#A Broken Planet (Homeworld)

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Too stupid to be real

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

There once was a species known as the Ping that held control over several dozen star systems near the outer edges of the known universe.

Under their reign entire worlds were turned into nightmarish hellscapes the likes of which only the mad could dream of and only the dead escape from. The Ping feasted on suffering for nutrients in a process still not fully understood today despite several centuries of research, and so they tortured and mutilated all within their domain.

It took the combined efforts of half a dozen species to finally drive the Ping back to their original homeworld. Countless billions died in the struggle, and twice as many went mad from the horrific images and hallucinations; yet the death like grip of the Ping was broken.

When it came to decide the fate of the Ping there was a heated debate amongst the victors. Half felt that the Ping were too dangerous to be left free and needed to be exterminated, while the other half was hesitant to be swayed by such extreme measures as it would make them no better than those they had fought to overthrow. The debate raged on for several weeks after the final battle until the moderates emerged victorious.

A massive cryogenic vault was constructed on the Ping homeworld and every surviving member of the species was locked within. Inside their cryo tubes the Ping would serve out their sentences until such a time as the rest of the galaxy felt the Ping could be set free into the universe.

To ensure the vault was not breached several different layers of defenses were installed, each created by a different species to ensure that no one member species could enter into the vault unless each agreed. With the security features in place the Ping homeworld was vacated and orbital beacons were placed warning all who came within system that the planet was off limits.

Years turned into decades, decades to centuries, and then millennia passed without a single soul setting foot on the planet. The former victors of the war continued with their lives and managing their new found freedom amongst the stars without the threat of the Ping. Perhaps it was in this new found sense of freedom that they slowly began to forget about the Ping’s existence all together.

Had any of them given the Ping a thought for even a moment one of them could have warned Humanity to stay away; but none did.

When humanity began expanding into the stars they spread out in all directions like lightning in the sky. Their appetite for the new and wondrous universe around them was insatiable. For too long they had known only the confines of their own world and with the coming of space travel they finally saw their chance to explore the stars; which led them to stumbling upon the Ping homeworld.

Where other races would have seen the array of defenses and obstacles blocking the world and turned away, humanity saw a mystery in need of solving.

“A seemingly dead world protected by such wonders?” they thought. “What treasures are hidden here?”

So they dove head first with reckless abandon into the world, ignoring the numerous warning signals that were still being transmitted by the automated systems orbiting the planet in languages they could not understand.

The first expedition hadn’t made it through the first layer of outer atmosphere before colliding into energy barriers. Crengthi shields operated on wave lengths not detectible by human instruments and so the ships were damaged but still capable of space flight.

The second expedition was able to study the shielding and devised a jamming device that would open small holes within the shield to allow ships to pass through. They had just made it into the lower atmosphere when ground based Kentoc automated cannons targeted their vessels and obliterated them.

The third expedition was larger than the previous two by far as the military had seen the results of the ground based weaponry and wanted their scientists to reverse engineer them. A large military contingent was deployed alongside the science vessels and spear headed the landings on the surface.

Once more the Kentoc cannons roared into the heavens but the military ships were able to withstand the barrage. There were still losses and a few of the heavier landing craft were obliterated, but still many more troop carriers landed and dispersed their cargo of soldiers and scientists. It was here that they triggered the Julnu mind madness broadcaster.

Within minutes the humans who had survived to touch the surface of the Ping homeworld were driven mad by visions of such intense horror many gouged out their own eyes to make the nightmares stop. The military leaders still in orbit could only watch in horror as every human on the planet killed each other and then themselves until once more the planet lay silent.

And so it went on for decades on and off again.

Expedition after expedition would be sent to the Ping homeworld building atop the advances made by the previous until succumbing to the world themselves. Sometimes it was the military, other times private corporations, and then eventually even privateers and treasure hunter’s came drawn to the world by the ever growing legend.

The defenses of the world were extensive, but not infinite; and with each expedition they grew thinner and thinner until finally the humans had reached the cryo vault itself. It was here that the other surviving races of the universe who had once imprisoned the Ping received a final warning transmission that the vault was about to be breached.

Historical records were dusted off and it was with great horror that these races knew of what would be unleashed should they fail to keep the humans from the vault. Wars between them all but ceased as their military fleets were rerouted to the Ping homeworld.

When they arrived they were surprised to find there were no longer any humans on the world. In fact, there was not a single living human left in the entire system.

They quickly descended on the world and found that it had been stripped bare of all technology. Energy shields, automated weapons, broadcasting systems; anything of value had been taken by the humans in their relentless pursuit of the mysterious world was claimed as their prize.

Fearing the worst the races rushed deep into the confines of the world for the cryo vault , hoping beyond hope that the humans had not been so foolish as to unleash the most dangerous species the universe had ever known. Scorched and melted, they found the vault doors had been cut through and breached. With weapons drawn and at the ready they advanced into the vault but found something they had not expected.

Every single cryo pod was missing from the vault, but at the entrance of the vault casually tossed off to the side was a massive mound of dead Ping. Each body had a single hole in their forehead from what was most likely a close range human automatic weapon ensuring immediate death. While some of the races breathed a sigh of relief, others were outraged at the casual butchery carried out by the humans and sought answers.

A delegation was sent to the human homeworld to demand answers and answers they were given.

One of the pods had indeed been opened shortly after the vault had been breached and the humans interacted with the Ping for a brief time. It soon became quickly obvious that the Ping were a hostile race as they immediately attempted to kill all of the humans present and free either brethren.

After a two dozen killed soldiers and scientists it was finally brought down when an excavation bot rammed it through the chest and impaled it to the wall of the vault. It bled out screaming in its alien tongue for hours until finally it died.

The leader of the expedition was given instructions to bring back any usable technology, but nothing on what to do if encountering sentient life forms. It had been a general consensus that they had been dealing with the automated defenses of a long dead civilization so it had never been considered.

Taking into account the hostile nature of the Ping, the leader made a judgment call that they could not be safely released back into the universe. Upon the opening of each cryo pod the occupant was summarily executed before they could fully recover and tossed aside while the pod was removed from the chamber.

The gathered alien delegates were dumbfounded by the humans. They had breached one of the most secure locations in the known universe without fully understanding it and had slain the greatest evil of the universe held within, and had moved on to new endeavors as if what they had just done was as interesting as a casual walk in spring.

They worried what would happen the next time the humans became interested in something.

[astral-mariner]

Vegeta and Raditz overlook the ruins of their purge after receiving news of their planet's destruction.

This is an illustration of the opening scene of my upcoming fic, Homeworld Lost—the story of Vegeta & Co's time under Freeza. Premise and summary under the cut for any who might be interested.

Summary: Via Raditz’s broken scouter, Bulma tries to recover access to Planet Trade networks and technologies to get an upper hand against the androids. But in so doing, she discovers Raditz’s private files—writings and recordings he kept for himself over his long travels with Vegeta and Nappa under Freeza. Tales of their exploits and descent into madness come to change her perception of Vegeta and her relationship with him.

Homeworld Lost is a novel-length dark science-fantasy story with explicit violence, horror, and erotica (sometimes simultaneously). Generally canon compliant. Explores Vegeta’s backstory under the Planet Trade Organization and his fraught relationships with his comrades, particularly the twisted bond he and Raditz share. Most of the story is narrated by Raditz, but there are lots of twists. He is an unreliable narrator, and in places, altered mental states allow him to take other points of view. We also get interludes from Bulma as she reads and reacts to Raditz's account.

[quinnred]

The Swords Grow Wild: Ninanak

Hiding among the rings of a distant gas giant is a strange celestial body unlike any other. Probes have come to title the construct as "Ninanak", speculated to be an ancient biomechanical satellite that has since overgrown into an extraordinary being. Whatever its purpose once was, it now shields the world of it's birth like a rib cage containing a heart.

An oceanic membrane between it's "ribs" contains an atmosphere that connects various celestial bodies, seemingly gained through unknown means of gravitational manipulation, perhaps using it's homeworld as a sinkhole to drag in things of interest. Many asteroids and moons have been taken in and broken down by Ninanak, slowly stripped of resources to sustain it's core planet named "Heliconia".

Ninanak shows some signs of holding an A.I. intellect, seemingly picking worlds to strip of resources very carefully, and even rejecting things that do not fit its requirements or curiosity. On occasion, however, it has engulfed planets or structures with sapient life on them, leading to accidental colonization of Heliconia. There have been attempts to communicate with Ninanak, but it responses are few or incomprehensible. It is speculated that either the A.I. is not interested in talking, or it has overgrown it's own "mind" and it's body is running on instincts developed over its long, unrestrained existence.

[kanansdume]

Look, I love Kanan Jarrus, I literally named this blog after him. I loved his relationship with Ezra and I AM glad that there was significant mention of Kanan from Ezra.

But.

I hate that Ezra's new lightsaber ended up just... a copy of Kanan's, both in its emitter and its color.

It's lazy. And it's so insulting to just... let Ezra make himself a new one and he just COPIES Kanan's rather than being able to make a saber that was uniquely his and spoke to the person he has become after everything he's been through, from losing Kanan to having to sacrifice himself to surviving Thrawn to spending so long on his own.

Ezra could have had a purple lightsaber, the first live action Jedi since Mace Windu to be given one, which allows him to stand out against Sabine and emphasizes that connection to his lineage through Kanan without being an exact copy of someone else's.

Or Ezra could've had white. This could've been an interesting and meaningful way of actually explaining the white sabers in mainstream Star Wars. Most casual viewers are going to have NO IDEA that the white sabers are "healed" crystals from red sabers. That lore is lost on people who aren't deep in this fandom. Ahsoka just wanders around with white sabers because... it's unique and it makes her look cool. No one's stopped in any of the shows she's been in so far to explain what they are or why she has them. (Yes, I know it came from the book but again, not EVERYONE has read the damn book and if they're going to use that particular piece of worldbuilding in the shows, I feel like they could go to the effort of explaining it on the shows, too.)

Ezra could've found a crystal somewhere on Peridea that had been corrupted by the dark forces of the Nightsisters that permeate the planet (which would also add to the lore of the planet just a little and actually connect it to the Nightsisters better given that it's apparently THEIR homeworld). Maybe he could feel just how broken it was and he could see that it was either red or a really sickly witchy green color and even though the darkness in it repulsed him, the crystal also called to him, so he took it and has been fiddling around with it ever since, for years. Over time, it started to lose its sickly red or green color and became a pure white, but he'd never been able to acquire the right parts to actually make a new saber, so he'd just been carrying around the crystal for a while.

Or Ezra could've used some cool Force powers to yoink away Shin's saber from her during the fight with the bandits and when either Sabine or Ahsoka suggests he keep it since he refuses to take his old one back from Sabine, he says that it just feels... wrong. Something about it feels dark and full of pain and anger. And Ahsoka can explain how she was able to heal the crystals in her own saber so that Ezra is able to do something similar.

Literally anything OTHER than just giving Ezra Kanan's saber recreated would've been more interesting and said something new about Ezra's character and how he's grown and changed.

But nope. They couldn't be bothered to come up with a new design, so he just gets Kanan's saber now. How inspired.

[rollingtovictory]

Deathworlders

It has become a major topic of late that humans could be perceived as an absolutely insane race to the galactic community, assuming that most sapient species evolved on more ‘Paradise Planets’. For instance, humans are insanely good at adapting to different environments and can consume a huge number of things that are poisonous to other species. One of my favorite ideas that I came across recently is that perhaps humans make the ideal search and rescue species due to our ability to track, even untrained humans can often come up with the right ideas when tracking even if we don’t fully understand why.

_________________________________________________

Xelaqua was completely and totally lost, had been for three local days. Xe’d been playing with the other Klitori children around the edge of the forest here on M’Jang, a relatively new colony of the Klitori Union on D’Nik. The moon was a beautiful world, but a dangerous one. Klitori scales could keep most of the radiation from the gas giant they orbit at bay, but they still were advised not to go out after planetrise. 

