There was a cellar next to the barn, the doors were reinforced with steel, and the stairwell was alarmed. The keys were kept in the farmhouse in a key box, which required another key to obtain access.
Peridot held her lamp up as Bismuth descended into the darkness. The cellar was a small armory with multiple guns, ammunition, and supplies. A workbench for gun customization and ammunition fabrication. Very few people knew that Lapis' unassuming veterinarian clinic had a better-stocked armory than the local sheriff's department.
"All good, tiny." The blacksmith yelled up from the room below, Peridot nodded and motioned for the Crystal Gems and Yellow Diamond to follow. The technician had placed a hell of a security system at the entrance; if anyone broke in and tampered with the alarm, it would release 50,000 volts of electricity. It wouldn't kill necessarily, but it would undoubtedly incapacitate.
The technician clambered down after the group, her cane banging ahead of her. She walked over to where Bismuth was struggling with a mesh locker. "Take what you need, there's plenty to go around. Kevlar vests are over on the other wall." The tech stepped in front of the blacksmith and smoothly opened the padlock she was struggling with.
"I could've done that." Bismuth muttered as Peridot slid the mesh door open.
The tech then went over to a rather involved looking computer system in the far corner. Servers and switches hummed smoothly as Peridot powered on the workstation. It was the core of an extensive network that the Crystal Gems ran. Information and reports all filtered in through this hub, the Gems had informants and operatives across the east coast.
Peridot set her cane aside and carefully sat down. She then pulled out a thumb drive from her pocket containing the video evidence and plugged it in. The goal was to save and distribute the information in more than just one place.
The tech felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand as Yellow Diamond stepped up behind her. Golden eyes easily seen in the reflection of her monitor. "This is quite the nerve center you have here."
"It's paramount to our operations, the Crystal Gems are nothing if not efficient." Peridot turned to face her former boss. It had been a long time since she'd seen the woman, she wondered vaguely if she even remembered the work Peridot did.
"You always were thorough, you were one of my best Peridots. I'm… Sorry, the situation turned out the way it did. You could have stayed, there would have been a place for you." The general's expression was surprisingly soft, and Peridot never expected to hear an apology from the woman. She couldn't quite place the feeling. Yellow Diamond not only remembered Peridot clearly, but she was sorry.
It was an operation gone wrong in the middle east. Peridot was just doing her work as a communications engineer and technician. She was in charge of the network and all the spy tech the agents used in the field. Then their base was overrun, there was some poor intel, the wrong people were trusted.
In a final effort to destroy the servers (so the information didn't fall into the hands of the enemy), Peridot stayed behind with a few select officers. The base ended up getting mortared, and the tech lost half her leg. She never quite got over it, and she felt the Authority should have been more diligent. (Yellow Diamond should have been more thorough.) It wasn't hatred Peridot felt precise, but it was a disappointment.
"Th-thank you, but I found my place here." The tech looked Yellow Diamond straight in the eye. Once upon a time, she wouldn't have had the confidence to do that. But now she was so much more than she was before.
The general didn't back down from the stare, she simply nodded. It seemed that she understood what was lost. What Peridot sacrificed for "the greater good."
"Peri, I thought about what you said." Garnet walked over and leaned against a concrete wall.
"We only upload the video to social media sites as a last resort." The tennis instructor was sporting a Kevlar vest and had a Sig Sauer 9mm strapped to her leg.
"What's this about uploading to social media sites?" The general stood full height, her own personal armor made her look absolutely menacing.
"As an absolute last resort, if everything goes wrong, we upload the video to every social media site we can. We flood the internet with this evidence." The leader of the Crystal Gems said, removing her sunglasses.
"I'm not sure I agree with that. It will paint the Authority in a bad light, it's a PR nightmare!" The general said, eyes narrowing.
"Oh, is that right, Diamond? You think we're going to stop just because you disagree?" The room was instantly tense, Bismuth was looking for an excuse to start a fight. "Know what tiny? I think we should leak that data anyways. It's worked for us in the past, like when Rose leaked all those classified documents? You know, the ones about how White approved the torture for prisoners being questioned?"
