[Grimlock appears to be appropriately ashamed of inconsiderate actions, which is more than what Magnus has seen from most mechs.]
I would rather not have another violent incident on this ship - it's more important to detain someone than to outright kill them. You could learn a few techniques on subduing opponents if you wish to help the Security Team. [Otherwise, poor Grimlock will have to do community service with Getaway.] However, I trust that you have learned from this incident.
[And hopefully is on the path to understanding that not all Autobots are good and not all Decepticons are heartless killers.]
Any cross-faction harm goes against the terms of the truce, and for that, I am grateful. I don't want to witness the carnage from an all-out war where bots can be revived after death. Meeting these mechs from a position of neutrality is less stressful than the alternative - and this goes for Wasp and Longarm as well. [He pauses. There's a lot to think about those two.] I'm preparing a case file for Wasp's defense when he returns to his universe. I can't disparage Longarm; he is an excellent coworker, but he has been indoctrinated by his Autobot upbringing to believe that Wasp is a traitor. It can be difficult to convince someone to change their mindset.
[But that doesn't count out massive injury, does it?]
Me see few Autobots. Many Decepticons. Decepticons never make good truce. But you Magnus and Grimlock both strong enough. Show Decepticons. Make new truce. More better truce.
[There he goes again, with his focus on strength and intimidation.]
Me talk to Wasp and Longarm. Wasp say he no want be Autobot. Want be like Anode. Longarm say no make Wasp Autobot again, and no treat him like traitor. So me say this alright.
[He reflects on the Wasp he's seen in his video feed.]
I won't say that Wasp must forgive Longarm, but he alone isn't the reason for the accusation of treason. It's the Autobot command who will have to attend trial.
[Grimlock shuffles his feet, self-conscious. He hate bureaucracy, both because it's long and boring and complicated, and because he can't read or parse the documents.]
Magnus handle letter thingies. Grimlock just help Security Team.
Thank you. If we ever need help subduing a killer, I know I can depend on you.
Until then, I could help you with understand the fundamentals of my paperwork. Would it help if I color-coded the different forms for you to better understand what you are handling?
Pictures! Or just read to Grimlock. Grimlock understand then!
[Though, there's a high chance that he might fall asleep from boredom listening to someone drone on about all little legal details contained within paperwork.]
You mean diagrams? [Magnus loves making charts!] That, I can do. Then I can move onto the relevant parts of the Autobot Code - or perhaps start with an introduction to law? How familiar are you with legal procedures?
[His optics flicker, directing their line of vision upwards, and he makes a scoffing noise. It shows how little he thinks about the subject.]
Me Grimlock know they boring.
[The intricacies of the legal code were for the "smart" bots like Optimus, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and others working desk jobs. The Dinobots were usually far away from that.]
Dinobots just follow Dinobot law.
[It was a simple code. Listen to Grimlock when he gives orders or get punched. Don't punch other Dinobots too hard or get punched by Grimlock. Stand up for other Dinobots in times of need.]
[Grimlock has to stop and think. Usually his laws are issued on the fly and backed up by his strength. He cannot list them, because they rarely stay the same.]
Dinobot law what Grimlock say. Grimlock King of Dinobots.
[Even so, he wants to give Ultra Magnus a good answer.]
So...never hurt other Dinobots too much. Never hurt Decepticons too little. Slag no challenge Grimlock unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Swoop unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Snarl unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Sludge unless Sludge being too stupid. Sludge no allowed climb high places because Sludge heavy. Sludge no allowed interrupt because Sludge stupid. Snarl let Grimlock sit on shoulders when Grimlock wants. Snarl get Grimlock energon when Grimlock wants. Snarl polish Grimlock when Grimlock wants. Sludge stand up and move when Grimlock wants. No Dinobot interrupt good part of story. No Dinobot leave other Dinobot behind. Dinobots Dinobots first and Autobots second.
[He grins smugly as he finishes. Those were a lot of laws and he remembered them all!]
[The first few rules warm Minimus's Spark. Caring for themselves, clearly defining their enemies, not harming one another. Then it devolves into dictatorship. Laws only meant to keep Grimlock in power and the figurehead of his band.
He is horrified. Simply horrified. Even the last two aren't enough to quell the pain within.]
Why are you giving yourself all this special treatment?! You are a leader not a tyrant!
Me give them nice things. Snarl play in water like other Dinobots. He listen to Kup stories with other Dinobots. Even if me need drag him from corner. Me Dinobot leader! Never dislike Dinobots!
