Surprise Delivery
Pearl was feeling something that she never thought she'd feel, respect for Peridot. The thin pale gem was trying to keep order at the farm where Bismuth and Peridot had set up an impromptu hospital for corrupted gems. As the tall gem tried to walk across the yard to reach some piece equipment, Bismuth's and Peridot's patients clambered at her feet. Peridot and Bismuth had placed the corrupted gems in small robinoid bodies. The theory being that they could recover without being all that much trouble. That theory was proving to be all too false.
"I'm hungry is there any pudding," asked one patient.
"I'm bored. Is there anything to do?" asked another.
"Is there any food at all?"
"Could we take maybe take a trip into town?"
"Can I get out of this robinoid shell?"
Pearl's patience broke, "For the last time no, we have no food, you can't go into town and there are plenty of things to keep you amused here."
"Jasper went into town," said one patient sulkily.
Pearl had enough, "Oh for the love of- the humans think she is some kind of dog. Even if I could fit you into the minicar they would think you were some sort of toy." Pearl shuddered at the thought of that.
"Peridot let us play videogames," muttered another patient.
"Then why don't you play videogames now?" the small patients cringed. Pearl didn't realize she was shouting.
"Jasper ate the console," said the sulky patient.
Pearl sighed, "Look I'm sorry but since Bismuth and Steven left, we've all been suffering. I've got a videogame console at the Beach House but until Amethyst comes back from her mission I can't leave you guys alone."
As if on cue the warp pad glowed. Amethyst stood there looking slightly singed. Relieved Pearl ran up to her.
"Did you get Centipeedle and her crew?" asked Pearl.
Amethyst held up a butterfly net. There was a large hole in it, "Nope, they ate right though the net. Your gentle capture sucked."
"Well nice try anyways. Could you keep the patients amused as I go back to the Beach House?" Before Amethyst could open her mouth, Pearl stepped into the minicar and drove off."
"You know this would be easier if you repaired the warp pad," called out Amethyst.
When Pearl got home she realized how empty the house was. Since Greg had left, the house seemed so dark and lonely. She supposed she could tear down the house as it served no purpose but it was filled with so many memories. She missed her little boy, she missed Greg even. It was nice taking care of someone but that was probably due to the pearl conditioning. Which try as Pearl may, she could never get rid of.
She climbed the stairs to Steven's and then Greg's bedroom. Inside was the videogame console the patients were looking for. After Pearl had packed the console she felt a surge of anger. She looked at the kitchen which now would never be used again. Then she saw the coffee maker that Garnet so loved.
"This is all your fault," snarled Pearl jabbing a finger at the helpless machine. "You and your hatred of anything Homeworld. We blindly followed your orders. Your advice thinking you knew what was best. We hunted down a child and enslaved her. You told us she was a danger to Steven but it was you who was the danger. You used your powers against him. Now Steven is halfway across the country and he hates us. I only wish you were reformed so that I could poof you again."
Screaming Pearl pulled out her spear and smashed the coffee maker again and again. When she was done, Pearl looked down at the mess she had made. There was still some old coffee in the machine which was now staining the floor. Pearl pushed her hair back into place.
"Amethyst is right. I should repair the warp pad," said Pearl.
Amethyst was bored. It was now very late and the patients were now in bed sleeping. It had been hours since Pearl had driven off to the Beach house. Now sitting just outside the Quonset hut Amethyst had plenty of time for her least favorite activity thinking. Amethyst supposed she could turn into a helicopter and fly home but that would mean leaving the patients alone. Even she knew that would be wrong.
Suddenly the warp pad activated. There stood Pearl with a pile of stuff in her arms.
"I've got video games and toys," announced Pearl as if nothing happened.
"Pearl what were you doing? I've been like waiting for hours," shouted Amethyst.
"Sorry about that, I was repairing the warp pad actually, I replaced the warp pad with the one at the laundry hand. Then I mopped the floor -but the point is that now it is easier for us to come and go as wish now. Do you want to go home?"
"Like yeah, I mean with all the patients sleeping, it's boring here."
"Well okay you go get some sleep but be ready in the morning. I have some errands for you to do."
