The Diego Diaries: Home Again (dd8 228)
=0=At a hearing
She stood inside the hearing box with Will Lennox and Judy Fulton. Barbara Morshower was in the car but it would probably be enough that she wouldn't be needed.
"Tell me what happened, Judy," Ratchet said.
Judy Witwicky grinned. "The boys were being boys, talking about trick shots back in the day. Dealer was talking about a shot he took in the war to bring down a signal tower. It was some ungodly distance, maybe 150 miles and Johnson made the mistake of mocking him. I've seen these guys shoot and what they can do is amazing." She glanced at Johnson who was sitting in a chair at the table next to Perkins. "If they told me they could shoot down the moon from Miami I'd believe them."
"What sparked the fight and who started it, Judy?" Ratchet asked with amusement. He was watching the men in the box, the rep and the mercs. Johnson was fuming as ever, the two mercs were listening intently without much expression and Perkins was making notes, glancing at Judy with a quizzical expression as he took it all in.
"The boys were joking around and Johnson took offense. He leaped on Will and the fight was one. They were pretty brutal so most of us were just trying to stay out of the way. When he came close enough I punched him on the face to protect Barbara and Judy behind me. It was then that the men were able to dog pile on and bring him down. It was a mess."
"Then who was the one who instigated the attack and drew the first blood so to speak?" Ratchet asked.
"Johnson did. He leaped on William," Judy said. "To be fair, they were shit slinging, all of them."
Lennox glanced at Judy with surprise.
"You were but it was the usual stuff soldiers do," Judy said. "I've heard worse at my bridge game."
Ratchet snickered. "Counselor, do you want to ask this witness any questions?"
"Yes, sir," Perkins said. "Mrs. Witwicky, what actually were the words that started this altercation?"
"Johnson offended Dealer by criticizing his shot and it pissed off some of the former Decepticons in the crew. I thought one of them was going to pinch his head off. He rapped on the travel box and jolted all of us inside. It was Convoy. He kept arguing with Convoy about the shot. Convoy is a ship boarding expert and no one to mess with.
"Then Hercy called from his shuttle to check in and was told they were going to kick a human's butt. He asked which one and Will said Johnson. That's when Johnson jumped him and it was on. I wish I had my purse handy. I wasn't aware we'd be in a damned brawl." She stared at Perkins as if defying him to ask more.
"It doesn't seem like much provocation, the words you describe. Are you sure that this was what was spoken?" Perkins asked.
Judy looked at Judy Fulton who was standing beside her. "Did I leave anything out?"
"No," Judy said.
"Did it go just that way?" Judy W. asked.
"That's what I saw. I was more worried that Convoy would reach inside for Johnson and kill us all trying," Judy Fulton said as she glanced over her shoulder at a silent glowering Johnson. "I think that the teasing was nothing worse than I've heard before. That was what happened."
"Since that's the focal point of this, Mr. Perkins, please add witnesses to the altercation that you were allowed to bring. If this isn't your chosen time for them, you can follow your plan," Ratchet said.
"I've interviewed all of the witnesses from Earth2 and their statements are on file," Perkins said.
Ratchet nodded. "Please let it be known that the statements submitted by Mr. Perkins match substantially with the statements of these two witnesses. I'm ready to entertain more." Ratchet grinned at Will and Perkins.
"Personally, Ratchet, its what it is. I could bring the whole group to the table and they'd tell you the same thing," Will said as he turned to Perkins. "We can cut to the chase here. I have the ability to throw him off world and ban him forever without cause. You know that and so do I. The big question here is what to do with him? He fights at the drop of a hat. What do you want to do about this?"
Perkins glanced at Ratchet, then Lennox. "I want to do the best possible job for my client that can be done for the problem at hand. I don't want to short circuit anything that might add to the bigger picture here."
"Which is?" Lennox asked.
"You and my client have bad blood. Its well documented that you've been in fights in the past. You don't get along. It would be in the best interests of everyone that you two don't cross paths," Perkins said.
"But you underestimate the responsibility I have here to protect the human community. I'm essentially the sheriff of the humans here on world. No one has more direct responsibility for them than I do. If I say he goes he does. Even Optimus Prime can't contradict my decision. We have a loose cannon here who answers every perceived insult with his fists. He's never been behind the bots. He doesn't have a damned clue to shut his mouth around mechs like Convoy and he never will. Tell me one good reason I don't just end this hearing by banning him from this planet," Lennox said.
It was silent a moment, then Ratchet leaned forward slightly. "You would remove half the entertainment value of the human community from among us if you did."
Perkins glanced at Ratchet with the ghost of a smile, then Lennox. "I would be against that, obviously. There has to be a compromise."
"There isn't. Lennox hates me. I hate him. You're supposed to defend me, not work with him," Johnson said.
"I have to have something to work with, Mr. Johnson. Every witness statement corroborates the others. I'm trying to keep you from being banned." Perkins glanced at Ratchet. "We would like to work out a plea deal for this matter so that we can start over and perhaps make a path forward for this to resolve. They don't have to like each other but they can avoid and tolerate each other. I favor possibility, Mr. Ambassador, not closed doors."
