Forgotten Freedom:31

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---

Upon completion of her tasks, Terra returns to her room.

Terra: (to herself) Things are progressing far faster than anticipated. This may be my only chance...

Within her room sits an altar, upon which lies the unconscious form of a Quori scout Sa'vor had captured and bound for her. Her room is covered in ancient symbols written in Redshirt blood, and before the alter sits a tome glowing with dark power and a ritual knife covered in runes.

Terra: Not really ideal circumstances, but it'll have to do.

On the other side of the altar, a sigil is inscribed onto the floor. Not-Walter hops down and takes up position here. Terra opens the tome and begins to chant in Dark Speech, the sigil glowing brightly. When she plunges the dagger into the Quori's chest, it awakens with a start. Magically bound to the altar, it is nearly unable to move.

Quori: (looks at Terra, then at Not-Walter) Ugh...*hack*...Y-you! You...should *cough* be dead!

Not-Walter: (telepathically) Not quite. I wasn't about to die still bound in this form...

Still chanting, Terra begins pulling the knife down his torso, blood gushing from the wound.

Quori: *gurgle* You cannot win...guh...my masters will kill you all...

Not-Walter: I've been waiting a milennia for this. Now, you who cursed my name, you who imprisoned me, you will know my wrath!

At this, a stream of light emerges from the now dead Quori and heads for Not-Walter. A circle of dark energy surrounds him and clashes with the Quori's life force. The two cancel each other out, shattering the spell that bound him in a flash of light. Not-Walter's spirit rises out of his body, taking on a humaniod form. As Terra's chanting ends, the spirit is drawn into her.

Terra/Not-Walter: (in tandem) It is done...

After a moment, she heads over to a mirror to take a look at herself.

Terra: Well, that's interesting...

Several of her features have become decidedly more feral. Her fingernails have become more clawlike, and her teeth are now decidely more...fangy. The most striking difference was her eyes. Instead of the light green surrounded by white they were before, they were now deep yellow, and her pupils had turned vertical.

Terra: Seems I was in that body so long, I took on some of it's characteristics. Ah, well.

She spent a few minutes getting used to the new power flowing through her, casting a few low-level spells as practice. When she felt confident enough in her control, she smiled.

Terra: Maybe this is what Kithle felt like when he became half-mindflayer...

---

(Terra returns to the deck)

Sa'vor: (smiling) I see you were successful...

Kithle: WTF happened to you!!!

Terra: Oh, you know...ancient rituals, sacrifices, fusing with the vengeful spirit of a man even the Quori used to fear...that kind of thing.

Chalky: HEY!! You stole my look!

Terra: Oh, that. That was unintended, but I got some pretty *****in bonuses out of it...

---

Satnak: We're here bloody rampage time guys.

Kithle: Wait a second we need to...

Satnak leaps into the horrible melee diving straight through the dream beasts and tiwards the quori manifesting them her terrible arm passes through the flesh and spirits of the deadly beasts as if through air. The path of her lethal dance can be followed by the racing quori energies trying to catch up to their new home as the arm traps and binds them to satnak for all time. Her brutal, arrogant, and graceful pugilism leaves her opponents to shocked to respond properly. Her terrible eyes promise utter annihilation to all in her bloody path. Even the most ancient and terrible beasts fall to her viscious punches and bone shattering kicks.

Kithle: Never mind sometimes I forget she can do that.

(Sa'vor stares around at the millions of nightmare creatures swarming over the deck, overwhelming many crew members. Sa'vor knew he could beat them, but to do so was to let the hunger take over him. sometimes there where benefits in being a cold blooded murderer. Sa'vor raised a hand to the sky and unleashed his will on it, the sky swirled around at his will, normal clouds turned pitch black. thunder rolled from them. A beam of black fire emitted from them and struck Sa'vor, the crew stopped seeing him wreathed in Black flame. Sa'vor turned his head to see a swarm of the nightmare creatures swarming up the deck to him. he raised his right palm equal to them, and let the fire flow from him. the fire consumed the nightmares, devouring their souls. Sa'vor called lightning from the sky, it struck the deck, whipeing out all the creatures. Sa'vor felt the exctasy of elemental power flowwing from him. but he let it go, already Sa'vor could feel the fatigue from wielding that much power. he fell to the deck, his breathing harsh and shallow)

Kithle: Sa'vor? what the hell happened just then?

Sa'vor: (Breakes into a Coughing fit) I summoned the storm, its elemental fury should protect us... but it drained most of my energy. I'll need to rest and meditate for a while.

Kithle: I think you'll need to see a mirror first

Sa'vor: Why?

(Kithle removes a mirror from his pockets and hands it too sa'vor, before him Sa'vor see's his own face. but its changed, a black rune had formed above each of his eyebrows. his black hair had turned white, snow white. His skin had become like Alabaster. it was his eyes that scared him the most, they where completly colourless) Sa'vor: The energy required must of drained much of my life-force, i'll have to rest longer than i thought, though my features will remain like this permenetly

---

Some Quori have managed to sneak below deck. They are walking down a featureless hallway.

