The Diego Diaries: All Around the Watch Tower (dd7 272)
=0=The Fortress
Ratchet walked out, then transformed. He drove into traffic then made his way forward to the Metro Highway that led toward the Metro Districts. Traffic was heavy given it was a weekend and there were things to do. He drove through the three districts honking at the two little titanic infants playing in their dirt pile near Acroplex. They looked up, smiling brightly as they tried to find out who it was. Waving to the cars passing by, they drew more honks before Ratchet found himself heading toward the habitats that were arrayed down the highway commonly called Habitat Road.
It was bright and cold, a good orn for playing and he knew that millions were. Weekend was something new to a population that had few holidays and amenities. It was a tremendously appreciated addition to their way of life. He passed the Mausoleum, the Shrine for Thirteen and the Primal Basilica. He could see buses of humans there, some of them standing outside to look upward at the soaring building while others followed their guides into the immense structure. There were more and different on-site tours added to the program and this was one of them.
He zoomed onward into the thinning traffic as most of it took the roundabout to the west, Tri-Cities and other habitation sites. He drove through heading toward Earth2 and a meet up with Owen Harris. It was a game of cat and mouse now between both sides, each eyeballing the other, one side pushing and one giving when possible. It was intel to one to see the where the line was drawn and intel to the other how bold and malicious their opponent was.
He saw Earth 1 appear nearby. The habitats had been locked down during the fear of a bombing campaign but all was well again. Earth 1, the Consulate and Unidad Terra 1 had open travel privileges at their metro station, the ones built under the habitats to hook things up. Everyone had one. Earth2 did as well but they were still earning the privilege of its use. He was sure that Owen would ask about it when he arrived.
He drove onward scanning from time to time the sandy expanse around him. Ratchet loved the tones of color, the different striations of rock that often lay exposed on the ground and the rises that were here and there. It was a beautiful world for them to make their stand and he considered it in all its different phases through the orn.
He arrived at the turn off for Earth2, then took it, driving down to the entrance where he transformed. He stood at the habitat doors waiting for them to open so he could enter. They did and he did, pausing inside for them to close and the atmosphere to return. Through the great doors and windows he could see Harris, several of his colleagues including of all individuals Jason and James Daniels and Kyle Davis. It would appear that they were here to get a glimpse of what they were called forward to discuss. A hiss broke him out of his reverie, so Ratchet walked inside. The door closed behind him, the lights changed to show that the atmosphere was back, then they regarded each other.
"Ambassador, welcome," Owen Harris said. He was standing by the door with Kyle Davis, his business partner, Cynthia Tomas who looked nervous, a couple of men that Ratchet knew did work for the habitat and nearby watching them silently, James and Jason Daniels.
"Thank you," Ratchet replied as he knelt. "I'm here to discuss your desire to allow Beau Weaver to come here to work. I would need a very detailed explanation."
"Well, the entire crew was pardoned by the President," Owen said. "None of them can live comfortably on Earth at present. Their notoriety makes that difficult."
Ratchet nodded. "And this concerns Mars how?"
Owen considered Ratchet who looked relaxed and intent. "We see it as a way to get and give at the same time. Beau Weaver is someone with talents who we can use. If he lives here he's not facing the intensity of public opinion that currently has him a prisoner in his own house. I think it would be almost humanitarian to have him here. Weaver and his family could find their footing again."
"You take in strays then," Ratchet said as he glanced at the two Daniels. "Apparently you have lower standards than most of us can feel comfortable with."
"I won't argue with you that they showed poor judgment," Owen replied.
"They showed treason," Ratchet countered.
It was silent a moment.
"I'm asking to help someone out, Ambassador. I want to give someone a chance to rehabilitate themselves, be useful and by being here be safe. There's nothing more to it than that," Harris replied.
Ratchet stared at him, then the others. He glanced at James and Jason Daniels standing nearby. "How are things going for you two?" he asked.
They stared at him, then Jase moved closer. "Just fine."
"Is that so?" Ratchet replied. "I suppose this beats prison. What do you think about your pal Beau Weaver working here? It might be like old home week. I should ask Starscream over to welcome all of you as well."
It was leaden between them with James showing only marginal irritation or reaction. Jase showed nothing.
Ratchet glanced at Harris. "What would be his function, how much easier would it be to get someone else instead of him and what's your real game here, Harris?" Ratchet asked.
Everyone stared at Ratchet, some of them with great unease.
Harris glanced at them, then the big mech. "I want to help someone out who used to be a good friend. He has no chance to have a happy life on Earth. He would work here in the business sector. I just want to help someone out. There's no agenda beyond that."
Ratchet rose, then smirked at Harris. "Of course there is. I'll relay this to Prime. You will get your answer today." With that, Ratchet walked to the door nearby, then began to exit down the stairs to the metro station below. He was gone in seconds.
Harris watched him go, then turned to the others. "Well, I think that went well," he said with a slight grin before walking to the administration district nearby.
