The Diego Diaries: PsyOps 10
=0=Around the city
Below ground on the train tracks heading outward
Ratchet hurried to the platform to take the next pedestrian train to the factory where he wanted to go. In a nod to the traffic that was going on its way here and there underground, a regular schedule of trains for pedestrians were added to the schedule. Amidst the endless parade of commercial traffic, some of the trains were for mechs and femmes to get about on. Automated engines pulled flat cars where mechs and femmes could step up and down to get where they wanted to go. Patterned after the pedestrian system of Iacon, there were lines that went in endless rounds of their own territory with branching lines going off to the hinterlands.
Ratchet stood on the platforms built for pedestrians and saw his train coming ahead. Train 7 of the Circle Line was pulling into the station and when it stopped he stepped onto the platform and waited as the train paused, then began to go again. There would be three more stops and one line change before he reached his destination, Fabrications-Electrical.
Hopping off at the platform nearby, he walked to the factory and entered. A clerk sitting at the desk inside greeted him and took his ideas and orders. Nodding as Ratchet explained what he needed, he gave Ratchet a due date and a number to track the manufacturing of his order. Thanking the little femme, he turned and walked out to take the train back to the main station under Metroplex.
-0-At a conference room in Ops Center
The humans sat on the chairs provided after being lifted onto the table by Smokescreen. He had met them at the door and carried the party into the conference room to wait for Prowl to come. Jack Mellar, Aaron Belcher, Leonora Huttle, Niall Graham as 'liaison' and Will Lennox who was just along for the fun sat in the comfortable chairs and waited. Beyond, the transparent steel walls of the huge room allowed them to watch the activity beyond, activity that Smokescreen rejoined.
"So this is Ops Center," Mellar said softly. "I wish I had a camera."
"It would never make it past the censors," Niall said.
"Too bad. This place is beyond state of the art," Mellar said considering the cinematic possibilities. "We could do some really dramatic things here."
"Which is why its off limits. I'm just surprised that Prowl agreed to meet you in here," Will said.
Aaron shrugged. "They understand the potential for public relations too."
"Maybe," Will said with a slight shrug. "I can also imagine they don't give a damn in the long run too. Don't ever forget how old all these bots are."
"By the way," Mellar said looking at Lennox. "We will be wanting onscreen interviews with all of you."
Will looked at him and grinned. "Like my old dad used to say … you can wish in one hand and -"
At that moment, mercifully, Prowl came to the door and paused, his elegance and intelligent affect shutting down the stupid immediately.
"Gentlemen and Ms Huttle … you wished to speak to me," he said with the formalized manner he used with individuals of questionable trust possibilities.
"Thank you, Prowl. Commander Prowl," Mellar said correcting himself to match the manner of the huge mechanism that was regarding them with a sort of cool calm regard. "We want to ask you about a number of interesting things we have learned while here before we turn over the first episode of the show to the censors for review."
Prowl nodded and moved pulling out a chair. He sat and turned regarding them, the refugee infant sleeping contentedly inside his carry hold. "What can I do for you?" he asked in his cultured tones.
"We are finding that the interactions of our group of subjects are overlapping with others that are not on the official list. We find the Guardians fascinating. The idea of Metroplex is astonishing. I can still remember when he arrived and transformed to his root mode. I would like to know if we can interview and perhaps add the Guardians, the aerial bots and some of the other really interesting mechanisms as well here and there."
"I would have to put that request past our Prime. I cannot make a decision without that input," Prowl said.
"We put into our initial request access to some of the families. We want to showcase the family side of your soldiers. We don't intend to be invasive or exploitative. I wish you could understand how outstanding we are finding your soldiers. But we do feel it would be beneficial to telling their story if that part of their lives was shown as well."
"I know we haven't completely signed off on that point. This would be a voluntary thing for our soldiers. Some of them would have reservations about this and others might not. I will poll them and perhaps generate a list for our Prime to review."
Mellar nodded. "I have also heard about combiners. I was hoping you could enlighten us about that and allow us to show any combiners that live here."
It was silent as Prowl considered that. Lennox understood that he was also in conversation with Prime wherever he was and that any answer he would give would be a collaboration. He looked at Mellar. "The Prime would like to consider your request regarding combiners."
"I would also like to interview and perhaps film the Stunticons that I am told live here too," Mellar asked nodding.
Prowl looked at him and leaned back in his chair. "That would be at the discretion of the Prime. You need to understand that some of the bots you want to speak to aren't very good mechs. Some of the Stunticons are locked up they're so anti-social and dangerous."
"We understand. Some of the prisoners you hold here have intriguing backgrounds dramatically. I don't suppose you would allow us to speak with them too," Mellar ventured.
Prowl shook his helm. "That would be highly unlikely."
"I figured so but I had to ask. If we could get a determination on the other requests, that would be very helpful. We are prepared to submit the first episode. We are in the process of finishing up and editing three more. We want to have one full hour episode a week for broadcast on Earth. We see this as an educational tool to develop unity between our people and yours. We have heard about the bombing in San Francisco the other day."
Prowl nodded. "We heard about it too."
Mellar glanced at Belcher and grinned. "That was funny. What do you think about that?"
Prowl considered what he wanted to say and then shrugged slightly. "We are following that development. We are also used to opposition among some of your population. That is about all I can say on the subject at the moment."
Mellar nodded. "I would love to interview you on camera. I know we can't interview the Prime. I don't even know what he looks like. But I would love to interview you, Ratchet and Ironhide."
"I will take it under advisement," Prowl said with a slight smirk. "Are there any other questions, comments or observations for the good of the order?"
Mellar glanced at Belcher who looked at Prowl. "This place is fucking awesome."
Lennox dialed down his audial transmitters. Sometimes in space, no one can hear you laugh.
