The Diego Diaries: Onward Ho (dd7 109)
=0=Some time later
"We're ready to leave, Optimus," Prowl said as he linked off with the commanders around the armada.
Prime who was holding Halo glanced at Prowl. "Then take us out in order."
Prowl walked to the Communications station and began to dictate the orders of march. They'd form up as they came and head out without stealth. They'd take bridges near Broken Hole so that the locals would know a HUGE Cybertronian force had been by. It didn't hurt to advertise.
They'd move shortly as the various components gathered into place to go. Among them would be full prison ships with a varied amount of slaggers …
… Aboard Prison Ship 3
They stood by the windows, those that could and watched the show outside. Ships were moving into place as well as Seekers and it was something to see. Prime had brought the hammer and it was clear to the punters that this was probably just a small part of his arsenal.
"What do you think, Rocco?" Siphon said. "Do you think we can live in their colony and do stuff?"
Rocco glanced at the kid who he'd pulled into his sphere when it was evident that he wasn't very bright and could be blasted not only from the enemy but his own side. He shrugged. "I think so. Prime doesn't lie unlike someone else we all know."
The kid nodded. "I think I like this. It's going to be fun." He glanced up at Rocco. "Do you think its going to be fun?"
Rocco smirked in spite of himself. "Yeah. I think so."
"Good," the kid said as he watched the ships around him.
Then they began to move …
On the Salton Sea bridge the bots relaxed.
Sun grinned at Ironhide and the others as he casually tossed Ebio's digits into the air, catching them as if they were a coin he was tossing.
Hardie grinned at him. "You're a slagging heathen, Sun."
"That's me. I have to say that I'm totally impressed that Raptor turned out like me," Sun said with a grin. "That little mech is a caution."
"He is. We did our best," Hardie said with a chuckle.
"Are all the missions this easy? Frankly, Hardie, I came to fight," Steiner said as he sat next to Jack. That big mech was smirking at Sun who he knew would have the digits welded some place on his chassis as 'benefits of battle' as he liked to call them. He had several already on his armor, most of them beaten into some other shape. "What are you going to make out of those digits?"
"I'm giving it a lot of thought. Ebio and I go way back. He never won that fight either. That slagger is certifiable," Sun said with a smile. "I do love ripping parts of him off."
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe who were on board to fly back with the elders stared at Sun like he was a god. He was the kind of mech they strove to be … a maniac with class.
Everyone sitting around the room knew they were enthralled. It was terribly amusing.
"What's the story on Halloween? I hear you get to wander around in a costume and hold up people for eats," Sun said as he subbed the digits.
Prowl was looking slightly ill as he sat nearby watching him. Wouldn't do to mess with the duty schedule mech.
"Sounds like a winner. You can go as you are, Sun," Jack said. He glanced at Ironhide. "I hear its a kid's holiday."
"It is. Sunspot wants to go as a snow globe," Ironhide said proudly. "Little mech can go as he pleases."
"Snow globe," Ratchet said with a smile. "Genius. What about the peewees? I don't suppose the big kids will do it."
Everyone was searching meaning off line as Ironhide continued.
"They're going to help them trick-or-treat, then head for a party at their club. Orion and Praxus want to go as Rack 'N Ruin. They saw him the other day and want to be 'just like the shes for doin'," Ironhide said with a grin. "I don't think so. I got them costumes to be rain drops."
Huge laughter greeted that.
"Do. Continue," Jack said as he put up his big old peds.
"The girls are going to be a washer and dryer. Hero helps me do the laundry, what there is of it and she decided that she wants to be a washer with Halo as a dryer," Ironhide said. "Prowler wants to be a green onion. He likes them."
"Awesome. Who's doing the costumes?" Sunstreaker asked.
"Scout wants to do them. He and Trooper are doing all of them," Ironhide said. "Prowler will be an onion. A green onion."
"He likes them," Ratchet said to the others. "This is going to be epic. You're all invited."
"No doubt," Sun said with a grin.
A flash nearby signaled that they'd reached the bridge and soon they were flying through it until they reached the other side. A short trip through the solar system led them to home and as they waited in orbit to drop down to the planet surface, they gathered their gear and walked to the hangar deck to leave.
Everyone but the command crew.
=0=Prison Ship 3
They flew out of the bridge and began to descend on a Level 4 High Security Priority Override for obvious reasons. Surrounded by Seekers, they flew to the prison and landed on the prison airport, powering down at last. The Seekers barrel rolled, then flew onward toward home or debriefing depending upon rank.
Standing on the deck were a lot of guards and security from the army. The ship was lit, so was the area and beyond them the prison yawned onward into the distance. It was lit, too. Everyone who heard the ship land and had listened to the news put two and two together. They gathered at the bars of their cells to watch and see who Prime had gathered up this time.
Light poles illuminated the place all night anyway only going off when their sensors read normal average daily light from the rising of the sun over the dome of Olympus Mons. Guards manned towers, the odd truck drove here and there down the many roads and the place was surrounded by highly charged fences. It was as depressing and terrible as any prison anywhere if you were confined here. Prisons were prisons.. But here, the brutality and indifference of other prisons elsewhere was missing. This was a place where Gee-Gee and her staff worked miracles.
