Skyfire contemplated the question from an educated perspective. Science was his chosen field and millions of years worth of methodology was a tough mode to break out of. Earth was a complicated ecosystem centered on water; he had experienced enough of that while encased in ice for eons. Its species were short-lived but one in particular had made a far-reaching impact, for good and for worse.
Skyfire decided Magnus would probably just appreciate something more about the aesthetics. He paused next to one of the Ark's terminals and brought up a satellite photo of the blue planet. He moved aside so his wings were not blocking Magnus's view and admired the image on the screen.
"It's organic nature makes it a savage and beautiful world," Skyfire said with appreciation. "You'll see nothing like it on Cybertron. It and its inhabitants are definitely worth our protection."
Magnus nodded, but didn't look that intently at the screen, Skyfire noticed. "It is nice, but I'm more at home when my feet are pressed firmly on steel," Magnus said. He stood back and pointed at the rusty orange walls around him, some of which were poked through with Stalactites. "You Earthbound Autobots have done a commendable job with only a crashed spacecraft to work from. Once Autobot City is built, a good job will be done even better."
Skyfire turned off the screen, its image dissolving with a *blip*, and looked around as well. There were bundles of frayed wires hanging out of twisted metal panels. One wall of the hallway was caved in, exposing dirt and dinosaur bones. Greasy footprints layered the floor. For a crashed spacecraft, it had become rather cozy.
"I know full well that the city will provide a greater base of operations against the Decepticons," Skyfire admitted. "But somehow, I'm going to miss this ship."
Magnus smiled and tapped a finger on the computer screen. "I understand completely. I've had plenty of bases that became home to me and I'm sure Autobot city will, too."
"Of course," Skyfire agreed. "You'll be commanding it."
Ultra Magnus looked proud. "Indeed."
Ultra Magnus, tall, blue and with more futuristic curves than the average Autobot, looked out of place in the desert they were in, let alone on Earth. Skyfire pictured the steel valleys of Cybertron spreading out from Ultra Magnus' feet and engulfing the sand and vegetation of Earth, converting it all into a computerized weed garden. Their cold way of life would sadly and forever taint the organic and very different Earth.
The two continued their stroll through the old and shady corridors. Skyfire realized he couldn't expect Magnus to understand the independence and separation that the Autobots on Earth knew. Cut off from Cybertron, they had developed a frontier camaraderie that felt at home in a busted-up spaceship.
"I've appreciated today's tour of the Ark and its surrounding areas, Skyfire, but I'm anxious to return to Optimus Prime and hammer out our construction schedule," Magnus said. He quickened his pace and Skyfire followed suit. Skyfire believed Magnus wouldn't stand still until he had cut Autobot City's dedication ribbon.
Skyfire led Ultra Magnus towards the control center that housed the Autobot's main computer, Teletran 1. Optimus was often there, offering advice or commands to the comrades who always came to get his direction. Optimus had a very expressionless appearance for someone who engendered such trust and he won comrades over with his warm and honest determination, Skyfire mused.
"The city; When do you expect it to be done?" Skyfire inquired, to pass the last minutes of the walk. With his mind plotting and planning, Ultra Magnus could be hard to hold a conversation with.
Magnus smiled. "With the Autobot space bridge working, we should have the workers and parts we're contributing in record time. Pretty soon, Earth will be a main outpost for the Autobots. Not only that, but the isolation you Autobots have suffered on Earth will come to a close. It's a new era." He sounded triumphant.
"Yes it is," Skyfire solemnly agreed. He kept his thoughts to himself, but it was an era he was sad to see leave them. With the gap between Earth and Cybertron quickly closing, the planet and its people were at an even larger Decepticon threat. Earth's path had been interfered with by their initial presence and now the planet was a part of their entire conflict. Perhaps victory against the Decepticons would come faster, or maybe it would mean greater destruction.
Skyfire and Magnus entered the massive command room to find an unexpected crowd of Autobots. Hound, Huffer, Grimlock, Smokescreen, Beachcomber and just about every other Autobot not on patrol were gathered around the enormous, gridded screen of Teletran 1. Optimus Prime, Wheeljack and Prowl were at the center of the mob. The Autobots around them were talking among themselves and shooting questions at the three they surrounded. Skyfire could sense that something was very wrong and felt the anxiety of not knowing what it was.
"Please relax," Prowl told them all, "we're going to find out exactly what's happening. This situation is just temporary; I'd bet on it."
Optimus Prime was leaning against the computer, his eyes on the floor. His hands were gripped on Teletran 1's console as if he had tried to prevent himself from falling. Prime appeared not to be hearing or watching any of the commotion. Skyfire and Ultra Magnus looked at each other, confused.
"Wheeljack, can it have been faked?" Sunstreaker hollered over the noise, jumping to see around Slag's Triceratops horns.
