The Diego Diaries: Moments Later (dd6 293)
-0-Outside on the sidewalk in front of The Fortress
They gathered together, all of the group called by Hard Drive to assist the Prime and his family. Hard Drive considered the problem before them, then turned to Micro. "When do you want to do this? Now? I think the sooner the better."
Micro nodded. "I agree," he said. He looked at his son. "We're going to a delegation visit. You can wait outside so we can organize once we find out how this goes. I don't have a lot of hope here for this to turn out well, so if it doesn't, we need you to be here to organize Plan B and fetch the beer."
Piro nodded. "Alright, Atar," he said with a grin.
"Then its me, you, Hardie, and Delphi. Raptor, you're the hard aft. The rest of you can go or come, either way is fine with me," Micro said. He grinned. "Of course, we can have an inside hard aft and a couple outside. I wonder … do you see anyone around who fits the bill?"
Huge laughter and frowns from Blackjack and Ironhide greeted that. With a grin, Hard Drive walked onward to the Fortress Metro with Micro as the others came along behind, some of them laughing while others bitched.
-0-In another town
He sat by the window rocking in the chair that Proteus had commissioned from a Guild shop that specialized in furniture and ancient crafts from Cybertron. This one was metal, copper in color and shimmered in the sunlight pouring through the window. Laying in Madura's arms, Rugur slept soundly. They had finally gotten the knack of caring for him, a bit of touch and go alleviated by the video library on the Community Bulletin Board.
Proteus was sitting on a couch reading a book, enjoying the quiet. Rugur was on a schedule now thanks to the shortcut ideas of the Home Health Care medic and social worker that visited them every other day since he had come to them. They were going to come twice more, then be on call. It would appear that Madura and Proteus were naturals.
"What are you reading, Proteus?" Madura asked.
Proteus looked up. "A book of poems. A youngster in the Intermediate School is very talented and has published a couple of books."
Madura nodded. "Could you read them aloud?"
Proteus grinned, then nodded. "I can."
He would read them as they waited for Rugur to need them. Until then, he slept onward contented in the arms of his ada.
-0-Crystal City
They waited outside the door as they squared away all their positions, who would speak, who would overawe with their magnificence … all of them … who would stand in the hallway … the beer they would have when this was over …
Like that.
Hard Drive gripped the door latch, then walked inside trailed by Micro, Delphi and Raptor. It closed behind them. Piro stood outside with Turbine, Blackjack and Ironhide. It was quiet, then the young kid turned to the others. "I would hate to be in there with them."
Everyone with him nodded in agreement.
-0-Inside
There was no one in the reception area, so Hardie walked down the hallway followed by the others. The two were in the work room and glanced up with surprise. Hardie stepped in. "Zenith and Shadow, its been a long time since we saw you last."
Zenith looked at the group, then nodded. "Hard Drive … it has. Hello, Delphi and this must be Raptor. You've grown a bit since last we met."
Raptor nodded. "I have."
Zenith glanced at Shadow, then the group. "May I help you in some way?"
"This is General Micro of Praxus. We would like to sit and talk to you a moment if you have the time," Hardie said.
"Is this business or personal?" Zenith asked.
"Perhaps both," Hardie said.
The two stepped into the hallway and led the way to the office area. Waiting for everyone but Raptor to find a seat, they sat. "I'm of the opinion that because Raptor isn't sitting, that you're here on caste business."
"You would assume correctly," Hardie said as the principal speaker. Delphi and Micro could jump in but Hardie would be the first to speak. "We're here to mediate anything that might hinder a joyous reunion of your family. Given that you're by extension relations of our own, we are duty and honor bound to help with any situations that might cause discord in our extended family and its clan."
"Perhaps you can specify that of which you speak," Zenith said.
It became tense but no one showed it on either side. It was a downturn in their personal auras that made the room feel crackly.
"Due to the Primal Councilor Hearing, things have changed in the manner in which we're instructed to live. Lord Optimus banned The System from the start of this colony and has extended that decree over the planet, Cybertron, the Empire, and wherever our people are, both now, in future and into the past as per the charters. During the trial, we were favored by the Pantheon and Lord Primus Himself who decreed that any system of oppression is banished and would be so forever. Both indicated that if they were continued in defiance of the Will of The One, They would personally intervene to end them. It was very clear. I was there and given the honor of seeing and hearing Them."
It was silent.
"I am told this happened. But why does that bring you here and what family transaction or event are we discussing?" Shadow asked.
Micro glanced at the big mech. "There are those in the family that fear your displeasure at some of the bonds, some of the individuals that are now related in familial ties. They worry that discord will be introduced and that the tranquility that they've created together will be jeopardized. Apparently, you both disclosed your feelings over having mid or low caste individuals as relatives."
