Black Diamond addresses his army for the upcoming skirmish.
...
There was a large gathering of gems in the main area of Delta Facility. With gems still coming into the room, one could wonder how exactly all the gems would fit into the room. Though the main area of Delta was large enough to hold quite a few gems, it wouldn't be able to hold everyone from Black's army, especially with the recent addition of gems from the beach house. Seeing that the capacity was becoming too much, Earl stepped up from the balcony above the entrance to Black Diamond's room to deal with the upcoming issue.
"Everyone please listen." Earl shouted, gaining everyone's attention. "Our diamond's announcement will begin shortly. Please, if you are having trouble finding space here, move your gem to the hallway or a nearby area. Black Diamond's message will also be broadcasted across the communication devices so everyone can remain up to speed with this next assignment."
As the thin gem finished speaking, she backed up as the gems began to make more space and fill up the surrounding areas. Once sure that everyone was present and ready, Earl stepped up once again.
"Listen everyone. Thank you for your patience. We can now begin. Please, allow me to introduce our diamond, Black Diamond."
As she said this, Black began moving forward in front of the crowd as Earl stepped aside, moving back to stand with both Red and Steven, both of whom were also present on the balcony. Now in front of the silent crowd, Black began his announcement.
"Thank you Earl. Hello everyone. Now as I'm sure your all aware, we are nearing the finale of this back and forth with our foes, the Diamond Authority and the Crystal Gems. Now I know we've had a few issues down the way up to here, but rest assured, our plans are still in motion without much chance for failure so long as everything goes right. For this final assault on Homeworld, which will commence shortly after this gathering, it is vital that every gem here does their roll to the letter. We can handle a hiccup or two, but if too many gems here begin to fail, then our battle with Homeworld is lost, along with the dream of a peaceful universe. For the battle itself, every gem will have their orders, which will be given to you shortly after this brief, either by myself, your commanding officer, Earl, Red, or Steven. As for our enemies, to which I'm sure many of you are familiar with in one way or another, do not worry. Though the Diamonds will put up a valiant fight against us, they will be unable to stop what is coming as even they, like myself and any other gem, have their limits. As for our other foes, the Crystal Gems, they will be contained here shortly. They have played their role in all this well and once they are set aside, Homeworld won't be able to stop us or our effort. Now with that all said, this announcement has concluded. Go about readying yourselves with whatever may still need completed for the battle, but stay nearby as this follow up brief with the few gems I need to stay behind for a moment will not take long. As for those gems I require, I need the following gems: agate gems, Peri, Earl, Red, and Steven. That is all. Thank you everyone."
As Black finished his announcement, the gems that did not need to stay behind began to file out of the room and disperse into the facility as they awaited the call to action. With only the agates and the other requested gems, Black addressed the much smaller group.
"Thank you for staying behind everyone. The reason I asked for all of you specifically is because in some form or another, you will be either a commanding officer or a key figure for the battle. While the agates will remain in charge of the soldier gems and any other common gem on the battlefield, there will be some variations with other gem types. For the peridots, they will have a special task, one that will help decide the fate of this battle. Peri, you'll be in charge of them. I trust that you were able to become familiar with the landmarks near our insertion point?"
"Yes my diamond, everything seems to be accurate and ready."
"Good. Now, for your orders and also your gems orders. Agates, you are to command the gems on the battlefield as you see fit, so long as it benefits the war effort. The only gems you don't have command over are the peridots. During the conflict, you will receive orders and updates from either me, Earl, or Peri. It is especially important that you all stay connected with Peri as the communication between you two is crucial to the plan. Now Peri, with those landmarks you were given, I want you to bring the peridots we have to each of those positions. With the high ground, they will be able to oversee the facility and stay out of harms way. With them, they will be able to analyze the current position of the battle and decide where gems will be needed most. Rather than attempt to win by sheer numbers alone, we will try to take them down as quick as possible by taking out their forces with our might. Is this something you can handle?"
"Yes my diamond. It shouldn't be an issue."
"Excellent. Now then, Earl, you are to remain by me until I say otherwise. You will assist me in keeping the battlefield up to date with any orders or updates they may require. While the peridots will be analyzing the battlefield and communicating with the agates on the field, we will still need to direct forces from our angle.
"Very well my diamond."
"Now, Red, I will leave you to your own devices during the effort. So long as your going about poofing gems and helping those who need it, then you are free to do as you wish so long as it doesn't conflict with any other part of the team. I do want you to try to stay in contact with the other gems though. With your power and endurance, you could help be the deciding factor for several conflicts in the fight.
"Alright BD. Homeworld won't know what hit them."
