Video: A formal call to the Decepticons of this lovely city

[aminerproblem]

I've been told time and time again that this war is over, but I have yet to see it beyond a tolerance teetering on a knife's edge between episodes of unnecessary, extreme violence. We can do better than this - we can do better than wallowing in our circumstance.

To the Decepticons here who still follow my word: If you can hear this, now is the time for you to break out of this malaise and act. I am in need of your skills, and we've remained scattered in this rubble for far too long. 

We, of all of us here, should understand how to build something grand from nothing.

It is time we take that first step. 

(Private To Sixshot)
Sixshot, how skilled are you at tracking someone's scent?

(Private To Spinister.)
Spinister, I am in need of a medical advisor. It is important you come to the Autobot clinic immediately.

Comments

[rodders]

You're not seriously rebuilding the Decepticons.

( WHY IS THIS HAPPENING. WHAT ARE YOU DOING. )

[aminerproblem]

Rodimus, I assure you I don't have any ill intent. We could do more if we work together.

[Also the entire clinic is almost completely de-staffed and he needs a few more stand in nurses while you all sit on your asses.]

[kidstoday]

You abandon your army, and then you want it to take you back?

[ GUFFAW ]

You disappoint me, Megatron. Your generation knows nothing of goals and loyalty.

[aminerproblem]

I've abandoned no one.

But if you're interested in continuing to sit around and do nothing, then feel free to do so. I won't waste my time with you.

tonight on the Megatron Roast

[orerrible]

This revival will die in its crib, Megatron.

[ HI, BY THE WAY ]

Direct these scattered louts towards a purpose not under a banner. If they'll listen.

[aminerproblem]

I'm certain the Senate would have said the same.

[He's so happy to learn that his faction is so full of BABIES and QUITTERS.]

There is a purpose, but it'd be ill-advised to go espousing the details over a public network.

And you are?

[screenplays]

Good luck with that.

( SARCASM. HE'S SO DONE. )

[aminerproblem]

I'm elated that you felt your commentary was necessary.

Now, unless you do want to help, you can go back to whatever important pile of rubble so demands your attention.

[Sorry Thundercracker, he's being trained by Ratchet.]

[triggerhappycopter]

Whhhhhokay?

[He's not about to disobey freaking Megatron, young or old, but he's kind of got a lot of backlog of projects at the Decepticon base.]

[le private]

[aminerproblem]

Ratchet, First Aid, and Red Alert have gone missing. I can keep the clinic running but I haven't been taught the skills to do surgical procedures. And knowing everyone here, someone will likely be in need of one soon.

We have equipment here. Supplies enough for everyone if they're distributed right. It'd be better for your patients and theirs if we could consolidate what we have into one location.

But I'll need your help.

[smarterthandad]

Assuming you manage to overcome everyone's cynicism, you're going to keep this constructive, right?

I ask solely for information.

[Val wants to know if she has to step up production of robot-scale antipersonnel weapons.

Also, hi, it's a human baby, not that the video provides much in the way of scale references or that Megatron knows what juvenile humans look like.]

[aminerproblem]

Of course. This city has seen enough destruction.

It'd be counterproductive to ruin what little resources we have left.

voice

[deceptionshark]

[How did this Megatron get a hold of the the ability to get on the network? It's all a mystery! Nonetheless, he is here, and he finds this effort mildly amusing.]

Well, I'm rather fond of extreme an unnecessary violence.

Tell me, young one, what the real meaning behind all this is? I get the feeling that this is more than meets the eye.

[aminerproblem]

[He recognizes the voice of that creepy eyebrowed Megatron who keeps checking up on him.]

Violence will not be necessary for this, I hope you understand. Not in any part.

[phase6kindofbot]

I was made to hunt the last sole survivors of a planet down and exterminate them.

If they're on this planet, I will find them eventually.

[aminerproblem]

[He sounds a little relieved to have gotten a response.]

We'll need to find your quarry sooner than that - and sans the extermination.

Can you pick up a scent based off objects they've touched?

[loyaltyandhonor]

Megatron. We have not spoken directly, but I have spent some time with the Decepticons from your universe. Consider me an observer to the state of your leadership.

I cast my lot with your Decepticons out of hope that you would prove more honorable than your counterparts. Yet all I have seen you do since arriving on this planet is assist the Autobots and punish the very soldiers who once pledged loyalty to you, and who rightfully oppose our greatest enemy. As far as I am concerned, you hold no more authority over the Decepticons than the Megatron who defected to the Autobots.

Given the choice between a leader who rewards traitors and one who punishes loyalty, I am beginning to wonder if the decision to ally with your Decepticons was an error made in haste.

[aminerproblem]

[He's not aware of everything Dreadwing had mentioned, but he's assuming part of it is referring to Tarn.]

I assume you're unaware of my agreement with Tarn, and, frankly, I'm not here to debate whether or not you think I responded to him correctly. I don't pretend to hold any authority over anyone unless they choose to give it to me, and Tarn swore to uphold the Decepticon ideal.

