The Diego Diaries: Autobot City, Mars
=0=Autobot City, Mars
They walked in a tight formation, four Wreckers on either side of Shockwave and an Autobot in front and behind him. Ironhide led the way, his no nonsense expression and overall gigantic menace spoke to all that watched that no one should intrude. Prime, Ratchet and Ultra Magnus walked behind, bringing up the rear.
Crowds stood around the gated entrance and spilled out along the road, all of them silent, all of them staring. Autobots stood along the way, weapons in plain sight as the procession came closer. Nearby, watching with unobstructed view, eleven adult Seekers stood. They were in clear sight of Shockwave but he didn't bother to look at them. He kept his gaze straight ahead and walked silently.
Passing civilians, passing Senator Gravitas, passing Autobots, he entered the gates and continued to the facility. Entering the fortress, he moved where he was supposed to go, going downstairs three levels before walking down a heavily armored corridor to a room with a huge door. Entering, the group paused, grim faced mechs all coming to a halt.
Prime paused and gathered himself. Walking to Shockwave, he looked at him, pondering the creature's thoughts and feelings, or rather, did he have any to tell of? Prime didn't know but he glanced at the stasis pod. "Shockwave, we have ensured that the humans don't have any say in what happens to you. We have custody of you and will keep custody until such a time comes that you can stand trial for your crimes." He stepped closer, peering into the blank face of his nemesis. "If you have anything to say, this is the time to say it."
They stood quietly, all of them watching as the big Cybertronian stood impassively. "When did you know?" a metallic voice at last inquired.
"Early on," Prime said. "Almost from the moment that Starscream left and you picked up the scheme. That is how long."
Shockwave considered that and nodded almost imperceptibly. Then he stood without further comment. Prime stepped back and Ironhide moved forward. He gripped Shockwave's arm and pulled him forward, the big mech showing only a little reluctance. Ultra Magnus stepped forward and they bent him into the stasis pod, forcing him to lie back and then fastened him in with bonds made from Cybertronian steel.
They stepped back and everyone looked at Ratchet. He vented a soft sigh and moved forward, tapping a catch and waiting as a panel slid back on Shockwave's chest. He retrieved a device from subspace and tuned it, seeking the frequencies that he needed. Reaching in, tapping in a code that flashed across the device's screen, he then pulled two circuits out and tapped a series of codes into Shockwave's internal regulators. As soon as the last one was in, he went off line and Ratchet shut the panels, stepping back. "He's off line until commanded otherwise, Prime."
They all stood silently and then Prime nodded, giving his consent for the pod to be closed. The heavy glass lid lowered and locked, the environment inside kept at optimal to preserve the occupant. This device was used to sustain life in threat of imminent death or to prevent activity in those enclosed. It was the closest thing to capital punishment that Prime would allow.
When he was secured, Prime led the way out and they followed, the heavy door swinging closed. Prime walked to it, his body obscuring the view. He put in the code that only he would know, the only code that would open the gigantic door and free the occupant. Turning, he led them up the three flights of stairs and the city above.
Entering the corridor that was the heart of the city, Prime turned and looked at Magnus. "You have some people I need to talk to, Magnus."
If Magnus could sigh he would have. He merely nodded. Comming the brig, he arranged for the mini-cons to be brought to his office. Prime and Magnus turned and walked off, leaving the others. The crowds, all of them solemn turned and life returned, the chatter of mechs and femmes going about their business, mechs and femmes coming from and going to work. It was like home.
Ratchet and Ironhide turned and walked to the rec room, parking themselves at a table with a good view. Other mechs joined them and they chatted away, waiting for Prime to be ready to leave and return to Diego Garcia on Earth.
=0=Magnus' office
"And so you see, Optimus … the little slaggers either have to give up drinking or get used to the brig. I have done everything short of stringing them up by their peds."
Prime nodded and vented a sigh. "There is more to this, Magnus. They are triggered by something beyond high grade. High grade lowers the barriers and they act on their impulses. I can't have it. The Seekers are here to stay. They are a part of our community. I can't have the mini-cons acting like idiots with an entire village coming. And I want it made very clear to them that they are not allowed to go off on their own. I won't have competing jurisdictions. They are here under my rule as Prime. If they can't accept that they can't stay."
"You would go that far?" Magnus asked, rising as he heard footsteps outside.
"I would," Prime said, his irritation evident.
A rap on the doorjamb and a smiling Kup appeared. "I brought the little slaggers, Magnus."
Magnus nodded. "Bring them in, Kup."
Five mini-cons came in, two stood defiantly, glowering at the floor and evading the towering mechs in the room. Prime stared at them, wondering why it was so hard to integrate them into the community that he was building. "You defied a Prime Directive. I said that the Seekers were as much a citizen of this colony as anyone and they were to be treated with courtesy, the same courtesy that belongs to everyone who lives here. You deliberately and willfully defied my directive. I would appreciate it if you would tell me why."
The two mini-cons from the Aspen mission looked at Prime, White Wash, the all white bot and Runaway, a white and blue one. Gears, Huffer and Cliffjumper stared at the floor, none wanting to speak. It was silent. Prime leaned forward. "I want to hear what is going on. My alternatives to having this happen over and over is banishment or long term brig time. You can talk to me and we can find a way to resolve this or I can send you packing. So talk."
