Difference between revisions of "Forgotten Freedom:51"
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| − | '''Satnak''': Hey | + | '''Satnak''': Hey Volrath, miss me? |
'''Volrath''': Geh! Crazy lady. | '''Volrath''': Geh! Crazy lady. | ||
| − | '''Satnak''': I'll take that as a yes and spare your | + | '''Satnak''': I'll take that as a yes and spare your existence. Now back to the ship, we have work to do. |
| − | '''Volrath''': What do mean we? | + | '''Volrath''': What do you mean we? |
| − | '''Satnak''': | + | '''Satnak''': Okay, I mean I yell at everyone and they fix things out of fear. |
| − | '''Volrath''': | + | '''Volrath''': Okay, now that makes sense. Hi Terra |
| − | '''Terra''': She's agitated today isn't she. | + | '''Terra''': She's agitated today, isn't she. |
| − | '''Lisa''': We are still missing | + | '''Lisa''': We are still missing Slip and Sa'vor. That's usually a bad thing. |
'''Jarlot''': CRAP | '''Jarlot''': CRAP | ||
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'''Tifa''': YOu get used to it. | '''Tifa''': YOu get used to it. | ||
| − | '''Aerith''': speak for | + | '''Aerith''': speak for yourself, she makes me nervous, though that has something to do with the great bloody spike about an inch from my face!! |
| − | Ignoring the majority of the conversation | + | Ignoring the majority of the conversation, Satnak carries the whole lot of them back on board. |
| − | '''Satnak''': | + | '''Satnak''': Okay people, just thought I should mention if we don't get back to Eberron by the time Kithle's vacation is over he's gonna be ******. The giant gaping hole in the sky won't help his temper, and if Slip and Sa'vor are still MIA he's gonna make the Day of Mourning look like a picnic. |
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Suddenly a demon breaks through the door of the bar. He is immediately gunned down by Han Jarlot. | Suddenly a demon breaks through the door of the bar. He is immediately gunned down by Han Jarlot. | ||
| − | Jarlot turns back to his table, where a bandoleer-wearing Erk, a | + | Jarlot turns back to his table, where a bandoleer-wearing Erk, a farm boy, and an old man in a hooded robe sit. |
'''Han Jarlot''': You’ve never heard of the Forgotten Freedom? | '''Han Jarlot''': You’ve never heard of the Forgotten Freedom? | ||
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Things have begun to wind down after the excitement of yesterday. Volrath, Doog (or Dooj), and many of the redshirts are missing or dead. On the upside, I have found the Bar! I am unsure of the name, as is everyone, and apparently there is a contest to see who can come up with the best name. I put my vote in for the "River Styx", because odds are, if you drink any one of the more powerful drinks, you will die of alcohol poisoning. | Things have begun to wind down after the excitement of yesterday. Volrath, Doog (or Dooj), and many of the redshirts are missing or dead. On the upside, I have found the Bar! I am unsure of the name, as is everyone, and apparently there is a contest to see who can come up with the best name. I put my vote in for the "River Styx", because odds are, if you drink any one of the more powerful drinks, you will die of alcohol poisoning. | ||
| − | A strange girl has joined the crew, calling herself Sakura. She claims to be the captain's daughter. He doesn't deny it, but I think it highly unlikely that something so beautiful could come from him. Although I must say, it is possible that she is Aerith's daughter. Sakura seems to have the same | + | A strange girl has joined the crew, calling herself Sakura. She claims to be the captain's daughter. He doesn't deny it, but I think it highly unlikely that something so beautiful could come from him. Although I must say, it is possible that she is Aerith's daughter. Sakura seems to have the same irrepressible jubilance and she has the most irregular aura I've ever seen. It's... So captivating. My heart is in tatters when I am away from her light and yet, instantly it mends when I catch but the smallest glimpse of her, the wisp of her perfume. |
Jarlot's comment, slurred by the influence of heavy drink, was that children were like weapons. He continued on at some length as to how you could forge them all you wanted, but what happened after they left the anvil was all someone else's fault. This leads me to believe that the captain's base state is that of raving drunk. | Jarlot's comment, slurred by the influence of heavy drink, was that children were like weapons. He continued on at some length as to how you could forge them all you wanted, but what happened after they left the anvil was all someone else's fault. This leads me to believe that the captain's base state is that of raving drunk. | ||
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Aside from that incident, Jarlot has had a wave of sanity, which I hope lasts. Generally, the saner he is the calmer the crew is. Also, many of the Uber class are off dealing with their own issues, so many of the lesser crew can actually take a rest. In fact, only thirty-four redshirts have died in the last twenty-four hours, that I am aware of. It's nearly a thirty percent drop! | Aside from that incident, Jarlot has had a wave of sanity, which I hope lasts. Generally, the saner he is the calmer the crew is. Also, many of the Uber class are off dealing with their own issues, so many of the lesser crew can actually take a rest. In fact, only thirty-four redshirts have died in the last twenty-four hours, that I am aware of. It's nearly a thirty percent drop! | ||
| − | Ah, but I can never take my mind off of sweet Sakura for long. I have descretely asked around for anyone skilled in the arts of love, and was pointed | + | Ah, but I can never take my mind off of sweet Sakura for long. I have descretely asked around for anyone skilled in the arts of love, and was pointed towards a young man named Devon, with much sniggering. He suggested poetry, and began to read some of his. I can see why someone could like it, but I can also see why it would cause a fox to chew through its own heart in an effort to escape the sonic torture. I managed to get away with minimal injury to my eardrums. I had to visit Mickey, the ship's doctor, who simply hands out alcohol. I'd always figured that was what made people go to him, but upon further inspection it appears to have some curative properties. My ears are healing nicely now, but I suppose one must suffer for love. |
I asked Mickey what he used in his potions; his reply was "Scrat". I was bemused and felt it necessary to inquire as what "scrat" was. His reply was to shrug his shoulders and say that it is Norbaz's specialty. Upon further investigation, I discovered that "Scrat" is what you get when you distill rats for eight-to-ten years. Apparently, the crew are not the most decerning customers where alcohol is concerned. | I asked Mickey what he used in his potions; his reply was "Scrat". I was bemused and felt it necessary to inquire as what "scrat" was. His reply was to shrug his shoulders and say that it is Norbaz's specialty. Upon further investigation, I discovered that "Scrat" is what you get when you distill rats for eight-to-ten years. Apparently, the crew are not the most decerning customers where alcohol is concerned. | ||
| − | The other good news is that I have made my first friend amongst the other redshirts. He is a young lad, eager for adventure and full of ginger! His name is [[Forgotten_Freedom:Thomas_Pun|Thomas Pun]], and was actually educated at Arcanix, my alma mater! His is immensely well spoken and has some very interesting ideas about the nature of magic. While he looks rather dark and brooding at first, once he starts talking he becomes far more animated, with occasional spittle making him look rather rabid. | + | The other good news is that I have made my first friend amongst the other redshirts. He is a young lad, eager for adventure and full of ginger! His name is [[Forgotten_Freedom:Thomas_Pun|Thomas Pun]], and was actually educated at Arcanix, my alma mater! His is immensely well-spoken and has some very interesting ideas about the nature of magic. While he looks rather dark and brooding at first, once he starts talking he becomes far more animated, with occasional spittle making him look rather rabid. |
Alas! I cannot get Sakura out of my head! Perhaps unrequited love is nobler? | Alas! I cannot get Sakura out of my head! Perhaps unrequited love is nobler? | ||
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'''Volrath''': I'm not dead. | '''Volrath''': I'm not dead. | ||
| − | '''Doog''': Guess What | + | '''Doog''': Guess What, I got better *chains Ishmael* |
| − | '''Satnak''': Dammit | + | '''Satnak''': Dammit, there's another one. *offs Han Jarlot* I swear they're almost as bad as the Crystals. |
'''Erk''': Grunts | '''Erk''': Grunts | ||
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'''Erk''': short grunt | '''Erk''': short grunt | ||
| − | '''Satnak''': I'm being good I only vaporized one person this time. | + | '''Satnak''': I'm being good, I only vaporized one person this time. |
'''Erk''': :rolleyes: | '''Erk''': :rolleyes: | ||
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'''Terra''': I have one more thing to do before we leave. Don't worry, I'll be back shortly. | '''Terra''': I have one more thing to do before we leave. Don't worry, I'll be back shortly. | ||
| − | Terra disappears into the shadows. After a few minutes travel, she arrives in the shrine Theronas had been using as a base. Several | + | Terra disappears into the shadows. After a few minutes travel, she arrives in the shrine Theronas had been using as a base. Several humanoids and a few demons still inhabit it, waiting for their master's return. Entering the main chamber, she reveals herself. |
'''Minion''': My lady! Where has the master gone? He's been out for quite some time. | '''Minion''': My lady! Where has the master gone? He's been out for quite some time. | ||
| − | '''Terra''': You don't have to worry about that pompous waste of energy | + | '''Terra''': You don't have to worry about that pompous waste of energy anymore... |
She raises her hand and seems to drain all light from the area. Screams of pain and fear eminate from the building... | She raises her hand and seems to drain all light from the area. Screams of pain and fear eminate from the building... | ||
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In a poof of logic Chuck Jarlot appears. | In a poof of logic Chuck Jarlot appears. | ||
| − | '''Satnak''': | + | '''Satnak''': Okay, that's my weapon. |
| − | Satnak grabs Norris By the neck rips his feet off and beats him to a bloody pulp with them. She then uses the | + | Satnak grabs Norris By the neck rips his feet off and beats him to a bloody pulp with them. She then uses the bone shards to extract his various internal organs and turn them into sausage. Finally she sets him on fire and watches. |
'''Satnak''': Die or I get mean. | '''Satnak''': Die or I get mean. | ||
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(A glowing blue light Chuck Norris appears) | (A glowing blue light Chuck Norris appears) | ||
| − | '''Chuck Norris''': It's okay Kid. If you believe in me, I'll never die. | + | '''Chuck Norris''': It's okay, Kid. If you believe in me, I'll never die. |
(All the slain Jarlots appear in the Blue Light club) | (All the slain Jarlots appear in the Blue Light club) | ||
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(poof) | (poof) | ||
| − | '''Satnak''': Oh come on! You run out of power NOW arm!? | + | '''Satnak''': Oh come on! You run out of power NOW, arm!? |
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| − | The light returns to the shrine, with Terra the only one left standing. The other occupants are nowhere to be found, the only sign of them are cracked walls, blood spatter, and a few tatters of clothing. Continuing down the hall, she opens up a side door leading to a lavishly decorated room. Rummaging through the dresser, she comes across a tome that pulses with dark energy. Within a secret compartment, she finds a pair of rings and another book, this one seems normal enough. Taking it all she head into the inner sanctum. | + | The light returns to the shrine, with Terra the only one left standing. The other occupants are nowhere to be found, the only sign of them are cracked walls, blood spatter, and a few tatters of clothing. Continuing down the hall, she opens up a side door leading to a lavishly decorated room. Rummaging through the dresser, she comes across a tome that pulses with dark energy. Within a secret compartment, she finds a pair of rings and another book, this one seems normal enough. Taking it all, she head into the inner sanctum. |
