The Diego Diaries: United, One Nation (308)
=0=On the airfield that morning in Autobot City, Mars
The cameras of the city placed everywhere fed a down link from Autobot City through the MCA to Earth. Once a mere 250, they now numbered nearly 600 due to the expansion of the city. The images rotated slowly allowing a view of the goings on here and there. None of the images went out prior to the outing of Optimus without scrutiny. Now they did mostly. None of the cameras were pointed at security or personal areas, they merely showed the streets, the airfield, the Mall of Metroplex, roads between towns, a few of the construction sites and the parks. Images also included the Valles Marineris and other spectacular features of Mars taken from Teletraan III's satellites.
When the view came past the airfield the scene was one of the gathering of groups that would be leaving for Earth. Bots were standing together along with Seekers who would fly escort. They would be leaving shortly and fly together to New York. When the officials came out they would not be on the screen as the scene would be manipulated by IntraComm to allow Optimus, Ratchet, Rainmaker and a late addition, Larc to board without exposure.
Less was more.
-0-Ops Center
Ratchet stood beside Prowl who would be staying in the city. Ironhide would come along with the party to provide 'hulking fragmentation to the slaggers if they get out of line, Ratchet'.
"Hulking fragmentation?" Ratchet had asked with a grin.
A solemn nod from Ironhide met that. "I will frag them to the Pit if they so much as smirk, Ratchet."
"Ah," Ratchet said before punching him in the arm. "My hulking hero."
It did nothing for Ironhide's attitude. Some things change, some never change.
-0-On the way out
They walked together, the four principles who would be speaking to the masses of humanity, most of which were glad that they were among them. What was difficult were the slaggers who wanted to blow up their world to save it.
Larc was spectacular, her long hair in a braid, her horns polished. She was formidable looking, incredibly formidable. She would be a good sight for the humans to see and hear. Optimus had talked with her the night before and both had come to the same conclusion. She had to speak to the reality of her life as the citizen of a conquered species. She could speak not only about the mining slavery that had been the lot of her small group for so long but also the fall of her own world to the Decepticons.
It would be a cautionary tale for the humans on Earth.
Optimus and Rainmaker walked with purpose, both of them incredibly beautiful in their appearance and demeanor. Ratchet followed with Larc and Ironhide. They entered the big ships, Larc, Ratchet and Ironhide with Prime, Rainmaker and his oldest son with Starscream and Thundercracker. The doors closed as the last security mech entered. Then the Seekers rose up in a peal of thunder.
The big ships lifted off and floated out of sight in the blink of an optic. Those on the ground watched until they were gone, then headed onward to their lives. All over the city, every monitor and screen would be tuned to IntraComm's coverage of the event on the third planet from the sun.
-0-At the United Nations, the VIP lounge
"And I am telling you, General, that the brief is mine."
Glenn Morshower stood toe-to-toe with Charlotte Mearing, the smaller woman making up for smaller stature with abrasive irritation. "I am in command of the Global effort. You can whistle Dixie out your ass if you think I will turn over operational control of N.E.S.T and all of the affiliated agencies to you and your political bullshit."
"I don't care what you don't care about, General. I have the brief. You can suck it up," she said coldly.
"We'll see about that. If you think you can boss Optimus Prime around you are more delusional than I think you are already," Morshower said with great disgust.
"I am in charge. He will have to deal," she replied moving to sit on a chair.
Morshower snorted, then chuckled. "I can't wait to see you try to make that happen." Morshower walked to a couch and sat, then turned on the television with a remote. A flick of channels found coverage of the Prime's progress to Earth. They were halfway there so both sat silently, deeply furious at each other and listened to the commentary.
-0-On board
"How much trouble do you suspect this new liaison will make for us?" Prime asked Ratchet.
"A lot probably," Ratchet said. "I am going to be meeting her today but I will make sure that she doesn't speak to any of you. The less contact with her by all of you, the better."
"That's why you are the diplomat," Prime said with a grin.
"This human … they will be a problem?" Larc asked.
"There are some people that are devious in spite of themselves. This woman is not part of the process we went through. She won't have the emotional attachment that all of the others have. That makes her a problem. We have always had problems with the liaisons," Ratchet said.
"I see," Larc said. "Then we must avoid her."
"Bingo," Ratchet said with a grin.
-0-New York
They came in, dozens of brilliantly colored Seekers flying in low. They transformed in air and landed heavily, standing up straight once more. From a distance, it was clear that big ships were coming in too. The cameras followed them as the crowd around the field began to make noise.
