The Diego Diaries: Getting On (dd6 194)
-0-Around
He paced in the prison. He had just finished a conversation with his counsels and given that he had to go through a trial anyway, it wasn't setting well. Larken of Galaxy Industries was going to have to face charges for his actions on Cybertron during the war. Apparently, he had risen to a level that even Burris and the others hadn't reached. He was being charged with war crimes. He had arrived on his ship with his son, his bond and his elderly genitors. They were all from one of the most powerful industrial families on Cybertron.
They had met up with Hercy, Kup and Springer in the migration. After a tense exchange, they were given their tags, processed through Immigration and given homes. What they also received was a flag against their names in the database that was acted upon when the Cybertronian mainframes came online. After a short time of investigation and consultation with Barron, a group of Watch mechs came to his apartment and arrested him. They arrested his son and put a tracking device on his genitors and those of his bond who would remain under modified house arrest. Then the two were hauled off to the prison. It was a very tense encounter but the armed mechs in the hallway showed him the error of his ways.
Counsel had been supplied and many were the long sessions in the Prison Command Center conference rooms going over the ABSURDITY of arrest and what would happen with the charges. His son was livid and vocal about it. Larken who was smoother but no less unscrupulous had taken a different tack. He argued all his logic, his entitlements, came from every angle but screaming loudly, and STILL found himself behind bars. He was in the same cell with his son and some of the adopted and blood family of Sentinel and the others. His genitors were limited in their ventures outside but because of their age left out of prison. His bond became another 'prison widow' as someone facetiously called it.
It would be a long afternoon pacing at the fence of his cell block. The Decepticons sitting in chairs by their own fence would have a much better time mocking his sorry aft.
-0-Conference Room, Ops Center, The Fortress
They gathered, the senior Autobots and a few of the civilians. Sitting down, Prowl turned to them. "I need an overview of departments in relation to the problem."
"We have no power for street lights and street illumination tonight. By tomorrow, we expect that the five generators will be installed and on line, fed by the plasma chamber. We have power for all the essential services, for businesses that require it and for several joors tonight for every apartment in the colony. We sent out a message over transponders that there will be joors of power for every city on a rotational basis when the power will be out. It will be rerouted after a time to others and parceled out equally. Given that everyone will be out of power for four joors each at varying intervals to allow everyone at home to have some power rather than none at all, its the best solution we can provide. I have to say, this power failure not only illuminated a problem with Teletraan but also with our grid. We have strengthened it to exist outside of Teletraan now. We're going to redesign the whole thing to make it more autonomous. If we need to make more stations fed by the chamber to make us clearly and freely safe against this happening again, we will," Jetta said as Mack nodded.
"Right now, the fourth generator is being placed," Magnus said. "I've been to the site with Jetta and I agree that we might want to diversify our points of origin in the power grid. We can also consider dividing the colony into zones with their own power generation plants. Since they have zero impact on the environment and are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, it won't be an eyesore as the humans say. I would like to think we have backups to our backups."
"Do what you believe we need, then present it to me. I am open to good solutions," Prime said.
"The Armories are fine. I worried that the accumulation of explosive dust particles could be a problem but our system backups kicked in immediately. We run sims but never a real life scenario. This was good to know," Ironhide said.
"You might want to know," Blackjack said over a monitor nearby. "No one on Cybertron is reporting this problem. What about the bases?"
"Not here. We're four by four," Flint said from a monitor featuring him from Fort Apache.
"We have no problems, Prime," Cloudburst said. "Luna Base was not affected."
"Nor Fort Cybertron, Prime," Wren said on a split screen. Fort Recluse weighed in as well.
"We are four by four, Prime, here at Gliese," Delirious, a big Seeker said as he spoke by monitor.
"Has anyone contacted Caminus?" Prime asked.
"I will," Prowl said as he arose.
"What about Enceladus, Charon and Europa? What about Trypticon?" Prime asked. "Check them, too, Prowl."
It was quiet a moment, then Prowl turned to Prime. "No effect there. I did forward the protocols and they signaled earlier that they were in place."
"Good. That relieves my processor," Prime said. "Ratchet?"
"We're good. We've always been in the backup grid. Medical, the Industrial Park Cities, the habitats, the schools … there are other places, too, but they were built to continue no matter what happened. We're fine and dandy," Ratchet said.
"Herling?" Prime asked.
"We have the backups. We had a fluctuation, then it settled. We're monitoring things but all is well," Herling said.
"What's the update, Wheeljack? Anything?" Prime asked as he glanced over the datapad Prowl handed him on the outlying areas.
