The Diego Diaries: Onward (dd6 250)
-0-Jailhouse
The desk sergeant chatted with Endar, then nodded as he entered information into his computer. Endar walked to the see through box on the wall nearby, one of three designed to hold prisoners. Jim Johnson who was lounging inside rose and walked to the wall. Tapping the communications button next to him, he leaned closer. :What's happening?:
"You get released in a few hours. Get your stuff together and get your suit on. Someone will come here from Earth2 in a few and take you there. You're under house arrest for thirty days before you can start over again. I would suggest you use that time to consider whether you want to be exiled off world for your behavior and change it," Endar said. He glanced at the desk sergeant, then Johnson. "I'm calling for your habitat to send someone." With that, he walked back to the desk to facilitate release.
Johnson stared at them a moment, then hustled to get his gear together. He would be dressed and waiting for a bit, then Silvio would drive in to get him.
-0-On his way
Silvio drove up the long ramp built into the Metroplex Administrative Plaza as he jetted his way toward the colonial mayor's office. He was going to take the measure of Ultra Magnus before getting Jim Johnson out of jail. He was alone and had the blessing of Owen Harris who was looking toward him as the leader of his gang of miscreant mercenaries. Up the ramp he went, then carefully through those who were on the platform with him. The monument to the dead was astonishingly tall and burned with a flame that was miraculous at night. The jets were set to braid the flame, a symbol of their unity even in death.
He drove to the door, pressed the button on the dash that he had discovered accidentally, then entered the vast marble lobby of the building that housed the leadership of the colony and Cybertron administratively. It was beautiful, shiny and busy. Pulling up to the counter, he switched channels. A mech leaned over to look down. He looked up through the window and waved. :Hi. I was hoping to speak to the Mayor, to Ultra Magnus, please:
"Do you have an appointment?" the youngster asked
:No. I have to get someone in the colony and I wanted to pay my respects since I'm passing by: Silvio said.
The youngster stared at him, then nodded. "Wait here."He disappeared, then returned a short moment later. "Drive to the half door down the counter and I will let you in."
Silvio waved, then drove onward sliding through the opening to the inner sanctum. The kid walked onward and Silvio followed him, driving past door after door, halting or passing individuals who were working or chatting together over something. Many walked briskly past him going who knew where. They reached the door of the Colonial Manager of numerous places and as they did, the kid halted. "You may go inside."
:Thank you: Silvio called out with a wave, then he drove inside, entering the biggest and most amazing office he had ever seen. It was huge and took a while to reach the desk where Magnus sat staring at him as he came closer. It was overwhelming how big and powerful the mech was and his charisma and personal character was almost frightening to take in. Though they were roughly the same size and type, edge given to Prime, they were temperamentally as different as could be.
He had a gaze that was hard to meet, the kind soldiers get when they have fought a lot of battles for a very, very long time. He had the kind of warrior charisma that humans like George Patton could only dream of. Silvio pulled up and stepped out, walking to stand before Magnus who remained in his seat. :Good afternoon, Commander. I am pleased to pay my respects to you:
Magnus considered that, then nodded. "Welcome, Mr. Lombardi:
:Commander, I was appointed head of the personal security detail for Mr. Harris and his colleagues. I am on my way to pick up Jim Johnson from the jail and I would like to personally apologize for his actions. I personally pledge to do my best to ensure that such an event doesn't happen again and Mr. Harris has asked me to ensure it. I hope you understand that we would like to be good neighbors and appreciate greatly all that you and your people have done to make our presence here possible: Silvio said with his cultured Italian accent. It was appealing and he knew it.
Magnus nodded slightly. "Admirable sentiments, Mr. Lombardi, if you can make it happen. My experiences with human mercenaries is very poor at best. Even among our kind, mercenaries are the lowest rung of warrior. Please understand, I stretch that term when I include mercenary in the warrior classes."
Silvio grinned. :I understand, sir. I would like you to know that I admire your army and your prowess as warriors. I would hope that you would allow me to observe and perhaps journey with them on occasion. Perhaps even to Cybertron? I would be deeply honored to learn more about your people and planet. I think the more that is known, the better it will be between us. Ignorance is our common enemy:
"I agree about ignorance but I will be taking visits to Cybertron under advisement. You can watch the Home Guard train at the shooting range in Tarn. As for learning our methods, I would suggest that you talk to Hercy of Helex, Sideswipe of Kaon or Lissie of Iacon. They are our top trainers."
