The Diego Diaries: Ho-Ho-Hum (dd7 184)
=0=On the deck
They flew through a bridge back to the space where Sun Base was and found a hole where a planet once was. The six planets of this system were interesting. Four of them were lifeless rocks, two of which were mined for resources, one by each faction. The only two basically inhabitable planets were Sun Base and Homeland.
Their situation on station and the balance of the remaining group was being monitored by a science ship stationed there, checking to see how the deletion of a planet from their system was playing across the whole array. There were disruptive waves but nothing that was too worrisome for now. Given that it was a relatively new system by galactic terms, slagging together odd exoplanets due to waves from plasma eruptions, it seemed to be a short time group on its best terms.
Phobos slid through the area heading for Homeland, the last planet that would be moved. This planet they orbited had three small rocky moons, ostensibly asteroids that were captured by its gravity in some long ago encounter. That planet had no obvious above ground water to be seen from space but there was a large river system that was fed by subterranean oceans. It was desert, beautiful and had a lot to recommend it but no life beyond the microbe level.
Prime stared at it and the abandoned cityscape that was nestled in ancient riverbeds along the course of a wide but shallow river. He glanced at Prowl. "What is the status of our intruders?"
"Nothing since," Prowl said. "If you want to implement the plan for family mechs and femmes, now might do it."
Prime considered that. "Very well. Open a channel between ships across the fleet."
Blaster did, then Prime spoke. "This is Optimus Prime. We have transferred Sun Base to Sirius A where its being inserted in orbit by Trigger 3. Right now we are waiting for it to be released to assist in moving Homeland. It might take time given that all must be immaculately precise before it can be set free given its life and configuration.
"Among all of us are family mechs and femmes who have children and other dependents who will be celebrating Christmas Surprise together in a few joors. It is 0342 on the TMC at Autobot City. We have implemented a plan for those who have such responsibilities to go home for three joors to be with their families before returning to duty here. The plan calls for you to rotate in and out over the next few orns until Homeland is safely removed. You are the Alpha team and thus, given the situation your expertise is critical to the success of this mission.
"At 0630 joors, those who have been given leave will return to Autobot City to enjoy the morning with your children and other dependents. At 10:30 hours, you will be recalled for a short tour until we change over the shift. Senior Autobots will be among those leaving and they will return at 1200 hours for duty to last until the mission is accomplished. The rest of you will be given a four joor shift before being replaced. Everyone who has no dependents that are children will begin shifting out at 1200 hours.
"We have tried to make this as simple and as short term as possible. Those of you who are bachelors or volunteers who have agreed to stay until 1200 hours when the shifts rotate have my very great thanks. I wish all of you a very merry Christmas Surprise. A message will be sent to all those who are supposed to go at the time you are to be released. Again, thank you very much. Prime out."
Hercy grinned. "Thanks for making me straw boss, Prime. Me and the Recruit will manage the store until you get back."
Prime grinned. "Thank you, Hercy. I appreciate it a lot."
They chatted as the clock ran down to just before 0700 on the TMC when all of the family mechs and femmes would leave to go home for breakfast and family fun with their children. Most of the senior Autobots would be among them.
=0=The Family Tower, Autobot City
She walked to the kitchen though a darkened facility to pull turkeys and hams out of the huge double walk-in refrigerator. She was going to put them into the ovens to begin a very low and slow cook for dinner which would start at noon and run all day long for everyone on and off duty. It was dark in the huge facility but outside the lights of the colony shown brightly.
Another patter of footsteps drew her attention. Thelma Lennox glanced toward the dining area to see Judy Witwicky and Lonnie Epps heading her way. She smiled. "I thought I was sneaky."
"Not sneaky enough," Judy said with a smile. "We'll help you. Besides, I'm hungry."
They checked the dishes, ensured they were properly ready to cook, then walked to the several big ovens and slid them in. Setting the temperature and timer, they gathered at the bar to share what was left of a chocolate cream pie and coffee. It would be a very genial group chat in the middle of the night on a planet far from home before the celebration of Christmas would be had.
=0=Unidad Terra 1, about 0600
Pastor Millie walked out of her office in the Chapel In The Trees as the church built here was called by the locals. It was surrounded by tall pins and some leafy varieties with pots of plants growing around their bases. It was dark outside. The sun wouldn't come up for a while so lights illuminated everything.
Father Bob, the retired priest who was the uncle of a scientist here would be doing mass shortly for the little community of Catholics. Other groups held regular services, all manner of faiths, something that delighted her greatly. There were also spiritualist and pagan groups that used the building along with yoga and those who meditated. It was a calm and very lovely space for everyone and well used.
She walked past the spirit who watched her, an older lady with a nice sweater over her simple shirt. Her gray hair was covered with a red beanie and her skirt touched the ground. She grinned with pleasure as Millie passed, admiring her aura as she did. Then she disappeared into the ether again.
=0=0630, ship time at Homeland
"This is Commander Prowl. Everyone with clearance to return to Autobot City is cleared to go. Those who are staying assume duties. You are cleared to go, Group 1." Prowl cut the transmission, then turned to the senior Autobots who were rising to leave. "You have the conn, Commander Hercy."
