The Diego Diaries: Moving On (dd7 224)
=0=Around
Prowl sat in the IntraCom broadcast set waiting for the lights to tell him to speak to the Empire and Earth about what had happened. They'd worked out the speech, Prowl and Prime with all the information that would be released the night before. Right now, Optimus was in recovery and would be out for the day. He would broach the subject later and when he was up to it he would address the Empire and Earth himself. Until then, Prowl would tell what he knew.
"You're go in three … two ..." Jazz said as Blaster manned the cameras. "And … one. You're live."
The Emblem changed to Prowl's solemn handsome face. "Good afternoon, Cybertron, Earth, Mars and the local group. I am Senior Commander Prowl of Praxus, sub-commander to the Prime of Cybertron. I am here to debrief you, the public, on the latest mission to rescue our people from their all-to-often tenuous situations in the Diaspora.
"Shortly ago, we received a report from Cybertron that what appeared to be missing war criminals had arrived in Iacon through their own bridge, scouted their former properties, then returned to their colony in the Dark Rim. There were many reasons to go after them, not the least of which was that bridge technology is limited to the Armed Forces and certain governmental agencies as per the Tyrest Treaties and numerous federal laws.
"After tracking them, it was discovered that two very large colonies which were called Homeland and Sun Base were circling a large stable star in the area of the Benzuli Expansion called The Ruins. After sending a scouting party to see what was there, we came in force when it was clear that one was intent on attacking and subjugating the other.
"It appears at this moment in the investigation that Sun Base had implemented the System of Exception, utilizing it and suppressor technology to continue as before with a small overseer portion of the population and the rest, the great majority in chains and reduced circumstances. A fleet led by Prime set out to end that situation and rescue what added up to nearly 5,000,000 of our people from their situation. We aren't prepared to release too many details considering this is an ongoing investigation but the leadership of Sun Base is now in custody to face not only warrants from this situation but some outstanding from Cybertron since before The Fall.
"During the rescue, we encountered an old nemesis, the Vergon Confederation who we first encountered during the Fundamentalist Functionalist crisis where five hundred thousand of our people were killed. It was a situation where battle was engaged as we defended the two planets. We had a conundrum before us that required more finesse than we usually give such moments. There were two planets filled with our technology was well as living formats that would need taken care of before we left. We could destroy them or move them. The third alternative, abandoning them, was as poor a choice as the first one. Our technology is forbidden to other lifeforms through our laws and the Tyrest Treaties.
"Given the precarious situation with Cybertron, it's the highest priority item to rescue that world from free space wandering. We rescued Caminus in the past and we've set up gas giant planets to serve the needs of solar systems here and there as we work toward that goal. It was decided to move both worlds, hence the Triggers … all three of them leaving this system to assist. It took a bit of time to accomplish and so the fleet was stranded in place. In the star system of Sirius A, two new planets circle that sun. All of them are well. Given that both of them held life as well as the secrets of our people's genius, there was extra incentive to do this.
"In the interval after the transfer of both planets, we were left behind to wait out our return. The Triggers were occupied with the planetary transfers so we had to wait for them to be free to retrieve the fleet. That sparked combat between us and the Vergons. It was during that time that an electrical attack on the dreadnought vessel, Clipper created a feedback loop knocking off line several of the cities here on world at Mars.
"None of them were damaged beyond inconvenience. There were some incidents of damage down the electrical and feed lines of Metroplex, Striker and Retriarius due to their locations as power nexus points and router terminals. All of it is now repaired. Given the selfless nature of our dreadnought and titanic frames, we are establishing that this coming weekend will be a period of public appreciation of the big frames and all that they do so selflessly for us. Given that we've retrieved eleven metrotitans recently who are being established as Metro District Four southwest of Tyger Pax is a blessing for our people that cannot be measured. Please extend to all of them the sense of gratitude that they've earned by their selfless service to our people and the resurrection of Cybertron. Without their steadfast efforts, the retrieval of our people and home world would be nearly impossible.
"I would also like to update you on the situation at Cybertron regarding a Decepticon fleet repatriation that led to armed conflict both at the Old Airfield at Nova Cronum but also in space overhead. A battle group was brought down in smaller sections and asked to surrender in the usual manner. They refused and a fire fight began. A cruiser blew up causing casualties to the crews and injuries to the Seekers and soldiers who were there to supervise their surrender. All three enemy ships, two battle class and a modified cruiser where destroyed.
"In space, the confines of the area and the proximity to the camps at Nova Cronum necessitated allowing the rest of the group to flee and later be taken down farther away from Cybertron where they couldn't cause any damage to the operation on world by falling into the gravity well or releasing manned fighters. We've secured the group, taken ships into the inventory and repatriated 200 Seekers. They were a group long gone from Cybertron, part of the armada that left with Nova Prime to the Benzuli where they were long thought to have disappeared. Preliminary indications seem to imply that this group broke away from Nova Prime's group before he went missing.
"All of the space over Nova Cronum is secured, the Home Defense Forces deported themselves with distinction and we're online again at the airfield which is a major depot for the reclamation. It's of the highest priority possible for Optimus Prime and his government to ensure that nothing happens to anyone on Cybertron through circumstances both unexpected or malicious ever again.
