The Diego Diaries: Stand Off (dd6 137)
-0-Outside the habitat
:Prime to Sherma and Momus:
:We're here, Prime:
:I am preparing a ship for you to use to leave. You would do well to get on board and leave this place, never to come back. I have no time for this and you have no options. At some point, if you kill the humans, we will come in and kill you. If you try to take them with you, snipers will take you out. There is no way you win or even live if you do not take the ship and leave: Prime said.
:And you would never keep your word to let us go: Sherma said as he paced inside the shelter. Sitting on couches in the lounge watching them with dread, Bobby Epps and Will Lennox waited. It was apparent they were conversing with someone and that someone was probably Optimus. It was incredibly tense as the two big mechs worked through their circumstances.
:I give you my word through the Matrix that I will not oppose you leaving, just the two of you, to go from my sphere of influence. You have my word on the Matrix: Prime said grimly. Their options were slim to none if they were going to preserve the humans.
:I'll call you back: The line went dead.
-0-School: Youngling Day School #1, Centurion
They gathered the kids who were from Autobot City into the auditorium of the school where they filled about fifteen rows. They were almost all Cybertronian but there were about 68 human kids included. Nova walked to the front and turned to them. "We would like you to know that there's an incident undergoing in Autobot City at the moment that prevents us from taking you home on the usual transports. Your families were contacted about this and they all know. You will be staying here in the school until we're clear that you can go home safely. Even if it means you stay the night, you will be taken care of very well. This won't be the first time that we've kept you over so be comforted that we know how to do this. All of you human children will be cared for as well. We have an emergency room where you will stay and take care of your needs with assistance from two of our aides, Miss Iffa and Mr. Slipstream."
Both of the aides stood, then grinned. Mr. Slipstream was a tiny Seeker of a class that could fly extremely fast and was generally a courier or messenger. Iffa was just a tiny femme with a big spark who was studying to be a teacher herself.
"Right now, we want you to go with your teachers and our aides to the pool where we're going to have free time swimming for about two joors, then dinner will be served," Nova said as his voice was drowned out by cheers. The start of their stay over was universally approved by all.
-0-Inside the other place of interest
They watched the two pacing as they discussed together in NeoCybex what they were going to do. Epps glanced at Lennox who was sitting on a couch forcing himself to look casual. The two mechs had asked about the others, then were directed to the elevator. It would have been a hard fit for either to enter but now it was a moot point. The elevator wasn't working and they concluded that those below had shorted it out. There was discussion about shooting holes in the floor in their anger and vengeance until they were told by Lennox that the ricochet from their shots would probably hit them if they tried. The floor was made of cybertanium and designed to be invasion-proof.
{"Do you believe him?"} Momus asked as they turned to the humans. {"Maybe we can take a human with us if this is going to happen."}
Sherma turned in suppressed fury toward the hatch where they had entered. {"This was a mistake. We need to leave."}
{"And go where? To Razorclaw? To Cybertron? Where?"} Momus asked.
{"Anywhere is better than here"} Sherma said caustically. He looked at the humans. "Of course, we can always send those two out mulched."
"That wouldn't be smart," Will said.
Epps nodded. "You kill us, you complicate Prime's life and he won't like it."
"He doesn't think much of humans," Momus said.
"We know but he wants to keep the problems minimal," Epps said. "Killing us will make that problematic."
"So … we go and take one or two of you with us, to drop off somewhere else for pick up … what about that, know-it-all. Why don't you tell us about that idea?" Momus asked in an almost petulant voice.
"I imagine it might be better than storming this place and having to explain things later on, but Prime won't like it. He doesn't like complications." Epps glanced at Lennox. "Black Shadow tried and so did others. They're all dead or in prison now." He looked at the two calmly. "Better cut a deal with Prime or he's going to do the math and jump this place."
They stared at him, then Prime was back. The two men watched the pair as they argued with Prime off line. How it would turn out, no one could guess.
-0-Airport
Jarrod Wilkerson landed at the airport and was met by Smokescreen and Devcon. He looked up at them with a grin. :Hi:
"Hi," Dev said as he lay down his servo. Jarrod glanced around, then climbed aboard. "I have to take you to the Tower. Everyone is there for dinner," he said as the two walked out of the protected concourse into the cold growing darkness of the evening. They would disappear into the well lit airfield together.