The altar room contains a pair of humanoids, cowering in the corner. What they are she cannot tell because of their hooded robes. It matters little as she slays them, heading to the altar. The room is quite familiar, right down to the sigil on the wall and the designs on the altar. | The altar room contains a pair of humanoids, cowering in the corner. What they are she cannot tell because of their hooded robes. It matters little as she slays them, heading to the altar. The room is quite familiar, right down to the sigil on the wall and the designs on the altar. | ||
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| − | Later below decks Kanatash and Volrath are playing chess. Using live redshirts as pieces. They both use a variety of "incentives" to move their pieces and when they take one of their opponents they eliminate them. Suddenly Satnak bursts into the room. | + | Later, below decks, Kanatash and Volrath are playing chess. Using live redshirts as pieces. They both use a variety of "incentives" to move their pieces and when they take one of their opponents they eliminate them. Suddenly Satnak bursts into the room. |
'''Satnak''': Alright slackers, enough fun and games. We still have a ship to repair here in case you've forgotten. | '''Satnak''': Alright slackers, enough fun and games. We still have a ship to repair here in case you've forgotten. | ||
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'''Satnak''': I still think I should haul you two up on deck and it's not like you can stop me. | '''Satnak''': I still think I should haul you two up on deck and it's not like you can stop me. | ||
| − | '''Kanatash''': Queen takes rook. (mind switches the two redshirts and then teleports the piece which used to be his somewhere in the heart of the shadow realm) I wouldn't be so sure about that. You may be able to kill deities and lord of the ubers but there are three people you still don't want to mess with, Kithle, Sa'vor, and me. Let me elaborate on the third one there. One, Kithle wasn't the only one involved in the creation of that arm. Two, you were cloned from me so if I really want to I can get past your mental protections. I brought you into this world, I can take you out. Finally, I am a paranoid, psychotic, insane being from another plane with | + | '''Kanatash''': Queen takes rook. (mind switches the two redshirts and then teleports the piece which used to be his somewhere in the heart of the shadow realm) I wouldn't be so sure about that. You may be able to kill deities and lord of the ubers but there are three people you still don't want to mess with, Kithle, Sa'vor, and me. Let me elaborate on the third one there. One, Kithle wasn't the only one involved in the creation of that arm. Two, you were cloned from me so if I really want to I can get past your mental protections. I brought you into this world, I can take you out. Finally, I am a paranoid, psychotic, insane being from another plane with safeguards for my safeguards against every threat I am aware of. I once took a direct hit from a Bigby's crushing tactical nuke without receiving a scratch, do you really think I can't handle an "uberzorch". |
Satnak just glares and she looks like she is preparing to test Kanatash's assertment when a Spanish looking Jarlot jumps down from the ceiling with a rapier. | Satnak just glares and she looks like she is preparing to test Kanatash's assertment when a Spanish looking Jarlot jumps down from the ceiling with a rapier. | ||
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'''Satnak''': WHERE DO THESE THINGS KEEP COMING FROM!!!! | '''Satnak''': WHERE DO THESE THINGS KEEP COMING FROM!!!! | ||
| − | '''Volrath''': Knight takes Queen. (transforms his piece into a | + | '''Volrath''': Knight takes Queen. (transforms his piece into a ravaging beast that swallows the other piece before changing back) Well with all the portals on this ship to realities, unrealities, and whatever that place Kelter found is, not to mention all the extradimensional room and the abundance of extraplanar entities causes the fabric of the multiuniverse around the ship to go a little wonky. To state it more simply, this ship causes a snarl in the universe whereever it goes and a side effect of that is that Jarlots from alternate planes or different timestreams randomly phase into our version. There really is no point killing them because there are always more that will show up at convenient plot moments. |
Suddenly another Jarlot appears in a flash of light. | Suddenly another Jarlot appears in a flash of light. | ||
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'''Kanatash''': Pawn takes knight. (opens his mind to redshirt/knight) | '''Kanatash''': Pawn takes knight. (opens his mind to redshirt/knight) | ||
| − | '''Redshirt''': (begins doing the chicken dance before suddenly stopping) THE KIWIS! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! (grabs another redshirt and beings shaking him) THEY SEE ALL, THEY KNOW ALL! THE KIWIS ARE COMING THE KIWIS ARE COMING!!! THE END IS NIGH! (his eyes go dead and he slumps to the ground) | + | '''Redshirt''': (begins doing the chicken dance before suddenly stopping) THE KIWIS! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! (grabs another redshirt and beings shaking him) THEY SEE ALL, THEY KNOW ALL! THE KIWIS ARE COMING!!! THE KIWIS ARE COMING!!! THE END IS NIGH! (his eyes go dead and he slumps to the ground) |
'''Kanatash''': (simply gestures to his piece to take its place) In the case of that particular alt Jarlot I think that was called for. He gets so annoying after a while. | '''Kanatash''': (simply gestures to his piece to take its place) In the case of that particular alt Jarlot I think that was called for. He gets so annoying after a while. | ||
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'''Satnak''': Oh now you die! | '''Satnak''': Oh now you die! | ||
| − | '''Alt-Satnak''': Darkness beyond twilight...crimson beyond blood that flows, buried in the stream of time is where your power grows... | + | '''Alt-Satnak''': Darkness beyond twilight... crimson beyond blood that flows, buried in the stream of time is where your power grows... |
| − | '''Jarlot''': OH HELL NO | + | '''Jarlot''': OH HELL NO... you didn't. She's... |
'''Alt-Satnak''': Let the fools who stand before your power be consumed by the power you and I possess. DRAGONSLAVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEE! | '''Alt-Satnak''': Let the fools who stand before your power be consumed by the power you and I possess. DRAGONSLAVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEE! | ||
| − | (Satnak knocks away the blow as Sharn is destroyed | + | (Satnak knocks away the blow as Sharn is destroyed... again) |
| − | '''Alt-Satnak''': Eh | + | '''Alt-Satnak''': Eh darn it, I knew I got that spell wrong. |
'''Sakura''': *annoyingly nasal voice while wearing white clothing and a cape* OH MISS LINNNNAAA! | '''Sakura''': *annoyingly nasal voice while wearing white clothing and a cape* OH MISS LINNNNAAA! | ||
| − | '''Jarlot''': Oh Hell, at least | + | '''Jarlot''': Oh Hell, at least it's time for a new Ship. Behold the Forgotten Freedom II! |
'''Aerith''': Where did you get this ship? | '''Aerith''': Where did you get this ship? | ||
| − | '''Jarlot''': I didn't...uhh | + | '''Jarlot''': I didn't... uhh... steal it from the Abyss. |
Start of new rules for the ship.... | Start of new rules for the ship.... | ||
| − | 1. Kanatash is forbidden from killing or driving crazy...er | + | 1. Kanatash is forbidden from killing or driving crazy... er... more than 10% of the crew a month. |
2. We seriously are taking a hit on our insurance. | 2. We seriously are taking a hit on our insurance. | ||
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5. No more using crew in chili.... | 5. No more using crew in chili.... | ||
| − | 6. Unless | + | 6. Unless it's Redshirts. |
7. If Ishmael EVER even LOOKS at Sakura EVEN ACCIDENTALLY then he shall be be unrestricted from all previous rules. | 7. If Ishmael EVER even LOOKS at Sakura EVEN ACCIDENTALLY then he shall be be unrestricted from all previous rules. | ||
| − | 8. I shall stop pretending I'm the ultimate of all badasses...which means... | + | 8. I shall stop pretending I'm the ultimate of all badasses... which means... |
9. I shall not be allowed to say "Call me Snake." | 9. I shall not be allowed to say "Call me Snake." | ||
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14. YES, I REALLY MEAN THAT. | 14. YES, I REALLY MEAN THAT. | ||
| − | 15. Sakura cannot talk to ANY BOYS...EVAR. | + | 15. Sakura cannot talk to ANY BOYS... EVAR. |
16. OR TERRA. | 16. OR TERRA. | ||
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| − | '''Terra''': (looking at rule #16) That is totally uncalled for! I'm not going to hit on a 16 year old! | + | '''Terra''': (looking at rule #16) That is totally uncalled for! I'm not going to hit on a 16-year-old! |
'''Jarlot''': Just covering all the bases. 5000+ rules have taught me at least that much. Which reminds me: | '''Jarlot''': Just covering all the bases. 5000+ rules have taught me at least that much. Which reminds me: | ||
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'''Satnak''': I like the Old Ship Fix it. We can use the new one for parts and supplementery systems. First thing first, *CTRL+ALT+DEL* | '''Satnak''': I like the Old Ship Fix it. We can use the new one for parts and supplementery systems. First thing first, *CTRL+ALT+DEL* | ||
| − | '''Alt- | + | '''Alt-Satnak''': *****. *vaporized* |
| − | '''Alt- | + | '''Alt-Jarlots''': Aww crap. *vaporized* |
| − | '''Satnak''' - I'm enforcing the no clone rules. So you got nothing. Now fix the gorram ship or I will take the new one and break it on your heads. I like having a floating fortress. Besides Kithle will shoot us out of the sky if we don't register the proper energy signatures. Not too mention how angry he will be if we don't fix the ship. Also captain a | + | '''Satnak''' - I'm enforcing the no clone rules. So you got nothing. Now fix the gorram ship or I will take the new one and break it on your heads. I like having a floating fortress. Besides Kithle will shoot us out of the sky if we don't register the proper energy signatures. Not too mention how angry he will be if we don't fix the ship. Also, captain, a significant chunk or your essence is infused into the original, not a good idea to leave that lying around. then there's the fact that without a few weeks to enchant everything there simply isn't enough room on the new one for everyone even if we have another redshirt purge. Then there's John and Earl. Finally it's almost fixed. We just need to get Ketler to finish checking the energy flows; the structural damage is about solved. Druids do great work on wooden ships even with all the overlay. Speaking of overlay, would you seriously consider going up against the Brelish sky navy without all the convinient structural and protective enchantments that are bound into the original. Oh look, the ship's fixed. |
'''Jarlot''': so fast, how? | '''Jarlot''': so fast, how? | ||
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'''Aerith''': Why is cloning part of being a pirate? | '''Aerith''': Why is cloning part of being a pirate? | ||
| − | '''Jarlot''': Uhh...George | + | '''Jarlot''': Uhh... George Lucas. Yoink. |
(bolts away) | (bolts away) | ||
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'''Alt-satnak''': Make me | '''Alt-satnak''': Make me | ||
| − | Satnak: | + | Satnak: Okay |
| − | Satnak extends | + | Satnak extends twilight and causes all the shadows within Alt-Satnak to form into razors. |
'''Alt-satnak''': yrrrrrk *dies* | '''Alt-satnak''': yrrrrrk *dies* | ||
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I am honestly amazed that the captain even knows my name. I do believe that it is quite impressive that he even knows one of his redshirts, by name. Perhaps in the future he'll be more careful with them, and not let them be USED AS CHESS PIECES BY VOLRATH AND KANATASH! | I am honestly amazed that the captain even knows my name. I do believe that it is quite impressive that he even knows one of his redshirts, by name. Perhaps in the future he'll be more careful with them, and not let them be USED AS CHESS PIECES BY VOLRATH AND KANATASH! | ||
