The Diego Diaries: Trials and Tribulations (dd6 434)
-0-Somewhere far away and right here
"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.
"I think … I think You're real and there's something You need or want," Ratchet said as he sat down on a seat. "I think. Maybe."
Micronus grinned. "Actually, I'm sort of interested in vengeance. Your family suffered because of these two and the others. What does that do for your sense of vengeance?"
Ratchet considered that. "I used to have a big sense of vengeance when I was younger and more stupid and maybe I still do when it comes to my family. My genitors and grand genitors suffered. They really, truly suffered and when I think about that it makes me feel almost frantic with anger. But now … I look at Decimus and Contrail and remember that they were babies once and I find it harder to hate. I don't believe in hate. I don't believe that vengeance serves any purpose. I don't want to have the responsibility of someone's death on my hands even if they took everything from me. I try for that standard. I don't know. I thought that they were dead, my family, all this time and I have always felt that if Megatron was captured and a mob came for him, I would defend him anyway. I wouldn't because I cared about him. I just care about what it means to be alive and to be Cybertronian more."
Both gods nodded. "Interesting. Continue," Onyx said as Micronus nodded.
"Think about those who love these two. They exist. If we kill them for this, then we create another dagger at our throats with their loved ones. It never ends. Vengeance doesn't stop bad from happening, it creates more bad and its inhumane. If killing is wrong, killing killers, even if state sponsored is still murder. In some ways, its worse. Someone killing someone in the heat of passion may never do it again. But state murder is deliberate … its thought out, it takes time, its parsed and studied, its cold and calculated, and in the end, its still murder. But to me its worse because all along the way those who sanction it can say no and take a better road. That makes them somehow worse than those who kill in the moment or for other base reasons."
"Agreed," Onyx said. "Optimus does not believe in vengeance nor does he support state sponsored murder. I find him quite the good one, Our Optimus."
"He's exceptional in any group," Ratchet said. "No matter who he's with, he's exceptional."
"We agree," Micronus said as the train slowed to a station. He stood and walked out with Onyx. The door closed and the train went onward.
Ratchet looked around, then grinned. "Well, this is fragged," he said.
-0-Conference room
Prime sat down, then the world fell away. No-a and Semi sat as well, then stared at him with surprise. Prowl glanced at the others. "He's in the Matrix." Then Prowl grinned. "I know. Weird isn't it?"
The two mechs nodded. It would be silent in the room for a moment.
-0-Sitting on a bench outside in the courtroom
No one noticed that Ratchet wasn't present beyond his body sitting beside them. The group stared silently at Sentinel as they waited for the trial to resume, conversing together off line.
-0-Ratchet
He sat on the bench watching the stations going by. They were named but in strange languages and Ratchet thought they might be stepping off places for different dimensions. It was a feeling more than a certainty. That was confirmed when the train stopped at one where it said 'home' in Cybertronian. The door opened as Optimus stepped in. The doors closed and the train went onward. "Optimus, have a seat."
Optimus walked to the bench across from Ratchet, then sat. He studied Ratchet. "You are here, correct."
"I am. I just had a chat about vengeance with Onyx and Micronus Prime," Ratchet said with a grin. "It was the best philosophy class I ever attended. We're simpatico on the issue of capital punishment. They also seem rather fond of you."
Optimus grinned. "I am rather fond of them."
They traveled on a moment, then Ratchet leaned slightly forward. "I don't know what I'm doing here but just so you know … thanks."
Optimus chuckled. "You are welcome. Though, I am unclear what is going to happen. It unfolds as It wishes."
The train slowed, then the doors opened. Solus Prime entered as an old lady. They knew it was her because her beautiful musical energy was unmistakable in any format. Both stood, then bowed. The old lady smiled, then hobbled over to sit. She looked at both of them for a moment. "Please sit, younglings. We don't stand on formality here. This is the Blue Line."
They sat.
Ratchet grinned. "The Blue Line to where, Lady?"
"Why, to the best possible outcome," Solus replied. "You're facing a very tough decision and the idea of the ultimate punishment, death, is not in your cards, Optimus. You dealt them but your deck is missing the fool cards."
"I do not hold to murder, state sponsored or otherwise. Sentinel killed a lot of our people and I will not follow his path, Lady. Murder is murder to me regardless of who does it," Optimus said. "I represent The People and I want them to have a higher aspiration than vengeance."
