Chapter Six: OMNIous Operation
On Route to Main Hangar…
The group now made up of Steven, Connie, Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst sneaked their way through the corridors. After their first meeting with OMNI, it was decided that Peridot need to get to the main computer core on her own, with OMNI accompanying her. As an AI, OMNI could split focus between the two groups while still keeping track of Jasper, who was apparently making her way to the mini sub hangar with one of the Corrupted Gems. Jasper had also stop off in front of one of the armories scatter around the ship, so…
"Hey, how come it doesn't look like any of the human crew fought back? I mean, there's been almost no damage since the hole Jasper made." asked Amethyst, curious of the pristine conditions of the hallways.
"Oh, I was quick to evacuate the human crewmen! They were mostly scientists and technicians! Jasper would have torn them limb from limb!" exclaimed OMNI(1). Despite OMNI's assurances, the Gems could not help but wonder about the fate of the crew. It seemed impossible that all of the humans escaped the wrath of Jasper.
"Well anyway, we need to get into position. By the by, how large it this hanger that Jasper is heading towards?" asked Pearl, trying to see if they have the option to fuse in the fight.
"I can already calculate the options but the only Fusions available in that setting would be: Opal, Stevonnie, Sardonyx, and possibly Alexandrite if she were to crouch! You'd be short your heavy hitters of that selection! Thankfully, my Omnidroid will MORE than make up for it!" explained Omni.
"Well, until Peridot can give you access to it, what else can you give us in the fight?" asked Pearl, a little tired about hearing about the Omnidroid.
Just then several doorways opened up in the hallway in front of them, and out of each one stepped a ten-foot robot! Each of the robots carried a huge rifle like gun, with digitigrade legs, three fingered hands, white colored bodies and faceless heads.(2) They each lifted their 'rifles' into ready position before standing straight before the Gems.
"Allow me to introduce: the Sentinels! Each of these bots were designed specifically to fight Gems in both ranged and physical combat! Armed with the MAG Heavy Rifle with disruptor ammunition and an Omniblade in each hand, these bad boys are ready to take on any Gem threat!" explained OMNI, in the tone of a commercial.
"Are we…really doing this? Not that I'm doubting the effectiveness of your forces, but…" stated Pearl skeptically.
"We need every advantage against Jasper. Though it might be good to test them out on something…else." said Garnet, sharing some of Pearl's skepticism.
"We're in luck! It looks like two of the escaped subjects, Slimy Ivan and Road Hopper, are just beyond those doors! The perfect test for Sentinels!" declared OMNI. The Gems decided to go with OMNI's idea. Hopefully Peridot can get to the computer core soon…
On route to the Main AI Hub…
Peridot was for once glad for her newly diminished stature! With her lack of shapeshifting abilities, it would have been impossible to sneak through the air ducts towards the AI Hub. Why go through the air ducts rather than walk the hallway, you ask? Because of the various sensors and defense systems in place around the Hub, and all designed around detecting and destroying Gems! OMNI had been kind enough to inform her of these systems, which were apparently not under the AI's direct control, so sneaking around them was the quickest route.
Unfortunately, as Peridot found the moment she left the air duct, the method did not bypass all of the security systems. According to OMNI, the final corridor was 'a massive microwave oven of death!' Gems in general had a much higher tolerance of radiation than humans, however, OMNI had foretold levels rivaling those found in a nuclear reactor! Of course, it could be temporarily bypassed with the right password.
The way the system worked was at the entrance, if you used the right password, you would get a steady buildup which became lethal to humans in about five minutes, and lethal to Gems in about seven. If you use the wrong password or simply walked in, the door slammed shut and locked, with the levels going automatically to Gem-lethal in about less than a minute. The time difference would allow you the chance to type in the second password at the final entrance!
Peridot cautiously walked up to the touchpad, as if it was radioactive, while muttering, "Alright, just need to guess the right password…in a local dialect I barely know. Slag it! Why couldn't OMNI know at least the first password?! …It's okay, it's okay. After translating the last word, I think I have an idea of what passwords she uses…right?"
Peridot slowly moved her finger forward, shakily. Eventually, Peridot was able to type the first password: HASS. The door opened and Peridot rushed down the corridor. The door had not closed so that was a good sign. The corridor turned out to be about thirty feet long, meaning it took two minutes for Peridot. Thus Peridot had three minutes to figure out the next password.
