The Diego Diaries: Unity Consciousness (dd6 589)
=0=Tower In The Sky, Iacon, Autobot City, Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
Hercy arranged seating for a number of adults, mostly ammas and appas of the children with the odd pair of understanding genitors. He did it strategically. The kids were seated with a mech that would be a good resource for anything that came up, answering questions and reinforcing the kids' own desires to serve with their family members.
He wasn't born yesterday, Our Hercy.
Sitting down between Pulley and Coros who had no adults from their families, Hercy grinned at Sil who sat nearby with her grandparents and Lon and Bezel. Partition and Lancer sat with Jessine and her grandparents. "This is nice. Thanks for coming," he said.
"It's our honor," Jessine's amma said. Capo was a tall elegant mech who was a writer in the past and a journalist now. "Our little femme is very happy with her choices and activities and that's what both of us desire for her and her siblings."
Capo's bond, also a noted writer was editor of the Bern Daily News and someone who was just appointed to the Autobot City Journalists Association, a group dedicated to the truth in reporting and solidarity with journalists on Earth. They were actually a political activist group after noting how journalists were being killed on Earth for their reporting. Having gone through that hell on Cybertron, they were loathe not to support endangered colleagues on Earth and they did. Fiercely.
That mech, Buros nodded. "We want our infants to be happy and to do service to the collective good. Things cannot be the way they were and I do believe all of us here understand that. Our son, Sil's atar has to learn that simple truth so we support our little femme as much as we can."
Sil hugged her Appa's arm. "I wish they would, Appa. I'm going to be a Watch officer some orn and I want them to be happy about it."
"It's a process, infant, just like we told you but you aren't alone. We will help you," Capo said gently.
"I wish my family felt the same way," Pulley said with regret.
"Maybe they need someone to tell them," Partition said as he glanced at the child. Food was being served around them as the waiters brought it out. "My family was the same way with me and to tell you the truth, I was an idiot for a long time."
There was huge laughter and agreement, then it settled as Partition grinned at the group ruefully. He looked at the kids. "I was a high caste idiot. Because other people had mercy, I'm who I'm supposed to be. I'm a Watch officer, I'm a station house medic and I'm in the best bond ever. If I can change, anyone can. I can talk to them if you think it would help."
"The more they hear and see, the more it becomes inevitable," Capo said with a nod. "Maybe we can do a story on these infants. The interest will be high given their service during the game." He grinned. "You all were pretty spectacular during the game."
Fifteen kids did the Cybertronian version of a blush, then Sil leaned forward in her chair as she sat next to her amma and appa. "When Jessine called me I was sort of scared to come but I wanted to. I didn't know what was going to happen. We got to meet people and walk around seeing things that the Watch does. I got to help Jessine with the shut ins and home bounds during Christmas Surprise with Commander Ratchet. IT WAS SO FUN!"
All of the kids nodded. "We all did, Amma," Pulley said. "I remember when I wanted to … I wanted something. Commander Springer let me come to a football game and watch with the mechs. It was great. All of them were so great and the game was better down there on the side lines. I also got to pet the horses. I love horses.
"What they do is brave and they do it for all of us. It sort of grew from that, Amma. All of my friends want to do this. We all do. The mentor groups are the best part of my orn and they tell us we have to keep our grades up to stay in. My grades are better now than ever."
All of the kids nodded. Sil glanced up at her amma. "See my tattoo? Sunstreaker put it on us. He painted it himself. Free hand."
"Its a beautiful tattoo, granddaughter. I may have to get one myself," her amma replied with a grin.
Sil brightened. "WOULD YOU!? Maybe ada and atar will be better about this."
"Consider it done," her amma said.
"This is a process, infants," Hercy said. "Its a step-by-step process. You're growing up, something that can be hard on a genitor. You know what you want and sometimes they want things for you, too. They don't do it to rob your life. They want the best for you but you also have to stand your ground if you want something. We're going to support you. You're Watch people, too, but we know it can be slow for others to catch the fever. Give them time. They'll get it."
The kids stared at him like he was Moses coming down from the mountain top. Nodding, they grinned at each other, then began to eat. Their appas and ammas, the two genitors who came for their son and several aunts and uncles asked good questions and joined in the conversation. It was joyous for the kids, all of them.
