The Diego Diaries: Dance (316)
-0-Later that night in Ops Center
Prowl and Prime walked in pausing at the center table where Blackjack and Ironhide stood waiting. Jazz was working at the sensor station and Mirage was manning intel at the communications station. "What do we have?" Prime asked.
"We have a message, Optimus," Jazz said turning to walk to the center table, a datapad in his servos. "We have a message from one of the three Decepticon battle groups we've been tracking."
"What does it say?" Prowl asked taking the datapad to peruse the data.
Jazz nodded to Mirage and he commed it over the system. "Optimus Prime, this is Commander Shield. I lead a Decepticon battle group and we have heard your signal. We want to talk about terms for settlement at your base. If you are interested, this is our frequency." The data was read by the Commander, then he spoke again. "We are looking for a home port. We know you are interested in getting the battle groups out of the game. We are interested in what you offer. Call me. Shield out."
They stood a moment considering the offer to meet up. Optimus looked at his senior officers. "Any of you know this Decepticon?"
They considered that question, then Jazz nodded. "I knew a criminal in Kaon named Shield. Sunstreaker could probably tell you more, Sunny and Sideswipe. They were mortal enemies if this is the same one. Both of them ran competing gangs."
"What was your place in the mix?" Prowl asked.
"I was neutral in their arguments. You could get dead otherwise really fast." Jazz's face was serious as he thought about it. "Shield is a bad actor, Prime, if he's the same one. He might be talkin' for the whole group or just himself. It will be up to us to sort that out."
"Then again," Alor mused, "He could be coming here to be a spy for Paragon. I know they had to have heard his appeal as well."
Optimus nodded. "When will they be in range to make trouble?"
"Two orns," Jazz said. "I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to answer him. Make him sweat."
"That is a physical impossibility," Prowl said. Everyone looked at him and he looked smugly at them. "Humor."
Optimus snorted. "Okay."
Prowl rolled his optics, then spread out the roll up data pad inputting the data so far as known. The sector of space appeared and the lights of three different battle groups could be seen. The two forts, Paragon's and the fortress on the other side of the migration route commanded by someone as yet unknown could be seen. The two groups that were still unidentified were moving at a slower pace then the one signaling them. Those two appeared to be heading on a course that would bring them together at some point yet far away. A meet up appeared likely. "These two look problematic," Prowl said pointing out the groups moving toward each other. "It might do to send sensor teams to scan the sector through the bridge … in and out fast. The more data the better."
The sound of heavy footfalls behind them drew everyone and they turned to watch Starscream and Rainmaker walk across the enormous room toward them. They joined and stared at the map. "This looks interesting."
"A battle group wants to speak to Optimus," Blackjack said explaining the data before them. "A mech named Shield. A bad one."
Starscream considered that, then shook his helm. "I have known a great number of bad mechs. That one I am sure has met the greatness that is me, but he does not ring a bell as the insects say."
Everyone including Rainmaker smirked, then Rainmaker looked at the datapad. "This is following our own intel. We saw more than three groups out there but only these three were heading this way. I think that many more kingdoms are being built besides the one Paragon has. Some of them appeared to be pirates rampaging around. Megatron would be very vexed to see this," he concluded with a big grin.
Optimus nodded, a smile on his own face. "I am sure he would be." Then they discussed sending fleet teams of data collectors through a bridge to find out what was really happening.
-0-Paragon
He sat in a funk in the comfortable chair of his quarters. Arrow was out flying intel about the other groups that had appeared on the edge of their sensors. He wasn't here to make things better by his mere presence so Paragon was stuck with his own thoughts. Taking a remote, he tapped it and the file collecting information from the Autobot's leaked damaged signal throughout the last few orns opened up. There appeared to be included among other things private messages from Prime to someone in the city. He sat up straighter and opened them reading them silently. As he did, he began to smile slightly. More insight into the leader of the opposition was always a good thing. That it was revelatory was a bonus and a half.
"Optimus," the first one, a personal text said, "keep the next few nights open. There is going to be a family get together at your genitors' apartment and we have to be there. Its a sort of open house thing. Don't ask me. It just takes several nights and they want you there. You tell the younglings. I have duty for the evening. I'll be home late. Take care. Love, Springer."