| − | I had the "honor" of being the queen for Volrath. I was dressed in garters and a dancing girl outfit for this most magnanimous occasion.By some black mercy, I was lucky enough to be among the winners in this round.Still, that unspeakable horror transformed me into a thing beyond description! During the frenzy that followed I, by some ironic stroke of luck, kept my sanity and managed to slip away during the bloody ritual. I think both Volrath and Kanatash were too busy with Satnak to notice a seven tentacled pseudopod squelching its way belowdecks. | + | I had the "honor" of being the queen for Volrath. I was dressed in garters and a dancing girl outfit for this most magnanimous occasion. By some black mercy, I was lucky enough to be among the winners in this round. Still, that unspeakable horror transformed me into a thing beyond description! During the frenzy that followed, I, by some ironic stroke of luck, kept my sanity and managed to slip away during the bloody ritual. I think both Volrath and Kanatash were too busy with Satnak to notice a seven-tentacled pseudopod squelching its way belowdecks. |
Sakura must never see me again, at least until I am human. I shall never have the pleasure of looking upon her face, smiling, with that most amazing glint of beauty in her eye. Alas, it is too much for me, I must never mention her again untill I am cured of this affliction. For I have no mouth, but I must scream! | Sakura must never see me again, at least until I am human. I shall never have the pleasure of looking upon her face, smiling, with that most amazing glint of beauty in her eye. Alas, it is too much for me, I must never mention her again untill I am cured of this affliction. For I have no mouth, but I must scream! | ||
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| − | (The Forgotten Freedom sails through the air once more, Naz'roth stared over the bow his arm around Tara. it was then that he saw it, a Mass of Black clouds. within the clouds bolts of purple lightning scythed through the skys ( lightning | + | (The Forgotten Freedom sails through the air once more, Naz'roth stared over the bow, his arm around Tara. it was then that he saw it, a Mass of Black clouds. within the clouds bolts, of purple lightning scythed through the skys( lightning actually comes from the ground, travelling from positive to negative). Naz'roth frowned, this was no natural storm. its ebony black clouds rolled around each other. suddenly the Tempest began heading towards them. within seconds it surrounded the ship, Naz'roth could feel the crackeling eldritch power flowing from it. even before the figure appeared. it floated amongst the clouds through pure psionic might, dwelling in the pure primal energies of the storm. its black featherd wings were unfolded and it used them to steer it as it sped through the storm. it soared down and landed on the deck, it lowered its black hood.) |
| − | '''Sa'vor''': Nice to meet you again old friend. | + | '''Sa'vor''': Nice to meet you again, old friend. |
'''Naz'roth''': (A smile spreading across his lips) So you've rescued her then. | '''Naz'roth''': (A smile spreading across his lips) So you've rescued her then. | ||
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(Sa'vors face lost all of its happness) | (Sa'vors face lost all of its happness) | ||
| − | '''Sa'vor''': No, but I intend to. I have not waited and trained for three hundred long years to simply give up. this is merely the | + | '''Sa'vor''': No, but I intend to. I have not waited and trained for three hundred long years to simply give up. this is merely the beginning of the end for her kidnappers. |
| − | (Sa'vor was thinner, his face seemed to be more drawn, but a calm serenity flowed from it. sparks of magical power jumped between his gauntleted fingers. the magical items on his body glowed brightly in Naz' | + | (Sa'vor was thinner, his face seemed to be more drawn, but a calm serenity flowed from it. sparks of magical power jumped between his gauntleted fingers. the magical items on his body glowed brightly in Naz'roth's Magical vision. Naz'roth could tell Sa'vor had replaced and improved almost every organ in his body, as well as grafting Quori embedded Shards and forging magical items. a belt around Sa'vor's waist contained thirty small bags of holding in which Sa'vor held many magical items including wands, gems, spellshards, scepters, staffs. potions, alchemical times and scrolls) |
'''Naz'roth''': then when do they hide her? | '''Naz'roth''': then when do they hide her? | ||
| − | '''Sa'vor''': i have searched the universe, reaching with my mind across the black voids of space. and | + | '''Sa'vor''': i have searched the universe, reaching with my mind across the black voids of space. and I found her. she's at the edge of this universe where a weak point in existence exists, they're planning to bring some sort of entity into existence. but we have no time. even now I can feel her agony. |
'''Tara''': how can we get there. | '''Tara''': how can we get there. | ||
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(he raises a hand to the sky, the tempest swirls and magical charges build up in it. an arcing bolt of purple lightning rips open a tear in the unverse) | (he raises a hand to the sky, the tempest swirls and magical charges build up in it. an arcing bolt of purple lightning rips open a tear in the unverse) | ||
| − | '''Tara''': a | + | '''Tara''': a wormhole? |
| − | '''Sa'vor''': ( evil smile) you will have to fly through it. | + | '''Sa'vor''': ( evil smile) you will have to fly through it. I will await you on the other side. (shudders) you'll have to hurry. I might not be able to hold it open for long. |
( the elemntal ring flares as Earl forces the ship through the gap, Sa'vor has vanished. consumed by the tempest once more. the ship shudders and shakes) | ( the elemntal ring flares as Earl forces the ship through the gap, Sa'vor has vanished. consumed by the tempest once more. the ship shudders and shakes) | ||
| − | '''Jarlot''': Whats this? | + | '''Jarlot''': Whats this? I demand to know where we are going with my armada! |
| − | '''Tara''': to rescue | + | '''Tara''': to rescue Slip |
| − | '''Jarlot''': a daring rescue ay? well, | + | '''Jarlot''': a daring rescue, ay? well, I say. Let's give them hell! |
( the ship cleaves through the otherside of the portal. below them lies a vast jungle of blood red trees, at its center lies a temple. the tempest has already began to form around it. flashes of purple lightning strike the shield around it. the Forgotten Freedom presses onwards. awaiting the battle before them... | ( the ship cleaves through the otherside of the portal. below them lies a vast jungle of blood red trees, at its center lies a temple. the tempest has already began to form around it. flashes of purple lightning strike the shield around it. the Forgotten Freedom presses onwards. awaiting the battle before them... | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
| − | (The shield around the fortress/temple shudders and lowers. the | + | (The shield around the fortress/temple shudders and lowers. the Forgotten Freedom hovers inches above the ground as the crew form into regimented groups and support teams. the legions of Sa'vor and Volrath stand with weapons at the ready. Before them all hovers Sa'vor) |
| − | '''Sa'vor''': Brothers and sisters, Friends, allies and Crewmates. In the time | + | '''Sa'vor''': Brothers and sisters, Friends, allies and Crewmates. In the time I have been aboard this ship I have seen us at each other's throats. I have seen us battle and fight. I have stood side by side with many of you, I have watched as many of us have died, even I have died. I have seen the family that our fair captain has created. though we have our differences we are a family. and they have taken one of our own. they have sought to destroy all that we hold dear. |
| − | their armies amass, amongst you I see the veteran warriors and spell casters. I see those to whom death is a living. | + | their armies amass, amongst you I see the veteran warriors and spell casters. I see those to whom death is a living. I see those to whom battle is not new. I see ubers, I see scum, I see redshirts. I also see those whom are untested in the arts of war, do not fear, for those beside you shall guide you through this violent affair. |
| − | I doubt not the strength of your sword arms, the power of your spells, the courage in your heart or even the | + | I doubt not the strength of your sword arms, the power of your spells, the courage in your heart or even the thirst for battle within your minds. for today I ask you, cast aside your fears, cast aside the petty rivalries, cast aside your doubts. for today we shall fight as one for the sanctity of our family. today we shall fight for not only the universe but for the common cause, we shall fight for our freedom and our choice to this freedom. |
(Summons mind blade and raises it high) | (Summons mind blade and raises it high) | ||
| Line 427: | Line 427: | ||
For the Forgotten Freedom! | For the Forgotten Freedom! | ||
| − | (the Forces of the | + | (the Forces of the Forgotten freedom surge over the battle field, mage and warrior side by side. aberration and dragon as allies.) |
---- | ---- | ||
| − | Norbaz sits patiently in Mickey Nine Finger's medical bay/booze storage room. There he sits beside a bed where a now comatose Andrea lies. The Half giant is riddled by images of the past few days. | + | Norbaz sits patiently in Mickey Nine Finger's medical bay/booze storage room. There he sits beside a bed where a now comatose Andrea lies. The Half-giant is riddled by images of the past few days. |
| − | '''Norbaz''': Thanks Mick... | + | '''Norbaz''': Thanks, Mick... |
| − | '''Mickey''': No problem (takes a hit from a flask) the spell'll be finished and she'll be up in no...uh oh. | + | '''Mickey''': No problem (takes a hit from a flask) the spell'll be finished and she'll be up in no... uh oh. |
'''Norbaz''': What's uh oh? | '''Norbaz''': What's uh oh? | ||
| − | '''Mickey''': Res is done, but she's still out...well out cold, she's alive. How'd she die again? | + | '''Mickey''': Res is done, but she's still out... well out cold, she's alive. How'd she die again? |
'''Norbaz''': Fiery sword of Shadow Jarlot. | '''Norbaz''': Fiery sword of Shadow Jarlot. | ||
| − | '''Mickey''': Might be the case...I'm gonna keep her here for observation till she wakes up. Well, I better start on res'ing Marish, got the place smelling like dead cat. | + | '''Mickey''': Might be the case... I'm gonna keep her here for observation till she wakes up. Well, I better start on res'ing Marish, got the place smelling like dead cat. |
| − | And so the half giant continues to sit and think, as he has for the past several days by the comatose form of Andrea, some kind of booze potion iv flowing into her arm. Marish soon approaches from behind him. | + | And so the half-giant continues to sit and think, as he has for the past several days by the comatose form of Andrea, some kind of booze potion iv flowing into her arm. Marish soon approaches from behind him. |
'''Marish''': ...any change. | '''Marish''': ...any change. | ||
| Line 450: | Line 450: | ||
'''Norbaz''': no, nothing yet. | '''Norbaz''': no, nothing yet. | ||
| − | '''Marish''': Listen...about the whole letter bit...I'm sorry for putting you on the spot and charming you like that...thanks...thanks for | + | '''Marish''': Listen... about the whole letter bit... I'm sorry for putting you on the spot and charming you like that... thanks... thanks for bringing us to the doc after we... after we were... |
| − | '''Norbaz''': It was nothing...really. | + | '''Norbaz''': It was nothing... really. |
| − | '''Marish''':...about...about the letter. Andrea, she...she- | + | '''Marish''':...about... about the letter. Andrea, she... she- |
| − | '''Norbaz''': Please...don't, I'll hear it from her, good or bad, when she wakes up. | + | '''Norbaz''': Please... don't, I'll hear it from her, good or bad, when she wakes up. |
| − | '''Marish''':...yeah...yeah, I understand. | + | '''Marish''':...yeah... yeah, I understand. |
