Mysterious Hierarchies ((Paddy))

[Paddy]

Taking pride in a title from lowly humans was something the sapphire couldn't fathom, though she had considered it of Hematite before. Why enjoy praise from such creatures, when one could further her own kind's destiny? It was additionally peculiar how the fusion seemed to think it was less dangerous to hide on an untamed world, awaiting the eventual completion of the colony, than to support her fellow gems.


Knowing that this Project Hematoid was one of Yellow Diamond's many experiments running loose on the planet was evidence to further her personal research-- something she'd never admit to any gem until she had more hard evidence. As compelling as the evidence she'd gathered so far was, it wasn't enough. She needed to fully convince herself before she could convince anyone else. Though, she did find it strange how much unwanted attention she had managed to garner in her endeavor to answer the primary questions on her mind, Why is Pink Diamond's colony not complete yet? Why has the rebellion endured? Perhaps she had no idea what was really going on, but she would protect Pink Diamond and the Earth colony with whatever means were necessary.


She opened her mouth to give a reply to Azurite, but her perceptive vision caught the look on Azurite's face before she did, and she let her lips close as she took on a more alert stance. It was likely that the target was near, or at the very least, something that Azurite had picked up on. 6UE was versed in a few different "tactical languages" but her memory wasn't the greatest. She managed to get the gist, and stayed as close as she could bear to the charged gem, and used the sapphire's own tactical system to alert her to the danger. Padparadscha gave a nod, and waited.


Then, as the all-clear was given, the sapphire was the first to step forward, but Amethyst was quick to follow. The soldier glanced around,"I wanna ask the same question," She muttered as she picked up on Azurite's words.

"The target's been sweeping the zone for corruptions," Padpara said quietly. She was surprised as she glanced around at the heft of this corruption collection. A sweep was something this place sorely needed, as it was (in her experience) absolutely crawling with dangerous, warped gems. Though, it  was hard to say why a gem like Nephrite would be sweeping for corruptions,"It was implied that she would have something for us, perhaps these gems should be collected and returned to a containment center back on Headquarters," She had no real reason to believe that's what the lapidary wanted, but rather, it was what she wanted. These gems deserved to have medical attention, whenever research and development was able to finish a cure for corruption.

At the mention that these were corruptions, Amethyst reeled back, eyes widened,"Really? Wont touching them, like, mess us up too?" She definitely didn't want to be any closer than she already was to those bubbles. For both pink-court gems, something felt terribly off. Then, Padparadscha's own eyes widened as something connected for her, and she flashed a hand signal to Amethyst, pivoted on her heels, and speed-walked back toward the exit. 6UE was struck with a sudden fear at the signal, and began to backtrack herself.  

[Mad Azurite]

She couldn’t answer the Amethyst immediately, because now this mission had become something else entirely. She was cursing her creator right now, as she finally realized what was going on here, and it was definitely going too far. As the Sapphire went to explain what the Azurite was already thinking, she nodded, these gems would have to be returned to the containment center and hopefully help find a cure for this dangerous affliction. But she stayed quiet, still not replying to anything the group was saying as her mind tried to connect the thoughts and dots in her mind.

Azzy, we’re being fooled … Beady is testing her, not the sapphire, she’s testing Nephrite.
Wait ... no, Jazzy, Azzy, she's testing all of you, this just became a huge game of chance.

She already surmised this, even as the emotional content of her smarter ‘sisters,’ suddenly began to ignite within her again and voice her opinion on the matter. Her gemstone and the energy pouring from her chest turned a deep purple, as the Amethyst pointed out the danger ahead, the risk here had just jumped the roof, if this place was truly crawling with dangerous corrupt-gems then it was now a death trap. She heard footsteps behind her, but they weren’t growing closer, she looked back to see the group retreating for the door.

“Ya know I don’t even blame you.” She said out loud, not looking directly at the two as they began to march off. “This whole mission was screwed from the beginning, because we’re all being screwed with, that simple .... Right, bitch?” She suddenly shouted out, looking around for one of the drones only to remember the one hidden in her hair, which she’d snatch within her fingers. The orb would round its eye on her and she’d speak into it, aloud for everyone to hear “The hell is wrong with you, Beady?” Her entire body was growing darker and a heavy purple by the second.

“I get nephrite hasn’t been the perfect example you wanted her to be, but this is wrong, she doesn’t deserve this,” she knew the other two wouldn’t get it, but when she said Nephrite didn’t enjoy war, didn’t enjoy fighting, it was the truth. A good spar maybe, but the gem absolutely abhorred any sense of violence. She was truly one of the most peaceful gems Azurite had ever had the pleasure to meet, except she was cursed with the life of combat weapon and the drive of one too at times and it tore at her, it ripped the gem apart to do things like this. But not only that, to send her alone, into an infested hive of corrupt-gems? “What were trying to do? Scare off the sapphire? Prove how far you’ll go to reach perfection?”

