Epilogue Part I
Sorry it's taken forever to get this chapter up, so here y'all go. The second part of the epilogue will be up in a few days when I'm finished editing it.
In this story, the Council refers to 13 mechs that help Prime govern their society. They Prime help with making, passing, and enforcing laws (almost like the U.S. government system), but he has final say on everything that is brought to his attention.
Prime also has another group of 13 mechs and femmes called 'advisors' that offer varying points of view during trial - kind of like a jury, kind of like attorneys/lawyers. They'll try to sway him into a lighter or heavier sentence throughout the proceedings.
Thank you to Litahatchee for letting me borrow her concept of carrying from her story "Night Fire". She gets another giant thank you plus a two liter of Dr Pepper (I bought one two weeks ago, still haven't cracked it open, so it's still good) for wading through this chapter and pointing out my boo-boos. For her patience, she deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, for I am certain that she was ready to shoot me. XD
There is a WARNING for this chapter. Throughout this entire story, I've skimmed on some sensitive and mature topics, but this chapter goes in a little more in depth. This chapter contains brief mentions of rape and slavery. Nothing too detailed, but if you're easily triggered, then please do not read on.
Questions? Concerns? Constructive criticism? Please let me know and I'll do my best to fix my booboos in a timely manner.
Now, on to the story.
Sweeping white sandstone walls stretched on for what seemed to be an eternity, flanking the Autobots and humans within the spacious room. The ceiling vaulted nearly fifty feet above, designed to accommodate even the largest of mechs comfortably. Nightshade decided that the sheer size was enough to nearly overwhelm her as she looked around the room. Elegant and ornate works of art were hung along the walls at set intervals, reminding each and every Cybertronian within of his or her duties to their Prime and to Primus. The twelve tenets had been painstakingly carved by Sunstreaker. Very tall and narrow panes of glasswork depicting Cybertronian Creation allowed soft motes of light to filter into the room. She looked to her left.
The few humans that had been allowed in during the sentencing looked highly uncomfortable with being seated in the very first row. A few kindly 'bots had taken it upon themselves to help the humans onto the thick slab of concrete. It wouldn't do to have such honored and distinguished guests seated at their feet. President Smith sat in the very center, his sharp gaze directly on Optimus Prime. Nightshade had only seen the man, and she knew she would not like him. He was a shrewd man, interested only in furthering the country's physical and political power by using the Autobots as pawns in his little game of politics. She was glad that Optimus knew a thing or two about leadership.
Nightshade shivered slightly as the whispering in the expansive courtroom grew louder. Optimus shifted in his seat, sitting up even straighter than before as Emirate was led down the aisle.
The whispering grew louder and louder. Barricade and two other mechs led the prisoner to Prime's feet, where they promptly had him kneel down. Loud clicks echoed like gunfire as the chains were attached to a raised slab of concrete.
"The proceedings shall now begin. Do you have anything to say in your defense before we call the witnesses to the stand, Emirate?" Optimus Prime asked gravely, his voice making the very air around them reverberate. Emirate shook his head slowly. Nightshade watched him carefully, her spark wrenching at the condition he was in. Layers of dirt and grime had built up on him, turning his rich, cream-colored coat to an ugly brown mess. His vivid, emerald optics had dimmed to a sickly grey color. Fine stress cracks marred his finish. Jagged scars still criss-crossed his front and back. Red Alert had provided life saving medical treatment, but had refused to perform cosmetic work on him. Nightshade cast her gaze back down into her lap, her spark wrenching at the less-than-standard treatment. Though Emirate was a cruel slagger, Nightshade couldn't bring herself to wish harm upon him. She had complete faith that Primus would make him answer for his sins.
"No, sir," he responded quietly. Optimus nodded, shifting slightly in the massive seat that had been built especially for that occasion. The Thirteen members of the Council were seated to his left. Nightshade noticed that Ratchet looked highly uncomfortable with being put back into his position as Councilmech. She reached to him, giving his spark a gentle, reassuring brush. Another thirteen on Prime's right made up his advisors. For a moment, Nightshade wished she could offer Ironhide the same comfort, if only for a few seconds.
Her gaze settled on the next mech in line. Prowl had been sandwiched between Ironhide and Prime, and even though he was stoic, she could sense his unease. Nightshade offered them both a small smile, and neither mech responded. She knew better than to be offended or hurt - they were not allowed to respond to her. She turned her attention to the ground before Prime, but soon found that she could not focus on Emirate.
A very thick and heavy collar had been locked around his neck, and to this collar was attached a short chain, forcing his upper body into a very cramped bow of respect to Prime. A mech of Emirate's size and strength could have easily pulled the chain out of the concrete, but Nightshade suspected that the two sentinels posted on either side of Emirate kept him from doing so.
Optimus made a soft noise. The crowd went silent instantaneously.
"Chromia, please step forward," Optimus said, motioning the sitting femme to take her place before the group. Chromia slowly got to her feet, her optics trained on the ground. She had to adhere to a strict set of rules for formal proceedings, especially one headed by their Prime. Chromia waited until Optimus spoke again before looking back up.
"Chromia, do you testify against Emirate or in his favor?"
Chromia glanced up Ironhide. He gave her a slight, reassuring nod. Chromia began to speak, her voice uncharacteristically soft. Nightshade fidgeted in her seat, earning a low hiss of disapproval from her femme creator.
