The Diego Diaries: Moving On (dd6 150)
-0-Around
"So … who wants to lay a bet that it looks like Ironhide?" Sideswipe said as he dealt the cards. The twins had been reassigned to Mars, for now, and were gathered at Club Hoyle with the rest of their reprobate gang of young wild mechs to spend the afternoon.
No one took the bet.
-0-The Resort
"Those two are insane. Let me see … that means among the littlest, there'll be that baby, Orion, Praxus, Hero, and Prowler. Then Sunspot. Then Genesis, Quasar and Fireball. That's how many? Nine? Oh wait. There's the six others that live with Ty and the trine. Aren't Quadrus, Santee, Saber, Lumi, Tru, and Verilus theirs, too?" Barbara Morshower asked as she poured over next week's menus for the resort. "Don't forget Bos, Reflector and Co-D."
Everyone nodded. They were.
"That doesn't count the dog and the others," her daughter, Lois Morshower-Howell said as she finalized the outing schedule for the next group to come. The Resort was always planned out a month ahead. "The femmes … Arcee, Elita, Jetta, Firestar, Lancer, Moonracer, Greenlight, Springer, Drift, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe … there's more. I know it, right?"
"There must be. Don't they have about twenty-five or so kids? I wouldn't put it past them to ask everyone to move in with them." Judy Witwicky grinned. "I want to move in with them. Those two know how to have fun. I thought I was oppressed with one kid."
"You and me both," Barbara Morshower said with a laugh.
"Let me see," Sarah Lennox said as she opened a notebook to a clean page. "The adults are Ratchet and Ironhide. Ratchet's elders are Corr, Chan, Appa Ratchet, Docker," she looked up. "We have an invite to join the Autobot City Femme Association and the Autobot City Administrative Assistant Association, by the way."
"SIGN US UP!" -all of them
Sarah grinned, then sent acceptances to both organizations by message on her computer. "Ratchet's family … Ravel and Tie Down. Ironhide's family … Hard Drive, Delphi, Raptor, Turbine, Blackjack, Alor, Aunt Lissie, Flint, Uncle Stein-"
"They're still hoping Uncle Stein made it somewhere," Lonnie said. "He sounds like a hoot."
Everyone nodded. "I do, too," Sarah said. "Let's see … Uncle Stein, Trooper, Scout, the babies who are Scout and … that's all the babies besides Ratchet's horde. Let's see how many that is ..." She counted the names, then grinned. "We forgot the in-laws. That includes Bluestreak, Maelstrom and Drift until he was adopted. Oh, and Magnus. Anyone else?"
They thought a moment, then Lonnie grinned. "Does that include Ratchet's project, Partition?"
They all grinned.
"How many thus far, Sarah?" Lois asked.
Sarah counted, then grinned. "So far … uh ... unless we left someone out ... we did. Kaon, Iacon and Uraya."
Everyone glanced at each other. "How did they get overlooked?" Lois asked as everyone agreed.
"I don't know. I want them myself," Sarah said with a grin. "I think its 49 altogether and 54 with Partition. That may not be right. They have so many kids I think I need a picture flip book to keep it together."
"Ask Ironhide to borrow his," Barbara said to loud laughter.
-0-On the way to Prison
Ratchet ambled along to the Command Center of the Autobot City Military and Civilian Prison. He was on his way to finish medical and mental health evaluations of the newest prisoners. Most of them were Decepticon transfers from Cybertron into a system that was much more secure than those that were on-world there, itself rising from the ashes slowly but sure They were ship boarding maniacs, mostly, and other hard cores that would likely never see freedom again without major personality adjustments.
They entered the building, waved to Colius, one of the two associate wardens, then walked out with their guards. Roadbuster was as ever silent and solid. He was terribly amusing because of his demeanor, though he would be the last to know that. It was the usual slag fest as they went inside and began to move down the road to the lockup that he was needing to review. These would be prisoners having their hearings shortly and one of them was Keystock, the brother of Bezel and Cargo. Decepticons hollered at Ratchet and he grinned at them. When they reached the transitional lockup, they went inside where the 'undetermined holds' were kept pending their hearings, trials or other final dispensations.
