The Diego Diaries: Shrine On Harvest Moon (dd6 248)
-0-On the platform of the Shrine for the Thirteenth Prime
They stood in the doorway looking inside. A soft yellow golden light poured out from the dimly lit interior. It appeared that the vast area inside was illuminated by candles and low light sconces set high in the walls. There were mechs inside sitting or standing by themselves or with others around the vast space. The mercs walked inside and paused by the door to look around.
The walls were enormously high, higher than anyone inside stood, tall to accommodate the interior décor and the massive statue at the end of the room. The walls were covered with sheets beaten copper and glowed with the reflected light of the candles and other illumination, all of which were low key and subtle. Set upward about 30 feet off the ground was a band of gold that much have been 5 feet wide that ran all around the room. Niches were set into the walls all around the room and in each one was a statue or a picture that was encrusted with jewels and their strange writing.
The center aisle was cleared though there were benches sitting along the way for those who came here to use. They walked forward toward the first niche, then paused before it. Small votive-style candles burned before it, an image of the Prime to whom this place was dedicated. He was big and had the familiar format that Prime himself bore, an affectation they believed must be part of the Primal legacy. How Prime was a Prime, they weren't clear about but they must have a standard, they mused among each other, for him to be chosen.
The image showed Thirteen full length with a sword in his big hands. The frame looked old, was copper and studded with all manner of shiny stones of which only a couple they could identify. The two they could were emeralds, about as big as their fists and shaped to give maximum color. The frame and image looked immensely valuable and venerable with age. Walking along, they saw other images, some things that must have been personal items, then weapons. A sword hung somehow in the air, point down, as lights highlighted its great shining beauty. Their language was etched into its blade along with abstract images.
Across the room, they noted some of the niches were empty of relics but held chairs and benches for those who wished to sit and reflect. Between those niches were murals that apparently relayed the life story of this Prime and his brothers and sister. They looked at it, a panoramic vision of individuals and places that were life size and brilliantly rendered, noting its progression but most of the images and their inscriptions were abstract enough for them to only guess the meaning.
Walking forward, they passed silent mechs, some sitting with their optics shuttered as if they were meditating, while others stood together whispering in their language. They finally reached the statue at the end of the building, a massively tall being with a beautiful sword. The statue was carved and painted to reflect the actual mech, apparently, but the sword was real, fixed in the statue's grip and astonishingly reflective. They saw their own faces on the blade.
Candles were lit and placed around the base of the statue, some well used and others just placed. There were slots for more. :I don't think we can pick that up and place it: Silvio said with a grin as he glanced into a box filled with candles for pilgrims. They all looked, then looked up at the statue which had to be at least 50 feet tall. :I would hate to face that guy in combat:
No one replied as they stared at it, then around themselves. That was when they saw Ratchet sitting on a bench watching them with a slight grin on his face. :There's Ratchet: Baseman said. :He's following us:
Silvio walked toward him followed by the others. When they reached Ratchet, they halted before him. :Fancy meeting you here: Silvio said with a slight grin. :One might think you were following us:
"One might be right. I saw you coming here. This is my shrine. I was hoping you wouldn't be idiots when you were here," Ratchet said.
:Your shrine?: Lawrence Dobbs said.
Ratchet nodded. "My family and I are fond of the Thirteenth Prime. This is our family's shine. Some have others. Prime's is the one for Solus the Maker."
:What does all this mean?: Carlos Ortega asked as he glanced around.
"It honors our ancestors," Ratchet said. "We give respect and homage to our leaders from the darkest days."
:So this is part of your religion: Steve Anson said.
Ratchet shrugged. "It's part of what we believe," he said. "I'm not allowed to say more than that about it."
:Maybe you should. Maybe it would be a point of agreement and trust between us: Anson said.
"I think having trust first before telling you about this sort of thing would be a better idea. You expect me to trust you before you earn it. So far, you're zero for one. Johnson is in jail. That's not trust affirming."
:Johnson is a hot head. He's going to learn: Sam Hedges said.
"He will or he's gone forever. Lennox will frisbee him back to Earth in no time. Where are you going next?" Ratchet asked.
:The Basilica: Silvio said.
Ratchet nodded, then gestured to the door. "Lead on."