Xelaqua had been chasing a Zo, a small, brightly colored, winged insectoid being. Being an adolecent, xe could move fairly quickly, but his arms were still short and pudgy, meaning catching the little zo had taken some time and the climbing of a very old tree of some kind. That was when xe’d realized xe was in fact very lost. Xelaqua had roamed for three days now, hiding in the roots of old trees by the river bank or in small caves during the planet day, and trying to find the colony elsewhen. The problem came when a magora, a large predator, had attacked xim. The six eyes and sharp fangs had been all Xelaqua had really seen, as it bit his tail and thrashed him into a tree. 

Xelaqua woke up some hours later, confused and frightend as the planet was overhead. The pain took a moment to set in, but come it did. A broken arm was painful but not too bad, xe had three others after all, but the missing tail was a major issue. Klitori slither along the ground, lacking legs, but with four arms. A Klitor without a tail can’t move very well, as their arms are somewhat weak due to their homeworld’s low gravity. Xelaqua was going to die out here, alone in the forest. It was odd that the magora had decided to only eat xis tail, but that was a mystery for another time. Xelaqua slowly crawled under the roots of the tree, cradling xis broken arm and doing xis best not to look at the stump where xis tail had been. Klitori don’t have the same kind of vascular system we’re used to, so bleeding out isn’t actually an issue. Which is almost unfortunate for the young Xelaqua, as starvation will set in soon. 

Another day passes, Xelaqua only venturing far enough to drink from the small steam. Nothing nearby looks edible, but xe moves so slow that xe can’t go far. Hours later, as Xelaqua sings quietly to ximself in his little hiding hole, xe hears a stange sound. Something almost like someone calling for xim, but the pronunciation was dreadful, something not Klitori at all. While Xelaqua knew not to talk to strangers, this might be xis only hope of survival. Calling out was hard, exhaustion was a major issue, but the sounds drew closer. 

Human. Xelaqua had heard of them. Insane predators, violent, brilliant, and hardy. It was hard to imagine a sapient mammal, but here it was, calling out to others to come. 

“Help need you. Xelaqua you?” Xelaqua almost giggled at the strange way it talked, obviously knowing some words in Klitori Majoris, but not much. Regardless he answered yes as they were lifting him up.

Xelaqua was amazed at the speed at which humans could move. They had set his arm (ouch!), sanitized and wrapped his tail, and given him some food and water from the colony all in less that ten minutes. They moved through the forest in a way Xelaqua had only ever seen on TV shows about predators on death worlds, where the prey might kill you as likely as other predators. Quick, silent, and most frighteningly, hard to see. Xe’d watched the other humans move about around the one carrying xim, a human named Cuthbert, but they seemed to vanish and reappear later. 

Being saved was amazing, getting saved by the galaxies greatest trackers was something else entirely. And they suggested that they might be able to regrow his tale, as reptiles on their world often had the ability. They’d have someone look into it. What an insane world they must live on if regrowing limbs is something that animals can just do. 

[spyglassrealms]

Spy's OCs: Zak Kaiyo

art by my good friend, the wonderful @wildegeist!

Realm: Arcverse Species: Tokaya Homeworld: Terotewaukia (Teroteaumia system) Age: 26 annua (29 Earth years) Gender (human analogue): cismasculine (he/him, xe/xen*) Height: 1.8 m Weight: 72.5 kg Occupation: Captain and pilot of the starship Free Spirit; freelance cargo-hauler; occasional mercenary; jack-of-all-trades [Suggested Listening: Burn Out Brighter by Anberlin]

Zakane "Zak" Kaiyo is the co-owner, captain, and pilot of the heavily-modified light hauler Aum Hara (otherwise known as the "Free Spirit") and the leader of a small band of freelance spacers that make their home aboard the ship. He's just one more spark in the great spiral; one more restless soul trying to make a living doing what he can in a galaxy that's always moving and yet always standing still. From the Tyrian Shallows to the Drift and everywhere in between, Zak and his small but loyal crew of misfits can be found anywhere something interesting is happening.

Zak's talented -albeit reckless- piloting skills earned himself and his copilot Arkto a spot in the Galactic Spacecraft Pilots Association Hall of Fame, having broken the record for the smallest crewed ship by mass to exceed 10 million times the speed of light with a hyperdrive. His performative stuntwork is also renowned, and he frequently attends the annual Galactic Pilot Convention.

Most of the "swashbuckling freelance ace pilot" tropes apply to this space hobo, whose personal creed is "do good recklessly." His confidence, determination, and cheerful sarcasm make for an extremely charismatic, if reckless, leader. He's very mischievous and likes to get into trouble, but can be relied on to get out of it as quickly as he gets into it… most of the time. Zak acts fearless but, go figure, this man has Attachment Issues. He hates the idea of getting tied down to one place or thing, yet at the same time he is fiercely protective of his crew. (Shhh. Nobody tell him.)

Zak's homeworld is a backwater: connected to the galaxy and participant in its affairs, but hardly anyone there actually got out beyond the system. He was constantly told that he ought to be happy on Terotewaukia, fixing up interplanetary haulers and maybe going to the outer moons of the system once in a while. He and his two best friends always wanted more. The three of them had plans to quietly fix up one of the written-off hauler derelicts on company time and get the hell out, making their way around the wild starry yonder to see what could be seen.

And then one of them decided they wanted to stay and settle down.

That was the last straw for Zak. As soon as the opportunity arose, he and Arkto (his other bff) took off in their souped-up light hauler and never looked back. But once they were out there... Zak came to realize that the galaxy isn't a really adventurous place.

See, Arcverse is a universe that everyone thinks has been more or less figured out. Galactic civilization has been around for something like a million years or so, and the Arcadian Order have been sort of running the Galactic Assembly for about that long (mostly because they got off their planet first and they do a pretty decent job of wrangling the rowdier civilizations with diplomacy). The entire galaxy is, broadly speaking, at peace. The clash of titans already happened; the fate-of-the-galaxy-level stakes were sorted out thousands of generations ago. All the major starfaring powers, while independent in principle, are constrained by the bureaucracy of the Galactic Assembly. There's mild internal turmoil —and there's always an underbelly— but it's still quite tame. There's a whole galaxy out there with lots to see but nothing to really strive for in it.

Zak Kaiyo is someone who desperately, fundamentally, needs to strive. He wants to live fast and die young in a galaxy where everyone lives at a reasonable pace and dies basically never. He exists to challenge the stagnancy of a world that's as close to utopia as it can reasonably be. Zak wants so badly to save the galaxy, but he lives in a galaxy that doesn't need saving. And that's tearing him to pieces.

[cr-noble-writes]

Criminal Justice in Asari Space

This came about from a conversation with @spacebunshep, @waidwn, @commander-krios, and @vesperfloyd on the Hatboy server on Discord. Also tagging @crescentbunny because you said you were interested <3

It is a bit of a long post, but I decided not to break it up because I think it makes the most sense if it all stays together.

The Asari criminal justice system, on its surface, doesn’t appear dissimilar to the criminal justice system of the Systems Alliance. On a closer look, however, there are several notable distinctions. Some of these come from obvious differences in culture. For example, the Asari criminal justice system is, in many ways, specifically built to handle criminals with biotic capabilities, something that the Systems Alliance continues to struggle with, despite human biotics becoming increasingly common. Others are less obvious, more pervasive, and use practices that would be considered inhumane by the Alliance, or any of the numerous Earth nations that chose not to become part of the Alliance.

Justicars will not be covered here, as they are a group that operate outside the criminal justice system.

Law Enforcement

The Asari law enforcement system can be broken down to three categories: Interstellar, Planetary, and Local. While there are some minor differences in laws and police forces based on locality, most of these categories have similar structures and function in relatively similar ways.

Interstellar

The Asari’s Interstellar Task Force is headquartered in the capital city of Istaiha on the Asari homeworld of Thessia, but has branches in every Asari colony throughout the galaxy, as well as the Citadel. The ITF takes primary responsibility for the enforcement of laws that apply to all of Asari space. Additionally, this organization is responsible for the policing of Asari space stations, which do not have their own local police forces. Their officers frequently come from the ranks of smaller law enforcement agencies, as well as Huntresses moving on from their service in Commando units.

In addition to enforcing law in Asari space, the ITF also works closely with smaller Asari law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects that have escaped from the jurisdiction of those agencies. They have also, occasionally, joined with other interstellar police agencies to apprehend a criminal. Given the difficulty of determining jurisdiction, however, this is infrequent at best. Typically, in cases where jurisdiction is questionable, if it is within the bounds of Council space, Citadel Security—or a Spectre, depending on the severity of the crime—will assume authority.

Planetary

Planetary police forces in Asari space are comparable in function to the 21st century agency Interpol. Rather than being divided into several nations like Earth, however, Asari colonies are split into multiple city-states which all fall under the singular nation of the planet (i.e. Blackdamp is the capital city-state of the Asari nation of Asteria). As such, the Asari’s planetary police forces bear some resemblance to organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition to enforcing laws that apply across Asari space, law enforcement agencies at the planetary level are also charged with upholding the laws of their planet, which can vary significantly from colony to colony.

Local

As stated above, Asari planets are divided into city-states rather than separate nations. In addition to planetary police forces, each city-state has its own local law enforcement. These agencies are charged with upholding the laws of their locality in addition to the broader planetary, and interstellar laws. Cooperation between local law enforcement groups is far more common than it is with larger police agencies, particularly because jurisdiction is much more easily determined.

Common Law Enforcement Tactics

Unlike the police forces of the Systems Alliance, Asari law enforcement appear to operate under the assumption that a suspect is guilty until proven innocent. While they do employ investigation tactics similar to those seen in the more familiar law enforcement agencies of Earth, there are also key differences.

Witness Interview- In any crime, law enforcement officers will attempt to locate and interview witnesses. In Asari society, cooperation with police is highly encouraged, and witnesses are rarely treated with hostility when they come forward. In fact, witnesses that come forward are frequently offered varying levels of protection, depending on the circumstances and people involved with the crime. In addition to the standard questioning of witnesses, they are also offered the opportunity to give their testimony via melding with the interviewing officer*. Witnesses are free to refuse this offer, however it is considered to be a more accurate form of testimony**.

Evidence Gathering- As with most law enforcement agencies, police at all levels of Asari law enforcement are required to collect and analyze all possible physical evidence of a crime. The Asari have some of the most advanced forensic science and equipment in the galaxy. Despite this, it is still possible for it to go unnoticed if physical evidence has been tampered with, and mistakes that render evidence unusable do still occur. Suspect Apprehension- Because biotic ability is standard in Asari society, the apprehension of suspects is tailored toward containing biotic individuals. Police are equipped with biotic dampening handcuffs, and are permitted to use both physical and biotic force to apprehend a suspect***. Additionally, once a suspect is in custody, until they can be transported to a space intended for the containment of biotics, they are typically bound with biotic dampening arm binders that restrict any movement required for the use of mnemonics. There is also no limit on the amount of time a suspect can be held without being charged with a crime.

Suspect Interrogation- Suspects are typically interrogated by the ranking investigative officer assigned to the case. They are not entitled to legal representation at this point in the process. As with witness interviews, suspects are always offered the chance to prove their innocence via meld****. If the suspect’s innocence is confirmed, they are released from custody with no further action.

Once an investigation is complete and the investigating police force has determined they have enough evidence against a suspect, the case is sent to the appropriate Tribunal.

*According to some studies, many witnesses feel compelled to comply with this offer to meld because of the heavy societal pressure to cooperate with law enforcement. **There is some debate in the academic community as to whether meld-based testimony is, in fact, more accurate. Some evidence seems to indicate that while details can be discovered that police might otherwise not have access to, these details are not necessarily accurate to the actual events as they are heavily influenced by the witnesses personal perceptions. ***There have been several cases in which biotic force was used with death as the result. Because it is considered permissible force, no charges were brought against police. Families were, however, monetarily compensated when applicable. ****This offer is rejected far less frequently than the offer given to witnesses as the refusal of a meld to prove one’s innocence is often viewed as a tacit admittance of guilt. However, there are instances that appear to support the idea that submitting to such a meld is not necessarily the best course of action. There have been several corruption arrests, particularly among the planetary police forces, due to the misuse of these melds.

