The Diego Diaries: Forward Ho (dd6 87)
-0-Outside the overflowing School Board meeting room, Central Office, Metrotitan, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
Ratchet chatted a moment with Sunstreaker and Ironhide before they walked into the room to begin the regular meeting of the Autobot City Unified School Board. He was discussing an event earlier that had been happily resolved …
... It was controlled chaos on the airfield as the newest refugees walked forward to pass immigration and get their circumstances cared for. Partition was watching, adding the odd comment, asking the odd question. It was almost companionable. Then the call came that Ratchet was waiting for. :Timer to Ratchet:
:Ratchet here:
:Come to the Med Center. Meet me at ward 101, room 86:
:On my way: Ratchet glanced at Partition. "Come with me." With that, he set out for the hospital with Partition struggling to keep up through the crowds that had gathered, some to help, others to watch. They entered, went up, then walked down a cheerful corridor to a couple of mechs standing in a doorway at the far end. They waved him in where several mechs were lying in berths with lots of plug ins and infusion lines attached.
"Over here," Timber said as he led them to a nearby empty berth. "Let's take a look, shall we?" he said with a grin.
Ratchet opened his carry hold and reached in to gently pull out a small sleepy infant. Two more followed onto the bed into a soft blanket to warm them. They stared at the strangers looking at them, then began to cry. That's when their genitors lying in beds around the room joined them. It would take a moment to sort things out, to get the tale of hiding the babies to draw off 'the bad mechs' themselves and then the whole thing falling apart. The babies were tucked in with their genitors and all was right in the world once more.
Partition watched the whole thing with an almost ravenous expression. Apparently, the idea of being a force for good change, to help others because it was right was a new concept to him ...
Buzzing past them with gusto, waving happily, a vehicle filled with humans flashed forward to go to the meeting. Ratchet waved to them as they entered, going to the place where they would watch and represent Earth 1 and now, Earth2. Sitting among them was Owen Harris while behind him sat his daughter. He had no discernable expression beyond interest in his surroundings and she looked stoic, so Ratchet had no idea what their feelings and temperament about the proceedings would be. Everyone else looked like they always did, happy and excited to mingle.
Ratchet stepped in to stand beside a youngish couple who had a sleeping baby in their arms. Ratchet scanned the trio with a grin, pulsed the 'all clear', then had a chat off line with them. They were a new couple with a new baby short of school time but they were here to learn and represent anyway.
They were adorable.
Hugh-E called the meeting to order, then they began. It was a long agenda and included expansion of science programs and increased visitation of more kids to the giant station, Trypticon. In the station, a center with information about the Decepticons and the war was being created for tours of the kids coming in. It was suggested by a former Decepticon and would be hosted by both 'Cons and Autobots. They were determined to address their history lest it ever be repeated. It passed unanimously after a slew of good questions by the board and audience.
More came up, new curriculum and expansion of the tech programs for older students and the public. Welding, electronics, telecommunications, and other areas were being developed for Intermediate Day kids who wanted that sort of career. The facility would be built on the grounds of Intermediate Day in Iacon so that students could blow up things outside of the building, rather than inside.
Several teachers gave updates about their classes on the activities of their children, showing things that received massive approval. It was evident to the odd bystander that this was something near and dear to everyone. It was then that the teacher reps from Earth 1 and Earth2 were brought forward to speak. It hushed as several hundred individuals inside and about a hundred more standing outside watching monitors waited to see what they would say. Out in the colony, hundreds of thousands more were watching at home since this like all public meetings was broadcast on the public channels on IntraComm.
:Thank you, Mr. President: Jarrod Wilkinson said with a smile. Hugh-E nodded. :We would like to thank you for expanding the programs at Trypticon to include our students and their adult companions. Having access to the labs there is wonderful and lets us explore deeper material than we could if we didn't have access to the equipment that they provide. We were contacted by the Science Department at the University of Mars about having their students help us when we come. The Department of Education also asked if we would allow their trainee teachers to assist.
:YES! THANK YOU!: he said to laughter and applause. :What a colossal privilege all of this is. Thank you so much. Earth2 has been granted the same and will be attending classes and lectures there with us. We will go together to help ease Earth2's children into life with the big bots and life in space. We are eternally grateful for the kindness and collegiality displayed by everyone.
:Right now, we're holding conferences as well. Four of our human community attend Sparkling Day and 57 human children attend Youngling Day. We have 46 more that are awaiting a chance to apply during the next intake period. We're so happy and privileged to have this possibility and thank you for it.
