The Diego Diaries: Function Over Form (dd6 8)
-0-Around the place
"That was the best game I ever saw anywhere," Robert Epps said as he lounged in a chair with his daughter on his lap. He was having a post game beer while the food was being placed out. He would wait until the line thinned before getting his.
Glenn Morshower sat down on a couch across from him with his beer and heaping plate. "I agree. I never saw a game on Earth that exciting. 9-8. What a score. The defenses were scary good."
Will Lennox sitting nearby on the phone to Ops Center glanced at him with a nod. "I agree," he said as he waited. Then someone came on the line and he turned his attention to the call. He was trying to find out what the armada was for that lifted off as the game ended. They filled the skies, all of the Supremes, half a dozen battleships, a good dozen cruisers and every battle shuttle it seemed that was in the Prime's Flight. Hospital ships lifted off as well, enough activity to halt the festivities on the ground a moment to watch them disappear into the sky.
It was also silent at that moment as everyone turned in with personal internal transponders to the Emergency Command Center in Fort Max. A recorded message greeted them. "As of 1700 hours on the TMC Martian Local Time, we have the following bulletin to report. A migration approaching the Primal Sphere of Influence from the direction that would prompt them crossing territory currently held by Razorclaw and his group was intercepted by a Seeker flight and halted far enough away to not draw immediate attention from the Decepticons.
"The Prime is leading a battle group to that location to rescue the newcomers and show the flag to the Decepticons. It was an overwhelming response sent to send a message to Razorclaw that anyone seeking sanctuary on Mars would have it and anyone who wanted to dispute that would pay a price. The Prime is in the rescue and when he finds it in good order, he will return to give an update. Until then, all is well in hand. Any further questions should be directed to the Office of the Primes or the Office of Strategic Communications at The Fortress. No information about who is in the migration is known at this moment. That information will be released through the Bureau of Refugees and the Department of Refugee Affairs in the Immigration Bureau. Until then, consider the matter under control and safely taken to task. Updates will be provided as received."
Lennox listened to Sparkman, an assistant to Jazz who was in charge of all matters of communication involving the safety and strategic well-being of Mars and the Empire. He along with the femmes in partnership with Elita handled all communications and intel involving unfolding happenstances, military prospects, or nefarious situations involving the security of the Empire. He was the contact the humans used to get the straight story. He listened, thanked Sparkman, then hung up. Glancing at the others, he rose to get his food. "There's something bad going on. Prime took a big flight for a reason."
"What did they tell you?" Cynthia Tomas asked as she sat beside the Italian consul with her dinner and drink.
"They said what they said on the emergency message," Lennox said as he opened a beer. "It's what they didn't tell me that tells the story."
It was silent a moment, then Judy Witwicky sitting with friends at a table nearby turned to them. "I hope he kicks their ass."
-0-Coming out of a theater at Earth 1
They walked out laughing and applauding. The game was killer and they were stoked. They normally would watch it in the big human set aside box at the stadium but the blur of sand outside hadn't settled and it would take at least one more day of disruption before the air could begin to clear. Apparently, the only thing left was bringing in the antennas and work involving bits and pieces of the exterior. Most of the construction now would be inside.
Owen Harris walked with the inmates toward the kitchen and lounge. After a game, a celebration was had. That Kaon had won was a huge deal here. Most of the humans knew Kaon's players best since the twins often were here delivering things or assisting the school. Sunstreaker who was vice president of the Unified District School Board was often asked to watch this and that child thing or to consult on this or that educational thing. He always came, was immaculate in his conduct and very gentle with the kids. The kids LOVED him and so did the staff of the school. They never failed to achieve their goals with Sunstreaker on their side.
That they were gods on the pitch was also in their favor.
They entered the kitchen area, dishes and drinks laid out buffet style, then several hundred humans and their few Earth2 guests began to make their way through it. The food was mountainous, drinks were cold and/or hot to please and desserts beckoned. The kids were fed first, then elders, then everyone else. They had unconsciously picked up on the habits of the bots who attended to their families in the same order for the most part.
When they were served, the residents drifted to tables or the huge lounge. Kids were gathered at four tables to eat and laugh as they chatted about how they would play for a Cybertronian team some day themselves. Owen Harris sipped his beer, then took a bite of prime rib. "This is delicious. You don't have a designated cooking crew?"
"No," Brandon Clark said. "We have a schedule for cooking and some of us put ourselves on it more than usual. Some of us like to cook and some of the visitors or resident family like to do the same. We never have to cook too much and some of us have been excused." He grinned at two men sitting nearby who grinned back as the room unloaded on their lack of culinary skills.
"What do you suppose Prime is really doing?" Harris ventured. "That was a huge group that left."
Brandon considered that then spoke for the group. "They guard the newcomers. They also fend off threats. We were never alone in the universe at any point in our evolution, Owen. Plenty of species live out there and most have tech that surpasses us. However, most of them are peaceful, have known about us and left us alone all this time. They even have a council I'm told that makes sure of it. They work to keep emergent species like us isolated and safe to reach our full potential, or not, without interference. For me, I only have gratitude. When Prime feels the need to tell us, he does. The army and air wing go out every day to patrol and they have deep space sensor capabilities. We live in a military society and one that protects us every day. You can't go five feet without running into a veteran, a Home Guardsman, or an active duty soldier.
"This is the most militarized society I've ever seen but they aren't ..." Brandon paused. "They're militarized but they aren't martial. They're trained and combat veterans of long standing. Most of them have fought, some for eons. But they aren't hardcore about it. They live their lives, they have fun, they do what they want but when the call comes, they grab their gear and head out. No fear, no hesitation. You asked me once what I loved about them," Brandon said as everyone paused to listen around the huge room.