“She doesn’t deserve this.” She’d say and then toss the drone to the floor which would roll to a halt, “You two can do whatever the hell you like, I’m not leaving.” She said as she looked to the cramped hall of the ship, these old colony ships had a simple build, often a bridge fused with massive hanger and port to transfer large amounts of gems and few barracks, there was really only one place to go. “Me and that girl crawled out of the same damn hell, born in the same madness, we both had to struggle are way to where we are now under the watch of our creator. Why us K-Sigma gems are all screwed up.” She sighed, “Nephrite’s got her problems yeah, but she doesn’t deserve this. She’s still one of my best friends.”

Her creator knew she’d be invested.

“I’m not losing anymore of my comrades, no more lost friends.” She’d get out, “As said, I don’t blame you, you wanna bounce, go! Get the hell out of here while you can. But I’m finding my friend.” and then the gem would march into the darkness of the halls alone, she absolutely refused to leave her hear in the dark.

[Paddy]

Both gems halted in their stride as Azurite caught them leaving, and began to address the lapidary alongside them. Padparadscha, back turned to the soldier, grimaced as she listened. The increased vitriol in the guardian's voice alarmed her, and after a momentary pause, she started back up for the door, her pace quickened. Amethyst, on the other hand, had been skewered by Azurite's words. She stood, stunned, and conflicted, as her head swiveled to watch her patron continue toward the light of the entrance, then toward the other soldier, who delved deeper into the darkness. "Y-your clarity," Amethyst mustered as her eyes lingered on the back of the multi-hued soldier, fading into the dark as she stepped away,"Shouldn't we..."

"Amethyst, no," The sapphire hissed. Truthfully, the words had torn at her, twisted her core-- she knew Azurite was being genuine. But this situation was far too dangerous. Two pink-court gems, one honor guardian, against possibly dozens of frenzied corruptions and a highly dangerous prototype-- and on top of that, absolutely zero guarantees, "You heard her, this has been a setup from the beginning. We need to get out of here, it isn't our business," She had put herself on the line, only to end in ruin, far too many times. A good strategist knew when to cut their losses, and prevent disaster from unfolding-- she had learned that the painful way. 

6UE just stood, staring at the sapphire as her weight shifted, and her jaw set. Knowing full well that Azurite was a powerful warrior, that she could very well be able to handle whatever it was back there, Amethyst felt a comradery with this gem, her words had resonated with this soldier. She refused to budge an inch as Padparadscha continued toward the exit. Though, as the sapphire realized her body guard wasn't in tow, she peered over her shoulder, wrath flickering in her eye. Amethyst swallowed. "It isn't our business?" She echoed, her expression becoming more wry. She'd spent enough time around Padparadscha to know where the gem's buttons were,"All due respect, ma'am, but isn't that exactly what they want you to think?" 

The sapphire turned fully to face Amethyst, who now gave her an almost pleading look. Padpara wondered if there was any good way to handle this situation, especially since she had been cornered by an adversary who had been many steps ahead of her this entire time. It was true, that seemed to be what the K-∑ leader wanted of her, but even then Padparadscha wasn't certain. Someone powerful enough to gain direct sanction from Pink Diamond, to gain access to files no one should have access to, someone with that kind of clout could absolutely demolish her reputation. It sounded like she were already going to be confronted by judiciaries-- it had been a clear threat. If she were to abandon this mission, who knew what would happen. What was she to do? Her prevalent frustration continued to combust. 

She gave a huff. "I'm blaming you when this goes haywire," She grumbled. Already she knew this was a bad idea, but she stepped forward, quickening her pace passed the bubbled corruptions-- they would have to be dealt with later. Amethyst could've sighed with relief, but she didn't, because she knew as well as the sapphire did that this was a high-pressure situation. They would both proceed carefully after Azurite.   

[Mad Azurite]

The darkness was a little thicker than she gave it credit for, but she continued forward, she would not lose another one. Not another friend, not like this. She shivered as she pulled the corner to see what was the entry to the bridge, there were fresh signs of combat hole burned into the wall in  way that made them expand unnaturally and more green bubbles encasing captured gemstones. The blackness was thick and she found herself swallowing something, pure fear, was she afraid? Why did the dark have this effect on her? It reminded her of something, something in the back of her mind. But what? She shuttered as she forced her legs to move, her will to help her companion pushing her on.

The hall was small, instead breaking into an opening that led to the massive destitute bridge meant to hold a hundred or so gems if properly fitted, much of the furnishings, the technology, the assets associated with proper control of this ship were decayed and in ruin, she half expected a corrupt gem to lash out, but instead her eyes fell on green tell-tall orbs with gemstones inside, and there wasn’t a sliver a movement, instead she heard something else. Footsteps. And they were coming from, she spun around, her hand flying to her blade only to see something she most definitely didn’t expect.

“The hell? Why? You didn’t have to put yourself in danger like this,” she said as she stared down at the two with worried stares, so far not a single gem came out to challenge them, but so far this seemed a little bit too easy, “This is my own selfish wants, I don’t want others getting hurt over something like this.”

