The Diego Diaries: Polity (dd8 16)
=0=Getting there
The shuttle rose up and began to return to space.
Springer glanced at the pilot. :Edo, take us right into the hangar, then wait there. Let's give this slagger the whole show:
:I'll get clearance. Hang on a second: the mech said as he cleared the way with Tennyson's flight command. "We're going in." With a deft touch, Edo maneuvered the gigantic shuttle for the hangar deck that loomed immediately near the base of the massive ship, one so big that it blotted out any other thing around it.
The shuttle slipped in, flew along the lights that showed where it could settle, then came to a stop. Turning the vessel in mid air with a skill that was impressive, Edo settled the hangar on the deck. He shut down, then glanced at Springer. "Your whip has landed."
Springer snickered as he rose, then glanced down at a silent Polity. "Come on. Dad's waiting." He began to walk to the door as Polity arose to follow. He would do so in the company of the vessel's crew complement.
They stepped down onto a deck so vast that it was hard to see either end. It was also as wide, seemingly as the ship itself which looked endless.
Springer glanced at Polity. "A few details about this vessel … its 15.5 miles or nearly 25 kilometers in length and nearly 6 miles or 10 kilometers wide. It has an arsenal that's classified but trust me … you don't want to exchange a barrage with this ship. I don't think they ever run out of bullets and bombs. Its got an army of symbionts that will fight you without fear of death until you're obliterated and it can run for literally eons without a refuel from their solar and nuclear capacities. Prime has … how many does he have among the dreads?" Springer asked Drift as they entered a monster sized elevator together.
"Um … there's 15 and we have what? Eight?" Drift considered though even he wasn't totally sure. "Some are at Cybertron for the space defense and four are with Prime. I'd have to check to make sure."
The elevator went up, down, sideways and finally came to an end as Polity stood silently among the mechs. They on the other hand laughed, gossiped and speculated on the size of the bearings of Polity's armada. By the time the doors opened and they began to walk across the vast deck of command, Polity had gathered a lot of intentional and unintentional intel. Reaching Prime, passing through the command crew all of whom Polity knew either socially or by reputation, they halted.
"He's here. I think he's got a powerful ship envy going on," Springer said as he grinned at Polity. "I would."
"You would," Sandstorm said. "I would. Wouldn't you?"
Sideswipe and the others nodded. "I would. Nothing like having a bigger ship than someone else. Size matters apparently."
Prime who was laughing on the inside having listened to enough human B.S. to understand the sub context watched Polity's reflection on the forward view port. He turned slowly in the ornate command chair to face the mechs, his own face schooled to calmness.
Polity watched him knowing from command that sometimes you let someone else soften up your quarry. The mechs around him were mocking him, trying to make him off balance before Prime made his own move. He would, too, if their places were reversed. They stared at each other, Prime and him. He wasn't going to say another word no matter what they did to him until Prime spoke.
Prime understood that the only card Polity held right now was silence. He was aware of the game playing now, it was clear. Prime would speak first because in the end he held ALL of the cards. Nothing Polity could do would derail what was happening or would come. "You have a problem."
"Do I now," Polity said.
"Prowl, put the fleet incoming on the forward screen," Prime said as he turned forward to look himself.
Polity looked at the screen ahead that appeared at the right end of the data plot to be covered in blinking yellow lights. They were heading in a clear straight line for his base, lots and lots of former comrades who decided like him that freedom was the shit and being someone else's minion paid less than being your own boss. It was sobering to see how many that actually was.
Prowl turned on his crisp 'let me tell you how dead you are' persona on the big former 'Con and began to explain things. "We've gotten more data since arriving here and its even worse than original estimations. This is the configuration of the group thus far. This information is subject to change and we're not clear that this isn't some forward manifestation of his entire group.
"There are as of this moment 3 heavy weapons Class A+ battleships … what we called 'minor dreadnoughts' when they were being made just before the end of the war, 6 medium weight Class B battleships, 10 moderate Class B cruisers, 5 troop transports of unknown size and class as well as 5 moderate Class B fighter transports, both two and three manned fighter ships that can ultimately hold 30 fighters each.
"We detect 10 moderate Class B+ battle shuttles, 10 heavy duty Class A- battle shuttles and 22 support ships of unknown configuration and use. Its difficult to determine how many soldiers there are in this battle group or the number of Seekers that are part of it, too. What we do have is the largest, deadliest, most diverse and powerful invader thus far."
It was heavy and dense even among the Autobots after that recitation.
"Well, nothing like a big party if we have to have one," Polity said tensely. "What do you suppose you mean to do about this, Prime? I'm assuming that's what I'm here for. To make a decision about our mutually pending catastrophe."
Prime turned to him. "I am seeking an oath from you that you will do what I tell you when I tell you however I tell you. I am seeking your complete and utter surrender to my will. Or … I can leave and allow you to die in peace."
It was silent a moment, then Polity walked closer to screen showing the fleet incoming. "I don't know which is worse." He turned toward Prime. "You're asking a Matrix oath."
Prime nodded. "I am."
"If I give it, my death will be assured if I break it," Polity said. "I assure you if I give it I won't break it but I can't speak for my group."
