Forgotten Freedom:85

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Nalfein walks up to Terra and Lisa carrying a potion, handing it to them.

Nalfein: Here.

Terra: What's this?

Nalfein: My wedding gift. It's a Potion of Youth.

Lisa: You can make those?

Nalfein: Of course. I can switch between 2nd, 3rd, and 3.5 edition rules. These things existed in 2.0.

Terra: Oooook... Thanks.

As they head off, Nalfein relaxes a bit.

Nalfein: You can let go now.

Volrath and Satnak materialize beside him. Volrath's tentacles are wrapped around his head, and Satnak has her hand over his heart. She is mouthing the words "Kah-li-mah, kah-li-mah" (sp?). They both pull away and Volrath hangs his head.

Volrath: Awwwwww...I wanted to hear your neck crack... :weep:

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(in Terrek’s lab) Terrek stumbles out of his portal, leaving the Forgotten Freedom behind, and collapses to the floor of his lab. He lies there for a moment, every muscle tensed in agony, a smile of pleasure on his face. Slowly he gets up slowly using his chains to aid him and walks into his library. His metallic clawed hands grab a chair and he collapses into it and closes his eyes.

(in Terrek’s head)

Ariajni stands stripped bare surrounded by darkness. Black mist swirls up from the blackened ground. It grippes him with it’s cold tendrils sending shivers up his spine. For the first time in a long time he knows he is weak and powerless. All the energies that he once held are long gone. He turns around where he stands swirling more mist about him and gasps, frightened.

Ariajni: Where… Where am I?

Terrek appears as from nowhere parting the mist before him. Black energy swirls around his form giving off a faint light in darkness.

Terrek: Welcome to my mind.

Ariajni whirls around to face him. Then stands upright boldly. Ariajni: You insolent pest! I should burn you where you stand! Release me from this prison at once and I may let you live.

Terrek throws back his head and laughs. His voice echoes eerily in the gloom as though not one, but a hundred men laughed simultaneously with the same voice.

Terrek: You fool! You are dead! You have no power! I have claimed it as my own. Though I must admit, Terra used the majority of it in slaying you and much was lost in the transfer but still, you are powerless. Do you not feel it?

Terrek paused for a moment and stared at Ariajni as he cowered back. For the first time in nearly a thousand years he spoke with fear reflecting in his voice.

Ariajni: But… if I’m dead, then how am I standing here, talking to you?

Terrek: (laughing) I thought you’d never ask. I consumed your soul. You now exist solely in my mind because I will it so. Be glad that I have not yet sent you to the deeper recesses of my mind where the rest of the devoured go; I’ve been informed that it’s quite unpleasant.

Ariajni: Then why am I here?

Terrek: Because I will it so… and because I’ve a few questions to ask you. If your answers please me, I may think twice about d*mning you to eternal torment.

Ariajni: What do you wish to know?

Terrek: The power I now wield, the power that was formerly yours, feels different than what I sensed. This power is darker, as if some shadow had overtaken it.

Ariajni laughs without amusement.

Ariajni: I remember now. Terra stole my power from me, at least a good portion of it, and used it to slay me. I laid there dying knowing that her form could not contain it, ant that she too would die. If you now hold it, it means that you took it form her. But what you took was not my power, it was Terra’s. To slay me she had to twist my power and make it her own. It joined with the darkness that was placed in her soul so long ago. You took that as well. The darkness that was meant to destroy her will now destroy you!

Terrek's eyes narrowed as Ariajni laughed maniacally. He raised his hand and the black mist swirled back away from Ariajni’s body. He lowered it and the black tendrils of mist tore Ariajni apart. His laughter immediately became screams as the mist swallowed him, d*mning him to eternal hell.

(in Terrek's library)

Terrek sits up in the chair and his eyes open, the image of his mindscape fading. Perhaps Ariajni was right, he thought. Perhaps I have consumed the darkness as well. Terrek smirked thinking, No matter. I’ll twist its power to my ends as well. I am slave to no one and nothing. This “darkness” is nothing more than a slight inconvenience.

Terrek got up and returned to his lab. He had work to do…

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Several members of the crew have gathered to see the newlyweds off.

