Snowed In

Log Date 6 23 5

It has been over 24 hours since the snowstorm started and it shows no sign of letting up. Steven and I were hoping for some alone time in front of a roaring fire but that was not to be. As soon as my trainers left for home a large group from the trailer park barged in uninvited and made themselves at home. Within minutes they were swarming all over our home getting into everywhere. I had to lock up the lab and my study before anybody got hurt. I also put labels on some our possessions I did not want damaged.

Steven stood still for a moment and then became the perfect host. He set straight into entertaining the children reading stories, singing with his guitar and setting up a crafts table. Now if only the adults could be kept so easily amused. Steven is so good with children he will make an excellent father.

Jasper was the most sensible one of us all. Taking one look at our trailer park invaders she took her bedding from the guestroom, leaped onto the warp pad and warped away.

"Oh my god that dog killed herself," shrieked Cheryl, Peter's wife.

It took the longest time to convince them that everything was fine. Still they insisted that the warp pad be covered. Now Steven and I are stuck here as well.

It wasn't long before the first fight happened. I heard Lt. Turner and Mrs. Abethany shouting in the guest room. Steven and I went to investigate.

"I'm an old woman. I should get the bed," shouted Mrs. Abethany.

"Well, I'm an amputee I should get the bed," shouted Turner.

"Guys, this is a double bed. You can both use it," said Steven.

"Not really Grace farts in her sleep. Stinks up the whole room," replied Turner.

The thought of the smell infiltrating our living room and halls made my decision.

"Okay Grace gets the bed but if anybody wants to share this room let them," I said.

I found the two single mothers with their 3 children sharing my future child's nursery. The place was a mess. The two mothers' luggage was scattered about. On one side a pen had been set up for one child while on the other little Carly lay in my robinoid bassinet. To make matters worse she was wearing my baby's clothes.

"Sorry about that. But after a few days we had no clean clothes. I hope you don't mind,"said Terri, Carly's mother. This was the most maternal action ever Terri did.

I just left the room. Seeing another baby use the crib just seemed wrong. Peter's family and the two teenagers had settled in the living room. I had no idea where the Lieutenant was sleeping. Steven was the perfect host preparing meals and generally keeping people happy. I simply went into my lab and avoided everybody.

Later that night I heard crying in the nursery. I walked into the nursery. Little Carly was kicking her legs crying while her mother was fast asleep. I walked in and picked up Carly. The child was hungry.

"Don't worry Peri will make it all better," I crooned.

We went into the kitchen. Not having any baby formula I decided to make my own baby food. As I held the baby in one arm I found some applesauce in the fridge. This would be an acceptable substitute. Carly's face was now purple from screaming. I sat down at the kitchen table holding Carly as she squirmed and kicked. Using a small spoon I tried feeding her the applesauce. Carly pushed the spoon away still crying. What was I doing wrong?

"You won't be able to feed her that," said Tina. She was the other mother sharing the nursery.

"Oh Tina you startled me. You couldn't sleep?" I asked.

"Not with Carly crying like that no. I tried waking Terri but she just won't budge. As I was saying Carly is too young for solid food. What she needs is breast milk."

"Well I can't provide her with that and we have no formula."

"But you do have milk. I'll get a bottle and we can heat up the milk for Carly." Then Tina went into the fridge and filled a bottle with milk. She turned on the stove and place the milk bottle in a pot of water.

"I'm surprised that you don't already have formula," said Tina.

"Well I was planning on breastfeeding anyways besides my baby will have different needs than a regular baby."

"Different how?"

"You've seen my skin, I'm an alien."

Tina kept silent for a moment then she looked at the bottle. When it was ready she pulled it out. I tried handing her Carly but Tina said "No Carly seems to trust you. You feed her. When it is morning we should go out and buy some formula."

Carly and I were now alone. The only sound was of Carly suckling. Lost in thought I did not hear Steven come into the kitchen.

"You'll make a wonderful mother," said Steven as he kissed my neck.

