Got a Spare? (C: Chip, Bloodstone) -Fin-

[Paddy]

The sapphire sat slumped, tapping her finger on the arm of her chair as she watched red lights blink all over her ship's control panel. Pink Pearl stood nearby, tapping her own fingers across a communicator screen as she send out distress signals. They'd managed to get the ship parked some ways out of the city, where it would be out of sight from the curious eyes of Earthlings or other gems, but they were a long way from Headquarters, and it may take some time for the ship to be repaired once help did arrive. Padparadscha gave an exasperated sigh, and stood up. She summoned her field tools and began to assemble herself for a venture out into the world. 

"Wait here Pearl. I might be able to find something in town, send for me if a Peridot arrives before I get back," That was a very tentative might, but sitting around in the ship made the sapphire feel antsy. She'd known several gems who lived among humans in this construction called Empire City, and she was becoming more accustomed to navigating it as of late. Aside, what did gemkind truly have to fear from these Earthlings? It was other gems she was worried about for the most part, but time was wasting, and she needed to find a way to fix this issue. 

The door locks popped and the hull retracted to allow the sapphire passage onto the alien soil of Earth. The listless air of the early evening was filled with the distant sounds of the city, and the sun hovered just over the horizon, casting an orange hue across the landscape. She rolled her shoulders back and braced herself for whatever strange things she'd encounter on this next traipse into the city, then made off, leaving the safety of the ship behind. 

[Chip the Fire Opal]

Empire city - once the safest place on the face of Earth, now just a regular old city. Ok, perhaps a little safer then most, but not quite as it used to be, since it's guardians disappeared. Or have they? They've been news, that several criminals were caught lately... and one particularly dangerous gem vanished without a trace.

Chip wasn't one, who could easily left his duties. He was no longer soaring through the skies, instead he was hunting from the shadows. Something, he learned from Morion... something he didn't think he will need...

Instead of criminals or dangerous gem creatures he saw a gem, that was walking through the city like nothing was wrong. From the first glance this gem didn't appear as a warrior, more like a diplomat... though look could be deceiving... he decided to follow her, just to be sure that she wasn't in danger... or that she wasn't a danger...

[Paddy]

The sapphire held her map out in front of her, hardly looking up from it as she walked along the streets. She didn't notice the occasional odd look she got from the humans around her-- at this point she'd grown largely ambivalent toward the organics. Though she may have once thought it ludicrous to think that a human shop could be in possession of gemkind technology, she knew from Iolite that at least some advanced tech was in circulation around here. To what extend, she wasn't sure, but it was a whole lot more refreshing for her to be out investigating than it was to be waiting. 

So absorbed in looking at her screen, she didn't realize that an organic had been trailing behind her, his hand hidden in his coat. He moved quietly through the crowd of evening commuters, but didn't take his eyes off of the small sapphire. She rounded the corner onto a less populated street, nearing something her map had label Mechanic Shop. She was largely unsure of how she would in fact acquire what she was looking for, but her curiosity had been piqued, so she continued under the lights that began to flicker on as the night came nearer. Oblivious to the fact that she was alone-- almost, anyway-- she kept marching on toward this shop. 

The human trailing her quickened his step, and the sound of footsteps echoing off of the buildings behind her gave her pause. She looked up from her screen, turned, and saw this stranger standing there. He drew his hand from his coat, and her eyes widened when she recognized the steely shape of a gun, the weapon that had poofed her friend not long ago. 

[Chip the Fire Opal]

It seemed, that some of those criminals never learn. First there was those, who tried to kidnap Flurry... and, some sorry excuse for human tried to attack this gem? The moment he pulled the gun Chip had quite enough. His solar lance flew through air, cleaving the gun in half with precise accuracy.

"Don't tell me, that you morons forget so quickly, that this place is under my protection?"

Chips fire wings enlightened the entire street as he walked forward.

"The next time I'll see something like this you'll be lucky if they find a piece of you large enough to run DNA test... go, run and tell others like you, that his place is still under the protection of me, Chip the Fire Opal, the Rising Phoenix, the Eternal Flame and protector of Empire city..."

