The Diego Diaries: Christmas Surprise (dd5 2)
-0-A bit later
They walked out of the Central Labor Hall into the middling sunshine of the early afternoon. Prowl who was carrying Solus while Miler had Sojourner noted the time. There were several more hours until he was on 'duty' again. They paused at the intersection to wait for the light. "How do you feel, Ada?" Prowl asked.
"Ask me in a joor or two," Miler said with a slight grin. "That was a strange process but I like it. I knew I wouldn't be able to defend functionalism. It's too much like The System for me to be a strong affirmation for it." They crossed the street. "I do love the conversation though."
"Then that's good enough. Not every topic will be so difficult I would think," Prowl said as they disappeared into the crowds.
-0-Temple
They walked out together, both of them pleased with the meeting and the plans for the school/library. Turbine turned to Venture. "Thank you for your help with everything, Venture. That was so great. It's been eons since I had a hand in keeping things my clan treasures going onward. This colony is the saving of us all."
"It's my pleasure, Turbine. The colony is a wonder isn't it." Venture grinned as they walked onward. Turbine was tracking down the others as Venture made his way to Miler who was sitting in a cafe nearby with Prima winding down from the debate. He had lost but he had done his best. Sometimes the topic runs you rather than the other way around.
-0-At the apartment
"When are the infants supposed to be at school for Santa Prime and which school or senior center is your domain?" Ratchet asked as he put the few things needing washed into the washing machine, a task he LOVED to do.
Now.
No sink and drippy unpredictable faucet in the basement of a tenement with a cheap bar of soap to scrub with added all he needed to make things 'funner'.
"In three joors, slagger." Ironhide appeared at the wash rack with three more little wash cloths. Ratchet tossed them in. "I start at the Youngling school."
"Don't be mad at me. Optimus made that decision and you were handy. You could still be the elf. You got a promotion. By the way, the box of elf and Santa hats arrived this morning so take them with you when you go." Ratchet grinned. "I got my camera tuned up. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are going to be elves for Springer along with Drift. Arcee told me that the femmes will help Magnus and Jazz along with Mirage while Kup and Hercy are going to be the elves for Optimus."
"Serves them right." Ironhide grumped goodnaturedly out the door glancing into the rooms where infants were playing as he went.
"How was Cybertron?" Ratchet asked as they both sat down in their chairs.
"Tip top. Everyone will be going off duty and short of a disaster will be here," Ironhide said. "What are we supposed to bring to Prime's besides one present apiece?"
"I asked Prowl and he said very little, the slagger. Show off," Ratchet replied with a grin.
"Something small for the dinner, huh? Did you figure that out?" Ironhide asked as he turned on the monitor to the games that were being uploaded to Mars from Earth. There was soccer, football, both American and Australian as well as track and field.
"Why me?" Ratchet said as he arose to get the beer and snacks.
"Because I was on Cybertron. I don't have the … uh, flair that you have, slagger. I did like those little smoky wiener things in that sauce last time. And the other little stuff. I sorta wanted to dump the whole thing in my mouth," Ironhide said with a grin. "Good stuff with the beer."
Ratchet grinned. Then Ironhide continued like an idiot.
"If you need help ask my ada. Now there's a mech who can cook," Ironhide said before his beer bounced off his helm. He grabbed his skull, then glared at Ratchet. "Why did you-" was as far as he got as he looked up into Ratchet's enormously pissed face. "Uh, I was saying. What was I saying? I'm finding it hard to remember. I just had a BEER BOTTLE BOUNCE OFF MY HELM!"
"You deserved it. ASK YOUR ADA!?" Ratchet replied as he put snacks on two plates. Taking his own plate and beer into servo with Ironhide's plate in the other, he tossed it to Ironhide who caught it and everything on it. Barely.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Ever," Ratchet said as he sat with a grin.
A rap on the door caught their attention as it opened and Alor entered along with Scout in his carry holder. It was white with an Autobrand and tiny decals of his family, city-state, home world, Mars, and lastly, the emblems of the Primes and Cybertron tastefully arranged on its shiny sides. "I thought I'd come over and sit a spell. What's happening?"
"Ironhide thought I might get food tips from you, food for the dinner tonight."
A severe optic impaled him. "Ironhide, you idiot."
"So I'm told," Ironhide said with a big grin. "You want some stuff?"
"Don't mind if I do," Alor said with a grin.
"Ratchet, feed my ada," Ironhide said as a slap on the helm by Ratchet took care of that impertinence. He walked to the counter buoyed by Alor's upbraiding of his son. "How's the world out there?"
"Calmer than I ever imagined. Dividing up the planet into districts was genius," Alor said as he took a beer and plate of snacks. "We're gearing up for the next migration on Gliese."
"When's that?" Ratchet asked glancing at Ironhide.
"Not for a while. We'll be ready I hope. Something tells me its a biggie," Ironhide said as the three turned to the games on the monitor. Scout slept obliviously away in his nest.
-0-At the Residence
Prowl fussed with the arrangements, then received an alert that his order would be brought over by Autobot City Catering in six joors. He had ordered a great deal of everything that was very much loved including a lot of traditional Cybertronian dishes. Kestrel and Tagg were bringing their family faves and so were his own folks. Ratchet's crew were also bringing things. What Ratchet was bringing besides a huge ration of crap was anyone's guess.
