The Diego Diaries: Function Over Form (dd6 18)
-0-All over the Cybertronian world
Everywhere that had a monitor or speaker, Cybertronians in Prime's sphere of influence paused to listen. The cultured voice of their Prime spoke to them from the Primal Colony of Mars far away …
"I am Optimus Prime," he said with a serious tone and expression. "I am here tonight to discuss events of the past two orns that relate to all of us in the most profound manner. A refugee group crossing space that would have taken them through a quarantine sector currently containing a Decepticon battle group was intercepted. After a discussion and search of the ships in question, information about four colony worlds in the prohibited sector of 221-B near the Benzuli Expansion that related to the refugees was determined to exist.
"Given that the refugee group intercepted contained only 4,500 individuals and the entire settlement group numbered over 500,000, we determined to go there and find them for rescue. The battle group with me transported directly via Trigger to the scene only to find that local area aliens, a massive multi-species confederation was already there.
"We began discussions to allow us access to these settlements during which time scout ships were dispatched to find out the situation on the ground. I, myself, went as well while in space the alien fleet gathered to erect an energy sphere to hem us in. After a quick search of the settlement that was headquarters to the colony, we were unable to find anyone there that was still alive. Everywhere we went we found the dead.
"I dispatched search teams to all four of the planets in the settlement only to find that everyone who lived there was called back to their homes. Two planets with shops and industry were silent and empty. On the two worlds where our people lived, they were gathered in their homes. All of them were safely in their dwellings, called to go there by the colonial leadership for a 'drill'.
"It was there that they died. After an examination, CMO Ratchet determined that detonation chips in their processors were responsible for the deaths. Once they were in their homes, someone or someones sent a signal that activated the chips. Death was instantaneous and no one suffered." Prime paused a moment to let the words sink in.
"It was at this point that the situation between us and the alien fleet escalated. I called for and received the secondary fleet who combined with us to form a defensive configuration in the middle of the energy fence. We pulsed an energon blast that took it down, then I made another attempt to ask for permission to attend to the dead. I was denied then and every time subsequent.
"It is customary in almost every culture I have seen in my wanderings with few exceptions for the dead to be allowed to be retrieved by their fellows. They disallowed that here. I believe it was because they saw an opportunity to overtake the colony and retrieve the technology that was left there intact including that of our citizens. It would not be the first time that we have dealt with aliens who would take our dead and abuse them for their technology.
"When it became clear to me that there would be no retrieval without war I had to weigh the consequences of proceeding into battle. The colony had traded our technology with the aliens surrounding us, thereby making it possible that if we engaged them there would be greater casualties than usual. Few are our equal in combat but it was determined that the ships and weapons systems facing us were as much as 67% Cybertronian. The colony disseminated our technology in violation of the Tyrest Treaties making it completely possible and probable that a combat situation there would have been highly damaging to our soldiers and ships.
"When they denied my final request, I made a decision, then sent the bulk of the fleet back through the space bridges to Mars. When it was time for the Supreme vessels, the dreadnoughts and Tennyson to leave, I commanded them to unload every missile each vessel carried into the two worlds where our people had lived. We had already destroyed the tech on the other two industrialized planets and we had to do the same on the habitation worlds.
"I wanted nothing left for them to take and abuse. The missiles were launched and we began to leave. Tennyson who teleported last reported that the two planets were destroyed completely. The entire population on both worlds were as well. They will not be gathered up by those who do not view them as worthy to be taken apart for their technology.
"I have done a great many things as Prime and leader of the Autobot faction that have torn at my spark but there is nothing in my life that matches what I feel having come to this decision. It was my duty to protect our people and keep them safe. Since it was appearing that to do so directly would result in war and an unknown but high probability of casualties, the only course of action I could devise was to deprive the enemy of access to them.
