The Diego Diaries: Run Up 1 (dd3 458)
-0-At home 'doin'
Ratchet sat in his chair looking over the list of diplomatic obligations he'd have when they got back from the expedition. A number of news people were hoping to come from Earth to do 'in-depth' interviews of not only him but also Sunspot if possible. The tiny Seeker's half informative, half sad letter had made it all around the world via their 'intertubes' and social media.
The imagination of the entire planet was aroused as everyone everywhere tried to remember when a tiny yellow and white Seeker-let was ever on the Earth being menaced by anyone let alone humans. The information about the few remaining Decepticons on Earth following the battle in Egypt had been classified before Sunspot's innocent letter.
Some were mystified at the news, others shocked that an obvious baby was by himself and menaced by anyone while others wanted to probe the 'deep layers of deceit and fellow traveling' of this strange development to 'get to the bottom of the conspiracy'.
Those individuals had a snowball's chance in hell of ever doing so.
The others were handed to Ratchet for evaluation and suggestions. Prime would make the final decision but he wanted Ratchet's insight. Their diplomatic effort was built on an almost preternatural team work. He would go through the mass of requests, strike most off with the Embassy issuing letters but keep about three of the requests open. When they had a moment, interviews would be nice. Whether they'd include Sunspot was still debatable.
-0-Sunspot
He sat at his desk working hard on his report on the Golden Age history of Vos. He was researching his own traditional 'home land' for the oral report complete with images, artifacts and perhaps a Seeker or two on display when he gave it. All of the class was working on the concept of research. Their assigned topic was to do an in-depth report of their familial home territory from Cybertron. They would have a decaorn to do it, then the oral reporting would happen.
For Sunspot, it would be a happy event. He asked Uncle Starscream, Uncle Silverclaw and Uncle Great Elder Rainmaker to come. They all agreed to be there. It was going to be great, he thought as he outlined the premise to Ironhide and Ratchet when they checked his homework the night before...
"Then I'll tell about Vos and how it was the place where Seekers come from. I will have pictures. I'm finished making my map. I have it at school. Then I will have Uncle Starscream, Uncle Silverclaw and Uncle Rainmaker there. I'll ask them questions." He paused a moment to think something through. "Will you help me make some questions? I have only four."
They both grinned. "We'll always help you, Sunny Bunny," Ratchet said.
He smiled like the sun...
It was nearing lunch when Mr. Terradive told them to start wrapping it up. They'd clear up the room, line up for lunch, then go outside to play afterward. It would be another awesome day in the educational cocoon of school.
Spot would love it, too. Every single moment.
-0-Trine will be done
"Did you take care of Bob?"
"I did," Sideswipe said as he dried the little bug off. The Insecticon had relieved his tank, gotten a bath and a snack as he patiently worked through his routine with the twins.
"I'm done with him," Sideswipe said putting the tiny Insecticon on the ground.
Bob looked up at Sideswipe, then jumped upward putting his front legs on the big mech as he raised his helm for a pat.
Sideswipe knelt and with a grin patting the little bot. He purred loudly, then moved to stand as close to Sideswipe as he could. "Sunny."
"What?"
"I talked to Dev a while back about Bob and what he might need. Dev told me that babies like to be close to one another. They grow up together when they hatch and sleep in a mass. They like touch and closeness. It's comforting to them."
"That explains why he wants to dig a hole under you so you practically sit on him," Sunstreaker said as Bob bounced out on his many legs.
He paused at the door, then ran to Sunstreaker. Squeezing into the chair where he sat holding Uraya, Bob hunkered down and settled. "He really likes my carry hold. Especially when I heat it."
Sideswipe who walked out sat in his chair. "He does. The babies like him with them. It's sort of a tight fit but they like him and he likes them." He smirked. "How many orns is Uraya going to miss of school?"
"Not many," Sunstreaker said as he kissed his daughter. "I thought she needed to come home. Good thing Laret's a sport."
Earlier ...
Laret had arrived with a smiling Uraya in arms. "I would've brought them both but Iacon's being tested for conferences."
Sunstreaker grinned. "Thanks, Laret. When's the next committee meeting?"
"In about seven orns. It got extended because of testing," Laret said. "Uraya's testing finished yesterday."
"What will she miss?" Sideswipe said glancing with a smirk at his brother who was holding her in front of his face with a smile.
"Nothing she can't make up," Laret said. "See ya."
"Thanks," Sunstreaker said. It would be a nice afternoon with the quieter smaller twin of the two...