The shifter girl heads to the door, pauses, then turns back to Norbaz. | The shifter girl heads to the door, pauses, then turns back to Norbaz. | ||
| − | '''Marish''': My link to her is still active...she's lost in a dream right now... | + | '''Marish''': My link to her is still active... she's lost in a dream right now... it's good to keep talking. Maybe... maybe it'll help her find her way. |
| − | '''Norbaz''': Thanks...I'll keep that in mind. | + | '''Norbaz''': Thanks... I'll keep that in mind. |
---- | ---- | ||
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The crew is gearing up for battle. I suppose the redshirt purge will begin soon. While I still have what passes for breath in my body, I should confess my love of Sakura once and for all. My tentacle in which I hold this dragonhawk quill shakes, as though with palsy. I suppose that this may be my last will and testament as well, for the lawyer on board. Volrath's name deserves one more curse, for putting this transformation on me. | The crew is gearing up for battle. I suppose the redshirt purge will begin soon. While I still have what passes for breath in my body, I should confess my love of Sakura once and for all. My tentacle in which I hold this dragonhawk quill shakes, as though with palsy. I suppose that this may be my last will and testament as well, for the lawyer on board. Volrath's name deserves one more curse, for putting this transformation on me. | ||
| − | I have talked with John, to try to ease my mind. He laughed when I mentioned the redshirt purge, and said that it had nothing to do with us. According to John, Sa'vor gave an inspiring monologue to the crew to help them fight an unknown foe. But I know the truth! Volrath and his horrors are out to finish the job they started with their chess game! I have seen no "unknown enemies" that are trying to destroy the Forgotten Freedom II, despite my myriad eyestalks! They are trying to kill us | + | I have talked with John, to try to ease my mind. He laughed when I mentioned the redshirt purge, and said that it had nothing to do with us. According to John, Sa'vor gave an inspiring monologue to the crew to help them fight an unknown foe. But I know the truth! Volrath and his horrors are out to finish the job they started with their chess game! I have seen no "unknown enemies" that are trying to destroy the Forgotten Freedom II, despite my myriad eyestalks! They are trying to kill us downtrodden Redshirts, with this flimsy story which the keel tried to support with the pathetic "they haven't arrived yet" to cover their actions from our eyes! |
This leaves me no option. I shall hide within Volrath's horde, waiting for the fighting to be over. I shall mourn the redshirts who died in the massacre to be, and when the time comes, make the villains who perpetrated this pay for each and every single drop of blood they took... | This leaves me no option. I shall hide within Volrath's horde, waiting for the fighting to be over. I shall mourn the redshirts who died in the massacre to be, and when the time comes, make the villains who perpetrated this pay for each and every single drop of blood they took... | ||
---- | ---- | ||
| − | (They came over the hill. millions of them. forms made of living liquid metal, amungst them strode huge contructs of | + | (They came over the hill. millions of them. forms made of living liquid metal, amungst them strode huge contructs of arcane might. their leaders were made of glittering liquid platinum and defied the rules of reality with their power. they were the C'tan, creatures of energy given life by being placed in bodies of living metal, kept liquid by the raging power within. parasites, these energy vampires fed off energy; preferably positive energy belonging to the living. but they'd devour any life force. they marched like an unending tide, thier graceful forms seemingly gliding over the ground instead of walking. thier leaders held great power within their bodies, Sa'vor shuddered. this wouldn't be easy.) |
'''Sa'vor''': Hold the ranks! Shields at the ready! | '''Sa'vor''': Hold the ranks! Shields at the ready! | ||
| − | (Along the lines of the legions each of the ubers commands their own sections to do the same. Sa'vor raises his hand, the archers load their various ranged weapons. Sa'vor lowers it. a hail of arrows and bolts sink into the first few ranks of the approaching tide. many of the creatures exploded, their necromdermis breached. they loaded, and fired again. more dropped. but the horde kept approaching at walking pace. Naz'roth Saw the C'tan lords prepare their spells and threw up a shield around his legions. along the line all the spell casters did the same as fire crashed down on the shields. they held as more and more bursts of | + | (Along the lines of the legions each of the ubers commands their own sections to do the same. Sa'vor raises his hand, the archers load their various ranged weapons. Sa'vor lowers it. a hail of arrows and bolts sink into the first few ranks of the approaching tide. many of the creatures exploded, their necromdermis breached. they loaded, and fired again. more dropped. but the horde kept approaching at walking pace. Naz'roth Saw the C'tan lords prepare their spells and threw up a shield around his legions. along the line all the spell casters did the same as fire crashed down on the shields. they held as more and more bursts of fiery energy was unleashed) |
| − | '''Sa'vor''': (to himself) why keep up the barrage? theres no pointin it... unless. (Now yelling) everyone, draw your melee weapons. back up, their perparing for | + | '''Sa'vor''': (to himself) why keep up the barrage? theres no pointin it... unless. (Now yelling) everyone, draw your melee weapons. back up, their perparing for their assualt! |
| − | (Slip could feel Sa' | + | (Slip could feel Sa'vor's energy now, it was overwhelming. she watched the battle through the window of her cell. the great tides of the C'tan where innumerable. she shuddered. that's what they must be preparing to do, bring forth one of them, one more powerful than any of the ones below. Bel Shammaroth. She would have transmitted the information to Sa'vor, but her cell was shielded from any inside or outside mystical, magical or Psionic force. She clenched her fists and forced down the anger, Save it, it would be needed.) |
---- | ---- | ||
| − | On the lower decks of the Forgotten Freedom, Caralot notices the sound of thundering feet. It | + | On the lower decks of the Forgotten Freedom, Caralot notices the sound of thundering feet. It gets louder and louder, becoming a torrent, one that passes her room, shaking the whole ship. |
| − | Caralot gets up and opens the door. Rushing past is a river of creatures, from average redshirts to the leftovers from the | + | Caralot gets up and opens the door. Rushing past is a river of creatures, from average redshirts to the leftovers from the crew's demented experiments. And It's all headed for the bar. |
| − | Caralot shuts the door. She looks over at Crys, who just sits there like the brain-dead | + | Caralot shuts the door. She looks over at Crys, who just sits there like the brain-dead aberration she is. Caralot thinks for a minute, then goes over a wraps an intricate rhythm against one of the walls. |
It's only a few moments before Roosevelt pops through the secret door. | It's only a few moments before Roosevelt pops through the secret door. | ||
| − | '''Roosevelt''': I would have thought you'd scamper already. | + | '''Roosevelt''': I would have thought you'd scamper already. Battle's up, and there's not guarantee we'll win this one. |
'''Caralot''': So where's everyone else going? | '''Caralot''': So where's everyone else going? | ||
| − | '''Roosevelt''': Everyone who could duck out is headed for the bar. Seems that in the short span of time it's been around it's become demi-dimension of its own. If this world goes the bar is still safe, and you can escape to one of the other dimensions it touches. | + | '''Roosevelt''': Everyone who could duck out is headed for the bar. Seems that in the short span of time it's been around it's become a demi-dimension of its own. If this world goes, the bar is still safe, and you can escape to one of the other dimensions it touches. |
'''Caralot''': So why haven't you gone? | '''Caralot''': So why haven't you gone? | ||
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'''Caralot''': Are the secret corridors still open? | '''Caralot''': Are the secret corridors still open? | ||
| − | '''Roosevelt''': Lady, we got enough extradimensional space that you can find a clear route to the bar no problem. | + | '''Roosevelt''': Lady, we got enough extradimensional space that you can find a clear route to the bar, no problem. |
'''Caralot''': But that's not where I'm going. | '''Caralot''': But that's not where I'm going. | ||
| Line 540: | Line 540: | ||
'''Caralot''': No. Of course not. Where else do you get the chance to study the effect craziness has directly on living tissue? | '''Caralot''': No. Of course not. Where else do you get the chance to study the effect craziness has directly on living tissue? | ||
| − | Up on deck Captain Jarlot is watching the battle | + | Up on deck Captain Jarlot is watching the battle from the safety of the ship's mast. He sees Caralot emerge from the central hatchway. |
'''Jarlot''': I would have thought you had more sense to flee like all the other unused crew members. | '''Jarlot''': I would have thought you had more sense to flee like all the other unused crew members. | ||
| Line 554: | Line 554: | ||
He sees that Caralot is holding something cupped in her hands. | He sees that Caralot is holding something cupped in her hands. | ||
| − | '''Jarlot''': Why are you different from all the other | + | '''Jarlot''': Why are you different from all the other me's? I mean, other than your evil counterpart, all the Jarlots have been male and some kind of action hero. You are completly sensible by comparason. |
| − | '''Caralot''': Well maybe…(she opens her hands to reveal the black water, which gradually becomes clear)…whatever came up with me…(she watches the sky , rocking her arms a little up and down)…decided that sensible…(she throws the black water up in the air, and it rapidly forms itself into a mass of dark stormclouds that begint o pour rain) | + | '''Caralot''': Well maybe… (she opens her hands to reveal the black water, which gradually becomes clear) …whatever came up with me… (she watches the sky, rocking her arms a little up and down) …decided that sensible… (she throws the black water up in the air, and it rapidly forms itself into a mass of dark stormclouds that begint o pour rain)… is still pretty crazy. |
| − | The rain falls on the battle. It begins to soak into the clothes and shirts of the various crew until the commanders put up protective fields. Even so the ground becomes a soaked | + | The rain falls on the battle. It begins to soak into the clothes and shirts of the various crew until the commanders put up protective fields. Even so the ground becomes a soaked mudhole, bogging down the redshirts. The C'tan, however, plow through everything with no problem. |
| − | Until the mud erupts | + | Until the mud erupts underneath them. |
Monsters formed out of the wet earth and sand rise up and clobber the legions of the C'tan. The energy parasites have nothing to absorb from the mud monsters, and any energy they fire at the para-elementals is either abosorbed by their watery natures or deflected by the bits of stone that they suspend. Phsycial attacks are useless against their fluid natures. It's only through pure magical energy that the C'tan make a comeback. | Monsters formed out of the wet earth and sand rise up and clobber the legions of the C'tan. The energy parasites have nothing to absorb from the mud monsters, and any energy they fire at the para-elementals is either abosorbed by their watery natures or deflected by the bits of stone that they suspend. Phsycial attacks are useless against their fluid natures. It's only through pure magical energy that the C'tan make a comeback. | ||
| Line 566: | Line 566: | ||
But then the first redshirts realize that something is different. One halfling is able to blink in and out, confusing the C'tan. A half-orc finds that he has aquired fast healing. Elves grow wings. Humans become larger and resistant to energy. | But then the first redshirts realize that something is different. One halfling is able to blink in and out, confusing the C'tan. A half-orc finds that he has aquired fast healing. Elves grow wings. Humans become larger and resistant to energy. | ||