"I agree," Solus said. "Life is precious, though infinitely hard. Some can bear it and others cannot. Murder is an atrocious breach of unity and harmony to me, state sponsored or otherwise. No one has permission to play god. I don't have the same problem with suicide per se, however, though I wish it wouldn't happen like it does. In that loneliest of moments, that person cannot hear Us tell them how precious they are. We do, you know. There is never a moment when We are closer to you. Their focus is so tight and their belief that We and everyone else don't love or need them is so strong, its like an impenetrable barrier. We do, you know. Immensely. Without caveat."
A station passed into view but they kept going.
"The Powers are there with them along with The One at every moment no matter how fraught or terrible. Especially at moments like that, just so you know. It's an aspect of Us that I wish more understood. No one is ever alone in their lives from the moment they leave Us to come here to the moment they return again. Even though We can't interfere with your free will, We are beside you every step of the way. If they feel alone, its what they created in their pain and loneliness, that sense of separation. And there is no judgment no matter the outcome. Everyone comes back to Us eventually and We are joyous for their return no matter what happens. All of them everywhere. We love them when they come as completely as anyone if they choose themselves to leave. There is no punishment. EVER. I would just wish they could hold on a bream and let the moment pass. More have to step up no matter how uncomfortable they feel about it to be their hero. No one is ever hopeless. They're all loved madly."
The train slowed to let another pass, then sped up again. They stared at the train going by, then turned to Her. She was lost in thought, as if the topic was of great personal import to Her.
"We're there always, telling you all your lives how powerful, how good and truly loved you are. Constantly. It's Our delight, you see. We know how hard it is, especially here now among The People and out there as well but We never leave you, my darling children. EVER! You must never forget that."
"I will remember," Optimus said.
"Suicide is so different than murder. It's almost a private apocalypse. The individual sees only that path though there are many before them. I would hope that they would live. The moment will pass and the sky will be blue again even if that's inconceivable at the time. It's a worry I have for our people given their desolation, especially following the Functionalists. But if they do come, We are there to embrace them. Do take care that they stay. Life is a gift and who knows better than both of you. I want them to rise like a phoenix and live the life they deserve. Everyone deserves that life. It's there, you see. Right before them hidden in the clouds of their despair. But they will find it if they persevere. We are with them to ensure it, though We cannot make the final decision for them. They are deeply and eternally loved and admired whatever they do."
"We work to a good end, Lady," Ratchet said. "We want everyone to stay because we love all of them. It drives us onward, to save them."
Solus nodded. "I know. Everyone is loved completely, wholly, and eternally no matter which path they choose but I would hope they stay to finish their journey. Every journey brings wisdom and there's no greater achievement for anyone than prevailing. We love everyone, Optimus … Ratchet. We're always there. This trial is important, Optimus, for more than being a reckoning. It's a way for you to assert who We are, that We as a species are good, forgiving, loving, and wise. I love you, Optimus."
She looked at Ratchet. "You are good. You have the right touch for the right moment. I am well pleased. Tell your genitors that we hear them when they pray and chant for their tools and weapons. We always have. That's not only why the tools are special but they are as well. We grant them grace to bring Our love into the world through their efforts. Go in a good way," she said as all around the two faded and they were back in the conference room and the court room.
Ratchet blinked, then stood. "I'll be right back," he said, then headed for the door to the corridor beyond where the judges had their offices and conference rooms. Everyone watched him go, then Ironhide stood. "Be right back." He headed after Ratchet.
Optimus Prime blinked, then looked around. The door opened at that moment as Ratchet entered to be followed by Ironhide. Prime sat back and relaxed. "Fancy meeting you on a train going to nowhere."
"I know. I took the 'A' Train myself," Ratchet said with a snicker.
"What happened?" Prowl asked. "What are you talking about, Loon?" he asked with a slight smirk.
"I was taking a train to Philosophy Town," Ratchet said as he sat down.
Ironhide sat next to him. "What are you talking about?"
"I was in the Matrix, right?" Ratchet asked Prime.
"You were," Optimus said. "That was rather unusual. I have talked to facsimiles of you before but this was a first."
"Facsimiles?" No-a asked.
"When some aspect of something needs to be discussed, sometimes The Powers make it happen using images of someone I know, usually someone who has a strong viewpoint of what is being undertaken in discussion," Prime said.
Everyone looked at Ratchet who glanced at Prime. "Is it okay to discuss this with others?"
"It is. You decide yourself," Prime said.
