The Diego Diaries: Festivale 7 (386)
-0-Later that night: The Trine
They walked from the elevator heading for their apartment laden with infants and bounty from the party. It was quiet in the town. The walk from Mare Tranquilitatis was swifter than usual because the streets had cleared of nearly all traffic. The solemn part of the holiday had descended. They walked to their door, Dawg waddling along behind them and keyed their codes. Entering, Sunstreaker looked toward the window nearby. Still lying on his little bed, Bob was waiting. He looked up at Sunstreaker with excitement as the big front liner knelt in front of him. Raising his helm, he pressed it into Sunstreaker's servo, purring as Sunny petted him.
Sunstreaker smiled. "You did good. You stayed put. Next time we go out, you come."
"Everyone is going to know its an Insecticon," Bluestreak said as he stood with Iacon staring at the helpless little bug.
"They accepted Decepticons. They can accept Bob," Sunny said with an edge in his voice. "If they don't, they can take it up with me."
Blue grinned. "Then you shouldn't have a problem."
"That's my thinking too," Sunny said. "Stay here and sleep, Bob. You can have Dawg keep you company." He turned to Dawg and patted him. "Time for recharge, bub," he said with a smile. Dawg licked his servo, then he stared at Bob. Bob burst into purring, pressing himself down into his bed in abject submission. Dawg looked at him, then Sunstreaker. Sunny smiled so Dawg turned and licked Bob's arm. Bob pressed against Dawg and a great love story was born.
Rising, Sunstreaker watched as Dawg walked in circles in his bed, then flopped down. Bob looked at him, then settled as close to Dawg as he could. Only then did he relax.
"They seem friendly," Sideswipe said coming up behind Bluestreak. He took Iacon, then paused looking down at the two. "We have a bug for a pet. Who knew?"
Sunstreaker nodded. "He has no one. He has us now."
Sideswipe glanced at Blue who nodded back. "He does, Sunny," Blue said squeezing Sunny's arm. "Let's recharge. We're due at Venture's house tomorrow. Amends time."
Sunstreaker looked at Bluestreak. "What amends? They took care of that last year." The group turned and walked to Iacon's room. Blue tucked her into her fabulously feminine crib placing blankets and dollies in with her. Checking Uraya and Kaon, they turned and walked to their own room. "Miler and Venture practice a strict form of belief. They will either have amends to make or not. All we have to do is listen and nod. Easy."
"Praxians," Sideswipe said with a grin.
"Really," Sunstreaker agreed before Bluestreak punched them both.
-0-Aerie Hill
They stood in the middle of their big apartment staring at the stack of food items and bottles of high grade that were traditional party gifts from attendees to hosts. "That is a lot of booze," Sky Warp said as he swayed gently, his son in his arms. He had put the other three to bed and was on his way with this one when he paused to look around with Starscream and Thundercracker.
"More for the next party," Starscream said with a grin. He turned and took the infant out of Sky Warp's arms. "Enjoy finding a place for it," he said as he disappeared down the hallway to the berth rooms.
Sky Warp watched him with a frown. "Lazy aft slagger."
"You knew that going in," Thundercracker said with a chuckle as he walked to the heavily laden table. "I think we need a booze locker on the verandah."
Sky Warp looking at the table with a big frown nodded. "We do. He's still a slagger."
"He is," Thundercracker said picking up a number of bottles. "High maintenance, our Starscream," he said with a chuckle. They filled the cupboards and put the rest on the verandah away from infant optics. Two orns later would see the delivery of a locked low slung cabinet. It would look neat and stylish in the corner of their verandah, its shelves filled with bottle after bottle of the best stuff Autobot City could provide.
-0-At the bosom of love and such like that
Ratchet stared at the pile of stuff left over even after dividing up the spoils among all the party goers. It was a big freaking heap. Putting as many bottles in the cupboards as possible, he considered the rest. They had taken care to make sure that most of it went somewhere when everyone saw Orion waltz over and pick up a half full bottle of Praxus Black Label for a swig. Needless to say, half the room levitated to grab his little aft.
