[ 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

THE CITY

[milkruns]

After running into Megatron in the middle of the city and wandering around a bit, June finds herself following him into the center of the city. Here in the forum it's more apparent than ever that June is far too small for the sheer scale of it -- she wanders slowly around the forum with her neck craned back and her eyes slightly wide with awe. Even in ruins, it's nothing short of impressive.

This must have been what Jack felt like, setting foot on Cybertron for the first time. Except she can breathe here. And -- hey! What's that? She leans over to inspect a spindly, metallic looking plant that seems to have sprouted from a crack near the bottom of a column, already half her height in size but decidedly small to a Cybertronian. It looks like it…has fruit? June's just going to peer at it and maybe prod at it a little.

[d_17nolonger]

Primus, was Megatronus confused. This was Cybertron. Right? But it was so... different. Ruined and looking completely uninhabited - the layers of rust and dust left him plating looking unclean just standing here. And he had been wandering about for some time, just taking in the sights that almost brought a tangible pain to his spark.

He stopped just short of the edge of the crater, examining it with curiosity. He knelt down and gently poked at the one of the brittle-looking plants, drawing his claw away out of fear he'd accidentally destroy it. Out of anything he's seen on Cybertron, this was something he'd never even imagined finding...

He doesn't even register June's presence at first, not accustomed to focusing on any smaller lifeforms.

[milkruns]

Wow, RUDE, Megatronus. June is like, right there -- she jumps when the huge claw reaches past her to poke at a nearby plant and she lets out a startled yelp. She's totally ready to give the bot in question a talking to for ignoring smaller life forms -- Cybertron or not, manners are manners -- when the familiar helm registers with her. That definitely is a Megatron she recognizes. Not willing to take chances on him being nice and friendly this time, June's eyes go wide as she scrambles to duck out of sight behind one of the rough, rocky formations.

[d_17nolonger]

Okay, that gets his attention. And the fact that something tiny was so close to him and he didn't even realize it startles him enough that he backs away with a sharp gasp, staring down at the thing as it disappears behind one of the nearby rock formations.

What the frag was that thing?

Getting a grip on himself, maybe... this might be a good chance to practice with the whole "civility" thing Orion liked so much.

"Ah... I didn't see you there. I apologize for startling you?" It sounds more like a question than an actual apology. Is this how you do these things?

Re: THE CITY

[sailormulti]

Brass had been wandering around alone for what seemed like ages before she finally made it to a courtyard with a fountain. At this point she was starting to believe she was the only person in the city. She sighed, starting to circle the fountain to get to the other side of the courtyard. She couldn't help jumping a little in surprise as another person suddenly came into view on the other side of a large plant.

A human! Not Arika, for certain, but hopefully someone who could help her. Adult humans were usually pretty good at having answers. She ran over, calling out.
"Excuse me, miss! Could you tell me where I am?"

[milkruns]

June's never seen a robot only half her size -- she's way used to them being impossibly tall and imposing. This one doesn't really look Cybertronian -- she's…kind of cute, actually. And refreshingly polite. The Cybertronians could do with more of that.

"If you're lost, then so am I," June says with a rueful smile, spreading her hands. "All I know is we're on Cybertron -- I think -- but beyond that…"

[sailormulti]

Brass just looked more confused, head tilted to one side.

"Cybertron?" On Cybertron, she'd said. "Is that....a planet?"

How could she have gotten to another planet? Her thoughts jumped to some of the stories Arika had researched about alien abductions. She had just seen some actual aliens, maybe that's what happened?

[luckyfaceplate]

Perhaps when Optimus was searching for other life forms to ask for directions (haha see dad joke from earlier no don't it's not very funny), he should have looked a little closer to the ground. Because he momentarily passes by June, only picking her up in his peripheral vision after.

With a slow head turn, he takes upon her, eyes slightly widening in both...surprise and awe.

Because that's a human. On what's clearly Cybertron.

"Uh."

Great first impression, Optimus. Not only is your cover instantly blown, but you could have been a little more eloquent. You certainly do any other time of the week.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you as I was passing. Are you in need of assistance?"

Also, air?

ssshhhh pretend i have icons uploaded to this account already

[milkruns]

Look, pal, she's about as confused and surprised as you are that she's even able to breathe on this planet. Last she checked, you definitely needed a spacesuit in order to survive on Cybertron if you were human. But when Optimus' towering form looms over here, June looks visibly relieved -- she doesn't realize right off the bat that this isn't her Optimus.

"Optimus! You have no idea how glad I am to see you. Do you have any idea what's going on here? I was driving home from work, and then next thing I know -- I'm just wandering around Cybertron, talking to a Megatron who's an Autobot!"

It's okay I know that pain

[luckyfaceplate]

The fact that she recognizes him causes his optics to light up slight, both in alertness and in...confusion. Should he know her? She didn't seem familiar, at least. Not one of Spike's friends (hopefully, anyway), and while she showed SOME similarities to Verity, she's definitely not related. As far as he knows.

"I can't say I know any more than you. I was on my way back to Cybertron myself. Apparently I didn't get sent to the correct one."

Either that or Starscream REALLY FUCKED UP.

"But Megatron is here?" That's the part that gets him, not the insignia on his chest. Because...well, he's not in the dark about that one.

hi mom

[staygoldponybot]

Well, that was certainly interesting. An organic on Cybertron, looking sentient no less! Sentinel is slightly offended but wants to know if there's more of these things around more than anything.

