Train Heist (end)
Once the train returned to operating speed, QJ brought up a map of the area. The engine compartment was empty except for himself and Ringo. "Looks like we are still on time. ETA to the bridge is 2.5 hours, placing our arrival about 45 minutes before we jump trains."
Ringo threw an arm around his shoulders, pulling him tight while messing up his hair. "Not going to lie, thought we were toast a few times during that fight."
QJ nodded in agreement. "Same here."
Ringo pulled a flask from her hip pocket and took a long drink before offering it to QJ. "Want to try some? It's brandy from Ravenwood."
"I was practically raised on this..." QJ accepted the flask and tilted it back.
[Daiyu/QJ] I'm sensing some sexual tension.
*cough cough*
Ringo patted QJ on the back. "You okay?"
QJ nodded. "Went down the wrong pipe."
Ringo accepted the flask back and stashed it away. "Good work, QJ. I'll brief the rest of the officers."
QJ waited until Ringo left before frowning at the miniature image of Daiyu.
[QJ/Daiyu] We are very close, but that's it.
[Daiyu/QJ] I was only teasing, besides... I was talking about you and me.
QJ snorted.
[QJ/Daiyu] I'm going to teach you a lesson about messing with me.
[Daiyu/QJ] hahahaha... Do your best, QJ.
Three hours later, the train was parked on the bridge while the members of OP sat nervously on top of the cars. QJ stood on the Engine; the rest of the Raid was spread one per car the entire train length.
*Wu* Our live feed is just under twenty million viewers. Bizzaros is offering steep odds against you guys successfully jumping trains.
[OP: QJ] How do they know we're jumping?
*Wu* Maybe because you are sitting atop a train parked on a bridge, waiting for another train to pass.
[OP: Ringo] I posted our intent on the forums when we stopped. Anonymously, of course.
[OP: QJ] Anyone got anything before we switch to Raid chat?
[OP: Lotte] Desse said to thank everyone for the two levels.
[OP: QJ] Happy to help. Switching to Raid chat.
[Raid: QJ] There are only a few things to remember. Line up on the seam behind us and jump from the seam in front of us.
[Raid: Sato] I'm gonna splatter like a bug on a windshield.
[Raid: Breeze] Probably.
[Raid: Lotte] For sure.
[Raid: QJ] I'll have us on a timer. Go when I go and jump when I do. I've calculated our speed against the trains. There are too many variations, but we should impact the center of our target.
[Raid: Ringo] It doesn't have to be exact; follow our lead and focus on seating your magnet.
[Raid: Sato] My magnet is stuck again.
[Raid: QJ] You're supposed to have it in your inventory until the train is closer.
[Raid: Sato] I know. I'm just nervous.
[Raid: Ringo] I'll bring the spatula.
[Raid: QJ] Relax, Sato, you got this. From herein, everyone listens. Do exactly what I say when I say.
[Raid: Sato] Got it, QJ.
Since the Engine was slightly longer than the standard car, QJ had measured and marked an 'x' with his sword gun. "Every 33.5 meters, a member of OP is standing. 1.5 to 1.7 seconds from the start to our jump. With 2.3-2.5 seconds in the air, my starting time needs to be..."
[Daiyu/QJ] No more math, QJ. I've listened to you go through the figures three times already.
[QJ/Daiyu] Does math bore you?
[Daiyu/QJ] No. It's sexy as hell.
[QJ/Daiya] You think so?
[Daiyu/QJ] No. It's boring, but me and my bank account believe in you.
[QJ/Daiyu] You're right, I'll relax.
QJ closed his eyes and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly.
"The warden threw a party in the county jail
The prison band was there, and they began to wail
The band was jumpin', and the joint began to swing
You should've heard those knocked-out jailbirds sing
Let's rock
Everybody, let's rock
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin' to the Jailhouse Rock."
QJ's rendition of Jailhouse Rock was interrupted by the distant sound of a train whistle.
[Raid: Sato] Train's here.
[Raid: QJ] Stay seated; keep your magnets in your inventory.
Although the sound was clear, it was a few minutes before the train came into view.
[Raid: QJ] At this time, stand up and remove the attachment strap from your inventory. Nothing else.
