The Diego Diaries: Roamin' in the Gloamin' (dd6 343)
-0-Ops Center, The Fortress, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
The usual suspects gathered around the command table to discuss what to do about a strange appearance of something not seen for some time. Wheeljack and Perceptor along with Zenith and Shadow, of all individuals, gathered to go over the information. Wheeljack and Perceptor stood to one side talking with Zenith and Shadow, their helms nodding as they went over the readings from the sensor arrays far out from Cybertron and designed to keep watch over a very dangerous, unpredictable sector of space.
Prowl watched his grand genitors out of the corner of his optics as he sat beside Prime affecting a very nonchalant attitude. Only someone who knew him well could tell he was tense at their presence. Finally, Wheeljack turned to the group. "We studied and discussed the data and believe that we have temporal rifts in that area that are seething with plasma energy. Consider it a black hole without the hole. That is, something that erupts outward rather than draws inward."
"There's some long ago disruption of time and space there that has always plagued us, though understanding it has always been the conundrum. Going too close to it is suicidal in the extreme. There is no way to predict when the rifts will secrete plasma and radiation that even we would have a hard time withstanding. I'm not clear on its nature and composition. Perhaps enough big stars went supernova at the same time that it disrupted more than the fabric of space in that location could withstand. There's a lot of latent energy there in the sectors around it that we calculate is dispersing slowly enough to indicate a great span of time from when it theoretically happened and now. It indicates something big and explosive happened in the past to create this. It cannot be predicted with any reasonable precision, thus, we've always made it off limits. The only difference this time is the appearance of a fleet, one that bears very familiar, yet different energy registers that are very close to our own. It would appear that whatever happens captures someone in another dimension and brings them here." He turned toward Zenith. "That's your field, correct?"
Zenith nodded. "Shadow and I have been working on the concept of using space bridges to travel between dimensions. As it is, we have the capability to travel from one end of this universe to another but not between dimensions. We want to try to enlarge that capacity." Shadow nodded.
"I discussed the data with them because they're the greatest living theorists on this concept. I do believe we're dealing with a dimensional rift. It could be that the newcomers are just a bit out of sync with us and therefore, we can't see or hear them," Wheeljack said.
"But they attacked us last time. They hit our databases and stole information," Prowl said.
"They did. Just because we can't see then, theoretically, that doesn't mean they can't see us. Consider as well the possibility that they could be yet another dimensional version of us. It has happened already once. It can happen again. They're just out of our vibration and we can't see them," Perceptor said. "Their energy probably vibrates at a difference frequency and prevents all of us from seeing and running into each other."
"Until now," Wheeljack said.
"What's the course you would advise given this being true. Or not," Prowl asked as he sat back working out a dozen of his own plans as he did.
"We need to go look. It doesn't mean that we can find them but it might be a good idea to take a science ship loaded with every kind of sensor tech we have and go there," Wheeljack said.
"Take Tennyson," Prowl said. "He's the expert on trans dimensional rifting."
Prime nodded. "Gather a force and go with Tennyson. Let us know what's happening. We can put Cybertron and the local group on level two alert and have the local breach covered by battleships. Have a fleet standing by, Prowl, to ensure that we can fight if they choose to do so."
Prime nodded and began to comply. Everyone else talked a bit, the scientists together, then headed out to their jobs or the mission ahead. Shadow and Zenith left without a word. It was a toss up how much it bothered Prowl.
And didn't.
-0-Ominous
They flew around their area skirting the wall of death that had appeared out of nowhere from the arsenal of the Prime. Dangerous and Clipper, two of the biggest ships they ever saw had already levied a warning as their scouting teams buzzed the local area. Their sensors had told them that a colony of some size and prosperity was nearby, so they came to see. Ominous sat on his command chair when the warning message arrived.
"Ominous … a message from up ahead just came in," a very dangerous looking mech said as he turned in his chair to speak to his captain.
"Put it on," Ominous said.
A deep voice came over the intercom on the bridge. "Unidentified ship, this is the Cybertronian vessel, Dangerous. I am a dreadnought-class ship who maintains the security of this sector and all who dwell here. State your purpose and identity."
Ominous considered the possibility that the biggest ships ever built by their people was just up ahead tending the farm. It was disconcerting. "This is Ominous. I'm captain of a peaceful exploration group. We were coming this way to see what was here. We didn't know you were in this sector."
"This is the Cybertronian dreadnought-class vessel, Clipper. I help maintain the peace as well. You would do well to tell the truth. Explain your purpose in this sector, all of which belongs to the Prime of Cybertron and the Empire."
It was silent on the bridge. Two dreadnoughts was enough to give even a slagger like them pause. "How do we know you are who you say you are? Dreadnoughts were said to be destroyed long ago," Ominous said.
"The reports of our demise are premature. You may proceed to the edge of the broken field, then you will see us on station. Come any farther and you will be dead. Proceed, then leave this space," Dangerous said as both of them began to have their drones load their launch tubes with slimline missiles just in case.
"What do you want to do? Go there and see?" Rattler asked as he stood beside Ominous.
