Chương 178: LOG-170.

"Oh, it's my utmost honour to have gained your attention, Overseer! I am Nacre One, designated to the newly constructed Blue Thirteen Atoll! It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance!" Extremely excited to see me. Tone suggests that she didn't actually expect my presence, despite likely being warned ahead of time. Pleasantly surprised is an understatement. It was my first time meeting a Nacre outside of the Reef (with Quille being a notable, irregular exception), and my first impression of her was… well.

There was a degree of effort required to keep my attention focused on her eyes instead of the exceedingly obvious limb enhancers attached to her arms and legs. Ironic, considering I technically had similar, if significantly more subtle and bespoke versions propping me up as well. Likely a result of the resource crisis.

While the Reef maintains Era One standards, at least in regards to its permanently stationed staff, Atolls have likely fallen to the wayside and been forced to innovate, particularly since more of them are needed. She was still about a foot short relative to my own height, leaving her to stare up at me with eager eyes as I folded my hands behind my back, idly noting that the rest of the chamber was significantly more populated than it had been previously. More guests had finally arrived, it seems.

"Charmed, I'm sure. Walk with me, if you would?"

"Of course!" Long strides took me past the scattering of aristocrats that had slowly been edging closer to the conversation, even as… this apparent iteration of Nacre One naturally fell into lockstep behind me, the slight clunk of her limb enhancers contrasting significantly with the click of my own heels.

There were different acts starting up now, with more of that strange, eclectic mix of music filling the air as Larimars began to weave throughout the crowds of guests, leaving glittering trails of water floating behind them that snapped back into place as they advanced, drawing approving noises from their observers. I ignored all of it, keeping an eye out for a specific Gem while affecting a casual tone for my counterpart.

"How long ago did you first emerge?" The smile was practically audible in her voice, even as I searched for traces of a rather specific shade of blue.

"Oh, I only emerged several local planetary cycles ago! My commissioners felt it prudent that the Nacre came before the Atoll, I supposed!" Barely a few days old, then. The Gem behind me was young.

"Not a bad course of action, in theory. A Nacre is the heart of any production facility. Now, what is your purpose?" A pause.

"Uhm…to create and train Pearls? Is…is this a test of sorts?" Finally settling to a stop in a somewhat isolated corner of the party, I turned to glance at One out of the corner of my eye, noting the way her hair seemed to curve upwards and then back down in some kind of overly elaborate ponytail.

"Yes." The Nacre flinched at that, before visibly steeling herself, clawed hands (so much more bulky looking compared to my own) balling and unballing for a few seconds before she nodded. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Didn't expect this. Desperate not to disappoint me. Views me as a role model of sorts, most likely.

"I…exist to ensure perfection. To enforce discipline. Pearls are a product, and I am the manager of that product-" A slight squeak escaped the limb enhanced Gem as I reached forward and pointed a talon right up against her nose, narrowing my eyes.

"Pearls are Gems. A servant caste of Gems, but still Gems. Do not disregard such a thing."

"Y-Yes Overseer! My mistake!" Staring at One even as she held her hands up protectively in front of her face, I finally nodded, letting loose a sigh as I did so.

"You exist to prepare Pearls for their new lives as servants of high class Gems and institutions. You are their Caretaker, their sole anchor in life until they are cast out into the world. You ensure perfection, but you also nurture the source of that perfection. You enforce discipline, but you also provide compassion as is needed to ensure that aforementioned discipline is willingly embraced. Am I understood?"

Rapid nods answered my question, and I found myself quirking an eyebrow as several fingers detached from one of her hands, forming a somewhat triangular screen and- Taking notes without any hint of objection or resistance. Believes she will receive no better advice than what comes from me. -yes, that.

Watching her use another talon to seemingly write out my words on the holographic surface, I finally turned away, only to pause as I noted the figure I'd been searching for standing just opposite the distinctly shaped form of an Emerald.

"... You will have to excuse me for a few moments, One. I will return shortly."

"Wha-oh, yes, of course! It's no bother at all, Overseer!" Stepping away from the downright peppy Nacre, I squared my shoulders, took a subtle breath, and began to march towards the conversing pair of Gems, ignoring the various glances I was earning as I did so. Naturally, the spy was the first to notice me, though the admiral was fairly quick in turning around as well once she realised her conversation partner was looking at someone else.

There was a brief twinge in my gemstone as horribly familiar green eyes glanced at me, and I found myself having to focus on both the officer's hair and the placement of her gemstone, namely on her right shoulder, in order to avoid thinking of my own former owner.

"Ah, the peerless Overseer has chosen to converse with us? How daunting, however shall we rise to the occasion, dear Emerald?" Azurite's dry tone earned something resembling a snort from the green Gem, before she huffed the amusement out and stiffened into a posture fitting her military role, puffing up her chest in a way that emphasized the blue diamond proudly displayed upon her lightform.

"Emerald Facet 3R9A, Cut 8XL. Coreward fleet admiral, at your service." Resisting the urge to blink at the surprisingly polite tone to her voice, I inclined my head slightly, allowing the rest of my body to follow in a small and restrained curtsy.

"Nacre Four. Overseer of the Reef. A pleasure." A pair of snapped fingers dragged both of our respective attentions back towards Azurite, a slightly cocked hip and tilted head displaying her amusement at the brief introductions.

"And both of you know me already, so I'll refrain from the usual pomp, yes?" Emerald's eyes widened at that, flicking between me and the blue Gem for a second before the admiral spoke.

"You know each other?" Part of me wanted to glare at the potential blunder for a moment, but my Fawn counterpart was thankfully quick enough on the uptake to avoid seeming suspicious, her voice containing a measure of casual relaxation in it that seemed to naturally draw Emerald in.

"Oh we met only briefly. She was still a Pearl at the Crystal Confluence at the time, if you'd believe it! I attended one of those stellar performances dear Viridian here used to do." This time, I didn't hesitate to shoot the surprisingly bold rebel a look, only to relax slightly as she shot me a reassuring glance. Acting casual deliberately, occasional shooting glances at some of the surroundings guests.

Turning just enough to get my own look, I did my best to observe as a nearby Jade giggled at something a Larimar had just whispered to her. Nearly everyone in attendance isn't acting as prim and proper as I'm used to. It may just be something unique to this particular planet, though there is also a significant possibility that Blue Court attitudes are simply… different, to my experiences within predominantly Yellow and White Court territories.

"Yes, well that was some time ago." My words earned a soft scoff from Emerald, who waved a hand at my attention.

"You're rushing to forget your past experiences too quickly, it's barely been a few cycles since then. Ah, but everything and everyone seems to be moving far, far faster in this new Era of ours…" Misses Era One. It was no doubt a simpler time for her, back then. Crossing my arms at the wistful words, I turned back to Azurite, letting a questioning tone enter my voice.

"So, what kind of conversation did I so expertly crash my way into?" I got a small smile in response to that, the Fawn agent shooting a pointed glance at a suddenly stiffer Emerald, who blatantly glanced around to ensure no one was listening in before leaning towards me, her voice lowering to a soft whisper.

"... It's the navy's movements. I'm not one to normally speculate on such things, but Yellow Court vessels have been almost entirely recalled from most joint formations and positioned in frankly…worrying positions." She shifted slightly, expression twisting into something that almost looked tired.

"In addition, my counterparts in those vessels have all gone rather decidedly silent, and have been refusing to return my calls. To say that I am concerned in my capacity as an Imperial admiral would be a bit of an understatement, at the moment." Is attempting to avoid saying it outright, but her resigned energy suggests she fully believes and has accepted that there is conflict on the horizon. Interesting…