[video]

[sword_redemption]

Wing's taken over the investigation for Vandal. He's faster, smarter, and a member of the Law Committee. I think it's time we agree and admit this is a crime and not a disappearance, anyway.

[Also, Wing didn't die recently. That, uh, probably helps his CV, too.]

Going out into the Badlands. There's...something I need to find out there.

[He hesitates, then locks the feed from Wing.]

Anyone come back, and, uh, remember things? That they haven't lived through?

....like Theophany?

Comments

[Video | Locked]

[winged_knight]

Drift...there's no reason we can't still work on this together. I'm not trying to take over.

[He seems more than a little lost.]

The Badlands? Is this...something for Liege again?

[Video | Locked]

[sword_redemption]

I told you: when I was in charge, nothing got done. Not even trying to find Prism. It's time for someone else who can get things done.

[A bitter smile.] I'm no leader. Never have been.

No. It's something for myself.

[Video | Locked]

[winged_knight]

I have to share some of that blame Drift.

[Wing can't speak to Drift's leadership experience, but...] I think you could be if you wanted.

[He shifts, uncomfortable and uncertain.] I...assume it's something important, would you like me to go with you?

[Video | Locked]

[sword_redemption]

I'm not interested in blame. I'm interested in whatever gets Vandal back.

[He shakes his head.] Then you don't know me as well as you think.

I don't think you want to come.

[Video | Locked]

[winged_knight]

[He's missed the mark again, thankfully Drift hasn't.] You're right.

[Wing is pretty sure Drift could do a lot of things if he put his mind to it, but he doesn't need to get shutdown again.] You are free to enlighten me.

No? ...why not?

[Video | Locked]

[sword_redemption]

[All right then.] I've killed mechs for disagreeing with me. My own troops turned me in to be executed.

[Leadership? Not so much.]

[He frowns. ] It's...you don't want to come. [Or, he doesn't want to explain it.]

[Video | Locked]

[winged_knight]

[He seems to recall hearing this before. The first part at least. The second...is perhaps a new close up of the harshness of Decepticon ways. ]

But you are different person now. Why can't you be a different commander as well?

[It's an honest question.]

Drift...I'm not going to force you to tell me. I'm going to trust you, that it's important, that it's worth the risk. [ There's a strength to his words but its edged with a pleading thread not to prove him wrong.] But don't say I don't want to come. 

[Video | Locked]

[sword_redemption]

Because you can't be 'different', just because you think you have a fresh start and good intentions. Wing, if nothing else, the Autobots have taught me that.

[Surely Wing's seen how few of them trust Drift.]

Besides. I've tried, here, with this. And failed.

There's no risk. What do I have to lose, anyway?

[Video | Locked]

[winged_knight]

It's a road you travel Drift, where you make different decisions based on the wisdom of your previous mistakes. It's a choice you make, for you, not for them. If you need it validated by others to be real, to be successful...then you'll always feel like it's not enough.

Failure happens to everyone Drift, even the best. [Wing is living proof of that. He shakes his head.] But if leadership is really something you don't want...

[And at that he flinches back, as if struck. It takes him a second before he can garner a reply.]

Plenty, Drift. But maybe you never wanted it to begin with. [His optics shutter and his mouthplates flatten into a thin, composed line.] We'll speak later.

[And he cuts the cuts the comm line.]

[Video | Locked]

[sword_redemption]

Wing...

[And then the cold hit of the line cutting. First Ambulon, now Wing. The two he thought were his friends. The two he thought wouldn't turn away from him.]

[This is why he never wants to open up to anyone.]

_{No. We won't.}

[Video | Locked] --> Callback

[winged_knight]

[He'd let slip too many times of late. He didn't know what the issue was, but this wasn't the time for him to buckle under stress. There were people who needed him; needed him to be steadfast and sure, not faltering with impatience and doubt.]

[Wing is not the type to take his frustrations out on things, more likely on himself, if at all. So once he's put more distance beneath his flight panels than he probably has in the past month altogether, and too much of that at red-lining speeds than was really healthy, he returns exhausted and with at least one bit of clarity.]

[Letting Drift leave on a note like that, regardless of Wing's own hurt, was not something that should happen. He might even be too late now, but even so, Wing picks up the comm and tires, hoping...]