The Diego Diaries: Cassio (dd7 110)
=0=Ops Center Conference Room
Cassio Imperialis walked in and he didn't look happy. He wasn't overly tall nor overly short. He was that medium range that most Cybertronian mechs were that didn't serve a heavy or combat function. He was well made, brilliantly even and his paint scheme reflected the immense resources that his family had to build his protoform. It was rumored that he was granted at the Well, this scion of a sinfully wealthy and powerful family.
He was educated at the best schools, took honors while doing so as he worked hard to make his mark in the family through business and behind-the-scenes masterminding and manipulating in government. He was a fixer, a manager and a very dangerous amoral individual who knew how to advance his agenda through the skillful manipulation of others. He was nearly invisible, noting that being so allowed him to operate nearly in plain sight without interruption.
He'd been in nearly every aspect of their system of government and had more 'alliances' than one could ever hope to match. He paid, bribed, conned, blackmailed and played one against the other always to his own benefit and that of his House. His memory was legendary, his patience nearly a virtue and he never gave an inch to anyone, though they'd be hard pressed to find fault in his game, such was his skill with others.
His brother Ebio was a different creature altogether. He was a soldier wannabe, someone who spent a lot of time learning martial arts of which he was very good, made enemies, did the dirty jobs that needed muscle but not much otherwise and lived the high life. He was the 'liaison' for his family business because he wasn't much good at anything else. He liked to fight, argue, throw his weight around and be an aft.
Ebio was an entitled son of an entitled son. He got his way because he was an Imperialis and because he'd never been told no. To pick a fight with Sun was an act of hubris for which there was no escape. That he was laying on a berth in the prison hospital being prepped for a new servo was probably a new experience for him. The first fight with Sun long ago had been ended before it began by the timely arrival of his father. No one provoked a Praxian Elite and Immortal without consequences. Even them. This one … The Rematch … had ended in the only way it could, with his utter defeat.
He had no sense or he wouldn't have challenged Ironhide the Elder then or now.
Cassio walked in with guards, Springer and Drift, then paused at the end of the table. He wore cuffs and a tight expression. This was beyond his experience but he wasn't a wild aft like his brother. He knew when to talk and when not to.
Like now.
"Sit, Cassio," Prowl said with satisfaction. He for one knew WHEN to talk.
Like right now.
Drift pulled a chair, then pushed him into the seat. "There, shortie. You're welcome." He stepped back. It was clear he was still pissed about Cog.
"You're under arrest for war crimes, murder, bribes, etcetera. There's also open arrest warrants from Cybertron back during The Fall when things were getting sorted out." Prowl sat back with his cop face on. "What do you say for yourself, Cassio Imperialis?"
Cassio sat back and relaxed as he stared at Prowl. "Not much actually." He grinned a hard cold grin without warmth of humor.
Prowl leaned forward. "You're facing a Prime Hearing with Special Circumstances. Does that help?"
"No."
They stared at each other, two mortal enemies from way the frag long ago, then Prowl sat back. "Well, that's sad to hear. I'll make sure I tell Karyll Wheelus. He's here, too."
For his credit, Cassio didn't bat an optic. He stared at Prowl, then glanced around. "Well, it would appear that the gang is all here."
Raptor snorted with amusement. "Lucky you, huh."
Cassio stared at Raptor. "It's sad to see you here, Raptor. I heard that the District got slammed. Blackjack and Alor … you made it. How sad."
Ironhide slammed the table eliciting a startled movement by Cassio before it was buried under his nerve and control. "I hope you get life on the electric chair." He leaned forward. "I'd even help weld Kaon back together to see it done."
"I heard that you did them in. Congratulations," Cassio said dryly.
"Well, we're soldiers. So ..." Jack said with a slight grin.
Sun stood, then walked around behind Cassio. He leaned in closer. "Unlike you and Delbert."
Laughter greeted that.
"So, Cassio … tell us slag," Sun said.
"Anything in particular?" Cassio asked calmly.
"Everything," Sun said as he unsubbed Ebio's digits. He pulled the chair next to Cassio, sat, then began to toss the digits like they were quarters. It was obvious what they were but Cassio didn't bite.
"There's not much to tell. I've been traveling around, taking in the scenery. Nothing to tell about, actually."
"Then maybe a cortical patch would help jog your memory," Ratchet said with a grin.
Sun was hilarious.
"That would be unethical, Autobot Quack. That is your name, right?" Cassio said to someone he truly hated, fragging diplomat.
Ironhide leaned closer to him. "Frag you, Useless. Drag on society, traitor, coward, warmonger. Did I leave anything out?" he asked as he glanced at his three grinning great uncles.
"Ugly?" -Steiner
"Ada's boy?" -Jack
"Awful frag?" -Sun
The twins who were standing with Springer and Drift by the door watched the three giant mechs with worshipful optics. It was incredible the attentiveness of the youngsters in the room on the situation. It was clear pages in the legend were being written tonight.
Prime who was listening felt amusement and the usual frustration. He also felt other things. This fragger was a bad memory for all of the senior Autobots present. "It might help you in the long run to talk to us about the galaxy as you experienced it, your alliances and other facts that are pertinent. You do understand that when Megatron comes and he will … all of us burn. That includes you as well."
"I'd love to tell you about that, Prime. Most of the galaxy is empty of interesting things. My journey to visit Razorclaw was cut short by you, something that was mighty unmannerly and unneighborly if I say so. As for the rest, I don't recall." He stared at Prime with a level gaze.
