The Diego Diaries: Mark (dd7 46)
=0=In a bar in a system long past
"I will give you one breem to get off this world and not come back. This group falls within the Protectorate of Marshon and if you start trouble all of us will face their fury. That includes the refugees we are settling around here."
Lockdown stared at Prime with his strange face and incomprehensibly deep sense of self. This mech had nothing to spare for anything but what he wanted for himself. "We were here a long time, Prime."
"Now you will go," Prime said coldly.
It was unbearably tense as the two factions stood fast in their spots, then lights from outside began to fill the space as they pierced the darkness from nowhere. There was no sound either as the room became nearly unbearably bright.
Lockdown glanced around, then stared at a window next to him. Floating in that space was a being of light, a humanoid figure that was staring at him with two bright yellow optics. There was no face, just the two optics. In all the other windows, the same figures could be seen.
Prime glanced at them, then his mechs. "Lower your guns. Put them away."
Springer glanced at him doubtfully, then subbed his gun. The other Wreckers with him did the same, though they were slower than Springer. They were itching to punch Lockdown's ticket come hell or high water but it wasn't to be.
Maybe.
Lockdown stared at the figure, then Prime. "Are you afraid of them? They look like ghosts."
"I stow your weapons and leave. You may not like what follows," Prime said coldly.
Lockdown considered that, then lowered his gun. He turned to the window to stare at the being. As he did his gun heated up and he dropped it. It fell to the ground glowing red hot, then melted into a puddle on the floor.
Yelps from around his group signaled the same event happening with them. Both sides were disarmed, only one voluntarily. The figures turned their gaze to Prime and his party. Then they looked back at Lockdown. It was then that the screaming began.
Jolts of electricity hit Lockdown and his mechs from out of thin air, bolts that hurt and were damaging to their electrical nature. They jumped, twitched and spun as they burned in the grasp of visible bursts of electricity that appeared out of nowhere to envelop them.
Prime and his group stepped back, watching the strange show until Lockdown and his party were on their knees gasping with pain. Then the electricity stopped. A message reached everyone, one that wasn't spoken but intuited by everyone there.
'Don't do this again. You will regret it'. Then the figures in the window and their light disappeared. It was painful to everyone there the darkness that followed. Then the lights flickered back on filling the room with a yellow light that felt old and faded.
Lockdown rose slowly shaking off the jolt of energy that had dropped him to the floor. He swayed slightly, then turned toward Prime. None of the Autobots were harmed. "Why didn't they shoot you?"
"Because we put down our weapons. They know we will uphold our promises. You on the other hand are criminals. I gave you one breem to leave. Take it or suffer the consequences," Prime said.
Lockdown stared at Prime. "Another time then."
"I look forward to it," Ironhide said as they began to pass by to go to the door. "I like funerals when they aren't us."
Prime stared at them, then the windows. The beings were gone and it was silent. Then he was transported away. It was immediate. He was in a room with gray walls, like a cement box. No one was in sight but he felt beings around him.
"Optimus Prime," a feeling said. It wasn't a voice. It just came to him out of the ether.
"I am here."
"You could have shot them. Most would have," the voice murmured.
Prime glanced around, then looked upward into the darkness overhead. It could have been a deep well he was standing in for all he could tell. "I do not believe in violence as the first choice in a situation. We do not want violence here. You have agreed to accept our people being here for refuge. We will not trespass on your hospitality."
It was silent a moment, then the voice was back. "Thank you," it murmured, then he was back in the bar.
No one seemed to move or even give the impression that he'd been taken away since they gazed at him just as they had when he disappeared.
Prime glanced around, then turned to them. "We can go. We have much work to do to help our people settle here. Who is marking it on the maps so we can get them when we can?"
"We are," Wheeljack said as Perceptor nodded.
"Good." Prime glanced around but he heard nor saw anything more. "Autobots, roll out," he said grimly. They followed him to the door and beyond.
Prime watched them go, then he was back at Maccadam's. All of the Pantheon were waiting in the same place.
Solus grinned. "Join us, brother. We have much to reminisce about."
