Day 5: Revelations (Part 2)
When Steven, Bill, Pearl, and Thean got back in town, the festivities among the Samaritans were still going, many were partying, others eating, some even sparred. Steven truly wondered if what Thean said about them all having dark pasts was true. The way they danced, celebrated, and engaged with one another made it seem like none of them had gone through anything like that,ever. They all looked so happy.
Once inside the beach house, Garnet and Amethyst smiled as Steven and Pearl returned.
"Howdy." Garnet smiled and waved at Steven.
"Whaddup, Steven!" Amethyst yelled at seeing her favorite quartz.
"Hey guys!" Steven says as he ran up to hug them both.
Thean was outside with Bill and Pearl.
"You need to tell us, Thean." Bill said with a worried expression.
"I agree, with everything that has been going on recently, it's hard to believe you have no role in this war. Or at least one that you haven't told us about yet." Pearl said crossing her arms.
Thean was frowning. He was really hoping that he didn't have to tell them what he was going to do.
"It's best you didn't know." He responded.
"That's no an answer Thean. You need to tell us because any moment within the next few days, an invasion is taking place. And if we're not aware of what your role is in this fight, it could compromise our survival." Bill argued heavily. Thean looked away as Bill and Pearl frowned.
"..." They both remained silent until they walked inside, Thean following them, and faced everyone in the room.
"You need to tell us Thean." Garnet said, much to Thean's surprise. Seeing this, Garnet explained. "In every outcome I keep seeing for the upcoming battle, you're not with any of us. What are you doing?" She asked firmly.
Thean was unsure whether or not the Crystal Gems should know about it.
"Tell us what?" Amethyst asked as the tone of the matter sounded so serious that it didn't sound much like her. Garnet remained silent as she analyzed the possible outcome of what it was that Thean was hiding from them.
"Fine." Thea said as he took a deep breath. "As you know...we have detailed files about the entire temple...with the invasion that is going to take place soon, I the need a sort of help in which I think only you can provide." He began much to the confusion of everyone else.
Pearl and Amethyst had looks of confusion, but Garnet felt as if she knew what he may have have been about to ask.
"I need to use the corrupted gems you've collected over the centuries for a part in the invasion." Thean finally admitted.
Garnet had a stoic look about her, which caused Bill to sweat nervously for his compatriot.
"This part of the plan is called the 'Ark'." Thean spoke up. "It is the secret part of our defense against Homeworld. The Elders figured if one ship was big enough to carry three to sixteen Gems, they figured an invasion would have to come from much larger ship, the 'Ark' itself is a rocket propelled aircraft that resides under water that is several miles away from the shore of Beach City. The reason for this is so that it is shot up into Homeworld ship, to penetrate and crash land inside the ship. This is where we need the Corrupted Gems." Thean crossed his arms, showing he wasn't taking no for an answer.
"We cannot allow this." Garnet said as Pearl nodded.
"Why not? It's not like they're doing much now." Amethyst said rather bored.
"Because some of them were our comrades at one point in the past!" Pearl yelled as the idea horrified her, causing Amethyst to look away with a frown at her own ignorance.
"I know, but they're beasts now. Their purpose is destruction, and from what we've seen. We need them for the Ark." Thean explained with conviction.
"They're right..." Garnet says, surprising them all. "Should we use them in their makeshift base the corrupted Gems have a higher chance of dealing more damage from the inside than humans." Garnet took off her shades to reveal her three eyes. "But this comes back to a question you don't want answered Thean." She said, causing him to take a deep breath. It was questionable if she could see his future from the look in her eyes. "Who is going to steer the Ark? Someone needs to keep it on course manually." Thean sighed.
"The Elders chose me." Thean said. "Once inside, I'll need to plant explosives in vital areas of the ship whilst the corrupted Gems are wreaking havoc throughout the rest of it." Thean explained with moment of silence afterwards.
Thean looked at everyone expectantly and wondered if it was enough.
"That's not all you want to do, is it?" Steven asked, seeing Thean was somewhat upset.
"I don't know what you mean." Thean retorted, not wanting to talk about it, looking away.
"Thean...you want to challenge Emerald, don't you?" Steven questioned. Thean's eyes widened momentarily, slightly annoyed that Steven was able of figuring him out that easily. Still, he did not want them to intervene.
"Maybe. But my priorities come first. Unleash the corrupt Gems, and plant the explosives. Whether I encounter her or not is up to chance." He said looking away. At that, it wasn't much of a secret anymore and everyone in the room figured out that Emerald had something to do with this.
"Thean...you can't do this to us. What if something bad happens?" Steven asked innocently, looking up at Thean. Thean snapped.
"This is war Steven. It's already bad!" Thean yelled. One look from a frightened Steven and he tried to recompose himself. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. Everyone stepped back in worry, minus Garnet. "There's going to be casualties Steven. And unlike Gems, humans can't comeback. Every move we make, every order we give involves a risk. Gems could defeat us if we're not careful." He explained until Bill nodded.
"He's right. The first line of defense is on the beach. That's where the Red Kneyeghts are stationed." Bill said as he brought up the map showcasing the entire planned battlefield.