"Steven I didn't know that you were up. "

"Of course I was up with the baby crying. I heard you get up and tend to little Carly. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Don't let Carly take in air. She's almost done. Let me have her."

Steven took the baby and placed her on his shoulder. He gently rubbed her back until she let out a loud burp. When that was done he wiped off her face and handed her back to me. For a while we stared into little Carly's face so she drifted off to sleep. We should have gotten more sleep but we kept looking at her. The dawn came but it was still snowing.

"Whelp. I should buy some more milk and get some formula at the corner store," said Steven.

"Steven, the snow's still blowing," I reminded him.

"Well Carly still needs food like it or not. I'll be fine, I'll just take the van and pick up a few things as well. I'll get some hazelnuts okay?" he then kissed me and headed out.

Slowly our guests woke up. I made them all a pot of coffee and some toast. As I made myself a pot of tea one of the guests looked for some cereal. I had to tell them no we had no cereal and we were running out of milk. Peter and Turner turned on the TV. They grumbled when all they could get was static. Mrs. Abethany was finally up, she turned on the radio and frowned when she received only static.

"Phones off, internet and radio gone I swear we're suffering a communications blackout," groused the old woman. She didn't know how right she was.

The snow was still falling heavily and I gave them a quick guided tour. Terri finally woke up and snatched Carly from my arms. She didn't even say thank you. Some of the woman started a line up for the laundry room. I had to explain to them that no we didn't need to use detergent and that the clothes would come out perfectly clean. That still left our other guests, without TV they milled around the living room. The children ran around looking for some toys to play with while Matt and Charlene scurried off somewhere.

I looked out the window. It was snowing as hard as ever. Steven when will get back? You're better at these things. Finally as I was preparing lunch, Steven came back.

"Sorry it took so long Peri. The snow is really coming down and the roads haven't even been plowed yet," said Steven as he stepped down the stairs and hugged me.

The guests swarmed around us. Steven smiled taking it all in stride, "Hold on everybody I have baby formula, some groceries, toys, craft supplies. coloring books and crayons."

Feeling tired and sore I decided to take a bath. The clodding door was locked. I waited for a little while. After a few minutes I got impatient.

"I am the owner of this domicile. I demand you let me in," I shouted.

I heard some shuffling after a long wait Grace Abethany came out.

"I'm an old woman," she scolded.

"And I'm pregnant," I countered.

When I got inside the bathroom there was a terrible stench. I left the door open to air out and headed to my bedroom. Matt and Charlene were there.

"What the frack are you doing?" I shouted.

"What does it look like?" Matt answered cheekily.

Steven appeared from nowhere, "Is something the matter?" he asked. By this time he saw what was happening. "How can you do this? And in our bed? Get out, go."

The two teenagers left the room muttering about how uptight we were. Still the room was a mess and I left for the light chamber. I found out where Turner was sleeping.

Lt. Turner was lying on a sleeping bag he had placed on the floor. His robotic legs stood neatly up as if they were a pair of boots.

"Yeah sorry about that. My legs are on the fritz,"he said as he rubbed his stumps. They looked raw painful.

"Are you legs hurting?" Turner nodded. "Well this is unacceptable. Grab your legs you're coming with me to the lab."

"Whoa, you're stronger than you look," he said as I picked him up.

"I'm not really human that room you were in was my feeding chamber. I consume light," I replied as I opened my lab's doors.

"I-Im sorry I didn't know."

I started inspecting the legs while Turner sat in the one chair in there. I could see the problem immediately it could fixed in no time but I decided to take my time.

"So what can you tell me about Terri?" I asked.

"Terri I really don't know much about her. She came into the trailer park about a couple of weeks ago. She and the baby kept mostly to herself," the Lieutenant replied,

"And what sort of mother is she?" I asked.

"I mean she tries but I get the feeling she isn't really attached to little Carly."

I agreed with him and presented him with his newly repaired legs. He hastily put them on. As we both left the lab I almost bumped into Terri.

"Can I help you?" I asked. She gave some excuse about looking for some formula. I told her not quite politely to go ask Steven.