Zenith considered that. "Since you're family, Hard Drive, something that until now I considered a good thing, I suppose we should be frank with each other. I'm not happy about it. Neither is Shadow. We've never caste mixed in our family history and we don't wish it now." He sat back, his lethal power brought about by a lifetime of martial artistry evident to everyone there. He wore it without conceit. It was just part of him now like his servos and attitudes. "Let us assume that The System is dead and gone. I find that a devastation to consider, but for the sake of argument … assume it is. That doesn't prevent us from living among our own and choosing our associations. That doesn't require us to do other."
Delphi nodded. "No, it doesn't. That sword can cut both ways, Zenith. As easily as you can boycott us, that's how fast we can leave you. It's unfortunate to me and a bit mystifying that you would do this. It reeks of bigotry to me."
Shadow looked at Delphi sharply. "Having standards, Delphi, is hardly the same thing."
"They are if they're based on subjective criteria that makes no difference, like the color of your format, the size of your finials and other trivial ignorant conceits. Did you know that the humans of Earth, a lot of them, consider us to be repugnant because of our bonds? Bonding with your own gender is considered the epitome of disgusting to some. So are certain skin colors, gender designations, religions, preferences of taste and attitude. You would be highly scorned among many of the humans because of your bond. In some countries there would be the death penalty waiting for both of you … Nigeria, Mauritania and Iran, for instance.
"Then remind me never to go to Earth," Zenith said coldly. "I am uninterested in the sad notions of an alien species that cannot even fly to their own moon."
"Their 'sad notions' are based on ignorance, intolerance and hatred. So is The System of Exception," Micro said. "You don't seem to be consistent in your ideas and opinions, Zenith."
"My opinions and ideas are not your domain, General. Given that The System is done, I'd be remiss to throw away all of my … notions. They stood us in good stead forever and I favor them for the continuity they bring to my life. What I do or not do in relation to my son is my own business, that and Shadow. You do believe that we might invoke. That's why you came in delegation, correct?"
They nodded. "We came as members of the court and as Warrior Elites. We have a duty to all our people as The Code demands and will fulfill it as ever. It's a matter of honor," Delphi said.
"Then you understand my position. I won't turn my back on my family and their history. Though Prime may have laid The System to rest, he has no control over what I believe or do in accordance with the law. You are aware, are you not, that invocations are embedded in our legal system. If we do or not, you cannot block that."
"No, but we can hear it in a Caste Court. If one is called, you cannot say no," Hardie said quietly.
"Perhaps, but I have the right to sue in court and appeal to the Prime. However, what we will or not do is between the two of us. What we will do we won't be sharing with you. We know you will understand," Zenith said glacially.
"Your call," Micro said. "We have our duty. You have your bigotry. Duty, in the long run, trumps bigotry. I hope you will learn to understand."
It was silent, then Hardie stood. The others joined him including the two. "Understand this in your calculations. The Pantheon and Primus in proxy to The One have spoken. The Functionalist Council didn't think they had to listen either and they were recalled. So were their assistants and accomplices in crime. Primus said there is no hierarchy … not between us nor between the Pantheon and us. You might seek advice from the Temple. I'm sure that Lady Sela can help you. She, after all, is not only a historian of our culture but holy." He nodded, then walked to the door. The others followed and it closed behind them.
In the hallway waiting, Turbine, Piro, Ironhide, and Blackjack turned to them. "What happened?" Turbine asked.
"Its in their court and I think they're going to volley it right back to our faces," Hard Drive said as the group walked to the elevator.
"Frag. I guess we better reserve a courtroom," Turbine said with a grin. "Sounds like a court."
"I think I need a beer," Raptor said as the doors closed on them. "I was slagging awesome as muscle."
The doors cut off the loud laughter.
-0-Sitting at a table in Club Cybertron
Prowl walked in with Ratchet and sat. "What happened? As if I need to ask,"
"They're thinking it over," Raptor said. He was kicked back with the rest of them including a grinning and mesmerized Piro. "Food for thought and slag like that."
"They're going to invoke aren't they," Prowl said rather than asked.
"Hard to say. Both of them play a close game," Hard Drive said. "We'll be ready."
"SLAG RIGHT!" Raptor said as he pulled Pudding out of his carry hold. He set the little cow on the table top.
Pudding looked at Raptor, then mooed softly. Raptor leaned forward and kissed him on the nose. "That's my little cow. Slagging fine cow."
Ironhide who was holding Halo laughed. He glanced at his father. "I think this is a two cow affair."
Blackjack pulled out Flipper and set him next to Pudding. Another round arrived as they kicked back to strategize, tell lies and pet the cows.
-0-TBC 3-8-18 edited 03-10-18
NOTES
frank: truthful, open
trump: to beat something else an ace trumps or beats a 10 of hearts.