The Diego Diaries: Festivale 3 (382) edited
-0-On the tarmac at Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean, Earth
The plane touched down and taxied pulling to a stop at last. Waiting for them were several humans and a couple of Autobots. The plane sat a moment, then the hatch opened and steps came down. It was a Globemaster from the states delivering their share of the festival goers at the gathering place. One had landed earlier delivering Linda Graham and their son, Neville. Both sets of parents were coming too and were excited and nervous about the prospect. It had made Niall Graham's parents celebrities in their small Scottish town of Fort William.
Lonnie Epps and her five children, their good friends Sarah and Annabelle Lennox along with their parents walked down and greeted everyone. They had formed a tightly knit group of intrepid journeyers helping each other with the pressures of celebrity, papparazzi and other intrusions into the otherwise mundanity of their daily lives. Not everyone on their blocks could tell you about The Book Store in the Mall of Metroplex in any detail. They could.
Once greetings were had, baggage gathered into a container box held easily in the big servo of Blurr, they turned and walked toward the Autobot Embassy with John Fulton, his wife and two daughters. They were college students and this would be their first trip. It was a very happy excited group that entered the big doors of the Embassy.
It would also be the first time that some of them understood the size differential between themselves and the world they were entering. They disappeared from sight inside.
-0-Luna Base, The Moon of Earth
They sat in Ops Center running the scanning of Earth for the Insecticons and Arachnid. So far, there was nothing to be found down 100 miles over a very large area. They were however building a computer image of the intricate tunneling and maze structure that had been home to them for 10,000 years. The survey had checked out and covered the entire state of Alaska, the Yukon, British Columbia and was beginning to go south to the lower 48 states as well as east into Alberta, Canada.
Cloudburst walked from the Ops Center to the back corridor that led downward to the space bridge. It was modeled after those used on ships in the Golden Age, small devices that permitted travel as far as the energon source allowed. Mostly for this model, it usually meant no farther than 10,000,000 miles. Since the moon from Earth was a mere 400,000, the journey would be swift and short.
Going down the steps, passing subordinate officers assigned to the newest Autobot installation, he turned the corner and walked to the heavy steel doors that when closed would provide security to the bridge control center, a breaker against accidents and other possibilities yet to be figured out. This was recovering recovered technology and nothing was given over to chance. For now, they were open and he saw the blossom of energy burst into being as he entered.
The funnel swirled, then shaped itself allowing a tunnel into infinity to appear. After a moment humans began to appear. They walked through in a line together followed finally by Blurr who carried a box in his servo. Blurr grinned and nodded at Cloudburst. "Hi. We need a lift to Mars."
"Are you sure I can't interest you in a broken strut or two?" Cloudburst, a fan of Vos asked with a grin.
Blurr snorted, then grinned. "Sore loser."
"Overrated winner," Cloudburst replied. They grinned at each other, then looked at the humans. "I am Cloudburst. I command this base. We will power up the bridge to take you to Mars. Until then, you can look at the scenery through the windows if you would like." He nodded to banked windows that were designed to allow the outside to be viewed inside even though they were mostly underground.
The humans who were still getting over their jitters nodded. Most of them walked to the windows to marvel at the view outside including a beautiful unobstructed view of Earth. John Fulton paused glancing up at Cloudburst. :Congratulations, Cloudburst. Your command here is a first isn't it?:
He looked at Fulton, one of a handful of humans who were held in universal esteem by the Cybertronians of Mars and other places. Nodding, he grinned. :It is:
:This would be a great job: Fulton said looking around. :I saw the schematics and the finished work in the slideshow on the Community Bulletin Board. I am no end impressed. I wouldn't mind running a place like this myself. The view alone is worth it:
Cloudburst nodded. :I won't argue with you: he said as they watched the newbie humans getting the insights of space and beyond from the old hands. :You are welcome here anytime, Colonel:
:Thank you. I will be taking you up on it: Fulton said with a smile.
:Commander, we are ready to send to Mars: a bot said who was sitting at the command console waiting.
:Begin ignition: Cloudburst said nodding.
The tech turned and began the process. As he did the funnel burst into sight, then stabilized. A bigger bridge awaited them and the incomprehensible notion that by stepping into it one would end up 154,000,000 miles away almost immediately. For Niall Graham's sweet parents, the longest journey they ever took was that 'nice vacation on Goa' back in the day.
Fulton extended his hand and Cloudburst bent offering his digit. Fulton patted it and grinned. :Congratulations again. I look forward to working with you, Cloudburst:
:You are welcome and the sentiment is mutual: Cloudburst said with surprising conviction. He gestured them to the aperture. :After you:
Fulton laughed, then turned walking to the whirlwind. Pausing, he gestured the group to come. They did following a Seeker who was going to Mars for 'something'. That it would be a special order from The Energon Basket because it was 'weekend' wasn't bandied about much. There were perks to be had if your commandant was cool enough.
Cloudburst was.
They walked through and the tunnel collapsed blinking out in the wink of an optic. He turned and walked back through his base, his pride evident. This was slagging awesome. It would be better when the youngling Seeker got back with the donuts. He grinned and climbed the stairs to the rec room.
-0-Through the tunnels
The bots walked onward with the humans, moving forward in the ovoid tunnel of infinity. They had explained to the children that this was the way bots traveled from one place to the other in a big hurry. It was the only way the two smallest Epps children would enter. Whatever the bots did was too cool not to emulate. They ran after the Seeker who would take them to Mars even as they had followed Blurr who had brought them to the moon.
