[ Optimus takes a moment to collect his thoughts so he could explain throughly. ]
There is an ex Autobot aboard this ship whom I have taken under my protection. His Autobots from his verse had turned on him, with no trial, no one listened. No one cared. They branded him a traitor with no way for him to defend himself.
He was beaten, tortured. He may not have been mine, but the Autobots failed that child, Grimlock.
[ He will not touch the topic that he has only some trust in Longarm. But the way Wasp reacted. It is hard to tell. ]
This isn't me telling you to be untrusting of our fellow mechs. This is me telling you, the world is not simple.
[Grimlock had often heard Red Alert rant about possible traitors back in the Ark. There were many things that the security chief had defined as "treason," but Grimlock had a narrower definition of the word. Overthrowing a weak leader didn't count as treason. Neither did abandoning the Autobots when they failed to care for the Dinobots' well-being. The only thing he really took offense to was helping the Decepticons.]
They say he traitor. They have proof? What he do?
[Grimlock isn't completely stupid. He'll reserve his judgement until he knows more about Wasp's circumstances. Nevertheless, he feels a pang of sympathy when Prime calls Wasp a child.]
[Grimlock knew was something enemies did to each other. It was like scouting, only sneakier. If an Autobot traitor spied, he must have been helping the Decepticons.]
Traitors get punished.
[His tone is cold, ruthless, even. Traitors were punished, subordinates who defied his authority were punished. This was just another fact of leadership for him. Refusal to punish those who needed to be punished was weakness.]
But me suspicious. Me go talk to Wasp. Find out more.
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[He protests immediately. Yet, he does stop to think.]
What you mean...not all Autobots...trusted?
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There is an ex Autobot aboard this ship whom I have taken under my protection. His Autobots from his verse had turned on him, with no trial, no one listened. No one cared. They branded him a traitor with no way for him to defend himself.
He was beaten, tortured. He may not have been mine, but the Autobots failed that child, Grimlock.
[ He will not touch the topic that he has only some trust in Longarm. But the way Wasp reacted. It is hard to tell. ]
This isn't me telling you to be untrusting of our fellow mechs. This is me telling you, the world is not simple.
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[Grimlock had often heard Red Alert rant about possible traitors back in the Ark. There were many things that the security chief had defined as "treason," but Grimlock had a narrower definition of the word. Overthrowing a weak leader didn't count as treason. Neither did abandoning the Autobots when they failed to care for the Dinobots' well-being. The only thing he really took offense to was helping the Decepticons.]
They say he traitor. They have proof? What he do?
[Grimlock isn't completely stupid. He'll reserve his judgement until he knows more about Wasp's circumstances. Nevertheless, he feels a pang of sympathy when Prime calls Wasp a child.]
He no Autobot anymore...but you protect?
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Whether or not he is a traitor matters very little to me. The point being is they turned on him and destroyed his mind. [ Optimus' voice gets soft. ]
No one should suffer like that. No one deserves to be tortured.
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Traitors get punished.
[His tone is cold, ruthless, even. Traitors were punished, subordinates who defied his authority were punished. This was just another fact of leadership for him. Refusal to punish those who needed to be punished was weakness.]
But me suspicious. Me go talk to Wasp. Find out more.
[He realizes something else.]
Wasp no be Decepticon? Yes?
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[ Optimus feels panic well up in his chest. This is bad. He might need to find ways to wrangle in Grimlock's ill-advised behavior. ]
He's not a Decepticon! He's neutral!
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Me Grimlock no hurt! Just ask questions!
[Wasp is not a Decepticon, which makes "Baby" Prime's story a little more believable. If he really was a traitor, he would be a Decepticon already.]
And me Grimlock still think you soft! Welcome challenge!
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