-0-Getting on night time
They stood on the corner of an area that was massively blocked off. Teams had combed the local businesses taking everyone out and away from the cordoned off area. Slipping away with the Watch and soldiers, the civilians who had barracked themselves inside their businesses and their customers were relieved to go. Those who lived in the area and couldn't reach their homes were told to go to the Temple where the priests were receiving refugees while others living in towers were told to stay put. Soon, it was quiet again as the evening drew onward with negotiations.
Ratchet had stepped in fulfilling the role he often played for Prime, that of hostage negotiator in situations where a slick talker with a deep knowledge of psychology was needed.
Like right now.
He had walked within sight of them had the tinted windows not been cranked up, then stepped behind a pillar that blocked his entire body. He had been talking to them for over an hour. There was little progress. The sticking point was the two didn't believe that Prime's word would hold.
:Ratchet to Prime:
:Prime here:
:The hold up is simple. They don't believe that you'd give your word even with the Matrix. They're looking for the lie: Ratchet replied.
Prime considered that, then looked up the street. He saw Ratchet. :Link me in:
:You're on: Ratchet said.
:Sherma, Momus … this is Optimus Prime. I am telling you this simple truth. I am guided by the Matrix. Once a promise is made to It, then it means your life if you break it. I will make an oath on the Matrix that you will be allowed to leave here on a vessel. You may go without taking any of the humans with you. I will give you leave to go. I know that you understand that the Matrix will extract a penalty up to death if I break my word. You have it:
It was silent a moment. :We would require a ship fully provisioned and fueled, Prime. We would require your oath on the Matrix. Walk down here and make the oath where we can see you:
:I am prepared to do it. However, I have stated to my troops that if you do anything to me that they are to level the habitat and leave nothing there alive. Do you understand your future if you betray me?:
It was silent almost too long, then Sherma was back. :We understand all of it. What we want to know is if you do. Come down here and make the oath, Prime. We don't have to touch to make it so. Give us an oath that we can believe in:
:I am on my way: He turned to the others. "Fill the third floors of the buildings around here with snipers and make them visible, but only on my call. I want to show them that they are alive on my sufferance and any betrayal will mean their end."
Springer nodded, then turned to the troops that had been called up earlier who were sitting nearby. He gave them orders, then they hurried off to enter buildings and make their ways forward, entering apartments to use their windows. After a moment, they signaled they were ready. Springer turned to Prime, then nodded. Prime nodded back, then looked down the street. Without a backward glance, he stepped out and walked down the sidewalk to stop across the street from the Habitat. :Momus, Sherma. I am here. I am also covered by shooters if you try anything. Listen in and I will give my oath:
:Give it, Prime. Make it good: Sherma replied.
Prime glanced down the street each direction, then turned to face the habitat again. :Sherma, Momus … I am Optimus Prime, the Prime of Cybertron, Mars, the Empire and all Cybertronians wherever they exist. I am the First Disciple of Primus and His emissary on this plane of existence. I am the conduit through which the Pantheon weighs in on The People. I am the one who channels the blessings of Primus and The One. I bear the Creation Matrix, the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, the greatest of the matrices of our people. I swear on the Matrix that I will not block you leaving this planet and will provide a ship and provisions to take you away. I order you to leave this space and not return. I order you to leave the Empire as fast as you can. You have my word on the Matrix that I will not hinder or prevent your departure. But I swear to you by the same measure, if you harm a single human, my oath is invalid and I will hunt you, myself unto your death. So say I, so says the Matrix. I have spoken:
A sensation of cool air passed through Prime and he could feel it touch the two mechs inside. It was an acknowledgment of the oath between the three of them. It was silent a moment, the Sherma spoke. :Have a ship land here, Prime. We're leaving immediately:
:Send out the two humans. The others are beyond your reach. If they are harmed, the oath is broken and I can move to exact penalties. Let the two with you go and I will comply: Prime said.
:Land the ship and they will be allowed to leave. It's a trade off, Prime. Humor us: Momus said.
Prime glanced down the street, then nodded. Prowl looked away to something that Prime couldn't see, then the sound of a vessel was heard. It was a lift off sound, then it came closer, appearing overhead. Lowering itself, it touched down gently, filling the street from side-to-side. A pilot climbed down the ramp and ran to the building where Ratchet stood, going inside through a shop door. Ratchet moved farther down the street to watch as the tension rose.