Harris nodded. "Yes?"
"What I love about them is everything," Clark said with a grin.
The room burst into applause.
-0-In a nice restaurant having lunch after the game
They pushed tables together, then sat, interspersing themselves among the newcomers. Ratchet's ammas and appas, his genitors with Prowl and Prime's as well had gathered Co-D, Bos, and Reflector's families and friends, a group of about 30 together to have the post game brunch. Joining them to the delight of everyone there were the twins and Bluestreak. The families were delighted with the idea of real celebrities sitting with them as well as the family of an actual Prime. There were famous artisans here as well. Ravel and Tie Down chatted with Alise and Topper about common interests from back in the orn.
Miler and Kestrel were discussing club life in the colony with the genitors and friends of Bos and Co-D as they ordered, then waited for food to come. The children were delighted and sat together in a row with a handheld to discuss the statistics of the game. Timber, Micah, and Cooper were in conversation with the twins over this and that aspect of the game as they inquired how they might play themselves. They had played in the 'shadow league' as the local football circuit was called, the one that was played for fun by those who never had a chance to step up into the rarified heights of 'real football'. The twins could relate. The twins would help them join the draft and hopefully, they would be chosen for a team. Given that the league would be expanded to include Cybertron, the odds of making a team were better.
Their food was brought over and settled among the children. Alise turned to Docker. "I wish Ironhide and his family along with Ratchet could be here. This has been a wonderful orn. I cannot thank you enough. We got to sit in the Prime's box." She smiled brilliantly.
"You will next time as well, Alise," Venture said. "The children are coaches for Kaon. They're also part and parcel of our extended family. That now includes you."
They stared at him a moment, then each other. Alise smiled. "I think I like this place better and better every orn." There would be no disagreement among the group.
-0-Out there
They came out of the bridges after what seemed like hours. Gliding forward with every gun they had pointing outward, Prime turned toward the sensor station. They had transferred to Xantium who had self-designed to be as bad ass technically internally as he was physically bad ass externally. "Whirl, have the Supremes link sensors to scan ahead. I want to know if we are alone."
Whirl nodded, then worked silently. One could hear the soft buzz of machines spinning data or talking to each other on the deck. After a moment, Whirl turned toward Prime. "We aren't alone, Optimus."
-0-On the ground at City A-3
They came in with great care, unwilling to expose themselves to the superior tech and hardcore cold-bloodedness of their erstwhile allies. They had tried to contact them for some time but there was no reply. The only messaging was the automated signals that indicated a presence of a strong warlike civilization that was not above shooting first and asking questions later.
They flew in scanning widely, utilizing the tech that they had accumulated over the eons. They had devised some things themselves using the new stuff for a template but they weren't completely in the same league as the metallics. Those creatures knew how to devise machinery. They had flown in, then entered the atmosphere. It was quiet and lifeless below. The automated machinery was still working but there was no one on the streets or about. That was unnerving.
They flew to the airfield, then landed. Exiting with weapons, they walked to the nearby control center to try to find answers. When they entered, they found no one. Taking a moment to figure out what to do, they continued onward toward the sprawling town that made up this, the tech and flight center of the society they were allied with for safety and trade. The group continued down the street that led to the business section of town, then paused before a single family size house. Glancing at each other, gathering their courage around the unnerving sights around them, they walked to the door. Rapping on it, they listened but there was no response. Gently pressing the door open, they walked inside.
Laying on the ground, sprawling on the floor or furnishings, everyone who lived here was still and silent. There was no registering of energy on the meters they carried, ones that told them where the strange creatures could be found. Everyone in the room appeared to be dead and lifeless. They checked out the house, found no more dead, then moved onward. No matter where they went, they found the dead. All of the dead were home. None of them were in the businesses or on the streets. It was unnerving and terrifying to the group as they continued onward in their searching.
-0-Prime
He sat on the command chair considering his options. "What can you tell me about the outsiders?"
"They have Cybertronian-style ships and weapons. They appear to be organic though they're bigger and tougher than humans. They aren't carbon based, they're intelligent and their communication between ships is unreadable. I have the translators working on it," Blaster said.
"Can you open a channel to their ships?" Prime asked.
Blaster nodded, then made it so. "You're go, Prime."
Optimus thought a moment, then turned directly to the screen before him. On others around the room, the commanders of the other vessels watched and listened grimly. "Unknown aliens, this is Optimus Prime. I am the leader and commander of the colonies that you are currently occupying. Address me and explain your intentions. Do so now." He waited, then a blitz of sound was returned. None of it was understandable.
"I'm working on it, Prime," Blaster said.
Prime nodded. "How big is their fleet? What is their threat level?"
Prowl studied a moment, then turned to Prime. "They have a number of well-armed ships. We have to believe that they have our tech and capabilities. They have our speed, our shielding, our weapons, and possibly our durability in a conflict. I am unclear more than that given the tech signatures I'm getting from sensors."
Prime nodded. "Commander Hercy, Kup, and Springer. Take your ships in and give them a flyby. If they shoot, shoot back. I want to test them and I want a clue to their presence. If they came here to pillage, I will not allow it. If they want to fight, we will fight. They must shoot first."
"On it, Prime," Hercy said as the others agreed. In seconds, three brutally armed, fully manned Wrecker battle shuttles flew out of the armada heading for one of four formerly inhabited colony world planets in the dominion of the Prime of Cybertron.
-0-TBC 5-17-17 edited 5-18-17