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Tribunals

The court system of the Asari is where the biggest differences between their criminal justice model and the model used by the Systems Alliance lie. Rather than trials by jury, the Asari have tribunals. Local tribunals typically consist of three Adjudicators, planetary of seven, and interstellar of fifteen. Additionally, there are Appeals Tribunals, which consist of the same number of Adjudicators at each level. Appeals cannot be presided over by any Adjudicator that served in previous tribunals for the case*. Once a case has been forwarded to the appropriate tribunal, the defendant is entitled to a Legal Advocate**. If they do not have an Advocate of their own, they may request representation from the Public Advocates Corps. While the PAC is funded by the overarching Asari Republics, every locality has their own branch, and they are often as well educated as an Advocate for Hire. The primary difference is that while an Advocate for Hire might specialize in a specific subset of Asari law, PAC Advocates are required to maintain a familiarity with all criminal law in their locality.

The government’s case will be presented to the Tribunal by a Magisterial Advocate, and will include any evidence gathered, witness testimony, police statements, and suspect statements. The Defending Advocate will present their countercase, which can include extenuating circumstances, evidence of violation of the defendant’s rights, testimony to the defendant’s character, and evidence of the defendant’s innocence, among other things.

The Adjudicators then review everything that has been presented to reach a Determination. Unlike the jury trials of the Systems Alliance, which require a unanimous decision be reached in order to deliver a verdict, these Tribunals only require a majority. If the Tribunal determines the defendant is guilty, they then use the arguments presented by both Advocates to determine an appropriate sentence for the crime.

It is possible for either the Magisterial or Defending Advocate to file for an appeal on any case. However, it is uncommon that an appeal is granted in the case of a unanimous Determination. Appeals Tribunals typically take into consideration all arguments made during the previous Tribunal as well as any new arguments. Additionally, they may take the behavior of the defendant as they serve out their sentence into consideration. Appeals Tribunals can uphold or overturn the initial determination. If they choose to uphold the initial determination, they may also adjust the sentence based on new information. This typically leads to reduced sentences or the defendant being released as the Appeals Tribunal considers them having served enough of their sentence to pay for their crime.

It is important to note that tribunal times vary greatly. In cases of Asari defendants, it can take decades for an initial tribunal to be held, and even longer for appeals tribunals. Great effort has been made to accommodate for the shorter life spans of most non-Asari species. However, for even those people, it can sometimes take years, particularly for more serious crimes.

Sentencing

There are few crimes in Asari space which carry a mandatory sentence, and there are no crimes within the Asari legal system that carry the penalty of death. Instead, Tribunals determine sentences based on the severity of the crime, the criminal history of the defendant, and extenuating circumstances. Sentences are likely to be more severe if the defendant has an extensive criminal history no matter what the crime committed was. Petty crimes typically carry fines or community service. More serious offenses carry fines*** and terms of incarceration. Of the crimes that do carry a mandatory sentence, forced/compulsory melding**** carries the longest. The minimum term of incarceration for an Asari convicted of this crime is 500 years, but the sentence rendered is typically a life sentence.

*This can present difficulties in smaller localities. Most often, if an appeal is filed and there are no Adjudicators locally available to preside over the Appeals Tribunal, the case is moved up to the planetary level of Appeals to ensure impartiality. **A defendant can refuse the presence of an Advocate, but it is highly discouraged unless they have an equivalent legal education and are capable of presenting their own case. ***Persons who are unable or unwilling to pay their fines during the allotted time are placed into a period of ‘Garnished Contract Employment’. During this period, they work for a company contracted to the appropriate government. Their wages are garnished up to 60%, and their term of employment lasts until they have earned enough to pay the fine with the appropriate penalties for late payment. Contracted companies are required to pay an amount (exact numbers vary depending on locality) which the person can live off of while paying their fine, and contain guidelines for the number of hours the person can work. ****Because of the importance of melding in Asari culture, forced/compulsory melding is not only frowned upon by society, but is largely viewed as a worse crime than homicide.

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The Prison System

There are no private prisons in Asari space, and the prison system is broken into multiple levels. There are special prisons specifically for non-Asari criminals, and three levels of increasingly secure prisons for Asari criminals. With the exception of the highest security prisons, their day to day function is similar to prisons found in the Systems Alliance. Prisoners are kept in secured cells, provided meals, necessities for hygiene, and time for socialization and other activities regularly. There are educational and vocational programs available, and supervised visitation is common. Melding is strictly prohibited within Asari prisons, as is the use of biotics by prisoners.

Guards at all prisons are equipped to handle both physical and biotic outbursts by prisoners. Additionally, violent behavior is often punished with solitary confinement. Repeat offenses can lead to a prisoner being transferred to a higher security facility.

Non-Asari Prisons- These are the second fewest in number, as sentences for non-Asari prisoners are typically much shorter, and the population of non-Asari criminals much smaller. While there are sections of these facilities specifically for the containment of biotic prisoners, the majority of the facility is intended for non-biotics.

Low Security Prisons- The lowest security Asari prisons are the most numerous. They are built to contain prisoners with low-to-mid level biotic capabilities that have committed non-violent crimes. Additionally, individuals incarcerated in medium security prisons can be granted transfer to low security based on their behavior.

Medium Security Prisons- These prisons are built to contain low-to-mid level biotics who have committed violent crimes or shown violent behavior while being incarcerated in a low security prison. Individuals serving sentences in high security prisons for non-violent crimes can be granted transfer to medium security prisons. High Security Prisons- These prisons are built to contain high level biotics and those who have committed extremely violent crimes. In addition to cells, these prisons also have a cryo wing. Prisoners who violate the prison’s rules or commit violent acts while incarcerated at a high security prison are placed in cryogenic stasis for a period of time*.

*Like many other governments, the Asari have been known to pay substantial fees to the prison ship Purgatory in order to relieve themselves of a particularly difficult prisoner.

[drakiandh]

Shifting Jewels, Chapter 3 - Sweet Reasons

Hello hello! I'm back again with a slightly longer chapter today. Finally getting to the good bit, and I hope it I did the idea justice. Reading over this again made me realize that this is a wild ride, so enjoy! Happy reading!

Words - 5,690

An entire month spent with the gem he once called a friend, now reduced to nothing more than a pest. Painite silently glared at the back of Star’s head, harboring a desire to poof the other and trap him in one of his bubbles, just as Star had done to him. However, Star was the sole guide to the elusive fountain that the rebellion had allegedly used to mend its forces. Annoying, to say the least.

“I can practically hear your murderous thoughts, Pain!” Star exclaimed, turning around with a grin that only fueled Painite’s irritation. Star laughed off the hostile stare. “Okay, okay, no need to start getting angry at me,” he said, walking backward. Painite secretly hoped he’d walk into a tree.

“I have plenty of reasons to be angry in general,” Painite hissed, crossing his arms. “Why must you always make it about yourself?”

“I knew you once, Pain,” Star replied, sporting a genuine smile. “And I know enough that I tend to be the one that’s made you angry.”

“I am only angry at this cursed trip taking so long!” Painite retorted, digging his corrupted claws into his arm at the sweet sound of Star’s laughter.

“Yeah, angry that you’re stuck with me for so long. As if a month is a significant amount of time to an immortal gem,” Star responded, an odd emotion behind the smile on his face. Painite couldn’t quite discern it. Anger? No, Star didn’t get angry easily, and when he did, his appearance changed dramatically. The only other emotion Painite could think of was… sorrow.

Painite ignored the void in his chest. “For me,” he spat, gesturing to his severely cracked gem. “It is.” Star’s smile faltered for a moment, revealing a flicker of something that resembled woe. Painite didn’t understand it. Perhaps he felt guilty for cracking him further? He recognized that look, though. It was the same one Star had given him when he was first cracked, the same one whenever he celebrated another win against the rebellion, the same one he had given Painite when he betrayed him. Painite despised it.

“Pain, I’m sorry…” Star said, attempting to replace that expression with something more sympathetic. Or maybe it was pity. A part of him longed to forgive and mend what was broken. Yet, Star had foreseen the shattering of Pink Diamond and joined the rebellion, ensuring its occurrence.

“Your apologies are worth nothing, traitor,” Painite hissed, striding past Star and ensuring their shoulders collided.

“I know,” Painite heard Star mutter as he walked past. He brushed off the guilt gnawing at his fingers, suppressing the itching desire to turn back. After all, he was Painite—one of the gems personally crafted by Pink Diamond to secure her victory against the feeble rebellion. If not for Blue Diamond meddling by creating Star, he would have single-handedly triumphed in the war, honoring his great rose Diamond.

Halting in his step, Painite glanced up at the towering evergreen trees surrounding him, identifying the species from one of his many hunts of corrupted gems. He vaguely remembered them as Scots pines, but it mattered little; they were just trees. When he returned to Homeworld, they would all meet their fiery end. Oddly, a twinge of discomfort crept over him at the thought of extinguishing all this life. Nevertheless, it was for the greater good; this planet would serve as a fine gem-producing resource. Gems—no different from countless copies of a recipe used for thousands and thousands of years.

He chided himself for getting ahead of things, resisting the allure of the rebellion’s idealistic notions that “all life is precious.” This planet had a sole purpose—to create gems for the Great Diamond Authority, nothing more and nothing less. With a determined nod, Painite resumed his trek through the woodland, paying no heed to the distant calls of his guide. After about ten minutes of walking, he stumbled upon a small creek. Deciding there was nothing better to do until Star found him, he settled onto a rock and observed the world passing by.

It was peaceful—just sitting and observing the planet that had held him captive for countless years. The gentle babbling of the creek and the cautious curiosity of the creatures around him provided a serene backdrop. In some strange way, he found solace in the simplicity of it all. He couldn’t deny the impending sense of loss as he contemplated leaving the tranquility of this planet to return to the cold and calculated Homeworld.

A meek roe deer, if he remembered the name correctly, cautiously approached him. Choosing not to make any sudden moves, he remained still, allowing the creature and its companions to draw near. The original deer came within inches of his face, unaffected by any perceived threat. Slowly, he extended his hand, causing the animal to flinch back before tentatively sniffing it. It saw him as no threat to it and allowed him to slowly reach out. As he attempted to touch its shoulder, his form glitched and shivered, sending waves of agony throughout his entire being. Desperately trying to stave off poofing, he ignored the sound of the fleeing animals, focusing on maintaining his physical cohesion. The ordeal lingered longer than any previous glitches, but eventually, he managed to avert poofing. A weary sigh escaped him as he rubbed his arms, ensuring everything had reformed correctly.

Looking towards the now-vacant spot where the deer had fled, a frown etched itself across his face. He wanted to touch it.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A voice behind him asked. Painite turned, seeing Star smiling beside him. The Sapphire gazed at him expectantly, awaiting a response.

“It is, I suppose,” Painite muttered, turning away. He sensed Star settling down beside him, maintaining a respectful distance. Anticipating an attempt to dissuade him from returning to Homeworld, Painite was pleasantly surprised when Star began to hum a soft melody. The gentle tune filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere. Abruptly, Star ceased humming and turned towards the corrupted gem.

“Is it okay if I play?” Star asked. Painite glanced at him from the corner of his eye.

“I don’t care,” Painite responded after a moment, bringing his legs up and hugging them to his chest. He rested his chin on his knees and listened as Star summoned something from his gem. The pluck of strings prompted Painite to turn his attention. The Sapphire was holding a human instrument, one he recognized as a peculiar type of lute.

“What is that?” He asked, surprising Star.

“Oh? This?” Star lifted the instrument a bit higher to showcase it better. “It’s my banjo.”

“Banjo?” Painite repeated. Star smiled and nodded. Instead of speaking, he began plucking a few strings. The Sapphire winced and adjusted the odd dials at the top of the instrument. After a few moments of repeating that action, Star grinned when the sound of the instrument met his satisfaction. Clearing his throat, he fixed the banjo and plucked a few strings experimentally.

