The Diego Diaries: Skills (481) edited
-0-At the Ops Center, Autobot City, Mars
They stood together conversing quietly as Fenix spoke to his clients. Barron was clear on a couple of things. There wasn't enough evidence at the moment to hold them unless a search of Five Mechs, Inc was conducted and found it. There was adequate suspicion to hold Gravity temporarily pending body search but no one else as yet. It would take a court order to search Gravity's person which meant Coln-2 would handle the presentation. Ratchet would have to speak to that under oath if required.
The others were merely 'suspicious' until more evidence turned up but even if they couldn't be held a monkey wrench had landed in the middle of their plans and the prospect of another bomb planting thwarted.
"Prime?"
They turned noting Semi arriving to hold the hearing into a search of Gravity by Ratchet and Sciences. They also needed a search warrant for the business. There were rules in this colony and short of declaring full martial law Prime was determined to follow them. He nodded. "Semi … we are in need of your services. We need a search warrant and a custody hearing for a potential suspect or suspects in the bombings. We need legal authorization to proceed."
Semi nodded. "Who will make the arguments?"
"I will present the Prime's case," Coln-2 said nodding.
"And the defendant? Is he represented?" Semi asked.
"Fenix is representing the one we wish to hold and examine. The others are merely suspects so far," Prowl said. "If there is evidence to support further action we will present it. A search warrant is key to that prospect."
Semi nodded. "Do you wish a courtroom or will a conference room here do?"
"Here will do," Prime said nodding to another conference room. He glanced at Coln-2. "Do you need time? Witnesses? Evidence?"
"I would like to discuss this with the relevant individuals," Coln-2 said.
Prime nodded. "Alor, Jazz and Ratchet should be a start. Springer and Drift are being recalled. We have a seal on the door of their business."
Semi nodded. "Very well."
Coln-2 stepped aside with the others and the discussion was intense. Prime turned watching the four younglings as they talked to Fenix. They appeared agitated. Fenix to his credit was peckish to two of them and they settled. For a breem they talked, then Fenix rose and walked out to where they all stood waiting.
"Sir, I have had a discussion with my clients and would like to seek their dismissal from confinement. I would also like to hear and see the evidence if any exists against them to aid in seeking an end to this," Fenix said with a serious expression on his face.
"You will have that," Prime said with a nod. "Semi is here to listen to motions and render decisions regarding all the relevant issues."
Fenix glanced at him, then Prime. "Then I can assume you are seeking their incarceration?"
"I am seeking the truth," Prime said as Semi turned to the group. "Shall we begin?" he asked. The entire group turned toward the door of the conference room next to the one where the younglings were held. They entered and sat or stood around the room. As Semi sat, Springer and Drift entered the room. Everyone turned to Semi and he began.
"It is my understanding that this is a hearing to determine motions that the State wishes to see granted in relation to the series of bombings that have disturbed the peace in the past few orns. I am to understand that Coln-2 represents the Prime and you, Fenix, represent the younglings in question. Is that correct?"
They both nodded. Semi glanced around the room. "I understand that the State will present physical evidence and witness testimony pursuant to the granting of search warrants for Five Mechs, Incorporated in Tyger Pax as well as the person of the suspect named Gravity. Is that correct?"
Coln-2 nodded.
"This is a hearing seeking incarceration warrants for the four mechs in question named Gravity, Commotion, Default and Kale. Correct?"
Coln-2 nodded again.
"Very well. Since the burden of proof is on the State, Coln-2, you may begin."
Coln-2 nodded, then looked at his data pad. "Sir, the State wishes to seek a warrant to search the business called Five Mechs, Incorporated in Tyger Pax, the secondary place of employment of all the four named suspects in the bombings of the city. We believe that they are responsible and their freedom presents a clear and present danger to the city. We have evidence that we wish to present in the form of video of their actions just before and after the last bombing at the Cultural Center today." He nodded at Jazz who turned and ran the film. It showed the entire event including the mech returning.
"We believe that the blanked shape in the servos of the suspect, Gravity, was the bomb itself with a dampening device attached. It was taken out of the business a half joor before the explosion. You were able to see the suspect return becoming visible once more. At three Terran minutes, the explosion in the city occurs. It is the position of the State that the device was the bomb, that Gravity planted it using his special functions, then upon his return he or one of his colleagues detonated it at the Cultural Center."
"Assuming this is true, what motive would they have to do this?" Semi asked.
"It is the contention of the State that the group exercised several personal dueling points in these bombings. First and foremost is the matter of caste and entitlement. This is simply put high caste hatred acted upon by five younglings that have had all the advantages of their caste and want them back. Secondly, two of the three targets were part of the fight at Club Cybertron that preceded this entire series of events.
"Sunstreaker who was part of the commotion at Club Cybertron has a studio in the Cultural Center. The bomb was placed on the back walls next to his studio. Commander Ratchet was at the commotion as well helping Commander Prowl end it. Both of them were targets for retribution by this group."
"And the metro station?" Semi asked.
"A practice run," Coln-2 said.
Semi considered that, then looked at Fenix. "Fenix?"
"There is no solid evidence that the State can provide to hold my clients. I am shocked to find that eavesdropping devices were placed at the site of their business. They are working to build an electronics business to support themselves and the city. Yet they are being persecuted. It is irrelevant what caste they are. They are working to set up a security and communications business and be productive."
