The Next Challenge

I wasn't sure how long I'd been relaxing in the room.

Although I knew I should have been investigating my situation, setting new objectives, or establishing goals for my future, the truth was, I needed to rest. However, the rest was far too brief. Shortly after, a notification lit up the control panel on the wall. With a sigh, I stood up and walked over to check the message. It was an assignment for the next cycle, an inevitable reminder that the work continued.

"The next phase of responsibilities begins," I read aloud as the words materialized on the screen. "Quality control module." It didn't surprise me that they sent my assignment directly to my datapad; it's a faster, more efficient way, eliminating the need for multiple meetings. Is this how they handle things in other colonies too?

As I made my way toward my new assignment, the corridors of the colony stretched out endlessly, winding in a labyrinth of metal and cold lights. Each step echoed softly, as if the silence itself was trying to swallow my thoughts. The pressure of continuous work felt heavy, like a leaden blanket I couldn't shake off. Despite my efforts to focus on the task ahead, my mind kept drifting to thoughts of what might come next.

Though I had passed the final evaluation, the reality of the ongoing work remained overwhelming. The idea of facing another round of responsibilities without a break made me wonder if I could keep up. I knew I had to maintain a positive attitude, always ready to work, especially in front of other gems, but the weight of fatigue was palpable.

My thoughts were interrupted when a familiar figure appeared at the end of the corridor. It was a Peridot with a light green gem. I instantly recognized her as the same Peridot I had worked with during the recent joint evaluation. Although we hadn't had the chance to formally introduce ourselves at the time, our collaboration during the test had left a mark on my memory.

We stopped at a comfortable distance, and I saw her expression shift from surprise to a relaxed, friendly smile. She seemed relieved to see a familiar face amidst the monotonous routine of continuous work.

"Oh, hello! I didn't expect to see you so soon after our last test," she said, her tone curious. Her voice had a warmth that contrasted with the sterile environment of the colony.

"Hello! I didn't expect to see you here either," I replied, trying to keep my tone upbeat. The truth was, the thought of continuing work without rest was exhausting, but I couldn't show any weakness. "I'm glad we finally get to meet properly."

"Likewise. Although we didn't have much time to get to know each other during the evaluation, it seems we were destined to meet again," she said, extending a hand in a casual gesture. "I'm Peridot Facet-4K5T Cut-3XG."

"I'm Peridot Facet-4J2T Cut-6XL. A pleasure to meet you," I replied, mirroring her gesture.

We began walking together.

"The pleasure is mine," she said with a broad, relaxed smile. "It seems we're both about to face new responsibilities. What's your assignment this time?"

"I'm in charge of the quality control module," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic despite the fatigue I was feeling. "And you?"

"Overseeing the energy support modules in Section B," Cut-3XG replied, her tone reflecting both confidence and a hint of excitement. "It's a crucial task, but after our previous experience, I feel ready for the challenge."

"That sounds interesting," I said, curious. "Could you tell me a bit more about what overseeing the energy modules involves?"

Even though the test areas taught us a lot, and the programming we received in our gems was vast, it didn't mean we knew everything about Homeworld. There was so much to learn in this colony alone, not to mention the machinery and tools. Besides, I wanted to have a little chat with someone.

"Sure," Cut-3XG responded, her smile widening. "My main task is to monitor the performance of the energy generators and ensure they're running at maximum efficiency. I also need to check the backup systems to guarantee there's an alternative power source in case of any failures. Energy is vital for everything in the colony, so it's a pretty big responsibility."

"What kind of problems do you usually encounter with those systems?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"Mostly equipment malfunctions or resource supply irregularities," Cut-3XG explained. "Sometimes the support systems have glitches that require quick adjustments to prevent any impact on the environment. We're also constantly on the lookout to perform preventive maintenance to avoid issues before they turn into emergencies."

As I reflected on what she said, I couldn't help but think about how impressive gems are. Even though we were newly emerged, we were more than capable of performing tasks that would take a human years of study to achieve, and even then, they'd still fall short.

