"It's beyond stupid," the only woman in the meeting was carefully watching the holos of the board members. Marna Lovich had been on the Academy Board for twenty years. It was her idea to immediately appoint QJ as the temporary Dean. Now that the crisis had pa.s.sed, the naysayers were pointing their fingers at her.

"Let's revoke the appointment immediately." Roland was staring at Marna, she would make the perfect scapegoat when it came time to explain things to the shareholders.

"You're just as stupid as Tomas. Want to know why the Academy is still standing? It's because Quinn Riley's son stopped them from destroying it." Marna breathed a little easier when several of the board members nodded in agreement. "They held Tomas until law enforcement had his home surrounded, then they let him log-off."

"Poor fool." It was the first time the Board Chairman had spoken. Malcolm Brenner had appointed Tomas to the position of Dean, Tomas had hidden his gambling addiction from everyone. With a heavy sigh, he opened the dossier that contained everything they knew about young Quinn James. "From his reaction, it's obvious that QJ isn't thrilled with the appointment. I do believe that the young man will act responsibly."

Marna nodded in agreement. "I think so too. Want to cross Quinn Riley? How about Gus Obreen? Orion Media is much more powerful then HYLO ever was. QJ is the heir to everything."

Roland listened carefully as the different board members voiced their opinion. "Let's place one of our people next to QJ to a.s.sist him then. The Virtual a.s.sistant can be replaced with a real one."

An instant later a hud popped up in the middle of the boardroom table, causing everyone to jump. "Pardon the interruption sir." It was Malcolm's a.s.sistant and granddaughter, Rachel Brenner.

"What's the matter, Rachel?" Malcolm knew she wouldn't interrupt without a good reason.

"In the last hour. Gus Obreen has acquired roughly twenty-one percent of Exodus Academy shares. During that same time, Quinn Riley has attained eight percent. There's an additional twelve percent that was sold and purchased by unknown parties."

Malcolm stared at the other board members, his wrinkled face drooping. "Well... s.h.i.+t."

**********

QJ walked further into the room and took a seat on the sofa. "What can I do for you, Miss Annabelle?"

"I need you to look after one of my distant cousins. She is from a well respected Merchant family in Maelstrom. She will be carrying a small crown that one of the n.o.ble women will wear to the Star Crossed Ball." Annabelle sat next to him on the sofa; her light brown eyes stared at him while he considered her words.

"If she's carrying something so valuable, won't she have hired security?"

Annabelle nodded, "certainly. I want you to provide additional protection. I only trust you with this matter."

System Message: Annabelle has offered you a Major Quest, this is part of the Maelstrom storyline and will directly influence many events on the Berg Continent.

Escorting the Crown Jewels

Quest Type: Major Event

Escort Cousin Lilly from Laredo

to Maelstrom.

Do you Accept this Quest Y/N?

"I accept." QJ stood up and bowed. "I won't let you down, Annabelle."

Suddenly Annabelle looked scared, she dragged QJ to the door and pushed him into the hall. She kept a tight hold on his arm for a moment while staring at him. "This is important. Trust no one." Unexpectedly, she rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him quickly before abruptly slamming the door shut.

*Whisper Ringo: QJ* I'm waiting outside the casino.

System Message: Ringo has invited you to a group. Do you accept Y/N?

"I accept."

*Group: Ringo* Hey QJ. Ready to go?

*Group: QJ* Yep, sharing the quest now.

System Message: You have shared the Quest: Escorting the Crown Jewels with your group.

*Group: Ringo* Wow. A Major Event Quest? I've never heard of this one.

QJ exited the Casino and quickly found Ringo. She was wearing the black leather Vampire gear and wore her dark hair pulled back in a single ponytail.

*Group: QJ* d.a.m.n, that gear looks excellent, follow me, please.

QJ took the first turn behind the casino and entered a dead end alleyway. He turned toward Ringo and rolled up his sleeve.

*Group: QJ* First things first, we don't want any surprises.

His teacher blushed slightly but nodded and gripped his wrist tightly. Her fangs slowly protruded, brown eyes darkening as she bit him.

QJ stared down the alleyway, trying to distract himself. Her soft lips on his skin, coupled with the sucking noises made it very difficult. When she finished he rolled his sleeve down and opened his hud. A moment later Anna's face popped up.

She was sitting at the kitchen island, talking to Em. "Ya know... if you keep calling me, people are going to start talking."

QJ laughed, "I can't help it. Nana is the best."

Anna nodded in agreement, "what ya need?"

"I picked up a Major Quest in Laredo called 'Escorting the Crown Jewels.' The Quest giver is Dixie Jones, or it might be under Annabelle. Seems to be a standard escort mission."

"Major Quest? I'll start looking into it and get back to you." She blew him a kiss and closed comm.

*Group: Ringo* It's nice to have resources.

*Group: QJ* Anna's awesome. Let's get moving.

