The Diego Diaries: War and Aftermath (dd6 363)
-0-MCA broadcast over the network including Earth and Cybertron
"... and that is Kappa Supreme ..."
In the distance glinting in the morning sunlight, the magnificence that was Kappa Supreme could be seen making her approach to the airfield. Overnight, they had managed to bring things back to operational, if not pristine around the area. One could still see the damage to the runway, the roadways around and the buildings, probably better from Kappie's viewpoint than on the ground. She came in smoothly, halted almost instantly, then transformed. Her towering figure, one of an exotic nature as well as blazing beauty rose upward, then turned toward the hangar where their frame were treated. She moved swiftly there and when she arrived only then would she let everyone out who had journeyed with her.
"It would appear that she's concerned for her brother, as all of us are," Aleph said solemnly as the camera watched the huge behemoth walk carefully but hurriedly to the hangar to disappear inside. "Next in the order of flight is a number of battle shuttles, most of them utilized by the Wreckers. They were designed according to specific standards and are considered some of the most dangerous and swift ships in the fleet."
Overhead, nine battle shuttles with flashes on the side indicating the Wreckers, Cybertron, Mars, the Global Alliance, the Autobots and other smaller features came down together toward the airfield. One sped up and landed, making way for the others to accomplish the same thing. They rolled to their place in the lineup to stop and power down.
"The first three ships are manned by Wrecker teams and are named City of Praxus, Mystery of Mercepius and Impactor's Revenge. Impactor was the legendary former head of the Wreckers before dying in service. His chosen lieutenant, Commander Springer of Polyhex then advanced to his position. Springer commands the Wreckers, the Day and Night Watch security forces both here and in the empire as well as serving on the Prime's General Staff as a senior Autobot officer. Coming down the ramp with him is Commander Drift of Kaon who is sub commander of the Watch and all other features of Springer's command. Behind him are Roadbuster, an Autobot soldier and prison extraction expert, Sandstorm, an veteran Autobot soldier and three others I am unfamiliar with. We will annotate their identities when this goes on the web page in the Community Bulletin Board at the link, 'Mission to the Bootes Barren'."
They walked down the ramp heavily laden with guns and gear, gathered a moment as they waited for the crew of the other ships to join them, then all turned to look down the airfield toward the disaster.
"The crews walking toward Springer include Commander Hercy of Helex, Commander Kup of Iacon, Senior Commander Lissie of Iacon, Autobot Bumblebee of Polyhex, one of the better known individuals among the human population, Autobots Smokescreen of Praxus, the grandson of Smokescreen the Elder, Tracks of Capital City, a winged Autobot which isn't common, Autobot Splice of Kaon, and several others we will identify when we post the video shortly."
They began to walk forward toward Cultural Center Road which ran through the center of the disaster. As they did, two cruisers began to approach to land. Their outside configuration bore the impact of shots, some of them leaving gaping holes in the body of the vessels. There were scorch marks and one had a nick in the aft tail section. They landed one after the other, then began to taxi to their spots as directed. Dropping behind them was the first of several battleships, huge vessels of great power landing heavily on the runway. A lighted vehicle drove in front of them leading them to their place of rest and repair. They, too, bore the effects of close in fighting. Small vehicles mustered including a number of individuals on foot who were running forward to assist. It was very controlled chaos as everyone ran to help the ships and their crews.
"That first battleship is the Phobos, a medical vessel with full and complete capability to assist a colony if necessary. These battleships are able to carry a crew of ten thousand if necessary and they have been modified, some of them, to do specific jobs. The Phobos is commanded by Senior Commander Ratchet of Iacon who runs the medical portion of all missions directly himself. The other battleship behind that one is The Siren, a ship modified when captured. It was part of the Decepticon's fleet and was captured when surrendered at Nova Cronum on Cybertron. These two ships are identical in format and capabilities. Both of them can fight and bring down things with the same ferocity."
The image on screens everywhere was of huge ships slowly taxiing down the runway to pull off onto the flight line. As they did, the air was filled with runabouts coming to land and carry those aboard Phobos to care centers and hospitals around the colony. It was orderly, the landing of two or three runabouts at a time, the mustering of stretchers from the landing deck of the battleship as the wounded were carried off to be flown away. It would take several minutes before Ratchet could be seen walking down the ramp carrying a corner of a stretcher. Standing on the ground, he checked patients as they were carried past, then assigned to be flown away. As he did, more ships began to land.
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Zeta, and Xantium began to come through the bridges followed by smaller vessels, some of which were damaged. The smaller ships came in waves to land, rolling away to their tie downs and the waiting crews that were there to assist. Then Zeta came down followed by Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. They landed and rolled to the flight line to off load everyone before transforming to go to the hangar to see about Omega. As they moved away, the last ship in the fleet, Xantium came bombing in. He hit the ground, rolled a distance, then turned swiftly toward the hangar district. Dropping a ramp at all four entrances, he waited until everyone including the command team and Prime were off, then swiftly transformed. He nodded to Optimus, then walked toward the hangar where Omega was being treated. He disappeared swiftly inside.
