[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]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

[Have Ambulon looking a little riled. It's basically his default face only one corner of his frown is a little higher.]

Drift. I'm not going to lecture you. But I am going to tell you, that if you attempt heading back into the Badlands, I swear to Sigma I will not try the verbal approach like last time to keep you from doing something stupid, but something a little more physical instead.

[Scalpels. He will use scalpels. His tone also suggests you don't underestimate him.]

[Video]

[sword_redemption]

There's something I need to find out there. I have to go.

[Immovable object, meet unstoppable force of Drift's stubbornness.]

[Video]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

What, and die again? Maybe come back worse for wear and in need of serious repairs?

And, besides: Wing may be in control of the investigation, but we still need your help, you know.

... But you aren't going to listen to me, are you? You're not going to listen to reason. You're just going to go frolicking back off into the Badlands like an idiot no matter what I say.

[He's readying the scalpels. He's got like five of them, man.]

[Video]

[sword_redemption]

I can handle myself, Ambulon.

[He sighs. ]

Listen. You were a Decepticon. You know. About how the Decepticon symbol is made, right?

[Video]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

I'm sure you can, but lately you're doing a damn terrible job of taking care of yourself.

[hiss] What about it?

[Video]

[sword_redemption]

It's not my job to take care of myself. It's my job to protect people.

Look. If...If part of Rodimus is out there, I want it.

[Video]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

How can you protect people if you're constantly wounded or damaged or, Pit, dead? You can protect people by keeping yourself alive and online and helping with Vandal's search or, Hell, if you've given up on that, keeping people safe from the likes of Tarn and Overlord.

So, you want to go find Rodimus's corpse or remains and take his Autobot badge? Will this bring you closure? Do you think he'd want you to willingly throw yourself into danger like that? And even if he did, is the pain worth it; no, wait, you don't care about yourself. Is the pain of the friends and loved ones you have here worth your wounds or possible death again?

[Video]

[sword_redemption]

Maybe, for once, I want to do something for myself. Maybe I...maybe I lost a friend and I want to do something to mourn him.

Or are you going to tell me I don't deserve that?

[Video]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

[Ambulon visibly bristles and then just... Turns away.] Fine. Go then. But just come back alive and in one piece. If you don't, I'm not patching your aft back up. [He lies; he'd totally patch Drift back up, abloo.]

[Video]

[sword_redemption]

[Drift sighs, shaking his head.]

Don't know why I thought you'd understand.

[Video]

[rstlsslegsyndrm]

[Goes to speak, but just...] Yeah. I guess you were wrong. [With nothing left to say, he cuts the feed.]