Rodimus, fresh with the new and terribly exhilarating knowledge that he had failed his team as a leader, for most either were dead or as good as dead to the Autobot cause, now stood face to face with the newest Magnus, the Magnus who had demoted him while he was in stasis lock, and the Magnus that led his friend and former teammate to death, who, after a few minutes of staring himdown, began to speak.
"You see, Rodimus Minor, after you got demoted to Minor for lack of action-" Optimus began but was interrupted.
"I was in stasis lock! I was physically incapable of doing anything! That's why you demoted me? Lack of action?" Rodimus yelled. When he was finished he continued to look at optimus awaiting his response. Optimus just stood there.
"Uh-huh," Optimus finally said. "I've managed to get you on a mission. This one's a good one, too. I've also got a new team. They're from Earth. You're welcome." Optimus said matter-of-factly.
"So you demoted me. Split up my team. And now that you have a new team for me. . . you're playing it off like it's something you had to spring for? What are you playing at?" Rodimus had no idea why Optimus was doing any of this. Not to mention Rodimus was getting angrier at him. To make matters worse, Optimus just stard at him, apparently waiting for a different question. This gave time for Rodimus to think, and he thought A new team? A new mission? He's giving another chance. A chance to not get infected by cosmic rust and to do this team the justice I couldn't for the other. I understand.
With that, Rodimus asked, "From Earth you say? Like Bulkhead or Bumblebee?"
Optimus appeared to be smiling now under his faceplate. " No. The Dinobots."
"The Dinobots? You have got to be kidding me. Those bozos are no kind of team I want to be leading!" Rodimus began to smile as well, however, his smile was much more noticeable than Optimus'. Because of the faceplate, you see.
The smile seemed to fade instantly. "If you take this assignment, and accept your new teammates, you will be rewarded with the rank of Prime yet again."
"Well why didn't you just say so? Of course I'll do it!" Rodimus was anxious to get his rank back, no matter what.
Very half-heartedly, Optimus said, "By the power vested in me by the Autobot code, I hereby bestow upon you-yadda-yadda-blah-blah-Rodimus Prime. Do you accept?
Smiling widely, Rodimus said, "Definitely!" The two stood in awkward silence for a few seconds, and the seconds turned into minutes, and finally Rodimus said, " What's my mission, Optimus?"
Confused, Optimus asked, " Whuh?"
Rodimus gave him a look of pure disgust. " You said you had an assignment for me. . . ? With the Dinobots. . ."
"Oh. Right. You and your team need to find Shockwave. I have received news that he has escaped from Trypticon prison, where he was for the last year. Swoop should be able to track Shockwave's energy signature, which he greatly studied in the time Shockwave was in our custody."
Rodimus looked perplexed and said, "that's. . ."
"Yes. It's very weird. They should be waiting in Fortess Maximus' left foot- - I mean- West Storage Bay."
"What was that about a foot?" Rodimus asked.
"Nothing! You heard nothing! Now go! They're waiting for you!" Optimus screamed as Rodimus took the not-so-subtle clues as he started sprinting West.
As Rodimus slowed to a walk and neared the storage facility, he began thinking the maybe this team would be better than the last, because he's grown as a leader from his past experience.
All of these hopes vanished as he entered the room and saw his three new teammates, two of which acting like children.