Chapter Five: Underwater Usurpation
We see the serene scene of the oceans from underwater. The fish swim, the seaweed and kelp sway in the currents, and the sunlight stream from the surface. This serenity continued…until a large pink bubble swerved through the kelp. The Crystal Gems, Steven, and Connie were in a bubble created by Steven while Lapis was pushing it through the water. The team was stoic as they closed in on the XSS Triton, going over the plan in their minds…
Flashback…
"Your entry point will be…here!" explained Alena pointing to the bottom of a hologram of the XSS Triton, "There should be a small breach in the hull at this area. It's how Jasper manage to make her way onto the vessel."
"Should be easy to find then. Jasper was never very subtle." remarked Peridot, remembering Jasper's behavior on the way to Earth.
"I still fail to see why it is necessary to bring Steven and Connie along. There's too much that could go wrong!" worried Pearl.
"As I have said before, Steven is a distraction for Jasper. She seems to have some…issues with Rose Quartz which she has transferred onto Steven. It unbalances her, thus making her more vulnerable. Connie is coming because their fusion, Stevonnie, would have a better chance in a fight with her." explained Alena will pinching her nose in frustration at Pearl's nagging worries, before continuing.
"Now, as I have said before, Lapis need to distract the outer defenses. This includes sonic shatter cannons and pulse wave torpedoes. This will keep internal security from discovering you hopefully long enough for Peridot to reach a computer terminal. I assume you have been able to acclimate Peridot to human computer tech?" asked Alena.
"Please! While I'll admit that some of Earth's tech is frustratingly primitive, my vast technical expertise will-"Peridot began to brag before Alena pointed her swagger stick at Peridot's face.
"DO. NOT. BE. ARROGANT. Even with my password, one wrong move and the AI core could simply decide to scuttle the ship…with you in it. Besides, it was the primitive nature of our technology I was counting on when building the internal defenses. Every hallway, every room, has at least one set of devices to trap, shatter, and/or disrupt any Gem trying to take over my facility. It is a masterwork!" exclaimed Alena.
"And yet, Jasper seemed just bash right through…" sardonically replied Lapis. Though she was nervous about the mission, she was trying her best to hide it behind sarcasm.
"Yes, well, most of the defense were designed around a more subtle invasion attempt. Now, we to move onto the potential released Corrupted Gems. Fortunately, there should only be about four to five Corrupted Gems on the Triton at the moment. We'll go over each of them and their strengths and weaknesses." explained before revealing a set of five photos feature the Corrupted Gems, starting with a dark blue one that looks like a long serpentine fish with the Gem on its tongue.
"This one is nicknamed by the staff Big Blue. It's the most likely one to escape into the water so keep an eye out on your approach…"
Present…
It was just as they were remembering that conversation that 'Big Blue' appeared right in front of them! The creature roared before Lapis grabbed it with the water around it and 'poofed' it nearly instantly. What would have potentially been an hour long fight with the original Crystal Gems took only a few agonizing seconds. Steven Quickly bubbled Big Blue and sent him to the Temple. The Gems quickly floated closer to the Triton, just starting to come into view…
Flashback…
"Next, we have Slimy Ivan." stated Alena, pointing to a picture of a green Corrupted Gem taking the form of a slimy cube, "It moves with the speed of a slug, but as you can see the Gem is in the center of the mass, softening any physical attacks. It also doesn't help that the slime is corrosive."
"Next is a tricky little one called the Road Hopper." Alena stated while pointing to a two legged light blue Gem with three tongues sticking out(1), "The main skill of this one is its speed and its wily nature. This thing turned many of our traps against us before we eventually caught it…after two weeks of effort. Also it has been known to move so fast as to scale sheer surfaces."
"And finally, we have the Red Menace!" exclaimed Alena, pointing to a picture of a dark red scorpion like Gem before explaining, "This thing's armor was near impenetrable to anything short of battleship grade shells! The fact that it was attacking a naval yard gave us the ammunition need, thankfully. My advice…avoid until the mission is over."
"Alright, I think we've covered just about everything…" stated Alena as she was wrapping up.
"What about Jasper?" asked Steven bringing up what was perhaps the most important point of the mission ahead.
Alena lower her head, perhaps in fear and shame, before answering, "Looked you haven't seen the footage of the break in, but Jasper was able to shrug-off every weapon designed to 'poof' you! Every trap, every robot, every weapon, all they ever did was annoy her! I did some research at her origins at the Beta Kindergarten-"
"Wait, what?!" exclaimed Steven, because this was the first time he had heard of Jasper's Earthly origins(2). Steven looked around and saw the same surprise on Amethyst's and Lapis' face…though strangely not on any of the other Gems' faces. "Wait, did you guys know about this and not tell me?!"
"Peridot gave us some more…in-depth details about Jasper's origins after we dealt with the Cluster." explained Garnet.
"To be honest, I believe I met her once or twice during the Rebellion while fighting alongside your mother. It was just…so long ago." Pearl stated with a reluctant tone.
"Of course I knew Jasper was from the Beta Kindergarten! But that means there's less to worry about! Everything about that place was slap together and hastily made. I'm sure if we went there and looked, we could find Jasper's hole and it would ease a lot of your worries." explained Peridot.
Just then, Alena brought up detailed photos of Jasper's hole in Beta. Surprised, Peridot responded, "Oh, well thank you. I know those looks but we already knew Jasper was big! The important details are how straight a Gem comes out and the smoothness of the exit. Let's see…oh these are very high quality photos…I'd have to check back on these measurements in person…hmmm."
"Well?" asked Amethyst, a little anxious ever since finding out Jasper was from Earth.
