Chapter Eighteen: Shore Leave

"And here we are," said Yooperlite, looking up at the facility that would have become the Beta Kindergarten. "Don't know about you all, but I'm almost sad our journey's gonna be over soon."

Tanzanite was not quite so sentimental, walking past her towards the main control platform. "I am not. Hurry up, the longer we wait, the worse our chances of being rescued." She tried the elevator, but as expected, it didn't have power.

The two of them began climbing the stairs. "Look, all I'm saying is that we made the best out of a bad situation! I'd rather not have been stranded here, But I'm glad to have had the two of you with me." Lefty and Emerald climbed after them as they continued their back-and-forth.

"Hypothetically speaking…what are you going to do if we do go our separate ways?" asked Emerald. "I know we agreed to stick together," she added when Lefty gave her a surprised look, "and I want to as well, but…what if?"

Lefty shook her head. "Personally, I'd rather not even think about that. I'm sure Yellow Diamond will give us our orders." She looked up at Emerald, but averted her gaze almost immediately, instead looking out at the ocean.

The pair's conversation the previous night likely had something to do with that. "Thanks for worrying about me," Emerald said. "I'd like to stay with you all, but it's like you said: Yellow Diamond might have other plans for us. And if those plans don't include me, then…there's not much we can do."

Lefty remained silent up until they reached the entrance. Yooperlite and Tanzanite were standing in front of the door, pondering a way to get in. "I could probably bust through it if I heated it up first," Yoop said. "Here, just gotta–" She was about to start heating up the door, but Lefty held her back.

"No, no, let me," said the Peridot. She felt around the wall beside it, eventually popping off a loose panel. She rearranged a few of the wires within. "Tanz, can I get a jumpstart?"

"Very well." Tanzanite's fingers extended into the workings beneath the panel, connecting to the wires. Soon enough, she lent some of her own energy to the network–just enough for the door to open.

They headed inside before it closed on them. "Ah, the ol' jumpstart trick!" said Yooperlite. "That one got us out of more than a few tough spots back in the early days stuck here!" she explained to Emerald.

The control room was fairly unassuming, looking not much different than the one back at Emerald's Kindergarten. There was the elevator, of course, as well as a door leading further into the facility. Lefty headed right for the main console, preparing to restore the power. "Hopefully this works," she said, without much confidence in her voice. Pushing some buttons and pulling some switches, she activated the facility's central power systems. "Okay, and…"

Luck was on their side, as the base whirred back to life. Lights in the room came back on, as did the monitors. The sounds of machinery shaking off decades of stillness flowed in from all the way down at the other end. A prerecorded announcement came over the PA system, but it was so garbled that it was impossible to make out. Still, they had power, which meant they were that much closer to freedom.

"See, I knew you could do it!" Emerald said to Lefty. The latter simply shrugged, though she may have been grinning a bit. "So now all that's left is to find a ship, right?"

"Find a working ship," Tanzanite corrected. "As I said, time may not have been kind to the ships stored in the hangar, if there are any left at all."

Yooperlite brushed off her concern. "I'm sure it'll be fine! This place hung on pretty well, didn't it?" She thumped on a window to prove her point, only for the pane to fall out of place and drop towards the ground. "...I'm sure that was a fluke."

With the subsystems back online, Lefty took her spot at the console. "Oookay, that should be everything. You three take the magrail to find a ship, I'll try and figure some things out here." With the press of a few buttons, a large door opened up, leading further into the facility.

"Wow, this place really is big!" said Yooperlite, peering through the doorway. It was easily the largest facility Emerald had been in, though that was admittedly not a high number. "You sure you'll be alright on your own?" she asked as they headed out.

She waved them off. "I'll be fine, I'm just running some numbers. I'll call you over the PA if anything comes up." The other three Gems left to find a ship, leaving her by herself. With them gone, her carefree attitude faded away to reveal a familiar uncertainty. Making sure that the door was closed, she produced an item from her gemstone: a data stick, which she then plugged into the computer. "I have to find something," she whispered to herself. "Some reason she has to stay with us. She has to."

Emerald couldn't even imagine seeing the base during its prime. It must have been able to hold hundreds of Gems, all milling about and heading here and there for their various duties. But as it was, the gigantic central hub was completely empty. Their footsteps echoed as they walked over to the magnetic transport train that would carry them to their destination. "Feels so lonely in here, doesn't it?"