Omega was first and landed nearly silently, rolling to a halt in an incredibly short space. Behind him, Kappa came as well coming to a stop behind him. The ships sat quietly, the crowd noises louder than the ships as the Seekers moved to stand in a ring around the vessels. The cameras at the field showed all of it, the images and commentary of the network panels describing and discussing the tableau.
"The ships that brought the Prime, those two ships are sentient," one said.
"They're alive," another echoed. "That is just incredible."
"It is. When they transform according to the Autobot City Information Office of the City Manager, the first one called Omega Supreme is nearly 700 feet tall. The ship with him which is feminine from what they tell us is the same height. Apparently they are siblings."
It was quiet a moment as they watched the doors slide back and ramps come down to the tarmac. Mechs began to come out and take up places with the Seekers, the entire group exuding an air of controlled menace and scary competence. They stood together relaxed and observant as the leadership inside the ships gathered to leave. Local representatives of N.E.S.T and Sector 7 walked to the perimeter of the security team and waited. They didn't have to wait long.
-0-Inside
Larc nodded. "I will fit myself inside, Optimus Prime. I am sorry in advance if it is uncomfortable for you."
Prime grinned slightly. "I have carried mini-cons in my cab. You will be an easy cargo I assure you." He glanced at the others, then nodded. Moving to the hatch, he transformed and opened a door. Larc looked inside, then climbed in fitting better than she thought she would. The door closed, then Prime drove forward moving down the ramp to the tarmac below. He moved forward pausing at the security ring for the others. Nearby, a Cybertronian aircraft rolled down the ramp of Kappa Supreme.
Rainmaker exited followed by his son. They moved to the open space beside her and waited in their flight format. No one watching really understood what they were watching but it was awesome anyway. Two jets of a strange design had rolled out of a monster ship. That was breathtaking. It was as intriguing as the endless line of trucks and vehicles rolling out of both to join a Peterbilt tractor with red flames.
:Are we ready to go everyone?: Prime asked.
:Affirmative: -Ironhide
:Affirmative, Prime: -Jazz and Mirage
:Roger that, good buddy: -Ratchet to snickers all around
Others affirmed so they gathered to go, some of them holding N.E.S.T personnel and others in their cabs. General Morshower was already onsite along with other N.E.S.T officials and they would hook up at the United Nations.
Security vehicles formed up with Prime in the middle and headed for the gate where they would be escorted by NYPD vehicles and helicopters. As they did, the two alien flying vessels lifted off and flew into the sky disappearing immediately.
"What do you suppose that is about?" a commentator asked.
"No one is clear on the speakers coming beyond the Prime and Ambassador Ratchet. Those two might be anyone or anything," another replied.
The commentary went on.
-0-The ride over
It was a short ride between the airport and the United Nations Plaza. Ratchet had come this way before so he led off, Prime and the others following. It was a spectacular array of concept, foreign made and home grown vehicles that followed. All along the way, humans waved, watched and held signs. It was hard to tell how the feeling of those present went. Prowl would examine the visuals being broadcast to determine from them some of the sentiment in New York City.
By the time they turned off onto 1 United Nations Plaza the intensity was huge on the television screens and among those watching. The unlikely group turned into the VIP entry and passed high security stations that were supplemented with N.E.S.T personnel and SWAT teams from the New York City Police Department. They disappeared from view as overhead, two unusual flying machines came in for a landing behind the buildings that blocked everyone's view.
-0-Behind the building in a big parking area
Glenn Morshower stood with his aides, his expression schooled to mild rage and not the full Monty. He had come back several days before after a brief stint at Autobot City. He was feeling the burn of Mearing. It was coupled with an intense desire to protect and assist the greatest collection of individuals he had ever met. The sheer decency and courage of the bots coming to this uncertainty, to face the possibility of intrigue and maniacal self interest among some present was their glory and he was determined to safeguard them and their interests. Autobot interests and his own coincided both professionally and personally. He would make sure it remained that way.
Two jets transformed and dropped to the ground lightly. They stood together, a confluence of intensely beautiful power and dignity. They would be Rainmaker and his son, Ebony. Ratchet transformed as did Jazz and Ironhide. He turned and grinned at Morshower. "Hello, Glenn. Good to see you here."
"Wild horses couldn't keep me away, Ratchet." He moved closer as Ratchet bent down and they conversed quietly, their words swallowed up in the sounds of transformation around them. Ratchet nodded and glanced at the intense human femme standing nearby with a number of her own aides. He stood and grinned down at Morshower as Larc stepped out of Optimus's cab.
Larc stood a moment staring around herself, then Ratchet knelt again. "Glenn, I don't know if you have ever met Larc but she is here to speak personally about what it means to have a Decepticon force destroy your life."