Optimus pulled out a seat, then sat. He stared at the others waiting for what they would do and say next. No one spoke but all watched him expectantly. "You are teaching me something here but I am unaware of what it might be. All I see are moments in my life, moments in my career and family."
"That is true," Prima said with a nod. "What meaning there is in all of it will come from you. What do you suppose it all means?"
Prime considered that. "I … my life as a child and younger mech was difficult. I got pulled into the revolution almost immediately."
"Why? You could have gone along or ignored it like so many others," Onyx asked. "You didn't."
Optimus nodded. "I did not ignore it because it was unbearable. I do not like injustice nor did I feel that there was any future for our people if things did not change. I did not want it to become violent but sometimes you cannot have what you want."
"No," Prima said. "You became more than a worker bee. You became the movement itself. Why?"
Prime shifted uncomfortably. "I did what was necessary and the people found that acceptable. They followed me because I was willing to be discomforted for them."
"That's true. Consider the amount and kinds of trauma, injustice, corruption, hatred and indifference there was at the time. Children were being put into state care because families were being destroyed as object lessons for others who might buck the system as the humans say. I was ever surprised that there was no hue and cry over that. I would think putting children into state pens would move sparks but silly me," Solomus said. "You on the other hand were moved."
Prime remembered the raid of dissidents and the corralling of their families, especially children. It took a long time and lot of rhetoric from mechs like Orion Pax to make the situation toxic enough to move the masses. "I believe that when you wear a yoke long enough all you can see is the furrows before you. We wore chains a very long time, Lord Solomus. I find time has tempered my disappointment over things like this."
"You work hard to create a world that you dreamed about on Mars. Correct?" Alchemist asked.
Prime nodded. "It is my duty as Prime and my dream as a mech."
"Those who come are of every stripe. They bring their gratitude and support or their caste hatred and division, yet you take them all. You worry that you will miss even one," Alchemist said.
Prime nodded. "I lose recharge over it. Everyone must be gathered. Our tribe must come together again. Every mech, femme, child and elder, every Seeker and grounder, everyone deserves the life we are making and the right to choose to be whoever and whatever they wish. It is the will expressed by the Great Ones. I am a servant intent on completing the task."
Solus stroked his servo. "You are no one's servant. You are a good mech, Optimus. Why do you never allow yourself to feel that and hear it expressed from others?"
Optimus stared at her as memories flooded in …
^,,^
"Orion, you're the most wonderful mech I know," Omelia said with exasperation. "Why don't you listen to reason? Inside the government you can become a king."
"And sell my spark," Orion Pax said to her, she who pursued him against all odds.
"I find you the best mech I know. You could change the world. All you need to do is find the path that leads to power and take it. Do you really believe that The People are going to be putting themselves into danger like you do every time you leave your district?"
Orion stared at her, then considered what she said, his biggest fear and challenge. "I can only speak the truth and be the example. Our people need to remember who they are."
"And you? Who are you?" Omelia asked in frustration.
Orion Pax considered that. "Just another mech," he said before he left the room to go to another rally and then another as he fought to save his people from the disaster he was clear was coming …
^,,^
"Just another mech," Solus said. "Hardly. Look at what you did. Look at what you tried to do. The Matrix picked you from the entire species. It hadn't done that since Guardian Prime. You do not even understand what you are to us."
Optimus considered that, then shifted uncomfortably. "I do not need affirmations to do what I have to do nor do I need to please everyone which I have learned over time and experience. I just have to be fair and just. That I struggle with every orn. I cannot ever be like Sentinel or Zeta. I cannot be Nova Prime. The line of Primes has been tainted and corrupted. My conduct and decisions must be the best I can make them. From that, I hope the people can grown and thrive."
"He's hopeless that way," Micronus said to Solus. He grinned. "He never asked for anything and his weapons were what were left over in the beginning. Of all of us, he is the most free of ego. Its his great super power."
"His spark is identical with Primus. That might account for it. Selflessness must be a part of that possibility," Vector said. "I find it refreshing."
"You would, Mr. Oblivious," Onyx said with a grin. He looked at Prime. "Tell us of your family."
He stared at the big beast mech as he considered how to speak the unspeakable. The bond of love and respect, tenderness and unity with his genitors, his bond and children was the very heart of his soul. "My family was a very great surprise."
