[network] Things just got a little bit hotter around here.

[warmesthugs]

[There isn't much visible in the video feed at first; the image is grainy and out of focus, and the frame briefly scrolls upwards a couple of times before falling into its rightful place, as though someone is tweaking the settings.

When it settles, all that's visible is a massive, dark shape silhouetted against the sky. He glares at the screen with two baleful red eyes and brimming rage makes the biolights tracking down his cheeks burn bright. Two words boom over the line.]

Explanation. Now.

Comments

[officerjuicebox]

... Well that's disturbing.

[warmesthugs]

[Squint.]

That's not an explanation for what I'm doing here. Try again.

[officerjuicebox]

Yeah, now's not. Really a good time to get anything serious out of anybody.

[warmesthugs]

We all have problems. I'll be a big one for everybody I find until I get answers.

[officerjuicebox]

It's not their fault. Calm down for five seconds or go cool off out in the wasteland or something.

They'll answer you when they can.

[warmesthugs]

There's an awful lot of words coming out of your mouth and you still haven't managed to tell me anything except that I'll be leaving plenty of dross around here when I'm done. How about you tell me what the hell I'm doing here since you're so chatty?

[officerjuicebox]

It's not their fault. I don't like getting angry, but if you're going to be so thick-headed about it, I'm going to.

No one knows. I don't know. Anyone who can is... busy. Simmer down.

[warmesthugs]

[Can't tell if those jokes are deliberate or not. Either way, they're annoying.]

They'd better get un-busy real soon, then.

[action] lets start this beautiful disaster

[aminerproblem]

[Well, it looks like Cybertron decided to spit up more Cybertronians in addition to its floral gift of the week.]

[Large, unfamiliar, and sporting a conspicuous Decepticon badge stamped on his chest. Another bot from the future, probably.]

[Megatron doesn't appear too concerned despite the Smelter's deeply annoyed frown and hostile disposition. He's had no problems with any of the other Decepticons in the past, save for some friction with Galvatron.]

[Of course, he was aware he may look a little strange with streaks of medical white and red instead of his more recognizable mining caution striping, so he keeps a few paces between them before calling out:]

You look quite lost.

oh boy oh boy

[warmesthugs]

[He squints, more suspicion than anything. The shape is familiar. The voice is unmistakable.

The colours are all wrong.]

…You could say that.

[How to proceed? Tarn isn't here to be the compass. What would Tarn say? What would his orders be? Helex thinks about it for a second or two. Caution? Probably caution.]

I'm trying to get somebody to tell me what I'm doing here. Don't suppose you're willing to talk?

[aminerproblem]

I'm afraid we don't have many answers ourselves.

You're on some kind of alternate Cybertron that enjoys bending space and time to bring us all together in this city. That's about the extent of what's known.

[He looks up to meet the suspicious stare with an unflinching one of his own. Megatron was far from being small, even before any significant wartime upgrade, but well - some bots were just designed to fit people inside them. There was more than enough youthful vigor to make up for it in presence, though.]

[And he'd need that for what he was about to say next:]

The war's over. Both Autobots and Decepticons have put aside their weapons to build the city up. I trust you will do the same.

[warmesthugs]

Thanks.

[He means that, mostly. He wanted answers and he… sort of got them. Not as informative as he'd like; he's not as good at extrapolating data as Tarn or Kaon. Filling in the blanks isn't his favourite pastime when he can save the headache and ask one of them instead.

But they aren't here to ask right now, and even worse… this old song and dance. He's heard it before, at least two dozen times from two dozen different screaming traitors. Helex leers, one pair of hands on his hips, the other set of arms crossed at his waist.]

But it doesn't work that way. Not even for you. Not now.

[aminerproblem]

[The Decepticon doesn't say much, but Megatron can tell that he doesn't like the second half of the answer.]

[Of course, very few actually seemed to respond well to the order of 'lay down your weapons don't murder the people you've been murdering for four million years'. Go figure.]

What's your name?

[warmesthugs]

[Helex isn't the talker. That's Tarn's job. It'd be great if Tarn was here to handle this.]

