The Diego Diaries: Sun Dance and FOOTBALL! (dd7 163)
A couple of blurred daze later …
Ratchet walked from his office in the big wig wing to get the latest data. They had moved a million mechs, femmes, young and old from the planet, almost all of them low caste to mid. They were glad to go after spending time viewing the videos that were made for refugees. The idea of things being this different this fast had caused a bit of cognitive dissonance in a few but that was minimal. Giving them a couple of orns to think it through before leaving was enough for most individuals.
He paused by the desk in Ops Center, took the data then walked out. The sun was shining, the day was beautiful and so was the planet. He was looking forward to coming to this planet at some point when it was somewhere else. It reminded him a lot of Earth, this place that was green and largely lush. It had a big ocean and a lot of lakes and rivers. It was a nicer place than Homeland overall but given the poisoned atmosphere here, he would have preferred the other world given a choice.
Most who came here didn't have one. They flew in and never flew out.
He walked down the street in the largely high tone area of town. It was beautiful, elegant, had wonderful shops and restaurants, all the amenities you would expect. They were served by low castes and beyond that there was no intermingling of the two groups. One had all the power, the other had only a sense of inevitability that nothing would ever change.
But it had.
Someone had smuggled enough parts to their home to assemble a radio that could pick up transmissions between the two factions. They knew that Homeland was free and that they were enslaved. All it took was a very long time working amongst the people to get them to take a chance that perhaps they could be free as well. That nascent resistance was well on its way when Prime showed up.
It was probably fortunate for the high castes that they did. If they had pushed the button on the devices against an uprising of their worker bees they would be in a very large world all alone and in the end their treachery would be dealt with one way or the other.
If they were smarter they would have understood that they were always on track to lose. But delusion is by nature a blinkered experience.
He would walk past tended gardens, small ponds and beautiful pocket sized parks. He would wander the downtown, visit the now empty businesses and get a feel for things. Then he would head out to the towns beyond the safety zone to help the medics work on the people, all of whom were aching to leave.
They would, thousands and thousands a day.
=0=At the man cave of Ironhide
They gathered together, the mechs and femmes that constituted the Crater Terran team. Prime was sitting on a couch eating a bowl of ice cream as the different individuals arrived. They would close the doors then get down to business, working out the plans and plays of their team.
Given that things were in hand out in the mess, given that Springer and Drift were straw bossing the security party but would be back in time for the game, there was a lull in need for Prime. Prowl had seen to it. He had also bent Prime's audials with 'suggestions' and 'tactical possibilities for your path to victory, Optimus'.
Prowl was as uptight about football as he was basketball but it was fortunate that fighting in the stands was what Iaconians did to cheer on their teams in football. Other sports if they were held indoors were the times that Iaconians showed their inner idiot with 'cheer gear' and other implements of insanity, all of which were always a crowd pleaser.
/ … thank Primus .../ -Prowl
"What about Ratchet?" Elita asked as she sat lounging on a chair near the door.
"Old mech better get home," Ironhide said darkly. "He might need to punch Prowl."
Prime snickered. "That is probably true. I have a lot of helpful suggestions from Prowl. He puts a lot of effort into the game."
"Why won't he play?" Chromia asked. "I'd love to see him kick a bench over when no one follows his plans."
Huge laughter greeted that then they got down to business. Their first game in the stadium in Stanix was the next orn and they were going into this as a team with less preparation than even Optimus cared to have. They would make up for it now.
=0=Around town
They walked down the street heading for the Temple. This was the first time that they had really stepped out and they were alone. Kes and Tagg had classes, Prowl had to go to work and so did Prime. Optimus was also on a football team and there were meetings for that. It had surprised and delighted Styre and Stealth.
This Prime was different and he was related. He was fun, kind and generous. They were going to be moving into their own apartment in the Vos Tower shortly, one near Miler and Venture so they went out to window shop which they were told was a thing here. They did so carrying Possibility with them in his little carrier.
The crowds were bustling and there was Christmas cheer everywhere. They were going to decorate the apartment in The Residence tonight with things that were related. It was supposed to be beautiful and it was behind schedule. Christmas Surprise was supposed to be in ten orns, so they were told. Food, fun and family would be the markers of it along with all the pretty decorations both inside and out of homes.
A horse drawn wagon went by with happy mechs sitting in it. Bells jingled on the big animals as they walked past pulling the wagon. They both watched it roll by, then walked onward. It was festive and fun for both. They made a plan to go to a cafe nearby for a lunch when they got back from the Temple. Right now, they wanted to see it and all it contained, paying their respects for their new circumstances.
They would just miss Zenith and Shadow.
=0=Youngling Day School
{Tomorrow, you will need to file your reports} Mr. Terradive said to his students as they began to put their things away. Lunch was here and they were STARVING! Everyone hustled, human and bot then stood behind their chairs.