Prime stayed where he was, outwardly calm but inwardly tense. It seemed to take forever, then there was movement on the street in front of the building. Two sets of peds could be seen under the ship climbing inside. At the same time, around the tail section of the vessel two humans appeared, then ran as fast as they could toward Prime just as the ship began to fire up. Prime ran forward, grabbed both men, then ran back in time to miss the engine blast. The ship rose, cleared the buildings, then flew straight up into the sky to disappear. By then, all the soldiers and his officers ran to where Prime stood holding Lennox and Epps.
Ratchet reached them first. "Are you alright?" he asked.
The two nodded. "We are. The others are in the shelter."
"We know," Ratchet said as Prime put the two down.
Prime turned to Jetta. "We need them dug out."
Jetta nodded, then stepped aside to call for a team. Magnus glanced at the humans, then Prime. "What do we do now? You can't go after them."
Prime nodded. "I can not, that is true, but you can."
Magnus smirked slightly. "Consider it done."
Ratchet grinned. "I dealt with Sherma in the Senate. He wasn't the sharpest cog then and he hasn't changed now."
The laughter that drew was a great relief to everyone.
-0-Tower, about a joor later
Hildie and the others walked in to the giant relief of everyone. Jarrod cried as he held his son and hugged his wife. It was a great reunion and many kudos were laid on the laps of Cindy and Lola Teasdale. After a check in with Prowl, everyone was excused from the lock down. It was decided that the kids could stay at school overnight and the adults would come to them in the morning to make changes of clothes and the like. They were 'camping' overnight at their school. So would Prime's kids but for Sojourner and Solus. So would Ratchet and Ironhide's but for Prowler. Everyone else was stranded. Everyone but Partition.
-0-Six guys at the airport
It was dark when the N.E.S.T. soldier came to drive them to Earth2. They had not been in contact and even with facilities and excellent food sent to them from The Resort, they were still tired and getting cranky. A big soldier, Toby McFarlane walked into the facility to where they sat. "I'm Sargent Toby McFarlane. I've been tasked to take you to Earth2. Gather up your slag and let's go," he said, then he turned toward the door to leave. "Make sure you pass the gear up check or I'm leaving you behind."
They stared at him, then each other. Swiftly donning the gear that would keep them alive, they gathered their stuff and hurried after McFarlane who was already through the energy field and in the vehicle. One of them set off the alarm and after an attendant helped them get it straight, they were able to pass through the security barrier to go out into the real world. Entering the vehicle, they roared out into the gloom of night and the brightly lighted streets and highways of the colony.
"What happened? I thought there was an incident?" Todd Baseman said.
"There was. It's over. We have a long ride. Buckle up," McFarlane said. He disappeared into the slightly more heavy traffic than usual this time of night. A lot of individuals were making their way home at last.
-0-TBC 9-23-17 edited 9-26-17
-0-NOTES
Found this: :D
G3 cometh.
Transformers: Cyberverse is an upcoming animated series. Developed by Boulder Media Studio, "Chapter One" is set to air in 2018, with a second "Chapter" aimed for a 2019 release. The series is intended to "focus more on characters and their mythology"
I don't know if the chapters have multiple parts to play out but it would be weird to show 'chapter one', then wait a year for 'chapter two'. Could be fun. :D:D:D
Good responses in the notes:
Guest chapter 136 . 6h ago
Mamma Rosa said someone was going to have a baby. I Inferno and Red Alert they need a sparkling of their own. And how about Beachcomber and Buffer too. Maybe First Aid And Bee. Or maybe even a couple of the humans will have a baby. Awesome chapters.
ME: Thanks, honey. :D She did and that will come to pass shortly when things get taken care of. I love the suggestions people make about this. I have a whole list of bonds that will be genitors at some point. I love having the choice. :D HUGS!
kattenbelletje chapter 136 . 12h ago
Isn't Ratchet able to put mechs in stasis remotely? He could try that with Momus and Sherma.
ME: I have an entire list of possibilities including that but the habitat is not only a habitat but a defensive outpost for the humans on world. Therefore, its so secure that normal things won't work here. Optimus always worries about things going south and this is part of that so the security is optimal here. :D HUGS!
Guest chapter 136 . 18h ago
How is any of the human habitats designed against direct assault if all that Momus and Sherma did was rip the front door off its hinges to gain access to inside the habitat? Doesn't seem very secure after all.
