The Diego Diaries: Stuff (dd7 320)
[I COULDN'T FIND MY GLASSES ALL NIGHT! I JUST DID NOW! BWAHAHAHA! THAT WAS AWFUL! ON WITH THE STORY!]
=0=Cantina at a base
They sat together in the nearly empty room, two mechs off duty. They were sipping beer and eating bar food off duty. One of them glanced at the others as the room vibrated slightly from ships passing over them at low altitude. "This is fragged."
"At least they didn't bomb us," the other said. He sat back. "Someone told me that they blasted everyone and took the fleet. That's about 1,100 mechs. If Prime comes around on the regular, then we're going to be down in no time."
It was silent a moment.
"Have you watched their broadcasts? Ominous sends them to us."
"Yeah. Good stuff. Its sort of like when we were home," the other replied. "The games are good. Prime plays well himself."
"He's a Primal frame. Few can stand up to that," the first said.
The second nodded. "I don't know what's going to happen but Polity has it in servo. Still ..."
The first nodded. "I know. Prime looks pretty good right now to me, too," he said as they both stared at the ceiling. Overhead, a flotilla was making their last pass over to scan them down to the pins and needles.
=0=Paradisio
They gathered together to go over the data coming in. Polity had a great operation with a lot of infrastructure built that was for the troops. He provided entertainment, good quarters and lots of space. They had obviously found energon because they were smelting it somewhere to build what they had. It was high on the list to find the source of it and the place they were making things. There were enough cargo sized ships in their fleet that would do heavy hauling. Where they went was still unknown. Polity was a smart mech and had planned for their operation to be secret. Finding out all of that would fall to Delphi who was as tenacious as a badger when given a problem.
Prime sat down again, then glanced at the humans "Do you wish to return to The City, gentlemen? Jessie?"
They glanced at each other, then Prime.
:What's the next step, Optimus?: Mick Moran asked.
"We will wrap this up, then return to Mars via a flyby of Ominous's base. I wish to see his response," Optimus replied. "I can have you returned by shuttle through a bridge. I would ask that you keep the events and individuals that you have seen and heard about here in your confidence. I will be speaking to the Empire tomorrow at 1200 hours on the TMC."
:That goes without saying: Mick Murphy said as the others nodded.
Prime glanced at Raptor. "Please, General, facilitate their journey home. Thank you for your company."
The humans verbally high fived Prime, Prowl and the others as Raptor directed Hot Rod and Smokey to pick up the box. It wasn't heavy but Raptor liked the close proximity for the two which neither liked themselves right now. Or ever. He led them to the elevator, then they disappeared.
Ratchet watched them go, then chuckled. "Raptor is going to slag them to the Pit and back."
"It couldn't happen to two more deserving mechs," Prowl sniffed venomously.
Nearby working stations, Devcon and Smokescreen chuckled and nodded.
Stifled grins abounded as the last of the scanning teams arrived to re-join the fleet. As they did, Prime called for a visual with Polity. He came onto screen, composed and deeply furious at the same time. "Polity."
"Prime."
"This was only a sample of my power. I can rain down oblivion upon you at my whim. You would do well to remember that," Prime said coldly. "I will be doing this at different intervals. You would also do well to allow it. Do not stray out of line. You would not like what greets you if you do. Prime out." The screen cut the image as Prime stared at the vision of space beyond. "Prowl … are the sensors placed and active?"
"They are."
"Very well. Take us back via Ominous, General Hard Drive," Prime said.
"I would be honored, Lord Optimus," Hardie said with a grin. He gave orders to the fleet and they lined up for the bridge jump to the territory of Ominous.
Prime glanced at Ratchet. "Are Xeon and Straxus ready for conversation or are they still incapacitated?"
Ratchet took calls, then grinned. "They're both awake and lit."
Prime grinned slightly, then glanced at Springer and Drift who had come with the prisoners as Gee-Gee and Winnie prepared their haul on Tennyson. It would be a lot of prisoners for the jails but the rate of rehabilitation through Gee-Gee's relentless efforts made that a small force in a prison with a shrinking population. "Please bring Xeon."
Springer nodded, then with a smirk and a smirking Drift headed for the elevators.
Ratchet watched them go, then put up his peds. "The usual plan?" he asked Prime.
Prime nodded. "That would do."
