hotmtlnovel Chapter 98 First Court Hearing
Chapter 98 First Court Hearing
After Optimus Prime took over, things got busy at Iron Fortress.
Various requests for permissions, city coordination, transportation line restoration, lower-level supply, medical station maintenance, and local management agencies passing the buck to each other—all of it is passed on to him layer by layer.
Once the name of the leader was finalized, it was as if someone had slammed an entire set of unresolved issues on the table.
The jazz looked at the dozen or so requests suspended in mid-air and remained silent for a long time: "Now I'm starting to understand why those leaders of the old era didn't seem to smile much."
The ambulance didn't look up; it was engaged in a fierce battle with the documents: "If these things were hitting your face every day, you wouldn't be able to laugh."
"I'm usually quite optimistic."
That means there aren't enough tasks to complete.
Jazz: "..."
Optimus Prime stands in front of the main screen, looking at a set of energy dispatch lines.
Only a few days have passed since the inauguration ceremony, and many people, including himself, are not yet fully accustomed to the new name.
"Optimus Prime, which of these supply lines should we prioritize?"
Optimus Prime paused for half a second as he looked up, then quickly continued, "Protect the south side first."
Arcee singled out that line: "The south side connects to the lower-level supply port."
"Yes," Optimus Prime said. "The first to be affected are the repair depots and low-level power stations. The core has backup power, so it can be affected later."
Alita, standing on the other side, immediately changed the allocation plan: "I'll let them pass first."
The jack leaned against the door, looking at the dense cityscape skyline, and clicked his tongue: "Is this what the leader sees every day?"
The ambulance driver said coldly, "Welcome to a world where not all problems can explode."
Jack looked at him and said, "What you're saying sounds like you're targeting me."
"You noticed? Your IQ is barely adequate."
Jazz chuckled beside him, then raised his hand to tidy up several complaints and put them aside: "Another one came in from the lower district. They say a supply port was shut down by the old department under the pretext of security review, and it's been delayed for two days."
Optimus Prime looked over: "Which one?"
Jazz pushed the file to the main screen.
"The low-level energy transfer point between Kalon and Iron Fortress, numbered T-47, has been temporarily shut down due to concerns about unauthorized scheduling using the supply line after the takeover, caused by excessive fluctuations in the public channel."
Arcee frowned: "Seal off the lower-level entrance?"
"Yes," the Jazz said. "The backup power line in the core area hasn't stopped."
It's the same old practice: security reviews are just something they keep talking about.
The ambulance driver's expression darkened immediately: "Are those repair stations still waiting for supplies?"
"It's been delayed by two cycles," the man said, still flipping through documents. "If this drags on any longer, small problems can turn into big problems."
Alita nodded: "The authority to suspend operations comes from the old administrative departments, and local authorities dare not bypass it directly."
"They've pushed the issue to judicial confirmation." The jazz glanced at the subsequent procedures, "meaning they're waiting for the judicial authorities to confirm whether the suspension is compliant."
Jack crossed his arms: "So everyone's just passing the buck?"
"More or less," the jazz said.
Optimus Prime paused for a moment: "Organize the materials and proceed with the formal legal process."
The ambulance looked at him.
Optimus Prime continued, "This matter cannot be resolved through our mediation. The shutdown involves legal proceedings, and only the Tribunal can make a decision."
The jazz raised an eyebrow: "You know who this will be delivered to, right?"
Optimus Prime looked up from the documents: "I know."
The ambulance scoffed from the side: "Then she won't have to worry about wasting her time memorizing the laws today."
Optimus Prime didn't reply, but efficiently sent out the confirmation document.
This will be one of the first official matters after the vector takes over.
The things left over from the old system will not disappear just because they now have a new name; they are quietly hidden beneath the beautiful processes.
-
More than a week after the start of the competition, the vector finally crawled out alive from the legal treaty, procedures, authority statements, and judicial archives.
Just being alive is one thing, but mental state is another.
Now, whenever she sees the words "basis," "scope of application," "supplementary clauses," or "emergency ruling," her brain module subconsciously tries to restart.
Master Titanium had no sympathy for this.
After completing his final study and confirmation of the fundamental legal treaty, he calmly said, "The foundational part is finished."
The vector suddenly looked up: "Basics?"
"Yes."
"What comes next?"
"Advanced section".
She paused for two seconds, then closed her glasses and lied to herself: "I'm deaf now."
Master Titanium gave her an amused look: "Too late."
Yin Vector hugged his head and rested it on the table.
The position of Chief Justice involves going to court, being watched by Sentinel Prime, and facing a barrage of messy comments on public channels.
There were already enough things to do, but what's most terrifying now is that there seems to be no end to the learning materials.
Just as she was trying to pull herself out of legal trouble with the low-stimulation energy liquid, a formal business reminder popped up from the judicial system.