"Well, well … look at this fine group of misunderstood individuals," Ratchet said as he began to scan them long distance. Ironhide who was ambling along because he could halted behind Ratchet. He was amused by the slaggers who often were humorous and by the high castes pending hearings that were still as up their own afts as ever.
"Slaggers." Ironhide glanced around, noting that the crowds inside the wires were shrinking. They really did a lot of work here to rehab those that could pass into society.
A big mech with an exquisite finish stood by the barracks, then walked over to them to halt before Ratchet. He stared at the big medic. "What brings you here?"
"My job," Ratchet said. "You're Keystock, correct?"
He stared at Ratchet, then nodded. "Why are you here?"
"Business. You're getting up for a hearing shortly and I have to give a report to the court about your physical condition. I also know most of your family, so I let them know how you are."
"You know my family," Keystock said.
Ratchet nodded. "I know Bezel. He's a friend. I also treated your ada when he tried to kill himself."
Keystock's expression hardened. "Is that so."
"It is. Right now, he's in therapy and making his way. He's on disability and is home bound but we have outreach programs to monitor those who find it hard to adjust or can't get out. Your ada would do better if you'd shape up and take care of him," Ratchet replied. There was nothing like a hard line tactic to see if anything could be budged when all else failed. Keystock was smooth, hardcore and quiet.
"I was told he was doing fine," Keystock said as others joined him at the bars.
"He's doing better, not fine. He's having a struggle and your brothers fighting doesn't help. Cargo is being an aft. You do know that Bezel is bonded don't you and doesn't live at home?" Ratchet asked.
Keystock nodded. "I do. A high caste named Lon. I don't know his family but he appears to be the right sort anyway."
"He's on the Watch and Bezel joined him. They're part of the horseback patrol," Ratchet said as Ironhide watched him silently.
"A common job," Keystock said coldly. "I never understood Bezel. He never had the right attitude. He was never going to be part of the family business. He didn't apply himself, nor did he consort with the right kinds of mechs and femmes."
"No, he didn't," Ratchet said. "I can't speak for him but I'd think he'd find your type too boring." He glanced at his guard detail who were watching with humor framed in a hard core veneer of indifference to narcissism. "Let's move onward, boys. We have so many wonderful inmates to see. We can't spend all orn with this group." Ratchet led the way with a group of snickering heavily armed behemoths following.
Keystock watched him go, then glanced at the others. "That mech needs to go."
"Good luck with that," another said. "He's related to the Prime now."
"They can both go," Keystock said as he watched Ratchet pause before each area to scan and talk to the inmates. "My brother, Bezel, needs a beating. A good, hard beating."
"Well, if you're going to do it, do it soon," another mech said with a slight grin. "They teach the police how to fight here in conjunction with the army and something tells me, Keystock, that he can kick your aft tens ways to Cybertron and back again now." That mech turned back to the chairs nearby as others followed. Soon, Keystock was alone with his thoughts. They weren't happy ones.
-0-Around
Bezel and Lon walked to their apartment after spending the orn working out at the dojo, learning a new technique at disarming knife-wielding opponents, then having lunch with the elders of their set. Though they were a tight group, many of the youngsters of the army and police, they also hung with their elders. It was almost a worshipful experience to hang out with Lissie, Hercy, Kup, and the others. Hearing their tales, learning their skills, getting things figured out, it all was so meaningful. The younger mechs constantly being streamed in like Lorn were so happy at being with those who had substance and vorns in the field that it was sweet to watch them.
