What the hecky happened

[luckyfaceplate]

Who: Optimus and YOU!
Where: Anywhere from Red Alert's Clinic to wandering around
When: Before Sentinel and Megatron/Rodimus log
What: Optimus finding out just what went down while he was gone from various people, or if they need to talk to him about anything.
Warnings: None

The trip wasn't a complete loss, that's for sure. Optimus has somehow contacted the planet, and while it was rather vague, he found out quite a bit about their mission here. Way more than he would have just grasping at proverbial straws. The objective, however, wouldn't be easy. In its own way, Cybertron had told him that they had to work together, that they had to get along.

You can already see what's wrong with this equation, and to be honest, it left Optimus feeling a little doubtful on his return.

Speaking of his return. That's a thing that happened, and right now he's trying to gather his bearings for being gone for....oh...a week at most.

You can find him all over, scouting around for anyone who might be around to ask for information. But if you need him first--well...he stands out, at least.

Comments

[luckyfaceplate]

And that's just what he realizes. After four million years of fighting them, you noticed certain things. The way a good cause had been twisted by corruption, corruption it claimed to be fighting against.

A brand can categorize you, certainly. But was that truly Slipstream's choice? Maybe. But it would have to come through in her actions. Ones he wasn't seeing just yet.

"It makes you Cybertronian."

He gestures out to the wasteland, finally turning to look at her.

"This is Cybertron. And for now, it is what we make of it. I hope you do the same with yourself, with this chance. I can try to reason with you to join my side, but all I have are words and promises I'm not sure I can keep. But what I can show you is your choice. And more importantly....

That you have one at all."

[chickscream]

There it was, that something, that thing that kept her from taking his words and throwing them back at him with snark and anger-- he might have shared the name of the little construction bot she'd shot at in the skies above Detroit, but he had such infinitely greater presence that it made her feel ridiculous comparing them at all.

If she had been possessed of lungs, her breath might have caught. What power, to have the unaware earnestness to make people believe the things you say! To turn people's eyes and processors to you and your words, and to have those people consider the words wisdom!

She stares at him, fascinated, mind filled with possibilities.

"I don't know why 'your side' would want a bot like me," Slipstream murmurs, more statement than argument. "But I suppose being a Cybertronian wouldn't be so bad."

[luckyfaceplate]

"That's...fairly evident, given past records of you." Then again, this Starscream wasn't his own--something was certainly different about him. "But I'd figured Megatron would be the...safe option."

He's thinking like you usually do, Starscream! About yourself.

[arnhaid]

"I'm gonna have to take your word for it, Prime."

It was hard to believe this. Believe they didn't have to go in punching Megatron anymore. Hard to believe Megatron was anything other than a rampaging, genocidal tyrant.

His weight shifts, and he leans a shoulder against Optimus.

"But I do. Y'know?" And he looks up. "I'm takin' your word. Cross my spark and everythin'."

[planate]

"I'm sure we can do it if we can unite everyone in a common purpose that... isn't trying to kill each other..."

He trails off a bit awkwardly. Pipes isn't naive enough that he doesn't realise there's a lot of mechs here who will have their own agenda. Looking at you, Starscreams.

[luckyfaceplate]

While Optimus would be unaware of such a power, his eyes cast to her, curious of the silence that it seems to have casted over the conversation. Had he pushed too far? Had his ambition and arrogance hurt or shoved her in a direction that would cause indifference? He'd only said what was right, what was in his spark.

But when she answers, his can't help but smile sadly under that faceplate, only shown in his eyes, as tired and worn as his wheels.

"Because everyone deserves their own path. Whether it be a second chance or their first. And..."

While his shoulders straighten, he can't help but let a soft vent escape--something like a sigh. "Being Cybertronian is the best choice you could make for yourself. Autobots, while holding ideals, are just as broken and damaged as Decepticons. You have a chance to live without that."

[luckyfaceplate]

"Oh I'm sure there is a way. It's simply finding it. And finding it without any casualties."

He notices that awkward tone, and tries to at least put on a good front for him. A hand goes to the smaller bot's shoulder, eyes trying to remain optimistic.

"We're off to a good start. You and I cooperate."

[luckyfaceplate]

For the normal Cybertronian, it was. But Optimus had known Megatron before that. Known what the system had done to him, despite how hard Megatron had tried to not succumb to it.

His eyes sadden at the thought of his friend being lost, of their battles that took four million years to finish. Megatron could possibly be redeemed by finding the Knights of Cybertron.

But were they redeemable as species?

He feels the weight on his shoulder, leaning ever so slightly back. "I wouldn't hold it against you if you felt otherwise."

[aerospacecommander]

"Safe?" He turns to look directly at Optimus. "Compared to what? You? And here I always thought you weren't the trigger happy type."

Really though, Megatron is far from being safe.

[phase6kindofbot]

Sixshot actually laughs. It's a sharp mirthless sound that echoes off the buildings as he slows to a stop off to Optimus's left. Primus, spare him.

"Who are you kidding, Prime? You've been perpetuating that system since before the war even started." He lowers his white head, baring his teeth. "Do you really trust your little mnemosurgeons to stay in line?"

The remark about his not having a purpose earns the Autobot leader a bitter smirk.

"Megatron's been pretty clear about how little of a damn he gives about us," the wolf mech rumbles. "He may have given the orders, but I did his dirty work. You really think there'll be much of anything left for 'redemption' once your Autobots are done with me?"

