Part 55: The Fate of the Geneforge
The Fate of the Geneforge
The hypnotic churning of the Geneforge fascinates you in a way that words cannot describe. You're rooted to the spot, imagining how much power the Geneforge might bestow upon you. The lure is sweet and lovely, but you know that the sharp and bitter hook will catch in your guts.
The only answer is to destroy the Geneforge.
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The energy that feeds the Geneforge is also used to protect it. The moment you make a move to smash the basin, a jet of foul chemicals lashes out and pushes you away.
Acid eats into your flesh. You quickly neutralize it. Of course the direct way can't be the correct way. You change tacks and investigate the power spirals instead.
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This spiral has done surprisingly well surviving centuries of neglect. It is highly unstable and occasionally shudders in a worrisome manner, but it remains intact and feeds power to the Geneforge.
It has no controls or accessible parts. Its surface is smooth and whole. The only feature on the surface is a slot, meant for something to be inserted into it.
The control rod fits the hole perfectly. There is a hissing, grinding noise. The spiral goes dark. Then cracks appear up and down its surface.
The spiral is ruined. The organic goo inside leaks out of the cracks and oozes all over the floor.
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You stare into the swirling goo of the Geneforge. The pool is no longer charged, but it is still intact. It will be years before it rots enough to no longer be usable. It still bubbles, hisses, and steams, waiting for you to act.
If you had a pair of intact gloves, you would be hard pressed not to use the Geneforge at this moment, before it becomes useless forever.
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It takes a number of heavy blows, but you manage to smash the edge of the pool. The goo inside begins to run out, spreading over the floor. It hisses where it touches the stone.
This has the effect of throwing the rest of the substance out of balance. It was highly charged stuff, and unstable. With much of it gone, the rest cannot live. As you watch, it dries up before your eyes, shrinking into dust.
From this moment, nobody will ever use the Geneforge. The genius of the researchers of Sucia Island is gone, and their works have died with it.
At last, it is time to leave and return to your people. The danger is gone. Nobody will ever use the Geneforge.
A pang stabs your heart, but this millstone is at last thrown from your shoulders. You have only one last task. Then, finally, your obligations here will be over, and you'll finally be able to take that damn boat...
You slip out of Sholai lands amidst the confusion. Trajkov died a fool, but he was still a canny foe, and you don't want to die so close to your escape. You manage to shake off the disorganized pursuers by tracing a path through the vats and every bit of inhospitable territory between the Geneforge and here, Goettsch's realm.
Having destroyed the glory of the Geneforge, this temple rings hollow and empty.
The battle alpha walks up to you and says its programmed message. "You in home of Goettsch now. Goettsch say he see and talk with you. You follow me. Stay close. Other creatures here kill you quick." It then turns to walk off.
"Lead on," you reply.
"Yes. You follow me. You not follow, and guards kill you. Follow now."
There aren't many guards left. That's a mistake.
Goettsch glares as the greeter leads you back to his grand chamber. "What do you wish now?" One of the serviles flanking him hands him a goblet.
"Your wishes have been granted. Trajkov is dead at my hand," you say.
"Yes! It is done! Now I will reign supreme! Now the power of the Geneforge will be mine! Only one thing remains to be done. First, you must be gone. I will tolerate no threatening parties, no unpredictable forces. There is a dock at the east end of the island. It is northeast of Kazg. There, you will find a small boat. It is the last boat on the island. Use it, and you can return to the mainland, and civilization. Leave now. I command it. Wait too long and I will grow impatient, and force your actions."
You sigh. Some spark of reason might have remained in Goettsch at your last meeting, but all the canisters have smothered it since then. "Are you aware that I have destroyed the Geneforge?"
Goettsch is overwhelmed with rage. "What? The greatest achievement ever created by the Shapers? You fool! I... ..." He completely loses control of himself.
In the end, it comes down to this: two Shapers and their creations. Goettsch is trained, experienced, and in his element. You are a mere fledgling whose abilities come solely from canisters scavenged under the noses of far more powerful forces.
Geokinesis lashes Goettsch with whips of psychokinetic terror. Talow and TooMuchAbs strike out at the two cryodrayks crouched by the western wall. Your glaahks separate, with wedgekree darting after an insufficiently cowed cryodrayk and Dmar heading off the charge of the gamma greeter.
Goettsch retreats and fires crackling spheres at Dmar, who is barely fazed. The glaahk has certainly endured far worse.
You wave your rod of defenses and close-fitting films of magic pop up around your nearest creations. You haven't been able to replicate this magic on your own, but it has proven handy now and then.
Goettsch's serviles rush Dmar, who is swiftly surrounded. It maintains its heroic focus on the greeter, which towers over the other creations.
Geokinesis leads the terror vlish in addling Goettsch's creations. The combined forces of the vlish swiftly overwhelm the serviles and they dissolve into primordial ooze.
The cryodrayks are pinned against the wall, unable to escape and unable to reinforce their creator. Wedgekree menaces one, and RickVoid keeps the other sodden with caustic spittle.
Goettsch seems to be cowering, which gives you space to haste your creations and make them that much more potent.
The gamma and beta take turns trying to beat down Dmar, but the vlish support it and soon it is the last creation standing. Wedgekree finishes off the cryodrayk with a lucky strike to its heart, and then tears off after the last battle beta.
In the excitement, you forget that you're using a discipline wand and take aim at Goettsch. The wand spews green fire that leaves him untouched. Cursing, you rifle through your pockets...
Goettsch makes a break for it down the pylon corridor, but he can't outrun wedgekree and Dmar. They snare him and Geokinesis takes a lucky shot.
You are the last Shaper on Sucia Island.
Heustess awaits you in the southern settlement, silent and ready for you to fulfill your word.
