Date: November 11th, 2018 (Earth)

Planet Location: Earth

Specific Location: Crystal Gem Hideout, Beach City

Inhabitants: The "Steven," formerly known as Rose Quartz, Crystal Gem Garnet, comprised of Crystal Gems Ruby and Sapphire, Crystal Gem Pearl, Crystal Gem Amethyst, Crystal Gem Peridot, and Crystal Gem Lapis Lazuli. Other inhabitants either nonexistent or covert. All known inhabitants are confirmed traitors.

Briefing Summary: The "Steven" and the Crystal Gems, enemies of Homeworld, are now deemed too dangerous to leave unchained. With each day, they grow stronger, more rebellious, more threatening. It is unknown of what gems and allies they are harboring. Their strength and potential are also unheard of, and because of this, new revisions to the old plan had to be made. Whatever the case, ALL Crystal Gems and their affiliates must be apprehended and taken to the Diamonds for judgement. They cannot be allowed to progress any further than they have already.

We were fortunate enough to have received a report from the rogue Peridot before she turned against Homeworld to give sufficient knowledge of the Crystal Gems. Otherwise, we might not have nip this bud in enough time. Take advantage of this and do not falter in the completion of this mission.

Assigner /Authorizer of Mission: Holly Blue Agate

Mission Cast:

-White Quartz

-Spinel

-Aquamarine

-Topaz

-Amber

Mission Statement:

-Arrest the "Steven" without fatal harm.

-Arrest ALL Crystal Gems alive, if possible. If not, decimate as many as needed.

-Arrest or kill ALL Crystal Gem Affiliates at your discretion. Either is encouraged.

-Destroy any and all tools, equipment, or plans to be used against Homeworld.

-Recover any and all items onsite that are potentially valuable and deposit them to me.

-Any gems, whether it be fragments or intact, yet defeated, that ARE NOT a part of the Crystal Gem faction are to be returned to Homeworld for processing, interrogation, and assignment, if necessary.

Equipment: All of those taking part in this mission will be outfitted with Destabilizers, Destabilizer-Resistant armor, Standard Communicators, for local communication, and Diamond Communicators, in case of emergency only. The group will also be provided an armed, armored, Obsidian-Grade Homeworld warship. This provides slower, although safer travel, as well as incredible battle capabilities. Use responsibly, as it is expected to return in NEAR-PERFECT condition. It will take time to reach Earth, but, if uninterrupted, shouldn't be too long in comparison with Homeworld's standard spaceships. That is, if nothing goes wrong with them.

And there it is. You are all now officially authorized to pursue this mission. If the Diamonds find out, this was a simple patrol, as "peculiar activity" appeared suddenly on Earth. By then, the Diamonds will have nothing but the waning smell of these burnt records and the sound of our lies to mull over. Good luck, and Diamond bless.

Brr! Damn this icy morning. Freezing my nuts off in here. Wish the heating worked in my room. It's got to be below 40 in here! I hop out of my bed, my cover wrapped around my chilled body, and dash out into the kitchen. To my surprise, there was no breakfast made. I could tell because the kitchen usually reeks of pancakes, sausage, bacon, waffles, eggs, french toast, or exotic fruits until 2PM, and it was only 12:42PM. Not even lunch got rid of the smells. There was no one in the room besides me. Not even Amethyst, and her fat ass usually gravitates around any areas with food and vice versa. I don't exactly expect Garnet to be back together and relaxing here, but it would nice to see at least Sapphire here.

Lapis and Peridot rarely come for breakfast anyways, so no surprise there. Speaking of which, how exactly are they doing? How are they doing? Is Peridot the top to Lapis's bottom? Other way around? Switch? Whatever it is, it's at least keeping them from fighting and fucking up peaceful afternoons. Now, what about Pearl? She pretty much belongs in the kitchen... Wait, not like that, like...she's the best at cleaning and cooking. Even if she didn't feel like making breakfast today, she'd be in here doing her stretches, practicing some ballet moves, doing something productive at the very least. Is she in her room? Nah, couldn't be. She doesn't laze around in her room at around this time.

"Pearl? Garnet? Amethyst? Anyone here?" I called out.

No response. I shiver as a cold breeze hits my back. So much for this bullshit blanket. I trudge along and warm some milk in a clean pot, of which was oddly out in the open instead of put away. Pouring the milk into a mug, I take a sip, enjoying the near-scalding beverage. I walk over to the front door to peer outside at the ocean. The waves were strangely crashing against the beach and receding at odd intervals. So odd it was a little too methodical to be a natural, uncontrolled pattern. I look around the area to find Pearl standing off to the side, tracing into the sand something I couldn't really describe with her spear.

I crack the front door open slightly, in an attempt to not startle her. I don't think I did it well, because as soon as the door was open, Pearl slightly jolted and used the other end of her spear to wipe the sand. I open the door all the way and step out onto the deck.

"Hey, Pearl! Whatcha doing?!" I called out to her.