[He snarls out his last two statements. He is disappointed in Magnus. Other Autobots can be excused for not understanding how the Dinobots work. Yet he recognizes Ultra Magnus, and Magnus recognizes him too. Even if the worlds are different, Magnus should know that Grimlock's leadership works for the Dinobots, whereas all the fancy laws of the Autobot code don't.]
[That's not a name he expected to associate with the Dinobots.]
Then forgive me for thinking you were anything like your counterpart in my universe. I personally had to arrest Grimlock after his stunt on Earth. [How to summarize it in a way this Grimlock would understand?]
He betrayed his fellow Dinobots.
[And this one is just friends? No need to show that he is always in the right? No willingness to work behind his comrades' back? This was just a childish way of assuming dominance?]
[Grimlock is shocked into silence. His fingers wrap around his communicator. He barely holds himself back from crushing it.]
That bad joke! No funny! Dinobots Grimlock soldiers! Never betray Dinobots!
[Perhaps, in another lifetime, if he had enough worldly wisdom to match his arrogance, and was surrounded by various degrees of cynicism, then if he believed a certain course of action could benefit his Dinobots, or simply preserve their dignity, he might push through with it at any cost. Yet as he is now, Grimlock is too young, too naive.]
You Magnus want scare Grimlock? Tell Boogieman story?
[And now he's in distress. Magnus tends to create that sort of reaction, and this time it's no different. He sighs loudly.]
No, that was not my intention, but if you wish to see it as a cautionary tale, keep in mind that you must treat your friends as your equals if you wish to keep them.
Though it seems that I have your word on it. [At least he thinks it's a promise. Despite his tendency towards violence, he hasn't seen this Grimlock boss the others around.]
[Grimlock is not incapable self-reflection. Magnus' lesson does strike a chord in him. He is king of the Dinobots, but he rules through having the respect of his Dinobots. He must always remember that the king put the need of his soldiers first.]
[He definitely has not relinquished his ambition to rule the Autobots on the R2 either, seeing as how "Baby" Prime is soft-sparked, but now he realizes that it might not be so easy to command the respect and loyalty of the Autobots, especially the "smart" ones.]
[He takes a moment to calm down and stop squeezing his communicator. Then, he nods.]
Me understand. Me want learn Autobot law with you. Then no betray Dinobots. Never.
[At least, he'll know exactly which stupid law he'll be disregarding the next time he's taking down Decepticons.]
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video
I would rather not have another violent incident on this ship - it's more important to detain someone than to outright kill them. You could learn a few techniques on subduing opponents if you wish to help the Security Team. [Otherwise, poor Grimlock will have to do community service with Getaway.] However, I trust that you have learned from this incident.
[And hopefully is on the path to understanding that not all Autobots are good and not all Decepticons are heartless killers.]
Any cross-faction harm goes against the terms of the truce, and for that, I am grateful. I don't want to witness the carnage from an all-out war where bots can be revived after death. Meeting these mechs from a position of neutrality is less stressful than the alternative - and this goes for Wasp and Longarm as well. [He pauses. There's a lot to think about those two.] I'm preparing a case file for Wasp's defense when he returns to his universe. I can't disparage Longarm; he is an excellent coworker, but he has been indoctrinated by his Autobot upbringing to believe that Wasp is a traitor. It can be difficult to convince someone to change their mindset.
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[But that doesn't count out massive injury, does it?]
Me see few Autobots. Many Decepticons. Decepticons never make good truce. But you Magnus and Grimlock both strong enough. Show Decepticons. Make new truce. More better truce.
[There he goes again, with his focus on strength and intimidation.]
Me talk to Wasp and Longarm. Wasp say he no want be Autobot. Want be like Anode. Longarm say no make Wasp Autobot again, and no treat him like traitor. So me say this alright.
[He reflects on the Wasp he's seen in his video feed.]
Wasp no dangerous.
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The issue is that an inter-faction truce won't stop all crime. Some mechs act in their own selfish interests, regardless for whom they work.
[See: Getaway. He does nod at Grimlock's assessment.]
That's very reasonable of you. Did you help these two come to an understanding?
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[He still has yet to see what a "bad" Autobot is like.]
Me say they understand enough already. Wasp afraid of Longarm, and Longarm no bother Wasp.
Magnus want...Wasp forgive Longarm?
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I won't say that Wasp must forgive Longarm, but he alone isn't the reason for the accusation of treason. It's the Autobot command who will have to attend trial.
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[Grimlock makes a face. This might not be the reaction that Magnus is looking for.]
Prime and you Magnus and Grimlock all commanders. We agree say let Wasp live peaceful life. That enough.