"I understand what you mean," said Tanzanite, sitting down beside Emerald. "I cannot fully articulate exactly how, but seeing this facility so empty and run-down strikes me as intensely wrong." Meanwhile, Yooperlite was trying to get the magrail running. With a thump to its controls, it started along the rail with a jolt.

She pulled herself over next to them to sit. "See? Still works! Just gotta give it some motivation, that's all." Emerald looked out the window, watching all the scenery race by. Had she been here in Moridius' prime, it might have been a wonder to see. "Personally, I'm hoping for something like a star-hopper–something small and fast, not too luxurious, but it can get the job done. You?"

"Are you asking what sort of ship I would prefer?" asked Tanzanite. "I…have no preference. Anything space-worthy is acceptable. Preferably one with a hyperdrive, but I am not picky."

Yoop nodded. "Yeah, we've been alone here for years now, what's a few more years driftin' through space? How's about you, Mera? What'd you like to fly outta here on?"

Without so much as a crash course on Gem ships, Emerald didn't know where to start. She knew the basics, of course, that was already pre-programmed into her, but she had no way of having a preference. Though given their circumstances, she could only think of one answer. "One with guns," she declared. "Lots of firepower."

"Well!" said Yooperlite, clearly not expecting that answer. "Never took you for the warmongering type, Mera! But hey, not judging, I understand. Sometimes you just have to blow something up!"

But Tanzanite was a bit more privy to the reasoning behind this choice. "Emerald…might you still be worried about the Talu coming back? I see no other reason why we would need weaponry on our vessel."

Emerald was a bit slow to answer, but she eventually nodded. "Yeah, that's why. Not so much 'worried' as 'concerned,' but…yeah. We all saw how much they wanted us dead, and how enraged that one was. We have to assume there's more, and that they'll do everything they can to stop us if they find us."

"Then hopefully, they won't find us," Yooperlite said. The magrail slowed to a halt shortly after. "We're here! C'mon, let's go and pick one out!" She hopped out the door, hurrying into the hangar.

Tanzanite and Emerald followed after her. "You are only setting yourself up to be disappointed!" the former called. They went through the hangar doors, and were met with Yooperlite staring with glee at whatever was inside. And while by no means spectacular, it was definitely a welcome sight.

Just like everything else there, the hangar was huge, and so were the ships it held. But while it could have held up to twenty-five when it was completely full, not there were only five or six at the most. And only about half of those weren't falling apart. But if even one could carry them along, it would have been a miracle.

"Look at all these!" Yooperlite exclaimed, giddily running around like a kid in a candy store. "There's an asteroid mining vessel! Ooh, and that one's an Opal yacht! A starsail expeditionary craft, they don't even make those anymore!" Emerald smiled–it was hard not to, her joy was infectious.

Evidently, Tanzanite wasn't nearly so excited. "Let us confirm they are in working order before we lose our minds," she said dryly. "Spread out, try and find one that still has power."

The three of them split up, checking each ship one by one. The first one Emerald checked, a yellow disc-shaped one, didn't respond to her touch at all. It didn't appear completely beyond repair, though, so she wondered if they could fix it up–they definitely had the time. Maybe it just needed a refueling? She walked around to see it from all sides, when something else caught her eye.

Over on the far side of the hanger, there was yet another ship. More streamlined, but much bigger and bulkier. Four cannons at its front, and seven on the side, likely more. Entranced by the old relic, she drew closer, sliding her hand along its side.

With a hum, the large ship revealed its doorway. A flight of stairs extended from the opening, as though beckoning her inside. She was shocked at first, but eventually decided that she had to climb aboard. Somehow, she felt like it was made for her.

"Woah, a warship! Good find, Mera!" said Yooperlite. She and Tanzanite walked over to investigate the vessel as well. "Looks like you got your wish, huh? Plenty o' guns on this baby!"

Tanzanite was the first on board, taking stock of the ship's control room. "This vessel is highly antiquated," she noted, sitting down in the captain's chair. "For it to still be running is nothing short of a miracle."

"A real one-in-a-million chance," Yooperlite said. "But sometimes we just get lucky. Hey, speakin' of lucky, you think you can get this thing working?"