I finally had time to myself. Turner had taken out his bedding from my feeding chamber and I lay down after stripping off. Within 15 minutes Matt and Charlene came bursting in.

"What are you doing?" gasped Charlene.

"Doesn't matter, I know what you were planning to do. Just get out, go and leave your pants on," I shouted.

I shooed them away and locked the door. I should have been more sympathetic but they were guests in our home. For the next three hours I had peace. I even managed to get some much needed sleep. I got dressed feeling refreshed and entered chaos.

Surprisingly Steven was the first of us to truly loose it. He was shouting at Tina and Cheryl along with their children at the craft table.

"What part of do not touch don't you understand?" Steven's face was red as he pointed at a sand painting made with my olivine and rose quartz sand. Now I was starting to get furious.

"It's just sand," said Cheryl. The children were starting to cry.

"This is my girlfriend's medicine. She needs it for the baby. Peridot and I have tried to be nice but you have taken a lot of liberties," he shouted.

"Steven calm down. Let me see how much sand they took," I said as I looked into my sand jars. They were practically empty. I snatched them away. "Right I'm going to the workshop and salvage this," I said.

I put on my coat and marched out. I was hoping for some peace but that was not to be. There sitting right next the heater was Mr. Kruger and his garden gnomes. Steven and I disliked him but I could tell the man was not well.

"It's okay Winkle bottom the storm will break soon," the strange man said crooning to his garden gnomes.

"Mr. Kruger what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I'm trying to keep warm in your workshop. My gnomes will die in this weather,"the man looked terrible

"Okay I want you to get your bedding and head inside. We're not as heartless as to let you freeze out here. I'll take care of the gnomes."

Now that I had some peace I lit a burner and burned all the paper away from my sand. I went back in satisfied with my work and poured myself a cup of tea. I went to bed and got some much needed rest.

Log Date 6 25 05

The next morning I woke up to a beautiful sight. The skies were clear. The storm had passed. After Steven served breakfast I put on my biggest smile.

"Good news everybody the storm has passed now. I'm installing solar panels and windmills in all your trailers," I said cheerfully.

"That's nice dear but most of us left our trailers behind. How are you going to get us there the road's still snowed over," said Grace Abethany.

The thought of her stinking up my guestroom another night made up my mind. I set into action and marched right into my workshop. The first thing I did was get my robinoids to make a plow that would fit onto our van. The second thing I did was order some more robinoids to fashion a set of solar panels.

When I went back in I saw minor pandemonium. Steve had tried his best but there just wasn't enough food to go around. The poor hybrid was sweating.

"How are you holding up?" I asked rubbing his back.

"Not well we're running out of bread and eggs." He did not look well.

"Have you eaten? Steven you need to take care of yourself. Now sit yourself down and I'll take over from here." I made a point of giving him the first batch of scrambled eggs.

I was about just to pour Steven a cup of coffee when the door pounded. The pounding continued as I walked up to the door. When I opened the door I stared straight into the face of Barbara Mitchum and her husband.

"Open up. The military has cut off the roads out of town and I need to call an ambulance," said the City counselor.

Then a heard an almighty crack. I whirled round and saw Terri at the warp pad. Somehow she had dropped the frying pan and cracked the warp pad. There was scrambled eggs everywhere. Steven's face was red. He clenched his fists at his sides in an effort not to hit the stupid woman.

"Oops I just getting some scrambled eggs when I tripped. I'll clean it up," said Terri.

"Terri leave it. I think it would be best if you just go right now," said Steven.

"What just happened?" asked Barbara's husband.

"That was the one thing that would get us out of town quickly," I replied as we set him down on the sofa.

"Then I need you to break the communications blackout can you do that?" asked Barbara.

I lead her into my lab only to find the door open. Terri was washing little Carly in my deuterium supply.

"What in the name of the Goddess are you doing? That's heavy water for my fusion reactor," I shouted.

Now Terri was truly frightened, "Will it give me cancer?"

