The Diego Diaries: Cloudy with a Chance of Commies (dd8 1)
=0=Courtroom after a commotion
Docker turned to the judge, then got that look on her face when she was ready to go to war. "As I was saying … there's no freedom if everyone is not free."
Lancaster who was aware of her reputation in the femme community of Mars and the truth to much of what she was saying considered what to do. "You're right. No one is free if everyone isn't. No lives matter unless every group that exists matters equally. All of that was part of our great downfall, dividing into groups and assigning worth to them based on their utility or how we think of how they live.
"I have a brother who bonded into a Stanix clan. His devotion to the Empress and the lifestyle was a learning experience for both of us. Some feel they live a very regimented life but when the chips are down no one goes hungry. All of them band together. That's what we need to do, value each other and live in solidarity. That's the great experiment here.
"What happened before can't be assuaged. What happens now is all we can do. For the group before me I give you a warning about doing this in future. For the slagger who jumped off, I give you ten orns house arrest and order you to attend counseling for your behavior. We are one now. That means we take care of all of us always. That means, Turo," he said as he peered at the little mini-con jumper who was trying to hide behind someone else. "You get yourself better. Case closed."
BEDLAM!
=0=The Pit Stop shortly later
They gathered in their chairs and booths as food and drink orders were taken. Docker who was carried out on the shoulders of a couple of tiny mechs from Village 1 sat on Springer's lap, hugging his arms around her tiny self. She was grinning like the incendiary queen that she was. She had flung herself at his waist after they got outside and rode on Rowdy behind him all the way to the restaurant. Appa Ratchet rode with Drift and howled with laughter all the way there.
Both would sign up for lessons with Corr and Chan later that afternoon.
"You two look cute," Ratchet said as he subbed his camera.
Docker laughed. "My poor little babies. I think I hurt their feelings."
"Nah," Springer said with a chuckle. "Not much. Some."
Docker squeezed his arms. "You're too handsome to pout."
Springer laughed. "Well, that's true."
HOO-HAW!
Lunch passed pleasantly, then everyone began to filter back to the world. As they did, Orion mused on something that was plaguing him.
Prowl glanced at him. "What's the matter?"
"I think I am supposed to remember something," Orion said. "I think … I think I forgot something important."
Ironhide who was listening sat back with a thoughtful expression. "Now that you mention it, I think I did as well."
They stared at each other a moment, then it clicked. "I remember now." -both of them
Outside on the sidewalk moments later …
"And that is the whole story," Orion said as Ratchet and Prowl listened.
Ironhide nodded in agreement.
"We have to give both of you the codes. If they have them then they can take them down." Prowl mused a moment, then turned to Orion. "Megatronus has his first festival as Prime coming in about a decaorn. He's invited you to come to the show and walk with him as a signal of reconciliation and an affirmation of our unity, his dimensional Cybertron and ours. We can make sure he gets the codes. I'd like to have him come here to discuss this so he understands fully what he's facing with phase six mechanisms."
Orion looked doubtful. Then he nodded. "As you wish."
Ratchet grinned slightly. "Princess Bride."
Everyone grinned at the reference of a movie highly rated on Mars among the bot community. Then they walked onward for Prowl to make the arrangements, if possible, and to do the million other things they always had on the table.
=0=On another Cybertron both near and far away
He walked in a gang of grim-faced mechs who were heavily armed to protect him. There were reports of a dangerous appearing mech in and around Iacon, though they were unable to get a bead on where he was. There were two new deaths, both of them strangers to each other and the city was on edge. Entering the bridge room of the Command Center for Strategic Planning at Kaon, he walked to the Ops Center and the conference room nearby. They gathered, both Megatronus, his guard and a number of special ops strategists to get the latest news and plan through their many technological advantages the capture of this mech. As he sat Black Shadow handed him a data pad with a message from Prowl.
Not his, but Prime's Prowl.
He read it, then glanced upward to the big mech. "Prime wants me to come to Mars. They have a way to neutralize this mech and they're going to tell me about not just him but his frame. Let's get this going, then we can go there. Send a message of acceptance and give me a joor or two here."
Black Shadow nodded, then with Blue Bacchus following walked into the Ops Center to organize a reply and acceptance.
Blue Bacchus watched him as he composed the message. "These phase sixers sound like fraggers. The worst."
Black Shadow nodded. "I hear you."
=0=Ops Center, Mars
Prowl received the reply, then noticed everyone who was relevant to be there in two joors. Then he went back to trial prep for the Wheelus Faction since the family of Larken had pleaded guilty to escape their probable shellacking by the Pantheon. All that was left were the odds and ends after Wheelus. It would be a good thing given that the specter of the Powers coming was daunting but hoped for by him. They were an amazing experience, these, the warrior gods of their species.
It would be a zippy two joors before Megatronus and his guards would walk into the conference room to sit and chat.
=0=At the Processor Hospital, Autobot City, Mars
"How are you doing, Waldeen?" Ratchet asked as he sat down in the sun room next to the big kid he visited nearly every day.
He glanced up, then grinned. "Better. The season changes here are so subtle." He was silent a moment. "When can I get out of here?"
