The Diego Diaries: All Around the Watch Tower (dd7 276)
=0=About mid morning the next orn
Ratchet hurried out of the meeting with the staff at State that included Lucien to head for the elevator. He had to get to Intensive Care quickly. A message from Prowl had alerted him that it was highly likely that Cog would come into the Med Center to find Springer. He was outside at the moment staring at it in an agitated state. He hurried into the elevator and began to descend from the 34th floor to the 28th where the ICU was located.
=0=Hurrying toward the Med Center
Prowl and Prime walked briskly cutting across the tarmac of the airfield toward the hospital. They'd been alerted by Mirage who had the shift at the moment that Cog had wandered all night as reported to him by the others with his special feature and that the likelihood of him going inside was high. They hustled along to be there when the mech walked inside.
=0=Outside on the sidewalk
Cog stared at the building as the emotional war in which he was immersed raged inside. He was tense, looked explosive and was deciding what to do.
Nearby, Mirage watched, calculating what he would do if things went south inside. He alerted everyone and when Cog stepped forward to cross the highway, Mirage followed.
=0=Up there
Ratchet checked the patients in the ICU, all of them refugees getting treated here. Then he walked out into the corridor and paused just out of sight of the desk. L-7 was there, a very veteran nurse so he felt it would be okay when Cog came. It would only take a minute for the elevator to open and the tall deeply handsome figure of Cog to step out. He hesitated, then walked toward the desk with confidence that he didn't feel.
=0=Prowl and Prime
They reached the doors and entered, listening to Mirage as he gave a running commentary of Cog and his actions to them off line. They jetted upward, then halted the elevator on the floor. Mirage would tell them when they could step out. They waited behind the closed doors silently.
=0=Cog
"Hi. I would like to visit Commander Springer if I may," Cog said as he stopped at the desk.
L-7 glanced at him, then noted the screen of his computer.
As he did Ratchet stepped out. He was perusing a data pad and pretended to be surprised to see Cog. "Cog," he said. He glanced at L-7. "I got this."
L-7 nodded. "Very good, Doctor."
"Come with me, Cog," Ratchet said as he walked toward a small consultation lounge nearby. He entered, then so did Cog. "Have a seat." Ratchet sat, then stared at the big mech.
Cog sat reluctantly. "I was hoping to see Springer, Doctor. We go way back."
"I heard," Ratchet said. "Springer is in very bad condition, Cog. He can't see anyone yet. He's in deep medical stasis."
Cog stared at him with a rush of emotions before the calm expression returned. "I was … he will be okay. Right?"
Ratchet pondered the question, then gave a helpless shrug. "That's why he's in deep stasis. I'm hoping it frees up his internal repair units to do better."
It was silent a moment, then Cog leaned forward. "He will get better though. Right? I mean … he's going to be okay?"
"That's the hope. Right now, its up to the Pantheon," Ratchet said. He was studying Cog with specialist tech that he had made and designed over the eons of being the only mental health expert for the soldiers in the millions of moments they'd spent together. Most of the time the troops coped as best they could. Ratchet on the other hand did his best to preserve and protect that often fragile territory with very little assistance from others given their circumstances. Hence, tech. Right now, the tech was reaching a preliminary conclusion that Cog was extremely dangerously mentally ill.
Cog stared at Ratchet, he shifted as he glanced around, then he stood. "Uh, okay. Thanks." He walked to the door, pausing to look back. "What about the other mech? Drift."
Ratchet stood, gauging his ability to accept information before answering. "Drift is at the Matrix."
Cog stared at Ratchet for a moment, then gave a curt nod. With that, he walked briskly out the door toward the elevator. He entered, then went downward. As he did, another elevator opened, then closed without anyone entering that anyone could see. It went downward as well carrying Mirage.
Prime and Prowl stepped out with grim expressions. "What is the verdict? I assumed you were sensor scanning him." Prowl asked.
"I was. He's deeply ill and a danger to himself and maybe others. He's completely off his rocker," Ratchet said.
With that, the three walked into the elevator, then took it to the ground floor to follow Mirage and Cog outside.
Cog was ahead of them, walking with speed and purpose downtown.
They followed him at a distance to see him finally turn into the Temple and walk up the cobblestone path to the building beyond. They followed him, watching as he entered. They entered as well, then walked to the railing that bordered the area where the Well of Allsparks and the Allspark Itself were contained.
Down below standing next to the Well, Cog could be seen. He was tense as he stared at the undulating blue liquid and all around him the light fog of the Well seemed to be climbing out to surround him. He didn't seem to notice. Even the Allspark Itself seemed to slow Its spin.
They stared at him, then Prime began to descend the stairs. Nearby watching him come down were about 45 priests with Lady Sela and Lord Chevron. Most of them were from Cybertron, here to do a workshop with the Martian contingent. It was deeply silent as they watched the First Disciple of Primus walk toward a pensive mech with a terrible aura who was standing in the midst of the mist of the pool.
Prime reached Cog, then placed his servo on the tall mech's shoulder. Cog didn't seem to feel it. "Cog, this is Optimus Prime. I am here to talk to you."
Cog was still, then he glanced at Prime. "I can't. I have to speak to the Pantheon. Springer needs me."
Prime felt a pang in spite of everything that had happened. "Cog, perhaps we can talk. I bear the Matrix and sometimes It helps me find comfort and the path forward for those who are troubled."
Cog stared at him, then the pool. "I don't know. It's confusing. Springer needs me, though. That much I know for sure."
Prime stared at him, his servo resting lightly on Cog's shoulder as he struggled to find something that might help the moment. Then the two disappeared.
There was a surprised murmur from the priests as they watched, then glanced at each other. Chevron turned to them. "It's a blessing we're seeing. We must keep the holiness."
