#to the point of her nearly panicking the minute they try to approach an asteroid in 6.01 bc what if marco turned that to to a bomb

[rocicrew]

THE EXPANSE 6.04 REDOUBT

[lifeofyellowpearl]

Yellow Pearl Witnesses A Fight

The resource crisis was beginning to take its toll on everyone. Gem Production had fallen nine percent from the previous year – an all-time low – and this meant that our facilities were having to make do with fewer workers. Production in other areas had also slowed down as a result. Our asteroid mines, in particular, were suffering tremendously. However, the asteroid Alpha of sector C2 was doing particularly well. While other mines had gradually decreased in productivity, that of Alpha-C2 remained relatively steady. For this reason, My Diamond was meeting with Holly Blue Agate Cut-122, the manager of Alpha-C2, to learn what she was doing differently. Many of the other managers had been complaining that they are unable to meet demands with what little gem power they had. My Diamond had hoped to use 122 as an example and send a clear message to the other agates that it can be done.

We were nearing the asteroid now. The surface was dotted with communication spires and gem made craters, all of which appeared to be almost two kilo-units in diameter and several kilo-units deep. As the palanquin approached the surface, I noticed that a metal gate was built into the ground below us. The gate began to open, revealing a shaft barely big enough for our palanquin. It was rather nerve-wracking, having the palanquin carefully descend through such a tight squeeze. The shaft grew dark as the gate closed above us. After descending for several minutes, the shaft led into the underground mining facility. The place was massive, replete with huge columns that were interconnected by a series of pneumatic tubes, bridges, and even a high-speed tram system. The columns appeared to have been hollowed out and made into their own makeshift mining shafts. I could tell as windows and entryways had been installed into the walls of the columns. Some of the bigger columns even had docking stations for the tram. The place was very spacious, the ground floor was several kilo-unites beneath us. I could barely even make out what was going on down there. As I looked around in awe, I could see the bismuths walking along the bridges and getting on and off the tram. The Iris and Fairburn Agates were at work keeping them in line. Whenever our palanquin passed by, the bismuths and agates would stop and salute.

All in all, things seemed to be in working order, but something was off. The agates appeared to be working well together but occasional I would catch a Fairburn and an Iris glaring at one another. I assumed that I was over speculating until I saw a Fairburn walk into an Iris, nearly knocking her off the bridge. The thing is, it really didn’t seem like an accident. And judging by the look on the Iris’s face, she didn’t think it was an accident either. Eventually, the palanquin reached what I assumed was the facility’s fulfillment center. Here, I saw what could only be described as a series of immense upside-down buildings hanging from the ceiling like giant stalactites. They too were interconnected through a series of bridges, pneumatic tubes, and trams. At the center of all of this was a giant upside-down tower. I assumed that this was the mine’s headquarters. Even here, I noticed that there was some tension between the Iris Agates and the Fairburn Agates.

As we neared the headquarters, I noticed a Fairburn and an Iris on a nearby bridge caught up in what appeared to be a verbal disagreement. I couldn’t tell what they were arguing about but they both seemed rather angry. The passing bismuths were clearly unnerved. Almost as if they knew what to expect. We landed on a nearby landing pad just outside of the headquarters. When we stepped off the palanquin we were met by an enthusiastic Holly Blue Agate, Cut-122, who saluted My Diamond accordingly, “My Diamond! My Gracious, Wonderful…”

“Please,” My Diamond said, holding up her hand, “Just ‘My Diamond’ will suffice.”

“Ah yes, of course. Please, right this way.” As 122 escorted us across the bridge toward the headquarters I took one last opportunity to gaze over at the two agates. The Fairburn was gesticulating wildly, and the Iris was shaking her fist.  “As you can see,” said 122, “efficiency is and always has been a top priority here. The agates are perfectly in sync. We work together to assure that everything is in working order. ‘Cooperation is the cornerstone of efficiency.’ That is our mantra.” Right, sure it was.

I was a little disappointed once we were inside. I really wanted to see how that fight would play out. 122 escorted us to a conference room where a holo-screen was up and running. There was a large window that gave us a full view of the facility. “If it is alright with you, My Diamond.” said 122 “I have taken the liberty of putting together a presentation detailing what I believe sets us apart from the other mines.”

