The Diego Diaries: Shadow Box 60 edited for boo-boos :D
-0-On the way back
Ratchet rode with the wounded through the gate and landed as the rest of the process still unfolded on the other side. He had mused on Prime's dream, on his access to the mythical yet very real gods of their people's existence. It seemed normal to him that Optimus would as Matrix bearer have access to such beings. Ratchet himself had seen ghosts as a youngling.
He had talked it over with his genitors and found out that they did exist and that his sighting, while rare was not out of the realm of possibility. Ratchet had been mollified and had looked for them again but had not seen any since that first startled sighting. He had seen them, the shades of mechs who had died in poverty long before his time. That Optimus communed regularly with individuals that had no presence in the 'real' world beyond the odd appearance at the Festival of Primus was normal. His comment of meeting Solus was comforting.
It was 'normal' for almost all their people.
Ratchet helped take the patients to the hospitals, sending them to this place or that specialist until they were all settled. Then ships came in with the rest of the hostage slaves and the sullen groups of Decepticons taken prisoner. He loved to see the 'Cons come in expecting a dusty crowded military installation with zero amenities and find their 'camp' to be a great bustling colony with three rising identifiable 'cities'.
It was fun to watch them gasp and gawk around at the high rises and commercial enterprises. To spy the Temple dome and see the air field with its array of military vessels was bad enough but to see the number of Guardians and other giants that graced the city, that was processor blowing for them. None missed the presence of Metroplex.
He turned to Ops Center passing through the lines of bots returning who were being gently taken through processing. They would be interviewed for what they could say about the 'Cons and for the databases that would help them reunite with missing loved ones. He noticed a number of dissidents who had been already reclaimed moving among the civilians seeking their colleagues and friends who had not been as lucky to get away as they were. It was uplifting to say the least.
He walked into the Fortress and Ops Center pausing beside Prowl. "What about the aliens? What do we need to do to help them with a habitat and food supply?"
"We have preliminary intel that allows us to house them in our original underground barracks until we build a habitat to specifications. Their wrist devices will keep them comfortable and fully maintained until we design with their assistance a place that will be adequate and comfortable for them. They have a food source that they are bringing that they make from a replicating device of some type. They have the basic elements that they need, then they grow it. They keep to a very simple diet off world and this suffices when they are away from home. All we have to do is give them a place to live and rest."
"When are they coming?" Ratchet asked.
"They are coming when Optimus comes," Prowl said. "They asked to come with him."
"I see," Ratchet said nodding. "You don't think we tripped some cultural thing about 'you saved my life, now I owe you it' do you?"
Prowl glanced at him sharply. "I hope not. That isn't necessary."
"Taboos, Prowl, taboos and customs. We had better look in the database to see if there is more material on them."
Prowl turned and keyed in the files which came up. They studied them a moment, then glanced at each other. "I like these people, Prowl. They are honorable and they resisted the Decepticons until they couldn't."
He nodded. "I do too."
As they read and learned more from the condensed file from Shockwave's database, the ships were coming through the bridges. When they were all clear, the bridge team collapsed the aperture, the bright lights overhead dying away. In the gathering dusk of the orn, it was normal once more above the city.
-0-Moments later
Prime walked into the Ops Center, Larc by his side. The big bovine-appearing alien was attentive to her surroundings and curious as well as courteous as she walked to where Prowl and Ratchet stood. :Larc, this is Prowl:
Larc nodded. :Prowl, it is an honor to meet you, bond of Optimus Prime:
Prowl nodded. :I am honored to meet you, Larc. Your people are an extraordinary species:
:You have been reading about us from the criminal's data files: Larc asked, her demeanor calm and interested.
Prime grinned slightly. :Larc's people are telepathic, empathic and psychic:
Prowl looked at Prime evaluating the comments. He considered two of them plausible and the last one difficult for his calculator shaped logic to accept. :I see:
:You doubt me: Larc said nodding. :That is normal. I am often given that response by outsiders. We seldom mingle among them for that and many other reasons beyond trade and commercial ventures:
:It was not included in the files: Ratchet said meeting the alien's telepathy with his own internal communications, which seemed completely acceptable to the tall alien.
:We have not let the Decepticons know much about the internal aspect of our uniqueness. We have enough trouble with them knowing all that they do. As for your doubts about my ability to know things that no one should know, I am aware of your resolved conflict with your parents. They are Venture and Miler, a decent couple who were constrained by their life and social status and regret it deeply:
Prowl blinked. He glanced at Prime who looked surprised as well. Larc turned and looked up at Prime. :We are able to sense things big or small and sometimes know them ahead of time. We are a telepathic people and have highly developed mental abilities. We accept it as normal. I don't expect that others will find that as easy to do. But then, the universe is vast and there are many mysteries in it:
:What do you know about me that you pick up?: Ratchet asked with a grin.
