Emerald

Papers are flying to and from my hands as I turn from hallway to hallway. The amount of preparation to finaliza Operation Coal is rather extensive, I've been signing documents since yesterday afternoon, to say nothing of the near numerous amount of meetings Pearl and I have attended. Even now I was rushing to attend one last meeting to get the final gears turning so the operation could fully set in.

I handed off one last piece of paper and slowly pushed the door in front of me forwards, strolling into the meeting room and gazing at the people meeting with me today. Empress of China: Cho Tsun, a very petit woman, Czar of Russia: Vladiskov Smirnov, a hulking giant of a man, President of the United States of North America: Joseph Thompson, a very mousy looking fellow, and the son of Germany's Bundesrat: Lukas Schwarz. It seemed they were already deep in discussion, or at least Joseph was.

'Great' I thought to myself, he seemed to be in a tizzy over the "mysterious" Operation Coal. I cleared my throat to garner their attention and took my seat and my assistant, a yellow Agate, handed me a data pad. I swiped through it, signed certain lines here and there and returned it before turning to my fellows, "Ok, I'm sure you are all wondering what exactly Operation Coal is."

Empress Cho, who had been second to open her country to Gems -- the first was Vladiskov -- nodded her head, "Why yes General, we are."

Joseph shook his head, obviously annoyed by something. He had been the most reluctant to open his country to Gems, even though we were based in it, so assumed he was just angry about something Gem related. "Look, General," he emphasized General in a way that made it seem like a cancer, "You keep us in the dark about this any longer and you're just going to anger me."

"Oh shut it you idiot," Lukas said, surprising us all, "He's trying to get to the point and keeping him in you little bigot trap is only making a self-fulfilling prophecy."

I didn't know how to respond except by thanking Lukas. I cleared my throat, "Anyway, moving on. Operation Coal is a plan that we Gems had devised around the beginning of the Crystal Earth Alliance." Joseph snorted contemptuously. "It basically details a multitude of contingencies in order to preserve Earth and to defend the system against a full scale Homeworld invasion."

Vladiskov laughed in his deep, booming voice, "Haha! You Gems think of everything!" his laughter cut off and he turned to me in all seriousness, "Level with me malen'kiy zelenyy, do we have chance of surviving against Homeworld?"

Lukas nodded, "Yes, I would like to know the probabilities of any of theses contingencies working in our favor. I understand that we are leaps and bounds ahead in the technological level than we were a few years ago, but is any of that truly enough?"

I had expected this question, but the expectation of it had not made the answer any better, "Truthfully, I have no idea."

Joseph snorted derisively, like he had just won some battle, "Hah, so what you're saying is that we're screwed."

Why was this man so bull headed? "No, that is not at all what I said. I have no idea if we are screwed or if we're not."

Joseph ignored what I said, "What if all they're doing is just setting us up for Homeworld in return for freedom?!"

"Joseph, I hardly think they're trying to use us as an olive branch." Cho spoke up.

"Yes, comrade Joseph, why would they help Humanity advance so much if it was only to use us?"

Joseph wasn't convinced. He stood up and pointed an accusatory finger towards me, "It's obviously a ploy to lower our guard and then, bam! We're enslaved while these alien pebbles are sipping on cold, refreshing freedom!" Geez, this guy was more of a conspiracy nut than that Fryman, Ronaldo.

I clear my throat, "If you'd please Mr. Joseph, please take your seat."

"Why? So you can get me nice and lazy so you can sell us out to Homeworld, no thank you."

"No," I started calmly, "It's because your fly is down, and that is making everyone uncomfortable." he looked to all of the guests and saw their flushed faces. He quickly sat down and I continued, "Ok, barring any more unnecessary conspiracies I'd like to say that we Crystal Gems only want what is best for the Earth. And assuming all of you have seen the information regarding how Homeworld "colonizes" planets, you would understand that nobody wants that." I made sure to shoot a look at the President before continuing, "Back to Operation Coal, it calls for the rapid militarization of our forces and a rapid expansion of both our science fields and defensive fronts on multiple planets."

Lukas looked at me skeptically, "What else will this entail?"

I handed my Agate the tablet and she started swiping through it, causing a three dimensional digital screen to pop into existence in the middle of the table, "You see, General Emerald has, with the cooperation of the science division and with the aid of many of your interstellar travel companies, devised many plans for both space fleets and for defensive fortifications on the surface of Mars, in the Kuiper Belt, and within Luna Firma."

She shuts off the tablet and the feed is killed, "So as you saw, I have even more stringent contintingicies being put into the grind, the reason you four are here is because you are the last four agreements I need."

Everyone looked to one another, finally Empress Cho raised her voice, "We agree."

"Marvelous, now if you excu-"

"Hooold it," Joseph called. Ever particle in my form was used not to groan. "I agree under one condition."

I give a polite nod, trying desperately to mask my frustration. This guy really grinded my gears, "Yes Mr. President, what would that be?"

He smiled triumphantly, "Well, I hardly like the idea of some alien leading our army and participating in the political affairs of our world. I want you to step down as General and have anyone who isn't a Gem take your place."

