The Diego Diaries: Home Front (dd4 38)
-0-At the Burris Trial
"When we finished with emergency evaluations we put them all in the hospital. They were all in dire enough condition that they were not able to leave for their new homes that orn. Some of them were in such a depleted condition that we had to keep them in continuous care for about four orns. All of them showed the effect of long term hunger and there wasn't one among them that didn't have the marks of physical abuse.
"They were in an extreme condition of trauma emotionally. None of them would talk to us about what happened to them so that part of their evaluation was turned over to Processor Health. Jarro will speak to it.
"There were 28 mechs and two femmes. Only four of them are in their majority as fully mature mechanisms. The majority of them were post sub adult, growing into their final stage protoforms with good potential to become solid healthy adults. Because they fell into captivity which didn't provide adequate food and care they have eroded protoform, damage from overwork and lack of medical attention as well as emotional trauma.
"We get a lot of refugees with tough situations. Some of them come from captivity by the Decepticons having been let go to join migrations. This group has a number of the same problems," Ratchet said.
"They didn't tell you the origin of their problems?" Coln asked.
"No. They were passive and absolutely frightened. They allowed us to take care of them but they didn't say a word. It was very difficult. I put their medical records in my report. I would like to say that all of them have done a turn around. None of them are out of the woods entirely but they have taken up their lives here and are progressing toward full integration. Their health is no longer the issue that it was," Ratchet replied.
"Are they able to work or go to school or are they still recuperating from this?" Coln asked.
"Most of them are able to choose what they want and can do. About 7 of them are still in recovery but the others are working or in apprenticeships. All of them are living in apartments and taking care of themselves but the seven. They have home health care still."
"Your report is very chilling, Doctor. In your great and varied experience what can you tell us about the thirty individuals that were found on the ship?" Coln asked.
"It is my professional opinion that the individuals were kept in captivity against their will and subjected to abuse and deprivation that resulted in debilitation and trauma that approached permanent impairment or death. It is my conclusion based on the experience I have had as a physician dealing with war refugees, individuals who have been harmed in war and civilian experience growing up in a low caste life in a major urban slum that this is systematic and long term brought about by efforts by some who viewed them as less than Cybertronian and rather more like machinery." Ratchet stared at Coln, then looked at the defendant. He was staring ahead grimly while Fenix and his fellows were working out what to do next.
"Thank you, Doctor. No more questions at this time," Coln-2 said as he sat.
It was quiet a moment, then Fenix looked up. "I reserve my questions for later on in this hearing, sir."
Semi nodded. "You may sit, Doctor."
Ratchet nodded, then left the stand to sit next to Springer and Prowl. Other mechs were called to testify about the victims. Then Drift was called. The door opened as a big white bot walked in. He paused a moment, then continued to the witness stand to give his oath. He was handsome, relaxed, bore a slight grin and optics that missed nothing.
"Drift, do you swear to state that you will tell the truth and present facts relevant to the proceedings without embellishment or subterfuge?" the bailiff asked.
"I do," he replied easily.
:He looks good. You done good: -Ratchet
:I think so. Can't complain: -Springer with a smirk
:Wouldn't do any good if you did: -Ratchet
(grin) -Springer
"Drift, you are a member of the Night Watch and the bond of Chief of Security Springer. Correct?" -Coln-2 (C2)
"Correct." -Drift (DR)
"You are also an Autobot belonging to the Wreckers detail and hold the rank of Commander as an Autobot, correct?" -C2
"Correct." -DR
"You were not present at the moment that the incident in question happened. When did you enter this fray?" -C2
"I was on duty in the rescue but joined the ground game on the third orn. We came back with the last refugees, then walked to Ops Center to check in as per procedure. We were informed, Chief Springer and I that a mech named Burris had been jailed for disturbing the peace and making threats. We were informed that there were hidden in the ship Burris came on about 30 or so mechs and a couple of femmes. They were not reported when Burris had landed but were found when the ship was ready to be assessed for scrap.
"We went to the hospital where they were and tried to question them. They were really sick and disbelieving that they were safe. They were terrified that they would be punished for speaking," Drift said, his optics fixed on Burris. Burris was staring straight ahead.
