intelligenceofficer | Cyberformed: Inbox

Longarm Prime:

I have attached my draft of the ship code of conduct. I have recently revised the chapter on storage of materials after the murder. Please respond with your comments, and we can plan an open discussion session with the crew. Afterwards, I can prepare a presentation for the Vehicons to ensure that their work follows our protocol.

Ultra Magnus, Head of Safety and Security aboard the R2

[There's a massive editable pdf attached to this.]

[ It was, of course, an inevitability that he would be receiving the draft code of conduct for review, but did Magnus have to send it when they were also processing an extremely convoluted murder case?

As much as Longarm would have liked to put it off, he felt he still needed to solidify Magnus' opinion of him. Which meant powering through it as efficiently as possible.

After an appropriate amount of time for someone who was not Ultra Magnus to review the document, the following response will be in Magnus' inbox.]

Ultra Magnus:

I have attached my annotated copy of the code of conduct for your consideration. The document is extremely thorough and I believe fully captures any issues that may arise on the ship. Most of my comments are merely suggestion where elaboration or definition may be beneficial given the multi-universal aspect of our crew. We need to account for different levels of familiarity with such a document.

I also highlighted topics I felt would be particularly valuable to include in the follow-up presentation or for discussion with the rest of the crew, which I am sure you already considered.

If there are any specific items you would wish to discuss, please contact me or we could discuss in person in the security office.

Longarm Prime
Deputy Head of Safety and Security

[ Might as well claim the second highest title before someone else showed up. ]

Ultra Magnus:

On a semi-related note, on your desk in the security office you will find the datapad you lent me earlier containing the Autobot Code from your universe.

As discussed, I have gone through and made note of any variations I identified on a duplicate, annotated file. My testimony regarding Wasp's case is also there, though as I said before it was some time ago and may not be as thorough as one would like.

I hope you find it informative.

Longarm Prime
Deputy Head of Safety and Security

[ His annotations of the Autobot Code appear throughout the document, implying significant variance between the two, and included some strategic but minor alterations of certain clauses that would support the guilty charges against Wasp. With no way to factcheck his work, Longarm was certain Magnus would never realize the truth.

His testimony is comprehensive but vague enough to support his claim of not recalling all the details. The facts all line up with his previous claims, though there is an added emphasis on Wasp's bullying and mistreatment of Bumblebee prior to his arrest. ]

Edited 2021-10-30 01:44 (UTC)

[Having had a talk with Wasp, Grimlock decides he needs a discussion with Longarm as well.]

[Having gotten directions from the Vehicons, he comes stomping into Longarm's office. His first impression is that it looks...like an office. One of the desks is well-cleaned, with everything organized into just the right place--a stifling, maddening neatness. The other, Longarm's workplace, looks far more natural with its scattered styluses, piles of datapads, and the occasional empty energon cube. It reminds him of Rodimus' office, only not so colorful.]

[Unlike Wasp, Longarm needed no special treatment, so Grimlock, as usual, is direct with his questions.]

Why Longarm say Wasp traitor?

[ Longarm looked up without pausing as he continued typing yet another testimonial report from the murders. Why. Why did the dinobot have to keep sticking his nose where it didn't belong. Longarm gave a beleaguered sigh, folding his hands in front of him and speaking with excruciating patience. ]

Because he was arrested for treason. Which is what happens when you're a traitor.
I take it you spoke with Wasp?

[Grimlock nods.]

Me speak. He too...[He struggles to find the right word.]...pathetic be Decepticon. And Decepticons all over ship. If he Decepticon, why he no join?

[ Pathetic is exactly the right word as far as Longarm is concerned, but he really doesn't have time for this. ]

He wasn't always like that. He used to be quite mean-spirited, actually. No one ever came to extract him, I'm sure he holds a grudge against however gave him orders.

Plus these Decepticons may have higher standards. I think we both can agree he isn't exactly a fearsome warrior.

If he no like Decepticons, then he Autobot friend.

[There's something cold and dismissive to Longarm's tone, and it rankles Grimlock. It feels like he's back in the Moonbase, getting a lecture from the Autobot officers. Compared to Wasp's nervous, emotional account, it makes him less inclined to trust Longarm.]

Wasp say he should be Elite Guard. Maybe he strong when no scared? You good with find evidence. What evidence you have for Wasp?

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." That's certainly one way to look at it.

He said he wanted to be in the Elite Guard, but it's never a guarantee. It would have been a tactful position for a spy. The Elite Guard are one of the most informed units on Cybertron and are the first to respond to major threats. I work with closely with them, they're all upstanding bots who report to Ultra Magnus directly.

[ Longarm had seen how Grimlock respected the Ultra Magnus here. That name drop was strategic. He steepled his fingers, head tilted in consideration. ]

What kind of evidence are you looking for?

[Indeed, that mention of Ultra Magnus does improve Grimlock's opinion of Longarm.]

So Elite Guard all good Autobots.

[He taps his chin, thinking of the evidence that should be used against a traitor.]

What Wasp do for Decepticons? Hurt Autobots? Wreck things?

