The Diego Diaries: Post Ho (dd6 242)
-0-Onward Ho (ho-ho)
RAP! RAP! RAP! "You got a minute, Optimus?"
He glanced up to see Wheeljack and Perceptor along with a number of their very smart colleagues standing in the doorway. "Of course."
They walked in, some sitting on the comfy couches as Wheeljack spread a datapad across Prime's desk. Grinning at the big mech as he moved his own work, he began. "We're working on the planet moving problem and want to update you on the project we've chosen … moving the local group first."
Prime nodded. "Go on."
"We have room at Tau Ceti to place three more planets. We would like to move three of the moderate sized worlds first and perhaps into the local group. We would move Little Iacon, Relevus 1 and Relevus 2. The other two remaining can be moved when the time comes but they won't be affected very much by the removal of three of their partners. We're slipping away from them and given enough time, we will be leaving them behind as Cybertron drifts. The two that will wait are the two closest to Cybertron at this time."
"Very well," Prime said. "Tell me about this and what we can expect."
Wheeljack punched a button and the data map sprang to life. "There's us," he said pointing to Mars. "About 12 light years away is Tau Ceti, a decent bright star that is currently hosting Caminus beautifully, if I say so myself. The two gas giants placed there have begun to vacuum in everything that isn't nailed down. I expected it to take longer but the two are larger than Saturn and Jupiter, thereby creating a greater effect. We're down more than 50% density in the dust and debris disk that surrounds Tau Ceti. As that thins, it will clear the system to the degree that we all prefer. That it was this fast is striking to me and much unexpected."
He looked at the map again. "Here's Razorclaw. He's 875 light years from us and has a lot of stuff between him and us including Clipper and the titan kids. Here's where Ominous is. He's 772 light years away. Tau Ceti is firmly in the safe zone for us at 12 light years and given the set up for our defenses and base systems, it might was well be inside this system with us."
"What would having these planets this close to Caminus do for their cultural sovereignty?" Optimus asked.
"They would be a quarantined planet, basically, with them choosing for themselves how much and who they wish to interact with. Given that the five local worlds are more about work, storage, prisons, and other slag, I doubt that there will be much visiting. They're now and always were utilitarian worlds," Perceptor said.
"They have atmospheres, some of them, and other features. If they get moved, what happens to that?" Prime asked.
"That's the thing. Caminus had a very light atmosphere, nothing a human could breath but it was enough to create a beautiful blue sky. When it transferred and was settled, some of it leaked off but most of it held. We're monitoring it and the planet is recovering. Given that you need a source of gases for an atmosphere, those that don't have it will probably suffer. Caminus has enough plants that it has its atmosphere. It's also rebuilding atmosphere because the planet life is flourishing in the sunlight and warmth of Tau Ceti. I expect that will only increase. That's my hope with the new worlds that whatever we lose we can replace. None of these worlds are more than rocky planets. They have no normal plant life but rather what we've put there over the eons in efforts to transformer it to something more like home. We can create an atmosphere artificially if necessary. We will do that for Cybertron once its moved. We control weather here and balancing an atmosphere is part and parcel to that."
Prime nodded. "I want sunny skies. I would like the atmosphere of Cybertron restored. I want it back to Earth-normal."
"You and me both. That isn't as hard as it sounds given that we're living on the body of a living being. That's our goal as well," Wheeljack said. "We want to bring them in one-by-one and establish them in the inner planetary ring. This is a big far flung system. We're leaving pride of place for Cybertron and her moons in the optimal orbital ring but these work-a-day worlds can occupy spots farther out. We now have seven planets in the system, four that came with it, the two gas giants and Caminus. We will insert these five planets past Caminus and before the giants. That leaves the best place for Cybertron. We're also thinking perhaps dividing these between Tau Ceti and Sirius, too, thereby keeping the number down below ten which is rather optimal. We're waiting for the hard data from Sirius, then will decide. We could put three or four there and create less of a balancing act than not."
"What sort of planets exist around Sirius, if any?" Optimus asked. "I read in a report that it had a dust disk as well."
"It has a small one which indicate planetary accretion. Some exist in the out reaches of the gravitational well of the star," Perceptor said as he pulled up the system. "They have some affect on the dust, indicating its diminished size. That can be enhanced by a gas giant if you wish it."
