The Diego Diaries: Cat and Mouse (dd6 632)
=0=Ops Center
Ratchet sat down at the table across from Prowl. "Well, that was interesting."
"I thought so. I also don't believe that kid has the stuff to do his sentence without further intervention," Prowl said as he glanced up.
"You're probably right. I'm going to grab a bite. Everyone is supposed to be at the airport at 2200 or 2000?" Ratchet asked.
"2000. I want you there at 1940 hours when Optimus gives the thumbs up or down on the proposals," Prowl said.
"Then come with," Ratchet said as he stood. "I'm going to have dinner at the Diner."
Prowl rose, turned over the command center to Whiskey, the officer of the deck this shift because Paragon was taking a short break with Arrow for clan reasons. Arrow's.
They walked out and down the sidewalk heading for the Diner. It was getting toward evening and the traffic was heavy. The colony had passed 59,000,000 individuals and everything was denser and more sped up. There was more a bit more crime and disturbances as well as more activity in business and building. There was a possibility of two gangs merging, some high castes causing disturbances in their buildings with their attitudes but all in all, the place was a miracle of cooperation, unity and peacefulness.
Entering the Diner which now was present sometimes in two places in every major hub city designation, they found their booth and sat down. Ordering, they sat back. "So tell me … what is your analysis of the situation with the kid?"
"Have you seen his Instagram? Look under 'rich kids of Instagram' and behold the magnificence. I'm not sure which is greater … laying on a bed covered with money while you're telling about how poor you are because its only that much, bragging about flying to a trivial event on your dad's private jet or mocking people about your 'weekly allowance' that looks like ten thousand dollars in your hands. We have some of them here, major actors on that platform and this one … there's something deeply basic lacking from him and I don't think he's up to it.
"Most of the kids, even the entitled ones are fine, some nicer than others. But most of them are pretty happy to be here and are doing well. This one hasn't and probably won't. I see him in juvenile hall before this is over, sooner rather than later."
"Do we have accommodations for humans?" Prowl asked.
"I asked Levi to look into it. He's going to make it possible in case this happens. He was interested in the court himself," Ratchet said of the director of intake and correctional placements at the social services-juvenile facility next door to the processor health center down town.
"Good. I don't want to have something blow up and not have a way to deal with it," Prowl said.
"How close did you come to juvie?" Ratchet asked. "I know I was on the radar of youth services but they could never really pin anything on me."
Prowl smirked faintly. "They never caught me either but it was mostly about curfew violations. I didn't break the laws other than to stay out late. Mostly." He considered things a moment. "I did sometimes take things that didn't belong to me and pawn them."
"What?" Ratchet asked with surprise.
Prowl grinned with a certain amount of smug satisfaction. "I'd be dragged to functions from time to time … to the houses of the biggest slaggers around. I hated it and had to be good. When I'd get a chance and no one was looking, I'd take something, something small that they wouldn't miss and pawn it. I'd take the shanix and give it to groups that were doing things about the poverty and the treatment of habitat for animals. I figured that they wouldn't miss it and others needed it more. I really liked to stick it to them."
Ratchet stared at him, then sat back with a nod. "I used to make up fake soldiers and have their pay sent to post boxes that I faked including their ration cards. I took that and bought food and medicine. I used to fake medical appropriations and give that stuff to the hedge doctors or have clinics myself."
Prowl grinned. "I know."
"You did?" Ratchet asked.
Prowl nodded. "No one ever caught you. The few times they came close I sent them on goose chases."
They stared at each other silently, then grinned. "Thanks," Ratchet said.
"Don't mention it," Prowl said, then leaned closer. "Truly. Don't mention it to my genitors. Or anyone else."
"Mum's the word," Ratchet said as their food came and they ate it together.
Small world, theirs.
=0=1830 Hours here and there
Clark Walters sat at the table eating dinner with his wife, two daughters and son. He was going to stay for the next ten days or until they were sent back to Earth2.
Tinsley and Gina watched everyone silently. They'd spent the early evening swimming in the lake and thus had missed the drama. No one else had. Plenty were the kids who made a point of telling them when they got back that Barrett had gotten into deep trouble, been 'arrested and tried'.
They'd hurried home in time to see his father arguing with their brother and their mom in tears. Things had been settled apparently and now they were having dinner as silently as any time they could remember. There was no laughter, chat about this and that thing to do or place to go. It was just silent.
And awful.
