A/N: I Liiiivvve! Sorry it took so long to post, been stupidly busy as of late. Anywho, please comment, cons-critic is appreciated.

Steven Universe belongs to Rebecca Sugar and the crewniverse. I own only the OCs.


Team Building Exercises

Indoctrination on Homeworld isn't miserable. It's not grueling, hell, even calling it hard is a gross overstatement.

It's actually quite laughable.

Apparently, since gems are made with all their necessary training pre-programmed into them, this means that Quartz soldiers don't need to go through the alien equivelant of boot camp, 'cause they already know how to fight, soldier, ect. ect... But the one thing that they don't know how to do, the really sad thing, is fill out paperwork. It's fucking pathetic.

On the first week we "learned" how to fill out a mission report, and two days in the Amethyst broke down into tears. And I mean straight up puppy-got-hit-by-a-truck tears, which surprisingly got some sympathetic looks from our C.O.. I even had to pretend to struggle with the concept of acquisition forms -not too much though, still want to impress the higher ups- because good ol' Pyrite got suspicious when I seemed to just breeze through everything beforehand, and I don't need to stick out anymore than I already do. My choice in attire does that enough.

Apparently wearing body armor is considered "out of uniform". Freaks.

Thankfully, after sixteen straight days of practice paperwork, we got a little recess and I didn't even try to hide my joy. What does a gem recess look like you ask? Why it's an all-expenses-paid grand tour of Homeworld. Though, not all of Homeworld of course, only the areas deemed necessary for Quartz soldiers to be informed of. Which didn't include much, really, but it did take us to one place that I was personally very eager to get to.

The place where I am currently standing, in the middle of Blue Diamond's court.

Glancing around, it's a fairly large room -understandable considering who it was built for- and almost completely empty, save only a few gems.

Among those few are myself, my three Quartz comrades, Sgt. Pyrite, Blue Pearl, Blue Diamond herself, and good ol' Sapphire, standing just beside the steps leading to the throne.

The first thing I had thought upon entering the throne room had been A) Blue Pearl is the cutest damn lollipop I've ever seen, and B) Ol' Bluey's hood hides her face really well. I mean, I'm getting a serious Nazgul vibe here.

Pyrite is currently speaking with Her Majesty while the four of us are standing at attention. And while my eyes keep getting drawn to the small smile that Sapphire is wearing, I also can't help but feel that someone else is staring at me. Someone big.

"-and as you can see for yourself from the latest batch's sample, your Luminescence, the environment of Theronius 4 was a perfect choice for the production o-"

"Pyrite." My current C.O.'s composure crumbles like dry sand at the Matriarch's interruption, looking very much like she is about to be lead to the gallows. And I don't blame her. In the whole ten minutes that we've been here, Blue Diamond hasn't spoken once, and now that she has it was to cut Pyrite off. I wouldn't feel too good either.

"The Blue Jasper there. What is her designation?" And I suddenly don't feel well.

Pyrite though, is quick to snatch up the chance to turn the attention away from herself. "Blue Jasper Facet-8N7Z Cut-3SA, your Radiance. Now I know what you're thinking, and yes, she is out of uniform. I assure you, my Diamond, that disciplinary action has bee-" "Blue Jasper, step forward."

Interrupted twice, ouch.

Surprised at being addressed directly, I have to take a steadying breath before straightening my back and marching forward several strides until I'm standing at the base of the stairs.

Now that I'm slightly closer, I can just make out her diamond shaped pupils from beneath her hood.

She stares at me for a minute or two, as I match her gaze from behind my shades, before turning slightly and leaning down closer to Sapphire. "Is this the one you spoke of?"

My jaw tightens when I see Sapphire's smile stretch into a grin. "Yes, my Diamond, this is the Quartz that I foresaw. The one fighting in the war."

I swear that someone just dropped a pane of glass somewhere in the room.

That.

BITCH.

She sold me out! Of course, why am I surprised? She was a loyal Homeworld courtier until Ruby came along! If I didn't think of her as Best Blue Gem, I'd wring her tiny little neck right now!

"I see." I snap back to attention as Blue Diamond sits back in her throne, eyeing me carefully. "Perhaps you should be the one to explain this... situation. Pyrite, you and your troops are dismissed."

The golden soldier gapes for a moment before saluting and rushing out of the room, three Quartz in tow. I turn back as Sapphire steps in front of me, that small smile back on her lips. Oh how I want to wipe it off.

Squaring herself off to me, she attempts to meet my gaze, though, between her bangs and my shades I'm not sure if she succeeds or not.

