The Diego Diaries: Regroup (dd7 226)
=0=Later on
It was late in the night when he walked out onto the balcony to peer at the lights that made evening so beautiful on world. Prowl was recharging, the tensions of the past few orns finally catching up to everyone. He looked at the lights of Aerie Hill in the distance, an urban center that sprawled outward utilizing the landscape around the original mound which cast the view as a trident shaped streak of lights. The huge crevasses that were part of the area there were the basis for the cityscape that made Aerie Hill an almost fairy tale-like district. It was even more beautiful at dusk and night when the lights came on but its spires and ornate whimsy was a sight to behold at any time of the orn.
The airfield below was busy as was the Municipal Airport farther away as cargo and passengers went about their ways. Streets were filled with traffic as the colony ambled on with its now 126,000,000 citizens. It was almost too impossible to imagine the colony being that big when it once hustled to accept 50 refugees from the first group that was recovered. Now they poured through thousands an orn, all of them ready for a new life here.
The sky overhead was filled with stars and galaxies. There were lights from colonial activity and the moon, Phobos could be seen. It was dark and velvet in the landscape beyond the urban areas in all directions. The Prison was a bright center of light and so were the towers all around his building and the Sciences Habitat nearly directly below. Their activities could be seen through the overhead dome. A few were still up but most were asleep.
Beyond them, the Habitat of the Hu-An could be seen with its interior lighting to make the now half mile of enclosed terrain sparkle in the thin atmosphere of Mars. It was a miracle just like the Resort which he spied when he looked toward Aerie Hill once more. It was a masterwork of lighting and down the same drive, Resort Road, the night lights of the Monastery of the Clavis Aurea could be seen. The front doors were closed but the smaller one, a sort of monk's door where you had to bend down to enter was open as ever.
He savored the coolness of the night air which was about -90 degrees Fahrenheit. He walked along the balcony that wrapped all around the penthouse until he could see the colony almost in its entirety. Cities dotted the inky darkness of the vast area that had been worked to create space for them, a solid plan that also held to the usual Cybertronian concepts of beauty. Highways could be determined snaking all over the place by the lights that lit the night for travelers, their placement every so often making light pools that traced out the road system that connected everything, everywhere.
He dialed up his vision to see the Port of Mars and the Immigration and Refugee Center where the old big frame shipyard used to be. The lights there helped the steady flow of refugees, the last coming through for some time. They had cleared Omega Base taking all its refugees and those that were detoured to the prison. Now Atlas could bring in several million that he had found far away on the other side of the Benzuli who were in varying states of ill health.
He glanced at the Temple, then the Mausoleum, the Basilica and finally Earth 1. They could be seen by him with his vision at this height. He could see the top of Earth2 and the Consulate. They were far away and so was the highway that disappeared into the wilderness to traverse the entire planet, the TransWorld Highway. He had been asked to approve hotels along the route, several of them for those who wanted to travel the highway and needed a place to eat and stay. He had. He also was planning a road trip for the family when they had a few moments to themselves.
Unidad sparkled when he glanced that way, Unidad, Tyger Pax, Kalis and Centurion. They were brilliant light pools in the distance, the home of his grandchildren and a school destination of two of his sons. Everywhere he looked he saw memories and home. Even though he could hear nothing yet, he saw enough that his spark was uplifted.
Most of his pains were diminishing. Getting three struts replaced was no small thing. He had gritted his denta while on the mission but when it was over it was amazing, as always, how fast the pain came back. Resting in the hospital and now at home was a welcome thing though it was hard to do with all the work ahead.
Also, the game with Nova Cronum which was postponed until the mission was final was on his processor. He hoped he could play but it was yet to be seen. He was old enough, smart enough and now in a position with options enough that he wouldn't do that if he couldn't.
Sigh.
"Its beautiful, isn't it."
Prime glanced over his shoulder, then nodded. "It is, Lady."
Solus Prime grinned, then walked over to stand beside him. She rested her servo on his arm. "You appear to have harvested a bad crop this time around."
"The Tulsa group is responsible for many things. I find it hard to forgive those with a public trust who lie. They were responsible for the truth and yet they lied. It changed a lot of things. It made my job harder and it poisoned the minds of our people for a long time," Prime said.
Solus nodded. "I know. Its a common thing. It happens in many places including Earth. They lied for personal gain, to advance their ideology and to consolidate wealth and power. It cost Cybertron dearly. I suppose you have another Primal Special Circumstances event ahead of you, then?"
"I would be remiss to assume that I alone can make a judgment on the type and kinds of allegations they will be charged with," Optimus said.
Solus grinned. "I do believe you can. I do believe that your self effacing humility is one of the more beautiful things about you. You are a good mech. I am sorry for your hurts, but then you lead from the front. You always did."
Prime stared at her. "I can hear you."
Solus smiled beautifully. "Magic," she said.
A door opened behind them as Prowl stepped out. He walked around the corner looking for Optimus, then froze in place. He stared at Solus, then glanced at Optimus. "I was … I was worried about you."
Prime turned toward Prowl. "I was talking to-" He stared at the spot next to him, then Prowl. "I was just ..."
"I … that was Solus Prime. Right?" Prowl asked with uncertainty.