Quori1: Man, these people are friken crazy! They aren't even disoriented by the whole "Your dreams can control your environment" thing.

Quori2: Never had that happen before. Do you suppose…

There is the sound of quick hammering behind them. They turn around to find that where once was a corridor is now…a corridor. Only all the wood grain is the wrong way around.

Quori2: Looks like some kind of pathetic mind trick.

Quori1: Truely. What do they think we are, ogres?

The two quori laugh meniacly together and turn back to the direction they were going.

Quori1: Um, were we going this way?

Quori2: WTF? Of course we were!……Why do you say that?

Quori1: Because I don't remeber the hall we were walking down looking like this.

Now the halls look exactly the same, except one has a door a bit further down on the left.

Quori2: See that door? We were headed for that door.

Quori1: Oh, yeah. I guess being a creature in a dimension where things change on a whim, I don't expect it to happen on a mortal ship.

Quori2: (whisper) Get yourself recycled. [Quori equivalent to "Go jump in a lake"] (louder) I'm soooooo glad our numbers don't correspond to our rank.

The Quori open the door. Just beyond it stands Klaz Dingbo in full "Dino Hunter" attire.

Klaz: Crikey! Would you look at that? (he says, gesturing to Jam, whose holding a crude box that resembles a camera) These here are the vicious Quori, mates. Born from pure evil, they're majorly psychic. They can drive you insane with just a thought. I'm going to try and approach one now. Remember, I'm a comPLETE idoit, so that means I'm a professional and you should not try this at home.

The Quori are transfixed by the box. They'd grin nervously if they had mouths.

Quori1: Are we on TV?

Quori2: Are my eyes placed randomly enough?

Klaz approaches. He goes into a great tirade about all the features of the quori bodies, pointing out the various bits from a safe distance, while the quori just stand there. He uses phrases like "Isn't he a beaty?", which puffs up the quoris' egoes.

Klaz: Okay. Now I'm going to try and touch them. Remember, do NOT try this at home.

Klaz slowly steps up the the quori—who are trying not to make fools of themselves and failing miserably—and pats them both quickly. Suddenly the quori vanish in a flash of light, leaving two small piles of ash, each with a marked piece of paper on top.

Jam: Great idea, Igor! But how'd you know it'd work?

Igor and Roosevelt step out from behind a false panal.

Igor: Thimple, really. I onth worked for an agent of the dreaming dark. It'th a quori practical joke.

Jam: But what's "TV"?

Igor: "TV" standth for "Telepathic Viewing". Quori get hooked on peopleth dreamth. The onth stuck on Eberron during the day tap back into Dal Quor and watth their comradth for a bit of fun. It'th gotten to be a big thing.

Klaz: That's just pathetic. Anybody wanna watch the Jarlot on the crystal ball?

---

Sa'vor heads below deck, the storm he summoned still swirling about, protecting them from the hordes. Terra watches him, the fire in her eyes receeding, still cluching the disemboweled remnants of a Quori.

Terra: I don't know if I should thank him or hit him. I've been waiting so long for this...

She tosses the body overboard, then takes a look at her bloodsoaked hands. Around her, she notices several more enemy corpses, all torn apart with unneccesary malice.

Terra: Probably thank him. It seems the Kython's natural bloodlust has affected me more than I thought...

---

(Sa'vor is asleep on his bunk, still fully dressed, a bolt of lightning lances through the sky illuminating the dark room, Sa'vors eyes open instantly)

Sa'vor: Greetings Igor

Igor: Greetingth Mathter

Sa'vor: I heard of some of your histroy, quite excellent work I must remark. You are quite the worker.

Igor: I try to pleathe

Sa'vor: Kithle already remarks on your excellent work so far. your quite an addition to the crew. You exeede everyones expectations.

Igor: Thome tea for you mathter.

Sa'vor: Thank you Igor (sits up, drinks the tea) How long was I asleep?

Igor: Eight hourth, you where quite drained. The thtorm ith thtill here, cauthing untold amounts of dethtruction. I remember mathter Naz'roth calling a Tempetht just like thith, destroyed the legionth of Xull

Sa'vor: Yes, thats where I learned how. Have they found Jarlot Igor?

Igor: Not yet, though we've almost pinned him down. We thhould thoon be able to retrive him

Sa'vor: Excellent, I'd rather not stay here any longer. Brings back memories of my past visit... (shudders)

---

(In the Qouri HQ)

Supreme Qouri: So, Sa'vor has returned, excellent.

Elder qouri: What do you whant us to do with him?

Supreme Qouri: Nothing, he is immune to our probeing and has disabled our trigger. We could retrive him by sending in Jarlot and his companions. They are most willing converts.

