My internet was down last night, hardware problem at the ISP's end. I am hoping it will be up and working today but if it isn't I will post today's piece somewhere else using their internet. This is yesterday's piece and today's will be shortly. HUGS! -Me, losing to technology.
The Diego Diaries: Proteus (dd6 36)
-0-In a conference room in the Control Center of Autobot City Military and Civilian Prison, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire
Prime sat quietly listening to the experts as they lay out their cases and studies of the defendant, Proteus of Iacon. Jarro and Rung were telling of their efforts both before, during and now after his request to be sentenced after changing his plea to guilty. With them was Proteus' attorney, Sherrod, Lauren from the Temple, Blackstone for the Public Defender's Office who was here given the severity of the crimes charged, Coln-2 to represent the Prime's Brief, Ratchet for medical issues, and someone not seen or heard from much, Maduro, the bond of Proteus.
+Maduro had come in a later migration and was startled to find that Proteus had survived. They were a devoted bond but Maduro was hardly known among the ruling class, such was his shyness and need for isolation. When he had finally worked up the nerve to visit the prison, it had shocked Proteus greatly. They spoke every day and Maduro came as often as he could. He was living in an apartment in Bern on total disability. His crippling agoraphobia wasn't helped by the scorn he heard on occasion when Proteus' name would come up in conversation. Now with the Functionalists here, it was an agony for him. He sat beside Lauren staring at the tabletop looking as miserable as he could be.
Prime listened as Prowl took the record and Ironhide sat like a Buddha beside Ratchet. Lauren had spoken of a change in Proteus after Maduro arrived. He had asked for a priest and they talked regularly. Proteus, always religious, had asked for copies of the Chronicles and the Commentaries. They discussed guilt, remorse and redemption every time they met.
Jarro and Rung spoke of a long process of change in thinking brought about by the success of the colony, a multi-caste creation and how it appeared that most of what Proteus had held dearest was slag in actual practice. No one low caste should have made the success they had if they were in charge of the outcome. They had and he was shocked by it, the first real hit to his personal belief system in his incarceration. The colony glittered before him, the robust commerce of the colony and its constantly busy airfields, the connections with aliens and the rise of Cybertron had made it harder to hold certain views as true and inviolate. Prime had taken Cybertron without a shot. That meant the Pantheon did indeed hold him dear.
All of the supports for the ideas and beliefs that Proteus had held up were slag. That Maduro had collapsed down to a hermit existence that was also filled with agonized regrets and sorrows had preyed on him as well. His world had imploded and so had his longheld beliefs in just about every corner of his thinking. He was adrift on a sea of regrets. Rung and Jarro had both worked on his case given the severity of the charges and the possible penalties which allowed two points-of-view to be presented. Both of them coincided it would seem to Prime as he listened.
Gee-Gee was next and spoke of an exemplary prisoner who had earned the right to greater privileges. Proteus worked in her office organizing data and helping with casework preparation for prisoners, mundane work that he did cheerfully. He had also become a 'jail house lawyer' speaking for prisoners when they fragged up and had a date with the warden about punishment. He was good at it and soon he was the one everyone wanted, though some of them still told him that he better never be loose around them, he would still be so dead, so fast.
He spoke of his regrets, she said. Her own sensibilities and experience led her to believe him and when his bond would creep in to meet with him, Gee-Gee said his tenderness and fear for Maduro had become a central part of his effort to reform.
"I've seen every kind of inmate, every kind of scam, heard every kind of story," she said. "I have hardwired into my processor a slag detector that hasn't let me down yet. I knew from looking at him that Maelstrom was reformable. I have only had two prisoners return here not counting that slagger, Sideways. By the way … he was on release before I became warden," she said with a slight grin. "I wouldn't have let him out myself." She continued onward and came to the same conclusion that everyone else had, that Proteus was a genuine case of contrition.
Prime nodded, then turned to Maduro. "Do you wish to add something, Maduro? I would appreciate anything you can tell me from your own insight and perspective."
Maduro flinched. "I … I hope you feel … I seek mercy. We don't deserve it, either of us. But I know that you bear the Matrix and that you are kind, sir. I just ask for mercy. Thank you." He hung his helm as he sat in great misery.
:Ratchet, can you help him?: Prowl asked as he stared at Maduro with concern.
:After this is over, I'll take him in and see what we can do. He looked like a chronically depressed mech: Ratchet replied.
Lauren who was sitting next to Maduro took his servo and squeezed it. Maduro glanced at the priest, then leaned into him for comfort with evident fear and exhaustion on his face.
"Blackstone?" Prime asked.
Blackstone spoke for Proteus acknowledging his crimes but asking also for mercy not only for Proteus but for Maduro as well. He had changed and the Pantheon had always indicated that redemption and mercy should be available for all who tried. He had a bad hand but he did his best. Coln-2 was next and laid out the case for a permanent punishment for the magnitude of his crimes. Maduro seemed to shrink as he did. Sherrod was last with an accounting of his behavior … impeccable … and his efforts to change which were many. It was silent a moment after he spoke as Prime digested the information solemnly. "Ratchet?" Prime asked.
