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Tensions were reaching a boiling point in the lecture hall. On one side, the Autobot Front of Caminus rallied in a chorus of shouting and jeering, led by their local Autobot Commander, Elita. On the other, the Camien Autobot Front batted back with their own bellowing chants to the tune of the local Cityspeaker, Windblade. No one had bothered to invite the Coalition for a Decepticon Free Caminus, given their own radical beliefs.
At the epicenter of the affair (and it was indeed an affair) was a local security agent who had been providing both sides with key details about Decepticon Installations across the planet and their ongoing occupation of Camien infrastructure and logistics. Chromia knew she had done good work in providing this information, but she was starting to realize her willingness to ‘indulge’ in the hospitality of others had its consequences. Severe, drastic, life-altering consequences.
The volleys between the two figureheads of each movement were dangerous. Elita accused Windblade of having manipulated her bodyguard through city-speaking “shadowplay” and blackmail. Windblade spoke of Chromia as having shared her information with Elita out of pity, believing that the Autobot Front of Caminus were in desperate need of something to win over the local populace to their side. It was a quagmire of inter-faction drama, and Chromia had had enough.
“THAT’S IT!” she shouted, slamming her servos down into her desk, “I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU TWO SHOUTING OVER EACH OTHER.”
The two Autobots fell silent, turning toward Chromia. All optics beset the blue-and-silver Autobot, and Chromia felt herself shrink down at the feeling of being watched.
“Both of you do more for the other than you could ever realize.” Chromia paused, impressively. “Elita, we wouldn’t be able to secure the resources needed to fight back against this occupation if it weren’t for you. And Windblade, the only reason we are able to maintain hope and keep fighting the good fight is because of you. Don’t you see you can accomplish more together than as enemies?”
“She’s capable of manipulating minds,” Elita accused. “The Autobots stand for freedom for all sentient beings, and enslaving the minds of the innocent is a horrifying prospect to let within our ranks>
“She’s modded her frame,” Windblade retorted. “Don’t think we don’t know about your little ‘spider’ escapades.”
“If in the hands of the Decepticons, her powers could be used to turn every Camien into a Decepticon!
“Our bodies are a gift, and should be treated with utmost respect and maintenance!”
Chromia held her helm in dismay. It was starting to feel like the only way she could get them to cooperate on anything would be if they were both railing her.
Not that she’d mind, of course.