Elder Qouri: Indeed.

---

The guys of the Lesser-Used are having a card game when Lucky walks in. As usual for this crew they decide to see if they can get her into the sack.

Vrin: Hello my beauty. Perhaps you'd love to join such gentlemen as ourselves?

Lucky: I already know who you are. Give it a rest.

But they keep up, except for Long Wang, who has suddenly had a thought.

Long Wang: Lucky comrade, were you not a man when you came aboard this ship?

Lucky grins in an evil way, pulling her cloak back to reveal a Girdle of Femininity/Masculinity. The guys take one look at each other, then sprint from the room.

Lucky sits down at the now empty table, but is soon joined by a Ninja Jaela.

Ninja Jaela: Truely?

Lucky: Yup. My nickname was originally a insult about my success with women…so I decided to try life as one and see if it could improve me.

Ninja Jaela: And has it?

Lucky: Mm-hm. I get more women this way….

---

Volrath is sitting in the fetal position, in a pocket plane whose only entrance is in his room. He is guarded by the thousands of uberations that are still in his army. ( He only expended a fraction of his forces in the battle. Volrath always keeps a lot of everything in reserve, just in case one of his old friends or relatives come to visit.)

Volrath: He wouldn't hurt me we're family.

Volrath: That hasn't stopped him before. Our best chance for survival is to just sit here quietly until the ship finds a way back to the prime.

Volrath: What if we call in a favor from a friend to defend us?

Volrath: No one would answer. None of them want Hast...

Volrath (interrupting) : Don't say his name. It will give away our location.

Volrath: Thanks, what I was saying is that none of our friends want to see him, freed, and they will assume that any call from this plane is him.

Volrath continues rocking back and forth, petting his bunny, and wishing Terra or his mother were there to comfort him. He then quickly banishes the thought of his mother, knowing that it is impossible and that to linger on the thought of any one related to "He who must not be Named" even if only through marriage could attract his attention.

---

Nalfein is walking around the ship when he hears Norbaz shouting for help. So Nalfein runs to the kitchen and sees Norbaz combating the chili.

Nalfein: Wow, never seen that before.

Norbaz: DON'T JUST STAND THEIR, HELP ME!!!

Nalfein considers the chili for a second then pulls out his spellbook.

Nalfein: (holding a fireball) EAT FIRE PUNK!!! (Throws it at the chili)

Norbaz: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The fireball hits the chili and flames start coming out of the chili makeing it more powerful then before, then starts to come after Nalfein.

Nalfein: Oh, oh s***.

Nalfein quickly flips through his spellbook to find a good spell to hit the chili with.

Chili: Thank you, NOW YOU DIE!!!

Nalfein: CONE OF COLD BI***!!!

The chili is to slow to react and is frozen solid by the blast.

Norbaz: You didn't have to do that!

Nalfein: It was going to kill us!

Norbaz: Yes, but still...

Satnak: (walks in and sees the frozen chili) MY CHILI!!! YOU ARE DEAD !!! (points at Nalfein)

Nalfein: OH CRAP!!!

He starts to run, but Satnak grabs his robes and pulls him back.

Satnak: You will fix the chili or else. *UBERGLARE*

Nalfein: (wimper) Ok, if you want I can make it much better then before.

Satnak: ... If you do, I will let you off the hook.

Nalfein: Ok ok, just put me down. (after he is on the ground safely) You might want to stand back for this.

Norbaz and Satnak step back, Norbaz is worried about the rest of his kitchen and Satnak is watching closely.

Nalfein pulls out a scroll of eruption that was spellshaped so that its area of effect would cover 1 five foot square.

Nalfein: First FIREBALL, (The ice melts and the chili starts to advanced toward Nalfein)

Chili: I'm going to shove chili so far up your ***.

Nalfein: ERUPTION!!!

The Chili explodes in flames, then falls back into its barrel and stops moving.

Satnak: MINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINE MINEMINE!!!!!

Runs to the barrel and starts eating the chili.

Satnak: Ok, from now on you (points at Nalfein) will do this to all of my chili.

Nalfein: But that was my only Eruption scroll that had that range. Now if I could get a schema of eruption...

Satnak: I'll get it for you.

Nalfein: Good, now while we are on the topic, can you get me some more schemas?

Satnak: That depends on how you act to me.

Norbaz: Oh god...

---

Terra stands on deck, watching the storm with a combination of relief and anxiety. Another storm rages, this one in her head. Ever since the ritual, she had felt...off. The cry for blood ate at her constantly, and every time she killed, it only intensified. So many things simply didn't fit. Her appearence for one. Nowhere in any tomes she could find, even among Volrath's, was there any reference to this happening. The simple fact that she could now fight bare handed so well was especially worrisome. Neither of her former selves had ever been proficient at it. The bloodlust she felt was far beyond any Kython she had ever encountered. Had she missed a step? Had something happened that she couldn't see?

