Chương 159: LOG-151.

"Your report." There had been questions, as a matter of course.

"Yes, Overseer. Right away. So as you can see…" One wanted to know just how I had managed to solve the issue which she couldn't. Two had also been curious, albeit in a more detached manner.

"... next Batch…" Three had simply been content to heap ever more praise upon me over the whole thing, something which I had taken in stride outwardly, while in truth feeling more than a little uncomfortable about beneath my mask.

"... Pearls are well within schedule…" But ultimately, I was their superior. They weren't in a position to truly question me, at least not in any way that would guarantee answers, and I wasn't about to allow that particular power balance to change any time soon. Because I was the Overseer. Because I was White Diamond's custom Nacre. And because I was good at what I did.

"... Minor fluctuations with Eighteen C…" Nevertheless, One clearly hadn't been satisfied with my lack of a true response, but with a traumatised Pearl in her hands that still needed tending to, she'd chosen the simple option of letting go of her curiosity, leaving me to get back to some semblance of regular work.

"... Should be fine, though further observations will be required…" That had been roughly a week ago, if I was getting the time conversion right, which of course I was. And things had…progressed, since then.

"... and of course there is the matter of the recent dissemination of upcoming awardees. We've received info packets regarding exactly which Pearls will be going to who, which means Batch Seventeen's training will need to be finalised soon, unless of course you have something else in mind?"

Staring down at the Peridot I'd pulled into working under my direct jurisdiction, I considered her words for a moment, before noticing that she was borderline hiding behind the screen her limb enhanced digits had assembled to project.

"... No, that will be all for now. Thank you, 7XG." The technician blinked behind her visor at that, before giving me a quick nod and stepping backwards.

"It's my job. If that will be all, Overseer?"

"Proceed." I watched her unusually long, braided hair sway back and forth behind her as she strode out of my office, limb enhancers clicking against the floor the whole way, until a smaller, thinner figure slipped in just before the doors could close. Slowly growing more comfortable in my presence. Still wary of my authority. Likely harbours fears that I might change my mind about her in the face of a mistake.

It was still something I needed to get used to, the way I actually seemed to intimidate certain Gems now, usually without even meaning to. Something that I… kind of liked, even if it was probably for the worst. Turning away with a small sigh, I brought up a holographic screen with a wave of my hand, projected from my desk's terminal, and began searching through the dossiers of the Gems I'd be giving the Reef's Pearls to.

"Hello Bee, do you have a report for me?" A Morganite. A Hessonite. A particularly successful Lapis Lazuli? Hm, that was certainly pushing the limits of Imperial propriety.

"Y-Yes! That Thulite you put in charge of the decorum lessons took over today! Nacre Three looked ready to yell, but when she heard that you were the one behind it she got all quiet and left!" I glanced at the brown Pearl that had sidled up next to me out of the corner of my eye, even as more Gems flashed past my view, colours each as varied as the last.

"That's good to hear. And have you been speaking to the rest of your Batch for me like I asked you to? Relaying my messages?" Yellow. Green. Red. Green again. Purple. Blue…

"Yes! Uhm, I think it's going well? Seventeen A has been very jealous, and she even asked me to ask you if she could come talk to you instead of me! The others were whispering about it for the entirety of the next break…" Blue. Hm. An Azurite. Actually, wait. A familiar Azurite. Was that…?

Whatever response that had been building in my throat died as I confirmed my suspicion, Seventeen B-or rather just Bee in private, as we'd agreed upon (she'd been so proud about having her own nickname, it had frankly been kind of adorable) continuing to chatter about her Batch's ever increasing confusion at my use of their fellow Pearl to speak to them indirectly. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

"You…"

"... Who?" I was shaken out of my reverie by Bee's confusion, glancing at her apologetically before turning to see just which Pearl was slated to be gifted to the Fawn agent.

"An old contact, a moment please, Bee." Was she snatching out recruits straight from the Reef? Bold as fuck, if true. But I certainly couldn't complain. Bee was becoming an excellent asset, and dare I say, friend. Even if the Pearl still seemed to consider all of her interactions with me a mere extension to her usual lesson plan. If I could somehow arrange for her to be given to Azurite… I could regain contact with Fawn!

It was something I'd tried once already, but any and all communicators that I'd been given by the rebel organisation no longer seemed to be connected to anything. That of course, and the Reef itself being horribly isolated, possibly by design, meant I couldn't just go and directly requisition this or that Gem without having to go through several layers of Imperial bureaucracy, all of which could risk exposing the rebel in question, or even both of us. Fawn's isolation of my tablet was a measure I understood.

I had been compromised, after all, and a live connection could have doomed whoever was on the other end, if things had turned out differently and someone had cared to actually check what was stored inside my gemstone. It was the only move that made sense. Still stung though, in a distinctly illogical way.

What stung more however was that Azurite wasn't actually due to receive my little spy in training, but rather Seventeen A, ever since the Morganite that had initially ordered her had fallen out of favour somehow, at least. Seventeen A. Aka the Pearl that Nacre Three had tried to replicate my success with. And she is going to try again and again if I allow her to.

The Pearl that I'd been avoiding any and all contact with out of unreasonable discomfort, refusing to match her gaze for too long during the few occasions I personally led a training session for her Batch. … Damn it, I was going to have to talk to her.

"Bee." Eager to please. Eager to learn. Sees all of this as an excellent opportunity. Adores the special treatment. Already afraid of losing it.

"Yes?" Had there been more time, she would have made an excellent agent.

"Do you think you could…fetch Seventeen A for me?" I resisted the urge to close my eyes and sigh as the Pearl let out a small gasp, her tone turning worried.

"D-Did I do something wrong?! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry-" Interrupting her attempted bow with a hand, I avoided poking her with my claws and instead cupped her chin, tilting her head back up to face me.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Bee. I just need your Batchmate for something pertaining to her future owner, and you're the only one I trust to bring her to me discretely. If anyone tries to stop you, you have my glyph, yes?" And just like that, stars and determination were shining in her eyes, the brown Pearl nodding quickly.

"Mhm!"

"Good, go fetch her please."

"Right away! I'll be back with her soon!"

"Very good." Turning back to stare at Azurite's profile as the doors to my office opened and closed in rapid succession, I sighed.

"... This is going to suck." Good Stars Viridian, you're acting pathetic. Just man the fuck up already. …Oh fuck right off you stupid ass brainwashing! Go eat a bag of dicks!