1118/Unsettled

**Prowl has posed:**
    It seems Prime has demanded Prowl's presence in his office at his earliest convenience. Certainly, the S.i.C is not one to disobey orders. So having notified Optimus that he'd be coming about a cycle ahead of time, he makes his way there right on time.

    He knows this drill, of course. Optimus is unsettled, and wants explanation for the things that unsettle him so that he can carry on without being plagued by guilt. Probably several explanations as a matter of fact. But not worry, Prowl absolutely plans on giving him exactly what he wants.

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    Optimus was sitting at his desk, looking over several datapads. There were a few cups of ener-coffee resting on his desk. Blue optics looked out behind narrowed ridges over the reports he was reading; numerous public matters, several private. It was unknown what his mood was at a glance, though he would take a cup of ener-coffee every so often.

     When the door beeps, and he notes Prowl there, he taps a button to open it so Prowl could enter. Without a word, he motions to one of the chairs, returning his reading over reports.

**Prowl has posed:**
    Prowl regards Optimus, noting the reports he was reading. "Sir." he greets with a salute, and sits down when motioned toward a seat, but doesn't say much else, waiting for Prime to start firing his questions and demands. Or perhaps start a tirade, who knows. By now he's accustomed to either and both.

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    Nodding slightly as Prowl takes a seat, he leans back and takes in a deep vent. Optics come to rest on the S.i.C. in silent study for several moments, before finally he speaks in his usual, calm and monotone manner. ".. seems things have been rather hectic, in my absence.. haven't they?" His helm tilts just slightly. A genuine question, without any sort of anger or suspicion laced in his vocal patterns.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "When -haven't- they been hectic..." Prowl answers, sighing a bit and folding his arms across his chest. "We're still at war, you know." he remarks. It's obvious, of course, so there's some sarcasm.

    "Unless, you're talking about something more -specific-."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
     Optimus nodded just slightly to him at that. "Indeed.. apologies for being gone as long as I was, but it was for good reason, even if unsuccessful." He looks back down to the reports on his desk, venting a sigh before looking back to Prowl. ".. Clemency. You pride yourself on logic, Prowl.. so give me the logic behind the genocide of the entire place, and the convenience of Autobot dropships that just happened to be there." Again, his tone remained neutral and calm as those blue optics rested on Prowl now, his own arms coming to fold over his chest.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Nothing to apologize for. I know you wouldn't take a long leave without good reason." Prowl replies, nodding.

    He arches a brow at Prime when the question of the situation on Clemency is raised. "I don't believe that is a fair question to ask me. As that was Shockwave's doing, I cannot explain reasoning that I was not privy to. The dropships were on-site because we were in the process of relocating what remained of the crashed storage cache to a more secure location when Shockwave ambushed us. As I stated in my official report."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
     Optimus nods slightly to him at that, before bringing up one of the datapads. "And what of you leaving Starlock and Cosmos to fend off Decepticons on their own? I have no doubt that Shockwave was responsible for what happened.. but why not try to get as many people to safety as possible..? Why leave two of our own? Sure, the cache could have fallen to Decepticon hands.. but we could have gotten it back, or replaced the contents."

     Still, he remained calm for the moment as he continued this.. strange form of interrogating his second in command.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "You don't understand. The contents of the cache is what -enabled- Shockwave to do what he did to the denizens of Clemency. That's why I had to put my own soldiers at risk in order to do what I could to prevent the genocide of an entire race of sentients--that being, attempt to clandestinely slip the payload away before the Decepticons could figure out where we were taking it. It wasn't an easy decision, all right?" One that perhaps Prime himself would not have even been able to make, he thinks, but doesn't add that out loud. "But I didn't exactly have all the time in the world to make it."

    He sighs. "I'm here for a reason, Prime. That reason is you." he reminds. "Question my judgment all you want, get rid of me, even...but just remember that you were the one who wanted me to be here, doing what I'm doing, instead of somewhere -else- not on this Primus-forsaken planet." He doesn't exactly sound angry, as he maintains his typical neutral demeanor, though the words are bitter ones.

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    Optimus keeps his gaze resting on Prowl as he speaks, nodding just slightly. Prowl's hunch was accurate. It was a call that he couldn't make, or if he did, the results would haunt him for a good, long while. He nods slightly to him, venting a sigh. ".. I know, Prowl.. and you know that you wouldn't be here, if I didn't recognize what you can do, and if the Autobots didn't need you." There is a moment of pause, before he unfolds his arms, resting his hands on his desk now.

     "Everything that's gone on in my absence.. despite the reasons for it, there's been a shake up, Prowl. People aren't happy. People aren't trusting. The Autobots are only as effective as we make them, and that efficiency fails when there's dissention between the ranks. I know what your intentions are, deep down in your spark.. but you need to show others, as well. We are at war, yes. But the Autobots are not numbers or bodies to throw at an obstacle to ensure completion. We coordinate better when we're on the same page."

