Chapter 2: Deployment
On an unknown planet deep in the Milky Way galaxy, a strange, armor-covered figure was busily fighting his way through a horde of ferocious, lion-like beasts, not pausing for even one second. A long mane of golden yellow hair trailed down his back. His eyes were bright, glaring gold. He grabbed one of the beasts before breaking its neck with a casual twist of his arm, before spinning around with his weapon at hand. Said weapon was a massive, golden rifle, and was not just for show as proven when a single shot blasted a massive hole in a beast's chest, dropping it effortlessly.
The figure was Topaz, better known by his epithet, the "Golden Hunter". He had been dispatched to this desolate planet to capture an escaped criminal, the gem warlord, Citrine. Said criminal had been completely and utterly shocked to see the famed Golden Hunter waiting on his doorstep, and had instantly dispatched his ferocious horde of Gem warhounds in a pitiful attempt to protect himself.
However, despite their sheer number and razor-sharp fangs, the hounds were no match for a determined bounty hunter of a caliber of Topaz's. The gem warrior, clad in his gleaming golden armor, effortlessly decimated the hounds that came at him, thinning their numbers gradually until the rest ran away with their tails between their legs, knowing the warrior standing across from them was too powerful to defeat.
Topaz slowly huffed as the last of the hounds sprinted away, catching his breath. The bounty hunter lived for fighting, but even he had a limit to his incredible stamina. He slowly raised his head as he shouldered his gargantuan rifle, and grinned as he stepped towards the armored door that protected the bounty and aimed his rifle at it, switching to explosive rounds…
Citrine was sitting in a lavish armchair, sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea he had obtained from Earth during one of his many visits there. Despite not having to eat or drink to survive, the gem warlord enjoyed this exquisite drink the earthlings drank, it tasted unique. Two armored guards flanked his chair, ready to defend their master to the last breath.
However, said determination was not much use as the door was blown apart with an ear-splitting boom. Shards sprayed through the air as a menacing figure appeared in the doorway, its golden armor recognizable anywhere in the galaxy. Without turning around, Citrine whispered "The Golden Hunter has come to retrieve my bounty eh…"
Topaz gave an arrogant grin as he pointed his rifle at the warlord and his guards. "Yep, and you know what's good for you, you'd better come with me so that I can retrieve my paycheck…" However, before the words were even out of his mouth the two guards opened fire, as did Citrine himself, wielding an ornate pistol in both hands.
The bounty hunter's incredible reflexes kicked in, and he quickly ducked beneath the bullets before aiming his rifle and loosing a shot. The energy bolt slammed into one of the guards, literally pulling him apart on impact, as his essence retreated into his gem. The rifle he was holding dropped to the ground before his gem did. The other guard, too shocked by the death of his friend to fight back, was quickly dispatched by the bounty hunter in a similar manner.
Citrine attempted to fire again, but with skillful accuracy Topaz shot the pistols from the warlord's hands, only slightly burning his fingers from the heat of the energy. Citrine howled in pain as he collapsed backwards, landing on his back on the warm carpet. He attempted to cool his fingers as he blew on them, but Topaz appeared in front of him, aiming his rifle directly at the warlord's chest.
"It seems your luck has ran out Citrine. I warned you to come with me." The Golden Hunter growled as he glared down at the cowering warlord through his visor. "Ma… Mark my words Topaz… one day… you will find something besides money… your heartless, cruel nature will be tamed… someday…" Citrine whispered before Topaz cracked him in the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking him unconscious. The bounty hunter grunted as he slung the limp body over his shoulder, before putting his weapon away in a gleam of golden light.
The Golden Hunter walked out to his Gem warship, provided by Yellow Diamond, a frequent client of his, as a gift for all the services he had done for her. Placing the limp body of Citrine in one of the warship's holding cells, he turned on the destabilizing field before walking back to the cockpit. He took a deep breath as he sat down, busily activating the thrusters and engine to get the ship off the planet's orbit.
With a loud rumbling, the massive hand-shaped warship lifted off the planet, hovering in space for a few moments before rocketing away back to the Gem Homeworld, where his client would be waiting for him. However, even as he leaned back in his chair while the autopilot steered for him, Citrine's warning was still flashing through his mind.
"Something besides money? Something that will tame my nature? Bah! The fool didn't know what he was talking about." He thought as the warship continued to fly towards its destination. Suddenly the radio came alive with static.
"Bounty hunter Topaz!" The voice screeched. Topaz grunted in annoyance as he activated the comms link and spoke into it. "This is Topaz, what do you need?" He responded. "This is Emerald, Yellow Diamond's second-in command. I have another mission for you." The voice spoke. Topaz raised an eyebrow. "What mission?"
"The raiding party sent over three months ago to the planet Earth has still not returned yet. Commander Jasper and tech specialist Peridot are still missing from said party. Information gathered has indicated that the third member, informant Lapis Lazuli, has betrayed Jasper and Peridot for something named "Steven". Your mission is to assassinate the traitor and retrieve both Commander Jasper and tech specialist Peridot from the planet. You will receive 50000 credits for this mission." Topaz's eyes widened. 50000 credits would be enough to buy the new Twin-Quasar jet engine!
Topaz was also surprised to say the least. He had served with Jasper in the Homeworld army during the rebellion before becoming a bounty hunter, and she had proven to be one of the strongest and most ruthless individuals he had ever met. How could she, of all gems, be captured? "Tell Yellow Diamond I'm on my way. Let me deliver this guy here first before I go to this planet Earth you were speaking of."
"Message received Topaz. I will convey it to Yellow Diamond." Emerald responded as the link shut off. Topaz raised a hand to his face and sighed heavily as he rubbed it. Barely half an hour after his last mission and he was already been sent on another one. However the thoughts of the payment quickly wiped off his doubts as he placed a set of coordinates into Citrine's cell to propel the criminal to Homeworld by itself before he changed course to Earth.
"Another mission in the day of the life of the Golden Hunter. It's been a while since I was allowed to kill someone. This is going to be fun." He thought to himself as he headed towards his destination.
Hah! Killing? We'll see about that once you get to Earth… Citrine's warning was a spoiler alert! Hint: The thing that will change Topaz's nature and greed for money and hunting is blue and wears a skirt… as well as being a former prisoner.
