The Diego Diaries: Mission 2 (486) edited
-0-On the ground
The Officer of the Orn walked into the small building that ran the three camp facility. The first two camps were within sight of their control center with the third lying just over a hill. Right now, they were preparing to start work again as light from a nearby star reached them with the passing of three other planets that orbited it. This system was a broken up cacophony of small planetoids and asteroids circling a small bright star several million miles away.
The fragment of the planet that they used for their mining operation was a miracle in the Empire. They had extracted as much energon as all believed existed inside their original borders. No more was found in the Empire nor was any more expected. But collisions of the asteroids and planetary fragments in this area had revealed reasonable supplies of exploitable energon and other minerals for military supply. A science installation was placed here as well to take advantage of proximity to raw materials. Making everything here to ship elsewhere was cost efficient and faster. It also allowed them to use their political prisoners many of whom were scientists and skilled workers for better ends.
The idea of a group coming to inspect their installation made energy sparkle across the officer's neural net. It could be anyone and the threat was enormous. Was it Megatron? Galvatron? Would they decimate the group if they were unhappy about some incomprehensible thing? He didn't know. He just felt intense gripping fear. Waiting by the sensor station he watched as a number of ships flew toward them from a group of three battleships in nearby parking orbit.
He was terrified. So was everyone else.
-0-On their way
:Red 1 to everyone. Ready?: Elita asked over the comm line.
:Affirmative: -Jazz and Springer.
:Affirmative: -Red Wing, flight commander of the Seekers
:Then we are go: Elita said as she turned toward the settlement on the dusty world below. Three human soldiers sat in the cockpit of the runabout flown by a smirking Sideswipe watching the approaching planetoid target with wildly pounding hearts.
Light from the emerging sun began to flood the area displacing the cold sense of doom that permeated the area with deceptive warmth. The prisoners stood in the yards outside gathering what solar energy they could with their rundown impaired systems. They had no idea that rescue was coming. They just knew they were tired, hungry and despairing. Even those with the strongest will among them, those that spoke of Primus and his sure knowledge of their situation were faltering.
Lights appeared in the sky as small ships began to come into view. Everyone looked up, watching as they landed. When the dust settled, mechs began to come off the ships, their Decepticon brands easy to see. Gathering at the fence, the prisoners watched with fear. What could this mean? Another move? Their extermination? No one could guess but each time something out of the ordinary happened around them it caused enormous fear among them. Even their guards began to fear every new thing themselves.
A number of mechs from the installation were waiting for the newcomers, their own unease evident. The strangers gathered together, then turned walking to the Center to disappear inside. No one in the prison knew what was happening but they knew from past experience that it couldn't be a good thing.
-0-Inside the Center
They entered then paused, the Decepticons inside facing the new arrivals stoically. As they did the 'guests' pulled weapons, powered up and pointed them directly into the faces of their 'hosts'. Everyone froze, then the Officer of the Orn faltered. "Don't shoot. We did our best. We can't raise the totals because the mines are nearly empty of energon."
Elita glanced at Jazz, then nodded. She turned and her team followed her. Springer moved forward putting his weapon directly on the helm of the communications officer. "All of you move away from your stations and kneel on the floor. Put you servos behind your helm."
They stood a moment, then complied until fifteen Decepticons were kneeling in a line. Springer glanced at Jazz, then nodded. He turned to go with his team. Jazz watched, then looked back at the 'Cons. "You will allow us to disarm you. Anything that you have that is dangerous, you will tell us. Anyone who messes with us will be put down on the spot. Understand?"
They all nodded and the process began.