She turned around, her spear behind her back, and walked over towards me. She looked down at me and softly smiled.

"Good afternoon, Steven. You slept in pretty late." Pearl greeted me.

"Yeah, pretty busy night last night."

"What kinds of things did you do?"

"Uh, stuff. Unimportant stuff. Anyways, what're you doing out here? It's cold as tits out here!"

Pearl sighed at my comment of the weather and responded with, "It is cold today, but not the kind of cold that pertains to human parts. Besides your crude description of the weather, I'm simply...errr...taking in the view, and such. Just relaxing."

Pearl shifted slightly, fiddling with her spear around somewhat.

"Is that so? You don't look too relaxed."

"Oh, nonsense! Y-You just startled me, is all."

Now that she's retreating with that excuse, she's definitely not going to open up to me, and if anyone else were to ask, she'd have a logical response to their question. I'll have to figure out a different approach.

"Heh. Sorry about that. I was just worried about you. Feels like I haven't held a conversation with just you in some time. I... Well, I just wanted to make sure everything's alright."

Pearl's smile drooped into indifference. From there, it turned into partial worry.

"Thanks for being concerned, Steven. I appreciate it and you dearly."

Quickly, I said, "I should be going then. No reason to bother you."

"Wait," abruptly spouted Pearl, "Steven, we can absolutely talk some more. It isn't often you come to me for just a conversation. I'll gladly share with you anything."

Pearl puts her spear away and claps her hands together. She stood on her toes in anticipation.

"What shall we converse between each other?" She asked.

"First, let's go inside. It's actually pretty cold out here."

Pearl nodded, following my lead back into the house. It was still devoid of the others. I guess I could bring it up in conversation. Pearl and I walked over to the kitchen table and sat on opposing sides. She propped her arms up and linked her hands together, her back perfectly straight, eyes locked onto mine. Prim and proper as expected from her.

"So, Steven. Anything particular on your mind?" Pearl asked me.

I rest my elbows on the table and sigh. The next words I spew out of my mouth will have to keep Pearl from locking herself away. I need to keep her open and vulnerable so I can help her. I have no doubt she's hurt about something, like my mom giving herself up to create me. Or maybe even the inner demons of her associates. Whatever the case is, I have to be careful.

I can't go too far or I'll never fix her. I'll just end up making things worse. But, at the same time, I can't be too generous and just make useless conversation. I need to figure out what her pain is and stopping it, for the Crystal Gems as a whole. Another benefit of helping her will also be the fact I'll have one less gem to worry about, resulting in much more peacefulness in this hellhole. I can finally just go about the average day without any emotional eruptions from the gems.

This being said, I wonder if my involvement with Peridot, Lapis, Ruby and Sapphire will actually prove beneficial. They all could just revert back to their bullshit. Perhaps at any given moment, things could get a lot worse than the norm. Ugh, forget about that, Steven! You got shit to do and not enough time to do it. These gems could snap any day now. I can't think large-scale right now. Might as well leave those four alone and focus on Pearl.

"Pearl, honestly, I'm coming to you to talk about the others. I want to know how the missions have been going so far to make sure the others are alright. Have you noticed anything recently wrong with any of them?"

"The others? They seem just fine, barring Lapis and Peridot. I'm still unsure of their...relationship. Between, I feel less tension and abuse, but they seem to be acting...um...out of character."

"How so?"

"Er, well..."

Pearl trailed off and rubbed her arm. She looked adjacent from me, tapping one of her fingers on the table. What about the two, Pearl? Last time I've seen them, they were patching things up. She truly can't be suggesting that something else popped up.

"In the most refined, posh, gentle phrasing, they seem to be switching often, but only in their relationship, so to say." She finished.

"Are you saying they're both dominating and submitting in fucking bed? Ugh."

Pearl sighed and reluctantly confirmed, "Yes, yes they are."

"Look, that's just relationship stuff. Stuff between partners. I'm not worried about that. Has anyone acted out lately? Do you think anyone has something going on that they aren't telling us?"

"Not to my knowledge. Garnet seems rock solid and undeterred. Amethyst, relaxed, wise-cracking, and vulgar. Lapis and Peridot, despite their activities, seem relatively the same. Bismuth has spent most of her time creating experimental weapons and tools."

"Is that it? Nothing else? At all?"

"If you're asking if there's anything wrong with me, I'm also fine, Steven."

Ah, damn it. She figured it out that easily?

"What? O-Of course you are. Y-You seem to be the only one normal, is all."

"You don't have to lie, Steven. I'm alright. I suppose I've been more tense lately, but only due to these missions. Recon, searching and recovering or destroying, intercepting various items, etc. wears a gem out."

"B-But!"

"No need to fret. I can assure you everything's alright."

Pearl smiled at me warmly. She tried hard to reassure that she was ok, and I almost believed her. From there, I knew I wasn't gonna get anything from her. I can't confront her about it anymore. I'm just gonna be a sneaky fuck about it from now. Maybe spying on her. Ugh... I sound like a damn creep.

