The Diego Diaries: (dd6 604)
=0=Hangar decks everywhere
Ratchet watched the prisoners come in, many of them hurt and needing attention. Some were burned slightly, some dented and others missing a part or two. They were sorted and those who were unaffected but fuming madly were carted off to the prison ships who were here gathering up the profane. He walked from mech to mech, triaged them with the other doctors, then passed them on with recommendations.
They were headed for jails on Mars, Cybertron and the local group. They would be housed under Gee-Gee's guidance with the hope that most of them would reform and be of use. Being at war for most of their lives, too many had known no other thing. Cybertron, if they had been separated there, was never a good place for nearly all of them. They were the hustling working classes and many were criminals straight up, some from families of crime.
Having another view of things, albeit behind bars might be just what they needed. No one was beyond redemption to him, Ratchet thought, though being practical he knew that was his idea and not that of reality most of the time. Partition was a very damaged youngster when Ratchet grappled with him but he was workable in the end. Maybe some of these hard cases, many of them snarling at him with their murderous optics could have the same chances.
He hoped so.
They came and came, some heading off to Gliese on stretchers while most walked back onto the prison ships. Those three huge vessels were going through bridges on a staggered schedule, one being in transit continuously to forward prisoners while the other two gathered them, got them triaged, then headed out themselves in a seemingly never ending cycle. Gee-Gee had it down to a fine science.
=0=Unidad Terra 1
Carly Brooks-Spencer was a great ambassador of her facility as she led a group of 25 industrialists, corporate heads, venture capital and banking tycoons around the facility. They had arrived earlier, the first of four groups that would be visiting the facility, one a day for the next four. They came in Earth2 transports and gathered in the grand concourse before her.
A few introductions were made, mostly Unidad people assisting her and Sam, then climbed into the little pick ups that would drive them around. They sat on benches in the back, holding on as the security detail drove them forward. They took a circuit of town, pausing here and there to ask questions, then they drove out into the facility to show the housing areas, recreation and dining along with the block of buildings that held labs, service, administration and other features of the unit including the plant that ran it.
They got to see a broad overview before they drove down G Street or what was now called Homestead Road by locals. It led past the many different businesses, amenities and service operations to the vast doors outside. The streets were busy because it was weekend and the schools were out. Kids ran in civilian clothes here and there as they played, headed toward different recreational facilities or goofed around. People walked out of grocery stores, businesses or the bank. It was like any city or town anywhere on Earth.
They reached the doors, then continued onward as Carly told the story of the place and what they were seeing. A small device pinned to their shirts carried her commentary to them as they slowed going past the Chapel. It was beautiful now, with huge trees and thriving greenery around it. The light overhead streamed in and it was a serene appearing place to be. Inside, there were several individuals sitting in the pews, all of them seemingly in contemplation.
Pastor Millie waved to them from the doorway, then continued inside to do whatever she did this time of day. They waved back and continued onward.
"I would like you to note that there's a two lane highway system throughout the dome that can take us wherever we want to go. There are several unpaved roads in the interior to preserve the character of the area and a lot of walking paths as well. There is about 170 miles of highway in all in this facility.
"To the right, you will see the forested area that's an experimental station for the study of trees and foliage in this environment. We're trying to figure out the best kinds of greenery for the type and kind of sunlight we have here including that of all the seasons which are skewed and blend together. Earth is about 93,000,000 miles from the sun while we, depending on where we are in orbit circle it at about 140,000,000 miles. Earth and Mars are 33.9 million miles apart as well.
"To the left, you will see the pasturage we're cultivating for our grazing animals. We have a dairy herd numbering about 85 and a population of other animals who require pastures. We host 14 horses and 3 mules, half a dozen llamas, about 23 sheep as of last night and about 11 goats. There are other animals coming, some from different continents so that we can study the effects of living here on them. None of the animals here are used for food purposes. That's part of our agreement with the Prime and it holds not only here but other habitats as well.
"Beyond that, we'll be getting into cultivation," she said as they drove past several miles of fenced in lush green grass. "This is the beginning of our alfalfa and hay project. We're self-sufficient in maintaining our animals and now grow food for Earth 1 and Earth2's animals. We also have a massive vegetable and fruit project with the ultimate goal of feeding every human on Mars with fresh produce.
"In the distance, you should be able to glimpse our poultry project. We free range every bird that lives here and the chicken population numbers 350 birds. They produce eggs, though not in abundance for assured supply but they have a decent life and they keep things in check with our insect population.
"We've discovered in some of the products for the farm that we have sent from Earth that flies and small gnats have laid their eggs in the dirt and packaging and they hatch here. We're studying that to see what affect, if any, it has on the facility. The birds here keep them in check rather well."