"It has proven to be physically possible," said Tanzanite, interfacing with the control panel. "Therefore, yes, I believe I can." She concentrated as the data flowed through her, and before long, the bridge came to life. Screens long dark lit up, accompanied by the hum of the ship's engines warming up.

Right then and there, Emerald felt something she never had before. A rush of adrenaline far more pleasant than the ones she felt when they had been in danger. Seeing and hearing and feeling this ship start up–she felt right where she belonged.

"According to the vessel's manifest," reported Tanzanite, "it is known as the Soul Evaporator. An X-class interceptor warship, its fuel reserves and ammunition are at maximum capacity–I surmise it had been stocked up in preparation for departure before the disaster hit. It is also equipped with a personal fighter craft deployable from the captain's chair." She looked down at her seat as though wondering how to activate it, and whether doing so now would be a good idea.

Yooperlite couldn't help but smile. "'Soul Evaporator,' huh? Sounds like it used to belong to an Emerald. Emeralds always give their ships wacky names like that," she said, nudging Emerald. "Names like 'Planet Eater' or 'Hope Crusher.' It really is one-in-a-million you found it!"

Emerald couldn't believe that the ship she had found used to belong to another Emerald. "It really was made for me," she said.

Although Tanzanite was no less glad to have a working ship, she didn't seem to believe this meeting was fated. "All systems are primed and ready for activation," she said. "As soon as the roof is opened, we are clear for takeoff."

"All right!" said Yooperlite. She walked around the bridge, examining the various stations. "Good thing you have me here. This thing'd take a whole crew to fly normally. I've piloted entire cargo barges on my own through meteor showers, with nothin' but a datapad with a shoddy connection for guidance! My point? We're absolutely gettin' outta here."

Tanzanite rolled her eyes before shaking her head to Emerald. "In that case, I imagine you will not mind watching the ship while we go and fetch Lefty? I would hate for our only means of escape to spontaneously combust mere moments before we can make our escape."

Rolling her eyes as well, Yooperlite nudged her out of the seat. "Oh, ye of little faith, Tanz! You mock me now, but you'll be glad I'm here when we need to make our way through an asteroid thicket! You go 'head, this baby'll still be here when you get back."

The other two disembarked, walking through the hangar back towards the magrail. "This all feels so surreal," Emerald said. "I've been on this planet for my whole life, and we're only minutes away from leaving! Oh, but I can't imagine how you all feel–I've only been here a few days, you've been trapped here for years!"

"Yes, it has indeed been some time since I have seen another Gem aside from you three," said Tanzanite. "That said…I cannot say this planet has felt entirely like a prison. Had I been alone, or stuck with far less pleasant company, I would likely have lost my mind long ago."

"Well, I'm, uh, glad I didn't make you go crazy," Emerald said with a smile. She couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw Tanzanite reciprocate, just a little bit. "What kind of mission do you think Yellow Diamond will give us when we–"

Their chat was interrupted when an announcement came through on the PA. Unlike the prerecorded message earlier, this time it was unmistakably the voice of Lefty: "Guys? I need you back here, something's come up and I…" There was a brief pause before the message ended.

The suddenness of this pause combined with the vague nature of her request was concerning. Emerald and Tanzanite both shared a look as they resumed their walk. "What could that have been about?" asked the former.

"I do not know," Tanzanite replied, "but whatever it is, it cannot be good. Of the dangers left for us at this stage, only a few could–"

Just then, Yooperlite came tearing past the two of them, all but diving into the magrail car. "Don't just stand there, hurry!" she cried, almost frantic.

They did, boarding after her. Yooperlite got the train moving as fast as it could go, rocketing them back to the control room. "What's this about?" asked Emerald. "Is something wrong?"

"Of course something's wrong!" she shouted. "Look, I've known Lefty for long enough to be able to tell when she's upset, and when she's really upset. Her voice just then? That was her 'I'm upset, but I don't want anyone to know I'm upset' voice. Whatever she's calling us back for, it's a lot worse than she wants us to know!"

Emerald was baffled by this explanation. "Why exactly would she not want us to know something is wrong? If there's trouble, wouldn't she just tell us?"

"Lefty is the type who keeps her issues internal," Tanzanite said. "We both noticed she tended to repress her grief regarding Righty, coping by trying to find a way off the planet. Perhaps she does not want us to feel concerned for her?"