"I testify against Emirate," Chromia said quietly. Whispers raced through the crowd like wildfire. Nightshade craned her head slightly to get a good look at her friend. Chromia looked uncharacteristically anxious. Day Lily's petite white fingers dug into Nightshade's protoform, and the young femme stopped squirming. Nightshade could feel a tiny tendril of amusement escape Ratchet, but he shut the bond before she could respond.
"Please explain your decision," Optimus said, shifting in his seat again. The other mechs and femmes that had gathered in the atrium watched raptly, shooting disapproving glances at the whispering humans seated in the very front. They had been invited only to placate them for their lack of information about Emirate.
"Emirate threatened to harm us, sir."
Optimus nodded. Nightshade knew that Optimus had told her exactly how to answer his questions. Chromia and Nightshade were hiding their sparklings, as was tradition to help transition the new creators into life with a child. But they were also hiding the sparklings until their presence had been revealed to the entire human race. Perhaps, once the initial shock wore off, they would drop hints about being able to reproduce without the AllSpark. However, until then, the femmes were going to do everything to keep the knowledge of having such a weakness from the humans. Primus only knew what the president would do to get his hands on that type of information.
"He threatened to break my bond with Ironhide in order to uphold the contract my creators made with him," Chromia said, bowing her head.
"Was the contract broken before Emirate arrived?" Optimus asked, ignoring one of the Councilmember's text messages.
"No, sir," she whispered softly.
"You knew that he had every right to you," Optimus prompted gently. He hated their legal system so very much. Before the war, he had done his best to 'clean' up their laws, to provide everyone with an equal opportunity before their judges, but he had not been able to complete the task in time. He was not going to make that same mistake again.
"Yes, sir, but - " She fell silent when Ratchet shook his head at her subtly. If Prime asked a yes or no question, then the answer was either yes or no; if he wanted more information, he would ask, but other than that, it was not her place to speak again.
"Continue."
"Ironhide and I bonded just before the contract was presented, sir. I ran away with Ironhide when I found out that I was being given to Emirate," Chromia said quietly, fidgeting again, "we didn't say anything because our bond was so new. My creators would have resorted to drastic measures to insure that our bond was broken."
Chromia watched from lowered optic shutters as Leo leaned over and whispered something into Ratchet's audio receptor. He gave a curt nod, and relayed the message to Prime. Optimus nodded when he read the message. He held her gaze for a moment, silently warning her that the next question needed to be answered very carefully.
"Bonds cannot be broken without taking a life somewhere," he said slowly, "and Councilmech Leo would like to know when Emirate threatened to kill Ironhide or someone close to you."
Chromia faltered as she thought of a way to answer his question. She could not lie to her Prime.
"He...he threatened to harm Ironhide indirectly if I did not comply with his wishes," Chromia said carefully. Optimus glanced at the hulking black mech seated to his direct right.
"Ironhide?" Optimus prompted.
"He threatened ta take my life if ya didn' respond in those two days," Ironhide affirmed, giving Chromia's spark a reassuring brush.
"And what were Emirate's wishes?" Optimus asked. Chromia didn't know who he had directed the question to, so she spoke up.
"That I become his mate, sir. He said that he had a way to insure that our bond was broken," Chromia said hesitantly, and her voice grew stronger when Optimus did not rebuke her. "He said he would hurt us both."
"Emirate? Do you deny or affirm these accusations?" Optimus asked.
"I affirm them, sir. I admit that I threatened to harm Chromia and Ironhide in the most despicable and cowardly of ways," Emirate responded emotionlessly.
"I dismiss you, Chromia," Optimus said. The mechs on either side of him stared at him openly. Their line of questioning had only begun. Leo made to interrupt, but Ratchet silenced him with a steely glare. Leo dropped back into his seat quietly, knowing better than to argue with his senior.
"Very well, sir. Thank you, sir," Chromia said, dipping her head in a polite bow before turning around. Chromia walked back to the seat. With a silent glance from Chromia, Nightshade knew that it was her turn next. Chromia sat down beside her. The younger femme squeezed her hand gently. The femmes glanced back up at the raised platform. The mechs and femmes were discussing something quietly. When Ratchet jerked back and began to scowl, she knew that the topic had turned to her. Optimus raised one hand, stemming one of Ratchet's protests. The mech fell silent, though now Nightshade could feel him simmering through their bond.
Day Lily squeezed Nightshade's leg comfortingly, her bright green optics focused on the platform. If possible, Crosswise looked even more upset than Ratchet did at the moment. Thankfully, he was seated near the very end of the advisor's bench, and he could not speak too loudly. The simmering black mech settled into his seat, his golden optics boring directly into Nightshade's. Nightshade suddenly felt very small.
"Nightshade, please step forward," Optimus said. For a split second, she hesitated, but a gentle prompt from Ratchet helped her regain enough sense to do as Optimus said.. Nightshade slowly shuffled over to stand before Prime.
"Would you prefer to sit, Nightshade?" Optimus asked, sensing her discomfort. She shook her head.
"No, sir," she said quietly.
"Very well. We will begin with an explanation from you. Why did you attack an unarmed Neutral?" Optimus asked sternly. Nightshade was young, but not young enough to say that she didn't know the rules. She stammered quietly for a moment.
