The Diego Diaries: Zoomer (dd7 309)
=0=On the platform of the Shrine of Solus Prime
They stood on the platform watching the city swirl around them. The shrine had been amazing, a full sized version of the one on Mars with as many of the original features and items that could be found. They had walked from one end to the other inside passing pilgrims who were there for various purposes. It was open orn and night so it never was fully free of visitors.
The night was deep even though it was nearly noon time here. Night was ongoing on Mars far away as they walked toward a funnel of light that would take them from Praxus to Polyhex. When they stepped out they were on the platform of a government building that was street side with the long 'Miracle Mile' that cut the city in half. This was the Wall Street of Cybertron where all of the biggest banks, corporate headquarters and business firms held their sway.
It was now a high rise sight to behold. Beyond the street were towers that ran into the darkness beyond which was split with spotlights and other illuminations that made it possible to live and work here. Ratchet began to point out the area, showing where everything that related to Cybertronian finance and money happened, the giant housing blocks that were self sustaining homes for the ultra rich and the areas beyond where the slums once were. They could even see housing towers in the area called the Dead End. It was going to be completely transformed from the death etched apocalyptic garbage heap for the useless to a place where families and elders could live in contentment and plenty.
:I heard about the Dead End, Ratchet. It was awful beyond measure, right?: Jessie asked.
Ratchet nodded. "All of our most helpless and damaged people were taken there and dumped to live or die without help. They starved, pillaged each other, wandered lost in their hurts and were harvested by the Decepticons periodically for spare parts. They were the worst thing, the worst conditioned group I have ever witnessed. My grand genitors were dumped here. Amma Corr had lost track of his processor and they were going to haul him off by himself so the others faked illness to go with him. My Appa Ratchet wasn't with them. He was slaving somewhere else off world for the slagging 'Cons so my little Docker, Corr and Chan were here left to die. My genitors had no idea this was going on,"
It was silent as sin for a moment, then the humans shifted in discomfort.
:This place will be better, right? Its going to be a place where they can live? Those who were hurt? Right?: Brandon Clark asked as the others stared at him, then Ratchet with pensive expressions.
"Many will. Too many will never be able to live alone or at home again. We have housing towers on Mars where a lot of them live, those who won't come back. They were too hurt too long," Ratchet said. "You can thank Paragon for making that possible. He runs that program with Jarro and me. Its the least we can do for them." He looked down at the humans. "They look so little, those who were here. We have to hunt them down and drag them out sometimes. They were terrorized by the 'Cons hunting them so they were really really ill by the time we could take them away. We're going to take care of them forever. They're ours and we are theirs. We can do that for them now."
It was silent on the platform as they stood together, the bots gathered and the humans in the cart.
:I'm sorry for this, Optimus … Ratchet. All of you. I'm very sorry for this: Glenn Morshower said as he stood beside his wife.
"We all are, Glenn. This can happen when no one can see the good in the other," Optimus said quietly. "No one wanted this. No one. But sometimes you get what you do not want when the other side will not see reason." He looked down at the humans. "I fear for your world sometimes. You must never know this yourselves. This is the end of all things." He glanced at Prowl who called for a bridge.
The bridge bloomed so they walked toward it heading for the very heart and soul of Cybertron, the holy city of Simfur.
=0=Night time in the Temple District of the Old City of Simfur
They walked along immaculate sidewalks under the light of the ornamental lamps that lined the streets that radiated outward in a star burst pattern from the center of this great and ancient city. At this place, the traffic was light. They could hear the broadcast patter of Blaster and Jazz coming from bars and restaurants that lined the street. Everyone was getting ready for the next of the three games to be shown net-wide today.
They reached the edge of the vast plaza that was held for the Temple and all of its related operations. Sitting in the middle like a beautiful jewel box, the Temple of Primus could be seen in lights and activity of its own. Priests hurried here and there assisting pilgrims that always came. Groups stood around the plaza chatting, some walking toward the building or away while others sat here and there in contemplation or conversation with comrades.
Up the steps toward the Temple doors they went under the benevolent gaze of Primus and Prima Prime. Their statues guarded the doors over which carved into the lintels was the cupped hands of The One holding Cybertron ever so lovingly.
Lady Sela stepped ahead of them and led the way inside. Everyone went and the sound of their peds echoed around the vast, vast ante room.
They continued onward as everyone watched silently and respectfully. No pictures were allowed here as they headed toward the balcony that would allow a view just like the one on Mars. The decoration was the same, the building soared upward and niches for this and that along with seating areas could be seen as well. They halted at the banister railing of the space that ended by the stairs nearby. It was identical to the one in Autobot City.
There was no Well of Allsparks nor the Allspark in the vast area beyond them. Those were gifted to Mars to save them and to bless their effort there. Perhaps some fine orn Primus would return Them here again. Until then, they had to make due. Apparently, when both Primus and The One believed it was safe, they would be returned and not a second sooner.
:What will you do about the two relics missing here, Optimus?: Niall Graham asked as he looked way upward toward Prime.
"We will project holographic images as well as place plaques around the area to discuss why They are not here and why we cannot return them without assistance. Until then, the holographs that we used for them on Mars will be greatly enhanced here for The People."
