Infinite Multiverse

Sol Nations wrote:

He carefully listens to them and the radio, trying to piece together as much information as possible.

He followed them out of the vehicle, taking a deep breath, he says "Thank you, again."

Mortasheen wrote:

The footsteps grew closer and louder with each passing moment. They were loud, heavy and armored footsteps; The Doomsboros could hear metal clank against the cold hard ground, even as it was partially deafened through strong metallic doors far further down. It wouldn't be too long before whoever was out there descended upon the room. There was little to hide behind in the chamber he had emerged from, save for ancient empty boxes and long-dead shelves of machinery in the otherwise open chamber. The only thing lighting the room had for him to see was the low and warm green colored lighting painting lines across the ground and walls, which felt more like emergency lights than anything sustainable. He had some potential outs, but he'd have to be quick, as there was only one door-frame leading out of the room. The problem was, all the foot-steps he had heard indicated that they were descending from that exact location.

Eventually, a loud set of footsteps stopped outside of his room. After mere moments of the silence, he heard a gruff trumpet sound, akin to that of a roar. Following that, a harsh blue laser began to carve into the door-frame leading to the room he was in, albeit at a slow place, giving testament to how sturdy the door must have been to withstand such high temperatures. Soon, whoever was here, was going to brute-force their way in. Until then, there was time to act at least.

Empire Reborn: A Day in the Second Gem Empire

Hundreds of years have passed since the great collapse. The old order, once thought unbreakable, shattered under its own weight, its masters vanishing into the abyss of history. What followed was an age of disorder—fragmented warlords, rogue fleets, and whispers of rebellion threatening to erase the legacy of the Gem Empire forever.

Yet, from the wreckage, order was restored. A new hierarchy emerged, reforging the Empire in its own image, stronger, more efficient, and more absolute than ever before.

The Second Gem Empire stands once more, its dominion stretching across countless worlds. To some, it is a golden age of stability. To others, it is a prison of obedience.

This is a day in the life of its people.

The Aristocrat: Lady Amber (Pyrope Facet 2A9J Cut 7XA)

The first sound of the day was a chime—soft, melodic, yet insistent. A summoning.

Pyrope stirred within the pristine silence of her private chambers, her crystal-like eyes fluttering open to the soft ambient glow of golden lighting strips. The walls of her quarters, carved from smooth obsidian and veined with flowing bands of molten gold, shimmered as the room’s systems adjusted to her waking state.

She did not move immediately. Power was not rushed. She lay still for a moment longer, her thoughts slow but precise, allowing herself to luxuriate in the perfection of her existence.

Then, a voice—soft, controlled, ever-patient.

“My Excellency,” the pearl at her bedside intoned, dipping into a graceful bow. “Your schedule begins shortly. Shall I assist with your preparation?”

A faint smile played on Pyrope’s lips as she finally rose, her movements deliberate, refined. “Of course, Pearl.”

As the servant gem glided forward, activating the holo-displays detailing Pyrope’s agenda for the day, the aristocrat let her gaze drift toward the towering windows of her chambers. Beyond them, the Imperial capital stretched into the heavens—an endless geometric sprawl of towers, gilded walkways, and orbital platforms, all bathed in the soft glow of morning light. This was order. This was civilization.

And she had her part to play in it.

She arrives at the warp pad with her pearl and they both warp away. They Arrive at the Oasis of Light, a beautiful open pink garden surrounded by fountains and shallow pods with small trees planted decoratively in large planters built into the structure of the area, and a slight fog clouds the sky above alongside the mist coming off the small waterfalls.

"Ah, Lady Amber, such a pleasure to see you here!" She is greeted by another pyrope.

"Lady Brianna! A pleasure as well. Oh but what are you doing here my dear? I thought you were at a pearl auction after the original owner was shattered?"

"Oh I was my dear, but I got outbid surprisingly quick, the competition for pearls is fierce these days, speaking of which, how is your pearl?"

"My pearl is quite well, thank you. Aren't you pearl?"

"Of course my excellency, I'm well."

"Good, I was just making sure, you know abuse of pearls is a punishable offense darling, not to mention the pearl getting reassigned."

"Right, my dear..." Amber rolled her eyes.

"Anyways dear, shall we sit?"

"A fine idea, let's"

Amber settled into one of the cushioned seats beside the fountain, her pearl standing attentively at her side. Brianna did the same, adjusting the drape of her fine uniform.

“You know, dear,” Brianna began, tapping her fingers lightly against the armrest, “there’s been quite the gossip lately. Some say the Grand Regent is considering a shift in policy regarding the colonies.”

Amber raised a brow. “A shift?”

