Chapter 118
=0=In Houston, in a high rise, in a snit
Lydia Nast, a tall painfully thin blonde paced in her husband's office. She was what Truman Capote called 'a social x-ray' … thin, rich and socially active in moneyed and important civic circles. She belonged to the right megachurch, was active in charities, got her picture taken at the right events with the right people and got her children into the most exclusive private schools. Her gigantic McMansion was in Architectural Digest along with their 'cottage' in Aspen.
She was at the top of her game and equally as savvy and calculating as her husband who was missing. She was convinced he was missing. He hadn't been home for the holidays, the height of the season in their set and therefore she'd been forced to go to the parties with an alternate, her father of all people, explaining to their 'friends' that 'Bill was busy'.
He hadn't done more than send the usual e-mails that they shared to let each other know that things were well and not to worry. But it felt off.
Strange.
Worrisome.
She'd made the calls, waited a decent interval, then headed for the office determined to get answers. His secretary was no help. The usual communications were in order. The partners weren't helpful and a couple weren't available. She was on her own. So she locked herself in her husband's office and turned it upside down as she searched everywhere and everything for a clue. Sitting at his computer with his personal list of passwords and codes in hand from the place in his office he'd told her he hid it, she began to read.
^,,^
To: Nast, William
From: High-Flyer
I haven't heard from you. I'm disappointed that the rendezvous in Oregon wasn't successful. I'm very, very unhappy. I expect you to answer shortly or we shall have to take steps. You do not want that, Nast.
High-Flyer
^,,^
She considered that, the threat that was implied and worried more. Opening another, she continued.
^,,^
To: Nast, William
From: High-Flyer
Good to finally hear from you. I've made contacts with my 'friends' and the package you want is not out of reach. We can make arrangements but you have to do something for me. I want you to meet with me. I will make the arrangements and arrange for security. All you have to do is arrive. I want you to remember our other partnerships, the 'deals' and consider how disappointed I will be if you do anything but come. I'm awaiting your reply.
High-Flyer
^,,^
Lydia felt fear rumble through her. Did he not show up? Did he show up and get killed? Where was he? She continued.
^,,^
To: Nast, William
From: Inside Man
I haven't heard from you in a few days. The prize hasn't been seen for a while, neither of them. They must be inside. However, there are others. More come everyday and there are children. Children might be interesting. Let me know. I'm trying to find a way to smuggle out images but the security is so tight around here its like living inside a maximum security prison. If D can take them out himself, let me know. I can give them to him. I doubt that he has the same security routine as the rest of us.
Inside Man
^,,^
She thought about this, wondering who the children were and where this secure place was. Who was D? What kind of deal was Bill doing that required him to deal with children? It settled uneasily in her stomach, so she continued.
-0-
To: Nast, William
From: High-Flyer
I'm arranging the meet up. Come alone. I personally guarantee your safety. I think a face-to-face will do us all good. I want a long term partnership with you, Nast, that's mutually respectful. Your long term goals more than mesh with ours. I will send the times and place in a week. Until then, stay in touch and keep low.
High-Flyer
^,,^
Then another e-mail from 'Inside Man' over something so strange that she began to get a glimmer. "Robots.
To: Nast, William
From: Inside Man
I haven't heard from you yet but you might want to know that the robots are going some place together for a few days. Apparently there's some religious festival going on and they have to leave the planet to celebrate it. Sounds scary. Anyway, will let you know when they return. The account is looking good. Thank you.
Inside Man
^,,^
She sat preoccupied with a list of e-mails waiting to be opened and wondered again what sort of trouble her husband was in. She looked at the list dreading them even as she continued opening them one by one and finding less comfort in their contents as she read.
=0=Diego Garcia
They landed and off loaded, taking their gear and cheer with them into the facility. Optimus, Prowl, Jazz and Ironhide walked to Ops Center as Ratchet and Orion walked toward Med Bay. Ironhide who was looking at them go with longing followed Prime and the alpha crew into the command center heading toward Teletraan II.
Prowl checked things, then began to brief them on the intel that had been gathered so far with a couple of pieces answered back already on behalf of their brig prisoner, Nast.
"Lydia Nast is looking for her husband," he said. "Somehow, she's aware that something's wrong and has been seeking answers both inside the business and online. Here's a brief outline of the correspondence that's piled up during our absence."
Prowl explained as he showed the e-mails that High-Flyer wanted a face-to-face with Nast and was going to send the meet up coordinates in three days. There were e-mails from their mole, Inside Man who had talked about sending images out and mentioned the children as possible targets.
That had brought them to a halt. It was silent as a tomb as they considered that 'option', the theft and dismantling of their children. It was bad enough to discuss adult mechs but the children was shocking even for them.
"I want to be there when these fraggers are netted, Prime," Ironhide said softly.
"You and me both, Ironhide," Prime replied quietly. He nodded to Prowl to continue and the pensive winger did.
"Apparently Shockwave has picked up Starscream's ball and is running with it. He wants to see Nast and the next two e-mails show that he wants to meet up with Daniels and Galloway, too." He ran them.
^,,^
To: Galloway, Theodore
From: High-Flyer
I'm delighted that you got my contribution to your election fund. It's a joy to be able to support a candidate who's so in tune with my own personal values and beliefs. I've been in touch with Daniels. Thank you and the Senate Majority Leader, William Daniels for the contact. I really like that young man, Jason, and see a great future for him in politics. Our country needs more like him. I would love to meet up with you and Daniels soon. It would be good to see each other and talk.
