The Diego Diaries: FOOTBALL! (dd6 311)
-0-At the game
They walked to their seat leaving Optimus with Alor at the tunnel entrance. The band and the grand genitors were in the next one down waiting for the show to begin. The jumbotron was showing images that were filling the screens of several worlds, some of which were from Cybertron. Crowds there were in clearings watching projections. They waved and cheered when the cameras showed them on screen. Forward bases and other places in the system guarding Prime's sphere of influence rotated one by one as Jazz and Blaster chatted with the humans and a number of mechs on Cybertron who were added to do the color from there.
"We're looking at the images of Cybertron, Jazz. What can you tell us about them?" a newscaster from Earth said over the M.C.A. link up.
"That scene just now was in Nova Cronum which was a huge airbase and manufacturing center. It was a retirement area for military brass and a tough town. What you're seeing in these images from Cybertron are the gathered citizens from refugee camps collected together to watch the show. All of the Empire is watching this game including the pirates and Decepticons out there. Prime decided that everyone should see this, the first unity event between Cybertron and here," Jazz said.
"Let the slaggers know what they're missing and showcase our people on Cybertron … its a win-win for us," Blaster said with a grin.
"What's the pre-game going to be, Blaster?" another voice from Earth asked.
"We're going to have the game begin with the Old Band from the first army of Cybertron, the army that was then called The Immortals. Trooper and Scout of Iacon, genitors of Alor will be playing the anthems and other songs that were popular during sporting events back in the day. Then Prime will step out and take the salute. When he makes it to his box, Password, League President will come out and speak to the crowd here and welcome Cybertron. There'll be salutes from all of the forward bases around the area. They're going to shoot off flares into space at the end, by the way.
"At that point, the teams come out. Nova Cronum will be first for the honor of it, then Kaon. After that, all bets are off," Jazz said.
The group would chat until the announcements to begin were sent to them. Then they would cut off the Earth side and begin to cover the events unfolding here. The stadium was filled to the brim, here and everywhere else. Anyone with access to a monitor everywhere was listening and watching all over the sector.
It was then that the Old Band stepped out and walked in their usual brilliant precision to the middle of the field. Following them to his keyboard, Alor walked proudly. The crowd here and there exploded in delight. Most of those watching were unaware that Trooper and Scout had been saved and as Alor sat to play with them it was a madhouse, then it wasn't.
The band stood like statues, Scout poised and silent before them. Alor waited, then Scout nodded. He began to play the opening bars of the Anthem of Cybertron and when he did the entire stadium stood up. Voices broke into song as they sang the words. The band was silent as Alie played. The words rang out and filled the stadium, then they concluded and the spectators still stood, watching with excitement at the spectacle before them.
It was then that Scout and the band began to play the Anthem of the Primes. When they did, Optimus Prime stepped out as the entire place sang the words and walked to the sideline where he stopped to allow his people to see him. The place exploded with noise and the roar of it felt alive.
He waited, knowing that they needed to see him this way as the band rose in volume. When it hit its peak, he walked onward heading for the stairs that would take him to the Primal Box. He made his way along, then stood in the box staring at the crowd who saluted him. The band concluded, then with the same grave dignity they marched off silently together.
It was weirdly and expectantly quiet in the stadium, on Cybertron and bases all over the place. What the pirates and Razorclaw were doing was anyone's guess but everyone here in command knew they were receiving and thus, watching the show.
It was then that Password walked out with the referees to the center medallion on the turf. Everyone roared for them, then quieted. He grinned, then began to speak. "It's my great honor to lead a league that now has expanded to Cybertron. Twelve teams," he continued until he had to wait for the roar to subside. "Twelve teams from Cybertron came here to compete in honor for the right to represent their city in the Primus Cup Championship game. Nova Cronum won that right," he said as half the stadium went mad. Nova Cronum's people and those who supported them jumped up and down roaring their approval.
He waited, then continued. "Today, two cities and two worlds meet to battle for the honor of their own. It's a great orn that this moment has come to pass. We are reclaiming ourselves together. We are presenting our culture and our greatness to the universe today."
ROAR!
"Next year, the league will have two divisions … the Martian Football Division and the Cybertronian Football Division united under the Cybertronian Adult Football League umbrella," he said.
ROAR!
"Each division will play us and we, them. A winner in each division will meet together in the Primus Cup. Next year, the Primus Cup will be played in the Iacon Stadium on Cybertron."
BEDLAM! ROAR! OH YEAH!
"Today, we unite at long last to find a champion. Two great teams meet to find victory or defeat. Today, we are the luckiest people in the world. LET'S PLAY FOOTBALL!"he cried, then walked to the sideline with the referees for the presentation of the teams. The place was ballistic with joy and would remain so for a bit longer.
Out of a tunnel, walking with an air of dignity and pride, the Nova Cronum Brigadiers came forward to the field.
ROAR!
They lined up, planted their banner, then began their war dance and chant. They were amazing and loud as the crowd showed their appreciation. They then bowed low to Prime who returned a nod. It was then that Kaon marched out.
BELLOW! ROAR! ROAR! ROAR! ROAR! YO MAMA!