I had had enough. I snatched little Carly from Terri's arms and shoved Terri to the ground, What sort of mother are you? You broke into my lab with a baby. Interfered with my equipment and now you're concerned about your own safety not Carly's? Go! Leave my sight!"

Once Terri had left I started dressing little Carly. The poor baby was shivering. Her diaper was filthy.

"So can you do anything?" asked Mitchum.

"Here hold her," I said as I passed the baby to her. "I can't do much there's a huge jamming frequency cutting off radio and cell. And from what I can tell the landline been cut off."

"Right, your fiancee is just going to have to drive me into town," she said.

"We have a plow."

"Then you need to take us all into town for an emergency town meeting."

The woman then marched into the living room. The mob we had housed stopped everything and looked at her.

"All right you people time to pack your stuff. The military has gone too far. It is time for a town meeting," called out Mitchum.

There was a lot of grumbling but in no time our uninvited guests were in their cars and trailers. I tried get out of the emergency meeting claiming exhaustion but no dice. And so Steven and I bundled into our van and plowed the way into town. The ride was much shorter than expected. Halfway trough our ride we met up with a city plow. Barbara Mitchum stepped out and talked to the driver. He nodded and went on his way. In town there were even more plows clearing the streets. We reached city hall in no time.

There was already quite the crowd at City Hall. It had been designated a warming center. The mayor was already there he called for silence. At this point I can only imagine what happened because by this time I had fainted.

Dr. Smith was attending the City Hall's infirmary when Steven Universe kicked open the doors.

"Oh thank God it's you. Peri just collapsed," shouted the big man. He looked absolutely frazzled. Bags were under his eyes and his hair looked like it hadn't been combed in a week.

His future wife didn't look any better but at least she was getting some rest now. He gently set her on a bed.

"Oh Peri why didn't you take it easy?" said Steven. The poor man was practically swaying on his feet.

"You're not looking too great yourself. What have you been doing?" Dr. Smith scolded.

"Well Peridot has been gallivanting around town setting up windmills and then we had some guests over," said Steven.

"How many?" Dr Smith's voice was chilly.

"About a dozen. We didn't invite them. They just showed up because the power was out. It's not like we could leave them out to freeze."

"Steven, you have to realize that couldn't and shouldn't help everybody you come across. I'm sure you meant well but look what it cost you. Both you and Peridot are a mess. I want you to lie down on the next bed, right now."

For the next hour Dr. Smith looked down at his charges. His little infirmary was full. Many people had suffered from the cold and the blackout didn't help much. Still these people had spirit and despite a small thing like their health they still showed up to the town meeting. The meeting over, his patient's loved ones slowly came and picked them up. That left his two most important charges behind. Steven sat up about to leave but Dr. Smith motioned for him to lie down again.

What those two needed was sleep. The older man flicked off the lights and went into the kitchen to make some tea. That drinks dispenser just couldn't make a decent cuppa if it's life depended on it. As he was getting out a pot a frightened young lady came in.

The young black woman, Kim something was holding a baby clearly not hers. The little baby was cute dressed in a little green alien jumpsuit.

"Dr. Smith the town meeting ended and nobody claimed the baby. I could use your help,"said the frightened young woman.

"Come to think of it that child looks poorly. Let me take a look at it," said Smith as he reached for the child.

The young woman as dutiful as ever followed him into the infirmary. Dr. Smith decided to make some conservation.

"So what brings you to Rossmore?" he asked politely.

"I'm studying nursing. There's this great community college right here in Rossmore," she replied.

"Hmm that's great I could use an assistant," said Smith as he undressed the baby.

The baby started to cry. Now already in mothering mode Peridot woke up.

"Is that Carly?" she asked rubbing her eyes. "Oh my stars it is. Where's Terri?"

"I don't know. Nobody came to pick her up after the meeting," admitted Kim.

"Terri came to the meeting, I saw her. Tell me does anybody know what they planned to do?" asked Peridot now frantic.

"Well from what I heard in daycare. We were going to organize a protest in front of the military base,"replied Kim.

