The Diego Diaries: Chaos 3 (dd3 14)
=0=Near Metroplex, behind the Autobot City Business Plaza, Autobot City, Mars
Prime, Prowl, Ironhide, Flint and Starscream stood back watching as Inferno worked in consultation together with the forensics team to examine the blast holes in the highly burned wall. The enormous arc of wall, all of it solid stone was blasted and crumbled both from fire and heat as well as the concussion of the explosions.
Very little of the rudimentary bombs still existed. A chemical trace had revealed that they were of the same configuration as the detonators and plastique the sappers used in the quarries and at the energon mines. They left a residue the way nearly all explosives do and the blast pattern was easily comparable to the ones left by mine demolitions.
The ground they stood upon had been scanned and traces of plastique were detected in minute amounts. The soil was blackened and globs of hard crunchy glassy material fused together in the heat crackled under their peds. They scanned, talked and looked, took samples and did their investigation.
When it was written up it would be clear that ten bombs had been pressed against the wall, two of them close enough to Energon Substation 6 to blow the Pit out of everything and everyone in the vicinity.
The security system that'd been in place was blown to smithereens but had been adequate enough to record some of the angles needed. It was being scoured by Wheeljack and Perceptor.
A report of the damage to individuals had already been forwarded by Gypsy who was information officer for Ratchet and coordinator of the medical report that would be issued. Preliminary indications were that Metroplex was the most injured.
The three groups inside the Plaza had scrapes, bumps and Tie Down with a damaged but repairable arm the most injured.
The building itself was another story. Long cracks ran from the back of the transparent ceiling that had begun halfway through the structure to the front indicating the concussion that had swept through the building. The indoor walls and ceilings of shops had saved the lives of all concerned buffering them from the blast as it ripped through and flung the doors open at the front.
The wall in back was in danger of collapse, the steel beams inside the stone walls the only reason the building hadn't fallen. Things kept inside weren't as lucky.
Volatile liquids and solids used by the city and various construction groups were stored in vaults in the half million square feet that had been set aside for municipal use. There were also storage spaces for antiques, artifacts and other irreplaceables for the Museum.
Large shelves were also set aside for personal belongings of individuals who had valuable artifacts and acquisitions that would benefit the city, yet had no space in their apartments. There was also extra servers placed there to take the daily data output of the city for analysis and download to other computers including the massive set up under Ops Center for Teletraan III.
All of that had been damaged.
The volatile fluids and solids had ruptured in containment vessels inside their vaults exploding outward causing concussive damage. Crafts Guilds and other experts were already volunteering to examine things to begin the tedious hopeful process of restoration.
Ash and liquids dripped and filtered out of the gaping wound on the building. Ash puffed with each ped fall. When the team finished discussing their conclusions, bagging everything they'd collected, they walked to Prime and his group with a tall Seeker named Sky speaking for them.
"We've collected samples, sir, that we found on the site. There isn't much left from the explosion but we've found residue that indicates plastique explosives and detonators that are in keeping with those used in our quarries and mines.
"They were placed at equal distance apart, spaced to create more havoc than whoever did this might have sought. We're of the opinion that given the amateurish quality of the bombs that this is someone without great skill making a point.
"Given that they were the most simple constructions possible, we believe that the intent was not to destroy this building completely but make a statement. The two that were closest to the energon substation were in our opinion placed by an amateur that didn't know what he was going to be starting.
"We have samples that we'll give to Wheeljack and Perceptor. They detail the device and will allow us to track the materials to the exact batch of elements used to make it.
"The building is at this moment unsound and until it's braced we wouldn't recommend anyone going inside to retrieve things. The chemicals and solids that the city stored inside blew up when the first concussion hit them. Because they were contained themselves, their force of destruction was less than it would have been on open shelves.
"The servers inside are destroyed. The vaults containing the inventory of artifacts and objects for the Museum are compromised. That material will need expert handling if it's to be restored.
"Structurally, the part of the building less affected by the blast is sound. We suggest that a structural analysis be given the entire site. The shock of the blast blew the doors open in the front. We also agree that without the strength of the building design creating completely individualized stores and shops, the blast would have killed the mechs that were there when it went off. We'll prepare a full report and forward it to you if you wish."
"I do, Sky," Prime said. "Thank you, all of you."
They walked to where Wheeljack and Perceptor stood taking measurements of their own.
Prime watched them a moment then looked at Starscream. "We have a bomber among us. We need to check the security tapes." He watched as Ironhide and Flint walked across the broken surface of Metroplex's pad toward them.
"Prime, what's the word?" Ironhide asked as they reached the group.
"We have a bomber," Prime said.
"Did the security cameras catch anything?" Ironhide asked.
"Perceptor and Wheeljack are checking now," Prime said.
"How is Metroplex?" Flint asked.
"I do not know. Let us go find out," Prime said.
They walked together toward the area beyond that was open space.
Metroplex was lying on his side with a swarm of technicians, doctors and electrical engineers climbing over him. Others were standing below waiting to go up as some were coming down. It reminded him of a book Prime had seen on Ramblers' reading list, 'Gulliver's Travels'. Stopping near a pallet of parts and devices that were waiting to be installed, they looked up.
