The sound of space re-establishing itself as my fleet exited Warp Travel is a sound that I dearly wished I would become accustomed to. Stars know I would probably go insane if I'm stationed in this colony and never sent anywhere else. Or, well, soon to be colony. We still required to survey the planets to find the most suitable planet out of the system to start colonizing first.
From the files sent over from the reconnaissance and scientific fleet, they only said it was extremely rich in resources. Didn't specify which one, which annoyed me, but they were doing their job of simple reconnaissance. Stars knew if they stopped to analyze every single star system they would never do anything in a timely manner.
Still, didn't mean I couldn't complain about it.
''Prepare the probes and robonoids. I want to find our resource rich world as quickly as possible.'' I ordered the Peridots on the consoles, and they obeyed, a cry of ''My Emerald!'', going through them before I watched hundreds of tiny drones and probes be released into the star system. Hmmm…
''Has the reconnaissance and science team that passed through this system bother naming it?'' I questioned my crew and they all shrugged or looked unsure. I smacked my lips at that, before I pulled my holotablet out of my Gem and began writing a report.
My illustrious Pink Diamond might want to name the planet, and if she doesn't, I'll ask permission to come up with a name among ourselves. That would be a fun time killer, if she doesn't have a name for the New Colony. Hm, well, I am already asking for a name, why not ask for another one? It was highly overdue for Pink Diamond's Colony to actually receive a proper name than a title of ownership. Especially considering it was her first colony.
…
I watched the corvettes make landfall on the fourth planet of the Rubesco system with a smile on my face. We were finally given the go ahead to begin construction after our illustrious Pink Diamond came up with a name. It took a week for her reply, which we used to actually plan and design many of the buildings that would go upon Rubesco IV. Specifically, the Warp Pad, and the communications satellite to connect us to the rest of the Great Diamond Empire.
Though as we found out from the probes and robonoids, Rubesco IV terrain wasn't exactly ideal for building. It was basically a gigantic marsh planet, with two moons orbiting it. Meaning we would need to dig quite deep to lay the foundations of any buildings, and mine quite a large zone to prepare it for the future Kindergarten. Pink Diamond's new injectors ought to make more Gems than the traditional one, so we would require probably double the space to accommodate the new Gems we would be making.
I wish I had brought more Lapis Lazulis with me, but they were quite hard to get a hold of. Blue Diamond didn't really share them unless it was for the strict purpose of terraforming, which Rubesco IV didn't need to be. It was simply hard to work with.
Or so my Bismuths and Peridots told me. Though I did catch them praying to the few Lapiz Lazuli we were given for helping around the new colony. I guess not having to worry about the marsh's water while building, made their jobs much easier. Who knew?
But besides Rubesco IV, we had plans for the two moons orbiting around it. Sadly, both were just giant rocks, and lacked the minerals to produce any type of Gem. So I made plans for the bigger moon to be used as a port-world, while it's smaller sister would be turned into a research world. My Peridots onboard were quite happy once they heard of my plans, especially those that specialized in researching Organics.
I acquiesced to their demands on building a ''zoo'' for them, mostly because I couldn't take more than a hundred Peridots begging me for one to be included in the schematics for the building. Rubesco IV didn't have any sapient life, but it did have quite the diverse and interesting bioforms in it's surface and oceans.
And from the reports sent from the ground crew, a few of the species might be able to generate resources we could actually make use of! Granted, it didn't stop me from ordering the ground team to kill anything that gets too close to the build sites but our Peridots were having fun dissecting and analyzing the DNA of the organic animals in Rubesco IV. I'm just glad I actually included that zoo, as it now has a purpose to be a breedery for these species.
''What about here, my Emerald? If we build the star base over here it would be the most centralized we can get it at the moment.'' A Bismuth gestured towards the star map of the Rubesco System we had, and I slowly nodded as I put down my holotablet with the schematics of the colony, before I looked at the spot she pointed at.
''It is a suitable spot, but it's position isn't that important. I'm more worried about the design idea I shared with you. It should be possible to build them with no issues, correct?'' I asked after analyzing the placement of the future station, as I pulled up the rough sketch of what I wanted the station to look like.