Ratchet looked at the others, then Prime. "I was on a train, a subway train going nowhere in particular. Micronus and Onyx were there and we discussed the death penalty. I wasn't for it and neither were they. Then they got off and I rode onward by myself for a while. All the stations passing felt like stops to get off into other universes. When the train stopped and you got on, Optimus, the station name was in NeoCybex. I don't remember what it said. That faded just now … maybe 'home'?" Ratchet mused as he considered the abrupt dismissal of the word from his memory.
"I joined you and we went onward. Then it stopped and an old femme got on. It was Solus Prime," Optimus said. "We discussed life and death. Suicide was mentioned. Solus Prime is worried about it, that we don't know how much we're loved. We must be vigilant for our people, to let them know how much we want and love them. We're never alone in our lives She said. All of us matter and are profoundly loved. We must make sure that our people know that. Its what She wants for us."
"They said that my genitors are inspired by Them when they make their tools. I had that feeling before myself. I'll tell them after court. Then we came back. They appear to be watching this closely," Ratchet said as Prime nodded.
"They are. I am convinced there will be an intervention at sentencing. I want them tried, then I will decide the rest with the Matrix. If They intervene, then I want it to be for all of them. I do not want the defendants to feel unnecessary fear from delays if the findings go hard against them," Optimus said.
The room felt heavy, then Prime stood. "We need to carry onward. We must get through at least some testimony before adjourning for the night. Are the accommodations at the Hotel Praxus ready for the jury, Prowl?"
Prowl rose, then nodded. "They are. Cabs will take them directly there and there will be guards to ensure they're sequestered. We've disengaged communications devices in their rooms and placed dampening devices to prevent internal communications. All of them know this and still agreed to hear the cases."
"Good," Prime said. "Let us go and get on with this." He led the way out and when all of them were back, the audience seated and the attorneys readied, the process began again. "Coln-2, please begin the State's case."
Coln rose. "I would call Proteus to the stand."
Springer leaned out, then Proteus walked in determined to do the best he could. He took the stand, the oath, then turned to face Sentinel. That mech was staring at him with a cold appraising expression. Proteus who was different in appearance to Sentinel than before stared back. Perhaps it was a different Proteus, which in itself was a common enough high caste name.
Coln began. "When did you first meet Sentinel, Proteus?" he asked.
The voice was the same, the smooth tenor of Proteus and Sentinel recognized it with a startled expression. Then he covered it as ever, though his cold optics never leaving Proteus.
"I first met Sentinel when he was an up and coming member of the military. He was a recognized warrior and thus, someone with a future in the government. Shortly after meeting him at a dinner party, he was made Major and thus, head of security for all of Cybertron and the Empire. His family was military but high caste, though not Elite. His family knew mine, though I didn't know them as well."
"What was he like to work with? Were you aware of his attitudes about conduct and ethics? Did you notice that he might have a malleable sense of duty?" Coln asked.
Highrode considered the question, then considered the multitude coming, so he let this one ride. Coln would brand Sentinel, then he would have to work to save Sentinel from whatever fate was coming. He knew that Sentinel's life was on the line. That Sentinel was unwilling to fully disclose his own position about things was also a worry. Sentinel Prime didn't disclose unless it advanced his own position. Of that, Highrode was clear. Not then and not here either.
"Sentinel was a great warrior. Of that, no one can fault him. He was a tremendous fighter and his size which was nearly primal before ascension only added to his fortunes in combat. That was his entree into the upper echelons of power, though he was always a high caste and by virtue of that, the door was always open. But he was also typical of our caste, me included. He expected things of what we used to joke about as 'easy virtue'. That is, bribes, promotions based on caste and not merit, and the expectation of entitlement … he took and expected all of them. In that sense, he wasn't different than the rest of us." Proteus faced Coln rather than Sentinel now. Sentinel was an overwhelmingly dynamic and charismatic individual who was as tough as they came. He had a way of overpowering others with that force.
"Did you engage him in this kind of behavior and did you see it?" Coln asked.
"Yes. A great deal. We took bribes from businesses, from individuals. Criminal organizations were paying him for their ability to operate when he was Major. It continued into his Primeship," Proteus said. Coln passed him a datapad filled with documents from Cybertronian databases showing a trail of bribery and bank accounts all over the Empire that were filled with large sums. "This is accurate. I had my own and we shared the same fixer, Caliton of Polyhex. These are his initials and we were there when these," he said pointing to five of them, "were made to him. I received a couple myself."
Highrode had all the evidence gathered on datapads before him and it was pretty damning. He had other paths to follow so there would be little to argue about with the evidentiary record, especially since Proteus wasn't sparing himself.
