The Diego Diaries: Clubbin' (dd8 364)

=0=Bowling, drinking, falling down, delusions of grandeur

"You missed some, right?" Prowl asked as he sprawled on a chair near the balls which were waiting to be laid down on the lanes ahead of him. They were playing three lanes and no one was really winning but Kestrel who had a supernatural way of aiming and mowing down the pins.

"I am afraid not, Prowl," Kes said as he walked back to sit.

Stealth was keeping score as he watched the game. "I think I'm going to observe, Kes, then play when I figure this out. This scoring isn't as hard as hitting all of those pins, I think."

Kes grinned. "I think it will be amusing to see how many can score anything," he said as he watched Ratchet stagger to the lane.

Ratchet had his ball in both servos as he looked down the lane. Turning to stare at the several versions of everyone in the squad, he smiled. "Which way do we throw this now?"

"Roll it, Loon," Prowl said. "You turn around and roll it toward the pins."

Ratchet heard what Prowl said, considered it in his impaired state, then did it. He turned around … in a full circle … then threw the ball at Prowl.

It would be remembered forever how even drunk on his ass, Prowl of Praxus caught the ball. He stared at it, then rose unsteadily. He weaved toward Ratchet, stood beside him with a frown, then looked down the lane. "I'll show you how to do this, Loon," he said, then he heaved the ball forward. It rolled across four lanes, then stuck in the gutter.

Both of them stared at the ball, then both of them staggered over to get it.

"I think we need to eat something. How about a restaurant nearby? Its a nice place with all manner of good food," Kes said as he chuckled.

It would take a while to get organized.

=0=On the prod, clopping along the highway, chasing mini-cons, yarning, the usual

It was cold and dark as they trotted along the highway pursuing a lead on one of the several gangs of mini-cons that had managed to elude arrest. Those at The Crystal Ball and a bar had been bagged, a good fifteen of the estimated 66 still rampaging out there. They were heading toward Pax where a group of carousing mechs had been spotted breaking windows in the alleys behind shops.

Making their way into the city, they broke into two teams to stealth up on the last known location. By the time they rode down the alleyway to meet in the middle, their prey was gone but a good dozen windows were broken.

"Frag," Springer said. "Springer to Central Emergency Call Center."

:Samstone here, boss:

"Sammy, what's the word? We got here and there's broken windows all over the place. No mechs in sight," Springer replied.

:Give me a moment, boss:

It was silent a moment, then Splice shifted in the saddle. "Someone needs to set Sam straight."

Springer glanced at him. "About what?"

"Who's the boss," Splice replied to general laughter and agreement of the mechs in the posse.

Springer frowned at Splice, then the others. "I happen to be the God of the Hunt here, slaggers. Don't ever forget it."

It was silent a moment, then Sandstorm glanced at Drift. "What does that make you if he's the God of the Hunt, Boss?"

Snickers greeted that as Springer frowned again, an altogether pretty sight for Drift. "Uh, I don't know. Lucky, I guess?"

Huge laughter and ridicule greeted that, then it was silent as Springer smirked at Drift.

:Boss?:

"Here, Sam," Springer replied.

:They're heading for Tyger Pax if reports are confirmed. We have squad cars heading that way. They might be going to the Mall, or so someone reported:

"Thanks, Sam," Springer said. "Cross country to Tyger Pax and the Mall."

They would ride like the wind on their metallic horses, a most beautiful sight to see in the dark and starry night of Mars.

=0=Drinks, news, food, yarning, jokes

"I don't think my peds work, Appa, or I'd get ya another beer," Ironhide said as he sat on his chair half hanging out as they alternated between the news, a replay of their basketball game, episode seven of the Book of Boba Fett and Netflix teasers.

"Don't worry about it," Raptor said as he swayed toward the beer settled on the floor in boxes. He grabbed several, then turned around to weave back. He would ricochet off the furniture and walls before dropping beer off to this and that individual, hopefully the ones who wanted one.

Watching them with a maudlin optic, Optimus Prime was feeling no pain. He also wasn't feeling his peds or the tips of his digits. His father who was watching his son fondly would ensure that he was adequately taken care of before going to his apartment in The Fortress when the Squad returned at some point.

That is, those that weren't in jail.

For now, Tagg enjoyed his son's relaxation and the bond of love and friendship that all of them had for each other. He glanced around the room taking stock of everyone.

Lucien was out cold in his chair with a beer bottle nestled on his lap. Tagg would remove it later before he spilled it everywhere.

