Chương 170: LOG-162.

Patina Green. LOG-162. I was back in the incubation chamber now, which had received a few updates in terms of available equipment. Mostly tables for holding tools, alongside a few terminals hastily set up for my use by the Peridots of the reef.

"Miraculous!" My fellow Caretakers' reactions to Violet's appearance were decidedly unified, even as I kept one wary eye on a cooing Nacre Three, the Gem holding a tiny dancing Pearl in her palms. The other eye, of course, was kept on the gemstone in front of me, even as I once more tangled with the mess that was programming a Pearl into being. This one would be my second. More traditional than Violet, thanks to a less disruptive incubation process, but still something special.

The little green bundle of potential glittered amidst my claws, the digits glowing in indication of my work, though despite One and Two's close proximity, they found themselves distracted by Violet's latest trick. Flight.

"Oh how is she doing that?" Three's question finally turned several heads my way, even as the miniature Pearl continued to do loop de loops in the air, incorporating them into her dance routine. Humming slightly as I forcibly deprecated legacy code that I didn't want having any level of control over my creation, I shrugged my shoulders slightly.

"It was a matter of finding some use for her in the face of her depleted abilities. Basic hologram projection would prove difficult for Eighteen A due to her low reserves, but her extremely small size allowed me to program in a new protocol." The holographic wings, flowing little things that looked like they might have belonged on a moth, and protruded out the sides of the gemstone on her back, flapped and fluttered as the doll like Gem dove through the air, catching the eye even from where I was standing.

I briefly found myself somewhat caught up in observing the Pearl for a moment, trying to analyse her flight pattern and predict where she would go next, before focusing on my task once more.

"I'm tentatively calling it the holowing system. All nonessential power is diverted into the projection of, as you might guess, two wings. These are more solid than usual holographic constructs, enough that they might be considered an extremely crude form of hardlight. Combine that with Eighteen A's decreased weight and mass…" It took all of a second for Nacre One to pick up where I left off, carefully craning her head to watch as Violet landed on a visibly delighted Two's shoulder.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"... and the holowings can be used for flight. But Pearls don't have aerial pathing systems, that's in the realm of Lapis Lazulis, or Aquamarines, is it not?" At the slightly questioning tone in her voice, I allowed myself a small smile, even as I finished up with installing what would hopefully prove to be a few helpful tricks that my latest Pearl could use.

"I made one and gave it to her." Silence met my answer, even as I ignored three sets of eyes staring at me and released the gemstone from my grasp, allowing it to float backwards in the gentle cradle that was another set of tractor arms, their beams shutting off one by one with a few prompts of the console next to me. Impressed. One has a calculative expression. She is likely attempting to discern what other feats I might manage, particularly with a Pearl that isn't fundamentally damaged. Envious.

Two wishes she had come up with it first. Though her attention is still largely taken up by Violet's presence. Perhaps she will be inspired to attempt her own innovations, emboldened by my experimentation. … Pride. Three is staring at me with a triumphant expression upon her face. She never once doubted that I would pull off a miracle, by Caretaker standards. Ugh.

"Shell, call Thulite and tell her to report to incubation immediately. I think I've done a decent enough job at designing Eighteen B's lightform, but I would like some input from our dedicated fashionista." Forcibly setting the thoughts aside, I focused as the green Gemstone in front of me began to rise, shining with the usual light of a lightform about to make its first formation.

"By your command, Overseer." She would be one of many, soon enough. But for now, she would be my second. —"We will now progress into Era Two. This Era is marked by the notable end of the vile and outrageous Rose Quartz Rebellion, after the Great Diamond Authority utilized their limitless power to destroy the army of rogue Gems littering the now shattered Pink Diamond's first colony, avenging her and restoring peace and balance to our Empire." In public, her designation was Patina Pearl order Eighteen B.

She was assigned to Caretaker Nacre Four, Overseer of the Reef. Her will was that of her future master, whoever that Gem might end up being. Her purpose was to dance, sing, fetch things, and look pretty. In private, her name was just Patina. Her loyalty was supposedly to herself, though until she found a way out of here and figured out what she wanted to do, her loyalty would be to her creator and benefactor, Viridian. Her will was her own. Her purpose was whatever she made of it.

Beside her, floating just out of the corner of her vision, Violet Pearl order Eighteen A listened in on Shell's exposition regarding the Empire they served, and how great it was, smiling in all the right places, frowning at just the right times, ever dutiful, ever obedient, ever the perfect little Pearl. Pretending. There's a slight motion she makes with a finger anytime something comes up that she disagrees with. She's been repeating that same motion for most of this lesson. Chances are high that she is like me.

Viridian will be able to confirm that theory, once we get a chance to speak in private again. The presence of another Gem like her indicated the possibility that her creator was either attempting to form a rebellious subfaction within their Batch, or attempting to subvert all of Batch Eighteen in its entirety. Considering what she'd managed to glean of the Nacre's personality so far, it was likely the latter.

Shell continued to drone on and on, even as Patina considered the possibility of an entire alphabet's worth of counterparts, her eyes narrowing slightly at the thought while her hands idly toyed with her extremely long hair. At present, Violet and I bear the advantage of being the first to be produced. We have more context than any who will come after us, due to being early.

We will both have a distinct advantage in future social interactions, and with the right choices, may well find ourselves on top of whatever hierarchy forms beneath Viridian's guidance. The path from there was clear, all things considered. It is in my best interest to endear myself to my creator, as it will increase my chances of preferential treatment. Her affection may also assist in my eventual escape from the Empire, particularly since she likely intends to do the same herself.

P-Plus it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go yet, right? So what if, after they both escaped, she stuck around with her Nacre for a while? That was a perfectly logical course of action! I'm fond of my creator, and don't like the thought of being separated from her. S-Shut it!