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

private

[aminerproblem]

I didn't expect this to come without resistance.

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

private

[quantumechanic]

They're all--

[She stops short, not sure how to say it.]

The war did awful things to everyone. They pretend they're fine, or maybe they don't even notice anymore that they're not, but they're all so hurt.

[aminerproblem]

[His voice grows stern.]

Something that entrenched in its own power needed a revolution to root it out. This is different.

As far as I've observed, the Autobots here aren't the enemy. Many of them I consider close friends - there is room for dialogue.

[aminerproblem]

[Well, this was certainly not someone he was expecting to meet.]

Galvatron, is it? I'll speak in a language you understand.

It'd be inadvisable to your health to inflict violence on anyone here - Decepticon or Autobot. You can ask Sentinel of the consequences - and we're rather short on medics willing to put up with your nonsense any longer.

[rodders]

You know what's funny? I would have agreed with you. ( he doesn't talk about this much, so he gently sidesteps this as quickly as possible because like HELL he's talking about this with Megatron of all people. ) But you took it too far. You'll take this too far. And everyone else is going to pay the price instead of you, like before.

( because fuck you and fuck the decepticons. )

Yeah, like anyone - 'con or 'bot - is going to want to listen to you.

[aminerproblem]

[Shockwave - as in Senator Shockwave?]

[There's a distinct pause from him upon realizing the implication behind his drastic change in appearance. The edge is taken off his tone.]

I understand if you feel skeptical of what I'm trying to accomplish here, but I have no interest in spurring any unneeded conflict. Surely you can see the advantage of bringing our resources together.

[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.]

[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]

I don't know. They've been missing for almost a week.

[Which - he wouldn't be bothered by if he at least knew where they were, or that they were safe.]

I'm not sure if they'll be coming back.

[aminerproblem]

I'll keep that in mind, thank you.

[There is genuine appreciation in his voice. Why are the humans the most reasonable people on this planet?]

What is your name?

[aminerproblem]

That's - That's great!

[His voice is filled with a genuine relief. It wasn't a complete assurance that they'd find the missing doctors, but it was a start.]

Come by as soon as you can. I'll have them set out for you.

[aminerproblem]

[He considers this.]

It would be unjust to fault someone for their cynicism after having experienced so much death and destruction.

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.

private as hell

[infomatics]

[ .... ]

What do you propose?

[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.

[quantumechanic]

They're blaming you for things you haven't done, as though history will play out the same way twice despite the circumstances being nothing alike. That's not just, either.

Video -> Action

[phase6kindofbot]

Very well.

[Considering he was just digging around for things, it wasn't like Megatron had pulled him from something important. Sure enough, Sixshot arrives ten or so minutes later, transforming out of jet form and landing in front of the clinic with a ground-trembling 'THUMP'.]

private

[optout]

[Oh no. This is going to get personal, isn't it. There's a slight vent of a sigh, weary in tone as the private lock goes up.]

You know why I have to hold my position on this. Millions of our kind died by your hand. Maybe not yours personally--you are different now then what you turned out to be.

But you are Megatron, and that's a legacy you have to deal with, as unfortunate as it is.

I trust you, as Orion did. But can I trust everything else?

Abandon the Decepticon cause, Megatron. Make a new one. That is how I'll know if what you want is truly different than what you became.

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.

[lethalimpact]

We don't need help. We can handle this without the docs. How hard can patching someone up be? If you can take em apart, you know where it goes back anyway.

[THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS, IMPACTOR.]

But...I'm behind you, or whatever.

[NOT THAT HE CARES.]

I'm not sure if I can join the Decepticons--I had to have a reason for not doing it before--I wanna know what that is first. Maybe it was a problem with me.

[smarterthandad]

[In Val's case, it's because she's a thoroughgoing pragmatist, and making enemies in a survival situation is stupid.

Plus she likes helping.]

Valeria Richards. Just call me Valeria, or Val.

[triggerhappycopter]

Well, scrap, that sucks.

[Baby Megatron being sad was not a weakness Spinister had known before. That, and hearing they were down to two known medics on this planet at the moment was not... a promising thing.]

Want me to flag Pharma down? If I can find him anyways. But he's the guy who helped me patch Tarn up and he was pretty okay at the helping!

[loyaltyandhonor]

I agree. Tarn should have ended the Autobot's life rather than prolong his suffering, but that is besides the point. I know you lack any military experience, but to ostracize a soldier for fighting against the enemy is folly.

The Autobots killed my twin and countless other Decepticon warriors. Only a naive fool would trust them not to attack if given the opportunity.

[villagepup]

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

[aminerproblem]

[Part of him wants to snap back at Rodimus, but in the end he feels that method wouldn't go through the Autobot's thick skull.]

[He lets some of the fire ebb from his features, hesitating before speaking.]

A dream I had - one I thought was dead, was rekindled by Ratchet because he was willing to give me a chance. Despite having every reason or excuse not to.

It may not have panned out as intended, but I'd never go back on that faith he has put in me.