They motored onward, now passing endless rows of thriving plants all of which would end up in the kitchens and grocery stores of the three human habitats when ripe and ready to harvest.
=0=Out there
Ironhide sat in the engineer's seat next to Sandstorm as he flew their shuttle after four ships that had ducked out and missed oblivion from the blast of the fuel and munitions ships. They were faint erratic echoes on the sensors as both groups fled into a pulsing gas dispersal that was affecting easy detection. Radiation shimmered around them as they passed, a thing of beauty even as it made the chase more dangerous. Particles slammed into that energy exciting it and though it was radiant to watch, it hid a multitude of things.
They would find that out right away.
=0=Unidad
They drove to the lake, then pulled into the turn out. Parking there, they climbed out and gathered around Sam and Carly. She turned to the shimmering water nearby. "This is the largest lake here at Unidad and the biggest surface lake on Mars. This is called officially, Project 18-B. We locals call it Crater Lake because a child who lived in Oregon before coming here said it looked like one. She saw it when the excavation was being undertaken and it looked like a crater to her. Most of the places on Mars have been named by children since the beginning including the cities in the colony."
Carly walked down the dirt path that led to the heavily landscaped lakeside. The number and kinds of trees, bushes and other greenery was amazing and made them feel that they could be at any lake on Earth. Near the edge of the water were tables for picnicking, a dock that went into the water and nearby neatly stacked were several kayaks and paddles with life vests hanging on a rack.
She halted by a barbecue. "This is the place a lot of picnics happen and lots of people here use the boats. All of the children are given swimming lessons in their gym classes, especially those who attend bot schools and those kids are also taught to use the boats.
"We want to make a world here that's as close to what we have on Earth as possible. The idea is to work out what's viable and what isn't, yet still have great quality of life. This lake is part of the fish project. The system that feeds it also drains it with the water circulating throughout the creek and stream system."
They walked to the edge of the water to stare into the clear lake. The bottom was smooth and beginning to develop a faint soil surface as the system cycled. There were fish resting in the shade nearby thrown by tall bushes. The place was pristine like the rest of the facility.
One of the visitors turned to Sam and Carly. "This place is clean, cleaner than any I've ever seen. Is that part of the process here?"
"It is," Sam said. "This is a no mistake environment so we work at keeping things as pristine as possible. No one is allowed to litter or damage things. The bots have the same idea but they do that because for one, they lost their home and this one matters and two, they believe in it. Their home world wasn't equitable nor was it geared for everyone's purposes. This place is and they take care of it. Its a good thing. Consider the crap that's left to fester on Earth. Go to some of the places on Earth and see plastic garbage knee deep. We're trying to keep this place how we found it. The bots are serious about maintaining the integrity of Mars and you should remember that in all your plans and ideas. They won't compromise on that issue for any reason."
They chatted a while, then re-boarded the trucks. They were heading for the far side of the habitat and the rest of the great experiment. They would do so driving past fallow land and that planted with all manner of things. Bee hives would be seen in the distance as well as bird feeders and birds flying. It would be like any drive in the country anywhere on Earth.
=0=Out there
"WE FOUND MORE SHIPS! GET HERE!"
The sound of the message reverberated through the fleet as Ironhide put his situation on blast. It was a burst of energy, then it was silent again. Everyone glanced at each other in surprise, then furiously began to triangulate on the location. Lissie, Hercy and Steiner would find it first, then drop down out of sight to go for the gold.
Blackjack and the others were still pounding the battleship that those three had found and thereby were unable to attend at the moment. It would be short work before the battleship surrendered and became someone else's problem. It was a good thing, too.
Optimus Prime sat on his command chair as he listened to the comm traffic. Ironhide had found more ships and according to the screen before him three battle shuttles had dropped out of the fray to assist. "Prime to Ironhide. Report."
"PRIME! We found another battleship, a cruiser and a shuttle. They aren't glad we did. Lissie is coming to assist," Ironhide said.
"I'm sending support," Optimus said as he glanced at Prowl.
That bot nodded, then bent over a screen before sending in the cavalry. It would be a hot time in the old town tonight.
=0=TBC 3-3-19 4TIM4EVR&DJB&AMBLV4EVR 3-30-19
NOTE: During the winter, I used to plant a square box with grass seeds to have a 'lawn' sitting on my desk. It helped through Alaskan winters. I also noted that the potting soil had zillions of gnat eggs in it and they would hatch. I would sweep up their tiny carcasses every day. It was the only draw back to the project. I 'mowed' my 'lawn' every few days with scissors. :D Ah, the good old days ...