The Diego Diaries: Clipper (dd7 215)
=0=Clipper's Command Deck
He typed and typed inputting code that would kick into gear the command series that would reboot Clipper and bring his great processor and spark out of stasis. The code poured out of Ratchet as he allowed his programming for such things to run uninhibited by his normal awareness. He was at this point in their rebuild the only one to possess these codes, something he was considering abstractly as his body obeyed the commands of his programming. He would have to download it and a few other things into a file that could be accessed in case something happened. One could never be too careful.
=0=Tennyson's Command Deck
:Ratchet's back. The titans on world are back. Their sentience is still asleep but their functions are working: Prowl said as he walked to the navigation seat to sit down.
:That is a big relief: Prime replied. :Are they well?:
:Apparently so. The only thing left is to bring them fully to sentience. He's working on Clipper now to make that so: Prowl replied.
:If he can fly with us we can put more distance between the Vergons and us: Prime said.
Prowl nodded. :That's my best hope: he said as he glanced past Prime.
Walking toward them, a mech was carrying the travel box with Lennox, Epps and Graham :inside. Prowl patted the broad console between the pilot and navigator so the mech set the box down. He walked back to his station at security.
The three humans stood in front of the window of their box. :Hi. How are things going?: Lennox asked.
:Switch to internal chat. Optimus is deaf: Prowl said as they did.
:Damn. Are you going to get it back?: Epps asked worriedly.
Prime nodded. :Ratchet will affect it once we leave here:
:So … this thing about moving planets …: Graham said.
Even Prime grinned at that.
=0=Clipper's Command Deck
"Now hear this," Ratchet said putting out an all call to all decks of every ship of the armada. "I'm bringing Clipper to sentience. It should go easily but sometimes they shake. Be aware. All ships in the formation move away a bit. Be ready to move if you see him shake. Countdown in ten … nine … eight …"
"Move it, boys," Hercy said to the shuttles. "I've seen this a few times. You don't want to be too close. Sometimes they really move."
Ten shuttles moved away, pulling out to a good distance. Everywhere around them the others did the same until the yellow beams of light that held Clipper were the only things near to him. Even the titans moved back.
" ...seven … six … brace yourself … four ..."
"He really knows how to make drama," Prowl said mostly to himself as the humans next to him braced themselves, sitting in their seats to engage their seat belts.
" … three … two … one … engage," Ratchet's voice could be heard to say. As he said it the huge ship's great soul soured upward toward the light.
Like minnows swimming with a blue whale in blackened seas, the small ships flew along with Clipper using as much caution as possible. Clipper shook hard, then slid to one side, starboard, as it began to become self aware.
Ratchet who was guiding him jumped up and ran to the pilot seat to jack in and magnetize before the vessel began to roll. Taking flight control, he steered Clipper back to his running configuration just as Paragon and his command team hit the deck and magnetized themselves. That is, the veterans did. The Home Guardians slid around until he called for them to magnetize. When they did the only one moving on deck was Ratchet. He was in a battle for control of the behemoth. "THIS IS RATCHET! LET GO OF THE TRACTORS!"
Three beams disappeared as the ship came to rights. For a moment all was well, then it began to roll again.
=0=Tennyson
"Frag," Prowl said. "Ratchet! What can we do!?"
:STAY WHERE YOU ARE! I'M TRYING TO GET CONTROL! HE'S BEEN HURT SO THIS IS HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE! I'M FLYING!: Ratchet said over the intercom.
"If we hadn't pulled out we'd be confetti," Kup said to his crew as they flew alongside the behemoth ship. "That vessel is a wonder of the universe. I wonder how Ratchet likes flying it? They can pretty much fly themselves when things are normal."
=0=Clipper Command Deck
He was magnetized which was good as he was flung from side to side as he struggled to get control. There had been damage to Clipper's processor but all of that had been replaced. Integrating it into the overall intellectual nexus of the vast ship was taking a bit of time and tussle. Flying a ship like this was like driving the finest and most amazingly designed vehicle. It really didn't need a pilot. When a pilot flew a dreadnought it took only the lightest touch and the smallest amount of effort so well made and designed they were.
