The Diego Diaries: Traffic (dd8 449)

=0=Outside an apartment

Lon glanced at the boys with him. "Bezel," he said softly, "go and guard the elevator. Override it if someone stops; make it go onward."

Bezel unsubbed his gun, walked to the elevator and stood there with the gun concealed by his leg.

Lon as the 'sargent' of the group tonight directed Sandstorm down one corridor and Splice to the other to keep people from walking into a potentially bad scene. He watched as Springer rapped on the door with Drift, Kup and Hercy behind them. He stepped back to watch.

Springer rapped on the door and after a moment it opened. A big handsome mech stared out with surprise. "What is this?" he asked.

"I have an arrest warrant from the Office of the Primes for your arrest," Springer said.

"Why? I was released. What is this about?" the mech Tyre of Polyhex asked as he tensed.

"That was then, this is now. Ask Prime when we go down," Springer said as he gripped Tyre's arm.

That mech jerked at the grip but was pulled out of the apartment. As that happened two mechs stepped out, one who was probably a bond and another who was a tall younger appearing bot. "Tyre, what's happening?" the older of the two asked with growing distress.

"Call the others. I'm being arrested," Tyre said as cuffed appeared on his wrists.

The older mech and the younger glanced between Tyre and Springer, then nodded without a word. They watched in silence as Springer, Tyre and the others walked to the elevator to go.

When the door closed, it was silent a moment.

"Springer to Prime."

:Prime here:

"They're going to alert the others," Springer said.

:It is in hand: Prime replied, then it was silent again.

They rode down without a sound, then the door opened and they stepped out. He walked forward to halt before a group of mechs, all of which he knew.

"Tyre of Polyhex, you are under arrest by the order of the Prime for the alleged crimes of trafficking Cybertronians and other charges for crimes to be rendered at arraignment. You have the right to be silent, your words will be used against you in any proceedings and the right to legal representation either by your own choice or by virtue of the Colonial Office of Public Defense.

"A request can be sent there for legal guidance if you decide thusly," Barron said. "You will be held for arraignment which will be conducted in the course of the next two orns. I would caution you to hold your own counsel until you acquire advice."

Tyre stared at him coldly. "I have my own counsel. I suppose I won't be alone in this charade?"

"You are not entitled to that information," Optimus said coldly.

"I suppose, Prime. I didn't expect better," Tyre replied.

Prowl stared at him equally coldly. "I look forward to speaking at your trial."

"I'm sure you do, Prowl. Trial? That's amusing. What's it going to be? Caste Court is a possibility," Tyre said.

"I hope you have one," Springer said with a slight grin. "Jailhouse?"

Prime nodded, then watched as Tyre and the mechs walked toward the door to get into the police van that would drive him to the Courthouse in Iacon and a solitary high security cell.

They walked out into the cold dark night and the lights of the city at full force of evening entertainment. They paused on the sidewalk as Drift led multiple horses toward the group.

Springer was talking with the driver, then walked toward Prime. "They have the others. No trouble. Maybe they decided cooperating was better than allowing us to taze them."

"Perhaps," Prime said.

They would walk to the Metro to head for Iacon while Springer and his group would head out to patrol.

=0=At a home in Iacon near Jetta and Mack

They sat in the living room of their home with friends and family around them. Kestrel and Tagg were there along with Mack and his bond. The children were in their home cribs sleeping in the apartment across the corridor which centered on this one. A child monitor was attached to Mack's wrist.

"How do you feel?" Mack asked anxiously as his bond served tea and cakes.

"Resolved," Corsair said with firmness.

Imaldo who was sitting next to him nodded. "We have to do this. We want accountability for them and to find everyone. They must have records somewhere. We have to find them," he said.

"All you have to do is get well," Jetta said. "We'll let Springer, Hal-Lee and Eugenie get this done."

"I think I agree, Corie," Kestrel said. "Nothing is more important than that. Our youngsters will do this and you will get some justice."

"I hope so, Kes," Corsair. "It's all I want, that and everyone accounted for and brought here. Its time for this to end."

=0=At the Jail in the Courthouse in Iacon

They were brought in one at a time and marched to cells that were separate and enclosed. They wouldn't know each were there. Scope of Deldarion, Spectator of Iacon and Tyre of Polyhex would arrive first. The other two, Corrigate and Fiestro who were both from Polyhex would come last. They were two mechs who were laid on the floor by Jetta when his genitors encountered all of them in a restaurant some time back.

Prime and his party arrived at the jail, Ratchet, Barron as well as his office and personal lawyer, Starlet of Stanix. The band of merry Watch mechs continued onward as Springer and Drift cut cross country to join in the conversation Prime was determined to have after consultation with Barron.

The walked into the jail, consulted with the desk sargent, then continued to the high security-isolation cells three stories below street level. Walking off the elevator, Prime led the way until he came to the cell where Corrigate was held. Continuing onward after telling the jailer he wanted this mech to be brought to the conference room nearby when his attorney arrived, they entered, then sat.

It was silent a moment.

"I hope we can find documentation. Or maybe their base of operation. If they preyed upon settlements in the Diaspora, they had to have a base." Ratchet grinned humorlessly. "It also is interesting how they always write things down."

Prime nodded. "I am convinced that they were part of a bigger group. Crader and his organization, the Wheelus Faction, the Tulsa gang and this, the Consortium."

"It had to have come from the top, the Primes and Senate, or I wouldn't have been pulled off cases when I was making headway," Prowl said. He frowned. "I don't know if this is the group that got Sunspot but I'm going to find out."

It was leaden in the room.

