Chapter 7: Chapter 7
The Diego Diaries: Christmas Surprise (dd5 7)
-0-At The Family Tower Habitat, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars
They gathered in the giant great room of the huge multi story facility that was home space for most of the humans of Mars and their families. Drinks and finger foods were there in great numbers for the masses that had gathered. The scientists from the Sciences Habitat mingled with the soldiers, civilians and others who were there to have a good conversation before heading for Earth 1 for dinner.
Lilly Bolger and Andrew Settles were surrounded as they were toasted by the group. Their wedding would be held in three days on Earth, then three days later here on the steps of The Fortress. It was a huge item in the news and on gossip blogs of Earth. The Autobot colony had been made aware of this and the turn out for the bonding ceremony at The Fortress was expected to be huge.
"I'm glad you got away from the Resort," Warren Roberts said to the four women standing around the punch bowl on the counter.
Judy Witwicky, Judy Fulton, Barbara Morshower and Sarah Lennox grinned at him. "The party is going hearty there," Barbara said. "The crew is doing a good job. Gavin is coming later to Earth 1 after the dinner hour begins along with the human crew. We're all on call. A shuttle will fly them to Earth 1 and stay there in case we have to come back in a hurry."
"Good," he said. "We have friends and family coming in about a month to stay there a while. We're going to take a vacation and come here with them. That includes having them over here and around the colony with us on a special visitation pass."
"Let us know. We'll join you," Judy Witwicky said as Ron joined them. "Everything is packed and ready to go to Earth 1 when its time," he said. They chatted onward as outside the sun began to set on the horizon. Lights inside the huge facility were twinkling on the windows, the trees and displays around the habitat, some of them non-Christmas decorations from other cultures. It was beautiful.
Carly Brooks-Spencer stood by the window talking intimately with Sam Witwicky while nearby Jessie sat on a couch sipping wine with Aisha Mohammed and Devon Murphy. They were comfortable on the couches near the fire. They were also chatting together in low voices about Sam and Carly. Even though their split had been reasonably amicable given the circumstances and some time passing, Jessie Landon and Sam Witwicky were still uncomfortable together. Her friends, the women along with her who were responsible for the festive moment they found themselves in were less sanguine about the matter.
"She's going to be here for about a week. She's staying here," Devon said.
"I know. We're bunking at N.E.S.T. over the holiday to alleviate crowding so there is that. I can't say that I blame him for falling for her," Jessie said with a sigh. "Have you noticed how stupid the men act around her? I can't say I blame them either."
Aisha frowned. "You're not going there again are you?"
"No. I just concede that in the looks department she has me beat. She's also about six feet taller than me." Jessie grinned. "She's taller than Sam in heels. Awesome. She's never going to be able to wear heels with him in public."
Devon grinned. "Good." A number of men walked past to stand with Lennox, Epps and Graham including some of the new international group of Beta Strikers here to do their duty. "What do you think of the Beta Strikers?"
"There's some very handsome men among then. That guy," Jessie said pointing to a man about six feet two inches tall with dark hair and nice eyes who was getting a drink from the punch bowl. "He rode over with me. He's British and really nice. Easy to talk to."
"Chase him." Devon glanced at Jessie. "The best revenge is a good looking man. He's very good looking. I don't see a wedding ring. I can do some recon on him if you want me to. I'd chase him," she said with a grin.
"You have a man. I do like that one. He's very nice and has great manners," Jessie said.
They sat together chatting about men, life and the way of things. Shortly they would gather up and head for Earth 1 to eat dinner with the entire human population of Mars. When they drove out, the new man … James … would be riding on the back of the segway with Jessie Landon again.
-0-Earth 1, United Nations Territory, Primal Colony of Mars
They gathered in the great room that ran through the center of the main entrance module of the giant habitat that had been built to house 301 individuals who were living here as part of an experiment. The extra individual was the newest youngest baby here, the first one born on another world among the human species. He was up and toddling around.
The dining hall was decked out with more tables brought out to accommodate nearly 900 people. The cooking that had been going on here as well for almost two days had filled the facility with delicious aromas. The decorations were many and lights twinkled everywhere. They had decorated the tables with candles and pine bows, that scent mingling with the aroma of baking and cooking.
Far down the road to the curve upward that took it out of the caldera where Earth 1 was situated were light poles that made the trip out here less frightening at night. The darkness of Mars was intense and the danger seemingly bigger than during the day. No one was more happy then the humans who lived here when with the four lane highway the bots made to their colony from the cities they added the huge light poles.
Pools of illumination marked the path to the colony beyond. It was 12 Cybertronian miles away. That worked out to just about 24 human miles on Earth. It cut away from Temple, passed the Mausoleum and Basilica which were lit up at night as well, then disappeared into the hinterlands after passing the Metro Districts, cities in and of themselves as well.
Soon the rest of the humans of Mars would show up driving over the ridge on segways, then trundle into the habitat with boxes and bags of food and drink. Sciences and the Family Tower along with N.E.S.T. were busy as well making delights for the masses. The Resort would supply desserts from their master chef who would be joining them shortly as well.
Lights were out in the school, the greenhouses beyond and the shops and labs that were the heart of the work life of the habitat. They would stay off until the next day when life would pick up again. Even though school was out following the plan of the Autobot City Unified School District of which they were honorary members, they still had their own plans and routines.
"There are lights out there," someone said by a window. Many of the humans sitting around, some of them getting the dinner in order while others minded kids moved to the window. A line of lights had crested the hill and were coming down the highway filling about three of the four lanes. They were filled with humans, some of them pulled trailers and all of them were headed their way.
Some of the men walked to the habitat doors and began to prep the process of letting them inside. Their segways would be parked outside in rows waiting to go back. Most would do that but a couple would be too impaired to leave. They would stay in the guest bunk room until the morning when they were sober enough to leave.
