For the days to come.

[tillallareone]

[Optimus was still at Sakihama. Currently Autobot City didn't have any pressing matters that he had to take care of himself so he was taking his time to wander the base where he could and get a chance to talk before he had to head back. But as he was moving through the base he'd receive a call.]

"Optimus? You copy?"

I'm reading you Blaster. Is something wrong?

"Well... Nah... not exactly 'wrong'. Its just... well... we got a new arrival. He's coming over to Sakihama to talk."

[The Prime was a little confused by how his comms officer was practically tiptoeing around his words. There's a flare up from the TSEN as a large figure steps forward. Optimus turns to regard the newcomer with surprise in his optics.]



"Prime. Its good to see you again."

Ultra Magnus. Old friend... its been too long.

[The two share a firm handshake. The newcomer. Ultra Magnus. There was something about the way he carried himself that felt somewhat disconcertingly familiar.]

Welcome to Earth.

1) [Optimus]

[After a while Optimus and Magnus part ways, leaving the Autobot leader somewhat free once more to interact with others before his eventual return to Autobot City where he would no doubt be plagued with the many duties of leadership.]

It has been a while since I was last here. Something about the atmosphere has changed hasn't it.

[With all that has happened, it wouldn't be surprising if the base felt a little different.]

2) [Ultra Magnus]

[As for the new Autobot, he simply looks around the base as far as he was allowed. From time to time he would speak to some of the personnel, others he simply regards a matte-black data-pad as if comparing what he has seen to what was on it. Whether it was information on the Unity Group from Autobot City or something else entirely is up in the air. But what can be noticed was that the entire time from when he talked to Optimus and when he was moving around Sakihama was that: 1) He carried himself like a soldier at all times. Always at attention and always alert. and 2) He never smiled. At all.]

[Do you want to risk talking to him?]

3) [Grimlock or Kup]

[Grimlock and Kup could be seen at their old spaces at Sakihama. The former simply maintaining his weapons, the latter sitting on a large cargo container like it was a chair. Either way though something about them felt distinctly agitated. Grimlock seemed to be sharpening the edge on his sword a little too intently while Kup tapped his foot on the ground every so often with a frown on his face.]

[Something was really bothering these two.]

Comments

2

[star_of_sad]

[Setsuko heard that a new Autobot has arrived. Each of the Transformers has their own personality - they truly are people, just robotic ones. And this one seems rather... no-nonsense.]

Ah, hello. I mean, greetings.

I hope I am not interrupting anything important.

[tillallareone]

[Setsuko simply receives a curt nod in return to her greeting.]

No. You aren't interrupting. As for this being important...

I'm taking stock of what kind of people Prime has been working with. How important it is depends on who you ask.

[His frown grows a little.]

Second Lieutenant Ohara am I correct? You were present when Wheeljack attempted to integrate Energon with Human Made Technology?

[star_of_sad]

You know who I am, mr Ultra Magnus?

[Setsuko is surprised, and also unsure how to refer to an Autobot's title - a high ranked one, by the looks of it.]

Yes... yes, I do remember that. It was a long time ago, and in the end nothing really came from it.

[tillallareone]

By reputation and hearsay mostly.

[Ultra Magnus' expression grows a little grim.]

If he attempts anything similar I would suggest ensuring he doesn't try it again. Not just because of his track record but also because there are regulations in effect that forbid the amalgamation of Cybertronian technology with that of other lifeforms. Primarily because of the potential abuse that could happen.

[star_of_sad]

I... didn't realize there were such regulations. I hope we didn't break any others.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

It has? It's hard to tell when you've lived here for months. How is it different?

[tillallareone]

I suppose it is the atmosphere. As time passed it seems to have grown a little less hopeful and energetic.

Yet at the same time there is a growing determination.

Despite the loss of several comrades, the people here... not just in Sakihama but across the Unity Group. They simply carry on because they have both the will and the strength to make things right.

[itbelongsinamuseum]

Maybe, but some of those losses were recent and quite messy, so it might be temporary. Or maybe people have learned to take it more seriously...Which is probably a good thing with the planet and all of humanity on the line.

[tillallareone]

There are several ways it can be seen,

What about yourself? You mentioned that you had recently joined. You are dealing with things well I hope?

1

[a_linear_mind]

Things have a bit rough for us here.

It's good to see you again though, Optimus.

[tillallareone]

The same can be said of yourself Willis.

