Train Heist (part one)
OP boarded the train, filling up the seats from front to back in the first car. The seating was grouped into a pair of seats on either side of the aisle that faced a matching set. Ringo and QJ sat beside each other, facing Breeze and Sato, while across the aisle, Chainy and Lotte sat opposite Enju and Plush.
[Quest Updated]
[Venture: A ticket to Ride] Multi-Stage
Description: Congratulations! You've boarded the train to Jordan Springs.
[OP: QJ] Quest updated; let's hope it does the same thing when we jump trains.
[OP: Breeze] How will we detach the magnets?
[OP: Ringo] QJ and I both have a tool made just for this job. Think of it as a two-meter-long ceramic spatula.
[OP: QJ] We'll get comfortably out of the station before we move. We'll send our scouts out and then develop the strategy.
[OP: Ringo] Sato and Plush; stealth up and follow the Conductor and see how far back he goes. This is a work in progress, so be ready to adapt to changes.
[OP: QJ] I'll come too and plant our spy cams. Moving to raid chat and patching in our Information Broker.
[Venture Raid]
[Engine Group]
Ringo: DPS
Lotte: DPS
Breeze: Tank
Enju: Medic
QJ: Puller
Sato: DPS
Plush: DPS
[Roof Team]
Maric: DPS
Dunnie: DPS
Chainy: DPS
Junzo: DPS
Ty: Tank
Nightrain: Buffs/Off Heals
(Alpha)
Dusk: DPS
Wisk: DPS
Bungee: Tank
Travoli: Medic
Shonie: Slows/Heal
(Bravo)
Mika: DPS
Solo: DPS/Off Tank
Drax: DPS
Rox: Slows/Heal
Shell: Slows/Heal
(Charlie)
Bolo: DPS
Knotty: Tank
Riker: DPS
Niche: Medic
(Delta)
Potshot: DPS
Nexxus: DPS/Off Tank
Luca: Buffs/Off Heals
Lil Jack: Tank
[Whisper: Ringo/QJ] There are 31 in the Raid; we only ordered 30 magnets. How come we aren't one short?
[Whisper: QJ/Ringo] I bought the one in stock, separate from the order.
[Raid: QJ] Let's keep the Raid for raid business; use group chat for comms.
*Wu* I've sent everyone personal cam patches. Just slap it on your chest or hat so I can monitor everything. QJ, you have the spy cams. I'll be in the Raid and all group chats. I'm watching everything.
**********
What's your setup?"
Wu jumped out of his chair when the voice spoke from behind. "Aunty Yu? What are you doing here?"
Daiyu gave him a puzzled look. "Isn't this my VRP? You are only borrowing it." The Asian woman glanced at the wall in front of Wu; most monitors were currently off. "Want some advice?"
Wu froze in place before nodding quickly. His Aunt had been one of the best in the business until she branched into other things. "Of course."
Daiyu sat next to him and started activating the monitors. "How many cams do you have?"
"About sixty, half of those are body cams; the rest are stationary spycams that will be placed into the first thirty cars by QJ or the scout team."
Wu watched as his Aunt considered the setup; her expression said that she didn't like it. "I'm open to changes!"
Daiyu smiled at her nephew. "Going to stream this?"
"Yes. That's QJ's idea," Wu admitted. "It's risky considering the odds of success."
Yu flashed her million-dollar smile. "QJ's a confident problem solver; his father was the same way. He's also handsome; the camera loves him."
Wu cleared his throat, causing his Aunt's eyes to focus on him. "It's creepy when you talk like that about my friends."
Daiyu laughed and shrugged slightly. She wondered what her nephew would think if he knew what happened in this VRP the last time she saw QJ and Robin. "Focus, Wu. How can I help?"
Wu considered the question; his Aunt was a well-known commentator and excelled in editing. "If you can handle the panning cam, that will allow me to keep an eye on everything else."
"Give me free rein to choose the active cam, and you can do the rest." Daiyu opened a live window to QJ's hud.
[Daiyu/QJ] Comm check. How read?