Star bases usually looked quite bland and were, in my honest opinion, quite ineffective against actually stopping ships as they lacked the ability to aim above or below 180 degrees. Which was simply criminal, space was a three dimensional space, which for some reason I haven't seen anyone actually use it as such, but I wouldn't allow that oversight to go unpunished! Not when such oversight might danger one of my Illustrious Pink Diamond's colony!
Bismuth cupped her chin as she looked at my sketch before she pulled out her own holotablet and began drawing. It took a few minutes, which I spent patiently waiting alongside the other Bismuths and Peridots, they made small talk about materials and such, and I just listened as it wasn't my job to build things but theirs. Thankfully, she was quick to finish her drawing presenting me her holotablet to me and I just blinked in surprise.
(Insert Pic Here)
It… It's… ''It's perfect.'' I murmured before I took the holotablet from her hands to look at in detail, and the more I looked the more my smile became wider, and maybe a little bit manic. I started chuckling before I nodded to myself, and looked at the Bismuth that had done this wonderful schematic.
''You, tell me your facet and cut.'' I asked and the Bismuth looked awkward at my sudden question, but she answered quickly, ''Uh, Bismuth Facet-5X7Y Cut-7O3, my Emerald.'' She said and I nodded at that. I will remember that name, especially with how many ideas I had.
''I'll be coming to you later for a few design ideas that I need ironed out and actually be tested for their feasibility.'' I said and she looked surprised at that, before I returned her holotablet, ''Get building it, the sooner we can dock our ships and stop wasting fuel the better.'' I said to her before I clapped my hands to get everyone else's attention, ''We did great today, everyone! Dismissed! I'll recall all of you in a week or two to discuss future buildings and infrastructure needed for our new Colony and System.'' I spoke and it didn't take long for everyone to vacate the room, allowing me to call the other group of Gems I wanted to talk to.
The wildlife in Rubesco IV seemed to be fairly harmless, but I didn't want to risk there being a super predator or apex just avoiding us. It's unlikely for a Gem to be damaged by an organic, but not impossible. And If there's something that I will never forget from my human memories, is that separating yourself from the group is always a bad idea. Which the research and biologist Peridots always do. So, if I could avoid casualties or just surprise predators, then I would do my best to do so.
That meant giving the Quartzes something to actually do besides standing still guarding doorways all day. I'm sure they would take the change of scenery well, they can explore a new planet while I'll be stuck in orbit for a few years, until the first Kindergarten location is cleared for building that is. And I'll probably need to do a yearly inspection to make sure it's developing properly. And inspect the buildings, and the station, and the warp pad…
I do hope this doesn't take much time. Even if that's a very small hope.
I am the Commander and Admiral of Pink Diamond's fleet, so I should probably return to… To… Stars, I really can't believe she decided to name it this, but I would probably return in a decade or two to Pinkara.
Yes, she named it Pinkara. But who am I to question a name given by one of our illustrious and most beautiful of Diamonds? I sure couldn't discuss or suggest a better name. Not with how moody she was after Yellow Diamond reprimanded her due to her, more like my fleet she barely checked up on me or the status of the fleet itself, lacking proper measures to not only defend her, but her colonies.
''Quartzes, come in! I want this meeting done quickly!'' I called to the waiting Quartzes, and soon I began explaining their new duties in Rubesco IV.
…
''You're telling me that Rubesco VII has hidden mineral reserves?'' I questioned the sapphire from Blue Diamond's court, in front of me.
Three months had passed in a flash, and with it, the most critical infrastructure was done and built. That being the communications satellites, Warp Pads, and the great hexacronic icositetrahedron space station. In case you have no idea what I just vomited at you, that means the space station that I designed! It was glorious and since I was the governor of the system, I had it painted in my colors. Yellow tones, with the weaponry painted with my signatory mustard colored hair!
