The Diego Diaries: Catastrophe 3 (347)
-0-Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, Earth
He came in from the sky, a giant figure with his Autobrand clear on his vast side. Behind him, another vessel of the same size could be seen on approach. He settled and rolled forward parking near the space where he would be staying as the temporary center of the base. He transformed and looked downward. Kneeling, he leaned in to speak with Prime who was waiting on the tarmac for him to arrive. Kappa set down too, moving forward dropping her ramp as her hatch rolled back. Medics stepped down hurrying to take the human casualties from here to Ramstein in Germany. Ratchet met them, then turned to walk to the hangar where everyone was being readied to go.
Glenn Morshower listened as Prime explained the need for Omega to be the HQ for the base and the combined operation. The big mechanism nodded, then stood and stepped back transforming immediately into his flight format. Moving forward, he rolled to the hangars and stopped, dropping his ramp so that mechs could begin to make things happen for the base plant as well as communications and sensors.
They turned and walked toward the hangars followed by Kappa as she moved closer to be readied for the flight to Ramstein. Facilities there had been put on alert to receive wounded including a fuming agitated John Fulton. "I AM ONLY GOING IF I CAN COME BACK HERE IMMEDIATELY!"
It took an intervention from Morshower to make it happen along with the promise of his return ASAP given a medical clearance. He was carried by a bot who held the stretcher upon which he lay in his servo. Reaching Kappa, he waited until the other cases were loaded before walking up the ramp with Fulton. Lilly came next held by Hot Rod. When they were loaded, they walked back out and Kappa gathered herself to fly to Germany with a battle shuttle for escort. The ground rumbled as she lifted off, her massive format throwing a shadow over the destroyed base before disappearing with her armored partner into the sky.
Prime turned with Morshower in servo and walked to Omega entering, moving toward the flight deck. Looking around, he nodded. "Prowl will take up residence here and assume command. The base interim commander can use the facilities as well. We have engineers here who will go through the base and formulate what is needed to replace the buildings. We have a partial list of the equipment needed to rewire and bring online the various offices and departments. If you can facilitate that, we can do things more quickly."
Morshower nodded. "I will text my office to let them know. A forensics team is headed this way as well as other investigators from the relevant related agencies. I will remain here, Optimus until things are ironed out and roles are clearly delineated. I am not comfortable with a bunch of outside agencies coming here and not having any experience with the bots. I don't want conflict between competing camps."
Optimus nodded. "Thank you, Glenn. We want this to be as smooth and productive as we can make it. Right now, the humans and bots who live here and were in this attack are my primary concern."
"Then we're on the same page," Morshower said as they turned and exited Omega. They walked toward the hangar where Ratchet was standing submitting to medical attention for his injury. First Aid who had come from Mars with the armada was putting a patch on a burn hole in Ratchet's shoulder. The two paused as Prime stopped beside them.
"How is the shoulder, Ratchet?" Morshower asked.
"It only hurts if Ironhide laughs," Ratchet said with a slight smirk.
Morshower chuckled. "Thanks for the laugh."
"It's what I do," Ratchet said nodding. "Are you going back to Alaska, Optimus?"
"Not yet," he replied. "I have to make my statement. Then I have to head back."
Morshower nodded. "Let's go to the hangar then and set this up."
They turned and walked on meeting Prowl at the door. They entered and were gone from view. Ratchet watched them, a nagging pain crowding his professionalism as he wondered what was happening with Sideswipe. When First Aid was finished, the looked in the hangar which was devoid of patients but for two bots. Around them was the still smoking wreckage of their home but at least here there was progress. He turned and walked out heading for the Embassy.
Ratchet paused next to Ironhide who was directing the salvaging of the heavily damaged facility. In the smoldering wreckage he could see the murals of Cybertron that Sunstreaker had painted for their 'shower' party for Orion. Sorrow suffused Ratchet as he considered all the fun and games they had in the confines of the hangar space. His medbay was damaged, Ops Center as well. The quarters had been miraculously spared but the stink was everywhere. "They ruined Sunny's paintings."
Ironhide nodded. "We'll have him paint more."
Ratchet nodded. "This is Orion's first home."
