The Diego Diaries: Ho-Ho-Ho (dd6 233)
-0-On the way to Seven Cities-North
They rolled down the highway with escort like some kind of oriental potentate. Waving to those who honked or waved, they made their way. "Where's Lucien?" Ironhide asked as he suddenly remembered that sullen force of sourness.
"He's waiting at our next stop. I thought going into homes and seeing the destruction face to face is better than being entertained in the schools. I couldn't have his grumpy puss there around the babies."
"Good call," Ironhide said with a grin.
They trundled onward.
-0-Aerie Hill Senior Center, Aerie Hill District, Autobot City
"And this is for you, Elder. It is a token of our deepest respect for you and your family," Starscream said as a small mech stood before him. "This other one is for your bond."
The elder Seeker smiled at him and took both. "Thank you, Lord Starscream. You have no idea how much it did my spark good to hear your voice calling us to you. We were in our deepest despair. My bond and I," he said glancing at a small Seeker mech sitting in a wheelchair, "were at death's door. Now, if we keep up therapy and go through a couple of more operations, Silo will walk again. The doctors told us so. Goldwing is a very good doctor."
Starscream beamed with pride at the small mechs and the big doctor standing by the wall nearby laughing with three other Seekers over something. He leaned in closer. "When I came here, I was dying, too. I was saved and sought that all our kind come here and become all they were meant to be. My spark soars every time you come to us. I am sure I danced when you came."
The little mech smiled. "I am sure that it was amazing."
Starscream sat back with immense amusement on his face. "Can it be other?" Huge laughter erupted in the room as Starscream surveyed his domain. He wore a Santa Prime hat and he sat on an ornate throne created by his trine for him. His people were safe, they were excelling and everyone was moving forward into the world that should have been theirs but never was. He grinned. "You are why we do what we do every orn. I am honored to serve you."
The mech stared at Starscream, then bowed deeply. "All hail, Starscream."
They did.
-0-Intermediate School
Springer sat on an ornate chair that was draped with all manner of things, courtesy of the school art department and the students of Level Eight, Mr. Corlin's art career focus group. He sat with a jaunty hat, a smirk and a number of elves helping. Around the room were a lot of hangers-on, Wreckers who liked the detail, those who wanted to see for themselves the spectacle of the Wrecker Chieftain playing Santa Prime and any number of off duty police that wanted to play, too. It was boisterous, the lobby of the building, and filled with fabulous energy. The kids had come and were in their classrooms playing or whatever kids did during school parties as they waited to come down.
He glanced at the massive crates, two of them, that held more sophisticated presents for older children. Many would be the telescopes, machine assembly and art kits that he would hand out. Electronics were big and all manner of other things that kids everywhere liked to have would be excitedly received. As he glanced back, the first group walked in with their teacher. It would be Rambler's class. They waited at the line with grins and excitement, then Springer leaned forward toward them. "Anyone who hasn't tagged a building, step forward."
Huge laughter and a surprised glance or two between some of them was had. He sat back with a grin. "What a good looking collection of future clients," he said as the room erupted in laughter. "I'm happy to be here again, to be Santa Prime. I even dressed up for you." He glanced upward at the hat on his helm as laughter and applause greeted that. "This is the best orn of the year for me. I'm happy to be here. Why not come forward when I call you so I can give you something that tells you how much the colony loves you. We're proud of you. You're good and loved and welcome here. Just ... never forget that. No matter what, never, ever forget that," he said.
Drift handed him a gift. "Coros," Springer said.
Coros started, then walked forward, pausing before Springer who knew his story intimately. "How are you doing, Coros? I hope things are going well for you."
He stared at Springer, then shrugged. "I think I'm good."
"That's all we want. You and the rest to be good, protected, feel safe, and be happy. You're a kid. Be one and enjoy it. You're an adult forever and take it from me … sometimes it's no fun at all," Springer said with a grin.
Coros grinned faintly, the nodded. "Thanks."
Springer handed him a gift, a big box, which he took with pleasure. "No. Thank you for being a great kid."
