A/N: So, Autobot angst is no longer on the top of my list of 'out of my comfort zone.' Cramming every Autobot know to TFA into one room with a million loose ends to tie up takes precedence.
Oh ya, and Sentinel is still a jerk. I'm sorry I wasn't creative enough to break his stereotype. =/
ELITE GUARD HEADQUARTERS – MEETING HALL
The hall is massive, filled with row after row of graduated seating that encircles a center stage. Nearly all the seats are filled with Elite Guard members, from grunts fresh out of the academy to high-ranking officials. The empty seats are those normally occupied by the small band of Cyber Ninjas, who couldn't make the meeting because they're still out on the recon mission. Standing proud on the center stage is Sentinel Magnus, accompanied by Alpha Trion, Perceptor and a cuffed Chromia.
Optimus Prime and his team are seated together only a few rows back from the center. They focus acutely on their Magnus as the royal blue bot commands the meeting with his typical bureaucratic jargon, thanking everyone for attending and pressing the importance of the new developments. Most of the audience is on the verge of shouting 'if it's so urgent then get to the slaggin' point' but they tactfully refrain, some finding it harder than others. Optimus eyeballs the fidgety yellow bot seated next to him.
BUMBLEBEE
(whispering through clamped teeth)
Dying here, Bossbot…when's he gonna cut the crap and make the announcement?
OPTIMUS PRIME
(whispering in his calming leader tone)
This is how it works here, Bumblebee. You get used to it after a while. Judging by his uncomfortable shift of stance, I'd venture to guess he's about to wrap up the preliminaries and finally address some important issues.
The Magnus finishes his last pre-scripted thought then turns to look at Chromia, gesturing to her as if to put her on display for the large gathering of questioning optics.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Now! Onto more important issues. (he sneers at Chromia, still hung up on his disgust at her betrayal) Agent Chromia, or rather DOUBLE Agent Chromia here has been working for the Decepticons. It seems treachery has become the latest fad among our Intelligence officers.
There's a wave of mumbles across the audience and an array of mixed expressions from shock to confusion to anger. Chromia tries to ignore the many disapproving stares on her and takes a deep inhaling ventilation as she holds her head high, attention disdainfully locked on Sentinel's glare.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Under normal circumstances, she would be thrown into the stockades and await trial, but unfortunately, events on Cybertron as of late haven't been normal. We have learned of a Quintesson presence in Kaon, one that is potentially threatening.
The crowd reacts with more gasps and the mumbling grows louder.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Please, hear me out before you jump to any conclusions. We have the situation under control.
Optimus's team look at each other in doubt, shaking their head at the Magnus's obvious stretching of the truth.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Agent Chromia here has a unique history with the despicable aliens and I would like you to give her your undivided attention while she explains, in detail, just who these Quintessons are and what impact their race has on our current society.
Chromia resists the urge roll her optics, internally cursing the clueless Magnus for his inappropriately scholastic introduction to their apocalyptic situation. The Autobots don't need a lecture on anthropology, they need a wake-up call to the frailty of their precious little utopia. A side of her is almost grateful for the squid threat. It's slowly bridging the gap between the factions. Despite the humiliation of appearing in cuffs before all her peers, she feels a sense of pride to be an instrumental role of these potentially history-making turn of events. She ventures to label this feeling with nobility but decides that might be pushing it. With another ventilation, she readies herself to speak, but a private comm message appears before she can open her mouth.
PROWL
[Do not mention Starscream as an ally. Tell them Blackarachnia is our spy.]
She bitterly eyeballs the blue optic visor staring at her across the room.
CHROMIA
[Why?]
PROWL
[Which one of them are you more inclined to trust?]
Her expression softens as she yields a slight nod to her old flame.
CHROMIA
[Good point.]
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(impatiently tapping his foot as he holds his glare on the femme)
Feel free to speak whenever you're ready, Agent Chromia.
CHROMIA
(ignoring Sentinel and turning to address the crowd)
When your Magnus speaks of Quintessons, I don't think he realizes which Quintessons we're dealing with here.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
What? What are you talking about? You said the Quintessons have a weapon of mass destruction. You didn't what kind of Quin--
The room fills with more gasps and mumbles, cutting the Magnus off he realizes the news he just tactlessly spewed forth. Optimus and Prowl both drops their head into their hands.
CHROMIA
(rolling her optics)
Good one, chief.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(addressing the crowd with some backpeddling)
Calm down everyone, please…there's no need to panic. We haven't received any official threats yet, all we know for certain is that they are in Kaon, hiding out in a cloaked warship.
