Log Date 07 01 01
Today is my birthday. As it is I am the oldest Era 2 Peridot in existence but gems don't celebrate minor achievements such as being alive one more year.
What is a big achievement is the arrival of 15 000 of my sister Peridots. The citizens of Rossmore and UNIT have been a big help providing clothes, food and toys. I myself have been keeping busy, supervising the disassembly of the space crafts and building living quarters in the Beta Kindergarten. To make the work go faster we are using the parts of the fleet in the tunnels to create workshops, feeding chambers and think chambers in the tunnels we have drilled down below.
As for my people we have a huge variety, from seasoned veterans to newborns and a few premature gemlings as well. The newborns need constant supervision, there are some problems feeding some of the youngest of the premature gemlings but it is the veterans that I am most concerned about.
Years of abuse and neglect have left their toll. Many are afraid to step out of the tunnels. Some are so timid and shy that they hide as soon as a different gem comes into the room. When they do have free time they often sit down staring into the corner. These gems are damaged in such a way that no gem substrate or healing tears can fix.
The other Crystal Gems are helping as best they could but other than Amethyst and Pearl have no experience dealing with children. Surprisingly Spunky has been a big help by playing with the newborns. I have arranged classes for the younger Peridots in the basics of Gem technology, reading and mathematics.
All in all we have 12 000 mature Peridots, 2800 newborns, 50 Pearls, 10 Nephrites and 200 premature gemlings. What I find most disturbing is that most of the younger Peridots are based on my gemetic codes. It is like looking in a mirror. These Peridots had none of the love or opportunities I had. The past has left scars on them but I am determined to heal them as best as I can.
After finishing her logs Peridot warped to her mothers' home. Outside their house the UNIT team camped in the desert. When Peridot stepped outside she was greeted by the sound of shouting.
"No you are not putting that baby in a tank. That's child abuse," shouted Richards. The burly man was clutching a sickly looking baby to his chest.
"Look you clod, the baby is rejecting the light based rations. If we don't put her in the tank she'll die," shouted back Emerald.
"So you're just going to force her growth like a plant? You know nothing about children."
"Oh for the love of, 5MG's mind will be stimulated. It is our way."
"Well your way is wrong."
The two stared at each other. Emerald holding back only because of the premature gem's state. The gemling whimpered. Peridot knew she had to step in.
"Is there something the matter?" asked Peridot innocently.
"Nothing I was just explaining that this child needs to go into the education tank to save it's life," said Emerald.
The large man still clutched the child protectively.
"Colonel Richard please give me the child," said Peridot softly. Whether it was because of pregnant state or the fact she asked nicely the colonel handed the baby over. "Colonel I must ask you to respect Emerald and Jet's opinion. They raised and took care of me as a child."
Peridot looked down at the little gem. Despite the warm clothes the little gem was shivering. The little girl was in bad shape, her form flickering.
"Did you convert the light buns into a mush to feed 5MG?" asked Peridot.
"Yes but she kept throwing up and her body's too small to use the light chamber," replied Emerald.
The baby started nuzzling Peridot's chest almost as if it knew what to do. Inspiration flashed in Peridot mind.
"Excuse me," said Peridot as she turned away from Emerald and the colonel. Peridot pulled down her shirt 5MG latched onto the exposed breast and started to suckle. As Peridot looked down she could see 5MG gaining in strength. She turned back. She could see both Emerald and Richards staring at her.
"Are you suckling the baby? How can you even- do that," gasped Emerald.
"My body is preparing to feed the baby in side of me. It was a chance but I thought that 5MG might be able to absorb those nutrients. After 5MG is done, I want you to get a sample of my milk, give it to Soldalite and see if it can be reproduced,"ordered Peridot.
Suddenly another Peridot going by the code of 6MH ran in. She gave a Diamond salute to Peridot and bowed.
"Eldest, we are running out of rations," said 6MH. "Er what are doing?"
"Feeding this premature Peridot. Are the light chambers built yet?" replied Peridot.
"Yes but they are not suitable for the newborns and premature Peridots," answered 6MH. Though trying to be respectful the refugee could not help but stare at Peridot.
"Try feeding them human food. The premature gems that cannot even eat the rations bring to Soldalite and myself,"ordered Peridot.
6MH saluted Peridot and then ran off. That was one problem dealt with now. Still Peridot couldn't
help but wonder how the others were doing.
Pearl in the meantime as self appointed prime minister was extremely busy. Since meeting up with the United Nations regarding the refugee Peridots, her cellphone had been ringing nonstop.
"No, Mr. Chancellor we are not expecting another batch of refugees," said Pearl.
Another call, "Pearl, get your invading army off of my country or I will forced to use nukes."