Coming from someone his height with childish voice would be funny, if it wasn't obvious, that he could burn that guy in an instant, leaving NOTHING behind. The fact was, that Chip would never kill someone... he wouldn't probably even hurt him, just knocked him unconscious and called the police... but nobody knew that...

[Paddy]

She stood still, stunned as a flash of light struck across her vision. The gun's components laid strewn across the concrete sidewalk. Her eyes flickered as she searched for the originator of the voice that echoed across the street, until her gaze settled on the luminous stranger. Taken aback by the words she heard, she realized that she was looking on a powerful gem-- or a very confident one. Her senses told her that this Fire Opal was speaking a truth that he wholly believed. She had heard tell of the mysterious protectors of Empire City, though never had she encountered them. 

It was hard for her to decide how to feel-- she'd been saved from the human, but whose side was this gem really on? Would a loyalist to Homeworld spend their time protecting a human construct? The sapphire decided that she would have to get to the bottom of this, and hoped she wouldn't find something unpleasant there. Chip? She contemplated the name, it sounded familiar to her. Many Earth-bound gems seemed to take on strange names and titles in lieu of a designation. 


The human shook, his mouth moving as if he were going to retort, but nothing came forth. The sapphire gave a pitying grin to the human-- without his weapon, he couldn't hope to stand against a gem. The organic stumbled back over his heels and made a break for the nearest alley way. Padpara had no particular interest in pursuing the creature, and instead turned her attention to Chip. 

"Thank you, Chip the Fire Opal," She said, her smile now more warm and pleasant,"To take on such a noble cause here, you must be a prestigious gem,"

[Chip the Fire Opal]

As soon as the human disappeared, Chip's demeanour changed drastically. His fire wings vanished and he was smiling. Nobody would guess, that he was a gem warrior. Suddenly he more then anything looked like a human child. He made sure, that the human was gone and didn't want to return before turning his attention to the gem.

"Don't mention it, it was my genuine pleasure to help... some of those humans are just too stupid to understand, that they shouldn't mess up with gems as long as I'm on the watch here."

He said, though he was slightly confused by the "prestigious gem" speech.

"I'm probably not a prestigious gem, but I'm trying to help, do whatever I can. But you should really be more careful. Empire city isn't as safe as it used to be... and though humans aren't as developed as gems are, they still could be quite dangerous."

He warned the gem.

[Paddy]

She listened intently, hoping to glean more clues from the opal's words to determine where his loyalties laid. However, there wasn't much indication either way as to how this gem stood with Homeworld. Nonetheless, he seemed to have good intentions. His warning came as something of a surprise to her-- though she'd seen humans with mal-intent before, including this most recent attacker, it was surreal to think that humans could post such a challenge. Though she never saw a Fire Opal with her own eyes, she knew that they served a rather important niche in gemkind society-- if he said it was dangerous, she'd take his word for it. 

"Ah, well, I'm glad you came when you did," She answered simply, still unsure of how to address this Chip without degrading his position, "You'll have to forgive my ignorance, I've had few excursions to this site. Humans..." She stopped short of going on about her opinion on the creatures. They were something to be ignored in her eyes, but this gem clearly had some directive associated with them,"...are interesting, to say the least."

Without knowing where his loyalties stood, she was hesitant to reveal her purpose. Even if he was a Homeworld affiliate, would it be a good idea to reveal that she'd left her station to entertain the notion that she'd find something of use in the city? "I'm actually on an...investigation, and I'm searching for a location known as the Mechanic. Do you know where I can find such a place?" 

[Chip the Fire Opal]

"This place is called Empire city. It's one of the biggest human cities on this planet. Not the biggest, but up there. It used to be ruled by Black quartz Morion, the wrath of her Majesty the Blue Diamond. But he's gone... and this place is no longer the safe heaven it used to be... "

He explained to her. Mostly just to warn her.

"Humans are indeed interesting... most of them just want to live peacefully... but there are some, who are the worst scum..."

It was shameful. He could understand, that people were stealing from each other. He didn't support that of course, but he did understand at least. But why attack a gem? What benefit was there? Perhaps it was out of fear? Hate? He had no clue...