"Ratchet," Ironhide called out.
After a moment, Ratchet looked down. "Ironhide."
"Come down here, mech," Ironhide called out.
Ratchet grinned, calling out to someone to do something they could barely hear over the sound of welding and drilling that was going on above them. Then he began to climb down dropping down onto the dirt with a thud. "What?" he asked with a grin.
"How is he?" Prime asked.
Beyond them gathered around Metroplex, Kappa, Xantium, Gamma and Zeta stood uneasily watching with concern.
Walking toward them with Silverbolt, a solemn Omega appeared. He reached the others. They looked fretfully at Metroplex who was lying quietly with his optics off lined.
"We've removed all the damage. Some of it had to be cut off. Metroplex stayed to make sure everyone was safely out before leaving. That caused burns. He was burning when he was waiting. I cut his pain receptors. We've removed all of his ruin and are now replacing it with not only new stuff but upgrades.
"It's going to take two more orns but we should be done by then. The longest part of this is getting his armor plating from the foundries. It'll be a quick install when it comes but waiting will be the part that's hard.
"I'd like him up and back on site as soon as possible. He'll heal better in city mode because his systems will be focused on repair rather than maintaining his stature."
Jetta made his way around the pallets filled with parts and came to stop in front of Prime. "I was just told that the forensic investigation is over. We can begin rebuilding Metroplex's pad now if you order it, Optimus."
"I do," Prime said nodding. "Can you give me an overview?"
"We have to excavate the pipelines and remove them. We'll replace all of it with harder materials and insulate it so that if there's a burn or blow out it'll help suppress any fire.
"We have to take the saturated earth out and burn it in the kilns at the brick plant. The energon is a contaminate. Once that's replaced, we can rebuild the pad itself. We have the proper grade soil and gravel found in the foothills near Aerie Hill. We'll truck it in and stockpile it to utilize once we move this bad stuff out.
"We won't hook up the feed lines from the energon mainline until he sits again and we can do it without haste. We want to make sure that the infrastructure is up to it."
Prime considered that. "What is the time line?"
"Give us two orns. Then we can seat him again. We're rebuilding the foot to his specifications once more. We also want to allow the borders to be groomed and the streets and highways to mesh more properly than before. We have a new type of asphalt to use here that's stronger yet has the ability to stretch."
"Thank you, Jetta. I'll leave it to you. If you need anything let us know," Prime said.
The handsome black and red bot hurried off to make it so.
Prime watched him go then looked at Ratchet. "Is he awake and lucid?"
"He is. He's resting. He doesn't feel anything we're doing and I'm going to make sure he reintegrates all his structure before turning his sensors back on again," Ratchet said.
"Good. Thank you, Ratchet. I would suggest that you pass this off when you can," Prime said. "What do you have? A decaorn or less to go?"
"Seventeen orns," Ratchet said.
"Don't overdue," Prime said rather fatherly.
Ratchet grinned. "Yes, dad."
They grinned at each other.
Walking onward toward Metroplex's face, Prime halted before the enormous bot. Looking up, he peered at the others. "How is he, Kappa?"
"Much better, thank you, Prime. He's not in pain and he's resting," Kappa said with her intense yet delicate voice.
"I'm glad. I won't awaken him then," Prime said as he started to leave.
"Prime," Metroplex said as his optics came online.
"Metroplex. I did not mean to wake you."
"You didn't. I am resting my optics," he said in his deeply masculine voice.
"I am sorry, Metroplex, that this happened to you," Prime said with a spark-felt tone.
"It was not your fault, Prime."
"Did you see anything that would help us find out who did this?"
Metroplex was silent a moment. "I reviewed my data. I did not see anything that direction but I wasn't looking, I'm afraid. I was watching children in the park. I am sorry, Prime."
Prime placed a servo gently on Metroplex's face. "Given a choice, I would choose the children, too."
Metroplex grinned slightly. "They are wonderful. I look forward to hearing and seeing my residents again. I miss their company."
"They miss you, too. They are waiting for you. I want you to not hurry back. You must be well, Metroplex. All of your residents are housed for now. They all want you to be well," Prime said.
He nodded slightly. "I will do my best."
"You sat in a fire burning and being hurt while everyone was evacuated. You were a hero, Metroplex. You always do your best," Prime said as the others silently agreed.
He on lined his optics to look at Prime. "I am happy here. I was so lonely. I was alone for so long because of the task I was given ... the one I told you about when I first came. When I heard you call I came without hesitation. I do not want to be alone again. I missed my siblings. I missed the company of my Autobots and our people. I am contented here. I am honored to serve you again, Prime."
Prime reached over and patted Metroplex's face. "We are so glad you are here. It did not seem like home without you and your siblings. We will take care of you now. Just rest and come back to us well."
Metroplex closed his optics.
Prime looked at Kappa and the others, then walked back to the pad where he got the final word on the plan to re-seat the giant Autobot once more.
=0=TBC 2012 (9) 4-23-2022