LOG-106.

  In hindsight, I'd managed to hit the jackpot by gaining Ardent's attention.

  "I once thought we Gems were so simple~"

  "A tool for their whims and their schemes~"

  "But I see a glimmer of brilliance~"

  "A spark to ignite grander dreams~"

  Whoever they were behind the anonymity the tablet provided, they weren't a lone individual. Not with the sheer levels of access they had to parts of the Confluence. My own efforts to try and scrub the security feeds within Hessonite's office had died before they'd even truly began, mostly because someone else had already done so.

  "Our purpose, they say, is obedience~"

  "To toil, to serve, and obey~"

  "But hear me, my radiant audience~"

  "There's more to our light than they say~"

  So, a rebel cell of some kind. Evidently one with an agenda, because they'd made quick use of my willingness to cooperate with them. During my little trips and tours, I was given objectives via the datapad, with Ardent always quick to direct me to isolated hallways, usually with some form of deadrop left waiting for me within them that needed to be moved somewhere. And then of course, there were the musical requests…

  "It's clear from your quiet devotion~"

  "You crave for a brighter refrain~"

  "So open your hearts to the notion~"

  "The Empire has much to gain~"

  Stepping forward and spreading my arms wide, I watched as the crowd listened in rapt attention. Mostly lower working class Gems that had just finished up with their latest projects and were waiting around to be assigned elsewhere. Bismuths. Era Two Peridots. Hematites. Even a few Pyrites and Carnelians.

  "Prepare for a song of ascension~"

  "Prepare for a glorious refrain~"

  "A dazzling tomorrow~"

  "Free of old sorrow~"

  "Where Gems shine much brighter~"

  Quick, rhythmic motions accompanied my voice. Still smooth in the natural elegance that practically defined Pearls, but most certainly emphasizing certain words.

  "Unified, tighter~"

  "This isn't defiance~"

  "It's progress through science~"

  "A world where we all share our dues~"

  "A radiant future declared~"

  "Be prepared~"

  I stepped down from my latest stage, right as a confused Ruby (seemingly spurred on by the duo behind her) hesitantly raised a hand.

  "Uhm, prepared for what?"

  Smiling gently, I bowed just low enough to remain level with the short soldier, prompting a slight blush from her.

  "Why, for the perfection of the Empire of course!"

  To my side, a Peridot blinked her eyes behind her visor, frowning slightly.

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  "But…isn't it already perfect?"

  All but flouncing over, I got close, patting the now flustered green Gem on her cheek.

  "Oh, but one's work can always be polished!"

  A bit risky in terms of responses, but it got the technician visibly thinking, even as I twirled away from her before flipping back up onto the stage, to a chorus of impressed noises from my audience, one hand coming up to flick aside some loose hair in an exaggerated motion.

  "Imagine a world truly flawless~"

  "Where all shine as bright as a star~"

  "Of course, it requires compliance~"

  "But think just how far we could go!"

  It was a difficult balance, keeping the lyrics seemingly supportive of the Empire on the outside, yet having certain phrases hold vastly different meanings than one might initially interpret.

  "A future that sparkles with promise~"

  "Where each has a chance to be free~"

  "The song that I sing may seem harmless~"

  "But listen, and hear destiny~"

  Thankfully, most loyalist Gems focused on the surface details almost to a fault. They heard what they wanted to hear, even as those potentially more critical of their government noticed the bits and pieces embedded within the song, carefully crafted between Ardent and I's efforts.

  "So prepare for the grandest endeavor~"

  "Prepare for a radiant plan~"

  "With careful precision~"

  "And clear cut revision!"

  My situation was steadily improving. Sure, I was still stuck, and sure, I still had no real plan to escape my situation just yet, but during my time on the Confluence, rumours of the Crystal system's complete blockade and the existence of the lithoplague had begun to run rampant, to the point that even Hessonite had eventually been forced to sign off on certain documents confirming the relocation of idle picket ships to help assist in isolating any Warp lanes pointing towards Earth.

  "No need for denial~"

  "Just look to the spiral~"

  "Of unity, purpose~"

  That knowledge, combined with the fact that my hidden handler had steadily begun to provide me with more details as I presumably proved a capable agent, and life was beginning to look, if not good, at least hopeful. For one thing, I'd learned that whatever group or organisation I was working under apparently referred to themselves as Fawn. A fitting code name, considering just how they were utilising my own presence and status.

  "And truth we'll resurface~"

  "Together we'll shape what we're due~"

  "And justice at last will be shared~"

  "Be prepared!"

  Raising my hands once more, like some demented conductor, I grinned as the crowd sung along with the final words of my latest counter propaganda piece.

  "Yes, our light and ambitions are flared!"

  "Be prepared!"

  —

  [Your performance was excellent. You are very good at this.]

  Lounging atop a crate, I idly watched as a pair of Bismuth's hummed along to the tune of my last performance, even as they carried a small injector of some kind above their shoulders.

  [I have ample motivation to perform well. So, what's next? I still have time until I need to return to Hessonite for my next assignment.]

  Oh, one of them just nearly dropped it. The other was swearing at her now. Unfortunate.

  [I'll let you know when needed. I'm curious, you've done good work so far, but you've proven significantly more understanding of our cause than most new recruits. Did you follow your old owner's lead in this, or did you go rogue on your own?]

  Blinking, I considered the question for a moment, before shooting back a response, my tongue briefly hanging out past my lips as I focused on tapping out the glyphs quickly.

  [I decided I didn't like the Empire during my time at the Reef. Nacre Three did not leave a good first impression of the ones who created me.]

  The response was almost instantaneous this time, my eyes widening a little as I read through it.

  [Nacre Three? She always seemed more focused than the others.]

  So they had some familiarity with the Reef's overseers…interesting. But considering the fact that we were trying to keep some level of confidentiality, well…

  [She was obsessive. Also as a word of advice, I would avoid mentioning having perceived certain Gems in such ways. That slip up is enough to let me guess that you're probably a Pearl from the Reef. Maybe even one I've spoken to.]

  I stared at the screen, before hastily attaching a second message to the first.

  [That's not a threat or anything by the way. I'd just rather you not get caught out because of a small mistake. Like minded Gems are hard to find.]

  It would be a lie to say that I didn't get more than a little nervous as Ardent's silence continued, but eventually, the indication that they were typing returned, soon followed by their response.

  [I'm a little embarrassed now. Thank you for the advice. I'll be in touch later. Also, heads up, you've got a Sodalite approaching you. We believe she's been tracking your performances-]

  I glanced up, calmly shoving the datapad into my gemstone, the device disappearing into my storage in a quick flash of light right as an unfortunately familiar figure shoved her way past a pair of idling Pyrites, the yellow Gems glaring at the newcomer before quickly glancing away as they realised her identity.

  Naturally, she was just as I remembered. Dark blue, almost bordering on purple in colour. One singular, drastically oversized orb staring at me in blatant desire, framed by blue streaked hair that almost seemed to spill around the lilac dress surrounding her plump body.

  "Ah, there you are! It's been such an effort to catch up to you my dear! I must say, your latest song was most enjoyable to listen to!"

  I resisted the urge to summon my claws and start slashing, instead standing up and plastering on a polite smile as Vermilion's former owner approached me with a possessive glint in her eye.