The Diego Diaries: Shadow Box (261) edited for boo boos :D
-0-At the homestead
Ironhide rummaged in the cupboard for things for dinner. He had handed Sunspot dishes and the little Seeker was happily setting the table. He chattered cheerfully, catching his atar up on the gossip, his views of how cute dogs were and his intense faith in his genitors to make miracles happen.
Ironhide pulled out a number of food items, then opened the fridge. There were more things there so he pulled them our to concoct a mix that might pass muster with Ratchet. He personally had all of the cafes on speed dial, finding in the idea of takeout perfection of purpose and form. The sparklings were sitting on the floor chewing on baby pretzels or some such slag. They looked like crackers he sometimes made do with on bivouac. Probably tasted just as good. He grinned at the sparklings and pulled out three sippy cups. Looking at the spread of strange things on the counter before him, he shook his helm. This was harder than it looked.
-0-Ratchet
He stood in the wash rack out of the viewing and hearing range of Sunspot. :Wheeljack. Perceptor:
:Ratchet, I'm here: Wheeljack replied. :Perceptor is here but he's doing something:
:Okay. I have a hard one for you: Ratchet began. Then he told them.
It was silent on the other end for a moment, then Perceptor replied. :Ratchet … I am assuming you are serious:
:Completely. There is more for this than indulging my son. There are two other sidebars that will be helpful for our people. First of all, the resurrection of our fauna would be a real good thing. I don't know if any exist anymore on Cybertron or if those there are even healthy and reproducing. We could be doing a real solid for our species to resurrect our animals or as many as we can safely and decently. Then there is the option of this dog becoming a service dog for my son. Sunspot has had a hard life and separations are really hard on him emotionally. I want you to listen to the note he included with the statue: Ratchet read it and the line was quiet again on the other end.
:It would take a few naturalists to talk to about their basic mechiology. Then we would have to have sparks from the Well. That would take cooperation from the Temple: Wheeljack said.
:Foxes. I think cyberfox sparks with access to the canine download that would have to be made would be the best fit. They have foxes on Earth and they're from the canine family: Ratchet said. :I already scanned the databases for naturalists and there are two in the University getting engineering degrees. I don't think they expect ever to work with or around our native fauna. How about it? Am I having a pipe dream here or is there a decent chance to make this happen? If it could work out there are plenty of individuals that would benefit from service animals besides my son:
It was silent a moment. Then Perceptor came on the line. :I can see a lot of possibilities, Ratchet. I would assume that you would want this to happen sooner rather than later:
:Sooner, Percy. I know you have a lot on your plate but this is important. Sunspot would benefit from a dog. I have the design specs and I will send the images I took before calling you now: He did, the files reaching Perceptor and Wheeljack almost instantly.
It was silent a moment, the Wheeljack was back on. :This is an interesting design. I am thinking he would want it to meet that design specifically:
:I think he would: Ratchet said.
:Send the engineer's names to us and we'll meet with them about this. I find it an intriguing idea: Perceptor said.
:I do too. We can't guarantee anything of course but the idea of seeing our native animals again would be a good thing: Wheeljack said. :I always liked the foxes:
:Thanks, boys. I knew I could depend on you: Ratchet said.
:We have the science covered. You have to broach this idea to the priests: Wheeljack said, his grin clear to Ratchet over the line.
:Done deal, 'Jack. I'll get back to you: Ratchet said cutting the line. He walked out and paused. The family was sitting at the table noshing an amazing range of food items. "You have a kaleidoscope of food here, Ironhide."
Sunspot smiled. "I like ice cream and vegetables for dinner, Ada."
Ratchet snorted and grinned. "I'm glad. I have to go get something. Can you manage this crew? They look pretty gangsta."
Ironhide smiled. "I think I have it under control."
Ratchet nodded and stepped over sparklings for the door. He ambled to the elevator and took it down to the lobby. A short chat across that big space with fellow residents and he was on the street. It was filled with mechs and the odd femme walking around, some of them familiar and others not so much. As Ratchet crossed the intersection and headed toward the Temple, he passed Shim and Shar who were out looking around. He didn't know them. They knew him. They paused and watched him continue onward until lost from sight in the crowd. They then continued onward themselves.
Ratchet reached the Temple and crossed the courtyard climbing the steps to the platform building. A large number of mechs were there paying their respects and pausing to look at the restored artifacts. Ratchet saw Chevron nearby and walked to him. Bowing his helm respectfully, he smiled. "Chevron, could I speak to you about something please?"
He looked up at Ratchet with a beatific smile. "Of course."
They paused in a nearby alcove together. "What can I do for you, Ratchet?"