He glanced at the now empty spot, then nodded. "Yes." He glanced around as the sound of a soft chuckle could be heard. "Did you hear that?"
Prowl nodded. "You heard it? How can you hear it? How can you hear me?"
Prime thought a moment, then touched his audials gingerly. "I can. I do not know how but I can."
They stared at each other, then Prime walked to the door. "We better go in," he said as he held the door open.
Prowl entered, then they walked to the berth room. Prowl watched Prime sit heavily on the berth, then lay back. "Just a moment. I have to do something." He walked into the wash rack, then hesitated near the shower. He looked around, clenching and unclenching his servos. "Solus?" he asked softly.
"You called?" a voice said behind him.
Prowl spun, staring at the amused face of a goddess of the Pantheon. He felt the urge to drop to his knees, but he bowed stiffly, awkwardly instead. "Lady … you would speak to me."
She mused a moment, then stepped closer. "Do you think I wouldn't?"
"I … I don't know," Prowl said. "I'm not exactly … a … I've been a hard aft and not exactly a straight arrow. I don't know what I think. I just want to say thank you. Optimus can hear. I'm guessing that was your doing?"
She grinned. "I made that part easier. But he will need more care. We have much in common, you and I, Prowl of Praxus. We both love him."
Prowl nodded. "I know. He's worthy in every way. I always knew that but I was driven and we always didn't see optic to optic. I was a ..."
"Hard aft?" Solus asked.
He felt the burn of embarrassment but he nodded anyway. "Yes, Lady. I was. I did a lot of things before but now … its all different. We have another chance. I have another chance. Thank you for whatever you've done to help make that possible. He loves you so and considers you his patron."
Solus grinned. "I return those sentiments. He is one of a kind, Prowl. He has chosen well to have you as his partner. Go in a good way, Prowl of Praxus," she said as she faded away.
Prowl reached out to her but it was empty space. He gathered his thoughts, then walked out to join Prime on the berth. He was silent a moment, then squeezed Prime's servo. "That was an amazing moment, Orion Pax. I can see why They love you so much." He turned his face to Prime's. "I'm sorry I was such an aft all those eons. I was an aft. You can't deny it."
Prime who was still marveling at his hearing grinned at Prowl. "Okay."
Prowl laughed, then snuggled up to the bigger mech. "Good night, Orion Pax."
"Good night, Prowl of Praxus."
=0=Two stories below
Kestrel dried Possibility with a towel, then kissed his little face. "Time to recharge, my darling."
Tagg picked up the baby, then they walked to a berth room that was the 'sleepy bed room' of all the children when they came. They placed him in a crib, tucked him in, then watched him fall into recharge as Kes sang a lullaby that never failed with Optimus when he was this age. They tip-toed out to go to the living room and check the news before going to bed themselves.
They sat, then Tagg turned on the television.
"And the full report of the mission will be released in three orns, so says Commander Jazz of Kaon who commands the Office of Strategic Communications. He says that an address to the Empire will be made in three orns by Optimus Prime to discuss what has happened with the acquisition of two planets and nearly five million refugees.
"The 2,500 colonists of Sun Base that were taken into custody will be held pending judicial review with 32 of them facing federal charges concerning the conditions and treatment of Cybertronians there. Some of those are being held because of outstanding warrants issued on Cybertron during the run up to The Fall. Attorney General Barron of Capital City will be in charge of the cases which will also face hearings before the Commission on War Crimes to settle the facts of such actions before federal trials can begin.
"Commander Ratchet of Iacon released a short update on the condition of those who were harmed during the battle over Nova Cronum and on the mission at Sun Base and Homeland. Commander Ironhide was released from hospital and deemed cleared for active duty. Commander Lissie of Iacon who lost a servo in the fighting was repaired and will return to active duty in three decaorns. There were five soldiers and three Seekers, names held at their request who ran a gamut of injuries but are scheduled to be released from hospital over the next five orns. There were, thankfully, no fatalities.
"Commander Clipper of Cybertron, a dreadnought class vessel who is stationed for regular duty near the pirate base by Caminus and is commanded by the former Decepticon Ominous is repaired and will lift off from the Big Frame Shipyard #2 tomorrow about 2000 joors on the TMC. All of the big frames who were affected by the energy beam weapon that struck Clipper down have recovered fully and are on duty. Striker of Unidad Terra 1, Retriarius of Metro District 3, Metrobon and Acroplex of Metro District 1, Metrotitan of Metro District 2, Fortress Maximus and the mighty Metroplex were also struck down but recovered fully. Several titans from Cybertron were also affected but fully recovered themselves.
"The condition of Optimus Prime stands as Ratchet reports. Optimus Prime in the battle at Nova Cronum was injured. Three struts were replaced, his audials were destroyed in the concussion when the cruiser blew up and he had four wounds on his chassis from shrapnel. There were small burns but of little consequence. The repairs have been made and he has been released to his home, the Primal Residence for two orns of rest and recuperation. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery.
"And now, when we get back from Community News, we will have sports and weather," Lim-Lee said before Tagg muted the broadcast. He glanced at Kes. "Our boy is a miracle."
Kes nodded. "He is."
They would watch the news, then retire to their berths. When they went topside to breakfast with Possibility, they would not only hear a great tale but see another miracle.
=0=TBC 3-8-2020 4-6-2020