"Your attempts to interview them failed?" -C2
"They did. Processor Health had to make the initial interviews after a couple of orns. They were so debilitated that they needed to rest and recuperate a bit before they could be persuaded that they were safe and we would protect them." -DR
"You were part of the forensic inspection of the ship. What did you find?" -C2
"We found a ship that was roomy and comfortable, filled with personal belongings and lots of the necessaries. There were tanks of food grade energon in the first hold. The rear hold held the victims. They had come this way in style," Drift replied drily.
"Who found them and how did that happen?" C2
"They were found by the tech teams that strip ships that are going to be re-purposed. Most ships don't come that far in the process. They are worn, too old or damaged in some way. This ship was slated to be re-purposed and added to the civilian fleet at some point. Going through the ships, they strip personal belongings to be tagged and returned to owners at some point, take the databases for the cultural content among other things, then go from top to bottom getting it ready to be rebuilt. When they opened to the holds to empty them, they found the victims. Apparently it was a pretty grisly sight."
"No one told authorities that there were 30 individuals on board?" -C2
"Not to my knowledge, no," Drift replied.
"Thank you, Commander. No more questions for now." Coln-2 sat.
"Commander, you were a Decepticon at one point, correct?" Fenix asked. (F)
"I was. I'm not now." -DR
"You were a pretty terrible Decepticon. You were subcommander to Captain Turmoil in the prison, correct?" -F
"Yes." -DR
"You didn't see any of these alleged events directly, correct?" -F
"No." -DR
"Then you can only speculate on what was alleged." -F
"I suppose so. I read the reports, talked to the mechs involved and did follow ups with Chief Springer." -DR
"But you have no direct knowledge." -F
"No." -DR
"Thank you. No more questions at this time." -F
Drift took his seat beside Ratchet and Springer.
-0-Elsewhere at the same time...
Prowler sat on the desktop staring happily at his big old pa. He had just been picked up at the Academy, carried to the Armory and sat on a tiny blanket on the shiny but cluttered desktop of his big old pa.
"A!"
Ironhide grinned. "We have to work on school. Here," Ironhide said picking up a tiny miniscule red squeezy ball he had gotten from The Sparkling Center in the Mall of Metroplex. It had a smile on it and was just Prowler's size, if somewhat more tiny for Ironhide. "Look at this, Prowler. You have to squeeze it."
Ironhide squeezed the tiny ball between two digits. When he released his grip on it his grin faded. "Well … uh, not like that," he said looking at the smashed smear of red on his two fingertips. "I think I put too much pressure on it." He looked at his son who was smiling although he hadn't the faintest clue what was going on. He chuckled. "I'll get you another. Try this. Work your little jaws," Ironhide said as he handed an infant cookie to the baby.
Prowler would sit nom-noming on it while Ironhide cleared the decks. He would have to take the baby to the school in Terra for the physical part of his education.
Swimming.
Massage.
Pre-dance.
All of it was good. After that they would take a shot at 'square'. 'Circle' was down pat. Time for an uptick in the curriculum.
No problem Ironhide thought as he went from one task to another while his youngling gummed a cookie.
-0-At the trial
Jarro stood on the stand discussing the findings of the victims of Burris and his party. Everyone had the reports. Now was the time for questions.
"They were traumatized. When we finally reached a level of comfort and they had been given medical treatment that alleviated and mitigated some of their condition, they were able to tell us what had happened. It would appear that they were a group heading for a colony on the far end of the sector near Junk. They were needful of fuel and supplies but had nothing of value to trade. So it was agreed that they would stay and work, then move onward.
"They had arrived at the colony that was run by Burris. It was mostly high caste with alien support staff. When the youngling group arrived those were sent packing. The younglings were pressed into servitude at that point doing all the labor of the settlement as well as personal service in the households.
"They were held in captivity with very little to eat nor good conditions in which to live. They were manacled with a control device like those used in Cybertronian prisons during the Clampdown. It was a very long captive servitude. When they didn't do what was expected at the level that was expected they were disciplined which sometimes included corporal and psychological punishments."
