2-17-3

"Steven has woken my up, blabbering nonsensical things...though I did catch the word 'Malachite.' I have never heard of a 'Malachite', but given the root compounds of the word I can only assume this is another gem. He appeared worried, his body showed every indication that he was afraid; body sweat, tremors. I called for Pearl immediately. She said it was not a fever." The sounds of shuffling as another person enters the room. "Steven! What are you doing here?" "Why are you doing this at 3 in the morning?" Peridot chuckles nervously, "You see, Steven...I just wanted to..." A clatter as the recorder is dropped. A click as the door is shut. Steven is presumed gone.

2-17-4

"Work on the drill is long and tedious. I suspect the gems are just beginning to understand the true danger of the Cluster. I suppose even I did not realize the full aspects of the Cluster until I saw the forced fusion experiments," Peridot's voice cracks. "Those were four, five shards maximum. This thing...it's millions of them." She squeaks nervously. "I...am starting to worry that we will not succeed this mission." Sniffles. "But it will be okay. Yes. The drill will now have three heads instead of one."

2-20-3a

"A 'car' is a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine and able to carry a small number of people. I have looked inside of the engine. Our earlier spaceships had a similar structure. It appears humans are not only light years away from us...but years behind us as well!" Laughing.

2-20-3b

"Today I was introduced to the concept of driving a 'car.' I retract my earlier statement, while humans are still quite primitive, it appears they have occasional strokes of something...sort of close to genius. As close as humans can be, I guess." Cough. "It was...an interesting experience to say the least. I quickly understood the concepts of driving. However, I may have gotten a bit...carried away with the speed." Shuffles as Peridot repositions. "No matter. Minimal damage was made to both the car and the 'car wash'. Nothing I could not fix."

2-20-4

"Steven claims that the human who ran the 'car wash' from yesterday is his 'dad.' I recall hearing him say the word while the gems were still in pursuit for myself. I do not understand this concept of 'mom' and 'dad.' Apparently humans behave much like other animals and procreate. It is very disturbing. I do not wish to relive the experience of learning this. Ever."

2-20-5

"Amethyst wished to take me to an 'arcade.' This 'arcade' is apparently an indoor area containing coin-operated 'video games.' Video games are programs on screens. I had never played one. The first one was Road Rage, because apparently, " she begins to mimic Pearl's voice, "I am too dangerous to actually drive, so I should be happy crashing things virtually." Reverts to natural voice. "Perhaps she is still miffed about the car wash. These people are so boring."