The emergency appeal has entered the chief adjudication channel.
[Transaction Level: Basic Supply Guarantee Dispute.]
[Area affected: T-47, a low-level energy transit point between Kalon and Ironfort.]
[Complainant: Joint Representatives of the T-47 Lower-Level Maintenance Point.]
[Respondent: N9 Administrative Security Review Department.]
Yin Xiang stared at those lines of text for a while, then slowly looked up: "This is the first one?"
Master Titanium stood beside her, calmly handing her a new document, without even glancing at it: "Yes."
"That doesn't sound simple."
"Relatively simple."
Vector: ...She no longer wanted to ask what "non-opposite" was; asking would only hurt herself.
Master Titanium pushed the materials towards her: "Look at the facts first, don't focus on the reasons they wrote down."
The vector bowed and turned its head.
The T-47 lower-level energy transit point was closed for two days due to a security review. Following the closure, three maintenance depots, two lower-level energy stations, and one lower-level transport branch line were affected. The explanation provided by the N9 Administrative Security Review Department was very comprehensive.
She continued reading.
The backup line in the core area is not blocked, the upper transport channel is normal, and the military high-priority line is still in operation.
The vector diagram is easy to understand – it means the other party is picking on the easiest target.
The titanium expert looked at her and asked, "What do you think?"
"That's a good reason."
Master Titanium offered no comment, only saying, "Prepare for court."
Vector paused: "Now?"
"Emergency."
She looked down at the energy drink she had just taken two sips of.
The first formal matter was handled without even giving him a chance to finish his drink.
She put the materials away and stood up: "Okay."
-
The Chief Justice's Chamber is not lavish, but it is solemn and dignified.
As she entered, the courtroom's recording system automatically activated. The Holy Grail and Golden Fruit emblem on her chest was recognized, and a pale gold interface appeared in front of the judge's bench.
[Chief Justice's identity confirmed: Vector reference.]
[The ruling record is now open.]
[Issuance: Controversy over the closure of the T-47 low-altitude energy transit point.]
There are already some waiting in the courtyard.
The complainant's side consisted of representatives from several lower-level maintenance stations, whose armor still showed signs of wear and tear from long-term use. One of the machines had a temporary maintenance sign on its arm, indicating it had come directly from its post.
The other side, the party being complained against, was much more organized. The representative from the N9 Administrative Security Review Department stood there, his outer armor clean, his documents complete, and his expression indifferent.
When the chief arbitrator sat down on the bench, the courtroom immediately fell silent.
She could feel many eyes on her.
Chief Judge, newly appointed, first official matter, defective background, personal connections with Megatron and Optimus Prime—these labels have probably been rolled around in many computer modules.
Ignoring the vector, the judge struck the gavel and declared, "Court is now in session, and both parties are present."
She looked down at the documents and spoke directly: "The complainant, please speak."
The service center representative was visibly nervous, but quickly explained the situation.
With the T-47s grounded, energy resupply at maintenance depots has been forced to be rerouted, causing increasing delays. Routine maintenance can still be postponed, but several repair requests for severely aging lower-level tanks have begun to back up. Further delays could pose a safety hazard.
After listening, the vector asked, "How much longer can we hold out?"
The representative was taken aback, not expecting her to ask this first: "Based on the current inventory, it will last at most one cycle."
"After one cycle?"
"Only some non-emergency repairs can be stopped."
How is "non-urgent" defined?
The representative paused for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to say or whether these things even had a concrete definition.
Yin Xiang glanced at him, but didn't press the matter further. Then she turned to the other side.
"The respondent".
The former administrative representative immediately spoke up.
Recent adjustments to the Kalon Military District's oversight and the succession of its leader have caused fluctuations in public channels, and there is a risk that inter-regional transport routes may be exploited by unauthorized forces.
The T-47 is located in a sensitive transit area, and its temporary closure is to ensure overall security. The review process is expected to take another three cycles, during which time backup plans have been recommended for the relevant areas.
After he finished speaking, the vector was looking down at the document: "The backup plan is to detour via N-12?"
"Yes."
"How long will the delay be after the detour?"
The former administrative representative paused for a moment: "It depends on the specific load situation."
"The document states that the average delay is four to six cycles."
That's an estimated value.
"Are you aware that the inventory at repair shops can only last for one cycle at most?"
The other party paused for a moment: "We have received relevant alerts, but the security review priority—"
"I asked, 'Do you know?'"
No one dared to speak in the courtroom.
The administrative representative looked at her and finally said, "I understand."
The vector nodded: "Why wasn't the backup line in the core area sealed off?"
The other party replied quickly: "The backup line in the core area has a higher level of protection protocol, so the risk is lower."
"What about the upper transport corridor?"