Terra: (to herself) Could it even be possible...?

---

Kithle: What have told you quori ametuers about messing with my home? Satnak get back to work on those punks.

Satnak: Fiiiiiiiine chili's done anyway.

Kithle: Toss the caiptain and any other crew towards the ship John will catch em.

John: But the spikes

Kithle: Consider your impressive array vs a quori's torture

John: Ok

Kithle: Kanatash Go with her for the intitial assault and guide the tossed to john, also if you find an interesting quori send it back for me I haven't eaten brains in a while.

---

Meditating on deck, Terra has been searching her mind, trying to find the source of the unknowns that have appeared. She can feel it…something malicious lurking just outside of her consciousness.

Terra: I know you’re there! Show yourself!
???: You’d like me to do that, wouldn’t you?
Terra: How did you get in here?! What are you doing to me?!
???: You’ll learn, soon enough.
Terra: I will find you. You can’t avoid me forever.
???: And what will you do then? You can’t expel me…
The Quori appears behind her in her minds eye.
Quori: Time to say goodnight…

(Ten minutes later)

Terra enters the Captain’s office, currently occupied by Kithle.

Kithle: Can I help you?

Terra: There is a matter of grave importance we need to discuss...

She seems to be behaving differently than before, and her mannerisms are odd. Kithle stands, but otherwise remains where he is.

Terra: What’s the matter?

???: (In Kithle’s head) Don’t buy it, Kithle!

Kithle: (in his head) Terra?

Terra: (in his head) Yes! What you see before you is not me. It is my body, but not my mind. Get Satnak back here as fast as possible, but try not to alert it. I’ll do what I can from in here, but you’ll need to fend it off. If you must kill me to do so, then so be it.

Terra?: I know my transformation is a bit unnerving, but you’re being rude…

Kithle: What do you want, demon?

The Quori raises its eyebrow in slight surprise.

Quori: Heh, whether you know or not doesn’t matter. You’re life is mine!

With this, the possessed Terra sends a barrage of arcane energy at Kithle, which he easily deflects. Extending her claws, she strikes at him repeatedly, pursuing him about the room. The furniture is up-ended, and she leaves several large gouges in the walls as she misses.

Quori: (in her head) Damn you, woman! Why must you styme my efforts?!

Terra: (in her head) I would rather die than be a slave to you foul creatures! I will see to it that you go down, even if I have to take you with me to do it!

Kithle can feel the struggle for control raging inside her, hoping to himself that Satnak arrives soon. Terra’s skills were too valuable to just destroy. Besides, with her newfound power, it would be a bit of a challenge to defeat her if the Quori gained full control.

Quori: Face me, you coward!

At this, the door bursts open and Satnak steps in.

Satnak: Bloody mol, you make a lot of noise. Time to zorlch me another Quori!

The Quori, now trapped between the two of them, growls menacingly at Satnak and her arm.

Quori: (in her head) This is your fault! How do you fight me? I rule your mind!

Terra: (in her head) Only part of it. You jumped the gun on possessing me…

Quori: I WILL NOT FAIL! FOR THE DREAMING DARK!

When the Quori turns to strike at Kithle, a barrage of magical energy hits it dead on. Caught off guard, it is forced out of Terra’s body. As she crumples to the ground, Satnak moves in.

Satnak: *ULTRAMEGAZORLCH*

(about an hour later)

Terra: Ugh…

Kithle: Ah, you’re awake.

Terra: (sitting up, holding her head) Man, getting possessed is almost as bad as getting liquid keelhauled…

She appears back to normal. The only change now apparent is that her eyes are still yellow, but this time only the irises.

Kithle: You wanna tell me what happened?

Terra: I was foolish. During the ritual, we had to lower our defenses for a moment to complete the fusion. I had sealed the room, but one was already inside…

Kithle: The sacrifice?

Terra: Yeah. He somehow managed to retain enough strength to cling onto Not-Walter’s spirit during the fusion.

Kithle: You know where we are. Why the Khyber would you try something like that?

Terra: I had little choice. Coming here pretty much forced my hand. It was either 1.) Not perform the ritual and be a sitting duck, a suicidal choice if they discovered who Not-Walter was, or 2.) Perform it here and risk being possessed, not much more appealing. I had hoped to do this from the prime, but I was a step behind them once again…. By the way, who hit me?

Kithle: Oh, I contacted Sa’vor right after Satnak. He appeared just as you were about to try and kill me again. But…something bothers me. How did you still have free will if it was in control?

Terra: The full fusion will take a few days to complete. I currently have three separate personalities, parts of my originals and the new one. It had only taken control of the new one, leaving me with the opportunity to warn you without really alerting it.

Kithle: That was quite fortunate.... I should tell you, while you were out I had a little peek around in your mind. I must say, you’ve led an interesting life. One little tidbit you’ve been keeping from us has sparked my interest…

Terra: I kind ’a figured you wouldn’t be able to resist. I’ll tell you what, once we’re out of here, I’ll show you around there a bit.

