The once bleak and indistinguishable trees were now imbued with a newfound sense of life. Between the incessant chirping emanating from the balcony of overhanging branches to the crisp snaps of the intertwining undergrowth beneath their feet there was no doubt that just about everything that resided on this planet rose with the sun. The small reconnaissance pod was just a short walk up the jagged hill that encompassed the border of this lush valley, and although there were countless signs of life Jasper could tell that there was something out of place among the rest.
A loud snap sounded and when Bismuth responded by refurbishing her arm into a broadsword, and promptly reducing the innocent tree to mismatched logs. Jasper was quick to fixate her with a steely eyed look, "Haven't you been paying attention to anything I've been saying?! We're trying to keep a low profile here. So why did you go and do that?"
Retracting the blade to reveal a fully functional hand Bismuth replied with a casual shrug, "Well what if there turns out to be something more in these woods besides the usual tiny woodland creatures." Averting her gaze back to the mutilated tree she eloquently continued, "I say we take care of it here before they make the first move. Or worse, start to tamper with the spire."
Waving a dismissive hand Jasper continued at her own pace before saying, "There's nothing on this planet that matches a gem in prowess, intelligence, or near anything else." Exchanging the Bismuth with that same look of pure intensity Jasper elaborated, "Pink Diamond only intended for us to find and secure a suitable place for the sea spire. She didn't want us wasting our time by mingling with the natives…trust me, they're not worth it."
The wind began to intensify as they ascended the incline leaving the once vibrant forest to become blurred into obscurity. Jasper's voluptuous locks swayed in synergy with the escalating breeze; akin to the leaves of varying hues that blew past them in growing numbers. It was certainly strange how sentient this planet appeared to be at times; responding to every course of action gemkind had taken in the past. But it wasn't something Jasper could say she was unfamiliar with. By now most of Pink Diamond's subjects have at least grown accustomed to the sporadic tendencies of the planet Earth. Yet not a single one of them could call this place anything close to home. Her hand involuntarily clenched right as the thought came to mind, but Jasper refused to disregard it as she absentmindedly climbed the steep slope. She knew Homeworld was, and would always be the only place that recognized her worth, but even then there were some within the colonies who had never seen her before. Audacious gems, both high ranking and below, who doubted the potential of this supposed prodigy. Planting her feet firmly upon the lofty mountainside Jasper grinned with blatant pride. That was all about to change, and after the completion of this colony there wouldn't be a gem in all of Homeworld who didn't know her name.
Her thoughts were cut short when a resonating screech broke the silence. It was reminiscent to stone grinding against metal, and Jasper had a pretty good assumption of what it was. She didn't have to so much as exchange a knowing glance with her four companions before they followed her in pursuit. At this moment Jasper's mind was obscured in a flurry of feelings; however her primary concern was the condition of the pod. There was now no doubt that something had been following them this entire time, and as much as Jasper felt no imminent threat from anything that resided here Earth was objectively an unpredictable opponent.
With an abrupt halt the massive quarts soldier stood wide-eyed as all of her questions became answered with one glance. What she saw evoked a conflicting mix of agitation and bemusement, but her initial reaction was leaning toward the first. "Hey, get away from the pod if you want to live to be incompetent another day!"
The pair of humans, who had been occupying themselves by prodding their ship with spears, paused with a sudden jolt. Bright green eyes stared back at their small assemblage, and nobody spoke for what felt like hours. The silence stretched on until one of them made a gesture. Somewhat of a wave, or perhaps a salute of some kind. Either way he approached Jasper with relative compliance. Having no idea how to respond to this Jasper merely exchanged the only sign of greeting she had ever known, the eloquent diamond salute. The other human had remained passive up until this point, but as soon as her eyes fell upon the diamond sign she recoiled; those once apathetic features now etched with evident malice. With one adept motion she once again braced the sturdy shaft of her spear against her chest before shouting something incomprehensible to the other one. Her voice sounded uncouth, which was to be expected from these primitive humans, yet, Jasper didn't need to understand what she said to know that it was inhospitable.
From there the situation only seemed to escalate as Bismuth chose this time to say what she was thinking this whole time, "I knew it was all going to lead to this. We should have just done this from the beginning!"
Charging Jasper with purpose the beyond agitated human thrust her weapon now directed directly at the unresponsive gem's head. In what felt like seconds Jasper met the oncoming attack without so much as taking a step. When the dust cleared one thing stood out above the rest, a glistening crash helmet adorning the already formidable quartz's head. Now sporting a conceited grin Jasper brushed off the attack as if it were a casual gesture. For a moment there she really though they could have avoided bothering with humans today, but, then again, it wouldn't be Earth if something didn't go according to plan.