“Mmm. Something about reducing aristocratic oversight in favor of direct military governance. Can you imagine? The nerve.”

Amber scoffed. The very idea. The aristocracy had always been the guiding hand of the Empire—civilized, refined, orderly. To place the colonies under the jurisdiction of soldiers and functionaries rather than those with proper standing?

“Surely it’s just rumors,” she said with a dismissive wave, though a faint frown formed on her lips.

“Perhaps. But it would be a shame if those rumors turned out to be true, wouldn’t it?” Brianna smiled, her expression carefully measured. An invitation. A test.

Amber had seen this game played before. Veiled words, cautious maneuvering—not outright treason, no, but a test of loyalty, a feeler for who might align with whom if the tides of power began to shift.

For centuries, the aristocracy had enjoyed control over the colonies, shaping them as they saw fit. But times had changed. The Empire was no longer in its golden age; its resources were not endless, and its control—while strong—was not unshakable. The military had grown in influence, enforcing order in ways the aristocracy never could.

Amber adjusted her posture slightly, keeping her expression neutral.

“It would be unfortunate,” she finally said, her tone carefully even.

Brianna’s smile didn’t falter, but there was something in her eyes—a quiet recognition.

“Indeed.”

For a moment, neither spoke, the soft trickle of fountains and distant hum of warp activity filling the air.

Amber glanced at her pearl, who remained still, silent, watching everything.

She turned back to Brianna, offering a small, knowing smile.

“But let’s not dwell on such unpleasant matters. Tell me, how fares your latest project? You were one of the elites assigned to oversee the restructuring of the Zircon courts, were you not?”

Brianna exhaled lightly, as if releasing the tension of the conversation. “Oh, an exhausting ordeal, darling. You wouldn’t believe how stubborn some of them are.”

“I imagine.”

“The lower courts are fractious, always at each other’s throats over jurisdiction disputes. And the higher Zircons—ugh. They’ve grown far too bold lately.”

Amber’s gaze flickered with curiosity. “Bold?”

Brianna clicked her tongue. “They act as if their position entitles them to speak as equals to those far above their station.”

Amber allowed a soft smirk. Zircons were meant to be advisors, mediators—useful, yes, but ultimately beneath the aristocracy. The idea that they would push beyond their role… curious.

“Has the Regent done anything about this?” she asked.

Brianna’s lips curled in amusement. “Oh, you know how these things go. A ‘formal review’ is being conducted, but we both know how slow those can be. And in the meantime, they grow bolder.”

Amber hummed, tracing a finger idly along the embroidered fabric of her sleeve. A shifting dynamic. Power slipping, if only slightly. And if it was happening with the Zircons, where else?

Brianna watched her with the keen gaze of someone who had just planted a seed and was waiting to see if it would take root.

Amber met her gaze, the corners of her lips curling just slightly. She wouldn’t be so easily manipulated.

“Well, I suppose that means we’ll have to keep a closer watch on them, won’t we?”

“Mmm. Quite.”

A comfortable pause settled between them, the gentle hum of water trickling through the garden fountains filling the air.

Then, with a sudden, knowing smirk, Brianna leaned in slightly.

“Tell me, dear,” she said, her tone shifting to something lighter, yet no less deliberate, “what of your latest project? That colony of yours—oh, what was it called again?”

Amber stiffened, just barely.

“Ah. Lapis-349A's work, yes?”

Brianna smiled. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Amber’s latest project—an off-world terraforming initiative—had been both a success and a controversy. It was rare for a single aristocrat to oversee such a vast project alone, especially when military and logistical oversight had been creeping into what was once entirely aristocratic affairs.

It had been a bold move. A statement.

And Brianna wanted to know just how much of that statement was intentional.

Amber took a slow, deliberate moment before replying.

“The colony is progressing well,” she said smoothly. “Lapis-349A is proving to be quite capable.”

“Oh, is she now?” Brianna’s smile widened.

“Indeed. I suspect the planet will be fully colonizable ahead of schedule.”

“How very efficient.”

Another trap, disguised as a compliment.

Efficiency, after all, was the language of the military. To finish early meant to operate at a pace not dictated by tradition, but by necessity—the kind of thinking the Grand Regent valued most.

Was Amber aligning herself with that ideology? Or was she merely doing what was best for her own ambitions?

She could deny the implication outright. Distance herself from it. But doing so would be an admission of weakness—of bending too easily under scrutiny.

Or she could lean into it, subtly, carefully. Let Brianna wonder. Let her think Amber had a role in the greater game that was unfolding.

Amber met Brianna’s gaze, allowing just the faintest hint of amusement in her expression.