"They will pay for this, Ratchet. I promise."
Ratchet nodded. "I will help you."
They stood together watching as the younglings pulled things out and stacked them nearby. It was going to take a while.
-0-In the world
The news hit the wires as the Secretary-General of the United Nations released his statement about the attack on the base in Diego Garcia. He outlined the basic facts and explained that the search for the culprits was underway. The efforts of the world would be directed in unison toward the protection of everyone everywhere. The statement said all that it needed. Of course, it was not enough.
-0-In a small village somewhere in the world
They worked together making munitions that they were going to be planting for a timed demolition. It would occur at midnight and deliver a message to the world that all of the aliens had to go. It would detonate that night here. There would be detonations elsewhere all over the world. They would all go off together. They too would be sending the world a message. The Resistance wanted them all gone.
Now.
-0-Autobot City, Mars
The statement of the United Nations Secretary-General was carried live on InterComm and the shock of the attack on Diego Garcia was met with as much if not more upset here as there. An unease settled on the city as the idea of Decepticons being inside the security net wove its way into everyone's spark. When the broadcast was finished, they all paused again. The one who spoke next was Optimus Prime.
-0-A message recorded in a hangar at Diego Garcia
A screen appeared that held the Emblem of the Primes. Then the dignified figure of Optimus Prime could be seen. He was shown against a white background and could be seen from the top of his finials to mid chest. He looked solemn. "My name is Optimus Prime and I speak to you today with great sadness about the unprovoked attack on the military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean of this planet. In the morning without warning, a Decepticon force struck the base and delivered a powerful blow to all who were there.
"They came from the ocean and attacked Diego Garcia causing wide spread damage before fleeing again. When we were informed of this situation, Autobot Nation came to assist and to protect. We pledge to rebuild Diego Garcia and restore the base to its proper status as a front line installation and the home of our Earth embassy. It too was destroyed.
"It was our first home here on Earth and with it went many memories. We are profoundly sad about the three human soldiers who lost their lives in this attack and we stand with their families as they grieve for we do as well. We are one with the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen and women of Diego Garcia. We are one with the civilians that work to help us protect the Earth from a terrible implacable enemy.
"We have secured this solar system. We prevent entrance from those who might come here to cause harm. The group that we are hunting now came with Megatron originally and have waited in a dormant state for his command. They hid in the earth where their energy signatures were shielded from our detection. But now we know where they are and we intend to remove them as a threat to the peace of this world and solar system. They will be hunted down with everything that we have.
"It would be in their favor if we did not hold together in solidarity against them. They have been here a long time waiting for their moment. They have taken it now but they are few and we will find them. N.E.S.T. Global Command and Autobot Nation will track them down and neutralize the threat they have posed by their presence. We are one with the Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen and women of Diego Garcia and the militaries of the world. We are resolved.
"It was suggested in meetings earlier in the day that we should have been aware of their presence. We should have done something about them. We are not omnipotent. There are tricks that can be accomplished to do what they did but we know them too. They hid their presence but they have announced it now and we shall hunt them down until we get everyone of them.
"I send the condolences of Autobot Nation and all of her citizens to the people of Earth and to the families of those harmed by the intruders. I have no words to express the sadness that I feel but I promise you that these individuals will be found and removed as a threat to the peace of this world. On that, you have my word." He paused a moment. "I wish you peace. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you. Until all are one."
The image cut.
-0-Autobot City, Mars
The city listened and was subdued. Some were openly worried that the humans might be lost as an ally. Some worried that the Insecticons would harm more humans which was totally unacceptable to all concerned. Heatout listened to the radio and turned to his friends with a grim expression. "This isn't good," he said as they sat in a club that was frequented by Circle and Knight mechs and femmes, The Corner Club in Terra. "If they make too much trouble, the alliance will be severely strained. I don't envy Prime trying to placate people who might be terrified that the ground will open up and bugs fly out."
No one had much to say to that but everyone thought about it as well.