Morshower looked up at the incredible figure before him and nodded holding out his hand. "I am honored to meet you. Welcome to Earth."
Larc looked at him, then extended a huge hand taking his carefully. "Thank you, General. I am understanding that you are a friend of Autobot Nation."
"I am honored to say so and I also have citizenship from the Prime himself, something I treasure," he replied.
"Then you are a friend of my people too," Larc said nodding.
That is when Charlotte Mearing stepped forward.
-0-Inside
They came in and sat, the diplomats and leaders of the world. The room was bulging with people and the cameras panned the room as they waited. A commentator having been given word mentioned that Ambassador Ratchet would do the introductions and that there would be two speakers before the Prime himself. Both of them were individuals who could speak with authority on the situation in the galaxy in general and Megatron in particular. As they covered the dead space before Ratchet was to talk, a big door opened out back as a white and red rescue vehicle began the journey to the General Assembly room through a specially designed route.
-0-Moments before
"I would like to speak to you, Ambassador Ratchet," she said looking up at Ratchet without much expression and less fear than Ratchet had come to expect from newcomers to their species.
"I have a speech to deliver right now," Ratchet said. "I suppose we can talk at the airport before we leave."
"That would be inadequate," she replied. "I need to talk to you about a number of issues since it appears that you will be the official interface between me and Optimus Prime."
"I have a speech," Ratchet replied.
"And I have the Autobot brief, Ambassador. If you can't give me a moment of your time, please point out your Prime and I will discuss my concerns with him."
"No. You won't. You may not speak to anyone without my permission and theirs," Ratchet said kneeling down. "You will make an appointment, Ms. Mearing. You will use respect for a sovereign and his staff or you will get nothing."
She looked at him, then the others including a smirking Morshower. She frowned at him. "You need to wipe that smirk off your face, General. I don't think you will be smiling if you keep it up."
"Make me," he replied lightly.
Ratchet grinned and turned as an official of N.E.S.T came forward. "Mr. Ambassador, they are ready for you."
Ratchet nodded. "Thank you, Boyd." He glanced at Mearing. "Make an appointment. I have to go be famous now." He rose and walked to the big doors pausing a moment as he did. "Given the gravity of the situation and the need for our delegation to have a moment to compose their thoughts, don't let this person speak to anyone. We don't need distractions right now."
Boyd and Ironhide nodded with a grim expression. "Consider it done," the big hulking fragmentation device said in his mud flavored voice.
Then Ratchet turned, transformed and disappeared inside. Larc who was watching moved closer to stare at Mearing. Mearing looked upward barely registering her surprise at the alien before her. She was good at containing everything but irritation.
Ironhide grinned. "Larc, meet Mearing. Mearing, meet the finest slagging femme I ever met."
Larc glanced at Ironhide, her ears flicking with amusement. "Why thank you, Ironhide," she replied in her deep voice.
"Femme?" Mearing asked in surprise.
Morshower grinned with grim satisfaction. "Damned right," he said.
-0-Inside
Ratchet rolled to the space next to the podium where he would speak, then stopped. Behind him four vehicles entered, transformed and walked to stand along the wall behind him. Jazz with his visor and gleaming white, blue and black paint scheme looked mysterious. Mirage who moved to stand beside him looked only a smidge disdainful. Springer and Drift stood on the other side of the door, relaxed, calm, slight grins on their handsome faces.
As they finally relaxed into place, Ratchet transformed. He rose up and stood, unbelievably tall, a sweet expression on his face. He glanced at Ban-Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations and nodded. Secretary General Moon bowed slightly then walked to the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of the nations of the world, presidents and ministers, leaders of the nations of Earth, welcome to a special meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations. We have come together to discuss the growing menace of terrorist groups that stand in opposition to our allies, Optimus Prime and Autobot Nation.
"I would like on behalf of all the nations and peoples of this body to welcome Ambassador Ratchet, Chief Medical Officer of the Autobot Armed Forces, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and personal representative of the Prime of Cybertron to our halls. I would like to turn the podium over to you, sir. Thank you."
Applause filled the room then died down, expectation replacing welcome in the vast room. Ratchet nodded and turned looking over the room, discretely scanning all present as well as the structure itself. There were sick people in the room he concluded so he would quietly do what he always did at moments like this when he had a second. He would send his findings to the relevant individuals. He would save six lives and mitigate the effects of major illness for four others. He glanced at the bots behind him who grinned and nodded. Then he looked at the gathered representatives and leaders of the nations of Earth. "Thank you, Mr. Secretary for the invitation and the opportunity for me to tell you about my own people and our long long journey," he began.
-0-TBC
05-20-13