The Diego Diaries: Results (dd8 432)
=0=Out there
It was a standoff, two sides facing each other festooned with clouds of Seekers. This was the culmination of several orns of terse communications feeling out who the other was and their intentions. Both sides made it very clear that they could obliterate the other as it became apparent that they were going down the same road together.
They were both looking for Prime.
A message reached him as he stood by the view port watching the show outside. He walked to his command chair, then sat to hear it.
:We're here. Talk:
He considered the ship outside, one covered in guns surrounded by a cloud of Seekers. They had their own and a softly playing comm channel signaled to him their uneasiness to face down their own kind. "I think we're on the same page. You want to go to Prime. So do we. We can do this together and help each other. We also know there's a lot of refugees hiding along the route that we can bring along. The more we show Prime we're wanting a better life, the easier this will go for both of us."
There was silence a moment then the voice was back.
:We plan to go to the redoubt that Prime has made and bring with us our own people and those we've been helping to hide. We have a lot of refugees with us, civilian and military that we'll defend:
"Then we have the same problem. Who are you? Are you a Seeker? Do you lead the convoy with you?" he asked.
The voice came back as the channels over which it could be heard expanded to the full spectrum. :I am Raven, the son of Rainmaker, the Great Elder of Seekerkin and I lead this migration:
Almost immediately the screen locating everyone in this situation burst into activity as every Seeker on his side of the dividing line flashed forward heading toward the voice. They flew, then swooped around to fall in line with the others with Raven. As they did literally hundreds of lights appeared on the screen heading their way from the fringes. Every Seeker with them, the remaining 2,400 were on their way toward Raven. He sat back to watch as in seconds they flashed past, flying with speed.
They disappeared from view but not the screen. Barrel rolling, flying with flare and joy, the huge mass of Seekers overflew Raven to disappear, then return nearly as one. They slowed, then halted behind the big ship and its own complement of Seekers.
He considered that then sat back. Those on the bridge stared at him with concern. He stared back, then looked at the forward screen. "I'm happy to return your people. Now help us. Together we can do this. We've picked up every Seeker and refugee that we could scan for and sent patrols out to look for others before we vacated a sector.
"I know we all want the same goal. We want this fragging war over and a chance to live somewhere in peace. Prime took Cybertron. Game over in my book. What do you say? Ask any of the Seekers who joined you. I'm clear in my intentions. We can gather more as we go. Let's clear the pathway forward together."
It was silent a moment, then a forward hatch opened on the vessel across the way. A single Seeker stepped out, transformed, then flew directly toward him. It screamed in, then overflew him to disappear, then return the same way. When he reached the ship, the mech transformed, then landed on the hull with a slamming thud.
Raven walked along the hull to the forward hatch, watched it open, then slipped through. It closed behind him.
=0=At a door of a house in Iacon
She opened the door, grinned, then let them in. Big mechs came in with solemn faces. She had them sit, then began to serve the Cybertronian version of coffee along with cookies. She grinned at their grim expressions. "I think the big takeaway, my friends, is that we've seen the effects of targeted voting. Given that I have an open seat and the possibility of having to withdraw, it would appear that the high castes targeted my seat for a takeover."
Hugh-E sat back. "That makes sense. I hate it but it does."
"An effective strategy," No-A said with a sigh.
"Fraggers got together. They probably were going to do that with Sterno but you outfoxed them," Ironhide said as he glanced at the big mech sitting beside him.
Sterno nodded. "I hung on until the application period closed. I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to leave but I was hoping that an ally would appear. You seem to hold Ron in some esteem," he said glancing at Ironhide.
"Ron's alright. We can reason with him," Ironhide said. "I also don't think he's here to be a problem. He's got the eyes of the world and every human here on him. We don't agree on everything but we agree on most things."
Carmella sat back to relax. "Well, this is going to give me a breather until the next election. I intend to run for that seat again. I also intend to make targeted voting a part of my campaign. Two can play at that game."
"Its fragged that you're gone," Sunstreaker said darkly. "All of us were on the School Board nearly from the beginning. Carmella, you and Atar here were on the Genitor-School Committee that started the district. The rest of you came early and stayed. We're a team. We built this up together. It was always us. I hate it that you're not going to be there."
Carmella grinned at him, a mech who was a good close friend. "I hate it, too, but I'm coming back. You lot have to make a great record for me to do that. Also, you have to show that they want the System back and they're starting small. I heard that a bunch of them are going to run for some of the seats up for election in the Delegate Assembly. There's also the boards."
Sterno nodded. "I applied to run for the Fire Commission. They only meet once every three decaorns. I can do that much until the family gets better. I also intend to run again. We can work out our strategy when the time comes."
Everyone nodded.
"Then I'll see about some of the other boards and seats, Sterno," Carmella said. "What about you? Want to give them a hard half hour as the humans say?"
They would. All of them. They were a team.
=0=Out there
Raven walked onto the deck as the commander rose from his throne to greet him. Raven was the middle son, the quiet one. He was also huge, had a beautiful glossy black scheme with notable wounds left untouched. He wore his tats proudly and was also notable for his absence of Deceptibrand. He paused before the leader of this group. "I am Raven, son of Rainmaker, the Great Elder of Seekerkin. I hail from Vos, from the Mountain Clan and I bid you hello." He held out his big servo.
