[Video][A friend lost and a strange light Shining]

[mccrane]

[McCrane is on a late patrol, in the junk-yard at night. With the horrors of the Glyphless catastrophe over and all of the paperwork filed, he has been searching for two things: One, the materials to build a soccer-goal, and two...]

Has anyone seen Gunmax?

[He's worried. He's always worried, of course, but now he looks more worried than usual. He turns, and for a moment the camera catches a small ball of light hovering over a silver-wrapped box with a gold bow. Curious, McCrane approaches, and the light moves out of the video, as does the box.]

I am also wondering about Barricade, as he has been gone for several weeks now. I don't know if keeping track of the populace is part of our Law Enforcement duties, but...it should be done. [McCrane reaches down, and suddenly the silver box pops back into view while he holds it. It's still remarkably well-lit for this time of night, but that may be because there's that small ball of light, shining on it again.]

And now it looks like I'll have to add Whirl onto the list, too. [He fingers the nametag, turning it toward the camera. Today was strange enough, but it looked as if it was going to get stranger.]

Is anyone else encountering unusual lights?

[It reminded him of Drill Boy's mythical fairy.]

Comments

[Video]

[perfavore]

[While Mirage wasn't really part of the law enforcement group, he could see that the stress of keeping everyone accounted for was weighing heavily on McCrane's shoulders. Might as well alleviate that somewhat.]

I have spoken to Barricade recently. He is accounted for.

[As for the other two...he's not so sure. But one out of three isn't bad, right?]

Unusual lights?

[Video]

[mccrane]

That is a relief. [It means he can put away the 'tracker requisition form' that he'd drafted for just this purpose.] Is he doing alright?

[McCrane looks around for an example of the light in question..and finds it, hovering just over his shoulder. As it has been. He turns his communicator so that it's able to be seen.]

This. It appeared a few hours ago when I was having difficulty adjusting my visual spectra for night settings.

[Video]

[perfavore]

As far as I can tell. Speaking honestly, it seems he has gained
lucidità.

Ah...'clarity.'

[His helm tilts, focusing on the light hovering just above McCrane's shoulder.]

It is not a hologram malfunction?

[Video]

[mccrane]

[He's impressed! Mostly at your ability to thwart the translator in the communicator, but...his has malfunctioned before.]

I think that may have been what he was searching for.

[Which is good. Hopefully, he found the thing McCrane was looking for, as well.]

Hologram? [That is a good question. It does SEEM to be a hologram, given that it only emits light and has no physical mass, but...] I'm not equipped with a projector. Is...it possible that someone else's may be malfunctioning?

[Do other robots come with holoprojectors? He wants to ask, but it sounds like a foolish question, especially since you're different-looking from the others. Actually, you're a bit similar in style to Barricade, now that he's watching for it...]

[Video]

[notyourblueangel]

Haven't seen or heard from any of them in some time. I'll let you know if that changes.

...no. When did these lights start appearing? Are they concentrated anywhere?

[Video]

[mccrane]

I appreciate that.

[He considers.]

One has been in my proximity since it generated a few hours ago. It...doesn't seem to be following me, precisely...

[Not so much as it seemed to be going where he was already looking to go.]

[Video]

[notyourblueangel]

[He starts to reply, but then notices there are other replies to this post. BRB while he checks those out really quick.]

Ah . . . good, looks like you've heard from everyone.

Actually . . . while we're checking on people . . . do you know what's happened to Four? I haven't seen or heard from him in . . . some time now.

[He shouldn't admit that he cares. And he won't. You know, if asked. But. That doesn't change the fact that he /does/.]

[He peers a little closer at the light.]

Wait . . . that isn't one of Jetfire's escaped experiment bugs, is it?

[Video]

[mccrane]

It is one of the few times when a case wraps up so neatly.

[At your question, he taps a few buttons on his communicator, looking through the records they keep.] Not any recent activity from that individual, no. If you would like, I can send someone to check in on him?

[In answer to your other question, he simply shakes his head and reaches out for the light, letting his hand pass through it.] It has entirely different properties. I don't particularly understand, but...it would not be the first mystery I have encountered here.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

...Mm, I'm around.