Before Pearl could blink Amethyst was on the warp pad and back at the Beach house. Amethyst was looking forward to a nice long nap but when she got there she noticed how quiet the house was. The only sound was of Jasper snoring on her dog bed. The house felt so lonely without Steven. That goofball could always make her smile. She turned on the TV the voices gave the illusion of company. Then Amethyst walked into the kitchen. Something felt different but what. She opened the fridge. It was empty. There was no Steven or Greg to buy food for. She tried the cupboards Steven liked hide- and then she saw it, the Chaaps. Now she knew exactly how to catch Centipeedle and her crew.
The warp flashed behind her. Amethyst smiled, "So even you got bored of watching over sleeping patients eh Peirogi?"
When Amethyst turned around she saw not Pearl but dozens of robinoids of all shapes and sizes. Before her eyes they stumbled off the warp pad in a huge pile and split off in all directions crawling around aimlessly on the floor. By this time Jasper had awakened and was barking her head off. Not moving from her spot Amethyst pulled out her cellphone and quickly dialed Pearl.
"Pearl, get your pale butt in here. We've got a situation," whispered Amethyst on the phone.
Pearl's eyes widened as Amethyst explained the situation. Peridot's virus was working but without a technician to command them the robinoids were a liability, a danger even. She hastily thanked Amethyst.
After Pearl had hung up the phone she marched straight into the Quonset hut flicking on the lights. The patients groaned as they stood up to face Pearl. These robinoids Pearl could at least handle. They stood facing her in a line.
"Right which one of you was a scientist or technician," questioned Pearl.
The corrupted gems trapped in the bodies of robiniods looked at each other. Then Pearl saw the former crystalline shrimp.
"You there you were a scientist at the Sea Spire weren't you?" said Pearl as she jabbed a finger at a robinoid.
"Er I was only a theoretical physicist. The only thing I know how to work is a computer console," said the former gem sheepishly.
Pearl picked up the scientist, "You'll have to do. Come with me."
When Pearl had got back to the Beach house she found it swarming with robinoids. Jasper was perched up on the counter growling at the invaders. Amethyst was doing her best trying to control them by shoving them into her room but the robiniods just kept coming. She dropped the former crystalline shrimp at her feet. As soon as the modified robinoid landed on the ground she barked out a string of gem computer code. The robinoids ignored her still milling around.
"Amethyst stop what you're doing right away," ordered Pearl.
"What are you crazy? The robinoids are just piling up here," protested Amethyst.
"Then just leave the door to your room open. I have a new mission for you. Go back to Centipeedle's ship and use whatever means to get her here."
"What about the patients at the barn?"
"I've got this," Pearl called out. "Jasper go the farm, protect the patients."
The corrupted gem leapt off the counter and stepped onto the warp pad. She disappeared in a flash.
Now it was Amethyst's turn. Before she stepped onto the warp pad she turned to Pearl, "So what are you planning on doing?"
"I'm going to visit Bismuth at the prison and try and get her released," said Pearl.
When Amethyst appeared at the crash site it was still very dark. She stumbled and cursed her way to the ship were Centipeedle and her crew were living. Even with the light from her gem it was still very dark. It was time to try a different method for capturing Centipeedle. The purple gem pounded on the door of Centipeedle's home. For a while there was nothing, then she heard a rustling.
A large rather sleepy looking eye peered out from a hole in the door. The owner of the eye squeaked curiously as if asking a question.
Amethyst grinned widely. She held her bait a loft.
"I've got Chaaps," said Amethyst.
The corrupted gem grumbled and turned away. Shoot this wasn't working. What could Centipeedle want if not for Chaaps? Then it hit Amethyst. She pounded on the door again. Inside she could hear the corrupted gems grumbling. When the captain of the ship finally reached the door, she was ready.
On the other side the Captain was greatly irked. First that purple pest tried capturing her with a net and now she was disturbing her sleep. She snarled as she opened the door, only to see Steven instead.
"Hey tell me that you love me," said Amethyst in the form of a younger Steven.
As the sun rose Pearl was corralling the robinoids into Amethyst's room. The surge of robinoids had dropped down to a manageable trickle. Soon it would be morning and time to visit Bismuth. Once it was a decent hour, Pearl drove the minicar down to the police station. She had some questions she needed some answers to.
When she got there, she found a youngish police officer lounging by reception. The young black man was new which was good in Pearl's eyes.