"I do as well," Ratchet said with a nod. "Just understand, this is a very old story here and with this man and his partner we've always had an enemy. He's here by the grace and goodwill of Optimus Prime. If he wants to stay he has to follow the rules and grow up like everyone else. I'm thinking you wish a plea?"
Perkins nodded. "I would like to know what you feel is fair."
Ratchet considered that. "I think Mr. Johnson needs to stay inside Earth2. I think he needs to stay away from missions because he's not mature enough, apparently, to behave and not add unwanted elements into what is already a dangerous situation. I think he needs to understand that the next time this happens, Will and Optimus will be making a decision about a lifetime ban from our domain."
"This is our domain, Ratchet. You and your kind have no right to be here," Johnson said defiantly.
"In your opinion but take a look around. Everything you see was built and designed by us. You wouldn't be here at all without us. Also, you'd be a floating cinder from the time Black Shadow made his way here without us so …" Ratchet glanced at Perkins. "Take it or leave it."
"We'll take it," Perkins said. Johnson rose to protest but was silenced by Perkins. "Its preferable to jail and a lifetime ban. I'm assuming that was on the table as well?" he asked Lennox and Ratchet.
"It was. I'm tired of this. I know we don't get along. Most soldiers have no respect for those who betray the ranks," Will said as Johnson turned on him with fists clenched. "You did. You went on television and blasted the ranks. Live with your actions or leave." He looked at Perkins. "If the Ambassador agrees, then I agree. He's confined to Earth2 and stays away from me. Win-win in my book."
He turned to Ratchet. "Its an honor and privilege to go on missions. We get to go into the universe and see things we never expected existed. We've been on other planets besides these. I want to protect that for those with the wit to appreciate it."
"Fuck you, Lennox," Johnson hissed.
"That's not helpful, Mr. Johnson," Perkins snapped. "We accept the plea."
"You didn't ask me," Johnson said to Perkins.
"The alternative is banning off world. Would you prefer that?" Perkins asked with unexpected grit.
Johnson stared at him, then Ratchet. "You will never break me."
"Okay," Ratchet said with a smile.
Lennox chuckled then walked to the hatch. He stepped in, suited up, then stepped out. Walking to the edge of the table he grinned.
:Thanks, Ratchet:
"No problem. Did you know I got Halo an embellishment today? A one of a kind from Needlenose," Ratchet said as he reached into his hold and came out with a shiny baby sitting on his hand. He set her on the table where she stood up and grinned at everyone.
Halo looked at Will, then walked to him to hug him gently. {ADA! HIM! I LOVE HIM!} she said as she hugged him again.
Lennox hugged her back as Judy Fulton and Judy Witwicky walked out behind him.
{ADA! DEM! I LOVE DEM!} She ran to them and hugged them gently as Johnson and Perkins walked out to stand nearby. Halo looked at them, then hesitated. She felt Johnson's bad energy but liked the man beside him. She looked at Ratchet as she pointed toward them. {Ada, what dem?}
"Mr. Perkins, could you come here?" Ratchet asked. "My daughter wants to hug you."
Parker Perkins grinned, then set down his computer case. He walked toward Halo and stopped in front of her. She hugged him and he hugged her back. Staring into her little face, he felt the same thing that almost every human who met their children and babies felt, delight. :What is her name?: he asked.
"Halo."
:Hello, Halo: he said with a smile.
She smiled back, then pointed to her shoulder where a sparkling little ruby rose was tastefully placed. {I goed dere. I doin'. See?} she asked in NeoCybex as she stared at him with a sweet smile.
:That's very pretty, Halo. It looks like a rose: Perkins said guessing her commentary.
"It is. Its a ruby from here that a jeweler uses to make them. Needlenose is his name. He's a nefarious former Decepticon slagger but he's a talented artist," Ratchet said.
:I can see that: Perkins said as he admired the design. They talked a few moments while Johnson held back with a frown. :I'm glad this got resolved, Mr. Ambassador. I hope to see you again in more friendly terms and perhaps your daughter as well. Thank you for letting me meet her. The kids here are cute and fun:
"They are. Thank you," Ratchet said with a grin. He rapped his knuckles on the table. "This hearing is adjourned."
They chatted a bit, then Johnson and Perkins were put on the floor. They climbed into their vehicle and drove off.
Judy and Judy W along with Will watched them go, then turned toward Ratchet.
:Too bad you didn't give him the boot: Judy W said with a sigh.
"Then who would Optimus have to play with?" Ratchet said.
:There's that: Judy Fulton said. She took Halo's servo. :Well, time to go home now: She began to go to the table's edge with Halo following happily along. She ended up on the floor alone.
Peering over the edge, Halo smiled and waved.
With good cheer and laughter, the humans filled their vehicle, then drove off.
Ratchet and Halo watched them go. Ratchet looked at his daughter. "You ready to do the town?"
She looked at him, then smiled. Pointing to her shoulder, she took a few moments to explain what it was and how the humans liked it before they walked off together to get 'keem'.
=0=TBC 8-10-2021