The Diego Diaries: Getting On With It (dd6 47)
-0-Going up
They stepped out of the elevator into the Grand Concourse, the ground floor of the installation that greeted anyone who came. It disappeared into the distance but was abuzz with activity. In-house vehicles drove here and there, some towing wagons with stuff and others carrying people. The place was lit up and busy with the towering open spaces filled to the skin with the energy and life of people inhabiting its immense confines.
Will Lennox, Niall Graham and Bobby Epps glanced around themselves, then turned to a vehicle that drove up to stop in front of them. It was a large roofless golf-cart like device with a big bed which had seating lining it all around, used inside to carry things. Cynthia Tomas smiled. "Get in, gentlemen. We're going to signal everyone to come."
By the time they were seated in the vehicle a siren sounded causing everyone to pause, then walk toward wherever they had to so they could go to the big auditorium. Some came from this floor while others emptied the labs, farms, schools, apartments, worksites, stores and restaurants, gym and swimming pool area, and other occupied places to come. They jetted past waving to this and that civilian who was heading their way. Everyone was happy and 'bright'. Lennox grinned to himself. He was beginning to identify energy too.
They sped onward, then hopped out at the door to the vast auditorium. The leadership of the facility were there to greet the three. They shook hands, then Lennox glanced around. "We're waiting for a bot, Paribolus. He's going to be here. He's the interface bot with the big frames and the colony for this installation. He's coming too."
"The big mech from the last meeting? The white one that's about 40 feet tall?" Jun Lee asked.
"35 feet," Lennox said, then they all turned when the tremors under their feet signaled a big frame was coming.
The crowd, 99% of whom had yet to meet a bot though many worked in the facility turned as well watching with awe as a big mech walked toward them from the elevator. He was handsome in a totally relatable way, handsome face and figure. He was immaculately white with red accents … his finials which they would eventually learn were communication antennae and his amber optics framed his face in an oddly human manner. They had been told that red optics meant Decepticon and blue Autobot. The other optical colors were new.
The big Autobot sigil in the middle of his chest declared his faction. His servos were red and there were touches of blue on his arms and legs. He appeared to wear a red helmet but it was part of his head which was painted red as well. He had more color than most but was tasteful and pleasing in the metal.
He looked intelligent and had a grace about him that belied his giant size. He trod heavily but not dully indicating a great ability to control himself in action. He grinned slightly at the soldiers who grinned back. It was a handsome expression on his face and most of the humans watching were surprised that it was so.
"Paribolus, we waited for you," Lennox said.
Paribolus nodded. "I am here, William Lennox," he said in a deep well modulated voice.
Lennox looked at the crowd. "Let's go," he said as they jolted, then walked in. When the last of 'the settlers' as they called themselves entered, the soldiers, the command group and then the big mech followed. The soldiers walked down the center aisle to the front while Paribolus walked along the side. He took the platform with them, then turned to the crowd. He scanned them, something they all felt which stilled their murmuring, then he glanced down at Lennox. "I am ready when you are, William."
Lennox nodded, then turned to the group including the command team who sat in the front row. "My name is Major Will Lennox and I am commanding the N.E.S.T. Headquarters and on-world Rapid Response Striker Team garrison as well as every human who lives here. You already know that from the briefings with Ambassador Ratchet but I'm repeating it so that it sinks in. This is Captain Niall Graham of the UK and this is Master Sargent Bobby Epps of the American Air Force. No one who lives here has been here longer than us and no one here knows how to survive in this place better than us.
"We're here to discuss a number of things and we asked Paribolus, the bot liaison with this facility to be here to listen. Since all of you are new, you're going to be confined to this facility for another month with only supervised treks out. We, the Striker team will be coming here to take you around in groups. We want you to learn where to go and not, what to do and not as well as how to act. This is a very open society but there are taboos and there are ways of doing things that you need to learn.