[Raid: QJ] Attach one of the clips to your belt and verify that you are standing on the back seam. Once you have done both of these, raise your hand.
QJ clipped the strap to his belt and checked his starting spot. He raised his hand, waving to Ringo, who already raised her hand. Looking down the line, he counted all the raised hands.
[Raid: QJ] Remove the magnet, hold it chest level with your right hand, and attach the clip to the magnet. Hold the magnet straight out in front of you with both hands after you've done this.
QJ took a deep breath, and after verifying everyone was in position, he turned his eyes toward the train. He started counting in his head.
[Raid: QJ] Watch your hud for the start of the five-second timer.
QJ watched calmly as the oncoming Engine sped past him.
[Raid: QJ] Starting timer... Now. 5...4...3...2...1...Go!
QJ sprinted across the top of the train, focusing on the far seam; his foot landed squarely as he leaped into the open space between the two trains.
He felt the roar of the windshear rushing past a meter above him; with the magnet extended, he slammed into the middle of his target car. The force of the landing tore the handle from his grip, and he slid across the smooth surface until the safety strap engaged. His weight and momentum dragged the magnet another two meters before he came to a stop.
QJ used the ceramic spatula to remove his magnet before rolling to his feet. His eyes scanned the distant cars; the first dozen landed safely, but there were a few gaps in the long line.
[Raid: QJ] Unclip and stay in place if you're safe! Call out if you need help.
QJ sprinted past Ringo, who quickly gained her feet and followed.
[Raid: Sato] I'm over the side!
[Raid: Enju] Stuck!
[Raid: Nexxus] I think I'm toast. I got stuck near the wheels, and my magnet didn't seat correctly.
"Nexxus is at the far end; I'll get him," Ringo shouted.
QJ nodded, stopping where Enju was supposed to be. He clamped his magnet near the edge before dropping onto his stomach to peer over the side.
Enju's magnet was over the edge but was still seated. OP's top medic lay flat against one of the windows. "I see people in there."
"Let's worry about them after," QJ grabbed her safety line and began pulling her in. Even though she was pretty small, his arms felt like lead by the time she was back on board.
Enju gave him a quick hug. "Thanks, QJ."
"Stay put, I have to help Sato." QJ climbed back to his feet, pausing to remove his magnet from the roof.
[Raid: Sato] Someone's opening a window next to me. What should I do?
[Raid: Ringo] Is he pointing a gun at you?
[Raid: Sato] No.
[Raid: QJ] Go inside, Sato. They already know we're here. Everyone else meet on top of car one. How's Nexxus doing?
[Raid: Ringo] Can't find him.
[Raid: Nexxus] They helped me inside, I'm not hurt.
By the time Ringo returned to the first car, the rest of OP were waiting.
[Raid: Sato] They're feeding me. I don't think we're in trouble or anything.
QJ exchanged glances with Ringo, the OP guild leader was all smiles. "Let's check it out."
QJ slid down the access ladder between the Engine and the first car. Ringo had just joined him when the door to the engine compartment slid open.
A skinny, old man wearing dirty overalls and no shirt stared at the two leaders from OP. "You're the Rail Kings? It's an honor to meet you. I'm Dylan Ramsy!" Dylan rendered a sloppy two-fingered salute while favoring the duo with a gap-toothed smile.
"Nice to meet you also," QJ replied. "I'm QJ, and this is Ringo, the Guild Leader of One Problem."
Dylan gestured for them to follow. "Come inside. The train is yours, of course. Whatever you need."
[Quest Updated]
[Venture: A ticket to Ride] Multi-Stage
Description: Congratulations! You've boarded the train to Dusky Ravine.
[Raid: QJ] Boom, quest updated.
*Wu* OP skips to day two of the three-day Venture quest just like that.
QJ ushered Ringo ahead and then followed her into the Engine compartment. Unlike the engineer, his workplace was immaculate. "Thank you for the invitation."
Dylan smiled politely. "How can I help One Problem?"
QJ figured he might as well spill everything. "We need you to speed up the train so we can stop it in the tunnel before the train to Lucan Falls comes through."