I hope you have been well since our last meeting.

[And considering the fact that the last time they saw each other was when Willis' former boss showed up...]

[a_linear_mind]

I've been managing...I haven't had the chance to thank you for your help that time...so thanks.

[tillallareone]

There is no need for thanks Willis.

As far as I have known your heart has always been in the right place. I simply made a choice to trust that whatever had happened, you had good reason to keep your secrets.

3

[a_monetized_mind]

Hey guys, what's up!

[tillallareone]

I'll tell you what's 'up' lass. Ultra Magnus. That or the spike up his exhaust port.

[There was a distinctly loud and irritated snarl from Grimlock as he promptly stabbed the sword through his seat. He looks at Jen, despite his lack of visible facial features she'd get the distinct feeling that if he was in his dinosaur mode he'd be grinding his teeth and breathing fire on something.]



"Magnus... obsessed... Rules... Discipline...Too much. Makes... me... sick."



I don't have a problem with either, but with the way that cast iron gascan thinks?

[Kup lets out a noise of disgust.]

Barely has a lick of respect for a lot of good 'bots I know because of it too.

[a_monetized_mind]

...Huh.

What's he here for?

[tillallareone]

"Prime... can't... be everywhere. Needs... others... watch... over..."



'Pparently he's going to be holding down the fort at Autobot City so Optimus can be freed up to lead the fight and keep contact with the brass at ESUN.

But I heard from some friends he's been looking into those SSR types. He doesn't care a lick for the people funding them... but with them being all 'professional'... I don't doubt Magnus would be sweet on us leaning towards helping them more than we are here.

2

[armowrpiercing]

*Archie nods politely at Ultra Magnus as he walks pass.*

Sir.

[tillallareone]

[Magnus nods at Archie.]

Soldier.

[He raises his head, and had he been capable of it he would have blinked as he processed just who spoke to him.]

[armowrpiercing]

It's rare to see someone behaving as a real soldier here these days.

[tillallareone]

[Despite Archie's small stature... like... really small compared to him, Ultra Magnus was going to put aside his surprise and gather up his composure and answer.]

I would have to agree. Most of the troops I've seen have been far too quick to sacrifice discipline and professionalism for the sake of expediency.

Its good to see that there are some people who aren't willing to sacrifice professionalism and discipline.

[He ducks down and offers a finger to Archie.]

Ultra Magnus. And your designation would be?

2

[keep_your_dignity]

YOU DO REALIZE THERE'S REGULATIONS AGAINST NON-UNITY PERSONNEL SNOOPING AROUND CLASSIFIED MATERIAL. AND YOU'RE NOT ON THE UNITY AUTOBOT LIST.

IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

[The synthesized voice comes from behind Magnus, where a robotic creature covered in GRAVEYARD sigils seems to be floating with no means of propulsion. In deference to the fact that Autobots have proven useful, Kagura's weapons are not pointed. In deference to the fact that she's mighty annoyed that people just waltz around here, they're also not turned off]

[tillallareone]

Article 4, subsection 27 am I correct? I made the appropriate requests for access and had spoken with Optimus Prime beforehand.

[Then again the access might not have cleared yet. Its not on a perfect timetable.]

My designation is Ultra Magnus.

And you have my apologies if it seems like 'snooping' as it were. I'm simply trying to get a grasp of the Unity Group as a whole.

[keep_your_dignity]

27 TO 31, YES. I'M SURPRISED ONE OF YOU PEOPLE ACTUALLY BOTHERED TO READ THE DAMN THINGS.

I'M MAJOR KAGURA, GRAVEYARD EXECUTOR AND CURRENT LIAISON BETWEEN GRAVEYARD AND UNITY GROUP.

AND I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE ITS FOUNDING, SO I CAN GIVE YOU A QUICK DEFINITION OF IT AS A WHOLE: UNITY CAN BE FAIRLY TERMED A SURPRISINGLY NON-DYSFUNCTIONAL CLUSTERFUCK.

[tillallareone]

I make it a point to have full understanding of standard operations procedures and regulations Major. They were put into place for a reason.

[Magnus speaks with the long experience of someone who had to suffer similar ignorance. And as he processes the term Kagura used, his facial expression seems a little bit more stern than usual.]

I believe similar can be said of several of our battalions.

I take it that given your reaction to my following protocol that its hardly a common occurrence here?