It's Helex.

[Now if that means anything to Megatron right now, he has no idea.]

[aminerproblem]

You're part of the Decepticon Justice Division.

[He was named Helex, after the city. Nearly a year ago, it would have been merely a strange name choice, but a lot has happened since then. A lot of violent incidents with Tarn, unfortunately. But if this bot was half as fanatical as Tarn was, turning this around could still be possible.]

You were picked to uphold the ideals I wrote, just as Tarn was.

[sparkwhisperer]

[He knows that figure. A lot of emotions filter through him and Tarn finds himself unable to choose just one.]

Helex.

[He had long ago given up hope of his teammates finding him. A lot has happened in the mean time and he isn't quite sure how he feels about them seeing him like this. Badgeless, no weapon, shoddily patched up from his numerous scuffles...would they still listen to him? Would they respect him?

Still, he find himself still responsible for Helex to some degree.]

Its...complicated. Where are you?

[warmesthugs]

[The easy arrogance fades, slowly becoming a flat scowl. He unfolds one smaller arm to point accusingly at Megatron.]

Yeah, the ideals you betrayed. Kinda funny, I guess.

[warmesthugs]

Tarn!

[Joy, relief, outrage all in one as the image pitches violently and Helex's face comes into clearer view. Outrage more that Tarn is also here instead of where they should be, doing what needs to be done. The D.J.D. can get by without Helex, but they need Tarn.]

It's hard to say. Not many landmarks and I don't have a coordinate grid to work off of.

[He's better at this when he has computer aid.]

[sparkwhisperer]

Can you see the city?

[Tarn is anxious to find him before someone else does. This could go very poorly, Helex isn't know for being the most patient with people.

He immediately starts scanning for the familiar energy signature.]

[warmesthugs]

I'm in the city. Somewhere.

[Seriously, it's hard to landmark when it's Rusted Building with a Pointy Top 1, Rusted Building with a Pointy Top 2, Rusted Building with the Side Caved In…]

Far enough into the city that I can't get line of sight on much.

[aminerproblem]

[It's been a long time since he felt that familiar pang of anger at the accusation. Of course, he knew why Helex felt that way. But he also knew that the DJD were the symbol of a grossly corrupted ideology, one that filled him with disgust at the mere thought of it.]

Before I arrived here, I was on a prison shuttle for killing a Senator's guard. If you're even part the fanatic Tarn is you'd be familiar with it. The C-12 Riot. There was no one more ready continue the fight than I was.

But there's no functionist oppression here. No reason to start killing. Just tired sparks weary of fighting a war that lost its reason. People who want to rebuild.

I suppose you'll ignore that if the truth is too inconvenient for you, but don't you dare suggest I'm the traitor when the only reason you're wearing that badge on your chest is because of the meaning I gave it.

[sparkwhisperer]

Don't move I'm coming to find you.

[Luckily upon searching he is able to locate that brilliant energy signature. Smack in the middle of the city, and to Tarn's relief, relatively close by, he sets out immediately to meet him.]

[warmesthugs]

[Rage brightens his optic and biolights again. Visceral rage that makes his spark lurch in its chamber. His knuckles creak audibly as he clenches his fists.]

Yeah, we pledged to you. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. So when we watched you tell us and everyone it was all over, wearing that filthy red badge…

[Something in his jaw pops, he's grinding his teeth so hard.]

Since you know so much, I bet you already know what seeing that did to Tarn, yeah? What you betraying us did?

[warmesthugs]

Yes, sir.

[Fortunately, Helex has indeed stopped walking. He's having a face to face chat right now, in fact!]

[aminerproblem]

[Megatron sees the rage fill the smelter's frame, and silently prepares for a possible fight. He may not developed a gladiator's thirst for blood, but he's picked up a thing or two in his stay here.]

No. I haven't. But I've seen the malaise the gesture has caused in my time here.

[Also he's real sick n tired of people blaming him for Shit he didn't do yet on both sides. But he suspects Helex won't care much for that particular detail.]

I'm not going to leave the cause. But we need to change our priorities if we want to survive on this planet.