The Diego Diaries: Potpourri (dd6 413)
-0-At Unidad
They walked in and around the structure of the church. Some of the people wore different clothing that identified them as different in their visions and personal creeds. But all of them admired the beauty and possibilities of the building. Several of them came to him. "What about us? We aren't Christians."
"That doesn't matter. This building is for everyone. Irene Millius is chaplain at Earth 1 and she wants everyone to use it for their own purposes. It should be for you what the Temple is for us. Holy ground. Peace and quiet. A place to reflect and feel better. No one is excluded for any reason. Prime won't have it and neither will I. Until we all embrace the name of this place as our creed, no one is going to be happy anywhere. Unidad Terra 1 … Earth Unity 1. Prime chose it for that reason, the hope that this place can be an inspiration for Earth to see another path."
They chatted, then mounted up, following Ratchet on his segway that now contained half a dozen kids of varying ages who sat and stood beside him as he bumpity-bumped down the roadway. They drove out into the relatively flat greatness that was under the dome, a long line of trucks filled with humans heading toward the lake in the distance. They drove alongside canals that were deep, lined and sandy in appearance. That, of course, was the texture added. It took a lot of miles to reach the lake but when they did, the vehicles stopped and the people climbed out, walking for some distance to gather with Ratchet. He grinned. "This is Lake Something Or Other. Prime wants the kids to name the lakes and the two ponds."
It was slowly filling and appeared to be halfway toward the goal. It was huge and wound around it were rocks where plants, bushes and shade trees would be placed. Two streams on the other side would flow in and two closer to them would flow out, entering and exiting the canal system and two rather wide streams that would help circulate the water and whatever fish life was introduced later on. Ratchet explained it to everyone pointing out the need for safety with the kids and the sensitivity of plant life for a year or two until it was stabilized and rooted in.
In the distance, a haze hung from where the Hu-An, Cybertronians and Haddens The Younger were texturizing and reclaiming soil for use. "Out that way, the fields of produce, fodder for animals and experimental agriculture will happen. The Hu-An, our allies in all things are helping our Cybertronian agricultural team get the soil back. It's highly bleached out and requires a lot of work but we're getting there. When all is ready and the water system is up and running, we're going to plant this whole space.
"There will be pastures for the animals, crop lands, corn, wheat, barley, alfalfa, vegetables, fruit trees, olive trees, and the vineyard under cultivation. There's going to be a lot of grasslands here to get the soil back together. A lot of this land will lay fallow, waiting its turn to use. The Hu-An will be coordinating the program for some time until the land is what they call virtuous. That is, until it can produce without their expert eyes. There's nothing that grows that they can't figure out and they have a lot of their own crops created from those of Earth, genetically altered to feed their people. I would tell you, don't even handle their produce and fruit, even those places where they have experimental plantings without them supervising. All of their stuff is highly and deadly poisonous to humans. I'm not sure I could save you if you messed with it. Even getting juice in a cut would be fatal."
They watched the lake as it slowly reached the level of the streams and canals, then the water slowly flow into them. They gathered up to go again. Ratchet buzzed off with more kids toward the forest and meadow land set asides far away.
-0-Land planning and disaster averting meeting
They listened as Jetta and the union, guild, production managers and the over all boss of the Industrial Park Cities, Scar, discussed the plans to expedite more housing for the masses that were lurking in the darkness of space somewhere on a warren of planets. The latest intel had risen the provisional count of individuals to over 30,000,000. It was a harrowing thought to Prime as he listened to his experts tell him how they would try to stay ahead of that number which was rising with every sector the Knights, Circle and Network probed.
"We have the new crater district nearly finished, we've broken ground for this, a massive interlocking design that we want to do next … this will theoretically hold comfortably 10,000,000 of our people. The second crater district," Jetta said pointing to the nearly outwardly finished mirror image of the massive first one south of the city, "is going to need a great deal of inner finish work and design but we can do it." It was situated west of Aerie Hill and was standby for when the first Crater District, now called Crater 1 finally took in its last refugee. "We're going to expand the Industrial Park Cities to include four more groupings," he said.