"You," Pearl shouted. "I need to speak to Bismuth. Take me to her right away."
The officer saw the angry look on Pearl's face. He fingered his collar.
"Ma'am. Bismuth is not at the police station anymore she's been relocated to the Shoreton Federal Prison," he said nervously.
"Shoreton? That's a men's prison. This is outrageous. Call your supervisor, Bismuth must be released at once."
"Ma'am your friend destroyed a police car and broke an officer's arm. I can call Shoreton and get her transferred to the Women's Prison but you need a lawyer's help to release her."
"Ugh never mind the women's prison is too far away. And doesn't the state provide a lawyer? Let me speak to him."
"Er Bismuth hasn't been assigned one yet. Her trial is over two months away."
"I should have expected such incompetence if you let the likes of Doug Maheswaran join you."
The next stop was at the Shorton Prison. After a humiliating search Pearl finally got to see Bismuth through a pane of glass. As Bismuth sat down Pearl spoke.
"Ah Bismuth I'm trying to get you out but-"
Bismuth pointed to the phone beside Pearl. Pearl picked it up.
"Pearl, how's it going?" laughed Bismuth. "So you finally took time out of your busy schedule. Girl what have you been doing?"
"Ugh this phone is disgusting. Quite a lot actually. You know the craziness that was happening with Steven being accused of stabbing Connie? Well I found out that Garnet was using her temporal powers to harm Steven. So I arranged a coup and bubbled the pair. Right after that 3-eyed monster was poofed the hunt for Steven was called off. Sadie Miller confessed to stabbing that little twerp. I only regret that Sadie didn't finish the job."
"Well we can't have everything and wasn't Connie your student?"
"Yes but I never taught her to lie like that. Anyway, the real reason I called you is that I needed your help. You remember that virus Peridot infected the robinoids with? Well the warp pad to the Beach house was only just fixed last night. We've got a huge backlog of robinoids in the Beach house. I sent Amethyst to retrieve some corrupted technicians but that was a long shot. What I need to know is how you and Peridot dealt with the robinoids."
Bismuth thought for a moment, "Well Peridot was the technician but she did teach me one thing on how to use robinoids. That was to crack the robinoids like eggs, place the corrupted gem inside and fill it up with gem substrate from the kindergarten."
"Well er thanks that helps a lot actually. I'm going to try and see about getting you out."
"Girl you could just smash these walls down."
"So could you but then you could never show your face in Beach City, Girlfriend."
The pair laughed loudly before Pearl said her goodbyes and left. Next stop was Greg's ice cream parlor.
Amethyst by this time had returned home with Centipeedle and her corrupted crew. As soon as she stepped off the warp pad she reverted to her true form. The robinoids were everywhere again.
"Yeah sorry about lying to you and junk but I need your help. Can you help me deal with these robot thingys?" said Amethyst sheepishly.
The corrupted gems looked at each other. The largest one, Centipeedle barked out some command. The corrupted insect things spewed out streams of acid melting and destroying the wandering robinoids as well as the walls, furniture and floors. Pearl was not going to be pleased.
"Well that's one way of dealing with the robinoids," said Amethyst softly.
Meanwhile Pearl had made it Greg's Ice Cream store. Steven's father had finally changed the sign. It now read 'Scary Hairy's'. She saw a young man who looked vaguely familiar but no Greg.
"Excuse me, do you know when Greg will be in?" asked Pearl politely.
"Greg is in the back making today's batches. What do you want Pearl?" It was Peedee, Steven's friend all grown up.
"I need Greg's help in hiring a lawyer to get Bismuth released from prison," confessed Pearl.
"That's okay Peedee let me handle this. You go check the latest batch of ice cream," called Greg from the back.
Once Peedee was gone Greg turned to Pearl, "Pearl since Steven has left home I have no reason to give you guys money anymore."
"I understand Greg, but Bismuth got into trouble because she helped Steven," said Pearl softly.
Greg grumbled something then he called out, "Hey Peedee you finish up setting the shop I'm going out for a little while with Pearl."
They drove Greg's car to Statton, Marley and Parks. The lawyer's office was in a converted white wooden house in the old colonial style. The garden despite the late autumn weather was well tended. Greg pushed open the wooden door for Pearl.
