The Diego Diaries: Skills (484) edited
It was evening in the city as the three younglings finally left Substation 6, their soldier and Watch guards following them in plain sight. They had been ill mannered and snarky when the jailer came to get them.
"IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Default called out as the three stood up.
The jailer paused then turned and began to walk out. He nearly made it to the door when he halted, stopped by their cries. Turning, he looked at the three. "You fraggers either use a respectful tone with me or I'll eat this key and you can sit in your cell and rot."
"You have to let us out of here. That's why you're here," Commotion replied.
"I don't have to do slag. You can stay in there forever," the jailer said.
It was silent a moment, then Red Alert stepped into the room. "YOU FRAGGERS! SHUT YOUR FACES! IF YOU WANT OUT, SHUT UP AND BEHAVE YOURSELF!"
They stared at Red who stood by the bars with a menacing expression. When they didn't reply, Red nodded to the jailer. He dropped the bars then glanced at Red. "These idiots are yours."
Red turned to them. "WALK TOPSIDE WITH YOUR YAPS SHUT! DON'T FRAG WITH ME, SLAGGERS!"
They stepped out of the cell, then continued silently to the door and beyond. By the time they reached the top floor the sound of voices could be heard. Red stepped in front of them halting their progress. Prowl was standing with Springer and Drift, the three showing no emotion as a number of mechs and a femme unloaded on them.
"What's going on?" Commotion said over the top of things.
Everyone paused, then several mechs and a femme turned toward the three, halting when Red alert held up his servo. "ENOUGH! BACK UP OR I WILL SLAG YOU ALL! THIS IS A JAIL AND POLICE STATION. USE RESPECT!"
Everyone paused, silence falling like a curtain. He looked at Prowl. "Do I arrest them, Prowl?"
Prowl suppressed a grin. "Not yet," Prowl replied.
The individuals glanced sharply at Prowl. "What do you mean? Are you going to arrest us?!" Humr asked with astonishment. Wifi, his bond gripped Humr's arm.
The other genitors that were in the station, Bart and Dar, genitors of Commotion, Crater and GCI, the genitors of Kale along with Como and Paws, the genitors of Default looked at Prowl with fear and deeply felt outrage.
Prowl for his part didn't look anything but calm. He gazed from one to the next. "Your sons are part of an investigation into the bombings that have occurred. They have been released from custody for now. They will be followed wherever they go by soldiers or Watch officers. They will never be off the radar by Primal decree. Gravity himself will remain in custody for a decaorn by order of the Court."
They stared at Prowl with astonishment. "What are you saying? Our sons have been planting bombs? How can that be?"
"The Court has ruled and the orders are made," Prowl said. "I would suggest that you follow the order precisely. I would also suggest that you speak with Fenix who is representing everyone in this matter. Any actions that you take on your own that interfere with the order will be met with incarceration."
They looked at Prowl, then turned as Fenix entered followed by Ratchet and Knockout. Knockout had turned around halfway back to the hospital to follow the parade heading for the station house. Breakdown walked along too, a grin on his face in anticipation of the mess at the lock up.
Word had been sent out to Ratchet at the Hospital that there could be an altercation at the station house. He was requested to come in case of need by Prowl who was supervising the release of the younglings at last. They would have been gone by now but for a number of procedural items that Semi required. Had the Courthouse not been bombed, the finalizing data work would have been done sooner.
The major players were arrayed around the lobby of the station, the main one for the Watch both Day and Night. He paused along with Knockout and Breakdown. "Look like the OK Corral in here, Prowl. Do you want me to be Wyatt Earp or do you want to be him?" Ratchet asked with a grin.
Prowl snorted in spite of himself. "I am expecting them to comply with a court order."
The genitors looked from one to another, then at Fenix who had arrived with Ratchet. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?" Humr asked. "MY SON IS IN JAIL!"
"That is the ruling of the court, Humr. Come with me so that we can talk." He looked at the three younglings. "You will come as well. Quietly."
For a moment they wavered, then they turned and began to file toward the doorway. Three big armed mechs from the Day Watch turned to go with them. Wifi paused. "You are serious about someone trailing after my son aren't you." He looked at Prowl solemnly.
Prowl nodded. "We intend to follow the law. This isn't Cybertron during the Clampdown. The rules apply to everyone equally. I am sure you would agree that this is the best way."
"WE AGREE TO NOTHING!" Humr replied hotly.
"Humr." Everyone looked at Fenix. "We are leaving to talk. Now." With that, Fenix turned and walked to the door. The others watched, then followed him. The guards moved and as they did Springer called out to them. "If there is abuse or deception, arrest them on the spot. Any of them."
Everyone paused, then glanced back at Springer silently. Fenix rapped his knuckles on the door. "Let's go," he said quietly. So they did. Including their guards.
"Well … that went well," Knockout said with a grin.
Ratchet snorted. "I thought so. Glad you concur," he said as he turned to Prowl. That worthy was bent out of shape. "We have to toodle tonight. The mission is on. Can you handle it without us?"
Prowl snorted himself. "Piece of pie," he said.
Ratchet grinned. /... whatever you want it to be, Prowler …/
-0-At Ops Center
They gathered, the flight leaders and commanders of the mission that was going to be leaving shortly. Ratchet stood with Prowl going over the medical portion. He had gone from the Watch Station to the hangar where he had gotten a paint job along with Ironhide. The bitching had been epic but not as intense as that delivered by the twins when they rolled in.
