The Diego Diaries: Moving On (dd6 291)
-0-Outside the door
He gathered himself, then opened the door to step inside with a smile firmly placed on his face. No one was there, so Miler walked down the hallway until he came to the work room where his genitors were standing around a drafting table working on a problem on a huge datapad. He flashed back to his youth when he did the same then, waiting outside the door with trepidation as his brilliant genitors worked on something that no one else could imagine.
"Come in, Miler," Zenith said as he stared at the problem on the datapad. Both of them turned to him, noting his usual presence of depressed energy and a barely contained uncertainty. "How are you today, son?" he asked.
"I'm well. I came to see how you were and to look at your new location. It looks very nice, like the one in the tower back when," Miler said as he walked closer. He looked at the datapad, then his genitors. "Very tough mathematics. It looks very interesting."
Shadow nodded. "It is. Perhaps you can offer an opinion at some point. Your mathematics are extremely good."
"I would like that," Miler said. There was a silence for a moment that always unnerved him. Both of his genitors lived a lot in their processors working on astonishing physics and inventive processes that weren't even known to be needed until they were unveiled at trade shows and 'premiers'. There was little that one could find fault with in their professional thought processes. "Did you eat? I can bring you something if you like. I have to go to the Trigger today. We're bringing in the first group of refugees but I can fetch you something."
"That's fine, Miler. Thank you. Prowl came by and took care of that." Zenith nodded to a neat stack of empty dishes and bowls nearby. "The cuisine of this colony is first class."
"It is," Miler said feeling relieved that the conversation didn't stall dead. "Rampage is a remarkable savant with food."
"He is a Predacon, correct?" Shadow asked. "I do remember that combiner. I was asked to check out the math to find his weaknesses. He doesn't have any."
"He does now. Rampage lives and works here. They can't combine without him and hold the circuits. He has a wonderful bond, businesses that meet a great need, a big extended family, and infants. He's an impressive individual who is so happy here and has refused to rejoin his brothers when they've called for him to come," Miler said.
Zenith nodded. "That's fortunate for us," he said. He looked at Miler musing a moment. "Prowl told us about the Council Hearing. The Functionalists were criminals over the eons and they came to a deserved end. However … I am very disappointed to hear about the other revelations. I will be talking to some who were there … Alpha and the priests. We haven't touched base with them anyway and I have many concerns."
"I don't believe it will help you, Atar," Miler said. "The Pantheon and Lord Primus Himself spoke not just for Himself and his siblings, but for The One as well. They were adamant."
"I will still have that conversation," Zenith said quietly. "We are aware of the liberties that you have taken in the family when we were absent. The children are wonderful but there are things that vex us a bit, Miler."
Miler looked at them, at the power of their softly spoken words. He felt himself shrink down to a child who was told how the world would work and that he had to conform. The conformity had shriveled him into an anxious, clueless automaton who followed the rules to the point where he nearly lost his spark and his beloved son, Prowl. "The family saved my life. Everyone of them I love with all my spark. All of them," he said almost without thinking. Inside, he was stunned that he had but outside he was still calm.
"You do understand, Miler, that our family traditions and beliefs are sacred," Shadow said.
Miler looked at him. "What are you asking me to do? Turn away from those in the family that aren't high caste? The twins, Lord Optimus himself? What are you demanding? Some of my grandchildren don't bear my tattoos."
"We can discuss this later when we've talked to others. We aren't asking you to do anything about anyone, Miler," Shadow said.
Miler stared at them, then turned sharply and walked down the hallway. He paused by the door, then stepped outside. He nearly ran all the way to Ops Center.
-0-In a conference room in Ops Center a short time later
He saw his ada coming and rose to intercept him. Miler was emotional and nearly dragged Prowl into the small conference room nearby. He closed the door, then turned to his son. "I saw my genitors this morning. They aren't happy about the outcome of the hearing."
"I don't suppose they are. Sit down, Ada," Prowl said as he pulled a chair.
