The Diego Diaries: Avalone and Other Points of Order (dd8 277)
=0=In a conference room at the Ops Center
Harris stared at Prime, stunned at the turn of events though he knew that because of the contracts in place and the treaties as well he had no recourse but to give. He glanced at Cindy who was staring at the keys and data pad. She was shocked, deeply, nearly as much as him. :Lord Optimus, its my desire to resume my place at the head of Earth2. I would like to know what you require from me to show you that I'm an ally and good manager. I would be devastated not to be here or leading the facility going forward:
"A lot of that depends upon the information that we have requested from the various governments and agencies that are handling this matter. Some are not stating what they intend to do and others we do not expect anything to happen given that their heads of state are named.
"Since your colleagues are, then we will figure that out as we go. We are not a top down organization, our government and military. We are a broad coalition of agreements working for the common good. My sovereignty is recognized through the entity of the Primeship, the monarchy that rules our empire from the beginning. Someone has to take the reins of leadership and it falls to me.
"Its hoped that the one who does is worthy of such responsibility and power. Our Primes are chosen through the Matrix. You do not have that vehicle to choose your own leadership. You decide too often that money and power are important to your decisions to the point where its the overriding factor for you. When you do that without any other input you end up like this.
"We are old and have seen just about all the universe has to offer. I have never seen a civilization where the values match yours that has ever lasted. They always implode and die. Our own is a shining example of such a situation."
Prime leaned forward. "Leaders lead. They take responsibility for that which fails and share the glory when they succeed. They are not so integral to the operation that they cannot be replaced. It is not my desire for anyone to fail. I give a lot of latitude to those who work for my government and for our people to live full and complete lives. But in the end it falls back to me to bear the responsibility for what comes to pass."
Prime leaned back. "Nothing is already written. The future is never going to come but the moment now is here. I would suggest that you do your best, assist the investigations and show responsible leadership.
Anything less than that will not be tolerated."
It was silent in the room.
=0=Earth2
They drove together, Drift and Springer carrying Cindy Tomas to her new job. It was silent a moment then Cindy leaned forward. "Thank you for helping me, Drift. Springer. This is a nightmare isn't it."
:Prime believes you can do the job. He's almost never wrong: Drift said. :Sensei is holy and true:
Springer grinned at the fanboy remarks of Drift, a hard bitten mech on a path to redemption. He meant every word he just said. :You're going to do great. If you need someone to enforce a point call us and we'll come day or night. One Cybertronian to another, of course:
Cindy grinned. "That was the greatest thing I ever received when Prime did that. I really mean it when I say I am."
:We know: Drift said. :Day or night, Cindy. We really mean it, too:
"Thank you," she said as they drove down into the parking lot of the towering behemoth that sparkled in the sunlight. Heading toward the entry, they slid inside as the huge doors swiftly rose, then closed.
=0=Earlier, inside
Kyle Davis stared at the screen as the news pelted him in real time. The story of the mass fraud and other allegations was taking over the news feed. He'd received word that several at Prima Station and a handful of the other investors named who'd been on Earth when it broke had managed to get a flight to Mars. They overrode a number of military dependents for seats on a cargo ship given their resident visa status and their overpowering obnoxious treatment of the sweet mini-con mechs who manned them. They were on their way to Earth2 for whatever reasoning they felt.
Some of them lived on Prima Station and about three at Unidad. They all lived here full time, some with their families. The ten coming were at a conference on Earth when they were informed. What they felt they could gain by coming here was unknown but he was unconcerned about that himself. His own name was in the data dump, too.
The sound of individuals coming through the outer offices drew him to his door. He had an office in the Administrative Complex of Earth2 now which allowed him to remain in the loop better than his home office at his apartment nearby. Others who worked here, the Daniels, Galloway and Nast came to look as a group of agitated men and a woman entered the inner sanctum.
"Kyle! Where's Owen?" William Pearl called as they halted in a group before him.
For once in his life, Kyle Davis glanced around without a word, then ushered everyone into Owen's empty palatial office nearby. He closed the door then turned to them. "He's with Prime. He got summoned over this."
"Fuck that," Clare Hilliard said fiercely.
Standing silently beside her was her husband, Tom. He was a quiet man who was a financial genius and managed her inherited fortune with considerable finesse. He managed a lot of money for the others as well, this quiet man who loved to hike in Unidad and at Prima Station when he wasn't hooked into the financial markets of Earth.
"We need him here now," she demanded.
Kyle stared at her, this tough woman who was unafraid to shit talk about her wealth. "He's with Prime and he'll come here when he does. For the moment, sit down and let's talk about this. Tell me everything that happened to bring you back here like a pack of dogs running from the dog catcher."
"You should talk," William 'Bill' Pearl said coldly. "Your dick is hanging out, too. You're as prominent on the list as any of us, maybe more so since you manage Owen's money."
"Owen tells me what he wants. Its not on me to decide for him and *NOTICE*, BILL. His name isn't on the fucking list," Kyle replied angrily. "We can be mad at each other and fight but that won't save us here. If we're divided we're conquered."
