Chương 11: LOG-009.

Clang! The Crystal Confluence. A 'celestial crossroads' where multiple lesser territories within the Great Diamond Authority converge. The ancient megastructure, built around a long since hollowed out rogue dwarf planet eons ago, serves as a meeting point for diplomats, starship captains, and dignitaries from across the Gem empire, fostering trade, negotiations, and diplomatic relations between different Gem colonies and organisations largely beneath the direct notice of Homeworld.

So long as they pay appropriate tribute, follow the Diamonds' laws and continue to display fanatical loyalty, they remain free to largely govern themselves. Swish! It has been visited by a Diamond only twice. Which is twice more than most other deep space installations. The first being White Diamond's first and final inspection of the titanic planet-station, back when it first came online, and the second being a brief cultural visit from Blue Diamond, back when she still went around touring most of Imperial space.

Knowing about it was one of the 'perks' of being the Pearl of an accomplished fleet admiral. It was also the consequence of the simple fact that my owner seemed to like explaining various things in favour of sitting in silence, even when she could simply order me to sing a song or perform a brief dance to keep her entertained. Maybe it didn't mean anything. Maybe she wanted an 'educated' Pearl. I'd likely never know the answer and really, it didn't matter all that much in the end. Clang!

Aside from its status as a central communications hub (sort of), the Confluence also serves as a military waystation and dockyard, allowing various ships and fleets to rest and recover in between whatever assignments they might have. More importantly, this meant that my Emerald (backed by the indirect authority of a Diamond) had the chance to scout out potential reinforcements for conscription.

We couldn't outright take command of an entire security fleet, but 'borrowing' a ship or two that would have just been performing recon or patrolling some dead-end sector otherwise would be more than possible, apparently.

"Wo-woaaah!" I wasn't involved in any of that, however. No, instead I was hanging around the Jaspers yet again, while Sixteen A acted as the admiral's 'active' Pearl for the duration of our visit. I could only hope my initial advice was actually helpful to the jittery thing, otherwise she likely wouldn't remain in her newfound position for very long. Clang! Crash!

I blinked, watching Morion's broadsword effectively slam through her opponent's weapon, forcing the other Quartz backwards and, to her clear chagrin, out of the ring. Quartz Facet 1P4W, Cut 7XA was an... interesting case. One that wasn't exactly common, but not quite rare either. According to some of the Peridots I'd managed to talk about the subject with, anyway. With the sheer amount of soldiers a fresh Kindergarten tends to produce, a few defects are bound to happen as a matter of course.

Nacre Three likely would have referred to them as something like 'waste product.' Normally, such failures are discarded quickly. A shocktrooper with short, stubby legs or a weirdly shaped arm won't be able to keep up with the rest of the pack, after all, and thus is usually caught and Harvested pretty much right after erupting from the earth. Occasionally though, the defects will be less... severe, such as in Morion's case. Compared to the rest of the Quartz complement on board, she was... dull.

Not in the mental sense, but rather the visual one. Stolen novel; please report. Typical of Gem society, honestly. Ostracized because she wasn't fucking shiny enough. By Homeworld's standards, she'd technically be classified as an off colour, and thus be dealt with quickly. But things work a little differently in the military. A perfectly useful soldier isn't something to be wasted, after all.

Thus, Morion (and her fine cut but not very shiny gemstone) gets a pass, even if she isn't ever assigned to guard my Emerald. Or even let out of the ship for non-combat situations, for that matter."' Rion's making a good show, eh?" Turning my head slightly, I regarded the Jasper next to me, doing my best to recognize her. Gem on the left knee... ah. Facet 2I4Q, Cut 7XE. She hadn't gotten a nickname quite yet, from what I understood. A newcomer, transferred fresh from one of the still actively producing colonies.

Must be glad to be with a new pack after whatever might have separated the young brawler from her original batch. Quartzes never really did well on their lonesome, compared to other Gems. Setting the loose thoughts aside, I nodded.

"She certainly makes up for her colouring with an... enthusiastic approach." My not quite joke was enough to prompt a chuckle from the Jasper, apparently.

"Hehe, yeah. Nice summoned weapon as well. I still like mine better though, easier to use." My eyes flicked downwards as her gemstone flashed, what looked like some sort of gladius popping out and into her awaiting hand.... Hm. Slowly bringing my own hands together in front of me and enacting a more relaxed posture (type twelve, pattern seven to be precise), I adopted a suitably impressed look.

"What's that like, anyway?" Idle hands made for dangerous outcomes. The statement rang true, since my sudden abundance of 'free' time allowed me to... plan for the future, so to speak. Something I'd been doing since getting aboard the Retaliator, sure, but now I could get away with a little extra.

Part of that had been interacting with the Peridots within the depths of the ship, and the Rutiles hanging out in the hangar bays (the lesser pilots had flight simulators they could use to keep their skills sharp, and I'd gotten to eagerly watch and cheer them on during their various digital bouts) in between my now much longer performances, awing and eventually befriending (or whatever strange relationship we had with each other) them with constant, ever flawless displays of song and dance.

It was all about observation and casual communication. Slowly, painstakingly learning about this or that via what was effectively osmosis. I still didn't dare to actually bring out the carefully stacked limb enhancers still waiting within the depths of my gemstone, but if it ever came down to it I'd at least know how to put them on and activate them. I was also confident I now knew how to start up a basic starfighter as well, even if I still had no idea how to actually fly such a contraption. This, though...

this would be a calculated risk.

"Hm? What, using it?" An innocent, curious expression plastered itself across my face.

"Yes, I suppose? I've always admired you Quartzes and how you do things. You're all so very brave, protecting the rest of us all the time." The shocktrooper visibly stood straighter at that small bit of praise. I let a lopsided little smile out. Still a bit overly casual compared to when I was with my Emerald, but with more than enough decorum to befit a Pearl like myself in an environment like this.

"Though for what I would say are rather obvious reasons-" The smile widened ever so slightly, my shoulders shrugging up and down, as if to emphasize how the matter simply couldn't be helped.

"-I'm quite ignorant on the details of... battle and such. The most I can do is dance a little more creatively than usual. Weapons like yours are rather beyond me I'm afraid!" That drew a hearty laugh from the warrior Gem, even as she (gently, always so gently, because no Gem wanted to be the one to tell Emerald that they'd somehow damaged her ever so valuable property) slapped a hand against my shoulder.

"HAH! Yeah, it'd be a little weird if a pretty Pearl like you were going out and about hitting stuff!" Yes, I am a pretty Pearl. And you're a tough, strong Jasper that wants to show off, aren't you?

"But hey, I can explain the basics I guess. Probably won't do you any good for your performances but it's a way to pass the time while they organise the next few rounds, right?" My expression was perfect. Smile not too big, or too small. Eyes wide but in an awed, humbled way. If I'd learned anything at the Reef, it was how to make myself look just right for whoever I was acting for.

"You're the expert!" That one earned a big, toothy grin from the now softly blushing Quartz.

"Pfft, yeah, I guess I am! Well ah, first thing's first, you need to actually summon a weapon to use it. It probably won't work for you, but the way a soldier like me does it is-" I'd really need to thank Sixteen A at some point. Even if it wasn't quite intentional, the clumsy Pearl had helped me remember something important by taking on part of my duties and giving me so much more time to myself. Thus, it was only natural to prepare for my inevitable confrontation with that one simple fact in mind.

I didn't belong here. And I never would. Not if I could help it at least.