:We've prepared a textbook we named, 'A History of Life On Earth, Volume 1' which we've sent to the publishers at The Book Foundry. It's going to be a twenty volume survey of life on Earth and its a collaboration between those of us at Earth 1 involved in the project and a number of bots here who helped us with the information. The first volume is the creation of the Earth through the first mass extinction. I'm glad that the books themselves can be updated without having to reprint as new information comes about. We're offering it to the school district either as a library book or supplemental material for the Earth Studies section of the Intermediate School curriculum:
"The contents … they've been reviewed by our guys for accuracy?" Sunstreaker asked. "What about for bias?"
:We asked for assistance with our data and found more newer information including some that sorted out a few errors. Much of our information for this volume comes from the deep scans made by Teletraan during the Insecticon incursion. We've worked together to produce the most accurate possible text that we can and will use it in our own schools as well. It'll also be available through fair use to students and others on Earth:
Sunstreaker nodded, waited for two more questions, then they voted. The text would be available for libraries, schools, general use outlets, and Intermediate Day Earth Studies classes. Anticipation was given to them by the board for further volumes which would attempt to give as complete a rendering of Earth from the beginning of its creation until the modern day.
:We're working out visitations between schools. We have a penpal program, as you know, between Earth 1 and Youngling Day and have expanded Earth2 into it. We also have started a Boy Scout and Campfire Girls troop both at Earth 1 and Earth2: Jarrod said missing the flinch that came over Ironhide. None of the board did because they all looked at him and grinned. :We have both because of interest in them and the childhood memories of participation compelling those adults who are asking to sponsor them. Boy Scouts is a program very much similar to the Autobot Scouts and Campfire Girls, or Campfire as its known now, is a boys and girls organization with a history of full inclusion of anyone regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation:
Ironhide leaned slightly forward. "We've had trouble with some humans dealing with our relationships. We also have heard that the Boy Scouts aren't inclusive and highly disapproving of certain types of individuals. What guarantee can you give us that you won't be bringing forward more of the same old slag?"
Jarrod glanced at the others who nodded. He looked at Ironhide. :You have our word, Ironhide:
Ironhide glanced at the others, then nodded. "Alright."
The atmosphere was awkward a moment as the room stared at the humans. Then Jarrod continued. :We're very happy to learn that the Temple Board has ok-ed visitations by our children to the newly restored shrines around the colony. We're going to be taking tours, the teachers and support staff of Earth 1 and Earth2, to hear and see what's allowed and what isn't. We're aware that the Family children have full access to the installations as does my family by order of the Prime, but we hope in future as we gain your trust and earn you respect, you might consider more. We don't wish to be ungrateful but having been in the Temple grounds to place the stones for Angus in the garden, I can only hope that others can have that remarkable and life affirming experience. We wish to thank Lady Sela for all that she does to help us learn more about The People. We're so fortunate and I personally can't wait to show our children the beauty and sanctity of the shrines. That's our report. We'd love to answer any questions anyone has about us and our schools:
A mech in the audience stood. "Tell us more about your kids that come to our schools? Do they understand the rules? I heard a rumor that one of them was posting videos of our kids online on Earth."
Jarrod stared at the mech, then glanced toward Ironhide. The big mech sat forward. "The rumor is true. We've taken care of it and the videos are down. Sometimes it takes a while to get it right. As for the kids, they're fitting in well, I've heard. Three of them are in the same room as my sons." He sat back thinking about Sunspot, Reflector and Co-D working in a room with Rain Harris. It galled but they were doing well themselves.
"I don't want my kids being on media on Earth. I send them to school because its safe," the big mech said as everyone nodded in agreement. A murmur rumbled through the room. "Thanks, Ironhide. Then we can put this to rest?"
Ironhide nodded. "You can. You have my word." The room settled and more questions popped up, questions about infant football (HELLA YES! -everyone), scout crossovers (OH, FRAG!-Ironhide), holidays upcoming including a spirited laughfest regarding Halloween, and the first glimpse by Earth2 into the greatness that was Santa Prime. Jarrod and his counterparts sat down on the benches just for them in a protected section of the room with great views from an elevated platform.
