As their ship drifted closer to the enormous pink structure, the Gems grew quiet. The tension in the air was palpable. Connie noticed with mild alarm the Red Eye floating nearby, keeping watch.

"The Human Zoo," she murmured, drifting back to the main ship.

"That thing's huge," Lapis gasped, colour draining. "Will we be able to find Doug in there?"

"We will if we go directly to the containment area," Peridot said, taking a rough scan from where she stood. "It has to be large, because it was constructed with ample space for specimen containment, storage, synthesis labs, barracks and vehicle bays."

"You're such a nerd," Lapis groaned.

"Excuse me, my assigned job was highly important," Peridot sniffed. "I've visited this complex multiple times to assist with technological malfunctions."

"Calm down, you two," Jasper piped, seated at the controls, and turned her gaze upon the Zoo. "We can take that thing. We're Crystal Gems! And we'll poof every sentry in there if we need to."

The three behind her shared dubious looks.

"Ambitious," Peridot muttered.

"My Dad has to be in there," Connie insisted. "Pink Diamond said she was taking him to the Zoo. We just have to find him and. . . sneak out."

Surprisingly, as they neared the entry bay (Jasper at the controls and Peridot directing at her shoulder) the panels opened easily. Still, everyone held their breath as they passed through the security field into the port. No alarms went off, no guards came running.

Peridot exhaled. "The ship's still registered."

"Let's hope no one thinks to check inside," Lapis said drily.

The vehicle drifted into a vacant bay. Jasper noticed two large figures by the doors and grumbled. "Of course there'd be Amethyst guards standing watch."

"But you're both Quartzes, right?" Connie said hopefully. "We don't have to fight them. Maybe we can just. . . blend in?"

"You really think we can just sidle up to that door and ask for your Dad back?" Lapis said incredulously. "Keep dreaming."

Beside her, Peridot grinned. "Oh, I think we can do it. I only left Homeworld thirty years ago."

Lapis spun to her. "I only left Homeworld six thousand years ago!"

"And I'm a famous soldier," Jasper snapped. "How are we supposed to get in there without being caught?"

"You will have to shapeshift," Peridot instructed, and turned to Connie. "I'm here to fix yet another malfunction in the containment area. You're a human I caught lingering near my monitoring base on Earth. I had no choice but to abduct you and bring you here for. . . imprisonment."

"Charming," Connie said.

"And? What about me?"

Peridot sighed and turned to Lapis. "You're. . . a. . ."

"You don't know, do you," the blue Gem smirked.

"Yes I do! You're. . . my assistant Lapis Lazuli. You were assigned to help clear land for my base."

"And why would I be assigned to a Peridot?" Lapis snarked. "Last time I checked, terraformers don't work for nerdy technicians."

"Because you're defective and you proved to be incompetent on other jobs," Peridot snapped. Lapis was stunned into silence.

Connie broke in nervously. "Peridot, that's a bit too far."

Jasper stood abruptly. "Yeah Peridot, shut your geeky mouth now."

"Jasper," Connie said, exasperated.

"Lazuli started it," Peridot grumbled.

"Okay," Connie interrupted. "Let's just. . . be nice. And work together. My Dad's somewhere in there and we need to get him back."

With twin flashes, Lapis and Peridot altered their uniforms, each now sporting a yellow diamond insignia. Jasper glanced out the windscreen and followed suit, branding herself with a pink diamond and shifting a little smaller, darkening her hair.

"This better work," Lapis grumbled, shooting Peridot a poisonous look.

The Ruby ship opened, making Amethyst guards turn their heads. The motley crew filed out of the ship one by one, Connie hanging loose in Jasper's muscular arms.

As they advanced, the guards took stock of the newcomers. Important technicians were usually saddled with Quartz protection—nothing too unusual, save for seeing a Lapis Lazuli and a Peridot together. . . come to think of it, whenever had a Lapis Lazuli had a use at the Zoo?

The fairer of the two guards shot her partner a look and spoke in a growl to the advancing Gems. "State your purpose."

"I was called upon to fix a technicality in the specimen containment sector wiring," Peridot announced, stepping forward. "This human encroached on my base and so I had no choice but to detain it. I think it would be wise to keep it here."

The Amethyst raised an eyebrow at the others. "And. . . them?"

"This is my—assigned—Jasper, and—"

"I'm here to make changes to the terrain of the humans bit," Lapis blurted.

Peridot shot her a look.

"Well, bad news, the Human Zoo's shut down," the Amethyst replied, and grinned menacingly, stepping forward to shove her face close to Connie's. "Which means we'll just have to throw you into space."

Connie gasped, sweat beading on her forehead. She felt Jasper's arms tighten ever so slightly around her.

"Heh! Look, she believed me," the guard suddenly said, and straightened, nudging her partner and sniggering.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and the Amethysts turned, completely at ease. In the doorway stood a similarly built pink Gem, raspberry tufts tumbling over her shoulders, faceted gem glinting against her upper arm.