They bantered until the elevator opened and Emirate Xeon entered between the two big mechs. He wore energon cuffs and looked furious until he saw Optimus, then his expression changed to a confidence that Prime wasn't certain he genuinely felt. This mech was a king rat and someone who had no limits to advance his own interests. They walked to Prime and paused there.
The bridge was silent but most there had their optics on this, the 'cause' of the Great War. His 'assassination' had given, supposedly, Sentinel Prime 'permission' to take it hard to the protesters in the Peace Movement and the Decepticons as well. War began in earnest when he did.
He was average height, blue and white, high caste in appearance and actuality, was handsome in a way that was marred by sly mendacity and hard opticed calculation and was always ready to move to serve his own advantage doing whatever it took no matter who it hurt. He was someone you could NEVER turn your back upon and his endless greed and avarice could never be filled.
"Xeon, you were supposed to be dead, you slagger. What happened? I thought Megatron used your helm as a finial for his throne," Ratchet said with a big grin.
Xeon glanced at the big mech. "You changed you color scheme."
"Perceptive of you." Ratchet grinned. "I make this look good," he said poking at Xeon's vanity.
"If you say so," Xeon said. He got a slap on the back of his helm from Ironhide for it. He glowered at Ironhide and Ratchet, then looked at Prime. "I get this. You watch while they attack. What do you want, Prime? I was captured by Razorclaw and held prisoner in a wretched cage for eons."
"We've only been here about 13 years, Xeon. That's hardly an eon," Ratchet said. "Unless … he didn't bring you here did he?"
Xeon stared at Ratchet trying to parse his remarks. "What if I said yes?"
"I wouldn't believe you," Ratchet said. He glanced around the deck. "Do any of you?"
Every mech on the deck who was regular army and veteran grinned as they shook their helms. All of the Home Guardians did the same but for a tiny femme standing nearby holding data pads. She looked at Ratchet. "I don't, Commander."
"That's because you're perfect," Ratchet replied. "You're a specimen of perfection. This reprobate, however, sold out our people, helped the Decepticons rise in power and brought about the fall of our planet. Come stand closer to me. I don't want any of his nastiness to rub off on you."
She was staring at Xeon with rising dismay, then jolted slightly. Hurrying over to Ratchet, she took up a place behind him.
"There. You're safer," Ratchet said as he gazed at Xeon with a grin. "Let's cut to the chase as the humans say. You tell us everything. I don't jack you into a cortical patch and vacuum your processor. What do ya say?" he asked with a brilliant smile. "Amirite? Is it a deal?"
Snickers could be heard all over the deck as even Prowl smirked at the offer. The little femme stared at everyone, then stepped closer to Ratchet.
Xeon who was glaring at Ratchet glanced at Prime. "So ethics are in short supply here as well?"
"Ethics. The last refuge of a fragger," Ratchet said. "You only use that word when you get caught and want to keep your bearings in the right order. Make your choice. We have other prisoners to unscrew and smelt."
Xeon stared at Prime. "I don't know anything. The Fall came and everyone fled. I fled. It would've been stupid to stay. Then these slaggers caught me. I don't have any new news to tell you. I've been out of circulation a bit." He snarled the last remark.
"Then you won't mind if that continues," Ratchet said.
Prime glanced at Springer. "Plant him. Bring the other."
"What other?" Xeon said as the two mechs gripped his arms.
"Why Straxus, your old pal," Ratchet said with a chuckle. "HE WILL SQUEAL TO GET THE BEST DEAL!" Ratchet grinned. "There. I'm a poet."
Xeon cursed all of them all the way to the elevator. The door cut him off.
Ratchet glanced upward at the shocked looking little femme. "You're too well raised for this, I can tell."
She looked down at Ratchet, then straightened. "I can do my duty, Commander. I've heard cussing before."
"When?" Ratchet asked.
She stared at him a moment, then flustered slightly. "Around."
Ratchet sat up, then glanced around the deck. "No cussing around this infant. She's a good femme and doesn't need your slag."
Everyone grinned at both of them as the elevator doors opened and a ruckus came flying out of it. A red and white blur along with a red, white and black one rolled across the floor as a green and yellow missile flew across the room to land on both. Bellows erupted from two as the three rolled to a stop. Rising like geysers and just as hot, Straxus, Drift and Springer rounded on each other.
