31 Days of Halloween

Day 29: Scream

Characters: Ultra Magnus, Tailgate

   

It was Rodimus’ fault.

This was a fact in Ultra Magnus’ mind when the first scream tore through the corridors of the Lost Light. It was solidified by the sight of Tailgate turning the corner and scurrying towards him with a glitching visor. So great was the Mini Bot’s terror that he didn’t even notice Ultra Magnus until he nearly knocked himself out on the SiC’s knee.

Ultra Magnus sighed in response to Tailgate’s backwards stagger. “Tailgate, any noise above three hundred decibels is not allowed outside private quarters in accordance to sub-clause—”

The mech paused his dressing down to give the miniature mech an unamused stare. “Let go of my foot.”

Tailgate trembled and scrambled higher up Magnus’ leg. “M-Magnus! You’re a big mech—one of the biggest and strongest ones on board. You’ve gotta protect me!”

Here we go. “From what?”

Tailgate’s visor flashed, and he quickly glanced over his shoulder. He scooted higher, causing Magnus to sigh once more, and cupped the masked portion of his face with one hand. “The clowns.”

“…what?”

“The clowns, Magnus—the clowns!” Tailgate’s trembling began anew, and he clung to the Enforcer’s leg with a new urgency. “Rodimus told me all about them. How they blind people by spraying acid in their eyes from fake plants. And turn poor little organic creatures into these things called balloons and pop them. And they eat the sparks of Mini Bots to make their puppets! I don’t wanna be a puppet!”

Ultra Magnus stared down at the panicking little mech that attempted to scrabble up his thigh. He twitched when the sound of snickering reached his audial, and he looked up just in time to catch a glimpse of a yellow spoiler that vanished around the corner. He knew who it had been—his Rodimus senses weren’t merely tingling but viciously stabbing at him. He was already three-fourths of the way through a very detailed and severe speech on the reasons why Rodimus should not—as captain—be spreading such ridiculous rumors simply to scare the Mini Bots.

Which Rodimus would never listen to, but it satisfied his core programing enough to make him feel better. Plus, he had been correct, adding another layer of satisfaction.

It had indeed all been Rodimus’ fault.