The Diego Diaries: Rumblings (dd8 277)

Pandora: Of course, darling. Until all are one.

=0=Ops Center

They sat around the command table waiting for the translation of the message that was sent with another encoded inside of it. Until that happened nothing would be known about this situation. The translation skills of Teletraan were second to none in the known galaxy and she was working on the message that encased the message the aliens caught and sent to them. It was tense and silent in the room.

Then footsteps broke the stillness as Starscream and the Great Elder walked in with Silverclaw. They reached the table, pulled up seats, then sat.

"You called?" Starscream asked.

Prime nodded. "A message was received that was sent to us on the low band Seeker channels that they use to network in the galaxy beyond. Apparently they never reached us because someone is batting them away into the direction of the Lyran Constellation. Teletraan is attempting to decode the message traders sent to us, those that spotted it, then figured out to send it to us."

"Well, this is interesting. Someone doesn't want more Seekers here," Rainmaker said with a growing sense of offense. "I can only guess who that might be."

"It came on the Omega Beam," Paragon replied. "I think that helps define the search area."

Rainmaker nodded grimly. "Well, we shall see then."

The room was silent again as the big mechs waited tensely, then Teletraan's feminine voice was heard. "The information that you wish decrypted is completed."

"Teletraan, please play the message of the sender," Prime said.

"The message is a video. Do you wish to see it?" Teletraan asked.

"Yes," Optimus replied.

A screen came on board and a figure appeared. He was a felinoid of enormous gravity and beauty. He was taller than humans but no more than nominally as tall as a mid range mini-con. He was humanoid in shape but held bold felinoid attributes. Half of his figure was hairless as any human on Earth while the felinoid part of him was from the waist upward to the tips of his long ears. They were tufted by delicate hairs of white which matched his overall color. He was snowy white with a long beard under his chin, long silky hair on his torso and smooth short hairs covering his arms, shoulders and hands.

His face and eyes were startling in their beauty, giving him an air of gravitas and nobility that few species could present themselves as well. His features were feline but didn't protrude so much that they took away from his overall look as a male humanoid of great relatability. His face was in short silken hair of snow white casting around and downward in a mane-like manner. His eyes were direct, startlingly dazzlingly blue with round pupils rather than those most felines affected. Behind him as he sat on a command chair on a very high tech ship, a male figure like him but black with yellow eyes stood silently.

It was a remarkable sight to see.

"I've seen felinoids before but not this beautiful," Paragon said. The others nodded. "Please play the video, Auntie."

The video began.

"I am Tor and my people trade throughout the galaxy. We are part of a large collection of different species that have peacefully lived and traded together for eons. We are a united group and support each other in all things. We have taken a chance to send you a message that we intercepted by chance. It appears to be a type of distress message, though we may be wrong. I didn't want to take a chance that someone needed your help and you wouldn't receive their call. We have encrypted it and sent to you taking a risk that you will receive it in the spirit that it was sent. May you have good journeys and those in need by found. Farewell," he said, then the message ended.

It was silent a moment, then Paragon glanced at the terminal nearby. "What is the enclosed message, Auntie?"

"Playing now," she said, then a figure appeared on the screen.

It was a Seeker and he appeared worried sick to all watching. "This is Razor. I'm sending this message to you, Starscream and Elder. We are fleeing, one group among many. We are 2,000 strong with families and other dependents. We have found many warrior children and brought them with us. We're fleeing but its getting harder to keep the distance between us and the enemy. The Decepticons have groups hunting us.

"We need to leave here as soon as possible. We're heading into open space soon and we'll have no protection. We can't stay because we hear the echoes of their pursuit. I'm enclosing our projected route. Please, if you hear us come. We're in terrible jeopardy. Razor out."

It was ghastly, the feeling for a moment, then Prime glanced at Paragon. "Recall everyone on the General Staff. We need to get these individuals now."

A burst of activity commenced immediately as the all call went out to Prime's leadership mech and femmes.

=0=Finest kind of dining

Finishing off a glass of 'wine' with a brilliant meal and dessert, Ratchet sat back to relax when the message came to report. Both of them frowned at each other, then Prowl and Ratchet rose to go. They'd be in The Fortress in seconds courtesy of the bridge housed there.

=0=Gathering up

They came as called, some with babies in holds taking their naps and others after dropping them off with other elders or the big boys. The dreads and titan kids volunteered to watch the older younger kids, and with them held securely in their arms headed out to the pool at The Sports Center in Iacon. Uncle Tyke and soon-to-be Auntie 2-Lip went with them. It would be a hilarious afternoon at the Center.