More gasps and mumbles at the mention of a warship.
Cliffjumper rises from his seat, his attitude typically brash and straight to the point.
CLIFFJUMPER
Sir, with all due respect, if the squids have a WMD, how is it we're 'in control of the situation'?
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(snapping with insult)
Mind your rank, soldier! Remember who it is you're speaking to.
Rodimus stands up next to his small, scrappy soldier.
RODIMUS PRIME
Magnus, sir, could you please answer his question.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
You mind your rank as well, Rodimu—
Alpha Trion steps forward, placing a firm hand Sentinel's shoulder and speaking only in earshot of him.
ALPHA TRION
Answer the question, Magnus. Your soldiers have a right to know what we know.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(responding quietly but defiantly to the old bot)
But we don't know for sure. Nothing official has been confirmed. All we have to go on is Chromia's unreliable testimony.
Several more Autobots rise from the crowd, all repeating Rodimus's words 'answer the question.'
Sentinel looks over the disorder with worry and cowardice.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Everybody calm down…the WMD threat is only a rumor.
CHROMIA
(speaking loud, intentionally putting the spotlight on the Magnus)
It's not a rumor! Why don't you tell them!? Isn't that the whole reason you called this meeting?
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(stubbornly maintains a fake sense of control)
We have no proof of its existence yet. And I called this meeting simply to discuss the Quintesson presence on this planet, not to plant seeds of widespread panic.
Prowl can't take anymore and, to his complete surprise, finds himself rising from his seat.
PROWL
(shouting over the rising hysteria)
There will be much more to panic about if all of Iacon is to learn of the impending danger by the enemy themself, rather than their own Magnus!
The crowd quiets down, all optics locked on the improbably bot.
PROWL
(continuing with questionable confidence)
The Quintessons are planning to unveil themselves tomorrow. They intend to mock our celebration of freedom by announcing the reality that they, indeed, have a WMD missile pointed directly at the city and that they intend to use it if we don't surrender control of the mines to them.
The silence hangs in the room. Everybot swears they can hear the fear building in each other's sparks.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(snapping at Prowl, unconvinced)
Where do you get your information, ninjabot?
Optimus Prime rises up, his form towering over the ninja yet exuding an air of confidence for his friend.
OPTIMUS PRIME
We have a reliable source on board the Quintesson ship.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(shouting in skepticism)
A reliable source? What the frag is that supposed to mean, Optimus?
Before Optimus can defensively retort, a series of canon blasts erupts from the ceiling. Everyone snaps their attention up to witness in shock as a portion of the domed ceiling blazes red hot then finally disintegrates to reveal a gaping hole. Sentinel equips his shield and corrals Alpha Trion, Perceptor and Chromia to stand behind him. The sounds of every other Autobot unsheathing their weapons sweeps across the room.
The smoke is too dense to see what is responsible for attack, but the mystery is solved when a black fusion cannon falls through the chaos and lands directly in front of the Magnus's feet. Chromia gasps, knowing exactly who that signature weapon belongs to, as does Optimus and his team. They look up and watch with wondering as the infamous Decepticon leader hovers down, his spinning rotors sending severe wind gusts throughout the room.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
Autobots! Ready your weapons and attack on my mark!
Chromia steps out from behind the Magnus's shield, her cuffed hands held out in protest.
CHROMIA
No wait!
Megatron transforms and touches confidently down in the center of the room, his hands held out in a peaceful gesture of surrender.
SENTINEL
(grinding his teeth fearfully)
Ready…
Chromia studies every inch of her muse with awe and immediately notices his injured leg.
CHROMIA
(pleading to Sentinel)
Please, don't attack him…Look at him! He's disarmed himself…he never does that! And he's injured…He hasn't come here to fight!
Megatron glances gratefully to the femme then furrows his brow at the sight of her cuffs. He limps over to her and lifts her hands by the cuffs with a single, powerful finger.
MEGATRON
(speaking quietly to her)
What is this?
She can only shrug in shame, too intimidated to speak.
Sentinel has never faced the tyrant before when he wasn't incapacitated from stasis cuffs and regretfully finds himself frozen, hiding with the other council members behind his shield, which has expanded to it maximum circumference.