:You know, Prowler, that sometimes the pride I feel for our species can't fit the container. Know what I mean?: Ratchet asked as he sipped his drink.
:I hear you: Prowl replied. :I suppose you have some musical instrument stuffed up your aft to underline your remarks and feelings?: Prowl grinned at Ratchet.
:Actually: Ratchet said as he stood up. :I do: With that, he unsubbed a Tibetan bowl and mallet, then began to rub the rim and tap it.
Prowl stared at him, then stood. Ratchet continued with the musical tones with a giant brilliant smile on his face. Prowl grabbed the mallet, then the bowl and subbed both. "You're a danger to society," he said as he sat to great laughter and scorn.
Ratchet grinned at him, then unsubbed Tibetan bells. Pinging them with a grin, he found them snatched by Prowl as well.
Around the room, the children watched with incredible joy on their faces. In the button down world of high caste life, spontaneity and shameless exhibitionism was a new thing. The ammas and appas were laughing loudly along with everyone else as the kids watched with delight.
Ratchet frowned at Prowl, then turned to the crowd. "In honor of the children and their families, I've prepared a selection of interpretive dances and tonal poems to celebrat-"
That was as far as he got.
Prime on the other hand would laugh a long, long time.
=0=As things begin to wind down
"We have to get organized for the mission," Prowl said as he sat beside Optimus with his arm slung over the back of the big mech's chair. It was casual and most wouldn't have thought it possible for the button down mech (usually, at least in public) to be so 'normal'.
"When will that transpire, Prowl?" Ratchet asked as he held Halo while the little imp slept. They'd finished their meals, had a couple of drinks and were gathering to go, though no one really wanted to because the company was so stellar.
"We have to go by 0400 on the TMC if we want to get this organized," Prowl said. "I've sorted through the intel and it looks like they're closing in on the coordinates."
"If you don't mind me asking, Commander ..." Capo asked as Sil turned from her conversation with a little femme named Tinka to listen.
Prowl smirked slightly. "If you don't mind me not telling."
Snickers rounded the room as the age old dance between the 'need to keep things secret' and the 'public's need to know' commenced.
"I would like an interview at some point about this mission and what is going to be accomplished if you wouldn't mind," Capo said as Buros grinned beside him.
"I have no problem. You might arrange this through Jazz. He's our information officer," Prowl replied.
"I will. It wouldn't be too much to ask if some of us could come along on missions would it?" Capo asked.
Sil stared at her amma with huge optics. "Can we come, too?" she asked hopefully.
Prowl grinned at her. "Not this time. I'll consider it for the less … difficult missions. It might be a good thing to have bright young people along. It might open new vistas you didn't know about if you do."
Sil stared at him with huge optics. So did the other kids, then they glanced at each other with smiles. Life didn't get better than this.
Prowl had an off line with Prime, then glanced at Capo. "Pick three reporters including yourself and we'll have you along."
Capo grinned. "Thanks. I will. If you can message us ..."
"Done deal," Jazz said. "You report to me. You'll be with me. This is going to be problematic so stay with me on a ship in the main fleet and all will be well."
Capo nodded with a grin. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
The conversation continued, then one by one the participants left for duty or home. The appas and ammas, uncles, aunts and the few genitors gathered around Drift and Springer to get more information before leaving with their children. By the time everyone else hit the streets, it was getting on toward evening.
"That was fun. IACON FOR THE WIN! Win for the kids. We're just MADE OF WIN!" Ratchet said as he smiled a dazzler at the twins.
The twins smirked back.
"Fragger," Sunstreaker said before Ratchet enveloped him in a hug. He hugged back.
"I hear you have students from this group," Ratchet said as they began to walk to the metro.
"Four," Sunny said with a chuckle. "These are nice kids."
"They are," Ratchet said. "Are you assigned to the mission?"
"We are," Sideswipe said as he shifted Uraya and Iacon to his carry hold. They were drowsing on his arm. "We're essential equipment."
"Like fan belts and door knobs," Springer said as he shouldered Sideswipe slightly.
Sideswipe shouldered him back. "Slagger. I don't see you on a sports team of any kind. Hiding in the tunnel with the kids. What a he-man you are."
"I'm the long arm of the law, slagger," Springer said as they began to go downward. Hooting and mockery followed him to the platform and the trains to home. It would be a jolly ride to everyone's station on the Circle line toward home.
