Within a day Steven had finally reached Earth. He felt a surge of joy as Earth came up on the view screen. Yet something seemed off
"Steven there is extensive damage to the eastern coast of North America ," reported Peridot. She had the baby tied to her back.
"I am detecting pockets of radiation,"said 2TO.
"I don't get it Blue Diamond's gone isn't she?" asked Steven.
"It's not that simple," said Simpson sadly. "Before we left the world had already plunged into war."
"Worldwide temperatures have plummeted," reported Peridot. "There are no transmissions from Earth."
"We'd, we'd better inform the others," said Simpson.
A few minutes later Steven had the survivors meet in the park. The crowd stood murmered softly. Of the Gems only there were only 6 survivors including himself. The humans outnumbered them but far too many were now pink. Little Onyx peered out from behind Skinny Jasper's legs. All eyes were on him. Taking a deep breath Steven stepped forward.
"Thank you all for coming,"said Steven. "We have been through a lot together, leaving Osted, visiting another planet and fighting off a horde of zombies. Unfortunately I have bad news.
While we were gone the world plunged into nuclear war. Most of the world except for a few pockets is devastated. There are high levels of radiation and to make matters worse the world in under a nuclear winter.
But all is not lost. Thanks to your efforts we're fully stocked. The hydroponics garden is producing food and oxygen. We can last for years.
They are plenty of options available to us. We can stay in this ship until the radiation clears, relocate to another planet even hollow out an asteroid and live there. Even now we are searching for survivors.
So discuss among yourselves on what you want. We have all the time in the world. Whatever you decide I'll support you."
The crowd surged forward. Peridot and 2TO stepped in front of Steven.
"What about Osted? It is still there?"
"My daughter lives in Stockholm. Can I reach her?"
"What about my father?"
"Where's my mommy?"
It was too much.
"Stop!" shouted Steven. "I know you're all scared I know you all have questions but we can only do so much. My crew has been decimated. For now please accept choose a spokesperson. Let's all work together. I'll be on the bridge."
With that Steven left the park. Peridot stepped forward.
"Okay people, since my original crew is out of commission I'm going to need your help. I need your assistance in the hydroponics section..."
Back on the old bridge Steven set to work. He had gathered all the Gem shards and placed them small separate piles according to where they were found. It was the best that he could do. In death all individuality had gone. He picked up a small pile and tenderly kissed it. Nothing happened.
After a tedious first lesson on hydroponic farming Peridot trudged into the old Peridot's quarters. The baby was fussing.
"Ooh you're hungry. Don't worry I'll make you a bottle," said Peridot cheerily.
She sat down on the bunk and looked around. There lying on the floor was 7KW's favorite toy. The room looked like the other Peridot's had just left for a work cycle. Peridot's vision blurred.
After a long day Steven was feeling quite tired. He was getting ready for bed when Peridot barged in. A modified robinoid carrying the baby barged in.
"The old quarters were creeping me out. Move over," announced Peridot,
The next day Lars' Off Colors came on board. Steven and 2TO scanned the airwaves for any signs of survivors while Peridot worked on maintaining the ship. Surprisingly Skinny Jasper and Carnelian proved a great help consoling the citizens of Osted. The ship was filled with a somber air.
One day as Steven as getting ready for bed Peridot trudged in. She set the baby in her crib.
"Peridot, you look tired," said Steven.
Peridot wiped away a tear,"Is just that when we went back to Earth I thought this would be over. But you're busy looking for survivors while I'm trying to maintain the ship get the garden alive and taking care of the baby. 2TO and Fluorite try but help they're not starship technicians. They're not my friends."
He pulled her towards him. "I'm sorry that you lost your Peridots but you aren't doing any favors working so hard. You need to take a break."
"That's sounds good but we don't have enough Gems as it is."
"Just promise me you'll take it easy."
He held her in his arms. Peridot's breathing slowed and she fell asleep. Steven fell into a dreamless sleep.
When they woke up in the morning, Peridot leaned over the crib but Steven stopped her.
"I'll take care of the baby, today. You take it easy," said Steven.
"Alright, by the way, Dr. Maheswaran is running short of medical supplies," said Peridot.
Steven thanked her and headed to the bridge. 2TO was waiting for him.
"2TO activate the subspace transmitters I want to send a message,"ordered Steven.
A few minutes later Steven sat in Pink Diamond's throne. He spoke into the holoscreen.