"What are the Red Kneyeghts?" Steven asked as he looked on at the map.
"The Red Kneyeghts are the first lines of soldiers we'll put in the beaches. They have armor made from the material that composed the Red Eye we fought and destroyed two years ago that should be better use to them against the enemy." Pearl answered, having been told by Bill a few days ago.
"They will be our first line of defense. Once they're fully stationed, we will place mines behind them, when the gems get passed them..." Thean paused as he saw Steven's eyes widen.
"W-what?!" He exclaimed in concern. "What do you mean get passed them?" He looked at Thean and Bill with worry. "You're planning their deaths..." He spoke softly and looked as though he had been betrayed and horror stricken.
"This plan has been in the making, we all know what is going to happen. And every single Samaritan, especially the Red Kneyeghts, knows this, Steven." Thean took a deep breath as Steven looked physically ill as well as about to cry. Steven attempted to prevent himself from doing so, by rubbing off the tears with his forearm.
"But what about..?" Before he could finish asking, a hand was in each of his shoulder, this caused Steven to turn around to see Jabu and Ivan.
"It is alright, little soldier. We accept this with our being." Said the tall dark-skinned man.
"But why?" Steven sobbed.
"Because there are things and good people in this world worth protecting, little soldier." Said Jabu in his thick Russian accent.
"Steven. There is no such thing as a good war. You know this." Provided Ivan. "But we choose to buy as much time as we can for you to convince the fusion to join our fight." He said.
"But we still have to figure out where Malachite is." Steven said worriedly and could feel himself begin to panic. "She could be anywhere in the Ocean." Thean stood up.
"Not necessarily. We have theorized that if you're able to communicate with her in your sleep, then Stevonnie could. Connie should be able to figure out where she is by the patterns of fish, seaweed and currents. Once you both find out, you'll need to find her yourself by up and using this." Thean said as he handed Steven a GPS device. "You'll be able to find her easier this way when you find her location." Steven took hold of the device and looked around at everyone. As he held the device in his hand he looked up at all of them.
"But...you guys can't die...You just can't..." Steven pleaded as he was on the verge of tears. "I have only gotten to know you guys for a while, but you guys are good people..." Thean looked in worry. Jabu, Ivan, Ranjeet, Saif, and Fasha were all smiling down to him. Which only made him feel sadder.
"Steven, we know the danger of this mission. But we do this kind of stuff all the time." Explained Saif. "Jabu and Ivan...they're ready for this. We all are. This is what being a soldier is. To fight, defend, and die for your cause." She explained and they all knelt in front of him. "We have been prepared for this day. Everyday." She said.
"We chose this willingly." Jabu said.
"Huh?" Steven asked in confusion.
"We signed up to be in the first line of defense, and we will surely give them hell." Ivan explained. "Do not worry my friend. We still have a couple of days left. And know that we went out with a just cause." He said to Steven.
Steven all while was becoming more and more scared at the idea of death of two of the Samaritans in front of him. He quickly ran out the house and into the beach.
"That didn't help..." Thean sighed in frustration at his companion's method of helping Steven feel better before running after him. Thean found Steven sitting under the docks of the peer. He went up to him and sat down next to Steven. Steven in return didn't run away, but hid his head in his arms.
"It's alright to be afraid..." Thean said honestly, causing Steven to look up at him with surprise. "I always am. It's hard not to get accustomed to the people you work with. Over the years I have worked with countless brave Samaritans and lost many of them on many missions. It keeps me awake at night sometimes. I always wonder if there were things I could have done." Thean said in reminiscence.
"D-did you?" Steven asked sadly.
"Yes. I found out from many angles that there were things that could, would, and should have been done better, that I was very much capable of doing...but ultimately I didn't. And looking back now it still haunts me. But I eventually found out that it's just that. Didn't. Some things in our lives are beyond our control. Some other things are in it. But it is ultimately up to us to know when it is. Sometimes we don't know. And when you do, you do everything in your power so that it doesn't happen again. It happened. And there is no turning back anymore. But the life I live, the lives the Samaritans live...we are bound to get into those situations again, and we know what to do the next time we get into it." Thean said with wisdom that Steven hadn't seen before. "We choose to fight because we believe. Juba and Ivan knew. And there isn't a moment in my life that I wish we didn't go on these life risking missions." Thean said, and Steven could tell that there was a cathartic sense in Thean just now.
"Why don't you?" Steven asked without thinking and his eyes widened as if it were something he shouldn't have asked. This caused a chuckle from Thean at his reaction.
"Honestly." Thean smiled softly and gave Steven a brotherly nuggie, causing him to laugh a bit. "Somebody has to keep the good in this world safe." Thean says as he and Steven embrace one another in a hug.
"I don't think I can handle this..." Steven admitted once more.
"You'll find the courage to."
Finally an update after who knows how long. Almost a year I think. I am getting my things back in order from a dark place I was in unfortunately, but fortunately now however, I am getting better and over the Summer there will be more chapters. This is a promise. And for a better apology, please refer to the bottom page of my profile. I missed this.