Then Coln moved onward. "How did he ascend? What was the story around Nominus and Zeta?" Coln asked.
"Zeta made Sentinel his protege. He learned from that Prime how the System could be used to suppress and oppress the opposition and The People because Zeta was 'the monster that The People needed' or so he said. Sentinel made his networking contacts then and they included me. Zeta told me and others that Sentinel was one to watch not only for his talents but for his overbearing and avid ambitions. He said we all had to watch our back," Proteus replied. "He said that the only mech he ever met more ruthlessly ambitious than Sentinel was Nova Prime."
"Objection. We have no way of corroborating these statements," Highrode said, though it was more for form than a favorable ruling.
"Coln-2, I am assuming you have corroborating testimony or information for these statements?" Optimus asked.
"I do, Lord Optimus," Coln replied.
"Very well, you will need it," Optimus said. "The charges warrant the very best possible testimony that can be garnered."
"Understood. If you look at the folder on your datapad, you will see 'personal messages, transcripts and memos' The pertinent information can be found in exhibit 4531-B through M." Coln waited until Prime nodded, then thought a moment. "Tell us about Nominus and Sentinel's ascension from your perspective inside, Proteus."
Proteus thought a moment, then glanced at Sentinel. "Nominus was a placeholder. It was never believed that he was other. He had nothing more to favor him than his ability to play the game. He was never affected by the Matrix. I asked him. It was during a Festival when everyone was fasting and waiting for the Solemnities to begin. I turned to him and asked, 'What do They tell you?"
"He didn't answer right away, then he looked at me for a second. 'Nothing'," he said. Then he went out to walk to the Temple. I remember being surprised and not. It would be a terrible rebuke I would think to never feel the Matrix or have It help you when you bore It. He never felt It. Neither did Nova and Zeta. They told me as well. I offer my diaries written at the time to corroborate all of the things I just spoke. I was so disturbed by their comments I journaled them in my diaries. I don't believe that the Matrix spoke to Sentinel either. He did, after all, cancel the Festival on pretenses."
"The diaries of Proteus are part of the evidentiary record and were retrieved from Cybertron where they were buried in rubble until the rescue. There were no opportunities to tamper with them because of these events. Both the defense and prosecution have them and the relevant entries are cited," Coln said. "Please continue."
"It was late at night when we gathered at the High Imperium. We were talking about how things were beginning to get out of servo with civil unrest and the rise of the beginning opposition movement. We were especially worried about the priests entering the protest movement because they were like Primus in the affections of The People and carried huge weight. Nominus was not going to be tough enough to keep things in hand so we decided that he had to go and Sentinel would take his place. We didn't tell the Ancients but for Kudon. We told him because he would have the Matrix in hand when we got It back.
"Sentinel came to the meeting and we worked out what to do. He had a gang shoot Nominus. I thought it was to kill him but Sentinel ordered a shooter to wound him. He wanted to talk to him about a number of things. Sentinel was nearby to take over his transport to the hospital at the Citadel. We timed it so that staff doctors would be there and not someone as tough and smart as Ratchet who would complicate things. Sentinel went into the room to retrieve the Matrix and that's when it was revealed that the Matrix was false. It wasn't the real one."
"What happened then, Proteus?" Coln asked.
"We were called. Sentinel acted like we betrayed him. We hadn't. Neither had Kudon. It was then that Sentinel walked back in and killed Nominus during his attempt to get the truth from him. I could hear Nominus laugh at him, then it was silent. Sentinel walked out and he was seething. He told me that he killed Nominus partly out of rage and partly out of the need for him to be gone so he could ascend. He had enough on the rest of us that it wasn't going to be anyone else, though there wasn't anyone else in mind at the time," Proteus said. "We gathered at the High Imperium and the meeting was brutal. We decided that Sentinel would get the Matrix and that it would be alright because he had a primal style frame anyway. That mattered because if the Matrix didn't reformat him, no one would really notice. That's how he got It but It wasn't the real one. That one had hidden Itself in Its chamber at the Hall of the Ancients and no one knew where It was. It stayed hidden until It rose up when Orion Pax and Megatron were there arguing about what to do following Sentinel's fake demise."
"So Sentinel began his reign with a fake Matrix," Coln said.
"Yes. No one thought to look in the Matrix Chamber but I'm convinced that if they did It would hide Itself from our view. Sentinel never heard the Matrix either because he never carried It. It was hiding away waiting for Optimus Prime. I think It had enough of us as well," Proteus said with a shameful expression.
"It was then that the oppression began in earnest, correct?" Coln asked.
