The Diego Diaries Part Seven

by arctapus

This is a continuation of the universe started in Diego Diaries and continued through parts two to six. The premise is a joke that led to world building. This is about family, friendship, overcoming adversity and finding the best parts of yourself. This is an adventure, a trek through the world of Transformers and its a comedy/drama. Everyone is here and if you are, too, then YAY!

89. Chapter 89

The Diego Diaries: Aftermath (dd7 89)

=0=A bit later

Ironhide walked into his house and noted that it was still quiet. Sleeping on the couch, Ravel looked comfortable. He grinned at the little bot, then walked into the berth rooms of his many children, noting that no one was awake. When he walked out Ravel was sitting up on the couch.

"How is everything, son? I hated watching that titan. He nearly fell. Is he going to be alright?" Ravel asked anxiously.

"I think so, Ravie. He needs everything done but he got here in time. Ratchet's going to be working overtime for a while. I think we need to figure out the kids."

"We can take care of them, Ironhide," Ravel said as he stood and stretched. "You must be terribly tired."

"I nap," Ironhide said with a grin. "I asked for reinforcements to come and help you with them when its time to get up. School is still closed so the little ones are going to the Military Day Care in The Fortress and the others are going to be doing rounds with their ammas and appa. The big frames are going to keep them with them until things get better. The roads are going to be overtaken by emergency personnel so Prime asked Herling to close the schools for at least an orn."

"Oh," Ravel said. "It sounds ominous."

Ironhide grinned at the anxious little mech. How a wild aft slagger like Ratchet could some from two of the sweetest and most retiring little mechs like Ravel and Tie Down, he didn't know. Maybe he took after Docker and Ratchet. "Don't worry about it, Ravie. Just know we're going to be checking in. The Cybertronian commanders are going to be here until mid afternoon, then go back to Cybertron unless called. We have a lot of work to do."

"Alright. You know you can count upon us, Ironhide," Ravel said.

Ironhide leaned down, then kissed Ravel on the top of his helm. "That was never a worry, Ravel. I have to go back but Sun and Jack are coming in to help with the kids. Don't over do, none of you. How's Corr doing?"

"He's doing very well, son," Ravel said with a smile. "He is almost 100% on his peds again. His therapist measured his dementia data and will have the reports ready for tomorrow afternoon. Will Sonny be able to come with us? We don't really know the science part of this. I want to be able to tell Corr and Chan what they say. They get so frightened that they hear but don't listen, if you know what I mean."

"When?" Ironhide asked.

"At 0400 hours on the TMC," Ravel replied.

"I'll have him there and I'll come, too," Ironhide said as he picked up Ravel's blanket. "Go back to recharge, Ravel. Don't worry. We're parceling things out and we're going to be there. Alright?"

Ravel sat back down, then lay back. "Okay, Ironhide. You're a good son."

Ironhide grinned. "Tell Sonny that."

"I do. All the time," Ravel said with a chuckle. "I don't know where he comes from sometimes, either."

Ironhide snickered, then walked to the door. "I'll see you soon." He stepped out and the light went off.

Ravel snuggled in and was out like a light.

=0=On the ground

Ratchet climbed back into Banner to check the fuel system and see what might still be out of sorts for his massive transfusions. Holding a meter, he walked along the corridors scanning the system, checking for pressure drop offs that might indicate a slash that they missed and by the time he reached the engine rooms all seemed well on that accord.

Outside on the field beyond, The Dandy had landed heavily and was being swarmed himself. He had wounds but they hadn't had time to cut him up the way they did Banner because they missed his primary propulsion systems. He could still maneuver and rolled to evade when Riot and his partner, Enzio had arrived and shot the slag out of everyone.

Listing nearby, Banner was on the ropes. Symbionts of five of the eight mechs with Riot had boarded Banner and made short work of the pirates. They had done what they could to cut off energon flows and triage the wounds but it was beyond their capacity. It was a mad run for Mars that had saved his life.