"I have a special problem and you will have to be a part of the solution. My son wants a dog. Its an Earth canine that is a special companion to people. He loves dogs. They're like big cyberfoxes. If we can create a protoform for a dog based on his specifications, we would need a spark from the Well. I am thinking a cyberfox would be a close match to dogs. Humans have foxes too and they are from the canine family just like dogs."
The little priest nodded. "Interesting."
"The idea of living on a world without animals bothers me and if we can do this, we can bring back a lot of animals with the help of the Matrix. A dog could benefit my son and a lot of others who are emotionally distraught over their lives. He could become a service dog."
The priest nodded. "I know that foxes have gone to the Matrix. So have all the other animals who have lived on Cybertron. We could ask the Well for a spark to animate the protoform of this dog creature. Do you suppose they will act the same way as a dog or what?"
"I don't know. The databanks of the dog will be filled with information necessary for a dog. How they might assimilate that, I'm not sure. But Wheeljack and Perceptor are going to work out the protoform and internal processor configuration with naturalists from Cybertron. I am hoping that we can do this. We need your assistance with the spark."
Chevron considered the request and nodded. "I think this could be a very good thing. I can think of several mechs and an elderly femme who would benefit from a pet. Would they be big or small?"
"They can be different for different individuals. There are so many dog types on Earth I am amazed," Ratchet said.
Chevron nodded and smiled. "Then I think if it will be given a level of acceptable success we can help you. I am assuming you are speaking of Sunspot?"
Ratchet nodded. "He's longed for a dog since forever. It can be a real benefit for him as a service dog. If this works out, then a lot of sad people will benefit."
"Let us know what you need and when. I think that will be a good thing," Chevron said. They chatted a moment, then Ratchet bowed slightly to him, the AllSpark and Well before turning to leave. He made his way home with a lighter spark and a bigger fear that the entire thing might actually work.
-0-Elsewhere
They entered their apartment, infants in arms and tow. The younglings ran to their room to put things up. Optimus walked to the corridor and continued downward pausing at the door of his genitor's room. They were recharging so he closed the door. Walking back, he sat down with Tie Down and Ravel. "Thank you so much for helping my genitors. It really relieved my processor," he said with a grin. "You two are incredibly wonderful you know."
They looked at him, then each other. "It was our pleasure," Tie said bowing his helm respectfully. Ravel did too. Then he smiled. "You didn't live very far from us, Optimus. You lived in the Eiger District. We lived in the tenement at the start of the dog leg."
"I remember that. I even heard that the makers of the great tools lived there. Things were so crowded we never really met each other," Optimus said leaning back wearily.
Prowl put Miracle down and turned to the two. "You really did a great service, Tie and Ravel. I wish I could tell you how it relieved my processor that Kes and Tagg were taken care of so well."
"We had a good time. We know a lot of mechs in common," Tie said smiling. "It was our pleasure."
"Would you stay for dinner?" Prowl asked sitting in a chair next to Optimus.
"We have to get back. Ratchet might need a stand in for a bit. We thank you for the honor of the invitation," Ravel said bowing his helm in the formal manner.
"We will have a rain check," Optimus said with a smile.
They both looked at him a moment, then he smiled. "We will have you over again."
"We would be honored and delighted," Tie said bowing his helm again.
They chatted a moment, then the pair arose to take the elevator to their floor and Ratchet. When they had left Prowl grinned. "Those two are very formal with you. I find that sweet."
Optimus nodded. "Some things are hard to change."
Prowl nodded then turned to organize their lunch. It was good to be home and together.
-0-Elsewhere
Drift and Springer walked into their apartment and began to unload weapons on the kitchen table. Swords were put into a long sword container stand in the corner, guns were placed on the table and knives on the kitchen counter. Springer opened the fridge and pulled out two 'beers'. Tossing one to Drift, he sat on the couch and parked his peds on the coffee table. Drift joined him and they sipped their drinks a moment.
"I'm beat."
"Me too. That was one long mission. Half a million plus change."
A companionable silence filled the room. Drift glanced at Springer. "You look good when you're slagging a dumb aft. I wanted to tell you then but there were prying audials and optics around."
"I do don't I. In fact, I'm trying to think of a time I don't look good," Springer said with a wink at his bond.
"Insufferable," Drift said with a chuckle. "Are we off a couple of orns or do we start up again tonight?"
"Tonight, I want a frag. And maybe tomorrow. Maybe we better pencil in a frag for around noon," Springer said.
"We better book the alcove then. Slagging mini-cons are back," Drift said rising to walk to the fridge. "There's nothing to eat here. You want a cube or do we order out?"
"Order out. What do you want?" Springer asked.
Drift walked back to sit. "I don't know. What do you want?"
Springer was quiet. "This is going to take a while isn't it?"
Drift nodded. "Probably."
"You aft," Springer said with a grin. "Rock, paper, scissors?"
"You're on," Drift said with a smile.
-0-TBC
2013 (4)