Jetta touched the datapad, then opened a screen. The huge Industrial Park City complex covered a lot of ground and had been expanded, regrouped and linked by highways for years. Now it would have to be expanded again. It was going to have to go into Zone 2. "We're going to expand into this area," he said as he pointed to set aside land in Zone 2 where the complexes would be built in a row separated by enough distance to allow trucks and soon, an overland train system to run. "We're going to build a train system above ground to carry product to the work sites rather than use trucks. We can carry more and heavier loads this way and do things faster and easier. All new construction will get trains and depots where things can be stockpiled. That will free up the crane shuttles for other things. At some point, we can expand the train system colony wide for freight.
"We'll work out the underground infrastructure and get that ready. Already, we're building the energon system that'll be the source for power for the entire complex," he said as he pointed out the system of underground pipes and transfer stations that would boost it along. "We're getting to be expert at building vast and powerful pipelines to feed vast and power individuals and communities. It doesn't really matter if the amenities aren't first class right away. We'll always finish things to the standard that we've set, but having shelter up for our people will be our first and only goal for now."
Prime nodded. "What will it mean for other projects, getting this underway and perhaps more beyond this?"
"We've halted them," Jetta said regretfully. "Smaller projects like the finish of Processor Health's ten story expansion, the road system to Unidad and other smaller jobs will continue. Right now, we're working around Festival coming up tomorrow and things are going to be prioritized."
Prime nodded, then glanced up at them. "I forgot that Festival is tomorrow. Things have been so busy and I have not been home to see the banners. Thank you for reminding me."
Scar laughed. "I don't think we can have it without you, Optimus."
Jetta grinned. "We're going to take that orn off, Optimus. I think we need it and maybe you can get us some divine intervention if that isn't blasphemous to ask." He grinned.
Prime grinned back. "I will ask."
They continued to work out the plans to double the housing available for their people in the colony. It would be a long and complicated conversation.
-0-Prowl and others of that ilk
Venture sat down at his desk when he got the call. Festival would be had in the usual manner and dinner would be held at the Residence. He checked in with Prowl who confessed to having forgotten that it was that close upon them. Commiserating with his father about his own overly busy schedule, Prowl called his ada who had already discussed things with Venture. All was in servo. Prowl just had to show up.
At his own house.
When he signed off, he thought about things, then gave command to Paragon. Walking out, he disappeared into the crowds outside. Flying on flagpoles and hanging on banners all over the colony, the emblems of the Pantheon and images of the AllSpark and Well could be seen.
Festival was in one orn.
… in Tyger Pax ...
Raptor walked into the dojo with his cow on a leash. Getting admiration and catcalls from the punters, he grinned. "Who forgot that its Festival tomorrow?"
Half of them did. Between slag everywhere, July 16th had been overlooked.
He sat, then pulled his cow up beside him. "Pudding and me barely remembered ourselves. I can't believe I did, though. Festival was always a great orn in our house."
"Ours, too," Drift said. "We took that orn off from stealing to get drunk."
Huge laughter and agreement as they went down memory lane.
Raptor grinned. "I blame Turbine. Even he forgot." …
… that morning …
"WHAT!? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, RAPTOR!?"
"But I didn't-"
"YOU SURE DIDN'T! I HAVE TO DO THE PRAYERS FOR CYBERTRON TONIGHT! WE'RE GOING TO MISS DATE NIGHT WITH THE BABIES! WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET SUNSPOT, BOS, REFLECTOR, AND CO-D! FRAG, RAPTOR! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!"
He had grinned, then nodded as he glanced down at Pudding. "Yeah, Pudding. What's wrong with me?"
… The others …
"We know, Ratchet."
(pause to listen to off line conversation while hammering away at a blade)
"Don't worry about it. We know you were busy. We have it all planned. We cooked all the food and got the infants their dinners, lunches and breakfast. We will take them to the detailer tonight. We had our reservations in for orns. We know you were busy … we know. You don't have to tell us, infant," Ravel said as he took the call from Ratchet who had just found out at Unidad …
… at Unidad …
"That should come on July 16th," he said as he answered a question about trees for the rather large forested areas with three small meadows cozily located within. "July 16th … what day is it, Lennox?" Ratchet asked as he jolted to a halt in his discussion.
"It's July 15th," he said. "The day before the Festival of Primus."
Ratchet stared at him. "You didn't think that was worth mentioning to me?"
Lennox looked surprised. "I didn't think I had to do that."
"Slagger. YOU DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO SLIP INTO THE CONVERSATION?!" Ratchet said at the top of his smaller more humanoid vocal box.
"Nope," Will said with a grin. "YOU FORGOT!? HOW CAN YOU FORGET THE FESTIVAL OF PRIMUS!?"
