The Diego Diaries: Trials and Tribulations (dd6 433)
-0-Courtroom
It was silent as Jarro thought. "For most of our existence, psychopathy wasn't a defense. Given that our leadership and many of the judges and prosecutors could be considered psychopaths to support and assist the system like they did, there was no one willing to really listen to arguments, especially from someone like me. They had a job to do and that was to crush the opposition, hang what the law said. Just identifying someone as such was enough to get a longer sentence if they were convicted of their crime for the possibility that they would re-offend. Some judges did give a hard look at the notion that an offender wasn't in control or had no sense of their behavior and how it affected others. Some like these two have absolutely no clue how they present and how it affects others. In fact, I'd say they have no idea that others are worth having feelings about. Neither of them were very good with romantic entanglements either, the deepest and most intimate relationship a person can have. Decimus has a terrible bond relationship and Contrail never bonded. Having poor relationships all around is also a feature of psychopathy. I would include subgroups that you belong to like mini-cons for Ratbat and Seekers like Contrail. They could care less about their own. They have theirs. To the Pit with everyone else.
"I would say … there's culpability if there is the ability to have moral reasoning. In my opinion, if you can see that it offends and thereby adjust yourself to fit the circumstances better, even though it doesn't make someone else safer or acknowledged but rather you more positioned to do what you want, then you're responsible. The ability to reason out what you're doing and adjusting your actions suggests that an individual is self aware of the intentions and outcomes of their behavior and thereby, morally responsible. Understand, most psychopaths do what they do for own their reasons and gratification. It's a mentally defective condition and the hardest part is to psych out their focus, their intentions and their danger to others.
"It's my carefully considered opinion that these two are so oblivious to the sense, if that's the word I want to use, to the sense of others that they aren't completely responsible for what they did or will do in future. Consider the lack of moral understanding and empathy that would allow you to believe goading two city-states into obliterating each other has a purpose, any kind of one? That's deeply held, deeply felt moral oblivion. Given that being said, these two are a very clear and present danger to all and everywhere. They do not deserve to be freed no matter their sentence because they will do it again. They will not at this point, without intensive long term treatment be safe to go about their business. Even then, given the depth of the sociopathy, I don't think they can be treated to a good and safe outcome. They owe a certain portion of themselves to the deeds they did but they also are more incapable than capable of understanding their crimes and debt to others. They're extremely, and let me emphasize that … extremely dangerous individuals."
Blackstone nodded. "Then you believe that they're impaired and not fully cognizant of their actions, deeds and thoughts."
"Yes," Jarro said. "I do. That is a component of their actions, beliefs and behaviors. It's our combined conclusion for them."
"Thank you, Jarro." Blackstone sat, then glanced at Coln. "Your turn, Colie."
Coln felt the ghost of a grin, then stood. "Jarro, you stated that these are extremely dangerous individuals. You don't see them in society again, do you?"
Jarro thought a moment. "I would give a lot to treat them but for now, they'd be intensely dangerous to anyone and everyone if free. So long term? No. Not now."
"What's the likelihood that they'd be safe to return to society after counseling and what would that be like?" Coln asked.
"It would take eons. Literally eons. It would take counseling every orn for forever and ever. It took this long to get what we did get from them. Ratbat and Sentinel were no better. Some can be treated but almost none of them fill the missing parts with normal emotions and reactions. You can train some to understand and be vigilant about their behavior and its effect on others but you can't load them up with empathy when they never had it and never will. We're dealing with programming here, Coln. Deep, deep rooted programming. You can't put back into the jar what was never there."
"At best, you're looking at long term incarceration and treatment?" Coln asked.
Jarro nodded. "Yes. Very long term."
Coln sat. "Thank you, Jarro."
It was silent, then Blackstone rested his case. The two with him were steaming but held their silence.
Optimus glanced at both counsels. "Then are we ready for closing arguments?" They were. "Please state the state's case, Coln-2."
Coln rose then glanced around the room at all the pensive bots sitting in the audience listening. "I believe that the state's case is affirmative and complete. The suffering these two caused destroyed a world. They're part of the architecture of the deaths of more than a billion individuals that we're aware of. There could be and most likely are more. All the suffering of the Diaspora is theirs as well. They did what they did for purely selfish gain and ego gratification. There was no other reason.
"They murdered and allowed deaths that are mourned by their families to this orn. Our world is in ruins and they took their responsibility to the whole and sold it to Megatron. They were traitors to their responsibilities, their world and their gods. When the Book of Traitors is written some orn, they will be multiple chapters in the book. They helped the worst villain in our history to destroy all of us for personal gain. I don't really believe that their condition warrants much mercy. The depth and breadth of their crimes are too vast. They didn't even fear Primus and The One.