"I don't know. Others have that decision to make. What do you think about it?" Ratchet asked as he made himself comfortable.
"I think about it though I don't know what I'd do. This is so different."
"What did you do when you were on Cybertron?" Ratchet asked though he knew.
"I was a systems analyst for a corporation. I tracked everything to make it more efficient," Waldeen said. "I liked it. It was mathematical and I like math."
"You and Prowl both," Ratchet said. "Would you do that if you were out?"
"I don't know," Waldeen said. "I'm not sure."
"Then tell me something wild and important. What would you do if you had all the control in the world and got to do anything you wanted in your wildest dreams?" Ratchet asked.
It was silent a moment, then Waldeen glanced at Ratchet. "I like animals."
Ratchet considered that. "Have you ever ridden a horse?"
Waldeen stared at him.
=0=A breem later
He stood beside the horse, Yancy and petted its sleek neck. He was a big strong calm horse, Springer's favorite and one that Ratchet owned. He himself was holding the reins to Diablo, a horse that was the exact opposite of his name. He watched the expression on Waldeen's face as he leaned close to the big horse. It was obvious that Yancy was listening as he did.
"How about climbing on top and going for a slow ride around the arena. Maybe if you like it we can ride on the trails they have behind the stables that go for miles around here."
Waldeen glanced at him, then Yancy. "How do you do that?" he asked.
Ratchet helped Waldeen get on the big animal, handed him the reins, then led both horses into the empty arena. It was between open riding and lessons so they had the place to themselves because medical cases held priority here. He climbed onto Diablo, then showed Waldeen how to 'drive'. Slowly, side-by-side, they moved forward to walk around the arena together.
They would ride in the arena for a joor, then help the hands return them to the stalls nearby. Waldeen would stand by the stall door and stroke their faces, smiling at them with pleasure. The walk back would include a meal, ice cream and questions about the world around them that Waldeen hadn't ever asked before.
They walked into the building, then went up to the floor where he lived. He halted by the window, then glanced at Ratchet. "That was fun. Thanks."
"Its my pleasure, your pleasure."
Waldeen grinned slightly. "They're nice. Calm and … they don't judge you."
"No. Animals and children are pure. They take you as you are. The rest has to be learned," Ratchet ventured. "That's one of the reasons I like both so much."
Waldeen nodded, then looked out the window. "Can we do that again?"
"Of course," Ratchet said with a bit of elation. "Would you like someone to give you riding lessons?"
Waldeen glanced at Ratchet. "I'd like that. Do you think they would let me help them with the horses? Maybe learn how to do what they do?"
"I think that would be a great idea," Ratchet said.
Waldeen grinned. "That would be," he said.
They chatted a while, then he walked off to his session with Rung. Ratchet would text Rung about their venture and he would join the case group that handled Waldeen at their next meeting in two orns. His plan would be altered and for the first time Waldeen would have a thing to look forward to, something he would grow to love and be expert at doing. He was on his way.
=0=Two joors later in the Conference Room, Ops Center, waiting for Megatronus
"And that's that," Ratchet said with a giant smile.
"That's good to hear," Prowl said.
"I never thought he had it in him to care about anything but himself. Maybe he has a chance," Springer said. "What about his genitors?"
"Traachon is making his way. Millow is harder to read. That family is a wreck. Maybe Waldeen getting on his peds will help. I think we have a confirmed cowboy in him," Ratchet said.
The door opened as Drift leaned in, then stepped inside. Holding it, he made way for Black Shadow, Blue Bacchus, Six Shot, Killmaster, Heretech, Overlord and Megatronus to enter.
Megatronus paused to look at the crew with Optimus, then smiled. "My friends," he said from the epicenter of the scariest mob of mechs the Autobots had ever seen assembled in one place.
It was brutally silent, then Orion, oblivious to the subtext stood. "Megatronus, welcome. All of you, welcome. Please. Sit."
They gathered at the huge table taking a seat while Killmaster stood beside a slightly ill at ease Springer by the door.
Ratchet glanced at Springer, then an intense Drift who was watching them. He snickered as everyone glanced at him. "No offense, but we're here to discuss phase six mechanisms. Everyone of your guards and colleagues, Megatronus, who has a counterpart here is a Warrior Elite. It's sending shivers down the spinal strut of every mech in the room to have you here together in one place."
Megatronus considered that, then glanced at his mechs, most of whom looked surprised. He grinned faintly. "Then we shall endeavor to behave ourselves. Correct?" he asked his mechs who grinned at him.
"Sure, boss," Overlord said with a chuckle.
None of the Autobots joined him.
=0=TBC 10-29-2020 11-7-2020
This was supposed to go out yesterday but I've had furnace trouble AGAIN (which is now repaired) and have had no heat for FOUR DAYS (though its warm now) It was about 22 degrees in the house at night and 36 during the say. (Celsius: 22F = -5C and 36F=2.2C) During the wait I had a small space heater that overheated, melted into a puddle and caught fire in my other bedroom of my house. I smothered it with my coat, cleaned it up and have a scorch mark on the floor. If you buy a space heater get a metal one with no plastic parts if you can. Its harder for this to happen.
Love ya, Me.