Chapter Text
5th Month, 3rd Day 20XX - 8:54 PM
From the Logs of Ultra Magnus, (formerly) Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord:
The trial has begun. Optimus Prime has appointed me as Orator for the Defense. I was hesitant to take the position, as I do not wish to defend Megatron. Regardless of recent events, I do not believe that he bears any true remorse for his actions.
But everyone is owed a defense, even Megatron, and I have serious doubts that most mechs could fulfill such a role for the (allegedly) former Decepticon commander. I may well be one of the small number of Cybertronians who has both the necessary knowledge of law and the capacity to carry out the duty in any manner even remotely approaching neutrality.
6th Month, 7th Day 20XX - 10:04 PM
From the Logs of Ultra Magnus, Orator for the Defense:
Megatron’s trial has been suspended. He changed his ‘guilty’ plea to one of ‘innocence’ (a word I feel I can barely write in affiliation with Megatron, of all mechs) and invoked a law so ancient that even I was unaware of its existence. He has resorted to utilizing a loophole that will allow him to be tried by the Knights of Cybertron themselves.
I believe Optimus Prime has lost all patience with the proceedings, as he has assigned Megatron as co-captain on the Lost Light, in order to ‘assist’ our search for the Knights of Cybertron.
Optimus may be the Autobot Commander, but he does not have the authority to command a private vessel like the Lost Light to do anything, even if the majority of the crew are Autobots. I did not tell Rodimus this. Though I fear for the crew’s safety, this means that Megatron will not be on Cybertron, and once he ultimately reveals his true colors, fewer civilians will be in danger.
We resume our journey tomorrow.
6th Month, 9th Day 20XX - 5:17 PM
From the Desk of Ultra Magnus, Second-in-Command of the Lost Light:
Megatron asked for a meeting with me today, alone. I had expected a confrontation, or perhaps even unwarranted commentary about my performance at the trial but was surprised to find neither.
Instead he pulled up several of my reports recording events on the Lost Light within the last year or so and asked for clarification on certain details. Namely, the imprisonment (and presumed death) of Overlord and our subsequent confrontation with Tyrest on Luna-1.
I cringe to think of him reading my accounts of those events, if only because I had no desire to reveal the existence of the Magnus Armor, as such, to anyone not in Autobot High Command. But as these matters are pertinent to the history of the ship he is now in co-command of, he has been given access to any previously made reports.
6th Month, 10th Day 20XX - 2:09 AM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Decepticon Commander Autobot Captain
I’m not sure exactly what I expected, but the Lost Light may be more chaotic than first anticipated. Rodimus runs around acting like a sparkling--and currently appears to be sulking about Optimus assigning me as his co-captain of this mad house. (Suffice to say, Rodimus and I are both equally pleased about this arrangement.)
And yet … he might be more bearable than Starscream has ever been over the past millennia. Barely.
I’d ask how anything gets done around here, but clearly Ultra Magnus handles all administrative duties onboard. The mech keeps scrupulous records, so scrupulous that I now have a very detailed account of the Lost Light’s journey up until I came on board.
Of interest, an old theory of mine was finally confirmed. It seems we did indeed kill Ultra Magnus during the raid on Theta-1. After the original’s death Judge Tyrest created the Magnus armor in order to keep up the appearance of an immortal lawman.
The current bearer seems to have been ‘Ultra Magnus’ the longest, not that I have been able to find much information beyond what was briefly mentioned in his report about their confrontation with Tyrest.
7th Month, 8th Day 20XX - 1:14 AM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Captain of the Lost Light
And today on bridge duty, Rodimus attempted to glue me to the captain’s chair. I don’t understand why he insists on perpetuating this nonsense.
Magnus on the other hand, has proven to be an enjoyable conversation partner. Granted, much of that has been the two of us debating different variations in the Autobot code, but still, infinitely better than Rodimus.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, as the previous enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, of course Ultra Magnus knows the law, but he’s also rather passionate about it if one actually takes the time to have a discussion with the mech.
7th Month, 22nd Day 20XX - 9:03 PM
From the Desk of Ultra Magnus, Second-in-Command of the Lost Light:
Megatron and I have begun to have weekly meetings over the running of the ship. I sent Rodimus a meeting invite (not that I expect he will read it) and trying to ask him in person accomplished nothing, as he just ignored me, continuing to doodle on his desk.
At least one of the captains actually seems to care about efficiency and getting things done in a timely manner. (Even if the who does not exactly inspire confidence.)
He has been debating the Autobot code with me periodically. At first I thought he was just trying to get a rise out of me, but his questions are legitimate, and often require some thought to answer effectively. His points also demonstrate a sophisticated interpretation of certain principles that I would not have expected in him.
I find myself looking forward to our discussions. I am undetermined how I feel about this.
