The Diego Diaries: Skills (475) edited
-0-In the jail at Watch Substation #4
It got deadly quiet.
Ratchet glanced from Prowl to Dex and offered silent thanks to Primus that there were bars up. Dex could have been a smear on the floor otherwise. He turned to Prowl whose gaze was fixed on the mech before him. "If you punch him, I'll be your alibi. We were looking for couches."
Prowl stared at Dex, then glanced at Ratchet. "I am not fond of animal prints. I do however admire a splash of color here and there."
"I draw the line at fuchsia." Ratchet grinned.
"I can see your point," Prowl said as he returned his gaze to Dex. "You are in this jail for disturbing the peace. I also find it not only personally and professionally offensive for your behavior but I find it blasphemous. Primus made it clear as representative to us. Until all are one. The caste system is not only illogical and illegal, its blasphemous."
"It is the only way we can make progress. You know it. You benefited from it. Look at the education you received, the protoform you have. How can you stand there and say what you say when you benefited? You have always been at the top," Dex said with more than a little heat. "What kind of hypocrite are you?"
"Well, that's how big an idiot you are, Dex," Ratchet said. "Prowl has been against the caste system since he was born. You didn't answer the obvious question. I am assuming you are religious, correct?" Ratchet asked.
Dex looked at Ratchet warily. "I don't have to talk to you, low caste. Ironhide must have been drunk the moment you bonded."
Ratchet snorted, then laughed. "Actually, he was. But he will be the first to tell you he bonded in a horizontal direction. And let it not be forgotten, slagger. If Ironhide wanted your sandwich you would have to give it up. How does that sit with you, smart aft?"
Heavy treads sounded behind them as more mechs entered the room. Blackjack and Ironhide followed Optimus. They walked to the cell, then paused. "Maybe we can find out now," Blackjack said. "Someone get this slagger a sandwich."
Prowl glanced at Blackjack, then Prime. "This person entered the City Hall and pitched a fit. He was taken out in chains."
Optimus nodded, then glanced at Dex. "You were just let out of jail. Now here you are."
"I came to the City Hall to speak to Fenix. No one would allow it," Dex said angrily.
"Magnus? What happened?" Prime asked.
"This mech walked into the City Hall and demanded to speak to Fenix. He had no appointment and he abused the staff. I won't have it among my staff. No one in this city has the right to abuse them in any way."
Behind them the sound of more footsteps could be heard. Then Fenix entered the room. He looked around warily, then saw Dex behind bars. Dex saw him too. "Fenix! Good thing you are here. These slaggers have arrested me."
Fenix looked up at Prime. "Sir, what is the status of this mech?"
Prime glanced at Barron and Jarro. "This mech is in custody for offenses. He will have to face court over his behavior," Barron said. "The charges have been made. Of course, under modified martial law you, Prime have the latitude to dismiss them."
Prime considered that, then turned to Dex. "If you want out of that cell I want your oath to the Matrix that you will discard the caste system and accept the laws and regulations of our new paradigm."
"Are you mad?" Dex asked with astonishment. "I can't do that."
"You don't love your culture, your god?" Prowl asked equally aghast. "How can you put your selfishness over the good of our species?"
"How can you bond with a low caste? How can you turn your back on your culture yourself? We have a system that has taken us to the peak of our glory. When we abandoned that we fell."
Prowl felt fury rise up and even the quenching emotions of Prime weren't enough. He stepped closer. "WE ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FALL! OUR GREED AND HATRED! Our people suffered, our culture fell and even Primus turned his face away. We were alone. Now we get to do the right thing here. No one will follow you and your mad notions, Dex. Not you, not the Iacon Order, not anyone. We have found our footing here. Get it straight," he hissed.
Dex glared at Prowl. "Say whatever you want, Prowl. In the end, the system will rise again."
"No it won't," Optimus said, his own fuse smoldering. "That will never happen again. If I have to exile you I will, Dex. You had better get it straight."
Dex looked at him, then Fenix who stood with a pensive expression on his face. "What are you going to do, Fenix? He's threatening us. What about it?"
Fenix looked up at Prime. "Sir, I would like to handle this mech's case. I would also like to reiterate that the high castes here feel marginalized and endangered."
"How does it feel?" Ratchet asked in spite of himself. "I remember when I got candy once in a while that my genitors didn't eat. I didn't realize it as the time but when I did, I told them that I didn't like candy anymore. How does it feel?"
Fenix stared at Ratchet a moment, then Prime. His expression was hard to read. Prime looked at Ratchet, then nodded. "I remember that too. I remember being cold. I remember worrying about whether my genitors would die in their factory because it was so poorly maintained."
Ratchet nodded. "My genitors had their tools in all the museums of Cybertron. But their names weren't allowed to be put on them. They didn't make a shanix from their own designs and finished products. I remember being cold, hungry and beat down. I don't think that matters to this slagger though. I doubt that matters to you, Fenix. After all, you are so pure and elevated. What kind of good mech, what kind of elevated processor would allow this kind of thing to happen to the greatest number of their own people? Did you know that as a child I was hungry?"