She shifted her attention around them, not necessarily waiting for an answer as she would look to what was the only beacon of light in the entirety of the bridge, a breach in the ceiling of this ship casting a ray of light which descended into a small settling of chairs and old-world junk, where … she heard birds chirping? Her eyes narrowed as she listened, and suddenly she heard a low chuckle that sounded as if it was emitted from a radio. Azurite’s face suddenly became very solemn as she would march to a railing out-looking this small outcropping of fallen stalls and machinery. Sitting on top of a heap of twisted metal with green orbs containing corrupted captives all around her was the oddest looking gem.

Well, odd to anyone who didn’t know who she was. Her body was strange, almost doll-like as if comprised of joints and intermittent pieces, but the green hue of her body couldn’t hide the strange transparency of her flesh, you could see right through her, much like a ghost. Her spiraling green hair emitted from a fiery growth around her eyes which shown a strong green hue. Though her gemstone was nowhere to be seen. Floating around this gem was the liquid-stone that was her elemental body, which had formed a stool for her to sit on as she was surrounded by small goldcrest canaries flittering around her and landing on the elemental portions of her body, some acting as hands and fingers as she observed the beautiful creatures at work.

Azurite crossed her arms, “Should have known …” she sighed.

“Aren’t you just the cutest thing?” Nephrite would stroke one of the small birds on the chin, it was such a peaceful scene really. Her voice was also odd, like it was coming through an old frequency. The gem truly felt like she was some kind of digital or energy based-being.

“Well, let me introduce you while she’s still in a good mood, that’s Nephrite.” Azurite said, her purple tinge starting to leave her by the second, as she pointed to the gem with a lazy finger.

[Paddy]

Amethyst gave a big grin as Azurite turned to address them, though Padparadscha remained rather more dour. She held a bit of plasma out in front of her to light the way-- the sapphire herself wasn't too fond of the dark, and what unknown variables could lie in it. Though, as the area became more broad, letting in more light, she let her plasma lamp fade into the ether. "I agree, Honor Guardian," She said quietly as the two pink-court gems approached,"But it seems we're legally obligated to see through the rest of this mission. We were given an objective, so we'll complete it," The light tap of Padpara's feet, and Amethyst's heavy thud continued as they made their way up to where Azurite stood on the outlook. 

Padparadscha's eyes were drawn immediately to the strange entity inhabiting the lower region of the bridge. Her brows rose, taking in the qualities of her shape, which seemed to be in juxtaposition to one another; ethereal, yet mechanical. She knew upon seeing this gem that this was the one they were suppose to apprehend, remembering the way she'd looked in the portfolio presented by Cocoa. The sapphire  wondered if these qualities of the gem's physical design were meant to tell of the more intangible juxtaposition of the construction in this gem's consciousness-- since she tangentially knew how the lapidary played with the internal design of gems, she didn't think that assumption was all to far-fetched, though perhaps the design of the gem was a consequence of her abilities. Suffice to say, this gem was unlike any other she'd ever laid eyes on. Azurite was impressively different in her own ways, but there was something distinctly alien about the gem. 

Amethyst was a bit shocked with what she saw; was this a corrupted gem? Or was it the target? She would have her answer as Azurite introduced Nephrite, who seemed consumed into her own task. What that task was, neither pink-court gem could truly say. For a moment the sapphire intended to suss that out, her eyes darted around to each little organic creature that seemed to captivate Nephrite. Her lips pursed as she drew blanks, unable to understand what it was that seemed so interesting about those little things. She'd seen them around, but they were quite easy to ignore.   

"I see," Padparadscha said after she gave up trying to explain to herself what Nephrite's goal in this endeavor was,"I suppose the question is, what do you intend to do now?" The original mission had been to recover Nephrite, but it seemed as if plans had since changed, and she wondered if Azurite's objective would line up with the mission statement.

"Does she...know we're here?" It seemed an oblivious question to come from Amethyst, though truthfully, Padpara wondered that a bit herself; the gem seemed to exist on her own plane, tending to her organic creatures from the reaches of some other realm. 

[Mad Azurite]

“She seems preoccupied, but ...” she’s say in reply to the Amethyst first and then thought for a moment.

Azurite looked down at the green gem, sensing something wasn’t right. The dossier specifically stated she was doing her ‘renegade,’ thing again but this didn’t seem like any kind of renegade situation she’d ever encountered. Nephrite had an issue with getting angry at Beady and doing things that would piss both Yellow Diamond and Beady off respectively, but what was happening now would benefit Homeworld if anything. She looked over at the sapphire, “I think I know what’s going on here, let me go talk to her. Follow if you like, this isn’t the part Nephrite my creator wants you to see … or is this also part her game?” She said the last part as if she had just made a realization. She made her way down the rampart her steps echoing enough to spook the birds around Nephrite who all took off towards various perches in the ship.