Right now, it was like stuffing a bag full of otters.
"Ratchet to . Override control. Surrender to me, ," he said.
The ship righted, then rolled the other direction as a soft groan filled the deck. After a moment, the ship righted itself. " … compliance."
The ride was smooth for a moment, then a voice answered. "Ratchet, this is Clipper. Update."
"Well, my darling, you were shot by an energy weapon that hit you where you live. You and the others went into stasis and sustained some damage to the processor. I fixed it and you didn't lose a drop of data," Ratchet said. "We've been carrying you until I could get you online. All of your damage is repaired and you're up to specs. How do you feel?"
It was silent a moment, then he was back. "Fuzzy."
"You're still integrating hardware," Ratchet said. "Can you fly yourself? I see you as 95% optimal."
There was silence a moment. "I can."
"Okay," Ratchet said. "I'm turning you over to Paragon and his crew. Let them help you, Clipper. Typhoon?"
"Typhoon here."
"All is well," Ratchet said.
It was silent a moment.
"Thank you, Ratchet," Typhoon said with emotion. "Clipper, I'm on Torus State. When you can, come there."
"Understood," Clipper replied.
Ratchet stood up stiffly, then looked at the crew. Paragon was rising and so were the others from various places and positions on the floor. He laughed. "I need a picture of this. It's all yours, Pari. I'm going to Tennyson."
"Thanks, Ratchet," Paragon said with a chuckle. "Nice flying by the way."
"Oh that?" Ratchet said with a dazzling smile. "You should see me on a clear highway."
Huge relieved laughter greeted that as Ratchet hurried to the elevator.
Paragon watched him go, then turned to his crew. "Let's get on it. Welcome back, Clipper."
"It's good to be back," Clipper said as he appeared on the deck. "I'm glad my pretender gear is online again."
"You and me both," Paragon said as they turned to the command desk together to finalize the integration of Clipper's new hardware including a complete replacement of his pretender gear that was fried by the alien weapon.
=0=Tennyson
He walked onto the deck to the applause and whistles of the crew. Bowing, curtsying and clowning to the command chair, Ratchet paused with a flourish. "I, RATCHET AM HERE TO SAVE YOUR DAY! COMMAND ME, OH MESSIAH OF THE PEOPLE!"
A huge much needed laugh greeted that.
Prime grinned at Ratchet. "What is the prognosis for Clipper then?"
Ratchet signed to Prime. "We can maneuver, fly faster, do loop-de-loops at your command, O' Leader of the People." He bowed lowly with a flourish as he flashed his most dazzling smile.
Prime chuckled as Prowl smirked. Everyone on deck who read that version of sign language laughed. It was good to have some leavening of the dread that everyone had felt from the moment Clipper was shot. "What is the plan for the cities? Will they come to sentience as poorly as Clipper?" Prime asked.
"No," Ratchet said. "Clipper got slammed and lost a lot of systems. The others were hit in their pretender gear and knocked into stasis. They didn't sustain damage beyond their pretender gear and a few little things in their files. They might have a hang over but they won't flip out."
"That's a relief. My genitors lives in Vos Tower as you well know," Prowl said.
"Right next to the bingo parlor, I might add," Ratchet said. "The most ruthless games of bingo happen at that Senior Center."
Prowl grinned. "My ada does okay."
"You have to watch the quiet ones, amirite?" Ratchet asked as he sat down on the engineer's seat. He glanced at the humans. "Ah, the gerbils came, too."
Huge laughter and agreement met that remark as the three men smirked at Ratchet.
:So you saved the day again?: Epps asked.
"Don't encourage him," Prowl said.
:Its weird back home with the titans off line. Retriarius nearly had riots when the clubs closed: Lennox said.
Ratchet grinned. "Gotta dance, gotta dance, got-ta … dance."
:Singing In The Rain?: Lennox asked.
"No. 'Gotta Dance'. Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse." Ratchet grinned. "I know your musical theater better than you do, slackers."
:Okay: Graham said with a big grin.
Huge laughter and mockery of the short in stature commenced long and loudly.
:What's next, Optimus?: Lennox asked.