Star turned to Painite and offered a sheepish smile. “Sorry if it sounds weird or wrong; it’s been a while since I played.” Painite simply nodded, and Star took a breath, turning back to the nature around them. His fingers moved on the neck of the instrument, and he began.

It was an intriguing song, markedly different from the ancient sounds he had heard from humans in the past. Painite observed the notes flowing from Star’s fingers before turning his attention to the surrounding nature as well, listening. The melody unfolded slowly, hesitant yet confident, creating a unique harmony that both complemented the natural surroundings and stood out as a stark contrast.

And soon, Star began humming. Painite’s antennae perked up at the sound, involuntarily reacting to the melody, luckily still hidden in his hair. Star’s voice was subtle, serving as a gentle complement to the main melody, yet sweet in its own right. The sound brought back pleasant memories of a time before the betrayal—a time when Painite still considered Star a friend. He reminisced about the moments when Star would sing to himself, often during Pink Diamond’s absence in her palanquin. Memories flooded his mind, recalling how they first met.

Back then, Star had been humming a small tune when Painite, a newly emerged gem fresh from the field, mistook him for a rebel gem. In response, Painite had attacked, startling the other into an embarrassing, high-pitched scream. Despite the rocky start, Painite refrained from shattering him, opting instead to scold the other and positioned himself in a corner that was deemed acceptable for a gem of Painite’s status. Star had joined him, and against Painite’s initial judgment, they began talking.

Pink always insisted that Star remain in her palanquin for safekeeping, and Painite was routinely sent to the palanquin after battles to ensure that rebel gems couldn’t shatter him off-guard. Over time, their interactions evolved, and a genuine friendship blossomed. Painite came to be excited of his little visits to the palanquin, cherishing the company of this Sapphire gem. They were two rare gems, secluded together in their Diamond’s palanquin. It shouldn’t have surprised Painite that Star’s betrayal hurt so much; after all, they had become far too close to be considered normal. He wished Star had never joined the rebellion, wished he had the courage to pose a simple question during their private moments—hidden from all, even the Diamonds. He wished things had happened differently.

He blinked as the last strum of the strings resonated, and Star’s voice concluded. They lingered in silence, enveloped by the gentle babbling of the stream. Then, Star sighed and turned to Painite. “Pain, we need to talk,” he said, earning a glare from Painite. He hesitated. “About the past.”

Painite’s eyes narrowed, and he stood up. “I know enough, traitor,” he spat, turning and striding away. Star called out, and Painite heard the other rush up behind him. Star’s hand reached and grabbed his arm, and Painite whipped around, tearing his arm free from the other’s grasp.

“Let me talk!” Star yelled, ignoring the hiss from the other. “I don’t want to do this anymore!”

“Do what?!” Painite retorted. “Act like you aren’t the 2nd biggest traitor to the Great Diamond Authority?!”

“Act like we weren’t close!” Star yelled. “Yeah! I know I’m a traitor; I foresaw Pink’s shattering, and I made sure it happened. Pink is dead, and it’s half my fault! I know that, and it’s over. The war is over, Painite! Stop acting like you mean something to the Diamonds!”

Painite snarled. “I have a purpose, even if it’s worthless. I exist to win entire planets for the Diamonds, for Pink Diamond! You ruined all of that for what?! Some little worthless freedom?!”

“This freedom was worth all of it! But I’m not going to explain myself to you, not yet at least. Right now, I just want to apologize!”

“Your apologies are worth nothing, traitor!” Painite yelled. He stepped forward, jabbing a finger into the other’s chest, thumping on the blue gem. Star let him. “You chose your side five thousand years ago. You chose measly freedom over purpose! You were the greatest Sapphire the Diamonds had ever made. You could see thousands of years into the future instead of a measly hundred. You were made to make sure the Diamonds won every battle, conquered every planet, expanded their rule!”

“And I hate that purpose!” Star yelled back, his face twisting in an anger Painite hoped would end in a fight. “I don’t want to kill planets, I don’t want to help make more suppressed gems, I don’t want to be perfect! I want my life! I am an individual! I am worth just enough as the Diamonds!”

“That is heresy! We gems exist to please the Diamonds, our gods! You are not worthy enough to even stand on their ground!” Painite spat, stepping forward and pushing the other back.

“I am worthy enough! As are you!” Star shouted.

“I am worth nothing more than to lead soldiers! Nothing more! And you are worth nothing more than to make sure I win!”

“Painite, stop saying that!” Star exclaimed, but his voice was drowned out in the other’s angry rant.

“You gave up your purpose for a lonely life, stuck on this pathetic planet, for the rest of your measly existence. You chose freedom, and what does that even mean?! Your mere existence pleased the Diamonds because you could see their paths, you could help them. You could’ve had everything! Your own Pearl, an entire planet to yourself! If you had just made sure Pink had lived, I’m sure you would’ve gotten a Pearl just for that!”

“Painite! Stop!” Star yelled, tripping over a branch and nearly falling.

“You had everything your way. You could have so very easily seen a path of greatness for yourself. You could’ve even manipulated the Diamonds to your whims and become something almost equal to them! So much was open for you back on Homeworld, and you denied it for this?! This measly planet?! One not even worth the eyes of a Ruby?! I don’t get it, why would you throw it all away for this planet?! Nothing here is worth it, nothing here is even-”

“STOP!” Star screamed, his weapons pouring from his gem and enveloping the world around them in a dark blue haze. The dark hands wrapped around Painite, holding him in place. But Painite wouldn’t move anyway, far too surprised at Star commanding to react differently. A sob escaped Star, igniting burning guilt that tore through Painite.

“Just… stop…” Star muttered, fat tears of light flowing down his cheeks. Despite it all, the anger overpowered his guilt and allowed him to say one more thing.

“Why?” Painite asked, voice low. Star looked up at him and wiped away some of the tears, smudging them on his skin.

“I don’t want a purpose,” Star answered.

“…What?” Painite muttered, confused. Star took a deep, stuttered breath, and spoke.

“Back on Homeworld, everyone has a purpose. You were e-expected to fulfill that purpose for your Diamond. But I didn’t want to be a slave to them,” He began, his shadows slowly receding. Painite didn’t dare move. “Here on Earth, humans don’t have a purpose. They exist just for the sake of it. They don’t answer to some higher power, they don’t have the risk of being killed just for doing some little mistake wrong, they don’t have to watch thousands of worlds die just because you can see into the future.” A wet laugh escaped him. More tears sprang up, and the Sapphire desperately tried to wipe them away. Painite took a hesitant step forward.

“T-The Crystal Gems, they thought the same. They wanted to be seen as their own individuals, not just a code in thousands of others. They didn’t want purpose, they wanted the chance to do anything they wanted. Rose wanted to do whatever she wanted without being judged or shattered simply because she had a scratch on her gem. That’s why I left, Painite. They promised me that I could become whatever I wanted, not just some prophet for the Diamonds.”

“I- I don’t understand. Why would you want no purpose?” Painite asked, the urge to place a hand on the other’s shoulders prickling at his skin, and they weren’t born of corrupted nature.

“Do you want to kill millions?” Star asked, voice meek and wobbly as more tears fell from his eyes. “To conquer planets, yet never be appreciated? On Earth, you can do whatever you want. Do you think the Diamonds would want you going against your purpose and hunting corrupted gems, even when it’s all in their name?”

Painite stared at the other, unsure of how to react. Now that his thoughts were said into the open air, he was forced to confront them. The Diamonds wouldn’t want him doing anything other than leading their armies. He had, at times, questioned the endless conquests and the pursuit of perfection. They would know he had defected on Earth, corruption pushed aside. He’d be rejuvenated, and while he was fine with that before, now… now he didn’t want that. He didn’t want to lose this life he had lived, even if it was filled with suffering. Star was right. The truth in the other’s words broke free part of him that he had buried deep beneath the loyalty to his purpose. In some ways, he was happy that he could do anything he wished.

“Existence without purpose is meaningless,” Painite finally retorted, his voice tinged with frustration. And doubt. “I don’t want to exist where I can do anything. I want an existence where I fulfill my purpose and serve the Diamonds.”

“Then why is there doubt in your voice?” Star questioned, his gaze unwavering. “You’re stuck in an endless loop of killing and destroying. Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“I don’t tire of serving my purpose. It’s what I was made for.” Painite argued, but he only felt conflicted.

“But what if you were made to be something more? Something the Diamonds didn’t think you could be capable of being?” Star asked, challenging everything Painite was made to believe. Was this how the Crystal- the rebellion got so big? The offer was… tantalizing.

Painite looked away, trying to hold on to some semblance of what he knew. What he was made to know. He was made to lead armies, to conquer worlds. But Pink had told him, the day before she was shattered, that he would be useless once the Rebellion was squashed. Was that all he was to her? Some plaything to fight for her during her war. No, no, stop. She is- was, Pink Diamond. She was his Diamond, he had to respect her. Even if she was shattered.

“I can’t change what I am,” Painite finally said, holding on to that small string that was his old self. Before the corruption. During the war. Before Earth. But there is nothing except Earth. He was made to fight on Earth, and die on Earth. He was disposable.

“You can’t,” Star agreed, finally wiping away the last of his tears. “But you can change what you can become.” Painite stayed silent, observing as Star circled around him and began to walk away. After a few moments of contemplation, Painite turned on his heel and trailed after him.

╭──────────.★..─╮

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊

┊ ┊⋆ ┊ .

┊ ┊ ⋆˚         

✧. ┊         

⋆ ★

Night had fallen, marking hours since their heated discussion. Painite hadn’t uttered a single word throughout this time, and neither had Star. They currently found themselves huddled around a modest fire that Star had kindled. Painite didn’t entirely grasp why they had halted their journey, but he presumed that Star needed a respite. Seated on the ground, he gazed at the dancing flames, mesmerized by their crackling and flickering dance.

The symphony of chirping crickets provided a backdrop that helped ease his tumultuous thoughts. Painite sat in quiet contemplation, fixating on the radiant glow of their campfire that bathed the edges of the surrounding forest in its warm light. When he looked skyward, he could mentally visualize the celestial bodies twirling around distant stars. The aroma of smoke wafting above them, the brisk touch of winter wind weaving through the trees, and as he ran his fingers across the ground, he felt the earth crumble beneath his claws.

Hadn’t he, in essence, been a force of obliteration throughout his existence? He shattered gems, ravaged Earth in an attempt to defy his destiny, and captured corrupted gems with slim chances of survival. His purpose was to lead armies, not merely participate in the fray. Back then, he believed that by proving his prowess in battle, he would earn Pink’s admiration. The memory of her sorrowful expression upon his emergence lingered in his mind.

Before his mind could restrain his words, a whispered inquiry escaped him into the night. “Is it true?” he questioned, feeling the weight of Star’s gaze upon him. “That I’m disposable?”

Star offered no immediate response, and the ambient sounds of the world seemed to linger in the quietness that ensued. Painite drew his knees closer to his chest and enveloped himself with his arms, chin resting on his knees. A sensation of smallness gripped him, a sensation he vehemently despised. Amid the crackling symphony of the fire, momentarily pulling him into the present, Star decided to break the silence.

“On Homeworld,” Star began, his voice cutting through the quiet as he jabbed at the fire with one of his shadowy hands, “here, you’re not.”

Painite refrained from lifting his gaze, keeping his focus on the flickering dance of flames. “What’s the point?” he mumbled. A chuckle escaped Star’s lips.

“Isn’t it great?” he queried, coaxing Painite to raise his eyes. Star wore a gentle smile, his irises mirroring the undulating flames. The orange radiance imbued a warm glow to his features, softening the sharp contours of his future-seeing eyes. Their eyes locked, and Star’s smile expanded as his gaze lingered on Painite. “There is no point.”

Perplexed, Painite questioned, “I don’t understand,” and forced his gaze back to the fire. A sigh from Star was loud in the night.

“Okay,” Star began, rising to his feet and moving closer. Painite looked up as Star settled beside him. The Sapphire turned, offering a warm smile. “You’re really caught up in purpose and meaning and all that jazz. I know my attempts to convince you that this planet is worth it through my views aren’t working. So, I’m just gonna say, don’t follow the purpose the Diamonds made you for.”

