[ INTRO LOG ]

[robotsatan]

You don't know how you got here. One minute you were walking, sleeping, maybe dead -- then you're here, your feet suddenly carrying you down an empty street. Where's here?

Any Cybertronian would recognize this as their home planet, Cybertron, but it's not a Cybertron they've ever known. It has all the familiar hallmarks, but none of the specifics -- the city isn't one anyone here could identify, and even at a glance it's obvious that no one's set foot on the planet's surface in hundreds of years. The city and its surrounding areas all bear the marks of devastating war, of dust and rust collected over centuries. With no one in sight -- right at first, anyway -- there's plenty to explore. In fact, if you start walking, you'll find that your feet may just carry you in one particular direction.

A) The crater.
On one edge of the city is a massive crater left by some wartime weapon that seems to have taken out a large chunk of the surrounding metropolitan area. At the center of the crater it's broken through the surface of the terrain to reveal what looks like it might be a promising energon deposit. There is some strange but native vegetation growing around the edges, too, that no Cybertronian would be able to identify -- small, metallic, brittle-looking sprouts that bear a curiously organic-looking fruit of some kind that doesn't look like it's intended for consumption by any natives of the planet. In one rocky nook of the crater, light catches on the surface of a pool of water, which seems strangely out of place on Cybertron. On closer inspection, it seems that somehow an underground water source has formed a spring in the crater.

B) The center of the city.
If you follow where your feet seem to want to carry you, you'll find yourself in the middle of the ruined city. It seems that the center of the city was once home to a massive forum, and some of the pillars and structures still stand. At the very center of the forum is a massive, elaborately constructed fountain, although it has now long since run dry of whatever used to fill it. One of the low, inner walls of the forum has a terminal embedded in its surface, although it looks curiously ancient, out of place with the rest of the city, and unlike the rest of the technology still left around, there doesn't seem to be any way to power it on or operate it. There are a few scattered pools of water and a few of the strange metallic plants in the city, too, but they're not quite as plentiful as in the crater.

The planet was obviously once home to a massive network of communication relays, but those have all been long since destroyed. However, with the bits and pieces left behind and a few determined minds, it wouldn't be too hard to build a working, if rudimentary, one...

Comments

[rodders]

"I dunno, Prime. Might be useful if you found anyone."

Trust Rodimus to take the vague beginnings of a joke and run with them, making them unintelligible in the process. He's still-- miffed might not be the right word, but--

No, miffed is a good word. Rodimus is going to go with that one. He's still miffed about the entire Megatron thing. But Optimus Prime being there when he's supposed to be on Earth at least means it's probably not a Brainstorm thing, not in the least because he's still alive.

Rodimus pushes off of the wall he's leaning against, not yet falling in step with Optimus. "So: Cybertron but it isn't, and no way of knowing how you got here? Me too."

[luckyfaceplate]

That voice. Optimus's audials flick ever so slightly as the round pieces swivel, instantly recognizing that voice. Optics trail to the side, catching glimpse of Rodimus, his plating immediately relaxing in the process. A familiar face was welcome, at the least.

But what Rodimus says has him thinking, giving another quick scan, a nod soon after.

"It's good to see you, Rodimus. Although I wouldn't mind under better circumstances."

...

"You'd be right on the situation. But I am curious as to why we are here. Or what exactly this is."

Walk with him, Roddy, he needs the company.

[rodders]

"Honestly? Pretty sure our track record for meeting up means this is normal."

He's okay with that. He hangs back for a second or so before taking up a position next to Optimus, hanging back ever so slightly. Rodimus is miffed, okay, he's kind of annoyed beyond reason about someone taking his ship from him and giving it to an ex-warlord because he desperately wants to believe Megatron's reformed.

"Cybertron. Actually, now that I think about it - it's probably Brainstorm's fault. And not like, how things are normally his fault."

Optimus will probably want a status update at some point, but Rodimus feels like he might take it better than Megatron. Maybe.

