The Diego Diaries: Clash of Views (dd8 98)
=0=Optimus in the Conference Room with Aleph, Operational Center, The Fortress, Autobot City, Mars
Prime considered the question. "What we have here is a divergence of views and possibilities. For the duration of the time that Earth 1 and Earth2 have been here, we have on both sides of the divide been observing the practices and mores of both human business and our own. Its been a learning curve for both sides since I do believe that we represent different sides of the same coin.
"We have been a culture and economy for eons of time and have seen it all, practiced it all and have suffered the consequences most of the time. It is my design and desire that the humans here who come from a practice that has more similarities to our own just before the Fall have a chance to see another possibility. I have therefore asked that they change their economic structure to ours. We are a cash-free society. They operate on the profit motive. That is not who and what we are as a species any longer."
"They've stated that they're angry and hurt that this has been done without consultation and that it feels almost like an arbitrary attack on them, their culture and way of life," Aleph said.
Prime who knew the way this would roll out considered that. "I believe that is a rather extreme point of view to offer over a mall." He sat back to await the reaction that he knew would come and it did.
Aleph leaned slightly closer. "A mall?" he asked.
^The Family Tower
"HAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAA!"
^Among the Senior Autobots watching around the place
"HAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAA!"
^Here and there around the relevant places where invested individuals were watching including every habitat but Earth2
"HAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAA!"
=0=Aleph and the Prime
"A mall?"
Optimus schooled his face to look perplexed at the question. "Yes. They wish to expand the Mall of Terra and this appeared to be an opportune chance to expand their experience by changing the economic model of the Mall to our own." He stared at Aleph. "Do you think I would change the economic models of the Habitats without consultation?"
Aleph stared at Prime, thrown off by the answer. "Well, no, not myself but it would appear that there's a lot of consternation and anger on Earth and among some of the humans here over what they seemed to think was an overall economic turnover. Your intention was limited to the Mall of Terra then?"
Prime nodded. "It was. I am rather mystified how it turned out to be otherwise. We were, after all, talking about the expansion of the Mall. That is the point of my exercise, to have them experiment and experience what our economic model means to our people and how it affects the productivity, unity and solidarity of our society. A contented and well tended population, especially the work force is the key to a thriving economy. Our model has amply demonstrated that and our people feel valued and included because of it. My intention was to make a space for humans to see it in action themselves in a setting that was created for them by us for their entertainment and amusement."
"Then you didn't intend for it to be an overall economic realignment across the human habitats?" Aleph asked with surprise.
"No," Optimus said.
^Earth2
They sat in the lounge where they gathered, the leadership, to discuss or watch something together. As they watched the interview with Prime it became incredibly quiet.
Then Owen Harris snickered. "He either intended that or he's better at this game than I thought he was. We just made ourselves look stupid."
"For some of us, its not that hard," Cynthia Tomas said as she glared at Kyle Davis. "You just made my job a living hell. Thanks, Kyle."
Kyle glanced at her, then the screen. "That's not what he meant."
"Really?" Tomas countered. "Its what I heard."
^Prime and the gang
"That's not what you meant." -Prowl
"No. But they believed it. I do not what them to think I cannot play this game, too." -OP
"I never doubted ya. Uh, mostly." -Ratchet
Snickers were had by all.
^Interview
"Then let me get this meticulously straight. You were talking about the Mall and the human's request to expand it. Then you said that the economy would have to follow our own model. Then some present expressed their shock and anger taking to mean everywhere, not just the Mall. Then everyone left," Aleph said.
Prime nodded. "The plans for the Mall have made it two and a half times bigger than it is now and will double the retail space. They also want a swimming pool, a multiplex theater and a large outdoor dining area to make it more Earth like. I have studied the plans with Jetta and Ultra Magnus and find them acceptable. We want the humans here to enjoy their stay and have a good experience. They work hard and if we can provide a nice home-like opportunity for them then I concur.
"The humans give up a lot living here. They live inside a large glass bowl and are far from family and home. The more amenities and opportunities they have, the more they will be able to live here in a good way. It is my belief as a former longshoreman and a working mech that a happy labor force is an honored and rewarded one. Businesses that succeed to the degree we do start as bottom-up, not top-down models.
"The workforce that makes the product and therefore the fortunes of a company must have buy in to make things work. Giving them what they deserve and more is a start. Our companies have committees that govern them where everyone has a say. We are very, very successful both on Earth and here. We would like that to be a test for humans to study and perhaps develop for themselves elsewhere. We find it creates harmony, unity and gives workers a sense of ownership and pride in what they do. That is what my decision was about."
"The humans have taken it to mean that you want to switch their economic models everywhere on world to our own. The media on Earth is very upset and broadcasters are tearing into this idea right and left," Aleph said.
"They are mistaken. While I can insist on whatever I wish, I would consult with the habitats if I was to decide to change their economic model to our own. We were talking about the Mall of Terra and nothing more. If they misunderstood my position then its unfortunate. No one asked me for any clarifications of what I was stating so I assumed that they understood my decision. I am as surprised as anyone that this has turned out this way."