The only one not amused by his remarks was Cynthia Tomas.
=0=Up there
The therapist walked into the room, then grinned at both. "Time for you to get up, Commander and you, Commander Drift, you have to sit in a chair for a bit."
The two stared at the therapist, then each other.
"This is going to hurt, isn't it," Springer said as he gripped the therapist's servo. He was gently pulled upward groaning as he rose. Sitting on the edge of the berth, his processor spinning, he glanced at Drift. "That didn't hurt. Much."
Drift grinned slightly as Springer walked stiffly to a chair nearby. He sat slowly and groaned faintly. "You alright?"
"Sure," Springer said tightly as he anxiously watched the therapist move furniture so that Drift could get up.
Drift stared at the therapist with loathing as he came to his side.
Gripping Drift's servo, he moved his arm to the ready to help brace Drift on his rise upward. "Let's give it a try, shall we?" the therapist said with a grin.
"Who's this 'we'?" Drift asked as he began to move upward. Groaning loudly, he finally was sitting. His helm spun, too, but settled quickly.
"Does it have to hurt?" Springer asked the therapist.
"It will a tiny bit. He did break a lot of stuff," the therapist said. "We're going to stand now." He helped Drift slowly regain his peds, shuffle to a chair next to Springer, then slowly sit. He didn't make a sound because zen.
Maybe.
"I'm going to leave you both here. You can summon us if you need help but don't get up without us here. Any questions?" he asked cheerfully.
They both looked at him with bleary optics, then shook their helms. The therapist walked out cheerfully. It appeared to be his natural condition.
It was silent.
"You alright?" Springer asked.
Drift grinned faintly. "I may hurl."
"Oh." It was silent, then Springer grinned. "Aim for the floor."
Drift would.
=0=City Hall, Terra, Mayor's Office
"What the frag? Why is he coming?" Magnus asked as Ratchet presented expedited paperwork for temporary permitted immigrant status to Beau and Muriel Weaver and their two kids.
"You'll have to ask the Messiah," Ratchet said with a smirk. "I merely slave in the vineyards."
Magnus stared at the data pad in his servo. "I know Optimus is tactical. I'm sure he has a reason."
"It could be that keeping the slaggers together in one place is safer. I also know that Optimus is waiting for Harris to make a move," Ratchet said.
"The sooner, then better," Magnus said as he stamped the data requests, then sent them to the Bureau of Immigration to file. "It's done. Shall I tell them or is that your job?"
"Why, its mine," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile. "I get to use my fancy letterhead."
Magnus grinned. "Then by all means."
=0=Three hours later
Cynthia Tomas walked into Owen's office and handed him a letter. He took it and began to read.
Ambassador Commander Ratchet of Iacon
The Office of the Secretary of State
The Empire of the Primes
252674 Tower Two, Suite 226-242
Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars
Mr. Harris:
I have reviewed the request with Optimus Prime who is by virtue of his station the first and last authority among our people. After a detailed discussion, the final decision has been made to grant your request for temporary-immigrant status to Beau Weaver, Muriel Weaver, Thomas Weaver and Amanda Weaver. The conditions of their presence here are not negotiable and violation of any one of them for any reason is grounds for banishment from Mars and the empire for their lifetime.
1. They are confined to the habitat. They will not be allowed to go out of the habitat at present.
2. Their communications will be vetted through the Office of Strategic Communications for the time being. It is the practice of all new immigrants for this to be so but given the circumstances, it was decided that they would be no exception.
3. They will not be allowed to visit other habitats and if they require a need to leave Earth2 then it must be cleared through my office or that of the Primes. Any other effort to go out of Earth2 without clearing it with us is a banishment for life offense.
4. Given the severity of the offenses that were committed by Beau Weaver against not only us but his own people, he will not be allowed to have a presence here that extends beyond his job and life within the habitat. He will be blocked out of Teletraan and not be allowed to access anything that extends beyond the scope of work that Earth2 does.
5. Any infraction of the rules by the Weavers will trigger an immediate escort off world that is a ban for life. They have no status here beyond that of any other immigrant and their lack of access to the amenities of the colony and travel that others have is triggered by Weaver's disgraceful behavior.
We are not happy that you asked for this but the Prime has granted it. We are clear in our willingness to defend our colony and her people. We will hold you personally responsible if Weaver breaks laws, causes problems or defaults to his criminal behaviors. You will face the same consequences as Weaver. Your agreements and leases with us allow us to ban anyone who poses a threat to the colony and her people without cause. You agreed to this and we expect you to uphold your part of the deal.
If not, we have ships leaving here and arriving on Earth every two hours twenty-four/seven.
Yours truly,
Ratchet of Iacon
Chief Medical Officer of the Empire, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Secretary of State for the Prime of Cybertron
Owen Harris glanced up at a pensive Cynthia Tomas. "Well … we better hope Weaver doesn't fuck up his second chance then."
=0=TBC 5-4-2020 03-03-2021