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

[optout]

[His hands go up at that, not wanting to really upset Megatron (who wants another war NOT THIS GUY)]

I didn't mean to cast blame. But you have to understand the pain that still lingers in their sparks.

Understanding that pain and actively avoiding it is how you're going to avoid becoming that. And maybe we have to do a little understanding too.

[After all, construction has to be done--progress has to be made. Megatron wasn't exactly wrong there.]

[auramatic]

[ like that's hard, considering the state drift was in when he was still laid up. he looks worlds better now -- still scratched and scraped in places, mostly for lack of a buffer or any similar luxuries, but the most notable difference is the new-old autobot badge on his chest, covering the carved decepticon insignia tarn had left behind -- most of it, anyway. his gaze is somewhat flat, his mouth set in a grave line. ]

You could say that.

[ he might as well just get on with it. ]

What exactly do you think you'll accomplish by reforming the Decepticons?

[aminerproblem]

It's the best thing we have so far.

[He steps aside to allow Soundwave entry.]

But we're rather understaffed right now, as you can see.

[ie. every experienced surgeon and doctor is missing.]

I'm going to do a test to see if Spinister and the rest of us can run it.

[aminerproblem]

I'm certain your efforts have helped the other species here immensely, but I'm afraid we don't really use plants for anything.

Do you have any mechanical skills? Repair, possibly? Maintenance?

[aminerproblem]

Nothing is going to change if I just sit on my hands.

[Apparently MANY AUTOBOTS are still terrified of the idea of change. Psh.]

I don't imagine you'd be telling Optimus to refrain from making an announcement because it might upset people.

[aminerproblem]

Getting electricity and energon lines running through it, ensuring it is stable and spacious enough for any one of us who still needs a roof above our heads.

Any number of things, I won't give you the entire to-do list, but it is a project that needs many hands to tend to it.

[aminerproblem]

Something better than allowing so many Cybertronians to wander around listlessly and full of bitter, post-war malaise.

[He crosses his arms.]

I'm not going to give up on them.

[villagepup]

I do not...but I can learn, if it will help others.

[aminerproblem]

[Entering one of the rooms, he reaches into the storage drawers to take out a disinfecting spray and a wipe.]

[It's unlikely it even needed that, but, well, protocol. He sprays and cleans the wound, but doesn't bother to weld it up.]

That should seal on its own shortly - if it hasn't already.

[He looks up at Brainstorm. He suspects that isn't the only reason the scientist decided to frolic on over.]

[planate]

Either leader or.... [whatever the fuck this megatron is.] -- making an announcement is bound to be awkward.

[honestly he's not brave enough to just outright tell this dude decepticons are gross murderers and untrustworthy. AN AUTOBOT HYPOCRITE???? I'M CALLING THE NEWPAPERS WITH BOTH PHONES.]

[chickscream]

Well, I have hands and they aren't doing anything at the moment.

[She wiggles them at Megatron, demonstratively.]

Can't say I've ever built anything myself, but I can't imagine I'd be miserably bad at it.

[Slipstream, are you... volunteering? (She is. She is also very bored.)]

[auramatic]

So you thought redefining old factions was the right move?

[ drift sounds incredulous, and he looks it too -- usually, he's relatively reserved, but it's clear this has sparked something in him. ]

No one's saying you should give up on them. I'm not. But there are more ways to guide the disenfranchised than by reraising the banner of the ideology that left them so bitter in the first place.

[triggerhappycopter]

Well, okay, emergency only then.

[Spin's not really a big fan of the whole 'supervising potentially unstable weirdos' thing.]

... Soooo, I'm in charge of the clinic?

[infomatics]

[ he eyes the state of the clinic. it's not the best but who has time for bests. all it needs to do is... do. ]

There have been worst medical facilities.

[ spinister is an interesting choice. he doesn't comment on it, yet. ]

The success of your test will depend on the nature of the injuries that comes in. [ namely, tarn related injuries, if there even are survivors. ]

[briefcase]

[ Brainstorm flexes his hand looking at the small wound, then turns his optics back on Megatron. ]

I'm cured! I could have lost my hand to rust.

[ He was, perhaps, being a little too fake. The scientist lingers, looking about. ]

Is there anything in particular that prompted action from you?

[aminerproblem]

The medibay is emptier than it should be.

[Being on staff with one nurse usually isn't an ideal long term strategy.]

And I find the cross-faction tension keeping everyone sitting around while this happens to be less than productive.

[aminerproblem]

[He examines Drift thoughtfully.]

I find it curious that most of the Autobots I've encountered keep feeling so uncomfortable at the idea while wearing their own badges like they're part of no faction.

[aminerproblem]

It's simple enough with a little instruction. I'll be glad to have the extra help.

What is your name?

[aminerproblem]

[His expression becomes solemn.]

You keep insisting I have a legacy from something I've never done, Optimus. Perhaps you should take a closer examination of why that is.

[aminerproblem]

No, it isn't. But it's not an unreasonable sentiment to have after what happened.

It'll just be something we'll need to work on.

[aminerproblem]

If you can't see the difference, then you're blinded by your own factionism.

[Which doesn't come as a surprise to him.]

[aminerproblem]

No, not exactly. I chose to get involved. Now I have the responsibility to follow through.

[With choices come consequences, after all.]

[aminerproblem]

There always be some random chance involved. But I've started here with no experience myself.

With some technical training, we can get most stations properly manned.

[He looks back at Soundwave.]

A few more skills under our repertoires wouldn't hurt, either.

[rodders]

No, I'm not. ( he frowns, and his temper overrides his desire to keep his mouth completely shut. ) Most people here never talked to you before the war really got going. Even most of the 'cons, you know?

But I have. So.

( that's that. and that's all he's going to say on the matter. )

[optout]

You keep insisting you don't, and yet you claim responsibility for these Decepticons.

You can't take responsibility and not acknowledge that you--in some random outcome of the future, played a part in it. And that it could happen to you.