"Well that's okay, slagger. That's what cortical patches are for," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile.
Snorts around the room were had.
"We have the mainframes from Cybertron. We have acres and mountains of databases, documentation and exhibits that can be put together to make the story," Prowl said. "We have mechs that have nothing else to do but that. You and your brother have nothing."
"Perhaps," Cassio said. "But that would mean we'd have to stay here to care."
It was silent a moment, then Ratchet grinned. "You're going with the old gaslight maneuver." He looked at the others. "If you got nothing, make the other slagger think you do but be very mysterious about it. Are you going to pop out of here with some tech or is there a cavalry waiting somewhere to rescue you?"
"What makes you think that after all this time we didn't make a lot of alliances among a lot of dangerous individuals and their armies?" Cassio asked coldly.
"Your personality?" Springer asked.
Drift finally grinned.
Cassio didn't answer. He sat silently staring at Prime. "Is this all?"
"For now," Prime said. "Put him in the brig down below. Make it solitary and block anyone but the usual crew from seeing him. Until he has counsel, he sees no one."
"Glad to," Springer said as he gripped Cassio's arm and pulled him up. With Drift trailing, they walked to the door and left.
Ratchet sat back, then grinned. "Sun, if I wasn't bonded with your great nephew, I'd chase ya. Tell me again, why aren't you bonded. Both of you. You, too, Steiner."
"Run. Fly, fools," Ironhide said before he looked at Ratchet with a frown. "LEAVE THOSE MECHS ALONE, OLD MECH! WHAT THE FRAG IS WRONG WITH YOU?"
"Why, Ironhide … since when is romance a bad thing?" Ratchet asked with a giant smile. He glanced at the others. "Why, last night in the berth-"
"OH NO!" -half the room
"NO! NO!NO!NO!" -the other half of the room
"ARGHHH!" -still another half of the room
"Tell me more." -Sun, Jack and Steiner
Prime sat back with a grin. "Good of the order?"
Everyone glanced at Prime who had Halo, then grinned.
"What are you going to be on Halloween?" Hercy asked.
Prime grinned. "A daddy."
A moment of aww was had, then everyone looked at Hercy. He grinned. "I'm going to be Hercy."
"The 'Old' is optional then," Steiner asked.
Laughter.
"What about you, Magnus?" Steiner asked.
The expression of utter disdain on Magnus's face would live on in the Annals of Disdain forever.
Arcee who was leaning against him grinned. "He's still deciding."
"You shouldn't encourage them, Arcee," Magnus said.
"I heard that your kids have great costumes," Elita said to Ironhide.
"Appa and Amma are getting them made. Hero and Halo will be a washing machine and dryer. Orion is going to be a raindrop with Praxus. Prowler will be a green onion and Sunspot will be a snow globe." Ironhide grinned with pride. "Amma and Appa designed them. They're cute and the art department is making them."
"It pays to be in show biz," Elita said with a chuckle as Jetta walked in, then joined her.
"Who's in show biz?" Jetta asked.
"Atar's family. Soldiering and show biz. That's the oddest combo ever," Elita said with a chuckle.
"We're complex," Ironhide preened.
HUGE disdain and laughter greeted that.
"Speaking of show biz, what's the topic for the Thanksgiving contest?" Alor asked. "I think I forgot."
"Barbecue," Ratchet said.
"No wonder I forgot," Alie said with a chuckle. "I suppose you have the trophies made?"
"You might be right if I lie," Ratchet said. "I do have an idea and I'll have them made shortly. Bring your barbie and mech up, slaggers. We want you to do the work this time."
"I'm beginning to hate barbecue," Magnus said.
Many were the mechs who agreed with him.
Springer and Drift walked back in. "He's in the can, Optimus," Springer said.
Ratchet turned to the two, then grinned. "Tell us about Cog."
"Who's Cog?" someone in the back asked as Drift began to frown.
"Uh, we had a mission once and they helped it. Mutual enemy. Cog was with the Decepticon patrol. He's a stalker and a nut case," Springer said.
"Oh, great," Alie said. "Just what we need. How bad is he?"
"He's a psycho," Drift said with a trace of anger. "Fragger."
No one stated the obvious because it was so obvious. Drift was pissed. Springer was grinning. Ratchet was observing. Everyone's flutter valve fluttered.
Ironhide frowned at Ratchet. "What are you going to do, Old Mech? LEAVE THOSE MECHS ALONE!"
Ratchet took the plate of donuts sitting next to him and held it out to Ironhide. "Have a donut."
"Don't mind if I do, little lady," Ironhide said with a grin as he reached for one. He'd have all of them on his lap.
=0=Winding down the mission
They walked out and meandered along the sidewalk heading for home. Though there were odd echoes here and there, nothing looked too worrisome. Home was beckoning and so were their berths.
Springer and Drift waved farewell, then walked down the Metro to take a train to their city. Begging off work, they decided to head for home. Entering a car that was empty they sat down side-by-side. It was quiet, then Springer grinned at Drift. "Thanks for punching Cog. You saved my virtue."
Drift grinned. "Is that so?"
"Maybe."
[Silence]
"You upset about this?"
"When another mech kisses you … yeah, I get upset," Drift said as Springer took his servo and squeezed gently.
"Good," he said as the train hurried onward toward home.
=0=TBC 10-15-19 02-20-2021