Enzio and Riot, two fabled titans who were long time partners in all ventures possible waited in space going over the situation, the pathway they had taken to come and the sights they had seen on the way with Metroplex and Metrobon. There were many pirates and many ships but most of those were wolf packs hunting pirates. Soft Space was the fabled land for the many who were fleeing there.

Four titans sat on pads several miles south of the Tri-Cities. They would be, all of them, visible to every human habit and all of the urban areas out that way. They would be visible from the Industrial Park Cities, all ten of them now. The industrial expansion kept pace with refugee arrival as Crater District Two was nearly three-quarters of the way built. A steady stream of newcomers would be diverted to the new titan district when they were made ready to inhabit them.

It was getting to be looking a lot like Cybertron around the dusty plains of Mars.

=0=Elsewhere at the same time

Most of the inhabitants of the habitats were dozing in their chairs or sleeping on the floor around monitors, waking to watch or grab a bite before falling asleep again. In Earth2 and Unidad, many retired to their apartments to watch the show which continued in comfort.

Carly and Sam sat in their apartment on the top floor of Unidad staring at the big screen as the rescue continued. The images were real time and broadcast uncut to the colony and beyond.

Ships landed nearby, a sight they could watch from their big windows. Lights beyond signaled enormous activity going on ten miles from their home. Big ships were landing precisely, brought into place by lasers pointed at them and different observational points on the ground. Dust kicked up, dust that would probably take a day or two to clear as they sat down with the usual blow back. Faint tremors could be felt when they did.

"This is amazing," Carly said as she sat her bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. Sitting back, she leaned into Sam.

"They're amazing," Sam said. "Did you ever think that you would have front row seats to this?"

"Never. I feel sorry for people like Elon Musk who want to come so badly. This is the greatest adventure I've ever experienced."

Sam nodded. "What's the word on Jessie and James?"

"They're going to have a party soon with all the family. They're planning tentatively to get married in a Praxian ceremony officiated by Optimus here. Our parents are going to be giving a party for them. Its still built around the schedule," Carly said.

"What's the word on them being stationed in the same place while in uniform?" Sam asked.

"They're dual-military so they can. Given the special circumstances of this deployment and that James is a permanent striker on an alpha team here, there's not a problem," Carly replied.

"Good. Who's going to be their flower girl?" Sam asked with a grin.

Carly smiled. "Why, you are, Sam."

=0=Family Tower

Mama Fig tottered off to bed after getting promises that if 'something happened' to get her. She did, however, say that the cards told her this would be okay and that nothing would happen. But she wanted them to get her anyway.

"Just in case."

They would if anything untoward happened.

The lounge was filled with people lounging, dozing and getting food. Will slouched in a chair with Sarah wrapped around him. Annie was in bed having been carried there earlier by her dad. Sometimes, a femme has to give in and get shut eye.

"When can you get the real word on what happened?" Sarah murmured. "There's more to this than that I would think. A ship almost fell."

"I have a call in to Ironhide," Will said as he took a beer from Lonnie Epps who was bringing them along with sandwiches.

"Tell me. Wake me up," Sarah said as she dozed off.

Lennox grinned. "Sure, babe."

=0=Virginia

They sat in the Command Center of Global N.E.S.T. at the Pentagon. Screens across the big room were showing different events and data but the big central one was showing the operation. Glenn Morshower, Joe Bowers and Charlotte Mearing were sitting with a number of generals, civilians of this and that agency, techs and a couple of high ranking members of the Senate.

"That makes four on the ground in the new development," Colonel Mick Murphy, Morshower's top aide said. "Two are hurt and in the repair phase. That leaves five more."

"They must still be in space, in orbit," Mearing said. "They have the repair depot 200 miles north of the colony, the Big Frame Shipyard in orbit around Saturn, the Big Frame Yard in the Tri-Cities District and the Ceres Depot and Refueling Center. They told me that they want as many at Mars and on the ground because its easier to repair."

