The Diego Diaries: Hanging (dd6 244)

-0-Home for dinner

"Conferences are coming up in a few orns. Do you have anything to say that we need to know?" Ratchet asked the kids at the table.

They glanced up. "No. I think we did good this period, Ada," Fireball said. "I feel its going to be good." The others nodded.

Ratchet grinned. "Why would anyone think otherwise?" he asked.

"What about the twinnies, Ada?" Quasar asked.

"This is their last meeting over their deafness. The testing should show them recovered. Its taken a bit of time to remember language and use it. They still sign but they talk now. Sunstreaker is greatly relieved."

Everyone nodded. Ironhide looked at the big kids. "What are you infants going to be doing during the afternoons when conferences are being held?"

"We have projects. We're going to the club, too. After school. A bunch of our friends and the others are meeting up there," Genesis said.

"How did you do in the last dart tournament?" Ratchet asked as he buttered more buns for Praxus and Orion who, truth to tell, would eat them exclusively if they were allowed.

"Tru. He always wins. He's such an accurate shot. That's why Appa had him shoot that ship. Remember?" Fireball said.

"Who can forget?" Ironhide asked. "Tomorrow, you go about your business but let us know where you are. The little kids are going into the Military Daycare at The Fortress. I'm going to be on Cybertron until noon when all of us plan to come for the conferences that orn if nothing comes up."

"We have the baby conferences and Sunspot tomorrow. We have you big kids one at a time over the next three orns after," Ratchet said. "We'll make this work."

The conversation was pleasant, clean up was swift and everyone disappeared into their rooms to do this and that. Ratchet and Ironhide sat down on their chairs, turned on the TV without sound, then paused to take a call. Both of them grinned together. Apparently, the mercs were traveling on thin ice.

-0-About the same time

They rolled into the dojo and slowed, watching around the vast room as different mechs were working out on the giant mats. One of them was getting his clock cleaned by a small femme while Drift was working through what appeared to be a kata. They drove further in heading for the lounge, unaware that the moment they got off the elevator they had alerted on every soldier's sensors in the dojo at the other end of the concourse. It was a professional thing for them to notice.

"Slaggers at 0630." Kup nodded toward the door.

"I know," Hercy said. "I wonder what they want here?"

The truck rolled in, slowed, then sped up as it drove toward them between the mats. It slowed when it reached them, then stopped. A good half dozen or so, it seemed, humans were inside. After a moment, the doors opened and they stepped out, turning to watch Drift whirl through his moves with both swords. He didn't notice them. He was concentrating. Everyone noticed them for him. Springer glanced at the others, then changed to their comm channel. "What brings you here?" he asked.

They turned toward him, startled. Then Silvio Lombardi stepped closer. :We saw this place on Platoon. We wanted to see for ourselves:

Springer nodded, then glanced around. "Well … you see it," he said as the others laughed.

Drift concluded, sheathed his swords, then turned toward the lounge. He froze in surprise. "What brings you here?"

"They wanted to see the splendor," Hercy said drolly. "Put your peds up, infant. Nice kata."

Drift walked to his chair beside Springer, then sat. "Thanks," he said to Hercy, then turned curious optics on the group. "Does your habitat know you're driving around like this?"

:They do. They want us to learn about the colony, to figure out where things are in case someone needed us to come to where they were: Silvio said as the others leaned against the vehicle. :We're hitting the places on the series. What can you tell us about RTR Tools?:

It was silent a moment, then Drift leaned forward. "They make the best tools and weapons of anyone I've ever seen including the ancient stuff. No one does it better. Why?"

:We stopped in and asked for a knife. They said they would try and make them. I personally wanted a sword for my collection but I don't think that's going to happen: Silvio said.

"You got that right," Kup said as he stared down at the humans. "Those swords are special category even for us."

:I was told they become sentient. How does that work?: Silvio asked.

It was silent a moment, then Drift leaned forward. "Everything has a spirit from a dust mote to a quasar. Even a black hole has a spirit. Everything is also energy. If you can match frequencies with something, you have communication. Not all communication involves speech. You use a sword and it becomes you and you, it. My swords are sentient. It happens through use and respect."

