Earth

Canada

Nunavut

Baffin Island

The Baffin Mountains

F.X.X. Soorgothmo

8:02 PM

March 13th

2015 C.E.

Wild and harsh freezing winds of -40 degrees Fahrenheit, blew across the rigid and large mountain scapes of the Baffin Mountains, rushing across them at 43 MPH, with gust measuring at around 70 MPH. Tremendous amounts of snow fell and pleated the mountainous terrain in a harsh and unforgiving matter, instead of falling down from the heavens slowly and elegantly like angels.

The northeastern parts of Baffin Island were currently experiencing a rather harsh and intense arctic blizzard, a kind of blizzard that was a rare sight to see during this time of year.

However, amongst the frozen, white, mountainous landscape, stood out a rather massive and unusual glowing red saucer, sticking out like a sore thumb among the rest of its frozen and crystalized surroundings. The top of the saucer was covered in a thick white layer of the crystalized water; thousands of red lights were scattered across the sides of the saucer, as well as some on the top of the saucer that managed to cast it's light through the crystallized water that obscured it.

Suddenly however, a beacon emerged among the frozen landscape. A small glowing red craft that was about the size of a fighter jet, flew across the already unusual and alien scene, the sound of it's engines echoing across the white landscape, blending in with the harsh frenzied winds that blew violently. After the alien craft's flyby, more and more craft began flying across the unusual and alien scene, their destination set for chilling unknown lands.

As the winds calmed their unyielding severity for a moment, therefore calming down the snow and allowing for more visibility. The sight that was present around the massive saucer was one that was absolutely mesmerizing...yet one that would strike fear into any sane person's heart.

Thousands upon thousands of small red glowing lights hovered and moved slowly above the massive and menacing alien saucer, as well as around the vicinity in the valley. The red menacing lights appeared to be doing a variety of tasks and jobs, and it was quite clear these red lights were thousands of small crafts...Xyzox crafts specifically, and these crafts were having no trouble baring the harsh freezing weather. It was clear something eventful was going on...and something eventful and dreadful was going to occur.

Meanwhile, amidst the massive storm that was occurring beyond the confines of the gargantuan crashed Xyzox saucer. A large tall Xyzox was walking down the many shiny, grey, sleek, and hyper futuristic looking hallways of the saucer. He was clad in dark grayish-black armor, with glowing blue lights along with some levitating pieces of metal floating above his shoulders...it was likely just for show, and intimidation.

The hallway upon which he walked, was lit up with bright red lights, that casted down a frighting and menacing glow. Amongst all those who walked along it's length, to only a Xyzox, was such an environment and atmosphere welcoming.

Many could possibly say the same, but knowing it belonged the Xyzox, one would think twice before thinking this cursed place was a place to call home. The Xyzox walked down the red lit hallway, with the authority and confidence of a lion in his posture. Walking alongside this clearly important Xyzox, were two common Xyzox soldiers much like the ones Commander Reed encountered in the Kindergarten. These soldiers were acting as security guards for this specific and very important looking mushroom...and indeed this fungoid was important.

This Xyzox was the destroyer of worlds, the bringer of doom, considered a god by many primative civilizations that he held sole responsibility for destroying. He was none other the Xyzox himself...Grand Admiral Elgicroon.

Elgicroon, one of the only Xyzox in the entire Xyzox Collective to have the valued gift of full individuality, but still connected to the hive mind, is infamous across the entire galaxy for being one of the greatest strategist and fleet leading officer the galaxy has ever seen. Of course, there was much more that contributed to his immortal infamy, but these are some of the most notable.

Other notable infamies include the deaths and murder of trillions, the destruction of millions of Alliance fleets, the glassing and destruction of entire planets, the erasing of entire civilizations, all of this and more, he was responsible for. Forever would Elgicroon have to carry these war crimes on his shoulders, like a burden of steel, for even after an entire eternity his crimes would never be forgiven by the trillions of inhabitants of the Milky Way Galaxy who have suffered through the atrocities he has inflicted upon them. Elgicroon however, has been with Queen Jhulaad since the very beginning, and it's without a doubt that Jhulaad considers Elgicroon one of her most trusted officers...and even greatest friend.

Taking several more steps down the long red lit corridor of the giant menacing saucer. Elgicroon and his guards approached a rather large and significantly advanced looking door that had a variety of red lights on its surface. Judging from the size and beautifully crafted geometric design this door had, it was clear that behind this door was a very important room.

Elgicroon stopped suddenly a couple of feet away from the front of the door of this important room as if he was waiting for something, and soon enough the two guards that were escorting Elgicroon proceeded to take several steps in front of him. These two guards then proceeded to step on the sides of the large advanced looking door, like hardened disciplined soldiers, before they removed their right hands from the rifles they were holding at the exact same time, and then brought the stocks of their rifles to touch the ground on their left side.

Then, as if on some invisable que, the two Xyzox guards proceeded to flatten their right hands, before proceeding to bring them up to the left sides of their necks, slamming their metal clad feet together...looking forward with an undying attention. It was clear these two Xyzox were preforming a type of salute to the Grand Admiral, and it was more evident then ever that whatever layed behind this door was of great significant importance.

With the two Xyzox soldiers now saluting, and giving Elgicroon the proper respectful introduction he deserved, Elgicroon continued to walk towards the large and highly advanced door, walking past the saluting and valiant soldiers. Elgicroon waved his armored hand out in front of him, and in response the advanced door in front of him began morphing itself apart. The door was now "opened", with large bits of the door majestically organized and floating in mid air, Elgicroon walking past them and into the room like it was an everyday activity.

The Grand Admiral had now entered the room that formally layed hidden and secluded behind the door...and at the end of this very room was a very tall and large figure, one that stood proudly and confidently on top of a platform connected by a stairwell.

