The Diego Diaries: Sun Dance (dd7 151)
=0=There
Ratchet walked to the ships nearby and climbed aboard. Taking an elevator upward, he reached the command deck where Optimus was working on an evacuation plan. He pulled a chair to sit. "How's it going?"
"It is. Slowly," Prime said sitting back. "What is the progress with the procedures?"
"I have all my teams here pulling them off Cybertron where they're doing deep recon to find those who might be lost. Its clear to me that the problem is finished there though we're still going to always check. For now, we need them here and its going slow but sure. Taking those finished up out is a good idea."
Prime considered that. "We need to clear the decks."
"What do you plan to do with these planets?" Ratchet asked. "I would think these might be good transfers to our sector. Imagine them a trial run."
"I was considering that myself. This is a poor place for such rare planets to find themselves. It is a miracle that they have not been destroyed by a random flare," Prime said. "I asked Perceptor and Wheeljack to consider that."
"Good. The fauna here is topped by insects. The rest didn't develop here according to the locals, some of whom farm and do botanical here. This planet is in the emerging lane, rather than having a fully developed ecosystem beyond plants, insects and some fish. It would be unethical otherwise," Ratchet said.
"It might be now. Planets emerge under their own plans, growing on their surfaces whatever happens to develop," Prime said. "I remember being on a planet with sentient plants that looked like big round balls. There was another where butterflies and moths were the apex creation."
Ratchet nodded. "I know. We can scan this place and evaluate it. We can also calculate the probability about how soon they'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time for a flash of plasma from the rifts. It rather poses an interesting ethical question doesn't it? Bring them with us and give all the life here the chance of living happily where nothing terrible strikes them dead or leaving them here to take their chances at total destruction."
They were both silent a moment.
"I will consult the Matrix. That is what we face here. Ordinarily, I would be of the opinion that a good retreat is a smart thing to do and the best. But the alien confederation we fought over the Functionalist colonies is nearby and they have the capabilities to come here and benefit from what remains. We cannot leave everything behind for them to find and extrapolate from. We cannot destroy this colony without significant damage to the planet. I am sure it is so with the other one. We have a very serious conundrum here.
"Neither is advanced. Both came along the same evolutionary path though Homeland is more desert than this one. This planet is very beautiful. I am not willing to do this without a consultation," Prime said.
Ratchet nodded. "Heavy lies the helm that wears the crown?"
Prime grinned. "Something like that."
"Well, given that we don't get Thanksgiving, I suppose I need to order in." Ratchet rose. "How about pizza and beer?"
"Throw in some buns with potatoes and gravy and you have a sale. That would make a lot of things good with me," Prime said.
"You and Ironhide," Ratchet said with a chuckle. "I'll get food out here. The party is well in hand for tomorrow at home. Maybe you can buzz in and tell them something inspirational being the Messiah of our people and all."
Prime snickered. "I am that." He watched Ratchet walk to the elevators, then leave. Staring at it a moment, feeling the feels of duty over family once again, he turned back to his work.
=0=Nearby
Medical shuttles landed everywhere and standing with them were long lines of individuals who were coming for the procedures and other things that needed done. The resistance led by locals was there directing everyone and helping them with information. They were to gather anything and everything that they wanted to bring with them. Prime was amenable to their plight and wanted them to have something of their home go with them.
They had seen the videos and knew that the world to come was cold, desert and filled with glorious Cybertronian sights. It would be 100 percent different than here. But it would allow them to be free, choose their lives and be with the relics that defined them. It was an emotionally exhausted group that stood patiently in lines, some of them standing next to stretchers where their family members lie.
=0=Autobot City Port of Entry: Immigration and Refugees, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
They came through ship bridges to step down onto the promised land. Some of them came by ship, those with disabilities or illnesses. Others came through the big bridges at the port, the one in the old shipyard that was the locus of reclamation for all newcomers.
Dai Atlas was holding his groups for two orns to allow this group to get as many through as they could before he would resume the steady stream through one of the now five enormous bridges that operated here. Once it was three, two big and one small but the need was too great so they expanded.
The newcomers streamed out holding children, elders and each other. They stared around in wonder as blankets were handed to them for smallest children who would be stuffed into holds and onesie gear for older kids. They walked to lines which led to the techs and Bureau workers who would take their data tags, enter them, then have them board buses for Crater District Three which was waiting for this group. Crater District Three had been finished while Crater District Four was heavily under construction. The ground breaking for three more was also underway along with more recreational amenities for all.
They had passed 100,000,000 million individuals and the need seemed like a long road disappearing into the distance. Jetta and Mack were on it like 'flies on shit' as Bobby Epps liked to say. If anyone could stay ahead of the flood, they would.
They were mostly silent, stunned by the changes which had come out of nowhere and muted by the possibilities of a great home, opportunities and good personal well being. It was amazing to see the cities all around them spiraling into the sky, the metroformers in districts as well, roads that were immaculate and filled with traffic, the Temple roof and the Guardians working on ships in the distance. They stood in line docilely waiting. They would come for days and days.
=0=The next afternoon
They fogged in bringing food by the armfuls. Putting it on the tables along one wall, Ravel was scurrying to get things organized. Docker was at the door directing those who brought things, Appa Ratchet was schmoozing because he was supposed to sit but he wasn't, Corr and Chan were helping with the children including their own. The room was filling up as The Squad began to arrive and help.