=0=There

"What's the word?" Prowl asked. He walked to a chair, pulled it over and sat. Ratchet joined him as others filtered in.

"We have to rescue Seekers. Starscream sent a team to scout the coordinates they said they'd reach and we have to hurry. They're going to be past that shortly and into space without options. They're being pursued and it won't be pretty," Paragon said grimly.

"They're both at the Flight Center?" Prowl asked as he glanced around.

"Yes," Prime said. "We need a group to do battle. We do not know the size of their pursuit but its catching them. We need to leave in a few joors. How far out can we bridge? When are the Triggers going to be online?"

"The Triggers are what they are," Prowl said resignedly. "They're so intricate and the other two are still with the planet project. We can beam out anywhere we want with big ships. With shuttles … its going to take them inside titan or dread ships. We can't use the small bridge if the distance is too far. Where do we have to go?"

"About 149,000 light years. They're coming from the farthest edge of things apparently. I would suspect that they're taking the long way around to avoid patrols and armadas," Blackjack said as he studied to the data. "Our little bridge will send ships out about 100,000 light years in small groups. Whatever can fit the aperture. I would suggest the piggyback method."

Optimus nodded. "Get them here and get it organized. We cannot take Dangerous or Clipper. I believe our problem lies there with Ominous. See what we can do. We need to go in two joors."

Everyone rose and began to put things together.

=0=All Call

They paused at their jobs, pass times and other events of occupation to listen to the all call. Those who were coming were notified through their transponders and only three would decline due to family events and/or problems or personal things of their own. All across the colony and in some places on Cybertron, mechs and femmes left their jobs and families to head to their mustering places. On Mars, it was the Military Airfield. On Cybertron, it was the airfield at Nova Cronum. A number of ship boarding experts would be bridging into ships of the line that would be heading out from Mars.

It was busy and it was noticed.

They pulled over alongside the road to allow a few mechs to pass. They were blinking their lights and honking, the universal sign of a service member or emergency worker seeking to pass. All over the colony vehicles would pull over to allow them to speed onward toward wherever it was they were headed. The downtown of Autobot City would be the sight of many a transformation so Lennox and his cab filled with big wigs from the Pentagon, the European Union and NATO sped along after them. It was time for a few soldiers from Earth to see the soldiers of Mars muster.

=0=The Hourly News at 1520 Joors on the TMC

"This bulletin is just in. The Military Airfield in Autobot City is the site of a muster for a mission heading out in two joors time. The destination and mission are unknown as of yet but the call up has begun and the highways and roads are filled with mechs and femmes responding. It is advised that if a vehicle blinks their lights and honks behind you that you safely pull over and let them pass.

"The mission will be taking off in about two joors according to the Office of Strategic Communications. It is suggested that this will be a rescue mission of an unknown group crossing dangerous open space. Given that they may or not be pursued by Decepticon forces, the Prime will be going with the armada as well as key members of his senior staff. It is not clear what the situation is but that its fluid.

"We are sending reporters to the airfield and when we get back we will have more information on this matter," Aleph said as the Community Bulletin Board came into view.

=0=At the airfield

They reached the airfield, parked their vehicle, then walked to the viewing platform to watch the show swirling all around them. It was interesting that the Supremes would be going but few other big ships.

Will Lennox settled the visitors inside, then keyed into the show. "This is Lennox. Is Raptor available?"

:Hang on, Colonel: a femme's voice replied.

:Raptor here:

"Hey, Raptor. What's happening and what's the odds of tagging along?" Will asked as the visiting officers with him registered surprise at the request.

:Hang on, slagger. I'll ask Dad: an amused deeply masculine voice said.

It was tense a moment, then he was back.

:Good to go. We'll come by for whoever wants to come. Raptor out:

Will glanced at the men who were with him. "I'm going. No harm, no foul if you don't but the door is open."

They would discuss it together, then all would go when Raptor and a couple of kids carrying the travel boxes arrived. Until then they would watch and marvel at the show.

=0=TBC 2-27-2022

ESL:

felinoid: (fee-lih-noy-d) having features or attributes of felines or cats. This group of felinoids will have the features of Maine Coon cats who are among the largest and most noble of all domesticated cats. They're also but honey buns and very beautiful. The largest known one is 4.5 feet long from tip of nose to tail and weighs over 30 pounds. His name is Sean Coonery. :D:D:D