The Diego Diaries: Week End (306)
-0-Morning in Autobot City, Mars
Shift change in Ops Center was slow, the incoming coming in slower than the outgoing going out. Mocking jokes and fist bumps were exchanged as the teams passed each other. The overnight intel was quiet, nothing of too much import to speak about. Three battle groups that were being tracked this way, all of them Decepticon were still coming. Paragon was instituting regular flights around his territory and Soundwave was supplying his fortress. The other base across the way from the migration trail was still a bit of a cipher.
Prowl appeared at the doorway as the Gamma team took their places. He walked to communications and downloaded the overnight dump. Chatting a moment, he turned and walked back out heading for the rec room and breakfast with the fam. It was his weekend but they would only have today.
Unless something ELSE happened.
Right now, they had today before the United Nations would beckon. Such was the burden of leadership.
He headed back walking through the doorway to the rec room. The younglings and Miracle were eating at a pair of tables pushed together. Venture and Miler sat with them along with Kestrel and Tagg. They were chatting happily caring for the infants. Prowl joined them sitting with a cube as he enjoyed himself too. A subroutine was sorting the data dump.
-0-In the Bosom of Love
They sat together going over the meeting that would occur the next orn in New York City. Rainmaker listened in on the link as they discussed that format and the content of their joint presentation. Ironhide listened, entering a comment or two. The importance of Prime's appearance was going to be super critical to human opinion making. Support in some places was softening although overall, their continued alliance with Earth was still enjoying majority support. When the two objectives were met Prime sat back and relaxed a bit. Then he said it. "I would like you to come and make the introductions."
"No."
(Grin)-Optimus and Ratchet
-0-Shortly after Optimus left
"I don't like it."
"I don't care. I'm going. Watch that toy. Its his favorite."
(Sidestep) "I don't like it. Why does he need introductions? He's Optimus Slagging Prime. Everyone knows that."
"Ironhide, allow me to explain slag." (Gimlet optics fix on big hulking mech picking up toys as three little mechs look up at him with adoring optics and big smiles) "We are trying to not only shore up support but build more. That takes finesse and organization. Optimus Slagging Prime can't just walk to the podium and say, 'Hi. I'm Optimus Slagging Prime'. We need to present an image that favors our position."
"And you standing there saying 'hi, this is Optimus Slagging Prime' is part of that?" (Big black hulking mech stares down at slightly bigger (tonnage-wise) hulking red and white mech) "Really?"
"This is why I'm the slagging diplomat and you're the go boom guy." (Grin) "You're so cute when you're a doofus."
"Don't try to use The Sexy on me, Ratchet. I'm made of steel. I don't bend. I can't be manipulated." (Extra gimlet optics meet red and white bemusement)
A fat chuckle emanates from somewhere below. Both sets of optics gimlet or otherwise look down. Three little mechs are looking up at them as a tiny femme toddles over to join. They stare up with gigantic smiles as a little banded black mech issues a fat chuckle from his little pie hole. "ADA!"
"What, Orion?"
"YOU FUNNY!"
Ratchet chuckled himself as he surveyed the blossoms in his little garden. Four of them were looking up as the last one who was sitting in Praxus's bouncy chair nearby gazed at his fist. "How did all of you get so cute all of a sudden?" he asked them.
"A!" Hero smiled brilliantly as she stood dwarfed by her three brothers. Spot got up from his pillow near the window and walked up too, licking the back of Hero's helm as he did. She fell forward and disappeared behind Praxus. He turned and reached down to drag her back up. She looked at him with a tiny frown, then stood up looking at Ratchet with a mild look of WTF! "A!"
"You take this one, Ironhide," Ratchet said with a smirk. "Your princess needs consolation."
Ironhide grinned as he plucking the waif from the floor. "Come with me, Hero. I'll take care of you."
She sat in his hand smiling like the sun. Glancing down at the others, looking over at Ratchet, she pointed at Ironhide.
"That's me," Ironhide said with a grin. "Your old mech."
"Ada, what do we do today?" Sunspot asked with a big smile. "Are you both going to be home today?"
"We are I think," Ratchet replied. "Are you going to go to the park with Grandada and Grandatar later on?"
"We are," Sunspot said with a smile.
"Good," Ratchet said. "How about house cleaning now?"
They all groaned.
Even Hero.
-0-At the park later on
They sat on a bench watching as families and younglings went about their business. The park was among five big developments dedicated to recreation and contemplation at present in the city. This park, the one Metroplex provided was The Park. Others were known by their location or housing development. All of them were the common shared areas of the city. Even Aerie Hill made common areas for their residents.
Younglings were playing nearby, a ball game and they sat looking at it with interest and a bit of longing. As they sat, they noticed another of the animals they had seen here and there running into the park. He was followed by a yellow and white Seeker their size and a big mech carrying a tiny femme. Behind him on leashes, two more came singing and talking to each other and everyone they passed. Behind them, the doctor that they had spoken to earlier followed holding a blanket wrapped sparkling. He was talking to four other mechs, all of them part of a group. Maybe a family.
Sunspot ran to the swings nearby and turned running back. He subbed a ball and threw it for Spot. That dog ran like the wind and caught it in mid bounce, turning on a dime to run back. Sunspot took it then turned to throw again. He paused a moment, then smiled. Walking across the open space will all the confidence children who are deeply loved feel, he paused before the three sitting on their bench. "Hi."
