The Diego Diaries: Ho-Ho-VROOOM! (dd8 53)
=0=Outside The Fortress
There was a row of firetrucks decked out with antlers and big red noses on the front of them as everyone passed them to go inside. The Ops Center and the conference rooms around it were jammed with bots, food, drink and hilarity. Entering, Prime was applauded, handed a spiked punch and shown to where Holi stood with her computer on a console. A general of many a complex campaign, she was majordomo of the Santa Squad.
"Alright. Everyone is here. Thank you, Inferno and the Fire Department for providing our steeds today. Each of you will ride on a fire truck to your destinations. One of my squad will go with you and tell you where, when, what, how, why, maybe, probably and frag no."
HUGE laughter greeted that as she grinned at the mob surrounding her. She outlined the Santas, their turf and who they would see, the helpers who would go whether they knew it or not and most didn't, then the end game of a boozer here when it was over. After a moment of good natured grumbling and a pep talk to The Boss, Ultra Magnus, everyone walked out with their crew, caps and grins.
Climbing aboard the fire trucks to sit on top, Optimus, Ironhide, Ultra Magnus, Springer, Drift, Raptor and Blackjack who were new and all their elves, hangers on and others on horseback gathered up to go. They would with their lights and sirens blazing. Everyone would laugh and wave but Ultra Magnus.
=0=At Sparkling Day School, Public School #1
Optimus stepped off his 'sleigh', then walked with his entourage into the building to take his throne in the lobby. The place was crammed with families, the odd new Decepticon who heard about this and others who just wanted to feel happy and amused for a while. Nearby holding a 'high end' baby carrier, Knockout smirked with a very amused Breakdown by his side.
Nearby, a line of adults came into the room carrying children who were impaired or needed special help getting to where they were going. They gathered, then waited as the Public Works, Guild and Union guys organized the gift crates with Prime's administrative assistant, Moe. He glanced at Prime, then stepped forward. "Ho, ho, ho. Welcome."
Bedlam.
"Santa Prime is here to give all the little children a present so that you'll know how much the colony and empire love you," Moe said, then motioned someone to come forward.
A tall mech, young and a trainee teacher for special education walked forward to hold out a baby with a big smile and no arms. Genitors nearby were watching and snapping pictures.
"Hello," Prime said softly. "You are beautiful." A present was handed to him and he gestured the genitors to come forward to get it. A few images later, the baby was carried off and another came forward.
An endless line of children, all of them survivors of war and starvation were given a present, their genitors quizzed over their progress and in the end all of them would be whole one fine orn. Protoform kept its own schedule. They finally walked out and another group came.
"ATAR!"
Every father in the room glanced at the door where a line of peewees were approaching with their little servos gripping a long rope. One of them let go and skippity danced forward to throw himself at Prime. Behind him, several little mechs followed. Then everyone dropped the rope and mobbed him.
After a moment of organization, the line went through the process including Miracle who would hug him again. Waving them goodbye, they passed another line.
"YOU! MY SHE!"
Stampede!
=0=Ultra Magnus Claus
He sat on his highly decorated chair waiting for the crew to signal all was on. Jemmy who was his assistant grinned at the crowd, then called a name.
Two little mechs walked up holding servos. Nearby, a crowd of taller mechs watched them with emotion.
Magnus leaned slightly forward. "Welcome, Ploom and Cavie. I am … Santa Magnus and I would like to give you a gift with the blessings and gratitude of the nation."
The two little mechs bowed at the waist, then looked up at him with the same sweet grins on their faces.
Magnus who felt warmth rise from his peds to his finials gave them the gifts two union reps handed to him.
The two little mechs took them, then bowed again. One stepped closer. "Thank you, Commander. Did you know that Cavie and I clean your office at night?"
Magnus blinked with surprise. "No, I did not. I do have to say that I figured it was someone who was an expert at their job. I've never had such a clean office in my life. Thank you for that. I'm glad you told me so I could say so. I have wanted to do so for a while."
Both of them beamed at each other, then bowed low. Stepping back, they reached their chairs and sat, holding their gifts as they watched the others.
Another little pair of mechs hobbled up, then bowed.
Magnus handed them gifts, then they bowed again. They walked back and sat with delight on their sweet faces.
More came including a number of the Functionalist Council's former slaves. They were able to meet Magnus's optics for a moment or two but mostly were painfully respectful.
"How are the both of you doing now?" Magnus asked two of them gently.
"We are well, Lord Magnus," one of them said.
"I'm told that your group is shining a light on all of us with your courage and dignity. I for one am very proud of you. It wouldn't be as wonderful here without your presence."
The two looked up at him a moment, then glanced at each other. One stepped closer and lowered his voice. "Lord Magnus. If there is anything you wish, we will be glad to do it. We do very good work."
Magnus touched the mech's arm gently. "It was never in doubt to me that both of you are marvelous. We're a lucky colony to have you back. All you have to do is find out what you want to do and do it. If that means you relax and live your life without duties, then I will be happy forever."
They stared at him, then each other. The mech leaned in closer. "Thank you, sir. I hope you remember that we are prepared to serve you."
"And I hope you remember that I'm prepared to do the same for you," Magnus said equally quietly.
The two stared at him, then bowed. They stepped back several times before turning around to find their seats. Beside them was a therapist that Magnus knew and he sent him a message to let him know how the two were getting along.
