Michael was sat in a simple basic chair. The seat and back were made of the same mould of plastic and was attached to metal legs. There was a table in front of him that took up most of the room. The room was perfectly square in shape. The table was rectangular and one of the short sides was up against the wall with a tape machine bolted to that end. It was an old one, probably twenty years old, maybe older.
The walls were made of a blue padding and an alarm strip was set up three feet from the floor and went completely around the room. It was dark, a standard round light shade diffused the light
evenly.
Michael stared at the door facing him opened and two men walked in. The first one was clearly the one in charge. He had that look of being in control, he was calling the shots, he was the superior. The second one was the lackey, did what he was told to do.
They both wore suits. The lead guy was a big block American stylized black while the follower had a more conservative slim grey with the obvious stitching in the lapels.
Both of them sat in identical chairs on the other side of the table. The lead guy had a tape cassette in his pocket. He opened one of the two tape compartments in the tape machine and place the cassette in, closed it up and hit the record button. The machine played out a high pitch tone for exactly three seconds.
"Interview conducted at twenty two thirty on the Twenty Ninth of March. Present are Detective Chief Inspector Davies and Detective Sergeant Llewellyn. The suspect will state his name"
"Michael Rickers"
"Also you have declined to have legal representation. For the benefit of the tape, can you confirm this?"
"That is correct"
Davies leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table "Where did you get the gun?"
Michael stared at him for a moment "No comment"
"Earlier this evening a tackle and hunting shop on Albany road had been burgled. Was it you?"
"No comment"
Llewellyn placed a photo on the table for Michael to see, it was a grainy black and white photo.
"For the tape, I'm showing the suspect, photo two eight six. This was taken by a security camera in the shop. As you can see the burglar is very tall. Tall like you wouldn't you say?"
"No comment"
Davies leaned in close, right in Michael's face "Now, I don't know what your problem is, but I do not take kindly to people with firearms, or firing them wildly right in the middle of Queen Street for that matter. In fact I take a very dim view of guns full stop. I will see to it that you will face punishment of the highest degree that the law allows. So you better change your attitude very quickly and stop your silent crap"
Michael smirked "No comment"
Davies leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath and continued on "The shop owner told the police that all his guns have long barrels. But the one you were in possession of was a short barrel. So you cut off a bit then. Why? So you could conceal it?"
"No comment"
"Also we've had the forensics report. Seems the shots within the cartridges had been removed. Know anything about that?"
"No comment"
"Now, you see this is what I don't get. You break into a shop, steal a weapon and ammunition. You could do all sorts with that. Go and commit armed robbery or something similar. But no, you remove the shots from the cartridges therefore making them non lethal. Then you go to the busiest street in the city and make as much attention as possible. Did you want to be arrested or something? Because I at least want to know what made you decide to go ahead with what you did tonight"
"No comment" Michael repeated.
Davies paused. He wasn't to sure how to proceed, in all likelihood any question would be answered with silence. From his years of experience if someone wanted to get attention they would bang on about it till they were blue in the face. The person in front of him, just didn't fall into that category of person. It didn't make sense and Davies really did not like that.
In a quick move he hit the stop button.
"Put that back on right now" Michael demanded.
"Oh so you do speak. So then, why? Just tell me that. Man to man. Why did you do it"
Michael paused. Gathered his thoughts. He gave the look that he was trying to decide whether to say or not. But it was just a bluff "When I was in the custody suite, did the custody sergeant log me on the PNC?" Michael referred to the National Police Computer.
"Of course. So?"
"Well then you've got about under two hours before somebody with special paperwork will barge in and take me away. There are things going on that you cannot get involved in. That's all your getting from me"
Michael quickly reached across and hit the record button and the three second long tone filled the room again.
"Tape restarted after malfunction. Can you confirm that please?"
"Confirmed" Michael replied.
"So then, where were we?" Davies asked and the interview carried on. Lot's of the same question and the same answer.