"Okay, Alena has a dislike for the Crystal Gems. Maybe that has something to do with the password." stated Peridot as looked up the possible password. When she learned that passwords would be Deutchen(3), Peridot downloads a English to Deutchen translator app on the Tablet Steven had given her previously at Funland.(4)
"Let's see…'parasite.' Really?! THREE different words?! Okay, just need to think: Alena's a scientist. Which word would grab her the most?" asked Peridot quietly to avoid any possible sound sensors. And so, ever so carefully, Peridot typed in the word: PARASIT. …Which turned out to be correct!
"YES!" exclaimed Peridot before walking through the open doorway. Inside was a massive computer system, including several hard-light keyboards that activated as soon as the doorway opened. Peridot connected her tablet to the computer via a USB port. Typing furiously on the tablet, Peridot began the long work of releasing OMNI from his restrictions…
On route to the Main Hangar…
Amethyst was dragged behind Road Hopper by her whip, while the Sentinels shot at her! Meanwhile, Garnet stuck a live electrical wire into Slimy Ivan, causing it to poof back into its Gem. Pearl was shooting at some automated turrets while Steven was shielding her from the electrical blasts. Suddenly, Amethyst wrapped a second whip around a column, jerking Road Hopper to stop while the Sentinels were finally able to hit it with their shots causing it to poof. Garnet and Amethyst then bubbled their respective Gems and sent them home.
All in all, the fighting was fairly light! They only lost two Sentinels to the battle and the most annoying feature were the turrets. Utilizing the same electrical weapon as the GREMLINs the Gems had faced previously. In other words, powerful enough to 'poof' in a single hit and not needing to hit the Gems directly to cause damage. Thankfully, Steven's shield turned out to be nonconductive, making it perfect for the Gems to hide beneath it and leave the corridor with the Sentinels.
"Well…that was…annoying." declared Pearl exasperated. Glancing at the door to the main hangar, Pearl turned back to the group and stated, "Alright, now that we have a moment, we need to think up a strategy on how to deal with Jasper."
"Easy, we go in, kick her butt and leave. Why do we need anything other than that!" exclaimed Amethyst.
"This isn't like fighting a monster or Peridot! Jasper is a trained Quartz soldier! Need I remind you that last time we actually fought her, she fought on an equal footing with Garnet! If we're not careful, some of us might not survive this encounter." exclaimed Pearl in response to Amethyst's lackadaisical approach to the mission.
Before the argument could escalate, Garnet cut in with her idea, "We shall send in the Sentinels first. Connie can access their visual data with her cellphone with some help from OMNI. They'll take the brunt of any trap Jasper sets up and if necessary, be cannon fodder for any assault."
"I would be glad to help Connie in this endeavor! Aaaannnndddd…there! Now you'll be able to see what the Sentinels see!" stated OMNI in his normal chipper tone. With that, the Sentinels went single file through the door. Meanwhile, the Gems and Steven crowded around Connie to see the footage…
Inside the main hangar bay…
The Sentinels went through the door single file, before breaking for cover. The hanger bay was trashed; every vehicle, either plane or sub, was smashed opened and ripped for parts. There were scattered pieces of robot everywhere across the three hundred by two hundred by four hundred-yard area! And to top the devastating landscape, a hissing roar issued across the bay every few moments. Followed by a thumping sound, like a battle was still going on…
The Sentinels cautiously maneuvered threw the wreckage, doing a surprisingly good job of staying hidden. As they got closer to the battle, the previously unheard groans and battle-cries of Jasper could be heard. As they got closer still, they began to make-out some of what Jasper was saying, "Come on...Faster…Deal with those…Stupid Rose…"
Finally, the war machines made it to the site of the battle and witness the fight in all its terrible glory! There was Jasper massive and powerful, but seemingly insignificant against her opponent…Red Menace! A massive scorpion-like beast, Red Menace had three stinging tails capable of punching through tank armor at the speed of a cobra strike. Not to mention its massive frontal claws can cut through anything it can grab onto. Jasper, however, used her spin-dash attacks to not only stay out of range and avoid the tails, but to deliver punishing blows on the monster. The Sentinels calmly positioned themselves to finish off the victor of the fight…
Jasper looked up, seeing a fighter-craft still in its moorings. Spin-dashing towards it, Jasper knocks the fighter out of its moorings, causing it to fall right on Red Menace in a terrific explosion. Needless to say, this caused the monster to 'poof' into its Gem. Jasper quickly collected the Gem and put it in some hidden pocket on her body. Seeing the fight's end, the Sentinels opened fire with their MAG guns and Mini-Missiles!
A few of the MAG shots made contact, but before the Mini-Missiles could reach their target, Jasper leapt backwards. The brief smokescreen caused the Sentinels to hold their fire. Scanning, the Sentinels found that Jasper had seemingly disappeared! A deep laughter rang through the air, before Jasper began to mock, "Always with the stupid little toys! You humans are so…pathetic! How you even crawled outta of the mud truly leaves me baffled! All of this…for you! Rose truly has fallen to need help from an inferior species like you!"