=0=Earth2
Owen Harris and his group had their last dinner with the 100 'lions of industry' before they were going to return to Earth. It was an odd affair with some levity but mostly heavy nerves in anticipation of Prime's decisions. They were also going to be the first humans to come back to Earth after the latest murder. They would be pummeled with media.
Gathering in the concourse by the door with their baggage already packed and loaded on the bus outside, the visiting group were going to be going to the municipal airport to board a ship to fly off into space. It was still a startlingly amazing thing, all Buck Rogerish to most and some were even sad to leave.
There were enough Earth-like amenities here, especially with the planned and announced expansions of domed arable land to enlarge the farm at Earth 1 and add habitation for greenery and recreation at the Resort to make things more very doable. All of this and more was rumored to be on the books so it was getting easier live here than it was in the beginning.
"Is everyone here?" Owen asked.
Perri Beliveau nodded. "They are."
"Can I have your attention please?" Owen asked. The buzz died as everyone turned to him. "Thank you. I wish to express the greatest of appreciation that you could come and take part in our first business venture conference held here at Earth2. It won't be the last and you are always welcome to return.
"I didn't expect it to be such an adventure. The events of the past couple of days were not expected. I hope that this doesn't sour your feelings and moods about Mars and the possibilities available to those with bold visions. I would also like to say that it took four major conferences with the locals to get Earth2 green lighted and it was built in less than a week under the management of Jetta of Iacon.
"We are going to the airport where Prime will give his decisions. Don't be discouraged if he says no this time. Go back, work through the comments and see what you can do. I am willing to assist you through the submission process again. Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoyed your visit half as much as we enjoyed hosting you."
Everyone clapped and then began to move outside to the bus. In moments they were aboard, the habitat released them and they were on their way to Autobot City Municipal and Interplanetary Airport.
=0=At the airport
The senior Autobots gathered around Prime and Prowl chatting together about this and that as nearby on a caisson, the casket of Silvio Lombardi lay with a flag of Cybertron covering it. There were priests nearby to do the blessings for him before he was boarded onto the ship. In the distance, a bus was coming their way to disembark all of the visitors to Earth2's conference.
It was show time.
The bus arrived, then came to a halt next to the jetways that led inside. The people on board began to walk out when the doors opened and gathered inside as they waited for Owen to lead the way. Down the concourse they spotted the Autobots and nearby with small mechs wearing green or red robes lay the casket of the dead mercenary, Lombardi. The two groups stood together at their end of the concourse staring at both as Owen made his way forward.
They were inside the protected area for immigrants with special needs, the place all humans entered upon arrival. No one was at the desk nearby because the next ships from Earth weren't due for three more hours. It was at this point that Owen led the way with the crowd to the bots.
Ratchet stepped out with Sam and Carly who were there along with Warren Roberts, Magnus and Venture. They met somewhere in the middle where Ratchet knelt. "Hello, everyone. I see that you're heading back. Everyone is here for Prime's decisions. I want you to know that there are some points that are not negotiable and it applies now even as it did before. Also, if you're turned down now, you'll get a written report from Warren's office in two days about why. Go through your proposal and if you want to try again, make sure it meets what we desire from you. Let's start, shall we?"
Ratchet stood, then glanced at the others standing nearby around Prime. Prime walked toward them, then paused to kneel. "Gentlemen? I am glad that you came here to see the colony and Mars. I hope in spite of things that have happened that you found what you came for. This is a very unique place and the esteem that we hold for Earth and humanity is very high and important to us.
"I have gone over your proposals which were vetted by my general staff, sciences and experts in every area that would be affected. I have approved some of them and not others. Some I am handing back to you with our input so that you might redesign or change your requests to be more in line with our philosophies."
He glanced at Owen. "I am going to green light the space station between Earth and Mars. That will be a major project but we are very good at building them."
A number of men in the group expressed delight, slapping each other on the back as they felt their deep happiness and relief.
"I have asked Jetta, our Colonial engineer to write a set of documents that would detail who is responsible for what. Each habitat here is ruled by charters that are hammered out syllable by syllable and this will be no exception. Ambassador Ratchet will be handling the negotiations and understand … we hold to the letter of them. You are asking to live in unforgiving environments so we will not be giving an inch on what we agree to support.
"I am declining the proposals that required excavation here on world. We hold the environment highly here and our footprint on world is minuscule considering our population is pushing toward 60,000,000 individuals. We do not need to dig beyond the small quarries where we mine energon. When we have excavated to the limit of the area, we rebuild it back to standards. All minerals that are required will be brought from space.
