The Diego Diaries: Cloudy With a Chance of Prison (dd7 406)
=0=The courtroom
They came and came, those who were witnesses and those who were victims. Family of those who weren't there to speak had come as well. It was comprehensive, complete and damning. By the time Coln finished his case, it would be almost insurmountable for the defense to dig out. He concluded then sat down.
Sheldon now had the unenviable task of defending a client who never expected his private conduct and all of its messy correspondence to ever see the light of day. He gathered himself, then stood. "I'm in the difficult position of explaining this to the court and showing that my client is innocent. I realize that there's a lot of evidence that shows perhaps that might be a difficulty that cannot be surmounted. We've discussed this situation after a careful review of things so far and even though its distasteful and the last and least most desired course to take, my client would like to plead guilty and ask for mercy.
"We realize that's a hard course to take, one fraught with unforeseen possibilities. But both of us understand that this is a special circumstances case and that the outcome if he loses is going to be very terrifically harsh for him and his family. We would concede the evidence and charges without comment or agreement, accepting a plea of guilty if the outcome prevents the possibility of the Pantheon weighing in. I'm asking for your consideration of this offer, Lord Optimus. I don't believe that he would compromise anything he believes about his conduct by taking this position and he has no illusions about how this will look."
Orion considered the surprise move, then glanced at Larken. Around his harsh expression were glimpses of a terribly frightened mech. Apparently, the amount, types and unshakable truths of the evidence before them had forced him by his own fear to take a road that wouldn't be traversed without the possibility of losing. It was evident even to him that he would. It was also evident to Orion that he didn't feel he was guilty. He was just trying to save his own hide. "Larken, I would like you to explain to me fully and clearly why you have taken this path rather than defend yourself against the charges. You are aware that there are only a limited number of possibilities for me if I accept this."
Larken stood stiffly and awkwardly, the feelings of fear and anxiety barely under control. He thought a moment, then began. "I'm concerned about the Pantheon and what They might do about this. I'm a fighter, Prime. I don't give in even when its hard but this is different. I have a family. I have elders. I want to be there for them and the only way to ensure that is to make a plea and ask for mercy."
It was silent as the two mechs regarded each other.
"This is straightforward. You want mercy for yourself but offered none to the many you harmed," Orion said. "You do not understand empathy it would seem. You do not even seem self aware enough to hide your true feelings. Everything is transactional to you … you give something, you get something. Perhaps that is true for you but what about all the others to whom you owe a debt? I have a duty to make a judgment that assuages in some small manner the great harm you are alleged to have created." Orion stared at him, measuring the mech he was.
Larken had been part of the opposition he led and still was in Orion's thinking. He'd been a bank roller of the state's oppression and machinations against not only the peace movement but him as well. In Orion's helm the drama was continuing. But here, this was the end of the line for Larken and the moment of his truest reckoning. What should he do that balanced both responsibilities? He felt great empathy at that moment for his elder self.
Larken was considering his words. "I don't have anything to give to make it different than it is. I have just my request. You're supposed to be guided by the Pantheon and merciful. Everyone knows what happened with some of your other prisoners. They get to live at home and work. They don't have to rot in prison. Surely, you can find something in your spark that can be as reasonable for me."
Orion stared at the big mech. He didn't have a jot of self awareness nor shame. Orion sat back. "You wish for me to find an alternative outcome against the arrival of the Pantheon. You wish for me to find an 'out' for your client then, Sheldon."
Sheldon who looked like he wanted to punch Larken turned toward Orion with a tense expression. "I'd like you to find a way to extract what you feel is a good payment for the offenses that will also feel like justice to the Powers. My client is unable to ask you in a measured manner what I ask for him. I'm seeking mercy for him short of the Matrix. I'm asking you for the opportunity for him to have time to reflect on his life and understand his responsibility to our world and people, something that a trip to the Matrix would never allow him to do alone. I'm asking for you to show your fabled mercy and your creative problem solving for the benefit of this mech, his family and the many who his actions have injured. I believe that you can find balance between both groups. I hope you understand my sincerity, Lord Optimus," he concluded with a slight bowing of his helm.
Orion considered it, contrasting the two mechs against each other, then he nodded. "I am aware of your sincerity, Sheldon, and I am aware he has none. I, however, do wish for this mech to rise above his current state and learn something fundamental about this situation. I want him to understand his own actions and how they have harmed others. I am not talking about hurt feelings. I am talking about his responsibility in bringing our world to its knees.
"I want him to feel something as well. Right now, only self pity and personal angst appear to be his limited range. I am always moved by the sight of someone who is incapable of having any other vision but their own even in the face of indisputable truth. It would be a terrible fate to feel nothing for and about others but your client does not have that ability it would appear. If he is to learn it, it will not be by his own efforts.
"I also have the duty to make a judgment that fits the crime. Given that this is a Pantheonic event and not just something I can decide upon my own, I still feel the burden of the decision. I must make a good one if the Pantheon is going to be satisfied that honor and truth have been served. Therefore, I shall grant your request, Sheldon," Orion said. "I accept it. Do you both agree that Larken pleads guilty and seeks sentencing now?"