"I-I attacked him because he threatened us both, sir," Nightshade said cautiously, referring to herself and her sparkling. Ratchet wrapped his presence around her spark, soothing her gently. Optimus gave him an unreadable look, almost as though he knew what Ratchet was doing for his femme. Streak kicked out in her carrying chamber irritably. His mother had brought up a complete block around his little spark, hiding her changed spark from the other femmes in the room. If she hadn't done so, the other femmes that had birthed or cared for a sparkling would have been able to sense that she was sharing her spark with a child. It was difficult enough for Streak to adjust to life outside of Nightshade's carrying tank. The last thing he needed was something as drastic as being able to sense other femmes. At the moment, Streak could only feel his father, and while he enjoyed the aura of safety that he provided, Streak preferred his mother's encompassing, nurturing presence. He kicked out again, making her wince.
"Did he act upon his threat?" Optimus asked, his voice developing an edge.
"Not directly, sir," Nightshade whispered.
"Explain to us what happened."
"He pushed me to the ground. He then proceeded to accost Chromia. I didn't quite hear what he said to Chromia, but he threatened to hurt someone. When I stood up, I kicked his feet out from beneath him. I warned him to leave and to never come back again, sir," Nightshade mumbled quietly. Optimus nodded. There were several quiet whispers from the Council and Prime's cabinet.
"She shouldn't even be up here," Leo hissed into Ratchet's audio receptor. Ratchet nodded crisply, glaring over at Prime.
"She was defendin' herself," Ironhide rumbled out quietly, though not quietly enough for Prime not to hear. Optimus shot him an irritated glare.
"Just sayin'," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"This is a waste of time," an older femme grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. The mech to her side snorted and nodded his agreement. Prime pointedly ignored them both.
"It has come to my attention that Emirate has asked for your punishment to be added to his sentence," Optimus said, ignoring the Council and his advisors as he brought a datapad from subspace, "in his letter of apology."
Nightshade nodded, glancing over at Emirate warily. He had not moved since the beginning of the trial.
"Very well," Optimus said. Nightshade looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to elaborate, but he did not speak for a few long moments. He seemed to be contemplating something.
"Did you or did you not spare Emirate's life?" Optimus asked suddenly.
"Yes, sir," Nightshade said, biting on her lower lip.
"Very well. What would you have me do?"
Nightshade frowned slightly, slowly lessening her ironclad 'grip' on Ratchet's spark. He sagged in relief.
"Sir, I do not understand the question."
"In having spared his life, you showed restraint when any one of us would have gladly killed him," Optimus said dryly, motioning at the mechs on either side of him, "and as such, you are entitled to suggest what you think is an appropriate punishment." Nightshade's optics went wide. She began to stammer.
"I-I...I don't know what to say..."
The whispering in the atrium grew louder. She distinctly heard threats against Emirate's life. Nightshade fidgeted, wringing her hands together nervously.
"Take as long as you would like, Nightshade," Optimus said gently. Nightshade was bewildered. She reached to Ratchet for help, but he gently pushed her away. This was her choice, not his, and he was certain that she would abide by his wishes.
"I...I think he should be put in the brig," she said quietly.
"For how long?" Optimus asked. He almost sounded amused.
"For how long?" she repeated, her voice strangely high, "I don't know, sir. What was the original sentence?"
"To begin with? One thousand vorns of imprisonment plus another one thousand vorns of hard labor. Then he would have been put to death by firing squad," Optimus rumbled out quietly. Emirate's optics looked even more ashen than before. Nightshade balked.
"I think the two thousand vorns will suffice," she said faintly, subconsciously raising her hand to cover the hold where Streak was hidden. Though no one could see underneath his mask, Optimus smiled at the tender gesture.
"Is there anything else that you want, Nightshade? Anything at all?" Ratchet interrupted, flexing the fist that housed his formidable saw. Optimus glared at him.
"Do not speak out of turn again, Councilmech Ratchet," he snapped.
"I apologize, sir," Ratchet said humbly, bowing his head. He sent a glare over at Emirate.
"I...I think I would like for his ship to be scavenged for parts. What can't be reused should be melted down and used to build additions to the base. I want him stripped of his rank, too," Nightshade said, shrugging her shoulders, "and I want for Maia to be freed from her contract. I want for her to have psychiatric help, too, and I think that she should be integrated back into society as soon as possible...oh. Sorry."
"Is that all, Nightshade?" Optimus asked, a small smile quirking the side of his lip components upward at her rambling. She shook her head, feeling heat rise in her cheek plates.
"When he is released, I would like for him to have the chance to start over - " Nightshade began timidly. Ratchet's incredulousness flowed into their bond, and he made to interrupt her and interject his opinion. Ironhide had leapt to his feet, a nasty scowl on his face plates. Whispers raced around the courtroom like wildfire. Nightshade crossed her arms, feeling as though she had been slapped.
"Silence!" Optimus boomed out over the frenzied whispering in the atrium. His voice echoed powerfully through the stone building, and instant silence fell over the gathered crowd.
"I will respect your wishes, Nightshade, but I think an explanation is in order," Optimus said. Ratchet leveled a glare at Optimus, but Leo's hand tightening on his arm reminded him to bite down his remark.
"Well, I don't think it's fair," she said, shrugging her shoulders. Optimus raised one optic ridge at her.
"He's been punished, there shouldn't be any reason that he be punished afterward as well," Nightshade said softly, "and if I've forgiven him, then I think everyone else can try." Ratchet glared at her, demanding that she recant her statement and go along with Prime's original decision. She held her ground firmly, reminding him that it was her choice. They glared at one another heatedly.
"Sir, I must contest the sentence," Ratchet said frostily, "he tried to kill her! What of the other things he has done?"