"Optimus Prime personally led the defense at Nova Cronum sustaining several injuries including damage to his audials. An operation this morning replaced them and fixed several broken struts and wounds. The doctors indicate that he will have a full and complete recovery and will be back at work in a couple of orns. In the meantime, I've been given joint command of the Empire in conjunction with General Hard Drive of Praxus as per Emergency Protocols established by Optimus Prime for situations just like this one.
"In conclusion, the forces that protect and defend our Empire showed themselves to be exemplary. They faced down terrible threats and triumphed. Technology developed by Autobots over centuries of innovation was utilized to save two planets and the pillaging of our technology by a hostile alien empire. We've faced threats to our people and triumphed.
"Optimus Prime wishes to extend his great appreciation to the following groups. To Rainmaker, the Great Elder and Senior Commander Starscream who commanded the Seeker air groups, Commander Springer who commanded special operations, Clipper who was harmed in the fighting with the Vergon Confederation and all of the titans who came to assist in pretender formats who were also injured, the soldiers who took the battle to the enemy, Commander Lissie of Iacon who lost a servo in the fighting over Cybertron, the Home Defense Forces and Air Wings of Cybertron, the medical and forensic groups who handled the wounded and dead as well as Sciences who genius was responsible for a good solution to our planetary problems with Sun Base and Homeland, you all have my personal and professional appreciation. I am honored and proud to lead you, he asked me to report.
"To the refugees who were rescued from Homeland and Sun Base, to the citizens of Nova Cronum and Cybertron, to the citizens of Mars and the Empire, I am filled with gratitude at your forbearance and courage. It is the greatest honor of my life to be your Prime. It is our duty to protect you and we will. There will not be a moment to me where that is not the first and greatest portion of my responsibility, the Prime asked me to convey." Prowl stared at the screen. "We are one. We are unified and because we are nothing can harm or stop us. I am concluding the remarks of Optimus Prime with the proviso that when he is able, he will speak to you himself. Until all are one," Prowl said with a nod.
The screen switched to the Emblem of the Primes.
=0=Around the colony
"Well, that settles that," Judy Witwicky said as she sat in the office with everyone else. "Moving planets. I'm game."
"So am I," Thelma Lennox said with a grin. "Don't tell my son."
Huge laughter.
=0=Earth2
Owen Harris and his ruling group sat in the conference room watching Prowl on the screen. The news reporter, Aleph who appeared to handle anything out of the ordinary was back to give a bit more commentary and background to the areas and elements of the battles just past.
"They move planets. They're going to move Cybertron. I wonder where they will," Kyle Davis said quietly. "These fuckers have a lot of tech."
"I doubt that we even have a slight indication of what they have and can do," Owen said. "I would love to know."
=0=Around the same time
They stepped out of the Medical Center into the bright bitterly cold light of Mars and Autobot City. Both Imaldo and Corsair were wearing specially formulated coats of a length that would allow their compromised systems to retain heat. Sometimes those who were debilitated, injured or elderly had to until they improved. They stood on the sidewalk staring at the marvels around them. Mack held his father's arm and Jetta had Corsair's servo.
"What do you think?" Jetta asked with a trace of anxiety.
Corsair looked at him. "This is something. What … how do we do things here? I don't know what to do."
"We have a house for you. It's two doors down from me," Jetta said. "Elita and I live there. Mack lives in Bern which isn't far away. It's another city in the same district."
Corsair stared at him, then nodded wordlessly.
Jetta glanced at his other father, then Hauser and Mack. "Let's get them home."
They walked onward crossing the street then began to pass a cafe to go to the metro station, Metro 1. Corsair slowed as he saw things through the window. He stared at it, then walked closer. Placing his servos on the glass, he looked inside silently staring at the diners.
Jetta took Corsair's servo. "Let's go, Ada. When you feel better we're going everywhere. I can show you how you're going to live."
"Mack said you built everything, son," Corsair said as he glanced at his son.
"We did," Jetta said. "All of us did."
"You built this place, son," Imaldo said with a solemn expression. "I knew you could if you were allowed. I knew that you would make life better for everyone. I knew that about you."
Jetta felt his spark flutter as he stared at the giants of his life, his genitors in such a state. He reached for his father to hug him. "Come on, both of you. Elita is waiting at your new home. Wait until you see it." With that, they slowing began to walk to the metro and the ride to a new life.
=0=At an apartment in Iacon
They had agreed to move to a newer place closer to their work, those who had the apartment before Corsair and Imaldo. The team that had revamped the apartment were determined to do a good job for Jetta's genitors and have it done by the time they were released from the hospital. Elita had taken down a list of things from Jetta and Mack that the two liked and/or dreamed about but never had. It had been a whirlwind shopping trip to get things and bring them here. Now they were waiting for everyone to arrive. It was quiet in the beautiful apartment as they waited.
Outside, the colony whirled onward through the outstanding view of the wall to ceiling windows of the apartment. It would take a while for them to arrive.
=0=TBC 3-4-2020 4-1-2020