"We're dealing with what might turn out to be temporal in nature, Optimus. I gave the problem to Max and Metroplex. He's going over it with Clipper and some of the other scientists in their group. They have experience with temporal science and we could use the extra processors. This is very complex. The beam originated out of nowhere, took what it could before we discontinued Teletraan, then disappeared. I'm just grateful that when Teletraan went down, they had to stop their raid," Wheeljack said. "I do think we can say with some certainty that no one we've run into is the source of this attack. No one in this part of the galaxy has this capability. The titans are going to send the problem onward toward Soft Space and see what their elders think."
"Thank you," Prime said. "What about the prison, Warden?"
"We had no problems," Gee-Gee said. "We have our own generation that works in conjunction with the main power grid. Because they run at the same time, when the main grid goes down, our own instantly takes over. Behind that, we have the emergency generation system that everyone else has on the main backup plan. We can't allow even a second's lapse so we designed our system to go at the same time as the main lines which is helpful because we're a power rich client. There is no gap no matter how infinitesimal between the two systems."
"That's comforting," Prowl said. "What about the hospital center? It's on the same line, too?"
Gee-Gee nodded. "It is. We're jacking up the power backups to the alternate prisoners. Under no circumstances can they get out."
Prime nodded. "I am willing to have them in stasis if there is even the smallest possibility. Until we figure out what we are facing, it will be an option I am willing to entertain, even reluctantly. The possibilities are so terrible, we have to take the sternest measures."
"I would feel better if that was the plan anyway, Optimus. I don't even like to fantasize about them making a break. We'd have chaos on a scale that would be unimaginable," Ironhide said as he glanced at Ratchet.
"It would simplify things for a while and it wouldn't have to be permanent. This is a special situation we face at both ends of the problem, the strange attackers and the alternate us's. Consider, they're temporal products, too, Optimus," Ratchet said.
"I will consider it," Prime said. He sat back tiredly. "We have to get a handle on this quickly. It could be that they are not going to be enemies or a danger but we cannot entertain anything that could prove disastrous. But one can hope."
"You and me both, brother," Ratchet said quietly.
"Is there anything else that needs to be said? Springer?" Prowl asked.
"We're holding the line. No one took advantage of things, though there was some panic for a short time. It was too much like an attack. We also had the humans … the mercenaries that Owen Harris hired break a rule. They came to the Sciences Habitat with one person and left with another. They made it to Aerie Hill before heading back to Earth2. I'm going to Earth2 in a moment to have a face-to-face with Owen Harris and his committee. I look forward to it greatly," Springer said with a slight grin.
"Bring the hurt, child of ours," Ratchet said as he leaned into Ironhide's arm. "By the way, will this put off dinner tonight at the Tower In The Sky in Terra?"
Prime glanced at Prowl who shrugged.
"I don't see a problem," Prowl said. "Do you?"
"Hopefully not," Prime said with a slight grin. "We stand at security Level 2 and what about the sensors? Did we re-position any?"
"We linked the Proxima Centauri Deep Space Array with the others set up between here and Cybertron and those on the migration trail including the three new ones that Dai Atlas recommended to speed up all manner of things including communication. We have the big dishes on Luna and the Midway Array tied in. All of the sensors out past the dreadnoughts are fixed in overlapping fields and all of it is going to the secondary main frame in the bottom of City Hall which is stand alone in conjunction to Teletraan. I've set up a station there manned around the clock," Prowl said.
"All that since breakfast?" Ratchet asked with a grin.
"Of course," Prowl said smugly. He sat back and folded his arms over his chassis. "Halo. Now. Consider it an order."
Ironhide frowned at Prowl, then reluctantly handed the infant over. She was lying in a cocoon of white blankets and a fuzzy white Seeker bag. A fuzzy hat covered her tiny helm as her delicate appearing long strands of 'hair' spread out behind her. "This is solar collecting material? Does it do that for her? I never asked."
"It will," Ratchet said with a smile. "Little femme has to age a bit. She's never going to be out of power."
"Nice touch," Prowl said with a grin. She was recharging like the champion she was as everyone grinned at her. Prowl looked at the group. "Anything else we need to know?"
"We're sending deep sensor flight groups out with the innovation of Hercy's visor added. We're not sure how it will help but it adds another spectrum to their arsenal," Starscream said as Rainmaker nodded. "We will see what we can see. They will fly with heavy gunners."
"Good call," Prime said. "Anything else?" No one spoke. "Tune in to your emergency frequencies and keep them online. We may be unable to get to the Ops Center to get things moving so we can still communicate this way."
Springer rose, then stretched. "We have to go to Earth2 but we'll be there for dinner."
"Bring back funny stories," Ratchet said with a smile.
Drift smirked as Springer chuckled. "We'll try." They walked out and after a moment of chat and some clarifications, the rest did as well.