Now that Ironhide was riding herd on their wild aft little remuda, he was tasked with making nice with the room. Food filled the fridge, unspoilables were stacked on the counters and the room policed out the wazoo. Soon it would be hard to detect that a party had happened with literally zillions of participants. Walking to the berth room, he peered in. Sunspot was sitting on his bed with Spot. Praxus was in the wash rack getting his face and servos washed. He was complaining loudly.
"ATAR! OW!"
"Ow my aft," Ironhide replied as he dried off his son. "There. No more food on your face, hoodlum. You have to look your best for Primus tomorrow."
"ATAR! I GO YOU!?"
"You will. But right now, sleepy bed time, youngling," Ironhide said as he picked up his son and walked out. He walked to Praxus's berth room and tucked him in, dollies laid down here and there. Kissing the infant, he turned and walked out turning off the light. "ATAR! I LOVE YOU!"
Ironhide peered back in and grinned. "I love you too. Sleepy bed, okay?"
"OKAY! OKEY DOKEY! ATAR! ADA! I LOVE YOU!" Praxus said with a giant smile.
Ratchet kissed him and patted his belly. "Go to recharge, infant. Tomorrow is in about ten minutes I think." He walked out and peeked in on Hero and Prowler as Ironhide tended to Orion. He was standing by his door watching everyone, a big floppy eared dog toy in his arms. He ended back in his big boy bed with kisses, admonitions and pats.
Walking into Sunspot's room, Ironhide and Ratchet paused smiling down at the little Seeker who smiled back. "Ada, Atar, I have to tell you my stuff."
Ratchet and Ironhide looked at each other, then the baby. They nodded. "Alright," they said nearly in unison.
Sunspot smiled. "Mr. Terradive said we have to make amends and tell our sorries to you because of the Festival."
"If you can, you should. It's up to you, Sunny," Ratchet said as he moved to sit on the big berth. Spot rolled over to expose his belly. Ratchet complied as he rubbed it, the dog tongue-lolling in his pleasure.
"I love you and you," he said looking from one to the other. "I love my school, my brothers and sister. The Seekers who help me, I love them. Uncle Starscream and the Great Elder ... Uncle Silverclaw and all of them. I love them. I told them yesterday during my flying lesson. They hugged me and said they loved me too."
"Why wouldn't they?" Ironhide asked as he moved to sit on the other side of the infant. "You are loveable."
Sunspot smiled. "I love my town and school. I love football and going to the movies. I love swimming and helping my family. I love the pets ... SPOT IS MY FRIEND!"
Ratchet felt the sting in his optics. "Well, who isn't? Primus sent Spot to you, Sunny. Don't forget that."
"I love Primus. He helps me everyday. HE GAVE ME MY DOG!" He turned and hugged Spot who licked his face. "I have a home. I'm not afraid and hungry. I'm not hurt or sick anymore. I go to school. I GO TO SCHOOL, ADA!" He looked at Ratchet with such an open expression of love and gratitude that it made Ratchet's spark squeeze. Ironhide looked at the window a moment to gather himself.
Ratchet hugged Sunspot. "You are our champion. You are the trailblazer and pathfinder for the infants, Sunspot. I love to attend your conferences. I know it will be awesome."
"I try really hard. I like school. I LOVE MR. TERRADIVE! He is my friend," Sunspot said. "I told everyone in the school I love them. I told Cook and all the aides. I told the swimming instructor and everyone in the flight school. I told GrandAtar Blackjack and Tie Down and Grandada Alor and Ravel. I told Uncle Flint. I am going to tell Sunstreaker, Bluestreak and Sideswipe tomorrow. I told them tonight but I want to tell them again. They said they would always protect me."
"They always will, Sunspot. They're your brothers," Ironhide said. "They only say what they mean."
Sunspot nodded. "I love them. I am so happy. Uncle Optimus and Uncle Prowl are so wonderful. I love all their younglings."
"They love you too. You all are such good friends. You and Silverbow too. You were among the first little ones in our city. You are that important," Ratchet said kissing his helm.
"I love it here. I am sorry if I don't always keep my room clean. I will do better. I will also do more if you ask me. I want to help you and Ada," he said to Ironhide.
