Chapter Three: The Nanolathe
The atmosphere of the Red Planet danced across the metal of Fire Opal's handship. Another handship, in the color of White, and a diamond shaped ship followed behind her. The silhouette of gem architect met Fire's eyes as her ship landed.
"Citrines, scout the area. Fire Opal said as she stepped onto the rusted dirt.
"Right away, Commander!" The Citrines began to spin dash around, marking each searched area with a spark from their moves.
"We have found nothing, Commander." One called out.
"Stay on your toes. Sodalite, Emerald. Weapons." Fire Opal grunted as she punched her chest, similar to an ape. Light from her gem encased her hands, leaving two orange, slim gauntlets. Sodalite pulled a white and blue sword from her gem, while Emerald pulled a staff from hers.
"What exactly are we looking for, here?" Emerald said as they entered the darkened facility.
"Yellow Diamond called it a 'Nanolathe'. It's pre-war tech that was supposed to be able to absorb all types of energy, including that of a star's. It was supposed to be a replacement of what we use to energize our society now.
"And what use does it have for us?" Sodalite pondered. Suddenly, the lights turned on, revealing three gems in front of them.
"Halt, Fire Opal! We are here to arrest you." A Topaz shouted.
"Not wise." Fire Opal laughed as she lunged towards the gem. In one fatal swing, the gem's form dissipated, allowing her to grab the remaining gem.
"You two do know what I can do with fallen Gems, right?" Fire Opal howled. A socket opened on her gauntlet as she drew the gem towards it. A loud "clack" echoed throughout the hall as it was clamped into place, causing it to glow a yellow light. "I've always admired the abilities of a Topaz." She threw her hand towards them, open palmed. A shockwave emitted from her gauntlet, sending the two accompanying topaz' flying into a wall.
"No witnesses. Shatter them, please." Fire commanded. Sodalite leaped above, striking the two directly on their gems. They began to shriek as their physical forms began to crack. With a final groan of pain, the gems shattered, scattering shards across the hallway.
"Keep their shards." Fire Opal commanded as she bubbled the remaining Topaz. "Jasper better show up before I decide to shatter her as well, or harvest her." As she spoke, the communicator on her hip began to flash the colors of the Diamond Insignia. The communicator opened, revealing Jasper on the other end.
"Where in the stars are you, still on Earth?" Fire Opal shouted.
"Yes, I just recovered from a battle with Steven." Jasper began. "He was a lot stronger than expected without fusing."
"I see. Well, you have exactly thirty minutes to warp here, or else you'll be subjecting to harvesting." The communication cut short, as Jasper presumably began to search for a warp pad. Meanwhile, Fire and her crew began to make their way through the complex, keeping an eye out for anymore attackers on their way. Finally, they found the lab within the center of the facility, lights seemingly left on when it was abandoned. In the center of the room, a small, wire frame wall sat.
"The Nanolathe." Emerald spoke.
"Incomplete, it seems." Sodalite retorted.
"According to the records on HomeWorld, it was eighty percent complete before this entire solar system was viewed as unreliable. We can take this back to my palace and finish it there." Fire Opal interjected.
"Won't it be risky to move to your own facility?" A Citrine called out. Fire sighed, causing her throat gem to glow. A beam began to flow from it, then down her arm and to her gauntlet. A new item appeared in its socket, a Gem Destabilizer.
"Come here, Citrine." Fire grunted. The Citrine stepped forward into arms reach. Fire grabbed her soldier by the throat, lifting her into the air.
"You're out of line. However, this is only the first time you have been, so I'll give you a warning." The Destabilizer activated, sending its energy through her gauntlets and into her incapacitated soldier. The Citrines screams filled the room as her form began to fall apart. In an instant, the screams were gone, leaving only her gem in Fire Opal's hand.
"Take this gem back to the hull and place it in a cell until further notice." Fire grunted, throwing the gem back for someone else to catch.
"How do you suppose we move it?" Sodalite questioned.
"My Peridot crew can handle that with their Enhancers. This Nanolathe needs to be fit to catch the energy of a Diamond." Fire Opal stated.
"From a Diamond, commander?"
"I'll explain on the way. Have my Peridots remove the Nanolathe."