Painite narrowed his eyes. “If I can’t follow the Diamond’s purpose, then what do I follow?” he inquired, prompting a thoughtful hum from Star. The Sapphire snapped his fingers and grinned.

“How ‘bout you make your own purpose?” Star suggested, eliciting a scoff from the red gem. Painite unfolded himself, sitting cross-legged, resting his face on a fist while the other hand dug idly into the earth beside him.

“I cannot make my own purpose,” Painite declared. “And even if I could, I don’t know what to make of it.”

The world around them descended into a comfortable silence, interrupted only by the intermittent crackling of the fire and the symphony of the forest’s chirping inhabitants. Painite heard Star draw a deep breath before he spoke again. “How about…” Star hesitated, and Painite felt the gentle pressure of the other’s hand coming to rest atop his own. Surprised, Painite turned, but made no move to pull away. “I give you a purpose?” Star proposed, his blue eyes glowing in the firelight. Painite’s breath caught, warmth blossoming in his chest.

A lingering pause hung in the air before Painite managed to pull his gaze away to respond. “W-What would you even give me?” he queried, his throat parched. For the first time in five millennia, Painite felt a faint echo of his former self—the gem from a time preceding betrayal, perhaps even a daring escape. The unspoken question of youth, still untarnished by the scars of experience, hovered on the edge of his tongue, awaiting the courage to be voiced.

Star’s melodic hum pulled Painite from his reverie. “How about…” Star mused, lifting his gaze to the star-studded sky above. Turning back to Painite, he wore a smile so warmly radiant that it seemed to burn. “You stay here on Earth… with me?”

Stay? Here? On Earth? With you? The words tangled in his throat, and he moistened his lips in an attempt to articulate his thoughts.

“Before you answer,” Star interjected, disrupting Painite’s hasty and muddled contemplations. The red gem looked up as Star turned away, a lack of a smile replacing the warmth. An unsettling discomfort settled over Painite as he waited. “I want to apologize, and I know this probably seems worthless, like all the others. But,” Star paused, inhaling deeply, “I’m sorry. For leaving you for the Crystal Gems. I probably don’t know how much that hurt you; it hurt me a lot too. But I was selfish, I thought too much of myself to remember you needed an out too. So, I’m sorry, Painite, for… for leaving you.”

The night hung still, the crackling fire merely a distant echo in the vast emptiness that was Painite’s contemplative mind. The warmth of Star’s hand resting atop his own felt like an addictive embrace, and as he envisioned a potential future on Earth, that warmth only intensified. The idea of returning to Homeworld now seemed nothing short of terrifying. A chilling fear gripped him at the thought of stepping onto that planet’s surface, where the Diamonds would shatter him without hesitation, and he couldn’t bear the prospect of such an end. He didn’t want to die.

The lump in his throat was substantial, yet he swallowed it down, resolute in his decision. Painite drew a steadying breath, his mind made up. “Star,” he began, only to be startled when the other lifted his hand away. Reacting swiftly, he reached out, reclaiming the retreating limb and gently entwining their fingers. He turned to face Star, who looked up in surprise. “I can’t forgive you yet, but—” His words caught, replaced by a low trill that escaped him. Swallowing around the lump in his throat, he tried again. “But, I wouldn’t be opposed to staying here, on Earth.” A beat of silence lingered before he added, “With you.”

Star stared at him, his eyes wide, and his mouth slightly ajar. The silence that followed began to make Painite nervous until, at last, Star spoke. “Really?” he asked, his voice low and meek. Painite, uncertain of his own voice, responded with a nod. Tears welled up in Star’s eyes, triggering a sudden surge of panic in Painite. He reached forward, stopping short of touching the other.

“What’s wrong?” he inquired, adjusting his position to face Star directly. “Why are you crying?”

Star chuckled, lifting his free hand and guiding Painite’s idle one to his cheek. Acting on instinct, Painite rubbed his thumb across the other’s face, gently wiping away a stray tear. “Nothing’s wrong. ‘M just really happy.”

“Is this some strange human gesture?” Painite asked, a small smile forming on his face. “If it is, I’ll have to keep you away from them for a hundred years or two.” Star laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh, and leaned further into Painite’s touch.

“I genuinely thought you were going to blow up on me and scold me, like you usually do,” Star admitted, wiping away some of his tears.

Painite shifted closer, his hand still cradling Star’s cheek. “Well, you thought wrong,” he said, his words carrying a light and warm tone. “And I don’t ‘blow up like I usually do,’ as you so eloquently put it.” Star chuckled, a smile tugging at his lips as he leaned into the touch. His eyes gently closed, and he sighed, contentment evident in the subtle curve of his lips. Words, laden with unspoken emotions, clamored for release on Painite’s tongue, but he chose to withhold them. Tonight was going well enough; there was no need to risk marring it with a premature confession.

“I can hear you thinking,” Star murmured, a playful note in his voice that slightly startled Painite. Opening his eyes, Star regarded him with a curious expression. “What’re you thinking about now?”

“I thought you could hear my thoughts,” Painite teased, allowing a moment of light banter before he fell silent, his hand naturally gliding away from the other’s face. Star, however, caught his hand and held it close, waiting patiently for Painite to gather what little confidence he could muster. After taking a breath, Painite spoke. “There’s this human gesture I’ve seen…” He trailed off, prompting a giggle to escape Star. Painite shot him an annoyed look.

“Sorry, sorry,” Star said, smiling. “It’s just, you always insist that humans are pathetic, and here you are, talking about one of their gestures.”

“Do you want me to answer or not?” Painite replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.

Star laughed. “Right, sorry, continue.”

Knowing he wouldn’t be able to articulate his thoughts precisely, fearing embarrassment, Painite decided to show instead. “Is it alright if I do this?” he asked, gently slipping his hands free from Star’s and cupping the other’s face. A blue blush painted Star’s cheeks, and Painite was momentarily concerned before Star nodded. Taking another reassuring breath, Painite continued, “Then close your eyes.”

Star’s eyes obediently slipped shut as he awaited whatever Painite had in mind. Slowly and hesitantly, one of Painite’s hands slid to the nape of Star’s neck. He tilted the other’s head up slightly, eliciting a soft giggle. Painite bit his lip, mind flooded with thousands of excuses, a multitude of ways to retreat. However, when Star raised his hand and gently rested it on the red gem’s arm, it froze him in place. Painite took a shuddering breath and leaned closer.

“Is this okay?” he whispered, his breath caressing the other’s face. A visible shiver ran up Star’s spine, but his smile conveyed a different story. Instead of responding, Star offered a soft hum, giving Painite all the confirmation he needed.

With his own eyes gently closing, Painite tenderly pressed his lips to Star’s, the gesture filled with sweetness. He heard Star’s breath hitch and pulled away a moment later, far too nervous to press on. A blush adorned his cheeks as he observed Star’s eyes flutter open, waiting anxiously for the Sapphire’s reaction.

“Wow…” Star whispered, and Painite had to strain to catch the words. “The humans weren’t wrong.”

“Was that alright?” Painite asked softly, his hands still gripping onto Star, his embarrassment palpable.

“Quartz yes,” Star muttered, prompting a chuckle to bubble up in Painite. “Do it again.”

“Again?” Painite asked, surprised. Star nodded vigorously.

Painite hesitated only momentarily before leaning back in, meeting Star halfway. A content sigh escaped Star as their lips met again, and Painite found himself immersed in the moment. The symphony of the night, with its gentle crackling fire, the distant rustle of leaves, and the rhythmic sounds of crickets, all faded into the background. His focus was solely on the gem beside him, and a warm desire spread from the top of his spine to the very tips of his corrupted claws.

Had he missed this all those years ago? How could he have ever thought that this wasn’t worth it? Pressing closer, Painite was glad when Star lifted his free hand, tangling it into his hair, deepening the kiss. His antennae freed themselves from the confines of his hair, busying themselves by gently carding through Star’s own. Painite sighed contently, memorizing Star’s scent intermingled with his own. He didn’t just want to touch; he wanted to taste. Gently, he nipped at the other’s bottom lip, drawing a gasp that he eagerly swallowed. Painite made a low sound in the back of his throat when he was granted entry, savoring the sweetness of the other.

Star pressed himself closer, chasing something that Painite was eager to give but unable to define. The Sapphire broke away, gasping for breath he technically didn’t need. They stared at each other, simply existing in the same world, the same moment, before Painite sighed and rested his head on the other’s shoulder. Blinking, he noticed the ground beneath them—scorched where he sat and frozen where the other sat. Star seemed to notice as well when he let out a soft chuckle.

“That was…” Star’s voice was breathless, rough, sending sparks of pride down Painite’s spine.

“Amazing?” Painite finished for him, earning a hum of approval from the other. After a few moments of silence, interrupted by the soft wind and chirps of crickets (and a distinct lack of wood burning), Painite lifted his head and smiled at the other, who gave him a questioning look.

“I’ve wanted to do that for… five thousand years,” Painite said, earning a chuckle from Star.

“I have to admit, when I looked into our future, I never expected this,” Star said, grabbing one of Painite’s hands and idly rubbing at it.

“Oh?” Painite said. “And what did you see?”

Star remained silent for many moments. “I saw, if I was never able to gain your forgiveness, only a river of pain and despair. I saw only destruction and violence in our future, and now…” Star trailed off, looking up when something entered his vision. He gasped, stars appearing in his eyes, and he let go of Painite’s hand instead to gently cradle one of the sensory appendages on Painite’s head.

“Ah, careful,” Painite said, wrapping a hand around the other’s wrist in case he had to force the other to pull away.

“I didn’t know you had antennae,” Star said, giggling when the appendage resting in his palm twitched.

“So I was right to call them that,” Painite muttered before pulling his antennae away. “Star, what do you see in our future now?” He asked, placing a hand on the other’s knee. Star remained silent, his hands returning to their idle rubbing on one of Painite’s. After a few minutes, the Sapphire perked up.

“How ‘bout I show you?” Star asked, and Painite raised an eyebrow.

“Show me?” He repeated, earning a nod from the other.

“Yeah, you cool with that?” Star asked, and Painite nodded.

“I trust whatever you will do,” Painite said, earning a wide grin from the other.

“Awesome man. Okay, now, just close your eyes,” Star began, bringing up his hands and resting them on the other’s shoulders. Painite chuckled but obeyed, his eyes slipping shut. “Relax,” even though he didn’t know how to relax more than he already was. “And breathe.” Painite didn’t understand it, but he would trust the other. He smiled as the other rested their lips on his, a small, tender gesture, something that didn’t invoke the same burning desire as before. Instead, this one was warmer, softer, kinder.

He sighed softly, losing himself in that feeling as the world turned white.

[nauticalpig-blog]

spoilers for amored core 6 but

FUCK people who dont like story driven non-rpgmakeresque games dude oh my god. you will never experience the agony that is doing the bad guy route and seeing your friends who you've sided with, a world that you've gone through hell, literally died and grown and changed and learned just to protect, seeing that all fall apart in your fingers because you just have to do this. you have to do the bad guy route. you have to get that secret special ng++ ending, so you have to play the bad guy this time. you have to fight your silly videogame buddy to the death this time and they don't even know that you spent hours of your life learning to fight just to help them win and live. you have to use talent and skills you learnt alongside them in a world that doesnt exist, that never existed, that you have all the spoils from but none of the love or compassion that you brought, you have to use it to kill them. and it's never easy, you die and die and die and die because they're your FRIENDS, they're who you learned from, you have to struggle and claw tooth and nail and beat them and hurt them over and over and over and over and over and over until you can finally put them down for good, you have to bite and kick and scream until they fall down dead, knowing you only as a monster and then you have to leave them, leave that entire playthrough and all the people you hurt and all the damage you caused to go to the next one to do better, you have to leave these friends, YOUR friends dead and dying and ruined without ever giving them the kindness that you could've done. you leave them rotting from your cruelty as the sole victims, the one story that leads them to dying and hurting and never getting to see the sunrise of the next day because you HAVE to, because how else are you going to save the day again next time? these versions must suffer so the others may live, right?

anyways i'd like to see any non-story game reach the emotional low/high of having an epic dramatic mecha fight in low orbit on the back of a spaceship with your buddy who never got to see you be their friend for the fate of their planet as they talk about how great you are and how far you've come until you kill them, or fighting your own little silly brain-haunting ghost to the death in space so you can burn their homeworld and their other silly ghost friend people, or having to fight your guiding mentor after he's been broken beyond repair, so much so that killing him is the easiest and most desired fix for what's happened to him, and him thanking you at the end of it all

i miss rusty, ayre and handler walter :(

not carla though she can go fuck herself stupid street cleaner 2.0 fuckin boss bullshit fukcin fucking sbcuking sufhjsidngngs i'm glad i got to beat your ass and your little dog too

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: The coming storm

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)    

From his bridge Xulien looked down at the world beneath him. The trails of smoke from still burning cities dragged themselves lazily across the surface, shrouding the once vibrant and lush planet in a sea of choking greys.