Both looked around his room which was its usual immaculate self. "Youngling, if you get any neater I won't know where I am. You are a miracle of neatness," Ratchet said.
Sunspot smiled. "I try. I love you, Ada." He looked at Ironhide. "I love you, Atar." Then he leaned into Ironhide.
That mech picked him up and held him, rubbing his back as he sent him love over the channel that linked bots together. Ratchet joined him. Ironhide stood and turned laying the baby down on his berth. Covering him with blankets, he helped Spot under them to lie next to Sunspot. "Go to recharge, infant. Good things are coming. Tomorrow, we get to see Primus again."
"I love him too," Sunspot said as Ironhide kissed his forehelm.
"He loves you back, Sunspot," Ironhide said. He ruffled Spot's helm, then stood as Ratchet kissed Sunspot. He patted Spot's helm too, then the two walked out and shut off the light.
Sunspot lay a moment staring out the window, then turned and spooned behind Spot. "I love you too, Spot," he said softly with all the spark-felt emotion he could. Spot, if he could have said so would have said ditto.
-0-At the Prime Residence
They entered, Prowl walking heavily laden to the kitchen. Putting down his load, he turned and watched the younglings streaking down the hallway. Rambler streaked back out and ran to his piano. He put his new music on it, the music Alor had given him and raced back again. Turning, putting things away, Prowl walked to the corridor and paused by Miracle's door. Optimus was tucking him in and kissing his helm. Walking out, he grinned at Prowl as he turned to gather up the raucous younglings cavorting in their own rooms. Rambler peered out of his own and smiled. "I'll help you, Atar."
Optimus smiled and the two entered T-Bar's room. Hysterical laughter filtered out as Prowl stood over Miracle's crib, The baby was hugging a little Bluestreak dollie and smiling. Prowl smiled back and kissed the baby, fussing with his blankets. Then he turned and entered the fray in the other rooms.
It took a bit of finesse to get them all into bed but it was accomplished. Amends and sorries were given as emotional genitors nodded and kissed each infant while they told their personal list of things to fix and all they were grateful for. All were celebrated and forgiven as each infant was tucked in. When the last one was settled, they walked to their own gigantic suite.
Prowl walked into the wash rack and did his usual routine, one he had learned as an infant and carried forward into adulthood. Optimus who had to walk down a couple of flights of stairs to a dilapidated communal wash rack and sometimes running water was less inclined to be as fastidious. He had always availed himself of the facilities of wherever he had worked, even as he kept himself as immaculate as the situation allowed.
He flopped into the berth and waited. The light went out and Prowl walked to lie down and turn into Prime's embrace. They lay in the darkness, the lights outside filling the space. "Are you ready for tomorrow, Optimus?" Prowl asked.
"As ready as ever," Optimus replied.
"I hope you get good news," Prowl said spark felt and hopeful.
"You and me both," Optimus said pulling Prowl closer. They would chat a while, their usual pre-recharge practice, then drift off together.
-0-At the dojo
They sat quietly absorbing the peaceful energy of the night together. Most of them were bachelors so sitting here was as easy as going home alone. Lon was dozing, his bottle empty. Drift glanced at the youngling through his comfortable buzz. "Youngling can't hold his liquor."
"I noticed that," Springer said as he lay on the couch, his helm resting on Drift's lap. "Youngling needs more experience. Fortunately he has enough drunks here to show him the way."
Drift snorted, then chuckled. "That's true." It was quiet a moment, then he put down his bottle. "Do we stay here or go?"
"I like where I am," Springer said from somewhere in the middle of Drift's lap. "What about you, old mech?"
Kup drifted back to sentience a moment, then glanced around. "I'm staying here. Set my internal alarm. Lon needs a sitter."
"He does," Fury said as he lay sprawling on a comfortable chair. "Wake me. I think I'm going under," he murmured before drifting off in an high grade haze. About that time so did everyone else.
Kup looked at them with a slight sense of disgust and superiority. "Youngling frauds. Can't hold your liquor. I guess that makes me the mech," he said before drifting off himself.