Megatron can sense the pathetic Autobot commander's cowardice and doesn't feel the need to even look his direction. He breaks the link between Chromia's cuffs with an effortless pinch and she nearly collapses into a pile of enamored goo. He then turns his focus away to pan across the room, searching for a more dignified recipient of his attention then the shuddering mech bearing the title Magnus. He locks optics to Optimus Prime and, with surprising dignity, limps across the floor to approach his familiar foe.
MEGATRON
The femme speaks the truth. My intensions are not hostile.
Rodimus is not one to be easily intimidated and he leaves his seat, walking confidently toward the tyrant.
RODIMUS PRIME
Then why did you blast a hole in our roof?
Megatron looks over his shoulder to the source of the annoyance.
MEGATRON
Because I highly doubt you would have let me in the front door.
Sentinel drudges enough courage to speak now that the Decepticon's attention is directed elsewhere.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
H—How did you get past Fortress Maximus's security parameter?
MEGATRON
I flew, now are there anymore useless questions or do you wish know why I am here?
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(under his breath)
B—but that doesn't…how did he.
PERCEPTOR
(from behind Sentinel's shoulder, speaking in antique robotic voice)
There is no one currently manning Fortress Maximus's defenses. All of our forces are in this room right now.
Alpha Trion fearlessly steps out from behind Sentinel's shield, his attention directed at Megatron.
ALPHA TRION
I know why you are here. (he pauses to look out over the crowd then raises his voice) Stow your weapons fellow Autobots. There is no need for them now.
Sentinel winces doubtfully at the old bot's suggestion and holds fast to his lance and shield.
ALPHA TRION
(gestures respectfully to Prowl)
If this brave young soldier's testimony is correct…and I believe it is, then the enemy is not standing before us now.
Optimus stands tall from his elevated position in the third row, looking down on Megatron, but unlike their previous confrontations, he doesn't feel fear, loathing or pity. The Decepticon returns his gaze with enough alteration of his typically stoic face to convey the desperation he is feeling. The prime's spark suppresses the justifiable grudges he should feel for this mech and instead fills him with empathy and an odd sense of connection. They have every right to be enemies, their opinions toward Cybertron's future different as day from night; accept for one aspect. Cybertron's future did not belong in the tentacles of alien race.
Optimus retracts the handle to his axe then replaces it upon his back. His signals his crew to put their weapons away and, after a moment of apprehension, they do so obligingly. A few Autobots surrounding them follow suit and this triggers a slow, reactive wave of disarming across the room. Within less than a cycle, the entire room, outside the Magus, has stowed their weapon and a strange, optimistic calm fills the air.
Megatron pans his attention across the room, fighting to suppress the awe he's feeling from showing through his face. He knows the Autobots rely heavily on teamwork; this is the reason he came to them for help, but he doesn't realize until this moment just how bonded in brotherhood they really are. He shifts uneasily at the hint of envy pinging his spark.
Alpha Trion kneels down and picks up the fusion cannon at his feet. He glides over to Megatron and hands the weapon to him with a firm but accepting nod.
ALPHA TRION
We have been united by a common foe.
Megatron accepts the offering, returning the gesture with the slightest of nods then attaches the weapon to its rightful position on his arm.
MEGATRON
(respectfully)
Indeed we have.
The ancient Autobot steps aside, offering the center stage to the Decepticon.
MEGATRON
Thank you Alpha Trion. Your trust will not be forgotten. (raises his voice to address the masses) I assume this meeting was assembled to discuss the Quintesson threat?
ALPHA TRION
That is correct.
MEGATRON
Then you are aware of their destructive capabilities and lust for our mines?
ALPHA TRION
Yes, and we know they intend announce their terms tomorrow during out holiday celebration.
MEGATRON
(with a sneer)
How predictably overdramatic. (raising his voice again) How did you learn of this?
Optimus Prime works his way down to the main floor and approaches Megatron.
OPTIMUS PRIME
From Blackarachnia.
The Decepticon turns to face prime but stumbles slightly as his injured leg buckles. He immediately regains his composure, attempting to play off his weakened state.
MEGATRON
How is this possible? She is a prisoner on their ship.
Optimus didn't miss a beat. He reaches over his shoulder, pulling his axe out once again and extending the handle to its maximum length. He holds it out vertically to Megatron, nodding his head at the mech's wounded leg as he does so.
OPTIMUS PRIME
She's able use to her comm and has been communicating with Prowl.
Megatron refuses the Autobot's makeshift crutch and furrows his brow in confusion at the new information presented to him.
