Beast Wars Prime

A Plague of Insecticons Pt.1

Hello all and welcome back to Beast Wars Prime. Sorry this update took so long. I've got family staying with me so finding time to write has been a slight issue. That said, this is the first part of another two parter. I decided to break it up due to length and will have the other half ready on Halloween. In any event, I hope you enjoy this.

Cyclonus transformed as he landed next to a cave several miles from where he had first encountered Airachnid on this world. He listened closely; he knew Insecticons always made some form of noise while in their hive. Hearing nothing, he frowned before drawing his sword and silently entering the cavern.

Looking around the inside of the cavern, he saw that while it was devoid of life, there was evidence that life had been there. He found several small pools of energon around which were numerous Insecticon parts, signs that the hive Airachnid had taken control of from the Decepticons had both reproduced and been culled to an extent.

Other evidence showed that someone had been experimenting on the hive. To his right he saw several dead Insecticons in various stages of dissection and augmentation. Looking closer he saw some human communications equipment amidst the refuse, then looking up, he saw the calculations on the wall.

His optics widened; he knew some of those calculations. They were used in the golden age of Cybertron to track space bridge frequencies. Following the formulas, Cyclonus discovered what Airachnid had been trying to locate. The bottom of his fuel reservoir dropped out when he realized she had succeeded.

"Arcee." He whispered in horror. Sheathing his sword, Cyclonus transformed and took off in the direction of the Autobot base. "Starshade, lock on the transmitted coordinates and descend on an intercept course." He prayed to Primus, the Primes, and Tailgate that he wasn't too late.

"This tribunal is now in session." Optimus Prime began, leaning forward to speak into the microphone while seated at a table in a storeroom near the bridge of the Lost Light. He looked up at Ultra Magnus. His second in command was now in very deep trouble for his actions. After informing the Maximals that Magnus had files on them, and what they contained, he'd been walking a metaphoric tightrope to keep their trust.

"I, Optimus Prime, as leader of the Autobots shall conduct this hearing." Optimus began. "With me are Rodimus of Nyon, and captain of the starship the Lost Light and First Aid of Iacon, ships doctor. The goal of this hearing is to ascertain the depth of the defendants' transgressions and determine what disciplinary actions need to be taken."

Rodimus, as ships' captain, was an obvious choice for the tribunal as he proved himself professional and diplomatic. While he was on friendly terms with the Maximals, he refused to let that sway his decisions. First Aid was chosen both due to the medical nature of some of the crimes and the fact that Velocity was unfamiliar with disciplinary protocols. Ratchet and Rung were ruled out due to being secondary victims as they were the ones the medical records had been stolen from.

Optimus looked at Magnus again. "The defendant, Ultra Magnus stands accused of violation of protocol and violation of treaties with allies. In addition, the defendant is accused of illegally accessing privileged personal medical and psychological information. How does the defendant plead?"

"Guilty your honors." Magnus replied. "I did indeed violate those regulations. However, I did it for what I believed to be a good reason. While they may be our friends, the Maximals are highly dangerous."

Rodimus leaned forward. "Dangerous how commander?" He asked.

"Simply put." Magnus began. "They have proven themselves to be highly capable fighters in battle. Those capabilities, however, also make them a liability as the recent incident with Mindwipe has proven."