"Councilmech," Optimus rumbled out, "I will not throw you out on grounds of emotional distress. Half of the mechs here have a mate of their own - I'm certain that we understand the duties that we must uphold. However, it is not your place to decide his fate! I asked Nightshade, not you. Now take your vocalizer off line, or your mate will testify by herself!"
The warning had the intended effect. Ratchet went silent immediately at the thought of Nightshade facing Prime, his Council, and his advisory on her own.
"I will abide by your wishes, Nightshade, but he will serve the original sentence in addition to what you asked of me. He will not be put to death, but you forget that he must be punished for what he has done to Chromia and to Maia - please do not interrupt me, Nightshade," Optimus said, holding his hands up at her sudden anger, "if there hadn't been other circumstances, and you had been the only one kidnapped, I would have allowed Emirate to serve just the two thousand vorns. We must still hear what Maia has to say." Optimus's voice grew sharp at the end of his sentence. The femme nodded and backed down.
"You may be seated, Nightshade."
Nightshade nodded slowly, her hand rising once more to cover Streak protectively as she sat down beside her mother. The little mech shifted again, pressing his face against the wall of her carrying chamber in a vain attempt to access her spark. Day Lily rested her hand upon Nightshade's. He glanced around the room. His optics alighted upon Maia.
"Maia, please step forward," he said, as gently as he possibly could. The cream colored femme fairly trembled as she stood up. Moonracer grasped her hand gently as she led Maia to the front. Moonracer remained by Maia's side, offering the femme her comforting presence.
"Maia, do you testify for or against Emirate?" he asked. The femme kept her optics trained on the ground as she whispered softly.
"I-I don't know, sir," she whispered. Optimus made a soft, thoughtful noise.
"Will someone speak in her stead?" Optimus asked, glancing directly at Chromia. Chromia rose at Optimus's unspoken plea.
"I will speak in her stead," Chromia said softly. Maia wrung her hands together nervously, giving her a fear filled look. Maia didn't understand what was happening. All she asked for upon her release was to serve Chromia and Ironhide, but so far, no one had commented on her request. What was to happen to her now?
"Very well, Chromia. Do you testify against or for Emirate?" Optimus asked, turning to Chromia. Chromia avoided looking at Maia. She knew that the femme was obviously unable to make a decision on her own. She had never had any type of freedom before. The prospect of possibly increasing her old Master's time in prison was frightening to her.
"I testify against him," Chromia said quietly. Maia's shoulders sagged in relief. If Emirate was imprisoned, would she be allowed to serve Chromia?
"On what accusations, Chromia?" Optimus asked.
"On the grounds of physical, verbal, and mental abuse," Chromia said softly, glaring over at Emirate. The mech didn't move. It was as though he had trained all noise out.
"Please elaborate," Optimus said, his voice as heavy as his spark. Maia had not told Moonracer much of what had been done to her while imprisoned on the ship, so Optimus and Ratchet knew next to nothing about her.
"Maia?" Chromia prompted gently. It would be best if the words came from the femme herself. Maia gave her Mistress a glance, pleading for strength. Chromia squeezed her shoulder gently.
"Please tell Optimus what Emirate has done to you," Chromia said softly. Maia nodded at the order from her Mistress.
"Sir," Maia said, addressing Optimus, "what is it that you would like to know?"
"How old are you?"
"I am five hundred and forty vorns of age, sir," Maia said softly.
"And how long have you been bound to Emirate in service?" Optimus asked.
"Since the day I came of age, sir."
"Are you bound by contract?"
"Yes, sir. I was to serve on his ship from the day I matured into a femme."
"Do you have the document, Emirate?" Optimus asked, glancing over at the bound mech. Emirate shook his head.
"No, I do not, sir. It was lost during a skirmish," he said. Optimus nodded slowly.
"And what were the terms of service?" Optimus asked.
"There were none specified. All her creators asked was that I kept her from the Decepticons," Emirate said, "and I did so – "
He fell silent at Optimus's stony glare. There was quiet whispering from the Council. Maia fidgeted. The femme named Moonracer had done her physical examination, and upon seeing Maia's missing carrying chamber, her expression had turned cold. When Moonracer examined her spark casing, she turned downright furious. Maia didn't understand why. She hadn't done anything wrong…right?
"Maia? What did Emirate do to you?" Optimus asked. Maia fidgeted.
"He called me to his chambers almost every night," Maia said quietly, "and he would make me open my chest plates. I didn't understand what was happening, but it hurt for a little bit – "
She fell silent at the thunderous look on Optimus's face. The towering mech leapt to his feet, his optics flaring white in rage. Elita reached to him through their bond, soothing him. She was no less angry than he was, but there were humans present. Their ways and rites would be scrutinized, and the last thing that they needed was to be labeled as violent and backwards.
"Sir? Have I said something wrong?" Maia asked quietly, thinking that the rage was directed at her.
"How old were you?" Optimus growled out. Maia's grip on Chromia's hand tightened exponentially.
"For what, sir?" She could barely squeak the words out.
"The first time he took you into his chambers. How old were you?"
"It was after my spark separated from my mother's," Maia said, "it was the same day. I don't understand sir, have I done wrong?"
"No, Maia. You've done nothing wrong," Optimus said, stilling the rage in his spark. If Maia had still been a sub-adult, Optimus would not have hesitated to sever Emirate's head. Prime was a compassionate mech, but when an innocent was involved, he would gladly lay aside the mantle of peace to bring justice to the wronged. He sat back down slowly, his optics narrowed to slits as he glared at Emirate. He couldn't put Emirate to death.