She waited at the ramp when the doors opened and watched as Ebio and Cassio were marched out, one on a stretcher and the other FUMING with suppressed rage. Ebio would go to the prison hospital and Cassio would be held in a detention cell in the Command Center for Prime to speak to shortly. When they were passed and on their way, Gee-Gee called out to Winnie. "Bring them out, Winnie. A hundred at a time."
"On it," Winnie said as she walked down the corridor between holding pens scoping out 100 prisoners to send out. None of them looked anything but interested in being here which was unusual for a battle group but not. It was getting easier to take them to prison against the idea of being free given the colony versus their previous situation. Never underestimate a good house, good food, a job that doesn't suck and sports to derail even a good intentioned Cybertronian mech.
Or femme.
They began to walk out in lines as Winnie dropped the bars. They reached the door, paused to glance around, then came down to make lines on the tarmac where they were painted on the surface. When the entire group was there Gee-Gee walked to the front to address them.
They looked at her with interest, that is, all those that weren't staring at the panorama of the colony beyond with astonishment.
"My name is Warden Gee-Gee. I run this prison. If you behave and get your aft straight, that," she said turning toward the lights that seemed to go into forever in the gathering gloom of nightfall, "can be your new home. We get a lot of dead enders here, criminal elements and other losers. I prefer to work with someone who isn't a total jerk. If you obey the rules … don't fight, don't abuse anyone, don't hurt my people or anyone else and change, then you can live out there, too. If not, I can keep you forever.
"This is my prison. No one can set up opposing kingdoms here. The Imperialis Brothers are going to find that out the hard way. If you're not stupid, you don't have to make this your permanent home. The war is over and the factions are done. Think about it." She glanced at Roadie. "Take them to their hotel, Roadie. Then come back again. We have a few more to settle."
Roadie nodded. "Gotcha, boss." He looked at the mechs who stared back at him, some moving to stand behind someone else because they recognized him from other encounters. "Move it that a way," he said. "Follow Berket."
Berket, a tall security mech with a great sense of humor stepped out and they followed him. Soon, the group was merrily down the road.
"This might be okay," Gee-Gee said. "Good thing we cleared a couple of hundred out over the weekend."
Winnie nodded. "One way or the other, Gee-Gee. These slaggers are going to learn."
Another ship landed, a small shuttle filled with prisoners and it was followed by several more. They were ferrying them off the battleships and shuttles from space while the other prison ships made their way to Mars through the system. It would take a while to house them. The best part was they were happy to be housed.
=0=Down
Salton Sea rolled to a stop, then powered down.
Prime stood with a sleeping Halo, then headed for the door. "Last one out is a targ," he said as the elevator door closed on his smiling face.
"Slagger," Ironhide said as everyone began to fill elevators to go. They'd all go just as the retrieval crews stepped out to prep Salton Sea for return to the Ready-Go Flight Line nearby.
=0=On the tarmac at last
The chaos of return was ongoing as the media filmed everything. Jazz was giving the news thus far and would be handling the mission debrief with them when the senior crew debriefed themselves at The Fortress.
Walking through the crowd, laughing and chatting with this and that mech or femme they made it to The Fortress, then entered to walk to the conference room.
Prowl checked the status of things, then joined them as the door closed behind him.
Everyone sat on a chair lounging rather happily. The mission had been a miracle. No one died. Ebio would never bowl again and all was well with everyone but Ironhide. He pouted ever so prettily as he stared at Prime.
Prime himself enjoyed Ironhide's pout.
They were meant for each other.
"Well, what is the word, Prowl?" Prime asked as he relaxed into his chair. Then he looked downward.
Halo stretched, then curled into the warmth of Prime's chassis and the Matrix energy that was always there like a kitten.
Everyone stared at her, then gave their attention to Prowl who was staring at her as well.
"All is well here. We're tracking one of Razorclaw's flights just this side of our no-go zone but other than that, all is well," Prowl replied. "I will never understand this mission or the habit of some to keep trophies," he said as he stared pointedly at Sun.
Sun smiled a big Orion smile, then began to flip digits in his servo like coins.
"You're a heathen," Prowl said. "Where's the duty schedule again?" he said to no one in particular as he pretended to look for it in his stack of slag. At least, everyone hoped he was pretending.
They discussed things, Ironhide got Hero back, Ratchet briefed everyone on Banner, then the door opened.
In walked Cassio Imperialis and he didn't look happy.
Not one bit.
=0=TBC 10-14-19 02-27-2021
NOTES!
Ragemoose chapter 108 . Oct 13
im sorry about your trees. I know how uncomfortable that sort of change can be. I hope things keep getting easier for you!.
ME: It is. It was so shocking to look into my backyard and where a dense forest was, there's nothing. :D My dogs like it but I'm going to have to get used to it.
Also, why do i have thr distinct impression that siphon might be another child warrior? he reminds me of skids and mudflaps a lot.