"I take full responsibility for that action and will bear it on my spark forever." He paused a moment, then continued. "If there had been a way to retrieve them, to give them the dignity of a fitting burial I would have. Had they been alive we would have fought to the last mech and femme for their safety and return to us. It was not to be. There were over 507,000 mechs, femmes, elders, children, and babies there. There are no words to express the tragedy that has happened nor the sorrows that plague all of us that were there to see the silence and the death. We searched in desperation to find even one individual alive but it was not to be.
"We were able to retrieve the databases on-world so that we can at least know their names. We can see pictures of them and remember them forever. I declare three decaorns of solemn remembrance for them. We will hold solemn services in the Basilica, Temple, and Monastery at the end of that period. We will be going through the data and will update the refugee lists in a special folder so that those of you who might know or have a loved one among them will understand at last what happened after all these endless vorns.
"Those who are responsible are in custody and will face a Primal Tribunal. The offense is so acute that anything less will be insufficient to hear the case. That brings me to another part of this situation that grieves me deeply. In our history, the specter of religious strife has never existed. We are one and even though there are numerous major and minor practices, philosophies, and approaches, we have always been one. The One and Primus are our shared heritage.
"Those who did this are called the Functionalist Council. They practice an extreme and very despicable belief that has among its doctrines features of the Guiding Hand. Master Cyclonus and Lord Lauren have expressed concern that the Clavis Aurea will be blamed for this given that they are followers of the Guiding Hand. There are also major features of the Guiding Hand in the practices and philosophy of the Circle of Light and Knights of Cybertron as well.
"We are very concerned that the Clavis Aurea and Circle of Light will be given some of the blame for these actions when Functionalism is very different with most of its major doctrines at fundamental odds with the Clavis Aurea. Neither group has had good relations prior to this and they do not now. Neither side found common ground with the other, finding in their differences enough dissonance as to become two different things. What I do not want to see is religious strife and blaming to become part of our new life. We never had it before and I do not want it now.
"We are one. We are all the Children of Primus. We come from the Matrix and when we leave this world, we go back to it. We do not have to wonder about that. Our Pantheon, The One and Primus Himself come to us and give to us Their love and protection in person. Myself as the bearer of the Matrix attest to that truth. Under no circumstances would any of them condone or support actions like this. In the past, the Functionalist Council used to rule Cybertron in a brutal manner but were overthrown by The People in a civil war. They applied many of the same techniques and ideas of the Quintessans who were defeated before them and sowed the seeds of the System of Exception that followed. The Functionalist Council represents a perversion of beliefs that were utilized to sustain a criminal organization that wanted control of our people and our world.
"We have come through many hard and dark times. We have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of our own conflagrations to create peace, equality, opportunity, and prosperity for ourselves and our children. We cannot go backward. We cannot become a vigilante society nor can we hold those who are blameless responsible for this event. Those who did this are in custody and will face consequences. Until then, let us remember those taken from us with love. Let us come together even closer to live the life they will never have. Let us become what we believe we are, the society we want to be for their sake. If we do less not only do we shame their memory but we give power to those who killed them by becoming them.
"I wish there were words of comfort to give to you, my people, to help you with this terrible news. I wish there had been a different outcome. There was no other path that had any hope of resolution beyond that which I followed. I wish you comfort and peace. I wish you love in your new lives and hope that this is the last catastrophic horror that we ever have to bear together. Now, we must live two lives … one for ourselves and one for them.
"The Temple and Monastery are open to all who need assistance. The Halls of Order are open as well. All counseling centers have offered their services around the clock to those who need them. There is no shame in seeking a helping hand in a moment of great grief. I declare a period of state mourning for the next ten orns. Know that you are necessary and greatly loved by me and all who work so hard to ensure that your life is safe and fulfilled.
"I have no other words to say to you tonight but that of our creed, the soul, and heart of Primus … Until are are one. Good night, Mars, Cybertron, Gliese, all of our forward bases, the inner planets of the Empire and all the other places where our people live. Remember … you are loved. Until all are one."
The screen changed to the Emblem of the Primes.