"Bismuth, that's enough," Garnet said, trying to diffuse the situation, but the blacksmith pressed on.
Bismuth walked up and got in Yellow Diamond's face, the general's eyes burned with barely checked fury. "Documents that your own daughter leaked to the press. How does that make you feel, general?"
"You!" It was all too much. Peridot watched in horror as Yellow Diamond grabbed Bismuth by her overalls and slammed her against the far concrete wall with inhuman speed.
Garnet and Pearl moved to stop the brawl, but they were thrown back by an electrical pulse that Yellow released. She didn't even pause in her fight with Bismuth.
Peridot had to end this, there was too much at stake. Amethyst was making to jump in when the tech motioned for her to wait. While reaching out with the other hand, the mesh door that secured all the weapons in the cellar was suddenly wrenched from its housing and then wrapped itself around Yellow Diamond. It effectively pinned the general's arms to her sides. It wouldn't hold her forever, but that wasn't the point.
"Good job Peri!" Bismuth jumped on Yellow, trying to further her assault.
"Bismuth, stop!" Peridot yelled, but it was clear that wouldn't happen. The tech then nodded to Amethyst, who then jumped over and grabbed the blacksmith by the waist and tore her away from Yellow Diamond.
"Dammit, why'd you-" The large woman was struggling against Amethyst.
"Bismuth, that is enough!" Everyone in the room was now looking at Peridot.
"Look at how far you've come! You were in federal prison because you got out of hand on one of Rose's missions!" The tech leaned heavily on her cane while she pinched the bridge of her nose underneath her glasses.
"You're going to throw all of your hard work away because you still have a grudge!? Your art, your studio, and your family?" She looked over as Garnet brushed herself off. Pearl had actually gone over to see if Yellow was alright. (The general had a bloody nose and a murderous look, but she seemed okay.)
"Granted, me, Lapis and Pumpkin makes for an unusual family. But we do love you, don't throw it away over your anger!" Peridot sniffed and looked away, her emotions getting the better of her for the moment.
"Aw, tiny, I-" The blacksmith reached out. However, Peridot had already reverted to the logical technician and engineer that she was, and stepped out of reach.
"Keep your temper in check, we're Crystal Gems, and we have a job to do. By the way, we're not going to be cavalier about uploading the video. It'll showcase Steven's powers all over the internet, he doesn't need that, he's just a kid." Peridot turned and released Yellow Diamond from her metal bindings, and Pearl helped the Authority officer up.
"I'm going to… Go and see that the Volkswagen is gassed up and ready." Deflated, Bismuth walked up the stairs and out of the cellar bunker.
"Good work." Garnet placed a steady hand on Peridot's shoulder.
"She's come too far to throw her life away now. Anyways, we have to get you ready to run into DC." The technician went back to her computer and continued with her work.
… … … … … … … … …
This was the worst, this was the "bad time." It's a phrase that is colloquially used in Authority culture to describe a point in an operation where everything was uncertain. The situation could resolve in any number of ways; good, bad, very bad. And there was just time spent waiting, it was a bad time.
Yellow was going with the Crystal Gems into DC to turn themselves in straightaway. But they had to make the two-hour drive while avoiding Aquamarine's forces, that's not mentioning the local law enforcement that may or may not be assisting. If Blue was in Aquamarine's shoes, the first thing she would have done was to get the local sheriffs' department and state troopers involved. (And Aquamarine had worked with Blue Diamond on multiple operations…)
Blue stood in the bathroom of the farmhouse and splashed tepid water on her face. She felt horrible, and not all of it was because of her injuries. She paused as she took a deep breath in, a cool breeze wafted in through the bathroom window. Crickets chirped cheerfully in the warm night air.