The strange green gem’s expression suddenly became full of melancholy, and her head slowly shifted to the Azurite who marched toward her with unamused face, “Don’t give me that look, the hell are you doing out here, Nephy?” She perched over, looking the gem in the eyes. “Hear you’ve been acting an ass again, what’d you do this time? Blow up a frigate? Release some test experiments? Ate her chocolate?” The last one was an odd joke indeed. The green gem narrowed her sight on the Azurite and then her gaze would shift to the two behind her, first the sapphire where her gaze would remain unchanged and then the Amethyst, where she would tilt her head to the side, something about her catching her interest. But before her thoughts could settle, a hand would appear before her face snapping its fingers as to gain her attention. “Hello? What is going on? this place is dangerous, hell even for you.” Azurite would shift her attention back to her.

The stones around the jade gem would begin to coalesce, the stool she was resting on breaking apart as they formed butterfly wing-like extensions from her back in a way that was undeniably stunning, the gem didn’t touch the floor as she levitated above the surface just barely, though certain parts of the stones that encased her body tried to mimic fingers and feet. Again the gemstone on her body must have been cleverly hidden somewhere, as it was nowhere to be seen, the lengthy body of the gem straightened out, she was deceptively tall. The gem towered over Azurite though her figure was frail and thin looking.

“Beady told me to go for a walk, and chose this specific location.” Azurite’s eyes widened at this, this wasn’t a renegade situation. “She said to consider it a field test.” Azurite imagined what would have happened if they came in guns ablazing, or at least snuck up on her. “And then what?” Azurite prodded some more, “These lost one’s,” Nephrite gestured a transparent hand to the green orbs around her, “seemed to take a disliking to me. I showed them the error of the ways. Promptly.” Azurite stood to her feet to look the gem down a little more closely, she wasn’t lying—but Beady sure as hell was. She could imagine her smiling behind her work-stations as Nephrite revealed the truth. “She told me someone would be here to take me home. But she said they wouldn’t know how to reach it.” And then her eyes widened, it all made sense. She looked back at the sapphire shaking her head, “You’re either really gonna like this, or you’re really gonna hate this. But Beady’s threw her hook, we have to take Nephrite back to Kindergarten Sigma.”

“You see the Sapphire behind me, Nephy? She’s hear to take you back, and so am I.” She’d watch as some of the stones on the gems’ body would morph into an arm and point at the Amethyst, “Azurite … what is that? I’ve never seen that color … I like that color.” She said in an almost excited whisper, she’d float off the ground and begin to hover toward the Amethyst and begin to inspect her from all sides, which Azurite would look over at 6UE holding up a hand, “It’s alright, she’s … never seen a gem like you before. She doesn’t get out much.”

[Paddy]

Padparadscha gave a nod and followed after Azurite, clasped her hands in front of her, and let her shoulders back. She tried to cool herself down, and just go along with things. But, that was a bit harder than she would've liked. Amethyst followed, with some apprehension. She had gotten the idea that this Nephrite was extremely powerful, it seemed almost as if it were the calm before the storm. Classified missions seemed to live up to what she'd heard about them from other soldiers; nothing made a whole lot of sense, except the fact that it was a dangerous and high pressure situation.

The sapphire was a bit surprised by the casual language she used to address this gem, but she kept a close eye on the movements of both Azurite and Nephrite as they spoke. Knowing the two of them were well acquainted, and that this entire situation did indeed seem to be some sort of concoction for the lapidary's entertainment. This was no good for her already sour mood. Then, Azurite's news hit her.

Eyes widened, she was stunned. For a few different reasons, she had no choice but to go along with this. Perhaps she could make up for the loss of data that she had suffered if she had a chance to scope out this lapidary's laboratories, or even to see the gem herself. But, she also realized that this would be a posturing technique. Two highly dangerous gems would be escorting them back to this mysterious location which was entirely under the control of the adversary. Padparadscha was very glad that she'd been allowed to bring Amethyst on this mission, because she knew that she would be at least one ally if things turned for the worse.

As Nephrite approached, and circled Amethyst's bubble of personal space, the soldier had to keep herself from reeling back or flying into attack mode. Instead, she kept her arms close and kept her eyes on the gem, in an attempt to avoid setting off the potential reaction that might occur if she made any sudden movements around a being who could shoot particle beams. She tried her best to give a friendly grin to the curious gem as Azurite informed her. She glanced at the sapphire, who gave her a nod,"Uh...A-amethyst 8L2S 6UE, that's me," She said, and tossed up a salute out of habit. The young soldier supposed she hadn't seen many gems like this Nephrite either. There was something about her that just made Amethyst feel a bit on edge, perhaps it was the dangerous reputation that had preceded her. For one reason or another, it had somewhat gone over her head to hear that the team would be heading straight back to K-Sigma-- whatever that was, the soldier was more worried about the strange, powerful entity circling her,"I'm a hallway custodian, heh-- well I guess I'm a body guard now...technically a quartz soldier. It's an...uh, honor to be the first one you've met," She shrugged and gave an uneasy smile. 