The meeting went on with a lot of business going past. A few parents and organizations were there to give their reports or to offer their services, all of which were accepted. Anything that the kids needed, they got. When it was at the end, Hugh-E asked for the good of the order. A bit of football slag was traded, then it was over. Hugh-E smiled. "Thank you for coming. This concludes the meeting. If you wish to speak to us, contact your local district rep, your school, the file in the Community Bulletin Board forum for the schools, or some of us directly. I'll be stating that Sunstreaker and Ficus," he said nodding to a member at large, "will be on call for the migration emergency so we won't have a quorum for a while to solve problems. We will entertain them and if they're in need of decision, we will decide with the Prime as tiebreaker. Thank you for coming. Have a great evening and week ahead."
The crowd arose and slowly made their way out, chatting together, pausing together, while some spoke directly to the board. When they finally exited, the doors were closed. Hugh-E rapped the table. "The Autobot School District is now in special session. We're here to decide upon a possible infraction of the rules by a student in our jurisdiction, Rain Harris of Earth2 who attends Youngling Day School #1 in Centurion. I'm told that Endar has been engaged to protect and explain her rights and actions while Fenix as adjunct legal advisor to the school district represents the board and those who are alleged harmed by her actions." He looked at the humans. "Who is here for this and who needs to leave?"
:We all want to be here to help with the situation, Hugh-E. Also present is Rain Harris: Jarrod said pointing to a quiet subdued female human sitting beside her dad, :Her father, Owen Harris, and some of us who want to help resolve this without it becoming a problem for anyone are here as well:
Hugh-E nodded. "Very well. Fenix? Are you to present the issue for us?"
Fenix nodded, then rose. He looked at everyone, then turned to the board. "I call to speak, Ratchet of Iacon."
It was silent a moment, then the door opened. Ratchet walked in, then paused before the board. He turned toward Fenix. "Hi, Fenix. I didn't know you represented the School Board."
Fenix grinned. "Part of my civic duty as a member of the Iacon Service Order." They both grinned at each other. "Ratchet, if you could please explain what happened since you were the reporting authority in this matter."
"Before we do, Hugh-E, could we establish the relationships here with the witness?" Endar replied.
"Sure," Huge-E said with a grin.
Ratchet smirked at Ironhide, then turned to the humans. "I'm in a bond with Ironhide, secretary of the board and I'm ada to the vice president, Sunstreaker. I hold everyone else in high regard."
A slight snicker circled the room, then Fenix grinned. "Are we okay, Endar?" He nodded with a grin in spite of himself. "Please continue, Ratchet," Fenix said.
"Well, it started with a remark from my son who's a student with Mr. Terradive just like Ms Harris. He mentioned that the new children asked a lot of personal questions. I told him that he didn't have to answer if he didn't want to. On a hunch, I searched commercial websites like Youtube for Ms Harris and found two with lots of videos, some of which included our children and others. I know I didn't give permission for this and I know that Prime and others didn't either. I called Terradive to tell him and he confiscated the camera which she apparently hid in a school kit for her tabletop the next day. That led to this."
"You alerted the school when you discovered the breach?" Fenix asked.
Ratchet nodded. "Kids will be kids but the schools are safe zones. No one can treat her privacy with disrespect and she can't disrespect our privacy."
"Thank you, Commander," Fenix said. He sat as Endar stood.
"You didn't contact Mr. Harris or Earth2?" Endar asked.
"No. I don't really know Mr. Harris. I followed the usual protocol and called my son's teacher. That apparently set in motion the process that led this this hearing," Ratchet said.
"She's new. She's from another species and culture. You understand that kids sometimes make mistakes," Endar suggested. "Sometimes things are done in ignorance rather than malice."
"I believe that. I have a big family but I don't make the rules or judge them. I reported an infraction of the rules and its up to the school district and the board to decide what to do with it," Ratchet replied knowing full well that the questions and remarks Endar were making was for the board's benefit and not him.
"Thank you, Commander," Endar said.
Ratchet nodded, then walked to a seat nearby to sit and watch the rest of the show. Fenix looked at the back of the room to see the Intermediate School youngling representative to the school board working the door for witnesses. "Please call Mr. Terradive, Mani."
The youngster leaned out, then back in as Terradive entered the room. He walked to the front as Roto who entered with him took a seat next to Ratchet. Fenix turned to Terradive. "Mr. Terradive, you're the teacher of eight human infants, the largest number of any teacher in the system. You teach Rain Harris. What led you to this moment?"