She flipped off the light and limped out into the front living area. Her expression softened when she saw Steven. He was sleeping on the couch with an empty cookie-cat wrapper clutched in his hand, Crying Breakfast Friends! playing on the television. (Cartoon Network had an end of summer marathon running, Blue was pleased that it cheered the boy up somewhat.)
Pumpkin was lying across his legs. She lifted her head up at Blue, the tags on her collar rattling gently, and then settled back down in apparent disinterest.
The 12-year-old was very upset about being left behind but calmed down after a while. Especially after Blue said, she needed his help, which wasn't a lie. With her arm in a sling, it was proving more challenging to get around than she had first thought.
"He's totally out of it." A pragmatic voice said, startling Blue.
"It's been a tough week. The poor lad has been through a lot." The veterinarian nodded at the colonel.
"How are you feeling?" Lapis pulled a chair out next to the kitchen table in an invitation to sit down.
"I've been better, but things could be worse. Your help is appreciated, you have my thanks."
The younger woman placed a syringe on the kitchen table and then stepped over to the sink to wash her hands. "I want to make something very clear to you. I'm helping you because Garnet asked me to. And I'm helping because Steven sees something in you, he likes you. There's also that whole 'grandmother thing' that I'm still trying to wrap my head around."
"He's a good judge of character, but I don't give my trust as easily, you have to earn that. So, listen up," Lapis turned as she dried her hands on a paper towel, eyes glowing a cobalt blue.
"If you ever do anything to hurt Steven? I will hunt you down. To the ends of the Earth if I have to. Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear," Blue said, her voice an icy edge.
"Okay, now that we got that out of the way, antibiotics. You have a hella infection, think you can take another shot?" The vet pulled a pair of rubber gloves from a nearby drawer.
"In the arm, please, I'd still like to have the ability to sit down." She pursed her lips as Lapis Lazuli gave her a wry smile.
"Hey!" Bismuth burst in through the screen door and quickly turned off the outside light. "There's headlights coming from the west, a lot of them!"
Lapis smacked the switch for the kitchen light off, the only light in the house was from the television in the living room. The vet slipped into the mudroom and came out a moment later with a couple of Glock 9mm handguns. She handed one to Blue, who, in turn, turned off the safety and tucked the weapon into the waistband of her pants.
"Man, I could be overreacting…" Bismuth said, but when Blue looked out the window, she saw several pairs of headlights lining the dark country road.
"Nope, you're not overreacting." Lapis quipped and began texting Peridot.
The colonel quickly padded over to Steven, "Steven, love, you need to wake up."
She placed a gentle hand on his stomach as the boy took a deep breath in and looked around confusedly. "Heya Blue, watcha need?"
"Listen carefully, we may have been found. I want you to pay attention to everything I tell you, and stay close, understand?" There was no point in sugar-coating it, they were in danger, and Steven deserved the truth. The boy sat up and glanced out the window behind the couch, there was a sharp intake of breath.
"O-okay Blue got it." She nodded at the boy as she undid the sling holding her left arm. She then took Steven's hand, lacing her fingers with his.
The pair crept back into the kitchen near the basement where Bismuth and Lapis were crouched, Pumpkin clattering behind them.
"Okay, the others know what's up. We're going to try and meet them at the firepit by using the basement exit. We'll figure things out from there." Lapis said, stroking the corgi's head as she whined plaintively.
Bismuth opened the basement door, letting Blue and Steven go first with Lapis and Pumpkin following. The blacksmith then slipped through the door and closed it behind her quietly. The group quickly made their way across the cement floor to the outside exit.
Red and blue police lights strobed through the small windows of the basement, painting everyone in a surreal glow. (So, Aquamarine did get the local police to help…) Pumpkin chuffed at the noise outside, and Lapis quickly wrapped a hand around her snout.
"What you thinking, Lapis?" Even Bismuth's whisper was loud, the woman certainly had a presence. Blue watched as the blacksmith wandered over to some abandoned tools and picked up an old long-handled sledgehammer. She hefted it thoughtfully, waiting for Lapis Lazuli to answer.
