The Diego Diaries: Things (dd8 63)
=0=At a prison nearby if fifty miles was near
The new prison was being 'shaken down', that is, the warden was having drills and other systems reviews before the first inmates arrived in about two joors. Gee-Gee stood in the center of a large hub, the space in the middle of the prison that was manned by guard towers that would surveil the entire area. It was a huge prison with space for any further groups to be brought from any encounters between battle groups.
It was a huge wheel with roads running from this, the heart of the complex where the hospital, psychiatric facility, special detentions, administrative segregation and control center was located. It was a four story complex above ground, the building that housed all of this and there were seven stories below the surface level to assist with the operation. It was massively protected, this area. Down the broad roadways that led into the detention part of the facility, roads spanned off to service all of the cell blocks which seemed to stretch into infinity from this angle of view. Among them were industries where trades were taught and schools where educations were achieved.
The security net, individual systems that held the blocks secure, the fail safe mechanisms in place, guard towers and other parts of the security apparatus, much of it unseen made this more than the highest designation Cybertronians could construct which was the level 9 prisons of the war. It was many diameters more secure than a level nine facility like the one on Garrus. The type of inmates here mirrored that facility but were in numbers a much greater threat.
The trains that ran here were below ground in steel framed tunnels that held force fields at intervals to keep inmates from getting too far should they become freed, trapping them in insurpassable confinement. The station that they entered was below the Central Hub in the lowest level of the seven subterranean floors below ground level. A number of highly secured elevators, big and small both, were transport to wherever they were to go at that point.
In the sunshine above ground, Gee-Gee watched her check list work its way toward completion. Winnie was running the troops, most of them full time prison guards but also including specialized strike teams, emergency commando groups and part time soldier-part time prison police teams. This place was one secure motherfucker as Robert Epps mentioned the orn before when he and most of the N.E.S.T. soldiers came to visit. They'd seen the new area at the old prison, Autobot City Military and Civilian Prison that had been constructed to hold any humans arrested while on world.
:This is amazing, Warden: Will Lennox said as Gee-Gee walked them through the prison area where there was a domed outdoors area filled with vegetation and a patio for sitting in each of the four sectioned off areas. The building was small, given human sizes and made as perfectly safe as could be, yet was totally accessible for the bots.
They toured the interior noting that there were six different cells in each block and that they were open to view by all inside but for the restroom area. Cellies could talk together or it could be shut off. It was comfortable, filled with diversions like television and a library and could be served by mini and micro mini-con guards.
The corridor dividing each side of the block led to the outside which was designed for exercise and a change of scenery. It was almost like a terrarium for humans, or so Epps mentioned with a chuckle. :I wouldn't mind taking a vacation here. This is going to be a better confinement for the two humans you're holding:
Gee-Gee nodded. "It is. You might also ssk the Planning Commission to add an outdoor component to your HQ."
They stared at her mutely for a moment, then Sargent Corey McFadden blinked with surprise. :We can do that?:
Apparently they could.
=0=Several joors later in the Command Center of the now Autobot City Civilian and Special Section Prisoners
They gathered together to begin the first transfer of prisoners from this prison to the new one. There were teams outside, mixes of soldiers and guards who'd be marshaling everyone there. Some would go on the trains while others would go in the heavily armored prison transports that were used for such things.
Gee-Gee and Winnie were discussing things, then Gee-Gee called for attention. "Thank you for getting here. We're going to take one section at a time, transferring this bunch to the new prison by transport. These are low violence prisoners, level 2 and 3 prisoners and therefore, hopefully, we can get them there without too much trouble. Look sharp, look menacing and find your positions. Our tactical teams led by Winnie will bring them out, get them on board, then take them away.
"As each group goes, more will come and its going to be constant. Half of you will go with Winnie while half of you stay. When these level 2's and 3's are gone, then we move to the trains to get the 4's and everyone else there. The worst cases will be stasis transported. Ratchet's coming then to do distance stasis so we can do this without danger to anyone. Any questions?"
No one had any so the first group was rustled up. They walked out through a sea of guns with smirks, looks of hatred, depressed expressions and smoldering fury. They were taken into heavily armored transports, then they began to drive away. They'd be covered by mechs on floating armed platforms, their guns pointed at the vehicles which were not sentient. Overhead, non-sentient fighters were hovering to watch the vehicles and road ahead.
Down the road they went toward the prison north of the city. Following a dirt drive that had been temporarily carved out of the rocky rubble on the far eastern side of the prison, they rumbled away toward a crater fifty miles from The City. A dust trail signaled their passage as they rolled forward toward the new facility.
Springer and Drift watched the prisoners walk past, some of which they'd personally corralled during battles in space or culled from refugee lines. The love wasn't mutual as the prisoners gave them a piece of their processor. It was amusing for both sides as the transports filled, then rolled onward.
"This is an amusing pass time," Springer said as Drift nodded. "Its good to stay in contact with the old gang. Literally."
Both chuckled.
"How about taking the train to the prison with the next batch, the level 4's?" Drift asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Springer said as he waved to Gee-Gee and followed Winnie toward the Center and the lower levels where the trains were waiting for passengers.
