The Diego Diaries: Home At Last (376) I hammered out the boo boos. :D
-0-N.E.S.T. HQ
They stared at each other with a variety of expressions based on the same theme: horror and embarrassment. Glancing at each other, Simmons and Mearing both turned to stare at Ratchet. "Ambassador …" Mearings stuttered.
"That's who I am," Ratchet said nodding. "How about answering the question?"
Mearing stared at Ratchet, then turned to Prime. She ignored everyone else. "The Hish are known to us. We have dealt with them before."
"Details," Ratchet said nodding.
"We have been aware of people disappearing around the equator of this planet for a very long time. We were asked to investigate during the eighties under the guise of the war on drugs and found that people were being killed, hung up, skinned, their heads missing. Someone was killing them, skinning them out and taking the skulls. At first, we thought it was drug cartels. They are incredibly violent and vile. But it wasn't them. The odd satellite or radar hit led us to believe from the flight path of the unknowns that they were craft that were being flown into the jungle.
"Locals have a lot of names for them but they don't go into areas that seem to get the most activity. It would occur during the hottest part of the year and has for generations. We concluded that it was alien activity so we sent search parties in to track them, crack troops with a lot of experience. Some of them didn't come out and were never found. Those that did reported cloaked phantoms who struck from everywhere and nowhere, hunting them. The curious part is this. If you were pregnant, a woman or unarmed, they don't hunt you. If you are armed or aggressive, they do."
It was silent a moment, then Ratchet shook his helm. "The curious part for us is that you didn't tell us this. What the frag did you think holding it away gained you? You have been hunted for generations which means you can't fight them off without help. Yet you don't tell us about this even though we have had great success in doing just that. Whose side are you on, Ms Mearing?"
She looked at Ratchet, then shifted. "I am on the side of my country," she replied hotly. "I am working to keep my country safe."
"By keeping information secret about an invasive alien species that hunts you and has for generations?" Prime asked incredulously.
"That information is on a need-to-know basis," she replied crisply.
"Whose need? Yours? They told us that Earth belongs to them. They said they hunt you and they want us to let them continue, which shows you what they think of you. What do you want us to tell them for you, Ms. Mearing?" Ratchet asked. "Given that they asked and all?"
She glanced at him, then shifted on her feet. She was clearly conflicted and uncomfortable. Ratchet knelt and leaned toward her, an overpowering effect. He knew it was but didn't care. He wanted to see her closer. "Understand this. We are the thin metal line between your world and oblivion. We are old and have wandered the universe looking for the AllSpark for millions of your years. We have seen things on worlds that defy our ability to express in words. The universe is a very great and terrible place. There are species out there that love the taste of organic flesh. Do you understand?"
She looked at him, then looked at the others who were staring silently at her from screens. "I have my orders and there is a need-to-know basis for information."
"Then perhaps," Ratchet said standing up to turn toward Prime, "we should alert the Earth that hostile aliens are coming to the warmest climes to hunt and kill human beings. Since it appears that the need-to-know command chain is more concerned with their own internal political machinations we should take the initiative to save lives by making a general announcement to everyone else. You know … the people who are getting murdered."
"Wait!" Mearing said moving to stand closer to the edge of the platform. "You just said you were the 'thin metal line' charged with protecting Earth and our people."
"How can we do that when you lie to us?" Prime said moving closer, his ire actually showing up on his face and in his voice. "You seem to think that our alliances are a one way street. You have not told us the truth since day one."
She looked at him. "I have told you what you need to know."
"Then we go over your head, Ms Mearing," Ratchet said. He glanced at Morshower, Fulton and Simmons. "What do you know that can help us protect your world?"
Morshower put down the pencil he was holding in his intense irritation. "I have no information, Ratchet."
Fulton nodded. "I didn't know we had another problem species. Apparently, they have been coming here a long time and managed all that time to avoid our sensors and satellites. I don't know about you, Mearing, but the idea they can do that and no one sent us a memo makes me just this side of pissed."
"You should be me," Simmons said. "All of this subterranean bullshit is my turf yet do you see me giving you anything? I have almost nothing. What I know I had to dig for. The Hish are a space going species who hunts. There seem to be two factions, the one that is close to their leader, the Great Hierarchy or something like that and the others that are freelancing predators … the Killers or something. They have the acid monsters. The others do too but they don't use them as much. The fuckers are lethal and hard to manage. They run in packs, have mother ships with marauding smaller vessels that come back when they finish killing US. THEY PROBABLY HAVE THE FOUR OF US ON THEIR LISTS RIGHT NOW!" Simmons sat back away from the screen. "They can cloak and are a royal pain in the ass. Like someone else I might say."