-0-At the entrance to Earth2
They drove out and into the huge paved parking lot of Earth2. Transforming, they stood before the building. They could look into the first floor of the massive building, though it was on stilts. There were humans gathering to look back. Some of them waved. Springer grinned at them with a nod. He glanced at Drift. "This might be fun. Or not."
Drift chuckled. "Stories. Funny stories."
"Oh. Right," Springer said with a grin as he walked toward the great doors that led into the hatch entrance. The doors opened and they entered. The doors closed and the space was instantly available atmospherically to the humans who were waiting in front of the inside first floor door, a glass affair that was part of the elevator humans used that took them up and down. Nearby, the elevator that could take bots their size was waiting. They pointed to it, the humans, so both walked in and went up. Stepping out after the door opened, the big mechs turned to the humans gathering to greet them. Hamilton Brown, Owen Harris, Perry Beliveau, Kyle Davis, and Cynthia Tomas were there to meet the two.
Harris stepped forward. "Chief Springer. I got your message."
Springer glanced at the crowd, then Harris. "Do you want to do this in front of everyone or would a private conversation suffice?"
"I have no problem," Harris said. Cynthia Tomas looked otherwise but said nothing.
"We have one, a problem, that is, with humans going out in one vehicle and changing it up outside. None of the mercenaries that were out with a certified driver were certified themselves. They had no permission to jump vehicles," Springer said.
"I was not aware that this was not permitted," Harris said smoothly. "They were in a safe habitat. They were driven around by certified drivers. I am unaware there was a problem."
"You've read the manual?" Springer asked. The crowd had become quiet, aware that an undercurrent of discord was being played here. It was slight but it was there. It felt like a cop asking you for your drivers license and then quizzing you about what you think you did wrong. Uncomfortable was a small word for this for most of the civilians watching.
"We have," Owen said. "We're now aware that we can't change vehicle from the one we leave with if we aren't certified. What about those who are?"
"Until you have the all clear to go about your business, you have to follow protocols, certified or not. That means, you go out one way, you come back the same. No one gets a pass until you pass muster. If this happens again, we will arrest those involved. We do this to keep you alive," Springer said as Drift nodded. "Things happen and then you die."
"There was a power failure today," Hamilton Brown said. "How often does that happen?"
"This is the first time," Springer said. "No one died. We want to keep it that way."
"What about the weather? Did that make the problem or is this something else?" Hamilton asked.
"We control the weather here. This time of year there'd be sand storms that could engulf the entire planet for months. That doesn't happen anymore because Wheeljack and Perceptor fixed that problem. As for the power outage, it happened. It's being repaired. You're on a backup generator. You won't have to deal with the problem but there will be lights out here and there through the night. It would do you well to stay inside. In fact, consider that an order."
"Thanks for the information. I will take care of this," Owen Harris said smoothly.
"I hope you do or we will," Springer said equally smoothly. He nodded to the group with a grin, then walked to the door.
Drift turned to go when Owen Harris called out to him. He looked down at the humans. "Yes?"
"Tell me about your swords. I hear that the Knights of Cybertron use them and nothing else," Owen said. The crowd watched the two breathlessly.
"We do," Drift said. He pulled his swords, the short ones and twirled them. Holding them out, tips to the floor, he shifted them to show the beauty of the blades and their inscriptions. "This is my primary weapon unless you require me to shoot. I don't like to shoot," he said glancing at Springer who grinned at him.
"Sometimes, you have to shoot," Springer said.
"I don't like it."
"Purist," Springer said as the humans watching laughed.
Drift slipped his swords back to their place on his back. Owen noted his ease with them, then looked at the long one. "What about that one?"
Drift considered the blade that had come to him from Wing at the big mech's death. "It's seldom used. It draws its energy from my spark. If I used it long and hard enough, it will kill me. It's a last hope, no chance weapon," he said. "Its sentient."
"Sentient? A sword?" Hamilton Brown asked with surprise.
Drift nodded. "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." He turned to go, then paused. Looking back, he smirked slightly. "Hamlet to Horatio." With that, he walked to the door and with Springer in tow went down by elevator to the ground floor. The door closed, then the outside opened. Walking out, they glanced back, waved to the humans who waved, then transformed. Blasting out of the parking lot, they made their way to the intersection and the road to Terra.
"Horatio?" Springer asked as they barreled along.
"Ain't you had no learnin'?" Drift asked.
"Apparently not," Springer replied as they headed through the darkening night toward Terra who at the moment was still lit. None of the stop lights and traffic devices on the way there would be, however.
-0-TBC 11-17-18 edited 11-19-17 edited again 1-7-18