-CHAPTER 2-

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Hi! So this is the second chapter of 'Agents of Homeworld'. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, which will be following Fluorite; a peace-keeping Gem that serves White Diamond. Hope you all like her! Enjoy!

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Fluorite's shuttle favoured practicality over grandeur, a preference she had no issue with. The white walls were bare, as were the floors of the small ship. The ship's console was the largest thing in the shuttle, and spanned the length of the vessel. A white, metallic chair was placed in the center of the ship, directly under White Diamond's insignia. Fluorite had been in possession of the shuttle since she was created, six hundred and seventy-three years ago, and she was very fond of it. With it, she had been able to traverse Homeworld and it's galatic empire. Usually, a Fluorite is assigned to a colony to protect it's Gems from the planet's dangers and rarely leaves. She, however, was sent to colonies when the assigned Fluorites weren't able to do that. She was the best Fluorite White Diamond had, and she worked hard to maintain that status.

She had always found her Diamond to be adroit at governing; she enforced the law with all her power, she maintained stability and order on her colonies, and everything she did was for the benefit of Homeworld, not herself. Fluorite was content to serve her, and took pride in White Diamond's pleased expressions when her tasks were completed successfully. White Diamond had assigned Fluorite to investigae a series of incidents on a Blue Diamond Colony in the Outer System. Several Gems were missing, including the Fluorite that was stationed on the colony. The colony had never experienced any incidents like this in the past, and all dangerous species on the planet were either killed or re-located. This was an unusual situation, to say the least.

"I suppose we'll be nearing the colony now," said one of the Rubies who were also assigned to the mission. Fluorite gave a nod, her eyes never leaving the ship's console. She could sense the three of them (Rubies usually worked in groups) in the corner of the ship, sometimes laughing but mostly fighting amongst themselves. Any other Gem superior to them wouldn't have tolerated such behaviour, but Fluorite couldn't stand the thought of being in their presence, let alone speaking to them. Or maybe it was because of the way they spoke to one another, teasing and playful, fascinated Fluorite. She couldn't recall a time when she spoke to someone like this, when someone spoke like that to her. 'Have I really been around for this long, without making a friend?' she thought. Fluorite then shook her head and pushed the thought to the farthest reaches of her mind. She didn't need anyone but herself.

They reached on the planet soon after, landing at the base of a very ornate tower. It rose to a very high point, and narrowed the higher it went. All the Gems who were standing around the tower paused and looked at them (well, more at her then the Rubies) in awe. Fluorites were symbols of satbility and order in Homeworld, and had to look inspring. Fluorite was no exception. She was six foot, with emerald skin and dark purple hair that was kept in a long braid. Her eyes were almond shaped and the colour of a faded blue. Her Gem was located on her left shoulder blade. Fluorite wore flowing white robes that covered her bare feet, and rings with White Diamond's emblem on her index fingers. She was a sight to behold.

The group soon found themselves in the company of a Holly Blue, who seemed to be in charge of the colony. She paid no heed to the Rubies and went straight to Fluorite. "Greetings, Fluorite. We thank you for your attendance," Holly Blue said, giving a diamond-shaped salute. Fluorite returned the greeting and followed the Holly Blue to the large tower, the Rubies trailing closely behind. "Describe the situation to me," Fluorite said. Holly Blue took a deep breath and began: "Six days ago, one of our mining teams in the Western Sector went missing. I sent the Fluorite stationed here to investigate, but then she never returned either. It doesn't appear to be a natural disaster, otherwise our scanners would have picked it up. I don't know what to do, and with the Colonial Ball coming up, we can't afford any more mischances." Holly Blue let out one shudder before turning to Fluorite and saying, "I need you to fix this. We're out of options."

Fluorite promised to do everything she could during her investigation and bade the Holly Blue farewell. With the Rubies, she went to the hover-train and flew over the deep, azure oceans of the planet until they reached the mines of the Western Sector. The mines were dark and cavernous, with many over-turned vehicles and equipment. There were also many craters and dents in the walls of the underground caves, but Fluorite wasn't sure if that was because of mining or fighting. She suspected the latter. The Gems did a quick scan of the area that they were in and found no Gemstones there. The Gemstones were either taken or the fighting occured in the tunnels. "We're going to have to split up, ad search the tunnels. You three stick together, I'll handle this by myself," Fluorite stated. "Are you sure tha-ow!" shrieked one of the Rubies after the other two elbowed her. "Yes, Fluorite," they chorused before heading down one of the tunnels. Fluorite chuckled as she headed down the other.

