re_alignment | [Priority Broadcast][Video]

[Megatronus Prime doesn't look happy – not that 'happy' is an emotion he displays regularly nor easy to identify on those rare occasions that he does, but his frown at the moment is exceptionally severe. The last week and a half have been lousy, to put it mildly.

Losing the trail of the monster he'd been chasing, having his judgement questioned, a rather strained meeting with the other Firstforged... It all tends to wear down a mech's patience.]

I trust that the recent bloodshed has been enough to sate even the most violent appetites.

[It doesn't look like he's going to be terribly sympathetic if it wasn't, however.]

Let it be known that these circumstances – the killing of your comrades – were exceptional. On behalf of my fellow Firstforged, let me make it clear:

[He moves towards the camera, close enough that subtle flames can be seen shifting between the cracks of his armor plates and the slats in his mask. Make no mistake: he is addressing you directly, dear refugee.]

You are strictly forbidden to murder one another.

Henceforth, those who choose to ignore this decree will face corrective measures at the hands of their Firstforged. We will no longer tolerate anyone weakening our own forces with infighting. I don't care how much you may or may not like each other. Any refugee bearing a Glyph is permitted to exist within the Haven without having to fear for their life.

Should any of you object to this imposition, I welcome you to settle it with me in the arena.

[He leans back from the feed, his expression shifting from 'threat of imminent violence' to the more familiar 'general contempt for other lifeforms.']

I trust that this message has been sufficiently direct. If you have questions, make them succinct and ask them now.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[That just makes him wonder what your spare time is used for.]

What will happen to those who choose to...as humans say...'fight the system'?

[Not that he plans to...just...he knows some guys.]

[ His plating flutters. ]

I was a military doctor.

[ A N Y W A Y ]

I don't think we're quite that unified.

They're big enough to bring down a cruiser, if they're lucky.

So, you're leaving the rest of us at "if"? If that... that thing decides to listen to you or not?

I...

[Silence, just...silence.]

Wouldn't have liked it. Least not without knowin' why. Beyond just 'he's a monster'.

Whether they deserved it or not is irrelevant.

[Oh Fracas, you think he actually cares about who Overlord kills?]

Primus, huh? You's got da same power then? Like, I know yer strong an' all dat, but I mean, are ya like a god?

[He frowns] I'm fine! Don't need no repairs. [Hey, at least he doesn't have a lisp anymore. ... For now.] 'Sides, only Autobot medics 'round here, an' Barricade's off sulkin' an' anyone else I don't trust 'em as far as I can throw them. An' dat's pretty slaggin' far, too, just so's you know.

It's relevant here. Well... it's relevant when you know the mechs involved.

[His fellows hardly deserved what they got, too.]

[He lived like this for centuries. Old habits die hard.]

Megatronus is then. The name's Knock Out. [He doubts you care, but it's only polite to introduce himself.]

Yes sir, that's right.

... not quite. Primus is a god. As his first creations we are powerful, but hardly gods ourselves. I was given dominion over the forces of entropy.

[He's a little flattered that Frenzy was willing to consider him as one, however. It doesn't mark the cassette as a terribly bright mech, but it's always nice to have fans.]

The Autobot-Decepticon war has no meaning here. First Aid is one of my own Marked; he'll treat you.

You have that in reverse.

[For the last time, Starscream, he came first. Megatron sounds like him, not the other way around.]

You're also dodging the issue.

How many times must I repeat myself before you understand? Overlord is free until the day he decides to he'd rather test my patience.

Without knowing how you classify cruisers... I'd say that sounds like a worthy challenge. Let us hope one survives a trip through the Lambda some day.

He has a particularly slow processor if he'd trade his freedom and a few hours of amusement for what I could do to him for testing my temper.

I doubt he is quite that stupid.

If he attempts to kill another Marked inhabitant of the Haven, I'd say he's in breech of our law and has forfeited any protection afforded to him under it. Wouldn't you?

I'm sure there's an equally apt Cybertronian saying.

[Really, Mirage, you're using human language as a resource? For shame!]

Then those individuals are severely tempting the patience and tempers of their Firstforged. I don't envy them.

And that is how I would describe you, medic.

[It's probably impossible to tell, but he's laughing on the inside.]

Maybe not yet, but eventually. I've already seen Autobots befriend Decepticons here. I consider that progress.

[They can do much worse to him than anything Megatron could, so Fracas' policy is a smart one, at least with the more short-tempered Firstforged.]

Though we are often able to reverse it, understand that death is real here and cannot always be outmaneuvered. It's not a trivial occurrence.

I made it clear to him there would be deeply unpleasant consequences for him if he weren't gentler with his fellow Marked.

I would be disappointed if you didn't practice your skills now and then. There is an arena in my quadrant and several Acolytes within it; feel free to use them as targets if you can find no other sparring partners.

[Fortunately, that's the only bit of wit Megatronus Prime expects of his Refugees. There are those fights you should finish, and those you should never start in the first place.

Megatronus nods.]

Monsters and far worse. I don't recommend entering the Badlands by yourself, but I'll consider you a permanent volunteer the next time I need one.

[It'll take a bit more than that to offend him, fortunately. He isn't necessarily impressed with all of his Marked either.]

Then they will learn the hard way that we do not tolerate their impulses.

If I so chose I could deprive him of the use of his weapons systems, I could lock him in his alternate mode, I could make him weaker than a newborn human - there are many options available to us.

I'm a pirate, Megatronus. Practical is good in my book. Speakin' of, what're you doing to murderers, and is it gonna convince 'em not to do it again?

[ Or, more likely, to do it again and be more careful about it, but maybe he was just a pessimist. ]

I... wouldn't really know, sir. I'm used to it being, well. 'You only live once', not 'you only live once unless you don't'.
We don't get second chances. Ever.

Guess I can only hope he listens. [And stay far, far out of the way of most mechs in Megatronus's temple. Just in case.]

I would.

Thank you for your time, Megatronus.

I see.

It's going to take more violence and murder before you do something permanent about him.

Edited 2012-12-16 04:06 (UTC)

You insult my intelligence, Megatron insults my intelligence.

It's the same song and dance routine from both of you.

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