The Diego Diaries: Going There (dd7 313)
=0=On the tarmac later
They gathered together, those mechs who were going along. Some of them would be in shuttles while others would be on board ships waiting to assist in anything that required peds on the ground. Runabouts were there to take everyone to the big vessels in orbit, all of which were repaired and ready to go. Mechs walked into shuttles which would be flown when their crew complements arrived.
Among those going along were a group of humans waiting for their travel boxes. The usual faces were there as well as several new Strikers along with the command team of Lennox, Epps and Graham. Also included were Omar Epps, Thomas Lennox and Linda Graham's father, Randolph McClean who was living here with wife, Priscilla or 'Cila' as she was known, He would be coming with the group. Thomas had gone before. This would be Randolph's first mission run.
Randolph McClean had come with the wife to see Aedh, the baby born here to his daughter, Linda and son-in-law, Niall. They had come to stay a while but had decided to immigrate after assessing the difference between a quiet retirement in Scotland and a life here with the kids. Now he'd branched out, this former Army infantryman and going into space on a mission was just about Star Wars enough for him. :What do we do now?" he asked.
:See the mechs bringing the clear boxes down the walkway of that shuttle?: Niall had said as he pointed to one nearby.
Randolph nodded.
:We're going in those boxes, transport and protection boxes to Paradisio. He's going to be the command vessel of the operation: Niall concluded.
:He's one of those new dreadnoughts, right? How long is he again in ship mode?" Randolph had asked.
:Almost sixteen miles long: Niall had said before the mechs arrived.
The two put the boxes on the ground and opened the specialty hatch to allow them to enter. They divided up with Lennox entering with Omar and Bobby Epps, Jessie Landon, Molly Devon, James Brooks-Spencer and two of the Beta team newbies.
The mech shut the hatch, sealed it, then picked up the box. Inside, the humans were taking seats to buckle in. As he did, the other box filled up. Niall Graham, Randolph McClean, Thomas Lennox, two newbie Beta Strikers and Mick Murphy, General Morshower's closest aide entered. Mick was here on observer status. Glenn couldn't make it himself.
The mechs hoisted the boxes, then walked toward the shuttle to enter up the ramp. Inside, they put the two boxes side-by-side, magnetized them to the wall, then walked out to go who knew where. Inside the shuttle, a smirking crew of soldiers sat, some of them sharpening swords or knives while others relaxed. The humans grinned at them, most of them grinned back.
Wreckers.
Hercy walked in and took a seat forward. Glancing back, he nodded to the humans. "Coming along again?"
:You know you want us: Lennox said with a smirk.
Rough laughter greeted that as outside the sound of Seekers taking off in numbers could be heard. Randolph turned in his seat to see them leap up, transform and speed upward to space. He glanced at the others, then sat back tensely. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all …
More mechs came as Kup sat down beside them and rested his elbow on the top of Lennox's box for the lulz as he inspected his cygar. "You ready to book it?"
"Getting the word now, infant," Hercy said as he listened. "Max is running the show with Hardie. We're go." He glanced at the pilot, a worshipful looking kid from the Home Guard Air Wing. "Let's go, champ."
The kid nodded, then got to it. They were rising into space before any of the humans felt or noticed any difference. They saw the sights before them with a measured sense of silent awe.
Beyond them in the darkness sat four metrotitan ships. Their running lights lit them up, all of them. But beyond them in space were two ships that were hard to parse given their size. Two dreadnoughts with their lights fully lit were silent beasts of death to the humans who stared at them on the overhead monitors and out the portholes all around them.
Never were humans more glad that they were all on their side than right now.
Paradisio would be the lead vessel of the armada. Sunset would be his mirror. Whatever Pari did, Sunny would complement his actions. The other four were muscle, a veteran hunter group with all their tattoos and kills prominently displayed. It was then that over the curve of Mars, more came.
Kappa, Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Omega and Xantium Supreme could be seen rising from the sunlit curve of Mars as they came toward the fleet gathering before them. They found their spot nearby and slid to precise halts. The conversation was a buzz in the background of everyone there as they checked in. It was then that Hercy's shuttle reached Paradisio and all other ships were blocked from view.
Gliding up carefully, the big shuttle slipped through the energy barrier to fly a short way into the dreadnought. It followed flight deck orders and lights set to guide it before settling gently on the ground. When it powered off, Kup grinned. "Nice flying, infant."
Everyone nodded as the kid did the Cybertronian version of a blush. "Thank you. I've never flown in combat, Commander. I will do my best."
"If this goes the way its supposed to go, you won't have to worry, infant. Besides, if I'm not worried, you don't have to either," Hercy said as he stood up. Glancing at the mechs who were rising, he started for the hatch which was lowering to the hangar deck beyond. "Bring the boxes, mechs. Can't live the squishies behind."
Huge laughter greeted that as Sandstorm and Bulkhead picked up the boxes easily. Bitching and joking, they followed Kup, the kid and Hercy to one of the gigantic hangars that fed this deck to enter and disappear into the ship.
