[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]

[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;

[mccrane]

Then I will try harder. I do have the access code to the handcuff storage.

[What choice does he have? You are a rebel. Catching you is never easy.]

I have not opened it. But I did add to it. [Something small. Something he found in the junk yard.]

[No matter how hard he tries, those emotions are still there. Still prompting him. He can't help but lean forward, needing to know.]

What word? What word do I have to say to get you to come?

[video]

[mccrane]

Perhaps because we've talked before?

But, specifically, because of this. [He holds the present back up to the light again, which shifts immediately to illuminate Whirl's nametag.]

...

Busy. I have been busy. [Please excuse the look of guilt.]

[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.

[namesnotprowl]

Have t'say, a lot fewer volcanoes around here.

[Which he tried to avoid himself, admittedly. Well. Stayed out of the way of eruptions.]

Him, yes. And I will. It'll give him a chance t'see more of the Haven, at least. [And meet some new people, for that matter. Rumble hasn't met most of the mechs here.]

About, oh... six or so years, by the human calendar. A number of Decepticons picked up the tech before making planetfall to Earth. Made it easier to blend in. Long enough to learn how to tweak things at least.

[Video]

[perfavore]

I am glad he found it. It makes him...easier to speak to.

[Not that speaking to him was hard in itself...but there were...other complications.]

Si. It is mostly used for...covert operations. I do not require it myself, as I can cloak. It is more effective than the holoprojector.

...I would not consider us exactly 'friends.' He was much different than he is now back home.

[mccrane]

That...would be another fact I am glad for.

Was there anywhere hospitable out there?

[He has to ask, despite the fact that things have been better lately.]

What can you project?

[He has reasons for his curiosity beyond the floating ball of light.]

[Video]

[mccrane]

I am, too. [He smiles, just a bit. It's good to see some mending happening. Now, if only he can get through to Gunmax...]

[Wait.]

You can cloak? [Because yes, that sounds insanely effective.] You were covert as well, then.

[This part, he remembers.] He was part of a war. Most of the robots here have been. [Which is what he's going to ascribe to you, as well, since you've got the cloak...though admittedly, that would be an incredibly useful ability for peacetime, too.] His face is different than yours, however.

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

Tsk tsk, that's naughty, McCrane.

[That does earn a small smile.]

Add to... there's more? [Why?]

What word? Hmm. How about "now"?

VIDEO;

[mccrane]

Then tell me a better way to keep you.

...

Catch. To catch you.

[He totally meant that second word, and not that first.]

It is not much, Gunmax. But I was thinking of you. There are not many of us left, and...
It is important.

It is important that we spend the time we get meaningfully. [Before there is not any more time, at all. He knows you will understand that.]

Yes. Now.

Please.

[He sends coordinates, even if it was in the Junk Pile. He's missed you more than he realized.]

[namesnotprowl]

A few spots. Just they'd only be hospitable t'robotic types right now.

[No other water sources, but. Things seem to have settled down a bit, at least.]

Lotta things. Usually a human to 'drive' me, but I can use it for memory playback too. Even used it once for a Halloween costume.

[mccrane]

That won't be enough, but...it is a start.

[It means it is worth looking into, at least.]

...

[A human to drive you. That is...that is brilliant.]

Do you think you could project a copy of yourself very far?

[Video]

[perfavore]

[There's a nod.]

Complete invisibility until I am struck in any way. I was head of stealth operations.

[He pauses at that last part.]

He has been to other places. Altered.

[Video]

[mccrane]

We could use someone with your talents, Mirage...

[He's hoping the name Barricade gave him is correct.]

To help keep track of some of the dangerous criminals the Firstforged seem alright with letting wander free.

...

[Yes, he does remember Barricade saying something about that, too. It had been in other places he'd learned how to build.] Have the changes been for the better?

[namesnotprowl]

Reason to keep looking, at least.

[There's a lot of planet left after all.]

Of myself? Not far, probably; it'd take a lot of power. They're prone to a little destabilization at certain levels. Suppose it'd be an interesting experiment, though.

[mccrane]

Yes.

[You hit the nail on the head.]

A smaller creature would be less of a problem, then?

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

Yeah, when I was in jail.

....you got me a bomb.

[He's almost touched.]

Busy. Doing law stuff.

[video]

[mccrane]

We have spoken more times than that.

[You might have specifically been...IN...the jail for most of them, though. In the headquarters, at least, if not behind bars.]

I don't think it is a bomb.

[He hopes it isn't. He leans down, however, listening to it--and then immediately pulls back.]

...

Whirl.

...

Your box.

It is ticking.

[It is at least a way to not talk about why he's been avoiding the public, but he is more than a little concerned.]

[namesnotprowl]

Much less of an issue; I c'n get my holoform pretty far out. Probably even more if it was the size of a bird or something.

[Video]

[perfavore]

[He's surprised you know his name, but...well it is a small Haven.]

Ah...I see where you are going with this, amico.

[Well, he didn't really have anything else going for him at the moment. And he did want to help out.]

If you require my services, I offer them.

[At that last part, he goes silent a moment.]

Si. But the cuts are still deep. It will...take some time to heal.

[Video]

[mccrane]

McCrane, of the Brave Police. [Because if he knows your name, it is only polite to give you his.]

We would be indebted to you. [He bows his head, taking the politeness up a notch. He really, really appreciates that you are offering, however. This is how he can best show that respect.]

Did he hurt you?

[He's beginning to understand the gist of this. Given that you've offered your services, you are likely an Autobot--and Barricade has spoken of the Decepticons before.]

[mccrane]

[He nods, and goes quiet, thinking for a moment and doing some quick estimations.]

Between you and Mirage, then...we might have a chance to trap Overlord, should he become active again.

[It is something he has thought on a lot, since speaking with Kagerou.]

VIDEO;

[engrishdetective]

Keep?

[Catch. Right, he meant catch.]

I don't know if I'm meant for catching, but cuffs might be a good start, hm?

[He goes quiet. McCrane was thinking of him.

And he understands. In their short lives, how much they've been forced to feel, to change and develop. To experience.

What if tomorrow, McCrane disappears? Could Gunmax take it?

No. He couldn't.]

Well. Guess I'd better get going.

We'll talk more in a few minutes. Got it?

[video]

[whirlybird_of_prey]

I just thought you wanted me because of the way I fill out a jail cell. [Have a one-opticked wink. It's creepy.]

Like I said, a bomb.

[This is exciting! Someone got him a bomb!]

I'd say it's a shame Tailgate isn't here, but...it's not.