Miler sat, then Prowl did. "Prowl, they talked about the family traditions and all of that. They acknowledged the children but told me they were unhappy with those in the family that aren't high caste. Maybe in not so many words, but I know them. I know what they say without words, the meanings in the spaces between."
Prowl felt himself suffuse with electrical tension. He patted his ada's servo. "They can't do a damned thing," he said as his anger began to rise. "What will they do? Primus Himself will come and swat them into the next dimension."
"They can cause trouble and hurt. I … I actually spoke up," Miler said as he shook his helm with astonished disbelief. He looked tense and surprised with himself. "I demanded to know what they'd do and they said we would speak at another time." He stared at his son with a look of determination doused with emotion. He was waiting to know what Prowl thought about it and it was obvious that this was all new terrain, standing up for himself before his genitors.
Prowl looked at him, seeing a small mech who was 'molded' by his genitors to the detriment of his spark. He also knew that this was the first time he had ever asserted himself against them and it was a grave moment in his self belief and confidence against the overwhelming force that his genitors presented. He wanted to hold his ada in his arms and hug him forever. Prowl took his servo. "I'm proud of you, Ada."
"Prowl … I have never spoken back. I did all that they required. I ever bonded dynastically. That your atar is my hero was a miracle. Then we … we obeyed our … 'caste' when we raised you." Miler looked almost ill as he considered that. "I was so nervous when you were a baby. You were so small and perfect. My genitors could break my spark with a look and my grandgenitors, their fathers … I did so many things wrong with you that I try make it up with you and Prima now. Prowl, here on this world among everyone … its the most wonderful place I've ever been. Your atar is so happy and fulfilled. So am I. I'm so happy here."
"Ada … you have nothing to say or do for me that needs done. I understand what it was like for both of you and I'm sorry that you both had to suffer like that. I'm so sorry that this is the way things are but this place is a miracle. Change happens here. Hard Drive said there are things that can be done through the caste and the Court. Did they say they would invoke?"
"No but they implied it. I don't want anyone to have their feelings hurt. There are so many who had terrible lives in our family because of us and I don't want to start this again," Miler said nearly to tears.
The door opened as Venture stepped in followed by Optimus. "Please, sit," Prowl said. He looked at his ada. "Please tell them what you told me."
Miler did. It was leaden in the room. As they sat silently a moment, the door opened again. Ratchet stepped in. "You called?" he asked, then he froze at the scene. Miler was upset and everyone was here. Grand genitor trouble, he considered. Moving to a chair, he sat. "Tell me what I can do for you and its done."
Miler smiled slightly. "That's what a squad does, right?"
"Oh yeah," Ratchet said with a grin. "Squads stay together, do or die. I'm assuming and tell me to butt out if I'm over some line here … your genitors aren't assimilating very well."
"No, they aren't. I'm going to speak to them right now and I want you to go with me," Prowl said as he stood.
Miler gripped his servo. "Oh, Prowl. Don't go. This won't end well. They don't have a clue how things really work. I think … they're good inside somewhere. They just had it programmed into a corner. I don't want hurt and I don't want trouble. For anyone."
"You already have it, Ada. I'm just going to outline the new rules," Prowl said grimly.
"Prowl … I can speak to them," Prime said. He stood. "Let me speak to them first. They might hear me because of the Matrix and there will not be hard feelings among you."
"I will fight both of them together before they make any one of our family, no matter who they are, feel small or abused," Prowl said to him.
"I'll go with," Ratchet said. "Neutral observer … triage," he said with a light tone. "Your genitors need you right now."
Prowl stared at him, then nodded slightly. "We will have words at some point. Just so you know."
"Perhaps, but I found that things sometimes are not so poisoned if someone else goes. You have just found your family including them. Let us take the time to try and make peace without breaking any bonds between us," Prime said.
Ratchet walked to the door, held it open and followed Prime out. He glanced at Prowl. "Don't worry." He walked out and the door closed.
Prowl sat, then looked at his ada and atar. "I want you to always remember that you both are the most wonderful mechs I know. You came back from the brink. You're loving and good to my children and you gave me a brother. A mech can't ask for more."
