The Diego Diaries: Chaos 50 (dd3 50)

=0=In a university lecture hall in an education tower in Autobot City, Mars

They stood quietly, uneasily as teachers, aides and others walked into the biggest lecture room in the University. Taking seats, the educational staff chatted quietly together as the group began to converge. When the last obvious straggler entered and sat, Nova stepped to the front and smiled. "Thank you for coming," he said. 'During the committee meeting this morning with Optimus Prime, we were given the task of implementing a children's holiday that was originated on Earth. It is called Halloween and will be explained by CMO Ratchet and S.I.C. Prowl." Nova turned with a grin. "It's all yours."

Ratchet glanced at the rigid and ULTRA FORMAL figure of his sparring partner and all around alibi, Prowl. "Thank you, Nova. Prowl and I are delighted to be here. Right, Prowl?"

Prowl who was facing the audience at almost rigid attention cast a gimlet optic at Ratchet. Then he turned to stare at a spot somewhere on the back wall that only he could see.

Ratchet grinned at the crowd. "I will take that as a yes."

A chuckle broke the moment up a second, then everyone returned their collective gaze back to the red and white Autobot with the fake chevron. "We're going to be doing a holiday that's celebrated among some of the countries on Earth and it is called Halloween or All Hallowed Eve. Some of the early civilizations on Earth believed that on the day of Halloween the veil that separates the dead from everyone else thins allowing the spirits of the deceased to come and be among the living. Some considered this scary and others didn't, generating a lot of activities which we can use for our own younglings to enjoy.

"There are a number of traditions involved but we're going to focus on what we think will be fun for our infants and the mechs and femmes of the city. We want to practice Halloween the way they do in the United States. What that means is we allow the children to do crafty things. Carving pumpkins, making a number of images," he said pressing a link on the screen behind him that lit up the gigantic monitor with the images of ghosts, bats, zombies, witches and other scary monsters.

He turned to look at the pictures, then glanced at the crowd watching. The expressions of shock and amazement on the faces of those charged to educate and protect children would stay with Ratchet forever. So would the *I SLAGGING TOLD YOU SO!* smirk on Prowl's face.

-0-Out there

The blossom of the aperture of energy signaling the emergence of a space-time rupture didn't take everyone in the migration by surprise. Many of them had seen one and after the initial shock flashed through them, they watched with tense concern about what would emerge. The flash of Seekers speeding by at almost unheard of speeds was another shock.

They came out and flew in a clearly calculated array. Two-by-two they moved spreading out over the mass of ships and mechanisms that were heading toward them. A scan indicated that they were overhead and then gone as quickly, moving with incredible speed and purpose onward.

Three ships in the lead of the migration saw the aperture and signaled to the rest to prepare to launch. Then without a warning, one of them broke forward flying toward an array of Seekers who were waiting in a half circle in front of the bridge. It was a fast ship and when it came close a Seeker broke free and came about, paralleling it before entering the hailstorm of energy as both disappeared together.

The others in the array watched as the formation of Seekers came closer, pausing as if to indicate that they should not move further. Then one of the flying mechanisms broke off and flew swiftly to the first ship before transforming and magnetizing. It walked along the hull to the hatch and rapped on it. The hatch opened and he slipped inside as the door closed behind him.

All along the column the Seekers flew, their speeds intense, their purpose to scan and when they finally reached the last ships, they turned and began the long trek back. The communication lines of the migration burned with cries for help, for information, for Prime. They filled the entire area with the buzz of despair, hope and need.

The ship in the lead popped its hatch and the Seeker emerged transforming to rejoin its group. As it did a bullet message was sent from it to the bridge and onward to Ops Center in Autobot City.

-0-In the University lecture hall

"And then, they get to go door-to-door collecting treats. The words they say when the door opens is 'trick or treat'." Ratchet paused, a carefully schooled expression on his face. It was silent a moment. Then a youngling aid leaned forward. "What if no one gives them a treat? Can they expect a trick?"

"No," Ratchet said. He began to explain it more carefully. Prowl stood beside him silently with a grin.

