Commands
A powerful, clear voice brought Ulexite to an abrupt halt. The small gem inhaled sharply at the sound, and her gaze fell to the pristine floor. She continued walking, hoping silently that whoever it was would leave her alone.
"You dare ignore me?" came the voice again, echoing through the deserted hall. No luck.
"You will demonstrate proper respect when I address you." Ulexite swallowed the lump in her throat before turning around apprehensively. The weak alien continued to stare at the floor, fearful to make eye contact with the commanding gem before her. Many gems belonging to higher echelons seemed to take offense when she made eye contact with them; after years of abysmal encounters, the messenger had become accustomed to averting her gaze.
"Look at me," the imposing gem ordered. Ulexite's eyes snapped upward, and she suddenly found herself unable to look away.
Before her stood a semi-translucent gem clad in a flowing gossamer mantle. Standing just slightly taller than the lowly messenger, the beautiful aristocrat held an air of nobility and grace. Light played off the resplendent gem, causing her to glow with an alluring light that shined against the walls. A small scowl hung loosely on the grandee's lips, contrasting sharply with her immaculate serenity. Ulexite stood frozen, her gaze drowning in the noble's eyes. She had encountered the gorgeous gem many times before. The lowly messenger repeatedly found herself enthralled by the glorious patrician.
One of the aristocrat's three hulking guards let out a terse snicker, tearing the small gem's attention back to her present predicament. She stepped back before regaining her composure and performing a low bow.
"I-I-Iceland Spar," Ulexite stammered, fear riddling her voice. "How may I be of service to you?" The composed gem gazed down uninterestedly at her supplicant.
"I still struggle with Yellow Diamond's motivation for keeping you," the patrician stated matter-of-factly. "I must always search exhaustively for you when I require your services. And you do not provide any benefit beyond the use of a common pearl. Where have you been?" Ulexite's gaze sank to the floor once again.
"I was busy…training…with the quartzes a few levels up," she replied quietly.
"I can tell," the noble replied, looking over the injured messenger. "I would suggest that you find a more…evenly matched opponent next time. Nevertheless, I have a message which I need you to deliver. You will follow me to my quarters. Now." Ulexite tried to respond, but was interrupted as one of the aristocrat's guards grabbed her shoulder and hauled her into the middle of the procession. The striking patrician whirled about and started towards the stairs leading to the upper levels. Her three guards followed, silently glowering at the messenger marching ahead of them. The solemn procession traveled upward through the maze of hallways and stairs before finally arriving at a large, circular door. The gem aristocrat stopped and turned to her vanguard.
"Ulexite, follow me," Iceland Spar ordered tersely. "You three, stand outside and keep watch."
"But we were ordered to watch…" one of the massive guards began.
"I doubt there will be any threat to me within my quarters," the grandee interrupted.
"But what if that gem tries to assassinate you?" the sentry asked staunchly.
"This measly messenger could do little to harm me," the noble retorted absent-mindedly. "The only danger I see here is your insubordination." The worried sentinel stood in rigid attention and allowed the two smaller gems to enter the room.
Inside, Ulexite looked around the brightly lit, spacious quarters. A large chair sat in the center of the chamber, surrounded by holographic terminals. The injured messenger couldn't help but feel jealous of the luxurious space. She always struggled with the size of her meager room, even if she spent most of her time elsewhere.
"Ulexite," Iceland Spar said, her tone even and emotionless. The small gem's eyes turned to the ground once again. She didn't respond.
"Look at me," the gem noble ordered. Ulexite continued to stare at the floor.
"I said look at me," the aristocrat asked again, her measured tone wavering. Ulexite continued her disobedience.
"I…well, I…you…," she began unsuccessfully. Ulexite felt a hand gently lift her chin, and found herself lost in Iceland Spar's worry-filled eyes.
"Oh, Lexy, why do you let them do this to you?" the aristocrat queried, her stoic façade melting away. "It seems like every time I see you, you're hurt. You need to be more careful!"
"I'm sorry, Spar," Ulexite replied apologetically. "Yellow Diamond sent me down to deliver a message. When I got there, they jumped me." Spar stared at her companion before pulling her into a tight hug. The injured gem froze up, taken aback by the affectionate gesture. At once she felt her fear subside, and a feeling of comfort rose in her. Ulexite reached up and sheepishly returned the hug.
"I'm sorry you have to go through all this," Spar said sadly. "No one deserves that kind of abuse."
"It's alright," Ulexite replied with a half-hearted smile. "I still can't understand what you see in me."
"I wonder what the others don't," the kind noble retorted. "I just can't accept the reality of the hierarchy here on Homeworld. So many good gems are oppressed or shattered for no reason! We condemn individuality to further the cause of making a flawed system perfectly efficient. Gems like you should be accorded more respect."
"An interesting opinion coming from such a high-ranking gem," Ulexite commented with a smile.
"Just because I'm an aristocrat doesn't mean I have to think like one," Spar answered playfully. A smile creeped across Ulexite's features, but quickly disappeared.
