The Diego Diaries: Zoom (dd7 325)
=0=Home again
They walked out of the building, then gathered together.
"That infant will be the death of me," Ratchet said.
"Well, he'll have a good home when you're gone," Prowl said smugly.
Huge hoo-haw greeted that, then everyone began to disperse. There were chores, touching bases with the jobs and the like. Prowl and Ratchet watched them go.
Prowl glanced at Ratchet. "Where are you going?"
"To the store. I have gaping maws to fill." Ratchet fell in step beside Prowl as they walked to the cab stand nearby.
"You really shouldn't talk about yourself like that," Prowl said.
Ratchet snickered as they climbed inside one. "Metroplex Station One, cab stand 2 please."
The cab started. "Metroplex cab stand 2. Estimated time of arrival in current traffic conditions is half a breem." The automated cab waited for a car to pass, then pulled out as Ratchet and Prowl relaxed. "This is the life."
Prowl nodded. "Our transportation system is going to be expanded. Two more tracks for the entire metro system."
"Six tracks now," Ratchet commented. "Nothing like that Uptown Funk, amirite?"
Prowl glanced at Ratchet with a look of intense pity. "You're never going to be normal."
"No," Ratchet said. "but I have a plan."
"No."
"The Squad Goes Camping. There."
Prowl glanced at Ratchet. "You believe that I would take my elders into the wilderness with you?"
Ratchet who was dazzling Prowl with a smile nodded.
"Oh, frag yeah," Prowl said. "We can get drunk and howl at the moons."
"Prowler, I do believe there's hope for you," Ratchet said as the cab turned down Terra Highway heading for the 'big roundabout' at the Tri-Cities Junction.
=0=Ironhide
He checked his desk, then walked out to the work room. The kids were busy and he had the rest of the orn off. Things were winding down and there was no activity being reported from either Razorclaw's domain or that of Ominous. The long distance sensor network that was now watching Polity reported nothing headed their way.
So far, so good.
He bade everyone a good afternoon, then walked out to the train platform and a short stroll up the stairs to the street. Glancing around, noting the crowds in the early afternoon, he watched the last battleship being towed to the Ready-Go flight line. All of them were on the turn around and ready to go again.
Huzzah.
What to do now, what to do…
He turned crisply and headed down the street. The bakery nearby, a new one in a tiny shop that made REALLY FANCY pastry was open. He would go there to get something that looked like a little croissant but was sweet and drizzled with the best kind of frosting.
He would get a lot of them.
He would eat them all.
He would regret nothing.
=0=At The Grocery in the Mall of Metroplex
Prowl and Ratchet walked in and got carts. The place was between rushes so the hunting would be good. Prowl was there because his cupboards were bare as well and the sun never set on infant appetites.
Also, Optimus would need replenishment of his secret candy stash.
They walked in side-by-side taking in the field of battle, then glanced at each other.
"See ya." -both
They broke like billiard balls, then headed toward their first strike zone. It would take a while to get things up to speed at both domiciles.
=0=Springer and Drift
They walked into the office and took their seats.
"That little kid is ours. Just in case anyone asks ..."
Drift grinned. "He's pretty tremendous. Topoo."
"Topoo, Taboo. Close enough," Springer said as he glanced at the work on his desk. "Here." He shoved it Drift's direction.
"I don't know why you give this slag to me. You were the one who went to school, not me. There weren't any where I lived. The next crate over at the dump was a brothel."
Springer stared at Drift without expression for a moment, then sat back. "You really like doing that don't you."
"What?" Drift asked as he glanced up with a faint grin on his handsome face.
"When are we going to do the town again?" Springer asked solemnly.
"When did we ever do the town?" Drift asked.
"We should. Maybe a boys night out," Springer said. "You and I can get … what is it that Niall once said?" Springer thought a moment, then grinned. "Oh, yeah. Bladdered."
Drift sat back with a grin. "Why stop there? How about this one … ramsquaddled?"
Springer smirked slightly. "How about squiffy?"
"How about it?" Drift said as both laughed.
"How about a boys night out then?" Springer asked.
"I will follow you."
Springer sat back with a small grin. "Is that so."
Drift nodded. "Wherever you will go. There isn't an ocean too deep."
Silence with a broadening smirk.
"Or a mountain so high it can keep me away."
Springer scanned for the words and played the song in his helm. Then he leaned forward with a smokey optic. Two could play this game. "So … I am your destiny?"
Drift smirked. "Maybe."
They would agree to boys night out. So would all the boys starting with Raptor.
=0=Aisle 44
Ratchet checked the candy against the store he had in his closet hideaway, one everyone knew about, the slaggers. Since they did, he had a decoy plan. He kept that one stocked with stuff he didn't like and hide the good stuff under the mattress of their berth in a small compartment he had made with transformed digits and a lot of luck. Filling the cart, he noted Prowl nearby.
That slagger was perusing the boxed candy offerings like they were invasion plans. He rolled up next to him. "Pick something, slagger."
Prowl gave him a baleful sniff of a stare. "I am buying candy for the First Disciple of Primus, you loon."
"You aren't 'buying' anything. By the way, what do we bring for food to the camping adventure with the old folks?" Ratchet asked with a dazzling smile.
"What old folks- oh. You're coming. I would suggest cream of wheat," Prowl said.
"Frag you, granny," Ratchet said. "Onward ho." He swished off with his cart heading for the meat department and as many easy to make things as he could find.
Prowl watched him go with a smirk. "Bring your frying pan, loon. We're going to need the entertainment."