They stared at him, then turned to the doorway. It was getting darker outside as the mass of Olympus Mons began to impose itself on the journey of the sun overhead. Long shadows would be forming soon and darkness would follow. They began to walk that way. Ratchet watched them go, then waited until they were in their vehicle. Only then did he rise, glance around with pleasure at the familiar scene surrounding him, then follow
They drove toward the Basilica, itself overwhelmingly vast and tall, then drove up to the steps. Getting out, the mercs began to walk up them, a massive number of them, to the platform above. As they did, Ratchet walked up the big steps and beat them to the top. He watched them climb with a grin on his face as they toiled upward. When they reached the top, both sides appraised the other. "You need an elevator."
:We could use one: Silvio said with a chuckle. :Of course, this is a good training exercise. I think I lost two pounds climbing it:
Ratchet laughed, then walked toward the doors of the Basilica. The others watched him, then followed.
-0-Swamming Hole
They climbed out of the pool where they were swimming in their survival suits. It actually was more fun to do that since they didn't have to hold their breath, worry about drowning or even getting wet. They swam, went down the spiraling slides and played with the floating toys. At this time, it didn't matter that some of the children here were older than Annie and her friends. They were having fun in the water. Having decided on the bus to go swimming together, it didn't take long to get permissions. The Earth2 parents were happy, indeed, that there was burgeoning friendships between the locals and the new kids.
:DO WE HAVE TO GO!?: Annie and Lucy asked.
:We do. Dinner is coming up and everyone has to be home. Go stand under the dryers and get yourself as dry as you can. You'll stick to the ground otherwise: Bobby Epps said.
The kids ran for the dryers, stepping on the platform under them that turned them on. They were buffeted by the blast of warm air which almost instantly dried them off. Running toward the men, they gathered. :WHAT NOW!?: Annie asked.
:We head for Earth2 and drop everyone off: Will Lennox said as the kids followed them to the edge of the Water Park where their N.E.S.T. transport was waiting. They piled in, then the seal was set. Starting the vehicle, Bobby Epps drove it toward the big doors near the elevator bank that would take them outside. Driving through the crowds, waving at mechs and a femme, they made their way outside and headed for the roadway that would take them to the highways and Earth2. Traffic was picking up when they slipped in and began the long drive that direction.
Sitting on the benches in the back, the kids chatted about this and that. Jaycee Jameson who was getting into the grove of living here sat next to Sandy Thomas. They were discussing music they liked in common. "We have a station in the school, Intermediate Day. They let you be a DJ and learn how to broadcast," Sandy said.
"I know. I listen to it. I like it. I love listening to Jazz and Blaster, too," Jaycee said. "When I get there I'm going to take that class."
"You can also do the TV station, too," Sandy said. "I think that would be fun."
Will who was riding in the passenger seat grinned. Even though the kids were older, they appeared to get along with the younger locals just fine. Sandy and Jaycee appeared to be good friends. It made him feel better. Things should be good between them but it was hard to feel it would happen with the attitudes of the leadership. They zoomed onward heading for Earth2 and home for the girls and one boy who had been invited by Annie and Bobby Junior to come along.
-0-School that didn't close
Scout sat on a chair in the corner of a room filled with mirrors watching students going through the reps that would make them dancers for the company. They were training all manner of students here for all manner of art forms, some of them unique to the bots. Right now, they had their main troop working with the newcomers who were showing promise. It was beautiful to him and elegant, the type of thing he and Trooper had worked so hard on Cybertron to build. The theater and roving art troops were a feature of their culture that had huge followings on and off world.
Right now, he was scheduled to go to the main stage in the big theater to work out a hitch in his newest play but he also wanted to be here to watch. He was an enthusiastic teacher, a tireless instructor and a very encouraging individual to those who wished to perform. He knew about dreams and hopes, about wanting something too much and fearing failure. Artists had fragile dreams and he was careful with his commentary, fulsome in his efforts to help someone achieve their greatest desires and tireless in his willingness to work with anyone, anywhere, any time. He was a true believer in the arts liberating the soul so this as the Matrix made real for him, the culmination of endless eons of hope and dreams while trapped on a planet in the middle of nowhere.
