The Diego Diaries: Interlude 2
-0-That morning around town
"She stood up and walked three steps. Look."
They all paused and waited for the data transfer. Watching the video inside their processors, Bluestreak and Sunstreaker turned to Sideswipe. "That was awesome. I wish you had called us," Bluestreak said with a slight frown.
"You two were fragging. I'm not sure you would have appreciated the interruption," Sideswipe said as he gave Kaon his sippy cup. He smiled and took it. "ATAR!"
"Nice word, baby, but you don't have to be as loud as Orion," Sunstreaker said as he sat in a chair next to his son who sat on the table top grinning.
"He does talk loud doesn't he," Blue said nodding. "I have to go teach shooting this morning to the Home Guard. Where are you two going?"
"We're going to show Splice around the city," Sideswipe said as he spooned energon baby food into his daughters. They sat in front of him smiling. As the spoon came over, they opened up like baby birds.
"What does he do?" Blue asked glancing at Sideswipe.
"He's a warrior and a Knight. He was with Dai Atlas last we heard. I am assuming he will be a soldier with us," Sideswipe replied shrugging.
"Hm," Blue said wiping the twin's faces. "Sounds promising."
"No doubt," Sunstreaker said with a grin.
-0-In the Bosom of Lukewarm Regard
"How long are you going to ignore me?"
"Until my point is made."
"For whom?"
"You. The youngling. Everyone. I asked you a dozen times since the sparklings were here to move your slag. What if he had bitten down on a bullet and it went off in his mouth, Ironhide?"
"None of them were at that point. None of them were live rounds yet."
"You're hopeless."
"You look good when you're mad."
A fierce flaming optic met that remark. Ironhide grinned and glanced at Sunspot. "Your old Ada is slagging me good. I suppose you're on his side too."
Sunspot grinned, putting his cup down. He slipped off his chair and moved it closer to Ironhide. Sliding his cup over, he climbed up and sat again. Ironhide grinned and glanced at Ratchet who was sitting across the table shooting him nuclear optics. "Little mech feels my pain."
"I will give you pain to feel," Ratchet said with a slight smirk. He looked at Sunspot who grinned back at him. "You like to sit with the sad sacks do you?"
He nodded. "I do."
They both laughed at that.
-0-Nearby
He took the breakfasts dishes and washed them, putting them on a towel on the counter to air dry. Turning, watching as Tie Down gathered up their schematic designs drawn the night before of a new type of wrench that would solve a problem for the aircraft mechanic who asked for it, Tie Down and Ravel stepped out to walk to work.
-0-At Vos Tower
"The meeting will be a wrap up of the situation. Neither of us have to be there right away. They will call us, Ven, when they need us to be there."
Venture hung up his towel and walked out of the wash rack, his shine its usual impeccable level. He straightened out the berth and walked out taking a cup from Miler. "Then I'll go to the office. I have some things to discuss with Warren Roberts on the mid-morning conference call in Magnus's office that I need to gather up."
Miler nodded as they both sat to watch The Hourly News for a few moments. There would be the news that was known about the rescue for general consumption for now, interviews of mechs including two of the families of the six sparklings and some commentary from soldiers and officers. The big news would be released after the briefing. Everyone would know that Overlord was the culprit and he was out of commission at least for some time to come.
-0-In the Bachelor/Non-Bond Mech Tower
"Get up."
He glanced up with one optic. "Make me."
Drift grinned. "Lazy aft. What sort of example are you providing for the younglings? What will Lon think?"
Springer rolled over and stretched, his big frame popping and clicking with the effort. "So … this is the first orn of the rest of our lives?"
"Apparently." Drift grinned as he stood watching his newest and most personal acquisition lollygag. "Frankly, I thought it would include more pizzazz."
"You and me both," Springer said with a snort. He sat up and rolled his helm, the popping and snapping of tension unwinding resounding.
"You really need to get that oiled," Drift said extending a servo.
Springer snorted and gripped it pulling the big bot down onto the berth. It would be a while before they tried getting vertical once again.
-0-At another tower
"Terri."
"What?"
"Did you see my case file datapad?"
"No, Roto. Did you leave it by the window? I saw a bunch of them over there."
Roto walked from the small office that they shared in the apartment and headed to the window, kneeling to sort through a stack of datapads that contained music, stories, schoolwork, important papers and pictures and his case files of the speech progress of most of the mid range sparklings in the Day School. "It's not here."
Terradive walked from the berth room and cleared his throat, a wholly human appearing and completely unnecessary affectation. Roto turned and rose just in time to catch the datapad that Terradive threw to him. "You left in on the dresser."
"Thanks. What's the schedule today? I'm supposed to come to screen the first five classrooms today and see how the newcomers are speech wise. Do you want to be first or later on?"
"First," Terradive said. "Might as well work the system."
Roto glanced up and grinned. "You did that last night."
Terradive just grinned.
-0-At Aerie Hill
They ran like a flock of birds flying, all of them going in the same direction following Flit as he worked off a bit of his usual happiness. Dart and Pip squealed with delight as they ran through the apartment going through the open doors as they made the circle following him.
Starscream who was sitting on the couch going through the overnight intell paused to watch them each time they passed by. Thundercracker paused as they flashed past, moving at last to sit on a chair by the window. "The natives are restless."
"The natives are extraordinary," Starscream replied with a grin. They came around the corner running swiftly, laughing loudly and disappeared through a door once more.
"Won't get an argument from me," Thundercracker said with a grin.
"Me neither," Sky Warp said as he leaned on a doorjamb mug in servo. The tiny swarm came around again.
