Sitting in her quarters, Pink Diamond carefully assessed the papers on her desk.
Over many hundreds of thousands of years, gem kind had supported their population by using systems called Kindergartens to grow certain types of gems. Kindergartens were used to make the most generic of gems, like Quartz soldiers or Peridot scientists.
More important gems, like the elemental gems such as Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire, and Fire Agate, were made in a much smaller supply at the Homeworld's own Kindergarten, dubbed the Mother Kindergarten. Pearls were even produced inside the Mother Kindergarten, from a device called the Mother of Pearl. All it took was a certain amount of sediment incubated in pure energy.
However, since Kindergartens had a draining effect on their host planet, the Mother Kindergarten was only seldom used. The only non-draining process it had was the creation of Pearls. This was why alternate planets were used for large orders of common gems.
The most recent Kindergarten colony, sector 1335.9, was uncomfortably close to its own imminent destruction, so it was of the utmost concern for the Diamonds to start plans for a new one. Yellow had located a small, but life filled, planet several light-years away from the Homeworld. It showed a lot of promise towards being a Kindergarten, but the Diamond Authority wouldn't know for sure unless it was scoped out and surveyed.
Naturally, Pink Diamond signed up for that job.
She was an adventurer at heart, always ready for a new place to discover and conquer. Not to mention it gave her an opportunity to fight. Whatever creatures this planet held, Pink was going to make sure they feared her and her Diamond sisters.
"Pink," something shuffled by her door, asking for entrance.
Pink Diamond knew the voice immediately. "Come in, Yellow Diamond."
A yellow line traveled down her sealed door, and the goo-like material split open. Yellow Diamond stepped in, arms behind her back.
"I thought you would be pleased to know that the prototype of Bismuth is functioning." she murmured in her deep baritone.
Pink Diamond cast her eyes up towards Yellow, a wicked smile exciting her plump lips.
"Oh really?" she asked. "Is it ready to use? I'm ready to try it out as my own soldier."
Yellow Diamond nodded. "I plan for you to take Bismuth while you survey the Kindergarten planet. Would that be pleasant for you?"
Pink Diamond slammed her fist on her desk, the force of the blow throwing off stacks of papers. "Of course! I want to shed blood, Yellow! I could care less who it's with!"
Yellow Diamond did not mirror her enthusiasm. "Affirmative." she said. "Bismuth is in my Peridots' laboratory. Let's go." Walking back to the door, Yellow Diamond's gem glowed, and the matter in the door separated once again.
Pink Diamond followed Yellow out of her portion of the Homeword temple, and deep into the heart of Yellow's section. Yellow Diamond's domain was more scientific and modern, not displaying war trophies and weapons like Pink's hallways did. They traversed several flights of stairs, as the laboratory was located on the very bottom floor for secrecy.
The laboratory was guarded by two large Quartz soldiers, both with spike-studded whips in hand. They bowed in respect as the Diamonds passed by them and into the laboratory.
Inside, Peridots of all sizes stumbled about, tampering with machines and mixing chemicals together. Yellow Diamond marched past them, ignoring them in favor of the cluster of gems gathered in the back. The largest one seemed to notice Yellow's presence, and quickly saluted her.
"Ah, my ladies Yellow and Pink Diamond! Thank you for visiting the lab!" The Peridot was a little taller than the others and had a nervous stutter to her voice. "Are you here to see Bismuth?"
Yellow Diamond didn't respond, shooing the smaller gems away from them and gesturing at the figure that was crouched in a clear enclosure. "There it is."
Pink Diamond came closer, watching the creature start to shift uncomfortably.
It had a gem-like form, but it still had noticeable differences than the gems Pink had grown accustomed to seeing. Its chest was flat, and its arms and legs were shapeless and scrawny. Its face was thin, and its eyes were wide with fear. The light from the lamps overhead reflected off its skin, making the dull gray shine in a rainbow of colors. Its black, curly hair came down to its shoulders. It wore a long, white shirt with a small star imprinted on it, which clashed with the decidedly dark color scheme it had.
Pink tapped the glass, pointing at the creature's foot. "What is that?"
Yellow squinted. "The creature has several gem-like powers, including some type of material at its core. We are unable to identity what exactly it is, but we do know its capable of summoning a weapon. Specifically, a sword."
Pink Diamond grinned as the creature made small squeaking noises. "It seems to fear us, which is good."
"It actually tried to attack us earlier. My idiot scientist didn't bother to put any restraining applications on it." Yellow muttered, a bitter sigh escaping from her mouth. "But after some punishment, it seems to be submissive to us now."
Yellow turned to the keypad attached to the clear wall, starting to type in a code. "I'll let you take it now, to brief it and prepare for your mission."
"Wonderful," Pink said, imagining the new possibilities that awaited her with the new breed of soldier she was about to receive.