The Diego Diaries: Cam By Damn, Part Two (dd8 75)
=0=Conference Room, Mars
Harris cleared his throat. "Lord Optimus … we would like to resolve this at the most informal level possible if we may. We truly understand the problem here, what its cause is and we feel deeply chagrined at what this has led to. If we could sit down and talk about it then maybe we can come to some kind of understanding and agreement about going forward together. We love the opportunity to be here, to live among The People and in this facility. We're sorry that things have some to this end because we put a lot of effort into discussing the attitudes and behaviors we expect from our people as representatives of Earth."
Ratchet considered the group standing around and behind Owen, some of whom displayed what Ratchet considered more 'normal' emotions. Cindy Tomas was very upset and so were the Beliveaus. The others were tense, anxious or coldly furious. Whether it was with the bots or Frazer, of that he wasn't clear. "The rules were not only made clear, Mr. Harris, but we have signatures of acceptance and understanding from everyone over eighteen years of age who lives here. You never asked any questions nor sought clarifications then so your comments are rather odd to be kind about it."
Harris glanced at Ratchet. "I think its in everyone's interests to make their way forward in a way that preserves the possibility of things becoming even more clear and amicable between all of us about how we feel being here and about you and your people. We can go a legal route but it solves nothing in the end, does it?"
"It gets rid of a tool," Raptor said. "Given your son's unwillingness to grow from his experiences here, experiences denied to more than seven and a half billion of his fellows, it would seem we're beating a dead horse being nice about this. Your son, Mr. and Mrs. Beliveau is a bigot and delighted in letting us know that to our faces. Its anyone's guess what harm he's caused behind our backs. He's a narrow minded, ethnocentric train wreck, which is surprising given his father is a diplomat. What amount of conversation can we have to make that different or even marginally better?"
"I'm sorry for my son's commentary, General Raptor. I'm very happy to be here, to work and learn about other ways and individuals through this experience which was my motivation to become a diplomat. My son and wife are happy to be here. I cannot defend my son's comments but I appeal to you as a father, one father to another to give him another chance. I will work with him. All of us will.
"Its part of the glory of this place that at long last all of my family can be with me while I work, that we can do our business together. Being a diplomat has taken me away from both of them many times and this place, this good place has made that unnecessary this time. I would be broken hearted if my son were banned from living here," Perri said with emotion.
Ratchet watched Cameron when his father was speaking and it left a mark on him, one he struggled to cover up. He looked at Cam in his container. "The problem with you, Frazer, is that you're selfish, narrow minded and bigoted. You spew your remarks for whatever reason without thinking about the affect this has on others including your parents. Look at your father's distress. Your mother's. Whatever you're playing at, this is one of the outcomes. Happy now?"
Frazer stared at his parents, then Ratchet. "I have nothing to say to you. I would like to speak to my parents and Harris."
"And I'd like to fly," Ratchet said, then he smiled. "Oh wait. I can."
"Sort of," Prowl said with a slight smirk. "If you call it that."
"Frag you, Granny," Ratchet said through his smile.
It was silent a moment.
"Where do we stand, Lord Optimus?" Harris asked at last.
Optimus stared at Harris on the screen as he thought things over. He then sat forward in his chair to stare at Harris with a stern expression. "I have made a decision." He sat back, then glanced at Frazer. "You are a cancer on the body of our peace in the condition you are now. Whatever game you are playing I reject utterly. We know something of bigotry and hatred even before encountering those like you. For the offense of leaving the habitat after being ordered to stay, I sentence you to six months in the Military and Civilian Prison. When that term is completed a hearing will be held to determine if I should banish you from Autobot territory here and the rest of my empire for life. I have spoken."
Harris stared at Prime, then the shocked surprised face of Cameron Frazer. "Lord Optimus, there was no hearing on the first part."
"And there does not have to be," Prime replied. "You need to review the rules, regulations, treaties and agreements, especially those related to disobeying safety measures and direct orders from controlling officers of which Ratchet serves at my pleasure. We are given complete leeway in solutions resulting from such behaviors because they are so dangerous to the well being and safety of the community. Ratchet is my chosen delegate and speaks with my authority when he makes judgments and decisions. You have no leeway for interpretation here.
"We do everything we do with the safety of our residents in mind. That will always come first. You put all of that in play, Mr. Frazer, and its clear to me that its based on your contempt for me and our species. I cannot allow that to stand unchallenged."
"Everyone makes mistakes, Lord Optimus. I don't agree with any of the remarks Cameron made but I also believe in second chances. You can go down the list of the administrative officers of this facility and see that's true," Harris replied. "I respect your position and your feelings about Cameron's intemperate remarks. I apologize for them. We all do. They're not the baseline for the feelings that our habitat company bears for you, this place and your people. We understand what an honor and privilege this is to live and work here. We just ask for a chance to do better and to help Frazer change and learn from his attitudes and opinions which we do not subscribe to."