Disposing of the grime on her attire with one impulsive swipe of the hand Jasper narrowed her eyes in distaste, "I didn't want to have to resort to this, so why don't you humans just stay out of Pink Diamond's way for once?"
As Jasper expected the only reply she received was that same accusing look which gleamed sharper than her polished stone spear ever could. Within a fraction of a second that very same grimace was now etched within the once exuberant features of her companion. He clamored to his feet, but with the other human disarmed their options were rapidly dwindling. Wasting no time he made the most of his disposition and assaulted the noteworthy Bismuth who was now charging up the steep field with her sword at the ready.
For a moment Jasper was caught off guard. To see someone exhibiting this much perseverance was admirable, but ultimately misplaced. She had prior experience with humans, and it didn't matter how immaculate their wills were then…they still broke in the end.
Scrambling up one of the many bordering trees the frightful human desperately leapt from each one to evade the ominous Bismuth who was waiting for him below. While her affiliates were hesitant to join, they looked on with blatant admiration.
Seeing the discarded spear amongst the plethora of dangers, lodged somewhere just beside Jasper, the human was left with few other options that didn't involve him getting skewered. So, readying himself both, physically and mentally, he made a leap that would decide both of their fates.
With one clean strike from her sword Bismuth unhinged the precarious tree from its already slanted state. Yet, it was too late, and after skillfully landing on his feet he maneuvered his way around the hoard of unresponsive mason gems. So, the moment he dislodged the weapon he exchanged his companion with an affirming look before sending it her way. Letting loose a deafening shout they both poised their spears at Jasper with a wrathful intent. What happened next was a blur, a succession of actions driven by the very primal instinct that Jasper had always known their kind for. But she wasn't about to let them have the satisfaction of even thinking they were worth her time. Rearing her head back the imposing quartz brought her head in an elongated full circle. Up until then their synergy was something to be admired, yet it only took one well-placed blow to put an end to it, and with a splintering crack their primitive weapons were decimated in an instant.
Falling unceremoniously to the ground the more audacious of the two yelped in pain as she found herself suspending a good yard off the ground, staring back into the loathsome eyes of the gem she remembered with pure contempt. But she wasn't the only one to have this revelation, because within a moment of breathless contemplation her captor came to the same conclusion. Jasper's eyes widened with a newfound sense of understanding, "You're that irksome human from my first reconnaissance mission. How did I not see it earlier?" These were the first words to break the unnerving silence, and they were enough to send shivers down the diminutive human's spine. However, she refused to succumb to even the most subtle signs of fear.
Yet, as she listened to the droning voice of Jasper's reminiscence she gradually felt a fire kindle in the pits of her eyes, "That was quite some time ago, but I'm not surprised. You humans are a tenacious bunch for sure." Jasper refused to avert her eyes from their piercing glare, and instead chose to meet it with a knowing look of her own, "Oh, but I am sure you remember it just as vividly as I do. It was my first real victory as a soldier to my diamond, as well as for every other gem that played their part in dealing with you incessant pests. Ever since then she has had a growing interest in your kind." Jasper paused amidst her sentence, watching as the anxious human now began to squirm uncomfortably in her grip. So, she slung her disheveled form over her shoulder, "Your people enticed my Diamond, and I can't say I blame her. The way you fought was like nothing any gem, who had scoured the stars and back, has ever seen."
When Jasper felt some slight resistance, she looked back to see the other one clinging onto his compatriot's hand in a futile attempt to free her. That is until his struggling was abruptly ended by Bismuth who effectively snatched him up from behind.
With a disgruntled sigh Jasper entered the slightly grazed pod, which was now prepped for its long assention back to the sky arena, "I can understand why the both of you would be upset over this, but what were you hoping to accomplish this way?" So, without another word they left the craggy fields where they engaged in conflict and departed into the spacious sky now plastered with the orange streaks of an ever approaching dawn.
Regardless of how much of a nuisance these humans could be, albeit a small one, Jasper was aware that Pink Diamond was currently focusing her attention on the colonization of this planet's surface. This is something she would mention time and time again. All the while reasoning that it was the only way to ensure a home for gems who were made on outer lying planets. So naturally Jasper could relate, and would continue to relinquish humankind's hold on this rock that they festered on one settlement at a time. But she promptly found herself being called back to reality when she noticed the two large, inquisitive eyes exchanging her with a questioning look.