*********
QJ followed the two stealthed scouts as they mirrored the Conductor's movements. Except for the first car, inhabited by OP, the rest of the train was nearly empty, with only a handful of passengers in each car.
A small image of Daiyu appeared on his screen just as he entered the second car.
[QJ/Daiyu] Lima charlie. What kind of feed is this?
[Daiyu/QJ] Private feed from my VRP. It won't show up on any streams. I won't distract you; I just need to keep apprised of your actions to choose the active feed.
[QJ/Daiyu] Perfect. If you see something I should know about, feel free to mention it.
[Daiyu/QJ] Your fly is down.
QJ stepped onto an empty seat and planted the 1st spycam on the ceiling near the middle of the second car.
*Wu* I like the placement on the cam. Do the same with the rest of them.
[Raid: QJ] Understood. This is going to be confusing if you both talk at once.
*Wu* Who else are you talking with?
[Raid: QJ] Never mind, moving to the next car.
[Daiyu/QJ] Don't spill my secrets, QJ. Let's keep my private feed private.
[QJ/Daiyu] Of course.
The exit door to the next car was just shutting when QJ arrived. A blinking green light next to the handle grabbed his attention; he opened it quickly and stepped out into the open air of Banshee Flats.
Each car had a door on either side and was lined on both walls with double windows. A small outside gangway established the connecting point between cars. QJ glanced through the steel grate at the coupler that connected the cars.
[Raid: QJ] New plan. We'll disconnect the first thirty cars from the rest.
[Raid: Ringo] Why thirty? Can you disconnect them?
[Raid: QJ] A car for each of us, I'll jump from the Engine. And yes, I can disconnect them.
QJ swore under his breath when the sliding door to the next car wouldn't open. The blinking green light on this one had turned solid red. "Shit..."
[Raid: QJ] Is the Conductor locking the doors?
[Raid: Sato] He's swiping them with an access card.
[Raid: Ringo] Sato... That's need-to-know information. How are you going to get back if he's securing the doors?
[Raid: Sato] Shit... Sorry.
[Raid: Plush] Me too, wasn't thinking.
QJ stepped to one side and grabbed the metal rung on the roof access ladder. "Damn... nice view." The OP Vice Leader ran cautiously over the top of the train, hunched low to stay in the slipstream.
The train cut a course through the jagged, rocky terrain; the steady chugging of its Engine was especially loud when you weren't inside. QJ arrived at the next gangway just as the Conductor was exiting.
[Group: QJ] I'm above you, Sato; make space so I can set the cam before the door locks.
QJ slid down the ladder and stepped into the 3rd car. With no time to lose, he guessed the halfway point and placed the cam before returning to the door. Both the exit and the next entry door were blinking green.
[Group: QJ] Looks like they blink for about ten seconds before relocking. Turn back at car thirty, and I'll follow him the rest of the way.
[Group: Sato] Go across the roof on the way back?
[Group: QJ] Yes. Keep in the middle and stay low.
[Group: Breeze] Don't get blown away...
*Wu* Daiyu wants to go live now. Watching the setup is pretty cool.
[Raid: Ringo] Fine, go ahead.
*Wu* Going live in 3...2...1... We're streaming.
[Group: Sato] The Conductor just spoke to one of the passengers. He said, "Stay alert."
[Group: Ringo] Let's assume they're guards.
QJ mirrored the trio before him until they arrived at car thirty. At twenty-nine, he refreshed his stealth since the timer was expiring.
[Group: Sato] This is thirty, we're heading topside.
QJ nodded to himself, watching as the two scouts scurried up the ladder while he continued to follow the Conductor.
Dressed in black, with a sidearm strapped to either hip, the ultimate master of the train was a tall, broad-shouldered man somewhere before middle age. He had dark eyes that constantly darted everywhere and red hair cut close to his scalp.
QJ slipped into the last passenger car, which would be number seventy if he were keeping count. Attached to the last car was a spartan caboose that served as the living and eating area for the crew.
