The Diego Diaries: Schoolin' (dd6 79)
I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS DIDN'T POST YESTERDAY. I THINK THIS SITE HATES ME. I AM POSTING TWO TONIGHT, THIS ONE AND PART 80. WISH ME LUCK. :D
-0-Inside an airlock at Earth2
Owen Harris paced as he waited for his ride to come. The message from Herling hung over him like a thunder cloud. He had called N.E.S.T. for a ride to Centurion to speak to the officials there. He would also go to Metrotitan on the way back to see Herling personally. Right now, he was upset and irritated.
In the distance, he could see mechs from Public Works working on the highway that led onward past them to a pile of debris signifying a dead end. Several miles beyond that, a road was being built that would carry onward toward the Transplanetary Highway that encircled the whole world and led to any number of small settlements that were habitations for those visiting campgrounds, spectacular 'parks' that were being developed for campers and day visitors as well as science and other stations linked to the Ops Center. Eventually, Earth2 and the other human habitats out here would be linked to that highway but not for now.
The bots always made things beautiful. Everywhere he went in Earth2 he saw evidences of that. They had taken the plans, even those worked out together and went above it. The place was a showcase of grace, functionality and beauty. Everywhere you went in the colony, the cleanliness and attention to detail was evident. One didn't know that 23 million bots lived here from the care taken.
A vehicle appeared, then turned off to enter the huge paved parking lot that surrounded three sides of the facility. It sped forward, tripped the outside door which went up, then drove inside. Owen walked to the hatch door, then put on his head gear. A scan hit him, then the door opened as he passed inspection. He hurried out, climbed into the vehicle to buckle up as it jetted out heading for Centurion and Youngling Day School #1.
Meanwhile ...
Terradive walked around the room watching his students work out their mathematics. His human students, all of them were working at the same table, those who could helping those who needed it. The three who went to specialist school were back for math before returning for the rest of their morning instruction. They were proficient enough in this subject to stay with the class for now.
Rain Harris was quietly working hard on the equations set before them but he could tell her aura was still disturbed. She was angry at him for what he did. Having read up on human youth, their strengths and foibles especially as related to various ages, he wasn't surprised. He'd also been informed that she was of a certain socio-economic bracket and thus expectations were different than they would be for say, the other children who he taught. He remembered smirking. "Then we have a potential high caste mentality here?" he had asked.
Herling smirked back. "I wouldn't put it so bluntly but yes. Perhaps we do. Be forewarned but also know, we back our teachers here and there will be no presumptions of guilt before all is put forward."
Terradive was much relieved.
Now he waited for the shoe to drop. Rain was facing a three day suspension for her transgressions. Her father was head of the Earth2 facility. He was a high powered high caste who wasn't held in high esteem here. What was coming next was going to be interesting. What he couldn't allow was for all of the drama to effect either his ability to teach nor the right for the children to have his full and complete attention. He walked to the table where the humans sat. "How is it going?" he asked with a grin.
Annie Lennox glanced up with a smile. :We're good, Mr. Terradive:
"Thank you, children, for assisting our new students. You're my heroes," he said with a grin.
The kids grinned back then bent to their books. Rain Harris, Camilla Baker and Lilly Brown would be among them.
-0-On the way
They merged with the light traffic this time of day as they jetted toward the big junction past the Metro Districts that led to the Tri-Cities. The roads were straight and had markings for this and that site and turnoff both in NeoCybex and English.
Owen Harris glanced at Niall Graham. "Thanks for getting me. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. It's going to be easier when we can come and go ourselves."
"No problem," Niall said with a grin. "What's the story here?"
"My daughter sneaked in a camera and took videos. She has a channel on Earth and wanted to share her life here," Harris said.
"Oops. That's not a good idea. It's one thing to do that on the street among the bots. Even filming events is okay. But not inside the schools or homes without permission. You can film at the grocery store but the schools? No. That's the safest, most protected place on world."
"You have a child in school here. What about taking movies there? Why wouldn't that be allowed?" Harris asked. "I've seen them on the internet when you post them there."
"You see different kinds of videos that don't involve infants. The few Linda and I have of our son in the school playing with others are okay because we asked the parents of the children involved for the right to post them to our facebook and family web pages. They get seen in the public but we have permission. We're also considered locals here. We're part of the family. You aren't so that makes a difference. Trust matters here," Graham said. "It may seem like there's not a lot of difference from what we do and what your daughter did but there is. A world of difference."
They approached the turnoff so they moved into one of the two lanes that diverted traffic that direction. Signaling, he moved over, then slowed to halt at the lights.
It was quiet a moment, then Harris glanced at him. "Do you have any word on when we get to go out into the bigger world?"
Graham shook his head. "Not yet." He glanced at Harris. "Your month is nearly up but this doesn't help. It's a trust as well as safety thing to allow you out."
Harris nodded. "I see. If you hear one way or the other, I'd love a heads up."
Graham moved with the traffic into the turn that would lead onward to Tyger Pax. "I'll see what I can do," he said as they sped along the eight lane highway toward the towers of the spectacular alien appearing city of Tyger Pax.
"That's a beautiful city," Harris said as they got closer. "I love the overhead roads and sky ways."
"I do, too. It's how they build on Cybertron," Graham said. "The Dai Atlas Dojo is here and this is where the twins and Bluestreak live. Tyger Pax has a nice nightlife and would be considered a youthful city on Earth. A lot of bachelors and young families live here."