"If that's what she wants, her plan backfired," Yooperlite mumbled.

They soon reached the other side, hopping off the tram and hurrying for the control room. The door opened when they got close–not fast enough for Yooperlite, who forced it open. "Lefty, we're–" said Emerald. But she stopped herself when she saw what was waiting for them. And she realized exactly why Lefty had sounded so concerned.

"About time you got here." Votaq had his mechanical arm wrapped around Lefty's neck, holding her in place. A blaster was in his other hand, pressing up against her gem. "You four are hard Gems to find. But I have my ways…yes, I have my ways."

Everyone froze. "Lefty!" shouted Yooperlite. "Hold on, we'll get you outta there!"

"No you won't!" snarled Votaq, pushing his gun further against the Peridot. "Don't you get it!? No matter where you run, or how far you go, I'll never stop chasing you! I was given a mission, and I will not stop until I've seen it through!"

Lefty struggled against his grip, but it was clear to her that it was hopeless. "Just go, guys!" she said. "Don't worry about me!"

"We are not leaving you behind!" said Tanzanite. She glared at the Talu. "Release her now! Otherwise you will be forced to–"

He cut her off with a crazed laugh. "You don't seem to understand what kind of situation you're in! Even if all four of you were to somehow join together against me, I'd still be too much for you to handle! But as it stands, I'd like to see what you plan on doing when your friend is being held at gunpoint!"

Weighing her options, it was clear to Emerald that he wouldn't release Lefty willingly. Unless… "Why are you doing this, anyway?" she asked. "Is one dying planet, with four measly Gems, really worth going to all this trouble?"

"If even one Gem were to make if off this rock, I would consider this whole thing a failure!" he roared. He breathed heavily for a moment, then seemed to calm himself. "But that won't be happening. No, you're all doomed anyway. You can try to leave, or you can stay to save your friend, but you're already out of time." He quickly pressed some buttons on the console, bringing up security footage from outside. Out to sea, not far off and growing ever closer, was a massive wall of dark clouds.

The three of them stared at the incoming storm. The clouds seemed to cover the entire horizon, stretching up to the sky for miles. White-hot bolts of lightning ripped though the inky blackness. "No," Yooperlite said, her voice quavering. "It can't be…"

Although she wasn't shocked, Lefty shared their fear. "Cat-five," she said gravely.

Votaq grinned in satisfaction. "You see? No matter what you do, in mere minutes this entire building will be no more than ruins–no, not even. It will be gone entirely, leaving no trace it was ever here. And the same could be said for Gemkind. This planet is already doomed–just like all of you."

Tanzanite and Yooperlite looked around unsure of what to do. Lefty was indeed helpless. And for a moment, it seemed, so was Emerald. They had come so far, made it all the way here, only to be trapped moments before they made it to freedom. She clenched her fists–no, it would not end here. She wouldn't let it.

She stepped forward, just enough to get Votaq's attention. "You've really fallen from grace, haven't you?" she said. "I could've sworn you used to be a well-respected member of the TLM. Now you're boxed up in a derelict old Kindergarten, holding a defenseless Gem hostage, and waiting to be ripped apart by a storm. What is any of this going to accomplish? Is this really going to help your cause?"

For a moment, Votaq almost seemed to be considering her point. "My cause goes beyond just me," he said. "If I die here, others will take my place. The Talutar Liberation Front will live on!"

"And what about Kiloq?" she asked. "Was his death really worth killing four Gems and yourself for?"

Votaq's eyes lit up with fury for a split second. "Kiloq was ten times the warrior you will ever be," he growled. "His sacrifice will be remembered for centuries to come."

"So, he was a noble soldier of the cause," Emerald said. "Then which option would you prefer? Do you want his killer to go up in smoke right in front of you? Or do you want to avenge him with your own two hands?"

That was it. She had finally reached him. Votaq smiled–seemingly not an angry one, but one of understanding. He threw Lefty to the side, watching as she rejoined the others. "I suppose I can't turn down that offer. Very well: you will pay for my old friend's murder." A blade extended from the wrist of his metal arm. "I'll make you regret even uttering his name."

Summoning her blade as well, Emerald smiled as she took a battle stance. "Trust me, as long as I can give my friends a fighting chance, I won't regret anything."