I'll let you know when and where. My schedule is pretty full but I'll clear the time for both of you. I want to help you succeed. Take care and good work.
High-Flyer
^,,^
The second email was between Daniels and Galloway.
^,,^
To: Theodore 'Ted' Galloway
From: Jason 'Jase' Daniels
Good to hear from you. Haven't heard from Nast. Apparently, he's gone underground to do something for High-Flyer. Don't know what it is but I'll find out. I have an 'inside man' and he 'works' for Nast. Ha-ha. Little does Nast know.
High-Flyer wants a meet up and I'll try to be there. Right now, the Autobots have left the planet, going somewhere to do something 'religious'. I have a big picture of that. Religious robots. Machines with souls. Impossible.
Right now, the children are out of sight. You don't see them except at night once in a while when a couple of them will bring one out and walk around. I hear there may be another one, a baby. Don't ask me how it can be. Maybe they open a can and pull one out. Robots fucking is beyond me. Having babies? Lord help us all.
The base is waking back up and the robots are back, all of them coming back together this morning. I watched them and there seems to be even more than before but that could be that they haven't been out much in one bunch -new rules- and I could be seeing the same ones somehow.
Don't know. Just know I'm sick of this place and will be glad to be shut of it. Glad my Dad and Grandpa can be of service to you and High-Flyer. What are friends in high places for if not to use that power toward things you want.
I haven't heard from Nast in a while, try and contact him. He's a major player in the money game and will be a good one to ask to have his employees kick into your campaign fund. I'll try to find out what I can here. We don't talk. The robots hate me and I hate them. They're still harassing my men but the base is on their side so we have to take it.
Can't wait until they go. When High-Flyer sends you the time and place, let me know. Until then, ever soldiering onward,
Jase
^,,^
They digested that, then Prowl played the last most current one.
^,,^
To: Jason 'Jase' Daniels
From: Theodore "Ted" Galloway
Got your e-mail. Didn't know about the child. If you can get me information I could use it to my advantage. The idea of them breeding, a concept that I struggle with, too, will be a huge wedge issue for me in my campaign.
I'll be ready to meet with High-Flyer and will let you know if I hear from him first. I hope Nast is there, too, so we can get together on strategy. His money and our smarts. We can't fail.
I would try to provoke more incidents with them if you can. The car 'accident' and the other events, especially the brig thing will work in our favor in the long run. Doesn't matter what the reports say. It can be spun.
Try to keep the mole digging. I want as much as I can. The polls here are beginning to resonate and I want to keep the negatives coming. Especially anything on the sex angle and anything on gender. I want to know more about the gender angle. Homosexuality is the ultimate wedge issue and will put me over the top if I can show that our 'friends' the Autobots are homosexual in their practices no matter the idea of infants. Its all about impressions, Jase. Don't let me down.
We have a winner.
Ted
^,,^
"Frag 'Ted' to the Pit. Frag all of them," Ironhide said with a voice filled with menace.
They all agreed.
Prime was silent a moment then glanced at the comm center. "Its time to reply," he said to Prowl. "Let them know that Nast is up to a meeting and that he would love to be there. Let Shockwave … High-Flyer know that we're on his side. And as for the mole, Inside Man, I want him shadowed. Have Mirage follow him during the times he is awake until further notice. Report even the most trivial things. And I want the children hidden from view. They do not come out at any time of the day for any reason. We have to protect them with everything we have got."
"They still are interested in Springer and Arcee," Jazz replied nodding.
"They are. They will stay at Autobot City." Prime looked as grim as they'd ever seen him. "Maybe its time we think about how we can meet up with Shockwave. Plan B, Prowl," he said. "I want plans on our plans. I want teams ready to roll for combat at a moment's notice. Have them in place. Even if we do not use them, we will be prepared."
They nodded, then walked to their stations to make it all happen.
Ironhide and Prime watched. "Ironhide, you protect our children," Prime said. "That is all you have to do on base from now on."
Ironhide nodded then walked to the youngling play room and the guardians inside. After checking the situation there, he went to Med Bay and his own sparkling, then Ratchet to deliver the latest threat personally.
=0=Med Bay
He walked in, looking here and there, noticing that it was empty but for Ratchet who was looking at datapads. Orion was asleep in a cushion lined box on the couch nearby. Ironhide kissed Ratchet's cheek and turned to the infant, looking at him with tenderness as he lay on his back recharging, the little booties still on his peds.
"Shockwave has taken over as High-Flyer," Ironhide said as his optics fixed upon his sparkling. "He wants a meet up with Nast, Daniels and Galloway."
Ratchet put down his datapad. "I'm not surprised. He wants to sink in the hooks."
Ironhide glanced at Ratchet. "The mole is working for Daniels, too, not just Nast."
"Nast is going to be unhappy when we tell him," Ratchet said smirking at the news. "What's wrong?" he asked as he studied Ironhide. "There's something wrong."
Ironhide turned to him. "They're talking about the younglings and our sparkling as targets."
For a moment Ratchet didn't move or speak, then he jerked with surprise as he reached down to pick up the baby to hold him closely. "What?" he gasped.
"Nothing is going to happen to our younglings or Orion. Prime gave me the job of protecting them," he said. "Nothing, not even Unicron will lay a servo on them. I promise you, Ratchet."
Ratchet looked at him, then down at Orion who was looking back at him with bright blue optics. He glanced at Ironhide. "I'll help you," he said quietly, as filled with conviction as he could have ever thought possible.