The Diego Diaries: Out There (dd8 494)

In case you wonder why Terra becomes Terradive and other stupid typos, its because my fill-in function is a wanker and my spell check doesn't detect the correct word in the wrong place. I'm supposed to do that and sometimes I'm sound asleep when I do this at night. LOL! Hugs!

=0=Nearing a pair of ships ... small fighters with lots of guns and tats on the sides

"That doesn't look good," Springer said as Drift nodded. "How about we blast them first, then sift the ashes for survivors?"

That idea passed with a unanimous vote.

:Springer:

"Here."

:How about we blast them? This looks fragged:

Springer grinned. "I will, Splice, if you don't tell Dad. He hates it when we break his soon-to-be new toys."

Laughter greeted that. :Call them out. You have a sexier voice than most of us, God of the Hunt:

Springer smirked. "I do, don't I."

Drift grinned. "No argument from me."

"Where's the barf bags on this bucket?" Sunstreaker asked to loud laughter.

Springer glanced at him. "Good to know you're jealous. Decepticon ships, identify yourselves. I'm not asking."

:Who are you, fragger?: a harsh voice asked.

"Your soon-to-be tour guide. Give up and I'll let you have your choice of accommodation between a cell and another cell," Springer said.

Harsh laughter rolled over their inter-ship communications speakers. "Nice try. I've already had that kind of vacation on Cybertron. I'm really just passing through:

"Well, sport, my dad won't allow it. He's partial to keeping varmints off his spread. So how about you just hitching your wagon with us and taking a short spree to the barn," Springer said as he showed off his cowboy jargon.

There was silent a moment, then the voice was back. :What the frag are you talking about?:

Drift glanced at a slightly frowning Springer. "I doubt he reads Louis L'Amour."

"No doubt," Springer agreed. "If you make us come over there we're coming in hot."

"Not a bad look for you, just so you know," Drift said softly.

Springer glanced at him, then grinned. "Thanks."

"GURGLE! GAH! GORGE!"

The two glanced back to see most of the shuttle making the puke motions in earnest to their sweet little dialog.

"Fraggers," Springer said.

Drift nodded. "What's the plan?"

"Slap the slag out of them," Springer said as he frowned at his grinning crew. He glanced at Drift. "OH! You mean the 'Cons. We blast their ship, then scrape them up. Man the guns, boys."

Everyone walked to a gun turret and sat down, focusing in through the sighting mechanisms on the two vessels.

"They're at their guns, Springer," Rem said as he scanned the ships. "The engine areas are free of 'Cons."

"Good. That's the target then," Springer said as he texted Splice about the plan. When he agreed, Springer looked at the others. "Fire!"

They did.

All four ships.

They both blew each other to bits.

=0=Prowl

"Well, that's … something," he said grimly.

Prime glanced up, then at Prowl. "What?"

"I do believe Splice and Springer targeted two Decepticon ships to take out their propulsion and the 'Cons had the same idea. The four ships blew each other up."

Prime glanced sharply at the screen where a flash of light echoed a couple of times, then died. "What is the report?"

Prowl listened. "No one is dead. Some are hurt. Most are floating in space like idiots."

Prime stood, then grinned at Prowl. "I am taking a walk."

"Don't you dare go anywhere with Springer," Prowl said as he watched Prime walk to the elevator to leave. He sat back disgustedly. "They never listen to me and I'm never wrong. If they'd just listen to me things would be smoother but no. No, no, no," he said, then went back to work.

"Prowl is pissed." Everyone glanced at Rick Harris. He grinned. "I love it when Prowl's pissed."

Everyone agreed.

=0=At the site of the debacle

Sunstreaker watched things spin in circles as he rode his gun turret straight at a passenger ship nearby. He hit the top, then continued as he struggled to release himself from the seat. He was stuck fast.

Splice watched his own revolutions as his ship, the part in the middle minus the front and back spun away from the fire that had poured into it, causing his current predicament. The back and front bulkheads were secured as was most of the hull of his fragment which allowed him to watch his unsecured crew tumble in the segment like clothing in a dryer.

It paid to wear your restraints.

Springer and Drift were thrown out and sped off in about the same direction from the force of the hull collapsing, spewing contents everywhere. They spun wildly as they were flung hard and fast into vacuum. That is, they were until they connected with a vessel of refugees who watched them approach with horror.