"Gonna jump to that one too? The Lucan Fall train runs thirty minutes ahead of us," Dylan walked around the side of the boiler and started turning valves. "I can beat it if I make a few adjustments."
"That would be gre..." QJ started before being interrupted.
"Yeah, this old girl, she's a fast one." Dylan bragged. "I'll have to ease into it, push the throttle deep into the red."
QJ nodded while trying to keep a grin off his face.
"Deep... A steady, slow push will make her moan, but she likes that." Dylan swayed his hips suggestively. "You two might want to get somewhere safer; this old girl gets a little squirrely when she's flat on her back with her legs raised in..."
QJ bit down on the laugh that threatened to surface. "Say no more."
[Raid: Ringo] We're golden, no fighting this trip. Come down and relax.
[Daiyu/QJ] He's interesting, for an old pervert.
[QJ/Daiyu] Kindred spirit?
[Daiyua/QJ] That's really hurtful.
[QJ/ Daiyu] You're right, I apologize. You definitely aren't old.
QJ sat on top of the first car a short while later with Sato, Ringo, Lotte, Nexxus, and Breeze.
[Group: QJ] Still monitoring, Wu?
*Wu* Yes. The forums love you guys. Even though you're all sitting around, there are still lots of eyes watching.
[Group: QJ] Do you know details about the final stage where we defend the train?
*Wu* Yes. Remember, what I know is based on defending the train from station to station, not the abbreviated version where you jump on board at the tunnel.
[Group: QJ] So we could skip a large portion, or it might be crammed into a much shorter timeline.
*Wu* Exactly. I'll post the normal sequence of events.
During the first part of the journey, you are attacked by figures who have hidden themselves on the train. They're not overly strong, but they do possess stealth capabilities.
Once you're through the tunnel, the train experiences mechanical issues and slows drastically. At this time, small groups of riders attack on horseback. They'll come from all sides and coordinate their attacks with other groups.
Survive to the final station and gain a guild access token. This will enable you to activate a portal that allows travel to the last train; your destination is the Fraezi continent, specifically the capital city of Vavri.
[Group: QJ] We'll leave for the Summit after the Goodwill games.
[Group: Ringo] Gives us only a few days. I'll square things with the Academy. OP will be the first guild to step into the Inner City.
By the time their train entered the tunnel, everyone had experienced enough standing around for one day. QJ stood atop the Engine while the rest of OP were spread out over the following thirty cars. Dylan waited on the engine access ladder, his old eyes lit with excitement.
"Keep me in mind if you start your own rail line." Dylan smiled creepily. "This old girl has been faithful, but I don't mind moving on to something newer."
QJ nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for your help."
[System Message] You've received a new employee candidate.
[Character Card: Rare]
Name: Dylan Ramsy
Occupation: Train Engineer/Exotic Dancer
Description: Dylan is a decent Engineer and a known miscreant.
Employer: The Goshiean Rail Line
Length of Contract: 90 Day Temporary
Additional Bonus
+ 50 Engine Efficiency
+ 50 Adult Entertainment
+ 10 Passenger satisfaction
[OP: QJ] Moving to raid chat. It's time to get this show on the road.
QJ studied the tunnel layout. It was much tighter, but the truth was the tunnel would all but eliminate wind shear. He had no doubt if he matched his previous jump height from the bridge, OP would end up scraping their Vice Leader off the ceiling. "What I wouldn't give for one of the Songbird grappling hooks..."
A sudden idea popped into QJ's head, forcing him to ignore the situation while he produced a paper and pad from his inventory and started scrawling a new design idea. The shrill of the oncoming train whistle did nothing to deter his focus.
[Raid: Ringo] Everyone get in position. Match the steps from our last jump and wait with your magnets in the ready position.
Ringo smiled at her focused Ace. QJ drew something on paper while their target train barreled down on them. She was about to say something when he put the pencil and pad away with a wide smile.
QJ verified his placement and ensured his magnet was correctly secured.
[Raid: QJ] Like last time, I'll send a five-second timer to everyone's hud.
The approaching train entered the tunnel a few seconds later, creating chaos. The noise inside the tunnel rose to an ear-pounding level, drowning out everything else.
[Raid: QJ] Get down on one knee and brace yourself! Don't let your magnets touch the surface.