Pearl took a deep breath, "Mr. President, I will explain to you again. Those are not soldiers they are refugees, children in fact."
"I am not having 10 000 kids leeching off my country. Now I want all you rock people, your kids, your pets and your weird contraptions off of my land."
"First off we are far older than your country. Secondly how would it look if you throw out children. Now as far as leeching off your country these children are being cared for by my people. I suggest that you and I meet up in the White House along with my Ambassador and a representative of the refugee Peridots."
And so Pearl went into delicate negotiations with the very angry President.
Log Date 07 01 03
We have finally settled my sisters down in the Beta Kindergarten. There is still a lot of work to be done but thanks to the completion of a robinoid manufacturing plant work will progress much faster. A few of the farm gems have decided to stay here permanently and help out as best they can.
The older Peridots have settled into a routine which has done a lot of their morale. The younger Peridots play and are taken care of by the older gems but it is increasingly obvious that the original Crystal Gems have no idea about how to take care of small children.
Steven has been a tremendous help but he is only one being. To that end I have asked him to get as much help as he can.
Greg was in a small shop that was for rent in Ocean Town. He was trying to expand his new business and was hoping to expand into Ocean town but was met with disappointment.
"You're asking for $3000 a month for this place? That's more than I paid for my shop in Beach City and this is in the middle of nowhere," exclaimed Greg.
"Ocean town may not be as rich as Beach City but it has a bigger population," said the real estate agent smugly. He was a thin man with a pencil thin mustache. To Greg it looked like a caterpillar had died on his lip.
Steven's father looked round the area. The sidewalk's pavement was cracked and the nearby lawn was choked with weeds. As for the mall itself 2 of the 4 shops were empty with for lease signs. The real estate agent stared at Greg hoping for an answer when Greg's cellphone rang.
Saved by the bell. The aging rocker answered it.
"Hello, Dad?" said Steven on the other line.
"Steven you sound terrible is Peridot okay?" said Greg.
"Peridot's overworked but fine Dad. The reason why I'm calling is that we need your help. There were several children with the refugees and the gems really don't know how to deal with children. I mean there's Peridot's mothers we even released Garnet but we're dealing with toddlers and babies. Please Dad we need your help if only for a little while."
Greg looked around the dingy little shop. He saw the smug face of the Realtor and made up his mind. "Mr. Dinkleburg I'm going to pass on this place. Ocean town is just not for me."
Dinkleburg's face fell as he watched Greg Universe leave the shop and drive away. The ex rocker headed straight to his apartment where he packed and set his affairs in order before heading to the Beach House and warping to Rossmore with his warp whistle.
When he warped to Steven's house he found his son sitting on the couch looking rather frazzled. Steven's long hair was messy there was food stains on his shirt and bags were under his eyes. For a moment he stared at his father and then he leaped up.
"Dad you came!" cried Steven as he pulled his father into a bone crushing hug.
"Easy there Stu ball. Of course I came. Where's Peridot," asked Greg.
"She's asleep in our bed."
Steven led his father into the bedroom where Peridot lay sleeping. Greg felt a surge of anger. Here Steven was working himself to death and that green goblin was taking a nap. Then he saw the infant laying in Peridot's arms and the gaunt features. Peridot breathed shallowly as the baby twitched in her arms. Steven gently shook her awake.
"Oh Steven, is it time for the daycare appointment already?"said Peridot as wiped the sleep from her eyes.
Greg could see that she was getting huge.
"No I'm just going to show my father around before I head off to work," said Steven as he gently kissed her.
"It seems like I just put down 5MG."
"Wait are you calling the baby by its serial number or something?" asked Greg.
"There are over 10 000 of my sisters. We can't all call them Peridot," replied the green gem.
"It just that it's cold. You should give your sisters names. It will remind them that they are free and make them easier to relate to," said Greg.
"Noted," Peridot lifted the sleeping figure. The baby was wrapped in a thin green blanket. "Let's go check up on Garnet."
Outside Garnet was sitting outside drinking a cup of coffee. The fusion sat on the picnic table just in front of Peridot's workshop. Peridot hissed as she saw Garnet slacking off. Steven took a more diplomatic approach.
"So Garnet how your kids doing?" asked Steven.
"They're fine," Garnet said carelessly.
The children were anything but fine. One toddler was slowly sinking into a large mud puddle, while a pair of three year olds were viciously fighting over a stuffed toy. Off in the distance a small Peridot was crying as it was trapped up the one tree on Steven's land.
"Oh my Stars," screeched Peridot as she handed the baby to Greg. She pulled the toddler out of the mud hole.