Inside they found themselves a small reception room where a woman with thick glasses and curly hair greeted them.
"Oh hi Becca, we'd like to see Marley or Parks about releasing Pearl's friend Bismuth," said Greg.
"Oh Mr. Statton has been waiting for you," said the receptionist. "Let me take you to him."
When they went into to Mr. Statton's office they found the man practically leaning against his chair. He looked terrible his once toned features were now flabby and his skin was ashen. With what seemed like more effort than necessary he motioned to the chairs in front of his desk.
"Er, should we come back at a later time?" said Greg.
"No, no it's no problem I was wondering when you were going to come in? I was hoping to earn those huge fees I charged you," said Statton. Even resting the man was breathing heavily.
"Mr. Statton this is Pearl," Pearl shook the lawyer's hand. "She was one of my son's guardians. Pearl is trying to negotiate the release of her friend Bismuth from prison."
Pearl wiped her eyes, "It was awful Mr. Statton while Steven was trying to get to the farm a couple of police officers lay in wait and started shooting at him. If not for Bismuth Steven would be been hurt or worse and for her troubles Bismuth was thrown in prison. It's terrible, the police force tried to kill Steven, frightened Bismuth's patients and sent Steven and Peridot into hiding."
"Wait did you say patients?" asked Statton.
"The farm was used as a hospital for our kind," replied Pearl.
Statton laughed. It was a deep low chuckle, "Oh this is rich. We're talking human rights violations and police corruption. We can get your friend out within the week, you can even sue the Beach City Police Department, Connie Maheswaran's family."
"You seem rather eager to help us," said Pearl.
"Connie Maheswaran broke my son's arm," said Statton coldly.
"That's - good but Mr. Statton, we're not human."
"But you are in a legal sense Pearl. Peridot became an American citizen. That makes her by law human."
"Couldn't they argue Bismuth isn't biologically human," said Greg.
"Do you know what defines a species Greg? A species is a group of individuals that produces fertile offspring under natural circumstances. When you produced Steven. you proved that gems were biologically human."
"That exactly wasn't natural," blushed Greg.
"Well nobody put a gun to Rose's head. So let's talk our battle plan," said Statton eagerly.
Bismuth knew prison wasn't supposed to be pleasant but ever since the boys had found out she was female it was intolerable. The men not being the most socially adept pestered her. They were all too aware of her immense strength so overpowering and intimidating her was not the problem. No, these idiots tried courting her.
The men started bathing and grooming themselves. Whenever it was exercise time the men would offer her gifts. Cigarettes, chocolate bars, whatever these guys thought was a treasure. A resourceful inmate found out she was a blacksmith and put pieces of scrap metal on her bed. Once when she was sitting down for lunch some weirdo nuzzled her hair. When Bismuth turned around to pop the twerp the guard threatened with solitary confinement. Her response was 'You Promise?'
It was all Bismuth could do not to pound them into the ground. Finally, after three days she received a call from the warden while at working in the machine shop. Not being told twice she shoved her way through the crowded shop.
When she got to the warden office she saw the man sitting behind the desk looking rather uncomfortable.
"Ms. Bismuth the matter of your gender has caused quite an embarrassment to our prison. Why didn't you tell the police you were female at your arrest?" the man was sweating.
"Don't blame this on me. My species has no gender. You can't have males without females."
"I see your logic but despite this, your presence is disruptive to our prison community. So, it is time for you to leave."
Bismuth slammed her hand on the desk, "This isn't fair. The women's prison is over 100 miles away."
"What I meant about leaving is that you're being released. Your friend is waiting for you outside. All you have to do is gather your things."
Bismuth stood up she ripped the prison uniform off her body. The warden tried to avert his eyes but Bismuth was already dressed in her blacksmith's apron and pants. "No problem I don't have anything I want to take from here."
The guards shuffled her out very quickly out of the prison and shoved her out the door. Bismuth looked around she heard Pearl calling. When she looked up there was Pearl in the spaceship the gems had captured. The pale gem waved Bismuth up where is gave the big rainbow haired gem a big hug.
"Pearl I was getting ready to bust out of this place. What took you so long?" cried Bismuth.
"We had a to make a few adjustments in our command structure, a lot has happened. Why don't I tell you when we get home?"