Volrath:  :weep: When will you be back?

Terra: Not sure. Plane hopping messes with the time difference, but it shouldn't be too long.

Volrath:  :weep: But how long?

Lisa: *sigh* Not very long.

Volrath:  :weep: That's too long...

P/Y/R: Don't worry, he won't even notice your gone. I'll see to that. :devil:

Terra & Lisa: *shudder*

Satnak: If you decide to check out my home, say hi to everyone for me.

Terra: Will do. Oh, yes, something to mention to the rest of you. While I'm gone, my lab will be sealed off. There are two keys, and you need both to get in.

Devon: Who has them? :shifty:

Lisa: Kanatash and Satnak. :D

Devon:  :eek:  :censored: !

Terra: Kithle, I'm leaving you in control of my spy network till I return. They already know, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Kithle: What about the other thing we talked about...?

Lisa: Oh, that's right! We forgot about them.

Terra: They're pretty much ready to go. Some of them still need training, but otherwise it's taken care of.

Kithle: Can I...?

Terra: Knock yourself out.

She opens a portal to a pocket dimension, and Kithle runs in. A moment later, he flies out on an armor clad Giant Demonic Chocobo.

Kithle: Woo hoo!!!!

GDC: WAAAARRRKK OF DOOOOOMMM!!!!

Kanatash: I thought he only wanted flying mounts for the Squirrels...?

Terra: Oh, they've been ready for a while. I made some full size versions for normal troops as well.

At this time, several Squirrels follow Kithle on miniature Chocobos.

Squirrel Commander: Squeaker squeaken!

Squirrel Troops: Squeakity!

Squishy: And yet, this is still not the wierdest send off I've seen.

Admiral Jarlot: Hold up there, girls.

All: Grrroooooooaaaaaannnnnnn...

Admiral Jarlot: Getting married is all well and good, but you need to think about starting a family.  ;) I'd be more than willing to help ou-*WHAM*

Jarlot: *wielding a +6 Bat of Idoit Smashing* That should shut him up for a while...

Admiral Jarlot: *on the ground* You hit me! You hit me right in the head! Why did you-

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

Admiral Jarlot: I'm still ok...

WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!

Admiral Jarlot: *dazedly* Hello Mr. Deck, funny seeing you here...

Jarlot:  :fight!: Why won't you die?!

Ketler: I think that's enough, dad.

Jarlot: Grrrrrrr... Someday...someday...

Sakura/Jaela: You two have fun. Don't worry about us and come back whenever you're ready.

Lisa: Thanks. *turns to Terra* I'd say that's our cue, hon.

Terra: Right. We'll see you all later.

Magical light surrounds them and the pair disappear from Eberron.

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Satnak - Ok then...

Turns and *glares*

PHolly - IT WASN'T ME

Satnak ignores the little twerp, (for now) and rushes Beryl and Andrea. She picks them up by the neck, 1 in each hand, and slams them into the wall.

Satnak - Andrea I value your intellect and council, don't do something stupid like mess with my friends and make me do something I don't want to, like rip your spine out backwards. Beryl I don't care how good you look in that outfit, step off Lisa and Terra.

Crew - WHAT'S GOING ON??

Andrea and Beryl - *wheeeze* need ... oxygen

Satnak - I can understand the various siblings having a few issues with Lisa and Terra, but you two better have a good damn reason for helping them.

• Drop*

Andrea - oof

Beryl - ow

Andrea - you see...

Beryl - well its like this...

Jeala Jarlot - What was that about Beryl's outfit? :D

Satnak -  :embarrass lookitthetimegottagobrowbeatyoulater *yoink*

Andrea - Thanks -gasp- for the save.

Jeala Jarlot - No prob.

Beryl - ...

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Terrek stands working in his lab, once again visiting the tube in which he originally placed the body of Jonny the retard illithid.

Terrek works, thinking to himself. There’s a system of checks and balances on the FF. Everyone there has at least one other being more powerful than them to keep their actions in check except for Satnak. She does as she wishes without thought of the consequences. This has to stop. But no matter how much power I acquire she’ll still hold the title of Breaker Prime. It’s a conundrum wrapped in itself. Even beings such as the gods might bow to her power. I just ate the soul of a demi-god and I doubt that even that power will be enough to give her pause. She just rises to every challenge as though they were nothing.