They both face planted on the giant windows of the vessel. The refugees inside stepped back startled with surprise as the two flew even farther past, rolling and tumbling with the force of the blast. The only thing different with the impact of the window was that they were thrown back toward the shuttle which was going through its death throes.

Lon and Bezel held each other tightly as they flew out of the shuttle. Sitting on a bench waiting to deploy, they grabbed each other as the ship exploded around them. They saw lights everywhere as they spun away, stopped only by Seekers coming to rescue them. It would be hard on an arm socket to be grabbed in mid spin by a wall of Seekers.

Prime stood in the shuttle he bridged to watching the chaos outside. Decepticons were floundering around even as Autobot soldiers, some of them getting their act together jumped on them with maddened vengeance. It was clear to him that the four ships were toast and the crews were nearly so, with most spinning through the dry cycle or floating around in various conditions. He glanced at the pilot and engineer.

"We've located all our guys, Lord Optimus," a mech said, one who was religious and respectful. "They're beat up and some could see a medic but no one is dead. The Decepticons can say the same thing."

Prime felt intense relief. "Let us go pick them up. Who else is here to assist?"

"Senior Commander Lissie of Iacon. Senior Commander Rover of Caminus," the engineer said. He glanced at Prime. "I didn't know any Caminoans were in the military."

Prime nodded. "Some of them serve on Cybertron. That one is here to learn more about this kind of rescue."

"Ah," the kid said as the ship was maneuvered through the slag toward the place where everyone was floundering. It would take a moment.

"There we go," Lissie said as she slid into place. "Go and get our boys. We can get the others when the prison ship arrives. None of them are going to die."

"On it, Amma," the big mechs said as they stepped to the hatch door, lit their jet packs and set out to gather up the soldiers both inside and outside their busted ass ships. It would take a while.

Footsteps coming from the bridge room of the shuttle drew Lissie's attention. She smiled. "You came swiftly, my babies. We need both of you to assist here."

"We will, Amma," Partition said. He stood beside Breakdown who was running the field medicine show as usual.

Breakdown grinned. "I saw what happened. It was hilarious."

Lissie smiled beautifully. "I know. Don't tell Springer."

They would.

=0=In the box of gerbils

"Look at that."

Everyone did.

Someone had finally caught up to Springer and was towing his shaken aft toward one of the shuttles who arrived to assist. Drift was following behind with another soldier redirecting him as he slid off the path in his stupor.

Sunstreaker was being towed by three Seekers in root mode, all of them laughing as he hung upside down in his sling. The gun turret had fused the release system and he'd have to be cut out of his cocoon. Those watching wouldn't know that the Seekers were having an especially good time with Sunny given their past encounters with the jet judo maniac.

The others were gathered up with those needing medical attention brought to Lissie's shuttle. Those who were not as problematic went to Prime's. It would take a moment to get that part settled allowing a big prison ship and their big nets to arrive to assist.

=0=Ratchet

He worked on a damaged engine on a ship that had been broken down. It wouldn't take much to make it run again, at least enough to cross the finish line. He was having a riotous off line conversation with most of Ironhide's elders and Lissie.

:We're cutting Sunny out now: Lissie said.

:Get film, Auntie: Ratchet said with a guffaw.

:Done deal, Ratch: Lissie replied. :Optimus is here. He looks like he's counting up the damage. Springer might get grounded. This is his second shuttle of the mission:

Ratchet laughed a long time at that news.

=0=The Hourly News: Mission to Rescue

"This is Aleph with the update on the rescue mission occupying the colony at the moment. It would appear that there are a number of very dangerous Decepticon vessels spread out through the migration which have not surrendered without a fight. Word at the moment is that Senior Commander Springer of Polyhex has lost his second shuttle to the fighting. His ship, Impactor's Revenge was lost early on and now the second one has been destroyed in a shooting exchange.

"There are reports of injuries, most of them light to moderate with no casualties. The Decepticons are being rounded up to be returned here by prison ship. Warden Gee-Gee of Stanix along with Chief Empire Engineer and Colonial Chief Engineer Jetta of Iacon have restored the temporary highly secured housing unit at the Maximum Security Prison fifty Cybertronian miles northeast of Aerie Hill. All will be brought there and those requiring medical treatment will receive it there at the prison hospital.

"Right now, the count of repatriated refugees stands are 344,529 with 1,224 individuals in jail or lock ups for their conduct while in the migration. All in all given the circumstances, things are coming along rather well. We will have field reports from the rescue after these important announcements from the Department of Immigration and the Bureau of Refugees."