Ominous considered the possible outcomes and knew that if he didn't fire, being Autobot ships, if they were really there wouldn't shoot him on sight. "Let's go look," he said as he sat back again. "This is Ominous. We're coming in for a look."
With that, the ships disappeared into the night time of space.
-0-Ops Center
The science ship and military escort had just left for the Ruins as that part of space was called by the few locals who dared go there. A mech at sensors handed a message to Prowl who read it. "Well, Ominous is checking out Clipper and Dangerous. They were called out and are coming in to take a look/see."
"I'm going to Clipper, Prowl. I will be online," Optimus said as he rose and with Ironhide in tow, walked toward the bridge room below.
Prowl watched him go, then turned toward the map. A flick of his fingers and the space that occupied the area of Tau Ceti and the settlement of Caminus appeared. Two ships were holding their places as four much smaller ones slowly approached them from the other side of a broken field of ice and snow.
-0-On a playground after lunch
"Then you can come and spend the night." Reflector smiled brilliantly at Sunspot and Spirit. He was determined to have them for a sleepover at his house.
"That'll be so fun," Spirit said as they sat on a merry-go-round that had benches and other safety gear for the kids. Someone was spinning it and they were enjoying themselves in the -85 degree weather.
"We can go swimming, then the movies. Amma said so. We can eat stuff and play," Reflector said as he glanced from one little mech to the other.
"I'll tell my ada. He'll let me, right, Sunspot?" Spirit asked.
Sunspot nodded. "My ada will. Can Spot come, too?"
"My amma likes Spot. He can come. Bos and Co-D are asking their adas, too. We can have so much fun. We haven't gone swimming or the movies in a long time."
They discussed the enormous possibilities as all around them kids played, ran or stood together to talk. Teachers stood discreetly around watching them as they burned off energy. Soon the bell would ring and they would have to go inside. But for now, it was fun as far as the optic could see.
-0-Elsewhere
"WHAT YOU DO!" Orion frowned as his little sand sculpture lay upside down on the floor. He had been taking it to the teacher to have them put it in the small kiln that fired a special kind of sand into a solid structure without losing its loose-looking texture. It looked like a pile of sand but afterward, it was as hard as concrete.
The key word was 'after'.
His tiny 'house' with all its lavish care lay in a pile under the little plate he had built it upon. Staring at the floor, torn between laughter and lying, Han saw a trip to the corner. He held his own, then set it down behind him on the table before Orion could boop it out of his tiny servos. He stared at the mess, then picked up the plate. They stared at the sand, then Han held it out for Orion. Watching none too subtly out of the corner of his optics, he was trying to look less guilty than he felt.
Orion had LABORED over his construction, something that he had difficulty translating from the grandiose picture in his helm to the usually weebled little finished products that he gave his genitors with joy. Now it was fragged. The only thing left to figure out now was who would throw the first blow and Han who had accidentally bumped him was trying with all his might that it wouldn't be him in the dog house.
Mr. At-Lee was working with another and so far hadn't seen what was happening. Han who was feeling the pressure bent down and tried to put the sand back on the plate. Tiny handfuls of colorful sand began to heap up on the plate. Orion stared at the plate, the sand on the floor, Han's helm, and his own gathering fury. "HAN! YOU BAD!"
It was as if time stood still. Everyone froze, then everyone turned to look. Two intensely cute little tots were facing each other, one with a plate of spilled sand and the other winding up to rip up the world. Art aide, Calypso, a student-trainee walked to them and knelt. "What happened, boys?" he asked.
"HAN BAD! HAN BOOPED ME! MY DOING FALLEDED!" Orion stared at Han with a cross expression.
Han stared back angrily, then wiped that look quickly. He wasn't going to chair prison if he could help it. He looked at Calypso with the most insincerely sincere expression he could manage. "I didn't do it," he said, using his fall back defense.
He was a baby, after all …
"YOU, HAN, BAD! HAN BOOPED ME!" Orion took the plate and held it up. The sand on it slid down his arm and pooled on his baby belly. He stared at the sand.
Han stared at the sand.
Mr. Calypso stared at the sand.
Han laughed.
No one else did.
It was on.
-0-Medical Center
Ratchet walked back to his office to get the data on his home visitation patients. He had about a dozen elders and four little kids who were coming along just fine the last time he visited them. He did it to 'keep his hand in' as someone once said. One could rust if you didn't do your part. That's when the call came in.
He frowned, then sagged. Ironhide had gone with Optimus to Caminus.
The slagger.
-0-Sparkling Day School Art Center, 18th floor of the school, Terra
Ratchet stepped off the elevator, then walked with dread to the conference room down the hall from the art center. That giant space had all manner of art modalities and the experts to teach them. Everyone in the little kid end of education on this planet visited the art center every single orn to work on this sort of thing and that. An entire bookshelf in the living room of their apartment held the comical and sometimes impressively well made bits and pieces brought home for them. Their berth room walls held framed examples of their painting. The rest went into a multi-drawer cabinet in the corner of the Man Cave where Ironhide kept every single thing they made, did or were handed.