He blinked. Springer. The head of the Wreckers, a fighter of cunning and fearless fortitude was talking to the Prime like a bond mate. He sat back and delved into his files. Tall, tough, green and yellow, easy going and smart. Springer.
He opened another.
"I got your message, Springer. I thought we were going to the Valles Marineris for a little rest and relaxation. You know what I mean. ;D What's going on? Ada never told me anything when I had breakfast with him this morning at the hospital. -O"
"O". Optimus. Paragon opened more and read several.
"They're your genitors, Optimus. I only live to serve. By the way, your daughter wants to talk to you about her mech. You have more rapport. I just want to stomp Magnus in the … well, you get the idea. I can't talk to her. She gets in a huff. You do it. I think we're supposed to bring something to the first party-dinner thing. What do you want me to get? I ain't cooking anything. Your Ada is a great cook and I don't want to see the pity in his optics. -S"
"I don't know what to bring. Bring a pie. Go to The Energon Basket and see what Rampage has or make a special order. Ada told me that he likes something called cherry pie. As for Arcee … I will take care of it. Really, Springer, you and Arcee better find some common ground. You know I hate to be in the middle.-O"
"Common ground. Ultra Magnus wants to bond with our daughter and all you can do is tell me common ground? You KNOW he still looks down on the Wreckers. If he's going to be in this family, he better show more respect. By the way, your SON is hanging out with bad actors again. I told him that he can't spend any more time with the mini-cons. They get drunk, fight and I have to arrest them. Bumblebee had better get a talking to as well. I could have arrested him last night, Optimus. I can only do so much. Pretty soon the newspapers and media are going to find out that our son has delinquent ways. -S"
Paragon considered the messages which were in standard internal text format. They were the sort of stuff that passed between bond mate, usually internally but also sometimes through normal relays.
They had a son and daughter.
Optimus Prime and Springer.
Bumblebee and Arcee.
They were hellions from the sound of it and he ALMOST felt sorry for Prime. Then he considered the information. It was gold. Sitting back, he began to build a mental picture of Prime and his seemingly disfunctional family.
"Ada, what do you want us to bring for your party tonight? Springer is going to the bakery later. Tell me what you want and we'll bring it. Have you discussed anything with Arcee? She's getting serious about Magnus and you know what Atar feels about that. -Orion"
Paragon paused, then nodded to himself. Prime's original name was Orion. He continued.
"Orion, I like cherry pie. Your Atar likes lemon cream. If you could bring desert that would be wonderful. I haven't discussed Arcee and Magnus with your father. It makes me want to purge my tanks as well. You do know that your father decked Magnus over his intemperate remarks that time and they don't get along. I am concerned and think you need to talk to your 'little princess' soon. Last thing we need is a shotgun bonding and a sparkling right now. Its fragging football season, son. -Ada"
Ada. Who could Prime's genitors be? A son, Bumblebee and a daughter, Arcee. He knew both of them by reputation but not more than that. Prime's family? It was processor boggling. He continued.
"Orion, did you call your Ada? He's on my back about the parties. You know how he is about tradition. Arcee is on the firing range by the way. Little femme is working out her ratings. I told her to get out there and not make us all look bad by fragging around. And NO. I am not happy about Magnus. You know that already. By the way, call your grandatar. He's in the dojo with the rest of the reprobates. He wants to know about seating at the semi-final game. -Atar"
"Grandatar, can you come by the Ops Center? I'll help you find where you're going to sit for the games. By the way, Hound and the family want you to come over for dinner. The sparklings are missing you. Make sure you come to the dinner tonight at the folks. They'll have my aft if you don't come by. You know how Ada is about Atar's traditions. -Orion"
"Orion, I got your message. Hound is here at the dojo. You grandkids are sometimes more trouble than they are worth. As for Ratchet, frag him. Go or not if you want. You and Springer haven't had a good frag in decaorns. Your ada will get along without you. The slagger. See ya at lunch in the club-Kup"
Paragon blinked, the cognative dissonance in his processor enormous. Ratchet was Prime's ada and Kup of all things was his grandatar. Hound was Kup's son so he was Prime's brother. He dove into the data in his processor looking up the named individuals. Hound was a soldier and tracker, someone who once on your aft never let up until he wasted you. Kup was a legend even among the Decepticons. A Wrecker, one of the oldest soldiers around and no one's fool, Kup was old school. He didn't get as old as he was fighting in the groups he had populated without being a very dangerous foe.
