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

And no one has more sympathy for you all than I do. Dead guy over here, remember?

However, we can't just apprehend people before thinking about the larger consequences. Does he have to answer? Yes, eventually. Should he right now, given the circumstances we all find ourselves in?

Perhaps not. Don't let your anger and hurt at his betrayal cloud your sound judgment.

Don't you think we're all entitled to answers, though? Many of our crew are on this ship...and many of those here were the ones Riptide allowed to be booted off of the Lost Light.

I don't wish to make Riptide a martyr. And when things settle down I will apologize to him properly. But at the very least...I feel that those he betrayed are entitled to an explanation.

Just because I am entitled to answers doesn't necessarily mean I will get them. And I didn't say that you were necessarily wrong, just that you need to think about what you're doing rather than just doing it.

Who knows... If someone who had been oh I don't know... stealthy been in on this, could they not have found the means to bring Riptide to you willingly?

...I understand.

Up until the moment I arrived here, we were all collectively staring down the barrels of Tarn's fusion cannons.

Riptide's betrayal is still fresh...and his actions may have killed good, innocent bots.

But, you are correct. I acted rashly.

See? That wasn't so hard to admit to. Next time, strive to do better.

Unfortunately, we can't really put Riptide on trial here. Not if he hasn't committed the crime in his timeline yet. That wouldn't be real justice and I know you're big on that.

Still, in the end it's really more up for you all to decide. Maybe a court martial?

There's also the fact that, he may have known about the mutiny in the timeline that he's from.

If anything, he would be found guilty of conspiracy.

The sad fact of the matter is...I am burdened with the knowledge of what will come to pass. I simply do not know how...or if...we live to see how it's resolved.

That depends...

I have questions of my own to ask. But I don't do them here over a public channel.

I have no issues in that regard.

I'll be bringing Riptide along so that we can all figure out exactly what he knows.

Great. One big family team meeting...

I'm just jumping up and down for it.

I'm not exactly looking forward to this either, you know.

Since when can you identify sarcasm?

Megatron and I have been attempting to decipher the many levels of banter aboard the ship since we left Cybertron the second time around.

We believe we're making some headway.

[ Bee opens his mouth to speak... then shuts it. rubs at his helm. tries to speak again. ]

What a time to be alive. Megatron and Ultra Magnus. Besties.

That's not even a real word. Rodimus uses it to infuriate me.

Though, I admit, having gotten to know Megatron...the real Megatron and not the terrifying warlord...has been a rewarding experience.

You had Swerve on the ship, right? How do you not know that 'bestie' has its own wikipedia page?

[ Bee isn't arguing over if it is a real word or not. ]

Maybe you should give him a pep talk. Primus knows I was about to beat him senseless if he continued to give me the shot puppydog eyes.

Me? Give Megatron a pep talk?

You're his friend, right?

[ now he's just having fun at your expense. ]

...Of course.

I would like to think so.

That's what friends are supposed to do, right?

Yes.

As usual, you are correct.

[He says this very fondly.]

Yes, I know. I am.

Now you should follow the advice.

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

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