It was noisy inside, the crackling sound of electricity loud but the seemingly unstable surface of energy was surprisingly solid. They walked on the green swirling energy as if it were a wood or concrete floor and felt enormous support. When the other side showed itself they continued, their suits and masks the difference between life and death.
The parents of the regulars, those who had never undertaken the trip were solemn with fright and uncertainty as they walked alongside their kids. By the time the tunnel showed the other end they were ready to step out. They did, onto solid ground. The end zone was a reception area built into the military airport transport terminal for passengers and freight. Waiting for them were the human soldiers and their segways.
Shouts of happiness and greeting met with hugs and laughter. Blurr stood with the Seeker soldier watching, then the Seeker took his leave to fetch his 'mercy package'. Fulton looked at Blurr and smirked. :You ready to see who you play next?:
Blurr grinned and nodded. :Kaon most likely. Smart shanix is on the Kavaliers. That's where I put my bets:
:Trading shifts then?: Fulton asked as everyone began to board segways.
:Yeah. Don't tell Prime: he said with a chuckle. :I'll get your gear to the habitat. The tower?:
:Yes. Thank you, Blurr: Fulton said with a grin. He watched as the big mech turned and walked to the doorway nearby. Outside, the airfield was busy and things were buzzing back and forth. Walking to a segway, he climbed on and away they went following Will Lennox, Niall Graham and Bobby Epps to the city beyond.
-0-Luna Base, The Moon of Earth
He walked back through the aperture of the space bridge and continued onward to Ops Center. Entering, he walked to the table and placed a giant box on the central table. He grinned as bots rose walking to it, taking out what they wanted. A moment of conversation and they returned to their seats to continue to scan the Earth searching for Arachnid and her minions.
Donuts would help.
-0-At the Temple Precinct, Autobot City, Mars
They turned and rolled inside heading for a beautiful building that sat on a tall platform with stairs leading to the top where huge ornamental doors stood opened. A ramp bordered the stairs allowing them to zip upward to the tantalizing spectacle beyond that beckoned.
Inside the building mechs stood quietly, some chatting softly to each other, some silently as they all looked at the Well and AllSpark. The area was being immaculately cleaned for the moment when Prime would enter and commune with the Matrix. The giant initial rooms were covered in glyphs, statements from history and the Chronicles about who and what they were as a people.
Acolytes worked feverishly cleaning the space as the priests stood available for those who would need them. They were going to be appearing on "Good Morning, Autobot City" the next morning to explain the practice of fasting and the obligation, always voluntary of making amends to those who you wronged or wronged you. It was the orn in which the Cybertronian people explored their internal life and decided their paths ahead. It was an entire orn of serious reflection and conversation.
Gravitas walked across the main floor carrying a bucket of water and a brush. He was going to scour the glyphs by the door where the most dirt could be found. The main doors on all four corners of the building were always opened in the morning, closing at night so that those who wished could come and go at will.
He walked to the door and set his pail down, pausing to dip it into the water as movement drew his optics. Ahead of him across the outer courtyard, he saw a segway coming his way with two strange humans aboard. Scanning internally the approved list for humans, he concluded they weren't allowed to enter. Stepping out, he paused. :Halt:
The segway slowed to a stop, two humans looking up at him with curiosity. Simmons stared a moment, then glanced at Mearing who shrugged. :Hi. I'm Simmons. I saw the building and thought I would come to see it. It's... uh, it's really beautiful."
Gravitas considered that, then signaled a priest to come. He stood a moment without moving, then turned to look at Chevron who came outside to see what was happening. Gravitas bowed his helm. :Master, these humans aren't on the approved list for the Temple:
Chevron nodded, then looked at the pair. :We cannot allow you to come inside. You are not allowed at this time:
:May I ask why?: Mearing asked.
:This is sacred space. I cannot allow you inside without permission of the Prime. I am sure you understand: Chevron said, a smile on his face. :I am sure that the humans at the habitat will explain it to you most satisfactorily:
Simmons nodded. :Thank you. We'll ask: Simmons turned the segway and wove their way outward disappearing into the city once more.
Chevron and Gravitas watched, then turned and went back inside. It was peaceful once more.
-0-A few moments later, Sciences Habitat, Autobot City, Mars
They sat at a table with seven of the scientists who had just about become permanent citizens of the city. They had asked about the building and were given hushed respectful information about it.
"That is the most sacred spot in the city. No one goes there unless you are invited. Only some of us are allowed. I hope some day that I am included," Michio Yamaha said.
"What's in there that they want to keep us from knowing about?" Simmons asked curiously. His paranoia was still there but he could see the handwriting on the wall. Go there, go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00.
"The AllSpark is there. So is the Well of All Sparks and the Matrix Flame. The relics of the Primes are held in the vaults and Alpha Trion lives there with the Quill and the Chronicles. He is their greatest and perhaps oldest scholar," Alejandro Vega, a scientist from Brazil replied.
"The AllSpark. I've heard of that. The Well of All Sparks, the Matrix Flame ... those are new. What are the relics?" Mearing asked sipping her coffee as she considered what they told her.
"They are supposed to be relics built by their pantheon. They are, some of them weapons of tremendous power and age," Michio replied.
Mearing nodded considering what she had been told. She sat back and listened as they chatted, her mind going a million miles an hour.
-0-TBC July 30, 2013