=0=Later
The kids were tucked in, big and small, drowsing off swiftly to sleepy land. Walking out, Ratchet noted Ironhide at the table going over his arsenal. "Figure a shooting war?"
"No doubt," Ironhide said. "Pulsar is a phase sixer. No one tells a phase sixer what to do, the fragger. We're going to have a new helm for Prime's collection shortly."
"I wonder if he has a cyber fox?" Ratchet asked as he retrieved a beer for both of them, then sat down.
"Ugh," Ironhide said as he took his beer. Sitting back, he grinned. "Those kids were cute. Look what we have to expect some fine orn."
"I know. I'm sort of crazy for little femmes," Ratchet said with a grin. "Makes you wonder about two little femmes that I know of. By the way, they're making noises about Praxus going to Pioneer School again."
Ironhide frowned. "They need my permission. Besides, I'm on the school board and I can make new rules. Little mech is a marshmallow. He needs time."
"I'm not arguing. That would leave Orion alone in Sparkling Day. I don't know what that would do to his psyche," Ratchet replied.
"It would dent it. Little mech takes care of the family there. We would have to move Prowler to Sparkling Day if Praxus leaves. I don't want Orion to think anything is wrong with him just because he's glitched. Getting passed over by his younger siblings would do that," Ironhide said with his usual angst.
"I agree," Ratchet said. "Besides, Roto told me that Orion is probably a good candidate for Pioneer School, too, but for his glitch. He gets specialized teachings at Sparkling Day that would be hard to fit into the schedule at Pioneer School or he'd probably be there now as well."
"Little mech is smart enough. He just can't say it easily enough. I want them to be happy, Ratchet. I don't want adult meddling to make problems that aren't there. Remember how hard it was for him to have Hero go there? He worried about her for orns and orns," Ironhide said as he unconsciously channeled some of his own school daze angst.
"He stays at Sparkling Day until we agree and we don't. Don't let it get to you, Ironhide. We got this," Ratchet said as he held up his beer.
Ironhide clinked it with his own. "Semper fi, slagger."
Ratchet laughed. They would join the mission in two joors as Ravel slipped in to handle the children, including three big titanic kids slumbering away in their berths nearby.
The road goes ever on …
=0=TBC 2-9-19 2-19-19
I aim for one piece a day forever but snow blowing with a behemoth snow blower nearly did me in. SO … NO MORE SNOW BLOWING! (hopefully) :D:D:D
NOTES! NOTES!NOTES!NOTES! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Guest chapter 588 . 14h ago
Primus I love this series its just so charming and funny and I just love P&P's relationship. Also I just had the idea that the bots should also adopt Valentines Day since its a week away and they do love their human holidays
ME: I'm so glad. It's sort of an obsession with me. LOL! Prime and Prowl are so matched even though they appear to be opposite. I work hard to find pairings that are absolute and mesh. Springer and Drift, Ratchet and Ironhide, Prime and Prowl. I think Prowl's cool to Prime's warmth (though he's genuinely dignified, Prime is warm) makes them perfect. VALENTINE'S DAY! HEY, RATCHET! WHAT ABOUT IT!?
R-"Okay."
Done deal. :D HUGS!
kattenbelletje chapter 588 . Feb 8
woot a Dutch boy friend. I hope the youngsters get some more support from their families.
Ratchet didn't know prime and the others when they lived in the jumble though.
ME: Just a howdy. :D I agree. I'm fixing the Ratchet mix up today. HUGGIES over there in Holland. My niece would live there if she could. :D
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 588 . Feb 7
Oh wow... Iacon for the win! What a great game it was!
ME: The bots playing sports makes me laugh. I'm working out more sports. I think a mech society would love their sports. HUGS!
leoness chapter 588 . Feb 7
Revet revving?
I love that Ratchet's game stuff is actual tradition for his city. Great little touch there.
ME: BWAHAHA! Good one. :D:D Sports cities in America have their traditions. Watch the Packers. Someone is always sitting there half naked and painted to the gills in minus 20 degree weather and a hockey team here throws octopuses on the ice during half time, a practice I don't approve of because I LOVE octopuses. The insanity is a city wide practice and there will be more by others, not just Ratchet. Also there will be traditions from other towns. :D
HUGGIES! :D
That Hobbit Girl chapter 358 . Feb 7
Hi chapter 358 is actually chapter 538 both chapters are titled Steiner.
hopefully its a quick fix might just keep reading anyway want to know how the battle ends! loving the story so far almost caught up yay
ME: I will fix this. When you find boo boos, you are my heroes. :D HUGS!
kattenbelletje chapter 587 . Feb 7
Shouldn't Ariel still be a mech in the flashback? He didn't become a she until they were working at the docks with Orion as a foreman.