"WHAT THE FRAG! THIS LOOKS LIKE CRAP! I'M FRAGGED! THIS IS FRAGGED!" Sunstreaker had been vocal in his artistic opinion of his 'camo'.
The multitude of soldiers along as well as Seekers had gotten their 'camo' already. They were gathering along with their gear on the airfield. The ships that were going to be their vehicles had been pulled up. Techs, crew, soldiers and medical personnel walked into them to pony up for the ride ahead.
They were to hit seven solidly identified installations with one that was rumored to be part of the last two. They would do it in three attacks. The last one would require a traverse across Decepticon space. The other two would be hit, smash, grab and run maneuvers that would be retrieved on the spot by space bridge. They would go out, come back and arrive at the next location. Two would be easier, one would be more fraught with danger.
The hurly burly was in full swing when Prime and Prowl came to the staging area with others pausing with the Master of the Muster to get the word. It was good to go at the moment with the last group checking in with him. He nodded to Prime who then turned to walk to Blackjack and Alor's ship. Entering, he walked to the front where the two were going over the plans together. They turned and nodded.
"You are good to go?" Prime asked.
Alor nodded. "We are, sir," he said. "Give us the word and we can leave."
"Consider it given. I'm going to check in with Ironhide, then Ratchet. The Bridge team is ready to go," Optimus said with a nod. He turned and walked off the ship. A short chat with Ironhide and one with Ratchet signaled that things were ready. He walked to the Master of the Muster and watched him check off the last items. Prime called to the Fortress and the siren was sounded. Everyone was onboard and ready to go.
They stood together, those left behind watching the behemoth vessels turn slowly and roll forward. Starscream joined them as the ships made it to the flight lane. One by one they moved forward lifting off almost immediately. They flew upward until they disappeared into the upper reaches of the atmosphere of Mars.
When they were gone, the entire party turned to walk to Ops Center and command of a mission slated for less than two orns tops. The airfield seemed empty when they did.
-0-On the Darkness aka Moonbase
Mikaela Barnes, Sheila Conroy and Jessie Landon sat in chairs on a shelf in the lounge area of the ship watching Ratchet get his act together. He was busy double checking the set ups that had been installed and the access to the things necessary to save what promised to be debilitated perhaps severely damaged mechs and femmes.
Mikaela had come along too telling Ratchet and Prowl that it was part of her job to understand things enough to be their public relations guru. Surprisingly, they had agreed. They wouldn't be the only humans along. Riding along with Ironhide on the Phobos also once known as the Terror, the soldiers would be sitting in the cockpit with that redoubtable bot watching the action from all angles. The outward view of things on the big former Decepticon ship was astounding.
They lined up on the flight line of The Trigger and awaited the burst of energy that signaled their voyage across time and space to rescue vulnerable compatriot mechs and femmes from tyranny.
"This is going to be amazing. Have you ever used a space bridge before?" Jessie asked.
"No," Mikaela said as she put a look of determination on her beautiful face. Sheila looked pale but plucky.
"I have. It will be awesome," Jessie said taking Mikaela and Sheila's hands into her own. They would hold tight until they reached the other side and saw the stars of space again.
It just wouldn't be their space.
And they wouldn't be alone either.
-0-On Mars
Tie Down, Ravel and Bluestreak claimed a passel of younglings as well as hooting smiling babies. Tie who had stowed Prowler in his hold held the reins to half the babies. Spot who was hopping along with Sunspot led the way as Ravel and Bluestreak followed, the rest of the infants and the little mechs with them.
"This is going to be fun," Ravel said as he waited for Orion to drop a rock he had picked up.
"Ven and Miler are going to help us," Blue said. "I have to work tonight so I will put them to bed before I go to duty. I can have a babysitter come any time of the orn or night you know. We have a list of those who help soldiers. I don't want you to over do and I know Ratchet and Ironhide don't either."
"We won't," Ravie said with a smile.
They continued onward to Ironhide and Ratchet's apartment where they would wait until others arrived to help them with the hoodlums.
-0-Sitting on the Terror now known as Phobos
The twins sat with their usual calm exteriors. They were discussing the studio together as all around them mechs sat in the big lounges that had been carved out of the usually austere Decepticon ship design.
Kup sat beside Whirlaway relaxing as they waited for the jump. Soon they would be in enemy territory with the problems of the mission merging with the unknowables of the area and its inhabitants. There could be fighting or this could go as easily as could be. No matter what happened, he knew that Soundwave would be fragged. Anytime they could leave Soundwave fragged, it was a good orn. He sat back and went over the plan in his processor. Soon they would jump and it would be game on.
-0-Salten Sea, the former Rapier
Blackjack and Alor stood on the big flight deck of the former 'Con ship. The energy of The Trigger was winding up and it would be seconds before they left. Blackjack considered his options, then called to his fleet. "This is Commander Blackjack. Make sure that you have ship's weapons ready to jump online immediately on my command if necessary when we pass through. I will give you the signal. It will be 'red-go'. Acknowledge."
"Phobos, acknowledge," Ironhide's voice said over the intercom.
"Moonbase, acknowledge," Revo's voice said over the intercom.
"Bridge Control to Blackjack."
"Blackjack here, Control."
"You are go. Go on three. Acknowledge."
"Understood, Control," Blackjack said.
"Autobot fleet, this is go. Go on three. One … two … three," Control said. "Go on three."
The energy burst around them opening into an infinity of swirling color. Blackjack glanced at his pilot and nodded. They jumped forward and disappeared inside. Behind them, Ironhide's ship, then Ratchet's followed. The aperture closed behind them.
-0-TBC October 25, 2013