Back in the Autobot base, Baines was sat at one on the computers next to the ground bridge controls. He was trawling the news websites for anything that could have been Michael.
"Hey, Raphael" He called for the young boy who was busy away typing away at his laptop doing his homework at the other end of the desk. Raf looked over his laptop, waiting for what the admiral had to say to him "I hear your good at computers? Could you help me out for a second?"
"Sure" Raf replied.
He got off his office chair and walked over to Baines "What's the problem?"
"I'm trying to find anything on the internet that might have some connection as to how Michael will give himself up to the police. I need to know as soon as possible. Anything you can do to help speed up the search on the web?"
Raf thought about for a few seconds until an idea formed in his mind. As soon as it did he reached for the computer and started working away.
"What I can do is set up a algorithm that will detect what certain criteria you put in so-"
"Look, please don't try to explain it to me" Baines cut off the boy "I'm not as computer literate as you. I can barely manage at making a text so, just do what you need do and don't explain. I simply won't understand you"
"Sorry" Raf got busy at typing away.
"Don't apologize, not your fault I'm an old fogey who doesn't know these things"
Raf type away and got on with it without explaining. Baines watched closely to see if he could learn a thing or two, but the young boy was quick, very quick.
"Why haven't you got a job yet? You work faster than most technical officer's I know" Baines said. Raf didn't reply, he was too engrossed with his work.
"Hear we are" The boy spoke. He moved aside so Baines could see "This has just appeared on the internet moments ago"
Baines read the news article. It was very sketchy in details, very short and brief but it was enough.
"Well, I think this is what we're looking for. I'll wait for more information first. Thanks Raphael"
Michael was laying on a mattress in his cell. DCI Davies had got bored of getting no answers to any of his questions so he had Michael put back in his cell ready to be interviewed in the morning. But Michael was sure he wasn't going to be in the station by then. He laid back, using his hand to cushion his head. During the evening he had heard others being put in other cells. Most were drunk and making a lot of noise and being abusive to the police. But they were not his concern. They broke the law, pure and simple. They'd be interviewed in the morning and most likely be realised on bail or set free with fines or cautions, some would be transferred to the prison on remand if they weren't given bail. Michael was glad he stayed awake during his law lectures at the academy, after listening to a Bulgarian trying to explain it, made it all that much harder.
His thoughts were stopped by the shutter of the door being lowered by the duty custody sergeant.
"Alright butt? Someone here to see you likes" He said in a thick South Wales accent.
Michael sat up and swung his feet on the mattress and to the floor.
"Yeah, alright boss. I'm all proper tidy like, so you can them in" Michael replied in a similar accent.
The shutter closed and the door was unlocked, the sound of the lock being turned was very loud. The door opened and the sergeant stood in the doorway. He checked the cell just in case Michael had planned something, when he satisfied he stepped aside while still holding the door and the person who took the sergeants place was Barnaby wearing yet another boring light grey suit.
"Hello again Mr Rickers" He said. He stepped into the cell and with a simple gesture, he dismissed the sergeant who left the door open.
"Why are you here?" Michael asked. He didn't get up. Just sat on the mattress.
"Trying to do my job. It's hard to keep a tribunal going without the defendant there. I'm here to get you back to London as soon as. So if your ready to go, we can going straight away"
"You mean to get in a prison as soon as" Michael murmured.
"Look, I know you don't like me. I'd be the same, but I'm only doing my job. The Home Office sent me to represent them in the tribunal. It's nothing personal, but we all do what we have to do"
"Tell me, who in the Home Office started this?" Michael asked.
"You think I'm going to tell you. Well I ain't. Now get up and we'll be on our way"
Michael huffed and got up. Barnaby smiled and walked out the cell first with Michael in tow. They walked down the small corridor and to the metal cage door. The sergeant was waiting for them. He unlocked the door and let the two through. The sergeant led them to the desk and began the process and releasing Michael. A few forms had to be filled in and signed. All of Michaels possessions were given back, expect for the shotgun and rounds or anything else that might have been considered an offensive weapon.