I looked around the table to see if anyone disagreed with his exchange and found not a single glance if dissent. 'Ok,' I thought, 'I guess I'll humor this child.' I agreed to the terms and the meeting was adjourned, thankfully I still had a good span of time before my next task. I decided I would surprise somebody before going.

"Sir," my Agate handed me a data tablet, "She should be clear for the next ten minutes."

I thank her and send her off to get my ship ready before hitting the call button. Pearl's distracted face appears, judging from the mass of bodies around her she had just finished up with her meeting as well. Finally she noticed me smiling on her data tablet, "Oh Emerald, it's you. How did you side hold?" I explain to her all of what had transpired, ending it with President Joseph's deal. "Oh my stars, he has been such an unbearable thorn."

I nod in agreement, "Yes, but with our relationship strained so very tightly with some of the human countries I am afraid it would have come to this eventually."

"Well, I suppose you're right. Have you given any thought as to who we're going to appoint?" She already knew who I had in mind.

Ocasio

"Steven! Wait up!" I hurry to my cousin's side, "Yo Stevie, how've you been?"

"Eh, you know me." Steven ran a hand through his hair, I still found it odd how long it had gotten. Not only was his hair just as puffy, but it had a few pink curls to it. His clothes were also different, he still had his blue jeans but he know wore this white, frilly sleeveless shirt that had a star in the middle, displaying his gem directly in the center. These past four years have definitely been kind to him.

I laughed, "Sure, sure." I narrow my eyes, there was somebody missing from this scene, "So, uh, where's Connie?"

Steven jabbed a thumb behind us to the main camp, even from here the sounds of thousands of people training and bustling about doing day to day maintenance echoed. "She's helping train the new batch of soldiers." My shoulders sagged, I was kind of jealous of Connie.

In the absence of my father Quartz had become the head of the new Quartizine legion, Jade was his second in command naturally. But that left a bunch of other seats in the hierarchy open, and Connie had filled in one of the drill instructor positions. I had wanted to but Quartz had told me no. I felt Steven brush an elbow against my arm, and I can see a very cheeky smile, "So, where's Obsidian?"

Every particle of heat rushes into my cheeks; over time me and Obsidian had become… partners? No… that sounds weird. We're dating. Ugh… that will have to do. It was fairly recent, so it was still a tad bit embarrassing for people to talk about it so openly. "Steven, shut your mouth."

Steven, instead of following my orders, giggled delightfully, "Hehe! I still remember the day you asked her out, you were so sweaty!"

In mere seconds Steven is howling in pains, not by anything I did. No, somebody had grabbed him by the ear, "Hey Jam Bud, don't you remember how nervous you were?"

I felt my embarrassment wash away an be replaced with laughter. Connie released Steven's ear and he tried desperately to rub the soreness away, "Heh heh, sorry Ocasio."

I tell him its fine and thank Connie, she assures me it was no problem. "So," she starts, "Where is Obsidian, if you don't mind me asking?"

I point directly down, "She's overseeing the efforts to make that giant area where the cluster was livable."

"Oh yeah, they're making the core a type of fallout shelter." Steven remembered.

I nod, "Yup, they've got a whole team of Bizmuths working on it. I was down there the other day and it's insane how fast they're working."

Steven shifted uncomfortably, I had heard the story of his encounter with a Bizmuth so I understood why such a topic made him feel so. He changed the subject, "So, have you finished that task for Uncle Emerald yet?"

"Oh yeah… no, I actually completely forgot about that." Dad had tasked me with finding an apprentice and any other viable persons for a secret project he has in the works.

Connie gave a good laugh at my expense, "Geez Ocasio, you're such a slacker." I crossed my arms, finding an apprentice was harder than she thought it was. "Aw, don't give me that look. C'mon, you can take a look at the newbies."

Ok, I suppose that was better than just sitting here. As we get closer to the camp the sounds of training and bustling intensity washes over me, it was louder than I thought I remembered.

Even after years of being here the overall order of the legion is amazing, everyone was moving with purpose, not a single mote of energy was wasted. Quartz must have been paying closer attention to Dad than I thought, and that's saying something because he obviously-

"Hit the deck!" my reflexes kick in and I drop to the earth. A large shadow washes over me and a second later a grunt of pain hits my ears.

I stand up and see it was a Jasper who was launched over me, I turn around to look for answers. An Emerald is standing there, laughing triumphantly. "Hey!" I bark, "What is your major malfunction!"

He looks at me in confusion, it kind of reminded me of Dad, "Me?"

I march over to him and grip his collar, "No, the sparkle princess of crystal island."

The Emerald smirked, "Well Goldy, I haven't seen any sparkle princess around here. You sure you don't mean me?"

I push him away from me, "No duh I mean you, ya clod! Keep the sparring to the sparring zone… wait… did you just call me Goldy?"

He stands up and dusts himself, "Yup."

I glare at him, "You gotta death wish?"

"Ocasio, calm down." Connie commanded. I breathed in and out, I don't know why but this guy really rubbed me wrong. She turned to him, using her 'stand down or you can fight me' glare, "Star, Ocasio has a point, you know the regulations given by the Praetor."