When he closed his eyes he could imagine the heat from them washing over his face, the smell of charred flesh and the comfort of shattering bones beneath his military boots giving him a sensation of pure euphoria.

There was something about the extinction of a primitive species that thrilled him. His subordinates, when speaking in hushed voices they thought he could not hear, called him a butcher and a monster. He found the notion somewhat flattering and allowed these rumors to spread amongst his fleet until even the homeworld high king referred to him as such and quivered in fear when Xulien came before him to show his loyalty.

“The last of the resistance pockets have been eliminated, and colonization ships are inbound to begin terraforming.”

Xulien was broken from his daydreams of slaughter by his second in command Rin’tuk. He was holding a datapad outstretched and Xulien took it to inspect. He dismissively scrolled through the various reports until stopping at the final report detailing the attack on the last enemy bastion.

“War Chorus Helion lost sixty warriors in one battle?”

While the bridge crew around the pair of officer quickly found something to busy themselves with to avoid the warlords wrath Rin’tuk stood at attention.

“Indeed.” Rin’tuk acknowledged. “The primitives put up fierce resistance and even resorted to using themselves as living weapons before expiring.”

“They fought monkeys with sticks and bones!” Xulien roared, tossing aside the datapad with enough force to shatter it against a nearby bulkhead. “I want them quartered and flayed for this embarrassment!”

If the warlord’s outburst had scared Rin’tuk he showed no measure of it. “Then shall I flay you as well?” he replied, “For it was by your order that you tied their hands and forced them to fight with such handicaps.”

Xulien turned around and in struck Rin’tuk across the face with his right fist. The force alone was enough to decapitate a lesser creature, yet Rin’tuk had only taken a step back to adjust his balance before resuming his at ease posture.

“You dare lay this failure at my feet?” Xulien spoke, his left hand already forming a fist to strike again when Rin’tuk spoke again.

“Your orders were to bring the human leader to you alive, and so they have.”

Xulien’s fist stopped mere inches from Rin’tuk’s face at this. “They still live?” Xulien asked as he walked past his second and took his place upon the command throne; his previous beatings of his second all but an afterthought in his mind. Rin’tuk followed behind his warlord and nodded. “They have captured him intact and have brought him onboard mere moments ago.” As if to confirm something Rin’tuk looked down at his wrist to examine a digital device. “They should be here within five minutes if their trip from the hangar bay is not hindered.”

This pleased Xulien to such an extent he was even considering sparing the War Chorus for their dishonor on the battlefield. Maybe flay one of their Chorus Masters to remind them they had a duty to upload by not dying in battle to vermin, but those thoughts were pushed from his mind as he waited patiently for his victim to arrive.

Five minutes seemingly passed by in the blink of an eye before the lumbering doors to the command bridge slowly churned open and a pair of warriors dragged a frail being between them and dropped them before their warlord.

The figured was ragged and rather unimpressive. Their clothes were dirty, torn in several places, and from the look and smell of a few red splotches still covered in blood. Xulien knew them to be of the male sex of the species as it had been one of the few files he had bothered reading from the xenology branch. They always included such frivols things such as culture, history, and social structures; when in reality all Xulien needed to know was their weaknesses and military capacity.

Xulien watched the helpless human slowly compose themselves and rise to their feet. It was only after he stood up that he noticed the patches of familiar substances.

“Why is he covered in our blood?” Xulien asked. When neither of the warriors responded Rin’tuk answered.

“When the first of our warriors attempted to apprehend this human they lashed out with a sharpened piece of metal, blinding several and slitting the throats of another two before he was finally subdued.”

This impressed the warlord. His warriors were some of the best trained in the kingdom and yet this primitive was able to deal such damaging wounds upon them. A modicum of respect began forming for these humans in the back of Xulien’s mind as he watched the human turn around to the massive viewing window.

He could not see their eyes but their body language said enough for Xulien. From high orbit this human was looking down at his world now in Xulien’s thrall. He moved his head back and forth as if trying to find some last enclave of humanity still fighting or one last major city still intact; yet as the man began to weep over the destruction all he saw was the burning craters or swarms of alien vehicles descending to the planet.

Rising from his throne, Xulien pondered over to the human and stood next to them in silence. He was ready for an attack if made, and in truth he had hoped for one since it had been so long since he last killed a foe in person, yet he for the moment he was content to merely enjoy the aroma of despair that now circled his defeated rival.

“Tell me,” Xulien began as his translator unit took his words and broke them down into the barbaric gurgles of the human language, “what does it feel like to see your homeworld burn?”

Xulien heard the human cease its pathetic sobbing but still did not answer his question.

“Do you feel dread for seeing your people’s great works undone so easily? To know generations of your forefathers has been wiped away in a matter of days by your superiors? That your people’s legacy will be nothing more than a footnote in our history books that children won’t even care to read?”

Xulien always enjoyed this part of his conquests. To break the final vestige of pride his enemies held and reduce them to utter nothingness before slaying them and casting their body to the void.

“Homeworld?”

Their voice was soft and barely audible over the murmur of the bridge still going on around them. The human looked up at him after he had finished his speech, but to his surprise he saw no despair or regret. No, on the face of his broken foe was that of only confusion.

“Did you say homeworld?” they asked again.

It was then for the first time in a long time Xulien felt the creeping claws of uncertainty. When he did not answer the human’s face twitched slightly.

“Do you honestly believe this was our homeworld?” the human asked again but this time with a more authoritative tone.

“Watch your tone.” Xulien replied. “Your life hangs by the thinnest of threads and I can cut it with the flick of my-“

The human never gave him the chance to finish his threat as they suddenly broke out into laughter. It was laughter of a man teetering the line between madness and sanity as one by one the bridge crew slowly stopped their tasks and took pause to observe the confounding scene.

Xulien quickly was losing his temper at this mockery.

“Cease your laughter.” He demanded, but the human merely grabbed their gut as they continued.

“I said cease!”

Xulien grabbed the human by the throat and hoisted them up. He smashed them into the glass of the viewing window causing a faint cracking sound as the impact drew the air from the human’s lungs. This indeed did stop the laughter, but Xulien still could hear the murmurs of a chuckle as the human looked up at him.

“I thought this a great tragedy,” they spoke through gasps and fits of coughing, all the while still holding on to that maddening smile, “but this is all some dark comedy, isn’t it?”

They looked up at Xulien and he saw the human’s eyes were full of madness. As if a maelstrom of emotion was raging inside him where once had been despair.

“This isn’t our homeworld you stupid fuck.” The human chuckled. “This is a colony world that is less than forty years old.”

Xulien’s grasp on the human slackened for a moment as he glared over his shoulder at Rin’tuk. To his surprise his second was also equally surprised at this new development.

“You lie!” Xulien retorted. “Your technology level is too redundant for this to be a mere colony.”

The human laughed again at Xulien’s words, a notion he was finding more and more aggravating with every passing moment. “We are given hand-me-down equipment decades old because that is all we can afford. The inner worlds have technology that makes our gear look like children’s toys.”

Xulien perked up at this latest statement. “Inner worlds, you say?” He leaned forward to the human as the smell of future conquests returned. “So there are more worlds your people occupy?”

“Oh yes,” the human replied as his grin turned dark, “and they know all about you, “Great Conqueror”.”

“What do you mean by that?” Xulien asked.

“They’ve been monitoring your invasion since the moment you set foot in this system.” The human answered gleefully. “I imagine they were even watching us as you stormed my stronghold.”

Xulien felt a grin emerge on his own face now. “Then they know what is coming for them.” It was meant to fill the human with dread knowing the rest of his species would soon die, but instead the grin grew wider.

“They have seen our world burn and their people slaughtered like cattle, and what’s more they have seen a monster in need of slaying.”

The madness was strong now as the human grabbed both of Xulien’s arms and tightly held on to them, his eyes focused on Xulien’s.

“They will come, but there will be no negotiation, no parley, no peace treaties or cease fires; there will be no mercy, no remorse, no hesitation in their actions as they descend upon your brutal people and scorch your existence from this universe.”

Xulien tried to shake the human off but their grip held on tight as the human finished rambling.

“Your people will all die for what you have done here, and the ashes of what you once were will be a testament and monument to all those that come after that will say “Here is Xulien, the fool who thought he slew humanity.” “

Rage boiled inside him and spilled over like a volcano as Xulien let go of the human as they once again laughed in his face. Before the human’s feet had even touched the decking Xulien grabbed the human’s head and twisted it with enough force to snap bones like twigs.

The lifeless husk of the human fell to the ground with a loud thump as the bridge crew watched in silence. They had never seen their warlord become so enraged, least of all over the leader of a defeated people. A deathlike calm fell across the bridge as no one dared speak or even move in fear of drawing their warlord’s wrath. A silence that was only broken when the scanner officer’s terminal began chiming.

“Detecting new contacts from the edge of the system.” They waited for Xulien to reply but he was still locked in a trance of rage and could not hear the officer, so Rin’tuk stepped in.

“Are they the colony ships? They were scheduled to arrive soon.”

The scanning officer looked down at this terminal and shook his head. “No friendly signatures are reading off any of the approaching vessels.”

“How many?” Rin’tuk stepped over to the officer as his concerns at these new developments grew.

“Contacts are still exiting out of jump, but right now I count thirty five contacts.”

A second series of chimes sounded off from the terminal, but this time from the opposite side of the system.

“Secondary contacts emerging, twenty vessels and counting.” The officer replied. Rin’tuk looked at his warlord but when they still did not reply took charge.

“Call back our scouting parties and assemble the fleet in battle order.” Rin’tuk ordered to the surrounding crew. “Have transport ships begin ferrying up the ground forces to the transports at once.”

In short order the entire system image now held a ring of red icons slowly closing in on his fleet still anchored above their newly conquered world. There was no opening for escape for them now.

Sirens began blaring now as several of the far flung scouting parties were not quick enough and were quickly set upon by the unknown vessels. Their green icons flared one by one before flashing out of existence as the red ring continued to close in.

“Can you identify the vessels now?” Rin’tuk demanded as the crew began scurrying about readying their ship for battle. The scanning officer fiddled with their controls for a moment then nodded. “We have a visual coming in from our scouting party omega eight.”

The holographic display altered to show a live feed from the far out scouting party and the crew got their first look at the impending doom to soon befall them.

It was a fleet of sleek metal ships shaped like swords slowly carving their way through space. They varied in size from some being roughly frigate size to several massive vessels at the center of the fleet that looked more akin to cities in size then any space craft Rin’tuk had ever seen before.

Xulien looked up finally as his rage subsided and saw the images on the holo display. While others were focused on the size and numbers of the fleet, the warlord found himself focusing on the prow of the leading ship.

Plastered on the front of the vessel was an image he had seen much of in the final days of his latest conquest. A blue and green globe surrounded by a wreath of golden leaves. The flag of humanity….

[astral-mariner]

Thought I'd make a pinned post introducing myself and providing some links to my writing/illustrations/other fandom socials!