Miler stood and the two embraced. "We were clueless, Prowl. We both love you so much. We're so proud of you. You and Prima are our treasure. You and the infants, all of them. I don't want this to destroy our family."
Venture who was sitting on a chair stood and wrapped his arms around both of them. "It won't, Miler," he said. "We shall see what happens."
-0-On their way
They walked to the station on this side of the intersection. Down Fortress Metro they went, then boarded a train for Crystal City. It was silent on the nearly empty train as they stood together. Ratchet glanced at Prime. "What do you think about, Optimus, when you look around? You and I can go any where we want now. There's no barriers."
"I'm relieved and proud, Ratchet. Our people have overcome everything to make a monument to themselves. We're bringing back things that matter and leaving behind those that do not. Things like this … they are small but powerful," he replied. "I will protect my family and this colony … everyone and everything in it because its my job. I am weary of this poison."
"That's what it is," Ratchet said. "Its an infection that persists. My genitors and grand genitors are the best mechs and femme that I know. There were others … uncles and great grand genitors. We lived near each other and it never felt too terrible to me because I had them. That's the same feeling I have here. I wonder where the others are? I hope they're well. If not, then they're safe in the Matrix. This place is our monument to them."
Prime nodded as they reached Terra Underground Hub. They rode through as the tracks switched automatically and headed toward Crystal City. The second metro there would be closest to the offices Zenith and Shadow had in a tower dedicated to commerce and business. "It ends here. I would hate to have the Pantheon step in and deliver a punishment against them. It would punish all of us. Prowl and Miler deserve some kind of detente. This has been a long time coming."
"Miler is a sweet mech. He's so happy. He's the cutest drunk," Ratchet said with a grin. Prime grinned, too. "I will back your play."
Prime glanced at Ratchet, someone who grew up in the same slum as him, who watched the same inequities down the street from the gates that hemmed them in from the rest of the world and who knew the same deprivations, slurs and thwarted dreams as he did. "Since when was it other?" he asked as the train slowed to a stop. He stepped out followed by Ratchet and the two walked up to the street. It was a silent walk to the tower and a quiet tense ride upward.
They walked to the door of the business, then waited a moment to affect the right persona. Prime glanced at Ratchet who nodded, then opened the door. Both entered, finding the reception area empty. Down the hallway they walked before reaching the work room. Both were there, both were sitting on the couch nearby discussing something or other between then. They stood when Optimus entered the room. Ratchet stayed back in the doorway as the big mech received their bows and returned the proper nod. "Forgive me from entering unannounced but I am here to speak to you of matters that involve all of us." He glanced at Ratchet, then both again. "Ratchet is also a grand genitor of my grandson, Kaon and the little twin femmes so he is here as well."
Zenith nodded. "Welcome," he said simply.
Ratchet considered both of them and noted they were really old school at this moment. They were so rarefied that he doubted their peds ever touched real ground. He had seen some like them and they usually came from massive old money. They had lived in the prison of privilege all their orns and this was going to be really, truly difficult.
"I will get to the crux of the matter. I am aware that you are unsettled about the decisions reached by the Pantheon and Lord Primus Himself during the councilor part of the hearing just past for the Functionalists. I am here to listen to your concerns and help you with anything that I can."
Zenith nodded. "We're going to be speaking to Alpha Trion and others who were there. I'm curious that this was spoken by Them. I need more information. I do not come to conclusions without the facts. I'm a scientist, after all, and as such need to be clear in my processor about all matters relating to this unusual set of circumstance."
"Neo was there. Lord Chrome, Lord Lauren, Master Cyclonus of the Monastery … all of them were there. Heatout is high caste Teacher for the Circle of Light and someone who is famed for his clarity and honor. I will supply you with a list if you require it. I, too, admire the scientific process of gathering information to make conclusions. It makes things easier without drama or undo emotions."
