The Diego Diaries: All Around The Watch Tower (dd7 275)
=0=Out in the Bootes
They flew onward through the emptiness and darkness of the barren region of the Bootes. They came in a long line, broken segments of their long armada spread out so that if one part was attacked it wouldn't take them all out. Other segments following or leading could rescue those who were under assault. They were many, a flotilla of ships and support who were following a very smart and ruthless leader.
In the command ship at the point of the spear, Polity was musing on the situation. Prime had contacted him and given him a picture of his strength. What it actually meant was for him to decide. Prime had taken Cybertron. He had thousands of monster ships, where Polity didn't know. He had Supreme mechanisms. Many were the battles he had with that big frame and he had borne the brunt of it. If Cybertron was Prime's then the local and home guards there would be part of his arsenal, too. If it were true that groups were surrendering the way he said they were, then it was a daunting prospect before him.
Standing nearby watching him do the math, Zealot waited. He was Polity's second-in-command and much more. They'd been competing ship captains who came to an agreement and much more over a tense period of time of mutual evaluation. That included planning their leaving of the Decepticons for greener pastures, sorting out personalities and strengths and meshing two large groups into a bigger one that functioned to both their exacting standards.
It had worked. They'd also become something more to each other which was amazing considering Polity was high caste, grew up in rarefied strata and never saw the outcome of his family's decisions wreak destruction everywhere on everyone.
Zealot was the opposite. He was a smart, tough, brutal and tactical mech who was low caste, grew up in grinding poverty, went on his own early and didn't look back. He was going to become a power, would control his own fate and get paybacks, too.
They loathed each other at first sight.
That was what made their personal situation so miraculous. One was high caste and the other made it a practice to kill them wherever he found them.
Now they were intimate partners in a grand adventure, one that was looking for a kingdom of their own and to take over whatever was out there to consolidate and expand their power. They knew that Ominous and Razorclaw had come this way. They were following the information they got out of traders and the odd Decepticon scout ship. They were pressed for information also about Paragon and his group. They were coming the right way, knew that each was probably powerful wherever they had landed and that the prospect of including them into the fold was probably good. Having to fight their leadership for supremacy didn't concern either mech.
Zealot walked over to sit on the navigator's chair near Polity. "What are you thinking about?"
"Prime. I want his helm on my wall," Polity said. "If he's even slightly right, we're going to have to find a base, build it up and draw in the others."
"They should come. The empire is a pile of sticks. Megatron won't miss a couple of million soldiers and their ships." Zealot sat back. "I would love to know about the titans. I served once on Metrotitan. It wasn't for long. Straxus was a fragger so I left. What do you think about Cyclonus. What about his group? They were behind Paragon."
"If they're here we will find them. I want to know how far out the sensor range of the Prime can reach. We need to find a location just outside of it to build a real base, one with all manner of capabilities. We need to make ammunition, ships, build housing, all of it. I want a real base and industrial platform. Its what my family did, build and make things. Its the best way to attract and keep soldiers, having amenities. We need to put into place a real force with real support or we won't win this. Even if half of what he told us is true, then we're going to be outclassed for a long time."
"Then we should start looking for a system that can provide that?" Zealot asked.
Polity nodded. "Yes."
Zealot rose, then walked to the sensor station nearby. Sitting, he began to scan in an 180 degree spread for a star that held the necessary planets and was serviced by a big enough debris field to support a big armada and the resultant newcomers that Polity would attract. Maybe this time they would have a place to sit and build, rather than run from pursuit or a lack of opportunities like before. He would be occupied for a while.
He would find such a place, too.
=0=Prime
He looked over the newest data which had come in just as he gathered to leave. The armada was still unknown, size-wise, but they were heading in a straight line to an area that held the debris fields of many planets, asteroids and comets that were attracted or held by a number of large young stars. Planets orbited those stars, some of them binary and thus, they would be a good place to dig in. It appeared to him, Paragon and Prowl that Polity was going to set up shop in the neighborhood.
"Well, this is fragged. He's going to want to take out Ominous and Razorclaw to steal their forces and bases. He's smart and tactical. He doesn't like competing kingdoms," Paragon said. "There can only be one and he's not squeamish about fighting another captain for their crews."
"Well, then we have to re-evaluate our situations regarding Razorclaw and Ominous. Prowl, please call in Metroplex, Clipper, Typhoon and Hammer of Primus. I have been told that he stays here most of the time with Tennyson. I would like Fortress Maximus as well," Prime said.
Prowl walked to a console then dialed in the call for those individuals. Before he was finished the sound of mechs materializing in the room could be heard. He walked back to the table and the five big mechs who gathered there with the others. "Thank you for coming. We have a situation developing and need some capabilities and expertise."
