The Diego Diaries: Avalone and Other Stuff (dd8 288)

=0=In an office in Terra, Mars about three joors later

He walked in with a grin, then sat down in a comfortable chair in the crowded but beautiful and spacious office that belonged to his son. Working nearby, bent over a blueprint data pad Jetta of Iacon was studying something about metrotitans that he needed to figure out. He didn't notice anyone was there until he glanced toward the clock. "Atar. When did you come in?"

Amaldo grinned at his son. "I just did. What's happening that I can help with?"

"Everything," Jetta said as he hugged his father. "What have you and Ada been doing?"

"Ada is with the Professional femme group something or other. Did you know that Docker asked him to help run her legislative office? Your ada gets a nice office and a staff of two to help him. He's so excited."

Jetta hugged his father. "That's great! How great is that!?"

"Its marvelous. It means a lot to your ada to do something good now. As for me," Amaldo said with a growing grin. "I met an old friend who was a printer's assistant before the war and he asked me to be a writer for his public affairs news letter. I get to do whatever I want. You know I always wanted to do this sort of thing, right?" he asked almost emotionally. Somehow it was a desperate thing for his son to be proud of him.

Jetta hugged him tightly, then grinned. "It was your dream to tell stories somehow. You're the best storyteller I ever met. I wish I could tell you how proud I am right now. I love you, Atar. I wouldn't be the mech I am right now without you and Ada. You're my heroes. Just know that."

Jetta felt emotion come to him. "I never had the chance to tell you that before. Whatever I know about love I learned from you. You and Ada. I know that you're going to be the best writer here. Can I help you in any manner?"

Amaldo who was feeling the depth of his son's words grinned slightly. "I think if you know anything going on that needs telling I'd like to know. There are so many stories out there that never get told."

"Consider it done. By the way, we found a long lost titan who has a bond here. Remember Banner? The one who nearly fell when he was brought in? This is his bond. The story there must be amazing because they were apart since The Fall and he was hunted," Jetta said. "I'll help you get information and interviews. You can do the rest because I believe in you."

Amaldo stared at his son, a handsome brilliant decent mech, then hugged him tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Jetta. You and Mack are my greatest joys. You and the grandchildren have made a lot of bad things go away."

Jetta hugged his father tighter. "Then all will be well, okay? We're going to do this. Together."

"As we always have, son," Amaldo said as he held his son tightly.

They swayed together, talking softly, then both walked out to join Tagg and Kes for lunch at the University cafeteria. It would be as pleasant an interlude for Jetta as he'd felt in ages. His genitors were on their way.

=0=At an office at the Legislative Building across from the Autobot City Performing Arts Center, Mars

He sat at a desk in a very nice office with good views of the desert beyond. There were two aides that worked for him to help him do the business of constituent work and office management. Corsair's job was to help people with their problems, something he would find out that he was IMMINENTLY capable of doing and keeping the ball rolling for Docker. He'd had lunch with Docker and a number of other members of the professional group she'd made with Maxie for aides, assistants, secretaries, receptionists and others who made work fly for those who they assisted.

"I need a good person to do constituent work for me, Corsair, and to keep the office organized along with my calendar," Docker had said. She had him in mind because she loved him, found him a delight and an 'emergent' figure with deep empathy and compassion. Given the difficulty of his life on the run, Corsair along with his bond Amaldo had almost submerged themselves into silence. Now they were 'emerging' and becoming the lovely decent couple who had raised two of the finest mechs she'd ever met. "I was thinking only about you."

Corsair had been surprised, demurred until it became too interesting to say no and found himself in a beautiful office talking to those in Docker's district that needed help, company or assistance with just about any kind of problem that could arise. After a hesitant start, Corsair found himself delighting in helping others. He made calls, set up appointments, called experts, consulted with others and found his calling. He would also become Docker's right processor lobe.

Jetta had to come from somewhere.

=0=Camp Borderlands, Out there

Thundercracker walked into the command center and headed for his chair at the command table. The family had come out the orn before to overnight with him at this, the closest base for tracking slaggers from the far rim and the Bootes Chute. Right now traffic was slack so he sat and grinned at his crew.

Prime had made him commander and even though it meant being away from home on a regular basis he loved it. He was The Mech here and with his dog curled up on the table he began to review the data from the night before. It was the usual business of alien traders going on their usual routes and the odd anomaly. What it wasn't was a list of problems that might require guns. Any day without that was a good one for him.

He sat in his center, the king of his world and worked for the good of everyone.

Who knew?

=0=Saturn Shipyard

He recited all of the poems that Avalone liked the best. His favorites were love poems, verses that spoke of his devotion and love for Banner. They'd been together since their creation and it surprised no one that knew the two that they would find love for one another as well. They were cultured, elegant, quiet, scholarly and gentlemen. The separation had been nearly the end of the battered titan that was crawling with workers and vessels dedicated to restoring him to his former greatness.

Now all they had to do was restore his mind.

Banner sat back exhausted. "Avalone … are you alright?"

It was silent, then a voice softly whispered. "No."

Ratchet who was listening along with everyone else to the deep soft spoken voice of Banner whisper love poetry to his bond rose to walk to the console. He sat and began to type. "Avalone, this is Ratchet. I want to ask you some questions. Is that alright with you?"

A long silence greeted that, then a barely whispered affirmative could be heard.

"Are you sad?" Ratchet asked. "How sad do you feel?"

A sad wail rang out then died away. "I FEEL DEAD!"

"Avalone. I'm here. Banner is here. Let me be strong for you. Let me carry you. I will because I love you," he said with grief and emotion.

"BANNER!"

"I'm here, Avalone. I've looked for you forever," Banner said with rising emotions.

"Banner. I … the poems. I love them."

