The Diego Diaries: A Wandering Tale 3 (311)
-0-At the United Nations, New York City, USA, Earth
He stood before them, magnificent and remarkable. Looking around the room, he paused. "Good evening. I am Optimus Prime." His voice was rich and surprising to the delegates. It wasn't what a person would expect from a thirty foot machine. "I am honored to come here with my colleagues to talk to you about the troubles that have settled upon the Earth. Before I do that, I would like to express my most deeply felt condolences to the families who have been harmed by the forces who stand against us. I wish to express them for myself and for my people.
"For now, we stand at a crossroad. You have a choice before you that could have grave consequences for your world that could include extermination of your species. We who have suffered the ultimate penalty for the poor choices of our people can only watch you with concern. When we came here it was to retrieve an artifact with great meaning to our people. We weren't aware that Megatron was here as well. When he freed himself, we stayed to defend this planet and the humans that we had become to know as brothers.
"When he was defeated, it was with mutual effort between your species and mine. He has left this world to gather allies together to reclaim all that he feels belongs to him. He wants dominion of the universe and that includes Earth. For you to ignore or minimize this reality has incredible consequences for your future.
"We have carved out a niche for ourselves on Mars. When I called for soldiers to come, our people came too. They were a trickle that has become a flood. There was no place here on this Earth that would allow for us to take care of them so I did what I am obligated to do. I began a colony on Mars for them to come and be rescued. Megatron has ordered the Decepticons to root out our civilian population wherever they are found and to drive them here, harassing them all along the way. It is our belief that he means to overwhelm us and destroy all of us together in one spot. Our efforts to overcome that have allowed us to absorb wave after wave of refugee and be ready if he comes behind them.
"With our suffering multitudes come Seekers who have been given a death order by Megatron to end the perceived threat of their leadership against his rule. The Seekers have always protected each other against his capricious orders and he has run out of patience with them. Thousands of them came and still come, answering their Great Elder and me. They come and are an asset to the defense of this system and the quality of our life as Cybertronians.
"Among those who have come are Decepticons. They have turned their backs on their Cause and have found common ground with us. Our military ranks swell with them, their steadfast determination to oppose Megatron unquestioned.
We work together everyday to make sure that the system as we have sealed it is still secured against anyone with bad intentions against us.
"Doing so, we have identified three locations out there that are being built up by Decepticons that have gone their own way. They are outside the radius of our territory and are yet to become a threat. In some small way, they help us in that they fracture the Decepticon forces, dilute their ability to function as an autonomous entity and undermine the authority of Soundwave who now caretakes Cybertron.
"All of this would have happened with or without the containment of Megatron on Earth all those years because of the finding of energon in this system to such an extent. It is the life blood of our species and is rare enough that they would have come for it even if they had no other reason to be here. You are inexplicably intertwined with us, your species and mine. We are here to defend you and collect our scattered people in the process. It is my duty to do both.
"Ratchet has told you something of our life on Cybertron. It was a hard existence for too many. Some entire segments of our population were considered of little value by others. We had a revolution that nearly destroyed us, a revolution that is continuing as our people come to understand that the values of Megatron are no better than the values of the past when the few ruled ruthlessly over the many.
"For so many years now, we have served side-by-side with the soldiers of N.E.S.T and with civilians who have been a part of the effort to protect this planet. We have come to love and respect them, these individuals who work hard to make sure that everyone of you are safe. General Morshower and his soldiers are our brothers and sisters.
"The forces of reaction that believe that Megatron will leave here if we do are wrong. Megatron has been offended and he won't allow that lapse to go unpunished. The energon alone will bring him back. The offenses he feels will allow him to destroy you without regret. Those who say otherwise are operating with delusions and if you follow them, you will go the way of too many worlds who thought the same way.
"Larc of the Amacar told you of the tragedy that befell her people. They were advanced and capable, but no match for Megatron. Given all that, there is no hope for you should you be alone to defend against the invasion of Decepticons that he has planned for you when he gets back with allies.
"I am aware of the sentimental value of the planets and other bodies in this system into your thinking. I appreciate how strange it must be to see me and know that we exist. It can upset a neatly managed mental apple cart and bring all sorts of questions to mind. What I would hope you would remember is simple.
"We are here to protect you. We have families and friends, a city and culture, allies and comrades from all manner of places that we will defend too. Our people come and come. We are approaching two million now. We have no place to put them but Mars. I have many duties. Some of them are to you but most of them are to the people I was chosen to lead. I will gather them, care for and protect them with all the tenacity and skill that I bring to the effort to protect you. It is who I am and what I am supposed to do.