     There was a pause at that, as he tilts his helm. ".. you and I fight so well together, because we have that understanding and respect between each other. There's no reason that can't be true for others, as well."

**Prowl has posed:**
    Prowl shrugs when Prime tells him he hasn't forgotten. "I figured as much. It's just that sometimes, we need to be reminded of things we already know." Well okay, he doesn't actually think that about himself, but he just uses that term so that it won't sound like he's trying to make Optimus seem incompetent.

    He sighs again and turns away slightly when Prime starts talking about the lack of trust. "Look, I know--and you know--that this is nothing new. There will always be dissention, because no one is perfect. Not even you, Pax." Yeah, sometimes he does call Prime by his original name. Well his actual name, to be honest. He quiets for a moment though, when he gets accused of detaching people from their personhood. "You know as well as I do that a detached perspective is necessary in order to make difficult decisions without losing our minds. And if I weren't able to do that, I wouldn't be here."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    Optimus nods to him at that, showing no concern when Prowl calls him Pax. He does watch the 'Bot for a moment though, studying his chassis language. "I know this, yes.. and that's why you're my Second in Command.. Those decisions, that I refuse to make.. You're able to make them. But -not- at the cost of Cybertron losing faith in the Autobots. We won't have anything to fight for if we turn the planet against us. There is a time and place for everything, Prowl.. and that is something that -you- know."

     There was a moment of pause, and despite the context of the conversation, Optimus continued to remain calm for the moment, before he sat back. ".. and I really hope you didn't authorize Pharma's actions over at Deltaran.. because, if you -did-.. then I -will- fire you.. after I dismantle Pharma. You've never been one that violated protocol, so I figure I'll give you the chance to explain that logic as well, if you are privy."

**Prowl has posed:**
    "There are those who have already lost faith, and are not likely to be convinced otherwise." Prowl states, sticking to the facts. "The way the situation on Clemency turned out was...very unfortunate, however, it was not our doing. We did what we could. -We- put our sparks on the line for those natives. If the rest of the planet refuses to recognize that, then they are already a lost cause."

    Then Deltaran, and Pharma are brought up. He frowns. "Which actions, exactly? Pharma is responsible for many different tasks at Deltaran, as he is one of their best physicians."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    Optimus watches Prowl at that, before venting a sigh. ".. we'll start with the most recent.. Not only did he perform a memory replacement surgery on Blurr against my orders, and without verifying the necessities of it with Blurr's psychologist.. his own PA, Triage.. forged Blurr's signature on the consent forms, authorization the procedure.. after tampering with video surveillance to send myself, Starlock and First Aid on a wild chase to try and track Blurr down when I first returned."

     He then slides over a datapad towards Prowl, a video already queued up on it for him to hit play. If he does, he'll see a video play out of Triage, admitting such actions to Ratchet, as well as stating that the entire Board was involved. ".. so you knew nothing of this, then?" A simple question, though his tone proved that Prime knew Prowl didn't know.

**Prowl has posed:**
    Prowl frowns at the video of Triage's confession, watching until the end. Then there is another long, drawn-out sigh, and he rubs his head as he sinks into his seat a bit. This is definitely the 'hoo boy this is going to be complicated' posture. "Prime, while you were gone...the Convocation was pushing for the Institute to go public, and be subjected to regulation, but be available only to the Autobot military on last-resort, as-needed basis. Deltaran would be given the responsibility of overseeing it as it has been previously. I...figured you would be all for that legislation, so I signed it as your representative. Part of that legislation demands that only either the patient or his/her elected representative--if for one reason or another the individual is unable to make a decision--may authorize or deny such procedures, as it was determined to be a 'medical decision of a personal nature'. Not you, not me, not any superior officer. According to the protocol, he hasn't done anything wrong and I'm afraid Triage's 'confession' isn't really a confession--he didn't actually admit to doing anything illegal." Another heavy sigh. "So, do you have any concrete evidence that he actually did all these things? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't believe you--I do, but you know what Pharma is going to say, and you know what his superiors at Deltaran are going to say." Another pause, and he shakes his head.

    "But what exactly will you do if it's all true? Deltaran is the only medical institution that is currently large enough and eqiupped enough to handle our needs, Prime. There used to be others, but most of their staff left the planet when the war broke out. If we terminate our contract with them and cease all dealings, you know what they'll do--they'll go straight to the Decepticons."