The door opened as two mechs walked in, Corrigate and a mech who bowed to Prime, then said he was the attorney of record for the accused, Pelker of Altihex.

They sat, then Pelker leaned slightly forward. "I asked my client to forgo this meeting but he insisted. I cautioned him heavily and will intervene where I feel the need, Lord Optimus."

Prime nodded. "Understand." He looked at Corrigate who stated back without much expression. He seemed without fear. "You are charged and will be facing indictment over very serious crimes. I would like to give you the opportunity to speak to me about this. I will tell you that the penalties for trafficking, slavery and other related crimes are very severe. You would do yourself a lot of good to speak to me fully."

Corrigate stared at Prime as Pelker shifted uneasily in his seat. He was a former high caste who was shifting to corporate law, something that scratched a bookkeeping itch in him of all things. He was a noted criminal attorney on Cybertron and by all accounts a nice guy. It was obvious that he was done with criminal defense. "I would suggest that you don't. However, I can only advise."

Corrigate glanced at him, then Prime. "I have little to say other than to deny categorically all charges and insinuations against me. I am innocent of any accusations. I would also like to know who would make these against me."

"You do understand that there are victim protection laws in place that were hold overs from the past. We have updated them to protect the interests of all involved but the emphasis is on the victim and their security in these proceedings," Starlet suggested.

"If you say so. I don't intend to talk to you or anyone else. My case will speak for me," Corrigate said.

"Then you may leave because I allow it," Prime said coldly.

He rose, then walked out with Pelker.

It was silent, then Ratchet sat back. "Well, that went well."

Prowl glanced at Ratchet with a smirk. "In what universe, Loon?"

"In the one I make up every day," Ratchet said.

The door opened as Springer and Drift stepped in. They walked to the table to sit. "I asked them to bring each of them in one at a time. I don't suppose Corrigate was forthcoming?"

"No, he wasn't," Barron said with a sigh.

Neither would be the other four.

=0=Morning

"We better get this goat rodeo on the road," Ratchet said. "The game is in four joors. You going to the club house and strategize on the next win?" he asked Ironhide.

Ironhide who was helping infants get into harnesses so their elders could grab them glanced at Ratchet. "I am. The big boys are coming with me. They want to see what winners do and I, IRONHIDE AM A WINNER!"

Huge laughter greeted that as the door opened and elders began to come in for children.

"How is Appa doing? He said something about watching the game at Budge and Mystic's place," Ratchet asked.

"They are. Your appa is getting much better. The shock is off and the two are getting better. Your ideas for their regeneration are as good as ever," Chan said as he hugged his towering grandson. "Where will our big boys be going, Ironhide?"

"They're coming with me, Chan. I'm going to put them to work."

Quadrus grinned. "We want to see what they do when they aren't on the court. I'm playing on a team at school but our games are just intramural. We're hoping with the other schools to put a game season together and play teams and tournaments."

"We're all going to play," Fireball said.

"AND YOU'LL BE CHAMPIONS!" Ironhide said. "HOW DO I KNOW? BECAUSE I IRONHIDE AM A CHAMPION!"

Huge laughter and agreement greeted that bit of wind.

After a bit of chat and 'grabby-grabby' all the children went out the door including a happy trio of 'big kids' to go with their old pa to the man cave for the final briefing for the game this afternoon against the Simfur Templars.

Ratchet glanced around, found the place copacetic, then walked out to do battle with the day.

And a bagel, loaded.

And a cup of bubbly.

That sort of thing.

=0=Central Point at a graduated care center

Ratchet walked in to laughter as the three sat in the sunshine of their little 'apartment' chatting together.

"RATCHET! SIT DOWN, INFANT!" his appa said.

Ratchet hugged all three, checked their data, then sat on a couch. "This is a cute little place. I may move here."

"I think it fits them. They both deserve the best," Appa Ratchet said. "They're going to be on their peds in no time."

"You better believe it. I heard that you're the handsome one and Appa can dance. Something tells me you're a good dancer as well," Ratchet said to chuckles from all three.

"Sonny here goes to the games in crazy outfits. You know, just like Iacon is famous for," Appa Ratchet said with pride for his grandson. "What are you going as this afternoon, Sonny?"

Ratchet grinned, then told them. After an internet search both of the newcomers laughed as well.

=0=TBC 6-3-2022

NOTES:

Jackalkat chapter 448 . Jun 2

Sic 'em!

ME: your wish is my command HUGS!

Fancyspinner chapter 446 . 11h ago

I loved this chapter. Its great to see people change. I do think owen Harris needs to have a come to Jesus moment - or just get locked up. Maybe Primus can come say high to him? LOL

Feel better soon.

fancyspinner chapter 443 . 11h ago

every time a group comes in; it hurts to hear them as you know that the majority of them were kids or conscripts and sometimes both.

Fancyspinner chapter 442 . 11h ago

Covid totally sucks. I got it in 2020 and I am not sure that I ever fully recovered. I'l so sorry you're dealing with it. (hugs)

Me for all three notes: I love to see people change. His kids are and maybe there's hope for him. The long term plan tells me … uh, maybe I better save it. All good ideas for his Jesus moment. I also love the humor of the bots and the Pantheon. When you're poor you have less options and you make the best of what you got. Conscripting kids out of places to be soldiers is a war crime to me. I hate that you got Covid, darling. I have less foggy brain today and more just tired. That is got to 81 in Alaska and is now still in the high 60's doesn't help either. Hugs to you, my dear Fancy.

JackalKat: Sic 'em

ME: you read my mind. :D:D:D