"Right, first this sweep should be collected," Padparadscha said with a bit of terseness. For now she would simply act as if she already knew she were going to K-Sigma, "Nephrite, it's a pleasure and honor to make your acquaintance," Her hands went up to form an articulate salute. Though the gem didn't seem all that interested in the sapphire, Padpara didn't mind it much; she wanted to get down to business,"Padparadscha 10C8A 8QE, pink court judicial affiliate. Now, you've done excellent work here, Nephrite, but we need to get these corrupted gems transported back to base so they can be treated," She wouldn't allow them to go forgotten.

But, this exercise would also give her time to think more about what to do about this turn of events. Part of her already regretted listening to Amethyst-- she knew that now they were most definitely playing into the hands of this lapidary. Padpara had to remind herself that this gem was still a Homeworld affiliate, but being an internal affairs investigator, the aristocrat knew that anyone could be a rebel, and thanks to her personal research, she knew that rebels could come from high places.

[Mad Azurite]

The transparent gem’s eyes widened as the amethyst spoke to her, she definitely had no idea what a custodian was, but she was sure she knew what a quartz was. “Amethyst.” She’d say to herself slowly, as she examined the gem before her. Nephrite seemed more preoccupied with simply taking in what was a new unfamiliar stimuli before words reached her ear and her head shifted to the sapphire, a slow look falling on the smaller gem before her. The gem didn’t reply, instead a strange fierce curiosity coming over her as she narrowed her gaze on the sapphire, “What small interesting gem form,” she’d much of what the sapphire said almost seemed to pass right by her. The gem would begin to do the same ogling she had done amethyst to the sapphire before her, with no sense of personal space.

“This one is smaller,” She’d start, “she reminds me of a ruby, the color is different. But the same stature and height.” She’d pull away, again not even a sensible reply to the sapphire was given. The sound of steel meeting steel clamored up the stairway rather quickly as a hand would fly out to grasp the jade gem by the hair, “By the way. Her head still holds some tangibility.” She’d say as she pulled the gem away from the sapphire with a quick yank. The Jade gem didn’t seem to grow flustered or anything, surprised actually as she was thrown back a little bit, “And when I say she doesn’t get out much, I mean it. This is one of my creators strongest combat gems, give too much leeway and she could cause catastrophic damage, even to Moonbase. She’s kept in Sigma in the off-boundaries section for a reason, behind several sealed resistant doors and more.”

She’d then raise a brow at the idea of bring all these gems back with them to Homeworld, just counting in this room … and then her estimate of the gems inside the halls … “Uh, alright. Gonna take a bit …” she start, “we gonna drag these to your ship? Or uh, you got a better idea?” she asked and then looked at the Amethyst unsure if maybe she was missing something here.

[Paddy]

The sudden intrusion caused Padparadscha's irritation to flare, she gave a start and a backward step, but as Azurite pulled the green gem away, the sapphire found herself momentarily alarmed at the prospect that Nephrite would be set off-- it would certainly set her off to have her hair pulled like that, but it seemed Nephrite was unlike her in this aspect. Fortunately, perhaps. Her brow twitched as Nephrite failed to give legitimacy to anything she said, though she allowed herself to relax as much as she could, presently surrounded by dubious and frighteningly powerful gems.

"Huh," Amethyst said, crossing her arms at what Azurite had said, and turned her eyes onto Nephrite,"and I thought standing around in a hall was bad...you must get pretty bored over there on, er, Sigma," Padpara eyed her guard. While she wasn't exactly the strictest patron in the world, she preferred her body guard to remain silent, especially in situations where anything said could and would be used against them. It wasn't so long ago that she might have strongly reprimanded Amethyst for speaking out of turn so much in a day, but for now she simply let 6UE get it out and hoped she wouldn't divulge anything important that these other gems might not know.

Additionally, the temperament of this anomalous gem form had yet to be fully scoped out by the sapphire, and what she had previously heard about it was not necessarily good-- especially now that she knew that this gem was so dangerous that she was kept under duress for the majority of her existence. The thought was enough to even pique a bit of sympathy for Nephrite; Padparadscha remembered well the many cycles she'd spent locked away with her compatriots. 

The aristocrat cleared her throat and tapped her wrist, bringing up her holocsreen. She stared at it for a moment, feeling as if she were being watched through her own personal apparatus. It stung to think that her personal data had been invaded in such a manner, but she couldn't let it hold her back from continuing her duties. She broke out of her stare-down with the holoscreen, and got to work.

"I hear your concern, Honor Guardian," She said as she flicked her hands across the screen,"We could transport these bubbles by way of teleportation," The sapphire strode as close as she could, and tapped it, sending it back to the holding cell of her ship. Though, she realized there were quite a lot of them; she wanted to stall for time so she could observe her place in this situation, but she didn't want to be late for her next assignment. "But I too would rather not stand around gathering all of these gems. I would like your collective permission to get a task force assigned to this so that they can deal with the sweep and we can move on," Her eyes slid toward Nephrite,"Provided these bubbles remain stable, the task force shouldn't need to be overseen by us," Without waiting for an answer, Padparadscha had already gone ahead and begun typing together a brief dossier that would be forwarded to the gems who would be put to this. "Once that's settled, we should continue toward our objective," The words were selected carefully, she would see how this would turn out. 

