69 Barti Silverleaf

QJ exited the gate and immediately summoned Scorch, eliciting shouts and curses as the crowded Exodus square scattered before the galloping red demon. 

[OP: Sato] Holy crap! Where are we going?

Sato mounted up, chasing after Dessi and Ringo as they struggled to keep close to OP's Vice Leader. 

[OP: QJ] One of my casino workers is being chased! 

[OP: Ringo] Casino? Do you own the Phoenix?

[OP: Dessi] Turn your settings to anonymous. 

QJ didn't answer; leaning low in the saddle, he pushed Scorch to his top end. 

The ordinarily loud central square where Striker's plied their trade turned eerily silent as four riders charged through their ranks. The sounds of steel horseshoes echoed off the surrounding buildings, and although many were inconvenienced, no one lifted a finger to help. In Exodus, you solved your problems first and worried about the consequences afterward. 

[OP: QJ] Her last location was Sundown Street behind Bizarro's, which means she was traveling south. Dessi is with me; you two take the next left. If Barti turns off, you'll run into her. 

Less than a minute later, QJ cut down an alley one block south of Bizarro and turned onto Sundown before reining in Scorch. 

[OP: QJ] You're here for heals, Dessi. 

[OP: Dess] Understood, I'm on support. What class is Barti?

[OP: QJ] Duelist, rapier and dagger. She isn't answering comms. 

Old buildings lined either side of Sundown, although only a few blocks from Main, the structures were old and debilitated, signifying the start of the seedier part of town. 

[OP: Sato] Contact! Fighting on the warehouse roof.

QJ scanned the surrounding buildings. "Warehouse... that would be on the industrial section." 

[OP: Dessi] This way, QJ, through the alley.

Dessi had been lagging half a block behind the GnG Ace. Standing at the intersection of a Sundown and a narrow passage between buildings, she spotted the warehouse. 

The medic sprinted down the alleyway, only to be overtaken by QJ seconds later. 

[OP: Dessi] How are you so fast? 

[OP: Ringo] Two assailants, hurry, we are overmatched!

QJ skidded to a halt at the entrance to the warehouse. Instead of entering, his gaze turned to the adjoining building. In a flash, he leaped onto a nearby dumpster and then onto the fire escape with its retracted ladder. Kicking the ladder down for Dessi, he continued his upward climb. 

[OP: Dessi] This is the wrong building; the gap is too far to jump. 

QJ stopped one flight short of the roof, scowling at the scene before him. Two figures dressed in black were the only ones QJ couldn't identify. Ringo was using a movement skill to stay ahead of one of them while Sato and Barti fought defensively against a blade wielder. 

QJ aimed at the person chasing Ringo. 

[OP: QJ] Kite him.

[Kneecap]

An anonymous figure has been slowed by forty percent.

Before QJ could take aim at the other assailant, the blade wielder maneuvered Sato into the line of fire. 

[Barti Silverleaf has been added to your group.]

[OP: QJ] Bart, prepare to disengage and jump off the edge toward me. Sato... Take down Ringo's target. 

[OP: Sato] How am I supposed to do that?

[OP: QJ] You know how.  Now Bart! 

"No... I really don't."  Sato muttered a curse before disengaging and vanishing into thin air. 

Bart danced nimbly away from the attacker; her rapier impacted the heavier blade and broke in protest.  She threw the hilt into her opponent's face before retreating in a full sprint. 

Ringo ran near the edge, stopping to snap shots at her opponent every few meters. The damage was minimal, but the pressure on her was less now that the target was slowed.  "Sato? The hell are you..." 

A stealthed Sato charged at Ringo's opponent, diving at a full sprint; his shoulder slammed into his target, carrying them both over the roof's edge. 

Without pausing, Ringo switched to the person chasing Barti. 

[Double-Direct Shot]

Ringo has hit the target for 8,643 damage. 

(Critical Hit)

Ringo has hit the target for 19, 122 damage. 

