The Diego Diaries: Imperialis (dd8 106)
=0=The next morning
They gathered in the Ops Center to go over a few items before they would go to the trial. All of them were witnesses to some form or facet of Cassio and Ebio Imperialis and their rampages with some of them remembering their slagging father, Devio who was an unabashed collaborator with the Quintessans and following them, the Functionalist Council. It was a source of irritation to Jack, Hardie and Sun that Devio wasn't in the dock with his worthless sons.
Sections checked in including those present about the status of their districts as Prime listened. Before him was a stack of datapads with all the information he needed to be ready for a trial this important. Included in the stack was a datapad with a petition for the Imperialis brothers offering a deal.
Prowl who was organizing his own stack given he was required by the Primal Charter to record these kind of proceedings glanced at the datapad. "Have you gone over that so I can enter it into the record?"
Prime glanced at him, then the datapad. "No. I just picked up what was on the desk," he said as he picked it up, opened it, then read it silently.
Everyone who was sitting around the conference table waiting to go watched him as they chatted quietly. All of them noticed when he sat up in reaction to the petition, then the datapad crush in his servo.
Prowl stared at the datapad, then Prime who looked like a Seeker flew up his backside, so shocked was he at what he'd evidently read. "What?" he asked with surprise.
Prime didn't answer. He stared at the mess in his servo, then rose stiffly. He then threw the remains of the datapad at the far wall missing hitting Magnus in the face by centimeters.
Everyone rose to stare at him with various expressions of disquiet and fearfulness. What the hell could he have read that would prompt this?
"Optimus?" Hardie asked.
Optimus glanced at him, then the far wall where a dent in the finish could be clearly seen. "I want Ebio and Cassio Imperialis brought here immediately," he said, then he walked to the door and stormed out of the room.
Prowl watched him go as did everyone else, then they looked back at the winger who looked startled. "Get them, Springer. Tell their lawyers to come. Tell them to hurry."
Springer and Drift pivoted, then fled the room, hurrying to the Courthouse nearby on the underground dedicated train.
Everyone else watched them go, then turned to Prowl.
"I don't think I want to know what's going on. The last time he did this was when he was informed that Vos and Tarn had nuked each other," Ratchet said.
Prowl nodded, then walked to the door to leave.
Everyone watched him go, then glanced at each other.
"This might just very well be very bad. Those two were true villains and the secrets they hold make my energon run cold," Hardie said as the others nodded in silent agreement.
=0=Prime's office
Prowl glanced inside, noting Prime sitting at his desk. He was staring at the table top without a sound. Feeling tremendously inadequate and almost but not quite afraid, he walked in and sat quietly on a chair. He stared at Optimus waiting for him to speak as the link between them howled with emotion. He could hear background noises it was so solemnly quiet.
Prime finally glanced up, meeting Prowl's worried gaze.
"Are you … I don't know what that said but I feel fearful," Prowl said quietly. "What did it say?"
Prime stared at him, then the map on the wall of the empire that they were reclaiming parsec by parsec. "They have something that can change the world and they want to bargain for their lives," Prime said in a voice so cold it made Prowl nervous to listen.
A rap on the door brought their attention. Hercy was peering inside. "They're here, Optimus."
Prime nodded, then rose with fists clenched. "Let us greet them then." He walked forward passing Prowl, then Hercy, heading toward the door and the conference room beyond. As he did, the others followed.
=0=At the Courthouse jail
Springer and Drift watched as the Officer of the Orn brought the two prisoners forward. They were impeccable in appearance, had their usual silent arrogance and offered no chat as they were trussed up.
"We got this," Springer said as he gripped Ebio's arm tightly. "Come on, fraggers. You have a date with destiny."
Ebio who was lit inside grinned coldly at Springer. "I'd say that was about right."
A hard shove from Drift moved him forward. It also drew a murderous glance from Ebio. Cassio followed without comment as they walked up to the elevator, the outside platform and a train ride to the station under The Fortress.
=0=Prime
He walked back inside the room toward his place at the table while everyone there stood for him. Entering behind him, Prowl and Hercy followed. Seconds later, MaR-lo and Hemmer, a high powered high caste attorney on Cybertron in the orn entered.