Authority and confidence emitted from the being almost like how heat would emit from a mammal, and while it was without a doubt intimidating, there was almost a...comforting and wise emission coming off of the figure, as if it knew everything, and would listen to everyone of your problems. The mysterious being stood with their hands behind their back and placed on their velvet red cape, looking out a very large window to observe everything that was occuring during the freezing cool night that had blanketed the Baffin Mountains. While it continued looking out the window, the being straighten itself, knowing that Elgicroon had stepped into the room,

Elgicroon slowed his walking pace towards the figure, for he was nearing his destination, and it wasn't long before he completely stopped a certain distance away from the massive figure. Elgicroon proceeded to stand stationary in his current position for a bit, simply waiting at attention patiently, before the figure finally spoke at last with a soft and comforting feminine voice.

"Snow. Even to this day, all this centuries later... it never ceases to bring tranquility and peace into my ever raging mind. How it falls so softly onto the harsh and unforgiving surface from the heavens...It's so peaceful. So elegant and careful, no matter how loud the winds scream...It's beautiful." The way she spoke, it was like a soft yet poisonous kiss from a fallen angel, so beautiful and soft, yet a kiss that was poison, and a kiss that will likely be your last. She spoke with the tone of a caring mother, but beneath that a murderous psychopath...it was clear who this was.

Finishing her sentence with her mellifluous voice, she took a deep breath before slowly beginning to turn herself around to face Elgicroon. Once the figure finally turned around to face the Grand Admiral...he could now see her in all of her deadly and confident beauty; the identity of this ruler being clear. It was the one and only, ruler of the Xyzox Collective...Queen Jhulaad.

The very women that was responsible for the deaths of trillions across the galaxy, the glassing of worlds, the utter annhilation of entire worlds and civilizations. The torture and experimentation of billions of individual lives from across the galaxy, and all of it in the name for her ultimate quest for Xyzox supremacy over the entire galaxy...at least that's what the Alliance thought.

"It's been a long while since I have made such a vehement statement about such a peaceful topic, hasn't it Elgicroon?" Jhulaad asked Elgicroon with an almost child like curiosity, her large and beady beautiful red eyes looking at Elgicroon inquisitively.

Elgicroon merely nodded. "It has indeed, my Queen." Elgicroon acknowledged Jhulaad, speaking with a masculine voice that clearly signified organization and confident, as if he knew everything, and had total absolute control over his life.

Jhulaad merely took a small breath and closed all of her 6 eyes momentarily. "You know you don't have to refer to me as my title, Elgic." Jhulaad made that clear to Elgicroon, speaking once again with that voice of a caring mother, although slightly altered to match that of an individual who was speaking to a long time caring friend.

It was very unusual coming from someone who has killed trillions of lives, but then again, Jhulaad was a very different person when it came to her friends and the people she cared for. After her statement however, a soft smile that would be able to manipulate and control anyone who's mind isn't strong enough, made it way onto Jhulaad's lips.

Elgicroon sighed as if he had been told that a million times...which was kind of true. "I'm very much aware of that Jhulaad...it's just the matter that you had communicated with me to meet you physically for official matters." Elgicroon, with his calm and ever collected voice, made his point towards Jhulaad.

He understood that they were very close friends and all, but when it came to official business, Elgicroon preferred to call her by her official title, and he expected the same from Jhulaad...however she never really was one for titles when it came to people who are close to her. Since the beginning of his life, Elgicroon has always been a man of the military, and despite things being different with the hive mind and all, he still upheld these old traditions, even something as simple as referring to a superior officer as their title when it came to business.

Jhulaad nodded her head slightly in response to the last part of Elgicroon's statement, about the business and all. "Correct you are." Jhulaad's tone of voice changed almost immediately with that brief statement of her own, changing to that of a ruler, rather then a friend. With the change of tone, Jhulaad began making her way down the large expansive stairway that lead up to the platform she was standing on, before reaching the bottom and walking past the rather small form of the 7 foot 3 inch Elgicroon. The sound of her metal high tech boots echoed across the large expansive room, before she finally came to a stop.

The size of Jhulaad was a rather complicated story...but Elgicroon remembered back in the days when Jhulaad was actually shorter than him and definitely smaller, being only 6 feet and 6 inches. But those days are long gone...Jhulaad was now an insane 10 feet tall, and had all the structural support in her body to support her size...only a few Xyzox in history have ever managed to grow to Jhulaad's size.

"Commander Johnathan Reed. You know him far too well Elgicroon, and so do I." Jhulaad stated sternly and almost with matter of annoyance when bringing up the name of Johnathan. She continued.

"So you would share my understanding, when I declare that the human possesses the capability to topple our entire operation here, if he has enough time to prepare and organize. If he is not dealt with swiftly and mercilessly, our operations are doomed to fail.." Jhulaad's tone of voice completely changed from one of a caring ruler of her people, to an attentive and battle ready tactician. She turned herself around to face Elgicroon once again, a stern look of concentration present on her face.

"The puny 'Crystal Gems' are of no concern to me. They will be dealt with swiftly by our troops. Our primary objective is to assure the ultimate demise of Commander Reed, and than our operations can continue without interruption." Explaining to Elgicroon with the similar tone a general would give to a soldier. Jhulaad stood mostly still through the direction of her explanation.

"And what of the Armageddon and its crew?" Folding his arms in front of him, Elgicroon asked Jhulaad, returning the general like tone to Jhulaad

Jhulaad paused for a moment, before continuing. "Transports on are standby, and are prepared to drop 12,000 troops into the vicinity around the Armageddon. I don't expect the troops to decimate the Armageddon and its crew, my plan is to launch a large scale gurellia attack, damage whatever defenses and fortifications the Armageddon has, all the while getting a layout of the crash site to use to our advantage later." Jhulaad explained her strategic plan throughly to Elgicroon almost as if it was second nature, and in a sense it pretty much was.

