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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 8, 2023 23:28:45 GMT
Characters Appearing: Thundercracker, Optimus Prime Location (s): Prime's office, GHOST HQ Timeline: September 15th Plot Summary: Ever since the breakout, Thundercracker has been shirking his check-ins, but reluctantly agrees after a few months.
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 8, 2023 23:40:55 GMT
To say he was less than thrilled to be at GHOST HQ was an understatement. Granted, Thundercracker had never been particularly fond of the organization, but to avoid further problems had agreed to join them as a part-time agent. Yet, things had soured further long after the breakout had occurred. He had been angry at the lack fo proper measures taken, but he became infuriated to know that rumors had quickly spread after that the Decepticons kept in containment had been tortured at the hands of humans.
It rubbed Thundercracker the wrong way whether it was true or not.
The blue seeker had been distancing himself over these past several months, perhaps more than ever before. Where he had been expected to do a monthly check-in had quickly been diminished to almost nothing. He was that angry. He had trusted the Prime's words as well as Megatron's assurances things would change, but they hadn't. Even when the former Decepticon leader had urged him to come in as promised he had heard the hesitance in Megatron's tone. Even his former leader seemed to be questioning the alliance, but he had held his tongue for the time being. Instead here he was, approaching the Prime's office, his body rigid and ever present of the side glances he got. Yea, like this alliance was doing them much better than the war. He was just glad he had gone against bringing Buster along, not wanting to put her at risk if something went sideways.
Thundercracker decided to even forego formalities, barely knocking before he was stepping through the doorway, red optics narrowed slightly as he looked at the blue and red mech, "Let's make this quick Prime, I got other things to do." He spoke in irritation, arms crossing over his chest.
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 9, 2023 0:34:29 GMT
Optimus waited for Thundercracker. Optimus had a lot of respect for the seeker. One of the few Decepticons who willingly agreed to surrender and acclimate with G.H.O.S.T. and humanity. It warmed Optimus's processor.
But Thundercracker had been distant lately. He hadn't been doing his monthly check in. Optimus had been spending the last few months making excuses for the con. He was doing everything in his power to cover for him and it was driving Optimus crazy.
Finally Thundercracker arrived.
Optimus did not look happy.
"...Thundercracker you know the drill for these check-ins. Just go through the paperwork to confirm you haven't been up to any Decepticon shenanigans."
"But we need to talk. You've been...well ghosting me and G.H.O.S.T. We need to sort this out now, especially with the break out. Some of the higher-ups are concerned you might be working with some of the escapees."
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 9, 2023 0:48:30 GMT
Thundrcracker's mouth went agap with shock. Was he serious?! He was lecturing him on check-ins! "Excuse me?!" Thundercracker's anger had been held at bay for the time being, but the Prime's words quickly made that restraint disappear,"How fragging dare you! You have the audacity to lecture me regarding paperwork and Decepticon problems, after the slag with that breakout!" Thundercracker's optics flashed with fury at the Autobot leader.
"The breakout was all GHOST's fault, your ineptitude and severe lack of proper security protocols was their fault! Your chronic too trusting nature was the cause of all this!" The blue seeker's voice gradually got louder, slamming his hands on the Prime's desk, staring down red optics to deep blue. "To the pit with your paperwork, I distanced myself because I've heard what's been said Prime, I've heard the rumors of what GHOST was doing. You weren't rehabilitating them, GHOST was torturing prisoners. You of all mechs promised they would be shown kindness and equality, given proper justice, not just caged for being subjects to human cruelty." Thundercracker growled a part of him surprised at himself for defending the prisoners. But even he had his limits.
But Thundercracker scoffed as he stepped back, ""Decepticon shenanigans"...you haven't changed a damn bit Optimus. You're just as bad as the rest of your kind, you see a Decepticon you immediately think we're all like Starscream, Soundwave, or Quake." The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help wondering, wondering if anything was changing. "You preach and preach you're trying to help us, but your words betray that your view is still the same even thirty years later. I've done nothing to warrant needing constant surveillance or hostile remarks; I wasn't even no where near the prison at the time of the breakout." That he could prove.
He didn't know how much the Prime actually watched human television, but he would be damned if Optimus Prime or any other authority would say otherwise, "I was on a talk show doing an interview when everything went down, so shove your excuses up your aft."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 9, 2023 0:58:17 GMT
Optimus's face dropped. The venom in Thundercracker's voice echoed in his head.
