Chapter 4: The Geode
Alexandrite
What can I say about the front that best describes it? For starters, it is literally the last place you want to be unless you have a death wish and that's putting it mildly. Besides being the fulfillment of a death wish, the portion of the warfront we ended up in are the remains of the city of Siliconus. Anyway our ship dropped us onto a large, partially destroyed structure just south about twenty clicks of the main command center before sonic jumping back to the F.O.B... Yet it took its sweet time getting us here! Oh well might as well get to work. I look over the edge, twenty stories to the bottom. Obsidian walks over and without even a second thought he leaps off the floor. I follow suit streamlining my body to catch up to him. Wind rushing past, our bodies twisting and turning as we accelerate ever closer to the street below. This is what it truly means to have a rush! About half way down I quickly shift my form, creating a pair of beautiful angelic wings from my back and glide safely down to the ground. I land as graceful as a ballerina, flipping my pony tail over my shoulder I look up to see Sid still plummeting toward the ground feet first … and OH SHIT HE'S AIMING RIGHT FOR ME! Before I can even react WAM a dust cloud has engulfed a five-foot area sending me into a coughing fit. As everything settles I look to where the impact hit and see that a small crater had formed with Sid getting up from a super hero landing, with a look of joy in his eyes. For a guy who is serious twenty-four seven it's kinda weird seeing his face light up like a gemling during graduation.
I just stare at him and shake my head saying "You know Sid sometimes I wonder how the hell we are related? I mean at least land with some style."
Turning to face me, his red eyes return to their usual cold serious tone "Don't complain, I may land like an artillery shell but at least I don't look like a freakin…" he doesn't get to finish that thought due to the smack I gave to his face.
"Your one to talk, look at yourself."
He's bare chested with his scars exposed, and his bandana is partially ripped revealing his razor sharp, lava colored maw. Not to mention he smells like a freaking smelting forge exploded next to a hazardous chemical plant. But now that I look at myself I could use a shower. We both look at each other and silently agree to find a place to rest.
The road way ahead of us has holes blasted into its surface, buildings surrounding the area are partially destroyed, some not even standing, leaving large metal beams aimed like arrows toward the sky. I would call it desolate but it has been like this ever since the war really began in this galactic system. Sometimes I wonder, what life could have been like before these conflicts broke out across the stars?
Before fighting and warfronts ever existed amongst gem kind. Hell can't dwell on shit like that now we got find something to eat before I end up gnawing off Sid's arm. We walk some ways down avoiding the holes, debris and other hazards that litter our path. By the time the doors of rear gate two come into view the first sun has started to rise, the glow of its green light sends the once dark ruins into a blaze of glistening, twinkling buildings. The destruction is still visible but now it just looks very shiny. As we approach the gate I notice that the walls surrounding the command center and its support buildings has craters in it along with a few unexploded mortar shells jutting out. Just above the damaged wall I spot a mass of guards rushing into position facing towards us, probably making ready to provide cover for the next recon group to go out. And not even a second later a siren sounds, the gates open letting a small platoon of agate scouts rush out with two melanite heavy supports right behind. The recon group passes by in a rush, paying us no mind, but I feel a bit uneasy as we make our way into the base; as soon as our forms pass the gate it slams shut, two deadbolts are slid into place locking us in.
Obsidian
I really don't like being inside of places like this for too long. Why? Well for starters usually when me and Alex enter a military outpost we end up in the brig while the officers contact their chief gemology scientists to determine if we actually are gems. By the time we are let out everyone in the area knows we are different from other gems, me imparticular, and proceed to either give us a wide birth as we pass or try and push our buttons. But once in while we actually manage to blend in and get through without many problems. Walking past the gate we move to the side as vehicles, soldiers and engineers rush back and forth; each time someone moves there is purpose to it so they barely notice two new gems walking through their ranks.
I look around the section we are in trying to get my bearings, and from what I can see there seems to be more tents set up then actual permanent structures. Well except for just what we are looking for. On the other side of the street is an old factory building turned saloon. It's brick façade is slightly crumbling, windows on the second floor are covered with dust, the sign at the top says 'The Geode'. Sounds interesting. I tap on Alex's shoulder and point the place out to her. She shoots me a look of relief, starts making her way across while I take my sweet time going over. The space is quite open, cept for a large bar made of corrugated nitrogen steel taking up most of the right side. On the left close to the stairs, a relatively small stage is occupied by a danburite playing some smooth jazz on a beautiful jade saxophone. The atmosphere in here is pretty mellow and not many gems occupy the bar itself. I turn to tell Alex to see about getting two rooms for me and her but she must have done so already cause she is nowhere to be seen. 'Well might as well grab something before she cleans them out' I think as I make my way past empty table to the bar. As I reach it a holographic bar stool emerges from the floor adjusting to my height and width allowing me to sit pretty damn comfortably.