With Jhulaad's explanation of her plan complete, Elgicroon thought about the plan throughly, inquisitively picking at the details much like how one would pick out dust or pieces of fuzz that was stuck in the fur of a stuffed animal.

With every detail analyzed, and imagining how the battle would go, Elgicroon gave an affirming nod to Jhulaad. "The plan should work brilliantly. However, as soon as the first attack is concluded, we need to destroy the Armageddon as soon as possible. We can't allow them to spare anything useful to the governments of this planet." Elgicroon explained. "They probably already have a good understanding of advanced technology, due to all the junk the Gems have left laying around. No doubt they would give them the means to penetrate our shields."

However, before Elgicroon could speak any farther, Jhulaad raised up her finger as in a way to signify she had something to say, and Elgicroon quieted himself immediately.

"On the subject of the Gems...It's also come to my most recent attention, that we have received visitors from the Gem Homeworld itself." Jhulaad pointed out to Elgicroon, a calm excitement slowly seeping its way into her voice.

Before Jhulaad could continued her dialogue, a bright flash appeared in the cold night sky through the window she was looking through earlier, and it had the deceptive appearance of a shooting star. However, Jhulaad knew better, it was left over debris from the battle that took place in orbit above Earth falling down from space, only to meet its ultimate and cold demise on the rugged surface of the Earth. A small smile made its way onto Jhulaad's lips after looking at it for a bit.

"The Gem vessel has already made its way back into orbit, and recalling the data and information received from our scans of the vessel. We've identified two human life signs onboard the vessel..and one outside the vessel; on its exterior hull. The human life sign that is on the exterior of the hull matches our DNA sequences perfectly. It's Johnathan Reed." Jhulaad explained to Elgicroon with focus similar to that of a laser, her attention however on the small piece of space debris falling from space and lighting up the sky.

After looking at the sight for a few seconds, Jhulaad casted her attention back towards Elgicroon, who was looking at her with an expression that clearly showed he was confused as to why the hell Johnathan was on the exterior of the ship.

Jhulaad than began walking towards Elgicroon, her footfalls carefully placed and concentration clearly placed in her stance. "When has become now, Elgicroon. The actions of many, and the events of the past have ultimately granted us the present, and the present has cornered our enemies and ambitions into a single corner. Our time to strike, is now!" Jhulaad announced to Elgicroon, passion in her voice as she let out what could very well be a piece of literature, clenching her fist in front of her to conclude her announcement.

Jhulaad than walked by an idly standing Elgicroon once again, but this time stopped a few inches away from him, turning her head down towards him. "I suggest we solve our problems simultaneously with this opportunity. With an immediate test run, of our fighters." Sinister intentions were clear in the way she spoke of sending out the the fighters, and it was clear she meant murder by the word "test". Jhulaad began making her way to walk back up the stairs, slowly turning her head away from Elgicroon as she walked up them.

Once Jhulaad made it to the top of the stair case, she turned herself around completely to face the lone Xyzox. "The Gem vessel is poorly armed, technologically inferior, and built with a poor architectural design. One fighter should be enough to heavily damage that vessel...but you may send however many you wish." Jhulaad explained.

"However, the single command I give you is to spare all the Gem inhabitants...but exterminate Johnathan and the other human." Looking down upon Elgicroon with all of her six eyes directed at him, she spoke down to him like that of an authoritarian leader, standing tall and confidently on the platform.

Elgicroon took a deep breath of the filtered air of the Soorgothmo, and puffed out his armored chest with the deep breath. Elgicroon's eyes then furrowed. "You will be pleased with results, Jhulaad. I assure that declaration." With that statement, the Grand Admiral clicked his armored heels together, creating a metallic echo to ressenate throughout the large room. Along with that action, he preformed a Xyzox salute; flattening his hand out and bringing it up to the left side of his neck.

Holding the stance of honor for a few seconds, Elgicroon then proceeded to drop it, before turning back around and making his way back towards the door from which he entered from, his metallic footsteps echoing across the room.

Jhulaad stood with the confidence of a lioness on the platform which the stairs lead up to, watching Elgicroon make his departure from the room and towards the door. When the door morphed itself apart, therefore opening, Jhulaad turned around from the sight of her most loyal officer and friend going through the doorway with a small sinister smile.

Jhulaad finished turning her body around from the world behind her, and instead directed her attention out the window that she was looking out previously, the small sinister smile still present on her lips. Out in front of Jhulaad, was the tall snow capped mountains of the Baffin Mountain chain, and the dark snow covered hull of the Soorgothmo.

However, Jhulaad directed her attention away from this sight, and back towards that small piece of debris that was lighting up the sky and falling from it, like a meteorite. Jhulaad looked at it blankly, as it got closer and closer to the surface. Finally, the piece of debris hit the surface, more specifically the side of a mountain. The side of the mountain lit up in an inaudible explosion, as pieces of rock and stone were sent flying into the air. The explosion disappeared as soon as it appeared, and it only caused a small smirk to make its way onto Jhulaad's lips.

Sol System

Orbit Above Earth

Gem Vessel

8:06 PM

March 13th

2015 C.E.

Emptiness. A ubiquitous black, endless, and chilly void was all that could be seen in every direction. Nothing but an endless expanse of nothing but empty space and darkness. There were no details to be sighted in such an expanse, only darkness. There was not a single thing to signify that life had ever existed here, only darkness. There was nothing of interest to be found in this dead and empty void...only darkness.

Such a mundane and empty expanse filled with nothing but darkness, would certainly be avoided by anyone at all costs...or would it?