Of course, I didn't forget to add the emblem of the Diamonds, with Pink at the top to signify my allegiance as it was protocol. But my beautiful Pink Diamond did give me full control of how the future colony would develop, so that meant I could be quite liberal on how it looked and functioned as long as it was within the Great Diamond Empire laws. If I broke any of them I would be broken into trillion of pieces at worst, or bubbled at best.
But focusing on the esteemed guest that my system is hosting, she nodded her head gracefully before she snapped her fingers, and the pearl behind her handed me a holotablet. I might've looked at the pearl with envy, but I ignored it as I looked at the holotablet. It took me a while to decipher what the hell it actually contained, but the more I looked at it the more I realized what it was and my eyes widened.
This was a perfect reservoir for not only Sapphires to be made out of, but Larimars, Lapis Lazulis, Aquamarines and Iolites!
Iolites!
Iolites were the most expensive and rare Gems in the entire empire! Mostly due to their abilities and strength being practically of that two fused, or more, Gems!
''By the Stars… Is this true?'' I asked the Sapphire and she smiled at me widely, ''Yes, Mustard Emerald. And due to this, my Diamond has sent me to negotiate with you for the ownership of the planet. My Diamond hasn't had a new Iolite in centuries and she was quite happy to learn of the deposits, as you have.'' I frowned at that, pulling my holotablet as I sent an important message directly to my own Diamond.
I might be the governor, but at the end of the day, this entire system was Pink Diamond's property. My diamond. And until she gave me the green light, I wouldn't be daring to make a deal in her place, especially one that concerns one of the few planets she has under her control.
Standing from my throne room, I waited for my Diamond's reply, and I almost startled when a call came through almost instantly after. I was quick to accept the call and do a Diamond salute awkwardly with one hand, as I had to hold the holotablet with one hand.
''My Diamond! Mustard Emerald standing at attention!'' I spoke, and she narrowed her eyes at me, ''Who's the sapphire that wants to steal my planet?'' She questioned and I smiled wrily at that, ''My Diamond she isn't-'', ''Quiet, Emerald. I didn't give you permission to speak, now hand me to the sapphire so I can see who has the courage to steal one of my planets!'' She almost shouted, but not quite.
I plastered a smile on my face, as that was the first time she outright told me to shut up, but I did as ordered. I handed the tablet to the suddenly uneasy and unconfident Sapphire, my smile turning into a grin as I quietly guided her into one of the meeting rooms the Palace has. Yes, I built a Palace, and no, I didn't take advantage and make myself a throne, it was for my Diamond and her Pearl to use. Not me! Totally not me.
Anyway, I left the two discussing inside said meeting room before I looked at the Pearl that was standing outside with me. I looked her up and down, and she seemed uncomfortable at that, but I didn't care. I really wanted my own Pearl, and this Sapphire's Pearl was the first time I had seen one that wasn't Pink, Blue or Yellow Diamond's.
''Make sure your owner returns the holotablet when she is finished talking with my Diamond.'' I ordered her, which she nodded quickly before I left. As pleasantly as she was to look at, I still had things to do, and Gems to meet and talk to. Especially since the Warp Pad was completed, we had been getting ''visitors'' and ''tourists''. Which were mostly damned aristocratic Gems complaining on how unsightly my Colony was, and blah blah blah.
Stars, Aristocratic Gems were the worst! And I hated that I had to be nice to both Blue and Yellow's Courts. None of the Gems from White has come to visit yet, but I felt it in my non-existent bones that the moment one of them showed up, is when I'll start making wine and selling it. Yes, it's that bad, unless it's actually the Gem herself, and not White Diamond acting through it.
…
So… Um…. Yeah, I might be stuck in a hard place. Let me elaborate. You see, Pink and Blue Diamond are discussing and they don't sound happy at all. Now, conflicts amongst Diamonds is not a thing. Period. But, I was ordered by Pink Diamond to prepare and to stand by with the ships that were up to date in armaments. That is, the ships I could strap actual guns to, as I only managed to equip a cruiser, five destroyers and fifty corvettes, not counting my own ship. Then I had to transport my Diamond to Homeworld so she could speak to Blue Diamond face to face.
