The Diego Diaries: Game Changer 15 (dd3 6)
=0=At Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, California
They began to gather their gear for the documentary. Some of it would be used in the next few days to shoot the opening sequence for the now television reality series featuring Autobots called Wreckers and front liners. They'd gotten approval for a series from the Autobot high command, a move that had surprised them. Apparently Optimus Prime liked the idea of their closest allies understanding something about the forces that were protecting Earth and all her peoples.
In thirteen hours an Autobot plane would be landing at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo where it would off load several Autobots. They would include Kup, Springer, Drift, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe among others to be named. They would also have a handler, Warren Roberts who'd be landing at Los Angeles International Airport and be taken to the studio by N.E.S.T. officials.
They'd secured studio space and had designed an opener for the series that would portray the bots in a light that would showcase not only their deadly menace but their personalities. Lighting had been designed to create an affect that would be mesmerizing. As they worked here Jazz worked to get their subjects ready over there.
-0-Over there
It was getting onto the end of shift when the chosen approved participants gathered in The Fortress's Flight Center Briefing Room, the former Medbay/Hospital. They filtered in and sat waiting expectantly for their briefing. Kup, Drift and Springer sat together, Kup absentmindedly champing on his stogie. The twins entered and sat down behind them.
The door opened and numerous others walked in and sat down. Sandstorm, Inferno, Topspin, Smokescreen and Arcee sat in seats near the front which allowed room for the rest who came in behind them.
Hot Rod, Bumblebee, First Aid, Blurr, Jolt, Scar, Nitro, Heva and Revo walked in followed by Payload, Bulkhead and Perceptor. They sat and chatted quietly, twenty-two of the smartest, toughest veteran Autobots and former 'Con soldiers who'd be the featured players in the series.
It would be filmed here and around the solar system as the humans augmented by students and the professionals of IntraComm followed them through their day.
The door opened again as Optimus and Jazz walked down the steps to the platform. Optimus halted in front to look at them. "Thank you for coming on such short notice. I am aware that Bulkhead is due at a dinner celebrating the end of his pre-bond."
The room erupted in guffaws and congratulations for a moment as the big bot grinned and gave it back. When it quieted down again Optimus spoke. "We are going to be going over the plans forwarded by the film crew and director to ensure that nothing breaches security nor offends your personal privacy. You were all asked to consider this and I thank you for agreeing to volunteer. I believe it will be a good thing for the populations of Earth to see something of what we bring to the table in terms of our military acumen and the quality of our soldiers. Thank you for being a part of this endeavor."
He looked at Jazz. "Jazz will brief you about what will be required of you. You will have the chance to withdraw from this project at any point in the filming and I am delighted to include former Decepticons into the mix." He nodded to Jazz, then walking out with the door closing behind him.
Jazz grinned. "First of all, IntraComm will be a part of this so that we can help, explain and intervene if necessary for security, safety and personal taboo reasons.
"We're going to be sending seven of you to Earth so that they can make the introduction to the series. Tomorrow, I want Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Kup, Drift, Scar, Nitro and Springer at the airfield.
"Cosmos will take us to the Los Angeles Air Force Base where Warren Roberts will meet us. We will then drive in convoy to the studio in Hollywood. We will go to the Paramount Studios to make the introduction film. I've included the twins because they're twins and front liners. You're also more well known than most of us. I also included Drift as a Knight, Springer as a Wrecker, Nitro for the Seekers and Scar for the former 'Cons.
"What we need to do is go in and get out. I'll be there as interface between us and the humans. We are representing the city, our units and our species. We all know how to behave. Right now, let's go over what they want to do."
Jazz would spend two joors outlining the plan and answering questions. Then they would break for dinner and downtime. The seven who were going would be getting themselves spruced up. All of them but Kup that is who didn't care. He'd watch Drift and Springer get a buff with a shine and give his usual guff.
Such was the Tao of Kup.
-0-That evening
Ratchet held a sparkling in arms as he watched the mechs from the Foundry Exchange. They'd come with supplies, all of the necessaries to make steel implements that his genitors had haltingly asked for.
"Look, Atar," Ratchet had said. "You need to ask for what you have to have to do the job not only well but comfortably. It's all good. The Exchange supplies the crafts and guilds. Your products will be the payback. Mechs and femmes will come here to place orders. You make the tools and have them ready for your customers.
"You can make more and put them in the cases here so that mechs coming in can get what they want. The idea is not just to get great stuff out for everyone. Its to preserve your talent. What a poorer world this would be if you never made any of your tools again. You had them in museums on Cybertron. It's time for you to wow everyone again."
