Chapter 27: Road to NOLA

It was a peaceful night of rest. In the garage where Lazy fell asleep at was an SUV that he worked on for the guys to take to the city. He installed a plow to the front of it, more armor on the doors and it was too small for the turret but he made a catapult on the back to launch something out of. He also renovated the inside to have an works bench inside for him to work on a special project. He had nearly all the components but never the time.

The scent of food woke everyone up and drew them towards the kitchen. Power was cooking DinoGator bacon with NurealRat eggs. Everyone was starving after last night and the day before. Power served plates of food to everyone. The room was quite besides clanging of silverware on plates and the chewing of off.

While eating Lazy spoke up.

"So I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention. I'm thinking of trying to get more of those gems to create another Gene Awakening device. I talked to two friends of mine, both are Mage Engineers, and I offered for them to join our guild. If that's cool with everyone. If they do join I'll use my gene device and focus on becoming a pure Psionic class. Everyone good with that?"

Swift put down his silverware and whipped his mouth.

"Yeah I'm down with that. Just have two comments. How well do you know these guys? And I was actually going to ask you about the gene device also. I don't want to do magic but psionic powers also but for wind."

Nitro butted in.

"I want psionic power also. Want to use Psionic fire or if there an explosion one."

Lazy was kinda caught off guard by this. He thought everyone but him were more or less happy with their class. He looked over to Grimm who was eating slowly.

"What about you? Want Psionic power also?"

Grimm still eating shook his head and spoke with a full mouth.

"Nah I'm good. I like what I have. Thanks though."

Lazy nodded and looked back at Swift and Nitro.

"About your first question. These guys are good. When I joined that Hover Bike tournament a while back we had a rivalry during the race but was fun drinking and having fun after. We didn't win but still a lot of fun. I personally think they were better then me. Now about the gene device. Who uses it first? I don't mind going last since I've used it before. But I have to warn you guys. Who ever uses it will be out of commission for at the very least a day. You all saw what happened to me. Best case is if we get enough material for three of the device and use them all at once. Have to use it at a safe place though."

The two paused for a second.

"Well after I died during the raid. I'd prefer to go first. I actually want my to survive a raid this time."

"For me. I've been chatting with HammerFist about the other guild leaders and I want to get new genes from some of them. But we won't meet them till Kansas City so guess I will have to go last"

"Well that works out then. Nitro, as soon as I make the device you are first, I'll go second and Swift will go once we hit Kanas City. Any objections?"

No one disagreed.

The group started to pack up their things, Lazy dismantled his workbench while everyone was getting into the car. Everyone asked him what the catapult was for but he said it was a surprise. The only person he told was Nitro, and when he did Nitro laughed manically.

For seating arrangements Power was driving with Nitro in passenger, Grimm and Lazy were in the back seat and all the way in the very back was Tantrum and Swift. It was a snug fit for how large Tantrum was getting. Power started to drive off after Lazy used his cartography job to draw a map for him. Swift say in the back and decided to call HammerFist to give him an update.

After a couple seconds of ringing in the call chat HammerFist picked up.

"Swift where are you guys? We have the boat ready."

"We just headed off. We should be there in an hour or two. How's the situation looking?"

"Even worse now. Our zone of control is even smaller, we've found more goblin forts, like you described. It isn't pretty. I don't even think we can clear a route for you guys. Once you get here the boat will already be sailing and out of port. We'll have some rope for you guys to grab on to but have to get wet in the water. Sorry. Also, how did the raid go? I'm assuming you guys beat it."

"Good news and worse news. Got good news we finished the raid and my guild and I are all at or above level twenty. We all have evolved our classes. I don't think we'll have trouble with getting to you guys. For this worse news. Can you add the number one guild leader, Primusmight, to the call. This is bigger then you think."

HammerFist hesitated for a moment.

"I mean yeah I can, but I don't know. He stupid busy. Do you not have him on your friends list?"

"Nah. I only have my guild and you. Well some other friends but they never got on for the update. But I seriously need you to add him. Those players we found kidnapped by the goblins. They turned into monsters. Or think they are? Even their appearance changed to look more goblin or monster like."

He was speechless hearing what Swift said.

"Okay. I'll add him. When you meet up with him make sure you add every guild leader to your friends list. Primus will explain his plan."

The connection started to ring again for nearly a full minute before he picked up.

Primus sounded stern and slightly annoyed when he picked up.

"What is it Hammer. I'm preoccupied at the moment. Make it fast."

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. I have SwiftCodex on the call with us. He's the leader of the Guilded Losers. He has some information you will need to hear."

"SwiftCodex? If I'm remembering correctly your guild is pretty strong in the minor raid league right? Came in…what, 3rd or 4th place last year?"

"Yes sir. We did. I'm glad you remembered us."

"I only remember the strong. So what's this news and also need your group level. I have plans and need to know everything. Hammer I also need you to update me after he tells me his news"

"Yes sir" Hammer said before letting Swift speak.

"I'm going to make this story short. A couple days ago some of my members found a fort raid of goblins that had captured two players. We spend half a day preparing to rescue them. We were around levels twelve to fourteen and failed our first go. The enemies were around our level but there bosses were over level twenty. We got away and started to rest and the goblins left the raid zone and attacked us. The players they captured were, what we believed to be mind controlled, also with them and attacked us. We later attacked the fort again and won but the players were fully corrupted and believed to be monsters themselves. Their skin was patchy and looked like they were a hybrid of a monster and human. They even acted like monsters. Thankfully they allowed us to leave. Even though we are all over level twenty now one of them is a necromancer and was even able to bring the goblin BroodMother back to life under his command. We have no idea where they are going or what they have planned."

During this time Power was still driving and made it to the Spillway. A long bridge over a body of water. Lazy used his cartography job to make another map for him all the way to New Orleans.

Primus paused for a good second.

"Interesting….we've had reports of goblins kidnapping players but we've always seemed to stop them. I'll have my inner circle do a head count. We need to know if there are other players that are missing. So your entire group is above level twenty huh. Impressive. Myself and inner circle are almost at level thirty ourselves. If you guys can keep your pace I have some ideas for you and your guild. Although that can wait till everyone is here at KC. Hammer you have a sit rep?"

"Yes sir I do. We have a cruise ship ready for sailing. We are waiting on Swift's group to arrive. Nola is being overrun with goblins. We have less then five hundred players and are at a one to ten ratio. It's getting bad. Once Swift and his group arrives we'll sail up the Mississippi River to Fort Riley in Kansas. I'll leave a hundred members there to get the base operational and have some of the vehicles used for transporting our troops. We do have some city buses we'll use for main troops and then military vehicles as guards."

"That's good. That's really good. Glad to have you in charge. Will you be in charge on the way there?"

"Ah no. I'm not actually there. I'm heading from the west coast. The guild leaders of Black&Gold and BabyKakes will be in charge. Swift doesn't have them on his friends list so I'm mediating. Once he gets there he will add them."

"Good. Swift do the same once you get to KC. Add myself and all the other guild leaders to your friends list. For the plans I have communication is key."

"Got it" Swift replied.

"Good. Safe travels. I need to get back to preparing for everyone. Farewell"

Primus left the chat.

"Okay Swift I'll let the guild leaders know you are only a half hour away. I assume you'll be leaving a blazing trail there ahahaha."

Swift chuckled.

"You know it! They'll know it's us. Just tell them to have the boat ready."

"Will do man. Over and out."

The call needed.

Swift leaned forward and told everyone the plan. They were making good time plowing through the cars to New Orleans.

At the end of the bridge they all read sign.

"Welcome to New Orleans. Enjoy your stay."

They reached their first benchmark.