The Diego Diaries: Gambit or Something (dd8 143)
OH CRAP! THIS DIDN'T APPEAR LAST NIGHT! NOW I HAVE IT AND TODAY'S PIECE!
Lucky you. I think. :D
=0=Mars
They walked into the Family Tower lounge to the acclaim of the masses. Individuals from different habitats and N.E.S.T. were there beaming with happiness and relief as the group was swarmed by family and friends. Chaos reigned, then everyone settled.
"I think I'm going to get lost again just for this," Olivia said as she laughed. "What a trip this has been."
"Details," someone in the room said as everyone settled to listen.
"Lonely at the top time, William," Jonathan Lennox said. "Spill."
Will glanced around, then smirked slightly. "Lonely at the top time, my ass."
Huge agreement and laughter greeted that.
=0=There
They waited around the fire pit as now and again another ping hit the datapad. About 20% of the group had signaled that they were desirous to leave. Most of them were among the younger mechs and femmes. It would appear that the local limitations were piling up on them.
"Well, consider how long they've been here. Who can they hook up with? Their cousins?" Sandstorm asked.
Sideswipe grinned. "Don't ask me."
HUGE guff was given to him as Sunstreaker smirked at him. "Dim bulb." He glanced at Prime. "How about we call them to just come? Up the ante for the rest?"
Optimus who was considering that glanced at the datapad laying on Jack's lap. "I would like to see what Reset would do. I will make the call." He opened the transponders to those who were signaling their willingness to leave. :This is Optimus Prime. I am aware that you have signaled a desire to leave. We have a ship in orbit waiting for your colony and several that will carry your possessions as well. They are going to ferry you to safety, then return for more. If you are ready to leave we welcome you to come now. Optimus Prime, out:
It was silent a moment, then Kup stretched out in his chair. "We'll see now."
Prime nodded. "We shall."
=0=A buffet celebration at the Family Tower
They stood in line waiting to pile up their plates. Apparently a lot of nervous cooking had taken place over the few days they were gone, hopefully in anticipation of this moment. Thelma Lennox standing behind her son grinned at him. "We sent a treat in gratitude to the hospital. Jarro and his colleagues."
Will glanced over his shoulder. "You did? What was it?" Will asked his mother.
=0=At the hospital in a conference room
Jarro, Rung and Tenstile, a colleague who was given charge of human psychological health in the colony stared at a tiny tray sitting on the table before them. It was silent, sort of in an awe filled sort of way.
"That's the cutest thing I've ever seen," Tenstile said.
"I agree," Jarro said as he dialed in his optics to get a closer look. A card was on the tray with the 'gift of gratitude' that told what each thing was. He grinned. "I'm going to try this one." He reached down and very gingerly picked up the thing he wanted. He looked it over, then grinned again. "So cute," he said before popping it into his mouth, tin and all.
He chewed it, then swallowed. "Apple pie is so good. I almost barely tasted it, its so small."
"I think I want this one. Its called marionberry pie." He picked up the tiny pie, then popped it in. It was tart for the briefest second, then gone. "That was very intriguing."
There were eight more tiny pies on the tiny tray. They sampled them, admired the tiny note with everyone's signature, then dropped a note back to the children of the Family Tower whose idea this was.
=0=Fam Tower
"Pie."
Sarah nodded. "The kid's idea."
Will Lennox glanced across the big dining room to the table where most of the older children were sitting together as they ate. He grinned. "Then pie it is." He glanced at his mom. "Is there any left?"
Thelma pointed to a counter by the huge fridges. Pies lined the counter along with cakes, cookies and other confections. "Bingo."
It would be a delightful dinner at the tower.
Sitting nearby with friends, Rick Harris ate dinner with his father in attendance. It would be the first time any of those present saw an authentic emotion on the elder Harris's face. He was sick, just sick with relief.
=0=There
A number of individuals made their way to the camp where Prime was waiting. He stood by the fire pit watching as the mostly young group of mechs and two femmes shared sharp words with the guards before pushing past to continue. When they saw Prime they slowed a moment, then squared their shoulders to continue. Pausing before him, it was silent a moment.
"We're here," a mech said almost defiantly. "What now?"
"I would like to ask you some questions so that I can help the others make their decision. Why are you coming?" Optimus asked.
"We don't have a future here. This place is land locked. We can't grow any further and we're practically all related. We never see anyone we didn't grow up with. There's nothing to do here but maintain the colony. We're stuck," a young femme said as the others nodded in agreement.
"What about the others? Are they aware you want to leave? Will they do so peacefully? I do not want any violence here," Prime said.
"They know," a mech said. "No one is happy but no one believes you can get us off here. They think we're stuck and you're either lying or delusional. As for the moment they realize that's not true, I don't know what they'll do." He then looked wary. "This is true, right? We're going?"
Prime nodded. "Yes."
"We love our families. We wouldn't leave them if you weren't going to end this colony. We won't be separated. Right?" another mech asked.
