The Diego Diaries: Forensics (dd6 521)
-0-Later that afternoon
Springer and Drift walked into Ops Center with grim faces and the aura of frustrated intentions. They sat down with Prowl as he glanced up from his millions of duties and operations. "Don't you two look energized."
"Nothing more to add, Prowl. No one saw him after he left their habitat and until they were questioned no one knew there was anything wrong."
Drift nodded. "Its perplexing."
"You have a gift for understatement. Morshower sent a team to the Dobbs family to tell them. I do believe they're arriving there about now."
… Amarillo, Texas, early evening …
They drove up, a state trooper, a representative of Earth2, a chaplain and a medic along with an aide of Glenn Morshower. Led by a N.E.S.T. 'fixer' whose purview was the United States, they pulled up, then walked to the door of the Lawrence Dobbs Senior home. His parents, Lawrence 'Larry' and Estelle Dobbs had lived there for decades and were former ranchers. They had four children of which Lawrence Junior was one and many grandchildren. Gathering themselves, they rapped on the door. Dogs barked, then the door opened. A younger version of Lawrence Dobbs, his brother Steven answered. "Hi," he said as he looked at the group.
"Mr. Dobbs? Is this the home of Larry and Estelle Dobbs?" the fixer asked.
He nodded. "Yeah. What's this about?" the kid asked.
"We'd like to come in and speak to the Dobbs," the fixer said.
"Who's at the door, Steve?" a man's voice called from within the house.
"I don't know," Steven replied, then he held the door open. "Alright. Come in."
They did. They would tell what was going on and it would be as awful as one could expect.
… Ops Center …
"Optimus is going to make a statement that will be broadcast over the MCA in about a half a joor. We need all the information you can give us for this announcement," Prowl said.
"We have nothing to add," Springer said with irritation. "This is going to be a bad one to crack."
Prowl nodded. "We have the autopsy, the statements and all the rest. Wheeljack, Perceptor and the nerds at Sciences are working out the modifications of the bridges and other entries for scanning. Optimus is with Jazz at IntraCom getting this thing organized. He's going to cut in shortly and it'll go live between here and Earth, no where else," he said as he glanced at a large monitor playing The Hourly News with the sound turned down.
They watched the weather report on the beautiful image dominated screen behind the weatherman. It would be good weather though beastly cold as ever. It was surreal given what was coming shortly.
-0-IntraCom
Jazz, Ratchet and Prime sat in a conference room going over the data which Prime would present in less than five minutes Earth time. He had his speech organized and when Prowl reported that nothing new was going to be added he finalized it. Sitting back, he shook his helm. "I hate the slow drip of things that undermine the relationship. We have to work harder to make it clear that those here are safe and that the relationship is of the utmost importance."
"Most know that, Optimus," Ratchet said. "There's no appeasing those who don't. The first time a bad actor lands on Earth and struts their stuff they will get it."
"Pray that never happens," Prime said as a tech leaned in.
"We have to get everyone set up. The set is ready to go, Jazz," he said.
Jazz stood then grinned at Prime. "You'll allay their fears if they can be and nothing more can be done. We'll get this fragger and we'll dance again."
Prime stood with Ratchet, then grinned. "Save one for me until then." He walked out the door followed by both Ratchet and Jazz, then entered the studio where he gave his speeches and announcements to everyone over the airwaves. Walking to his set, he sat amid the trappings of his office and that of the many worlds and places he reigned. He looked composed and grave, the very picture of a leader who was as good and decent as he was.
Jazz who always directed his segments walked to his chair and sat in front of the computer that showed everything. Ratchet leaned against the wall to listen. Then the countdown was made.
"Live in five … four …
-0-On the live feed going out to Earth, Mars, Cybertron, every forward base and a couple of allied worlds not to mention an nearly finished War World space station orbiting Saturn that resembled an only slightly smaller Death Star and would be placed on the trading lanes just past Cybertron …
"Thank you for the weather," Lim-Lee said as she smiled at the weatherman who was filling in as an intern, Jasper of Vargus II. "We have a message from the Office of Strategic Communications that Optimus, the Prime of Cybertron, Mars and the Empire is going to be making an announcement. We're going to cut into that and broadcast it live." She looked at her director who cut her feed and switched it to the Emblem of the Primes.
Everyone watching the news paused what they were doing all over the colony and Earth. Every habitat had been given the early nod that this was coming at 1800 hours on the TMC and they were ready. A subdued and tense human population tuned in to listen.
The screen image changed to a solemn and grave appearing Optimus Prime. "Good evening, Mars and Earth. I am Optimus Prime. Tonight, I bring to you sad news about a member of the human community here on world. I held off making this announcement until the family of the individual involved was informed and just now I received word from Global N.E.S.T. North America that this has been accomplished.
"Yesterday afternoon about 1600 hours on the Terran Military Clock a security officer by the name of Lawrence Frederick Dobbs, Junior of Amarillo, Texas in the United States of America disappeared off the security grid that we maintain for the safety of humans on world. At that moment the Operational Center of Earth2 immediately contacted the Emergency Response Center at Fortress Maximus to inform them that this had happened. That set into motion a series of protocols that are in place to ensure that the humans who live here are safe and if endangered rescued swiftly. There were a number of reasons why this did not happen to Mr. Dobbs which are part of the investigation into his disappearance and after a thorough search, his death.