"You shouldn't do this, Spar," the injured messenger asserted. "If the others find out that you've been…"
"They won't," Spar replied. "And besides, I am a member of Blue Diamond's court. Who would dare question my…"
The gentle noble was interrupted as a holographic terminal lit up, and a gem appeared onscreen.
"Iceland Spar," the new gem greeted.
"What gives you the right to interrupt me?" the aristocrat demanded, her dignified façade returning.
"Blue Diamond has requested your presence immediately," the gem said.
"I'll be right there." Spar answered disinterestedly. The gem nodded and the screen went dark, leaving the duo alone again. The grandee turned to her injured companion and gave a weary smile.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I need to go."
"I understand," Ulexite replied. The injured gem followed her powerful friend out into the hall, where they were greeted by the three guards.
"I expect you will deliver my message immediately," Spar stated coldly. Ulexite bowed, struggling to conceal her true emotions.
"Of course," she responded. The small messenger turned and ran down the hallway.
She couldn't help but smile.
Later…
Ulexite shifted nervously on her feet as she waited outside Yellow Diamond's chambers. The small messenger stared at the looming door before her, wondering why the gem tyrant had demanded an audience. The small courier had only just returned from her meeting with Spar when she had been summoned to the alien ruler's quarters. She smiled as she recounted her wonderful yet brief conversation with Spar. The righteous grandee was Ulexite's only friend on Homeworld. Her support and caring was a source of strength for the tormented courier. Ulexite unconsciously cracked a smile as she daydreamed about the resplendent gem.
"Ulexite."
The distracted gem looked up to find the door in front of her wide open. Yellow Diamond stared at her from within the chamber, a look of impatience plastered on her features. Sensing the tyrant's foul mood, Ulexite hurried inside and approached the seated ruler. The towering gem summoned up a holographic terminal and input some information before turning her attention to the miniscule courier standing before her.
"My diamond," Ulexite greeted with a small bow.
"I laud you for your punctuality this time," Yellow Diamond answered dryly.
"How may I be of assistance?" the small courier replied, taking the faint praise in stride.
"You are to warp to Earth," the gem ruler said calmly.
"What?" Ulexite asked, doing nothing to hide her surprise. "Really?"
"I want you to check on the status of the colony and report back to me," Yellow Diamond explained.
"But why me?" Ulexite questioned. "And what about the rebels?"
"Remember what I said about questions?" the gem overlord interjected. "I want an agent whom I can trust. As for any potential threats, I have assigned a jasper to you as a bodyguard for the duration of your mission." As if on cue, a voice boomed out from behind Ulexite.
"Reporting for my assignment, my diamond." Ulexite whirled about and immediately recognized her protector.
"Hey!" Ulexite shouted. "You're one of the gems who beat me up!" She turned to Yellow Diamond. "There's no way I'm traveling across the galaxy with her!"
"Believe me, runt," the hulking soldier said sarcastically, "I'd rather have my gem crushed into dust than protect a defective piece of trash like you."
"Silence, both of you!" Yellow Diamond demanded, silencing both of her subordinates. She took a moment to regain her composure.
"You will both travel to the galaxy warp located in facet 5. From there, you will rendezvous with a peridot and three rubies. You will travel to the Sea Spire and the Communication Hub, as well as the kindergarten site in facet 5. I expect a full report upon your return. Ulexite, you are the commanding gem for the duration of the mission. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, my diamond," the unwilling duo said in unison. Exchanging a brief look of disgust, the pair marched out of the massive chamber and down to the nearest warp pad.
"Don't think this makes you any less worthless in my eyes, runt," the jasper said as they stepped onto the warp pad.
"Of course," Ulexite responded. "But I am in charge for the duration of this mission. So let's get this over with so we don't have to see each other again." The warp activated, transporting the pair in a flash of light.
As the warp stream cleared, Ulexite was forced to shield herself from the midday sun. A cool ocean breeze blew through the galaxy warp, sending a chill down her spine. The small courier surveyed the warp, overcome by her new environment. She had always wanted to visit Earth, but had been unable to obtain clearance to leave Homeworld. Now finally on the alien planet, the small gem marveled at the beautiful azure sky and the ocean waves which crashed against the sides of the galaxy warp.
"Ulexite, I assume?"
Ulexite about-faced to find a single peridot flanked by three rubies. The short technician looked from the small emissary to her hulking bodyguard.
"And you must be the peridot Yellow Diamond said would meet me," Ulexite replied cordially. "We should get moving. Yellow Diamond does not tolerate tardiness. With a nod, the peridot directed them to a warp pad. In a flash, the group found themselves at the base of a looming structure. Gems and robonoids traveled about the site, carrying materials and assembling the top of structure.
"As you can see," the peridot began, gesturing to the spire, "The Lunar Sea Spire is nearly complete. The project is running approximately 4-and-a-half Earth rotations behind schedule due to a material defect and an insufficient labor force. Unfortunately, we have been forced to allocate many of our technicians to repairs on other vital structures due to…complications…caused by the rebels. Thankfully, this installation has yet to be the target of any such actvi-AUGH!"
The peridot's presentation halted abruptly as a spear destroyed her physical form. Ulexite spun around, summoned her knife, and took a defensive stance.
She immediately recognized Rose Quartz.