Sun was already lying on the floor out cold as a wedge. He 'won' the beer pong game.

Jack and Blackjack were sitting on the couch half dozing as they commented on how handsome they looked in the game. It was a hilarious commentary between the two of them as Raptor sat nearby on a chair. He was going down for the count but was making a heroic effort to ensure that when he did it would be for the whole night.

Proteus was moderating his intake. He was going to be heading home with Rugur and Madura when they returned. He wasn't clear on how soused Madura was but the quiet mech ever growing bolder with each passing orn was determined not to be the only sober one among the Squad on their rampage.

Burris and Hobbes were sitting together sipping beer and eating junk food. It was highly comical to those present that two of the biggest jackasses in the history of Cybertron would be so tamed and content. That they had good kids, mostly, and were bonds of two very nice mechs like Anders and Edict was remarkable as well.

Bezel was a Watchmen and soldier. His brothers, Cargo and Keystock were still works in progress. The family dynamic was still solid though better when Lon and Bezel weren't around when Lon's brothers were. They were all trying for Anders and Burris who were working toward their own happiness together. Both of them were happy and contented in the new paradigm but for the kids. Their boys would have to get there when they decided that being afts was as tiresome to them as it was to Lon and their genitors.

Trooper chatted with Hard Drive, Venture and Vinn as they discussed the latest raft of music that would be published in the colony by Alor. That mech had a periodic flash of inspiration and had written about three albums of music that was scored and produced by his genitors. It would be received rapturously by all.

Steiner who wasn't here but hanging with the boyfriend and Lissie who was having dinner with the Empress of Stanix weren't missed by the group who was too drunk overall to notice. Flint was having dinner with STU-RT's family just found and the celebrations were real.

The twins were sitting on the floor side-by-side comparing memories of something or other that neither could really articulate but it was important for some reason. If anyone else were sober enough and cared, they would have solved the conundrum in seconds but mostly everyone was drunk on their afts.

"Hey."

Everyone craned their neck toward Raptor.

"Look on the screen."

Everyone did. They were gifted with the sight of Docker of Uraya being gently assisted into a police van by her grandson, Drift of Kaon for the ride to the slammer.

"Looks like Amma is going to be a hit in Magistrate's Court again," Ironhide said with a chuckle before he lay his helm back and fell into a drunken sleep that would last him into the morning

Everyone agreed. The beat would go on.

=0=At the Water Park in Tyger Pax

They came screaming off the water slide into the huge pool falling like meteors onto the water. The Squad did so individually or in small groups, howling their way through the maze of pipes that made this water feature a work and wonder of the world.

The Mall ran all night long on the weekends and there were many here having a good time. There was also a gang of hot headed mini-con mechs making their way through the food court toward the pool. About 20 or so of them ate their food along the way as they decided to take a dip before marauding a bit more in the bigger colony.

Prowl hit the water, came back up, then tread in place beside Ratchet. "Are you sobering up, too?"

Ratchet nodded, then grinned as Joon, Edict and Stealth slammed into the water, their laughter following them downward. "I do believe I am but I hope to rectify that shortly."

That was when the mini-cons arrived.

=0=At the hotel later in the orn

Tagg and Styre grinned at the children all of whom were asleep on beds in one room, that one utilized by Chan, Corr, Appa Ratch and Docker. They stepped back out to examine the remains of the party. All of them were sawing logs so the two began to bus the place up. It took a bit of time but when they were finished, they found a room with a berth or two, then crashed to await whoever came home or Magistrate's Court. Either way, they would be refreshed in the morning.

=0=Tyger Pax Mall

They sat on the side of the pool eating ice cream cones as out of the water spigot flew a number of mini-con mechs. They screamed all the way down, then crashed into the water.

"Well, I wonder if these are some of those mechs?" Ratchet asked.

The mini-cons were climbing out of the water with riotous jolliness.

"I'll go find out," Prowl said as he stood up rather unsteadily. He was less drunk than before but there was still three of everything and he felt woozy as hell. Walking toward the little group he called out. "You there!"

Ratchet watched him with a grin. "Oh-oh," he whispered to himself.

=0=TBC 2-10-2022

NOTEY NOTE NOTES!

Milo-8852 chapter 363 . 8h ago

great update.

ME: Thank you, Milo. HUGS back at ya. :D

SunriderandSunspot chapter 360 . Feb 7

Kind of sad, not to have a name, but really you do. Kind of confusing a little.

ME: It would. Funny how a spelling and mispronunciation would end up that way. For funny names, I know someone named Allison Wonderland up here. :D:D:D