-0-Moments later on a segway going toward IntraComm's new building north of the Metroplex District
"That was stupid. Honestly, that was stupid."
Belcher shrugged. "So. I told him this place is fucking awesome. It is."
"He's the fucking S.I.C. He's not the kind of bot you swear in front of like that," Mellar said as he drove madly onward. "You worry me, Aaron. You really do." They toodled off into the crowds as they hurried back to the studio to study the rushes from the day's filming for episodes five through eight.
-0-Ops Center
Ratchet walked in and sat spying Prowl bent over Teletraan III finishing up a conversation with Blackjack out at Fort Apache. He turned and paused, smirking slightly. Walking over, he sat and tossed his stylus down. "What have you been doing?"
Ratchet leaned forward and told him. After a moment of exquisite surprise, Prowl leaned forward and they collaborated. With a short call to the fabrication plant, Prowl signed on to the Great Idea.
"Apparently, there will be an episode to review shortly. The humans want to see a combiner," Prowl said.
"We have two. Well, we have most of another one." Ratchet grinned. "I would love to see the Stunticons combine with a few missing limbs."
They grinned at each other.
"We have the Aerialbots, we have part of the Stunticons and who else? I can't remember. We have non combiners. Omega and Optimus for example," Ratchet said. "That is an interesting request."
Prowl nodded. "I doubt it will be accomplished. That is, unless the Aerialbots want to do it."
"I forgot. Metroplex is a non combiner. His components are autonomous beings."
Prowl nodded. "I'm glad I don't have to accommodate another being," he said. "Unless of course its this." He tapped his hatch door and Ratchet peered inside. The smallest refugee infant was curled into a ball asleep.
"That's a combination I can go for," Ratchet replied tapping his own hold. Inside, curled into a ball, Hero slept on too.
They both grinned at each other.
-0-Out there
Blackjack stood in the emerging Ops Center getting the rundown from the techs who were wiring everything everywhere at once. Things were falling into place at a pace that was astounding. Alor and Flint were huddled nearby with the mechs who were going to be raising the massive array of communications devices to the roof and the raised array platform nearby.
Mechs worked on three levels putting into place a fortress that was prefabbed in another solar system and carried by enormous sentient ships to this large secluded planetoid. A mass of free floating planetary fragments surrounded them shielding their new fortress from prying optics.
Below the ground were two levels of space that were larger than the footprint of the huge fortress. The lowest level was storage, the second accommodating the computer and electronics systems as well as housing the personnel who would live and work here. They would tunnel outward to make more space once they were underway. Right now, the bridges would supply their immediate needs and wants.
Ironhide walked inside peering upward. They were lowering the last slab of the roof, securing it with the polymer cement that would make it nearly impervious to breakage. His genitors would be living here shortly managing the operation against Overlord. He would spend as much time here as possible and he would personally see that they were supplied with everything. He walked to his father and joined him. The final wiring would commence immediately.
:Looks like its coming together quickly: Ironhide said as his father turned to him.
Blackjack nodded. :It is. When this is enclosed and pressurized I will be glad:
:You will be able to hear yourself: Ironhide said with a grin.
:There is that: Blackjack said with a grin of his own. :The outside array will be ready for debugging and testing tomorrow. Wheeljack and Perceptor will be coming to accomplish that. Then we can begin broadcasting. I want to hurry it along, Ironhide. I don't want the refugees to feel we abandoned them:
Ironhide nodded. :I know:
The whirl continued around them.
-0-Elsewhere
They came back, the fifty. They were dirty and a few were dented. The Knights walked to Splice and filled him in. They were digging the foundation of a fortress that would be a fall back for the 'Cons and their mad ruler, Overlord. They had been hassled to work fast as it was apparent that the 'Cons were aware that they weren't alone.
:Then Prime is out there working an angle: Splice said as he watched the next fifty refugees go to work the next shift. As with the others, one of his mechs went with them. :We have to be ready. I don't know what Prime is going to do, but we have to be ready."
:There's something else too. When one of the mechs faltered, a 'Con stepped up to beat him. One of the 'Con officers intervened. I think there is dissension in the troops. Some of them anyway:
:Are you sure?: Splice asked.
The mech nodded. :I get the impression they are as afraid of him as our side is. They might be ready to do something about it if Prime can reach out in the right way:
:Frag: Splice said. :We have to contact Prime:
They stood and watched as ships lifted off and fifty more of their fellows faded away into the night.
-0-At IntraComm
Blaster took the disk and nodded. "I'll let you know what the censors say right away. Prime has a moment to look at this and he will let us know what he wants sent out and what doesn't go."
The humans nodded. "Thanks, Blaster. Fast please. We're on pins and needles."
"If you say so," the big goodnatured bot said with a grin. He turned and walked out. The humans went back to their editing.
-0-Ops Center Conference room a bit later
They sat around watching the ending credits roll. Jetta, Elita, Ratchet, Prowl and Jazz sat at the table with Prime. He turned and looked at them. "You don't consider the atmospherics too salacious?"
"No. I think they're slagging dramatic and interesting," Jazz said with a grin. "Good stuff, Optimus. When they see how big and dedicated the mechs are, they might grow a clue. The doubters I mean."
Ratchet nodded. "My younglings look ultra dangerous and sexy. They will make a good impression. All of the mechs shown have real personalities and lives. That's a good contrast with the images in the opening and closing."
Prowl nodded. "I think its good. What do you think?"
Optimus thought a moment, then sat back. "What the frag. Pass it. They stayed in the guidelines. Let's see how its received and if there are misconceptions arising we can either modify our agreements or have Ratchet hit the talk show circuit." He grinned.
Ratchet did too.
=0=TBC
2012 (11)