[Mad Azurite]

Azurite would sigh at what 6UE would ask though not immediately answer her as her mind would fall back to the days she spent in K-Sigma and she’d continue to remain quiet as the sapphire would also go to give her opinion on the matter at hand how they should handle it, Nephrite was idly floating around behind her. She looked over at the Amethyst with a what seemed like a pained expression, but it was more like she was recalling painful memories. “To answer your question, 6UE, all gems made by my creator go through an extensive testing protocol and are subject to a lot of experimentation. We count as templates for future models, so we are in a sense prototypes for future developments in the military efforts of YD or whatever Diamond we are commissioned for.” She looked back at Nephrite, “Sit around all day in cramped rooms with the rest of your ‘sisters,’ Beady would call them, only able to talk to one another, or in her case. Alone in a featureless room just floating around … I was really one of her only friends there.”

Her attention shifted back to the sapphire, “I’m more than ready. But there’s a catch here, I can’t give you the information on the location of Beady’s Kindergarten Sigma. It’s classified and I’d be punished severely for openly announcing its location. But there is a loophole, and she’s floating behind us.” She’d roll her eyes at the stupid game that Beady was pulling and realized she was growing more than tired with this silliness already. She looked back at Nephrite, “Ey, Nephy, come here.” The jade was inspecting a control panel before looking over and quite suddenly appearing next to the Azurite. ”Hm?”

“The sapphire here doesn’t know where Beady’s Kindergarten is,” It may not have seemed right to do this, but the loophole was simple, Nephrite was an unmentioned, unregistered gem. Anything she said was off the record anyways. She couldn’t be held liable for anything because no rules have been established with her in the first place. “If we’re gonna take you home--which is silly because you’re capable of space flight and leaving earth’s gravity,” She’d say this part with some rising anger in her tone and an obvious facetiousness, a certain weariness to the bullshit going on, “You’re gonna have to tell her how to get there.”

The nephrite blinked a few times, and then looked at sapphire, “We’re so close and she doesn’t know?” Azurite rolled her eyes, here it comes. “My mistress is currently orbiting earth as we speak.” The words she said were almost matter-of-factly. “Kindergarten Sigma is a state-of-the-art frigate class starship that orbits the planet under the guise of the darkness of space, it utilizes an unreflective paneling that simulates active-camouflage, and shielding meant for both defending against weaponry and radioactive signals making it invisible to scanners and sonar alike.”

She’d stare up into the ceiling as if trying to stare past it and into the sky. “However, a beacon on the ship can be accessed if a correct code is inputted into a ships’ frequency detectors, making it visible to the starship in question.”

[Paddy]

Amethyst listened, and became more glad that she was just an average gem, created by average means. It was disturbing for her to think of being trapped in a little room with nothing to do or look at; though she could draw parallels to the times she spent trapped in a hall with 3KO, there were still windows to look out of, interesting gems to see walking around, and she would always know that her next assignment would be coming up to change the view. Field work was more excitement than she'd originally thought it might be, and she was definitely grateful for it. Amethyst's eyes wandered between the Sigma gems, and felt a bit of a regretful melancholy with the thought that Nephrite would have to return to her cage after this. 

Padparadscha was a bit shocked to hear it; the story sounded eerily similar to her own, though she never wanted to think of herself as a prototype. Cycles spent holed up with other sapphires, testing their abilities, came back to her as if it had been a day ago. It occurred to her that she hardly spent any time with any of the same sapphires; every day it seemed there would be a new set of facets and cuts to learn. "Friends" weren't a part of the equation. But she didn't allow herself to dwell on that for too long; after all, she had been selected personally by her Diamond, and was perhaps the only 8 series Padparadscha Sapphire within the 50 light-year radius. All of that was ancient history as far as she was concerned. For now she put her mind back on task. 

It seemed there would always be a catch with these Sigma gems. Padparadscha looked intently at Azurite as she spoke, evaluating the truthfulness of each statement. Her eyes followed the gem, and eventually switched to the nephrite as she began to speak. Everything began to make more sense to her as she realized the true goal behind Nephrite's presence here. "I see," She mused,"So, then, I suppose the two of you will be escorting us to K-Sigma?" Her goal was to gauge the situation from Azurite's point of view, as it seemed the honor guard was just as iffy about this situation as she was. The sapphire tapped into her holotech and sent a message to Pink Pearl, who would bring the ship down at a nearby location, "and it sounds like you'll have to be getting us a code," When she was finished, she flipped her holotech closed, and clasped her hands behind her back.

Still not exactly caught up to speed on what was going on, Amethyst scratched her neck and looked between the present gems. She was vaguely aware at this point that things were not going as planned, and there may be no fighting involved after all. At least, not the kind she was good at. 