About: I'm a queer man in my mid 30s. I've been writing for over 20 years, and it's what I love to do. Horror/angst, sci-fi, and erotica are my favorite things to write. I've been in the Dragon Ball fandom for over a decade and have been a fan longer than that.

Links:

AO3 Twitter/X Bluesky Ko-fi

Below are some of my illustrations. I like to illustrate my own stories (summaries below). I'm a writer primarily; I don't even really consider myself an artist. I like to draw dark/angsty things, as you can see.

I currently have 2 stories published on AO3:

Homeworld Lost:

Via Raditz’s broken scouter, Bulma tries to recover access to Planet Trade networks and technologies to get an upper hand against the androids. But in so doing, she discovers Raditz’s private files—writings and recordings he kept for himself over his long travels with Vegeta and Nappa under Freeza. Tales of their exploits and descent into madness come to change her perception of Vegeta and her relationship with him. Homeworld Lost is a novel-length dark science-fantasy story with explicit violence, horror, and erotica (sometimes simultaneously). Generally canon compliant. Explores Vegeta’s backstory under the Planet Trade Organization and his fraught relationships with his comrades, particularly the twisted bond he and Raditz share. Most of the story is narrated by Raditz, but there are lots of twists. He is an unreliable narrator, and in places, altered mental states allow him to take other points of view. We also get interludes from Bulma as she reads and reacts to Raditz's account.

Strength and Weakness:

After slipping and sharing one night with Bulma, Vegeta has avoided her ever since. Even after a season's passing, however, she's on his mind as much as ever. He resolves to train overnight, but despite his intentions, his evening takes a different turn. (An extremely explicit erotic one-shot with lots of story elements, angst, and feelings. Vegeta's POV.)

[fanfoolishness]

lilies in her hair (The Mandalorian/The Clone Wars)

Bo-Katan has a long-overdue conversation with Satine. Set after The Mandalorian Chapter 24, The Return. Angst, hope, sibling grief. ~1000 words.

~

The fire rekindled in the Great Forge spurred Bo-Katan onwards, and she flew across the glass-green surface of her homeworld, her jetpack sputtering only at the very end of her journey.  Her boots landed soft in the cave’s mouth, soles springing on mosses redolent in emerald and peridot.  She slipped inside, alone.

She walked down the narrow paths, her heart steady in her chest.  She took a deep breath.  Instead of the sharp ozone scent of the surface air, she breathed in chlorophyll and the scents of living, growing things. 

She was careful, treading only on bare patches of rock or earth, avoiding the fragile new growth beneath her heels.  She followed the paths her people had created, their struggles written in these narrow trails amongst their crops.  Goldteff and shiffa grain sprouted along the path’s edges, fragile proof of a planet striving to return.  She walked amidst the green bounty, her head held high, her broken hand thrumming with the urge to harvest.

She smiled ruefully down at the casted hand.  It still pained her, a battle scar of the final struggle with Gideon.  Grogu had tried to heal her and Din of their wounds after the battle, but the child had expended most of his strength after protecting them both from the firestorm.  She hadn’t minded; the little one had been incredible.  She had fought side by side with Jedi before, yes, but she had never dreamed a youngling could do something so powerful. He had fought with them, as one of them.  Just as Din had taught him.

Mandalorians are stronger together.

She wended her way deeper into the cave, the sound of running water sweet in her ears.

Bo-Katan looked closely here, head scanning from side to side.  She was searching for something she’d thought she’d recognized, back in the brief respite before their battle for the Forge.  Hope stirred within her, a feeling she had grown more and more comfortable bearing these past few weeks.  

Still, though, she held herself in reserve.  She could have been wrong; their rest in the caves had been so brief, and maybe it had been only wishful thinking --

She would only know if she kept searching.

She kept onward.  She was careful, picking her way slowly through the foliage; dense it was, lush and green.  Golden light slanted through the cave, the muted sun still gleaming through the torment of the atmosphere.  She took another deep breath, hoping, praying.  So much had revealed itself here.  Perhaps she'd catch the scent again --

She reached the beginning of one of the many streams within the cavern, its water clean and bright, rivulets burbling sweetly past her boots.  She followed its path down, down, down.

She stiffened.  There.  A cluster of white-dappled green leaves, broad and full; fragile bone-white blossoms rising against the water’s edge.  A scent sweet, delicate, so familiar even after all these years.  Moonwater lilies.

Bo sank to her knees.

“Satine,” she whispered.

She reached out her broken hand, fingers slow and stiff and sluggish.  She caressed a silken blossom, cradling it like something precious, its soft petals incongruous in her leather-clad palm.

Flowers in your hair?  Ridiculous.  Where’s your beskar, sister?

These are as much a symbol of Mandalore as any other, Bo, and I wear them proudly.

She released the flower back to itself, and she gazed into the rippling water, resting her hands on her thighs.  She swallowed.  

Though she was alone, the words caught in her throat.  She bowed her head.  Closed her eyes, breathed in through her nose.  Thought about what she wanted, what she needed to say.  Here was as good a place as any.

“Neither of us had it right, did we?” she asked, and her voice cracked.

The water bubbled merrily past her.

“You thought that pacifism was our way forward as a people, even as the war raged all around us.”

The light began to shift, echoes of silver weaving their way into the golden shafts.  The moons would be rising far above, shadows hidden by the atmosphere.  

“And I thought the only way forward was through our past.  Battle and bloodshed, even if it meant sister against sister.” 

The scent of lilies grew stronger.  Deeper, somehow, penetrating more completely into memory and mind.  They always bloomed more fully in the night air, safe from the full-throated burn of the sun.

“I failed you.  I should have protected you, should have realized you needed me.”  The breath caught, nearly choking her.  “And it wasn’t just you.”  Her shoulders shook.  “I failed so many, sister.  We nearly lost everything, and I could have -- I should have --”

Words failed her.  

The lilies sweetened the air, fortifying it with layered scents like vanilla and ironwood, a rich salve in the closeness of the cave.

She reached again, her voice raspy in her throat, the struggle not yet over.  She found herself once more.

“But I -- I’ve learned.  There is a Way forward for us, Satine.  All of us.  We’re starting again.  Honoring the past, and making space for the future.”  

The blossoms opened wider, the scents ripening to fullness.  Silver light pierced the cave’s cracks and crevices, moonlight bathing all, soft and soothing.

“They’ve named me Mand’alor, Satine.  And I -- I’m ready.”  She gazed at the moonwater lilies, darkening in the encroaching night.  “I just hope that…”  

Tears, hot, sharp, still fresh despite the long years.  

Memories of Sundari summers, games of chase on the palace grounds, big sister letting her win -- 

Arguments in a cold palace, raised voices and flushed cheeks, sharp words she wished she could take back --

Obi-Wan’s pale face in the dark -- “I’m so sorry” --

Bo-Katan reached out with her good hand and plucked one gentle, perfect flower from the cluster, leaving a stem a few centimeters long.  She tucked it carefully behind her ear, settling it securely into her hair.  The sweet lily scent wafted around her.  It cast a perfume she could never forget.

“I hope you’re proud of me.”

[princess-pacman]

SU AU Stobotnik

Long post (probably ooc White Diamond and Robotnik)

I love making Steven Universe and Homestuck AUs of random characters, so here’s my Dr. Robotnik and Agent Stone as gems idea.

Robotnik is a one of a kind red emerald owned by White Diamond. He would have been shattered for being “off color” if not for the fact that his uniqueness makes him significantly smarter than all the other emeralds and White feels she can use this to her advantage. He’s White’s resident scientist/weapons engineer, and her sort of “pet/secret weapon” thing. He starts going by Bixbite to further separate himself from the other “rocks for brains” emeralds (yes, I know there’s a cannon Bixbite, but I found that out after I made this AU, so too bad, Robotnik’s the only Bixbite in existence in this AU). However, he’s incredibly difficult to interact with, so White usually has another gem relay messages for her. He often ends up poofing said messengers, though, out of irritation. This becomes a problem, so out of passive aggressiveness and trying to fix the problem, White makes him a Pearl specially suited to match his personality (so as not to be afraid to talk to him) and act as a barrier between Robotnik and every other gem. This Pearl is Agent Stone. At first, Robotnik is the happy with another plebeian gem in his lab, calling Pearl “nothing more than a common stone to him.” Eventually, he starts to grow on him, and the nickname “Stone” sticks. Stone, of course, in typical pearl fashion, starts to fall in love with his Bixbite.

I have more to their story, but it’s not all fleshed out, yet. Some random tidbits I have…

-Pearl’s weapons are handguns

-Bixbite hates working under White and wants to be his own boss

-They’re not for the revolution, but they’re not against it either. They couldn’t care less about some planet called “Earth” with other creatures on it. But at some point, Bixbite gets cracked and needs to be healed. Pearl hears about a rebel Rose Quarts with healing powers and escapes with his broken boss to Earth to heal him. They end up getting stuck on Earth as Homeworld fugitives.

-Bixbite enjoys making ships, but is envious of the fact that the other emeralds get to actually fly them, while he’s stuck on the ground. He secretly wishes to see the stars and often daydreams about space.

-They accidentally fuse very briefly while Bixbite is cracked, so he has no memory of this happening, but Pearl remembers. He never said anything to anyone (not even his boss) about it, but has been trying to recreate that moment ever since. When he finally does, their fusion isn’t very stable, breaking apart only moments later. Bixbite ends up having a distaste for fusion, feeling like he’s losing himself when he fuses.

-Bixbite does eventually return Pearl's romantic feelings, but they find other ways to show their love outside of fusion.

That’s all I have. If you guys like this AU, let me know! If you have questions, I’ll try to answer as best I can

[heliopauseentertainments]

Another Day

Part of MegaSound Week 2023 - Hosted on Tumblr by @mega-wave-superior Prompt: Day 5 - Protect/Attack

Continuity: IDW1

Rating: Teen

Relationship: Megatron/Soundwave

Characters: Megatron & Soundwave Warnings: Mild violence & gore, canon-typical disdain for organics

Summary: In which Megatron has to decide between the mission and saving Soundwave.

Crossposting: AO3 | Dreamwidth

Fic under cut. See AO3 for complete notes.

The organics of this world, large and muscled purple things with far too many eyes and limbs, put up a valiant effort against the Decepticons. This planet had escalated into the fifth phase more quickly than usual.

Smoke from the burning city filled the air around Megatron as he stepped over a greasy smear of an organic, recently sublimated from biology to physics via the touch of his fusion cannon.

Three more of the organic’s former comrades scrambled down a crumbling elevated gangway towards a shuttle, their precious cargo in hand. An ornate cube was wrapped in some cloth and hugged against a fleshy chest.

They still thought they could get away.

Funny, as the gangway’s damaged cover looked like it could give at any moment, exposing them all to the planet’s acid rain.

Strangest of all, the Autobots had not—yet—intervened in the conflict. Perhaps they did not care for this particular world, swampy and sulfurous. That was unlikely. The leave to do as they pleased was most unusual, but Megatron wouldn’t spit in the face of opportunity.

Normally, he wouldn’t have considered a world like this, uniquely offensive to their mechanical requirements, a candidate for cyberforming. Sterilization of the organic inhabitants, sure, but not for future Cybertronian colonization.

However, this planet was unique. It had once been a barren rock, terraformed into an organic paradise.

A powerful artifact had been identified by Decepticon agents: a controller for the world’s terraforming system. Megatron could use such an artifact. With it, he could wipe away the noisome swamps and turn this world into a place for his people, a homeworld perfect for phase seven when that glorious day would arrive.

The theft of such an artifact could not be left to his men. This required his personal touch.

Soundwave ran ahead of him on the gangway, knocking stragglers aside with the pressure waves of his powerful speakers.

The way was cleared for Megatron to advance as their enemies plummeted to their squishy deaths far below, pelted by the acidic rain all the way down.

Soundwave had been the only companion Megatron had deigned to bring with him on this mission, the only one he could trust with a matter such as this. No one else would have done.

The organics with the artifact reached their shuttle, fumbling to get its doors open.