The screen switched to the scrolling list of information.

In the migration, Optimus Prime was floating in vacuum gathering Decepticons for Gee-Gee and Sunstreaker was just being released from his turret.

=0=TBC 8-7-2022 8-8-2022

NOTES!

*fancyspinner chapter 487 . 10h ago

My cat Softy would get silly when exposed to catnip. she would run around and then calapse into sleep wherever she fell.

Okay, I have a question. How much will the oaths limit what they can get away with? If so, will it kill someone or some ones like it did that one mech? If not, what other punishments will it supply? I can't wait to see.

ME: HI, MISS FANCY! My cat was a half starved kitten when she got into it and she was INSANE for a good week. LOL! I found her on my porch. The luckiest day of my life. :D:D:D

The oaths are given and the Pantheon decides. The Matrix takes what It feels Its owed. I also think It teaches lessons to the masses about breaking promises. It could be that it deletes your processor, gives you a tweak in your voice box or kills you. I think you can't count out these guys to break the oaths. Masters of the Universe always think they can get a pass. HUGS!

*fancyspinner chapter 456 . 10h ago

Ah! Ironhide always makes me laugh when he's trying to golf! LOL

Am dealing with covid ... again, my poor sister got it in her office and brought it home. (sigh)

ME: Golfing brings out the inner mech. LOL! I love that Ratchet who had nothing is good at games and Ironhide who had everything isn't. I just really noticed that just now. LOL! I have covid long term and it comes and goes. I'm sorry that you got it. I hope its the flu-like one. That's the one most get. Sleep is a good remedy, my darling. Take care, both you and your sister. HUGS!

*kattenbelletje chapter 493 . 18h ago

The prison riot seemed like the biginning of the war in miniature. There were highcasts slagging lowcasts thinking they were safe from retribution. Until one lowcast stands up and slags them back. Than the highcasts have the gall to blame the lowcasts. Sigh.

ME: You're right. They don't often get reality handed to them like this. You can't push forever without getting push back. Some people learn slowly. HUGS, my darling. By the way, I'm watching a channel on youtube where a woman raises thoroughbred Friessan horses. OMG. What lovely animals and such a nice woman. I love Dutch names. The horses have awesome names. Your country looks like mine up here in the flat part of Alaska. Flat with horizons that go on forever. Take care, honey. I hope the drought isn't giving too much hell to your part of the world. HUGS!

*Guest chapter 488 . Aug 6

1st day of winter, eh? As a fellow Nordic dweller I get the feeling... We have a saying for the same, "our summer is short but low in snow".

ME: BWAHAHAHAAHA! I like your saying. Up here when the fireweed grows, the old timers say to watch it and how tall it grows, that's how deep the snow will be. We get less snow now in my part of Alaska but I remember one year when we got eleven feet. It was terrible. I salute you, fellow Nordic dweller. :D:D:D HUGS!

*Jackalkat chapter 492 . Aug 5

To quote Phineas and Ferb: " oh. So that's what comeuppance looks like."

ME: SNICKER! I do believe that's legit. :D:D:D HUGS, my dear Jackalkat. :D

*Misty Legionnaire chapter 490 . Aug 3

What is Jazz doing in the midst of the migration? Is Mirage and him helping by being Spec Ops in the middle of it?

One would think if you respect the big frames, they'd respect then they spoke. I guess they have to get the respect via the two by four instead of the kind word.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

Have a wonderful day.

ME: Jazz is looking for special ops operatives. He's got a list and he's checking it twice. :D More with him and Mirage. I want to add them into the migrations now because Jazz is just about the best character ever.

The big frames are guardians and the most selfless. Metroplex gave his energon to the bots to get them off world in the games. I love them so much. Some people die hard. People with this kind of world view are mental. That makes them incredibly fun to write. HUGS, my dear one and have a wonderful day, too. :D:D:D

*Jackalkat chapter 490 . Aug 3

I love songbirds probing questions. The lack of answer is telling. Why can't you be happy unless everyone else is miserable, is really what it boils down to.

ME: I agree. Songbird is confident and geared toward caring for all of them. Getting to know the bots at the ground level is a real education for her. They can't bullshit her but they also won't give an inch. Yet. HUGS! :D

*Misty Legionnaire chapter 488 . Aug 1

I love the sweetness of Songbird with that lovely image of destruction. I hope Springer has a much easier time of it with such powerful backup. He can't lose another servo.

