The Diego Diaries: Extradition (dd8 519)

=0=Hearing

"I am Optimus Prime. I bear the Matrix of Leadership, the Creation Matrix of the Autobots and it is my duty to hear the evidence and petitions of this gathering to determine the fate of two men who are accused of numerous crimes committed here in this jurisdiction against humans who were living here. There are strict rules of conduct that apply to all who live here and all knew them. Some of the charges are against your laws and some against ours.

"I am ready to hear why you believe that I should relinquish these two men, Colin Anderson and Horst Mueller into your custody to face trial on Earth. I want it clear to all gathered that our laws take precedence by our mutual agreement and that there is no get-out-of-jail card for anyone who breaks them." He glanced at Barron. "You may begin."

The humans watching noted the massive mech before them. For most of them this was the first time they'd come this close to aliens in general and this one in particular. He was so huge he almost seemed to fill the front of the room, though most of them knew that his charisma and dignity was part of that.

"Gentlemen, please give your arguments before the Prime regarding your petitions of extradition," Barron said.

One of them, a tall man from London, England named James Caldwell stepped forward to the table with a microphone pick up. :Sir, my name is James Caldwell and I represent Colin Anderson on behalf of the Australian government. I have presented the petition to your representative, Barron of Capital City. We have discussed it between us, going over the points. I am unclear that you have read these petitions in whole or part?:

"I have, Mr. Caldwell," Prime replied with a slight nod.

:Very good, sir: Caldwell replied.: We would like to say that we respect the laws and practices of Cybertron and your government. We feel that it would be more feasible in the future if there is a guilty verdict to have the sentence, if any is meted out, served in our custody. We feel that the conditions of incarceration here would be excessive given that there are few humans in custody and that the isolation would be punitive.

:We also feel that it puts a burden upon you to hold them if the sentence is lengthy given the dangerous environment that the two could possibly be held in.

:We are prepared to engage a vigorous prosecution with your cooperation in finding the truth about what happened. We are very aware that there are technology issues in which there is alleged that the suspects used such things, your technology, to commit the crimes of which they are accused. We are prepared to default to your restrictions listed in your responses to our petitions to ensure that it stays within the bounds of your laws and the Tyrest Treaties.

:We wish to assert that to have them tried on Earth wouldn't be problematic to the truth being found out. Having them there wouldn't change the degree and objectives of a thorough prosecution. We believe that we have a responsibility to our nationals that prompts us to have the custody of the accused during the process. We are open to your questions and suggestions, Lord Optimus, and hope that we can come to an agreement that satisfies both sides of this unfortunate situation. The relationship between both of our governments and yours is very important to us:

Prime nodded. "It is a prime concern to me, the relationship. Having this breach is very troubling and having it involve forbidden technology makes it critically important to me and my government."

Another lawyer representing Horst Mueller nodded. :We agree, sir. We want a good resolution to this situation that preserves that. We also want you to know that a change of venue will not change the focus and process of what follows. We wish to have our nationals back to stand trial in their own countries or The Hague as its decided. We find value in knowing that the people of Earth can see and hear about this and know that we must do better.

:All of the charges will be pursued and evidence examined. We want you to be assured that there will be no shortcuts to justice for either of them, nor will there be undo focus on the outcome. We also will preserve their right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. We believe that evidence and testimony will make that happen without a nudge from any of us toward an outcome that suits our sensibilities:

Several others spoke, outlined the process of their trial at The Hague which would serve as venue if their home countries weren't possible, then concluded with their hopes that the relationship between Earth and Mars would generate a mutual respect and trust that would allow this to happen. They concluded together including the Global N.E.S.T. lawyer who would be handling not only liaison for the trial with Barron but the security of any classified information and technology.

Prime considered their arguments, all of which were fine. He had decided to send them on anyway from the content of their written petitions. It was, however, good to speak. "I wish to say that we open our doors to humans on the agreement that they be law abiding. We have signed agreements in which all understand that their nationality or passport will no save them from standing for their actions should they break our laws or treaties. We cannot have renegade individuals who believe they will not be held to face their actions under our laws and treaties.

"There were two men killed here, two men whose care and safety was my charge. We understand how vulnerable humans are here. We work tirelessly to ensure that the odds are in their favor. Nearly 150,000 humans live on Mars and Prima Station in comfort, safety and within the rules which not only apply to them but to everyone else. Nothing we ask of humans isn't asked of us as well.