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus can sense the other bot's tension, but he's not going to bring it up unless Rodimus wants to discuss it. His reasons for giving Megatron the ship were not solely to punish Rodimus--and he only could hope that the other bot would see it that way. His plating rests uneasily, though, as they walk.

"Brainstorm."

There's a slight upnote in the way he says that, as if the answer came literally out of thin air.

"Care to elaborate on that?"

[rodders]

No, he definitely sees it as a punishment. You aren't good enough. Megatron would be better, you don't deserve your own quest. What else could it be? He was going to do better, be better, and his chance was ripped from his hands and given to Megatron. But he covered up the marks on his hand, because maybe Ratchet was right, maybe there was a chance for him. But it's... how can he prove it if he's not given the opportunity?

"He's a Deception agent."

So. Yeah. That was a thing that happened.

[luckyfaceplate]

It could be plenty of other things, Rodimus. Megatron on the Lost Light could prove to be beneficial for the crew's protection as well as for Megatron's own good. Just as he trusted Megatron to look after Rodimus, he expected the same of the younger bot.

But the news is taken the way Optimus takes all bad news. Silence. His head tilts forward, mulling this over in his brain.

"He's been under the radar for so long."

Too long.

[rodders]

That doesn't change the fact you took his ship from him at his lowest point. And turned around and gave it to Megatron. If there's something more damaging than that, he'd like to know what it is so he can prepare himself for that, too. Because at the rate he's going that's in his future.

"No kidding. Anyway, he's headed back in time to kill you, so we're working on stopping him."

Aren't you proud?

[luckyfaceplate]

He didn't take it from you, Rodimus, he simply added another captain. If he thinks Megatron's having the time of his life with this, he'll be the first to remind Rodimus that this was technically Megatron's own personal prison.

And any wrong move revokes this.

And he had to denounce his entire faction to do so.

....

But that gets cut short. Sorry, the whole "kill him" thing got his attention. Surprisingly.

"What."

[rodders]

That's the same thing. You want to believe he's changed so much that you put him on this ship where he thinks he can do a better job instead of in jail or dead which is what should have happened. It's not fair, okay, it's just not fair.

"He's traveled back in time and we think he's trying to kill you while you're still Orion Pax. At least that's what Megatron says he thinks Brainstorm is going to do to make the Decepticons win."

[luckyfaceplate]

It's NOT the same thing, you only think it is because in the end you're still sharing Captainhood. And don't even get started on that conversation mister because you're not going to like where it ends up. Optimus is already settled on that issue.

Megatron CAN change. He'd seen him as he was. And maybe...maybe he has hope for that after Shockwave.

"But if that is the case, why now? He could have done it as soon as the war was over. The moment he boarded the Lost Light..."

[rodders]

Well no one bothered to ask him if he even wanted a co-captain! The answer to that is no, by the way, and even if it was yes, there's a billion of other bots he'd rather have. And look, someone needs to have that conversation because 'going easy on a mass murderer because you believe he can change even though he's not particularly sorry or interested in the chance he's been given' isn't a legitimate life choice.

Also he found out about it through Ratchet. You didn't even tell him!

"We're still trying to figure out all the details, but uh. You don't remember nearly dying at some point in the past, do you?"

[luckyfaceplate]

Well you wouldn't have said yes!! See? Exactly his point. Don't even start the 'going easy on a mass murderer' argument again. You know how he is with second chances. He knew Megatron before you were even born okay and he knows that deep down there's a spark that's willing to make up for what he's done. Willing to act towards redemption.

...

He was going to make an omelette and tell you.

"You'll have to be more specific."

He...may or may not have had multiple near-death moments. Being the daredevil he was.

[rodders]

Rodimus is all about second chances, he has to be. He gives people the benefit of the doubt (mostly) - look at Drift and Cyclonus and himself! But someone like Megatron who deserves to die? Yeah, no. Not cool in the slightest. And he doesn't care that he's on this quest to be judged by the Knights of Cybertron everyone knows that's bullshit and a way for him to escape punishment.

Yeah okay. He'll be waiting for that omelette.