Kithle: I’m looking forward to it. Ready to go Quori hunting?

Terra: With extreme prejudice...

---

Kithle: Well the caiptain is back in bed. Lets play one of my favorite games. Hey guys if you do it to a quori it doesn't count against the list.

Crew: *Laughs manaicaly*

Quori: Awwwwwwwww ****

Kanatash: Dear lords who gave you that authority.

Kithle: Feh the caps asleep and drunk, and no one will dare rat me out because they were all participating. Besides I'm a bastard remember.

Kantash: I never forget that. Oh heres a nice specimen its a Shadow magic user.

Kithle: Interesting

Kantash: Unfortunatly its got this little circlet of fire shield I have been unable to neutralize.

Kithle: I knew I kept this around for more than ***** and giggles, (takes out longe range brainsucker from the time the crew got captured, you know when he got magic immunity) *Shchlorpshclarak* interesting a distinct umbral feeling with a creative base, and a mysterious aftertaste.

Kantash: Its a brain not a 500 year old wine.

Kithle: what do you expect? I'm half-flayer.

Quori cries of agony begin to rise as the crew starts remembering some of the interesting things they aren't normally allowed to do, putting these psychos in a dream realm is just plain wrong.

Kithle: Terra get back to work on the mess in the engine room, when you find pholly/ie keelhaul them.

Terra: (sarcastic) Aye capn

Kantash: Yes... who died and made you Jarlot?

Kithle: Don't tempt me, It might be nice to be captain for a few days. After that I'd be driven to drink just like jarlot and my system can't handle that kind of poison intake. Why do you think I obsess over picking my fights despite my powers, I am still no where near as invulnerable as the other members of this little group, I'm just smarter. *telepathically* oh volrath if you keep behaving I'll get your rabbit a self cleaning litter tray. I've made arrangements with Allen, he's still in hot water with satnak from messing with norbaz. *end telepathy* I love this ship.

---

Jarlot: So this is the Tomb of the Dreaming Dark itself.

Aerith: YESSssssssssssssssss.

Jarlot: And you're the manifestation of the Dreaming Dark itself I take it?

Aerith: YEssssssssssssssss.

Jarlot: The hissing is very atmospheric I must confess.

Aerith: I am the collected sum of all human will. I am the Idea. The desired God. The Idea of Evil.

Jarlot: That explains alot about our relationship.

Aerith: An ocean of feelings. All humans have, deep in their souls. A common consciousness that transcends individuality. Their collective consciousness as a species. Its dark side is this swelling ocean. I was born from these swells as the ego of this world. This world itself is I. The darkness that dwells in every human heart. The Idea of Evil. This is the God. The God of the Quori. The God of Humans. The Dreaming Dark.

Jarlot: The Divine? This is your idea of being God? This HELL?

Aerith: This is just the surface of the multiple layers of the whole consciousness. But you know you know that this place is terribly human. Violence and loneliness...This place is filled with all kinds of blurred negative feelings It is truly the will that defines human nature.

Jarlot: You claim to have created me? You just got through saying humans made you.

Aerith: I have willed human nature and pushed it as I was molded to produce you Jarlot so that you could come to this place. Humans desired reasons. Reasons for pain. Reasons for sadness. Reasons for life. Reasons for death. Why were their lives filled with suffering? Why were their deaths absurd. They wanted reasons for the destiny that kept transcending their knowledge

Jarlot: And that was you....

Aerith: And I produce those As it is what I've been brought to existence for I control destiny. Obeying to the essence of human kind I weave every man's destiny. It was established that you would be here since a distant past By influencing the lower levels of human consciousness and merging blood with blood, I created the lineage that would give birth to the man you are. To pave the way for the times you would be born in, I maniplulated History and created an appropriate context for you All the encounters you have made so far were a part of the destiny that led you here as well.

Jarlot: And who says that the divine doesn't have a sense of humor.

Aerith: Man desires a god to rule it. However, he desires this god to indulge his baser and evil natures. He wants the universe to bow to his wishes rather than submit himself yet refuses to take responsibility for the ruling of the universe he'd claim. You are the answer to their prayers. You will not rule them with conquest of arms or theology but through indulgence of their baser natures. You understand that people desire to be cruel, petty, and vile yet also to be fun. You will be my Chosen One and then at last....the Age of Darkness will be eternal for man will want it that way.

Jarlot: And I get to be your slave....

Aerith: I dwell deep in your heart, I am a part of you. You are a part of your kind's consciousness, a part of me Your desire is my desire as well. Your actions themselves shall prove to be suitable for your kind as a whole. May they bring pain or salvation to the men. Do as you will Chosen One and be as you desire. The Quori will obey you and ultimate power is yours to command. But worship me and I will make you a god.

