The Diego Diaries: Skills (472) edited

-0-On the beat

He walked along the path with a Night Watch mech by the name of Rounder. They were about the same age and compatible. They also talked.

"He was like ... all over me. It was so embarrassing."

Rounder grinned. "I heard about it. Mistermaster is a loon. I hear Prime read him the riot act."

"He must have. I don't see him lurking around anywhere," Smokey said looking around everywhere.

-0-Shortly after the first bombing

Mistermaster walked into the office of the Primes and bowed. He grinned at Prime, a mech he liked as well as admired. Mistermaster was a high caste but held none of the self-limiting prejudices of his status. Sometimes the best most interesting mechs were low and mid caste, having none of the stuffy self involvement that he despised in others. He was ecumenical in his sense of amore and chased good-looking mechs wherever he found them. He sat when asked, then waited. "What may I do for you, sir?" he asked with his usual smile.

Optimus Prime grinned in spite of himself. This mech was one of the few from the old orns for whom he felt genuine regard. That he was an old roue, that he chased hard and loved too well was part of his charm. That a lot of his objets d' affection were appalled at his ardent suit was not. Prime was caught between his obvious affection for and gratitude of this mech and his duty. No one knew that Mistermaster had been a very strong supporter albeit on the down low of his regime and had fed him invaluable information about the machinations of the government until the Fall ended their collaboration. On at least two occasions, Mistermaster had been the difference between life and death for their side. "I called you here, Mistermaster because you are pursuing a most reluctant target."

He grinned. "That youngling is one of the most handsome mechs I've seen in a long time, Optimus. He's really smart too. Nice manners ... a trifecta!"

Optimus snorted, then chuckled. "You can't chase after reluctant individuals. Its called harassment."

Mistermaster considered that. "I have a large spark," he said with a grin. "You want me to temper my amore?"

"I think so. There are so many mechs who would welcome the attentions of a good spark like you. You need to consider that." Prime grinned. "Truly. Consider it."

Mistermaster laughed, then sat back. "Because it was you who asked," he said with a grin. Then he got serious. "There is disquiet among those of a certain caste, my friend. They are aware of certain forces that are prepared to do spiteful things, such as the event in Tower 2 yesterday. You know of what I speak. I am seeking it out," he said, then sat back with a grin. "You would be surprised what some tell me unaware of my true cunning."

"You are that and I acknowledge it gratefully," Prime said warming up to the merry old mech before him. "Sometimes being underestimated is a good thing."

"It is. I gave my loyalty to the Primes when I was young and they let me down over and over. You didn't. I give it to you now, Optimus Prime. Expect me to help you always."

"I am honored for your help, Mistermaster. I have always cherished our friendship," Optimus said truthfully. "Even if you are a devious pursuer of reluctant mechs."

Mistermaster grinned proudly. "I am aren't I." He stood for a moment, then bowed. "I must seek intel. I am yours to command. Again."

Prime stood and offered his servo. They shook then Mistermaster went on his merry way. The amusement of that mech would stick with Prime all orn.

-0-At the city sites

Copperton stood sipping his energon on his break as slabs were laid with quick drying concrete into steel frameworks for more towers. He was now a construction foreman who helped lay the footings of the big towers. He was incredibly proud of that promotion because everyone had been genuinely happy for him when it happened. No one had ever made him feel so necessary and needed than the work crew here at the site. He still jumped in and assisted, finding in the effort a sense of peace and connection to his culture that his life had been missing. He could point in every direction and tell his family yes, I was a jobber on that tower and this pavilion. It was glorious.

His son had opened his business and was working on all of his projects. He was going to learn how to do electronics to help his son make some of the amazing things he had designed. There were gun sights that were ten times superior to good ones now and they helped to sight in targets faster than conventional ones. Snipers and sport shooters would love them and Burnoff was working on making them available for ships. His son had ideas for telecommunications, radios and improved monitors. His son's ideas were many and not limited to a few areas. He was dazzled by the happiness on his son's face when he explained things. His business was beautiful and Turquoise was his assistant-secretary-sounding board now. The two most central beings of his existence were working out of the same office. He could relax in a way he hadn't in his whole life.

"You look happy," Bulkhead said as he stopped to stand beside Copperton.

Copperton smiled. "Let me tell you what my son just did," he said and he did.

-0-Watch Station #6, Temple and Metroplex, The City, Mars

Prime listened, then nodded. "Good work," he said to the youngling who listened to his words with an almost messianic intensity.

"Then you agree, sir, that I should pursue this line of intel," Lon said.

"What are your impressions of danger?" Prime asked Springer.

"They might test him. He has been hanging out with us a lot and that might be a problem. Then again, I never went broke underestimating the arrogance of high castes." Springer grinned at Lon. "No offense."

"None taken," Lon said nodding.

Drift grinned.