Megatron raised his arm, aiming the cannon squarely at the shuttle’s engines to charge a blast.

This needed to end.

One of the artifact bearer’s companions suddenly turned and lobbed something at the gangway’s cover. It exploded above Soundwave, the supports giving way.

For a moment, Megatron felt time and his spark freeze.

Two choices remained: disable the escape shuttle or…

He lowered his arm with a growl before charging towards Soundwave.

His arms stretched up overhead, Megatron caught the fragment of the heavy cover before it could crush his comrade.

The acidic rain cascaded over the sides and trickled through the cracks of the broken structure, burning sharply wherever it came in contact with his plating.

The engines of the shuttle could be heard firing up behind them.

Soundwave, his expression inscrutable as always, looked up at him, safe and secure under his suboptimal umbrella.

“The organics—the artifact is getting away.”

“For now,” he said.

“Shall I pursue?”

Losing this battle did not equate to losing the war. There would be another day to win, another day to take control of this blighted world.

And that day would be worth it because Soundwave would be there to see it.

“No, that won’t be necessary, Soundwave.”

[honey-minded-hivemind]

The results are in for Fusion!Reader's components' colors, and they are:

Sapphire!Reader is a blue sapphire, and Pearl!Reader is a peach pearl!

I think that's kinda perfect, in a way. Cool and warm, cold and hot, ice and fire mixing together to form the perfect temperature and tones. Now, as for shades of their gem color, I'm thinking something like this:

Sapphire!Reader is a velvet-like blue, a swathe of navy and royal, whereas Pearl!Reader is a pale golden peach color, something between pink and orange, not quite one or the other...

(Warning: Mentions of abuse, torture, and possible death/rewrite of characters)

Sapphire!Reader would definitely have a poofy dress at first, with a symbol belonging to a Diamond (for this au, I'm making Logan a Diamond), Black Diamond's symbol, to be exact. Pearl!Reader would be the personal Pearl to Orange Diamond (Victor). Both Sapphire!Reader and Pearl!Reader are broken after being rejected by the two Diamonds, as well as the other pearls and sapphires, not to mention the personal entourage of their Diamonds, and then the entire courts... It's one of the reasons they decided to go where Homeworld hadn't dug their claws in, a little planet far away in a galaxy of untouched planets: Earth...

They (them?)... Their fusion has to pick a name, and what better name than something of immense beauty and perfect luster than... Nacre?

It's a new name, but they're a new gem, and experiencing the wonders of Earth, it's-

Breathtaking.

Inspiring.

Glorious...

This is what the Diamonds, what their courts, what every gem considered ugly? Saw as dirt beneath their feet? This planet is... it's beautiful.

And they're going to do what they can to keep it that way.

Making friends with humans and their civilizations (becoming a deity in some regions), having feasts and dances and lessons (accidentally starting a few cults), building ice sculptures and pressurizing sand into glass, using the particles to sculpt cities on the frozen coasts of tundras (built an entire city into a glacier, as well as making smaller villages on beaches around the different continents). Earth has so much to see! So much to do! And these odd creatures, these "humans", are the key. Are the answer.

Look at how they form families, choosing to love one another and raise new humans and share amongst their communities. The way they try to snuff out disputes, having councils and parliaments and courts, so everyone can have a voice. The food they make, evolving over each century, each eon, new culinary masterpieces and herbs and-! (Earth I Steven Universe might not have had? as many wars or fighting or civil disputes? Plus the contents were a bit weird. And they didn't exactly have, certain states? and countries? So I'm going off of that).

Yet as the decades, centuries, eons pass, they never change. Yet the humans do. They live for barely a blink of an eye in a gem's eye/s, and... It adds a whole new meaning to caring about others. Of showing you love and admire them. Because they won't be there forever, and where they go after their bodies pass, the gems can't follow, can't see... Nacre (Fusion!Reader) does their best to take care of whatever humans they meet, paying visits to many, helping the descendants of some of their first friends on the planet, making new friends with others, helping out those who may need extra hands and future vision...

But all good things can come to an end.

It's only been awhile, about six thousand years... No gems had ever come to Earth... Nacre had lived in peace, always near beaches where they can watch the water, hear the wind and birds, smell the salt and spray. It's on one of those beaches they're poofed.

Waking up, Nacre is- gone. They aren't Nacre at the moment, they're back to Sapphire!Reader and Pearl!Reader, and they're trapped. It looks like a lab, possibly an entire base, and neither one of them can get out from the tube/chamber they're in. Until in walks... a gem?

A gem, one who stares at them with nothing but contempt. Hatred. Who informs them that as they are traitors to the Empire, to the Diamonds, they will not be missed, so are free to be used in their experiments. And so begins the worse decade of their long lives...

Electrical torture until they poof. Testing ice and magma on their gems. Using various gen tools on them, seeing which ones cause the most damage. And that cursed gem is always taking notes, always typing down whatever information they find, muttering about survival rates and organics and how soon they can get off this forsaken rock... One day, it seems they've finally found a final test. One that leaves both Sapphire!Reader and Pearl!Reader scared.

"I've tested everything I could think of on you two clods of mud. From how long you can last until you poof, your withstanding to various elements, the size of your gems, how your light forms react to shards... But I've discovered an odd case- Where a gem can be inserted to an organic. Which makes me rather... curious, what would happen to you. My answers will be logged in and sent to my labs at Homeworld, where I can hopefully show it to the Diamonds one day. It's a shame, really... A Sapphire, running away with a Pearl? HAH! You served the Diamonds directly, yet not even their brilliant, pure light could burn out your disgusting flaws. Well... Perhaps, this will..."

In a flash of light, there's a rejuvenator, and just as fast-

They're gone, poofed into their gems.

And the mad scientist of a gem pulls up the needed formulas and organic matter they need to begin. Honestly, who would have thought one could bond a gem... to an organic vessel? It's almost pebble's play, using the humans bits of DNA to make a small host, nothing more than a small being fit to become a servant to the Homeworld Empire... They even made a gem/organic hybrid before this, kept locked in their private lab back on Homeworld, a creature that they tried giving powers to, forming an imperfect replication of a Diamond (they shudder to think of how blasphemous it was, to do such a thing. But a possible pawn, any new asset to the Empire, is too good to pass up... Even if it's an... imperfect being...)

Soon, after months of incubating the small squishy earthlings, they get to insert the gems of those two traitorous gems into them... And finally... it's done. Their work, their newest creations, done. With the rejuvenation of their gems, thst hopefully got rid of any residual flaws, while with the organic bodies, they're controllable and easy to discipline... If only they weren't so... loud. Why do small oragnics scream so much? The wailing? The need to be warm at all costs? Constant nutrients (because they'd die without it)? It's tedious...

Preparing to go home, they soon find a call from Homeworld, their manager having sent them a message, to call off the project, lest the Diamonds shatter them if they found out... And suddenly- it seems like another project scrapped. Wasted. This was a revelation! A scientific breakthrough! And they had to cancel it?! But... they don't want to scrap these two potential pawns...

"Yes, my Demantoid. Peridot 5XS signing out," they reply, and then they leave the two subjects near a human dwelling... That should suffice, the creatures feed the weaknesses of others. So, if they're lucky, the other earthlings will keep their two newest subjects alive... Hopefully the two will still be alive when they return... They're not done with them yet...

(Surprise, the other gem/human is Laura! Because what better way to introduce her, and have the X-Men and Brotherhood gems learn that fusions are gems, too, and are worthy of respect?)

(Sorry if it was a little intense, but... well, yeah, we now have gem/humans Sapphire!Reader and Pearl!Reader...)

[mixterglacia]

TDC/SU AU: The Skeksis and Gelfling

(Note, this is not hyper accurate to SU lore. Just vibe with it y’all.)

Thra is a planet under the rule of Algodonite, the Empress of the Metamorphic Court. 

A result of failed experimentation by Homeworld. The original goal was to split a group of lesser Diamonds to clone them. However, this resulted in the loss of 18 natural Diamonds. They each split into two distinct Gems, none of which mirrored their former glory. Fusion is required to return to their previous state, but the Metamorphic Gems stubbornly refuse. They believe they are the stronger half, fooling themselves into thinking they can become Diamonds without Fusion.

Their counterparts are the Prism Gems. Lead by Shell Agate the Mistress.

While most are still withdrawn, a few of the Prism Gems have reached out to work with the humans that have broken away from the rule of the Metamorphic Court. While they cannot change what their species has done, they feel they need to help save the planet they had a hand in destroying.

Currently, three humans are also considered honorary Prisms.

Rian was born into a long line of guards that served the Metamorphic Court. He accidentally witnessed the Court he protected as they carried out an experiment on his beloved Mira. They were trying to see if a human soul could fill the void left by the Division. While it seems to work temporarily, it doesn’t last forever and kills the human in the process. While this fact doesn’t deter the Court, it sets Rian on his quest to save his planet.

Brea is from a royal bloodline, appointed by the Court to govern the other humans in their stead. She’s deeply curious by nature, and has a thirst for knowledge. This is what leads her to question the Court’s intentions. After seeing a horrible event where members of her people were forced to hand over family heirlooms, she sought the truth. What use are human artifacts to a Gem? These thoughts lead her to a strange, semi-sentient creature by the name of Dolerite. With their help, she joins the Prism’s in their quest to save Thra.

Deethra, also known as Deet, is from a small group of humans that live in a former Kindergarten. She’s deeply in tune with the natural world, often tasked with feeding the farm animals that sustain her remote village. After being attacked by a rampaging bull, Deet woke at the base of the Sanctuary Tree. A living database of Homeworld history, with full sentience. It’s unclear why the Great Trees are aiding the Prism Rebellion. Some think the Trees know they will die along with Thra if the Court is allowed to continue. The Sanctuary Tree gifts Deet with a vision of the future, and sets her on her path to join the Rebellion. Along the way, she befriends a Pebble that goes by Hup. While technically a Gem, Pebbles are treated like slaves. Hup escaped, and she intends to do whatever it takes to help save Thra.

A being by the name of Aughra is now organizing the Rebellion…in her own strange way. She seems to be a physical representation of Thra itself.

The Metamorphic Court:

-Algodonite the Empress

-Crocoite the Gourmand

-Lepidolite the Ornamentalist

-Howlite the Heretic (Banished)

-Yellow Goldstone the ??? (Shattered)

-Prehnite the Collector

-Mookite the Satirist (Banished)

-Bloodstone the Huntress

-Hematite the Slave Mistress

-Ulexite the Scroll Keeper

-Pectolite the Mariner

-Sonora Sunrise Cuprite the Treasurer

-Cinnabar the Chamberlain

-Jadite the Scientist

-Magnesite the Garthim Mistress/General/Empress

-Rutilated Quartz the General

-Scheelite the ??? (Shattered)

-Sunstone the Ritual Mistress

The Prism Gems:

-Shell Agate the Mistress

-Andalusite the Cook

-Coral the Weaver

-Linarite the Wanderer (Sort of Banished)

-Blue Goldstone the ??? (Shattered)

-Milarite the Nun

-Septarian the Storyteller (Self-Exile)

-Tigers Eye the Archer

-Plume Agate the Herbalist

-Sanskrit Jasper the Scribe

-Variscite the Swimmer

-Tektite the Numerologist

-Serandite the Chanter

-Realgar the Alchemist

-Moldavite the Healer

-Iolite the Peacemaker

-Feldspar the ??? (Shattered)

-Boulder Opal the Ritual Guardian

The Fractured Diamonds:

-Radiant Diamond

-Sun Diamond

-Peach Diamond

-Indigo Diamond

-Green Diamond (Shattered)

-Teal Diamond

-Fawn Diamond

-Red Diamond

-Black Diamond

-Umber Diamond

-Aqua Diamond

-Gold Diamond

-Maroon Diamond

-Peacock Diamond

-Gray Diamond

-Sage Diamond

-Fallow Diamond (Shattered)

-Scarlet Diamond

The future is…uncertain for our band of rebels. The outlook is bleak, but you never know. Stranger things have happened.

(Inspired by @sifanjewel / far.dreaming.maudra on tiktok)