-0-In a newbie apartment
"Levee, we are supposed to go to the hospital today. Ratchet ordered it and I have an e-mail here for us to come," Outlaw said peering into the berth room of their infant. Levee was bent over the crib tucking the blankets and making it neat. He stood up with a wince and nodded. "I know."
"I think you need to have the most help," Outlaw said worriedly.
"We all do. I just hate it," Levee said walking to the big mech, then out into the living room. Hobo sat in the rocker by the window watching the city awaken as the sun began to throw long shadows. He held Prima who was wrapped in a fine blanket that Prowl had given them, the finest blanket they had ever seen. It held their infant like a king.
"We all do," Hobo said. He looked at the other two. "It's long overdue. We don't have to speak about it. They have had bots here that have had hard lives, surely."
Outlaw nodded. "But they also might help us." He looked at Levee. "I want you to find some help. We all have to be strong for Prima."
Levee sighed and nodded. He reached for the remote and turned on the monitor, scrolling through the stations until The Hourly News came on. They sat to eat their breakfast, a really good one for once and caught up on the miracle of their new city together.
-0-On the way to the Hospital
Aurora and Inspire walked with their chaperone, a mech named Summit. He was part of the three mechs who would be their day team. Right now, they were heading for the hospital and scheduled tests, medical check ups and interviews that would lead to the discovery of their exact age and the disposition of their status. It would last all day long.
-0-On the way to Ops Center
Jazz and Mirage walked together having dined at Club Cybertron with their set. It had been hilarious, serious and interesting. Among the clientele present were dozens of soldiers, a few new colonists and the usual morose crowd of prisoners. That group sat without comment listening to the talk of Overlord and his downfall. No one chatting around them cared that they heard. The morose group didn't show they cared. Even among Decepticons Overlord was deeply disliked. But it stung.
"Slaggers," Stiletto said shaking his helm.
"Overlord was a fragger. He deserved what he got," Barricade said in a dark tone.
What Scorponok thought he kept to himself.
-0-Outside as they walked onward
Pausing for traffic, the two crossed the street and continued onward bantering about the afternoon and the upcoming football game between Praxus Science and Vos. "I have laid large on Praxus," Mirage said.
"I'm surprised anyone's bettin'. Blur has taken all the sport out of it," Jazz said as they walked to the courtyard of the Fortress.
"That's half the problem with only six teams," Mirage began as they walked into the facility, their conversation lost in the din of the rec room morning crowd.
-0-Way up in the air
"Well, how do you feel?"
"I miss them. I don't miss having extra mechs and femmes around but I miss them." He glanced at Optimus who stood in the doorway watching as Prowl puttered in the now empty sparkling nursery. "I want you to know, Optimus that it is my job to care for the family and help you bear your burdens without worries or hindrance, not others."
"And you do," Optimus said with a grin. "Very well I might add."
Prowl grinned slightly pausing to stare at the big mechanism of his dreams. "We were ahead you know."
Optimus's laughter was probably heard on Earth.
-0-At The Science Center
"Are you ready? Prime'll be waiting for us if we take anymore time here, Percy."
"I am almost there, 'Jack." The big elegant red bot read through the remaining data as it presented itself on the screen. "The supposition is supported, Wheeljack," he said as he turned to glance at his bond.
"I think I could have told you that, Perceptor," Wheeljack said as he watched his partner rise and gather his gear for the meeting. "After all, I have been making the best high grade in the Autobot Army since Primus was a pup. That small additive will merely increase the flavor in the lighter ales without detracting from its distinct bouquet."
Perceptor nodding stepped past Wheeljack heading for the door. "I totally agree with you," he said in his cultured voice to Wheeljack's very great delight.
The door closed behind them by itself.
-0-Conference Room, Ops Center, Autobot City, Mars
They chatted together as the military portion of the council gathered, some of them bantering with Blackjack and Alor who were conference calling, their visages filling the monitors overhead. Red Wing and Nitro were already there and they were discussing their infant hatchlings' and/or groundlings' latest accomplishments regarding walking, falling down and getting back up again. Apparently, they were very gifted at doing all three. Pictures were of course offered and great compliments paid in return.
Others drifted in including Drift and Springer who along with Kup raised the amusement level by several planetary diameters. Arcee sat beside Magnus, their helms nearly touching as they discussed something personal together. Jetta and Elita watched them carrying on an amusing conversation of their own between them.
Ratchet and Ironhide entered taking their usual seats, relaxing to wait for the Messiah and his appointment secretary, Granny. "Did you know that Orion nearly shot his helm off last night?" Ratchet said to no one and EVERYONE in particular.
The room became still as everyone turned in shock. "What?" was the general response. Ratchet filled them in, then all the optics in the room turned toward Ironhide including a pair on monitors overhead. "WHAT THE FRAG!?" was the general response. Including that on the monitors overhead.
Ironhide shot smoldering optics to Ratchet, smoldering but not in a good way. "You putting our business out there for the city to know?"
Ratchet looked at him enjoying his squirming discomfort. "Yep," he said.
"Ironhide."
Ironhide looked up at the monitors caught in the crossfire of two sets of stern expressions and no nonsense optics. He swallowed. He was in short pants metaphorically once more. "Yes?"
"I am going to pat your servo when I get home," Alor said with stern mock indignation.
"I get the rest," Blackjack said equally as sternly. He on the other servo meant it.
Prowl and Optimus entered at this point as the tide of hilarity swept over them like a tsunami. They glanced at each other, then Optimus grinned. "What's going on?" he asked before the second wave overtook both of them.
=0=TBC
2012 (12)