It was happy, fun and festive among the guests at the dinner, all of them bringing food and drink until the tables threatened to collapse. And still they came with their families.
=0=Ops Center, Sun Base about the same time (uncoordinated time zones)
Ratchet sat with a beer and a slice. Prowl was sitting between his amma and appa showing them how to eat a pizza. Others were there, the leaders of Homeland and the leaders of the Sun Base resistance. They found beer and pizza one of the wonders of the galaxy.
Ironhide's family were having a bite at a worker's settlement outside the ring of comfort that divided their oppressors from the oppressed. It was comfortable and quiet where they were.
Styre sat back, then vented a sigh. "That is strange food but so delicious. Something hot and unique you can hold in your servo." He grinned. "I never ate anything that allowed you to devour the plate."
"It's Class A energon," Prowl said. "Nothing less than that for everyone when we get to Mars."
"That's remarkable. I've never had it beyond the odd small thing. Having nothing but it at your colony is a life saver, Prowl," Stealth said. He looked at Prowl. "You must tell us about your life. We've been cut off from everyone for so long. I try not to think about Miler and Venture. Its so painful to me, grandson." Stealth stared at the glass in his servo as if he would burst into pieces. Of the two, he was the most obviously traumatized.
Prowl glanced at Prime, then his amma. "You're suffering trauma. We can attend to that on Mars. As for my family, we have numerous children, femmes and mechs. When we get there you can see them."
Stealth looked at him then sat back. "There are grandchildren?" he asked nearly at tears.
Prowl nodded. "Amma … Appa, tell me how you got away. I didn't know how to find you."
It was silent a moment, then Styre set down his bottle. "We were stuck in Polyhex. The Knights came through and ordered us to leave with them. We didn't know what to do. The shelling was so terrible. I told them I had to find my family, you and my son. The others. I don't know … we were shoved into a ship and it flew away. That's how we came to link up with this group. They were … terrible. They were ..."
It was silent a moment. Then Styre looked at Prowl. "We were nothing, just ashes blowing in the wind, Prowl. At that moment all of us were one, all of us in that group and everyone left behind. I wept for orns and orns, your amma and I for everyone left behind. Not just our own but everyone.
"We were so wrong, all of us. What we thought was right was so wrong. It destroyed us and my son and your ada, the others … they all are gone. The System … it just won't die. We live here and we make our way but its with a lot of ghosts, Prowler. We have ghosts living with us and we feel their loss."
Prowl stared at the pair then felt Prime tap him with his ped. He looked at Prime then they had a private discussion. He sat back to consider it. :We have to work here. Everyone has lost someone. I can't … I can't make distinctions for myself because I want them. I can't play favorites:
Prime considered that. :I will for you. Come with me to Mars. We can leave them there when we do, check the intake and then come back. Ratchet can come to assist if this is needed. For once, let us both do something for ourselves. It is well in servo here:
Prowl stared at him then the two sad mechs sitting at the table. "I think we should take you to Mars. If you get a chance to rest then you can come back and help here. For now its all in hand."
Styre glanced at Prowl. "I can't leave here now. I'm needed." Stealth nodded.
"I'll be you for you for now and General Hard Drive can come and help everyone here. Get a good rest then come back. I guarantee you that you won't be sorry you did this," Prowl said.
Prime stood. "Come with us. We can have you meet your grandchildren."
Stealth looked at him with anguish. "I would love that. I would love that a lot."
Styre stood, then helped Stealth to his peds. "Come, Only One. It'll be alright. Perhaps we can do this for you."
"I … I'm tired, Styre. Prowl is such a blessing." He looked at Prowl nearly in tears. "YOU ARE! YOU'RE MY LITTLE MECH!"
Ratchet stood, considered a script, then sent it to Stealth. He waited a moment until that mech relaxed slightly. "Come on, Stealth. I gave you a sedative. We can get you tucked in and you'll be on your peds in no time."
With Prowl and Styre's assistance, Stealth weaved his way to the ship outside with Optimus and Ratchet. In moments they were through its bridge which let them out in front of their tower in The City.
Both newcomers glanced around astonished at the sights around them.
Prowl turned to both. "Come. You're going to stay at our home. Its just a short walk away."
They helped the two overwhelmed bots make it to the elevator and on the way up Styre waffled about staying. When they reached the top, they walked out and paused before the big ornamental doors of The Residence.
"This is your home, Prowler?" Stealth asked with an exhausted voice.
"It is, Amma. Let's go in. You can sit a moment, then we can help you lie down," Prowl said.
The anguished mech stumbled in, then sat heavily in a chair in the vast living room. Styre sat down across from him on the ottoman. They looked worn to their superstructures as Prime and Prowl watched Ratchet check them over. A script was sent to Styre who relaxed himself at last. He closed his optics then sighed. "Thank you, Ratchet."
"My duty and pleasure, I assure you," Ratchet said as he stood.
The three discussed the moment then sat down to wait for others that Prime had called to come. It wouldn't take long before they did.
=0=TBC 12-7-19
NOTES TOMORROW! :D:D:D