Ravel looked up at Ratchet and squeezed Orion's little ped. That botlet leaned down with his arms out. Ravel took Orion and cuddled him. "This is so wonderful. I don't know if I can recharge tonight, Ratchet. We fired up the furnace and the smelter. It's so much better in quality than the one in our little shop. Everything is so beautiful and new, so big and bright. I'm so happy, Ratchet." He looked up at Ratchet and smiled.
Ratchet smiled back. "Then all that matters has been achieved. You don't have to work everyday. You can manage a schedule that'll be just right. You don't have to work yourself to death here."
"We'll be working everyday, Ratchet. You know us. We have to make our way," Tie Down said as he stepped to one side to allow big mechs to muscle raw materials into the back room and place them in their appropriate bins. "We don't want to be useless. But we're not going to be doing that when our turn in the schools comes up. Did you know that I'm going to be an aide in Sunspot's room once a decaorn for a couple of joors?"
Ratchet grinned. "No. But I'm not surprised. Our little mechs need all the good examples and teachings they can get."
"We love them, Ratchet," Ravel said snuggling Orion.
The little bot clung to his grandada grinning broadly, his optics looking at a shiny implement going by in a box held by a big mech from the Foundry Exchange.
Ratchet grinned. A shout at the door drew their attention as Sunspot ran in gripping Ratchet's leg in a hug. He looked up and smiled. "What are we doing here, Ada?"
"This is your grandgenitors new store," Ratchet said with a grin. "This is the first day of their new store."
Sunspot looked around then smiled. "Wow. This is so pretty," he said. He looked up at Ravel and Tie Down. "Do you need help? I can help you. You tell me what to do and I'll do it."
Tie Down and Ravel looked at each other, then Sunspot. "That would be wonderful, sparkling. Maybe you can come to the store sometimes and we'll teach you how to make tools just like we did your ada."
Sunspot looked up at Ratchet. "Can I?" he asked.
"Of course you can," Ratchet said.
"Awesome!" Sunspot said with a smile. "What can I do for you, Grandatar?"
"Come with me, Sunny. Let's go see how things are going in the work room," he said taking Sunspot's servo. They walked into the backroom, workroom and warehouse part of their shop.
"Have you eaten?" Ratchet asked as he hauled Praxus out of his carry hold.
"We did. Earlier," Ravel said as he swayed gently with Orion as he lay on Ravel's shoulder humming to himself.
"How long are you going to be here?" Ratchet asked.
"When they finish bringing in the rest of the equipment and supplies, we'll check the furnaces and smelter before going home. I think if we have a nice sleep tomorrow will be easier."
"If you're tired you don't have to go in. Take time to get yourself up to this, ada," Ratchet said.
"We will," Ravel said. "We'll have to take our time to get the furnaces and smelter up to our standard. Then we have to season the work tools so we can make them do what we require."
Ratchet grinned. "You're going to rule. When the soldiers find out you're making tools again expect tool kit orders to go through the roof."
Ravel grinned. "That would be so nice, Ratchet."
"Good," Ratchet said with a smile.
They would. The orders.
-0-At the trine's apartment
"I want to know."
"Blue, relax," Sideswipe said buffing his leg. "Don't worry about it."
"I do. If you try and do any revenge slag with Stiletto I'll pummel you myself." He watched with arms crossed staring down at the two who sat working on their shine and finish.
Sideswipe looked up at him and grinned. "You know we'd only like it."
"You're cute when you're mad, Babe," Sunstreaker said reaching over to buff Kaon's nose structure.
The little bot smiled at his ada and laughed. Moving closer, he toddled to Sunstreaker and grabbed his leg.
Sunstreaker smiled as he leaned down to kiss Kaon's helm. "He looks good."
"I buffed him before you got here," Sideswipe said.
The femmes were watching them from the floor, their little blue optics shining with interest.
Uraya tweeted softly as the adults glanced down her way. She smiled enormously.
"When they make this film thing, I wonder what they want?" Sideswipe asked. "I wonder if they want to know about families and sparklings."
"They can film our sparklings. They're so slagging beautiful they deserve fame," Sunstreaker said as he buffed the inside of his arm. "Those humans need to know what slagging awesome sparklings these three are."
"I think the humans already know," Bluestreak said as he sat down on the floor with the infants. They looked up at their atar and smiled. "I think they know what beauties you are."
"I wonder what they expect us to do with this filming thing in California?" Sideswipe asked.
"Who cares? I'm not surprised I was included," Sunstreaker said in his usual oblivious way. "We're going to be stars." He looked up at the two. "Semper fi."
Sideswipe smiled. "Frag, yeah."
Bluestreak looked at the femmes. "Your ada and atar are going to be stars. What do you think?"
They looked up at him, their tiny forms attentive to his voice. They smiled and tweeted.
"They agree," Sideswipe said with a smirk.
