The Diego Diaries: Carry On (dd6 287)
-0-In Helex
They sat on a bench watching children sing. They were visiting the schools there, the big ones in the big camps. They were very large tents placed in rows, their interiors designed to teach children and hold any number of things toward that end. There was one set aside for a lunchroom and the children ate there every orn, breakfast, lunch and snacks. The entire operation was inside a low chain link fence to keep things out and tiny ones in. It was the safest place in the camp and there were twenty of them for this vast city camp alone. They were visiting each of them.
Keystock and Cargo sat on the bench with the generals as their aides stood along the walls watching the kids with genuine delight. They told stories, showed art and danced. They sang alone and in groups. They were small, middle and nearly grown up. They were beautiful, loved and the treasure of their people. At last, the last child showed their stuff and the generals, the staff and everyone applauded, rising with smiles to show their deep appreciation for the effort.
It was amazing how happy the kids were, basking in the good will of such individuals. Then the candy, toys and cookies came out. Cargo and Keystock held out handfuls of treats which the children accepted shyly, happily, uncertainly, with gusto, and every kind of emotion imaginable. The school was gifted with crates of things that would assist their programs, all of them surveyed, gathered, bundled, and shipped by the School District.
It was then that the cows came out at last.
The children stared at them, transfixed by the strangeness and the universal cuteness they embodied. The braver ones came forward to pet, touch, inspect, and hug the pair. Others worked up their nerve to do the same and soon Flipper and Pudding were overrun with children who were delighted to see them.
"Moo."
The children froze as Flipper mooed softly. He looked at them, then nudged them with his little cow nose. A tiny femme smiled. "HE PUSHED ME!"
Blackjack who was kneeling next to her grinned. "He only does that if he loves you."
The little femme smiled up at Blackjack, then the cow. She hugged him tightly. "I like this cow. I never saw a cow before."
"There's lots to see in the world. Get through school, then come and look," 'Jack said.
She looked at him, then grinned. He handed her candy and a little doll. She took it, then stared at it with astonishment. "I like this. This looks like Optimus Prime," she said as she held the doll up.
"It is," Blackjack said. "Optimus Prime loves you, too."
They chatted with the children, visiting each school to see wonderful things, then they spent a bit of time in the hospitals taking things to the children there. Flipper and Pudding would be a hit there, too.
-0-Mars
Lucien came into the office late. He felt a bit better but not much. He had been a marauder and was proud of his ruthless ability to get what he wanted, how he wanted, when he wanted it. No one was his equal in slithering through the labyrinthine hell hole that was the Presidium. Not even Traachon. He was the power behind the power, the one who made things go to their logical conclusion. The Senators and others in power were dimwits, slaggers or amateurs. If things were to get done, it took hatchet men like him.
Like his father.
Like his grandfather.
Like his relatives going back into time.
He had been raised to accept that things were the way they were and change was anathema to their way of life. He wasn't taught to look down and see anyone's suffering from what he did and frankly, he never knew they existed. He moved in a ratified world, a bubble, going from one cosseted place to another, his peds never touching the ground.
He was religious, oddly enough, but his belief seldom strayed into the passages that said to do right by our fellows, take care of each other, you're only as strong as your weakest member … until all are one. That part was malleable and he did what most of his cast did … he applied what met his need and explained the rest away by saying The One and Primus agreed with him. That They didn't, that Their offense was colossal, that it actually caused Primus harm, the life they were living this way never entered his processor. He wasn't raised to be empathetic and see what his actions did to others. That wasn't the way any of his caste lived.
Megatron was not only inevitable, he was nearly ordained.
All of it was repudiated by Primus and the rest of the Pantheon. It had been a phenomenally terrifying experience and parts of his psyche had shattered under the glare of that beautiful all powerful individual. He had fallen on his aft in his overpowering desire to run. He had sat in the sand and watched deep painful emotions on the face of the god he had loved above all others and the one he had prayed to all his life. That god was livid with him. He said that his actions had caused His suffering. He, Lucien, had harmed Primus the Great.
Primus the Good.
Ordinarily, he would have blown this off by now and would be working on strategies to push back. But how do you push back a god? How do you fight someone who can see into your spark and read all your private messages written there?
You can't.
A soul destroying moment of infamy had overtaken him and everything in his world had been turned to dust. He was tired, confused, in turmoil, and terrified. Nothing was the same as before. Now, he had to change and he wasn't sure how. Everyone else always changed. Not him. His life was handed down to him and all like him from his ancestors who lived the same lives. The crushing conservatism of their lock step life came down on him and turned to confetti. It blew away in the heat of Primus Himself.
Vinn had scheduled him for therapy every orn before work. He would go and maybe in this stumbling clueless way forward he would find his way. He just knew that the best part of himself, the best part of his memories and life was behind him. What came next, he had no notion.
Notion.
Notions.
That word would forever be loaded for him. He would avoid it. Walking into the main room of the Secretariat of State, he made it to his office without having to chat. Sitting, he looked at the pile of work and the notice that he would be going to Diego Garcia with Ratchet and Fenix in a few orns. He considered that, then began to work. Maybe it would help him feel better.
It would.
-0-Around town
The reporters rode in Earth2's cars as they left The City to head for the hinterlands. They were getting a tour and sitting with them narrating as well as answering questions, Mariah Davis was working to ensure that the stories that would be published showed Earth2 in the best kind of light.
"This is the road to Terra," she said as they sat in the vehicle with their helmets off. The reporters and their photographers sat in the back looking out while half of them snapped pictures. "Terra is a hub city and the first one built after Autobot City. It leads to several others and the train system goes through Terra as a main switching station. Terra is named for Earth."
