Chapter Three: Return to Form
February 3, 2017. Beach City Outskirts.
While things had not been altogether pleasant for BAINE these last few days, it was apparent that the Gems had a much more hectic time of things. Fortunately, Greg had been retrieved, and everyone who had gone off-planet returned unscathed. But while their rescue mission had been a success, its significance provided no small amount of dread for everyone involved.
"Alright, so, this zoo, there's other humans there?" Gina asked. She was seated on a crate, trying to ignore the strange 'meep-morps' that filled the barn. "Is there any possibility they could also have been abducted?"
Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl looked at once another, silently reaching a conclusion. "From what Steven and Greg told us, they all seemed to have been born and raised there," the former decided. "I wish we could do something for them, but we have too many problems down here to worry about."
"Yeah, like whether or not Big Blue will come back anytime soon," said Luke, waiting by the door. "You think she'll come back once she realizes Greg's missing?"
"I…hadn't considered that," Pearl said, slightly worried. "I don't think we should have any trouble from the Zoo's staff, but Blue Diamond is another matter. If we're lucky, she won't realize her new 'pet' is missing. I doubt someone like a Diamond could be able to tell humans apart."
Gina was quiet for a moment. "And if she does?" she asked.
That, of course, was the question all of them were wondering. "I mean, she'd probably just go back to Korea, right?" said Amethyst. "That's where she found him the first time. Why would she think to come here?"
"That's not the point," said Pearl, "as long as she's on Earth, she's a threat to everyone on it."
"Not necessarily," Garnet said. "I saw her on Earth with my future vision, but she didn't seem to be a threat beyond being here. She was only here to mourn."
Luke approached the rest of the group. "So, basically, if we leave her alone, she leaves us alone? Not exactly the best solution, but it's not like we can do anything else. We haven't exactly figured out how to fight a Diamond yet. How exactly did Rose manage to shatter Pink?"
"With her sword," Pearl answered quickly. "I'm sure she was just as surprised as the rest of us. Until then, everyone thought the Diamonds were invincible."
"Well, if it happened once, it can happen again," Gina said. "And if you ask me, it's high time we started looking into how." She stood up, dusting herself off. "Alright, that's about it. Anything else you have to add?"
"Only to keep an eye out," Garnet warned. "Even if Blue Diamond doesn't realize Greg is gone, I have a feeling Homeworld will be coming back."
"Uh-huh. You use your future vision for that?" asked Luke.
"Didn't need to. The way things have been going, it's only a matter of time." She got to her feet. "Speaking of which, I think I would like to have some time to relax before whatever crisis comes our way next, if it's all the same to you."
That much they could agree on. "Sounds good to me." Gina shook Garnet's hand, and the Gems and humans went their separate ways. She considered asking Lapis and Peridot about their sculptures, but they were off doing who-knows-what, and they had places to be. As much as she wanted to relax as well, there was no rest for the weary.
"What I don't get is why Blue has a human zoo in the first place," Luke said as they walked back to their car. "I mean, a human farm I could understand if they had somethin' to get from us, but Homeworld doesn't seem like the place where people would go to gawk at inferior lifeforms, y'know?"
Gina shrugged as she got into the driver's seat. "Who knows? Maybe she keeps them around as a memento of the planet she conquered."
"But that's the thing: she didn't conquer Earth, they were driven off," Luke pointed out. "And even if she did want a reminder, why pick Greg when any other person would do just fine? He's not exactly…" He tried to find the right words. "...the ideal human specimen."
"Luke, to be perfectly honest, I really don't care why she's abducting people," Gina replied bluntly. "I care more about what Homeworld's sending next, when it's getting here, and how to stop it. We can solve the mystery of Blue Diamond's zoo when the end of the world isn't upon us."
Luke slumped down in his seat. "Fair enough." The pair headed back to base, no more leads than when they had arrived.
Paperwork. While a necessary part of any job, it was nobody's favorite part. And while this also applied to Daniel, he had to admit there was something relaxing about writing up an after-action report after dealing with whatever threat had required their attention. Especially one that resulted in no casualties.
But even now, there was still a nagging feeling in his gut that had been bothering him since they had left Dover City. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this case than he was able to report. For that reason, even after writing down everything that had happened, it still felt incomplete.