10th Month, 1st Day 20XX - 1:02 PM
From the Desk of Minimus Ambus
The Magnus Armor was damaged this morning when I caught Whirl and Skids playing with a live grenade in the corridor outside Swerve’s. Whirl and Skids may have only gotten minor burn marks on their plating, but the blast damaged one of the armor’s legs--badly enough that I have had to leave it with Ratchet for repairs.
Mercifully, I do not have a shift on the bridge this cycle, so I have retreated to my office in an effort to at least get some paperwork done.
10th Month, 1st Day 20XX, 9:00 PM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Captain of the Lost Light
After making a complete aft of myself. I finally have a name to go with the current bearer of the Magnus armor.
I went into Ultra Magnus’s office for our weekly debriefing, and finding an unfamiliar mech in his office, sans Magnus, I asked the mech to tell Magnus I wanted to see him before apologizing for interrupting, and leaving the room.
I was half way down the hall before I realized my mistake. Mortified, I returned and apologized profusely. He thanked me for providing an apology, but was understanding, as I’d not seen him outside the Magnus armor.
We got down to work as normal, but I caught myself looking at him more often than not. It was strange to see all of Magnus’s mannerisms and quirks in a mech who was, effectively, a stranger.
His name is Minimus Ambus.
10th Month, 1st Day 20XX - 9:27 PM
From the Desk of Minimus Ambus
I feel very foolish forgetting about our weekly debrief, but with the chaos this morning it completely slipped my mind. Thankfully, we were still able to get through the meeting in good time and Megatron even asked about my progress on Terms of Peace.
We chatted for a while, by the end of it I had completely forgotten that I was not wearing the Magnus armor. It is so rare that I am even remotely comfortable without it. I have spent more of my existence as Ultra Magnus than not at this point in my life.
Rung has been encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and spend more time simply as Minimus Ambus, instead of Ultra Magnus. Perhaps I can make a habit of it during our weekly meetings. That would certainly make it far less daunting than Swerve’s or the Bridge.
(I do not think I have ever seen Megatron embarrassed before?)
10th Month, 8th Day 20XX, 10:20 PM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Captain of the Lost Light
Minimus made another appearance today. He seemed to notice my curiosity, as he offered an explanation without any prompting. He’s trying to spend some time outside the Magnus persona, and felt it would be simpler in a setting with fewer mechs.
I was surprised that I would be included in the small number of mechs he felt comfortable enough to do so around at all.
As always, our meeting was very productive. Minimus has a number of suggestions on improving the efficiency of the bridge crew, I will read through his suggestions so we are able to discuss our options in more detail at a later date.
12th Month, 13th Day 20XX - 11:55 AM
From the Desk of Minimus Ambus
I am beginning to think Whirl is offlining the Magnus armor on purpose! His most recent stunt not only put the Magnus armor out of commission but my own outer shell as well!
At least this time I had the forethought to message Megatron before our meeting. I was hesitant to cancel, as I was actually looking forward to going through his conclusions to my report. I did give him the option but, happily, he declined.
Hopefully, some time spent doing something productive will improve my mood.
12th Month, 14th Day 20XX, 1:45 AM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Captain of the Lost Light
It seems Minimus was wearing an additional set of armor that I was unaware of. Primus, his true frame is so small, smaller even than Rewind.
I couldn’t help but notice his lack of vehicle kibble or anything that would indicate a flight frame. Taking this into account would certainly explain the necessity of the outer armor before the war, and perhaps his continued discomfort as his irreducible self now.
I am still astonished that he would invite me into his habsuite while in such a vulnerable state.
2nd Month, 28th Day 20XX, 12:12 AM
From the Personal Files of Megatron, Captain of the Lost Light
Rodimus cornered me today and threatened me with extreme violence if I were to (as he put it), “Break Magnus’s spark.”
Irritated, I asked him what in Primus’s name he meant. All he would say was that Magnus seemed to like being around me for some reason and that I’d better (again, as Rodimus so gracefully put it), “Not being using him for some nefarious plan!” before stomping off muttering something under his breath.
I have no idea what that was about? I haven’t hurt Minimus, nor do I plan to.
I think...I might actually consider him a friend. He’s certainly one of the few mechs on this flying insane asylum that I actually look forward to speaking to.
4th Month, 19th Day 20XX - 10:22 PM
From the Logs of Minimus Ambus:
Megatron is gone.
Armor is not cooperating. I do not know why.
4th Month, 20th Day, 20XX - 8:00 PM
From the Personal Files of Megatron Captain of the Lost Light
They’re gone.
Was it a second chance? Did Rodimus choose to leave me behind to regain sole captaincy of the Lost Light? Did Minimus--
No.
Too many questions, but none that I have the ability to answer in my current predicament.
4th Month, 24th Day 20XX - 11:39 PM
From the Desk of Ultra Magnus, Second-in-Command of the Lost Light :
I do not know how I could have possibly believed he could have changed! Foolish, foolish, foolish! He used us. All of us!
He used me.