Poor ref :D
ME: ON IT! LOL! I almost got all the pronouns right but that one. :D The ref … I wouldn't be one for all the shanix on Cybertron. :D:D HUGS!
Guest chapter 587 . Feb 6
I am just waiting for the old mechs to tuck Sunny or Sides under their arm for an aft slapping. Rowdy infants, sassing their grand genitors. For shame.
ME: Aren't they shameless? I love the family stuff. I think its a great contrast with the drama. Fun is missing from a lot of fandoms. Try writing funny in Highlander and listen to the crickets chirp. LOL! They're better about it in Sentinel and Star Trek but its a rare thing, humor. :D:D:D
HUGS!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 586 . Feb 5
Lmao! I love Ratchet!
The kids checking Optimus was affordable…
ME: I love Ratchet. He's me if I had a lot of guts and no shame. LOL! The kids are going to show up more as things go along. All of the children in the family and their friends, more of that along with the titanic kids, too. :D HUGS!
leoness chapter 586 . Feb 5
lol! prowl and the darn tambourine!
ME: If anyone cornered Prowl, he would say it was the most fun he has sparring with Ratchet. His own buttoned down past frags with him. The tambourine will be back. ;) HUGS!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 585 . Feb 4
I love Ratchet with his sporting outfits and his noisemakers. Poor Prowl needs to sit by himself if he doesn't want Ratchet to playfully bother him. Lol
ME: Prowl would be a very cold and unhappy mech without Ratchet to tweak his aft. He would but deep down he loves this. The two of them are the best part of the game in some ways because they're both shameless, Ratchet more openly. He could just tip Ratchet over the side … oh wait … ;0) HUGS!
Lackwit chapter 585 . Feb 4
Lol at Cybertronian basketball.
So when will the human Scouts come to Mars? And T-ball!
Ah, I am sure P&P's bond is legal enough, given many during the Diaspora likely couldn't have the ceremony either. Like a church wedding vs just registering. But as a custom, I am sure Prowl's genitive would love it. Especially if it should happen around the time the missing grandparents arrive? 😉
ME: BOTH ARE ON THE LIST! Thanks for reminding me. The scouts will be fun and maybe the mentor kids can step up and show them around as hosts. THAT'S THE TICKET! :D HUGS!
Guest chapter 584 . Feb 3
You know, I just realized that Prowl and Optimus never had a Praxian bonding ceremony like Bluestreak and the twins. Wonder how Prowls family feels about that ;););)
ME: You have a very valid point. Zenith and Shadow wouldn't be in favor of the civil thing. I have that on the list. :D
HUGS!
fancyspinner chapter 584 . Feb 3
Hey, dealing with medical issues, so I feel behind.
It actually got down into the 40s. It was really cool. I feel bad for everybody seriously freezing though.
The story still gives me the happiest. I love basketball. Be safe, take care.
ME: GET WELL, MISSY! Truly, get well. Love you madly. Its been cold and in some places your 4o's are killer. We had -15 for a short while but not the long time it usually lasts thank goodness. I'm glad this makes you happy, Fancy. Take care out there, darling. HUGS!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 584 . Feb 3
Oh, I'm loving this game! Doesn't matter that the Kowboys are losing... I love this story!
ME: I'm so glad. I'm sort of the same way. Whoever wins, wins. I never write a game knowing the winner. The story dictates the outcome. Right now, because Prime is a fan his team is the clear favorites. Who knows next game? :D I'm delighted you love the story. I write it for you all and love that you're here. HUGS!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 583 . Feb 2
Yay! Another basketball game. I love this version of basketball. I'm torn as to who I want to win, though. My favorite characters are the Twins but I love Optimus playing basketball. Either team deserves the win. Maybe there will be a tie…
ME: I hear you. :D:D:D I think their versions of our games are more fun because they don't care. They dog pile, fight, ram and hoo-haw around. This is the game I would like to watch every weekend. LOL! HUGS!