The cameras zeroed in on Prime and the command crew as they walked toward the Master of the Muster-Personnel, the Master of the Ground Command-Ships and Ratchet who were talking together as the crews of ships began to leave, gather to talk, or help with gear. It was crowded and orderly as Prime and the others reached Ratchet. The cameras watched as Prowl ran down a ramp from a battleship and across the field to the group. Joining it, they discussed something as he held a datapad in his servo. Hercy, Kup, Springer, Drift, and Lissie joined them along with a number of soldiers and Wreckers. Behind them, Ironhide's relatives, all of them big menacing looking mechs walked over to assist in the conversation.
"As you can see, Optimus Prime and his senior command crew landed and have gathered with other commanders of the fleet to discuss the situation as it stands. We are unclear on how things are at the moment because the Office of Strategic Information hasn't updated as of yet. We've sent Jacx to join the group on screen to find out what we can about the operation and where it all stands as of now.
"The officers around Optimus include General Hard Drive of Praxus, General Raptor of Praxus, General Blackjack of Praxus, Senior Commanders Turbine and Delphi of Praxus, Senior Commander Alor of Iacon, Senior Commander Ironhide of Praxus, Senior Commander Paragon of Capital City and numerous others that are hard to identify from the camera angles. Coming to join them now is Senior Commander and Chief Administrator of the colony, Cybertron and the Empire, Ultra Magnus. I can see Elita-1 and her bond, Senior Commander Jetta of Iacon. There … I think I see Commander Arcee of Iacon. There are many and the crowd and moving vehicles are making it difficult to identify everyone. Jacx? Are you there yet?" Aleph asked.
"Nearly, Aleph," Jacx said from somewhere in the crowd. "I'm almost there." There was a pause, then he was back. "Here, now." He was silent a moment, then he could be seen trying to get the attention of Magnus. "Commander Magnus, can I speak to you a moment?"
Magnus turned to him, then glanced around. "I wasn't in the group, Jacx. Why not talk to someone who was? Elita?"
A tall beautiful femme turned to the call of her name, then threaded her way to Magnus. "What's up, Magnus?"
"Jacx would like to ask about the mission," Magnus said with a slight smirk.
She smirked back, then looked at Jacx. "What do you need to know that I have liberty to tell you?"
"How did the mission go, Commander? I can see a lot of damage on the ships coming in," Jacx asked.
"It was fast and close in. We took a lot of hits but we delivered more. Right now, we're counting heads and figuring out what's happened," Elita said. "I don't know how much is going to be released this early in the regrouping but know that those slaggers took a hard hit. They lost half their fleet in a good estimation and they didn't come into our space to link up with Razorclaw or Ominous. That's a win for us."
"We lost a few of our soldiers this time around," Jacx said.
Elita's grin faded. "We did. The fighting was close and intense. They lost more if that's any comfort. It isn't to me."
A voice called to Elita and she turned to notice that Prime and his group were heading for The Fortress. She looked at Jacx. "We did our duty to protect this system, Cybertron and everyone in it. We won. We don't ever intend to lose. Gotta motor," she said as she slung her rifle over her shoulder and stepped after the command group.
Jacx watched her go, then turned to the camera. "The Prime and his command staff are heading for The Fortress, so we're going to follow. I hope to have interviews and comments if possible. Back to the studio, Aleph."
It switched back to the newsreader who nodded. "That was Jacx at the Autobot City Military Airfield talking with Commander Elita-1 and Commander Ultra Magnus, both of Iacon. When we have more information from him and our other field reporters, then we shall deliver it. I received a note that Prime will deliver an address at 2000 hours tonight on the TMC. We will deliver it live here and on the MCA to Earth and Cybertron. Right now, we're going to take a brief moment to scroll the Community Bulletin Board latest news page with all the most update information and numbers you can call if you require assistance about this mission. When we come back, we will be taking a visit to the Titan Hangar Medical Station for an update on Omega Supreme and hopefully, a statement or two from his siblings."
The screen changed to the Bulletin Board.
-0-At the Ops Center
They walked in and headed for the conference room where they fogged in, some to kibitz and others to lay down facts and figures. Prowl sat down and organized a page for notes on his work datapad. Prime looked a combination of resigned, infuriated and aggravated. He looked at the group. "Has Shrike been found?"
"We've read transponders, sir," Coleus who was there for Gee-Gee. "We haven't located him yet but there are more prisoners being sorted. It could be that he fled with the group that got away."
"I hope not," Alor said with a frown. "He's going to be trouble. What little I remember about him was when he was running a crime syndicate out of Nova Cronum. He's a vengeful mech."
Jazz who sat down next to a weary Mirage nodded. "I remember that. He was a strong armed loser who killed anyone who crossed him. He had political connections so he never had to pay a price. It's made him more dangerous because he has never faced consequences. What he did out there was as stupid as it gets but it also shows his weakness … entitlement and bravado."
