The Diego Diaries: Function (dd6 4) Well, here we go. Sorry about that.
-0-At the Residence
"That is so cute. Is it new?"
Prowl glanced at Miler. "It is. Ironhide's lady in Vermont did it. We skyped to get everything just right."
Miler nodded. "I'm so sorry that Optimus can't be here, Prowl. How long do you have before you go back or do you have to?"
"I'm going to start the game and hopefully, I can stay for it. It all depends on the situation out there. I might be able to stay but I don't know," Prowl said as he stood with Miracle in his arms. He grinned at his son who grinned back. "Is it time? Is everyone ready?"
Miler nodded. "Let's go shall we?"
Everyone gathered together to leave and did. The door closed behind them.
-0-Out there
Prime waited for word from the crew that was standing on the skin of The Ingot. They were going to board the lead ship while the others went through the process of surrender. He watched them through the forward screen as Springer gathered a crew and ship boarding Seekers to back them up.
Springer walked along the top of the ship as in the near distance Prime's vessel floated. He paused by the top hatch, the one that would drop into the command deck, then turned to the Seekers. :We're going in now. Be ready to slam this ship into the Pit if we call:
They nodded as Drift, Kup, and Hercy moved to stand around the hatch. Springer rapped on it. :This is Springer of the Prime's flight. Open up and let us in. If you make this hard, we're going to chop you to tiny little bits. Any questions?:
:This is Two of Twelve. Our ship is surrendered:
Springer nodded to the others, then pulled the hatch to one side. He looked down, then stepped off the edge. Sliding in, he magnetized to the floor. The others dropped with him. It was bright on the deck which was as remarkably clean and organized as expected. The eight remaining councilors were gathered forward. They stared at the Wreckers without comment. Hercy noting their demeanor decided to nip anything that might happen in the bud. He stepped forward. "You're all under arrest by order of the Prime of Cybertron. Empty out your subspace and be quick about it. You're looking at an exempt mech. If I blew a hole in your helms, no one will convict me. My trigger digit is getting itchy." He pulled out his big old gun and pointed it at them.
They complied.
-0-At the tunnel in the stadium
The crowds fogged in, all of them hyped to the heavens for the game ahead. It was covered from every possible angle by IntraComm for broadcast to any number of places and worlds. The atmosphere was electric as the stands began to acquire the masses. They filled to the maximum and still more came. When it was obvious there could be no more added, the gates were closed. Outside, there were a few arguments and a couple of fights but it settled as everyone turned away hurried to find a place to watch the game. The bars and restaurants would be doing box office business.
The humans had arrived, those who were eligible to come and were in their safe spots. The families of Ironhide and Prime were here and ensconced in the Primal Box. They included an incredulous Cooper-Barnet family et al who were led there by Bos, Co-D, and Reflector. Those three were standing with Sunspot on benches two rows down with a handheld devicew checking out the league. A short trip to the locker rooms was going to happen in a moment as Appa Ratchet and Appa Chan stood ready to take them.
The hoo-hah was tremendous as Prowl stood in the tunnel below holding his son. Soon it would be time for the pre-game show to begin. Alor was there to play the anthems and the Old Army Band was present also. He waved to the little kids, Sunspot and Spot included as they walked past to go to the locker rooms with their appas. In minutes, the show would begin.
-0-Out there
They scanned the ship finding a number of individuals on board. Most of them were of a rare type of transformation and thus, they held a higher level of status than most would. But then, that was how the lie of 'form dictates function' worked. The eight councilors were seething but silent as the ship was turned over, every corner and deck searched. Hercy watched the group with a blasé expression. "What's the story, infant?" he asked as Drift walked back to the command deck.
"They're clear for guns. There's a number of high tones here and a staff of expendables. I suggest we call a transport over to take them and put a pilot on board." Drift looked at the eight silent mechs. "I don't suppose we can expect trouble from the other ships. Right?"
Two of Twelve nodded. "The group is surrendered. I do protest this. Why are we under arrest?" he asked.
Hercy shrugged. "Because you're ugly?"
Two big bruiser Wreckers laughed, then one sprung the side hatch door that normally led to jetways when the ship was on the ground at airports. Outside, a big prison vessel floated, then a yellow beam shot out to touch the Functionalist ship. Gee-Gee and three hulking guards walked over, then stepped inside. "We're here. I understand you have packages for us?" she asked with a grin.
Hercy nodded. "Christmas comes late this year," he said.
She looked at the eight. "Come with me. You belong to me now and if you show me anything but blind obedience, I will have to hurt you. Don't make me hurt you. I'm an ada."