-0-Hobbes
They stared at the screen in shock and astonishment. Then Edict began to cry. Hobbes who was shocked put his arm around Edict's shoulders. It took all his strength not to join Edict.
-0-At RTR Tools
They sat together crying for all the suffering of all their people in all the places where they lived and died. There was intense grief in the workroom as they sat together wailing their lament. It was a good thing that the kids were in the Military Day Care at that moment waiting for Trooper and Scout to get them.
-0-A doctor, his bond, and new baby in an apartment
"I was there, Serius. I was there and I didn't know. No one told us," he said as he sat with his arms around his bond.
"They didn't tell you," Serius said between his tears, "because it was too awful, Makko. This is so terrible."
Makko stared at the screen in disbelief. There were pictures of Cybertron in good times on it, shifting from one to the next in homage to the moment. "Serius," he whispered. "How could they do such a thing?"
-0-In a bar
Barricade glanced at Scorponok who was showing surprise on his face. "What a bunch of fraggers. I think they should let us have them and get it over with," he said.
The guards who were equally stunned and appalled glanced at each other. "Finally, they say something we can agree with."
-0-At a teen club
They stared at the monitors with all the other kids and the adults who ran the place. Tru reached for Fireball's servo. "I don't know what to say," he said in a whisper. "I want to see Ada and Atar. We have to go home. Let's go home," he said with a rising sense of agonized pain.
The group stood and headed out. Nine went to Autobot City and their home and the others went to where they lived. The teen club cleared out in seconds.
-0-Tyro
The door opened as Bulkhead entered. He paused at the sight of Tyro transfixed by the monitor nearby, the one showing rotating images of Cybertron before the war. "Ty? Are you okay?" he asked as he stepped closer.
Tyro looked at him with a dazed expression. "No. I don't know ..." He put the plans in his servos on the drafting table next to him. "I'm Clavis Aurea, Bulk. We don't … we don't believe what the Functionalists believe. We were never part of that. They're … they're terrorists." He turned toward Bulkhead. "You don't think that I believed what they believe do you? I would never … ever ..." Tyro burst into tears.
Bulkhead pulled his bond into a bear hug. On the floor in the playpen, their children began to cry too.
-0-Roto
They sat in stunned silence as the images of their homeworld began to appear on the screen. Glancing at each other, they were without words for a moment. Then Roto stood. "I have to go to Terradive. I have to go there."
"Go, Roto," Herling said. "I think … we can hold off on this until tomorrow. I think … just go. Everyone. It will be okay."
"Will it?" another asked with a shocked tone. "I thought it might coming here to live but it follows us, the horror. Will it ever be okay?" the young mech asked before beginning to cry.
Herling pulled the youngster into his arms as he nodded to Roto. Roto wavered, then hurried out. He would take a train to Centurion, a car filled with silent stunned civilians and soldiers before getting to the street level. He would run all the way to the school which had let out earlier, take an elevator upward, then rush to Terri's classroom. He would be standing in front of a monitor in shock, then turn to Roto. They would stand together in an embrace for a long time.
-0-Kes and Tagg
They made it home through a stunned crowd that stood about on the sidewalks of the street talking in whispers. Weaving through the mobs of Cybertronians coming together to find comfort and some sense of the senseless, Tagg maneuvered Kestrel to the door of the Tower, then upward to their apartment. They would sit and watch the monitor, cry together and wait for their son to come. They wouldn't call for him to come. He had other things to do that were important.
-0-Olivia Bowers
She stood next to the book shelves in a stunned devastation of emotion. The staff and customers were in disarray and so was she. The idea of it was so terrible she felt nauseous. A voice finally made it through the howling in her mind. :OLIVIA!:
She jolted. :What?: she said more to herself than anything else. :Joe?:
:Where are you?: he asked from the command center of N.E.S.T HQ.
