The Diego Diaries: Boo-Hoo! (dd7 232)
=0=Early the next morning
"Hey."
Optics on-lined. "What? Its early."
"Ironhide, get up. You have to go to church," Ratchet whispered with a chuckle, then rose to walk out of the room.
Ironhide watched him go, musing on his 'joke', then rolled over to stare at the ceiling. "Frag."
Moments later …
Ironhide walked into the kitchen through the house to pause at the sink. "I'm glad you find this funny."
Ratchet grinned as he handed him a breakfast sandwich. "Eat this. My Codex is over there," Ratchet said nodding to a small book with the requisite prayers in order. "The Cycle for the Dead is marked."
Ironhide stared at it, then his sandwich. He walked to the table, began to eat it and sulked.
Ratchet grinned. "That will teach you to mess with your abbas and ammas."
Ironhide glanced at Ratchet with a baleful expression. "I want a divorce."
Ratchet snickered. "From who? Me or them?"
"All of ya," Ironhide said as he finished the sandwich. He stood, picked up Ratchet's little book, then glanced at him. "I'll take care of this."
"Good," Ratchet said. They hugged, then Ironhide sulked out. The door closed as Ratchet watched him go, then he walked to the berth room to go back to recharge. It was early for these prayers. The group here would pick up where the group on Cybertron left off.
=0=On the way
It was still dark when Ironhide reached Temple and Metro 1. The path was lighted to the doors as he walked down it to the wide steps and great platform ahead as other times with Amma Turbine filled his processor. Torches lit the Temple at night, flames casting light against the darkness like it did when the Universe burst into life at that moment when The One became awake. He took the steps, then entered.
He felt the warmth of memory wash over him, lots of family stuff such as festivals and funerals, events of great import to The People and those only to his family where everyone would come together. Amma Tub-Tub as the littlest kids called Turbine had been a major player during all these important cultural and philosophical times. His was the oldest clan, the Elder Clan and they were said to hold the secrets of Primus and The One Themselves.
He walked into the building which was lit again by torches and the specially placed lights that illuminated the important things therein. Reaching the railing, he looked below. His amma was there with priests and a 'pledge' … someone from his clan that was learning the prayers. A tall mech was going to be a 'singer' or someone like Turbine who could remember oceans of prayers to deliver them when they were needed. Priests and Lady Sela was with him when Ironhide grumped down the steps. He walked to them and was hugged by Turbine.
"You're actually on time," Turbine said with delight. "We need to begin in a few seconds. Are you ready?" Turbine asked.
Ironhide held up Ratchet's little book, then everyone made a line in front of the relics. They bowed to the Allspark and to the Well, then Turbine stepped closer. He began to say the words that called upon the Universe to gather up sparks wherever they may lay and lead them to the Matrix and safety. He began to sing the words that would give comfort to them on the journey. He sang the songs of their people, words as old as the universe and at the proper moments everyone joined in including Ironhide.
Turbine would do his part without a book. The others would consult theirs including Ironhide, such was the difference between them. It would be a holy moment for all including the 'little mech'.
Ironhide would enjoy the peace of the moment in spite of himself.
=0=A joor later
They stood on the sidewalk watching infants hop onto buses, crawl into cabs and head off with their elders. Ratchet's little mob diminished so he grinned at Prowl. "I'll be up shortly. I have to supervise Ironhide."
Prowl laughed. "Ask him for me how it was at the Temple this morning."
"I will," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile. They parted as Ratchet made the short walk to the medical tower nearby. He walked in, chatted his way forward, then went up to the office by elevator.
Some time later Ironhide sulked in with Turbine.
"Hi," Turbine said. "Ironhide was magnificent. He has such a beautiful singing voice."
Ratchet grinned. "I can attest to that. Why the other night in the berth-"
Slag and pillows thrown from the couch took care of that.
Ironhide grinned as he sat. He stared at the two of them defiantly.