[Raid: QJ] End of the line, about to head back, so be ready to start.
QJ paused when the Conductor unlatched the oversized window nearing the dining table.
"Smells like ass in here," the Conductor had a deep, gravelly voice.
*Pickpocket*
You've successfully [Pickpocketed] Conductor Talbot Givens.
You've pocketed a [Alto Mali Line Access Card].
[Group: QJ] Candy from a ba...
QJ's wide grin froze in place when an impossibly strong hand gripped his shoulder.
"Ticket, please!" The Conductor picked up the trespasser like he was weightless and tossed him out the open window. "No ticket? No ride!" His laughter echoed in the caboose and continued while he closed the opened window. He dusted his hands like he had just finished a routine chore. "Time for a smoke."
*Wu* Holy shit... QJ was just tossed off the train.
QJ felt himself picked up and flung outside. He immediately accessed his inventory just as the windshear slammed him into the side of the caboose. Holding the magnet handle with both hands, he only had a moment to blindly push it forward.
The magnet stuck to the steel wall, sliding for a meter before stopping when it came up against a welded seam.
[Daiyu/QJ] Your cam is active; this is so awesome. Don't let go!
QJ buffeted against the caboose's outside wall until he flattened out with his feet spread wide. He released one hand from the magnet handle and grabbed the attached strap that was slapping against his back. He took a moment to reel in the loose end before clipping it to his belt.
Slowly, QJ slid hand over hand down the anchored line. Within a minute, he reached the rear of the caboose.
Talbot Givens stood on the back deck of his caboose, rolling tobacco into a small piece of paper. He licked one side before tightening it up. His tanned face showed contentment as he leaned over the back rail while patting his jacket with his free hand.
"Need a light?" QJ gripped the man behind the knees and hefted the surprisingly heavy Conductor over the rail. The man only had time to shout a curse before he bounced onto the railroad tracks, tumbling end over end like a broken ragdoll.
QJ climbed the access ladder to the roof and started running toward the front of the train.
*Wu* Nice recovery.
[Raid: QJ] Engine team, get ready. Time to start this show.
Between cars thirty and thirty-one, QJ stopped and took the ladder down to the gangway. He lay flat on his stomach and pulled the pin holding the couplers together. Slowly, the attachment points separated.
Nodding in satisfaction, QJ climbed to the roof of car thirty and waited. The train's momentum kept the separation slow and smooth. The distance widened to a meter and then ten, with no sign of discovery.
[Raid: Sato] I counted four guards per car; the pattern was the same: two slingers, one melee, and a shotgun guy.
[Raid: QJ] Good work.
QJ arrived at the first car a few minutes later; he tested how the key card worked. "Perfect. You can exit through a locked door but can't enter."
[Raid: QJ] Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta get on the roof and prepare for entry into cars two, three, four, and five, respectively. Nexxus, come and get the key card.
Nexxus approached QJ with a broad smile; the Raider was strictly melee, dual hatchet wielder. "What ya need, QJ?"
QJ sized him up. Nexxus's build was primarily brute force; he completely ignored the finesse side of fighting. According to Breeze, he was extraordinary in close-quarter fighting. "Lock the exit door on five before we start. Bring the card back right away."
"Understood, QJ. We don't want the guys from car six reinforcing them." Nexxus immediately reasoned out the order.
"Spot on. Cool war paint, by the way," QJ complimented. The Raider's face paint, war braids, and furred armor made him look like a Viking.
[Raid: QJ] Roof team, get in position. You have an easy job. Keep the top clear.
[Raid: Chainy] Understood.
QJ moved to the door leading to the Engine car. Nexxus returned a minute later and handed the access card to QJ.
[Raid: QJ] Assault teams, report.
[Raid: Dusk] In position at car two.
[Raid: Mika] Ready to go in three.
[Raid: Bolo] At the door in four... heh, rhymed it!
[Raid: Nexxus] All alive at five...
[Raid: Chainy] Roof team ready. Spreading love from up above.