“Of course, I actually look forward to hearing what you do differently. After this, I would like to tour your facility and speak with some of the other agates. I’m really wanting to pull us out of this gully and I believe that with your methods we can do that.”

“Of course, My Diamond. As I said before, cooperation is key, I simply can’t stress that enough. We agates are a team and it is through cohesion that we are able to run this facility at pique efficiency.”

As 122 was talking, I looked out the window and saw that the Fairburn and the Iris were still on the bridge. This time, they were not arguing. They were just standing there, staring each other down. As though they were both waiting for their adversary to make a move. At this point, they had drawn the attention of several gems. After several minutes of glaring at one another, the Fairburn pulled back and shook her head with a disapproving smirk. She then said something to the Iris. I couldn’t see the Iris’s face from this angle, but I could tell by her stance that she was deeply offended by whatever it was the Fairburn had said.

As the Fairburn turned to walk away, the Iris drew her whip. I watched in anticipation as the Iris followed The Fairburn, clearly contemplating whether or not she should do it. Then the Iris stopped, appearing to have calmed down. It looked like she was about to put her whip away, but something must have come over her. Suddenly she struck her whip at The Fairburn. Her whip wrapped around the Fairburn’s neck stopping The Fairburn in her tracks. The Iris pulled back forcing The Fairburn to the ground. I winced as I watched the back of her head smack against the solid surface. I couldn’t help but caress the back of my own head, that must have been painful. The Iris then ran up to the incapacitated Fairburn and proceeded to stomp on her gem in the center of her chest. I couldn’t believe it. This Iris was trying to shatter her! I suppose that I should have said something to My Diamond, but I was positively engrossed in what was happening.

It wasn’t long before three other Fairburn Agates showed up. They ran up behind the Iris and pulled her off. I assumed that they jumped in to put a stop to this madness. But then they threw the Iris to the ground and started pummeling her. The first Fairburn got up and joined in. At this point, the bismuths had evacuated the scene. Then a brigade of Irises ran in and came to their friend’s aid. What started as a minor altercation had devolved into an all-out brawl. But it didn’t stop there. I noticed that other agates throughout the center were watching. I noticed that an Iris on another bridge started cheering – I guess the Fairburns around her didn’t like that. It wasn’t long before a fight broke out among that group as well. Then another fight broke out on another bridge. Then another, then another. Before I knew it, Irises and Fairburns all throughout the center were at each others’ throats. Many unfortunate bismuths got caught in the crossfire. It was complete pandemonium!

Meanwhile, 122 was still going on about her mine. “As you can see by the numbers,” she said, “Productivity at this mine is only projected to increase. And this could only be achieved through cohesion. The Agates working together as a single unite. We trust one another and work together not just for the benefit of the mine itself but for the benefit of one another. After all, a chain is useless when the links are working against each other.”

122 was still talking when a panicked Thunder Egg Agate burst in, “Holly Blue! we have a situation outside!” Naturally, 122 and My Diamond looked out the window and saw the chaos that was unfolding. Things had gotten considerably worse. Fights had broken out on the trams now. One was almost derailed. 122 and My Diamond both stood speechless as the fight was unfolding before them. I looked at My Diamond and saw in her face a look of amazement and simultaneous exasperation. My Diamond turned to 122 – the kept her eyes forward, not wanting to meet My Diamond’s furious gaze. “So,” My Diamond hissed, “What was that you were saying about ‘cooperation’ Holly Blue?”

122 had nothing to say.

In the end, what was supposed to have been a simple meeting turned into a complete disaster. Putting a stop to that fight was no easy task. Agates had to be poofed and several hundred were shattered. Many of the Agates were either reassigned or shattered outright. The mining facility was shut down indefinitely and all the bismuths were temporarily reassigned until more agates could be produced to replace the ones we had lost – which at this point, would not be an easy task.

This facility was a major producer and distributor of raw materials. Its abrupt shutdown would result in a six percent decrease in productivity for the entire sector. Needless to say, My Diamond wasn’t happy. Though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly entertained by the ordeal. It certainly gave me a riveting story to tell.