Everyone looked at Prime who was grinning at the conversation thus far. He thought a moment. "We have to stay ahead of the Vergons. They cannot be allowed to know where we live. They have advanced themselves through our tech and it would make a real battle if they engaged us."
"We'd bring every titan from Soft Space here to obliterate them," Prowl said darkly.
Everyone glanced at him, then Lennox laughed. :Don't ever let me get on your shit list:
"What makes you think you aren't on it already?" Prowl asked with a slight smirk.
(A moment was had for group willies including a number of crew on deck)
"When Wheeljack and Perceptor sign off on Homeland, then we go," Prime said. He glanced at Prowl who shook his helm. "Then until they do we flee. What is the limit of Clipper now, Ratchet?"
"He has none. We can step it up," Ratchet replied.
"Very well," Prime said. "Prime to Paragon and Clipper."
:We're here, Optimus: Paragon's voice said over the intercom.
"I am glad. Clipper, report please," Prime said.
:I am optimal thanks to Ratchet. Command me, Prime:
"We are going to step up and put some distance between the Vergons and us. There is a scout group coming our way. We must form up again and leave at haste," Prime said.
:Very well. I am optimal and will comply: Clipper said.
Prowl walked to the table, then commed the fleet. "Everyone form up on Clipper. Diamond flight pattern alpha-alpha-eleven. Omega, Beta and Kappa … deep scan and report to me as we go. Step up to warp speed optimal two-two. Acknowledge."
Pings rang over the intercom as they did. Blaster at Communications glanced at Prowl, then nodded. Prowl looked at Prime.
Prime tapped the intercom between ships. "This is Optimus Prime. All form up and go in two. Stay together. We are going to make them work for it. Prime out." He glanced at Prowl. "Take us out, Prowl. I am tired of this."
Prowl grinned slightly. "That makes two of us." He glanced at the pilot, Rem who was Blackjack's personal pilot. "Rem, take us out at optimal two-two in tight formation."
Rem grinned, then signaled the fleet. With a precision that made Prime and Prowl feel like proud genitors, the ships jumped forward gathering speed toward a rapidity that would leave the Vergons behind.
Theoretically.
As they flew onward, the humans watched the crew and the commanders of a vessel that was nearly sixteen miles long command an armada that even the most ambitious and creative human filmmakers could only dream of. They disappeared into the dark density of the cometary field in seconds.
=0=Terradive's classroom after recess
"Then they began to outlaw the peaceful protesters. There's an American President that once said something that's very true. He said, 'Those who make peaceful protest impossible make violent protest inevitable'. And thus it was … when the Imperium began to pass laws against peaceful gatherings and protests, it began to go underground and become violent. It made someone like Megatron inevitable."
"Mr. Bento, what was Uncle Jetta, Uncle Magnus and Uncle Optimus doing at the time?" Annie asked with a solemn expression on her little face.
Bento considered that. "Jetta was arrested and thrown into prison on the Moonbase. Magnus and Orion were running for their lives."
=0=TBC 2=22=2020
John F. Kennedy: "When you make peaceful protest impossible, you make violent protest inevitable."
NOTES!
Fancy spinner chapter 212 . Feb 20
When I came home from New Year's I set up my computer for work again and somehow the screen fell on the inside of the screen is broken. I'm so glad I don't see it and I don't need it. :-) I just need the computer itself and luckily that works. I'm not gonna worry about the screen until I have to. I'm so sorry yours got messed up.
ME: Its the worst but its sorta working. I have a big one piece desktop that I use when I want to write with two cats and two dogs trying to sit on my lap. LOL! I do have a tiny computer that is my fall back. Its so annoying. I feel your pain, my dear Fancy. HUGS! :D
Megatron Owes Me Money chapter 211 . Feb 20
I think I just shit a brick LOL! For a sec I thought I blacked out and somehow ended up reading one of the LOTR fanfics I'm following on here :D
ME: BWAHAHA! I was wondering if anyone was awake? I like the idea that a lot of universe are happening at the same time and that the pantheon for the bots can be the same pantheon for the elves. You get what you see and expect, I think. (I do believe that The One has a very great sense of humor) I might write more LOTR fics if Amazon doesn't disappoint. I have to be IMMENSELY inspired to do it. I'm looking at my other long form TF fic here as well.