-0-The Hourly News-Latest Breaking News
Gen-O sat grimly in the news reader's chair as he lay down what the Office of the Prime and the Senior Officer, Communications had told them about the unfolding situation. "The Prime's statement just concluded and we have the terrible news that Diego Garcia, a military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean on Earth was attacked by a swarm of Insecticons who had laid dormant for a number of vorns as part of an Infiltration Protocol Shock Team. Major destruction of facilities included our embassy which was the original lodging of Prime and his first ground team several years ago when they first arrived on Earth and made alliances with the human population.
"Major widespread destruction was affected and three humans were killed during the attack. A number of Cybertronians on duty station there were also injured, none seriously enough to be returned to Autobot City. An armada lifted off this morning when the news was received led by Subcommander Prowl and included both Omega and Kappa Supreme. Omega will remain on Diego as temporary headquarters for the base until they are restored to normal efficiency. Kappa flew injured human soldiers and civilians to the army hospital base in Ramstein, Germany."
The screen behind Gen-O changed with each new addition to the story. At the moment, a view of Kappa waiting on the tarmac in Germany as humans were off loaded on stretchers filled the screen.
"Optimus Prime who was in pursuit of the enemy which were spotted earlier flew immediately to Diego to render assistance. His statement is an outcome of agreements reached by treaty signatories regarding the relationship and continued rapport and support among the nationals who make up the N.E.S.T. Global Command, the umbrella group under which Autobot soldiers and the Prime work in tandem with various humans to insure security for all within the solar system.
"Jacx talked earlier with Senior Intelligence and Communications officer and spokesmech for the Office of the Prime, Jazz. Here is what he had to say."
The scene cut to Ops Center where Jazz sat, his handsome face serious and attentive.
"Jazz, what can you tell us about the solidarity of the relationship between Earth and us now that this attack has happened and humans have been killed?"
"The relationship is solid, Jacx. General Glenn Morshower is overall global commander of the human forces and N.E.S.T. He works closely with Prime and they are personal friends. He flew from the Pentagon to Diego to meet with Prime and work out what has to be done."
"How did we miss these Decepticons?" Jacx asked (the $64,000 question).
"These 'Cons were dormant in the earth hidden away waiting for Megatron to activate them. They came with him ten thousand years ago when he crashed here. When he didn't call them, they did what Protocol Infiltration teams do. They went dormant and waited. Bein' shielded by the earth, we couldn't detect them. Comin' up and breaking things was a bad move. They showed they were here and we can hunt them."
"Could you tell viewers what a Infiltration Protocol team does?" Jacx asked.
Jazz nodded. "They come to a place that is targeted for extermination or conquerin' and burrow in. There are about six or seven steps. They stir up trouble among the locals, make small disputes into global wars and when things are bad enough, they come and out help destroy. The intention of all teams of this nature is to destroy the indigenous life and take over the planet. The last part of this strategy is to bring in the Phase Sixers, Megatron's Warrior Elite. They come and destroy every living thing on the planet that's still left and bring on the end of the world. Six Shot, Overlord and Dark Shadow are phase sixers. They can decimate a planet to lifelessness in a matter of days."
"The attackers were the first troops in this process?" Jacx asked.
Jazz nodded. "The first and the last. We're going to get them and bust their asses. You can count on that."
Jacx nodded. "Thank you, Jazz. Back to the studio, Gen-O."
-0-On Earth
A little family paused in their dinner to watch the news about the Prime and his declaration. They listened, then turned to each other. "Well, that's not good. This Six Shot sounds like a fragger."
"I couldn't have said it better," a daughter-in-law said to her sweet little mother-in-law.
Mama Annie grinned at her husband, Leonard. "Pass the potatoes please, Leonard. We have to hurry. My show is coming up."
"The new one? 'The Block'?" Pastor Bob asked with interest as he passed the bowl onward to his mother.
"That's the one. I just love it. I think the romance between the two young mechs is so sweet."
"I love them. They had such a hard time in the migration. Settling in to peace in the city is daunting. They did after all lose track of the ship with their parents and their young son." Pastor Bob's Wife said as she buttered her ear of corn.
"That's what I was thinking," Mama Annie said nodding. She glanced at her son, Pastor Bob who was nodding too. She smiled.
-0-TBC June 26, 2013 edited