Coros stared at him a moment, then nodded. "Thanks," he said simply, then returned to the line. He passed Rambler, a kid he was beginning to like a lot. Rambler grinned at him and he grinned back. He got into line and waited. The others went up, all of them including Rambler who hugged Springer who he considered an uncle. Among the Cybertronians, any adult who was close to a family, related or not, was considered an uncle or aunt. Given their tough lives and the amount of death that visited them, the strictest notions about relationships mattered less than the actual networks that were built among families and their closest friends. If Rambler was asked by others who Springer, Drift and a large number of others were including Ratchet and Ironhide, he would tell them without artifice that they were uncles and aunts.
"How are you doing, infant?" Springer asked as he hugged Rambler.
"I'm doing great," Rambler said. He was a sweet kid with a sunny spark. Having a family had saved him from despair and he didn't think back often on the life he had before Mars. The death of his parents, the soul-killing effort of keeping his brothers and himself alive in a battle zone and the hunger … it was gone in the past and he was living in the now. He couldn't change what had happened before so he didn't try. He put it where it belonged, the past. The golden memories of his parents who loved him he kept alongside the parents he had now, the ones who had chosen him and who labored not just for their people, but for him and his siblings so they would have a beautiful life. Rambler had learned to let go and embrace the now where all the love he could hope to have lived. "You make a great Santa Prime. You do know that Spirit thinks that Atar is different from Santa Prime."
"I know," Springer said with a grin. "It's the cutest thing ever. He's the cutest little mech ever."
Rambler nodded, the hugged Springer again. Taking his gift from Drift after a hug, he walked back to the line to stand with Coros. As he did, Pulley walked forward. Another kid with Coros' group, he was doing very well in school, had relaxed into it with relief even as he ignored most of the bellyaching that his genitors still engaged in at home. He love infant league football, had signed up for cross country track and was going to play basketball when they figured out how to do it here. He was a happy mech almost all the time. It wasn't until football that he realized how much he liked this place and how happy he was. Now, he stood before Springer, the 'enemy', with a happy spark.
"How are you doing, Pulley. I hear nothing but good things about you," Springer said.
"I love this place," he blurted out, surprising even himself. "Uh … I really like it here."
"You're an amazing wing, I hear," Springer said. "How's your team doing?"
"We've won half our games. Maybe next season we can do better," he said, warming up to the big mech before him. Springer was an amazing mech himself and the more he heard about the Wreckers, the more star struck he was around him.
"You're doing great. Half is no small thing. There's big mechs on some of the other teams. Do you go to the games in the big league?" Springer asked.
He nodded. "I love them. I root for Capital City. That's the family town."
Springer nodded. "Next game, wait by the gate where Prime stands before he comes in. I'll come get you and you can watch at ground level with us."
Pulley stared at him a moment, then smiled. "You mean it?" he asked with surprise.
"Sure. You haven't lived until you see it at ground level," Springer said with a grin. "You can meet our horses, too. Do you ride?"
"We do in class … gym class," Pulley said with gathering excitement.
"Good. Next game," Springer said as he made a note to himself. "Prime's entrance," he said as he took the gift from Drift and handed it to the kid.
"Thanks, Springer," Pulley said with a huge smile. "That will be awesome."
"I think so. For both of us," Springer said with a grin.
Pulley hurried back where he was surrounded by kids who listened as he told them of Springer's offer. They turned to him with surprise. He waggled his fingers in a wave and they laughed. The line came, kids who were sweet, shy, happy, outgoing, beautiful. It was glorious and that was only the first class. They kept coming and coming and coming.
-0-Blackjack and Company
He sat on a highly decorated chair waiting for the group helping invalids and those with ill health but were ambulatory get organized for the fun. The lobby of a health center in Iacon had been decorated and was ground zero for most of the most fit members of the group they would serve, the housebound and physically limited members of the colony who lived in the Seven Cities-East, West, South as well as the assisted living towers on-world. They were for the most part only partially full which made their effort for Christmas Surprise feasible. Given that Paragon had created them, he was assigned to help Blackjack reach everyone. Arrow who was carrying their kids in his hold had just come from the Academy with them after being feted by Santa Ironhide. Donning an elf hat, he set himself forward to help with the gifts.
Blackjack watched as the groups gathered, then grinned. "HO-HO-HO! I'M SANTA BLACKJACK, EMISSARY OF THE SANTA PRIME AND I BRING GOOD CHEER!"
