The Diego Diaries: Show Down (dd8 707)
=0=Out there
They rose up from the planetoid and began to head out the way they came, a cruiser and three battle shuttles. Given the direction made straight for the Ruins for a while before a back channel route toward Epsilon Eridani showed up along the way it was concerning, this activity. They appeared to be going one of two directions. They were going back to the Ruins for reasons no one could detect yet or they were going to take a circuitous route to Razorclaw.
Delphi, Paragon and Hard Drive bent their necks into it.
=0=Mars
It was noon on Mars, the pace had picked up and the tempo of the colony was nearly that of before this happened. All the schools were opened, the Polyhex Business Plaza was doing a walk through with tenants to see if all was as specifications required and the humans were back hard at it making their way forward again.
Prime was at the command table when the word came. He rose, then walked through the Ops Center with Sun and Jack who were with him discussing plans to protect their turf if this or that thing happened. They disappeared down the stairs to the bridge room.
Watching them go, Prowl who was on shift again hooked in to get the intel when the conference started with Hardie and Paladin aboard Tennyson.
=0=Hardie and Paragon a moment before
They watched the group leave the base to head out into space. They were leaving the area but there was only two real routes to go that might allow them to escape Prime's wrath to a reasonable degree. One led back to the Ruins. What that might mean was ominous to both. Paragon walked to Sensors and tuned in the array that was hidden near the only safe exit to the area from that swirling maelstrom, placed there after Paladin first came through. It would highlight anything that moved and let them know ahead of time if someone was coming.
Unless, of course, it was blasted by an energy surge.
After a moment the heavy treads of Prime, Sun and Jack appeared behind them. The three walked to the command table, then gathered with Hardie, Delphi, Alor and Paragon.
"Gentlemen?" Prime asked.
"A cruiser and three battle shuttles lifted off just a moment ago from the base and are speeding out toward the Ruins. Its my reasoned opinion, Optimus, that they are heading toward Razorclaw through the back door," Delphi said.
"The possibility also exists that they're heading for the Ruins to pick up recruits though the intel is difficult to pinpoint there at the moment. Apparently a new rupture is interfering a bit with the sensor grid out there," Alor said. "We've alerted the war world stations at the junction on the Arm and at the location on the Silk Road. They're moving out of harms way until this can be narrowed down. They don't report any increased activity there at the moment."
Prime considered that, then glanced at the sensor map of the activity on the front monitor. "How far can we tail them on screen?"
"If they go to the Ruins the sensors will only work so far so well. Any other way, it will be easier," Delphi said.
Prime considered that, then glanced at Sun and Jack. "Gentlemen, take a shuttle group and shadow them. Make it obvious or not, your discretion. I want every move they make countered by two of our own. If they make a fight of it you have full discretion to fire back. Stay linked in. Leave Lissie to command but choose who you wish."
Sun grinned. "Got it, Prime," he said as he slapped his brother's arm, then Hardie as well. They walked off together to do battle with the heathens.
The Heathens®.
Prime watched them go then turned back to the others. "They seem, to me, to be trying to link up with Razorclaw. I think its time to speak to him." Prime walked to the command chair, then nodded at Blaster who was nearing the end of his shift. Blaster linked him in as Prime composed his thoughts.
It took a moment, but Razorclaw appeared. He stared at Prime solemnly, then nodded faintly. :Prime:
"Razorclaw. I assume you understand the new paradigm."
Razorclaw sat back comfortably, then nodded. "I am aware that Paladin made his play. I assume you want to talk about that."
"We have sensors all over the territory of my sovereignty. No one can come or go from any direction. We will know it. Paladin has dispatched a cruiser and three battle shuttles toward the Ruins once more but we believe he will have them fork their way at the juncture to link up with you at some point. I am here to tell you that would be unwise," Prime said as his voice dropped down into deep menace.
Razorclaw considered that. :We have always played by the rules, Prime. I should hope you would remember that. We have not made incursions, though it can't be said the same for you. I am aware that Paladin would challenge me if he came. There is nothing for me in the deal but a moment's aggravation and perhaps a mar or two on my armor:
"There will be more than just that if you decide to overstep the bounds I have placed on you to tolerate your presence in the system thus far. It would take very little to destroy you. You would do well that the impression you may bear that I would not do that because you see me as soft would be the wrong one. Prime out." With that, the image of Razorclaw disappeared.
It was quiet a moment, then Alor who had come in just before Prime called Razorclaw pulled a chair to sit. "This is going to be a pivotal point, I think. If joining together on the sly makes them formidable enough to create two pincer mechanisms to hold us hostage against the idea of their people heading for Earth and Cybertron, that's the question. I believe it depends on how suicidal Razorclaw feels at the moment."
