The Diego Diaries: Function Over Form (dd6 16)
-0-Ops Center Conference Room, The Fortress, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
Prime sat at the head of the huge table in his accustomed place. He looked drained but composed. The others began to fill the room, taking seats, standing along the wall or in the doorway. Civilians came, some sent for and joined the soldiers before the door was closed. Gee-Gee was the last to arrive. It was silent a moment, then Prime spoke. "I want your word on the Matrix that what we discuss here will not be disclosed to anyone."
Everyone murmured assent, then it was silent again. Prime sat back, stared around the room, then began. "For those of you not there, we encountered a group that included the Functionalist Council. We tracked backward to their settlements in the Benzuli, most correctly in the forbidden 221-B sector. We went there and encountered a confederation of alien races that have resided in the region for eons, using the Functionalist settlements for arms and other technology. They opposed vigorously our presence.
"We visited the settlements and found that everyone there, child, elder, baby, and adult was dead. They were murdered. For those of you who do not know the history of the Functionalist Council and their dominion over the Empire during the Functionalist Oppression that led to civil war, they believed that your form determined your function. Once that was codified through the Grand Cybertronian Taxonomy, there was no other life for you than that determined by your format.
"Once you were no longer useful you were terminated in what they euphemistically referred to as 'recall'. Microchips in your processor were detonated and you died. That is what happened to our people in the settlements. Prowl … what was the final figure?"
Prowl unsubbed a datapad, then studied the figure. He looked at Prime, then the others. "The final total as determined by the data was 507,207 individuals."
It was as funereal in the room at that announcement as anything that had ever been disclosed here. Neo half rose from her chair. "Oh, no," she said in a tight agonized voice. She sat down again and took Barron's servo. That worthy looked ready to cry. "What do we do, Optimus? Tell us what to do and we will," she said as Barron nodded.
Prime stared at the tabletop, then sat forward leaning on his elbows. "We were in discussion with the aliens there but it was to no avail. They told us that they hated our species, that we were trouble and they wanted us gone. I believe it was more about getting and keeping our tech than anything related to personal scruples. We were given a choice. Fight or leave. There is never going to be a circumstance where we would leave our people dead or alive to be pillaged for technology by a hostile force."
The group listened to Prime in shock and horror. The idea of one of their own killing a half million innocents including children was still circulating through their systems. It wasn't like they weren't used to hearing of horrors. They were, after all, refugees from a calamitous civil war. But this was a calculated cold-blooded act of mass murder and it jolted in spite of their own experiences.
"I had to make a choice. Given that they also had access via trade with the colony to our technology, it was determined that we would be facing ships that were enhanced up to 67% with Cybertronian tech. That would mean the fight that would commence would be steep in price for us even if the ultimate outcome wasn't in doubt. Therefore, I made the decision to retreat. I sent the bulk of the fleet through the bridges, then asked the Supremes and Tennyson to unload every missile they had into both of the planets where our people lay dead.
"When we retreated in full, the planets were coming apart at the seams. There is no possibility for the alien forces to recover anything from the scope of the explosions," Prowl said.
It was silent, then Prime sat back in his chair. His focus remained on the tabletop. "It was the only solution to me that was acceptable. Had our people been alive, I would have fought for every one of them with everything we have. They were not. It was a question of giving lives to recover the dead. It was not an equal exchange to me. I did what I felt was best to resolve the situation." He looked around the room. "I am asking for your honest and open commentary. I need your honest assessments."
Ironhide who was watching Prime's anguish felt it himself. "There was nothing we could do to bring them back. We couldn't leave them, Prime. They would have smelted everyone down. The fact that they didn't allow us to stay and take back what was ours tells me all I need to know about their motivations. They wanted free unfettered access to the tech and hid it in anger about our presence. I would rather they were blown to bits than left to the smelting pit. You did the right and only thing available short of war." Ironhide sat back. "You know I like to fight but this … it was the only real thing to do. Don't second guess yourself."
"Optimus … what does the Matrix say?" Neo asked.
Optimus looked at her. "It is silent."
"You said once before that you saw them, the dead," Ratchet said. "You saw them come and go from an ocean. What does that mean, Optimus?" Ratchet asked.
Prime considered that. "I saw them in one of the first Festivals, during the dream time. They were walking out of an ocean that I now understand to be the Matrix itself. I saw them, every face. They looked at me as they passed but I could see every face. Then they walked back entering the sea. One of them paused before me during this vision on board ship when we took the Functionalists into custody and they said, 'You are too late'. I knew then that we were going to a graveyard."
"Then it was foretold," Ratchet said as Prime nodded. "We did what we had to do. You had the honor of helping them not be desiccrated. It was a merciful act that you did, ending their further injury. They were killed by sparkless monsters and were going to be pillaged by the same. You were never supposed to save them but you were meant to protect them in death."
