Chapter Twelve: Safe Haven

Gozyos-IV, Horizon Outpost.

Amongst the harsh red and black of the planet's surface, there stood a lone blue island above the devastation. Protected from the destruction by both an energy barrier and a cloaking array, Horizon, and outposts like it, were all that remained of Homeworld's influence on the ruined world. The only thing standing between the Interlopers, and the rest of Gemkind.

The Xenocide, barely still airworthy, flew towards this island as fast as its dying engines could carry it without shaking itself apart. And just like her flagship, Goshenite, too, was looking worse for wear. Both the Gem and her ship were all but torn apart, barely holding together, once-brilliant white faded in many places to grey. But, like her ship, she managed to hold herself together.

"So…" Tenrit said, trying to start a conversation. "That Teptromina guy really messed you up pretty good. You sure you're gonna make it?"

"My gem is still intact, isn't it?" Goshenite answered, refusing to show weakness. "This is nothing. In a few hours, I'll be back up and ready for round two."

"Let's just hope it takes a while before round two gets here…" Topaz said sardonically.

The damaged vessel drew nearer to its destination. A voice came over the comms: "Xenocide, you are clear for docking in bay thirteen. Please proceed." The ship proceeded into the hangar, clamps moving to hold it in place. Quartzes, Peridots, and a handful of Rubies rushed around to secure it, each of them wearing yellow diamond emblems. "Attention, crew of the Xenocide, your vessel is in place. You may now exit the craft. Welcome, Supreme General."

"Mm. Not exactly a hero's welcome," said Nines as the doors opened, and the ramp descended. "Then again, we're not exactly heroes."

"Not with that attitude!" said Topaz, following Goshenite as she strolled down to the floor.

Gems present beside the ship saluted Goshenite as she passed by, a few of them adding a 'Your Radiance' or 'Your Brilliance' as they did so. She nodded in acknowledgement to each, but paid them little mind collectively. Her path took her towards an elevator to the upper levels, in front of which a Nephrite was waiting, a visor over her eye.

"Supreme General," she said, saluting like the others. "Welcome to Horizon Outpost. If I may ask, what brings you all the way out here to the Gozyos system?"

"Defense business," Goshenite answered curtly. "I'm following a lead that, if it pans out, could lead to a major win against the 'lopers."

It was clear from the Nephrite's face that she wanted to know more, but it was also clear that she knew better than to inquire further. "Of course, Supreme General. By the way, My Zoisite wanted to see you. She's waiting in the communications room, straight ahead. Oh, and we'll get your ship fixed up, good as new!"

"Very good," said Goshenite. She turned to face Topaz. "You wait here with the others. I'll call if you're needed." The red Gem nodded as Goshenite made her way into the elevator alongside the white Beryl was led through the halls of the upper levels. Gems raced back and forth beside them, constantly on high alert due to their surroundings. When the base ran the risk of an attack at any second, lenience was not an option."Right through here, Supreme General," said the Nephrite, directing Goshenite towards a door at the end of a hallway. She waited outside as Goshenite headed inside.

Within the communications room, Goshenite was greeted by the sight of a pale yellow Gem accessing multiple holoscreens at once-aided by her four ankle-length ponytails acting as arms, each one splitting into three 'fingers' at the tips. "Supreme General Goshenite, I am glad you could join me," she said; the same voice that greeted the Xenocide over the radio. "I am Zoisite Facet C9X6 Cut 5O4, the overseer of this installation." She turned around, revealing a diagonal, square gemstone in place of her nose. "I trust you wouldn't mind filling me in on the state of things?"

"Long story short, we were ambushed," Goshenite said. "A...particular high-ranking Interloper caught us when we warped into the system. If things had gone right, it would've been the other way around."

Zoisite turned around, continuing to sort through the seemingly-endless supply of information on her screens. "I see. And was this high-ranking Interloper the lead you mentioned earlier, by any chance?"

"...How did you…?"

"It is my job to record and archive everything that happens within and around this outpost." Zoisite pulled up one of her screens, and showed it to Goshenite. It played security footage from a few minutes earlier, when Goshenite first met with Nephrite. She then turned to face the Gem herself once again. "However, my reach can only extend so far. I am currently unaware of what your lead is; if you would share it with me, I will do everything in my power to assist you, Your Brilliance."

Goshenite's eyes narrowed, but only for a moment. "Are you familiar with the name 'Primax Teptromina?' Or perhaps only one of those two?"

A brief glance at her files. "I am not."

"If my information is correct-which it is, I know that for a fact-then the one called Primax Teptromina is the leader of the Interlopers; their highest authority. Even more so than the Generals."

Zoisite pondered this for a moment. "May I have permission to access security footage from your flagship?" she asked.