"Then you may do that via the communications system here," Prime said. "I will be unyielding in my decision. We are an old people and we understand how different we may be to others, especially species like your own who are very young and have much to learn. That being said, I am the guardian of my people and all who live here. I will not allow this sort of rhetoric and contempt-filled behavior to go about here unchecked. We have suffered enough. This is our home and we share it with you to the greatest extent possible.
"I will not allow this man's commentary and attitudes, his contempt for us and for me to shadow the remarkable reputation that humans have here. He will be imprisoned without appeal for six months. Then we will hold the hearing on his deportation charges. Warden Gee-Gee of Stanix is who you will contact about visitation, if any. Thank you," Prime said. Then he nodded to Prowl who cut the line.
It was silent at both ends for a moment and then it wasn't.
=0=E2
"WHAT NOW!?" Allison Frazer-Beliveau asked of Harris.
"We get in contact with Warden Gee-Gee and see what we can do about visitation and other contacts. Cameron will do his time and we will hire a lawyer or two here and bring our own from Earth for his hearing. It could work for him, this sentence. Maybe everyone will be cooled off by then," Harris said.
"He's going to be in the prison with terrible individuals," Perri said.
"I was told that a cell area was created for humans that had a nice outdoor space and more amenities. I also was told that the prison shifted all its dangerous prisoners north of here to the new higher security facility and that most of the inmates in this one will be civilians or less dangerous Decepticons. Its not the same place it was."
"But its a prison," Allison said.
"He disobeyed a direct command by Ratchet who has all the authority he needs to make this happen. The rules are, indeed, this specific," Owen said as a message came through. He looked at it, then glanced at the others. "Step back and be calm. Lennox is calling and he doesn't need a reason to deport anyone. No comments to him from any of you. Let me speak."
The group stepped back and some out of the view of the camera as Harris took the call. "Major Lennox, how are you?"
"Not as good as I was a moment ago," a grim faced Will Lennox said. "I was just informed about Cameron Frazer. Care to fill me in on the details?"
Harris considered that, then opted for the truth. "Cameron didn't stay in as Ratchet ordered, but went to Diego to fulfill a rather crucial order for Unidad. He was caught and I'm assuming you've heard about Prime's decision?"
Lennox nodded. He was irritated in the extreme as he listened. "Ratchet is the controller of the Habitats, all of them. Even if we have some autonomy and even a bit of diplomatic status, he's the end all and be all of the system. When he speaks he speaks with Prime's authority. I've gone over this with all of you who are administrative before. I'm thinking we need to do it again because Cameron Frazer is on the swift slide out out here."
"Do you really believe that Prime will banish him from here?" Allison asked, glancing at Owen with a cross expression. "He's my son."
"I can't speak for Prime but I would if I was him. Your son, Mrs. Beliveau, is shooting his mouth off around the human community about Ratchet and Optimus. I don't expect everyone here to understand our bond with the bots. Optimus and Ratchet are family to us. They're the end all and be all of this place in relation to you and if they say go, then he's gone for the remainder of his life. Banishment from Autobot territory is for life. We went over this, all of you and my team. There's no excuse for this shit."
"Can you intercede? Can you speak for them? I don't want a family break up here between Cam and his parents. We're all lifelong friends," Owen said and he meant it. "Is there any way for you to speak to Prime on our behalf?"
Lennox frowned at them. "I knew you'd say that. You get your tit in a ringer and I have to pull you out. I can speak to him but Prime is his own mech. Prime is fair. He's decent and quality. He would rather work out solutions than ban this idiot but he's probably left with little choice. Cameron has a big mouth, he has bigoted views and he pushed his luck too far. I don't think anyone can help him now."
"Please," Owen said. "Please see if there's anyway short of deportation for us. I'm asking as a personal request."
Lennox stared at him, then nodded slightly. "I will but don't hold your breath. By the way, E2 is in lock down for tomorrow. Ratchet is going to come over and drop the hammer. Be ready for the leadership to hear it. Lennox out."
The screen changed to the emblem of Earth2. It was quiet in the room for a moment.
=0=Lennox
He glanced at Prime and the others as he sat on his chair on the table of the conference room. He clicked off his phone, then sat back. :Well?:
"Well done, Willy boy. Keep them off guard is the word of the orn," Ratchet said as Prime nodded.
"Owen Harris is playing chicken with us. Frazer is just his pawn. I want him to sweat." Prime glanced at Ratchet, then grinned slightly. "Make it so."
Ratchet gave him a dazzling smile. "Count on it, Dad."
=0=TBC 01-25-2021 HB Wardie. :D
Smooches and hugs and such for everyone tonight. I am working out the story, What Makes No Difference Is No Difference and replacing upgraded parts 1-24. I hope to post that story at least every other day now. I'm still working out the plot lines. I will let you know on this story. HUGGIES!