Almost instantly, Johnathan's eyes jolted open violently, taking a sharp inhale of the recycled, but new oxygen his suit of armor that had been harvested from Earth's atmosphere. Breathing in the oxygen rather quickly, the super soldier took a long and in depth look around at the environment that surrounded him; eyes darting from location to location.

Below him was a large, green, and detailed expanse, one that expanded out in front of him for what seemed to be forever. Above him, was the sight of a ubiquitous black void, a void that seemed to have that felling of almost...home. The kind of feeling you would get when you walk into your home after a long and arduous day, proceeding to be greeted by your family, and if you had one, a family pet. It was a familiar feeling, a comforting one. But at the same time, this void gave off an immense and odious feeling.

It was like a black warm shroud that would protect and comfort you within its arresting grip, but at the same time strangle and suffocate you within the grip that you thought you could trust...but alas it was not to be.

However, it wasn't the dark and friendly black void that was the most shocking sight to Johnathan. Casting his vision directly upwards, and away from the green expanse upon which he rested, he was met with the sight of a planet, a continental world, a world whose land masses were separated by large blue expanses of water; immense oceans. A world whose land masses are covered in a forest of green, lush with photosynthetic trees, and hold a bounty of organic life; from sizes of microscopic to enormous.

Suddenly however, it all came flooding back to him. The memories of the fight that took place on the blue marble that gently and peacefully hovered over him, simply unphased by all of the political turmoil and wars currently taking place on it's surface. Not only that, but memories of how he got up here on this Gem vessel, and why he was currently planted flat on the exterior of the hull.

All of the G-Forces that were suddenly and violently inflicted upon him, along with the unforgiving winds, it had all caused Johnathan to pass out, explaining the reason why he just woke up.

While the super soldier that was Johnathan Reed, would usually be able to endure and handle atmospheric re-entries and exits thanks to his armor. He wasn't entirely sure why he wasn't able to endure this one, and managed to pass out. Maybe his brain needs retraining, last time he had to do something like this was 2 decades ago, on a Xyzox vessel. Plus, not to mention the ship he was currently on is a fucking hand for crying out loud, this thing has extremely bad aerodynamics, could have something to do with it.

As Johnathan was recalling and analyzing his memories, one very specific memory, one memory with very strong and powerful emotions, popped into his head. The Crystal Gems...some of the only fucking allies he had in these parts...were dead.

Anger began boiling rapidly, and deeply within Johnathan, as he recollected on the memory that took his only local allies away. With these thoughts, Johnathan could begin to feel his muscles tensing up, and his fists clenching, but took a deep breath and calmed his nerves down as much as he could.

Those two...the pathetic Peridot, and the steroid induced Cheeto Puff, they took those three away...as well as Steven. They murdered a child...they actually killed a child in cold blood with a giant damn laser beam!

Next thing Johnathan knew, he was getting flashbacks to some very horrible memories about the war that involved children...very disturbing and disgusting sights, all atrocities committed by the Xyzox hive mind.

Johnathan let out a puff of air, hoping to vent some concealed anger within him, anger that he didn't really want to show.

With a new found determination and goal in mind, Johnathan began getting up from his prone position on the exterior hull. With the magnetic soles on his boots still active, Johnathan attached the magnets on his feet, to the exterior of the hull, most like letting out a loud thud. Johnathan couldn't really know for certain, he was in the vacuum of space, and all he could hear was his breathing, and besides that, it was total silence.

After attaching the magnets on his boots to the exterior hull, Johnathan removed his gloved magnetic hands from the hull plating, and as he did so, his upper body launched backwards a bit. Using the energy in his spine, Johnathan stopped the the mechanic of Newton's 3rd Law that had been inflicted upon him, and straightened himself out.

Now, he could almost entirely see the green expanse that was the hull of the ship laid out before him like a red carpet. With now a full sight of the ship displayed out in front of him, the Commander was now able to logistically determine where exactly on the ship he was.

Taking a good 5 second look at his surroundings, He was able to determine that he currently resided on the thumb of the ship, more specifically the bottom of the thumb. Now...with knowledge of where exactly he was on the ship, the bigger question now presented itself.

How the hell is he going to get inside this ship without being detected? Whatever the case was, Johnathan had a feeling that he won't have long to find an entrance into the ship, because it will probably only be a certain amount of time before these two Gems decide to enter into FTL, which would instantly kill him. Every additional second he spends standing here, the more danger he puts himself into, he needed to get moving and find an entrance...make one if necessary.

Just as Johnathan was beginning to take a step and release one of his magnetic boots from the surface of the hull, his H.U.D. began flashing at him like an annoying sibling that was trying to get his attention.

He was receiving a transmission alert from...the Armageddon! Andrews was trying to reach him! Without a moment of hesitation, Johnathan immediately answered the transmission from the Armageddon...and not surprisingly he was met with the question that everyone who could observe him was thinking.

"Commander! What in god's name are you doing on the outside of that vessel!?" With a voice that matched one with that of a concerned and worried friend, or even brother, the voice of Jefferson blared through the speakers.

"Just following your orders sir."

Jefferson ceased his speech to analyze what he had just heard, Did that mean...? "Following my orders? Commander, were you actually incapable of exterminating the two Gems?" Jefferson asked the commander with the same kind of shock and surprise in his voice that you probably hear from a person who just someone said they couldn't do something as simple as cut cheese.

Sighing in frustration, Johnathan responded, disappointment and shame clinging to his voice like honey. "More like unauthorized. Garnet insisted on pursuing a peaceful solution...and look where that got us..." Somber and disappointment could slowly be heard creeping into his voice.. "The Crystal Gems, including Steven. Are KIA, sir."