The train beneath them shook and rumbled as a blast of hot air, pushed by the approaching locomotive, slammed into them. QJ felt himself slide sideways, a meter off his mark.
With the initial gust gone, QJ regained his feet and returned to his mark.
[Raid: QJ] Reverify your mark! Prepare for the timer.
QJ's focus returned to the train rushing by.
[Raid: QJ] Setting timer, now! 5...4...3...2...1...Go.
QJ sprinted across the top of the engine car and leaped at the blur speeding past them. This time, he hit the near side of the roof, his magnet seated, and broke his grip, immediately sending him sliding past it towards the opposite edge.
The safety line yanked him to a bone-jarring stop, with both his feet dangling over the edge of the speeding train. Quickly, he rolled to his feet and used the spatula to stow his magnet assembly into his inventory.
A quick glance down the line brought a broad smile to his face. This time, there were no gaps.
[Raid: QJ] Anyone need help?
*Wu* I'm Just going to say it, OP. On this jump, you guys look like rockstars.
[Raid: Sato] I love not falling off!
[Raid: Nexxus] Same.
[Raid: Ringo] Report to the first car. Be careful.
The train exited the tunnel, bathing OP in bright light. QJ walked beside Ringo toward the front of the train; both were still wearing smiles of contentment.
[Group: QJ] My satisfaction with OP has reached an all-time high.
[Group: Ringo] Well said. I completely agree.
QJ reached the front of the first car and slid down the access later. A moment later, he was joined by Ringo.
"Engine door is open..." QJ stepped into the doorway of the engine compartment, frowning at the corpse he found. The man's throat was slit from ear to ear, and he lay facedown in a large pool of blood.
Ringo was still on the gangway; she pointed at the solid red light near the top of the access door to the first car. "It's locked."
[Raid: QJ] The Engineer is dead. Sato and Plush, stealth up and start checking access doors. Find one that isn't locked, but do not enter.
Ringo watched without expression as QJ hefted the dead engineer over the window ledge. "Need anything?"
QJ shook his head. "I'll clean up here and make sure we're operating safely.
"No quest update yet," Ringo pointed out. "Think everyone's dead?"
QJ shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me. They've probably been under attack since they left the station."
[Raid: QJ] Status on the doors?
[Raid: Plush] We're halfway; everything is locked up tight.
[Raid: Sato] Cars are empty, but we couldn't see into car twenty. The door windows are blocked from the inside.
[Raid: QJ] Check the rest.
"Maybe they barricaded themselves in," Ringo suggested.
[Raid: QJ] Breeze, Enju, and Lotte report to the Engine compartment.
[Raid: QJ] All long and mid-range fighters spread out and take positions on the cars. Melee and short-range fighters divide into two even groups and wait at cars nineteen and twenty-one.
[Raid: Ringo] Engage any target approaching the train.
[Raid: Sato] Seventy cars on this train, all locked up except for the caboose. That was open.
[Raid: QJ] Any sign of the Conductor? Or their access card?
[Raid: Plush] Nothing yet; I'm still searching.
[Raid: QJ] Toss that place thoroughly and then report back.
By the time Breeze Lotte and Enju arrived at the Engine compartment, QJ was just finishing his preparation.
[Group: Breeze] What's shaking?
[Group: QJ] Gotta job for the three of you. Protect this compartment. No one enters or touches the controls. This is your task on the final leg of our quest.
[Group: Lotte] Leave it to us.
Ringo followed QJ up the access ladder to the roof just as gunfire erupted. "South side."
QJ scanned the horizon; given the rocky terrain, you could almost predict where the attacks would occur. In this case, the snipers from OP dispatched three figures on horseback before they could do any damage.
[Raid: QJ] Wu, do a terrain analysis of all passable approaches to our route. Highlight the trails and pipe them to everyone's hud.
*Wu* Give me two minutes, and I'll have all approaches to our route categorized and mapped.
QJ removed the safety strap from his inventory and clipped it onto his belt. Stopping at the midpoint of car twenty, he accessed his magnet and attached it.
[Group: Ringo] Taking a peek?
[Group: QJ] Aye.
QJ seated the magnet one meter from the edge, smiling at Ringo when she stepped on it with both feet. "Thanks."
