A Matter of Security (CLOSED)

[Red Alert]

((11 September 2027, 24 hours after the events of "Escape"))

Red Alert walked through the base, his processor focused on the events of the previous day, as well as what was going to have to happen this day. It was not going to be pretty, that was for certain, nor was it going to be easy. Several datapads were tucked under his arm, containing vid feeds from the time of Barricade's escape, as well as Red Alert's accounts of what occurred in the brig during the time leading up to it.

He let out a sigh. He didn't like having to do this, but at this point, he had very little choice. He'd sworn to protect the base and it's occupants, and while Ironhide would likely be furious with him for quite some time, Optimus needed to know the secret behind Barricade's escape; Combat Control.

A shudder went through his frame at the thought of it. He'd found the old files detailing what the Autobots knew about the project, and he could see why Optimus would not want any bot who'd been a Controller to remain alive. The way around it, though, was the coding. If what Ironhide said was correct, then the CC programing had taken on its own level of sentience, and removing it might remove Barricade's ability to ever do Combat Control.

Suddenly, his processor jolted back into his frame, realizing that he'd been standing in front of Optimus' door for a couple of minutes now. {"Well, here goes nothing, I guess..."} ="Optimus, it's Red Alert, requesting permission to enter."=

[Deleted]

Optimus's own thoughts had been rather distant and distracted as of late, probably a noticeable issue with the Autobot Leader. His processor was always mulling over the past, the present, and the future for his Autobots, for their entire race that was at war, all because he had found that obelisk. It sometimes made him muse over the situation, dark as it had become since it was rather peculiar how one artifact could have triggered all this.

This was just another day his processor was flashing back and forth to the events leading up to the Autobots being drawn to Earth and now having human allies, some even having children thanks to the scientists there. It had been several millennia they had been fighting and that their own planet was now a dead husk in space, waiting to be revived with the energy it had lost. But at this rate it likely would never happen, not when the Allspark was basically gone and the only remaining ancient artifact of their race was the Matrix, which he bore in his chest since those many years ago when he had been saved by Sam Witwicky. But it still was a sobering reminder for him every day, every week, ever month, and every year that passed.

Would his Autobots ever know long time peace? Would he ever live to see the Cybertronians become one again and actually work together? It was hard to say and he vented a sighed his cerulean blue optics stared out his office window, his hands clasped together behind his back as his gaze was fixed out towards the horizon. Once again he couldn't help asking himself what he could do more to help his Autobots. He never thought himself above them like his adversary, but an equal who would do anything to help his team and even sacrifice his life like he had done once before. Yet, he felt almost isolated since there were many luxuries he may never enjoy because of his status as a Prime and a leader, luxuries that would be too risky.

But the sound of Red Alert contacting him snapped Prime back to the real world, realizing he really had done little to no work with data pads cluttering his desk in about five to six stacks he should have had done already. But it was hard to get anything done when one's mind was too distracted and far off some place else to focus long enough. ="Permission granted Red Alert, the door is unlocked."= Prime responded, pushing his previous thoughts aside as he turned to face the head of security while trying to keep his face curious, which he genuinely was.

[Red Alert]

At the response from the Autobot leader, Red Alert opened the door, closing it behind him. "Sorry for taking so long, but I've finished reviewing the cam footage from Barricade's escape from the brig. There was a lot of video to sort through." It wasn't a lie, just not the complete truth. He'd giving Ironhide as much time as he could, but he had to do his job. "I was confused for a time as to how Barricade could have gotten out of the stasis cuffs, but then I managed to catch something..." He set the datapads down, then picked one back up, taping on it for a moment before holding it out to Optimus. "I was told you were already very familiar with the Decepticon's Combat Control project, sir." The pad showed a freeze-frame of the footage from outside by the gate, with Barricade's optics glowing white as he fought with Ironhide. "I believe Barricade may have the Controller coding."