"Then we give them the same chance," Prime said. "I do not expect you to like any of this. I suppose in your place I would feel the same. But the catastrophe heading this way is extreme. No one on your side will back your play if you choose to fight this alone and make no mistake, you will be left to do it alone. Given the speed by which they come, you do not have time to even leave. So make up your mind."
Polity was unusual among the enemy in that he was capable of making tough decisions and seeing the handwriting on the wall. He might give his oath and do what Prime expected but at no point would he ever be an ally. If he could at some point break free and screw Prime over, then he would. He did the math, plotted his ways out, then made his decision. "I can accept the reality and give my oath but I can't guarantee my mechs and femmes. They're extraordinarily faithful to me but this is what it is."
"Give us the codes and prepare to tell them to listen to me and watch the data. Tell them that if they attempt to flee we will disable their vessels. No one is going to leave here unless I say so and I do not say so.
"Blaster, get the codes and open a channel to everyone and their monitor net. I will open their transponder links. Prowl, plot everyone on world and in his group through the transponder signals I project, then show them the incoming fleet."
Prowl walked to a computer, then sat to work out locations to receive the video and to find everyone everywhere.
Blaster glanced at Polity who gave him the codes. He sat and began to open a link to everyone. When he did, he glanced at Prime with a nod.
"This is Optimus Prime. I am reaching you through your personal transponders that I as a Prime can affect. Your commander, Polity had been in discussion with me about an imminent threat. We are going to broadcast through your transponders and all media monitoring devices on world and off all the information we have about the dangerous situation that has beset both of us. Watch the screens carefully and listen to the narrative. Your very continuance depends upon your understanding of what is heading your way at this moment." He glanced at Prowl, then nodded.
=0=Down below and on ships here and there around the planetoid
Everyone froze when Prime spoke to them, then turned toward monitors or their own inner screens to watch and listen. An image of a sensor network popped up covered in lights. A voice, Prowl's, began to explain what they meant. It was somber as they listened, then the voice of Prime was back when Prowl was finished.
"There is only one way you live through the encounter coming your way. I am the Prime of Cybertron and the First Disciple of Primus, our Warrior God. I am authorized through the Matrix of Leadership, the Autobot Creation Matrix to make and take oaths that cannot be broken without balance being undertaken to correct that poor choice. I am asking you to make an oath to the Matrix that you will obey me without hesitation, obstruction or turmoil.
"If you break that oath you might hurt my feelings. If you break the oath to the Matrix you will be subject to whatever It requires to achieve balance. You do not make the oath to me but rather to Primus through the Matrix Itself. If Lord Primus feels that your betrayal is offensive enough to His honor, He will exact what punishment fits your actions.
"The last mech who mocked the Matrix and treated his oath with contempt burst into flames and burned to death from the inside out on the floor of a club in my colony on Mars. That is the choice you have now. Understand, all must make and keep it.
"No one will be allowed to leave here. My ships have your airfields on their targeting grids. You have one minute to light up your main transponder that you have taken and accept the oath and Its consequences if you break It. You will surrender your sovereignty to me. The clock starts now."
It would surprise everyone, even Polity how fast the lights appeared on the secondary monitor screen which showed every single one of Polity's soldiers by a red light. They began almost at once to turn blue. It took a moment but they all flashed blue at last.
Prime sat back, then the lines were open again. "This is Optimus Prime. You did the right thing. It would be easier in some ways to allow this fleet to obliterate you and then face them ourselves. We have the capacity to do so but I am the Prime of all our people. I could not allow this to commence without giving you a chance to take another path. You are now sworn to me through the sacred oath to Primus you just gave. I am now your commander and you will obey me without hesitation or deception.
"I want all of your ships to land, then spread them out. I do not want them wing tip to wing tip. Fly them away to arrange them more safely against complete destruction if they invade. Understand that everything and everyone of you are on our grids. All of your ground weaponry will be dispersed as well. You have five artillery installations against air attack. They will be fully armed and placed under the strict command of General Hard Drive of Praxus. You will obey his commands and no other.
"All of you who are not involved in the artillery defense are to retire to hardened bunkers for the time being. You will be allowed to come out when we have established a defensive line for this invasion and you are asked to join in services to that effort. Until we call for you, you are to retire and stay there. I will not hesitate to shoot anyone who works against this effort but I do not think that will be a problem. The Matrix has zero tolerance for liars and will drop you before you even are halfway through your betrayal. I would like everyone to ping this line to signal compliance, then immediately begin. Anyone who doesn't will be taken into custody. Prime out."
A moment passed, then Blaster glanced at Prime. "Everyone has pinged, Prime."
The participants, pirate and Autobot sat and stood around the enormous command deck as the ground below seemed to burst into flames of activity. Ships and ground weapons were being moved, munitions were being sent to the artillery sites and everyone was running to hardened bunkers. It was instructive how fast they moved.
Prime turned to Hard Drive. "General, take over direction of the installation. I want everything below under my command and control."
"As you will, Lord Optimus," Hardie said formally with a slight bow as he turned to comply.
Prime watched him, then turned a cold optic on a silent Polity. "You," he said softly.
=0=TBC 11-17-2020