The Diego Diaries: Processional (dd6 527)
-0-Autobot City Military Airfield, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars
It was silent when the big mechs transformed to stare down the long cleared path toward where Prime, the Committee and all of his senior Autobots waited. Nearby them were the Hu-An who had come to pay their respects as well. They were told of the problem and felt the same outrage that a peaceful community such as theirs should have such a thing befall it. The Temple priests, Lady Sela, Master Cyclonus and two of his teachers were there waiting as well.
It was then that Warlord and his brothers began to walk toward the processional. As they got close, the brothers paused while Warlord continued. As he did he burst into flames. He raged with fire as he approached the coffin, then with almost no warning leaped into the air and transformed. His afterburners burst into flame and up he want like a streaking rocket. When he did, his brothers joined him, all of them flying straight up, then flashing into different directions in a star burst pattern to turn back and fall toward the ground.
They fell from the sky screaming toward the earth, then pulled out to fly together in an arrow formation with Warlord leading. He trailed light and fire behind him as they screamed over, heading back up to the sky once more. Back and forth, around, alone and together they flew, then as one they slammed down to the ground as they transformed back to root mode.
They stood before the casket, Warlord burning furiously. Then his four brothers transformed to walk back to the Seekers in Prime's group. Warlord bowed his helm then walked back as well, the flames dying down as he did.
It was silent a moment then Household Guards turned to the flatbed. One of them took the metallic coffin into his servos. Holding it carefully, he turned around to the masses gathered in front of him as the others formed an honor guard for the short walk to a small platform placed halfway down the long aisle between the crowds gathered.
They stepped forward led by Raptor and followed by Ratchet while the Guard formed lines along the sides. Slowly with measured steps they walked forward. It was incredibly silent as the crowd watched a massive ferocious appearing mech lead the Guard along, themselves black and silver, gleaming and incredibly smart in appearance. Ratchet with a serious expression followed them until they reached the catafalque where the guardsman placed the coffin.
They stepped to the side, took two more steps, then turned around to assume parade rest. Raptor continued to Prime while Ratchet waited where he had stopped. It was incredibly silent then the Hu-An stepped forward. Led by Larc, bearing the long fighting spear-like poles that they used in combat, she walked a group forward which spread out into a line to face Ratchet and the coffin. They halted, then Larc stepped forward.
All of them wore their hair free and flowing, long wavy masses that hung past their knees. Gleaming metallic balls that were usually affixed to the horns of the warriors were missing and they were stripped to the waist. Their bulging muscles and large ranging tattoos gave them a beastly dominating presence.
Larc walked forward then circled the casket, her optics never leaving it as if to measure and examine it for some unknowable reason. She walked to the front then turned to it raising her spear into the air. As she did, the others did as well, piercing the air with a bellowing cry. At one, the others joined her, their cries and spears rising upward with their fists.
They began a kata of their own, a haka for the dead warrior. With a concentrated focus of intention, with a ferocious fury, the group stomped, twirled, thrust the spears forward at the enemy and chanted loud and long. Half crouching, they taunted the enemy who had taken one of their own, fists gripping tightly as they roared their contempt. Spinning and twirling, stomping the ground and crying out to the sky, they demonstrated why they were no one to mess with, these deceptive warriors who preferred peace. It went on then stopped abruptly. They stared at the casket, then one by one they circled tapping it with their spears before they walked back to Prime. It was an amazing and raw spectacle to see.
-0-Cybertronian News Today, New York, consortium broadcast of the 'Repatriation of Lawrence Dobbs'
"That was Larc, the leader of the Hu-An, a species that Optimus Prime saved from Decepticon slavery. They are a very tough, very surprising group of individuals who live in the green sward habitat next to the N.E.S.T. Garrison. They have been here a long time and are great friends and allies of the Prime. Their home worlds are in the possession of the Decepticons and thus, they live here.
"They are agrarian and created the first green habitation site on Mars. Their abilities and knowledge about agriculture are being shared with both Earth 1 and 2. They are peaceful by choice but fully capable of fighting to protect their people and homes," Tim said as Marc nodded. "I hope we can speak to one of them when this concludes and see what they can tell us about what we just saw. The information given from the Office of Strategic Communications states that this was a haka for the dead. It was done to pay honor to Dobbs for being murdered. They are as offended as everyone else that this happened."
-0-At the scene
The humans watched from the crowd, most of them, while some watched from vehicles. The humans from The Resort filled buses that had a good view parked end to end behind the main group. Everyone else except children were in the group standing in the massed crowd. It was intensely silent and solemn.