The commander he faced was also big, bore scars and gripped Raven's servo. "I am Rattler of Marble Hall, leader of this group and I desire accord with you. I'll be honest. Two things you need to know. I commanded a base in the farthest reaches of the Empire, one of five. We saw Prime come to rescue everyone with his titans who was stranded there in marginal settlements, all of which were getting closer to becoming our problem. I knew that what I'd heard was true, that the war was over and no one left was now my enemy.
"My group have been left alone so long we're like family. Then Galvatron came and killed some of us in his decimations. I'll never forgive myself that I didn't prevent it."
"You couldn't, Rattler," a mech standing nearby, obviously his second said. He glanced defiantly at Raven. "He couldn't. We were fragging taken by surprise and outgunned. Rattler is the best commander you could hopeful, especially in the 'Cons," he said almost defiantly as mechs around the room nodded in agreement.
It was silent, even sad for a moment, then Rattler stiffened. "Be that as it may, I'm responsible for them. I knew that we couldn't stay so we left taking our Seekers with us and finding more along the way. Its sort of a quest almost, to find those that need rescue. Its mine anyway which brings me to the second thing you need to know."
He seemed conflicted for a moment, then he glanced around. "I'll just say it. Heretech is my brother."
It was leaden for a moment, then Raven relaxed a bit. "Warlord is my brother. Sometimes you just have to grit your denta and bear it."
Rattler stared at him, then grinned. "I know your brother. You have my condolences, I assure you."
Both of them grinned, then Raven looked around. "Why don't you bring your migration forward, then we can work out a pathway onward that can also search out those in hiding. We can contact Prime together." He held out his servo.
Rattler gripped it tightly. "I agree."
It would take the better part of the orn to bring together the two migrations, set up search patterns for those in need along the way and message Prime that they were coming. When they did a lot of others would hear them and not all of them would be pleased.
=0=Elsewhere
The runabout waited on the landing platform on the top of the Autobot City Medical Center as the patients it would transport were made ready to go. Ratchet was at the door watching as the gurneys were wheeled toward him.
Earlier, he sent his elders along with Sideswipe to go to the Medical Center at Central Point. Sunstreaker and Ironhide had gone to visit with Carmella, seeking to comfort her with the loss of her seat in the election. He was going to transport the two elders, then settle them there for the path forward for recovery.
The gurneys came forward, then were carefully loaded aboard. Ratchet bounded up the ramp, then sat when it raised to close. Before it did they were on their way as two other runabouts waited their turn to land.
At the Medical Center …
They came in a cab, all of them taking a couple to beat the ordeal of the Metro for Corr and Ratchet. Stepping out, Docker took Ratchet's servo. "Come with me, everyone. I'll get us there. Sideswipe, will you help Corr, my baby?"
Sideswipe took Corr's servo. "Got this, Amma," he said as they walked forward to the huge doors.
The village around them was vibrant and filled with activity, some elders who lived here and some getting out for the first time from confinement for problems. There were no vehicles or modes allowed but small carts carried those who required it along the cobblestone streets past colorfully painted shops and restaurants. Given the impairment level of those who lived here the signage was big, carefully worded and visible. No one could get lost here without trying.
The Medical Center had the vibe of a homey club with lounges, Cybertronian plants in pots and kindly workers helping those who lived here and those visiting.
Docker led their way to the reception desk where a sweet faced mini-con mech greeted them. "My name is Docker of Uraya. My grandson, Doctor Ratchet of Iacon sent us because he's transporting two of our elders to become patients here. My bond," she said glancing at a suffering Ratchet, "is keen to be with his brother and bond. Its been a long separation."
The mini-con stared at them with sympathy. "I see," he said checking his computer. "I have orders from Doctor Ratchet that you go upward to the lounge on the sixth floor. Tessa can take you there and wait while they get here," he said glancing at a sweet mini-con femme who was standing next to him.
"Its my job," she said, this Intermediate Day intern who was contemplating a career in elder care. "I'll take you there now, right Mr. Bondi?"
"That's right, Tessa," he said sweetly. "If you follow her she will assist you until everyone is here."
"Thank you, Bondi," Docker said as Tessa walked around the counter.
She took Ravel's servo, then began to walk to an elevator. "Come on. I'll show you what a great place this is."
She would.
=0=On the way
They were halted to pick up Seekers hiding in deep cover after picking up several small migrations who were terrified of echoes following them.
Rattler and Raven stood on the bridge of Raven's ship watching the vessels coming in to take up their position. Literally hundreds of Seekers, some in dire condition were being gathered as well. The two had devised a way to collect data, share resources, fix ships that needed it and allay everyone's fears with their cooperation.
Raven glanced at Rattler, a mech he was learning to like and trust a great deal. "What changed your mind besides what you told me?"
Rattler stared out the window a moment, then glanced at Raven. "I loved my brother, Raven. I miss my brother."
=0=TBC 5-11-2022
ESL
terse: sparing of language, abrupt