"Uhm... you're looking for "the Mechanic"? I know of several human mechanics... but I don't know "the Mechanic", I'm sorry..."

He heard, that there was some kind of gem mechanic in Beach city... but that was probably just a rumour... 

[Paddy]

Her eyes widened when she realized why Chip the Fire Opal had sounded so familiar to her. Though the sapphire's dealings with the blue-court had been minuscule, her mentor had gone over the names of many high-profile gems with her. Morion was one that stuck out to her. She'd learned of his associates and dealings, though she'd never been given an in-depth look at their work here on Earth. It gave her a wash of relief to hear that she was in fact dealing with a Homeworld affiliate, though it struck her as odd that this Morion was now gone. Gone to where? She analyzed Chip for a quiet moment, and thought it might be better to leave the subject alone. 

"You do good work in his stead," She gave a nod, and regarded Chip with a solemn expression,"I'm not sure of your circumstances, but who knows what could've happened if you hadn't come. I can give my commendations of you to the luminous Pink Diamond, I'm an affiliate of the Headquarters based in this system,"   

As he spoke on about humans, she considered the words to herself. Having worked in the law systems for so long, she was inclined to liken this depiction of humans to her own of gemkind. Most went about their duties as they should, while others turned on their own kind. Her thoughts rounded on their heels when he answered her question. "Hmm...I suppose I should elaborate. I'm searching for someone here in Empire City who may be in possession of gem technology," She smiled, an attempt to mask her uneasiness.  

[Chip the Fire Opal]

"I'm trying... but I'm not a master spy like he is... but I do what I can with what I have... "

He shrugged. He was way better at blasting gem monsters, than this line of work. Plus bright orange wasn't nearly as stealthy as black was. His face brightened up when she spoke of Pink Diamond.

"Oh? You could do that? I'm not even sure if my Diamond knows, that I exist... I think she might be disappointed of what happened to me... I heard that gems that don't fit have no place on Homeworld... but I'm doing what I can regardless..."

This was something that was bothering him deeply. He knew he was created for Pink Diamond, he was suppose to be big and powerful gem warrior. Instead he was tiny. Would Pink Diamond be proud for what he accomplished despite his defects? Or would she just get new Fire Opal whipped up from the ground?

"Oh... well... the only person I know of who had gem technology was Morion... but as I said, he is gone now..."

But M-tower was still there... and it was probably full of gem tech. But it was Bloodstone's now... Chip wasn't sure if he should talk about that...

[Paddy]

Now that came as a surprise-- what exactly was it that he felt Pink Diamond would be disappointed in? Though he seemed completely sincere in his words, suspicion began to bubble up in the sapphire as she listened to him. Being that she'd never seen what a Fire Opal looked like, she couldn't put her finger on why this gem felt he wouldn't fit in. It certainly was a bit strange that he'd opted to toss of his designation, and that he donned what appeared to be something a human might wear. She couldn't quite put the pieces together. Still, she didn't let her suspicions come to the surface. 

"I'm sure our lustrous Diamond would thank you for your service. I'm not sure what has caused this Morion to leave his station, but for you to take up his work-- I'm sure the magnificent Blue Diamond would thank you as well," Padpara said, giving a side eye to Chip. She glanced down at her communicator. Pink Pearl still hadn't sent her any indication of whether a repair dispatch had been deployed, so she pursed her lips and looked back up to the other gem,"Oh? Hmm..." She tried to think of a round-about way to ask, though she was finding it difficult. Then, with an uneasy smile, she went on,"I don't suppose you know where this tech is now? Is it in circulation around the city?" The question would serve a few purposes-- to locate the technology, to learn more about the potential resources available here, as well as to learn more about the gem she faced.  

[Chip the Fire Opal]

"I suppose I'll see how will my Diamond react when she learned that all that remained from her elite Fire Opals is one defective gem as soon as she arrive on Earth..."

Instead of more self-pity he tried to smile. This gem seemed like some sort of important gem, so perhaps she was right and Pink Diamond will react kindly...