"Most of the team breaching the house is going to be going through the front right?" The vet looked at Blue.
"Correct, they'll more than likely post a few sentries at this exit and then rush the house through the front."
"Alright then, we wait for them to break in. That'll be our queue to break out the basement and get rid of the goons standing watch. We'll use the woods as cover and make a beeline for the fire pit. You with me?" Blue honestly couldn't think of a better plan than what the blacksmith had proposed.
"That's as good a plan as any, I'll stay back with Steven." Blue squeezed the boy's hand as she spoke, and he squeezed back.
"Alright then, here we go." Lapis crouched to one side of the door as Bismuth took the other side, hammer at the ready.
Blue crouched a little ways away with Steven and Pumpkin. Footsteps were soon heard, pounding down the cement steps leading to the exit.
"Cover this exit, the SWAT team will go through the main entrance!"
The colonel breathed in then out as her left hand was surrounded in an azure corona. Bismuth clutched at the sledgehammer while Lapis flipped the safety off of her handgun.
Then a crash echoed upstairs.
"Now!" Bismuth boomed. She kicked the door open, smashing into a SWAT officer, the glass panel in the door shattering.
The blacksmith then held the sledgehammer in front of her sideways as she barreled up the steps, Lapis following close behind. The police guarding the back exit was not ready for the group.
The group of Ruby agents placed nearby were, however.
"Rubies!" Lapis screamed as a spotlight from a police car locked on to their position.
Blue watched in horror as three agents began to spout geysers of flame at the group from their hands. Her instinct was to shield Steven, but the boy broke free and ran in front of everyone. A wide magenta-colored hexagonal barrier saving everyone from a fiery demise.
… … … … … … … … …
This was really putting his powers to the test. He'd just learned that he had these abilities, and now he was using them in all sorts of different ways. In a lot of ways, this was just like when the truck hit Steven back in Beach City. He saw the danger and reacted on instinct.
Blue ran up behind him skidding to a halt on her knees, "You're doing amazing, keep it up!"
"Bismuth, I need some water!" he heard Lapis scream behind him.
The large woman wasted no time, she threw her hammer at a nearby garden faucet. It struck home, causing a substantial amount of water to gush from the broken pipe.
Steven watched as the vet took full control of cool liquid. She twisted and turned as she gathered more water around her (it almost looked like she was dancing). Blue looked at the water Gem and nodded, an unspoken conversation transpiring between them.
"When I say to, drop your shield!"
"Got it!" Steven blinked rapidly as sweat dripped into his eyes. He didn't know how much longer he could maintain the barrier.
"Now!"
Steven let the shield drop, and a wave of heat rolled over him as smoke choked all of his senses. He coughed violently while he moved to get out of the smoke. Finally, when he caught his breath, he looked up. The boy saw Bismuth literally jumps on one agent while Lapis flung another over the top of the farmhouse using a controlled wave of water.
The 12 year-old then turned to the cement steps leading to the basement. The SWAT team that had broken into the house had now caught up with the fight in the yard. But Blue was making short work of them. She had already knocked out three when Steven wasn't looking and watched as she threw one over her shoulder right into another officer. They both went tumbling down the steps hard.
"Freeze!" Dripping wet with glowing red eyes, one Ruby agent managed to get away from Lapis' watery assault. She aimed her gun right at Steven and fired.
The boy cried out as a hot stinging sensation cut into his right arm just above his elbow. He fell down in the grass, clutching at the wound.
"Ahhh! God-damn dog!" Pumpkin had sunk her teeth into the agent's ankle and was growling menacingly. The Ruby kicked the corgi, and she let out a piercing yelp.
"Pumpkin!" Steven screamed. The Ruby agent looked back over at the boy and raised her gun again.
Steven began to make his shield, but before he could, a silver-haired guardian stepped between him and danger.