:You come here, too, right Lady Sela?: Joe Bowers asked as Olivia Bowers nodded.
"I do. I split my time. I'm helping set up the education program with the Temple for our school and pre-school children here to get that part of their history and identity. There is also the scholar programs to re-institute. We have to set up a training program for our priests and colleagues. The demand is great and the applications are many," Sela said.
:Count me in: Olivia said with a grin.
Sela grinned at Olivia. Olivia grinned at Sela. They were great, great friends.
;Do you have relics in vaults below this floor?: Thomas Lennox asked.
"We keep all of our priceless relics in vaults on Mars. Some are here undergoing restoration and on-site preservation. Those will be stored on Mars. Many relics have had facsimiles made of them for display while the fragile originals are held in vaults to preserve them. We do no have the luxury of putting them on display as yet."
:Its odd not to see them here: Judy Witwicky said as she stared at the empty spaces beyond the railing.
"The simulators will be turned on tomorrow. The replications are almost supernaturally good given improvements lately," Sela said.
:Whatever it takes to help The People: Olivia said as everyone agreed.
They toured the facility, all of its related buildings which helped preserve culture and comfort their people, then they walked out the to platform outside again. The night time effect was daunting to the humans who even though Mars was cold, the view still appeared more normal with a sun to provide light.
:I'll be glad when this planet has a star: Thelma Lennox said.
"We all will be," Prowl said. "Some fine orn."
They watched as a bridge appeared before them. Together, they walked toward it and disappeared.
They stepped out on the platform of the bridge at the Ops Center of Mars almost immediately. Still floating in the cart, everyone took a moment to chat before breaking up to go their merry ways. It was late at night here and the building and city beyond was quiet. Walking upward to the rec room, some of the bots signed off and headed out. Soon it was the usual suspects.
Ratchet glanced at Prime, then grinned. "See ya in the morning," he said as he and Ironhide began to walk off. They snickered as they did.
"Good night," Prowl said as he glanced at Prime. "You ready?"
"I am," Prime said with a big grin. Then the two began to walk off. They were at the door before the humans recovered their surprise and began to call to them. The two waved with smirks on their faces, they left. Then it was silent.
Will Lennox grinned at the bots leaving the room, then glanced at the others. :I wonder if you can fly this?:
At that moment, Smokey the Younger followed by a very amused Devcon walked up to them.
"You're stuck."
They stared at the handsome kid, then each other. Then they began to talk all at once.
=0=Shortly later after getting the humans and their guests home
They walked into the apartment, one bemused adult and one subdued and drooping post sub adult mech. Smokey walked to the couch, then flounced down. Venting a deep sigh, he watched as Dev began to fix a meal. "You did a great game, Amma."
"You did a good job, grandson. Of course, there was a flaw or two there but we'll work on it together," Dev said as he filled two plates with food left earlier in the warmer for just this moment. "Get the drinks, Smokey."
Smokey got up and pulled two beers from the fridge. He helped with the utensils as both sat at the table to eat a hearty array of Smokey's favorite foods. It was silent a moment, then he glanced up at his amma with a worried expression. "Are you and Appa mad at me?"
Dev looked up at him. "No."
He relaxed a bit. "I'm sorry about that."
"We know."
[Silence]
"HE REALLY MAKES ME MAD!"
[Grin] "We know."
[Silence. A slight fidget] "Is Prowl going to kick my aft?"
[Grin] "Yes."
[Fidgety silence] "I like duty on Diego. What do you think he's going to do?"
[Grin] "I think General Raptor has another project."
[Brightened surprise] "Raptor? I LOVE THAT GUY!"
[Grin] "I'm glad you do. I wonder if Hot Rod will."
[Sharp glance upward at his amma] "Him? Hot Rod? Why?"
"Because he's also on the project list."
[Silence]
"WHAT!?"
Some time later …
They sat on the couch with their peds up on the coffee table watching the post game on the Praxus game in which Smokescreen the Elder was a player. The door opened and Smokescreen walked in. He grinned at Smokey and Dev. "Well, don' you look comfy."
"GREAT GAME, APPA! 20-15!" Smokey said as he jumped up to hug and chest bump his appa.
"It was good." Smokey grinned at his namesake, then Dev. "Is there anything to eat?"
"I'll get it. You stay there, Amma," Smokey said as he hustled to the kitchen to get a plate and beer for his grandfather.
Smokescreen sat as he and Dev watched their boy hustled food. :Have you told him about graduation?:
Dev grinned at Smokescreen. :Not yet:
:Good: Smokescreen said as he took food and drink from his grandson.
Smokey sat down across from him on the coffee table. "That game was AWESOME! Tell me about that big play."
Smokescreen would. Both of them chatted with their beloved and only grandson, then would share pie and a card game or two before the big kid hugged them, then left to spend the night with his genitors. The door closed behind him at last.
Smokescreen glanced at Dev. "I didn't have the spark to tell him that his degree is only halfway toward The Goal."
Dev grinned. "Good thing graduation for the first part is tomorrow for our boy. Raptor will be kicking his aft for a while."
"Raptor?" Smokescreen said as Dev nodded. "This could get fun." He helped Dev clean up, then both walked wearily to bed.
=0=TBC 6-23-2020