-0-Venture and Miler
They walked into their apartment and put things away. Turning, Miler walked to the window, Venture joining him. They stared out at the vista, one that led through the towers of Metroplex and out toward Terra. It was sparkling, velvety dark and intensely beautiful. It was also home. Venture took Miler's servo squeezing it gently. "It is a good life, Miler."
Miler nodded. "It is a miracle, Ven. How much a miracle, I learn every orn."
"I never went to a party that was as much fun as the ones here, Milie," Venture said nodding. "They were always the same thing on Cybertron... same people, same comments, same everything every time."
Miler smirked slightly. "Every time but one."
Venture snorted. "Yes. Every time but one." They stood quietly remembering the time a young Prowl going through what the humans might consider a goth/punk/sourpuss phase spiked the high grade and everyone was sick for orns. Though they never really pinned it on him, somewhere in their hidebound interiors a small rebellious flicker of their own celebrated his bravado, but they never held another party at their own home again.
Miler leaned into him. "This is a good place, Venture. I never thought I would say this but if we never retrieve Cybertron, I can live here happily. All I want ... all I never knew I needed is here."
Venture nodded. "I know. I agree. But I also know ... our Prime will retrieve Cybertron and he will bring it here."
Miler nodded. "I have been tasked to do the mathematics on it by Wheeljack, Ven. Don't tell anyone. Its secret beyond top secret, need to know only."
Venture nodded. "I'm glad. These are exciting times, Milie."
Miler nodded. "I know."
They stood and watched the night for a while before retiring.
-0-On the way home
Blaster walked with Revet, 'Vette bundled in his arms. They had celebrated the run up to Festival with Revet's extended family. Tomorrow at one joor before noon, they would set the automatics and join Mirage and Jazz at the Temple with everyone else. It would be epic. They would do the game play-by-play the next orn but for tomorrow, they would be with their families enjoying the solemnity of the moment and the presence of holiness in their midst.
They disappeared into the nighttime.
-0-At an apartment in a tower in the Mare Tranquilitatis
Wheeljack shut off his computer and rose walking to the living room. The study where he worked was extra large. He had asked for and received a large four berth room apartment. Even though he and Perceptor had no infants of their own, they had a lot of stuff. One room was overflowing with datapads and books stacked on shelves and the corners of the room floor to ceiling.
Another room was a full fledged lab where they worked on a myriad of experiments that were designed to tweak existing stuff. Much of the conveniences of life in the city came from their combined processor power. The room across from it was filled with machinery being constructed. Computer components that were ten thousand years ahead of the most experimental human designs were awaiting more work, something they reserved for the weekends.
This was their 'fun'.
The other room held a couple of desks and a table littered with roll out pads and design pads where they worked on new ideas and impossible dreams. One of those was the retrieval of Cybertron and the engineering that would bring it from its wandering path to the safety of this solar system.
Their berth room was big and comfortable sheltering the few things they had kept with them from Cybertron including images of both of their genitors, Perceptor's sister and Wheeljack's two brothers. There was no indication that any of them were gone to the Matrix so hope sprang eternal.
Even here in Reason Ground Zero.
"Percy?"
"Yes, 'Jack?" a voice said from the kitchen.
"I'm turning in."
"I'll be there shortly, Wheeljack," Perceptor said as he stood at a telescope pointing upward that was kept in the corner of the living room. He took his measurements, then turned and walked into the berth room to turn in. He was tired but as expectant as anyone in the city. Tomorrow was going to be epic.
Primus was coming to the dance.
-0-At an apartment nearby
A small group of mechs and a couple of femmes sat together, their infants in their arms as they discussed life with all its twists and turns. They were Missionaries, a nearly mythical group that had been feared killed off during the catastrophic downfall of collapse precipitated by the Clampdown, the 'murder' of Sentinel Prime and the Fall of Cybertron to the Decepticons.
They were part of the Primus Peace Mission or Missionaries that had tried to find a third way from the straight road to the abyss. They had thrown their ideas and bodies against the inevitable and died in great numbers. None were known to exist until they began to turn up at colonies and settlements bringing with them their courage, convictions and ideals.
