The Diego Diaries: PsyOps 20 (dd3 100)
-0-At the Senior Military Meeting the next morning
"We have a lot to go over. Things are coming pretty fast and we have to make our counter moves." Prime leaned back in his chair and considered the array of problems facing them.
His senior soldiers and two civilian advisers sat around the table, senior military officers along with Jarro and Barron whose skills were becoming integral to planning since so much involved law and mental health now. Springer, Drift, Kup, Jazz and Mirage, Jetta, Elita and Arcee sat with them as well listened to Prime. Ratchet, Blackjack, Alor, Ironhide, Starscream, his command trio and others gave him their attention. Everyone was tense and expectant.
"We have the meet up with Soundwave, the Fortress construction, the retrieval of our people, the problem of Overlord and the opportunity to turn his soldiers against him … those are just some of the things we have to get moving on. Then there is the new problem of the bombings, the new information leaking out to Earth, the film that has to be downloaded for broadcast and the possibility that Ratchet will have to attend meetings on Earth. It is a lot to do and plan for. Prowl?" Prime asked glancing at his second.
Prowl glanced at the group "Right now, we have a meet up time with Soundwave scheduled in two orns. We plan to bridge out to the general area and pretend to have traveled a long way. He's agreed to two ships, one for backup and so have we. We'll be taking the City of Diego Garcia and Xantium." He glanced up to grin slightly. "We never said what ships."
It broke the tension somewhat.
"We want to establish a clear understanding between us that Overlord is a loose cannon and it benefits both sides if he's removed. I will hold Soundwave personally responsible for the fate of the hostages," Optimus said.
"He might not have any control. In fact, I would say he has none," Blackjack said.
"You're probably right but the refugees fled this direction because of his faction. No one would be in danger but for them. Therefore, he bears responsibility. He says he cares about the diaspora. This is his chance to prove it. He either helps us get them back in one piece or he pays for it," Optimus replied grimly. "Prowl will devise the strategy and the combat teams have already been drawn up." He glanced at Springer who shifted in his seat to see him better, then nodded. "Very well. That is on two orn standby. We have pulled soldiers off their regular duties to go."
Prowl glanced at him. "That's why Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are still here and not on Io. We want veteran alpha teams on the striker force."
"The next item involves about three different things related to Earth and Ratchet," Optimus said. "We have requests for Ratchet to meet up with several committees of the United States Congress involving the violence events going on right now and also about the city and the extent of our colony here. They feel pressure about the scope of our settlement and some of them want to make trouble. There is also a new request to help human groups make their own colony here. There is a plan underway by private individuals who want to build a colony that can host 80,000 humans long term."
It was silent a moment.
Blackjack leaned forward slightly. "They don't know how to live in an environment like this. Their technology, and correct me if I'm wrong is not up to the task. They haven't even colonized their own moon."
Wheeljack agreed. "They haven't. I've done a search of the plans that are known to the public and it's primitive comparatively to what's minimally safe in my estimation for habitation by organic lifeforms. I admire their guts but not their judgment," he said as Perceptor agreed.
"They would probably expect a great deal of help and support from us including transport. Their transportation devices appear to be deeply hazardous and limited. They would also have minimal types of protection against the sun's energy and the abrasive actions of the sand and dust here. One accident would mean death all around. They would need a lot of hand holding by us."
Prime considered that. "I know. We can put a hold on answering that request until we solve the greater problems but be aware that the Project X people are making their requests and are seeking government funding as well as selling places for the project to the public."
"Well, they can't build near us. We have an open ended population to plan for, Prime," Starscream said shaking his helm. "We are already up to nearly half a million of our own and the indication is that number will be a fading memory if we solve the Overlord problem and the migrations can come again safely."
Prime agreed. "That will be among the later aggravations, Starscream. Right now, the Senate has requested Ratchet to come and discuss the city and our plans for settlement. There is concern that Mars now belongs to us, not them and any future for humans here is diminishing for them."
"It is," Alor said. "Don't you think? They can't even reach their own moon."
"It's hard for some of them not to feel that all the space in this system is theirs. They've been alone so long they're struggling to accept us which plays into extremist fears about our presence," Ratchet said. "That's the problem. They feel that we haven't been upfront about the colony and how many actually and will eventually live here."
"But you've broadcast to Earth nearly from the beginning. They could see it. They've seen reclamations. We've been watching the archive footage of refugee returns. How can they say they're surprised?" Alor asked.
Ratchet shrugged. "This is emotional and they're a young species," he said quietly. "How do you want to do this, Optimus? Senate first? House second? Both together and the United Nations later?"
"We have a message into Warren's office and he will make the arrangements. The elections are over and the elected officials are still organizing as is the Congress. The chairmanships are changing and I hope for the better. We will let you know when the meetings happen. Springer, I want you to design security. Remember, we are in a changed situation now."
The big mech sat back. "I will."
Optimus looked at Mirage, Blaster and Jazz. "How close are we to broadcasting our propaganda? I want the psy-ops part of this to be up as soon as possible."
"We've been building the films and broadcasts for about seven orns now. We have joors and joors of material to blast at them," Jazz said. "I expect it to do the job we want. It's already clear that some of them are cracking. They just need a place to go toward. The seventeen mechs that defected have said morale is low because of Overlord's vicious behavior."
Prime said, "I am counting on that. All we have to do is show them what they can have as opposed to what they got."
"When they defect they go straight into prison, correct?" Blackjack said.
"They do until we find out who and what they are," Optimus replied. He glanced at Red Alert and Inferno. "The prison … how are our regulars and are we ready to take on more?"