They moved through the warm ups and drills, then began to stage the piece under instruction. The teachers gave the go, tapped the meter with their cane and watched meticulously. It was astonishing to see such grace in such individuals. They whirled and moved together, flowing like a stream around each other and when the piece concluded, they turned to their teachers and to Scout. He grinned at them and applauded. "Most lovely. Now, take it from the top," he said with a big smile.
They laughed and gathered, glanced at their teachers, then began again. They would do it three more times before they got it 'perfect'. He would only then go to the main stage in the main theater to figure out what to do about a dialog snag.
-0-Driving into Earth2
Will Lennox drove into the safety zone of Earth2 and watched as the big doors closed behind him. As he did, he called for a couple of others to come to him besides the parents of the Earth2 children with him. When the lights signaled and the scans approved, he got out with Camilla, Jaycee, Lilly, Lyndsey, and Elliott. He watched as Hamilton Brown and Marita Elliott walked out after the door opened to greet them.
"We had a great time, Mom. That pool is amazing. The big pool, the one with the waves is 140 feet deep," Elliott said as his father walked out.
Gordon May shook Will Lennox's hand. "Thanks for taking the kids out. I sure appreciate it. I want them to fit in here and enjoy the colony."
"We do, too," Will said. "The kids were great. We had a great time. They swam in the biggest kid pool. The main pool is too dangerous with mechs coming off the slides at 65 miles an hour."
"I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT!" Elliot said with a laugh. Everyone with him agreed.
At that moment, Silvio Lombardi walked out to stand by the Mays. "You called for me, Will?" he asked.
Will nodded, then reached into his belt and pulled out a long knife in a sheath. He tossed it to Lombardi. "That's from RTR Tools," he said. "You can't have it analyzed and its worth more than you can imagine. A blade chooses its owner. If this blade chooses you, be worthy. Also, be worthy of their desire to honor you because that's what this is."
Lombardi pulled the long knife from the sheath and held up the gleaming blade. It was magnificent. "This is glorious. They made one for me but not the others?"
"You weren't part of the group who tried to run over their kids. I think someone believes you might not be hopeless," Will said. "Prove them right." He looked at the kids and the adults who were glanced at both silently. "Thanks for the fun."
"Thank you, Will," Gordon said shaking his hand. He shook hands with the adults including an amazed and surprised Lombardi.
With a nod, Will turned back to the truck, waited until everyone was inside and the go given, then drove off as the kids waved. He was gone in seconds.
Inside the facility watching him go, Lombardi watched as the others turned back into the facility to go home or to work. He glanced at the magnificent blade, then slid it into the sheath. Behind him, Carlos, Steve, Sam, Laurence and Todd walked up to him. They looked at the blade, then him.
"How the hell do you rate?" Todd asked with indignation.
"He said I didn't try to run over their kids," Lombardi replied. "He said someone doesn't think I'm hopeless." He grinned at the group, then walked away heading toward the concourse and the life of the massive facility. They watched him go.
"Fucker," Todd said hotly. "Butt kisser."
"It could be that they're playing us one against the other. Have you thought about that, Todd?" Sam asked. "I would bet that's it."
"I don't care. I want a knife like that," Todd said as the group turned back to the facility. He would be grumpy for the rest of the day.
-0-In a lounge for kids nearby
"You should have come," Jaycee said. "The Water Park is awesome. The slides were amazing and when we go under water, we don't have to worry about breathing because of our masks."
"Maybe next time," Rain said with a grumpy tone.
"What's with you?" Camilla asked.
"My mom. She's on my case. She wants me to be part of the social whirl here," Rain said.
"You can't if you come with us. Next time, come with us," Jaycee said. She rose from the couch. "I have homework. See ya later." She walked out. It was silent a moment.
"Come on. Let's go bowling," Camilla said as she rose. Rain rose reluctantly and followed them to the bowling alley and an afternoon of taking her aggressions out on the pins.
-0-In the office complex
Cameron Frazer sat at his desk coordinating the importing of food stuffs and other consumables to the facility. He was a whiz at procurements and thus, his job was made to order. He was scheduled to go on a hike in the Valles with Rick in two days and he was looking forward to it. He was working out in the gym and the idea of one third gravity was going to be interesting. Less effort for more results.
