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Okay, so things hadn't gone exactly to plan thus far.

Hissing softly, Eliana scooped another bucket of water out of the boat and dumped it over the side. This could have gone better.

First of all, she spent the last of her savings to charter a boat ride from this guy at the docks. He looked reputable enough, but she should have known better. Afterall, his boat was named "Keith's Konquest." Puh-leeze.

He'd claimed to know where this mysterious island was and that he could take Eliana there for a "modest" fee. Yeah, right. "Modest" meaning "everything she owned minus the clothes on her back." Though he'd tried to take those too once they got a decent ways out to sea. He'd regretted that decision immediately when he found himself lying in the fetal position on the deck, writhing in pain and sporting a wonderful new tenor voice.

By the time he'd regained his feet and come after Eliana to throw her overboard, she'd already stolen one of the lifeboats and set out on her own. She happily flipped him off as he shouted and waved his fist from the railing. How was she to know that the guy hadn't gotten around to repairing the small leak in the hull?

Well, it used to be small. It seemed to be letting in more water than Eliana could bail out at this point. Muttering a continuous stream of curses, she kept at it. 'I didn't come this far to drown in the ocean. I'll find that damned island and that stupid facility long before you gods take me!' Almost as if to mock her for cursing them, a dark spot in the distance slowly began taking shape. An island! Turning the hull towards the island on the horizon, Eliana switched between bailing and paddling, spouting occasional curses as she rushed to get to land before the lifeboat sank beneath the waves.

"About frickin' time," Eliana muttered, dragging her exhausted, soaked body onto the shore, letting the lifeboat sink in the shallows. It had been a close one; she thought she'd have to swim the last few hundred yards, but somehow the boat held out just long enough to bring the beach within sight.

"Frickin' boat," she slurred tiredly, tossing the closest rock at hand at the boat, missing completely. "Hmmph..." Dropping all concern for her appearance or demeanor for once, she collapsed onto the sand, trying to gather her strength before heading any further inland.

She was so far gone, she didn't notice that she had company.

The sharp voice was like a dagger through her skull. Eliana cringed before raising her head just enough to get a look at the speaker...and his friends. Then, to the guards surprise...she grinned.

"Well, this just works out quite nicely, doesn't it? Saves me the trouble of trying to track you people down on this bigass island all by myself."

The guards exchanged looks of confusion, some hesitating and lowering their weapons as Eliana stood and brushed sand from her clothes.

"Well, whatchu' all standing around gawking for? Take me to your leader or whatever. I know you're all just a bunch of damn peons, and I don't wanna' waste my time talking to you. Where's your boss?"

"Don't bet on it, honey. But let's get going anyway. I need a drink in the worst way right now." Eliana smirked, stalking off after the guard, practically radiating arrogance. The guards still seemed confused by this strange woman's behavior, but they fell in line and followed along, hands still on their weapons, but relaxed.

Pausing, Eliana showed the first signs of concern. The leader of the group turned around and looked at her, waiting for the slightest sign that she might run. "Just one question," she drawled slowly.

"What?"

"You DO have some sort of alcohol on this backward little island, right?"

Sometime later, Eliana was waiting impatiently in a small, dismal-looking room, growing more irritated by the second. If she was left alone waiting in this room much longer she was going to have to kick some a**...probably the first person she saw. Sucks to be them.

What the hell kind of room was this anyway? It looked more like a police interrogation room...minus the two-way mirror. It was a sparse room, furnished only by a wooden table and two chairs. How boring. They could have at least brought her a beer or something while she waited for this doctor that was supposed to be meeting her. She hadn't had a drink in days...and she could tell it. She needed some alcohol...any kind of alcohol...and now. If she didn't get a drink, someone was going to pay...

"'Bout damn time," Eliana sneered as the doctor finally entered. Typical middle-aged guy in a long white coat. How cliche. Rolling her eyes, she leaned back in the chair and propped her combat boots up on the table.

"Would have been nice if you'd at least have offered me a beer, but let's get down to business." Without giving the doctor or his guards a chance to respond, Eliana plunged forwards. "I know all about your little operation here. What you're here for and what you're REALLY doing out here on this deserted island in the middle of the ocean. Don't ask how I know. I have my connections on the streets. What's important is why I'm here."

"I wanna' sign up."

She smirked at their shocked expressions. "Yeah, that's right, I wanna' sign-up to be one of your little guinea pig experiments. However, I have a couple of conditions that have to be met first if this is going to work out for the both of us."

Eliana smirked. "Now we're talking. First condition: We have an understanding that I am here voluntarily. Therefore, I will not be treated like some sort of prisoner or animal. I'll be granted the freedom to travel about as I wish, within the lab, of course. I'm not leaving the island, obviously. I just don't want some pervert following me around and watching me everytime I wanna' go take a piss or something. Got it?" Arms crossed over her chest, she shot an arrogant look towards one of the guards. "I know you want it, big boy, but you ain't gettin' it."

"Moving on to my second condition: A constant supply of liquor. Hard stuff or merely beer, I don't care, but if I ask for a drink, I want a drink, dammit. Whenever I ask for it, got it? Those are my conditions. As for what I hope to get out of this...power. Pure power. I want you to give me something good. Something that can fight and looks good to boot. I don't want you turning me into a complete freak, got it?"

Eyes narrow, but bright, her gaze flickered between the doctor and the two guards. "So, how about it? Do we have a deal?"

Other Characters Involved: Samantha Hakan, Karen Mariston, & Phil Butters

Summary: Intruding on the conversation between Samantha and Karen, who were discussing the strange atmosphere at CRONUS and whether something else could be going on, Eliana decided this was a good time to 'introduce' herself to the two women, stirring up antagonistic feelings in the process. After pushing Samantha to near physical violence, she was approached by Phil, the janitor, who had witnessed the entire event. The two exchange verbal sparring for a bit before even Eliana's patience begins wearing thin. The two would have split reasonably quietly had Phil not reached out to pat her head while departing. Eliana practically exploded at the unwarranted contact and stalked off in a fury, leaving Phil with something interesting to think about.


http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?t=7928963