So… I was sweating very much as I stood awkwardly next to Pink Pearl who was just standing still like a graceful statue. As the both of us pretended to be statues to the discussion happening in front of us. Though she couldn't hide how she was uncomfortable at this situation, especially as the discussion slowly started turning into a shouting match, and I was standing right next to her.
''I haven't had a new Iolite in five hundred years, Pink! I'm not demanding you to hand me over the planet, but to share it!'' Blue Diamond spoke and Pink Diamond shook her head, ''It's my System! I'm not sharing with you! Just find another one! I had to beg the both of you for a system for millenia and I'm not letting you take my second one from me!'' She complained, and Blue Diamond groaned in frustration.
It kept going like that, back and forth, back and forth to the point I hadn't even realized when Blue Pearl had sneaked to stand next to Pink Pearl. I might've shivered at her sudden appearance, but I managed to prevent myself from shouting, or startling in surprise.
That damned gem was sneaky!
''If you don't want to share the planet then just send me a batch of Iolites!'' Blue Diamond said to Pink Diamond, but I wasn't paying attention to the shouting as I narrowed my eyes at the Pearls that were speaking? It looked like sign… language? Body language? Both Pearls were doing a mix of minuscule movements, constantly and intentionally enough that it must be something to that effect. Something I think most Gems would've missed if they weren't paying attention to them.
''Are the both of you speaking?'' I whispered to them, and they quietly startled at that. Pink Pearl quickly looked at the Diamonds, of whom were too distracted by their discussion before she nodded in response. Blue Pearl had a cute reaction, her mouth making an O that I smiled at before she returned to being stoic and gave me a small smile.
Both of them simply nodded in response, and I nodded back. ''You'll have to teach me that Pearl speak. I'd love to be able to communicate my annoyance to someone.'' I joked, and they smiled at me and nodded back, before they returned to their silent communication and I returned to dreading a conflict with Blue Diamond because my Diamond didn't want to share a planet.
We did not have the troops nor the naval power to afford a conflict, even if Blue Diamond had the third smallest fleet between the Diamonds. But guess who was fourth? Yeah, it was Pink Diamond, and therefore me.
''Fine, if you don't want to be civil about this, I'll just ask the actual governor of the system!'' Blue Diamond shouted, and Pink Diamond did what I could only describe as a 'bluescreen' as she processed that. I did the same, before I startled as Blue Diamond scooped me up with her palm.
I moved automatically, still shocked and the Pearls did the same and came with me due to proximity. But I just stood awkwardly as Blue Diamond brought us closer to her face, and stared at me with a raised eyebrow. I did a quick Diamond Salute, as I wasn't sure on how to respond.
''M-Mustard Emerald, my… uh… Diamond? I'm sorry I wasn't taught the etiquette of addressing more than one Diamond!'' I said embarrassingly as I blushed, I wasn't ready for this! And I wasn't even lying! Pink always delayed such teachings to play!
Thankfully, my comment and lack of etiquette only seemed to amuse Blue Diamond before she spoke, ''That is fine Mustard Emerald. You must be quite a Gem to be trusted with managing a system and already having a nickname. So, tell me, would you be willing to share Rubesco VII's mineral resources so that I can create my own iolite gems?'' She questioned me with a gentle smile, and I risked a quick glance at my Diamond, who still seemed to be bluescreening… Fuck what do I do?!? I can't deny a Diamond, but I also can't… go… huh. Well… She did give me full responsibility and told me to do whatever I needed and wanted… Maybe I can skirt around until my Diamond comes back online?
''I… Um… Would be willing to negotiate a deal that would see the three of us satisfied with it!'' I spoke awkwardly, and I won't lie, I just came up with that on the spot. Blue Diamond smiled at me, and I swear I felt myself blushing at that smile before she gestured at me with her other hand and spoke to my Diamond.
''See, Pink? This is how you discuss and negotiate with someone else! There was no need for your anger and your selfishness.'' Blue Diamond reprimanded my Diamond before she began walking away, and taking us with her and I just awkwardly stood still as I prayed that my Diamond wouldn't shatter me after this.
Stars help me!