The Diego Diaries: There (dd7 26)
=0=at a meeting in the Temple
"I would like to find out how this situation developed, Commander Springer," Hardie asked.
Springer who was sitting at the table glanced at Drift who was standing against the wall by the door. Drift shrugged as Springer considered what to say. He glanced at Ratchet who nodded. "Well, we sort of came together when I was Santa Prime for Intermediate Day. I always get that school and we talked, Pulley and me. I talked to all of them. They're first levels there and I invited Pulley to come to the sidelines and see the game from the ground since he was really into football. He came with other kids and it led from there."
"How did they take it, being with the big mechs and having access to things like this?" Hardie asked, though he already knew.
"They loved it. They asked a million questions, they loved the horses and they were great. It was only a short time later that Ratchet suggested a mentorship program for them and other kids who were borderline about life here to help them feel what it felt like to really belong and contribute," Springer said. "We were good with it. Thankfully," he said as he grinned at Ratchet.
Ratchet dazzled him back.
"Commander," Bullet said. "You never informed any of us that our children were taking on this business. Didn't you feel that we deserved to know? To have a say in the decisions being made that affected their behavior?"
Springer considered that. "We had a few rules. Anyone who didn't keep up their grades or behaved couldn't participate. The kids informed you because we asked them to do that and you never raised an objection. They came to the activities they participated in and because there was no push back from you we concluded that there was no objection. The kids were extremely dedicated to what they're doing and learn. They're extremely welcomed among the mechs and femmes and want to learn all they can."
"But surely, you should have asked our permission," Bullet insisted.
"The kids never hid their interests nor did they sneak around. We asked them to make sure they were good with their families. This isn't a substitute for families or their obligations to them. This is an interest the kids have that's been met by the colony. Eventually they will graduate school and choose to do what they want. They want to learn about this and they're getting great skills along the way. I'm proud of them. We all are."
Springer sat back and studied the group. "The thing that comes out of this conversation to me, Bullet, is not that the kids did something that's out of line. Service to others is very selfless and of the highest order. What comes to me from this conversation is that you didn't spend enough time asking them what they were doing and investigating to satisfy your concerns. My door was and is always open. So is Commander Ratchet's. You never came nor did you message us."
Bullet stared at him. "We all have busy lives."
"We do," Springer agreed. "I'm chief of security for all of the Empire including Cybertron and here with all the space in between. I'm also chieftain of the Wreckers and a full time front line soldier. So is the bond but we have time for these kids. They're stellar, all of them. They're level headed now when they weren't when you came. They care about everything when they didn't before. They're learning valuable things and carrying themselves with pride and confidence. I know that. What about you?"
It was silent, then Hardie leaned forward. "Tell us what you do with the kids, how often they come and what they're learning. What about their overall picture?"
Springer thought a moment. "They come twice a decaorn to the office at Metrotitan to learn some kind of skill from whatever expert I pull in. They have riding lessons several times a decaorn because we maintain a mounted patrol. They've taken up shooting lessons because they like the precision and its part of the job. We want them to be confident and well rounded, filled with purpose and attachment to the colony and all her people.
"They spend time at the Medical Center and Metro Femme learning medicine and the like but Ratchet can tell you about that. We have them for specific things and they do things on their own to enhance that. They all take private riding lessons, put in time at the dojo in the kid programs and shooting range and talk to the technicians in forensics, the lab people, those who do communications and the clerical staff about policing work. Some of them make appointments on their own. Everyone, and I mean everyone loves them and gives them their time and expertise. Part of this is also going to be getting in time with Sciences. We even want to start a flying component.
"What we expect is for them to keep up their grades at school, be happy, do things that mean something to them and to be a good son or daughter to their families. We want them to have confidence and a sense of belonging. It never fails to amaze me how lonely some kids are and how they're desperate to have someone to talk to in the adult world."
Hardie glanced at Ratchet. "What can you tell me about their activities, Commander?"
"We have them in the CNA program, the certified nursing assistant program that we've had in place for years and years here. That's the pre-nursing program that a lot of adults take to learn what nursing and medicine is about, mostly to see if they like it. The kids love it. I have them matched up, one doctor, one kid and even have them meet and talk to field medics, both military and police. They do rounds, learn about assisting nurses and doctors and attend the games as medic assistants.
"Doctors at Metroplex Femme work with them and so does just about everyone at the Medical Center. They're amazingly dedicated and attentive, learn very fast and are just lovely. I think this gives them a focus and purpose that was missing before. A lot of refugees have a hard time reconnecting to a normal life given how much they've suffered in exile and how disconcerting this place can be after a life of running and deprivation.
"We want all our kids to flourish and we prepare programs that allow them to do so. The kids presented the need and we met it. I'm so proud of them. They love their lives and work hard. When they talk about how they work for others, that they want everyone to know they are there to help them, I could cry. Their tattoo was their idea. They want everyone who's in need to feel confident when the kids step forward to help them."
