thisavrou_log | Leave The Boat Alone

Leave The Boat Alone

Who: Ultra Magnus and Tarn
When: August 27th
Where: Tarn's room
What: Ultra Magnus is sick and tired of Tarn harassing the boat, and since Riptide asked nicely, Magnus is going to have words.
Warnings: Transformers are the most emotionally unstable creatures in existence, so this might end in fusion explosions.

[Having taken some time to fully acclimate himself to his new 'home,' Magnus found no trouble getting down to what he does best: Policing every little thing that comes to his attention. That said, Riptide's request was one that he couldn't possibly ignore: Tarn has taken a perverse liking to the boat, and Magnus couldn't help but feel responsible.]

[After all, if he hadn't arrived on battle high and announced to the world that Riptide was a mutinous traitor, likely none of this would have happened.]

[So, Magnus finds himself standing outside Tarn's quarters. Steeling himself, he raises a Magnus sized fist and pounds on the door.]

Tarn.

This is Ultra Magnus, Former Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord.

We need to have words.

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[Tarn has been holed up in his quarters more than he would like to admit. Megatron tells him that he should not find shame in his old appearance, that he should embrace his old frame and use his anger to better exact his retribution.

He's been becoming better at facing other crew members despite his weakened and frankly humiliating state, but Tarn still prefers to spend his time alone, if not by Megatron's side.

The booming knock on his door startles him out of his thoughts. Ultra Magnus may be one of the last people that he wants to see. But he can't be a disappointment to Megatron by hiding like a coward from his problems. Instead, he keys open his door, staring up at Magnus with his singular blue optic.]

Then have them, I haven't any patience for games.

[Now, this is the exact opposite of what Magnus was expecting. In fact, the shocked look on his face immediately replaces the stern one.]

[He takes a step back.]

Glitch?

But...what are you doing here? What are you doing in Tarn's room...?

[It's the words that shake him from his stunned line of questioning. The fact that Glitch answered to the name of Tarn. That feeling of intense betrayal wells up in his spark again as the implications begin to fit together.]

No...

No, this isn't at all possible. There's a mistake here. There has to be.

[This couldn't get any more uncomfortable.]

[Tarn is steady as he crosses his arms, tucking his useless claws under his armpits and hissing at the name. Having a nickname that basically means "fuckup" is not among his favorite things. Just another way to humiliate him and bring him down. ]

There's no mistake. Say what you must

No...no, that can wait for a moment.

You're Tarn? Why?? What in blue blazes made you want to turn into...

Into that! You stood with Optimus! And Skids! What in Primus' name changed?!

[Tarn wishes that he could glare at Magnus' outburst.]

I changed. Megatron showed me that I could be more in life.

[He goes to shut the door in Magnus' face.]

I don't need to explain myself to you, Autobot. I should have never opened the door for you in the first place.

[Magnus plants his hand on the door.]

No, Glitch. This is not over. And as much as I would like to continue our current line of conversation, I did come here with a purpose today. And that was to tell you to leave Riptide alone. He's been through enough. You're torturing him.

Don't call me that name!

[Tarn loses it, letting go of the door and getting up in Magnus' face.]

Riptide has brought this on himself. He's inserted himself in my business time and time again, and he's learned nothing from it.

Why not?! That is your name! Not Tarn! 'Tarn' is a moniker!

And what are you talking about? What has Riptide done?

If you want to talk monikers then Glitch is just as much of one as Tarn.

[Tarn stares up at Magnus, singular optic flared brightly with rage. His claws twitch, trying to form a fist.]

Damus. That was my given name, not that anyone cared enough to use it.

Most recently Riptide invited me to his quarters. Of course he changed his mind the minute that I arrived like the impolite wretch he is. I only wanted to have a civil discussion among allies.

[Well...He wasn't wrong. Everyone did call him 'Glitch' but...no, it couldn't just be that.]

Gli--...

Damus.

Riptide is not your ally. Not like this. Perhaps once but...

[He sighs.]

What did Riptide want? What were you going to discuss with him?

[Tarn can't help but focus on just how large Magnus' hands are compared to his even smaller frame. Still, he squares his shoulders and tilts his helm.]