Jarlot: I want....more.

Aerith: I will join with the body of your beloved to become one with her. She is an Inspired. The daughter of a Reidran scientist with a goddess. She will be yours as I am your slave and we shall be as one. Our marriage shall herald the arrival of mankind as the Old Ones.

Jarlot: You...aren't just the human spirit. You're....Khyber?

Aerith: Xoriat, the Quori, The Lords of Dust, the murderer in the alley...what are they all but shades of the greater darkness that is me? The human heart provided me a vessel to enter

Jarlot: And it'll happen just like that? Aerith my bride, the world as my own, and Hell spewing forth as mine.

Aerith: I have only one worthy of me. Dhakaani was destroyed to make ready the rise of humans so you could live Jarlot. The holy line of Galifar devastated so that its offspring could be raised in a filthy back alley since your namesake was not QUITE right

Jarlot: And my crew?

Aerith: Already, Bruce Ki and Jacob Hunter have died. V has been speared by my warriors. One by one...they die. They are the sacrifice for your ascension. Proof of your allegiance to me. The Quori are reborn every time one of them perishes. It is a hopeless fight for your mortal shells. Even the abberations are being annihilated as they cannot hide from my eternal sight. Give into the ectasy of your dream my love. I have an eternity to know your flesh.

Jarlot: Later.

Aerith: *Blink*

Jarlot: I don't need you to rule the world. I don't need some cheap immitation of a woman either, let alone a tentacled THING inhabiting her body. You want to kill my crew....you go through me.

Aerith: IMPUDENT....

(Jarlot lifted his repeating crossbow and shot the Aerith-thing in the face repeatedly with the divine bolts)

Aerith: I CANNOT BE DESTROYED! I CANNOT BE DEFEATED! I AM ETERNAL!

Jarlot: You don't have to be. I can just stand up to you and for one brief shining momment. Show that people like you self-proclaimed gods....you don't OWN us.

---

Norbaz falls back, injured from the front line against the Quori. Despite the dire nature his heart was no where near this battle. The last of his miniscual psionic abilities spent and his spells used up. The half giant grips his hammer one last time, hoping there could be an end to this onslaught.

He tries to drag the body of a felled crewmember with him, he can't quite tell who. More and more of the creatures swarm, begin penetrating the ship's defenses. As certain as he was that he would be die he was certain this was a fools errand. Doubt had wracked his mind since his encounter with Aerith...and that was enough to shake this cook's confidence. With a quick feint he managed to slam the blunt object against a Quori's skull, catching it unaware...he knew he couldn't hold out much longer, he looked around and saw the same could be said of many of the others. Those that could last were in for a hell of a cleanup if the ship ever made it back to prime.

The Quori hundreds of their number destroyed in the battle against the Forgotten Freedom even as they simply....shuddered. A crack, a nasty hiss, and a painful scream echoing through them that stunned them all for a short time.

---

Volrath couldn't even hear Kithle as his mind was assaulted by wave after wave of psionic energy. Hastur had found him!

Volrath: Get out, get out!

Hastur (in Volrath's head): You'll wish I was only torturing your mind when I get to your ship.

Volrath (to his aberrations): He's coming! Get on deck stall him for as long as possible and kill any quori you see.

With that the aberrations run up to the decks and relieve the exhausted crew. Their relief is short lived. Byahkees by the hundreds decend onto the ship.

Volrath: Allen, hurry up!

Allen: what do you think I'm trying to do!

At that moment a giant scorpian tail shoots trough Volrath's back and out his chest.

As he dies his life begins flashing before his eyes. As a child, the Thranish inquisition storming his house with pitchforks and torches. His mother pleading that she be take, but her children spared. Her wails of pain echoing from the inquitioners' torture chambers. His sister, hated for her albino skin, beaten daily by the townspeople. No one cared if any atocrocy happened to her, her attackers might even be praised for their deeds. He remebered his stay at Sigil Prep. All those years trying to acumulate enough power to get revenge on those that had tortured him and his family. Then he remebers when he met Muridin, Gar, Urial, amd Terra. For the first time sense the inquisition, he felt that he belonged. Just as these happy memories fade from his eyes he waits up in Mickey's emergency room, his wounds being tended to.

---

(Sa'vor lies asleep, renembering his years in the torture chambers of the Qouri. everyso often his body shakes with a spasm of pain. his face is contorted in a grimace. he renembers the branding irons, the thumb screws, the Scaples, having his skin flayed from his body and then he renembers the mind games and the horrible horrible blinding pain that consumed him mind and soul. then he renembers the other tortures, the infernal battle fields where he slaughtered angel, demon and devil alike to stay alive. he renembers the smell of blood clinging to his hands and body. its metalic taste. the pure joy of combat. He then thinks back to more pain, this time in Xoriat, yet more torture and twisting his very form and soul. he delves back even futher to the death of his mother, her draconic blood bapatising him as he lay unconsious from the adventurers attack. he renembered the other children in the village nearby bullying and beating him for his strange appearence. the Hatred on his elven ancestors faces, thier taunts of "Half-blood", "cripple" , "weak", "abomination". his cousins face swims into view, a sneer on his face as he raises a red hot poker.