QJ and Ringo mounted up and walked their horses toward the mission starting area, an old Stage Coach station just outside of town. The quest would begin as soon as they reported to Caravan Master Dunham.

*Group: QJ* What do you make of this quest?

*Group: Ringo* I've been thinking about it, it's a Major Event quest. How come I've never heard of any of the partic.i.p.ants?

*Group: QJ* I don't like it, Dixie looked scared when she gave me the quest. She said to trust no one.

*Group: Ringo* Let's work with that and a.s.sume we can only rely on each other.

The station was about a ten-minute ride from the Laredo Casino. Just before they arrived QJ's hud blinked at him. Anna's pretty face immediately popped up. Ringo moved her horse closer so she could listen in.

"Hey guys. I wanted to get back to your right away. The quest you are on is pretty lucrative. However, it is never given by Dixie Jones in Laredo." Anna sent them a map of the mission, "the quest always fails immediately. An ambush kills Cousin Lilly."

QJ glanced at Ringo, "not good. What else?" He pulled up his horse and stopped. "How is it lucrative if the mission fails right away?"

Anna seemed to be looking at several huds at once, "you pick up the 'continue quest' option and bring the crown to Maelstrom."

Ringo leaned closer to QJ so that she could see Anna better. "We are missing a big part of the picture. What faction originally gives the quest And more importantly who opposes them?"

"Um... well indirectly it should be Prince Morbin's faction." Anna continued to filter through information, "wait... there's a Princess Lilianna. She's the daughter of one of the King's concubines. There's barely any mention of her."

QJ considered the options, "if Cousin Lilly is Princess Lilianna, then Annabelle would be part of her faction. She said to trust no one."

Ringo shook her head, "we could be the only ones in the caravan who are trying to protect her then."

"Let's look for a chance to grab Lilly and make a run for it." QJ smiled at Anna, "Nan... find us an escape route somewhere along the beginning of the quest."

Anna grinned and rubbed her hands together. "This is like a prison break, right? This girl wants to do that."

"You're cute Anna." Ringo found herself returning the Asian woman's silly grin.

"Yep, she's the best. Work fast Nan." QJ closed comm and continued to walk scorch toward the starting point.

QJ stopped his horse as soon as he could see the stagecoach parked in front of the station. He got off his horse and handed Ringo the reins.

*Group: QJ* I'll go in on foot, going to need you to create a distraction. I want to talk to the pa.s.senger.

*Group: Ringo* How are you going to do that?

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

*Group: Ringo* How the h.e.l.l are you doing that?

*Group: QJ* Just a normal Fade ring, but I have a tattoo that enhances stealth items. Didn't you pick up a Fade ring off of Crimson the Hungry?

*Group: Ringo* You got inked by the Painted Lady? I'm a bit nervous about going to see her.

*Group: QJ* It's worth the trouble.

When they approached the stage, Ringo pulled up and waved at the Caravan guards. The blue-eyed brunette smiled pleasantly at the group of men. "Hiya boys."

QJ made his way around the far side of the coach and quickly slid in through the door. The inside of the coach was very dark. Two well-padded benches faced each other. A young woman was sitting up facing the door. Her wrists and ankles were bound in rope, and she was gagged. There was a flash of hope in her eyes when the door first opened, but when it quickly closed again, she leaned back and closed her eyes.

The girl had beautiful blonde hair and pretty green eyes that instantly reminded QJ of Leah. Her complexion was pale and flawless, QJ guessed her age around sixteen. He let stealth drop, "I'm a friend of Annabelle. Do not be alarmed."

She gasped for air when QJ removed the gag, "t-thank you, sir."

"It isn't safe yet, but we are going to try and free you." QJ untied her ropes and then handed her his shotgun. He thought about it for a moment and then gave her his hideout holster also.

Lilly looked at it for a moment and then quickly equipped it up the sleeve of her dress. "You really are a friend of Annabelle."

"Be ready for anything."

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

QJ cracked open the door and slid through it again. He quickly put some distance between himself and the stagecoach. He could hear Ringo talking pleasantly with the guards. After he was far enough away, he ducked behind some boulders.

QJ extended a hand, palm up. "Come."

A moment later, Cleo appeared in front of him. She had changed slightly again. The bee features of her face were slowly taking a more human quality. She bowed her head toward QJ; he was instantly flooded with a feeling of warmth.

"I need you and the boys. Follow us closely but stay out of sight. When I'm ready, I want you to attack the front of the Caravan." QJ pursed his lips unsure if she understood.

Cleo nodded slightly and quickly skittered away.

Ringo was quickly running out of things to say; the urge to pull her guns and start blasting away was very strong. She breathed a sigh of relief when she caught sight of QJ approaching on foot. "There's my partner now guys."

QJ quickly mounted Scorch and glanced at the Caravan Master. "Where you want us, boss?"