Hercy nodded. "On it, Prowl."
Chat was had, then they walked to the elevator and the short hop to Mars. Hercy and Kup watched them go along with the other bachelors, then Hercy took the command chair. He sat back, then grinned. "Feels good," he said to laughter on the deck.
=0=Bridging out
They stood in lines waiting to walk through the bridge to The Fortress. Home fires were calling and soon their children would be up waiting to see what Santa Prime brought to them. All of the elders of Ironhide's family went through heading for home and the short ride up the tower to Ratchet's house and the kids.
Prime and Prowl went as well to have breakfast with extended family that now included another set of grand genitors. That would be good times considering that Zenith and Shadow had respectfully begged off due to some of their research requiring their extended attention.
It was probably for the best. Neither knew that Styre and Stealth were rescued yet.
=0=RvIH™
They crept into the apartment noting the tree sparkling nearby with its lights all aglow. Everywhere they looked were lights and decorations. It was a good thing that there were elders to take care of slag when duty called. Tiptoeing down the hallway, they reached the first bedroom door.
"ADA!"
It was on.
=0=P+PR™
They crept in noting the lights blinking and the trees, several of them with presents beneath their perfectly decorated bows. It paid to have obsessive-compulsive grand genitors to pick up the slack during deployment. As they made their way through the apartment they heard a soft rattle nearby.
Pausing by the hallway door, Prowl and Prime glanced back toward one of the trees. Sitting on the floor amid two opened packages of baked goods and cookies, Solus, Sojourner and Miracle smiled.
Miracle held out a big decorated star confection. "You want a cookie?" he asked with his usual beautiful smile.
=0=BJ*ALOR*COW™
They crept in and noted that the cow was snoozing by the window standing on his tiny hooves. Beside him snoozing hard was also Pudding and Robby. They glanced at each other, then the cows who saw them mooing almost as one. Then the smallest stampede ever held on Mars commenced.
=0=HD+D+L+S+SUN+J+R+T
Hardie went through the mail as everyone collapsed into a chair or got their gear together. All of them were to bring 'something great' for breakfast at Ratchet and Ironhide's house. Delphi, Lissie and Sun of all mechs had prepared and frozen a number of dishes that Lissie and Steiner put in the ovens to heat up.
It paid to be a Praxian in the cooking department.
Raptor and Turbine sat on the couch going over the small cache of 'extra' presents that they were giving the kids, simple things that had delighted Ironhide as a child … puzzles, candy and tiny paper books.
Jack joined them to watch the others work. "Where's your cow, Raptor?"
"He's at Alie's. I put him there with the other two to guard slag," Raptor said with a grin. "Slagging fine guard cow, my Pudding."
"Who has the kids?" Sun asked as he sat down across from them.
"Let me see … all of Ironhide's kids are home with Ratchet's elders. Scout is with Bluestreak. That about takes care of it, right?" Raptor asked.
"What about breakfast? Who's going to be there?" Steiner asked. "What about the folks?"
"Scout and Trooper will be there," Delphi said as he pulled things from the oven. "Let's get organized and go."
Sun, Jack, Lissie, Steiner, Hard Drive, Delphi, Raptor and Turbine gathered up and headed for the elevator and the ride up to kiddie land aka Ironhide's house. It would be a jolly group that arrived there about the same time as everyone else.
=0=There
"ADA! WE GOIN' SHES?! DOIN' THE THEMS?!"
"Not yet, Orion. Eat first. Ammas and Appas are coming. I want you to eat a good breakfast or I'm going to post hole you," Ratchet said as he began to park kids in their chairs.
"ATAR! ADA BAD ONE!" Orion offered as he made his 'it ain't me, its him' face.
"You're just finding that out?" Ironhide asked as the door opened.
A clown car of individuals entered followed by cows. Huge hurrah happened as they put dishes down, picked kids up and hugged. It would be like that for a while.
=0=Family Tower
Breakfast was huge, indulged and swiftly over for the kids. When the adults began to cooperate, everyone gathered in the living room of the vast facility. On the screen occupying fifteen delineated spaces on the monitor, family from Earth joined in the fun. It was noisy, then silent as Santa Major rose to do the honors.
Will Lennox smirked at the punters from underneath his Santa hat, then looked at the group. "Time for stuff," he said to cheering. He looked at a big box that said 'Annie Lennox from Santa Ironhide and Pa'. He grinned slightly as he picked up the box, then gave it to his daughter.
Annie waited until everyone had a gift, then they began to open them. She lifted the lid, peered in, then screamed.
=0=RvIH™
They waited until everyone got a present, then began to open them. It was then that Hero began to scream.
=0=P+PR™
They waited until everyone got a present, then began to open them. It was then that Spirit began to scream.
=0=Lennox et al
She reached into the box, then lifted out the gift she wanted more than anything. It was light, it was beautiful, it blinked at her, then smiled.
It was Baby Yoda.
=0=TBC 1-17-2020
I would have finished and put this out last night but I left my cord at work. I can find time there when its slow to write. Damn. Well, here we go. ;)