The Diego Diaries: Siren (dd6 421) (Forgive the weird spacing for poems. My page is fragged) :D
-0-Residence
The children sat in arms, Orion with Miler as their little optics drooped with sleepiness. Outside, they had watched the fireworks that were delivered in six strategic locations where everyone in the colony could watch. They had been amazing, covered the entire empire and showcased every group and feature. They were also projected over Cybertron in the camps, each site seeing not only the colony on Mars but a comprehensive overview of things on Cybertron …
They began with Alor's recorded music written for the occasion as usual. It was somber as the beautiful flashes of flowers, stars and other recognizable features burst into view. Then there was an interspersal of the usual type of fireworks and small videos held in the unified field tech that one orn would bring all of their worlds here to safety. Beautiful starbursts took turns with videos of different groups and places on Mars, children in school, children playing, elders going about their business, workers at work and players at play, showing the dynamism of the colony.
Then it cut to Cybertron and began to feature the people there, those who worked hard, those who played as hard, children sitting in tent schools learning for the first time, workers in the hospital centers and tent medic stations helping elders, youngsters and all between. Then the focus switched to flyovers of areas and individuals doing things. There were mechs and femmes waving from the high steel of buildings under construction, those hauling damaged things for recycle or smelter, workers caring for ruined buildings as they hauled out slag and salvage. They all would pause a moment as if called, then smile and wave.
The features of Cybertron, the seas, the mountains, the sprawl of the great camps surrounding sometimes as many as six metro-titans grouped together was featured, each popping in and out of view as the sweep continued. Ships in space doing their duty flashed their lights as Seekers flew in groups here and there. They barrel rolled, showing their quality, flashing their own lights as they sped past the cameras. Then came the camps, the endless, endless camps with each location and designation underscored beneath the picture. They never seemed to end, the camps, before the images changed.
The view interspersed with starbursts and flowers of light changed to the moons, then the outer worlds of Cybertron, that were part of the local group or 'inner empire' as it was commonly referred. The view then turned to Cybertron pulling back until it hung in the darkness, a barely lit fragile wanderer, the hearts home of all who watched. As it did a quotation taken from The Chronicles of Primus began to form across the view …
"I am the world beneath your feet.
I am the sky over your head.
I am the one who comforts you in your distress.
I am the one who loves you without condition.
"In our unity we are strong.
In our unity we are one.
Come to me in love,
Come to me as one.
I am Refuge. I am Home.
"Until all are one is our creed.
Until all are one is our unity.
Until all are one,
Now and forever,
"I am yours."
"Lord Primus, The Chronicles of Primus, Chapter 82, verses 17-25"
It faded, then was replaced by units of the military on both worlds, of former Decepticons standing in harmony with Autobots, both sides waving and mugging for the cameras. It showed slow pans of streets, camps and cities both on Cybertron and Mars where the people waved and smiled, shouting happily things no one could hear at the cameras as they smiled, laughed and waved. Then the leadership appeared, all of them working and doing what they did, Seeker, grounder or in between. Then Optimus Prime appeared. It would be said that the acclaim of him at that moment was earth shattering on Cybertron as The People watched the one who saved them, whose beautiful voice reached them in their deepest despair, this mech who was waiting for them when they finally landed into safety.
It showed him going about his business on Earth, Mars and finally Cybertron. Comforting The People, listening to locals explain and show things with his mechs with him, taking spark felt gifts and food items from locals wherever he went, comforting those who wept, crawling in and out of holes, dark spaces and around piles of slag, it showed that he loved them as much as they loved him. He was there for them. He was the one who brought about the miracle and they loved him everywhere Cybertronians watched.
The scene changed back to Cybertron in space, then flashed between the local group, the empire that had been secured, then all the forward bases back to Mars. Flares were fired at each as the viewpoint flashed by to salute everyone. Then the image focused on the Temple of Primus Restored in the Temple District of The City. It held all of it in frame, then changed to the Well, the Matrix Flame and finally the slowly turning enigma of the AllSpark.