[arnhaid]

"I kinda do," he admits.

He doesn't really want to. He doesn't want to admit to anything that feels like it goes against what Prime really wants. Something about it feels wrong.

But... Optimus deserves honesty. Above everything else. And Ironhide was never good at hiding his feelings, besides.

"I mean, last I checked, the guy was killin' us left and right. It... ain't easy to accept that's over." He shrugs. "Gonna try to, though. Just don't hold it too much against me if I can't switch over quick-like."

[planate]

Aw, Optimus, you're too good. Pipes optics go all atwinkle and he clasps both hands in front of his chest, absolutely delighted.

"It can be done, Optimus. There's not many of us here and I'm sure eventually they'll come around."

Even if they didn't after four million years... hopefully everyone being a fish out of water will change that.

[luckyfaceplate]

"Better to side with the devil than be in his path. That was always your way, wasn't it?"

He folds his arms, looking at the Seeker expectantly.

"Unless you're unaligned now."

[luckyfaceplate]

He knew Sixshot too well to not have his fingers twitch a bit as he stops. Never let your guard down in front of a Phase Sixer. Anyone knew that.

...

But the question lowers his head slightly. "No, I don't. But that doesn't mean I'll continue to support such a system in a post-war--OR non war era. THAT I can assure you."

It's not like he doesn't blame Sixshot. The Autobots, while striving for peace, had to take very shady moves during the war. A necessity, they said. But it didn't make it feel any better.

"Everyone has a chance for redemption, Sixshot."

[luckyfaceplate]

"Your optimism is going to be key. If you can, please spread it."

That kind of attitude was rare after a war. And Pipes is speaking as someone who fought in the war. He has far more strength than a lot of them.

[luckyfaceplate]

"I appreciate the honesty, Ironhide." He didn't expect it to go over too well with the bot either, especially since he's missed out on so much. His eyes sadden as he looks off again, contemplating everything Ironhide's said. About Megatron's actions, about how it's all just...over.

"Not many disagree with you on that, either. Prowl...certainly said his piece on the matter."

More like he wouldn't shut up for three days. However you want to look at it.

"But I hope you have faith in me, at the very least."

Because he needs hope in himself, too.

[aerospacecommander]

"Playing by my own rules tends to be my philosophy actually. Though the devil is a bit more fun than the good guy team. So I guess you're sorta right."

He looks back at Optimus. Not really unaligned, but he's not terribly attached to the other Decepticons he's met here so far.

[arnhaid]

"Yeah, and how long'd that take?"

He knows Prowl -- or he did. If the guy said his piece, it probably went on for a lot longer than it needed to. Even if it's a little reassuring to hear he's not the only one with reservations.

For a while, he just studies Prime. The way his expression changes. Then he slaps the taller bot's arm. Not too hard. Just enough to get his attention back.

"Don't give me that," he grumbles. "'Course I do. Lost my memories, not my Spark."

[planate]

"Certainly, sir. I think I can handle being nice to people."

To be fair, he didn't really see a lot of the shit the others did.

[luckyfaceplate]

"I'm not entirely surprised. You're not all that different from the Starscream of my world."

He'll just leave out the part where Starscream had played the game and won. Won the entire planet. Optimus makes eye contact with the seeker a moment, before turning to the landscape.

"How long have you been here?"

[aerospacecommander]

"Not long," he says before looking off into the distance himself.

"Is this where we have one of those cliche talks about the meaning of our existence and what we are destined to do here and whatnot?"

[phase6kindofbot]

This conversation was just getting surreal. The more it goes on, the less Sixshot wants to pick a fight. It was kind of like talking to a wall except the wall was talking back at him in an alien language that he only had half of a translation software for.

"Why are you trying so hard for our redemption?" Sixshot raises his head, giving Optimus a quizzical look. "I killed a lot of your subordinates. You know the numbers."

[chickscream]

Pff, arrogance? Optimus, have you met the Decepticons? Any arrogance you might have is so low-key that it might as well not exist, in Slipstream's opinion.

"I guess I can try it out," she says, but her face is thoughtful, looking down at Optimus. An Autobot, willing to admit his own system was broken, willing to forgive Decepticons and try and point them down a peaceful way of life?

What an uncommon sort of fellow.

Slowly, she lets a tiny smile break across her face, and asks Optimus, "You're really something, aren't you? I tell you outright I'm treacherous, and you tell me to take any path I want! Are you sure you don't have a few fried connections?"

[luckyfaceplate]

Hey, he's a walking guilt machine. You know how Primes ar--oh wait....

"That's all I ask," He knows that the Autobots weren't perfect. He'd been at the forefront of all the shady tactics used in the war, and while some proclaim them heroes, after the war they're just symbols of a time of pain. A time of killing. Looking past that means looking past Decepticons too.

After all, if freedom was the right of all sentient beings, then that includes the ones that were misguided.

At the compliment, his ears flick slightly, eyes straying away for a moment. "I've been told that before. So many times that I figure, by now, if I had any fried connections, I'd have stopped functioning eons ago."

There's a shrug, as he holds a hand out, a little amused that this time he has to be the one holding it up, instead of down. "Treachery often comes from being boxed into a corner. Take away the box, and there is no need for such hostility. That. That is my belief."

[luckyfaceplate]

He knows that arguing with a Phase Sixer is a brick wall in its own right. But...well, Optimus has been prided on his stubbornness.

"Because the only way this war ends is if we stop fighting. Stop the grudges. And stop killing."