The Diego Diaries: Out There (dd8 485)
=0=There, amazed
:Prowl:
"Prowl here, Springer:
:We're cutting you in:
A screen forward changed to an image in space of a shuttle sized ship listing nearby with a huge hole blown into it while two others were in the process of folding and spindling in the servos of Xantium Supreme. Debris was flying off the shuttles as Xantium clanged them together like cymbals. Floating around, mostly swimming madly to put distance between themselves and the enraged titan destroying their vessels, lots of crew could be seen.
"Well, that helps with the towing problem," Drift said quietly.
Snickers were had as Xee let one go to dismantle the other one in his servos. He then turned back to the other to grab it and do the same. Guns and debris flew, some of it exploding nearby pitting his armor but it didn't slow him a bit. His expression of rage was one for the ages.
Prowl who was watching with everyone else on Songbird frowned. "Well, that wasn't nice," he said mostly to himself.
Nearby in the human viewing box the soldiers stared at the sight of the titan destroying three ships while glancing at Prowl as well. No one on the bridge seemed surprised and most of the older mechs were amused rather than awe filled or afraid.
Like the soldiers.
Apparently, this wasn't an isolated event.
:What do you want to do with this, Prowl? Slagger slipped his chain and we just caught up: Springer said from the deck of Tag.
"Let him play but gather up the debris. I want anything salvageable and the slaggers," Prowl said.
:On it. Springer out:
Prowl vented a soft sigh of aggravation when the light on his data pad signaled a ship blinking, then dimming, code for an explosion. He hit the intercom. "Ratchet, a ship blew up in the migration. Are you back?"
There was a pause, then Ratchet was heard. :I'm going to leave when the skycranes release Beta. What happened?:
"A ship blew up in the migration. It must have been compromised when Solo and his ships plowed through them. Who do I send?" Prowl asked tensely as the view of Xantium was moved to allow the view of the shattered ship to share half the screen.
:Send Alpha Rescue 14-2B. Tell them I'm coming. On it, Prowl: Ratchet said.
"Alpha Rescue Team 14-2B. Acknowledge," Prowl said.
:Alpha 2 here, Prowl: a deep voice said.
"We had a ship blow up. Ratchet says you take it," Prowl replied.
:On it. Taper, out:
Prowl watched the screen with rising angst. After a moment a shuttle with medical markings slid into view. Mechs poured out to fly toward the listing ship that was burning in the intact sectors of its body. All around it ships were moving or being pushed away. It was an unholy mess. :Optimus, where are you?:
:I am in the white ship next to the fireball. I do not believe anyone got off, Prowl: he said with intense but controlled rage.
Prowl felt his own, then suppressed it. :What do you need? Medical Rescue is just arriving:
:Stand by. We have to get specialists here or the rest of the ship's fuel will blow and take all of us out: Prime replied with bitter impatience.
:Understood. On standby: Prowl replied. He sat at his station staring at the screen, a silent but controlled volcano of intense rage.
In the cage, the party watched knowing full well that whoever was on that ship probably died. No one said anything. They stared at the screen wishing for hope but knowing as soldiers there probably wasn't going to be any.
It was silent and tense on the bridge.
=0=Military Airfield, Mars
The sky cranes hovered over Beta waiting for the behemoth to be placed in just the right place. The transfer was going to be harrowing but the pilots and crews of the sky cranes had done it many times.
When they were finally in place, the cranes began to lower slightly as they moved toward the facility nearby. With each beam from a tow vessel, they replaced it with their own. One by one, the beams were transferred to the cranes who finally were the only ones holding Beta in place. Slowly, the tow vessels moved away to stay on station with their transport beams if needed.
Beta would probably not survive a fall to the ground in his condition.
Sitting inside on the flight deck Ratchet strapped into the pilot's seat. There was only marginal energy so he flipped on the monitor to listen and watch.
Crowds and cameras were everywhere recording the situation. The crane operators were in discussion, it was easy to see. That anyone was still on board Beta was unknown to those on the ground. It was oddly silent around the area but for the noise of automated systems and devices. Everyone was staring upward waiting hopefully for success.
It was then that half of the tractor beam lights went out against the armor of Beta Supreme.
=0=Out there
They flailed in vacuum as they endeavored to remove themselves from the reach and rage of the big mech tearing their ships apart like confetti. Solo was among them. As he rolled over onto his back to see better, he watched Xantium throw one of the ships in his servo at the third that was damaged with a big hole in its side but still intact.
Trailing bits and pieces of itself, the ship thrown hit the listing vessel and a spray of debris bloomed. Most of those on board were flailing in the darkness as their ship gave up the ghost.
By that time Springer and Hercy had arrived and all was over but for a dust broom and bin bag.
:Springer to you know who:
:WHAT, SLAGGER!?: was the genteel reply.
"Frag off, Xee," Springer said. "Get out of the way. We have to pick them up."
:YOU CAN HAVE THEM! BETA IS AVENGED!: Xee replied.
Tag, the cruiser who came for Springer and his now ship less crew halted as they waited for the Decepticons to be bagged and everything in its proper order.
It wouldn't take long. A surprising number of all three would be no more injured than someone falling off a bike.
A very big, big bike.
=0=Mars
The lights went out from the cranes over half of Beta's enormous body. With that, he swung from level horizontally to vertically where he would be held for repairs and convalescence. He hung from his shoulders where the beams were concentrated. They began to move toward the Medical Center Hangar with him hanging in his root mode, helm up, feet down. Sitting on his command chair strapped in, Ratchet watched the equipment for strains that might cause harm.
Slowly they flew heading for the giant doors that were parted to show the docking station where he would be held, its enormous gantries open to receive him. He would be standing but not under his own power. The structure would hold him. It was almost 659 feet tall and would enclose him for the multitude of replacements that would happen, the energy hook ups for his systems and the energon he needed immediately.
The crowd after gasping with surprise as he was let go by the sky cranes watched tensely as he slowly arrived at the hangar, then began to disappear inside. It would take a while to hook him in, then fix him with literally thousands of inputs before the ships let go and rose up to leave.
The roar of relief from those watching everywhere was loud and sustained.
=0=Hard Drive over from Flare
"Beta is in the hospital safely," he said as he walked to the command table to sit.
Prowl glanced up, then looked relieved. "I couldn't look. I don't want that memory," he said as he glanced at the screen which showed a repeat of the release moment. He winced, the glanced at Hardie. "Have a seat."
Hardie did, then spent a bit of time going over the situation with the rest of the Decepticon ships that needed removed.
=0=Ratchet
He was all over the situation checking with the doctors, signing in to be bonded with Beta for reference of his skills and data, then he ran for the door to head back to the migration. Beta was in good hands.
Ratchet on the other hand could use a shower.
=0=TBC 7-26-2022 8-12-2022
More to come tomorrow. HUGS!
Listing: in this case, a ship that isn't level but tilted to one side of the other. Damaged.