In response to hearing Johnathan's statement on Steven and the Crystal Gems, he could on scrunch his face in confusion "KIA? Commander, If you aren't aware, but it appears Peridot and the other Gem with her, kidnapped Steven and the other three. Because on our scans, we're detecting a single human lifesign, and five additional Gem energy signatures on board that ship."

Suddenly wide eyed, Johnathan's heart nearly skipped a beat as if he had just seen his high school crush walking down the hall. "They're still alive!? Thank the heavens..." Placing his gloved hands on his knees and leaning down, Johnathan felt an enormous tsunami of relief wash over him, and this relief was incredibly evident in his voice.

"At ease John. It's going to be all right. As long as you can release them from captivity, the mission can proceed without interrupption, with the Crystal Gem's aid." The middle-aged Captain pointed out to the super soldier.

Hearing Jefferson's statement through the speaker equipped within his helmet. Johnathan took particular focus on the word "aid", and it wasn just for the obvious reason.

"Aid...Jefferson, how many quantum torpedos does the Armagddon still have?"

"Last we checked, well over three-hundred. Why do you ask?" Suspicion slowly creeped into his tone. Surely Johnathan wasn't thinking what he was thinking, right?

"And you know how they emit quantum radiation, and distrupt systems?"

"Of course I do."

Johnathan took a glance around at his surroundings before continuing. "Listen, this ship could go into FTL at any minute, and I really don't have the time to waste to look for an enterence into this ship, which is very likely sealed off anyways." Johnathan pointed out.

"If I try cutting into the hull of the ship, I am going to be detected almost immeditely, and I want to try and not go guns blazing into a situation like this. Especially with others being held captive."

"I see where you're going with this. You want me to fire a high-yield quantum torpedo on a timer in the vacinity around the Gem vessel, to ultimately disable their sensor array and on board sensory systems to clear you a safe entry into the vessel?"

Johnathan snapped his fingers in response to the plan. "Spot on Jeff. That's exactly what I was thinking of. If you can manage to disable their sensor array, then I can safely cut my way into the vessel, and hopefully have enough time to seal it back up." Johnthan replied back, bringing a satisfying clarification to Jefferson.

"I can go forward with that. But be advised John, your armor's systems might malfunction, if not fry. You aren't within the safe confines of that ship after all." Jefferson made sure Johnathan was fully aware of the situation he was putting himself into, warning him of the unpleasant consequences that could result from such a radical plan.

Johnathan stopped for a moment and thought about what Jefferson had just said, however he already knew his response.

"I'm aware, and I know the solution. The architectural design of the ship should protect me from the majority of it." Johnathan shifted his sight over towards the giant thumb that towered above him as he mentioned the detail to Jefferson.

With inner anxiety clawing at him like a bear, Jefferson took a deep breath to stabilize it. He was anxious, but he trusted Johnathan.

All right then...I'll trust you on that Commander. Get to cover, we're burning time. We'll fire on your command." Entering back into a commanding authority, Captain Andrews stood up from his command chair, and looked over at Qeesheer, who was leaning up against a wall next to his post.

The pink-skinned Blygoss perked up upon the sight of Jefferson getting up out of his seat. His suspicions of needing to get back to his post were confirmed, when Jefferson turned around and faced him. "Qeesheer! I need you at your post. Prepare a quantum torpedo for firing."

"Yes sir. I'll get right to it." Acknowledging Jefferson's orders, Qeesheer hastily began making his way to his post.

Arriving at his post, Qeesheer began typing in commands into the console in front of him, which had access to all of the ships weapons and any necessary sensor systems. Needing the ship's sensors at the moment, Qeesheer began typing in commands into his console that would cause some of the ship's scanners to begin scanning Peridot's vessel.

"Calculating the vessel's orbital trajectory and velocity around Earth, Captain." Since Qeesheer overheard Jefferson's conversation with Johnathan over his communications, he already knew what he had to do.

Fire a quantum torpedo on a timed interval at probably at least 100 feet away from Peridot's vessel, and temporally disable her vessel systems. In order to do that however, he needed to determine just how quickly the ship was orbiting Earth, and the shape its orbit, as well as its trajectory. Shooting things on a starship, wasn't as easy as it has always looked in the movies and shows.

However, the calculation was almost instant, sending back complex data on the ship's orbital trajectory and velocity, as well as the tilt of its orbit. With the data now clear, Qeesheer quickly prepared a single quantum torpedo in one of the Armagddon's many aft torpedo launchers, and punched in the necessary infomation and orders for the torpedo to follow.

Meanwhile, on the outside of the Armageddon's hull, a square slab of black metal on the immensity of the Armageddon's hull, morphed itself apart and moved itself into small little slots on the sides like a sliding door. After that, a rather large rectangular electromagnetic catapult, extended itself outwards into the frigid and below freezing temperatures and the snowy howling winds that currently plagued the Baffin Mountains.

The blue glowing electrically charged tip of the torpedo launcher, stood out in the blinding and howling blizzard that surrounded it, as the torpedo launched adjusted and aimed itself towards the horizon.

Qeesheer entered the last few remaining commands into the console and orders for the torpedo to fire, and looked up at Captain Andrews. "Quantum torpedo is ready to fire on your order, sir."

Jefferson looked away from Qeesheer, and over towards his chair, since he was directly communicating with Johnathan through an open channel on it. "Johnathan! Are you in position?"

"Yes sir...awkward, but it'll work." Suggesting from the tone in Johnathan's response, it was evident that he wasn't comfortable at all...because currently he was giving the giant green thumb a very awkward hug, at least the closest he could get to hugging it.

Jefferson perked up his eyebrows for half a second, before relaxing them. He quickly opened up his H.C.P. and checked the stealth systems on the Armageddon, because the last thing he needed was Peridot firing back at them. "Stealth Systems are online and fully operational." Jefferson than directed his attention back towards Qeesheer. "We're clear. Fire for effect!"