"Their separation date is coming up on the human calendar. What do you want to do about it. Do you want to add Kaon and make up for the other dates or what?" Sideswipe said sitting down beside a snorting sprawled Dawg. He patted that worthy's tummy, then glanced at the door as it opened.
Bluestreak walked in with a smile. "Hi." He paused. "What's wrong with Uraya?" he asked.
"Nothing. I think she needed me today," Sunstreaker said with a grin. "She needed some loving."
Bluestreak shook his helm. "You're hopeless."
"We're slagging awesome," Sunstreaker countered with a grin.
Bluestreak really didn't argue as he was engulfed into Sideswipe's arms. Flopping on the couch with the laughing winger, the three grinned at each other.
Sideswipe kissed Blue's neck. "What do you know about the mission?"
"Not much. I'm not going. I have sensors in Ops Center scheduled as my duty."
"What about us?" Sunstreaker asked as Uraya smiled at him. He sat her up, then kissed her. "Anything?"
"I don't know," Bluestreak said. "Ask Prowl. You know where he is."
"You ask him. He's your atar," Sideswipe said settling Blue on his lap.
"You."
"No, you, Babe."
"Sideswipe, you're a little crybaby." Blue grinned. :Atar:
:What, Bluestreak?:
:Are the twins scheduled for the mission?:
:They're on standby: Prowl answered as he paused his work at the kitchen table. It was covered with maps, datapads and other metrics of war and military action. He waited.
/... three …. two …/
"You're on standby," Blue said with a grin. /... two … one …/
"WHAT THE FRAG?" They glanced at each other a moment. :Prowl:
/... one …/ :What?:
:Why are we on standby? You need us. Seriously: -twins
:What I need is you to relax and wait on standby: -Prowl
:FRAG THAT!: -twins
(grin) :Prowl out: He cut the communications line, then returned to his work with a smile. Sometimes it was good to be Prowl.
-0-Around the Platoon
:KUP:
:What?:
:GET US ON THE MISSION! YOU NEED US!: -twins
:You're on aren't you?: -Kup, bemused
:WE'RE ON STANDBY!: -twins
:Oh. I'll see about it: -Kup, bemused
"What are you grinning about, old mech?: Springer asked.
"The twins. They appear to be on standby," Kup answered. "They think I have influence with someone."
"Don't you?" Drift asked grinning at the former foe who he had come to love a lot.
"With Unicron. Maybe. I'll have to ask Prowl." He sat a moment quietly then called. :Prowl:
:What?: -Prowl, bemused
:Why are the twins on standby?: -Kup, already knowing the answer
:Because they're dumb afts. Among other things: -Prowl, beginning to really enjoy himself. Somehow, having this happen here and now was a lot funnier and more fun than it was on the endless worlds where the twins had finagled an 'out' into an 'in'.
:Okay: Kup grinned. "Because they're dumb afts with other things to be named later."
"Prowl's in the can because of him. Them. Partly," Springer said with a smirk.
-0-Trine
"Frag." -twins, peeved
"Ada?"
The three adults looked at the little baby. She smiled at the instant attention from her three gods. She also forgot what she wanted to say under the combined optics and undivided attention of all three. She was so cute they took a moment to absorb it.
Then Blue grinned. "Cut me in on the conversations, slaggers. Who are you going to whine to next?"
"How about Atar? He's part of the command structure. Isn't he running the ground game?" Sideswipe said with a grin.
Sunstreaker nodded. :Atar:
:What?: -Ironhide pausing beside his father a moment to 'take a call'
:We're on standby. That's fragged. Get us on the go list: -twins
Ironhide grinned, then glanced at his father. "The twins are whining. Prowl has them on standby."
Blackjack grinned. "Let them sweat. I'll call for them before we go. Tell Bluestreak but tell him to keep it under wraps. Serves them right to be worried."
Ironhide nodded. :Blue. We got this:
Bluestreak grinned, then relaxed. "What did your atar say?" he asked innocently.
"Nothing."
Sideswipe grinned. :Atar?:
:I'm sorry. Atar can't take your call. Leave a message at the beep and he'll get back to you: Ironhide said. Then he sent a beep pulse to the both of them.
:BEEP!:
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker blinked. "What the frag?" -both of them
TBC October 2, 2013 8-3-19 Happy Birthday my darling Timmy.