"We have a family history and traditions that inform us to a great degree. We support a very traditional form of Temple practice which we taught our son, Miler and our grandson, Prowl to honor. I'm sure that you've noticed this," Shadow said.
Prime nodded. "That is so. They come to make amends before the Festival every year. They keep up the prayers for the dead and Cybertron on a regular basis. Venture is on the Temple Board and we keep Praxian customs for Prowl and his family's honor. I, myself, have a less rigorous religious practice, though as First Disciple of Primus and Bearer of the greatest Matrix that exists, I have come to many conclusions and customs because of that."
"We're serious individuals, Lord Optimus. We honor the traditions of our ancestors. It should be evident to all who come into contact with Praxians that we do. They're our central identity as a culture and we have many laws and customs that we follow to honor that," Zenith said.
"When the infants were separated, we followed all the customs," Ratchet said. "We honored them to honor Prowl and my bond, Ironhide. He's Praxian as well. We raise our children accordingly. Like Optimus, my process was less formal but equally as important and self defining. We understand your desires to remain who you are but paradigms change and things move forward. You don't have to like them but they are so."
"Perhaps," Zenith said quietly. He looked at Prime. "There are many customs in our family that helped get us through all the history of our people. We honor and follow them. I'm sure you're aware of some of them, perhaps all of them."
"I am aware of invoking, if that is what you are striving to say," Prime said. "I am also aware of the dictates of Primus and The One. Until all are one. That's the simple underlying principle of our people and Their hopes for us. It exemplifies Their unending love for us. All of us."
It was silent in the room, almost too silent too long. "We honor our traditions and uphold our way of life. Our culture is precious to us, Lord Optimus. Thank you for adding fuel for thought. We don't take anything lightly and thank you for your wise council," Zenith said as he and Shadow bowed.
Prime nodded. "I hope you do. It is a miracle that you are here, safe and ready to prosper. It is the Will of Primus that we all do. I wish you well today and in your ventures ahead. My House is your House, Zenith and Shadow of Praxus," Prime said formally, asserting once again his status as the Prime of Cybertron and First Disciple of Primus. "I will take my leave now."
They bowed as Prime stepped out of the room. Ratchet turned to him. :I'm going to speak to them. Intel, brother. Could you wait outside a moment?:
Prime nodded, walked down the hallway to the door, then outside. Ratchet watched him go, then turned to the two. He grinned. "It's a great thing to have you here. We're a nation of orphans. I have about 40 or 50 children. I lost track. I adopted about 25 or 35 of them because they needed love and a foundation of family. We were lost so long that most of the mechs here never saw a child until Ironhide and I had one.
"We built this together with our bare servos brick-by-brick, side-by-side. It was hard and joyous and wonderful. We go to games together. The Championship of the Primus Cup is in two more decaorns. Your grandsons-in-law, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe who are my adopted sons are in the finals against Helix from Cybertron. Its going to be great and you should come as our honored guests and family. The whole family goes and stands in the Primal Box mid field.
"You'll see something there that you never saw on Cybertron. You'll see unity, happiness, all kinds of castes standing together, pride, joy … you'll see what Primus and The One want us to be. What you won't see is brutality, segregation, armed guards beating people, exclusion, anguish, and terror. Given a chance to choose which of those two paths you can take, I'd wager there isn't a mech or femme either here or on Cybertron who'd willingly take the second one.
"I just want you to know that we welcome you with love because Prowl and Miler are yours. I'd hope after all of this, that would be enough." Ratchet turned to leave when Zenith spoke again. He turned back to listen.
"We have traditions in our culture that matter to us. You must be cognizant of some of the more demanding ones," he said.
"If you mean invoking, yes," Ratchet said. "I'm not unclear about your customs, Abba. My old mech is Ironhide of Praxus. He and his genitors, grand genitors and great-grand genitors live here. You might know them. His genitors are General Blackjack and Senior Commander Alor of Iacon. His grand genitors are General Raptor and Senior Battalion Commander Turbine of Praxus. Last and not least, General Hard Drive and Senior Commander Delphi of Praxus. The last two are members of The Immortals from the War Against the Quintesson Oppression. Every last one of them belong to the high castes because everyone last one of them are Praxian Military Elite. I know about Praxian culture. We mostly raise our kids in it. Just so you know," Ratchet said. He nodded and walked down the hallway to the door. Stepping out, he met Prime.