"How dare you!? "
A bright azure-colored light erupted from Blue Diamond's hands and slammed into the Ruby, throwing her through the windshield of a nearby police car. She then jumped several feet into the air on top of the hood of the car and picked the agent up just to slam her down again and again.
This had to stop. Steven leaped next to Blue.
"No, Blue, I'm okay! Let's get out of here!" He pulled on the tail of her shirt, snapping the older woman out of the haze of rage she'd lost herself in. She let the now comatose agent go and ushered the boy down from the hood of the vehicle.
Blue knelt and cradled Steven's injured arm. "I should not have left you alone!"
"It's alright. I'm not hurt that bad, and you can't protect me from everything." He reached out and brushed a tear away from the Irish woman's cheek with his left hand.
Blue placed her hand on Steven's, holding it in place, "That's not how this works, love."
"Hey, Steven! What happened?" Bismuth ran up with Lapis in tow.
"He's been shot! It's my fault, I didn't catch the other Ruby agent." Blue said, her voice shaking.
"Let me see." The vet sat down and scrutinized the boy's arm. There was a lot of blood.
"Can you move it?"
"Yeah, it's fine; it just hurts a lot," Steven said, bending and moving his arm with seemingly no problem.
Bismuth pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Lapis. "The bullet grazed you, we'll tie this on your arm kinda tight to stop the bleeding for now."
"Pumpkin!" Steven smacked his forehead with his left hand. "She saved me!"
He ran over to where the tall grass met the mowed lawn with the others following. He heard a whimper and some rustling.
"There you are girl," The blacksmith stepped into the brush and picked up the orange corgi. "Pretty sure her back leg is broke."
"Yeah, we'll have to take care of that. Good girl, Pumpkin!" Despite being injured, the corgi wagged her stumpy tail at Lapis' enthusiastic tone. (Steven could swear the dog looked proud.)
Gunfire grabbed the group's attention, everyone was so caught up in the moment they forgot about the dozen or so other intruders on the farm.
"Damn, we should go and see if the others need help!" Bismuth started running with Pumpkin in her arms.
Steven moved to follow but was stopped by Blue, "Stay close, you are not to leave my side again, understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." The boy didn't argue; Blue meant business.
They all made for the barn, carefully sticking to the shadows. Steven fussed with the bottom of his shirt, it had gotten eerily quiet. Bismuth and Lapis had blended into a nearby copse of trees while he and Blue crouched behind a lilac bush, it's perfume heavy in the air.
They had a clear view of the cellar and the clinic attached to the barn. Various law enforcement officers strewn about the area. They were either bound or unconscious. (Steven noted a group of four sheriff deputy's that were wrapped in chicken wire comically trying to wriggle free.)
"Hurry!" Two SWAT officers tore around the corner of the vet clinic. Steven shifted uncertainly as Blue grabbed the back of his shirt, signaling for him to stay put.
The boy looked over at the Irish woman, and she glanced at him, and then to the roof of the barn. There, on top, was Yellow Diamond, electricity coursing around her.
The general leapt down and slammed the ground in front of the two officers knocking them several feet back. The pair struggled and managed to get up, but Pearl was waiting right behind them. She made herself visible and kicked one officer in the groin while cracking another one in the back of the head. The willowy woman then handcuffed the pair of them with their own cuffs making sure to place them stomach down so they couldn't get up.
"Brilliant, that's the last of them. Now the house." Yellow said, marching in the direction of the farmhouse.
"I hope everyone is alright…" Pearl bit her lip and followed Yellow.
"We're good, Pearl!" Steven piped up from his hiding spot. Blue let go of his shirt, and the pair stepped out of the bushes.
"Steven! Oh, thank goodness!" The boy ran up to his guardian and hugged her around the waist.
"You're hurt!" She looked at his arm, and Steven shook his head.
"It's fine, Pearl, we-" In the distance, four helicopters were seen combing the nearby farms and more headlights could be seen on the road.
"Backup was called in," Yellow said, looking at the small army heading towards the farm. "We're going to have to act now, there's no more time."