Ratchet stepped closer with fire in his eyes/optical illusions. "YOU'RE PUTTING THIS ON ME!? AFTER ALL THE SLAG RECENTLY!?"
"I wasn't arrested for public drunkenness. This might be a good time to go to the Temple and throw yourself on the mercy of the Big Guy." Will grinned.
Ratchet smirked. "Give me a moment," he said as he turned away from the group. :IRONHIDE!:
:WHAT!?:
:THE FESTIVAL OF PRIMUS IS TOMORROW!:
:I KNOW! GET HOME! SOON!: Ironhide grinned as he pushed a cart in the grocery store. He was going to have the food thing nailed down if it killed him.
Ratchet turned to the humans who were looking at him with concern while Carly, Sam and Lennox were grinning at him. He smiled brilliantly. And beautifully. "Well, wasn't that special. Shall we move along? Who wants to see the pickle room?" he asked.
Huge laughter greeted that as they climbed on and began to follow him. He gave them a view of the work beyond, the meadows of the little forest where experiments with bees and flowers would commence as a learning project for terraforming, the dairy and stable in the distance, then they returned to the habitat leaving out a lot of slag from the tour Ratchet planned because THE FESTIVAL OF PRIMUS WAS TOMORROW!
He drove in and they made their way toward the habitat area where the vehicles would park in the little motor pool. They parked and climbed out. Gathering around Ratchet, an older woman raised her hand. "Commander? The Festival of Primus … that's where Prime goes into the Temple and things happen. Right?"
Ratchet grinned. "Usually. He goes in but I can't fill in much more. Tomorrow, you might feel loved. Don't worry if you do. It's normal for this place. Right, Lennox?" he asked with a dazzling smile.
Lennox laughed loudly. "Yeah. Love. That's us."
Ratchet smirked. "Tomorrow, our most holy day on the calendar commences. None of us and half the humans will be elsewhere. I'll be back afterward and will help you, especially to understand how to live in a sentient building. Don't go out into the farm unless you have a reason for doing so because a lot of labor is going on and the dust is too much without respirators. Tomorrow, the work will cease and not commence again until First Thursday. There will be a siren sounded at midnight that signals the Solemnities of the Festival and its nothing to worry about. Its telling our people what's happening. If there ever was a problem, the siren is different and messages would arrive to everyone.
"What I'd suggest is for you to go to your homes and get settled. Then have meetings with your leadership. Get organized. In three days, 500 more workers will arrive and then more at the same interval after that. Look around, use the amenities, go see your offices and work stations, get used to the place inside. Make lists of questions and get them ready for us to answer. Get the school organized because we already have kids here. More will be coming. Don't go outside. No one here is rated to go and the codes won't allow you unless you're cleared which you aren't. I'll give the lecture when the festival is over. This came up and it'll be a delay for us here. Just relax and see what your thing will be. Carly, you and the others call me anyway or Charlotte. We're the sort of onsite boss of the boss here for Prime. Any questions?" Ratchet asked. Before anyone could answer, he clasped his hands together. "Alright. I'm gone. You coming to the Temple tomorrow?" he asked Lennox.
"I am. Me and everyone else," Will said.
"Good," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile. He turned to the door, then ran faster than any human they had ever seen run. Reaching it, he programmed his way out, then the door closed. It was at that moment through the clear steel of the doors that they saw him de-rez, then his vehicle start up. The doors opened and he drove out with siren and lights blazing. The doors closed behind him, then everyone turned to Carly, Sam and Lennox.
They glanced at each other, then turned to the 712 newbies, 500 workers and 212 family members so far though more would be coming shortly. "Well ..." Will tapered off, then glanced at Omar and Lorie Epps who had walked out to join them. They grinned at the 'leadership'. "Okay. Let's go check in then. Does everyone have their datapad handy? Turn to 'City Directory', then type in or say your name. It'll have the GPS send you to your apartment." He turned to the group of smirking security humans and fascinated psyched mini- and micro mini-con mechs and femmes standing by the mountain of pallets that held everyone's stuff . "I guess we can start hauling stuff now," he said as the mini-cons turned to the pallets. It would take a few hours to get things to the proper place but they would do it.
No one there would be less than startled and amazed at the luxury they were getting for living spaces. It was going to be a long and ultimately amazing afternoon for the first residents of Unidad Terra 1.