"Attention members of the Diamond Authority this Pink Diamond. Blue and Yellow Diamond are dead. They were destroyed along with Homeworld. I invite you to join my court. Pearls, Peridots, the Off Colored and fusions all are welcome. Join me on Earth. All I ask is that you help me rebuild my planet, my home and to help save humanity."
Suddenly the radio crackled.
"Hello is anybody out there?" said Uncle Andy.
"Uncle Andy, am I glad to see you! How are you doing?" cried Steven.
"Not too good, Steven. I managed to make it to the shelter with my friends but not before getting a walloping load of radiation. We need medical help."
"Hand on, help is on the way. Send me your coordinates," Steven jabbed the conn. "Lars I need your help. I found my Uncle Andy fly your ship down to these coordinates."
Andy waited by the shelter's entrance. For the first time in a long time he felt hope. He didn't know what Steven could do but that boy managed to make miracles all the time. He heard a pounding on the shelter's doors.
"Hello, is anybody still alive?" called out a strange voice.
"Over here," called out Andy.
He used all of his strength to open the door. The cold chilled him. Two figures entered and ran up to him. When they got closer Andy was in for a surprise.
"You're pink! And that get up. What are you, a pinko space pirate?!" cried Andy.
"Steven sent here to help, sir,"said Lars patiently.
A light shone in his face, "Hmm, he's showing signs of severe radiation poisoning." said a doctor. She was pink too.
"Wait you're pink too?" said Andy.
"Yes I am. Are there any others?" asked Dr. Maheswaran.
"They're in the bunks and sickbay," replied Andy.
"Don't worry we'll take care of you," assured Lars.
The next thing Andy knew he was on a big pink spaceship. Doctors and nurses attended his friends while Steven peered over his bed.
"Don't worry Uncle Andy. I'll make you better," said Steven as he kissed him.
Andy Demayo felt a tingling sensation. He saw a blinding light. When his vision had cleared he was in for a surprise.
"What? I'm a pinko too," shouted Andy.
"The radiation you were exposed to made you a dead man walking," commented a passing nurse.
"Yeah well, it's a side effect of the treatment. On the plus side you're not a freak. Half of the Osted is like this too," replied Steven.
A rather battered looking green Gem stepped forward, "My Diamond, the delegation from Herkimer system has arrived."
"Oh thank god," cried Steven.
With the rescue of his Uncle Andy and the transmission Steven finally sent out, everyone was busy. The doctors were tending the new humans and when Steven wasn't curing people of death he was hobnobbing the Gem delegates. Naturally since Peridot didn't know how to take care of humans Dr. Maheswaren entrusted her with the care of the children.
In the playroom Peridot leaned over Amalia was hiding behind the couch. "Amalia sweetie, let me get you out of there."
Amalia shouted,"No" and ran away.
As the toddler made a point of ignoring the young technician Peridot focused on another. Farid now pink, sat cross legged on the floor not at all interested in the big pile of toys. Peridot smiled and flashed on a holoscreen.
"Hey Farid, how would you like to play a video game?"asked Peridot.
"No, don't wanna," said Farid sulkily.
"I have some cool drones."
"No."
"Some paints or crayons then."
"No, no, no."
"Then what do you want to do?"
"I wanna play outside!"
"Well we can go to the park then."
"I said I wanna play outside. I'm tired of being in space. I wanna go back to my village. I wanna go home!"
Farid fell on the ground kicking and screaming. Peridot tried to hold him but he shrugged her off. The door to the playroom slammed open and Lt. Simpson brought in a young pink child.
"Here we go. A new customer," said Simpson.
The child stared up at Peridot. She sucked on her thumb. Peridot heard a slap and the baby started crying. She whirled around.
"Amalia, bad girl we do not hit the baby!" scolded Peridot.
Finally the last delegate left for the day. Steven had rescued Peridot from daycare when Uncle Andy approached him.
"Yo, Steven do you have a minute?"asked Andy.
"I was getting ready for bed but sure I'll listen," said Steven.
"I'll just leave," said Peridot.
"No, no maybe you can help," said Andy. "Steven first off thank you for saving me. Now let me help you. Being in the aeronautics business I know the location of several more shelters."
"Let's go to the first bridge," said Peridot.
She brought up a world map on a holoscreen. Andy peered into it.
"Okay there's the shelter in Mount Weather," said Andy.
"Oh who's there?"asked Steven.
"Well American government officials," replied Andy.
"Pass," said Steven and Peridot.
"There's the Church of the End of Times Shelter in Utah."
"No!"
"Yeah those dudes were actually looking forward to the end of the world."
"Well how about some shelters in Europe then?"
"And just how many people are in these places?" asked Steven.