After the two were directed through to the front entrance on the station. Outside the air was cold and the ground was wet after another rain shower had fallen over the city. On the tarmac waiting was a silver BMW 5 series. The driver in a black slim cut suit got out of the car and opened the back nearside door. Barnaby slid in first and slid across to the other side and Michael got in after him. The driver closed the door and went round the front and got in the drivers seat. The engine was already running and the car glided down the deserted wide street.
Back at the Autobot base Baines was flicking through channels on the TV. He was clearly frustrated by it, so much he was getting prepared to throw the remote at the screen.
"Damn it, how many channels are there?" He thought aloud.
It was at that moment Bulkhead roared into the base, the heavy metal music blasting out from his cabin carrying a very animated and lively Japanese teenager. Said teenager practically leaped out from Bulkhead and made a dash for it up to the steps to the humans living platform.
The two partners were discussing what their plans were, more dune bashing, monster truck rallies or music.
Baines blanked them out as he tried to find the channel he was looking for.
Miko stopped when she noticed the Admiral flicking channels quickly. It was a very unusual sight. Something that needing investigating.
"So, whatcha doing?" She asked carefully.
"How many channels are on this thing?"
"You wanna watch TV? Wicked. I know a channel that showing a demolition derby right now"
"No!" Baines shouted out of frustration. Miko was shocked by his sudden outburst. Baines saw what he did and immediately apologized "I'm sorry. No, I'm looking for a UK news channel"
"Oh, erm. Well that's easy enough" Miko said holding her hand out for the remote. The admiral handed in over and she quickly pulled up a menu and pulled up the list of news channels on offer.
"I've got a few here... do the BBC have that many news channel's?" She asked looking at three channels on display.
"That right. Can you put the top one on please"
Miko selected the 24 hour channel "Soo, don't watch much TV eh?"
"Haven't got the time, plus don't have it at sea so I got use to not having it" He answered in a short simple way.
"I couldn't imagine not having TV, my life would be officially over"
Baines looked away from the screen for a moment. He patted on the seat asking the teenage girl to sit.
Miko was worried she had said something wrong and was about to get a telling off. She sat on the edge of seat, back straight and hands resting on her knees.
"When I was your age, we only had one TV in the house, it only had three channels, all in black and white and it started during breakfast and would end at ten at night on the dot. That was it. Not many children of my generation watched TV. We did many other stuff out on the street. So there is more to life than TV and video games. So your life wouldn't be officially over. It would be a liberation. So don't just sit there, get out and muck about while you still have the freedom of not having to work, because once you become old enough to work, you'll never have that time again. You understand what I'm saying?"
Miko slowly nodded.
"Good. Now if wouldn't mind" Baines gave a short smile. The girl got up and went over to catch up with Bulkhead now with a bit more to think about.
Baines watched the news till he saw the article he read online earlier. For the moment the news was focusing on the recent budget set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and yet even more defence cuts. Not the news he really want to know about. The Rear Admiral already gone to the Vice Admiral deputy chief of staff of the navy and the thought of another meeting with him wasn't pleasing. But another matter for another time.
Then he saw the news that he was interested in for the time being. He listened intently catching all the details that was know so far and the speculative rumours. But there was one piece of information he wanted to see spread all over the news, sadly it was not to be. It would have to do.
He watched more and more with the news going onto over stories and and coming back to the one he was interested in. Again no change and the cycle of news kept going round and round. Soon his mobile rang and quickly he answered the the call.
The next morning in London outside the hotel in Westminster Baines' black Jaguar pulled up outside with a white minibus following up behind it. Baines got out from his car while the passengers on the minibus got out as well. The group led by the admiral walked up the steps into the hotel foyer. The group filed inside and stood in the centre. There was a grey suit on guard by the lift. Baines followed by the holograms of Optimus and Elita approached to the lift.