"Hey guys! What's going on?" she asked, warm eyes drifting over the gathering.

"Good evening, Rose Quartz!" the guards chanted.

"These Gems came to fix up the Zoo," the second Amethyst replied simply.

Rose Quartz squealed in excitement. "More visitors! Wow, we haven't had this many Gems come to visit since. . . since forever!" She paused, eyes drifting to Connie. "Ooo! And what about the human?"

"I brought her for the collection," Peridot answered. "I had no choice but to obtain her when she breached my communications base on Earth."

"Would you like me to take her for you?" the bouncy newcomer asked. "I'm sure the first one would like some company. He was rather upset when they brought him through."

"That was Dad," Connie whispered. Jasper nodded.

"Pink Diamond would have loved to receive her herself, but she just left. I'm so sorry!"

Lapis exhaled.

Rose Quartz moved forward, reaching out to Connie. "I can take her from here—!"

"Actually," Peridot interrupted, stepping between them. "I would like a tour of the facility, first. Me and my. . ." she threw a glance at Lapis. ". . .terraforming companion would like to. . . gather some more information before we begin tampering with the systems."

The Quartz paused, evidently surprised, but recovered quickly and shot her a brilliant grin. "Of course. Come with me!" She gave a pointed look at Jasper. "And I'm so sorry, but unauthorised Quartzes must stay in the loading bay. You can hang out with these guys!"

Jasper looked taken aback. "But, uh— shouldn't I take this human to the Zoo—?"

Rose Quartz shook her head. "There's no need. A human as small and cute as this one can't cause too much trouble!"

Hesitantly, Jasper set Connie on her feet and stepped back. The girl shot her a sympathetic glance before being taken up by Lapis and walked through the door. Rose Quartz stood back to let them and Peridot through before closing the panel behind them.

"So! Let's get started," Rose said, wheeling around and hastening to lead the group. "This place belongs to Pink Diamond, and it's kinda like a boarding facility for the Quartzes she produced on Earth before it was abandoned. Since the dawn of Era 2, my Diamond has enlisted me as her chief organiser! I oversee matters here and look after the Amethysts."

They came to an angled door and Rose bustled to the panel beside it, unlocking it with ease and ushering the Gems through. On the other side she slowed beside another interface and activated a panel beneath their feet, which faded into transparency, treating them all to a bird's-eye view of the leviathan complex beneath them, hovering in space. Beyond it, they could make out the patrolling Red Eye.

"The bottom half of this place is devoted entirely to keeping the humans safe and happy," Rose supplied, and she gazed fondly down at the structure. "At first, they weren't too happy to be here. But they got used to it! I'm sure this new human will love it here as much as all the rest do."

She returned the panel to its original solid form and continued walking, jabbering as she went. "Before, Blue Diamond used to help Pink with managing this place. But of course, after Blue was shattered, all responsibility fell to my Diamond—which was why she asked for me help—oh! And I forgot to mention that we also keep all the out-of-commission Holly Blue Agates here. After the rebellion, the Diamonds grew paranoid. . . there were rumours about that cut being a defective strain. . . so unfortunately, they were all bubbled and locked away. Some day, I'm sure, my Diamond will release them. She hates that they've been treated like this. . ."

Lapis gave Connie a reassuring squeeze when she hung her head.

". . .Down here is the Bubble Chamber—you can see the door just there—and here's the human disposal chute!"

Connie gasped in horror and Rose Quartz turned around, looking guilty. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that you're, you know. . ." she laughed apologetically. "Anyway!"

"How do you get in the Zoo?" Connie whispered to Lapis, sweat dripping.

Peridot overhead and spoke up. "So how do you actually get into the containment area?"

"That's a great question!" Rose exclaimed, excitement brimming. "Actually, a few times we've had to go inside and sort things out. We've always done that through this service door!"

The door she stopped in front of was engraved with curving patterns and two five-petalled flowers—one on each panel. Inside the flowers sat what looked like five-pointed equilateral diamonds. Off to the side was another dormant interface and framing the door were two polyfaceted pillars, carved in the midsection into what looked like human figures with very prominent ears.

"That's how we can get to Dad," Connie whispered to her companions. "We just need to. . . come up with a distraction!"

Subtly, Peridot set off an klaxon on her limb enhancer system. Rose Quartz wheeled around in alarm. "Wha— What's that?!"

"It sounds like there's trouble in the loading bay," Peridot said a matter-of-factly. "I think it would be a good idea to go check what's happening."

"Great idea," Rose said, slightly panicked, and ran past her, grabbing hold of her by a limb enhancer and pulling her along.

"Wha— but, I've got to look after the human!" Peridot cried, stumbling along after her.

"Lapis Lazuli will look after her!" Rose panted back, hauling her along the corridor with impressive strength. "Hey, that's so weird! The alarm stays the same volume all the time!"