Hardie pulled them to one side, they chatted off line, then both sat. It was powerfully tense and awkward as everyone waited.
Prime sat brooding at the head of the table while a pensive Prowl sat next to him. Everyone else was standing as the electric intensity of the room made waiting a torturous prospect. When the four finally arrived it was almost a relief to everyone there.
=0=On the way over moments before
The Imperialis brothers sat on chairs designed to magnetize them in place.
Springer and Drift lounged by the door holding onto the upright poles that were standard issue, it would seem on all trains on all worlds, in every galaxy and universe everywhere. They didn't say a word to the pair. They stared at the two silently.
"You don't look so good, Springer," Ebio said as he began to be what he always was, a spectacular aft. "You don't either, Deadlock."
Neither mech said anything though the off line conversation was blazing.
Cassio watched them searching for anything they might have that would let him in on Prime's reaction to their petition. Apparently, the document had struck a nerve just as he hoped it would.
"It'll be good to get off this rock," Ebio said with smug satisfaction.
"You assume that the Matrix will let you in," Springer said with ice cold fury.
"We're not going to the Matrix," Ebio said.
"Nothing more," Cassio cautioned his brother.
Ebio glanced at him, then grinned. "Let the surprise sink in."
It was silent a moment, then Springer leaned closer. "No matter what you think you got, you don't have what it takes to dodge a blaster."
"We'll see," Ebio said as the train slid into the station.
They were hauled off their afts, then marched upward to the main floor of the building. Heading through the security doors that guarded entrance to the station, they walked onward toward the conference room doors nearby.
Springer opened one, then leaned in. "We have the fraggers, Optimus."
Optimus who was staring silently at the lawyers glanced at Springer. "Bring them in."
Springer nodded, then the door opened wider.
Ebio prodded by Drift and Cassio dragged in by Springer entered, then were parked at the end of the table where they stood handcuffed and smirking at Prime.
"Lord Optimus, what is the meaning of this?" MaR-lo asked as she rose to stand in surprise.
Hemmer joined her.
"I have asked them to be brought here to explain themselves," Prime said in a dark dangerous voice. "Explain."
Cassio stared at him, then glanced at his brother. Looking back at Prime, he shrugged. "You got our petition. I think its pretty clear what we seek and what we can offer."
"Then you do not have a problem telling everyone here," Prime said.
"Lord Optimus, I must protest," MaR-lo said.
"You may, Counselor, but it will do you no good," Prime said. He stared at Cassio with a growing malevolent expression of menace. "Tell what was in the petition." His voice was as dark as the Void.
=0=Elsewhere
"Well, this looks promising," Vector said.
Solus grinned slightly. "This is either the best thing or the worst. I never asked Onyx what he made of the possibility of this and the best possible outcome of all the timelines gathering around this."
"He will be here. Ask him then," Vector said as he watched the gathering in the room on Mars.
There was always a front row seat when you were a Prime.
=0=The Hourly News at the same time
"In other news today, the trials of Cassio and Ebio Imperialis, accused of many crimes against the state and The People will begin today at 1200 joors on the TMC. The trial which has been in preparation for several years is finally beginning. The indictment which includes murder, treason, genocide, a number of serious criminal and property crimes and conspiracy has been delivered and the indictment against the pair was rendered true by the grand jury two decaorns ago.
"The trial which is Special Circumstances will be a closed affair with high security present to handle anything that might arise. The trial along with the just concluded one involving the family of Karyll Wheelus, Judges Clamor and Serafus as well as Kamdon Wheelus, a former senator for the Highland District of Greater Iacon found all the defendants guilty of all charges against them. They were given a sentence of deep judicial stasis for a period ranging from nearly half a million years to ten million.
"The trials are being held consecutively due to the special circumstances portion of the proceedings. This is an option for only the most serious crimes, those so egregious that it would allow Pantheonic intervention to sort out the sentencing to secure maximum justice to all victims involved.
"The last time this happened, Sentinel Prime was recalled to the Matrix. Also, the Functionalist Council received the same outcome to their own Special Circumstances trial. When there is news we will bring it to you. Suffice it to say, things are very concentrated in the justice community today.