When they got to the Beach house, Pearl's eyes widened, "Amethyst you promised to fix the mess caused by the centipeedles. All you've done is push the furniture over the holes and where are they anyway?"
"No duh, I was spending all this time trying to shove them and the robinoids into my room" said Amethyst.
"Pearl what is going on here?" shouted Bismuth.
"It's a long story," sighed Pearl.
"I've got the time," Bismuth said crossing her arms.
"Well after Steven went on the run and you were arrested I found out that Garnet was using her temporal powers against Steven."
"Against her own teammate? Where is she? I want to give her a piece of my mind."
"She's bubbled. As I was saying, once I found out what she was doing I arranged a coup and took over. The situation was a mess, I had to take over your job at the farm but I wasn't familiar with what you and Peridot did at the farm. Then I repaired the Beach house warp pad and things got even worse. Thanks to Peridot's virus the robinoids kept swarming in. We could have maybe handled them if they trickled in a few at a time but they came in one big wave. I tired controlling the robinoids but I couldn't so I sent Amethyst to pick of some corrupted Nephrites in hopes they could control them."
"And they did kinda," said Amethyst. "They ate them that's what caused all this damage."
"So who's taking care of the patients?" asked Bismuth.
Back at the farm Jasper barked at a patient who had tried to step onto the warp pad. Another patient tried sneaking away. Within a few bounds Jasper caught the little round patient and carried her back and placed her in the Quonset hut. The corrupted gem then sat on the warp pad.
"Ugh I better see to them, Peridot said that Snowflake and Apatite were almost healed," grumbled Bismuth.
As if on cue a small robinoid unit ran out of Amethyst's room screaming. The unfortunate boxed gem was being chased by a corrupted Nephrite. The robiniod scrambled up Bismuth's leg and onto her shoulder.
"Bismuth nice to see you," shrieked the patient. "Now stop this thing from eating me."
The centipeedle stared at Bismuth for a while its jaws slavering. Bismuth stared back at the corrupted gem only moving her arm to cover Apatite protectively. The creature got the message and turned back into Amethyst's room.
Once the corrupted Nephrite left, Bismuth held up Apatite, "So how would you like to get out of that robinoid?"
When Apatite said yes Bismuth took the robinoid in both hands, twisted it open and dumped out the contents on the floor. Apetite's gem glowed and a glowing white mass appeared. It grew and twisted and when the glow was gone a bluish green gem stood before them.
Apatite was a head shorter than Pearl other than her coloration and the gemstone on her forehead she looked exactly like Lapis Lazuli. At least she had the sense to wear pants and shoes. The gems stared numbly at her.
"I saw this hairstyle on a courtier at Blue Diamond's court do you think it suits me?" asked Apatite.
The gems just shook their heads. Pearl, Amethyst and Bismuth all had bad experiences with that courtier.
"Apatite how about you go back to the farm and check up on your friends," suggested Pearl.
"Fine by me. This place looks like it's been sprayed with acid," said Apatite as she climbed onto the warp pad.
Once the newly cured gem was gone Pearl took charge of the situation. "Well now that the robiniod problem is fixed for now let's onto the business of curing our fellow gems. Amethyst you have done an excellent job of containing the robinoids. I want you gather any building materials you can find and keep Centipeedle and her crew occupied. I will journey to Rose's fountain and get some more of her healing tears. Bismuth you will get the gem substrate from the kindergarten. Once that is done we'll all me up here and start putting our friends into robiniods for healing."
Amethyst saluted playfully, "Aye, aye captain."
Once Bismuth and Pearl were gone Amethyst grabbed a can of beans for a snack and sat down on what remained of the sofa. She flicked on the TV and then swallowed the can whole, metal and all.
"Finally a little bit of me time," said Amethyst as she put up her feet.
The flood of robinoids had gone down to a mere trickle. After the warp pad delivered dozens at once the new robinoids arrived at a rate of 1 or 2 every four hours. This, Amethyst thought was going to be an easy assignment.
Pearl was the first to return. Amethyst was just checking to see how Centipeedle and her crew was doing so Pearl had the Beach House to herself. Pulling off a stray bit of greenery from her hair Pearl plunked herself down on the sofa. A few minutes later Amethyst came out of her room.
