Ruby pov

I twiddle my thumbs, pacing back and forth across the floor. I can't act now, I'll be too suspicious. I check a clock, noticing that the ship leaves in an hour.

"What can I do?" I fall onto my back, staring at the ceiling. Jasper's given me the entire day off to 'rethink my experience on the satellite'. She said it in such a tone it sounded painful, even for her.

The door opens, and I almost hope it's Sapphire.

"Hey." I glance up, seeing Ruby 233. Her being just older than me makes her feel like a sister to me, almost.

"Hey." She finishes wiping off her gem, and sits down on a bed.

"So you're leaving tonight, huh?" I nod, and she sighs. "It's not gonna be fun without you, ya know?" I sit up.

"No." She chuckles.

"Well, you make things interesting. You've always been so...different. Like you were made for more than just the stupid work we do here!" She throws a wrench across the room. "Aw, what do I know anyway? I'm just a Ruby. A plain, regular, old Ruby. I'm just Luke every other Ruby on the satellite, in the galaxy! I'm not Pink Diamond's favorite, I don't have a Sapphire being sent away because of me, I can't- "

"What?" I ask.

"What? Did you not know why that Sapphire's being sent away?" She asks, surprised.

"No, I didn't know. Tell me!" I beg, sitting on the bed next to her.

"Well, turns out the Turquoise who did the interrogations actually told everyone the same thing, and told Yellow Diamond afterwords. She said one of you was lying, and that's why you're both being sent away!" I sit there, motionless, allowing her words to sink in.

"Thank you!" I say, jumping up.

"Wait!" She grabs me into a hug, kissing my cheek. "You're gonna go far, kid." She whispers into my ear. "Now go!"

"Thank you!" I yell as I run away, hoping I see her again.

I'm halfway there, almost at the docks, when a hand on my shoulder stops me.

"Ruby-"

"GAAAAH!" I turn around to see Turquoise. "Oh. What the hell do you want?" I scowl.

"Look Ruby, I'm sorry-"

"Some friend you are!" I spit, not caring what she has to say. "You told Yellow Diamond that one of us was lying! Just leave me alone, I have a flight to catch!" I start storming away, and Turquoise sends a string of sorrys my way, which I disregard until one.

"I had to!" I stop completely, then turn around to face her.

"You had to? You had to sell out one of your best friends? You had to earn that position?" I demand.

"I had to protect you!" She says. "Yellow Diamond always finds out the truth! So. I said one of you was lying to protect you both. I'm sorry Ruby." She bows her head, and I can tell she's genuinely upset.

"Look, I forgive you, but I have to go!" I start running to the docking bay.

"Goodbye, Ruby! And good luck!"