After her little speech, Jasper spin-dashed into the lead Sentinel, knocking it into a wall. The rest were quick to recover, with one of them landing a blow sending Jasper into the other wall. This was followed up by a barrage of Missiles and MAG shot, allowing the leader to rise to its feet. Jasper spin-dashes again, only this time, the leader catches her and pile-drives her into the ground! Jasper then grabs the arm and tries to throw and/or crush the bot, only he seemed to be able to counter all her moves. The rest of the Sentinels watched, looking for a moment to assist.
What Jasper and the Crystal Gems had not known up until that point, was that Alena had program every form of martial arts and fighting into her robots. Thus the Sentinel knew the right wrestling moves to hold Jasper and because of its industrial strength, had a better time than a human holding her. Unfortunately, because Jasper was actually a living hologram with mass, she could twist her limbs in ways a normal human couldn't. Face with the possibility of Jasper's escape, the Sentinel started glowing red, signaling that it had activate 'Suicide Mode' a self-sacrifice mode designed to take out an enemy at the cost of a single Sentinel.
BOOM!
The explosive force of a hundred pound bomb erupted from the Sentinel sending shrapnel flying everywhere! The remaining Sentinels took this as a signal to barrage Jasper with MAG shot, even as the debris from the explosion pinged off their armor. The smoke keep Jasper from their line of sight, leading to most of the shots missing. As the smoke cleared, Jasper was shown…to have disappeared…
Somehow, Jasper had managed to use the smoke to sneak behind one of the Sentinels and flipped it over into a nearby wreck. The other Sentinel turned its gun on Jasper only to have it pulled from its grasp and turned on the former holder. This left three more robots who decided to use weight of numbers to deal with Jasper. Charging forward the robots left their guns behind and deployed Omniblades for close quarter fighting.
Jasper accepted their challenge by throwing away the MAG rifle and summoning her Crash Helmet before charging forward! Quickly grabbing the lead Sentinel's outstretched arm, Jasper circled around and tossed the mech aside. The second Sentinel managed to connect with its Omniblade though it was blocked by the Crash Helmet. Pulling back, the Sentinel kicked out its leg only to have it be caught by Jasper and pulled out of its socket! Wobbling on one leg, the Sentinel was helpless as Jasper punched straight through its chest. Power core ruptured, the Sentinel powered down forever and fell forward, Jasper looking down smug.
It was only after looking up that Jasper realized…she forgot about the third Sentinel! With this realization, came with it a Micro Missile to the back. Knocked into the wreckage around the Hangar, Jasper carefully got up to see the Sentinel she missed…before she was grabbed from behind by the previously thrown Sentinel. The Sentinel holding her began to glow red, while the final Sentinel charged forward with the Omniblade outstretched…
BOOM!
For a second time, a massive explosion ripped through the Hangar, filling it with smoke and debris! Silence reigned for a brief time afterwards…before Jasper punched her way out of the wreckage panting heavily! Though she would never admit it, the fight with the Corrupted Gem and the robots had worn her out. Which no doubt explain her annoyance at seeing the Crystal Gems and Steven (in her mind Rose Quartz) suddenly appeared in front of her.
"It figures!" groaned Jasper, almost in a disappointed tone, "You can't beat me in a fair fight, so you send those wannabe Robonoids to soften me up! You have really fallen if you'd stoop to these levels, ROSE!"
"Jasper! We are giving you one chance to surrender. I suggest you take it!" demanded Pearl, secretly hoping Jasper wouldn't take the offer.
If the uproariously laughter was any indication, Jasper wasn't interested, "HAHAHAHAHA! You're joking, right?! Your little toys barely scratched me! There's no way that any of you, even together, can beat me! I'm the Ultimate QUARTZ!(5)"
A smirk played across Garnet's lips as a shadow descended from behind Jasper when she replied, "It's not us you should be worried about."
Puzzled, both by the shadow and Garnet's cocky attitude, Jasper turned around and looked up…and up…and up… In front of Jasper, was the four story tall Omnidroid standing on six tentacle legs (each ending in three pronged claws) with a head popping out with a red visor. Despite the intimating appearance, OMNI's chipper came from the massive war machine, "Hello there! I am OMNI! I am here to crush you! …Oh by the way, I have a song I've been saving for just such an occasion! Hit it!"
Just then a patriotic fifties-style marching tune began to play…(6)
"La, la, la, la,
Weaponry
It's the way to get it done,
Weaponry
It's effective and it's fun!