Terrek smirked. It’s a good thing that I’m not limited to brute force as so many of the other crew seem to be. *sigh* They seem to believe that power alone is everything. I’ve lived over four hundred years, amassed all kinds of power of every type imaginable and I know that power alone is not the answer. Perhaps I can teach the rest of them that…

Terrek looks up from the machine to see the tube open. A naked form tumbles out and Terrek catches it. He looks down at the being in his arms and a small tear forms in his eye at the sight of such beauty. He walks over to a stone slab and lays her down gently.

She lies there with her eyes closed, shining black hair laid out behind her head. Her ears come to soft points contrasting the gentle curve of her nose. Her form is long and slender with a slight build and supple breasts. The pale skin on her body reflects the dismal light of the lab as Terrek reaches to brush a stray strand from her face. Her eyes flutter open to reveal iris’s of deep green, expressing kindness and understanding. Her red lips part slightly as she looks up at Terrek.

Girl: Where… who… what…

Terrek speaks softly to the girl, his voice slightly choked at the beauty of the youthful creature. Terrek: Calm. You are safe Serene. That is all that need concern you. As for who I am… you may call me Terrek.

Girl: Serene…?

Terrek: Serene is your name. Come, get dressed.

He hands Serene a flowing skirt of dark blue glammerweave. It fits closely around her, accenting every curve of her body, leaving her arms and shoulders bare. The skirt ends just above her shins and fades from opaque to nearly transparent from the waist down. Neat folds swirl around her legs as she steps lightly across Terrek's obsidian lab floor. She turns to look at Terrek and speaks softly in a voice like the gentle notes of a harp.

Serene: This is beautiful. I… I don’t know how to thank you.

Terrek: You need give me no thanks. It is my responsibility as your creator to see you have all that you need.

Serene: You created me? Is that how I came to be here?

Terrek: Yes. I created you from the body of brain-dead being.

Serene: But… why? For what purpose did you create me?

Terrek smiled at his creation. He could not keep Satnak in check through power, but perhaps other means…

Terrek: I made you for a girl. You know her already in your mind. Shortly you will seek her out. If she accepts you, you will bring each other much happiness.

Serene closed her eyes and smiled.

Serene: Yes… I see her in my mind… she’s wonderful! I feel as though I already know her. When may I meet her? I wish terribly to do so…

Terrek: Come. We’ll meet her in a moment.

Terrek waves his hand and a portal opens to the Forgotten Freedom. He walks through it with Serene trailing close behind…

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Volrath sees Serene as she appears on board.

Volrath: So she's the one Terrek is using against Satnak. Even his scrying defenses couldn't stop me... Then again it was rather easy. Maybe he wanted me to see. Doesn't really matter anyway.

A few minutes later Volrath appears in Ketler's room.

Ketler:  :zzz:

Volrath: Wake up!

Ketler: Gah! Don't do that!

Volrath: Alright anyway read this. *hands him Magic: the Gathering Nemesis * Note what happens to the elf girl in the first couple chapters. Can you repeat what happened to her to the new girl?

Ketler: What would I get out of it?

Volrath: As you read I'm sure it will be aparrent to be its own reward.  :devil:

Ketler: We'll see, but why are you doing this whatever it is?

Volrath: I need some degree of control of Satnak. See ya.

Volrath disappears and Ketler gets to reading.

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Nalfein and Volrath are on the deck of the FF while Muradin, Jonny, Squinty, Pholly, Steve, and Cuddles stand around them.

Volrath: Ok, so, we are now ready to leave.

Nalfein: How did you get Jonny back to this state? I thought that Terrek “fixed” him.

Volrath: Well this is the original one, the fixed one is in a new body.

Nalfein: Ah.

Klaz: (running up with Vrin behind him) ‘old up there mates! Ol’ Klaz wants a look see at this critter.

Nalfein chucks a fireball at him

Klaz: *now on fire* I’ve ’ad worse.

Volrath introduces him to stabbity death.