Yes, the best Cybertron has to offer.

[ Somehow manages to say that with a straight face, even as images of Sentinel's many blunders cross his mind. ]

They caught him before he could do much, but if he had succeeded he could have sabotaged Autobot efforts to stop the Decepticons. Wasp could have hurt a lot of Autobots.

But he no hurt Autobots now.

[That is the only thing he can be sure of regarding Wasp. He has never seen Wasp's supposedly nasty past self.]

If he no like Decepticons and Decepticons no like him, why no use him hurt Decepticons?

[ Was it the exhaustion that caused that sentence to be so difficult to parse, or was it just Grimlock? This was worse than trying to converse with Lugnut. Longarm rubbed his forehead, doing his best to hide his mounting irritation. ]

I'm sorry, are you asking why we don't use Wasp to hurt the Decepticons? Or did I mishear you?

Yes!

[Grimlock replies, proud of his own intelligence.]

Longarm say Wasp spy for Decepticons. But now he no want be with Decepticons. Him neutral now. But ask him nice. So he help Autobots. Do spy thing on Decepticons.

[ .... ]

[ .... ]

No, Grimlock, I'm not sure that's a good idea. He isn't really in the best state, and messing with the Decepticons could be dangerous.

I think it best if we just let him have this fresh start until we return to Cybertron. If he really has reformed, I'll be able to report that when we get back.

That good idea!

[He grins, glad that Wasp doesn't need to be considered a traitor, at least, even if Wasp won't be rejoining the Autobots anytime soon. The small bot is so scared, so vulnerable, that Grimlock actually feels bad for him. He doesn't want Wasp to be his enemy.]

Let him be safe. Live peaceful life. Me find other Autobots to fight Decepticons.

Edited 2021-10-31 21:00 (UTC)

Longarm Prime:

Having spoken to Prowl, he and I are in agreement that the nudge gun should be destroyed as soon as possible. Please prepare a meeting with all three of us to smelt it down and ensure it will not be used again.

Ultra Magnus
Head of Safety and Security

[ Already?! He'd barely been able to study it at all with the constant interruptions following the investigation. He had expected to have more time than this. ]

Ultra Magnus:

I will speak with Captain Sparkarrow and secure the necessary equipment. Once I have done so I will notify you immediately.

I do have several questions about this Prowl. I assume he is from your own universe? If so I would appreciate a description of his character. I get the feeling he is going to be rather different from the one I am familiar with, considering he would not be at all involved in these kinds of matters.

Longarm Prime
Deputy Head of Safety and Security

Yes, I think that would be a valuable use of your time. [ and more importantly, get him Out of Longarm's office. ]

Myself or Ultra Magnus will be certain to assist if you see anything suspicious.

[Grimlock nods, and then walks out. He's learned all he wants to know.]

[Oh Primus, this will be difficult.]

Longarm Prime:

Unfortunately, I do not have many positive things to say about him. Prowl has burned many metaphorical bridges with Autobots, includes supposed friends and former partners. He has used others as pawns in his plans and ignores what befalls them. He assumes that his is always right, and that all conflict would be over if he were in total control of every plan.

However, he has mentioned that recent events has forced him to reconsider his course of action, and he is willing to act in an supporting role in the security team. I would trust his knowledge of the rulebook and assessment of time-sensitive and dangerous situations. I would trust him as a consultant, but not as a friend.

Ultra Magnus
Head of Safety and Security

Ultra Magnus:

I can't say that aligns at all with the Prowl I'm familiar with, so I appreciate the intel. Between your description and your original message, I take it he is familiar with the nudge gun or similar weaponry? "Thought warfare" I believe is how you described it previously.

I trust your judgement, sir, but welcome any assistance he can offer. Goodness knows it looks like we will need it.

Longarm Prime
Deputy Head of Safety and Security

This is Prowl. I have spoken recently with Ultra Magnus on matters of ship security. It is my understanding that I am to report to you along with him, yes?

[He's got the uptight energy of Magnus fused with a really angry cat. Polite, yet somehow existentially unpleasant. ]

[ Longarm looked mildly surprised. For the most part the various alternate versions of bots he knew were still recognizable. This looked nothing like the Prowl serving on Optimus' team on Earth. ]

Nice to meet you, Prowl. As you're already aware I am Longarm Prime, I've been working with Magnus on ship security. He mentioned you would be joining the security team in a consulting role and spoke quite highly of your capabilities, but did not give much information on your background. Can I ask how you've served the Autobots in the past?

There is a Prowl in my universe but he is quite different from yourself, so I hesitate to make any assumptions.

I was a member of Autobot High Command for the duration of the war. Chief Strategist. I operated under Optimus, naturally.

[ he certainly sounds imperious enough to do a lot of relentless ordering around. ]

Though, I suppose my more relevant experience would have been before the war, as a detective for the Mechaforensics Division in Iacon. I do have a fondness for analysis, you could say.

Cyberformed: Inbox

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In Person (Because a cranky dinosaur in his office is what Longarm needs at the moment)

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text, after meeting Prowl

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