The Diego Diaries: The Next Morning (dd6 157)
-0-On the curb the next morning
They stood together watching the bus go. Sunspot was riding them now with Spot, the yellow school bus that would stop about ten different places on the route though the Terra District before reaching the stop where Reflector, Bos and Co-D were waiting. They would all ride together to school in Centurion. Another bus slid to a stop, the door opened and a big grinning youngling aide stepped down with a datapad. "Are you the genitors of Orion and Praxus?" he asked.
Ironhide nodded, took the datapad, read and marked it, then affixed his glyph. Ratchet did the same, then the aide picked up the infants and climbed aboard again. The two stood on a seat waving out the window until they disappeared. As the family waved, a cab slid into the slot vacated. Hero with a smile that would light up the world and a sense of self consciousness at being the center of attention, walked to the cab and climbed in. She waved until she was out of sight.
At that moment, another school bus slid up. Fireball, Quasar and Genesis hugged, then climbed aboard. Before they reached their school, they would stop at the stop where Santee, Saber, Quadrus, Verilus, Tru, and Lumi were waiting and all would venture off to higher education. Everyone waved until they were gone from sight. Then they turned to each other to grin at the two who were left … the one they knew … Prowler … and the one they didn't know … the unnamed unknown that Ratchet was not disclosing.
"I have to say, Sonny, this is easier. Do they like riding the bus?" Ravel asked.
Ratchet nodded. "We'll know about Orion and Praxus tonight but the others do. They like getting with friends ahead of time."
They chatted, then most of them walked off to work or to wait for school to begin for themselves. Ironhide's adults turned toward Ratchet. "I hear you have to be there for Keystock's hearing."
"I do," Ratchet said with a grin. "What about you, Ironhide? Want to come with?"
"Sure," Ironhide said. "Beats working."
They laughed, chatted, then Ironhide and Ratchet watched the rest walk to The Fortress and the short hop to Cybertron and Las Vegas. They disappeared into the crowd. Ratchet grinned, then slipped his arm through Ironhide's. "We better go. Maybe some mini-cons acted up."
"One can but hope," Ironhide said with a grin.
It was a pleasant walk to the Courthouse, crossing the busy Metroplex Highway #1 at the lights, then continuing down Cultural Center Road. Businesses were going great guns, a pair of horse patrolmen heading to the shift change at the stables waved and they waved back. The sun was bright but it wasn't warm. Neither cared. They were mature. Prowler who was passed off to Tie Down much against Ironhide's will before the two left to go to their shop wouldn't last long in this.
"When can we get Prowler on the bus to Terra? They have a special bus for infants that services the private schools and both sparkling schools. They're set up to handle infants and babies. The human babies go on them. What about Prowler?" Ratchet asked knowing full well the answer.
"We can think about it. You don't want to be too hasty, Ratchet. Little mech needs to break into things. By the way, that was nasty of you to hand him to your atar," Ironhide said with a slight grump.
"No playing hooky, Ironhide," Ratchet said with a grin as they reached the Courthouse. They walked in, entered the lobby, then took the elevator to the main courtroom floor. Reading the schedule, they walked to courtroom #4 and entered to sit along the wall where most of the police reporting or other expert witnesses usually sat. The room was nearly empty but for a couple of elders who liked to watch trials. They nodded and Ironhide and Ratchet nodded back. It was silent.
"Did you see who else is getting a hearing?" Ironhide asked quietly.
Ratchet nodded. "I wonder if A37 will behave himself? He's smarter than usual but he's still a wise acre."
Ironhide nodded. "I hear ya."
The door opened and the court personnel fogged in just as Burris, Anders looking almost frightened, followed a pensive Bezel and Lon. They spotted Ratchet and Ironhide, then relaxed slightly. Sitting in a row, they waited nervously as Ratchet arose to walk to them. He sat down in front of them, then grinned at Anders. "You look very well, Anders. How are you feeling?"
Anders grinned at Ratchet. "I went to dinner with my boys last night. We had a very good time. We're going to the game together when the season starts," he said. "I wish this were over and things were settled. I'd like to have my family around me." He brightened, then leaned forward slightly. "Did you know that General Hard Drive chose my son, Cargo, to be his aide-de-camp?"