:I'm at the Bookstore in the Mall of Metroplex: she said as her head whirled from the shock. :I think I'm going to vomit:
:OLIVIA! DON'T TAKE OFF YOUR MASK!:
In moments, a small bridge opened and a medic rushed out with Joe Bowers to grab Olivia just before she hit the floor. They pulled her into the emergency microbridge back to N.E.S.T. HQ before she did.
The emergency system worked.
-0-Gee-Gee
Gee-Gee stood up, then stared around distractedly. It took a moment for the training to take over. Then it did. "We need to beef up the prison. Call Emergency Services at the Command Center in Fort Max for implementation of Plan 7. Get them here and set up the perimeter. No one comes here unless I personally okay it. Are you alright?" she asked as she stared at her mechs.
They looked at her a moment dumbfounded, then nodded. They would get things going and shortly there would be a massive military perimeter around the entire prison.
-0-Alise and Topper
It was incredibly quiet for a moment, then Micah stood up. He clenched his fists, then glanced around the room. "I'm joining the Home Guard. Now."
"What will that do, Micah?" his bond, Tempo asked suddenly afraid.
"I don't know. I just have to do something," Micah replied.
Cooper, Timber, and half the mechs in the room stood as well. "We'll go with you."
"Come back fast!" Tempo said as he stood in distress.
Micah pulled him into his arms. "We will. Just stay here until we get back. I think we need to stay close together for a few orns. Just … I think that might be a good idea. Right, Ada?" he asked glancing at Alise and his father, Topper.
They stared at him, then Topper stood with a resolute expression. "I'll join too. I used to shoot once upon a time. We need to do something. We will be right back. Stay here, alright?" he asked as his resolve and voice cracked a moment from his anxiety.
Everyone nodded, then watched as they walked out of the room. Bos turned to his grandma. "Amma, what's happening?"
"Nothing that solidarity won't fix," Alise said pulling him into her arms. "We are going to be fine." It would be a tense wait for their family members to return. They wouldn't be the only ones who were volunteering for the Home Guard.
-0-Red Wing
He stared at his family with the most confident expression he could manage. They were shocked and appalled. Outside, the sound of Seekers flying upward to burn up the skies in defiance of the situation, a common response, could be heard. His bond looked extremely troubled. "Did you go down to the ground?" he asked as he held their daughter.
:Yes. I'll tell you later, Ariga: Red Wing said offline. "I flew surveillance," he said, then hesitated. "I have to tell Prime something. I'll be right back." He rose, then glanced at Aurora who sat with a solemn expression. "No one gets hurt on my watch, Aurora. Why don't you chat with your friends online? Friends help."
She nodded, the rose. Pausing a moment, she flung her arms around Red Wing hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, then she walked to her berth room to spend a joor or two talking to Inspire and Sadie online.
-0-In a bachelor pad
Hot Rod and Smokey listened to the speech in a daze as Prime laid out the truth for everyone. Smokey glanced at Hot Rod. "Are you Clavis Aurea?"
"No. What little we were Temple teachings," Hot Rod said. "My folks were too busy trying to make a living to have time to teach me the finer points. I know what I know since being an adult."
Smokey nodded. "My Amma made sure I went to the Temple and shrines on the holy orns. I never gave the other stuff too much thought." He looked at Hot Rod with concern. "You don't think that will be a problem here do you?"
Hot Rod shrugged. "I hope not. Let's go," he said as they walked to the door. They would spend the evening in the company of their set talking long into the wee joors of the night.
-0-At IntraComm
Red Wing transformed, then landed heavily. When he turned, Prime was walking out with his officers. He waved to the big mech who paused. Reaching Prime, he nodded. "Good speech."
"I hope so, Red Wing," Prime said tiredly.
"I forgot in the middle of this. When Warlord was being chased he was rescued through a bridge. He fell into it and so did two alien fliers. We have them in the hold of our ship," Red Wing said.
Prime listened to the words but it took a moment for the meaning to penetrate. Ironhide spoke for all of them.
"Frag," he said softly.
-0-TBC 5-26-17 edited 5-31-17