The Diego Diaries: Arrival (dd8 178)
=0=Earth2
"This is more impressive than its shown on film," Polaski said as they walked together to the administration portion of the facility. He was carrying his suitcase and computer bag as he walked alongside Jase Daniels.
"It's massive but comparing to Prima Station or Unidad, its small," Jase replied.
They turned right and followed a sidewalk painted on the floor toward the double doors that led into the heart of E2 power. Small cars and a truck drove past going this way and that on the highways which were also painted in. The light signals that directed them were real. They entered, walked through the large sunlit lobby, then entered the inner sanctum of office space where all the directors and department heads worked.
"Leave your stuff there and I'll take you to Owen," Jase said. "You can get the meet and greet over now."
Silas put his gear down on a beautiful couch, then followed Daniels down the corridor to the end where the huge office space of Owen Harris was located. Waving to the secretary in the busy office, he rapped on the big double doors of 'Owen Harris, Director of Earth2, a United Nations-Autobot Nations Collaborative Installation'.
"Come in," someone said so they did.
They walked into a huge office with big windows, a lot of electronics and several monitors playing different things with the sound turned down. One of them was the BBC, another was CNBC and the last was IntraCom News Channel 16. The scene at the standoff was playing there with subtitles.
"This is Martin Polaski, Owen," Jase said.
Owen stood, then walked around the desk which was covered with work and devices. He offered his hand and both men shook. "Welcome aboard. I hope all went well."
"It did," Silas said with a slight grin. "Jase was a good guide."
"That's good to know," Owen said. "Would you like to show him his apartment? You have a couple of days off to get oriented. Would you be willing to show him around the colony?" he asked Daniels.
"Sure," Daniels replied.
"Good. Have a couple of days, then come see me. I have a few things to run past you and I'm needing some perspective on a couple of them," Owen said.
"Thank you," Silas said. He shook hands, then followed Daniels out of the room. Gathering his stuff, the two walked out to the main concourse again.
"This is called Flatlands for obvious reasons," Daniels said as Silas surveyed the vast flat open space that went on for what seemed miles. It probably did, he considered. "This is where the big stuff is held and its the lounge and jogging area … a lot of activities happen here including sports and you can find lounges along the windows. We're in a crater so things aren't that exciting outside but you can even get a tan there. They have a way of multiplying light that makes the area by the windows out fifteen feet capable of tans. Some of the residents asked for it for a part of the space and they did something to the windows from the ground up ten feet."
He looked around, then started to walk. "This is the motor pool. Let's get a car."
Silas followed. He watched Daniels check out a car with his thumbprint, then load Silas's gear. Getting in, he grinned. "Hop in. These are actually fun to drive."
Silas climbed in, then the car began to go as Daniels drove forward to go on the road system to the residential area on the other side and toward the back of the monster facility. He would help Silas with his big apartment, then they would goof around the facility as Daniels helped him learn where and what everything was until dinner and a few games of pool in the bar.
Daniels would have a great time. Oddly enough, so would Silas/Polaski.
=0=At the scene
"Move."
Sunstreaker leaned back as Tygress shot the femme with the electrical paddles to jump start her systems. She heaved upward as the electricity shot through her, then everyone watched the screen. There was nothing.
The elevator opened as Ratchet jumped in, nearly stepping on the group. He knelt to watch as Tygress did it again. A slight beeping of the monitor began. When that was established Ratchet transformed one of his digits into a very long and very strong needle. Without a flourish, he slid it into the femme's electronic node that monitored and maintained what humans might call their heart. It was the device that helped with the spark and its chamber. It was a sickening sight even for the medics but the machine nearly exploded in beeps as the femme came back from the dead.
Ratchet stared at the monitor, then glanced at the two. "Nice work. Time to move her. Take her out at the double doors. A runabout is there. What's the story on the mechs?"
"We don't know. The femmes seemed worse," Sunny said as he continued to attach fluids and monitors to the femme he was caring for as Tygress did the same with hers.
Ratchet stood, then hurried to the two mechs scanning them swiftly. "Frag. Not good. Let me stabilize them, then they go," he said as more medics and stretcher bearers appeared in the elevator.
It would take a moment, then four stretchers would be heading downward to the runabout that would ferry them away. When they lifted off the entire group would be gone. Going with them would be Ratchet.
Prime watched them go as Paragon and Prowl slowed to a halt before him.
"Everyone is gone," Paragon said.
Prowl nodded.
Prime glanced around. "Send in the forensics teams. I want this wrapped up so the families can be returned to their homes. Have Public Works repair things tonight and for as long as it takes. When each apartment is complete, then the occupants can return but not before. If someone could tidy up their spaces and replace any furniture that's destroyed then it will be a blessing for them."
"I'll take care of it, Prime," Paragon said as he turned to run back to the command center in the van nearby.
Prowl stared at Optimus, then glanced around. "This is a mess. But Dok wants to speak to you."
Prime and Prowl walked through the debris strewn plaza toward Fenix who was standing with Dok. They paused before the two. "I am here, Dok."
He looked at Prime with anguish on his face. "Prime, I don't have the disease. My children don't. My bond does but the four of us are unaffected."