Aleph stared at Prime, then his notes. "What would you like to say, Lord Optimus, to clear up what seems to be a misunderstanding by the humans of what you were trying to say about this situation involving the Mall?"
"I would like to state that the Mall of Terra will be converting its economic model to that of our own so that it can serve an educational purpose to anyone who uses it or has a business in its confines. We have no problem creating amenities for our human comrades. What puzzles me is the jump from what I was saying to what they concluded. I am always open for questions and clarifications. Humans have attended our meetings for years. We include them as members of the Community Leadership and Senior Autobot Committee and have since they came to Mars. This is a strange situation all around."
^ Family Tower
"What do you think?" Jonathan Lennox asked his son.
"I think we just got played by a master at work."
Jonathan and Will Lennox snickered together for a long time.
^Earth2
"This is deplorable. The commentary of some on Earth was inflammatory and derogatory. I think no one should forget that we wouldn't even be here but for their goodwill toward us and our species. I have to go and make this right now," Cynthia said bitterly. "Kyle needs to stay in the habitat and not leave it again."
"I can say-" Kyle began before Owen cut him off.
"Cynthia is right," Owen said with a grin. "This round goes to Prime. We have a black eye and we have to fix it."
"Optimus Prime isn't a fool and anyone who thinks so is going to lose. Consider how old he is and what he manages. Frankly, I like their society. Its fair and open," Rick Harris said.
"You'd be working a nine-to-five job in his system," Kyle retorted. "You wouldn't be the son of a rich man."
"No," Rick said. "At this point with the society like this, I wouldn't care."
^Optimus at HIS viewing party
"You did that on purpose and it was pretty slick," Ratchet said. "You made Owen Harris look like a fool and he won't forget it."
"I do not intend for him to do so," Optimus said. "The Mall expansion will go on and the economy there will be like our own. If businesses leave then that's Owen Harris's problem. We can always turn it into something for our own people if they do. Its a very good location I am told," he said with a grin.
Laughter was loud and long.
=0=The next morning
Ratchet sat down in the conference room with datapads containing newspapers from everywhere including on world. It was a mess. The focus of questions now were on Owen Harris, not Optimus. Earth2 hadn't released a statement yet but there were rumors of a press conference later in the orn to clarify the situation for the press, especially those on Earth who were having a field day running the story from every angle including many who were making the bots villains or worse.
What appeared to be the main takeaway was 'miscommunication' appeared to be the source of the situation with the 'human element' misunderstanding 'the alien element'. It was now in Owen Harris's court.
Just the way Prime wanted it.
Prowl and Optimus walked in to sit along with Magnus, Jetta and Ironhide. Hard Drive walked in behind Ironhide and closed the door. Everyone sat, then grinned at Optimus.
"That was very interesting, Optimus. Just between us, did you mean only the Mall or did you mean everything?" Hardie asked.
"I would not be offended if everything changed. I went to pains to make it appear the way I have stated to create this chaos. Owen Harris should not feel he can run his games here without push back," Optimus replied. "As far as our model, I feel that everyone needs to benefit from their efforts and the profits generated by them. However, I think that Owen Harris needed a lesson that nothing here will be easy for him. He fancies himself a gambler and a sharp operator. It would be remiss of me to my people and duty to allow him to think that whatever he chooses to do will ever be easy."
"Here, here," Ratchet agreed. "Right now, all you have to do is play mystified monarch. Let him be the one who has to explain himself."
"Agreed," Magnus and Hardie said.
"I think that will be good," Optimus said. "I would like to discuss the plans with all of you to make the Mall a spectacular place for the human community to go. The ideas put forward are good and I like them. What else can we do for them that will be a benefit to them living here?"
They would work on the plans for a joor or two and when they were done they would be markedly different than Owen Harris had asked for. They would be infinitely better.
=0=A meeting shortly afterward with Starlet and Barron, his team and Prowl
"We have the timelines set up for the Wheelus trial which starts in two orns, Lord Optimus," Barron said as his staff kids listened, all of them brilliant attorneys and paralegals. "We have to set up the Imperialis trials."
"Will they be separate?" Starlet asked Barron. She was Prime's legal aide and attorney.
"We're still seeking clarification. Apparently they aren't being helpful. They do want a conversation with you about the possibility of a deal," Barron said.
Prime considered that. "Right after the first trial. I want to hold the special circumstances trials close together. I do not want anyone upcoming to suffer if the outcome of the first is what it might probably be. This is not Cybertron in the orn where torture is a state tactic."
"Don't worry about it, Optimus," Prowl said. "The Pantheon wouldn't have deigned to appear before the others."
No one in the room disagreed with him.
=0=TBC 02-22-2021 03-01-2021
ESL
mores: (mor-ayz) beliefs and values, the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community. "bad manners are an offense against social mores"
deign: (dane) agree to something they felt beneath them