The grey suit side stepped in front of the lift door "I'm sorry, only one can see him at a time"
Baines was fuming mad, it was bad enough asked been searched the first time, but this pushed him over the edge. With both his hands he grabbed the grey suit by the lapels and threw the man to one side who lost his footing and slid across the tile floor. Other grey suits ran over to assist the one on the floor while another tried to stop anyone from going into the lift.
The admiral pointed at him "Don't, just don't"
The man stepped away from the door and allowed the three in the lift.
Baines, Optimus and Elita rode the lift to the floor where Michael was being held. They walked the corridor to his door where another man in a grey suit was on guard. Baines rapped the door and few moments later Michael opened it.
There was no greeting, just silence. Baines let the other two go in first the looked to the suit of guard.
"Stand over there" He pointed to the opposite side of the door "I so much as find you trying to listen in and I'll have the red caps here before you could make any excuse" The way it was said led to suggest that it wasn't an empty threat. The man did as order without fuss. Baines slipped through the door and closed it behind him.
"You want a cuppa?" Michael asked.
"Sure, get that kettle boiling"
Michael stepped over to the kitchen worktop and picked up the kettle then took it over to the small bathroom, put it under the tap and fill it with water and back to the worktop then set it to boil.
"So how did I do?" Michael asked.
"Well, you got to national television level. But the police haven't given the press much to work with so you didn't get plastered all over the media. But you did good anyhow. I only hope they saw it, whomever they are"
Michael put a teabag in a mug and pour the hot water in with it "Well I hope it was worth a few hours in the cells. So what happens now?"
Optimus answered that one "We go back to where we were before. We continue with the hearing and we prove your innocence"
"How? How are we gonna do that? If they can get around a code five what chance do I have?"
"We've got help" Elita said, she walked over to Michael rubbing his shoulder then went to finish making the tea. Straining the teabag and getting the milk out of the fridge adding that to the tea and handing it over to Baines.
"Grand" Baines accepted the mug taking a sip.
"He was able to ask the MI5 director of operations to give evidence" Elita explained.
Michael's mouth hung open. He looked at Elita then at Baines.
"Control? How?"
Baines drank some more "You have your ways Michael. So do I"
Michaels laughed in a restrained tittered way.
Baines finished his mug "Well, lets get down there and finish this off shall we"
The four went for the door. Baines went first and found the man on guard standing opposite the door. They walked down the corridor and shuffled into the lift. They rode it down to the foyer and shuffled out of it and made there way towards the others waiting for them. The grey suits didn't try to intervene, not with a admiral on a short fuse with them.
As Baines had requested, the others appeared not to be overjoyed at seeing Michael again, maintaining the illusion to whomever might be watching. But soon enough they were all ushered into the tribunal room and slowly everyone took their seats.
Once again just after them Mr Barnaby shuffled in quietly and took his seat without a word and got his papers out of his fake leather briefcase.
The double doors opened and the three panel members entered with everyone standing up. The three took their seats and everyone followed suit.
Major General Simmons inspected everyone in the room "Well I can say it's good to see a full attendance, despite recent events. I don't wish to know the reasons as to why and quite frankly I don't care. That will be a matter for the police and the Home Office" He looked in the direction of Baines "I believe you have witness you wish to cross reference?"
Baines stood up from his chair "Yes general, I do. I wish to call up the operations director of MI5"
The major general signalled to the man guarding the door to open the door. The guard did as commanded and let a fifty something year old man into the tribunal room.
He walked towards the witness box and gave a quick glance to the hologram of Arcee sitting in the group on the opposite side. He took his position behind the isolated table and waited.
The Major General spoke to the man "Now I understand that you need to keep secrets as part of your job so if you feel that anything you say might be of a problem for current operational reason then you reserve the right to say nothing. Is that understood?"
"Completely"
Simmons looked back at Baines and gestured him to start his cross examination.