Yet.
"Maia, was that the only thing he had you do?" Optimus asked gently. Maia shook her head.
"He made me clean, and care for the sparkling – "
"What sparkling?" he asked sharply, his hand starting to twitch slightly. No one had mentioned a sparkling to him. The involvement of yet another sparkling was making this a very complicated case. How could Nightshade think to spare his life after all that he had done? He cursed the femme's name momentarily. He soon realized that she showed wisdom beyond her years. Death would be too easy, too merciful. He would have to suffer before he was allowed death's embrace.
"The one he sired," Maia said, looking up at him in slight confusion.
"Where is it?" Optimus asked.
"I do not know for sure, sir. He left her with a family in the…Praxus nebula once the Decepticons began to target his ship for dilithium and dark matter. I had been aboard the ship for only a few orns when Astoria was left behind," Maia said quietly, shrugging her shoulders. She cast her gaze back down.
"Did he sire it by you?" Optimus asked.
"No, sir. It was by another femme. I never knew her name."
"Where is she?"
"She is with the sparkling, sir."
"Very well," Optimus said, relaxing slightly. The Praxus nebula had held nothing of value to the Decepticons except an old decrepit trading post, and that was where the Neutrals and surviving femmes had taken refuge. It had been relatively safe. If anything, survivors would arrive within the next two or three hundred vorns.
"I ran the ship while he was away," Maia said quietly, "he locked me in my quarters when he had guests on board the ship."
Optimus nodded. He was still quite angry, but he was beginning to reign it in. Emirate would pay dearly for what he had done to her. The matter of Maia's service to Emirate was a very grey area. Since neither one could provide the document, they would never know what the exact terms of the contract were. For all Optimus knew, Maia's creators had sold her as a consort, and if that had been the case, he could not punish Emirate with anything more than a slap on the wrist. He would have to go after her creators, but even then, all he could do was chastise them. In their society, sparklings were seen as property belonging to their creators. Prostitution and slavery were legal, deemed necessary by the previous Prime's council. Optimus nearly ground his dentas together at the thought of Emirate going unpunished. All he could ask was if he had tended to her basic needs – energy, shelter, and medical attention.
"Did he provide you with shelter?" Optimus asked. Maia nodded.
"I was given an entire wing of the ship to maintain as my home," Maia said softly.
"Did he provide energon for you?" Optimus asked. Maia nodded once more.
"He allowed me to access the energon taps freely."
"Did he provide medical attention whenever you needed it?"
"I have never been ill or injured, sir, and any minor scratches in my paint were repaired by my personal service drone," Maia responded, "I have been well maintained."
"Did he ever strike you?" Optimus asked, grasping for the last chance he had to incriminate Emirate.
"Yes, he did, sir," Maia responded, rubbing her arm absently. Optimus began to think quickly. It was frowned upon, but it was legal for a master to physically punish his or her servants and slaves, as long as it was merited. That, all in itself, was another matter all on its own, but it was all that Optimus had.
"Did you ever beat her, Emirate?" Optimus asked sharply, glaring at the mech. Emirate held his gaze defiantly for a moment before slowly nodding.
"How severely?" Optimus asked, his voice growing more dangerous. Emirate thought for a moment.
"Moderately. I never caused her any permanent physical damage," Emirate responded.
"I have nothing else to say," Optimus said, effectively ending the conversation, "does the Council have any questions?" No one spoke up.
"You may take your seat, Maia," Optimus said gently, inclining his head slightly at the femmes standing just behind Maia. Moonracer guided her back to her seat. Chromia returned to her seat beside Nightshade.
"We shall break for one half-joor to select a suitable course of action," Optimus said, rising from his seat. Ratchet and the other members followed in his footsteps. Nightshade trembled slightly as she clutched Chromia's hand. What was going to happen now? The punishment for attacking an unarmed Neutral was severe - one hundred stellar cycles or more depending on the severity of the attack. Though she had only knocked him down, it was still considered assault, and she would probably be sentenced for ten or fifteen stellar cycles. But what about her mate? What would happen to him? Would he be allowed to visit her? And what about Streak? Would Optimus take him from her while she was imprisoned? Chromia took her hand and squeezed it gently when Nightshade's intakes began to work feverishly.
And dear Primus, what of Maia? How were they going to help the femme understand what had been done to her? How would they integrate her back into society? The femme had been forced into his berth mere hours after maturing into an adult, and she didn't even know what had been happening to her body. Maia understood that femmes were able to conceive, and she knew that the ability had been taken from her when she was very young. She also knew that she could use the chamber in her chest to carry a little one.
However, she didn't know what interfacing was. What kind of exquisite pleasure she should have experienced her first time with a mech. She would never know the joys of carrying a spark and of rearing a sparkling of her own. Perhaps she would never even know what it was like to be a normal femme. Emirate had damaged her, physically and mentally.
Once in the privacy of an adjoining room, Optimus turned to the gathered mechs and femmes. Ratchet looked like he was about to spontaneously combust from anger. The mechs seated on either side of him subtly scoot their chairs away from him, leaving a sizable gap between them. The seething medic took no notice.
"Have you something to say, Councilmech Ratchet?" Optimus asked quietly.
"Damn straight I do, Optimus! I want the full sentence for him," Ratchet said through grit dentas, "I say we should put him to death tomorrow morning! What he's done is unforgivable, Optimus, you know that! He tried to break two bonds. What of the other things he's done, Optimus? I want retribution for what he's done against me and for what he's done against my femme. I also speak for Maia, and the disgusting things he did to her." His voice dropped into a growl. Several mechs murmured their agreement, Ironhide included.