NOTE: Intertubes*: we had a dips**t senator who'd ended up in charge of internet and technology in the United States Senator. He didn't have a clue but he was famous for trying to explain the internet as a 'series of tubes' carrying information here and there 'like dump trucks'. I put intertubes in just for him. And no … you don't have to thank me. ;)
Uncle Great Elder: One of my favorite factoids about Queen Victoria was the practice of her nieces, etc from the family calling her 'Aunt Queen'. LOL! I LOVE THAT! :D
The Diego Diaries: Giddy Up 1 (dd3 458)
-0-In The Land That Time Forgot
Ratchet studied the schematics of the vessel that would be his to command. He would direct medical relief on the macro scale as those suffering were brought to him. As he did, the monitor beeped a message. Leaning over, he commed the link manually. "Ratchet here."
"Commander, you're requested to come to the airfield to supervise the refit of the Darkness for triage and the rest."
"Does Prime request this?"
"You have his okay." The voice commed off.
Ratchet considered that a moment. :Optimus:
:Optimus here:
:Did you just clear me to go work on the Darkness refit?:
There was a pause.
:No. Why?:
:I just got a strange message that you ordered me to go supervise the refit for medical. I didn't recognize the voice and it didn't sound army:
:Hold on a moment: Prime frowned slightly, then turned to communications. "Whirlaway … did you call Ratchet?"
The big bot glanced his way then shook his helm. "No."
Prime glanced around the room. "Did anyone in here call Ratchet?"
All of the bots turned to Prime and all of them said no. He considered that, then commed Elita. :I have a job for you:
:On my way:
:Ratchet, stay where you are. Don't touch your message account:
:Gotcha: Ratchet sat back considering things a moment. He glanced over his shoulder out the window that formed the outer wall of their family office. The monitor overhead had a split screen. One side had the Community Bulletin running a rolling summary of news and the other played television on mute. He sat a moment wondering what the frag was up, then turned his attention back to the task at servo.
-0-Ops Center, Autobot City, Mars
Elita walked in with Chromia and paused at the command table. "You called?" she asked with a grin.
"I did. Have a seat." Prime waited for them to sit, then went internal. :Ratchet got a call to come to the airfield to work on the refit. No one here sent it but the message said that I okayed it. I did not:
Chromia nodded. :Someone is fragging with us. I wonder who that might be?: she asked with a knowing smirk.
Prime nodded. :I want to know. Go through the system and find out who sent the message. I would expect a level of competence in hacking from whomever it is. We are dealing with individuals who have skills:
:And an ax to grind: Elita said with a nod. She glanced at Chromia. :Let's go:
They rose and walked off heading for the sub floor below them where the classified Teletraan interfaces were. A huge situation room was there that was used by intel and other specialists when a mission was running or a classified operation required stealth.
Entering an elevator, they pressed the classified code that would take them there. "This can't be good."
"I know," Elita said. "I can only assume that this is the first salvo of the high caste war against the Prime."
"I believe that, too," Chromia said with a cold expression.
They exited the elevator and walked into the big center, the overhead lights coming on automatically. Walking to the Teletraan III interface in the middle, they stood around it cuing in the protocols for it to begin.
"You are entered." A feminize mechanical voice spoke in the stillness of the big room.
"Teletraan, please give me the history and data of Commander Ratchet's communications for the past two joors," Elita said as the screen before them began to fill with glyphs. When it ceased there were eighteen communications. "Let's see who and what's going on here."
They began to go through them one at a time.
-0-The Trine
"Who's left to ask?" Sideswipe asked as Bluestreak sat beside him, the two watching Sunstreaker fume.
"No one," Sunstreaker said angrily.
"They'll call us. They're just fragging with us. When there's trouble, we go," Sideswipe said. "They're getting to you."
"Frag that," Sunstreaker said sitting back. "If we go, we get out of here."
"I think I'm going for a stroll," Bluestreak said standing up only to be pulled back down.
"I don't know. Strolling is so boring. How about something a little more fun?" Sideswipe said grinning at Bluestreak who settled back into his arms. "What about it, grumpy? How about having some fun?" he said looking at Sunstreaker.
Sunstreaker grinned, then nodded. With that, Sideswipe arose and threw Blue over his shoulder. "Last one in is a slagger," he said as he skated both of them to the berth room.
Sunstreaker stood up and stretched then looked down at Bob who was looking back at him. "Stay, Bob."
The infant Insecticon stood up in the chair to look at Sunstreaker, then the big yellow Lambo grinned. For a moment he looked at Bob, then walked into the berth room. He sat uncertainly a moment, then Bob jumped down and ran after Sunstreaker. It was quiet until Bob jumped onto the berth landing in the middle of all the fun.
Chaos and shouting ensued. It was enough to make Dawg actually open an optic.
For a second.