-0-On the safe side of hell

A pair of Seekers were waiting for the ship as it slipped through under escort. When it was picked up, their escort made a hard turn and returned to his job on the other side. The Seekers joined the refugee ship and they began to descend to the ground below. They would be there in seconds.

-0-On the ground

Optimus Prime, Ironhide, Flint, Starscream, Alor, Jetta, Gypsy, Cleery, Goldwing, Blackjack, Mirage, Springer, Drift and Kup stood on the tarmac watching as a relatively well made and well functioning ship came in on approach. Seekers flying with it helped them keep the horizon as the ship settled wearily on its gear, taxiing until it came to a stop before the party.

The Seekers transformed and settled, their weapons online as a ground crew ran forward to hook the ship to small carts and secure it for off loading. The hatch popped with a hiss and a ramp slid down. For a moment there was no movement in the dark interior. Then a small young mech appeared in the doorway holding two tiny terrified clinging little sparklings in his arms. He looked exhausted and before he could take a step medics hurried up and took the infants. He nodded and looked inside, their conversation low and tense.

Another medic took the youngling's arm and gently led him down the ramp as more began to emerge. They carried babies, toddlers and led infants by their servos. The babies were silent like refugee babies often were, all cried out and weary to their superstructure. The older younglings looked ragged and disconsolate, all of them going where they were told without comment.

Gypsy commed for emergency help from the Sparkling, Youngling and Femme Hospital, all of it coming in runabouts that would load up, fly swiftly and land on their rooftop to discharge the wan group into emergency care. Prime watched without expression, his insides churning as infant after toddler after youngling emerged. They were gathered by soldiers and medics, by civilians who were working nearby or passing.

Overhead, the sound of runabouts could be heard and they landed next to the ship, their hatches opening as personnel emerged. They ran to where Gypsy stood directing the entire affair. By the time they loaded everyone up, there were 32 infants, 15 toddlers, 31 younglings and 4 sub adults in the group.

"Alor, please go and find out what the frag this means," Prime said as he stared at the ship, his optics never leaving the scene.

Alor nodded and ran forward to jump into a runabout. It lifted off and was gone. The group stared at the ship as Jazz climbed in to retrieve the logs. He was inside a while then stepped out grim faced and tense. Walking to Prime, the group gathered. "Optimus, these babies have genitors. Their genitors were taken aboard the 'Con's ships for insurance."

Optimus Prime nodded grimly.

-0-On the way out of the University

They rode the elevator down and ambled out pausing as they saw runabouts landing on the roof of the hospital nearby. Prowl froze and commed Prime. Seconds later, he tapped Ratchet's arm. "Come with me," he said as he broke into a run. Ratchet ran along behind him.

-0-Out there

They flashed back, their data sweep clear on the size and scope of the migration. They had calibrated to count ships, estimate numbers on board, define which ships were on their last legs and needful of help and to make a general prediction of the condition of the refugees. They also had a number of the ships that appeared to be with the Decepticon contingent.

All of it was sent to the catchers who 'unrolled' it, rewound it in a more friendly shape and shot it like bullets into the space bridge. When that was done the entire contingent of Seekers turned and almost as one flashed into the vortex and were gone.

-0-Tarmac, Autobot City, Mars

Prime listened as Jazz began to retrieve and supply information from the database of the ship he had just downloaded. He gave it in bursts, waiting as his programming deciphered and cleared data. "They're the infants of a half a dozen ships of mechs and femmes who were taken as insurance by the 'Cons." He paused as if to listen. "They managed to leave the infants and others were allowed to gather the children. They were flown in a ship at the front of the migration where they could be taken care of and protected." Pause. "There are fifty or more adults in custody and I would say more. The data is not fully decoded. I need equipment. But suffice it to say, Optimus, these kids are the children of hostages. The migration wanted them saved."

Prime nodded. "Frag," he whispered. He paused as if listening to a conversation. "I have dispatched Prowl and Ratchet to the hospital. I want to know what is going on. Jazz, go and break it all down. We want to know what is happening."

Jazz nodded and ran for Ops Center with Mirage.

Prime turned to Kup and Springer. "Organize a powerhouse force. I want them to be ready and in orbit to go at my call."