As soon as their footsteps receded, Connie wheeled around. "Quick, Lapis! We don't have much time!"

Lapis nodded. "You go for the door, I'll deal with the interface."

Summoning an orb, Connie raised her arms and aimed at the door, blasting it with bolts of bright energy. Lapis summoned her wings, shaping them into tendrils and prodding at the panel, splashing and poking at it in hopes of finding a way in.

Three minutes and twelve orbs later, Lapis stepped back and sighed. "I can't get inside—this thing's watertight!"

"What!" Connie cried. She stared forlornly at the door, blackened with multiple singe marks. "But—it's too strong to break through! Are you sure you don't know how to work it?"

Lapis shrugged hopelessly. "I've been out of commission for six thousand years. Before that, I never had reason to open a door."

"Ah—looks like I'll have to fix your alarm system too! Don't you know it's protocol to update complex technology every hundred years?"

Connie groaned in despair. They were back already?

The Gems came into view around the corner. "Wow, looks like we've been ducking under the radar for millennia!" Rose Quartz said. "I'll have to tell Pink to bring in another technician when she visits again— oh, no!"

She stopped with a gasp when she set eyes on the defaced door, and rushed forward to rub at the marks. "Oh, it looks like we missed cleaning day too! And we have visitors! This is so embarrassing. . ."

"Ah— no, really, it's fine," Peridot replied, shooting her friends a dubious look. "It happens to the best of us—"

"Rose Quartz!"

The aforementioned Gem spun around as two Amethysts came thundering down the corridor. "Rose! Pink Diamond's on her way!"

Rose gasped. "Again? But— But we haven't cleaned up! 8XF, please help me clean this up—and XH, take this human to be cleaned!"

The guards moved forward, happy to comply, and Connie was wrestled away.

Peridot was horrified. "But— we haven't finished the tour!"

"I'm so sorry, but we'll have to stop here," Rose apologised. "But you'll be able to meet Pink! I'm sure she'll like to thank you for the delivery."

Peridot and Lapis froze.

"Well, quickly, guys!" Rose cried, exasperated. 8XF stepped up to scrub at the door, and Connie was whisked away, staring helplessly after the Gems.

Three dark, closed-off corridors later they came to a stop at a panel embedded into the wall. "Let me go!" Connie cried, squirming in the guard's grip.

"Huh," she mused, plucking at her clothes. "You newer humans are so spunky. In you go!"

And with that, she dropped Connie into the opening, panels sliding closed behind her.

She barely had time to sit up before the space became awash with neon light and the ground beneath her began moving. When she turned, she found herself on some sort of conveyor belt, walled off from space by a large transparent tube, being ferried towards the top of the huge floating structure they called the Human Zoo.

As soon as the pink walls closed in around her, she became subject to dozens of harassing blue digits, capturing her profile, examining her teeth, squishing her face, checking her pupil dilation, taking her temperature, shoving themselves up her nostrils, undressing her, disinfecting her, cladding her in naturalist garb and finally attaching a pair of futuristic accessories to her earlobes. When finally the blue digits retreated, she found herself walled off in a transparent cube.

She stood, shouting and waving his hands animatedly, expecting the worst. "Okay! What else? What else you got for me? I'm—I'm ready for whatever it is! Come and give it to me!"

What happened next wasn't quite what she expected. From somewhere above her a rush of water crashed down and filled the cube, levitating her off the ground. A human-sized hole opened beneath her in the bottom of the cube and a strong current pulled her through, sending her plummeting in liquid down, down, zigzagging through the atmosphere, tumbling and turning, and finally tossing her up (up?) into the air, and back down again as she crashed into shallow water. She pushed herself up, coughing and gagging, and opened her eyes.

What she saw wasn't at all anything like what she expected. She was surrounded by sand, and beyond that, lush green grass—blossoming trees framed the sky and the dome above her was bright and blue and housed its own miniature sun, beaming down warm light and setting the water sparkling.

On the bank across from her, sat on the checkered grass were three figures, all clad in purple and white robes, threading colourful flowers through tufty hair. The closest looked to be a young woman with fair skin and blonde hair that bounced around her shoulders. The farthest was a healthy man of around the same age with smooth, dark skin and curly black hair. The middlemost was of average build, muscle hidden beneath years of desk work, tan skin peeking out from underneath clothes. Their hair was short and spiked in crazy tufts, and on top of their head sat a delicate flower crown. When they turned around, Connie could make out stubble and a nervous smile—

"Dad?"

Ugh, I hate how this chapter turned out. I hope it doesn't take away from your reading experience. . .

DISCLAIMERS:

In Makalawa's AU, only the Holly Blue Agates were bubbled and so Pink Diamond employed another type of Agate to manage the Zoo. I just thought, since the Rose Quartzes aren't bubbled in this. . . and that it would just be easier for Pink to hire a Gem already there. . .