"...I'm sorry," Optimus said. "I'm sorry I let you down. I'm sorry I let all the Decepticons we imprisoned down. This is my fault." And it was true. Optimus had trusted G.H.O.S.T. and it clearly had backfired on everyone horribly.
"I didn't mean to make it sound like I was accusing you of having a role in the breakout. I tried telling G.H.O.S.T. you'd never do that but they didn't believe me. I'm glad you have an alibi."
"I know you Thundercracker. I know you're not a bad bot. And I couldn't be prouder of what you've accomplished. I wish more..." Optimus was about to say Decepticons but he realized after what Thundercracker said about him judging cons it'd be a terrible choice of words. "I wish more Transformers were like you. There are still some Autobots who have refused to integrate with the humans."
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 9, 2023 1:22:58 GMT
The way Optimus' expression changed told Thundercracker his words had cut deep. Good, he wanted the Prime to feel ashamed, to know exactly what his attitude and others like it were causing. Those like him who just wanted to live their lives were suffering as much as those who had gone rogue. Many might not stand up to the Prime and show his faults, but Thundercracker wasn't about to stand for being scolded like he was the Prime's soldier when he wasn't.
"Sorry doesn't cut it Prime, nothing has changed. The war may be over, but the views of your Autobots, of humans, that remains the same. You remain the same." Thundercracker's voice returned to a normal level, but his anger remained. "You may not have meant for it to sound that way, but you did. Not all Decepticons are the same, just as not all Autobots are the same. I've integrated better than I'm sure half your troops have." Optimus even said it himself, not all Autobots had considered Earth their home. But neither had many of them seemed to have gotten through the haze of "Decepticon" equals "bad" every time. Not even the Prime.
The damage was done.
"No, you wish we were easier to control. I've been living my life without causing a single problem, I've started getting my name out there in a way that doesn't paint Decepticons in a negative light, but here I am, still worried I'll find myself in a cell without provocation. So no Prime, I won't be checking in on a regular basis. If GHOST wants to arrest me under false pretenses, I will fight back." Thundercracker assured him coldly, snagging the data pads he was use to at this point and writing what he needed to. "I think you've already shown enough nothing will change."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 9, 2023 1:38:38 GMT
Optimus looked at Thundercracker disappointed.
"Believe me Thundercracker this is eating me up to." Optimus took a deep breath and sighed. "If it was up to me and me alone I'd quit G.H.O.S.T. right now. But I can't. The only reason the governments of the world aren't hunting us down is because we're cooperating with them. If I was to quit G.H.O.S.T right now it would be a thousand times worse."
"I know that sounds like an excuse but it's the only answer I can give you right now. I'm sorry if-.. that it's not enough. I'm going to send a rogue agent of mine to investigate more of G.H.O.S.T. as soon as possible. I swear by the legacy of the primes I will expose them. I will prove things can change. It will take time but I will prove it."
Optimus thought for a bit.
"Thundercracker. I understand if you don't want to take it but I have an opportunity for you. If you're serious about making change I can give you that chance."
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 9, 2023 22:24:39 GMT
"I slagging hope it is, because this was the worst plan you could have done. It's pretty damn clear what the governments want, none of them want peace Prime, they just want to destroy or control us." Thundercracker continued with his blunt tone, not inclined to change it after all this. He wished it was different, that the world was different. But, the fact of the matter was change wasn't coming as the Prime probably had hoped. True, not all humans were like their governments, but a number of them made it pretty clear they didn't want the Cybertronians there or were nothing better than machines.
But those like Megatron didn't have a choice, he had to cooperate for his own safety. Or, perhaps Megatron had other personal reasons, but he had made it clear he would never follow the former warlord's commands either like he once did.
As Optimus assured him he would be doing a deeper investigation, Thundercracker gave a faint "hmph" in response. "Do what you want, I'm done with GHOST. I'm tired of trying to prove myself to some humans and Autobots that will never let go of their views. But my words still stand." As Thundercracker finished writing his last signature he reached up to remove the GHOST insignia he had bore after joining them part time, dropping it on the Prime's desk. "Tell them I quit." He said in a dismissive tone, setting the datapads down before raising a metallic brow. An opportunity? Well...couldn't be any worse could it. "Fine, I'm listening. What opportunity?" He inquired with a sigh.
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 10, 2023 0:02:14 GMT
Optimus hit a button. He had ordered Wheeljack to install a device that could temporarily cause the bugs in his office in G.H.O.S.T. HQ to give an infinite feedback loop in case he needed privacy.