"I have had a vision," I'll bet you have. "and in this vision, roughly fifteen hundred years from now, there is a war." She stares at me a moment as if gauging my reaction, whereas I raise a questioning brow. I'm not sure if I know where this is going, but if my hunch is correct, then I'm not sure how I feel about this. Deciding to play along, I nod.

"During this war, many gems are lost. Millions, quite easily, and the losses nearly cripple Homeworld. But in this tumultuous time, there is one ray of hope." I know where this is going. Don't even need Future Vision.

"A Blue Jasper leading a team of highly trained, very special gems. They are able to defeat the insurrectionist gems responsible, and restore Homeworld's glory." Her Smile grows slightly. "I believe you to be the Blue Jasper from this future."

Nodding my head slowly, as though this was all news to me, I turn slightly to Blue. "My Diamond..." I can't help the bitter taste that fills my mouth from the title.

"What do you make of this, if I may ask?" She looks down on me for a moment, before closing her eyes and resting her head on her palm. A heavy sigh causes my braid to flap around behind me.

"After thorough questioning, and many glimpses into the future, this Sapphire has managed to convince me that our best option to avoid this war, is if you where allowed to build your team as soon as possible, and end this rebel surge before it even begins. It seems any attempt to prevent this catastrophe on my, or my fellow Diamonds part, will only serve to worsen the situation. Whereas you, a common soldier, could act without the notice of the public eye."

Understanding dawns on me. "A strike team."

Blue Diamond immediately raises her head and nods gravely. "It's not how I would prefer to handle things, as it is a bit... barbaric, but it seems that we have little choice."

Swallowing slightly, I nod firmly and clear my throat. "And would these... actions, be officially sanctioned?"

My choice of words apparently got to her in some way, because she cocks her head to the side in mild curiosity. "If you're asking whether or not my fellow Diamonds will be made aware of this..." Her gaze flicks over to Sapphire, before returning to me. "... Only if absolutely necessary. And I myself would rather not be informed of too many details regarding your... activities."

Clandestine operations behind enemy lines. This is feeling like familiar territory, and I can't stop the smirk before it stretches my lips. "Plausible deniability. Of course, my Diamond."

The curious look that Blue Diamond is giving me only grows, but she gives an affirming nod.

Turning to Sapphire, I cock my head slightly while crossing my arms over my chest. "And these other gems in this team of yours, got any designations, or will I know 'em when I see 'em?"

Clasping her hands in front of her, Sapphire gives a slight incline of her head. "You will know for the most part, but I will be here, gathering information for when you will need it."

"This Sapphire has been given special privileges in regards to government clearance." Blue Diamond cuts in. "Anything of note that takes place, she will be informed. That, paired with her especially sharp Future Vision, should be more than enough for you to locate these insurrectionists." Blue Diamond gives a wave of her hand and from a previously overlooked corner of the room comes a Peridot.

It's odd, seeing an Era 1 Peridot, considering that she's about the size of an adult human. No need for limb enhancers on these babes apparently.

The green gem strides up to us, before turning and bowing to me slightly, holding out an object in her hands. At first glance, it looks like a metal choker, smooth and blue. As I take it from her hands, she immediately salutes Blue Diamond then promptly leaves. Glancing over at Sapphire, she mimes clipping the device around her neck.

It's a snug fit, but not uncomfortably so. "That is a long-range communication unit. It's frequency is private, only I and other members of your team will be able to access it." Sapphire explains smoothly. "And on the subject of your team, your first member is a Ruby. I have not foreseen what her designation is yet, but there is a rather large batch of rubies on their way here fresh from the kindergarten. I believe that you will know the right one once you've met her." She glances away for a moment, and I can tell that she's looking ahead.

"They should be in the lower courtyard soon. The Quartz leading them is Sergeant Jasper. She'll be expecting you."

Nodding once to Sapphire, I cross my arms in the Diamond salute.

"Will that be all, my Diamond?"

Blue Diamond barely says yes before I'm turning on my heel and striding out of the throne room. I may not need to breathe, but I am holding my breath all the way until the lift door shut behind me and the platform starts to drop.

I release a tremendous sigh of relief as I slump against the wall. That had been a little nerve wracking.

Shaking the last vestiges of my nerves away, I take a look out the glass wall of the elevator toward the lower courtyards, where I'm headed.

There I can see a gathered mass of Rubies. Out of whom I will apparently meet the most hot-headed of the future Crystal Gems. One that doesn't have future vision. That will most likely be harder to convince.

Well, I always did boast loving a challenge.

Another sigh, only slighty less strong than the last. "Oorah..."