The Diego Diaries: 'Tude and 'Titlement (dd7 55)
=0=Courtroom 3, Courthouse in City 4, Crater District 2, the Honorable Sorel-1 presiding
The three of them entered the room directed by Leo and the bailiff, Tin, to stand on the line in front of the judge. The moment they saw their families they halted and began to vent.
Tin glanced at Leo and Springer. Then Springer glanced at Sorel-1.
Sorel-1 stared at the three a moment, then rose. "SHUT UP NOW!"
His voice echoed across the room stilling everyone including the three. They turned toward him with surprise. Sorrel was nearly glowing with irritation. "You are in my domain. You will conduct yourself properly or you will be held in contempt. I have discretion on how long that is. DO I make myself clear?"
The three stared at him, then their families as a phalanx of lawyers stood. One of them stepped closer. "Your honor, we apologize for their conduct. We haven't had a chance to speak to them before this moment and we hope that this is just a forgivable breach of etiquette by mechs who've had a very trying experience."
The attorney was named Piero, was tall and very handsome and came from Capital City. He was an attorney who specialized in criminal law and was a go-to mech for the less assimilated among the former elites. He was quite busy with the younger set, some of whom were worse in their entitlement than their elders.
Like now.
"No one likes to be here, Piero, but we are. I expect that no matter what their problem is, they will conduct themselves in a way that brings honor to your house. Right now, I can't see it," Sorrel said as he sat down.
"May I have a minute with them, sir?" Piero asked.
"If this were Cybertron during the Clampdown, I would say no. Because it isn't, yes," Sorrel said barely mollified.
"Thank you," Piero said as he turned to the three.
Jarbo and the other two attorneys for the three gathered around for an offline conversation.
Springer who was leaning against the wall with Drift had his own. :Wanker. I like that word. Sort of fits them:
:Hanging around with Pritchard and Graham has its benefits. I sort of admire the kinds and types of slang and swearing that the humans have. I wonder if say, car salesmen have as colorful a vocabulary as soldiers?:
Springer considered that. :I don't know. What about phlebotomists?:
:What?: Drift asked as he glanced at Springer with a grin.
Springer glanced at Drift with a slightly superior smirk on his face. :Vampires. The humans have doctor types who draw their blood and slag. Phlebotomists:
Drift considered that, then smirked slightly. :I wouldn't be a human on a bet:
:You were. I remember seeing your Johnson, Mr. Drift:
Drift laughed, something that drew attention, some of it frowny. None of that came from Prowl which was new and different but from the defendant's families gathered in the room. The group for these mechs apparently had no sense of humor at the moment. He grinned. :You would bring up Mr. Johnson:
:I'm still trying to forget it: Springer said.
:I was wondering how bold you'd be given we were in a strange new body and had a bedroom all our own at the time: Drift said just to needle Springer. He loved to do it. Watching him standing frozen in place gripping his jeans and screaming like a femme was a moment he kept on tap in his video files at all times.
:Did you really think that I would frag you as a human? What galaxy are you in?: Springer said as he stared at Drift. :Don't tell me you would:
:I don't know. You had a nice aft in jeans. AND you DID get a gander of Mr. Johnson: Drift said pressing the knife straight in.
:I may purge: Springer said as Piero turned to Sorrel. "Sir, if we can start now, we're ready."
Sorrel glanced at Silver. "Please read the offenses and we can take pleas. This is an arraignment. Motions will be entertained in a moment."
Silver stood with a data pad. "The defendants, Chivet of Iacon, Haro-n of Capital City and Brisk of Praxus are charged with fighting, disturbing the peace, public drunkenness, engaging in violent activities which provoked a melee as well as transgressing a Primal Decree."
The three stared at Silver then glanced at Piero who was chatting off line with the others in his group. Then he turned to Sorrel. "Your honor, our clients plead not guilty."
"Very well," Sorrel said. "Enter the pleas, Silver. I will take motions. I'm sure you have some."
"We do, sir," Piero said. "We would like the charges dismissed. The defendants were wounded in the altercation. They were caught up in a moment with everyone else that almost lead to death for all three of them. I've read the reports and there's nothing that said our clients provoked this event. They were defending themselves in the middle of a melee."
"That's for the court to determine through the presentation of evidence and witness testimony. Given that there were guns involved and that some of individuals were willing to use them, it's highly appropriate that they stand for their share of the problem. This gunfight didn't materialize out of the thin air. Commander Springer? Have the recordings, statements and other information been presented to the defense?"
Springer nodded. "It was, your honor. When Sky finishes the reports on the melee, that'll be forward to everyone as well."
Sorrel looked at Piero and his group. "Your motion is denied. I'm not going to allow any passes on this one. This one was a shoot out in a public place where youngsters were gathering to enjoy themselves. We're lucky it wasn't worse. Motion denied." He denied a few more then Sorrel glanced at Mar-C. "Your turn."