-0-Outside
Springer and his group joined Elita's. They stood a moment taking in the scene. :Springer to Jazz:
:Jazz here:
:Do you have control of communications? If you do, we can move:
:We do. It's go, Springer:
Springer turned walking to the guards nearby. :Let's lock this place down: he said to his team. Most of the 'Cons at the camp stood warily, their weapons in servo. Springer paused in front of them. :We're moving out of here. The energon levels from here aren't worth the trouble:
The bots glanced at each other, then relaxed. One of them turned to Springer. :What do you want us to do?:
:Power down. Go to the Center and relax. We came to assist you with the transfer. Our commander will fill you in about the next site: As Springer spoke the mechs with him took the control device dropping the gate. They walked in heading for the groups inside who looked at them fearfully.
The 'Cons watched, then turned heading for the Center. Behind them, the team with Springer had 'surrounded' the inmates. Nothing was out of order so they walked onward to the Center. There they would swiftly find that everything was.
Wrong, that is.
Springer watched them reach the door of the Center, then turned to the prison. He dropped the bars everywhere. :Springer to Command and Medical:
:Ratchet here:
:Blackjack here:
:We have the first camp. There are a lot of debilitated bots in the first camp. We're going to send them up starting now. We're heading for camp two. All of the prisoners will be going to you, Ratchet:
:Understood: Ratchet said.
:What is the status of the mission, Springer?: Alor asked.
:The Center is taken, communications are under control and we have half the contingent in custody. Elita is taking camp 2. I'm not sure what the status there is but we're good here. No shots so far.:
:Very well. Keep your channels open. Have the Seekers taken up position to add air support?: Alor asked.
:Yes. They are ready to come in immediately. I am not clear on the convoy nearby but they have that covered in case we miss something and they come by to check: Springer said as he watched the mechs in the prison finally sense the truth about their presence.
Several stood stock still staring at the team with incomprehension while others fell down in hysterics. Several others grabbed them, clinging tightly as they cried out in utter disbelief. Springer walked to the group gently taking the arm of a battered mech. :Come on. Let's go. We have to get you and all the others out of here:
The mech turned hugging Springer tightly. He cried but the sound was missing. Vacuum didn't allow for it but the meaning was clear to Springer. :Let's get them out of here:
It would take a number of trips before Camp 1 was cleared of its bots. Ratchet and his teams would be waiting at Moonbase.
-0-At the battleship Moonbase
Ratchet stood on the hangar deck with his teams, gurneys available as they waited to triage the victims. The first ships that landed were guarded by Seekers, their fighter formats hovering outside the energy screen covering the vast space where hangar doors kept the universe out and atmosphere in. They landed gently, hatches opening almost immediately. Ratchet hurried over and peered inside.
Three mechs, all of them battered, buffeted and emotionally ill were crouching in the space. Orderlies rushed forward to help them climb out. Ratchet looked at each sending a steady stream of information to the med techs who stood around him adding his commentary to their datapads. As each victim was triaged, that med tech followed them inside the ship. Another would step forward to take new information on the next patient. It was a very smooth functioning operation. But then they had a lot of experience in their process.
The first group were triaged, then dispersed through out the operation. Intelligence officers and clerks from the City Hall Administration were with them ready to chat when they were cleared by the doctors. They would take the data now to allow their patients to miss the intake process as well as find anyone they belonged to when they arrived at Autobot City. Intel officers would listen as they explained their sagas and added whatever useful information they might possess. Mental health was also in force for this mission.
Ratchet turned hurrying toward the elevators. Riding up, he stepped off at the surgery level walking from suite to suite to observe the actions within. Outside sitting on benches, all of the others who were waiting sat in various states of shock or emotional crisis. He walked to a mech and knelt. "Hi. I'm Ratchet, CMO of the Autobot Armed Forces. I am also head of medicine at the Prime's colony, Autobot City. You are safe. You're going to safety. We're trying to find everyone to rescue them. When you feel better tell us what you can remember or know. Until then, you're safe. Okay?"
He looked at Ratchet with a blank expression. Then he nodded slightly. "I'm so hungry," he whispered.
