thisavrou | [VIDEO][001] - Backdated to Magnus' Arrival

[The video feed flickers to life, and despite the commotion, it's very much intentional. For those of you who know Riptide, you can see him frantically trying to escape from two hands that about as big as he is. Finally, one hand seizes Riptide and slams him to the floor. With some stability now, the camera is able to focus on Ultra Magnus. For those of you who don't know him, prepare to be bored. For those of you who do know him, it's possible that he's much much bigger than you remember, having had a few necessary upgrades recently.]

[He clears his vocalizer.]

Attention to all those who receive this broadcast. My name is Ultra Magnus. I have recently come aboard this ship and have been given the position of bailiff and parole officer. Let it be known that I have served as an officer of the law prior to my enlistment aboard the Moira, and as such, I promise that I will treat my duties and responsibilities with the utmost care, respect, and diligence that is befitting the position. I am fair and even-handed, and I look forward to working with all of you and becoming a productive member of the community.

That said, I have in my custody the one known as Riptide. He is a former comrade of mine, who served aboard the same ship as I did. Some of you may know him, and I am obligated to inform you that trusting this individual is a huge mistake. He is, as of now, being apprehended for being an accessory to mutiny.

[If Riptide wriggles, Magnus quickly presses his considerable weight down on him to make him stop.]

As I am still unfamiliar with the ship, I wish to know where the brig is located. I also wish to know everything about the due process aboard, as I intend to have this...this...ne'er-do-well answer for his crimes against his chain of command. In addition, if there are any forms and paperwork associated with the booking of prisoners so that they can be properly processed, I will more than happily fill out any and all necessary forms.

Again, I hope to make your acquaintance and let's all be sure to follow the new rules and expectations set forth by our current caregivers.

Magnus out.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I appreciate your cooperation. Any and all information I can gather would be greatly beneficial. May I have your name?

Shimada Hanzo.
I likely arrived around the same time as you.

I see, so you're new aboard the Moira as well. I hope the accommodations have been to your liking.

No. It has been awful.
But thank you for your consideration.

I am sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do to assist?

Highly unlikely.
However, it is courteous of you to ask, Magnus.

Besides, it is clear you are going to be very preoccupied with how unsatisfied people are with you doing what you need to do.
I wish you luck.

It appears I have overstepped my boundaries. I did not wish to create a scene.

If Riptide betrayed his kin, then he must answer to it. It is only right.

Although perhaps I would have announced his arrest after his apprehension.
Regardless, to me, it appears you are doing what is needed. Those who argue very clearly have a set bias.

Noted. Riptide appears to have made a lot of friends on this ship. He is quiet easy to get along with.

Is he?
I had the exact opposite interaction. Very lazy, very obnoxious. Unpleasant.

I suppose some might think that's charming. Somehow.

'Charming' might be a bit of a stretch. I do not condone his laziness, but he has a good spark. That is, until this lapse in his judgment.

[Spark? Hanzo supposes that's something like a soul or heart. He'll ask later.]

If I may ask, what would have spurned his decision?
If now is a bad time, I understand.

To be honest, I suppose it's because it's difficult to let animosity that ran rampant for millions of years go. We Cybertronians were involved in a civil war for millions of years. Fairly recently, our war drew to a close. We had won, and the leader of the opposing faction had defected... He publicly denounced the faction he had built from the ground up and joined our crew as a captain in hopes of finding redemption.

I see.
And I imagine some did not take to that.

[It makes Hanzo thoughtful. Very thoughtful.]

Including Riptide.

As I said, atrocities during wartime are often hardest to forget. We were making progress. He did not make excuses for his crimes, but merely wished to see our race continue on from the verge of extinction. Some of us believed him more than others, it seems.

They are.

It is good that he took responsibility. I am surprised you allowed him to live, but if he must, no excuses should be made for one's sins.
However, that would never excuse Riptide betraying his own kin. That, too, should be owned.

To be honest, I was surprised too. We had fought against him for millions of years. He's known across the galaxy as a warlord and a tyrant. I've come to know the real Megatron in the last year and I must say that who he is and who he portrayed for the sake of equality are two vastly different entities. I agree wholeheartedly.

[Millions. He could not even imagine a fight going on for so long. Civilizations would have risen and fallen since, yet their war pursued? How exhausting. How bitter so many must have felt indeed.]

You were in difficult circumstances. If it was determined that he was to live, then that is your duty to uphold.

Megatron was the former enemy, then?

Yes. Someone who championed for change, became a figurehead for a social movement, and incited a war for the sake of equality. Somewhere along the way...things got out of hand. Out of his control. He bears the weight of the war on his shoulders but we are the ones that should bear the weight of our scars. Not just him. We all lost people. Our race is on the verge of extinction and our planet is in ruins. If there was ever a time to band together, this would be it.

The difficulty of being a leader is knowing when the cause drives you more than you drive the cause.
It sounds as if that is the case with Megatron.

You are wise to think so, Magnus.
One can only hope that others will come to see it as you do. Convincing yourself to work with a former enemy is difficult. Coming to understand him is strength in itself. Strength that few have.

Your words are kind and appreciated. It sounds as if you can relate from experience.

They are simply truthful.

Something like that.

Troublesome comrades?

It is a difficult subject to approach at this time. Perhaps another day, Magnus.

[VIDEO][001] - Backdated to Magnus' Arrival

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