"I knew something was off about Terri. The bitch was a vole. She's been spying on the whole time," cried Peridot. She tried to sit up. "I've got to warn them."

"You've got to stay and get some rest Missy," chided Smith. "The same goes for Steven."

"Kim you've go and warn them. With us being cut off the base can do what they like to us. You need to contact Mr. Honeycomb or one of the bloggers. They have to tell the outside world what is going on," Peridot looked pleadingly at Kim.

Sam had his camera ready filming the protest group as they camped outside the Area 52. The mood was ugly. By now people had figured out that the military base was the cause of all their troubles. They were cold, frightened and in some cases hungry. They were a strange group free thinkers and crackpots as well as a few honest people but they were all united in this one cause.

Sam pointed the camera at the base's gates. The crowd was roared angrily. Many people carried signs and of course shouted slogans. The crowd became silent as the mayor slowly walked up to the front.

In any other town this man would be the exact opposite of a respectable mayor. With his bushy hair and homemade coat and jeans, Sam knew he was wearing a tie dyed T-shirt under that coat he was the perfect image for the mayor of Rossmore.

The mayor put up a megaphone, "Attention, soldiers of Area 52 for years we have lived side by side. It wasn't always amicable but we handled our disagreements peacefully. Now you have crossed the line. In the middle of an unprecedented cold snap you have cut off our electricity, communication and supply lines. This campaign of isolation is against international law as stated by the Geneva accord. We demand that you not only restore power and communications but that you also remove the blockade from our town."

As the mayor spoke the military boys lined up against the perimeter. They had large guns pointed at the crowd. The commander someone Sam had never seen before came up to the front.

The man was middle aged, fit. There was nothing really distinctive about him except for his eyes. There was a distinctly reptilian look about them.

The commander gazed at the town unmoved "This a restricted area. I order you to cease and desist. Return to your homes,"

Someone shouted back, "We have no homes to go back to!"

The townsfolk shouted insults. Behind the chain link fence, tanks and trucks assembled. It was getting tense.

Sam jumped when he felt a hand grab his shoulder. He whirled round. It was Kim the waitress from the Frying Saucer.

"You've got to help me find Mr. Honeycomb. The military was spying on us the whole time. We need to contact the outside world right away," said the frightened woman.

They found the hairy man being manhandled by a large blonde man. The crowd focused on the base did not notice as the man tried to force Honeycomb into a van.

"Hey it's a man in black," shouted Sam.

The crowd turned to look. Big and ugly dropped Honeycomb as if he burned. He jumped into the van and drove off.

"Thanks, you saved me from a fate worse than death," said Honeycomb to his rescuers.

"Well don't thank us yet,"said Sam. "We need to find a way to contact the outside world and soon."

"But all the roads are blocked. What are we going to do?" fretted Kim.

Honey narrowed his eyes, "Simple we just go off road to the Canyon of Souls."

The representative and technician of Southwest telecom led them to his van. It was a sturdy van designed to carry equipment to the cellphone towers that dotted the landscape. When they all got in, Honey comb waited for a little while until some cars drove off.

"So what's at the Canyon of Souls?"asked Kim.

"Lots, it's one of the largest Canyon's in the world. As much as Area 52 wants to control everything it cannot guard the entire canyon. We can hide for days or come out miles away for from the blockade," replied Honeycomb.

"Kim what are you doing?" asked Sam.

"I'm looking for the bars in my cellphone. That way we can tell if we're far enough away from the military jamming."

They said nothing as they drove through the desert. The sky darkened and it began to snow.

"Damn, just what we need," said Kim.

"Yes it is what we need," said Honeycomb. "This will cover our tracks may it harder for those military boys to find us."

They kept silent as the wind howled around their van. Despite the heater being on Kim felt chilled. They had been driving for an hour when they came across a cabin by the canyon. The light from the cabin glowed warmly as the storm raged around them.

"Hey, I know this place. This is where the Beast of the Canyon of Souls was sighted," gasped Sam.

