1 The Announcement
Steven
"I want this more than ever," said Rose as she held Greg's hands.
Greg looked up at his wife. Rose Quartz towered over him. She looked so strong, so confident.
"Yeah Sour Cream is cute but having a baby is a lot of work. Are you sure you understand what you're getting into?" asked Greg.
"I have never been more certain. Come, let us tell the others."
They marched up to where the rest of the gems were sitting. It was just outside the temple and Pearl was serving a pie to Amethyst. Upon seeing Rose they all stood up.
"Gems I have something important to tell you," announced Rose. "Greg and I are planning to have a baby."
"A little baby? How?" asked Amethyst.
"Simple, I will shapeshift a womb and become pregnant," Rose answered serenely.
"Are you out of your mind? Do have any idea of the cost? What this will do to you?"Pearl was now shouting.
Garnet gripped Pearl's shoulder, "Pearl -that's enough. Rose is our leader. We have to respect her decision."
"So I can't call her out on such a stupid decision?!" shot back Pearl. She did not appreciate Greg's relationship with Rose.
"Don't be such a downer P? Having a baby around the temple will be nice," said Amethyst.
"Look I Rose and I love each other and that's, that," said Greg firmly.
"Look this isn't too late. You can get a cat or something. Don't do this Rose," pleaded Pearl.
"Yes it is. I'm already pregnant, two months on in fact," said Rose.
Greg could see it in Pearl's face. Upon hearing this statement something inside her broke. Garnet stepped in once again.
"Pearl, we must support Rose in this," said Garnet firmly.
"Well, I can't. I don't want to have any part of this," shouted Pearl.
The lanky gem stormed off. It would be 5 months until she came back. Greg merely dismissed as jealousy but now looking back he wondered if Pearl knew what was going to happen.
Peridot
"I don't want this," said Emerald sadly.
The two technician caste gems, Jet and Emerald sat in front of a large desk. Neither gem wanted to be here but their punishment supervisor a green Agate didn't care.
"Well that's too bad. It's either accept this mission or the two of you will punished for your actions," smirked the Agate. The burly Quartz was enjoying this too much.
"But we have no idea what to do with a Peridot. We've always relied on each other," said Jet a little too loudly.
Green Agate leaned forward,"Well it's no wonder, you two are far too affectionate. I would have the both of you sent to hard labor but we've lost contact with our operative on Earth. So you two are going to have to train this Peridot reconnaissance unit, personally. Now report to Facet 2F5L the Peridot's waiting."
When Jet and Emerald got to the Kindergarten a pleasant looking Nephrite was waiting to greet them.
"Ah yes, you must be Jet and Emerald. We've been waiting for you. Follow me," smiled the green gem.
She wore a gray dress and her white hair was tied up in a bun. Still she moved quite fast as she led the two gems through the Kindergarten to a small room. It was not like the Kindergartens that Jet and Emerald came out from. Instead of exit holes, small doors were on the walls of this facility. A pounding came from one of the doors and a kindly Nephrite let the gem out. A small green thing blinked at the world outside while the Nephrite led it away.
"What is that?" asked Emerald.
"Ah yes, that's a Peridot. They're much smaller without their limb enhancers and are quite weak. That one will be upgraded and ready for service very soon," said the Nephrite cheerily.
"And the doors?" asked Jet.
"Peridots are very quick to manufacture. Intelligent, adaptable the only problem is they're too weak to emerge from the rock unaided. Oh we're here." The door opened to a large chamber. There were small doors on the far wall. "Ladies please met Peridot Cut 5XG."
With a flourish the Nephrite pointed to a door. It did not move in the slightest.
"Ah it looks like the gem is still cooking," observed Jet.
"Of course she is. Your job right now is to form a bond establish trust. Talk to her, get her used to your voices," said the Nephrite.
"er hello Peridot. I am Emerald Cut 3VO," said Emerald.
"Excellent, I'll leave you to it," cried the Nephrite as she left the room.
Emerald continued, "I am a lecturer at the – ," she sighed and turned to Jet. "We have no idea what we're doing."