He vanished from the room. The others stared at his empty chair, then Solus grinned. "He is the most marvelous mech."
They agreed.
^,,^
Optimus found himself in the living room of his home. Prowl sat on the couch with himself and he knew that he was eavesdropping on a moment that he held sacred between them. The moments alone with Prowl were treasured by him in the hectic demanding life he led. They were talking about events coming up.
Prowl sat in his arms with his household data pad in hand. Prime was grinning at him though Prowl concentrating on the pad didn't notice. It was obvious that they were discussing the upcoming holidays leading to New Years.
"Then we have dinner here and open a present as usual. Ironhide and Ratchet are handling the invitations though the usual horde will be here."
He watched himself grin and answer.
"I expect the same," he saw himself say, then he took the data pad from Prowl.
Prowl glanced up with surprise. He grinned as Prime pulled him closer. Then he was busy with something else so who gave a frag about his *DATA PAD*!
Prime watched them noting Prowl's beauty and his own desire. It was uncomfortable to see though it was more than that. His own dignity born of office and suffering, out of a need to be what his people expected of him always made it so. Even now, he considered, the idea of family, bond and intimacy of any kind was 'new' and 'odd'. It was also his lifeline to happiness and hope.
Then he was gone again.
=0=TBC 7-25-19
NOTES! ^,,^
fancyspinner chapter 45 . 15h ago
First, I want to say I'm glad you took in that older dog and I hope he continues to get better. Poor baby! I can't imagine what he's going through having to leave the one person he's known all of his life.
This is a great festival. I like that Optimus is being celebrated. :-) You always manage to make things new and fresh.
I'm wondering, will wheel jack and some of the other start to get family back now? Big hugs
ME: The dog, Zorro is doing better. Every day, he gets a bit better. Its been traumatic to have his beautiful life get upended but dogs are resilient. If you keep a covenant with them, they will come back to life. :D
Its Prime's turn to learn a personal lesson. This will be a different kind of progress and I sure am enjoying making it up. :D:D:D Making things different is the challenge and I love it. :D Others will get family. Wheeljack comes from a huge family with siblings and etcetera. Its about time that someone showed up. LOL! HUGS!
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 44 . Jul 24
These last two chapters were great. I love when Optimus visits the Matrix for the Festival. You write it beautifully. I can't wait for Primus and the other Primes to show up.
I'm so glad your foster pup is getting better. Poor baby. Change is difficult, especially for those who don't understand what's going on. You are a jewel!
ME: This is going to be different and fun for optimus. There are more surprises coming and the Primes will come. :D
My pup is going to be staying with me and once he gets it that the cats are targets we're going to be aces; :D Hugs and thank you, darling, for the lovely words. :D
SunnyandSidesexcellentadventur chapter 43 . Jul 23
Poor baby, hope you find a good home for him.
ME: I decided to keep him. He's so sweet even if he's as big as a pitbull. LOL! Hugs!
leoness chapter 43 . Jul 23
Poor puppy. Glad they've got you taking care of them.
ME: I am, too. He's 13 and a hard placement. I like older dogs. they're genuinely good. HUGS miss kitty. ;)
fancyspinner chapter 42 . Jul 22
I'm glad it seems that prime is going to have a lighthearted festival experience. He certainly earned it because he has worked so hard to keep everyone safe. I love that silver bowl always ends up with the family :-) thank you so much for continuing the story. It brightens my day.
ME: Muaaha! I love it, too. Sometimes the problems aren't so big after all. Love ya, Miss Fancy. HUGS! :D:D:D
Guest chapter 38 . Jul 15
What happened with the July 4th camping trip? The bots forgot?
ME: That's going to be in flashbacks. LOL! Lots of Orion stuff and gossiping. ;)
Happy thoughts to your Festival writing. Maybe we finally find out who the old lady ghost/spirit is, or maybe Optimus meets with the other Optimuses from the alternative universes. I hope you'll have plenty of interesting things coming up:)
ME: Those are good ideas. The old lady spirit is going to be showing up again. I try to think what I would like to do and say and see during something like a festival. Making stuff up is so much fun. HUGS, darling!