Ratchet smiled. "I heard something about that. He's going to have adventures and learn a lot. Trips to Cybertron everyday will be in order."
"I know," Anders said as he sat back highly pleased. "I think its marvelous. He can help our people there. Did you know that I'm going to work at Full Circle?"
It was Ratchet's turn to brighten at the news. He smiled. "Really? Joon runs that place. She's pretty wonderful."
"She called me and told me that their store manager for the inventory and sales was taking a leave to raise their infants and would I like the position? I never worked before. I never worked in this sort of thing but it will be so much fun. I told Burris, this is going to be an adventure."
Burris who was looking at Anders like he had invented him glanced at Ratchet. "Whatever Anders needs," he said.
Ratchet nodded. "Love is a bit that way, isn't it. What about you, Burris? You look much better than I've seen you."
"I get to take care of Anders. My son wants me to look into some different things as part of the release program. I don't know. I want Anders to have all my best," he said. He stared at Ratchet a moment. "Would you mind if I talk to you alone after this? I have … some questions about things."
"I would be honored, Burris," Ratchet said as he also thought he would never hear those words and Burris in the same sentence. "After this."
Burris looked relieved, Anders looked much happier and Bezel glowed. Ratchet arose, walked back to the bench, then sat. At that moment, No-a walked in and everyone stood. He sat. They sat. The list of cases and hearings were read, things began. Coln-2 sat at his table, Blackstone at his, the expert witnesses here and there. Keystock was first.
When the door opened, everyone tensed as a big handsome mech walked in without expression and with a calm that was typical of the smarter form of high caste in the upper bureaucracy of Cybertron. He was really a handsome big youngster with an impeccable paint scheme. He was the designated heir to the empire of his scandalously rich father. He walked to the line, nodded to his family who looked at him with an almost sickly sense of support, then turned to the judge. He stood easily and calmly. He turned a moment to nod at Blackstone who nodded back, then faced the judge again.
"Silver?" No-a asked.
Silver nodded. "We are here to begin a hearing into the actions of Keystock of Iacon who is charged with serious crimes. They include and are not limited to slavery, abuse of individuals, holding individuals against their will, indifference to the well being of others, lying to officials upon arrival here and resisting arrest. There may be other charges levied against him but those are the ones on deck for this preliminary hearing."
No-a nodded, then looked at Coln. "Colie, you hold the Prime's Brief. What say you? Anything to add to that mournful litany?"
Coln glanced at his notes, then the judge. "Given this is preliminary, not at this moment, your honor."
No-a nodded, then looked at Blackstone. "You have the defense of this individual, Blackstone. What say you? How does your client plea and what motions do you want to file in preparation for a trial?"
Ratchet glanced at Anders who was clutching both the servos of Burris and Bezel tightly. Burris looked ill and a bit frightened. Lon had his arm around Bezel and looked sickly stoic. He glanced back at Keystock and Blackstone who were having a silent off line conversation together. Then Blackstone turned to No-a. "Your honor, my client has asked to be heard by a caste court."
Ratchet felt a belly laugh rise up which he quashed ruthlessly. It was suddenly tense and all of Keystock's family looked blindsided. It was silent a moment. No-a glanced at Coln-2. "What is the procedure for this in light of the review about whether or not to keep them as part of the choices for judgment?"
"We're in the beginning of talks with General Hard Drive but they can still be instituted because Prime allows it yet. All you have to do is hand over the case to the court or the appointed representative of it," Coln said as he glanced at Ironhide. "Then it will be their case and the outcome is theirs to determine."
No-a looked at Keystock, then Blackstone. "What is your opinion of this request, Blackstone?"
"We have discussed it, the make up of the court itself and the likelihood that the outcome may be less than it could be down other avenues but he is insistent," Blackstone said. "I will represent him in either venue and acquiesce to his request myself."
No-a nodded, then looked at Keystock. "You may ask and I will even grant this but you do know that the charges against you carry heavy penalties. If the court puts you in prison for ten years, you will have to abide by their decision."
