The Diego Diaries: Visitation Rites (552)
-0-Out there at an asteroid waiting for a ride
They gathered together, the three of them and their entourages. Standing in the dust and broken rocks of a huge asteroid that hadn't found more to aggregate with, they eyed each other. :Paragon, you came promptly. How military of you: Slacker said. He grinned. :How military of all of you:
:We agreed to certain behaviors and attitudes in this visitation, Slacker. I am wondering as I stand here if you are up to it: Paragon replied coldly. :Prime didn't have to have this meet up. He could come out here and destroy all of us just like he did the Decepticon Justice Division:
:I would have to see it to believe it: Slacker replied drily. :We are going to score intel ourselves and it could be that he has been playing us all along. After all, do you really believe he isn't aware of the so-called leak on his system?:
:It is irrelevant if he knows or not. When we get there we will know: Cyclonus said.
:If he lets us go again, it will have value. He could just close the door on us and our separate empires will be without kings: Slacker said.
:I am prepared to take that chance: Paragon said with a level gaze at the civilian who had no idea of military dictates of honor.
A burst of light no more than fifty feet away signaled the bridge which howled in life in great disarray, then settled into a whirling circle of energy. Paragon stared at it, then the others. :Our taxi has arrived: With that, he turned and walked toward it leaving his officers behind.
Cyclonus turned to follow him, then Slacker. They entered and were gone from sight. Then the bridge collapsed and chased them all the way back to its point of origin. It would be a very, very long distance away.
-0-Earlier that morning
Ratchet finished up his tour of the metro formers, then sped back on the highway to Autobot City, his siren and lights clearing the way. When he arrived at the corner of Fortress Road and Metroplex Highway 1, he transformed and walked toward The Paint Box. Before he could enter he was intercepted by the twins. "You're not going in there. Come with us," Sunstreaker said as they both turned, gripped Ratchet's arms to hoist him off the ground, then sped like demons to RTR Tools, Ratchet screaming all the way.
-0-Moments later
He stood on a box while the twins gave him the short version of their usual masterly job. It would only be 95% perfection this time. "That tickles," he said with a grin.
"What do you expect down there," Sideswipe said with a grin.
"Action. I expect action," Ratchet said with a wicked waggle of his optical ridges.
Gagging and choking sounds erupted from the twins as they put the finishing buff on Ratchet's legs. "You really know how to trigger my gag reflex," Sunstreaker said with a smirk. "There. You won't embarrass us too much now."
"Well, that means I have to try harder then," Ratchet said with a grin as he looked up at his twins.
"Oh frag," Sideswipe said. "We have a football meeting, Ada. We'll try and make it to the touchdown of the fraggers. I want to see them squirm."
"You never did have much rapport with Cyclonus did you," Ratchet said as he kissed his genitors and turned to walk out with the twins.
Slag was handed forward as the twins recounted aft kickings both given and received. Tie and Ravel watched them go, then grinned. "That youngling is going to be the death of us, Tie."
"Which one, Ravie?" Tie asked as he turned back to the job at servo.
-0-The Paint Box
Optimus Prime stood on a platform as four mechs worked to repair, repaint and buff the big mech into perfection. All of the senior staff were ordered to detail and clean up. The Seekers were at their own detailer in Aerie Hill. Prowl stood on his own platform getting a spit shine as Bluestreak sat on a couch nearby. They chatted as the joor it took passed slowly by. It was a pleasant interlude in what was going to be an intense two orns.
-0-At the apartments in Tower 4, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars
Jazz and Mirage stepped out after placing listening devices around the huge apartment. There were five luxurious suites with stellar attached wash rooms, marble imported from Earth tiling them with a spectacular flare. Prowl had a certain level of splendor in mind for the accommodation of others who might visit them. He designed the five apartments with the idea of the prestige of the Primes in mind.
A huge living room with entertainment devices and spectacular views of the city and terrain all around accommodated a large stone fireplace. A wet bar was fully stocked with brands not seen among their kind since the Fall. Famous labels, elegant bottles of high grade and a large refrigerator designed to look like a cabinet were filled with both human and Cybertronian delicacies. Art from the city and guilds hung on the walls and sat on elegant tables here and there, all of it designed to showcase Cybertronian culture.
Prowl had hoped that they would be useful for visiting dignitaries and others when they finally put Megatron down and could link up once more with Cybertron and her colonies. Having nice quarters for visitors was part of Prowl's efforts to support his bond in his role of leader of all Cybertronians everywhere. When the work crew was finished putting things together, stocking various fridges and cupboard and putting the place to rights, Prowl came up to check things over.
He walked from room to room, tweaking this and that, resolving to himself that things were well and what he wanted them to experience. When he was satisfied that all was up to the standard they needed, he turned and left. The big door closed behind him.
-0-At the Military Airfield, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars
They stood in a long line, the senior Autobots and all of the former Decepticons that had been called to appear with them by Nitro. All of the most familiar 'Cons, the most ferocious and dangerous were asked to buff up and appear at the touch down of the visitors. Prime stood by himself. Behind him, arrayed five to a side, ten Elite Household Guards, their black armor and white touches shined within an inch of their lives stood at ease, their quality evident.