Prime considered that. "He will find it very costly to do so. I have destroyed planets before. If that is what it takes to defend billions of lives here, Cybertronian and human as well, I am not afraid to send as many titans against both of them to end the threat."
"No one here would feel that you acted rashly or without just cause, Prime, if it comes to that. If they wish to play a hand that toxic against us, they need to know we can ante up the same dire straits."
=0=Polyhex Business Plaza, The City, Mars
They walked through their new store admiring the old features along with the new ones added. The shop space was bigger and designed to their specifications as was the entire place. The lounge was almost 'luxurious' Corr had fretted, forgetting for a moment that they didn't have to front money to 'pay for this?'
Chan made a mental note to have Corr talk to his therapist again as they noted the beauty, functionality and enhanced size of their new store. A large door against the lounge wall was new and it opened into the store next door. That store was for Budge, Mystique and Appa Ratchet. It was large, had a beautiful showroom and off to one side was a comfortable space for Mystic to take clients for their readings.
The name on the door was 'Mystic Arts, Mystic, Seer, appointments required'. They stared at it, then glanced at Mystic.
"This is beautiful, Mystic. There's your name," Chan said with a smile.
Mystic stared at it, then traced it with a digit. "This is so wonderful. Its all going to be good."
"It will," Appa Ratchet said as he smiled at his brother-in-law. "PRIMUS SAYS SO! SO DOES PRIME!"
"They do," Mystic said quietly.
They would walk around in their businesses, brace the door that separated the two open permanently, then arrange to have specialized help to move their stored treasures back to the new store that afternoon. They would spend the rest of the orn replacing their works in their new cases and show displays, returning the glittering beauty of their showroom back to order.
Mystic, Appa Ratchet and Budge would sort through their replacement new things, putting them to rights, the help RTR to do the same. Business would be ready for the following orn. Both artisan stores would be back on line when the next day dawned. It would be lit across social media that both were. Business would not be a problem for all three of them.
=0=Out there
Sun and Jack both commanded a shuttle followed by six others and fifty Seekers. They would trail a cruiser and a trio of battle shuttles. They would go armed to the teeth. Sun won the coin toss for command though they had a shorthand and would run the group together in their own famed and lethal manner. They stood out to follow, keeping a distance from the ships that knew they were coming right away.
So did Paladin.
:Paladin to Prime:
Prime who was brooding at his command seat waited a beat, then answered. "Prime here."
:Tell me about the group heading out after my ships, Prime:
"I do not have to tell you anything, Paladin. You are intruding on my space. Nothing you do will be given a pass," Prime said coldly.
:We're heading back to the Ruins. I would think you would avoid that area myself:
"If you say so," Prime answered.
There was a pause, then Paladin was back. :If you provoke too hard we will be forced to defend ourselves through whatever means possible. I suspect you get the many levels of meaning in my remarks:
Prime considered that. "If that happens I will be forced to ask my titans and dreadnoughts to unload their arsenals into your base and everyone coming out of it. I suspect you get the many levels of meaning in my remarks as well."
It was silent a moment, then Paladin spoke. :We shall see what happens. I am not easily scared, Prime. You haven't seen the extent of my technology and resolve:
"I am uninterested in your resolve, Paladin. You are not the first dictator-wanna be that we have had come here. As for your technology … Jhiaxus's stink permeates all of it. I do believe we have the edge in countering it. Not all of his fellows died in the Great War. We also have his databases. Get the meanings, Paladin, and tell your boy Lancer to sit down."
Paladin chuckled. :I'll do that. Remember what I said:
"You remember what I said. Your planet will not be the first one that fell to my resolve to protect our people. I do not believe it would be the last either. Prime out," Optimus said as he signaled a cut of the line.
It was.
Prime was silent a moment, then swiveled the chair to face the group behind him. "I would like you, Metroplex and whomever it takes to help you, to develop a plan to counter any general swarm from this place. I would need a method to take down the base, then destroy any ship no matter how small that comes from it. I cannot allow any ships to reach Mars, Earth or Cybertron. Shooting them down here would relieve such a possibility. That includes destroying the planetoid they occupy itself if necessary."
Metroplex who was surrounded by titans nodded. "We shall do that, Prime. We can ask for more titans if such a plan demands it. I would like Alor to assist if you would," he said glancing at the big mech. "If Prowl would strategize and help with a plan to meet anyone who breaks apart their group to avoid being shot … his ability to prepare plans for any eventuality would be invaluable."
Prowl glanced at Optimus. "I can meet with them."
Prime nodded grimly. "I consider this a worst case scenario plan, gentlemen. It would be the last resort but it must be ready to go without warning."
Everyone nodded, then began to walk to the conference room nearby with Alor and Prowl following.
Prime watched them go, then turned back to the forward screen to brood.
=0=TBC 5-13-2023