It was silent in camps all over Cybertron and the reclaimed empire. The relics were there, recovered by Prime, restored to their greatness and protection by him. Then the scene changed to the Temple in Simfur, one that was a gaping hole in the ground with only a small portion rebuilt. A frame was being created, one that would eventually go upward into walls. Lights suffused the bleak area, one that had workers moving over it like an ant hill. Then glyphs began to form …
"Soon ..."
Then it faded. It was silent everywhere the images were seen, then a huge shell burst, flying upward and was held. It showed Earth, then Mars, then Cybertron. It showed them side-by-side. Across the images of the three worlds, glyphs began to form. "Until all are one."
The tumult that grew at that message was heard everywhere, from the faraway shores of Cybertron, to the colony of Mars and all over the planet of Earth. The MCA was hosting the down feed and there were literally millions of parties being held on Earth to celebrate not only that but the aftermath of comfort and feeling that the Blessings had given everyone there. It was the first time that humans had been a part of that process and it was a HUGE discussion point on Earth.
The images faded and so did the music, but the rising din of the Creed would go on for some time. So would the presence of Prime in a spotlight on the balcony of the Residence.
-0-In the here and now a little bit later
They cleaned up the mess as most lounged around, chatting here and there in small groups or pairs. The kids were asleep in carry holds or the bedrooms of The Residence. It was pleasant and quiet in the vast room as the joors slipped past. Ratchet was sitting on a couch beside Ironhide who was nursing a bottle of high grade with his old pa, grandpa and great grandpa who sat across from them swapping stories along with the bottle. Ratchet smiled, then put his big old peds on the coffee table. "Is there a meeting anytime soon, Granny?"
Prowl who was sitting close enough to Optimus to nearly be on his lap glanced over Prime's big arm which had enfolded him. "Probably not. We have a lot to talk about but if nothing breaks, we can have the weekend off."
A muffled cheer went around the room as that bit of news circulated. As they sat here chatting until everyone crawled out to sleep it off, others everywhere else were having their own evenings …
-0-Earth2
The place was swarming with humans who brought food from all of the cultures of their home world. Everyone came here early on and went on sightseeing ventures, hooked up with friends and colleagues as well as set up for dinner and dancing. This was the biggest party held on world with everyone who could come arriving with their kids, partners, colleagues, relatives, hangers on, and elders. The huge concourse was laid out with tables and every possible place to sit they could gather. The buzz of voices overhead sounded like bees as kids ran here and there together chased by dogs of all variety.
This potluck and party was one for the Guinness Record books.
Then the huge monitor along the windowed wall burst into color and showed the fireworks outside. Everyone turned to watch, breaking up dinner for the duration. They gathered at windows staring upward at the dark sky outside as well, watching the vignettes, small videos, the flybys, the symbolism, and selected honored individuals and groups. By the time Earth, Mars and Cybertron were side-by-side, the room was highly emotional if not silent. When it went off at last, they did the same thing they did during the end of the Solemnities. They danced, applauded, hugged, sang, laughed, and talked loudly together as they sent their approval out into the universe.
It was wildly happy, then everyone turned back to food, dancing, conversation, and each other again. Sitting at a table together, the leadership of Earth2, Earth 1 and their respective spouses and families watch the fun, glad to have it, glad to be part of it, happy to have a great celebration go off to such a great effect.
Even Owen Harris and his posse.
-0-Later that night …
They walked through the barn checking out the situation, taking the temperature of the milk vats, then out to the corral where the dark figures of the cows stood in sleep. There were five more calves, half a dozen of the other older ones nearing that point of weening, a time that Harley Epps extended with his cow cones of shame and big feeding bottles, and a big eared mule. He gazed at Harley, Gloria and Collie with his calm baleful Eeyore face.