"I received a call from Ambassador Ratchet that one of my students, Rain Harris, was filming the class during school time. The film content looked like no one knew what was going on. The next orn when they were leaving to go to their instructional center classroom, I asked her for the camera and after first pretending she didn't know what I meant, she surrendered it. It was hidden in a school box she kept on her table top. I then sent the camera and a report to the Central Office as per protocol in such incidents."
"You were unaware of it?" Fenix asked.
He nodded. "I was. I was very surprised. The new human femmes appeared to be easing into the room. Being new is never easy but I had no idea this was happening. I don't know how long it would have gone on without the Ambassador's call."
"Thank you, Mr. Terradive," Fenix said as he sat.
"Mr. Terradive, were the children made aware of the rules of the school and classroom?" Endar asked.
"Their parents were told during orientation that there were rules and they all have access to the folders in the Community Bulletin Board, the school district website, my classroom website there as well as the entire policy manual as it applies to everyone in our system," Terradive said.
"Considering they moved to a new planet, a new system with new rules and expectations in short time under the scrutiny of their world, do you expect that they might have a problem with adjusting?" Endar asked.
"Yes, I do. My bond, Roto, directs special education and counseling for the district. I consult with him on all of my concerns. We have great awareness of this sort of thing but posting videos of the class without their permission appears to be more deliberate act rather than confusion about a new place," Terradive replied.
"Thank you," Endar said.
Terradive walked to the audience to sit with Ratchet and Roto. Fenix called for Herling who came. He walked to the front. "Mr. Herling, you direct education here and on Cybertron as well as throughout the Empire. What happened when this was made known to you?"
"I called Ratchet and Terradive, consulted with you and sent a message to Mr. Harris explaining what happened and the meeting we're holding now as a result," Herling said. "Mr. Harris paid a call to me and we chatted. I told him that this was a suspension offense to be reviewed by the school board. Then through the agent of Autobot Nation, Warren Roberts and the tech department at IntraComm, the offending images and sites were taken down and the deep web scoured for anything archived. Here we are as a result."
"Thank you." Fenix sat.
"Mr. Herling, given this is a first offense, given that this is about the third orn of school for the accused, you had discretion about what to do about it. Why didn't you handle it at the local level rather than sending it to the school board?" Endar asked.
Herling thought a moment, then answered. "This is serious enough that if it reflects an attitude, I want it nipped in the bud. If this was a mistake without intentions of harm, then I would have handled it locally. But this involved stealth and thought planned out. This may or not reflect an entitled attitude. Given that they were posted on public access media, it appeared that someone was attempting to create fame, or perhaps notoriety by their actions at the expense of our children. I want it sorted here. If this reflects an entitled attitude, then it deserves review at the highest level," he said turning to look at Harris and his daughter. "We are here and not Cybertron because of entitled attitudes and a lack of respect for others. I will not allow it in this system."
"You believe this is motivated by attitude then?" Endar asked.
Herling nodded. "I do."
Endar nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Herling. Then he turned to the board. "I would like to have Rain Harris speak to the board and answer questions."
Ironhide glanced at the others, then Hugh-E nodded. "Perhaps we need that. Maybe she can explain her attitudes and intentions better for the rest of us."
Rain Harris glanced at her dad who looked miserable. He nodded, then she stood and walked forward. Herling who had sat down with the others watched as she halted before the board. She looked like a mouse among elephants. Endar knelt down. "Rain Harris, explain yourself please."
-0-TBC 8-9-17 edited 8-11-17
Lackwit: ''Ratchet's spark soured"? Lol bad Ratchet! I really think you mean "soared"... BWAHAHAHA! I think so. :D:D:D I have to cut my fingernails. I think I'm missing keys. :D
kattenbelletje chapter 79 . Aug 8
I was wondering how the micro minicons manage in a society where everyone is huge. If Ratchet buys a bunch of grapes, they will be grape sized to him. If a micro minicon buys those sape grapes they will be watermellin sized to them. All the reading and writing utensils at the schools would have to be human sized for them as well because micro minies are /- human sized. How do they do that?
ME: I am going to explore this. Man, readers are the greatest. :D:D We know some of them are really tiny, like Meep and Mimi. I will write them into the story and show what the colony and they, themselves have done to accommodate themselves. I thought about this all day when I read this this morning, Miss Kittie. :D:D:D
ESL: galled: an expression of a deep burning dislike or muted anger. Someone with a lot of gall has zero embarrassment. Someone who is galled is angry but usually holding it in.