| − | As they begin charging into the ranks of the C'tan, and the parasites find that these mortals have | + | As they begin charging into the ranks of the C'tan, and the parasites find that these mortals have acquired a fluid nature akin to spell resistance. Attacked from the front by enhanced redshirts and from the middle by the para-elementals— having only faked their vulnerability to magic— the C'tan are being routed. |
| − | Jarlot watches the turning of the tide in amazement. Just a little black water had created all that. Then he sees an indistinct shape floating above the battle. It | + | Jarlot watches the turning of the tide in amazement. Just a little black water had created all that. Then he sees an indistinct shape floating above the battle. It appears in the raindrops falling down and in the mist rising from the flashes of energy below. He is almost sure it is some sort of serpent-like dragon, but it is never the same from one flash to the next. |
'''Jarlot''' (turning to Caralot): How are you doing all this? I mean, your specialty is mixing weird creatures. This one of them? | '''Jarlot''' (turning to Caralot): How are you doing all this? I mean, your specialty is mixing weird creatures. This one of them? | ||
| Line 574: | Line 574: | ||
Caralot smiles in a way that Jarlot has seen before only on the faces of those who truely trust in gods. | Caralot smiles in a way that Jarlot has seen before only on the faces of those who truely trust in gods. | ||
| − | '''Caralot''': It exists | + | '''Caralot''': It exists independent of me. It is the Fourth Dragon. |
| − | '''Jarlot''': | + | '''Jarlot''': Er… fourth of what? |
'''Caralot''': Siberys, Khyber, Eberron, and Thyrs. | '''Caralot''': Siberys, Khyber, Eberron, and Thyrs. | ||
| Line 582: | Line 582: | ||
'''Jarlot''': What?! You mean that thing's a progenitor dragon? | '''Jarlot''': What?! You mean that thing's a progenitor dragon? | ||
| − | '''Caralot''': Siberys, sky. Eberron, land. Khyber, heart. Thyrs, water. Thyrs has all the abilities of liquids, esspecially water, and the power to change anything made at least even a little | + | '''Caralot''': Siberys, sky. Eberron, land. Khyber, heart. Thyrs, water. Thyrs has all the abilities of liquids, esspecially water, and the power to change anything made of at least even a little water. This is like a dragonshard. Just a tiny piece of the whole, yet it possesses something that puts all other magic to shame, that even controls other magic. Kind of like the memebers of your crew. |
Jarlot just turns back to the battle. The water isn't winning the thing for them, but it's helping. | Jarlot just turns back to the battle. The water isn't winning the thing for them, but it's helping. | ||
| Line 599: | Line 599: | ||
The two sides clash, the tide of battle turning again and again with each new strike. Terra oversees her units, shielding them from the periodic bombardment. The sudden appearance of the clouds as well as the strange flow of power the rain granted had served to further enhace her newfound abilities. Though the C'tan were quite formidable, they were not invulnerable. The shifting shadows of the battle served to let her paralyze swaths of the foes before her legion, if only for a short time. Though her powers could not be absorbed, the fluid bodies of their enemies made them difficult to stop. | The two sides clash, the tide of battle turning again and again with each new strike. Terra oversees her units, shielding them from the periodic bombardment. The sudden appearance of the clouds as well as the strange flow of power the rain granted had served to further enhace her newfound abilities. Though the C'tan were quite formidable, they were not invulnerable. The shifting shadows of the battle served to let her paralyze swaths of the foes before her legion, if only for a short time. Though her powers could not be absorbed, the fluid bodies of their enemies made them difficult to stop. | ||
| − | '''Terra''': Blasted T-2 | + | '''Terra''': Blasted T-2 wannabes. Just stay still and die already! |
| − | A hail of arrows and magic | + | A hail of arrows and magic strikes down the frozen enemies, but they are replaced as fast as they are destroyed. |
'''Terra''': They planned well. They divide the attention of the ubers between attack and defense, dropping our ability to strike decisively. Hopefully Sa'vor's got something up his sleeve... | '''Terra''': They planned well. They divide the attention of the ubers between attack and defense, dropping our ability to strike decisively. Hopefully Sa'vor's got something up his sleeve... | ||
| Line 620: | Line 620: | ||
Jaela slams the button. | Jaela slams the button. | ||
| − | The entire front of the Forgotten Freedom 2 opens up like a flower. A long metal staft runs from the center of the "petals". Lightning shoots from all over the ship, concentrating at the end of the shaft. After several minutes of charging up the energy shoots off and blasts through the enemy ranks. Even those not directly hit are ripped apart | + | The entire front of the Forgotten Freedom 2 opens up like a flower. A long metal staft runs from the center of the "petals". Lightning shoots from all over the ship, concentrating at the end of the shaft. After several minutes of charging up, the energy shoots off and blasts through the enemy ranks. Even those not directly hit are ripped apart by the massive shockwave created by the blast. |
---- | ---- | ||
| Line 630: | Line 630: | ||
---- | ---- | ||
| − | Volrath and Kanatash stand on opposite sides of a hexagram, drawn in a silver substance. Carved up redshirts dot the entire symbol. The silver substance is letting off a purple smoke. | + | Volrath and Kanatash stand on opposite sides of a hexagram, drawn in a silver substance. Carved-up redshirts dot the entire symbol. The silver substance is letting off a purple smoke. |
| − | '''Volrath''': Oh great | + | '''Volrath''': Oh great revered grandfather; |
'''Kanatash''': Bringer of death; | '''Kanatash''': Bringer of death; | ||
| − | '''Volrath''': Essence of the | + | '''Volrath''': Essence of the beginning and the end; |
'''Kanatash''': The alpha and the omega; | '''Kanatash''': The alpha and the omega; | ||
| Line 646: | Line 646: | ||
'''Both''': Come, Azathoth! | '''Both''': Come, Azathoth! | ||
| − | Above the ship forms an amorphous, shpere shaped, mass. It grows hundreds of | + | Above the ship forms an amorphous, shpere shaped, mass. It grows hundreds of tentacles. Each one seems to suck the mind right out of any creature it touches. |
'''Kanatash''': (hugs Volrath) I am so proud of you. :weep: | '''Kanatash''': (hugs Volrath) I am so proud of you. :weep: | ||
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'''Norbaz''': Damn, Mick keeps a back door right. | '''Norbaz''': Damn, Mick keeps a back door right. | ||
| − | The half giant looks back and forth around the room and sighs... | + | The half-giant looks back and forth around the room and sighs... sometimes, sometimes it didn't pay to be on a ship that was a nexus of all time. |
| − | Moments later, kicking open Mick's back door, with a comatose Andrea under one arm, and her IV held in the other, Norbaz bolts down the corridor then past another group of the invaders. During this running, someone began waking up...being carried under someone's arm, and looking back at their pursuers. | + | Moments later, kicking open Mick's back door, with a comatose Andrea under one arm, and her IV held in the other, Norbaz bolts down the corridor then past another group of the invaders. During this running, someone began waking up... being carried under someone's arm, and looking back at their pursuers. |
Andrea took stock of her surroundings beyond these immediate pieces of information, noticing she was hooked up to one of Mickey Nine Fingers's booze potion IV lines, explaining a slight buzz she was feeling, and being carried by a very long and powerful arm. | Andrea took stock of her surroundings beyond these immediate pieces of information, noticing she was hooked up to one of Mickey Nine Fingers's booze potion IV lines, explaining a slight buzz she was feeling, and being carried by a very long and powerful arm. | ||
Latest revision as of 23:36, 9 September 2008
Last Plot -- Plot Line Home -- Next Plot
Satnak: Hey Volrath, miss me?
Volrath: Geh! Crazy lady.
Satnak: I'll take that as a yes and spare your existence. Now back to the ship, we have work to do.
Volrath: What do you mean we?
Satnak: Okay, I mean I yell at everyone and they fix things out of fear.
Volrath: Okay, now that makes sense. Hi Terra
Terra: She's agitated today, isn't she.
Lisa: We are still missing Slip and Sa'vor. That's usually a bad thing.
Jarlot: CRAP
Sakura: WOW :blink: She's strong.
Tifa: YOu get used to it.
Aerith: speak for yourself, she makes me nervous, though that has something to do with the great bloody spike about an inch from my face!!
Ignoring the majority of the conversation, Satnak carries the whole lot of them back on board.
Satnak: Okay people, just thought I should mention if we don't get back to Eberron by the time Kithle's vacation is over he's gonna be ******. The giant gaping hole in the sky won't help his temper, and if Slip and Sa'vor are still MIA he's gonna make the Day of Mourning look like a picnic.
Lucky: I wonder if something is going on upstairs. Haven't seen any redshirts for a while now.
Erk: *grunt, grumble*
Suddenly a demon breaks through the door of the bar. He is immediately gunned down by Han Jarlot.
Jarlot turns back to his table, where a bandoleer-wearing Erk, a farm boy, and an old man in a hooded robe sit.
Han Jarlot: You’ve never heard of the Forgotten Freedom?
Old Man: Should I have?
Han Jarlot: It’s the starjammer that made the Qesemet run in less than 12 days.
Things have begun to wind down after the excitement of yesterday. Volrath, Doog (or Dooj), and many of the redshirts are missing or dead. On the upside, I have found the Bar! I am unsure of the name, as is everyone, and apparently there is a contest to see who can come up with the best name. I put my vote in for the "River Styx", because odds are, if you drink any one of the more powerful drinks, you will die of alcohol poisoning.
A strange girl has joined the crew, calling herself Sakura. She claims to be the captain's daughter. He doesn't deny it, but I think it highly unlikely that something so beautiful could come from him. Although I must say, it is possible that she is Aerith's daughter. Sakura seems to have the same irrepressible jubilance and she has the most irregular aura I've ever seen. It's... So captivating. My heart is in tatters when I am away from her light and yet, instantly it mends when I catch but the smallest glimpse of her, the wisp of her perfume.
Jarlot's comment, slurred by the influence of heavy drink, was that children were like weapons. He continued on at some length as to how you could forge them all you wanted, but what happened after they left the anvil was all someone else's fault. This leads me to believe that the captain's base state is that of raving drunk.
Aside from that incident, Jarlot has had a wave of sanity, which I hope lasts. Generally, the saner he is the calmer the crew is. Also, many of the Uber class are off dealing with their own issues, so many of the lesser crew can actually take a rest. In fact, only thirty-four redshirts have died in the last twenty-four hours, that I am aware of. It's nearly a thirty percent drop!
Ah, but I can never take my mind off of sweet Sakura for long. I have descretely asked around for anyone skilled in the arts of love, and was pointed towards a young man named Devon, with much sniggering. He suggested poetry, and began to read some of his. I can see why someone could like it, but I can also see why it would cause a fox to chew through its own heart in an effort to escape the sonic torture. I managed to get away with minimal injury to my eardrums. I had to visit Mickey, the ship's doctor, who simply hands out alcohol. I'd always figured that was what made people go to him, but upon further inspection it appears to have some curative properties. My ears are healing nicely now, but I suppose one must suffer for love.