"That's a good mule, Daddy," Collie said as he leaned on the fence. "Do you plan to have more?"
"I want a team to pull wagons. That's down the road. I think having a mule in a cow herd is a good thing for everyone," Harley said with a grin. "I'm calling the mule Ben."
"Why aren't we surprised? How many mules named Ben have you ever had to date?" Gloria asked.
"Everyone of them. I named every mule I ever had Ben," Harley said.
"Don't you remember? He had a whole team named Ben," Collie said with a laugh. "That way, when he called 'Ben' they would all come."
"Smart, Grandpa," Gloria said as she squeezed his shoulders. "Let's get back to the party. Maybe James Johnson will get arrested again. I want to be there this time."
Harley laughed as he walked to the tiny pick up truck to ride back to the party. They would do so in their gear and arrive in time for dinner to really get off the ground.
-0-Earth2
The trio walked in about the same time a good dozen humans from N.E.S.T. did. The men had been checking out something they were taking care of for a science group on Earth. They wanted data collection through their team medic regarding their health and how it was impacted by hard activity in one third gravity.
Science waited for no one. But now, it would have to. It was time to party, though it was clear cows waited for no one either.
Bobby Epps spotted them, then waved to let the entire group know where they were and to come sit when they were ready. They waved back, then got into line. Getting plates, they wandered through the awesomeness that was prepared by residents of all the habitats including the Resort. They were eating food from all over the world including barbecue prepared by Earth2 as the main course. Moving along, getting things that looked good no matter how they might taste, Harley grinned as Bobby Epps walked up to check him over. "You doing alright, Grandpa? How's the herd?"
"They be fine, Sonny. Right now, I'm going to eat a lot of food. Some of this, I don't even know what it is but it all smells good. As for the herd, the mule is in charge and maintaining good order," Harley said as he heaped his plate full.
"Do you want tea with your dinner, Daddy?" Collie asked as they inched along.
"I do," Harley said as he speared more food.
"Do you know what Daddy named the mule, Bobby?" Gloria asked with a grin.
"Ben, right? I remember when he named all his mules Ben. You'd call them and they'd all come," Bobby said with a chuckle as he held a plate snatched from a stack for desserts. No sense making two trips when you could make one.
"Damn, Daddy … I think my memory is going," Gloria said with a smile.
"No," Harley said. "You were just boy crazy."
They laughed and bantered as they went through the lines, then headed for their tables that were pushed together with their heaping plates and lots to drink. It would be incredibly good times for everyone as outside Phobos and Demos continued on their orbits of Mars in the dark, dark sky overhead.
-0-Earth, at a base in Germany
They sat around their barracks, the newbies who were going to advanced striker training on Mars in three days. They had felt the blessing as it swiftly swept Earth, the first from The One, the second from the Pantheon, but not the third from the Matrix as the separate entity of Primus, Himself. That was reserved for The People which by proximity and design included the humans on world. The fireworks had finished and they were watching the review of the day, the highlights of this and that as well as commentary that included staff from Morshower's team remotely from Mars.
"Morshower is there. I saw him in the crowd with his family. Fulton as well," someone said as he lounged in a chair with a beer.
"He lives there half the time. I can't wait to get there. I want to see them fight," another said. "I want to see the bots train and fight."
"We'll be climbing cliff faces and running through deserts. I don't know how much fooling around we get," still another said.
They were a multinational group, elite soldiers gathered from all the different treaty country's militaries. They would go to Mars and learn the ropes of fighting with robots for the next six months. There were no openings in the permanent garrison there at the moment with the Alpha, Beta and Gamma teams filled. Every now and again a spot would open, then the scramble to fill it was on. There were also rare opportunities to apply for security jobs that were on world and many were the active duty soldiers who had applied and were on file just in case.