They looked at him, then Spot, then each other. "Hi," Cardinal said. "What is that?" he asked pointing at the dog who was waiting excitedly for another throw of the ball.
"THAT IS SPOT! HE'S MY DOG!" Sunspot said with his usual burst of joy and love. "Do you want to throw his ball? He'll chase it and bring it back to you."
Cardinal hesitated, then rose taking the ball. Looking at the dog, he turned and threw it. Spot was off like a shot and caught the ball in an airborne grab that was beautiful to see. He landed and ran back dropping the ball at Cardinal's peds. The red Seeker youngling smiled and looked at the others who were watching with interest. "Did you see that? I like this dog." He picked up the ball and threw it again.
They would take turns throwing it, chasing Spot around and playing with the other kids in the ball game. By the time they were ready for lunch, Ironhide and Ratchet had guests for the meal and Terradive had three new students for his class.
-0-Trine
They walked to the studio infants in servo, Bluestreak carrying the toy and 'kid stuff' bag following. The streets were busy and so were the sidewalks as the city's residents took advantage of the weekend and sales in several stores that provided housewares and home design products.
Apparently, it was 'Do It Yourself Weekend' in that Guild. When they had reached the studio, Blue intended to go to the Mall of Metroplex and The Housewares Store to get a picture frame for several new images of the infants created by Sunstreaker.
The sun was warm overhead and the energy of the city happy. Humans buzzed here and there, their presence as much a part of the city as anything else. Now and then, Hu An could be seen heading for this or that, mostly the museum to learn about their hosts and allies. The movie theaters were bursting with individuals who were there to watch the first four episodes of Transformers: Prime, Season 3 shown at the theater in Terra. 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' played at the one that was once in Metroplex but now had a new home in the Polyhex Business Plaza.
A new phenomenon, street vendors occupied the odd corner providing traditional Cybertronian and human street food to passersby. The aroma added to the experience of being outside. It was considered a hit especially among the hung over.
Knockout and Breakdown walked down the street heading for the club, Hoyle's, where they hung out and played cards. It was a beautiful place filled with games, the best hooch available and good food. Card games, billiards and darts were available along with good music and no distractions.
Billiards had been a revelation. The humans' game was very popular among the mechs and Knockout found he had a talent for it. Smokescreen did too. He was going to beat that slagger today. It seemed that Smokescreen lived there when he wasn't working. As for working, they were off until swing shift. Then the next weekend was theirs. He had almost signed off on the wrong weekend with Ratchet.
The slagger.
They paused long enough to look at something called 'hot dogs with slaw, chili and/or kraut', then moved on jonesing for something more traditional at the club. They disappeared into the crowds.
-0-At the Bosom of Love
"This is great."
"Thank you, Cardinal. I'm glad you like it. I chose what I thought growing Seekers would enjoy." Ratchet grinned at the four Seeker younglings sitting around his table eating 'pizza' by the fistful and drinking the Cybertronian version of root beer. They were relaxing in the comfort of a family atmosphere and the good energy of Sunspot.
That little mech was DELIGHTED to have HIS FRIENDS COME OVER, ADA!
So was his extended family.
Blackjack and Alor sat on a couch by the window in the extended living room feeding Orion and Praxus who kept up a hilarious commentary on the three new faces in their midst. Ravel and Tie Down sat across from them on another couch juggling their own food. Ironhide sat in his chair and Ratchet commanded the galley with good humor.
Spot on the other servo roamed around the table laying his tongue lolling face on the table for a bite. He got them too. Lots of chuckles and giggles met his sweet efforts as he wagged his tiny tail and grinned back.
The younglings had played all morning with Sunspot going from the swings to the other toys to the field for ball. By the time they were ready to go, the Seekers were incredibly ready to come too. They were sweet, young, needy and fun.
"So … are you younglings going to school with Sunny?" Ratchet ventured.
The Seekers looked at each other, then smiled nodding. "If its this fun, yes. We want to go to school. I do," Cardinal said.
"I don't want anyone to laugh at me," Raptor said pausing his glass before his mouth. "I don't know how to read much. Or write."
"No one will laugh," Sunspot said. "Our class is awesome. Our teacher, Mr. Terradive? He's just the most awesome teacher."
Every adult in the room grinned. Ratchet squeezed Raptor's shoulder. "No one laughs at anyone anymore. We all are one. Remember that."
They looked at Ratchet, then each other. "Will we get to learn how to read better?" Farrell asked hopefully. "I saw some books in The Book Store that I think would be fun."
"You will, sparkling. We'll help you," Ravel said nodding. Everyone else did too.
The door opened with a knock and Sideswipe peered in. "Hi."
He entered followed by Bluestreak, Sunstreaker and Dawg. They paused looking at the infants. "Looks like you have company," Bluestreak said with a grin.
"We do. We have friends of Sunspot in for lunch. They're going to be in his classroom," Ratchet said taking the bull by the horns.
Sunstreaker nodded looking at the smile on Sunspot's face. "Awesome," he said nodding too.
-0-Later
They walked along the street, four youngling Seekers and two front-liners. They were going on a tour of the place, getting the lowdown on where to go and not, what to do and not from two who would know. It would be an thrilling afternoon for three hesitant little Seekers and one bursting at the seams with happiness. That they would wander in the company of 'two of the most awesome slagging dogs in the entire solar system' would be a bonus.
-0-TBC
05-18-2013