I asked Mickey what he used in his potions; his reply was "Scrat". I was bemused and felt it necessary to inquire as what "scrat" was. His reply was to shrug his shoulders and say that it is Norbaz's specialty. Upon further investigation, I discovered that "Scrat" is what you get when you distill rats for eight-to-ten years. Apparently, the crew are not the most decerning customers where alcohol is concerned.
The other good news is that I have made my first friend amongst the other redshirts. He is a young lad, eager for adventure and full of ginger! His name is Thomas Pun, and was actually educated at Arcanix, my alma mater! His is immensely well-spoken and has some very interesting ideas about the nature of magic. While he looks rather dark and brooding at first, once he starts talking he becomes far more animated, with occasional spittle making him look rather rabid.
Alas! I cannot get Sakura out of my head! Perhaps unrequited love is nobler?
Volrath: I'm not dead.
Doog: Guess What, I got better *chains Ishmael*
Satnak: Dammit, there's another one. *offs Han Jarlot* I swear they're almost as bad as the Crystals.
Erk: Grunts
Satnak: Say something next time, how am I supposed to know he hadn't paid his tab yet. You always make me pay up front.
Erk: short grunt
Satnak: I'm being good, I only vaporized one person this time.
Erk: :rolleyes:
Lisa: Where are you going?
Terra: I have one more thing to do before we leave. Don't worry, I'll be back shortly.
Terra disappears into the shadows. After a few minutes travel, she arrives in the shrine Theronas had been using as a base. Several humanoids and a few demons still inhabit it, waiting for their master's return. Entering the main chamber, she reveals herself.
Minion: My lady! Where has the master gone? He's been out for quite some time.
Terra: You don't have to worry about that pompous waste of energy anymore...
She raises her hand and seems to drain all light from the area. Screams of pain and fear eminate from the building...
Volrath: Wait! Chuck Norris can never die, so.
In a poof of logic Chuck Jarlot appears.
Satnak: Okay, that's my weapon.
Satnak grabs Norris By the neck rips his feet off and beats him to a bloody pulp with them. She then uses the bone shards to extract his various internal organs and turn them into sausage. Finally she sets him on fire and watches.
Satnak: Die or I get mean.
Volrath pouts as Chuck Norris dies horribly. Again.
Volrath: He let you win. He's just waiting to regenerate. Right, Chuck?
The bloody pulp does not move.
Volrath: ...right?
Still no reaction.
Volrath: :weep:
(A glowing blue light Chuck Norris appears)
Chuck Norris: It's okay, Kid. If you believe in me, I'll never die.
(All the slain Jarlots appear in the Blue Light club)
Satnak: SPIRIT BUS....
(poof)
Satnak: Oh come on! You run out of power NOW, arm!?
The light returns to the shrine, with Terra the only one left standing. The other occupants are nowhere to be found, the only sign of them are cracked walls, blood spatter, and a few tatters of clothing. Continuing down the hall, she opens up a side door leading to a lavishly decorated room. Rummaging through the dresser, she comes across a tome that pulses with dark energy. Within a secret compartment, she finds a pair of rings and another book, this one seems normal enough. Taking it all, she head into the inner sanctum.
The altar room contains a pair of humanoids, cowering in the corner. What they are she cannot tell because of their hooded robes. It matters little as she slays them, heading to the altar. The room is quite familiar, right down to the sigil on the wall and the designs on the altar.
Terra: Never again will you haunt my nightmares...
Gathering her power, she unleashes a tremendous blast of energy. The altar, the room, and the entire shrine are vaporized in a flash of light. Vanishing again into the shadows, she leaves her childhood behind, now only a smoking crater.
Later, below decks, Kanatash and Volrath are playing chess. Using live redshirts as pieces. They both use a variety of "incentives" to move their pieces and when they take one of their opponents they eliminate them. Suddenly Satnak bursts into the room.
Satnak: Alright slackers, enough fun and games. We still have a ship to repair here in case you've forgotten.
Kanatash: Pawn takes pawn. (uses energy push to propel one redshirt into another and proceeds to ignite the second redshirt) Well in case YOU've forgotten neither my nephew or I are particularly skilled or inclined towards physical labor.
Satnak: Bah, you're still wasting plenty of redshirts in this game of yours...
Volrath: (interrupting) Pawn takes knight. (summons a mass of tentacles to herd a redshirt into place and to rip apart the taken piece) Please, we just took the frail ones. It's not like they would be much use with the repairs anyway.
Satnak: ...besides even if you don't do physical labor you both have enough psionic and magical abilities to do something.
Kanatash: Bishop takes pawn. (telekinetically tosses one redshirt into another and causes the head of the second to explode, showering the board with grey matter) Who says we're not. I'm currently teleporting raw material in from another plane, levitating a load of lumber into position for Kelter, and psionically reinforcing deck C12.
Volrath: Ha. Rook takes bishop. (transforms the taken redshirt's left leg into a serpentine tentacle which pulls Volrath's piece into its square before stabbing its owner in the head) I'm currently directing the remains of my aberrant army telepathically in their repairs. It just happens that it takes so little of our effort to contribute to the repairs that we don't need to be there.
Satnak: I still think I should haul you two up on deck and it's not like you can stop me.
Kanatash: Queen takes rook. (mind switches the two redshirts and then teleports the piece which used to be his somewhere in the heart of the shadow realm) I wouldn't be so sure about that. You may be able to kill deities and lord of the ubers but there are three people you still don't want to mess with, Kithle, Sa'vor, and me. Let me elaborate on the third one there. One, Kithle wasn't the only one involved in the creation of that arm. Two, you were cloned from me so if I really want to I can get past your mental protections. I brought you into this world, I can take you out. Finally, I am a paranoid, psychotic, insane being from another plane with safeguards for my safeguards against every threat I am aware of. I once took a direct hit from a Bigby's crushing tactical nuke without receiving a scratch, do you really think I can't handle an "uberzorch".
Satnak just glares and she looks like she is preparing to test Kanatash's assertment when a Spanish looking Jarlot jumps down from the ceiling with a rapier.
Alt Jarlot: (to Satnak) My name is Jarlot Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to-
Cuts him off by suddenly punching him and caving his skull in.
Satnak: WHERE DO THESE THINGS KEEP COMING FROM!!!!
Volrath: Knight takes Queen. (transforms his piece into a ravaging beast that swallows the other piece before changing back) Well with all the portals on this ship to realities, unrealities, and whatever that place Kelter found is, not to mention all the extradimensional room and the abundance of extraplanar entities causes the fabric of the multiuniverse around the ship to go a little wonky. To state it more simply, this ship causes a snarl in the universe whereever it goes and a side effect of that is that Jarlots from alternate planes or different timestreams randomly phase into our version. There really is no point killing them because there are always more that will show up at convenient plot moments.
Suddenly another Jarlot appears in a flash of light.
Keanu Jarlot: Whoa, man, I'm like the ONE man.
Satnak stares at him for a moment before roundhouse kicking him in the face. The force of the impact is so intense that it momentarily creates a miniature black hole that implodes Keanu Jarlot's head.
Kanatash: Pawn takes knight. (opens his mind to redshirt/knight)
Redshirt: (begins doing the chicken dance before suddenly stopping) THE KIWIS! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! (grabs another redshirt and beings shaking him) THEY SEE ALL, THEY KNOW ALL! THE KIWIS ARE COMING!!! THE KIWIS ARE COMING!!! THE END IS NIGH! (his eyes go dead and he slumps to the ground)
Kanatash: (simply gestures to his piece to take its place) In the case of that particular alt Jarlot I think that was called for. He gets so annoying after a while.
Satnak: (Sigh) Ah, whatever. I can get more accomplished by "motivating" the workers I have than trying to recruit more. (stalks off)
Volrath: Queen takes pawn. Checkmate. :D (transforms all his pieces into aberrations which rip Kanatash's remaining pieces limb from limb before turning on each other.)
Kanatash: ****. What the score now, 112 to 111?
Volrath: 112 to 112 actually.
Kanatash: Care to go another round?
Volrath: Of course. Do you want to collect the pieces or should I?
Jarlot: So where DO all the Alt-Jarlots come from?
Aerith: Oh that's simple.
Alt-Satnak: I'm SOOOO HAPPY! *RESSURECTION JARLOT*
(Super Mario Jarlot bounces off)
(Alt-Satnak is a tiny redhaired version of normal Satnak wearing yellow sorceress' clothing and a long cape. She's already eaten eleven bowls of chili and is a bit flat chested)
Satnak: Oh now you die!
Alt-Satnak: Darkness beyond twilight... crimson beyond blood that flows, buried in the stream of time is where your power grows...
Jarlot: OH HELL NO... you didn't. She's...
Alt-Satnak: Let the fools who stand before your power be consumed by the power you and I possess. DRAGONSLAVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEE!
(Satnak knocks away the blow as Sharn is destroyed... again)
Alt-Satnak: Eh darn it, I knew I got that spell wrong.
Sakura: *annoyingly nasal voice while wearing white clothing and a cape* OH MISS LINNNNAAA!
Jarlot: Oh Hell, at least it's time for a new Ship. Behold the Forgotten Freedom II!
Aerith: Where did you get this ship?
Jarlot: I didn't... uhh... steal it from the Abyss.
Start of new rules for the ship....
1. Kanatash is forbidden from killing or driving crazy... er... more than 10% of the crew a month.
2. We seriously are taking a hit on our insurance.
3. Satnak is forbidden from killing off plot devices.
4. Except Keanu Jarlot. No one likes him.
5. No more using crew in chili....
6. Unless it's Redshirts.
7. If Ishmael EVER even LOOKS at Sakura EVEN ACCIDENTALLY then he shall be be unrestricted from all previous rules.
8. I shall stop pretending I'm the ultimate of all badasses... which means...
9. I shall not be allowed to say "Call me Snake."
10. Especially not "Solid Snake"
11. I am not Rambo...
12. I can kick his ass.
13. Tifa is forbidden from attacking me until I love her.
14. YES, I REALLY MEAN THAT.
15. Sakura cannot talk to ANY BOYS... EVAR.
16. OR TERRA.
17. Or Lisa for that matter.
18. Any crew who isn't ALL dead, please fill out a census form.
Terra: (looking at rule #16) That is totally uncalled for! I'm not going to hit on a 16-year-old!
Jarlot: Just covering all the bases. 5000+ rules have taught me at least that much. Which reminds me:
19: All rules from the FF mark 1 still apply
Most of the crew: Awwwww.....
Terra: Regardless, I'll have you know I make it a point not to hit on anyone who hasn't at least reached the equivalent of 25 in human years. It's just creepy otherwise.
Another Alt-Jarlot pops into existance, this one is wearing coke bottle glasses and has his pants pulled up way too high.
