The Diego Diaries: Skool 1 edited (601) edited

-0-In the hangar

Ratchet stood in Ops Center at the Embassy waiting for the call. Plane loads of officers from all of the services both American and ally had been landing over the past two days disgorging dozens of officers who would be part of the training that was coming. JAGs … Judge Advocate General officers who handled legal cases for all branches of the US military as well as serving as judges and hearing officers on occasion came to listen. They had to police the Uniform Code of Military Justice too. Also among them were military personnel officers, commanders of this and that division, flight or carrier group as well as doctors, psychologists and civilians who were part of the Veteran's Administration and other elements of the military edifice with the burden of personnel welfare and safety.

They were taken to housing on the base, some of them making berths on ships as the crowd began to amass. There would be nearly 400 individuals gathered to learn something about the Cybertronians and their way of life. They had been part of the data collection process regarding military personnel and their vulnerabilities around the services from the behavior of their peers and lack of response from their higher ups, something that was looking grim to say the least.

This would be the part with 'the aliens', which had led to the whole endeavor itself thanks to Sideswipe. It was going to be added to the final document of conduct and consequences that would be included and integrated into the Code. The event was going to be more than one day and with consultation with Ratchet include testimony with numerous Autobots, civilians and former Decepticons that would appear and speak.

It was going to be epic. It was also getting push back in Congress and Parliament. There were those who felt an affront that this was happening as it felt like a slam at the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines that they felt were being used for some other purpose than to rectify a great concern. Ratchet and the organizers ignored that as they worked to make changes for the good. One of them was a chance to see the bots and hear their story which could only be instructive as well as entertaining.

Ratchet had gone through lists of individuals including civilians compiling a number of bots who would be asked to speak. It took a bit of persuasion and the promise of immunity from prosecution for their commentary before they agreed. They would come to speak at Ratchet's call. Among them were Neo, Nitro, First Aid, Terradive, 26 who was now a part of the Veteran's Administration's Counseling Department, Ramcharger, the feisty old mech in the courtyard of the Fortress, Red Wing, Gypsy and Cambo as well as Elita-1. On tap also, the twins were go and Sunspot coming to talk to them was even under discussion. The list was going to expand determined of course by their audience.

Ultra Magnus … hmmm ...

He considered his presentation which would hit a lot of topics but would be careful not to relay specific things given their stance that the personal was taboo and not for general consumption. As he stood by the door going over his plan Trailbreaker walked into the rec room. He crossed the big room, then paused by Ratchet. "You got a mob out there who are waiting for you."

Ratchet grinned. "Oh great. Did you get a few pictures snapped ambling around? Nearly every bot on base is hanging out getting themselves memorialized for someone's scrapbook."

Trailbreaker chuckled. "I did. I'm that sad."

Ratchet grinned, then paused to take a message. "I'm on."

"Want an escort?" Trailbreaker asked.

"Anytime I can go strolling with a good looking mech, yes. Come on," Ratchet said as he turned to walk to the door. They walked out side-by-side pausing to take in the view. A mass of military and civilian personnel were walking to the dedicated Autobot hangar that was nearby the airfield, the biggest hangar on base. It was used by the flying formats that came into Diego. Now it was cleared as rows of chairs, hundreds of them were lined up inside. Both sides had their enormous doors pushed back allowing a breeze to pass through. The speaking platform such as it was occupied the side closest to the ocean. Beyond, one could see ships in their berths as well as some sailing in and out of the islands.

The mass of individuals paused as they made their way inside, turning to watch as Ratchet and Trailbreaker stepped out of the Embassy to come their way. There was a buzz of commentary as the two walked toward them. Ratchet and Trailbreaker paused, then turned to walk along the outer far side of the hangar to the back where he would stand to give his presentation. The crowd watched one of the most famous Autobots in the world disappear around the hangar, then turned moving forward to go inside once more.

There were hundreds of individuals gathered, most of them either sitting already or standing before their chairs waiting. Ratchet and Trailbreaker paused near the back doors as Blurr and Jolt buzzed up to stop. "You ready for this?" Blurr asked with his trademark smirk.

"Born ready," Ratchet said with a smirk of his own.

They glanced behind themselves as a hummer sped up, then stopped at the other door. Out of it stepped General Morshower, Colonel Fulton, General Compton of the United States Army, Admiral Herbert of the United States Navy and Surgeon General of the UK's armed forces, General Hillary. They walked inside where everyone there snapped to attention. Walking to the front, they turned and the crowd was told to sit. They did.

