cast Wild Wind*

A Dangerous Bandit has been slowed by 40 percent.

*Tarbuck has activated Battle Cry*

A Dangerous Bandit has taunted.

QJ caught the movement at the back of his leaf. "Shooters open fire."

*Club-foot*

A Mad Grizzly has been crippled.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

A Mad Grizzly has been struck for 3,080 damage

QJ caught two more sp.a.w.ns at the back of the canyon. "Double resp.a.w.ns, shooters slow them first."

*Club-foot*

A Rabid Coyote has been crippled.

*Club-foot*

A Sneaky Thief has been crippled.

"Shooters call out if you need help!" QJ quickly scanned the leaf next to his, the Rider had managed to slow everything already.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

(Headshot Bonus)

A Mad Grizzly has been struck for 14,800 damage.

*Riders Sharpshooter*

A Mad Grizzly has been struck for 7,300 damage.

A Mad Grizzly has been slain.

Freya and the third years watched quietly as the freshmen roared down the stretch.

"Are these guys really 1st years?" Nina pushed a stray strand of purple hair out of her face. "Hey Maya, what was that freshmen's name?"

"QJ." Maya was watching the raid. "This wouldn't have worked for us, their shooters are ridiculously good."

Nina nodded, half of the third year shooters were average at best. This raid exposed their weaknesses. "I was rude to him earlier, I'll have to apologize."

Maya raised an eyebrow at her cla.s.smate, "you always say that, but then you never do."

Nina smiled, "well... it's the thought right?"

"Ten Percent! The leaves are clear, Shooters open up on the last Boss." QJ reloaded quickly and emptied his rifle into the Boss, he managed to reload and do it again.

Just over two hours after the start, the freshmen GnG cla.s.s finished a flawless run.

The Doubler Canyon King has been Slain.

System Message: You have cleared Double Canyon, 2 hours and 4 minutes. Rank 5th.

QJ smiled as he trotted down the steep terrain to the middle of the canyon, half of his cla.s.smates were screaming, while the other half were bawling. QJ exhaled loudly, he felt like a weight had been lifted off of his chest. He walked slowly toward the staging area, a big smile glued to his face as he quickly changed into his Exodus Avatar, the rest of his cla.s.smates followed suit.

QJ spotted Char's wheelchair and made a bee-line for her. "Great Job Char!"

Char smiled and gave him a high five. "That was the most awesome thing I've ever been a part of QJ! We just, boom-boomed, and they kept falling down." She balled up her fists and punched the air as she spoke.

QJ laughed at her expression, "Boom boomed? Mind if I use that?"

Char shook her head, "fraid that's patented by me."

QJ moved behind her and grabbed the handles, "hey can I drive this thing?"

Char looked over her shoulder, her pale face blushing slightly. "Can I trust you not to drive crazy?"

"Um... just wheelies, no jumps." He winked at her as he started moving toward the exit.

"Good Job QJ!" A voice spoke from behind him, he turned to see Maya and her Co-Leader.

"Thanks! I a.s.sume you guys finished it also?" QJ didn't slow down, the two 3rd years fell in beside them.

"Yep, that was sage advice you gave us." Maya nodded her head, "I'm going to owe you one after this."

"Me too!" The violet-haired girl spoke up, "I'm Nina by the way, sorry for being rude earlier."

QJ waved them both off, "it's okay to help each other. Don't worry about it."

They exited the instance and met up with the other students from the Exodus Academy. QJ was chatting with Char when Chi and Freya finally caught up with them.

"Great Job everyone, tomorrow you'll receive the information for your new GnG account." Chi had contacted the Dean directly and notified him that they were skipping ahead in the curriculum. Chi's voice was drowned out by the cheers of her students.

QJ bent forward and lowered his voice, "what cla.s.s are you going to make?"

Char rolled her eyes at him, "slinger of course, what else?"

"I might go with a Wrangler." QJ smiled at the surprise in her eyes, "I like pistols better than rifles."

"The new server doesn't open until noon tomorrow, so you've plenty of time to consider what cla.s.s you are building. I don't feel like heading back to the Academy." Chi gave her students a friendly smile, "suggestions?"

"Afterparty!" QJ raised his hands over his head in victory, his cla.s.smates applauded and screamed their support.

Chi smoothed back her short hair, "did you have a place in mind?"

QJ shrugged slightly, "The Songbird if that's okay."

The students quieted down quickly, Chi watched her student to see if he was joking.

He also caught Freya's attention, she leaned closer. "Can you swing something like that QJ?"

"Think so." QJ opened up his hud, a moment later Lara Sy's pretty face popped into his screen.

"Hi QJ! How'd the raid go?"

"We cleared it, first try and no wipes!" QJ grinned at her, "now we are looking for someplace to hold an afterparty!"

"Afterparty?" Lara took a quick look behind her and shrugged, "give me a half hour and I'll have this place cleared out for you. How many should we expect?"

