The Diego Diaries: Impasse (592) edited
-0-Outside, sitting on the shipping crate bench alongside the Embassy
"How long are you going to sit here pouting?"
"Frag you."
Sunstreaker considered his brother for a moment, then moved to sit. "You know, Sideswipe, you would do better if you didn't give a frag about their problems."
"Yeah, well … usually I don't. But there's something about the femmes that makes me want to protect them," Sideswipe said as he watched his sword slip in and out of his right sleeve.
"I like the femmes. They're easier to take than some of the mechs." He looked at Sideswipe. "Those fraggers are like insects to us in most ways, Sideswipe. They don't have the capacity to get off this rock by themselves. They can't defend themselves but they feel superior anyway. You heard that mech last night. He thought that slagger was right when he called you a fag. I don't get it but unlike you, I don't try. I accept that they are what they are and let it go."
"You're not into the nuances are you?" Sideswipe asked with a grin.
"Most of the time, no. You don't get disappointed that way and the humans are full of disappointment for me. You think you have them figured out and then it changes."
"We do too," Sideswipe countered.
"Not like them. Some of them were willing to sell out their planet for money and power. That part I get. Reminds me of home. But the disrespect for us … the name calling and slag? I don't get that." Sunstreaker looked at the moon. "I don't get slagging your bond either."
"They don't bond. Maybe that's it. Maybe that's why they hurt each other so easily. If I ever tried to pull slag on Blue, he would deck me and I would deserve it."
"You'd probably like it too," Sunstreaker said with a faint grin. "You have to put distance between you and them or you will be fragged off all the time. No one frags with me," Sunstreaker said.
"I do," Sideswipe said with a grin.
"Yeah, but you never win," Sunstreaker said standing. "Get off your aft and lets go to the beach. The sun is shining soon and its always pretty on the ocean."
"Almost as pretty as me?" Sideswipe said rising himself.
"Probably but understand, brother. No one is as pretty as me," Sunstreaker said as he turned to roll out.
Sideswipe grinned at his brother, then joined him. They rolled together down the main street of the base even as the facility was beginning to wake up. Humans were appearing to take the shift change, many of whom waved at them. They waved back as they rolled slowly through the gathering crowds. The sky was blue, the chance of rain slight and the mid 80 degrees predicted was well on its way.
They reached the turnout, then rolled down the sandy slope reaching the ocean in seconds. They stood hip deep in the surf, the water crashing in waves against them. They were beautiful and others with cameras made sure to capture the moment. Both were aware that off duty soldiers and sailors had come to watch them. It was the way things were now on the base. The old orns of hanging without scrutiny with the humans that mattered were gone forever.
Sideswipe looked down the beach spying a group of femmes lying on towels and blankets taking the sun. They were half naked, something that fascinated him because it underscored how breakable yet brave they were in spite of it. Human anatomy was an unknown to nearly all of them but Ratchet. If it was knowledge beyond how fragile and squishy they were, no one cared or dared to ask. They were told something about it in briefings about deportment among them but the rest was left to the imagination and the occasional brief glimpse of them in various stages of undress.
That mode of attire made Sunstreaker wince. He received constantly requests to draw humans but usually demurred if they weren't directly close to the Autobots. All of the femmes who asked usually were given the okay and possessed sketches, drawings and paintings of themselves. Their five femmes had many of each because Sunstreaker liked to draw them. They were family. The N.E.S.T. officers and command hierarchy owned images of themselves or family from Sunstreaker which had prompted the deluge of requests.
They were a form to draw but the understanding of their biology or other features didn't interest him. He didn't allow anything that was too difficult to his sensibilities to intrude. Humans died too easily. They usually were mean and simple in their conclusions about the world and what lay beyond it from his gruff perspective. He didn't expect parades for what he did for them but he expected respect. It fragged him off when it didn't happen but he was never surprised.
Sideswipe rolled out of the ocean heading for the femmes, a group that most of the Autobots found easier to relate with. They were more open about things and easier to talk to because most of them loved being around the alien mechanisms. They also didn't possess the usual martial machismo that most of the men they met had in spades. Many were the human males that felt their manhood around them, asserting themselves even when no one pushed them. Women were different. They also were rare in Cybertronian culture and thus intriguing. From that, many was the friendship that had grown. He paused before them, grinning as they sat up. Two of them he knew. The others he didn't. "Lisa, Jen."
"Sideswipe! Hi!" Lisa Cummings said sitting up.
"Hey, Sideswipe! How are you?" Jennifer 'Jen' Rogers said with a grin. She introduced the others who nodded happily. The twins were high on the list of most of the female occupants of Diego Garcia, mostly because Sideswipe made a point of speaking with them.
"Okay. I was wondering if I could ask you something," Sideswipe said kneeling.
"Sure," Lisa said standing up. Her body glistened with tanning lotion as she stood in front of him looking up. Her little white bikini was barely able to preserve her dignity and she smirked slightly as Sideswipe looked her over with the directness of a Cybertronian and with none of the tact or technique of humans doing the same thing. "Like my bathing suit?"
Sideswipe who didn't know enough about humans to get the underlying humor nodded. "You look nice in it."
