The Diego Diaries: Sun Base (dd7 183)
Last night was a crapper. I had to do something. HERE WE GO!
=0=On Phobos
That was when the lights of Trigger 1 began to build down the sled that led to the gates of infinity. The light outside was huge given their proximity to the Trigger.
"Take us back," Prime said to Rem who complied. They moved back and the light dimmed a bit. "Put the activity on a split screen, Prowl."
Prowl walked to a computer and plugged in. The view screen in front of them split into two views, one of the Trigger charging up along with Trigger 2 and the other showing the lights on the ground below them, Sun Base, powering up. The planet would be dotted with bright lights from the devices placed all over the world that would create the containment field in which Sun Base would travel.
The deck was silent as the communications stream from Trigger 1 and 2 was broadcast over the intercom system of Phobos. Miler and Wheeljack's voices could be heard talking through the operation before Teletraan Major, a composite unit of the computational power of Teletraans 1-8 would take over. They would initiate the creation of the containment field then step back as Auntie came on line to not only run the programming of the planet's condition through the field generators but the Triggers themselves as they would exit the area.
"What is the situation at Sirius A, Prowl? Do we have data or visuals?" Prime asked as he sat tensely in the command chair. All around him, the mechs and femmes of his long fabled life sat and stood with him, watching the screen forward with intensity.
"We have both," Prowl said. He switched the visual of the outside operation to the view from several science ships and a number of battleships supporting the group waiting at Sirius A.
The view was interesting, a number of ships outlined in the area in the light of a large and highly luminous star. Sirius A was a binary star, thought by the humans once to be the largest of possibly three. Only about 8.6 light years from Earth and Mars, it was the brightest star in the night sky and belonged to the constellation that humans called Canis Major. It was called the Dog Star by them.
Sirius A had a companion, Sirius B, a white dwarf that orbited it in a very elliptical pattern that given how they were placing the planets wouldn't be an interference. It would place that star very brightly in the sky during a part of Sun Base and Homeland's year before drifting off in its orbit around its partner.
The distance between the two stars in orbit was about twenty times farther apart than Earth and Sol in the solar system so there was a lot of space to work with. It was also much brighter than the sun and thus the placement of the planets took careful calculation to give them the same possibilities of their former placements.
The Triggers flared as the box that would encase Sun Base flashed to life, shooting a square of shimmering light around the planet. It looked like a world placed inside a glass cube, holding in the center of a bright and shiny container.
"Miler Navigator to Phobos."
"Phobos here, Miler. This is Prime."
"We're going to be turning the procedure over to Teletraan. Auntie will open the bridge at Sirius and it will allow the Triggers to move. Follow on my command. Understood?"
"Understood, Miler Navigator," Prime said as Rem glanced back to nod at him.
The conversation continued a moment, then Teletraan's calm and feminine voice was heard. "Miler Navigator, I am assuming command. Release at my command … in ten … nine … eight ..."
The tension was almost unbearable. The images of seas, trees, birds and the life of Sun Base was ever present in everyone's mind as they watched the screen. It, itself was a beautiful sight. A planet was held inside a shimmering box of light as two giant gun-shaped devices prepared to save it from danger.
"Seven … six … five … four … all systems are optimal, field integrity holding at maximum … three … two … one … release. Release control. Trigger Command, we are go."
It was silent a moment. Nothing moved or happened, then Auntie was back. "Teletraan has assumed control. Moving to commence operations … overtaking field integrity … holding at maximum … operations shift complete."
It was silent again.
"We are optimal, Miler Navigator. Operational control is assumed and we shall initiate bridge in five … four … three … initiate bridge … one."
The vortex of a huge bridge burst into life nearby as the Trigger at Sirius A came into life. It flared massively, then settled into a howling ring of greenish light. The silence was almost daunting, then Teletraan was back. "Operational control, we are moving to the bridge. We are moving now." A metallic voice could be heard talking in code, none of which the listeners understood.
Then the big Triggers began to move. One was going backward and the other was going forward. Between them like a jewel suspended in light, Sun Base and her moon moved with them.
=0=Night on Mars
They slept in their beds, all of the children of the players far away. Soon it would be morning and Christmas Surprise day. All over the city the population did what they did during the dark cold night of life here. There was traffic though it was light. Shops were closed, almost every single one while mechs and femmes rotated in and out of their essential jobs. After their joor of work they would be off for the holiday.
The Watch beats were walking, riding and driving around but it was a nice quiet night. The clubs had closed a couple of joors earlier and though there were drunken arrests, there was little else to dim the delight of the season. Trees and decorations gave a warm glow to the urban streets of the cities. Traffic lights changed even as traffic was mostly nonexistent. All that was missing was snow falling.
Doctors sat in their offices or work stations chatting, eating and drinking food placed there for them as they finished their joors, watched their patients or worked on their reports. They, too, would filter in and out all night and day long.
The airport was always operating, though it was at a much reduced rate this early morning. Shipping was suspended for two orns unless it was essential so that group was off for the fun and games. The hangars of the giants were quiet as befitting a place where all of the participants were on duty elsewhere. The pace there would be slow until the giants returned.