QJ glanced at his homeroom teacher, "31?"

Freya cleared her throat, "since we've been spent the day together, perhaps we should join you in celebrating?"

Chi laughed and shrugged, "up to you QJ."

"About 60 Lara." QJ waved at the blue-haired rogue and quickly cut comm.

Freya stared at him, her blue eyes unreadable. "Just so we're clear, that was Nightingale right?"

QJ nodded, "yep."

Chi noticed that he was pushing Charlotte's wheelchair, the two seemed to have become friends. "You're DPS was awesome today Char."

"That fodder slinger hits hard Miss Chi, I can't wait to build my own!" Char was already planning her first ten levels. "Does this mean that we'll use our new GnG account avatars for school?"

It was well known that everyone used their actual person as an avatar at the Exodus Academy. This would change mid-way through the third year when they were given their GnG accounts. After that, they would use their game avatar.

"Yes, tomorrow I want everyone to come to the first hour with their level one character." Chi was excited also, given the supervision that freshmen require, the Dean had told her to make an account on the new server to continue their education.

********

A half-hour later QJ walked with his cla.s.smates to the door of the Songbird, he stopped suddenly when a pretty blonde opened the door.

"QJ!" Tal hugged her son close and dragged him inside, only Char knew their relationship.

Freya's mouth was open in shock, "the G.o.ddess? How does QJ know Tal Riley?"

His cla.s.smates followed him in, the tall blonde woman kissed him several times while she squeezed his cheeks. QJ's face turned red as he tried to avoid her... finally he gave up. "A bit overboard," he muttered.

Tal stopped suddenly, "sorry QJ." She turned back toward the guests, "Welcome to the Songbird, I'm QJ's mom, Tal. Please make yourself at home, everything is on the house!"

"....." Chi.

"...." Freya.

*******

An hour later QJ was sharing a table with Char, Ren, Sasha, and Sara. All three of his sisters had shown up immediately.

"I have three sisters too." Char laughed at the antics of Sara and Sasha.

Lara's sweet voice instantly quieted everyone down as she sang an old ballad called Blue Moon. Robin sat on the stage letting her feet dangle down, she joined in during the second half. She wore a knee-length white dress that hung loosely on her small frame. Her light orange hair hung down her back.

Ren grabbed her flute from behind the bar and stepped onto the stage, together, the three of continued to play.

Char elbowed QJ and pointed toward the table next to the door. Chi and Freya were sitting with Tal, Leah, Remmy, and Mojo.

"Hmm...wonder why Mojo is back so soon. She was supposed to be with her clan until next week." Quinn grinned at the look their teacher's faces, "it's a bit overwhelming the first time you meet everyone."

Char nodded in agreement, "tell me about it. I nearly had a heart attack when Quinn Riley walked up to our car."

As if on cue, the door pushed open and Quinn walked in accompanied by a slim blonde woman with spiked hair.

QJ grinned when he recognized the woman, "excuse me for a second please."

The room went quiet when they finally realized who had walked in. Many GnG players pretended to despise the TAP a.s.sa.s.sin who had beaten Chained Lightning in a Gunfight, but the reality was vastly different.

Quinn noticed his son walking toward him. "Good Job QJ!" He hugged his son and ruffled his hair.

Kora waited until they were through and stepped forward. "You never come to see me anymore?" She hugged QJ close, she had been his instructor since he was old enough to wear a headset.

"Sorry Kora." QJ gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

Maya tapped her on the shoulder and then tried to duck out of sight. Kora spun quickly and grabbed the third year student. "Too Slow!"

Kora looked at her then back at QJ, "oh I see. QJ is Quinn Obreen? He beat the twelve bells, right? The one you said was really..."

Her sentence was cut-off by Maya who had placed a hand over her mouth. "What are you rambling about mom?" Her pale face was blushing furiously.

Kora shrugged out of her grip, "the one you said was really fast."

Maya breathed a sigh of relief, "I didn't realize he was the QJ you always talk about."

***********

Four hours later nearly everyone had left. Leah, Tal, Remmy, and Mojo were still chatting with the two instructors from the Exodus Academy.

Sasha and Sara were draped over their dad who was fast asleep in one of the comfortable chairs. QJ was sitting on the stage talking with Robin.

"Going to bed soon ?" Robin was on her best behavior, she knew there were at least three sets of eyes watching her.

QJ smiled at her predicament. The reality was that he had three moms. When he had visited the Jol Clan last year, he was introduced as Mojo's son. Leah often referred to him as her son as well. Tal felt the same way towards Sara and Sasha. "Hard to get away with things when you are being watched right?"

Robin nodded, her dark eyes flashing. "Did you want to do something QJ?"

QJ laughed and leaned forward to kiss the top of her head. "I think you are amazing Robs."

She watched as he walked toward the other table and said goodbye to everyone. A few moments later he logged off. Robin yawned and headed up the stairs without saying a word, she could feel the eyes on her.