They buzzed along in the traffic. "How many of those around us are alive?" the reporter form OK! asked.
"Probably most of them. You can pretty much tell when they have no driver," Mariah said.
"What's the story on Linda Graham? When is she do?" the reporter from People Magazine asked.
"She's overdue, poor thing," Mariah said. "The baby was due four days ago. We expect it any moment."
"Do you suppose living here might have affected it?" another asked.
"I don't know. I hope not. We'll have two more human babies born here after this one. I don't know anything about names or the like. I just know that family on both sides are here for the delivery and that Phoebe Grant from Earth 1 will do it just like she did with Angus."
They would have a long day of driving around seeing the sights but it would be totally worth it.
-0-N.E.S.T. HQ
Phoebe Grant checked the data with the doctor brought to Mars just for this event. He was a birthing specialist and Phoebe was a general practitioner. They discussed things, then turned to Linda and Niall. "We agree, Linda, that its time for this baby and we're going to induce it. What do you feel about that?"
"Given that its four days overdue, I think I'm ready. What do you think, Niall?" Linda asked the pale faced soldier standing beside her.
He looked at her, then the doctors, then the family standing around the room. "Uh ..."
"He agrees," Linda said. "Let's do this. Niall? Can you call Ratchet?"
Niall looked at her. "Uh ..."
"I'll do it," Judy Witwicky said with a chuckle. "I don't think he can fit in here but there's always cameras. That is, unless you don't want them."
"I don't care, I'm tired," Linda said. "Maybe not. If Ratchet faints, he'll take out half the building."
"Got ya," Judy said as she walked to the hallway and the communications kiosk nearby. Dialing in Ratchet's number, she began. "Hey, Ratchet. Linda's going to have a baby. Okay?"
:On my way: Ratchet said.
Judy walked back in. "He's coming."
"Good. Niall … why don't you go let him in?" Linda said as she stepped down.
He stared at her, then the others, then her. "Uh, okay," He stared at her a moment, then walked to the door and the bot entrance off Ops Center nearby.
"That boy is a pillar," Judy said as she helped Linda walk to the surgery next.
"He is cute isn't he?" Linda asked with a grin.
She got no argument from anyone.
-0-Ratchet
He walked out of Lucien's office, then got the call. Heading out, he walked to the elevator. Lucien was still stunned and uncertain. It was probably a good thing. Vinn had messaged him that he was in therapy. That was good. He was going to check in on Traachon and Waldeen shortly. Right now, another baby was coming into the world and he would be there. Everyone else had checked in but wouldn't be able to attend. Either they were all busy or the biggest wusses in the known universe.
He reached the streets, then jogged toward the HQ. Its dome sparkled in the light of day. By the time he reached it, the door was already open. He stepped inside, then it closed. Atmosphere hit the huge room instantly as he walked toward the Ops Center and the hatch. Niall stepped out with a grin. "I'm glad you could come. Everyone else wimped out."
"They have no love for squishes and their squishables. They prefer that you keep that stuff inside your bodies," Ratchet said. "How's Linda?"
"She's ready to burst. I'll really be happy when this is over," Niall said tiredly.
"There's nothing like a daughter. Someone to rub your old peds when you're old," Ratchet said. "Ask Ironhide. He has one for each ped."
They laughed together.
"Do you want to watch on the screen?" Niall asked.
"Are you?"
"Oh, hell no," Niall said with feeling. "I worship the ground my wife glides over but this is out of my league."
"Slagger. I see it runs in Terrans, too," Ratchet said with a grin.
"You just noticed?" Niall asked as the monitor nearby showed a message feed from his family about what was going on.
"Linda is being prepped. Is Ratchet here, son? Does he want to watch? How can you make that happen?" His mother was writing on her device.
Niall read it, then picked up his phone. Tapping in, he wrote back. "Ratchet is here. He can't fit inside so I'm keeping him company."
"You're a wanker, son. -Dad"
Ratchet smirked at Niall. "Your father is a cute guy."
"He is. He's a helluva lot tougher than me," Niall said with heartfelt emotion.
"She's being induced. Phoebe says everything is good. It might be soon now. -Mum"
"Lord, I hope so," Niall said.
It was silent as they watched the screen. Another message appeared several minutes later. "She's having labor . -Mum"
"I should be there. I'm such a coward," Niall said.
"You are,"
Niall looked at Ratchet. "Thanks, pal. You're supposed to say, 'No, Niall. You aren't.'"
Ratchet laughed. "Oh. I thought I was supporting you by agreeing. I'm not?"
"No," Niall said with a grin.
"Okay. Uh … you aren't a coward not being there while your wife tries to push a Volkswagen through a knothole." Ratchet smiled a dazzler. "Is that better?"
Niall was laughing too hard to answer before another message came.
"It won't be long. GET IN HERE! -Mum and Dad"
"Better hoof it," Ratchet said. "I'll wait here."
Niall smiled at Ratchet, then nodded. Away he ran until he was gone. Ratchet watched, then sat down to wait. He wouldn't have long.
Niall of Fort William, Scotland and Linda Graham of London, England would be the parents of a ten pound four ounce baby girl, Aedh Louise Graham.
Of Mars.
Uncle Ratchet would the the first bot she would meet.
-0-TBC 3-1-18 edited 3-4-18
The Seeker Convocation is going to be told in flashbacks over the upcoming days. I wanted to add it but the holidays and other things would have not done it justice. More on it to come. :D
malleable: (mal-ee-uh-bul) – easy to shape and bend
Aedh – Gaelic name for fire (eeed-hhh) emphasize the 'h' at the end. :D
cosset(ed) (coz-zet) cared for and protected in an overindulgent way