"Well let's hope this beast is friendly," said Honeycomb as he pulled the van upfront.

Soon they were at the door. Honeycomb taking the lead knocked. The door opened and out peered a thin green face.

"That looks like Peridot," whispered Kim.

"Excuse me but we were traveling out of town when we got caught in the snowstorm. Could we stay and take shelter until it blows over," asked Honeycomb sweetly.

The green face looked at them up and down. Then it turned and shouted something. After an incoherent reply the door opened.

"Okay you can come in but don't touch anything," said the green man as he opened the door.

The man looked ridiculous. Not only did he have light green skin but he had a huge two pronged haircut and was wearing a dark green jumpsuit. His wife didn't look better. Short with jet black skin she had a set of gravity defying braids.

However they looked right at home in their house. Inside was a lot of weird technical equipment the wife was playing on some sort of holographic screen. Then Sam saw something strangely familiar. It was a crystal platform.

"This weather is dangerous to humans. Why were you traveling?" said the tall green one.

"The military has cut our town off. We need to contact the outside world for help," said Honeycomb.

"We've been trying to contact our daughter Peridot. Tell me how is she doing?"asked the short one.

"She's a fine but the strain was getting to her, as it is for all of us," admitted Kim.

The two strange beings looked at each other. Then the tall one spoke, "We had decided not to interfere with human affairs but since this is affecting our daughter we will make an exception. Follow us."

The two led the humans to an elevator at the back. They went down to the canyon floor. It was obvious that the two had been spending time as strange equipment was stacked neatly into a nearby cave. The two beings motioned for the human to follow them. In no time they came to the remains of a camp. They could see wires leading up to an antenna.

"Our daughter hid here from your enforcers for awhile. She used that antenna to keep in touch with the outside,"said Jet.

"We figured this was the quickest way of getting help," said Emerald.

"Guys, I'm getting bars here," cried Kim.

"I know exactly what I want to say," said Honeycomb his eyes glinting.

The transmission spread like wildfire. Once it reached the airwaves there was no stopping it. Though the soldiers had tried to keep in the people of Rossmore. There was no way they could keep out the rest of the world. Reporter from around the world flocked to the town.

Two days later in her hospital room Peridot watched the news on TV. Her friends and relatives surrounded her.

"You know you could have come for us for help," scolded Pearl.

"Don't put this all on Peridot," said Steven sharply. "I was the one who let all those people in. I could have easily left with Jasper."

"Hey who would have thought Jasper would have been the smartest here?" laughed Amethyst.

"Will you clods shut up! I'm trying to hear the news," said Peridot waspishly.

On the TV a man spoke, "It was the news that shocked the world. In the beginning of the century that his been marred by war, corruption and violence this was perhaps the most chilling. In the dead of winter the town of Rossmore experienced a campaign of isolation and intimidation from the military, the very people who are supposed to protect them. Words cannot describe the creeping terror the town felt as their electricity, communications and even basic supplies were cut off. So I will now play the transmission that ended an inexplicable reign of terror."

The screen showed a large hairy man. He looked scared as he stared into the camera. "This is Horatio Honeycomb calling from an undisclosed location. The military base at Area 52 has committed a human rights violation on a massive scale. They have cut off our power, phone and the roads in an effort to isolate our community. Even though we have restored power in some areas our food and fuel supplies are running dangerously low. Our emergency services are overwhelmed without even radio they cannot coordinate. Already 5 people have died from exposure to the cold and smoke inhalation from fires. The town of Rossmore has gathered outside the gates of the Area 52 military base to protest but without the eyes of the world I fear the worst. When I left there were tanks and soldiers gathering just behind the gates. We need help desperately and more importantly we need the world to see what is going on."

The announcer returned "We tried contacting the commander of the base a one Colonel Emmanuel Powers. He was away on an unspecified leave. Next up: what do you when they really are out to get you. An exposure of government corruption..."

Peridot switched off the TV. "I've had enough of this fiasco. I'm going back to sleep."