-0-At the grocery store
Ratchet ran in, looked everywhere for Ironhide, then saw him walking away from the checkers who were sending boxes into the back room for later delivery. He caught up, then slipped his arm through Ironhide's. "Hey, handsome. What did you get?"
"Warrior food," Ironhide said smugly. "Nothing like warrior food for a holiday I forgot. Don't tell my ammas."
"Turbine is not going to take the kids tonight. He has to hustle to the Temple and do the prayer cycle for Festival," Ratchet said. "Your ada is taking them. Turbine is unhappy."
"Poor Appa. When Amma isn't happy, no one is," Ironhide said with a grin. "Thank the Maker Appa has Pudding."
Ratchet laughed. "I always liked Pudding," he said with a grin.
"Good thing. I got a bunch of it for breakfast," Ironhide said as they walked out the door into the crowds hustling to get ready for Festival and the siren at midnight signaling not only the Solemnities but the fast.
-0-Midnight at Unidad Terra 1 on the first night there
They gathered in the theater to watch television together since The Hourly News was showing extended coverage of Unidad, the Festival and Earth's reaction to both. It was fascinating to the newbies, some of whom held sleeping children in their laps. They had settled into startlingly large and luxurious apartments, checked out their work stations and offices which were just as nice and state of the art, gone around the facility checking out how it worked, marveled at the rec area and the giant pool, eaten in the mess hall where some of the family members who were going to be working there anyway to pass the time since they weren't employees had fixed a great meal in the massive kitchen. That is, they would until Prime found out and stepped in. They would be employees and get compensated for their time and effort like anyone else.
Prime was no high caste 1% slagger. No one would be exploited here no matter how amiable they would feel about 'helping out'.
Everything was thought out to the nth degree. Everything had a component of beauty. Everything was big, well lit with sunlight from the massive windows during the day, was designed to work the way it was supposed to, and was incredibly more impressive than they had dared to hope. The labs and computer system were breathtaking. So was the dog park created for their pets.
Now, the light had disappeared outside but for tall light poles and those on the buildings inside and out. The barn and stable were lit and could be seen far away. Everywhere else in the domed area was dark. Lights hadn't been installed yet and wouldn't be until after Festival. Lights inside, those for the downtown and the long corridors in the living space were on along with lights in businesses that would remain on until light sensors turned them off. The temperature everywhere including the domed area beyond stood at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, maintained by Invincible and his genius tech.
Everyone who had business for Festival had left including Olivia and Joe who were attending a meeting of the Circle where they prepped themselves for the Solemnities with readings and conversation. It was left to Carly, the Haddens, Sam Witwicky, and the Epps to guide and help the others. They had come to the theater to watch until the siren sounded. There was a murmur of conversation here and there as they watched the coverage. It felt like home and it didn't. It was a dichotomy to most of them and would be for a while.
Then in the distance, the sound of a siren rolled their way. They paused their conversations to listen as it sounded. The newsreader on the huge screen, a mech of some stature here named Aleph announced it. "The siren has sounded from the tower of Fortress Maximus announcing the beginning of the Solemnities. For those of you who choose to fast, it will not be broken until midnight tomorrow night, the night of the Festival. For those who choose not to do so, there will be food buffets all over town in all the rec rooms, the Central Labor Hall and various clubs and gathering places because all food service places including groceries will be closed.
"The Temple has issued guidelines for fasting. Those who wish to do so should consider their condition, health and age, their ability to last an orn without food and decide for themselves. Lord Lauren said that there is no shame in not fasting. It's a choice. Primus and The One honors all choices on this, the holiest orn on the Cybertronian calendar. Children, those with impaired systems or illnesses, those recovering from illness or injury are exempt by order of the Temple from fasting if they choose. It's not the Will of The One or Primus that you hurt yourself to honor Them. They feel your love anyway and give it back ten fold according to Lord Lauren.
"The morning will begin the usual way. We expect between 5 and 6 million individuals to come to the Temple and therefore, there will be no traffic in The City proper. It will be blocked off. Pedestrian traffic only. If you are infirm and cannot wait that long, please consider watching it in the various locations set up to show it elsewhere or in your home. The Blessings will find you no matter where you are.