"Steven, I need you to also enter the battlefield. Your task is to poof any troublesome gems. Seeing as how you have the strongest physical powers here, you will be crucial in that you will take out our difficult foes. Your targets, aside from any other gem you may encounter along the way, will be the diamonds and the Crystal Gems, if and when the latter of the two show up on the battlefield. I don't believe that your friends will make an appearance too soon into the battle, if at all, as we have prepped Beta, but I have learned not to underestimate them too much. I also want you to keep an eye out on the battlefield, and this goes for everyone here, regardless of your orders. If you see something that the peridots or myself and Earl are missing, relay it via the communication devices and attempt to fix the issue on the ground before it can become worse. If that means commanding other gems, then so be it. Now I believe that covers everything, unless anyone has any questions or concerns here."
"My diamond" said a nearby agate. "What will we do should the battle take a turn for the worse?"
"Good question Agate. I'm afraid that we are forced to put all of our chips on the table for this one. This battle is all or nothing. Though I don't enjoy having this option, it was the best one that was found as any other option would delay the effort for an extended amount of time or would increase our chances for failure overall. Rest assured though, I've double checked every bit of info and had a couple others do the same. So long as Beta holds up long enough and everyone does their part well enough, we are assured victory.
"And how do we look if Beta doesn't hold the Gems Black?"
Looking over, Black Diamond found that Steven had spoken up, much to his surprise. "I am confident that the facility will play it's part long enough to allow us to gain enough of an edge. With the info you have provided me, your friends shouldn't be able to stop what we have planned out. However, let's say that the Crystal Gems arrive on the battlefield sooner than expected, unlikely as it is. Should this happen, we will have to redirect a few gems to handle that issue. Now anything else?"
"Which gems will be enhanced for the battle my diamond? Having this info will help me coordinate the forces better." Peri asked and noted.
"While I can only enhance so many gems still, the main targets will be Earl, Red, some of the agates, and some gems on the battlefield. I will be using my ability to it's near maximum during this conflict to help ensure victory. With the enhanced agates, our enemies will struggle to take out our leadership this way. Unfortunately, I won't be enhancing any peridots as they will be kept away from the battlefield and there aren't many enhancements I could give them that would benefit the struggle. Once we're done here, I'll enhance the gems going into battle and those who need it.
Noticing that no further questions were being asked, Black began once more.
"Seeing as how you all understand everything well enough, everyone but Earl is dismissed. I will call forth the gems for enhancement here shortly, some of which will be a few of you agates, so do not linger too far until you are sure you aren't summoned. Now go, instruct your gems of the battleplan and await the go ahead for war."
As everyone but Earl and Black Diamond left the room, Earl approached Black with her own questions.
"My diamond, I have a few concerns if you'd here them."
"What is it my pearl?"
"Steven does bring up a good point. While I don't doubt our ability to take down the Diamond Authority with the forces will have, if the Crystal Gems show up before we're set, it could change the outcome of the war. I am glad to hear we have a contingency in case of their premature arrival, but I fear that even that won't be enough."
"I hear your concerns Earl, but we don't have much choice otherwise. Placing all bets on this battle is the best solution we have as the more time our foes have to prepare, the less prepared we will be. Their defenses would increase, any gems or allies we missed in the cosmos could assist them, and we would be left powerless before them. I trust that Beta will hold long enough but if not, then we will cross that bridge if and when we arrive at it."
"I understand my diamond."
"Now then Earl, I need you to contact the following gems for enhancement..."
-Meanwhile in Delta-
Steven once again roamed the facility, though he wasn't going to stray far from the warp pad within it's walls. That would be their main use of insertion to Homeworld. As he found a spot to settle down for a moment, he couldn't stop thinking about the battle. No matter how many times he would think it over in his head, Black's plan seemed like it would succeed, as long as everything fell down the way it should. One particular point stuck with him though.
'Black is placing all his bets on the Gems not arriving too soon on the battlefield...as long as they stay away, victory seems to be assured. I wonder if you guys can get out of Beta soon enough. And even if you do...will it matter?'
As Steven continued his thoughts, he was left to stew to his own as everyone else began to prepare. With the whole facility waiting on a war, tensions were never higher and everyone was ready for the order to assault Homeworld.
...
So now we know Black's game plan. Going all or nothing with it (that's a bold strategy Cotton, lets see if it pays off). As for Beta and what's in the store there for the main group, we'll catch up with them next time.
So, originally I planned this chapter out to have Black address his gems and for the Crystal Gems to begin their Beta adventures (especially with the gems in Beta since that was the original idea moving forward), but as I got to writing this one out, I found that Black's announcement was taking up more than I thought it would, making it to where I found it best to split up Beta Facility and his game plan into separate chapters.
Thanks everyone once more. Happy Monday to all. Hope it goes well enough. Chapters this week might be a bit slower coming out as I am toying with the decision to work a couple 12hr shifts for work (for anyone curious, that would be me going from 130p to 130am, just to have to get around at noon once more). I am still attempting to get the chapters out, but for now, I cannot say for certain of whether or not it will happen. Thanks again for stopping by though guys. Hope to see everyone in the big 3 0.
Waiting on a War by Foo Fighters