"FRAG YOU, SPRINGER! FRAG YOU, DEADLOCK! YOU'RE NOT MECH ENOUGH TO TAKE ME ON! DROP THESE CUFFS AND MECH UP!" Straxus said with a roar.
Springer swung on him and punched his chin. Hard. The mech didn't budge.
"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT!?" Straxus roared.
Drift glanced at Springer. "Is it?"
Springer frowned. "Can you do better?"
Drift glanced at Straxus, then ped punched him in the face with a flying kick.
Straxus staggered, then laughed loudly. "WHAT A PAIR OF LOSERS! YOU CAN'T TAKE ME DOWN! YOU AREN'T IN MY LEAGUE!"
With that, Springer and Drift pulled tazers and let him have it.
^..^ Moments later …
"You fried a few small features, slaggers," Ratchet said as he stood again. He punched a code in his meter, then pointed it at Straxus.
That mech stood up staggering a moment, then charged Ratchet. The two of them flew off their peds, missed the little femme, then took out Springer and Drift.
"WHAT THE FRAG! OLD MECH! GET UP OFF THE FLOOR!" Ironhide bellowed
"FRAG YOU, IRONHIDE!" Ratchet said as he struggled in the middle of a pile up.
For some reason, the cuffs on Straxus shorted out, possibly the tazer, then he stood up and began to swing hard.
Springer went down like a potato dropped from the International Space Station onto Idaho as Drift spun Straxus out of the mob, then began to slag it out fist to fist with the big maniac.
Ratchet wobbled up, glanced at the tiny femme who was under the table, then Prowl who was watching Springer on the ground with a big smile. "Watch the little infant. I'm going in."
"THE FRAG YOU ARE, OLD MECH! NOT WITHOUT ME!" Ironhide bellowed.
They both charged Straxus from behind.
That was when Ratchet tripped over Springer who had begun to sit up, thus sending him back to the Land of Sweet Dreams™ as he, himself flew past and rammed his helm on the floor panels of a console. Ratchet hit so hard, his helm pierced it and he was stuck.
Ironhide arrived just in time to take the full force of Drift's fist as Straxus ducked it. He came to an abrupt stop, staggered, then fell on his ass. He was probably sharing quality time with Springer in La-La Land™.
Prowl watched the debacle with a growing frown. He glanced at Prime who was watching with a slight grin. "Are you going to stop it or do I?"
Prime glanced at him. "Actually … let it go for a moment."
Prowl crossed his arms over his shapely chassis, then grinned himself. "No problem."
And so it went. Unfortunately.
=0=TBC 7-6-2020 7-7-2020
Leoness chapter 319 . Jul 5
I loved this mission.
Stay safe up there. I kinda enjoy wearing my mask on the extremely rare occasions I go out (like...to throw out the trash ). I can pretend, at almost 40, to be a ninja
ME: Sometimes they get lucky. Throwing the sink at them is fun. :D Almost forty? You're still a pup. Now at 67 … ^..^ ;)
fancyspinner chapter 314 . Jul 2
OOO why don't they just take all the mechs to jail? Oh Tyke is going to be mighty upset … or happy if they let him beat the crap out of Straxus.
ME: Tyke is in lurve. LOL! 2-Lip would support him and make him a file to get out of jail when he pulled the arms and legs off Straxus. :D:D:D
Fancyspinner chapter 306 . Jul 2
I love games! and I adore those kids! Its such a great story from when they arrived to now and even many of their families have got it together.
I love the bowl music. When I'm at my wits end with my anxiety and depression I find one and put it on. :)
hugs and love!
ME: I hear you. I also found Tibetan bowls relaxing. Also, you might try ocean waves or rain with thunder in the background. There are all manner of relaxation soundtracks on Youtube and I use them a lot to write. The kids are a hoot. I'm such a sucker for a redemption story. HUGS! My dear fancy
Guest chapter 316 . Jun 30
They didn't want Emirate Xeon to their collection? Isn't he still in Razerclaw's brig?
ME: OKEY-DOKEY! You got it, darling. :D:D:D I knew I missed one.
kattenbelletje chapter 314 . Jun 29
wow, A base full of mechs that can be picked up and put into a cell. That is very convenient. Do they have space for 105.000 more prisoners?