They were respected. They were honored. They were few. More were out there coming so the group that was here organized to assist the colony and each other reclaim themselves from the terrors of the past. They were waiting too for the first Festival of Primus with a Prime officiating since long before the Fall. One of the first things Sentinel and Nominus Prime did was cancel the schedule of festivals. Some said they were afraid of Primus, others that they were just blasphemous. Either way, this was going to be a spectacular event for all of them.
They would be there with everyone else and when Prime came back out again, they would hold up their children to see and receive the blessed love of Primus himself.
-0-At the Temple
They walked around making the finishing touches. Chevron and Lauren walked to the room of the Matrix Flame and made their evening prayers to Primus and the pantheon. Giving thanks to The One, they walked out and observed the few who were there making requests and giving thanks to the AllSpark as well as the acolytes who would become full fledged priests the next orn. They would have seven priests in total here to serve a huge population.
Gravitas stood with Templar, both ready to help anyone who needed it. There would be three requests for sparks tomorrow, the tiny protoforms already here in the room dedicated for such things. He could hardly wait to see it. It never got old. Three infants would be sparked during the holiest orn on the calendar. It would be epic.
The lights of the Temple threw a soft light into the big room as the joors slipped past. Sleeping would come later. Right now, helping others took precedence.
-0-Rampage
He stood at the door of his shop and waited for Bon. They would go to the event together the next orn, family in tow. He was exhilarated at the prospect of belonging to someone and something other than his own rage at long last. They had both asked Prime to officiate their bond and he had agreed. It would come on the day after the game and fireworks. It would be a small ceremony on the steps of the Fortress, family and friends invited. Anyone else passing by were welcome too. The party would be held at the Guild Hall.
He took Bon's servo and the two stepped out, the door closing and locking behind them. They were not going to be doing anything remotely related to business until after their bonding orn. All of the food was delivered, buffets all over town stocked in the rec rooms and communal dining halls in anticipation of the break fast the following midnight and those who weren't going to fast for whatever reason.
Now it was all for them. They walked off together happily heading for their apartment and their new life together. None of his brothers would be able to understand. The only difference was this time he accepted that and didn't care.
-0-At the Prison
The siren rolled past them heading out into the hinterlands. The inmates stepped out to listen. The sound stopped and they glanced at each other. Sentinel moved toward the fence, then stopped. Decimus and Ratbat walked toward him followed by the others.
"That was the siren signaling the Festival," Proteus said. "Primus is coming tomorrow."
"You stopped the festivals, you and Nominus," Ratbat said with a grim expression. "I never asked you why you did that."
Sentinel stared at the city without saying anything. Proteus stepped closer staring at him a moment. "You never felt Primus did you."
Sentinel was silent a moment, then turned to Proteus. "Have you?"
Proteus shook his helm. "I didn't bear the Matrix. What was your excuse?"
Sentinel had none.
Nearby, another group of mechs watched the city. Motormaster looked at the others sourly. "Frag Prime and frag the city."
"You take defeat badly," Shield said as he looked at the others through the bars that separated his segment of the cell block from the four Stunticons. Barricade smirked as Scorponok come to his side. "He's a loser. His brother has a life and he doesn't. What do you suppose Breakdown will be doing tomorrow?" Barricade asked as he glanced at Motormaster.
That big bot turned toward Barricade. "You're lucky the bars are on, punk. I would tear you apart otherwise."
"That's all you're good for, Motormouth. Breaking things. That's why you will never get out to ever walk around," he said with a grim smirk. "How about the four of you combining to entertain us?"
The invective Motormaster threw at them was surprising in its color range and specificity.
-0-In an apartment in the city
Terradive and Roto sat on the couch sipping a drink as they watched the programs on IntraComm. They had dinner and were relaxing for the start of a very happy weekend. They had the Primal blessing, a ball game and fireworks. There would also be another day before work started again.
"This is going to be fun. A few of the teachers are going rock climbing in the Valles. Do you want to go?" Terri asked his bond.
Roto looked at him, then shrugged. "I don't do well with heights."
Terri nodded. "Good. I wasn't up to it anyway either."
They would stay home and play in the city. Urban boys were urban boys.