They stared at her, then walked toward the door. They would walk across the energy bridge to the ship to be processed and put into cells. It would take a bit of time to clear the ship, then get a pilot there. In the end, it would be the first one to head back to Mars where its databases and computers would be scanned and sorted for information to what might lay farther down the trail from where they were. No one was looking forward to learning what that might be.
-0-Game
The ground crew carried the keyboard out and the band followed. Walking out together to play the introductory music, the crowd went nuts. Alor sat with a grin, then began to play both the anthems of Cybertron and that of the Primes. Trooper began to sing and so did the crowd. As they did, Prowl walked out a bit, then planted two flags. One was of Cybertron and Mars together and the other was that of the Emblem of the Primes. He walked back, then bent down to Miracle. "Do you remember what to do?" he asked.
Miracle smiled. "I do, Ada."
"Then show them what a good brave mech you are," Prowl said.
Miracle nodded, then walked out of the tunnel toward the two flags. The crowd howled as the baby ambled out. Miracle slowed to look around, then glanced back at Prowl. Prowl nodded encouragement, so Miracle continued. He reached the two flags, pulled them out, then waved them. He was clad in properly insulated clothing, a brand new onsie that was designed to be a perfect rendition of his father's armor and colors. It had been created by Ironhide's seamstress in Vermont on Earth and fit him like a glove. He looked like a carbon copy of his big old dad. He stood in the sunlight waving the two flags, smiling brilliantly at everyone.
The camera lovingly took in the image of the tiny version of Prime standing in for him at the game. He turned to Prowl, then walked back to him with the flags. Prowl picked him up, then walked to the stairs to the box where he would stay as long as he could. It was a great way to fill in for the Prime.
-0-Out there
The ship was cleared out as a team from a science ship descended upon it. Two had come through the Triggers to search for clues that might lead to a rescue somewhere back down the trail by which this group had come. As they began to check the group ship-by-ship, it was clear to everyone there that this was a migration that wasn't representative of their culture nor typical of the type of individual that could be found there. These were highly placed individuals among the Functionalist hierarchy, those with rare transformational abilities and lastly, a large group of mechs that served their needs.
As each ship was cleared, as the probable criminals were sorted from those that were servants, the ship databases, and other information was being scanned for a series of markers that would indicate their content as well as any other data that would let them know where this group had come from and who, what, and where there might be anyone in danger or need. It was a given among them that this would be so. It was only a matter of finding the information.
-0-Game
The first team out of the tunnel was Simfur. The Templars walked proudly out with their banners flying. They walked to the center of the field, planted their flags, then bowed to the Primal Box. When that was accomplished, they did their war dance and battle cry, then lined up to wait for Kaon to come out.
Standing in the tunnel with the dogs, bug, and team, four little mechs with sashes and smiles waited to walk out onto the field. The team looked glorious as they stood with one twin in the lead as team captain and one at the end bringing up the rear. When the call came, they walked out with Sunstreaker carrying their banner. It was almost unbearable the noise of the crowd as they walked out. In the stands, watching with astonished happiness, Bos, Co-d and Reflector's families and friends were hollering as loudly as anyone else.
They walked to the middle, planted their banner, bowed, then did their war dance and cry. It was then that the refs walked out and the teams departed to their positions on the lines. Leading the dogs and a bug, four little mechs followed Kaon to the benches. The cameras lingered on them lovingly as they did. When they reached the sidelines, everyone gathered for the pre-game hut-hut. When they broke, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe led the offense onto the field to receive the toss.
Kaon had the first chance to score.
-0-Out there
They sat around the command deck on the shuttle listening to the techs who had scanned the databases for information about this group's journey. The intel was pointing out that they had originated in a solar system on the other side of the barren that was far enough from the Empire to keep them from being spotted until now but not so far that they couldn't with only some privation make it to Prime. The area that they occupied was still part of the Decepticon dominion. It had not surrendered and much wasn't known about it. This group had flourished there, then left abruptly. They had been there a long enough time to accumulate population. Unfortunately, the group they were dealing with now didn't comprise all that should have been present.
It was deeply foreboding.
"I want their flight plan assembled. I want to know where they started, what they did along the way, and what the circumstances of their life were at their point of origin. I want to find everyone who might not be here and get them to safety," Optimus said grimly.
"They might not be there anymore, Optimus," Hard Drive said grimly. "I've seen two 'recalls' during their rule. They have no problem ending what they consider non-essential personnel, no matter who, nor how many. I shudder to think what we're going to find."
Prime nodded, then all turned to the hatch as it opened. A big mech slid in, then stood on the deck. He turned to Prime, then nodded. "I am here, Optimus Prime," Cyclonus said grimly.
-0-TBC 5-13-17 edited 5-15-17
Notes: The information about the Functionalists is canon and there are great stories about them out there. Their system justified murder and genocide and depended upon everyone believing the same lies about their 'place' in society.