ME: Nope. :D:D:D They're cherry picking right now and leaving the others on notice. Hugs, honey! :D:D:D
leoness chapter 313 . Jun 28
Thinking to the prior chapter and Orion and comparing to my child development classes, I have to wonder...at what point does Orion's glitch start affecting him socially and educationally to the point they look at a medical fix? He is super smart but he cannot communicate well and his peers are gonna notice.
ME: Good on you for the child development studies. I taught imps for 25 years and I never regretted it. Much. :D He's small so tinkering is fraught with dangers. He's already getting the notice but its from new, not old kids he knows. Its going to come along but Orion isn't telling me when. Its funny how many times that happens when you write. Also, Halo has it too. HUGS!
moosekababs chapter 307 . Jun 21
those kids are so wholesome. also, somehow im not surprised to see them tie. i think it's pretty fitting! proof enough that the craters weren't holding back NOR were they just there by sheer luck (or divine intervention). Very nice!
Also, tbh im kinda sad that rodi and smokey didn't end up like. making out in the middle of the field. but maybe thats just because i wanna see them work out in the long run :9 great chapter as always! please be sure to get some rest and to stay safe! much love from the metroplex ;9
ME: MAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! I wouldn't put it past Roddy and Smokey. Those two when they get started don't notice anyone there. I think they will in the end but Roddy is telling me that he's not ready for chains. The slagger. :D
Bachelors
The kids are fun. They're the kind who when they decide go for the walls. As for Prime, he's a determined sportsman. I would LOVE to see polo as a sport here. :D:D:D
ValentinesGuest chapter 306 . Jun 19
Wow am I behind on this fic. Thanks 2020. But seriously though I still love this world and characters. I can just imagine Prowl and Ratchet talking about the game:
Prowl: Of course Optimus is going to win, I didn't bond with a loser
Ratchet: But Optimus did xD
Keep up the good work :)
ME: BWAHAHAHAAHA! Old Granny and The Loon™ are killer aren't they? So glad that you're here, honey bun. HUGS!
moosekababs chapter 292 . Jun 17
hooh! with the scanning and secretiveness of that scene with ratchet, springer and drift, i was ALMOST thinking they might get some news of an unexpected hitchhiker; but then, i think they both got shunts put in place to keep that from happening. they ought to get some sparkling therapy in, maybe it'll help them get a move on before prowl gets ancy and has to pop out another one instead :P lovin it as always!
ME: Some fine orn old Springer and Drift will knock on the door with a permission slip for the Well. I CAN'T WAIT! Whoa. A little bit of a granny slipped out there. :D:D:D HUGS, darling!
moosekababs chapter 288 . Jun 17
ah! i just started up a reread not too long ago! maybe i have to restart it now... honestly, i want to print this whole fic out and bind it into some books for myself, so i can always have it. i know i keep saying i want to draw fan art for it but at some point in the near future i plan on actually doing it! very excited to hear about the editing. Thank you so much for putting in so much work for us! i wish i could pay you for all of this.
ME: Hang on about part two. That one is going up next. I finished part 1 because it was dire for a rewrite. The first three are. I am so glad you love the story. Its a labor of love, this epic. Hugs, darling. :D:D:D
Guest chapter 301 . Jun 13
ouuu, Drift got to talk philosophy with Primus. He is happy.
ME: He is. I love Drift. He's a good character to get into about the deeper things they believe in. He's such a redemption fanatic. He never feels he does enough. That's why he fits so well with Springer. He has a streak of that, too. HUGS! :D:D
Leoness chapter 301 . Jun 13
Oh, this chapter made me tear up.
ME: I love playing the soundtracks from the movies when I do this. It makes the emotions come out the way I want them to be. I want them to be three dimensional with depth. I sort of got hooked on that concept after the bey movies. They are all so real to me. HUGS! :D
leoness chapter 297 . Jun 8
preach on, prime.
ME: IF he ran for President I would vote for him. HUGS!
Fancyspinner chapter 296 . Jun 6
OOOO the game is coming. Wwoo!
ME: BWAHAHAHAHA! FINALLY! :D:D:D
Fancyspinner chapter 295 . Jun 6
OMG I don't even know what date it is half the time anymore. (sigh)
what a fun chapter.
ME: I hear you. Thank god that my phone has a speaking feature. LOL! Hugs, darling Fancy