The Diego Diaries: In the Big House (dd6 181)
-0-At a diner in the city of Tetriades
They sat at a big table having ordered food and drink. It was silent a moment, then Lucien leaned on his elbows. "What do you mean that Laslo and the others are in jail? What thing did they do that offended some low caste's delicate feelings?" he asked, sparing none of the vitriol.
Burris glanced from him to Prime. "What are you holding them for?"
Raptor glanced at Prime who nodded. "They were picked up in a raid for brawling in a bar."
Everyone stared at Raptor a moment, then Hobbes leaned forward. "Are you mad? Joon is with them and Edict. Bron-E. My Edict would no more brawl in a bar than I can fly."
"Well, you better oil up your ailerons, slagger, because that's the charge," Raptor replied.
Vinn who knew more than the others grinned. "I would say, my little Joonie is a stand up femme."
"She's tiny. How did she brawl in a bar?" Hobbes asked with incredulity.
"She didn't. She punched a Watchman," Vinn said with a hint of pride. "So did the others."
Proteus who had been filled in off line by Vinn on the way to the diner grinned as well. "My sweet Madura. He got arrested. I'm so proud of him."
"Do you ever listen to yourself, Proteus?" Lucien asked.
"All the time, but better than that, I've been listening to Madura. Its a nice change. I would recommend it," Proteus said with a grin.
"I never asked you, Proteus, how it was going. I would never have recognized you otherwise," Hobbes said.
"I am well and happy. I work at the Halls of Order and spend time in the lecture halls listening to the teaching of the Guiding Hand through the genius of Heatout," Proteus said. "There's a lot to be said about making full use of a second chance. All of us are out of confinement because of the mercy of the Prime."
Food and drink came, then after touching Prime and bowing, the waiter walked off with a smile. Proteus grinned. "I have seen many Primes but none of them were sought out for that courtesy but you. I didn't know Prima or Guardian but all of the rest, no."
"Prima and Guardian were tapped for the blessing," Hard Drive said. "I remember them."
"What is going to happen to everyone?" Burris asked with a slight tone of anxiety. "Will they go to the prison?"
"That is up to the magistrate," Prime said. "I would imagine given their good records that it will be a small thing to resolve."
"There's always caste court," Blackjack said to be ornery.
Huge laughter greeted that from one half of the group present. Proteus and Vinn grinned broadly. They ate quietly a moment, then Lucien looked at Prime. "You didn't have to do this to tell us."
"No, you could have gotten a message or a beat cop to tell you but Prime is merciful and kind," Raptor said. "Nothing like a personal notification from a ruler of fifteen entire planets. It's not like he needs his recharge or has other things to do. You should stop being such a slagger worrying about others feelings, Prime."
Laughter greeted that. Vinn looked at Lucien. "Laslo has come to group meetings with Edict and that's where he met Madura. They're good friends together. It would do all of you well to support that."
"You sound like we don't," Hobbes said.
"It's hard to tell," Vinn said. "We do know that we love them and want them to be happy. All of us deserve to be happy and realize our dreams. All of us."
"I don't wish to go down that road, Vinn," Lucien said.
"What road? The golden paved road that you alone have permission to use?" Blackjack asked. "That road?"
"I weary of talking to you about it, Blackjack. You've made your position clear," Lucien said.
"My position was clear before I was born, Lucien. My genitors and my grand genitors could tell you stories," Blackjack said. He glanced at them with a grin. "You might tell him."
Raptor laughed. "I was born after the Quintessans were destroyed and driven away. My genitors are exempt. You can see the markings of the Elites on them but they only added them because they were there to hold the line. You slaggers thought there was something valuable in continuing the caste system so they had to counter you."
"We did. The Praxian Code supersedes just about anything you slaggers can throw at us," Hardie said. "We didn't become a caste because we believed in the slag. We became a caste because someone needed to curb you slaggers. Someone had to protect from the worst excesses and who was best placed to do that then a group with a lot of big guns?"
"The caste system should have died," Ironhide said. "Think about everyone who could have given us the best of their genius who never had a chance?"
Hobbes shifted uneasily. "It was always the way, Ironhide."
"So was slavery. Even you slaggers were slaves. Did you forget that, Hobbes?" Ironhide asked. "All of us were slaves. We started a war to end that because we all hated it and thought it wrong. Then when we were free, you slaggers decided to continue it. How's that for patriotism?"
"Our patriotism is without doubt, Ironhide," Burris injected.
"How? Is there anyone at this table who has military experience, for instance?" Ironhide asked. "No, there isn't. That slag is for the low castes because you're too pure to be expendable. You started the wars and we fought them. Without our caste training and leading the younglings, the toll would have been unbearable. Your kids are stepping up now, some of them, and I don't see the pride in your optics, slaggers. Where's the pride?"