Prime stood like a statue and so did the others as the Hu-An formed a line before them rejoining the party. The priests, Cyclonus and all the others stepped forward walking to the casket. They formed a circle, placed a servo on it and began to chant softly. A prayer for the dead to find their way to whatever matrix the humans used at this point commenced then ended as swiftly. They bowed slightly then walked back to Prime.
It was deeply, deeply silent as Prime stepped forward. He walked toward the casket, a god like figure of immense dignity and integrity. He paused before the casket. He stared at it then nodded his helm. It was then that he unsubbed his big, big gun.
-0-CNT, NYC, Earth
"That was Warlord, a major Seeker officer and his four brothers. They are the sons of the Great Elder of Seekerkin who is like a pope, a king and a prophet rolled into one. Their father is Rainmaker of Vos. Warlord involves fire to give honor on special occasions. Its rare and a tribute given to fallen warriors and such. It's also used to give a metaphorical middle finger to enemies or so I quote Commander Jazz." Mark grinned slightly. "Right now, the priests are giving a short prayer with the Master of the Monastery of the Clavis Aurea, Cyclonus of Upper Tetrahex, a former high ranking Decepticon. That will be followed by the salute. I don't know what that is."
-0-The Salute
Prime pulled his gun from subspace, an action much remarked about when humans saw it and speculated about among scientists, then pointed it into the air, aiming slightly toward the wasteland north of the airfield. As he did every regular soldier, Home Guardsman, Seeker and policing officer there pulled theirs as well. Turning slightly toward the north, they waited.
Prime stared at the coffin, then aimed his gun to the north. He fired it and when he did so did everyone else there. The flash was astounding, the sound cosmically significant and the roar rolled through the area like an aural tsunami. The sound was overwhelming then it turned to immense silence as Prime lowered his gun. He subbed it, nodded his helm, then turned to walk back to his officers. Guns were subbed everywhere around the area. Smoke cleared and it was silent again.
The Household Guardsman reached for Dobbs, picking him up gently. A command from their officer drew them into escort formation and they began to walk measured steps toward Prime as Ratchet followed. Forward they went then turned slightly as they neared him heading toward Silverbolt who was waiting with ramp down.
Onward they walked, then up the ramp they went. One by one they entered, then Ratchet walked up as well. He reached the top, turned to the group, then nodded to Prime. Prime nodded back, then everyone watched as the ship pulled its ramp and the hatch closed. With almost no effort nor movement, Silverbolt rose into the air along with a squadron of Seekers as escort. In seconds, it was gone from sight.
The crowd stood silently, then turned toward Prime. He stood a moment like a statue, then walked toward The Fortress with his group. When they were gone from sight the buses began to move out to drive back to The Resort. All of the humans who were here from habitats began to go back to their vehicles and the buses parked nearby that would drive them back. In a breem no one was left from the ceremony.
The airport was back to itself once more.
-0-CNT, NYC
"That fusillade was tremendous," Tim said to Mark. "That is a salute they give to other warriors. They did so when the three air traffic operators were killed at Diego Garcia during the Insecticon attack some years ago. Right now, Dobbs is on his way back to Earth and will arrive at Ramstein Air Base in Germany in about fifteen minutes. They're taking a space bridge to affect a swift return. We're going to cover that when they arrive and then bring in a panel to discuss this incredible event and what if any long term ramifications will arise because of it," Mark said.
-0-Ramstein
It was cold and a bit overcast at the big military base as the cameras watched Silverbolt coming in for a landing. He gleamed in the sky, a blindingly white vessel of immense size. He came in closer and closer then touched down. Rolling swiftly down to a measured ground speed the ship turned down the path assigned and headed for the parking spot that was ready to receive Dobbs.
The area was covered with media, onlookers and the official receiving group with an ambulance to take Dobbs. The team who would walk in and get him waited along with the officers who would be meeting with Ratchet.
Silverbolt halted then the hatch slid back. A ramp slid down and there was movement inside. The team followed the officials up the ramp and to the door that led inside. They disappeared from sight a moment, then Ratchet walked down the ramp followed by the officials. They reached the bottom then turned to watch.
After a moment aided by bots inside, the group who came to claim Dobbs walked down holding his coffin. The ambulance had driven closer so they walked to it and carefully loaded him inside. The doors were closed and the vehicle began to pull away slowly.
Ratchet knelt down to speak to the humans for a moment then nodded a couple of times. He rose then nodded again before walking to the ramp to climb back inside. The reception committee watched him as the ramp retracted and the doors slid shut.
It would only take a few more moments for Silverbolt to power up, turn in a small radius, then lift off. The big white Autobot would disappear into the sky in seconds.
Lawrence Frederick Dobbs, Junior, 1988-2018, was home at last.
-0-TBC 11-22-18 edited 11-25-18