They walked out in a line, beautiful and full of the imposing magnitude of the Cybertronian male. They were as awe inspiring as Nova Cronum and they were lead by Sunstreaker. He carried the banner for Kaon with a fierce look on his face.
At the end of the line holding leashes for two dogs and a bug, four little kids followed.
They walked to the line, planted their banner, then showed their quality as well. Bowing low, Prime nodded back and it was done.
Password walked out. "The referees for today are Coney, Barrow, Tinseth, and Boister."
HUGE applause and disdain mixed.
Password glanced at both teams, then walked to the sideline to thunderous applause. The teams dispersed with their lines walking out to do battle. Kaon would receive, Nova Cronum would defend. Prowl would angst, Magnus would smirk, Arcee would whisper in his audials causing his smirk, Sunspot/Bos/Co-d and Reflector would wave, Dawg/Spot and Bug wouldn't, Springer and Drift would finish up pegging the mini-con clusters in the crowd, the mini-cons would be lovingly filmed by IntraCom flipping them the Cybertronian bird for their efforts, Maxi would be seen standing in a tunnel cracking her knuckles and cricking her neck, five kids with Pulley would be lovingly petting the horses as they hung out with the security teams surprising their genitors who would see them on the jumbotron and find out their kids weren't 'hanging out in the Library doing homework, Ada', humans would be seen, not heard and several elderly ammas would be tsk-tsking as they poured beer forbidden in the stadium over the wall in their sectors while their sub-adult great, great, great, great grandchildren whined.
In short, it was a normal day at the train wreck.
They lined up, the two teams, then the ball was tossed to Kaon. They turned almost as one and ran down one side together while Sideswipe ran along behind them. Most of Nova Cronum followed allowing Sunstreaker who had the ball to gallop madly toward their goal. When they discovered the error of their ways, everyone but their center turned to give chase. That mech was too busy pummeling a Kaon lineman who laughed at how hard they fell for the ruse. It was a toss up what to watch … the inevitability of Sunstreaker roaring in for a score or the two Man Mountain Deans beating the slag out of each other at the sideline.
"That's a tactic," Ratchet said as he grinned at Prowl.
Prowl who had Solus, Hero and Sojourner in his hold as he held Halo in his arms to Ironhide's DISMAY nodded. "If you say so," he said with a grin. / … all of the femmes … they're mine …/
/... slagger … has a screw loose …I AM IRONHIDE! I AM PISSED!… /
/ … you're both nuts …/ -Ravel, not Ratchet for once
Sunstreaker drove onward and shoulder butted a defensive back into the stands. He flew sideways having been hit down low by the speeding maniac with nice finials. Sunny drove into Nova's goalie, then jumped for the score. As he did, he spun and flashed the ball to Sideswipe who had arrived with everyone else.
Sideswipe spun in a circle and handed off to Rad-R.
Rad-R threw it hard to Sunstreaker who put it through the goal.
SCORE!
ROAR!
DU JOUR!
Prime grinned. "Too bad that was anyone but Iacon."
Alor nodded. "I feel your pain. How do you feel, Raptor? After all, IT ISN'T PRAXUS!"
Raptor grinned at Alor. "Feeling a bit under the weather are you? Having a sad, Alie?"
"NO!"Alor said with a grin. "Fraggers. All of them. I'm recruiting the twins and Bracket for the team next season."
"Don't waste your breath," Raptor said. "I've already tried."
Somehow, that didn't help anyone a bit.
-0-On the sidelines
Sunstreaker sat on the team bench with the kids watching as the defense ran out to do battle. "That was good teamwork. It's going to take it. Nova is better in the second half."
Sideswipe nodded. "This is going to be tough. They're going to fight."
Sunstreaker nodded, then both shifted to watch the lineman and the center fighting nearby. They were holding up the game but until they cocked their fists, this was legal. And that was why minions on numerous bases and several planets thought Cybertronian football wasAAAWWEESSOOMMEE!
After a moment of the refs tapping their peds in irritation, the fisticuffs were ended. Then the game began again. The ball went to Cronum, then plowed forward with Kaonians hanging off them like Christmas ornaments, then were halted at the near goal line. Setting back up after both sides yelled at each other a moment …
"OH YEAH!?"
"YEAH! FRAGGERS! WHO'S YOUR DADDY!?"
"What the frag are you saying, Emran? YourDADDY is MY DADDY!"
"FRAG THAT! PLAY BALL!"
They hut-hutted and got ready. The ball was served, the usual goofing was accomplished and after tossing Bracket out of the way, two Brigadiers stuffed the ball through the hoop.
OH LORD, HAVE MERCY!
THOSE TWO ARE MY SONS!-a daddy
WTF!?
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
They walked to the bench and were patted by their offense who went out to draw blood and whatever else they could wrench off the other side.
Nova Cronum who weren't shrinking violets themselves hulked out and set up.
HUT-HUT, FRAGGERS!
Then the slagging ball was dropped and the lines came together:
KA-BBBBBBBLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
-0-TBC 3-28-18 edited 4-1-18 01-19-2022