:Your swords are alive. They can think and communicate?: Carlos Ortega asked with a trace of doubt.

Drift stared at him and the other mercs who weren't really hiding their thoughts on that bit of news. "You doubt me."

:You're asking us to believe that an inanimate object that was created by someone out of raw materials is alive: Sam Hedges said. :That's a bit of a reach for us:

"Well, so is being on Mars, I would imagine," Hercy said. "Talking to aliens that look like us must be a bit of a stretch as well."

Silvia grinned slightly. :You have a point: He looked around. :This sort of seems like a club house for you on the show. Is this where you hang out?:

"Sometimes. Sometimes, not," Springer said. "We have duty shortly."

:How do you get on Platoon? What does it take to be on that show?: Todd Baseman asked.

The mechs grinned at each other, then the humans. "I suppose you have to convince Leonora Huttle that it's a good idea," Sandstorm said.

:Leonora Huttle, huh?: Baseman said. :It might be a nice touch to have more about the humans on it. Not saying that to be combative but it would be interesting to see us together. It might make the people of Earth more amenable to you being here:

Silvio turned to Baseman, then frowned. :What a dumb thing to say. They're here and that's that: He turned to the mechs. :Thanks for the time: he said, then walked to the vehicle. He climbed in and the others did as well. With a wave, he turned it around and drove out.

They watched them leave, then glanced at each other. "They want to be in show biz," Kup said. "Noble aspirations."

Springer grinned. "Maybe we can use them for target practice on the show. Some of them tried to run over Silverbow and Spirit."

It was chilled in the room a moment, then Sandstorm looked at Kup. "Sounds good to me," he said.

-0-On the road

They drove out into the traffic and headed out of the town. Tyger Pax fell behind them as they made their way toward the Metro Districts. Their free roving time was nearly up and they were due back. Falling into traffic, they drove southwest toward the end of the road.

"Those bots are dangerous to provoke," Silvio said. "Getting them angry with us cuts off future conversations. Maybe you shouldn't say anything around them if that's the best you can do."

"You aren't my boss or supervisor, Silvio," Baseman said.

"Then you can explain how you piss off everyone we meet to Harris. He wants us to go around and do what we can. He wants us to talk to the bots. If you mess that up with your big mouth, then he's going to be pissed," Silvio said.

"Silvio is right," Sam Hedges said. "This is going to be hard enough now with Jim in jail. No one is going to trust us and even in the habitat, the locals are shunning us. We're no good if we can't fit in."

"Fuck that," Baseman groused. "You aren't my boss, Silvio."

"Then maybe we need to sort that out, Todd," Silvio said as they sped toward the wide open road that led back to the habitat.

They would. Silvio would be the boss of Todd.

-0-Heading back to the barn

They reached The Fortress, checked in and dropped off datapads. Taking the leash for Pudding and the backpack from Keystock, Raptor released him. Cargo who was with Hard Drive walked in as Keystock walked out. Pausing long enough for his brother, the two left together and disappeared into the crowds. Hard Drive watched them go, then turned to his son. He grinned. "I wish you could really see yourself right now, Raptor. You look like you're taking your pet to school."

Raptor laughed, then slung the backpack over his shoulder. Picking up Pudding, he grinned at his father. "Drop off your slag and I'll wait for you. Where's Ada?"

"He and Turbine are coming. Let's eat out tonight," Hard Drive said as he dropped off his datapads at the table. He walked back and slapped his son on the shoulder. Taking Pudding from Raptor, he walked toward the door. "Keep up, Sonny. There's food out there waiting for me."

Raptor ambled out with a grin.

-0-Shortly later

Turbine and Delphi walked toward the restaurant, The Steakhouse of Iacon, then entered. They had come shortly later than the two, dropped off their datapads, then headed out into the gathering evening of Mars. Entering a classy place, scanning the huge dining room, they saw who they wanted and walked through the crowd to get there. Sliding into the booth where Raptor and Hardie waited, moving Pudding slightly, they grinned at each other. "This is strange. Where are the babies?"