"We seek a search warrant for the premises with the intention of finding elements that can create devices," Coln-2 said.
"What will you find? You will find a lot of things that can make a lot of things. These younglings are pretty gifted with their servos and the materials they have on premises will not prove they did anything. If having things around that can be incriminating, then all of Sciences should be locked up," Fenix said.
"We would be looking for specific things that not everyone would have," Coln-2 said. "We would like to hold all four especially Gravity until we have searched both their business and their homes. We also would like a warrant to have Gravity examined. He is the one with the ability to become invisible and escape sensor detection."
"And when you're done will you do the same to Mirage? There are probably others that have the same capabilities. Why not check them out for the possibility that they are the ones responsible for this? This is high caste discrimination and nothing more. You need someone to blame for this and these younglings are handy."
"There were no bombings before your group came," Coln said quietly. "We had a peaceful colony. Everyone worked in harmony for the most part. Since your group came we have had brawls in court after brawls in public houses and now this."
"You are looking for a scapegoat for someone's angst and you are taking it out on us," Fenix said.
Semi listened, considered the possible witnesses to speak, then rapped his knuckles on the table. "I will make my rulings."
Everyone settled as Semi gathered his thoughts. "I will allow you to hold Gravity. I grant you authorization to study his function and see if it is within the bounds of your assertion. The other three will remain in custody until the search of their business and homes is complete. If there is insufficient evidence to hold them after that, then all four of them are to be released." He looked at Ratchet. "You may have the youngling, Gravity. They will be held at the lock up in Substation #4. Bring Gravity there when you are finished examining him, Doctor. We will reconvene when the search are complete." He rapped his knuckles again, then stood. "Court is in intermission."
Fenix stood, a frown on his face. "I will speak to my clients please."
Semi nodded, then Fenix left. The room was quiet a moment, then Semi glanced at Prime. "I am glad that the rule of law and the desire to be who we were supposed to be and not what we were rules the orn here, sir."
Prime nodded. "I am too, Semi."
Semi turned to Springer and Drift. "I am assuming you will do the honors?"
Springer grinned, then glanced at Prime who nodded. Springer turned to Prowl. "I could use your expertise on a crime scene."
Prowl nodded and the three left. Ratchet shrugged. "I need muscle to get Gravity out of there. I am unconvinced that he will leave peacefully."
Ironhide and Blackjack stood, then followed Ratchet out. They all stepped out, then paused by the opaque walls of the other conference room. Fenix was explaining the situation and it wasn't going over well. The younglings stood, then stared at the door as Ratchet stepped into the room.
"Fenix, you might explain the futility of resistance and how badly it will look if they do," Ratchet said.
Fenix looked at Gravity. "Go. I will come with you. The rest of you will go to Substation 4 and wait for me. Do it."
They looked at him, then the bruisers behind Ratchet. With the most intense loathing Ratchet had ever seen on a Cybertronian face, the four of them complied.
-0-Emergency Suite 7, Autobot City Medical Center, Autobot City, Mars
He sat on a med berth, a lethal expression on his handsome face. Standing tensely nearby, Fenix watched as Ratchet began to prepare to open up the youngling and study his innards. Multiple plugs were barely tolerated as Ratchet fastened them, a slight grin on his face as he ignored the raging inferno before him. He had seen worse when Orion was thwarted in the bath tub.
A MECH HAD TO HAVE HIS RUBBER DUCKIES IN THE BATH TUB, SLAG IT!
Turning to Knockout who was standing beside Breakdown with a huge grin on his face, Ratchet smirked. "Run the data, Knockout."
"With pleasure," the big mech said as he turned to the computer terminal next to him.
Ratchet turned and gave the youngling a gimlet optic. "Lay back, close your optics and think of Cybertron."
"Frag you," Gravity hissed, a slightly lessened intention with all his plugs and devices sprouting off his chassis and helm.
"You're not my type, punk. Stretch out, hold still or I'll bash your helm to slush," Ratchet said picking up at wrench.
Gravity glared at Fenix. "ARE YOU GOING TO ALLOW THIS?!"
"Ratchet, I don't think threats are necessary," Fenix said with a frown of his own.
"Who's talking about threats? If you don't lay back and be still I will administer an anesthetic on your aft, slagger." With a strong servo, Ratchet gripped the youngling's shoulder and pressed him down. The youngling tried to sit up but hadn't reckoned with the force an emergency vehicle could exert when he planted his peds. Even Ironhide had found out to his intense surprise more than a few times.
He lay flat glowering, then he didn't. Ratchet glanced at Fenix. "I switched him off. It's faster and better that way. Slagger won't cooperate and I don't feel like cutting him slack. Any problems with that?"
Fenix didn't have any.
-0-At Five Mechs, Inc.
They searched the entire place gingerly. No one knew if boobie traps were in place but nothing exploded. They found electronic equipment, some of it ingenuous things they had made. Wheeljack and Perceptor bantered the whole time about what a waste is was for smart innovative mechs to be such dicks. Or the Cybertronian equivalent thereof.
-0-At the first home to search
Humr opened the door, then paused. "Can I do something for you?" he asked glancing from one to the other.
Springer nodded with a grin. "You can let us in to search your house."
Humr blinked, then reacted.
-0-TBC October 22, 2013