MEGATRON
What kind of ignorance allows their prisoner to communicate with the outside world? How do we know she's not misleading your ninjabot.
PROWL
(speaking out from across the room)
Because she has help…from Swindle.
Megatron glances to Prowl with skepticism then focuses back on Optimus Prime.
MEGATRON
Swindle cannot be trusted.
CHROMIA
(confidently)
Yes he can.
She approaches the group with apprehension in her step, but her voice is firm.
CHROMIA
He does not wish a fateful demise of this planet anymore than we do.
PROWL
I believe this to be true as well. (he joins the gathering on the floor) He has proven himself a valuable asset to us but the Quintessons believe he is still sided with them.
CHROMIA
They still believe I am their ally as well.
MEGATRON
Then it appears we are at an advantage. What else do we know of these particular Quintessons?
The room hangs in silence but several glances shift to the incalculable femme. Chromia takes her cue with pride and steps up to stand tall next to her towering commander. She wedges her shoulder under the mighty black hand, signaling the wounded gladiator to shift some weight off his leg and onto her. Megatron relents to accept the offering, lightly groaning in relief as his pain is slightly lessened.
The femme wants nothing more then to bask in what is probably the best moment of her functioning but she forces the diplomat in her to stay in the driver's seat and shifts her attention to the masses of optics awaiting an answer from her.
CHROMIA
The three Quintessons we are dealing with are rogues. Their own race sees them as nothing but criminals and put a steep bounty on their heads long ago. Everything they have, their ship, their weapons…all stolen from Quintessa. They appear powerful up front but they are nothing without their technology. Their methods are sloppy and disorganized, but they're too arrogant to know any different. We have a unique advantage over them (looking reverently to Megaton) especially now. Their warship cowers in comparison to the combined power of Fortress Maximus AND the Decepticon forces. If Swindle and Blackarachnia are truly capable of disarming their WMD, then we will have nothing to fear.
Alpha Trion nods approvingly to the femme.
ALPHA TRION
Well spoken, Agent Chromia…(addresses the crowd in his wise, commanding air) Does anyone else have anything more to add on the matter?
The room responds with silent head shaking and curious glances to each other.
ALPHA TRION
Then we shall now adjourn this meeting. I request everybot return to their respective posts and be doubly alert to any possible breeches of our defenses. (turns to Megatron) I require our new ally be treated by our top medics and shown the same level of respect as any fellow Autobot…(looks down to Chromia) And I would like a top notch team of Intelligence agents assembled to work closely with Agent Chromia and see to it she is able to maintain her covert status as she communicates with the enemy.
Sentinel had finally lowered his shield after receiving several disapproving glares from Optimus Prime, yet he never stowed his lance…at least not until now once he realizes Alpha Trion is looking at him disapprovingly.
ALPHA TRION
Sentinel Magus…if I am not mistaken, we have a team of cyber ninjas that may be at risk of capture.
SENTINEL MAGNUS
(optics widening)
Oh Primus that's right! They've got to be nearing Kaon by now! (activates his comm) Jazz, come in!
Alpha Trion walks back over to Optimus Prime, placing a confident hand on his shoulder.
ALPHA TRION
Optimus Prime. I would like you to lead the Intelligence team and report all communication with Blackarachnia and Swindle to Perceptor for further analysis.
OPTIMUS PRIME
It would be my honor sir…however I have one request. (hesitates briefly as he feels the weight of the room's attention on him). I fear I cannot perform at my maximum potential…(looks back over his shoulder to his mismatched comrades) unless my team is working closely by my side.
ALPHA TRION
Very well, they will join you in the Intelligence division. (turns to address the masses, one final time) Fellow Autobots! I leave you to your duties with one final thought…tomorrow is the day we celebrate our Independence. Let us not allow anyone to deny us this hard-earned right of our freedom.
The room fills with warm cheers of patriotism as the collection of soldiers stream down from the seating and funnel out the exit. Ratchet waits for some of the crowd to let up before waddling down to the main floor and approaching Megatron. With his magnifying monocle, he looks over the tyrant's wound carefully.
RATCHET
Nuthin' more than a quick patch job. (meets the mech's optics) There anything else wrong with ya, besides the obvious?
MEGATRON
Yes…your superior's final words have left me quite nauseous.
Ratchet, Prowl and Optimus all fight to stifle a smile. Bumblebee skates down to join his comrades, screeching to a stop and eager to burst with his pressing thought.
BUMBLEBEE
Phew! Here I thought I was the only one.