Klaz: *bleeding profusely on the floor* I’m not dead yet…

Nalfein: *sigh* Fine, as long as you don’t get in the way. *heals him*

Volrath: Oooooook… Let’s go then.

Volrath starts to draw a sigil that forms into a warp point. Before he finishes, Kanatash floats in looking rather displeased.

Kanatash: Where are you going with my nephew?

Nalfein: We are going to kill the Flamed On-

Kanatash: (slamming him into the wall) You’re going to tell me his real name.

Nalfein: Why should I?

Kanatash: Tell me, or I’m “donating” all of your books to (whispers).

Nalfein:  :eek: You wouldn’t!

Kanatash: Wanna test that theory? :smirk:

Nalfein: …fine. His name is Tyranthraxus.

Kanatash: Ok, (sets him down) the rest of you are dead. Have a good time!

Volrath: Nice.

Volrath finishes the portal and the group walks through it.

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Satnak - Hey Terrek, whos the newbie.

Terrek - Gah, what are doing sneaking around?

Satnak - I need to find all the Lisa and Terra Siblings/twisted clones and make sure Lisa and Terra aren't walking into a trap they can't handle on the way home. That and someone's been stealing my clothes.

Terrek - (who in their right minds... oh yeah forgotten freedom... check your sanity at the door... the establishment is not responsible for psychological trauma, dismemberment, etc.) This is Serene... My ... Daughter.

Satnak - Hi.

Satnak extends her hand in greeting.

Serene - Hello, your eyes... you must be Satnak.

Satnak - So the old man's been warning you, good. I was worried he might not appreciate how dangerous this ship can be for un-modified humanoids... or is yours just not obvious. To tell the truth I keep expecting you to have scales somewhere.

Serene - Why?

Satnak - Your old man really went in for the grafting mods, I guess you take after your mom.

Serene - Mom?

Terrek - Please Satnak, don't ...

Satnak - OH.. ok I'll leave it alone, I know what that's like.

Serene - Do think scales would be a good Idea?

Satnak - NO WAY, scales are creepy on mammals. You train under Forbes for a year or two and you get a massive snake aversion.

Terrek - (i.h.h. good to know)

Satnak - I'm basically wandering around anyway, I'll show you around, Terrek still hasn't figured out a few of the best spots.

Terrek - Actually I was going to ask you to look out for her a bit, I have alot to do right now, came up very suddenly.

Serene - I'd like to go with you.

Satnak - All right... I'll show her around... If you see Beryl I need to talk to her.

Terrek - Ok.

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A young man in slightly dishevelled clothing walks up the docking ramp of the FF holding a half-burnt scroll in front of him. Each step causes bits of rubble to fall from his shoulders, three seperate buildings had tried to collapse upon him, how ever, Quill was very lucky. His wide brimmed hat, flowing cloak, chain shirt, scabard, belt, boots, gloves, and all oter acoutrements, were fashioned a brilliant crimson.

 He planted both boots solidly upon the deck of the forgotten freedom, and looked around at the people walking around with a look that combined exuberance, fear, trepidation, and that little fealing young boys get the first time they are forcedto be naked around others of thier sex. At the next moment quill was jostled sideways by a pair of women, one obviously beutiful, the others caring hims ensless by her sheer pressence. The subsequent fall toplled Quill over the rail.
 But as was always is luck..... his cloak caught on a broken piece of hull that had yet to be repaired. Mentally noting a ripping sound Quill swung himself about some and just managed to make it aboard the ship again. He re-opened his charred scroll and read the name jar....

Quill: Jar...... damned fire... leave it to Quill to burn his assignment orders.....

He looked around rather hopelessly lost on the ship, with its myriad crew of misfits and marvels. Knowing he was in the right place though he decided to make the best of it as he always did. Setting his hat down to the deck at his feet he slung his like-wise crimson guitar around to his front and produced a tubular flask of Alchemists shock from a crimson satchel at his waist. Inserting the tube half way into the back end of the guitar and twisting it to the left, a bit of "feed back" was heard before a projected sound of playing was heard.

SO enters the not-so-red-shirt, The Crimson Quill.

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