The Diego Diaries: Razorclaw (dd7 317)
(Guest: YAAAAAAASSSSS! Thank you for the reminder. :D:D:D)
=0=The Base of Ace
They worked through the base photographing everyone that they ran across though it'd be a small, very small portion of those who were here. They lay where they fell so group shots were taken where possible as all of the buildings were given a run through with many items leaving with their inquisitors. When they reached a security building they entered and began to toss it from stem to stern.
That's when they found Him.
Emirate Xeon.
One of the most treacherous and despised individuals in the Fragger Hall of Fame, this mech was a bribe taking, back stabbing, lying, two-faced individual that everyone had thought Megatron had killed. He made Ratbat appear good natured and trustworthy Rumor was, Megatron took his helm and put it on his throne. Conjecture said that his 'death' had begun the war in the first place, the convenient excuse to fight. No one expected to see him laying sprawled out in a cage.
"well, look at that," Whirlwind said without a shred of mercy in his tone.
"Yeah," Sandstorm said in equal tones.
Smokey and Hot Rod who were here because of their Master™, Raptor, glanced at him then the others. "Who's this fragger?" both of them said at the same time. It was only exceeded in amusement for the others with them by the swiftness of the frowns they gave each other.
This was going to be great.
=0=Prowl on bridge
He took the message, let it percolate through him, then walked to Prime who was discussing a number of things with Ironhide and Ratchet. "May I break in?"
They glanced at him as Prime nodded.
"I was just told that Emirate Xeon was recovered in a cage," Prowl said.
"That fragger is supposed to be part of Megatron's throne," Ratchet replied. "So was I at one time."
He grinned.
Ironhide frowned.
"What do you want to do about him?" Prowl asked.
"Bring him here. I will speak to him and Straxus before we finish this mission," Prime said. "This is good news to get both of them out of circulation."
Prowl nodded. "It is. By the way, they're wrapping up down below."
"Good. Let me know when we can leave. What is the situation on Razorclaw's brothers?" Prime asked.
"They're on ice as the humans say," Ironhide said.
Prime sat back relaxing slightly. "This will be interesting, that part of things. At least Predaking will be neutralized. I will personally tell Rampage about this."
=0=Ships
They pawed through the rubble of the mission objective sifting for all that was possible for their own advancement. As they were doing so far away with Razorclaw, Ominous was coming to his senses. He stirred, then sat up slowly. The dull dusty metallic emptiness that was null rays and EMPS rattled through him. He glanced at the forward view screen which at the moment as a black hole of destruction.
Jolting to full wakefulness, he rose to look around. The building was dark, everything was destroyed and mechs were stirring slowly. A data pad was lying on the seat of his command chair. He picked it up and read the short text. A cold fury tinged with fear ran up and down his spinal strut.
"Ominous, I came here to scan you. You forced my hand and I had to bring force against you. Remember … you were helpless and I LET you live. -Prime."
=0=On Paradisio
"Prime, the data pad was read. I just got the ping," Blaster said as he glanced at Prime.
"Thank you, Blaster," Prime said as he glanced at Prowl. That mech had made the message. From the look of satisfaction on his handsome face, Prowl was feeling no pain. He sat back and began to feel better than he had in a long time.
Polity was next.
=0=Gee-Gee
She stood in the brig of Paradisio taking control of the several prisoners who were brought aboard. They were still sprawling on the benches where they were placed after Ratchet had 'denatured' the lot of them. Internal communications, all of their special functions, their self destruct potential, all personal weapons and their t-cogs were either taken or blocked before stasis was instituted. They were no more capable of dangerous actions than a refrigerator. All they would have when put in the prison, if so ordered would be their fists and mouths.
Some of them were experts with both.
The bars went up as Gee-Gee signed the data pad giving her primary custody. They would remain on board until Prime interviewed them, his request, then they would go with her. It was not considered likely that there would be anyone confiscated from Polity's base.
Of course, you never knew. Who knew that Xeon was here?
The ship began to move. She could feel it through the floor.
Winnie, her chief of security who was with her glanced at Gee-Gee. "What do you think, G? Another Primal Hearing with Special Circumstances. Someone once told me that the war started with the so called murder of Xeon."
