001 [Audio then Video] [Originating from Solian Temple]

[kungfugeek]

 Oi! What's going on here!? 

[Well, someone's not entirely happy today, are they?  Then again, if you were just running with your buddies and suddenly found yourself waking up in front of a shrine, you'd be a little intrigued about it. Enough to half-heartedly listen to the robed beings explain the situation to you.  He wasn't sure if he believed them, either.  It's not like he'd met them before, and no one was able to vouch for them.  Really, what did he care about them?]

Deckerd! Duke! Are you there?

[They're the ones he was with last, after all.]

Anyone?? I'm by some weird shrine and these creeps came up to me and gave me this--

[Suddenly, it switches to video, showing a very confused Power Joe.]

THIS THING.  

[Glad to see you're adjusting well, PJ.]

Comments

[mccrane]

[This is possibly the best news he's heard since Ultra Magnus returned.]

...

[Actually, no, it trumps that. This is cause for a real emotion!]

If you have your badge, we can upgrade that so you can use it, instead.

[He's happy.]

It is good to see you, Power Joe.

[kungfugeek]

[Oh thank god, someone who can explain things. Leave it to McCrane to be reliable and get right to the point. Have a smile!]

McCrane!

[The badge thing would definitely help. Force of habit, you know?]

The feeling's mutual. From what I got out of those guys, we're in some...weird other dimension?

[mccrane]

All three of those words are perfect descriptions, yes.

[The 'weird' part being foremost.]

Not only that, all of us Brave Police seem to have arrived from different points in time.

It has been confusing.

[Really, really confusing. But its so, so good that you're here. Its been hard without the full Build Team.]

Which temple are you in?

[kungfugeek]

You lost me. Different points in time?

[The different dimensions are confusing enough, but throwing in different points in time?]

So you could be from the future?


Uh...Solus. I think that's what they told me.

[Seeing the Build Team there really perked him up too. He'd go crazy if it was just Gunmax and ...OH YEAH.]

McCrane. Kagerou is here.

[mccrane]

Or you could be, yes.

The last mission I remember was defeating the Chieftains.

[Which had been hectic but worthwhile.]

What was the last thing you did, before you arrived here?

[Already, most of the other Brave Police had been from his future, which had been awkward at times.]

I have been staying with Prima, and sometimes at the police headquarters. You are welcome to come join me.

[And things will be a little bit more like old times. Well, old times plus Kagerou. Speaking of which...]

I know. We've been...speaking.

[kungfugeek]

The last thing I did...

It was...

[His head dips slightly, a bit saddened.]

Lua.

[But he couldn't get worked up about that. He missed her, but...he'd moved on. A nice memory to keep, at least... His head perks back up at the mention of a police headquarters.]

Really? Count me in!!

[There's a thumbs up, but...his face goes from joyful to serious at that last part.]

...And what do you think, McCrane. Should we trust him? He told me Boss and Deckerd granted him amnesty.

Oh god wall of text I'm sorry. x-x

[mccrane]

Lua?

[This is a new thing entirely! Was it possible that Power Joe was even further into the future than anyone else? And what could possibly make Power Joe quiet, for those moments? He is more curious than he wants to be.]

Of course! [Still, coordinates to both Prima's temple and the Police Station are sent, and without hesitation.] We will be able to accomplish more, with you around. There has been a great deal to build here.

And also a great deal to protect.

[Protecting and Building, just like always.]

[He considers the question carefully, however.]

It has been the consensus of most individuals...that past crimes not be held against them, here. [It would be way too hard to police that.] If we're going off what he's done since coming, I don't see any reason not to trust him.

There aren't many of us, after all.

[And it was good to stick together and to form new relationships.]

NO PROB! <3

[kungfugeek]

You don't know about Lua...?

[Probably for the best, right now. It wasn't on his top ten list of things he wanted to talk about, so he'll keep it short.]

Heh, well let's just say I got a girlfriend for a few days.

[When the coordinates pop up, he can't help but smile briefly at them. He'll be sure to stop by as soon as this conversation's over.]

Building, huh. Sounds like a job for the Build Team. Or...most of us.

...

Well...okay. I'll trust you on that, McCrane.

[He's still going to watch Kagerou like a hawk, though.]

[mccrane]

A...girlfriend.

[No, wait, he does remember hearing about this from Drill Boy, who assured McCrane that it was not a student.]

I'd like to hear what happened from your point of view some time. I've heard a bit about it, but only from Drill Boy.

[And you know how reliable an information source he can be.]

It has been more than a job for Build Team. Keeping up has been hard work, and there are days I have been...

...