"Jasper, it's not like you to go against regiment when there is so little to gain. So, will you care to explain why you confused my wishes with targeting more humans?" An intellectual voice pondered as her stout form hovered over the now self-conscious quartz soldier. Pink Diamond revealed no anger or confusion in the tone of her speech; only a question she demanded an answer for, "I shouldn't have to remind you that we've already harvested a suitable amount of them during our first hundred rotations. Now we must broaden our horizons and claim the Earth as our own."
Nodding her head vigorously in response Jasper responded almost instantaneously, "I couldn't agree more my diamond. This planet's past must be purged before we can ready the surface for colonization, and it has. But these humans confronted us of their own volition, just as we were leaving the newly constructed sea spire…I suspect they had been following us."
Emitting a gasp after hearing this Pink Diamond averted her attention to one of the many glass laced walls encompassing her reclusive chambers, "That's…not what I would expect of human behavior. Even the simplest animals on this planet have the innate instinct to know when to flee, a speck of common sense. Something at the very least that would compel them to stay out of our way!"
Jasper froze on the spot, not entirely sure what to do as the silence stretched on, and Pink Diamond stood stagnant on the adjacent side of the cascading room. Her diamond certainly had a way of governing the mood, a trait of hers she only employed sparingly.
Finally, after the prolonged silence, Pink Diamond reengaged in the conversation by sighing remorsefully, "I am so sorry you had to see that Jasper…none of my affiliates should have to." She returned her attentive gaze back to the perpetually amassing sea of puffy white clouds spiraling beneath the lofty tower she resided in, "I am the one they all turn to when everyone else refuses to listen. I, the one to comfort the broken, and every other unpurified gem that pollutes my sisters' perfect province."
It was then that Jasper decided to ask her diamond a questioning that has been festering ever since she disclosed her true intentions for this planet, "Of course pink diamond, you are renowned by every one of them for being the most methodical and contemplative overseer in all of Homeworld. If it weren't for you, my grace, there would be nowhere near as many colonies comprising our glorious empire as there are now."
The unresponsive monarch merely stared blankly back at the dawdling warrior, waiting for something more substantial among the rambling. So, seeing no point in denying it Jasper sighed reluctantly, "My point is, why are you so adamant on dedicating so much of your time and energy toward securing a sanctuary for defective gems. I respect how understanding you are, and thanks to you I am gaining more of a reputation among the other diamonds. But it's for that very reason that you continue to be chastised by them.
For every word that left Jasper's mouth the solemn pink matriarch seemed to put even more consideration into what she would say next, "We are all gems of a singular race, and it seems that many among the rank of diamond have forgotten that after countess centuries of being idolized." Tearing herself away from the ongoing torrent beneath them Pink Diamond now kneeled before Jasper with the greatest show of emotion she had ever seen a diamond allow herself, "To know that they have one of their own to provide a voice for them in a place that defies their very existence pleases me beyond extent. I have always told you that it is not what a gem's predetermined purpose is that makes her great, but how she plays her part in the bigger picture."
Just like that Jasper felt a smile of her own gradually begin to scrawl across her otherwise jagged complexion. But after a moment of relishing in her self-pride she frowned out of recollection, "What about the human problem? I know them from experience, and they're not going to stop interfering any time soon."
With this reminder Pink Diamond's soft features contorted into a weary grimace. Then without any implication she stood to procure something from atop the ornate pedestal that resided in the center-most point of the room. Letting a prolonged sigh pass her clenched teeth she muttered forlornly, "I was hoping we could afford to wait a while longer before resorting to this, or at the very least providing them with somewhere else to thrive…sad that we all have to make sacrifices for the greater good. Isn't it?"
Jasper extended a hand to take the glistening orb that revolved with a radiating life-force inside. Raising it to eye level she gave it a quizzical look before returning them to her diamond, "I am sorry, but I am not a peridot, your grace. So what am I supposed to do with this again?"
By now Pink Diamond had strode back to her secluded corner of the lavender strewn room, and powering on her crystalline desk she continued work on the template for the source of all of their dreams. She responded in a absent-mindedly now that her misty blue eyes became lost to the pastel glow of the monitor, "Use it to purge whatever's left of those humans who chose to be a bother, and in doing so ensure a new world order for your sisters."
Jasper interlaced her arms in a formal salute before sparing one last glance down at the peculiar artifact before leaving the thoughtful diamond to her work.