"Frag, yeah. Semper fi, right Uraya?" Sunstreaker asked as he scooped up Iacon. The little femme grinned at him and patted his nose. Sunstreaker smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."
-0-Later that night
"I think its going to be good for them," Ratchet said. They'd just put the sparklings down and the three of them were kicking back as they waited for the Hourly News to come on.
Flint was sipping a cup of energon 'tea' and enjoying the moment.
"I agree," Ironhide said. "It'll keep them busy."
Flint considered the greatness of such a thing. "I think I'm going to order a tool kit for my weapons. I always wanted to have one by them."
"I'll let them know," Ratchet said.
"What does a mech do to get their own housing?" Flint asked glancing at Ratchet. "I don't want to wear out my welcome."
"Don't worry about that," Ratchet said. "It's not like we frag much anymore."
Ironhide snorted. "Speak for yourself, old mech."
"I am," Ratchet said with a fake pout. "Poor me."
Flint chuckled. "This is good. I feel like I'm at home."
"Good," Ironhide said. "If the time comes that you want a place of your own we'll get you one. But until then you can stay here. You're welcome for the duration."
"Thank you, Ironhide. I appreciate it," Flint said nodding. "I'm enjoying your company. I enjoy the infants."
"They're pretty spectacular," Ratchet said.
The scene on the screen changed as Lim-Lee appeared with the music and background of the Hourly News. They turned up the sound.
"Good evening, Autobot City. This is Lim-Lee with the news at 2100 hours on the Terran military clock. Tonight, we're going to be taking you to the Autobot City Business Plaza for a tour of some of the new businesses there and others that have been open for some time. We also have updates on the construction in the new housing projects, the expansion of the air field beyond the housing and warehouse/workshop district of the original field and an update on the schools by Herling, Director for Education for Mars."
She began and they listened to the broadcast. There were fourteen new businesses including Ratchet's genitors that kept space with ten others. By the time the commercial space was completely taken up, there could be forty businesses available for the public. It would take time for it to be so but the future looked good for crafts mechs and other entrepreneurs.
Ratchet rose and walked to the berth rooms listening for the sparklings. Sunspot was recharging. Orion was standing up and was tucked back in again. Praxus was playing with his digits as he lay in his crib staring at the ceiling.
Ratchet peered down at him and the infant grinned. Ratchet leaned in to kiss him. "Go to recharge, hoodlums."
Ratchet walked to the living room to sit. The news played on and the pleasant evening continued. By the time they turned off the monitor, the airfield was hosting the return of one flight of Seekers back from patrol just as another one was leaving. It would go on round the clock like a machine.
-0-Outside
She peered around a corner. Hurrying along in the shadows, Sadee halted by a large expansion of the Business Plaza. Taking out an air brush, she considered the wall. Looking around once more, she began to tag the wall with her own impressive talented take on the Autobrand. By the time she was finished the security cameras would be routed to the Day/Night Watch station down the road nearby.
In the morning as she waited in line to go to school a mech would be waiting for her with a grin.
Busted again.
-0-On a NASA blog that night
"Tonight, the sky is clear and the stars overhead compete with the satellites and Seekers who are coming and going on patrols. The city is filled with lights, the atmosphere calm and peaceful. I like the city at night. The hustle and bustle are over and things are slower.
"I spent the day listening to Perceptor try to explain space bridge technology to me. They can open a singularity, a hole in space and time to send messages, individuals and even ships through to exact points on the other side of the galaxy and back again. I'd like to be a party to that, taking a trip to the other side of time and space.
I wish I could tell you how this happens. I don't really. I'm a good physicist and understand a lot but the physics they understand is out of my league.
"I'm going to Charon, a moon of Pluto tomorrow. I'm being allowed to accompany a shuttle taking supplies. Charon is an interesting satellite. There's five moons but Charon is the biggest. It's an ice ball and has no atmosphere, is completely uninhabitable and yet there's a forward base there. It's manned by Wreckers and front liners, shock troops that can step out and fight instantly.
"I'm going to one to see what the mechs do. There'll be ships passing by when I do because crews will be out checking the arrays that monitor the system out 2,500 light years.
There's a big earth type planet fifteen light years from here around a big volatile star named Gliese 876. I'm going to ask if there's a way to go there to look at this world which is about twice as big as Earth and rocky. Maybe I can bring back a few souvenirs.
"I wish you could be here to see this. Good night, Earth. I have to go out early. I'll post pictures. Tonight, I downloaded images of Perceptor and Wheeljack, their work spaces and students. Enjoy!
Adios, amigos,
Alejandro Lopez
Habitat, Autobot City, Mars
=0=TBC 2012 (9) edited 4-23-2022