"Most of this tech is gone with Morion, but I pretty sure that the rest is still in the M-tower."

He said and pointed at the tallest building in Empire city. It was after all visible from every place in this city.

"A very powerful gem, Bloodstone, is controlling the tower now. All that tech is now his, so if you need some of it you'll probably have to talk to him. Other than that I have no idea how to get any gem tech. Morion was THE spy so every piece of gem tech in this city found it's way to him sooner or later... "

[Paddy]

For a moment, the sapphire forgot talk of the gem tech and looked at Chip with a furrowed brow. "Defective?" She echoed, then gave another up and down scan of the Fire Opal before her. Still this stranger was being blunt with her. He was certainly brave to be so forthright with her, though she'd often forgotten that not everyone knew of her abilities due to the unorthodox nature of her own creation. Padpara was a new gem among an old line, with abilities disparate from those who came before. She wondered how long this Fire Opal had traversed the Earth, never having met with the validation the Diamonds may have bestowed upon him. Yet, here he was, fulfilling the purpose he'd been created in mind for-- defending those who couldn't defend themselves. 

"You don't seem...defective," She said, mostly to fill the tense air as she fumbled with her thoughts. There had been gems with defects that she'd met in her day, and most of those meetings had been very unpleasant. This gem, Chip, seemed to be quite the opposite. She wanted to believe he was playing some joke on her, but all the same, her senses would've told her if the gem meant anything other than what he said. "Rare, perhaps-- you are an elite, of course," Her nerves were causing her voice to waver as she tried to come to terms with what she had heard. At the risk of prying she continued, unable to quench her curiosity, "What makes you say that?" 

[Chip the Fire Opal]

Chip told this story too many times, but now there was someone who was possibly speaking in the name of HIS Diamond. First gem, he ever met, who could make that claim.

"When rebels hit the Kindergartens, I was still in the ground. Whatever they did caused a landslide, that damaged my gem. A piece of it chipped away. And with it a whole lot of information I should've possessed. I managed to emerge after all, but with a piece of me missing I was unable to take on my proper form. Most of what would make me well... me, just wasn't there. When peridots saw what came from the ground they tried to shatter me. I escaped. I learned... end eventually Morion found me and helped me to heal myself. So now, my gem is whole, my powers are mostly back, but not the knowledge. I don't know much about Diamonds or Homeworld or my purpose... only what others told me."

He told the abridged story of his short life. Perhaps if he saw how this... herald of Pink Diamond react, he might be more prepared how his Diamond will react...

[Paddy]

Her hands went up over her mouth to stifle a gasp as Chip finished speaking. There was no way she could hide her shock at hearing such a story. It seemed to come easily from him, but it wasn't easy for her to listen to. Her eyes flickered away from Chip, trailing down the illuminated street. Was there something she should do? This gem had admitted to being something of a fugitive. Yet, another Homeworlder had taken him under his wing, and he had proven to be useful despite the fact that he had escaped. Was there something she should say? 

"I-I'm sorry," She uttered, struggling with the conflicted emotions that swirled around her, "I shouldn't have-- I mean, I'm just--" baffled was the word she wanted to use, but instead she stood, choked up by her own words. In her days as someone affiliated with the courts, Padparadscha had seen many complex cases from many different gems. Tragic stories like this were often proceeded with tales of criminal acts as the fugitive gems turned against their own kind, and Homeworld. But, this gem seemed to be holding out, doing his duty despite his circumstances. It could've been that there were things he wasn't saying, but she didn't get that impression.

"You're a brave gem, Chip the Fire Opal," She finally managed, then pondered for a moment before continuing,"The Diamonds...are unrelenting, powerful, magnificent in every way. But, they are also radiant and merciful. I had been given my own chance to serve Pink Diamond through this mercy," She gestured toward herself, then to Chip,"Such a courageous, sufficient gem as yourself, I believe, would be able to serve our perfect Pink Diamond wholly," She couldn't claim to know the mind of a Diamond, which she imagined was more complex and profound than any other, but she wanted to believe what she said was true, "But, I must admit that I'm not...well I'm not in a position to make that decision,"