Prime stared at him a moment without comprehension. "Tell me again."
"The disease. It hasn't affected me. My three children are somehow immune as well. My bond has it though. We don't know why and we didn't have the expertise to figure it out. All of the leadership and decisions began to fall on me and them."
"Prime to Wheeljack and Perceptor."
:Here, Prime: both of them said in his processor.
"Come to the scene now," Prime said. :Find me:
A bridge burst into view nearby as Percy and 'Jack stepped out and walked to them. "What's happening?" 'Jack asked.
"Tell them," Prime said to Dok.
"My three children and I don't have the disease. We've never contracted nor had it in any form," Dok replied. "We don't know why. We didn't have the tech to figure it out. My children are with my bond at Pax."
'Jack glanced at Percy. Then Prime. "This could be something. Come with us, Dok. We need to see what's going on," he said as a bridge appeared nearby.
"Can you accompany me, Fenix? I feel the need for a friendly face," Dok asked faintly.
"I am with you," Fenix said as he gripped Dok's arm.
The four walked to the bridge, then disappeared to Sciences at the other end.
Prime stared at the empty space, then glanced around. "I need to go to IntraCom and talk to The People. This area is off limits even to residents until its presentable for them to return. Its the least we can do."
"I'll have Pari manage it. He has the most on ground information," Prowl said. "I'll go to IntraCom with you, then we can go to the hospitals and see how its going. Maybe we're going to catch a break with Dok and his kids."
"I pray so, Prowl," Optimus said tiredly. They walked past the camera crews toward the street, transformed, then drove away from the scene. Paragon would rule that with an iron hand.
=0=About a joor later on the teevee
The screens cut to the logo of the Primes.
Owen and his friends were sitting in the lounge attached to his office waiting for Prime as announced earlier. Among them were Daniels and Martin Polaski aka Silas. He's been welcomed by everyone and personally invited by Owen. It was clear to him that Owen was going to watch his reaction and maybe make pointed questions to him to test his mettle.
The screen shot changed and Prime appeared. It was evident that he bore battle wounds. "Good evening. I am Optimus Prime. I am speaking to you tonight about the situation that occurred over the past few orns in City 4 in Crater District 7. A new refugee group settled into the Tomsa, Medusa, Esco and Brightman Towers and when an altercation happened in the Esco Tower the refugee group retreated to their apartments and barricaded themselves in.
"During the negotiations period shooting commenced and there were injuries to several Autobots including myself but they are not life threatening. It was discovered that the group suffers from a new variant strain of Cache's Syndrome or Disease which is known informally as protoform wasting. This disease attacks the protoform which is a very large portion of our bodily makeup. Without going too much into the science of it, suffice it to say that this is a serious disease that if untreated can be fatal to our species.
"The variant they suffer from is new, unknown to us prior to this incident and has different properties than those we know about. Its faster acting, attacks various systems and can cause mental decline and situational dementia. Given their mental condition, it became obvious that they weren't acting on their full faculties and that any attempt to take them out of their position would lead to many deaths.
"We managed to have them surrender by the efforts of their leadership and they did so, though they were tremendously ill when they did. There are many factors that prolonged them on Meadow Lands, their former colony, that were missing here so their decline into severe disability was swift.
"They are a very ill group of our people. They fill the wards and intensive care units of our hospitals and their children are being treated at the Children's Treatment Center in Pax. It is not my position to find fault and assign punishment to those who are constitutionally incapable of sound judgment. No one involved in this situation will be facing any charges relating to this due to that simple fact.
"For those who were inconvenienced by this, we are working hard to restore your homes and to get them into order so that you might return to them as fast as possible. There was some damage from shooting in the Esco Tower but little in other places. Homes are being put to rights. When your home is available you will be called and allowed to return. Please bear with us while this is ongoing.
"Forensics is working on the scene to have a full picture of what happened so that we can understand the problem fully. We are asking locals to stay where you are for an orn or two more so that when we leave your temporary homes, your lives will be as fully restored as possible. I would also like to personally thank all of the residents and citizens for cooperating in the evacuation of the areas affected. You did a good job of leaving and none of you are hurt as a consequence of it.
"The emergency services and soldiers, Watch personnel and medical, you have my personal thanks for what you did and continue to do. Your courage and dedication brings honor to us all. As for Sciences, they are working on a promising lead to a cure for this disease. We can only hope and wish in our sparks for the well being and restoration to good health and the possibility of a good life for all of the refugees affected. To come through what they suffered only to fail at this, the promised land is something that I cannot countenance. Keep all of them in your good thoughts.
"I am proud of the dedication and good sparked decency of our people, those professionals who do this as their calling and the citizens who understand and cooperate for the good of all. I am proud of you tonight, Autobot City. Until all are one." The screen changed to the programming which on their station was The Hourly News panel to discuss this message together.
Owen Harris glanced at Polaski. "That is the foe. What do you think?"
Silas stared at the screen, then glanced at Harris. "I would never turn my back on that individual. Ever."
Harris grinned. "Bingo."
=0=TBC 05-29-2021