"The upper-level channel has a complete identification chain."
"Why is the military a high-priority line?"
"The military region line is monitored by an independent system."
The vector looked at him and said, "In other words, the lower-level transit points that are most likely to affect basic supplies have been blocked by you."
The administrative representative immediately replied, "It's not about priority, it's based on risk level—"
Where is the risk level chart?
The other person paused, then remained silent.
Yin Xiang pushed the document forward, clasped his hands together, sat on the adjudicator's bench, leaned slightly forward, and looked at the administrative representative:
"You submitted the suspension order, the reasons for the review, the temporary proposed solutions, and the risk overview. You did not submit a complete risk level table, nor did you submit the basis for ranking T-47 above other lines."
The administrative representatives' expressions shifted subtly, almost instantly—the newly appointed chief judge was more difficult to deal with than they had anticipated.
The vector continued, "According to Article 24 of the temporary shutdown procedure, a basic supply line shall not be completely closed on the grounds of a general security review unless there is an immediate intrusion, contamination, or explicitly authorized tampering."
She paused, then looked at the other party: "Do you have any real-time intrusion records?"
"None at the moment."
"Pollution records?"
"None at the moment."
"Explicit authorization for tampering?"
"Investigation is underway."
So no.
The administrative representative kept quiet for a moment.
Yin Vector glanced down at the documents, then looked up again: "What kind of emergency are you issuing?"
The entire courtroom fell into a deathly silence, with all the judges sitting ramrod straight.
Master Titanium sat in the audience without saying a word, but the optical lens moved slightly.
The administrative representative hurriedly spoke, eager to say something: "Your Honor, we are acting based on overall security considerations—"
Do you need me to repeat Article 24 of the temporary suspension procedure?
Vector interrupted him: "The security review can continue. But without a complete risk assessment, the decision to shut down all basic supply lines will be rejected."
She looked down and brought up the ruling interface: "Temporary ruling."
All eyes in the courtyard turned to look at them.
I didn't look at the index vector; I just checked each clause one by one.
"First, the complete shutdown of the T-47 low-altitude energy transit point will be lifted immediately, and the basic supply channels will be restored to minimum operation within two cycles."
"Second, safety reviews can continue, but they must not affect basic maintenance, low-level energy stations, and lower-level transport feeder lines by completely closing the line."
"Third, the N9 Administrative Security Review Department needs to submit a complete risk level table, a description of the blocking priority, and the source of authority within one cycle."
Fourth, the judicial authorities will investigate whether this shutdown was selectively enforced.
She looked up at the administrative representative: "Did you hear me clearly?"
The other person paused for half a second, then said, "I heard you clearly."
The vector is redirected to the complainant.
The representatives from the repair shops were clearly not quite there yet; one of them nodded a beat late, saying, "I...I heard you right."
The vector closed the adjudication interface: "Then get to work."
The complainant was taken aback for a moment.
She then added, "The trial is now adjourned."
The machines finally snapped out of their daze and quickly agreed.
The tribunal's recording system gradually came to an end.
The interim ruling has taken effect.
[Execution monitoring activated.]
Yin Xiang sat on the adjudicator's bench until all the proceedings were completely over, then slowly loosened his tightly intertwined fingers.
The first official event didn't explode, so it can be considered a success.
-
When the ruling reached the Iron Fortress coordination room, the magistrate pulled up the follow-up feedback on the T-47: "The provisional ruling has been issued."
Optimus Prime looked up.
The jazz officer glanced at the screen and smiled. "Restore to minimum operation within two cycles. Security review continues, but a complete shutdown is not allowed. We also require a supplementary risk level table and authorization source documentation."
The ambulance driver, arms crossed, spoke in a much more relaxed tone: "It was handled very quickly."
Arcee looked at the ruling: "It's also very straightforward."
Jack raised an eyebrow: "I like this 'what kind of emergency'."
The ambulance driver looked at him and said, "That's not the point."
"But this sentence is useful."
Optimus Prime looked at the ruling, a faint smile finally appearing in his blue optics: "She's grasped the most crucial issue."
Jazz nodded: "Selective suspension."
While the other machines were still discussing the ruling, Optimus Prime had already filed it and then sent a message to Graviton.
The first task was handled very well.
It took quite a while for the vector to reply.
【Thanks.】
The next one popped up immediately.
But right now, all I want to know is why there's still a debriefing document to write after the official business is over!
Optimus Prime couldn't help but chuckle as he read this.
Jazz peeked out: "What did she say?"
Optimus Prime closed the interface, his tone returning to calm: "She's adapting to work in the legal system."
The ambulance driver scoffed, "It sounds like she's criticizing the judicial system."
Optimus Prime's smile deepened slightly, but he still kept his lips pressed into a straight line: "Perhaps both."