Huge laughter, applause and smiles greeted that as a wheelchair was pushed forward by a big mech that appeared to be family. The mech in the chair was smiling and clapping his servos together. It would appear that he was mentally affected in some manner. His son, the big mech pushing him grinned at Blackjack. "General, this is my atar, Lars of Helex. He took some shrapnel to the processor and he's recovering. We asked for something he wanted and I hope they got our letter."
"We got all the letters, infant. We are Santa Primes, after all," Blackjack said with a grin as he reached for Lars' servo. He squeezed it gently as the mech focused on him. Lars smiled but he said nothing. It seemed to Blackjack that he was looking into the optics of a child. "Lars," he said. "You're a great mech and we're so glad that you're here. Just know that, somehow."
A bag was handed to Blackjack who peered inside. He looked up at the son who nodded. "If you could give it to him, he would appreciate it. He's stoked about Santa Primes."
Blackjack nodded, then pulled out a toy truck. He looked at it, then handed it to Lars. "Here you go, Lars. Merry Christmas Surprise from a grateful nation."
Lars stared at the truck for a moment, then smiled and took it into his servos with delight. He looked at it like it was solid gold. His son glanced at Blackjack with emotional optics. "Thank you."
Blackjack nodded. "What's the prognosis for your father?"
"We have hope. There's always hope. There's so many like him that Sciences is working on the problem. I have hope now where there was none before," he said.
"You have my name if there's anything I can do. Call me and I mean it," Blackjack said solemnly.
The mech nodded. "Thank you, General."
"No," Blackjack said gruffly. "Thank you for surviving and coming here. You are why we do what we do. Never forget that."
The mech nodded, then wheeled his excited father back to the family who stood nearby waiting for them. They surrounded him to hear his garbled delight. Blackjack sucked it up, then turned his cheerful gaze onto the crowd. "WHO IS NEXT TO HONOR ME WITH THEIR GREATNESS!?" he asked as laughter filled the room. More would come and then more and more. Working silently with Alor, Partition and Arrow, Cargo would help with the gifts. He would wear the elf hat without complaint.
-0-Optimus Santa Prime
He sat on his chair, the throne of thrones, and grinned as his minions scurried to get things ready, at this, the Autobot City Medical Center. There were wards to go through but there were a lot of outpatients who were here along with those who could walk coming down from upstairs. He grinned as those gathered to watch took snaps with him, touched him with bowed helms, chatted about this and that to pass the time until the elevators opened at last and the patients began to walk out. They were in various stages of repair, some trailing devices and helpers. They gathered before Optimus with great expectation and happiness. For some, this was their first time.
"I am so delighted to see you. I usually just visit Sparkling Day but we want everyone everywhere to have something of the season. This holiday is for you and your families, your children and your elders. This is someone elses holiday but we have made it ours, too. I wish you to know how grateful I am to see all of you here in this safe place. I wish you to know that you are the reason all of us work this hard, to provide you a good life and to keep you safe. You work hard as well and this is our way to thank you. I am grateful to be your Prime and I dedicate my life to you in service."
It was silent a moment, then someone knelt. Others began to kneel, too, as others bowed as best they could. Prime sat forward. "Please … friends …"
An older mech in the front glanced up from his knees. "I had no hope until now. I know it's because of you and your vision. You are The One Who Comes. You are the First Disciple of Primus. Thank you, too, Optimus Prime. We give back the same love to you," he said.
Agreement flashed through the crowd as they began to climb to their feet. They came forward, all manner of mech and femme in all manner of condition. He received them one-by-one, listened to them, accepted their compliments and spark-felt feelings of love and gratitude. He lay his servos in their own upturned in supplication and respect, posed for their pictures and held their children. It would take longer to leave this, a smaller crowd, but it would be a beautiful moment for both sides.
-0-Magnus and Company
They clopped along heading for a mass gathering of senior citizens at Nova Cronum in the Crater District. A smaller local population, it was expected to be a smaller group. Arcee leaned against Magnus, her servo holding his. "Tell me this isn't the best thing we do all year."
Magnus glanced down at her as the femmes festooned every surface on the vehicle. "I won't disagree."
Arcee smiled. "That's my boy," she said to laughter and general agreement.
Maelstrom and Chromia who were riding horses behind them with Lancer and Partition were laughing and joking around about how great it would have been to have horses for getaway vehicles back in the old robbing and pillaging paradigm. Partition who had been an aft most of his life, if not a marauding criminal, was clear in his processor that he wasn't in Maelstrom's league as he listened raptly to the big mech chat with Chromia, trying to one up each other in the fist fight and bar brawl category.