"So how did your trip to Rose's fountain go?" asked Amethyst. Pearl turned around to face the purple gem. She looked terrible. "That bad huh? How about I make you a cup of tea then?"
A few moments later Pearl was cupping her tea in both hands.
"So where are Centipeedle and her crew then?" asked Pearl.
"They're recovering from a stomach ache in my room," replied Amethyst.
Pearl drained her tea, "Good, we'll put them in whatever robinoids are left. I'm going to go to my room and rest call me when Bismuth returns."
Amethyst returned to watching gem TV. For the nest hour or so nothing happened. No robinoids warping in and no Bismuth either. Then the next minute Amethyst knew everything charged.
Amethyst was watching sort of reality show when she heard the warp pad activate.
"Hey Bismuth how was your scavenger hunt at the kindergarten?" called out Amethyst as she turned around.
But it was not Bismuth who stood on the warp pad, instead sitting on one of the largest robiniods Amethyst had ever seen was a small Peridot. The little gem was small smaller than even Peridot was after she was captured. She was naked except a white diaper and had been shaved bald. Amethyst stared as the little gem gave the robinoid a kick making it step off the warp pad.
"Pearl! We've got a situation here," shouted Amethyst as she ran into the temple.
"Calm down Amethyst you're not making any sense. Now can you start all over again?" though Pearl wouldn't admit it, she was still groggy from sleep.
"I said that we're in big trouble. Some gem kid just rode in on a giant robinoid," said Amethyst as calmly as she could.
"You must be mistaken gems don't have children."
"Whatever! Right now, there's a small green Peridot clone riding on a huge robiniod in the Beach house."
Pearl pulled out her spear, "I'm going to see for myself."
With Amethyst trailing behind her Pearl marched right into the Beach house. It was as Amethyst said. The little gem in question no longer on her robinoid, instead she was standing on the kitchen counter pulling things out of the cupboards.
Amethyst looked confused. She pulled out her whip Pearl waved her away. Pearl knew exactly what to do. For six years Pearl was the one who raised Steven, she kept him clean, fed and for the most part kept him safe. She knew exactly how to deal with a small unruly child. The former servant strode right into the kitchen.
"You there get off the counters right this instant young lady," said Pearl in her most authoritarian voice.
The little gem scrambled down and stood in front of Pearl. The pale gem saw many things that Amethyst didn't. The little gem was the size of a 6-year-old. She was dirty with scabby knees. The little gem was indeed a Peridot with a large triangular gem set into her forehead. She looked up at Pearl.
"I'm hungry can I have some light buns?" said the little interloper. She then peed through her diaper.
"You're going to get a bath first," said Pearl smiling. "Look at you. You're a mess."
Bismuth arrived an hour later with a smile on her face. She lugged a huge barrel of gem substrate one her shoulders.
"All right let's get some healing magic started," she shouted. "Er, Pearl who's this?" Bismuth pointed to the small green gem holding Pearl's hand.
"I'm Spunky," declared the young Peridot. The youngster had been bathed, fed and now wore Steven's old blue pajamas.
Pearl smiled down at the youngster, "As she said this is Spunky. Spunky rode in on one of the robinoids."
"I'm running away. They were going to give me yucky robot parts and make me work in a shipping yard," pouted Spunky.
"And so she'll be staying with us for a little while until we decide what's best for her. Now that's done. How about we try healing some corrupted Nephrites and taking care of our robinoid situation?" said Pearl.
"Can I help?" asked Spunky.
"You are going to go to bed. Amethyst read her a story and show her how how's done will you?"
Peridot was in the middle of the breakfast rush when her cellphone rang. Between juggling plates Peridot put the phone in her ear.
"Hey we've got a situation here!" shouted Amethyst.
"Nice to hear from you too. I'm sorry Steven's at the grill cooking. He's not available right now," replied Peridot.
"It doesn't matter it's your expertise that we want. Your robinoids started coming in and on one of them was a little Peridot. She calls herself Spunky and she's run away from home. It's all messed up. The little gremlin is all hyper and we don't know what to do."
For a while Amethyst heard silence and then Peridot started laughing. "I'd like to see Pearl's face when her orderly little world fell apart." Peridot started laughing again.