"And what about your new assignment?" Cut-3XG asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Since I've told you about mine, I think it's fair you tell me about yours."

"Oh, of course," I said, surprised by her interest. "My main task will be to control the quality of the tools and equipment in the colony. I'll have to make sure everything is functioning correctly and make adjustments if needed. I'll also need to coordinate with other gem teams to ensure quality standards are maintained at all times."

The conversation flowed naturally, and I felt relieved to talk with someone who shared the same workload. Although the pressure and exhaustion were still present, it was comforting to have a moment of connection amidst the routine.

"Looks like this is where we part ways," Cut-3XG said.

"Yeah, I need to meet up with the other gems to make sure there are no issues," I replied, feeling a slight relief knowing I had established a valuable contact.

"It was a pleasure talking with you," Cut-3XG said with a warm smile. "I hope everything goes well with your assignment. Good luck!"

"Likewise, it was a pleasure," I replied. "I hope your oversight is successful too. See you later!"

To be honest, that little conversation lifted my spirits. It seemed I wasn't as tired as I thought, and fortunately, my current task wasn't as exhausting as the previous ones.

It looks like it's going to be a good day.

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"How did this happen?" I asked to the nervous group of Rubies.

My task had gone well so far. I had completed the inspection and maintenance of the tools and machinery, and the other Gems were working exhaustively. With a strict Gem like Zircon in charge, that wasn't surprising. Overall, the task had been easier than I anticipated.

At least, that was until I encountered one of the Kindergarten Injectors and a group of Rubies.

The Injector was clearly in trouble. This type of machine is used to implant nascent Gems into the planet's crust, where they would gestate before emerging. However, the Injector in question was emitting strange noises and showed multiple signs of malfunction.

"W-well, Peridot," stammered a Ruby, her voice trembling. "W-we were trying to store the Injectors. We were... uh... moving them for temporary relocation, but... but we didn't know that the process would cause this mess."

"Yes, yes, that's it," another Ruby chimed in, equally nervous. "We were just... trying to put the Injectors in a safer place to... to prevent them from getting damaged, but... but something went wrong, and now the Injector is running out of control."

I looked at the Injector, then at the Rubies, and then back at the Injector, my expression hardening. "You were fighting near the Injector, weren't you?"

The Rubies glanced at each other, their faces even paler under the pressure of my question. One of them finally responded nervously, "M-Maybe..."

I looked at the Rubies again and sighed in exhaustion.

"I'll fix it," I said resignedly.

"You will?" they said simultaneously, their voices filled with surprise and relief.

"Yes, just try not to let it happen again," I warned them. "The system is out of alignment, so I need to make sure it gets back to proper functioning."

"You won't tell to Zircon, will you?" they asked, their nervousness still evident.

"I won't," I replied, with a slight smile. "But make sure it doesn't happen again. Now, let me work on this."

The Rubies quickly nodded, grateful and relieved. They stepped aside to give me space as I approached the Injector's control panel. I began to examine the data and settings, working quickly to resolve the issue.

The Rubies continued watching, some with guilty expressions and others with relief. As the Injector started to stabilize, the strange noises ceased, and the insertion mechanism returned to normal operation. The nascent Gems began to be correctly implanted into the planet's crust, and the workflow was restored.

When I finished, I turned to the Rubies with a smile of relief.

"The system is recalibrated, and the Injector should work properly now," I said, trying to sound calm despite the effort the repair had required.

The Rubies seemed relieved and grateful. One of them stepped forward to express her gratitude, her voice still trembling.

"Thank you, Peridot. We were really worried."

"No problem," I replied. "It's part of my job to keep everything in order. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to let me know."

With the problem solved, I returned to the quality control room. Although the day had been more challenging than expected, I felt satisfied with having resolved the issue. I reflected on the importance of being prepared for any eventuality, even when tasks seemed simple at first.

The reality of continuous work remained overwhelming, but I was confident that I could handle it—I just needed to take it one step at a time.