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[And walking up to his superiors to yell at them until Wasp is left along would be counterproductive.]
We need his innocence displayed in writing, as proof to everyone that may question it.
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Magnus handle letter thingies. Grimlock just help Security Team.
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Until then, I could help you with understand the fundamentals of my paperwork. Would it help if I color-coded the different forms for you to better understand what you are handling?
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[Grimlock feels his embarrassment increasing, and thus also his anger.]
No give Grimlock document with letter thingies! Show things Grimlock understand!
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Like...what?
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[Though, there's a high chance that he might fall asleep from boredom listening to someone drone on about all little legal details contained within paperwork.]
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[It's obviously "not at all."]
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Me Grimlock know they boring.
[The intricacies of the legal code were for the "smart" bots like Optimus, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and others working desk jobs. The Dinobots were usually far away from that.]
Dinobots just follow Dinobot law.
[It was a simple code. Listen to Grimlock when he gives orders or get punched. Don't punch other Dinobots too hard or get punched by Grimlock. Stand up for other Dinobots in times of need.]
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[It's list of rules, he can build off of that.]
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Dinobot law what Grimlock say. Grimlock King of Dinobots.
[Even so, he wants to give Ultra Magnus a good answer.]
So...never hurt other Dinobots too much. Never hurt Decepticons too little. Slag no challenge Grimlock unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Swoop unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Snarl unless want Grimlock smash. Slag no burn Sludge unless Sludge being too stupid. Sludge no allowed climb high places because Sludge heavy. Sludge no allowed interrupt because Sludge stupid. Snarl let Grimlock sit on shoulders when Grimlock wants. Snarl get Grimlock energon when Grimlock wants. Snarl polish Grimlock when Grimlock wants. Sludge stand up and move when Grimlock wants. No Dinobot interrupt good part of story. No Dinobot leave other Dinobot behind. Dinobots Dinobots first and Autobots second.
[He grins smugly as he finishes. Those were a lot of laws and he remembered them all!]
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He is horrified. Simply horrified. Even the last two aren't enough to quell the pain within.]
Why are you giving yourself all this special treatment?! You are a leader not a tyrant!
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[He replies as this is obviously.]
And Sludge stupid. Snarl clumsy. They no need "special treatment."
[Notice, though, he has yet to say anything bad about Swoop.]
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[Now it's his turn to be scandalized.]
Me give them nice things. Snarl play in water like other Dinobots. He listen to Kup stories with other Dinobots. Even if me need drag him from corner. Me Dinobot leader! Never dislike Dinobots!
[He snarls out his last two statements. He is disappointed in Magnus. Other Autobots can be excused for not understanding how the Dinobots work. Yet he recognizes Ultra Magnus, and Magnus recognizes him too. Even if the worlds are different, Magnus should know that Grimlock's leadership works for the Dinobots, whereas all the fancy laws of the Autobot code don't.]
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[That's not a name he expected to associate with the Dinobots.]
Then forgive me for thinking you were anything like your counterpart in my universe. I personally had to arrest Grimlock after his stunt on Earth. [How to summarize it in a way this Grimlock would understand?]
He betrayed his fellow Dinobots.
[And this one is just friends? No need to show that he is always in the right? No willingness to work behind his comrades' back? This was just a childish way of assuming dominance?]
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That bad joke! No funny! Dinobots Grimlock soldiers! Never betray Dinobots!
[Perhaps, in another lifetime, if he had enough worldly wisdom to match his arrogance, and was surrounded by various degrees of cynicism, then if he believed a certain course of action could benefit his Dinobots, or simply preserve their dignity, he might push through with it at any cost. Yet as he is now, Grimlock is too young, too naive.]
You Magnus want scare Grimlock? Tell Boogieman story?
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No, that was not my intention, but if you wish to see it as a cautionary tale, keep in mind that you must treat your friends as your equals if you wish to keep them.
Though it seems that I have your word on it. [At least he thinks it's a promise. Despite his tendency towards violence, he hasn't seen this Grimlock boss the others around.]
seems like this thread is wrapping up
[He definitely has not relinquished his ambition to rule the Autobots on the R2 either, seeing as how "Baby" Prime is soft-sparked, but now he realizes that it might not be so easy to command the respect and loyalty of the Autobots, especially the "smart" ones.]
[He takes a moment to calm down and stop squeezing his communicator. Then, he nods.]
Me understand. Me want learn Autobot law with you. Then no betray Dinobots. Never.
[At least, he'll know exactly which stupid law he'll be disregarding the next time he's taking down Decepticons.]