Scott Sigler - The Rookie

Surveying his options, Quentin kept the ball on his left hip as he started turning upfield at the Diggers 28. Kitiara Lomax, the Diggers’ all-pro linebacker, saw the naked boot and gave chase, but he was the only one. Quentin looked downfield — Rick Warburg had blocked down then bounced left on a 10-yard out, and Denver was angling for the end zone’s back left corner, covered closely by Arkham.

Run or pass. With the speed of a supercomputer, the options flashed through Quentin’s brain. He had three or four steps on Lomax. Arkham already had three interceptions on the day, and had kept her team in the game by preying on Quentin’s passes like a piranha on raw meat. Rick Warburg was open — but he was also a racist jerk.

BLINK

Quentin tucked the ball under his left arm and angled for the sidelines. He sensed everything: the home Krakens crowd jumping and roaring, the missing patches of Iomatt where cleats had torn up the turf, the smell of dirt and sweat and blood, Lomax’s desperate efforts to cut him off, Warburg’s look of fury when he realized that Quentin wasn’t going to throw.

Quentin leaned into the run, his legs chewing up the yards. Lomax was faster than he’d calculated, and dove for Quentin just as the young QB reached the sidelines and turned upfield. But Warburg was there, coming free and fast, and blindsided Lomax with a devastating, head-snapping hit.

Quentin’s long, graceful strides belied his speed. The yards slid by like water on glass. Denver tried to block Arkham, but the cornerback effortlessly pushed the receiver aside and came up the sidelines at Quentin. It would be a head-to-head battle.

Intercept me? Payback time, lady.

Arkam’s legs blurred as she kamikazied her way forward. At the eleven, Quentin screamed and lowered his head, smashing into Arkham, more a linebacker delivering a concussive blow than a quarterback scrambling for yards. Arkham was bigger than most Sklorno, and faster, and she carried a devastating amount of force.

Quentin ran her right over.

He stumbled after the hit, legs pumping high to avoid a trip. Arkham crashed to the ground, defeated, crushed. Her raspers reached out at the last second, scraping long strips of skin from the backs of Quentin’s hands.

BLINK

The world slammed back to reality as Quentin crossed the goal line trailing a stream of his own blood. He chucked the ball into the stands, then stood with both arms outstretched, redness dripping to stain the blue lomatt, his tilted head looking at the roaring, adoring crowd.

That’s right , he thought as he turned, surveying his fans. You do not mess with Quentin Barnes.

From the Ionath city Gazette

Backup leads Krakens to fourth straight win

By Toyat the Inquisitive

It seems that the Purist Nation finally has an export that interests citizens of the Quyth Concordia.

That export is Quentin Barnes.

The rookie quarterback once again came to the Krakens’ rescue, filling in for oft-damaged starter Donald Pine who was out with unspecified injuries. Barnes led the Krakens (5–2) to a 27–19 win over the Bigg Diggers (2–5), and put on a showcase that combined unstoppable talent, rookie inexperience and more speed than any Human has a right to possess. Barnes threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, as well as running for 82 yards and adding another touchdown on the ground. This all-pro caliber performance was marred by inconsistent passing — Barnes was 19-for-35, including three interceptions.

“They (the Diggers) threw some coverages at me I hadn’t prepared for,” said Barnes. “Arkham robbed me blind all day long.”

Arkham, the Digger’s crafty veteran cornerback, repeatedly disguised her coverage and capitalized on Barnes’ inexperience. Arkham notched all three interceptions, but was knocked out of the game late in the fourth quarter with a crushed right thorax and torn upper right tentacle. She will be out for the rest of the season.

Woes and misery continue on Whitok, where the Whitok Pioneers(4–3) dropped their third straight game, this time to the previously winless Sky Demolition(1–6) on a last second field goal that gave the Demo a 21–19 win. Even though starting QB Condor Adrienne returns to the lineup this week as the Pioneers travel to the Woo Wallcrawlers(2–5), Whitok is basically out of the running for the division title.

The Wallcrawlers notched their second win of the year by topping the Quyth Survivors(3–4) 28–24.

The Ionath Krakens(5–2) made it four in a row, topping the Bigg Diggers(2–5) 27–19. Ionath rookie Quentin Barnes’ showed that the Krakens may be the team to beat in the future, but are they good enough to prevail in this week’s showdown against the Glory Warpigs?It’s winner-take-all at Warpigs Stadium — the ‘Pigs (6–1) are in sole possession of first place thanks to this week’s 32–10 drubbing of the Sheb Stalkers(4–3).

Orbiting Death(5–2) remain in the running for the title, but need the Warpigs to lose their last two games and the Krakens to lose as well. Death hung a 17-7 defeat on the Grontak Hydras(3–4).

DEATHS:

Percy Gaines,tight end for the Woo Wallcrawlers, died on a clean hit by Topinabee, the head-hunting defensive back for the Quyth Survivors.

WEEK #7 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

Offense: Quentin Barnes,quarterback, Ionath Krakens. 19-of-35 for 305 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs. Also ran for 82 yards on 12 carries, 1 rushing TD.

Defense: Arkham,cornerback, Bigg Diggers. 8 tackles, 3 INTs.

GAME EIGHT: Ionath Krakens (5–2) at Glory Warpigs (6–1)

QUYTH IRRADIATED CONFERENCE STANDINGS

“BARNES, YOU’RE PLAYING much better, but you’ve got to improve your passing.”

“Come on Coach, I was the offensive player of the week! Can’t you lighten up a bit?”

“There is no lightheartedness in interceptions.”

Quentin nodded. “Yeah, that throwing for 305 yards and two TDs, that’s pathetic.”

Hokor’s fur fluffed, then settled. “Sure, those stats are great, but you threw three interceptions!”

“Come on , Coach! We won the damn game.”

Hokor’s fur ruffled again, and this time stayed ruffled. “The season hangs in the balance this week, Barnes. We win, we take over first place. The Warpigs have the best secondary in the league — they’re only allowing 150 passing yards a game!”