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

[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]

Yes. They said they were going to investigate something in the city, and that it shouldn't have lasted more than an hour.

[He steps aside to let the medical drone pass ahead of him and presents the datapad to Sixshot.]

This drone is First Aid's, and this datapad is Red Alert's. Does that help?

[planate]

[liSTEN HERE, PAL. NOT ALL AUTOBOTS]

I mean-- I think what you're proposing is fair, it's just how different mechs from different times will view it. And the, uh. Other Megatrons.

[see he doesn't want to tell megatron to fuck off and stop trying to do anything because that's how the stupid war started to begin with but COME ON

he sighs.]

The Autobots, too.

[infomatics]

No, I don't.

But I do know where you are.

[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.

[rodders]

Let me make something clear for you, Megatron. ( sore subject? sore subject. ) I was on the side that tried its hardest to stop you. From killing not only Cybertonians, but other species throughout the galaxy because you thought that was your right or something.

It's not the same. It's never going to be the same. Stop trying to make it sound like it is.

[kidstoday]

[ That just makes him laugh louder ]

Are you threatening me, whelp? I am faced much greater foes than a low born dirt pusher turned revolutionary.

[ But he'll give you a pass. Youth is too stupid to know better. They've forgotten the old stories. ]

I have not yet found what Cybertron wants from me, but before I was here I was to lead your Decepticons to a new life, away from their... oppressors.

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?

[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]

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?

[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.]

[briefcase]

I'm a scientist. My hands are important.

[ He follows after Megatron, glancing around the clinic as he does. It seems... suspiciously quiet. ]

I see you've been graduated to nurse work.

[aminerproblem]

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

[aminerproblem]

It seems rather naive to think there'd be any 'good' side to a contest in who can do less mass murder, even if you weren't the aggressor.

[He'll admit it is different, but he's trying to avoid the whole slaughter in the first place.]

[babyboombox]

Yes. [Soundwave's probably within a reasonable distance of the clinic; they haven't been doing much exploring.]

I can be there soon.

[aminerproblem]

It's not a threat. It's the only advice you're getting if you intend on weathering this city intact as you came.

[He is still president and founder of the Decepticlub, and doesn't feel particularly threatened by this old dude's intrusion.]

You can step up to aid or step aside.

[aminerproblem]

He killed his patients to save his own pride, Spinister.

[At least, insofar as Ratchet explained it.]

If you call him, it must be an emergency - and you need to keep an eye on him.

[aminerproblem]

The only person I've fought was Sentinel when he attacked me.

[Guess who's real sick of being blamed for stuff he didn't do >8(]

Whatever I do will make Autobots uncomfortable, Optimus, because of that point of view exactly.

I'm not going to let that convince me we can't be constructive.

[aminerproblem]

I don't think I have much of a choice.

[He looks tired at the whole ordeal. Leadership sucks.]

[lethalimpact]

Isn't that what you didn't want?

[He's not good with words, but he's trying. Trying to phrase it the best he can.]

Even when you make your own choices, it's like ya don't have one.

[It's weighing heavily on his friend, though. He can tell.]

[aminerproblem]

[Even though it was coming out of Soundwave's not-mouth, Megatron couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit unnerved at that.]

[But no, this is good, this saves the need for an explanation.]

Then you can come to me.

[imatruck]

Yeah I'm not good at buildin' stuff.

...if you need me to wreck somethin', I'm your bot.

[This Megs was more eloquent that he imagined.]

[phase6kindofbot]

Yes.

[The six-former lowers his head, vents in the scents of each item and commits them to memory. He didn't particularly need it with First Aid; the medic's scent was already deeply committed to his memory banks.

But it was calming to be able to refresh it, even if the scent of the drone itself muddled it somewhat. Opening his eyes, he looks up at Megatron.]

Am I to be working alone?

[He doesn't mind, he just wanted a heads up in case he did have to drag someone along.]

[rodders]

I dunno. Not killing innocents seems like a really good way to determine who's right and who's wrong.

( juuuuuust saying. )

Everyone ( Nautica ) says you're trying to be different. Maybe you are. But you're still Megatron. You're recruiting the same people who killed for you then. Can't really see what would make this time any different than the last.

( he's met you, megatron. when you were still young and starting out. and he agreed with you.

but then you were going to shoot bumblebee in the head, and that leaves an impression. )

[infomatics]

[ he should be unnerved; big brother's watching.

before soundwave arrives, he reminds himself that this is not the same megatron he knows. firmly. it's necessary, like cauterizing a wound. ]

Your clinic is... effective.

[ aka it's nice but not really but also what can you expect ]