Ultra Magnus, Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
onlytwoexpressions) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thisavrou_log2016-09-29 03:08 pm
onlytwoexpressions) wrote in thisavrou_log2016-09-29 03:08 pm
Black Cat Crossed the Wrong Path | CLOSED
Who: Ultra Magnus, Megatron, and Riptide a little later
When: Not long after this thread
Where: Cargo Bay
What: Ultra Magnus has to break some really horrible news to one of his captains and apparently he's the only one who can. Also Riptide will screw it up.
Warnings: Discussion of death in general.
[After Magnus had left Riptide and Ratchet, he sent Megatron a brief message.]
["Something has come up. We have to talk in person. I am on my way to meet you in your quarters."]
[He had instructed Riptide to stay outside the Cargo Bay...to wait until after he had brought Megatron in to see Ravage's remains before coming in and speaking with him. In part, because he knew Megatron enough to know that having both himself and Riptide approach him would set the former despot on edge. And after everything that had taken place recently, he was certain that Megatron was already walking on eggshells, so to speak.]
[So, he arrives at Megatron's quarters and gives a single, solitary knock.]
Megatron? It's Magnus.
When: Not long after this thread
Where: Cargo Bay
What: Ultra Magnus has to break some really horrible news to one of his captains and apparently he's the only one who can. Also Riptide will screw it up.
Warnings: Discussion of death in general.
[After Magnus had left Riptide and Ratchet, he sent Megatron a brief message.]
["Something has come up. We have to talk in person. I am on my way to meet you in your quarters."]
[He had instructed Riptide to stay outside the Cargo Bay...to wait until after he had brought Megatron in to see Ravage's remains before coming in and speaking with him. In part, because he knew Megatron enough to know that having both himself and Riptide approach him would set the former despot on edge. And after everything that had taken place recently, he was certain that Megatron was already walking on eggshells, so to speak.]
[So, he arrives at Megatron's quarters and gives a single, solitary knock.]
Megatron? It's Magnus.
no subject
[Many things about Magnus telegraphs something was wrong. The short, vague message. The single, tentative knock. The look on his face and the caution with which he was arranging this meeting. Megatron knows full well that something horrible had just happened.]
I'm guessing Tarn is involved in this.
no subject
[With a bit of a weary sigh, he nods his helm slightly.]
It's not confirmed. But based on evidence, it's likely.
[He leaves it at that for the moment.]
If you could accompany me...there's something that I think you need to see.
[His voice doesn't have the usual Magnus no-nonsense tone. It's softer, filled with worry and concern.]
Though...I should warn you. It's not going to be pleasant.
no subject
[Megatron steps forward to follow the Autobot. What viscera could he have possibly left this time?]
It's unlike you to be so spare on details, Magnus.
no subject
[His biolights dim. There was no easy way to discuss this.]
...But I'm afraid, for once, I cannot find the words.
[He leads Megatron almost wordlessly to the med bay and stops at the door.]
Megatron...before we go inside, I want to be clear:
The evidence we have is circumstantial at best. As far as we know...as far as we know, what you're about to see is only a possibility. It hasn't happened yet in my time, and I'm not sure exactly what that means.
[He fumbles a bit as he searches for the words.]
Riptide...received a package. From the Ingress. I had thought it was disabled but apparently things can still come through. I don't know what this means but it doesn't bode well.
...I ask...as your friend...
I ask that you refrain from doing something...
...Something drastic.
[He steps aside to let his captain through, but stops him with a hand on his shoulder.]
I also wish to remind you that I am here.
no subject
[He would quickly realize why the preamble as needed as soon as he enters the medibay, however. Despite everything he'd seen and done, the sight of the mangled, gunmetal gray body lying on the medical berth freezes him in his footsteps. Red optics widen, a mix of shock and horror making him stumble more than step forward towards the table. He's supported by his hands clenching at the edges of the berth.]
Ravage?
[His voice was small, like the miner that lost a mentor rather than the despot they came to know.]
no subject
[But when he hears Megatron's voice, small and unsure and...and grief-stricken...]
[He steps forward and places his hand on Megatron's shoulder, gentle but firmly.]
I don't know what this means. I don't know if this is a sick joke or...or a warning of things to come.
But...I'm going to try and stop it. Whatever happens, I'll do what I can. Whatever it takes.
[And then...]
