CHAPTER SIX
--Gigantion--
To say the dining room as set up by Tyrest was extravagant would have been an understatement. The table and chairs were made from sparkling silver and gold metal, adorned by decorative bowls containing rich fuel and energon. To each wall were encased sculptures and paintings reflecting sundry cultures from across the galaxy.
Seeing this, Optimus came to two conclusions: that Tyrest had very rich and regal tastes, and that he had had a lot of time on his hands to acquire all of these things.
"Please, do take a seat," the Chief Justice said as he seated himself in a throne-like chair at the end of the table. "Ambus will be here shortly to provide any refreshments."
"Ambus?" Glyph asked. "As in Dominus Ambus?"
Tyrest chuckled. "As in his brother, Minimus Ambus. If you've ever visited the Circle, you may know him better as the bartender there."
"How does the brother of one of Cybertron's most famous philosophers get to be a bartender of all things?" Bulkhead asked.
"Believe me," said a white and green mech entering the room with a tray full of beverages, "I've been asking myself that for years."
Optimus eyed Minimus Ambus carefully as he walked up to the table. "I don't believe anyone's seen you for two hundred years."
Minimus raised an optic ridge at him. "You know me?"
"I visited the Circle once during one of the war's quieter stages and saw you there. We chatted for a few nanokliks before I had to leave. When I visited the place again, it had been shut down and you had not been heard from since."
Minimus opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Tyrest. "Yes, well, it's nice to see you two are acquainted. So tell me, Prime, where have you been for the past century?"
Optimus gave the Chief Justice a quick recap of recent events. When he was finished, Tyrest rested his hand under his chin.
"That's quite the tale, Prime. I'm sad to hear that Cybertron is in Decepticon hands."
"Indeed," Optimus said. "Which is why we're here: to collect the shards of the AllSpark and reconstitute it. It is our hope that it will give us the upper hand we need when we regather our forces and launch a final assault on the Decepticons."
Tyrest smirked as he raised his glass. "To victory, then."
While the others reluctantly joined in his toast, Optimus did not, instead staring at Tyrest intently. "I answered your questions. Now, please answer mine."
The Chief Justice waved an airily hand. "Very well. Ask away."
"Where have you been? You vanished from public eye a year before I left Cybertron. Prowl then found that you had been declared a Neutral by the Galactic Council as recent as a hundred years ago."
"I have been here for the most part," Tyrest said. "Gigantion is a nice, quiet, and secluded place, away from the horrors of war. I apologize for never explaining myself to you, Prime."
Optimus sighed. "There is no need for apologies. Plenty of Autobots have deserted, even under my command-- and who can blame them? The atrocities I've seen both sides commit-- Simanzi, Clemency, Babu Yar-- it's a wonder I haven't been pushed to my breaking point."
Tyrest nodded sagely. "I've wondered myself where it all ends; when the Decepticons will run out of horrors to show the galaxy."
The two fell silent for a moment. Then, Optimus said, "So... Metroplex."
"He was already here when I arrived here," Tyrest said. "I know not how he came to be here or why. I've simply... made myself comfortable."
"Don't you find it sacrilegious? The Titans are idolized by many and are considered sacred figures by some."
A dangerous fire flickered in the Chief Justice's optics. "I do not need you to tell me what is sacrilegious, Prime. In fact, I am offended that you think I would dare commit sin to a disciple of Primus."
All at the table tensed at Tyrest's sudden change in tone. No one dared utter a word or move a single piston. To everyone's great surprise, it was Minimus Ambus who broke the silence.
"Would... anyone like a refill? There's plenty to spare."
"I'm good right now, Magnus," Optimus said.
The tension increased. Several mouths fell agape as optics flickered from Optimus to Minimus. Tyrest merely regarded the Prime coolly.
"So. You know."
"I've always known. Ever since Suture first donned the armor. Ratchet divulged the information to me, knowing that it would be important for me to know and that I would never let word get out."
"Is that right? A pity Ratchet isn't here then, for I would immediately have him tried for treason." Rising from his seat, Tyrest clapped his hands and five giant gold mechs burst into the room. "Legislators, please take our guests-- as well as Minimus here-- to a cell. They have proven to be too much to handle."
As the Legislators each seized the Autobots, Optimus glared at Tyrest. "Why are you doing this?"
"I'm ashamed to admit that I was wrong about you. I was hoping you would see things my way, that you would side with my views on Primus and the Primal Pantheon. But now I very much doubt that you will." Tyrest flicked a hand to dismiss the Legislators. "Please don't think I don't regret this, Prime."
"As long as you don't think I won't forget this," Optimus said darkly as he and the Autobots were escorted away.
--The Lost Light--
"Ah, if only they could see me now. Who would have thought a simple doctor like me would have been able to take over a spaceship?"
Stepping onto the Lost Light's bridge, where most of its crew had been rounded up and captured, Pharma spared a glance to one of the Legislators standing guard.
"Okay, fine, you guys had a hand in it as well, but--"
"Pharma?" Sitting on his knees with his arms behind his head, First Aid craned his head towards the rogue Autobot. "You're still alive?"
"Good to see your optical sensors are still functional," the rogue Autobot said with a mirthless grin. "Yes, I am indeed alive and well. You see, it pays to be on the good side of those higher up in the food chain."
"What is the meaning of this?" Elita demanded.
"Nothing much; just handling trespassers, is all." Turning on his comlink, the mad doctor said, "Lockdown, this is Pharma. I've taken over the ship. Are you impressed?"
"Hardy," came the bitter reply. "Have the Legislators beam them down."
Pharma's shoulders sagged. "Oh. So I don't get to kill any of them?"
"Tyrest seems to be more interested in prisoners instead of corpses. Best not to upset him, aye?"
"Yes, yes, of course." Ending the connection, Pharma beckoned sharply to the Legislators. "Take them down."
"What's going on, Pharma?" Nautica asked as a Legislator seized her and Chromedome. "What is this about?"
"What is it about?" Pharma laughed harshly. "It's about the endgame."
With a snap of his fingers, the Legislators and their captives were gone.
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