"Some of the devices that protected and located Mr. Dobbs were not on his person and the few that were still with him in places designed so they cannot be removed were deactivated by means unknown. Mr. Dobbs had been beaten and his helmet which bears a seal that protects him in his environmental suit was broken. Mr. Dobbs died instantly once exposed to the cold and nearly airless atmosphere of Mars. It was the worst fear that we have come true.
"All of the habitats are in lock down to ensure that we can investigate who did this and to make sure that no other human is placed in a vulnerable position with an unknown killer or killers. It has not been established that there is a lone killer. It appears to be evident that there might be two.
"Someone murdered Mr. Dobbs and disappeared back into the community. We are investigating how our systems were defeated and Mr. Dobbs' suit was compromised. They are designed to defeat nearly anything thrown at them and somehow this one was. The vehicle he drove when he visited other habitats that morning was found abandoned and the transponder for location and the well being of its occupants was removed.
"Given the amount of our tech that has been stolen and placed into circulation on Earth, some of which we are fighting to retrieve in courts in Germany and Korea, it is no surprise that some of our systems may be reasonably known to those with bad intentions toward us and our presence in the system.
"We have eliminated any Cybertronian involvement in this venture because there is no evidence to suggest that a bot was motivated to kill Mr. Lawrence. Someone in the human community … some ones are responsible for this and we are working to get to the bottom of it.
"It is part of the charters of all habitats here that when a crime has been committed that they default to my government to pursue the crime. I have taken control of all the habitats here on world and will continue to do so until the perpetrator or perpetrators are caught. All of the habitats continue onward with their work and functions and hold the integrity of their data and processes to themselves. However given the situation, I am going to hold to the rule of the charters until we are satisfied that we have the killers and every human here is safe.
"We have enemies on Earth. We know who they are. We will protect the human community from anyone who bears any of us here harmful intentions and have that as the utmost charge. Those who are coming here for vacations through the Resort can come with confidence. We are posting a military and policing presence in the places where humans live and work to discourage a repeat of this crime until the case is resolved. Until we have the murderers in custody I will not relinquish control.
"The habitats are in lock down for the safety of the humans, communications will resume tomorrow morning at 0900 hours on the TMC and all information about this matter will be handled through the Office of Strategic Communications by my officers, Jazz and Blaster. We will not be releasing more detailed information due to the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the Dobbs family.
"We send our deepest condolences to them and to all who were friends of Lawrence Dobbs. This is an abomination and a personal affront to me as the Prime of Cybertron and Mars. We will get to the bottom of this and we will find out who did this. They will be arrested and held for accountability. It is our greatest pleasure to host humans on world and those who visit. It was a source of pride that it has been safe and mutually productive.
"I give you my word of honor that everything that can be done to ensure the safety of every human here is and will be done. For the honor of our people, for the sanctity of our relationship as two peoples together and the protection and safety of the human community, I pledge that we will do our best to get to catch those responsible. I say to the enemies of my people and the peace between us and Earth, you will not prevail.
"I am Optimus Prime. Good night. Until all are one."
The broadcast ended. The hoo-hah had just begun.
-0-On a balcony of a villa at Lake Como, Italy
"Prime sounded very angry."
"He did. But then, he would. This makes him look badly."
"Well, that's what we're here to do." He grinned. "Revenge is a dish best served cold."
His partner grinned. "You and I have the same idea. I like that very much about you, my friend. We have a long and very interesting future ahead of us. Welcome to my world."
He nodded to his benefactor and savior. "Thanks."
-0-Ops Center after the speeches
They sat at the table watching the split screen which had the news from everywhere. Right now, they were listening to the MCA news feed which was the one that received all Cybertronian broadcasting and rebroadcast it to the world.
The talking heads were going over the situation as a few of the different news outlets began to converge on Amarillo. It was being brought out that Dobbs had been a problem at Diego, that he'd been booted off for breaking rules and that he was part and parcel of the anti-Autobot camp of humans. He had links into the opposition due to his background with the bots, his job with Earth2 and his friendships with the other mercs, especially Sam Hedges and James Johnson.
Some of them were highly partisan which wasn't a change. Some were unhappy by the news blackout and the fact that the dearth of communications over the past two days wasn't due to technical difficulties. Others were discussing things with forensics experts, former cops, former district attorneys, soldiers who were consulted regularly, those who knew the bots, those who said they knew the bots and the like.
N.E.S.T hadn't commented yet but the American government was starting to do so and it wouldn't be pretty. Tomorrow would be an interesting day. The naming of the new baby and its dinner would be held about noon in the Central Labor Hall while the infant's page was going to be opened for well wishes giving a ceremonial and symbolic toe tap there to the newest little Autobot.
Prowl sat with the infant in his hold and frowned at the screen. "Frag everyone everywhere. We'll get the slaggers. I personally guarantee it myself."
Ratchet grinned. "That's our Prowler," he said as the tweets of different individuals both high and low began to be broadcast. None of them were good for anyone.
It would be a long night at Ops Center on Mars.
Again.
-0-TBC 11-14-18 edited 11-24-18