His brainstorming was put on pause as the door swung open to reveal Vargas. "Bridge, hey. I had some of our guys look into Polaris, and it seems like they have had some thefts lately. Here's the details." He placed a sheet on Daniel's desk showing a number of (presumably confidential) incidents that Polaris Industries recently. A good number of important technology had been stolen from secure facilities, of the kind they surely didn't want people knowing about. Of the kind they weren't supposed to have, either.
"This could definitely be where our friends acquired their wares," Daniel said, scanning over the page. "You don't think the Children of Homeworld could pull something like this off, do you? Or maybe the Xevellans?"
Vargas shrugged. "I don't know," he said flippantly. "I'm not an expert on either! But I will say, this seems like a bit too much for some smugglers to accomplish on their own. Either they had help, or somebody did the job for 'em."
That was beginning to seem like the case. "I suppose the only thing to do now is to wait until they make their next move," said Daniel. "Whoever 'they' are."
"Seems like the case," Vargas said, heading out. "Though if it is the Children, you might want to consider paying a certain someone a visit. Seems like he has a way of knowing these things when he really shouldn't." With that, he was gone.
Though he found this last comment a little suspect, Daniel had to agree. As much as he didn't trust the guy, Aster always seemed to know more than a prisoner logically should be able to.
He had to wonder: did he have somebody on the inside?
After all this time, Aster White, formerly known as the Radiant One, had grown used to his confinement. Not that he was happy about it, of course, but he no longer spouted off prophecies of doom to anyone who would listen. Scanning over a newspaper, he looked up as Daniel entered the room. "Just when I was getting to the interesting bit," he sighed, putting the paper down. "I assume you have some questions for me?"
"Ever the astute one," said Daniel. "Allow me to get right to the point: I recall you and the Children of Homeworld had ties with Polaris Industries, correct?"
"Not exactly. Those ties were purely those of Mr. Echo, who, if you'll recall, was only our ally out of mutual convenience. Had we not shared a common enemy, that alliance likely never could have happened considering our markedly different goals."
One of them wanted to destroy Gems, the other wanted to become Gems. They were indeed about as different as you could get. "I see. I don't suppose some of your Archons kept in contact with Polaris even after you split off from Mr. Echo, did they?"
Aster shot him an annoyed glance. "Even if they had, I wouldn't exactly have a way of finding out, would I? Besides, if they had, Polaris would likely be making significantly more of an effort to get me out, which they don't seem to be doing."
"Are you sure they didn't just pick a different Radiant One and move on without you?" Daniel asked.
"How dare you?" Aster got to his feet. "Even after all this time, you still disregard my purpose? Was I not chosen by the Diamonds to lead mankind into a new era? Do I not represent the destiny of our species, to be freed from these fleshy husks?"
"I don't know, you tell me," Daniel replied dryly. "So far, you haven't exactly impressed me with your prophecies. Remember what you said about an outside force threatening to destroy Earth? That didn't end up going anywhere, did it?"
"Yes, color me surprised," responded Aster, sitting back down. "I'll admit, I was a bit shocked to hear you were able to stop the Koh'i'Noor, even with outside help. But I can assure you, just because you managed to fight off their initial assault, they are far from done with this planet. Nor are the Xevellans."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Oh, chummy with the lizards, are you? So, what, are you saying that they're the ones stealing from Polaris?"
"Is someone stealing from Polaris? This is news to me," Aster replied with a smirk. "But then, the enemy of your enemy is your friend, isn't that right? Perhaps whoever is responsible is doing so on your behalf."
"That's not the point. Whoever is doing this, for whatever reason, they're putting dangerous technology into the hands of criminals, and that isn't something I can stand for. If you know anything, I'd be grateful if you'd just tell me outright."
He sighed. "Bribing me with gratitude are you? I've told you before, but all I know is what comes into this cell. Any sort of secret information you think I might be receiving could only help me so much, seeing as how I'm still stuck here. Now I do have a vast network of agents at my beck and call…but for either of us to make use of them, we would have to negotiate for my freedom."
Clearly, this was getting nowhere. "Not a chance in hell. If I need something from you later, I know where to find you." Daniel left the prisoner behind, no more leads than when he had arrived.
Aster went back to his newspaper. "Ah, I see President Rowsdower is up for reelection already." Daniel shot him a glance, but when he didn't look up, continued on his way.
Despite getting practically nothing out of him, Daniel wondered if maybe he was onto something. While he highly doubted someone was raiding Polaris Industries for the sole purpose of taking them down, perhaps they had a different motive than what would be obvious…
