The Diego Diaries: Hoops (dd6 554)
Merry Christmas if you celebrate, best wishes if you don't. Had a swinging party last night so here we go. o{:)} (sort of a Santa Claus emoji. *cough*)
-0-Autobot Medical Center, The City, Morgue
Prime and Ratchet walked in spotting the figure of a young mech lying on the autopsy table half uncovered from the shroud he had arrived in. He was gun metal gray and had severe injuries to his helm and face. It was hard to look at.
The doctor for the shift was named Tungsten and he had an assistant who left when they came to fetch an evidence kit for Forensics. Drift was leaning against the wall nearby looking disturbed by the scene. He glanced at the two. "I'm here until Springer gets back from informing the family. Of the two, I don't know which is worse."
Ratchet patted him. "I know," he said as he walked to the mech and began to examine him. He pulled back the sheet, noting other blunt force trauma. "Well, he was beaten pretty good. Death in my opinion came from processor trauma." He covered the kid again.
"This has to end," Prime said with a note of fury in his speech. He looked at Tungsten who was leaning against the table. "I would like a full report. I would not like the genitors to see him like this. If you could make him more presentable that might be merciful."
Tungsten nodded. "We will," he said as the assistant came back in with a kit of some kind.
Ratchet walked into the hall as Drift and Prime followed. "This is no good any time of the year but now? What the frag are we going to do about gangs?"
"You are going to raid them. Get with Hauser and make a plan. I want them rounded up and their hangouts secured. I want the heat turned up on this, Drift. We need to find out who did this and make it fast."
Drift nodded, then glanced down the hallway where a grim faced Springer, Hercy and Kup were headed their way. Springer paused beside them. "The genitors know. It was a howling match. He was supposed to be at a party after the game."
"Well, he was but not the type they figured," Ratchet said grimly. "Prime wants the hammer lowered."
Prime nodded. "Get with Barron. Find out what we can do within the limits of the law, then make it happen. I have already outlawed gangs since the last conflagration so use that Primal decree if you can. No more children are going to die this way. Are the genitors coming?"
"They are. They had to tell others in their family but they will be here," Springer said.
"Have an officer or two here just in case they come in swinging. Have a priest as well. Are they Clavis or Temple, do you know?" Prime asked.
"I don't know. I'll send for both just in case," Springer said.
"Very well. Keep me informed," Prime said as he started for the door.
He and Ratchet stepped out, crossed to the metro and disappeared downward as the genitors and their family members began to arrive, transform and run into the Medical Center.
=0=Bar
They walked in and sat, Prime taking the congratulations of the crowd. Ironhide who was three sheets to the wind stared bleary eyed at Ratchet. "What was up?"
"Gang fight. A kid got killed," Ratchet said as he took a beer offered.
It was silent a moment, then Ironhide glanced at Prime. "I suppose Springer is on it?"
"He is," Optimus said grimly. "This is the last time I want this to happen. The gangs have to go."
Mutual agreement was had, then things slowly slipped into calmer waters. By the time they ambled out to go home the deepest part of their angst had abated.
=0=Earlier at the Medical Center
The genitors of the deceased kid and several family members raced inside and bombarded the desk. Two Watchmen there to intercept them. Lady Sela and spiritual counselor, Anholt from the Monastery herded them into a conference room nearby just as several more showed up, the families of the three kids who were badly hurt at the brawl. More security arrived and they were taken upstairs to wait the word on their kids.
It would be an awful time for all of them.
=0=At the corner to home
They gathered to discuss the upcoming festivities with Christmas Surprise in two orns. The Santa notices would be going out tomorrow and it would include an enhanced number of Clauses. Vos was playing Altihex, Polyhex was playing Simfur while the Kaon Kowboys took this decaorn off. They would play Iacon next game. After much chest thumping and bullshit, they broke up to go home. Most of them would walk across the street to the same tower but some would go elsewhere.
=0=Shortly
"ADA! GOOD THEM! OTIS GOOD! HE MY SHE!"
Ratchet grinned as he stripped Orion of his onsie. "He's my she, too."