Dra'vos: this will only hurt for a second!

The words boom through Sa'vors mind as he renembers the pure agony in his right sholder, he renembers somthing in his mind snapped. that killer instinct that was hold at bay for so long. gone. he renembers tearing the heart from his cousins chest. he renembers its sweet taste and the wonderful taste of his cousins blood. time fast forwards to the Last war, when Naz'roth was within his mind, the massed battles, the slaughter, wielding the arcane power of the warlock to blast soldiers into shattered corpses. he renembers lying prone and almost dead after the Day of Mourning. kept alive by Naz'roths power, then came the old man, how he'd been driven insane in that time. the man who'd nursed him to health only to have his throat slit as he slept. the pure joy of being able to kill again. and hunting down those adventures when they where now old. killing them and thier families, burning down thier homes. the sweet smell of burnt flesh. the urge to drink blood took over Sa'vor again, he awoke)

(Sa'vor transforms into a swarm of undead scorpions and crawls through the pipes to the lower decks, he see's a new redshirt completing his initiation right.... surving a night in the lower decks. not an easy task. now made so much harder. the swarm formes into Sa'vor, whom melds into the shadows. he creates the aura of fear that grippes the Redshirts form, his heart beats faster and faster as he turns this way and that to aviod see whats causing the feeling of dread. his lantern held high and his crossbow loaded he calls out) Victim: hello? who's there?

(Sa'vor appears from the Shadows, the red shirt fires. the bolt hits Sa'vor in the stomach)

Sa'vor: (Looks down) Good shot, though it appears to be completly ineffective. (Vanishes again)

Victim: Where did you go?

(Sa'vor grabbes him from behind and drains his blood quickly and efficently, he then coughs slightly)

Sa'vor: Damn, blood wine. How annoying. Thats going to give me indegestion.

Slip: (appearing from the shadows) Was it really neccesary to take so damn long to eat him?

Sa'vor: The fear makes the blood taste nicer. Anyway, sometimes its better to take a while to scare them. Then the redshirts try harder and harder to aviod me and it makes it all the more fun for me.

Slip: Seems to old fashioned to me. Should of broke his neck

Sa'vor: True, though I prefer it to be living when I feed.

---

Ketler: Remind me why we travel with folk like Sav'or again?

Slip: The redshirt he killed was a serial murderer/rapist who ate kittens in his spare time.

Ketler: Ah.

Slip: The Captain is Chaotic Good recall.

Ketler: I thought we didn't know about alignments in Eberron.

Slip: That's always debatable.

Ketler: Ah.

Slip: It's always important to remember that anyone who is onboard this ship isn't exactly what you'd call the most competent of evil out there. It's why a lot of folk actually taking them seriously onboard this ship only makes themselves the subject of ridicule. For example, a guy has a massive army able to take over the world....and he still lives on a malfunctioning pirate ship where's he's not in command.

Ketler: That explains a lot.

Slip: Yes, the Captain has a tendency to toss the people whom do join the crew and take themselves seriously AND ARE serious into volcanoes.

Ketler: That may not work with some.

Slip: Well we're going back to the Prime to get Jacob and Bruce ressurected by Aerith, which we won't do for Red shirt X. Yet we might do it for Kanatash who is possibly the person whom might sing the song that ends the world or Terra just because the Captain thinks she's cute and cheers up the place despite liking the ladies. So it's not a purely accurate system.

Ketler: What would happen if one of the genuine nasties on the crew harmed one of our nonevil members like Marish or traumatized her?

Slip: You know the huge waste we've lain up here?

Ketler: Yeah?

Slip: Imagine that times a billion.

Ketler: I've been onboard this ship for years, the Captains just a hopeless drunk.

Slip: But inventive. Remember what happened to Roar whom actually tried to commit certain acts the Captain disapproves of because his mothers a wharf *****?

Ketler: I thought the Captain was Lyrander...or Seren....

Slip: His player changes his background every session but recall?

Ketler: He just went missing.

Slip: He was turned into a giant spider and then geased into a dungeon where the crew hunted him for fun and prizes.

Ketler: And yet giving Pholly to Michael Jackson was okay.

Slip: Oh, he just hates Pholly.

---

Allen and Ketler work furiously to repair the engine. The Quori have been manifesting monsters inside the room in an attempt to stop them from leaving, but Terra has been fending them off.

Terra: (blasts another one into oblivion) You guys about done?!

Allen: A little while longer!

Ketler: The chili did more damage than we thought!

Terra: (send several flying) There's no end to these things. I can't leave them to get to the source, but unless I do, I'll exhaust myself sooner or later....