After pulling all the slack from the safety line, he walked backward over the curved edge.
"Hold your fire," QJ balanced on his feet on either side of the steel frame; all the windows had been shot out. Two double-barreled shotguns followed his movement from inside the cabin. "I'm QJ from the One Problem Guild. We are here to help."
"The Rail Kings? Thank the heavens." A woman's voice spoke from inside. "Give him a hand and help him in."
Two men grabbed QJ's arms and helped him through the jagged window. The passenger car was barely recognizable. The seats were torn out or shot to pieces, there wasn't a single window left intact, and all the rubble from the destruction had been pushed up against either door.
QJ stepped into the wreckage. "Is this all of you?"
[Quest Updated]
[Venture: A ticket to Ride] Multi-Stage
Description: Congratulations! You've boarded the train to Lucan Falls. Defend the train and survive with at least 1/3 of your guild.
*Wu* And this is the third day of the Venture quest. Outstanding!
[Raid: QJ] I'm fine. There's only a handful of survivors.
A thin man with his head wrapped in bloody bandages nodded. He held a long rifle with an attached bayonet in one hand and had a curved saber tucked into his belt. "We started out with more than fifty; now we are down to six."
"Let's clear a path through one of these doors. OP will fight from the roof." QJ noted that no one moved when he spoke; they all turned toward the same person. "Are you in charge?"
The woman nodded. "Do what he says." She wore a sleek black uniform with a brimmed hat that exposed several loose strands of light brown hair. The soot and blood smeared on her face did nothing to distract from her unmistakable charm. "I'm Conductor Trahern; the train is yours."
[Daiyu/QJ] Let's just say it, she's quite attractive.
*Wu* Sending an overlay to everyone's hud. I marked all the possible attack points between here and the end of the line. I used trail width and ease of terrain to estimate the number of attackers each trail could support. Those trails are color-coded into Red (2-4), Green (6-10) and Blue (12+).
[Raid: QJ] Well done. Anything else?
*Wu* One last thing: I marked a few black Xs on the overlay. These are points with no route to the tracks but where a sniper could hide.
[Raid: Ringo] We're going to be fighting up top. I want all ranged DPS to find a comfortable shooting position and anchor themselves. You can always unclip if you need to move.
[Raid: QJ] Melee and short-range DPS, divide into three groups and take cover in cars one, fifteen, and thirty.
QJ assisted in the effort to clear the doors; every once in a while, shots would ring out from above them. He helped the Conductor drag the last seat from the rear door barricade. "I want all the doors unlocked; our melee people must move fast between cars."
"Anything else?" Trahern asked.
QJ nodded. "Yes. I'm disconnecting everything after car thirty. If you need anything from the rear of the train, you should get it."
"How long do I have?"
QJ glanced at his hud. "Five minutes."
Trahern handed QJ her access card. "It will take me that long to access the safe. Could you open the doors?"
"Yes, meet me at car thirty when you are done," QJ replied. He watched as she exited the rear door and then used the access ladder to the roof.
[Group: QJ] Was there a safe in the caboose?
[Group: Sato] Yes. It was open and empty.
QJ began his trek back to the front of the train, unlocking doors and leaving them open as he passed.
[Raid: QJ] The three teams of melee and short-range fighters will make up our quick reactionary force (QRF). Take your commands from Wu. When he calls out an infiltration, the nearest QRF responds. Each team can cover ten cars.
In the rear of the train, the Conductor had just arrived at the caboose. She grinned at the open safe before walking calmly to her desk to reach underneath. Her slim fingers pushed a button, resulting in a large section of the floor sliding to one side.
Trahern hefted a wooden box out of the floor space before slinging it over one shoulder.
When QJ finished with the doors and returned to car thirty, the Conductor was waiting for him. She was sitting comfortably on a wooden box while cleaning her shotgun. "Nice shotgun."
Trahern smiled and glanced at the one slotted on the back of QJ's armor. "Not as nice as yours. You're the gunsmith?" Her brown eyes strayed to the Sword Gun belted at his waist. "Is that 'Oh Shit?'"
QJ laughed when she said the name. "Yes."
