The Diego Diaries: Processional (dd6 526)
-0-The Processional
"The plan for this processional is to drive through each of the cities, go through the habitats out of town, then come back to the airfield where the send off will be happening. Right now, they're heading out from the Terra Hub toward the Tri-Cities and then onward to the roundabout to the habitats. They will then head back to Autobot City through the Metro Districts where they will continue on to Aerie Hill, then back again to the send off.
"They've past through the Seven Cities complexes and the first Crater district. The second one will be a drive through after the Tri-Cities. Then they will go to Earth 1 and 2, the Consulate, then back. No one is at the three habitats at the moment but they want to honor the humans and Dobbs because he lived and worked there. Aerie Hill will be after they reach Autobot City, then a swing back to the Military Airfield where he will be taken aboard a ship to return to Earth."
Mark nodded. "The crowds at the airport are huge and they're surprisingly big along the route. As you may know, Dobbs is not without controversy among the Cybertronians. He was part of the Intel-Martin security force at Diego Garcia some years back and we know where that led. There were disturbances between the mercenaries including Dobbs and the bots. This is a pretty extraordinary honor considering things. I had a chat earlier with Laurie Cardell, one of the Cybertronian News Today consortium reporters who is stationed in Autobot City."
The screen cut to a recorded interview with a reporter who was standing against the stone wall of the Sciences Habitat for the interview. It was earlier in the morning and the sun was barely breaking over the horizon of Olympus Mons outside.
"Laurie, tell us about the feelings of the bots and of the leadership given this is Lawrence Dobbs who was sent home from Diego Garcia for breaking the photo ban in place at the time regarding the Cybertronian garrison," Mark asked.
"Good morning, Mark. Today is the processional and send off for Lawrence Dobbs who was found murdered on the TransWorld Highway two days ago. The word behind this is that the Prime is very upset that a human trusted to live here should fall to such a bad ending. They have never promised perfection but they deliver on their security assurances. That he died at all is upsetting enough but to be murdered puts this into a different category altogether. The Prime ordered this to pay the respects of The People toward a guest resident alien and to Earth.
"As for Diego Garcia, that is very well documented, the fall out between Jase Daniels and his mercenaries and the garrison. There is no love lost there but this is still for Optimus Prime and his government a different category event altogether. They have set that aside to send Dobbs back in a respectful manner. Mark."
He nodded. "What is the atmosphere like there, Laurie? What can you tell us about the mood and feelings not just among the leadership but the general population as well?" Mark asked as the split screen showed the procession heading through the newest Crater District toward Kalis.
"The atmosphere here among the leadership is outrage that this should happen to anyone let alone Dobbs who carried baggage with them. This government takes its responsibilities to the human population here deeply. Optimus Prime has made solving this murder a very high priority for his government. None of the leadership is happy about this and they're determined to solve the mystery and prevent further harm among the human population.
"As for the general population, there's shock, surprise and a desire to find the killer. The bots aren't worried for their own safety. But everyone I've talked to has expressed concern for ours. They're happy that the Prime has ordered armed guards for the habitats and boosted other security measures. They're going to be in lock down for a while longer. Everyone here is shocked and sad. Those who know of the history Dobbs shared with the garrison and some of those who were there when he was still express disquiet and anger that this happened. It may surprise you how much the Cybertronian people like humans but they do. A great deal.
"They go to their university and public schools. They have access to the colony and its amenities and resources. They live in bot built and maintained habitations and have access to what and who they need. They all say that the humans add to the quality of life here and they consider us plucky and amusing company. The humans are held in great esteem by most and the alliance with Earth is deeply important to them. They fear that it might be damaged. No one is happy about this. No one. Mark."
"Do you have any updates on the investigation? Have you had a chance to speak to anyone in the government? To Optimus Prime or Ambassador Ratchet?" Mark asked as the processional headed out of the Tri-Cities toward the big roundabout and the straight shot to the habitats in the country beyond.
"Not yet. I have an appointment to speak to Ambassador Ratchet and a request in to speak to Optimus Prime. The Ambassador has agreed but I've not heard from the Office of the Primes. No one is releasing any more information about the investigation for now. They're keeping this close to the vest. Ambassador Ratchet has been busy with the investigation and family matters. I was told that he will make time to speak with me later this afternoon Mars time. Mark."
The screen cut back to the studio in New York City where Mark Carlyle and Tim Seylow were doing the broadcast. The split screen showed the masses at the airfield and the steadily moving processional. "The processional is heading toward Earth 1 and 2 and the Consulate. They will enter their parking areas, drive past the habitat doors, then drive out. When they do that, they have a straight drive toward Autobot City through the two metro districts, then a straight shot through the city on Metroplex Highway number 1. That will lead to the junction at The Fortress and a ride by the airfield. They will then go to the Aerie Hill before coming back to the airfield for the final steps.
