"I told you, Jade. Bring me my money, or I cut my losses and take you back to Homeworld for the reward."

Jade, the gem in question, is a large man with dark green toned skin, rippling muscles, and short cropped hair of a light green. His clothing is simple, just heavy work pants, a shirt, and a jacket over that, his gem is a round protuberance on his forearm. Of course, right now his clothes are a tad ripped, his nose is bleeding, and he's slumped up next to an alley wall. We stand in the downtown district of a Gem colony on a planet, still somewhat on the rim of Gem controlled space. "Also, why did you try to run?" I shift the large rifle on my shoulder. "Now, do you have my money or not?" He mutters something, and I lean forward, asking, "What was that?" I hear a soft "no." Sighing, I crouch down, looking the burly gem in the eye. "Damnit, Jade, seriously? I gave you thirty cycles to pay me back. What the hell happened?"

"It was that bastard Spinel down at the tracks. He cornered me outside and stole all my credits. Nearly cracked my gem." My ears perk at that name.

"Spinel? Ruby Spinel? Well well, looks like it's your lucky day. If you can point me to Spinel, I'll get your money back and clear your debt with me." Jade looks up at me in surprise, hope in his eyes as he excitedly nods. "Good. I was headed to Homeworld anyway, may as well bring back a bounty."

Half an hour later we stand in front of the race tracks. Illegal hover bike racing, one of the biggest betting rings in the sector, too. "Ruby Spinel..." I mutter to myself, thinking over his entry in the docket. "Tall gem, moderate strength, weapon is a sledgehammer..." Nodding, I focus, glowing. My outfit changes, my scarf is gone along with my gloves, my clothes are lighter, and my hair is buzzcut. My coat is shorter, the collar higher to hide my gem, and I quickly put my rifle up in my gem for later. "Lead the way, Jade. And remember to call me Q." Even my voice is different, lighter, friendlier. He nods, nervous as we step inside.

The entrance room has some benches, half of them with gems seated and intently watching the screens hanging everywhere. Currently on screen is the tail end of a race, and as I watch the gem in last place rockets past everyone to snatch victory. I hear several shouts of anger and one or two of joy. There are a few people on the other side of a counter and a pane of glass taking bets, not too many people in line. It's not too dirty, but "clean" isn't a word I'd use to describe it. I notice the target lounging at a table in the back, surrounded by cronies. Spinel himself is tall, well built, a warrior class gem. He has on a large black leather coat over his crimson shirt and maroon pants. His boots are large and blood red, which I can tell from how he's lounging back with his feet on the table.

Jade and I walk up looking friendly, and Spinel doesn't suspect a thing. "What can I do for you?" he asks, ever the business man.

I step forward, a friendly smile plastered across my face. "Yeah. Name's Q, and I'm new in the sector. But I heard you were the man to go to about signing up for the right races. Am I wrong?" I watch him grin, his ego sufficiently stoked, as well as his interest.

"So, you're a racer? Come into my office, we'll talk. Oh, and leave your boyfriend out here." I don't even deign to correct him, just giving Jade a look that says "stay" before following the large red gem through a door in back to a private room. A single cronie follows, a standard laborer gem, another Jade variety. "So, how can I help you?"

"Actually, I have an odd request."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," I respond, still looking friendly. "I'm a stickler for manners, so I was hoping we could have a formal greeting before we started." I put forth my left hand, and if my info was right, that would mean he would have to put forth his...with his gem on the inside of his left wrist. He looks at me oddly for a moment before walking over, left hand as planned outstretched.

"Ruby Spinel."

"Quartz," I say, just as my hand moves past his palm to grasp his wrist. "Ghost Quartz." I see recognition flash over his features, but it's too late. I've started draining his energy out through his gem. As he starts to collapse, the Jade goes to move. In a flash, I've pulled my rifle out of my gem, the barrel nudging the gem in his neck. "Hold up, buttercup, this is a private dance." I move the barrel until it's under his chin but over his gem before pulling the trigger. My rifle is almost silent as the energy round plows through his construct and poofs him. His gem lies forlornly on the floor.

Spinel has started begging, so I decide to utilize him. "You have a safe?" He nods, pointing at it. I let go of him and motion him towards the safe, my rifle pointed at him. He crawls over and opens the safe hidden under the desk. As I hear the safe click and open, I raise my rifle to his surprised face and pull the trigger. After his gem poofs, I reach down and pocket it. Before anything else, I concentrate, returning to my normal form, scarf in place. I return my rifle to its place and proceed to loot the safe. It has over three dozen bundles of over ten thousand credits a stack. I smile, glad to have some extra cash available. I pocket two in my other pocket for Jade before storing the rest in my gem.

As I exit the office, the remaining cronies look on in fear and surprise, not noticing as I motion Jade to leave. I almost make it to the door before one of them tries to stop me. And to think, I hoped I wouldn't have to crack any gems today. As he places his hand on my shoulder, I spin, hand reaching out to grasp the gem located on the side of his face. I pull, not just physically but also at the energy inside. He poofs within a second, startling the remaining gems. Clearing my throat, I address the gems present.

"My name is Ghost Quartz, officially licensed Authority Bounty Hunter. The Jade behind me belongs to me. He will be my eyes and ears in this sector. You fuck with him, I will know it, and I will take you out. Like so." With that, I throw the gem in my grasp into the air, my rifle in my hand in a moment. The shot rings out louder than usual in the sudden silence, as the gem shards rain down with a tinkling sound. "Got it?" I don't wait for a response; I just leave, a terrified Jade following me.

Outside, Jade looks on in terror as I lead him away from the tracks, away from that part of the city. The tall, dirty buildings slowly give way to smaller and cleaner ones, before we leave the city entirely. This portion of the planet still has some native foliage left alive, giant trees studded with thorns. "Not for long..." I mutter to myself, looking at the trees. A few minutes later and we've made it to my ship. It's a small craft, very streamlined and small, the metal a dull gray color. Turning back to Jade, I pull the credits I'd pocketed earlier and throw them at him. He flinches before catching them, honestly surprised. "I said I'd get your money back and that your debt to me would be wiped clean, didn't I?" He nods and I continue. "Now, I wanna offer you a job. Like I said, you're gonna be my eyes and ears on this planet. I'll give you my receiver code so you can send me messages when you notice something. I'll send you a docket of current bounties. Alright?" He nods, still sorta scared, as I turn to my ship. "Later, Jade."

I start up my ship and rocket upwards, breaking free of the planet's gravity. Once clear, I set my course for Homeworld. "It'll be a few hours. I'm gonna take a nap..."