It was late night and early morning in the colony of Autobot City as the multitudes slumbered on. It was nearly the same on Cybertron. Christmas Surprise would happen there when the morning came along with good food, music and presents. It would be a welcomed interlude from the constant and forward moving din of reconstruction and rebuild.
=0=Out there
They moved slowly, then Trigger 1 began to disappear into the bridge funnel. The planet and moon was next, then Trigger 2. Rem waited, then Miler spoke. "Enter in half a breem, Lord Optimus. When you clear it will shut down."
"Understood," Optimus said.
The view was obscured as the Triggers and planet disappeared, then the screen showed the operation on the other side. Sirius A was intensely bright, much more so than Sol and was a white star. The 'pup', Sirius B was also huge and bright though it was hard to see from where they were. The Triggers moved onward as another could be seen in the view. The two Triggers began to slow with Sun Base and her moon.
Teletraan was speaking in mathematics and code, a language that few could understand on the bridge of Phobos. Ratchet could a bit but most of it was designed for the mission and for him didn't make that much sense. The ships on the other side moved away, making space for Trigger 3. They held in space silently, then Trigger 3 fired up energy that ran down the sleds in a bright river of light. It was beginning to do its part.
"Wheeljack to Prime."
"Prime here," a tense Optimus replied.
"All is in good order. Its almost spooky how well this is going. Teletraan is handling it and working with the guidance team here on Trigger 1. Right now, they're setting up the math to put the planet into its orbit. When that happens, Trigger 1 is going to release the planet to Trigger 3. That one will follow the planet in its orbit holding the structural integrity of the field until it reaches balance. It could take a few joors or a few orns. We will have to watch carefully before we release the field containment."
"Very well." Prime sat in his chair tense and hopeful as the Triggers sat blinking lights in the darkness.
"You're cleared to come through," Wheeljack said. "Wheeljack out."
Prime glanced at Rem who flew the ship forward into the funnel. They came out almost immediately at Sirius A. They slid to a halt to watch.
The third Trigger had begun to move closer, then Trigger 1 winked out releasing its hold. Faster than could be seen even by the bots, Trigger 3 gripped it holding the planet and its field integrity together. That was when Trigger 2 winked out and released it. Nothing happened, then Trigger 3 began to move away and along with it went the planet and moon.
It almost seemed impossible that such a device could hold such a burden. It was evident that Trigger 3 was much bigger than the other two, designed to be a major player in moving Cybertron and space stations here and there over great distances. Its job at the Saturn Shipyard was the help with the refit and building there.
Gathering speed, it sped onward followed by a lot of ships which were monitoring a lot of things to help Trigger 3 do its job. They would help supply data for the release which could come soon or later depending on a lot of factors.
"Wheeljack to Prime."
"Prime here."
"The transfer was flawless and the device is moving into the orbit planned for Sun Base. Field instruments indicate a number of things. First, the transfer is holding and stable. Light is reaching the planet facing the sun in the same quantities and qualities as its former location. The inner core and mantle of the planet are stable as are its atmosphere and water features. I wish we had this tech when we moved the planets to Tau Ceti. It would be easier for these aggregates to settle. Radiation levels are nominal and stable. The magnetic field of these two is stable.
"Our cameras placed around the world show that the plant and animal life aren't disturbed though I believe that bird life is feeling what small disturbance this has allowed to reach planet side. I don't expect long term concern from it however. All of our markers are holding at normal though there is a slight swell in the ocean but nothing out of range. The core is holding well with little movement there to indicate movement. The field generators are doing the job. It looks great."
"I am well pleased, Wheeljack. What is the possibility that Homeland can be moved as well? Any idea of timelines?" Prime asked.
"No. It'll depend upon the insertion of this planet. Right now, Trigger 3 is integral for the placement of these worlds. Without it, we can't move another. If this settles fast, we can do it in a few joors. If not, we have to wait. There's no rushing this. Both planets have life. We have to be meticulous."
"Very well," Prime said. "We will hold Homeland and wait. Please inform us at the earliest, safest possible moment."
"Will do. Right now, we're orbiting Sun Base in its permanent placement to ensure that when release comes its up to it and nothing fragged happens. That's going to take as long as it takes I'm afraid."
"Thank you, Wheeljack. My compliments to your team and to Teletraan," Prime said. "Prime out."
The inability of Trigger 3 to be available meant they would have to go back through a bridge to Homeland and hold it against anyone who might come looking for news or a fight. It was what it was.
Prime glanced at Prowl. "Are the other two Triggers freed up or are they required here?"
Prowl asked over the link, then glanced at him. "Trigger 2 is free and will send us back. Trigger 1 is staying here for a few joors in case they need it, then will be bridged back. We're going to have to regroup and wait. So far nothing from the ships we placed on guard duty indicate anyone is coming."
"We can hope for that," Prime said. "Take us back then."
Prowl made the call, the funnel of infinity opened and Phobos slipped back to Homeland and the front lines of their conundrum.
=0=TBC 1-15-2020 :D