"Your honor," Mar-C said as she stood up, a petite femme with a beautiful voice. "Given the severity of the circumstances of this case, I'm asking that the three be held in confinement for this trial. We have elements of a gang involvement here and there's a real possibility that this could carry onward."
"Your honor, we would ask for home confinement with monitoring. Keeping them in jail is-" Piero began.
"The safest place for them right now," Mar-C said.
"Gangs. We have gangs here?" Jarbo said from the audience. He stood, then turned to Prime. "What sort of operation are you running here, Prime, if there are gangs provoking mechs in dance clubs? What the frag are you doing that such conditions exist?"
Prowl stood before Prime could grab his arm. "They exist because they do. Here, Cybertron, everywhere. Because of you and The System, there are GANGS. What the hell do you expect? Everyone to reform the moment they arrive? You MIGHT want to know that three of the gangs identified so far are high caste gangs." It was silent a moment, then Prowl sat.
"I'd like to say that this will be contested in court. I'm remanding the three of you to jail until the trial begins and you will stay there until it ends," Sorrel said.
"The frag they will," Jarbo said as two other mechs stood up tensely beside him.
Springer and Drift shifted closer as the other security mechs did, too.
Jarbo glanced at them, then Sorrel. "THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!"
"This is a court of law and you're out of order. Unless you want to join them for contempt, I would suggest that you sit down now," Sorrel said coldly.
Piero turned to Jarbo and a discussion was had off line. Then Piero turned to Sorrel. "I'm very unhappy that they will be in jail. I will appeal this to the board."
"You may. Until then, bailiff, take them back to jail," Sorrel said.
The three glanced at their genitors with astonishment as Leo pointed to the door. "Move along. Don't make this slag."
It looked like they would fight a moment, then the three walked back to the door and were gone. It was tense and still as the crowd watched with astonishment.
Jarbo turned to Prime. "You're enjoying this."
"No, I am not." Prime stared at Jarbo, then rose to stand. He towered over the room like the giant he was. "I made it clear when you came. You apparently did not get the memo. I would suggest that you speak long and clearly with your counsel. The charges are serious. The individuals involved not trifling in any way.
"The courts will take care of this and evaluate what needs to be done. But make no mistake. I am prepared to hold a Convocation of the Will if this sort of thing continues. I have made my point clear and so has Primus. You follow this path at your own peril."
"So we've heard," another mech, Bardo said coldly. "Kudon. Commotion. We've heard, Prime."
"You haven't heard a thing," Hardie said as he rose to stand beside Prime. "The System is dead by Primal Decree and by the Will of Primus and The One. The Festival was for everyone. Everyone received the blessings. For you to continue to delude yourself can only lead to ruin. If Prime doesn't stop you, I will."
It was silent as a tomb, then Jarbo glanced at Piero. "Let's go somewhere and talk." He then pivoted and walked out the door followed by everyone but the lawyers.
Piero watched them go, then turned to Optimus. He bowed rather deeply. "Until all are one, Lord Optimus," he said gravely, then walked toward the door to follow. The others watched, then bowed. They left as well.
It was silent a moment then Ratchet turned to Hardie. "You're one sexy slagger when you do that."
Hardie laughed. "I think I need ice cream."
With a nod to Sorrel who had the rest of Haro-n's group and some of the gangsters to go, Hardie led the way out and in a moment the courtroom was silent again.
Sorrel glanced at Silver and Leo. "Well, a few down and more to go. Bring the next group, Leo and Tin."
They would.
=0=At The Candy Bar, City 4, Crater District 2
They sat at tables in the big restaurant eating ice cream and venting. Even Springer and Drift joined them.
"What are you going to do about the gangs, Springer? I do recall that you're the coppers," Ratchet said with a grin.
He grinned at Ratchet as he ate his banana split. "Bag 'em, tag 'em and dump them on someone else. Hauser has a bead on two that are late comers. That brings it to seven identified, four of which are high caste or mid and high caste mixed. That leaves three more that are tagging but untraced yet. Fraggers come here with their stupid. We chase 'em. I can guarantee that eventually we'll get them."
"I'm reassured," Ratchet said. "Aren't you, Prowl?"
Prowl frowned at him. "Ask me tomorrow when I'm not so fragged off."
Prime grinned. "You are loyal, I will hand that to you."
Prowl stared at Prime. "You're too nice. I would've slagged him to the outback of the beyond if it were me."
"You need a leash," Ratchet said as the mechs grinned.
"You need a trouncing," Prowl said.
"The game is tomorrow. At stake is a slot in the championships. Iacon's Mighty Invaders vs what's their names. I smell victory," Ratchet said with a dazzling smile.
"I smell WD-40. Bathing. It's a thing," Prowl said with a smirk. "I know you're going to make an aft of yourself. Details, clown."