Pearl got up from her seat and slowly headed over to the temple gate.

"If that's all, let's talk more often. Later on, that is. For now, I'm going to meditate and sharpen my skills with my spear." She said, pulling her spear from her gem.

I got up and tried to stop her, but she had already activated the temple gate, opening her room. She stepped inside, the door closing behind her.

"Gah! Terrific." I mumbled to myself.

My gem shone dimly and my mother's voice seeped from it.

~Well, that could've gone better.~

Yes, mom, I know. What do I do now?

~I think you the answer to that.~

Really, though? I'm seriously going to have to spy on her?

~Look, I don't like the idea either, but you have no choice. Whatever you do, just make sure you're spying with reason and respect. Nothing else.~

Ok, ok! Fine. I'll do it.

~I advise against spying on her so soon though. She's probably going to be on guard. Wait her out, then do it.~

You sure?

~I know my little Pearl better than anyone, Steven. Without a doubt, I'm sure.~

..Ok then. Then later it is. Though, while I wait, I should probably be working on helping another gem.

~You have an idea which one will be next, Steven?~

Uh huh. Amethyst's probably got a few things hiding behind her carefree attitude.

- In an office aboard a Homeworld Space Station...

"Spinel, are you sure you have to leave so soon?"

"Duty calls, Tourmaline. Duty calls. I have to leave right away. The mission's going to take some time, so if I leave now, I can see you again sooner."

"Oh, fine. Please be careful, Spinel. Bring those horrid Crystal Gems down and return to me, unscathed! Leave not one of them able-bodied!"

"Jeez, asking a lot, as usual. Don't worry. I've got this covered. Nothing at all to be concerned with. After all, I'm a part of an adept and seasoned crew. This should be a breeze, even if the mission's to get those damned infamous Crystal Gems."

Tourmaline quivers slightly, humming worriedly.

"Calm down, Tourmy. It's under controlled. If you stay confident in me, I'll bring you home a present. Now, how does a shard of one of the Crystal Gems' gemstone sound?"

Tourmaline beamed at this, asking, "Truly?! Oh, how delightful a gift."

"There's my little Tangerine Tourmaline. I'll be off now."

Spinel kisses Tourmaline.

"Oh, Spinel, you know such affection is forbidden. How crass! How rebellious!" Tourmaline playfully reminds Spinel.

"Shit, I know what I'm about. And after I get back, I'll show you just how crass I can be."

Tourmaline giggles as Spinel feels her up. Standing straight up, Spinel keys in the code for the door to the office. The door slides open and they quickly step out. From a bystander's viewpoint, they look like any other gem. They both look as if they couldn't care for the other and would sell them out to a Diamond if either dared to break a rule. They seemed totally uninterested in one another.

Contradicting their social appearance, Spinel confirms their connection by giving Tourmaline's ass a squeeze, much to her surprise. A yelp and some blushing from her later, Tourmaline gently slaps Spinel's arm.

"Good luck, Spinel. Have a Diamond-protected trip."

Tourmaline heads off, returning to her post. Soon after, the rest of the crew gathered near Spinel.

"We're ready to go. Hurry up, slowpoke. We haven't all day." Aquamarine said, annoyed.

"Sorry for the wait. I'm ready now."

"You'd better, Spinel. We don't need screwups on this mission, so try not to act your normal self." Amber sharply belittled Spinel.

"And good to see you too, Short-stack."

Amber growls at Spinel's remark of her height. Even though she's not the shortest gem, she's obviously not comforted by her current stature.

"Enough. Let's just hurry up and get this over with." White Quartz interjects.

They all boarded the assigned warship, of which was hidden from plain sight around a corner to the station. With White Quartz leading the mission, and Topaz piloting the warship, the gems head off for Earth. Spinel sits back and sighs, arms behind her head, catching Aquamarine's attention.

"Don't become too lax, Spinel. Sluggishness and idleness makes for the very shattered gem." She said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sluggish and idle. Whatever."

"Ugh, oh whatever. You'd do well to heed my warnings. Underestimating a rebellious group that, for as long as time could tell, proved unbeatable to all of the Diamonds' previous assaults can and will be your very undoing."

"You say that like we're a bunch of carpet-munching Rubies."

"I think what she's trying to say is that no matter how skilled and prepared we are, we shouldn't lower our guard." Topaz explained.

"Yeesh, you talk? That's a little surprising." Spinel told Topaz.

"Yes, Spinel, because gems that speak when necessary is such a surprise." Amber joked.

"Hey, it was just a little unexpected."

"That's exactly what you're going to say when you find a gauntlet up where the minerals don't glow."

"As if. If any of us were to bite it, it's gonna be you, Amber. All they'd have to do to defeat you is dangle your weapon over you, just out of your reach."

"Piss off." Amber scoffed.