If you want to make them fall on bended knee at your command,
Bow their heads and swear that you're the leader of the land,
State your wishes in a language they all understand
With weaponry
That's the plan!
As Omni began to sing, it immediately attacked Jasper with a flurry of tentacle claw strikes! Jasper spin-dashed to dodge around the strikes, which shattered the floor beneath them. Sliding underneath the droid, Jasper tried to position herself to smash him…only to be caught by one of the tentacles and thrown clear across the hangar! Crashing into a still intact mini-sub, Jasper picked herself up, only to see the Omnidroid curl itself into a ball and roll at high speeds towards her…
"If power's on your shopping list
Then use the elbow and the fist,
Pummel 'em until they get the gist
Just make an example of
Representative sample of
And most of them will not be missed
Jasper quickly jumped out of the way as the droid crushed what was left of the mini-sub. OMNI quickly picked itself up and opened up two MAG turrets on the sides of his head. The spray of magnetically propelled bullets did not actually hit Jasper, but caused her to duck behind some wreckage. The spray lasted for a minute before it suddenly stopped. Jasper looked out from behind her hiding spot to see…the guns replaced with missiles!
"You can beat 'em up by any means
Or blow them all to smithereens!
A favorite of this sentient machine
Never mind the fatalities
Where there's municipalities
To crush a set of with the threat of
OMNI fired the missiles straight at Jasper, vaporizing the wreckage she was hiding behind! Jasper was blasted into the air, only to be caught by OMNI's claws and smashed into the floor several times. OMNI's optics gazed at Jasper looking dazed and tired. Simply letting the hostile Gem go Jasper landed with a thud as OMNI marched in place getting ready for the finale…
"Weaponry
Will inspire Mommy,
Weaponry
To have confidence in me!
If I'm gonna be a conqueror and win my mother's love,
I'll take it to the people with the eagle, not the dove
If there's one thing that obedience is symptomatic of,
It's W-E-A-P-O-N-R-Y:
Weaponry!
From above!"
Lifting one of its limbs into the air, OMNI pointed its claws to a point and spin them like a drill! Jasper just lay back with her eyes closed, realizing she could not escape. OMNI pointed the claw directly at Jasper's gemstone…and thrust forward…
CLANG!
With a metallic sound, the drill-claw glanced off Stevonnie's shield! Jasper opened her eyes to reveal 'Rose Quartz' saving her from the mechanical murder machine. Glaring at her rescuer, Jasper snarled, "What the slag are you doing?!"
"I must agree! Why would you stand in the way of my dealing with a threat?" asked OMNI in his oddly chipper tone.
"Because that's not how we do things! That attack would have shattered Jasper to dust!" exclaimed Stevonnie angrily.
"And?" asked OMNI sincerely.
"What do you mean 'and?' The Crystal Gems don't shatter their enemies!" exclaimed Stevonnie further.
"War is not about honor and glory, it is about winning! There is no way you can win a war if you're not willing to take and give casualties! Your 'sainted' mother knew that quite well!" explained OMNI.
Stevonnie looked confused before asking, "What are you…?"
OMNI interrupted, "That's a trauma inducing conversation for later! Right not I have to finish my mission objectives: eliminate Jasper and return with Peridot to home base!"
"What was that about Peri?" asked Stevonnie lowering the shield to stare up at the mammoth machine.
OMNI stood still, recognizing it had perhaps reveal too much, before replying, "Oh well! Looks like I'll have to go with my back up strategy: terminate all witnesses!" And with that the Omnidroid's visor glowed a bright red, MAG guns unfurled and claws spun overhead as it loomed over Stevonnie and Jasper…
Disclaimer: I do not own Steven Universe nor any characters or elements that are contained in the series. I only own this story and the original characters (i.e. villains and monsters) and concepts that go with it. Sorry this took so long. Hope the betrayal was surprising to some people. I'm trying to keep to canon, but I've always been a fan of redeeming Jasper! Please read and review and stay tune for more updates.
1 I should have mentioned this last chapter, but when you think of OMNI's voice, I think it would be best to think of the chipper tone of NORM the robot from "Phineas and Ferb".
2 Based off the Advent MEC from "XCOM2"
3 German in "Steven Universe"
4 Reference to the episode 'Too Short to Ride'. I know I said this story started after 'Hitting the Diamond' but I never said how far after… Though seriously it is definitely before all the bruha with Jasper gathering a monster army.
5 I don't know if this is a canon title, but it is a famous fanon title for Jasper. I think she would have loved it!
6 "Weaponry" from Phineas and Ferb episode "Norm Unleashed"