He was also looking over the available single women here and though most of them were the brainy types, scientists and the like, many of them were very friendly and attractive. He was going to make an effort to meet them and see what shook out. He considered the morning earlier when of all things he had actually run into Sunstreaker, of all individuals …
He was walking along a corridor near the schools when a big mech rolled to a stop before him. Cam was startled because he was unaware that a bot was going to be inside the facility. Walking with their teacher coordinator-school administrator, someone he didn't know but had seen around, Sunstreaker had come to visit the schools. They both slowed to a stop, then stared at each other. Then the big yellow mech leaned down on a knee, bringing his face close. "Well, well … hello, Cameron Frazer. Fancy meeting you here."
The director glanced at both and gulped. "Is there anything wrong, Sunstreaker?"
"Nothing that a slagging can't fix," Sunny said. "This fragger likes to harass women." He glanced at the director. "When your femmes come to you about him, believe them." He looked at Cameron, then stood again. "Beat it."
Frazer who felt the doom of Satan fall upon him when Sunstreaker leaned into him decided to cut his loses. He walked past the two without a word, then went down another corridor.
Sunny watched him go, then looked down at the school director. He was here to meet the staff and explain a few things to them about satellite schools. "That slagger is bad news. Remember that."
The director nodded, then turned to the corridor. "Thank you, Sunstreaker. Shall we continue?" he asked with a flustered air.
Sunstreaker rolled to the corridor Frazer had used but didn't see him. Rolling back, his swords sliding in and out of his wrists unconsciously, he nodded. "Lead on."
The director did...
Frazer sat back and ruminated on his molten fury. They were going to give him shit here, too. If they did, he would fight back. Fuck both the twins. After a moment of ranting to himself internally, he picked up his pen and continued.
-0-TBC 1-16-18 edited 1-23-18
NOTES! :D
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 247 . 5h ago
Ohhhhh, the meds better behave. They're walking on holy ground now. I really was hoping Barricade would play kick the segway at Club Cybertron!
ME: That's so true. Barricade is going to be a recurring nightmare for the mercs. I love that bot. He's such a wretch. :D:D:D The anti-Prowl. :D:D:D The mercs are going to go to a lot of places and we will see if they can handle it. :D
Silverhornd chapter 247 . 14h ago
Question. Why would the bots let Harris and company try to make a map of the colony. Don't they know that is what they are trying to do. What do they need a map for anyway it isn't like they can do anything about it or try to get the bots to leave. Idea they need to go the prison and see the ones who wont change and have them tell them what would happen to them if they ever got out and how they think that Megatron is still out there and could and might come back one day.
ME: Prime won't allow competent maps of the colony to be known and/or made by the humans. It's a security thing. They, however, have been working to make one for some time when they would come. It's a way of getting the lay of the land and having a map for wherever they want to go to do whatever they want. They're still learning the place and how it works. It might be fun to have them visit the prison. That goes on the list. :D The more they see the power they face, the better off some of them might be. 99% of Earth2 are just happy to be there and want good. It's the 1% that are the problem. As usual. :D
Guest chapter 245 . Jan 14
I'm sorry you're feeling so horrible seems to be going around. This flu season is supposed to be horrible. Be safe and take care of yourself.
Fancy spinner
ME: FANCY! This has lingered but I feel alive again. LOL! I hope you are doing great, too, my dearest Fancy. HUGS!
Leoness chapter 245 . Jan 14
Nothing quite like the terror of school conferences. Feel better over there!
ME: I remember when parents would come in just like Ratchet and Ironhide for their conference. I remember feeling their pain. LOL! I love how they fear the infants. However, their kids are on it. They just forget that each time. I feel a lot better. Thanks, honey. :D
Guest chapter 244 . Jan 13
Lmao... I live Pudding! That's a great name for a cow!
Why do I have a feeling Baseman will be the next moron in jail? Either jail or exiled.
ME: Dad used to haul cattle and my uncle and aunt had a ranch. I love patting cows. They have such fat bellies. Pudding sort of suggested itself. LOL! Baseman isn't too bright and after this, he's got one more grievance. :D:D HUGS!