ME: The habitat is optimal from the outside. The pods inside are designed to be used in case of rupture or system failure. They weren't designed against someone invading the facility. They are more life boats than fortified defensive positions. They, therefore, are less secure than the rest of the facility. They are inside and less secured because of it. :D HUGS!
Guest chapter 136 . 19h ago
Awesome chapters. Damn Intel Martin people can go eff themselves. Can any of the bots that are warpers, or go invisible or the metro formers in pretender tech get inside the habitat unnoticed and take out Momus and Sherma?
ME: The habitats are protected from any outside forces. They would be able to with any other building but the human habitats. Prime is paranoid about them getting hurt and thus, the designs are intensely anti-invader. :D HUGS!
Ragemoose chapter 136 . 19h ago
god, and here i was thinking harris might have been shaping up. i hope he gets a rock in his shoe, the sour old goat. the idea that hes becoming a new nast is sickening. with a young daughter... god. what a tool. it's hard to even WANT him to shape up when he pulls crap like this. i hope his son rats him out. i mean, they already know whats going on because earth 2 is a titan, but i hope his son at least has the sense to distance himself from that egotist of a father. his son was sorta shaping up to be good last we saw. I think he could go places. i hope he has enough sense not to get involved.
ME: I think his kids have some possibilities especially Rick because he likes the place, likes the bots he works with and has respect. A lot of times, young people can change where sometimes the elders can't or won't. Owen likes money and power. It will be interesting to see what budges him, it anything. HUGS! :D
Misty Legionnaire chapter 136 . 22h ago
Couldn't one of the pretender donned titans get in? Seems they can go anywhere they want and if they "shrank" their normal size they could get in and ascertain the situation in the shelter.
If titans got in, could they get anyone out via dimensional shifts or is this the wrong time to see what would happen to humans going through the different dimensions
Look forward to the next chapter.
ME: That would be fun but again, no one would know what it would mean to the humans. Also, the security of the building would be a tough opponent. All the possibilities are on the table but they have to make them happen around a building that is designed to defeat unauthorized or hostile entry. HUGS! :D
Megatron Owes Me Money chapter 136 . 23h ago
The phrase, "we're not in Kansas anymore." comes to mind for the last bit LOL!
ME: MUAAHHAHAHAAHA! I agree. :D Nothing like a really hard problem to make everyone uptight. Prime has to be smarter than these two and given their history, it won't be that hard. :D Turncoat traitors to the planet deserve a shellacking. :D HUGS!
Megatron Owes Me Money chapter 135 . Sep 21
OMG! I almost forgot about Daniels and the mercenaries from Intel-Martin. Oh when Prowl finds out... (gets out the popcorn and beer)... this gonna be good! XD
Oooh you should do a follow up on Daniels, Galloway and whoever else got pinched from that group LOL!
ME: I will follow up. :D:D:D I have to say, I miss these idiots. Prowl will be waiting for them. I see them as fun and the possibilities are endless. :D:D:D HUGS!
Ragemoose chapter 135 . Sep 21
ugh... jim and sam... we just cant get rid of these dirt bags. smh. i hope they get ejected immediately with no warning. turned away at the gate. i also hope that they can use this as evidence against the earth 2 guy who's name slips my mind. deliberately hiring people who have advocated against your right to have a home and iirc blamed bombings on your existence on a planet? that sort of goes past "innocent employment slip" and shoots straight into "uncalled for dick move" haha
ME: It really is but then, Owen is a combative guy and wants dudes around him that are totally obedient. This may actually be fun to write. After all, they are hated by the twins and the feeling is mutual. :D:D:D HUGS!
Guest chapter 131 . Sep 21
Burris bond is named Anders and harmed himself by drinking a toxic chemical. It is in The Diego Diaries Part 5 chapters 345 and 346 where you will find this. There sons are Keystock, Bezel and Cargo. Keystock was also in the Prison along with his atar Burris.
Me: On it. I changed the names. Keystock is coming up with several others. Cargo and Bezel are already at odds and that hasn't changed now. Hobbes has a really messed up family with all his kids but one jerking around. Thank you for the notes. I have my writing program on but half the data can't be accessed because I'm doing something wrong. I have an email in to the company to see how I can fix that. HUGS! :D