"I'm Dunham, the Caravan Master. You wouldn't happen to be a teamster, would you? Our driver is a no-show." The Caravan Master was a bald man with a face burnt dark red from years of exposure to wind and sun.

QJ nodded, "I can handle a team."

Ringo looked up at him in surprise but didn't say anything. "I'll ride shotgun then."

The Caravan Master nodded, "under no circ.u.mstances is the pa.s.senger to be disturbed."

"Yes sir," QJ replied easily.

By the time they had tied their horses to the back of the stagecoach, the rest of the guards were ready to go. The Caravan Master and four guards would be in the lead group, there were two more guards in position behind the stagecoach.

**********

"It's as you say, Anna, more than a dozen people are waiting in ambush." Maia was stealthed and flying in large lazy circles about ten miles north of Laredo. Her eyes glowed red as she effortlessly picked out the men below.

Anna frowned at her through her hud, "figured so. QJ will have to make a break for it. Thank you for your help." Anna didn't want to contact QJ while he was being watched, so she sent the information directly to his mapping feature.

A few moments later QJ's hud dinged, he noticed that his map had been updated. "Better check the route, don't want to be surprised by upgrades or tight turns." He studied the map that Anna sent. It clearly showed that the ambush had already been set up, Ringo leaned against him, her sharp eyes taking in everything.

*Group: Ringo* How do you want to play it?

*Group: QJ* There's a narrow pa.s.s here, that's just big enough for a horse, we'll escape through there. Lilly will ride on Scorch.

*Group: Ringo* So I'll grab my horse and lead Scorch alongside the coach. Lilly will have to jump on. What are you going to do with the coach?

*Group: QJ* I'm going to use it to block the pa.s.s.

The Caravan slowly left the station. QJ and Ringo tucked in behind. It meandered through the countryside, gradually picking up speed.

*Group: Ringo* About ten minutes til our turn?

*Group: QJ* Yes, I'll have Cleo create a diversion.

A few minutes later, they drove by the narrow pa.s.s. QJ nodded at Ringo, she slid onto the top of the stagecoach and made her way to the back. QJ stared at Dunham.

[Command: Attack my target]

The high pitched screech of a spider sounded as Cleo and the Incider spiders attacked the front of the convoy. QJ quickly pulled the coach to one side and brought up his gun. He turned to face the two trailing guards, "give them a hand; we'll wait here out of trouble."

As soon as the guards moved forward, QJ turned the coach and slapped the reins hard. The coach accelerated back toward Laredo. Ringo hung over the back edge of the coach, quickly mounted her horse, before untieing Scorch. She glanced over her shoulder at the caravan; no one had noticed them yet.

Ringo had to gallop her horse to keep up with the team of four horses, QJ was making them run all out. She opened the stagecoach door and quickly dodged backward as a shotgun pointed at her. "Don't shoot Lilly!"

Lilly kept the shotgun pointed at her until she realized that Ringo was with QJ, she hesitated a moment and then leaped onto the back of Scorch, her white dress tore with a loud rip when her feet found the stirrups.

QJ glanced at them when he noticed the two riders pa.s.sing the coach. "Turn down the pa.s.s and stay in front of me. Lilly if this goes badly, take that horse and hightail it to Maelstrom."

The group turned down the pa.s.s, immediately having to slow down as the walls suddenly seemed to close in on them. Finally, the stagecoach starting sc.r.a.ping on both sides, with one sudden lurch it would move no more. QJ quickly freed the four horses and grabbed the fastest looking one. He jumped on its back and galloped eastward following Ringo who was leading the way. They continued riding hard for five hours, finally pulling up when they came to a narrow river.

QJ let his horse drink while he brought up the 3-D map.

"I want to thank you, but I don't even know your name." Lilly's pretty face was smeared with dust from the hard ride, but it did nothing to distract from her beauty.

"I'm QJ, and this is Ringo."

"Thank you both." Lilly looked back toward the direction they had left, "they are going to follow us."

Ringo nodded, "time to come clean. Are you Princess Lilianna?"

Lilly's face turned red, her eyes fluttering as she studied her rescuers. "Yes, I'm Lilianna Strom."

"Those were Prince Morbins men in the caravan?" QJ didn't want to get involved in a faction war, but since Annabelle asked, he was willing to do so.

"The Coach won't stop them for long, we only have one path and that's North toward Maelstrom." Ringo was looking at the map, "they'll be waiting for us."

QJ shook his head, "let's keep heading east. Take the divide through the mountain range and then head North. It's heavily forested and will offer us a bit more protection."

"That's way out of our way," Ringo noted.

"Yes, it is. We do this and we can approach Maelstrom from the west." QJ glanced at Lilly, "will you be safe in Maelstrom?"

Lilly nodded, "I carry proof of Morbin's crimes. Once I enter the city, no one will dare touch me."

QJ climbed back on the teamster horse and pointed him eastward. "Let's continue."