"I am allowing the presence of some of the retail outlets that were put forward for the benefit of the human population here. We will build a small mall for them and other businesses on world for the humans to be collected there that will be in close alignment and proximity with the Resort and two of the local human habitats. Those of you who wished to make statement placements of your company's businesses on Earth will be allowed to do so. Your food and apparel businesses, small and promotional though they may be will be an asset to the humans who live here and whose comforts are important to us.
"I am allowing a small consortium bank here for the convenience of the human community. All of the humans who are employed by Autobot Nation and the Primal Foundation are money managed through our own bank, Primal 1. We are not averse to humans using others and will allow it here. I do hope you understand that we are a cash free society and that the money managed by us for our employees including their retirement and savings accounts are safe, protected and not available for freelance investing by our bank.
"I am declining another habitat for now. We have The Resort, Sciences, N.E.S.T. Garrison, Earth 1 and 2 as well as Unidad. We have several ideas for other habitats on the table and have room for yours if you read and understand the information we will send you from Warren's office. I am not averse to humans living here. I am to plans that do not reflect the caveats and conditions that have already been established by us as minimal and non-negotiable."
It was silent as the different groups in the party took in their victories and loses. Then Harris stepped closer. "Thank you, Lord Optimus. If any of these individuals resubmit their plans utilizing your suggestions … can they expect a reception for them?"
Prime nodded. "Yes, Mr. Harris. They can."
"Very well, then," Owen said. "Expect answers and suggestions to your proposals, gentlemen, shortly. I thank you for your presence here and the door is always open to you to come back."
It was a mixed bag of men that stepped toward the jetway that led to the vessel that would take them to Earth. As they did, the priests turned to the casket, put their servos upon it and began a prayer for the dead and the hope that his spirit would find its way to whatever Matrix the humans believed lay ahead for them.
The Autobots stood with the human soldiers and a number of the diplomats from the Consulate as the priests prayed. Then they stepped back as the casket was rolled on the caisson toward the cargo jetway of the vessel. In it went, then was lifted into the ship. They withdrew and the doors all closed.
It was a solemn group that watched the ship rev up and begin to taxi toward the lift off point nearby when it would go straight upward toward space. It would take 45 minutes to reach Diego, then about three hours to drop everyone off at the airports that they had left a mere few days before.
When the humans stepped back onto Earth's soil again, it would feel like they were gone for months. When the ship landed at Ramstein to deliver Silvio Lombardi, the real circus would begin.
=0=TBC 4-7-19
ESL
juvie: (Rhymes with groovy) short for juvenile hall, or the prison, jail or detention center for kids in America
caisson: (kay-sahn) a wagon upon which munitions were pulled by horses back in the day. Now they are platforms for military style funerals which carry coffins to the cemetary.
Wilzanzo chapter 630 . Apr 6
love the series I read every chapter one through six keep up the good work.
ME: WELCOME ABOARD! It takes a while to get through all of it. :D I know. I'm editing it. :D:D HUGS!
Guest chapter 630 . Apr 6
What a great use of cast court! Hi, like you, think that most people will do better if given a chance and good learning along with support encouragement and A good set down win necessary.
ME: I agree. Sometimes people just need to see themselves clearly. I am a sucker for redemption and believe if you dig deep enough MOST people are basically good. HUGS!
leoness chapter 629 . Apr 5
there's a lot of things i wish humans had…
ME: I hear ya. I reread the article about the 400 year old battery and its true. The one they're testing has passed 200,000 recharges. The average phone battery is lucky to make 2,000. HUZZAH! HUGS!
Guest chapter 629 . Apr 5
I love your typos: planets and bushes grew around the lake... I'd like to see that!
ME: OH CRAP! LOL! I remember once doing a typo that said Breaddown instead of Breakdown. :D HUGS!
Silverhornd chapter 627 . Apr 2
Someone needs to caught big time to bad that spirit can't help. Question, When will Sam and Carly get married, will it done on Mars because of what Sam use to be. Second, question what does Bumblebee and the others think about the movie about him and him beaning portrayed by a Volkswagen bug.
ME: The spirit is going to weave in and out but this is not something they can get into. We have free will. Carly and Sam are going to get married soon enough and so will Jessie and James, eventually. They're military so its going to be more complicated than Carly and Sam. I'm also going to have that movie come to Mars and the commentary will be good. Bee might be offended by the old fashioned bug. My sister-in-law had a yellow one just like that and I loved it. The old bugs were a ton of fun. HUGS!
optimus prime101 chapter 627 . Apr 2
The commentary on earth would begin immediately what does that mean?
ME: The media will begin to hash it over. Endlessly. HUGS!