Chapter Twelve
20th December
0500hrs
If it wasn't for the chronometer being an internal fixture of his system, he'd probably be looking down at his wrist, tapping his watch impatiently. Ultra Magnus, City Commander, could not believe how exactly the Autobots had managed to settle into Earth and defeat the Decepticons on multiple occasions with such lack lustre military practice.
"They're just gone over a minute late, lad, how you going to punish the little scamps?"
The old timer asked matter of factually.
"I'm not impressed".
He crossed his heavy set arms over his broad chest, his optics flashing brightly with annoyance.
"Don't let it burn your diodes out, Magnus; these youngin's aren't properly trained like us old timers. Prime was great, but his best work didn't involve whipping kids into military shape".
"Sparing with the Decepticons was never going to win them the war".
Seemed like the city commander wasn't even paying attention to the other, or at least answering his own set of unheard questions.
Finally, after a good five more minutes of Magnus standing quietly stewing with internal rage, the group of young Autobots showed up to duty.
Magnus ran his optics over them, and they immediately knew they were in the wrong and they were going to get it.
Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Warpath, Hound and Mirage stood before the two senior officers.
"I am not Prime".
Magnus turned to his right and began to take firm, well placed, well thought out steps.
"I am not a nice mech".
His strides were long and imposing.
"I am not here to be your femme co-creator".
He stopped hands cupped firmly behind his back.
"I am not here to make you feel good about yourselves".
He pivoted.
"I am here to remind you all that the war isn't over".
He began his strides again.
"I am here to try and beat you into some semblance of military function".
He stopped.
"I am here to ensure you wear your insignia with pride".
He turned to face them.
"I AM HERE TO ENSURE YOU DO THINGS PROPERLY! WITH RESPECT TO THE AUTOBOT MILTIARY CODE! THIS IS NOT SOME CRECHE FOR SPARKLINGS! THIS IS A MILITARY EFFORT AGAINST A MILITARILY SUPERIOR FORCE!!"
He screamed.
Kup just stood there, not stunned, not concerned; obviously he'd seen it before.
"YOU MAY HAVE LOVED OPTIMUS PRIME. HE MAY HAVE BEEN NICE TO YOU, HE MAY HAVE BEEN KIND TO YOU, HE MAY HAVE KISSED YOUR BOO-BOOS BUT I WILL NOT!! NOW MOVE YOUR RUSTING AFTS! I WANT TWENTY LAPS AROUND THE BOUNDARY FENCE IN ROBOT MODE!! Kup, keep pace! GO GO GO!!"
He roared.
The Autobots before him looked so shocked at the outburst that all they could was take off running, the older Autobot transforming and following behind, blasting the occasional laser into the dirt behind them to scare them into hurrying up. They meant business.
0630hrs
Prowl had been a good solider.
An excellent officer.
And he was always on time.
His replacement, Jazz, well, he was lot more "relaxed" and certainly didn't take Magnus' screaming as a threat and certainly didn't look like he cared if he was busted down to "cleaning drone".
So, at 0630, Magnus was waiting for Jazz who was supposed to be in here at 0600hrs to report on some recent human protest outside the Ark. The location of the Ark was supposed to be classified, and while it wasn't their primary base, it still served a purpose, so for the natives to find it, and park out there with their little signs and their swear words, it didn't impress him. It was more evidence that the Autobots weren't taking the war seriously. Well, they were all in for a Pit of a wake up call.
It was still dark outside.
Earth was a lucky planet, not all worlds he'd been on had the luxury of day and night, most didn't have a liveable climate, and the vast majority didn't have the ability to support even the most primitive forms of organic life.
The lights in his office remained relatively dimmed, primarily because as a being who could see in infra-red he didn't see the purpose in wasting energy to fuel a light source that he didn't need.
He heard a shuffle.
He ignored it at first, passing it off as the noise of some organic life form that may have found its way in through an un-welded gap in the walls. A rat? Was that what the human called them?
There it was again, it was a little louder, a little more intentional in their movements.
Having no time for such small creatures he simply continued to read over several other files unrelated to Jazz's up and coming (hopefully) report. One was discussing the importance of stricter rationing, which no one needed to tell him that. The report wasn't properly documented, and since it had no signature or designation he flicked it into the "disregard" pile. The other report that had his attention was one on the completely undisciplined method of which the Autobots used their weaponry and the absolute waste of energy and resources that were pumped into repair of Autobots who were injured in poorly structured military exercises and the subsequent explosions that came with.
The shuffle carried itself across the room.
He didn't gain any further of his attention.
The City Commander had just reached the part in the report where it was detailing an event where the Twins had "borrowed" (stolen in the Commander's opinion) a large amount of tank busters and had rigged them into one massive incinery device and then planted up the side of a nearby mountain, their intention, as the report detailed, was to cause a land side of sludgy mud down onto an Autobot called Tracks. This of course, did not happen. What happened was that half the mountain had gone up in one fiery mass of smoke and dirt. It rained down on Tracks of course, seriously injuring him, but also it rained down upon a human settlement injuring in 42 people and killing three. The force of the explosion resulted in the geographical event classed as an "earthquake" by the natives which caused significant structural damage to their local infrastructure. How in the hell Optimus managed to get his soldiers off without facing some kind of manslaughter charge was beyond him. Perhaps it would be detailed further in the report. But it was no surprise to him that these Twins were trouble, the little snots were probably faking the whole "split CPU" thing.
The shuffle changed into a very obvious metallic rattle.
Sounded almost like a chain was being dragged.
Someone whispered.
While he couldn't clarify the word that was spoken, he was sure something had been spoken. IT was the kind of sensation that someone was in the next room speaking, and while you could identify that they were indeed speaking you couldn't guess which words were being spoken. The Autobot was less then impressed.
CLANG!
Magnus stayed in his seat, unmoved.
CLANG CLANG CLANG!!
He leant back in his seat and flicked the digipad he was holding onto the desk and just glared in the direction of the noise.
Shuffle.
CLANG CLANG, CLANG, CLANG, CLANG…. CLANG CLANG.
Shuffle.
The door suddenly opened and Jazz stood in the entrance way.
"Hey Commander, what's shaking!"
"Firstly, I am unimpressed with your tardiness. Jazz, you are an officer in the Autobot Army, you are a respected member of the higher order, you are to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the insignia you have brandished on your chassis. You are to conduct yourself in a manner that ensures those under your command see you are worthy of that insignia. You must live your cycle in such a manner that is respectful and deserving of respect. Being late and speaking with such a jovial tone is not behaviour worthy of that insignia. I feel I have said this many times, but under Optimus things were not as strict as they should have been. This will change. I will not repeat myself on this matter, is that understood, Lt. Jazz?"
Jazz was a little taken back by the heavy words, but nodded and was aware of himself giving an affirmative as a reply.
"Now, let us discuss the matters at hand. And I do wish to include on the agenda this morning the shame I have regarding this construction. Already I have witnessed this shoddy workmechship".
"Ah… yes sir".
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