[Raid: QJ] Breeze on me. Sending a five-second timer to everyone's hud.
[Timer] 5...4...3...2...1...GO!
QJ swiped the access card at the engine door, changing the red light to green. He yanked it open, following Breeze as she rushed in.
*Breeze has activated Turoc Mach'tu.*
Engineer Tully (Legendary Figure) has been hit for 1,849 damage.
A short man with a bald head and black muttonchops scowled at the intruders. He wore a stained, sleeveless white shirt that stretched over an obscene amount of muscles. Tully was nearly as wide as he was tall. He waded into the OP Chero with his fist bared.
[Group: Breeze] Turning him, he's strong!
The steady chug of gears was barely discernable in the open-air compartment. The wind howled in their ears, blowing gusts of hot air as it passed over and around the Engine.
*Kneecap*
Engineer Tully has been slowed by forty percent.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 39,203 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 7,841 damage.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Ringo has hit the target for 21,199 and 22,477 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Lotte has emptied her gun into the target for 3,298 damage, 6,411 damage, and (Critical Hit) 18,211 damage.
[Tendon Slice]
[Critical Hit]
Sato has hit the target for 29,568 damage
[Backstab]
Plush has hit the target for 21,493 damage.
*Hospice Care*
Enju has healed the group for 10 percent of the total health.
"COME TO PLAY IN MY ENGINE? THIS WILL BE YOUR GRAVE!"
*Feign Death*
QJ had died and lost all agro.
Tully leaped high into the air and slammed down with both fists with enough power to dent the solid steel floor.
[Mass Stun]
Breeze: Affected
Ringo: Affected
Sato: Affected
Lotte: Affected
Plush: Affected
Enju: Affected
QJ: Dead
"Dead?" Tully's cold brown eyes stared at the corpse of the OP Vice Leader. "I don't think so."
Tully grabbed QJ by the arms and flung him through the nearest opening.
*Lasso*
Engineer Tully has been roped and is closing in on your position.
Tully had just turned away when the lariat settled around his neck. Unaffected, he frowned at the slight tug. "Knew it... Let's have a conversation." He pulled the rope, hand over hand, while its owner bounced from side to side in the windshear like a kite strung outside a speeding car.
QJ waited until he was close enough for a handhold and then dropped his lariat. Gripping the platform's edge, he cursed when Tully stalked toward him.
*Breeze has activated Blood Fued*
Engineer Tully has been taunted.
[Group: Breeze] Turning him... Again.
[Weighted Thrust] (Critical Strike)
QJ has hit the target for 52,109 damage.
[Point Blank] (Critical Strike/Exposed Wound)
QJ has hit the target for 61,202 damage.
Fire scorches your target for 12,240 damage.
[Engineer Tully has lost some of his legendary resiliency.]
[Six-Gun Fan]
Ringo has emptied her gun into the target for (Critical Hit) 16,278 damage, 7,481 damage, and (Critical Hit) 17,400 damage.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Lotte has hit the target for 20,044 and ((Critical Hit) 36,454 damage.
[Tendon Slice]
[Critical Hit]
Plush has hit the target for 34,520 damage
[Backstab] (Critical Hit)
Sato has hit the target for 29,477 damage.
Enju has activated *Hotpack* (Critical Heal)
Breeze has been healed for 42,983 hp.
"ENJU!!" Tully turned from Breeze, his eyes red with rage. "HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KILL THEM WHEN YOU KEEP HEALING?"
Enju shrugged slightly. "I work hard..."
*Breeze has activated Blood Fued*
Engineer Tully is ignoring taunt.
*Lasso*
Engineer Tully is no longer affected by your class ability.
"QJ!!" Tully's voice lowered from his previous shout. "I'll stomp you into a paste after I deal with her." His huge ham-sized hands gripped the lariat that settled around his shoulders and tore it apart like tissue paper.
[Your equipment is damaged and must be replaced.]
"You sure?" QJ pulled down on two nearby levers, releasing steam into the air with a loud hiss. He opened the boiler door with a loud bang, suddenly causing the open-air compartment's temperature to rise.