Megatron...I'm sorry...
no subject
[His optics look over the twisted metal of the Decepticon's corpse. It was easy to see Tarn's imprints over it - the purple paint streaks where he seized Ravage and ripped him in half. The universe certainly had quite the sense of humor. His grip on the table tightens, but he otherwise says perfectly still.]
What did Ratchet say?
[The grief seems to disappear from his voice.]
no subject
"The twist and stress of the plating are consistent with him being pulled apart bodily. The size and shape of the finger indentations and the slight paint transfer indicate that Tarn was the culprit."
[He ends it there, placing the data pad down next to the remains and craning his head to look at Megatron. To look for...something. Anything. A trace of what the other robot was thinking.]
If...I had to make a guess...if I had to take this at face.
I'm inclined to believe that this is a potential outcome of the battle we were about to enter when I arrived here. Tarn was at our doorstep. If Ravage joined us in the battle...then...
[His lips form a thin line.]
With all due respect, Megatron, but what is going through that mind of yours? I understand the shock this presents but...
no subject
[The truth was, even now, the first thing that came to mind was what manner of ugly, cruel retribution he would exact on Tarn for this. What way he could properly slaughter the Decepticon to make him suffer before his end came. He knew it was wrong, he hates that it's his first instinct, but Ravage was going to be killed in a hopeless battle because he was too cowardly to take care of his own mistake. A Decepticon he had known since they started out in the pits of Cybertron's slums. Someone who knew him far better than any Autobot. His frame begins to quake as the metal finally bends beneath his hands, utterly silent and consumed with emotion.]
[But that emotion can't be contained for long.]
[The metal finally shrieks as it's ripped out of its base - cables and mechanisms and all. His face is twisted with hurt rage as he sends it flying it into a nearby wall, slamming it straight into whatever equipment was mounted underneath. Ravage's body is lost - but he doesn't seem to care.]
[He remains lurched forward, hands balled into fists, focusing that hateful stare into the remains of the berth.]
no subject
[As soon as Megatron began tearing the berth from the floor, he moved back two quick steps, placing himself between Megatron and the door. No one was leaving, but more importantly, no one was coming in. He would spare anyone the sight of Megatron losing control once more, and he'd allow his friend a moment of privacy to grieve.]
[Two birds, etc.]
[He lets his frame fill the doorway, arms lowered at his sides, a non-threatening gesture.]
Megatron...talk to me.
Please.
no subject
[When he's only greeted with the deadening silence of the reality of the situation, a deep sigh blows out of his vents. His posture deflates as he lowers down to one knee to where the Decepticon's body fell.]
Ravage is going to die, Magnus. He's going to be ripped apart because I was too cowardly or too weak to take care of my own mistake.
[He's careful as he picks up the remains. Soundwave will likely want to properly send them off when he finds out about this.]
What else is there to say?
no subject
this is partly on him. he has to do something...
the door is kicked open and riptide points at magnus dramatically, yelling triumphantly.] MAGNUS! MEGATRON! I've just clocked I outrank you both! How terrifying is that?!
[fffffuckin nailed it.]
no subject
[FUCKING.]
[STARING.]
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[Megatron doesn't have the will to ask Riptide what the hell he was doing. He can't be their bewildered, irritated ex-warlord captain right now. All he can do is stare at the remains being cradled in his hands.]
no subject
[he trails off. he hadn't expected silence!! he winces as his optics drift to ravage's remains.
what does he do now? riptide chews his lower lip for a moment, then clamps over to megatron and puts his hand on megatron's wrist gently.]
M'sorry. I just-- ...Sorry.
no subject
[He turns Riptide to face him, leans in really close...]
Riptide, remind me to enroll you in my seminar on 'How to Read a Room.'
ITS ONLY BEEN A MONTH LATER!!!!
[He looks up at Ultra Magnus, expression stern and voice curt, the only indicator that something far darker than grief was percolating in his mind.]
It's fine. He was just trying to help.
[He walks past them.]
We need to tell Soundwave. He deserves to know.
you have done nothing wrong, ever
a socially inept minibot.
gears, maybe.]
Uh-- Ratchet was going to tell him because he checked the b--the box and figured he's good at delivering this type of news.
[awkwardly, he tries to pull his shoulder out of magnus's grip, pushing his index fingers together.]
I'm-- I'm sorry, he was a cooooool cat! Haha!
[primus if you exist and if you are merciful you will strike me down where i stand for no cybertronian before me has bombed this hard, not even the k-cons ]