The Diego Diaries: Rebound (dd8 698)
=0=Sub Command Center, The Fortress, Autobot City
They gathered, all of those who were part of the regrouping and battle stations for the security of the colony, Earth and Cybertron. Those in the field like Paragon and Warlord who was managing the Seeker portion as well as Metroplex the titans were on monitors along the wall. They had their part to tell and they did outlining one of the most impressive displays of Cybertronian might that had been ever assembled. It was unlike anything in their history, so impressive was the organized armada that faced Paladin.
It was three half circles of death with a greater force deterrent the farther inward the enemy pressed on attack. No one in Paladin's group would get through without major damage from the titans, battleships and dreadnoughts that were the backbone of the fleet. Filling in the cracks were cruisers, battle shuttles and mother ships bearing heavy and lighter fighters flown by one through three mech crews. A bridge open nearby with an automated shut down program just written into its commands would supply the fleet and be ready to send more.
If anyone from Paladin's group came within a designated distance at any number of calculated speeds toward any of the stages of battle design, the bridge would shut down instantly when the triggers were alerted at Tactical in the Ops Centers on Mars and Cybertron. Master tactical officers of great experience would shift in and out to manage that part of the system. Even if by the possibility that someone managed to get through, Omega would leave Prima Station and a cruiser stationed over the desert near Crater District 21 would dispatch to blast them before they came past Ceres where the bridge terminated by the order of Prime. It would be over their most important and heavily guarded ship depot with its vast defensive capabilities rather than the colony itself.
As of now, all was in order. The big ships had the field of their flight toward Prime's territory cross fire covered and it was now just watch and wait.
Prime sat back in his chair staring at the mechs and femmes who were sacred to him. They were as loved in his optics at this moment as they ever would be again. "Thank you. We are prepared and your genius and professionalism made it happen. We are ready to pivot at whatever he decides to do. The back up fleet is ready to lift off and go to form a barrier around Earth. We are as strongly protected right now as we ever were. Thank you." He sat forward. "Is there anything more to do or say?"
No one spoke, so determinedly did they trouble shoot the problem.
Prime rose. "Thank you. I am going to release the population. I believe that we have done what we can and need to do to safeguard our territory. Is there anyone here who disagrees? Remember, what you do not say will be the shame, not any reservations you might have. Speak now in this protected space."
No one said anything for a moment, then Hardie weighed in on a monitor. :We are go, Prime. We all know the stakes and the prize. The minute this mech is over we can all call life good again. Until then, we know we have to hold the line:
Prime nodded. "Its easier with the caliber of individual I can count upon. Thank you."
Hardie nodded. :Then we're go:
Prime nodded. "Go. I will now release the colony. Inferno," Prime said glancing toward the director for Emergency Services for the Empire, "will the apparatus for assisting this release be in place?"
Inferno glanced at Springer who nodded, then Prime. "Yes, Optimus."
"Then I will let them out," Prime said as he fell silent. Everyone in the room heard what he released over their internal transponders. :May I have your attention. I am Optimus Prime. We have secured the system and are prepared to release you to your lives above ground. I am proud of your forbearance with this ongoing problem because of the disintegration of the Decepticons around the Empire. We believe we have made this release a safe process. Your districts will be released in the order you are called to prevent overwhelming the transportation system.
:Security will be tight for some time and there will be lots of mechs and femmes from those services prepared to help you. Wait patiently for a bit more time for your district to be called to go home so we don't have gridlock or problems. I will be giving you an update of our situation later about 2000 joors on the TMC. Until then, I would advise you to return to your homes and settle in again. We will be restoring all features of our colony and stations tomorrow. Take today to relax into your life again. Thank you. I am proud of you. Until all are one. Prime out:
It was then that the sirens rolled across the colony for a moment and one district in each corner of every cityscape was allowed to return to the surface. It would take six joors to clear every shelter to leave. It would take workers from Emergency Services Public Works six orns o clean and prep the shelter system for its next use again.
=0=Ravel and the family
Most of the family were snoozing when the sirens went off. The message from Optimus was playing quietly on the comm system inside the vast structure. The big boys sat up, then Genesis leaned in toward the elders. "Ammas and Appas … are we going home?"
"Shortly, my baby," Corr said. "We go in turn."
"Okay." Genesis looked at the mattresses where the babies were sleeping. "We'll carry them out when we go." He looked at the elders. "We can carry you, too, if you're too tired or upset."
Docker scooted over toward Genesis, then hugged him tightly. "You're my beloved grandson, all of you. I feel like I'm being carried by Metroplex when you do."
Genesis grinned, pleased with the comparison. "I love to carry all of you, you're so small."
They chatted together until their turn came an hour later as cats, dogs, cows and other animals dozed together by the door in a pile.
=0=On the street all over the place
They were no longer letting out large crowds anymore due to the gridlock and frayed nerves some had that started fights due to congestion in the past. Entire districts within cities were called to go up and even though some weren't in their home shelter, it was a smaller group that boarded buses, cabs, overland trains and the Metro to go home. Every 30 minutes another district was released until six joors later the last ones were signaled to go.