"Welcome to the Geode, I'm Clino. what can I get you stranger?" is all the bartender says to me as she glides over to me. I take note of her and am honestly surprised. Standing before me is clinohumite, one of the rarest gems from home world. She is tall and thin with a well sculpted face.
"You going to order something pal?" she says sounding a bit annoyed but given how I must be staring it's starting to creep her out.
"Um yeah … I'll have the strongest thing you got."
"Sure thing sugar. So what's a black crystal doing at the front?"
"Just looking for an old friend of mine."
"Aww isn't that precious, you two longtime friends or something more …Hmmmmm?"
"Naw nothing like that just former trainees from the same kindergarten"
She moves gracefully away from me for a moment to prepare my drink. Her movements are elegant, simple and powerful all at the same time. The concoction she is brewing looks pretty damn amazing too, you don't see many drinks made using lava specs and phosphorus chunks! Five minutes' pass when she brings over two glasses, along with the now glowing mix of alcohol, phosphorus and other surprises she threw in.
"Here you go the house specialty, The Cold Fusion core. Hope you don't mind if I join you?"
"Not at all I mean it is your place after all." I take glass and raise it in a toast "to your health."
"To finding your friend." We tap our glasses together and drink. I lift up my bandana, or rather what is left of it and drink. At first nothing happens then not even a millisecond later my taste buds are hit with a warm soothing sensation that just sends a wave of tranquility down my throat to my very core. I look at Clino and watch as a smile drifts across her face.
"So I hope you don't mind me asking, Clinohumite but what's a high society elite like yourself doing serving drinks in a rundown bar near a warfront?"
"I'm here like everyone else, doing my part to end this bloody war on this planet. Besides that, I just serve drinks so, no high society here. And please call me Clino."
Her eyes look away for a moment then glance back to see if I bought her story. I didn't but she seems like she doesn't want to talk about it so I just nod, drink my Core and let my eyes wonder around the bar. The back end of the bar has your standard set up; twin speed wells for Friday night happy hours, assorted liquors and ingredients from all over this galaxy, twenty-inch broadcast screens, the works. There are a few photos snuck in to add that nostalgic feel. I look over everything then spy a picture close to the middle wall. Within a color changing frame about at my eye level, smack dab in the center of the wall is a photo of Clino standing next to two other gems in what looks like one of the craziest looking forge's ever created! Hanging right under the photo, a large knife (formed from who knows what) catches the light sending a shine streak across its edge. Clino catches my stare and follows my gaze, smiling when she realizes what I'm looking at.
"You like that huh?"
"The photo or the knife?"
"Both."
"They are quite interesting. Tell me Clino who are those other two gems next to you?"
Her voice softens, creating a gentle atmosphere as she her tale unwinds "The one on the right, that's my partner Orange Cats eye. She manages the expenses. On the other side is one of my dearest friends. One of the greatest blacksmiths ever, Tiger eye."
I nearly spit my drink at the sound of her name. Tiger eye. My mind races with thought's. It couldn't be the same tiger eye from then …could it? I focus on the gem in the left of the picture. No doubt about it, there is no other Tiger eye that has that vibrant a red coloring. I must not be moving cause Clino is snapping her fingers at me trying in vain to snap me out of my trance. She then says to herself 'oh for the love of peridot' and punches me upside the mouth. I rub my jaw, damn that gem can punch!
"Sorry about that but you blanked out for a moment there" she notices my glass is empty and fills it up again. "Anyway you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine, tell me something though where are you guys in that photo? It looks familiar." I ask only to make sure I didn't just waste time over a different gem.
"That was taken about three thousand years ago in the Dirty east. Why you ever been there?"
"Once but that was a long time ago." I quickly look away and take another swig before changing the subject. "So besides me has anyone else just arrived?"
An hour has passed and I got what I needed to hear. Right before Alex and I showed up, a transport shuttle landed from outpost Hilton carrying new troops, supplies and a few extra gems. Of the new arrivals, two foxtrot class (basically tier three elites, status reserved for pearls, peridots and few others) gems were rumored to be seen just as the craft started to lift off. One of them resembling a blue pearl. Jackpot! I pay for my next drink to Clino's protest, as the midday soldiers enter from just getting off shift. Soon the bar is filled. Right behind them walks in Alex causing a few of the agate scouts we saw earlier to look up and whistle. She ignores them with an eye roll and throws me a key to me as she sits. Tucking the simple metal key away in my pants pocket, I see Alex order one plasma pulse with a gold chaser. I should stop her but there would be no point. I mean she can out drink me in a shot contest any day. Also for some reason strong liquids seem to dull her curse better than food, though not for very long. With her hand on the green bubbling drink she raises a toast to the empire, which raises a cheer from Clino, I and every other gem in the place. We all drink as the house band steps out on stage and begins to play. As rock groups go they sound pretty damn good, so good in fact I spot a few high ranking captains enter and lean against the back wall smiling as they play.