"I vote in favor for the death sentence," Ironhide growled out. Optimus sighed in frustration as they began to argue amongst themselves.
"Silence!" Optimus commanded, "I will not put Emirate to death. Nightshade has begged me not to kill him. I will not take his life." Ratchet fixated him with an unreadable look.
"She never discussed that with me," he said bitterly.
"Because she knew how you would react, Ratchet. The last thing she needs right now is more stress," Optimus responded flatly, narrowing his optics at Ratchet meaningfully. Ratchet immediately went silent, but he continued to simmer quietly. Optimus pinched the bridge of his nasal plate as he shuttered his optics. Once he had gathered his thoughts, he began to speak.
"First, we must discuss the contract that Emirate had with Chromia's creators," Optimus said. He glanced around the room, leaning back in his chair.
"I believe that it would be in everyone's best interests if it was considered null and void on accounts of Chromia having already been bonded," Optimus said. There were soft murmurs of agreement from around the table. Optimus nodded, and made a note of the decision on a thick datapad.
"Does anyone contest that?" There was silence. "Very well. Chromia is released from her obligation to Emirate," Optimus said, scribbling a note to reexamine bonding ceremony protocol in the margin of his datapad.
"Now, I understand that this is a sensitive topic, but we must discuss Nightshade's punishment - " He was drowned out immediately by twenty six protesting mechs and femmes.
"Silence!" Optimus commanded again, rubbing his cranial unit, "I will not tolerate any type of attack on a Neutral. One hundred stellar cycles is the normal sentence. I know that asking this is pointless, but does anyone contest that sentence?" Twenty six voices immediately began clamoring once again.
"She can't be locked away for that long!" Ironhide growled out, slamming one massive fist against the table. Leo steadied his energon cube, glaring over at Ironhide. Leo wiped up the mess and turned back to Prime.
"She was fully justified in her every action," Leo responded haughtily, "and it says on page sixty three thousand, four hundred and ninety six, that 'in the event of a life threatening situation, a mech or femme has the right to defend him or herself, those who cannot defend themselves, and – '"
"You should be giving her a medal, Optimus," Elita said loudly, interrupting Leo as she crossed her arms over her chest plates and smirked at the muttered agreements. Optimus sighed at the stinging disapproval emanating from Elita's half of their bond.
"She will be punished. I must uphold our laws," Optimus said carefully.
"Then what do you suggest?" Elita asked acidly, crossing her arms angrily.
"She will be restricted to her quarters for the next orn, or until she is well enough to work, and after that, she will have to do her standard shifts plus one half joor in the nursery for five orns," Optimus threw out. Ratchet smirked suddenly. This wasn't punishment for Nightshade. She would be ecstatic to work extra hours in the nursery.
"Does anyone contest that sentence?" Optimus asked dryly.
"Perhaps an escort," Elita said, a wicked grin flitting across her face plates, "you know, in case she tries to sneak away from her work." Optimus rolled his optics up to the sky. Primus only knew what would happen if he had someone shadow Nightshade for the six orns.
"And who, pray tell, do you suggest that we assign to follow Nightshade around?" Optimus asked, his voice even drier than before. He knew what Elita was about to say.
"As Femme Commander, I will subject myself to keeping one of my femmes in line," Elita said, managing to make it sound like a chore. A muffled snort erupted from Ironhide's vocalizers. Chromia would have kittens if Elita was given six orns off to keep Nightshade 'in line'.
"That is unnecessary, I'll follow her around," Ratchet said, leering over at Elita, "I'll keep my mate out of trouble." Optimus choked and spluttered in indignation.
"Ratchet!" he said, "this is getting ridiculous. Nightshade is restricted to her apartment and places of work for six orns. She will not require an escort." Ratchet grumbled quietly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Is this satisfactory?" Grudgingly, the twenty six members nodded.
"Now…about Maia," Optimus said, folding his hands across his lap. Ratchet sighed, opening their copy of the Book of Codes. Optimus watched as Ratchet flipped through the pages aimlessly. He hoped for a moment that Ratchet could find a loop-hole in their laws, that he could find a way to punish Emirate for what he did to Maia, but he knew that it was hopeless. He knew the entire thing by spark, and with shame, realized that he too had fault. He had not amended laws regarding the rights of consorts and slaves, and as such, he was just as guilty as those who had written the laws.
"I demand that he be put to death!" Ironhide bellowed, standing up suddenly, "I don't care if he's protected by yer laws, Prime! What he did ain't right!" The chair went flying and hit the ground with a thud. Optimus sighed and rubbed his face plates again. It was going to be a long while before he could come up with a satisfactory punishment for Emirate.
"Ironhide, we're going to talk about Maia. She is released from her contract, and she will be receiving psychological evaluation," Optimus said, "I do believe that she'll feel more comfortable with other femmes."
Elita nodded.
"Moonracer and I will take good care of her, Optimus," Elita said quietly. It wouldn't be the first time that she and Moonracer had cared for a femme who had been violated. Elita wished she could say that Maia would recover, but after Emirate accessing her spark at his will, she didn't think that Maia ever would. The only thing Elita could be glad for was that Emirate had not bonded with her. At least she was safe from him in that aspect.
Ratchet nodded.