"We don't know the specifics. Just that Megatron thinks that's what he's after since that would make the Decepticons win before the war really gets going. And I almost believe that he has nothing to do with this." A beat, then: "Was nearly dying something you did often?"

[luckyfaceplate]

Megatron does deserve to die after what he caused. But to place full blame on him, and not Cybertron's society as a whole is something Optimus can't do. The escalation was all Megatron. The murder was all Megatron. But Optimus is under the firm belief that no one is born 'evil', and he knew Megatron wasn't.

Deep down, he knew that underneath the warlord was a poet, wanting his voice to be heard.

If he can accomplish the same goal without spilling Megatron's blood...then Cybertron will already be on its way to a better future.

"So you don't think Brainstorm is acting for the Decepticon cause?"

And like Rodimus, there's a beat.

"I may have been considered reckless at one point."

At one point.

[rodders]

That's sweet, Optimus, but that doesn't change the facts or the desire to want things seen to an end. Megatron still living? What sort of end is that? It isn't one.

"I don't know. Megatron doesn't know either, and for now we're assuming he is. At least until I get my hands on him."

Reckless. Optimus Prime. Rodimus can't help but grin at the images that calls to mind. He got a taste of it, after all, when they first met.

"Okay but you know, this time it isn't something you've done but someone else. Like Brainstorm." Help him out, Optimus.

[luckyfaceplate]

It is one, Rodimus. It's just one you have to look inside yourself for the satisfaction. "Work with what you know, of course."

His thumbs tap on his faceplate in thought.

"Brainstorm has always been an enigma, although I never suspected him of being a turncoat. How is Chromedome taking it?"

He knew they were close.

[rodders]

"I'm pretty sure I can get through to him regardless with a few good punches." Ah yes, Rodimus. The Problem Solver. "If he is doing it for the Decepticon cause then he's probably going to mess up more than he thought he would according to Percy, and if he's not then we actually haven't thought that far ahead."

Whoops, their bad.

"Better than I think he would have if we hadn't managed to save an alternate Rewind who lost his Chromedome."

Oh right that.
Was a thing that happened yeah. Just another day on the Lost Light, honestly.

[luckyfaceplate]

"I know it's in capable hands," In truth he did trust Rodimus, more than anyone would assume he did. After the young bot had singlehandedly brought back the Matrix, Optimus's doubt in the Autobot had all but diminished. He truly was worthy of his name, despite his own claims.

...

But that's when his eyes open wider. Again.

"Rewind...?"

God he's going to need some serious aspirin after all this.

[rodders]

"Yeah, he's back alive. Long story, and I wasn't around for most of it."

On account of not existing anymore.

Just wait, Optimus, until you hear about what else this day has in store for Rodimus.

[luckyfaceplate]

There's a slight groan as Optimus's fingers go to his temples, rubbing in slight circles. How long had they been gone? Six months? The blink of an eye for any Cybertronian, surely.

How Rodimus, Megatron, and the crew had managed to go through all this in such a short time...

It was kind of amazing.

"If you can gather up a full report...I'm going to need this in writing. So I can take it in at a much...slower pace."

And please, Rodimus, let's not even get started on that just yet.

[rodders]

"You're seriously going to make me write a report for you here?"

Oh Primus. This is the worst.

[luckyfaceplate]

...

An eyebrow perks.

"I suppose I could ask Megatron for it instead."

[rodders]

Rodimus' response is probably exactly what Optimus intended, as Rodimus stumbles in his strides at the idea.

"What? No! No, it's fine." Ugh. Ugh! "Is he here? Why does he have to be here."

What is he even supposed to write his report on? A wall?

[luckyfaceplate]

Optimus doesn't glance at Rodimus fully, but there's a glint in his eye as he catches the other's. Never try and outswindle your dad, Rodimus. Never.

"It seems he's in the same predicament as we are. Strange Cybertron, transported here..."

...

"Humans are here as well."

[rodders]

Ugh. Humans. Rodimus scowls even more, and there might be a petulant kick of a bit of rubble at that.

"Great."

It's not great.