Sheldon glanced at Larken who glanced at him. There was a brief off line conversation, then both looked at Prime. Both of them nodded.
Prowl who was watching Orion felt a tremor. He was going to make a decision without consultation. The room had tensed and so did he. But he didn't interfere. Something about the youngling mech was solid and reassuring. This wouldn't be a mistake, somehow, Prowl knew.
"I am going to make a sentence for you in the Prison, Larken, that will not only exact from you something for the debt you owe but also give you the chance to rise from your current estate to something better. Which it will be in the end and how long it will take will be in your hands to settle. Meanwhile, you will be held in prison for an indeterminate time period, one in which you will work at the most menial jobs to the satisfaction of your supervisors. I am sure there are many available now but more will be added. These jobs will be numbing in their simplicity and monotonous in the extreme. They will be seemingly pointless but shall serve others anyway. You will not receive any remuneration for them and you will serve at my pleasure, a right rarely used by me but that I call for now.
"When you find yourself working endless orns at a job you dislike for next to no reward, perhaps you can begin to understand what you have done to others with your actions toward Cybertron and its most precious resource, its people. It will be during this period that you have the option of understanding your thinking and the lives you forced others to live for your singular benefit.
"Maybe when you feel invisible and discarded with little value by those who hold total sway over your life you will have some beginning of understanding of what you are responsible for. I alone will determine when you are completed. Until then, you will be remanded to the prison." Orion glanced at Prowl. "I accept the guilty plea and sentence this mech to the prison for a period of time that I shall personally decide. He is to serve a sentence of service and work at the discretion of Warden Gee-Gee. I shall receive regular updates on his progress as shall Coln-2 and Sheldon or whoever is his lawyer from the moment this trial concludes."
Prowl nodded, then wrote the report that would become the formal sentence.
Orion watched him, then glanced at Sheldon and Larken. Sheldon looked deeply relieved and Larken shocked. Orion glanced at a pensive Springer who had also testified about the fate of his family who had lost their store altogether from this law. "Please remove the prisoner to the Prison and turn him over to the Warden. The sentence shall be transmitted directly to her, Springer."
Springer nodded and with Drift in tow, both of them took Larken away. He staggered to the door and out of view as it closed behind the three.
It was leaden in the room.
Orion considered that. "I realize that this might not be a sentence that assuages the grief and anger that many of you still carry. I personally believe that there is nothing that can be done to make even in a small way some of what you suffered 'right'. The past is a land where we cannot venture. What happened there changed us all. But the present is ours even as the future is unexplored territory. What we do now affects that. I want a better future for all of us together.
"What we can do now is strive for the life we want and need. It is hoped by me that you can find solace in some part in this decision. If we killed him it would change nothing. If we pardoned him there would only be sorrow and anger. What I would like to see is if its possible for us to examine things and find a way forward without rancor and the past dragging along behind. It serves nothing for the emotions that led to our downfall to remain among us, striking at our sparks.
"His sentence is in some ways a death sentence. He has to work at jobs he cannot conceive even exist for next to no reward. He will feel over the press of time what you have experienced, the numbing deadly sameness and frustration that your life is ruled by others. The inability to do anything about what he faces will be a window into your own lives. I understand what you feel. We have all been there but at some point we have to take stock and change things. We cannot keep on the treadmill of anguish that we still labor under even now.
"If there is any chance for you to get a real apology and real restitution no matter how small, it will only come when that mech understands your pain. It will come to him at some point that it would have been easier to go to the Matrix than to work at this sentence. There will be a chance for him to change. Even if he does not do that, you can rest assured that his life for now and some time to come will be as miserable as your own was and in that experience he will find the truth."
It was silent, then Ratchet vented a sigh. "I've hated him so long. I wish he'd never risen from the grave. But you have a point. He doesn't have a clue, does he." Ratchet stared at Orion who nodded. "I suppose it would've been easier for the Pantheon to come. For now, he will be doing drudge work orn in and out, finding out how the rest of us felt. I think that is a pretty good compromise. And the rest of it? That's mine to figure out, how to live with this and to find a way to help myself not care so much about it that it feels like poison. Forgiveness is the hardest and most necessary thing all of us have to do. If we can."
The room was silent, then Prowl turned to Orion. "Then this case is closed?"
Orion looked at Prowl. "I do believe it is."
=0=On a plane of existence far away
They stared at the scene as it wound down.
Solus glanced at Vector. "Our youngster was always wise. I am good with his decision. Its balanced. Even the worst among Us should have a chance to change. They truly aren't what they portray in their lives."
The group nodded.
"He always was about redemption and the second chance. He never gave up no matter how badly things went," Vector said as the others nodded again. "If he feels this is just, who am I to second guess."
Prima glanced at the others. "I, for one am glad Larken's going to be there and not here. I am still wrestling with Sentinel and Decimus."
Solomus grinned. "Then its settled. We stand by Our brother and his decision."
"Considering its meant to further forgiveness and the better path, I would agree," Amalgamous replied.
All of Them would agree.
Larken of Iacon had dodged a very great bullet thanks to the kid who would one day become the very great Optimus Prime.
=0=TBC 10-16-2020 10-25-2020