Silvio grinned. :Thank you, sir: he said. He pulled out his blade. :I received this from RTR Tools and its the most magnificent weapon I've ever seen. Could you explain the meaning of the etchings and what such a tool means to you? I am told they can become sentient:
Magnus took the tiny weapon, then pulled it from the tiny sheath. It had a blessing from the Chronicles and some of the symbols of Cybertron etched into the gleaming blade. "This is the usual exceptional work RTR Tools is famed for. There is no finer made anywhere. The symbols represent Cybertron and the army. The words are a poem that I am not at liberty to tell you. As for blades becoming sentient … that is true. It can even mean these daggers and knives. You will know because you will sense it. They will sometimes alert you to the enemy. You will feel it. It comes through handling. You will probably never get a sword. I don't think you can expect that. They are made to be held and respected. Respect that blade. You might also check the literature of the Japanese. They held that swords have spirits as well."
:Thank you. I will. Thank you for your time, Commander. It was an honor to meet you: Silvio said as he took the little blade which looked enormous in his own hand. :I will do my best to keep things orderly between us and some of my colleagues:
"A leader leads. Failure in the ranks falls to the leader. Johnson will have a life time ban next time. You might impress that upon him," Magnus said.
Silvio nodded. :I will, sir. Thank you for your time: he said as he walked back to the vehicle.
Magnus nodded. "You're welcome."
Silvio entered his vehicle and with a horn honk drove off for the door. Magnus watched him thoughtfully, then returned to his job once more.
-0-At the courthouse
He drove inside the jail end of the Autobot City Courthouse, entering through the intake door to pull up in front of the desk sergeant. The desk sergeant looked down, then nodded to a guard watching nearby. That huge mech walked to the cell where Johnson stood waiting and ready to go. He grinned at the crabby human inside. "Come on, slagger. Your mama is here."
Everyone in the room laughed rudely as Silvio stepped out. He watched the box open, the big mech grip Johnson, then put him on the ground. Johnson walked across the floor with a frown, then gripped the handle of the door. :Took you long enough:
:Want to walk back?: Silvio said pointedly. As Johnson climbed in, Silvio turned to look up at the big mechs. :Do I need to do anything more to get him off your hands?:
The desk sergeant grinned. "No. Check with the courthouse on his in-house confinement. If he wanders from the straight and narrow, confined or not, he's deported."
Silvio nodded, then waved. :Thanks: He climbed in and drove back out.
It was silent a moment, then Johnson glanced at him. "Where's Sam?" he asked.
Silvio grinned slightly. "A few things have changed since you went to jail. Let me explain."
And he did.
-0-At a site on Cybertron
They ate a bite together, Ironhide included. He had come to discuss ordinance laying around. They were troubleshooting getting rid of it faster. Raptor grinned. "What are you going to barbecue in the Valles this weekend?"
"Besides Ratchet's aft?" Ironhide asked with a slight frown.
Huge laughter. Even Keystock and Cargo smirked slightly.
"Alie is going to help me cheat. He's going to pick it out and get it ready, then I get to watch it heat up or whatever it does." Blackjack grinned. "You may give me the trophy now."
"Turbine is a great cook, I will count on that knowing this, slagger," Raptor said as he eyeballed his son with a slight frown. "Frag you, by the way."
"I have to agree with Raptor, infant. Cheating doesn't become an officer and a mech," Hard Drive said with a grin.
"FRAG THIS! If you cheat, Atar, then this means war," Ironhide said with a deep deep frown. "If you use Ada, then all bets are off."
"THEN CONSIDER THEM OFF, sore losers. Whiners," Raptor said with a big smile.
"You do know about ten thousand mechs and femmes show up to these and Bull Horn already announced it," Hardie said with a chuckle.
Everyone switched to Bull Horn or Cybertronian Twitter as it was known on Earth …
Yenta Claus: Usual suspects, there will be a barbecue contest in the Valles this weekend. Bring your barbecue and cook it there. Any ringers will be tazed." :D:D:D #BurnItHard
"Oh frag," Ironhide said. "Old mech has screws loose."