She glared daggers at him, then turned to the bots. "We don't have anymore information about them then that."
"How do we know?" Ratchet asked. "Perhaps you would like to see what you kept from us."
She looked at them, then glanced at the others. "What do you mean?"
"We fended off a mother ship and her vessels some time back during a migration. Some of the aliens were captured, two of them and their acid bearing monsters. They have been here all this time under study by our Science division so that we can properly defend against them," Prime said.
"Would you like to see them?" Ratchet asked glancing at the men in the monitors.
They nodded. "We can be there in about 45 minutes if we leave now, Optimus," Morshower said nodding. The others nodded too.
"We can bring you here right now," Prime said. "We have ships with bridge capacity. We can get you that way allowing Agent Simmons to suit up here. When that is done, you will be able to come off the vessel and join us," Prime said. "Ratchet will supervise."
Ratchet nodded, then turned walking to the airlock which opened to allow him into the decompression chamber outside. It closed and the process was begun. He was outside in moments. Turning, looking at the monitors Prime explained what they needed to do. "General, Colonel, step into your gear. A bridge will appear in the courtyard of the Pentagon and outside the Administration Building for you. Agent Simmons," Prime said turning to the tense Sector 7 field commander. "You will go outside and take a cab to Central Park. Wait at the zoo. Open your cell phone and call this number. 212-555-0412. We will use it to triangulate on your position. When the bridge opens, it will be green swirling light. Run into it so we can close it quickly. We do not want to cause anyone fright who might be watching."
Simmons who was listening with his usual intensity nodded. "My gear will be at the other end? I will be in a safe habitat until I'm geared up?"
Prime nodded. "You may leave now," he said.
Simmons glanced at Mearing who stood with a pensive expression, then he stood and the line was cut. Prime turned to the soldiers in their midst. "Major Lennox, could you bring Ms Mearing to the Ops Center at the Fortress in twenty of your minutes. Come inside and go to the center command desk. We will go from there."
Will Lennox nodded. "I will, Optimus." He turned and looked at Mearing for a moment. "You come with me."
Prime turned and nodded to the technicians. They opened the iris and he stepped through it. It closed but they could see him waiting for the pressure and door to release. Stepping out, the hatch closed and things were back to normal. Lennox turned to Mearing and nodded. "Follow me," he said as he turned to walk to the airlock and the rest of the facility. Mearing turned and walked with him.
-0-At the brig
Inferno and Red Alert stood with Perceptor as he operated the enclosure where the two Hish warriors had lived since their capture more than a year and a half before. The two were testy and wary as they watched the big mechanisms through the nearly invisible sheet of energon that kept them from coming out into near vacuum.
"Those fraggers need shoved out an airlock," Red said with a tense voice. "They sit in their own crap and give me a hard time."
"They are contained and the greater space given over to them is in the long run better for them," Perceptor said.
The sound of heavy treads coming drew their attention as they turned to watch Prime and Ratchet walk into the space. Behind them carried in the servos of soldiers, the humans who had been asked to come appeared.
-0-Earlier - Morshower
He slipped into his gear in the private restroom that was part of his office. He stepped out and grabbed his face mask. Turning, he walked with his coterie of aides giving them orders as he continued to the elevator and down to the center courtyard of the facility.
-0-Earlier - Fulton
He came out of the Administration building followed by Andrew Settles and Lilly Bolger. Giving them standing orders, he paused to wait. He didn't wait long.
-0-Earlier - Simmons
He stood at the corner of an exhibit trying to look inconspicuous, an impossible task for someone as uptight as him. As he stood waiting people walked past nearby. He took out his phone and made the call. As he did, the sound of a low screaming howl appeared before him. A huge flute of energy swirled into sight and settled, the sound fading slightly. He shook off his shock and girded his guts. He could be stepping out into the vacuum of space he thought, then ran like mad. The moment he stepped into it, the energy flute collapsed. Nothing would be left to show that anyone had ever been there.
Unless one counted the shocked family that had just been passing by.
-0-Fulton
He startled as the energy field of the bridge appeared before him. Glancing at his aides, he slapped on his mask and stepped forward disappearing into the bridge even as the bridge disappeared itself. All of the passersby and soldiers who were watching stared at the space for a long time before dispersing …
-0-Morshower
He stood in the central plaza of the Pentagon, a quiet oasis inside the pentagonal space. He had heard about the bridges and waited with trepidation and curiosity for his to appear. It did and he jumped as did all of his companions. Slipping on his mask, he glanced at the others. Walking forward, he stepped into the blazing swirling vortex and disappeared. His aides and a few people eating lunch at tables nearby stared at the empty spot where he had stood, then one stepped forward stretching out his hand. Nothing was there.
