The Diego Diaries: Welcome (dd8 512)

(Sorry. Family stuff.)

=0=IntraCom

"I am Optimus Prime and I would like to welcome more than seven million of our brothers and sisters home. It is an extraordinary moment when we can take in such a large number of our Cybertronian family so well and safely. This is the largest migration in the history of The Reclamation. I applaud everyone who is here from their wanderings and those here who stepped up to help you.

"I am also cognizant of those who were harmed in the retrieval including a number who lost their lives when a small group of ships decided to flee. There are no words to tell you of the despair such brings to me. We are caring for those injured and I have declared a state of mourning for the dead to last three orns. All of our efforts are geared to safety and when circumstances fall short of that it is a personal blow to me and my general staff who are tasked to help you.

"The individuals who caused the trouble were arrested and will face consequences for their actions though that is cold comfort to those who lost loved ones or for the dead. The Temple and Monastery will be assisting those who need it and there is also assistance through Processor Health. I encourage you to find the comfort you need through this trying time.

"There were literally millions of individuals both civilian and military who helped with this effort including the great Beta Supreme who was gravely injured attending to refugees. I am informed that he is well and recuperating on Earth at Diego Garcia. I am deeply grateful for that outcome and for everyuone who made this miracle happen.

"We have reclaimed 7,322,412 individuals as per the information sent to me from the Bureau of Refugees and the Department of Immigration. As I have said its the biggest group rescue ever attempted and we welcome you here. All of our resources are available to you to assist your repatriation and restoration to health and happiness.

"I will tell you of a number of things you should know. We are a cashless society. There are no barriers to your ability to live well and freely. Your contributions to the colony are enough to open all doors to you. I would suggest that you read the statement regarding employment in the Community Bulletin Board folder entitled 'Employment: The Colonial System'. If there are more questions then a link will allow you to send them to the relevant individual who can assist you.

"We are also a free society where the System of Exception and other artificial social constructs are banned for good. Not only were they banned by me everywhere that Cybertronians exist, they were banned by the Pantheon who made this clear during a Primal Hearing with Special Circumstances concerning war criminals from the past. If there are any questions about this you can make appointments with me or go to the Temple and Monastery to ask the priests and teachers, some of whom were there to see this event.

"We are a people of laws and agreements. What we are not is Cybertron before The Fall. No one here has by virtue of who they are superior rights over anyone else. The least the Diaspora should have taught all of us is that persecution and death are democratic. War and pestilence is democratic. It comes for the high and low equally. No one should fear living here. The Watch Force is not repressive. You have recourse for your grievances and it will not cost you a single shanix.

"We are a free and democratic society with a political structure that is open to all for participation. We hope that you do. We hope that if you are sick, hungry, lonely, afraid, burdened or feeling despair that you come forward to assistance. Our people are good and kind. All of us were refugees and we all do understand how you feel. We hope that you rebuild your spark and your lives here in this place of safety and refuge.

"All children who are sub adult must attend school. It is the law and their birthright. If you wish to learn a trade, attend college or build up your skills there are opportunities of which you can find in the Community Bulletin Board. It is the best resource of this colony you can find anywhere though anyone can probably tell you what you want to know. Everyone was you once upon a time. Do not be afraid to learn what you need to fulfill your dreams any longer.

"Cybertron is reclaimed and we are rebuilding it from a state of nearly terminal devastation. The Decepticons have fallen back and for all intents and purposes the war is over. The Bureau of Refugees has names and information if you are wondering about lost friends and family.

"Consult it in the Community Bulletin Board file and do not despair. Refugees come here everyday through the numerous routes we have made available to them. Families are reunited constantly. Your time could very well come, too. Against all hope, my genitors were reunited with me out of the despair of ages. It can perhaps happen for you.

"We are here to protect you. The Armed Forces, Watch Security and our public services are there for you to keep you safe. We hope you settle in and make your way. Please accept assistance when needed and know we are grateful that you are here. Until all are one," Prime said, then the logo appeared of his office on the screen.

=0=Fortress a half joor later

They came in, gathering to trouble shoot and discuss the migration and a zillion other items. Every department head and representative was there in person due to the kinds and types of information that was going to be heard. Even those from Cybertron were here including Soundwave.

The groups came in, friends chatting to friends until everyone was there. Prime and Prowl came in behind Ratchet and the humans. Sitting in a corner was Coros who was here to listen.

Prime and Prowl sat themselves, agendas were distributed and it began.

"Welcome," Prowl said. "Please make welcome Coros of Polyhex, School Board member and member of the Delegate Assembly for District 321-A who is here to listen."

He was spectacularly feted, grinned with pleasure, then Prowl continued.