"No. We work hard to keep families together," Magnus said. "It's highly probable that you will find other family and friends in the database for both Mars, Cybertron and the Empire."
"We want to have another future, Prime," another mech said. "None of us have one here. But the families might not want to leave. This place sort of holds you back."
The others nodded.
"It's the hive mind and their energy generated," Ratchet said. "You're being compelled by their happiness and well being to stay here. Its sort of overcome you by exposure."
The kids stared at him, then each other.
"It makes sense. Is it permanent?" the first femme asked.
Ratchet shook his helm. "No. It'll fade."
They stared at Prime, then glanced around.
"This feels weird." A young mech stepped closer to another. "We don't know anywhere else. The videos are true, right?"
"They are, kid," Magnus said. "I'm the director of the colony. All of the videos are true. We welcome our lost people and will help you get your life going there. All you have to do is obey the few big rules, especially about The System and take the time to get yourself together. Its going to be a different world but a good one. Everyone there is a refugee, too."
"Okay," he said. "I think we need to go."
Magnus glanced at Lissie. "Maybe you can help here, Lissie."
Lissie stepped forward, an elegant beautiful femme with the tattoos that spoke of her life and commitment to The People. "Come with me, infants. We have a ship where you can wait. When its full, if more come, then we'll take you to Mars. We want everyone to have a chance to go and everyone to be able to take with them what they want. Do you have dead here?"
"No, Abba," a mech said.
The others nodded.
"Well, that's a good thing then," Lissie said with a smile. "Come with me." She walked to a shuttle and they followed. When they were inside the shuttle lifted off and began to rise into the sky. It was gone in seconds.
Prime watched, then turned toward the sound of a ruckus. He saw Reset and a couple of familiar cohorts arguing with an Autobot guard, then march toward him with anger and fury. He waited until they reached him, gazing at them impassively as they gathered in from of him. "Gentlemen."
"We want those kids back, Prime. Bring them back," Reset said.
"They chose to leave on their own accord. They looked at least sub adult to me and therefore of the age of consent," Prime replied.
"No one is leaving here," Reset said. "We didn't ask you to come. Leave us."
"No one is going to stay here, Reset," Prime said. "The planet has the right to define itself and its future. You and this colony are intruders. It is time to pack up and come with us. I have asked your people to come now. Do not try to stop them. You do not have the right."
"I do," Reset said. "I lead this colony. They don't have permission to leave here."
"No one needs it from you or anyone else, Reset," Magnus said. "Everyone has the right to their own autonomy. You can't take that from them. This planet is getting ready to kick your sorry afts. You better call it a day and come."
"We're not going anywhere. Bring the kids back, Prime," Reset said.
"Or what?" Jack asked. He stepped closer to Reset, towering over him with implied menace. "What do you plan to do?"
"We're going to fight you, Prime," he said.
"Then I think we're done with you, Reset. You aren't being an asset," Magnus said as he gripped Reset's arm and slapped energon cuffs on his wrists. It happened so fast that he didn't react until he raised his servos and they glowed from the restraints.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" he demanded.
Before anyone could say anything the other two mechs with him were cuffed. They stared at Prime and the others with astonishment.
"You're obstructing the evacuation of a colony from a dangerous situation. The dominant life form has made it clear that we have to go and you're preventing that. You're under arrest and will be held pending a hearing in this matter. Sandstorm, take them to the shuttle and magnetize them in place," Magnus said.
Sandstorm grinned as he grabbed an arm. "Come along. Be nice."
Two others gripped the remaining and with Reset glaring at Prime, the group was removed.
When they were gone, Magnus turned to Prime. "What would you like to do now, Prime?"
"I think another call is in order," Optimus said as he gathered his thoughts. :I want everyone's attention please. This is Optimus Prime:
=0=Around the area
All of the adults and sub adults froze in place. He was back. They listened with dread and some amount of fury.
=0=Prime
:I have taken into custody Reset and two of his advisors who were trying to interfere with the free will efforts of some of the colonists here to leave. A number have of their own volition decided to leave the colony which is the right and safe thing to do. Reset and his colleagues came to dispute their free will decision and were taken into custody to prevent them from intimidating any of you.
:There is no solution to be made about any of you staying here. The guardian of the species living here has specifically asked that you leave. The other group has left and is on Mars now. The small group that wants to leave is already being settled on ships for the journey. I am asking you to come to the only conclusion left open to you and pick up to leave. We will take with us anything that you wish to require no matter what amount it will be. We are also aware that there are no dead to retrieve as well. If that is not true let us know and we will accommodate you.
"We can do this with guns and discord or we can do it because its the right thing to do. I will be expecting you to ping us in regard to this and we will dispatch soldiers and specially trained civilians to help you gather up to go. Understand me when I tell you that you cannot stay here. Ping me now if you understand and agree:
Prime waited. It was very silent and still. It seemed like the planet was waiting as well.
=0=TBC 4-21-2021 04-21-2021 Happy Earth Day, Gaia.