Prime smirked slightly. "Such decisions," he said.
Wheeljack laughed. "I hear ya," he said. "We can tighten up the plan, then present possible moves to make at that point."
"I would like that as soon as possible. I would like to have this organized and on a schedule. The sooner that Cybertron and Gliese are closer and more secured, the better," Prime said.
Wheeljack nodded. "We're on it," he said. The group gathered, then walked out.
Prime watched them go, then marveled at the conversation they just had. With a grin, he got back to the job at hand. The humans would have come apart at the seams if they had been here listening.
-0-RTR Tools
The humans looked up and the bots looked down. :We want to know if you make tools and weapons for humans: Todd Baseman asked. The others stared upward at Ravel, then Tie Down who had been called to come assist.
Ravel glanced at Tie who glanced at Ravel. "What do you think? Do we for Earth2 humans?" Ravel asked.
Tie looked down. "Just a moment. I will ask if that's allowed." He began to call Ratchet and Lennox at the same time off line. Ravel stared at the humans uneasily, then Tie. He waited.
:Tie Down to Ratchet and William Lennox:
:Ratchet here:
:Lennox here, Tie. What's up?:
:Several humans from Earth2 are here and want to know if we make weapons and tools for humans. I don't know what to say: Tie replied.
:On my way: -both of them
Tie stared down at the humans. "I have asked for clarification. If you can wait a moment, I will be able to tell you," he said. "We aren't clear on what's allowed or not with humans from the new habitats."
:Are we on some kind of watch list?: Silvio Lombardi asked as some of the men with him began to walk toward the displays to look at the gigantic swords.
Tie shrugged. "I'm not sure. Better to be careful than to do something that might be incorrect."
Lennox who was crossing the airfield with Epps, Pritchard, and Graham got there first but Ratchet who was leaving Metro Femme was a close second. They nearly entered at the same time. Watching with relief, Tie and Ravel smiled at them. "Thank you for coming. We are not clear on things, son. Maybe you and William Lennox can sort that out."
The N.E.S.T. soldiers and Gavin stepped down from their vehicles, then walked to the counter. The Earth2 security turned toward them and it was immediately tense. :What brings you here?: Lennox asked as Ratchet continued around the counter to stand behind it with his genitors, both of who looked at him with relief. He squeezed their shoulders, then bent over the counter to watch.
:We came to see if they made things for humans: Todd Baseman asked. :Their stuff is amazing:
:Its beyond amazing: Epps said as the others nodded. :This is beyond anything made on Earth. Ever:
:Is it possible to get a knife or even a sword our size or is that too hydraulic for you?: Baseman asked.
:My, aren't you the sweet natured bloke: Niall Graham said with a smirk. Gavin Pritchard who was riding along for the lulz nodded with a grin of his own.
Silvio glanced at Baseman. :Relax: He looked at the soldiers. :We all just want to get along:
:Is that so?: Epps asked. :Have you been in to visit Johnson? He's blazing a trail for you guys at the jail:
:When Johnson gets out, you'll be sorry you said that: Baseman persisted.
:I'm afraid. I might have to leave world: Epps said as he glanced at the others.
Pritchard nodded. :Me, too. I better pack my bags. Johnson is getting out soon:
Carlos Ortega shifted uneasily. :We just came to see about getting a weapon. That's all:
Lennox looked up at Ratchet who was watching the show with a slight grin. :Hey, Ratchet? Do your genitors make human-sized weapons?:
Ratchet glanced at his genitors who shrugged slightly. "Do you, Ada?"
Tie and Ravel glanced at each other. "What sort of things, Sonny?" Ravel asked.
"What do you want made?" Ratchet asked.
The mechs glanced at each other, then looked up. :Personal knives, combat-style … maybe a sword for the collection: Carlos Ortega said.
Ratchet nodded, then stood up and turned to his genitors. {"They want hand weapons. I don't want to see your swords in their hands. Even if they were toy sized like this, they would still be your weapons. They want knives, like Bowie types."}
The two accessed the internet, then had an off line conversation. Tie glanced up at Ratchet. "We can try to make the knives. Bowie knives have a longer blade. Small will be intriguing." He glanced at Ravel who still looked unsettled. "That is, of course, Sonny, if you think its alright. We don't want to do anything that will create problems."