It was awesome.
-0-On a shuttle on Mars
They stood watching as Agent Seymour Simmons slipped into a habitat suit and mask. When he was ready, Springer and Kup turned. Pausing at the door, Springer gave them the 4-11. "Get in when we transform. We'll drive you there."
"Where is 'there'?" Simmons asked as everyone walked out pausing a moment to get a gander of the airfield and its endless activity. The city and ones in the distance rose up into the lightly blue sky, glittering habitations for millions of citizens. Driving vehicles, things going on, all of it was fascinating and they took it in for a moment. Then Springer and Kup transformed, their doors opening for their passengers. They continued down the ramp and climbed inside, the doors closing.
They drove to the Fortress, then pulled over letting the humans out. Transforming when that was accomplished, they walked into the Fortress carrying the humans between them. It was a short intensely interesting walk to the central command desk and the big bots put them on top of it. As they did, Prowl turned to them from the sensor station. He nodded to Simmons, then glanced at Morshower and Fulton. :Gentlemen, welcome to Mars:
:Thank you, Commander: Fulton said nodding. :We are happy to be here. I am very impressed with the space bridges:
He nodded. :We are working to set them up on Earth and Luna as well as here. It will make interdiction much quicker and effective," Prowl said.
:I'm impressed: Morshower said.
Prime entered from the doorway nearby and paused at the table. :Gentlemen. Welcome to Autobot City. Shall we go and see the threat?:
They nodded and sat on servos to take the short journey to the brig. Standing in the hallway waiting, Lennox and Mearing sat on the servos of Twin Twist and Sandstorm who were on duty. Walking to them and passing, the entire group continued to the doorway where the steps were that led below. They continued onward heading downward into the immaculate stone corridors of the high security facility.
-0-Down there
Ratchet stood in the cell block that had been built to give a habitat of sorts to the aliens who had been their prisoners for a long time. It was huge and open, with bunks along the wall. A place for washing and eliminating was made available behind a semi-transparent wall. A table with chairs was there for them as well. Food was placed inside the space, garage taken out the same way. The prisoners were no longer actively defying their captors. That could change of course but at the moment, they were at balance.
Perceptor stood at the computer controls waiting for whatever Prime wanted. When the group finally arrived, they all turned to look at the prisoners. They were sitting on their bunks watching in an atmosphere that had been engineered for them. Their habitat suits were nearby but not necessary for their living conditions. Staring at the humans and bots, they stood and walked to the barrier.
Morshower, Mearing, Lennox, Fulton and Simmons sat on servos staring at the two big aliens. They were at about eye level and the two species gave each other a strict appraisal. Mearing stared at them without a sound, then one of them walked closer. Cutting loose a scream, its mandibles flared. Leaning in, he let out a bellow, his fleshy dreadlocks swirling across his broad beefy shoulders.
Mearing to her credit sat unruffled on the outside. Inside, her guts were quivering like a tuning fork. She stared into the incomprehensible face of a being from another world and felt only one thing. She wanted to put her fist through its ugly head.
-0-In another segment of the brig
Wheeljack turned back from the chambers that sat in the corner of the room. Inside them, preserved in a frozen condition, two acid monsters were kept in stasis. They had been frozen to prevent danger to anyone including themselves. They were perfectly unharmed, these peculiarly strange, peculiarly perfect aliens carefully stored for a future when they could be turned away or terminated, whichever the fates decided for them. He walked out the door and down the hallway entering the room where the Hish were incarcerated. It was silent there.
:So … these are the fuckers that hunt us on Earth is it?: Morshower was asking as he joined the group in front of the security screen.
:These are the hunters of the Hish: Prime responded.
Fulton looked at Mearing. :When were you going to tell us? When they decided to eat us at Diego?:
Mearing looked at him. :I provide information on a need-to-know basis:
Simmons who was staring at another alien species standing before him, prevented from escape by a shimmering energy field, one that was blasting him with alien profanity and bad breath, his flaring mandible pincers giving him a permanent case of the willies glared at her. :I WOULD THINK NOW IS NEED-TO-KNOW!:
She had nothing to say in response. She was too revolted to talk. She however hadn't seen anything yet.
-0-TBC July 24, 2013 edited