[No, he doesn't really want to talk about dying, or any of the missions that they've failed.]

I am just glad to see you, Power Joe.

[It doesn't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes on Kagerou, even so.]

[kungfugeek]

[Oh, that's comforting. Drill Boy probably told him everything perfectly. And by perfectly he means worst ever.]

Yeah, I'll set the record straight with that when we meet up. You know how Doriko is.

...McCrane. How long have you been here?

[His tone is slightly worried. McCrane was always the more solemn and serious one of their group, and he had to question what kind of pressure that came with. He was the de facto 'leader' of the Build Team after all.]

Looks like I came just in time.

[mccrane]

He has a very unique way of explaining things, yes.

[Getting the real story--and some more information about what the future held back on earth--would be relieving.]

I've been here for... [Hold on while he checks.] Seven months and nine days.

I would be happy to catch you up on it after the danger has passed.

[IF the danger passed. He hoped it would.]

I could use you on the Police Force, as well.

[Since Gunmax quit. Did he mention everything had been going wrong?]

[kungfugeek]

[He'll do his best with that, McCrane. At least he doesn't exaggerate TOO much.]

Seven months?! I just saw you back home!

[There was something with this dimension...he just knew it.]

You can count on it. I want to know the ins and outs of this place. Apparently it's not anything-friendly.

...

Yeah well, some of this Police Force think I'm too 'new' for this kind of thing. I said you could probably vouch for me. Didn't do anything.

[mccrane]

You aren't the first one to tell me that.

I've been trying to figure out how it will work out when we return, but so far the best I've come up with is that it'll be complex.

[Especially if Kagerou chooses to return with them.]

It has seen better days. Attacks from the badlands are not uncommon, and there have been...other...incidents as well.

I can think of no one who I'd rather have at my side than a member of Build Team, though.

Do you mean Blurr?

[kungfugeek]

So we just...accept it?? Just like that?

[Forgive him, McCrane. It's not easy to adapt ): But you know PJ, so it's not a total shock.]

...Other incidents. McCrane, what aren't you telling me.



Yeah, that guy. Told me to leave it to the others and stay inside. I told him I was part of the Build Team.

[mccrane]

Of course not.

We'll just have to work harder.

[They've managed to survive difficult situations, before. This one is harder than any other he's experienced, but he still can't help but believe that the Brave Police will eventually persevere.]

I am not telling you things that would be better told after the threat has passed. I...won't keep them a secret. You have my word.

[He needs the time to figure out how to say 'so I died' without sounding completely foolish, too.]

He is worried about you. The rest of us have been equipped with special engines.

[kungfugeek]

That's better. I like that plan!

[That was true. The Brave Police were known for coming through even in the most difficult of times, and this would be no different. Even PJ would attest to that.]

...You better keep it, McCrane.

[He knows you will, but reassurance is a powerful thing.]

He can worry about me after I help out! When I get low on fuel, then I might consider resting. But I'm not leaving you guys to fight alone!

[raceme]

[>Private Com link to McCrane, set during this exchange.]

McCrane, I take it as your friend won't listen no matter what _{I say and I'm pretty} sure he will go there to fight with you. Inform me if something happens to him and if he needs to be taken to the medbay for a quick operation.

[Blurr was irritated, but he mostly sounds tired now.]

[mccrane]

Blurr...

What?

[That takes him a moment to process, but given that it is Power Joe in question he understands faster than he would otherwise.]

I'd like him to come fight with us. We do better work as a team.

You...are worried about his engine, though, aren't you?

[raceme]

I _{don't think your} friend likes me very much.

[Power Joe is...power Joe.]

...


...he's being foolish.

[That would be a yes.]

[mccrane]

With Power Joe, it can be hard to tell.

I would not worry about it, however. There are days he does not like me very well, either.

[He specifically remembers being blamed for their first inability to form Build Tiger.]

I appreciate that you're looking out for him, though.

I will check to make sure he has enough fuel to come fight with us.

[raceme]

Ah?

That's strange, who wouldn't like you?

[Not cool, Power Joe, not cool.]

It's my responsibility.

Thank you, McCrane.

[mccrane]

I can be quiet.

And direct.

[It doesn't mesh with every personality type. He's always been thankful that the Build Team knows how he is, and tolerates it.]

Thank you, Blurr, for informing me.

[raceme]

Those aren't bad traits. [Said the most blunt mech in the universe.]

You're welcome.

[mccrane]

I appreciate that, Blurr.

[He smiles a little, since the bluntness is something they share.]

[raceme]

I'm glad. McCrane.

[You got a smile back~]

I won't interrupt you more.