“Of course, efficiency benefits us all, does it not?”

Brianna let out a light laugh, but her eyes gleamed with interest.

“Oh, my dear, you never fail to amuse me.”

"I'm glad. Oh and have you heard that a quartz on Star rebelled?"

"Rebelled? Oh why am I not surprised that it's a quartz? Did they manage to capture her?"

"Not yet, apparently she got away, and is hiding in the deepest parts of the city."

"Oh well let's hope they capture her soon. We can't have another rebellion situation on our hands, I still remember the collapse and the chaos it brought."

"Yes indeed, quite tumultuous time those were."

"How did security forces even allow that to happen, ugh, how incompetent they must be."

"Apparently the quartz managed to slip past them, and she managed to get away with a weapon too, a gun of some sort."

"A gun? Those security gems truly are incapable of anything."

"Excuse me my excellency, but you have a meeting with the gems of your colony in approximately 20 minutes." The pearl chimed

"Oh right, of course." She stood up "Excuse me Brianna, but I'll have to take my leave, unfortunately, though I had a pleasant discussion with you."

"Me too, I hope to see you again soon Amber." She smiled warmly as amber and the pearl walked away and unto the warp pad, warping away.

The Terraformer: Lapis-3B6A, Cut 5XL

The sky above was an endless stretch of deep violet, the sun—a swollen red giant—casting a muted glow over the landscape. An alien world, ancient and wild, soon to be tamed.

Lapis-3B6A hovered silently above a vast, untouched valley, her form glowing faintly with energy. Below her stretched rolling forests, winding rivers, and jagged cliffs, shaped over millions of years by forces far more patient than her own.

It would all change in a matter of weeks.

“Begin.”

With a flick of her wrist, the rivers twisted unnaturally, slicing through stone like knives through silk. Water surged, carving trenches, breaking apart natural formations that had stood longer than any civilization. The terrain shifted beneath her command.

What had once been a chaotic, winding landscape of ravines and plateaus became structured, artificial. Perfectly straight channels replaced the meandering streams, creating precise irrigation routes. Floodplains vanished. Reservoirs formed.

Lapis-3B6A felt no pride. Only purpose.

She was a tool—crafted for this, commanded to do this.

And yet… as she gazed down at her work, something within her stirred.

This world had existed long before her arrival. Its rivers had carved their own paths. Its mountains had risen and crumbled without guidance, without permission. Now, in mere moments, she had undone eons of change.

She knew not to dwell on such thoughts.

“Zone three is complete,” she reported, her voice smooth, emotionless.

A response came through her communicator—a Pearl’s voice, formal and crisp.

“Understood. Move on to the next sector.”

Lapis obeyed, turning toward the next untouched expanse of wilderness.

The colony would rise here soon. And this world would never be the same.

Lapis-3B6Asoared over the reshaped valley, the newly carved water channels reflecting the red sun like molten veins. The land beneath her was no longer wild—it was precise, functional, and ready for construction.

She approached the next sector, where a group of Lapises were already at work. From above, they looked like shards of blue light, streaking across the landscape, bending rivers, sculpting coastlines, and hollowing out artificial lakes.

“3B6A, you’re late,” one of them called out as she landed—a slightly darker-hued Lapis, her expression neutral but her tone playful.

“Zone Three took longer than expected,” 3B6A replied simply.

Another Lapis, her gem gleaming in the light, barely glanced at her before returning to her task. “Everything takes longer than expected. Organic planets are unpredictable.” She flicked her wrist, and a pillar of water surged forward, slicing through a stubborn ridge of rock like a scalpel. The land crumbled into a neatly sectioned plateau, ready for construction.

“That’s why we’re here,” 3B6Asaid, moving to join them.

The three of them worked in tandem—twisting rivers, rerouting streams, flooding lowlands, draining others. Every motion was seamless, every result exact. Where nature had once dictated the flow of water, they now decided.

As they worked, the first Lapis, the one who had called out to her earlier, spoke again.

“Ever wonder who’s going to live here?”

The second Lapis scoffed. “Does it matter?”

“Maybe not. But I’ve heard rumors.”

“What kind of rumors?” 3B6A asked, keeping her eyes on the swirling water in front of her.

The first Lapis hesitated, then spoke in a lower voice. “That this colony is meant for high-ranking Gems. Not just the usual aristocrats—the Golden Oath.”

349A paused mid-motion. A colony for the Golden Oath?

That was… rare. The Empire had expanded aggressively, but most new colonies were meant for resource extraction or industrial hubs. A high-status settlement meant this planet was important.

The second Lapis shook her head. “Then all the more reason not to care. Our job is to make it ready. What happens next is none of our concern.”