Ratchet nodded. "I'll take care of that," he said. He rose and began to formulate the type and quality of energon they should receive. For most, it would be the first energon they had taken in any reasonable amount since The Fall. It would also be the first Class A they would have in their lives.
-0-Elita's team
They made their way to the camp nearby where all the Decepticon soldier watched them approach. The soldiers stood together nervously holding their weapons. The inmates crowded at the fence, some of them peering fearfully out of the doors of the barracks as they watched the new group approaching. Elita paused at the small clutch of nervous Decepticons. :We're moving camp. It's played out here. Megatron's orders:
The slight rise of disagreement that she saw in their optics faded under that statement. They nodded. :What do you want us to do?:
:Go to the Center for the debrief. We're going to remove the prisoners to our ships: Elita said.
The guards peered at each other, then turned as a group to go to the Center. They would receive the same treatment as the others.
-0-Seconds later
:Springer to Jazz:
:Jazz here:
:Elita has it in servo. My team is reassembling. Our victims are topside. We're heading for target 3:
:Affirmative. Kick their afts, Springer. Let's see if we can do this without a shot fired:
:That's the plan, brother: Springer said as he watched his group step out of the prison after searching it thoroughly. When they gathered around him, he reiterated their mission. :Aces so far. Let's take the last camp. They're farthest away. They'll ever give up or fight depending on what they can see over here. Follow me: Springer turned walking toward the camp which was two miles away. As he did Jazz sent the message that give formal control over to Springer.
:Camp 3, this is Central Control. The site is bugging out. The troops coming toward you are from Megatron and they will remove the prisoners. I need you at Control for the briefing:
Jazz waited and it came. :Very well. On our way:
-0-At camp target #3
The Decepiticon guard contingent glanced at their camp, then turned as a group heading for Control two miles away. As they did they saw an unknown number of strange Decepticons coming toward them. Quashing the urge to power up their arms, they walked down the dirt road toward the group coming their way. When they reached each other, their leader nodded and the strangers nodded back. Tension suffused all as they walked past each other but no one dared defy their new orders. Megatron wanted this. They would comply.
When they were past the newcomers, the 'Cons relaxed a bit. By the time they reached Control, they would be curious about the activity they passed but clueless to the danger before them. They would be taken without a shot. Just like the others.
Springer reached the fence, then took the control nearby. Pushing the correct sequence, the fence bars fell. Standing inside with wary expressions, the fifty-fifty inmates looked at them with dread. He stood a moment, then nodded. :I'm Springer. We're an Autobot Special Ops team sent from Prime to take you away from here. All you have to do is come with us. Ratchet, the CMO of the Army is waiting above on a ship to help you. We have come here in disguise with confiscated 'Con ships:
They looked at him without moving. Then a battered bot stepped closer. :The Prime is here?:
:He is waiting for you on the other side of a space bridge: Springer tapped the side of his helm. An image appeared. It was Prime. :I am Optimus Prime. I have sent teams to relieve you from your bondage and bring you to our colony where you will be safe. We know you are afraid and sick. Please trust the mechs who are there on my orders to save you. Come to me. You will be safe and well cared for. Until all are one:
The image faded, then Springer waited. The mechs before him glanced at each other, then the first stepped closer. :What do we do?: he asked tiredly.
Springer grinned slightly. :You just come with us:
And they did.
NOTE: I am editing things out the wazoo. It will take 120 days if I do ten a day. What I am finding is that my cursor skips around which I hate and if my fingernails are longer than my fingers my key taps go nuts. I also found out I am an idiot. :D Hugs to all. Halloween, the new calendar addition of Thanksgiving and Christmas Surprise is coming up. This will be the fourth Christmas Surprise. :D Hugs today. I am getting windows put into my house and the output is slowed but I am going to be making up for it. :D Stuff is backing up in my head and I need to put it down on screen. Have a great upcoming week, world. I hear we have a new reader from South Africa. That is what is so fun with this site. It lets me know what country the readership is from. AWESOME! :D