"Lord Optimus will leave his home tower at 0900 and will be escorted by the Household Guard after family leaves for the Temple. Commander Turbine of Praxus representing The Temple Clan as a Maker will follow Prime to honor the Pantheon. When they reach the Temple, Lord Optimus will enter and he will remain there as long as it takes to speak to the Pantheon and bring the Urgency of The People to Them. When he returns, he will walk back with escort of his family, the Guards, Commander Turbine and security will help with the crowds. When he leaves the Temple, he will declare the end of the Solemnities. The fast will not end until midnight when the siren sounds. It will be then that fireworks will be displayed over the colony. We were informed that they will be launched from six different places around the colony this time so that the same display can be seen more clearly by everyone without leaving their homes or city to watch.
"When the siren sounds, then you may break fast and eat. We will be covering the event all night and through tomorrow until after the festivities. Check the Community Bulletin Board under Festival of Primus to find out details of events. Until then, we will break for a moment to review the section, then return with other news including the arrival of the first group of humans to occupy Unidad Terra 1."
The screen scrolled as the group watched. Some checked the site on the Bulletin Board but were denied access due to their new status as residents. Some would stay all night to watch but most would walk to their new homes, some with sleeping children in arms and dogs walking along beside them. First day on a new world in a new job living in a new home had just started off with a bang.
-0-TBC 7-15-18 edited 7-17-18
NOTES:
Guest chapter 355 . 2h ago
A couple of comments: Prowler was speaking full sentences already in part 4, a few years ago at least. What happened with his ability?
Secondly, probably in part 4 also, Emirate Xeon came in a migration and had the invisibility tech the bot couldn't track. He was later shown to be with Razorclaw, which means he has the tech too.
France won football (soccer) world cup. Viva la France!
ME: First of all, VIVA LA FRANCE! (I didn't root for a team but it appears you did so, VIVA LA SOLIDARITY! (solidaire? Uh … UNITY FOREVER!) I am nothing if not loyal to my readers. My favorite soccer team is the one who plays for Homer Intermediate School. :D
Prowler is based on my nephew who did that. He spoke clearly sometimes, then messed up others. Prowler also has Orion to influence him. A speech update at school will address that. Never underestimate the power of a sibling to influence things. :D He's also like my brother. John would just point and Ward and I would run to get things. He didn't really speak until he was about two, then he spoke in full sentences. So did my sister but in reverse. She spoke complete sentences from the time she could walk. :D
Razorclaw has the tech from Emirate. He also has Emirate. That will come. Razorclaw doesn't want to rock the boat because he can't win yet but that doesn't mean he won't be working on things. :D HUGS!
kattenbelletje chapter 412 . 12h ago
Will there also be mosques in Unidad or is every one christian? What about other denominations?
I looked up the church you mentioned. It is stunning. It's very modern but incorporates the world with it's glass walls. It is very different then the solid walls of regular churches.
ME: My story is inspired every day I write it by Optimus Prime, that all are one and all belong in unity to everyone else. Imagine a world where that happened? This is a pared down building without many markers of what it is so that anyone can use it and feel what they need. Its a glorious building to me, that and the others like it.
Everyone can come here. I try to make this story international with holidays and people of all types, kinds, religions, and nationalities to show that all are one anyway even here. I am going to have Irene Millius detail it to Prime during an inspection. There will be rooms below ground for clubs, discussions, yoga, meditation, and all denominations and factions as well as those that don't have a faith to come and be comforted in its beauty. Also, weddings, funerals and christenings can happen here. I personally believe all roads lead to the same door even if you don't want to take one and I truly believe in unity, freedom, respect, and brotherhood. We have to have it to survive. The Transformers are a cautionary tale to all of us who put disunity and intolerance forward and not unity and brotherhood.
This church is a creation of a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, the great American architect who brought the outdoors inside with most of his creations. It's a glorious thing and there are many of these buildings in America. It's like being in the woods and for me, that's where my comfort comes. Being outside and feeling like everything and everyone everywhere is united as one is my church. Peace comes from tolerance, respect and information. Fear is not the way and Prime knows that. Each side is learning from each other which is the only road to real peace. :D
But that's just me. ;)
Silverhornd chapter 411 . Jul 13
Question, How many more are out in space that Dai has to find and rescue. And when and if he ever finishes where is he going to to live with his knights Mars or Cybertron?
There are probably more than a billion out there. They're revising their counts now. I would think that Dai would divide his time between Mars and looking for Cybertopia, their version of Nirvana and Shangri La. :D
Someone noted 4-H and other animal related adventures for the bots because of Unidad. That, fairs, Six Lasers Over Cybertron ... all of them are on the list. :D:D:D
Until all are one. :D