Chuckles greeted that as other femmes stood. "You are so cute," Lisa said with a grin. "What do you want to know?"
Why do men abuse women and why do women accept it?" he asked in his direct manner.
They looked at him, then each other. Lisa stepped forward putting her hand on his foot. "What's up, Sideswipe? Is there something we can help you do?"
He looked at her and was reminded again why he liked humans. "I think its already been done. I just don't understand what happened. Why would anyone let alone a femme not do something about being abused?"
Lisa looked at him a moment, then nodded. "I wouldn't but some women get caught up with slick guys who manipulate them. They make them feel low and keep them dependent. I don't get it half the time but I have seen it enough even in women who are smart and tough. I just think at some point it becomes your life. I don't have the psychology of it but I've seen it."
The others nodded. "I think men who do that are very careful about making their targets believe its their fault. Its a mind game, Sideswipe. I think its complicated and awful," Jen said. "Did you find someone in trouble?"
He considered the question, the Cybertronian habit of not speaking for someone else rising inside. He quashed it and nodded. "A human femme. She was miserable. A mech was hurting her, making her feel small. I went to his ship to speak to him and the Pit broke out. She's gone. I worry for her career. I told Fulton and Morshower if they didn't take care of this problem, I would."
Lisa hugged his ped. "Thanks, Sideswipe. Its a problem in our military for women. I also think men like that are sick and need help too but for me, I'm thinking of the women first. What happened? Did you get into trouble?"
"No. Prowl is concerned." He grinned. "When is he not? I thought I was going to be pulled off world. I wonder … do you know a mech named Cameron Frazer?" he asked.
"He's the head of the naval station, procurements and management. Is that the freak?" another woman asked.
Sideswipe nodded. "It is," he said. He looked at them, then leaned in closer. "If anyone frags with you, tell me. Tell Sunny. I don't like it. I won't wait for command to notice."
Lisa grinned at him, then nodded. "Okay," she said.
A shout down the beach drew their attention. Sunstreaker was waving. He stood, then looked down at the little femmes. "Why do you lay in the sun. Are you solar collecting?"
"In a way," Lisa said as the others nodded. "We collect it and turn brown doing it."
He knelt again, an enormous digit gently touching her arm. "The color stays?"
"It does. For a while anyway," Jen said as he touched her arm. "You are really a cute guy, Sideswipe. I envy Bluestreak."
Sideswipe smirked, then stood up. "See ya around," he said nodding.
"SEE YA, SIDESWIPE!" -the femmes
He turned to buzz back down the beach on his skates, his grace and beauty evident to anyone who could see him. They stood watching him, then Lisa looked at Jen. "This sucks. That Frazer better watch his step."
"They don't know much about us do they," another femme asked.
Jen shrugged. "On some things. On others? They know a lot."
-0-Ops Center, Autobot City, Mars
Prowl stood at sensors watching as a small migration made its way forward. They had organized a number of structures to meet their approach. Seeker flights with data experts was going to go out and probably were on their way through the Trigger as he stood watching the data flowing on the screen. A medic flight was going to follow, giving the overflight wing a chance to gather some data. Ops Center had already sent a message through the Trigger alerting the migration that help was coming.
Prime's heavy treads entered his consciousness so he turned. "The data flight has left and the medics are following. We sent the message alert already."
Optimus nodded. "I have alerted Jetta that we have a migration nearly upon us. They are redirecting their efforts to concentrate on getting two of the seven cities ready for residents. We have several thousand housing units all over the city to help along with three of the metro formers. It could be tight depending on numbers but doable. The other cities will have to be a priority for the migration coming this way through the usual lanes."
Prowl nodded. "I know. This feels like a tight time frame. I am not in favor of them."
Prime grinned. "You have a way with words. Any new reports from Diego?"
"No," Prowl said. "I am going to pull the twins I think. They're a question mark to me. I don't want any incidents no matter how righteous that can be exploited by our many and sundry enemies."
"Good call," Prime said. "I do not want to strain our welcome at Diego either. The navy has made it clear that they are displeased."
Prowl considered that. "Then they better step up. I researched the problem and their anger, though understandable is misplaced."
Prime nodded. "I am going to see about the new construction. I will be available if the Pit rises up again."
"It will," Prowl said with a slight smirk. "When doesn't it?"
Prime grinned, then turned to go to the new construction and a tour with Jetta, Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus.
-0-Diego
They rolled back through town ignoring mostly the scrutiny that they got from others. Smokey and Speedy were walking their way so both stopped next to the Officer's Club to wait for them to catch up. From the periphery of their sensors and optical range, they saw the officer from the night before standing on the porch of the building. He was with several others and all were watching them.
A slow burn rose up through Sideswipe but he schooled his expression. Just before Smokey and Speedy reached the two, Sideswipe turned rolling toward the officers. He knelt, then leaned in close to them. He towered over them, his beauty coupled with power and menace was overwhelming, just as he knew it would be.
The humans for their part stood frozen, surprised by Sideswipe. They looked at him, some with fear, others with intense curiosity and awe. Sideswipe stared at them, then asked his question of the officer from the night before. "Why do you think calling us fags is okay?"
No one said a word.
-0-TBC January 19, 2014
HBTM