re_alignment | [ video]

Entry tags:

✘ tf: idw | first aid

[ video]

[ Like every medic, First Aid has had his hands full. He's sort of... numb to deaths though. It was kind of his job and all and certainly he's seen plenty after Delphi. At most, he feels some remorse. ]

Those of you who still have not received medical attention, there is still room at the medbay for repairs. If you can't make it to there, please let me know. I'm more than willing to respond to 'house calls'. Please don't ignore your injuries.

[ He rubs his hands together. ]

I... I'm sorry to all those who have lost people dear to them. If there is anything I can do to assist, let me know.

I think, maybe, everyone might benefit from a memorial service.

I... wasn't able to help Ironfist in the end but... I wanted to thank you for helping me try.

[/Perceptor]

We've never spoken before. I guess I really didn't need to before. I'm First Aid.

[ Hello, he is one of yours, okay. ]

There are some things I could value some answers on. And advice as well.

[/Megatronus]

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The Acolytes keep a record of all those who arrive in my Temple.

[It's his way of saying he knows First Aid is one of his - even if he doesn't talk like it. Such sympathy isn't typical of the mechs Megatronus draws to himself.]

Very well. What is it that you need to know?

[ Well, that was a bit more prompt than he expected. ]

First, how is your brother? Is he recovering from his injuries okay?

[It can be hard to read a mech who keeps most of his face covered, but there's a definite narrowing of Megatronus' optics. He's more protective of some siblings than others. The reminder of Vector's injuries is also a reminder that Ramjet escaped, and he takes poorly to having his failures pointed out to him.]

Vector is a Prime. He'll be fine.

What do you want?

[ First Aid is made of tougher stuff than to be ruffled by that. If anything, the reaction just makes his own expression harden slightly with determination. ]

That's good. If there is any way I can assist, please let me know.

[ Fine, onto business. ]

The bodies. Are they safe? Can they revive the way we do?

[Megatronus simply hums a short acknowledgement. He doubts very much that anyone other than another Firstforged could help one of his brothers if they were near death. Maybe First Aid can hold Vector's hand instead. The jet has a certain fondness for Primus' lesser creations.

Being able to tolerate his rough demeanor is a useful skill to have around the tank. Maybe First Aid fits in better than he first imagined.]

In your place I would worry about myself before I worried about the bodies. When a Refugee dies, it's our intervention that resurrects them. We would never revive these monsters - but others might.

It would be safer to smelt them.

[ He can tolerate bullshit pretty well, okay. ]

So you resurrected me.

[ He's not sure why. First Aid never quite got how he fit in with the sort branded with Megatronus's mark. He was just-- a nurse. A demoted medic. The others were mainly skilled warriors. ]

You see, I am. Worrying about the bodies and others relates to my own well being. Being prepared for whatever and whoever might become a threat ultimately makes it easier to deal with.

[ Monsters. He still disapproves of that, and certainly he's not afraid to show it. ]

Smelting. Is there any reason why the bodies haven't been destroyed already?

Not I alone. The others helped.

[You're useful to him even if you're not very much like him, First Aid. There's value in numbers alone.]

... because you'll have to fix them. I see.

[Not, of course, because he'll be fighting off any undead monsters himself. Megatronus supposes he can find a use for such a mech. His drones do need repairs now and then.]

We've not smelted the remains because it appears someone took it upon themselves to bury them, and I'm sure we'd face resistance if we sent Acolytes to unearth them. If you Refugees prefer to learn these lessons the hard way – so be it.

Oh, I wasn't aware you work together on that. Hm.

[ He waves that off. ]

I've been a field medic for most of the war, Lord Megatronus. In recent years I'd been assigned to an outpost, but I'm not afraid to walk straight into the site of a battle to repair the wounded. I'm not as mobile as I used to be, but it has been something I've been doing again as of late. And from my understanding, if I'm prepared for my job and can save lives, then it would also prevent unnecessary expenditure of energy on your part.

[ He narrows his optics. ]

I'd assume you could do whatever you wish and we'd be helpless to stop you, if you're as powerful as you proclaim. I'd be inclined to think you may actually like us if you're concerned about Refugee outcry.

[Megatronus makes a dismissive little noise. Bringing people back from the dead takes a lot of effort, okay.]

Understand that I hear many similar claims, First Aid. I doubt them all until I've seen the mech in question in a real battle.

[Around ninety percent of his Marked are violent loudmouths. They can talk tough, but few of them can meet his expectations. So far First Aid is doing a good job of coping with the head Prime himself, but he'll remain skeptical of the rest until he's had an opportunity to evaluate his performance firsthand.]

Like is a generous choice, although I'm certain some of my brothers do. I believe it would be more accurate to say we accord you some consideration before we make decisions.

Of course. [ He nods to that. Anyone can lie, after all. Demonstration is the only surefire proof. He wasn't all that super determined to ~prove~ himself with effort, though. ] You are welcome to make your own judgements. I just want to be prepared.

[ Hnnn. He cracks the joints in his fingers, loosening the connections. ]

I just want to understand. I'm not sure I'm fully getting the point of making us learn the hard way. In the end, if Unicron were to animate the bodies, wouldn't that be causing unncessary effort on your part?

[ Then again-- ]

Well, I guess the Rufugees as a whole are stubborn individuals. Hate if you warn them, hate if you do nothing. A real lose-lose situation. You're just really disliked, aren't you? But you do try to make a difference. That should be appreciated.

[ He's rambling now. Sorry bro. ]

Edited 2012-12-16 05:31 (UTC)

The point is that any time we make demands of you Refugees, we risk an uprising. It's not worth the trouble of ensuring the destruction of a few dozen bodies. If they prefer to bury them they may do so. The reanimated are not as deadly as the Glyphless are when first corrupted, in any case.

[He's noticing the rambling, but at least First Aid speaks more clearly and concisely than Blurr does.]

It's exactly as you say. Most already hate us because they bear our Glyphs, nevermind the fact that we did not choose to bestow them. Of course, few enough believe even that...

[ He's still struggling to accept the idea of burying the bodies. It wasn't a funerary practice where he was from. He would have preferred the melting of bodies over the burial. ]

I'm not sure how many would protest that, if the bodies were given respect. Phrasing would be important.

[ That got him to collect his thoughts at least. ]

You are all very powerful and it's hard to grasp just exactly how far that power extends. These glyphs do grant you domain over us, in a way. Not many like that.

[ Well. Might as well ask. ]

I could use some advice, actually. And some confirmation. Did Pharma kill me?

[Megatronus would have been able to relate. He finds the practice somewhat baffling himself – why not render them down to their raw materials for reuse? They won't be needing their plating or their struts anymore.]

Then I invite you to convince them yourself that it would be the best course of action. If you can, I will smelt the remains for you.

[Go on, short, pale, and fearful. Impress him.

He has to shake his head as he answers First Aid's question. That's not quite how it works.]

We're powerful, First Aid, but not omniscient. I could track your body if I needed to but I can't tell you who killed you if I wasn't there to witness it.

I wasn't.

I'll open the discussion. I think it would be good for some closure. Maybe a memorial bonfire.

[ Nothing like a big fire to soothe things over. He tries not to seem too disappointed. ]

I see. I have reason to believe the circumstances of my death had to do with my investigation of Pharma's guilt to begin with. At this point, I think... I would rather just get even.

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