"Command us, Prime," Metroplex said as the others bowed their helms in respect.
"Gentlemen, we have a dangerous force moving in from the Bootes that is apparently going to set up camp just outside of our sensor range. They are a very big force, mostly still undetermined and are led by a very smart, very dangerous captain by the name of Polity," Prime said.
The big mechs glanced at each other. "I am not familiar with that name, Prime," Fort Max said as the others agreed. "What can you tell us and how may we serve?"
"The group is a breakaway of disaffected Decepticons. They want to link up with Ominous and Razorclaw and take over their operations. They are aware that Cybertron is in my hands and that the empire is mine. They are coming to build their forces with the local group and then move on us." Prime looked at the map. "Our sensor capabilities in deep space reach this part as a result of the encounter with Shrike and his group," Prime said as he pointed to the edge of the Bootes itself. "Beyond that, we have shadows and echoes."
"You wish more intel then," Typhoon said.
"I do but I want to do this tactically. I have told him of our strengths and victories. It is clear to me that they will not believe all I have said. I want them to be off kilter, to feel insecure. I believe that is why they are diverting to find a place to gather and dig in. I also believe that will give them a base from which to call others to come. If they believe we are as strong as we appear to be, they will need more soldiers and ships. He will call them.
"My position here is to re-evaluate the neutral stance I have permitted with Ominous and Razorclaw. I do believe that Ominous is the lesser of two evils. I need to know more about them. Clipper," Prime said as he glanced at the big mech. "You are closest as guardian for Caminus. I would like to know if you can scan their installation or perhaps intercept their data streams and messaging."
Clipper considered that. "I can intercept their data and messages and they won't know I am. To scan would alert them."
"Then I am going to provide the pretext. Given their weakness in relation to us, they can not do a thing about it but complain. I want to know as much about them as possible including their physical plant arrangements. If we have to take them down I will need the information."
Clipper bowed slightly. "It will be done."
"I know that we can reach Razorclaw. I am considering a number of options but sensing his operation is vital. I am going to tell him that we are and that I will shoot anyone who interferes. It will be the price of doing business here. I am not clear that he knows that Polity and his group are coming this way. I want to know all about space out that direction. The maps have to be exact. If they ever decide to fight and break out, I want to block any routes that bring them toward us. This is a very delicate and tricky situation."
"We will get the data." Hammer of Primus glanced at the others as they talked off line. He looked at Prime. "You might need to increase your biggest capabilities here among our frame. The eleven that came this way with Banner are settled. All of the titans on Cybertron are settled. We have Tennyson, the dreads and we can bring more. The children are not going to be pleased if they aren't asked."
"I cannot fathom the moment when they would be, gentlemen," Prime said as they all nodded.
"I am wondering, Optimus," Paragon said. "They seem to be following some sort of trail here, some sort of migration of their fellow Decepticons toward this way. I came with my group and so did Ominous and Razorclaw. Cyclonus came as well. Perhaps we need to speak to him, too"
Prowl turned toward the console and sent the message. "Done."
They chatted a moment going over the situation, discussing what they would need to do to rebuild the defensive schemata of the entire sphere of Prime's influence even as Typhoon and Metroplex designed a message to reach Soft Space. As they did the heavy treads of a big mech could be heard. The serious imposing figure of Cyclonus could be seen entering the room to walk across its vast expanse toward Prime.
He reached the table, nodded to everyone there, then turned toward Prime. "You called for me."
"I did," Prime said. "I would like to know all you can remember, if you do, about a mech called Polity."
Cyclonus frowned. "I presume that he is heading this way?"
"You presume correctly," Paragon replied grimly. "I do believe he is coming this way for conquest and paybacks."
"He is coming for your helm?" Cyclonus asked.
"I would not disagree," Paragon replied.
Cyclonus mused a moment. "Polity is high caste, a sparkless marauder but no one's fool. He is a very grave opponent, Prime. He has no respect for Cybertron or our culture. He is driven by personal gain, power and greed. He doesn't make his moves or decisions based on emotion. He is very tactical. He can persuade those who are so inclined to join him. He is also ready to take command away from others by any means. He is here?"
Prime nodded. "He is."
"What is the plan then?" Cyclonus asked grimly.
"We are going to ask two dreadnoughts to come. Also, four titans, adult mechs who are hunters. All of them will be here in three orns. They were in Soft Space long enough to be relatively well and remade, though they will probably need a once over and upgrades," Metroplex said.
"Thank you, gentlemen," Prime said. "Let us sit and reason this out."
They joined him and the discussion would go on for joors.
=0=TBC 5-7-2020