"I think he's sound and given the reports clear in his processor about what he's doing. I find nothing to hinder his decision," Ratchet said.
Prime nodded. "Thank you." He glanced at Gee-Gee. "Please bring the prisoner in, Warden."
Gee-Gee nodded, then walked to the door. Leaning out, she spoke, then a big mech followed her in. He was very handsome, impeccable in his form and manner as he stopped at the end of the table. He bowed from the waist to Prime, then took the offered seat. Nodding to Sherrod, Lauren and everyone else, he took Maduro's servo into his own.
"Proteus, we are here to decide upon the penalty that must be applied given your plea. I would like to hear from you. I am interested in your path toward this moment," Prime said.
Proteus nodded. "I've been wrong for so long about so many things its hard to find a starting place," he said quietly. "I think when I saw the children here, all the babies together and yours, Ratchet, all of them living without malice or second thoughts … it made me think about Cybertron and my responsibility to the children there. Too many died or suffered deprivations because of me. I could have done something but I didn't. I was part of a terrible unforgiveable process for which all the remorse in the world cannot change a thing. But I feel it. It's the biggest part of me, my remorse. I don't expect you to believe that but it's true."
Prime nodded. "Continue."
"I've spent a lot of time thinking and I know I have no excuse for what I did and participated in. Even saying this was what I was raised to believe belies the fact that I was an adult, could see what was happening and it didn't change a thing. I have no defense. I have only remorse. I'm sorry for what I did and didn't do. I'm sorry to all I've harmed and I'm sorry for my bond's suffering which is on me alone. I know I have a debt and I'm ready to pay whatever it is you command, Lord Optimus. But I also want to say that I apologize to you for my treatment of your Primeship. I never felt the Matrix or the One bless us during a festival prior to choosing you. It only happened with you."
Prime nodded. "I am aware that you have spent time speaking with Heatout. Do you wish to speak to that or have him here?"
Proteus thought, then nodded. "If he could come. I want you to know I'm not concocting an escape route with this request. I want you to understand how I've changed. No matter what you decide for or against me, I will accept the punishment but it matters to me that you understand that I've changed and my feelings are sincere."
Prime nodded as Prowl sent the request. It was silent a bit longer until a door opened and a big handsome bot stepped inside. He nodded to everyone, then paused by the table. "You wish my presence, Lord Optimus?"
Prime nodded. "Yes, Heatout. We are hearing the guilty plea of Proteus preparatory to sentencing. I have asked you to come and perhaps speak for him."
Heatout glanced at Proteus, then Prime. Drawing a chair, he sat. "Of course." He glanced at Proteus, then nodded to him encouragingly. He looked at Prime. "You know that we believe that love is the greatest force of the universe and that it's power can move mountains. There is no force or figure we believe that can stand against it. When Proteus called me to speak, I came curiously. I have no more reason to forgive him than anyone else but I have a duty to my beliefs, among them forgiveness and love, so I came. He asked hundreds of questions, sought the truth everywhere he could. I gave him books and lectures, videos and letters. He changed before my eyes. I didn't expect him to do that because I felt inside myself hesitation to forgive but I did. That is my reward, to put down that burden and help him help himself. I believe that he feels the changes. He is truthful about his sincere apology and wants to do something that will help us all go forward.
"I asked him what would he do if you deactivated him. His crimes are vast. He told me that he would accept it. He told me that he would be scared but he would do whatever you and the Matrix demanded. He just wants someone to look after Maduro."
Maduro lay his helm down on the table as he softly began to cry. Ratchet scanned him, then formulated a digit to give him an injection. Maduro relaxed a bit, then sat up with a ravaged expression. He was calmer but the devastation was clear. "Do you want to lie down, Maduro?" Ratchet asked gently.
"No," he whispered. "I have to help Proteus."
Proteus squeezed Maduro's servo, then looked at Prime. He sat straighter. "No matter what my outcome is, please take care of Maduro. He is blameless."
Prime stared at Proteus, then the others. He felt churning inside as he spoke the only words he could. "Proteus of Iacon, you are found guilty of crimes of a magnitude that require a consulation with the Matrix. I cannot give you a sentence until I do. Your willingness to face up to your actions is commendable and will be part of my discussion with the Matrix. However, this is beyond me alone. I hope you understand." Prime felt a warmth rising in him, the Matrix making itself present to Optimus.
Proteus nodded. "I do, Lord Optimus," he said with a slight tinge of fear. "You must do what you must. I understand."
Prime nodded, then sat straighter in his chair. His optics dimmed as he waited. The warmth of the Matrix rose up through his body and in seconds he left third dimensional density toward the astral plane. As he did, those waiting sat tensely, watching as the personal choice for envoy of their gods left this world to go to Theirs for wisdom.
-0-TBC 6-13-17 I am hard at work on the next segment. :D