With the order to fire for effect given. Qeesheer pressed a single button on the console, and with that, the order to fire was given to the torpedo launcher.

The aft torpedo launcher exploded in an incredibly bright blue light as the quantum torpedo exited from the shaft of the torpedo launcher at hypersonic speeds. A shockwave from the sound of the electromagnetic catapult firing the quantum torpedo, as well as it breaking and ripping through the sound barrier like a bullet through flesh, echoed across the Baffin Mountains along with the freezing and howling winds.

The quantum torpedo screamed its way towards the horizon, lighting up the frozen and snow covered landscape. It wasn't long before the quantum torpedo began exiting the atmosphere of Earth, and heading towards Peridot's ship, the friction and plasma generated from its atmospheric exit not slowing it down at all towards its quest of destruction.

Meanwhile, back on the green hand shaped vessel that was orbiting Earth. Peridot was recovering from both the physical and emotional tramua that had came from being shot by the beam of plasma that went straight through her chest. She sat solemnly on the bridge, looking out towards the great big green and blue marble that was presented in front of. Peridot did nothing but sit in the chair that was in front of the console -the one she would usually be managing- and stare blankly at the planet that the Diamonds had come to hate and despise with burning passion.

Earth sat silently in place, as Peridot watched the enormous ball of mass slowly spin on its invisable axis...all the while the scene of everything that took place on that very planet replaying in Peridot's head.

The burning sensation in her chest that threatened to devour her entire form and Gem whole, her screams and crys for mercy...the thousands of small pebbles beneath her body, as she violently grasped a handful of sand in her synthetic hand. But worse of all...the echo, the echo of that rifle firing, the echo of its super heated and ionizing beam screaming through the air...until finally slicing right through her chest like it was nothing more than a vacuum.

Peridot placed the robotic hand of her limb enhancer on the area where the concentrated beam of super heated plasma sliced right through her. Her "skin" and some areas around it were still scorched and burned.

Jasper had rushed her out of her Gem soon after she got on board the ship, which meant that she didn't have the full time she needed to heal her wounds. Jasper, with the help of a badly injuried and half conscious Peridot, managed to make do with what medical supplies they had, and fix Peridot up...well the best they could.

Peridot was still in pain, and she had clear signs of physical injury on her chest, coming in the form of scorch and burn marks. Her symptoms were however, probably worse that just her physical appearence. Her symptoms included being light-headed, pain and fluctions in her chest where the beam of plasma went through, and being incredibly tired due to her Gem working overtime to heal her injuries, and keep her in her physical form.

This drowziness and lack of energy, is what also caused Peridot to just now notice a red blaring alarm going off like crazy on the console in front of her. Growing more aware of the situation and her surroundings, it was here that she noticed just what kind of alarm was going off, and the revelation caused her pupils to turn to pinpricks, and her body to turn cold.

The blaring alarm was signifying that there was an incoming projectile heading towards the ship, and was quickly closing the distance between its firing location of origin, and the ship. Peridot panicked, and immediately jumped up in her chair and out from her dazed and exhausted trance.

However, before she could even move the ship to evade the incoming projectile, out the window in front of her she could see a glowing blue orb quickly approaching the ship with malice and destructive ambitions. But, as quickly as it appeared, it flew past Peridot's field of view out the window, and looked like it even flew past the ship considering the direction it was heading relative to the vessel's "stationary" location.

A few moments went by, and it had seemed the projectile had actually missed its target, and flew right past it! Peridot was about to let out a small sigh of relief from the stressful situation, until suddenly the ship shook with a violent ferocity, and every system in the ship began flickering and struggling to stay on. Peridot let out a yelp of surprise, and grabbed a hold of the frame of the control panel in front of her out of instinct.

Meanwhile, back outside on the exterior of the hall, the Quantum torpedo launched by the Armageddon had arrived at its calculated destination, and imploded violently. The implosion of the quantum weapon then proceeded to release all of the condensed energy in a similarly violent explosion, sending out quantum radiation in all directions, as well as a small ripple through the space-time continuum. This ripple is what ended up hitting Peridot's ship and causing it to shake and rattle.

Johnathan held on to the surface of the vessel's thumb harder then ever with the magnetics attached to the palms of his hands and soles of his boots. The H.U.D. displayed on the visor of his helmet flickered from the massive amounts of quantum radiation that was just released from the torpedo, however the thumb that he was hiding behind spared him from the total onslaught of the highly energized electromagnetic waves, therefore sparing him from a total blackout of his systems.

As soon as the worst from the shockwave of quantum radiation passed over, Johnathan immediately detached his hands from the hull of the ship, and repositioned his feet and legs so he could start making his way down the thumb and towards the palm of the ship...such an interesting combination of words that Johnathan would have never thought he'd find himself thinking.

"Commander, sipret! What is your status?" The speakers in Johnathan's helmet buzzed to life, and out of them came the concerned and commanding voice of Captain Andrews, whom Johnathan swiftly responded to.

"I'm all right. I'm heading down now to find a way to pry my way into the vessel!" His heartbeat accelerating, and the last bits of adrenaline rushing into his system, Johnathan pulled out his scanner from the pocket he stores it in on his vest, and opened it up.

"Make it quick John! The vessel's sensor systems are already recovering from the blast!

"Shit..." Swearing under his breath, Commander Reed rushed his way down the thumb, hearing nothing but his own rushed breathing amongst the endless vacuum of space.

As he was making his descent down the thumb of the incredibly odd Gem vessel, Johnathan was scanning the hull of the ship, and it was through the certain scans the scanner was commencing that allowed him to peer through the ship's outer hull and into its interior. All the rooms and walls that were scanned by the small device, were digitally transferred onto the display that was on the scanner, allowing Johnathan insight into the belly of the beast...but this ship was a hand, therefore technically speaking...that made no sense.