"There were no fisticuffs?" Optimus asked with a slight grin.
"Not yet," Ratchet said. "I told them the Tale of the Immortals. Sort of," he said as they walked onward to the train station and the long winding ride back to The City.
-0-TBC 3-6-18
Thanks for the patience. I find it easier to sit today and thus, gave you three or so extra pages of story. :D You are the best ever, readers. Remember that. :D:D:D PS This is the first piece I think I've written first draft in two or three years that had no errors during spell check. HOORAY! ^. .^
savant: (suh-vont) Someone who is very gifted at something. Sometimes, that person can be mentally deficient in some ways yet be astonishingly good at something like art or music. You don't have to be so to be a savant. Someone who is, is sometimes called an idiot savant. I find that word offensive but historically, that's what they were called. In my book, you have to be a very HUGE ass hole to be considered bad in my book. :D
NOTES:
optimus prime101 chapter 290 . 13h ago
So does zenith and shadow start trouble yet?
ME: Yep. :D They will try. Sometimes, it takes a while to change. It isn't always smooth sailing. :D
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 289 . Mar 5
This was another wonderful chapter. I cried when the new-spark inhabited the baby's frame. You write beautifully and sincerely.
ME: Thank you, honey. I describe the movie in my head. That's where it comes from. I love to write for all of you. HUGS!
Guest chapter 287 . Mar 3
Oh dear, there is a lot going on at the moment it seems.
I do hope that Lucien can finally get himself straightened out, because if having his believes
disapproved so thoroughly by the Pantheon and Primus doesn't make him understand I fear nothing will.
ME: Right now, Lucien and the others are in shock. They have no way to go but down the straight road. Fear right now and shock is their friend. LOL!
And I do understand why the Cybertronians would wimp out on human childbirth it can make your skin crawl with everything that's going on. You know the pain, the blood and everything and that's when everything goes according to plan. The amount of things that can go wrong during childbirth for both mother and child is scary. Bet you anything that a caesarean would give them nightmares.
ME: Child birth is such a miracle and frankly, so scary, messy, difficult. They have a real problem with the messiness of what constitutes organics. I love that aspect of them. Childbirth is such a marathon and such a brave undertaking. KUDOES TO MOMS! (and dads) :D
Also makes me wonder how they would react to appendectomy, open heart surgery or organ transplantation.
ME: Ironhide told him he would probably pop his cork. Poor widdow baby. :D:D:D
Anyway, wonderful chapter as always and I hope everything goes alright for Linda.
ME: Thank you, sweetie. Its all good for her. They have to honor the baby now and media on Earth is having a plotz. I think a Platoon episode on the kids and the new habitats is in order. I'll ask Leonora. ;)
kattenbelletje chapter 287 . Mar 2 couldn't Ratchet enter in Pretender form? Men are such wusses :)
ME: I forgot about that. Ratchet does love doing things in pretender gear. LOL! Men are. Niall is a good guy but he lost his stuff this time around. HUGS!
Lackwit chapter 285 . Mar 1
Seeker convocation! Have you written about it yet? I have been waiting for the details but don't recall having read about it yet. Where? What's Magnus teasing us about? :)
ME: I am going to do it in flashbacks. The mass of stuff coming one after another cut that back so much that I decided that flashbacks would do it more justice. I want to add more stuff for Seeker culture and that demands attention. It will be coming shortly. Leoness chapter 285 . Feb 28
I adore the Ironhide side of the family particularly. They're such delightful loons. Orion didn't fall far from that tree for all Ratchet gets the blame!
ME: There's something so intrinsically funny about them, especially with Raptor, that I can't stop writing their insanity. They're so confident. THey have so much comfort together that they are a dream to write. I love them too. HUGS!