"Seriously not funny. As for Pearl she kinda likes this. She's being all broody and mothering the little monster."
"First things first did she have any limb enhancers?"
"Nope all she was wearing was a little pair of diapers."
"That changes everything. Now listen very carefully Amethyst what you have is a newborn or very close to it. She will be hyper and very curious. Spunky needs to be supervised and kept amused at all times. Due to her naturally high intelligence and social nature she will need educational materials and surrogates."
"What?"
"Toys give her toys and dolls! Also, Spunky will need a regular routine of meals and bedtimes."
"What's wrong with a light chamber?"
"You expect a small child to lie still for 2 hours and Amethyst you're going to love this. You need to toilet train her."
"Oh great, not only do we have to deal with a flood of robinoids but some kid as well? When can you can down and help us?"
"Look Steven and I will be busy all day. You don't need my help, robiniods are idiot proof. Oh, and Amethyst whatever you do don't let Spunky into the temple."
The problem was that there weren't any idiots at the Beach house at the moment. Pearl, Bismuth and the semi healed Nephrites were trying their very best to control a small group of robinoids who were wandering around the Beach house. Spunky was in her world exploring the Beach House as well.
"So can you get the robinoids to do anything useful?" asked Pearl.
"No but I managed to get them to do something," said Bismuth. "Robinoids stop." The robinoids stopped for a little while.
"Is this a toy?" Spunky held up a hairdryer.
Pearl snatched the hairdryer away, "No! and where did you get this?"
"From the think chamber."
"You really shouldn't be taking anything out from there. Now er Nephrites can you try something?"
The Nephrite captain squeaked something that sounded like a yes.
"Is this a toy?" Spunky's hands were covered in dish soap.
"No and don't play with anything from the kitchen!"
"What's a kitchen?"
Pearl pointed impatiently to the kitchen, "That there! Look go up to you room and play there. Now Captain try your best."
The Nephrite captain shrieked something. The call reverberated throughout the house and the temple. The robinoids stopped wandering and ran up to the Nephrite. Then the gems heard a rumbling noise and Amethyst came running out of her room.
"It's a robinoid tsunami!" the purple gem cried.
Behind came waves and waves of robinoids of all sizes. They burst out of the door and swarmed everywhere. The Crystal gems tried shouting commands even using their weapons but it was all too much too soon. Just as it looked like things were at their worst. Spunky stepped out of Steven's room.
"Robinoids, general order cease and desist," shouted the little gem. She was still in her pajamas.
The robinoids stopped. They turned to face the gem child. The Crystal Gems stared at the little green girl in shock.
"Flask robinoids exit the domicile and form a perimeter 100 nings around. Await orders."
Before the amazed gems' eyes the largest robinoids left the Beach house. The smaller ones still waited.
"Industrial plug robinoids scan the domicile and effect repairs. Training robinoid stay."
The small robinoids shot out green laser beams as they scanned the Beach house with their sensors. Then they squirted out a strange silvery liquid that glittered and glowed as it worked. Some of the robinoids returned inside the temple but one small robinoid stayed still. Unlike the other robinoids this one was white and fuzzy. Little Spunky climbed down the stairs and picked it up. As she hugged it to her body the thing squeaked.
"I'm hungry can I have some panned cakes again?" said Spunky.
After Pearl made some pancakes for Spunky. The older gems surrounded the little gem as she stabbed a piece of pancake with a fork and started chewing it.
"So Spunky how did you know how to do that with the robinoids?" asked Pearl. The adult gems stared down at the little gem as she ate.
"It what you learn in the crèche. Everybody knows how to make robinoids to do what they want unless they're really old," replied Spunky.
"Hey, little friend. I would like to take the big robinoids to the farm and get them to build some structures. Can you teach me how to do that?" asked Bismuth.
"Okay."
A little while later the patients in the farm cowered in Quonset hut peering out the windows. The large robinoids roamed the area while Bismuth did her best to control and give them instructions. Spunky bored with this, was running around terrorizing a chicken. The doglike Jasper was getting impatient with this fiasco. The former quartz soldier barked and the robinoids stood at the ready.
Bismuth couldn't tell what expression was on Jasper's face but the rainbow haired gem swore that Jasper was looking smugly at her. This was humiliating.