I don't consider that ideal to be to brutalizing and torturing Cybertronians when they have not provoked you, and I refuse to endorse it. That is why I took his badge.

It is up to you if you wish to follow me or not, but I will not pretend that I will allow this if you do.

private

[quantumechanic]

Well, I think it's a good idea.

[No one asked you, Nautica.]

Sorry everyone's being such jerks.

private

[aminerproblem]

I didn't expect this to come without resistance.

I can't force people to care, though. Hopefully they will turn around.

[optout]

Megatron, you can't expect me to have the utmost confidence in this plan.

[Why why didn't yo listen to him and continue writing poetry no this is exactly what he DIDN'T want to happen today.]

private

[aminerproblem]

Orion -- Optimus, excuse me.

[He sets the video to private.]

I have a reason for doing this. You have to trust me, it won't be the same as before.

[lethalimpact]

So where does that leave me.

[Because yeah, he's found out he's an Autobot and...got the drive by version of the war. He trusts you, Megatron, he really does...

But the cards are certainly awkward right now.]

[aminerproblem]

Nothing changes. You're still a better companion than I could ever ask for, Impactor.

We'll just have more help at the clinic, because we're in dire need of it right now.

private as hell

[infomatics]

[ .... ]

What do you propose?

private as hell

[aminerproblem]

This planet has energon and building material, Soundwave, enough to rebuild a home for ourselves.

A real home, not the blasted out bunker of the war that happened before. But if we want to keep the peace, we need both sides to get used to working with each other.

I wouldn't have wished for this circumstance - but I've found an opening to let this begin to happen.

[villagepup]

This world is in great need of repair. I want to help it heal.

[aminerproblem]

[He nods.]

Any assistance is appreciated. What is your name?

[planate]

Ah... I don't know if strengthening the faction divide when there's so few of us would help with rebuilding.

[why can't everyone just GET ALONG cybertronians suck, man]

I can see why you want to, though. Uh. Sir. We're obviously not in the same situation as before...

[he trails off awkwardly. history has a way of repeating itself.]

[aminerproblem]

The faction divide is there already.

[Pipes you cant be telling him that with your BIG HONKIN AUTOBOT CHEST BADGE. Come on.]

Autobot help isn't particularly well received, surely you understand that.

[chickscream]

[She doesn't really count herself as a Decepticon, and certainly not a loyal one, but Slipstream is curious and bored enough to ask:]

What kind of actions are you planning, Megatron?

[Her voice scrapes past suspicious, but otherwise seems like a serious inquiry.]

[aminerproblem]

Building a better place to call home while we're here should be our priority.

There's no use treating this city like a battlefield when there's no enemy to fight.

[Basically, their compound is pretty trashy and they could do better.]

[ action ]

[auramatic]

[ drift has to say, it's hard not to be slightly alarmed by megatron's public announcement. the megatron of his time (ish) seems to have dropped off the map -- for now -- but there's still plenty of megatron to go around. it was startling enough to wake up to him in the clinic, but this? this is a whole new brand of trouble. ratchet believes in him, and drift would like to give megatron the benefit of the doubt on this...but he hasn't seen ratchet around lately, either. and that worries him.

he's not totally sure what compels him toward the clinic, but he goes on instinct, his expression set. drift's not exactly sure what he's going to say to megatron when he finds him -- he just knows he has to say something. ]

Megatron. [ yeah, he...doesn't know how to open this. ] I saw your message.

[aminerproblem]

[Finding the clinic utterly devoid of the usual doctors probably wasn't any more comforting for Drift, though Megatron doesn't seem unhappy to see him.]

Drift - you're looking much better.

[Well, being bedridden was a low bar to have, but it was worth noting anyway!]

I take it you have concerns about my announcement.

[babyboombox]

Is... is there anything I can do?

[you know, if you needed a baby with shaky telepathy and no combat skills whatsoever for any reason

but soundwave's given to understand they become a decepticon at some point, and, well, they like megatron. this feels important enough to offer, at least.]

[aminerproblem]

The more hands we can get, the better.

[It's not like Megatron is swimming in combat experience right now - save for that one time he kicked Sentinel's ass. But, you know.]

Can you pass by the clinic?

action

[briefcase]

[ Brainstorm was bright enough not to respond on the network. He was one of those who made it, so he knew well enough what kind of security it had.

Instead, he shows up at the clinic, hand held out delicately as it drips energon. ]

Is there a medic around?

[aminerproblem]

...

[Megatron is there, certainly, but stops to stare at Brainstorm's infinitesimally small line break seeping out of his fingers.]

I'm sure you're aware you've used up more energon on the trip here than what bled out your hand.

[But after an awkward pause, he gestures for the scientist to follow as he makes his way towards one of the rooms.]

[imatruck]

Hey, you're that buckethead everyone was talkin' 'bout on Cybertron.

[Grimlock's got his priorities straight.]

...we're not really doin' any construction, right?

[aminerproblem]

We'll need to, unless you prefer to live in the bombed out remains of the city. It'll be a group effort.