"Two families mourn. Though one of the men was adversarial to us in our beginnings at Diego Garcia, he is still the son and brother, friend, neighbor and countryman of someone. Both men died terrible deaths. Both of them did not deserve to end that way. I am personally aggrieved that this happened to them. Their families will ever bear the reality of their deaths as will I.

"It is within my authority to agree or not to the release of these two men into your custody. I can say no and they will never see their home world again. We do not practice capital punishment but the penalties for some of their crimes if convicted would ensure that they never see a free day again.

"As for myself, I believe in the hope of another day. I grant your petitions within the limitations and agreements therein. It will commence tomorrow when the two will be flown with your attendance to be delivered at The Hague where they will stand trial for the accusations against them. I will hold all of you to the caveats that are built into the agreement of extradition. It is my hope that two families who sent their sons to us in good faith and we who received them the same way get satisfaction to whatever degree possible for their grief."

Prime rose to his enormous height. He stared at all of them. "You are granted your petitions. I, Optimus Prime, the Prime of Cybertron, Mars and the Empire of the Primes make it so. I have spoken," he said, then he walked to the door behind him and entered it to disappear.

It would take a moment for the humans to react to the news. The two accused would be sagging in their chairs with relief.

=0=Opt Center

Prime walked in with Ironhide and Jetta. They walked to the door that led below to the sub command center where projects were created and troubleshot. Everyone was waiting there for him, working out this and that idea to solve the problem of the chips.

"You look strained," Raptor said as he glanced up from the computer before him.

"I have granted the petitions of extradition with caveats to the humans. I am relieved, and not, that the humans will be leaving here. I will be making an announcement in short order about this, the first news that will be released since the murders. It is part of the agreement so I am just here to see if you have solved this problem for me." He grinned at everyone who grinned back.

"No." -everyone

"I thought so," Prime said with a chuckle. "I do believe my spirit is lighter knowing they are going to be someone else's problem."

"I noticed that," Prowl said with no small satisfaction. "It belongs to Magnus and Barron now."

Ultra Magnus nodded. "I will monitor it myself."

"Then all is well there," Prime said. "I have to make the announcement. I will return. Carry on, minions." He walked out with Prowl and Ratchet.

"Well, that's nice. Prime needs a boost. Perhaps a boozer," Raptor said with a chuckle.

It was amusing how many there volunteered to hold Prime's beer.

=0=IntraCom

"It feels better that they're someone else's problem," Ratchet said. "Though I was looking forward to being on television."

Prowl snorted. "Drama queen."

"We're ready for ya, Prime, if these two divas can take their places," Jazz said with a chuckle.

Everyone walked to the set. Prime sat while the other two stood behind him for the lulz and gravitas.

Jazz nodded and Prime was live on two worlds, Mars and Earth. Cybertron was spared.

"Good afternoon," he began. "My name is Optimus Prime. I am here today to inform you of the disposition of the murders of two humans that happened on world some time ago. As you may know, there are groups on Earth that have not adapted to the idea that we live here. They are a fractional force and do not constitute the majority viewpoint of humanity overall. Most of the humans of Earth not only understand the value of our being here but support it.

"Our goal was always to be a good neighbor. We help Earth with her ills, people wherever there is need and share our culture, permissible technology and active full time protection with humanity. We also work to ensure that the limitations of some are upheld, specifically the technology which is ours and which is protected from dissemination by the Tyrest Treaties and other accords.

"Now we've had a serious breech of that technology and those who do not have the best interests of Earth in their minds have used it to do this foul deed. Having someone in our care and sharing our hospitality is a good thing, its the Cybertronian thing to be a good host. Someone deprived our ability to do so and two people their lives.

"I have agreed to extradite them to Earth to stand trial there with caveats. We will be a party to the trial to provide witnesses and evidence. We will also explain rather than show the technology that allowed this to happen, tech that has been recovered and will be kept away from those who have ill intentions in mind.

"We are very sorry for the families who have suffered the loss of their sons and brothers. As a species that has suffered their own losses, we do understand your feelings. We will do our best to seek justice through the judicial process and hopefully, this will give you some sense of justice.

"For now, I am ending the public discourse of this matter by my government. We will be in touch with those who have undertaken this case and will follow it closely. This happened to two men who did not deserve this outcome. No matter the ideas and behaviors of those who do not see us as friends and allies, neither man deserved what happened to them.

"We will keep you informed as this progresses. Good afternoon. Until all are one."

Then the emblem of the Primes appeared on all devices and screens watching.

=0=TBC 9-9-2022