[Six-Gun Fan]

Ringo has emptied her gun into the target for 3,233 damage, 1,934 damage, and 2,904 damage. 

QJ braced himself against the fire escape's metal railing and uncoiled his lariat. Barti had gapped her opponent and was running all out toward the edge of the building. 

[OP: QJ] Jump as far as you can, Barti, I got you. 

The high elf sprang off the edge with one arm extended as she covered nearly a third of the thirty-meter gap before plummeting downward. Quick as a flash, a rope flicked outward, settling over her forearm.  QJ managed to wrap it around his waist an instant before a bone-jarring jerk threatened to pull him over the rail. 

Barti extended her feet; one hip grazed the corner of the building before she landed nimbly on the paved alleyway. 

"QJ!" A cloaked female figure skidded to a stop near the roof's edge; her knuckles whitened as she gripped her weapon in rage. 

[OP: Ringo] She's activating a gate!

[Aimed-Shot]

(Headshot Bonus)(Critical Hit)

QJ has hit the target for 42,777 damage. 

Fire Scorches your target for 8,555 damage. 

[Your opponent is mortally wounded.]

The enemy's head snapped backward, exposing a woman's pale face twisted in agony.  An instant later, she vanished from the rooftop. 

[OP: Rino] She's gone, we're clear up here. 

[OP: Dessi] I rezzed Sato; his opponent must have recovered elsewhere. 

QJ cursed under his breath, taking the steps downward until he arrived at the street.

"QJ!"  Barti pounced on him, hugging the young man with surprising strength.  After a long moment, she released him, her face close enough to feel his breath. "If I hadn't promised Belle..." 

"Promised Belle, what?"  QJ grinned suddenly, relief flooding his face. "Why didn't you gate home?"

Barti slipped out of her leather jacket; underneath, she wore a form-hugging black shirt that flattered her graceful figure. "They hit me with something... It closed my gate options." 

QJ took the jacket, careful not to touch the small object embedded in the leather. 

[OP: QJ] I'll send this to the lab for analysis. Whoever is targeting us has an excellent grasp of game mechanics. 

[OP: Barti] Thank you everyone.  I've never been so scared. 

[OP: QJ] Do you think this is casino-related?

Barti shook her head; she took a moment to unclasp her pale hair, letting it fall around her shoulders. "Once they cornered me, one of them let slip that they were after Ravenwood access.  I recorded everything." 

[Barti Silverleaf has left your group.]

"Send me the recording; I'll hand it off to Wu."  QJ squeezed her shoulder. "Gate directly to Ravenwood. Let everyone know they should travel in small groups.  And Barti..."

Barti's green eyes danced with humor. "Yes, QJ?"

"No more shortcuts," QJ returned her smile.

Barti hugged Dessi and then Ringo, pausing when she came to Sato. "Do you see QJ often?"

Sato nodded. "Same guild, same class, and we're roommates."

"I see..." Barti winked at QJ. "Could you do me a favor?"

Sato shrugged slightly. "Sure." 

Before Sato could react, Barti stepped close and gripped his face before pressing her lips to his.  The moment extended in silence until the beautiful high elf stepped back. "Be sure to tell QJ how nice that was." 

The group stared until Barti gated out an instant later.  Sato was frozen in place; his mouth opened and shut a few times, but no words would come out. 

QJ hud buzzed, and a moment later, Lark's face appeared before them.  His heart jumped for an instant, the orange hair a reminder that Robin was far away. "We're okay, Lark. Put out a bulletin on Ravenwood chat. Travel in small groups and stay in populated areas whenever possible." 

Lark nodded. "Right away. Will you be returning to Thunder Keep?"

"We have a lead to follow up, then we will,"  QJ answered just before the Songbird cut comms. 

[OP: Ringo] We have a lead?

[OP: Dessi] Thanks for including me! This is so exciting.

[OP: Sato] Bruh... That was so nice! 

[OP: QJ] Tell me all about it so I don't leave anything out when I relay it to Breeze. 

[OP: Sato] Bruh... Why would you do that?