"Garnet you were supposed to watch them," scolded Steven as pulled the crying Peridot out of the tree.
"Where 2IV?" asked Peridot. Then a spark of realization hit her. She dove into the mud puddle again.
"None of those gemlings were hurt besides there are more important things to worry about," said Garnet strangely calm.
"This was your mission!" exploded Steven. The young Peridot in his arms started to cry. The two fighting children stopped and stared at him. "Like it or not you are no longer the leader. We brought you back to help take care of the children which you are really doing a terrible job. You know I always thought that Pearl was overbearing but I am starting appreciate all she did to take care of me unlike you."
Garnet said softly "Steven you have to realize-"
"Enough! Do you think after what you did to us we're going to listen to what you say. Peri- I'm sorry I'm going to have to head for work. You're going to have to wash these kids."
Later after washing the children Peridot walked into the UNIT encampment she was greeted by the sight of a human lovingly feeding a young Peridot in high chair. The Peridot in question was about the size of a 6 month old baby.
"I see you have not returned to Britain, Lt. Angstrom," said Peridot.
"Oh Mrs. Universe you startled me. Actually there's something I want to discuss with you. You see the missus and I have been trying to have children for a very long time and I've gotten very attached to little Katie," waffled the human.
"You mean 8KD."
"You shouldn't use serial numbers. You should use names instead. It will make them easier to relate to," scolded Angstrom.
"Noted, you were saying?"
"Well I would like to adopt little Katie here and take her home with me."
"Does your wife know about little Katie?" By this time Angstrom had hoisted little 8KD out of the chair and was balancing her on her hip.
"My wife is well aware of the nature of my job. I've talked to her about Katie."
"Lt. Angstrom your – Katie – is an extremely intelligent being. She will need constant attention and stimulation. Also when she develops Katie will need an enriched education program. Normally I wouldn't consider giving a young Peridot away but as you are aware of our situation I will do so. Provided I interview you and your wife and determine if you are prepared to raise this child."
The next place Peridot went to was the tunnels. Inside she saw Peridots 1, 2 and 3 trying their best to soothe a screaming baby.
"Try rocking her," instructed 1.
"I'm trying," shouted 3 as she held the baby. The little baby's face was a dark green and screwed up. The baby looked to like a newborn human.
"Have you tried feeding her?" asked Peridot.
The Peridot's whirled around startled.
"Y-yes that's the first thing we did- eldest," said 2 humbly.
"Give her to me. I'm not angry. Good, this Peridot does not have a mature digestive system. You must burp her like so," Peridot put the infant on her shoulder and then gently rubbed its back. The baby let out a large belch and then calmed down.
"How did you know what to do?" gasped 3.
"Simple I took parenting classes to learn how to deal with my coming offspring."
Peridot handed back the baby and went to check on the rest of her sisters. As Peridot checked in on the groups she could see that her sisters both young and old needed help in adjusting in their new life. Greg and UNIT were a big help but they could not stay here forever. She wracked her brains then suddenly an idea came to her.
Getting some time to himself Greg decided to check in on his son at work. He found his son looking very tired as he grilled some burgers. As soon as he saw his father Steven stood straight up.
"Dad, you gotta go. The dinner rush is on and I can't be distracted if I want to keep my job," said Steven hurriedly.
"Well then I'll just order something. Steven it's been 8 hours don't you think you should stop?"
Steven slammed down a plate of the frying saucer special in front of his father. He poured him a cup of coffee.
"No Dad, with the baby coming and the refugees we need every penny. I still have to buy food and clothing for them too."
"Peridot's business is still going well isn't it? Look Steven you need a break or else you'll burn out."
"Dad, Peridot and I still don't know for sure if she'll survive delivery. I need this job in case, in case-" Steven started to break down. Tears dripped from his eyes. He turned sharply back to his duties ignoring his father.
Greg knew knew now what he had to do. He took a swig of his coffee and marched right outside.
Peridot in the meantime was also in town. The townsfolk had been generous with their donations of clothes and toys but her sisters needed something more. If they were to thrive they needed to know all about Earth and its customs rather than learning through trial and error like she had. She drove slowly in her van trying to figure out what to do when she saw a sign at the Community Center.
'Newcomers club, make new friends, English lessons included.'
Stars lit up in Peridot's eyes. She parked the car and rushed straight into the building. She stopped right at the receptionist's office where a young bearded man sat.
"Excuse me I would like to register my sisters for your newcomers club."
"Sure your sisters are the aliens who landed near the Canyon of Souls, right?" asked the man pleasantly. Peridot nodded. "And how many of them are there?"
"Oh about 10 000," replied Peridot.
The young man stared in shock.