"We were told that they will pull up on the highway, take the coffin bearing Dobbs down the cleared walkway to Prime, then he will officiate a brief ceremony they use for fallen soldiers. It will be then that Dobbs will be placed on the ship, Silverbolt then flown to Earth with Ambassador Ratchet to do the hand off at Ramstein Air Base in Germany."
"There has been a lot of commentary by the government about this. The President is very unhappy and has been tweeting about it. There is talk about sending a delegation of officials to Mars to work on the investigation but there is no response from the Prime's government about that so far.
"We expect a response from the President tomorrow as the White House states and we will carry it live if he speaks. There have been messages from governments all over the world given that there are 72 countries represented by the human presence on Mars. Most of them have been respectful of Mr. Dobbs but they express concern about the safety of their citizens there. I suppose that's to be expected," Mark said as he glanced at Tim.
Tim nodded. "That's true but it has always been the position of the Prime's government that they will provide good security and attention but not perfection. That they won't and can't provide."
-0-On the way to the airfield
They drove into the parking spaces of the Consulate of Earth, moving slowly past the door, then out again. They would do so at each habitat, then return to the highway again to head for the Metro Districts. As they rolled through each, as they did in the huge metro district of eight city-formers already, the titans would signal their respects with the flashing of their lights and sounding sirens. The mechs themselves were at the airfield standing behind Prime like a forest of trees.
The little mechs, Swan and Teatro were in their hangars doing their school work but they would peek out to see why everyone was being noisy and humans would see them. They would be amazed at their size and their obvious youth but they would not learn much more than they already knew by their genitor's request.
It had now passed the first hour mark of the event.
-0-The airfield
They stood together in designated areas. The groups were separated across from each other by a wide lane down the middle that was kept free for the bots to bring Dobbs forward. It was quiet and most of the bots were still. They could converse internally so there wasn't much movement to see. The humans on the other hand chatted together as they stared solemnly around at the spectacle.
Flags were flying at half mast, a human custom chosen to honor Dobbs and the loss of a life to such a cruel fate on a world designed to protect their humans from such a happening. It felt heavy and tense around them as they were filmed by cameras and broadcast to Earth.
The different known humans were noted by the C.N.T. broadcasters and so were the differences that were identity features. The habitats had their own color environmental suits. They identified them to everyone else. Standing with them were the human participants in the film industry here including the cast of The Bridge and a new series being developed called Mine Field. That was still under wraps but would be starting up soon enough.
The flags snapped in the light breeze as the motorcade made their way into The City entering the Temple District and their first drive by toward Aerie Hill. The entire group watched as they drove past, slowing as they did until they reached the junction and turned toward the long road to the Seeker enclave.
Buses filled with tourists watched from their vantage point including the visitors from The Resort who had another experience to talk about when they went back home. The group passed by and were soon out of view as everyone waiting relaxed until they came back.
-0-Aerie Hill
It took a bit of time to roll through town which was cleared of traffic like it was in every city they had driven though. They were approaching an hour and a half on their journey and they still had Aerie Hill ahead. The streets were lined with Seekers, all manner, shape and age who were there to watch silently. As most did everyone else, they nodded their helms as the coffin passed them, a feature noted on all the broadcasts running on Earth.
Ratchet followed Raptor with his lights flashing as they drove through the main street, around the great crescents to the highway back to The City. It was a silent venture through Aerie Hill and back out again. When they reached Autobot City once more, they would stop at the edge of the airfield and all of them but the flatbed would transform.
They rolled onward and made the turn off. Now it was fifteen miles back to town and the conclusion of the event.
-0-There
They stood in a row, a devastatingly dignified, handsome and fearsome appearing group. Prime stood slightly in front of everyone who was arrayed in lines behind him. On one side stood the clan elders of Seekerkin and the gravely dignified family of Rainmaker. The Great Elder himself was an extraordinary sight with his two bonds and five sons. Starscream and his trine was beside them looking fierce and grave. The Hu-An were gathered before them in ceremonial garb. All of the Committee stood on the other side, civilian and military alike. It was a sight to see and something that showed once again what a force of nature a mature Cybertronian was.
The priests, Cyclonus from the Monastery and Turbine were gathered together behind Prime waiting for their part. Though Cyclonus would just as easily punt Dobbs home himself, he knew what this was and meant. He would be here for the Guiding Hand and the Clavis Aurea.
A murmur and shift in the crowd by the highway signaled the return of the processional. The crowd turned to watch, staring around each other to see what was coming toward them. After a moment, Raptor rolled into view and when he reached the highway pulled up to stop. Behind him, Ratchet appeared, then the flatbed accompanied by the Guards.
Raptor transformed after the little femme climbed down, then turned to watch. Ratchet transformed then stepped back as the Guard followed. They towered over the flatbed and the silver coffin bearing Dobbs' body. The last part of the show was just about to begin.
It was then that Warlord and his brothers began to walk down the corridor between the crowds toward the truck bearing Dobbs.
-0-TBC 11-21-18 edited 11-25-18
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