[Mad Azurite]

Azurite hunched her shoulders at the sapphire, “Iunno, seriously I’m the tag along here, I’m escorting you taking her back to her damn room pretty much. Bunch of crap.” She managed to get out and her expression dulled at the next part. She couldn’t give the sapphire the code of course. “Let’s get out of this place, too stuffy in here.” She’d say as she started to march for the entrance. Nephrite looked over at the sapphire, “Azzy doesn’t want to see Beady. She did something very mean to her. I’ll give you the code when you’re ready,” She’d say and then follow after Azurite who turned the corner of the halls leading to the foyer of this ship.

Whether they were following after her or not, the Azurite’s thoughts would shift to her creator with a deep sense of regret in her eyes. This wouldn’t be the first time she’d been force to return to her in some odd fashion. Beady was manipulative but the gem acted on good intentions. She knew the sapphire probably wouldn’t understand it, and wondered if Beady realized how sketchy and strange this whole situation was. What if complaints were made about her? Part of her wondered if issues would spawn surrounding the diverse problems of the meddling between all these aristocrats.

And then it dawned on her, something hit her hard enough that made her stop in her tracks.

This has been something of an issue lately, this growing competitiveness between the Diamond courts. She got to see it first hand, considering she marched the halls of each one respectively. This kind of stuff started it, aristocrats and high-ranking officials trying to garner power for their respective leaders. Gems manipulating the system to get what they want knowing their diamonds will protect them. Was there a limit? Could this grow into a problem?

Before she could finish, she was about to step into the light of the pried open ship-doors only to have Nephrite float beside her, “Are you alright? I know visiting her isn’t something you’d like to do right now.” Azurite looked over with a narrowed brow, but her expression lightened as reached her hand out to pull the nephrite’s cheek to her own, “Nah, it’s cool, bet you were in on this too weren’t you?” The nephrite’s face would blush green and she’d look away coyly, “Maybe ... You, are my best friend. If you can … please visit me more. I missed you and …” Her gaze shifted to the azurite’s chest, “and them.” Azurite had what seemed like both a pained expression and half-heart smile on her face.


She had just turned the corner when she was about to open her mouth, when a shadow loomed to the right of her not far away. Her head swung to see something of contorted monstrous form, deftly striding on several pairs of legs speckled with the telltall signs of corruption. The azurite didn’t even waste a second. Her hand flew to her blade in a loud heavy ‘woothush!’ the sound of a crushingly heavy blow would echo out as Glitterdance hewn through the corrupt beast’s form like butcher’s cleaver. “We got contacts!” She’d shout, just as the gem’s contorted body would crumple under the blade’s weight and release its form.

She had just lifted weapon to her shoulder as brace as she heard Nephrite announce calmly, “Lots of them.” Only to look around and see various gem corruptions crawling from the ships around them. “I’ll handle this.” The green gem’s stones would suddenly take on a strange circular form, spreading out like dragonfly wings. There was a sudden loud high pitch whirring that stirred up louder and louder. Azurite looked over at prototype weapon knowing what was about to happen, this gem’s fury was about to show its head.

[Paddy]

Padparadscha gave a curt nod to Azurite as she put together the fact that the guard was willing to admit that much, it sounded as if it were true that the only one who really knew what was going on was their leader, the lapidary. Pretense had blown away, and the sapphire couldn't decide if she was angry about it or not. What she did know was that she was angry. Her eyes cut over to Nephrite as she spoke, and she pursed her lips. Wordlessly, the sapphire stewed on the passed events, and what her next move would be.

She'd been in a scuffle or two before, she knew how to handle most of the guff she was given from other aristocrats. But this lapidary worked on another level, one that she couldn't match; her network was extensive, but she didn't have the kind of network she would need in order to beat the lapidary in a game of social maneuvers. Though she knew, ultimately, that her station was useful to her Diamond, and that her Diamond would indeed protect her; she hadn't made accusations yet, there was no overt reason for her to be brought down. It would be a matter of keeping her maneuvers more under wraps, hoping that these Sigma gems wouldn't be able to dig up anything on her that wasn't already known by her Diamond. Though the sapphire had no skeletons in her closet, there was definitely at least one glaring item that could be used against her.

But, there was also the fact that she were going to be escorted to K-Sigma in the first place, the domain of this unseen competitor. She would have to be extremely careful, the temperament of that gem was still unknown, as were the consequences she would have in store for the sapphire's meddling in Project Hematoid Quartz.

The sapphire had been following rather absently as Amethyst in turn followed her. She slowed down as it seemed Azurite and Nephrite were having a moment-- then came to a halt at the sudden flurry of action. Her eyes widened as the corruptions crawled into view.

Amethyst nearly bolted ahead to join the fight, but gave a start before she remembered she needed to stick close to the gem she was suppose to be protecting, especially when there were this many corruptions around; there wasn't doubt in her mind that these were corruptions, despite the fact that they would be the first real ones she'd ever seen. Gruesome creatures, but the gem on some of them gave away their true identities. Sword in hand, she took a battle stance and moved as the sapphire did-- who, as Nephrite began to charge her ability, hit the deck, diving for the nearest cover; a shard of broken hull.