Hardie considered that. "What sort of procedures if any do they do with the doctors?"
"Simple things. They help do the notes for walkarounds and they help with the kids in the children's clinics. They love helping the little kids and they're amazing with them," Ratchet said. "We don't allow them to see anything that isn't simple and easily treated. The serious stuff is not for kids their ages. If they want to pursue medicine they'll have a lot of experience with lesser problems to bring with them into University. It's all good."
"Commander, you mentioned that the kids do clerical, spend time with the different specialists in your department, learn a lot of skills that police officers use and sometimes go on patrols. Tell me more about that. Details might allay fears," Hardie said.
"We had them come on night patrol once and several times during the day when its weekend. They ride with the mechs and femmes, they don't participate in any of the situations that might come up … in fact, they're taken from the scene for their own protection. They understand that this isn't negotiable and they obey. We brief them when the moment is passed and they ask great questions.
"They love forensics and the science the officers do. Sky is very happy to host them and everyone takes the time to answer questions, show things and teach them. The shooting range expects them when they come and an instructor is with them the entire time. They don't fire big gauge weapons but the popguns that mini-cons use.
"Since clerical is part of the job, we show them how to do arrest reports, organize notes for the situation so if you have to go to court you can give honest and accurate testimony and how the jail system works. They're also sitting in on cases in the courts or so they tell me. They find it interesting and," Springer grinned, "educational."
Hardie nodded. "Thank you, Commander. What is the likelihood that the kids are in any danger when in the company of both of you and the others?"
"Zero," Springer said as Drift nodded. "We put them first. Even in the games." Springer grinned. "They really show their quality during the games. I love these kids."
Hardie nodded. "Thank you. Commander Ratchet, you're the representative for the kids. I would like to hear what you have to say about this."
Ratchet considered the kids, all of whom were solemn and afraid that they would lose this new path. He looked at the genitors. "I wish you could understand how much they love you. I know you believe you do. You're right but when they're with us they talk about you a lot. They do this to show you how much they've changed, that they feel its for the better and they want to make you proud of them. They want you to love what they do as much as them.
"They feel that they've hurt their relationships with you because they want to fight for this. They worry that you'll be mad at them and that your families and closeness will be damaged. They said so to you, Ironhide? To you, Raptor?"
Both nodded. "That's their biggest worry next to losing their opportunities here," Raptor said as Ironhide nodded.
"They've put into danger, at least in their processors the idea of your family being happy to pursue this, that's how much they love what they do. They're so proud and happy for what they've begun and they mean it with all their sparks how much they want to help. They cried, Sil and Jessine when they came to us, to me and to Prime. They wailed," Ratchet said.
Bots shifted in their chairs as they listened silently.
"They're so happy and fulfilled … understand that. They may still be children but they're incredibly fulfilled by these programs and the friendships of the mechs and femmes that instruct and have befriended them. They aren't unhappy, tense or sullen. They smile and fit in. They had dinner with us at the Ops Center after they helped the Santa Primes. They sat and listened, talked and laughed with us. They were brilliant.
"They put your love for them on the line to defend this because they believe in it. They love this colony and all our people, everyone of them. That's how much they want to continue. The question before us is simple. How much do you love them to allow it? Their sparks are in your servos. I can promise you that the children will never be in any danger with us."
It was silent, then Sixtus stood. "We love them. They're ours and we want what's best for them. Our goals and dreams for our children don't include this kind of career. I'm not adverse for my son to become a doctor but I don't want them in a dangerous profession like police work. Its not our intention to insult anyone. We want our children to be safe and there are opportunities for them in our own business. What genitor doesn't want their children to work with them?"
Sela considered that. "There are many ways to serve. Some of them require a great deal from those who want to fulfill that role. If your children don't want to work at what fulfills you, what then? This isn't Cybertron in the orn. This is a new world and a new possibility. These children are filled with love and purpose, the kind that brings a smile to Primus and The One. There is no greater purpose than serving others.
"It would seem that your children's feelings and desires aren't part of your thinking, Sixtus. I would think that you would understand that not all children want to be what you want. They have sparks and processors, dreams and visions to fulfill. They want to serve The People," Sela said. "That is the definition of love."
"I mean no disrespect, Lady Sela," Sixtus said as he bowed his helm to her, "but you aren't a genitor. You don't have to worry all night about children."
A gasp came from the audience as the room shifted with tension and surprise. Sela was revered and this was shocking to most there.
Sixtus glanced at them, then Sela. "Lady, I mean no disrespect."
Sela stared at him as thousands of children's images filled her processor, thousands of infants that she'd touched and helped throughout her long life. "I suppose you don't. But it rather shows a side of your thinking that explains why we are here, Sixtus."
Bullet stood. "Lady, what he meant was not intended to be an insult. You are much loved by all everywhere."
A faint ghost of a grin formed on her beautiful face. "Love. That is what this is about, Bullet," she said.
=0=TBC 6-28-19 edited 6-30-19