Keystock nodded. "I know. I am willing to take my chances to be heard there."
"Very well," No-a said as he glanced at Ironhide. "Commander, will you contact the judges and tell me what I need to know to transfer this case and prisoner to your jurisdiction."
Ironhide nodded, then stood. He was silent a moment, then turned to No-a. "We accept the case. We can schedule it for this afternoon, 1600 hours here if that pleases the court."
Keystock glanced at Blackstone in surprise, then Blackstone nodded. He looked at No-a. "Very well, Ironhide. Who and what do you need?"
"We're having a petit court, General Hard Drive, General Raptor, General Blackjack and me. The others are busy with their districts. We will need a courtroom and little more. I'm assuming you opt out of the congregation?"
Blackstone nodded. "We ask the mercy of the court to make this a simple petit hearing."
Ironhide nodded. "Request granted."
No-a glanced at Coln-2. "Do you formally relinquish this case into the jurisdiction of the Caste Court of Mars?"
Coln-2 nodded. "In the name of the Prime, yes."
No-a looked at Blackstone. "Very well. I will arrange for courtroom 11 to be available at 1600 for your use. Bailiff, take the prisoner to a holding cell. Make a conference room available to him and Blackstone for consulting but we'll hold him here until the court. Is that satisfactory to everyone?" Everyone nodded as Keystock bowed slightly. "Very well. You may go," No-a said.
The bailiff walked with Keystock to the door where they disappeared together. Anders and Burris stood uncertainly, the Blackstone walked to them. Leading them to one side, they talked a moment, then Blackstone walked through the door to the jail holding space nearby. Ratchet and Ironhide walked to the door, then Ironhide stepped away as Ratchet waited for Anders and the family. They stepped out, halting with Ratchet.
Anders looked tense. "What does this mean, really?" he asked Ratchet.
"It means that he puts his faith in the most faithful among us, Anders, the Praxian Military Elite. They will find a solution that's just and fair. Believe me," Ratchet said.
Anders nodded, then looked at Burris who was staring at Ratchet with a slightly pained expression. "I think I need to go to my new job, Burris. What will you do?"
"He can come with me," Ratchet said with a grin.
Anders perked up, then looked at Burris with a hopeful expression. "Won't that be fun, Burris? If you go there, we can meet here again at 1600 hours. Will you do that for me?"
Burris looked at Anders, then nodded. "Whatever you need, Anders, to be happy." He looked at Ratchet. "Do you mind?"
"I asked you, remember?" Ratchet said with a grin. He looked at Lon and Bezel who were watching him with almost worshipful expressions of relief. "What say you take Anders to his job. Then you can meet up with me, Burris."
"Could you come, too, Ratchet?" Anders asked hopefully.
Ratchet grinned, then nodded. "Sure."
Anders smiled. "Then … shall we go?" he asked.
They gathered together, then walked down the corridor. Standing in the elevator, holding it for them, Ironhide held it open. They entered, then down they went. When they reached the bottom, Ironhide walked off to the Ops Center leaving them with a nod. They watched him go, then Ratchet turned to them. "We better hurry. You don't want to be late for your first orn, right?"
Anders smiled. "No. Joon is waiting for me." With that, the group walked down Cultural Center Road to the Metro Line to journey to Terra and a whole new world of possibility for Anders. A quiet pensive Burris would go with them.
-0-In the courtroom
A37 walked in to stand on the line. Around him, those with a vested interest in him organized. Three big mechs from the Former Decepticon Association were walking into the room together. One was his overall mentor, one was a specialist at presenting cases and the other was the 'muscle' who would be there to 'guarantee' the case would become another success. A37 glanced at them, then grinned. He may or not get freed today but he would give it his best. He was ready to move on.
Everyone else was, too.
-0-TBC 10-13-17 edited 12-09-17
ESL:
Wise acre is a very old term you call someone who is a smart ass, know it all, arrogant. Its an insult. Also, weisenheimer is another word for the same. (If weisenheimer's your name, many apologies) :D:D:D Very old terms in early 1900's America, mostly in the big cities. :D
petit: a jury of less than usual size, mostly six or less. (pet-it)