"I would think so," Gee-Gee said as she stared at the blue and white mech laying silently in restraints on a cell berth. "I hope so. I plan to be there when the Pantheon comes. You, too. You won't regret it."
Winnie chuckled. "I won't. Regret it, that is."
=0=Bridge
They took their stations and began to prepare to leave for the Bootes. Prime glanced at the big mechs, all of whom were sitting forward of him with the humans and the sons of Rainmaker. He considered the placement of his team post mission. It was amazing to find himself with such abundance given eons of deprivation and making do. It would take perhaps forever for the thrill of it to wear off. "Gentlemen."
The big mechs glanced his way.
"Do you have post mission plans for yourself?" Prime asked.
They glanced at each other, then Prime. "We will participate according to need," Sunset said.
The others nodded in agreement.
"I would like Sunset and Calamity to join the group at the DMV. Prowl is working out the details of making the scope of monitoring wider and deeper. If Sunrise would join Clipper near Caminus, that would be a boost to whatever Ominous decides to do as well as monitor traffic from that sector. Its a gateway to our colony. As for the rest of you, Paradisio and Relentless, if you would take up station at a spot where the logical route to our system begins 50,000 light years from our location for Polity, then we can monitor him more efficiently. Tennyson is posted at a secured spot in running distance to both of you. It will be garrison duty as stations for all of you. We will post on a rotating basis an air wing and garrison for duty. That will allow you a life here in Pretender gear if you so choose. The duty schedule will be determined with Typhoon and Metroplex as usual for your ranks."
The mechs chatted off line, then Paradisio glanced at Prime. "We are honored to serve, Lord Optimus and to have a chance to live a new way of life here. Its been a long time since we could serve The People the way we were intended. Thank you."
"It is our honor," Prime replied. He glanced at Hard Drive. "Take us to Polity."
"Fleet commanders, this is General Hard Drive. Prepare to stand out to the fortress of Polity," he said. "Ping readiness to jump."
Pings flooded in as the group tightened up into bridging formation. Shuttles were back on deck of the two dreads along with the Seeker armada, Tennyson and Paradisio were side-by-side, the titans were arrayed around them and the Supremes brought up the rear.
Hardie glanced at Prime who nodded, then called the countdown. "Prepare to jump at my count. Ten … nine … eight … seven … six ..."
=0=The Hourly News LATEST BREAKING NEWS!
Aleph who was covering the news given the mission cut in on a speaker. "Sorry, Teklis. We have information from the Office of Strategic Communications about the mission." The two were discussing the situation strategically when Aleph was handed a data pad from off screen. He read it, then glanced at the cameras. "Commander Jazz has given us an update about the mission.
"As of two joors ago, the fleet made a bridge jump to the contained space that held the fortress and armada of the criminal privateer and Decepticon commander Ominous. They were there to take an extensive survey to determine the strength and settlement of his crews. It is estimated that he ranges from 70,000 to 82,000 soldiers given the inclusion of small roving groups over the past two years.
"The decision was resisted so the armada applied technology to subdue the base. They searched it, scanned and mapped the entire place, then destroyed its electronic infrastructure leaving them 'dead in the water' as Commander Jazz puts it. He says all technology and ships were destroyed. They can't function as a viable aggressive group and are at present stranded at their base unless and until they repair ships and functions.
"It was then that the fleet flew to the redoubt of the Decepticon combiner chieftain, Razorclaw. He is the leader of the combiner known as Predaking. The same negotiations met the same resistance and the same outcome was affected. The base of the Predacon was destroyed in the same manner and it will be seen how long it takes for both factions to recover.
"Neither of the two commanders were taken into custody due to the possibilities of even more dangerous and/or even less qualified mechs becoming leaders. It was too great a threat to allow. Several individuals were taken into custody but their identities are not released as yet. Data and equipment were confiscated which will be invaluable for future planning and the contacts of these factions beyond the system.
"As of two breems ago, the fleet was headed toward the Bootes Barren to seek the last intruder group, that lead by a mech named Polity. His background is high caste, his genitors were builders on Cybertron and he has skills of leadership and tactics. When that group is resolved more information will be released." He glanced at Teklis. "Interesting."
Teklis who was once a senior planner on the General Staffs of Sentinel and Nominus Prime as well as an instructor of tactics and planning at the Autobot Military Academy School for Officers grinned. "I would say that's an understatement, Aleph."