Springer and his patrol sat on their horses in the Central Plaza of Iacon. Having gone to the daycare in the Ops Center, they had Tell who was dozing in Drift's carry hold. Traffic was light but fast as residents went gratefully to their homes or to wait at predesignated spots for others in their families and friend circles to arrive to go home with them.
It was a tired and tense population that came up from the earth to gaze around gratefully at their cities which were still in one piece. Prime was going to explain things later so most were rushing home with a few heading to businesses to check on them before doing the same.
"I forgot what it felt like to be home," Drift said quietly to Springer. "We have to find a way to get Tell to Ammas and Appas before we have to muster."
Springer nodded. "He was happy at the daycare but I like their care. No one loves him like they do."
Around them on their horses, a veteran mix of mechs and femmes were on patrol with the two. Everyone else was out at the new DMZ doing duty. Until further notice, they would stay there living on the titans and dreads while off shift. Rotations on shift and off were their lives now. They were anything if not flexible. Fortunately.
A call came from Central Dispatch in the Watch Tower in Metrotitan. Springer listened, then glanced at Drift. "Everyone is on duty and up for it. Let's go take a ride."
With that, the group began to head toward Habitat Highway and a cruising of the human habitats which were letting their population out as well. The Hu-An were already up and going about the orn's early morning business. They were nothing if not flexible, too.
=0=Cindy Tomas, Earth2
She stood near the bank of elevators which were letting tired citizens off at regular intervals. They were over sized for this reason, to move large objects and piles of stuff or population in a hurry. Families stepped out carrying sleeping children, pets and the odd plant walking slowly and wearily toward the housing sector of the vast building some distance away. Some were being transported to the hospital or to their homes to continue their convalescence there.
A low murmur of voices filled the space as they walked past, some stopping to talk to her but most nodding or waving. When the billionaires and others of their ilk came out, they walked to Cindy to gather around.
"What's the word?" Kyle Davis asked. Mariah stood beside him looking decidedly tired.
"We got the word to be let out. The army and Prime have created another DMZ like the one with Razorclaw to keep this guy in check. He's going to tell more at around 2000 joors tonight. Right now we're supposed to go home, rest, then begin our lives again tomorrow. Everything is closed tonight but emergency services and transportation," Cindy said.
"What's the likelihood that we're going to be attacked?" Hamilton Brown asked.
"Its always going to be there until the 'Cons are eliminated as a threat. Right now its controlled. If they make a move I know Prime has it gamed. Right now, lets get some rest at home," Cindy said.
They stared at her, then began to disperse.
Rain walked closer to her. "They're going to attack us again, right Cindy?"
Cindy squeezed Rain's shoulder. "They'll be sorry they did. Who knows that better than you and me."
Rain stared at her with a serious expression, then nodded. "I know." Then she began to walk back with her brother and family, heading for the apartment that she felt in her soul was home.
It would take a while here and in the office before Cindy Tomas could do the same.
=0=Family Tower, Autobot City
They came up in the elevators heading for home like the greatest portion of residents of the shelter system under the building was doing. Those who were using transportation right now were those caught out and about when the sirens went off, sheltering here for the duration. Entering the big building at the appropriate level of its now six stories, families parted to go home to their apartments.
Niall who was directing the show there because Epps and Lennox were caught up at N.E.S.T. HQ walked into the main lounge when everyone was clearly on their way. He walked into the computer lounge and tuned into the meeting that Lennox and Epps were having with Morshower, Fulton and others on Earth. They would talk about the situation with Jazz and Elita online for a couple of hours before turning in.
=0=Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, Earth
The sirens went off announcing the all clear. Men and women, civilian and military, began to climb out of the shelter system that to bots had made and tricked out after the Insecticon attack some years ago. It was seldom used but gladly when something happened. They were a front line target for their strategic and military importance.
John and Judy Fulton climbed out into the heavy humid darkness of night on base. Everyone was heading somewhere and they did as well. John ran for the office to link in with Quantico where Morshower was while Judy ran for the house to do the same. She would spend the intervening hours chatting with Barbara Morshower in Virginia and 'the gals' at the Family Tower and Resort on Mars.
=0=Resort
They came up out of the shelters then fogged to the windows half expecting to see Autobot City burning. They had earlier with arsons. Now they expected devastation from space. All they saw was the beautiful lights twinkling in the icy night of the colony. Spread out like jewels on velvet, the cityscape looked unchanged. The view to the devastating beauty of Aerie Hill at night was equally pleasing.
Judy, Lois Morshower-Howell, Sarah Lennox by monitor and Lonnie Epps in person were in the office and concourse helping settle things again. It would take hours for everyone to find their footing again. None of the tourists present would complain. They were there when 'the newest latest thing' happened. It was always a good conversationally at the club back home to have an exciting event to brag about and embellish. This was no exception.
The night would draw onward as exhausted colonists on Mars, Prima Station and elsewhere made their way home again.
=0=TBC 4-30-2023