ME: I agree. I think it does things to you that aren't good and last a long time. He's going to be one of several that show up. He was patterned after the little twins because those guys are clearly a product of neglect and privation.
HUGS! Darling!
AuroraArgentiSilvereye chapter 108 . Oct 13
Oh my...well that went well! The fact that 90 percent of the slaggers seemed to 180 when "the football" was dropped is an amazing, yet hilarious thing. Loving all of the good content and awesome visuals!
ME: Football and beer. LOL! I love the way they love their culture. Even idiots love football and food. :D
Side note: hello! I just opened an account with Fanfiction after years of following this work. I commented a few times as "LovesTheShes." Super excited to finally be on the roster as an official follower, and can't wait to see what's next. Love love love you, and have a wonderful day/night!
ME: LOVETHESHES! I LOVE THAT NAME! Welcome, darling. :D Welcome to the band wagon. :D:D I'm so glad you're still here. You have a great night, too, and I love you back! :D
HUGS!
leoness chapter 108 . Oct 13
I am very sorry about your trees. I had some old friends growing up in the form of a big old oak or two I was sad to leave when we moved.
ME: I remember when I left Oregon forty years ago to come here to teach, I worried a huge amount about my oaks and maples. I love oak trees. I hear ya. :*}
Oh dear. Siphon is giving me Sunspot vibes…
ME: We're going to see more and more like them. They're going to start coming. What happens to them here is going to be interesting and it makes built in friends for the little twins. :D:D:D HUGS!
Ragemoose chapter 106 . Oct 10
so relieving to see things go off without a hitch this time around. Though, knowing the people they have in the prison with the severe mental health disorders, i sort of worry for springer and drift. it would be pretty scary if Cog was legitimately stalking that's not the case. It will be interesting to see how the imperialis boys fare in the lockup. something tells me they'll be there a good long while :P
ME: HI! I hear ya. Sometimes the story writes itself. I see the Imperialis bros as good in the system but they aren't soldiers and because they were successful raiding, the real bad afts let them lead. The Imperialis bros were part of the group that included the Wheelus Faction who are facing a Prime Hearing with Special Circumstances. It will be interesting to see if there's any loyalty among thieves. LOL!
Nope. :D
Cog is a legit stalker and those two are going to have a bit of a time with him. I find it hilarious that Springer sort of gives off a 'good girl' vibe and Drift is the 'jealous boyfriend'. Given the joints and places they've been, they're lucky this didn't happen earlier. :D HUGS!
SunnyandSidesexcellentadventur chapter 106 . Oct 10
OMG! I fragging love this story! Drift is jealous! I
ME: THANKS! LOL! He is. He's only just begun, too. ;) HUGS!
Dark Mind and Saddened Soul chapter 105 . Oct 9
So... I have a question. Will Sunny and Sideswipe ever find out what happened to their genitors? I know Optimus saw them getting dropped off at the care place, but I think it might do them a load of good mental health wise to know that they were never intentionally abandoned... especially Sunny... their genitors passed away, didn't they?
ME: That's going to be put in down the road when they begin to look in the direction where a lot of strangeness happened. Their story is long and convoluted about how they ended up this way. Cue in Jhiaxus and Soundwave. Sunny would be shocked, then enraged, then grief stricken, then happy. He's not going to be as easy as Sideswipe about this when they know. As for now, Prime believes they might be alive.
Considering their condition when they left the twins, and the bad nature of some of the so called doctors, I just get the sad feeling that is how it went down... maybe one of them can ask that all knowing thing in the temple?
ME: when I get to that part of the outline, I'm going to see what comes. It could go either way. The AllSpark and the Pantheon follow a universal rule that can't be broken. They won't intrude on free will. The bots can asked. Sideswipe is by canon religious. That is part of the story line, exploring this odd but canon fact about him. Its upcoming, Darling!
Thanks, Lisa
ME: You're welcome, Lisa. HUGS!
SkyenhaMarisa chapter 104 . Oct 8
You need to get back on AO3. Just remember to put place holder zeros so the chapters actually come up in order. Had to do this for my download to USB drives from ff.
ME: That's the goal when I get the first three fully edited. I'm going to post them in bigger parts. I have to reload everything here one at a time. I'm going to do it at AO3 in larger portions.
Also Amazon has a Ravage USB that transforms and works. And don't forget the Joe team, I have no doubt they are behind the scenes tracking the baddies on earth. Hugs.
ME: OH LORD! RAVAGE! BWAHAHAHA! I have a chibi Optimus USB drive that I love. :D The Joe team is on the list with Cobra. That would be a nice tie in especially with Silas on the loose. HUGS! :D:D
leoness chapter 103 . Oct 8
Had a wolf spider darn near the size of my palm fall down the back of my neck as a kid. The arachnophobia is strong in this one.
ME: I used to find black widows in my bed. My cats used to bring them to me. They would throw them in the air and watch them bounce. I could have to cut off my head if a spider did that to me. Wolf spiders are nasty. We have black and brown reclusives here that when they bite kill the flesh all over when they do. I wish I had a gun sometimes when I see them. ;D HUGS! I hear ya. :D