It was quiet a moment, then Lucien shifted in his seat. "You've all made your point. When is magistrate's court tomorrow?"
"0800 on the TMC," Raptor replied. "We haven't made our point, slagger. You're still an entitled fragger and you probably won't change but know this. Your bonds have. They've seen freedom and friendships that don't hinge on being nice to someone to advance your careers or businesses. They won't go back. You'd be a damned fool to stand in their way. They might just surprise you."
The rest of the meal was mostly silent.
-0-0755 TMC at courtroom six in the Autobot City Courthouse, Cultural Center Road, Autobot City, Primal Colony of Mars, Cybertron and the Empire, Postal District 7
They walked in, a string of individuals, mini-con families and neighborhoods talking loudly about how they were going to kick the afts of those who had been arrested, the families and friends of others and the bonds and children of the Squad. Prime and Tagg sat along the wall as Venture, Raptor, the twins, Ironhide holding Halo in a lot of soft white blankets, a stern looking Ravel, Docker who was amused, Blackjack, Hard Drive, and Appa Ratchet joined them. Appa Ratchet grinned. "We drew the short straw so we're here," he said with a chuckle. "I LOVE SONNY! HE'S MY BOY!"
Everyone laughed as through the door, the posse led by Springer from the night before came to watch the Dance of Doom, that is, Ratchet's bemused inevitability and Prowl's overwhelming angst.
-0-The night before in jail
"That's not the way it works."
"How so?" Prowl asked as he braced for anything.
The youngster stared at the big mechs across from him, then shrugged. "We don't work like that. We work toward the family's greater good. All of it goes to support that."
"Your family is your business. You work on the business getting the next generation ready and you network. All of its planned and it works," another kid said. "You can't have disagreements in the family because it threatens the greater good."
"Of who?" Ratchet said.
"The family," the kid said.
"You're less the individual than someone who's a cog in the bigger machine," Prowl said as he sat down again. "Your unity was your process to success. It's the dullest life possible."
The kid shrugged. "It was the way things were done."
"What about during the time afterward, the time you fled Cybertron? Did that system hold?" Ratchet asked with curiosity.
"It didn't with us," Joon said. "We were just another bunch of mechs and femmes without a home. We fell in with the Circle, thank Primus, and we made a new life. This life is head and shoulders better than the old one. I would NEVER turn back to the old ways. I'm not Vinn's servant or his secretary. I'm his bond and I have thoughts and ideas of my own. They deserve to be heard, too."
"It's been a novel idea to me, living like that," Edict said. "I tried to kill myself earlier. I didn't know how to live and my children were having their own troubles. Raff and Rade-R are settled and living great lives. They play football for Praxus and Kaon. My daughter is making her own life and all that remains is for Hobbes to get his act together. I have to tell you, we've had some very intense discussions. I've even walked out the door."
"You have?" Ratchet said with a big smile. "You're a stand up mech, Edict." A murmur of agreement ran through the crowd on their side as the kids and mini-cons watched with varying degrees of emotion. None of the mini-cons had spent any kind of time with high castes that didn't involve suffering and to hear them talk like this was entrancing.
"Well, I don't know about that, Ratchet," Edict said in his usual self effacing manner. "I just find having a chance to do things and decide them … that's wonderful. Did you know that the job I have now is the first one in my whole life? I love it. Such nice individuals come in, not all of them Circle. Some of them come from everywhere and we talk. I have so much fun. I love working there."
"We have lunch, the bunch of us. We go out to a restaurant and have lunch, window shop, talk. We never did that before. I was always having to watch myself. I was the bond of a governor-general and I had to watch everything. It was exhausting," Joon said as the others nodded.
"It was. My bond was really at spark a promising individual but the life didn't reward anyone who strayed outside the rules. This is the most free I have ever been and now we work together, side-by-side to achieve what we both want. We never had infants. He has adopted children, friends of friends of friends … no one close, really. I think about it all the time. He does, too, for the first time. Its all so new and … free." Madura smiled. "I love this life."
"But what about the system? What about the old life?" someone in the back asked. "Don't we owe it? Our loyalty? It gave us everything we had."
Anders arose and walked to the bars. "Where is all that now, infant?" he asked. "Where is all our wealth and power? How do you think this happened to all of us?"
It was silent.
Anders looked at the mini-cons. "You were appallingly treated. You deserved better. Now you have it. I am so happy for you. I was so … depressed so long. But now … its different and I feel like I can see with clarity. I am sorry for everything."