Peridot looks up from the data with a startled look on her face and said, "Well, I can't be sure about the accuracy of these photos and I'd have to get to Beta to be certain but…that is by far the most perfect exit hole I have ever seen!"
"What does that mean though?" asked Connie, not sure of the importance of this information.
Alena stepped forward and replied, "It means that Jasper is the perfect example of a Quartz soldier. Tough, powerful, unrelenting, loyalty to her Diamond unto death. I don't believe any of you, short of Fusions, have the skills or abilities to take her down. And the place you are going to will make such a tactic unwise. None of your Fusions, save Stevonnie and perhaps Opal, will be able to maneuver in those tight corridors and rooms. Thankfully, you have OMNI…"
More holograms appeared, depicting computers, turrets, and robots before Alena continued, "OMNI is the AI control the security systems on the ship. It stands for Onboard Military Network Intelligence, but you can just call him OMNI for short. With his help you can organize the remaining defenses against Jasper and the Corrupted Gems. If worse comes to worse you can unleash this:
"The Omnidroid(3) Mark 10! The deadliest machine I have ever created! Armed with plasma disruptors and smart bombs, this murder machine is coated in a special plasteel alloy that's as strong, if not stronger than the Gem Warship Peridot and Japer arrived in. The only catch is that Omni needs to be downloaded directly into it, leaving the ship's systems vulnerable to a cyberattack. Though I doubt your opponents have the capacity to perform said attack.
"Now then: shall we begin?"
Present…
Slowly, the group glided through the water, until they reached…the XSS Triton! Larger than any submarine, the manta ray shaped vessel measured a length of over one thousand five hundred meters with a width of two thousand three hundred meters at least. It shined a metallic black against the deep blue of the ocean. The surface appeared unmarred, yet the group knew that hidden hatches containing deadly weapons were ready to spring out. The group made their way to the underbelly, where the first imperfection could be seen…
A massive hole had been gouged into the hull, no doubt by Jasper. Lapis pressed Steven's bubble against the hull, allowing him to make a small opening to allow them in. Strangely enough, none of the water seemed to have gotten in, which should be impossible at the current water pressures…With just Steven and Lapis left in the bubble, a turret popped out and fired at them with a stream of sonic energy. Seeing this, Lapis pushed into the ship will the shot popped the bubble and pushed Lapis back from the ship!
"Lapis!" exclaimed Steven, rushing towards the hole, only to find a pinkish barrier covering the hole.
Peridot studied the barrier, touching a few times before giving an explanation, "Fascinating! It seems that the Director must have study Steven's bubbles and created a water-tight shielding mechanism for the ship! That explains why this room isn't flooded and why Steven was able to get us in!"
"Hold on Lapis! I'm gonna-" Steven exclaimed before being pulled back by Pearl.
"Steven you can possibly stretch your bubble far enough to reach her! Lapis is supposed to remain outside, remember? Look she's in her element, I doubt there's anything this ship could use to truly hurt her!" explained Pearl confident…until she saw some squid like robots(4) able to chase Lapis despite her attempting to crush them with her water.
"We need to focus on Jasper. This might be our only chance to catch her off-guard. Then we can figure out what to do with…the EDI." stated Garnet firmly. Steven eventually conceded the point. The truth is, none of the Gems were really comfortable with the idea of Alena and the EDI. The reasons ranged from the original mission to protect humanity from the Homeworld to the rather violent introduction they were given by the enigmatic director.
Quickly, the group made their way to a computer console on the other side of the room. Peridot, using her new enhanced tablet, began accessing the network, "There we go…now I just need to write in the password…hey Pearl, I'm not familiar with all the Earth's various languages but, what does 'Schadenfreude' mean?"
Pearl was about to answer, when the computer screen began to light up. On the screen was a smiling face icon which wiggled as the voice spoke in an outspoken, seemingly friendly voice, "Hello! I am the Onboard Military Network Intelligence, but you can just call me OMNI! Because OMNI sees all, and knows all! For example, my scanners indicate that you are not Alena Frankfurt, Director of the Earth Defense Initiative! Please explain yourselves or I will be forced to use these lasers which will simulate the surface of the Sun!"
And with that laser dishes appeared from the ceiling pointing at group as the Gems (minus Peridot) entered defensive positions. OMNI decided to add more at this point, "You have thirty seconds to comply with my request! And have a nice day!"
"WAIT! She sent us here to get rid of Jasper! Just help us out and we'll be outta here in no time!" exclaimed Steven trying to reason with the machine. A tense second followed before the laser dishes retreated into the ceiling.
"My sensors do indicate that Jasper is in the facility and several of the subjects have gotten loose! Tell you what, if Peridot can give me total control and access to the Omnidroid, I'll be able to help against Jasper! Until then, I'll lead the rest of you to Jasper!" explained OMNI in the same tone as before.
"And what about Lapis?" asked Peridot nervous about her roommate.
"Once OMNI is all, I'll be able to turn off the outer defenses and let Lapis in! More help to deal with Jasper!" exclaimed OMNI. The group huddled up and discussed OMNI's proposal. It was similar to Alena's suggestion and it gave them a number of advantages. Yet something still felt dangerous about the suggestion…
Finally Garnet lifted her head and declared to OMNI, "Alright, but no funny business."
OMNI seemed genuinely happy when he stated, "Wonderful! You will not regret this! After all, OMNI is all, including honest!"
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. Hope that was a good start for the mission! This week has been tough with one of our horses having to be put to sleep. I'm still trucking along of course. As always, Read and Review!
1 This is directly referenced to "The Kindergarten Kid." Probably one of my favorite Corrupted Gems
2 This is referenced in the episode "Beta".
3 As seen in the Disney Pixar movie "The Incredibles"
4 Based on the 'Seeker' enemy in "XCOM: Enemy Within"