Morshower glanced at Joe Bowers who was taking notes. "I want you to find out what you can, Joe, about the repair schedule, the future of these eleven mechs on world, anything you can get. We're going to have to speak to a lot of groups, Charlotte and I, so we're going to need information. Get with Jazz. He's got the inside game."

Joe nodded. "The House committees will be incensed and I don't know about the President. Things are very strained between everyone both here and the United Kingdom. Those are the two I can vouch for among the allies. I can get with General Hanson when I go to Brussels for the meeting next week."

"Good. The more information, the better," Glenn said grimly.

The screen played on showing Ratchet climbing a hand hold grip ladder up the side of The Dandy toward his superstructure. He was an ant crawling on an elephant. It was fascinating.

=0=Prime

He left the diner with the military-civilian committee group mostly dispersing. They'd troubleshot the situation and decided that the public and private school systems including the University and trade/tech schools would remain closed another orn until they figured out how to support the situation without overwhelming the road system. Even the metro would be displaced and take longer because underground trains for munitions and heavy shipping would be given priority for the refit and rescue.

The overland trains were already bringing things from stores at the Big Frame Supply Depot that was part of Industrial Park Cities #7. It would be intensely busy and time wise, very scripted for a while.

Businesses, work, recreation and other facilities would be given discretion to open but could be asked to close if traffic supporting the rescue was inhibited by their operation. All of the emergency facilities would be working and the Temple would be open to foot traffic. Tours and visitations of groups were canceled until this was sorted out.

It would be a banker's holiday.

News and radio channels along with the Community Bulletin Board and newspapers would put out notices and information as well as answer questions from those who needed more details. Prime, himself would speak to the situation at noon.

Until things were in better order, this was the way it would go.

Optimus Prime walked to the Metro then downward to the platform. Standing there were half a dozen kids he recognized as gangsters from briefings he had with Hauser. They stared at him as he stood with Prowl, Jetta and Mack. They were heading for the site to check progress.

The kids were nervous but stoically watched the tracks for the train to come. It was slow and some of them were already rerouted to allow freight trains to pass or slowed due to other circumstances.

"The trains are going to be disrupted for a while, Mack. Have Dane give me a call from the Department of Transportation in Bern later. We have to get this better coordinated."

Mack furiously took notes as everyone waited on the platform. Then Kup and Hercy walked down the steps to join them.

=0=TBC 9-17-19

(LOL! I'm glad I checked this over before posting because I wrote when Ironhide leaned down to kiss Ravel on the helm, I had 'Ironhide leaned down to kill Ravel on the head'.)

NOTES:

leoness chapter 88 . 19h ago

The concept of pirates walking inside and cutting them up like that is a visceral kind of horror. That's chest burster Alien type horror, comparatively.

ME: It is. Hunting and killing these beings for their tech is canon in the TF world and since all of their sparks are linked, they can be used to find others even when they're dead. There's a moon with a graveyard of them where they died that is a sad place for bots to go. The alien analogy is so true. What a horror. :D HUGS!

Dark Mind and Saddened Soul chapter 87 . Sep 16

I nearly bawled during this chapter. Poor Banner. Ironhide is likely going to be very pissed off with Ratchet, but I can see why Ratchet stayed. Banner's situation was dire, and probably still is until he can be stabilized, and Ratchet has a heart of gold inside that insane processor of his. Is it bad I just want to hug them all? argh...
lol, had a massive stimming fest as well while reading this as well... surprised I didn't start flying with how much flapping I was doing...

Thanks, Lisa (DMSS)

ME: Ratchet has a habit of this type of thing in nearly every universe he lives in. I love him because he's such a good guy. Hug them all, honey. :D:D:D LOL! I have such a visual of you flying. :D:D:D Hugs, Lisa, my darling. HUGS!

Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 87 . Sep 16

Holy moly... that was some cliffhanger! I'm so glad Banner was caught and Ratchet is safe. I don't blame Ironhide for being so mad. That was a brave but stupid thing for Ratchet to do.

ME: I know. Ratchet sort goes with his spark. Even Ironhide gets it but he's going to be pissed for a while. I never noticed I wrote cliffhangers until someone once mentioned it in my Star Trek days. LOL! I sorta love hanging off a cliff myself. ;) HUGS!

What Lies Beyond chapter 86 . Sep 15

Oh, jeez. This is the one drawback to being caught up on this story-you get to moments like this, and the wait between chapters is agonizing. I'm really, really hoping Banner pulls through. I don't want to see one of the titans die.

And Avalone...Based on Metroplex's reaction, I have a bad feeling about that name. He's one of the lost titans, isn't he? Poor Banner…

ME: He is. War is hell but they're rallying. I remember someone once told me that it took them two months reading day and night to catch up. :D:D:D BWAHAHAHA! I feel their pain. I'm editing this sucker myself. HUGS!

Ragemoose chapter 86 . Sep 15

So dramatic, I love it! Ironhide's gonna bust Ratchet's aft for this. I'm very interested to find out who Avalone is, especially since the other big frames (or at least Metroplex) seem to know about them.

On second thought, actually, I think all of Mars and most of Cybertron are going to riot if Ratchet gets hurt real bad, knowing how many people he's helped personally. They're gonna have to make 'Slag Ratchet Day' a national holiday at this rate :P

ME: BWAAHAHAA! You got that right. I like to put reality into this. I can't imagine them having this happen and just being jolly. They miss their friends and family but that's what immigrants are for. More stuff is coming and more tales will be told. Avalone is going to be resolved but not fast. HUGS!

Ragemoose chapter 85 . Sep 14

ahh, i feel like i always get behind right before a big arc like this! i get caught up just in time for the cliffhangers :P A joy to read, as always! I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Somehow, I get the distinct impression that despite several warnings, ratchet will be on board banner when he goes down. It just seems like he wouldn't be able, morally, to leave a charge of his to face such a perilous situation alone. I ALSO can't wait to see the resolution of the bit with the seeker kids and their parents! im so happy and excited for the reunion :,D

wonderful as ever! thank you for sharing!

ME: My pleasure. :D By the way, you read my mind. LOL! I also think that over the space of time and that many individuals that the kids would get their genitors back. It proves that they aren't just wishful thinking. Hugs to you, darling. HUGS!

DreamChaser99 chapter 84 . Sep 12

Aww, this is super exciting! I love seeing Ratchet interact with the metrotitans! That has to be some of my favorite parts of this story!

ME: IF they didn't have titans I would have to invent them. I LOVE THEM. Metroplex in the Fall of Cybertron game is a giant to me in every way possible. HUGS!

SkyenhaMarisa chapter 84 . Sep 11

Just a mote point, but the listing for DD7 is movies misc, not movies Transformers. Might want to change that so we can find you on a Transformers movie search. Here in New Mexico if it doesn't hit a hundred by the first week of July it doesn't. This year second going on the third week. I have the feeling winter is is going to be strange. Have you noticed even the Pulp science fictions of the forties liked to do the frontier town theme.

ME: I goofed that. I'm having an email in to support to see what they can do.

We have had the longest and strangest summer ever in the 42 years that I've lived here. Right now its halfway to October and its still in the 60's during the day. Winter is going to be late coming here.

I think Shootout at the OK Corral is a thing. :D:D:D I think I've written three different scenes in three different stories that had one. LOL! HUGS!

leoness chapter 83 . Sep 11

I love the big frames. The visuals of them as well are so impressive.

ME: When I saw Metroplex in Fall of Cybertron and the titans in the little shorts about the Combiner Wars, they just make me happy. I love them. When Ironhide and Prime were standing on Metroplex's shoulder in the game, I couldn't get over how tiny they were. And so cute. :D:D:D

HUGS!