"All I ask of you is to understand the incontrovertible fact that it is delusional to think that our removal from this system takes you off Megatron's radar. That would be dead wrong." He paused a moment, then glanced at Morshower. "General, I would like Earth to know how much I appreciate what you and your forces bring to the table. Thank you for your support and continued effort in the battle to end aggression against all of us." Morshower nodded, his expression filled with conviction.
Optimus looked at the crowd a moment, then shifted. "I would hope that after all we have done together, the human forces and us that you would have confidence in our ability to protect this system and her residents. Anything less than our combined effort is suicidal and extinction-making. I greatly appreciate the opportunity for us to speak to you. I would hope that you take time to reflect on what you have heard and perhaps our alliances will be the better for it. Thank you." Prime nodded, then turned and walked back to the door. He disappeared from sight, then the sound of transformation and a powerful engine revving was heard.
Ratchet who peered down the hallway turned and walked back to the platform. "Before I go, I would like to show you some of the stuff we bring to the table. You have seen many different bots doing many different things over the years both on the MCA via IntraComm or other media. The four bots with me are front line soldiers, all of them extremely veteran and capable. But there is one bot that has a wonderful capability and I would ask him to show you now." Ratchet turned to look at Mirage. He smirked slightly, then stood straighter. As he did he disappeared completely.
The room was silent a moment, then a murmur went around the space. Ratchet grinned as he followed Mirage on his sensors. The bot crossed the room and stood by the door through which access to the great space was made. Then he reappeared. Humans startled, then sat looking up at him as murmurs buzzed. As they did, he disappeared and returned to his place coming into focus again.
"That is Mirage, an aptly named bot who can do that among other things. This is the level of skill and technology that we can bring to the fight. And even as we can, so can Megatron. How many of you sitting in this room can say you have a defense against what you just saw? Anyone?" Ratchet looked around the big room full of delegates and leaders who looked at him silently. "That is what you face. That is what we bring to the fight. If you give in to the terrorists who kill your people to save them from us, what will you do when Megatron comes? That is the central question of this moment isn't it. What do you do if you are wrong and Megatron comes?"
It was silent a moment, then Ratchet grinned. "Thank you for the invitation to speak. On behalf of the Prime of Cybertron and our people, I wish you the best and our condolences go out to the people of Earth who are suffering because of the hateful actions of their own fellows." With that, Ratchet turned and walked out the door followed by the four soldiers who had come with him. The sounds of transformation and engines running filled the air as the delegates sat listening.
Secretary General Bank-ki Moon arose and walked the podium. "This concludes the general assembly gathering. Thank you very much." At that, the gathered humans arose and began to talk to each other. As they did, the camera noticed that General Morshower's chair was empty.
-O-In the hallway
Glenn Morshower walked to Springer's truck and climbed in settling back. They were slowly working their way out of the building into the big parking lot out back. When he arrived, he climbed out and walked to Prime entering his cab. "General, thank you for coming," Optimus said.
"I would be here no matter what. What do you think?" Glenn asked.
"I believe short speeches by many speakers trumps one person speaking at length," Prime said through his radio.
"I thought you laid out the case and even if folks don't like you being here, they have the testimony of Larc and the Elder to consider. I think you did a good job," Morshower replied.
"It is my hope that they have something to think about. I don't want to have anyone suffering any further denial about the possibilities," Prime replied.
They sat together discussing the situation, then Morshower brought up Mearing. "I don't like her and she doesn't like me. She's going to be a problem. She won't treat you respectfully."
"Thank you for the heads up," Prime replied. "I have met those like her for a long time. We shall see what she can and can't do about us."
Ratchet sitting next to them tooted his horn. "You did a great job, Optimus," he said through Prime's radio. "Short and sweet. Given that you are the Chosen One leading us up the primrose path to glory and all, I suspect that you turned the focus off us and back on the homegrown bad guys. Not bad for an alien messiah."
Morshower chuckled. "I sometimes have to think hard about whether you are bullshitting me or telling the truth, Ratchet."
"You and me both, Glenn," Optimus said, a smile in his voice. "Do you need a lift anywhere?"
Morshower grinned. "I have one but I am coming for the game next weekend."
"I'll save you a spot," Optimus said. Farewells were given and the line up gathered as they began the short nine mile trek back to the airport. By the time they were loaded and heading back to Mars, the flash polls taken by news organizations all over the world showed elevated strong support for N.E.S.T and the Autobots.
Mission accomplished. For now.
-0-TBC
05-21-13