"We will do it with caveats. You will go wired. Do a triple set. You will never go anywhere that you don't alert your control," Prime said glancing at Drift. "You are the control. Alternate with Mirage and Dev." He looked at the kid. "You have to remember everything you say and be prepared to be in the position of being in danger. You are inexperienced. You will never come to us directly unless there is danger or you have a blazing need to do so. You will always go home or to work, never to us because you will have to work with the idea that you are being watched orn and night. These individuals know that they have crossed a line. They will not be askance at taking precautionary measures to protect themselves. You are not expendable."

"The wire you will wear is designed to hide that you are," Drift said. "We'll get Jazz to do it. He's the best."

Prime nodded. "When you do undercover work you are run by your control," he said nodding to Drift who grinned. "You have to obey. If they say pull out and come in you do. They could have information you don't have. You must obey. You must signal. Understand?"

Lon nodded solemnly. "I understand."

"You will also be in the view of mechs that will not be known to you who will be able to watch and see that you are safe. If you were a veteran of this kind of surveillance, we would wire you and have a control. But you aren't so we are building in layers of scrutiny for your protection as well." Prime considered the intense youngling. "Go to the meeting but be a few minutes late. Don't appear too eager and continue to worry that association with them will harm your career. You may get the first wire located. Tell them that is Watch hardware. They won't find the other two." He looked at Drift. "Make the codes you will use and find mechs who are first class at this to shadow him and don't tell Lon who they are."

Drift nodded. "Done."

Prime stood, then looked at the mech who was staring at him earnestly. "You did well. Be careful."

Lon stood and nodded. "Yes, sir."

Prime turned and left the room, the door closing behind him. Drift grinned. "Time to get to work, kid."

Lon looked at him pensively. "I won't let anyone down."

"We know," Springer said with a grin. Drift nodded.

-0-Later that afternoon

The infants stood around the smelter watching. Looking down, Ravel smiled. There was a tiny Ironhide, Ratchet and a tiny femme who reminded him slightly of his ada. He smiled. "See, infants? This is very hot. We melt things to make new ones."

"OTHER ADA! I like this!" Orion smiled brilliantly, his dollie clutched in his servos tightly. He was incredibly happy to stand here and watch the heat waves roll out of the open door.

"I do too, Orion," Ravel said closing the door. He looked down at his little babies and grinned. Then he turned and they followed. It was like a quail with a train of chicks following in a line. Pausing next to the office, he reached for the cookie box. "I think this calls for a cookie."

"OTHER ADA! I LOVE YOU!" Orion said with a giant smile.

"Other Ada? Can I help you?" Hero asked helpfully. Praxus nodded with a smile. "I help you, Other Ada."

Tie Down paused, then watched as Ravel held the box out to Hero. She smiled and took a cookie. Turning, she handed it to Praxus. "Here, Pax."

He smiled. "Thank you." It was as clear as a bell. Hero smiled, then looked up at Ravel. ""Other Ada, did you hear Praxus?"

"I did," Ravel said. "What a lovely baby you are, Praxus."

He smiled as he waited. Hero handed one to Orion who took it, then hugged her tightly. "OTHER ADA! LOOK!" He held up his cookie and smiled.

"You have a cookie!" Ravel said with a smile. "You have one too, Hero."

"Thank you, Other Ada," Hero said. They all turned and stared upward holding their cookies.

Ravel stared at them, then grinned. Turning, he held the box out to Tie who took one. Taking one himself, he grinned at the waifs. "Thank you. Let's eat shall we?"

They did.

-0-Later that night

The clientele in the club was mixed. At a table near the back a number of younglings sat playing cards. A number of drinks were had as they sat talking quietly. They had no interest in anyone else beyond a glance at each new mech who entered. Club Hoyle was filled with regulars who had made the club a hot spot for bachelor mechs. Lon paused in the doorway checking out the room. He was alone and looking for company.

They saw him and paused their game. Then Gravity raised his arm. Lon spotted him, then began to weave through the crowd to the table where they all sat. Gravity arose and extended his servo. "Hi. You made it."

"I almost didn't. I'm low on the totem pole and almost didn't get off," Lon said as he shook Gravity's servo.

"This is Commotion, Kale and Default," Gravity said introducing his friends. "This is Lon."

He shook servos with everyone, then sat. When he made his drink order, Default dealt the cards. They would play for hours and hours.

-0-In a security room in the Femme, Elder, Sparkling and Youngling Hospital Psych Ward wing

He paced back and forth in the room where he was staying. It was a security room, thus locked on the outside. He had visits every orn from his doctors, got to come out to the rec room where he could read or watch the monitor. Then it was back in the lock up at night. He had seen his Ada but not his Atar. Dex was still in the jail. His father. In jail. It was preposterous.

He had demanded to be released but he wasn't going to be until he reached some point where he could stand trial for his 'crimes'. The idea that fighting with lower castes was a criminal act didn't sit well in his mind. The idea that his father was still in jail was another. What did lighten his load was the bomb that had gone off earlier in the morning. His friends were letting the world know that they would not be stepped on. It was the only thing that made life bearable. He paced all night long.

-0-TBC October 14, 2013