They chatted, watched television and passed the time. In less than three days, they would be on Mars and begin the adventure of a lifetime. They would also venture into the dojo with friends on Gamma and Beta teams in time to see Prowl practice his craft and kata. They would leave that space when he did agape in awe. Prowl, himself would be thinking of other things at the time and not notice.
Such was the Tao of the Prowler.
-0-Late night
Ironhide and Ratchet walked downstairs with empty dishes and a slight buzz. The little kids would stay there, the big kids were already home and all was well in their world. Springer and Drift caught the cure and ventured out earlier to ride around the colony to check the vibe. Everyone else was on their way but for Roadbuster and Sandstorm who were sleeping on Prime's floor and looked so happy that no one had the spark to wake them up.
Poor sad little bachelors.
Or so Ratchet said before getting cuffed in the back of his helm by Ironhide. A slap fest broke out until Ravel frowned, then everyone gathered to go. It would take a while.
-0-Even later
He stood by the window thinking about the revelations of his orn. Disclosing to others was such a strange sensation that he felt like he had gone away and left the water running somewhere, so to speak. He had the same unsettled feeling about it until a soft caress of his face by an unseen hand put that to rest. He considered Solus the Maker, the only one besides Thirteen who was easy with all of them. She was his patron and he loved her. He said a short poem of thanks to her, then walked back to the berth to sit heavily.
Prowl who was standing beside the berth watching him sat down and lay back wearily. "Are you alright? Do you have to meditate or something?"
Prime laid back and called the lights. "Later, perhaps. It was strange talking to Megatron. That part of him is good and decent."
Prowl rolled to his side and spooned against Prime. "If you want to talk, I'll listen. I don't pretend to understand but I'm willing."
Prime grinned. "You are," he said. It was silent a moment. "There is a lot of anger in the AllSpark about the way things are going across the board and not just with us. Apparently, part of what that individual does is try to help everyone everywhere without intruding into free will or enabling. There was a lot they were angry about."
"Does that include us?" Prowl asked.
"On some things," Prime said. "I'm afraid that Megatron's higher self bore the brunt of the AllSpark's wrath. A lot of it was based on human imagery, things that could just as easily be us before the war … the indifference and the hardship for our people … that could be us and was. Some things are universal no matter its wrapping or location. All of it happening to anyone anywhere should make all of us everywhere ashamed."
It was silent a moment, then Prowl patted his chest. "That's why you're the Prime. You were The One. Always. I saw that from the moment you walked into the Operational Center at the Citadel in Iacon. I just … you were the one." He grinned slightly. "That didn't prevent us from having epic fights and disagreements. You were a hard aft to plan around."
Prime grinned. "I think I liked to watch you when you had a fit. Every part of you makes me happy. You have a very expressive face."
Prowl chuckled. "Thanks."
It was peaceful for a moment.
"We have the trials soon. What about that. Will they weigh in?" Prowl asked.
"They very possibly could. Their crimes are so many and various that it will probably require it."
"Proteus and the others … they have reformed," Prowl said.
"They are safe. They gave their word to the Matrix and the Matrix does not get fooled," Prime said. "It will be for the others. I do not look forward to it."
"You and me both," Prowl said as he patted Prime's chest. He grinned. "Did you know what Harley Epps called his mule?"
"No," Prime said with a grin.
"He called him Ben."
Both of them grinned.
"I was also told that he names all of his mules Ben, even if there's more than one." Prowl grinned. "I will never understand humans but they're funny sometimes."
"Should I tell him what Ben is in NeoCybex?" Prime asked. "I plan to visit the habitat in the next few orns to see how the irrigation systems are coming along." He grinned. "I can see the allure of farming."
Prowl grinned. "You should."
Prime would.
It would mean 'peace'.
-0-TBC 7-23-18 edited 7-24-18
NOTES:
Whackedgourd: Thank you for that. I remember them flying over us on their way to winter in Mexico. They are my favorite but I will amend that. :D You guys amaze me every day. :D
Love you all madly! HUGS