Trahern's laugh was pleasant and honest. "You have quite the talent for naming weapons."
QJ's smile widened in response. "I know; it's inherited from my Dad."
[Daiyu/QJ] You're so smug. I love it.
QJ studied the overlay that Wu sent. The red routes weren't a threat with the OP shooters on top of the train. Between their current position and the end of the line, there were one blue and two green routes.
[Raid: QJ] ETA to the first green trail is five minutes. Watch out for the potential sniper nests that Wu marked.
The path to the first green trail was marked by several gunshots as the smaller groups of three to five riders were put down before they even touched the train.
[Raid: Lotte] I have eyes on the first green route. It's empty.
Breeze tossed her hatchet from hand to hand. "How can we be benched like this? We beat down a legend on the first train."
"We aren't benched," Lotte replied. "You're just an action junky."
Breeze nodded, her dark eyes scanning the terrain. It appeared so suddenly that the Chero swiped at it with her hatchet out of instinct, sending it back in the direction it came.
An instant later, an explosion rocked the Engine compartment, tossing all three females against the far wall.
Enju has been stunned.
Lotte has been stunned.
Breeze has resisted stun.
The Chero struggled to her feet. Her ears rang from the explosion; she gripped her hatchet tighter, staring into the empty landscape.
*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.*
Jonvi the Red Assassin has been exposed and hit for 1,932 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Lotte has emptied her gun into the target for 3,338 damage, 6,551 damage, and (Critical Hit) 19,200 damage.
*Hospice Care*
Enju has healed the group for 10 percent of the total health.
The exposed Assassin dodged around Breeze and charged at Enju.
[Attack of Opportunity]
*Breeze has stunned a Red Assassin*
The Chero's hatchet slammed into the back of the Assassin's head before bouncing off and returning to her hand like a boomerang. Breeze closed instantly; picking up their assailant, she tossed him through the nearest opening.
QJ was scanning the south horizon when the first explosion rocked the train. He turned and immediately spotted three stealthed figures running toward himself and Chainy.
[Raid: QJ] Use your scopes; they're stealthed!
QJ parried the first figure's dagger and stepped forward to slam an elbow into his temple before tossing him over the edge.
*Kneecap*
Sturm the Red Assassin has been slowed by forty percent.
[Sniped] (Headshot/ Critical Hit)
Unchained has hit the target for 67,888 damage.
QJ sidestepped the second attacker and bashed him in the head with his shotgun.
[Point-Blank]
Sturm the Red Assassin has been stunned.
QJ fired his shotgun directly into the man's chest, sending him flying off the speeding train.
*Kneecap*
Merco the Red Assassin has been slowed by forty percent.
[Sniped] (Headshot/ Critical Hit)
Unchained has hit the target for 67,888 damage.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 49,211 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 9,842 damage.
Merco the Red Assassin has been slain.
QJ checked the corpse and then kicked it off the roof's edge.
[Raid: QJ] How's the Engine group?
[Raid: Lotte] You left the server's best Chero here. Of course, we're fine!
[Raid: Enju] Yep.
Chainy shook her head in disgust. "I was scanning with my eyes when I had the optics to see through stealth in my hands."
QJ shrugged it off. "Lesson learned. I have a ring that lets me see through stealth."
Chainy resumed her scanning, this time through the optics of her sniper rifle. "I've only seen one of those in GnG. It was owned by King Maelstrom's Spymaster. Where did you get yours?"
QJ chuckled. "The Queen's Spymaster is a friend."
The white-haired sniper snorted. "No doubt."
[Daiyu/QJ] A very close friend, from what Robin says.
[Raid: QJ] Did you see what they used to make that explosion?
[Raid: Breeze] Something black and round, the size of a grapefruit.
[Raid: QJ] Was there a fuse?
[Raid: Breeze] Didn't see one.
[Raid: QJ] It missed?
[Raid: Lotte] She batted it away with her hatchet.
QJ frowned suddenly. "I'm so stupid." Without another word, he sprinted toward the Engine compartment.
Chain shook her head at the departing figure. "If you're stupid, then the rest of us are village idiots."
QJ arrived at the Engine less than a minute later. He slid down the access ladder and smiled at the trio.
