Liberty (drug)

Zydrate comes in a little glass vial

And the little glass vial goes into the gun like a battery

And the Zydrate gun goes somewhere against your anatomy

And when the gun goes off it sparks and you're ready for surgery, surgery...

--Repo! The Genetic Opera, "Zydrate Anatomy"

Liberty, or "Lib", is a powerful designer drug manufactured by the NWO using kegare harvested mostly from willing or oblivious subjects.

Creation Process

What exactly goes into Lib may change from batch to batch; the recipe and the process of its distillation are more art than science, and none can be made without the "base material" possessed by the NWO. The base material in question is actually kegare, which is mixed with heavy stimulants and psychotropic substances to create the drug itself. In its final distilled form, Lib ships in little glass vials; the vials are designed to socket into specially designed hypodermic "guns" that deliver a pre-set dose when the trigger is pulled. This is the method by which Lib is dosed out to SEBEC security forces, for instance. The pills are manufactured purely in anticipation of emergency situations, given their potential to cause complete and instantaneous dissolution of the user's psyche.

Effects

The drug causes heightened physical properties, the temporary manifestation of powers resembling that of Persona, and madness. The effects eventually wear off but can be quite long lasting and include eventual heart and liver damage. This stuff is bad.

Indications

All current theory says that the drug could be enhancing the power of the "Shadow" part of each person which resides in their id. This is tied in to the fact that Personas are simply tamed Shadows, and a person using a persona who consumes this kegare-laced drug is giving their shadow power. This makes the Persona appear more powerful (since an unchained persona, a Shadow, is often more directly powerful and destructive due to lacking limiters intended to protect its wielder), but carries increased risk of Shadow Possession. Even normal people without personae can find themselves more susceptible to shadow possession if they take the drug, but arguably those who have already manifested the power of the mind are at greater risk. To take Lib is to make a deal with one's shadow for increased power -but in releasing the hatred and aggression which the spiked kegare mix can bring forth, the subject opens themselves to the host of associated darknesses.

Varieties

"Street" Lib

Despite its eventually fatal effects, Lib is extremely popular -- especially when it's on the street and could be cut with anything. Mostly it is used by criminal agencies or those who have some grudge to settle, as it is essentially a death sentence in any large dose. However, the momentary exhilaration, increase in power, and amazing manifestation of supernatural abilities is enough to turn a lightweight into a raging berserker capable of killing and quite possibly eating an entire police force. This stuff sells high and is often used by private armies or exported as an illicit trade commodity; its manufacture is tightly controlled by the NWO, one of few groups able to harvest kegare and thus produce the "wonder" drug.

SEBEC Lib

The security guards at SEBEC use a type of Lib that is more stable than the street variety. There is a great deal of turnover among SEBEC's security forces, but their families are well-compensated for their loved ones' inevitable demise. This highly processed form of the drug has fewer long-term side effects and augments existing physical training. SEBEC guards must be in incredible shape to even be considered for the position, and must display no history of heart defects. Regular injections are the norm, with pills issued in emergency kits in anticipation of exigent circumstances.

Lib 2.0

A theoretical substance, because MA-347 makes everything better: Why not ingest small amounts of the mysterious metal along with your Lib? They haven't even begun animal trials on this as rats with Grey Mouser Personae tend to offend.