"Goettsch is dead," you say. "I have killed him."
"Then the intruders are gone. My home is safe again. I will feed you. I will give you life." Heustess move forward and touches you. You feel energized, full of life. "Now go. This is my home."
The shade's necromantic touch has filled you with a new vigor. You don't doubt that it will help you on the next leg of your journey.
The serviles of Pentil regard you with the same awe as ever. Rydell greats you in the usual way: a wide-eyed stare.
"I have destroyed the Geneforge. That substance, hated and feared by my kind, is gone forever."
"Thank you, Shaper. You should return to your people now. Tell them of us, our struggles, our obedience, and of the dangerous ideas that fester here and must be purged," Rydell replies.
"I have learned that there is a boat northeast of Kazg. You can use it to return to your kind. And please, ask if we can return to them. We are so lonely and lost without you. We want to serve you again truly." The old servile's plea drops to a whisper. He has waited a long time for this chance, and now that it seems within reach, he looks adrift.
"I will tell them," you promise.
Avdotya makes as though to stop you when you pass the little outsider camp by the icy tunnels.
You forestall the Sholai guards with a raised hand. "I have slain Trajkov. And, if you do not step aside, you will join him."
They start to urgently and quietly discuss the issue amongst themselves. They are clearly terrified. Then Avdotya says, "We had wondered why we had received no new orders. We... We... we do not wish to die here. You may pass. Just please do not kill us."
Finally. According to the obelisk, you have reached the research supply docks. You can smell your freedom on the salty wind.
The rows of mines alternate brown, green, and brown. You detonate them with your collection of spore batons.
A Sholai scout spots you and shouts an alarm before you can silence him.
Trajkov stationed his finest wizards and warriors here. Many of them pulse with canister-imbued power.
You are surrounded, lamed, and so close to flight.
You throw the best of your spores in the air, feeding them essence that they might heal you and your creations. You must persevere.
No matter how many enemies remain, you will escape this island.
You will swim in Sholai blood if you must.
Your creations stand strong against the outsiders' suicidal charge.
You're so close.
The building to the northwest beckons; you might find shelter there -- a means to funnel the Sholai and then break out to the docks.
The Sholai have clogged it up with more brown spore mines, but you clear them. The pursuit has died down, though you know not for how long.
You read an old tome while you catch your breath.
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This book is an account ledger for the keeper of this dock. Most of the pages contain lists of the goods coming in and out and the locations where they were sent. Most of the supplies that came through here went to the "Main research halls."
On the last page, strangely, the record keeper includes an informal note:
"Sucia Island has been Barred. Now we leave. Many supplies are being left behind. I have not explicitly listed them since, by the time we return, many of them will have spoiled or otherwise been made unusable. A fresh list must be made at that point.
"Defniel, Corata, and Danette boarded a boat away this morning. All were upset, Corata especially. He arrived late, and we feared that he may have to be secured. Something was odd there, but it is none of my concern.
"I know much of what was done here. I saw the presentations. I saw the results. And, to whoever comes here later, whoever reads this, I want you to know this. The leaders were angry when Sucia was Barred. But most of us? We were not.
"Our leaders see the glory. But they do not see the risk. We are all sad at what is being lost. But we are glad that Sucia has been Barred. And we hope it remains ever so."
- Vandrik
You close your eyes for a moment. A chill sweeps through you. Then you jolt back to action at a distant sound, real or imagined. You have much left to do.
It's time to go.
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Long delayed, the diplomacy between the Sholai and the Shapers begins. The Shaper council is impressed by how well the surviving Sholai resisted the temptation of their secrets. Your people and theirs begin a long and profitable relationship.
As for you, you begin your apprenticeship at last. Organized training, combined with the raw power you gained on Sucia Island, make you a Shaper of renowned and incredible skill. Several major new colonies are established under your guidance.
You are respected, but you are also feared. The Shapers never truly and completely trust you. They are afraid of the effects of Sucia Island on you. The taint of the Barred land never truly leaves you.
You become powerful and influential and wealthy and even, one day, you are the first Shaper to visit the lands of the Sholai. But the highest levels of Shaper society are always closed to you. Wherever you go, there are worried looks and whispers.
You have a good life, a productive life. But you always wonder what might have been.
The Obeyers posted:
When the Shapers searched Sucia Island, they found the Obeyers. At first, they were worried by these strange, rather independent creations. Then they met Rydell.
In time, the Shapers found how loyal the Obeyers had been, and under very difficult circumstances. It was a new experience for them. They were used to loyalty, but had never seen creations who were loyal because they chose to be.
The Obeyers were brought before the Shaper council for careful examination. Then they were given new roles. Serviles trained by Rydell and his people were placed in charge of other, dumber serviles.
Their patient and loyal guidance provided a useful and humane buffer between the Shapers and their creations. The Obeyers were loyal enough to be trusted, but kind and intelligent enough to treat creations of all sorts with empathy.
When Rydell finally reached his death-bed, he looked back upon his life with great satisfaction. He always felt relieved to be the one who saw his people be rewarded for their great labors.
The Takers posted:
When the Shapers went to Sucia Island to investigate, they found the Takers. They were completely surprised by the level of rebellion and hatred in the serviles of Kazg. They are not so surprised, however, that they could not act.
Gnorrel tried to lead the fight against the Shapers, the battle her people had long prepared for. They found that they were completely overmatched.
A combination of battle betas and discipline wands soon settled the issue. Kazg was razed. The Takers were destroyed. Gnorrel was captured, carefully inspected for biological sources of her rogue status, and slain.
The Shapers were highly worried by the intensity of the Takers' rogue behavior. They suppressed any information about the Takers and what they believed. Within a handful of years, they were forgotten.