"You may know that the bots suffered a terrible event that has led to a period of state mourning which concludes July 5th on the Martian-Terran calendar. When that date arrives there will be a massive colony-wide funeral led by the Prime which will be another reason that you are not to be outside. This funeral is expected to attract up to 18,000,000 colonists. The last thing we need is someone getting accidentally stepped on. The bots run proximity sensors, even the kids but if they stumble and fall in a big group they can't help it if they kill you. Don't be that statistic.
"The funeral will be broadcast on the MCA and you can watch it here on any monitor or in the theater. Your communications links to Earth will be cut during the funeral so that commentary about it isn't in the way of the solemnity of the moment. This is a big deal. I can't stress that enough. You're expected to be on your best behavior and to obey the rules. When the funeral ends so do the solemnities but the feelings this has raised will take some time to subside. Remember that. It will be then that we can sit down and discuss a gradual move to the outside and the colony itself.
"I want to say that there's a lot of uncertainty regarding your presence here by the bots. We have a stellar reputation on-world, all of us. First it was us at the N.E.S.T. Habitat, then the Scientists, then the Hu-An, Earth 1, and finally the Consulate. Each group works hard at being a good neighbor and abiding by the rules and laws of Cybertron which are the rules and laws here. You have no diplomatic immunity. Remember that. None.
"The Prime is the leader in every area of life here. He's viewed even as a holy figure, the representation of their warrior god among The People. All of you might have your own views of this kind of thing but keep them to yourself. I would also say that digging into their personal stuff or mocking them or trying to get them into your views will get you banned forever here. It's a respect thing for us to be different but to live as one. Until all are one is their creed and deepest held belief.
"Some of you have applied for your kids to go to bot schools. 47 of you to be exact. Your applications have been received by the district and will be reviewed. My daughter is a student at Youngling Day School. Epps has four kids in the system and your son is in Sparkling School, Graham. The Wilkersons whose son was first human born here attends that school too and Pritchard who is head of Resort security has two in himself. The human child population in school is large and doing well because we have huge buy in. You have to have it with the education they present to our kids," he said as the handsome Brit nodded. "I can tell you, the education she gets there is stellar. I want it for her too. I've been told by Herling, the Unified School District and Educational Director for Mars and the Empire who lives here that none of the children attending from Earth2 will be taught bot languages. Everything they learn will be in English, the main language here among the humans. No bot languages.
"Those of us with kids in the school district have built trust with the bots and thus, our kids are learning the languages and already are fluent in NeoCybex, the language and writing you will see and hear everywhere. Its their common language but they have thousands. Its a security thing, not teaching your kids the languages. No one will want to grab your kid when you go to Earth because they won't know the language. Some of their tech is missing and presumed to be in the hands of people who shouldn't have it. Your children could be grabbed to translate if they learn so they won't and we'll make it clear that language lessons for anyone here and in the other habitats will never happen.
"As for us … the news leaked out early on about our kids and their language lessons," Lennox said glancing at Harris who had no expression. "Our kids are here and when they aren't, we're with them. We all agree among us that if anyone tries to hurt or take our kids we'll shoot them and fuck the consequences." Will glanced around the huge group listening. Some were nodding in agreement. He noted their solemn expressions. "I will personally head shoot anyone who would cause harm to my daughter or wife. I know everyone else feels the same way."
Graham and Epps nodded. "Damned right," Epps said as Niall murmured agreement.
"When Herling and his team complete a review of your applications, a team of experts will come here and test everyone. Given that this is a highly academic and serious educational system, your kids have to be understood so that they can learn what they need to know at the pace they can manage. The bots are very serious about education so they'll work hard with your kids and they do a good job making them believe they can do it. Your kids have to understand that this is a genuinely academic situation with a lot of fun things built in and that they're expected to do the work. You're expected to assist them in anyway you can and if not, let them know. They get really bummed out of you don't tell them about something or request help. The teachers and staff are dedicated to their kids and you will find that you have someone for them that has their back all the way. You will also have to volunteer in the schools two hours a month. It's part of the contract. Some of the teachers here are acclaimed academics and college professors from Cybertron and they know their stuff. We aren't the first alien children who've attended their schools.