"I LOVE HIM, MY SHE! HE GOOD! HE DO POW-POW TO THEM!" Orion said as he hopped over to Robby and hugged him tightly.
The little cow who was becoming more used to kids leaned into him as Orion hugged. They both fell over. It was a short but noisy fall. Orion scrambled up. "ADA! HE OWED ME! HE A COW! HE OWED ME FALLED!"
Ratchet laughed. "I wonder what Roto's going to tell us next meeting?"
"He's going to say that's one fine little slagger. Right, Spud?" Ironhide asked.
Orion glanced up from exploring the ear canal of a slightly irritated cow. He smiled brilliantly. He had no idea what they were talking about but they were talking about him so all was well in his world. "Atar? I rided him?" he asked.
"Nope," Ironhide said as he picked up Orion. Snatching Praxus, he walked toward the hallway and beddy bye.
They both squawked all the way there.
Hero and Halo slid out of their gear, then danced to the room they were now sharing. They both shared Hero's bed, something that Hero had suggested and Halo had been all geared up for. Other than a few giggles and 'girl talk, Ada' it was going fine. That left Prowler.
Ratchet grinned at Prowler who grinned at him. He was shucked like an ear of corn, hugged up, then carried to his berth room for beddy bye. All of them were tucked in, hugged up, then hugged up again. After the usual musical rooms song and dance, they walked out and sat down. "Where is everyone else?" Ironhide asked as he absorbed the cure for his condition. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Sunny is with Bos, the big kids are watching Vos versus Polyhex and all is well." They both stared down at the little cow staring up at them. "Mostly."
"That's a slagging fine cow. Probably a better cow than Pudding and Flipper. I will say, though, those two are slagging fine cows as well."
Ratchet grinned at Ironhide. "I won't disagree."
"What's the schedule again? I think I was boozed up when you went over it with the others," Ironhide said as he pulled Robby the Bruce into his lap. The cow walked around, settled, then fell into recharge that fast. "Slagging fine cow, indeed."
Ratchet snickered. "Well, we have to go to work tomorrow. The Santa list will be released from our benevolent dictator, Blondi. Then we have to be ready for dinners and presents on Christmas Surprise eve and day in two orns. Dinner at our house that night, dinner at Prime's the next orn. I have to pick a few things up at the store tomorrow just so you know. Lunch at the Diner tomorrow, egg nog and the buffet at the Ops Center after Santa Priming around. We have to get the kids to school tomorrow and for their parties and presents from their Santa Prime on Christmas Surprise orn, then they're ours.
"That's the gist, though there may be more. I have to check. Just do what you're told, Ironhide," Ratchet said as he stood and pulled Ironhide and Robby to their peds.
"Sounds like a plan, slagger. Slave driver," Ironhide said with a grin as he ambled along to the berth room. Tomorrow would come swiftly.
=0=Morning, The Hourly News …
"And the road closures will be short lived so check with the Community Bulletin Board or Public Works for closure times," Lim-Lee said.
"In other news, it was reported that a young mech was killed last night in what appears to be a violent altercation with others at Energon Pumping Substation #46 on the Industrial Parks Highway. It would appear that two groups of young mechs were involved. They are tentatively identified as belonging to youth gangs called the Cells and the Transit Gang. They came with migrations and have a long history on Cybertron as well.
"The energon substation where the murder happened is automated and therefore, no one was there to see what had happened though it's believed to be related to the games played in the Sports Arena in Retriarius last night, growing out of rival team factions. In the altercation, three young mechs were seriously injured and one killed by blunt force trauma. The names of the mechs are still being held pending notification of next of kin and the ongoing investigation.
"Sub Commander of the Night and Day Watch, Commander Drift of Kaon said that the investigation is underway, there was film of the interaction and that they were confident that those involved would be apprehended. He also said that gangs were banned from Mars and the Empire by Primal Decree. All evidence collected from the crime scene would be analyzed and when the investigation is complete arrests would be made.