{Well, you look ready. Does anyone have any questions about the room party for Christmas Surprise?} he asked.
{NO!}
:NO!:
{Line up and lets go to lunch}
Kids hustled into lines as Le-O who was waiting in the open door put the transport box on the ground. The human kids jumped in, then up they went. He grinned then began to walk down the hallway to the elevator. They would eat in the human habitat addition to the cafeteria, a clear box set in the wall about ten feet off the ground with tables and chairs for the kids.
A micro mini-con would serve them inside, helping them dish up the food that arrived everyday from The Resort for them. It was first class food and drink for everyone.
They entered the cafeteria, the box was slotted into the containment then the kids walked inside and closed the door. Le-O punched the habitat buttons so the atmosphere would come back. They entered where Mito was waiting.
"Hi, Mito," Annabelle Lennox said as she walked to the line to get a plate.
"Hello, Annie. Is everyone hungry? It was Chamber day at The Resort so lunch is mighty good today," he said with his usual cheery voice. "We have prime rib, potatoes and gravy, a nice green salad, corn, biscuits and a little apple pie fritter for dessert."
"That sounds awesome," Jaycee said as she began to fill up her plate. She was fully immersed in the culture and loved school. Of all the human kids, she fit in the best.
Behind them more human kids came until all of them who attended were present. That included the newer kids from Earth2. Among them was a subdued and actually considerate Barrett Walker. Apparently the Caste Court and Uncle Hardie had been a good thing.
They sat and began to eat. Mito watched them like a grandfather which he was to ten little bits of his own from among his six sons and two daughter.
He was from 'The Villages' with a Stanix bond, so …
The new girls were working their butts off at school which burned them a bit since the 'old girls' had told them it was easy. They were not going to give the old girls any satisfaction by crawling back to Earth2 and the International School so they worked hard, were pulled out and were starting to catch up a little. It had been a strain between the two factions.
"We're going to Trypticon tomorrow," Cora Cutter said as she glanced at Rain. "What about you? Are you doing anything interesting?"
Rain who detested all of them shrugged. "We're getting things done before Christmas Surprise break."
"Why do they call it that? Christmas Surprise?" Tinsley Walters asked. She grinned. "It sounds dumb."
Rain stared at her as did Camilla, Jaycee and Lilly. For a moment she felt deep offense at the dig. "Actually, it was a nice thing done for orphans, a surprise. That's why they all it that. Just so you know."
Cora and Tinsley glanced at Rain. They stared at each other then began to eat. Watching them nearby, Annie Lennox grinned. {I don't think Rain likes the new girls}
{I know. Sad} Sandy replied. Then they both laughed.
It would be a tense lunch in the safety box. The only one who wouldn't get the subtext would be Mito.
=0=Earlier at the Chamber of Commerce of Mars and Earth luncheon at The Resort
They listened to speakers as they ate the superb food laid out for them. They met once every 30 days to get together, network, listen to local or imported speakers and support the human business community. Everyone who had a business or was interested was there. The food was excellent, the company interesting and they could talk.
Judy Witwicky sat with Carly and a number of women including Cynthia Tomas. They were chatting about some of the events coming up in book clubs, the Auxiliary and Christmas. There was going to be a huge party at Terra in the concourse with everyone on world in the human community invited. It would be there that the salute from Prime and his senior staff would be received.
Nearby at a table Ted Galloway and Jason Daniels sat together watching the group chat. They were both oddly enough friends even as one was a blow hard and the other silent and opaque. They had fallen into the rhythms of Earth2 and were enjoying it, though they were not welcomed by too many into friendly circles.
Lindy Galloway and the other women had thrown themselves into the social life here and along with Cassie Daniels were planning bridge games, luncheons and other social events between habitats in the coming new year. It had taken all this time to figure things out and find their way. Mariah had welcomed all of them to her own efforts. It was a large group of high powered like minded women that were now in charge of the social scene and publicity of Earth2 now that they had arrived and renewed acquaintance.
Christmas was going to be interesting.
=0=Ratchet
"So when do I get to come home?" Ratchet asked knowing full well he couldn't. He just like to watch Ironhide squirm.
"I don't know. What's the show like there?" Ironhide asked as he tried not to squirm.
"Making headway," Ratchet said. Behind him on a small table was a huge spread of food and desserts, candy and donuts that Ironhide had personally picked out and sent to him by bridge. It was everything he loved to eat and drink.
Ironhide was really groveling apparently.
Ratchet grinned. "I suppose the game starts tomorrow and I'm going to be here."
"Uh … they're going to broadcast it to everyone," Ironhide said wanly. "That's what they told me."
Ratchet quashed an urge to laugh loudly. "Okay."
They stared at each other a moment on their monitors then said it at the same time: "Frag ..."
=0=TBC 12-21-19 :D