Lamp Entertainment presents…
Chapter 3: Dropship Drop
Space.
December 3rd.
Like a well maintained and finely tuned machine, the Diamonds' grand plan was set in motion. Of course, after the beginning of Era 3, the Diamonds no longer possessed any authority to force any gems to obey their orders… though, for this particular venture, it wasn't needed. Trillions upon trillions of gems volunteered to assist of their own free will.
Factories that once built weapons were making toys and trinkets. Mines and forges that once produced the raw material used to build war machines were creating exquisite gifts from precious metals. Spaceships once used to conquer planets were being refurbished to haul enormous quantities of gifts. Soldiers that once invaded were being trained to deliver gifts.
They had just over three weeks to prepare, but the gem civilization was vast and had a lot of unoccupied workforces since their previously constant expansion was halted two years ago. Frankly, most gems were kinda relieved to have something to do.
One of the countless examples could be found on a small colony called N1V-25. The colony was mostly known for its shipyards and production of spaceships. Now, the gems of this colony were putting their skills to good use. Over three hundred dropships were being remade and repurposed to serve a much nobler cause than they had before.
"You are doing a great job," Yellow Diamond praised the team of Bismuths responsible for applying the new red paint job. One of the many tips she had gotten from the "Management for Dummies" book Steven lent her was to make sure her employees got plenty of compliments to help motivate them.
"Thanks a bunch!" The team leader was beaming with pride over her team. "Just you wait my Diamond, we'll have these babies up and flying in no ti-"
KA-BOOM!
The Bismuth was rudely interrupted by an enormous explosion.
Yellow spun around and was met by the sight of a dropship set ablaze.
What the… an accident? A malfunction? Or…?
KA-BOOM!
A second explosion went off, destroying a large part of the ship's landing gear. The giant saucer started tipping… right onto a crowd of gems standing underneath it, too terrified to move!
Yellow rushed forward and caught the ship in one of her powerful hands before the gems underneath it were crushed and ground into dust. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something. A small ship, a Roaming Eye. Moving away.
"Oh no, you don't!" she roared and sent a bolt of lightning towards the ship with her free hand before it had time to activate its warp engine. Yellow electricity danced on the ship's surface, frying every piece of electronics on the inside, and hopefully poofing whatever gem was in there. The ship dropped like a rock and landed with a loud clang on the ground.
With a small grunt, Yellow grabbed the dropship with both of her hands and hauled it into the air. She then set it down again. easier said than done, as she had to be careful not to damage any of the other ships strewn about the large shipyard, nor crush any of the small gems running around.
"Is everyone alright?" she asked the group of gems that had been standing underneath the dropship when it exploded.
"Y-yes, thanks to you," a Peridot said, shaking.
"Was there anyone on the ship?" Yellow asked.
"No, I don't think so," the Peridot said. "These ships should all be empty." She adjusted her oversized visor nervously. "What even happened? Did the reactor malfunction?"
"Last time I checked, most dropships don't have their reactors anywhere close to their landing gear," Yellow said grimly. "And most of them don't explode twice. No, this was an attack."
She walked over to the wreckage of the ship she blasted out of the sky. A large group of gems had formed around it, several of them trying to force the door open. Yellow picked the Roaming Eye up and tore the door, alongside a chunk of the outside wall from the ship. She peeked inside but didn't find anything except burned computer consoles. That and… something written on one of the walls.
Her fist shook with rage and she accidentally crushed the ship in her hand. It crumpled like a piece of tinfoil.
"Increase security immediately!" Yellow barked. "I want it doubled, no, tripled! Guards, sweep the area! No one gets off this planet until we find the one responsible for this!"
The gems around her sprung into action. Yellow Diamond took a sharp breath. The words burned into the inner wall of the ship still danced before her eyes.
HatrEd and spite untold
the daRkneSs of yOUr ways oLd
here to take away your joy
chrIStmas i will destRoy
with glEe the chaos i sow
i am the winter shaDow
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
The Winter Shadow, the Winter Shadow… such a mysterious character. Let's see if any of you can guess who it is. You've got nineteen days until it is sorta revealed in chapter 22. Eighteen days for the official reveal in chapter 23. You'll see what I mean once we get there.
Unless I change my mind about chapter 22, it's not done yet… I probably won't though.
If it seems like I'm inconsistent with what times of day I upload these, it's because I am. Sorry.