"I was told before I came here that the 14 babies and toddlers applying are accepted as a matter of course. They're just beginning but the older kids have to be measured and that way you can get to see what working with The People is like. As for the rest, clear all your requests through me and I'll make the initial contacts. Some of the women and men who live here at Sciences, The Family Tower, Earth 1, and N.E.S.T. who do things on the side will be available to help you join up. The Resort will be open to you down the road. Right now, not so much. We want to control your entry into society for a while so that the journey is smooth.
"As for times when we come together … those are the holidays mostly and birthdays. Angus Wilkerson's birthday is a big deal here for obvious reasons. Thanksgiving and the Festival of Primus are both four day holidays. Christmas is ten days. The last day is New Years for both of us and Memorial Day starts then for them. Christmas and New Years are party times but Memorial Day is solemn. I don't think I have to tell you why. We also celebrate Halloween here for the kids. There are no days off for that. There are other days that come up, mostly in the other local groups that are optional so they might not attend a day or two because of it. We have internal celebrations for Ramadan and the like but that doesn't involve the outside world and if your kid has to miss a day they will give you the work so they stay current. That's how it is here. As for the Festival, when it comes closer we'll tell you more about it. You're banned from attending and even though they broadcast it on the television system here and down the MCA, part of it will be blacked out for you, Earth 1 and the Consulate. Sciences, N.E.S.T., the Family, and some at the Resort will either attend or watch the entire thing at home.
"There are no other holidays for the kids and schools in the Unified System. If your kid goes to school in the system expect eleven day weeks and three day weekends to handle the calendar here that's based on the solar orbit of Mars. If that's a problem, then decide what you want to do. The specialists from the district will be here in two days.
"The bots use a lot of their own words when they speak our languages and they speak all of them. Orn means day, decaorn is ten days and a century is one hundred. You'll get used to it." He glanced at Graham who grinned. "You're doing fine," the handsome Brit said to great laughter.
Lennox smirked at Graham, then turned back to the group. He considered their happy, excited and expectant faces. "This is a great adventure. There will never be another like it for you anywhere. We're ambassadors for our species here among The People who have been space-going their entire history. They're patient and very forgiving. They're as curious, mostly, about you as you might be about them but they're also autonomous. They're individual beings who have seen and done a lot and some of them have suffered. Just be good and decent, use your manners, understand that no means no, and show respect." He turned to Paribolus. "Do you have anything you want to say?"
Paribolus looked at Lennox a moment, then the humans. "I am Paribolus. I am ancient. Among my people, I am one of the oldest. I have seen the birth of galaxies and the death of stars. There is very little that I have not experienced both good and bad but I am ever expectant and happy to meet new life.
"You are very new to this. You have a lot to learn. It is our great honor to help you take these baby steps into the greater universe. To be stranded on one world, to think that is all there is … I cannot think of anything more terrible. In the stars lies all the secrets of The One. We are His vision seeking out truth. We are your allies and friends. All of the humans thus far have become dear to us. You are many and there are concerns that your numbers may work against you becoming a part of the life here. It is in your servos. The door is open. How you walk through and if you stay once you get there is up to you. I, for one, bid you welcome."
The crowd stared at him a moment, then almost as one they rose to their feet and began to clap. Paribolus who had knelt down on one knee to speak to them grinned, then glanced at Lennox, Graham and Epps. They grinned back.
-0-TBC 6-24-17 edited 6-25-17
NOTES:
Guest chapter 43 . Jun 21
I was wondering if the bots are being influenced by the humans. Since they don't have gender and now they are doing femme studies and stuff. So they are making a difference between genders.
The Robots in Disguise series seems to have just animal shape transformers. I guess they would be kind of a gender too. If you are planning to introduce them, I hope you include Steeljaw, he is a cutie. Even if he is not a lion like he seems to be in most stories.
ME: I love Steeljaw. What a smoothie. :D The influences are going both ways. The femmes are noticing that they're different and they want to look into that. Before here, they were just bots in the mix. No one cared about gender until now, not in a specific way. That part is going to continue. The no-gender thing fascinates me. There are things to be said and done that relate to it from the humans and their gender identity stuff. HUGS!