However, it would be unwise for Johnathan to try and break into the vessel at a slanted angle, because since he was currently on the bottom of the ship, the artificial gravity produced on the ship would make it so that Johnathan would be cutting through the floor, and not the roof. It would be much wiser to enter the ship at a much flatter surface.

Once Johnathan descended from the slanted surface of the thumb, he was greeted by the wide expanse of the green palm, however it was still somewhat slanted. As of now, John was running short on time, and needed to make an immediate entry into the vessel. So, in a small panic, Johnathan moved around a bit with the scanner in order to find a room that wasn't too small and would allow for some spacious movement inside of it...not to mention he was also trying not to enter through the floor of the hallways.

Just as if it would seem he was out of luck, the Commander found a perfect room that would suit perfectly for a forced entry. He proceeded to adjust his position, and walked onto a perfect part of the floor that had nothing on it and would be perfect for making an entry.

With his position secured, Johnathan quickly put the scanner back into the pocket on his vest, and removed his laser pistol from the magnetic holster on his left thigh. He then proceeded to squat down on his knee and adjust the setting on the laser pistol to its highest one, before proceeding to aim the pistol onto the hull of the ship beneath him.

Without hesitation, Johnathan proceeded to pull the trigger and hold it down, as a glowing bright blue beam of concentrated light impacted against the green hull of the ship, beginning to heat it up. Surprisingly, it didn't take long for the area of the hull Johnathan was shooting at to melt and ultimately pierce through the ship's armor. However, almost as soon as the laser pierced the hull and entered the ship, oxygen and the other gases that were in the room began venting and hissing through the small open crevice into outer space.

With the air from the ship now venting into space, Johnathan could now begin to hear the sound of the laser melting and critically heating up and destroying the metal that he was carving out into a circular shape.

More and more air was being vented out from the room and into space the larger his circular carving got, and it allowed for sound to somewhat exist, however Johnathan was too focused carving out the shape to pay that much attention to the now existing sound outside his suit of armor.

Finally, after a few more seconds of carving, Johnathan finally detached the last remaining piece of the hull that was holding the circular carving, and with that the circular piece let go...just not in the most normal way.

The rather large circle that was carved out from the ship, flew towards Johnathan despite the fact he was looking down on it, offering a physical reminder that he was indeed upside down on the vessel.

He quickly caught the giant piece of metal that was flying towards him, before pushing it back down(or up) and inserting it back into the hole he had just made, fighting against the large amounts of venting air that was pushing against the slab of metal.

Johnathan proceeded to then push the slab of metal into the vessel, before proceeding to push it to the side. The whole thing with gravity being reversed, never ceased to fuck with his head, and make him bamboozled, but it was what it was.

Johnathan then threw his laser pistol inside the ship, before he then placed his hands on the edges of the hole into the vessel below him. Hands placed firmly onto the edges of the hole, Johnathan disabled the magnets on the soles of his boots, and proceeded to flip his body and perspective completely around.

It only took a few seconds for Johnathan to flip himself around completely so that he was now hanging from hole, and not looking down at it.

Feeling as if he was running out of time, Johnathan quickly pulled himself up inside the vessel and through the hole, causing a very strange and almost nauseating feeling as all the fluids that were in the upper part of his body began coming under influence to the artificial gravity, therefore falling and no longer having the ability to float around freely, which was a relief in the long run.

However, very suddenly coming under the influence of gravity was a very uncomfortable and almost nauseating feeling, especially when the other half of yourself is still not under the influence of gravity. However, Johnathan has been trained to deal with the feeling, and has gone through it hundreds, if not thousands of times...it was still quite the experience however.

Wasting no time in getting the hell out of this strange limbo between gravity and none. John quickly pulled the rest of his body up into the vessel, and crawled on his hands and knees on the hard metallic floor of the cold dark green room.

Johnathan put some distance between himself and the hole before he stood up, and quickly spun around to retrieve his laser pistol off of the floor, placing it in its holster after obtaining it. He then proceeded to pull out what looked to be a handle of some sorts off of his belt, strangely enough.

However, pressing a small button in the center of it, this handle revealed to be much more then what met the eye, as two magnets sprang out from both ends of it and unfolded themselves into much larger ones.

The magnets appeared large enough to hold onto a big and heavy surface, and maybe even serve as a portable door handle. Looks don't deceive sometimes, because this was the simple yet incredibly useful device's exact purpose. While it was a very simple tool, it was also a very useful one as well.

Sometimes it's the most simple of things that end up doing the biggest of things.

John wasted no time in proceeding to stick the magnets from the handle onto the giant slab of green metal, where the magnets proceeded to lock on very tightly to the metal. With little effort needed, He proceeded to lift the large piece of metal, before fitting it into the circular hole that he had just cut out, although it clearly wasn't going to stay since he just...you know...cut it.

Welding certainly wasn't an option, since he didn't have any welding tools on him, and while he could simply use something like his laser pistol or plasma pistol and rifle on him, there was still one problem. The problem that he had, was that the space between the floor and the giant piece of metal was too large for any sort of welding to take place. However, there was one other option that could actually work for this situation...

Johnathan looked down at his belt and grabbed what looked to be some sort of very small canister out off of his belt, and with the canister in his hand, he proceeded to shake it.

Once he was done shaking it, he aimed it at the the side of the floor that in before he proceeded to pull the trigger on the can of the mysterious substance. Upon pulling the trigger, a black foamy substance sprayed out of the nozzle of the can, and stuck to the side of the hole, and almost immediately it expanded in size, and began hardening.