He crouches behind her, tilting his head. Watching. It's alone, maybe this is a scout? He doubts whatever it is possesses enough intelligence to try and misdirect him. After a few seconds, he reaches over June carefully - she's no use to him dead - and gently knocks the plant out of her reach.

Like it's just a giant fucking forty ft robot right behind you, nbd.

ur grounded, sentinel. no junior prom for u

[milkruns]

June lets out a startled yelp when a giant hand comes out from behind her -- more like out of nowhere -- okay, seriously, what is it with giant robots just reaching right up into her personal space? Did no one ever teach you jerks any manners? June darts out of the way, pivoting to face Sentinel, but rather than frightened she looks gravely annoyed. She recognizes at a glance that this isn't another Megatron (IT HAD BETTER NOT BE) so as far as she's concerned she's good.

"Excuse me!" June exclaims sternly, giving him a Level 2 Mom Look. "Can I help you?"

BUT 8(

[staygoldponybot]

"You're sentient."

He's saying it aloud and stating the obvious, yes, but also hopefully making it clear that he doesn't think much of her. Wow you're sentient, well done.

"Where's the rest of your pack?" Vermin run in packs right where are they he can blow you all up in one go and not waste bullets

[candidcamerabot]

June might notice when the plant peers back. Or rather, two round pinpricks of light peering out from the shadow of some of the silvery leaves. The little lights belong to a little robot, no more than 6 inches tall, who is currently hiding amongst the sparse foliage.

In a rather toneless voice, he greets, "Hello."

[milkruns]

Well that's a tiny robot. Certainly tinier than June's ever seen. She tilts her head, brow furrowing in mixed concern and curiosity, and crouches halfway to peer through the leaves.

"Hello to you too."

[candidcamerabot]

Hm, human woman. What to say to a human woman who isn't Vera? His partner usually does all the talking, but he supposes since she's not here he could try and perform his own investigative interviews.

"Do you know where we are?"

[targetlocked]

Lock-On has already explored a little bit of the city after checking out the crater, but she hasn't met many others so far. So, when she spots the small organic inspecting a plant, she makes her approach. She wonders again how an organic would end up on probably-Cybertron, but, then again, how did she get on probably-Cybertron? She can't concern herself with that too much, not when there's someone else to talk to.

"Hello there," she says, once she's rolled up to June. She can already tell this is going to be great. Wow! Socializing after years of solitude. Nice.

[milkruns]

Oh, well...hello there, giant tank. Luckily for Lock-On, June is used to giant talking robots who turn into vehicles, and so she doesn't look too intimidated. Besides, what is there to be intimidated by when this one is so polite? Frankly, June finds it charming, and she sounds like such a pleasant robot.

"Hello," June replies, raising an eyebrow. She's sort of delighted and amused. "Let me guess -- did you mysteriously wind up here with no idea of how you got here?"

[targetlocked]

"That is correct," Lock-On says, a little bit surprised. "Did that happen to you, too?"

Despite her surprise, Lock-On's bio-lights glow pleasantly. June's immediate willingness to chat is pretty nice, after all, and maybe she'll have some knowledge of what's going on. If not that, then maybe about the social situation.

HI MOM

[planate]

What is that. Is that a people. Pipes kind of awkwardly edges over to June, waving slightly.

"Are you okay?"

HELLO SON : )

[milkruns]

Congratulations on your guess, Pipes, it is indeed a people.

June looks up and blinks for a moment til she sees Pipes' Autobrand, and then she smiles, waving back. Obviously this lady isn't intimidated by giant robots.

"Oh -- yeah, I'm fine! It's sweet of you to ask, though." She smiles up at him, dusting her hands off on her scrubs. "I'm June, by the way. What's your name?"

[planate]

Wow a small people that isn't scared of him. Pipes is glad, because that could've gotten awkward.

"Pipes. You're not... too cold, or anything are you? I'm not sure how Cybertron's atmosphere would work for an organic."

[501st]

Things could be worst--could be BETTER--but they certainly could be worse. After his initial run in with Nautica and finding out that there's living droids on this planet (certainly not the highlight of his day, let him assure you), he's going to try and get his bearings. And heading to a city, no matter how run down and crummy, has a glimmer of hope.

For now, he'd just have to think outside his orders. He's not a droid, he can think creatively. The past few days had already gotten him ready for that.

Anakin, when he sees you again, he's never letting you out of his sight.

And as if on cue, that's when he sees June. And while the helmet can't express it, he's never looked so relieved to see someone his height.

"Uh...! Ma'am!" He hurries over, holstering his blasters and giving a salute. "Pardon me, Ma'am, but I'm Captain Rex of the 501st Battalion of the Clone army. Are there any working transports in this--" A bunch of rubble seems to fall behind him, catching his attention a moment, before turning back. "--in this dump."

[milkruns]

Clone army? June looks a little baffled at first, because for some reason a scifi human approaching her is more jarring than giant robots. The things you get used to. Still, even in his hurried state, he's at least being pretty cordial. That counts for a lot in June's book.

"I don't think there's any working anything," June says, still blinking at him in surprise until she regains her composure. "Rex, you said? I'm June -- no need to call me ma'am. What's this about a clone army?"

[501st]

"Sorry ma'am. Force of habit. But ah...that's gonna be a problem." Understatement of the year, but after seeing the baffled look on her face from him popping up...he didn't want to startle her even more.

A hand rubs the side of his neck, looking at her with the utmost confusion a man in a helmet can.

"Well uh...I'm a clone. Fightin' the war for the Galactic Republic."

Something was not right. 'Clone army' was about as natural as 'womp rat' at this point in the galaxy.