Red glanced at Prime from his data pad. "We are. We have enough space to house a lot of prisoners, Prime. I'm expecting that you want the officers in the brig separated from the foot soldiers?"
"I do," Optimus replied.
"We can do that," Inferno said. "The other prisoners made a smooth transition. They prefer the change of view and venue. The counsels are able to access them better and their clients seem in a better mood."
Optimus glanced at Barron who nodded. "We find it much easier and the mood lighter in the outdoors setting," he said.
"Good," Optimus said sitting back. "We want to keep the fuss to a minimum."
"Don't let Ratchet near the prison," Ironhide said.
"Where's the fun in that?" Ratchet asked smirking back at Ironhide.
The mood lifted noticeably.
They continued discussing and trouble shooting their many myriad problems, then Prime called for the good of the order.
"I caught the Earth broadcast morning news programs before comin' here and there's a push back in the public against the comments made by Hedges and Johnson," Jazz said. "Apparently, they had overnight polls and the civilian population is overwhelmingly in favor of us stayin' and in the awesomeness of Orion. They were offended in large percentages that babies were being slagged."
"That's good news," Ratchet said. "I figured as much. Our little kids are pretty great."
Ironhide agreed emphatically. "All of them."
"There has been requests for interviews and more viewings of Orion and others," Prowl said. "I put that on the next agenda. We also have to decide to release or not the first episode. Apparently, they have about five of the episodes 'in the can', whatever that means."
Prime thought a moment. "Given that they fear us, some of them, do we still send out the series? Or do we try and control our image more?"
"I think that boat sailed, Optimus," Jetta said.
Elita agreed. "They already think they know about us. Why don't we show them?"
He considered that then glanced at Prowl. "They can send it."
Prowl noted that on his datapad. "The scientists have asked for an extension of their visits. They told their bases on Earth that they're in the middle of research and experiments and want more time. I believe its motivated by their appreciation of this city and of us."
Prime glanced at Perceptor and Wheeljack. "What about it?"
"Nothing they can't continue on Earth. But I do like them. They work hard, they're respectful and friendly. Keeping them here is no problem for us. We all like them. I also think it might be good for people who like us to stay and tell the Earth what they see and hear. They have to write in their blogs everyday and send pictures that pass the censors. They're good company."
Prime considered that. "Very well. We will ask that they stay."
"They can go to Christmas Surprise with the rest of us," Ratchet said. "There'll be concerts on the airfield again or so you told me, right Ironhide?"
Ironhide nodded. "There will be. It's the only place big and flat enough to handle so many."
"What about the convocation against the system?" Ratchet asked glancing at Prime. "I just remembered it."
"That's on the list. We also have trials and other things to do. I dislike in the extreme having things be put off. We need to follow the rules to the nth degree but things are arising and we have to prioritize."
Everyone agreed.
"Then you want us to get that base up and running yesterday?" Blackjack asked.
Prime glanced at the big mech. "Yes."
"We're enclosed," Blackjack said glancing at Jetta who nodded. "We'll be livable in an orn or two. The garrison can come and move in. The guns will be online in two orns I've been assured. The big ones on the roof. We've begun to dig hardened bunkers for aircraft and Seekers garrisoned there. The broadcast arrays and all of the security sensors are already up and troubleshot. They can go when we're ready. I expect two orns. Perhaps we can be ready when we go out to meet up with Soundwave. We'll be coming too, right?"
Prime smirked slightly. "It would be good to have him see you and Alor. Bring Flint, too. I want him to see how deep our bench is. I want him to see us bristling with might. I want him to lose recharge."
"No offense, Optimus," Alor said with a light grin. "I would bet shanix large that he already does."
No one disabused him of that statement.
-0-IntraCom Building, Autobot City, Mars
"We have the go," Leonora said as she glanced from the comm screen where she'd been in communication with Jazz. "We can send the first episode down. The IntraCom board and Prime are ready to review the next seven. We can send one a week for two months. That will give us time to get the others shot, designed and ready to review."
"That's good news," Aaron Belcher said.
"I'll call Marko in Hollywood and tell him a download through the MCA link is coming through right away," Jack Mellar said as he walked to the comm screen where Leonora stood. He called up the Ops Center Communications officer and made his request. Waiting a moment while it was arranged, he smiled when the familiar voice of his colleague came over the intercom. "We're go, Marko. They approved the episode. I'm going to send now. You ready?"
A soft chuckle drifted into the room over hidden speakers. "I was born ready, Jack."
Mellar grinned and sent the data packet.
The bulk packet reached Earth 194 million miles away in 0.3 seconds over the high speed relay.
-0-Habitat
They stared at the text that'd been sent to them by the managing agency for everyone concerned, NASA. Michio Yamaha read it then they all looked at each other with disbelief. "We get to stay!"
"What does it say? Does it say why?" Sheila asked.
"No, but I'm going to find out," Jackson Hale said walking toward the communications center. Punching in the code, he could hear the censor delay click on softly. "Johnson Space Center, this is Jackson Hale. I need to seek clarification of the change in plans."
"This is Johnson Space Center, Habitat. How are you and what do you need to know?"
"Barry, we just were told our extension request has been approved," Jackson said.
"It was," Barry Wilde replied from the Command Center of the Mission Control. "A message from the Office of the Prime himself was received a few moments ago personally supporting your request. Wheeljack and Perceptor were also signatories. We ran it past the Project managers and they agreed. If the Autobots think its alright, you're extended another month."
It was silent a moment as the group digested the news.
"This is wonderful news, Barry," Michio said as shouts of delight filtered over the link behind him.
Sounds of laughter greeted them as well.
"I can see that."
The relief was stupendous.
On both ends.
=0=TBC 2012 (11)