"We're here discussing this for the dead. We're here for the rule of law and common decency. For all the dead that watch us from the Matrix, I ask the court to find them guilty and make the punishment count. I pray that they never see a free orn again. For the sake of those who aren't here, I plead that the punishment fits the crime. Thank you." He sat down wearily.
"Blackstone," Optimus said.
Blackstone rose. "I'm pleading for the lives of my clients. I realize the scope and extent of their crimes. I, myself was a prisoner of the Clampdown and suffered as did Coln-2. Few of us got away unscathed and their thinking made our misery possible. But we also have to understand that an impaired processor can't make good decisions or feel empathy for others. The degree of crimes committed should tell us that they don't have a normal processor or spark. I'm asking for these two to have a chance to learn why and how they came to be. I would like us to have the capacity to look at those who are impaired and see the need for assistance and not vengeance.
"Vengeance is easier, Lord Optimus. It's the easiest impulse of all, the lowest form of morality that there is. What is Pantheonic, what is the highest order of all is mercy. I'm asking for incarceration and treatment with the possibility at some far future date, if ever, that they get another chance. I'm asking not just for them but for me. My impulse for vengeance should not be fed. I don't ever want to lower myself to that level. I would hope that you through your infinite grace and the wisdom and counsel of the Matrix feel the same way. Thank you." He sat as both of his clients glanced at him, then Optimus.
Optimus thought a moment, then glanced at the two. "You have the right to speak. You do not have to take it. I extend it to you without fear of penalty or alienation."
Contrail looked flustered, then shook his helm. "No. I have nothing to say." It was clear that the defense had not set well with him, but it was also clear that he knew his life was on the line so he permitted it. That was not lost on Prime.
Decimus stared at Prime, then shook his helm. "No."
"Very well. I am going to rest the trial pending those of Ratbat and Sentinel. I want to declare the sentences for all of you as per counsel from the Matrix. I do not do it to cause grief or fear, nor to extend your worry. I do it because the Matrix wishes it. You may leave the courtroom," Prime said to the two.
They glanced at Blackstone who stood and turned to them. "Let's go now," he said as he steered them toward the door. They entered and it closed. Prime sat in conversation with No-a and Semi. As he did, the defense team changed. Highrode who was Sentinel's counsel since the beginning came in and sat with his fellows. Prime turned to the court. "We will begin arguments for Sentinel Prime. The Narrative for the others will stand for him. He holds responsibility for all actions that happened as Prime of record. Is there anything you wish to add to that Narrative before we begin, Coln-2?"
"No, Lord Optimus. I have my case prepared," Colie said.
"Highrode?" Prime asked.
"No, sir. I would prefer that we begin with arguments," he said as his kids nodded. They were pensive and solemn, ready to help their leader with an uphill case of extreme importance.
"Very well," Prime said. "Springer, bring in Sentinel Prime."
Springer turned to the door, pulled it open, then entered. The room tensed including the jury who watched the door with loathing until it opened. Springer was back followed by Sentinel Prime and several guards. Sentinel gleamed as he stepped inside, pausing for a moment to look around. He was massive like Optimus and had a flight mode. He was imposing and dangerous looking, someone whose aura was hard and preceded him. You knew he was coming before you saw him. His gaze was cold and direct, filled with power and contempt. Sentinel carried himself with a haughty air, his ego a solid thing in his affect.
"That way, Sentinel," Springer said coldly as he nodded toward Highrode.
Sentinel stared at Springer, then walked to the table where he turned to face the judges. "I am here, Optimus. What now?" he asked.
"We sit, Sentinel," Highrode said. He did and finally Sentinel did as well.
:He has the same fragged attitude as Megatron: Drift said to Springer.
Springer glanced at him. :I wouldn't know. How do you know?:
:You don't want to know: Drift said with a slight smirk.
:If you want any more of this: Springer said with a grin. :you better tell:
:Later. In the cul de sac at Engineer Corridor: Drift replied with a quick grin.
Springer grinned back, then turned to face the front of the room where the action definitely would be happening.
"Sentinel Prime, you are here to face charges related to your actions on Cybertron both as Major and as Prime. Commander Prowl will read the indictment," Prime said coldly.
Prowl stood. He picked up his datapad and began to read. "It is charged against Sentinel Prime of Cybertron the following allegations: Collusion to commit criminal acts, operating a criminal conspiracy for personal gain, theft of public funds, corruption of a public office and trust, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to deny The People their rights as per the Rules of the First Convocation, conspiracy to murder Nominus Prime and murder in its conclusion, war crimes against the state and people of Cybertron, conspiracy to collude with an enemy of the state, mass murder, desertion of your office during a period of great controversy and war, war profiteering, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery of public and private officials for personal gain, theft of property and services from private and public entities, attempting to use the Matrix for personal gain, and treason." He stared at Sentinel who stared at him. "So say the indictments." He sat with a grim expression.