ME: Writing the titans is so much fun. They're good and direct. Springer will have his usual time but I may moderate the carnage. LOL! HE may have to notch his gun with the number of shuttles he destroys. :D:D:D

I doubt Soundwave would actually allow himself to be so small right now/light right now considering his circumstances. I bet Ironhide would love to use him as an impromptu discus though. Hehe.

ME: I have such a vision of that. LOL! Thanks. :D

*Love the human/mech ribbing each other. Great energy there.

ME: I love humor between then as well. The mechs are as confident as its possible to be and can rib them so well. The soldiers are built for that as part of their profession. More to come. :D:D:D

Have a wonderful day.

ME: You too, my dear.

*Misty Legionnaire chapter 486 . Jul 28

I'm waiting for the first high caste to get scorched by the Matrix. That may be the only thing to break some of them out of their ruts.

I think Prime/Prowl should just null / surround with dreads any other problem ships (high caste/Decepticons) then sort them out at the prisons. Longer to do, but safer for the migration on whole.

Those who want the new paradigm will show it and act it.

Maybe tell the ship to give their oaths to Prime over the communication links and if they refuse, well null and collect. They've done that in some prior migrations were Prime demands over the comms then they had the dots to indicate who had/had not taken the oath. May make Prowl slightly less angry to use this approach. Prime wouldn't get the chance to be in anyones faceplates though, so there are compromises.

ME: All good ideas and Prime is about done with the bad guys. Using the nulls will be a feature for him ongoing. It coincides with the length of his patience. LOL! Prime reminds me of cops. If there's something going on, fifty will show up to watch. He needs to be more careful. I would dread being him if he gets really hurt. Prowl would be lit. LOL! HUGS!

*Jil Dunne chapter 486 . Jul 28

I don't know if know this there will be a new Transformers movie out in June of 2023 called the rise of beast, there will also be a Transformers movie released in July of 2024 this will be animated no name yet.

ME: JIL! That's good news. I didn't know. I hope so. I would like to see it rise again on the big screen. I'll be there with a note pad. LOL! HUGS, my friend.

*cball671 chapter 483 . Jul 24

I chuckled at the end of this chapter. Why? Cause Xee is going to have some fun. I love Xee. I do wonder if Primus or the Patheon are going to have to make another appearance to set the High Castes straight? Also I can't wait to see what comes from the tip about the murder of Tempo from the previous chapter. Also will we get to see more Supremes come from Soft Space to see Beta? Ok I'm done for now. Can't wait til Monday morning coffee to read the latest chapter.'

ME: More titans will come. They love Beta and the Supremes. All the big boys and girls are buds. Xantium is my favorite Supreme. Given that it was the Wrecker transport in canon, I made him as big and fiesty as the boys. The Tempo thing will break open soon. Its going to be a big deal given everything going on. ;0) HUGS!

*Misty Legionnaire chapter 480 . Jul 20

Boy, Gravity is gonna be one unhappy mech. Guess he couldn't keep his pillow talk to inane things.

ME: He reminds me of kids like Barron Hilton. He never got the memo but he will. :D

I hope Prime gets to stay off the leg long enough to get through the migration. I would think nulling the high castes would help, but that may be just me :)

Hope you have a wonderful day ahead.

ME: BWAHAHAHAAHA! It isn't just you, my dear. Prime is like a fire horse. He hears the alarms and he goes. HUGS!

*Jackalkat chapter 478 . Jul 17

Prowl in a snit is my favorite Prowl, lol.

ME: He rules doesn't he? LOL!

*Jil Dunne: Banner and Avalone are together. I think they made it back in the story where they found Avalone crashed. I will try and find the numbers, my dear. HUGS!

ESL:

Cowboy jargon (sayings and other babble):

spread: what cowboys call their land, their ranches.

Varmints: (var-mints) rats and other vermin.

To go to the barn is to go home. Hitching your wagon means going with someone.

Louis L'Amour: one of the most successful and prolific western novel writers of all time. The baby Tell is named after one of this most famous characters, Tell Sackett. My poor brother-in-law was told his last baby would be a boy so he was going to name him Tell after the character who is that memorable. The baby turned out to be a girl, he got so slag faced (he NEVER drinks, ever), came to our house and passed out on the couch. We had to check him every so often to make sure he wasn't dead. LOL! Such is the life. ;)