Chaos bringer, my aft.
He paused at the door, then entered. Calypso and Roto were lounging in chairs as Orion stood on the table regaling them with tales of the life and like that. Ratchet stared at him and he turned to stare at Ratchet. "ADA! YOU CAMED TO ME, ORION!"
"What now? Jail or the guillotine?" Ratchet asked as he hugged the little imp and sat down with Orion on his lap.
They accessed the internet, considered what a guillotine was, then grinned. "He got into a tift," Roto said. "Han booped him and his art piece fell on the floor. They almost came to blows but it was caught in time. We're here going through the drill, decompressing and all that."
Ratchet grinned. "I love it when you get all science-y and stuff."
Roto grinned. "Orion, tell your ada what happened."
Orion stared up at Roto from the middle of Ratchet's lap. Then with a laborious effort, he stood up and staggered around to face his ada. Ratchet set him on the table, then grinned. "What the deuce did you do now?"
Orion saw the grin on everyone's face and decided to go for broke. "ADA! I DOED THIS THING!"
Roto translated. "He made a great little sand house on a nice plate."
"I DOED IT GOOD! NOT ME BAD! I GOED THERE TO THE DOING!"
Roto: "He was carrying it to the kiln for firing later today."
"I CAMED TO THE SHE! SHE MY SHE!"
Roto: "He really likes you, Calypso."
Calypso grinned. "I really like him."
"I LOVE CAPYSO-SO! SHE MY SHE!" He paused, then frowned. "Not Han. Han bad. HAN OWED ME! I FALLEDED! I CRIED! HE POWED ME!" Orion then showed how Han powed him. He kicked an imaginary foe over and over. Then he bent down and beat his fist against the same foe. He stood and frowned, then wagged his finger. "YOU, ORION! I POWED YOU!" Then he broke into his kata just because.
When he was finished, he had to stand on the table by himself for a moment as Ratchet, Roto and Calypso went out into the hallway to laugh.
Loudly.
-0-TBC 4-30-18 edited 6-4-18
Guest chapter 342 . 16h ago
Yes, finally new info about the attack from another dimension - or that's what I assume it is.
Will be interesting to see what you do with all the newbie humans, but don't forget the bots, please.
Thanks for writing this, and enjoy the first of May, if it is a holiday in your neck of woods.
ME: You assume brilliantly. :D More to come. The bots have a big backlog of stuff that's simmering. TIME FOR DRAMA! Its sort of a nod to his G1 roots and his smarts all around. You are most welcome, Guest. I hope May First is a good one for you as well. Any day I'm still upright and typing is a holiday for me. LOL! HUGS!
Lackwit chapter 342 . 23h ago
I can't believe those dudes got pardons. Crazy. I hope they get their butts tossed right back in. Along with those sickening kids. I can't even think of our real-life examples without fury. I am interested in what you do with the Nasts though.
Isn't Lancer from Praxus? That's what Ratchet said to Ironhide when she and Partition made their intentions known.
An important typo in this chapter that completely changes context. Prowl should be saying "I WENT to see it before the final vote" and not "I WANT to see it before the final vote". Last line before the section on the Jumble (sad and depressing to think about slums)
ME: Nothing like Instagram kids to ruin your day. :D Its amazing, the pardon thing. But I've seen worse folks get them. The Nasts are speaking to me clearly and in a soft tone. I go where the story tells me. I think half the time I'm just the stenographer. :D THANKS for the type alert. My fingers automatically go off the road now and again. Then and Them I have to check in the reread. LANCER: she is Praxian. Thanks for the catch. One of the others I'm making from Stanix. I like the idea of tough femmes from tough towns and cultures. :D HUGS, dear one!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 340 . Apr 28
I'm glad the first thing these human scene where the Dinobots attacking each other. Hopefully that display put the fear of whatever God they believe in, in them. Don't mess with the Bots! Don't think you can live on Mars without their help! Listen or be banned for life!
ME: I agree. Prime wants to map their network with them and some part of him I think loves the chance to have the drama. After all, their favorite canon television show is the soap opera, "As the Kitchen Sinks". Heh-heh-heh. I love that title. HUGS!
Whackedgourd chapter 153 . Apr 28
Chapter 151 names and genders the new sparkling of Ratchet and Ironhide. I'm rereading and noticed the slip. I absolutely love this saga.
ME: WHOOPS! On it, darling. So glad you like the story, honey. It's sort of an old friend now with me. :D HUGS!
cball671 chapter 340 . Apr 28
I love the Dinobots. As a kid when they first appeared in the G1 cartoon it was great. Grimlock is my favorite; T-Rex is my favorite dinosaur. I love when they have these brawls. And a great way to scare the newbies. Grimlock had a plan I'm telling ya.
ME: They are so much fun. I love Grimlock as well and when he thought Hot Rod was dead and cried with his little hands over his face I wanted to hug him. :D Their brawls are enough to let everyone know they're bad ass and I remember in the reread that Grimlock indeed was psychic. LOL! HUGS, my dear cball671. You have been around this story since forever, my dear. I salute you. :D