Erkel Jarlot: (in an annoyingly high pitched, nasally voice) Hey! Anybody-
Satnak: *Dragon King Slice*
Erkel Jarlot is cloven in two and then vaporized by all present spellcasters.
Satnak: That was the worst one yet! When will it end?!
20: Satnak isn't allowed to use moves from Granida
Satnak: I like the Old Ship Fix it. We can use the new one for parts and supplementery systems. First thing first, *CTRL+ALT+DEL*
Alt-Satnak: *****. *vaporized*
Alt-Jarlots: Aww crap. *vaporized*
Satnak - I'm enforcing the no clone rules. So you got nothing. Now fix the gorram ship or I will take the new one and break it on your heads. I like having a floating fortress. Besides Kithle will shoot us out of the sky if we don't register the proper energy signatures. Not too mention how angry he will be if we don't fix the ship. Also, captain, a significant chunk or your essence is infused into the original, not a good idea to leave that lying around. then there's the fact that without a few weeks to enchant everything there simply isn't enough room on the new one for everyone even if we have another redshirt purge. Then there's John and Earl. Finally it's almost fixed. We just need to get Ketler to finish checking the energy flows; the structural damage is about solved. Druids do great work on wooden ships even with all the overlay. Speaking of overlay, would you seriously consider going up against the Brelish sky navy without all the convinient structural and protective enchantments that are bound into the original. Oh look, the ship's fixed.
Jarlot: so fast, how?
Ketler: I have a few dorjes and crystal capacitors for temporal accerleration ready for emergency jobs like this.
Jarlot: What do we do with the new ship ?
Lisa: Use it as a scout and delivery ship, special mission vehicle for when we don't want people recognizing the unique construction of the main ship. Or the keel blabbing from under the illusion spells and ruining the element of surprise. Or just something we can take places without starting a panic.
Jarlot: Well...
Satnak: If we keep both you can promote your self to Commodore and wear a fancy hat.
Jarlot: Sold!
Jarlot: Oh yes and one more thing...
Satnak: What's that?
Jarlot: About the no clone rule...
Satnak: Yes?
Jarlot: No.
Satnak: What?
Jarlot: This is a PIRATE SHIP and we're going to damn well act like it! Clones and other crazy pop culture references are our meat and drink.
Alt-Satnak: *sticks her tongue out*
Jarlot: But I will make a concession....
(opens a bag of holding and then summons all the Crystals onboard into it)
Jarlot: But we'll see how that works out.
Aerith: Why is cloning part of being a pirate?
Jarlot: Uhh... George Lucas. Yoink.
(bolts away)
Satnak: You still die
Alt-satnak: Make me
Satnak: Okay
Satnak extends twilight and causes all the shadows within Alt-Satnak to form into razors.
Alt-satnak: yrrrrrk *dies*
Satnak: And that is why pure arcanists suck. No staying power.
A pirate wearing a big hat with a huge feather in it swings down on a rope and strikes a pose with his cutlass.
Alt-Jarlot: Hello, I'm Captain Jarlot Sparrow.
Lucky and Erk exchange looks.
Lucky: Besides the makeup, how exactly is he any different from our Jarlot?
I am honestly amazed that the captain even knows my name. I do believe that it is quite impressive that he even knows one of his redshirts, by name. Perhaps in the future he'll be more careful with them, and not let them be USED AS CHESS PIECES BY VOLRATH AND KANATASH!
I had the "honor" of being the queen for Volrath. I was dressed in garters and a dancing girl outfit for this most magnanimous occasion. By some black mercy, I was lucky enough to be among the winners in this round. Still, that unspeakable horror transformed me into a thing beyond description! During the frenzy that followed, I, by some ironic stroke of luck, kept my sanity and managed to slip away during the bloody ritual. I think both Volrath and Kanatash were too busy with Satnak to notice a seven-tentacled pseudopod squelching its way belowdecks.
Sakura must never see me again, at least until I am human. I shall never have the pleasure of looking upon her face, smiling, with that most amazing glint of beauty in her eye. Alas, it is too much for me, I must never mention her again untill I am cured of this affliction. For I have no mouth, but I must scream!
Perhaps the library will hold some hope for my digusting ectoplasm that heaves and billows, quaking as though it were far more gelatinous than it actually is.
There are whispers of a redshirt purge. These are clearly dark times. I must hide in the shadows for the time being, and hope for sweet release.
(The Forgotten Freedom sails through the air once more, Naz'roth stared over the bow, his arm around Tara. it was then that he saw it, a Mass of Black clouds. within the clouds bolts, of purple lightning scythed through the skys( lightning actually comes from the ground, travelling from positive to negative). Naz'roth frowned, this was no natural storm. its ebony black clouds rolled around each other. suddenly the Tempest began heading towards them. within seconds it surrounded the ship, Naz'roth could feel the crackeling eldritch power flowing from it. even before the figure appeared. it floated amongst the clouds through pure psionic might, dwelling in the pure primal energies of the storm. its black featherd wings were unfolded and it used them to steer it as it sped through the storm. it soared down and landed on the deck, it lowered its black hood.)
Sa'vor: Nice to meet you again, old friend.
Naz'roth: (A smile spreading across his lips) So you've rescued her then.
(Sa'vors face lost all of its happness)
Sa'vor: No, but I intend to. I have not waited and trained for three hundred long years to simply give up. this is merely the beginning of the end for her kidnappers.
(Sa'vor was thinner, his face seemed to be more drawn, but a calm serenity flowed from it. sparks of magical power jumped between his gauntleted fingers. the magical items on his body glowed brightly in Naz'roth's Magical vision. Naz'roth could tell Sa'vor had replaced and improved almost every organ in his body, as well as grafting Quori embedded Shards and forging magical items. a belt around Sa'vor's waist contained thirty small bags of holding in which Sa'vor held many magical items including wands, gems, spellshards, scepters, staffs. potions, alchemical times and scrolls)
Naz'roth: then when do they hide her?
Sa'vor: i have searched the universe, reaching with my mind across the black voids of space. and I found her. she's at the edge of this universe where a weak point in existence exists, they're planning to bring some sort of entity into existence. but we have no time. even now I can feel her agony.
Tara: how can we get there.
Sa'vor: ( smiles) that is easy.
(he raises a hand to the sky, the tempest swirls and magical charges build up in it. an arcing bolt of purple lightning rips open a tear in the unverse)
Tara: a wormhole?
Sa'vor: ( evil smile) you will have to fly through it. I will await you on the other side. (shudders) you'll have to hurry. I might not be able to hold it open for long.
( the elemntal ring flares as Earl forces the ship through the gap, Sa'vor has vanished. consumed by the tempest once more. the ship shudders and shakes)
Jarlot: Whats this? I demand to know where we are going with my armada!
Tara: to rescue Slip
Jarlot: a daring rescue, ay? well, I say. Let's give them hell!
( the ship cleaves through the otherside of the portal. below them lies a vast jungle of blood red trees, at its center lies a temple. the tempest has already began to form around it. flashes of purple lightning strike the shield around it. the Forgotten Freedom presses onwards. awaiting the battle before them...
Terra: Before we begin, I must apologize to you, Sa'vor.
Sa'vor: Do not concern yourself with it. Because of it, I have attained far more power than I previously thought possible.
Terra: Oh, well, that's good. But I also have to thank you. That blast helped free me.
Sa'vor: So we are even. Now prepare yourself for the coming trials.
(The shield around the fortress/temple shudders and lowers. the Forgotten Freedom hovers inches above the ground as the crew form into regimented groups and support teams. the legions of Sa'vor and Volrath stand with weapons at the ready. Before them all hovers Sa'vor)
Sa'vor: Brothers and sisters, Friends, allies and Crewmates. In the time I have been aboard this ship I have seen us at each other's throats. I have seen us battle and fight. I have stood side by side with many of you, I have watched as many of us have died, even I have died. I have seen the family that our fair captain has created. though we have our differences we are a family. and they have taken one of our own. they have sought to destroy all that we hold dear.
their armies amass, amongst you I see the veteran warriors and spell casters. I see those to whom death is a living. I see those to whom battle is not new. I see ubers, I see scum, I see redshirts. I also see those whom are untested in the arts of war, do not fear, for those beside you shall guide you through this violent affair.
I doubt not the strength of your sword arms, the power of your spells, the courage in your heart or even the thirst for battle within your minds. for today I ask you, cast aside your fears, cast aside the petty rivalries, cast aside your doubts. for today we shall fight as one for the sanctity of our family. today we shall fight for not only the universe but for the common cause, we shall fight for our freedom and our choice to this freedom.
(Summons mind blade and raises it high)
For the Forgotten Freedom!
(the Forces of the Forgotten freedom surge over the battle field, mage and warrior side by side. aberration and dragon as allies.)
Norbaz sits patiently in Mickey Nine Finger's medical bay/booze storage room. There he sits beside a bed where a now comatose Andrea lies. The Half-giant is riddled by images of the past few days.
Norbaz: Thanks, Mick...
Mickey: No problem (takes a hit from a flask) the spell'll be finished and she'll be up in no... uh oh.
Norbaz: What's uh oh?
Mickey: Res is done, but she's still out... well out cold, she's alive. How'd she die again?
Norbaz: Fiery sword of Shadow Jarlot.
Mickey: Might be the case... I'm gonna keep her here for observation till she wakes up. Well, I better start on res'ing Marish, got the place smelling like dead cat.
And so the half-giant continues to sit and think, as he has for the past several days by the comatose form of Andrea, some kind of booze potion iv flowing into her arm. Marish soon approaches from behind him.
Marish: ...any change.
Norbaz: no, nothing yet.
Marish: Listen... about the whole letter bit... I'm sorry for putting you on the spot and charming you like that... thanks... thanks for bringing us to the doc after we... after we were...
Norbaz: It was nothing... really.
Marish:...about... about the letter. Andrea, she... she-
Norbaz: Please... don't, I'll hear it from her, good or bad, when she wakes up.
Marish:...yeah... yeah, I understand.
The shifter girl heads to the door, pauses, then turns back to Norbaz.
Marish: My link to her is still active... she's lost in a dream right now... it's good to keep talking. Maybe... maybe it'll help her find her way.
Norbaz: Thanks... I'll keep that in mind.
As the troops storm into battle, Volrath taps Terra on the shoulder.
Volrath: I would like to contest one of your presious statements.
Terra: Wha...
Volrath: That time you and Realm...
Terra grabs Volrath, by the throat and lifts him into the air.
Terra: I told you to never speak of that. Besides she came on to me. I never hit on her.
Volrath: What about that time with m-
Terra grip tightens.
Terra: I was really drunk.
The crew is gearing up for battle. I suppose the redshirt purge will begin soon. While I still have what passes for breath in my body, I should confess my love of Sakura once and for all. My tentacle in which I hold this dragonhawk quill shakes, as though with palsy. I suppose that this may be my last will and testament as well, for the lawyer on board. Volrath's name deserves one more curse, for putting this transformation on me.