He was in love.
-0-Hard Drive, Delphi and Company
They rode along the sidewalk heading for the Tri-Cities where Raptor was hitting his stops. Home care and house bounds were being feted. The internal conversations that were waxing and waning back and forth with the family were amusing and he joined in with them. They would meet together to do the areas of need around Fort Max and Metroplex including the Processor Hospital. That was the place they would test the mettle of Keystock who was riding along behind them with a sour expression. He was ordered to wear the elf hat that no one else in the group wore, something he felt was an insult. It wasn't but Hard Drive knew that he would think so.
It was amusing to watch the big mech ride a horse. He hadn't done so before today and his unease was curious. The horse he was riding was Cinnabar, a dapple mare who was a steady, sweet horse for novice riders. One would have to be a very poor rider, indeed, to not enjoy Cinnabar. Keystock didn't appear to be enjoying the steady mare. "How are you doing, Keystock? This is your first ride after all," Hardie asked.
"I am fine," he said coldly.
Hard Drive grinned, then continued onward. When they arrived at the gathering place in Tyger Pax that would take them through the last few stops for Raptor, they would join in. That is, Keystock would join in and Hard Drive and Delphi would watch with amusement. It was incredible how hard Keystock was fighting his basic nature toward change.
-0-Jetta and Elita with Company
They walked toward the elevator to go down to the lobby. They had made fifteen stops in the city block where they were picking up odds and ends, mostly those who were unable to leave their homes for whatever reason, some for medical and others for psychological. Reaching it, they squeezed in, Jetta, Elita, Mack, his bond who joined them for lulz, Blaster, Revet with 'Vette, several Wreckers, and his aide from the professional association running things, Mika.
"This is fun. I'm glad that we can still do it, though, I think we need to have more Santas next time," Elita said. "Where to next, oh great one?" she asked Mika who walked out the elevator when it reached the lobby.
She smiled. "We're going to Kalis, then Centurion. After that, a care center in the Crater District, then we're through."
"That's not really a lot is it?" Revet asked. "This is going very well. I hope we didn't miss anyone."
"We made a point of checking the names submitted against others sources. I think we have everyone," Mika said as they walked out and began to get onto the carriage. Crowds who were there petting the horses and chatting together applauded them. They waved, then off they went, jingle bells ringing. It would be a very merry afternoon for the lot of them.
-0-Outside the Autobot City Processor Hospital and Outpatient Care Center, Autobot City, later that afternoon
Several carriages lined the street, parked to one side to allow the Santas and their flunkies to disembark and enter the building. Ironhide with Ratchet and his crew along with Hard Drive and Raptor with theirs had arrived. Lucien and Keystock stood together stoically bearing what they felt was humiliation in their elf hats as the group gathered. There was a large box of presents already inside waiting for distribution along with security to ensure that it went well. All of them had been vetted against the possibility that they could harm anyone or their recipients.
"How is it going?" Ratchet asked as he hugged Raptor.
"I AM RAPTOR! IT IS GOING!" he bellowed with a big laugh.
Everyone laughed, then they turned toward Ratchet. Ratchet stared back. "What?"
"How do we do this one, Ratchet?" Hard Drive asked.
"Well," Ratchet said as he turned to the director, "we're going door-to-door, right?"
The director nodded. "We will have security there to restrain anyone and we will let you know which ones to slip in the slot and which to give face-to-face," he said. "Thank you for this."
"It's our honor. We just want to do it right and well," Raptor said. He glanced at his elves. "Come with me." He walked in followed by Jazz, Turbine, Sandstorm, Mirage, and a sullen Cargo.
Hard Drive grinned as they went past, then glanced at his mechs. "Keystock, you will attend General Raptor and his crew. The rest of you can attend to me." He grinned. "Do attend, won't you?" he asked with a smirk.
"I, RATCHET, AM ATTENTIVE!" he said as he followed Hardie with a smile.
"I do it better, Ratchet," Ironhide said as he followed them and brought his laughing mocking crew with him. They entered the lobby and made their way around the corner of the corridor. Mika was organizing the presents to take to a room where several patients were well and trusted enough to gather. When they were distributed to Keystock and Cargo, the two groups followed the guards and director to the corridor beyond. Hardie glanced back at Ratchet. "Come along, Ratchet, and bring your tazer."