Three hours later in Beach City Pearl was cooking dinner for Spunky when the phone rang. Turning off the heat Pearl picked up the phone.
"Pearl I thought you told me that your gems wouldn't be leeching off the American people?" shouted Drumph.
"We're not. Peridot is supervising the building of a city in one of our old sites," replied Pearl,
"Then why are 10 000 of your people registering for newcomer's classes and school?"
"It's called assimilating Mr. President. After all isn't America the great smelting pot?"
Still Pearl had to listen to him rant and rave. Spunky was neglected one again.
Log Date 07 01 05
Last night I received an earful from Pearl. Apparently the President called alarmed by the sudden influx of my sisters in the Newcomers club. Pearl had to spend two hours reassuring the President that we would not be a burden on the American people. Because of that UNIT has been ordered to leave the area. Colonel Richards has been a big help and I'm not sure what I'll do without him.
Greg has been a great help watching over the children. He has even taught a few gems the basics of childcare. He spends a lot of time in town though. When I asked what he was doing Greg replied 'It's a surprise.'
Steven is still working himself raw. When he is not working at the Frying Saucer he is watching the Peridots I tried to tell him he needs a break. That he is no good to us broken down but he still has the mindset that he must provide for his family. He is trying to do it all and if he keeps that up he'll be doing nothing.
In two days time Pearl is coming to pick up a representative to show to the White House. After hearing the news reports Pearl and I have come up with the perfect Peridot for the job.
Greg stood in front of the Rossmore Business Association. The assorted businessmen and women sat behind a large table studying the aging rocker as if he were some new species of insect. This was the last hurdle he needed before he could open his ice cream shop.
"Mr. Universe, why do you want to expand your business into our small town?" asked the leader. A man who owned the maternity store.
"It's quite simple, my son lives here and I want help him start out," said Greg. Was it hot in here?
"Well your credit is good, the location you've chosen is excellent and you have a lucrative business in Beach City never the less you must realize that any downtown business must conform to the town's alien themed culture. How can Scary Hairy's do that?"asked an older woman wearing several crystal pendents.
"You realize that my son is Steven Universe? And that he married Peridot a few weeks ago? Oh come on she has green skin. Has been helping out with the space refugees?"cried Greg.
The Business association talked among themselves. Then after about 5 minutes the board turned to Greg.
"Mr. Universe, we see your point. Very well you can set up shop in Rossmore," said the owner of the Mothership.
Greg smiled. He couldn't wait to tell Steven and Peridot the great news.
The roaming eye landed on the White House lawn in front of the President and his First Lady. As the secret service men surrounded the ship the ambassador of the Crystal Gems, Amethyst and the Prime Minister, Pearl climbed out of the ship. The Prime Minister seemed to be holding something. Within a few steps the long legged gem reached the President Drumph and shook his hand.
"Mr. President, it is an honor to meet you," said Pearl.
"You promised to bring us a representative of the refugee aliens," said Drumph bluntly.
Pearl smiled mysteriously, "I already have. Mr President I'd like you to meet Alice."
In the alien's arms was a small green skinned baby no more than a couple of weeks old. It's tuft of blonde hair peeked out of its blanket and it stared at him with its green eyes. Drumph reared back.
"What is the meaning of this?!" said the leader of the free world.
"This is a member of your invading army. Mr. President," said the Gem Ambassador, the Purple Puma. "Yeah, watch out she's a real killer."
The Prime Minister gave the ambassador a dirty look. "What Amethyst means to say is that the over 10 000 Peridots that have landed on Earth are all children. All they want is to live in peace and freedom much like your immigrant ancestors."
"Can I hold her?" asked the First Lady softly.
Pearl nodded and handed the baby to his wife. Once the thing was in her arms Marla was gone. She smiled down at the little freak as if it was a real baby. Turning his attention to more important matters at he led the alien delegation into the Oval Office and discussed the matters at hand. Drumph wasn't happy with being dumped with thousands of illegals not after working so hard getting rid of the ones he already had.
As it was his hard line was being softened as the Prime Minister pointed out that it would not look good to turn away a bunch of children. Even if they were green skinned brats. The President pointed out that supporting that many children would overwhelm an already strained system. Pearl pointed out that her people were already supporting and educating them. He pointed out that even so what will happen when they grow up, Pearl replied that these were children were hard working and intelligent, a boon to any country. Out of the corner of his eye Drumph saw his wife cooing at the baby.
"Madame Prime Minister I'd like to adopt Alice if that's okay with you," said Marla.
Time to nip this in the bud, "Now Marla we should discuss this together before we go charging in."
"Just like you discussed with me about running for President," snapped back Marla.
Drumph grumbled. He lost this round.