"Ahh, it looks genuine, but it could have-," said Wheeljack before Mirage broke in.
"Your test; could your test have been faulty?" Mirage asked.
Wheeljack paused, causing his ears to dim, before saying, "It's unlikely." This only caused more of an uproar.
"Everyone, quiet," Prowl sternly but nicely demanded. He raised a hand and the Autobots settled down. They respected his confident authority, but Skyfire wondered why he was filling the currently downcast Prime's post as orator.
"I don't like it but the decision has to stand," Prowl stated. "Until the investigation is complete, Optimus Prime has been relieved of command." The Autobots stayed silent at the statement, as none of them could really accept it. Optimus Prime equaled leadership of the Autobots. Skyfire couldn't see it any other way.
Prowl added, with firm regret: "As next in command, I will be leading you until we can clear Optimus of the charges."
Ultra Magnus quickly stepped forth and the Autobot crowd dispersed around him as he approached Prowl. "On what charges?" he loudly asked.
Prowl greeted Ultra Magnus with a respectful nod. "Treason," he answered. Skyfire hoped this was a tasteless drill.
Optimus Prime suddenly clenched his fists and stood up. "Let me explain it to him, Prowl." The Autobots watched their ousted commander with a combination of reverence and confusion. Prowl respectfully stood back.
Prime walked over to Ultra Magnus and Skyfire could see how harried Prime was just by how he moved. His shoulders sloped and his eyes were not aglow as usual. It didn't become Optimus. Skyfire was glad Ultra Magnus had seen Prime recently, otherwise this would not be the heroic champion Magnus was expecting after so many years of Prime's exile on Earth.
"Today, we saw this broadcast on a human news program," explained Prime. "It was recorded two cycles ago." He pointed at Teletran 1 and video footage came up on the screen. It showed Megatron and the Stunticons laying waste to a human oil refinery as some of the Decepticon jets flew away with plundered fuel. Typical event, Skyfire thought. Then, on the roof of the refinery, a Decepticon appeared with gun in hand. He was shooting at humans, trying to keep them away from his comrades. Skyfire then realized the humans were already fleeing and the Decepticon was shooting at them for sport.
"Monster," grumbled Skyfire.
The human cameraman filming the attack zoomed his lens in on the Decepticon and Skyfire gasped when he realized who it was. The red and blue colors, the sharp ear antennae and the face were unmistakable.
"Optimus Prime," said Magnus, his eyes fixed on the screen. "I don't believe it." He turned to Wheeljack. "As was said, could it be a fake?"
Wheeljack shrugged. "Ya never know, but every analysis I put it through showed the image is untampered. The only possibility was that it was an impostor."
"Surely it's a Decepticon trick," Skyfire said. How could it be otherwise?
Magnus crossed his arms. "Was there some other convincing evidence?"
Optimus Prime sighed. "Unfortunately, no one can account for my whereabouts during the time that this footage was recorded. And neither can I, Ultra Magnus."
"What are you saying, Prime?" Magnus asked.
Optimus Prime looked sorrowfully at Skyfire and Magnus. "I have no idea where I was. Those memories are blacked out."
Wheeljack turned off the newscast. "I figured I could scan Prime's most recent thoughts- his shorter term memory- on Teletran 1 and they would account for the time," he explained, sounding guilty. "When I did, though, we got this." He tapped another button on the console and Teletran 1 showed the same footage as before...only through Prime's eyes.
"You see it," Prime said, "and I can't be sure it didn't happen. I don't know how I could have been involved with the Decepticons, but I can't take the chance that it's true. That's why I have stepped down until an answer can be found."
"We'll find one," Prowl assured him. The room's fluorescent lights were glimmering off of the red horns on Prowl's forehead as he stood there with his fists on his waist. He looked in charge, Skyfire surprised himself by thinking.
Ultra Magnus looked at Prowl and coughed. "Technically, I outrank you, Prowl," he stated.
Prowl's expression turned to disgust. "But Magnus, I've been on Earth with Prime this whole time! I know the program here and want to get this resolved." Skyfire was certain that tact caused Prowl to leave out the fact the Magnus had just arrived and didn't even know all of their names.
"I know you do, Prowl, and you'll be working with me on this every step of the way," Magnus promised him, apparently trying to be gentle. "There's military protocol to go by."
"Magnus, this is a different situation," Prowl protested.
"He's right, Prowl," Optimus interjected. Prowl looked hurt, and Optimus put a hand on his shoulder. "Prowl, I have every confidence in your abilities, but Magnus is the highest-ranking Autobot here. He will be commander for now, but I'm trusting you to look out for me and the other Autobots."
Prowl closed his eyes and nodded. "Okay, Prime, I will," he acquiesced.
"Good," said Prime, reassuringly.