"Which works to our favor," Prime said with a nod. He glanced around the room. "Thank you for your efforts. We have lost people, at least two Seekers in the number. I will declare a three decaorn period of mourning to allow grieving and those who wish to attend memorials and funerals. I will attend all of them and I hope as many of you as can come will do so. All flags and other markers at half staff, Prowl. Drape the memorial plaques with mourning tags and prepare a place in the Basilica for a plaque with their names and faces. They will be honored there."
Prowl wrote furiously as he nodded.
"What do you report?" Prime asked as he braced himself internally for the toll.
"Well," Raptor said. "We have damage on every ship but Phobos that went out there. The Supremes even took glancing blows. Fighting in such close quarters will do that. All of our ships came back on their own power and will be refit and refurbished for the ready-go flight line. Our mechs and femmes acted admirably including the Home Guard that were there. I would suggest that we consider this as a wake up call for them. We should troubleshoot all the possibilities for danger before we bring them in numbers the next time."
Everyone nodded. "They were good but they aren't veterans," Elita said.
"The medical ships and teams were admirable. We saved a number of mechs including four that were thrown into space because they work so well. My medics were first rate. I've spotted a couple of needs so training will be devised but all in all, I'm proud of them," Ratchet said as he lounged against Ironhide's broad shoulder.
Prime nodded. "What about wounds and future outlooks for the wounded, Ratchet?"
"Two Seekers will never be combat veterans again, though they will fly. All of our wounded will be up again and I believe they will re-certify for combat. Most of the wounds were shrapnel though some of them were direct combat in the ship taking process." He glanced at Springer who was sitting nearby leaning against an amused Drift. "How do you two feel?"
"Bent but unbowed," Springer said to general laughter.
"Throwing a fragmentation grenade into a corridor that's been weakened by sustained fire, then bringing the roof down on top of yourself will do that," Ratchet said with a grin.
"I'm glad I missed that one," Jetta said with a smirk.
"I'll trade ya next time," Springer said to his brother-in-law.
They discussed the mission, gathered information, decompressed, shot the shit, then everyone relaxed. As they did, Ratchet noted Partition standing outside with his arms around Lancer. They were laughing with his brothers and a number of others who were there waiting for the all clear. He turned around to look down the table at Prime. "By the way, Optimus … Partition and Lancer are going to want to know when their bonding ceremony can happen. Do you have a moment that we can pencil in?"
Optimus glanced at Prowl who was thumbing through the follow up schedule. "Today … you have to get the overview of the mission which will be followed up by DETAILED individual reports from all senior Autobots," Prowl said as he cast a gimlet optic around the room. He got back groans, moans and the Cybertronian version of the finger. Smirking in spite of himself, he looked at the schedule again. "We have to speak to the allies on Earth, check in with Soundwave and the Cybertron Command … we have to … let me correct that. You have to give an address to the Empire and to Earth tonight about this. That's for 2000 hours. I made the time with IntraComm and they will be waiting.
"Tomorrow, there's the debriefing … THE FORMAL ONE AT 0900. Bring your data, slaggers. All of it. You also, by the way, need to visit Omega and see how that is. Who's the liaison there?" Prowl asked.
"I'll do it," Paragon said as Arrow walked in and took a seat next to him.
"Thank you, Pari," Prowl said looking at the agenda again. "We have talks tomorrow with allies, heads of government, some of us with media … no slacking on that if I call on you," Prowl said with a narrow optic.
"Oh boy. Not," Ratchet said.
"I volunteer. I'm the best looking," Tracks said with a preen. Howls met that.
Ignoring the slaggers, Prowl continued. "Tomorrow will be damage control. You also have to go to Cybertron to reassure everyone there and visit the command centers. All of it is designed to put us back on track. There will also be visits to the hospital for the wounded and home visits to those who lost someone." It was silent a moment. "I would suggest that everyone go if you can to visit the families. They know about this and everyone is with them. But it helps anyway for us to come as well."
Agreement went around the room.
"I would say … the morning of Martian Wednesday is open until noon when you have conference calls and meetings with the humans," Prowl said. "Day after tomorrow, 0700 to noon."
"How about 1100 hours?" Prime suggested. He looked at Ratchet. "Would that be alright?"
"I think it would be great. Blue has it in servo, Optimus," Ratchet said as he sat back. "As the mother of the bride," he began as the room laughed heartily, "you're all invited to the steps of The Fortress at 1100 hours on Martian Wednesday to observe a Praxian ceremony uniting in unholy bondage Partition of Iacon and Lancer of Praxus. I will, of course, be the dazzling babe on the steps and I'll be there with old what's his name."
Howling erupted, a much needed thing at the moment and then the cows came out. Flipper and Pudding stood on the table staring at the group around the room with their placid cow expressions. They were a perfect antidote to a very depressing three orns.
-0-TBC 5-22-18 edited 6-2-18