=0=Around
They sat together playing a card game similar to bridge as the news played nearby. There were a number of high castes in the lounge of a club called Shale. It was a favorite of high castes, both resolved and unresolved because it was the spitting image of a nice one on Cybertron their caste frequented during the orn. Anyone could come but a lot of nostalgic high castes came here to relax, eat, dance, drink and play games.
"I knew Polity's genitors. They could build anything," an old mech said as he checked his cards.
"I didn't like them. They were mean and this son of theirs sounds like he took after them," an older femme said as she waited for her partner to figure out his plan.
"I hope this doesn't spark high caste resentment. It's almost Festival," another mech said.
"I can't wait for that. I never felt it before coming here, the Blessings," the old femme said.
"That's because the Prime wasn't Optimus," the elder replied.
Everyone at the table agreed.
=0=Conference room at Earth 1
The leaders of the habitats were at Earth 1 this week to discuss things and plan. They listened to the monitor and news together.
"Sounds like battles," Kyle Davis said.
"Maybe," Carly replied. She glanced at the others. "He's a master of getting things done with as little fuss as possible, Our Optimus."
"This is risky poking at Razorclaw. I heard his force is over a quarter of a million soldiers and a lot of ships," Owen Harris said.
"If he believes this is the path, then I trust him. He's done this for millions of years," Brandon Clark replied loyally.
"And lost a world," Kyle said.
James and Jason Daniels along with Theodore Galloway watched the exchange. Kyle wasn't very good at reading a room but his mouth usually generated interesting rebuttals.
Beau Weaver who had been allowed to immigrate on a provisional status visa sat beside Jason in silence. His arrival was interesting …
=0=At the Municipal Airport in Autobot City
The transport from Earth, one that carried cargo had pulled up to a cargo jetway used for humans and their stuff. Its umbilical stretched out to attach itself to the ship, then the hatch moved back. A number of mechs stepped out to secure things, then a couple of consular officials walked down after returning from vacation on Earth along with Beau Weaver, his wife, Sybil and their three kids, Cane who was 16, Cara who was 14 and Cody who was 13. They came with two little dogs, a ton of luggage and strained expressions.
Waiting at the end in the concourse of the building, Ratchet watched them come. Beside him was Carly Brooks-Spencer and Owen Harris. The group walked into the vast concourse, glanced around, then saw Owen. It was helpful to them that they did. Both of the adults and two of the kids were intimidated to see Ratchet. One of them, Cody who was youngest looked interested.
Harris greeted them, then introduced everyone to Ratchet and Carly. After that was done, it was silent a second.
Ratchet then knelt down. "Hello, Mr. Weaver. Welcome to Autobot City."
Weaver stared at him a moment, then glanced slightly flustered toward his rather pale and silent family. He turned toward Ratchet. "Thank you for the welcome."
Ratchet considered his list of topics, then softened at the unease of the others. "All of you have epidermal and wrist sensors. They cannot be removed without our help and they are the price you pay for living here. They keep you on the grid, they alert the Emergency Response Team for Habitats to rescue you by micro bridge immediately if something goes wrong. They are the margin of life and death here. Remember that always.
"Your suits are not negotiable. They will keep you alive. Death is almost instantaneous and a nightmare of pain if you fail. You won't be able to leave habitats or vehicles if there is a problem with them. They will lock immediately until the matter is resolved. They cannot be altered or explored. For now, your limits are strict and fully explained," he said as he glanced at Owen who nodded.
"Our laws are simple and easy to obey. Transgressions mean you face our penalties. Read the briefing books about them. Read all the pages, you kids as well. Understand what a privilege it is to be here to live and work. This is a place 7.7 billion humans would want to be and you are the ones here. Given the past, it's my hope that you understand the quality of the Prime who reigns here."
:Is he a king? Is Optimus Prime a king?: Cody asked through his translator. All five of them were still in their gear.
Ratchet grinned. "Sort of. He is."
:That's cool: Cody replied with a smile.
"You won't get an argument from me," Ratchet replied with a chuckle. Cody Weaver had possibilities.
=0=Out there
"Five … four … three … two … engage."
With that, a fleet that defied description bridged away in a blinding flash of light.
=0=TBC 7-2-2020