The Diego Diaries: Callow (dd8 406)
=0=There
"Did you hear the news?"
Magnus glanced up at the doorway where Blondi stood with a grim expression on her beautiful face. "No."
"Someone practically accused Optimus Prime of murdering their son on the news just now," she replied.
Magnus stared at her, then checked the news ticker that was running on the edge of his computer screen. Tapping a couple of buttons, he read the statement given by the genitors of a mech named Tempo who did just that. He glanced at her, then rose. "I'll be at The Fortress if you require me, Blondi," he said then walked out with deep grimness of purpose.
She watched him go, then glanced at the monitor nearby where a scene showed a number of reporters in a lobby of a tower in City 4, District 8. Apparently it was the home of the family of Tempo.
=0=Magnus
He rode on the Metro toward Autobot City from his office in Terra. He had one, the formal one in The City but often worked in Terra due to the proximity of everyone he needed to consult with on a myriad of issues that were his to manage. He scanned the net for any information on this incident, then ran the name of the deceased. A lot of data came up, basic stuff but enough to give him the picture.
More high caste slag.
The train sped along, reaching Metro Station #1 in The City where he stepped out. He walked to the street to transform and speed to The Fortress. He was gone in seconds.
=0=Inside
Optimus Prime watched the news, listening to the speculation and interpretation of the comments made by Tempo's family. He considered his options and decided that the best defense was a good offense. However, given the feelings of the family at the moment he would proceed without emotion and anger. Whoever killed this mech was someone unknown who may or not have a grudge against him. It would be up to the Watch detectives to figure out who, what and why.
It was only certain to Optimus that it wasn't him.
He glanced at Prowl who was strategizing with the others as Magnus walked in. Glancing at the big grim faced mech, Optimus felt better just seeing his steadfast presence. Deion was here for this circumstance and it felt that much lighter in his spark. He watched as Magnus sat.
"What happened?" the big mech asked.
"We were at a restaurant in Pax shortly ago eating lunch when this mech and his genitors walked in. Apparently they have history with Ironhide's elders and there were words. It was then that he made a vulgar slur against Prowl and I rose up to lay hands on him. Fortunately cooler processors prevailed and he wasn't harmed. I am sure he felt otherwise but he walked out with his family. Then he sued me."
"He sued you," Magnus said with surprise.
Prime nodded. "We worked out a solution to his suit, I met him at the Speakers Corner in Iacon as agreed and made my remarks. I apologized for laying hands on him but nothing else. It was not satisfactory for him but it settled the suit. We parted and the group of us went to a bar in Pax, then Parlor in Tyger Pax before going onward to The Crystal Ball in Retriades where we finished the evening. We were there when Hard Drive heard that Tempo had been killed in City 6, District 9. There is no evidence at the scene about what happened thus far."
"You have witnesses. People out and about would remember that," Magnus said. "I'm not concerned about you. You'll be covered from this. What bothers me the most is the affront to the Primeship and the possibility of stirring up class conflict if they keep declaring that you did this. You have to get in front of this, Optimus."
Prime nodded. "I believe I will give a statement."
Prowl glanced his way, then moved over to sit with the two giant mechs followed by Starlet and Hard Drive. They put their helms together to devise a statement for release.
There was a basketball game in a few joors and they had to get this sorted before they turned their attention to that.
Among a million and a half other things.
=0=The Hourly News: Latest Breaking News
"Good morning," Lim-Lee said as the clock moved onward toward noon. "I am Lim-Lee and I have the latest news, sports and weather. Today, a statement from the bereaved family of Tempo of Praxus who was found dead under suspicious circumstances was issued by them that stated their contention that Lord Optimus of Iacon had been involved somehow in the death of their son.
"The spokesman of the Watch, Commander Wiser spoke with reporters at the Communications Center at the Watch Tower in Metrotitan shortly ago."
The scene cut to the big room where reporters came to interview members of the Watch about this and that. Wiser was a big mech with a degree in journalism and law enforcement. He was the Communications Director for the Watch since the beginning. He stood before a crowd of reporters to answer question.
"The case is listed as a homicide and more information will be made available once the Corner's Court is held. No one is a suspect thus far and the case is ongoing. The victim was shot and left for dead on the street. The details of that particular incident are being held because of the investigation. When we have information that can be released we will. All deaths by misadventure are taken very seriously by the Watch and this government. No one is expendable and whoever did this will be discovered and taken into custody."
"The family has issued a statement in which they insinuate that the Prime was responsible for the homicide. What can you tell us about that?" a reporter from the Autobot City Daily News asked.
"The family is clearly distraught and can issue that which they like. There is no evidence that the Prime was responsible for this and its clear from several dozens of calls we received when that statement was issued that Optimus Prime was spending the evening in public with friends and family in three different locations. During the time frame of the murder his whereabouts were clearly known. Individuals who saw him have made it clear to us that they intend to state they did if there is a question regarding him."