"DON'T TOUCH!" Tully lowered his head like an angry bull and charged QJ.
[Group: QJ] Everyone down!
QJ flattened himself on the floor and raised his sword-gun.
[Aimed-Shot] *Miss*
A barely discernable clicking noise was followed by the sudden deafening screech of metal wheels locking up. The charging engineer's eyes widened in shock as he was flung forward past QJ. Tully slammed into the open door an instant later, nearly disappearing into the flames before wrenching himself backward.
Engineer Tully has received 223,833 in blunt force damage.
(Critical Injury: Broken Shoulder)
Engineer Tully has been burned for 343,988 damage.
Engineer Tully has been burned for 245,233 damage.
[Engineer Tully is highly vulnerable]
Tully roared in pain as he yanked his burning shirt from his body with his good hand. "You bastard..."
*Breeze has activated Blood Fued*
Engineer Tully has been taunted.
[Double-Direct Shot]
Ringo has hit the target for 44,100 and (Critical Hit) 72,117 damage.
[Six-Gun Fan]
Lotte has emptied her gun into the target for (Critical Hit) 11,248 damage, (Critical Hit) 17,455 damage, and (Critical Hit) 22,811 damage.
[Tendon Slice]
[Critical Hit]
Sato has hit the target for 69,001 damage.
[Backstab]
Plush has hit the target for 31,493 damage.
*Hospice Care* (Critical Heal)
Enju has healed the group for 15 percent of the total health.
[Aimed-Shot]
(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)
QJ has hit the target for 99,200 damage.
Fire Scorches your target for 19,840 damage.
Engineer Tully has been slain. The train is yours; all combatants have surrendered.
[Raid: QJ] Status report.
[Raid: Chainy] The assigned cars have all been cleared. What took you guys so long?
[Raid: Ringo] The Engineer was a legendary figure. A ton of HP, boss immunities... a real tough bastard.
QJ handed Plush the access key card. "Check the rest of the cars."
Plush grabbed the card and immediately stealthed.
Ringo whistled and pointed to Tully's corpse. It was bathed in a warm golden glow. "Legendary drop?"
"I'll check him. Gotta get this thing moving first." QJ shut the boiler door and returned the two levers he moved to their previous position. After a quick gauge check, he was satisfied that the pressure was returning to operational levels.
[Group: Sato] Never seen you miss before, QJ.
QJ chuckled but didn't say anything.
[Group: Ringo] He didn't miss, he shot the handbrake. Why do you think we suddenly stopped?
QJ walked to the window next to the Engineer's seat and returned the handbrake to its upright position. "The hand brake locks the wheels and returns the throttle to neutral." He grabbed the metal handle and slowly pushed the throttle forward.
[Daiyu/QJ] Very impressive, QJ.
[Raid: Plush] Train is empty, QJ. All the way to the back.
QJ knelt beside Tully's corpse, frowning when he saw the loot.
[Raid: QJ] Only one drop, here it is.
[Character Card: Legendary Figure]
Name: Seamus Tully
Occupation: Train Engineer
Description: Engineer Tully is a peerless locomotive mechanic and operator.
Employer: One Problem
Length of Contract: Permanent
Additional Bonus
+ 150 Engine Efficiency
+ 100 Train Security
+ 50 Passenger satisfaction
[System Message] One Problem's Guild Reputation has increased by 500.
[Guns and Gore Announcement] All Servers: One Problem has achieved the First Kill of [Seamus Tully: Legendary Figure]. All One Problem members are awarded two levels.
[System Message] The One Problem Guild has received a hidden title, [King of the Rails].
[System Message] New building available [Trainyard]. An architect will be dispatched to the OP Guild Keep.
QJ's frown turned into a wide smile. "First kill? On a multi-server game that's been out for decades?"
Ringo grinned from ear to ear.
*Wu* The forums are erupting, and our feed is about to go viral.
[Raid: QJ] Take a moment to celebrate and relax while we check our timeline.