A noise outside drew their attention as all turned to see Cindy Tomas and two mechs all of them recognized as Drift and Springer in pretender gear enter the outer offices, then pause to gather the staff together. Even the Daniels, Nast and Galloway stepped out of their offices to hear what she had to say.
A monitor nearby flashed on and it showed a number of trucks pulling in outside even as mechs transformed from cars. Some stepped down from horses to walk inside when the doors opened to let them inside. The trucks drove in and parked in the Grand Concourse as mechs climbed out, some of them remaining in their normal format. All of those mechs carried big, big guns.
"What the fuck is this?" Michael Pare asked as he stood in fear. "Are they coming for us?"
"HOW SHOULD *I* KNOW!? Sit down and don't make a scene. Cindy is coming inside with them," Kyle said as he stood up to face the three.
All of the individuals with him sat down, some of them clenching their fists as they watched Cindy and the two mechs walk through the door to enter this, a big ante room that was the central space around which all of the most high had their private offices. It was one of the most electronically connected places in the human colony.
A shout diverted everyone including Cindy, Springer and Drift who were dressed casually but looked as formidable in this form as the other. Will Lennox, Robert Epps, Gavin Pritchard along with a slightly smirky Ron Witwicky and Niall Graham entered the room jogging, or in the case of Ron hurrying along toward them.
"We're here to help," Lennox said. "Prime has control, we're more observers than anything else. We'll have to testify if necessary about what happens here though which is shit."
Springer snickered then everyone looked toward Cindy who looked pale and pensive. She turned to everyone else including the individuals from the outer officers who came in to join in on the fun.
"We were called to the Operational Center in The Fortress shortly ago to discuss the news coming over the wire about the Panama Papers and possible crimes and indictments upcoming," she began.
"That's bullshit," Clare said.
"Stow it. Let her finish," Lennox said with a frown.
"You can't talk to me that way," Clare said with unaccustomed surprise. Apparently no one ever had.
"I can boot your ass off world without reason if I want to. I might just do it to save the paperwork. Listen up," Lennox said with cold fury.
She turned to stare at Cindy with luminous rage without a further word.
"Because the clauses of the contracts and treaties have been invoked by Prime and his government over this matter it reverts control of Earth2 and its corporation to him."
That's when the gathered lost their collective shit.
=0=Outside in the habitat
Sky gathered together his team and that of two other departments who came with him, Sciences and Communications. He parted out the plan to go to the houses and offices of everyone affected to toss them, change passwords and locks and take things that might fall into their purview given the nature of the documents and morals clauses that were negotiated and signed between parties. All of them were carefully negotiated and the ability of Prime to make this happen had been signed however grudgingly into law between both parties.
Some walked off with armed escort to the main administrative offices which were now filled by agitated individuals who were shouting and waving their arms at Cindy, Drift, Springer, Lennox and his men. Ron Witwicky was filming the entire thing with a new camera he got for his birthday. He was the only one who looked amused.
They paused at the door waiting for the situation to subside which wasn't going to happen anytime soon. They didn't care. The show was unexpected and the job could be had and done whether the humans cooperated or not. Either way, the floor show was highly, highly entertaining.
=0=TBC 10-16-2021
NOTES: AT LAST! :D:D:D
Misty Legionnaire chapter 275 . Oct 14
Haha. Oh boy.
I hope Prime ships the lot of them back to Earth to face the media and everything else.
Hoping Ratchet gets good news on his end, too!
May your furnace be fixed and ready for this winter.
ME: I think Prowl and Prime needed some fun with Harris and Company. Christmas Surprise came early. :D Ratchet is the most hopeful person and he sort of is me in this story. Though, I'm not as bold nor as good a dancer as him. ;) :D
My furnace got fixed by my brother-in-law, the MIGHTY Marc. Here's to the Gods of Furnaces. HUGS! :D:D:D
Misty Legionnaire chapter 274 . Oct 14
I'm intrigued by what business issue has captured the bots attention. Glad the intervention team is back safe and sound.
ME: I'm glad they're back but that fire is still burning. The business issue is one that is ongoing on earth right now, in the here and now. I thought it would be fun to have Harris sweat for a change.
HUGS!
Misty Legionnaire chapter 273 . Oct 12
Ohhh, bring the rain
ME: Okay. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Misty Legionnaire chapter 272 . Oct 12
Avalone and Banner have a son? If so where is their son? Hoping next chapter clears up what is happening.
ME: I will reread that. I don't know what that is but maybe I goofed up and my subconscious mind did that. LOL! I will reread this part.
HUGS to you, my darling Misty.
Misty Legionnaire chapter 271 . Oct 11
I look forward to why Avalone came here. Hugs.
ME: It doesn't pay to get behind on notes. :D I will tell more about it as we go.
jackalkat chapter 272 . Oct 10
bundle up warm!
ME: The rest of the story, my darling Jack. My brother-in-law who is an earth angel came over and fixed the furnace. Its so warm now that its almost too much but how can it ever be too much where I live? I am so happy I'm delirious. I hope the piece above makes sense. LOL! HUGS TO YOU, My darling Jackalkat. :D