"...This talk with me has made me realize something. It's time to start putting forward the change that's needed. I'm going to start work on an off-the-books prison center. One where Decepticons can be rehabilitated and treated fairly."
He hated doing it. He hated going against G.H.O.S.T.'s orders. It could have the potential to bring the governments on Earth down on them. But what else could he do at this point? Megatron and Thundercracker were right. Something had to change. And it needed to happen fast. He also needed to make sure Thundercracker didn't throw his life away. He'd come so far. It wasn't right for him to feel like he should have to throw it away to make a stand.
Besides. What was one more decision that was meant to help but just ended up hurting by this point?
"And I want you to be a part of it. As a Decepticon you know them better than anyone. You could be in charge of helping us rehabilitate prisoners."
"You want to help make change happen Thundercracker? This is your chance."
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 15, 2023 5:00:37 GMT
Was the Prime serious? The blue seeker looked in disbelief towards Optimus, unable to find any proper words to express them. After what he had just said, that was his big opportunity. Without really thinking about it a humorless laugh left Thundercracker, not even realizing it until he seemed to process what Optimus was asking of him.
"You don't get it, you just don't." Thundercracker told him, shaking his head as the laugh finally fell away to a normal tone once more. "The only thing you've been right about Optimus is me and others knowing the Decepticons, and that's the thing you're not understanding: the Decepticons will never agree to that. Those like me or those like the fugitives who broke out from GHOST custody. It'll be seen as another way for humans and Autobots to control Decepticons, nothing more." Thundercracker didn't know how much more he could press the matter. Somehow, Optimus and the Autobots had convinced Megatron to turn entirely, and the warlord seemed to want change for the Decepticons, but their methods hadn't been working.
They meant well, but it was doing more damage than actually helping anything towards peace.
The seeker felt there was no point in arguing the matter. No matter how much Thundercracker might get angry, correct, or press, he came to the conclusion that Optimus would never budge on the decision. And so he might be putting himself at risk. "You want to put me on GHOST's watch list, be my guest. I'll make sure its in the most public place possible, let the world see how GHOST really operates. I've been living my life peacefully, making a life outside war, so I think I've been doing pretty slagging well for myself." The blue seeker finally turned his back to the Prime, "I hope they come for me. Then by law, I should be able to fight for wrongful imprisonment should I not? Good luck with your plans Optimus, but kindly go to the Pit." He growled softly before he decided to storm out of the Prime's office having nothing further to say on the matter.
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 15, 2023 5:12:34 GMT
That was it.
Optimus was pissed.
He slammed his fist on the table.
"STAY!!!!" he ordered.
Optimus didn't raise his voice often but he was mad. If being sympathetic toward Thundercracker wouldn't work he needed to show some tough love.
"Thundercracker. With all due respect, What do you want!?"
"You say you want your fellow Decepticons to be treated fairly, I'm giving you a chance to do that! Make the change you want and you throw it back in my face!"
"Do you want me to just let them go free Thundercracker!? Ignore the fact many of them are unrepentant killers!? Let them get away with war crimes when they have no desire to make amends like you and Megatron! They slaughtered countless innocent humans! You of all bots know what kind of monsters are in the Decepticon ranks!"
"I don't approve of G.H.O.S.T. torturing them, but it sounds to me like you don't want them punished at all!"
"I'm asking as a friend Thundercracker. I'm trying to help you. Is there something else bothering you? What's this really about?"
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 23, 2023 18:46:59 GMT
Thundercracker's jaw tightened, "NO!" He snarled softly, turning back to face the Prime. He was growing quite tired of being ordered around. Whether it was by Optimus, Megatron, or even Starscream, he had always tried being obediant, flexible, trying to not be at the receiving end of some kind of reprimand or punishment. But this wasn't the war anymore, he wasn't someone's lap dog or soldier.
"No, I'm tired of playing soldier for you and Megatron. The war is over, so you can kiss my aft Prime." The blue seeker was probably being more hard headed than he intended to be, but his patience was already at its thinnest. "Like I said, I know the Decepticons, they would never agree to an arrangement like that. Pit, they'd probably find it insult and infuriating, seeming as it didn't work the first time and only earned them torture, whether you had a hand in it intentionally or not." And that was what Optimus didn't seem to be getting..."Like I said Prime, you don't get it. Most Decepticons are stuck in their ways, and being placed in a cell with only them being held accountable just looks like favoritism." Maybe it was time Thundercracker gave his own tough love.