Prime stared at Sentinel during the reading and saw nothing on his handsome face. He was as hard and unbending, as obtuse appearing as ever he was. This was going to be a difficult process for everyone. He didn't expect Sentinel to walk into this without a fight. As he thought, the room froze again. Prime glanced around, then toward the jury box. Micronus sat there alone. "Well, we finally reach this orn."
"Lord Micronus, we do," Optimus said.
Micronus floated upward, then halted his progress in front of Optimus. "What say you, brother? What is the punishment for such crimes? What is the payment that can be made on the material plane that is sufficient for the offense? And the unspoken … vengeance … where does that fit in?"
"No where," Optimus said. "Vengeance got us into this. It will not get us out. It resolves nothing."
"You are a minority in this point of view," Micronus said.
"I am unconcerned. Age makes wisdom and I am old enough to know that killing as punishment for killing creates more killing. Personal killing or state sponsored, I am weary of the cycle. It ends here," Prime said.
Micronus nodded. "I look forward to this conversation. We all do," He said as He faded away.
The room changed back but Prime noted that no one had noticed. He glanced at Coln-2. "Opening arguments please, Coln-2."
Coln stood. "We arrive at last to the moment when the past meets the present and all the ghosts of the dead turn their attention to us for justice. It's the glory of our people that we have a system of justice that functioned, at least theoretically, so that those with grievances had some hope. But given the passage of time and the corruption of our devices and structures, that fundamental right was taken away from us and we suffered.
"It's not possible to quantify the suffering of our people. It's beyond the ability of poet or saint to tell in words sufficient to outline even a portion of it. We stand here on another world gathering our people together from the four corners of the universe and still, we don't know where all of them are. How many are in deep jeopardy as we speak here, how many were sold as slaves, taken apart for their tech, or are suffering all alone? Who knows?
"What we do know is that all of it was unnecessary if those in charge of great privilege had even the smallest portion of conscience or had heard even in the smallest way all that the Pantheon, Primus and The One had said was our charge. They didn't. They didn't care. They had no concern. They were a closed society of liars, robbers, murderers, blasphemers, and cowards. All of us paid for their evil. All of us.
"Now we stand here with the architect of some of it, Sentinel of Tarn. From the primeship starting with Nova, every prime but for our current one was a despot, steeped in criminality and murder, using our people to advance their own personal ends without a concern. There are twenty charges against Sentinel of the gravest possible offense. All of them he will answer for. And as he does, standing outside the vision of all of us are billions of our own people watching, waiting for justice and I would venture, so, too, will be the Powers." He bowed slightly to Optimus, then sat.
Prime nodded, then looked at a tired pensive Highrode. "Highrode, please give your statement if you so choose."
He nodded, then stood. "I am here to defend Sentinel Prime against a bill of charges that are serious. I do not discount the battle ahead but I will be doing the very best possible for him. I ask you to keep an open mind, to understand the configuration of the government at the time, the need for those who might speak to some of the charges to minimize their own culpability at the expense of my client and Sentinel's legendary love for Cybertron. Let it not be forgotten that this is a warrior of note who stood always for Cybertron and the Empire. Thank you." He sat and it was quiet a moment.
"Very well, gentlemen. We are going to take a short break for the jury to have a moment, then come back to begin. I am not sure how far we will be able to go this evening but we shall begin tonight. I will be giving the jury and all involved so far specific instructions about this trial and the one previous. We are in abeyance for a moment. Do not leave the building or make calls." Prime rose along with everyone else, then walked to the door to leave the room, Prowl, No-a and Semi following. The door closed, then everyone in the room stretched and began to move around.
"Well, this was incredible," Ratchet said softly as he sat with Ironhide and the others along the wall. They stared at Sentinel who sat easily and calmly in his chair. :Given what we know about psychopaths now, I think Jarro is going to have another customer:
"Why would you think so?" a voice asked.
Ratchet glanced at the voice, then sat up straight. He was sitting on a metro line going somewhere. Sitting with him was Micronus Prime and Onyx. He stood, glanced around quickly, then bowed to the pair. "Am I dreaming or are you here?" he asked when he finally could speak.
Micronus grinned. "What do you think, Ratchet of Iacon?" he asked as Onyx lounged across from him on the train.
-0-TBC 8-6-18 edited 8-12-18