Ratchet snickered, then followed. It was silent a moment. "I think I better go and bring my fists of doom," Ironhide said as he followed.
"If my infants are going into battle, they won't go alone," Docker said as she slammed her tiny fists together. She followed them.
Everyone was silent again, then Roto grinned. "I better go in case someone needs … uh, speech therapy or something," he said as he walked to the corridor and disappeared.
Laughter filled the room, then everyone looked at everyone. Without another word, they all followed Roto down the corridor and disappeared inside.
-0-TBC 12-30-17 edited 1-11-18
Notes:
fete, feted: (feh-tay, feh-tayd) to celebrate something is to fete; to be celebrated is to be feted.
GUEST:
I love Christmas surprise!
I was thinking, cargo or key stock should have a total meltdown at the indignity of being forced to wear hat else. Sorry dictation is off as it usually is.
It's such an insanity the way they celebrate Christmas surprise. I love that they haven't given it up no matter how big the city has gotten they have just adopted it for themselves. I think it not only does the youngling's and elders good but it does them good as well. I love the story!
Fancy spinner happy New Year's! It's coming tomorrow
ME: HI, FANCYSPINNER! I agree with you. This is insanity given how big they are but they're determined to overwrite a few programs of despair. Magnus crabs about doing this but he loves it and it gives him something back, a chance to be a softie for someone besides Arcee. This is such a good time for everyone. I love Cargo and Keystock. The night is young meltdown wise but they aren't loving it. BWAHAHAHA! Poor babies! :D Happy New Years, my dear friend, and many more returns for you. :D:D
Ragemoose chapter 231 . Dec 28
ohh. Orion is so cute, protecting his big ol' dad... what a sweetie. He's gonna grow up to be one hell of a mech, that's for sure. If i were ratchet I'd make sure Ironhide had been taking his tablets before agreeing to anything, but that's just me. :-D another excellent chapter. I'm excited to see how Santa prime plays out. :D
ME: LOVE me some Orion. My Niece would do that if anyone bummed out her granny and grandpa. :D I agree with you about the tablets but I think these two marauders don't really care too much anymore about the family as long as its healthy, fun and getting along. They have dependable babysitters which helps. LOL! I know it would for me. HUGS, dear ragemoose. :D
Guest chapter 230 . Dec 28
I love Christmas surprise. LOL I am so proud Laszlo for being strong enough to walk out. That must've been so hard for him. Jamboree should be a hell of a lot of fun. :-) What's up with Slacker? You know how much I love him. I hope he doesn't bond with Gesso. not because I don't like her but I think he was pre-bonded with a mech Not that that matters in this society but I wonder if bonding with the first person that you click with is the best idea.
Oh, I hope he Keystock and cargo get there acts kicked really, really, hard!
Thank you so much
ME: Laslo among all the group is the weakest when it comes to his bond because Lucien is such a hard nut to crack. Its a good thing that he loves Laslo enough to not make too big a stink about things like ordering him to stay. Laslo is growing and will continue. Lucien will continue to get pummeled by Ratchet and the Fam. How that turns out is still unclear to me. :D
I am going to go around the story and touch bases with a lot of characters on New Years (theirs) and after so that we can see how everyone is. He's just finding company. I think Gesso is more into it than he is. He's still in deep grief. He's such a good guy, Slacker. Someone who was honorable, someone who worked hard and supported his family, he's the salt of the Earth and this happens. He wanted Prime to win so badly. It's part of the destruction of this universe. I don't see how they can come together again without this stuff. I try and balance both realities, the families who are tight universes of their own, dead or alive, and this sadness. It sort of pops up at family times for guys like Slacker and Hydro. Its time to see where they are now.
I think its going to take an ass kicking to make the shifts for Cargo and Keystock. Cargo feels possible for me but Keystock is like Lucien and Sunee and Sio. Tough and hard inside and out. Raptor and Hard Drive have infinite patience and they won't give up. We can see how this flies. :D:D
Happy New Year to one and all. When I count my blessings each day, all of you are included. A most prosperous and hopefully better 2018. We are here together, watching the world turn and without your company I would just be talking to myself. I love you all, -Cathy the Arctic Octopus. :D:D:D