“Isn’t it?” the first Lapis pressed. “We’re the ones changing the planet. The ones deciding what stays and what gets erased. We’re more than just tools.”

349A said nothing, only focusing on the way the water moved through her hands.

They were just doing what they were made to do.

And yet, as she erased another piece of the planet’s history with a single motion, she wondered…

If they had the power to reshape worlds, then why did they have so little power over their own lives?

But there was no time to ponder that question, soon enough their communicators crackled to life.

"Status report!"

349A Said immediately, "We're almost done, just gotta clear a few more rocks."

"Affirmative, don't take too long." The communicator sounded.

The lapises continued their work with the second one commenting on the first one's remark "You know, saying stuff like that could get you marked as a rebel."

" So? I'm not afraid, it's the truth after all." She sassily responded

"Right, well I'm just trying to look out for you, so keep that in mind."

The second Lapis shook her head and sent another surge of water cutting through a rocky hillside, exposing a smooth plateau beneath.

“I’m serious,” she added. “They listen. Maybe not to us, but to patterns. You start questioning things too much, and one day you just… won’t be assigned to the next job.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be.” The first Lapis snapped her fingers, and a column of water shot forward, pulverizing a cluster of jagged boulders.

349A glanced at her but kept silent. The cracks in loyalty always started small.

The communicator crackled again. “All Lapises, final checks before departure. Report anomalies.”

“No anomalies here,” 3B6A responded.

The other two gave their confirmations as well.

The second Lapis turned to the first, lowering her voice. “Look, I don’t care what you think, but don’t drag the rest of us down with you.”

“I’m not trying to ‘drag’ anyone anywhere,” the first Lapis muttered, folding her arms. “But if no one ever asks questions, we’ll just keep doing this forever.”

349A let the words settle in the humid air.

Would that really be so bad? They had a purpose. A function. The satisfaction of a job well done.

And yet… as she looked over the landscape they had reshaped—its rivers diverted, its mountains smoothed, its old wild beauty erased in favor of a perfectly planned grid—she wondered:

Would anyone ever look at this world and see their work?

Or would it just be another place where Gems stood, oblivious to the ones who had made it ready for them?

The communicator beeped again. Time to go.

“Come on,” 3B6A said, her tone neutral, her expression unreadable. “Let’s finish up.”

The Lapises finish up and split up to inspect their work by flying over the planet.

"Everything seems fine here." 3B6A Stated through her communicator.

"Yup, same." The first lapis says.

"All good here." The second lapis chimes.

They regroup at a random point on the planet.

"So, who's gonna be the one to submit the report?" The first lapis asks.

"Not it." The first lapis yelps

"Not it." The second lapis mentions.

"Ugh, fine, I'll do it." 3B6A sighed, activating her communicator. "Terraforming sector 17B complete. No anomalies detected. Submitting final report now."

"Acknowledged. Return to Deployment Hub Theta for further orders." The response came swiftly, cutting off with a static click.

With their task finished, the three Lapises took off, soaring through the sky in smooth, fluid arcs. The wind rippled across the newly carved valleys and waterways beneath them, their work already shaping the future colony.

The warp pad at Deployment Hub Theta shimmered as they arrived, stepping onto the polished surface of the floating station. Built into the upper atmosphere of the planet, the hub overlooked the terrain below, a quiet stronghold of imperial efficiency.

"Finally, a break." The first Lapis stretched her arms, glancing at the others.

"For now," 3B6A said, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "You know they're just going to send us somewhere else in a cycle or two."

"Right, but we can at least enjoy a moment of rest before that." The second Lapis leaned against a railing, looking out at the landscape. "Not every day we get to shape an entire world, huh?"

"Yeah, but for what?" The first Lapis muttered. "Doesn't it ever bother you? We do all this work, and then the moment the cities go up, we get sent somewhere else. Like we never existed."

3B6A shot her a look. "We exist as long as we do our jobs. Questioning that is dangerous."

"Relax, I'm not questioning anything. Just... thinking."

A brief silence hung between them as the hub's lights flickered softly. The Empire never stopped, and neither did they.

The Rebel: Quartz Facet 2D7X Cut 7XG

The underbelly of the Capital Star was a vast, intricate network of corridors, transport tunnels, and hidden service passageways—designed for efficiency, but perfect for those who needed to disappear. Quartz 7XG pressed herself into the shadows of a narrow alcove, keeping still as the distant hum of sentry drones patrolling the sector grew faint.

She had lost them. For now.