Then more little souls came, some happy and sassy, some hurt, some suffering situational dementia, some in wheelchairs and others limping up on their own power. Magnus took his time with each, these among the most vulnerable members of their species. He would do so at every stop as he visited senior centers, hospital and hospice centers, club houses and private homes. He would love every single minute of it.
He would tell no one.
=0=Youngling Day School, Public School #2, Centurion, because he had kids and pulled rank
"Thank you!" Spirit said as he hugged the gift that his own father had given him. He smiled brilliantly at Optimus, then leaned in closer. "Did you know you look just like my atar?" he whispered. "My atar is the Prime. I'll tell him that he looks like you."
Prime who was as mesmerized as ever by his son grinned. "Tell him that. Tell him that Santa also loves you."
Spirit smiled, then hugged Optimus tightly before running back to the line.
Sunspot then walked up full of purpose and confidence with his dog. "HI, SANTA PRIME! I'M SO HAPPY TODAY!"
Optimus hugged Sunny off his peds, then patted Spot who was sitting beside Sunspot with his tail wagging madly. "I love that you are, Sunspot." He grinned as he handed Sunny his gift. "What a good orn it is."
"IT IS! WE HAD A PARTY!" Sunny said almost bursting with happiness. "THE TWINS CAME! MY BROTHERS CAME TO OUR PARTY!"
Optimus chuckled. "I am so glad."
Sunspot hugged him, then ran to his line to stand beside a quivering Spirit.
T-Bar ran up and hugged his father. He took the present Optimus gave him, then leaned in closely. "Spirit doesn't know who you really are," he said in a soft whisper.
"I know," Optimus replied equally softly. "It will be our secret."
T-Bar smiled then hugged his father. He ran to Prowl, Miler, Styre, Stealth and Venture for a hug before getting into line.
More kids came, some of theirs and mostly of others. By the time they finished this, their second school, it was time to go onto more Sparkling Days. It would take several joors before they were finished and would have to go to the pediatric wards of the hospitals, private schools and care centers of the colony.
=0=Intermediate Day School, Public School #3, Iacon
They came in and sat, Springer that is, and the kids were brought in by classes. The first one had Rambler, Saber and Lumi. They grinned at their brothers and shirt tale cousin as they waited in line.
Springer and Drift were listening to Majordomo Maxis who laid out their plan. Springer glanced at the horde of big kids nearby, then grinned. Among them standing by the door were 15 or so of their mentor kids in elf hats. They grinned at the two as the two grinned at them. "Well, aren't we cute," he said as the group laughed. The place was packed out. "Does anyone need coal or were we all good?"
"GOOD!" was the byword of the orn.
"Okay," Springer said with a smirk. "Come forward when we call you.
The big kids came and so did Rambler. Conversation was had with them even as it was had with all of them. Many were the kids who were going to join the mentor program because it was 'awesome' and 'dope'. They took their gifts, mostly electronics and science things, books and kits to make other things, then rejoined the line. The kids would come and come. Then they would pack up for the next Intermediate school with a mob of mentor kids to 'help'.
It was hilarious how many of them were Maxis in training.
=0=Ironhide
Youngling Day School, Public School #3 loomed up before them. Crater District Three had this huge tower and all of them walked from the curb where the truck was parked to the huge doors that led inside. Making his way through the masses with a jaunty hat on his helm, Ironhide walked to the throne, then parked his aft. After a moment of organization, he grinned at three lines that were waiting. "HO! HO! HO! I'M SANTA IRONHIDE, THE DELIVERER OF PRESENTS! HO-HO-HO!"
Huge laughter greeted that as he took a gift. A small shy femme came to the call. He handed it to her, then grinned. "You're the cutest little femme I've seen in a long time. What do you like to do, infant?"
She glanced at him shyly. "I like horses."
"OF COURSE YOU DO!" Ironhide said as he grinned at her. "They're much nicer boy friends than boys."
HUGE laughter and agreement greeted that.
"I own eleven of them. Do you take lessons?" Ironhide asked.
"Just school. My genitors don't want me to get hurt," she said glancing at several adults standing nearby taking pictures.
Ironhide glanced at them. "GENITORS! THIS IS SANTA IRONHIDE! I GIVE THIS LITTLE FEMME FREE AND UNFETTERED ACCESS TO MY LITTLE MARY, DAISY, TO RIDE AS MUCH AS SHE WANTS! Okay?" he asked.
The adults glanced at each other, then him. Nodding with amusement and some slight embarrassment at being singled out, they agreed.
The little femme stared at them, then Ironhide. She smiled an ENORMOUS smile, then flung herself at him. "Daisy?"
"Daisy. She's a nice little mare just right for a nice little femme. When you get better, you can try the others. Some of them are police horses for the Watch. They won't let their riders fall off."
"THANK YOU!" she said as she hugged him again. Dancing back to her line, she waved to her genitors who smirked and waved back.
Ironhide sat back in his chair with a grin. "I'M SANTA IRONHIDE! I HELP LITTLE FEMMES! Who's next, Tootsie?" he asked the little femme standing beside him with a datapad. "I'm feeling lucky right now."
Huge laughter would greet that.
=0=TBC 12-29-2020 01-08-2021