"Then you're saying that Lord Optimus has an alibi?" another asked.
"I'm saying that over 42 individuals have thus far called the detectives involved in the investigation to state that they were in the same bars and clubs with Prime and his party during the time frame of the murder. They are ready to speak to that part of this situation if there's a need," Wiser said.
=0=Ops Center
Prowl sat back with a bit of relief on his handsome face. "42 people I owe."
"What saves them from saying I had it done rather than did it?" Prime asked Prowl.
Prowl frowned. "One catastrophe at a time. I'm going to be a part of this case just so you know."
"That wouldn't be wise, Prowl," Magnus said as the others nodded.
"This kind of case is my forte," Prowl said.
"That would just be amazing having the bond of the accused working the case," Ratchet said. "You do get the picture."
Prowl frowned.
"We have to do the right thing," Magnus said. "You can't be part of the investigation."
Prime nodded. "The statement can go out now. Then we wait and see what happens. This could cause trouble in the community among high castes if they believe that there is a possibility that high castes lives are not valued. It happened with Kudon and it could happen again."
Starlet rose. "I'll get the message out, Lord Optimus. I will monitor this situation as your attorney of record."
"Thank you, Starlet," Optimus said as she walked to the Communications Console where Blaster could send it to IntraCom.
=0=The Hourly News: Special Edition
Lim-Lee received the data wafer, read it, then turned to the cameras again. "I have a statement from the Offices of the Primes, from Lord Optimus himself. It reads as this.
"Last night an individual was murdered in City 6 of Crater District 9. The individual who has been identified as Tempo of Praxus was involved with myself in a matter of discord while I was dining in a restaurant in Pax shortly ago.
"During a discussion between Tempo, his genitors and members of my own party insults were traded. One of them was a very vulgar slur of a member of my family by the victim. During that remark I rose in anger and gripped him. Beyond that, he was uninjured. Words were exchanged and they left.
"Later that next orn I received a law suit directed toward me for grievous bodily harm by the victim. During a negotiation to settle the suit to a mutual conclusion, I met him at Speaker's Corner in Iacon. I issued the agreed upon requests … a public apology for my conduct at a Speaker's Corner. It was accomplished. It did not satisfy him but it satisfied the suit. For me the matter was settled.
"When that was concluded I went with my companions to a bar in Pax where we stayed a while, then moved onto Parlor in Tyger Pax. Our last stop was The Crystal Ball in Retriades where we danced, ate food and enjoyed ourselves. It was there that the news of the murder reached us through General Hard Drive of Praxus. During that time I was in full view of dozens and dozens of individuals at every stop on our journey.
"It is my hope that the perpetrator of this crime is apprehended soon to put to rest the question of what happened and gives the family a sense that there will be justice for their son. I personally send them my condolences.
"I also repudiate any insinuation that I had any involvement in this matter. I will ask Attorney General Barron to undertake an independent investigation of this matter to satisfy their concerns and demands. In the end the truth will come to light. This is my last public statement on this accusation and matter pending further events and information. Optimus, the Prime of Cybertron, Mars and the Empire."
Lim-Lee looked at the camera. "We will be right back in a moment."
=0=Ops Center
They listened, then it was silent for a moment as they digested the comments.
Magnus glanced at a pensive Optimus. "This is totally out of character for you, Optimus and an insult to your personal honor. I'm personally offended about these remarks. They've been here for barely 46 orns and this is what happens."
"They're the most combative people I ever met," Hard Drive said. "We lived next door to them and they disputed everything that happened in the neighborhood even when it wasn't happening to them. Delphi got arrested in a fight with Jam-Nt when he slapped my son."
Raptor nodded. "My ball rolled into their yard and they wouldn't give it back. Jam-Nt said it served me right to lose it. When I ran in to get it he slapped me hard on the helm. The next thing I know my ada and him are rolling around on the ground. The police came and took them both in."
"What happened then?" Magnus asked.
"We threatened to have him jailed for abusing a minor child, then sue them until the end of the universe," Hardie said. "I have never been so angry with anyone in my life. Raptor was a pesky kid and a nuisance. He was a menace to the public peace but he was my son and no one laid hands on him. No one."
Delphi nodded. "If he ever got spanked it wouldn't be from them. I can't tell you how much and how fast that enraged me."
"They'll fight for the sake of fighting then," Ratchet said.
Both Hardie and Delphi nodded.
"Then we tell their story if it gets to that," Raptor said. "I don't think its nice to be the only ones who know what a colorful tale of woe living next door to them was. If they want to play this game we can do it, too."
"Tell me everything you know," Prowl said darkly.
=0=E2
"Well, our plaster saint has feet of clay," Kyle Davis said as they sat in the lounge off the Main Terminal Drive talking about the turn of the screws.
Owen Harris considered that. "Intel. Everything is intel, Kyle. Remember that."
=0=TBC 4-8-2022 4-12-2022