They nodded and hurried away.

"Jetta, get the city ready for a retrieval. Have them on standby. What is the status of the prison and the new extension?" Prime asked grimly.

"It is go, Optimus. I will alert Springer to have it manned and ready to operate immediately," Jetta said.

Prime turned to Flint. "I want you in charge of the prisons. Have Alor help you. He has experience in riot control if I remember right."

Flint nodded. "Consider it done, Prime."

Prime watched as Barron hurried toward them. "What can I do, sir? I hear there is a problem."

"You can stand by, Barron. We want this done legally. We have a hostage situation and an unknown number of hostiles. We are activating the prison and you need to coordinate with Flint who I have appointed to manage that situation," Prime said.

Barron glanced at Flint and nodded. "I am your servant, Prime," he said nodding his helm respectfully.

The sound of Prowl running toward them drew all optics as they waited for him to catch up with Alor behind him. Reaching Optimus, Prowl looked at him with grim optics. "There are hunter groups in this mix of Decepticons. Some of the worst. There's also a lot of bounty hunters, freelance commanders and shock troops. They mean business and they brought fire power. The younglings who flew the ship and managed the infants can only tell what they remember around shock, sir. But this is a very, very bad group of 'Cons."

Prime nodded. "Then we must be very, very careful."

-0-Sparkling, Youngling and Femme Hospital, Metroplex District, Autobot City, Mars

The humans, some of them scientists, some soldiers and a couple of film crews jetted into the emergency section of the great facility moving out of the way to watch. Jessie and Aisha who were spending the weekend on Mars watched gravely as the sound of crying babies and exhausted whining toddlers filled the room. Ratchet was directing the intake and the babies were getting gentle handling. The younglings with them sat dejectedly, a couple crying and others trying to hold up for the younger ones.

Drift was talking to the two oldest who had flown the ship. When he had all the younglings could provide, he nodded to Ratchet then walked out grimly. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had come at the call for medics, assisting as they did all of the little ones. Then the call for soldiers came and they turned to go. The segways followed but the big mechs didn't see them so intent were they to get to the airfield.

:Ratchet!:

He looked downward. :Jessie. Aisha. Hi:

:What's happening? Why are these babies like this?: Jessie asked.

"We have a new migration. It's not going well."

:How can we help you?: Aisha asked.

Ratchet knelt. "Stay back and don't get stepped on accidentally. I'm glad you're here," he said soothingly.

:So are we. We're good to help you. Just say the word: Jessie said with great emotion.

Ratchet grinned. "That's my girls." With that, he got back to the task at hand. When the call came to go himself, he ran as fast as he could to the airfield.

-0-At the airfield

The ships were filling with soldiers, the nonchalance and professionalism of the troops staggeringly impressive to the civilian humans gathered there. The film crews were hard at it recording the event. Soldiers gathered, their gear and weapons in servos. Seekers came to the field and received their assignments from the Master of the Muster.

When Ratchet arrived at a dead run, he paused beside the command group. When the word was given, he ran for Kappa who would be the hospital platform for the battle group.

Drift arrived and halted beside Prime. "The younglings are in shock but they say the 'Cons joined them late in the group. There are very bad elements here, Sensei. Hunter groups, bounty hunters, late recruits in the war. Most of these troops were criminals in the gangs and rackets before they were forced into service.

"They're not going to be easily swayed or defeated. The younglings aren't clear on the number of their families taken but it seems to number about 400-450. The migration gathered the children to a good ship but they weren't allowed to put adults with them. The oldest younglings have been doing all the work, care and flying with the assistance over the radio of the lead ships. They sent the babies off taking that chance because they aren't in a good way."

Prime nodded. It was silently grim for a moment, then Prime looked around. "Autobots," he said, his gaze holding with Starscream. "Let's roll out."

Starscream nodded and with that, the High Command of the Autobot Armed Forces including the Senior Air Commander, the Master of the Armed Forces, the Second-In-Command of the Armed Forces, a former General and Master of the Armed Forces and the last duly chosen Prime of Cybertron turned themselves toward war.

=0=TBC 2012 (10) edited 12-23-18