"What's a red diamond?"
     "I don't actually know yet, but I think I'll find out." Thalia said. "You don't have to come, you know. I just thought you might, since you really like DeForest Kelley."
     "Yeah, because of Star Trek." Logan replied. He crossed his arms. "But I think I could get out. This might be interesting."
     "I thought so. I love western movies." Thalia grinned. "So we're meeting Cadet Clancy Barlow and his lab partner I think-"
     "Clanker?!"
     Thalia blinked. "Yeah, you know him?"
     "I thought everyone knew him!" Logan answered. "He is ALWAYS blowing shit up all over the base and he's totally nuts! And... Hang on, you said his lab partner?"
     "Yeah, that's what he said."
     "He doesn't have a lab partner, last I checked. Or if he does, it isn't registered. But I don't know, Clancy's kind of known for tampering with the data banks. He hacked in a year ago and the Commander still hasn't figured out that it says the Sky Army is only ten to fifteen years old when it's really three hundred."
     Thalia shrugged. "I dunno, I guess we'll find out. So are you in or aren't you?"
     Logan sighed. "Yeah, I'm in... See you tomorrow."
     Thalia saluted leisurely. "See ya then." Logan closed his door as Thalia turned and walked away, back to her own quarters. Upon entering her room, Thalia took a fast shower and got dressed in more comfortable clothes. She laid down on her bed, tossing her Stetson onto her nightstand. But she didn't go to sleep... She wasn't quite tired. She laid awake, thinking as he stared up at the white ceiling of her quarters.
    This would be her first mission without her whole team with her. Perhaps she should bring armor... Thalia dismissed the thought immediately. She was going to the desert. Nobody used armor in the desert; mainly because it would cause you to overheat. But then again... She hadn't worn armor at sea either. For a moment, she considered that she had been wrong, but then it hit her. A question no one seemed to ask, or wonder why...
     Thalia sat up, that one question in her mind.
     Why didn't the Commander wear armor?

"Couldn't this have waited till tomorrow?" The Cadet, a four year Star Academy graduate named Cho Bosse, one of the only cadets who was as older than the General himself. "I should be studying for entrance exams."
     "This won't take long, I promise." Thalia replied. "I just need to ask a question."
     "Alright..." Cho sighed, leaning back against one of the tables in the lab. "What's your question?"
    "Why doesn't the Commander wear any armor?"
    "Ahh, I see... You certainly came to the right place. I think you'll like your answer." Cho crossed her arms. "The truth is, Ensign Kal... He does wear armor.
     "Senchance hadn't been used in such a long time, most scientists and magists consider it a lost practice. But I dug up some old manuscripts on a mission several years back and decided to revive it. Although, it's still incredibly difficult so I think I might just be the last one that isn't older than sliced bread." Cho explained as she showed Thalia a piece of cloth. "The Commander's usual gear is made of a material laced with iron. This causes unusual sturdiness in the cloth, although it seems as light as regular clothing. It's kind of like disguised armor. Great for undercover missions, but unfortunately as I said, Senchance is very difficult to get a hold of."
     "So you wouldn't be able to make me one, would you?"
     "Absolutely, I could."
     Thalia blinked in surprise. "I thought you said it was really hard."
     "Yes, but it'll just take some time." Cho said.
     "How much time?"
     "Oh, I dunno..." Eileen breathed a sigh. "Last time I did got a request was from the Commander himself quite a few years ago... It should take a week or two?"
     Thalia sighed. "Damn... I'm leaving for a mission tomorrow."
     "Oh really? What for?" Eileen asked curiously.
     "I'm the brawn on an expedition to find something called a red diamond."
     "Red diamond?"
     "Yeah, do you know what it is?"
     "Yes, and it isn't what it sounds like... Not to most." Cho explained, scratching her head thoughtfully. "Red diamond was a failed project way back when the base was first starting up. It caused several casualties and quite a bit of radiation poisoning. I was one of the only Cadets that managed to get away totally unscathed."
    "How can an LED flashlight kill dozens if people?!" Thalia exclaimed.
    "Project Red Diamond had nothing to do with some flashlight." Cho replied gravely. "It's made with a rare ore called Litrium. It's pretty boring, really. Gets mistaken for coal a lot. But as long as it isn't tampered with, it's totally harmless."
     "And if it is tampered with?"
     Cho stared Thalia in the face. "Kaboom." She said. She looked away. "Every mission has to be supported by the Commander, so I guess he has a good reason. If done correctly, Litrium can be used as a long-lasting power source, but it's pretty risky. It takes constant attention."
     "What on earth does the Sky Army need energy for?" Thalia asked.
     "Not the Sky Army. The Star Cadets." Cho answered. "We need power to fuel our experiments and we keep running out in the most awkward times. That's one of the big reasons our shit blows up all the time." Eileen crossed her arms. "General True must have convinced the Commander to let him try again... And that's no small feat." Eileen took a deep breath. "I'll make your armor, Vaerin, and I'll give it to you when you get back. But I want one thing in return."
     "Name it."
     "Make Project Red Diamond a success." She said. "And for god's sakes, don't let it touch the air."
     "Lemme guess." Thalia said. "Kaboom?"
     "More like kaboom gone nuclear." Eileen said. She hesitated before nodding once. "Good luck, Vaerin."
     Thalia nodded back respectfully and left the lab without responding. Cho watched her go and sighed as she disappeared from sight.
     "You'll need it..."