"I've already begun to talk to her, Optimus. She doesn't seem to have much of a problem socializing with mechs or femmes, but it's unnerving how detached she has become from the world around her," Ratchet said quietly, "he's done more than take advantage of her. He's destroyed any type of free will that she may have ever had. I don't know if we'll be able to give that back to her."
Optimus nodded, sighing heavily.
"The most I can punish him for is beating her," he said softly, "and even then, he could contest that. I only wish that I would have realized sooner what the consequences of my procrastination could be." Elita brushed up against his spark reassuringly.
"We'll help her through this, Optimus," Elita said, "but for now, we must do what we can to prevent this from ever happening again."
Optimus nodded, his spark still torn at being unable to do anything against Emirate for what he had done to Maia.
"Very well. For Emirate's punishment – yes, Ironhide, I know you want him to be put to death, but Nightshade has already asked me not to kill him."
Ironhide grumbled, glaring over at Ratchet as though he was the one who had pled for Emirate's life. Ratchet returned the steely glare.
"For his actions against Chromia and Nightshade, I propose the following: we must finish building the city, and he will do labor alongside his drones. After that period of time, however long it may be, he will be sentenced to ten vorns of solitary confinement in the brig. This will be followed by one thousand vorns of imprisonment with brief periods to socialize. He will be given limited rights. After he is finished, we will return him to hard labor for as long as I see fit. He will be free to live his life after that, so long as he behaves," Optimus said, thinking carefully. If he confined Emirate to solitary for too long, he would eventually go mad.
"For what he has done to Maia, all I can punish him with is a reprimand and ten vorns in prison."
Ironhide began to snarl.
"Ironhide, please don't make this any more difficult than it already is," Prime said wearily, "I know that you want vengeance, Ironhide, but his death will not solve a thing. We will have one less mouth to provide for, yes, but what of Maia? She'll never be able to face the mech that took everything she had if we do kill him."
Ironhide seemed to relax at Optimus's words.
"It's a shame we can't use him as a trainin' drone," Ironhide muttered, and Optimus knew that it was Ironhide's way of conceding. Optimus gave him a thankful smile, and they began to discuss the amendments to their Book of Codes.
The next four hours dragged by slowly for Nightshade. Sometime during the wait, she, Day Lily, and Chromia had retreated from the well-wishers and the curious 'bots. They took up post in one of the other rooms, sipping their cubes of energon quietly. Chromia was sitting against the wall with both feet on a nearby chair. Nightshade was sitting beside her, resting her head against her friend's shoulder. Chromia didn't complain at the physical contact, even though she was slightly uncomfortable with it. Day Lily sat on Nightshade's other side, her head resting against the wall behind her as well.
Nightshade took down the block around Streak, waking him in the process. He was much more irritable than usual. He kicked out hard, making Nightshade gasp in pain. Streak began squirming restlessly. He fluttered in and out of their bond, searching for Ratchet. When he found that he couldn't find his sire, he gave a loud, plaintive wail, pouring his distress into his bond with Nightshade. He grew more and more frantic as the seconds passed by.
The femmes watched as Nightshade began to fret.
"What's the matter, sweetspark?" Day Lily asked, touching Nightshade's shoulder. The femme winced as she placed a hand over her carrying chamber.
"Streak's being insufferable," Nightshade hissed out, wincing as Streak began to take his frustration out on the walls of her carrying chamber. She opened her link to Ratchet, pleading that he do something - anything - to help calm Streak. Ratchet responded immediately, firmly, but gently wrapping his presence around the panicking sparkling. Once Streak realized that he wasn't being abandoned by his sire, he settled down almost instantly.
Nightshade sighed, shuttering her optics and leaning back in the seat. She could feel his little hands mapping out the silicone-lined walls. It was a gesture he went through before and after every recharge cycle without fail. Ever since Emirate had wrestled Streak out of her hold, he could not recharge without making sure that he was being carried by his mother. Once he was satisfied, he wriggled around until he was facing her spark and pressed his face against the wall. He stuck his thumb into his mouth, and within moments, was deep in recharge.
Day Lily and Chromia shared a relieved glance when Nightshade finally relaxed.
"Has he gone to sleep?" Chromia asked. Nightshade nodded.
"He's still a bit panicky when either one of us don't respond to him," Nightshade said, carefully and slowly sitting up. Streak kicked out gently at the shift in gravity, but didn't wake up.
"Poor guy," Chromia said quietly, "is he still nervous around mechs?"
Day Lily made a soft humming noise, stroking Nightshade's shoulder comfortingly. Though Nightshade was fully grown, her femme creator could comfort her without speaking a word. Nightshade brought her legs up onto the seat, resting her head against her mother's shoulder. Day Lily wrapped her arms around Nightshade, shushing her quietly. Nightshade shuttered her optics, a small smile drifting across her face plates at the familiar sound of her mother's fuel pump.
"We haven't tried to introduce him to anyone else yet, not even to my creators. He fritzed yesterday when I set him down in his crib. I only turned away for a few moments so that I could get a cube of energon," Nightshade said quietly, "Ratchet had to hold him to stop the crying." She sighed. "Maybe he'll be more at ease tonight." Day Lily nodded.
"He will be most comfortable if you introduce him to the femmes he is already familiar with," Day Lily said absently.
Nightshade nodded. She and Ratchet were hosting a small get-together for their closest friends tonight. They were going to attempt to introduce Streak to their closest companions. If things went well tonight, they would properly present Streak sometime in the next few months.