:You will reproduce soon, a male. You are keeping that information secret from everyone so I will not divulge more: Larc then looked at Prime. :Your parents live:
For a moment, Prime just stared at Larc, then he shifted with surprise. :What?:
:I feel a strong indication that your parents live. They are lost on your home world, correct?: Larc asked.
Prime nodded glancing at Prowl, then the tall alien.
:I sense that they are alive and have been protected. They have been hidden. They live and await a chance to leave. There are strong factors surrounding their images. They are strongly protected:
Prime stared at her a moment. :Where would they be?:
:I see them inside a golden circle. They are surrounded by a circle: Larc replied.
Prowl glanced at Optimus. :The Circle of Light?:
:I don't know: Larc replied. :All I see is a circle of gold. I felt this about you from the moment I saw you. I get impressions. I am not as capable at this as some. I get mere glimpses usually and all along I have had flashes of mechanical beings that coalesced a while ago. They are in a golden circle and they have your symbol on their chests. Oversized versions of this symbol: Larc said pointing to the glyph on Prime's arm that was his family name.
Pax.
He looked at Larc. :Do you see where they are?:
:I don't get much even on a good day. This is unusual for me. I see a circle with them inside. I don't know where it is. I just know they are alive and protected:
It was silent a moment, then Prime nodded. :Thank you for this:
:I will give you caveats, Optimus Prime. What we see is real but the imagery will be yours to interpret. I can only give you the pictures that come to me. I can't do more:
He nodded. :Thank you:
Larc nodded. :We are your allies, Prime. What we can do we offer to you. We have skills and are very good with energy. We can use it in any number of ways. We are very strong telepaths. Our technology allows us to fly our ships by telepathic means. We can make machines run by the same method which is why they took us to that mining location:
Prime nodded. :You will be allowed to live and work here as you choose. We are a free people and we welcome you as allies and friends:
Larc nodded. :Thank you:
Prime turned to Flint. :Are the quarters ready for our guests?:
Flint nodded. :They are:
:We will build to your specifications the quarters you need but until then, we have taken your rcommendations and had a space remodeled to house you and your people. Please let us know if there is anything that you require. We will do our best to accommodate you. Your comfort is important to us:
Larc bowed slightly. :Thank you, Optimus Prime: Glancing at Flint, the two turned and walked out to head down Central Corridor to the remodeled barracks that had been put together for the new guests.
Prime watched them go, then felt Prowl's servo on his arm. Glancing down, he peered into the concerned face of his bond. "Are you alright?"
Prime nodded. "I am."
"Do you believe that? I'm not an expert on their species but it can hardly be true can it? How would they know?"
"They are a powerful telepathic species, Prowl. The power of the mind can do amazing things. They could be reading the energy of Prime's processor or seeing things about him that stick to him, things we can't see. Who knows? You and I both know that the universe is filled with really strange beings. Those elementals for instance."
Prowl nodded, his concerned optics focused on Prime. "You are upset."
Prime looked at him. "I am but … now there's hope. I can only imagine they are on Cybertron and that the circle Larc sees is the Circle of Light. They must be protected by Dai Atlas and the underground."
"Imagine what Megatron and Soundwave would do if they ever got their servos on your parents," Ratchet said nodding.
Prime nodded grimly. "I can."
-0-Far away
They made their way to the underground cavern that was going to be their home for a while. Dai Atlas was due soon and they would have a chance to find out what the future might bring. It was getting difficult to keep them safe. The revolution was spreading and the networking of the underground was rising up into the hierarchy, spidering into the structure of the Decepticon High Command. As they took more chances, they secured their own structures as tightly as they could. But the risk was still there.
It was becoming more and more difficult to ensure that the genitors of the Prime would remain free and safe. The newest place was the safest thus far. Until they established contact with Optimus, the pattern of moving every decaorn or so was the life they would continue to live.
Kestrel sat on a bench, his body aching from the cold and rain. He was debilitated after a short illness but slowly climbing back to normal. Tag sat beside him, the two staring at the fire which gave warmth to both. Around them working efficiently mechs were building components for the listening devices and communications networks that were being laid all over the planet.
The link from Prime would be made soon and they would be able to talk to the colony where the Autobots were regrouping about the needs of Cybertron and her oppressed starving people. There would be many items of business but chief among them was getting the genitors of Optimus Prime off world.
As they sat weary in their misery, they had no idea that in mere orns they would be reunited with their long lost son once more.
-0-TBC
2013 (3) For Pip
NOTE: Paying homage to 'Starscream's Ghost' in this segment. :D
ENVY: A PUG?! BWAHAHAHAAHA! Too cute and besides, who can appreciate a pug face more than Ratchet? :D