Ratchet considered that, then walked around the counter. He knelt on one knee in front of the humans. "We won't allow swords. Those are sacred objects to us, sacred and special. Some swords acquire so much power that they become sentient. Half the swords in this room will become sentient in the right servos. As for the knives … they will try to make Bowie-style knives but you're asking for something of their quality in a very small size. As you can see … very little of what they make that small has an edge. There are high standards here and they won't release anything that doesn't meet them."
They glanced around the room noting that, then looked at some of the micro tools that some of the kits contained. Carlos looked up at Ratchet. :That's fine, Ambassador. We would like to own a great knife from this shop. That's all I want. That's all we all want. We're martial men and we appreciate the craftsmanship here:
Ratchet stood up and walked to the row of swords that glistened in a row under special lighting. Picking one up, he walked back to them and held the 20 foot sword down where the humans stood. It was mirror finish and their images could be seen on the blade. Carved into it were glyphs of an almost unknown language, Primal Vernacular, which both Ravel and Tie Down spoke, read and wrote because of this task. They touched it and felt a pulse of energy even through their gloves.
:That's the first time I ever touched a sword that feels alive: Niall Graham said as he stroked the blade. The others did as well.
"It has energy," Ratchet said. "It's imbued in the blade and from that base, the swords have their own spirit. All of them do. Some of them become sentient and can interact between themselves and their bearers. The long swords of the Knights are sentient. They're alive and interact, connecting both though the spark."
:You put that into the blades?: Baseman asked as he looked upward to Ratchet's genitors.
"We do many things for the blades. That's why they're so special," Tie said.
"They are. These are blades that are used by the best, only the best. They have spirit and they demand. Not just anyone can carry a blade like this. These are the best and most extraordinary blades our people produce and we produce amazing things," Ratchet said with pride. "It takes a long time and a lot of know how to make them. You won't be having one any time soon." He glanced at the others. "You on the other hand ..."
The soldiers grinned. :We'll remember that: Lennox said. He looked at the wall and pointed to one with a scarlet hilt. :I dibs that one:
Everyone present laughed, then Ratchet stood and put the sword back. It glistened, then seemed to dial down its luminosity. Turning to his genitors, he grinned. "How about trying to make these slaggers their toothpicks. If you can, fine. If not, then chalk it up to experience."
"It requires a lot of folding and care. But then you know that. You're a fine sword maker, son," Ravel said.
"It's been a long time," Ratchet said.
:You made them, too? I thought you were a doctor: Silvio said.
"I was a tool and die maker before that and worked with them in the shop making tools, swords, knives, some specialized guns, and the like. It was the family business," Ratchet said.
Silvio nodded, then looked at Ravel and Tie. :Is there anything we need to do to get this going or are we good?: he asked.
"No," Ratchet said.
:Thank you: Silvio said then glanced at the others. :We better hit it: He looked up at Ravel and Tie. :Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you: With that, he walked to the vehicle and the others climbed in. Driving to the door, one hopped out to open it and they drove through. He closed it behind himself.
The soldiers and Pritchard watched them go. :Do you think we need to tell them about the button on the dash that opens all human doors here?: Epps asked.
"Why?" Ratchet asked as he glanced from the door to the floor. He grinned. The soldiers grinned back.
:Are we good here?: Lennox asked. He looked at Ravel and Tie. :You have full permission to deny any request from a human here from any habitat, Ravel and Tie. You don't have to do this project:
"I think it might be interesting, William Lennox," Tie said. "Tiny things have their own problems and rewards."
Lennox nodded, then glanced at the others. :Uh, Tie? If you get this figured out and can make them … would you make one for me, too, please?:
Ravel grinned as everyone of the soldiers jumped on that idea as well.
Ratchet laughed. "Slaggers. Make the moochers their toothpicks, Ada. If you need me to help you, I like miniatures, too."
They chatted a moment, then the humans drove off activating the door from their console. When they were gone, Ratchet turned to his genitors. "Remember, you don't have to do this thing for them. I don't want you worried that you might do something wrong when you're constitutionally incapable of doing such a thing."