Star snorted derisively, "Whatever you say Captain, I'll try to listen this time." with that he walked off.

"Geez, what's that guy's problem?" I asked angrily.

Connie went to answer but Steven stepped in, "Yeah, he's kind of a delinquent. He means well though." He means well? I wasn't so sure of that.

"He is still an Emerald, Ocasio. The core traits of one are deep in him. If he didn't then you would have probably been squished under that Jasper.'

That was him? 'Well, then he should act like it a little better.' I turn to Connie, "Ok, so what was that about checking out the newbies?"

"Oh yeah, c'mon, they should still be grouped up ahead."

"Alright you lazy bums, line up!" Connie roared. She was kind of scary when like this. Apparently the recruits thought so too, they were all lined up in perfect symmetrical order. Connie nodded towards me, "Ok bums, today we have someone special coming to inspect you. Ocasio Sagedaughter, host of Star Quartz." Murmurs all around, was I really that famous? "How will she inspect you? Well, she has brought her own test." Connie motioned me up.

I cleared my throat, I never was much of a public speaker like Steven or Dad, "U-uhm yes… the test." c'mon Ocasio, suck it up! "The test, well I um…" snickers rise up from the crowd.

"Snickering? What are you guys, five? Everyone who fails this test will now be on polish duty!" Connie finished with an air of malice… My mom created a monster.

I take a breath, think Ocasio, what should the test be. "Mayhaps you should search their memories." Star Quartz chimed. Hmm, that seems better than anything I could ever think of. "You're learning young one."

I walk from soldier to soldier, glaring deep into their eyes. I found that there was truth to eyes being windows into the soul; by looking into them I could perceive almost any memory, even ones that seemed forgotten. However, I was finding more of the same, just a sense of duty. I wanted, no, I needed more than just a sense of duty.

I finally reached Star Emerald, to his credit there was more than just a sense of duty in him. There was a faint memory of pain, but, it was not what I was looking for.

A faint sigh and I moved on, I was beginning to worry. Was there nobody here. "There is, but you must search beyond the physical." What in the world did that mean, I was already searching their memories. "I can say no more."

Great, some celestial being she was. I was about to turn back and head to Connie but something tugged on my mind. I whipped back around, startling the soldiers by me. I don't know how to describe what I felt, there was a sense of duty, a faint memory of pain, but those two things seemed to mingle together.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on this feeling, a path opening in the inky darkness behind my eyelids. I followed it, surprisingly not bumping into anybody. The closer I got the more decipherable the emotion became, the more powerful it was. I could feel this person's anger, they were angry at themselves, at Homeworld, angry at their own weakness, their sense of duty was powered by this anger. Something happened to this person, and they were determined to make sure nobody would feel what they have felt.

As the trail ended an image of a red smiling face was burned into my head. I opened my eyes and found myself toe to toe with a rather flustered looking gem, his green hue made me think he was an Emerald at first but when I asked his name he told me his name was Dioptase, I asked for his real name and he said, "Di.F1, I was once a guard back in the glory days of the Homeworld"

I told him I didn't care what his position once was, "Why do you fight, huh Dioptase?"

He gave a crisp salute, "I would rather not say if it is all the same to you Sagedaughter."

"Oh, so you know who I am."

"Of course Sagedaughter. Ocasio, the Avatar of Star Quartz and daughter to Emerald Sageson and The Renegade Pearl." he said with complete reverence. Geez, he could have stopped at "of course".

I hold out a hand, "Well Dioptase, I won't ask for your story. Rather, I have a proposal for you."

He saluted, "Of course, how may I aid you?"

I laughed, this kid was a riot, "Enough of that formality, I don't roll like that. But, you'll learn that soon enough my apprentice." Man, the look on his face was priceless. He went from shock, to confusion, then back to shock when he realized I was serious.

He took my hand and shakily shook it, "O-of course, it w-would be an honor."

"Good," Connie's voice boomed, "that is settled. The rest of you, GET TO SCRUBBING!"As everyone filed out in relative uniform fashion Connie and Steven met up with me and my new apprentice. Dioptase saluted Connie, she smiled and gave him a hug. I was just as surprised as Dioptase was. Connie backed up and smiled at me, "Sorry, I've grown a bit attached to these guys. Sure, they're a bunch of sorry sods, but they're my sods."

I patted Dioptase's shoulders, "Don't worry Connie, he's going under my wing."

Connie nodded, "I know, that's what I'm worried about."

Wow, that stung, "I'm not that irresponsible."

Connie slugged me in the shoulder. "You totally are," she said with a laugh.

Before I could repay my friend with a playful punch of my own Steven cut in, "Connie, c'mon, I have to go."

"Huh, why do I have to go?"

Steven grabbed her arm and hauled her, "It's urgent, just contact Warren to watch the soldiers."

It was question after question as I watched them leave. Like, who was this Warren, why did they have to leave so fast, and would it kill requisitions to put a bathing area closer. Like, seriously, it reeked like crazy! I pinched my nose and waved Dioptase on, "C'mon, let's head to my ship."

"Of course Sagedaughter," He followed eagerly behind.

"I said call me Ocasio!"

"Right, sorry ma'am."