That is to be between Riptide and I.

I don't have to answer to you, Ultra Magnus, you are not my commanding officer.

Well, it's not between you and I. Riptide has contacted me with a request to intervene.

I may not be your commanding officer, but like it or not, we are stationed on this ship together. Riptide is my subordinate. I am trying to protect him.

I am asking you to leave him be.

Riptide contacted you?

[Tarn barks an ugly laugh, optic flaring brightly in cruel amusement.]

That coward, is he truly so weak that he needs someone else to fight his battles for him?

He's more of a fool than I anticipated if he actually believed that sending you to talk to me would even remotely help his situation.

There's no cowardice in seeking aid.

If you want to talk about true cowardice, hiding yourself behind a mask ranks pretty high up there.

I'm telling you now, Damus.

Leave Riptide and the rest of our crew be. I wish to peacefully coexist with the inhabitants of this ship, but I will bring you in, if at all necessary.

[Blinding anger takes over Tarn as Ultra Magnus' words strike home. A coward? He'll show Magnus what cowardly looks like. Magus. Knowing full well that he’s tempting fate he directs his attention at the Autobot, destroying any weapon or piece of technology on his person with a single, forceful, flare of power.]

He wants you to fight his battles for him, yet he doesn’t truly wish to win.

He’s constantly is taunting me into violence and inviting my attentions time and time again. In fact, I dare say that he’s been wanting me to end his miserable existence once and for all.

Weakened as I am, I will not stand down. The Decepticons will taste victory with Megatron back in command, and the rein of you and your Autobots will fall beneath us.

[Magnus truly wasn't expecting that. His armor powers down, and the pieces start to fall away as he silently swore. He didn't think Glitch would use his abilities on him.]

[Dammit, he didn't even think he'd be coming face to face with Glitch at all!]

[The armor strips and clatters away until all that's left is a very disheveled Minimus Ambus. The smaller bot looks up as his very visage is peeled away. The two now standing with their true faces exposed. But Minimus refuses to back down as well.]

Decepticonism is dead, Tarn. Accept it.

[Tarn stares down at Minimus with as much smugness as he can manage without an actual face. He can't help but think that Minimus is a bit of a hypocrite for calling Tarn a coward when he hides his face just as much, but he decides to let it slide in favor of addressing his ludicrous suggestion.]

Accept it? I'll never accept it. I'll die for this cause if I must.

[Tarn takes a level step toward Minimus, ready to throw down to defend his honor.]

You Autobots think you can control me, what with your fools energon and larger numbers, but I will always have my integrity to stand by me. I'm not going to give up.

[Minimus, despite standing in the wreckage of his armor, does not back down.]

Integrity? You threw away your integrity the moment you betrayed us! And for what? Because we didn't call you by your given name? What paltry rhetoric!

[Minimus practically spits those last words.]

What more could you possibly fight for? The war is over! The peace and equality that Decepticonism strove to bring about has come at last, and the only difference is the badge that the face of peace happens to wear!

You're stuck in an antiquated way of thinking. You have a chance to renounce a moniker and become so much more!

[Tarn is seeing red as he loses himself in his rage, lashing out with his claws.]

How dare you accuse me of such nonsense! I was never an Autobot. I followed Orion Pax for a short while, but I've always been able to make my own decisions and follow my own beliefs. The Decepticons were the only way.

I don't need you to tell me how I should think. You have no right.

[if the sentiment had come from Soundwave he may have listened, but coming from Minimus it just makes Tarn angry.]

And you don't think, for one second, that maybe Megatron turned you just to get to Optimus?

You don't think that perhaps you were a tool?

Silence!

[Minimus has gone too far and Tarn is done listening. His claws aim for the Autobot's shoulders in an attempt to shove him away from his space.]

Megatron saw greatness in me. I won't stand for this slander!

Then I challenge you.

I challenge you to ask him yourself and see if what he saw was someone great, or a means to an end.

You have an opportunity now to be free of the delusion that binds you. We are all working towards peace. We all wish to co-exist. Your trappings are one of the only things keeping this dream from being more than just a dream!

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Leave The Boat Alone

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