All of the others were behind, their armor shining in the bright mid orn light of the day. Ratchet stood with Alor chatting quietly about Christmas Surprise dinner at the apartment. Ironhide, Kup and Old Hercy, Blackjack, Jazz, Mirage, Bumblebee, Springer, Drift, Neo, Alpha Trion and seven priests along with half a dozen others. The 'Cons were arrayed behind them and along the streets and roads back of that group were gathering crowds of civilians, soldiers and other curious individuals. Starscream and his party joined the group walking to stand with the senior Autobots. All stood quietly waiting.
Then the vortex opened before them with a burst of light.
-0-On the other end
The tunnel appeared so they entered walking on the solid ground of the swirling lights. The roar of energy surrounded them as they walked forward, spying at the other end a large waiting party. They had left their arms behind as well as their programming allowing the recording of data when they arrived to be at the mercy of the Prime. If he were cut from the same cloth as Megatron, then they wouldn't have agreed to the conditions. However, Prime did carry the Matrix …
They stepped down and walked forward pausing before the mass of grim silent individuals gathered at the airfield. Resisting the urge to look around, they sensed the presence of a great habitation with lots of individuals and extraordinary sights. It was silent a moment. Then Paragon stepped forward to make the salutations. He paused before Prime. Nodding his helm respectfully, he spoke. "Optimus Prime, I am honored to see you again in this place."
Prime nodded. "You are welcome, Paragon."
Cyclonus stood a moment, then stepped forward. Nodding too, he spoke. "Optimus Prime, I am honored to see you again in this place."
"You are welcome, Cyclonus," Prime replied.
Slacker stood watching with a slight smirk, then stepped forward. "Does that include me?" he asked.
Prime looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "For now."
Slacker nodded. "Fair enough."
Prime looked at the three, then turned slightly. "Allow me to introduce you to my senior officers and community leaders. This is General Blackjack of Praxus and Commander Alor of Iacon. Commander Ironhide of Praxus, Commander Springer and Drift, Commander Ratchet as well as Commander Prowl."
The three stood silently listening to the introductions. Then Prime turned to the others. "You may or not know Alpha Trion. Also, Starscream."
Starscream stepped closer. "We know each other well. Don't we, Paragon."
Paragon said nothing, but shifted slightly. Cyclonus stared at him, then the others. "Great Elder, you are here."
"I am here with the clan elders and chieftains. All of Seekerkin will come to me. I have spoken," Rainmaker said with an alarming amount of gravitas.
Paragon glanced at Prime who was standing without comment. "It is intriguing to see you again, Starscream. I see others here too. Cloudburst and Red Wing. Thundercracker," he said nodding to the grim faced Seeker standing next to Sky Warp.
"Intriguing is such a paltry word to be applied to me, Paragon. I would think you would have learned that by now," Starscream said with a grin.
Prime grinned slightly and continued with his introductions until all of the senior Autobots and the others were named. He glanced at the group behind then, a mass of grim faced former Decepticons staring at the visitors with open disgust. "These mechs are a stellar part of our city and they belong to the Former Decepticon Association. I suppose you know some of them."
They stared at the group recognizing nearly everyone there. One of them stepped forward followed by three others. They walked to stand beside Prime. Nitro nodded. "Cyclonus."
Cyclonus considered the figure before him. "Nitro." He looked at the other two. "Scar. Revo."
"Cyclonus. I'm glad you could come and see your doom if you choose to make trouble," Nitro said.
Cyclonus stared at him, then the others behind him. "I see that you have found sanctuary."
"We have. We live here. We are part of the Autobot Army and Air Force." Nitro held up his arm, the Autobrand clear to all three. He turned and nodded to the others. All of them raised their forearm and its Autobot image. Nitro looked at all three of them with a cold expression. "Thousands of former Decepticons live and work here. We are part of this colony and will defend it to the death. I think it would do you good to remember that." Nitro looked at Prime, then nodded. He turned and walked back to his comrades.
Scar looked at the three. "You know me. You know Revo. Then you know that we stand with the Prime. It would be traumatic for you to forget that." With that, they both turned and walked back to the greater group. They turned to face the visitors, glowering at them with menace.
Slacker glanced at Prime. "Nice welcome."
"We aim to please," Starscream purred.
"We have accommodations for you for tonight. Right now, we will take you on a tour of part of the city," Prime said. He turned and nodded to the 'Con group. They nodded back, then turned to disperse. Some of them would be in the background of wherever they were in the city, groups changing and interchanging to allow their presence known but give everyone their time off as they made their point the Cybertronian way. With silent menace.
"Follow me," Prowl said coolly. He turned and began to walk back to the Ops Center. Prime gestured to the visitors as he turned as well. They moved onward walking through the group of senior Autobots and civilians in the welcoming committee. Following them with a smirk, the former Mrs. Optimus Prime and his own side project, Drift walked toward the Fortress too. It was not lost on them or anyone else among the senior Autobots that the three stared at Springer with interest as they passed by where the two stood.
:I think this is going to be fun, Springer: Drift said as they ambled along.
Springer grinned. :I think so too: They continued onward together.
-0-TBC December 14, 2013