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

Gunmax.

[The relief that is present in just that one word is palpable.]

I haven't seen you...

[He trails off, because it is just now occurring to him that there might be a reason for that. However, the Rifle that you left? And the card? Conflicts with his reasoning. You are confusing, and he's still worried about you.]

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

[He's briefly distracted by two things. The light, and the tone of voice McCrane takes with him. It almost-- no, it definitely makes him feel a little guilty. He can act like he doesn't care, but McCrane and Drill Boy will always know the difference.

He folds his arms and turns his head away from the camera.]

Yeah, well. I quit the police awhile ago. So, we're gonna probably not see each other as much.

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

I know. I was told.

[He hadn't been in. When he'd gotten the information, he'd gone looking for Gunmax...but he hadn't found him, then. It's good just to see him...but when he hears the second thing Gunmax has to say, the light floating behind him instantly goes out, leaving his expression bathed in darkness.]

...

I see.

Not even if I want to see you?

audio;

[namesnotprowl]

I'd half expected you t'come looking before now.

Sorry. Been staying in for the holidays. Christmas... usually doesn't work out for me. And then someone came back. [There's a tiny chirp over the line as something notices it's been mentioned.] Hope I didn't worry ya too much.

Unusual lights? How so?

[mccrane]

I wanted to give you enough time.

[To get your head clear.]

Your friend tells me you may have found what you're looking for...

[He peers a little closer, trying to determine the source of that chirp, and wondering exactly what was found.]

Like this. [And he tilts his communicator to show off the ball of light that hovers, blindingly, behind his shoulder.]

[namesnotprowl]

I've been lookin' for a lot. But... I figured a few things out that I needed to.

[There has been too much loss for him lately. Time to sort himself out had helped, at least. As for the noise... he flicks on the video, and... there is a tiny dragon, with a blue ribbon tied into a bow around its neck, perched on his shoulder.]

Rumble is an attention hog. Showed up a couple days ago.

Hrm. I could take a look at that, if you want.

[mccrane]

I am glad for that. [He is. He doesn't like to see others hurting.]

[He can't help but stare when the creature shows up, however, trying to understand.] It is called Rumble? I think Drill Boy would like to see it. [Because everything is reminding him of Fairies, today.] What...is it?

Ah.

Yes.

Your friend also mentioned that you had some proficiency in holograms. I don't see how it could be one, however, since I'm not equipped with a projector.

[Still, you are the expert.]

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[Do not dare laugh at Whirl's appearance. He's stuck magnets to his optic bell to drive away Jetfire's obnoxious little light bug thingies. Like in all things, Whirl goes for overkill so...there are a lot of magnets.]

What list?

[Whirl is not sure how he feels about being on Johnny Lawdogbot's list.]

[video]

[mccrane]

[McCrane doesn't laugh. He's not the sort to do that, no. Instead, he'll stare for a moment.]

The list of people I need to speak with.

[Stare.]

Did I catch you at a bad time?

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

[....wut r u lookin' at.]

Why you wanna talk with me?

[Guilty conscience? WHIRL?]

No. Where you been, anyway? Get yourself all killed again? [Whirl oozes compassion.]

VIDEO;

[deadlydoctor]

I talked to them both a few days ago. They looked fine.

Maybe those lights you are seeing are Jetfire's bugs. Some are still running free.

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

Knock out...

[It's good to see you, again. He could have sworn you went into the Badlands, and that had been a sad thought.]

Ah.

I thought on that, but... [He holds his hand out, and it passes straight through the ball of light.] ...I don't remember the bugs being intangible.

Re: VIDEO;

[deadlydoctor]

Do I know you? [Because if he does, he sure doesn't remember you.]

No, that's certainly new. Looks like a phantom.

voice;

[thxforthememories]

... He's missing?

Since when?

voice;

[mccrane]

I don't think he's missing.

[McCrane has a present from him that indicates he's still around, and alive.]

But I have not seen him.

I'm worried.

voice;

[thxforthememories]

He had better not be missing.

... I'll look. I need to stretch my wings, anyway.