"He had to take the rest of the day off. Streak started wailing the moment he couldn't see the both of us," Nightshade whispered, "I don't know what I'm doing half the time, but I'm glad that you don't mind me messaging for help at all hours of the day, momma." Day Lily smiled, stroking Nightshade's back gently. Ratchet may have known what to do with a sparkling in the medical bay, but as a father, he was nearly useless. He had no previous experience with sparklings except for his younger brother, and even then, it had been a tragically brief amount of time. Nightshade was no exception, either. Ember and Evergreen were younglings. Nothing could quite prepare either one of them for the arrival of a completely defenseless sparkling.
"It'll be okay, sweetspark," Day Lily murmured soothingly, "just tell me what's the matter and we'll sort through it, alright?" Nightshade nodded slowly. The door opened suddenly. Chromia scowled, ready to tell the intruder off, but smirked when she saw her seething Femme Commander.
"What did you do?" Chromia asked expectantly, patting the seat beside her.
"I said a few things that I shouldn't have said. Optimus kicked me out until I 'cooled' down. Hello, Day Lily," she grumbled quietly, "how are you and Streak doing, Nightshade?"
"Streak's still a bit nervous when Ratchet isn't around," Nightshade said, "I have to reassure him constantly, and Primus forbid if Ratchet doesn't respond to Streak when he wants attention."
"Not that the little one isn't already rusted through from all of the attention," Day Lily murmured softly, ignoring her daughter's swift glare. Elita and Chromia both chuckled. Nightshade was already a pampered femme, but with a sparkling? She and the little one would both be fussed over by the other femmes and some of the mechs until they both fell apart at the seams.
"He'll be fine soon, Nightshade. We all need a little bit of time to adjust," Elita said quietly.
"How are you and Optimus? You two are still visiting tonight, right?" Nightshade asked, sitting up so that she could speak to Elita directly. Streak mewled quietly in his sleep, rubbing his nasal plate against the thick silicone pad underneath him.
"Yes, we are," Elita said, smiling when Nightshade once again covered her carrying chamber with her hand.
"Good," Nightshade said, smiling. Elita stiffened in her seat, drawing the femmes' attention. Her optics brightened for an astrosecond as she read a text message. The other femmes shared worried glances.
"We've got to go. They've all come to an agreement on sentences," Elita said sadly, watching as Nightshade's demeanor went from content to anxious, "don't worry about a thing, Nightshade. I can't say any more, but there's nothing for you to worry about."
Nightshade nodded miserably, and together, the four femmes made their way back to the atrium.
It took only a few minutes for the 'bots to take their seats. The air fairly buzzed from the tension. Once Optimus sat down in his seat, the room went deadly silent.
"Nightshade, come forward," Optimus said. Nightshade obeyed quietly. When she was standing before him, Optimus spoke.
"Nightshade, your original sentence was going to be a total of ten full stellar cycles in the brig with limited visitation from Ratchet to uphold his duties as your bond-mate. Since Emirate has asked for your punishment to be added to his, I will do so," Optimus said quietly, "and since we cannot tolerate any type of attack on a Neutral, I must override your wishes and punish Nightshade. It is only fair that I do so. No one is above the law here, Nightshade."
Nightshade felt her fuel tank disappear, and she suddenly felt very cold. Ratchet reached to her gently. She latched onto his presence, genuinely frightened. Was she really to be locked away for two hundred and sixty orns? He soothed her again, silently promising her that he would rather die than to see her locked away for that long.
"Nightshade, you will receive a verbal warning after the sentencing. You are restricted to your quarters for one orn starting tomorrow morning at the end of the first joor. Afterward, you will be doing regular shifts plus an extra half joor each day in the nursery for five orns. Since dancer is your primary function, I will give you the choice to perform at the social gathering this Friday. You are also expected to make a public apology for your actions," Optimus said, "do you understand the terms of your punishment?"
"Yes, sir," she said quietly. The verdict stung a little, but she knew it was much lighter because of Emirate's wishes and of the sparkling she carried. Had Optimus not known about Streak, she would have bet credits that her term would have been at least five stellar cycles in the brig.
"Emirate, once we resume construction on Autobot City, you and your drones will be carrying out hard labor from sun-up to sun-down of every day. You will be allowed one day off once every ten orns until the city is completed. After that, you will be incarcerated for eight thousand vorns plus ten stellar cycles starting the day after the city is officially opened. After both terms have been fulfilled, you will submit to psychiatric evaluation once every four orns. If you show any type of relapse into your old ways, then you'll be put back into the brig for as long as I see fit. Do you understand?" Optimus asked, glancing down at the once-proud mech. Emirate nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well. Since it will be long term imprisonment, you may work to earn credits. I won't have you lying about all day. What do you specialize in?" Optimus asked. Surprisingly, Ratchet had been the one to suggest that Emirate have a way to earn credits. It wouldn't do to have him locked away for so long and release him without a credit to his name.
"I was lord of my estate, and I dabbled in trade," Emirate responded.
"Is that all?" Emirate nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, we shall convene in three days' time and we shall select a suitable profession for you. Are there any complaints or comments that must be addressed now? There will be no appeals for this hearing," Optimus warned quietly. Silence reigned over the room.
"Very well. This hearing is concluded. Prowl, Barricade - please escort Emirate to his cell. Everyone else, you are dismissed," Optimus said, standing up. Ratchet didn't wait for Optimus to dismiss the council. He immediately leapt to his feet and hurried over to Nightshade. She and Streak both wanted him close by, and he wasn't about to deny them their sparks' wishes.
This is the end of the first half of the epilogue. :3