Harris nodded as they drove through the main thoroughfare. Looking up through the glassed-in ceiling of the vehicle, he could see pedestrians and cars moving overhead along the twisting and turning roadways. The light glinting off windows, metallic fixtures and facings was beautiful as they sped along. Signage was discreet rather than garrish or intrusive, a welcome thing he considered to the usual visual pollution of most places on Earth.
They sped through, then headed once more across the plains toward the city they were aiming for, Centurion. They reached it eventually, then drove through the main thoroughfare before pulling into a turn lane to go to the school tower. It was massive, disappearing into the sky as they got closer. Driving onto the sidewalk, they passed through the gates, then onward to the ramp that bordered the steps into the building. Buzzing upward, they reached the doors, then drove inside. The massive lobby was busy with the business of educating children. Some were staff going here and there while others were family and parents. The occasional child could be seen coming and going as well. It was fascinating.
Graham drove toward a small human-sized elevator that was next to a massive bot transport. Both doors were opened but Graham drove into the smaller one. He glanced as the door behind them slid shut. "Elevator, up, floor fifteen," he said as the device began to move. Graham grinned at Harris. "You should take some that go sideways and upward both."
"Cybertron?" he asked.
Graham nodded as the elevator halted, then the door opened. The hallway stretched outward seemingly forever. Far down the corridor, two mechs were talking in a doorway. Graham drove onward until he reached a door. He stopped, parked the vehicle, then donned his mask. "Gear up and get the okay. You can't and won't be allowed out until you pass inspection."
Harris geared up, was given an all clear, then both stepped out. A smaller door was beside the big ones. Evidently, the entire colony was user friendly for humans Harris thought as they walked into the classroom. They halted by the door to watch the activity beyond.
The biggest screen Harris had ever seen was occupying an entire wall. On it were mathematical equations that they were apparently working on as a group. The room was vast, huge on a scale that all their buildings occupied. It seemed to have different sections but he couldn't read their language so he could only guess. The teacher desk, ubiquitous even here was in the far corner occupying little space. The room before them was filled with tables and children set around in the space to face the screen.
The human children were near the door working at a table. It was mounted on a platform and so was one nearby. Perhaps they needed two tables to accommodate the human kids. The other kids needed no platforms. They were working together, the buzz of voices low and the atmosphere collegial. The teacher who was helping a tall slim femme who had a light green and white color scheme turned to walk back through again when he saw them.
Gauging them a moment, Terradive walked to the pair then knelt. "Hello, Niall. You? You must be Owen Harris."
Graham grinned. :We came to see what was up, Terri:
"I see. Have a seat. I'm going to be sending them to lunch in a moment, then we can talk," he said as he turned back to the kids.
Graham walked to the comfortable bench nearby then sat. Harris followed. They watched the class work through their assignments, then Terradive took questions. They worked through the problems by correcting them with him, then he grinned. "Math is concluded. Let's get ready to go to lunch."
The room burst into movement, chatter and activity. None of the humans noticed the two adults sitting by the door.
Camilla, Rain and Lilly bagged up their work, then walked to their lockers with the rest of the class. It was controlled chaos for a moment, then the door opened. The human lunch taxis had arrived. A big young mech walked in, one studying to be a reading teacher. He put the transport box on the floor, then chatted with Terradive.
The humans finished, then ran for the box. Climbing in with the door closing behind them, Rain Harris spotted her dad. He was sitting with a soldier on a bench staring at her. She stared back as the mech picked up the box. Nodding to Terradive, the mech carried them out.
Outside the door, the lunch aide, a small elder mech volunteer from the Vos Senior Center waited with a big smile. Everyone lined up, then looked toward Terradive. "Go with Mr. Adel and be good," he said.
They filed out with a wave to Niall, then it was quiet in the room.
Terradive turned toward then. "I'm assuming you're here to talk, Mr. Harris?"
:I am, Mr. Terradive: he said as he rose.
Terradive knelt down bringing his face closer to the two humans. "This morning I was given a message that your daughter was taking videos and pictures of my class showing my children, then posting them online on Earth. That is a breach of our rules and unity. I confiscated the camera, then reported the incident. I'm told that the website has been taken down and all of the videos scrubbed."
Harris nodded. :I'm glad to hear that. I didn't give my daughter permission to bring a camera though her phone has one. I apologize for this action on her part. All of this is new:
Terradive nodded. "I'm aware of that, too, though I don't believe given security rules in most schools on Earth that you can do this without asking permissions. I'm not going to allow this in my classroom unless there's a specific reason such as a holiday or event. Even then, all of those included have to give permission. Did you fill out all the paperwork when she was enrolled?"
Harris nodded. :I'm aware that the rules applying to this are in place. I want to know how this can be made right? I want my daughter here for the experience and I want her to do it the right and honorable way:
Terradive glanced at Graham who grinned. Glancing back to Harris, he said, "That's my desire as well. Given the situation as it stands and because it was reported which I'm legally bound to do, the Central Office has the end game as their purview. You would have to speak to them. For my own part, everyday is a new day. She can recover from this if she wishes it."
Harris nodded. :Thank you, Mr. Terradive. Who should I see in the Central Office?:
"I do believe that disciplinary cases are held by the director, Herling," Terradive said.
:Disciplinary?: Harris asked.
Terradive nodded. "Yes. This is a suspension offense."
It was a drab drive from Centurion to the Central Office of the school district in Metrotitan.
-0-TBC 7-31-17 edited 8-4-17 3-12-2022