Fenix stared at Ratchet, then the others. "I am sorry. But its past. What we have to deal with is the here and now."
"And we are. The System is done. It is over. I tell you that from the influence of the Matrix and because it is a commandment of The One. Until all are one. I would think that you would find solace and understanding during the Primal Blessing at the Festival. What is there in your processor that prevents you from understanding the here and now?" Prime asked.
"I think the time for philosophical discussion is later on, sir. What I have to deal with now is Dex. What is your decision on this matter?" Fenix said.
Dex looked at Fenix. "He has no say over me. This isn't Cybertron. This is a new world. The Primeship is over."
Even Fenix blinked at that remark. He turned to speak but Magnus cut him off. "That is ridiculous. It is in the Primal Charter that wherever the Prime is, Cybertron is. All of us no matter where we are in the universe belong to the Prime and he has a duty to us. If you are going to speak, try using facts. You are in need of processor analysis."
"That is something I would recommend," Jarro said nodding.
"I will not wipe the charges. I want him to face accountability for his actions and perhaps receive assistance for them through Processor Health. I think that the disconnect between what he believes and is prepared to do is worthy of examination," Optimus said.
"You wouldn't dare," Dex said as the words sunk in. "YOU WOULDN'T!"
Ratchet leaned in. "I think he just did."
"YOU FRAGGER! HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME! FENIX! COME HERE!"
"I think we need to leave this with you and Ratchet, Jarro," Prime said. They nodded then everyone turned to walk out.
Dex watched them with incredulity. Fenix who had let the others pass turned to Dex. "I will take your case. I will speak for you to the Prime." Then he turned and hurried after.
Dex stared at the door, then the mechs still there that included Barron. "FRAG YOU!"
Ratchet glanced at Jarro. "This mech has screws loose. Shall we sedate him, then deliver him to the hospital?" He looked at Dex. "Or you could walk over with us and avoid a lot of slag."
Dex looked at Ratchet with loathing. "FRAG YOU!"
"Well, I take that as a no," Ratchet said nodding to the Officer of the Orn. Talet dropped the bars, a grin firmly on his handsome face. Ratchet and Jarro bum rushed Dex. It didn't take very much effort to drop him. Standing up, Ratchet grinned at Jarro. "I can carry him in a fireman carry. Will that do?"
"It will, Ratchet," Jarro said with a grin.
Ratchet complied.
-0-Upstairs in Watch Substation #4
Springer walked into the station and got caught up. Prime, Prowl, Blackjack, Ironhide and Fenix were talking together. "Looks like fun."
Ironhide snorted. "You missed the best part. We're putting Dex in the hospital. He has some screws loose."
"Ironhide, it doesn't help the situation for you to speculate about my client with others," Fenix said tiredly. "I would like to talk to him please, Prime."
"When they have him settled, then you may, Fenix," Optimus said.
The group turned to see Ratchet walk off an elevator with Dex slung over his shoulder. He grinned and walked to the door with Jarro following. Fenix glanced at Prime. "Is this really necessary?"
"Ratchet?" Prime asked.
"He wouldn't come along quietly. He's mildly sedated and we will put him into the hospital at Metroplex." Ratchet turned and continued onward with Jarro as Barron paused by Fenix.
"This was not necessary, Fenix," Prime said. "If Dex had the slightest amount of courtesy for others he would have had a chance to speak with you and this could have been avoided."
"He has concerns for his son and so do I. I would like to tell you that I am representing both individuals. I would like to see Sio as well," Fenix said.
"Clear the steps with Barron and Jarro," Prime said. "Are we finished here?"
Everyone nodded, then Prime turned with Prowl in tow. Blackjack and Ironhide turned to go to the hospital nearby. The others stood a moment, Fenix speaking with Barron, then they too walked away. Talet watched them leave, then turned to Springer. "Well, that was fun."
"You won't get an argument with me," Springer said with a chuckle.
-0-Nearby
Ratchet walked out of the room where Dex had been placed in the mental health department where his son was also housed. He paused before them, then grinned. "You look happy."
"That slagger had a big mouth," Ironhide said. "I don't like to hear you getting slagged. Frag them."
Ratchet hugged them. "Did you hear what Ironhide wants in the apartment?"
"No," Blackjack said with a grin. "I suppose its a monument to good taste."
"Let's go and I'll show you." Ratchet turned and headed for the door, the two following.
-0-At The Home Store in The Mall of Metroplex
They stood in the section looking around at the living room furniture that was displayed. There were also many more things on the monitors nearby. Ratchet pointed out the many choices of Ironhide. Blackjack looked at each, then considered them together. "You have a way with color, son."
"Do you like it?" Ironhide asked his father.
Blackjack grinned. "No."
Ratchet on the other servo sat down and howled.
-0-TBC October 16, 2013 For Kaekokat tonight. :D