The group slid to a halt outside. Humans climbed down from the vehicles which were lined up on the pavement outside and began to gather children and pets to go inside the airlock. Things were unpacked from the trailers and carried inside as well, then the huge doors closed once the last person was accounted for. The process finished, then they walked inside greeting and being greeted as they carried food and drinks for the party.
It was noisy and happy as Jessie Landon walked in with her ham. James carried it for her and they placed it on the counter of the long community kitchen off the main living space. Dogs barked and bounced around as cats sat on chairs and tables staring inscrutably. Some of them included several brought in special containers from N.E.S.T. HQ and the Family Habitat, the pets of family members including Ron and Judy Witwicky.
It was fun and happy as they took a moment to chat together, a small outpost of humanity on the desiccated surface of a barren planet fourth down from the sun. Jessie turned to the big man who had come with her, then grinned. "Want something to drink?"
"I would love a beer," he said. They walked to the bar nearby, a couple of tables groaning under bottles, glasses, ice and fixings. They got a beer, then walked inside pausing beside a window to stare outside. She grinned at him. "How do you like it here so far?"
"I love it," he said as they clinked their bottles together. "This is wonderful. I never thought I was going to make it but here I am."
Jessie nodded. "This place will get to you. The bots are awesome. I love all of them. The humans here are good too. You get to be a family. You feel like its all of us here against everyone else. I'm Jessie Landon by the way."
He nodded. "I know. I'm Lieutenant James Brooks-Spencer."
As they stared at each other the host of the gathering, Brandon Clark tapped his glass with a spoon. Everyone turned together toward him. He grinned as they did. "Welcome to Earth 1. Welcome all of you newcomers and those who are veterans of this world. It's our great honor to host you here to this, the first real Christmas that we have had here. This feels like the first of something good, all of us from the various human outposts coming here together to be together and celebrate.
"I hope we all mingle and get to know each other. We're pioneers, all of us. We're venturing into the great unknown, soldiers, scientists and civilians on a great adventure. This will help our own world and our people too. Someday hopefully, we will have Earth2 here as well, a habitation with 80,000 more humans to share the wonders of this world with us.
"We have a feast prepared and we hope you partake to your heart's content. The habitat is open for you to view. You may not know that The Farm as we call our expanded greenhouses are going through their third crop cycle and the trees inside are now bearing fruit. We hope you go to see the effort our people have put into it with the help of the Hu An.
"We're happy to have you and hope this is the first of many gatherings. We have a standing invitation to enjoy the Fourth of July with us here as we celebrate America's independence. We're also asking for celebrations that are powerful and important in other countries so that we can plan get togethers around them as well. We will be celebrating Boxing Day tomorrow and we finished Ramadan earlier. Just let us know. Anytime we can get together to celebrate our humanity and our commonality is a good thing. I wish you the best and most joyous holiday season. I think I'd like to have dinner now. Please join me if you will."
Everyone applauded and began to move farther inside the installation toward the massive dinner and the beautiful dining area. Walking together toward the line was Jessie Landon and James Brooks-Spencer.
James Brooks-Spencer, the older brother of Carly Brooks-Spencer who had come to do duty here with his striker team.
-0-In a gathering elsewhere at the same time
"Sit over here, you little slagger." Ironhide parked Orion on Kup's lap as he helped to dig Springer out from under a massive Christmas Surprise tree that had been topped over in a mad rush by sparklings into it as they tried to dive bomb the presents. As the family arrived they put their own gifts under the trees by the door so the tantalizing pile of shiny stuff was nearly overpowering to the youngest set. Once they had a bit to eat they turned their optics onto the dazzling mountain of gifts, following Orion like moths to a flame as he led the charge with ear splitting gusto.
Springer who was sitting with a plate of food and a beer between the trees, leaning on the doors as he ate with Drift on one side saw them coming. He froze for a second as Orion leaped managing to get both peds off the ground. He sailed at the pile and landed on it with other sparklings behind him. The tree shivered, then tipped over facilitating the greatest levitation act of adults in one room at the same time seen since the last time he toppled a tree.
Infants were dug out ped first and handed off by the hair of their chinny chin chins to adults who then turned to find more. Nearly ten children were hauled out of the train wreck before the tree could be lifted back up. Presents which had slid this way and that were re-stacked. Ratchet who had made to the scene of the crime first then turned to glower at the infants.
"ADA! WHY YOU!? I, ME ORION GOED TO THEM! I DOING IT!"
"You sure did. You have to wait. Presents later. Food now." He gripped Praxus and Orion around their little bellies, then carried them to the table. Other infants joined him and they sat with pouts.
"Ada."
"What, Orion?" Ratchet asked as he turned toward the infant who was now sitting back on his chair.
"When do we do this?" he asked.
Ratchet and everyone stared at him with surprise. "When it's time."
Orion frowned slightly. "Ada bad. I, Orion good. Shes are bad. ADA BAD, ATAR!"
"You're just finding out now?" Ironhide asked as he sat with his third plate of dinner.
His ped would ache for a while. It always did when Ratchet 'accidentally' stepped on it.
-0-TBC 1-8-16 edited 1-13-16
NOTES: I began to work out the edits for The Diego Diaries Part Three in August and working nearly every day since then I just today finished editing the whole part, all 687 separate pieces. Now I have to upload them into the interface and re-post them one at a time. OMG. This is something else. :D:D:D I will let you know when its complete. Right now I'm looking over part one to do next because its 159 parts and part two which is 623 parts long. :D This is really like reading someone elses story. I like expanding parts and adding new stuff as I go. I cannot believe what a dork I was when I wrote this. :D Hugs, long suffering readers.r