"Not on your life," Ratchet said. "I've worked to make this creation my crowning effort so far. Of course, that doesn't count the championship game itself."
"Oh slag. Good thing I don't have to stand next to you. Somehow I think it might mean triage," Ironhide said with a grin.
"Good thing I'm a doctor then," Ratchet said with a dazzler. He looked at Prowl. "Let's go on a bender after the game."
"Done deal," Prowl said.
"Well, there goes the weekend," Springer said as Drift chuckled. He glanced at Drift. "I guess that means we're on, Mr. Johnson."
Only Ratchet would get it.
=0=TBC 8-6-19
NOTES:
Ragemoose chapter 53 . Aug 4
Its nice to see everyone have a calm interlude like this, though the shooting with haro-n was sad, it could have been a lot worse. I like seeing optimus getting to relax and be a normal mech. I know ive said it before but I love this story and at this point Im pretty sure i prefer it to any actual canon transformers series out there. its such a fun ride! thank you for sharing it with all of us
ME: I like mixing down time with the job. I think they're funny and what they do on their own time is fun to write. Optimus has never been given the respect he deserves as a world leader and he's been a long time away from his G1 coolness. He is a funny guy and his basketball thing is G1 canon.
I'm so glad you like the story. I love writing it and I agree with you. It's hard to see anything but these guys. I don't like it when they don't respect the characters. Hound from the movie was funny but he wasn't Hound. Hugs, dear Ragemoose.
Sunstreaker's Girl chapter 52 . Aug 2
The last couple of chapters were great. It never fails that something seems to always happen when Optimus, Prowl, Ironhide and Ratchet have fun and relax.
Haro-n will hopefully stay in one piece, though it wouldn't surprise me if he got a real good beat down. He did rumble with a gang member...
Just an FYI - Last chapter, Kestrel and Tag were talking about maybe needing to get the kids to school. This chapter you mentioned that school was out for three more days. I just wanted to point that out.
ME: I was never good at dialog when I began writing fanfic in 1996 on the internet on lists. I love to do it now because I'm just transcribing what a bunch of people say when they hang out. Having them goof off is fun but something always comes up. Being the big cheeses takes a lot of of things. Haro-in has an "I'm Sentinel's nephew hang up'. Sometimes the kids are worse than their parents. Rich kids on Instragram is a cautionary tale. I will fix that boo-boo with Kes and Tagg. Thank you, darling, for your eagle eyes. :D:D:D HUGS!
Guest chapter 51 . Aug 1
Well, interesting. I wonder if Gravity and Kale are also going to make an appearance in this jail group? Of that old group in which Haro used to run, Default is now a reformed bot, but we haven't had news of the others since part three - how many years back was that?
Should we expect some Ratchet voodoo for them too…
ME: The others will turn up again as this is the start of a thread that has been in the making for about three or four years. :D:D I think I remember them in 2013 in Diego Diaries Part 3. Ratchet will be in it. He's got a soft spot for dummies. LOL! I like that the bots try to reform without prison when they can. I think its a better outcome when they do. HUGS! :D
fancyspinner chapter 50 . Jul 31
What a cute chapter. I love the four of them just hanging out. Are these idiots going to be trouble? Or have they gotten their homes out of their ass.
ME: I love when they can play. These idiots are part of a long threat I'm making. :D:D
fancyspinner chapter 49 . Jul 30
Sometimes this fandom keeps me sane. LOL seriously, this story just makes my day. I can go back and read parts that I've read half a dozen times and they will still make me laugh.
ME: I'm so glad, Fancy. I'm editing it and it brings things to the list that I haven't added to update in a long time. :D
I loved this little interlude with everybody being fun and making jokes. The fireworks after festival are always so emotional. They really are depth to the sorrow that these people have had to survive.
ME: I can't imagine what it must be like. Just moving from Oregon to Alaska when I was 24 was pretty terrible. The Festival is a time to make peace and count your blessings. Hugs, Darling Fancy! :D:D:D
leoness chapter 49 . Jul 29
that color thing is fascinating.
ME: I came across that and lost the place. I'm looking for it to add more into the story. Its about matching colors to the moment. There's a snippet where Drift asks another practitioner about the mood in the room and he replies, "Its rather magenta."
LOL! I love this fandom! :D:D:D
ESL:
assimilate, assimilated: (uh-sim-mull-late) to fit in, to belong, to adapt to fit in. when you do you are assimilated.
mollify, mollified: (mall-ih-fy) to make things better, so be soothed until you aren't angry, emotional. To mollify someone is to help them get calm again, either by words or deeds. If you aren't mollified, then you're still angry or upset. You know … like when you're a kid and your mom cuts the pie just this much off center so that when you get yours your crabby ass brother has a bigger piece than you.
Like that. :D:D:D