Chevron nodded. "Lord Optimus, I know that because you are a good mech that you feel terrible about this last act of compassion. I know that you don't feel it is was merciful. But I assure you … you protected them in death against further injury and prevented a civilization from getting more of our technology and thereby, bringing their coldness forward against others. Any group that would deny another the right to take care of their dead is not averse to making more."
Heatout who was standing by the door nodded. "Lord Optimus … you had a no-win situation before you. You could have chosen war but to what end? Our people were already gone. They can feel no more pain again. But we can. All of us. You prevented that and you feel the burden. I for one applaud your courage. I wish we could have attended to them but it would have come at a terrible price and who could say if in the end we would have been able to do so anyway? Don't be despairing. If this was not part of the way of things, the Matrix would have weighed in."
Prime considered their words, then sat forward again to lean on his elbows. "I have become aware that all things have spirit energy. We know from our travels and contacts with others that the most unlikely things are sentient, alive and aware. Moving Caminus wasn't just an act of utility. It was an act of compassion. During a vision, I met Caminus. I also met the star that went nova. They have spirits … sparks. The star was leaving but he didn't want to destroy Caminus. We were sent to save her. Both of the planets we destroyed had spirits and awareness. That was the price paid for my decision."
No one spoke as they digested that information, then Ironhide leaned forward. "I blew up a planet once. Wherever you go to pay for that, I'm coming with you."
Prime stared at Ironhide, then a tiny grin formed on his handsome face. "I would welcome the company."
"I think you're both premature. Consider that things are laid out in our lives that we do as we go. At every event and juncture we have free will about how to approach that moment and which direction to go. If that's so, then both planets were aware that this would happen and nothing is a surprise," Ratchet said. "I'm no religious expert but it's rather common ideology throughout the species I've run into that this happens. We can't make it different. You did the right thing. The idea of war again makes me want to crawl under my berth. If our people were alive, we would be there. But they weren't and now they get to be part of the bigger universe. Their molecules someday will form into something beautiful and they will live again. Same with the planets. Don't punish yourself, Optimus, for what you chose to do. I would have done the same thing."
"Ratchet is right, Optimus," Hard Drive said. "I remember the Functionalist Oppression. I remember the endless 'recalls' and the tyranny. Leave the burden of crime on the shoulders of those who committed it. You were left to figure out what to do. They were the ones who violated the Tyrest Treaties, who committed genocide and who carry the blame. Not you. Not me. Not anyone else."
"Prime," Cyclonus said. "They bear the burden. That is part of what the Guiding Hand teaches, accepting personal responsibility. They have the blame and they have to pay the price for it. We had to clean up the mess they started which began the first time they traded our tech."
Prime glanced at Cyclonus. "I am concerned for the Clavis Aurea because of this."
Cyclonus nodded. "I am too. I am afraid that they will be conflated with us. They aren't us and never were. They're extremists who have no spark."
"We will work together to make sure that is understood, Lord Optimus," Lauren said. "We are going to do major outreach about this with the hope that our people understand and rise to the moment. Lord Cyclonus has already reached out to us for assistance which we return with great respect and gratitude."
Prime nodded. "I am glad. We never had religious strife before. Our theologies grew out of the sparks of our people and experiences. I do not want it now. More than ever, we must be unified."
"What about the Confederation, Prime?" Raptor asked. "What do you think should be done about them?"
"They are far from here but not that far given good tech from Cybertron. We have another impetus to move Cybertron and the local planetary system. In fact, I want all of our sovereign worlds moved to greater safety. They wanted our tech and were ready to go to war for it with a stronger more war-capable species thanks to what they were given already. They were not afraid to do that. We have thwarted them once. We may see them again," Prime said. He rubbed his face with his servos. "Right now, I have to tell our people. They have a right to know and I do not want gossip and rumor to rise and perhaps create divisions. I am very worried about religious strife."
Chevron nodded. "We are prepared to help in any way we can." Cyclonus nodded as well.
Prime nodded. "We have to tell them and then see what happens. I intend to explain the differences and I would suggest that there be an attempt by the Temple and Monastery to educate the populace both here and on Cybertron about the differences between what is doctrine and what isn't between the Functionalists and the Clavis Aurea. I will assist where I can but I fear that it's up to both of you," he said glancing from the Temple priest, Cyclonus, and Heatout.
"We will do our best, Prime," Heatout said with a respectful nod.
"Then I have to make the announcement," Prime said tiredly. He rose and so did everyone else.
"We're coming with you, Optimus," Neo said with emotion. "Let us support you. Let them see us do that."
Prowl glanced around the room as everyone nodded. "Then we better get to IntraCom. The fleet is in and rumors will be flying."
With that, everyone walked out the door to cut across the Military Airfield and its whirlwind of activity toward IntraComm near the N.E.S.T. HQ. Following at a discreet distance, the humans blazed along as well.
-0-TBC 5-25-17 edited 6-2-17