Morshower walked to the mikes, then spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Diego Garcia. You are part of the effort to find solutions to problems and systemic indifference to certain kinds of behaviors in our military that have gone on too long. We have worked on this for some time and will continue to do so until we find solutions to add to the Code of Military Conduct manual that make it clear that not only is this behavior prohibited but that there are serious consequences to it continuing. These will be solutions with avenues for reporting abuses, automatic reporting on the part of the officer given the information prompting immediate investigations with consequences for those who are found guilty of abusive conduct.

"We have had the assistance and support of the Autobot Armed Forces who have been recipients of harassment and abuse themselves. They are a venerable military organization with a great deal to offer. I have asked Chief Medical Officer of the Autobot Armed Forces, Commander Ratchet to be a part of this along with Chief-Of-Staff of the Autobot Armed Forces, Commander Prowl. They have both worked on this project as well and we are grateful for their expertise and support. Without further ado, I would like to introduce Commander Ratchet of Iacon."

The crowd present, expectant, clapped for him as he walked into the hangar. He paused to allow the n00bs to give him the once over as behind him a number of bots stood grinning as they watched. He slowly turned to allow them the full picture, then paused. He grinned. "I always find it helpful if I give you the full monty." Laughter was just the right touch. He grinned at them. "Now that you have seen me in the flesh as it were, we both have a better understanding of me and what I represent. In my years here on Earth, I think I have a good working understanding of you but I am completely aware that you are still water. Most aliens I have met in a very long life had vast areas of themselves that seemed hidden away. I am aware of perception and expectation based on my own societal norms and my experience with others.

"That is what we are here to try to parse. Your perceptions of me are not the only topic here. There is the perception you have of each other, perceptions that don't mesh very well it would seem from the amount of intra-military violence, bullying and abuse that soldiers, seamen, air personnel and sailors have to endure in your own company. This session and the related efforts by all of us to fix what should have been fixed long ago were precipitated by two of our soldiers who had been bullied in the past by individuals who have no respect and no sense of self preservation as well." He grinned. "I will tell you about our soldiers and you will come to that conclusion yourself. But it wouldn't be a show without the lead actors. The two soldiers who sparked this whole thing are going to be coming in to talk to you. I think however you need some information so that you can glean their point of view easier.

"The first two speakers will be Autobots Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. They hold the distinction of being the only twins in the history of our species until the birth of their daughters as far as the record shows. They are from Kaon, played as forwards on their city-state's football team and are two of the most deadly soldiers that we field. They are front-liners, that is … soldiers who go straight to the front lines and stay there. To say they were reluctant to come here is an understatement," Ratchet said to the undertone of chuckles. "But they are here to talk to you about themselves, our army and expectations as well as perceptions."

Ratchet paused, then called for them. They were outside the hangar having come through the bridge at the last moment, their reluctance writ large. They entered from the other door rolling forward, enormously tall, enormously alien figures. When they reached Ratchet, they paused smirking at him. :Tell me again why I'm here: Sideswipe said. Sunstreaker nodded.

:Because you're handsome and you're best placed to speak. After all, you caused this, you slagger: Ratchet said with a grin.

:Yeah, Sideswipe. Thanks: Sunstreaker said with a sour tone.

:Frag you, Sunstreaker: Sideswipe said looking at his brother.

Ratchet looked at the crowd. "We have the capacity to speak to each other internally. They would like you to know they are delighted to be here."

Sideswipe snorted, then turned to face the big group that included Morshower, Fulton and a number of suits he identified as big shots. He glanced at Sunstreaker who stepped back with a grin. Laughter greeted that, then Sideswipe turned to the crowd.

:Talk to them, Sideswipe. You can do it. Tell them what they need to know: Ratchet said with a nod.

Sideswipe nodded back, then turned again. "I'm Sideswipe. I'm an Autobot soldier. I am a front liner like my twin and I fight optic to optic with the worst possible mechanisms ever. My twin and I were born in a tough town and we grew up there on our own early on. We're tough, tougher than any of you and we can take a lot of slag. Because we're slagging good at what we do, we feel the burn when we don't get respect.

"We get it. We're aliens and you aren't up on that yet, or maybe ever. We're your first aliens and you find it hilarious that we can transform into vehicles and slag. We're not robots nor are we machines. We're metallic formats with the ability to transform into different things that share the same mass as us. I can't become a toaster unless I do things you will never understand nor can I become a plane. They're too big. I accept that its hard to fathom. You are organic. We're metallic. Accept that and its easier. We accept you. Some of us," he said glancing at Sunstreaker who smirked slightly. Amusement rose, then settled. He had them in the palm of his servo.