It was a short elevator ride to the third floor where the train stations were. There were three of them and they were iron fists of security. A long sleek train waited by a platform that led from high security elevators. Prisoners would be marched to the big industrial elevators topside, travel down here and then walk onto the trains where they would sit magnetized and manacled to their seats.
Given that the level 4's were highly dangerous and therefore willing to go toe-to-ped with anyone at any moment, the double feature of magnetism and manacles was necessary. Among this group would be Stiletto and Blind Spot.
They reached the platform, then waited for the bad guys to come.
"How do you like the new prison, Gee-Gee?" Springer asked.
"I love it. We have more rehabilitation facilities, more room even for expansion and a better containment. This prison grew up piecemeal, only expanding with each group brought in. The new prison is a planned facility, something that meets our needs with the option of more and different possibilities as the need arises." She looked at both with real warmth. "I hear that congratulations are in order."
Springer grinned and so did Drift. "Thanks. We saw a really small one that was orphaned by accident. Sometimes things find you rather than the other way around."
"I knew you'd do a family eventually. I don't regret my kids. Two in University and one well on his way through Intermediate Day in Iacon. Its a blessing, families. Sometimes you have to make your own. Being kin related doesn't always make you a family. If there's one thing you learn here, its that families find each other. You can make a family out of anyone. This baby is going to be a wonderful thing for both of you. It might be hard and time consuming sometimes but there's nothing like it," Gee-Gee said. "Do you have images?"
"We have him," Drift said as he patted his hold.
Gee-Gee stared at him, then grinned. "You're as mad as Ironhide. Let me see him before the slaggers get here."
Drift pulled Tell out of his hold, handing him to Gee-Gee. He was wrapped in a thermal blanket and wore a little yellow onesie with a matching hat and mittens. All of it was brand new, just like him.
"Well, aren't you perfect?" Gee-Gee said as she held him up to look at. "Amber optics are nice and his are so tiny. I forget sometimes how small new ones are. What's his name?"
"Tell of Polyhex-Kaon of Cybertron," Springer said with a hint of pride.
Drift nodded as he stared at the baby with emotion.
"Tell. Great name. It means 'Pure' in Vosnian. Does it have other meanings? I can't remember. I don't speak all the different dialects," Gee-Gee said as she smiled at the baby who was smiling at her.
"We believe that the majority of his settlement was from Hot Springs which makes him local clan. Tell among them means 'Good Son'. I think it fits him," Springer said as Drift nodded. "He's been amazing so far."
"Then that's wonderful. Nothing like a nice baby especially when its your first one. Anymore in the future?"
"We always reckoned on getting them at the same time so they could grow up together. I have a brother somewhere and Springer has a brother and two sisters. We want any kids we have to grow up with siblings."
"We figured two mechs and a femme from the Well at the same time," Springer said with a nod.
"Well, you have a mech and femme to go. What's holding you up?" Gee-Gee said with a smile.
"Fear," Springer replied with a chuckle.
Nearby, an elevator was coming up so Gee-Gee handed Tell back, then turned to face the dangerous slaggers who were coming. She glanced at Drift as he slid the baby inside his hold. "Move off, Drift. You can't be in this with your son."
Drift stared at her a moment as the word 'son' resonated through him, then walked to the side nearby where he was safer.
Springer watched him, nodded, then turned to face the elevator which was opening.
A guard with a gun stepped out, then a line of about ten prisoners began to file out. They were hooked together with a tether and heavily manacled. They were also loudly belligerent, kicked out, jerked at the line toward Springer and Gee-Gee and fought their way to the trains where they were parked on benches and magnetized. Train car after train car was filled with dozens and dozens of dangerous mechs, then with Drift in tow, the two walked to the engine and climbed aboard.
The train was cleared, then rolled down the tunnel heading for the prison fifty miles away and the off loading of these prisoners. It would take three orns before the prison was half cleared. Only then would the most dangerous prisoners, those level 5 through 9, be transferred by train, vehicle and ship.
=0=Home
Prowl glanced into the home office where Optimus was working on things that had piled up during the vacation. Tomorrow was New Years and Veteran's Day combined, solemn and low key events both among the Cybertronians so he wanted to be caught up. "How is it going?"
"I am about halfway through. I hope to go to the Prison and see the transfer. Apparently its going along fine so far," Prime answered.
Prowl nodded. "They've cleared all level 2-4's. The 5's through 9's come next, then the mental cases. We'll only have the level 1's and any civilians here in town. I'm glad. Its dangerous to have so many deadenders this closer. We're keeping those alternative prisoners from alt Cybertron here and reworking their captivity. Perhaps give them more room and amenities. Maybe."
Prime nodded. "I agree."
Prowl nodded, then walked out to get Optimus a drink and snack. They had a couple of orns off before the whirl would begin again. They would make the most of it.
=0=Home
Ratchet glanced at the infants. "I have to go and shut down some deadenders. Keep your optics on the infants."
"The transport for the new prison?" Ironhide asked as he picked up legos scattered around.
"The one and only," Ratchet said as he watched kids run around his legs, then hippy hop off to the berthroom. "I'd rather stay here."
"I'd rather you did, too," Ironhide said.
"Well, if Halo were in school you'd be free," Ratchet said as he walked to the door and out.
He would miss the handful of legos that pelted the door behind him.
=0=TBC 01-11-2021