The group instantly became quiet, then a number knelt on the floor. Soon, all of them were including Chevron and Sela. Nearby, Mirage came back into view, then he glanced upward at Prowl and Ratchet. None of them looked good about what was happening but none of them would leave. No matter how long it took, everyone was going to stay and see what happened including a number of very surprised pilgrims sitting nearby.
=0=Elsewhere
They were standing on the white sand desert that was a meeting place for Prime and the Pantheon. It rolled out in all directions toward distant mountains. The sound was oddly muffled and nothing stirred.
Cog glanced around, then turned to Prime. "What is this?"
"This is the Matrix. You are safe here. Sometimes They use this as a way to communicate with us," Prime replied.
Cog nodded, then glanced around. "I asked them to save Springer. He needs me. He always has. We've been separated a long time. It's over now, the separation. We can be together again. Ratchet told me that Drift was at the Matrix. Will he come here, too?"
Prime considered Cog, then shook his helm. "No. I do not think that will be a problem now."
Cog nodded. "Good. I'm glad."
"Then I am glad as well."
They both turned to the voice that materialized behind them. It was Solus Prime. Standing with Her was a solemn appearing Prima. They were the same size as Optimus this time and though they were, nothing about Them was diminished by it. They were astonishing in their beauty and Their auras heavy with wisdom and love.
Cog stared at them, then Prime. "Am I dreaming?"
"No, Cog, you are not," Prime said as he turned to the two and bowed. "I am honored to see You here, Lord Prima and Lady Solus. This is Cog. He is in need of assistance."
Cog stared at Prime, then the two. "I need you to help me. I need you to help Springer."
Solus who was staring at him with sympathy nodded. "I can see that, Cog. We came to help you."
Cog stared at both of them, then relaxed. "You would do that? I need you to save him. He's the only one for me."
Prima glanced at Prime. "I am tired of this. I am tired of hurt and pain. This grieves Me terribly."
Optimus nodded. "And me as well."
Prima glanced at Solus. "Please, Sister … do the honors."
Solus glanced at Prima, then Optimus. She turned toward Cog. "I am going to help you, Cog. You are loved," She said, then stepped toward him. She put her arms around him and hugged him, holding him close.
Cog froze a moment in surprise, then relaxed. He slowly embraced Her back and when he did both of them vanished.
Prime stared at the empty space. It was silent but for the soft rustle of sand shifting in the light warm breeze. He turned toward Prima who was staring at him with a grave expression. "I know he is safe."
Prima nodded. "He is." Prima stared at Optimus a moment, then two rocks appeared out of nowhere. He sat. "Please … sit and spend a moment with Me."
Prime did. "It would be my honor."
Prima grinned slightly. "You are a very humble and decent mech, Optimus Prime. You always were. If you could remember things you would understand the esteem and great love that We feel for you, all of Us." He considered the big mech sitting before him. "You were the best one. I am not usually given to such talk. We were all full of Ourselves once upon a time, but it was obvious. Your spark is identical to Primus. None of Us can say the same. When Unicron had to be curtailed, you made it happen because your spark is so. Without you being able to do that, it would have been impossible to end His rampages."
Prime listened and felt the truth of it but he felt the same awkward sensations suffuse him. "Lord Prima-"
"Brother, Optimus Prime. You are my brother. You are Thirteen. Nothing about you now is different from the mech you were then. You were humble and good, a unifier. You never asked for anything for yourself. You took what was unchosen by Us for your weapons without asking Solus to do more than that. You did all the things you were supposed to do with excellence and without complaint. You were good, decent, kindly and caring always. You were and are the best of Us. I say that freely and without caveat. That is why you have always come back no matter what happens to you, to serve the people, to serve and protect all beings everywhere."
"It is my honor to do so," Prime replied. "I am assisted by greatness in the mechs and femmes I know. We gather our people and we protect Primus. All of it matters more than anything else."
"You have a family. Prowl is an interesting mech. He could in the past be rigid and cold, calculating and less than ethical about what he chose to do even though he had the greater good in mind and therefore rationalized it to himself that way. I will say … that was then and this is now," Prima said with a grin. "All flowers can grow given enough light."
"Prowl is my soulmate. He is the soul of my existence. I have children and grandchildren. I have a home and friends … something I never expected. It is a good purpose that I pursue as best I can," Optimus replied.
"Your best effort is enough, Optimus. You must believe in yourself and trust your judgment when you lead. Primus has waited a long time for his liberation and regeneration to come. We cannot interfere as you well know. But in all you do, We are most proud.
"As for the sad mech, Cog … he is with Us. We will help him. Sometimes its hard to watch what happens but this was not in his cards. His path diverged so We are allowed to intervene. We do not if this is his destiny but it is not. I am weary of the strain and harm Our people bear but it is their choice to live thusly and learn greatly from it. Every step of their life is a choice they made before they came and because it is, no matter how awful, We must abide."
"The Functionalists and the others ..." Optimus asked.
"The half a million deaths were not part of their life plan. It was not supposed to happen to them. We intervened at the trial because this could not be allowed to pass. This mech … we will care for him. He will get another chance. For now, We claim him." He grinned at Prime. "You are a good mech, Optimus, or shall I say Thirteen. But you must go back. I will remove this chat from your processor. You will remember the good feeling but not the information. It would be pointless for you to continue there knowing everything already."
"Thank you," Optimus said as the sight of the Allspark came into his line of vision. He was standing in the Temple again staring at It. Glancing all around, it was clear that Cog didn't come back with him. He slowly turned, noted a roomful of kneeling priests, several pilgrims and the solemn-faced visages of Mirage, Prowl and Ratchet. He vented a soft sigh. "Do not worry about Cog. He is home now."
=0=TBC 5-9-2020