-0-In a hangar nearby
"Me, Grimlock will go to ball game. What about you, Snarl?" He asked as he sat on his berth in a room dedicated to the dinobots by the city. It was next to the big hangars of the Supremes who had them in servo and loved it.
Swoop who had nearly become the parrot to Kappa's pirate smiled. "I, Swoop go with Kappa."
"You go with Kappa all the time. Me, Grimlock not like that. You come with us too."
"I go with Kappa. You, Grimlock can't tell Swoop what to do."
"Me, Grimlock boss. You listen to me."
A fracas broke out until a giant hand reached into the room and gripped Grimlock. He disappeared outside to meet the disapproving optics of Xantium. Him, Grimlock would be attending the game with Xantium. Him, Swoop would be the guest of Kappa.
-0-In the N.E.S.T. HQ
They sat playing cards, Simmons and Mearing included. The conversation was about the city, the festival and the game to come. The newbies were bitching about being left out, the veterans smirking and slagging them unmercifully because they weren't.
"Tomorrow, we will go to the Temple and get the blessing," Fig Figeroa said with a smirk. He upped his ante and sat back pleased with his hand. The others anted, the call was made and he won the pot. Raking it in, he grinned. "Then the game. What can I say about games?"
"Nothing," another vet said with a chuckle. "This is your first one too."
Fig chuckled. "So. It will be epic."
Mearing glared at him. "I want to know what happens at the Temple. I want to know all of it."
"And if we don't tell you?" Fig replied.
"I can order it. I can have you back on Earth in a New York minute," she replied as the room suddenly took a chill.
Fig stared at her a moment, then grinned. "I call your bluff."
She filed that call for later.
-0-Nearby
Sadie stood by the window watching the city as the siren sounded. She was excelling in school, had only been in trouble once for being out too late and her genitors were getting the upper servo. She was happy and curious, artistic and genuinely sweet. Her mentorship with Sunstreaker was paying dividends. The Art Guild was collecting samples of original art for a show in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her dream of showing there had come true. Two of her pieces were in the running. Smiling, she looked at her genitors who had walked in to stand by her. "Tomorrow is going to be wonderful, Sadie. If you need to eat, you can. The Priests say its fine."
"I know," she said leaning against her ada. "I will try not to."
They stood talking together as the siren rolled. Then it stopped. It was very peaceful in their home on the top of a tower in the Mare.
-0-Praxus Tower
Sunstreaker walked out and took a drink of 'water'. He turned and walked to the two little bots laying on their beds. He knelt and petted them, talking softly to both. They wiggled and purred, happy and content that their hero was there to love on them. He rose and turned walking back to his room and the two settled back down. Outside, the evening wore onward.
-0-In a big boy bed elsewhere
Orion lay a moment, then sat up. Rising, he climbed down and walked out into the house. Peering into rooms, he noted everyone but Spot was asleep. He walked to the kitchen and looked at three bottles that were on a chair. He tugged at one and it fell off landing on the rug to roll under the table. He walked to it and examined the lid. As he stood tugging on it to open, he didn't notice that Spot had come up behind him. He didn't notice until Spot picked him up by his helm and carried him wiggling and tweeting back to his room. Parking him on his bed, Spot turned and walked back to the kitchen. He picked up the bottle and carried it back to his own room. Hopping up on the bed, dropping the bottle, he crawled back under his covers again.
Orion sat on his bed fuming slightly. He wasn't hurt. Spot often carried them away from disaster by whatever he could grasp. He was just thwarted. Climbing back down, he padded into his genitors room, then walked out to the window. Standing there watching outside, he licked it absently. That is, he did until Spot gripped him again and deposited him into his bed. They would do it one more time before Orion gave up the game. Falling into recharge after one more 'rescue', Spot got up and walked back to bed with Sunspot. He would remain there until everyone got up again.
-0-At the midway array, halfway to Earth, halfway from Mars
The machinery did its work searching the Earth for the enemy. Feeding the data to the mainframes at Diego Garcia and Autobot City, it was analyzed and cataloged. So far, no firm indications but the maze of the Insecticons stretched from Alaska to Omaha, Nebraska and down to Baja California.
So far.
-0-TBC August 4, 2013