Another psionic barrage turns three of them inside out, giving her a moment to consider her options.

Terra: How to get to them... If I strike blindly, I just waste energy. I need a way to find them through all this chaotic energy... Oh ho HO...I haven't used that one in a while... The next one approaches, but instead of attacking with her magic, she rushes it. Dodging it's claws, she plunges her hand into it's seudoetherial form. The monster convulses in pain, but the screams come from somewhere outside the ship.

Terra: A present from me...

Allen: What the hell did you do?!!!

Terra: The Quori need to maintain a link to anything they create. I learned long ago how to send an attack along that trail and right past their defences.

Ketler: Nice...

Terra: Thanks. Now stop talking and hurry up!!!

Allen & Ketler: Yes Ma'am!

---

Because Volrath's army of aberations don't function well in groups, the majority of the group have been divied up between some of the rested crew. Nalfein is commanding the Beholders, Vrin is commanding the Grells, Chalky is commanding the Deepones, Satnak is using the Hellfire Wyrm as a mount, Muradin is commanding the Umber hulks, and the rest of the aberrations are commanded by Kanatash.

Kanatash: Ok, now if we do this right, we should be able to kill them all -

Satnak: Wait, why is it that Muradin is controling the umber hulks?

Nalfein: Well he speaks their language.

They look over at Muradin, and he is actually speaking the umber hulks language.

Kanatash: I think we should just not ask.

Satnak: Ok, lets go over the plan, first Kanatash and his aberrations will attack them head on. While they are distracted, Vrin will have his Grells hit them with their lightning lances and strike them to the ground. After they break through Kanatash's lines and go after the Grells, Muradin and his umber hulks will run at them while the umber hulks cast confusion at the enemy, I will provide coverfire with my Wyrm. Then when they get to the umber hulks, Chalky and his deepones will hit them from the sides, distrating them long enough for Kanatash to circle in from behind and block off their escape route, then Nalfein will come in with his beholders and hit them from behind our lines. Oh, Chalky and Nalfein will also keep an eye out for enemy reinforcments. Everyone got it?

Others: Yes.

Just then they feel the ship shake as the enemy comes aboard.

Satnak: ... NOW!

The battle rages as they put their plan into action. Everything in the plan goes smoothly untill one Spawn of Hastur appears.

Everyone: OH ****!

Satnak: (she yells at Chalky and Muradin) YOU STAY HERE TO KILL THE REST OF THESE GUYS. (yells at others) COME WITH ME TO KILL THE SPAWN OF HASTUR!

The army splits and they excute the new plans, Chalky and Muradin are useing their forces to kill the rest of the byakhees (having a much harder time), while the rest of them rush the spawn of hastur. Nalfein has his beholders cast a anti-magic field around the Spawn of Hastur, Kanatash has his many aberrations try to hold him to hold him down for Satnak, but they are not doing so well, and are infact dieing very fast.

Satnak: (taking aim) Dammit, stop moveing. - Almost got it.

She fires at it, the Spawn of Hastur sees the blast and tries to dodge, but Kanatash manages to blast it back into the path of the beam. The beam connects and the Spawn of Hastur tries to summon help but is sucked into the arm before it can.

Kanatash: Damn straght.

They look back in time to see Muradin and Chalky killing off the rest of the byakhees.

Satnak: Lets hope that no more come, because of our diminished forces, another would kick our sorry ***es.

Volrath walks on deck with some bandages over his wound.

Volrath: (sees his aberrations) NOOOOOOOOOOO! MY BABIES!!!!!!

Nalfein: Those aberrations saved our lives.

Volrath: My poor babies.

Satnak: We need the captain to wake up so we can get out of here.

Chalky: Yes, but what about the mess.

Kanatash: We'll take any useful parts of the dead bodies and throw the rest of them off board.

Others: Right.

Kithle: Dammit!!! I hate Quori. Almost as bad as the freaking Full-flayers. We don't have time for this. *GATE* Slip take us through the gate everyone else get on the ship and slaughter any quori who get too close. Satnak Get everyone back on board gat back here. John BTN as soon as everyone else is on board.

Satnak: Ok *toss* *dive*

John: For once I don't mind

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

...wow

Kithle: Don't frack with me on a mentaly modifiable plane you pricks. I will always win. I'm smarter than the Dragons you putzers. *Finger*

The FF floats slowly through the gate persued by the damaged and reduced quori as Satnak and John dissapear behind the veil the gate closes slicing several of the persuers in half. As the battle haze wears off the qouri shudder as they realize any felled by that Murderous woman with the arm aren't coming back.

---

As the FF reapears on the prime the world sighs, it was too good to last.

Aboard the FF crews are busy cleaning up and patching together what can be rescued or raised and sort what cant.

Ketler: My cloning machine is shot. Funny thing is it looks like it was done witha a Ninja-to not a quori.

---

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