Accept this new chapter as apology for my long absence!
シ_ _)シ
If you're confused over what is happening in this chapter, please wait! Everything will be revealed soon.
The remnants of Pink Diamond's fight force watched Blue Zircon power walk from their gilded cage, looking like a million bucks. Onyx NX765 watched her go. The Logistics Manager of the Base where Pink Diamond met her fateful end fluttered down next to the Onyx. "I suppose we all must now be tried for treason. Seeing as how we aided and abetted the enemy, is all."
Onyx shooed the Aquamarine away, irritated. The Aquamarine giggled and rejoined her fellow comrades, gleefully giggling to the closest Gem, "Did you just talk to that Blue Zircon? You did? Well I have news for you…"
For a little while, the caged Gems discussed Blue Zircon and her efforts to acquit Rose. A certain topic can be milked of conversation for only so long, though; discussion eventually wound down. Serious arguments softened into gossip, and jokes.
The jokes got bawdier and the laughs more bellowing; the mirth grew so much, no one noticed the arrival of the Kingsguard, the bodyguards under the Diamonds' direct control.
"I see everyone here is having a grand old time!" Rhedicax barked out at the cheerful Gems. As the cheerful company set eyes upon Rhedicax, the mood swerved in a complete 180.
Onyx's eyes soared out from the respectable size of quail eggs to the size of duck eggs. What on Earth did Rhedicax think she was doing? The most dangerous thing a bunch of conspirators masquerading as upright public servants can do is meet in public! And Rhedicax hadn't even lugged around her whole entourage as a pretense. Rhedicax had some real nerve-White Diamond had expressly forbid each them from fraternizing baselessly! (After all, the trio did not want to invite suspicion upon themselves).
As Rhedicax strode up, Onyx noted the taller Gem looked rattled. Maybe White Diamond has found out…?
Jumping forward, Onyx seized Rhedicax's lapels, and whispered, "Now didn't we agree that each of us should effectively ignore the other until the right time? Don't you think the guards will be suspicious, and report this-"
Rhedicax seized the moment, lifting the smaller Gem off the ground and dangling her behind her back. Swirling around, Rhedicax shouted in a thunderous voice: "All of you! Follow me!"
Onyx inserted her chisel-like foot right into the crack of Rhedicax's butt. "Pay attention when I'm speaking to you!"
Ignoring the jabs, Rhedicax addressed the caged Gems. "The time has arrived for us to carry out our plans!" said the Kingsguard, sprinting from the Cage.
"But such a bold move like this, the other Diamonds surely will notice-" Onyx began.
Rhedicax cut her off, whispering to her, "Stevonnie has been captured. This is our best and last chance. If things go correctly, there won't be any Diamonds to notice our efforts! Come on! Time is slipping away!"
"Fill me in before we do something stupid!" hissed Onyx, squirming from Rhedicax's grasp.
Rhedicax explained the situation as briefly and concisely as possible.
Meanwhile, the Caged Gems charged out into the hall, full of traitor Kingsguards and like-minded members of the military.
"Spread out!" bellowed Onyx. "We must find the Zircon before it's too late!"