Ultra Magnus faced Prime. "There's an answer here and I doubt it's that you are taking side jobs with the Decepticons."
Prime seemed to appreciate his candor. "Thank you Ultra Magnus, I know you'll do your best."
"We're going to start work on this investigation, but I have to ask you to stay in the brig," Ultra Magnus requested. Prime nodded and the Autobots in the room began to mutter protest.
"It's the safest thing," Prime assured them, waving a hand. "Blue Streak, Brawn; I need you to escort me there." The two Autobots reluctantly followed orders and Prime was led out of the room, a procession no one ever expected to see.
Ultra Magnus looked at the soldiers around him. Most of them were glaring at him like he was a Decepticon. Tracks looked like he was going to shoot those missiles on his head canopy right at him and that Dinobot commander whose name he wasn't sure of was brandishing a sharp-looking sword. At least Skyfire, a behemoth comprised of sharp-looking airplane parts, had a sympathetic look on his face. Prime's Autobots were a loyal bunch and Magnus was both proud and jealous of that.
Magnus didn't know the right thing to say. He commanded troops on Cybertron, but they knew that the legendary Commander Optimus Prime was out there somewhere. At his core, Magnus was just a soldier, like them.
"I need to confer with Prowl," he told the Autobots. "Please resume your duties and I'll let you know when we require your help." Magnus reprimanded himself inwardly on how cold that sounded.
Most of the Autobots shared looks of disapproval and then dispersed to other parts of the Ark, muttering theories and complaints among themselves. Magnus planned to win them over, but this wasn't the time to be concerned with that.
"If you need anything..." Skyfire told Magnus. Skyfire had a remarkably compassionate face for a scientist, the kind Magnus often found to be cold.
Ultra Magnus nodded, as he at least felt a connection with Skyfire. "You've got it."
Skyfire turned and joined the others. Magnus wished that Skyfire had more authority to help, but he knew Skyfire hadn't even been an Autobot when the Decepticons found him in ice only a short few years ago. He had a long way to go up the ranks.
Prowl was watching everyone go and shaking his head. He regarded Magnus with a look that showed little confidence. "Prime better not be guilty, Magnus, or they'll lose faith," Prowl warned.
"Have you lost faith, Prowl?" Magnus asked.
Prowl scowled. "Of course not. I was just making a point."
Magnus nodded. "That's good. But I can't go into this investigation on faith. Both of us have to consider that Prime is guilty."
"I know that," Prowl said, scoffing. "I was Prime's second-in-command back when you were simply a ground trooper on Cybertron. Don't forget that."
Magnus tipped his head, hiding his gritted teeth. So many of these Autobots disregarded all he had accomplished in the millions of years they were away from Cybertron. He was not stuck in their past.
"I will go about this investigation the proper way but don't ask me not to believe he's innocent," Prowl continued. "I know Optimus."
Magnus swallowed. He had to keep this in line. "Prowl, we both have the same goal and that works in Prime's favor, does it not?"
Prowl crossed his arms. "So where do you want to start?" He sounded helpful but was still scowling at Magnus.
Ultra Magnus leaned back against the computer console and sighed. He already anticipated that Prowl would not like his train of thought. "For all I know," Magnus explained, "whatever this is could involve more of the Autobots or have affected them all."
Prowl threw up his arms. "Now you're saying all of us are in league with the Decepticons?!"
"I don't know. I don't think so, Prowl, but you're over-reacting. I have to consider everything." Prowl looked away from Magnus for a second to regain his composure. Magnus knew Prowl was a good leader faced with a hard circumstance, but he wasn't doing anything to make this easier for him.
"Remember that this is a charge of treason," Magnus said. "The safest route is to choose the most distanced investigators. There are only three Autobots now on Earth who weren't here at the time that footage of Prime was taken. That would be me, Moonracer and Blaster, from when he came to Cybertron to meet us. I want Blaster and Moonracer to begin the investigation."
"Blaster and Moonracer?" Prowl questioned. "That's not who I would have picked."
"They are qualified," Magnus stated. "Blaster knows Earth and Moonracer is removed enough from Prime to be more objective." Prowl looked indignant.
"Where are the two of them?" Magnus inquired. In his tour of the Ark, he had lost track of his lieutenant and that Autobot who was too engrossed in Earth's culture for Magnus' liking.
"Blaster took her out to scout the location for Autobot City. They've been gone for hours," Prowl replied.
"Contact them," ordered Ultra Magnus. He knew the command was abrupt, but Prowl had to accept that Magnus was in charge and committed to completing the investigation. Ultra Magnus felt he trusted Optimus Prime but he would never permit him back in command until the treason charge was proved wrong without a doubt.
Prowl bristled at the order, but hit a button on Teletran 1's console and opened a communications link.
(to be continued)