Turbine grinned. "You're so cute when you pout. Here's the daily schedule for the next ten orns. He comes to the Temple at the same time every morning. He works here for a joor, then he goes to Cybertron to be a dog's body for whoever has the need."
"Dog's body?" Ratchet asked.
"Personal body slave. I watched a show called 'The Black Adder' the other night and died laughing. A mech on the show was a high tone's 'dog's body' and did all the scut work," Turbine said.
Ratchet who made a mental note to watch the show grinned at Turbine, then Ironhide. "Come on, Fido. Time to do your penance here."
Ironhide rose with a smirk. "Frag you, ba-bee."
Ratchet swished out to lead the way. Down the hall to the elevator, then down the elevator to the fifteenth floor they went. They stepped out then walked to a big room marked 'kitchen maintenance-authorized personnel only'. They walked inside, then paused to look around. Carts as far as the optic could see were parked here with trays on them, meal trays that had dishes that needed washing.
Ironhide glanced at Ratchet. "You have got to be kidding."
"I have no say," Ratchet said with a chuckle. "Appa has spoken." Ratchet explained how things were done, how dishes were slotted into slots and utensils were placed in their spots. Cups and other things were also lined out and the trash swept away down the disposal. All Ironhide was required to do was all of it, actually. Ratchet looked at him with bemused sympathy. "If it looks like you can't do it I suppose we can help."
Ironhide who was steaming slightly glanced at Ratchet and Turbine. "You don't think I can do this? I, Ironhide, Chaos Bringer of Doom?"
"I didn't say that," Ratchet said as Ironhide walked to a cart and began to dismantle the mess. He glanced at Turbine who was chuckling on the inside. :Putty in my servos:
:I noticed that: Turbine said.
They stood by watching as Ironhide swiftly and with skill dismantled the trays, stacked the dishes and all that was part of the meal time of this floor, then pushed the button for a new set of slots and bins. The one he filled would go downward on the dumb water elevator system allowing another to slide into its space. By the time he'd sent four filled compartments on their way to the third sub floor of the building to be washed and sterilized, the entire room was completed.
Turbine tossed his rag in the linen bin nearby then turned to Ironhide. "I washed down the carts. Don't say I never do anything for you."
"You don't. You didn't save me from Appa," Ironhide said with a faint grin.
"I still remember you stealing his car," Turbine said. "That was an antique and you got it impounded by the police. The state police no less."
Ironhide smirked. "That was fun."
"It was. I'm surprise they didn't grab you and paddle your aft," Turbine said as he gave his grandson a bear hug.
"What's next?" Ratchet asked.
Turbine put in the call, then grinned. "Appa wants you at The Citadel. Pico and the other miscreant are doing a great job. He wants you to help him with Rockwell."
"Oh joy," Ironhide said as they walked out for the elevator. "Nothing like carrying the bag. Is he still?"
"He is. Sun said it weighs about the same as a tank now," Turbine said as they stepped into the elevator. He glanced at Ratchet. "Come at lunch. We're meeting in the fancy dining room of the Officers wing of The Citadel. Comm us. Infant is going to bring it. He doesn't know that yet but he is," Turbine said.
The door closed on Ironhide's frown. "I'm standing right here, Amma."
"SO YOU ARE, INFANT!" Turbine said with a chuckle as they disappeared from sight.
Ratchet would chuckle, too, for a long time.
=0=Shortly later
They walked through the hospital bridge into the bridge room of The Citadel in Iacon. Up the steps to the building they went as they wend their way to the commanding officer's office which was nearly as great as the Office of the Primes down the hallway. They passed the usual mob of efficiently working civilians and soldiers, femmes and mechs who kept the wheels turning. Down the hallway to Hardie's office they went. Passing through the ante rooms where staff worked, past his secretary, they went into the office of Muy Grande himself.
He was checking something on a data map with his aides when he glanced up, then grinned. "Well, don't you look suitably holy."
Ironhide frowned. "Frag you. Sir."