-0-Jetta
He walked through the new construction of a rising city that had no name yet. This was done on a strict Cybertronian model. The towers were tall and several of different heights, many of them exceeding those of other cities. All of them were connected together with the usual elevated walk and road ways that distinguished their particular style.
The towers covered a relatively small area of land, but their height and interconnectivity gave the illusion of great space. Interspersed throughout the towers were business districts, governmental offices and services. It would be a unit … the basic format of Cybertronian urban living. Neighborhoods provided the closeness that their species had in cities on Cybertron and the convenience as well. The only difference would be that it was free to everyone and everyone would live in a high caste level domicile.
Jetta stood on a roadway that wove its way around and through the complex halfway up the tall structures. Walkways were also there and it was beautiful. The care that they put into all things manufactured they'd lavished here as well. He walked along the road heading toward a tower with an enormous archway where the road entered the building and continued onward through the other side.
Below ground the subway system connected this new city and the two others in various stages of completion nearby. The roads that wound around the structures here were matched on the ground. These three new cities would be connected to the others already built making an expanded urban area with open spaces in between for future plans.
The refugee tide that was coming on the sensor grid looked to be enormous. They were building habitations in surrounding areas of the established satellite cities to prevent urban sprawl and allow room for expansions later on.
The Temple Precinct had ample space now but would need more later with a growing population. The Mausoleum slash Basilica District of Autobot City for Cybertronian burials and ceremonials was slotted to be built on the north side of the city but was now moved to an open plain between all three cities.
He took a moment, turning slowly to survey the scene. The ideas that were ever on his mind came like a never ending tide. He had a chance to do what he always dreamed of and do it on a grand scale for every single Cybertronian. On Cybertron, there'd be no chance for him to ever have the opportunity to make good things for everyone. The cities would be high caste homelands. He and his own kind would live on the edges in the dregs.
Jetta was charged to house all their people and give them good things. He'd make it happen. Glancing at the weak sun overhead, he continued onward to the archway, entering to step onto the sidewalks inside that bordered the road. Walking across the plaza, he entered one of the many elevators to disappear downward.
-0-Sub Control Center, Fortress, Autobot City, Mars
They stood staring at the data. "This is interesting."
"I think so." Chromia pulled the data wafer from the slot and turned. "We better tell Prime."
Elita nodded, then they walked to the door and an elevator beyond.
-0-Above ground
Prime sat going over a number of items with Blackjack, Alor and Flint who would be leaving for Fort Apache shortly. Red Wing who would command Seekers was also there with Starscream.
Chromia and Elita walked across Ops Center and paused by the table. "Don't we all look busy," Elita said with a grin.
"We are," Starscream said.
"We have news, Optimus," Elita said as Chromia nodded.
Optimus rose. "I will be right back. Continue, please," he said as he signaled Prowl to follow. They walked to the conference room nearby closing the door behind them. Sitting, Elita began.
"We can't trace whatever Ratchet received because it doesn't exist in the system. Unless Ratchet was drunk or hallucinating that is, there's nothing to support what he said. If a message was sent it disintegrated when it got there. There's nothing that indicates a message at all." Elita sat back and shrugged.
"Ratchet."
"Ratchet here, Optimus."
"Ratchet, I had Elita and Chromia track your message and there is nothing. If there was a message then it disappeared after arriving to you," Prime said.
It was silent a moment, then Ratchet sat forward. "I got one. It told me to go to the field and join the gear up. I'm sober."
"Wait until Drift and Springer get there then come here. I have Prowl. We can figure this out."
"Affirmative." Ratchet sat back mystified. He'd heard the message. It had come.
-0-Moments later
A rap on the door caught his brooding attention so Ratchet rose to walk to it. Pausing a moment, he scanned the figures on the other side. Opening it, he grinned. "You came to babysit?"
Springer grinned. "Looks like it."
Ratchet stepped out and the group walked to the elevator. They took it down and made their way through the city to the Ops Center. When they did a figure walked through the hallway and put a box next to the door. Then they disappeared. There would be not evidence of their presence on any device that the building had.
-0-Ops Center, Autobot City, Mars
They entered the huge center heading for the conference room. Gabbing and joking, they paused by the door when Prowl walked through in a hurry. Ratchet and the two watched him go to the comm station.
"I wonder what's up?" Drift said. He nodded to Springer, then walked after Prowl.
Ratchet and Springer walked into the room where everyone sat grim faced. Prowl turned at the comm center and with Drift in tow walked back to the conference room. "We have a situation," Prowl said grimly.
-0-TBC October 3, 2013 8-3-19