The mini-cons looked at him, then one stood and walked to the bars. "This is strange. No one from your caste ever cared enough to say that. I think I'm glad to hear it but its still strange."
Anders nodded. "I thought it would be harder to say," he said. "I mean it, for what its worth."
"Its worth it to me," the mini-con said. "I'm Bucket. I work in Public Works. We're going to be putting out the holiday decorations soon. When you see a banner or a tree in an intersection, that's us. We got into trouble in a bar celebrating a bonding." He looked back at two mechs sitting together, one a mini-con and another a micro mini. They were incredibly cute. "See them? That's the bond."
Anders grinned. "Congratulations. I wish you everything that's good."
They stood up and walked to the bars. "Thanks," the mini said. "We had a good time. You in for fighting, too?"
Anders grinned. "I punched a Watchman."
The others laughed. "That makes you an honorary mini-con. We punched the Watchmen, too."
Anders grinned. "Thanks. I never got into trouble before. This is all new."
"We're sorta known for being rowdy. When we get into trouble, the entire village shows up. My ada and atar are going to slap me silly." He smiled brilliantly. "IT'S THE MINI-CON WAY!"
Every mini and micro-mini whooped it up, then settled. The mini-con stared at Anders. "This is a good place, this colony. We're free, too."
Anders nodded. "It is. I'm glad to be here."
The conversation settled and it was pleasant, something surprising to most. It wasn't to Ratchet. It was what he hoped for when they were busted. This could have gone either way but for once, it went the right way. The evening would pass rather uneventfully and when the guards came with the bailiff, Ratchet would have wi-fi-ed the cure to everyone.
-0-In the courtroom
Coln-2 who was prosecuting and Blackstone who was visiting walked in to speak with Farris, the public defender of the orn. No-a was there conversing with Silver, the Clerk of Court while everyone else wandered in to sit. There were elders who liked to jury watch, a big swag of individuals who were there for their mini-con relatives as well as the bonds of the Squad and the 'Officers of Cybertron'.
"This is hilarious: Ironhide said as he checked under the blanket for Halo. She was dozing and very comfortable. "Blackstone sure likes mini-con proceedings. He never tries to miss them."
Prime nodded. "I do not blame him."
Tagg glanced at his son. "When will your ada come in?"
"No-a told me that they wanted to clear the decks first. Mini-cons, about two to three groups of drunken and disorderly younglings, then our group."
"Oh," Tagg said slightly fretfully. "We can eat together afterward if you can come. Otherwise, I will take your ada to the Diner myself."
"I will attend. Prowl will need breakfast as well," Optimus said with a grin. "I think I want to hear the stories from 'stir' myself."
Everyone on the bench by the wall chuckled, Blackjack, Raptor, Ironhide, Prime, Tagg, Appa Ratchet, and Docker. Sitting across from them on chairs in the audience, Lucien, Burris and Hobbes were less amused. Vinn and Proteus made up for them, however. The crowd kept coming, then Silver stood. "Please rise for the honorable Judge No-a." Everyone did. No-a returned to his seat and sat. "You may sit," Silver said. "Remember decorum and maintain the dignity of the court. Any outbursts or undo behavior and you will be removed. Court is now in session." He sat again.
"Silver, what is the first case today?" No-a asked as he looked at the computer in front of him.
"The Prime versus Stamper, et al. The charges are drunk and disorderly and disturbing the peace."
"Very well," No-a said as he sat back with a grin. "Farris and Colie, are you ready to represent?"
"Born ready," Coln-2 said as Farris nodded.
"Bailiff?" No-a said as the soldiers in the room and Watch officers coming along to see the show took seats or leaned against the wall. Security would be more than adequate for the proceedings.
The bailiff, Pendleton, opened the door, leaned in, then pulled the door back. A stream of mini-cons, some swaggering cheerfully in and others slouching with their optics everywhere but on their adas, ammas and nanas walked together toward the line. Then stood on it, then turned to the judge. "HI, NO-A! Long time no see," Stamper said with a huge smile.
"Not long enough, you little slagger," No-a said with a big smile. "How many times will you come here before you learn your lesson?"
Stamper thought a moment, then smiled. "I'm a slow learner."
The room erupted in laughter, a few elders stood up to wag their fingers at the mouthy little slagger, then everyone sat. It was on.
-0-TBC 11-4-17 edited 12-24-17
ESL
American slang for jail: stir
decorum (day-corr-um) dignity
NOTES: gotv is going to show Titans Return (I think its called) a transformer show on November 14th. I think its a streaming channel. Also, Amazon is in discussion to turn The Lord of the Rings into a tv show ala Game of Thrones. Its still tentative but they want to do the books. :D:D:D