    "And Pharma--well, let's just say there are very, very few mechs left on this planet who can do what he can do. He has saved countless lives, that's a fact. And he has money, and his administration on his side. I just--" He groans tiredly. "I guess my point is, that this is just another mess on top of the war we're already fighting against violent insurgents."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    "Had they carried themselves appropriately, I would have been fine with the legislation.. but hiding behind the laws, to commit acts that are completely unethical, and believing themselves to be untouchable? That isn't what laws are meant to be for." He shakes his head, venting a sigh now as he sits back in his chair. he considers for several moments in silence. ".. evidence is being collected from numerous people to pin Pharma's aft to the wall. I don't care how good of a Medic someone is.. you don't do what he's doing. Deltaran will run just fine without him, if such needs to be done." He considers for a moment, before lifting his hands up, and rubbing at the sides of his helm, near his optics.

     ".. there's always a mess to clean up, Prowl.. I was just expecting them to be from the Decepticons.. not our own people." As he says that, he looks back to the datapad near Prowl of Triage's confession to Ratchet. ".. this will get fixed.. even if I have to tear the metal off of Pharma's frame myself."

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Yes, of course Deltaran will run fine without him, that's not what I was insinuating. If Triage says the administration knows about this but is simply allowing it, then the problem runs deeper than just Pharma himself. Sure, get rid of him, or what have you, he'll just get replaced by someone else who will do the same slag because he knows his employers will allow him." Prowl points out. "If they're allowing Pharma to do this sort of thing, who knows who else is doing it? Blurr just happened to draw attention, how many more have gone unnoticed?"

**Prowl has posed:**
    Another sigh. "I know you've always been an idealist, Pax. But...some things can't just be 'fixed' so easily."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    It was then, that Prime allowed a small smile to come to his face. He nodded just slightly at that. ".. and that is what I was waiting for. The direction at which your own questions have led. Who else, and how many victims.." He shakes his head slightly at the additional comment. ".. I don't expect this to be easy.. but I do expect it to be done.. and it can be, so long as it's carefully. As I said.. I've got others collecting more evidence, and I'm not against going and stirring a scene at Deltaran myself, either. It'll get sorted, in due time.." He nods to Prowl at that.

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Just..." Prowl shakes his head. "Just don't ruin our relationship with Deltaran completely, all right? As much as you may loathe what their leadership has done--there are -good- mechs there. Like Ratchet. And as I said earlier. We -need- them. And we need them to stay with us and not go work for the Decepticons. You need to be willing to compromise, as much as it may feel wrong to you--it's necessary, in order to prevent this place from erupting into even more chaos than it's already in."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    At that, Prime tilts his helm just slightly. ".. Ratchet has been given command of his own Division in House. The Medical Division. I don't think we have to worry about losing him." He studies Prowl for a moment, before nodding slightly. ".. don't worry.. I know there are many there who are victims of circumstance." Despite what had been happening, Prime knew that Prowl genuinely cared, even if he was complete trash at showing it to.. well, anyone but Prime, really. ".. I'll keep you apprised of the situation as necessary.. you might be able to offer an angle of thinking that I hadn't considered."

**Prowl has posed:**
    "I wasn't worried about losing Ratchet. I was just using him as evidence that not -all- of Deltaran is corrupt." Prowl points out. "Why punish the masses for the actions of a few? You of all mechs should be wary of that sort of ethical pitfall. Even Triage may simply be afraid of losing his job. Not everyone is as brave and bold as you are."

    He leans forward slightly, trying to drive the point home. "The bottom line here is that while I understand you are eager to distrubite justice liberally, you should be careful not to completely destroy our relations with Deltaran, because we -need- them, and not everyone employed there is deserving of said justice."

**Optimus Prime has posed:**
    And now, it was Prime's turn. His own ridges narrowed as he sat forward. ".. I know quite well of such, Prowl.. and I need not be reminded of such, simply for the sake of you hearing yourself say the same thing for the third time in this conversation.. twice of which I have already told you that I am aware of the other circumstances involved in the matter. So take it as exactly what it is.. something that needs to be fixed, and carefully." He studies the mech for a moment. ".. and I'd appreciate if you stopped lacing your words in such a manner as to intentionally get under my chassis.. I do have patience, Prowl.. but there are limits to it.. and no one is an exception to such."

     Yes, Prime had reached his limits of the disrespectful intonation from his Second in Command, and figured he would give him a reminder of just that before it devolved into something worse. He looked back over his datapads now, venting a sigh. ".. that is all for this Cycle.. but I'm sure there will be more moments for us to discuss matters."

**Prowl has posed:**
    "Hmph. Right. Sorry for repeating myself." Prowl says, standing up. "But I'm going to do it again: We all need to be reminded of things we already know at times. You're lucky you didn't get yourself and your friends killed or worse confronting the Senate all those vorns ago." Yeah, especially Optimus, at times like these when his sense of justice has been wounded by those he thought he could trust. Which is why the strategist is his S.i.C.

    Then he turns and takes his leave.