Trying to blend into this crowd ain't hard but the glint of clothes woven out of amber is hard to cover up, especially under a few layers of sniper gear. But as the night drags on gems come and go, some even break into fights outside but that's pretty normal. I get up to leave when I notice a pair of gems close to the doorway. One a large pale Opal enjoying the sound the band playing but still pretty serious. The other gem much smaller is has her face hidden by a hooded cloak. Making my way toward the door swaying myself like I'm drunk, which really can't occur for gems but that hasn't stop a few from actually pulling it off, bump into the opal and step out the door with her yelling at me. Exiting to the right I quickly duck behind the wall and listen in. Their voices speak in hushed tones but still quite audible when I concentrate.
"My lady, are you sure you wish too procced? If you are caught your surely to be crushed."
"I know Opal but I can't stand to watch the diamonds atrocities go unnoticed anymore! When the rebellion learns of what's been happening to those shattered …" I don't catch the last bit. But that last sentence has me thinking 'what have our glorious leaders been up to?'
Alexandrite
The first sun has set by the time Clino shouts last call, that's my cue to get to leave before the rush of final orders hit. I get up leaving a gold credit chip as a tip, and head upstairs to my room. As I enter the well-furnished room a small silver ear piece catches my eye. A note placed right next to it saying "We got to talk now!" Sigh. Looks like it's time to get to work. I walk over to the bed and throw myself onto it before placing the piece in my ear. As I lay there letting the soft sheets trap me, the sound of static comes through very faintly. Then it ends and my favorite stick in the mud's voice comes over the line.
"Fate you there?"
"Sid do you have to use my code name right now? I mean we don't even know if the target is here and I'm hungry!"
"Fate, I found the target and she is right outside the saloon. Get yourself presentable, how good are you at Opal transformations?'
"Time," I sigh as my form begins to glow and morph "what type of Opal?"
"Pale white, wearing mark four sniper camouflage overtop foxtrot class civ clothes. Amber style. Oh and her gem is in on her right hand, rounded facet."
Just what I needed to hear. My now glowing form shifts and in few second I turn into your standard pale white Opal. The amber clothes are a bit tougher to pull off since, well I haven't really seen this month's edition of Elite Couture but I manage to pull off a simple golden weave shirt. Forming the sniper gear is easy enough but the truly hard part, and most annoying part in my opinion, is putting a gem on the right hand. Unlike every gem in the empire my gem is located inside of my form, it's location only known to me. Anyway my form shifts one last time, and then settles. I move over to the mirror and check to make sure there are no flaws visible to others. Damn I'm good. The image staring back at me looks very large for an elite escort but I have worked with taller. The clothes I made for this form, while not really this season's line, would suffice for the time being although I hate how the hair (when it comes to opals) always have to be shaggy long braids. Besides I only have to be like this for a little while we get this pearl. Leaving the room, I saunter over to Obsidian's door and retrieve a gift from within my form. Sliding it under the door, I hear him walk over to the door and open it. He stands there, the door wide open looking me over up and down. His face nods in approval before closing it again. I hate it when he does that. But no use getting mad, don't want lose control of my gemouflage just yet.
I make my way downstairs past the bar and out into the middle of the second sun's rise. Unlike the first sun's healthy green glow, the second's light cast a massive wave of red across the area giving every building an eerie almost unnatural shade. Putting up my sniper's hood I walk by a back alley just left of the bar when I hear Sid's voice cut into the silence via ear pierce.
"Fate, go down that alleyway, she should be down their waiting for you"
"Ok" I slowly start moving into the alley slowly, keeping my head on a swivel. "So I am assuming you took care of our friend's Opal earlier?"
"Yes, she is knocked out in abandoned shed on the other side of the base. And before you ask no I didn't knock her out of her physical form." Of course he didn't. "Anyway flip on the piece's internal cam so I can provide over watch"
"Copy that" I switch on the small micro camera with a toss of the hood.
Moments pass and the red light has increased causing visibility to drop. While I can't see very far ahead I do see a smaller form standing in the shade of a balcony bout one to two feet ahead. She is also hooded but I can just barely make out the basic body type. It's very close to a pearl but something seems to be different. Before I can analyze her more she signals me to follow her into the building the balcony is attached to. Not wanting to blow my cover early I enter quickly before the red light engulfs the area. My eyes adjust almost instantly revealing an empty warehouse complete with rusty corundum girders holding the building up just barely. The hooded gem in front of me stops about five feet away, turns to me and that's when things get out of whack fast.