Proteus nodded. "Yes. We began to curtail free media so we could control the message and get the propaganda out. The News Net was ours to abuse. Free Media was finally curtailed so there were no obvious networks for information dispersal. Controlling the media makes controlling the populace easier. Then we began to take away what freedoms there were, purging decent judges from the courts, taking over the universities and colleges, and imprisoning those who were declared 'enemies of the state'. It was brutal and without defense. I was a part of it as was Sentinel, Decimus, Ratbat, and Contrail. I minimize nothing of myself in this appalling story."
"Sentinel knew about the 10,000 Decepticons who registered and were then killed?" -Coln-2 aka C2
"Yes."
"Did Sentinel know about the empties and discarding of those who were deemed of no value?" -C2
"Yes."
"Did Sentinel know about the efforts by the co-opted courts to overrule those who had legitimate complaints and lawsuits? That he was aware he was obstructing justice?" -C2
"Yes. He got kickbacks for that. So did all of us. There was money to be had so nothing was off limits."
"I direct the court to exhibit 1432-1B which shows orders signed by Sentinel whose signature is verified to the satisfaction of both sides. They show that Sentinel knew and signed into law all of the repressive forms including the Clampdown and its amendments drawing even more misery into law," Coln said.
Prime nodded as each piece of evidence was presented, checking out each on the datapad he and the others judges held. The jury did the same.
"During the war, when things were just rising to worldwide disaster, did Sentinel make a profit from the war industries and others who had a hand in making munitions and supplies for the armed forces? I direct everyone to the folder marked financial crimes on your datapads. All of the relevant evidence is there along with verified signatures."
"Yes, we all did." Proteus stared at Sentinel as he answered the questions, suddenly feeling freer than he had in ages. The shame receded as his desire to unload the truth took over. Sentinel met his gaze evenly.
"So, he obstructed justice and denied rights granted from the First Convocation via the Clampdown and related laws, took bribes and made money on war profiteering, allowed a climate of corruption to sustain itself to the detriment of the public, diverted public and private funds in exchange for favors, was instrumental in the Clampdown which resulted in death and unlawful incarceration, murdered a Prime and 10,000 Decepticons through deception and other atrocities … war crimes essentially … you agree with those charges?" Coln asked. "The relevant evidentiary folders are on the datapads before you."
"I do. I saw the events happen and I will gladly detail them to everyone's satisfaction with the exhibits on your datapads," Proteus said. "It's my duty to my people and my son."
"Then it would seem, Proteus, that we didn't have a government of laws. We had a conspiracy to overtake our world and her people, divert her resources to a few and punish anyone who opposed that happening," Coln said.
"Yes. That, unfortunately is what it was," Proteus said.
"Tell me what happened when Sentinel 'died'," Coln asked.
-0-TBC 8-7-18 edited 8-7-18
There's a famous song in the 1940's called "Take the A Train". :D
The most prolific hangman in Great Britain, a man named Albert Pierrepoint hanged over 608 people in his career including a lot of Nazis in charge of death camps. In the end, he said that capital punishment doesn't prevent crime. He said the only thing its good for is vengeance. I suppose he would know.
For some reason, Robin William and a few kids I knew who committed suicide were on the mind. Maybe capital punishment feels like this. I do know that everything I said is so. I also have been told that five minutes later made a difference to a few who held off or were intervened upon. I will put up with someone's wrath or discomfort to help them. We all have to love each other. It's the only way. I do love all of you tonight. And forever. :D
NOTES AND SLAG! :D
fancyspinner chapter 433 . 21h ago
Wow! Awesome
ME: THANKS, MISS FANCY! HUGS!
Leoness chapter 433 . 23h ago
Ratchet almost speechless! Takes that much, lol.
ME: BWAHAHAHA! It does. Ratchet is me with confidence. :D:D:D
kattenbelletje chapter 432 . Aug 6
I wonder if the Great Elder will kick Contrails aft. Maybe he will take away his Seeker status. Or has he already done that? Maybe Contrail can be re-educated on how to be an honourable Seeker.
ME: That would be awesome. I think they discipline each other in the ranks. He better hope that he doesn't get let free or Rainmaker will. It would make a great sideline to have that sort of thing happen. I will add it to the list. :D
Leoness chapter 432 . Aug 5
*winces* yeah, that's the question isn't it?
ME: It is. What do you do with an impaired person? On Earth, you shoot them between the eyes or put them into a terrible prison. I'm old enough to remember putting these kinds in mental institutions against the hope they get better.