Goshenite gave her the go-ahead. Within moments, the yellow Gem was watching Goshenite's battle with Teptromina, and the Xenocide's subsequent descent to the planet's surface, her worry apparent behind her stoic exterior. When she had seen enough, she turned the video off, staying silent for a brief while.

"This is...concerning," she said. "The one you refer to as Primax Teptromina is unlike any Interloper creation I have ever seen. More advanced, more ruthless…"

"More intelligent, too," added Goshenite. "And that isn't even getting into the worst of it: that's the second time I killed him. I don't know how, but he came back from the first one, and he'll likely come back again."

"All Interlopers seem to work in this way, as far as the information we have collected tells us," said Zoisite. "However, given that only your Primax seems to utilize it, it adds to your theory of him being the Interloper supreme commander."

"Theory nothing, I have two sources confirming it!" Goshenite said. "One, he said so himself, and two, one of my...colleague's friends was hooked up to the Interloper network for some time. He found all sorts of data swimming around in there."

Zoisite was intrigued, and not just because of the prospect of new data. "'He?'" she repeated.

"Yes. I think he used to be some sort of organic. 'Used to,' because he had to have his body rebuilt with Interloper tech-I don't know the full story."

"Interesting," Zoisite said. "I will have to speak with this-But I digress. As of this moment, it is apparent that Primax Teptromina is the greatest threat Homeworld currently faces. And given his...shall we say, interest in you, I fear it is only a matter of time before he comes searching for you."

A worry Goshenite had had for some time finally made itself known. "That...that's another problem we have," she said. "Before the altercation you witnessed, we had only just come out of warp. Not only that, but Teptromina should have had no idea we were coming. Somehow, he was able to perfectly predict when and where we would arrive."

"That is indeed concerning," said Zoisite, one of her ponytails moving to her chin. "I am afraid I do not have any idea how that is possible. If I find any leads, I will be glad to-"

"Oh," Goshenite interrupted, "and one more thing. The organic I mentioned earlier, Tenrit...he was able to see through their cloaking somehow. Again, I don't know exactly how, but I figured it was important enough to mention."

Zoisite had gone back to feverishly typing on her holoscreens. "Most likely as a result of being infused with Interloper technology. Still, I feel it would be beneficial to us all if I could have a look at your colleague's friend."

"I'll speak to him about it," said Goshenite, turning to leave. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Not at this time, Supreme General. Though if there is anything you need, you will generally be able to find me within this chamber."

After exiting the room, Goshenite made her way back towards the hangar. Nephrite, who had been waiting outside the room, hurried after her. "Oh, um, Supreme General, the Gems under your command have all made their way to level-C. I thought you'd like to know…"

"Thank you, Nephrite." Goshenite diverted her path towards the mentioned location, Nephrite taking her old one. The elevator carried her upwards to where her crew resided, intermingling amongst the few local personnel. Topaz was waiting to greet her.

"So, how'd it go?" she asked.

"As well as it could have," replied Goshenite. "She said she'd look for some more information that could help us, but I don't think there's really anything she knows right now that we don't." Strolling through the room, she came across Tenrit and Nines. "You. Organic. Ziosite says she wants to talk to you."

"She does?" asked the former Valurian. "To me?"

"Yes. Something about you being part Interloper. She's curious about it, and thinks she might be able to find something useful to help us."

Tenrit stood up. "Well, if it can get us out of this mess," he said.

"Oh, no you don't!" said Nines. She stood up as well. "If you're going down there, I'm coming with you. If I know these science-type Gems, you'll need someone there to stop her if she tried to dissect you or something!"

"That's...not exactly reassuring," Tenrit said. "But, if you're going with me…"

"Don't worry, I'll keep you safe," the Citrine said, putting an arm around Tenrit as the two walked off. "Later, Goshie!"

"Don't call me Goshie," Goshenite said, quiet enough that she was sure Nines didn't hear.

"So," Topaz began. "What's the plan, My Goshie?"

"Now, don't you start," Goshenite said. "But...we don't really have a plan. We stay here a while, lick our wounds, and see what Teptromina does next."

"Hmm. Can't say I really like that plan," said Topaz. "This outpost isn't that well defended. If he finds this place…" She didn't need to finish.

"I don't like it either," Goshenite admitted. "But given how little we know of what he's planning, there's little else we can do."

"So, basically, we sit around and wait for him to ambush us," Topaz said. "To be fair, I've heard worse ideas."

"As have I, but I've usually been able to avoid them." Goshenite stared out the window at the landscape. The distant Gozyos sun peeked over the horizon, illuminating the molten fields surrounding them. "Given what Teptromina has shown himself to be capable of thus far...I hate to imagine what comes next…"