PREPARE FOR HUMILATING DEFEAT!

Repair a warp? Hadn’t Steven done that before? Or had it been one of Peridot’s drones during the green technician’s attempts to enter Earth? It been so long ago Connie couldn’t really pull the story together, so many things and events had happened after that.

It was hard to keep track of them all.

Stepping to the side as metal flew around, tossed from one place to another Connie awkwardly balanced herself on the heels of her feet as she rocked back and forth. 

“What are you planning to do once you get back to Homeworld? Are you going to visit your family?” 

   Squaridot’s only real interactions with the main warps had been back before Steven had gotten through to Homeworld - she could only assume the only way back to Homeworld is still broken. Which means she’d have to figure out how to create plug robonoids out of Earth tech, or just take the easy route, and fly home.

“I don’t know what a ‘family’ is in context to Gems. I’m going to find my old supervisor, explain that Hessonite abandoned me, and get my old job back. I used to work on repairing and improving injectors for the Kindergartens.”

she stood and pointed out a place behind the town itself.

“if you put down there, there’s a path that’ll let you get into town easily.”

   “Perfect. Hold on to your- ... just... brace yourself.” As expected, the landing is about as graceful as Squaridot can manage, and the pod sinks into the dirt slightly as it slams down. Another happy landing.

The cockpit pops open, and something cracks deep inside the pod.

“it does, and I doubt it.” she deadpanned. all this talk of her Peridot’s inferiority was beginning to wear on her patience.

   “You never know. The fusion fired her entire gauntlet at my ship. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the one who tore the console out.” Honestly, Peridot was the only Gem Squari didn’t blame for how broken her ship was. Sure, she hated her, but... the original Crystal Gems had been the ones to leave her ship in this state.

“Have you ever tried it? Amethyst all the time and she seems to really enjoy it. Food is incredibly tasty I bet you would be surprised if you gave it a shot, not like it will hurt you. We need food to create energy and keep us alive. 

It’s uh.. kind of like how Gems need light to be able to produce their image.”

Pearl once explained to them that Gem’s were beings of light maybe that would make things easier for the small technician to understand.

“You can look around and find some parts you can modify, Peridot does it all the time. One time she turned a broke video game console into a 3D printer, I think she still has it around.”

   “I have not. The only experience I’ve had with any kind of consumable is the natural fauna here thinking that I’m food. Perhaps it’s the bright colors, or something else, but the creatures here aren’t particularly friendly.” It’s a good thing her Gemstone is tucked so safely behind her visor, because the damage could have been so much worse.

Lifting an arm, a tractor beam extends from the palm of Squaridot’s hand, casually throwing a chunk of who-knows-what aside as she makes her way over to the useful scrap, screen raised as she starts taking notes - she’d not worked with human tech before, so she’d have to experiment some.

       “Trash is stuff that people throw away because they don’t want it, or it’s dirty, etc.”  Explained the shorter of the two gems just before hugging Squaridot.  When she feels her head patted gently, Black Star lets out a soft coo of approval before letting go.  “Of course!  I’d love to see your stuff!”  Replies the runt with stars in her eyes.  As she’s picked up, Black Star gasps softly and squishes her cheeks and coos again.

   “I guess that would make me trash than.” Squaridot remarks, pulling up a screen with the hand that wasn’t carrying Black Star.

“It’s not far from here. I figured it would be best kept near the entrance so I can make a quick escape if absolutely necessary. Earth Gems seem to have a habit of inconveniencing me.” It’s easy enough to tell where Squari’s been living - a large box made of scrap welded together sits on the outskirts of Little Homeworld - at the press of a button on Squaridot’s limb enhancer screen, a shutter door opens, and she walks into the somewhat unstable looking cube, door closing loudly behind the two as she gently places Black Star down.

“No offense, but I don’t think you’d have met the requirements. You’re simply not pink enough.” Lapis snickered.

“I’ll see about finding you space in Little Homeworld to work on it. Minimal animals, and only Gem inhabitants.”

   “... I see. Well, Diamonds or not, I finally have a shot of getting home. I just have to hope Little Homeworld has the tools I need, but if your Peridot can make do, I will too.” If it came down to it, she’d even... work with 5XG. What a terrifying thought.

“That’s actually exactly what i was referring to. And, if you were curious, they wanted Steven to go back to Homeworld with them, but he negotiated a….replacement of a sort. that is why they were here so briefly.” she smiled a little to herself.

“Anyway, once we get over Beach City, I will direct you to the warp pad at Little Homeworld which is where i’ll get off. Where you go from there is your business.”

   “I would have gladly been that replacement. Earth certainly has its charms, but for the most part it’s just very hostile.” Smaller animals weren’t so bad most of the time, but even some of those had attacked Squaridot - it was ridiculous!!

“They’ve had more pressing issues, I am sure you’ll be fine.” she looks around.

“Besides, I am with you, and I am now a Crystal Gem, as opposed to when you first landed. That is proof enough.”

   “I’m sure they have. Last time I saw their Temple, the hill behind it was a crater, and the Diamonds showed up for... stars knows what.” Seriously, they just showed up, sang something, and left!

“you shouldn’t be up against anything further, unless you get stranded in the woods again.”

she sits down.

“Research on human weakness? in this era?” she folded her arms.

“That information is freely available, if you know how to access Earth’s internet.” she disperses the water and flies into the pod.

“I have other knowledge, gathered myself, that is far more specific.” she looks for a place to sit down.

“once we get to Beach City we can continue on to Little Homeworld. you can land your sphere on the warp pad there to transfer it to a facility for repair.”

   Squaridot scoots up, giving Lapis space to sit down - the seat is surprisingly comfortable - only the best for one of Hessonite’s Peridots.

The pod shudders as it raises higher into the air, arms retracting as full power transfers to the thrusters.

“Humans put all their weaknesses in one place? I’ll be sure to do some research once I’m settled in. For now, don’t move around too much, and if anything catches fire, ignore it. It’ll go out once the oxygen vents. Unless that’s what’s on fire, in which case we’re going to die a horribly painful death. Hold tight.”

    “Oh?  Well I guess one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, in your case” Black Star spoke up, giving her friend a playful wink.  “It’s good that stuff is being reused!”  The smaller chirped, then hugged the green gem.  “I know!  Why don’t you show me some of the stuff you’ve made?  I’d really love to see!”

   “I don’t know what a ‘trash’ is. But yes, the scrap is being re-purposed in any way I see fit, which is-” She lets out sort of a startled squeak at the hug, before hesitantly reaching down to sort of pat Black Star’s head. She’ll figure out what a hug is eventually.

“this planet is about 71% water, and humans each are made up of 70% water and other fluids, and do not last long with their heads submerged; I do not need a battle pod of any power.”

she lifts her hand, and water shoots from various sources to gather into a ball above her palm.

“i am a potential menace to society.”

   There’s a brief moment of silence, before Squari’s pod opens, and she leans out.

“wish I could remember what that’s like.” Lapis craned her head back to look at the Sphere.

   “Just get yourself a high-powered battle-pod. Nobody will try anything. Or... well, the Crystal Gems will, but besides that.” A hand raises, an energy ball forming, before... sputtering out pathetically.

Lapis glances away at the trees; the urge to snark is strong.

“Yeah. Peridots are very sturdy. surprisingly so. wonder if that’s always been so.”

   “Maybe not Era One Peridots, but Era Two Peridots are built to last.” Bringing the console inside, it’s sat nicely in the old spot - just a little adjusting, and-

The Half-Levi Sphere roars to life, shuddering violently as it raises from the ground, the Peridot inside laughing maniacally as the cockpit slams shut.