"We're going to take a break and when we come back we will discuss this trial and that of the Wheelus Faction with the Dean of the University Law School, Charter of Construct City."
The Community Bulletin Board replaced Lim-Lee.
=0=Prime and Company
"May we sit or do you want to do this standing up?" Ebio asked with a smirk.
Prime stared at him silently. It stretched until it was nearly unbearable. "Tell them about the petition."
"We want to make a deal, Prime. We have something you want. You can make things go away. The last thing I want to do is go through this farce," Cassio said.
"This is a joke, right? We want to trade, then go to Cybertron to live," Ebio said. "You get what you want. All things get better. Win-win for both sides."
"What the frag?" Sun said as he stepped closer to Ebio. "What about I acquire a few more souvenirs and save everyone a lot of trouble."
"Lord Optimus, I must protest this. What is the meaning of this?" MaR-lo said with rising concern.
"I received a petition for a deal," Prime said.
She stared at him, then Hemmer. "Do you know about this?"
Hemmer who looked as surprised as her shook his helm. "No. What petition? Did you give Prime a petition and not speak to us about this?" he asked as he rose from his chair in surprise.
Cassio who was watching Prime watch him nodded. "I did."
Everyone stared at the two lawyers who were obviously blindsided. They spoke a moment off line, then both turned to Cassio and Ebio. "What was in it? Tell us truly or you will need new representation," Hemmer said with anger.
It was silent a moment then Cassio spoke. "Prime needs what we have. We need a full pardon and a chance to go to Cybertron to live. Both sides get what they want. Its just that simple."
"What would Prime ever want from you?" MaR-lo asked.
Cassio glanced at her, then back to Prime. "I know where the last two Omega Keys are."
=0=TBC 03-05-2021 03-10-2021
NOTES!
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moosekababs chapter 87 . 4h ago
aww, prowl took that loss with such grace. one thing I can't really relate to ratchet on is the distaste for being alone. i suppose for him it makes sense as he spent unimaginable stints alone during the war, but i'm like 9/10ths introvert and am nonverbal in nearly every situation outside my house. after something like a sport game id have to come home and take a nap for about six days before i could go out and have dinner. Just goes to show how spunky ratchet is i guess :P
ME: I hear you, darling. Poor old Prowl is already scheming about golf and baseball. LOL! I hear you about being alone. I'm an introvert, too, but can manage in crowds. Sometimes you just need to stand in an energy pool of people. LOL! HUGS, darling!
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moosekababs chapter 86 . 4h ago
aggh, i am constantly behind on reading new chapters. everything was so wild i missed all of february... ill just have to binge it over the weekend and consider it a late birthday present to myself :9
anyway, i think this is the swiftest we've ever seen springer and drift take down a minicon shindig :D all of kup and hercy's coolness must finally be sticking for em!
ME: BWAHAHA! Hercy rules. He's based on my Uncle John who is just like him but taller. ;) Consider being behind job security. LOL! HUGS, darling!
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kattenbelletje chapter 93 . Mar 4
Isn't E2 a Metrotitan? He would know what happened. That reminds me. Wouldn't he have reported about the woman being harassed to the point of leaving.
I'm almost cought up again:)
ME: DAMN! I'll have to ask him. Paribolus is the mech. Thank god for readers. :D:D:D
If you're catching up, I'm going to have to type faster! HUGS, darling!
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leoness chapter 103 . Mar 3
very glad to hear the good news on the pup and the shot!
ME: This has been such a wild ass week. I need to sleep about three days just to get over it. My old chihuahua is a cutie. He has a cone of shame that inflates and looks like a life saver. HE'S SO CUTE! LOL! Hugs, darling!
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kattenbelletje chapter 80 . Mar 3
Wasn't Microbe unconscious last chapter?
I love the old guys. They crack me up.
ME: I'll check. You are eagle eyed, did you know that? Thank god. :D:D:D
I love old guys who done it all, seen it all and don't care too much about anything anymore. That's what makes them so funny. HUGS, darling!
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leoness chapter 101 . Feb 27
aw, han is learning to be kind.
ME: He is. I almost wrote him goofy during that interlude but he said no. That's how this flows. They tell me what to write. Orion is such a happy kid it might make the difference here. Or not. ;) HUGS, darling!