Her body still tensed, every movement carefully controlled. The Capital Star was the heart of the Empire, and its security forces were merciless. Here, the Empire’s grip was absolute, its surveillance systems vast, and its enforcers tireless. To be caught here as a rebel was not just a death sentence—it was a total erasure.

Her comm crackled to life, barely above a whisper.

"7XG, report."

She exhaled slowly, keeping her voice low.

"I'm clear. For now."

"Good. Security’s still sweeping your last known location. Keep moving."

"Understood."

Even here, among the gleaming corridors and pristine infrastructure, there were cracks—gaps in the system, blind spots in the Empire’s ever-watchful eye. It was in these fleeting imperfections that the rebellion survived.

And tonight, Quartz 7XG would find a way to slip through once more.

She continued heading through the tunnels and corridors, winding and twisting her way passed security drones and personnel

"Are you close?"

"Yeah, should be almost to the meeting point"

"Good, keep going."

She eventually reached a wide open room surrounded by pillars; in the middle was an Angelite; she waved to her once she saw her. She rushed over to the Angelite.

"I'm so glad to see you!"

"Me too, welcome to the rebellion." She smiled warmly, and 7XG smiled back.

" So when do we get out of her?" 7XG Asked.

"Oh honey, you're not going anywhere..." The Angelite smirked.

Suddenly, several armored security officers appeared from behind the pillars; 7XG backed away as she looked around; she was definitely shattered now.

7XG’s mind raced. Ambush. She should have known.

“You Gems really are predictable.” The Angelite sneered, stepping back as the security officers moved in. Heavily armored. Plasma rifles. A coordinated takedown—she had seconds.

Not enough time to run. Not enough space to fight.

So she did what they least expected. She raised her hands.

“Alright, alright,” 7XG sighed, forcing a cocky grin. “You caught me.”

The lead officer stepped forward. “On your knees. Hands behind your head.”

7XG moved slowly, lowering herself as if to comply. Her fingers brushed against the cold floor, feeling for leverage—and then—

In one fluid motion, she twisted, kicked off the ground, and summoned her weapon mid-roll.

A burst of energy fire erupted from her gun, hitting the first officer square in the chest. Their armor absorbed most of it, but it was enough to stagger them. 7XG didn’t stop.

She fired again, rolling behind a pillar for cover as the room exploded into chaos.

“Stop her!” the Angelite shrieked, ducking back.

Shots whizzed past, illuminating the dimly lit chamber as 7XG sprinted for an exit. Security was already moving to cut her off. She needed a new plan—fast.

She ducked past the first officer, and dove head first into the second, sinking her gun into their chest and firing it. She threw them aside and put the gun back into her Gem as she sprinted down a corridor, security forces hot on her tail.

Alarms blared through the corridors as 7XG sprinted forward, her boots slamming against the sleek metallic flooring. No plan. Just run.

She rounded a sharp corner, sliding low to avoid a burst of plasma fire that scorched the wall above her. The security forces were fast, but she was faster. She had to be.

Up ahead, a blast door was beginning to close—an automatic lockdown in response to the fight. If she didn’t make it through, she’d be trapped.

“Come on, come on—”

She pushed her legs harder, throwing herself into a dive just as the door came down. It clipped her foot, spinning her across the floor, but she was through. Barely.

No time to breathe. More officers were likely on their way. She had to disappear—fast.

Her eyes darted around. The corridor ahead split into multiple paths, but one stood out—an open maintenance tunnel, large enough for a Quartz to squeeze through.

Perfect.

Ignoring the ache in her limbs, she scrambled into the tunnel and pulled the cover shut behind her, slipping into the shadows.

Just in time.

Floor, heard as security burst into the hall, scanning for any sign of her.

“She couldn’t have gotten far!” One of them barked.

Another shook their head. “Check the side corridors. We’ll find her.”

7XG held her breath, heart pounding in her gem. They had no idea she was right below them.

For now... She continued walking forward for what seemed like an eternity until she reached another hatch, she put her ear to it... Quiet. She carefully removed it and looked around; she'd reached a hanger bay, just what she needed to get out of there. She saw Gems on the far side of the room, likely staff being rotated. She had one chance to sneak aboard the docked cargo ships, so she took it. Exiting the maintenance tunnel, she rushed toward the cargo ship, praying no one would see her. She. Made it inside, luckily the boxes were half stacked, however, they would surely find her once they returned to organize and fill it up with boxes, she knew there was only one way she could fit without being noticed, so she summoned her weapon and poofed herself, her gemstone falling on the floor between the boxes.

Hello

Apocalypse World wrote:

Hello

Hi there.

Well, I did not expect the whole breach situation.

Hopefully you guys, and everyone is safe.

Does anyone have a spare narrative I can borrow?