I have talked with John, to try to ease my mind. He laughed when I mentioned the redshirt purge, and said that it had nothing to do with us. According to John, Sa'vor gave an inspiring monologue to the crew to help them fight an unknown foe. But I know the truth! Volrath and his horrors are out to finish the job they started with their chess game! I have seen no "unknown enemies" that are trying to destroy the Forgotten Freedom II, despite my myriad eyestalks! They are trying to kill us downtrodden Redshirts, with this flimsy story which the keel tried to support with the pathetic "they haven't arrived yet" to cover their actions from our eyes!
This leaves me no option. I shall hide within Volrath's horde, waiting for the fighting to be over. I shall mourn the redshirts who died in the massacre to be, and when the time comes, make the villains who perpetrated this pay for each and every single drop of blood they took...
(They came over the hill. millions of them. forms made of living liquid metal, amungst them strode huge contructs of arcane might. their leaders were made of glittering liquid platinum and defied the rules of reality with their power. they were the C'tan, creatures of energy given life by being placed in bodies of living metal, kept liquid by the raging power within. parasites, these energy vampires fed off energy; preferably positive energy belonging to the living. but they'd devour any life force. they marched like an unending tide, thier graceful forms seemingly gliding over the ground instead of walking. thier leaders held great power within their bodies, Sa'vor shuddered. this wouldn't be easy.)
Sa'vor: Hold the ranks! Shields at the ready!
(Along the lines of the legions each of the ubers commands their own sections to do the same. Sa'vor raises his hand, the archers load their various ranged weapons. Sa'vor lowers it. a hail of arrows and bolts sink into the first few ranks of the approaching tide. many of the creatures exploded, their necromdermis breached. they loaded, and fired again. more dropped. but the horde kept approaching at walking pace. Naz'roth Saw the C'tan lords prepare their spells and threw up a shield around his legions. along the line all the spell casters did the same as fire crashed down on the shields. they held as more and more bursts of fiery energy was unleashed)
Sa'vor: (to himself) why keep up the barrage? theres no pointin it... unless. (Now yelling) everyone, draw your melee weapons. back up, their perparing for their assualt!
(Slip could feel Sa'vor's energy now, it was overwhelming. she watched the battle through the window of her cell. the great tides of the C'tan where innumerable. she shuddered. that's what they must be preparing to do, bring forth one of them, one more powerful than any of the ones below. Bel Shammaroth. She would have transmitted the information to Sa'vor, but her cell was shielded from any inside or outside mystical, magical or Psionic force. She clenched her fists and forced down the anger, Save it, it would be needed.)
On the lower decks of the Forgotten Freedom, Caralot notices the sound of thundering feet. It gets louder and louder, becoming a torrent, one that passes her room, shaking the whole ship.
Caralot gets up and opens the door. Rushing past is a river of creatures, from average redshirts to the leftovers from the crew's demented experiments. And It's all headed for the bar.
Caralot shuts the door. She looks over at Crys, who just sits there like the brain-dead aberration she is. Caralot thinks for a minute, then goes over a wraps an intricate rhythm against one of the walls.
It's only a few moments before Roosevelt pops through the secret door.
Roosevelt: I would have thought you'd scamper already. Battle's up, and there's not guarantee we'll win this one.
Caralot: So where's everyone else going?
Roosevelt: Everyone who could duck out is headed for the bar. Seems that in the short span of time it's been around it's become a demi-dimension of its own. If this world goes, the bar is still safe, and you can escape to one of the other dimensions it touches.
Caralot: So why haven't you gone?
Roosevelt gestures at his teddy bear body.
Roosevelt: If I'm destroyed, this goes too. That's a better deal to me than survival has ever been. And I'll tell you a bit of philosophy I've discovered: thinking is overrated. It annoys the Khyber out of me. If I die then it's oblivion and no thought. Which option do you think I like?
Caralot nods.
Caralot: Are the secret corridors still open?
Roosevelt: Lady, we got enough extradimensional space that you can find a clear route to the bar, no problem.
Caralot: But that's not where I'm going.
Roosevelt: :shocked:
Caralot: I've got to get to the battle. This crew is too valuble to let go to waste.
Roosevelt: I know you're not talking about them being good people.
Caralot: No. Of course not. Where else do you get the chance to study the effect craziness has directly on living tissue?
Up on deck Captain Jarlot is watching the battle from the safety of the ship's mast. He sees Caralot emerge from the central hatchway.
Jarlot: I would have thought you had more sense to flee like all the other unused crew members.
Caralot: Shouldn't you be in the thick of battle like the good captain that you are?
Jarlot: Ooo, that stung. You know I'm a random element. I do my best work when it's completely unexpected.
Caralot: Shut up. I don't care right now.
Jarlot: You know, there's something I've been meaning to ask you ever since this whole mess witht the Alt-Jarlots started.
He sees that Caralot is holding something cupped in her hands.
Jarlot: Why are you different from all the other me's? I mean, other than your evil counterpart, all the Jarlots have been male and some kind of action hero. You are completly sensible by comparason.
Caralot: Well maybe… (she opens her hands to reveal the black water, which gradually becomes clear) …whatever came up with me… (she watches the sky, rocking her arms a little up and down) …decided that sensible… (she throws the black water up in the air, and it rapidly forms itself into a mass of dark stormclouds that begint o pour rain)… is still pretty crazy.
The rain falls on the battle. It begins to soak into the clothes and shirts of the various crew until the commanders put up protective fields. Even so the ground becomes a soaked mudhole, bogging down the redshirts. The C'tan, however, plow through everything with no problem.
Until the mud erupts underneath them.
Monsters formed out of the wet earth and sand rise up and clobber the legions of the C'tan. The energy parasites have nothing to absorb from the mud monsters, and any energy they fire at the para-elementals is either abosorbed by their watery natures or deflected by the bits of stone that they suspend. Phsycial attacks are useless against their fluid natures. It's only through pure magical energy that the C'tan make a comeback.
But then the first redshirts realize that something is different. One halfling is able to blink in and out, confusing the C'tan. A half-orc finds that he has aquired fast healing. Elves grow wings. Humans become larger and resistant to energy.
As they begin charging into the ranks of the C'tan, and the parasites find that these mortals have acquired a fluid nature akin to spell resistance. Attacked from the front by enhanced redshirts and from the middle by the para-elementals— having only faked their vulnerability to magic— the C'tan are being routed.
Jarlot watches the turning of the tide in amazement. Just a little black water had created all that. Then he sees an indistinct shape floating above the battle. It appears in the raindrops falling down and in the mist rising from the flashes of energy below. He is almost sure it is some sort of serpent-like dragon, but it is never the same from one flash to the next.
Jarlot (turning to Caralot): How are you doing all this? I mean, your specialty is mixing weird creatures. This one of them?
Caralot smiles in a way that Jarlot has seen before only on the faces of those who truely trust in gods.
Caralot: It exists independent of me. It is the Fourth Dragon.
Jarlot: Er… fourth of what?
Caralot: Siberys, Khyber, Eberron, and Thyrs.
Jarlot: What?! You mean that thing's a progenitor dragon?
Caralot: Siberys, sky. Eberron, land. Khyber, heart. Thyrs, water. Thyrs has all the abilities of liquids, esspecially water, and the power to change anything made of at least even a little water. This is like a dragonshard. Just a tiny piece of the whole, yet it possesses something that puts all other magic to shame, that even controls other magic. Kind of like the memebers of your crew.
Jarlot just turns back to the battle. The water isn't winning the thing for them, but it's helping.
Jarlot: Thyrs? How come I've never heard of it before?
Caralot doesn't answer for a moment. When she speaks, it lacks her earlier confidence.
Caralot: I don't know.
Far out in space, a conciousness stirs.
13: [COLOR=DarkRed]I feel it. Why? Why does this exist? Why don't I know how to stop it? Why…………[/COLOR]
The two sides clash, the tide of battle turning again and again with each new strike. Terra oversees her units, shielding them from the periodic bombardment. The sudden appearance of the clouds as well as the strange flow of power the rain granted had served to further enhace her newfound abilities. Though the C'tan were quite formidable, they were not invulnerable. The shifting shadows of the battle served to let her paralyze swaths of the foes before her legion, if only for a short time. Though her powers could not be absorbed, the fluid bodies of their enemies made them difficult to stop.
Terra: Blasted T-2 wannabes. Just stay still and die already!
A hail of arrows and magic strikes down the frozen enemies, but they are replaced as fast as they are destroyed.
Terra: They planned well. They divide the attention of the ubers between attack and defense, dropping our ability to strike decisively. Hopefully Sa'vor's got something up his sleeve...
Ketler and Jaela stand, in a room full of mechanical levers, switches, and one ominous red button.
Ketler: Mi-go technology at its finest!
Jaela: So you built it? :)
Ketler: It's flashy to say the least. You like "flashy" right?
Jaela giggles
Ketler: You want to do the honors?
Jaela slams the button.
The entire front of the Forgotten Freedom 2 opens up like a flower. A long metal staft runs from the center of the "petals". Lightning shoots from all over the ship, concentrating at the end of the shaft. After several minutes of charging up, the energy shoots off and blasts through the enemy ranks. Even those not directly hit are ripped apart by the massive shockwave created by the blast.
The crew recover from the shockwave and resume the battle. Fortunately, Ketler had aimed high enough that the crew had only suffered from a ringing in their ears.
All of the Ubers: (telepathically to Ketler) DAMMIT, MAN!! NEXT TIME, WARN US BEFORE YOU DO THAT!!!!
Ketler: AUGH!!! IT BURNS!!!
Volrath and Kanatash stand on opposite sides of a hexagram, drawn in a silver substance. Carved-up redshirts dot the entire symbol. The silver substance is letting off a purple smoke.
Volrath: Oh great revered grandfather;
Kanatash: Bringer of death;
Volrath: Essence of the beginning and the end;
Kanatash: The alpha and the omega;
Both: Heed our call;
Dark energy crackles in the air.
Both: Come, Azathoth!
Above the ship forms an amorphous, shpere shaped, mass. It grows hundreds of tentacles. Each one seems to suck the mind right out of any creature it touches.
Kanatash: (hugs Volrath) I am so proud of you. :weep:
Norbaz falls back into the medical bay, slamming the door shut behind him. Some of the enemy forces had somehow gotten below decks and had found him while he was getting a drink, only to find himself faced with inumerable hordes that had found their way into the ship.
Norbaz: Damn, Mick keeps a back door right.
The half-giant looks back and forth around the room and sighs... sometimes, sometimes it didn't pay to be on a ship that was a nexus of all time.
Moments later, kicking open Mick's back door, with a comatose Andrea under one arm, and her IV held in the other, Norbaz bolts down the corridor then past another group of the invaders. During this running, someone began waking up... being carried under someone's arm, and looking back at their pursuers.
Andrea took stock of her surroundings beyond these immediate pieces of information, noticing she was hooked up to one of Mickey Nine Fingers's booze potion IV lines, explaining a slight buzz she was feeling, and being carried by a very long and powerful arm.
Andrea: What is going on?
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