[Raid: QJ] Everyone hold onto something and avoid the edges. Going to crank up the speed.
[Daiyu/QJ] Going to push her deep into the red, slow and steady until she groans?
[QJ/Daiyu] Exactly right.
Ringo appeared at the gangway between car one and the engine compartment. "Going to push deep into the red?"
QJ snorted. "Oh God... Not you, too."
Ringo watched as QJ did his thing. "How fast were we going?"
"60kph," QJ replied.
"My horse can probably handle that for a short distance," Ringo replied.
"I'd say so," QJ agreed while he shoveled black pellets into the boiler.
"What's our top end?" Ringo asked. "If we push Deeeep into the red."
"100kph without issues," QJ replied. "Good luck boarding us now."
Ten minutes later, they were approaching the next green trail. Ringo stood on the gangway between the Engine and the first car. "What's our speed?"
"108kph," QJ replied as he joined her on the gangway.
"Didn't you say 100kph?" Ringo asked.
"No. I said we could do that without issues. Since this isn't my train, I don't care about running it hot," QJ admitted.
Ringo favored him with her best creepy smile. "So what you're saying is... You're pushing dee..."
QJ covered her mouth with one hand. "Nope, you already used that."
Ringo batted his hand away with a fake scowl. "I didn't get enough mileage out of it."
[Daiyu/QJ] Deep into the red. She's on her back now with her legs in the air...
Although the mission started with a roar, it ended with a whimper. Except for a sniper nest, the rest of the ride posed no real danger to OP. With the increase in speed, the boarding attempts ended in bloody spears on the side of the tracks. The train pulled into the station two hours later; it was riddled with bullet holes, the windows were all broken, and most of the crew was dead.
However, the train roared with the cheers of the OP members before finally coming to a rest at Lucan Falls Station, the end of the line.
[Quest Updated]
[Venture: A ticket to Ride] Multi-Stage
Description: Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Venture questline.
[System Message] A travel token has been placed in your inventory.
[System Message] A Perfect Score bonus has upgraded your token rank to platinum.
[System Message] One Problem's Guild Reputation has increased by 500.
*Ding* 58
[Platinum Travel Token]
This token will enable you to travel to the Velez Station gate from any Exodus portal. Once there, present this to the Conductor of the Northern Platinum Express Railway, where you will be our guest as you journey across the frozen tundra of the Fraezi continent on your way to the capital city of Vavri.
QJ stepped onto the boarded walkway of Lucan Falls station. Immediately, he was hugged by Sato and then Plush. The entire group wore big smiles on their faces.
[Raid: QJ] Mission accomplished. Excellent job, everyone. Thanks for the help, Wu.
*Wu* I'm stoked to be part of it. Great job, everyone.
[OP: Ringo] It's late Thursday night, so let's make it a long weekend and take some time off. Roll call on Monday at 0900.
[OP: QJ] Goodwill Games start on Tues; let me know if you need help.
"QJ!" A familiar voice called to him from the edge of the tracks.
"Engineer Trahern..." QJ noted that the other surviving members of the crew had already left. She leaned against a large wooden box while observing the OP members. Her hair was once again pulled neatly under her black-brimmed hat.
"We wouldn't have made it if you hadn't shown up. Thanks for the rescue." She extended her hand in a friendly gesture while flashing a brilliant smile. "My name is Sam."
QJ shook her hand, immediately feeling the object she pressed into his palm.
[Character Card: Unique]
Name: Samantha "Sam" Trahern
Occupation: Train Engineer/Secret Occupation
Description: Engineer Trahern is shrouded in mystery. She has been known to disappear for weeks at a time without notification.
Employer: Sandhealer Faction Leader, QJ.
Length of Contract: Unknown
Additional Bonus: (Bind on Pick-up)
+ 300 Passenger satisfaction
+200 Personal Luxury
+ 100 Train Security
"This is a no-drop?" QJ glanced up only to discover that Conductor Trahern had disappeared.
"Ready to bail, QJ?" Breeze approached, tugging Sato and Lotte with her. "These two will chat all night if we don't log. Nina ordered pizza!"
"Let's go then!" QJ stowed the card in his inventory and activated the [Return to Guild] icon on his hud.