In fact, it was Optimus who brought the point up this time. "So when are your more ruthless Autobots going to be jailed? I seem to recall not all your Autobots are sunshine and peace and rainbows Prime. Some of them savored the taste of battle, cared little for life as you do, yet I saw nothing about escaped Autobot prisoners in that prison break. Where were they? Where's their trials and justice? Have you thought that might be another reason?" Thundercracker pointed out, raising a metallic brow. Thundercracker could recall when some Autobots might as well have been Decepticons themselves...
If they wanted to go by the usual definition of what a "Decepticon" was.
"And what I want Prime, is to be left alone. I never wanted any of this, not even when the war started." Thundercracker's wings twitched as old frustrations made themselves known. "I was perfectly content once, being a scientist. I didn't like classism, but my position wasn't bad, I loved it, thrived on it. I only became a Decepticon to look out for my friends, and now I've lost everything from this fragging war." He glanced back up at the Prime, red optics burning with anger, "I can finally find meaning to my life again, and all I'm doing is being dragged about like a ragdoll, worrying about someone being on my back. All I want is to be left to my own devices without worrying about being dragged away in chains when I did nothing. I want you, Megatron, and GHOST to let me be."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 23, 2023 19:32:07 GMT
Optimus didn't know what to think at this point.
It was clear that Thundercracker didn't get it. Of course, he didn't. In his mind the Decepticons were still freedom fighters who tried to liberate Cybertron from its classism. Even if he agreed they took things on Earth too far he still was more inclined to sympathize with them than Optimus.
But what set him off was the ruthless Autobots mention.
"How dare you Thundercracker!?" Optimus asked. "How dare you accuse me of all bots letting the worst of my Autobots off easy!! Every single one of those disgraces is a stain on everything we stand for! You think I just let them go because they 'happen' to be Autobots?!"
"I believe in fair justice for all. Not just for Decepticons but Autobots as well. That's what this new prison will be about."
Even if Thundercracker didn't go along with it Optimus knew he had to still do the new prison plan. Because Thundercracker was right. It was time for serious change.
Still as irritated as he was Optimus did sympathize with Thundercracker on his last point. He sighed.
"I understand... Somedays I just wish I could be left alone too. Go back to being Orion Pax humble data clerk. But I can't. I have too many people depending on me."
"I'm sorry Thundercracker. I'm sorry I let you down." Optimus said as sincerely as he could.
"....I know you're angry. You have every right not to listen to me. But I think I might know something that would be good for you. There's a bot in Witwicky I want you to meet. Her name is Hashtag. She shares your love of filmmaking. I think you two would get along nicely."
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Post by Thundercracker on Oct 25, 2023 19:49:53 GMT
"I'm calling it as I see it Optimus, so yes I do dare." Thundercracker was unmoving in his words. From what he saw and heard with his own optics and audio receptors, he wasn't afraid to make the accusation. Though, it seemed neither of them were about to budge on where they stood on the matter. Far as the blue seeker was concerned, neither side was really worth a damn anyway. He didn't care for his former comrades, didn't care for the Autobots, he just wanted to focus on himself, regardless of what the Prime would think.
"Guess we'll just have to agree to disagree." He finally grunted softly, wanting to just move on from the topic at this point. They were just going in circles.
But the blue seeker sighed as he gave Optimus a thoughtful glance, "Some days it seems times before the war were much easier, don't they." Certainly not better, but those days had been simpler, easier, they knew what was expected and what they could do. There were some days Thundercracker had been firmer against Skywarp's insistence to joining the Decepticons that fateful day, the day he left his old life behind to become a soldier. He wondered where she was now...
"Save it, neither of us are going to budge, so we might as well drop it Prime." The seeker told him dismissively once more, before crossing his arms as he listened to the Prime speak of someone who shared his love for films and making them. Her name even connected to a large use of the hashtag used on many social media sites. "A budding filmmaker huh, it would be a nice change. Finally something we agree on." Thundercracker unfolded his arms, his anger turning to excitement and curiosity. "I'm interested in meeting her, if you don't mind making the arrangements. It might be odd for a strange frequency to reach out randomly."
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Post by Optimus Prime on Oct 25, 2023 21:27:30 GMT
Optimus sighed.
"Yes. I guess we can agree to disagree.".
He was happy though his suggestion about Hashtag had gotten Thundercracker to cheer up a bit.
"I'll make sure to send a message to her then. Just be aware. She's a new protoform. She wasn't there during the war."
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