Chapter 3: I Fought the Law and the Law Won
A lone horseman approached as the four gems stood in front of the temple. Pearl was in a battle stance, ready to fight but a gentle hand on her shoulder told her to stand down. Rose was sitting on the steps, she stood to met the man. "This is not a place for humans. Why are you here?"
"We colonist have won the war. We are now free from the british empire."
"I fail to see what your human wars have to do with us."
"We have won this land."
"Ah." So that's why the humans were here. Pearl didn't hate humans in general, but these colonist reminded her too much of the Homeworld they left behind. Greedy conquers that take everything that they didn't already control.
"Our affairs are our own. And your affairs are your own."
"That is what we wish to talk about. Our leaders feel if we can come together and agree on boundaries and set them to parchment, than we would make better neighbors for each other."
"That's ... not a bad idea." Rose considered.
The plane jerked; pulling Pearl into the present. She looked around at her companions. In addition to the Crystal Gems, there was Douglas and a few soldiers. None of them looked particularly happy. Amethyst has trying to act 'cool'. She was trying to lighten the mood, to further dismissing results. Steven looked worried. He could feel the tension but didn't know what to do about it. Garnet was opposed to this whole affair and was radiating displeasure. Pearl was amazed she hadn't unfused yet.
They had even dragged Peridot and Lapis along. Peridot was talking about how primitive Earth vehicles are. Lapis… Lapis was who Pearl was worried about the most. If Garnet was radiating displeasure, Lapis was radiating death. Lapis sat there, still as a statue. Face unreadable. Pearl was reminded when she was freed from the mirror or when she fused into Malachite.
The plane landed with the shakiness that most human made flying vehicles tended to have. They landed in Paris, the capital of France. Europe was the continent had was least affected the Homeworld's colonization and the rebellion. As a result the humans who lived there were mainly unaffected and historically had least contact with Gems. Paris, France was also home to the League of Nations, an organization made up of every human nation. It was formed in the 20th century after a series of large wars to promote international community and peace.
Steven was explaining the idea of different nations to Peridot, while the group was exiting the plane. "There's my favorite space ladies," chimed a familiar slimy voice. The president of the United States, walked toward everyone.
"Pearl, look! It's the president!" Steven excitedly pointed out. He's voice was filled with awe at meeting the US leader. Pearl, however, looked like she shucked a lemon. Pearl very rarely paid human leaders any mind. Except John F. Kennedy and that was only because he was one of Rose's 'boyfriends.' But as Homeworld became more prominent this past year, Pearl began looking up the current government. She did not liked what she saw.
He reached and shook Pearl's hand a little too hard. "I'm so glad you've agreed to come. These guys have been breathing down my neck since shortie here started launching stuff into our atmosphere," the president said giving an annoyed point at Peridot. "So, where's the man of the hour? Where's Steven Universe?"
Steven stepped up. "Hello Mr. President! I'm Steven!"
The president looked down at Steven before turning his head at his entourage. "He's a lot shorter than I'd thought he be. I thought he was 14."
The smile slid from Steven's face. "I am 14, I'm just short for my age," Steven said. His voice had a bit of a quiver. In an instit, Pearl was at his side, giving the boy a reassuring squeeze.
"Jesus, what don't you drink your milk?" The president waited for someone to laugh. Awkward silence from the Gems was all he got.
The group were put into limousines and were off to the League of Nations Gems were whisked into the building. The president once again addressed the Gems. "We haven't hashed out the details yet, but it might be best if we keep somethings between just us. Like maybe don't mention the giant monster sleeping in the center of the Earth, okay?"
Steven looked uncomfortable. "You mean lie?" The boy asked.
"No, not lie, but maybe don't mention some details that will complicate things. Keep things broad and vague."
"Keep everything important to our selves. No, that's not like lying at all," said Garnet; voice thick with sarcasm.
"Yeah, of course, because you three have been an open book with me," the president shot back.
The hearings took a few days. The stood before a group diplomats from all over the world. Peridot and Steven talked the longest. Peridot mostly explaining day to day activities of Homeworld, while Steven talked about his abduction and what happened to him. Much attention was giving to Lars and what happened to him.
The sky was dark when the Gems took off for home. Pearl much would have preferred to use a warp pad, but Douglas was insisted that he and some men accompany back to the temple. Steven was already asleep when they returned. After Pearl put Steven to bed, she asked peridot and Lapis if they wanted to stay at the temple for the night.
"It's pretty dark out," Amethyst said.
"No", said Lapis. "We'll be fine." This was the first time she spoke since they got on the plane to France.
Peridot turned to her roommate. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Lapis snapped. "Let's just go." The two went to the warp pad, and warped to their home.
Garnet, Pearl, and Amethyst went into the temple and they talked.
The president sat in his limo, when Pink Pearl spoke. "So, what did you think of him?" She was looking at herself in a compact mirror.
He the president jumped in surprise. Damn, he needed better security. "Who?"
"Mr. Universe, of course. Half gem, half human, quite interesting don't you think?"
"He seemed like a stupid kid," the president shrugged. "I thought I would be meeting with Mr. Stone?"
Pink Pearl snapped her mirror shut. "Mr. Stone thinks it would be unwise to met face to face at this stage."
"As opposed to when everyone realizes what he's up too? Douglas is digging around. Sooner or later he's gonna find you."
Pink Pearl smiled at him. "Oh, I hope he does. Now if you excuse me, I have a date."