The apartment was immaculate, the seating good for about a zillion freeloaders and all was well. Trees, three of them in the greater living space were twinkling brightly as the order to meet up was received. Taking his leave of the house, Prowl walked down to the intersection of Metro Highway 2 and Cultural Center Road to wait for the others. He was immaculate and ready to go. He also held several little bags filled to the brim in his carry hold.
They gathered, the leadership of the colony, all of them gleaming and cheerful. When they were all arrived including Optimus, they transformed, then drove in a convoy toward Aerie Hill and beyond. The sun given the size of the dome of Olympus Mons was slowing, moving toward mid morning as they drove along, then took the turnoff to traverse Resort Road. It wound up the side of the incline before turning into a cobblestone courtyard that handled all the traffic of the facility.
As the group began to arrive, the guests all of which were back from day trips began to gather at the huge windows. They came until nearly 2100 individuals were watching as the vehicles outside began to transform. When they did the entire civilian ruling committee of the colony as well as the senior Autobots led by Optimus Prime were standing before them.
Everyone took the measure of the other as cameras flashed and filmed the unexpected arrivals. More humans inside were rushing to the windows as the resort's guests made their way to see. Nearby rolling down the road from the segway hangar, a trio sped bearing the Witwickys, Lonnie Epps, Linda Graham, Barbara Morshower, Judy Fulton, and the two Roberts along with two others no one could recognize. They paused before Prime.
Optimus Prime knelt carefully, then leaned inward to the group of humans. "My friends, I am very happy that you could come and be the guests of the colony and of my House. You are most welcome."
Grandma Annie and Grandpa Leonard Scott of Iowa smiled up at a mech they both loved. :Optimus Prime, we're so honored to be here. Thank you for having us come and allowing us to bring our family with us. What a most incredible experience we've had here among you and your people: Annie said with a smile. She wrote the most widely read blog about Cybertronian sports and Cybertron in general on Earth. She was friends with so many Autobots that she was considered part of the family. Her husband was equally loved as well. They were here at Christmas time as specially invited friends of Autobot Nation and Optimus Prime.
He grinned at her. "I would like to bestow upon you and your family the status of Friends of Autobot Nation for your great efforts to help build the trust and bond between your people and ours. This will allow you to come and go here as you wish. You are always welcome to come here, Annie and Leonard Scott. Thank you on behalf of Autobot Nation and my House."
Annie smiled brilliantly. She didn't know that there was a painless but permanent tattoo that went along with the honor to signify that she was 'one of us'. When she found out she would bear it proudly along with Her Leonard and find one more excuse to wear a sleeveless shirt in the summertime.
They chatted, then the human group mounted up again. Optimus took the bag from Prowl that he had carried to the site. He knelt again. "Judy Witwicky and ladies … we wish to present to the children and elders present at this time this small token of our friendship on this special holiday. If you would ensure that they are given to their recipients we would be grateful."
:We'd be honored, Optimus. Thank you so much for coming and spreading Christmas cheer: Judy said as everyone both in and outside of the Resort clapped and cheered. This was the second visit of Cybertronians to the building. The day before they were serenaded inside by visiting school children.
Prime handed the bag to Jazz who grinned at the humans. "I'll put this inside the hatch. The mini-cons on staff can help you, Judy," Jazz said.
They chatted a moment, then Optimus and Team Autobot City turned to go. They transformed, then drove down the road heading for the Hu-An Habitat. When they were done there they would head out toward Earth 1. Once that was over they would ago to the schools of their assignment and deliver presents to infants who would be waiting to come to them with their classes.
The senior centers would be next.
-0-Waiting at Youngling Intermediate School for Santa Springer and staff
Sunstreaker lounged in the lobby of the school with his elf hat in servo. Bluestreak was talking nearby with a friend as they waited for the show to begin. Nearby, stacks of pallets with gifts on them awaited infants. A chair with a fancy cover was waiting for Springer's aft.
"I should be Santa Prime," Sideswipe said to goad Sunstreaker. "I'm better looking. And younger."
"No, you shouldn't. I carry this hat thing off better than you do," Sunstreaker said right on schedule. "If Springer doesn't show up I'll do it."
"They're heading back from Earth 1 now," Sideswipe said after pausing a moment to check. A steady stream of kids and their families headed upward to classrooms as others gathered in the rapidly filling lobby to watch. When Springer arrived he was followed by a smirking Drift. They paused by the twins.
"Well if this isn't fragged? What will this do to my image as a security genius and all around Wrecker bad aft?" Springer asked with a grin.
"Nothing. You can't lose what you never had, Santa Prime," Sideswipe said as he put his elf hat on. "Put on your hat. There's your throne, slagger. Let's get this show on the road. I hear we're going to be in the papers tomorrow."
"Oh frag," Springer said as he put his hat on. He walked to the throne, then sat. He grinned. "This is nice. Where's my foot stool?"
"I think he's calling for you, Drift," Sideswipe said with a grin.
Sunstreaker snickered as he walked to the chair, then turned with the others to face the crowd. A ton of snaps were taken by family with cameras. Springer grinned. "I hope they got my best side."
"They can't," Sideswipe said. "You're sitting on it."
Springer's reply was lost when the first group of excited younglings entered the room ran to them. He grinned. "Well, Merry Christmas Surprise to me," he whispered as Drift handed him the first present.
-0-TBC 1-4-16 edited 1-5-16 (I'm going to edit these as I go so I don't get buried alive.) :D edited again 6-29-16 and again in 7-14-17