"I know. I remembered your favorites. Remember how I would tell you them and you'd flash your lights with delight? Remember that? Remember all the times we traveled together doing things for our people? I never left your side and you mine. We were meant to be, the two of us. You said we were two peas in a pod. Remember that?" Banner said with a trace of desperation. "Remember when we bonded. We said for life, for forever. There would be nothing come between us. Remember?"

It was painfully silent for a moment, then a vast soft sigh could be heard faintly. "I remember. You're really here. Banner, I found you."

"You did," Banner said as he leaned forward to place his servos on the console before him. He slid off the command seat to his knees, then rested his forehead against the console. "You did find me. I looked for you forever but you found me, Avalone. I want you to get well and we can stay together forever. Optimus Prime wants us with him here in this safe place."

"What is this place?" Avalone whispered.

"Its a haven for us. There's thousands of titans here and dreadnoughts. We came here to serve the people. You and I, Avalone, we can be here forever. No one will ever hurt you or separate us again. There's no war anymore. No more suffering. Optimus Prime ended the war. The Autobots won so you're safe. You never have to leave here again."

A soft sigh could be heard. "I missed you. I can't tell you how much. All this time I looked for you. They tried to hurt me."

"Who, Avi?" Banner asked with enormous pain in his voice.

"Pirates," Avalone said. "I killed them. I did it. I didn't want to. There was no other way. I crashed, Banner. I thought I would die out there all alone. I would never see you again. I … I missed you so much." He began to cry softly.

Banner clambered up to sit in the seat again, then jacked into several ports. "Let me comfort you, Avi. You're safe with me. Feel my presence," he said as he slowly settled into a state of silence and stillness, the condition they entered when they went deeply into the sentience of another one of their own kind. It was very personal and private, the thing he was doing but he didn't care. Only Avalone mattered.

The crying settled at last, then it was silent.

Ratchet walked to a console, noted the data, then glanced at Banner. "Banner, stay with him this way. We can get things sorted out and see to his condition. It will speed up our assessment and decisions about him."

Banner who sat off lined nodded slightly. "Understood," he said in a slightly metallic sounding voice.

Ratchet sagged slightly as he turned to the grave crowd who was sitting and standing around the room staring at him with anxiety and grief. "This is good. I expected worse. That he sees and understands that Banner is here is huge. Jarro and I can access his profile and processor core without him being afraid. Banner will help us. Once we see how he is then we can figure out treatment. I won't authorize pretender gear until he's determined to be sound and won't hurt himself in some manner."

"Thank you, Ratchet," Metroplex said with strain. "I fear to think what we would do without you here."

"Its an honor and privilege to be your doctor. I hope you understand the depth of my remarks for you and your frame," Ratchet said.

Hammer of Primus stepped closer then hugged Ratchet gently. "Thank you for our brothers. We love you, too."

Ratchet nodded then glanced at a pensive Prowl and Prime. "I think I'm going to be here a while but for now I think the main storm is over. I can call you if anything changes."

Prime and Prowl rose along with all the other mechs with them. Chat was had, then they walked out leaving all the titans behind.

Ratchet grinned at them. "Well, aren't you the best looking batch of mechs I've ever seen. Don't tell my old mech. He might take it wrong."

Welcomed snickers rounded the room. Nearly all of them would tell Ironhide.

Especially Tyke.

=0=That same night

He sat at his computer putting the final touches on the story that he would submit to the newsletter he now worked for. Amaldo was a great storyteller and this would be one of those.

Sitting nearby enjoying a cup of tea Corsair of Iacon basked in the joy of his first day as personal assistant to Delegate Docker who represented District 1 and 1-A, Autobot City. He'd helped three elders with paperwork, found a job for an enterprising young mech with dreams and organized the schedule of his boss, the redoubtable Docker of Uraya.

The story that Amaldo would present to his boss was the story of Corsair's orn. His editor would take it, delight in it, then put it on the front page.

Jetta would download fifteen copies and give them to friends and family. Mack would do the same.

Amaldo would delight in their approval and that of the readers who commented on it and Corsair would see his name in print. It would be a glorious moment for both at long last.

=0=TBC 10-28-2021

NOTES:

=0=Misty Legionnaire chapter 287 . 2h ago

Will this mean that Earth2 will be going cashless as well? So as to reduce the chance others will try to take over or start trouble?

My heart is breaking for Avalone and Banner.

Hugs to them and you.

ME: It very well could be. Prime is in total control and that means that Owen could be booted out or not. Prime's leaning toward keeping him in the new circumstances to see what he does. Trouble is on the horizon. None of them like losing but Prime is Prime. This is going to be fun. :D Avalone and Banner are so much fun to write. I know people like them.

HUGS BACK!

=0=Misty Legionnaire chapter 286 . 2h ago

God, you are so good at getting me to cry in sympathy.

ME: Sometimes I make myself cry. LOL! These two remind me of my parents and grandparents. I got lucky that way. :D:D:D

=0=SunriderandSunspot chapter 284 . Oct 27

wow, that's a great chapter, never thought that I would feel bad for the Daniels and Nast. I always hated them, maybe now they can heal.

ME: I don't think many people are totally hopeless. I think there's always a story behind everything and if you dig deep enough then you'll find it. Sometimes when people fall hard enough then the truth comes out. I hope they can, too. The story will tell me along the way. Hugs, Sunrider, sweet pea. :D:D:D

=0=Misty Legionnaire chapter 285 . Oct 26

Awesome chapters.

I'm very curious to Ratchet's answer as to the shake they experienced.

Thank goodness the shake was in space so it shouldn't put too much on Avalone's frame.

ME: Thank you, sweetness. I think of his shaking as muscle spasms for metallic beings. Being crashed for 300 years might give you a crick in the neck or two. LOL! Hugs darling!