"The Office of the Primes released a message stating once again that gang activity would not be tolerated, it was banned by Primal Decree and that anyone bearing gang flashes, tattoos or acting in anyway to promote gangs or incite violence would be arrested. Optimus Prime also expresses his condolences to the families involved and requests their cooperation in finding those responsible.
"For anyone who might have information about this, you are asked to come forward. There is a communications line that you may call and leave word. It is anonymous and your identity will be protected including exclusion from any trials arising from your information. It is A47-B6-888847. If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call. We will be posting updates on this story as it develops. As for now, the three survivors are in intensive care. Their condition is not being released.
"In local news, the Housing Authority released current housing start figures in Craters One, Two and Three this morning ..."
"Frag," Ratchet said as he cleared the table. "GET ON THE ROAD, INFANTS!"
Scurrying around was heard as infants ran in all directions, some of them in no direction at all. A mewling bellow from Robby accented a cat getting his own in sideways. Cousin jumped up on the table to stare with disdain at the kids who were flying around in all directions.
Soon, they were gathered, gussied up and on their way. Down the hallway they went collecting relatives until they ended up in the lobby altogether. A short walk to buses and cabs squared everyone out. Watching the last one go, everyone turned to Ratchet. "What was the schedule again? I don't think I was sober," Turbine said with a grin.
"I'll text ya," Ratchet said as he did. Then the email for Santa Primes reached them all:
-0-
To: The bestest group of sports anywhere
From: Blondi at City-hall
Well, ho, ho, ho, minions. The new list of Santa Primes has been formalized and is now being presented for your viewing pleasure.
Here we go:
Elders: Magnus and Arcee
Shut ins: Ratchet
Prowl: Go with Prime. You know you wanna. :D
The usual suspects for their usual tours: Prime is for Sparkling Day, Ironhide at Youngling Day, Springer at Intermediate. (All of them.)
Aerie Hill: Starscream for Elders, Rainmaker for shut ins and home schools.
New ones: Hardie for Elder shut ins. Raptor for Homeschoolers. Turbine for the religious schools, the small ones. I attached which ones to your next email. :D
Delphi: For the Temple and Monastery schools. Also, that small sect that lives in Gambian and is having a hard time. Maybe an Immortal will give them a boost. I have the map attached to your next email. I will do that for all of you. No need getting lost. :D
New Ones: Elita, Jetta, Hercy and Kup can take care of the hubs, armory crowd and the Veteran's Center. Word has been sent out for them to come there. Your next email will break it all up for you.
Barron: Social Services Youth Hostel with sweet Alto. :D Also, the youth center for the troubled kids. I am sending Coln-2 and Blackstone around with you. Their sweet bonds are welcome to come as well.
Chromia (with Maelstrom), Greenlight, Firestar, Lancer (with Partition) and Moonracer will be Santa priming at various malls around the colony for drop ins and others on the town. Expect a lot of selfies. :D
Payload, Bulkhead and Copperton at the Central Labor Club HQ for a lot of individuals who are out and about and who belong to clubs. A lot of clubs asked for a Santa Prime to come to their HQ in Room 1134 to have a party and to see their members. There will be individuals there from clubs all across the board and the colony.
Scar and Nitro will be running the dispersal center for the gifts and helping get you from one place to the others, those involved in the schools. You will continue to ride the carriages. The rest of you have to get there by Shank's Mare as the humans say.
(I'll save you an internet search: The expression - believed to be Scottish in origin - derives from shanks' nag (shanks-naig 1774), referring to the use of shank to refer to the part of the human leg between the knee and ankle.) There. Don't say I never did anything for you. :D
Pending finishing your rounds, there will be the usual spread and boozer in the Ops Center in celebration. Thank you Professional Assistants Association for your effort there.
Everyone will go to the habitats at dusk. That schedule will be given shortly.
More to come. Check your texts, Springer.
Blondi, peace out.
-0-
Ratchet grinned. "Well, that about says it all."
"Speak for yourself, sister," Prowl said with a grin.
-0-TBC 12-25-18 edited 12-30-18
Have a wonderful holiday. :D