Hard Drive grinned as Delphi hugged his great grandson. "Aw. Don't pout, infant. I won't give you a rust stick if you do."
"Throw in a Celebration cake and I might take you up on it, Amma," Ironhide said as he hugged Delphi back. "What are we doing today? Digging ditches? Delivering pizzas? Or do you want me to slag out a sewer somewhere?"
"I have to say, Ironhide, you never learn," Hard Drive said with a chuckle. "You give me ideas."
"Uh, don't listen to me. I've been praying but it doesn't look like its going to do me any good for the next ten slagging orns," Ironhide said as the group grinned at him.
All of them were amused but for Rockwell who sat nearby inputting data. He looked cold and collected, like someone who made up their mind that the universe would end before he gave up whatever path he was on. He spent his time on the screen ignoring everyone around him.
"What are we going to be doing?" Ironhide asked.
"I'm going to Nova Cronum and assume my district. You stay with Appa today and I get you tomorrow. I want you to study the first five chapters of The Chronicles so we can have a discussion. Be prepared to be quizzed," Turbine said just to get his goat.
Ironhide stared at him, then Hardie who grinned back. "If I just bend over and you all paddle the slag out of me, I'd consider that a good trade."
"Be careful what you wish for, infant," Turbine said as he kissed Ironhide's cheek. "See ya in the dining room at 1300 joors." With that, he walked out the door to go to his district and bring good things to his shattered region.
Ironhide watched him go, then turned to Hardie. "Well?"
Hardie laughed, then glanced at his aides. "Let's go. We have a long way to go before lunch time." With that, he gathered his own stuff then walked to the door with Ironhide. All of the aides got their dictation gear and maps to join him. "Come, too, Rockwell." With that, he walked out.
The aides followed as Rockwell got ready to leave.
Ironhide reached down to pick up the backpack by the door. It felt like it weighed a ton or three. He handed it to Rockwell who took it silently, then walked past him to the hallway. Ironhide watched him go in a huff, then grinned. "This might be fun after all." With that, Ironhide of Praxus walked out to follow his Appa Hard Drive around, watch his Amma Delphi leave for his district, then meet all of them for lunch at the fancy pants dining room of The Citadel with Ratchet later on.
Rockwell coming along was a cheery on top of the Celebration cake.
=0=Primal Residence
He sat in a chair watching the news when Ratchet walked in. "Good morning. Thank you for yesterday."
"Good morning to you, too and you're welcome," Ratchet said as he sat down in Prowl's chair. A service had already done the rugs and they looked at spectacular as ever.
Prowl walked out of the hallway from the office where he was working. "Hi. Tell me how he is."
"Who? Prime or Ironhide?" Ratchet asked with a smirk.
"Both," Prowl said as he sat down on the coffee table in front of the chairs. "I heard he had prayers this morning."
"He did. Mech is sanctified." Ratchet scanned Prime, then read the data. "Nice improvement but you aren't fit yet. One or two more orns, then I'll certify you for light duty. Nothing more. You really lit hard when you landed."
Prime nodded. "As you say."
=0=On a hillside near an old air base
They stared at the pile up below of busted and broken ships. Scattered amongst the rubble was unexploded ordinance. Ironhide had scanned the area and they were talking together about its recovery.
Standing nearby beside a backpack, Rockwell feigned a lack of concern. Everyone there knew otherwise. This kind of wreckage made him nervous. Bombs could go boom. When it was finished here, Rockwell would be glad.
"He's as hard aft as ever," Ironhide said to his appa quietly.
Hardie nodded. "He is. The other two want to work at the Citadel and they're in counseling with their families to find the way forward. I have good feelings about them but this one … I don't know."
"Send him to 'church' then," Ironhide said with a slight snit in his voice. "I hear its the go-to punishment among some."
Hardie grinned at his grandson. He would never learn. "Alright," he said. "You and Rockwell can sing the prayers together."
Ironhide wouldn't say another word unless asked until lunch.
=0=TBC 3-16-2020 4-9-2020