"Did they ever tell you why this happened? Did they ever express an understanding of the actions of their captors?" -C2
"They were told that their place was to serve, that the group they served were important enough to the return of civil rule to Cybertron that it overrode any other consideration. The System was enforced in their settlement the way it was on Cybertron … without the slightest concern for those bearing the greatest burden."
"Can you describe some of the consequences to the victims that were an outcome of this situation?" -C2
"Several of the victims showed symptoms of what the humans call Stockholm Syndrome. That is, they identify with their captors through capture-bonding. It is part of a traumatic bonding process some victims undertake to preserve the ego by identifying with their captors, thereby taking away the threat they pose to them by 'becoming' them. Two have disassociated themselves from their circumstances living in a fantasy that Burris cared about them to cope. They had to do that to survive.
"I believe everyone of them suffer from complex post traumatic stress. This is a difficult process to treat but it can be done over a period of time. The victim finds the world around them unreal and distorted making minor problems seem overwhelming. They first must have a sense they control their own lives and that they can see that they can be safe and not in the control of others. Time will give them distance from these events which is part of the rebuilding process. It is very traumatic for someone to be at the mercy of another, one who cares so little for their well being and holds danger and punishment over them so completely."
"We have their statements entered into the record. Will they be able to speak at trial if this results in indictment?" Coln-2 asked.
"Five of them have asked to do so. They feel very strongly and have been in counseling since they arrived. They have progressed to the point where their ego is strong enough to face this and speak to it. I feel there could be more but several of them aren't even close to the point of talking outside the safety of their group counsel," Jarro said.
"Thank you," Coln said as he sat.
Fenix considered Jarro. "Sir, I am assuming you did thorough interviews and tests on these individuals."
"I did. All of the standard battery along with surveys and interviews of each individual. All of the recordings have been transcribed and entered into the record," Jarro said.
"In your opinion, how trustworthy is the testimony of these individuals?" -F
Jarro considered that question. "I would believe that they understand reality, are clear on what really happened to them and are prepared to attempt to tell their story under oath. I don't guarantee that the actual process of testifying will be easy or even doable but at the moment several of them feel strong and ready. I believe they will acquit themselves well and reliably."
Fenix turned to discuss with the other two attorneys with him, then looked at Jarro. "Thank you, sir."
Jarro nodded, then stepped down. Semi looked at Coln-2. "Anymore witnesses?"
"No, your honor," Coln-2 said.
"Fenix?" -Semi
"No, sir." -F
"Please begin your summary, Coli." -Semi
"Your honor," he began as he tied up the case of the Prime v Burris.
-0-TBC May 26, 2014 edited 7-1-14
Notes: Forest fire here. Dying down at last a bit so hooray us! :D
I am editing the story from stem to stern and have come across bits and pieces here and there that crack me up. I am going to post them now and again at the end of the story piece for that day:
After the sand box fight in the Day School between Han and Orion: parts 282-283 in DD3
Han who had actually said boo and meant it punched Orion in the nose. Orion blinking at the slightly whiffed punch looked at Roto. Roto looked at him with his own astonished expression, then Han. "Han bad," Roto said in spite of himself. He stood and lifted Han placing him back on the Chair of Doom. Turning to Orion he paused.
Orion was grinning broadly at the back of Han even as he rubbed his nose. Orion looked up catching Roto looking at him and the smile faded immediately. It was replaced with a look of utter hurt and dismay. It was so instantaneous that Roto was surprised something on Orion's face didn't unscrew and fall off.
And this in the same piece:
Then Orion continued and demonstrated to all concerned that personal pronouns would likely be a problem for him for some time to come: "Boo is bad, she say." He pointed at Han, then looked at Roto as if his teacher could part water and paddle butts at the same time.
Hopefully Han's.
Roto appeared to be in the throes of hilarity but he held himself together and got to the point: "Boo is bad?"
Apparently it was.
To Orion.
Han on the other servo looked like a(n) (fallen) angel in his failing effort to cover up his 'bad' with a sweet face and innocent optics. Orion on the other servo continued to drill the point home: "Boo is bad. Bad say she. Boo is." Cue the astonished expression of astonishment.
Ratchet (watching the film of this with Ironhide, Revo and Heva) felt things crackle inside and fall into the dustbin in his aft. His oldest youngest son was a snitch.
:D:D:D