"Go farther down, grandson," Raptor said with a guffaw.
He did.
Yenta Claus: "Also featured in the venture are Lucien and Laslo and their progeny, Burris and Anders and theirs, Proteus, Madura, Joon and Vinn among thousands. Get your reservations in swiftly. Inferno and Red Alert? I would come, too. This involves fire. MAY THE BEST MECH WIN! PREEN! Thank you for the trophy ahead of time." #BurnItHard #BestMechNamedRatchetWins
Everyone turned to look at Cargo and Keystock who looked like someone had hit them squarely in the face with a tuna. HUGE laughter greeted that. And … it was only just before noon on the last orn before weekend.
-0-Around the town, touching base
:Burris, when you get off for luncheon, meet me at The Outdoor Place in The City. We have to prepare for camping. Lon and Bezel will be there. Okay?:
:I will be there, Andy. What is camping?:
:I don't know but Lonny and Bezel know. They said they would help us. Isn't this exciting?:
:Uh … I hope so, Andy. See you soon:
Burris who had found an unexpected talent in food prep turned to the mech next to him. "What is camping, Cymbal?"
Cymbal who was into orienteering smiled. "Why, its the greatest thing ever, Burris. Are you going?"
"Andy wants to and so we shall," he said.
"When and where? We'll join you. We have a group that works here who camps. We'd be delighted to go and share the adventure," Cymbal said.
Burris almost felt tears well up from the kindness in the big mech's voice. "I will tell you when I meet Andy shortly. Will that suffice?"
"Sure," Cymbal said. "You'll love this, Burris."
"It … it must be exciting. Andy is very happy to do this. He has such a group of friends now. We both have. I'm so happy lately I'm almost afraid," Burris said as they worked on vegetables together.
"Go with it, Burris. It comes with this colony," Cymbal said. They would discuss camping together and when Burris met Anders, he would speak with authority on what they would need. Both of them would have a great break together. Anders would be very impressed with the knowledge of camping Burris displayed and he would be happy as a clam that Anders was proud of it.
-0-Laslo
He got Ratchet's message when he was working with Joon and Anders. They had discussed the situation, then agreed to go with Anders to The Outdoor Store. It was exciting even if there was a slight cloud over Laslo about the whole adventure with Lucien. They would have a great time getting organized for the Valles.
-0-Ratchet
"How is it going?"
"Well," Lucien said as he worked on his reports and analysis. The stack never seemed to shrink as Ratchet knew.
"You're aware that camping in the Valles is happening with just about everyone who doesn't have a duty over the weekend. Laslo is coming along with your sons. What about you?" Ratchet asked.
"I haven't talked to Laslo yet. I am not sure 'camping' is up my alley," Lucien said. "I suppose you're going to make me come."
"I don't know. I would think you'd want to come given this is a chance to play with your family, your bond and sons. They're pretty wonderful. I'd do it just for that reason. It's called love, unconditional love, Lucien," Ratchet said. "I'll help Laslo with getting ready. You be ready to come and maybe have some fun. There's going to be good food, beer and games. By the way, nice work. Thanks," Ratchet said as he walked out of the office back to his own to clear the decks for weekend.
Lucien watched him go. He sat back. "I know about love, you slagger. You don't think it's in me. We shall see," he said unconsciously mimicking his son, Partition's blind spot. He turned back to his desk work.
-0-At a camping store in The City
They filled a basket with things needed for camping. Inflatable tents and sleeping bags, something that seemed so ingenious that it was a marvel to the group gathered. Since Lon and Bezel had done it before, they helped everyone. Camp chairs, food containers for provisions, plates and utensils … all of it was gathered along with camp stoves. Boxing it up, they then walked to the grocery together and picked up food and drink, some that they had never experienced but were assured was genuine 'camping food'. They also picked out a small grill and food for that. It was fun and lively, the whole experience, and everyone went back to finish their shifts or cart things home for the day. Tomorrow, they would 'bug out' to the Valles and 'camp'.
It was almost more excitement than they could contain.
They would have no clue.
-0-TBC 1-19-18 edited 1-23-18