"20 000 to 30 000 maybe?" said Andy.
"That's far too many humans to keep in this ship," said Peridot. "Steven show me all the planets that came to visit."
Over the next few days while Lars and Andy combed the Earth for survivors,Steven negotiated with his newly formed empire. There was a rather old colony that had almost Earth like conditions. The ship got crowded There were frequent fights. In desperation Steven rebuilt the galaxy warp. Now the survivors would go directly to their new colony.
Peridot now that she had help, took a more supervisory role. She spent her time designing habitat in one of Earth's asteriods. Her belly grew larger.
One day when there was a lull of activity, Steven and Peridot went to visit the new colony. The houses were neat and tidy, the drones were tending the fields. Still there was an air of misery.
Steven saw the mayor of Osted sitting outside a cafe. She sipped her drink miserably.
"Hello Ms. Mayor how do you like your new home?" asked Steven.
The mayor looked uncomfortable, "Steven I am grateful that you saved ours lives but this place isn't home."
"Hey, what's wrong with it?" cried Peridot.
"Well for starters the sky is red. On this planet we feel heavy and something in the water is giving us rashes," said the mayor.
"Well I know things are tough but things will get better," said Steven.
The mayor looked out though it was midday the sky was blood red. "I'm not so sure about that. Steven you told us whatever we decided you would respect our wishes. Well we've had a meeting and we've come to a decision. Steven, Peridot we want to go home."
"But- but you'll die," said Steven softly.
"We know but can't stand being so far away from home. We lost so much," replied the woman.
"It'll take 2 000 years for the radiation levels to go down. The Earth is in a deep freeze. You won't just die. You'll die painfully," shouted Peridot.
"I'm sorry we tried so hard but I guess it wasn't enough" sobbed Steven.
"Well good job. You made Steven cry," said Peridot angrily.
"Does everybody feel this way?" asked Steven.
"A few of your Uncle Andy's people wanted to stay but yes we want to go home," said the mayor.
"Okay we'll just take a look around. We'll get back to you."
When they headed back to the Lacey Dare Peridot felt worn out. She stopped by the garden and rubbed her feet.
"You look worn out," observed Priyanka.
"The baby's taking a lot out of me. You don't look too good," replied Peridot.
"Searching for survivors takes its toll. With the cold out there it becomes harder and -"
Suddenly Priyanka collapsed. The last thing she heard was Peridot calling for help.
When Priyanka woke up she found herself in a strange looking workshop. Off to the side Peridot stood looking at some monitors.
"Don't get up," warned Peridot. "Even upgraded by Steven the Earth's radiation has damaged you."
"I can't be sick I have patients to attend to. What do I do now?"
" You will not exert yourself. I will do whatever I can to save your life."
Laying on Peridot's worktable Priyanka received several visitors. The first was Steven with some blankets and a pillow. The next was what looked like an elderly one eyed Gem. Peridot shouted at the Gem when it poked Priyanka. More Gems came. Soon Lars and Andy joined her in Peridot's workshop. The green Gem had found some beds for them.
Weeks passed, more humans came in. Then Peridot didn't come in one day. The next day she carried a small green baby in a sling. It looked like Steven. Finally something happened.
Peridot came in with a big smile. "Ladies and gentlemen your problems are at an end. I've discovered a way to bring you pack to health. As we speak a very special kindergarten is being built. This kindergarten will convert you into Gems. As Gems you will be able to survive the conditions on Earth. But don't worry your individuality will survive. You'll still be you only purple or green."
"What about the others," asked Andy.
"Oh they're coming to Earth on a sublight ship. What seems like a few days will actually be centuries," said Peridot offhandedly.
Soon large Gems came in and carried them gently to the warp pad. Priyanka found herself inside a large canyon riddled with man sized holes. Peridot came and carried her gently to hole. Inside there was a large crystal.
"Just relax and let my machines do the work," said Peridot. She put some probes on Priyanka's forehead.
"What are you doing?" asked Priyanka.
"I'm downloading your consciousness to this gem."
"I'm afraid."
"That's okay. I'll be right here with you."
Priyanka closed her eyes. When she was asleep Peridot stepped out of the hole. She ordered the machines to fill in the hole and went back to the ship.
Steven was waiting with little Greg in his arms. "Do you think this is the right thing?" he asked.
" It was the only was to save them," replied Peridot.
"But you don't know it will work and lying to the town of Osted."
"They will be back home just a little longer than they expected. By that time the nuclear winter will have gone."
"Still after all we did 2 worlds are gone."
"Then will just have to make a better world for Greg."