If you're into Overwatch (game) or Overlord (anime) fandom…
ME: I haven't heard of them but I will now. :D:D:D HUGS, HONEY! :D:DD:
What Lies Beyond chapter 211 . Feb 19
No. No way. You didn't. You did!
You have Middle Earth as an actual world in Diego Diaries! I cannot WAIT to see how this plays out!
ME: BWAHAHA! I did it because I believe all the universes are co-existing at the same time, if not the same spacial area. I sorta love to do crossovers and sometimes it actually works out. I needed the Borg to keep Megatron busy. As for the LOTR world, I don't know how it can crossover but its fun to mention it time to time now. :D:D:D:D HUGS!
Guest chapter 211 . Feb 19
ookay... Now we just wait for the Voyager and Enterprise to show up ;)
ME: BWAHAHAHAHA! They aren't born yet. In this universe, the future isn't here yet. The bots have changed the time lines for Earth in this present time but in some other Earth time line the Voyager and Enterprise future will happen. :D:D:D HUGS!
leoness chapter 211 . Feb 18
You win the internet with this chapter.
ME: BWAHAHA! I do love to zing. :D:D:D HUGS!
Silverhornd chapter 210 . Feb 17
Hi, Two questions how long will it take for Razorclaw to realize that Prime can come to get him anytime that he wonts to. Ex: Send a pulse of energy to knock him out and then move his planet out from under him and closer to Mars while he is out of it. What is the other universe Megatron doing and can he come to help.
ME: I love your questions. Prime is tactical and patient. As long as Razorclaw is pinned down then they have balance. Taking him out is like hitting a rack of billiard balls. They will go out in all directions. He's going to make sure everyone knows he can move planets and it isn't a stretch for Razorclaw to believe what you suggest. I think I'm adding your ideas to the files. Good ideas. Other universe Megatron will be coming back into the story shortly. :D:D:D HUGS!
Misty Legionnaire chapter 210 . Feb 16
I have a really bad feeling the Vergo alliance will not stop and will have to destroyed to the last.
Good thing Prowl is suggesting a better path, but the Vergo alliance know where Cybertron is. They could attack Cybertron while the bots are trying to misdirect them. They could also be distracting the bots from the waves they already sent to Cybertron. Or I'm being very paranoid considering these guys are taking chunks out of my favorites. :(
Does the Vergo alliance fear anything? I kinda wonder if the Hish or the Xenomorphs would make them hesitant to progress, or if there is another alien race nearby who sees all this action and swings in to blind-side the Vergo alliance, like for revenge or to stop their pilfering ways on other cultures.
ME: They know where Cybertron is and they have good tech. That's raised the stakes to move Cybertron now rather than later. They don't fear much. Some cultures believe that their afterlife is paradise and therefore as good a place as any to be. These are people that are really alien to our belief system. Their god, Vergo is a powerful thing and attracted all the different aliens into a tight unshakable alliance together. They all believe the same things. I will consider your ideas about the Hish or others considering their marauding ways. Could be nice allies of the bots. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend'
HUGS! :D:D:D
Anyway, looking forward to your next chapter. Stay warm and safe please.
ME: Its warmer but we have snow up to the kazoo. Take care, darling. :D:D:D
moosekababs chapter 209 . Feb 15
Hmm. I feel like 'our' sensors are strong enough that we could follow the vergons back through their bridges to find their point of origin. I don't know if that would be helpful, but i also feel like the farther they're kept from where homeland used to be, the better. I have faith our boys can keep them contained, though! Thanks for the great read!
ME: the deal breaker here was the level of their tech. Its nearly 60% Cybertronian. They are going to have to step it up. They will. :D:D:D HUGS! Darling Moose hony.
leoness chapter 209 . Feb 15
Nothing worse than fanatics. Ugh.
ME: Isn't that the truth? I just don't understand fanaticism as I sit here writing this in my Mandalarion helmet. (Truly) :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D HUGS, Miss Kitty!