Both Bezel and Lon were promoted to the horseback patrol. Lon had been a precinct station commander, then moved to horseback when Bezel joined the force. They had become a highly competent and reliable team on night shift, riding around the colony with the Alpha squad, Hercy, Kup, Springer, Drift, Splice, Whirl, and Sandstorm. Shift always ended with breakfast at a diner or cafe, a visit at the dojo, then home to unwind. It was a good thing that they didn't need to sleep in quantities like humans if they could at least rest. Recharging was optimal and the best course but they could also manage well without it.
Mostly.
Entering the elevator, they rode upward, walked to their apartment, then entered. It was as they left it, two good natured kids with lots of hobbies and habits making it a warm and inviting place with their stuff. Picking up a few things, Bezel cleared up the living room, then flopped on a chair. "Any messages for me?" he asked as Lon checked the mail on the monitor.
"One from your ada," he said glancing at Bezel over his shoulder. "Want to read it privately or what?"
"No. Play it, Lon," Bezel said.
Lon pressed the button and the anxious face of his ada appeared. "Hello, son. I want to know if you can come to the hearing for your brother on Second Wednesday? I don't want to go alone. Cargo is coming so I hope you can as well. Your father will be there. His pass is still in force which is greatly helping me. If you could come, I would be so happy. I hope you and Lon have a great orn. Come by and have dinner when you can. Okay? I love you so, son." The message went off.
Bezel arose, then walked to the monitor. He dialed in his ada's apartment, then the call was answered by his father, Burris. "Hi. I got a message from Ada. I would like to talk to him."
Burris nodded. "Hold on a moment," he said as he stepped out of the view. Then Anders stepped into the scene. He smiled at Bezel. "Hello, son. Did you get my message?"
"I did, Ada, and I wanted to know if you wanted to go to dinner?" Bezel asked. "Lon and I got off duty and we don't have to go back on for two orns. How about coming to dinner with us?" he asked.
Anders brightened. "I would like that very much. Your father is here. You saw him. We can meet you somewhere. Where would you like to go?" he asked, sounding better than he had in ages.
Bezel turned to Lon. "Where do you want to eat dinner?" he asked.
Lon considered that. "How about that new steak place in Metrocon? I heard its good."
Bezel looked at his ada. "There's a new steak place in Metrocon. Why don't you wait in your lobby and we can come get you. Then we can go together."
Anders smiled brightly. "That sounds wonderful. Doesn't that sound wonderful, Burris?" he asked glancing off screen.
"I think so. I want you happy, Anders," a voice said.
Anders turned to the screen. "We will be waiting, son. I am so happy you got my message."
"I am, too," Bezel said with a grin of his own. "I love it when you call. See you shortly. We'll call you when we get to your tower. Okay?" he asked.
"Okay," Anders said with a big smile. Then the screen cut off.
Bezel turned to Lon. "Thanks," he said. "This is two meals in a joor. You up for this?"
"If it makes your ada happy, yes," Lon said as he hugged Bezel. "Let's haul."
With that, they walked to the door and left. As they left, Burris called Cargo to come to dinner with the four of them.
-0-Finishing up
Ratchet checked on a couple of the deteriorating inmates at the special hold for mentally ill or extremely dangerous prisoners. They weren't very good but they hadn't slipped enough for extraction so he left them there. Walking out, Ironhide shook his helm. "If I ever get that crazy, shoot me."
"I'll break in my frying pan instead," Ratchet said with a big grin.
Ironhide chuckled, then nodded at Ratchet. "Sounds good to me." They walked off together down Prison Road, then Fortress Road to The City. Soon, their kids would be getting out of school and they had some news to tell them.
-0-TBC 10-07-17 edited 10-08-17
Someone commented on the sweetness of the kids around the elders and how the elders were sweet to the kids. When I was growing up, the older men in my circle were always mentoring kids in their professions, ranching, truck driving, heavy equipment, and the kids were always almost worshipful around them. They wanted knowledge and approval so bad, it was sweet. The same is happening here. :D