"At home with their suckers … uh, genitors," Raptor said with a grin. "But never fear. I brought Pudding."

Turbine glanced at Pudding who was laying on the seat. "I can see that."

"Mech was always collecting strays, Turbine. You never had a chance to have a normal life," Delphi said. "We tried as hard as we could with what we had to work with."

"Oh, ha-ha, Ada," Raptor said with a grin. He leaned back as the waiter brought drinks. He took the rest of the order, then hurried off. "This is the life. I never expected it to be great again, but this?"

Delphi nodded. "Where's 'Jack and Alor?"

"Home. Scout has a test tomorrow for conferences and he and Blackjack are cramming." Hard Drive grinned. "Infant is as bad as Ironhide with worrying about things. Everyone of them are afraid of Miss Birdie."

"Aren't you?" Turbine asked as he sipped his beer.

"No and neither are any of the kids. Have you noticed that? They read her energy field. Its a beautiful thing, her energy field," Hardie said as his steak arrived with all its glorious sides. Food was placed and they thanked the kids who brought it. Staring at it a moment, Hardie grinned. "The humans have some saving graces. This is one of many."

They began to eat their meals. Soft music played, it was clean and not bombed out and the food glorious. It was a nice way to end after another day in hell.

-0-Home

"I have to take Lucien to Earth with me shortly. By the way, we have to plan our camping trip. I'm thinking you slaggers have to cook for us. I want you to barbecue for me out there in the Valles. Then we can decide, we, the usual cooks, who is King of Brisket."

"You're going to have to show me where that is on a map, slagger, before you corner me to cook something over a flame in the middle of nowhere," Ironhide replied.

"You ordered that grill. All of you did," Ratchet said. "You're going to do it. I'll tell your ada."

"You would, too," Ironhide said as he grimaced at Ratchet. "You're never going to be normal are you?"

"Nope," Ratchet said as he took a long pull on his beer. He smiled beautifully. "Get ready to fricassee stuff, Only One. I promise you, I will give you my vote unless it really sucks."

"What makes you think it will?" Ironhide asked with a frown.

"I don't know … IT WASN'T LIKE YOU DIDN'T HAVE COOKING LESSONS IN SCHOOL!" Ratchet replied.

"Oh, that," Ironhide said as visions of beautifully prepared dishes flashed back into his processor. He had them HIGHLY firewalled so Old Tight Aft wouldn't know how much skill he had and make him use it. He hated cooking but he could.

Typical Cybertronian high caste.

"Yes, slagger, THAT!" Ratchet replied. He grinned. :Alor:

:What?:

:When we drag these afts to the Valles, let's bring horses and make them barbecue, too. And let's talk about jamborees and t-ball and everything else we can while we're there: Ratchet said off line.

Huge laughter greeted that. :I'm soooo in:

:Tell the others, then we can plan. Ratchet over and out:

-0-Across the hallway

Sitting on the floor with Scout going over colors and shapes, Blackjack didn't notice the smirk on Alor's face. Alie watched the two, then called the others. :Delphi, Turbine:

:What?: -both

:Ratchet wants to camp with horses and have a barbecue contest. Remember? Hardie, 'Jack and the others get to cook this time, the slaggers. You in?:

:I'm sooooo in, I'm out. Let us know when and the rest. Everyone has a barbecue, right?: Turbine asked.

:We do. You get one, too. Portable. I'll let you know. We need to get the word out when we get ready to go. The more, the better: Alor said as he grinned at Scout. He was stacking blocks like a Rhodes scholar.

:Done deal. Turbine out:

:On it, Alie. Delphi out:

-0-At a steakhouse in Iacon

"What are you two grinning about?" Raptor asked as Hardie looked up.

"Nothing," Delphi said. "Sit up straight."

Raptor did from years of habit and his ada's instructions. He grinned. "Slagger. Why do I feel I'm going to regret something here?"

"Habit?" Turbine said as he glanced at Pudding. That little imp was sleeping hard. "What do you think, Pudding?"

He didn't.

-0-TBC 1-12-18 edited 1-13-18