The tunnel was dark and winding, and just as Fluorite was considering turning back, she stumbled upon one. A Gemstone, the pattern and colours mirroring her own. She had found the colony's Fluorite, and judging by the crater the Gemstone was in, it had gown down fighting. "So you've found it! Pretty thing, isin't it? I was wondering if you would find it," a cold yet whimsical voice rambled. Fluorite looked around the tunnel but couldn't find anyone. "So I assume you are responsible for this?" Fluorite asked, staring into the darkness. "That would be correct, my dear. Your comrade's vanquishment was quick, but that goes for all my opponents, so she shouldn't feel too bad about it. Every time she re-generates, I fight her again. Only to dull the pain of defeat, of course. I'm lovely like that," the voice responded with the same mocking tone. "You sure love to chat, don't you? Why don't we discuss why a lovely Gem like you would be doing something like this," Fluorite said, stooping down to pick the Gemstone up with her hands. It hovered over the palm of her hand before it was bubbled an sent to her ship.

"See, and don't get too freaked out, but I'm not a Gem," the voice declared, slowly saying each word like he knew the effect they would have on her. Fluorite stoped dead in her tracks. 'Not a Gem? That's impossible. Unless, I've just discovered a whole new sentient species,' Fluorite thought. She called out: "If you aren't a Gem, what are you?" The voice sighed and said, "It's complicated." And then a figure stepped out of the darkness and into the light.

The stranger's skin was a beautiful shade of reddish brown that gleamed in the light. His face was round, with a beak-like nose and an unnerving smile. A shard of copper stuck out from his neck. His large eyes were a light brown and carried a glint of mischief. He was short and slim, with an immaculate brown with red stripes running through, and a bright red bowler hat was placed on his head. He lazily spined a brown cane with his index finger. "Ta-da! What'd you think?" the creature inquired, eyeing Fluorite with giddy yet cautious look.

The very presence of this being felt wrong to Fluorite, and every fibre of her body was screaming 'foe'. Instinctively, she reached for Gemstone and felt her weapon forming; an alabaster scythe with green, purple and blue swirls that glowed along the staff. The pommel was in the shape of the emblem of White Diamond, as a tribute to her Matriarch. The blade was curved and had sharp, jutting ridges that had struck down many in its existence. If her opponent was intimidated by her weapon, he didn't show it. "Before we brawl, maybe some introductions are in order? I'm Copper, and I'm a Metal. You?" Fluorite got into a fighting stance and said: "Fluorite, and I'm superior to you."

Copper struck hard and fast, delivering a hit from his cane that Fluorite expertly deflected. She swung her scythe while jumping back, giving herself more room, and did her best to evade Copper's quick jabs. The end of her scythe struck him hard in the face, stunning him for a moment before he carried on. Their duel brought them further and further down the corrider, until they reached an open cavern with mining machinery and equipment. Copper somersaulted away from Fluorite, and jumped up onto a high machine. He extended his cane towards her, and sharp bursts of red energy flew from the cane and towards her. She swatted them away with the blade of her scythe, all the while circling closer to Copper. When Fluorite felt she was closer enough, she unleashed a wave of electric blue energy all around her. The machines were heavily dented- some even obliterated- but Copper was no where to be seen.

Then there was a whoosh, and suddenly she was pinned down by Copper, his cane pressed against her. He smiled that unnerving smile and said: "You Gems are all the same. You talk a big game, but the only thing you're good at is looking pretty and following oders. I mean, did you honestly think you'd win. You're nothing. Another relic of the Gem Empire, that's all you are. We are the future! We are insurmountable!"

"We have no idea what that means" yelled the Rubies as they barreled out of a corridor and began to fuse. Using this distraction, Fluorite headbutted Copper and shoved him into the direction of the towering Ruby Fusion, who swiftly slammed a large fist down onto him. Copper stumbled about dazed before Fluorite struck a fatal blow and Copper's holagram evaporated, leaving the shard of Metal in its wake. Fluorite was quick to bubble the Metal. As the Rubies unfused, Fluorite turned to them and thanked them for their assistance. They looked down at the ground embarrassed, but were thankful for the praise. They scoured the tunnels for anymore Gemstones, and the ones that were recovered were bubbled. They quickly boarded the hover-train and returned to a nervous Holly Blue. "You need to declare a State of Emergency. I can't state why, but the Colonial Ball must be cancelled," Fluorite stated. "Call off the ball? That's impossible, I'm afraid." "Then I must insist on staying here, along with an extra platoon of guards. I will also need to speak to White Diamond immediatly."

Holly Blue gave a Diamond-shaped salute, then left. Fluorite considered dismissing the Rubies, but she had gotten rather fond of them and permitted them to stay.

Of course, she wouldn't say that out loud.