But, Padpara peered around, hoping to get a glimpse of what Nephrite's power looked like.

[Mad Azurite]

Azurite would carefully choose her next strides, making a tactical position between her, the door, nephrite and the rest of the corrupt gems encircling them. She’d watch the pale-green killing-machine float forward, the high-pitch whirring growing louder as the gem’s form began to emit a charge, visible particles rising off her body and the elemental stones around her. One of the larger gem corruptions winded forward on pincer-like legs and would erect itself like a cobra and produce clambering chatter that cued some of the other monstrosities to advance.

She’d extend her arms, palms out, as the stones around her would modulate into sharped points, one larger one at the center. And in a sudden flash, crisp white beams of pure white streaked in volleys from the stones at almost unregisterable speeds, one greater ray in the center. Nephrite’s abilities weren’t just powerful, the versatile multi-target systems she could impose allowed her to eviscerate multiple enemies in what was amazing display of multi-tasking. There was no sound of impact, only the indescribable scream of accelerated particles ripping through the air.

The corruptions couldn’t match up, the large beast in the center struck, but unflinching, as a hole was torn through it almost effortlessly, many of the other beams crashing through the monstrous creatures around them doing the same.

What was even more terrifying about this incredible set of weaponry was that the corrupt gems’ forms couldn’t find the time to release. Instead, they slowly, violently began to evaporate into a mist of free-floating particles, falling apart both molecularly and sub-atomically in convulsing shutters until each one slowly crumbled into dust--there was nothing left of them after a while. Careful observation would note that even the ships had been damage slightly, and the large beam that tore apart the larger corruption had went screaming into the sky, seemingly out of sight.

“C-clear …” Nephrite would exhale sharply, crumbling a little as she lost almost all color, her form now a dark mottled green. Azurite realized instantly what was happening, true Nephrite could expend her energy to the point it needed to be recharged, but she could also go too far. She jogged over, “Ey? Hang in there!” She’d assure the nephrite, but then suddenly the prototype’s form began flicker. “I … I can’t.” She’d manage to get out when suddenly, the gem’s form would release! Or did it? Azurite seemed to be juggling something in her arms, was it … a head?

“Whoa, whoa! Damn girl! How much energy were you expending?” She’d lift into view the severed head of the nephrite, who appeared almost sickly, all of her body had dissipated except well …

“Ha! I remember the last time this happened, haven’t learned your lesson, have you?” She’d hold the gem out in front of her and started laughing hysterically. Azurite began to juggle the gem in her arms and throw her into the air. “By the stars, Azzy! Stop!” she’d groan, feeling nauseated and dizzier by the second. “Ughh! Go … die!” She’d shout among the twirling and being flung in the air.

[Paddy]

The confrontation was over in seconds, and the sapphire stood, peering over the edge of her cover with wide-eyes as she assessed what she'd just seen. Her mind burst with strategies that might help her deal with this, but it seemed that her prior calculations were correct; the way to get to Nephrite was to wear her down until she lost the mass of her composition. Padpara shivered at the sight of Nephrite's...head being tossed around, but was otherwise relieved that she had taken care of the corruption threat.


At least, what had initially seemed to be the threat. Though Nephrite had managed to take out what seemed to be a metric ton of corrupted gem cores, the sapphire knew there could be more lurking about. Despite that, the threat that weighed more heavily on her mind now was the existing issue she had with these gems. She considered making her getaway while Azurite entertained herself with the remnants of Nephrite's form, though she imagined the honor guard may not make it easy.

Still perturbed about her circumstances, it was easy for her to be irked by any sort of light hearted antics. Nonetheless, she decided it would be better to show compliance, and stepped out from her cover to stride over to the other gems. Her hands clasped behind her back, and her eyes followed the other gems quietly for a moment. They certainly seemed to know each other well, the sapphire observed, and wondered if Hematite was similarly attached to the gems from the experimental kindergarten.


The purple soldier continued to scan the surroundings, before letting her sword disappear as she followed the sapphire. She glanced around at the gemcores left behind, and grimaced. Amethyst was on edge, the air had an uncanny silence to it after Nephrite's attack. She wondered if it could be possible that one gem had single-handedly brought down every corruption in the area. Though, there was something even more off about seeing a gem's head get thrown around. Part of her wanted to join in on the sport, but the other part knew she didn't want to get on Nephrite's bad side.



Padparadscha checked her holopanel, then cleared her throat,"Good work. Pink Pearl has brought the ship down due west, lets get there before more corruptions arrive," The pearl had also been confused as to why the mission seemed to be going along at a faster pace than the sapphire had originally anticipated, but she wasn't concerned with explaining the situation. She just wanted to get more answers, and at this point, it was clear that there was a certain gem who would have those answers for her.



After her patron was done speaking, Amethyst could tell by her tone that the sapphire's patience was thinning out. But, the soldier couldn't stop herself from feeling some curiosity about the past between Nephrite and Azurite. Her eyes followed the bouncing head of Nephrite as the other soldier juggled her around, "So, this has happened before, eh?"