=0=About the same time
A small runabout landed on the deck behind the shuttle. Prowl and Prime stepped out followed by Sun, Jack, Blackjack, Starscream, Rainmaker, Warlord, Alor on loan from Vegas and Ratchet who had barely made it back from conferencing with Mr. Roto. Ironhide, Hardie, Fort Max, Hammer of Primus, Tennyson and half a dozen other titans were already on board setting up ship communications and data management to handle everything.
They stepped down to walk across the vast deck toward the gigantic elevators. They were tall enough that Omega Supreme could use them and that was the reason why. These ships hauled anything, anyone, everywhere. It was a short buzz to the command deck and the gathering of the Senior Autobots who would be the brains and direct the brawn of the operation.
Prime walked toward the command table taking in the area as he did. Nearby fastened to the console of the flight deck, the human boxes were planted. Ratchet pealed off as they all continued onward to check the ready plan and to get the latest intel on the situation regarding Ominous and his empire.
Ratchet paused by the console, staring down at the humans who looked up at him. "Well, the gerbil cages got here on time."
:Hi, Ratchet. We're glad to go. I've never flown on a dreadnought: Mick Murphy said.
"Its pretty impressive," Ratchet said as he held up his big red hands. "These servos, these mighty servos can fix this bucket of its hurts. Nee, I verily lay servos on." He smiled brilliantly.
Huge laughter greeted that as Ironhide and Sun walked over to join them.
"Are you tormenting the animals again?" Sun asked Ratchet.
Ratchet smiled. "Yes."
"Old mech has screws loose," Ironhide said. "Stay put and all will be alright." Both wandered back to the show and took their places for their parts.
A rumble underfoot could be felt as the ship began to power up who knew what. The humans stared at the group at the table, then Ratchet. :What's the drill here, Ratchet?:
Ratchet checked with Prime off line, then glanced down at the humans. "Pinkie promise?" he asked in the jest that usually signaled secret information would be told.
Thomas Lennox laughed. :Pinkie promise:
Everyone agreed including Randolph, several Beta Strikers and Omar who would be filled in later.
"We have a new force moving in, one with really talented leadership, skills and the ability to attract followers. He's way out in the Bootes building a fort and wants to network with the locals here. That is, he wants to take them out one by one and then at some point after attracting more pirates take us out, too."
:Who is the new threat and how much of it is he?: Graham asked as the humans stared at Ratchet with sober expressions.
"A mech named Polity. He's high caste, the scion of a construction magnet and has genuine skills and ability. His family could build anything fast and if they wanted to, which I'm sure he does now, make it last forever. He's good to his crews and attracts followers in numbers because he is. Given that everyone knows him on that side, it might not take much for the local 'Cons to create a coup and go with him. If they do, they unite and make a real problem for us keeping the balance. Because they won't unite, we have them in a weaker state. Never underestimate the stupid of a power mad 'Con."
:Damn. It never ends: Mick said.
Ratchet nodded. "Nope. But they'll feel the hammer on their helms if they try."
:So this fleet is going to do what?: Omar asked. :I was Navy once upon a time but this is out of my pay grade:
Ratchet grinned. "At least you got paid." Laughter greeted that as Ratchet found a chair and pulled it over. He sat down upon it. "We're going on an over awe mission, one where they get a taste of the possibilities of breaking the truce. One of Prime's most potent weapons is the idea and reality that we can throw overwhelming force at them. When we took back Cybertron we were able to do so with the threat of the metrotitans. Soundwave didn't want to fight us because they can really lay waste to things, our big bots. So he allowed us to do our humanitarian missions and before he could do anything about it, we had enough firepower there that fighting was out of the question. Same principle here."
The intercoms echoed with the sound of NeoCybex. Outside, the ships had maneuvered into position. Clouds of Seekers were waiting on the flight deck of the massive metrotitans, all four of which would play an assisting role in the plan.
:What's that sound, Ratchet?: Thomas Lennox asked as more and more systems came online.
"We, all of us, are going to bridge to the location of Ominous near Caminus. Clipper is stationed there as a deterrent. We need intel and we're going to get it. We're going in so that if anyone wants to make a break they won't head our way."
:What about the others? Omega and his family?: Omar Epps asked.
"All of the big frames have bridges. They can bridge themselves anywhere they want to go which makes them just that far along the awesome scale," Ratchet said as Prime walked to the command chair to sit. He glanced at Hardie, then nodded. "Here we go."
Hardie who was standing at the table nodded to communications who cut him into the group. "Battle Group Good Order, this is General Hard Drive of Praxus. I am in overall operational control of the fleet. We will execute battle plan seven. All of you signal that you are ready to go," he said calmly.
Pings could be heard over the intercom as mechs and ships checked in. Sitting at the command table side-by-side, Prowl and Alor coordinated data and pinged everyone back.
Alor glanced at Hardie, then nodded.
"Fleet, prepare to bridge. Ground forces and Seekers, secure yourself for transport. Sync with Paradisio and be ready to move in ten … nine … eight … seven … six ..."
=0=TBC 6-27-2020 6-27-2020