Gears and Huffer looked up, glancing at Cliffjumper. Cliff cleared his throat, a wholly unnecessary affectation. "We were uh … we were over energized. We went to the barracks and ..." He trailed off. Even he could see that he was stupid and in the wrong.
"You two are new here," Prime said looking at the two smaller minis. "I want you to tell me why you can't obey the rules and laws of this city."
"You have them here!" White Wash blurted. He looked at Prime, his face filled with fury and anguish. "They destroyed my village. They destroyed all of us. Runaway and I, we're the only ones left. They live here! With us!"
Prime looked at him, at the terrible emotions flooding out of him. He looked at Runaway, his own face distorted with sorrows that he carried close to the surface. He stood struggling to control himself but he was close to falling apart.
"There isn't a femme or mech in this city or in the garrison on Earth that hasn't had everything torn away," Prime said quietly. "All of us are orphans. All of us are hurt and broken by war and disaster. You aren't the only ones."
"But they're here! How can you let them live here!" White Wash asked, the bitterness of his anguish sliding down his cheeks in tears.
"Because they are part of who we are. Seekers are Cybertronians too. They filled our skies once. We lived with them. They are us and we are them. Megatron has broken every bond, every heart, every back with his hatred. I want it to end. I want to put our people back together and we do it here. We make our stand here. All of us are needed. All. Of. Us."
White Wash turned to the side, unable to face Prime. "They killed all of us. I can't look at them. I can't hear their voices. I can't see them living in peace … having hatchlings and know that they destroyed my family, my village, my life and world. How can you?" he asked turning toward Prime.
For a moment Prime didn't speak. Then he leaned forward. "I don't have the luxury of emotions. I don't have the time or the possibility of feeling like you do. I am the Prime of Cybertron. I bear the Creation Matrix. I am Primus here made real. I have to care for all of our people, all of our mechs and femmes. I have to give them a place to flourish. I have to protect them, help them, mend them. I don't have the right to allow what I might feel inside me based on my own losses and hurts to influence how I treat our people. I don't get to act out."
Huffer raised his head, a look of deep remorse on his face. "I'm sorry, Optimus. I know better."
"We all do," Gears said gruffly. "I just … its hard to take seeing them here."
"You have to learn to live with it. They are staying," Prime said. "They gave me their personal and Seeker oaths that they were laying down arms and living here as peaceful citizens. When you went to their barracks you put yourself against Seekers protecting their infants. Do you understand that?"
They nodded. For a moment it felt like he was admonishing his younglings. "I expected better from you, Gears, Huffer, Cliffjumper. I can see that White Wash and Runaway are troubled and need help. But you are seasoned veterans and you understand how we operate. We are Autobots. We have a code of conduct and I won't tolerate breeches. You have besmirched my personal honor when you did this. If you cannot learn to live peacefully here," he said fixing his gaze on the two mini-bots, "I will be forced to send you elsewhere."
"Where?" Runaway asked, fear in his voice.
"Anywhere but here," Prime said. "The Seekers are here to stay and more may come. You will have to live with that. Megatron has done as much damage to us and our way of life that I am prepared to tolerate. This is going to be our home and I need your word, your word of honor that you understand what I want and need."
For a moment it was silent and then Huffer looked at him. "You have always had it, Optimus."
Cliffjumper and Gears nodded. "And us too," they said.
Prime looked at the other two. Runaway nodded, his face filled with pain. "I agree."
White Wash looked at him and then the other three. He turned to Prime, his expression agonized. "What choice do I have?"
"You have a free choice, White Wash. You also need help. I'm going to ask Ratchet to find someone who can help you. When the mini-con village gets here I want you to be an aid to their assimilation. I don't want more trouble."
The mini-con looked at him, shaking his head. "I have no choice."
Prime, glancing at Magnus commed him to get Ratchet and then he looked at the group. "Gears, Huffer, Cliffjumper, you are confined to quarters except for duty. You will stay there for two weeks. I do not want to see you again for this offense."
They nodded and after a momentary hesitation, they walked out. Runaway, standing with White Wash looked at Prime. "What now?"
Ratchet appeared in the doorway. Looking at the scene, he nodded to Prime. Prime rose and looked at the two. "You two will stay here and talk to Ratchet. I want both of you to be mentored by someone on the medical staff to help you find a way to resolve some of the pain that you are feeling. This is not a suggestion. You are both suffering from more than just your captivity with Shockwave. I want you to be helped."
He moved around the desk and out the door, leaving Ratchet and the two cons together. Magnus and Prime walked to the rec room, talking to this and that civilian and Autobot that they passed who wanted to speak about this and that.
By the time they reached the rec room for a cube of energon, it almost felt like noon time in Iacon. No one could see that the monster of their nightmares was lying three stories below in stasis. They could only see the long rays of sunlight streaming in through the doors and windows. They could hear the laughter of younglings and the chatter of femmes as they gathered together, some with sparklings. The sounds of mechs talking, walking together and the sounds of work from shops was a pleasant and refreshing change to the morning's events thus far.
It felt like home.
=0=TBC
2011 (2)