Johnathan sprayed a bit more ontop of that harden foam, where it proceeded to completely seal that part of the hole. Seeing great success with the product, Johnathan continued to spray the other parts of the hole in order to seal them, and within about ten seconds, John had completely sprayed up the hole and it was now compl sealed.

The super soldier breathed a sigh of relief, for the rush was over. He hoped that the sensors were still offline and being fixed, if not, then oh well...he'll just have to kill that fucking overgrown Cheeto and green dorito. Speaking of brands, Johnathan looked down at the label of the canister he was using, and on the label in big and bold letters, it said "Flex Foam."

"Can always trust the Flex products. Thanks Phil Swift." Johnathan proclaimed under his breath, thanking the very prominent figure of the Flex products.

With Johnathan offering his thanks to the unfortunately long gone advertiser, he placed the canister of Flex Foam back in the large and secured pocket on the belt, and then grabbed the small magnetic handle that was on the slab of now secured metal, disengaging the magnets, and putting it back in its place on his belt.

With everything now in its place, John stood up from his squatted position and took a step back to admire his handiwork. The slab of metal was a bit more elevated then the rest of the floor, but he tried his best to make it as even as possible...not like he even really cared for this piece of junk ship.

Piece of junk ship...that's right...he was on this thing, and right now he needed to find out just where the hell he was located. Johnathan looked away from the eyesore of the sight that was the bulging bulk of metal, and directed his attention towards his surrounding. The room was lit dimly with a soft yet ominous green light, the light being centrally located in the room and right above what looked to be a...hospital bed?

Although a rather unprofessional way of describing the bed, it was the first thing that came into his head upon seeing the gurney, because he was too distracted to think about it anymore due to the revelation of the entirety of his surroundings. The room...it looked like some sort of operating room, and along the shelves and counters that littered the walls, there lying upon them were scalpels and all sorts of surgical equipment neatly and almost perfectly organized.

What the hell was this room? Why would Gems even need a room like this to begin with? They were beings of purely light after all, and they don't possess anything like organs or fle- Suddenly, Johnathan's blood rushed cold, eyes widening as if they had witnessed a ghastly and horrific sight. This room wasn't meant for Gems at all, it was meant for exactly what all these surgical tools signified...organic beings. Organisms that were very likely brought here upon this gurneys against their will, and forced to participate in disgusting and sick experiments. The room suddenly felt a whole lot darker, and colder, almost as if spirits of the unfortunate ones that were forced onto the gurney were watching Johnathan, taking in every movement and observation he made...although Johnathan didn't feel threaten by this energy.

Glaring at the gurney with disgust and shame, Johnathan knew very well that it was likely soaked in the blood of the unfortune souls that likely surround him at this moment. He stared at the gurney for about half a minute in silence and remorse, as if to let the spirits know that he respected them, and understood exactly what they wanted him to do...and he hopefully planned to fulfill just that. Taking a deep breath, Johnathan closed his eyes softly, and recollected his thoughts and objectives before letting out a heavy exhale.

With a newfound determination, John quickly pulled the Plasma Rifle off of his back, and turned around to face the door that lead out into the depths of this ship. He was going to deal with this situation his way...and that meant bringing a swift and painful end to Peridot and her persistent sidekick, and getting Steven and the Gems the hell off this ship. Sternly, Johnathan began his march towards the door, and prepared to face whatever the hell this ship had to throw at him.

I'M STILL ALIVE! Hhhhhh, I apologize so much for the long and arduous wait all of you had to endure in order to simply get this chapter! I really hope all of this was worth the wait, really. As for the explanation behind my absence, over the timespan of 2017-2019, I've been struggling a lot with a case of clinical depression, a case that had me unmotivated to pretty much do anything for the past almost 2 years. But, as of recently, I am now on the road to recovery, and I have slowly but surely started to regain my motivation and passion to write. Before I continue however, I want to say that to any of you suffering from depression and are having suicidal thoughts, please please please know that eventually, the pain and suffering will stop, and those horrible and odious voices that scream and rage at you in your head, will be silenced. You will eventually find that light in your life, whether it be through a person, place, passion, or even something as simple as an interest. Don't be afraid of failure, for failure is possibly one of the greatest tools and teachers that you will ever have.

Through failure, you learn from your mistakes, and from learning from your mistakes, you become a better and stronger person. Eventually, you will be able to manifest your destiny, and accomplish things that you can only dream of at the moment. Depression weights a lot more on your soul and mind then you think, and coming out of depression almost feels as if you have been reborn. But possibly the most important thing of all, never forget that your friends and family are always there for you, and that there is always someone out there, that wants to help you. Depression cannot be beaten alone, and you must use everything you can to fight it, and friends and family are some of the greatest factors you have against depression. Keep fighting, and never give up.

But, besides the motivation, I'm happy to announce to you all that I will be officially be going back to all the previous chapters in order to edit them, and bring more life to the characters and dialogue, as well as removing unnecessary details, and improving the details, since I have improved a lot over this timespan. I believe my mental condition affected how I wrote the characters and such, unconsciously venting my bullshit into them. Because of that, the characters in this story will be reborn, just like me in a sense. Plus, criticism is welcome, and I must ask, is there still too much extensive detail? if so, let me know. Plus, I was up from 12 AM, to 3 AM editing the last few parts, so, not so sure if they'll be as the rest.

Hopefully, it will all be worth the wait, and I promise there will be no more giant waits, hopefully. Anyways, I really hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I really hope you enjoyed Jhulaad and Elgicroon's reveal. I have actually gotten help in bringing their characters to life, and I will definitely be sharing that with you all. Thank you to all the loyal fans that have stuck by my side, and waited so long for this, your loyalty is truly a blessing to me.

Finally, stay tuned for the next chapter. That Forerunner, out.