Springer.
Arcee and Bumblebee.
Kup.
Ratchet was the Ada so Ironhide was the Atar. Ironhide was Prime's atar. It couldn't be. But it was. He read on.
"Ada, you talked to Atar. What the frag?-Arcee"
"Arcee. Get over it. Of course I did. If you're going to bond with Magnus, I think we're entitled to know. By the way, your grandatar hates him. Oh and don't kill the messenger. -Ada"
The next message was a swift return to Springer about Arcee.
"Springer, I'm trying to get work done here. What did you say to Arcee? -O"
"Nothing she didn't need to hear! I give her to you. You wanted a femme. I was good with a mech or two. Bumblebee better shape up before I get home. Right now, I want to punch something. -Springer"
"Atar, I want to let you know that I can't come to dinner at Grandatar and Grandada's house. I have to do duty at the prison. Someone needed to go somewhere and they asked me. Sorry. Love ya, Bee"
"Do you really want me to look that up and check it out, son? -Atar"
"Would I lie to you? ^-^ -Bee"
"Yes-Atar"
Paragon considered the messages so far, all of them leaking out of the system on the heavily encrypted frequency that also leaked IntraComm programming. It would appear that Prime had a ragged home life with spoiled younglings and a frazzled bond. His genitors were Ironhide and Ratchet. That part just refused to settle in his processor easily. But the messages were here and no one knew he was receiving them. It was better than television. He settled in to read more.
-0-Earlier that orn in Ops Center
"You are one twisted old mech," Ironhide said as he read the messages that were going to be going out to Paragon on the 'compromised' relay line. "This is like one of those soap operas that you like to watch."
"It's slagging better," Ratchet said as he continued.
Prime and Prowl who were reading them on the other side of the table paused. "This is insane," Prowl said with a look of alarm. "Paragon isn't going to believe this is he?"
"I don't know," Optimus said with a chuckle. "I think I am."
"You are one burdened messiah, Optimus," Ratchet said as he continued writing more.
"You're a wimp," Prowl said with a grin. "Serves you right bonding with Springer."
Optimus guffawed.
-0-Out there
"Ada, when are you getting off shift? -Bumblebee"
"Why, son? -Ada"
"I have prison duty. I want you to tell Grandada and Grandatar that I'm not coming. I also have some stuff at The Sports Shop that I need you to pick up and take to my apartment. -B ^_^"
"What? I'm working and I'm not your taxi service. And your cute smilie face isn't going to save you. You did this on purpose. Now I have to listen to your Grandada complain. You younglings are going to be the death of me. I suppose you want me to do your housekeeping too. -Ada, trying! to! get! some! work! done! before! the! party!"
"If you wouldn't mind. I sort of had a party last night. -B"
"ARGGGH!-A"
"Optimus."
"What?"
"Your son had another rowdy party and he wants me to not only run his errands but clean his mess up. What the FRAG is wrong with that boy? -Springer"
"SIGH! I will take care of it. I AM HOWEVER CAUGHT UP IN GETTING SOMETHING SETTLED FOR THE TWO MILLION CITIZENS WHO DEPEND UPON ME FOR SLAG! -O"
There was a pause in the time stamp, nearly a breem passing. Then Springer replied. "ENJOY THE COUCH TONIGHT!-S!"
Paragon considered the exchange and almost felt a pang for Prime. This was hilariously entertaining and revealing, the Matrix not withstanding. Prime was just another wimpy bond with an overbearing and unbearable family.
HA!
He looked at the file and there were no more to go. He put a search algorithm on the data and sat back. It would be caught when it came. He found himself wondering what it would be like at that dinner. Tense for sure. He wished he could be there. Then Arrow entered the room and they sat together reading the messages. When they were finished, they laughed a long time.
-0-TBC
05-28-13