Ravel grinned at his son, then hugged him. "I better make the templates and formulate the steel. Did you download all the Bowie knife information, Tie?"
Tie nodded. "This could be fun, Sonny."
Ratchet hung around and watched as his genitors patiently, expertly formulated the steel, then made the tools to handle tiny blades. With the smallest hammer he had ever seen, he watched as they pounded the blades into shape. Hanging them on a string, he watched as they tempered them in the water and oil baths that made blades strong. They said the same prayers, ground edges and polished the blades the same way as ever, though in a fraction of the time.
Taking one into servo, one minus its hilt, Ratchet grinned. He could see his face, it could cut through just about anything laying around and when it had its hilt would be a wondrous thing of beauty. It was a nice chat as they sat together making the tiny knives as Ratchet worked through a piece of leather to make the tiny sheaths that would hold the blades. It was just like old times.
-0-Later that afternoon
Ironhide walked in, then into the back where Ratchet, Tie and Ravel sat together eating donuts and sipping tea. "Hi. Looks like fun."
"We made a special order together. I still have it," Ratchet said.
"You do, Sonny," Tie said as he opened a velvet pouch. Slotted into tiny slits in the fabric to hold them in place without covering an inch of the beauty of the blades, about a dozen tiny Bowie-style knives with black wire wrapped hilts glistened in the light.
Ironhide grinned. "These are cute. Are they toys or the real thing?"
"Real thing. The humans want them. Lennox and I made a judgment call which I hope I don't regret. Some of the humans were the mercs," Ratchet said.
"You aren't going to give them to the mercs, right? They might try to figure out the steel or slag," Ironhide asked as he pulled one from its sheath and held it up. "This is slagging cute. What a beautiful blade." He looked at Ravel and Tie. "You can't make anything that isn't beautiful, can you."
They grinned. "We try, Ironhide," Tie said modestly.
"Practitioners try, Tie. Magicians don't need to," Ironhide said as he slid it into the sheath.
The door bell jingled as the human door opened in the show room. An engine could be heard as a pair of segways rolled across the show room, around the counter, then into the back. All of the N.E.S.T. soldiers from the morning including a number of others summoned appeared.
:Hi. You rang?: Glenn Morshower asked as he stood on his segway with Andrew Settles, Fig Figueroa and Joe Bowers. Lennox, Pritchard, Epps, and Graham were on the other.
"We did, General. We have a gift for you. Show them, Sonny," Ravel said.
Ratchet grinned, then gathered the velvet display bag. He lay it out on the floor and the dazzling knives could be seen. Lennox glanced at them. :We just asked for them this morning:
"These toys were made in jig time, Lennox. Note their perfection as miniatures," Ratchet said. "Take the one you want."
The humans glanced at each other, then Ratchet. He nodded with a grin, then all of them watched as the humans jumped down, then walked to the knives. Picking up one here and there, they stood in amazed excitement and pulled them out. They sparkled like diamonds on their perfect blades, blades that required care. Looking up at the four bots watching them, they smiled almost in unison. :Are you kidding me?: Lennox asked as he looked at his blade.
"No, Lennox. Those are for all of you. Use them. See if they're going to be a problem in other servos. No one can match the steel because it's energon based so if the mercs have them they can't duplicate. But they are dangerous. Let us know what you think about the others having them," Ratchet said.
:No problem: Lennox said as he glanced at the four bots. :Thanks are too small for this:
Ratchet grinned. "Then settle on until all are one then."
They would.
-0-TBC 1-10-18 edited 1-25-18
NOTES:
My growing up had a lot of old time remarks and sayings and asking someone if something is too hydraulic for them is to ask them if its too hard for them to figure out. INSULT!
The science is out on Sirius having planets. Speculation indicates some either close in or very far out. I am going with some planets far out.
Bowie knives; (boo-eee or bow-eee ... tenderfeet or those who aren't part of the scene call it a bow-ee knife.) a man named Jim Black made this knife for a western man named James or Jim Bowie. Its a knife that alone can scare things to a stop. Its blade can be as long as two feet and they're razor sharp. They're a beautiful blade and a swipe of one of them can cut off your arm. They have some variation in design but most are long, have a guard on the hilt to protect your hand from slipping down and losing fingers and are very sharp.