"When we came here it was to save this planet from the 'Cons. All of us know about what they do, how they destroy everything in their path to get what they want. We got the call and came to help this marble defend itself. When we got here, most of the soldiers were stand up. All of the femmes we've met are great. We don't get slag from them. They like us, we like them. No femme ever called me a fag but a lot of the men do. Sailors lately, army before.

"I don't expect you to get it. But I think some things are simple. I am not like you. I came from another world with different processes that created it and me. I don't act or look like you because I came from a slagging other world. We don't act and look like you because we're Cybertronians. It frags me off more than I can say when someone slams me because they're slamming Cybertron too.

"When we first heard about the slag said about us it was a few of your Terran years ago. Some idiots were calling us fags. They were slagging our bonds and personal lives. That meant our families, our culture, our world. You can't slag us without slagging them. Sunny," he said glancing at his grim looking brother who was standing next to Ratchet, "he went to see them and talk. They panicked, the cowards and the Pit broke out.

"We asked their officers to bring them out so they could SAY TO OUR FACES what they had been saying behind our backs. When they came out and were ordered to apologize, they refused. They were calling us fags, making fun of our families and slagging our abilities. I'm a FRAGGING MELEE WARRIOR! I FIGHT SLAGGERS BIGGER THAN HOUSES TO DEFEND PEOPLE! WHO THE HELL ARE THEY TO TALK ABOUT ME LIKE THIS?!"

It was deadly silent in the room as they watched the big mechanism, his seven foot swords sliding in and out of his wrist sheaths. Sideswipe looked at them for a moment, then moved closer. "Why would anything about my life be funny to you? My bond isn't funny to me any more than yours are to you. I don't get you. I tried to help a femme who was being abused by a sailor the other day. She was afraid of someone. I could see it in her aura. No one stepped up and she couldn't. I don't know why she couldn't. Humans don't make sense to me all the time but I will still fight to protect you.

"I tried to speak to him and he was protected by others. Some slagger named Cardinelli protected him from speaking to me. I get it that I can be scary to you slaggers but I only wanted to talk to him. Just like Sunny did with the other two losers. It took me getting into trouble to get protection for this femme. Why should it take that? I didn't even know who to talk to so I came to talk to this fragger. He's still here on base. She's gone home and her career … what does that mean for her? She's a pilot, a slagging warrior but she has to go. Frag that."

Sideswipe looked at the group gathered, then glanced at Sunstreaker. He was standing silently looking at the humans like they were insects. Shifting slightly, he looked at them for a moment. "I don't even pretend to understand you slaggers," he said. "You don't make sense. Sideswipe tries. I guess that's to his credit but I don't. Not after those first two fraggers. They're still out there making trouble helping others slag us. We are in a bond, we have three children … a little mech and two of the FRAGGING FINEST FEMMES IN THE UNIVERSE! WHAT THE FRAG IS WRONG WITH THAT!? And what is the deal with calling us fags?

Sunstreaker moved to stand by his brother. "We know what it means among you. You have a problem with men or women together. WHY!? Get over it. We are a species that is 95% male. Femmes are so rare that some of us go through our entire lives never seeing one. Who are we suppose to care about but each other? There are no genders in our species. We don't give a frag about gender. You see me as male. Fine. I don't identify one way or the other. All of us are one. We are one. All of us together are ONE!.

"If you want to divide yourself for some reason, fine. I don't understand human biology and I don't want to," Sunstreaker said glancing at Ratchet who stood smirking at the pair while they spoke. "You want us to know slag, Ada. You encourage it. Frag that," he said as a few humans chuckled. "I don't want to know. I just know us. We're tough, smart, good and we protect you and yours with our afts. When we hear ingratitude it frags us off. You don't have to love us. You don't have to understand us but you HAVE TO RESPECT US! You have to."

Sideswipe nodded. "I feel sorry for your people who have to be slagged for stuff that doesn't matter. Nothing we feel or do among our own kind matters on the battlefield because everyone is a brother in combat, everyone matters. We will still fight to protect everyone. All of you fraggers. Your highs and low. I feel sorry for your femmes and the others, the ones you call fags. What the frag is wrong with you? Either all are truly one or you're doomed. Slaggers." He shook his helm, then turned to Ratchet. "I don't know why she didn't blast him for what he did to her but I promise you I won't stand by and allow it like these fraggers if I see it again. I protect and defend everyone, not just those I like." He glanced at the humans. "The biggest question to me is … why don't you?"

It was silent in the hangar as the words hung in the air.

-0-TBC January 26. 2014