"We have a lot to discuss but lets go with the migration first," he said. "Paragon and Hard Drive were overseers. Perhaps you can fill us in, Hardie first, then Pari." He sat back to take notes and listen.

"We had a real situation when we arrived given the sheer size of the migration. It was so vast that it never seemed to end. Flyovers gave us the size and dimensions, then we created a grid to begin retrieval. We mass contacted them, sorting their responses with Auntie's help into the usual categories of need. That was when the magnitude of high castes in the group made themselves known.

"Apparently there were several colonies of high castes individuals who kept communications throughout the Diaspora. They informed us that another migration of their group is coming shortly, perhaps as many as 120,000. It was then that they began to display an unwillingness to obey the directions of the rescue but also the idea that the colony wasn't going to entertain their notions.

"Those who were tasked with the duties of boarding ships met with resistance, some violence and grim noncompliance. They were ordered to obey and even though many did, some didn't. Those individuals are now cooling their heels in the temporary prison. I do believe that they pose a problem for us going ahead because they're very hardcore in their outlook and aren't swayed by the information that the Pantheon agree with the ruling."

"Great," Ratchet sighed. "It could be a perfect storm, them aligning with the small portion of the population here that hasn't assimilated. They feel brave enough to even run for office now, something I'd welcome more if I didn't know better. What if this fuel is added to their fire?"

No one spoke a moment then General Micro of Praxus whose position in the hierarchy was training former Decepticons to the Autobot Way leaned forward to look down table toward Prime. "Just say the word and our caste is on it, Prime."

"I am glad to have that option, General," Prime said with spark felt emotion. "We will rise to meet any threat including this. I cannot rule out that the Pantheon will meet it first."

"Could be what we need, Prime," Ironhide said as most of the room nodded.

"It might be so, old friend," Optimus said.

:What about Decca? Will you speak to that or what?: Ratchet asked Prime.

He glanced at Ratchet, then the others present. "In one of the first few migrations we ever had we received Kudon of Iacon who was the leader of the Council of the Ancients on Cybertron who among other things was responsible for the Matrix between Primes," he said. He glanced at Neo who looked at him with curiosity. "His bond, Decca and his daughter came with this migration. I told them of Kudon and it was not pleasant."

"Decca? This isn't good, Optimus," Neo said. "I … I will go see him. He won't be happy with anything at all."

"I'll go with you," Springer said as he leaned forward to squeeze Neo's shoulder gently. "They're currently in prison awaiting a hearing over their conduct. They wouldn't oath up and they declined to cooperate."

Neo glanced at him with love, then nodded her pretty helm. "This will be problematic. There will be trouble."

Then we face it together," Chevron said with his lovely sweet voice. "I will go with you as well, my friend."

Neo looked at him with love, then nodded.

"It is highly likely that we'll have caste conflict with this group and the one coming. We have always been lucky but its probably about time to bite that bullet. I am confident in our people, our leadership and the willingness of the Pantheon to take measures if reason fails here," Hardie said.

Prime nodded. "As am I."

=0=At the prison holding area

They walked down a long corridor inside a secured area until they came to a conference area. The lawyer and Callo walked in to see not Decca or his daughter but the Legal Supervisor who held sway over visitations to the prison for prisoners. Lighter scheduled everyone, handled requests and conferencing as well as enlisted lawyers of record for prisoners.

He rose to greet them. "I'm Lighter and I'm here to help you with the business of representation for Decca and his party."

"Where's Decca?" Callo asked with surprise.

"I can't answer your questions. Are you family?" Lighter asked.

"No," Callo replied. "Friends."

"Then I'll have to ask you to go back to the waiting area. I can speak to Stettler because I have written permission from Decca," Lighter said. He stared at Callo, this former longshoreman who was a lawyer himself, though he liked this job better for its variety and utility to prisoners having been one himself during the strike actions on the docks before the revolution. He had the right combination of brawn, saavy, kindness and interest to be a real find for the department.

Stettler turned to Callo who looked offended and ready to argue. "You go and I'll get this done."

Callo left reluctantly, then the two sat down and did the business necessary. Stettler would have to wait to talk to Decca though he would be lawyer of record. Decca and his party were on Primal Holds and that meant no one could see them unless Prime agreed. It would take a day and a half before Prime could find the time to do so because of the migration.

Only then would Decca get to speak to Stettler.

=0=TBC 8-31-3033

ESL and such

A 'find': someone who fits all the bill, who is just what you want and then exceeds what you needed is a 'find'. When someone is rare in their ability to another's experience or willing to exceed expectations they often use this descriptor. :D I've never been a find, real or otherwise. LOL!