=0=Around the phone tree
:Appa:
:What?:
:Where are you?:
:Cybertron. I'm finishing up for the down turn. Why?:
:Boy's night out?:
:OH FRAG YEAH!:
(An exchange of details and a halving of the calls needed to be made)
^..^
:Atar:
:What, Raptor?:
:Boys night out:
:When?:
:Tonight or tomorrow?:
:Tomorrow is better:
:Okay. You in?:
:I was born in:
:Okay. You're in. Will call you back. Get Sun, Jack, Steiner and Trooper. I'll get the others:
:On it:
^..^
:Sun. Jack:
:Here, Hardie. What's up?:
:Hardie, talk and I'll listen. I'm sorta involved here:
:How and with who?: -Hardie
:HA!: -Jack
:Boys night out tomorrow night?:
:Done deal: -both
:Good. Call you back in a moment:
^..^
"Who are you talking to?" Steiner asked.
"Just my brother. You done in there?" Jack asked as he held up the cowling on the engine of a shuttle that a youngling mech was looking at in a hangar at the airfield. He and Steiner had been passing by and saw the kid trying to lift it himself.
"I think so, Abba. Nothing looks wrong in there," the kid said.
"Well," Jack said as he lowered the immensely heavy cowling gently back into place. "That's because you're a natural at this. Right, Stein?"
"I can see that easily," Steiner said.
The kid brightened. "I'm building it myself. I have a kit and its something I always wanted to do."
"Those kits … that's good stuff. Are you going to have a mechanic spot check you as you go? They can show you a lot of good stuff," Jack said.
"That's a good idea, Abba. I don't know any-" the kid began.
"Well, now you do," Jack said as he glanced at a grinning Steiner. "We're your mechanic inspectors. You can't fly this fine machine until we give it a clearance. You need one for the permit to fly from a certified mechanic anyway."
"I do," the kid said with a big smile. "THANKS! I didn't know where to find one."
"The Private Pilot's Guild," Steiner said.
"You have to be mentored in. I don't know anyone who belongs," the kid said.
Steiner and Jack grinned.
"You do now," Jack said.
One more happy pilot would be spared an untimely death by two slaggers with sparks of gold. A nice sweet kid would be mentored by two old punters who would show him more than he ever hoped to know.
Win-win.
=0=Check out
Ratchet and Prowl both dragged two heavy laden shopping carts each to the check out, then leaned against them as they waited.
"Feeding the herd is taxing," Ratchet said.
Prowl snickered. "Tell me about it. Optimus eats and eats and … well, you get the meaning." He grinned. "He'd eat tar if I put it in front of him. He never complains."
"Good thing."
A jab to the torso took care of that.
"You tell your side of the squad and I'll tell mine. When do you want to go?" Ratchet asked.
"How about Second Friday? I have to get the mission report put together," Prowl said as he paused a moment to take a call. He grinned slightly, then glanced at Ratchet. "There's a boys night out being planned for tomorrow."
"I don't suppose it includes us, the little women in their lives?" Ratchet asked as he moved his carts forward.
"Apparently not," Prowl said. "It would seem that the boys made a squad, too."
Ratchet laughed, then grinned at Prowl. "We need to sleuth this bar hop and take incriminating images for the social media."
Prowl grinned. "Frag that." / ,,, winner, winner, chicken dinner .../ He snickered in spite of himself.
They moved forward again where their carts would be inventoried, bagged, then delivered to their doors at the appropriate times.
Sometimes technology was God.
=0=Telephono
:Sunstreaker:
:What, Appa?:
:Boys night out tomorrow:
:Oh FRAG yeah:
Seconds later ...
:Hey:
:What?:
:Appa Raptor wants us for boys night out tomorrow. Switch shifts, slagger, and come:
:I will, Sunstreaker. What about Blue?:
:Blue's part of Ada's squad. Let me know if you have that night off. Do it, Sideswipe:
:On it:
Even seconds-er later …
:Troop:
:Trooper here. That you, Sun?:
:The one and only:
:What's up?:
:Boys night out tomorrow. Be there or be sorry:
:Oh frag, yeah. Long time we haven't gotten drunk together:
:Is Scout in Ratchet's squad?:
:I don't think so. Our performance schedule keeps us pretty much sober, slag it:
:Bring Scout. Steiner is bringing Lissie. She has the same problem:
:How many are coming? Who is coming?:
:Well, I am:
:BWAHAHAHA! Who else?:
:Steiner, Flint, the twins, Raptor, Jack, Blackjack, Hercy and Kup, Springer and Drift. Ironhide will be there. I want Prime but he's on a call:
:If you can't touch base we can kidnap him. Won't be the first time:
:BWAHAHAHA! NO IT WON'T! Will call ya back. Ta:
Trooper sat in his office staring at the composing computer he had pulled over to re-score a segment of a film soundtrack. He grinned. "Been a long time, boys. Can't wait," he said, then dove into the music again.
Later …
They sat together at a cafe gathering to chat after all the tension of the mission, Tagg, Kestrel, Styre, Stealth, Appa Ratchet and Chan. They were relaxing over a snack and tea when Hard Drive finally touched base with Tagg. He listened, grinned, then agreed. Glancing at the others, he leaned closer. "Hard Drive is organizing a boys night out excursion. He called and when I told him that you were here, he wants all of us to come."
"THAT SOUNDS FUN!" Appa Ratchet said with a laugh. He glanced at Kestrel. "What about you, Kes? Join us, too?"
Kestrel grinned. "I have a date this weekend so you have fun, all of you."
Tagg looked at Kes. "You do?"
"I do," Kestrel said. "Take Orion with you. He could use the fun. Perhaps a few of the titan mechs can go as well for support. Literally."
"The last time we did, Optimus had a great time," Tagg said. "He bowls like a champion even when he's over energized. You would be proud of him," Tagg teased.
Kestrel smiled. "I know. I've seen the video."
The cat was out of the bag.
=0-TBC 7-12-2020 7-22-2020